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 CHAPTER EIGHT

AFTER THE SOUND of that terrible shouting there came silence—that is, there was silence where the children were, but all above they could hear the rush and rustle of a quick arming.

"The war cry of the People of the Depths," said the Princess.

"I suppose," said Kathleen forlornly, "that if they're so near as that all is lost."

"Lost? No, indeed," cried the Princess. "The People of the Depths are very strong, but they are very heavy. They cannot rise up and come to us from the water above. Before they can get in they must scale the wall."

"But they will get over the wall—won't they?"

"Not while one of the Royal Halibuts still lives. The Halibuts have manned the wall; they will keep back the foe. But they won't attack yet. They'll send out their scouts and skirmishers. Till they approach, the Crustacean Brigade can do nothing. It is a hard thing to watch a fight in which you may not share. I must apologize for appointing you to such an unsatisfactory position."

"Thank you, we don't mind," said Cathay hastily. "What's that?" 101