The boys were back in an hour and a half. By that time Bess had been made quite presentable, for her garments had been dried over the fire. However, the girls were dressed in a way to stand--as well as might be--such accidents as Bessie had met. The girl who had declared boys no good frankly shook hands with Dave before they embarked again, and thanked him very prettily for his help in time of need. "Go ahead! get a medal for me," said Dave. "Pin it right _there_," and he pointed to the lapel of his jacket. "I'm a hero. Keep on praising me, Miss Lavine, and I'll grow as tall as a giraffe." "And that's the highest form of animal life--ask the professor if it isn't," chuckled Frank Cameron. But they were all very thankful that nothing serious had resulted from the accident. There was an after-result, however, that promised to be unpleasant. They had been so delayed at the island that it was half-past three before they got off. There was still a long stretch to paddle to Meade's Forge at the foot of Honotonka Lake. And, swiftly as they paddled, the sun was setting when they arrived at the Forge. Besides, a heavy cloud was coming up, threatening a storm. Indeed, lightning was already playing around the horizon behind them. There was no hotel at the Forge, and no good place to stop for the night. Mrs. Havel was out in her canoe waiting for them. Gannet Island, where the boys were to camp, was in sight, and the camping place the girls had had selected for them was even nearer. "We had better go at once," said the professor, earnestly. "We will stop and help you erect your tents first----" "No, you will not," returned Mrs. Havel. "The girls and I have got to learn to be independent. Besides, your stores are waiting for you over there on the island, and I understand from the boatmen that the things are not yet under cover. You must hurry. We'll get along all right; won't we, girls?" "Sure!" agreed Frank. "We haven't come up here to be a burden on the boys, I hope," said Wyn, sturdily. Wyn was captain, and as both she and Mrs. Havel thought they could get along all right, it was not for the other girls to object. The professor and the boys bade them good-bye and paddled away as fast as possible for the distant island. Even Tubby put forth some effort, for the thunderstorm was surely coming. Tired as they were, the girls of the Go-Ahead Club made their paddles fly for another half-hour. Then they were in sight of a white birch, to the top of which was fastened a long streamer, like a pennant. "There's the place!" cried Wyn, recognizing the signal that Polly Jarley had written to her about. "And yonder is the boatman's place where our stores were left?" asked Mrs. Havel. "Yes, ma'am." "We cannot stop for anything now, and must depend for the night upon what we have with us. I don't like the look of that cloud," said the lady.