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Hadn't we better go back, ma'am?"

Yes," decided Aquareine after a moment's thought. "I think it will be wise to

retreat. The sea devils are evidently aware of our movements and wish to annoy

us. For my part, I have no fear of them, but I do not care to have you meet such

creatures."

But when they turned around to abandon their journey, another inky cloud was

to be seen behind them. They really had no choice but to swim in the only streak

of clear water they could find, and the mermaids well knew this would lead them

nearer and nearer to the caves of their enemies.

But Aquareine led the way, moving very slowly, and the others followed her. In

every other direction they were hemmed in by the black waters, and they did not

dare to halt, because the inky fluid crept swiftly up behind them and drove them

on.

The queen and the princess had now become silent and grave. They swam on

either side of their guests as if to better protect them.

"Don't look up," whispered Clia, pressing close to the little girl's side.

Why not?" asked Trot, and then she did exactly what she had been told not to

do. She lifted her head and saw stretched over them a network of scrawny,

crimson arms interlaced like the branches of trees in winter when the leaves have

fallen and left them bare.

Cap'n Bill gave a start and muttered "Land sakes!" for he, too, had gazed upward

and seen the crimson network of limbs.

Are these the sea devils?" asked the child, more curious than frightened.

Yes, dear," replied the Queen. "But I advise you to pay no attention to them.

Remember, they cannot touch us."

In order to avoid the threatening arms overhead, which followed them as they

swam, our friends kept near to the bottom of the sea, which was here thickly

covered with rough and jagged rocks. The inky water had now been left far

behind, but when Trot looked over her shoulder, she shuddered to find a great

crimson monster following closely after them, with a dozen long, snaky feelers

stretched out as if to grab anyone that lagged behind. And there, at the side of

Princess Clia, was another devil, leering silently with his cruel, bulging eyes at

the pretty mermaid. Beside the queen swam still another of their enemies.

Indeed, the sea devils had crept upon them and surrounded them everywhere

except at the front, and Trot began to feel nervous and worried for the first time.

The Sea Fairies