motive as on
that memorable evening already alluded to by Hellyer the coastguardsman,
for running the risk; while, as for Rover, he fairly revelled in the
water, paddling round and round Bob and Dick, thereby executing a series
of concentric circles never dreamt of by the Egyptian mathematician
whose problems have been the torment of the boys of all ages.

The sea was so warm and pleasant that they stopped in such an
unconscionable time as to necessitate the Captain's hailing them three
times to come out before they obeyed the order, and even then did so
lothfully, making the old sailor sing out to them the more
imperatively--

"Come out, come out of that, you young rascals!" he cried, shaking his
stick menacingly. "If you are not out and dressed in five minutes, by
Jove I'll start without you; for, I can't keep the ladies waiting. By
Jove, I will!"

This threat had the desired result of quickening the boys' movements;
Dick, if the slowest in the water, being the sharper of the two in
getting into his clothes. Rover was even speedier still, having only to
give himself one good shake, administering in the action a shower-bath
of drops to the Captain, when, there he was all ready, with a smart new
curly black coat, glistening from his dip, as if he had just been to the
hairdresser's and had a brush up for the occasion!

On the way back to Mrs Gilmour's house to breakfast, the Captain and
Dick being specially invited this morning, so that they might leave
together immediately afterwards for the steamer without losing any time,
the boys had great fun with Rover and the towels.

These the retriever was always in the habit of carrying home, though Bob
would not let him have them at once, right out, to take in his mouth as
he left the beach.

He would first show them to Rover, with a "Look here, good dog!"

Then Bob would put the bundle of towels in a hole in the shingle, or
under some big boulder, which did not improve them, by the way; Rover
observing everything his young master did with the keenest attention,
barking the while, and with every hair of his mane bristling with
excitement.

After thus hiding the towels, if it could be called hiding where every
detail of the operation was watched by the dog, Bob would, as he did on
the present occasion, set out on his return across the common; Master
Rover prancing in front of him, and anxiously keeping his speaking brown
eyes fixed on his face, awaiting the order