"It's my opinion that those girls will win the wager unless we do some hustling," declared Larry Goheen, when they had once more returned to their camp on the other side of the lake.
"Harriet Burrell is very clever," answered George. "I wish we had gone ashore over there near where we last saw the 'Red Rover.' I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll run over there to-morrow and make inquiries of the farmers nearby. We ought at least to get some trace of them."
The boat turned homeward after having encircled the island. Harriet, as soon as the motor boat had passed on out of sight, hurried back to her companions.
"Girls! It's the boys," she cried. "They are looking for us. I could see that. They were so close to the island that I could almost have hit them with a stone."
"Provided you could throw straight," interjected Miss Elting.
"Yes. I wouldn't have to be a very good thrower to reach a boat so close as that one was."
"Shall we go exploring now?" asked Margery.
"I don't believe it would be prudent. Those boys are sharp. They may be on the island at this very moment. I don't hear their boat any more," replied Harriet.
"We will postpone exploring until to-morrow," announced Miss Elting. "And now, suppose we get supper? This is a cosy place. I never saw a more delightful nook. To-morrow morning, if the coast be clear, we will look about us. How about the farmhouse?"
"I am going over there as soon as it gets a little darker."