Floating gently near the spot where they had left it was their own little boat.

Cap'n Bill swam to it, took hold of the side, and then turned an inquiring face toward the mermaids.

"Climb in," said the Queen.

So he pulled himself up and awkwardly tumbled forward into the boat.

As he did so, he heard his wooden leg clatter against the seat, and turned around to look at it wonderingly.
"It's me, all right!" he muttered.