the meaning of which could not be misunderstood.

"Well, that surprises me," declared Bob Somers. "I thought we had a monopoly, and yet, just as we start out—"

"There it is!" cried Sam Randall, eagerly, and he waved his arm astern, in the direction of Fir Island, whose richly verdured expanse loomed forth clear and distinct against its surroundings.

"You're right," chimed in Bob. "Dave, I say, Dave Brandon, look at that."

But an unmistakable snore came from the direction of the locker. The easy, gliding motion had lulled the poet laureate to sleep. An energetic shake thoroughly aroused the devotee at the shrine of Art and Poetry. He sat up and stared long and earnestly at the far-off speck—then stared with equal intensity at his companions.

"What did you stop the boat for when there was a chance to run into something?" he inquired, with a laugh. "I hope the trip is going to be lively enough to keep me awake."

The captain made no response. He was gazing earnestly at the mysterious motor boat through a powerful field-glass.

"What is it, Bob? What do you see?" asked his companions, eagerly.

"Fellows, this is most astonishing. I believe Nat Wingate and his crowd are in that boat."

"Nat Wingate? Impossible!" cried the others, incredulously, and even Dave Brandon uttered an exclamation of surprise.

"I can scarcely believe it. How in the world could Nat get a motor boat?" queried Sam.

For an answer, Bob handed him the glass. Sam looked long and earnestly, while the others crowded around.

"By George! Bob, I believe you are right," he burst out, at length. "If this isn't the biggest surprise. Perhaps Nat's threat wasn't an idle one, after all."

Successively, the field-glass was passed from one to another, and the amazing fact now became apparent to all, that the rapidly approaching motor boat did contain the rejected applicant, as well as three of his particular chums, John Hackett, Kirk Talbot and Ted Pollock.

"H'm," said Dave, "he's got a fine lot of scrappers with him, that's sure."

By the way Nat's craft cut through the water, it 

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