25

No. 7

upon the surface of the water and only served as a laughing stock to his companions. The Plongeux proceeded next, but found nothing. The Buzzard dived next and remained under water until his Strength was almost exhausted, and was sometime above the water before he could impart his adventure, which was notwithstanding unsuccessful. After remaining inactive some days, they again dived, and the Buzzard alone, after appearing upon the surface seemingly in a lifeless state, had his bill full of earth, which showed that the waters were decreasing. They continued to dive with unremitted diligence for sometime afterwards, throwing out now and then some bitter sarcasms against the least successful: in which dispute, the Plongeux did not fail to remind the Canard of his bad, jealous head. In short the waters dried upon the Earth. But as yet, their situation was deplorable, as they could scarcely find any roots even for their subsistence. During this interval,

[25]