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〃I suppose they think we are a sort of sanaquarium；〃 said Bumpo〃I'd
hate to be a fish。〃
It was a thrilling and ever…changing show。 The Doctor wrote or
sketched incessantly。 Before long we had filled all the blank note…books
we had left。 Then we searched our pockets for any odd scraps of paper on
which to jot down still more observations。 We even went through the used
books a second time； writing in between the lines； scribbling all over the
covers； back and front。
Our greatest difficulty was getting enough light to see by。 In the lower
waters it was very dim。 On the third day we passed a band of fire…eels； a
sort of large； marine glow…worm； and the Doctor asked the snail to get
them to come with us for a way。 This they did； swimming alongside； and
their light was very helpful； though not brilliant。
How our giant shellfish found his way across that vast and gloomy
world was a great puzzle to us。 John Dolittle asked him by what means he
navigated how he knew he was on the right road to Puddleby River。 And
what the snail said in reply got the Doctor so excited； that having no paper
left； he tore out the lining of his precious hat and covered it with notes。
By night of course it was impossible to see anything； and during the
hours of darkness the snail used to swim instead of crawl。 When he did so
he could travel at a terrific speed； just by waggling that long tail of his。
This was the reason why we completed the trip in so short a time five and
a half days。
The air of our chamber； not having a change in the whole voyage； got
very close and stuffy； and for the first two days we all had headaches。 But
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after that we got used to it and didn't mind it in the least。
Early in the afternoon of the sixth day； we noticed we were climbing a
long gentle slope。 As we went upward it grew lighter。 Finally we saw that
the snail had crawled right out of the water altogether and had now come
to a dead stop on a long strip of gray sand。
Behind us we saw the surface of the sea rippled by the wind。 On our
left was the mouth of a river with the tide running out。 While in front； the
low flat land stretched away into the mist which prevented one from
seeing very far in any direction。 A pair of wild ducks with craning necks
and whirring wings passed over us and disappeared like shadows；
seaward。
As a landscape； it was a great change from the hot brilliant sunshine of
Popsipetel。
With the same whistling suction sound； the snail made the opening for
us to crawl out by。 As we stepped down upon the marshy land we noticed
that a fine； drizzling autumn rain was falling。
〃Can this be Merrie England？〃 asked Bumpo； peering into the fog
〃doesn't look like any place in particular。 Maybe the snail hasn't brought
us right after all。〃
〃Yes；〃 sighed Polynesia； shaking the rain oft her feathers； 〃this is
England all rightYou can tell it by the beastly climate。〃
〃Oh； but fellows；〃 cried Jip； as he sniffed up the air in great gulps； 〃it
has a SMELLa good and glorious smell！Excuse me a minute： I see a
water…rat。〃
〃Sh！Listen！〃 said Chee…Chee through teeth that chattered with the
cold。 〃There's Puddleby church…clock striking four。 Why don't we divide
up the baggage and get moving。 We've got a long way to foot it home
across the marshes。〃
〃Let's hope；〃 I put in； 〃that Dab…Dab has a nice fire burning in the
kitchen。〃
〃I'm sure she will；〃 said the Doctor as he picked out his old handbag
from among the bundles〃With this wind from the East she'll need it to
keep the animals in the house warm。 Come on。 Let's hug the river…bank so
we don't miss our way in the fog。 You know； there's something rather
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attractive in the bad weather of Englandwhen you've got a kitchen…fire to
look forward to。 。 。 。 Four o'clock！ Come alongwe'll just be in nice time
for tea。〃
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