“We shall escort you home at once,” announced the Queen.

“But before you go,” said King Anko, “I will give you a rare treat.  It is one you will remember as long as you live.  You shall see every inch of the mightiest sea serpent in the world, all at one time!”

As he spoke, the purple and gold cloth was lifted by unseen hands and disappeared from view.  And now Cap’n Bill and Trot looked down upon thousands and thousands of coils of the sea serpent’s body, which filled all of the space at the bottom of the immense circular room.  It reminded them of a great coil of garden hose, only it was so much bigger around and very much longer.

Except for the astonishing size of the Ocean King, the sight was not an especially interesting one, but they told old Anko that they were pleased to see him, because it was evident he was very fond of his figure.  Then the cloth descended again and covered all but the head, after which they bade the king goodbye and thanked him for all his kindness to them.

“I used to think sea serpents were horrid creatures,” said Trot, “but now I know they are good and—­and—­and—­”

“And big,” added Cap’n Bill, realizing his little friend could not find another word that was complimentary.

KING JOE

CHAPTER 21

As they swam out of Anko’s palace and the doll-faced fishes left them, Aquareine asked: 

“Would you rather go back to our mermaid home for a time and rest yourselves or would you prefer to start for Giant’s Cave at once?”

“I guess we’d better go back home,” decided Trot.  “To our own home, I mean.  We’ve been away quite a while, and King Anko seemed to think it was best.”

“Very well,” replied the Queen.  “Let us turn in this direction, then.”

“You can say goodbye to Merla for us,” continued Trot.  “She was very nice to us, an’ ’specially to Cap’n Bill.”

“So she was, mate,” agreed the sailor, “an’ a prettier lady I never knew, even if she is a mermaid, beggin’ your pardon, ma’am.”

“Are we going anywhere near Zog’s castle?” asked the girl.

“Our way leads directly past the opening in the dome,” said Aquareine.

“Then let’s stop and see what Sacho and the others are doing,” suggested Trot.  “They can’t be slaves any longer, you know, ’cause they haven’t any master.  I wonder if they’re any happier than they were before?”

“They seemed to be pretty happy as it was,” remarked Cap’n Bill.

“It will do no harm to pay them a brief visit,” said Princess Clia.  “All danger disappeared from the cavern with the destruction of Zog.”

“I really ought to say goodbye to Brother Joe,” observed the sailor man.  “I won’t see him again, you know, and I don’t want to seem unbrotherly.”

“Very well,” said the Queen, “we will reenter the cavern, for I, too, am anxious to know what will be the fate of the poor slaves of the magician.”