The End of the Adventures
THE seaplane flew over the water, and at last came to the shores of the little fishing-village where Andy lived, and the other three children had been staying. It glided down to the water, and rested there, its great wings spread out beside it.
The little beach was soon crowded with people-fishermen and their wives, children, visitors—all shouting and cheering. The news had gone round that the fout missing children had been found!
A boat set off to fetch the children from the plane. It was rowed by Andy's father! How Andy shouted to see him!
"Dad! We're back again!"
The bearded man in the boat smiled and waved. He had been terribly worried about Andy and the children—but now his heart was glad. They were safe!
The children tumbled into the boat, all talking at once. Andy's father patted his boy on the shoulder and smiled at him out of eyes as blue as Andy's. Neither of them said very much, but their hands pressed one another joyfully. Tom's father came with them. He had two days' leave and was going to spend it with his wife and children.
The people on the beach cheered and shouted. The little boat grounded and was pulled up the shore by willing hands. Every one wanted to shake hands and say how glad they were to see the children back. And then the children saw their mother! They rushed to her and hugged her like bears, shouting and laughing.
"Now, now, give me a look in," said their father, smiling, and the whole family went up the beach together. Andy went off with his father. He had no mother, so he thought twice as much of his father.
What a talking and chattering there was that evening! The children's mother made them all strip off their dirty clothes and have a good bath before they did anything.