d in getting the anchor aboard. Harriet and Jane, without loss of
time, jumped into the rowboat and began pulling away. It was hard work
to get the houseboat started, but once under way it followed along
fairly well.

Miss Elting handled the tiller, while Hazel, Margery and Tommy acted as
lookouts to inform the rowers if any motor boats were sighted. The
lookouts watched the lake through their glasses. The sun glaring down on
the red sides of the "Red Rover" made the boat visible as far as eyes
could reach. It was even discovered by one of the Tramp Club boys, but
so slowly did it move that he was not aware that it was moving at all.
From the other side of the lake the houseboat appeared to be standing
still, until finally it disappeared altogether. He wondered a little
over this at the time, then forgot all about the circumstance until
later.

[Illustration: Miss Elting Handled the Tiller.]

In the meantime Harriet and Crazy Jane were heading toward the Island of
Delight, pulling at the oars with backs bent to their task. They were
destined to have a most delightful time on this their Island of Delight
and to experience some thrills as well, and Harriet's plans were to work
out better than she knew.

CHAPTER IX

THE TRAMP CLUB IS ALARMED

Now that they were masked by the island, the girls also were shut off
from a view of the lake, save for the narrow ribbon of water that lay
between them and the nearby shore, so they rowed faster than before.

"Can you steer into this opening?" called Harriet.

"I am afraid I can't," answered Miss Elting. "You will have to put me
aboard, Jane, I'll have Hazel help you pull in; then we shall have to
push the rest of the way."

Harriet Burrell sprang on board a few minutes later. She set Miss Elting
and Margery at work with poles at the stern of the boat pushing, as soon
as they entered the shallow water. Tommy had been posted on the upper
deck, from which the awning posts had been removed. Tommy's business was
to hold her arms out at right angles to her body and by moving them as
directed indicate to Harriet which way to steer. It will be remembered
that Harriet was unable to see over the deckhouse from where she stood
when guiding the craft. She could see only by leaning out on either
side.

They entered the narrow channel very slowly. But no sooner had they
gotten well in than a cry from Tommy Thompson told them that the little
lisping girl was in trouble.

Tom