er, she saw plainly everything about her as easily
and distinctly as she had ever seen anything above water. And by
looking over her shoulder she could watch the motion of her new
tail, all covered with pretty iridescent pink scales, which gleamed
like jewels. She wore her dress the same as before, and the water
failed to affect it in the least.

She now noticed that the mermaids were clothed, too, and their
exquisite gowns were the loveliest thing the little girl had ever
beheld. They seemed made of a material that was like sheeny silk,
cut low in the neck and with wide, flowing sleeves that seldom
covered the shapely, white arms of her new friends. The gowns had
trains that floated far behind the mermaids as they swam, but were
so fleecy and transparent that the sparkle of their scales might be
seen reaching back of their waists, where the human form ended and
the fish part began. The sea fairies wore strings of splendid pearls
twined around their throats, while more pearls were sewn upon their
gowns for trimmings. They did not dress their beautiful hair at all,
but let it float around them in clouds.

The little girl had scarcely time to observe all this when the
princess said, "Now, my dear, if you are ready, we will begin our
journey, for it is a long way to our palaces."

"All right," answered Trot, and took the hand extended to her with a
trustful smile.

"Will you allow me to guide you, Cap'n Bill?" asked the blonde
mermaid, extending her hand to the old sailor.

"Of course, ma'am," he said, taking her fingers rather bashfully.

"My name is Merla," she continued, "and I am cousin to Princess
Clia. We must all keep together, you know, and I will hold your hand
to prevent your missing the way."

While she spoke they began to descend through the water, and it grew
quite dark for a time because the cave shut out the light. But
presently Trot, who was eagerly looking around her, began to notice
the water lighten and saw they were coming into brighter parts of
the sea. "We have left the cave now," said Clia, "and may swim
straight home."

"I s'pose there are no winding roads in the ocean," remarked the
child, swimming swiftly beside her new friend.

"Oh yes indeed. At the bottom, the way is far from being straight or
level," replied Clia. "But we are in mid-water now, where nothing
will hinder our journey, unless--"

She seemed to hesitate, so Trot asked, "Unless what?"

"Unless we meet with disagreeabl