"Ah! birds we don't encourage below the surface, as a rule," said the fish, smiling indulgently. "You are scarcely likely to meet with him here. Perhaps His Majesty the King of the Fishes would advise you." "Oh, I have a letter of introduction to His Majesty," said Dick. "I'm afraid it's rather wet," he said, apologetically, drawing it from his pocket. "It would be unacceptable to His Majesty were it not so," said the fish. "Well, now, I _was_ going to a football match, it being a half-holiday; but under the circumstances, I will put it off, and escort you to the Palace. This way, please." Sinking down to the sand at the bottom of the sea, the fish led the way through a beautiful forest of waving seaweed, of all the colors of the rainbow. Exquisite shells were strewn about, and brightly-colored anemones clung to the rocks on every side, while all kinds of oddly-shaped fishes swam about, peering at the children curiously as they passed. Presently they came in sight of a kind of Palace, formed of quaintly-shaped pieces of coral, which, the fish explained, was where the King lived. "Just stay here a moment, please," said he; and the children waited outside while he went into the Palace. [Illustration: "'Bring them forward,' said the king of the fishes."] Fidge pulled aside a piece of seaweed, and they all peeped through a hole in the coral, and saw a large fish wearing a crown, and with a curious chain about his neck, to which was attached an enormous fish-hook, seated on a throne. Officers of State stood round about, and the little thin fish that had been so polite to them was bowing and scraping in quite a courtly fashion. He was evidently telling His Majesty all about them, for, after hearing what he had to say, the King of the Fishes nodded; and the thin fish came out, and informed them that they were to be admitted into the Presence. CHAPTER VI. IN THE KING'S PRESENCE. "Do you understand fish-language?" whispered the little thin fish, hurriedly, as he was conducting them into the Presence Chamber. "I'm afraid not," replied Dick. "Then you must remain silent, for in the King's presence nothing but the fish-language is allowed to be spoken. I will interpret for you afterwards." Pushing aside some curtains of brightly-colored seaweed he led them into the Presence Chamber. The King received them very graciously, and held out one fin as they approached. "I expect we ought to kneel on one knee, and kiss it, like they do at presentations," whispered Marjorie. But Dick wasn't going to do anything of that sort, and just touched it lightly with one hand, while the others followed suit. The thin fish then motioned them to sit down on a kind of divan, upon which large sponges took the place of cushions, and which the children found to be most comfortable; and the audience began.