Never saw such a lot of folks at this time . Should n't wonder if something had happened . I say , put me ashore , and I 'll cut up and see , '' said the bicycle boy , who was of an inquiring turn . `` I 'll go with you , '' said Frank ; `` it wo n't take but a minute , and I 'd like to discover what it is . May be something we ought to know about . '' So the boys pulled round into a quiet nook , and the two elder ones scrambled up the rocks , to disappear in the crowd . Five , ten , fifteen minutes passed , and they did not return . Jack grew impatient , so did Jill , and bade him run up and bring them back . Glad to know what kept them , Jack departed , to be swallowed up in his turn , for not a sign of a boy did she see after that ; and , having vainly strained her eyes to discover the attraction which held them , she gave it up , lay down on their jackets , and began to read . Then the treacherous tide , as it ebbed lower and lower down the beach , began to lure the boat away ; for it was not fastened , and when lightened of its load was an easy prize to the hungry sea , always ready to steal all it can . Jill knew nothing of this , for her story was dull , the gentle motion proved soothing , and before she knew it she was asleep . Little by little the runaway boat slid farther from the shore , and presently was floating out to sea with its drowsy freight , while the careless boys , unconscious of the time they were wasting , lingered to see group after group photographed by the enterprising man who had trundled his camera to the rocks . In the midst of a dream about home , Jill was roused by a loud shout , and , starting up so suddenly that the sun-umbrella went overboard , she found herself sailing off alone , while the distracted lads roared and beckoned vainly from the cove . The oars lay at their feet , where they left them ; and the poor child was quite helpless , for she could not manage the sail , and even the parasol , with which she might have paddled a little , had gone down with all sail set . For a minute , Jill was so frightened that she could only look about her with a scared face , and wonder if drowning was a very disagreeable thing . Then the sight of the bicycle boy struggling with Jack , who seemed inclined to swim after her , and Frank shouting wildly , `` Hold on ! Come back ! '' made her laugh in spite of her fear , it was so comical , and their distress so much greater than hers , since it was their own carelessness which caused the trouble . `` I ca n't come back ! There 's nothing to hold on to !
You did n't fasten me , and now I do n't XXXXX where I 'm going ! ''
Come caused cut discover found having knew know lay take