The Sea Fairies

top of a high hill. The sands were covered with a growth of weeds so gorgeously colored that one who had never peered beneath the surface of the sea would scarcely beli

red sparsely over the sandy bottom of the sea so that while from a distance they seem

e place, for here were many of those wonders of the dee

few had wound their arms around the weeds or were creeping slowly from one place to another, in the latter case turning their points downward and using them as legs. But most of them were lying motionless, and as Tr

es are here, as they love to keep close to shore. Also the little seahorse

eads that were shaped much like the head of a horse, and bright, intelligent eyes. They had no legs, though, for their bodies e

little creatures and exclaimed, "Why, the seaho

in a tiny but distinct voice. "These t

y were ears,"

"Also, there are small fins on our backs. Of course, we can't swim as the mer

tch and eat you?" in

hat have a way of destroying us. But here I am, as you see, over six weeks old

ear. "I'm over three months old

xcitedly. "I'm full-grown and ma

he Starfish calmly, and Trot knew

use she did not think them very pretty. They were shaped not unlike the starfishes

hings!" said Trot, coming

oss voice. "Why do you come around here, then,

UR ocean," r

e Spider. "But as it's big enough fo

oward the surface of the water. Trot and Cap'n Bill followed

t ever yet been discovered by them. Perhaps you will be the first humans to see

there now?" Cap

so. We

water very long when suddenly her head popped into the air, and she gave a gasp of surprise to find herself lo

day was fair, and the surface of the sea, which stretched far away as the eye could reach, rippled under a gentle breeze. They had risen almost at the edge of a small,

as seals. Many were lying asleep or sunning themselves; others crept awkwardly around, using their strong fins as legs or "paddles" and caring little if they disturbed

ful than their elders. It was really wonderful how they could scrambl

turtles, some as big around as a wago

said the Queen, seeing Trot

" asked t

thick shells. We use some of the turtles for food, but prefer the younger ones. Men also fish for turtles and eat them, but of cours

h were to be seen great flocks of seagulls, some whirling i

ds find to eat?"

ine. "Curiously enough, the seals also feed upon these birds, which they are often able to catch in their strong jaw

ear them upon the shore. Trot had thought him sound asleep, but

the Queen. "Aren't

emember you, although you haven't been here for years. And isn't that Princess Clia? T

d Cap'n Bill. "I'm a sailor

arth dwellers," ex

came this way before. I never travel far, you see, for I'm chief of this dis

e lying beside the seal. "If your peopl

er the shell of the turtle and gave it a sudden jerk. The huge turtle was tossed up on edge and t

Perhaps you'll dare insult me again in the

ped against the turtle and gave it a push that sent it sliding down the beach like a toboggan, and a minute later it splashed into the water and sank out of sight. But that was just what the creature wanted. On shore th

ce or war,

e," answered the S

ily down the rocks and plunged into the water of the sea without waiting for the turtles to reach them; but the chief himself was slow in escaping. It may be that he was ashamed to run while the mermaids were watching, but if this was so he made a great mistake. The turtles

bit sorry for the old seal who had foolishly begun

t they are soon ended. An hour from now they will all be lying asleep t

he water again, and the o