46 WEST COAST SHELLS 



into a kind of soda-water fizz. I have since learned 

 that that was just what they were doing, and that 

 'air-fizz' is just what a great many creatures in the 

 sea are particularly tond of, and that they make 

 their homes where they will be pretty sure to get 

 it fresh at least twice a day. 



"But I soon saw that this place where the waves 

 were churning air was no place for me; so with a 

 few bold snaps I shot off for deeper water. I was 

 none too quick, for just as I had made up my mind 

 to move I caught sight of a big-mouthed fish coming 

 straight towards me. He doubtless knew that the 

 incoming tide would startle a great many helpless 

 creatures like myself, and he had come, ready to 

 swallow us as we were trying to make our escape. 



"Luckily for me his attention was turned at that 

 instant to a fat worm which seemed to be swimming 

 just in front of me. His mouth closed on the worm, 

 and in an instant more he was shooting upward as 

 if he had been pulled by a string, and I never saw 

 him again. Perhaps some of you may know why he 

 disappeared so suddenly, and can guess what became 

 of him. 



"I was dreadfully scared, for there were other 

 fishes all about, and I am sure that some of my poor 

 brothers did not escape, but I did, and in a few 

 moments I was down in the deep water where every- 

 thing is quiet and still. 



"That night, before I went to sleep, I spun some 

 strong, silky thread with my one finger, and fastened 

 myself to the stem of a great seaweed, so that I 

 would be safe even if a great storm should arise. 



