At the first touch of Bob's knife, the anemone shrunk in, showing nothing but a row of blue turquoise-like beads around its top or mouth; the rest of the animal appearing to be but a dull lump of jelly, all its vivid colours and iridescent hues having vanished on the instant of its being assailed by Bob with that formidable weapon of his.
"It's wounded!" cried Nellie impulsively.

"Don't hurt it, Bob, poor thing!" "It's all right, missy," said the Captain, consolingly.

"It always shrinks like that when any one interferes with it.

But, look sharp, Bob, there's your aunt waving her handkerchief like mad from the pier- head to say that the steamer's coming in; and, by Jove, there she is, rounding the point!" They did look sharp; the boys, after the anemone was secured, scampering ashore in extra high spirits on account of the old sailor telling them that they had no time to put their shoes and stockings on, and would have to go on board the _Bembridge Belle_ without them, like a pair of mudlarks.
The Captain hurried, too, jumping from rock to rock and boulder to boulder, a precaution now even more necessary than before, from the tide having risen considerably even during their short delay and being now nearly at the flood.
Sure-footed himself as an old sailor, though holding Nellie's hand to prevent her slipping, he found time, in spite of his hurry, to point out to her, growing on the beach under the low cliff, beyond where the keeper's lodge stood, a solitary specimen of the "sea cabbage," whose bright yellow flowers and fleshy green leaves, he suggested, would be an addition to the general effect of her bouquet, which, by the way, Mrs Gilmour had taken charge of while she went anemone-gathering, after this had been discarded from the bucket.
"It isn't bad eating, either, when on a pinch for green stuff," added the old sailor; "and I've seen boys hawking the plant about for sale at Dover.

But, let us push ahead, missy--run, boys, run, the steamer's alongside!" With their shoes and stockings slung over their shoulders, Bob and Dick pattered along the shaky suspension bridge to the pier in advance, making good way in their bare feet; but, old as he was, the Captain was not far behind, going at a jog-trot that made Miss Nell step out to keep pace with him.
However, they were not sorry when they reached the pier-head, for, all the while they were running, the steam-whistle of the _Bembridge Belle_ was screeching away, as if telling them they would be too late, and threatening to start off without them if they did not hurry.
"Just did it!" gasped the Captain, setting foot on the gangway and jumping on board, dragging poor Nellie almost in as breathless a state after him, Bob and Dick having already preceded them.