care for them, and how reposeful they look in their pearl and coral homes,
with sea-plants growing around them, and gold and silver heaped at their
feet. They crossed the world to get it, and their journeys have not been
failures. Will you come, noble stranger? Come to be one of us whose
lives are all love, and sunshine, and merriment?"

"None of it's in my line, I'm thinking, my dear," said Lutey. "I'd rather
come across some of the things that have gone down in the wrecks, wines
and brandy, laces and silks; there's a pretty sight of it all gone to the
bottom, one time and another, I'm thinking."

"Ah yes! We have vast cellars full of the choicest wines ever made, and
caves stored with laces and silks. Come, stranger, come, and take all you
want."

"Well," answered the old smuggler, who was thinking what a fine trade he
could do, if only he could reach those caves and cellars, "I must say I'd
like to, 'tis very tempting, but I should never live to get there,
I'm thinking. I should be drownded or smothered before I'd got half-way."

"No, oh no, I can manage that for you. I will make two slits under your
chin, your lovely countenance will not suffer, for your beard will hide
them. Such a pair of gills is all you want, so do not fear. Do not leave
me, generous-hearted youth. Come to the mermaid's home!" They were in
the sea by this time, and the breakers they wanted to reach were not far
off. Lutey felt strangely tempted to go with this Siren; her flashing
green eyes had utterly bewitched him by this time, and her promises had
turned his head. She saw that he was almost consenting, almost in her
power. She clasped her long, wet, finny fingers more closely round his
neck, and pressed her cool lips to his cheeks.

Another instant, and Lutey would have gone to his doom, but at that moment
there came from the shore the sound of a dog barking as though in
distress. It was the barking of Lutey's own dog, a great favourite with
its master. Lutey turned to look. At the edge of the water the poor
creature stood; evidently frantic to follow its master, it dashed into the
sea and out again, struggling, panting. Beyond, on the cliff, stood his
home, the windows flaming against the sun, his garden, and the country
round looking green and beautiful; the smoke was rising from his chimney,
--ah, his supper! The thought of his nice hot meal broke the spell, and he
saw his danger.

"Let me go, let me go!" he shrie