The Motor Girls on Cedar Lake | Page 5

but there was no answer.

"If they were ashore wouldn't their boat be about?" asked Bess. "We
can see all this side of the island, but you said it was too rocky to land
on the other shore."
Cora looked about. Yes, one edge was all sandy and the other rocks. If
the boys had come ashore they must have done so from the north side.
"My, what a lot of boats!" exclaimed Bess. "Cora, just see that flock,"
and she pointed to a distant flotilla of various craft across the lake.
"Yes, and so many canoes, we could hardly tell the boys in that throng.
Do you suppose they are in that parade?"
"Oh, no. They had only bathing suits on, and that really looks like some
fleet," replied Bess. "Yes, see there is their club banner. My! I had no
idea that Cedar Lake boasted of such style."
"We may expect water picnics every day now," said Cora. "But just see
that old man in the rowboat towing that pretty canoe. Do you suppose
he has it for hire?"
"Likely. But how would anyone hire it out here? Why not from shore?"
questioned Bess.
"Well, perhaps he is taking it to the dock," and Cora allowed her boat
to touch the island shore. "At any rate if we are to find the boys we had
better be at it, for I want to start back before that throng of boats gets in
my way. I feel sure enough, but I like room."
Both girls stepped ashore as Cora caught the boat hook in the strong
root of a tree and pulled the craft in. Then she shouted again.
"Jack! Jack!" she called. "Isn't it lonely here," she said suddenly,
realizing that while she had expected the boys to be on the island, they
might have gone to any of the other bits of land.
"Yes," said Bess. "I never felt so far away from everything before. On
an island it is so different from being on real shore!"

"Yes, it is farther out," and Cora laughed at the description. "Bess, I
guess I was mistaken. The boys do not seem to be here."
"Then do let's go back," pleaded Bess. "I am actually afraid."
"Of what? Not those 'jug-er-umms.' Just hear them. You would think
the frogs were trying to drive us away from their territory."
"I always did hate the noise they make," declared Bess. "It sounds like
a dead, dark night. Why do they croak in the daytime?"
"Night is coming," Cora explained, "and besides, it is so quiet here they
do not have to wait for nightfall. But listen! Didn't you hear those dry
leaves rustle?"
"Oh Cora, come!" and Bess pulled at her friend's skirt. "It may be a
great--snake."
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 shore--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