When I'm at home on the land I walk just as you do, an' so does Cap'n Bill." "But we haven't any gills," remarked the Cap'n, looking closely at the little man's throat, "so I take it we're not as fishy as some others." "If you mean me, I must admit you are right," said the little man, twisting his mustache.

"I'm as near a fish as a man can be.

But you see, Cap'n, without the gills that make me a fish, I could not live under water." "When it comes to that, you've no business to live under water," asserted the sailor.

"But I s'pose you're a slave and can't help it." "I'm chief cook for that old horror Zog.

And that reminds me, good mermaids, or good people, or good girls and sailors, or whatever you are, that I'm sent here to ask what you'd like to eat." "Good to see you, sir," said Cap'n Bill.