"We may be in danger, right enough, an' to be honest, I don't like the looks of these sea devils at all.
But I'm sure it's no KILLING matter, for we've got the fairy circles all around us." "Ha ha!" laughed the monster beside her.

"WE know all about the fairy circles, don't we, Migg ?" "Ho ho!" laughed the monster on the other side.

"We do, Slibb, my boy, and we don't think much of fairy circles, either!" "They have foiled our enemies many a time," declared the Princess with much dignity.
"Ha ha!" laughed one.

"That's why we're here now." "Ho ho!" laughed the other.

"We've learned a trick or two, and we've got you fast this time." Then all the sea devils--those above and the one behind, and the two on the sides--laughed all together, and their laughter was so horrible that it made even Trot shudder.
But now the queen stopped short, and the others stopped with her.
"I will go no farther," she said firmly, not caring if the monsters overheard her.