The Star-Fish 
53 
to seize him with his cruel claws. For¬ 
tunately for Sammy his instinct told him 
that the crab was a dangerous companion. 
So he soon found an excuse to leave the 
cave on an exploring expedition, greatly 
to the Hermit’s regret. 
Sammy’s experience with the shark 
was still fresh in his mind, and for a time 
he kept close to the ledge ready for a 
dash to safety should danger again 
threaten. 
It was a most interesting place to ex¬ 
plore, this ledge. There were big rocks 
and little rocks, flat rocks, rocks hidden 
by mud and sand, and sharp, jutting 
rocks full of peril to ships at low tide. 
In one or two places near the ledge the 
ocean was so very deep that Sammy never 
ventured to explore its depths, while from 
another point he could clearly see the 
sand at the bottom of the sea, and loved 
