“I had hoped to get to land and bring a boat back myself, grandmamma.”
“Cowad-an-liar,” she mumbled and closed her eyes.
CHAPTER XXI.—PICNICKING UNDER THE PINES.
“We are very much like murderers returning to the scene of their crime,” observed Mary Price as she followed her friends along a sandy trail which led to the forest. “Suppose the mate of the dead leopard should be lurking about somewhere?”
“And suppose the moccasin we didn’t kill should return with self, wife and numerous family,” added Nancy.
“Don’t suppose so many dreadful things,” objected Billie. “The moccasin isn’t going to come out here in these open spaces, and as for Mrs. Leopard, Charlie will kill her with his borrowed rifle if she comes snooping about.”
Ever since that eventful day when the Comet had been stalled in a sand bank, Billie and her friends had wished to return to the pine forest for a picnic. Leaving the Comet among those vanguard trees which lingered on the outskirts of the woods, before the trail became too soft, they carried their luncheon somewhat within the confines of the pine woods and chose for their picnicking ground an open space carpeted with pine needles. Here the trees grew to immense heights before they put forth their crown of fringy foliage.
Miss Campbell, off on a motor trip with the Duffys that morning, had trusted her young charges to their old West Haven friends, Percy and Charlie. They had invited Timothy Peppercorn to come, and Edward Paxton, who was growing more and more in favor with the Motor Maids every day.
Two days had passed since the explosion of the gasoline on the Firefly and the old eagle, his grandmother, who had suffered a slight stroke, had not asked for him again. Georgiana was at her side, but Clarence, she had ordered to keep out of her sight.
“The girls are not to do any work to-day,” announced Percy gallantly. “Be seated, ladies, while we become your slaves.”