_Chap. 21._
KING JOE]
As they swam out of Anko's palace and the doll-faced fishes left them,Aquareine asked:
"Would you rather go back to our mermaid home for a time, and restyourselves, or would you prefer to start for Giant's Cave at once?"
"I guess we'd better go back home," decided Trot. "To our own home, Imean. We've been away quite a while, and King Anko seemed to think itwas best."
"Very well," replied the Queen. "Let us turn in this direction, then."
"You can say good-bye to Merla for us," continued Trot. "She was verynice to us, an' 'specially to Cap'n Bill."
"So she was, mate," agreed the sailor; "an' a prettier lady I neverknew, even if she is a mermaid, beggin' your pardon, ma'am."
"Are we going anywhere near Zog's castle?" asked the girl.
"Our way leads directly past the opening in the dome," said Aquareine.
"Then, let's stop and see what Sacho and the others are doing,"suggested Trot. "They can't be slaves any longer, you know, 'cause theyhaven't any master. I wonder if they're any happier than they werebefore?"
"They seemed to be pretty happy as it was," remarked Cap'n Bill.
"It will do no harm to pay them a brief visit," said Princess Clia."All danger disappeared from the cavern with the destruction of Zog."
"I really ought to say good-bye to Brother Joe," observed thesailorman. "I won't see him again, you know, and I don't want to seemunbrotherly."
"Very well," said the Queen, "we will reenter the cavern, for I, too,am anxious to know what will be the fate of the poor slaves of themagician."
When they came to the hole in the top of the dome they dropped throughit and swam leisurely down toward the castle. The water was clear andundisturbed and the silver castle looked very quiet and peaceful underthe radiant light that still filled the cavern.
They met no one at all, and passing around to the front of thebuilding they reached the broad entrance and passed into the goldenhall.
Here a strange scene met their eyes. All the slaves of Zog, hundreds innumber, were assembled in the room; while standing before the throneformerly occupied by the wicked magician was the boy Sacho, who wasjust beginning to make a speech to his fellow slaves.
"At one time or another," he said, "all of us were born upon theearth and lived in the thin air; but now we are all living as thefishes live, and our home is in the water of the ocean. One by one wehave come to this place, having been saved from drowning by Zog, theMagician, and by him given power to exist in comfort under water. Thepowerful master who made us his slaves has now passed away forever,but we continue to live, and are unable to return to our native land,where we would quickly perish. There is no one but us to inherit Zog'spossessions, and so it will be best for us to remain in this finecastle and occupy ourselves as we have done before, in providing forthe comforts of the community. Only in labor is happiness to be found,and we may as well labor for ourselves as for others.
"But we must have a king. Not an evil, cruel master, like Zog, but onewho will maintain order and issue laws for the benefit of all. We willgovern ourselves most happily by having a ruler, or head, selected fromamong ourselves by popular vote. Therefore, I ask you to decide whoshall be our king, for only one who is accepted by all can sit in Zog'sthrone."
The slaves applauded this speech, but they seemed puzzled to make thechoice of a ruler. Finally the chief cook came forward and said:
"We all have our duties to perform, and so cannot spend the time to beking. But you, Sacho, who were Zog's own attendant, have now no dutiesat all. So it will be best for you to rule us. What say you, comrades?Shall we make Sacho king?"
"Yes, yes!" they all cried.
"But I do not wish to be king," replied Sacho. "A king is a uselesssort of person, who merely issues orders for others to carry out. Iwant to be busy and useful. Whoever is king will need a good attendant,as well as an officer who will see that his commands are obeyed. I amused to such duties, having served Zog in this same way."
"Who, then, has the time to rule over us?" asked Agga-Groo, thegoldsmith.
"It seems to me that Cap'n Joe is the proper person for king," repliedSacho. "His former duty was to sew buttons on Zog's garments; so now heis out of a job and has plenty of time to be king, for he can sew onhis own buttons. What do you say, Cap'n Joe?"
"Oh, I don't mind," agreed Cap'n Joe; "that is, if you all want me torule you."
"We do!" shouted the slaves, glad to find some one willing to take thejob.
"But I'll want a few pointers," continued Cap'n Bill's brother. "Iain't used to this sort o' work, you know, an' if I ain't properlyposted I'm liable to make mistakes."
"Sacho will tell you," said Tom Atto, encouragingly. "And now I must goback to the kitchen and look after my dumplings, or you people won'thave any dinner to-day."
"Very well," announced Sacho. "I hereby proclaim Cap'n Joe elected Kingof the Castle--which is the Enchanted Castle no longer. You may allreturn to your work."
The slaves went away well contented, and the boy and Cap'n Joe now cameforward to greet their visitors.
"We're on our way home," explained Cap'n Bill, "an' we don't expec' totravel this way again. But it pleases me to know, Joe, that you're theking o' such a fine castle, an' I'll rest easier now that you're wellpervided for."
"Oh, I'm all right, Bill," returned Cap'n Joe. "It's an easy life here,an' a peaceful one. I wish you was as well fixed."
"If ever you need friends, Sacho, or any assistance or counsel, come tome," said the Mermaid Queen to the boy.
"Thank you, madam," he replied. "Now that Zog has gone, I am sure weshall be very safe and contented. But I shall not forget to come toyou if we need you. We are not going to waste any time in anger, orrevenge, or evil deeds; so I believe we shall prosper from now on."
"I'm sure you will," declared Trot.
They now decided that they must continue their journey, and as neitherSacho nor King Joe could ascend to the top of the dome, withoutswimming in the human way, which was slow and tedious work for them,the good-byes were said at the castle entrance, and the four visitorsstarted on their return.
Trot took one last view of the beautiful silver castle from the holehigh up in the dome, which was now open and unguarded, and the nextmoment she was in the broad ocean again, swimming toward home besideher mermaid friends.