hen a long stop had to be made for the
cutting of fuel, a shore party was made up.

Then they would take their luncheon with them, seek out some little
palm-shaded glade, and there feast and make merry. Ruth and Alice, with
Paul and Russ, always enjoyed these trips.

"I think this will about suit us," said Mr. Pertell, one evening, as the
_Magnolia_ made a turn in the stream, and came to a place where another
sluggish river joined it. "This is the spot spoken of by Jed, and the
surrounding country will give us just the scenery we want, I think. We
will tie up here for the night, and you and I will make an examination
to-morrow, Russ."

"All right, sir. It looks like a good location to me."

It was so warm that supper really was almost a waste of effort on the
part of the cook that evening, for few ate much. Then came a comfortable
time spent on the deck, while the night wind cooled the day-heated air.

"Oh, isn't this positively stifling!" complained Miss Pennington as she
dropped into a chair beside Ruth. "How do you ever stand it? I've bathed
my face in cologne, and done everything I can think of to cool off."

"Perhaps if you didn't do so much you would keep cooler," Ruth suggested
with a smile. "And really that is a very warm gown you have on."

"I know it, but it's so becoming to me--at least, I flatter myself it
is," and she glanced in the direction of Mr. Towne, who as usual was
attired "to the limit," as Russ said.

Ruth and Alice, in cool muslins or lawns, were quite in contrast to the
rather overdressed former vaudeville actresses.

"I can lend you a kimono," offered Alice.

"No, thank you!" replied Miss Pennington. "I believe in a certain
refinement in dress, even if we are in the wilds of Florida."

"I believe in being comfortable," retorted Alice.

Miss Dixon came up on deck, redolent of a highly perfumed talcum powder.

"It seems to keep away the mosquitoes," she murmured in explanation,
though no one had said anything, even if Russ did sniff rather
ostentatiously.

"I should think it would attract them," chuckled Paul.

"Oh, indeed!" said Miss Dixon, and changed her mind about taking a seat
near him.

Returning from a little exploring party next day Russ and Mr. Pertell
reported the locality to be just what was wanted.

"We start work to-morrow," said the manager. "And I want everyone to do
his or her best, for this will bring our Florida stay to a close."

"And what next?" asked Mr.