"It surely is," Dick answered. "But, Doctor, is that really so or is it only a story?"
"It's the truth. The shark hunters use both methods, the dagger and the sharp stick, but the stick is the favorite."
So the morning was passed in interesting tale and pleasant conversation, and they were all amazed when the Doctor informed them that it was half-past twelve. Soon afterward they came to a cozy little inn with the sign "Welcome" over the door painted in great gold letters on a black background. At this hospitable place they stopped for lunch.
When this most important function of the day was satisfactorily accomplished, they went for a stroll on the beach, as they had about half an hour to look around them before it was necessary to start on their way once more.
This part of the beach was perfectly protected from the unwelcome visits of the sharks by the large coral reefs, and the boys were surprised to see the number of people that were enjoying their afternoon dip.
"Look at those fellows over there riding in on the breakers," Tom cried, pointing to a group of boys that looked as if they might be Americans. "Will you please tell me what they think they have on their feet?"
"They look like snow shoes," Bert said, "but I never knew that you could use skees on the water."
"They are really nothing more nor less than snow shoes, but you see over here they have no snow to use them on, so they make them do for the water," said the Doctor.
"It's a great stunt," said Dick. "I wish we had brought our bathing suits along, we could take a try at it ourselves."
"If bathing suits are all you want," Ralph broke in, "I can soon get you them. This morning I thought we might want them, so, at the last minute, I ran back to get mine. While I was there I discovered your suits all tied together with a strap, so I brought them along, too. They are under the seat in the tonneau."
"Bully for you, old fellow," said Dick. "You have a head on your shoulders, which is more than I can say for myself."
"Yes, that's fine. Now we can try our skill at skeeing on the water. But, by the way, where will we get the skees?"
"They are not really skees; they're only pieces of wood pointed at one end," the Doctor explained, "and I think you will be able to get all you want up at the inn."