tools he wants he will have
things fixed up, and he's quite certain that he can get them on the
island. He says anyone who has a motor boat will be able to help him
out--and they certainly couldn't live here without one."

"But how on earth are you going to get ashore if the engine won't work?"
asked Dolly. "It seems to me that we're stuck out here."

"Oh, you leave that to us!" said Trenwith, cheerfully. "I'm sorry this
has happened, but please believe me when I say that it isn't a bit
serious."

They soon saw the _Columbia_ was to be rescued from her
predicament. She was fairly near the shore, and now Bates dropped an
anchor, and she remained still, swinging slowly on the chain.

"He'll row ashore, you see, hunt up the people, and tell them what he
wants," said Trenwith. "Hurry up, Bates! Remember, we've promised to get
these young ladies home in good time."

"Right, sir," said Bates, as he lowered the dinghy and dropped into her.
"Won't take me long when I find the people on shore--and about five
minutes will fix that engine when I get back here again."

He rowed off into the darkness, making for a point of light that showed
on shore, and they settled back to wait as patiently as they could for
his return.

"Suppose Charlie turns up at the camp while we're gone, and wants you
for something important?" asked Eleanor. "Oh, I'm afraid we did wrong in
coming!"

"Not a bit of it! Old Charlie will understand. And I know his plans
pretty well, so there isn't any danger of this causing any trouble."

It seemed to take longer for Bates to find help than he had expected. At
any rate, the greater part of half an hour slipped away before they
heard the sound of oars coming toward them.

"Why, there are two men rowing!" said Dolly, curiously. "And that dinghy
only has room for one man with oars."

"Probably they decided to send someone out with him to lend him a hand,"
said Trenwith. "People around these parts are pretty nice to you if you
have a breakdown, and I guess it's partly because they never know when
they're going to have one themselves."

"Well, that ought to make it easier to make the repairs that are
needed," said Eleanor, somewhat relieved. "I really am getting worried
about what they'll think at the beach. I'm afraid they'll be sure that
something has happened to us."

"Good evening, Miss Mercer," said a mocking voice behind her, and she
turned with a start to see Holmes!

"You're late," said Holm