"You'll have to go around the world," declared Fred, "before you get to Mackinac Island, if you follow the direction you suggest." "Maybe we will, but I have got these oars and I'm going to try it," declared John. Fred laughed derisively and did not make any offer to relieve his friend. John, however, apparently was determined to follow his plan and for a long time rowed steadily forward. At last Fred broke in upon the silence, saying, "I tell you, John, you're simply taking us farther away from Mackinac Island all the time. Can't you see that you are?" "I can't see much of anything," replied John, disconsolately. "I guess maybe I am wrong after all." "Of course you're wrong." "But that doesn't mean that you're right," retorted John. "If we go in the direction you suggest we may be as far as ever from the _Gadabout_." "Not at all," said Fred confidently. "You let me take those oars and you'll soon see for yourself that I am right." The exchange of places was made, but after Fred had rowed for an hour or more his confidence also began to wane. "I'm not as sure as I was," he said. "Well, I'm just sure of one thing," responded John. "What's that?" "That we are lost and that neither one of us knows where he is. And what's more," he added, "the only thing for us to do is to stay right where we are and wait until the sun rises." "How long will that be?" "I haven't any idea. I haven't any matches and I can't see the face of my watch. If I can judge by my feelings it ought to be about the week after next. It seems to me we have been out here forever." Fred did not respond, however, and for a time the boat drifted on in silence. "What's that ahead?" demanded John, abruptly pointing as he spoke toward the bow. Instantly both boys were peering eagerly in the direction indicated by John, and, after a brief silence, Fred said, "That's land ahead." "That's what I think," said John. "What do you suppose it is? Do you think it is Mackinac Island?" "More likely it is Paris, France," retorted Fred scornfully. "You don't suppose we're anywhere near Mackinac Island, do you?" "I don't know. I know I wish we were." "So do I, but we're not. Now what shall we do? Shall we go ashore, or shall we keep out here on the lake?" "We had better go ashore," said John. "At least we can row in near enough to see what it's like, anyway." Fred required no urging as he renewed his labors and not many minutes had passed before both boys were convinced that they were steadily drawing nearer to land. Whether it was the mainland or an island they were unable to determine at the time. "It's all marsh along here," declared John at last when the boat was not many yards distant from the shore. "I can see the rushes." "That's right, Jack," acknowledged Fred a moment later after he too had peered intently at the nearby shore. "What shall we do?" "Why, keep on, and we'll watch for lights too."