of the
brook down there, and all that side is swampy land. You can't land on
it. You'll sink in. Wait till I take my shoes off, and I'll come and
help you."

Jud took off his shoes and socks and rolled his trousers up to his
knees. He wasn't afraid that the four little Blossoms would drown, for
the brook was not very deep in any part. But it was wide at the point
where Bobby wanted to cross, and there was no bank, only a piece of
swamp, on the other side.

"Now I'll take Dot and Twaddles, and you and Meg hold hands," said
Jud, as he stepped into the water. "Come on, Pirates, let's board
yonder frigate."

The children giggled and stepped gingerly after Jud. They were glad
he had come with them, for the mild little brook looked like a river
to them as they got out into the middle of it.

"What do you suppose that is over there?" said Bobby. "I wish it was
buried treasure. I never found any buried treasure."

"Maybe it is Indians," Meg suggested a little fearfully.

"With a flag of truce?" said Jud, understanding at once. "Well, Meg, I
don't believe we have any Indians around here."

He made a dive for Dot and saved her from slipping, but she wasn't a
bit grateful.

"I almost caught a crab," she sputtered.

Before Bobby could tell her that crabs didn't live in brooks, they had
reached the piece of swamp land and all four children rushed for the
fluttering bit of white which had attracted Bobby's attention.

"Why, it's a shirt!" said Twaddles in great disappointment.

Whatever he had expected to see, it certainly wasn't a shirt and he
felt cheated. Jud had to laugh at the queer expression on his face.

Meg, however, did not laugh. She was eyeing the shirt closely and Jud
saw that she had something on her mind. Perhaps Meg was his favorite
among the children, if he had a favorite. He had once told Linda that
Meg was a "regular little woman" and indeed, quiet as she was, she
often saw things that other people did not notice.

"Jud," she said now, "that shirt hasn't any buttons on it and the
pocket is ripped. And Linda brought her sewing basket."

Bobby looked at his little sister as though he thought she was losing
her mind.

"What's a sewing basket got to do with it?" he demanded.

"It needs mending," said Meg soberly. "Maybe the man who washed it
hasn't any needle and thread."

The twins declared that everyone had needle and thread, but Jud rather
spoiled their argument by announcing that he had none.