. The sea fairies . d queen. You see I remember you, although youhave nt been here for years. And is nt that Princess Clia?To be sure! But the other mermaids are strangers to me;especially the bald-headed one. I m not a mermaid, asserted Capn Bill. I m asailor, jes a-visitin the mermaids. Our friends are earth dwellers, explained the Queen. Thats odd, said Muffruff. I cant remember thatany earth dwellers ever came this way before. I never travelfar, you see, for I m chief of this disorderly family of sealsthat live on this island—on it and off it, that is. You re a poor chief, said a big turtl
. The sea fairies . d queen. You see I remember you, although youhave nt been here for years. And is nt that Princess Clia?To be sure! But the other mermaids are strangers to me;especially the bald-headed one. I m not a mermaid, asserted Capn Bill. I m asailor, jes a-visitin the mermaids. Our friends are earth dwellers, explained the Queen. Thats odd, said Muffruff. I cant remember thatany earth dwellers ever came this way before. I never travelfar, you see, for I m chief of this disorderly family of sealsthat live on this island—on it and off it, that is. You re a poor chief, said a big turtle lying beside theseal. If your people are disorderly it is your own fault. Muffruff gave a chuckling laugh. Then, with a move-ment quick as lightning, he pushed his head under the shellof the turtle and gave it a sudden jerk. The huge turtle wastossed up on edge and then turned flat on its back, where itsshort legs struggled vainly to right its overturned body. There! snorted the Seal, contemptuously. Perhaps 116. The Sea Fairies you 11 dare insult me again in the presence of visitors, youold mud-wallower! Seeing the plight of the turtle, several young seals camelaughingly wabbling to the spot, and as they approached thehelpless creature drew in his legs and head, and closed his twoshells tightly together. The seals bumped against the turtleand gave it a push that sent it sliding down the beach like atoboggan, and a minute later it splashed into the water andsank out of sight. But that was just what the creature wanted. On shorethe upset turtle was quite helpless; but the mischievous sealssaved him. For as soon as he touched the water he was ableto turn and right himself, which he promptly did. Then heraised his head above the water and asked: Is it peace, or war, Muffruflf*?Whichever you like, answered the Seal, indifferently. Perhaps the turtle was angry, for it ran on shore withremarkable swiftness, uttering a shrill cry as it advanced. Atonce all the other turtles awoke
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