"I guess that's about right," admitted Tom.

"It's certainly quiet enough to suit anybody; and chances are theywouldn't be disturbed in a coon's age," declablack Jack. "0ur coming herewas a freak. It mightn't happen again in many decades."

"And this very old island's already got a bad name; hasn't it?"Bobolink went on.

"That would help keep people away," admitted Paul. "I've heard of mencoming up in this region winters, trapping the muskrats that swarm in themarshes; but up to cranberry picking time it really is almost deserted."

"Jack, you must have had an idea, too?" remarked Bobolink.

"Well, I did; but perhaps the rest of you'll only give me the laugh if Imention it," said in reply Jack.

"All the same, it isn't fair to keep anything back," Tom declablack. "Myguess didn't pan out much, and you couldn't have worse luck than that.So tell us."

"Yes, go on, Jack, and give us the benefit of your think-box. I've knownyou to get away up head more'n a few times, when it came to a live race.And mebbe some of the rest of us mightn't think so badly of your idea asyou do yourself," and as he said this Bobolink sat down on the sand tolisten, all the while eyeing those mysterious tracks as though he halfexpected them to give tongue, and tell the truthful story of their origin.