" said the
guardian.

"Tho am I tired. I'm worn out," declared Tommy.

"Tired? Why, you haven't done a thing, you dear little goose," chuckled
Crazy Jane.

"I know that. It maketh me tired to watch you folkth work. Now, what
crathy thing are we going to do?"

"After we have rested we are going to explore our Island of Delight.
Won't that be splendid?" questioned Harriet, with glowing eyes. "Just
imagine that we are on an unknown, mysterious island. Perhaps there are
savages, wild beasts and----"

"And thingth," finished Tommy.

"Yes, and things," agreed Harriet.

"Perhaps there is another phase of this game of hide and seek that you
have not thought of, Harriet," pondered Miss Elting. "How are we to get
fresh supplies?"

"There are several farmhouses within half an hour's row of us. By going
to them early in the evening we shall not be discovered."

Miss Elting nodded. Margery wanted to know how long they were going to
stay in that hole in the ground.

"Until you girls get tired of it," answered Harriet good-naturedly. "As
I understand our arrangement, we have the privilege of expressing our
choice in all matters that come up, Miss Elting's decision being final.
What a glorious place this is!"

"Aren't we going to explore our Island of Delight now?" demanded Jane.

"It is your discovery--yours and Harriet's," was Miss Elting's smiling
reply. "Suit yourselves as to exploring it."

"We have time to look about a little before night," answered Harriet.
"It won't be dark for a little while yet."

They were about to start out when the distant chug of a motor boat was
heard. "I guess we will not go just yet," she added. "Wait. I'll row
down to the mouth and see if it is the Tramp Club's boat."

Harriet paddled part way to the lake edge, then finding the bank
accessible, sprang out and crept the rest of the way on shore. She was
in time to see a power boat moving slowly past. It was close to the
shore of the island. Several young men were aboard. One was standing up,
gazing toward the island, one hand shading his eyes. Harriet chuckled
when she recognized the standing boy as George Baker. There could be no
doubt that the boys were looking for the Meadow-Brook Girls. The
watching girl chuckled with delight. Then the thought occurred to her
that some way must be found to communicate with the boys soon, so that
the latter might know they were safe. Just how that was to be
accomplished Harriet did not know. The