Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island; Or, The Old Hunter's Treasure Box

uld not entirely forget Jerry Sheming. More particularly did she think of him bec

alked much with the young fellow who had saved Ann Hicks from the wrecked car at Appl

ought for a hunting camp, served to spur Ruth's interest in both the youth and the island itself.

ning money and private papers. Jerry believed it to have b

erry called him, have lost his mind over the catastrophe? Uncle Pete mu

ade it possible for some man named Blent to cheat

lle's father, was a party to any scheme for cheating t

t Alvirah's gnarled and twisted fingers did not take kindly to the pen; and Uncle Jabez loved better to a

at least, had worked for Uncle Jabez. The latter grudgingly admitted that Jerry was th

se, Ruth knew that her uncle would not keep the young fellow longer than he could m

now Jerry better. She had been deeply interested i

sland for the holidays, Belle," she

y time there-better than we had at Helen's father's ca

at lake you talk about, Belle, wouldn't fr

that wouldn't freeze?" de

said Heavy

ater, I'd like

responded Hea

ted the invitation. Ruth wrote to her uncle with some little doubt. She did not know how he would ta

week-end and lessons began again on Monday. Only those girls who lived very near to Briarwood made a real v

ge dam. Dinner was to be served at five in the evening, and more than half the school went off to t

and Heavy, at least, had promised to do so and meant to keep her word. Yet even

edge of the water; but there had not yet been frost enough to chain the current of the

verge of the big millpond. There were swings, and

nest to the westerner were present. Ann would have had a woefully bad time o

e did the big ones. In fact, the "primes," as they w

and there did not happen to be a teacher near to forbid her. Therefore, up she went, unfa

gh it did not have the "feel" of the fine hemp, or the good hair rope that is part of

shouted their appreciation. Ann did not mind, for there seemed to be no juni

n rowing. Briarwood owned a small lake, and they might have canoes and

ch almost a dozen of them crowded. Heavy sat in the stern and declared that she had to

it was pushed out from the landing. Just about the time the current which set toward th

was going to be propelled?" Heavy demanded. "I neve

lared the Mitchell girl. "Y

declared Heavy. "And didn't any of you thi

know now," cri

darting a frightened look ahead.

t to drift against the curre

In a very few minutes it was apparent to everybody within the circle o

t. If that yelling doesn't bring anybody, we'

ailed one of the weak

nd. But several small boats came racing down the pond after them, and along the bank came a man-or a boy-running and shouting. How ei

hore. Right at that end of the dam the water was

nds over the dam. This was a serious predicament, indeed, and the sp

ap, and they saw him stoop to unlace his shoes. A plunge into this cold water was n

Most of her companions were too small to do any good in any event. The girl from the

see me do it!" replied the plump girl. "Al

t spot. Then she swung the rope in the air, let it uncoil sudde

everybody, then,

and wrapped the slack of the rope around

t want to pull them out of the boat.

rry Sheming," she declared, suddenly looking into his face. "Ruth Fie

to swing shoreward slowly, taking in some wa