"Yes; they've been here," replied George promptly. "Those initials stand
for 'Harriet Burrell.' They mean that the Meadow-Brook Girls have been
here and turned our tent upside down. But they made amends by getting
our noon meal started. I suppose we had better forgive them. What do you
say, fellows?"

"Of course," nodded Billy. The others agreed.

"Miss Burrell, having no card, left her handkerchief. But fellows, while
we are fussing around here, they may be getting away again. This may be
another of their tricks," declared George. "I would suggest, Billy, that
you eat your luncheon at once, then run out the launch and keep sailing
around to head them off in case they are running away."

To this proposition, Billy demurred. He did not fancy going away by
himself.

"I'll tell you what I'll do," he proposed. "I'll eat luncheon with you
first. They can't get far away before I get out, and even if they did I
should overhaul them. You know that old scow can be seen for miles."

"I notice we weren't able to see it a few rods from us," observed George
dryly. "All right. Start the potatoes to frying. Did they hide the ham?"

"They didn't find it. It's in the spring back there," answered Sam. "I
looked."

The luncheon was prepared in a hurry and the boys ate ravenously. The
excitement of the morning had not interfered with their appetites.

"Now, Billy, if you see anything, blow your motor horn and keep it going
until we hear it. Some of us will hear you. I propose that we spread out
so as to cover the island, but still keeping within yelling distance of
each other. We know now that the girls are on this island."

"Well find them." Billy walked slowly down to his launch, got in, and
reversing the engine, backed out, waving an indolent hand at his
companions.

Suddenly a weird scream rang out on the still air.

"Run for it, boys. That way," cried George, pointing excitedly.

"No! It's the other way," shouted Sam.

"You're both wrong. It's toward the other side of the island," declared
Larry.

"Now look here, fellows. We are all of us wrong. If we are going to
accomplish anything we must stop fooling and go at this business
scientifically. I will take this side of the island. Sam, you and two of
the fellows take the middle, and Larry the other side, keeping within
sight of the shore. We will search every inch of it, though I don't
believe we can finish the job before night."

"We had better take our lanterns wit