“You won’t be afraid to be alone, will you?” asked Dick, of the girls.

“Not if you hurry,” answered Nellie.  “But don’t stay away after dark.”

Left to themselves, the three girls swept up the chips the builders had left and started up the camp-fire.  Then they tidied up the house generally, and soon set about preparing the supper.

Dora was at the spring getting a pail of water when a sound on the rocks nearby caused her to look around in wonder.  To her amazement Dan Baxter stood there, staring at her in open-mouthed astonishment.

“Dan Baxter!” she gasped.  “Where in the world did you come from?”

For a moment the bully did not answer, so great was his amazement.  Dora noted that he was dirty and unkempt, and that his clothing was almost in rags.

“Is it you, Dora Stanhope?” came slowly from the fellow’s lips.  “Is it really you?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“How did you get here?  Are you alone?” went on Baxter, coming closer.  And then before she could answer, he added:  “Got anything to eat?”

At the last question she looked at him more closely, and saw that he appeared half starved.  She pitied him despite his character.

“Yes, we have plenty to eat,” she said.

“Then give me something at once,” he cried.  “Give me something at once!”

“Come with me.”

There was now a crashing in the bushes back of Dan Baxter, and in a second more Jack Lesher appeared on the scene.  He too was haggard and dirty, and his eyes were much blood-shot, the result of living almost entirely on liquor for several days after being wrecked on the islands.

“Well, is it possible!” cried the mate of the Golden Wave.

“They’ve got lots to eat,” muttered Dan Baxter.  “I’m going to have something to fill me up before I start to talk.”

“How many more of you are here?” asked Dora, in something of dismay.

“We came along alone,” said Baxter.  “Show us that grub.”

Dora led the way to the camp-fire, where Nellie and Grace were also surprised at the unexpected visitors.  Some food was brought forth, and both Baxter and Lesher ate like two famished wolves.

“Got any liquor?” questioned the mate, casting his eyes toward the house.

“We have a little,” answered Nellie, for Captain Blossom had brought over several bottles from the wreck.

“Bring it out.”

When the liquor was brought Jack Lesher took a long draught and then handed the bottle to Dan Baxter.

“That’s the stuff!” cried the mate, with a sly wink at Dora.  “Better than eatin,’ twice over,” and he took another drink.

The manner of the two newcomers was not at all pleasing to the girls, and they were sorry that none of the men folks were at hand.  They asked the pair to tell their story, and Baxter spoke up, while Lesher applied himself to the bottle.