y, nothing loath, flung herself on Ernest from the rear and the three
had a joyous tussle, with honors on the side of the future admiral, till
Sherm, who had been a little slower in dressing than Ernest, came out
the front door.

Jane called to him despite the restraining hand and her shortening
breath: "Sherm, he's choking me----"

"Choking nothing--it's Katy who is choking me--just wait till I get hold
of you, Miss Halford!"

Katy had both hands gripped fairly on his coat collar and was tugging
Ernest backward with all her might, while Chicken Little struggled to
get away.

"Come help,--Sherm, please!" Chicken Little loosened herself from the
gagging hand enough to plead again.

"Keep out, Sherm. Three against one is no fair."

Sherm watched the fray a moment, undecided.

"You may have bigger odds than that, Ernest," laughed the Captain. "You
might as well be getting your hand in."

Sherm sauntered leisurely over and helped Chicken Little wrench loose,
then, whispering something hastily, took her by the hand and they both
made for the creek.

Ernest, relieved of his sister, swung quickly round, catching Katy by
the shoulders before she could save herself.

"I've a mind to----" At this moment he detected Sherm's game. "No, you
don't, smarties!"

Katy likewise saw and acted even more quickly than Ernest. She was very
light and swift, and she darted past Sherm and Chicken Little like a
flash, reaching the boat twenty seconds ahead.

"Come on, Ernest!" She slipped the rope deftly from the post, not
waiting to untie it, and, pushing off, leaped lightly into the row boat.

Ernest needed no second invitation. Katy motioned to him to run farther
along the bank and paddled the skiff in close enough for him to climb on
board. Sherm and Chicken Little, dazed by the suddenness of this
maneuver, were still some feet away.

"Katy Halford, you're a pretty one to go back on your own side that
way," Jane scolded.

"Katy, I didn't think it of you--after asking me to come and help you,
too!" Sherm was also reproachful.

"I didn't ask you, Sherman Dart. It was Chicken Little."

"Of course," Ernest encouraged. "Katy's been on my side all the time.
Haven't you, Katy?"

Katy nodded, laughing.

The Captain, who had followed the young people at a more sober gait,
smiled at this outcome of the skirmish.

"When a woman will she will, you may depend upon it," he quoted. "The
trouble is to find out what she wills."

E