Finally they turned their footsteps homeward, reaching the camp late in the afternoon.  Larry ran on ahead and gazed out over the water.

“What do you see?” called Jane.

“I was looking to see if that ‘Red Rover’ had disappeared while we were away,” answered the red-headed Larry.  “You can’t tell about that craft.  It’s just as likely not to be there as it is to be there,” he added lamely, then flushed when his companions laughed at him.

“You’re mixed, Larry,” jeered Sam.

“The ‘Red Rover’ behaves well when we are away,” said the guardian in reply.  “We work our spells on it only when we are aboard.  It would be rather embarrassing to have the ‘Red Rover’ disappear while we were absent.  By the way, we should be happy to have you young gentlemen come over and take tea with us this evening.  Will you come?”

George shook his head.

“No, thank you.  Not to tea.  There are too many of us.  But I’ll tell you what we will do.  We will come over later in the evening and have a visit and another concert.  Larry plays the banjo.  He’ll give you an Irish jig if you wish.”

“That would be fine,” answered Crazy Jane enthusiastically.  “Now, if I only had my automobile horn, what a lot of noise we would make, wouldn’t we, boys?”

“Bring the banjo by all means,” urged Miss Elting.

The boys assisted their guests into the rowboat which had been towed ashore behind the launch.  The little boat was well loaded and settled perilously low after all had gotten in.  Gordon shook his head and declared it wasn’t safe.  Miss Elting answered that they didn’t mind a wetting.

The rowboat was pushed out, the girls and the boys waving and shouting their adieus.  During the rest of the afternoon the girls were busy sewing, ironing, getting their clothes in fit condition.  Supper time came all too soon for them.  The dishes were washed and put away with all speed that night, and about eight o’clock the boys put off in their own rowboat.  Larry was twanging his banjo on the way over.  The “Red Rover” was all alight in honor of their coming, and following the arrival of the tramps, a jolly evening was spent.  Larry played and the girls sang.  Sam essayed to join in, but ceased his efforts when his companions threatened to throw him overboard.

The party broke up about ten o’clock.  The boys went home singing “Good night ladies” to the accompaniment of Larry’s banjo.  The girls stood on the upper deck watching the lads until a shout from the shore told the watchers that their guests had arrived at the camp.

“Now, what are your plans for to-morrow, girls?” asked Miss Elting when they had gone below.  “Do you wish to go into retirement?”

“No.  The boys have invited us for a ride in the launch to-morrow,” answered Harriet.  “What troubles me is the matter of leaving the ’Red Rover’ alone so long.  I think perhaps it would be better for me to remain here to look after the boat while the rest of you go on the motor boat trip.”