We had determined to cut across Polkimbra Beach and climb up to Lantrig by Ready-Money Cliffs, as in order to go along the path above the cliffs we should have to ascend Polkimbra Hill again.  The beach was so full of horror to me that without a companion I could not have crossed it; but Tom’s presence lent me courage.  Tom was nearer to excitement than I had ever seen him; he grew voluble; praised the captain, admired his talk, and declared adventure to be abroad in the air—­in fact, threw up his head as though he scented it.

Yes, adventure was in the air.  It was not exactly to my taste, however, nor did the thought of my poor mother at home make me more sympathetic with Tom’s ecstasy; so whilst he chattered I strode gloomily forward over the beach.

The day was drawing towards noon.  October was revelling in an after-taste of summer, and smiled in broad glory over beach and sea.  A light breeze bore eastward a few fleecy clouds, and the waves danced and murmured before its breath.  Their salt scent was in our nostrils, and the glitter of the sand in our eyes.  Black and sombre in the clear air, Dead Man’s Rock rose in gloomy isolation from the sea, while the sea-birds swept in glistening circles round its summit.  But what was that at its base?

Seemingly, a little knot of men stood at the water’s edge.  As we drew nearer I could distinguish their forms but not their occupation, for they stood in a circle, intent on some object in their midst concealed from our view.  Presently, however, they fell into a rough line as though making for the archway to Ready-Money Cove.  Something they carried among them, and continually stooped over; but what it was I could not see.  Their pace was very slow, but they turned into the arch and were disappearing, when I caught sight of the uncouth little figure of Joe Roscorla among the last, and ran forward, hailing him by name.

At the sound of my voice Joe started, turned round and made a slow pause; then, with a few words to his neighbour, came quickly towards me.  As he drew near, I saw that his face was white and his manner full of embarrassment; but he put on a smile, and spoke first—­

“Why, Jasper, what be doin’ along here?”

“I’m going home.  Has Uncle Loveday seen mother?  And is she better?”

“Aw iss, he’ve a seen her an’ she be quieter:  leastways, he be bound to do her a power o’ good.  But what be goin’ back for?  ’Tain’t no use botherin’ indoors wi’ your mother in thicky wisht state.  Run about an’ get some play.”

“What were you doing down by the Rock just now, Joe?”

Joe hesitated for a while; stammered, and then said, “Nuthin.”

“But, Joe, you were doing something:  what were you carrying over to Ready-Money?”

“Look-ee here, my lad, run an’ play, an’ doan’t ax no questions.  ’Tain’t for little boys to ax questions.  Now I comes to think of it, Doctor said as you was to stay over to Lizard Town, ’cos there ain’t no need of a passel of boys in a sick house:  so run along back.”