"No," replied he, ruefully, "that's true; I couldn't do it. But perhaps, sir, you could condense the boat."
"Oh no!" said the old gentleman, "that would never do. Such a little boat would be swamped before you reached shore, if a big fish didn't swallow you. No, I'll see that you get away safely."
So saying, he went to a small cage that stood in a window, and took from it a pigeon.
"This fellow will take you," said he. "He is very strong and swift, and will go ever so much faster than your boat."
Next he fastened a belt around the bird, and to the lower part of this he hung a little basket, with two seats in it. He then lifted Corette and the Condensed Pirate into the basket, where they sat down opposite one another.
"Do you wish to go directly to the cottage of the fairy sisters?" said the old gentleman.
"Oh yes!" said Corette.
So he wrote the proper address on the bill of the pigeon, and, opening the window, carefully let the bird fly.
"I'll take care of your boat," he cried to the Condensed Pirate, as the pigeon rose in the air. "You'll find it all right, when you come back."
And he smiled worse than ever.