The Seafuries.
Chapter 2.
The Mermaids.
The next morning,
As soon as Trott had helped wipe the breakfast dishes and put them away in the cupboard,
The little girl and Captain Bill started out towards the bluff.
The air was soft and warm,
And the sun turned the edges of the waves into sparkling diamonds.
Across the bay,
The last of the fisherboats was speeding away out to sea,
For while the fishermen knew,
This was an ideal day to catch rock bass,
Barracuda and yellowtail.
The old man and the young girl stood on the bluff and watched all this with interest.
Here was their world.
It isn't a bit rough this morning,
Let's have a boat ride Captain Bill,
Said the child.
Suits me to a tee,
Declared the sailor.
So,
They found the winding path that led down the face of the cliff to the narrow beach below,
And cautiously began the descent.
Trott never minded the steep path,
Or the loose rocks at all,
But Captain Bill's wooden leg was not so useful in a downgrade as on level,
And he had to be careful not to slip and take a tumble.
But by and by,
They reached the sands and walked to a spot just beneath the big acacia tree that grew on the bluff.
Halfway to the top of the cliff hung suspended a little shed-like structure that shelled the Trott's rowboat,
For it was necessary to pull the boat out of reach of the waves which beat in fury against the rocks at high tide.
About as high up as Captain Bill could reach was an iron ring,
Securely fastened to the cliff,
And to this ring was tied a rope.
The old sailor unfastened the knot and began paying out the rope,
And the rowboat came out of its shed and glided slowly downward to the beach.
It hung on a pair of davits and was lowered just as a boat is lowered from a ship's side.
When it reached the sands,
The sailor unhooked the ropes and pushed the boat to the water's edge.
It was a pretty little craft,
Light and strong,
And Captain Bill knew how to sail it or row it as Trott might desire.
Today they decided to row,
So the girl climbed into the boat and her companion stuck his wooden leg into the water's edge so he wouldn't get his foot wet,
And pushed off the little boat as he climbed aboard.
Then he seized the oars and began gently paddling.
Whither away,
Commodore Trott?
He asked gaily.
I don't care,
Captain,
It's just fun enough to be on the water,
She answered,
Trailing one hand overboard.
So he rowed around the north promontory,
Where the great caves were,
And much as they were enjoying the ride,
They soon began to feel the heat of the sun.
That's dead man's cave,
Cause a skeleton was found there,
Observed the child as they passed a dark yawning mouth in the cliff.
And that's bumble's cave,
Cause the bumblebees make nests in the top of it.
And here's smuggler's cave,
Cause the smugglers used to hide things in it.
She knew all the caves well,
And so did Captain Bill.
Many of them opened just at the water's edge,
And it was possible to row their boat far into their dusky depths.
And here's Echo Cave,
She continued dreamily,
As they slowly moved along the coast.
And Giant's Cave,
And.
.
.
Oh,
Captain Bill,
Do you suppose there were ever any giants in that cave?
There is like there must have been,
Trott,
Or they wouldn't have named it that name,
He replied,
Pausing to wipe his bald head with the red handkerchief,
While the oars dragged in the water.
We've never been into that cave,
Captain,
She remarked,
Looking at the small hole in the cliff,
An archway through which the water flowed.
Let's go in now.
What for,
Trott?
To see if there's a giant there.
Hmm,
Aren't you afraid?
No.
Are you?
I just don't believe it's big enough for a giant to get into.
You were far of the wizard in there once,
Remarked Captain Bill,
And he says it's the biggest cave on the coast,
But low down.
It's full of water,
And the water is deep down to the very bottom of the ocean,
But the rock roof's liable to bump your head at high tide.
It's low tide now,
Returned Trott,
And how could any giant live in there if the roof is so low down?
Why,
He couldn't,
Mate.
I just reckon they must have called it Giant's Cave because it's so big,
And not because any giant man lives there.
Let's go in,
Said the girl again.
I'd like to explore it.
Alright,
Said the sailor.
It'll be cooler in there than out here in the sun.
We won't go very far,
For when the tide turns,
We mightn't get out again.
He picked up the oars and rode slowly toward the cave.
The black archway that marked its entrance seemed hardly big enough to admit the boat at first,
But as they drew nearer,
The opening became bigger.
The sea was very calm here.
The headland shielded it from the breeze.
Look out for your head,
Trott,
Cautioned Captain Bill as the boat glided slowly into the rocky arch,
But it was the sailor who had to duck instead of the little girl.
Only for a moment,
Though.
Just beyond the opening,
The cave was higher,
And as the boat floated into the dim interior,
They found themselves on quite an extensive branch of the sea.
For a time,
Neither of them spoke.
Only the soft lapping of the water against the side of the boat was heard.
A beautiful sight met the eyes of the two adventurers,
And held them dumb with wonder and delight.
It was not dark in this vast cave,
Yet the light seemed to come from underneath the water,
Which all around them glowed with an exquisite sapphire colour.
Where the little waves crept up the sides of the rocks,
They shone like brilliant jewels,
And every drop of spray seemed a gem fit to deck a queen.
Trott leaned her chin on her hands and her elbows on her lap and gazed at this charming sight with real enjoyment.
Captain Bill drew in the oars and let the boat drift where it would,
While he also sat silently admiring the scene.
Slowly,
The little craft crept further and further into the dim interior of the vast cavern,
While its two passengers feasted their eyes on the beauties constantly revealed.
Both the old seaman and the little girl loved the ocean in all its various moods.
To them it was a constant companion and a genuine comrade.
If it stormed and raved,
They laughed with glee.
If it rolled great breakers against the shore,
They clapped their hands joyfully.
If it lay slumbering at their feet,
They petted and caressed it,
But they always loved it.
Here was the ocean yet.
It had crept under the dome of overhanging rock to reveal itself crowned with sapphires and dressed in azure gown,
Revealing in its guise new unexpected charms.
Good morning,
Myra,
Said a sweet voice.
Trott gave a start and looked around her in wonder.
Just beside her in the water were little eddies,
Circles within circles,
Such as are when anything sinks below the surface.
Did you hear that,
Campbell?
She whispered solemnly.
Captain Bill did not answer.
He was staring with eyes that fairly bulged out and at place behind Trott's back,
And he shook a little as if trembling from the cold.
Trott turned half around and then she stirred too.
Rising from the blue water was a fair face around which floated a mass of long blonde hair.
It was a sweet,
Girlish face with eyes of the same deep blue as the water and red lips whose dainty smile disclosed two rows of pearly teeth.
The cheeks were plump and rosy,
The brows gracefully penciled,
While the chin was rounded and had a pretty dimple in it.
The most beautifulest in all the world,
Murmured Captain Bill in a voice of horror,
And no one has ever lived to tell the tale.
There was a peal of merry laughter at this,
Laughter that rippled and echoed through the cavern.
Just at Trott's side appeared a new face,
Even fairer than the other,
With a wealth of brown hair wreathing the lovely features,
And the eyes smiled kindly to those of the child.
Are you a mermaid?
Asked Trott curiously.
She was not a bit afraid.
They seemed both gentle and friendly.
Yes,
Dear,
Was the soft answer.
We are all mermaids,
Chimed a laughing chorus,
And here and there,
All about the boat appeared pretty faces lying just upon the surface of the water.
Are you part fishes?
Asked Trott,
Greatly pleased by this wonderful sight.
No,
We are all mermaid,
Replied the one with the brown hair.
The fishes are partly like us because they live in the sea and must move about,
And you are partly like us,
Myra dear,
But have awkward stiff legs,
So you may walk on land.
But the mermaids live before fishes and before mankind,
So both have borrowed something from us.
Then you must be fairies,
If you've always lived,
Remarked Trott,
Nodding wisely.
We are,
Dear,
We are the water fairies,
Answered the one with the blonde hair,
Coming nearer and rising till her slender white throat showed plainly.
We're goners,
Trott,
Sighed Captain Bill with a white woe-begone face.
I guess not,
Cam,
She answered calmly.
These pretty mermaids aren't going to hurt us,
I'm sure.
No,
Indeed,
Said the first one who had spoken.
If we were wicked enough to wish to harm you,
Our magic could reach you as easily upon land as in this cave,
But we love little girls dearly,
And we only wish to please them and make their lives more happy.
I believe that,
Cried Trott earnestly.
Captain Bill groaned.
Guess why we have appeared to you,
Said another mermaid coming to the side of the boat.
Why?
Asked the child.
We heard you say yesterday you would like to see a mermaid,
So we decided to grant your wish.
That was real nice of you,
Said Trott gratefully.
Also,
We heard all the foolish things Captain Bill said about us,
Remarked the brown-haired one smilingly,
And we wanted to prove to him they were wrong.
I only said what I've heard,
Protested Captain Bill.
Never haven't seen one,
A mermaid before.
I couldn't be accurate,
And I never expected to see one.
And loved to tell the tale.
Again,
The cave rang with merry laughter,
And as it died away,
Trott said,
May I see your scales,
Please?
And are they green,
And purple,
And pink,
Like Captain Bill said?
They seemed undecided what to say to this,
And swam a little way off,
Where their beautiful heads formed a group that was delightful to see.
Perhaps they'd talk together,
For the brown-haired mermaid soon came back to the side of the boat and asked,
Would you like to visit our kingdom,
And see all the wonders that exist below the sea?
I'd like to,
Replied Trott promptly.
But I couldn't.
I'd get drowned.
That you would,
Mate,
Cried Captain Bill.
Oh no,
Said the mermaid.
We would make you both like one of ourselves,
And then you could live within the water as easily as we do.
I don't know as I'd like it,
Said the child.
At least for always.
You need not to stay with us a moment longer than you please,
Turned the mermaid,
Smiling,
As if amused at the remark.
Whenever you are ready to return home,
We promise to bring you to this place again,
And restore to you the same forms that you are now wearing.
Would I have a fish's tail?
Asked Trott earnestly.
You would have a mermaid's tail,
Was the reply.
What colour would my scales be?
Pink or purple?
You may choose the colour yourself.
Look here,
Trott,
Said Captain Bill in excitement.
You ain't thinking of doing such a foolish thing,
Are you?
Course I am,
Declared the little girl.
We don't get such invitations every day,
Captain,
And if I don't go now,
I may never find out how mermaids live.
I don't care how they live myself,
Said Captain Bill.
I just want him to let me live.
There's no danger,
Insisted Trott.
I don't know about that.
That's what all the other folks said when they dove after the mermaids and got drowned.
Who?
Asked the girl.
I don't know who,
But I've heard tell you've heard that no one ever saw a mermaid and lived,
Said Trott.
To tell the tale,
He added nodding,
And if we dive down like they say,
We won't live ourselves.
All the mermaids laughed at this,
And the brown-haired one said,
Well,
If you are afraid,
Don't come.
You may row your boat out of this cave and never see us again,
If you like.
We merely thought it would please little Myra,
And we were willing to show her the sights of our beautiful home.
I'd like to see him,
All right,
Said Trott,
Her eyes glistening with pleasure.
So would I,
Admitted Captain Bill,
If we would live to tell the tale.
Don't you believe us,
Asked the mermaid,
Fixing her lovely eyes on those of the old sailor and smiling prettily.
Are you afraid to trust us to bring you back safely?
No,
Said Captain Bill.
Take that.
I've got to look after Trott.
Then you'll have to come with me,
Said Trott decidedly,
For I'm going to set this invitation.
If you don't care to come,
Captain Bill,
You go home and tell Mother I'm visiting the mermaids.
She'd scold me into shivers,
Moaned Captain Bill with a shudder.
I guess I'd rather take my chances down below.
All right,
I'm ready,
Miss Mermaid,
Said Trott.
What shall I do?
Jump in,
Clothes and all?
Give me your hand,
Dear,
Answered the mermaid,
Lifting a lovely white arm out of the water.
Trott took the slender hand and found it warm and soft and not a bit fishy.
My name's Clea,
Continued the mermaid,
And I am a princess in our deep sea kingdom.
Just then Trott gave a flop and flopped right out of the boat into the water.
Captain Bill caught a gleam of pink scales as his little friend went overboard and the next moment there was Trott's face in the water,
Among those of the mermaids.
She was laughing with glee as she looked up into Captain Bill's face and called,
Come on in,
Captain.
It didn't hurt one bit.
