"I've made up my mind to one thing, Trot," he said confidentially.
"If ever I get out o' this mess I'm in, I won't be an Arctic
explorer, whatever else happens. Shivers an' shakes ain't to my
likin', an' this ice business ain't what it's sometimes cracked up
to be. To be friz once is enough fer anybody, an' if I was a gal
like you, I wouldn't even wear frizzes on my hair."

"You haven't any hair, Cap'n Bill," answered Trot, "so you needn't
worry."

The queen and Clia had been talking together very earnestly. They
now approached their earth friends, and Aquareine said:

"We have decided not to remain in this castle any longer. Zog's
cruel designs upon our lives and happiness are becoming too
dangerous for us to endure. The golden sword now bears a fairy
charm, and by its aid I will cut a way through our enemies. Are you
ready and willing to follow me?"

"Of course we are!" cried Trot.

"It don't seem 'zactly right to ask a lady to do the fightin',"
remarked Cap'n Bill, "but magic ain't my strong p'int, and it seems
to be yours, ma'am. So swim ahead, and we'll wiggle the same way you
do, an' try to wiggle out of our troubles."

"If I chance to fail," said the Queen, "try not to blame me. I will
do all in my power to provide for our escape, and I am willing to
risk everything, because I well know that to remain here will mean
to perish in the end."

"That's all right," said Trot with fine courage. "Let's have it over
with."

"Then we will leave here at once," said Aquareine.

She approached the window of the room and with one blow of her
golden sword shattered the thick pane of glass. The opening thus
made was large enough for them to swim through if they were careful
not to scrape against the broken points of glass. The queen went
first, followed by Trot and Cap'n Bill, with Clia last of all.

And now they were in the vast dome in which the castle and gardens
of Zog had been built. Around them was a clear stretch of water, and
far above--full half a mile distant--was the opening in the roof
guarded by the prince of the sea devils. The mermaid queen had
determined to attack this monster. If she succeeded in destroying it
with her golden sword, the little band of fugitives might then swim
through the opening into the clear waters of the ocean. Although
this prince of the sea devils was said to be big and wise and
mighty, there was but one of him to fight; whereas, if they
attempted to escape through any of th