son, if you will promise to hold on to the rope. I cannot think that
otherwise you would be safe in that boiling surf."

"But I can swim, papa," said Max; "and won't you let me go with you out
beyond the surf, where the water is more quiet?"

"Why yes, you shall," the captain replied, with a look of pleasure; "I
did not know that you had learned to swim."

"I don't want to go in," said timid little Grace, as if half fearful it
might be required of her. "Mamma is not going, and can't I stay with
her, papa?"

"Certainly, daughter," was the kind reply. "I suppose you feel afraid of
those dashing waves, and I should never think of forcing you in among
them against your will."

Betty Johnson now announced her intention to join the bathers. "It's
the first chance I've ever had," she remarked, "and I shan't throw it
away. I'll hold on to the rope, and if I'm in any danger I suppose Bob,
or some of the rest of you, will come to my assistance?"

"Of course we will!" all the gentlemen said, her brother adding, "And if
there's a good chance, I'll take you over to Nantucket Town, where
there's still-bathing, and teach you to swim."

"Just what I should like," she said. "I have a great desire to add that
to the already large number of my accomplishments."

Miss Betty was a very lively, in fact, quite wild, young lady, whose