, on the last evening of the meet, the latter enlivened the
camp-fire gathering with several scenes from _Blue Billows_ they fairly
"brought down the house."

In one way it is sad that all such good times must come to an end,
though if they did not they would soon cease to be good times, and we
should long for anything in the way of a change. The Rangers had not
wearied of this good time, though, by Saturday morning, and when the
steamer appeared that was to take the canoe-boys back to the big city
they openly rejoiced that their own hour for departure had not yet
arrived. In vain did Tom Burgess and his comrades urge them to take
advantage of this opportunity for leaving the island, and so return to
Berks by way of New York. They declared that they were bound to await
Captain Crotty's return in the very place where he had left them, and
found a dozen other reasons for declining the invitation. So the
canoe-men reluctantly boarded their steamer, and with much cheering and
blowing of the steam-whistle, and dipping of flags, and waving of hats,
sailed away, leaving the island to the undisturbed possession of our
young Sea Rangers.

No sooner, however, was the steamer lost to view and the boys from Berks
realized that their sole means of communication with the world was thus
cut off, than they began to experience a complete change of feeling.
Will Rogers was struggling bravely against it as he shouted:

"Hurrah, fellows! Now we are really and truly cast away on a desolate
island, and thrown on our own resources. Isn't it fun, though! and
aren't we in great luck?"

"Yes, I suppose so," admitted one or two of the others, hesitatingly;
but Cal Moody spoke right out, and said he thought it was awful, and he
wished Captain Crotty would come, or that they were safe at home in
Berks, or anywhere except on that horrid island. The little chap was
about ready to cry: but was prevented by Will Rogers, who, realizing the
effect of such despondency on the others, sang out:

"Oh, cheer up, Cal! What's the matter with you? The skipper's sure to be
here in a day or two, and is probably on his way to us at this very
minute. And we've got lots to do before he comes, I can tell you. We
must hoist a signal of distress on the very highest place we can find,
and explore the island so as to discover its resources, and fortify our
camp against--well, against anything, you know, and all sorts of things.
Besides, we've got to cook dinner, and