For at the mention of “sea-gull pie” the birds nearest to them grew pale, and edged nervously away.
“Monsters!” shrieked a large hen sea-gull, but she flew off when Tibbs looked at her. And very soon they all departed, uttering dismal cries, and the travellers were left in peace to continue their journey.
“Gracious me! what is that great bird?” cried Coppertop, pointing to a large white creature gliding through the air in front of them.
“It’s a great-great-grandpapa sea-gull, I ’spect,” ventured Kiddiwee.
“Nonsense!” said Tibbs. “That’s an Albatross.”
“’Es, so it is!” agreed Kiddiwee. “Do Albertroters bite?” he added.
“We shall soon know,” said Tibbs, as the great bird swooped round and came towards them.
“’Es, but I don’t want to know—like that!” cried Kiddiwee. “If he bites Cece, I’ll kill him dead! I will.”
“Oh, I’M not frightened of a bird!” said Coppertop, “besides, he’s got quite a kind sort of face, hasn’t he?”