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Of course, that is why they are called watermelons," replied Tom Atto. "I think I

shall serve you a water ice, in addition to the rest. Water ice is an appropriate sea

food."

"Have some watercress with the salad," said Cap'n Bill.

"I'd thought of that," declared the cook. "Doesn't my bill of fare make your mouths

water?"

Hurry up and get it ready," suggested Trot.

Tom Atto at once bowed and retired, and when they were done, Cap'n Bill said to

the queen, "Do you think, ma'am, we can manage to escape from Zog and his

castle?"

"I hope we shall find a way," replied Aquareine. "The evil powers of magic which

Zog controls may not prove to be as strong as the fairy powers I possess, but of

course I cannot be positive until I discover what this wicked magician is able to

do."

Princess Clia was looking out of one of the windows. "I think I can see an opening

far up in the top of the dome," she said. They all hastened to the windows to look,

and although Trot and Cap'n Bill could see nothing but a solid dome above the

castle--perhaps because it was so far away from them--the sharp eyes of

Aquareine were not to be deceived.

"Yes," she announced, "there is surely an opening in the center of the great dome.

A little thought must convince us that such an opening is bound to exist, for

otherwise the water confined within the dome would not be fresh or clear."

"Then if we could escape from this castle, we could swim up to the hole in the

dome and get free!" exclaimed Trot.

Why, Zog has probably ordered the opening well guarded, as he has all the other

outlets," responded the Queen. "Yet it may be worth while for us to make the

attempt to get back into the broad ocean this way. The night would be the best

time, when all are asleep, and surely it will be quicker to reach the ocean through

this hole in the roof than by means of the long, winding passages by which we

entered."

But we will have to break out of the castle in some way," observed Cap'n Bill.

That will not be difficult," answered Aquareine. "It will be no trouble for me to

shatter one of these panes of glass, allowing us to pass out and swim straight up

to the top of the dome."

The Sea Fairies