hat once presented a scene full of life and bustle are now
lonely and deserted. Property there was wonderfully depreciated for a
time, but is rising in value now with the influx of summer visitors. It
is becoming quite a popular resort--not sea-side exactly, for there you
are right out in the sea."

"Let us go there," said Mrs. Dinsmore; "I think it would be a pleasant
variety to get fairly out into the sea for once, instead of merely
alongside of it."

"Oh, yes, do let us go!"

"I'm in favor of it!"

"And I!"

"And I!" cried one and another, while Mr. Dinsmore replied, laughingly,
to his wife, "Provided you don't find the waves actually rolling over
you, I suppose, my dear. Well, the captain's description is very
appetizing so far, but let us hear what more he has to say on the
subject."

"Haven't I said enough, sir?" returned the captain, with a good-humored
smile. "You will doubtless want to find some things out for yourselves
when you get there."

"Are there any mountains, papa?" asked little Grace. "I'd like to see
some."

"So you shall, daughter," he said; "but we will have to go elsewhere
than to Nantucket to find them."

"No hills either?" she asked.

"Yes, several ranges of not very high hills; Saul's Hills are the
highest; then there are bluffs south of 'Sconset known as Sunset
Heights; indeed, the village itself stands on a bluff high above the
sandy beach, where the great waves come rolling in. And there is 'Tom
Never's Head.' Also Nantucket Town is on high ground sloping gradually
up from the harbor; and just out of the town, to the north-west, are the
Cliffs, where you go to find surf-bathing; in the town itself you must
be satisfied with still-bathing. An excellent place, by the way, to
teach the children how to swim."

"Then you can teach me, Edward," said Zoe; "I'd like to learn."

"I shall be delighted," he returned, gallantly.

"Papa," asked Max, "are there any woods and streams where one may hunt
and fish?"

"Hardly anything to be called woods," the captain answered; "trees of
any size are few on the island. Except the shade trees in the town, I
think some ragged, stunted pines are all you will find; but there are
streams and ponds to fish in, to say nothing of the great ocean. There
is some hunting, too, for there are plover on the island."

"Well, shall we go and see for ourselves, as the captain advises?" asked
Mr. Dinsmore, addressing the company in general.

Every voice an