"This is hard luck," he declared, in a voice that showed he was
uneasy at the discovery. "We're pris'ners, Trot, on this funny
island, an' I'd like to know how we're ever goin' to get loose, so's
we can get home again."
"Now I know why the Kalidah laughed at us," said the girl, "and why
he said none of the beasts ever came to this island. The horrid
creature knew we'd be caught, and wouldn't warn us."
In the meantime, the Kalidah, although pinned fast to the earth by
Cap'n Bill's stake, was facing the island, and now the ugly expression
which passed over its face when it defied and sneered at Cap'n Bill
and Trot, had changed to one of amusement and curiosity. When it saw
the adventurers had actually reached the island and were standing
beside the Magic Flower, it heaved a breath of satisfaction--a long, deep
breath that swelled its deep chest until the beast could feel the stake
that held him move a little, as if withdrawing itself from the ground.
"Ah ha!" murmured the Kalidah, "a little more of this will set me
free and allow me to escape!"
So he began breathing as hard as he could, puffing out his chest as
much as possible with each indrawing breath, and by doing this he
managed to raise the stake with each powerful breath, until at last
the Kalidah--using the muscles of his four legs as well as his deep
breaths--found itself free of the sandy soil.
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