"It isn't good to eat now." "Kill the nasty, bloaty thing, and throw it in for bait for the fishes." "No, no," I said, "put it down and let it creep back.

It will grow into a fine crab, and we know its hole and can come and get it some day when the tide's down." "That's it," said Big; and taking the pulpy, soft crab, which pinched at his hands without the slightest effect, he crept back and thrust it into its hiding-place once again.
We two were looking in after him when--_thud_!--_plash_!--came a wave, breaking just below us and drenching us from head to foot, while a quantity of the water rushed into our baled-out hole, filled it, and began running swiftly up the channel, so swiftly that we saw at a glance it would only take another or two to fill the upper pool.
"Here, come out, Big.

Quick!" I cried.

"Tide's coming in.

Now, Bob, get the baskets and nets." I ran down a few yards, and was only just in time to snatch mine up before a wave washed right over the spot where they had lain.