NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
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SET TWINS
, AT THE SEASHORE
LAURA LEE HOPE
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I rontispiece
THE BOBBSEY TWINS
AT THE SEASHORE
LAURA LEE HOPE
AUTHOR OF "THE BOBBSEY TWINS,** "THE BOBBSEY
TWINS IN THE COUNTRY,'" ETC.
IUUSTMaTED
NEV YORK
GROSSET & DUNLAP
PUBLISHERS
34*die m Ibe Uoked States ol Amtiin
i..
1014:
l4l{
7, 1
THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES
For Little Men and Women
By LAURA LEE HOPE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS
Or, Merry Days Indoors and Out
IHF, BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY
THi; BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
Copyright, 1907
BY
CHATTERTON-PECK COMPANY
The Bobbsey Twins at the Seashore
CONTENTS
SHATTBR
P&GS
I.
Chasing the Duck .
• *
1
IL
A Traveling Menagerie .
. ^^
III.
Railroad Tennis
, ,
^ 26
IV.
Night in a Barn
. •
^ 39
V.
A Queer Stage Driver
t
. 48
VI.
The Ocean
,
, 53
VII.
Nellie
0
* 72
VIII.
Exploring — a Race for
Pond Lilies
8.^
IX
Fun on the Sands .
«
^
92
X.
The Shell Hunt
C W
^
.. 103
XI,
Downy on the Ocean
t
no
XIL
Real Indians
o
120
XIII.
The Boat Carnival
e '
. 130
^
XIV.
The First Prize .
•
. 142
XV.
Lost on an Island •
•
fdr,
XVI.
Dorothy's Doings c
• •
, 260
XVII.
Old Friends
• •
. I6q
XVIII.
The Storm
• •
, 181
mM
XIX.
Life-Savers
. 189
kp
XX.
The Happy Reunion
• •
. 198
XXIc
Good-by
• «
20t
m
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2007 with funding from
IVIicrosoft Corporation
http://www.archive.org/details/bobbseytwinsatseOOhope
rHE BOBBSEY TWINS A^
THE SEASHORE
CHAPTER I
CHASING THE DUCK
'*Suah's yo* lib, we do keep a-movin'T
xried Dinah, as she cHmbed into the big depot
wagon.
*'We didn't forget Snoop this time," ex-
claimed Freddie, following close on Dinah's
heels, with the box containing Snoop, his pet
cat, who always went traveling with the little
fellow.
'Tm glad I covered up the ferns with wet
paper," Flossie remarked, "for this sun would
surely kill them if it could get at them."
*'Bert, 3^ou may carry my satchel," said MrSo
Bobbsey, "and be careful, as there are some
glasses of jelly in it, you know."
"I wish I had put my hat in my trunk/* re
7 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
marked Nan. "I'm sure someone will sit on
this box and smash it before we get there."
*'Now, all ready!" called Uncle Daniel, as he
prepared to start old Bill, the horse.
"Wait a minute!" Aunt Sarah ordered.
"There was another box, I'm sure. Freddie,
didn't you fix that blue shoe box to bring
along?"
"Oh, yes, that's my little duck, Downy. Get
him quick, somebody, he's on the sofa in the
bay window!"
Bert climbed out and lost no time in secur-
ing the missing box.
"Now we are all ready this time," Mr. Bobb-
sey declared, while Bill started on his usual trot
down the country road to the depot.
The Bobbseys were leaving the country for
the seashore. As told in our first volume, "The
Bobbsey Twins," the little family consisted of
tw^o pairs of twins. Nan and Bert, age eight,
dark and handsome, and as like as two peas;
and Flossie and Freddie, age four, as light as
the others were dark, and "just exactly
chums," as Flossie always declared.
The Bobbsey twins lived at Lakeport, where
CHASING THE DUCK 3
Mr» Richard Bobbsey had large lumber yards.
The mother and father were quite young them-
selves, and so enjoyed the good times that
came as naturally as sunshine to the little
Bobbseys. Dinah, the colored maid, had been
with the family so long the children at Lake-
port called her Dinah Bobbsey, although her
real name was Mrs. Sam Johnston, and her
husband, Sam, was the man of all work about
the Bobbsey home.
Our first volume told all about the Lakeport
home, and our second book, "The Bobbsey
Twins in the Country," was the story of the
Bobbseys on a visit to Aunt Sarah and Uncle
Daniel Bobbsey in their beautiful counti-yhome
at Meadow Brook. Here Cousin Harry, a boy
Bert's aee, shared all the sports with the fa^nily
from LaKeport. Now the Lakeport Bobbseys
were leaving Meadow Brook, to spend the
month of August with Uncle William and
Aunt Emily Minturn at their seashore home,
called Ocean Cliff, located near the village of
Sunset Beach. There they were also to meet
their cousin, Dorothy Minturn, who was just
a year older than Nan.
% THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
It was a beautiful morning, the very first
day of August, that our little party started off
Along the Meadow Brook road everybody
called out **Good-by!" for in the small coun-
try place all the Bobbseys were well known,
and even those ^rom Lakeport had many
friends there.
Nettie Prentice, the one poor child in the
immediate neighborhood (she only lived twc
<arms away from Aunt Sarah), ran out to the
wagon as Uncle Daniel hurried old Bill to the
depot.
"Oh, here, NanT' she called. "Do take
these flowers if you can carry them. They are
in wet cotton battin at the stems, and they
won't fade a bit all day/' and Nettie offered to
Nan a gorgeous bouquet of lovely pure white,
waxy lilies, that grow so many on a stalk and
have such a delicious fragrance. Nettie's
house was an old homestead, and there deli-
cate blooms crowded around the sitting-room
window.
Nan let her hatbox down and took the
flowers.
"These are lovely Nettie." she exclaimed;
CHASING THE DUCK $
**rVi take them, no matter how I carry them.
Thank you so much, and I hope I'll see you
next summer/*
**Yes, do come out again!" Nettie faltered,
for she would miss Nan, the city girl had al-
ways been so kind— even lent her one of hei'
own dresses for the wonderful Fourth of July
parade„
"Maybe you will come down to the beach on
an excursion/' called Nan, as Bill started o0
again with no time to lose.
"I don't think so/* answered Nettie, for she
had never been on an excursion — poor people
can rarely afford to spend money for such
pleasures.
"I've got my duck/' called Freddie to the
Httle girl, who had given the little creature to
Freddie at the farewell party as a souvenir of
Meadow Brook.
"Have you?" laughed Nettie, "Give him
plenty of water, Freddie, let him loose in the
ocean for a swim !" Then Nettie ran back to
her home duties.
"Queer," remarked Nan, as they hurried oti,
'She two girls I thought the most of tfi
e THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
Meadow Brook were poor: Nettie Prentice,
and Nellie the little cash girl at the fresh-air
camp. Somehow, poor girls seem so real and
tliey talk to you so close — I mean they seem to
just speak right out of their eyes and hearts."
"That's what we call sincerity, daughter,'*
said Mrs. Bobbsey. ''You see, children who
have trials learn to appreciate more keenly than
we, who have everything we need. That ap-
preciation shows in their eyes, and so they seem
closer to you, as you say."
*'Oh ! oh! oh!" screamed Freddie, *T think
my duck is choked. He's got his head out the
hole. Take Snoop, quick, Bert, till I get
Downy in again," and the poor little fellow
looked as scared as did the duck with his "head
out of the hole."
"He can't get it in again," cried Freddie,
pushing gently on the little lump of down with
the queer yellow bill — the duck's head. "The
hole ain't big enough and he'll surely choke
in it."
"Tear the cardboard down," said Bert
"That's easy enough," and the older brother^
fxnning to the rescue, put his fingers under the
CHASING THE DUCK f
dioking" neck, gave the paper box a jerk, and
freed poor Downy.
"When we get to the depot we will have to
paste some paper over the tear," continued
Bert, "or Downy will get out further next
time."
"Here we are," called Uncle Daniel, pulling
iip to the old station.
"I'll attend to the baggage," announced Mn
Bobbsey, "while you folks all go to the farther
end of the platform. Our car will stop there.''
For a little place like Meadow Brook seven
people getting on the Express seemed like an
excursion, and Dave, the lame old agent, hob«
bled about with some consequence, as he gave
the man in the baggage car instruction about
the trunk and valises. During that brief
period, Harry, Aunt Sarah, and Uncle Daniel
were all busy with "good-byes" : Aunt Sarah
giving Flossie one kiss more, and Uncle Daniel
tossing Freddie up in the air in spite of the
danger to Downy, the duck.
"All aboard!" called the conductor.
"Good-by!"
**Good-by!"
d THE BOBbSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
"Come and see us at Christmas!" called
Bert to Harry.
**I may go down to the beach !" answered
Harry while the train brakes flew off.
"We will expect you Thanksgiving," Mrs.
Bobbsey nodded out the window to Aunt
Sarah.
*'I'll come if I can," called back the other.
*'Good-by! Good-by!"
"Now, let us all watch out for the last lool<
at dear old Meadow Brook," exclaimed Nan,
standing up by the window.
"Let Snoop see!" said Freddie, with his
hand on the cover of the kitten's box.
"Oh, no!" called everybody at once. "If
you let that cat out we will have just as much
trouble as we did coming up. Keep him in his
box."
"He would like to see too," pouted Freddie.
**Snoop liked Meadow Brook. Didn't you,
Snoopy !" putting his nose close to the holes in
the box.
"I suppose by the time we come back from
the beach Freddie will have a regular menag-
erie," said Bert, with a laugh. "He had a
CHASING THE DUCK
kitten first, now he has a kitten and a duck,
and next he'll have a kitten, a duck, and
** Sea-serpent/' put in Freddie, believing that
he might get such a monster if he cared to pos-
sess one.
**There goes the last of Meadow Brook,"
sighed Nan, as the train rounded a curve and
slowed up on a pretty bridge. "And we did
^aave such a lovely time there !"
"Isn't it going to be just as nice at the
)cean?'* Freddie inquired, with some con-
cern.
'*We hope so," his mother replied, "but sister
Nan always likes to be grateful for what she
has enjoyed."
"So am I," insisted the little fellow, not
really knowing what he meant himself.
"I likes dis yere car de best," spoke up
Dinah, looking around at the ordinary day
toach, the kind used in short journeys. "De
red velvet seats seems de most homey," she
went on, throwing her kinky head back, "and
I likes to lean back wit'out tumbling ober."
"And there's more to see," agreed Bert, "In
lO THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
the Pullman cars there are so few people and
they're always "
"Proud," put in Flossie.
"Yes, they seem so," declared her brother
"but see all the people in this car, just eating
and sleeping and enjoying themselves."
Now in our last book, "The Bobbsey Twins
in the Country," we told about the trip to
Meadow Brook in the Pullman car, and how
Snoop, the kitten, got out of his box, and had
some queer experiences. This time our friends
were traveling in the car with the ordinary pas-
sengers, and, of course, as Bert said, there wa»
more to be seen and the sights w^ere different.
"It is splendid to have so much room," de-
clared Mrs. Bobbsey, for Nan and Flossie had
a big seat turned towards Bert and Freddie's,
while Dinah had a seat all to herself (with
some boxes of course), and Mr. and Mrs.
Bobbsey had another seat. The high-back,
broad plush seats gave more room than the
narrow, revolving chairs, besides, the day
coach afforded so much mort freedom for
children.
"What a cute little baby!" exclaimed Nan,
CHASING THE DUCK II
referring to a tiny tot sleeping under a big
white netting, across the aisle.
"We must be quiet," said Mrs. Bobbsey,
^'and let the little baby sleep. It is hard t^
travel in hot weather."
**Don't you think the duck should have a
diink?" suggested Mr. Bobbsey. ''You have a
little cup for him, haven't you, Freddie?"
''Yep!" answered Freddie, promptly, pull-
ing the cover off Downy's box.
Instantly the duck flew out !
*'0h ! oh ! oh !" yelled everybody, as the little
white bird went flying out through the car.
First he rested on the seat, then he tried to
get through the window. Somebody near by
thought he had him, but the duck dodged, and
made straight for the looking glass at the end
of the car.
*'0h, do get him, somebody!" cried Fred-
die, while the other strange children in the car
yelled in delight at the fun.
"He's kissing himself in the looking glass,"
declared one youngster, as the frightened little
duck flapped his wings helplessly against the
mirror.
•a; THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
"lie thinks it's another duck," called a boy
from the back of the car, clapping his hands
in glee.
Mr. Bobbsey had gone up carefully with his
soft hat in his hand. Everybody stopped talk-
ing, so the duck would keep in its place.
Nan held Freddie and insisted on him nor
speaking a word.
Mr. Bobbsey went as cautiously as possible.
One step more and he would have had the
duck.
He raised his hand with the open hat — and
brought it down on the looking glass !
The duck was now gazing down from the
chandelier!
"Ha! ha! ha!" the boys laughed, "that's a
wild duck, sure!"
"Who's got a gun!" the boy in the back
hollered.
"Oh, will they shoot my duck!" cried Fred-
die, in real tears.
"No, they're only making fun," said Bert.
"You keep quiet and we will get him all
right."
By this time almost everyone in the car had
CHASING THE DUCK I3
joined in the duck hunt, while the frightened
little bird seemed about ready to surrender.
Downy had chosen the highest hanging lamps
as his point of vantage, and from there he at-
tempted to ward off all attacks of the enemy.
No matter what was thrown at him he simply
flew around the lamp.
As it was a warm day, chasing the duck was
rather *oo vigorous exercise to be enjoyable
within the close confines of a poorly ventilated
car, but that bird had to be caught somehow.
"Oh, the net!'' cried Bert, "that mosquito
netting over there. We could stretch it up and
surely catch him."
This was a happy thought. The baby, of
course, was awake and joined in the excite-
ment, so that her big white mosquito netting
was readily placed at the disposal of the duck
hunters.
A boy named Will ofifered to help Bert.
"I'll hold one end here," said Will, "and
you can stretch yours opposite, so we will
screen off half of the car, then when he comes
this way we can readily bag him."
Will was somewhat older than Bert, and had
14 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
been used to hunting, so that the present emer-
gency was sport to him.
The boys now brought the netting straight
across the car hke a big white screen, for each
held his hands up high, besides standing on
the arm of the car seats.
*'Now drive him this way," called Bert to
his father and the men who were helping
him.
"Shoo! Shoo! Shoo!" y^Med everybody,
throwing hats, books, and newspapers at the
poor lost duck.
"Shoo!" again called a little old lady, actu-
ally letting her black silk bag fly at the lamp.
Of course poor Downy h.^d to shoo, right
into the net !
Bert and Will brou^^ht up the four ends of
the trap and Downy flopped.
"That's the time we bagged our game,"
laughed Will, while everybody shouted and
clapped, for it does not take much to afiford
real amusement to passengers, who are travel-
ing and can see little but the other people, the
conductor, and newspapers.
"We've got him at last," cried Freddie ia
CHASING THE DUCK 1$
fe^\ glee, for he loved the little duck and
feared losing his companionship.
"And he will have to have his meals served
in his room for the rest of his trip," laughed
Mrs. Bobbsey, as the tired little Downy was
once more put in his perforated box, along the
side of the tin dipper of water, which surely
the poor duck needed by this time*
CHAPTER n
A TRAVELING MENAGERIE
It took some time for the people to get set*
tied down again, for all had enjoyed the fun
with the duck. The boys wanted Freddie to
let him out of the box, on the quiet, but Bert
overheard the plot and put a stop to it. Then,
when the strange youngsters got better ac-
quainted, and learned that the other box con-
tained a little black kitten, they insisted on
seeing it.
"We'll hold him tight," declared the boy
from the back seat, "and nothing will happen
to him."
"But you don^t know Snoop," insisted Bert
*We nearly lost him coming up in the train,
and he's the biggest member of Freddie's men-
agerie, so we have to take good care of him."
Mr. Bobbsey, too, insisted that the cat
i6
A TRAVELING MENAGEklE 1^
should not be taken out of the box; so the
boys reluctantly gave in,
*'Now let us look around a little," suggested
Mrs. Bobbsey, when quiet had come again, and
only the rolling of the train and an occasional
shrill whistle broke in on the continuous rumble
of the day's journey.
"Yes, Dinah can watch the things and we
can look through the other cars," agreed Mr.
Bobbseyo "We might find someone we know
going down to the shorCo'*
"Be awful careful of Snoop and Downy,^
cautioned Freddie, as Dinah took up her picket
duty. "Look out the boys don't get 'em,'^ with
a wise look at the youngsters, who were spoil-
ing for more sport of some kind,
"Dis yeah circus won't move 'way from
Dinah," she laughed. "When I goes on de
police fo'ce I takes good care ob my beat, and
you needn't be a-worryin', Freddie, de Snoopy
kitty cat and de Downy duck will be heah
when you comes back," and she nodded hei
wooly head in real earnest.
It was an easy matter to go from one cai^
to the other as they were vestibuled, so tiia^.
18 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
the Bobbsey family made a tour of the entire
train, the boys with their father even going
through the smoker into the baggage car, and
having a chance to see what their own trunk
looked hke with a couple of railroad men sit-
ting on it.
''Don't you want a job?" the baggagemaster
asked Freddie. *'We need a man about you?
size to lift trunks off the cars for us."
Of course the man was only joking, but
Freddie always felt like a real man and h*5
answered promptly:
"Nope, Vm goin' to be a fireman. IVe put
lots of fires out already, besides gettin' awful
hurted on the ropes with *Frisky.' "
"Frisky, who is he?" inquired the men.
"Why, our cow out in Meadow Brook
Don't you know Frisky?" and Freddie looked
very much surprised that two grown-up people
had ne/er met the cow that had given him so
much trouble
"Why didn't you bring him along?" the
men asked further.
"Have you got a cow car ?" Freddie asked in
ltim„
A TRAVELING MENAGERIE 10
**Yes, we have. Would you like to see one?*^
went on one of the railroaders. "If your papa
will bring you out on the platform at the next
stop, ril show you how our cows travel."
Mt^. Bobbsey promised to do this, and the
party moved back to meet Nan, Flossie, and
their mamma. Freddie told them at once about
his promised excursion to the cattle car, and,
of course, the others wanted to see, too.
"If we stop for a few minutes yon may all
come out," Mr. Bobbsey saidc "But it is al«
ways risky to get off and have to scramble to
get back again. Sometimes they promise us
five minuter and give us two, taking the other
three to make up for lost time."
The train gave a jerk, and the next minute
they drew up to a little way station.
"Here we are, come now," called Mr. Bobb-
sey, picking Freddie up in his arms, and tell-
ing the others to hu»-ry after him.
"Oh, there go the boys from our car!" called
Bert, as quite a party of youngsters alighted.
"They must be going on a picnic; see their
lunch boxes."
"I hope Snoop is all right," Freddie re«
fO THE BOBBSEV TWINS AT THE SEASH(/Rfe
fleeted, seeing all the lunch boxes that looked
so much like Snoop's cage.
"Come on, little fellow," called the baggage
man, "we only have a few minutes.'*
Then they took Freddie to the rear car and
showed him a big cage of cows — it was a cage
made of slates, with openings betweei\, and
through the openings could be seen the
crowded cattle.
"Oh, I would never put Frisky in a place
Hke that," declared Freddie ; "he wouldn't have
room to move."
"There is not much room, that's a fact,"
agreed the man. "But you see cows are not
first-class passengers.*'
"But they are good, and know how to play.,
and they give milk," said Freddie, speaking up
bravely for his country friends. "What are
you going to do with all of these cows?"
"I don't know," replied the man, not just
wanting to talk about beefsteak. "Maybe
they're going out to the pasture."
One pretty little cow tried to put her head
out through the bars, and Bert managed to give
her a couple of crackers from his pocket. She
A TRAVELING MENAGERIE 21
nibbled them up and bobbed her head as if to
say:
"Thank you, I was very hungry."
"They are awfully crowded," Nan ventured,
"and it must be dreadful to be packed in so.
How do they manage to get a drink ?"
"They will be watered to-night," replied the
man, and then the Bobbseys had to all hurry
to get on the train again, for the locomotive
whistle had blown and the bell was ringing.
They found Dinah with her face pressed
close to the window pane, enjoying the sights
on the platform.
"I specked you was clean gone and left me/^
she laughed. "S'pose you saw lots of circuses,
Freddie?"
"A whole earful," he answered, "but, Di-
nah," he went on, looking scared, "where's
Snoop?"
The box was gone !
"Right where you left him," she declared,
^I nebber left dis yeah spot, and nobody doan
comic ter steal de Snoopy kitty cat,"
Dinah was crawling around much excitedp
looking for the missing box. Bert,, Nan, and
22 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
Flossie, of course, all rummaged about, and
even Mr. and Mrs. Bobbsey joined in the search
But there was no box to be found.
**Oh, the boys have stoled my cat !'' wailed
Freddie. "I dust knowed they would!" and
he cried outright, for Snoop was a dear com-
panion of the little fellow, and why should he
not cry at losing his pet?
"Now wait," commanded his father, "we
must not give up so easily. Perhaps the boys
hid him some place."
"But suah's you lib I nebber did leab dis
yeah seat," insisted Dinah, which was very
true. But how could she watch those boys
and keep her face so close to the window ? Be*
sides, a train makes lots of noise to hide boys'
pranks.
"Now, we will begin a systematic search,"
said Mr. Bobbsey, who had already found out
•from the conductor and brakeman that they
knew nothing about the lost box. "We will
look in and under every seat. Then we will
go through all the baggage in the hangers"
(meaning the overhead wire baskets), "and see
Ki we cannot find Snoop."
A TRAVELING MENAGERIE 2$
The other passengers were very kind and all
helped in the hunt. The old lady who had
thrown her hand bag at Downy thought she
had seen a boy come in the door at the far
end of the car, and go out again quickly, but
otherwise no one could give any information
that would lead to the discovery of the person
or parties who had stolen Snoop.
All kinds of traveling necessities were upset
in the search. Some jelly got spilled, some
fresh country eggs were cracked, but every-
body was good-natured and no one complainede
Yet, after a thorough overhauling of the
entire car there was no Snoop to be found !
"He's gone!'' they all admitted, the chil-
dren falling into tears, while the older people
looked troubled.
"They could hardly have stolen him," Mr.
Bobbsey reflected, "and the conductor is sure
not one of those boys went in another car, for
they all left the train at Ramsley's."
"I don't care!" cried Freddie, aloud, "I'll
just have every one of them arrested when we
get to Auntie's. I knowed they had Snoo^ in
their boxes."
^ THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
How Snoop could be "in boxes" and how
the boys could be found at Auntie's were two
much mixed points, but no one botherecJ Fred-
die about such trifles in his present grief.
"Why doan you call dat kitty cat?" sug-
gested Dinah, for all this time no one had
thought of that.
"1 couldn't," answered Freddie, "'cause h^
ain't here to call." And he went on crying.
"Snoop! Snoop! Snoop Cat!" called Di
nah, but there was no familiar "me-ow'* to
answer her.
"Now, Freddie boy," she insisted, "if dat
cat is alibe he will answ^er if youse call him,
so just you stop a-sniffing and come along
Dere's a good chile," and she patted him in her
old way. "Come wit Dinah and we will find
Snoop."
With a faint heart the little fellow started to
call, beginning at the front door and walking
slowly along toward the rear.
"Stoop down now and den," ordered Dinahy
•"cause he might be hiding, you know."
Freddie had reached the rear door and h€
«toppedc
A TRAVELING MENAGERIE 2$
"Now jist gib one more good call," said
Dinah, and Freddie did.
"Snoop! Snoop!" he called.
"Me-ow/' came a faint answer.
"Oh, I heard him !" cried Freddie.
"So did I!" declared Dinah.
Instantly all the other Bobbseys were on the
scene.
'■'He^s somewhere down here," said Dinah.
''Call him, Freddie !"
"Snoop ! Snoop !" called the boy again.
"Me-ow — me-ow !" came a distant answer.
"In the stove!" declared Bert, jerking open
the door of the stove, which, of course, was not
used in summer, and bringing out the pooTj
frightened, little cat.
CHAPTER III
RAILROAD TENNIS
"Oh, poor little Snoop!" whispered Freck
die, right into his kitten's ear. "I'm so glad
I got you back again !"
"So are we all," said a kind lady passenger
who had been in the searching party. "You
have had quite some trouble for a small boy.
with two animals to take care of."
Everybody seemed pleased that the mis.-
chievous boys' pranks had not hurt the cat, fot
Snoop was safe enough in the stove, only, ot
course, it was very dark and close in there,
and Snoop thought he surely was deserted by
all his good friends. Perhaps he expected
Freddie would find him, at any rate he imme-
diately started in to "purr-rr," in a cat's way
of talking, when Freddie took him in his armSg
aixi fondled him.
96
RAILROAD TENNIS 27
**We had better have our lunch now," sug-
gested Mrs. Bobbsey, 'Tm sure the children
are hungry."
"It's just like a picnic," remarked Flossie,
when Dinah handed around the paper napkins
and Mrs. Bobbsey served out the chicken and
cold-tongue sandwiches. There were olives
and celery too, besides apples and early peaches
from Uncle Daniel's farm.
"Let us look at the timetable, see where we
are now, and then see where we will be when
we finish," proposed Bert.
"Oh yes," said Nan, "let us see how many
miles it takes to eat a sandwich."
Mr. Bobbsey offered one to the conductor,
who just came to punch tickets.
"This is not the regular business man's five-
minute lunch, but the five-mile article seems
more enjoyable," said Mr. Bobbsey.
"Easier digw'-^d," agreed the conductor, ac-
cepting a sandwich. "You had good chickens
DXxt at Meadow Brook," he went on, compli-
menting the tasty morsel he was chewing with
so much relish.
"Yes. and ducks," said Freddie, which r©«
^B THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORiS
mark made everybody laugh, for it brought to
mind the funny adventure of Httle white
Downy, the duck.
*They certainly can fly/' said the conductor
with a smile, as he went along with a polite
bow to the sandwich party.
Bert had attended to the wants of the ani-
mals, not trusting Freddie to open the boxes.
Snoop got a chicken leg and Downy had some
of his own soft food, that had been prepared by
Aunt Sarah and carried along in a small tin
can.
"Well, Fse done," announced Dinah, pick-
ing up her crumbs in her napkms. "Bert, how
many miles you say it takes me to eat?"
"Let me see ! Five, eight, twelve, fourteen :
well, I guess Dinah, you had fifteen miles of a
chicken sandwich."
"An' you go 'long!" she protested. "Taint
no sech thing. I aint got sich a long appetite
as date. Fifteen miles! Lan'a massa! whot
you take me fo ?"
Everybody laughed and the children clapped
hands at the length of Dinah's appetite, but
when the others had finished they found their
RAILROAD TENNIS 2^
own were even longer than the maid's, the
average being eighteen miles !
"When will we get to Aunt Emily's?''
Flossie asked, growing tired over the day's
journey.
"Not until night," her father ansv/ered.
''When we leave the train we will have quite a
way to go by stage. We could go all the waj
by train, but it would be a long distance
around, and I think the stage ride in the fresh
air will do us gooa."
"Oh yes, let's go by the stage,'^ pleaded
Freddie, to whom the word stage was a
stranger, except in the way it had been used
at the Meadow Brook circus.
"This stage will be a great, big wagon,'*
Bert told him, "with seats along the sides."
"Can I sit up top and drive?" the little one
askedo
"Maybe the man will let you sit by him/'
answered Mr. Bobbsey, "but you could hardly
drive a big horse over those rough roads."
The train came to a standstill, just then, on
a switch. There was no station, but the shore
Irain had taken on another section«
30 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE '
"Can Flossie and I walk through that new
car?" Nan asked, as the cars had been sepa-
rated and the new section joined to tliat di-
rectly back of the one which the Bobbseys
were in.
''Why, yes, if you are very careful," the
mother replied, and so the two little girls
started off.
Dinah took Freddie on her lap and told him
his favorite story about "Pickin' cotton in de
Souf," and soon the tired little yellow head
fell off in the land of Nod.
Bert and his father were enjoying their
magazines, while Mrs. Bobbsey busied herself
with some fancy work, so a half -hour passed
without any more excitement. At the end of
that time the girls returned.
*'0h, mother!" exclaimed Nan, ''we found
Mrs. Manily, the matron of the Meadow
Brook Fresh Air Camp, and she told us Nellie,
the little cash girl, was so run down the doctors
think she will have to go to the seashore.
Mother, couldn't we have her down with us
awhile?"
"We are only going to visit, you know.
RAILROAD TENNIS 3I
daughter, and how can we invite more com-
pany? But where is Mrs. Manily? I would
like to talk to her," said Mrs. Bobbsey, who
was always interested in those who worked to
help the poor.
Nan and Flossie brought their mother into
the next car to see the matron. We told in our
book, "The Bobbsey Twins in the Country,'^
how good a matron this Mrs. Manily was, and
how little Nellie, the cash girl, one of the vis-^
itors at the Fresh Air Camp, was taken sick
while there, and had to go to the hospital tent.
It was this little girl that Nan wanted to have
enjoy the seashore, and perhaps visit Aunt
Emily.
Mrs. Manily was very glad to see MrSe
Bobbsey, for the latter had helped with money
and clothing to care for the poor children at
the Meadow Brook Camp.
"Why, how pleasant to meet a friend in
traveling !" said the matron as she shook hands
with Mrs. Bobbsey. "You are all off for the
seashore, the girls tell me."
"Yes," replied Mrs. Bobbsey. "One month
at the beach, and we must then hurry home to
32 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE.
Lakeport for the school days. But Nan tells
me little Nellie is not well yet?"
*'No, I am afraid she will need another
change of air to undo the trouble made by her
close confinement in a city store. She is not
seriously sick, but so run down that it will take
some time for her to get strong again," said
the matron.
"Have you a camp at the seashore?" asked
Mrs. Bobbsey.
"No ; indeed, I wish we had," answered the
matron. "I am just going down now to see if
[ can't find some place where Nellie can stay
for a few weeks."
"Fm going to visit my sister, Mrs. Minturn,
at Ocean Clifif, near Sunset Beach," said Mrs.
Bobbsey. "They have a large cottage and are
always charitable. If they have no other com-
pany I think, perhaps, they would be glad to
give poor little Nellie a room."
"That would be splendid!" exclaimed tlie
matron. "I was going to do a line of work T
never did before. I was just going to call on
some of the well-to-do people, and ask them
to take Nellie. We had no funds, and T felt so
RAILROAD TENNIS 3|
iHUch depended on the change of air, I simply
made up my mind to go and do what I could."
"Then you can look in at my sister's first/'
said Mrs. Bobbsey. "If she cannot accommo-
date you, perhaps she can tell who could
Now, won't you come in the other car with us^
and we can finish our journey together?"
"Yes, indeed I will. Thank you," said the
^natron, gathering up her belongings and mak-
ing her way to the Bobbsey quarters in the
other car.
''Won't it be lovely to have Nellie with us !'^
Nan said to Flossie, as they passed along. ^1
am sure Aunt Emily will say yes."
"So am I,'* said little Flossie, whose kind
heart always went out when it should. "I
know surely they would not let Nellie die in
'Ae city while we enjoy the seaside."
Freddie was awake now, and also glad to
see Mrs. Manily.
"Where's Sandy?" he inquired at once.
Sandy had been his little chum from the
Meadow Brook Camp.
"I guess he is having a nice time some-
W(«rhere/' replied Mrs^ Manilyo "His aun^
34 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
found him out, you know, and is going to take
care of him now."
*'\Vell, I wish he was here too," said Fred-
die, rubbing his eyes. "We're goin' to have
lots of iun fishing in the ocean."
The plan for Nelhe was told to Mr. Bobbsey,
who, of course, agreed it would be very nice if
Aunt Emily and Uncle William were satisfied.
"And what do you suppose those boxes con-
tain?" said Mrs. Bobbsey to Mrs. Manily,
pointing to the three boxes in the hanger above
them.
"Shoes ?" ventured the matron.
"Nope," said Freddie. "One hat, and my
duck and my cat. Downy is my duck and
Snoop is my cat."
Then Nan told about the flight of the duck
and the "kidnapping" of Snoop.
"We put them up there out of the way," fin-
ished Nan, "so that nothing more can happen
to them."
The afternoon was wearing out now, and
the strong summer sun shrunk into thin strips
through the trees, while the train dashed along.
As the ocean air came in the windows, the long
RAILROAD TENNIS 35
line of woodland melted into pretty little
streams, that make their way in patches for
many miles from the ocean front. "Like
*Baby Waters/ " Nan said, "just growing out
from the ocean, and getting a little bit bigger
every year."
"Won't we soon be there?" asked Freddie,
for long journeys are always tiresome, espe-
cially to a little boy accustomed to many
changes in the day's play.
"One hour more," said Mr. Bobbsey, con-
sulting his watch.
"Let's have a game of ball. Nan ?" suggested
Bert, who never traveled without a tennis ball
in his pocket.
"How could we?" the sister inquired.
"Easily," said Bert. "We'll make up a
new kind of game. We will start in the middle
of the car, at the two center seats, and each
move a seat away at every catch. Then, who-
ever misses first must go back to center again,
and the one that gets to the end first, wins."
"All right," agreed Nan, who always en-
joyed her twin brother's games. "We will call
It Railroad Tennis."
it THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORlii
' Just as soon as Nan and Bert took their
places, the other passengers became very much
mterestecl. There is such a monotony on trains
that the sports the Bobbseys introduced were
welcome indeed.
We do not hke to seem proud, but certainly
these twins did look pretty. Nan with her fine
back eyes and red cheeks, and Bert just match-
ing her; only his hair curled around, while hers
fell dow^n. Their interest in Railroad Tennis
made their faces all the prettier, and no wonder
the people watched them so closely,
Freddie was made umpire, to keep him out
of a more active part, because he might do
damage with a ball in a train, his mother said:
so, as Nan and Bert passed the ball, he called,
— ^his father prompting him :
"Ball one!"
''Ball two!"
'*Ball three "
Bert jerked with a sudden jolt of the train
and missed.
"Striker's out!" called the umpire, while
everybody laughed because the boy had missed
first.
RAILROAD TEN^^IS IJ
Then Bert had to go all the way back to
center, while Nan was four seatr- down.
Three more balls were passed, then Njin
missed.
"I shouldn't have to go all the way back for
^no miss/' protested Nan. "You went three
seats back, so I'll go three back."
This was agreed to by the umpire, and the
game continued.
h. smooth stretch of road gave a good chance
for catching, and both sister and brother kept
moving toward the doors now, with three
points "to the good" for Nan, as a big boy
said.
Who would miss now? Everybody waited
to see. The train struck a curve ! Bert threw
a wild ball and Nan missed it.
"Foul ball !" called the umpire, and Bert did
not dispute it.
Then Nan delivered the ball,
"Oh, mercy miC !" shrieked the old lady, who
had thrown the handbag at Downy, the duck,
"my glasses!" and there, upon the floor, lay
the pieces. Nan's ball had hit the lady right in
the glasses, and it was very lucky they did n(^
|8 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE '
break until they came in contact with the
floor.
"Fm so sorry'!" Nan faltered. 'The car
jerked so I could not keep it."
"Never mind, my dear," answered the nice
old lady, "I just enjoyed that game as much as
you did, and if I hadn't stuck my eyes out so,
they would not have met your hall. So, it's
all right. I have another pair in my bag."
So the game ended with the accident, for it
was now time to gather up the baggage for the
last stop.
CHAPTER IV
NIGHT IN A BARN
**Beach Junction ! All off for the Junc^
tion !" called the train men, while the Bobbseyg
and Mrs. Manily hurried out to the small sta°
tion, where numbers of carriages waited to
take passengers to their cottages on the cliffs
or by the sea.
**Sure we haven't forgotten anything?''
asked Mrs. Bobbsey, taking a hasty inventory
of the hand baggage.
"Bert's got Snoop and I've got Downy," an-
swered Freddie, as if the animals were all that
counted.
"And I've got my hatbox and flowers,'^
added Nan.
"And I have my ferns," said little Flossie,
"I guess we're all here this time," Mr. Bobl>
aey finished, for nothing at all seemed to be
missing.
39
■4-i THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORB
ft was almost nightfall, and the beautiful
glow of an ocean sunset rested over the place.
At the rear of the station an aged stage driver
sat nodding on his turnout. The stage coach
•vas an **old timer," and had carried many a
merry party of sightseers through the sand)
roads of Oceanport and Sunset Beach, while
Hank, the driver, called out all spots of inter-
est along the way. And Hank had a way of
making things interesting.
^Tike's Peak," he would call out for Chfi
Hill.
*'The Giant's Causeway," he would announce
for Rocky Turn.
And so Hank w^as a very popular stage-
driver, and never had to look for trade — it al-
ways came to him.
"That's our coach," said Mr. Bobbsey, espy
ing Hank. "Hello there! Going to the
beach?" he called to the sleepy driver.
"That's for you to say," replied Haiik;
straightening up.
"Could we get to Ocean Cliff — Mintum't
place — ^before dark?" asked Mr. Bobbsey. no
ticing how rickety the old stagrecoach was.
NIGHT IN A BARN 4|
"Can't promise," answered Hank, "but you
can just pile in and we'll try it."
There was no choice, so the party "piled"
into the carryall.
"Isn't this fun?" remarked Mrs. Manily,
taking her seat up under the front windoWo
"It's like going on a May ride."
"I'm afraid it will be a moonlight ride at
this rate," laughed Mr. Bobbsey, as the stage-
coach started to rattle on. Freddie wanted to
sit in front with Hank but Mrs. Bobbsey
thought it safer inside, for, indeed, the ride
was risky enough, inside or out. As they
joggled on the noise of the wheels grew louder
and louder, until our friends could only make
themselves heard by screaming at each other.
"Night is coming," called Mrs. Bobbsey,
and Dinah said: "Suah 'nough we be out in
de night dis time."
It seemed as if the old horses wanted to
stand still, they moved so slowly, and the old
wagon creaked and cracked until Hank, hira-
self, turned round, looked in the window, and.
shouted :
"All right there?"
42 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
"Guess SO," called back Mr. Bobbsey, ''buf
we don't see the ocean yet."
*'Oh, we'll get there," drawled Hank, lazily
"We should have gone all the way by train,''
declared Mrs. Bobbsey, in alarm, as the stage
gave one squeak louder than the others.
"Haven't you got any lanterns?" shouted
Mr. Bobbsey to Hank, for it was pitch-dark
now.
"Never use one," answered the driver.
"When it's good and dark the moon will come
up, but we'll be there 'fore that. Get 'long
there, Doll!" he called to one horse. "Go
^ong, Kit!" he urged the other.
The horses did move a little faster at that,
then suddenly something snapped and the
horses turned to one side.
"Whoa! Whoa I" called Hank, jerking on
the reins. But it was too late! The stage
coach was in a hole ! Several screamed.
"Sit still!" called Mr. Bobbsey to the ex-
cited party. "It's only a broken shaft and the
coach can't upset now."
Flossie began to cry. It was so dark and
black in that hole.
NIGHT IN A BARN 42
Hank looked at the broken wagon.
"Well, we're done now," he announced, with
as little concern as if the party had been safely
landed on Aunt Emily's piazza, instead of in a
hole on the roadside.
"Do you mean to say you can't fix it up?"
Mr. Bobbsey almost gasped.
"Not till I get the stage to the black-
smith's," replied Hank.
"Then, what are we going to do?" Mr,
Bobbsey asked, impatiently.
"Well, there's an empty barn over there,"
Hank answered. "The best thing you can do
is pitch your tent there till I get back with an-
other wagon."
"Barn!" exclaimed Mrs, Bobbsey,
"How long will it take you to get a wagoa?**
demanded Mr. Bobbsey.
"Not long," said Hank, sprucing up a trifle.
"You just get yourselves comfortable in that
there barn. I'll get the coach to one side, and
take a horse down to Sterritt's. He'll let me
have a horse and a wagon, and I'll be back as
soon as I kin make it."
"There seems nothing else to do," Mr-
04 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEA.SHORE
Bobbsey said. *'We may as well make the
best of it."
'*Why, yes," Mrs. Manily spoke up, "we can
pretend we are having a barn dance," And
she smiled, faintly.
Nevertheless, it was not very jolly to make
their way to the barn in the dark, Dinah had
to carry Freddie, he was so sleepy ; Mrs. Man-
ily took good care of Flossie. But, of course.
there was the duck and the cat, that could not
be very safely left in the broken-down stage
roach,
**Say, papa!" Bert exclaimed, suddenly.. '*]
saw an old lantern up under the seat in thai
stagecoach. Maybe i*- has some oil in it. IT
go back and see."
"All right, son," replied the father, "we
won't get far ahead of you." And while Bert
made his way back to the wagon, the others
bumped up and down through the fields that
led to the vacant barn.
There was no house within sight. The barn
belonged to a house up the road that the own-
ers had not moved into that season.
"I got one!" called Bert, running up frocfl
NIGHT IN A BARN 4%
the road, *This lantern has oil in, I can heai
h rattle. Have you a match, pa ?"
Mr. Bobbsey had, and when the lantern had
been lighted, Bert marched on ahead of the
party, swinging it in real signal fashion.
"You ought to be a brakeman," Nan told
her twin brother, at which remark Bert
swung his light above his head and made alJ
sorts of funny railroad ec-^.
The barn door was found unlocked, and ex-
cepting for the awful stillness about, it was
not really so bad to find refuge in a good, clean
place like that, for outside it w^s very damp-^
almost wet with the ocean spray. Mr. Bobb'
sey found seats for all, and with the big car-
riage doors swung open, the p3^rty sat and
listened for every sound that might mean the
return of the stage driver.
"Come, Freddie chile," said Dinah, "put yer
head down on Dinah's lap. She won't let
nothin' tech you. An' youse kin j^st go to
sleep if youse a mind ter. Fse a-watchin' out.''
The invitation was welcome to the tired littk
youngster, and it was not long before he hc4
followed Dinah's invitation.
40 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
Next, Flossie cuddled up in Mrs. Manily's
arms and stopped thinking for a while.
*'It is awfully lonely," wdiispered Nan, to her
mother, "I do wish that man would come
back."
"So do I," agreed the mother. 'This is not
a very comfortable hotel, especially as we are
all tired out from a day's journey."
"What was that?" asked Bert, as a strange
sound, like a howl, was heard.
"A dog," lightly answered the father.
"I don't think so," said Bert. "Listen !"
"Oh!" cried Flossie, starting up and cling-
ing closer to Mrs. Manily, "I'm just scared to
death !"
"Dinah, I want to go home," cried Freddie.
"Take me right straight home."
"Hush, children, you are safe," insisted iheir
mother. "The stage driver will be back in a
few^ minutes."
"But what is that funny noise?" asked Fred-
die. "It ain't no cow, nor no dog."
The queer "Whoo-oo-oo" came louder each
time. It went up and down like a scale, and
"left a holp in the air," Bert declared.
NIGHT IN A BARN 47
"It's an owl !" exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey, and
she was right, for up in the abandoned hay
loft the queer old birds had found a quiet place,
and had not been disturbed before by visitors.
"Let's get after them," proposed Bert, with
lantern in hand.
*'You would have a queer hunt," his father
told him; "I guess you had better not think
of it. Hark ! there's a wagon ! I guess Hank
is coming back to us," and the welcome sound
of wheels on the road brought the party to
their feet again.
"Hello there !" called Hank. "Here you are.
Come along now, we'll make it this time."
It did not take the Bobbseys long to reach
the roadside and there they found Hank with
a big farm wagon. The seats were made of
boards, and there was nothing to hold on to
but the edge of the boards.
But the prospect of getting to Aunt Emily's
at last made up for all their inconveniences,
and when finally Hank pulled the reins again^
our friends gave a sigh of relief.
CHAPTER V
A QUEER STAGE DRIVER
"I RECKON ril have to make another trip to
get that old coach down to the shop," growled
the stage driver, as he tried to hurry the horses
Kit and Doll, along.
"I hardly think it is worth moving," Mi
Bobbsey said, feeling somewhat indignant that
a hackman should impose upon his passengers
by risking their lives in such a broken-down
wagon.
"Not worth it? Wall! I guess Hank don't
go back on the old coach like that. Why, a
little grease and a few bolts will put that rig in
tip-top order." And he never made the slight-
est excuse for the troubles he had brought upon
the Bobbseys.
**0h, my!" cried Nan, "my hatbox! Bert
you have put your foot right into my best hat !''
^Couldn't helf it," answered the brother; "1
4^
A QUEER STAGE DRIVER 49
stther had to go through your box or go out
of the back of this wagon, when that seat
jlipped," and he tried to adjust the board that
had fallen into the wagon.
*'Land sakes alive !" exclaimed Dinah. "Say,
you driver man there!" she called in real ear-
nest, "ef you doan go a little carefuler wit dis
yere wagon you'll be spilling us all out. I just
caught dat cat's box a-sliding, and Ian' only
knows how dat poor little Downy duck is,
way down under dat old board."
"Hold on tight," replied Hank, as if the
whole thing were a joke, and his wagon had
^he privilege of a toboggan slide.
"My!" sighed Mrs. Bobbsey, putting her
arms closer about Flossie, "I hope nothing
Tiore happens.'*
"I am sure we are all right now," Mrs=
Manily assured her. "The road is broad and
smooth here, and it can't be far to the beach."
"Here comes a carriage," said Bert, as two
pretty coach lights flashed through the trees.
"Hello there !" called someone from the car-
riage.
"Uncle William!" Nan ahnost screamed,
50 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
and the next minute the carriage drew up
alongside the wagon.
"Well, I declare," said Uncle William Min-
turn, jumping from his seat, and beginning to
help the stranded party.
''We are all here," began Mr. Bobbsey, "but
it was hard work to keep ourselves together."
"Oh, Uncle Wiiliam," cried Freddie, "put
me in your carriage. This one is breakin'
down every minute.*'
"Come right along, my boy. I'll fix you up
first," declared the uncle, giving his little
nephew a good hug as he placed him on the
comfortable cushions inside the big carriage.
There was not much chance for greetings as
everybody was too anxious to get out of the old
wagon. So, when all the boxes had been care-
fully put outside with the driver, and all the
passengers had taken their places on the long
side seats (it was one of those large side-
seated carriages that Uncle William had
brought, knowing he would have a big party
to carry), then with a sigh of relief Mrs. Bobb-
sey attempted to tell something of their expe-
riences.
A QUEER STAGE DRIVER $1
"But how did you know where we were?"
Bert asked.
"We had been waiting for you since four
o'clock," replied Uncle William. "Then I
found out that the train was late, and we waited
some more. But when it came to be night and
you had not arrived, I set out looking for you.
I went to the Junction first, and the agent there
told me you had gone in Hank's stage. I hap-
pened to be near enough to the livery stable to
hear some fellows talking about Hank's break-
down, with a big party aboard. I knew then
what had happened, and sent Dorothy home, —
she had been out most of the afternoon wait-
ing— got this carryall, and here we are," and
Uncle William only had to hint "hurry up" to
his horses and away they went.
"Oh, we did have the awfulest time," in-
sisted Freddie.
"I feel as if we hadn't seen a house in a
whole year," sighed little Flossie.
"And we only left Meadow Brook this
morning," added Nan. "It does seem much
longer than a day since we started."
"Well, you will be in Aunt Emily's arms in
32 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
about two minutes now," declared Uncle Wil-
liam, as throuc:h the trees the lights from Ocean
Cliff, the Minturn cottage, could now be
seen.
**Hello! Hello!" called voices from the
veranda.
''Aunt Emily and Dorothy!" exclaimed
Bert, and called back to them :
"Here we come ! Here we are !" and the
wagon turned in to the broad steps at the side
of the veranda.
"I've been worried to death," declared Aunt
Emily, as she began kissing the girls.
*'We have brought company," said Mrs
Bobbsey, introducing Mrs. Manily, "and I
don't know w^hat we should have done in all
our troubles if she had not been along to cheer
us up."
"We are delighted to have you," said Aunt
Emily to Mrs. Manily, while they all made
their way indoors.
"Oh, Nan!" cried Dorothy, hugging her
ousin as tightly as ever she could, "I thought
you would never come!"
"We were an awfully long time getting
A QUEER STAGE DRIVER 53
here/' Nan answered, returning her CDusin's
caress, "but we had so many accidents."
''Nothing happened to your appetites, I
hope," laughed Uncle William, as the dining-
room doors were swung open and a table laden
with good things came into sight.
"I think I could eat," said Mrs. Bobbsey,
then the mechanical piano player w^as started,
and the party made their way to the dining
room.
Uncle William took Mrs. Manily to her
place, as she was a stranger ; Bert sat between
Dorothy and Nan, Mr. Bobbsey looked after
Aunt Emily, and Mr. Jack Burnet, a friend
of Uncle William, who had been spending the
evening at the cottage, escorted Mrs. Bobbsey
to her place.
"Come, Flossie, my dear, you see I have
gotten a tall chair for you," said Aunt Emily,
and Flossie was made comfortable in one of
those "between" chairs, higher than the others.;
and not as high as a baby's.
It was quite a brilliant dinner party, for the
Minturns were well-to-do and enjoyed their
prosperity as they went along. Mrs. Minturn
54 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
had been a society belle when she was mar-
ried. She was now a graceful young hostess,
with a handsome husband. She had married
earlier than her sister, Mrs. Bobbsey, but kept
up her good times in spite of the home cares
that followed. During the dinner, Dinah
helped the waitress, being perhaps a little jeal-
ous that any other maid should look after the
wants of Flossie and Freddie.
"Oh, Dinah !" exclaimed Freddie, as she
came in with more milk for him, "did you take
Snoop out of the box and did you give Downy
some water?"
"I suah did, chile," said Dinah, "and you
jest ought ter see that Downy duck fly 'round
de kitchen. Why, he jest got one of dem fits
he had on de train, and we had to shut him in
de pantry to get hold ob him."
The waitress, too, told about the flying duck,
and everybody enjoyed hearing about the
pranks of Freddie's animals.
"We've got a lovely little pond for him,
Freddie," said Dorothy. "There is a real httle
lake out near my donkey barn, and your duck
will have a lovely time there,"
A QUEER STAGE DRIVER 55
"But he has to swim in the ocean," insisted
Freddie, *"cause we're going to train him to be
1. circus duck."
*'You will have to put him in a bag and tie
a rope to him then," Uncle William teased,
"because that's the only way a duck can swim
in the ocean."
"But you don't know about Downy," ar-
gued Freddie. "He's wonderful! He even
tried to swim without any water, on the train."
"Through the looking glass!" said Bert,
laughing.
"And through the air," added Nan.
"I tell you, Freddie," said Uncle William,
quite seriously: "we could get an airship for
him maybe ; then he could really swim without
water."
But Freddie took no notice of the way they
tried to make fun of his duck, for he felt
Downy was really w^onderful, as he said, and
would do some wonderful things as soon as it
got a chance.
When dinner was over, Dorothy took Nan
up to her room. On the dresser, in a cut-glass
bowl, were little Nettie Prentice's lilies that
^6 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
Nan had carried all the way from Meado\^
Brook, and they were freshened up beautifully,
thanks to Dorothy's thoughtfulness in giving
them a cold spray in the bath tub.
"What a lovely room !" Nan exclaimed, in
unconcealed admiration.
''Do you like it?" said Dorothy. "It has a
lovely view of the ocean and I chose it for you
because I know you like to see pretty sights
out of your window. The sun seems to rise
just under this window," and she brushed aside
the dainty curtains.
The moonlight made a bright path out on
the ocean and Nan stood looking out, spell-
bound.
'T think the ocean is so grand," she said.
Tt always makes me feel so small and help-
less."
''When you are under a big wave," laughed
her cousin, who had a way of being jolly, "l
felt that way the other day. Just see my arm,"
and Dorothy pushed up her short sleeve, dis-
playing a black and blue bruise too high up to
be seen except in an evening dress or bathing
costume.
A QUEER STAGE DRIVER 57
''How did you do that ?" asked Nan, in sym-
pathy.
"Ran into a pier," returned the cousin, with
unconcern. "I thought my arm was broken
first. But we must go down/' said Dorothy,
while Nan wanted to see all the things in hei
pretty room. "We always sit outside before
retiring. Mamma says the ocean sings a lul-
laby that cures all sorts of bad dreams and
sleeplessness."
<^*^ the veranda Nan and Dorothy joined
the others. Freddie was almost asleep in Aunt
Emily's arms; Uncle William, Mr. Bobbsey.
and Mr. Burnet were talking, with Bert as an
interested listener; w^hile Mrs. Manily told
Aunt Emily of her mission to the beach. As
the children had thought. Aunt Emily readily
gave consent to have Nellie, the little cash girl,
come to Ocean Cliff, and on the morrow Nan
and Dorothy were to write the letter of
^invitation.
CHAPTER VI
THE OCEAN
Is there anything more beautiful than sun-
rise on the ocean?
Nan crept out of bed at the first peep of
dawn, and still in her white robe, she sat in
the low window seat to see the sun rise "under
her window\"
"What a beautifu/ place!" Nan thought,
when dawn gave her a chance to see Ocean
OiflF. "Dorothy must be awfully happy here.
To see the ocean from a bedroom window!"
and she watched the streaks of dawn make
maps on the waves. "If I were a writer I
would always put the ocean in my book," she
told herself, "for there are so many children
who never have a chance to see the wonder-
ful world of water!"
Nettie's flowers were still on the dresser.
"Poor little Nettie Prentice," thought Nan.
58
THE OCEAN 5§
^She has never seen the ocean and I wonder if
5he ever will!"
Nan touched the lilies reverently. There was
something in the stillness of daybreak that
made the girl's heart go out to poor Nettie,
just like the timid little sunbeams went out
over the waters, trying to do their small part
in lighting up a day.
'I'll just put the lilies out in the dew/" Nan
went on to herself, raising the window quietly,
for the household was yet asleep. "Perhaps
I'll find someone sick or lonely to-morrow who
will like them, and it will be so much better if
they bring joy to someone, for they are so
sweet and pretty to die just for me."
"Oh !" screamed Nan the next minute, for
someone had crept up behind her and covered
her eyes with hands. "It is you, Dorothy!"
she declared, getting hold of the small fingers.
"Did I wake you with the window?"
"Yes, indeed, I thought someone was get-
ting in from the piazza. They always come
near morning," said Dorothy, dropping down
on the cushions of the window seat like a god-
dess of morn, for Dorothy was a beautiful girl^
60 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
all pink and gold, Bert said, excepting for her
eyes, and they were like Meadow Brook vio-
lets, deep blue. "Did you have the night-
mare?" she asked.
^'Nightmare, indeed!" Nan exclaimed.
*'Why, you told me the sun would rise un-
der my window and I got up to "
*'See it do the rise !" laughed Dorothy, in
her jolly way. ''Well, if I had my say I'd
make Mr. Sol-Sun wear a mask and keep his
glare to himself until respectable people felt
like crawling out. I lower my awning and
close the inside blinds every night. I like sun-
shine in reasonable doses at reasonable hours,
but the moon is good enough for me in the
meantime," and she fell over in a pretty lump,
feigning sleep in Nan's cushions.
"I hope I did not wake anyone else," said
Nan.
"Makes no difference about me, of course,"
laughed the jolly Dorothy. "Well, I'll pay you
back, Nan. Be careful. I am bound to get
even," and Nan knew that some trick was in
store for her, as Dorothy had the reputation
of being full of fun, and always playing tricks.
THE OCEAN 6t
The stm was up in real earnest now, and the
girls raised the window sash to let in the soft
morning air.
*''I think this would really cure Nellie, my
little city friend," said Nan, "and you don't
know what a nice girl she is."
*'Just bring her down and I'll find out all
about her," said Dorothy. "I love city girls.
They are so wide awake; and never say silly
things lik& — like some girls I know," she fin-
ished^ giving her own cousin a good hug that
belied the attempt at n^aking fun of her.
^•'Nellie is sensible," Nan said, "and yet she
knows how to laugh, too. She said she had
never been in a carriage until she had a ride
with us at Meadow Brook. Think of that !"
"Wait till she sees my donkeys!" Dorothy
finished, gathering herself up from the cush-
ions and preparing to leave. "Well, Nannie
dear, I have had a lovely time," and she made
a mock social bow. "Come to see me some
time and have some of my dawn, only don't
come before eleven a.m. or you might get
mixed up, for its awful dark in the blue room
until that hour." And like a real fairy DorQ'«
62 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
thy shook her golden hair and, stooping low in
myth fashion, made a "bee-line" across the
hall.
''She doesn't need any brother," Nan
thought as she saw Dorothy bolt in her door
like a squirrel; "she is so jolly and funny!"
But the girls were not the only ones who
?-r:.:.e early that morning, for Bert and his
father came in to breakfast from a walk on
the sands.
"It's better than Meadow Brook," Bert told
Nan, as she took her place at the table. "I wish
Harry would come down."
"It is so pleasp.nt we want all our friends
to enjoy it," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "But I'm
sure you have quite a hotel full now, haven't
you, Dorothy?"
"Lots more rooms up near the roof," replied
Dorothy, "and it's a pity to waste them when
there's plenty of ocean to spare. Now, Fred-
die," went on Dorothy, "when we finish break-
fast I am going to show you my donkeys. I
called one Doodle and the other Dandy, be-
cause papa gave them to me on Decoration
Day/*
THE OCEAN 6%
**Why didn't you call one Uncle Sam?*^
asked Freddie, remembering his part in the
Meadow Brook parade.
"Well, I thought Doodle Dandy was neai
enough red, white, and blue," said Doroth)^
The children finished breakfast rather sud-
denly and then made their way to the donkey
oarn.
"Oh, aren't they lovely!" exclaimed Naru
patting the pretty gray animals. "I think they
are prettier than horses, they are not so tall."
"I know all about goats and donkeys," de-
clared Freddie.
"I know Nan likes everything early, so we
will give her an early ride," proposed Dorothy.
The Bobbseys watched their cousin with in-
terest as she fastened all the bright buckles
and put the straps together, harnessing the
donkeys. Bert helped so readily that he de-
clared he would do all the harnessing there-
after. The cart was one of those pretty, little
basket affairs, with seats at the side, and Bert
was very proud of being able to drive a teara
There were Dorothy, Nan, Freddie, Flossie,
and Bert in the cart when they rode along the
64 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORB
sandy driveway, and they made a very pretty
party in their bright summer costumes. Fred-
die had hold of Doodle's reins, and he insisted
that his horse went along better than did
Dandy, on the other side.
''Oh, won't Nellie enjoy this!" cried Nan,
thinking of the little city girl who had only had
one carriage ride in all her life.
"Mrs. Manily is going up to the city to bring
her to-day," said Bert. "Aunt Emily sent for
the depot wagon just as we came out."
Like many people at the seashore, the Min-
tums did not keep their own horses, but simply
had to telephone from their house to the livery
stable when they wanted a carriage.
"Oh, I see the ocean!" called out Freddie,
as Bert drove nearer the noise of the waves.
"Why didn't we bring Downy for his swim ?"
"Too early to bathe yet!" said Dorothy.
"We have a bathing house all to ourselves, —
papa rented it for the summer, — and about
eleven o'clock we will come down and take a
dip. Mamma always comes with me or sends
Susan, our maid. Mamma cannot believe ^
really know how to swim."
THE OCEAN 6f
"And do you?" asked Nan, in surprise.
*'Wait until you see!" replied the cousin.
"And I am going to teach you, too."
*'rd love to know how, but it must be aw-
fully hard to learn/' answered Nan.
"Not a bit," went on Dorothy; *'I learned in
one week. We have a pool just over there, ancf
lots of girls are learning every day. You can
drive right along the beach, Bert; the donkeys
are much safer than horses and never attempt
to run away."
How delightful it was to ride so close to the
great rolling ocean ! Even Freddie stopped ex-^
claiming, and just watched the waves, as one
after another they tried to get ight under
Dorothy's cart.
''It makes me almost afraid!" faltered little
Flossie, as the great big waves came up so high
out on the waters, they seemed like mountains
that would surely cover up the donkey cart
But when they ''broke" on the sands they were
only little splashy puddles for babies to wash
their pink toes in.
* There's Blanche Bowden," said Dorothy,
as another little cart, a pony cart, came along.
56 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
'*We have lovely times together. I have in«
vited her up to meet us this afternoon, Nan."
The other girl bowed pleasantly from he?
cart, and even Freddie remembered to raise his
cap, something he did not always think neces-
sary for "just girls."
"Some afternoon our dancing class is going
to have a matinee/' said Dorothy. "Do you
like dancing, Bert?"
"Some," replied her cousin in a boy's indif-
ferent w^ay. "Nan is a good dancer."
"Oh, we don't have real dances," protested
Nan; "they are mostly drills and exercises.
Mamma doesn't believe in young children go-
ing right into society. She thinks we will be
old soon enough."
"We don't have grown-up dances," said
Dorothy, "only the two-step and minuet. J
think the minuet is the prettiest of all dances.''
"We have had the varsovienne," said Nan,
^'that is like the minuet. Mother says they are
old-time dances, but they are new in our clasf.''
"We may have a costume affair nex<
month," went on Dorothy. "Some of the
g^rls want it, but I don't like wigs and lor^'
THE OCEAN tjf
dresses, especially for dancings I get all ta«<
gled up in a train dress."
''I never wore one," said Nan, "excepting
at play, and I can't see how any girl can dance
with a lot of long skirts dangling around."
**Oh, they mostly bow and smile," put in
Bert, **and a boy has to be awfully careful at
one of those affairs. If he should step on a
skirt there surely would be trouble," and he
snapped his whip at the donkeys with the air
of one who had little regard for the graceful
art of dancing.
*'We had better go back now," said Dorothy^
presently. *'You haven't had a chance to see
our own place yet, but I thought you wanted
to get acquainted with the ocean first. Every-
body does!"
'1 have enjoyed it so much !" declared Nanc
**lt is pleasanter now than when the sun grows
hot."
"But we need the sun for bathing," Dorothy
told her. "That is why we *go in' at the noor
hour."
The drive back to the Cliff seemed very
short, and when the children drove up to th^
68 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
side porch they found Mrs. Bobbsey and Aunc
Emily sitting outside with their fancy work.
Freddie could hardly find words to tell his
mother how big the ocean was, and Flossie
declared the water ran right into the sky it wat
«o high.
"Now, girls," said Aunt Emily, "Mrs.
Manily has gone to bring Nellie down, so you
must go and arrange her room. I think the
front room over Nan's will be best. Now get
out all your pretty things, Dorothy, for little
Nellie may be lonely and want some things
to look at."
"All right, mother," answered Dorothy, let-
ting Bert put the donkeys away, "we'll make
her room look like — like a valentine," she fin-
ished, always getting some fun in even where
very serious matters were concerned.
The two girls, wnth Flossie looking on, were
soon very busy with Nellie's room.
"We must not make it too fussy," said Doro-
thy, "or Nellie may not feel at home; and
we certainly want her to enjoy herself. Will
we put a pink or blue set on tlie dresser ?"
"Blue," said Nan, "for I know she loves
THEY RODE ALONG THE SANDY DRIVEWAY.
The Bohbsey Twins at the Seashore. Page 65
THE OCEAN 09
t)Iue. She said so when we picked violets at
Meadow Brook."
**A11 right," agreed Dorothy. "And say!
let's fix up something funny! We'll get all
the alarm clocks in the house and set them so
they will go off one after the other, just when
Nellie gets to bed, say about nine o'clock*
We'll hide them so she will just about find one
when the other starts! She isn't really sick,
is she?" Dorothy asked, suddenly remember-
ing that the visitor might not be in as good
spirits as she herself was.
"Oh, no, only run down," answerea Nan^
'*and I'm sure she would enjoy the joke."
So the girls went on fixing up the pretty
little room. Nan ran downstairs and brought
up Nettie Prentice's flowers.
"I thought they would do someone good/'
she said. "They are so fragrant."
"Aren't they!" Dorothy said, burying her
pretty nose in the white lilies. "They smell
better than florists' bouquets. I suppose that's
from the country air. Now I'll go collect
clocks," and without asking anyone's permis-
Wm Dorothy went from room to roorn snatd^-
70 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SUASHORE
ing alarm clocks from every dresser that held
one.
"Susan's is a peach," she told Nan, apologiz-
ing with a smile, for the slang. "It goes off
for fifteen minutes if you don't stop it, and il
sounds like a church bell."
"Nellie will think she has gotten into col-
lege," Nan said, laughing. "This is like haz-
ing, isn't it?"
"Only we won't really annoy her," said Dor-
othy. "We just want to make her laugh
College boys, they say, do all sorts of mean
things. Make a boy swim in an icy river and
all that."
"I hope Bert never goes to a school when-
they do hazing," said Nan, feeling for hei
brother's safety. "I think such sport is jusJ
wicked !"
"So do I," declared Dorothy, "and if I wert
a new fellow^ and they played such tricks od
me, I would just wait for years if I had to, to
pay them back."
"Fd put medicine in their coffee, or do ^me-
thing."
**TheY ought to be arrested,'' Nan said, "aiKil
THE OCEAN fn
M the professors can't stop it they should not
ibe allowed to run such schools.*^
''There," said Dorothy, "I guess everything
sf all right for Nellie." She put a rose jar on
J table in the alcove window. "Now I'll wind
ne clocks. You mustn't look where \ put
•hem," and she insisted that not even Nan
should know the mystery of the clocks. "This
will be a real surprise party," finished Dorothy,
having put each of five clocks in its hiding
olacCj and leaving the f:ick-ticks to think it
svw^v sll by themselves, before going ofi
CHAPTER VII
NELLIE
"Shall I take my cart over to meet Nellie
and Mrs. Manily, mother?" Dorothy aske^
Mrs. Minturn, thf^ afternoon, when the cit^^-
train was aboif* .».:^.
"Why, yes, daughter, I think that would be
very nice," replied the mother. "I intended to
send the depot wagon, but the cart woidd be
very enjoyable."
Bert had the donkeys hitched up and at the
door for Nan and Dorothy in a very few min-
utes, and within a half-hour from that time
Nan was greeting Nellie at the station, an(^
making her acquainted with Dorothy.
If Dorothy had expected to find in the little
cash girl a poor, sickly, ill child, she must have
been disappointed, for the girl that came with
Mrs. Manily had none of these failings. She
was tall and graceful, very pale, but nicely
7*
NELLIE 73
pressed, thanks to Mrs. Manily's attention
after she reached the city on the m<.)tning train-
With a gift from Mrs. Bobbsey^ Nellie was
"fitted up from head to foot/* and now looked
quite as refined a little girl as might be met
anywhere.
"You were so kind to invite me!" Nellie said
to Dorothy, as she took her seat in the cart
"This is such a lovely place !" and she nodded
toward the wonderful ocean, without giving a
hint that she had never before seen it.
"Yes, you are sure the air is so strong you
must swallow strength all the time,'' and Nellie
knew from the remark that Dorothy was a
Jolly girl, and would not talk sickness, like the
people who visit poor children at hospital tentSe
Even Mrs. Manily, who knew Nellie to be
■A capable girl, was surprised at the way she
''*fell in" with Nan and Dorothy, and Mrs.
Manily was quite charmed with her quiet re-
served manner. The fact was that Nellie had
met so many strangers in the big department
store, she was entirely at ease and accustomed
to the little polite sayings of people in the faslit*
hoasthk world
^4 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORff
When Nellie unpacked her bag she brought
out something for Freddie. It was a little milk
wagon, with real cans, which Freddie could
fill up with *'milk" and deliver to customers
'That is to make you think of Meadow
Brook," said Nellie, when she gave him the
i.ittle wagon.
"Yes, and when there^s a fire," answerec
Freddie, "I can fill the cans with water anc
lump it on the fire like they do in Meadow
Brook, too." Freddie always insisted on be
ing a fireman and had a great idea of puttin^t?
'^res out and climbing ladders.
There was still an hour to spare before dm
iier, and Nan proposed that they take a walk
down to the beach. Nellie went along, ot
"ourse, but when they got to the great stretch
of white sand, near the waves, the girls no
ticed Nellie was about to cry.
**' Maybe she is too tired," Nan whispered tc
Dorothy, as they made some excuse to gc
back home again. All along the way Nella
was very quiet, almost in tears, and the othei
girls were disappointed, for they had expected
her to enjoy the ocean so much As soon d^
NELLIE 7^
chey reached home Nellie went co her room.,
and Nan and Dorothy told Mrs. Minturn about
icheir friend's sudden sadness. Mrs Minturn,
of course, went up to see if she could do any-
thing for Nellie.
There she found the little stranger crying as
?f her heart would breakc
'*0h, I can't help it, Mrs. Minturn T' she
sobbed ''It was the ocean. Father must be
somewhere in that big, wild sea !" and again
she cried almost hysterically.
"Tell me about it, dear,'' said Mrs, Min=
t.:tirn, with her arm around the child. "Was
four father drowned at sea ?''
"Oh no; that iSj we hope he wasn't.'^ said
Nellie, through her tears, ^'but sometimes we
feel he must be dead or he would write to poor
another/*
**Now dry your tears, dear, or you will have
& headache," said Mrs- Minturn, and Nellie
^^oon recovered her composure.
**You see," she began, *'we had such a nice
i^ome and father was always so good. But a
man came and asked him to go to sea. The
man said they would make lots of money k:
^ THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
3 short time. This man was a great friend of
father and he said he needed someone he could
trust on this voyage. First father said no, but
when he talked it over with mother, they
thought it would be best to go, if they could
get so much money in a short time, so he
went."
Here Nellie stopped again and her dark
eyes tried hard to keep back the tears.
"When was that?" ]\Irs. Minturn asked.
"A year ago," Nellie replied, "and he was
only to be away six months at the most."
"And that was why you had to leave
school, wasn't it?" Mrs. Minturn questioned
further,
"Yes, we had not much money saved, and
mother got sick from worrying, so I did not
mind going to work. I'm going back to the
store again as soon as the doctor says I can,"
and the little girl showed how anxious she was
to help her mother.
"But your father may come back," said Mrs.
Minturn; "sailors are often out drifting about
for months, and come in finally. I would not
be discouraged — you cannot tell what day your
NELLIE "JJ
father may come back with all the money, and
even more than he expected."
'^Oh, I know," said Nellie. *1 won't feel like
that again. It was only because it was the first
time I saw the ocean. I'm never homesick or
blue, I don't believe in making people pity
you all the time." And the brave little girl
jumped up, dried her eyes, and looked as if
she would never cry again as long as she lived
^ — like one who had cried it out and done
with it
"Yes, you must have a good time with the
girls," said Mrs. Minturn, '1 guess you need
fun more than any medicine."
That evening at dinner Nellie was her bright
happy self again, and the three girls chatted
merrily about all the good times they would
have at the seashore.
There was a ride to the depot after dinner,
for Mrs, Manily insisted that she had to leave
for the city that evening, and after a game of
ball on the lawn, in which everybody, even
Flossie and Freddie, had a hand, the children
prepared to retire. There was to be a shell
Imnt very early in the mornmg (that was %
78 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
long walk on the beach, looking for choice
shells), so the girls wanted to go to bed an
hour before the usual time.
**Wait till the clock strikes, Nellie," sanp
Dorothy, as they went upstairs, and, of course,
no one but Nan knew what she meant.
Two hours after this the house was all quiet,
when suddenly, there was the buzz of an alarm
clock.
"What was that?" asked Mrs. Minturn,
coming out in the hall.
"An alarm clock," called Nellie, in whose
room the disturbance was. "I found it under
my pillow," she added innocently, never sus-
pecting that Dorothy had put it there pur-
posely.
By and by everything was quiet again, when
another gong went off.
"Well, I declare!" said Mrs. Minturn. "I
do believe Dorothy has been up to some
pranks."
"Ding — a-Ung — a-long — a-lingT w^ent the
clock, and Nellie was laughing outright, as she
searched about the room for the newest alarm
She had a good hunt, too, for the clock was
NELLIE 7tt
m the shoe box in the farthest corner of the
room.
After that there was quite an intermission,
as Dorothy expressed it. Even Nellie had
stopped laughing and felt very sleepy, when
another clock started.
This was the big gong that belonged in
Dusan*s room, and at the sound of it Freddie
'ushed out in the hall, yelling.
"That's a fire bell! Fire! fire! fire!'' he
shouted, while everybody else came out this
time to investigate the disturbance.
"Now, Dorothy!" said Mrs. Minturn, '*I
know you have done this. Where did you put
?:hose clocks?"
Dorothy only laughed in reply, for the big
^ell was ringing furiously all the time. Nellie
had her dressing robe on, and opened the door
to those outside her room.
"I guess it's ghosts," she laughed. "They
are all over."
"A serenade," called Bert, from his door.
*'What ails dem der clocks?" shouted Dinah,
**'Pears like as if dey had a fit, suah. Nebber
heard such clockin' since we wa.s in de coun**
go THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
try," and Susan, who had discovered the loss
of her clock, laughed heartily, knowing very
well who had taken the alarm away.
When the fifteen minutes were up that clock
stopped, and another started. Then there was
a regularly cannonading-, Bert said, for there
was scarcely a moment's quiet until every one
of the six clocks had gone off "bing, bang,
biff,'* as Freddie said.
There was no use trying to locate them, for
they went off so rapidly that Nellie knev/ they
would go until they were "all done," so she just
sat down and waited.
"Think you'll wake up in time?" asked Dor-
othy, full of mischief as she came into the clock
comer.
"I guess so," Nellie answered, laughing.
''We surely were alarmed to-night." Then
aside to Nan, Nellie whispered : "Wait, we'll
get even v/ith her, won't wt?" And Nan
nodded with a sparkle in her eyes.
CHAPTER VIII
EXPLORING — ^A RACE FOR POND ULIE9
"Now let's explore," Bert said to the girk
the next morning, "We haven't had a chance
yet to see the lake, the woods, or the island"
**HaI Bingham is coming over to see yob
this morning," Dorothy told Bert "He said
you must be tired toting girls aroundj and he
knows everything interesting around here to
.show you/'
"Glad of it," said Bert "You girls are very
nice, of course, but a boy needs another fellow
m a place like this," and he swung himself over
the rail of the veranda, instead of walking
down the stepSo
It was quite early, for there was so much
planned, to be accomplished before the sun got
too hot, that all the children kept to their prom=
ise to get up early, and be ready for the day's
lun by seven o'clock. The girls^, with Mr&
81
^2 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORb
Bobbsey, Mrs. Mintiirn, and Freddie, were to
go shell hunting, but as Bert had taken that
.^rip with his father on the first morning aftei
their arrival, he preferred to look over the
woods and lake at the back of the Minturn
liome. where the land slid down from the rough
difi upon which the house stood.
''Here comes Hal now," called Dorothy, a^
a boy came whistling up the path. He wa?
^'aller than Bert, but not much older, and he
had a very ''jolly squint'^ in his black eyes
that IS. Dorothy called it a "jolly squint/* bu<
other people said it was merely a twinkle Bu'
all agreed that Hal was a real boy, the greatest
compliment that could be paid him
There was not much need of an introduction
although Dorothy did call down from the
porch, "Bert that's Hal; Hal that's Bert/' tc
which announcement the boys called back, "Al'
right, Dorothy. We'll get along/'
"Have you been on the lake yet?" Hal asked
as they started down the green stretch tha<
bounded the pretty lake on one side, while a
Btrip of woodland pressed close to tlie edg^^
^ross the sheet of water
EXPLORING— A RACF FOR POND LIUE& B|
**No/' Bert answered^ "we have had so much
coming and going to the depot since we came
down, I couldn't get a chance to look around
much. It's an awfully pretty lake, isn't it f"^
"Yes, and it runs in and out for miles/' Ha)
repliedc '1 have a canoe down here at our
boathouse Let's take a sail."
The Bingham property, like the Minturn
was on a cliff at the front, and ran back to tlie
fake, where the little boathouse was situated
The house was made of cedars^ bound togethei
m rustic fashion, and had comfortable seats in-
side for ladies to keep out of the sun vvhik
waiting for a sail.
"Father and I built this house,'' Hal tolc
Bert. "We were waiting so long for the car-
penters, we finally got a man to bring these
cedars in from Oakland. Then we had hirD
cut them, that is, the line of uprights, and w^e
built the boathouse without any troi^ble at all
It was sport to arrange all the little turns and
twists, like building a block house in the
nursery."
"You certainly made a good job of it," said
Bert, looking critically over the boathouse.
^ THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
•'It's all in the dcsii^n, of orjiirse; the nailing tc^
gether is the ea^'iest part.''
"You might think so," ^aid Hal, "but it's
hard to drive a nail in rojnd cedar. But we
thought it so interesting, we didn't mind the
trouble," finished Hal, as he prepared to untie
his canoe,
"What a pretty boat!" exclaimed Bert, in
Teal admiration.
The canoe was green and brown, the body
being colored like bark, while inside, the lining
was of pale green. The name, Dorothy, shone
in rustic letters just above the water edge,
"And you called it Dorothy," Bert remarked.
"Yes, she's the liveliest girl I know, and a
4'ood friend of mine all summer/* said Hal
'*There are some boys down the avenue, but
they don't know as much about good times as
Dorothy does. Why, she can swim, row, pad-
dle, climb trees, and goes in for almost any
sport that's on. Last week she swam so far
in the sun she couldn't touch an oar or paddk
for days, her arms were so blistered. But she
didn't go around with her hands in a muff al
that Dorothy's all right," finished Hal.
EXPLORING— A RACE FOR POND LILIES Sf
Bert liked to hear his cousin complimented,
especially when he had such admiration him-
self for the girl who never pouted, and he
knew that the tribute did not in any way take
from Dorothy's other good quality, that of be-
ing a refined and cultured girl
"Girls don't have to be babies to be lady-
like,'* added Bert. "Nan always plays ball
with me, and can skate and all that. She's not
afraid of a snowball, either."
"Well, Fm all alone," said Hal. ''Haven^t
even got a first cousin. We've been coming
down here since I was a youngster^ so that's
v/hy Dorothy seems like my sister., We used
to make mud pies together."
The boys were in the canoe now, and each
took a paddle. The water was so smooth that
the paddles merely patted it, like "brushing a
cat's back," Bert said, and soon the little bark
was gliding along dow^n the lake, in and out
of the turns, until the "narrows" were reached,
"Here's where we get our pond lilies," said
Hal.
"Oh, let's get some!" exclaimed Bertc
'^Mother is so fond of them.'*
^ THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
It was not difficult to gather the beautiful
blooms, that nested so cosily on the cool vvaterS;
too fond of their cradle to ever want to creep,
or walk upon their slender green limbs. They
just rocked there, with every tiny ripple of the
water, and only woke up tc see the warm sun-
light bleaching their dainty, yellow heads.
"Aren't they fragrant?" said Bert, as he put
one after the other into the bottom of the
canoe,
^There's nothing like them," declared Hal
*Some people like roses best, but give me the
pretty pond lilies," he finished.
The morning passed quickly, for th.ere was
ho much to see around the lake. Wild ducks
'tried to find out how near they could go tc
'[he water without touching it, and occasionally
one would splash in, by accident.
"What large birds there are around the sea,"
Bert remarked. *T suppose they have to be big
and strong to stand long trips without food,
when the waves are very rough and they cat
'lardly see fish."
"Yes, and they have such fine plumage/'
^aid Hal. ^Tve seen birds around here justf
EXPLORING-^^-A RACE FOR POND LILIES Bf
like those in museums, all colors, and with aM
kinds of feathers — Birds oi Paradise, I guesg
they call them/'
"Do you ever go shooting?"
"No, not in summer time," replied Hal
"But sometimes father and I take a run down
here about Thanksgiving. That's the time for
seaside sport. Why, last year we fished with
rakes ; just raked the fish up in piles — *f rostieSy"
they call them."
"That must be fun/' reflected Bert.
"Maybe you could come this year." con
tinned Hal. "We might make up a party, if
you have school vacation for a week. We
could camp out in our house, and get our meals
at the hotel."
"That would be fine!" exclaimed Bert
"Maybe Uncle William would come, and per-
haps my Cousin Harry, from Meadow BrooL
He loves that sort of sport. By the way, we
expect him down for a few days ; perhaps next
week."
"Good!" cried Hal. "The boat carnival is
on next week. Fm sure he would enjo|
that."
8S THE BOBrJSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORt
The boys were back at the boathouse now,
and Bert gathered up his pond hhes.
"There'll be a scramble for them when thr
girls see them," he said. *'Nellie McLaughlin
next to Dorothy, is out for fun. She is not ;
bit like a sick girl."
"Perhaps she isn't sick now," said Hal, "but
has to be careful. She seems quite thin."
"Mother says she wants fun, more than
medicine," went on Bert. "I guess she had to
go to work because her father is away at sea
He's been gone a year and he only expected to
be away six months."
"So is my Uncle George," remarked HaL
"He went to "the West Indies to bring back a
valuable cargo of wood. He had only a smaU
vessel, and a few men. Say, did you say her
name was McLaughlin?" exclaimed Hal, sud-
denly.
"Yes ; they call him Mack for short, but hia
name is McLaughlin."
"Why, that was the name of the m.an who
went with Uncle George!" declared Plal
"Maybe it was her father."
"Sounds like it," Bert said *'Tell Uncle
EXPLORING— A RACE FOR POND LILIES 89
William about it sometime. I wouldn't men-
tion it to Nellie, she cut up so, they said, the
first time she saw the ocean. Poor thing 1 I
suppose she just imagined her father was toss-
ing about in the waves."
The boys had tied the canoe to its post, and
now made their way up over the hill toward
the house.
"Here they come," said Bert, as Nan, Nellie,
and Dorothy came racing down the hill.
"Oh!" cried Dorothy, "give me some!"
"Oh, you know me, Bert?" pleaded Nellie.
"Hal, I wound up your kite string, didn't
I ?" insisted Nan, by way of showing that she
surely deserved some of Hal's pond lilies.
"And I found your ball in the bushes, Bert,"
urged Dorothy.
"They're not for little girls," Hal said, wav-
ing his hand comically, like a duke in a comic
Dpera. "Run along, little girls, run along,^
he said, rolling his r's in real stage fashion,
and holding the pond lilies against his heart.
"But if we get them, may we have then\
sir knight?" asked Dorothy, keeping up the
|oke.
90 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
*'You surely can!" replied Hal, running
»hort on his stage words.
At this Nellie dashed into the path ahead of
Hal, and Dorothy turned toward Bert. Nan
crowded in close to Dorothy, and the boys had
some dodging to get a start. Finally Hal shot
out back of the big bush, and Nellie darted
after him. Of course, the boys were bettei
i-unners than the girls, but somehow, girls al-
ways expect something wonderful to happen,
when they start on a race like that. Hal had
tennis slippers on, and he went like a deer. But
just as he was about to call ''home free" and
as he reached the donkey barn, he turned on
his ankle.
Nellie had her hands on the pond lilies in-
stantly, for Hal was obliged to stop and nurse
his ankle.
"They're yours," he gave in, handing her
the beautiful bunch of blooms.
"Oh, aren't they lovely!" exclaimed the little
cash girl, but no one knew that was the first
time she ever, in all her life, held a pond lily in
her hand.
"Fin going to give them to Mrs. Bobbsej^ *
EXPLORING— A RACE FOR POND LILIES 9I
she decided, starting at once to the house with
the fragrant prize in her arms. Neither Dor-
othy nor Nan had caught Bert, but he handed
his flowers to his cousin.
**Give them to Aunt Emily," he said gal-
lantly, while Dorothy took the bouquet and
declared she could have caught Bert, anyhoWj
yf she "only had a few more feet/' whatever
Ihat meant
CHAPTER IX
FUN ON THE SANDS
*^How many shells did you get in yoitf
hunt?" Bert asked the girls, when the excite-
ment over the pond lilies had died away.
"We never went," replied Dorothy. "First,
Freddie fell down and had to cry awhile, then
he had to stop to see the gutter band, next he
had a ride on the five-cent donkey, and by that
time there were so many people out, mother
said there would not be a pretty shell left, so
we decided to go to-morrow morning."
"Then Hal and I will go along," said Bert.
**I want to look for nets, to put in my den at
home."
"We are going for a swim now," went on
Dorothy; "we only came back for our suits."
"There seems so much to do down here, it
will take a week to have a try at everything/'
»aid Bert. "I've only been in the water once,
92
FUN ON THE SANDS 9J
but Fm going for a good swim now. Come
along, Hal/'
"Yes, we always go before lunch," said Hal,
starting off for his suit.
Soon Dorothy, Nan, Nellie, and Flossie ap-
peared with their suits done up in the neat lit-
tle rubber bags that Aunt Emily had bought
at a hospital fair. Then Freddie came with
Mrs. Bobbsey, and Dorothy, with her bag ou
a stick over her shoulder, led the procession to
the beach.
As Dorothy told Nan, they had a comforta-
ble bathhouse rented for the season, with
plenty of hooks to hang things on, besides a
mirror, to see how one's hair looked, after the
waves had done it up mermaid fashion.
It did not take the girls long to get ready,
and presently all appeared on the beach in
pretty blue and white suits, with the large
white sailor collars, that always make bathing
suits look just right, because real sailors wear
that shape of collar.
Flossie wore a white flannel suit, and with
her pretty yellow curls, she "looked like a
doll/' so Nellie said. Freddie's suit was whilg
^ "♦•HE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
too, as he always had things as near hke his
twin sister's as a boy's clothes could be. Al-
together the party made a pretty summer pic-
ture, as they ran down to the waves, and
promptly dipped in.
"Put your head under or you'll take cold,"
called Dorothy, as she emerged from a big
wave that had completely covered her up.
Nellie and Nan ^Mucked" under, but Flossie
was a little timid, and held her mother's right
hand even tighter than Freddie clung ^o hei
left
'*We must get hold of the ropes." declared
Mrs. Bobbsey. seeing a big wave commg
They just reached the ropes when the wave
caught them Nellie and Nan were out
farther, and the billow struck Nellie with
such force it actually washed her up on shore.
''Ha! ha!" Inughed Dorothy, "Nellie got the
first tumble.' \nd then the waves kept dash-
ing in so quukly that there was no more
diance for conversation Freddie ducked un-
Jer as every wave came, but Flossie was no*
always quick enough and it was verv hard for
her to keeu hold of the ropes vvher> a bijfjf
FUN ON THE SANDS 9l
Splasher dashed against her. Dorothy had no<
permission to swim out as far as she wanted to
go, for her mother did not allow her outsid*
the lineSj excepting when Mr. Minturn was
swimming near her, so she had to be content
with floating around near where the other girls
bounced up and down, like the bubbles on the
billows.
"Look out, Nan !'' called Dorothy, suddenly,
as Nan stood for a moment fixing her belt
But the warning came too late, for the next
minute a wave picked Nan up and tossed her
with such force against a pier, that everybody
thought she must be hurt. Mrs. Bobbsey was
quite frightened, and ran out on the beach, put-
ting Freddie and Flossie at a safe distance
from the water, while she made her way to
where Nan had been tossed.
For a minute or so, it seemed, Nan disap-
peared, but presently she bobbed up, out of
breath, but laughing, for Hal had her by the
hand, and was helping her to shore. The boys
had been swimming around by themselves near
by, and Hal saw the wave making for Nan
just in time to get there first.
f5 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
"I had to swim that time," laughed Nan,
**whether I knew how or not."
"You made a pretty good attempt," Hal told
her ; *'and the water is very deep around those
piles. You had better not go out so far again,
until you've learned a few strokes in the pools,
Get Dorothy to teach you."
"Oh, oh, oh, Nellie!" screamed Mrs. Bobb-
sey. "Where is she? She has gone under
that wave !"
Sure enough, Nellie had disappeared. She
had only let go the ropes one minute, but sht
had her back to the ocean watching Nan's
rescue, when a big billow struck her, knocked
her down, and then where was she?
"Oh,'' cried Freddie, "She is surely
drowned !"
Hal struck out toward where Nellie had
been last seen, but he had only gone a few
strokes when Bert appeared with Nellie under
his arm. She had received just the same kind
of toss Nan got, and fortunately Bert was just
as near by to save her, as Hal had been to save
Nan. Nellie, too, was laughing and out of
breath when Bert towed her in.
FUN ON THE SANDS 97
**I felt like a rubber ball," she said, as soon
as she could speak, *'and Bert caught me on
the first bounce."
**You girls should have ropes around your
waists, and get someone to hold the other
end," teased Dorothy, coming out with the
others on the sands.
**Well, I think we have all had enough of
the water for this morning," said Mrs. Bobb-
sey, too nervous to let the girls go in again.
Boys and girls were willing to take a sun
bath on the beach, so, while Hal and Bert
started in to build a sand house for Freddie,
the four girls capered around, playing tag
and enjoying themselves generally. Flossie
thought it great fun to dig for the little soft
crabs that hide in the deep damp sand. She
found a pasteboard box and into this she put
all her fish.
'I've got a whole dozen !" she called to Fred-
die, presently. But Freddie was so busy with
his sand castle he didn*t have time to bother
With baby crabs.
"Look at our fort," called Bert to the girls,
^^« can shoot right through our battlements^,**
98 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
he declared, as he sank down in the sand and
looked out through the holes in the sand fort.
"Shoot the Indian and you get a cigar,"
called Dorothy, taking her place as "Indian"
in front of the fort, and playing target for the
boys.
First Hal tossed a pebble through a window
tn the fort, then Bert tried it, but neither stone
went anywhere near Dorothy, the "Indian."
''Now, my turn," she claimed, squatting
down back of the sand wall and taking aim at
Hal, who stood out front.
And if she didn't hit him — just on the foot
^'ith a little white pebble!
"Hurrah for our sharpshooter !" cried Bert.
Of course the hard part of the trick was to
toss a pebble through the window without
knocking down the wall, but Dorothy stood to
one side, and swung her arm, so that the stone
went straight through and reached Hal, who
stood ten feet away.
"Fm next," said Nellie, taking her place
behind "the guns."
Nellie swung her arm and down came tht
font
rUN ON THE SANDS 9g
■*Oh myT' called Freddie, **youVe knocked
iown the whole gun wall. You'll have to
be "
"Court-martialed," said Hal, helping Fred-
die out with his war terms.
"She's a prisoner of v.ar," announced Bert,
getting hold of Nellie, who dropped her head
and acted like someone in real distress. Just
as if it were all true, Nan and Dorothy stood
by, wringing their hands, in horror, while the
boys brought the poor prisoner to the frontier,
bound her hands with a piece ot cord, and
stood her up against an abandoned umbrella
pole
Hal acted as judge,
"Have you anything to say why sentence
should not be pronounced upon you ?" he asked
in a severe voice.
"I have/' sighed Nellie. "I did not intend
to betray my country. The enemy caused
the — the — downfall of Quebec," she stam-
oiered, just because the name of that place
happened to come to her lips.
**Who is her counsel?" asked the Judge.
'^*Your honor," spoke up Dorothy, "this sol*
10145411
ICO THE BOBBSEV TWINS AT THE SEASHORB
(dier has done good service. She has pegged
stones at your honor with good effect, she has
even captured a company of wild pond hhes
in your very ranks, and now, your honor, I
plead for mercy."
The play of the children had, by this time,
attracted quite a crowd, for the bathing hour
was over, and idlers tarried about.
'*Fair play!" called a strange boy in the
crowd, taking up the spirit of fun. 'That sol-
dier has done good service. She took a sassy
little crab out of my ear this very day !"
Freddie looked on as if it were all true.
Flossie did not laugh a bit, but really seemed
quite frightened.
"I move that sentence be pronounced,"
called Bert, being on the side of the prosecu-
tion.
"The prisoner w^lll look this- way!" com-
manded Hal.
Nellie tossed back her wet brown curls and
faced the crowd.
"The sentence of the court is that the pris*
oner be transported for life," announced Hal,
srhile four boys fell in around Nellie, and she
FUN ON THE SANDS lOI
silently marched in military fashion toward
the bathing pavilion, with Dorothy and Naa
at her heels.
Here the war game ended, and everyone was
^tisfied with that day's fun on the sandSc
CHAPTER X
THE SHELL HUNT
'^Now, all ready for the hunting expedi*
ion/' called Uncle William, very early the
-next morning, he having taken a day away
from his office in the city, to enjoy himself
with the Bobbseys at the seashore.
It was to be a long journey, so Aunt Emily
thought it wise to take the donkey cart, so that
the weary travelers, as they fell by the wayside,
might be put in the cart until refreshed. Be-
sides, the shells and things could be brought
home in the cart. Freddie expected to cap-
*:ure a real sea serpent, and Dorothy declared
she would bring back a whale. Nellie had an
idea she would find something valuable, may-
be a diamond, that some fish had swallowed it*
mistake for a lump of sugar at the bottom of
'^e sea. So> with pleasant expectations, the
t03
THE SHELL HUNT lO^
party started off, Bert and Ha! acting as
guides, and leading the way.
"If you feel like climbing down the rocks
here we can walk all along the edge," said Hal.
"But be careful!" he cautioned, "the rocks are
awfully slippery^ Dorothy will have to go on
ahead down the road with the donkeys, and
we can meet her at the Point."
Freddie and Flossie went along with Doro-
thy, as the descent was considered too danger-
ous for the little ones. Dorothy let Freddie
drive to make up for the fun the others had
sliding down the rocks.
Uncle Daniel started down the cliffs first,
and close behind him came Mrs. Bobbsey and
Aunt Emily. Nan and Nellie took a*^other
path, if a small strip of jagged rock could be
called a path, while Hal and Bert scaled down
over the very roughest part, it seemed to the
girls.
"Oh, mercy!" called Nan, as a rock slipped
from under her foot and she promptly slipped
after it. "Nellie, give me your hand or I'll
slide into the ocean !"
Nellie tried to cross over to Nan, but in
£'04 THE BOBBSEY TWINS \T THE SEASHORE
doing so she lost her footrng and fell, ih^n
turned over twice, and only stopped as sh«
came in contact with Uncle William's heels.
"Are you hurt?" everybody asked at once,
but Nellie promptly jumped up, showirg thfr
toss had not injured her in the least.
**I thought I was going to get an unex-
pected bath that time," she said, laughing,
"only for Mr. Minturn interfering. I saw a
star in each heel of his shoe," she declared,
''and I was never before glad to bump my
nose."
Without further accident the party reached
the sands, and saw Dorothy and the little ones
4: short distance away. Freddie had already
filled his cap with little shells, and Flossie was
busy selecting some of the finest from a col-
lection she had made.
"Let's dig," said Hal to Bert. "There are all
sorts of mussels, crabs, clams, and oysters
around here. The fisheries are just above that
point."
So the boys began searching in the wet sand,
now and then bringing up a "fairy crab" or a
baby clam.
THE SHELL HUNT IO$
**Here*s an oyster," called Nellie, coming up
with the shellfish in her hand. It was a large
oyster and had been washed quite clean by the
noisy waves.
"Let's open it," said Hal. "Shall I, Nellie?"
"Yes, if you want to," replied the girl, in-
differently, for she did not care about the little
morsel. Hal opened it easily with his knife,
and then he asked who was hungry.
"Oh, see here!" he called, suddenly.
^'Whatthis? It looks like a pearl."
"Let nie see,^' said Mr. Minturn, taking th^
little shell in his hand, and turning out the
oyster. "Yes, that surely is a pearl. Now^
Nellie, you have a prize. Sometimes these lit-
tle pearls are quite valuable. At any rate, you
can have it set in a ring," declared Mr. Min-
turn.
"Oh, let me see," pleaded Dorothy. "I've
always looked for pearls, and never could find
one. How lucky you are, Nellie. It's worth
some money."
"Maybe it isn't a pearl at all," objected Nel-
lie, hardly believing that anything of valtK^
onild b^ pkked up so easily.
I06 THE EOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
*Yes, it is," declared Mr. Minturn. "Tvt
^een that kind before. I'll take care of it for
you, and find out what it is worth," and he very
carefully sealed the tiny speck in an envelope,
which he put in his pocketbook.
After that everybody wanted to dig for
oysters, but it seemed the one that Nellie found
had been washed in. somehow, for the oyster,
beds were out in deeper water. Yet, every
:ime Freddie found a clam or a mussel, he
^vanted it opened to look for pearls.
**Let us get a box of very small shells and
we can string them for necklaces," suggested
Nan. **We can keep them for Christmas gifts
too, if we string them w^ell."
"Oh, I've got enough for beads and brace-
lets/' declared Flossie, for, indeed, she had
?ost no time in filling her box with the pretti-
*st shells to be found on the sands.
"Oh, I see a net," called Bert, running to-
ward a lot of driftwood in which an old net
was tangled. Bert soon disentangled it and
k proved to be a large piece of seine, the kind
^hat is often used to decorate walls in libraries.
'*Just what I wanted!" he declared. "And
THE SHELL HUNT tOf
smell the salt. I will always have the ocean in
my room now, for I can close my eyes and
smell the salt water.*'
**It is a good piece," declared Hal. "You
were lucky to find it. Those sell for a couple
of dollars to art dealers."
"Well, I won't sell mine at any price," Bert
said. "I've been wishing for a net to put back
of my swords and Indian arrows. They make
a fine decoration."
The grown folks had come up now, and all
agreed the seine was a very pretty one.
"Well, I declare!" said Uncle William, "1
have often looked for a piece of net and never
could get that kind. You and Nellie were the
lucky ones to-day."
"Oh, oh, oh !" screamed Freddie. "What's
that ?" and before he had a chance to think, he
ran down to the edge of the water to meet a
big barrel that had been washed in.
"Look out!" screamed Bert, but Freddie
was looking in, and at that moment the water
washed in right over Freddie's shoes, stock-
ings, and all.
"Oh!" screamed everybody in chorus, fof
WS THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
the next instant a stronger wave came in and
knocked Freddie down. Quick as a flash Dor-
othy, who was nearest the edge, jumped in
after Freddie, for as the wave receded the Httle
boy fell in again, and might have been washed
out into real danger if he had not been
promptly rescued.
But as it was he was dripping wet, even his
curls had been washed, and his linen suit
looked just Hke one of Dinah's dish towels.
Dorothy, too, was wet to the knees, but she
did not mind that. The day was warming up
and she could get along without shoes or stock-
ings until she reached home.
"Freddie's always fallin' in," gasped Flos-
sie, who was always getting frightened at her
twin brother's accidents.
"Well, I get out, don't I?" pouted Freddie,
not feeling very happy in his wet clothing.
"Now we must hurry home," insisted Mrs.
B:)bbsey, as she put Freddie in the donkey cart,
while Dorothy, after pulling off her wet shoes
and stockings, put a robe over her feet,
whipped up the donkeys, Doodle and Dandy
and with Freddie and Flossie in the seat of
THE SHELL HUNT IO9
the cart, the shells and net in the bottoniy
started off towards the cHffs, there to fix Fred-
die up in dry clothing. Of course he was not
*'wet to the skin," as he said, but his shoes and
stockings were soaked, and his waist was wet.
and that was enough. Five minutes later Dor-
othy pulled up the donkeys at the kitchen door,
where Dinah took Freddie in her armSj and
soon after fixed him up.
"You is de greatest boy for fallin' in/' she
declared. *'Nebber saw sech a fallen But all
de same you'se Dinah's baby boy/* and kind-
hearted Dinah rubbed Freddie's feet well, sc
he would not take cold ; then, with fresh cloth-
ing, she made him just as comfortable and
happy as he had been when he had started oiil
shell hunting.
CHAPTER XI
DOWNY ON THE OCEAN
'*Harry is coming to-day/' Bert told Fred
die, on the morning following the shell hunt
''and maybe Aunt Sarah will come with hini
Vm going to get the cart now to drive ovet
to the station. You may come along, Freddie,
mother said so„ Get your cap and hurry up/'
and Bert rushed off to the donkey barn to put
Doodle and Dandy in harness
Freddie was with Bert as quickly as he could
grab his cap off the rack, and the two broth-
ers promptly started for the station.
*'I hope they bring peaches/' Freddie said,
thinking of the beautiful peaches in the
Meadow Brook orchard that had not beeri
quite ripe when the Bobbseys left the countrv
ior the seaside-
Numbers of people were crowded aroune
(tlTi'i -^tatiorj' when the boys got there, as tlbQ
IXC
i:X^WN-Y ON THE OCEAJSf :im
summer season was fast waning, so thai Ben;
and Freddie had hard work to get a place
near the platform for their cart
"That's the train !" cried Bert "Now watcL
out so that we don't miss them in the crowd/'
and the older brother jumped out of the cart
to watch the faces as they passed along„
*There he is/' cried Freddie, clapping his-
hands. "Harry! Harry! Aunt Sarah!" he
called, until everybody around the station was
looking at him.
"Here we are!'^ exclaimed \unt Sarah the
aext minute, having heard Freddie's voice; and
followed it to the cart.
"I'm so glad you came/' declared Bert to
Harry.
"And Fm awfully glad you came/' Freddie
told Aunt Sarah, when she stopped kissing
him.
"But we cannot ride in that little rart/' Aunt
Sarah said, as Bert offered to help her in.
"Oh, yes, you can," Bert assured her. "These
donkeys are very strong, and so is the cart.
Put your satchel right in here," and he shoved
the valise up in front, under the seat
112 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASMOKSi
*'But we have a basket of peaches some-
where/' said Aunt Sarah. "They came in tii€
baggage car/*
*'Oh, goody! goody!" cried Freddie, clap
ping his Httle brown hands. "Let's ge^
them/'
"No, we had better have them sent over/^
Bert insisted, knowing that the basket would
take up too much room, also that Freddie
»T»ight want to sample the peaches first, and so
make trou])le in the small cart. Much againsr
his will the little fellow left the peaches,, and
started off for the cliffs.
The girls, Dorothy, Nellie, and Nan, were
waiting at the driveway, and all shouted a we^
come to the people from Meadow Brook.
"You just came in time," decmred Dorothy
"We are going to have a boat carnival to-
morrow, and they expect it will be lovely this
year."
Aunt Emily and Mrs. Bobbsey met the
others now, and extended such a hearty wel-
com.e, there could be no mistaking how pleased
they all were to see Harry and Aunt Sarah
As soon as Harry had a chance to Vay his trav^
DOWNY ON THE OCEAN II3
eling things aside Bert and Freddie began
showing him around.
"Come on down to the lake, first," Bert in-
sisted. ''Hal Bingham may have his canoe
out. He's a fine fellow, and we have splendid
times together/'
"And you'll see my duck, Downy," said
Freddie. "Oh, he's growed so big — he's just
like a turkey."
Harry thought Downy must be a queer duck
if he looked that way, but, of course, he did
not question Freddie's description,
"Here, Downy, Downy!" called Freddie, as
they came to the little stream where the duck
always swam around. But there was no dude
to be seen.
"Where is he?" Freddie asked, anxiously.
"Maybe back of some stones," ventured
Harry. Then he and Bert joined in the search,
but no duck was to be found.
"That's strange," Bert reflected. "He's al-
ways around here."
"Where does the lake run to?" Harry in*
^gi'isired,
"Into the ocean," answered Bert; *liu|
il4 THE B(;BBSEY twins at the SEASHORf
Downy never goes far. There's Hal now
We'll get in his boat and see if we can
find the duck."
Hal, seeing his friends, rowed in to the shore
with his father's new rowboat that he was jusi
trying.
*'We have lost Freddie's duck," said Bert
'*Have you seen him anywhere?'*
"No, I just came out," replied Hal "But
get in and we'll go look for him."
"This is my Cousin Harry I told you about/'
said Bert, introducing Harry, and the two boye
jreeted each other, cordially.
All four got into the boat, and Harry toois
care of Freddie while the other boys rowed,
"Oh, I'm afraid someone has stoled Downy/'
cried Freddie, "and maybe they'll make — make
- — pudding out of him."
"No danger," said Hal, laughing. "No one
around here would touch your duck. But h?
might have gotten curious to see the ocr.au. He
certainly doesn't seem to be around here."
The boys had reached the line where the
little lake went in a tunnel under a road, and
then opened out into the ocean.
DOWNV ON THE OCEAN %l^
^*We*\\ have to leave the boat here/' said
Hal, "and go and ask people if Downy came
down this way."
Tying up the boat to a stake, the boys
crossed the bridge, and made their way
through the crowd of bathers down io the
waves.
"Oh, oh!" screamed Freddie. "I see him-
There he is!" and sure enough, there was
Downy, Hke a tiny speck, rolHng up and down
on the waves, evidently having a fine swim^
and not being in the least alarmed at the moun-
tains of water that came rolling in.
"Oh, how can we get him?" cried Freddie,
nearly running into the w^ater in his excite-
ment.
"I don't know," Hal admitted. "He's pretty
far out."
Just then a life-saver came along„ Freddie
always insisted the life-guards were not white
people, because they were so awfully browned
from the sun, and really, this one looked like
some foreigner, for he was almost black.
"What's the trouble?" he asked, seeing
Freddie's distress.
tl6 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORC
'^Oh, Downy is gone !" cried the little fellovf
in tears now.
"Gone!" exclaimed the guard, thinking
Downy was some boy who had swam out
too far.
"Yes, see him out there," sobbed Freddie,
and before the other boys had a chance to tell
the guard that Downy was only a duck, the
life-saver was in his boat, and pulling out to-
ward the spot where Freddie said Downy was
•'downiiig" !
"There's someone drowning!" went up the
cry all around. Then numbers of men and
tx)ys, who had been bathing, plunged into the
waves, and followed the life-saver out to the
deeper water.
It was useless for Harry, Hal, or Bert to try
to explain to anyone about the duck, for the
action of the life-saver told a different story.
Another guard had come down to the beach
now, and was getting his ropes ready, besides
opening up the emergency case, that wa?
locked in the boat on the shore.
"Wait till they find out," whispered Hal tc
Bert, watching the guard in the boat nearing
DOWNY ON THE OCEAN 11^
tfie white speck on the waves. It was a long
ways out, but the boys could see the guard
stop rowing.
"He's got him," shouted the crowd, also
seeing the guard pick something out of the
water. '1 guess he had to lay him in the bot-
tom of the boat."
"Maybe he's dead !" the people said, still be-
lieving the life-saver had been after some
unfortunate swimmer.
"Oh, he's got him! He's got him!" cried
Freddie, joyfully, still; keeping up the mistake
for the sightseers.
As the guard in the boat had his back to
shore, and pulled in that way, even his com-
panion on land had not yet discovered his
mistake, and he waited to help revive who-
ever lay in the bottom of the boat.
The crowd pressed around so closely now
that Freddie's toes were painfully trampled
upon.
"He's mine," cried the little fellow. "Let
me have him."
"It's his brother," whispered a sympathetic
boy, almost in tears. "Let him get over by
f l8 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
the boat," and so the crowd made room for
Freddie, as the Hfe-saver pulled up on the
beach.
The people held their breath.
*'He's dead !" insisted a number, when there
was no move in the bottom of the boat. Then
the guard stooped down and brought up —
Downy !
*'Only a duck!" screamed all the boys in
the crowd, while the other life-saver laughed
heartily over his preparations to restore a duck
to consciousness.
"He's mine! He's mine!" insisted Freddie,
as the life-saver fondled the pretty white duck,
and the crowd cheered.
"Yes, he does belong to my little brother."
Bert said, "and he didn't mean to fool you at
all. It was just a mistake," the older brother
apologized.
"Oh, I know that," laughed the guard.
'*But when we think there is any danger we
don't wait for particulars. He's a very pretty
duck all the same, and a fine swimmer, and I'm
glad I got him for the little fellow, for likely
he would have kept on straight out to smooth
DOWNY ON THE OCEAN iXg
water. Then he would never have tried to gQt
back."
The guard now handed Downy over to his
young owner, and without further remarks
than "Thank you/' Freddie started off through
the crowd, while everybody wanted to see the
wonderful duck. The joke caused no end of
fun, and it took Harry, Hal, and Bert to save
Freddie and Downy from being too roughly
treated, by the boys who were over-curious to
see both the wonderful duck and the happf
owner.
CHAPTER XII
REAL INDIANS
^*Now we will have to watch Downy or he
will be sure to take that trip again/' said Bert,
as they reached home with the enterprising
duck.
"We could build a kind of dam across the
narrowest part of the lake," suggested Hal;
'*kind of a close fence he would not go
through. See, over there it is only a little
stream, about five feet wide. We can easily
fence that up. I've got lots of material uj>
in our garden house."
"That would be a good idea," agreed Bert.
"We can put Downy in the barn until we get it
built. We won't take any more chances." So
Downy was shut up in his box, back of the
donkey stall, for the rest of the day.
**How far back do these woods run ?" Harry
1 20
REAL INDIANS l»F
asked his companions, he always being inter=
ested in acres, as all real country boys arCo
"I don*t know," Hal Bingham answered,
**I never felt like going to the end to find out
But they say the Indians had reservations out
here not many years ago."
"Then I'll bet there are lots of arrow heads*
and stone hatchets around. Let's go look.
Have we time before dinner^ Bert?" Harry
asked.
"I guess so," replied the cousin^ ^*Unck
William's train does not get in until seven, and
we can be back by that time. We'll have to
slip av/ay from Freddie, though. Here he
comes. Hide !" and at this the boys got behind
things near the donkey house, and Freddie^
after calling and looking around, went back
to the house without finding the *''boy boys."
"We can cross the lake in my boat," said
Hal, as they left their hiding-places. "TheUp
Sve will be right in the woods. I'll tie the boat
on the other side until w^e come back; no one
will touch it."
"Is there no bridge?" Harry asked.
^Not nearer than the crossings,, away dow?r^
HZ2 THE BOBBSEV TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
near the ocean beach," said Bert. ''But the
boat will be all right. There are no thieves
around here."
It was but a few minutes' work to paddle
across the lake and tie up the canoe on the
opposite shore. Hal and Bert started off, feel-
ing they would find something interesting,
under Harry's leadership.
It was quite late in the afternoon, and the
idiick pines and ferns made the day almost like
night, as the boys tramped along.
"Fine big birds around here," remarked
Harry, as the feathered creatures of the ocean
darted through the trees, making their way to
the lake's edge.
"Yes, we're planning for a Thanksgiving
shoot/' Hal told him.. "We hope, if we mak^
it up, you can come down."
"I'd like to first-rate," said Harry. "Hello T
he suddenly exclaimed, "I thought I kicked
over a stone hatchet head."
Instantly the ^h^ee boys were on their knee?
'^arching through the brown pine needles.
"There it is !" declared Harry, picking up a
<^ueer -shaped stone That's real Indian — •
REAL INDIANS )i-^'^
:t?!OW father has somej but this is the first I(
was ever lucky enough to find/''
The boys examined the stone. There were
queer marks on it^ but they were so worn down
h was impossible to tell what they might mean.
'*What tribe camped here?'' asked Harry.
''I don't know,' answered Hal 'T just
heard an old farmer, out Berkley way, talking
about the Indians. You see, we only come
down here in the summer timCc Then we keep
30 close to the ocean we don't do much ex-
ploring/'
The boys were so interested now they did
not notice how dark it was getting Neither
did they notice the turns they were making
in the deep woodlands. Now and then a new
stone would attract their attention. They
would kick it over, pick it up, and if it were of
queer shape it would be pocketed for further
inspection,
"Say," said Hal, suddenly, "doesn't it look
like night?" and at that he ran to a clear spot
between the trees, where he might see the sky.
"Sure as you live it is night !" he called back
to the others, "We better pick the trail back tc
.2t4 THE BOBBSEY TIVINS AT THE SEASHORE
Dur canoe, or we may have to become real
Indians and camp out here in spite of our
appetites."
Then the boys discovered that the trees were
much ahke, and there were absolutely no paths
to follow.
"Well, there's where the sun went down, so
we must turn our back to that," advised Hal,
as they tramped about, without making any
progress toward finding the way home.
What at first seemed to be fun, soon turned
out to be a serious matter; for the boys really
could not find their way home. Each, in turn,
thought he had the right way, but soon found
he was mistaken.
"Well, I'll give up!" said Hal. "To think
we could be lost like three babies !''
"Only worse," added Harry, "for little fel-
lows would cry and someone might help
them."
"Oh! oh! oh! oh! we're lost! We're the
babes in the woods!" shouted Bert at the top
of his voice, joking, yet a little in earnest.
"Let's build a fire," suggested Harry.
"That's the way the Indians used to da
REAL INDIANS 12^
N^^n our comrades see the smoke of the fire
i-hey will come and rescue us/'
Tlie other boys agreed to follow the chief's
direction. So they set to workc It took somt
time to get wood togetner, and to start the fire,
but when it was finally lighted, they sat around
it and wasted a lot of time. It would have
been better had they tried to get out of the
woods, for as they waited, it grew darker.
*'l wouldn't mind staying here all night,'
drawled Harry, stretching himself out on the
^ry leaves alongside the fire.
*'Well, I'd like supper first,*' put in Hal
*We were to have roast duck to-night/' and
fie smacked his lips.
"What was that!'' Harry exclaimed, jump"
mg up.
**A bell, I thought," whispered Hal, quite
frightened.
"Indians!" added Bert. ''Oh, take tm
home !'' he wailed, and while he tried to laugh.
it was M failure, for he really felt more lik«
trying.
"There it is again. A cow bell!" declared
^arry, who could not be mistaken on beBt-
ia6 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
**Let's find the ccw and maybe she will then find
us," he suggested, starting off in the direction
that the **tink-tink-tink-tink" came from.
"Here she is!" he called, the next moment,
as he walked up to a pretty little cow with the
bell on her neck. *'Now, where do you be-
long?" Harry asked the cow. ''Do you know
where the Cliffs ^rt, and how we can get
home?*'
The cow was evidently hungry for her
supper, ard bellowed loud and long. Then she
rubbed htr head against Harry's sleeve, and
st?rted to walk through the dark woods.
"If we follow her she will take us out, al!
right," spid Harry, and so the three boys
willingly started off after the cow.
Just as Harry had said, she made her way
to a path then the rest of the way was clear.
"Hurrah !" shouted Hal, "I smell supper al-
ready," ana now, at the end of the path, an
opening in the trees showed a few scattered
houses.
"Why, we are away outside of Berkley,"
went on Hal "Now, we will have a long
tramp home but I'm glad even at that, for g
REAL INDIANS IS^
slight tmder the trees was not a pleasant pros«^
pect."
"We must take this cow home first,** saici
Harry, with a farmer's instinct. "Where do
you suppose she belongs?"
"We might try that house first," suggested
Bert, pointing to a cottage with a small barn, a
kittle way from the wood.
"Come, Cush," said Harry, to the strange
cow, and the animal obediently walked along.
There was no need to make inquiries, for
outside of the house a little woman met
ithem.
"Oh, youVe found her !" she began. "Well
my husband was just going to the pound, fen
that old miser of a pound master takes a cow
^n every chance he gets, just for the fine.
Come, Daisy, you're hungry," and she patted
f-he cow aflPectionately. "Now, young men,
Fm obliged to you, and you have saved a poor
man a day's pay, for that is just what the finf
would be. If you will accept a pail of milk
each, I have the cans, and would be glad toi
give you each a quart. You might have berries
lor dinner," she finished
/2^ THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORB
"We would be very glad of the milk," spoke
tip Harry, promptly, always wide awake and
polite when there was a question that con-
cerned farmers.
"Do you live far?" asked the woman.
"Only at the Cliffs," said Harry. "We will
soon be home now. But we were lost unti!
your cow found us. She brought us here, or
we would be in the woods yet."
"Well, I do declare!" laughed the little
woman, filling each of three pails from the
iresh milk, that stood on a bench, under the
kitchen window. "Now, our man goes right
by your house to-morrow morning, and if yoo
teave the pails outside he will get them. May
be your mothers might like some fresh milk
or buttermilk, or fresh eggs, or new butter?*
9he asked.
"Shouldn't wonder," said Hal. "We have
nard work to get fresh stuff ; they seem to send
it all to the hotels. FU let the man know when
he comes for the pails."
"Thank you, thank you," replied the little
woman, "and much obliged for bringing Daisy
feome. If you ever want a drink of milk, and
REAL INDIANS 139
are out this way, just knock at my door and
I'll see you don't go away thirsty."
After more thanks on both sides, the lost
boys started homeward, like a milk brigade,
each with his bt ieht tin pail of sweet new milk
vii his hand
CHAPTER Xlil
THE BOAT CARNIVAL
**It didn't seem right to take all this milk,'''
^•emarked Hal, as the three boys made their
way in the dark, along the ocean road.
"But we would have offended the lady had
we refused," said Harry. '^Besides, we may
be able to get her good customers by giving out
the samples," he went on. "Fm sure it is good
milk, for the place was clean, and that cow
we found, or that found us, was a real Jersey."
The other boys did not attempt to question
Harry's right to give expert views where cows
and milk were concerned; so they made their
way along without further comment.
*T suppose our folks will think we are lost,^
ventured Hal.
"Then they will think right," admitted Bert,
''ioi that was just what we were, lost/'
130
THE BOAT CARNIVAL 1 38
Crossing the bridge, the boys could hear
voices.
"That's father," declared Hal. Then they
listened.
"And that's Uncle William," said Bert, as
another voice reached them,
"Gracious! I'm sorry this happened the first
day I came," spoke up Harry, realizing that
the other boys would not have gone into the
deep woods if he had not acted as leader,
"Here we are!" called Hal.
"Hello there ! That you, Hal ?" came a call
"Yes; we're coming," Hal answered, and
the lost boys quickened their steps, as much as
the pails of milk allowed.
Presently Uncle William and Mr. Bingham
came up, and were so glad to find that Hal^
Harry, and Bert were safe, they scarcely re-
quired any explanation lor the delay in getting
home. Of course, bo^h men had been boys
themselves, and well remembered how easy it
was to get lost, and be late reaching home.
The milk pails, too, bore out the boys' story,
had there been any doubt about it, but beyond
a word of caution about dangerous places in
:iy>, THE POBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORJi
^deep woodlands there was not a harsh word
>spoken.
A little farther on the road home, Dorothy,
Nan, and NelHe met the wanderers, and then
the woodland escapade seemed a wild tale
about bears, Indians, and even witches, for
each girl added, to the boys' story, so much oi
her own imagination that the dark night and
the roaring of the ocean, finished up a very
frild picture, indeed.
'^Now, you are real heroes," answered Dor
othy, "and you are the bravest boys I know,
1 wish I had been along. Just think of sitting
by a campfire in a dark v/oods, and having no
one to bring you home but a poor little cow !"
and Dorothy insisted on carrying Bert's milk
pail to show her respect for a real hero.
Even Dinah and Susan did not complain
about serving a late dinner to the boys, and
both maids said they had never before seen
such perfectly splendid milk as came from the
farmhouse.
"We really might take some extra milk from
Hiat farm," said Aunt Emily, "for what we get
Ifr nNDthing like as rich in cream as this is.,*^
THE BOAT CARNIVAL I3J
So, as Harry said, the sample brought good
s^esults, for on the following morning, when
the man called for the empty pail, Susan or
iered two quarts a day, besides some fresh
eggs and new butter to be delivered twice a
week.
'*Do you know," said Uncle William to Mrs.
Bobbsey next morning at breakfast, when the
children had left the table, ''Mr. Bingham was
telling me last night that his brother is at sea,
^n just such a voyage as little Nellie's father
went on. And a man named McLaughlin went
with him, too. Now, that's Nellie's nam.e, and
I believe George Bingham is the very man he
went w^ith.'^
'^You don't tell me'" exclaimed Mrs. Bobb-
sey. ^And have they heard any news from
Mr. Bingham's brother?"
''Nothing very definite, but a vessel sighted
-the schooner ten days ago. Mr. Bingham has
10 idea his brother is lost, as he is an expe-
nenced seaman, and the Binghams are positive
it is only a matter of the schooner being dis-
abled, and the crew having a hard time t6
i.^€ach port/' replied Mr. Mintunic
134 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
"If Nellie's mother only knew that," said
Mrs. Bobbsey.
"Tell you what I'll do," said the brother-in-
law; "just give me Mrs. McLaughlin's ad-
dress, and I'll go to see her to-day while I'm
in town. Then I can find out whether we
have the r^ght man in mind or not."
Of course, nothing was said to Nellie about
the clew to her father's whereabouts, but Mrs.
Bobbsey and Aunt Emily were quite excited
over it, for they were very fond of Nellie, and
besides, had visited her mother and knew of
the poor woman's distress.
"If it only could be true that the vessel Is
trying to get into port," reflected Mrs Bobb-
sey. "Surelv^ there would be enough help
along the coast to save the crew."
While this very serious matter was occupy-
ing the attention of the grown-up folks, the
children were all enthusiasm over the water
carnival, coming off that afternoon.
Hal and Bert were dressed like real Indians,
and were to paddle in Hal's canoe, while Harry
was fixed up like a student, a French explorer,
and he was to row alone in Hal's father's boat^
THE COAT CARNIVAL I3S
to represent Father Marquette, the discoverer
of the upper Mississippi River,
It was quite simple to make Harry look like
the famous discoverer, for he was tall and
dark, and the robes were easily arranged with
Susan's black shawl, a rough cord binding it
about his waist. Uncie William's traveling cap
answered perfectly for the French skullcap.
"Then I'm going to be Pocahontas," insisted
Dorothy, as the boys' costumes brought her
snind back to Colonial days.
"Oh, no," objected Hal, "you girls better
take another period of history. We can't all
be Indians."
"Well, ni never be a Puritan, not even for
fun," declared Dorothy, whose spirit of frolic
was certainly quite opposite that of a Priscilla.
"Who was some famous girl or woman m
American history?" asked Harry, glad to get
a chance to "stick" Dorothy.
"Oh, there are lots of them," answered the
girl, promptly. "Don't think that men were
the only people in America who did anything
worth while."
**Then be one that you particularly admire,*^
;.;i|5 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORlt
leased Harry, knowing very well Dorotht
could not, at that minute, name a single charac
ter she would care to impersonate.
*'Oh, let us be real," suggested Nellie
''Everybody will be all make-believe, I saw
lots of people getting ready, and I'm sure they
will all look like Christmas-tree things, tinsel
and paper and colored stuffs."
''What would be real?" questioned Dor
Dthy.
"Well, the Fisherman's Daughters," Nellie
r>aid, very slowly. ''We have a picture at
home of two little girls waiting — for their-
father."
The boys noticed Nellie's manner, and knew
why she hesitated. Surely it would be real for
her to be a fisherman's daughter, waiting for
her father!
"Oh, good!" said Dorothy. "I've got that
picture in a book, and we can copy it exactly
You and I can be in a boat alone. I can row/
"You had better have a line to my boat,"
suggested Harry. "It would be safer in the
crowd."
It had already been decided tliat Flc»-
THE BOAT CARNIVAL 13^
sk, Freddie, and Nan should go in the Min*
«um launch, that was made up to look like a
Venetian gondola. Mrs. Bobbsey and Aunt
Emily ana Aunt Sarah were to be Italian
ladies, not that they cared to be in the boat
parade, but because Aunt Emily, being one of
the cottagers, felt obliged to encourage the
social features of the little colony.
It was quite extraordinary how quickly and
bow well Dorothy managed to get up her cos-
tume and Nellie's. Of course, the boys were
wonderful Indians, and Harry a splendid
Frenchman; Mrs. Bobbsey, Aunt Sarah, and
Aunt Emily only had to add lace headpieces to
their brightest dinner gowns to be like the
>howy Italians, while Freddie looked like s
little prince in his black velvet suit, with Flos^
sie's red sash tied from shoulder to waist, m
gay court fashion. Flossie wore the pink slip*
that belonged under her lace dress, and on hei
-head was a silk handkerchief pinned up at the
?nds, m that square quaint fashion of littk
ladies of Venice.
There were to be prizes, of course, for the
^sest costumes and prettiest boats^ and tiK
138 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
judges' stand was a very showy affair, built at
the bridge end of the lake.
There was plenty of excitement getting
ready, but finally all hands were dressed, and
the music from the lake told our friends the
procession was already lining up.
Mrs. Minturn's launch was given second
place, just back of the Mayor's, and Mrs.
Bingham's launch, fixed up to represent an
automobile, came next. Then, there were all
kinds of boats, some made to represent impos-
sible things, like big swans, eagles, and one
even had a lot of colored ropes flying about it.
while an automobile lamp, fixed up in a great
paper head, was intended to look like a monster
sea-serpent, the ropes being its fangs. By cut-
ting out a queer face in the paper over the
Highted lamp the eyes blazed, of course, while
^he mouth was red, and wide open, and there
were horns, too, made of twisted pieces of tin,
50 that altogether the sea-serpent looked very
fierce, indeed.
Tlie larger boats w^ere expected to be very
<nne, so that as the procession passed along the
'fittle lake tlie steam launches did not bring out
THE BOAT CARNIVAL t^
much cheering from the crowd. But now the
single boats were coming.
''Father Marquette!" cried the people, in-
stantly recognizing the historic figure Harry
represented.
So slowly his boat came along, and so sol-
emn he looked !
Then^ as he reached the judges' stand, he
stood up, put his hand over his eyes, looking
off in the distance, exactly like the picture of
the famous French explorero
This brought out long and loud cheering,
and really Harry deserv^ed it, for he not
only looked like, but really acted, the char-
acter.
There were a few more small boats next. In
one the summer girl was all lace and parasol^
in another there was a rude fisherman, then^
some boys were dressed to look like dandies,
and they seemed to enjoy themselves more than
did the people looking at them. There was
also a craft fixed up to look like a small gun«
boat.
Hal and Bert then paddled along.
They were perfect Indians, even having thek
s40 THE BOBBSEY TWINS Alt THE SEASHORE.
^aces browned with dark powder. Susan'3
feather duster had been dissected to make up
the boys' headgear, and two overall suits, witl'
jumpers, had been slashed to pieces to make,
the Indiar ^nits. The canoe, of course, made
a great stir.
**Who are they?" everybody wanted to
know. But no one could guess.
"Oh, look at tliis!" called the people, as an
old boat with two little girls drifted along.
The Fisherman's Daughters !
Perhaps it was because there was so much
gayety around that these little girls looked so
real. From the side of their weather-beaten
boat dragged an old fishnet. Each girl had
on her head a queer half-hood, black, and from
undf.r this Nellie's brown hair fell in tangles on
her bare shoulders, and Dorothy's beautiful
yellow ringlets framed in her own pretty face.
The children wore queer bodices, like those
seen in pictures of Dutch girls, and full skirts
of dark stuff finished out their costumes.
As they sat in the boat and looked out to
sea, *'watching for the fisherman's return,'*
their attitude and pose were perfect.
THE BOAT CARNIVAL I4I
The people did not even cheer. They
seemed spellbound.
"That child is an actress," they said, noting
the **real" look on Nellie's face. But Nellie
was not acting. She was waiting for the lost
father at sea.
When would he come back to herr
CHAPTER XIV
THE FIRST PRIZE
When tne last craft in the procession nad
passed the judges' stand, and the Httle lake was
alive with decorations and nautical novelties,
Everybody, of course, in the boats and on land,
was anxious to know who would get the prizes.
There were four to be given, ana the fortu-
nate ones could have gifts in siher articles or
the value in money, just as they ^.hose.
Everybody waited anxiously, when the man
at the judges' stand stood up and called
through the big megaphone :
*'Let the Fisherman's Daughters pass down
io the stand !"
"Oh, we are going to get a prize," Dorothy
said to Nellie "I'll just cut the line to Harry's
Iboat and row back to the stand."
Then, when the two little girls sailed out all
ii* themselves, Dorothy rowing gracefully,
THE FIRST PRIZE 14-5
while Nellie helped some, although not accuS'
tomed to the oars, the people fairly shouted.
For a minute the girls waited in front of the
stando But the more people inspected them the
better they appeared. Finally, the head judge
stood up.
"First prize is awarded to the Fisherman's
Daughters," he announced.
The cheering that followed his words
showed the approval of the crowd. Nellie and
Dorothy were almost frightened at the noise.
Then they rowed their boat to the edge, and as
the crowd gathered around them to offer con-
gratulations, the other prizes were awarded.
The second prize went to the Indians !
**Lucky they don't know us," said Hal to
Bert, *'for they would never let the two best
prizes get in one set." The Indians were cer-
tainly well made-up, and their canoe a perfect
redman's bark.
The third prize went to the "Sea-serpent,**
for being the funniest boat in the procession;
and the fourth to the gunboat. Then came a
great shouting!
A perfect day had added to the success of
i(44 '^"E BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE Si'ASMORfe
ithe carnival, and now many people adjourned
rx> the pavilion, where a reception was held,
^nd good things to eat were bountifully served.
"But who was the Httle girl with Dorothy
Minturn?" asked the mayor's wife. Of
course everybody knew Dorothy, but Nellie
was a stranger.
Mrs. Minturn, Mrs. Bobbsey, Aunt Sarah,
M'rs. Bingham, and Mrs Blake, the latter be-
ng the mayor's wife, had a little corner in the
pavilion to themselves. Here Nellie's story
was quietly told.
'*How nice it was she got the prize," said
Mrs, Blake, after hearing about Nellie's hard-
ships. ''I think we had better have it in monty
•—and we might add something to it," she sug-
gested. *'I am sure Mr. Blake would he glad
to. He often gives a prize himself. I'll just
'Speak to him."
Of course Dorothy was to share the prize,
and she accepted a pretty silver loving cup.
But what do you suppose they gave Nellie?
Fifty dollars!
Was not that perfectly splendid?
The prize for Nellie was twenty-five dollarsi,
THE FIRST PRIZE 1 45
fefut urged by Mrs. Blake, the mayor added to it
his own check for the balance.
Naturally Nellie wanted to go right home
ro her mother with it, and nothing about thf
reception had any interest for her after she re
ceived the big check. However, Mrs. Bobbse>
insisted that Mr. Minturn would take the
money to Nellie's mother the next day, so the
little girl had to be content.
Then, when all the festivities were over^ and
£he children's excitement had brought them to
bed very tired that night, Nellie sat by her
window and looked out at the sea !
Always the same prayer, but to-night, some-
how, it seemed answered !
Was it the money for mother that made the
father seem so near?
The roaring waves seemed to call out :
''Nellie — Nellie dear! Fm coming-— coming
home to you !'*
And while the little girl was thus dreaming
upstairs, Mr. Minturn down in the libary was
telling about his visit to Nellie's mother.
"There is no doubt about it," he told Mrs.
Bobbsey. 'It was I^ellie's father who went
<46 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHOrtE
away with George Bingham, and it was cer-
tainly that schooner that was sighted some
days ago."
The ladies, of course, were overjoyed at the
prospect of the best of luck for Nellie, — her
father's possible return, — and then it was de-
cided that Uncle William should again go to
Mrs. McLaughlin, this time to take her the
prize money, and that Mrs. Bobbsey should go
along with him, as it was such an important
errand.
"And you remember that little pearl that
Nellie found on the beach? Well, I'm having
it sev m a ring for her. It is a real pearl, but
not very valuable, yet I thought it would be a
souvenir of her visit at the Cliffs," said Mr.
Minturn.
"That will be very nice," declared Mrs.
Bobbsey ^T am sure no one deserves to be
made happy more than that child does, for
just fancy, how she worked in that store as
cash girl until her health gave way. And
now she is anxious to go back to the store
again. Of course she is worried about her
mother, but the prize money ought to help
THE FIRST PRIZE 14?
MrSe McLaughlin so that NelHe would not
need to cut her vacation short."
"What kind of treasure was it that thes'
men went to sea after?" Aunt Emily asked
Uncle William.
*'A cargo of mahogany," Mr. Minturn re-
plied» "You see, that wood is scarce now,
a cargo is worth a fortune, and a shipload
was being brought from the West Indies to
New York when a storm blew the vessel out
to a very dangerous point. Of course, the
vessel was wrecked, and so were two others
that later attempted to reach the valuable
cargOo You see the wind always blows the
one way there^ and it is impossible to get the
mahogany out of its trap. Now, George Bing-
ham was offered fifty thousand dollars to bring
that wood to port, and he decided that he could
do it by towing each log around the reef by
canoes. The logs are very heavy, each one is
worth between eighty and one hundred dollars,
but the risk meant such a reward, in case of
success, that they went at it. Of course the real
danger is around the wreck. Once free from
that point and the remainder of the voyage
148 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASH( A'^iL
would be only subject to the usual ocean
storms."
*'And those men were to go through the
dangerous waters in Httle canoes!" exclaimed
Aunt Emily.
"But the danger was mostly from winds to
the sails of vessels," explained Uncle William.
''Small craft are safest in such waters."
*'And if they succeeded in bringing the ma-
hogany in?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey.
"Nellie would be comparatively rich, for her
father went as George Bingham's partner,"
'inished Mr Minturn.
So, the evening went into night, and Nellie,
die Fisherman's Daughter, slept on, to dream
that the song of the waves came true.
TOWARD THIS LITTLE ISLAND THE CHILDREN S BOAT
WAS NOW DRIFTING.
The Bobbsey Twins at the Seashore. Page 152
CHAPTER XV
LOST ON AN ISLAND
The calm that always follows a storm set-
tled down upon the Cliffs the day after the
carnival The talk of the entire summer settle-
ment was Nellie and her prize, and naturally,
the little girl herself thought of home and the
lonely mother, who was going to receive such
a surprise — fifty dollars !
It was a pleasant morning, and Freddie and
Flossie were out watching Downy trying to
get through the fence that the boys had built
to keep him out of the ocean. Freddie had a
pretty little boat Uncle William had brought
down from the city. It had sails, that really
caught the wind, and carried the boat along.
Of course Freddie had a long cord tied to
it, so it could not get out of his reach, and
while Flossie tried to steer the vessel with a
kwig whip^ Freddie made believe he was a
M9
150 THE BOBBSEY T\VlNS AT THE SEASHORW
canal man, and walked along the tow path
with the cord in hand.
"I think I would have got a prize in the
boat parade if I had this steamer," said Fred-
die, feeling his craft was really as fine as any
that had taken part in the carnival.
"Maybe you would," agreed Flossie. "Novi
let me sail it a little."
"All right," said Freddie, and he offered
the cord to his twin sister.
"Oh," she exclaimed, "I dropped it !"
The next minute the little boat made a turn
with the breeze, and before Flossie could get
hold of the string it was all in the water !
"Oh, my boat!" cried Freddie. "Get it
quick !"
"I can't!" declared Flossie. "It is out too
far ! Oh, what shall we do !"
"Now you just get it! You let it go," went
on the brother, without realizing that his sister
could not reach the boat, nor the string either,
lor that matter.
"Oh, it's going far away!" cried Flossie,
almost in tears.
The little boat was certainly making its Mray
LOST ON AN ISLAND 151
out into the lake, and it sailed along so proudly.
It must have been very glad to be free.
"There's Hal Bingham's boat," ventured
Flossie, "Maybe I could go out a little v^ays
in that."
*'0f course you can," promptly ansv^ered
Freddie, "I can rov^."
"I don't knov^'-, we might upset,'* Flossie
said, hesitating.
"But it isn't deep. Why, Downy walks
around out here," went on the brother.
This assurance gave the little girl courage,
and slipping the rope off the peg that secured
the boat to the shore, very carefully she put
Freddie on one seat, while she sat herself on
tlie other.
The oars were so big she dici not attempt to
handle them, but just depended on the boat to
do its own sailing.
"Isn't this lovely!" declared Freddie, as the
boat drifted quietly along.
"Yes, but how can we get back?" asked
J^ossie, beginning to realize their predicament.
"Oh, easy!" replied Freddie, who suddenly
seemed to ha\ e become a man, he was so braver
T.$2 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEaSHORS
'*The tide comes down pretty soon, and then
our boat will go back to shore."
Freddie had heard so mwch about the tide he
felt he understood it perfectly. Of course,
there w^as no tide on the lake, although the
waters ran lazily toward the ocean at times.
"But we are not getting near my boat,"
Freddie complained, for indeed the toy sailboat
was drifting just opposite their way.
*'Well, I can't help it, Fm sure," cried Flos-
sie. *'And I just wish I could get back. Fm
going to call somebody."
*'Nobody can hear you," said her brother,
^*They are all down by the ocean, and there's
so much noise there you can't even hear
thunder."
Where the deep woods joined the lake there
was a little island. This was just around the
turn, and entirely out of view of either the
Mintum or the Bingham boat landing. To-
ward this little island the children's boat was
now drifting.
"Oh, we'll be real Robinson Crusocs?" ex
claimed Freddie, delighted at the prospect o'.
such an adventure.
LOST ON AN ISLAND 1 53
"I don't want to be no Robinson Crusoe T
pouted his sister. "I just want to get bacli
home/' and she began to cry.
"We're going to bunk," announced Freddie,
as at that minute the boat did really bump into
the little island. "Come, Flossie, let us get
ashore," said the brother, in that superior way
that had come to him in their distress.
Flossie willingly obeyed.
"Be careful!" she cautioned. "Don't step
out till I get hold of your hand. It is awfully
?asy to slip getting out of a boat."
Fortunately for the little ones they had hetn
taught to be cartiul when around boats, so that
they were able to take care of themselves pretty
well, even in their present danger.
Once on land, Flossie's fears left her, and
she immediately set about picking the pretty
little water flowers, that grew plentifully
among the ferns and flag lilies,
"I'm going to build a hut," said Freddie,
putting pieces of dry sticks up against a willow
tree* Soon the children became so interested
they did not notice their boat drift away, and
really leave them all alone on the island !
154 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
In the meantime everybody at the house wa*
looking for tlie twins. Their first fear, ot
course, was the ocean, and down to the beach
Mrs. Bobbsey, Aunt Sarah, and the boys hur-
ried, while Aunt Emily and the girls made
their way to the Gypsy Camp, fearing the
fortune tellers might have stolen the children
in order to get money for bringing them back
again.
Dorothy walked boldly up to the tent. An
old woman sat outside and looked very wicked,
her face was so dark and her hair so black
and tangled.
"Have you seen a little boy and girl around
here?" asked Dorothy, looking straight inta
the tent.
"No, nobody round here. Tell your fortune^
lady?" This to Aunt Emily, who waited io^
Dorothy.
"Not to-day," answered Aunt Emily. "Wc
are looking for two children. Are you sure
you have not seen them ?"
"No, lady. Gypsy tell lady's fortune, then,
lady find them," she suggested, with that trick
tier class always uses, trying to impose OH
LOST ON AN ISLAND I5S
persons in trouble with the suggestion of help-
ing them out of it.
"No, we have not time/' insisted Aunt
Emily; really quite alarmed now that there
was no trace of the little twins.
"Let me look through your tent?" asked
Dorothy, bravely.
"What for?" demanded the old woman.
"To make sure the children are not hiding,'*
and without waiting for a word from the old
woman, Dorothy walked straight into that
gypsy tent!
Even Aunt Emily was frightened.
Suppose somebody inside should keep Dor-
othy?
"Come out of my house!" muttered the
Woman, starting after Dorothy.
"Come out, Dorothy," called her mother,
but the girl was making her way through the
old beds and things inside, to make sure there
was no Freddie or Flossie to be found in th6
lent.
It was a small place, of course, and it did not
take Dorothy very long to search it.
Presently she appeared again, much to the
256 THE BOBBSEY TWINS \T THE SEASHORE
relief of her mother, Nan, and Nellie, who
waited breathlessly outside.
'They are not around here," said Dorothy.
'*Now, mother, give the old woman some
change to make up for my trespassing.*'
Aunt Emily took a coin from hci chatelaine.
'Thank the lady! Good lady," exclaimed
ihe old gypsy. "Lady find her babies; babies
play — see!" (And she pretended to look into
the future with some dirty cards.) ''Babies
play in woods. Natalie sees babies picking
flowers.**
Now, how could anybody evei guess that
the old g3^psy had just come down from pick-
ing dandelions by the lake, where she really
had seen Freddie and Flossie on the island?
And how could anybody know that she was
too wicked to tell Aunt Emily this, but was
waiting until night, to bring the children back
home herself, and get a reward for doing so?
She had seen the boat drift away and she
knew the little ones were helpless to return
home unless someone found them.
Mrs. Bobbsey and the boys were now com-
ing up from the beach.
LOST ON AN ISLAND l$2
What, at first, seemed only a mishap, now
looked like a very serious matter.
"We must go to the woods," insisted Dor*
othy. "Maybe that old woman knew they
were in the woods."
But as such things always happen, th«
searchers went to the end of the woods, far
aw^ay from the island. Of course they all
called loudly, and the boys gave the familial
yodel, but the noise of the ocean made it in>-
possible for the call to reach Freddie and
Flossie.
"Oh, Fm so afraid they are drowned T* ex-
claimed Mrs. Bobbsey, breaking down and cry-
ing.
"No, mamma," insisted Nan, "I am sure
they are not. Flossie is so afraid of the water,
and Freddie always minds Flossie. They must
be playing somewhere. Maybe they are home
by this time," and so it was agreed to go back
to the house and if the little ones were not
there — then
"But they must be there," insisted Nellie,
starting on a run over the swampy grounds io°
ward the Cliffs.
158 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
And all this time Freddie and Flossie were
quite unconcerned playing on the island.
''Oh, there's a man!" shouted Freddie, see-
ing someone in the woods. **Maybe it's Fri-
day. Say there, Mister!" he shouted. **Say,
will you help us get to land ?"
The man heard the child's voice and hurried
to ^^e edge of the lake.
*'Wall, I declare!" he exclaimed, *'if them
babies ain't lost out there. And here comes
their boat. Well, I'll just fetch them in before
they try to swim out," he told himself, swing-
ing into the drifting boat, and with the stout
stick he had in his hand, pushing off for the
little island.
The island was quite near to shore on that
side, and it w^as only a few minutes' work for
the man to reach the children.
"What's your name?" he demanded, as soon
as he touched land.
"Freddie Bobbsey," spoke up the little fel-
low, bravely, "and we live at the Cliffs."
"You do, eh? Then it was your brothers
who brought my cow home, so I can pay them
back by taking you home now. I can't row to
LOST ON AN ISLAND I5§
the far shore with this stick, so we'll have to
tramp it through the woods. Come along,"
and carefully he lifted the little ones into the
boat, pushing to the woods, and started off to
walk the round-about way, through the woods,
to the bridge, then along the road back to the
Cliffs, where a whole household was in orreBfi
distress because of the twins' absence.
CHAPTER XVI
DOROTHY'S DOINGS
**Here they come !" called Nellie, who was
searching around the barn, and saw the farmei
with the two children crossing the hill.
"Fm Robinson Crusoe!" insisted Freddie,
**and this is my man, Friday," he added, point-
ing to the farmer.
Of course it did not take long to clear up
the mystery of the little ones' disappearance.
But since his return Freddie acted like a hero,
and certainly felt like one, and Flossie brought
home with her a dainty bouquet of pink sebatia,
that rare little flower so like a tiny wild rose.
The farmer refused to take anything for his
time and trouble, being glad to do our friends
a favor.
Aunt Sarah and Harry were to leave for
Meadow Brook that afternoon, but the worry
over the children being lost made Aunt Sarab
DOROTHY'S DOINGS i6a
feel quite unequal to the journey, so Aunt
Emily prevailed upon her to wait another day.
"There are so many dangers around here,"
remarked Aunt Sarah, when all the "scare**
was over. "It is different in the country. We
never worry about lost children out in Meadow
Brook."
"But 1 often got lost out there," insisted
Freddie. "Don't you remember?"
Aunt Sarah had some recollection of the Ut-
ile fellow's adventures in that line, and laughed
over them, now that they were recalled.
Late that afternoon Dorothy, Nan, and Nel-
lie had a conference: that is, they talked with
their heads so close together not even Flossie
rould get an idea of what they were plan«
mng. But it was certainly mischief, for Dor«
Dthy had most to say, and she would rather
have a good joke than a good dinner any day;,
so Susan said.
Harry, Hal^ and Bert had been chasing
through the woods after a queer-looking bird.
It was large, and had brilliant feathers, and
when it rested for a moment on a tree it would
0l^ at the bark as if it were trying to pla^
I62 THE iiOBlJSEY TWINS AT THE SEA.^IlUkE
a tune with its beak. Each time it struck tlit
bark its head bobbed up and down in a queer
way for a bird. But the boys could not get
it. They set Hal's trap, and even used an aii
rifle in hopes of bringing it down without kill-
ing it, but the bird fluttered from place to
place, not in a very great hurry, but just fast
enough to keep the boys busy chasing it.
That evening, at dinner, the strange bird
was much talked about.
"Dat's a ban-shee!'* declared Dinah, jok-
ingly. *'Dat bird came to bring a message
kom somebody. You boys will hear dat to-
night, see if you doesn't," and she gave a very
mysterious wink at Dorothy, who just then
nearly choked with her dessert.
A few hours later the house w^as all quiet.
The happenings of the day brought a wel-
come night, and tired little heads comfortably
'hugged their pillows.
It must have been about midnight, Bert was
positive he had just heard the clock strike a
lot of rings, surely a dozen or so, when at his
window came a queer sound, like something
pecking. At first Bert got it mixed up with his
DOROTHYS DOINGS iGf
dreams, but as it continued longer and loudei.
?ie called to Harry, who slept in the alcove ir,
Bert's room, and together the boys listened,
attentively.
'That's the strange bird," declared Harry.
*'Sure enough it is bringing us a message, as
Dinah said," and while the boys took the girl's
words in a joke, they really seemed to be com-
ing true.
''Don't light the gas," cautioned Bert, "of
that will surely frighten it off. We can get our
air guns, and I'll go crawl out on the veranda
roof back of it, so as to get it if possible."
All this time the "peck-peck-peck" kept at
the window, but just as soon as Bert went out
in the hall to make his way through the store-
room window to the veranda roof, the pecking
ceased. Harry hurried after Bert to tell him
the bird was gone, and then together the boys
put their heads out of their own window.
But there was not a sound, not even the dis
tant flutter of a bird's wing to tell the boys
the messenger had gone.
"Back to bed for us," said Harry, laughing.
**I guess that bird is a joker and wants to keep
«64 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORB
«s busy," and both boys being healthy were
quite ready to fall off to sleep as soon as they
felt it was of no use to stay awake longer look-
ing for their feathered visitor.
"There it is again,"* called Bert, when Harry
had just begun to dream of hazelnuts in
Meadow Brook. "I'll get him this time!" and
without waiting to go through the storeroom,
Bert raised the window and bolted out on the
roof.
"What's de matter down dere?" called
Dinah from the window above. "Tears like
as if you boys had de nightmare. Can't you
kt nobody get a wink ob sleep? Ebbery time
I puts my head down, bang ! comes a noise and
ap pops m)r head. Now, what's a-ailin' ob
you, Bert?" and the colored girl showed by
her tone of voice she was not a bit angry, but
•chock-full of laugh," as Bert whispered to
Harry.
But the boys had not caught the bird, had
MOt even seen it, for that matter.
Both Bert and Harry were now on the roof
m their pajamas.
"What's— the— matter— there?" called Dor-
DOROTHY'S DOINGS 165
othy, in a very drowsy voice, from her window
at the other end of the roof.
"What are you boys after?*' called Uncle
William, from a middle window.
"Anything the matter?'' asked Aunt Sarah^
anxiously, from the spare room.
"Got a burgulor?" shrieked Freddie, from
the nursery.
"Do you want any help?" offered Susan, her
head out of the top-floor window.
All these questions came so thick and fast
on the heads of Bert and Harry that the boys
had no idea of answering them. Certainly the
bird was nowhsre to be seen, and they did not
feel like advertising their "April-fool game**
to the whole house, so they decided to crawl
into bed again and let others do the same
The window in the boys' room was a bay,
and each time the pecking disturbed them, they
thought the sound came from a different part
Df the window. Bert said it was the one at the
§eft, so where the "bird" called from was left
ai mystery.
But neither boy had time to close his ey^
miore the noise started up again!
l66 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SP:ASH0RE
*'\VelI, if that isn't a ghost it certainly is a
ban-shee, as Dinah said," whispered Bert
^Tm going out to Uncle William's room and
tell him. Maybe he will have better luck than
we had," and so saying, Bert crept out into
the hall and down two doors to his uncle's
room.
Uncle William had also heard the sound.
"Don't make a particle of noise," cautioned
the uncle, "and we can go up in the cupola and
slide down a post so quietly the bird will not
hear us," and as he said this, he, in his bath
robe, went cautiously up the attic stairs, out of
a small window, and slid down the post be-
fore Bert had time to draw his own breath.
But there was no bird to be seen anywhere!
"T heard it this very minute !" declared
Harr}% from the window.
"It might be bats!" suggested Uncle Wil-
liam. "But listen ! I thought I heard the girls
laughing," and at that moment an audible
titter was making its way out of Nan's
room!
'That's Dorothy's doings!" declared Uncle
William, getting ready to laugh hixnseli
DOROTHY'S DOINGS iGf
'■'She's always pla3nng tricks," and he began to
feci about the outside ledge of the bay window.
But there was nothing there to solve the
-oiystery.
"A tick-tack!" declared Harry, 'T\\ bet,
from the girls' room!" and without waiting
for another word he jumped out of his win-
dow, ran along the roof to Nan's room, and
^hen grabbed something.
"Here it is!" he called, confiscating the of-
fending property. "You just wait, girls!" he
shouted in the window. "If we don't give
you a good ducking in the ocean for this
to-morrow !"
The laugh of the three girls in Nan's room
made the joke on the boys more complete, and
as Uncle William went back to his room he
declared to Mrs. Bobbsey and Aunt Emily that
his girl, Dorothy, was more fun than a dozen
boys, and he would match her against that
number for the best piece of good-natured
fun ever played.
"A bird !" sneered Bert, making fun of him-
self for being so easily fooled.
*'A girls' game of tick-tack!" laughed'
iMft THB BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
Harry, making np his mind that if he did
not "get back at Dorothy," he would certainly
have to haul in his colors as captain of the
Boys' Brigade of Meadow Brook; "for she
certainly did fool me," he admitted, turning
over to sleep at last
CHAPTER XVII
OLD FRIENDS
**Now, Aunt Sarah," pleaded Nan, the nexi
morning, "you might just as well wait and go
home on the excursion train. Ail Meadow
Brook will be down, and it will be so much
pleasanter for you. The train will be here by
noon and leave at three o'clock.'*
"But think of the hour that would bring us
to Meadow Brook !" objected Aunt Sarah.
"Well, you will have lots of company, and
if Uncle Daniel shouldn't meet you, you can
ride up with the Hopkinses or anybody along
your road."
Mrs. Bobbsey and Aunt Emily added theif
entreaties to Nan's, and Aunt Sarah finally
agreed to wait.
"If I keep on," she said, "I'll be here all slim-
mer. And think of the fruit that's waiting t@
be preserved!"
169
SJO THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
''Hurrah !" shouted Bert, giving his aunt a
good hug. 'Then Harry and I can have a fine
time with the Meadow Brook boys," and Ber'
dashed out to take the good news to Harry and
Hal Bingham, who were out at the donkey
house.
"Come on, fellows!" he called. ''Down to
the beach ! We can have a swim before the
crowd gets there." And with renewed inter-
est the trio started off for the breakers.
"I would like to live at the beach all sum-
mer," remarked Harry. "Even in winter it
must be fine here."
"It is," said Hal. "But the winds blow
everything away regularly, and they all have
to be carted back again each spring. This
shore, with all its trimmings now, will look
like a bald head by the first of December."
All three boys were fine swimmers, and they
promptly struck off for the water that was
"straightened out," as Bert said, beyond the
tearing of the breakers at the edge. There
were few people in the surf and the boys
made their way around as if they owned the
ocean.
OLD FRIENDS I71
Suddenly Hal thought he heard a call !
Then a man's arm appeared above the
water's surface, a few yards away.
•'Cramps," yelled Hal to Harry and Bert,
while all three hurried to where the man's hand
had been seen.
But it did not come up again.
*'ril dive down!" spluttered Hal, who had
the reputation of being able to stay a long time
under water.
It seemed quite a while to Bert and Harry
before Hal came up again, but when he did he
was trying to pull with him a big, fat man,
v/ho was all but unconscious.
**Can't move," gasped Hal, as the heavy bur-
den was pulling him down.
Bit by bit the man with cramps gained a
little strength, and with the boys' help he was
towed in to shore.
There was not a life-guard in sight, and Hal
had to hurry off to the pier for some restora-
tives, for the man was very weak. On liis way,
Hal met a guard who, of course, ran to the
spot where Harry and Bert were giving the
man artificial respiration.
if2 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
**Yoii boys did well!'' declared the guard,
promptly, seeing how hard tliey worked with
the sick man.
"Yes — they saved — my life!" gasped the
half-drowned man. "This little fellow" —
pointing to Hal — "brought — me up — almost —
from — the bottom !" and he caught his breath,
painfully.
The man was assisted to a room at the end
of the pier, and after a little while he became
much better. Of course the boys did not stand
around, being satisfied they could be of no
more use.
*T must get those lads' names," declared the
man to the guard. "Mine is ," and he
gave the name of the famous millionaire who
had a magnificent summer home in another
colony, three miles away.
"And you swam from the Cedars, Mr.
Black," exclaimed tlie guard. ''No wonder
you got cramps."
An hour later the millionaire was walking
the beach looking for the life-savers. He
finally spied Hal.
"Here, there, you boy," he called, and Hal
OLD FRIENDS I73
came in to the edge, but hardly recognized the
man in street clothes.
**I want your name," demanded th^
stranger. **Do you know there are medals
given to young heroes like you?"
**0h, that was nothing," stammered Hal,
quite confused now.
"Nothing! Why, I was about dead, and
pulled on you with all my two hundred pounds.
You knew, too, you had hardly a chance to
bring me up. Yes, indeed, I want your name,"
and as he insisted, Hal reluctantly gave it, but
felt quite foolish to make such a fuss "over
nothing," as he said.
It was now about time for the excursion
train to come in, so the boys left the water and
prepared to meet their old friends.
"I hope Jack Hopkins comes," said Bert, for
Jack was a great friend.
"Oh, he will be along," Harry remarked.
^^Nobody likes a good time better than Jack."
"Here they come!" announced Hal, the nexl
gninute, as a crowd of children with many
Sunch bo3 ^c, came running down to the ocean,
•*Hello there! Hello there!" called every*
174 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEAbKG: E
body at once, for, of course, all the .^hildren
knew Harry and many also knew Bert
There were Tom Mason, Jack Hopkins.
August Stout, and Ned Prentice in the first
crowd, while a number of girls, friends of
Nan's, were in another group. Nan, Nellie,
and Dorothy had been detained by somebody
further up on the road, but were now coming
down, slowly.
Such a delight as the ocean was to the coun-
try children !
As each roller slipped out on the sands the
children unconsciously followed it, and so
many unsuspected pairs of shoes were caught
by the next wave that washed in.
*'Well, here comes Uncle Daniel!" called
Bert, as, sure enough, down to the edge came
Uncle Daniel with Dorothy holding on one
arm, Nan clinging to the other, while Nellie
carried his small satchel.
Santa Claus could hardly have been more
welcome to tlie Bobbseys at that moment than
was Uncle Daniel. They simr>1v ovc/povvcred
him, as the surprise of his conin.^ iiade the
treat so much better. The girls had 'dragged
OLD FRIENDS I7|
hlm^* down to the ocean, he said, when he had
mtended first going to Aunt Emily's.
*1 must see the others/' he insisted; "Fred-
die and Flossie."
"Oh, they are all coming down," Nan as-
sured him. "Aunt Sarah, too, is coming."
"All right, then," agreed Uncle Daniel, "I'll
wait awhile. Well, Harry, you look like an
Indian. Can you see through that coat of
tan?"
Harry laughed and said he had been an
Indian in having a good time.
Presently somebody jumped up on Uncle
Daniel's back. As he was sitting on the sands
the shock almost brought him down. Of
course it was Freddie, who was so overjoyed
he really treated the good-natured uncle a little
roughly.
"Freddie boy! Freddie boy!" exclaimed
Uncle Daniel, giving his nephew a good long
hug. "And you have turned Indian, tool
Where's that sea-serpent you w^ere going to
catch for me?"
"I'll get him yet," declared the little fellow.
'*It hasn't rained hardly since we came dowiij,
tyC THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASH0R?-8
and they only come in to land out of the
rain.'*
This explanation made Uncle Daniel laugh
heartily. The whole family sat around on the
sands, and it was like being in the country and
at the seashore at the one time, Flossie de-
clared.
The boys, of course, were in the water.
August Stout had not learned much about
swimming since he fell off the plank while fish-
ing in Meadow Brook, so that out in the waves
the other boys had great fun with their fat
friend.
"And there is Nettie Prentice!" exclaimed
Nan, suddenly, as she espied her little country
friend looking through the crowd, evidently
searching for friends.
"Oh, Nan!" called Nettie, in delight, "I'm
just as glad to see you as I am to see the ocean,
and I never saw that before," and the two
h'ttle girls exchanged greetings of genuine love
for each other.
"Won't wc have a perfectly splendid time?"
declared Nan. "Dorothy, my cousin, is so
joUy, and here's Nellie — ^you remember her?**
OLD FRIENDS 177
Of course Nettie did remember her, and now
all the little girls went around hunting for fun
in every possible corner where fun might he
hidden.
As soon as the boys were satisfied with their
bath they went in search of the big sun um-
brellas, so that Uncle William, Aunt Emily,
Mrs. Bobbsey, and Aunt Sarah might sit under
the sunshades, while eating lunch. Then the
boys got long boards and arranged them from
bench to bench in picnic style, so that all the
Meadow Brook friends might have a pleasant
time eating their box lunches.
"Let's make lemonade,'' suggested Hal. "I
know where I can get a pail of nice clean
water."
**ril buy the lemons," offered Harry.
*1'11 look after sugar," put in Bert.
"And ril do the mixing," declared August
Stout, while all set to work to produce the
wonderful picnic lemonade.
"Now, don't go putting in white sand in-
stead of sugar," teased Uncle Daniel, as the
"caterers," with sleeves rolled up, worked hard
over the lemonade.
178 TflE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
''What can we use for cups?" asked Nan.
''Oh, I know," said Harry, "over at the
Indian stand they have a lot of gourds, the
kind of mock oranges that Mexicans drink out
of. I can buy them for five cents each, and
after the picnic we can bring them home and
hang them up for souvenirs."
"Just the thing!" declared Hal, who had a
great regard for things that hang up and look
like curios. "I'll go along and help you make
the bargain."
When the boys came back they had a dozen
of the funny drinking cups.
The long crooked handles were so queer that
each person tried to get the cup to his or her
•.aouth in a different way.
"We stopped at the hydrant and washed
the gourds thoroughly," declared Hal, "so you
need not expect to find any Mexican diamonds
in them."
"Or tarantulas," put in Uncle Daniel.
"What's them ?" asked Freddie, with an ear
for anything that sounded like a menagerie.
"A very bad kind of spider, that sometimes
comes in fruit from other countries," explained
OLD FRIENDS 1 79
Uncle Daniel. Then Nan filled his gourd from
the dipper that stood in the big pail of lemon-
ade, and he smacked his lips in appreciation.
There was so much to do and so much to see
that the few hours allov/ed the excursionists
slipped by all too quickly. Dorothy ran away
and soon returned with her donkey cart, to
take Nettie Prentice and a few of Nettie's
friends for a ride along the beach. Nan and
Nellie did not go, preferring to give the treat
to the little country girls.
*'Now don't go far," directed Aunt Emily,
for A.unt Sarah and Uncle Daniel were already
leaving the beach to make ready for the train.
Of course Harry and Aunt Sarah were all
''packed up" and had very little to do at Aunt
Emily's before starting.
Hal and Bert were sorry, indeed, to have
Harry go, for Harry was such a good leader
in outdoor sports, his country training always
standing by him in emergencies.
Finally Dorothy came back with the girls
from their ride, and the people were beginning
to crowd into the long line of cars that waited
on a switch near the station.
l8o THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
"Now, Nettie, be sure to write to me," said
Nan, bidding her little friend good-by.
"And come down next year," insisted Dor-
othy.
"I had such a lovely time," declared Nettie.
**rm sure I will come again if I can."
The Meadow Brook Bobbseys had secured
good seats in the middle car, — Aunt Sarah
thought that the safest, — and now the loco-
motive whistle was tooting, calling the few
stragglers who insisted od waiting at the beach
until the very last minute.
Freddie wanted to cry when he realized that
Uncle Daniel, Aunt Sarah, and even Harry
were going away, but with the promises of
meeting again Christmas, and possibly Thanks-
giving, all the good-bys were said, and the
excursion train puffed out on its long trip to
dear old Meadow Brook, and beyond.
CHAprER xvni
THE STORM
When Uncle William Mlnturn came m
Irom the city that evening he had some myste=
nous newSc Everybody guessed it was about
Nellie, but as surprises were always cropping
up at Ocean Cliff, the news was kept secret
and the whispering increasedc
"I had hard work to get her to come," said
Uncle William to Mrs. Bobbsey, still guarditij^
the mystery, ''but I finally prevailed upon
her and she will be down on the morning
train."
"Poor woman, I am sure it will do hex'
good," remarked Mrs. Bobbsey. "Your house
has been a regular hotel this summer," she said
to Mn Minturn.
'^That's what we are here for," he replied
I8t
iS2 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
"Wc would not have much pleasure, I am sure
if our friends were not around us."
"Did you hear anything more about the lar,t
vessel ?" asked Aunt Emily.
*'Yes, I went down to the general office to-
day, and an incoming steamer was sure it was
die West Indies vessel that was sighted four
days ago/'
'Then they should be near port now ?" asked
Mrs. Bobbsey.
"They ought to be," replied Uncle William,
'*but the cargo is so heavy, and the sclioonei
such a very slow sailer, that it takes a long time
to cover the distance."
Next morning, bright and early, Doroth]!
had the donkeys in harness.
**We are going to the station to meet som«
friends, Nellie/' she said. "Come along?'*
"What! More company?" exclaimed Nel-
lie. "I really ought to go home. I am well
and strong now."
"Indeed you can't go until we let you," said
Oorothy, laughing. "I suppose you think all
die fun went with Harry," she added, teas-
**igty> for Dorothy knew Nellie had been ac^
THF STORM 1^5.
^
ing lonely ever since the carnival. She was
surely homesick to see her mother and talk
about the big prize.
The two girls had not long to wait at the
station, for the train pulled in just as they
reached the platform. Dorothy looked about
a little uneasily.
"Vv^e must watch for a lady in a linen suit
with black hat," she said to Nellie; *'ahe's a
stranger.''
That very minute the linen suit appeared.
*'0h, oh !" screamed Nellie, unable to get her
words. *'There is my mother!" and the next
thing Dorothy knew, Nellie was trying tc
"wear the same linen dress" that the stranger
appeared in — at least, that was how Dorothy
afterv/ards told about Nellie's meeting with
her mother.
"My daughter!" exclaimed the lady, *T
have been so lonely I came tc bring you home.''
"And this is Dorothy," said Nellie, recover-
ing herself. "Dorothy is my best friend, next
to Nan."
"You have surely been among good friends,"
declared the mother, "for you have gotten the
«84 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
roses back in your cheeks again. How wel*
you do look !"
*'0h, I've had a perfectly fine time," declared
Nellie.
*Tine and dandy." repeated Dorothy, un
able to restrain her fun-making spirit.
At a glance Dorothy saw why Nellie, al-
though poor, was so genteel, for her mother
was one of those fine-featured women that seem
especially fitted to say gentle things to children
Mrs. McLaughlin w^as not old, — no older
than Nan's mother, — and she had that won^
derfu? wealth of brown hair, just like Nellie's.
Her eyes were brown, too, while Nellie'^ wer6
blue, but otherwise Nellie was much like hei
mother, so people said.
Aunt Emily and Mrs. Bobbsey had visited
Mrs. McLaughlin in the city, so that they were
quite well acquainted wdien the donkey cart
drove up, and they all had a laugh over the
surprise to Nellie. Of course that was Uncle
William's secret, and the mystery of the whis-
pering the evening before.
"But w^e must go back on the afternoon
train," insisted Mrs. McLaughlin, who had
THE STORM 1 85
really only come down to the shore to bring
Nellie home.
"Indeed, no," objected Aunt Emily, "that
would be too much traveling in one day. You
may go early in the morning."
"Everybody is going home," sighed Doro-
thy. "I suppose you will be the next to go,
Nan," and she looked quite lonely at the
prospect.
"We are going to have a big storm," de-
clared Susan, who had just come in from the
village. "We have had a long dry spell, now
we are going to make up for it."
"Dear me," sighed Mrs. McLaughlin, '1
wish we had started for home."
"Oh, there's lots of fun here in a storm,**
jaughed Dorothy. "The ocean always tries to
lick up the whole place, but it has to be satisfied
with pulling down pavilions and piers. Last
year the water really went higher than the gas
lights along the boulevard."
"Then that must mean an awful storm at
sea," reflected Nellie's mother. "Storms are
bad enough on land, but at sea they must be
dreadful." And she looked out toward the
lS6 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
wild ocean, that was keeping from her the fate
of her husband.
Long before there were close signs of storm,
life-guards, on the beach, were preparing for
it. They were making fast everything that
could be secured and at the life-saving station
all possible preparations were being made to
help those who might suffer from the storm.
It was nearing September and a tidal wave
had swept over the southern ports. Coming in
all the way from the tropics the storm had
made itself felt over a great part of the world.
in some places taking the shape of a hurricane.
On this particular afternoon, while the sun
still shone brightly over Sunset Beach, the
storm was creeping in under the big waves that
dashed up on the sands.
"It is not safe to let go the ropes,'* the
guards told the people, but the idea of a storm,
from such a pretty sky, made some daring
enough to disobey these orders. The result
was that the guards were kept busy trying to
bring girls and women to their feet, who were
being dashed around by the excited waves.
This work occupied the entire afternoon
THE STORM 1 8;
and as soon as the crowd left the beach the
life-guards brought the boats down to the edge,
got their Hnes ready, and when dark came
on, they were prepared for the Hfe-patrol, — the
long dreary watch of the night, so near the
noisy waves, and so far from the voice of dis-
tress that might call over the breakers to the
safe shores, where the life-savers waited,
watched, and listened.
The rain began to fall before it was entirely
dark. The lurid sunset, glaring through the
dark and rain, gave an awful, yellow look to
the land and sea alike.
*Tt is like the end of the world," whispered
Nellie to Nan, as the two girls looked out of
the window to see the wild storm approaching.
Then the lightning came in blazing blades,
cutting through the gathering clouds.
The thunder was only like muffled rolls, for
the fury of the ocean deadened every othei
sound of heaven or earth.
*Tt will be a dreadful storm," said Aunt
Emily to Mrs. Bobbsey. *'\Ve must all go
into the sitting room and pray for the sailors."
Everyone in the house assembled in the large
I88 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORK
sitting room, and Uncle William led the
prayers. Poor Mrs. McLaughlin did not once
raise her head. Nellie, too, hid her pale face
in her hands.
Dorothy was frightened, and when all were
saying good-night she pressed a kiss on Nel-
lie's cheek, and told her that the life-savers on
Sunset Beach would surely be able to save all
the sailors that came that way during the big
storm.
Nellie and her mother occupied the same
room. Of course the mother had been tol(i
that the long delayed boat had been sighted,
and now, how anxiously she awaited more
news of Nellie's father.
"We must not worry," she told Nellie, "for
who knows but the storm may really help
father's boat to get into port?"
So, while the waves lashed furiously upon
Sunset Beach, all the people in the Minturn
'pottage were sleeping, or trying to sleep, for
indeed, it was not easy to rest when there wa?
SO much danger at their very door.
CHAPTER XIX
LIFE-SAVERS
"Mother, mother!" called Nellie, **1ook
down at the beach. The life-guards are burn-
ing the red signal lights! They have found 3
wreck!"
It was almost morning, but the black storm
clouds held the daylight back. Mrs. Mc-
Laughlin and her little daughter strained their
eyes to see, if possible, what might be going
on down at the beach. While there was no
noise to give the alarm, it seemed, aimost
everybody in that house felt the presence of the
wreck, for in a very few minutes, Bert was at
his window, Dorothy and Nan were looking
out of theirs, while the older members of the
household were dressing hastily, to see if they
might be of any help in case of accident at the
beach.
"Can I go with yoii, Uncle?" called Berle
&8«
igo THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
who had heard his uncle getting ready to rurt
down to the water's edge.
"Yes, come along," answered Mr. Minturn,
and as day began to peep through the heavy
clouds, the two hurried down to the spot where
the hfe-guards were burning their red hght to
tell the sailors their signal had been seen.
"There's the vessel!" exclaimed Bert, as d
rocket flew up from the water.
"Yes, that's the distress signal," replied tht
iincle. "It is lucky that daylight is almosi
here."
Numbers of other cottagers were hurrying
to the scene now, Mr. Bingham and Hal being
among the first to reach the spot.
"It's a schooner," said Mr. Bingham to Mr
Minturn, "and she has a very heavy cargo."
The sea was so wild it was impossible to
send out the life-savers* boats, so the guards
were making ready the breeches buoy.
"They are going to shoot the line out now,"
explained Hal to Bert, as the two-wheel car
with the mortar or cannon was dragged down
to the ocean's edge.
Instantly there shot out to sea a ball of thb
LIFE-vSAVERS ipt
cord. To this cord Vv^as fastened a heavy rope
cr cable.
"They've got it on the schooner," exclaimed
X man, for the thin cord was now pulling the
3able line out, over the water.
"What's that board for?" asked Bert, as he
saw a board following the cable.
"That's the directions," said Hal.
"They are printed in a number of languages,,
and they tell the crew to carry the end of the
cable high up the mast and fasten it strongly
there."
"Oh, I see," said Bert, "the line will stretch
then, and the breeches buoy will go out on a
pulley."
"That's it," replied Hal. "See, there goe?
the buoy," and then the queer-looking life-pre
server made of cork, and shaped like breeches,
swung out over the waves.
It was clear day now, and much of the
wicked storm had passed. Its effect upon the
sea was, however, more furious every hour,
for while the storm had left the land, it was
raging somewhere else, and the sensitive sea
felt every throb of the excited elements.
192 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORB
With the daylight came girls and women to
the beach.
Mrs. Bobbsey, Mrs. Minturn, Nellie and
her mother, besides Dorothy and Nan, were all
there; Flossie and Freddie being obliged to
stay home with Dinah and Susan.
Of course the girls asked all sorts of ques-
tions and Bert and Hal tried to answer them
as best they could.
It seemed a long time before any move-
ment of the cable showed that the buoy was
returning.
"Here she comes! Here she comes!" called
the crowed presently, as the black speck far out,
and the strain on the cord, showed the buoy
was coming back.
Up and down in the waves it bobbed, some-
times seeming to go all the way under. Nearer
and nearer it came, until now a man's head
could be seen.
"There's a man in it!" exclaimed the boys,
all excitement, wdiile the life-guards pulled the
cord steadily, dragging in their human freight.
The girls and women were too frightened to
talk, and Nellie clung close to her mother.
LIFE-SAVERS I93
A big roller dashing in finished the work for
the life-guards, and a man in the cork belt
bounded upon shore.
He was quite breathless when the guards
reached him, but insisted on walking up in-
stead of being carried. Soon he recovered
himself and the rubber protector was pulled
off his face.
Everybody gathered around, and Nellie
with a strange face, and a stranger hope, broke
through the crowd to see the rescued man.
**0h — it is — my — father T she screamed,
falling right into the arms of the drenched
man.
"Be careful," called Mr. Minturn, fearing
the child might be mistaken, or Mrs. Mc-
Laughlin might receive too severe a shock
from the surprise.
But the half -drowned man rubbed his eyes
as if he could not believe them, then the next
minute he pressed his little daughter to his
heart, unable to speak a word.
What a wonderful scene it was !
The child almost unconscious in her father^s
arms, he almost dead from exhaustion, and the
194 '^'il^ BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
wife and mother too overcome to trust her
self to beheve it could be true.
Even the guards, who were busy again at
the ropes, having left the man to willing hand'o
on the beach, could not liide their surprise over
die fact that it was mother, father, and daugh-
:er there united under such strange conditions
"My darling, my darling!" exclaimed the
sailor to Nellie, as he raised himself and then
ne saw his wife.
Mrs. Bobbsey had been holding Mrs. Mc
Laughlin back, but now the sailor was quitd
recovered, so they allowed her to speak to him
Mr. Bingham and Hal had been watching k
all, anxiously.
"Are you McLaughlin?" suddenly asked
Mr. Bingham.
"I am," replied the sailor.
"And is George Bingham out there?"
anxiously asked the brother.
**S:ife and \vell," came the welcome answer,
*^Jusl waiting for his turn to come in."
"Oh!" screamed Dorothy, "Hal's uncle i£
saved too. I guess our prayers were heard las4
idght."
LIFE-SAVERS IqJ
**Here comes another man!'* exclaimed the
people, as this time a big man dashed on the
sands.
"All right!" exclaimed the man, as he
landed, for he had had a good safe swing irij,
and was in no way exhausted.
"Hello there !" called Mr. Bingham. "Well,
if this isn't luck. George Bingham !"
Sure enough it was Hal's Uncle George,
and Hal was hugging the big wet man, while
the man was jolly, and laughing as if the
whole thing were a good joke instead of the
life-and-death matter it had been.
"I only camxC in to tell you," began George
Bingham, "that we are all right, and the boat
is lifting off the sand bar we stuck on. But
I'm glad I came in to — the reception," he said,
laughing. "So you've found friends, Mc-
Laughlin," he added, seeing the little family
united. "Why, how do you do, Mrs. Mc-
Laughlin ?" he went on, offering her his hand.
"And little Nellie! Well, I declare, we did
land on a friendly shore."
Just as Mr. Bingham said, the life-saving
work turned out to be a social affair, for there
lg6 THE BOBr.SKY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
was a great time greeting Nellie's father and
Hal's uncle.
"Wasn't it perfectly splendid that Nellie and
her mother were here !" declared Dorothy.
"And Hal and his father, too," put in Nan.
**It is just like a story in a book."
"But we don't have to look for the pictures,"
chimed in Bert, who was greatly interested in
the sailors, as well as in the work of the life-
saving corps.
As Mr. Bingham told the guards it would
Tiot be necessary to haul any more men in, and
as the sea was calm enough now to launch a
life-boat, both Nellie's father and Hal's uncle
insisted on going back to the vessel to the
other men.
Nellie was dreadfully afraid to have her
father go out on the ocean again, but he only
laughed at her fears, and said he would soon
be in to port, to go home with her, and never
go on the big, wild ocean again.
Two boats were launched, a strong guard
going in each, with Mr. McLaughlin in one
and Mr. Bingham in the other, and now they
pulled out steadily over the waves, back to the
THERE S A MAN IN IT
The Bobbsey Twins at ihf Srashore.
EXCLAIMED THE BOYS.
Page 192
LIFE-SAVERS I97
vessel that was freeing itself from the sand
bar.
What a morning that was at Sunset Beach !
The happiness of two families seemed to
spread all through the little colony, and while
the men were thinking of the more serious
work of helping the sailors with their vessel,
the girls and women were planning a great
welcome for the men who had been saved from
^he waves,
"I'm so glad we prayed," said little Flossie
k> Freddie, when she heard the good news.
"It was Uncle William prayed the loudest,"
insisted Freddie, believing, firmly, that to reach
heaven a long and loud prayer is always best
"But we all helped," declared his twin sis-
ler, while surely the angels had listened to even
the sleepy whisper of the little ones, who had
asked help for the poor sailors in their aighf
CHAPTER XX
THE HAPPY REUNION
A BEATTTiFUL day had grown out of the
areadful storm.
The sun seemed stronger each time it made
its way out from behind a cloud, just as Httle
girls and boys grow strong in body by exer-
cise, and strong in character by efforts to do
riglit.
And everybody was so happy.
The Neptune — the vessel that had struck on
the sand bar — was now safely anchored neai
shore, and the sailors came in and out in row<
boats, back and forth to land, just as the>
wished.
Of course Captain Bingham, Hal's unJt
was at the Bingham cottage, and the firs' mate
^Jellie's father, was at Minturn's.
But that evening there was a regular pTtv
198
THE HAPPY REUNION IQt^
on Minturn's veranda. Numbers of cottagers
failed to see the sailors, and all were invited to
^'emain and hear about the strange voyage of
the Neptune.
"There is not much to tell," began the cap-
tain. "Of course I knew we were going to
have trouble getting that mahogany. Two
vessels had been wrecked trying to get it, so
when we got to the West Indies I decided to
try canoes and not risk sails, wliere the wind
always blew such a gale, it dragged any
anchor that could be dropped. Well, it was a
long, slow job to drag those heavy logs around
that point, and just Vv^hen we were making
headway, along comes a storm that drove the
schooner and canoes out of business."
Here Mate McLaughlin told about the big
storm and how long it took the small crew to
repair the damage done to the sails.
*'Then we had to go back to work at the
^gs," went on the captain, "and then one of
our crew took a fever. Well, then we were
quarantined. Couldn't get things to eat with-
out a lot of trouble, and couldn't go on with
the carting until the authorities decided the
200 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
fever was not serious. That was what delayed
us so.
"Finally, we had every log loaded on the
schooner and we started off. But I never could
believe any material would be as heavy as that
mahogany; why, we just had to creep along,
and the least contrary wind left us motionless
on the sea.
"We counted on getting home last week,
when this last storm struck us and drove us out
of our course. But we are not sorry for our
delay now, since we have come back to our
own."
"About the value?" asked Mr. Babbsey, who
was down from the city.
"The value," repeated the captain aside, so
that the strangers might not hear. "Well, I'm
a rich man now, and so is my mate, McLaugh-
lin, for that wood was contracted for by the
largest and richest piano firm in this country,
and now it is all but delivered to them and the
money in our hands."
^Then it was well worth all your sacrifice?*'
said Mr. Minturn.
"Yes, indeed It would have taken us a life-
THE HAPPY REUNION 301
time to accumulate as much money as we have
eamed in this year. Of course, it was hard
for the men who had famihes, McLaughlin
especially ; the others were all working sailors,
but he was a landsman and my partner in the
enterprise ; but I will make it up to him, and the
mahogany hunt will turn out the best paying
piece of work he ever undertook."
"Oh, isn't it perfectly splendid!" declared
Nan and Dorothy, hugging Nellie. *'You will
never again have to go back to that horrid
store that made you so pale, and your mother
will have a lovely time and nothing to worry
about."
'1 can hardly believe it all," replied their
attle friend. "But having father back is the
very best of all."
"But all the same," sighed Dorothy, "I just
know you will all be going home before we
leave for the city, and I shall just die of lone-
liness."
"Buc- we have to go to school," said Nan.
"and we have only a few days more."
"Of course," continued Dorothy; "and otif.
school will no*^ open for two weeks yet."
202 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
*'Maybe Aunt Emily will take you down to
the city on her shopping tour," suggested
Nan.
"Indeed I do not like shopping," answerea
the cousin. ** Every time I go in a store that
is crowded with stuff on the counters under
people's elbows, I feel like knocking the things
all over. I did a lot of damage that way once.
It was holiday time, and a counter that stuck
out in the middle of the store was full of little
statues. My sleeve touched one, and the whole
lot fell down as if a cannon had struck them.
I broke ten and injured more than I wanted to
count."
"And Aunt Emily had to pay for them?*'
said Nan.
"No, she didn't, either," corrected Dorothy
"The manager came up and said the things
should not be put out in people's way. He
made the clerks remove all the truck from the
aisles, and I guess everybody was glad the
army fell down. I never can forget those pink-
and-w^hite soldiers," and Dorothy straightened
herself up in comical "soldier's arms'* fashion,
imitating the unfortunate statues.
THE HAPPY REUNION 20$
**'I hope you can come to Lakeport for
Ihanksgiving," said Nan. *'We have done so
much visiting this summer, out to Aunt Sarah's
and down here, mamma feels we ought to have
a grand reunion at our house next. If we do»
I am going to try to have some of the country
girls down and give them all a jolly good
time/'
"Oh, ril come if you make it jolly," an-
swered Dorothy. "If there is one thing in this
world worth while, it is fun," and she tossed
her yellow head about like a buttercup, that
has no other way of laughing.
That had been an eventful day at Ocean
Cliff, and the happy ending of it, with a boat
and its crew saved, w^as, as some of the chil-
dren said, just like a story in a book, only
the pictures were all alive !
The largest hotel at Sunset Beach was
thrown open to the sailors that night, and here
Captain Bingham and Mate McLaughlin, to-
gether with the rest of the crew, took up com-
fortable lodgings.
It was very late, long after the little party
had scattered from Minturn's piazza, that the
204 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
sailors finished dancing their hornpipe for the
big company assembled to greet them in the
hotel.
Never had they danced to such fine music be-
fore, for the hotel orchestra played the familiar
tune and the sailors danced it nimbly, hitching
up first one side then the other — crossing first
one leg then the other, and wheeling around
in that jolly fashion.
How rugged and handsome the men looked !
The rough ocean winds had tanned them like
bronze, and their muscles were as firm and
strong almost as the cables that swing out with
the buoys. The wonderful fresh air that these
men lived in, night and day, had brightened
their eyes too, so that even the plainest face,
and the most awkward man among them, was
as nimble as an athlete, from his perfect
exercise.
"And last night what an awful experience
they had!" remarked one of the spectators.
**It is no wonder that they are all so happy
to-night."
"Besides," added someone else, "they are all
going to receive extra good pay, for the captain
THE HAPPY REUNION 2Q%
and mate will be very rich when the cargo is
landed/'
So the sailors danced until they were tired,
and then after a splendid meal they went to
s'eep, in as comfortable beds as might be
kmid in any hotel on Sunset Beach,
CHAPTER XXi
GOOD-BY
**I don't know how to say good-by to you,''
Nellie told Dorothy and Nan next morning;
"^To think how kind you have been to me, an i
how splendidly it has all turned out! Now
father is home again, I can hardly believe it!
Mother told me last night she was going to
put back what money she had to use out of
my prize, the fifty dollars you know, and I am
to make it a eift to the Fresh Air Fund."
*'0h, that will be splendid!" declared Nan.
*Terhaps they will buy another tent with it,
for they need more room out at Meadow
Brook."
"You are quite rich now, aren't you?" re-
marked Dorothy. *'I suppose your father will
buy a big house, and maybe next time we meet
you^ you will put on airs and walk like this?"
^»6
GOOD-BY 20^'
%nd Dorol% went up and down the room like
t!;e pictures of Cinderella's proud sisters,
"No danger," replied Nellie, whose possible
tears at parting had been quickly chased away
by the merry Dorothy. *'But I hope we will
have a nice home, for mother deserves it, be-
sides 1 am just proud enough to want to enter-
tain a few young ladies, among them Miss Nan
Bobbsey and Miss Dorothy Minturn."
"And we will be on hand, thank you," re-
plied the joking Dorothy. "Be sure to have ice
cream and chocolates — I want some good fresh
chocolates. Those we get down here always
seem soft and salty, like the spray."
"Come, Nellie," called Mrs. McLaughlin, "1
am ready. Where is your hat?"
"Oh, yes, mother, I'm coming!" replied
Nellie,
Bert had the donkey cart hitched and there
was now no time to spare. Nellie kissed Fred-
die and Flossie affectionately, and promised to
bring the little boy all through a big city, real
fire-engine house when he came to see her.
"And can I ring the bell %nd make the
horses jump?" he asked.
^06 THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
"We might be able to manage that, too,"
Nellie told him. *'My uncle is a fireman and
he can take us through his engine house."
Nan went to the station with her friends,
and when the last good-bys were said and the
train steamed out, the twins turned back again
to the Mintum Cottage.
*'Our turn next," remarked Bert, as he pulled
the donkeys into the drive.
"Yes, it seems it is nothing but going and
coming all the time. I wonder if all the other
girls will be home at Lakeport in tune for the
first day of school ?" said Nan.
"Most of them, I guess," answered Bert.
**We'\, we have had a good vacation, and I am
willing to go to work again."
"So am I!" declared Nan. "Vacation was
just long^ enough, I think."
Mr. Bobbsey was down from the city, of
course, to take the family home, and now all
hands, even Freddie and Flossie, were busy
packing up. There were the shells to be looked
after, the fish nets, besides Downy, the duck
and Snoop, the cat.
"And just to add one more animal to your
GOOD-BY 20^
menag^erie/* said Uncle William, "I have
brought you a little goldfinch. It will sing
beautifully for you, and be easy to carry in its
little wooden cage. Then, I have ordered, sent
directly to your house, a large cage for him to
live in, so he will have plenty of freedom, and
perhaps Christmas you may get some more
birds to put in the big house, to keep Dick
company."
Of course Freddie was delighted with the
gift, for it was really a beautiful little bird,
with golden wings, and a much prettier pet
than a duck or a cat, although he still loved his
old friends.
The day passed very quickly with all that
was crowded into it : the last ocean bath taking
up the best part of two hours, while a sail in
Hal's canoe did away with almost as much
more time. Dorothy gave Nan a beautiful lit-
tle gold locket with her picture in it, and Flossie
received the dearest little real shell pocketbook
ever seen. Hal Bingham gave Bert a magnify-
ing glass, to use at school in chemistry or
physics, so that every one of the Bobbseys re*
ceived a suitable souvenir of Sunset BeacU*
2IO THE EOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SE\SRt>Kto
"You~uns must be to bed early and not ^
sleep in de train," insisted Dinah, when Fred-
die and Flossie pleaded for a little more time
on the veranda that evening. "Come along
now; Dinah hab lots to do too," and with her
little charges the crood-natured colored girl
hobbled off, promising to tell Freddie how
Nellie's father and Hal's uncle were to get into
port again when they set out to sea, instead of
trying to get the big boat into land at Sunset
Beach.
And so oui little friends had spent all theii
vacation.
The last night at the seashore was passed,
and the early morning found them once more
traveling away — this time for dear old home,
sweet home.
*'If we only didn't have to leave our friends,'"
complained Nan, brushing back a tear, as the
very last glint of Cousin Dorothy's yellow head
oassed by the train window.
"I hope we will meet them all soon again,'^
said Nan's mother. '*It is not long until Thanks-
giving. Then, perhaijs, we can give a real
haivest party out at Lakeport and try to repai
GOODJB\ 211!
DUf friends ior some of their hospitality to
us."
"Well, I like Hal Bingham first-rate," de-
dared Bert, thinking of the friend from whom
he had just parted.
"There goes the last of the ocean. LookT'
called Flossie, as the train made a turn, and
whistled a good-by to the Bobbsey Twins at
f -^ Seashomfc.
This Isn't All!
Would you like to know what
became of the good friends you
have made in this book'*
Would you like to read other
stories continuing their adventures
and experiences, or other books
quite as entertaining by the same
author ?
On the reverse side of the wrap-
per which comes with this book,
you will find a wonderfiil list of
stories \vhich you can buy at the
same store where you got this book.
Don^t throw away the Wrappef
Use it as a handy catalog of the hooks
you want some day to have, ^ut in
case you do mislay it, write to ths
Publishers for a complete catalog.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS
For Little Men and Women
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of "The Bunny Brown Series," Etc.
Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
These books for boys and girls between the ages of
three and ten stand among children and their parents of
this generation where the books of Louisa May Alcott
stood in former days. The haps and mishaps of this in-
imitable pair of twins, their many adventures and experi-
ences are a source of keen dehght to imaginative children.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOWBROOK
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE COUNTY FAIR
THE BOBBSEY TWINS CAMPING OUT
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND BABY MAY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS KEEPING HOUSE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CLOVERBANK
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CHERRY CORNERS
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND THEIR SCHOOLMATES
THE BOBBSEY TWINS TREASURE HUNTING
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SPRUCE LAKE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS* WONDERFUL SECRET
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE CIRCUS
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES
By LAUEA LEE HOPE
Author of the Popular " Bobbsey Twins " Books, Etc.
liiustratcd. Each Volume Complete in itself.
These stones are eagerly welcomed by the little folks from about
five to ten years of age. Their eyes fairly dance with delight at the
lively doings of inquisitive little Bunny Brown and his cunning,
trustful sister Sue.
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S
FARM
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUFPLAYING CIRCUS
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP-REST-A
WHILE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S
CITY HOME
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHET-
LAND PONY
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS
TREE COVE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE SUNTSTY
SOUTH
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE KEEPING STORE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR TRICK
DOG
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ATA SUGAR CAMP
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON THE ROLLING
OCEAN
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON JACK FROST
ISLAND
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT SHORE ACRES
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT BERRY HILL
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT SKYTOP
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers. NEW YORK
THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS
By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE
Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations
Honey Bunch is a dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to
know her is to take her to your heart at once.
Little girls everywhere will want to discover what inter-
esting experiences she is having wherever she goes.
HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE QTY
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST AUTO TOUR
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP ON THE OCEAN
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP WEST
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST SUMMER ON AN ISLAND
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP TO THE GREAT LAKES
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP IN AN AIRPLANE
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE ZOO
HONEY BUNCH: HER Fir.ST BIG ADVENTURE
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
THE ^'TWINS'' SERIES
By DOROTHY WHITEHILL
Here is a sparkling series of stories for girls. The
"Twins ''' have a charm all of their own. At first each
of them grows up without knowing of the existance of
the other, but finally they are brought together in beautifiil
surroundings. Janet is independent and impulsive, but
Phyllis is reserved and more Kkely to think before she
leaps. The combination of these traits leads them into
many happy, carefree adventures.
JANET, A TWIN
PHYLLIS, A TWIN
THE TWINS IN THE WEST
THE TWINS IN THE SOUTH
THE TWINS' SUMMEPv. VACATION
THE TWINS AND TOMMY, JR.
THE TWINS AT HOME
THE TWINS' WEDDING
THE TWINS ADVENTURING
THE TWINS AT CAMP
THE TWINS ABROAD
THE TWINS A-VISITING
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers NEW YORK
WESTERN STORIES FOR BOYS
By JAMES CODY FERRIS
Each Volume Complete in Itself.
Thrilling tales of the great west, told primarily for boys
but which will be read by all who love mystery, rapid
action, and adventures in the great open spaces.
The Manly boys, Roy and Teddy, are the sons of an old
ranchman, the owner of many thousands of heads of cattle.
The lads know how to ride, how to shoot, and how to
take care of themselves under any and all circumstances.
The cowboys of the X Bar X Ranch are real cowboys,
on the job when required, but full of fun and daring— a
bunch any reader will be delighted to know.
THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH
THE X BAR X BOYS IN THUNDER CANYON
THE X BAR X BOYS ON WHIRLPOOL RIVER
THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL
THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE ROUND-UP
THE X BAR X BOYS AT NUGGET CAMP
THE X BAR X BOYS AT RUSTLER'S GAP
THE X BAR X BOYS AT GRIZZLY PASS
THE X BAR X BOYS LOST IN THE ROCKIES
THE X BAR X BOYS RIDING FOR LIFE
THE X BAR X BOYS IN SMOKY VALLEY
GROSSET k DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
THE NAxNCY DREW MYSTERY
STORIES
By CAROLYN KEENE
Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
Here is a thrilling series of mystery stories for girls.
Nancy Drew, ingenious, aJert, is the daughter of a
famous criminal lawyer and she herself is deeply in-
terested in his mystery cases. Her interest involves her
often in some very dangerous and exciting situations.
THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK
Nancy, unaided, seeks to locate a missing will and finds herself
in the midst of adventure.
THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE
Myterious happenings in an old stone mansion lead to an in-
vestigation by Nancy.
THE BUNGALOW MYSTERY
Nancy has some perilous experiences around a deserted bun-
galow.
THE MYSTERY AT LILAC INN
Quick thinking and quick action were needed for Nancy to ex-
tricate herself from a dangerous situation.
THE SECRET AT SHADOW RANCH
On a vacation in Arizona Nancy uncovers an old mystery and
solves it,
THE SECRET OF RED GATE FARM
Nancy exposes the doings of a secret society on an isolated farm.
THE CLUE IN THE DIARY
A fascinating 'and exciting story of a search for a clue to a sur-
prising mystery.
NANCY'S MYSTERIOUS LETTER
Nancy receives a letter Informing her that she is heir to a for-
tune. This story tells of her search for another Nancy Drew.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
THE SUNNY BOY SERIES
By RAMY ALLISON WHITE
Children ! Meet Sunny Boy, a little fellow with big eyes
and an inquiring disposition who finds the world at large
a wonderful place to live in. There is always something
doing when Sonny Boy is around.
In the first book of the series he visits his grandfather
in the country and learns of many marvelous things on a
farm, and in the other books listed below he has many ex-
citing adventures which every child will enjoy reading
about.
SUNNY BOY IN THE COUNTRY
SUNNY BOY AT THE SEASHORE
SUNNY BOY IN THE BIG CITY
SUNNY BOY IN SCHOOL AND OUT
SUNNY BOY AND HIS SCHOOLMATES
SONNY BOY AND HIS GAMES
SUNNY BOY IN THE FAR WEST
SUNNY BOY ON THE OCEAN
SUNNY BOY WITH THE CIRCUS
SUNNY BOY AND HIS BIG DOG
SUNNY BOY IN THE SNOW
SUNNY BOY AT WILLOW FARM
SUNNY BOY AND HIS CAVE
SUNNY BOY AT RAINBOW LAKE
GROSSET & DUNLAP. Publishers, NEW YORK
■'■. 7
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