Page 254 - Adventures in shadow-land

round, and looked up at the figure-head through

his eye-glass,
“ Isn’t she a goddess?" asked our merman, im­
patiently.

“ GoddessP1 said the other. My dear fellow,

it’s only wood as sure as you are alive.”
“ No merman shall'insult m e," said our mer­

man, in a passion.
“ Who wants to? Do open your eyes, my dear

boy, and see for yourself."
“ I do ; I see how she looks at me and holds

out her silver vase."
“ She’ll do as much for m e/’ said his friend,

swimming before the ship. Our merman was wild
with rage and jealousy, for he could not help see­

ing that she did. He drew his sword (for he wore
one), made of a sword-fish blade, and flew at his

friend. “ Defend yourself," he said,
“ Nonsense," said the other, “ A likely story,

I am going to fight you about a wooden stick. As

for looking at me, she’d do the same for any old
turtle,"

The merman couldn’t but feel that this was true.
But he only grew more angry. He struck his