Page:Ruth Fielding at Lighthouse Point.djvu/160

150 "If Aunt Kate hears of this I expect she'll say something," chuckled Heavy. "But we've been pretty good so far. Oh, it is just warm and nice. I bet the water will be fine."

They trooped down to the beach, Mercy limping along with the rest. Ruth and Helen gave her aid when she reached the sand, for her crutches hampered her there.

"Come on! the water's fine!' cried Madge, running straight into the smooth sea.

They were soon sporting in it, and having a great time, but keeping near the shore because the boys were not there, when suddenly Helen began to squeal—and then Madge. Those two likewise instantly disappeared beneath the water, their cries ending in articulate gurgles.

"Oh! Oh!" cried Heavy. "There's somebody here! Something's got me!"

She was in shallow water, and she promptly sat down. Whatever had grabbed her vented a mighty grunt, for she pinioned it for half a minute under her weight. When she could scramble up she had to rescue what she had fallen on, and it proved to be Isadore—very limp and "done up."

"It's the boys," squealed Helen, coming to the surface. "Tom swam under water and caught me."

"And this is that horrid Bob!" cried Madge. "What have you got there, Heavy?"