1. Those who have seen the sea know what the tides are. The water rises slowly, and flows higher and higher up on the land, until the beach is covered; then it turns, and flows out again as slowly as it came in. The coming in of the water is called the 'flow of the tide;' the going out is called the 'ebb of the tide.' 2. One day, two boys-Robert, who was fourteen years of age, and Walter, a boy of twelve-took their little sister Ettie to the sea-beach to gather shells. They walked up and down on the sand searching for shells, but they could not find any that were very pretty. 3. It is too bad!' said Ettie; some one has been here before us and picked up all the prettiest shells. I think they ought to have left some of them for us.' 4. 'They had as much right to them as we have,' said Walter. 'We must try to find some that no one else has seen.' 5. That will be rather hard to do, unless we can find a place where no one else has been for some time,' said Robert. Now, if we could only go over to Rocky Islet, I am sure we should find as many as we could carry. It is low tide, and the rocks are all standing above the water.' 6. 'Let us go, then,' said Walter. There is Jonas the fisherman's boat, just ahead of us; we can borrow that, and row over to the islet easily enough. It is not very far.' 7. Ettie was delighted, and Robert consented to go. They borrowed the fisherman's boat, and, as both of the boys could row very well, they soon reached Rocky Islet. Robert tied the boat to a large stone, and then they all began to search for shells. 8. They found many beautiful ones, which they placed in the boat. Little Ettie thought she had never seen such fine ones as some of these were. 'Will not mother be pleased,' she said, 'when she sees how many we have ?-and such beauties, too!' 9. There was a pool of water on the islet, and in it were two crabs, which had been left there by the tide. Walter found them, and called to his brother and sister to come and see them. 10. They watched the crabs for some time, and laughed at their comical looks and ways. At last Robert said: 'Come, now; the tide is rising, and we must start home.' They walked to the water's edge, where they had left the boat, but it was not there. One of the oars lay on the rock, but the boat was gone. EXERCISES.-1. Pronounce and write: 2. Mention or write down the names of six things in the lesson. 3. Tell which of the words in section 2 are nouns, and which verbs. 1. Robert had not tied the boat securely, and the rising tide had carried it away. They could see it drifting toward the shore. 6 2. What shall we do?' cried Walter, in alarm. The tide will cover all these rocks. We must get to the shore, or we shall be drowned. Can you not swim to the boat, Robert?' 3. It is too far off,' said Robert, and the wind is blowing it faster than I could swim. Perhaps some one will see us, and help us.' 4. They were very much frightened. Ettie began to cry. The boys shouted as loud as they could, hoping that some one would hear them; but it was of no use, for the shore was too far off, and there was no boat in sight except the empty one that was drifting away. 5. Here is one of the oars,' said Robert, |