"Did some one give this to you?" asked Phil gratefully.
David shook his head. "Stole it," he answered briefly. Phil, who could see that David was torn with impatience for them to resume their march, ate the fruit and drank the milk without protest.
It was about four o'clock in the afternoon, when David spied the "Water Witch," drawn up on the river bank out of the reach of the water. Some unknown force must have led him to Madge's hiding place in the woods.
Afterward he made no explanation either to Phyllis or Madge of his unexpected acquaintance with the man who had kept Madge a prisoner, and neither girl asked him any questions.
David managed to get the "Water Witch" out into the river with the single oar, and a party of young people in another skiff, seeing their plight, brought them safely home to the houseboat.
CHAPTER IX
LEAVING THE HOUSEBOAT TO TAKE CARE OF ITSELF
I SHOULD dearly love it," declared Eleanor.
"I think it would be a great lark," agreed Lillian.