Trot bent down close to examine one of the queer little creatures and exclaimed, “Why, the seahorses haven’t any fins or anything to swim with.”

“Oh yes we have,” replied the Sea Horse in a tiny but distinct voice.  “These things on the side of my head are fins.”

“I thought they were ears,” said the girl.

“So they are.  Fins and ears at the same time,” answered the little sea animal.  “Also, there are small fins on our backs.  Of course, we can’t swim as the mermaids do, or even as swiftly as fishes; but we manage to get around, thank you.”

“Don’t the fishes catch and eat you?” inquired Trot curiously.

“Sometimes,” admitted the Sea Horse, “and there are many other living things that have a way of destroying us.  But here I am, as you see, over six weeks old, and during that time I have escaped every danger.  That isn’t so bad, is it?”

“Phoo!” said a Starfish lying near.  “I’m over three months old.  You’re a mere baby, Sea Horse.”

“I’m not!” cried the Sea Horse excitedly.  “I’m full-grown and may live to be as old as you are!”

“Not if I keep on living,” said the Starfish calmly, and Trot knew he was correct in his statement.

The little girl now noticed several sea spiders creeping around and drew back because she did not think them very pretty.  They were shaped not unlike the starfishes, but had slender legs and big heads with wicked-looking eyes sticking out of them.

“Oh, I don’t like those things!” said Trot, coming closer to her companions.

“You don’t, eh?” said a big Sea Spider in a cross voice.  “Why do you come around here, then, scaring away my dinner when you’re not wanted?”

“It isn’t your ocean,” replied Trot.

“No, and it isn’t yours,” snapped the Spider.  “But as it’s big enough for us both, I’d like you to go away.”

“So we will,” said Aquareine gently, and at once she moved toward the surface of the water.  Trot and Cap’n Bill followed, with Clia, and the child asked, “What island are we near?”

“It has no name,” answered the Queen, “for it is not inhabited by man, nor has it ever yet been discovered by them.  Perhaps you will be the first humans to see this island.  But it is a barren, rocky place, and only fit for seals and turtles.”

“Are any of them there now?” Cap’n Bill inquired.

“I think so.  We will see.”

Trot was astonished to find how near they were to the “top” of the ocean, for they had not ascended through the water very long when suddenly her head popped into the air, and she gave a gasp of surprise to find herself looking at the clear sky for the first time since she had started upon this adventure by rowing into Giant’s Cave.

She floated comfortably in the water, with her head and face just out of it, and began to look around her.  Cap’n Bill was at her side, and so were the two mermaids.  The day was fair, and the surface of the sea, which stretched far away as the eye could reach, rippled under a gentle breeze.  They had risen almost at the edge of a small, rocky islet, high in the middle, but gradually slanting down to the water.  No trees or bushes or grass grew anywhere about; only rocks, gray and bleak, were to be seen.