rching upon some narrow ledge, with his feet dangling over the side,
though what the pleasure was he would have found it hard to say.

"There," said Mr Temple at last, as he and Dick leaped on board once
more, "go on, or we shall see no seals to-day. It is not fair to you
boys."

"Oh! I like scrambling about the rocks, father," cried Dick; "it's poor
Taff who misses the fun."

"I can enjoy seeing you climb," said Arthur sedately.

"Yes," said his father shortly, "I have no doubt it is pleasant to look
on; but is it not rather too ladylike a pursuit for a boy like you?"

Arthur coloured highly, and glanced forward to see if the rowers had
heard; but he was relieved, for it was evident that they were too much
occupied in circumventing the submerged rocks to pay any heed to the
conversation, and the lad heaved a sigh full of content.

A couple of hours' hard rowing brought them to the mouth of the
seal-cave, which, as they approached, looked far larger than it had
seemed before when the sea was higher, for it generally nearly covered
it, and at certain times completely closed it in.

"So now we are to see some seals?" said Dick excitedly.

"I don't know," said Will quietly. "This is the cave they are in
sometimes; but one don't know whether there are any here."

"I think I see a little one drop off the rock as we come in sight," said
Josh quietly. "Might have been a shag; but there was something on
yonder rock; we shall see."

"It looks a rum place," said Dick. "Why, the water goes right in. We
shall have to wait till it's dry."

"Then we shall never go in, sir," said Will smiling. "It is never dry,
and the water is deep."

"What are we going to do, then?" said Dick.

"Row in--I mean push the boat in. The entrance is wide enough for
that."

"What! Are we going to pass right in there?" said Arthur rather
excitedly.

"I suppose so," said his father quietly. "Are you afraid?"

"No, I'm not afraid," said Arthur quickly, but colouring a little the
while; "only--only it seems so queer--such an awkward place to go in."

"Yes, it will be awkward," said Mr Temple dryly.

"There's lots of room, sir," said Josh. "No fear o' knocking your head.
You see, there wouldn't be anything to be afraid of round our coast if
there were no rocks."

"I say, Josh, where shall we find the seals?" said Dick as they slowly
approached the low arch in the face of the cliff, the boat being backed
in so that its rowers c