About this time Crazy Jane McCarthy, face flushed, hair down, her skirt torn in several places, might have been seen fleeing along the shore of the island, running away from the Tramp Club's camp and toward their own secret nook, where the "Red Rover" was lying calmly at anchor in the half cave that had furnished a hiding place for the girls before.
She came tearing through the bushes nearly falling into the lower end of the stream.
"They're coming!" she shouted. "Get to cover!"
"Sh-h-h!" warned Hazel, who sat awaiting Jane, in the rowboat. "I hear a motor boat outside. I think it is the boys' boat."
"I tell you they are on their way to search the island," answered Jane.
"All of them?"
"All but Billy Gordon. He has gone off in the launch to keep an eye on the shore."
"Then that is his boat out there. Get in here. I am worried that Harriet is still out."
Just then a soft "hoo-e-e-e" from the bushes on the opposite side of the stream, told them that Harriet Burrell had returned. She had been out on a scouting expedition. Hazel rowed over to the other side of the creek. Harriet jumped aboard. Jane, in excited whispers, told her that the boys were coming and that Billy was out in the launch.
"I know. I saw him just a few moments ago. What are their plans?"