"They are creatures," said the crab, with a groan,—"creatures a thousand times larger than we are. They have strings. They tie up legs and pull. They throw stones. If you ever see a boy, run for your life."
"Good gracious me!" cried both the little sandpipers. "How very dreadful!"
But there were no boys in sight; so C. Crab grew sociable, and offered to show them a place where bugs were plenty. "Just get on my back," said he, "and I'll have you there in no [time]."
"OH, MY! HE'S GOING BACKWARDS!"
So they got on his back. It was very wet and slippery, but they held on with their toes, while C. Crab gave himself a heave and started.
"Oh, my!" exclaimed Nipsy. "He's going backward!"
"He actually is!" cried Pipsy. "At this rate we'll get there day before yesterday, wont we?"
"Surely," said Nipsy. "How very horrid of him when we are so hungry! What a slow coach!"
"Let's jump off quick, or he'll take us clear into last week!" cried the silly sandpipers, and then they skipped off and ran down the beach in the opposite direction. C. Crab called to them, but it was no use, so he went on his way. But as for the sandpipers, they went on getting into trouble. The day was hot, and after they had run some distance, they stepped into the water to cool off. Nipsy stepped in first, but the water was up to his breast and it frightened him, so he stepped out again.