Chapter Six.
Down by the Sea.
“Now, boys,” said the Squire, when the breakfast was over, “time flies. Harry, you tell Sam to bring the dog-cart round. Philip and Fred, you help me to get the jars and bottles into the hall.”
This was soon done, and, the cart coming round, it was packed with the different odds and ends that naturalists take with them when going to the sea-side; and also with those agreeable refreshments taken by all people, whether naturalists or not, when they anticipate being by the rocks and shingle for a few hours in the fresh sea-breeze. The boys then eagerly took their places, the horse leaped to the light shake of the reins given by the Squire, Sam left its head, Mamma waved her handkerchief from the porch, the gate was passed, and away they went bowling over the hard road, and past, green trees, hedges, and fields, with the sweet smell of new-turned hay borne on the morning breeze, while the sky above seemed clearer and brighter than ever.
“Now, boys, which way shall we go; down by the marsh, or along the upland at once to the rocks?”
“Oh, through the marsh, Papa!” said Harry; “and then you can drive along the sands to the rocks. It is so nice and quiet riding along the sands.”
“Yes,” said his father; “but how about old Tom, here? He won’t like dragging all you great fellows through the heavy sand; will you, Tom?”
Old Tom on hearing his master’s cheery voice gave his head a toss, as much as to say, “I should think not,” and then trotted along faster than ever, making the wheels spin round, and the dust fly in a cloud behind them.