“I guess we can spare one more day,” he said. “How about you, Gordon?” “I’m for it. I’ve never seen a real surf board rider and I’ve always wanted to.” “Then we’ll consider it settled,” Mr. Mann smiled. “About ten o’clock is the best time and I think I can promise you some fun.” “Bill was all right,” Gordon whispered to Rogers a few minutes later as they were leaving the house for the porch, “until the girl put in her two cents’ worth.” “But I thought you were keen for it,” Rogers told him. “Well, I am in a way, but I think we ought to get back there as soon as we can. Suppose someone finds that hole and goes to poking around in it.” “Oh, I guess there’s no danger of that,” Rogers told him. “We didn’t see a soul about there except the Jap all the time we were there. It’ll be safe enough, I reckon.” “I suppose it will only——” “Only what?” Bill had lingered behind a few minutes to speak to Laura and had joined them just in time to hear Gordon’s last words. “Nothing,” Gordon told him. “Didn’t you want to stay?” Bill demanded. “Sure he did,” Rogers broke in. “Only he’s afraid someone will get ahead of us over on the other island.” “Of course I want to stay,” Gordon added. “It’ll probably be the only chance we’ll ever have to see real natives ride surf boards and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” The sight was all their host had promised and for fully two hours they watched the riders of both sexes as they raced in on the long swells. “Gee, but I’d like to have a try at it,” Gordon declared. “It takes a lot of practice to do it right,” Mr. Mann told him. “To do it at all, I’d say,” Bill declared. “Few white people ever get the knack,” Mr. Mann said. “Of course, after a little practice one can do something at it but it seems to take a native to do it right.” “I imagine it’s some different from riding a board after a motor boat,” Rogers declared. “Well, yes, I reckon it is,” Mr. Mann told him. “The hard part of it seems to be to hit the wave at just the right second and that’s what counts.” “Well, I’m mighty glad we stayed,” Gordon said as they started back. “So say we all of us,” Bill added. They were treated to another long ride in the afternoon and they were forced to acknowledge that they had never seen more beautiful scenery. “Not a bad place to live, is it?” Mr. Mann asked as they rolled into the driveway shortly before six o’clock. “It’s wonderful,” they assured him. “But you ought to see Maine in the summer time,” Gordon added. “I’ve never been there,” Mr. Mann told them, “But it’s possible that we may see it next summer.” “If you do you must come to Skowhegan and make us a visit,” Bill quickly told him and grinned as he caught the wink which Gordon gave Rogers. “We surely will do that very thing,” Mr. Mann assured him.