A City under the Sea. 139

cradle, as she glided along more rapidly than ever. The two
strong white hands pushed her past towns and hamlets straight
onward; and if Snowdrop had been awake to peep over the
side she would have seen not only the hands, but two fair arms,
and a head covered with long, floating hair, like tangles of sea-
weed.

“«T have caught a pretty mouse—a new toy, gurgled a soft
voice down under the waves.

“When the little girl awoke and raised her head to gaze
about her, there was wide, rolling sea extending from one side
of the sky quite around to the other. The frail cockle-shell of
a boat was tossed high in the air by the rough billows, and
Snowdrop shrieked with terror every time she mounted a crest
to plunge down the other side. Oh, how silly it was to get into
the boat, and go to sleep! How she wished she was safe at
home with her dear mamma and Aunt Katrine! She never
once thought of her fairy ring, although it was on her finger
all the time.

“ A large wave towered high before the frightened child; the
boat was upset, and she was caught in the white arms waiting
to receive her, then borne swiftly and safely through the rush-
ing waters.

“ Before the bewildered traveller knew what she was about,
she stood at the gates of a city. What surprised her most
was the fact that her starry dress and silver cap were perfectly
dry, although she was in the water all the while. This would
not have been the case had not her fairy ring been on her
finger.

“ At first the city seemed to be precisely similar to cities on