166 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

“ Those are not mermaids,’ said Wassa; “ it
is but a school of dolphins. Besides, there are
no such beings as mermaids, and it is very
foolish for thee to persist in believing in them.”

Wassa was not mistaken, for a large school
of dolphins was approaching, and Wassa
watched them with great interest, for they
were evidently making directly for the island.
Rolling and pitching about as they swam, the
water foamed and surged about them, and
sometimes they disappeared altogether beneath
the surface, coming up each time much nearer
to the island.

“Dost thou not see the shining hair
And golden combs of mermaids fair?”

cried the prince.

Wassa was thunderstruck to see a beautiful
maiden seated on the back of each, as the
dolphins came nearer. In one hand each
held a mirror, the frame of which gleamed
with gems and precious ore, and in the other
hand a golden comb, with which she combed
her shining tresses, which shone like the
brillant green seaweed that floats on the sur-
face of the ocean.