Page:Fairview Boys at Lighthouse Cove.djvu/33

Rh from the old sailor, and the boys were learning how to use it properly, under the instruction of Mr. Salina. Later on he promised to take them with him when he went fishing and clamming.

To get hard clams the old man would go in the shallow parts of Lighthouse Cove, and, with his bare feet, would tread in the mud until he felt a hard clam. Then he would work it on top of his foot, raise it out of the water and reach it in his hand, tossing it into his boat.

Soft clams he dug for on the exposed mud fiats when the tide was low.

The boys themselves learned to catch crabs, dangling pieces of meat on the end of strings from the dock near the cottage. When a crab grasped the meat in his claws the boys would pull gently on the string, until the crab was near the surface of the water. Then they would slip a net under him and lift him into a basket, wiggling and clashing his claws.

The Fairview Boys made inquiries about the pirate treasure story told to them by the old man, and found that it was generally known. Few persons believed it, however, though, in times past, many had dug in different places for the supposed gold.

The boys had been at Lighthouse Cove for about a week now. They had boated, bathed and crabbed, and one night, after supper. Bob said:

"Fellows, it's about time we took in the lighthouse. I want to see how the lantern works."

"So do I!" exclaimed Frank. "I was asking Mr. Salina about it. He said an old shipmate of his kept the light, and he'd take us through any time we wanted to go."

"Let's go over now," suggested Sammy. "It will be more fun to see it lighted up."

Frank and Bob agreed with this, and as Mrs. Bouncer had