Having fully satisfied their curiosity, our friends inquired if there was anybody about there who would take them across the river.
"Yes, sir, I'll row you across, half of you at a time," answered the man, addressing Donald, who had acted as spokesman for the party. "All of you at once would be too big a load for the boat."
It was but a short walk to the river, a few minutes' row across it, and soon they were all on the farther side and walking along the beach toward home.
"Dinner time!" exclaimed Ella, looking at her watch. "What's to be done about it?"
Her question seemed to be addressed to Mary.
"Don't ask me," was the demure reply. "It's none of my concern to-day. Didn't you hear the agreement between Charlie and Don yesterday?"
"There! Mr. Charles Perrine, see the scrape you have got yourself and me into!" exclaimed Donald with a perplexed and rueful look.
"What in the world are we to do!" cried Charlie, stopping short with his hand upon the gate and turning so as to face the others.
"Get in out of the sun for the first thing," replied his cousin.
"Yes, yes, of course!" and he stepped back and held the gate open for the ladies to pass in.