afraid and never leaves an entrance unguarded. Besides, it is an
enchanted castle, you know, and none in the ocean can see it unless
Zog wishes him to. So it will be very hard for his enemy to find
him."

"We wish to escape," said Clia. "Will you help us, Sacho?"

"In any way I can," replied the boy.

"If we succeed, we will take you with us," continued the Princess.

But Sacho shook his head and laughed. "I would indeed like to see
you escape Zog's vengeance," said he, "for vengeance is wrong, and
you are too pretty and too good to be destroyed. But I am happy here
and have no wish to go away, having no other home or friends other
than my fellow slaves."

Then he left them, and when they were again alone, Aquareine said,
"We were able to escape Zog's attacks today, but I am quite sure he
will plan more powerful ways to destroy us. He has shown that he
knows some clever magic, and perhaps I shall not be able to foil it.
So it will be well for us to escape tonight if possible."

"Can you fight and conquer the big sea devil up in the dome?" asked
Trot.

The queen was thoughtful, and did not reply to this question at
once. But Cap'n Bill said uneasily, "I can't abide them devil
critters, an' I hopes, for my part, we won't be called on to tackle
'em. You see, Trot, we're in consider'ble of a bad mess, an' if we
ever live to tell the tale--"

"Why not, Cap'n?" asked the child. "We're safe enough so far. Can't
you trust our good friend, the queen?"

"She don't seem plumb sure o' things herself," remarked the sailor.
"The mermaids is all right an' friendly, mate, but this 'ere magic
maker, ol' Zog, is a bad one, out 'n' out, an' means to kill us if
he can."

"But he can't!" cried Trot bravely.

"I hope you're right, dear. I wouldn't want to bet on Zog's chances
jes' yet, an' at the same time it would be riskin' money to bet on
our chances. Seems to me it's a case of luck which wins."

"Don't worry, friend," said the Queen. "I have a plan to save us.
Let us wait patiently until nightfall." They waited in the Rose
Chamber a long time, talking earnestly together, but the brilliant
light that flooded both the room and the great dome outside did not
fade in the least. After several hours had passed away, the gong
sounded and Tom Atto again appeared, followed by four slaves bearing
many golden dishes upon silver trays. The friendly cook had prepared
a fine dinner, and they were all glad to find that, whatever Zog
in