E. Nesbit by Wet Magic

Author:Wet Magic
Format: epub
Published: 2013-07-07T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER VIII. THE WATER-WAR.

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 apologise for appointing you to such an unsatisfactory position."

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

It was a solid, gleaming sheet of silver that rose above them like a great carpet---which split and tore itself into silver threads.

"It is the Sword-fish Brigade," said the Princess. "We could swim up a little and watch them, if you're not afraid. You see, the first attack will probably be delivered by one of their Shark regiments. The 7th Sharks have a horrible reputation. But our brave Sword-fish are a match for them," she added proudly.

The Sword-fish, who were slowly swimming to and fro above, seemed to stiffen as though to meet some danger at present unseen by the others. Then, with a swift, silent, terrible movement, the Sharks rushed on the noble defenders of Merland.

The Sword-fish with their deadly weapons were ready---and next moment all the water was a wild whirl of confused conflict. The Sharks fought with a sort of harsh, rough courage, and the children, who had drawn away to a little distance, could not help admiring their desperate onslaught. But the Swordfish were more than their match. With more skill, and an equally desperate gallantry, they met and repulsed the savage onslaught of the Sharks.

Shoals of large, calm Cod swept up from the depths, and began to shoulder the dead Sharks sideways towards the water above the walls--the dead Sharks and, alas! many a brave, dead Sword-fish, too. For the victory had not been a cheap one.

The children could not help cheering as the victorious Sword-fish re-formed.

"Pursuit is unnecessary," said the Princess. "The Sharks have lost too heavily to resume the attack."

A Shark in terror-stricken retreat passed close by her, and she clipped its tail with her oyster-shell.

The Shark turned savagely, but the Princess with one tail-swish was out of danger, hushing the children before her outspread arms, and the Shark began to sink, still making vain efforts to pursue them.

"The shell will drag him down," said the Princess; "and now I must go and get a fresh shield.

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