ming here, but if they are, they will be here in a
very few minutes."

"Who will be here?" demanded Crazy Jane. "Why don't you tell us what all
the uproar is about?"

"Yes. You might better tell us than to frighten us half to death in this
way," complained Margery.

"It is the boys. We think they are coming here to play a trick on us,
and if so, we wish to be ready for them," explained Harriet, who was
hurriedly dressing. The girls lost no time in putting on their clothes,
each dressing herself completely. Their hair, braided down their backs
for the night, was left as it was. There was no time to do anything with
that.

"The boys are putting off in the rowboat, or at least getting ready to
do so," Miss Elting informed the girls, after another look at the camp
through the glasses. "What shall we do?"

"I will fix it," answered Harriet. She rummaged about at the rear of the
cabin, then ran out to the after deck. They heard her on the upper deck
shortly after that. She soon bustled back into the cabin.

"They have started. All of you get up on the deck overhead. Listen! I
will tell you briefly what we will do. We will give the boys a scare
that they won't soon forget."

There were hurried preparations within the cabin of the "Red Rover,"
following Harriet Burrell's quick orders, which were approved of by Miss
Elting. The girls then crept to the upper deck, where they crouched
down, peering across the water that lay between the houseboat and the
island.

"There they come! Not a word from now on, girls," warned Miss Elting.

CHAPTER XV

THE ROUT OF THE PIRATE CREW

"Take your positions, and don't miss when I give the order to let go,"
commanded Captain Harriet. "Oh, we won't do a thing to those boys!"

Margery giggled.

"Silence!" The captain's voice was stern.

"If you cannot keep quiet you will have to go below," rebuked Miss
Elting. "You will spoil it all. Now, not another word."

The silence of sleep settled over the "Red Rover." A gentle ripple at
the bows gave off a soothing, musical sound, but that was all. The girls
were now able to see a boat approaching them from the island, though
unable to make out the forms of the occupants of the craft. Miss Elting,
with glasses in hand, was studying the approaching boat. Fortunately the
night was dark, though the stars were shining brilliantly.

"All lie down!" came the quiet command from the captain of the "Red
Rover." All except Harriet flattene