The steamer was indeed too close! Cora was frantically trying to
turn the auxiliary steering wheel, but Bess in her fright was
turning the more powerful bow wheel in the very direction of danger!

"Oh! Mercy!" shrieked Belle. "We are lost!"

Another wave almost submerged them. The passengers on the steamer
had all run to one side of their boat.

"Turn right!" shouted Cora as she jumped up and fairly jerked from
Bess the forward wheel. "Turn to the right!"




CHAPTER II

THE HAUNTED ISLE


For some seconds no one seemed to know just what had happened. The
steamer was clear, and the motor boat was running safely. Three
very wet girls were thanking their good fortune that the water was
their only damage--and water in the shape of a shower of spray is
not much of a matter to complain of, after you escape a collision.

"What happened?" asked Belle, when she had the courage to uncover
her eyes.

"Bess turned wrong," said Cora.