CHAPTER XIII.
THE EXCURSION TO HIGH ROCK.
The yacht party which had come to Rockhaven in the Orion, in spite of the fog and the rain, appeared to be very happy. If they were aristocratic in the metropolis, they were not so in their summer resort. Though the party was large enough to enable them to "have a good time" without any assistance from outside of the hotel, they invited many of the people of Rockhaven to join them in their indoor amusements. As Mr. Hamilton was a native of the town, he was quite at home there, though he had been absent from his boyhood. In addition to the dancing, the billiards, and the bowling, one of the gentlemen of the party was an elocutionist, and gave several "readings" in the parlor. A celebrated writing-master, who was a guest at the hotel, gave an exhibition of his sleight of hand tricks, in which he was almost as skillful as in the use of his pen. At the end of the third day it was voted that, in spite of the weather, the party had enjoyed themselves to the utmost. Mr. Bennington and Leopold were unremitting in their efforts to make the guests comfortable and happy.
But in spite of the enjoyment within doors, the New Yorkers were glad to see the sun shine again. For the first time since their arrival they were permitted to gaze upon the rugged and beautiful scenery of the island. They were delighted with the cliffs, and with the views from them. Most of the party spent the day in rambling about the town and in climbing the rocks; but the younger members of it insisted upon something more exciting. When Leopold carried their coffee to Rosabel and her friend Isabel Peterson, at the breakfast table, he found them very much excited. They were talking together with a furious enthusiasm, though there was to be no wedding, or even a grand ball.
"We want to go to High Rock right off after breakfast," said Rosabel; and it appeared that the high spirits of the young ladies were produced simply by the anticipation of this excursion.
"In the Rosabel?" asked Leopold.
"Yes, certainly," answered Miss Hamilton.
"I will be ready for you," added the skipper.