he fruit which, now, was at its best.

"What is the matter with the berries?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey. "We have been
able to pick only a few. The bushes seem to have been cleaned of all the
ripe ones."

"That's what they have," said Blueberry Tom, who was with the other
pickers. "And it's the gypsies who's gettin' the berries, too."

"Are you sure?" asked Mrs. Bobbsey. "We haven't seen any gypsies on the
island."

"They don't stay here all the while," said Tom. "They have their camp
over on the main shore, and they row here and get the berries when
they're ripest. That's why there ain't any for us--the gypsies get 'em
before we have a chance. They're pickin' blueberries as soon as it's
light enough to see."

"Well, I suppose they have as much right to them as we have," said Mrs.
Bobbsey. "But I would like to get enough for some pies."

"I can show you where there are more than there are around here,"
offered Tom. "It's a little far to walk, though."

"Well, we're not tired, for we just came out," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "So if
you'll take us there, Tom, we'll be very thankful."

"Come on," said the boy, whose face was once more covered with blue
stains. "I'll show you."

The other berry pickers, who did not believe Tom knew of a better place,
said they would stay where they were, and, perhaps, by hard work they
might fill their pails or baskets, and so Tom and the Bobbseys went off
by themselves.

Tom, indeed, seemed to know where, on the island, was one spot where
grew the largest and sweetest blueberries, and the gypsies, if the
members of the tribe did come to gather the fruit, seemed to have passed
by this place.

"Oh, what lots of them!" cried Bert, as he saw the laden bushes.

"Yes, there's more than I thought," said Tom. "I'll get my basket full
here all right."

Soon all were picking, though Flossie and Freddie may have put into
their mouths as many as went in their two baskets. But their mother did
not expect them to gather much fruit.

They had picked enough for several pies, and Mrs. Bobbsey was looking
about for the two smaller twins who had wandered off a little way, when
she heard Flossie scream.

"What is it?" asked her mother quickly. "Is it a snake?" and she started
to run toward her little girl.

"Maybe she's stuck in the mud, as Freddie was!" exclaimed Bert.

"Mamma! Mamma!" cried Flossie. "Come and get me!"

"She--she's all tangled up in a net!" cried the voice of Freddie. "Oh,
come her