Whatever doubts might have arisen in the child's mind through the ignorant tales of her sailor friend, she now found the mermaids to be light-hearted, joyous and gay, and from the first she had not been in the least afraid of her new companions.
"How much farther do we have to go ?" asked Cap'n Bill presently.
"Are you getting tired ?" Merla inquired.
"No," said he, "but I'm sorter anxious to see what your palaces look like.

Inside the water ain't as interestin' as the top of it.

It's fine swimmin', I'll agree, an' I like it, but there ain't nuthin' special to see that I can make out." "That is true, sir," replied the Princess.

"We have purposely led you through the mid-water hoping you would see nothing to alarm you until you get more accustomed to our ocean life.

Moreover, we are able to travel more swiftly here.