At the Black Rocks (Musaicum Christmas Specials). Edward A. Rand

the tide comes, and drift back."

      "Oh yes; we can drift back, but where? We can't steer the schooner. We don't know what currents may lay hold of her and take her where we don't want to go. There are some rocks with an ugly name."

      "'Sharks' Fins!'" said Jimmy. "Booh!"

      "What if we ran on to them?" said Dave. "We had better go and ask Toby Tolman's opinion. He may suggest something--tell us of some good way to get out of this scrape. He knows the harbour, the currents, the tides, and so on. Any way, it won't do any harm to speak to him. I won't bother anybody to go with me. Stay here and make yourselves comfortable; I will dress and shove off."

      When Dave had dressed and returned, he found every boy in the boat. Dick Pray was the first that had entered.

      "Hullo!" shouted Dave. "All here, are you? That's good. The more the merrier."

      "Dave, we loved you so much we couldn't leave you," asserted Dick.

      "We will have a good time," said Dave. "All ready! Shove off! Bound for the lighthouse!"

      The old schooner was left to its own reflections in the sober moonlight, and the boat slowly crept over the quiet waters to the tall lighthouse tower.