The Meadow-Brook Girls Afloat; Or, the Stormy Cruise of the Red Rover

fast, after she had stepped to the window again to gaze off over the lake to the co

ch appetite for breakfast. They were too excited

railers and scouts and all the other things, could possibly be carried across a lake, dragged over sever

shook

e were last night," remarked Jane. "It'

that our anchor was pulled up before we left the other side of the la

on the handle of the mop pail latht night after I went to

imagination you

to solve the mystery," averre

we are going to find

ow

is matter. I am very glad that the rope was not cut, this time, or thrown overboard after being removed from the boat. If the boys are re

"I want to see that island at close range. Jane, will you come with me?" Jane was prompt to accept Harriet

which the houseboat was anchored. The girls rowed in so close that they were able to reach up and touch the foliage overhead and in places it trailed in the water. The island was rocky, still it was heavily w

at I thought we s

ou looking

d Rover' in under the trees, and where the boat canno

then. Why, in the sunlight you co

oars, and was peering over her right shoulder

? I saw that from the deck of the 'Red Rover,' this morning, when looking through the glasses. At least I thought it was a current. The water

t. But where's your creek? I

ek there, but if there is, it's go

wonder

es

ould we hid

known enemy," nodded Harriet. "If the boys did tow us

nemy will try to fi

es

our time. The boys won't

claimed Harriet, swinging the bow of the b

me lost in the shadows of foliage and rocks. Harriet drove her boat in without the least hesitancy. She saw by glancing above her head that there were no h

are going, Harriet?" qu

don't car

ok at that hole. It's a cave, Harriet

ery high to make such a large opening. Yes. See! The water swirls in at one side of the opening and comes out on the other side, ma

atest hiding pla

ey find we are missing? They'll think their

drowned," answered Jane, her

t, the mischievous sparkle appearing in the depths

here. What fun, what fun! And it's such a

Island of Delight," answered H

! Now, let's exp

ss Elting first. I do not think she will object, but we must

u plan to m

in a hurry. The boys are likely to be sailing over here almost a

shouted

l this foliage and then it is going to be another difficult job to get it out again. When we get those boys on the Island of

ow you are going to get

en need to think to know how to d

rded her

. My daddy says he'd give a mi

et out into the lake both of us will row, but let's be certain that there is no one in sight. We don't want

progress this way than they could have made by rowing, for the low hanging branches of the trees fouled the oar

girls bent to their oars with a will and made rapi

ouseboat saw t

g her forehead into sharp little ridges of perplexity. She did not

oard, their faces flushed and eyes sparkling, proc

?" asked the guardian,

part of what she had to say

stantly entering into the spirit of the plan

d so no one will know we are on th

eople get the idea that anything has happene

ess it is the Tramp Club," replied Harriet, "Besides, I shall find a

ish to move into this retre

At o

ish. Able seaman Tommy Thompson will heave the

etorted Tommy. "Able theaman Tommy will heave herthe

the boat. I am needed in the rowbo

y hard pull in this heat. Hadn't we better wa

fered no further objections. The "Red Rover" was a scene of activity from that moment on. All hands except Tommy assisted in getting the anchor aboard. Harriet and Jan

the red sides of the "Red Rover" made the boat visible as far as eyes could reach. It was even discovered by one of the Tramp Club boys, but so slowly did it move that he was not aware that it was moving at all.

g Handled

th backs bent to their task. They were destined to have a most delightful time on this their Island of D