st obey my commands."

"What are your commands?" inquired the child.

"Ah, that's the point I was coming to," returned the King with his
comical smile. "The ocean is a beautiful place, and we who belong
here love it dearly. In many ways it's a nicer place for a home than
the earth, for we have no sunstroke, mosquitoes, earthquakes or
candy ships to bother us. But I am convinced that the ocean is no
proper dwelling place for earth people, and I believe the mermaids
did an unwise thing when they invited you to visit them."

"I don't," protested the girl. "We've had a fine time, haven't we,
Cap'n Bill?"

"Well, it's been diff'rent from what I expected," admitted the
sailor.

"Our only thought was to give the earth people pleasure, your
Majesty," pleaded Aquareine.

"I know, I know, my dear Queen, and it was very good of you,"
replied Anko. "But still it was an unwise act, for earth people are
as constantly in danger under water as we would be upon the land. So
having won the right to command you all, I order you to take little
Mayre and Cap'n Bill straight home, and there restore them to their
natural forms. It's a dreadful condition, I know, and they must each
have two stumbling legs instead of a strong, beautiful fish tail,
but it is the fate of earth dwellers, and they cannot escape it."

"In my case, your Majesty, make it ONE leg," suggested Cap'n Bill.

"Ah yes, I remember. One leg and a wooden stick to keep it company.
I issue this order, dear friends, not because I am not fond of your
society, but to keep you from getting into more trouble in a country
where all is strange and unnatural to you. Am I right, or do you
think I am wrong?"

"You're quite correct, sir," said Cap'n Bill, nodding his head in
approval.

"Well, I'm ready to go home," said Trot. "But in spite of Zog, I've
enjoyed my visit, and I shall always love the mermaids for being so
good to me." That speech pleased Aquareine and Clia, who smiled upon
the child and kissed her affectionately.

"We shall escort you home at once," announced the Queen.

"But before you go," said King Anko, "I will give you a rare treat.
It is one you will remember as long as you live. You shall see every
inch of the mightiest sea serpent in the world, all at one time!"

As he spoke, the purple and gold cloth was lifted by unseen hands
and disappeared from view. And now Cap'n Bill and Trot looked down
upon thousands and thousands of coils of the sea serpent's