“That’s right! No diver is any good until he can see where he is going or what he really is after under water. Why not get the others to try, too,” replied Elizabeth.
So they were all trying to dive and keep their eyes open. “The one who keeps his eyes open the longest while under water will be given an extra dish of dessert at lunch time,” cried Billy.
“But it feels so funny to have the water biff your eyes,” commented Paul, who had experimented when the others did.
“Why, I don’t know whether I see anything or not! I tried but couldn’t see the white sand-bag,” said Dudley.
“Listen to the nutlet!” laughed Elizabeth. “Why, there is nothing but water to see, ’cause the bag is in the boat. Here, hold this white clam-shell under water about a yard or two away from your nose and then tell me if you can see it!”
Elizabeth handed the clam-shell to Edith who offered to hold it for Dudley or Paul. Paul clamoured for a trial and thus attracted Edith’s attention to him. She had an idea then and there.
The clam-shell was held and Paul dove. The moment he was near enough to her hand, Edith caught hold of his head and held it under water just as he had done to her a short time before.
Forgetting his predicament, Paul tried to scream for help and a flood of water poured into his mouth. Edith soon allowed her victim to come up again, but he choked and coughed so with anger that every one laughed at the case of “tit for tat.”
While this affray was going on, the watchers on the rock saw Fred try in vain to empty the water out of the canoe after righting it, so Mrs. Remington called out:
“Better desist at present—there are plenty of days to try again—Fred!”