"Eh, what? Well I'm--" drawled his lordship, craning his neck and letting his eyeglass drop and dangle--he had stopped short in his sentence, not seeming quite to realise what he was. "By Jove!" he now added, "I certainly thought I hit one of those two fine brutes; most remarkable thing I ever saw in my life." "_Didn't_ see, you mean, my dear Algy," replied the Captain coolly and not without vexation. "_I've_ seen a dead serpent before. Where have they moved to? that's the question: we shall have to track them again. A dead snake in the grass is not worth two fine lions in the Jungle." "No, my dear fellow, I don't think so either--I agree with you there--it's quite the contrary, of course," remarked his lordship with a certain amount of energy. Meanwhile, Dulcie and Cyril, with white, scared faces, were fleeing hand in hand like pixies among the trees. CHAPTER V IN THE FISH-KING'S REALM It was only when they reached a meadow full of wild flowers, and the Twins, worn out with their long run, lay down to rest, that Dulcie remarked with a sigh of relief-- "We never do seem to be so safe as when we are us!" "We won't be Birds nor Beasts any more," replied Cyril. "Hark! What's that snoring so loud?" "It's not snoring. I believe it's the waves!" Saying which Dulcie jumped up and Cyril did the same. The children found the meadow they were in was on a cliff, and that below were far-reaching sands, and in the distance heaved the glorious deep blue sea. They clapped their hands and danced with delight, and when that performance was over they carefully descended the steps cut in the face of the cliff which led down to the shore. Very soon their shoes and stockings were slung round their necks, and they were running over the hot sand to where the wavelets came rippling to meet their little feet. So immersed were they in paddling that it was a little time before they noticed some one sitting amongst the rocks which peeped out of the surface of the ocean a short distance away. A hand was beckoning to them, and thinking it might be some one who wanted help, Cyril declared he would go to the rescue, and began to wade towards the spot. Dulcie, fearful of his going alone, and not wishing to be left behind in the adventure, hurried next to him. The current was rather strong and the water got deeper as they went; but they didn't think of their clothes (which were no longer wholly dry), but only of the rescue. When they reached the rocks they found to their surprise a very quaint figure calmly seated there, who motioned them in a very grand manner to a place on each side of him. "Pray be seated. Good morning!" "Good morning!" exclaimed the visitors politely, taking the places indicated. "Good afternoon!" said the Fish-King. "Do you mind holding my crown one moment, my dear?"