At once another cloud of ink stained the water and drove them to the right again.
"Is anything wrong, ma'am ?" asked Cap'n Bill, seeing a frown gather upon the queen's lovely face.
"I hope not," she said.

"But I must warn you that these cuttlefish are the servants of the terrible sea devils, and from the way they are acting they seem determined to drive us toward the Devil Caves, which I wished to avoid." This admission on the part of their powerful protector, the fairy mermaid, sent a chill to the hearts of the earth people.

Neither spoke for a time, but finally Cap'n Bill asked in a timid voice: "Hadn't we better go back, ma'am ?" "Yes," decided Aquareine after a moment's thought.

"I think it will be wise to retreat.

The sea devils are evidently aware of our movements and wish to annoy us.