told him that the crab was a dangerous companion. So he soon found an
excuse to leave the cave on an exploring expedition, greatly to the
Hermit's regret.

Sammy's experience with the shark was still fresh in his mind, and for
a time he kept close to the ledge ready for a dash to safety should
danger again threaten.

It was a most interesting place to explore, this ledge. There were big
rocks and little rocks, flat rocks, rocks hidden by mud and sand, and
sharp, jutting rocks full of peril to ships at low tide.

In one or two places near the ledge the ocean was so very deep that
Sammy never ventured to explore its depths, while from another point
he could clearly see the sand at the bottom of the sea, and loved to
descend and swim lazily about examining the shell-fish, sea-snails and
other curious creatures that made their home there.

The long ledge had many inhabitants and Sammy was soon on very good
terms with a couple of jolly sea-urchins, whose round, prickly bodies
were half hidden in the little holes which they had bored in the rock.
The sea-urchins made him acquainted with some relations of theirs, a
family of star-fish living on a flat shelf of rock near by. The
star-fishes proved very agreeable companions, being both polite and
pretty. They had lovely orange colored backs, out of which protruded
their five arms, or rays, giving them the star-like appearance from
which they get their name. Under these rays were rows of tiny feelers,
or suckers which they used as feet. With these a star-fish can crawl
about, or even turn himself over if he wishes to, and if he is
disturbed or frightened these little feelers shrink up and conceal