Page:Cornelia Meigs--The island of Appledore.djvu/19

Rh away. He had seen the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in his life only a few hours ago,  and he was still trying, with some success, to  convince himself that he did not like it and  never would.

He strolled aimlessly along the path which he had been told led to “Cap’n Saulsby’s little  house down on the point.” There was a  vague desire in his mind to look upon a live  sea-captain since he had never seen one before. The feeling was not strong, only just enough to bring him along the shore road  and through the willow-guarded gateway. He had no thought, as he walked slowly between the two big trees, that they marked the door to a new phase in his life, that they were to prove the entrance to adventures and perils  of an unknown kind. He merely trudged along, frowning at the sun that shone too  brightly on the dazzling blue water and at  the wind that blew too sharply in his face.

Somebody was walking up the path before him; so he slackened his pace a little, having  no wish to overtake him. As far as he could judge it was a boy of about twenty-one or so,  very fair-haired, with broad shoulders and  well-shaped hands hanging from sleeves a