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be continually doing magic； and they were determined not to miss a trick。
It was only with great difficulty that we escaped from the crowd the
first morning and set out with Long Arrow to explore the island at our
leisure。
In the interior we found that not only the plants and trees were
suffering from the cold： the animal life was in even worse straits。
Everywhere shivering birds were to be seen； their feathers all fluffed out；
gathering together for flight to summer lands。 And many lay dead upon the
ground。 Going down to the shore； we watched land…crabs in large numbers
taking to the sea to find some better home。 While away to the Southeast
we could see many icebergs floating a sign that we were now not far
from the terrible region of the Antarctic。
As we were looking out to sea； we noticed our friends the porpoises
jumping through the waves。 The Doctor hailed them and they came
inshore。
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He asked them how far we were from the South Polar Continent。
About a hundred miles； they told him。 And then they asked why he
wanted to know。
〃Because this floating island we are on；〃 said he； 〃is drifting
southward all the time in a current。 It's an island that ordinarily belongs
somewhere in the tropic zonereal sultry weather； sunstrokes and all that。
If it doesn't stop going southward pretty soon everything on it is going to
perish。〃
〃Well；〃 said the porpoises； 〃then the thing to do is to get it back into a
warmer climate； isn't it？〃
〃Yes； but how？〃 said the Doctor。 〃We can't ROW it back。〃
〃No；〃 said they； 〃but whales could push itif you only got enough of
them。〃
〃What a splendid idea！Whales； the very thing！〃 said the Doctor。 〃Do
you think you could get me some？〃
〃Why； certainly；〃 said the porpoises； 〃we passed one herd of them out
there； sporting about among the icebergs。 We'll ask them to come over。
And if they aren't enough； we'll try and hunt up some more。 Better have
plenty。〃
〃Thank you；〃 said the Doctor。 〃You are very kindBy the way； do you
happen to know how this island came to be a floating island？ At least half
of it； I notice； is made of stone。 It is very odd that it floats at all； isn't it？〃
〃It is unusual；〃 they said。 〃But the explanation is quite simple。 It used
to be a mountainous part of South America an overhanging partsort of
an awkward corner； you might say。 Way back in the glacial days；
thousands of years ago； it broke off from the mainland； and by some
curious accident the inside of it； which is hollow； got filled with air as it
fell into the ocean。 You can only see less than half of the island： the bigger
half is under water。 And in the middle of it； underneath； is a huge rock air…
chamber； running right up inside the mountains。 And that's what keeps it
floating。〃
〃What a pecurious phenometer！〃 said Bumpo。
〃It is indeed；〃 said the Doctor。 〃I must make a note of that。〃 And out
came the everlasting note…book。
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The porpoises went bounding off towards the icebergs。 And not long
after； we saw the sea heaving and frothing as a big herd of whales came
towards us at full speed。
They certainly were enormous creatures； and there must have been a
good two hundred of them。
〃Here they are；〃 said the porpoises； poking their heads out of the
water。
〃Good！〃 said the Doctor。 〃Now just explain to them； will you please？
that this is a very serious matter for all the living creatures in this land。
And ask them if they will be so good as to go down to the far end of the
island； put their noses against it and push it back near the coast of
Southern Brazil。〃
The porpoises evidently succeeded in persuading the whales to do as
the Doctor asked； for presently we saw them thrashing through the seas；
going off towards the south end of the island。
Then we lay down upon the beach and waited。
After about an hour the Doctor got up and threw a stick into the water。
For a while this floated motionless。 But soon we saw it begin to move
gently down the coast。
〃Ah！〃 said the Doctor； 〃see that？The island is going North at last。
Thank goodness！〃
Faster and faster we left the stick behind； and smaller and dimmer
grew the icebergs on the skyline。
The Doctor took out his watch； threw more sticks into the water and
made a rapid calculation。
〃Humph！Fourteen and a half knots an hour；〃 he murmured〃A very
nice speed。 It should take us about five days to get back near Brazil。 Well；
that's that Quite a load off my mind。 I declare I feel warmer already。 Let's
go and get something to eat。〃
THE FIFTH CHAPTER
WAR！
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ON our way back to the village the Doctor began discussing natural
history with Long Arrow。 But their most interesting talk； mainly about
plants； had hardly begun when an Indian runner came dashing up to us
with a message。
Long Arrow listened gravely to the breathless； babbled words； then
turned to the Doctor and said in eagle tongue；
〃Great White Man； an evil thing has befallen the Popsipetels。 Our
neighbors to the southward； the thievish Bag…jagderags； who for so long
have cast envious eyes on our stores of ripe corn； have gone upon the war…
path； and even now are advancing to attack us。〃
〃Evil news indeed；〃 said the Doctor。 〃Yet let us not judge harshly。
Perhaps it is that they are desperate for food； having their own crops frost…
killed before harvest。 For are they not even nearer the cold South than
you？〃
〃Make no excuses for any man of the tribe of the Bag…jagderags；〃 said
Long Arrow shaking his head。 〃They are an idle shiftless race。 They do but
see a chance to get corn without the labor of husbandry。 If it were not that
they are a much bigger tribe and hope to defeat their neighbor by sheer
force of numbers； they would not have dared to make open war upon the
brave Popsipetels。〃
When we reached the village we found it in a great state of excitemen