CHAPTER XVII
ON ELM ISLAND
"Have you a long rope aboard, Miss Nelson?" asked Mr. Stone, when they had drawn near to the burning load of hay.
"Yes, you will find it in one of the after lockers," answered Betty, as she skillfully directed the course of her boat so as to get on the windward side of the barge.
"And have you a boathook? I want to fasten it to the rope, and see if I can cast it aboard the barge."
"There is something better than that," went on the Little Captain. "I have a small anchor—a kedge, I think my Uncle Amos called it."
"Fine, that will be just the thing to cast! Where is it?"
"In the same locker with the rope. Uncle insisted that I carry it, though we've never used it."
"Well, it will come in mighty handy now," declared Mr. Kennedy, as he prepared to assist his chum. "You girls had better get in the cabin," he added, "for there is no telling when
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