The Sea Fairies

ed out toward the bluff. The air was soft and warm and the sun turned the edges of the waves into sparkling diamonds. Across the bay the last

this with interest. Here was their world. "It isn't a bit rough

w beach below and cautiously began the descent. Trot never minded the steep path or the loose rocks at all, but Cap'n B

y against the rocks at high tide. About as high up as Cap'n Bill could reach was an iron ring securely fastened to the cliff, and to this ring was tied a rope. The old sailor unfastened the knot and began paying out the rope, and the rowboat came out of its shed and glided slowly downward to the beach.

s wooden leg into the water's edge "so he wouldn't get his foot wet" and pushed off th

Commodore Trot?

ne hand overboard. So he rowed around by the North Promontory, where the great caves wer

ed a dark, yawning mouth in the cliff. "And that's Bumble Cave, 'cause the bumblebees make nest

ny of them opened just at the water's edge, and it was

wly moved along the coast, "and Giant's Cave, and-oh, Cap'n

med it that name," he replied, pausing to wipe his bald head

ed, looking at the small hole in the cliff-an archwa

for,

there's a g

n't you

t b'lieve it's big enough

ave on the coast, but low down. It's full o' water, an' the water's deep down to the

. "And how could any giant live in

have called it Giant's Cave 'cause it's so b

the girl again. "I'd

t out again." He picked up the oars and rowed slowly toward the cave. The black archway that marked its entrance seemed hardly big enough to admi

though. Just beyond the opening the cave was higher, and as the boat floated into the dim interior they found themselves on quite an extensive branch of the sea. For a time neither of th

s crept up the sides of the rocks they shone like brilliant jewels, and every drop of spray seemed a gem fit to deck a queen. Trot leaned her chin on her hands and her elbows

the old seaman and the little girl loved the ocean in all its various moods. To them it was a constant companion and a genial comrade. If it stormed and raved, they laughed with

veal itself crowned with sapphires and dressed in azure gown, revealing in th

were little eddies-circles within circles-such as are caused when anything sinks

en she stared, too. Rising from the blue water was a fair face around which floated a mass of long, blonde hair. It was a sweet, girlish face with eyes of the same deep blue as the water

murmured Cap'n Bill in a voice of horror, "a

a new face even fairer than the other, with a wealth of brown hair wreathing the lovely features. And the eyes smiled kindly into

" was the s

nd here and there, all about the boat, appeared pr

ked Trot, greatly pleased

in the sea and must move about. And you are partly like us, Mayre dear, but have awkward stiff legs so you may wa

f you've lived always," rem

the one with the blonde hair, coming nearer and r

sighed Cap'n Bill with

d calmly. "These pretty mermaids

harm you, our magic could reach you as easily upon the land as in this cave. But we l

at!" cried Tr

Bill g

you," said another mermaid, c

asked t

ould like to see a mermaid, and s

ice of you," sai

d about us," remarked the brown-haired one smilingly,

er havin' seen a mermaid afore, I couldn't be ackerate, a

They seemed undecided what to say to this and swam a little way off, where the beautiful heads formed a group that was delightful to see. Perhaps they talked together,

rot promptly, "but I cou

ld, mate!" cr

both like one of ourselves, and then you cou

ke that," said the chil

ling as if amused at the remark. "Whenever you are ready to return home, we promise to

ish's tail?" aske

a mermaid's tail

d my scales be-p

ose the colo

in excitement. "You ain't thinkin' o

get such inv'tations every day, Cap'n, and if I don'

myself," said Cap'n Bill. "I

danger," i

ll the other folks said when they dov

asked t

who, but I'v

one ever saw a mermaid

ing. "An' if we dives down like th

come. You may row your boat out of this cave and never see us again, if you like. We merely tho

right," said Trot, her eye

Cap'n Bill, "if we woul

vely eyes on those of the old sailor and smiling prettil

ll, "'tain't that. I've

m going to 'cept this inv'tation. If you don't care to come, Cap

d Cap'n Bill with a shudder. "I guess

maid," said Trot. "What shall I

a lovely white arm from the water. Trot took the slende

the mermaid, "and I am a prin

his little friend went overboard, and the next moment there was Trot's face in the water among those of the mermaids. S