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I walked slowly on and on, enjoying the beauty of the scenery, until I
suddenly discovered that I was directly opposite the large rock which
Hilliard and I were to have "investigated" some day, but to which he had
never taken me. I knew we could not do it the next day, for Mr. Endicott
had invited us to spend it on his steam yacht, and the day after that
I was to leave for home; so I made up my mind that that afternoon was
my opportunity.
Carefully gathering up my skirts,--I had on my best white gown,--I
picked my way over the rocks and stepped down on the wide strip of sand
which divided this rock from the others. I noticed that the beach sloped
downward to the rock; but in my heedlessness I did not notice that the
sand was slightly damp.
On reaching the rock, I found that what had looked at a distance like an
arched entrance to a cave was really some irregular steps cut out of its
surface, and which led to a narrow shelf, or ledge, a little more than
half-way up the tall, solid-looking mass of stone. I knew that the view
from that height must be fine, and I _love_ to climb; so I determined to
get up to that ledge.
It was not very easy,--the steps were slippery and rather far apart, and
then, too, my dress bothered me, I was so afraid I would soil or tear
it,--so I was a little tired and warm by the time I reached the top.
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