"Not much, Jack," answered his sister. "I'll tell you just as soon as we get to the island and we have a chance."
"Didn't you boys bring anything?" questioned Mary of the other Rovers.
"Sure we did! But that's a surprise," answered Fred. They had brought fruit and candy.
"We brought two yeast cakes and a fried-onion sandwich," broke in Andy gaily, and at this all the girls giggled.
Ruth and May were made comfortable in the boat rowed by Jack and Fred, and they at once set off in the direction of Bluebell Island. The others shortly followed, and all made good time across the placid bosom of Clearwater Lake.
"I hope we don't encounter such a squall as we did before," remarked Ruth presently.
"Oh, I'm sure it will stay clear," Jack hastened to reassure her.
In less than half an hour the young folks found themselves safe on the island, which was about thirty acres in extent, with a grassy slope on one side and rocks, trees and brushwood on the other. They tied their boats securely, and then proceeded to walk across the island to where they might take it easy under the trees or hunt for the ferns the girls desired to get.
"Now then, what is it that is troubling you?" asked Jack of his sister as soon as he could speak to Martha without the others noticing.
"Oh, Jack, I don't know whether it ought to trouble me or not," answered Martha. "It was such a surprise. I didn't dream that those two fellows would show themselves around Clearwater Hall."