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CHAPTER 4 - THE PALACE OF QUEEN AQUAREINE

Trot was surprised to find it was not at all dark or gloomy as they descended

farther into the deep sea. Things were not quite so clear to her eyes as they had

been in the bright sunshine above the ocean's surface, but every object was

distinct nevertheless, as if she saw through a pane of green-tainted glass. The

water was very clear except for this green shading, and the little girl had never

before felt so light and buoyant as she did now. It was no effort at all to dart

through the water, which seemed to support her on all sides.

"I don't believe I weigh anything at all," she said to Cap'n Bill.

"No more do I, Trot," said he. "But that's nat'ral, seein' as we're under water so

far. What bothers me most is how we manage to breathe, havin' no gills like

fishes have."

"Are you sure we haven't any gills?" she asked, lifting her free hand to feel her

throat.

Sure. Ner the mermaids haven't any, either," declared Cap'n Bill.

Then," said Trot, "we're breathing by magic."

The mermaids laughed at this shrewd remark, and the Princess said, "You have

guessed correctly, my dear. Go a little slower, now, for the palaces are in sight."

Where?" asked Trot eagerly.

Just before you."

In that grove of trees?" inquired the girl. And really, it seemed to her that they

were approaching a beautiful grove. The bottom of the sea was covered with white

sand, in which grew many varieties of sea shrubs with branches like those of

trees. Not all of them were green, however, for the branches and leaves were of a

variety of gorgeous colors. Some were purple, shading down to a light lavender;

and there were reds all the way from a delicate rose-pink to vivid shades of

scarlet. Orange, yellow and blue shades were there, too, mingling with the sea-

greens in a most charming manner. Altogether, Trot found the brilliant coloring

somewhat bewildering.

These sea shrubs, which in size were quite as big and tall as the trees on earth,

were set so close together that their branches entwined; but there were several

avenues leading into the groves, and at the entrance to each avenue the girl

noticed several large fishes with long spikes growing upon their noses.

The Sea Fairies