of the waters of Lighthouse Cove. Sometimes they would get soft crabs, by hauling the seine, or straight net, along shore.
But, though they made many inquiries, or, rather, though Sammy did, he could not find out who the old man was whom they had seen digging by lantern-light. They had had a fairly good view of him, but in the Cove settlement were many old fishermen and sailors, who looked much the same as that elderly man did, so they were not sure which of the many villagers he might have been; and they did not like to ask.
One day, after the three chums had been rowing for some distance around the Cove, Sammy Brown suddenly exclaimed:
"I say, fellows, I've got an idea!"
"What, another one?" laughed Bob. "You're full of them lately."
"Let's hear it, anyhow," suggested Frank. "Can we have any fun by it, Sammy?"
"Sure. What do you say to rowing ashore, and digging a pirate cave."
"You mean dig a cave and look for the pirate gold?" asked Bob.
"No, I mean let's play we're pirates ourselves. We can go over to one of those sand dunes, and hollow out a hole in the side of it. We can make believe that's where we live, and we can make a fire of driftwood."
"Say, that'll be great!" cried Bob. "And we can bring some grub there and cook it! Sammy, you're all right!"
"Even if he can't find the pirate gold!" added Frank, gaily.
Filled with the new idea, the boys hastily rowed up on shore, and soon were digging into the side of the hill of sand, making a place where they could go in and imagine all sorts of delightful things.
