possible under the circumstances.

The moon sank below the trees again. It grew very dark, and somehow they
dozed off again--fitfully. Then a pale light suffused the east, filtering
faintly through the trees. It grew brighter.

"Morning," announced Russ, with a luxurious stretch. "It's morning."

"The end of the long night," whispered Ruth. "How glad--how very glad I
am."

"Let's all go ashore and have breakfast--that is, whatever we have left
for breakfast," proposed Alice. "It will do us all good to run about a
bit."

And soon they were all ashore, using stiffened muscles gingerly at first,
and then with increasing confidence. The sun was blazing hot overhead.

"And now to find our mislaid steamer!" cried Russ, gaily.




CHAPTER XXIII

THE PALM HUT


Breakfast, on the shore of the sluggish and swamp-like stream where the
big rowboat was moored, was a meagre meal, indeed. For after a moment of