r, and the _Pet_ was a
staunch craft. Also, Jack and the other boys were able to manage her, and
all were excellent swimmers.

Cora and the girls went on to the life-saving station not far from their
bungalow. They were much interested in the method of launching the boat,
and the captain explained how it would right itself if capsized, and also
bail out the water that entered in a storm.

"What do you do when you can't launch a boat?" asked Belle.

"Use the breeches buoy," answered the grizzled old salt. He showed how
by means of a mortar a line was fired aboard the wreck, and how, by a
sort of pulley arrangement, the persons in danger could, one at a time, be
pulled ashore, sitting in the "breeches buoy."

"It's just like some of those apartment house clothes lines on high
poles," said Bess; "isn't it?"

"I never heard it called that afore," remarked the captain of the coast
guard, "but I s'pose you could call it that if you was a mind to. If
you'll stay around a bit you'll see our drill."

The girls were delighted, and eagerly watched while the mortar was fired,
the cylindrical shot carrying the line out to an imaginary wreck. Then
one man played the part of a shipwrecked mariner, and was hauled over
the sand, while Cora took several photographs of him.

"We've got her!" exclaimed Jack, as the girls returned to the bungalow.
"She isn't much for looks, but she can beat the _Pet_!"

"Who?" asked Cora, thinking of something else.

"The motor boat we hired. Come on out and we'll give you a race."

"Let's!" exclaimed Belle.

"My, but you're getting brave!" observed Ed. "The time was when a race
frightened you even if you read of it in the papers."

"I did not!"

"She can swim now," commented Bess.

Motor maids and motor boys went out on the bay in the two motor boats.
The craft Jack and his chums had hired was not very elegant, and she
seemed to be rather uncertain about starting, and when she did the engine
appeared to be protesting most of the while. But the boat made good time,
and though it did not really beat the _Pet_ (much to the disappointment of
boastful Jack) it kept well up with Cora's speedy craft.

For a week or more the young people enjoyed to the utmost the life on the
coast. More people came to the little summer resort, and several social
affairs were arranged.

There were swimming races, in which the girls and boys participated, even
Belle entering in the novice class. But she won no pri