"And perhaps find the fountain of youth that Ponce de Leon missed," added Mollie.
"If you find it, bring some of the water back," begged Mr. Stonington. "You girls will not need it—I do."
"We'll bottle some for you," promised Amy, laughing.
Soon they were off in the Gem again, Grace, at least, keeping a wary eye out for alligators. But they saw none of the unprepossessing creatures.
"Though perhaps we may meet with a sea-cow," suggested Betty, as she looked for a pleasant place whereon to go ashore for lunch.
"What's a sea-cow?" asked Mollie.
"One that eats sea-weed," cried Amy.
"No, I mean a manatee," went on Betty. "Don't you remember the big creatures we saw in the New York aquarium a year or so ago?"
"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Amy. "Well, they're not as bad as alligators—at least they haven't such large mouths."
"And they only eat—grass," added Mollie.