The girls uttered shouts of delight when finally they staggered out
into the open with their burdens, on a high bluff overlooking the sea.
The sea lay sparkling in the sunlight, while almost at their feet
great white-crested combers were rolling in and breaking against the
sandy bluff. The salt spray dashed up into their faces and the odor of
the salt sea was strong in their nostrils.
"Isn't this glorious?" cried Harriet, with enthusiasm.
"I shouldn't think you'd ever want to see water again after what
occurred this morning," replied Margery Brown.
"Oh, that! I had forgotten all about it. This is different, Buster.
This is the real sea, and it's perfectly wonderful. Isn't it, Miss
Elting?"
The guardian, thus far, had not spoken a word. There was a look of
puzzled surprise on her face.
"What is it, Miss Elting?" questioned Harriet, instantly discovering
that something was wrong.
"I--I thought we should find some others here," replied the guardian
hesitatingly.
"I told you there wath no one here," answered Tommy.
"Whom did you hope to find?" asked Harriet Burrell.
"Some friends of mine. It has been a rocky road to Wau-Wau, and we
haven't reached it yet," muttered the guardian under her breath.
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