CHAPTER VIII
THE EXPLOSION OF THE SUBMARINE EXPRESS
"We must be sure to strike the right road through the Agalone Mountains," said the Private Secretary, peering out through the glass, "because a great many boats get lost hereabouts in the long and winding path. Even were it possible for any mortal to get thus far toward our country, it would be very difficult to trace the way through the Agalone Mountains, which are very high and precipitous indeed. Moreover, to render the road even more difficult to follow, we occasionally have these mountains moved a few hundred leagues from side to side, so that not even the boldest mariner from your country could tell a thing about it if he tried to follow us."
"It is a wonder to me that no one has ever found this Island of Gee-Whiz," said the Widow Pickle.
"Believe me, madam, it is practically impossible," replied the Private Secretary. "Many have sought to discover the Island of Gee-Whiz on account of its great riches, but no one has ever yet done so. Were it not for the fact that these Twins, the Prince and Princess, have corazine and malazite hair, it is scarcely likely that you yourself would ever have seen our Island.
"But now," he resumed, "it is nearly time I should go aloft and look ahead. To me it seems that these mountains do not look so entirely familiar as they should."
"Go aloft?" inquired the Widow. "How can you go aloft? Do you mean to the surface of the sea?"