ries in his pockets.

It was so dark that he could see nothing, and he twined his arms round
the bird's neck, to hold on, upon which this agreeable fowl told him
not to be afraid, and said she hoped he was comfortable.

"I should be more comfortable," replied Jack, "if I knew how I could
get home again. I don't wish to go home just yet, for I want to see
where we are flying to, but papa and mamma will be frightened if I
never do."

"Oh no," replied the albatross (for she was an albatross), "you need
not be at all afraid about that. When boys go to Fairyland, their
parents never are uneasy about them."

"Really?" exclaimed Jack.

"Quite true," replied the albatross.

"And so we are going to Fairyland?" exclaimed Jack; "how delightful!"

"Yes," said the albatross; "the back way, mind; we are only going the
back way. You could go in two minutes by the usual route; but these
young fairies want to go before they are summoned, and therefore you
and I are taking them." And she continued to fly on in the dark sky
for a very long time.

"They seem to be all fast asleep," said Jack.

"Perhaps they will sleep till we come to the wonderful river,"
replied the albatross; and just then she flew with a great bump
against something that met her in the air.

"What craft is this that hangs out no light?" said a gruff voice.

"I might ask the same question of you," answered the albatross,
sullenly.

"I'm only a poor Will-o'-the-wisp," replied the voice, "and you know
very well that I have but a lantern to show." Thereupon a lantern
became visible, and Jack saw by the light of it a man, who looked old
and tired, and he was so transparent that you could see through him,
lantern and all.

"I hope I have not hurt you, William," said the albatross; "I will
light up immediately. Good-night."

"Good-night," answered the Will-o'-the-wisp. "I am going down as fast
as I can; the storm blew me up, and I am never easy excepting in my
native swamps."

Jack might have taken more notice of Will, if the albatross had not
begun to light up. She did it in this way. First, one of her eyes
began to gleam with a beautiful green light, which cast its rays far
and near, and then, when it was as bright as a lamp, the other eye
began to shine, and the light of that eye was red. In short, she was
lighted up just like a vessel at sea.

Jack was so happy that he hardly knew which to look at first, there
really were so many remarkable things.