the shore. To do this they arranged to pass a rope to the launch, the
launch to pull ahead while some of the boys pushed on the houseboat.

In the meantime, while waiting for the equipment to dry out, George and
his friend, Billy Gordon, who owned the launch, took Harriet and Jane to
town, where Jane wished to go to renew some of their supplies, as well
as to purchase a couple of flatirons with which to press their wet
clothing that had hung in the cabin when the deluge came.

During the trip George had drawn out the story of their previous
disaster when they had drifted ashore, though Harriet refrained from
mentioning the fact that their anchor rope had been cut on that
occasion. From George's questions it was plain that he suspected
something was wrong, though Harriet failed to gratify his suspicions by
direct answers to direct questions.

George explained, during the trip to the town, that the Tramp Club had
been invited by Billy Gordon, who owned the launch, to spend a few weeks
with him on the lake. He was to furnish the launch for their cruises,
while the boys supplied the camp equipment. Billy knew the lake and they
knew how to camp, and now that they had renewed acquaintance with their
old rivals, the Meadow-Brook Girls, the Tramp Club were glad they had
accepted Gordon's invitation.

The trip to town was quickly made, and the two girls completed their
purchases with little loss of time, and were back on board the launch
within an hour from the time they had started.

"Now," said George, after they had started on their return voyage, "is
there any place you wish to go?"

"I want as soon as possible to get back to the boat and discuss with the
girls what is to be done," answered Harriet.

"Well, can we help you? Is there anywhere you wish us to tow your
houseboat?"

"Let me see," pondered Captain Burrell, "I think I should like to get
out of that cove. We haven't made any plans."

"Then suppose we tow you over in front of our camp? We'll be handy,
then, in case you need us again."

Harriet shook her head.

"I don't think that would be best. You see, we wish to go it alone. We
don't wish to have to depend upon any one."

"You don't have to do so. You are able to take care of yourselves. I'd
back the Meadow-Brook Girls against the world," declared George,
confidently, which aroused a laugh from the other occupants of the boat.
"We helped you this morning, did we not?"

"Indeed, you did."

"But th