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Those are swordfishes," remarked the Princess as she led the band past one of

these avenues.

"Are they dang'rous?" asked Trot.

"Not to us," was the reply. "The swordfishes are among our most valued and

faithful servants, guarding the entrances to the gardens which surround our

palaces. If any creatures try to enter uninvited, these guards fight them and drive

them away. Their swords are sharp and strong, and they are fierce fighters, I

assure you."

"I've known 'em to attack ships, an' stick their swords right through the wood,"

said Cap'n Bill.

Those belonged to the wandering tribes of swordfishes," explained the Princess.

These, who are our servants, are too sensible and intelligent to attack ships."

The band now headed into a broad passage through the "gardens," as the

mermaids called these gorgeous groves, and the great swordfishes guarding the

entrance made way for them to pass, afterward resuming their posts with

watchful eyes. As they slowly swam along the avenue, Trot noticed that some of

the bushes seemed to have fruits growing upon them, but what these fruits might

be neither she nor Cap'n Bill could guess.

The way wound here and there for some distance, till finally they came to a more

open space all carpeted with sea flowers of exquisite colorings. Although Trot did

not know it, these flowers resembled the rare orchids of earth in their fanciful

shapes and marvelous hues. The child did not examine them very closely, for

across the carpet of flowers loomed the magnificent and extensive palaces of the

mermaids.

These palaces were built of coral; white, pink and yellow being used, and the

colors arranged in graceful designs. The front of the main palace, which now

faced them, had circular ends connecting the straight wall, not unlike the

architecture we are all familiar with; yet there seemed to be no windows to the

building, although a series of archways served as doors.

Arriving at one of the central archways, the band of sea maidens separated.

Princess Clia and Merla leading Trot and Cap'n Bill into the palace, while the

other mermaids swam swiftly away to their own quarters.

Welcome!" said Clia in her sweet voice. "Here you are surrounded only by friends

and are in perfect safety. Please accept our hospitality as freely as you desire, for

The Sea Fairies