Page 202 - Adventures in shadow-land

lette, She described the sea lady as wonderfully

beautiful, and “ singing in a way that would rav­
ish your heart,"
ct But as soon as she saw that she was watched,1’

said Katy, “ she gave a scrcam like a sea eagle
and dived into the water. No one ever saw her

again, but I've heard the singing more than once
when I was young,"

Concerning the kingdoms of the sea and their
inhabitants Hans Anderson has written a pretty

story, which I hope you have all read. The full­
est account, however, that I know of the mer coun­
tries is in the Arabian Nights, Lane's translation,

where you will find the story of “ Abdalla of the
Land and Abdalla of the Sea," It is a pity that

the date and place of this interesting narration is
left so uncertain, for to some minds it throws an
air of improbability over the whole story; how­

ever, it is certainly the most authentic account of
the world under the waters. So far as I know,

“ Abdalla of the Land” is the only person who
has ever associated familiarly with mermen.
There was, to be sure, Gulnare of the Sea, who

married the King of Khoyassan and introduced
3 *