"Oh, now I hear it," cried Hazel. "A motor boat coming! Do you think it's the one the boys are using?"
"I don't know," Harriet replied, "but it's heading straight for the island, and we must be ready to seek hiding on the 'Red Rover.'"
Anxious eyes peered through the bushes, watching the approaching boat for some time.
"It is the boys!" announced Miss Elting finally.
Tommy leaped up, and started to run.
"Wait!" commanded Harriet. "Let's make sure what they are going to do before we run away. We may have to creep across that open space there. I think they can see it from the lake. If they are coming to land on the island they will have to go farther to the right. That will be our time to get back."
But the Tramp Club had no intention of landing at that moment. They were nearing the island for the purpose of looking it over. When they had come as close as they cared to run they turned the boat sharply and moved along at a slower rate of speed. They were out of sight of the girls a few moments after that.
"Now for the boat. They are going around to the other side of the island," declared Harriet. "I think our plan is going to work."
For some reason George Baker was considerably interested in that island. There were many other islands in the lake, but this one had come to hold a sort of fascination for him.