hed to find how near they were to the "top" of the
ocean, for they had not ascended through the water very long when
suddenly her head popped into the air, and she gave a gasp of
surprise to find herself looking at the clear sky for the first time
since she had started upon this adventure by rowing into Giant's
Cave.

She floated comfortably in the water, with her head and face just
out of it, and began to look around her. Cap'n Bill was at her side,
and so were the two mermaids. The 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,
rocky islet, high in the middle, but gradually slanting down to the
water. No trees or bushes or grass grew anywhere about; only rocks,
gray and bleak, were to be seen.

Trot scarcely noticed this at first, however, for the island seemed
covered with groups of forms, some still and some moving, which the
old sailor promptly recognized 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
the slumbers of the others. Once in a while one of those crowded out
of place would give a loud and angry bark, which awakened others and
set them to barking likewise.

Baby seals were there in great numbers, and were more active and
playful than their elders. It was really wonderful how they could
scramble around on the land, and Trot laughed more than once at
their antics.

At the edge of the water lay many huge turtles, some as big around
as a wagon wheel and others much smaller in size.

"The big ones are very old," said the Queen, seeing Trot's eyes
fixed on the turtles.

"How old?" asked the child.

"Hundreds of years, I think. They live to a great age, for nothing
can harm them when they withdraw their legs and heads into their
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 course
no men ever come to this out-of-the-way place in the ocean, so the
inhabitants of this little island know they are perfectly safe."

In the center of the island rose high cliffs on top of which were to
be seen great flocks of seagulls, some whirling in the air, while
others were perched upon the points of rock.

"What do the birds find to eat?" asked Cap'n Bill.

"They often feed upon seals which die of a