Will pulled in his
head and slammed down the window.

"Charlie!" he said, stepping into the boy's little chamber after lighting
a lamp.

"What is it?" asked Charlie, winking his eyes at the blinding glare of the
light.

"Do you want to go with me?"

"Go where?"

"To see a wreck."

"O yes! Just wait a minute and let me ask Aunt Stanshy."

He groped his way to his aunt's bedroom.

"Aunt Stanshy, may I go with Will?"

In his eagerness he forgot to mention the object of this midnight
expedition. Aunt Stanshy was not thoroughly awake, for the angel of sleep
visiting Charlie had touched her eyes also. If awake, she might not have
granted the request. The idea went confusedly through her brain that
Charlie wanted to sleep with Will.

"Y-e-s," she murmured, drowsily, and then the angel of sleep had her fully
again under his control. Charlie stole down into Will's room, his clothes
on his arm.

"Now, dress quick as you can. Have you an overcoat?"

"Yes, but it is up in Aunt Stanshy's closet."

"We don't want to disturb her again. Here, you put on the cape of my cloak
and fold it about you."

Charlie was proud to be thus enveloped. Will then completed his dressing,
and looked like a Cape Codder just arrived from a fishing-smack. He took
his young companion by the hand and off they started.

"Who's that?" asked Will, as they turned from Water Street into Beach
Street.

"That boy in the door where there's a light? Why, that is Tony! He's up.
Tony, that you?" sang out Charlie.

"Yes! You going down to the beach?" said Tony, standing in the lighted
door-way of a low-roofed house.

"Yes."

"I heard the bell and got up, and one of the neighbors came and told us it
was a wreck, and Mr. Grimes said I might go if I could go with somebody."

"Come along," said Will. "Tell him I will take care of you."

Tony went eagerly back. He prepared for the trip, and then came out to
join Will and Charlie.

"Now, boys, take hold of my hand and let's put," said Will.

They accordingly "put."

"Isn't this good fun, Tony."

"Yes, Charlie, splendid."

It was such good fun that Charlie thought he was willing to be a sailor on
board that wreck even. He changed his mind, however, in a short time.
Beach Street led down to a road that was called "Back Road." This took as
many turns as it pleased, and after a quarter of a mile struck the low,
level marshes. Traversing the marshes, the road led Will and his
companions up to t