`` We 'll row you round there . Ca n't land , but you can see the place and shout to the others , if that will be any comfort to you , '' proposed Frank , as they pulled away round the pier . `` Oh , yes , that would be lovely ! '' and Jill smiled at Jack , who was steering , for she found it impossible to be dismal now with the fresh wind blowing in her face , the blue waves slapping against the boat , and three good-natured lads ready to gratify her wishes . Away they went , laughing and talking gayly till they came to Goodwin 's Rocks , where an unusual number of people were to be seen though the tide was going out , and no white spray was dashing high into the air to make a sight worth seeing . `` What do you suppose they are about ? Never saw such a lot of folks at this time . Should n't wonder if something had happened . I say , put me ashore , and I 'll cut up and see , '' said the bicycle boy , who was of an inquiring turn . `` I 'll go with you , '' said Frank ; `` it wo n't take but a minute , and I 'd like to discover what it is . May be something we ought to know about . '' So the boys pulled round into a quiet nook , and the two elder ones scrambled up the rocks , to disappear in the crowd . Five , ten , fifteen minutes passed , and they did not return . Jack grew impatient , so did Jill , and bade him run up and bring them back . Glad to know what kept them , Jack departed , to be swallowed up in his turn , for not a sign of a boy did she see after that ; and , having vainly strained her eyes to discover the attraction which held them , she gave it up , lay down on their jackets , and began to read . Then the treacherous tide , as it ebbed lower and lower down the beach , began to lure the boat away ; for it was not fastened , and when lightened of its load was an easy prize to the hungry sea , always ready to steal all it can . Jill knew nothing of this , for her story was dull , the gentle motion proved soothing , and before she knew it she was asleep . Little by little the runaway boat slid farther from the shore , and presently was floating out to sea with its drowsy freight , while the careless boys , unconscious of the time they were wasting , lingered to see group after group photographed by the enterprising man who had trundled his camera to the rocks . In the midst of a dream about home , Jill was roused by a loud shout , and , starting up so suddenly that the sun-umbrella went overboard , she found herself sailing off alone , while the distracted lads roared and beckoned vainly from the cove . The oars lay at their feet , where they left them ; and the poor child was quite helpless , for she could not manage the sail , and even the parasol , with which she might have paddled a little , had gone down with all sail set .
For a XXXXX , Jill was so frightened that she could only look about her with a scared face , and wonder if drowning was a very disagreeable thing .
Frank Goodwin Jack Jill left minute minutes nook oars sun-umbrella