Breakfast was over, the morning tasks the girls had set themselves were all done, and the whole four came trooping out upon the porch where the three lads were standing apparently very intent upon some object out at sea. Edward was looking through a spy-glass, which he handed to Donald just as the girls joined them, saying, "See if you can make out the name." "Not quite, but she is certainly a yacht," was Donald's reply, after a moment's steady gaze at one of the many vessels within sight; for they had counted more than forty of various sorts and sizes, some outward bound, others coming in. The one which so excited their interest was drawing nearer. "Let me look," said Mary. "I have the reputation of being very far-sighted." Donald handed her the glass and pointed out the vessel. She sighted it, and in another moment said, "Yes, I can read the name--'The Curlew.'" "Ah, ha!" cried Edward in a very pleased tone, "I was correct; it is Will Tallis's yacht." "And really it looks as if he meant to call at Ocean Beach," added Charlie. "Must have heard, Ned, that you and I are here." "Doubtless," laughed Edward. "Will Tallis?" repeated Violet inquiringly. "Is he a friend of yours, Edward?" "Why, yes; have you never heard me speak of him? He's a splendid fellow, one whom I should very willingly introduce to my mother and sisters." "And has a yacht of his own?" "Yes; he's very rich, and delights in being on the sea. Inherits the taste, I suppose; his father was a sea-captain. He told us--Charlie and me--that he meant to go yachting this season, and wished he could persuade us to go with him." "And I, for one, should like nothing better," said Charlie. "Why, Ned, he is coming ashore! See, they have dropped anchor and are putting off from the yacht in a boat! Yes, here they come, pulling straight for this beach. Where's my hat? Let's run down, boys, and meet them as they land!" cried the lad, greatly excited. Amy had found his hat and silently handed it to him. Edward and Donald seized theirs, and all three rushed to the beach. "Come, girls," said Ella, "let us go too; why should we miss the fun, if there is to be any?" They put on their hats, took their sun-umbrellas, and started. They however went only as far as to the sidewalk in front of the Colorado House--so many people were thronging the beach to witness the landing, which was now evidently to take place just below there, and our modest, refined young ladies did not like to be in a crowd. Mrs. Perkins and Susie joined them. Fred was away; had gone over to New York, expecting to return by the evening train. "Not much to be seen by us but the waves and the crowd," remarked Ella, a little impatiently. "Nor much to be heard but the murmur of their voices." "They must have landed, I think," Mrs. Perkins said. "Yes, here they come; our lads, I mean, and a stranger with them. A very nice looking fellow he is, too."