would have given all the pearls
of the ocean and sea, could I have got hold of them, to be back in my
own dear Mediterranean groves.

CHAPTER X.

HURRAH!

Then the day came when I was again made to swim into that despised
little tank. It was put on to a dray as before, and I was given my
second ride on land. May it forever be my last!

The roar of the great city again filled my ears, dust troubled my eyes
whenever I raised my head. I was faint, weary, and wretched. I could
feel that I had grown lighter from loss of flesh, because of the
unnatural life that I was leading.

How I wished I might escape! That some great and powerful Friend would
help me. But I was only a fish, had only fins and tail to aid me, that I
knew of, and those were at present of but very little use.

At length the boat was reached. There was some confusion, as they were
"short of hands," which it appears meant they had not as many men at
the dock as were wanted. But the tank was got on board, and men ran for
the railing that was to be put around the edge.

Their backs were turned for an instant. Oh! Oh! could I give a mighty
lurch, bound over the deck-rail, and be free? No waiting this time! I
slashed upward in a tremendous "heave-to." Whack! I struck the rail,
wriggled quick as lightning over the side, and hurrah and hurrah! I was
swimming the wide, free river!

Not my own sea. No, there must be first the shortest cut I could find
into the ocean and salt water, then there would be many days of sweet,
wholesome journeying and paddling before home grounds could be reached,
but reached they would be all in good time.

Folks say that if Madame Puss, that land-creature who does not love the
water overwell, is carried miles from her home in the dark, she will
find the way back again. And I felt sure that, once out into the harbor,
I could strike a bee-line for a far opposite shore, cut through the
narrows at Gibraltar, and enter like a returning monarch on my own proud
domain, the fair blue Mediterranean Sea. Oh, hurrah again!

I heard a loud and echoing shout as my great body splashed into the
water, caught the sound of rushing feet, and saw heavy ropes with
strange loops at the ends, that were flung overboard in hopes to
entangle me, and bring back their great fancy fish into that tank again.

Oh, no, Mister Sailorman, and Mister Deckhand. No, no! I had seen and
felt quite enough of being on land, thank you, to last me all the res