y senses I was slowly
drifting down stream, clinging to a piece of charred plank. I know it
was charred because I could smell it. You know how wet, burnt wood
smells? This piece of plank smelled that way."

"Nithe, appetizing odor," nodded Tommy. "Yeth? Go on."

"I did not know where I was, but I knew I was drifting downstream. I
kicked until I had headed the plank at right angles to the shore, and
remained on the plank until my feet touched bottom; then I got up and
began plodding along upstream, knowing that, sooner or later, I should
find some of you folks. I heard someone call. Was it you, Jane?"

"It was myself and no other," replied Jane

"I thought it was you. I was out of breath, so I didn't try to make
you hear me."

"Well, I swum!" ejaculated Grubb under his breath. "I never expected
to see her again."

"What of the horses?"

"Got 'em," answered the driver tersely, "Carry-all gone to the
everlasting bow-wows. What now?"

"If the ladies want to go on, we will load the stuff onto the horses
and tote them that way to the place I had already picked out for a
camp."

"How far is it?" questioned Miss Elting.

"Oh, a mile farther on, I should say."

"I fear it would not be wise to go on just now. I think it would be
better for us to make temporary camp somewhere hereabouts. We are
completely exhausted. Harriet must have a change of clothing and we
all need something warm to drink and eat. Do you know of a good place
to make camp for a little while?"

"Back about a quarter of a mile is a grove. There's a creek running
through it. That will be a good camping place."

"Please have the driver assist you in getting the equipment there.
Don't lose any time. Harriet, are you cold?"

Harriet shook her head. "I'm going to help carry the stuff to our
camp. Then I shall be sure of keeping warm. Come on, girls. Where
are the bedding packs?"

"Down there by the tree, Miss," replied Jim.

Harriet ran to the tree. "I don't find them," she called a moment
later.

Jim harried to her. He was mystified to discover that the packs were
not where he had left them.

"You didn't throw them in the river, did you, Jim?" questioned Harriet.

He declared vehemently that he had not; that he had placed them well
back from the water, and that they could not possibly have rolled into
the river. Jim announced that he was going down the shore to look for
them, just the same. This he did, starting aw