“Yes; isn’t it perfectly ridiculous?” replied his Majesty; “for they really haven’t any teeth, you know.”
By this time the boat had reached the shore, and we all scrambled out and assisted Ho-Lor up the steep rocks.
From within the little blue house Mi-Hy brought some rods and lines, and we began to fish. There was no bait of any kind, but this Ho-Lor explained was not necessary.
Under the circumstances I was not surprised to find that we did not get a bite for a considerable time.
At last, however, the Wallypug announced with a delighted shout, “I’ve got one!” and we all ran over to see what it was.
Slowly his Majesty wound up his line, while Mi-Hy hung over the rocks with a landing net. “I’ve got it!” he shouted. “Oh, what a beauty!” and diving his hand into the net, he drew out—what do you think? An empty ink-bottle!
I couldn’t help laughing at his Majesty’s disappointed face, but Ho-Lor seemed positively to think that it was a catch worth having. “It’s in capital condition,” he exclaimed, examining it critically, “and has a beautifully-shaped neck.”
“But it’s only an old ink bottle,” objected the poor Wallypug.
“What else did you expect to catch, I should like to know?” said Mi-Hy. “Some people are never satisfied. Many a time I have fished here a whole day and only caught a piece of blotting paper or a pen-wiper.”