t's thought. "I'll only wait till I see them really in, and then
hurry home to see if somebody can't come down and be ready to help if
they should begin to drown."

But as they passed her, presently, on their way to the water, Bob said:
"We're trusting you to keep our secret, Lulu; don't tell tales on us."

She made no reply, but thought within herself, "That shows he doesn't
think he's doing exactly right. I'm afraid it must be quite dangerous."

But while his remark and injunction increased her apprehensions for
them, it also made her hesitate to carry to their friends the news of
their escapade till she should see that it brought them into actual
danger and need of assistance.

She watched them tremblingly as they waded slowly out beyond the surf
into the smooth, swelling waves, where they began to swim.

For a few moments all seemed to be well; then came a sudden shrill cry
from Betty, followed by a hoarser one from Bob, which could mean nothing
else than fright and danger.

For an instant Lulu was nearly paralyzed with terror; but rousing
herself by a determined effort, she shouted at the top of her voice,
"Don't give up; I'll go for help as fast as ever I can," and instantly
set off for home at her utmost speed.

"Help, help! they'll drown, oh, they'll drown!" she screamed as she ran.

Harold, who was in the act of descending the last flight of stairs, saw
her running toward him, and heard her cry, though the noise of the surf
prevented his catching all the words.

"What's the matter?" he shouted, clearing the remainder of the flight at
a bound.

"Betty, Bob--drowning!" she cried, without slackening her speed, "I'm
going for help."

He waited, to hear no more, but sped on toward the water; and only
pausing to divest himself of his outer clothing, plunged in, and,
buffeting with the waves, made his way as rapidly as possible toward the
struggling forms, which, by the light of the moon, he could dimly
discern at some distance from the shore.

Faint cries for help and the gleam of Betty's white arm, as for an
instant she raised it above the wave, guided him to the spot.

Harold was an excellent swimmer, strong and courageous; but he had
undertaken a task beyond his strength, and his young life was very near
falling a sacrifice to the folly of his cousins and his own generous
impulse to fly to their aid.

Both Bob and Betty were already so nearly exhausted as to be scarcely
capable of doing anything t