“It is perfectly safe,” he announced, “and will carry us all.”

In a few minutes they were on board and out upon the lake, with Eben lying upon the bottom of the boat.  John had found a long slim stick, and with this he poled.  But when the water became too deep he paddled with one of the oars which had escaped the fire.

Little was said at first as they moved slowly forward toward the lower end of the island.  Jess sat by Eben, with his head resting upon her lap, while Mrs. Hampton was seated near by.  John was facing her, and at times their eyes met.  Words were unnecessary to express their thoughts, for love has a silent language all its own, which lovers alone understand.

As they came near the lower end of the island, Jess pointed out the exact spot where she and Mrs. Hampton had taken refuge.

“It was on that big rock,” she explained to John.  “The fire was almost upon us when Eben arrived.  We thought it was you at first, for we were expecting you, and wondering why you were so long in coming.”

John made no immediate reply, but paddled steadily forward.  He had said nothing about his experience on the plains, and he disliked to tell of it now.  He was not sure how Jess might receive the news of her father’s narrow escape and sad condition.  He also knew that he would have to answer many questions, and would be forced to tell of his own part in the rescue, a thing which was adverse to his nature.  But he would have to do so sooner or later, so it might as well be now as any time, he thought.  Then, as briefly as possible, he explained the cause of his delay, and how he had hurried to the island as soon as the men had arrived from the river.

While John was speaking, Jess watched him intently, her heart beating rapidly, and her face very pale.

“What was daddy doing there?” she asked when he had finished.

“He was looking for you, so I gathered from what he said.  He became lost, and sprained or broke his ankle as he wandered around.  Then the fire came, and he was stumbling across the plains when I happened to see him.”

John said nothing about the manner in which Randall had treated him, and made light of his wild ravings after the fire had subsided.  Perhaps his distraction was only temporary, he reasoned, so it was just as well not to give the girl any unnecessary worry.

Jess sat for a while lost in thought, and John was relieved that she did not ask any more questions.

“Poor daddy!” she sighed.  “I am sorry for him, but I hope this experience of his will teach him a lesson.  He has been needing it for some time.”

“Are you not afraid to go back to the river?” John asked.  “Perhaps your father will be more angry than ever, and blame you for his trouble.”