Im just as anxious to see the ocean as I can be, declared Lucy Poole who, like the Corner House girls, had never been to Pleasant Cove before.
Oh, dear me! scoffed her cousin Carrie. Its only a big, big pond! Our frog pond at home looks like a piece of the ocean when its calm.
The others laughed and Pearl said: Guess Lucy wants to see Old Ocean in its might, eh? Big storm, whales, great ships
A sea serpent! cried Agnes.
Of course if there is such a thing, admitted Lucy. A sea serpent must be an awfully interesting sight.
There arent any more, said Pearl. Father Neptunes all out of stock.
I guess the sea serpent is something like the snakes alcoholic victims think they see, proposed Carrie.
Oh, no, proclaimed Agnes. Heres what I read about the sea serpent:
Which prophecy was strangely fulfilled.
The train reached Bloomingsburg about one oclock, and was immediately shifted to the single-tracked branch line that connected that small city with Pleasant Cove. The speed of the train after leaving Bloomingsburg was not great, for it was often held up for trains coming from the shore to pass.
The adult passengers grew impatient and wearied. There were many complaints, and the babies began to fret and cry. But our friends in the last coach remained in a jolly and for the most part kindly mood.
Trix Severn had taken her crowd into a forward coach. Her father owning one of the big hotels at the Cove, the railroad company had presented him with a sheaf of chair coupons. So, as Pearl Harrod laughingly said, Trixs party was as swell as a wet sponge.
I dont suppose any of that crowd at the Overlook House will talk to us , said Pearl. Just the same, I guess I can show you girls a good time at Spoondrift. Uncle always lets us do just as we like. Hes the dearest man.
The train rattled on and on. The alternate pine forests and swamp lands seemed interminable. Now and then they went through a cut, the railroad bisecting a hickory ridge.
But soon there was a change in the air. When the cinders and dust did not sift into the windows, there was a smell of salt marsh. The air seemed suddenly cleaner. At one station where they stopped, a salt creek came in, and there was a dock, and boats, and barrels of clams and fish piled on the platform ready for the next up-train.
Regular maritime smell whew! sighed Carrie Poole, holding her nose delicately.
Oh! The whole of Pleasant Cove doesnt smell like this, does it? demanded her cousin.
Only the old part of it the old village.
Well! thats lucky, said Lucy. If this odor prevailed I should say the place ought to be called Un -pleasant Cove.
How far are we from the jumping-off place? demanded Agnes. Id like to get out and run.
Pearl stooped to look out under one of the drawn shades. Why! she said, there are only two more stops before we reach the Cove station. Its a winding way the railroad follows. But if we got off about here and went right through those woods yonder, wed reach the Spoondrift bungalow in an hour. Ive walked over here to Jumpertown many a time.
Jumpertown?
Yes. Thats what they called it before the real estate speculators gave it the fancy name of Ridgedale Station.
At that moment the train suddenly slowed down. The brakes grated upon the wheels and everybody clung to the seats for support. One of the brakemen ran through
from the front and the girls clamored to know the cause of the stoppage.
Bridge down up front, said the railroad employee. Tide rose last night and loosened the supports. Weve got to wait.
Oh, dear me! was the general wail. When they could get hold of the conductor the girls demanded to know the length of time they would be delayed.
Cant tell you, young ladies, declared the man of the punch. Theres a repair gang at work on it now.
An hour? demanded Pearl Harrod.
Oh, longer than that, the conductor assured her.
But what shall we do? We want to get to the bungalow and air the bedclothes, and all that, before dark, she cried.
Guess youll have to walk, then, said the conductor, laughing, and went away.
Thats just what well do, Pearl said to her friends. Can the children walk three miles, Ruth?
Surely they can! Agnes cried. If they cant, well carry them.
Ruth was doubtful of the wisdom of the move, but her opinion was not asked.
Come on! lets get out quietly. Well fool all these other folks, said Pearl. Well get to Pleasant Cove long before they do.
CHAPTER VIII THE GYPSY CAMP
This was one thing. The other reason for Ruths leaving the train with her sisters, and without objection, was the fact that the strangely dressed woman and the pretty, dark girl had left it already.
When the train first stopped and the brakeman announced the accident ahead, the woman had spoken to the girl and they both had risen and left the car. Perhaps nobody had noticed them but Ruth. The strange girl had not looked at Ruth when she passed her, but the woman had bowed and smiled in a cat-like fashion.