“ Oh, there they are,” cried one of the girls who was sitting in
the bow of the boat, ‘‘see their campfire?”
A chorus of exclamations followed this announcement. “ Let’s
go back,” suggested one of the more timid, but her objection
was promptly overruled and on they sailed.
Winnie had turned the boat a little farther toward land, and
the group of fellows who were telling stories around the fire were
startled by the sound of a lively boating song which was borne
to them on the breeze. The professor and some of the more
studious ones had turned in early, but these fellows were enjoy
ing the lovely moonlight and discussing the probability of a trip
up to the seminary next day.
‘‘What now!” exclaimed Jack Hervey, springing to his feet
and rushing down to the beach to investigate, followed by the
others. In the distance they saw the white sail gleaming in the
moonlight, and the sound of the sweet feminine voices grew
louder as the boat drew near. ‘‘What luck,” broke out Jack
again, ‘‘ just what we’ve been wishing for. By Jove, but they’re
a jolly crew! Come on, fellows; we can’t afford to miss a chance
like this. Let’s go out to meet them.”
Their own yacht was drawn up on the beach near by, and they
soon had it afloat with sail in place. The girls had not observed
their movements until they sailed from the shadows out into the
bright moonlight, but the moment they saw the boat coming
toward them the song changed to cries of dismay. “Oh, what
shall we do!” cried Maud, almost frightened. ‘‘lt will never do to
let them catch us. Oh, if anyone should find this out, what would
happen to the poor ‘ Night Owls?’ ”
Winnie had quickly changed the course out into the lake, and
the boys seeing that they were trying to escape sent up a shout
and entered with spirit into the race.
The girls had the advantage of a larger sail and a lighter load,
but before they could get their boat under way the others had
gained rapidly and were almost within speaking distance. Winnie
with a determined expression on her face, was now holding the
tiller with one hand, while with the other she grasped the rope
ready to draw in or release the sail in order to get all possible
force from the wind. Occasionally she cast a glance over her
shoulder, and smiled to see that they were now slowly drawing
away from their pursuers. °