64 WESTERN SERIES OF READERS. 



great many creatures in the sea are particularly 

 fond 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 

 creature, that men call a fish, coming straight 

 for me. 



He doubtless knew that the incoming tide would 

 startle a great many helpless crea- 

 tures like myself, and he had come, 

 ready to swallow us as we were 

 trying to make our escape. 



Luckily for me, his attention was 

 Figure 23. 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 be- 

 came of him. 



I was dreadfully scared, for there were other 

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



