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"
Seems so," acknowledged Trot.
I feel I have much to be proud of," continued Anko in a dreamy tone. "My great
"
age, my undisputed sway, and my exceptional length."
"I don't b'lieve I'd care to live so long," remarked Cap'n Bill thoughtfully.
"So long as seven thousand four hundred and eighty-two feet, five inches and a
quarter?" asked the Sea Serpent.
"
"
No, I mean so many years," replied the sailor.
But what can one do if one happens to be a sea serpent?" Anko inquired. "There
is nothing in the sea that can hurt me, and I cannot commit suicide because we
have no carbolic acid or firearms or gas to turn on. So it isn't a matter of choice,
and I'd about as soon be alive as dead. It does not seem quite so monotonous,
you know. But I guess I've stayed about long enough, so I'll go home to dinner.
Come and see me when you have time."
"Thank you," said Trot, and Merla added, "I'll take you over to his majesty's
palace when we go out and let you see how he lives."
"Yes, do," said Anko. And then he slowly slid out of the hole, which immediately
closed behind him, leaving the coral wall as solid as before.
"
Oh!" exclaimed Trot. "King Anko forgot to tell us what his third pain was about."
So he did," said Cap'n Bill. "We must ask him about that when we see him. But I
"
guess the ol' boy's mem'ry is failin', an' he can't be depended on for pertic'lars."
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