"We had better get down near the front," she said, "or we'll not be able to get ashore in half an hour. Did you ever see such a mob?"
"It is considerable of a crowd," Frank admitted. "I think Mollie's suggestion is a good one, fellows. Let's try to make an opening while we can."
The boys managed so well that when the little boat scraped against the wall, their party was almost the first to set foot upon the land.
"That was pretty good work," said Will, with an air of satisfaction as they made their way to the shore, followed by a stream of laughing humanity. "I hope the girls didn't mind getting their dresses mussed. Say, fellows, if any one should ask me, I'd tell them it was one peach of a day!"
There being no disputing this fact, no one tried. The eight young people swung down the shaded street, feeling in tune with the whole world.
They succeeded in finding the general store.
"Now get out that list, Allen," said Betty, as they entered the wide doorway. "It would really be a shame to forget anything."
Allen began to search through his pockets, calmly at first, then in frantic haste. Seven pairs of eyes followed his panicky movements anxiously.
"You have never gone and forgotten it?" cried Mollie, in the awed tones of one announcing the end of the world. "Oh, Allen! you haven't?"
"Guess I have," he returned grimly, and, having searched through every pocket, began all over again. "It's strange—I could have sworn——"