hidden, others piled one upon another, and still others in little
groups apart. Such a quantity as there were, and such queer-looking,
dirty things, with their rough shells hinged at the back! Every mouth
was wide open, eagerly sucking in the tiny water animals and plants on
which the oyster feeds.

They paid but small attention to Sammy, but as soon as Meteor came in
sight, shell after shell quickly closed, and the whole Colony
immediately became to all appearances, a deaf, dumb and blind asylum.
Not a sign betrayed that they were living creatures, and the disgust
of the two adventurers may well be imagined. In vain did Sammy ask
questions, and put forth his best conversational powers; in vain did
the Star-Fish attempt to conceal his identity by hiding in the mud,
the cautious oysters were not to be fooled, and finally, much put out,
the two companions were obliged to retire unsatisfied.

"It's all my fault," grumbled the Star-Fish, as they moved slowly
away. "I should have had sense enough to creep along in a less
conspicuous manner. You see so many different kinds of sea-folks,
crabs, sea-snails, etc., as well as our own family feed on the oysters
that it makes them very timid, and they close their shells at the
least sign of danger. And, of course, once the shells are shut the
sharpest and most experienced claw is of no use. It is much easier to
hunt oysters before the shell hardens, though it is not considered as
much sport."

"Are oysters' shells ever soft?" inquired Sammy in great surprise.

"Oh, yes, indeed!" said Meteor, in a very superior tone. "Why I
supposed that every fish in the sea knew that, but I forget, you are