Page 280 - Adventures in shadow-land

of the sea, flapped his tail on the water with a
noise like thunder, and then dived down to rejoin

the mermaid,
“ All right, my dear,” he said, cheerfully.

“ I'm so glad you are safe/* said the mermaid,
patting him with her little hands.

On they went through the water, and the coast
was soon in sight. It was growing dusk, and the
lighthouse showed its red star over the sea. The

mermaid was silent, and Moby Dick did not trou­
ble her to talk.

Suddenly a beautiful woman appeared to them
on the crest of a long rolling billow. She made

no effort; she did not swim, but moved through
the water by her will alone. She seemed a part

of the sea, like a wave come alive.
“ That is not a human being, surely,” said the

mermaid, startled,
“ It’s very like that— you know— that wooden

thing~“ that he ran after," said Moby Dick in a
gigantic whisper, “ only it’s alive,”
“ She don't seem as though she could ever have

been wood/f said the mermaid, “ She looks kind.