“But you might be sick, though,” the girl insisted, “and will need me to nurse you.  I won’t charge you anything, for I shall gladly do it for nothing because it will be you.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t let you do it for nothing,” was the reply.  “I shall pay you well and make up for all your kindness to me now when I am so poor.”

In this manner the two sat and talked.  Happy were they for the time, thinking and planning of the future which looked so bright in their eyes.  Neither did they notice for a while where they had drifted, for a stiff wind had risen and was drawing down the creek.  It was Betty who first realised their situation.

“Oh, look where we are!” she cried, seizing the oars, and placing them in the row-locks.  “We can never get back against this wind, and the water is getting rougher all the time.  I believe it is going to rain.”

“Let me row,” David suggested.  “I should be stronger than you.”

“Did you ever row?” the girl asked.

“Only once.  But I think I could do it, though.”

“Well, I don’t think you could.  You’re not nearly as strong as I am.”

With that she settled herself to the task of pulling back into the creek against the wind which was dead ahead.  For some time there was silence as she toiled steadily at the oars.  Gradually, however, her strokes became weaker, and she was forced to rest.

“I can’t do it,” she gasped.  “The wind is too strong.”

“What are we to do, then?” David asked.

“Land on that shore over there.  I guess we can reach it all right.”

Again seizing the oars, she swung the boat partly around and pointed for the shore.  It was much easier now, and she made considerable progress.  The wind increased in strength, and at times the water dashed over the side of the boat.  To add to their discomfort the rain began to fall, and by the time the shore was reached their clothes were wet, and David felt cold.

“Help me pull up the boat,” Betty ordered.  “We’ll tie it to that tree, and then we’ll look around for some shelter.  There’s a raftsman’s cabin not far away, and maybe we can stay there.”

With the boat securely fastened, they made their way along the shore until they came to a path leading up from the water.  Following this through the bushes, they soon reached an open space, and there before them appeared a small building covered with tarred paper.

“That’s the place,” Betty exclaimed, “and I know there is a stove there for I was in it once.  The raftsmen used it this last spring.  We can build a fire and dry our clothes before we go home.”

Betty was the first to reach the cabin, and as she pushed open the door she gave a cry of surprise.

“What’s the matter?” David inquired, thinking that she had been frightened.

But Betty did not at once reply.  She stood in the middle of the room, looking around in a bewildered manner.