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CHAPTER 12 - THE ENCHANTED ISLAND

All at once it grew dark around them. Neither Cap'n Bill nor Trot liked this gloom,

for it made them nervous not to be able to see their enemies.

"We must be near a sea cavern, if not within one," whispered Princess Clia, and

even as she spoke the network of scarlet arms parted before them, leaving an

avenue for them to swim out of the cage. There was brighter water ahead, too, so

the queen said without hesitation:

"Come along, dear friends; but let us clasp hands and keep close together."

They obeyed her commands and swam swiftly out of their prison and into the

clear water before them, glad to put a distance between themselves and the

loathesome sea devils. The monsters made no attempt to follow them, but they

burst into a chorus of harsh laughter which warned our friends that they had not

yet accomplished their escape.

The four now found themselves in a broad, rocky passage, which was dimly

lighted from some unknown source. The walls overhead, below them and at the

sides all glistened as if made of silver, and in places were set small statues of

birds, beasts and fishes, occupying niches in the walls and seemingly made from

the same glistening material.

The queen swam more slowly now that the sea devils had been left behind, and

she looked exceedingly grave and thoughtful.

Have you ever been here before?" asked Trot.

No, dear," said the Queen with a sigh.

And do you know where we are?" continued the girl.

I can guess," replied Aquareine. "There is only one place in all the sea where

such a passage as that we are in could exist without my knowledge, and that is in

the hidden dominions of Zog. If we are indeed in the power of that fearful

magician, we must summon all our courage to resist him, or we are lost!"

Is Zog more powerful than the mermaids?" asked Trot anxiously.

"I do not know, for we have never before met to measure our strength," answered

Aquareine. "But if King Anko could defeat the magician, as he surely did, then I

think I shall be able to do so."

"I wish I was sure of it," muttered Cap'n Bill.

The Sea Fairies