2 Three Young Crusoes 



their feet as though they heard only in a dream. 

 But the land was no dream; beyond the sandy beach 

 were tall mountains that did not fade away as they 

 gazed at them, while in their hearts was a deep feel- 

 ing of gratitude for their delivery from the cruel 

 ocean. 



They jumped from the boat to the sandy shore 

 and danced up and down with delight. It was so 

 good to feel the earth beneath their feet once more 

 and to straighten out their legs after being cramped 

 up so long in the boat. Then they thought of the 

 biscuits and water; so the two boys took them from 

 the boat and put them under the shade of a big rock 

 far up on the beach. There was nothing else to 

 move. Edna had her knitting bag on her arm, with 

 manicure and vanity sets, pins, needles and thread, 

 a pair of scissors, a thimble, and a comb. The boys 

 had knives, pocket-combs, and pencils; while Henry 

 had also a note-book and watch and William had a 

 ball of twine and some fishhooks, a box of colored 

 pencils, and a purse with a few silver and copper 

 coins. Little good would the money do him now. 



"Let's go up and take a look at the land," said 

 Henry; so they crossed the strip of beach and climbed 

 the steep bank to get a view. Imagine their aston- 

 ishment when they saw nothing but blackened trunks 



