"Certainly, it's a dandy canoe," said Jack, "And you really mean that it is to be ours?"
"If you don't hurry along some one else may claim it," said Paul.
"It isn't mine, it's yours."
"And to think that we and our boys both got prizes!" exclaimed
Hazel. "Isn't it too good to be true?"
"And too good to be false," answered Paul. "Now, boys, let's run along. I have something to do before evening."
"And I had better make for camp," said Cora. "These togs are wet."
"Of course," said Belle with sympathy in her voice. "But when do you get your medal, Cora?"
"I believe it comes from Philadelphia. Some wealthy man has it stored there waiting to be claimed."
"It's a wonder the mother of that little girl didn't want to adopt you, Cora," said Jack, as the boys started off with Paul. "I thought from the way she hung on to you she had intentions. Well, so long. We will give you first ride in our new canoe, and let us hope we will have better luck with this one than we had with the other," and then the boys went off for the prize.
"I can't get over that girl being deaf and dumb," said Hazel, as the girls made their way to the camp. "I can scarcely believe it."
"Well, now we have a double interest on Fern Island," Cora answered. "If there is really such an unfortunate creature hid or hiding there she ought to be rescued. I cannot understand, either, how that foreigner can be her guardian."