tent near the river, overheard. At that moment the desert island was
bobbing against the thick rhododendron bushes at the edge of the lawn.




CHAPTER XIX

THE EARTHLY PARADISE

"I don't care who it is or what it is," said Dora Dane Daring; "I'm not
afraid of the biggest bandit that ever lived. I'm going to find out
what those men are doing lurking about here."

Without another word she strode forward, parted the rhododendron
bushes, and confronted the marauders.

"Well, I--_never_--in--_all_ my _life_," she cried. "It's little
Walter Harris! What on _earth_ are you doing here?"

"I discovered this island," said Pee-wee; "we're exploring it. One of
these fellers is a native because he was on it before it was an island."

"Look out you don't get your feet wet on the stern and rock-bound
coast," said Townsend. "Hold the lantern, Brownie."

"Did you ever _see_ such a thing!" said Minerva Skybrow, emerging
through the bushes, accompanied by her official staff. "Walter Harris,
what in goodness' name are you doing here? I thought you were robbers.
What in _all creation_ are you up to? And how did you happen to get