"All right," answered Trot, and took the hand extended to her with a
trustful smile.

"Will you allow me to guide you, Cap'n Bill?" asked the blonde
mermaid, extending her hand to the old sailor.

"Of course, ma'am," he said, taking her fingers rather bashfully.

"My name is Merla," she continued, "and I am cousin to Princess
Clia. We must all keep together, you know, and I will hold your hand
to prevent your missing the way."

While she spoke they began to descend through the water, and it grew
quite dark for a time because the cave shut out the light. But
presently Trot, who was eagerly looking around her, began to notice
the water lighten and saw they were coming into brighter parts of
the sea. "We have left the cave now," said Clia, "and may swim
straight home."

"I s'pose there are no winding roads in the ocean," remarked the
child, swimming swiftly beside her new friend.

"Oh yes indeed. At the bottom, the way is far from being straight or
level," replied Clia. "But we are in mid-water now, where nothing
will hinder our journey, unless--"

She seemed to hesitate, so Trot asked, "Unless what?"

"Unless we meet with disagreeable creatures," said the Princess.