've got a
roomy boat, thank goodness. We can lie down on the rugs, with our rubber
coats for protection against the dew. We have some food left, and the
moon will soon be up, for it's clearing fast. Then, in the morning, we
can find our way back to the steamer."

"Of course!" exclaimed Paul, who realized the necessity of keeping up the
spirits of the girls. "We'll be laughing at this to-morrow."

"Do you really think so?" asked Ruth, timorously.

"I'm sure of it," he said. "Now let's figure out what we'd better do."

"How about going ashore?" suggested Russ.

"Never!" cried Ruth.

"Why not?"

"Oh, we don't know what sort of horrid things may be in the woods. It's
safer in the boat."

"You forget about the--" Alice began, but she did not finish. She had
been about to say "manatees and alligators," but thought better of it.
Instead she changed it to:

"Well, I guess it's about six of one and half a dozen of the other."

"Only, don't you think it's better to stay in the boat?" asked Ruth.

"I suppose it is," agreed Alice. "It will be damp on the ground, and
there is very little water in the boat."

This was so because when it rained Russ and Paul had used a heavy canvas
to cover up the provisions that were left, and this shed the water over
the sides of the craft.

"There's the moon!" suddenly called Mrs. Maguire, as she saw a flash of
light between the trees.

"I only wish it was the lantern of a searching party," sighed Ruth.

"They probably will hunt for us," said Russ. "But whether they find us
before morning is another matter."

"Well, let's take an account of things, and see how we stand, anyhow,"
suggested Paul, practically. "If we've got to stay here all night we
might as well make ourselves as comfortable as possible."

"Don't you think we could keep on rowing, and perhaps find the steamer,
Russ?" asked Ruth.

"I'm afraid not," he answered. "We would only get more lost, if that is
possible. No, I think the best plan is to stay right where we are, and
in the morning we can look about."

"I don't understand how we came to get lost," remarked Alice.

"Well, there were so many creeks and bayous that we probably took the
wrong turn," Russ answered. "We ought to have picked out a landmark, I
suppose. I will next time."

"Yes, we didn't use as much care as we might have done," agreed Paul.
"Well, let's make the ladies comfortable."

"I'm hungry, more than uncomfortable," declared Alice.

"Th