r now."

All the people on the grounds crowded around the car as the singer
stepped on board. Rod was standing right by the door, watching her
face with great interest. How she longed to stoop, fold him in her
arms, kiss mm, and proclaim that he was her own boy. But, no, not now.
She must wait. Waving her hand to the crowd, she was borne swiftly
away, leaving the people with a great and new topic of conversation,
which would last them for many a day.

CHAPTER XX

THE ISLAND ADVENTURE

Next morning the scouts met at the Anchorage to find out how much money
they had made. Great was their delight to learn that they had taken in
fifty dollars and seventy cents. It seemed too good to be true, and
the only way they could account for the large sum was the money
contributed by several men who had come in autos. They had paid a
dollar apiece for their tickets, and had spent money liberally upon
ice-cream, cake, and candy. No refreshments were left over, and but
for the timely assistance of Miss Arabella there would not have been
enough.

It was in Whyn's room where this meeting took place. Captain Josh said
very little at first, for he was satisfied to let the rest do the
talking. He was happy at the way the affair had turned out, and he
wished to do something to celebrate the occasion.

"Boys," he at last began, after they had thoroughly discussed the
entertainment and the singer, "we've had a great success, more than we
ever expected, I feel now like doin' something desperate jist to
relieve my feelings. Suppose we make a trip to the island, and camp
there all night. We've been talkin' about this fer some time, and as I
have to go over to look after some nets I left there, it might as well
be now as at any time. You boys have never spent a night in the open,
and it'll do yez good to learn how to camp and cook. All scouts must
know something about sich things."

"Shall we go to-day?" Rod eagerly enquired. The big island had always
been a fascinating place to him, and he longed to go there. He had
heard many stories about it, and how much treasure had been buried
there long ago by Captain Kidd.

"Yes, this afternoon," the captain replied. "We'll go in the _Roarin'
Bess_, and tow the tender to take us ashore. You boys had better
hustle away home now, and find out if yer parents will let yez go. Ye
must bring along a blanket or two each, and enough grub to last yez fer
supper and breakfast. I'l