“So soundly had he slept that the owl and kingfisher, having completed their arrangements for the removal of the sea-weed, had removed Arthur also, and he woke to find himself on the back of an enormous sturgeon, with sea-weed under him, over him, and about him.  Tightly about the sturgeon was bound an old rope, which the kingfisher had procured from the remains of a wreck on the rocks, and in which he had entangled the sturgeon; this rope the owl and kingfisher took turns in holding, keeping the sturgeon near the surface of the waves by its check upon his movements, which were very bold and rapid.  Thus, by the double force of flying and swimming, Arthur was carried with immense speed into the quiet waters of a bay from which they had emerged on arriving at the ocean.

[Illustration:  MAKING THE STURGEON USEFUL]

“From the bay they sailed up into the river, and were coursing rapidly on to its narrower surface, when the sturgeon suddenly gave a great leap, very nearly throwing Arthur and his precious load off his back.

“The owl screamed, the kingfisher shouted hoarsely, but tightened his hold upon the rope, while the sturgeon dashed madly on.

“Again he made another frantic leap, whereupon the kingfisher gave him a thrust with his beak, to which the sturgeon replied,

“’The current is becoming too shallow; I can go no farther.  I must have air.  How can you expect me to go up this trout stream? have you no mercy for such a beast of burden as you have made me?’

“‘Forward again!’ shouted the kingfisher, tightening the rope once more.

“Arthur felt the sturgeon shiver, and was conscious that his movements were weaker.  Another leap, and he burst the rope; but as he jumped he tossed his load of sea-weed high in the air; it fell, and Arthur with it, on a rock.

“The owl gave a long, dismal cry, the kingfisher swept madly away after the sturgeon, and Arthur, bruised and sore, lay panting on the rock.  For a long while he could do nothing.  The owl went off in search of food, promising to return at nightfall.  The day wore on.  Arthur, weak with hunger, tried to devour some of the sea-weed.  It was too bitter and salty.  Leaning over the edge of the rock, he saw a shoal of tiny fishes playing hide-and-seek in the eddies of the stream.  He clutched at one of them and devoured it.  Never had he tasted a sweeter morsel.  He caught another, and another, until his hunger was fully appeased.  Evening came again; the moon shone early; Arthur was awakened from a long nap by the hooting of the owl, which said,

“‘Here I am again, my distressed friend.’

“At the same moment the kingfisher swooped down on them, and stood tilting and flapping his wings on a corner of the rock.  ‘Now,’ said he, ’as I am a bird of my word, and have promised to help you, we will proceed to business.  This sea-weed is dry, as you see, and very much lighter.  You, Mrs. Owl, can easily carry it, while I will take your young friend Mr. Frog.  Let us be off at once, you, madam, directing the flight.’