"Fine! But don't lose your heads," said Captain Jenks placidly. No
one had ever seen him agitated. "Bobby, you take the wheel and
hold it steady."

Bobby proudly took the wheel, and Captain Jenks, while the others
watched breathlessly, brought the rowboat alongside with a long
iron hook and with another drew up the long rope that was tied to
an iron ring in the prow.

Then the rowboat was fastened to the stern of The Sarah, and, as
Captain Jenks remarked, the rescue was complete.

Soon they reached the wharf on Apple Tree Island, and the four
little Blossoms were put ashore, after saying good-by to Letty
Blake and her cousins. She lived in Greenpier, and Captain Jenks
had known her since she was Dot's age.

"Let's have lunch ready by the time Daddy and Mother come back,"
suggested Meg. "We can do it every bit ourselves."

Working like four beavers, they soon had lunch--and a good lunch,
too--set out on the table. They had promised never to light the
oil stove, so they could not make tea, but Mother Blossom could do
that in a very few minutes when she came.

When the table was ready Meg ran out for some red clover and tall
grasses for a bouquet and Bobby followed her, leaving Dot and
Twaddles alone.

"I think we ought to have some jelly on the table, don't you?"