‘If you’ll give me two loaves I’ll show you,’ he went on.
‘I’ll give you one now, and the other when I have paid my visit and am safely back on the ship.’
‘Well, that’ll do. Give me the one, and I’ll show you at once.’
So Wopole went to the hatch which covered the pantry and took out a large loaf, which he handed to the old Man.
‘Now trot,’ he said; and the Man hurried to the side of the vessel and scrambled down as well as he could, followed by Wopole and the Princess.
It was curious how bright it was when they got over the side; for although it was past nine o’clock p.m. by the Princess’s watch, the ground itself seemed to shoot out light, and what was still more funny, they threw no shadows, although that was easily explained; for as the moon itself provided the light, it would be rather difficult to throw a shadow on the moon.
They plodded on for some time in silence; but although the old Man hobbled very much he managed to get along very fast, almost too fast for the Princess, for the walking was very heavy.
Presently Wopole said:
‘How soft the ground is; is it all the same about here?’
‘Of course it is. It’s all cheese; and you don’t want hard cheese.’