“That piece in the paper,” replied Rose. “It said we would be sent there until——”
“Oh, that was some of the old lady’s work. Don’t you worry about that. Just come along with us. Don’t you be afraid that any one is going to hurt you,” for he saw distrust in Rose’s face. “You are among friends—all friends!”
“You bet!” cried Andy. “I got left from the boat just in time to tell them where you were.”
“Come along,” said Jack kindly. “You both look ready to—collapse.”
“I was just going to,” declared Nellie, rubbing her hand over her inflamed eyes. “I was going to jump into the water before Rose could stop me, but when she called our mother to help us I—couldn’t—then.”
“Nellie!” exclaimed Rose in surprise.
“Now do come along,” begged Cora. “You must need food and rest. I am almost dead myself from running around——”
“After us?” asked Nellie innocently.
The officer and young men smiled.
“Well, you see,” began Jack, “we just caught Andy ‘getting left,’ as he put it, and he told us where you were——”