Part 27 (2/2)
It is nearly lunch time, anyhow.”
”Then it is time for us to be anxious about ourselves,” said Bess.
”But I don't believe Mrs. Lewis will worry. You know she went away right after doing up the breakfast things. She said she was going to consult some friends, for those she saw last night could not help her, and she may not be back yet. So there's no need to hurry.”
”Then I have an idea!” cried Cora. ”We have our tea outfit with us, and some crackers. Why not go ash.o.r.e and have a little picnic? It will complete the nerve treatment, perhaps,” and she smiled at Bess.
”Good!” cried that girl. ”It will be just the thing. Are you sure you have enough crackers, Cora? If not we could stop at the store on the point and get some.”
”Oh, there are more than are good for you,” was the answer.
Cora changed the course of the boat to send the craft over toward a pretty little wooded cove where the girls had often gone ash.o.r.e for luncheon. They always carried in the boat an alcohol stove, with the necessary ingredients for tea.
Soon the _Chelton_ was beached at a place where the small waves would do her no damage, and the girls were preparing luncheon.
They carried their own fresh water with them, not depending on finding a spring. Condensed milk, sugar and some tins of sweet crackers completed the meal, which was served on the gra.s.s for a table, paper napkins adding to the luxury of the occasion.
The picnic place was on a spit of land that jutted out into Crystal Bay. It could be approached from either side, and on one side there was some dense shrubbery that hid the water from sight.
It was when Cora and her chums were in the midst of their impromptu luncheon that they heard a boat grate on the beach that was hidden from view by the bushes.
”Someone is coming!” exclaimed Bess.
”Maybe it's the boys,” remarked Belle.
”It's about time they followed us,” suggested Lottie. ”They don't give us a moment's peace.”
”Do you want it?” asked Cora pointedly, for Lottie had been rather taken up with Jack, of late.
”Oh, I don't know,” answered the girl. ”Of course the boys are nice, and----”
”'Handsome is as handsome does,'” quoted Belle. ”But that doesn't happen to be the boys.”
”How do you know?” asked Bess.
”I just had a glimpse of them through the bushes. It's a strange motor boat--neither the _Dixie_ nor the _La.s.sie_.”
”Who is in her?” asked Cora.
”I can't make out. Listen!”
She raised her hand for silence, but there was no need. The girls ceased chatting at once, and silently followed Cora toward a hedge of underbrush, some little distance from where their luncheon was spread.
Then they heard some odd talk--at least it seemed odd until they understood the meaning of it.
”So you had a race with them?” one voice asked.
”Yes,” replied another, who had just landed on the spit of the land.
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