"Well, when we get there we will be able to judge of all that,"
replied Cora. "Doesn't the Petrel motor beautifully?"

"And this lake," added Bess. "I never saw anything like it. Why
some of those islands are big enough to inhabit."

"Yes, there is one island over there," answered Cora, pointing to
the extreme eastern shore of the water, "and since I have seen it I
am just dying to explore it. They call it Fern Island, and the
store man tells the most wonderful tales about it. But we will have
to wait until we all assemble. When did Hazel say she would come?"

"Tomorrow or next day. She has to take some special 'exams.' I am
sorry that girl is so ambitious. It always interferes with her
vacation."

"Hazel will make her mark some day, if she does not spoil it all by
having someone make it for her--on a flat stone. But honestly Bess,
I do hope she will come up before the others. Next to you and Belle
I count more on Hazel Hastings than on anyone else in our party."

"And not a little on her brother Paul?" and Bess laughed in her
teasing way. "Now Cora, Paul Hastings is acknowledged to be the
most useful boy in all the Chelton set. He can fix an auto, fix an
electric bell, fix an alarm clock--"

"And no doubt could overhaul a motor boat," finished Cora, as she
turned the Petrel toward land. "Well, this is Far Island, and I am
sure the boys headed this way. Let's shout."