Part 22 (1/2)

Occasionally one of them took a squint at the camp across the lake through a pair of gla.s.ses. But nothing disturbed _that_ spot. Their tents were erected in a clearing at the edge of the water, and they knew there was not a human habitation on that side of the lake within five miles.

Elberon Crossing was at the head of Rocky River, but a good half mile from the water and landing, where a ”tote-road” went through the Big Woods to the lumber camps farther west.

The _d.u.c.h.ess_ was in sight of the girls' camp all the way from the landing on the south side of the river. On her return the party watched her approach, which was soon after the noonday meal.

”h.e.l.lo!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Chet, suddenly grabbing up the gla.s.ses. ”They have a pa.s.senger.”

”Who have?” queried Billy Long.

”Lance and Reddy. Crickey! who have we here?” and then Chet began to laugh uproariously.

He tossed the gla.s.ses to Short and Long. The latter looked at the motorboat for a moment, and then began to laugh, too. Some of the girls became interested, and they ran for their gla.s.ses.

There was a third moving figure in the boat. It sat up forward and seemed to be gazing on the island eagerly. The girls began to giggle as well as Short and Long.

”Hus.h.!.+” begged Laura. ”Don't say a word.”

Purt and Lil were sitting together in the shade, and paid no attention to what was going on. Almost everybody on the island but themselves realized the ident.i.ty of the third figure in the _d.u.c.h.ess_ before the boat neared the beach.

Suddenly Purt gasped, and sat up straighter. He glanced all about and a sort of hunted expression came into his face.

”What's the matter, Mr. Sweet?” demanded Lil, in surprise.

”I--I thought I heard--Yes! I knew I could not be mistaken,” said Purt, in horror.

”What _is_ the matter?” demanded his companion, with some tartness.

She did not like mysteries.

”I--I heard a dog bark,” stammered Purt.

”Well! what if you did?”

”But on this--this island. Who--who could have brought the howwid cweature here?”

”Not _that_ dog, Purt!” gasped Lil, suddenly remembering.

There was a hail from the crew of the _d.u.c.h.ess_. Again the sharp bark of a dog sounded.

Purt leaped to his feet. He glared down upon the approaching motorboat. Then he glanced around helplessly, as though tempted to run.

The Barnacle was fixed on his tail in the bow of the approaching boat, barking for all he was worth!

”Hi, Purt!” yelled Lance, standing up in the c.o.c.kpit of the _d.u.c.h.ess_ and bawling the news. ”Here's your canine friend!”

Purt fairly groaned. Then he got mad and forgetting the girls were present, he blackguarded the jokers in the launch wrathfully.

”Oh, hush-aby! hush-aby, sonny!” begged Bobby. ”You wouldn't do all that to Lance and poor little Reddy--would you really?”

”I'll get square with them!” stammered the dude, ”and I'll kill that dog.”

”Don't you bite him,” warned Short and Long, ”for if you do right now he will sure have the hydrophobia. Take it easy, Purt--cool and easy.”