"N-n-no," said Cap'n Bill, "'tain't that. I've got to look after
Trot."

"Then you'll have to come with me," said Trot decidedly, "for I'm
going to 'cept this inv'tation. If you don't care to come, Cap'n
Bill, you go home and tell mother I'm visitin' the mermaids."

"She'd scold me inter shivers!" moaned Cap'n Bill with a shudder. "I
guess I'd ruther take my chance down below."

"All right, I'm ready, Miss Mermaid," said Trot. "What shall I do?
Jump in, clothes and all?"

"Give me your hand, dear," answered the mermaid, lifting a lovely
white arm from the water. Trot took the slender hand and found it
warm and soft and not a bit "fishy."

"My name is Clia," continued the mermaid, "and I am a princess in
our deep-sea kingdom."

Just then Trot gave a flop and flopped right out of the boat into
the water. Cap'n Bill caught a gleam of pink scales as his little
friend went overboard, and the next moment there was Trot's face in
the water among those of the mermaids. She was laughing with glee as
she looked up into Cap'n Bill's face and called, "Come on in, Cap'n!
It didn't hurt a bit!"