"I'd like to go and ask myself," went on Grace.
"Well, there's no reason why you shouldn't," said Mr. Hammond. "I'll be going up the river in a day or so, and if you think we'll hire of Belton I'll tell him so," he said to Mr. Stonington.
"Yes, if you like, Mr. Hammond."
"All right, then I'll pilot the girls to his camp if their boat will hold me."
"Indeed it will!' exclaimed Betty, "and you can tell me how to avoid sand bars."
"Belton's place is a little way into the interior from the river," went on Mr. Hammond, "but it's a safe road."
"Then we'll go," decided Betty.
The next few days were filled with small incidents of little interest. The girls motored about, and did some fishing in the river, catching a variety of specimens, few of which were pronounced fit for the table. But they enjoyed themselves very much.
They wandered about in the orange grove, eating as much of the delicious fruit as they chose. Sometimes they took walks with Mrs. Stonington, who was slowly regaining her health. Mr. Stonington was kept busy seeing to the details of the business, that was new to him.
One night Mr. Hammond said:
