wish to be put ashore here," answered Harriet.

"We are very sorry that we have caused you all this trouble. Our boat
doesn't seem to steer well. I don't know what the trouble is," continued
the guardian.

The two girls were very courteous about the matter. They assured Miss
Elting and Harriet that they knew the accident had been unavoidable, and
that it had been more their fault than the "Red Rover's." The young man,
however, was inclined to grumble. Harriet put the wet girls ashore,
where they were followed by their companion. The "Red Rover" then moved
on, following a zig-zag course, narrowly missing running into other
boats, until finally one of the lads in the motor boat put his hands to
his lips and shouted:

"How much farther are you folks going?"

Harriet consulted with Miss Elting.

"If you will be good enough to tow us into that cove just ahead, we
shall be very much obliged," answered Harriet. The motor boat was
instantly headed toward the cove. Harriet chuckled. "They are eager to
be rid of us, and I don't blame them at all."

"They look like nice boys. I think I will invite them to come aboard,"
decided the guardian. Harriet nodded her approval. When, finally, the
houseboat had been dragged in, Harriet shouted to the boys to cast off.
It was then that Miss Elting asked them to come aboard. The boy at the
wheel said they would come some other time, that they were obliged to
get back to their camp farther down the lake. They would accept no pay
for their towing and chugged away, waving their hands, leaving a snowy
wake behind them.

Harriet had already climbed down, and, with a long string, at the end of
which had been tied the piece of broken poker from the old stove, was
taking sounding to get the depth of water.

"Eight feet. That's deep enough. Jane! Come help me put over the anchor,
please," she called.

The anchor went over with a splash, after which the rope was tied to a
heavy hard wood cleat that the carpenter had secured to the forward
lower deck. The "Red Rover" drifted to the end of its anchor rope, then
swung to the gentle breeze that was blowing.

"Thank goodness we aren't at the bottom of the lake," exclaimed Crazy
Jane.

"It's the other folks who have reason to be thankful," answered Harriet
smilingly. "Now let's get supper. We have a lot to do, and even more to
discuss."

"Had we not better work in closer to shore?" questioned the guardian,
regarding the wooded cove criticall