But a mild little voice from the creature relieved them.

“I beg your pardon,” said he.  “Let me introduce myself.  C. Crab, Esq., of Oyster Bay.”

“Oh, ah!  Indeed!” said Pipsy.  “Glad to know you, I’m sure.”

“I think I must have lost my way,” said C. Crab, Esq.  “Could you oblige me by telling me if you see any boys near?”

“Any boys?” said Pipsy and Nipsy, looking at each other.  “Never saw one in my life.  What do they look like?  Have they many legs?  Are they fat?  Are they good to eat?” asked both the hungry little sandpipers.

“They are creatures,” said the crab, with a groan,—­“creatures a thousand times larger than we are.  They have strings.  They tie up legs and pull.  They throw stones.  If you ever see a boy, run for your life.”

“Good gracious me!” cried both the little sandpipers.  “How very dreadful!”

But there were no boys in sight; so C. Crab grew sociable, and offered to show them a place where bugs were plenty.  “Just get on my back,” said he, “and I’ll have you there in no time.”

So they got on his back.  It was very wet and slippery, but they held on with their toes, while C. Crab gave himself a heave and started.

“Oh, my!” exclaimed Nipsy.  “He’s going backward!”

“He actually is!” cried Pipsy.  “At this rate we’ll get there day before yesterday, wont we?”

“Surely,” said Nipsy.  “How very horrid of him when we are so hungry!  What a slow coach!”

“Let’s jump off quick, or he’ll take us clear into last week!” cried the silly sandpipers, and then they skipped off and ran down the beach in the opposite direction.  C. Crab called to them, but it was no use, so he went on his way.  But as for the sandpipers, they went on getting into trouble.  The day was hot, and after they had run some distance, they stepped into the water to cool off.  Nipsy stepped in first, but the water was up to his breast and it frightened him, so he stepped out again.

“Pooh!” said Pipsy.  “You’re afraid, you are!  Look at me!”

Then he jumped in, and only his head stuck out.

“This is twice as deep as you were in!” he cried, turning up his bill, and rolling his eyes.

“You’re sitting down, you are!” cried Nipsy, in scorn.

“I’m not,” said Pipsy.

“You are.  I can see your toes all doubled up, even if the water is muddy,” said Nipsy, and rushed at him to punish him for bragging.

They both rolled under the water, and then out on the shore, dripping wet and very angry with each other.

Pipsy went home to the old bush and was very miserable.  He wanted something to eat, and did not know where to find anything.  Nipsy went high up the beach, and found a lot of young hedge-crickets.  But he did not half enjoy them.  They were fat and smooth, and he was hungry, but crickets had no flavor without Pipsy to help eat them.  But he was angry at him yet.