Part 2 (2/2)
Cora stood and listened. ”No,” she said, ”that was no snake. It sounded like something running.”
”Come on, Cora dear,” begged Bess, so that Cora was obliged to agree. ”See, all the boats have gone the other way. And if anything happened we might just as well be on this desert island as on that desert water.”
They had not ventured far into the wood, so that it was but a few steps back to the boat. Cora loosened the bow line and presently the engine was chugging away.
”Oh,” sighed Bess, ”I felt as if something dreadful was going to happen. Ever since those gypsies took you, Cora, I am actually afraid of everything in the country. It did seem safe on the water, but in those woods--”
”Now, Bess dear, you are to forget all about the gypsies. I have almost done so--that is, I have forgotten all the unpleasant part.
Of course, I occasionally hear from Helka. Do you want to steer, Bess?”
”I would rather not,” confessed Bess, ”for I am actually trembling.
Where do you suppose the boys could have gone?”
”Haven't the least idea, and we have no more time to speculate.
There! Didn't you hear a strange noise on the island? I declare, that store man must be right. Those islands are haunted!”
”Wasn't that a queer noise! Oh! I am so glad we are safe in our boat,” and Bess breathed a sigh of relief. ”I would have died if that noise happened while we were there.”
”But I should like to know what it is, and I will never be satisfied until I find out,” declared Cora. ”That was neither bird nor beast--it was human.”
But the motor boat, girls headed straight for sh.o.r.e--the sun seemed falling into the lake as they reached the camp to be welcomed by Belle. The story of the trip to the island and the disappearance of the boys was quickly told.
CHAPTER III
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BOYS
”What can have happened to the boys?” murmured Belle. ”I am afraid they are drowned.”
”All of them?” and Cora could not repress a smile. ”It would take a very large sized whale to gobble them all at once, and surely they could not all have been seized with swimming cramps at the same moment. No, Belle, I have no such fear. But I am going right out to investigate. I know Jack would never stay away if he could get here, especially when he knew this would be your first evening at the lake. Why, the boys were just wild to try my boat,” and she threw her motor cape over her shoulders. ”Come on girls, down to the steamer landing. There may have been some accident.”
Belle and Bess were ready instantly. Indeed the twins seemed more alarmed than did Cora, but then they were not used to brothers, and did not realize how many things may happen and may not happen, to detain young men on a summer day or even a summer night.
”Oh dear!” sighed Belle, ”I have always dreaded the water. I did promise mamma and Bess to conquer my nervousness and not make folks miserable, but now just see how things happen to upset me,” and she was almost in tears.
”Nothing has happened yet, Belle dear,” said Cora kindly, ”and we hope nothing will happen. You see your great mistake comes from what Jack calls the 'sympathy bug.' You worry about people before you know they are in trouble. I feel certain the boys will be found safe and sound, but at the same time I would not be so foolhardy as to trust to dumb luck.”
”You are a philosopher, Cora,” answered the nervous girl, her tone showing that she meant to compliment her chum.
”No, merely logical,” corrected Cora, as they walked along. ”You know what marks I always get in logic.”
”But it all comes from health,” put in Bess. ”Mother says Belle would be just as sensible as I am if she were as strong.”
”Sensible as you are?” and Cora laughed. Bess had such a candid way of acknowledging her own good points. ”Why, we have never noticed it, Bess.”
”Oh, you know what I mean. I simply mean that I do not fuss,” and Bess let her cheeks glow at least two shades deeper.
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