The water was so deep and it raced along so swiftly that Pinkie Whiskers was very much frightened, but suddenly a beautiful, soft voice whispered in his ear:
“Do not be afraid. I am the Water-Fairy and I will help you because my dear friend, the Tree-Fairy asked me to do so. She told me all about how you saved her.”
Pinkie Whiskers was so amazed and delighted that he forgot that he was in the water and started to speak. Of course, the water poured into his open mouth and he began to sputter and choke.
The Water-Fairy pushed him to the top of the water and patted him on his back until he was all right once more, then she said:
“I will make it possible for you to stay down under the water and breathe and talk just like a fish and then you will never choke again.”
Pinkie Whiskers smiled his thanks and the Water-Fairy made some passes and, sure enough, he could breathe, talk and swim under water just like a fish.
“Look! look!” cried the Water-Fairy. “There is a ship in the distance and it is headed this way.”
Sure enough, a beautiful, big, white ship was coming down the river. It was coming so fast now they could see men moving about on her.
Pinkie Whiskers took out of his pocket his white handkerchief and waved it around and around his head.
“Ship ahoy! ship ahoy!” he shouted.