"Yes, look out for your fingers and your noses!" said one of the eels, making a dash for Cap'n Bill.

At first the sailor was tempted to put out a hand and push the creature away, but remembering that his fingers would thus be exposed, he remained quiet, and the eel snapped harmlessly just before his face and then darted away.
"Stop it!" said Merla.

"Stop it this minute, or I'll report your impudence to Aquareine." "Oh, who cares ?" shouted the Eels.

"We're not afraid of the mermaids." "She'll stiffen you up again, as she did once before," said Merla, "if you try to hurt the earth people." "Are these earth people ?" asked one.

And then they all stopped their play and regarded Trot and Cap'n Bill with their little black eyes.
"The old polliwog looks something like King Anko," said one of them.
"I'm not a polliwog!" answered Cap'n Bill angrily.