when it was lost."

"It must have happened years ago, before that life-saving station was
built," remarked Max.

"Life-saving station," repeated Lulu, turning to look in the direction
of his glance; "what's that?"

"Do you not know what that means?" asked her father. "It is high time
you did. Those small houses are built here and there all along our coast
by the general government, for the purpose of accommodating each a band
of surf-men, who are employed by the government to keep a lookout for
vessels in distress, and give them all the aid in their power.

"They are provided with lifeboats, buoys, and other necessary things to
enable them to do so successfully. If it were not too near breakfast
time I should take you over there to see their apparatus; but we must
defer it to some other day, which will be quite as well, for then we may
bring a larger party with us. Now for home," he added, again taking
Lulu's hand; "if your appetites are as keen as mine you will be glad to
get there and to the table."

"Two good hours to bathing-time," remarked Mr. Dinsmore, consulting his
watch as they rose from the breakfast table. "I propose that we utilize
them in a visit to Sankaty lighthouse."

All were well satisfied to do so, and presently they set off, some
driving, others walking, for the distance is not great, and even feeble
folk often find themselves able to take quite long tramps in the bracing
sea air.