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?"