BATTLE OF SEA AND LAND 167 



On the side of the sea is the wind, the ice and 

 the tides, while earthquakes also lend a help- 

 ing hand at times. But all these allies of the 

 sea are fickle and are liable to turn about and 

 help the land and sometimes they even fight 

 among themselves. 



This battle of the sea and land is the longest 

 war of which we have any knowledge, for it 

 has been continuous since land and water were 

 first formed, and doubtless it will continue as 

 long as sea and land exist upon our planet. 

 Moreover, it is a hopeless sort of battle, for 

 neither side will ever win. First one gains 

 and then the other, and while the sea may be 

 constantly gaining in one portion of the world 

 it may be losing in another place. It is an 

 interesting struggle, and one which we may 

 watch in perfect safety at almost any point 

 along the seacoast. 



Where the shores are sandy the line of bat- 

 tle is constantly changing and within a few 

 days, or even hours, either the sea or the land 

 may gain or lose many yards. On rocky 

 shores the battle rages just as furiously, but in 

 such places the land forces are strongly en- 



