For though, to use Josh's expression, the sea was "like ile" fifty yards out, it was fretting and working incessantly amongst the rocks, and running up rifts and chasms to come back in foam. One landing of this kind seemed to excite a desire for more, and, hammer in hand, Mr Temple was as busy as could be breaking "the gashly rocks," as Josh expressed it in rather a pitying tone of voice to Will. So search after search was made, Dick scrambling up the most difficult places he could see, and seeming to find the most intense enjoyment in perching upon some narrow ledge, with his feet dangling over the side, though what the pleasure was he would have found it hard to say. "There," said Mr Temple at last, as he and Dick leaped on board once more, "go on, or we shall see no seals to-day. It is not fair to you boys." "Oh! I like scrambling about the rocks, father," cried Dick; "it's poor Taff who misses the fun." "I can enjoy seeing you climb," said Arthur sedately. "Yes," said his father shortly, "I have no doubt it is pleasant to look on; but is it not rather too ladylike a pursuit for a boy like you?" Arthur coloured highly, and glanced forward to see if the rowers had heard; but he was relieved, for it was evident that they were too much occupied in circumventing the submerged rocks to pay any heed to the conversation, and the lad heaved a sigh full of content. A couple of hours' hard rowing brought them to the mouth of the seal-cave, which, as they approached, looked far larger than it had seemed before when the sea was higher, for it generally nearly covered it, and at certain times completely closed it in. "So now we are to see some seals?" said Dick excitedly. "I don't know," said Will quietly. "This is the cave they are in sometimes; but one don't know whether there are any here." "I think I see a little one drop off the rock as we come in sight," said Josh quietly. "Might have been a shag; but there was something on yonder rock; we shall see." "It looks a rum place," said Dick. "Why, the water goes right in. We shall have to wait till it's dry." "Then we shall never go in, sir," said Will smiling. "It is never dry, and the water is deep." "What are we going to do, then?" said Dick. "Row in--I mean push the boat in. The entrance is wide enough for that." "What! Are we going to pass right in there?" said Arthur rather excitedly. "I suppose so," said his father quietly. "Are you afraid?" "No, I'm not afraid," said Arthur quickly, but colouring a little the while; "only--only it seems so queer--such an awkward place to go in." "Yes, it will be awkward," said Mr Temple dryly. "There's lots of room, sir," said Josh. "No fear o' knocking your head. You see, there wouldn't be anything to be afraid of round our coast if there were no rocks."