‘I shall help you as I promised,’ answered the whale, ‘but I don’t know whether there is any entrance to the castle under the sea. If you will wait, I will have my scouts look for one.’
‘If you would lend me a guide, I could scout for myself,’ urged Raphael.
‘Very well,’ said the President. ‘I must apologize for not providing you with an escort to the island, but the Navy has gone. I am sure you understand my position. My Equerry, however, will guide you.’
Raphael bade the President farewell and sent his respects to the First Lady of the Ocean and her son.
‘Good-bye,’ called His Excellency. ‘Good luck. Farewell. Farewell.’
As he spoke the President drifted off, his voice grew fainter and fainter, the darkness deepened, and Raphael saw him no more.
CHAPTER VII
EAGLES! EAGLES!
After bidding the President farewell, Raphael, guided by the sea horse, returned toward the highlands which jutted up to form the island of the Sorcerer. It was very dark. Phosphorus glowed about them in the ocean so that they moved like comets through the night.
They had been traveling for some time when a host of small mackerel darted by.
‘What’s the matter?’ asked the sea horse of one who paused a moment in his flight to look at them.