Prev | Current Page 170 | Next

Harte, Bret, 1836-1902

"Drift from Two Shores"


"If I couldn't afford any other clothes, I might wear a switch,
too!" hissed the Amazonian queen. "I suppose you don't dye it on
account of the salt water. But perhaps you prefer green, dear?"
"A little salt water might improve your own complexion, love."
"Fishwoman!" screamed the Amazonian queen.
"Bloomerite!" shrieked the mermaid.
In another instant they had seized each other.
"Mutiny! Overboard with them!" cried the Pirate Prodigy, rising to
the occasion, and casting aside all human affection in the peril of
the moment.
A plank was brought and two women placed upon it.
"After you, dear," said the mermaid, significantly, to the
Amazonian queen; "you're the oldest."
"Thank you!" said the Amazonian queen, stepping back. "Fish is
always served first."
Stung by the insult, with a wild scream of rage, the mermaid
grappled her in her arms and leaped into the sea.
As the waters closed over them forever, the Pirate Prodigy sprang
to his feet. "Up with the black flag, and bear away for New
London," he shouted in trumpet-like tones.


Pages:
158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182