THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS
boys waited. Moments passed and no answering beacon appeared at sea. Then, when they had almost reached the conclusion that they had imagined that first reply, two dim flashes lit the darkness.
"It's much nearer," whispered Mart.
"Yes, and that light down here is from a lantern on the beach. It looks queer to me, Mart."
"Sure it's queer! It's some funny business that we've got to find out about, old man. Flop down on your tummy and crawl out to the edge, but be careful and don't make a row. Come on."
The edge was much farther than they had thought, and long before they had reached it they were wriggling down a slope of worn ledge, fissured and broken, that was extremely detrimental to clothing. Mart found the edge first when his exploring hand failed to touch anything ahead of him and he gave a warning whisper. Lying on their stomachs with their heads close together they exchanged impressions.
"The beach can't be more than twenty feet down," whispered Nelson. "I think I heard the chap with the lantern a second ago."
"Someone's trying to make a landing," said Martin, "and that light is to guide him. What
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