156 The Upsidedownians.

on our hands, and hard, too, to make potatoes
grow on trees, and apples in the earth, but we
succeeded at last,” he said, triumphantly.

“Yes, you have indeed succeeded,” said Uncle
Jack, “but will you tell me, why is your way
better than the old?”

‘Because it zs our way,’ said the old man,
and to this Uncle Jack could find no_ possible
answer. ‘‘Our power and influence are great.
Our will here is law, and all who approach our
island must obey that law. Look up, stranger.
Watch that gull.”

“Looking up, Uncle Jack and the children saw
a huge gull flying lazily toward the island, his
white wings spread and glistening in the bright
sunlight. He went in the ordinary way till he was
directly over them when he immediately turned
and flew upside-down till he found himself once
more beyond the island and over the water, when
he again turned, and flew like a common, every-
day gull.

“Astonishing,” said Uncle Jack and the chil-
dren.

‘«Same with the fishes, whose home is near the