“Oh, let’s!” chorused the girls, and this was voted the best plan.
“There’s a camp of young fellows not far from ours,” said Jack when they were all back at Dogwood—a disconsolate enough party. “We’ll get them and beat the woods. You girls had better stay here now. We’ll find her. I’ll row down in one of your boats, and get them.”
He hurried to the little dock, and at once called out:
“Where’s your small rowboat?”
“Isn’t it there?” asked Mrs. Bonnell in surprised tones.
“Not a sign of it.”
In the flickering light of the lanterns those near the tents looked at each other. Then Marie cried:
“I see it now! Natalie went out in a boat and is drowned! Oh, Natalie!” and she fell to sobbing on Mrs. Bonnell’s shoulder.
CHAPTER XXVI
A SPRAINED ANKLE