Overhead, huge, white, jagged clouds moved slowly across the sky. Their close ranks were broken now and then by shafts of sunlight that pierced through the fog and struck steely-blue gleams from the undulating waves. A few white-caps dotted the ocean, and the heavy swells rolled ponderously toward the shore, breaking into cavernous surf that sounded like far-distant thunder. To Billy Worth, inland born and bred, the ocean seemed a source of endless wonder; to Alec and Chester, it had become a friendly element, and they proved their familiarity with it by wading boldly in and diving straight through the green breakers.
“Come on, Billy!” yelled Chester, bobbing up on the crest of a wave. “The water’s fi——”
No sooner were the words sputtered forth than Chester was lifted bodily, rolled over and over, and flung with a thump upon the beach, almost at Billy’s feet. A wave had broken unexpectedly and had tossed him around as though he were a bit of driftwood. He staggered up, his eyes and mouth full of briny sand, and rubbed one shoulder gingerly.
“Where am I?” he inquired. “I must have turned a dozen complete somersaults! Gee! My shoulder’s out of joint—at least, it feels so! Why don’t you go in, Billy?”
“I’m going,” replied Billy, doubling up with laughter. “Look at Alec out there! He’s got tangled up with a bunch of seaweed, his arms and legs are covered with the slimy stuff! Seems to me, it’s more fun watching you fellows; but here goes, anyway!”
He bounded forward and dived through the green arch of a comber with a skill and daring that rivaled the best feats of his companions. Chester followed him as soon as he could get the sand out of his eyes. For only a short while the three swimmers disported themselves in the waves, for they were sensible enough to go ashore before the exhilaration of the exercise had even begun to wear off.
As they returned to the house, they noticed one of the Revenue Marine Bureau cutters cruising along the shore not far out; and Alec explained that the cutters made regular trips up and down the coast during winter and early spring, to warn or assist imperiled vessels.
“I didn’t know they came as far south as this,” said Chester.
“Oh, yes; but not so often as they do along our northern coasts,” Alec rejoined.
After breakfast, Mr. Sands called the three boys out on the broad veranda, and they all ensconced themselves in comfortable wicker chairs.