land
begins to narrow a short distance beyond here. Won't it be funny to see
them following that trail? And what a surprise they will get before they
have finished with this day's work." Harriet chuckled. She had been
whispering. She paused suddenly as a pebble rattled down within a foot
of the stern of the "Red Rover."

"They're getting rather close," whispered Jane.

"Captain Baker kicked that pebble down. He is going away. Do you hear
him?" George was whistling to himself as he tramped away toward the
other end of the island. They heard him call to his companions shortly
after that and shout some directions to them. Then nothing more was
heard from the boys for the rest of the afternoon.

The girls discussed the situation with Miss Elting. The guardian decided
that all the girls save one should remain on board the scow. One, she
agreed, might go out to reconnoitre. If the boys returned before dark it
would be well to know about it. Their further plans depended upon the
immediate actions of the Tramp Club. Harriet was the one who was chosen
to keep watch of their rivals.

She began at once to make her preparations, tying her hair in a tight
knot on top of her head and drawing a waterproof bathing cap over all.

"I am going to protect my hair," she smiled in answer to the unspoken
question in the eyes of her companion. "Those bushes pull out a few
strands every time I go scouting among them. I'll imitate the sound
that a crow makes if I see them coming back," she added. "No one must go
out in the meantime. All we can do is to keep quiet and wait. We've
already won the camera. We will have our fun when night comes, however,
and if we don't give those boys the fright of their lives I shall be
keenly disappointed."

"Which way shall you come back?" asked Jane.

"The way we came in. Don't have the boat wait for me down there. If I
have to come back in a hurry I will wade. Meadow-Brook Girls aren't
afraid of the water, you know."

"We know," answered Miss Elting, smiling, "but be careful that you don't
fall and hurt yourself. Good-bye. I will have the sheets and other
things ready by the time you return. We have the poles here. I do hope
we get an opportunity to use the stuff now that we have been at so much
pains to get it ready. You see, I am just as anxious to play this trick
as the rest of you girls."

Harriet laughed merrily at the prospect of the coming fun, then stepped
out into the rowboat that Hazel had