The air was chill at that hour.  The girls were shivering, Tommy’s teeth, chattered.  She stammered as well as lisped when she essayed to speak now.

“One more night like this, and Tommy won’t be able to talk at all,” chuckled Jane.

“My kingdom for another such a night, then!” returned Margery fervently.

“Buthter ith too fat to feel the cold,” observed Tommy Thompson.  She loved to tease Margery, and to mention her weight always annoyed Buster.  Margery was unable to think of anything sufficiently irritating to fit that particular case, so she tossed her head and remained silent, while Tommy’s twinkling eyes were fixed upon her.

By the time they had washed and dressed the tea kettle was singing merrily.  It was a welcome sound and made the girls feel almost warm.  Miss Elting, being first dressed, made the coffee.  Harriet set out some biscuits, together with the milk and sugar.

“Now, I think we are ready,” she announced.

After drinking the hot coffee the girls felt themselves equal to almost any task.  The fire was put out and the light in the cabin extinguished, then Harriet and Jane stepped noiselessly into the rowboat after fastening the tow line to the scow.

“All aboard,” called Harriet softly.

The “Red Rover” moved to the sound of muffled splashes; then a few moments later silence settled over the secret channel.

* * * * *

It was early on the following morning that Captain George Baker opened his eyes sleepily.  He yawned, blinked and sat up.

“I guess I’ll take an early morning plunge,” he decided.  “I won’t wake up all day if I don’t.”  Donning his bathing suit he stumbled out to the lake and permitted himself to fall in.  The captain splashed and paddled about in the cool water for a quarter of an hour.  His companions were still sleeping.  George did not awaken them, preferring to take a solitary swim and rub down before calling them out.

At last the captain of the Tramp Club emerged dripping from the water and ran quickly for the tent.  A few minutes later he appeared dressed for the day.  Walking down to the shore of the lake he gazed across the water then uttered a sudden yell and began dancing up and down.

“Come out, fellows!  Come out!” he howled, “Look!  Look!”

Larry Goheen, Billy Gordon and the others came tumbling out, rubbing their eyes and blinking sleepily.

“What’s the row?” cried Billy.

“Mean shame to play pranks on a fellow when he’s dead for sleep,” growled Sam.

“Now, what did you do it for?” demanded Larry.  “Explain, or in the lake you go!”

“I’ve already been in the lake.  I’m dressed for the day.  But open your eyes.  You are the sleepiest lot of fellows I ever saw.  Why, a baby could stalk you and you’d never hear it say ‘goo.’  Come, don’t you sleepy-heads see anything that interests you?”