'al, they're mostly cormorants and gulls, I reckon. That's what we
call them down to Newport. They ain't no good for eating, so they don't
get shot; and they do increase powerfully, though it seems to me I never
did see quite so many on the Kettle Bottom before as this afternoon."

"Is that the name of the rock?"

"Yes, the Kettle Bottom Rock; that's what it's called. It's a queer
place. There was a painter here last summer, and he made a picter of it,
with them birds all flying over it, which folks said was as like as
like."

The line of hotels on Narragansett Beach was now plainly in sight. They
were almost off Beaver Tail, and the sea was rougher.

"Captain, we may as well put about," said Tom Joy. "The sun's going
down, and there's rather more motion hereabouts than the ladies like."

So they put about and sped harborward, helped by the tide which was now
running swiftly in. Frank Rivington began to sing in a mellow tenor
voice little barcarolles and Venetian boat-songs, which were full of a
measured rhythmic movement like oar-strokes and the beat of waves. The
pink in the west deepened after the sun went down to a vivid orange red,
and flamed higher and higher till the zenith caught the glow; and a
little crescent moon, which was climbing up, swung like a tiny silver
boat on a crimson tide. It was all like a dream, to which the noiseless
speed of the boat offered no interruption.

"Good-night, Captain," said Candace, gently, as the "Cornelia" touched
the wharf, at the upper end of which the carriages were waiting for
them. "I'm so much obliged to you for telling me all about the things."

"You're welcome, I'm sure," replied the hearty Captain. "It's been
nothing but a pleasure so far as I'm concerned. Hope I may take you out
sailing again, Miss."

"Oh, I hope so. I think sailing is lovely."

"Good-by, Miss Arden. I hope you have enjoyed it," said Mrs. Allen, as
she was borne off by her husband. It was the sole remark addressed by
the "matron" of the party to the little stranger under her care during
that afternoon; but Candace had not felt neglected.

"Oh, yes; very much, thank you," she replied. Tom Joy, who had waked up
to the sense that "the little girl in the red hat" had not had much
attention paid her on the sail, tried to get up a conversation as the
beach-wagon climbed the hill; but Candace had but little small talk at
her command, and they did not get on very fluently.

"I've had a lovely time,