Yes, Toby Tolman, keeper of the light at the harbour's mouth, and not far from a dangerous bar, ever changing and yet never going, had kindled a star in the tall lantern as the western clouds dropped their gay extinguisher on the sun's dwindling candle. Between the boys and the outside, dusky surface of ocean water stretched a line of whitest foam, where the waves broke on the bar.
"Getting chilly," said Dave. "Hadn't we better go into the cabin and light our lantern?"
"Guess Dick is looking after that," said Jimmy.
No; Dick was looking after--meddling, rather, with something else. He had whispered to John Richards, "Come here, John," and then led him to the bow of the vessel.
"See here, Johnny."
"What is it, Dick?"
"Wouldn't it be nice to see this old ark move?"
"Move! what for?"
"Oh, I've got tired of seeing it in one place."
"Why, what do you mean? How?"