ow withes, which served instead of
a rope. When the work was finished, John stepped on the raft, pushed
it from the shore, and tested it thoroughly.

"It is perfectly safe," he announced, "and will carry us all."

In a few minutes they were on board and out upon the lake, with Eben
lying upon the bottom of the boat. John had found a long slim stick,
and with this he poled. But when the water became too deep he paddled
with one of the oars which had escaped the fire.

Little was said at first as they moved slowly forward toward the lower
end of the island. Jess sat by Eben, with his head resting upon her
lap, while Mrs. Hampton was seated near by. John was facing her, and
at times their eyes met. Words were unnecessary to express their
thoughts, for love has a silent language all its own, which lovers
alone understand.

As they came near the lower end of the island, Jess pointed out the
exact spot where she and Mrs. Hampton had taken refuge.

"It was on that big rock," she explained to John. "The fire was almost
upon us when Eben arrived. We thought it was you at first, for we were
expecting you, and wondering why you were so long in coming."

John made no immediate reply, but paddled steadily forward. He had
said nothing about his experience on the plains, and he disliked to
tell of it now. He was not sure how Jess might receive the news of her
father's narrow escape and sad condition. He also knew that he would
have to answer many questions, and would be forced to tell of his own
part in the rescue, a thing which was adverse to his nature. But he
would have to do so sooner or later, so it might as well be now as any
time, he thought. Then, as briefly as possible, he explained the cause
of his delay, and how he had hurried to the island as soon as the men
had arrived from the river.

While John was speaking, Jess watched him intently, her heart beating
rapidly, and her face very pale.

"What was daddy doing there?" she asked when he had finished.

"He was looking for you, so I gathered from what he said. He became
lost, and sprained or broke his ankle as he wandered around. Then the
fire came, and he was stumbling across the plains when I happened to
see him."

John said nothing about the manner in which Randall had treated him,
and made light of his wild ravings after the fire had subsided.
Perhaps his distraction was only temporary, he reasoned, so it was just
as well not to give the girl an