he shore. All were
too utterly worn out. They walked for a mile or more, and, when they
found no sign of life, came back to their landing place.

"There is nothing for us, children, but to sleep here on the beach
to-night, or go back to our houseboat," declared Miss Jenny Ann. "We
are perfectly safe, as there are no other human beings anywhere about."

"No more houseboat for me," rejoined Eleanor firmly. "Think of the size
of the rope that held our anchor and now the boat is secured by a
clothes line! I'll walk up and down on the beach all night, but I'll
not set foot on the 'Merry Maid'."

"But, Eleanor," protested Lillian, "we are so wet and cold. And it's so
dark and lonely."

"I know," agreed Miss Jenny Ann, "yet I feel a good deal as Nellie
does."

"We'll freeze to death, or have pneumonia, then," put in Lillian
plaintively.

Phil and Madge were talking together in low tones. Madge nodded her
head wisely.

"It's worth trying," declared Phil stoutly.

Turning to the chaperon, she said: "Miss Jenny Ann, Madge and I are
going back to the boat. We will get our steamer blankets and some
matches. If you and the girls will find some wood we will make a fire
on the beach. We can dry ourselves, and our fire may be observed in
this forsaken place."

"You'll get the blankets wet bringing them here, Madge," remonstrated
Lillian. "If only we had not left the 'Water Witch' up at Tom's camp,
what a help it would be now!"

"Don't worry," laughed Madge, "just wait and see what Phil and I are
going to do."

A light soon shone on the houseboat. Strange sounds of hammering were
heard. Miss Jenny Ann, Lillian and Eleanor would have grown impatient
if it had not been such slow work to find wood in the forest at night.
But they came back to the beach with their arms full several times
before a halloo from the houseboat indicated the return of the
excursionists.

A heavy something fell plunk! over the side of the houseboat. Two
figures scrambled after it. In a minute or two it was possible to see
Madge and Phyllis pushing a large barrel in to shore. The barrel had
originally been filled with potatoes, which the girls had dumped on the
kitchen floor of the houseboat.

The barrel held several steamer blankets, dry shoes and stockings all
around, matches, and a few pieces of kindling wood. Madge and Phil made
several trips before they concluded their work for the night. Besides
covering, they brought to the shore their che