"Stop--not so fast. Very soon after Rose twigged Pietrie, who at once confessed, and was caned. I happened to be in the library when Rose sent for him, and Pietrie said mildly that `he didn't see the harm of it.' Rose smiled in his kind way, and said, `Don't see the _harm_ of it! Do you see any good in it?' "`No, sir.' "`Well, isn't it forbidden?' "`Yes, sir.' "`And doesn't it waste your money?' "`Yes, sir.' "`And tempt you to break rules, and tell lies to screen yourself?' "`Yes, sir,' said Pietrie, looking unusually crestfallen. "`And don't your parents disapprove it? And doesn't it throw you among some of the worst boys, and get you into great troubles? Silly fellow,' he said, pulling Pietrie's ear (as he sometimes does, you know), `don't talk nonsense; and remember next time you're caught, I shall have you punished.' So off went Pietrie, _achreion idon_, as our friend Homer says. And your humble servant was convinced." "Well, well!" said Eric, laughing, "I suppose you're right. At any rate, I give in. Two to one ain't fair:--_pros duo oud' Eraklon_, since you're in a quoting humour." Talking in this way they got to Rilby Head, where they found plenty to amuse them. It was a splendid headland, rising bluff four hundred feet out of the sea, and presenting magnificent reaches of rock scenery on all sides. The boys lay on the turf at the summit, and flung innocuous stones at the sea-gulls as they sailed far below them over the water and every now and then pounced at some stray fish that came to the surface; or they watched the stately barques as they sailed by on the horizon, wondering at their cargo and destination; or chaffed the fisherman, whose boats heaved on the waves at the foot of the promontory. When they were rested, they visited a copper-mine by the side of the Head, and filled their pockets with bits of bright quartz or red shining spar, which they found in plenty among the rocks. In the afternoon they strolled towards home, determining to stop a little at the Stack on their way. The Stack formed one of the extremities of Ellan Bay, and was a huge mass of isolated schist, accessible at low water, but entirely surrounded at high tide. It was a very favourite resort of Eric's, as the coast all about it was bold and romantic; and he often went there with Russell on a Sunday evening to watch the long line of golden radiance slanting to them over the water from the setting sun--a sight which they agreed to consider one of the most peaceful and mysteriously beautiful in nature. They reached the Stack, and began to climb to its summit. The sun was just preparing to set, and the west was gorgeous with red and gold. "We shan't see the line on the waters this evening," said Eric; "there's too much of a breeze. But look, what a glorious sunset!"