For three days they journeyed, always pointing their course to Eastward, but they did not know just where to look for the Fairy Islands. Sometimes a flock of birds would fly above them also going Eastward, but they flew so fast that it was never possible to follow and learn their path.
On the fourth day, just as the pink dawn spread over the sky, Birdling saw a whole fleet of tiny sails. They were no bigger than his own, but they were pearly white and shimmered with lovely colors, so he knew they must be Nautilus ships.
“Heigh-ho!” he shouted, catching up to them. “Heigh-ho, heigh-ho!”
The Nautilus ships have deep, deep holds with many little cabins in them. When he shouted, a whole troop of fairy sailors came popping out to see who had called to them.
“Heigh-ho!” they replied.
“Where are you going?” asked Birdling.
“To the Fairy Islands.”
“Take me along?”
“With pleasure,” said the fairies. “Who are you?”