em near where they were lost."

"That's a good way," said Sweetclover. "Let's go to the United States.
How far is it?"

"Thousands of miles," answered the Condor. "But that is nothing for
me. I can fly that far in a few days. Come, get ready. We will go to
the United States. Jump on my back."

So they climbed up on the bird's back, and all being ready she flew
away.

"How does she know which way to fly?" asked Sweetclover.

"Birds know everything in the air, just the same as fishes do in the
water," said the Villain.

"And worms in the ground," added Kernel Cob.

"I guess Dolls must be the stupidest things in the world," said
Sweetclover.

"Only some of us," said Kernel Cob.

[Illustration]

At this Sweetclover, the Villain and the Condor laughed, but Kernel
Cob didn't know what they were laughing at, which was a very good
thing for him.

All that day they flew, and were very happy indeed in the warm
sunshine skimming through the clouds. And once they went through a
rainstorm and got wet; but as the sun came out soon after and dried
them quickly they were none the worse for their bath, but felt
refreshed for it.

And they passed over the great Amazon river, the largest river in the
world, and, much before they knew it, they were in Central America
going at a tremendous rate of speed.

"We shall be in the United States very soon, at this pace," said the
Villain.

And on the Condor flew, swift as an arrow, but in the afternoon a
great wind storm came from the East and she was obliged to turn her
course in the direction of the wind, and late in the evening they were
nearing a large city which was now visible in the distance.

"I wish I had wings," sighed Sweetclover, "and could fly all over the
world. It would be so wonderful."

"We will rest to-night," said the bird, "and try to find the
motheranfather of Jackie and Peggs to-morrow."

"You will be too tired," said Sweetclover.

"Oh, no," said the Condor. "You can have no fear. I will be all right.
When I say I do something I do that. I never...."

She did not finish what she was going to say, and maybe it was a
punishment for boasting. People are often punished for talking too
much about what they can do ... for just at that moment something
dreadful happened that changed their plans.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XI

And what do you think happened to the Condor?

Just as they were coming to the city and the bird was looking back,
talk