There was a splash over the side of a boat, then another, one more, and a fourth. The water rippled and broke away into smooth curves. Down a long streak of moonlight four dark objects floated above the surface of the waves. For a few seconds there was not a sound, not even a shout, to show that the mermaids were at play.
Two dark heads kept in advance of the others.
“Madge,” warned a voice, “we must not go too far out. Remember, we promised Jenny Ann. My, but isn’t this water glorious! I feel as though I could swim on forever.”
A graceful figure turned over and the moonlight shone full on a happy face. The two swimmers moved along more slowly.
“Nellie, Lillian!” Madge called back, “are you all right? Do you wish to go on farther?”
Phil and Madge floated quietly until their two friends caught up with them.
“I feel as though I could go on all night at this rate,” declared Lillian Seldon. Eleanor put her hand out. “May I float along with you a little, Madge?” she asked. “I am tired. How wide and empty the ocean looks to-night! We must not get out of sight of the lights of the ‘Merry Maid’.”
“There is no danger!” scoffed Madge.
“Look out!” cried Phil Alden sharply. She was swimming ahead. She saw first the sails of a small yacht making across the bay with all speed to the line of the shore that the girls had just quitted.
“Let’s follow the boat back home,” suggested Madge. “We can keep far enough away for them not to see us. It will be rather good fun if they take us for porpoises or mermaids, or any other queer sea creature.”