Chapter 5: Eeba's Bold Adventure on Sawyer Island

     In the middle of June 1843, the second mermaid sister Eeba came of age, and it was her turn to rise to the surface without supervision and explore the world above.
     Eeba journeyed to Sawyer Island.  Swimming into Gull Inlet between Sawyer Island and Palm Island, she discovered a creek and decided to explore it.  Along the way, Eeba met some fairies who encouraged her to swim as far as Garner's Millpond so she could watch the children swim.
     The fairies unwisely advised her to conceal herself behind the millpond impoundment behind the spillway and watch the children from that position.
     Eeba watched the children for a long time, not noticing that the tide had gone out, making it impossible for her to dive from the spillway to the millpond. 
     Emily's black Cairn terrier Hero caught sight of Eeba and began barking.  All the children looked and saw Eeba. Frightened, they grabbed their clothes and ran away.
     Eeba then realizes that the tide has gone out and the water level of Garner's Millpond has dropped.  Unable to dive into the now-shallow pond, she's trapped in the spillway impoundment and breaks into tears.
     Emily, holding her dog Hero in her arms, helps Eeba from the impoundment, drags her down the embankment and into the millpond.  Emily and Eeba try to get acquainted, struggling to bridge the language barrier.  Emily finds herself wishing that Eeba had a sister closer to Emily's age.
     A week later, Eeba shows up with her youngest sister Triza.  Emily gives Triza the name Amelia, and it's the beginning of a life-long friendship.

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