HALICORA.
By the time 'Nardo had told her his father's name, and the names of several other good fishermen who lived near, Halicora saw the sun rising; so she said good-by, promising to come again. When she went home she wrote notes to all her relations, the Cetaceans and the Sirenidians, telling them to be particularly careful of Pietro Monaldi, as he was a good man and a friend of hers; and as Halicora was dearly loved by every one, all her relations promised to look out for Pietro Monaldi, and send him plenty of fish. After that, Halicora and 'Nardo became very well acquainted, and told each other a great deal about the land and sea, and Halicora became quite certain that no merboy ever could be so pleasant and good as 'Nardo. One beautiful morning she told him there was going to be a fearful storm, and that his father ought not to go out in his boat.
"I will tell him you have told me," said 'Nardo.
"No, no; if you even tell him you have seen me, I can never come again," said Halicora, for she had warned him when they first met not to speak of her.
So 'Nardo only told his father that there would be a terrible storm—that the wind and waves had whispered it to him. But his father laughed at him for a silly dreaming boy, and went out in his boat with the other fishermen. The storm came, a terrible storm, just as Halicora had said, and the fishing-boat was wrecked, and all the men in it were drowned, except 'Nardo's father. Halicora had helped him to swim, had lifted him out of the waves, and brought him a piece of the wrecked boat to hold upon. Pietro thought the piece of board came by a lucky accident; but Halicora was holding it, and she brought him safely to land just at dawn. 'Nardo was on the shore, waiting in great anxiety for the boat to come back. When he saw Halicora helping his father, he forgot her warning, and exclaimed: "Thanks, dear Halicora! See, father, the good mermaid has helped you."
But his father saw nothing—only those who are young and truly good can see the mermaids; so Pietro only saw the waves and the piece of wood which he had floated upon. But he was very glad and thankful that he was saved, and so was 'Nardo.
The next day 'Nardo carried a large basketful of the finest fruit he could find, and waited on the shore for Halicora. As soon as she came he exclaimed, "Dear Halicora, how good you are!"
"You are good too, 'Nardo,"; said Halicora; "and I am sorry I must leave you."
"Oh, Halicora, why must you leave me?" asked 'Nardo.