"Come, girls, we must be moving," warned Mae, "a sail boat depends on wind and tide for safe navigation."
Reluctantly they left the sand, for this strip of rocky woods was attractive to the point of positive fascination.
With a friendly breeze they were soon under full sail again, and the voyage home promised too prompt an ending to their day's sport. They would have prolonged it.
"Couldn't we sail in and out that group of islands?" asked Grace, reluctant to reach port too early.
"We might," agreed Mae, "if we were sure to be safe from sand bars."
"Water's splendidly deep," her sister at the tiller assured her. "We may as well let the girls see all the sights."
Accordingly, the Blowell was directed toward the islands, that seemed like mere splashes of green, spilled on the blue water.
In and out they went in apparent safety, every one enjoying the close land sailing, and the glimpses of varied woodlands these little islands exhibited.
"Tide's going out fast," called Mae, as the sail swung north.
Eugenia did not reply. She thought she felt something scrape.