“Of course,” nodded Billy.  The others agreed.

“Miss Burrell, having no card, left her handkerchief.  But fellows, while we are fussing around here, they may be getting away again.  This may be another of their tricks,” declared George.  “I would suggest, Billy, that you eat your luncheon at once, then run out the launch and keep sailing around to head them off in case they are running away.”

To this proposition, Billy demurred.  He did not fancy going away by himself.

“I’ll tell you what I’ll do,” he proposed.  “I’ll eat luncheon with you first.  They can’t get far away before I get out, and even if they did I should overhaul them.  You know that old scow can be seen for miles.”

“I notice we weren’t able to see it a few rods from us,” observed George dryly.  “All right.  Start the potatoes to frying.  Did they hide the ham?”

“They didn’t find it.  It’s in the spring back there,” answered Sam.  “I looked.”

The luncheon was prepared in a hurry and the boys ate ravenously.  The excitement of the morning had not interfered with their appetites.

“Now, Billy, if you see anything, blow your motor horn and keep it going until we hear it.  Some of us will hear you.  I propose that we spread out so as to cover the island, but still keeping within yelling distance of each other.  We know now that the girls are on this island.”

“Well find them.”  Billy walked slowly down to his launch, got in, and reversing the engine, backed out, waving an indolent hand at his companions.

Suddenly a weird scream rang out on the still air.

“Run for it, boys.  That way,” cried George, pointing excitedly.

“No!  It’s the other way,” shouted Sam.

“You’re both wrong.  It’s toward the other side of the island,” declared Larry.

“Now look here, fellows.  We are all of us wrong.  If we are going to accomplish anything we must stop fooling and go at this business scientifically.  I will take this side of the island.  Sam, you and two of the fellows take the middle, and Larry the other side, keeping within sight of the shore.  We will search every inch of it, though I don’t believe we can finish the job before night.”

“We had better take our lanterns with us, or we shall break our precious necks,” suggested Sam.

“Yes.  We will do that.  Larry, when you catch sight of Billy on the other side, beckon him in and tell him we may not be back until late this evening, and for him to keep circling the island until he finds us back in camp again.  Better take some grub along.  We can stand it to eat a cold supper for once.  We will have a warm one when we get back.”

After having made their preparations the boys started out, all the others waiting until Larry got a good start, Sam’s party starting next, George Baker leaving the camp last.  In that way they planned to keep pretty nearly abreast.