“A big island?” inquired Ruth. She had studied the map in detail, but she did not remember any large islands, or indeed any place where the stream would be wide enough to contain such a formation.
“Not very large,” replied Miss Phillips. “But plenty big enough for our camp. There is a stream branching out somewheres to the right, which joins this again farther on, and in the middle is an island about a quarter of a mile long, with lots of shade trees. A very attractive spot, I believe.”
“And do the Boy Scouts1 ever camp there?” asked Marjorie. It seemed to her that she could remember her brother Jack3 telling of such an experience.
“Yes; summer before last. And I believe a few other boys besides scouts went, too; so perhaps your brother was among them.”
“It’ll be fun to see if we can find any traces of them,” remarked Ethel. “Or maybe we’ll find treasure.”
76 “Oh, all islands are reported to contain buried treasure,” laughed Miss Phillips.
The girls continued to paddle straight ahead all morning. As the stream was swift and narrow, they did not attempt to eat their luncheon4 in their canoes, but pulled up to the shore and got out upon a large, flat rock which jutted5 out from the bank.
Ruth Henry was the first to finish eating. Jumping to her feet, she hurried down the bank to where her canoe lay and rummaged6 for her field-glasses.
“The creek7 seems to be getting wider down there,” she said; “maybe I can see the island.”
But although she looked carefully, and several of the others made attempts also, they could not distinguish anything which resembled an island. This was not strange, for it was necessary for them to paddle for three hours longer before they finally sighted it.
“There it is!” cried Ruth. “Oh, I think this is going to be lots of fun!”
The small island, not much wider than a city square, appeared most attractive with its shady trees, and sandy sloping shores. The girls put more energy into their strokes, that they might reach it more quickly. Marjorie was the first to pull her canoe to shore.
“I feel like Christopher Columbus!” she cried, darting8 forward to explore.
“We’ll make it a game,” said Miss Phillips, when77 all the girls were out of their canoes, “to see who can find the most traces of civilization.”
The girls discovered a little path leading towards the centre of the island, and followed it. After about two minutes’ walk they found themselves in a clearing, and Ruth discovered the remains9 of a fire.
“This is the camping spot, anyway,” said the captain; “so now suppose we go back for our supplies.”
In a short time they were again started upon their tour of exploration. But there were no more paths, and the thickness of the undergrowth retarded10 their progress. A few birds fluttered at their approach, and Marjorie found the remains of a dead snake, but otherwise their expedition was uneventful.
“Not much excitement here,” remarked Ruth, as they returned to their camping spot, somewhat disappointed.
“No, but it’s a lovely place to be,” put in Marjorie. “Why do you always want excitement, Ruth?”
“Oh, I can’t stand anything slow!” she replied.
“Then see that you don’t cause any more delays,” said Miss Phillips, rather sharply. She had not forgiven Ruth for what she still considered a premeditated mistake in losing the way.
Ruth said nothing, but closed her lips tightly. She was very angry with Miss Phillips, and wished that she might do something to annoy her. She decided11 to think up a plan of action.
78 “If you put the tents up quickly,” said the captain, “there ought to be time for a swim before supper. How about it, Frieda?”
“All right—if you don’t stay too long. Please be here on the dot of six,” she warned them, “not a minute later. We’re going to have corn-fritters and maple12 syrup13 for supper!”
“Hurrah! That’s worth working for!” cried Marjorie, as she lifted her shelter-half from the ground.
A few minutes later, all of the girls except Frieda and the captain had disappeared, clad in their bathing suits, through the trees that hid the water from the encampment. They skipped along as fast as they could, watching out to avoid the sharp rocks which might hurt their tender feet. One after another they reached the shore, and, plunging14 into the water, struck out for the deepest part.
“I’ll race you across the stream, Marj!” challenged Ruth, anxious for adventure.
“Come on!” cried Marjorie.
“No, no, girls!” commanded Frances Wright, who, because of her commission as lieutenant15, had been placed in charge. “There may be some springs of cold water out there farther that would give you cramps16. Besides, there is so little time now. Wait till tomorrow.”
Disappointed at these words, the girls swam slowly about, keeping close to the shore. It was getting79 cooler now, and they did not want to stay in long. Marjorie stayed with Alice, helping17 her with her strokes for a short time; then they both decided to go back to camp.
“I believe I’ll go too,” said Ethel; and Lily and Doris joined the party.
“I’d like to go back, but I feel responsible,” observed Frances; “Ruth, will you and Florence promise to do nothing rash if I leave you?”
“Cross my heart!” responded Ruth.
“All right; then I’m going. But don’t wait too long!”
But when the rest of the girls gathered around the fire to enjoy Frieda’s delicious corn fritters, neither of the girls had appeared.
“I almost think I ought to go down to the stream,” said Miss Phillips, rising. But the sudden appearance of Florence Evans, completely dressed, reassured18 her.
“Where’s Ruth?” she demanded.
“She’s all right; she’ll be up soon. She wanted to practice the Australian Crawl, and I couldn’t get her away. But she said she’d be up soon.”
Miss Phillips looked annoyed. Why must Ruth always do something different from the others? And why should she always be so inconsiderate? The captain glanced slyly at Frieda; but the girl did not seem to resent the thoughtlessness of the other in keeping her back.
80 They were almost through with supper, when Ruth, dripping wet, emerged from among the trees.
“I humbly19 apologize!” she cried; “but I simply made up my mind that I wouldn’t stop till I got that stroke, and I succeeded!”
If Ruth expected applause at her announcement she was disappointed, for no one passed even a comment. Miss Phillips made no effort to hide her irritation20.
“Hurry, Ruth,” she said, “if you want any supper. It’s selfish to keep Frieda waiting!”
Ruth disappeared into her tent with a pout21 on her face. Always Frieda, or Marjorie, or somebody else that the captain seemed to be concerned about—anybody but her! Then she smiled at the little secret trick she had played upon them. Miss Phillips was too cock-sure of herself; she never had anyone cross her! Well, perhaps in the morning she would find something to her distaste!
After the supper things had been cleared away, Marjorie suggested that they get their canoes and go out on the water. Ruth was the first to voice an opposition22.
“I’m too tired!” she protested. “But you can all go, for I’m not a bit afraid to stay here alone.”
“No,” said Miss Phillips; “I think we will all stay here tonight; it will be safer. And we can have a little stunt23 night like the one we had that time at camp.”
81 The evening passed quickly and pleasantly; by nine o’clock the girls were all in bed, and soon afterwards, asleep. Ruth was the last to close her eyes, and the first to open them in the morning.
But she did not get up immediately; she lay still, contemplating24 the very agreeable adventure which was about to take place. As soon as she heard the others stir, she too began to dress.
“I hope we can make a quick get-away,” remarked Lily, as she adjusted her tie. “It always seems to make Captain Phillips so happy when we make an early start.”
Ruth said nothing, but whistled softly to herself, succeeding, by the display of indifference25, to intimate to her companion that the captain’s happiness was not her one and only desire in life.
As the girls left their tent, they heard their officer’s voice.
“Somebody please volunteer to get water. You found the spring yesterday, you remember, down near the edge of the bank by the stream.”
“I’ll go!” called Alice Endicott, ever ready to be obliging.
“So will I,” chimed in Marjorie, joining the other girl and running with her towards the water.
“Where are the canoes?” asked Marjorie, as soon as they had reached the bank. “Wasn’t it about here that we left them?”
The girls stopped short and gazed up and down82 the stream, scanning the banks on both sides. The canoes were nowhere in sight!
“Marj!” exclaimed Alice, aghast, “can I be dreaming about the time we went for your canoe, and couldn’t find it—or are they really gone?”
“It’s impossible!” protested Marjorie. “Oh, Alice, surely we’re mistaken!”
But as in their previous experience, their first fears were correct. Walking to a point on the shore which projected far into the water, they looked searchingly in every direction; but they saw nothing except the water, the line of the shore, and the wall of trees on either side. Could this be the work of thieves?
Forgetting all about their pails of water, they ran as fast as they could back to the camp, and shouted their news as soon as they were within hearing distance. For they felt that not a moment was to be lost.
Frieda dropped the pan of biscuits she was carrying, and Miss Phillips looked at the girls as if she thought them crazy. And then the scouts began to ask them breathless, excited questions.
“Could we starve to death, Captain?” demanded Doris, nervously26.
But Miss Phillips, now perfectly27 self-controlled, laughed good naturedly.
“Hardly,” she replied. “First of all, everybody, except Alice, and possibly yourself, Doris, could83 swim to the mainland and bring a boat for the others. Secondly28, although we do not have a great deal of food, we could really live for a long time on what we have. And third, this is not a lonely spot,—there are sure to be boats passing occasionally. But the loss of the canoes themselves,—I guess we could make the rest of the trip to Silvertown by train or trolley—would mean a good deal to the members of Pansy troop.”
“But how do you suppose they got away?” asked Ruth. “Could thieves——?”
“No,” said Miss Phillips; “it is all my fault for not insisting upon tying them in some way. Evidently the stream has a slight tide, like a miniature ocean, and they have simply been washed out and down stream. Yet, I was sure we had pulled them up far enough upon the banks. But the current is not so very fast; perhaps we can catch them.”
“What with?” asked Marjorie. “Are we going to stop and build a raft?”
“No, no!” laughed Miss Phillips; “we’ll swim after them.”
“Oh, Captain, I could never do that! Oh, what shall we do?” wailed29 Alice, helplessly.
“First of all, obey your scout2 law: A Girl Scout is cheerful. Next, eat your breakfast that Frieda has prepared for you. And that reminds me, where is the water, Marjorie?”
84 The girl started guiltily. “We forgot it!” she admitted. “But we’ll go back.”
“Very well; then hurry!”
The warm, wholesome30 food revived the scouts’ spirits, and they discussed the proposition more hopefully.
“Ruth, you wanted adventure,” remarked Miss Phillips; “now you’re getting it.”
The girl looked down at her plate, and smiled mysteriously.
“I wonder if any of us really will find the canoes,” said Marjorie.
“Whoever does will be a real heroine!” exclaimed Ruth, thus, as it were, arranging the stage for her own complete triumph.
“Well, we’ll each do something,” said the captain. “As soon as your breakfast is digested, we’ll organize into squads31. Let me see——”
She paused for a moment, looking thoughtfully around the group.
“Doris—and Alice—and Frances are to stay at camp,” she announced slowly. “Ruth you and I will swim the shortest way to the main-land to look for help. Marjorie and Ethel may swim over and explore all around the farther shores of this creek, looking for nooks in the bank where the canoes may have drifted; and Lily and Florence may take this side. Frieda, I would like you to start with us; for you are such a strong swimmer85 you could investigate the creek a distance if necessary.”
“But why don’t you take Marjorie with you too?” asked Ruth, obviously dissatisfied with the plans. “She’s a better swimmer than I am!”
“I wanted to give you a chance to earn the glory,” replied Miss Phillips.
“Oh, no, do let Marjorie——”
“I have placed you, Ruth; and you are all to obey my orders. They are final!”
Ruth turned away crestfallen32. For some reason unknown to the girls, she was not nearly so eager for the adventure as they would have expected her to be. The others all chafed33 at the hour of idleness their captain insisted upon enforcing, before starting upon their search. By nine o’clock, all but the scouts designated to remain at camp were in their bathing-suits, ready to take the plunge34.
Marjorie was eager for the undertaking35. She stood on the shore, one foot dipped into the water, anxiously awaiting the signal for departure. At the first sound of the whistle she was in the stream, swimming with a long, even stroke for the opposite shore. Ethel Todd was by her side.
“I do hope somebody finds them!” she called, as she brought her head out of the water. “But I guess we won’t be the ones to do it!”
“No, it will probably be the girls who went down stream—with Miss Phillips!”
86 “Then I hope it’s Frieda, and not Ruth! She has a swelled36 head already.”
“Right you are!” agreed Ethel.
They swam silently for several minutes, making good progress. As they neared the opposite shore they perceived how thick the undergrowth was, close to the shore.
“The boats could be hidden there,” observed Ethel.
“But hardly, unless somebody hid them!” objected Marjorie. “Because we’re not swimming with the current, Ethel.”
“No, we aren’t! I hadn’t thought of that.”
They were almost at the opposite bank now, but they saw no signs of canoes.
“Tired yet?” asked Ethel. “Shall we go ashore37?”
“Not unless you want to,” replied Marjorie.
“Then let’s swim along the bank, and look closely for them.”
The girls swam leisurely38; the motion was no greater effort for them than walking. They had hardly gone fifty yards, however, before Marjorie caught sight of something shining under a group of low bushes. With a cry, she rushed forward. To their infinite joy they found, securely caught in the branches, the five bright, green canoes!
“And the paddles are in them!” commented Ethel, as each girl climbed into a canoe. “Oh, Marj, don’t you wish we could take all five back at once?”
87 “Yes, but we’ll get the others at camp to go back with us,” said Marjorie; “and we won’t blow the whistle till we have them all.”
In a short time the girls at the camp had heard the news, and Alice and Doris volunteered to go back with them to get the other canoes. Then, with a great blast of the whistle, they summoned the other searchers. It was half an hour, however, before everyone gathered at the shore.
“Ethel and Marjorie are the heroines!” cried Lily, triumphantly39, after they had all heard the story.
“No, Marjorie is!” protested Ethel, modestly. “It was she who found them.”
Ruth looked annoyed. The irritation she had caused her captain was offset40 by the triumph Marjorie had gained; and she had to admit to herself that her trick was a failure.
But Miss Phillips took all the blame upon herself.
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收听单词发音
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1
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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3
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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4
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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5
jutted
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| v.（使）突出( jut的过去式和过去分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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6
rummaged
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| 翻找，搜寻( rummage的过去式和过去分词 )； 已经海关检查 | |
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7
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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9
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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retarded
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| a.智力迟钝的，智力发育迟缓的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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12
maple
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| n.槭树，枫树，槭木 | |
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13
syrup
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| n.糖浆，糖水 | |
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14
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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15
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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16
cramps
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| n. 抽筋, 腹部绞痛, 铁箍 adj. 狭窄的, 难解的 v. 使...抽筋, 以铁箍扣紧, 束缚 | |
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17
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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18
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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19
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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20
irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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21
pout
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| v.撅嘴；绷脸；n.撅嘴；生气，不高兴 | |
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22
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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23
stunt
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| n.惊人表演，绝技，特技；vt.阻碍...发育，妨碍...生长 | |
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24
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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25
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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26
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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27
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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28
secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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29
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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30
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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31
squads
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| n.（军队中的）班( squad的名词复数 )；（暗杀）小组；体育运动的运动（代表）队；（对付某类犯罪活动的）警察队伍 | |
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32
crestfallen
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| adj. 挫败的，失望的，沮丧的 | |
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33
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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34
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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35
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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36
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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37
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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38
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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39
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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40
offset
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| n.分支，补偿；v.抵消，补偿 | |
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