Page 242 - Adventures in shadow-land

“ What charming modesty !,J he said, “ She
don't wish to btf seen by these human beings, or

perhaps I offended her by my staring.”
He called her every lovely name he could in*

vent or think of. He got no answer, ojf course,
but that was her feminine reserve, the merman

thought.
“ Speech is silvern, silence is golden/' he said.

So it went on all the time the new brig was being
fitted up. The merman lived a wretched life.

Two or three times he was seen and chased by the
fishermen. A talk went about of the odd creature

that haunted the water neat the new ship. Some
one was always on the lookout for him, and once

he was nearly caught. They kept watch for him
at night. It was only now and then that he could

worship his wooden love for an hour.
All the time the old sheet was over her head, but

the merman only loved her the better. He hid
%
under the old wharf by day, for though he knew

how to make himself invisible to mermen^ the
lr
charm hadn’t the slightest effect where Yankees

were concerned. He lived on whatever he could
catchj but he had very little appetite. The shal­