mermaid; “but you cannot help me.”

“Well, if I cannot help you, at least tell me how it could be brought about that the river folk could be rid of their trouble.”

“A mortal must come to this river and live here,” said the mermaid. “And he must marry me. Now you see how impossible it is for any one to learn the rest of the secret, for who would marry a mermaid and live at the bottom of the river?”

Nicko had fallen in love with the pretty mermaid at first sight, and when he heard this he said: “Show me your home, pretty maid. Perhaps I can help you, even if I am only a fish.”

To the very bottom of the river the mermaid took Nicko, and when they stood on the white sand before her home of crystal Nicko said:

“Mermaid, I love you! Behold your mortal lover. Will you be my wife?”

[Pg 86]

[Pg 86]

As he spoke he threw off the green-and-silver costume he wore, and there stood the mortal who had come to woo her.

The pretty little mermaid blushed and hung her head. “I did not know; I could never have guessed you were a mortal,” she stammered.

“Of course you couldn’t,” said Nicko, almost forgetting why he was there, he was so very much in love with the pretty creature. “Now where shall I find your father?” he asked.

The little mermaid clapped her tiny hands, and from under the rock came many little silver-colored fish, swimming all around her.

“Run quickly and tell the dolphin to find Father Neptune,” said the mermaid.

Soon the water began to roll and tumble about, and Nicko saw swimming toward them two sea-horses drawing a chariot in which stood a man carrying in one hand a curious and big three-pronged fork.

“He is Father Neptune,” said the mermaid. “Ask him for me if you wish.”

“Well, young mortal, what do you wish here at the bottom of my river?” asked Father Neptune.

[Pg 87]

 Prev. P 44/97 next