2. Uncle Wiggily and Nurse Jane took their places in the washtub boat. “All aboard!” cried Uncle Wiggily. At first the wind blew just right, and away sailed Uncle Wiggily and Nurse Jane. “A happy voyage!” grunted Mr. Twistytail, the pig gentleman, waving his handkerchief at them. “But look out for the Snappy Shark. I heard he was splashing around in this duck pond ocean!”
3. The wind, blowing strong at first, blew Uncle Wiggily and Nurse Jane out into the middle of the duck pond ocean. Then, as often happens, the wind died away and all was calm. “We aren’t moving!” cried the muskrat lady. “No, we need some wind,” spoke Uncle Wiggily. “I’ll fan the sail,” offered Nurse Jane. “And I’ll blow on it,” added Uncle Wiggily. But all this did no good. The ship stood still.
4. While Uncle Wiggily and Nurse Jane were trying to make their boat go, the Snappy Shark met the Skillery Scallery Alligator near shore. “Who’s out in that boat?” asked the Shark. “Uncle Wiggily,” grunted the ’Gator. “Good!” whispered the Shark. “I’ll chase him from behind, and you swim in front of the boat so he can’t escape that way. Between us we’ll catch him and nibble his ears. Get ready!”
5. No matter how hard Nurse Jane fanned, nor how hard Uncle Wiggily blew, they could not, of course, make wind enough to move the boat. Then the bunny said: “I’ll do as the sailors do. I’ll whistle a tune and see if that will bring a breeze!” So Uncle Wiggily began to whistle, but Nurse Jane cried: “Stop! You have called the Snappy Shark instead of the wind! Oh, what shall we do to get away?”
6. “Don’t be afraid!” cried Uncle Wiggily, when Nurse Jane told about the Shark. “If the wind won’t blow our boat I’ll jump in and swim ashore, pulling the boat after me with the anchor and rope.” Just as the bunny was about to jump in, he saw, in front of his ship, the Skillery Scallery Alligator swimming along. “Ah, I have a better plan!” laughed the bunny. “I’ll make the ’Gator pull us to shore!”
