found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair
with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.

"Clerk be goned away for 'ees 'oliday," explained the Porter, with a
grin.

"Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie,
anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an
excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to
miss it.

"He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx;
"there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks
and weeks for a train here, you know."

"But what was he ringing the bell for, then?" inquired Dick, "if the
train isn't coming in."

"I seed some smoke awhile ago, over yonder," said the Porter, "and I
thought maybe 'tmight be th' train, but like as not it isn't."

"Then we have had this long run for nothing," complained the Dodo,
breathlessly.

"Calm yourself, my dear Sir," said the Doctor, patting him on the back;
"excitement of any kind is very bad for you. We will wait here quietly
till the train does come."

"But isn't there a time-table?" asked Dick, "so that we can tell when to
expect it."

"No, Sir," said the Porter. "There was a time-table when I fust come
here, nine years ago; but it got lost somehow, and we've never had
another."

By this time the platform was crowded with a number of other animals,
who had apparently come to join the excursion.

"We had better get our tents before they are all gone," whispered the
Palaeotherium.

"Ah, yes, of course," said the Eteraedarium. "Er--Porter, just bring us
some tents, will you?"

"Tents?" exclaimed the children.

"Yes; if we are to stay here till the train starts we shall find it very
awkward at night without tents, you know."

"Oh, yes, tents by all means," said the Archaeopteryx. "I think five will
be sufficient," he added.

[Illustration: "The Dodo contented himself with fussing about and giving
directions."]

The Porter grumbled a little, and then brought forth from somewhere a
number of poles and some canvas tents, and these the creatures began
solemnly to erect on various parts of the platform.

The Dodo excused himself from assisting, on the plea that he might soil
his gloves, and contented himself with fussing about and giving
directions in a loud voice.

While the tents were being erected, the children amused themselves by
exploring their surroundings.

"Oh! there's a refresh