o conceal
his admiration for her idea.

Put to vote, every one of the little islanders voted to trust their
fates once more to the "Merry Maid." They would sink or swim with her.

CHAPTER XXII

THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER

Through the darkness until early dawn a strange procession wended its
way from the lodge in the woods to the decks of the long-deserted
houseboat.

Jeff stood at the door of their house, like a faithful sentry, to warn
them if danger approached. But the men who had been Jimmy's jailers
must have concluded to wait until dawn before coming for their
prisoner. They were so sure that he could not escape them.

All the most cherished possessions of the houseboat that had been
transferred to the little lodge were now transported to the "Merry
Maid" again. A few of their larger articles of furniture were left
behind as a thank-offering to the little lodge for the shelter it had
afforded them.

Not long before daylight seven wanderers crept down the path that had
been worn by the passing of the feet of the stranded girls. They
marched out into the shallow water and climbed up the side of the
houseboat. Phyllis Alden brought up the rear. She was half-leading,
half-pulling along the little fawn she had rescued in the woods. At the
last moment Phil had not been able to make up her mind to leave her pet
behind. The little creature had grown so used to her care that she was
afraid it would die without her.

Madge watched Phil's struggle, her eyes dancing with amusement. At the
edge of the water the deer stood stock still. Phyllis and Jimmy had to
drag the animal on to the boat.

"Phyllis had a little lamb, little lamb," sang Madge derisively.

When the first rosy streak of dawn shone in the sky the "Merry Maid"
was well away from land again. Again the tide bore her on its breast.
But how different the time and conditions!

Soon the sun rose gloriously, the blue waters danced and sparkled. The
atmosphere was clear as crystal.

The little band of voyagers watched the slowly receding shores of their
isle. They threw kisses across the water. As the land faded from sight
all their difficulties faded with it. The weeks on the deserted island
became the jolliest lark of their lives. It took its place at the top
of their list of happy memories.

No one on board the "Merry Maid" seemed to feel any fear for their
adventurous voyage. The morning spelled hope and good-luck. A returning
ship would b