After a time Harriet insisted on walking without the support of Jane’s arm, but it was a difficult undertaking.  Harriet had to bring all the resolution she possessed to the task of supporting her weakened limbs; but she managed it, with now and then a rest, leaning against a tree or a rock.  Tommy had found her tongue again, to keep up a running fire of inconsequential chatter that served its purpose well, assisting Harriet in keeping her mind from her own troubles.

The guardian returned, after having been absent half an hour.  She came running down the byway, shouting before she appeared in sight of the party to know if all were well.

“Oh, Harriet, I’m so glad to see you looking better!  I have a boy and a democrat wagon to take us to the real cove.  This isn’t the place at all.  Lonesome Cove is nearly five miles from here.  But look!  I’ve something that will please you!” exclaimed the guardian.

“What ith it?” demanded Tommy, edging near.

“Coffee!” exclaimed Miss Elting triumphantly.

“But how are we going to cook it?” cried Jane.

“Get the coffee pot.  It is in one of the packs that we saved.  We have neither milk nor sugar, but we shan’t care about that.  I met a boy, as I have told you.  He had been to mill with a grist, and was also taking some groceries home with him.  I secured the coffee by paying double price for it, but consider it cheap at that.  Hazel, you and Margery will gather some dry wood and make a fire.”  Jane already had gone to look for the coffee pot.  She found it, after opening one of the wet packs.

“The fire is laid,” announced Hazel, “but we haven’t any matches.  What shall we do?”

“Mith Elting hath thome matcheth,” answered Tommy.

“How do you know, my dear?” The guardian laughed merrily.

“I thee a box in your pocket.”

“You see too much,” declared Margery.

“Yes, I bought matches, too.”  Miss Elting herself applied a match to the sticks that had been laid for the cook fire.  “Harriet, come right here by the fire and warm yourself.”

“Where is the boy?” asked Harriet.

“He will be along in a few minutes.  I ran all the way back.  He will drive in and wait until we are ready.  I promised him two dollars if he would take us to our destination.”

“Does he know where it is?” questioned Jane.

“He says he does, but—­” The guardian flushed and checked herself abruptly.  “I nearly gave my surprise away.”

Jane had the water boiling in a few minutes, then quickly made the coffee.  A cup was handed to Harriet.  She drank it steaming hot.

“Oh, that tastes good!” she breathed.

“You can feel it all the way down, can’t you?” questioned Tommy solemnly.

“Yes, I can.”

“Drink another one, dear,” urged the guardian; “it won’t keep you awake.  Perhaps, now that you feel better, you will tell us how you came so near drowning?”