The boat was just about to be pushed off from the little improvised dock, when the sound of oars out on the lake was heard, the echo coming distinctly over the water, and through the still darkness.
“Hark!” exclaimed Mabel.
“Some one is coming,” added Marie.
“Maybe with—news,” faltered Alice.
Then came a hail.
“Wo-he-lo! Dogwood!”
“It’s Natalie!” chorused her chums, while Blake raised his voice in a gladsome shout:
“Natalie! Where have you been? Are you all right?”
“All right, yes, of course. Reuben is bringing me home.”
“Reuben?” Blake questioned quickly.