LIMPETTY JACK 303

But Master Phil was a self-willed little fellow, and he
followed Limpetty Jack on the sly, slipping in and out
unong the low bushes and rocks, not showing himself till
they were at the very mouth of the cave. All those
thoughtless boys were hidden away in the cave, almost
bursting with suppressed laughter, and waiting to see
what Limpetty Jack would do when he should come upon
the monster.

“You can’t go in with me,” whispered Limpetty Jack to
Philly, when at last he discovered him just outside the
entrance to the cave.

“But I will,” insisted the child.

“We ’ll see,” said Limpetty Jack, as, catching the boy
in his arms, he waded into the water with him and set
him down upon a great rock that reared its top out of
the waves.

“Sit ye there like a good boy till I come back with the
bag of gold,” said Limpetty Jack. There was no danger
of his being disobeyed, for, little as he was, Phil knew he
must drown if he slid off of the rock. And if he should
try it, who could hear him scream through all the wailing
of the sea!

“ Now !” said Limpetty Jack, as he entered the cave.

“My stars!” he cried faintly, as his astonished gaze
fell upon the terrible figure squatted in the corner, “ but
the mermaids have a mighty queer taste in the way of
husbands !”

Still he was too eager for his bag of gold to back out
now.

“Good day, sir,” said he, bowing as well as he could,

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