150 The Upsidedownians.

“Uncle,” said Sam, ‘what shall we do if there
are no people here ?”’

“Well, in that case, we will make a fire our.
selves. I have matches in my pocket, and there
seems to be plenty of wood. But first, let us
make sure that we are on a desert island.”

So they turned from the water, and walked on,
when to their amazement, they saw coming toward
them, three most astonishing figures! A very old
man, and two children, a boy and a girl about the
age of Sam and Molly. There was nothing very
remarkable about this, but can you believe me,
when [I tell you that all three were walking on
their Aands, while their feet stuck straight up in
the air! Each had a pair of brushes, like blacking
brushes, their hands being thrust through the
straps at the back, and on these they walked, to
protect their hands from the rough stones. But
when they came near, each jumped quickly on his
feet, and taking off one brush, shook hands heart-
ily with the strangers, bidding them welcome to
the Upsidedown Island.

“You were very fortunate not to get drowned,”