"
Leaving his own boat on shore the colored man got into the motor boat
with the others. The rowboat from the steamer was towed, and in it were
left the rugs, blankets, moving picture camera and other things.
The two Madison sisters brought away with them a box of rare orchid
specimens, the results of their search.
"I wish I could get a moving picture of this; but I can't," sighed Russ,
as the motor boat started off in the twilight. Soon it became so dark
that the searchlight was set aglow, and this gave a fine illumination.
But Uncle Joshua, which the negro said was his only name, seemed to need
no light. In and out among the creeks, rivers, and bayous he directed
Russ to steer, until finally, making a turn in a stream, there burst out
on the eager eyes of the refugees the lights of the steamer.
"_Magnolia_ ahoy!"
"Here we are!"
"Oh, Daddy, Daddy!"
"On board the _Magnolia_!"
Such joyful shouts as there were, and such joyful answers!
And then--but I leave you to imagine the scene aboard the steamer when
the lost ones stepped out of the motor launch. Mr. DeVere, who was in a
state of collapse through fear for his daughters, nearly fainted from
joy, but he soon was himself again. And as for Tommy and Nellie, it is a
wonder their grandmother was able to stand all the hugging and kissing
they gave her.
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