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Cap'n Bill kept mumbling queer words under his breath, for he had a way of

talking to himself when anything "upsot him," as he would quaintly remark. Trot

always knew he was disturbed or in trouble when he began to "growl."

The only way now open was straight ahead. They swam slowly, yet fast enough to

keep a safe distance from the dreadful creature behind them.

"I'm afraid they are driving us into a trap," whispered the Queen softly. "But

whatever happens, do not lose courage, earth friends. Clia and I are here to

protect you, and our fairy powers are sufficient to keep you from all harm."

Oh, I don't mind so very much," declared Trot calmly. "It's like the fairy

adventures in storybooks, and I've often thought I'd like that kind of adventures,

cause the story always turns out the right way."

Cap'n Bill growled something just then, but the only words Trot could make out

were, "never lived to tell the tale."

"Oh, pshaw, Cap'n," she said. "We may be in danger, right enough, an' to be

honest, I don't like the looks of these sea devils at all. But I'm sure it's no

KILLING matter, for we've got the fairy circles all around us."

Ha ha!" laughed the monster beside her. "WE know all about the fairy circles,

don't we, Migg?"

"Ho ho!" laughed the monster on the other side. "We do, Slibb, my boy, and we

don't think much of fairy circles, either!"

They have foiled our enemies many a time," declared the Princess with much

dignity.

"Ha ha!" laughed one. "That's why we're here now."

Ho ho!" laughed the other. "We've learned a trick or two, and we've got you fast

this time."

Then all the sea devils--those above and the one behind, and the two on the

sides--laughed all together, and their laughter was so horrible that it made even

Trot shudder.

But now the queen stopped short, and the others stopped with her.

"I will go no farther," she said firmly, not caring if the monsters overheard her. "It

is evident that these monsters are trying to drive us into some secret place, and it

is well known that they are in league with Zog the Terrible, whom they serve

because they are as wicked as he is. We must be somewhere near the hidden

The Sea Fairies