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CHAPTER 13 - PRISONERS OF THE SEA MONSTER

The room in the enchanted castle which Zog called the "den" and in which the

wicked sea monster passed most of his time was a perfectly shaped dome of solid

gold. The upper part of this dome was thickly set with precious jewels--diamonds,

rubies, sapphires and emeralds, which sparkled beautifully through the crystal

water. The lower walls were as thickly studded with pearls, all being of perfect

shape and color. Many of the pearls were larger than any which may be found

upon earth, for the sea people knew where to find the very best and hide them

away where men cannot discover them.

The golden floor was engraved with designs of rare beauty, depicting not only sea

life, but many adventures upon land. In the room were several large, golden

cabinets, the doors of which were closed and locked, and in addition to the

cabinets there were tables, chairs and sofas, the latter upholstered with softest

sealskins. Handsome rugs of exquisitely woven seaweeds were scattered about,

the colors of which were artistically blended together. In one corner a fountain of

air bubbled up through the water. The entire room was lighted as brilliantly as if

exposed to the direct rays of the sun, yet where this light came from our friends

could not imagine. No lamp or other similar device was visible anywhere.

The strangers at first scarcely glanced at all these beautiful things, for in an easy

chair sat Zog himself, more wonderful than any other living creature, and as they

gazed upon him, their eyes seemed fascinated as if held by a spell. Zog's face was

the face of a man, except that the tops of his ears were pointed like horns and he

had small horns instead of eyebrows and a horn on the end of his chin. In spite of

these deformities, the expression of the face was not unpleasant or repulsive. His

hair was carefully parted and brushed, and his mouth and nose were not only

perfect in shape but quite handsome.

Only the eyes betrayed Zog and made him terrible to all beholders. They seemed

like coals of glowing fire and sparkled so fiercely that no one ever cared to meet

their gaze for more than an instant. Perhaps the monster realized this, for he

usually drooped his long lashes over his fiery eyes to shut out their glare. Zog had

two well-shaped legs which ended in the hoofs of beasts instead of feet, and these

hoofs were shod with gold. His body was a shapeless mass covered with richly

embroidered raiment, over which a great robe of cloth of gold fell in many folds.

This robe was intended to hide the magician's body from view, but Trot noticed

that the cloth moved constantly in little ripples, as if what lay underneath would

not keep still.

The Sea Fairies