164 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

became quiet as before. Ere long a gleaming
object in the distance was seen approaching,
and as it came nearer it proved to be a fairy
nautilus.

The nautilus glided up to the shore, and the
two wanderers stepped within. Away glided
the fairy craft toward the deep sea, leaving the
shore farther and farther behind until it was
no longer visible. No other craft was in
sight, and the only living creatures to be seen
were the sea-birds that occasionally dipped
their long beaks into the water in search of
prey, and the fishes that sometimes swam to
the surface.

As the nautilus sailed farther out to sea,
huge whales spouted about them, covering
them with foam, and fierce-looking sharks
darted by.

All these things the prince noted, as they
sailed rapidly along, leaning over the side of
the light bark; but as Wassa caught sight of
an immense shark that followed in their wake,
its cruel eyes fastened on the nautilus, she
suddenly reached forward and drew the fairy
prince farther back. With acry of anger the
prince exclaimed : —