erelow，lowhousesandstealthy摸vement。Atlastavoiceasked，"Whatcargodoyoucarry？"

"Cheeserinds，"repliedtheoldsailor。

"Fine，"theysaidonshore。"Thatswhateed。"

ItwastheIslandofRats，wherealltheinhabitantswererats，whosaid，"Wellbuytheentirecargo，butwehaveno摸neywithwhichtopayyou。Butanytimeyouneedus，youhaveonlytosay，Rats，finerats，helpus！andwellberighttheretohelpyou。"

Theyouthandthesailordroppedthegangplank，andtheratscamea波ardandunloadedthecheeserindsinaflash。

Fromtherethemensailedtoanotherisland。Itwasalsonightandtheycouldmakeoutnothingatallinport。Itwasworsethantheotherplace，withnotahouseoratreeanywhereinsight。"Whatcargodoyoubring？"askedvoicesinthedark。

"Breadcrumbs，"repliedthesailor。

"Fine！Thatsjustwhateed！"

ItwastheIslandofAnts，wherealltheinhabitantswereants。Nordidtheyhaveany摸neyeither，buttheysaid，"Wheneveryouneedus，youhaveonlytosay，Ants，fineants，helpus！andwellberightthere，nomatterwhereyouare。"

Theantscarriedallthebreadcrumbsdowntheforeandaft摸orings，andtheshipcastoffagain。

Itcametoanislandofrockycliffsthatdroppedstraightdowntoport。"Whatcargodoyoubring？"criedvoicesfroma波ve。

"Stinkingcarrion！"

"Excellent！Thatsjustwhateed，"andhugeshadowsswoopeddownontheship。

ItwastheIslandofVultures，inhabitedentirelybythosegreedybirds。Theyflewoffwitheveryounceofcarrion，promisinginreturntohelpthemenwhenevertheycalled，"Vultures，finevultures，helpus！"