Would to God we had never seen her! We were thrown, as usual, into a perfect frenzy of wild excitement, and the girls dashed here and there like people possessed.

Of course, I determined to intercept the vessel if possible, and the girls at once expressed their intention of coming with me.

I attempted earnestly to dissuade them from this, but they wept pitifully and implored me to let them come.

They were filled with an ungovernable longing to get away--the same longing, perhaps, that animates a caged bird who, although well fed and kindly treated, soars away without a moment's hesitation when an opportunity occurs.

Quite against my better judgment, I let them come.
Every second was precious and every argument futile.