playing, that once being in great trouble
and throwing himself into the sea, a Dolphin bore him on his back to the
shore.

Some Folks have called us whales. But we are not whales at all, and are
of an entirely different family. Yet I am a big fellow all of eight feet
long, while some of us are still much longer than that.

But the chief cause of pride with the Dolphins is the notice that has
been taken of us, and the honor shown us by the royal family of France.
Why, we formed at one time the chief figure on the coat of arms of the
princes of France.

A coat of arms, perhaps you know, is a family crest or medal, having on
it a figure or device which a high-born family adopts as its particular
sign or emblem of nobility.

Then the French people once named a province of France for us, calling
it Dauphene, and pronounced Dor-fa-na.

But greatest of all the honors shown us, is the fact that the little
men-babies born of the French kings, and heirs to the throne of France,
were called "the Dauphin," taken from our name.

Are we not distinguished? And do you wonder that we have a somewhat
exalted idea of ourselves after such honors as these have been heaped
upon us? And do you think, in view of these facts, that I am taking on
too grand a title in announcing myself as "Lord Dolphin"?

Dear me, I do hope not! It would be such a pity to make a mistake right
at the outset in telling a story. For truth to tell, I am not a bit
proud, but just a good-natured chap that has decided to spin a sea-yarn
for the amusement, and I hope the instruction, it may be, of young
Folks, being perfectly willing the older Folks should hear it, too, if
they like. And I don't believe the smaller Folks will object to the
title, even if they don't have "lords" in this country. It must be they
are all lords here, all the nice men-Folks.

Do you wonder what I live on? Fishes, of course, for we do not have a
very great chance at getting other kinds of food under water. I like
herrings best of all, and feed on them oftener than on any other kind of
fish.

There is just one fellow that I cannot endure. That is the flying-fish.
I fight, make war on him, and drive him away every time he comes around.
Oh, but he is the trying creature! Forever flying in your face, getting
in your way, prying into your affairs, a kind of gossip-fish, that I
despise. Why I feel so great a dislike for him I cannot say, it must be
there is something in my nature that se