The Meadow-Brook Girls Afloat Part 23

"It used to be," answered Harriet. "We have rechristened it."

"What have you named it?" said Billy, regarding her inquiringly.

"We have named it the 'Island of Delight.' How do you like it?"

"Great!" shouted the boys in chorus.

"Have you been all over it yet?" asked Sam.

"No, we have not," replied Jane, and with truth, for they had not yet explored the entire island. They were going to do so that day.

Harriet wanted to test their woodsmans.h.i.+p, so she skilfully led the boys toward the spot where the "Red Rover" had been so successfully secreted during the time the boys had been searching for them. By making a wide detour Harriet finally brought up right over the place where the cave and the secret creek lay.

Jane turned away that they might not see her laughter. In the meantime Harriet and George were discussing the beauties of the place. She gave him every opportunity to discover the retreat, but George looked about him with unseeing eyes. As a matter of fact, Harriet admitted to herself that had she not known that the stream lay below her she never would have dreamed of its existence.

There were smiles on the faces of all the Meadow-Brook Girls when finally they turned away and slowly beat their trail through the thick growth of vegetation to the lower end of the island. They spent some time there, sitting on rocks, watching the boats on the lake. Many admiring glances were directed toward the girls by the Tramp Club boys who were very much pleased with the straightforward friendly manner of the Meadow-Brook Girls.

Finally they turned their footsteps homeward, reaching the camp late in the afternoon. Larry ran on ahead and gazed out over the water.

"What do you see?" called Jane.

"I was looking to see if that 'Red Rover' had disappeared while we were away," answered the red-headed Larry. "You can't tell about that craft.

It's just as likely not to be there as it is to be there," he added lamely, then flushed when his companions laughed at him.

"You're mixed, Larry," jeered Sam.

"The 'Red Rover' behaves well when we are away," said the guardian in reply. "We work our spells on it only when we are aboard. It would be rather embarra.s.sing to have the 'Red Rover' disappear while we were absent. By the way, we should be happy to have you young gentlemen come over and take tea with us this evening. Will you come?"

George shook his head.

"No, thank you. Not to tea. There are too many of us. But I'll tell you what we will do. We will come over later in the evening and have a visit and another concert. Larry plays the banjo. He'll give you an Irish jig if you wish."

"That would be fine," answered Crazy Jane enthusiastically. "Now, if I only had my automobile horn, what a lot of noise we would make, wouldn't we, boys?"

"Bring the banjo by all means," urged Miss Elting.

The boys a.s.sisted their guests into the rowboat which had been towed ash.o.r.e behind the launch. The little boat was well loaded and settled perilously low after all had gotten in. Gordon shook his head and declared it wasn't safe. Miss Elting answered that they didn't mind a wetting.

The rowboat was pushed out, the girls and the boys waving and shouting their adieus. During the rest of the afternoon the girls were busy sewing, ironing, getting their clothes in fit condition. Supper time came all too soon for them. The dishes were washed and put away with all speed that night, and about eight o'clock the boys put off in their own rowboat. Larry was tw.a.n.ging his banjo on the way over. The "Red Rover"

was all alight in honor of their coming, and following the arrival of the tramps, a jolly evening was spent. Larry played and the girls sang.

Sam essayed to join in, but ceased his efforts when his companions threatened to throw him overboard.

The party broke up about ten o'clock. The boys went home singing "Good night ladies" to the accompaniment of Larry's banjo. The girls stood on the upper deck watching the lads until a shout from the sh.o.r.e told the watchers that their guests had arrived at the camp.

"Now, what are your plans for to-morrow, girls?" asked Miss Elting when they had gone below. "Do you wish to go into retirement?"

"No. The boys have invited us for a ride in the launch to-morrow,"

answered Harriet. "What troubles me is the matter of leaving the 'Red Rover' alone so long. I think perhaps it would be better for me to remain here to look after the boat while the rest of you go on the motor boat trip."

The girls declared they would not go at all unless Harriet went with them.

"That matter already has been settled," replied Miss Elting. "I am the one who will remain aboard the 'Red Rover.' Harriet, you will chaperon the girls on the motor boat ride. That will settle the objections, and you will be every bit as good a chaperon as myself."

The arrangement did not wholly satisfy the Meadow-Brook Girls. All were very fond of their guardian, and they wished her to have a part in all their enjoyments. They had not fully decided upon going when they retired.

"I wonder if those boys are planning anything for to-night?" mused Miss Elting, a moment after turning out the lights.

"Yes," answered Harriet confidently, as if she had been consulted.

"What?" demanded a chorus of voices.

"They are planning to go to bed. I saw them fixing the fire, just before I got into bed."

"Oh, fudge!" groaned Margery.

"Thave me!" wailed Tommy.

Jane suggested that Harriet ought to have a ducking, then one by one the girls dropped off to sleep.

The clock that Harriet consulted showed the hour to be ten minutes after midnight. She had awakened suddenly, and with a feeling that something were not as it should be. The girl rose softly, peering through the window. The "Red Rover" was lying very quietly, there being little movement of the water. No one was about, nor was there a boat in sight.

She stepped out on the deck, glancing about in all directions, her eyes finally fixing themselves on the camp of the Tramp Club.

"Those boys are up and moving about," she mused. "They have stirred up the fire." Just then the girl heard the rattle of an oar in a rowboat.

The sound seemed to come from the camp. Harriet watched a few minutes.

Then turning quickly she went inside.

"What is it?" demanded Miss Elting sharply. "Who is it?"

"Harriet. Those boys are awake, and, I think, getting ready to come out on the lake. I believe they are up to something."

"What do you suspect?"

"I don't know. Would it not be wise to awaken the girls and all get dressed? We don't want to be caught napping, you know."

"I should say not," agreed the guardian. She got up and went to the window. Their conversation had been carried on in so low a tone that none of the others had been awakened. Miss Elting gazed keenly; then, bringing her gla.s.ses, peered through them at the camp of the tramps.

"Yes, they are up to mischief of some sort," she decided, lowering the gla.s.ses and laying them aside. "Girls!"

"Wha--wha-at?" cried Jane, her feet landing on the floor almost ere the words were out of her mouth.

Tommy hopped out of bed a few seconds behind Crazy Jane, but instead of landing on her feet, the little girl went sprawling on the floor on her face.

"Thave me! Are we thinking?" she cried.

"No, you foolish girl. We aren't sinking," answered Harriet laughing.

Margery stood s.h.i.+vering in the middle of the cabin. Hazel had begun to dress.

"Dress yourselves at once," ordered Miss Elting. "Be quick about it.