“Now, Pippity and Grilly,” said I, “bring something to eat.  Search our broad garden for the best.  Let us eat and be merry.  While the light yet glows, let us enjoy ourselves.”

Away went the faithful animals.  When they were gone, I walked forth and stood under the beautiful trees, surrounded by all the adorning verdure.  How glad was I to be once more on the ground, once more in the world!

Presently, I saw Pippity and Grilly returning.  The latter had an immense load of luscious fruit strung over his back, besides what he dragged after him in a large basket.  It may well be imagined that we had a most delightful meal.

After this, I made frequent visits to the top of the pinnacle, always taking Grilly with me, Pippity, as a general thing, being content to take the short cut and meet us at the aperture above.

But before taking these trips, I made Grilly stretch a line of the long silken cords (which we found in abundance) from one end of the dark passage to the other, so that I could find my way back, if the monkey should fail me.  I also used strong ropes, made of these strands, to get over the dangerous slide.

These trips afforded us an agreeable diversion.  We had now, it might be said, entire command of our mountain palace—­our magnificent hall below and our splendid look-out above.  Months passed away in this happy abode.  Sometimes we visited the distant mountains, ever exploring, ever learning, ever rejoicing; but always returning to our happy home with a renewed relish of its rare comforts and matchless advantages.

During one of the excursions to the neighboring mountains,—­Pippity alone accompanying me, Grilly having gone to assemble his tribe for a fresh supply of cocoa-nuts,—­we were leisurely contemplating the great expanse of loveliness that lay before us, in the center of which our noble dwelling loomed up superbly.

“What a splendid domain is ours!” I said to Pippity.  “We have everything that man need wish,—­and, for that matter, parrot or monkey either.  How bountiful, here, is nature, and withal so beautiful!  And our palace!  Was ever anything in the world like it?”

As the parrot made no answer, I looked toward him, for I was certain that he would join in praise of all our precious blessings.

There was a troubled look about him.  His wings moved convulsively.  The feathers stood ruffling from his body.  He was in a state of the greatest agitation.

I was alarmed.  “What’s the matter, Pippity?” I cried.  But Pippity replied only with a succession of loud shrieks growing ever louder and louder.

The air had become as still as death.

My body appeared to move from side to side.  No, no!  The ground was rising, falling!  It seemed no longer solid.  Like a wave it rose and fell.  The foot-hills below us separated, reft into awful chasms.  I looked toward our home.  Just then cried Pippity: