"But we are in mid-water now, where nothing will hinder our journey, unless--" She seemed to hesitate, so Trot asked, "Unless what ?" "Unless we meet with disagreeable creatures," said the Princess.
"The mid-water is not as safe as the very bottom, and that is the reason we are holding your hands." "What good would that do ?" asked Trot.
"You must remember that we are fairies," said Princess Clia.

"For that reason, nothing in the ocean can injure us, but you two are mortals and therefore not entirely safe at all times unless we protect you." Trot was thoughtful for a few moments and looked around her a little anxiously.

Now and then a dark form would shoot across their pathway or pass them at some distance, but none was near enough for the girl to see plainly what it might be.

Suddenly they swam right into a big school of fishes, all yellowtails and of very large size.

There must have been hundreds of them lying lazily in the water, and when they saw the mermaids they merely wriggled to one side and opened a path for the sea fairies to pass through.