"You stayed a long time," he said, "but I see you've brought nothing back with you." "It's true that I've brought nothing with me, but I've found a lot." "What did you find, Henry?" "I found many bones, the bones of human beings." "Men's bones?" "Yes. I'm sure that it is an island to which Indiana come to burn their prisoners, and although none are here now--I've looked it all over--I don't like it. There's something uncanny about it." "An' yet it's a pretty little islan', too," said Tom Ross, thoughtfully, "an' mighty glad we wuz to see it yes'day, when we wuz druv before that howlin' an' roarin' storm, with but one chance in a hundred uv livin'." "That's so," said Henry. "We owe the island a debt of gratitude if others don't. I've no doubt that if it were not for this little piece of land we should have been drowned. Still, the sooner we get away the better. How have the others been getting on, Tom?" "Sleepin' ez reg'lar an' steady ez clocks. It's wuth while to see fellers snoozin' away so happy." Henry smiled. The three, as they lay in the boat, breathing deeply and unconscious of everything, were certainly a picture of rest. "How long do you calculate it is to daylight?" asked Henry. "Not more'n two hours, an' it's goin' to come bright an' clear, an' with a steady wind that will take us to the south." "That's good, and I think that you and I, Tom, ought to be getting ready. This drying wind has been blowing for a long time, and our clothes should be in condition again. Anyway I'm going to see." He took down the garments from the bushes, and found that all were quite dry. Then he and Tom reclothed themselves and laid the apparel for the other three by their sides, ready for them when they should awake. Tom puckered up his lips and blew out a deep breath of pleasure. "It may be mighty fine to be a Roman senator in a togy," he said, "but not in these parts. Give me my good old huntin' shirt an' leggings. Besides, I feel a sight more respectable." Shortly, it was dawn, and the three sleepers awoke, glad to have their clothes dry again, and interested greatly in Henry's exploration of the island. "Jim, you do a little more cooking," said Henry, "and Sol, Tom and I will go over to the other end of the island again. When we come back we'll hoist our sail, have breakfast, and be off." They followed the path that Henry had taken during the night, leaving Paul and Jim busy with the cooking utensils. The little patch of forest was now entirely dry, and a great sun was rising from the eastern waters, tingeing the deep green of the trees with luminous gold. The lake was once more as smooth and peaceful as if no storm had ever passed over its surface.