152 THE OPEN AIB. 



that the sea actually is level — smooth as the surface 

 of a polished dining-table — till presently there appears 

 a darker line slowly approaching, and a wave of 

 considerable size comes in, advancing exactly like the 

 crease in the cloth which the housemaid spreads on 

 the table — the air rolling along underneath it forms 

 a linen imitation of the groundswell. These un- 

 expected rollers are capital at upsetting boats just 

 touching the beach; the boat is broadside on and 

 the occupants in the water in a second. To-day the 

 groundswell was more active, the waves closer together, 

 not having had time to forget the force of the extinct 

 gale. Yet the sea looked calm as a millpond — just 

 the morning for a bath. 



Along the yellow line where sand and pebbles meet 

 there stood a gallant band, in gay uniforms, facing the 

 water. Like the imperial legions who were ordered 

 to charge the ocean, and gather the shells as spoils 

 of war, the cohorts gleaming in purple and gold 

 extended their front rank — their fighting line one to 

 a yard — along the strand. Some tall and stately; 

 some tall and slender ; some well developed and firm 

 on their limbs ; some gentle in attitude, even in their 

 war dress; some defiant; perhaps forty or fifty, 

 perhaps more, ladies ; a splendid display of woman- 

 hood in the bright sunlight. Blue dresses, pink 

 dresses, purple dresses, trimmings of every colour ; a 

 gallant show. The eye had but just time to receive 

 these impressions as it were with a blow of the 

 camera — instantaneous photography — when, boom ! 

 the groundswell was on them, and, heavens, what a 

 change ! They disappeared. An arm projected here> 



