The Star-Fish 
57 
Some were half hidden, others piled one 
upon another, and still others in little 
groups apart. Such a quantity as there 
were, and such queer-looking, dirty 
things, with their rough shells hinged at 
the back ! Every mouth was wide open, 
eagerly sucking in the tiny water animals 
and plants on which the oyster feeds. 
They paid but small attention to 
Sammy, but as soon as Meteor came in 
sight, shell after shell quickly closed, and 
the whole Colony immediately became 
to all appearances, a deaf, dumb and 
blind asylum. Not a sign betrayed that 
they were living creatures, and the dis¬ 
gust of the two adventurers may well be 
imagined. In vain did Sammy ask ques¬ 
tions, and put forth his best conversa¬ 
tional powers; in vain did the Star-Fish 
attempt to conceal his identity by hiding 
in the mud, the cautious oysters were not 
