the oar-blades splashed and sparkled in the waves. Then they
made Jim sing them some of his old sailor-songs as they rowed, and
joined vigorously in the choruses. They had arranged to make straight
for Saint Catharine's Head, and land somewhere near it to choose a place
for their picnic. It took them nearly two hours to get there, as they
rowed leisurely, and enjoyed the luxury of the vernal air. It was one
of the sunniest days of early spring; the air was pure and delicious,
and the calm sea-breeze, just strong enough to make the sea flame and
glister in the warm sunlight, was exhilarating as new wine. Underneath
them the water was transparent as crystal, and far below they could see
the green and purple seaweeds rising like a many-coloured wood, through
which occasionally they saw a fish, startled by their oars, dart like an
arrow. The sky overhead was a cloudless blue, and as they kept not far
from shore, the clearly cut outline of the coast, with its rocks and
hills standing out in the vivid atmosphere, made a glowing picture, to
which the golden green of the spring herbage, bathed in its morning
sunlight, lent the magic of enchantment. Who could have been otherwise
than happy in such a scene and at such a time? but these were boys with
the long bright holiday before them, and happiness is almost too quiet a
word to express the bounding exultation of heart, the royal and tingling
sense of vigorous life, which made them shout and sing, as their boat
rustled through the ripples, from a mere instinct of inexpressible
enjoyment.

They had each contributed some luxury to the picnic, and it made a very
tempting display as they spread it out under a sunny pebbled cave, by
Saint Catharine's Head; although instead of anything more objectionable,
they had thought it best to content themselves with ginger beer and
lemonade. When they had done eating, they amused themselves on the
shore; and had magnificent games among the rocks, and in every fantastic
nook of the romantic promontory. And then Eric suggested a bathe to
wind up with, as it was the first day when it had been quite warm enough
to make bathing pleasant.

"But we've got no towels."

"Oh! chance the towels. We can run about till we're dry." So they
bathed, and then getting in the boat to row back again, they all agreed
that it was the very jolliest day they'd ever had at Roslyn, and voted
to renew the experiment before the holidays were over, and take Wr