"Come on, boys."
Max was a rather heedless fellow, and never stopping to consider the right or wrong of the thing, or whether he were running into danger or not, went with the others.
They found the boat, as they thought, in fair condition; there were two oars in her, and both Max and John c.o.x, the other lad, thought they knew pretty well how to use them, while Masters was sure he could steer.
With a good deal of exertion they set the little craft afloat; then climbing in they pushed boldly out into deep water and bore down toward the ocean.
Max had thought they were only going to cross to the farther side of the inlet and continue their walk; but almost before he knew it, they were out upon the sea, and the boat was rocking upon the waves in a way that seemed to him decidedly alarming.
"Boys," he said, "let"s put back as fast as we can. We don"t know anything about managing a boat out here, and see how big the waves are!"
"That"s because the tide"s coming in," laughed Masters, "so if we should upset it"ll wash us ash.o.r.e."
"I don"t know," said Max, "I"d rather not risk it; there"s the undertow to carry us out again."
"Oh, you"re a coward!" sneered c.o.x.
"I"m not going to turn back yet," said Masters; "so stick to your oar, Raymond, and if the sight of the big waves frightens you, just turn your back to "em."
At that moment a hail came from a fishing-smack not far away. "Halloo!
boys, you"d better put back as fast as you can; that boat"s not safe, especially in the hands of such green-horns as you."
At the same moment a big incoming wave washed over them, carrying away their hats and Max"s coat, which he had pulled off when taking the oar.
Masters and c.o.x were now sufficiently frightened to be willing to turn back; they made the attempt at once, but found it far more difficult than they had antic.i.p.ated. They struggled hard, and several times nearly gave themselves up for lost; but at last, after many narrow escapes, a huge wave carried them high on to the beach, and left them there with barely strength to crawl up out of the way of the next.
It was a good while before they were able to do anything but lie panting and gasping on the sand.
Max had not been long gone when Zoe ran into the cottage of the Raymonds, to tell of a plan just set on foot in the other house to get up a party to visit some points of interest several miles distant.
They were to go in carriages, take a lunch with them, and not return till late in the afternoon, when all would dine together at Mrs. Dinsmore"s table.
"Mamma is not going," she said, "and offers to take care of Gracie, if the child stays behind. Every one seems to fear the ride would be too long and wearisome for her."
"Yes, I think so," the captain said, fondling her, for she was sitting on his knee.
"I"d like to go, papa," she said, looking up coaxingly into his face, "I like to go driving, and to sit on your knee."
"And I love to have my baby girl in my arms, and to give her pleasure," he responded, repeating his caresses, "but I should feel very sad to see her made sick."
"Then I"ll be good and not ask to go, papa," she said, with a slight sigh, laying her head on his shoulder.
"That"s my dear, good little Gracie! You shall have a short drive every day when I can manage it. Perhaps a moonlight drive along the beach, to-morrow evening. Will not that be nice?"
"Oh, ever so nice, dear papa!" she cried, clapping her hands in delight.
"Mamma not going, Zoe!" exclaimed Violet in a tone of disappointment.
"That will rob the excursion of half its charm for me. Is she not well?"
"She has a very slight headache, she says, and fears the sun would increase it. Besides she is so much interested in a book she is reading that she prefers staying at home to finish it. We had hard work to persuade grandpa to go without her, but he has consented at last; only, I believe, because Grandma Rose refused to go without him, and mamma insists that she is in no danger of a bad headache if she keeps quiet."
"Yes, grandpa is so fond and careful of her."
"We have two large carriages, so that there is abundance of room for everybody," pursued Zoe; "and we hope, Captain, that you will let Max and Lulu go."
"Lulu shall certainly, if she chooses," he said, turning with a kind, fatherly smile to the little girl who stood silently at his side, waiting with a wistful, eager look, to hear if she were to be of the party, but ashamed to ask the indulgence because of a vivid remembrance of her late rebellion and disgrace.
"Oh, thank you, papa!" she cried joyously, giving him a hug and kiss.
"Mamma Vi, what shall I wear?"
"Your travelling dress will be the most suitable I think," said Violet.
"Then I"ll run and put it on," returned Lulu, hastening away with cheerful alacrity.
"Max shall go too, Captain, shan"t he?" queried Zoe, with whom the boy was a great favorite.
"He might if he were here," the father answered; "but unfortunately he has gone off for a long walk and may not be back before dinner-time."
"And we must start in a few minutes," remarked Vi; "I am really sorry, for I know Max will regret missing it. Gracie, dear, I"m going over to speak to mamma; shall I take you with me?"
"Yes, if you please, Mamma Vi, when I"ve kissed my dear papa good-by."
Having done so, she took her doll in her arms and gave her hand to Violet.
She felt a little lonely at the thought of being left behind, but was quite comforted on learning that little Walter Travilla had decided to stay at home and play with her.
The excursionists drove off, and Elsie, having provided the little ones with amus.e.m.e.nt, gave herself up to the enjoyment of her book and an easy-chair set where she could catch the pleasant sea breeze without feeling the sun. Still, she did not forget the children, but now and then laid aside her book for a little, while she suggested or invented some new game for their entertainment.
So the morning pa.s.sed quietly and pleasantly.
It was a little past noon when, stepping out upon the veranda, she caught sight of a forlorn figure, hatless, coatless, and dishevelled generally, yet bearing a strangely familiar look, slowly approaching the other cottage. A second glance told her who it was.
"Max!" she exclaimed in astonishment, and forgetting all about her headache, caught up a sunshade and hurried to meet him.
"Max! can it be you?" she asked. "Why, my poor boy, where have you been?
and what has happened to you?"
"O Grandma Elsie!" he said, looking much mortified and ready to cry, "I did hope I"d be able to get into the house without anybody seeing me! Do you know where my father is?"
"Yes; the two families have all gone on an excursion except Gracie, Walter, and me. But come in out of the sun," she added, leading the way into the Raymonds" cottage. Max followed her, and won to confidence by her sweet and kindly sympathy, told her the whole story of his morning"s adventure.
"O Max, my dear boy! what a narrow escape!" she said, with tears in her eyes. "What a mercy that you are alive to tell the tale! What a terrible, terrible shock it would have been to your father to learn that his only son was drowned! and that while in the act of disobeying him, for you say he bade you not to go into any danger."
"Yes, Grandma Elsie, and if he finds it out I"ll be pretty sure to get a severe flogging. I deserve it, I know; but I don"t want to take it. You won"t tell on me, will you? Perhaps he"ll find it out through the loss of the coat and hat, but I hope he won"t miss them, at I have several others."
"No, Max, I shall certainly not tell on you; no one shall ever learn from me what you have told me in confidence; but I do hope, my dear boy, that you will not try to deceive your kind, loving father, but will confess all to him as soon as he comes home, and patiently bear whatever punishment he sees fit to inflict. It is the only right and honorable course, Max, and will save you a great deal of suffering from remorse and fear of detection."
"But it will be dreadfully hard to confess!" sighed Max. "I believe I really dread that more than the flogging."
"Yet take courage, my boy, and do it. Do not allow yourself to indulge in moral cowardice, but dare to do right, asking help of G.o.d, who is able and willing to give it."