How Sammy Went to Coral-Land | Page 6

into the mud.
"Oh, yes, indeed!" replied Sammy, politely, "I had a good meal some
time ago before the shark got after me." And, forthwith, he gave a
thrilling account of his adventure, adding something to it after the
manner of storytellers, and throwing in a description of his past life and
present ambition. To all of which the Crab listened with most flattering
interest.
"Remarkable," he murmured. "You have no idea how delightful it is for
a poor Hermit like me to hear something of the outside world. I lead
such a retired life that it is a real pleasure to entertain a stranger in my
humble abode. This little cave is mine by the right of possession, and in
it I live, far from the whirl of society, and being secluded in my habits,
and somewhat bashful, I always retire into the mud when strangers
appear. Occasionally when crabs, (little ones), sea-snails, and small
shell-fish wander in in search of apartments I consent to have a short
conference with them, but it is a rare thing for me to speak to a fish as
large as yourself."

"I am highly honored," said our hero.
"But tell me, how do you happen to have that large shell on your
back?"
"That," replied the Crab, proudly, "is the former home of a Sea-Snail,
now alas! no more. You see my name of the Hermit-Crab comes from
my liking to conceal my tail, which is long and soft, with two or three
hooks on it, in the empty shell of some sea animal, snail, or the like.
Unlike the ordinary crabs, our branch of the family all possess these
tails. Our only hope of prolonging our existence is to protect this weak
tail, so as soon as we are born we crawl into some empty shell, and
holding on with the hooks, are thus fairly well protected from attacks in
the rear. We can carry the shell about with us, and in time, as we grow
bigger, it becomes necessary to find a larger one. The shell in which I
now live once belonged to a big snail. It was just the right size for my
needs, and, there being no other way out of the difficulty, I was
compelled to eat him up in order to get possession of his home. It was a
wrong act, the impulse of a moment, and I assure you that I have
always deeply regretted the cruel deed," and the Hermit paused to sigh
deeply.
[Illustration: HERMIT CRAB IN SHELL.]
Now Sammy had very small faith in the repentance of the Hermit. In
fact he had a suspicion that he was a bloodthirsty old hypocrite, and
that those unwary strangers who had come to look for apartments in the
past, had never returned alive. This was an uncomfortable thought, so
he kept a sharp eye on the Hermit, while he listened to the long
description the other gave him of the habits and customs of his family.
Our hero was soon to learn that bragging about one's ancestors and
connections was not a weakness confined alone to Aunt Sheen, for
many other fish possessed it, and this seems strange when they openly
declared that they sometimes devoured their younger and weaker
relations.
The Hermit-Crab belonged to a large family called the Crustaceans. All

kinds of crabs, lobsters, as well as shrimps, barnacles, sea-acorns, etc.,
are members of this family, though all belong to different branches of it.
The lobster is first cousin to the crab, though somewhat larger, yet the
two resemble each other very closely. The crab has four pairs of legs,
as well as a large pair of claws. He is a rapid swimmer, though his
sidewise motion gives him a very awkward appearance. And, although
a great eater, it hardly seems likely that Mr. Crab ever suffers from
indigestion, since nature has given him eight jaws, and a large stomach
furnished with teeth. He has also a heart, and liver.
The crab, in common with the lobster, possesses one very convenient
peculiarity. He can cast off a claw if it is hurt in any way, and he
sometimes throws one or two away if he is frightened by thunder, for
he is a great coward in a thunder-storm. But, no matter in what way the
claw is lost, Mr. Crab can grow another one, although it will not be as
large, or as strong as the first one.
The claws of a crab are his weapons, and terrible ones they are, too.
With them he defends himself against his enemies, and with them he
attacks his prey and tears it to pieces.
His bill of fare is composed of some kinds of fish and lower water
animals; and it is said that some