were put in the stern where old Pete had the steering oar. Near
them sat the shepherd on one of the casks of water, his long legs
getting uncertain accommodation. The captain had his position in the bow
and two powerful sailors were at the oars, one on either side. They did
not sit down, but stood up to their work.

Without any loss of time the boat got under way proceeding seaward from
the shelter of the beautiful little harbor. In spite of their
depression, the two boys could not help being interested in the
absolutely clear water in which they could look down for eighty feet.

They could see the straight slender columns of the Algae rising to the
surface, starting from where they were rooted in the bottom of the bay
and swaying to the slow pulsation of the tide. These strange plants of
this marine garden were marvels indeed. Between their stalks and among
the encrusted rocks swam in absolute unconsciousness of being watched,
many beautiful, and strange fishes.

Some were small of golden hue, with little spots of a marvelous blue
(poetry) that flashed like keen electric dew, (that will do). Others
were like gold fishes, a foot in length and of corresponding breadth.
There were long mackerel, and innumerable minnows, and over the rocks a
peculiar little fish crawled or rather walked on thin rat-like feet.

Before they had time to observe further the boat had got out of the
harbor where the water sunk away to blue unfathomed depth. When clear of
the harbor, they turned to the South, passing near a cove with a
symmetrical pebbly beach, built up for five feet, above the level of the
water. The ocean was perfectly smooth, with not a ripple upon its
surface. They were evidently making to round the Southern extremity of
the Island.

CHAPTER XXIV

IN THE WHITE BOAT

Ahead of them was a rock rising fifty or sixty feet out of the water. It
was evident that the rock was inhabited for there could be seen dark
forms moving around upon it. Nothing had been said since they started,
for the Captain was not in a talkative mood. Jeems Howell, the shepherd,
had sat silently smoking his pipe in philosophic contentment.

"What are those things on that rock?" inquired Tom, his curiosity
getting the best of his reserve.

"Two yankees in this boat," commented the shepherd. "Those are seals,
son. Didn't you ever see any before?"

"No!" admitted Tom.

"You didn't know that seals, next to humans, are the smartest animals,