CHAPTER 9.
THE BASHFUL OCTOPUS It was a lovely day, and the sea was like azure under the rays of the sun.
Over the flower beds and through the gardens they swam, emerging into the open sea in a direction opposite that taken by the visitors the day before.

The party consisted of but four: Queen Aquareine, Princess Clia, Trot and Cap'n Bill.
"People who live upon the land know only those sea creatures which they are able to catch in nets or upon hooks or those which become disabled and are washed ashore," remarked the Queen as they swam swiftly through the clear water.

"And those who sail in ships see only the creatures who chance to come to the surface.

But in the deep ocean caverns are queer beings that no mortal has ever heard of or beheld, and some of these we are to visit.

We shall also see some sea shrubs and flowering weeds which are sure to delight you with their beauty." The sights really began before they had gone very far from the palace, and a school of butterfly fish, having gorgeous colors spattered over their broad wings, was first to delight the strangers.