But Cap'n Bill said uneasily, "I can't abide them devil critters, an' I hopes, for my part, we won't be called on to tackle 'em.

You see, Trot, we're in consider'ble of a bad mess, an' if we ever live to tell the tale--" "Why not, Cap'n ?" asked the child.

"We're safe enough so far.

Can't you trust our good friend, the queen ?" "She don't seem plumb sure o' things herself," remarked the sailor.
"The mermaids is all right an' friendly, mate, but this 'ere magic maker, ol' Zog, is a bad one, out 'n' out, an' means to kill us if he can." "But he can't!" cried Trot bravely.
"I hope you're right, dear.

I wouldn't want to bet on Zog's chances jes' yet, an' at the same time it would be riskin' money to bet on our chances.