At this, the rabbit pricked up his ears. It was all new to him. He had never heard that there was anything under the water but common fishes and seaweed and when these were decayed and washed up along the seashore—well, he had his ideas about them. They did not smell sweet at all. Now he heard a different story. His curiosity was roused. “What you tell me, my friend, is interesting. Go on.”
Thereupon Dr. Turtle proceeded to tell of most wonderful mountains and valleys down on the [[27]]floor of the deep sea, with every kind of rare water plants, red, orange-color, green, blue, white, with trees of gold and silver, besides flowers of every color and delightful perfume.
“You surprise me,” said Brother Bunny, getting more interested.
“Yes, and all sorts of good things to eat and drink, with music and dancing, handsome serving maids and everything nice. Come along and be our guest. Our king has sent me to invite you.”
“May I go?” asked Brother Bunny, delighted.
“Yes, at once. Get on my back and I’ll carry you.”
So the rabbit ran and the turtle waddled to the water’s edge.
“Now hold fast to my front shell,” said Dr. Turtle; “we’re going under the water.”
Down, down below the blue waves they sank until they arrived at the king’s palace. There the rabbit found everything was true, as told by the turtle. The colors, the rich gems were as he had said.
Dr. Turtle introduced Brother Bunny to some of the princes and princesses of the kingdom and these showed their guest the sights and treasures of the palace, while Dr. Turtle attended the council of doctors to announce the success of his errand.