"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