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"
"
We do!" shouted the slaves, glad to find someone willing to take the job.
But I'll want a few pointers," continued Cap'n Bill's brother. "I ain't used to this
sort o' work, you know, an' if I ain't properly posted I'm liable to make mistakes."
"Sacho will tell you," said Tom Atto encouragingly. "And now I must go back to
the kitchen and look after my dumplings, or you people won't have any dinner
today."
"Very well," announced Sacho. "I hereby proclaim Cap'n Joe elected King of the
Castle, which is the Enchanted Castle no longer. You may all return to your
work."
The slaves went away well contented, and the boy and Cap'n Joe now came
forward to greet their visitors. "We're on our way home," explained Cap'n Bill, "an'
we don't expec' to travel this way again. But it pleases me to know, Joe, that
you're the king o' such a fine castle, an' I'll rest easier now that you're well
pervided for."
"Oh, I'm all right, Bill," returned Cap'n Joe. "It's an easy life here, an' a peaceful
one. I wish you were as well fixed."
"If ever you need friends, Sacho, or any assistance or counsel, come to me," said
the Mermaid Queen to the boy.
"Thank you, madam," he replied. "Now that Zog has gone, I am sure we shall be
very safe and contented. But I shall not forget to come to you if we need you. We
are not going to waste any time in anger or revenge or evil deeds, so I believe we
shall prosper from now on."
"
I'm sure you will," declared Trot.
They now decided that they must continue their journey, and as neither Sacho
nor King Joe could ascend to the top of the dome without swimming in the
human way, which was slow and tedious work for them, the goodbyes were said
at the castle entrance, and the four visitors started on their return. Trot took one
last view of the beautiful silver castle from the hole high up in the dome, which
was now open and unguarded, and the next moment she was in the broad ocean
again, swimming toward home beside her mermaid friends.
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