Having fun in camp was the hardest work Purt Sweet had ever done; but he was ashamed to “kick” about it before the girls. He came ashore to assure Lil Pendleton that he would do his best to find and punish the marauders who had raided the camp on the island.
“Whether the fellow paid for what he got, or not,” Chet said, seriously, when he had heard the particulars, “we want to know if he is still here, and what he means by such actions.”
“We must know that he isn’t here, or I sha’n’t want to stay,” declared Nellie Agnew, who was really very timid.
“Leave it to us,” said Billy Long, grandly. “We’ll comb this island with a fine tooth comb––”
“You don’t suppose we girls are going to let you fellows do it all, do you?” demanded Laura. “Of course we shall help, Short and Long.”
“Aw! you’ll tear your frocks and scratch yourself on the vines, and stub your toes and fall 124 down, and make a mess generally,” declared Short and Long, loftily. “Better stay here in camp and do your squealing.”
“Well! I like that!” quoth Jess, making a dive for the short boy. She was considerably bigger than he, and catching him from the rear she wound her long arms about him and so held him tight.
“Take that back, Short and Long,” she commanded, “or I shall hold you prisoner.”
Short and Long found he could not get away from Jess, and finally stopped struggling. “I didn’t know you thought so much of me, Jess,” he said, grinning. “But it embarrasses me dreadfully, to have you hug me in public.”
“Why!” laughed the big girl, “I’d think no more of hugging you, than I would your brother, Tommy—and he’s a dear!”