ng, where a "tote-road" went through the Big
Woods to the lumber camps farther west.

The _Duchess_ was in sight of the girls' camp all the way from the
landing on the south side of the river. On her return the party
watched her approach, which was soon after the noonday meal.

"Hello!" ejaculated Chet, suddenly grabbing up the glasses. "They have
a passenger."

"Who have?" queried Billy Long.

"Lance and Reddy. Crickey! who have we here?" and then Chet began to
laugh uproariously.

He tossed the glasses to Short and Long. The latter looked at the
motorboat for a moment, and then began to laugh, too. Some of the
girls became interested, and they ran for their glasses.

There was a third moving figure in the boat. It sat up forward and
seemed to be gazing on the island eagerly. The girls began to giggle
as well as Short and Long.

"Hush!" begged Laura. "Don't say a word."

Purt and Lil were sitting together in the shade, and paid no
attention to what was going on. Almost everybody on the island but
themselves realized the identity of the third figure in the _Duchess_
before the boat neared the beach.

Suddenly Purt gasped, and sat up straighter. He glanced all about and
a sort of hunted expression came into his face.

"What's the matter, Mr. Sweet?" demanded Lil, in surprise.

"I--I thought I heard--Yes! I knew I could not be mistaken," said
Purt, in horror.

"What _is_ the matter?" demanded his companion, with some tartness.
She did not like mysteries.

"I--I heard a dog bark," stammered Purt.

"Well! what if you did?"

"But on this--this island. Who--who could have brought the howwid
cweature here?"

"Not _that_ dog, Purt!" gasped Lil, suddenly remembering.

There was a hail from the crew of the _Duchess_. Again the sharp bark
of a dog sounded.

Purt leaped to his feet. He glared down upon the approaching
motorboat. Then he glanced around helplessly, as though tempted to
run.

The Barnacle was fixed on his tail in the bow of the approaching boat,
barking for all he was worth!

"Hi, Purt!" yelled Lance, standing up in the cockpit of the _Duchess_
and bawling the news. "Here's your canine friend!"

Purt fairly groaned. Then he got mad and forgetting the girls were
present, he blackguarded the jokers in the launch wrathfully.

"Oh, hush-aby! hush-aby, sonny!" begged Bobby. "You wouldn't do all
that to Lance and poor little Reddy--would you really?"

"I'll get square with them!" stammered th