"Well, we'll try a fire," agreed Russ, as he prepared to go ashore with Paul.
"Oh—don't—don't go!" begged Ruth, nervously.
"Why not?" asked the young actor.
"Because—that beast—!"
"I fancy he's far enough off by now," answered Russ. "A fire will be our best protection, if we can make one. Come on, Paul, let's try it, anyhow."
"Oh, I—I don't like them to go," protested Ruth.
"Silly! It's the best thing to do," answered Alice. "They probably need a little exercise. They haven't so much room in their end of the boat as we have."
"Oh, of course, I don't want them to be uncomfortable," returned Ruth, quickly.
Searching about with the lantern Russ and Paul managed to get enough dry wood to start a blaze. It was a tiny one at first, but as the wood dried out the flames grew apace until there was a really good camp fire.
"How's that?" called Russ, as he dropped a pile of sticks into the flames.