diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:00:33 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:00:33 -0700 |
| commit | b31685776850fde14562c1c7052cc38893f7f13c (patch) | |
| tree | aad1e292e432e824c00281f450bd10cf1d4a9991 | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19607-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 474476 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19607-h/19607-h.htm | 6699 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19607-h/images/p001.jpg | bin | 0 -> 109711 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19607-h/images/p084.jpg | bin | 0 -> 131924 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19607-h/images/p168.jpg | bin | 0 -> 128861 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19607.txt | 6569 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19607.zip | bin | 0 -> 97000 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
10 files changed, 13284 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/19607-h.zip b/19607-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7a76625 --- /dev/null +++ b/19607-h.zip diff --git a/19607-h/19607-h.htm b/19607-h/19607-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d117de2 --- /dev/null +++ b/19607-h/19607-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6699 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp, by Laura Lee Hope. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + .right {text-align: right;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp, by Laura Lee Hope + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp + Glorious Days on Skates and Ice Boats + +Author: Laura Lee Hope + +Release Date: October 23, 2006 [EBook #19607] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP *** + + + + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, J.P.W. Fraser, Emmy +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + + + +<div class='bbox'> +<h1>The Outdoor Girls<br /> +In a Winter Camp</h1> + +<h3>OR</h3> + +<h2>GLORIOUS DAYS ON SKATES<br /> +AND ICE BOATS</h2> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>LAURA LEE HOPE</h2> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Author of</span> "<span class="smcap">The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale</span>," "<span class="smcap">The<br />Outdoor Girls at Rainbow +Lake</span>," "<span class="smcap">The<br />Bobbsey Twins</span>," "<span class="smcap">The Bobbsey Twins<br />at the Seashore</span>," <span class="smcap">Etc.</span><br /> +<br /><br /> +<i>ILLUSTRATED</i><br /> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +NEW YORK<br /> +GROSSET & DUNLAP<br /> +PUBLISHERS<br /> +</div></div> + + +<div class='center'><br /><small>Made in the United States of America</small><br /> +</div> + + + + + +<div class='bbox'> +<h2>BOOKS FOR GIRLS</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By</span> LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES</h3> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<h3>THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS</h3> + +<div class='center'>For Little Men and Women</div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE BOBBSEY TWINS"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> +</div> + +<div class='center'> +<span class="smcap">Copyright, 1913, by<br /> +Grosset & Dunlap.</span><br /> +</div> + +<hr style='width: 15%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp</span></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 253px;"> +<img src="images/p001.jpg" width="253" height="400" alt=""SLOW DOWN—DON'T RUN INTO ANYTHING!" BEGGED BETTY." title=""SLOW DOWN—DON'T RUN INTO ANYTHING!" BEGGED BETTY." /> +<span class="caption">"SLOW DOWN—DON'T RUN INTO ANYTHING!" BEGGED BETTY.</span> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp.</i> <i>Frontispiece</i> (<a href='#Page_106'><i>Page 106.</i></a>)</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='right'><span class="smcap">chapter</span></td><td align='left'></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">page</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Danger</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Fine Chance</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_14'>14</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Complications</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_24'>24</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mr. Blackford's Clue </span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_30'>30</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Unpleasant News</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_40'>40</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Preparations</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_47'>47</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Off for Camp</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_57'>57</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Spill</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_66'>66</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Getting Settled</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_74'>74</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Warned Off</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_81'>81</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Rivals</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_88'>88</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In a Big Storm</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_99'>99</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Missing Piece</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_107'>107</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">An Ice Boat Race</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_116'>116</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In a Trap</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_125'>125</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Trouble</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_131'>131</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Snow Fight</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_140'>140</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Auto Ice Boat</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_146'>146</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Marooned</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_153'>153</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">To the Rescue</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_160'>160</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Helping Hand</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_166'>166</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Old Lumberman</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_178'>178</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Revelations</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_183'>183</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Lynx</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_191'>191</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Christmas Joys</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_203'>203</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP</h2> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>DANGER</h3> + + +<p>"How cold it is!" exclaimed Grace Ford, wrapping closer about her a fur +neck-piece, and plunging her gloved hands deeper into the pockets of her +maroon sweater. "I had no idea it was so chilling!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" cried Betty Nelson, her cheeks aglow. "Skate about, and +you'll soon be warm enough. Isn't it glorious, Mollie?"</p> + +<p>"Surely, and the ice is perfect. Come on Grace, and we'll see who'll be +first to the bend!" and Mollie, her dark eyes dancing under the spell of +the day, circled about the almost shivering Grace, doing a gliding waltz +on skates.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to race!" protested the tall, slim girl who had complained +about the weather.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you must!" insisted Betty. "Come, we'll have a short, sharp +one, and then you'll feel so warm you'll wonder you ever said it was +chilly."</p> + +<p>"I wish I had brought along that vacuum bot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span>tle of hot chocolate, as I +intended," murmured Grace, reflectively.</p> + +<p>"Nobody stopped you!" exclaimed Mollie, a trifle sharply. Of late she +had had less and less patience with the "confectionery-failing" of +Grace, as she termed it.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you did!" declared the cold one. "You and Bet were in such a rush +I didn't have time. I wish I hadn't come skating," and Grace permitted +as much of a frown to gather on her pretty face as she ever indulged +herself in—for Grace, be it known, was just a trifle vain, and +desperately afraid of a wrinkle.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, come on and skate!" invited Betty. "Amy and I will race you +and Mollie, Grace. That will—make us all feel better," for the Little +Captain, as she was often called, saw just the shadow of a cloud +gathering over the two chums, who seldom, or never, quarreled.</p> + +<p>"Does Amy want to?" asked Grace, glancing at a quiet girl who was +adjusting her skates. Amy was always quiet, but of late her chums had +noted that she was more than usually so. And they guessed, rightly, that +it had to do with the mystery surrounding her identity, which mystery +Amy had almost given up hope of solving.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll race," said Amy gently, and she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> smiled. Amy was always +willing to oblige, and she did not often consult her own personal +feelings.</p> + +<p>Something like a look of disappointment passed over the countenance of +Grace. Seeing it Mollie laughed.</p> + +<p>"Grace was hoping Amy would say no, so she could get out of it!" cried +vivacious Mollie. "That's the time you didn't say the right thing, Amy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, if nothing but a race will satisfy you, I suppose I must," +and Grace gave in "gracefully." "I'm nearly perished standing still, +anyhow, and skating can't make me much worse."</p> + +<p>"It will be all the better," insisted Betty. "Now we'll race in this +fashion—team work to count. Amy and I in one team, you and Grace in the +other, Mollie. Whichever member of the team gets to the bend first will +win. You see," Betty explained, "one of a team might fall, or turn her +ankle, or get tired, and then the other could keep on. It's like a relay +race."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, if I have to—I suppose I have to," and Grace said this with +such a doleful sigh that the others laughed heartily, even quiet Amy +joining.</p> + +<p>"On your marks!" cried Betty. "Let's show<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> that we are worthy of our +names—true Outdoor Girls."</p> + +<p>"Show who?" asked Grace looking around.</p> + +<p>"Well, here comes your brother Will, for one, and I think Allen Washburn +and Frank Haley are with him," spoke Betty, shading her eyes with her +hands, and gazing off across the sparkling surface of the frozen Argono +River.</p> + +<p>"Can't you see Percy Falconer?" asked Mollie mischievously, referring to +a certain foppish lad, who seemed to have a great fondness for the +Little Captain.</p> + +<p>"If there was any snow here I'd wash your face!" cried Betty, her cheeks +flaming more than before—for, be it known, she did not reciprocate the +feeling that "burned in Percy's manly bosom," to quote the rather +jeering remarks of Grace.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather Allen would do it," murmured Mollie. "That is, if you will +let him, Betty."</p> + +<p>"Let him? Why shouldn't I?" demanded Betty rather sharply, but she +turned her head away, and bit her lips.</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing, only the other night, when you and he went on such a long +walk down the road, I thought perhaps you might have come to some +understanding——"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p><p>"Mollie Billette, if you don't stop——!" began Betty, and then the +approach of three young men on their ringing skates forced her to +conclude rather quickly.</p> + +<p>"Hello, girls," greeted Will Ford, the brother of the willowy Grace, +"what's doing?" Will was just the opposite of his sister, being rather +short and chunky.</p> + +<p>"We're going to have a race," said Betty quickly, perhaps to forestall +any resumption of the embarrassing conversation, now that the subject of +it was present.</p> + +<p>"A race!" exclaimed Allen, a rising young lawyer. "May we join in?"</p> + +<p>"This is strictly a ladies' relay race," explained Mollie. "You may be +judges, or starters and offer the prizes, though, if you like."</p> + +<p>"And the prizes——?" suggested Frank, who was Will's special chum.</p> + +<p>"Hot chocolates when we go back to town," said Betty quickly. "I know +Grace will agree."</p> + +<p>"Indeed I will," the latter said. "I don't care how much fun you make of +me, but I am cold, and—and——"</p> + +<p>"Us 'ikes tandy—don't us!" interrupted Will, mimicking the little twin +brother and sister of Mollie, whose penchant for sweets was only +equalled by the longing of Grace.</p> + +<p>"Easy," said Betty softly. "Well, if we're<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> going to race, let's do it. +Boys, you see fair play. It's to be down to the bend and back."</p> + +<p>"No, not back!" declared Amy. "I can't do as much as that at top speed."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, just to the bend," agreed Betty, indicating a spot where +the river made a turn, about a mile away.</p> + +<p>"We'll skate along," suggested Allen. "It is a bit chilly, and the +exercise will be good for us. Get ready girls. I'm sorry we haven't a +pistol to fire."</p> + +<p>"This will do!" exclaimed Will, producing a paper bag. "It <i>had</i> +chocolates in," he added with a sly look at his sister.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" she cried.</p> + +<p>"Nothing doing!" he added quickly if slangily. "Nothing but crumbs," and +he proceeded to empty them into his mouth, and then blew up the bag. +"When I burst it—go!" he called.</p> + +<p>The sharp report of the exploding bag echoed on the keen, wintry air, +and the four girls glided off on their skates. Mollie and Betty, the two +best skaters, rather hung back, letting the more unskillful Amy and +Grace lead the way. The boys skated together in the rear.</p> + +<p>"When are you going to spurt?" called Will, as he saw that the pace was +not increasing much.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Time enough," replied Betty, narrowly watching her rival, Mollie.</p> + +<p>"That isn't skating!" declared Frank with a laugh. "You girls are only +creeping."</p> + +<p>But at that instant Grace, at a signal from Mollie, darted ahead, and +then the race began in earnest, for Amy, at a nod from the Little +Captain did likewise, and then Mollie and Betty, holding themselves in +readiness for the burst of speed that would take place at the finish, +came after.</p> + +<p>"Now they're off!" cried Will. "A pound of chocolates to the winner!"</p> + +<p>Three-quarters of the way to the bend Amy showed signs of fatigue. +Betty, noting it, called to her:</p> + +<p>"I'll take it now."</p> + +<p>"So will I!" agreed Mollie, and Grace, gliding to one side, allowed her +partner to take the lead.</p> + +<p>"Now they're off!" cried Will again.</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness, I'm warm, anyhow!" remarked Grace, a rosy glow +replacing the former paleness of her cheeks.</p> + +<p>Leaving Amy and Grace to follow on more leisurely, the youths rushed up +to see the finish of the race. It was close, but by unanimous decision +they awarded the contest to Betty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad you won, anyhow!" declared Mollie with fine spirit. +"You earned it, Betty dear, but I thought I was going to beat you, until +the very end."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and you might have, only your left skate was loose," said Betty. +"I noticed it. Suppose we try it over?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed not! My skate did loosen," spoke Mollie, "but I wasn't going to +say anything about it. You won fairly Betty, and I'm too exhausted to +try again. Now if the boys will——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll fulfill our part of the program!" declared Will promptly. +"Come on back to the village whenever you like, and order what you wish. +Or we can go on to the store of the poetical Mr. Lagg if you prefer."</p> + +<p>"It's too far," protested Grace, who, with Amy, had come up now. +"Besides he doesn't serve hot chocolate."</p> + +<p>"Then thou shalt have thy hot chocolate, sister mine!" cried Will, +rubbing her ears.</p> + +<p>"Oh, stop it!" she begged. "You hurt dreadfully, Will!"</p> + +<p>"That's the way to make them warm," and he got back out of the way in +time to avoid having his own ears soundly boxed.</p> + +<p>Slowly the young people skated back. There were a number of others on +the ice now, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> soon our friends were in the midst of quite a throng.</p> + +<p>"Here come Alice Jallow and Kittie Rossmore," murmured Mollie. "I hope +they don't tag along after us."</p> + +<p>"They're likely to," said Grace. "Though since that last little trouble +they haven't been as unpleasant as they used to be."</p> + +<p>The boys circled away from Betty and her chums momentarily, and the two +girls referred to came skating past. They bowed rather coldly, and then, +an acquaintance of theirs joining them, they stopped to chat with the +latter. Mollie's skate again becoming loosened, she halted to adjust it, +her friends waiting for her. It was thus that they overheard what Alice +Jallow was saying to Margaret Black, the girl who had just come up.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Alice spoke, "she gives herself as many airs as if she was +somebody, instead of a nobody."</p> + +<p>"A nobody?" repeated Margaret, wonderingly, "why——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed! She isn't even sure her name is Stonington, and as for Mr. +and Mrs. Stonington being her uncle and aunt as she says, why, I heard +the other day that there is doubt of that even. She and her chums think +themselves high<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> and mighty, but we wouldn't go with anybody that didn't +know who they were!"</p> + +<p>"But I thought there was something about a flood in the West——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, that's the story she gave out, but I, for one don't believe +it. She's a nobody, and that's all there is to it!"</p> + +<p>Then Alice, leaving her bitter words echoing on the wintry air, which +carried them clearly to poor Amy, skated off. Perhaps Alice had not +meant that she should be overheard, but such was the case. She did not +take the trouble to look and see if the one to whom she referred was +within hearing distance.</p> + +<p>At the first intimation of what was coming Betty had started off, as did +the other girls. Mollie seemed to have a notion of rushing over to Alice +and the others, but Grace, by a gesture, warned her not to.</p> + +<p>Poor Amy's eyes filled with tears. She turned aside and Betty made as +though to skate after her, intending to offer words of sympathy, but +this time Mollie shook her head.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she had better be alone for a little while," she whispered. +"Sometimes that is the best way to pass it off. Oh, but that Alice +Jallow is a—cat!"</p> + +<p>No one disagreed with Mollie this time.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> + +<p>Tears blinded the eyes of poor Amy. She skated on out of the crowd, +toward a part of the frozen river where there were no merry-makers. She +did not want to look on pleasure now, for her heart ached from the +bitter words she had overheard—words, she realized, that might be but +too true.</p> + +<p>Blindly she skated on, not heeding, and scarcely caring where she went. +Her only desire was to get away where she could be by herself, to think +it out—to try and devise a way of setting at rest all the rumors about +her. For the rumors had grown apace of late, and from a source she could +not determine. It might be that what she had just heard was a clue.</p> + +<p>Amy had thought of appealing to Mr. and Mrs. Stonington, with whom she +lived, and who, for many years she had regarded as father and mother. +Then, a few months back, she had learned that they were but uncle and +aunt. Now it seemed that she was to lose even this relationship. It was +a bitter blow, especially to one so young in years.</p> + +<p>To briefly mention the mystery of Amy, I might say that she was picked +up when an infant, afloat on a raft in a flood in a western city. Pinned +to her baby dress was an envelope containing the name of Mr. Stonington +of Deepdale.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> He had been telegraphed for, and took charge of the +infant.</p> + +<p>It was supposed that the mother of the baby was a distant relative of +Mrs. Stonington, for the latter had a cousin who resided in the western +city. It was believed that, finding herself about to perish, the mother +did what she could to insure the salvation of her child, and pinned a +note to her dress so that relatives would look after her if the baby was +saved.</p> + +<p>But only the envelope was found, together with an old and torn diary +that gave no tangible clue.</p> + +<p>And this was the mystery of Amy's life. As I have said, after living for +years in the belief that Mr. and Mrs. Stonington were her parents, they +had told her the truth. Now it seemed that there was to be another +change.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but why must it be so?" mourned poor Amy. "Why can't I be like +other girls?"</p> + +<p>The tears rushed to her eyes. She could not see, and she skated rapidly +on, only wanting to get away.</p> + +<p>She heard the ringing of steel runners behind her, but would not turn. +Then a voice—a boy's voice—called:</p> + +<p>"Look out! Look out where you're going, Amy! The ice is thin up there, +and you're go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>ing right toward an air-hole! There's danger! Look out!"</p> + +<p>If Amy heard she gave no sign nor heed. On she skated, and then the +voice behind her called in startled tones:</p> + +<p>"What do you mean? Amy, turn! Turn back before it is too late! You'll be +drowned!"</p> + +<p>The skater behind fairly rushed forward, for he had seen what the +tear-blinded girl had not—black water showing through a hole in the +ice. And Amy was headed directly for this opening.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>A FINE CHANCE</h3> + + +<p>"That Alice Jallow is certainly the meanest girl in Deepdale!" declared +Mollie, with vehemence.</p> + +<p>"And Kittie isn't much better," added Grace, with spirit. "I don't see +how Margaret can go with them."</p> + +<p>"She's a newcomer here, that's the reason," said Betty—bouncing Betty +she was now, for she was whirling about and "teetering" on her skates in +a dizzying fashion. "When she gets to know those girls she won't have +any more to do with them than—we do."</p> + +<p>"And there was a time, even after they made those first slurring remarks +about Amy, that they seemed real nice," spoke Grace.</p> + +<p>"It was too good to last," asserted Mollie. "Oh—the cat!"</p> + +<p>Mollie shot out the word as though she would like to exercise some of +the proclivities of a feline herself, and scratch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What possessed her to stop where she did, and talk loud enough for Amy +to hear?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"It's hard to tell," decided Betty with a sigh. "Shall we go after her?" +and she nodded in the direction taken by Amy, who could not now be seen +because of the intervening crowds.</p> + +<p>"No; best let her cry it out, poor child," said Mollie, softly. "She was +crying when she skated away."</p> + +<p>"Well, if we can find the boys we'll just mildly hint that those +chocolates are about due," observed Grace, and she and the others looked +about for Will and his chums, little dreaming of the danger which, at +that moment, menaced poor Amy.</p> + +<p>Those of you who have read the previous books of this series need no +special introduction to my heroines. Others may care for just a brief +one. The initial volume, entitled "The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale; Or, +Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health," told how Betty, Mollie, Grace +and Amy decided to go on a walking tour. Incidentally they solved the +mystery of a five hundred dollar bill, and won the lasting gratitude of +a Mr. Henry Blackford, a young business man.</p> + +<p>In the second book, "The Outdoor Girls at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> Rainbow Lake; Or, The +Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat <i>Gem</i>," there was a queer ghostly +mystery on an island, but the girls were a match for it. As may be +guessed from the title, the story has to do with boating, Betty having +become the proud possessor of a fine craft.</p> + +<p>When Mollie Billette got her touring car the girls saw no end of good +times ahead of them, and their hopes were fully realized. The third +volume, named "The Outdoor Girls in a Motor Car; Or, The Haunted Mansion +of Shadow Valley," involved the girls from the very start in a series of +queer happenings. They could not discover, until the very end, why a +certain girl fell out of a tree. And as for the strange manifestations +in the mysterious old mansion—but there, it would not be fair to betray +the secret in such a fashion.</p> + +<p>The beautiful Fall weather gave the girls a chance to make long tours in +the car, and they enjoyed every minute spent in the open. And now <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'thy'">they</ins> +were on the edge of winter.</p> + +<p>A cold snap had frozen over the Argono River, on the pleasant banks of +which was located Deepdale, the thriving town where our friends lived. +And they were out enjoying the sport when Amy overheard the cruel words +that sent her off crying.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<p>I might add something about the personal lives of the four chums, by +saying that Betty was an only child, that Grace had a lovable brother +Will, and Mollie a small brother and sister—Paul and Dodo—twins, who +were alternately called the "cutest" and the "most mischievous" +youngsters in existence. Of Amy's mystery I have already hinted.</p> + +<p>When Will Ford saw the danger in which his sister's chum was +unconsciously placing herself he fairly raced forward. There was need to +act promptly, and Will did so. Skating in a diagonal direction he fairly +collided with the girl, and forced her out of her course, and away from +the dangerous hole that yawned there just before her.</p> + +<p>"Amy!" Will cried. "What is the matter?"</p> + +<p>Amy looked up with a start, and Will saw that she had been crying.</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know," she stammered. "I guess I wasn't looking where I was +going."</p> + +<p>"I should say not!" cried Will. "Look there!" and he pointed to the open +water that seemed so black and ugly in contrast with the pure ice.</p> + +<p>"Oh—oh!" she gasped. "Was—was I skating toward that?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p><p>"Right toward it!" exclaimed Will. "I couldn't do anything else than +shove you to one side. I hope I didn't hurt you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, Will, it was good of you. I—I didn't know what I was doing. I +was thinking—thinking——"</p> + +<p>She hesitated, and again tears came into her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Can I do anything for you—has anything happened?" he asked, eagerly. +"Has anyone——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, Will. It is—nothing."</p> + +<p>"Then let's go back to the others," he proposed. "They may be getting +anxious about you."</p> + +<p>"No, Will, I'd rather not go back—just now. I'll go on—home." Amy +hesitated over the word. "I can take a short cut across the fields."</p> + +<p>"Then let me take off your skates," he said, gently. Perhaps he guessed +at something that had occurred. "Come over to shore and I'll have them +off in a jiffy. Then I'll walk home with you."</p> + +<p>"No, Will," said Amy, in a low voice. "I had rather go alone, really I +would. Just tell the girls——"</p> + +<p>She hesitated again, and seemed unable to speak.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Tell them I am all right—that I want to be alone. They will +understand."</p> + +<p>"Very well." He skated with her to the bank, where she sat on a log. +Then, with her skates dangling over her shoulder, Amy set off across the +snow-covered fields alone—with bowed head—and into her eyes the tears +came again as she thought of what she had heard.</p> + +<p>Will watched her, shook his head once or twice, as though puzzled, and +then skated back toward his sister and the others.</p> + +<p>"Where's Amy?" Grace demanded, anxiously, as he came in sight.</p> + +<p>"Gone home."</p> + +<p>"Home? Why didn't you go with her?" asked Mollie, quickly.</p> + +<p>"She wouldn't let me. Say, she acted mighty funny. She was skating +along, looking down, and she came within a few feet of going into an air +hole. I had to almost knock her to one side. She seemed dazed. Did +anything happen?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, there did," said Grace, promptly. "And the less said about it the +better. It was that horrid Alice Jallow making slurring remarks about +Amy. We won't take any notice of her after this. Oh, how mean she is!" +Briefly, she told Will what had happened.</p> + +<p>"That accounts for it," he said. "Poor Amy!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> No wonder she didn't look +where she was going. She might have been drowned."</p> + +<p>"Don't say that!" cried Betty, sharply.</p> + +<p>"Why not, when it's the truth?"</p> + +<p>Betty gave the woman's reason.</p> + +<p>"Because."</p> + +<p>Frank and Allen came skating up.</p> + +<p>"Come!" cried Grace, as joyfully as possible under the circumstances. +"The prizes—our chocolates, boys!"</p> + +<p>"Of course!" added Allen. "But where is Amy?"</p> + +<p>"She'll be along later—maybe," and Will winked at his chum as a signal +not to be too inquisitive. The young lawyer understood and nodded.</p> + +<p>Soon the party of young people were in a drug store, partaking of hot +chocolates, and talking of the fun on the ice, while Grace spent some +time at the candy counter, selecting a new variety of chocolates.</p> + +<p>That evening Betty and Mollie called on Grace.</p> + +<p>"Let's go over and cheer Amy up," proposed Betty, who was always +thinking of some kindness.</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Grace. "Come into the library a moment. I'll get you +that book I prom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>ised, Betty. Oh, it's just splendid! You won't stop +until you finish it."</p> + +<p>"Good!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa, I didn't know you were here!" exclaimed Grace, as, leading +her chums into the library, she discovered her father busy over a mass +of papers on the table.</p> + +<p>"That's all right," he invited. "Come right in. It's only a little legal +tangle I'm trying to straighten out," for Mr. Ford was a well-known +lawyer.</p> + +<p>"Anything we can help you with?" asked Betty, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not," he answered, laughing. "I've just been appointed +receiver of a bankrupt lumber camp up in the North Woods, and I've got +to arrange for some one to stay there during the winter to see that it +isn't disturbed. It comes just at the wrong time, too. I'm so busy I +don't know how I can spare the time to go up there and straighten things +out. Where are you going, Grace?"</p> + +<p>"Over to see poor Amy Stonington. It's too bad! She heard something more +about her mystery to-day, Daddy, and she nearly skated into an +airhole—she was so upset. Isn't it horrid?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is too bad about Amy," said Mr. Ford, for he knew the story, as +did many in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> Deepdale. "She ought to get out and away from the +influences around here. Stonington ought to take her away."</p> + +<p>He was musing for a moment. Then a queer expression came over his face.</p> + +<p>"Girls!" he cried. "I think I have something that will just fill the +bill!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Papa!" cried Grace, clapping her hands. "When you talk that way I +know something is going to happen!"</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll see," he answered. "As I understand it, the High School +won't open until late this winter, on account of the repairs not being +finished."</p> + +<p>"That's right, Daddy!" cried Grace. "Not until after Christmas. Go on!"</p> + +<p>"Well, about this lumber camp that I've got to get someone to take +charge of. It seems that there are some bungalows or cabins in it that +can be hired out to campers. Now if——"</p> + +<p>"Daddy, I've guessed it!" cried Grace, jumping up and putting her arms +about his neck. "You're going to let us go up there to a winter camp. +Aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"I was thinking of it," he confessed. "It seems to me to be a fine +chance for you to get all the fresh air you want. And I suggest that you +take Amy along. What she needs is a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> change of environment. She has had +too much of Deepdale of late. Could you take her with you?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, Daddy!" cried Grace. "Oh, what a lovely opportunity! We +could get Cousin Jane to go with us, perhaps," and she looked at Mollie, +whose cousin had chaperoned them on the auto tour.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she could," said Mr. Ford, slowly. "And I was thinking of an old +lumberman and his wife whom I might appoint as care-takers of the camp. +They could help look after you."</p> + +<p>"As if we needed looking after!" challenged Grace.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll think about it," he said. "If you girls want to go to a +winter camp, I see no reason why you could not. Of course there are +complications, but perhaps we can get over those."</p> + +<p>"Complications!" cried Grace. "Girls, we'll not stir another step until +we hear all about those complications! It sounds very interesting."</p> + +<p>"It surely does," agreed Betty and Mollie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>THE COMPLICATIONS</h3> + + +<p>"Before I begin," said Mr. Ford, as he glanced over the papers that +littered the table, "let me ask, has anything new come up about your +friend Amy? Is she any nearer solving the mystery of her identity?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Betty.</p> + +<p>"Then what occurred to-day?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was that horrid Alice Jallow!" exclaimed Mollie. "Excuse me, Mr. +Ford!" she cried, impulsively, "but I just can't help saying it."</p> + +<p>"You are excused," he said, smiling.</p> + +<p>By turns the girls told what had happened on the ice.</p> + +<p>"Humph! Rather strange," mused the lawyer. "Quite a coincidence. I don't +believe I ever told you, Grace," and he looked at his daughter, "but, as +a matter of fact, I am the principal owner of this lumber camp where you +girls may go."</p> + +<p>"No, you never told me, Daddy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I am. I bought it some time ago as an investment, but things went +wrong. I guess the right men didn't have charge. Neither the lumber +business, nor the leasing of camp sites and bungalows to Summer +vacationists and Fall hunters, paid. The matter got into the courts and +I had myself named as receiver, so I could better look after my +interest. Now I don't know just what I am going to do, except that I +want some one up there to see to things. If I can get Ted Franklin and +his wife I know it will be all right, and you girls will have a fine +time with them.</p> + +<p>"You can have a bungalow or a cabin or two to yourselves, if you like, +and lay in enough provisions for all winter. It's on a branch of the +Argono River," he went on, "and you can skate all the way to camp on the +ice, if you like. But we'll discuss the details later."</p> + +<p>"What about the complications, Daddy?" asked Grace, laughing.</p> + +<p>"I'm coming to them. Mr. Jallow, the father of your friend Alice——"</p> + +<p>"She isn't our friend," said Grace, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow, her father is mixed up in this lumber camp business. He +owns a lot of property next to mine, and he claims some that I think +should belong to me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He does?" cried Mollie. "That's just like the Jallows! Always taking +what doesn't belong to them—even the reputation of other girls. She +borrowed my botany a year ago and never returned it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Ford smiled.</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about the girl Alice," he said, "but that Jallow +is certainly a sharper, to be moderate. He and I will have a clash if he +doesn't look out!" and Mr. Ford's hands clenched.</p> + +<p>"What about, Daddy?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Why, as I said, he claims some land that I think is mine. When I bought +this lumber camp, and formed a company, with myself as the largest +stockholder, I was given to understand that a certain tract, containing +valuable timber, went with my purchase. I had it surveyed, and I +supposed I had title to this big strip, that joins on some land Jallow +owns.</p> + +<p>"We didn't cut any trees on this strip for some years, and here this +Fall, when we started in on it, Jallow stopped us by an injunction from +the court."</p> + +<p>"By what right?" asked Betty.</p> + +<p>"Why, he claimed that valuable strip was his. I contested, of course, +but it seems that there was a mix-up in the landmarks. Those by which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> I +went, when I had my survey made, had disappeared, and others which were +accepted by the court seemed to indicate that the land was Jallow's. But +I know better. I was there at the survey, and saw the marks. The trouble +is that I couldn't prove it. My word alone was not enough, and the +surveyor, I am sorry to say, is dead."</p> + +<p>"Then you can never prove it is your land, Daddy?"</p> + +<p>"Well, if I could find an old lumberman—Paddy Malone he called +himself—if I could find him, I might prove my case, for he was with me +at the time, he and a couple of his friends, and he saw where the stakes +and stone piles were. But Paddy seems to have disappeared."</p> + +<p>"That's too bad!" exclaimed Mollie, sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Well, I may be able to do something later. I am sure the landmarks +were changed—if not by Jallow, by some one interested with him. The +strip they claim, and which I say is mine, is the most valuable in the +woods. I wish I could establish title to it, but unless I can find +Paddy, or some of his friends, I'm afraid I'll have to lose.</p> + +<p>"That is the complication I spoke of. But it need not hinder you girls +from going to spend<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> the winter in camp—or at least part of the +winter."</p> + +<p>"Will there be any danger?" asked Grace, rather timidly.</p> + +<p>"No, not at all. You won't be mixed up in the legal proceedings. Nothing +will be done, anyhow, until Spring. Then I'll see what can be +accomplished. I only want a legal representative in the camp, in case +Jallow tries any more sharp tricks. He has won the first skirmish, +however, so I don't believe he'll make another move until I do. It only +complicates matters, though.</p> + +<p>"Now, if you girls think you'd like to go winter camping, why, say the +word, find out if your folks will let you," and Mr. Ford looked at +Mollie and Betty, "and I'll arrange with Ted Franklin and his wife."</p> + +<p>"Of course we'll go, Daddy!" cried Grace, dancing about the room. "It +will be just lovely; won't it, girls?"</p> + +<p>"Scrumptious!" agreed Mollie.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I can go!" declared Betty. "Now let's go tell poor Amy!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think the change will do her good," said Mr. Ford, reflectively. +"Those Jallows—well, perhaps the least said about them the better."</p> + +<p>Talking excitedly over the chance that had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> been offered to them, Grace, +Mollie and Betty were soon on their way to the home of Amy Stonington. +They found their chum in better spirits. The gloom of the day had +passed, and she smiled, though wanly.</p> + +<p>By common, though unspoken, consent, the little episode of the afternoon +was not referred to.</p> + +<p>"But, oh! we've got the finest news!" cried Betty, enthusiastically. +"We're going winter camping! Think of that! Winter camping!"</p> + +<p>"Tell me about it!" commanded Amy, her face brightening. And they told +her.</p> + +<p>The description had been nearly finished, and from Mr. and Mrs. +Stonington had been exacted a tentative promise that Amy could go if the +rest did, when the telephone bell rang.</p> + +<p>"It's Will on the wire," said Amy to Grace. "He wants to speak to you."</p> + +<p>"How did he know I was here?" asked Grace, as she took the receiver from +her chum. "Oh, papa must have told him. Yes, what is it, Will? What! Mr. +Blackford there? And he has some strange news of his missing sister? +Yes, you and he can come right over!"</p> + +<p>She turned and gazed with startled eyes at her chums.</p> + +<p>"I—I wonder if he has found her?" faltered Mollie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>MR. BLACKFORD'S CLUE</h3> + + +<p>"Hope I didn't disturb any family party," apologized Mr. Blackford, when +he and Will called at the Stonington home a little later that evening.</p> + +<p>"Not at all," greeted Amy. "Come in. We are planning another season of +activity."</p> + +<p>"I might have guessed," answered the young man who had been so +peculiarly involved in the five hundred dollar bill mystery. "You +Outdoor Girls are always doing something novel. What is it this time?"</p> + +<p>"A winter camp!" they cried in chorus.</p> + +<p>"List to the pretty maidens!" sung Will, mockingly, as he assumed a +theatrical attitude.</p> + +<p>"Behave!" ordered his sister, whereat Will proceeded to contort himself +in various ways to the great amusement of the girls.</p> + +<p>"That's fine!" exclaimed Mr. Blackford—"fine that you can go camping, I +mean—not Will's circus act. But I must apologize for coming in on you +this way. I happened to have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> some business in town, and as I received a +curious bit of news I thought you girls might be interested. It's about +my missing sister," he added, simply. "I've told you how I have been +searching for her.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I shouldn't bother you with my family troubles," he continued, +hesitatingly, "but, somehow, ever since you helped me out so in the +matter of that five hundred dollars, I have felt as though you did +really take an interest in me, as I do in you. And, as I haven't any +real folks of my own—so far," and he smiled, "naturally I come to you. +Shall I go on?"</p> + +<p>The girls nodded. After making the acquaintance of the young man in the +manner related in our first volume, they had learned the queer fact of +Mr. Blackford having a sister of whom he had lost track. At one time he +hoped it might develop that she was the strange girl who fell out of the +tree, but it was not so. This girl, Carrie Norton, had, after spending +some time in Deepdale, departed to live with a distant relative.</p> + +<p>Mr. Blackford had engaged a firm which made a specialty of locating +missing persons to look for his sister, but so far there had been no +result.</p> + +<p>"And it doesn't look as though this were go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>ing to be very promising," +the young man went on. "You know this searching firm has been delving +among my wood-pile relations, as I call them, looking for clues," he +went on. "They are getting all the old documents, bits of family +history, descriptions, and so on, that they can lay hands on. It all +helps, in a way, but we haven't had much luck so far. But you may be +interested in something that just came up, and you may be able to help +me.</p> + +<p>"I've been traveling about, in connection with my <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'buisness'">business</ins>, and as I +knew I would 'make' this town to-night, I had all my mail sent here. +Imagine my surprise when I got to my hotel, a little while ago, to find +the most promising clue yet."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Betty, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I thought you might be interested," said the young man, "and that is +why I called at your house," and he nodded to Will.</p> + +<p>"You had gone out," remarked Will to Grace, "so I asked dad where, as +the maid said you'd all been in the library. Then I called up here," and +he nodded to Amy.</p> + +<p>"Glad you did," she returned. She seemed to have forgotten the trouble +of the afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Well," went on Mr. Blackford, "I feared it was a sort of imposition to +come, and——"</p> + +<p>"I told him it wasn't at all," interrupted Will.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So on I came," proceeded the young business man.</p> + +<p>"But what is the clue?" asked Grace, interestedly.</p> + +<p>"This," was the reply, as he took some papers from his pocket. "But it's +a clue that——"</p> + +<p>"Isn't a clue," put in Will.</p> + +<p>"Because——"</p> + +<p>"It breaks off in the middle."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Will, let him tell it; can't you?" demanded Grace, impatiently. "We +don't know whom we're listening to."</p> + +<p>"Well, to be brief," said Mr. Blackford, "the firm I have engaged, the +other day, wrote me that they were on the track of my sister. They felt +sure they were going to find her, and I was very hopeful.</p> + +<p>"It seems that they had found some old documents in the attic of a house +where some distant relatives live. They wrote me they were sending them +on, and—here they are!"</p> + +<p>He brought out a bundle of time-stained and yellow papers, and spread +them on the table.</p> + +<p>"Gracious!" cried Will. "Your sister must be quite elderly to have such +ancient documents refer to her."</p> + +<p>"No," said Mr. Blackford, "she is younger than I am, I believe. But I +have no certain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> knowledge of that. Anyhow, this is part of a letter +written about the girl whom I have every reason to believe is my sister. +And the part that is most interesting——"</p> + +<p>"Is where——" began Will.</p> + +<p>"Can't you keep still?" begged his sister.</p> + +<p>"Has 'oo dot any tandy?" and he imitated little Dodo.</p> + +<p>"Oh, take that!" and Grace passed him a caramel. "Now, let's hear what +it is, Mr. Blackford."</p> + +<p>"There is a part of the letter which says this," went on Mr. Blackford, +and he proceeded to read:</p> + +<p>"'You can always identify the girl because she has a most peculiar +birth-mark on——'"</p> + +<p>He ceased reading.</p> + +<p>"Well, go on, please," requested Betty. "This is getting interesting."</p> + +<p>"It isn't <i>getting</i> interesting—it's so already," declared Mollie. "Go +on, please, Mr. Blackford, tell us what sort of birth-mark your sister +has."</p> + +<p>"That's just the trouble," he remarked, ruefully. "I can't do it."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" Betty wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Because, just at that point—where the description of the birth-mark, +and its location, should appear—the letter is torn. A corner is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> gone. +I have no more idea of what sort of identifying mark my sister has, than +have you. It is worse than before, for I saw hope ahead of me, only to +see it disappear now.</p> + +<p>"I feel sure that the girl referred to in the old letter is my sister; +but how can I identify her, in case I meet her, until I know what sort +of a mark she has, and where it is?"</p> + +<p>"You can't!" declared Will, positively.</p> + +<p>"And that makes it all the more tantalizing," went on Mr. Blackford. +"They even—that firm I spoke of—they even had located the part of the +country where it might be possible my sister was, and now to have it +fail this way——"</p> + +<p>"Where did they say she might be?" asked Amy.</p> + +<p>"Somewhere up in Canada. But it is rather vague. If only that piece was +not torn off the edge of the letter!"</p> + +<p>"Can't you find it somewhere?" asked Mollie. "Maybe in forwarding it the +people you hired tore it by accident."</p> + +<p>"I thought of that, so I telephoned as soon as I got this letter, asking +where the missing piece was. I got word back that they knew nothing +about it."</p> + +<p>There was silence for a moment, while they all looked at the mutilated +document Mr. Black<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>ford held up. It showed a tear across one corner, a +tear that disposed of the most vital piece of information contained on +the whole paper.</p> + +<p>"That's too bad," spoke Amy, sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Mollie, as she put back a stray and rebellious lock of +hair, "it spoils all your plans, I suppose, Mr. Blackford."</p> + +<p>"In a way, yes. But I'm not going to give up. I'm going to find out +where they got this document from, and go there. It may have been in +some old attic trunk, among some—love letters—and the missing piece +may be there."</p> + +<p>"Without it you're all at sea," declared Will. "You don't know what sort +of a mark to look for, nor where it might be."</p> + +<p>"And he can't very well go around asking all the girls he meets if they +have peculiar birth-marks," commented Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Well, I hardly know why I told you my troubles," said the young man, +"but——"</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't you?" asked Betty, pleasantly. "We are interested in you, +of course, ever since——"</p> + +<p>"That five hundred dollar bill you thought was gone for good," added +Amy. "But if we hear of anything——" and she paused suggestively.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I wish you'd let me know!" exclaimed Mr. Blackford. "I know you girls +are very lucky. You've proved it several times. Now if you happen to +hear of anyone who would fit what description I have of my sister—and +it isn't much, to tell the truth—or if you think you see anyone who +resembles me, or who has a peculiar birth-mark, just let me know. You +travel around so much, and you meet so many strange people——"</p> + +<p>"We do seem to," agreed Grace.</p> + +<p>"Well, just let me know," finished Mr. Blackford.</p> + +<p>For some little time they talked of the curious happening, and the +perversity of fate that should provide for such a vital piece of the +letter being missing. Then, after Amy had provided refreshments, the +young men and girls prepared to take their leave.</p> + +<p>"And you and Mollie won't forget to find out for sure if you can go to +the lumber camp; will you, Betty?" asked Grace. "Let me know as soon as +you can."</p> + +<p>"I'll call you up first thing in the morning," promised Betty. "I'm +pretty sure I can go. Oh! what fun we'll have!"</p> + +<p>"Any skating there?" asked Mr. Blackford.</p> + +<p>"Oceans of it!" said Grace, who had asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> her father many questions +about the camp they expected to visit.</p> + +<p>"How about ice boating?" inquired Will.</p> + +<p>"You can have that, too. There isn't an ice boat in camp, father said, +but not far away a man has a sort of winter bungalow, and he keeps a +number. Maybe he'll lend us one."</p> + +<p>"And can you run it?" asked Amy, timidly.</p> + +<p>"It runs itself—you just sit in it and the wind blows it along. All you +have to do is steer," said Grace.</p> + +<p>"You're getting to be quite an authority," declared Mollie. "Oh, but I +know we'll have a fine time!"</p> + +<p>"And we'll come up too, sometimes," put in Will. "That is, if you girls +will let us."</p> + +<p>"Of course," murmured Mollie. "Isn't that the telephone ringing, Grace?" +for they were all on the front steps.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I'll see who it is," said Amy. "Maybe they want one of you girls. +Wait!"</p> + +<p>"Can't have any of 'em—all taken," declared Will.</p> + +<p>"It's you they want, Mollie," reported Amy, coming back. "It's your +mother, and she seems to be in trouble."</p> + +<p>"Trouble?" Mollie's voice trembled.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Oh, dear! I'm sure she was crying!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> and Amy's voice faltered, for +she was very tender-hearted.</p> + +<p>Mollie went to the telephone. The others listened anxiously for an +inkling of what the message might be.</p> + +<p>"What!" cried Mollie. "Paul missing—he must have gone out right after I +did! Oh, dear! And it's beginning to snow!"</p> + +<p>"Girls!" she cried, turning to the others, and letting the receiver fall +with a bang, "little Paul is missing—mother thinks he went out of +doors. Oh, that poor child!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>UNPLEASANT NEWS</h3> + + +<p>Will was the first to realize the import of the message. He exclaimed +briskly:</p> + +<p>"Gone out; eh? Well, it won't be hard to track him, for there is a +light, new covering of snow on the ground and sidewalks. That is, if we +get right at it. Come on, Mr. Blackford, and we'll find the little +rascal!"</p> + +<p>"Of course we will!" cried Betty. "Don't cry, Mollie dear. He can't be +lost for long; everyone in Deepdale knows him and whoever finds him will +take him home."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but he—he may freeze!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it isn't cold!" declared Grace, though she was even then shivering. +Grace was not any too well built to stand cold weather.</p> + +<p>"That's it! Stick to it!" whispered Will in her ear. "Insist that it +isn't cold."</p> + +<p>"I'll come with you and help search," suggested Amy, who had been +bidding her callers good-night. "I wonder if we ought to have a +lantern?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It would be useful," spoke Betty.</p> + +<p>"I have one of those pocket electric flash-lights," remarked Will.</p> + +<p>"And I can get another," said Amy. "I'll be right with you, as soon as I +get my coat and rubbers."</p> + +<p>Soon the six young people were tramping through the storm, which seemed +to be increasing in severity, though knowing how Mollie would worry +about her little brother being out in it, the others kept insisting that +it was a mere flurry, that it would amount to nothing, and would soon be +over, or turn to rain.</p> + +<p>But the snow did not itself hold out any such mild promises as that, and +Mollie shivered as she felt the cold and cutting blasts of wind, which +had a lower temperature than on the ice that afternoon.</p> + +<p>They reached Mollie's house to find a very much excited and tearful Mrs. +Billette, the widow being ministered to by some of her neighbors who had +hurriedly come in, on hearing from a servant what had happened.</p> + +<p>"Tell me all about it, Mother!" cried Mollie, partly lapsing into French +in her excitement. Mrs. Billette spoke entirely in that language now.</p> + +<p>It appeared that little Paul had been allowed to stay up later than +usual without being un<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>dressed, as he had a new picture book to look at.</p> + +<p>Then company had come in, and, in the abstraction of playing hostess, +Mrs. Billette had forgotten about Paul until a little while before. He +had been missed and a hasty search had not disclosed him in the house, +but had shown the absence of his little cap, coat and rubbers.</p> + +<p>"And he has gone out! Out into the storm!" cried Mrs. Billette on +Mollie's shoulder. "Oh, my little Paul!"</p> + +<p>"There, there, Mother, we'll find him!" declared Mollie, more bravely +than she felt. She had dried her own tears under the stress of looking +after her mother.</p> + +<p>"Of course we shall!" affirmed Will. "Scatter and search now. Get more +lights!"</p> + +<p>Fortunately Mollie had some of the pocket torches and soon the little +party of searchers was going about the house. In the mantle of +newly-fallen snow it would seem to be an easy, matter to pick out the +child's footprints and at least trace in which direction he went.</p> + +<p>Will was the first to locate them, and a joyful whoop told of his +success.</p> + +<p>"Here they are!" he called. "He came out of this side door, and headed +for the river——"</p> + +<p>"The river!" screamed Mrs. Billette, clutching at Mollie's arm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hush, Mother! It is frozen over, you know. He can come to no harm, I'm +sure."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Will, hurry! Do! Find my little baby!" cried the frantic mother.</p> + +<p>Will dashed on, followed by the others. They kept their electric torches +aglow, and could easily trace the line of tiny footsteps, since no other +persons had passed down this way over the Billette property to the +frozen Argono.</p> + +<p>A sound near the boathouse attracted Will, and he turned in that +direction, seeing instinctively that the steps led there. Then he saw a +flash of light in the structure where, in addition to some craft owned +by Mollie, was stored Betty's motor boat, the <i>Gem</i>.</p> + +<p>"Are you in there, Paul?" cried Will.</p> + +<p>They all waited anxiously for the answer.</p> + +<p>"Ess," was the childish answer. "What oo want? I goin' way off in boat. +I goin' be Robbyson Tuso."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Paul!" reproached his mother. But her voice showed relief.</p> + +<p>They pushed open the side door of the boat house, which had been left +unlocked that day—inadvertently, it seemed—as a man was doing some +repairs to Betty's craft.</p> + +<p>They saw Paul gravely seated in the boat, which he had managed to get +into by means of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> a chair. He had a lantern with him, taken, it +developed, from where Isaac, the furnace man, had left it for a moment +in the Billette kitchen. And Paul was gravely playing that he was +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Robison'">Robinson</ins> Crusoe, starting off on a voyage.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Paul, how could you frighten mamma so?" asked Mollie, as she caught +him up. "You should be punished!"</p> + +<p>"Pichure in my book about Robbyson Tuso. He got in boat—I go in boat. +Betty no care—does oo?"</p> + +<p>"No, dear, not about my boat. But——"</p> + +<p>"You were very, very naughty!" said Mollie, severely, "and sister +doesn't love you any more. Naughty Paul!"</p> + +<p>The sensitive lip of the toddler began pursing outward, quivering. His +eyes filled with tears. Then catching sight of Grace, who, with the +others, formed a circle about the recovered lost one, Paul smiled +through the gathering mist of tears and asked:</p> + +<p>"Oo dot any tandy?"</p> + +<p>And he laughed with them as Grace produced some chocolates in a bag. And +no one remarked on her failing—that time, at least.</p> + +<p>Paul was soon in bed, having made many promises not to offend again. +Then Will went back with Amy, Mr. Blackford escorting Betty and Grace, +who lived near each other. The girls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> promised to meet again next day, +but this was hardly necessary, since scarcely a day passed that they +were not together—"inseparables," they had been dubbed.</p> + +<p>Of course for the next few days little was talked of except the prospect +of going to the winter camp. From the parents of the three, tentative +permission had been wrung, Grace's father and mother being much in favor +of her making the trip.</p> + +<p>"Her lungs are none too strong," Mr. Ford had said to his wife, "and the +winter in the pine woods will do her good."</p> + +<p>"If only there is no danger!"</p> + +<p>"Danger! Nonsense!" Mr. Ford had exclaimed.</p> + +<p>But he did not know what was in prospect, or he might not have been so +positive. Even as it was, a few days later brought unpleasant news to +him.</p> + +<p>He had been in correspondence with the old lumberman and his wife, and +had practically arranged for them to take charge of the camp, and look +after the girls, who would occupy one of the large cabins, if they went +to the woods. Then came a letter from a brother lawyer who was looking +after some details of the receivership.</p> + +<p>"By Jove! That makes it bad!" exclaimed Mr. Ford on reading this +communication.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What is it, Daddy?" asked Grace, who happened to be in the library with +her father when the mail came in.</p> + +<p>"Why, Travert writes me that Jallow has begun cutting timber on the +strip that is in dispute. Valuable timber, too, that I'm sure belongs to +me. This is contrary to the ruling of the court. I must stop this if I +have to come to an open fight!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Father, will this stop us going to camp?"</p> + +<p>"No, not necessarily. The strip is far enough away from the camp itself. +I don't know but what it will be a good plan to have you on the ground, +Grace. You can let me know if anything happens. Now I must see what I +can do about this. If only I could find Paddy Malone, and he could +testify about the changed boundary lines, I'd have none of this +trouble," and Mr. Ford sighed.</p> + +<p>"Maybe we can find him up there, papa," said Grace, softly.</p> + +<p>"Maybe; but I doubt it. I've been trying for a year to locate him, and +can't. But never mind. Don't let this bad news worry you. You and your +chums can go there all right, and have a good time. Maybe you'll have +more of a time than you want. It looks as though we would have a hard +winter."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>PREPARATIONS</h3> + + +<p>"How many dresses are you going to take?"</p> + +<p>"I wonder if we ought to bring along something for evening wear?"</p> + +<p>"Anyhow we want something warm."</p> + +<p>"And what about shoes—or boots? How would it do to wear leggings, like +the boy scouts?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure we won't want anything like evening dresses. Where could we +wear them up in the wilderness?"</p> + +<p>"Why, perhaps there may be a lumbermen's dance."</p> + +<p>"Oh, listen to Mollie! As if we'd go!"</p> + +<p>"Why not? Of course we could go if we had a chaperone," and Mollie, who +had proposed this, looked rather defiantly at her chums.</p> + +<p>The other foregoing remarks had been shot back and forth so quickly, in +such zig-zag fashion, that it was difficult to tell who said which; in +many cases the authors themselves being hardly able to identify their +verbal creations.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<p>The girls were at the home of Grace, discussing, as they had been doing +ever since it was practically decided that they were to go to camp, what +they should take, and what to wear. It was far from being settled yet.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm sure of one thing," remarked Grace, "and that is that, as Amy +says, we ought to have at least two warm cloth dresses."</p> + +<p>"An extra skirt, too, would be no harm," added Betty. "If we go out in +deep snow the skirt is sure to get wet, and then we could change on +coming in."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think that would be wise," admitted Mollie. "I am almost tempted +to wear—bloomers!"</p> + +<p>"Mollie Billette!"</p> + +<p>"I don't care," and she spoke defiantly. "More and more girls are coming +to wear them. Why, if we wear them in the school gym. I don't see any +harm in using them when we go camping."</p> + +<p>"But up there—where we may meet a lot of rough lumbermen, who wouldn't +understand—I'd like it, really I would," confessed Betty. "But I guess +we'd better not. It's different here, and at school."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess it is," admitted Mollie with a sigh. "But we can wear +skirts of a sensible length, and leggings. I'm glad we thought of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +those. They'll be much more comfortable than boots, and not so heavy. +But what about a light dress? Do you think we'd have any use for one? +There's no use taking along a lot of clothes we won't wear."</p> + +<p>"That's right," said Grace. "I spoke to papa about it, and he said that +while there were often little affairs among the lumbermen and the +residents up there, they never thought of wearing light clothes in +winter. They'd think it queer if we did, and went to any of the parties. +So let's don't bother with our fancy duds."</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Betty. "We'll be real outdoor girls, and dress as such. +Well, so much is settled. I'll make a note of that," and she proceeded +to set down the facts agreed to.</p> + +<p>"Let me see," she mused, "what's this?" and she frowned over some +cabalistic marks on her paper.</p> + +<p>"Can't you read your own writing?" asked Amy with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Well, it looks like 'hats,' but I'm sure I didn't mean that. We settled +that we'd wear Tam-o'-Shanter affairs, or caps, so it can't be hats. Oh, +I have it. It's 'eats'—what are we going to do about food?"</p> + +<p>"Papa says," spoke Grace, "that we can get lots of canned stuff up +there. The store that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> used to supply the lumbermen is open. And we can +send some cases of things from here. We can get fresh meat three times a +week, and eggs from the farmers when they have any. So make a note of +that, Little Captain."</p> + +<p>"I will. But, as I understand it, the lumbermen have all left your +father's camp now—it's in the hands of a receiver. Maybe the store will +close."</p> + +<p>"No, father said the country people depend on that store for their +things. It wasn't just a camp grocery. It will be all right."</p> + +<p>"Well, that settles the two important items of food and clothing," +remarked Betty, checking them off on her list. "Of course we'll have to +do considerable ordering, and decide on what variety we want to take, +but that can be done later.</p> + +<p>"Next, let me see what is next—oh, yes, how are we going to get to the +camp—walk, ride, or——"</p> + +<p>"Skate!" interrupted Mollie. "Why can't we skate there? It isn't so very +far."</p> + +<p>"And drag our baggage and sandwiches along behind us on sleds?" asked +Betty.</p> + +<p>"Too much work," declared Amy. "Let's hire a sled, get up a straw ride +and go in style."</p> + +<p>"Oh, say, what about Mr. Jallow? Do you think he will make trouble up +there?" inquired<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> Amy, glancing rather apprehensively at Grace. "You +know you said your father told you about his beginning to cut timber +and——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, we needn't worry about that," declared Grace with confidence. "The +strip in dispute is far enough from the camp."</p> + +<p>"Isn't it mean to have even that little worry, when it seemed as if +everything was going to be so nice?" murmured Mollie. "And that Alice +Jallow! I met her and Kittie on the street yesterday afternoon and I +just cut them both—dead."</p> + +<p>"Mollie, you never did!" cried gentle Amy.</p> + +<p>"Yes I did, and I'll do it again. I guess they were surprised, for I +heard them chattering like two—two crows—when I passed on."</p> + +<p>"Serves them right—the way they talked about Amy," exclaimed Grace.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I don't want you girls to get into trouble on my account—to +fight my—my battles for me," faltered Amy. "It is unpleasant enough as +it is, without making it worse."</p> + +<p>"Now don't you worry, little one," said Betty soothingly. "We can look +after ourselves, and I'd like to know why we should not break a lance or +two in your behalf."</p> + +<p>"Of course!" cried Mollie.</p> + +<p>"You're a member of our club," declared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> Grace, "and club members must +stand up for each other."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," agreed Betty. "I don't like quarrels any more than you +girls do, but I do think that Alice Jallow ought to know that we resent +what she said."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she knows it all right!" exclaimed Mollie. "I took good care that +she should! She's a regular—cat. No other word expresses what I mean, +and I don't care if it isn't a nice thing to say about a girl. She +deserves it."</p> + +<p>Amy flushed and looked troubled.</p> + +<p>"Don't let's talk about it," suggested Betty quickly, catching an +appealing glance from her little chum. "We all know there isn't the +least foundation for it, any more than there was at first, and that's an +old story."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, there is a little more basis for it," said Amy in a low voice, +and with a hasty look around.</p> + +<p>"There is?" cried Betty, before she thought. "Oh, I didn't mean that!" +she added quickly. "Don't tell us—unless it will make you feel better, +Amy."</p> + +<p>"It will, I think. I have been going to ever since the day Alice hurt me +so, but I couldn't seem to come to it. But of late there has been a +change in—in Mr. and Mrs. Stonington."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't you call them Uncle and Aunt any more?" asked Grace in a low +voice.</p> + +<p>"I do to their faces—yes, but I don't think of them that way," and +Amy's voice faltered.</p> + +<p>"Why?" Betty wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Because, by the merest accident, I found the other day, a piece of +paper in—in Mr. Stonington's desk. I had read it before I realized it +and it intimated that a mistake had been made in assuming that the +envelope pinned on my dress, when I was rescued from the flood, was +really intended to be on me. In that case Mr. and Mrs. Stonington would +be no relation to me."</p> + +<p>"But if the envelope with their names and address on it was found on +you, why shouldn't it refer to you?" asked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Because there were <i>two</i> babies rescued in that flood."</p> + +<p>"Two babies?" It was a general chorus of surprise from the three girls.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I was one. There was another. A man saved both of us, and set us +on an improvised raft. He found the envelope lying loose near us, and as +it was nearer to me he pinned it on my dress, assuming that it had come +from my sleeve. But it may have been on the other baby."</p> + +<p>"How did this become known?" asked Grace.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Through this man. It seems that some newspaper reporter, on the +anniversary of the flood in Rocky Ford—that's where I was found—this +reporter wrote up the former incidents about it. He interviewed several +who had made rescues, and this man was one. He told of having found two +babies, and one paper. I know Mr. and Mrs. Stonington, who read this +account, must have had their doubts about me raised anew, for I +overheard them talking very earnestly about it."</p> + +<p>"Poor Amy!" sighed Grace.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's dreadful not to know who you are," said Amy, with a rather +cheerless smile. "But I am getting used to it now. It did hurt, though, +to hear what Alice said about it that day."</p> + +<p>"I should think so—the mean thing!" snapped Mollie, her quick temper on +the verge of rising.</p> + +<p>"But I know, no matter what happens, that Mr. and Mrs. Stonington will +always care for me," Amy went on. "If it were not for that I don't know +what I'd do. Now let's talk of something else—something more pleasant."</p> + +<p>"Oh, this isn't unpleasant for us!" Betty hastened to assure her chum. +"Only of course we know how you must feel about it. If we could only +help you in some way!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you can't," said Amy softly. "It's good of you, though."</p> + +<p>"It's like one of those queer puzzle stories, that end with a bump, in +the middle, and leave you guessing—like 'The Lady or the Tiger,'" +asserted Mollie. "I can't bear them. I get to thinking of the solution +in the night and it sets me wild."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is like that," agreed Amy gently. "But I don't see how it can +ever be known on which baby the envelope belonged."</p> + +<p>"What became of the other baby?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"I never heard, and the man who rescued me did not know either," +answered Amy. "He turned us both over to the relief authorities, and, +assuming that I belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Stonington, because of their +address on the envelope, on my sleeve, they sent for—for my uncle, as I +suppose I ought to call him, though he may not be—and he has kept me +ever since."</p> + +<p>"But there is just as much chance that you were the baby on whom the +paper was pinned, as to think that you were not," came somewhat +positively from Betty.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose so," Amy agreed. "But, please, let's talk about going +camping. I want to forget that I may be a—nobody."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You'll never be that, Amy—to us!" declared Mollie, positively.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, dear."</p> + +<p>"The question still to be settled," broke in Betty, determined to change +the conversation, "is how are we to go to camp. Shall we skate or sled +or——"</p> + +<p>"Ice boat!" cried the voice of Will Ford at the door. "Ladies, excuse +me, but I have arrived at a most propitious time, I observe. I overheard +what you said. Allow me to suggest—an ice boat!"</p> + +<p>They looked at him with rather startled glances, and he added:</p> + +<p>"Shall I explain?"</p> + +<p>"As it seems to be an unguessable riddle—do," urged his sister. "Did +you bring any chocolates?"</p> + +<p>"I did."</p> + +<p>"Pay as you enter," said Mollie, laughingly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>OFF FOR CAMP</h3> + + +<p>Will entered with the air of one conferring a favor, and successfully +evaded the efforts of his sister to take away a certain box he was +carrying.</p> + +<p>"Have patience, little sister mine!" he mocked. "Have patience, and you +will get your desires."</p> + +<p>"You mean thing! and I haven't had a chocolate all day. How did you come +to bring them?"</p> + +<p>"Amy asked me to," he said boldly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Will Ford! I did not!" and Amy blushed a "lobster red," as the lad +ungallantly informed her.</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow take them, and dole them out," he added, tossing the box +of confectionery into her lap.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Amy, I always loved you!" confided Grace, "shooting" a look of +wonder at her brother.</p> + +<p>"And while Amy passes the treat, perhaps you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> will kindly elucidate the +riddle of the ice boat for us," suggested Mollie, catching a marshmallow +chocolate which Amy deftly threw across the parlor.</p> + +<p>"Nothing very complicated about it," replied Will, himself munching on +some candy that he produced from a hidden source—likely one of his +seemingly innumerable pockets. Betty said she never could understand how +a boy could remember all the pockets he had—fourteen she once counted, +when she had Allen Washburn enumerate them for her.</p> + +<p>"It's this way," went on Will, with tantalizing slowness, but Grace knew +better than to try to hurry him. "Allen and Frank and I have bought a +big ice boat."</p> + +<p>"You have?" cried Grace. "You never told me a thing about it." She +looked her keen reproaches.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm telling you now," said Will. "It is a second-hand one, and +used to belong to the Chacalott Club, down the river. They bought a new +one for racing purposes, and Allen heard of the chance to get this one. +He told me, I told Frank, Frank told—told——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, spare us the horrible details!" protested Grace. "Where do we come +in?"</p> + +<p>"In the ice boat, of course. Where else did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> you expect?" and Will +grinned at her like a Cheshire cat.</p> + +<p>"Provoking!" murmured Grace. "Do go on."</p> + +<p>"Yes, do," urged Mollie. "We've got so much to do yet!"</p> + +<p>"Well, as I said, we have a big, roomy ice boat," went on Will. "It +isn't as comfortable as your <i>Gem</i>, Betty, and has no cabin."</p> + +<p>"No cabin!" cried Amy. "I thought all boats had to have cabins."</p> + +<p>"An ice boat is like a pair of stilts, crossed," explained Will. +"There's no room for a cabin, but there is a sort of cockpit on this +one. It will hold ten when they aren't spilled out on the way."</p> + +<p>"Spilled out?" queried Mollie. "That sounds interesting."</p> + +<p>"It is—when you're not spilled," said Will. "You see in a stiff breeze +the ice boat sort of rears up on its hind legs, like an auto going +around a curve on two wheels, and there the spilling begins.</p> + +<p>"As I said, the cockpit of the <i>Spider</i> will hold about ten comfortably, +and if half spill out, why so much the more comfort for those who +succeed in holding themselves in."</p> + +<p>"But what about us?" asked Grace.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll hold you in," volunteered Will, cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"No, I mean do you really intend for us to use it to go to camp?" +insisted his sister.</p> + +<p>"I sure do. It's a dandy boat—the <i>Spider</i>, and——"</p> + +<p>"<i>Spider!</i>" exclaimed Betty with a little shiver. "What possessed you to +take such a name?"</p> + +<p>"It looks like a water bug—the ice is not far removed from water. Hence +<i>Spider</i>. Do you get me—or the spider?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you boys!" sighed Grace. "Girls, shall we consider it—the ice +boat?"</p> + +<p>"It will be just the proper caper," said Will. "We can take you all up +in one load, and your suit cases, too. Trunks can go by express. Then we +can stay a week or so with you in the cabin, and——"</p> + +<p>"You can stay—you boys—who said so?" demanded Grace a bit defiantly.</p> + +<p>"Dad. I asked him. There are several furnished cabins there, and we can +use one, he said. Oh, don't worry, we won't bother you," and he glared +at his sister. Grace and Will did not get along any better than the +average brother and sister, it will be noted.</p> + +<p>"I think it would be nice," spoke gentle Amy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> hastening to pour oil on +troubled waters. "It wouldn't be quite so lonesome—with the boys +there."</p> + +<p>"Bless you for saying that!" exclaimed Will, with mock heroics. "You +shall be doubly repaid. We'll see that you are never alone, Amy."</p> + +<p>She blushed, but did not seem displeased.</p> + +<p>"And as we boys are going anyhow," went on Will, "you girls can come in +the ice boat, or not, just as you choose. I only thought I'd offer it."</p> + +<p>"It's kind of you," declared Mollie.</p> + +<p>"I think ice boating would be lovely," vouchsafed Betty.</p> + +<p>Seeing her chums thus in favor Grace capitulated.</p> + +<p>"All right," she said. "We'll go, with you boys."</p> + +<p>"And you needn't think you are doing us a favor, either!" asserted Will +a bit truculently. "We can get other girls. There is Kittie Rossmore, +Alice——"</p> + +<p>"Stop it!" commanded Grace, and Will subsided. He knew better than to +keep on in that strain.</p> + +<p>"The boat is a dandy, though," he went on. "We can pile the cockpit full +of fur robes, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> when the wind is right we can scoot up the lake to +beat the band!"</p> + +<p>"Such slang!" cried Grace.</p> + +<p>"Well, I only meant hat band—or rubber band. That isn't slang."</p> + +<p>And so it was decided. Will went on to describe the boat from the rudder +and runners, to the sails and tackle, most of it being as Greek to the +girls. But they made up their minds to soon learn how to run a craft on +the ice.</p> + +<p>"And if things go right I'll soon have a better one than the <i>Spider</i>," +declared Will, as he prepared to take his leave.</p> + +<p>"You mean you are going to buy another?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"No, not buy—make one—and it will be a surprise, too, let me tell +you!"</p> + +<p>"How?" asked Betty, interested.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'll see when the time comes. It's a secret."</p> + +<p>This naturally roused the curiosity of the girls, but Will, having +accomplished his purpose in doing that, refused to talk further and left +in a hurry, Frank having called for him.</p> + +<p>As for the girls, there were many details yet to be settled, even though +the matter of food and clothing had been decided, in a measure.</p> + +<p>In the days that followed Mr. Ford reported<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> that he had succeeded in +getting Ted Franklin and his wife to go to the lumber camp, to live in +one of the cabins and assume charge as care-takers.</p> + +<p>"They'll have a cabin all ready for you girls," the lawyer had said to +his daughter. "It will be near theirs, and if Will and the boys want to +go up for week-ends, there is a cabin they can use."</p> + +<p>"But, Daddy, tell Will not to bother us. He's sure to play some kind of +tricks."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess you girls can look after yourselves. Now, about getting +yourselves and your things up there——"</p> + +<p>"We've arranged about ourselves," said Grace. "We're going in the ice +boat up the river. But our trunks——"</p> + +<p>"I'll have them shipped. I have also sent an order to the storekeeper +there to supply the cabin with stock provisions. The others you can buy +as you need them. Now I guess that's all."</p> + +<p>"Is Mr. Jallow cutting any more trees?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I haven't succeeded in stopping him. There may be trouble—of +a legal kind only," he hastened to assure his daughter, who looked +alarmed. "Don't worry. Only if you should happen to run across that +Paddy Malone up there—that old lumberman—hold on to him, or at least +get him to communicate with me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> With his testimony I can beat this +Jallow."</p> + +<p>"I hope we can find him," observed Grace.</p> + +<p>There were seemingly a hundred and one things to do before starting off +for camp, but somehow they got done. Betty was very busy, for though +Grace had initiated the idea of the camp, the Little Captain naturally +assumed the leadership, as she generally did.</p> + +<p>The girls had two or three rides in the ice boat, and liked the +experience very much. It was a novel sensation gliding over the frozen +surface before a stiff wind. And really the boys managed the <i>Spider</i> +very well. In spite of the protest of the girls, they refused to change +the name, even ignoring the compromise of <i>Cobweb</i>, which Grace declared +quite poetical.</p> + +<p>The day set for the start brought disappointment, for the wind blew in +exactly the opposite direction desired, and, after waiting until late +afternoon for a change, the trip was given up.</p> + +<p>But in the night it grew colder, which was good for the condition of the +ice, and the wind shifted. It blew straight up the river toward the +distant lumber camp, and early the next morning Will was astir to make +sure there would be no delay.</p> + +<p>The start was made from Mollie's boathouse, where the <i>Spider</i> was +moored. The suitcases<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> were piled in the forward part of the cockpit, +which was well provided with rugs. Then with Allen at the helm, and Will +and Frank to look after the sail, the girls took their places.</p> + +<p>"All aboard!" cried Will, looking at his sister and her chums. "Hold +fast, everybody! Shall I shove off, Allen?"</p> + +<p>"Yes!"</p> + +<p>The boat glided out into the middle of the frozen river. The wind caught +the sail, it curved out, and the <i>Spider</i> shot ahead, gathering speed +every second.</p> + +<p>"We're off!" cried Betty, waving her hands to those who had come to see +them start.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye! Good-bye!" was chorused over and over again.</p> + +<p>As Amy waved with the others she little dreamed what a change would take +place in her life before she saw dear Deepdale again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>A SPILL</h3> + + +<p>Straight up the Argono River flew the <i>Spider</i>. Crawled would perhaps be +a more appropriate term, considering the insect, but the ice boat did +not crawl—it literally flew.</p> + +<p>"Oh, this is just glorious!" cried Mollie, with shining eyes, as she +crouched down amid the rugs near Will, and looked ahead at the white, +icy stretch.</p> + +<p>"It's the most comfortable form of motion I ever imagined could be," +said Betty. "I'm so glad you thought of it, Will. I wouldn't have missed +it for worlds."</p> + +<p>"It's a little too swift for me," confessed Amy.</p> + +<p>"Swift! I wish we could go faster!" exclaimed Mollie.</p> + +<p>"We'll go faster soon, when we get around the bend," spoke Allen. "Then +we'll get the full force of the wind, and then——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and then will be the time you girls will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> have to hang on, even by +your eyelids," declared Will. "You'll see!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, is it as scary as all that?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"You won't mind," declared Frank, soothingly. "He's only trying to scare +you."</p> + +<p>Amy looked a bit timid, but a reassuring glance from Betty put her at +her ease once more.</p> + +<p>Truly the ice boat was all that the boys had claimed for it. Roomy, as +ice boats go, comfortable and speedy, it was really a prize.</p> + +<p>"You deserve a vote of thanks, boys," said Mollie, as the sharp wind +brightened the roses in her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Leave it to your Uncle Dudley," declared Will. "I told you that you'd +like it."</p> + +<p>"Here!" cried Grace, tossing him a chocolate.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" he cried, as it hit him in the face, "whence this sudden flow of +sisterly kindness."</p> + +<p>"As a reward for your thoughtfulness in providing the boat," said Grace.</p> + +<p>"That means I'll have to look out, or she'll be wanting me to do +something more before night," spoke Will.</p> + +<p>"I hope Mr. Franklin has fires lighted in our cabin," remarked Grace +after a bit. "It will be real chilly, I'm afraid," and she drew her very +becoming furs closer about her. Her face was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> framed in them, and she +looked, as Allen said, "like a picture on a magazine cover."</p> + +<p>"I don't know whether to feel complimented or not," she confessed with a +laugh. "I only know I'm cold-d-d-d-d! Burrrrr!" and she shivered.</p> + +<p>"It isn't as warm as skating," said Allen. "But perhaps this may help," +and with one hand he took from a box a long, round object. "It's a +vacuum bottle of hot coffee," he explained. "I didn't think, until the +last minute, or I'd have brought chocolate, Grace."</p> + +<p>"Oh, coffee will do just as well!" she hastened to assure him. "It is +just what I want to drive the shivers away."</p> + +<p>"There are some cups there in that other box," said Allen to Frank. "If +you'll get them out, and pass the refreshments around."</p> + +<p>"Happy to oblige!" exclaimed Frank.</p> + +<p>"There is sugar and milk already in the coffee," explained the young +lawyer. "I hope none of you object."</p> + +<p>They did not, as it developed, and soon they were sipping the hot +beverage while gliding along, the wind having died out somewhat.</p> + +<p>As they made the turn around the bend, a little later, they got the full +force of the breeze, which, increasing in power, sent them along so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +suddenly that the ice boat tilted on two runners.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" screamed Grace, clutching Mollie, and causing her to spill +what remained of the cup of coffee.</p> + +<p>"There, look what you did!" snapped the French girl, quickly.</p> + +<p>"I—I didn't mean to," said Grace, contritely. "I thought we were going +to spill."</p> + +<p>"This was the only 'spill' there was," laughed Betty, as she helped +Grace wipe up the trickling beverage.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, it doesn't matter," said Mollie—"mollified Mollie," as Will +expressed it later. The little flash of temper died out almost as soon +as it showed.</p> + +<p>"Steady all!" called Allen, for the girls were moving about, and he +needed less motion in order to handle the boat easily.</p> + +<p>They were proceeding along at a fast pace when, from behind one of the +boathouses along the shore of the frozen river, there shot out a small +ice craft, containing two persons. It was so sudden, and cut so sharply +across the path of the <i>Spider</i>, that Allen narrowly avoided a +collision.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you look before you come out?" he called sharply to the +steersman of the smaller craft.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why don't you keep more to the middle of the river?" was the retort, +and then the boat shot around and took the same direction as the one in +which the <i>Spider</i> was going.</p> + +<p>"Why, there's Alice Jallow in that boat!" exclaimed Betty. "Did you see, +girls?"</p> + +<p>"Sure enough! So it was!" agreed Mollie. "But who is that fellow with +her?"</p> + +<p>"Harry Brook," answered Will.</p> + +<p>"Do you know him?" demanded Grace, quickly.</p> + +<p>"A little. He's a new lad in town."</p> + +<p>"Has he been going with—her—long?" asked Betty.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. First time I ever saw him with her. Mind that chunk of +wood just ahead, Allen."</p> + +<p>"I see it, thanks. That fellow gave me a scare, though. I never saw him +until I was almost into him."</p> + +<p>"That's right," assented Frank. "I guess he doesn't know much about +running one of these things. How are you coming on with your——" he +added, looking at Will.</p> + +<p>"Do you think it will rain?" asked Will, promptly, looking up into the +cloudless sky, and nudging Frank sharply. "Keep still," he whispered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What is it?" demanded Grace. "Do you know his secret, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"If he tells—I'll have revenge!" cried Will in theatrical fashion. +"Mum's the word, old man," and he glanced significantly at Frank.</p> + +<p>"All right—don't worry," was the retort.</p> + +<p>"They seem to think they are having a race with us," remarked Allen, +nodding in the direction of the other boat. It was a little distance +ahead, but off to one side, a considerable space of glittering ice +separating the two craft.</p> + +<p>"Maybe he saw us coming, and shot out that way to make Alice think he +was some ice yachtsman," suggested Will. "I'll tell him what I think the +next time I see him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't make any more trouble, Will," begged his sister. "We seem to +be on the outs enough with the Jallow family. I only hope we don't meet +Mr. Jallow up in the woods."</p> + +<p>"He wouldn't dare annoy you," spoke Allen. "I know something about your +father's case, and I think, when it is next tried, that Jallow will +lose. He deserves to, I think, and I have gone over most of the +evidence."</p> + +<p>"If we could only get that missing lumberman to testify," said Grace, +"it would end it all in papa's favor. But I suppose that is too much to +hope for."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>They were moving swiftly along now, and were a little more than a +quarter of the way to the lumber camp. They intended to stop at noon, +which would see them three-quarters there, and eat the lunch they had +brought along.</p> + +<p>It did seem that Alice and the young fellow with her invited the +<i>Spider</i> to a race, but Allen knew better than to accept. The other boat +was a light craft, built purposely for racing, whereas the larger boat +was not.</p> + +<p>Gradually the boat containing the two occupants drew away up the river. +Our friends gave it little thought until, when they were discussing the +advisability of eating lunch, Frank called out:</p> + +<p>"Here he comes back, tacking against the wind."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he doesn't know how to do it," said Allen in a low voice. +"He'll have trouble if he doesn't watch out."</p> + +<p>The small boat came nearer and nearer, gliding from side to side of the +frozen river to make distance against a quartering wind.</p> + +<p>"Look out where you're going!" suddenly cried Allen, as he saw the craft +headed directly for the Spider. "Luff there! Luff!"</p> + +<p>Evidently in the emergency the other boy lost his head. He came straight +on, but Allen was not minded to suffer a collision. Quickly he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> shifted +his helm, and so quickly that the next moment the <i>Spider</i> overturned, +spilling them all out.</p> + +<p>There were hoarse shouts from the boys, and shrill screams from the +girls as Allen, who had managed to jump clear, raced after the still +moving boat to prevent it becoming damaged.</p> + +<p>And, as he looked back to see the figures of his friends more or less +entangled in luggage and fur robes, scattered over the ice, he saw the +boat, the action of which had made it necessary for him to spill, +herself turn over, throwing out Alice and her friend.</p> + +<p>"Anybody hurt?" asked Will, as he sat up, a robe around his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Guess not," answered Frank, taking a quick survey of the girls. They +were laughing now, and getting up.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>GETTING SETTLED</h3> + + +<p>Only a glance was needed to show that none of the party of campers had +been more than bruised. They were all up now, getting rid of the +entangling rugs, and collecting the scattered baggage, which had slid +over the ice in various directions.</p> + +<p>"Never mind that," advised Allen, who was busy with the ropes of the ice +boat. "Let's right this, fellows," he suggested, "and see if it's +damaged any. It doesn't look so; but we'd better make sure."</p> + +<p>It was no easy task to get the boat on her runners again, but the girls +lent their strength, no small feature in the aggregate, and soon the +<i>Spider</i> was on her legs again, if that be the proper term.</p> + +<p>"Look—they seem to be having trouble," remarked Betty, pointing to the +overturned ice boat with one hand, while with the other she tried to get +her rebellious hair in some sort of order.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> Her locks had become +loosed—as had those of her chums—in the spill.</p> + +<p>The youth who had been responsible for the accident was standing near +Alice, seemingly ill at ease. Alice Jallow appeared to be crying. The +boat was some distance off, and it needed but a glance to show that the +mast was broken.</p> + +<p>"Maybe she's hurt!" suggested Will, starting on the run toward the two +figures. Allen had lowered the sail of the <i>Spider</i> and had tossed out a +sharp-pronged ice anchor.</p> + +<p>"Shall we—I wonder if we had better go <i>to</i> Alice?" asked Mollie, +doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, we must, I think," spoke Betty. "Come on, girls." And even +Amy, who might have been excused for not going, under the circumstances, +started toward Alice, while Allen and Frank seeing that there was +assistance enough, worked to get their own craft in shape, and to +replace the rugs and luggage.</p> + +<p>"Are you—can we help you—is there anything the matter, Alice?" asked +Betty, gently, as she reached the sobbing girl.</p> + +<p>"I can't get her to tell me," spoke Harry Brook. "But I don't believe +she's more than scared."</p> + +<p>"I am so! My elbow hurts terrible!" exclaimed Alice, petulantly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps if I look at it," suggested Grace, laying a hand on the arm of +Alice.</p> + +<p>"I'll thank you to let me alone!" was the snappish retort. "It was your +fault we upset, anyhow. Let me alone!"</p> + +<p>"Whew!" whistled Will. "Well, I like that!"</p> + +<p>And his sister and her chums wished they were free to express themselves +as forcibly.</p> + +<p>"Our fault!" cried Will. "Why, you came right for us, Brook! You know +you did. We had to jibe to get out of your way, and that's what put us +in bad."</p> + +<p>"I know it—I'm sorry," Harry had the grace to answer. "My mast is +broken, too. The rudder seemed to jam, and I couldn't shift it."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess we can be of no service here," said Betty, a bit coldly. +"Come on, girls," and without so much as a glance at the girl who had +spurned their kind offer the four chums started back. It was very +evident that Alice was not much hurt, for she walked off to one side.</p> + +<p>"Shall I give you a hand at righting your boat, Harry?" asked Will, +after rather an awkward pause.</p> + +<p>"Yes—if you will. I guess I don't know so much about ice craft as I +thought I did. It was easy enough going before the wind, but when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> I +turned to tack I had trouble. I'll just run her up on shore and see what +I can do to-morrow about getting a new mast. Any of your crowd hurt?"</p> + +<p>"No, only their—feelings."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, accidents will happen." Will looked narrowly at Alice, but +she averted her gaze. Then, when Harry had assured him there was nothing +more to do, Will set out to rejoin his friends, while Harry, after +sliding the ice boat to shore, set off down the frozen stream with +Alice.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't like to be in his shoes," remarked Frank when the situation +had been explained to him. "Alice will have it in for him, all right."</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps after her show of uncalled-for temper he'll not want to +have anything more to do with her," said Mollie. "I wouldn't—if I were +in his place."</p> + +<p>Allen found that their ice boat had not been in the least damaged, and +when the spilled-out possessions had been gathered up and replaced, they +resumed their way with the hoisting of the sail.</p> + +<p>"I hope the lunch isn't spoiled," remarked Grace. "I'm hungry."</p> + +<p>"So am I," was the general admission.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>A few miles farther on they came to a sheltered cove where they stopped +and ate dinner. They made hot chocolate over a little fire of driftwood +on shore.</p> + +<p>Then they kept on up the river, the wind holding good, and about three +o'clock reached the lumber camp. Allen sent the ice boat up to the +little dock in proper style, and one after another the young people +leaped out.</p> + +<p>"Whoop!" yelled Will. "Here we are! Whoop!"</p> + +<p>"Be still, you—Indian!" begged Grace.</p> + +<p>"Indians always whoop," he said. "I want to let Franklin know we're +here!"</p> + +<p>From one of the cabins, clustered in the wood, a short distance back +from the shore of the frozen river, came a grizzled but pleasant-faced +man. In the doorway stood a short, stout woman, smiling a welcome.</p> + +<p>"Well, you got here, I see," remarked Mr. Franklin, genially, as he took +two suitcases. "Mother and I've been expecting you, and we've got a hot +supper all ready but putting on the table."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that was too much work, though it's lovely of you!" protested +Grace.</p> + +<p>"We expected to cook our own meal," added Mollie. "You will get us into +bad habits."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 251px;"> +<img src="images/p084.jpg" width="251" height="400" alt=""THEY MADE HOT CHOCOLATE OVER A LITTLE FIRE OF DRIFTWOOD."" title=""THEY MADE HOT CHOCOLATE OVER A LITTLE FIRE OF DRIFTWOOD."" /> +<span class="caption">"THEY MADE HOT CHOCOLATE OVER A LITTLE FIRE OF DRIFTWOOD."—Page 78.</span> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp.</i></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Eatin's the best habit I know of!" chuckled the care-taker. "I've been +acquirin' it for a good many years and it hasn't hurt me yet. I expect +to keep right on with it, too. I hope you didn't lose your appetites on +the way."</p> + +<p>"No danger," remarked Will. "Is everything all right?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. All your stuff come; there's a lot of grub, plenty of wood, and +all you've got to do is to enjoy yourself."</p> + +<p>"Has that fellow—Jallow—or any of his men made trouble?" Will asked, +when the girls had gone on ahead.</p> + +<p>"Not much; no. I did catch one of 'em on our land the other day—on land +there's no question but what your father owns. I ordered him off."</p> + +<p>"Did he go?"</p> + +<p>"Yep."</p> + +<p>"Peaceably?"</p> + +<p>"Well, no, not exactly. I had to sort of—shove him off, and I'm afraid +he stumbled and bumped his nose," chuckled Mr. Franklin.</p> + +<p>"That's the way!" cried Will, laughing.</p> + +<p>The cabins to be occupied by the boys and girls were close together, and +that used by Mr. Franklin and his wife was not far off. All three were +near to the water, and back of them was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> a forest of big trees, gaunt +and bare now, their black limbs tossing restlessly in the wind.</p> + +<p>Baggage was put away, a hasty survey was taken of the camp and the +cabins, and then, as it got dark soon, Mrs. Franklin, with whom all the +girls fell in love at first sight, suggested an early supper. And a most +bountiful one it was, though the dining room was rather taxed. But that +only made it the more merry.</p> + +<p>"And now to get settled!" exclaimed Betty, as she and the girls went +over to their cabin.</p> + +<p>"You'll find the bunks all made up!" called Mrs. Franklin, "and if you +haven't covers enough you'll find more in the big chest."</p> + +<p>"That's good," agreed Grace. "I hate to be cold!"</p> + +<p>"You want to get more flesh and you'll be warmer!" said Amy, who was +rather plump.</p> + +<p>"Ugh! Flesh! Never!" declared the willowy Grace.</p> + +<p>They began unpacking their trunks and suitcases, each one appropriating +part of the bureaus and wall space. From the cabin of the boys came +shouts and laughter.</p> + +<p>"Cutting up—as usual," observed Grace. "Oh, I wonder if I left out that +big box of chocolates?" and frantically she began searching in her +trunk.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>WARNED OFF</h3> + + +<p>"Girls, it's gone!"</p> + +<p>Thus cried Grace, as a further search of her possessions did not reveal +the box of candy.</p> + +<p>"What is?" asked Mollie, who had not heard the first frantic cry.</p> + +<p>"That lovely big box of chocolates father gave me! I'm sure I put it in +the tray of my trunk when I was packing, but now——"</p> + +<p>A perfect storm of things seemed to fly from the trunk, not only the +"annex," as Mollie termed the tray, but the "main hotel" <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original missing this word">as</ins> well.</p> + +<p>"Grace, you'll have this room a perfect sight!" protested Betty.</p> + +<p>"Can't help it!" returned the chocolate-lover. "I must find it. Amy, you +were with me the day I packed; what did I do with that box with the pink +ribbon?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that; why the last I saw of it was on your dresser. Don't you +remember? You took it out for a moment, after putting it in, to see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> if +your ribbon box wouldn't go in that place better. Then you——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know!" interrupted Grace. "I forgot to put it back. Then the +telephone rang, and I went to answer it. Will was in talking to you when +I came back again, and——"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he did not take it—you may have simply left it home," +suggested Betty.</p> + +<p>Grace nervously tossed her possessions back into her trunk. There came a +knock at the cabin door.</p> + +<p>"Come!" cried Mollie, who was in the outer apartment.</p> + +<p>"I say, Grace!" cried Will's voice as he entered. "There are two buttons +off my coat—must have torn loose when we upset. Sew 'em on, will you?"</p> + +<p>"Not now, Will, I'm busy—I can't find something. I'll sew 'em on +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Yes, around noon. We fellows are going off early. There may be a bear +or two up here, and we brought our guns, you know."</p> + +<p>"I can't bother."</p> + +<p>"Then Amy will," said the boy. "Say 'yes,' Amy, and I'll give you a +lovely box of chocolates, with a pink ribbon on!"</p> + +<p>"Will Ford!" cried Grace, striding up to him. "Give me my candy this +instant!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Your candy?" Will pretended much surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, certainly, my candy. The box of Walford's papa gave me!"</p> + +<p>She pulled his hand from behind his back and there was revealed the +missing box of confections.</p> + +<p>"There it is!" Grace cried. "I knew he had my candy!"</p> + +<p>"Your candy? Say, Sis, if it's yours, how in the world did it get in my +suitcase, I'd like to know?"</p> + +<p>"Was it there?"</p> + +<p>"Honor bright!"</p> + +<p>Grace looked puzzled for a moment, and then she exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"I see now. I had it in my hand when I went in your room as you were +packing. I wanted to get a piece of wrapping paper for it, and just then +you cut your finger, and——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and you ran out like a scared cat, and dropped the candy in my +suitcase," finished her brother. "I thought you meant to give it to me, +so I kept it, and toted it up here. Now will you sew those buttons on +for me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Will," answered Grace, meekly, as she accepted the box.</p> + +<p>"I thought that would fetch you around," he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> said with a cheerful grin. +"Never mind, Amy, next time it will be you."</p> + +<p>The unpacking was finished, bunks were prepared and for a little while, +before turning in for the night, Will and his chums called on his sister +and her friends. Mr. Franklin dropped in to see if the young folks +needed anything. He had filled a number of lamps for them, so there was +no lack of light, that winter evening.</p> + +<p>The ice boat had been safely moored, plans had been made for breakfast, +and the boys had evinced a determination to get up early and go hunting.</p> + +<p>"Are there any bears up here, Mr. Franklin?" asked Amy, nervously, +looking out of the window.</p> + +<p>"Well, there has been known to be a few, especially in a hard winter. +They come out once in a while to sort of feed-up on our stock, if they +haven't eaten enough to sleep 'em through to Spring."</p> + +<p>"Would you call this a hard winter?" Amy went on.</p> + +<p>"Well, middlin' so," was the slow answer.</p> + +<p>"What are you driving at, Amy?" Mollie wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"It's a problem in geometry," said Will. "Things that are equal to the +same thing are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> equal to each other. A bear comes out to feed in a hard +winter—this is a hard winter, therefore a hungry bear is equal to a +hard winter. Eh, Amy?"</p> + +<p>"It wasn't that at all!" she declared, blushing. "I only was wondering +if they would—would annoy us here."</p> + +<p>"I won't let 'em bite you, Amy!" said Will, with a protecting, brotherly +air—too brotherly, Grace said it was.</p> + +<p>"I guess all the bears you'll get down here you can put in your trunk," +laughed the old woodsman. "Well, I must be gettin' back. This is late +for me. 'Most nine."</p> + +<p>Indeed, they were all tired from the day's travel, and soon the boys had +been "shooed" away and the girls let down their hair.</p> + +<p>After a hysterical half-hour or so, which always seems to follow when +one retires after a day spent in getting to a strange place, the girls +were asleep.</p> + +<p>Amy awoke with a start shortly after midnight. She knew this because a +light left burning low in the living room shone on a small clock. And as +the girl listened she heard a crunching sound out on the frozen snow.</p> + +<p>"Some one is trying to get in the cabin!" was the fearsome conclusion to +which she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> jumped. Then in her fright she called: "Betty—Mollie! Wake +up!"</p> + +<p>Mollie was the first to rouse.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" she asked, sitting up in bed.</p> + +<p>"Some one outside—they're walking around the cabin. I'm sure they're +trying to get in. Oh, please call Mr. Franklin, or the boys! I'm so +frightened!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mollie. "Wait until I take a look. No use sounding +a false alarm."</p> + +<p>Grace and Betty wakened at the sound of the others' voices, and asked +what was going on.</p> + +<p>"I'll look out and see what it," volunteered Betty, her room being +nearest the window. She slipped from bed and a moment later called:</p> + +<p>"Sillies! It's nothing but Mr. Franklin's dog keeping guard around the +house. He's walking like a sentinel. Go to sleep, all of you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so relieved!" murmured Amy, but it was some time before she +closed her eyes again for an uninterrupted slumber.</p> + +<p>Morning came, with no further alarms having been reported, and, after +some confusion, due to their new environment, the girls got their +breakfast. They sent over some hot pancakes to the boys, for they could +tell by the sounds coming from their cabin that the meal there was not +progressing favorably.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + +<p>In spite of the fact that Mr. Franklin was not very encouraging about +the presence of bears, the boys determined to go off and see for +themselves. They each had a gun.</p> + +<p>"Then we girls will go for a walk," decided Betty. "The woods must be +interesting at this time of year. And it isn't as cold as it was +yesterday."</p> + +<p>They set out, comfortably equipped for a walk, with short skirts and +leggings, for the snow was rather deep. There were woodland trails and +logging roads and the girls alternated on them; seeing much to wonder at +and admire, for the woods in winter are more interesting than many +suppose who have never seen them except in Summer or Fall.</p> + +<p>The girls went on for perhaps three miles, and were thinking of turning +back, for it was nearing noon, when a voice hailed them from a dense +growth of hemlock trees.</p> + +<p>"I say, you folks will have to git away from there. You're on private +ground. Git off!" and there stepped into view a burly, roughly-dressed +man, accompanied by a bulldog. Master and dog looked equally savage.</p> + +<p>"Go on!" ordered the man, "before I——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>THE RIVALS</h3> + + +<p>Grace clutched Mollie, and Amy made an equally effective seizure of +Betty. The two girls whose nerves were under better control than those +of their two chums stood their ground—if not sturdily, at least with +the appearance of it. They stared at the man, for want of something +better to do, as Mollie afterward admitted. And the man found their gaze +a bit disconcerting, it was evident, for he shifted uneasily, first on +one big-booted foot, and then on the other.</p> + +<p>"Well, be you goin' t' git?" he finally asked. "I tell you this is +private land, and Mr. Jallow don't allow nobody on it 'ceptin' them he +hires."</p> + +<p>This gave Mollie an opening.</p> + +<p>"Oh, is this Mr. Jallow's land?" she asked, and her chums wondered at +the sweetness of her tones.</p> + +<p>"It be," the burly guard replied, "an' you'd better git off."</p> + +<p>The dog growled, and looked up inquiringly at his master as though +asking for orders.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We—we know Mr. Jallow," went on Mollie. Then nudging Grace, she +whispered: "Say something; can't you? This must be the piece your father +is having trouble about. Say something."</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know what to say," faltered Grace. "Oh, let's get away from +here! That dog——"</p> + +<p>The animal growled, as though resenting the tone in which Grace talked +about him.</p> + +<p>"Do come," urged Amy. "I'm all in a tremble. The woods are big enough +without getting on this disputed land."</p> + +<p>"I tell you you'd better go!" insisted the guardian of the forest. "I'm +supposed to keep trespassers off, an' I'm goin' t' do it, too!" +Evidently he did not like the looks of the girls whispering together. +Perhaps he may have imagined that there was a conspiracy to kidnap him +and take possession of the property in dispute. He moved nearer to the +girls, the dog following him.</p> + +<p>Grace uttered a little cry.</p> + +<p>"Now I ain't a-goin' fer t' hurt ye!" exclaimed the man, "an' I don't +want t' be no harsher than I have t' be, but you folks must move back, +else I'll have t' make ye go. I'm on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> guard here, and——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll go," said Betty quickly, "but I don't see what harm we were +doing. The woods seem all alike to me."</p> + +<p>"Well, mebbe ye wasn't doin' no particular harm," admitted the man in +surly tones, "but my orders is to keep trespassers off, an' I'm goin' t' +do it!"</p> + +<p>"It's hard to tell where Mr. Ford's land ends and Mr. Jallow's begins," +said Mollie, looking for some sign of a boundary mark. The man started.</p> + +<p>"Be you folks from Ford's camp?" he asked, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Grace, taking heart, perhaps, at the mention of her father's +name. "I am Miss Ford."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm sorry, but now you'll have to go quicker than if you was some +one else!" said the man firmly. "I thought you was jest ordinary folks, +but I've got very strict orders not to let Mr. Ford nor nobody who +represents him, set foot on this land. So that's your game; is it?" and +he leered at them.</p> + +<p>"Game! We don't know what you mean!" said Mollie with asperity. "We +certainly are up to no game."</p> + +<p>"Indeed not!" echoed Betty indignantly. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> girls, even Amy and Grace, +had recovered their "nerve" now. The opposition, when they knew they had +done no real harm, was enough to make them assert themselves for their +common rights.</p> + +<p>"Well, you'll have to git right away from here. I won't stand for no +nonsense!" cried the fellow. "Fer all I know you may be tryin' some +law-dodge on me. Move on!"</p> + +<p>He advanced threateningly, and the dog growled menacingly. Even Mollie +and Betty were not brave enough to stand their ground now, and they were +preparing for a precipitate retreat when the sound of a shot was heard +close at hand.</p> + +<p>The man uttered an exclamation of alarm, and the dog barked, ending in a +howl.</p> + +<p>"Ha! More trespassers!" ejaculated the man. "Are they with you? Are they +friends of yours?" he asked cunningly.</p> + +<p>"They might be," answered Mollie, thinking of the boys who had gone +hunting.</p> + +<p>"Well, if that's the case," began the man, "I'll have to——"</p> + +<p>But he did not finish, for, at that instant, Will, Allen, and Frank came +out from behind a clump of bushes. Will bore a gun that still had smoke +coming from the muzzle. The boys started at the sight of the girls, and +looked wonderingly at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> the man who was so evidently threatening them.</p> + +<p>"What's up, Sis?" demanded Will, striding forward.</p> + +<p>"Has this—fellow—been annoying you?" asked Allen.</p> + +<p>"I warned 'em away—they are trespassing on Mr. Jallow's land," said the +man, but his manner was much softened. Evidently the sight of the three +young huntsmen had had a good effect.</p> + +<p>"Oh, so this is Mr. Jallow's land?" inquired Allen quickly. "Is this the +part that is in dispute?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know nothin' about no dispute," was the sullen response, "but I +know what my orders are, and I'm going t' carry 'em out."</p> + +<p>"Far be it from us to stand in the way of you doing your duty," remarked +Will pleasantly. "But if you have been annoying these young ladies——" +he paused significantly and looked at his two chums.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he—he didn't annoy us!" said Grace quickly. She wanted no +unpleasantness.</p> + +<p>"I am glad of it," spoke Will.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you will be glad enough to point out just where the boundary +marks are," said Allen quietly. "We may be walking in these woods often, +and we would not like to trespass if we can avoid it. Where is the +dividing line?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>The question evidently took the man by surprise. He seemed confused.</p> + +<p>"It's somewhere about here," he muttered. "I seen one of the stone piles +a while ago."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the young ladies were not trespassing at all," went on Allen. +"In that case I have to point out that you have exceeded your authority. +You may even be a trespasser yourself, on Mr. Ford's land. If you are, +don't be alarmed. We shall take no extreme measures."</p> + +<p>"Huh! Think you're smart; don't you? Maybe you're a lawyer?"</p> + +<p>"I am!" was the quiet answer "And I know my rights, and those of my +friends."</p> + +<p>"So that's the game, is it? You're tryin' t' establish a right here. +Well, you can't do it! I order you off."</p> + +<p>"First show that you have the right," insisted Allen. "Where is the +dividing line?"</p> + +<p>The man looked up and down through the woods. He went a little way +backward, and then forward. Then he uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"There it is—back of you!" he exclaimed. "You're all on Mr. Jallow's +land now, and I order you off. Them stone piles are the points in the +line. That big pine tree is another mark. The line runs right along +here, and you're all trespassers."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, if that is the correct line, perhaps we are," agreed the young +lawyer. "And we are willing to go—for the time being. But it looks to +me as though those stone piles had been very recently put up, and the +blaze on that tree is certainly a fresh one."</p> + +<p>"I don't know nothin' about that," growled the man. "All I was told was +that this is the line, and to keep strangers off; so I'm going to do +it!"</p> + +<p>"And we don't blame you," went on Will, recognizing that it would be +poor policy to quarrel with a mere guard. "If we question this at all it +will be with those in authority."</p> + +<p>"Huh! If you lock horns with Mr. Jallow you'll be sorry for it," said +the guard. "Now you'd better go. My dog is getting uneasy."</p> + +<p>"He'd better not get <i>too</i> uneasy," remarked Frank significantly. "Come +on, girls," and the girls, who had been getting more and more nervous as +the talk proceeded, were glad enough to precede the boys off the +disputed territory. The man stood sullenly watching them, while the dog +growled deep in his throat.</p> + +<p>"Well, you had quite an adventure; eh?" asked Will when they were out of +earshot of the man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I was so afraid something would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> happen," said Grace. "He came +upon us so suddenly!"</p> + +<p>"Evidently Mr. Jallow means to contest this land business!" exclaimed +Allen. "I should like to look into this matter myself. I don't like the +looks of those stone piles."</p> + +<p>"Father is sure there has been some unlawful change in the boundary +line," spoke Grace. "But it is hard to prove. Oh, if we could only find +that old lumberman, Paddy Malone."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we may come across him in our wanderings," suggested Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Did you boys have any luck hunting?" inquired Betty, when the details +of the encounter with the man had been given.</p> + +<p>"Not a luck!" exclaimed Will. "We all fired at one poor little rabbit, +and he ran home and told his mamma on us, I guess."</p> + +<p>"Well, you won't go hungry," said Amy.</p> + +<p>"Why, are you girls going to invite us over to lunch?" asked Will +quickly. "That's great, fellows! For this unexpected pleasure—many +thanks!" and he bowed low.</p> + +<p>"I—I didn't exactly mean it that way!" stammered Amy, blushing, and +looking at her friends in some alarm at thus being so quickly taken up. +"I meant that you had plenty of food in your own cabin."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, no, Amy! You can't take it back that way!" cried Will, waltzing +around with her in the snow. "You gave us an out-and-out invitation; +didn't she, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," chorused Frank and Allen.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I guess we can stand you for one meal," said Grace. "Shall +we, girls?"</p> + +<p>The others were willing, and the hunters were soon with their friends, +making merry at table.</p> + +<p>The weather, which had been threatening, became more so toward night, +and the next two days it snowed. It did not keep the outdoor girls in, +but they did not go far from the cabins, as Mr. Franklin said they might +easily become lost. The boys shoveled paths for them, and spent much +time in hunting, but with poor luck. The girls managed to fill in the +time, and they declared they would not have missed coming for anything.</p> + +<p>Amy seemed to have recovered her spirits under the influence of her +friends, and in the fresh, bracing air of the Winter woods. Letters from +home came for all the girls and boys, but mails were not very frequent.</p> + +<p>Going for food, cooking, doing the work of the cabin, taking walks +filled up the days completely, and then there came a thaw, a rain and a +freeze. The young folks spent much time on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> the river then, skating and +ice boating, and having good times generally.</p> + +<p>Then ensued another mild spell, during which long walks were taken to +distant parts of the big lumber camp. The place where the logs were cut +and hauled to the river, and the saw mill, now deserted, where some of +the big trees were made into beams, were inspected by the curious ones.</p> + +<p>One afternoon, following a long tramp, while the boys and girls were on +their way to camp they made a curious discovery. Since the encounter +with the man (the story of it having been sent to Mr. Ford) no further +trouble had been experienced. But Grace and her chums were careful to +keep on their side of the boundary.</p> + +<p>On this occasion, however, they approached it closely, and looking off +through the trees of the land Mr. Jallow claimed, Mollie espied smoke +coming from a log cabin.</p> + +<p>"Why, someone's living over there!" she exclaimed. "I never noticed that +before."</p> + +<p>"Neither did I," agreed Betty. "I'm sure no one was in it when we passed +here two days ago!"</p> + +<p>As they paused to look several persons came from the cabin, which had +evidently been built for camping purposes.</p> + +<p>"Look!" exclaimed Grace in a low voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's Alice Jallow!" exclaimed Mollie.</p> + +<p>"And Kittie Rossmore!" added Betty.</p> + +<p>"Who are the two fellows with them?" Grace wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"One is Jake Rossmore—Kittie's brother," spoke Will, "and the other +is——"</p> + +<p>"Sam Batty!" interrupted Frank. "Two cronies if ever there were any. I +wonder what this means?"</p> + +<p>"It looks as though they were camping out—just as we are," said Mollie. +"And, look, there is Mrs. Jallow. Oh, they've seen us!"</p> + +<p>It was indeed so. Mrs. Jallow, her daughter and Kittie looked up and saw +our friends—their rivals. Then the three newcomers started for the +boundary line, the two boys remaining at the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Shall we—shall we wait?" asked Betty in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"We're on my father's land—I don't see why we should run," said Grace +calmly. "Especially from—them!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>IN A BIG STORM</h3> + + +<p>"How do you do?" asked Kittie sweetly—too sweetly, the other girls +mentally decided as the three rivals approached the boundary line. "We +hear you are camping up in these woods."</p> + +<p>"Yes," remarked Betty a bit coldly. Really they had no quarrel with +Kittie, though she was the chum of Alice, and always siding with her. +Kittie had never said anything actually mean. "Yes, we are here. Are you +camping too?"</p> + +<p>"We are," said Mrs. Jallow, taking up the conversation. Evidently she +did not propose to do as her daughter did, and not speak, for Alice, +with a supercilious air, had not so much as addressed a word to the +outdoor girls and their boy friends. "We are in one of Mr. Jallow's +cabins. We like it very much."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is nice," agreed Grace. Amy had taken no part in the talk, and +Will, sensing her feelings, took her arm and led her along the path, +pretending to show her some curious moss formation on the trees.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Where are you staying?" went on Mrs. Jallow. She must have known of the +feeling between her daughter and the other girls, but she was credited +with being a very curious person, and she may have been willing, for the +sake of acquiring information, to sink her personal feelings. Naturally +she would side with Alice.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we are in one of the cabins my father owns," said Grace.</p> + +<p>"Going to stay long?"</p> + +<p>"We don't know."</p> + +<p>"That is the way with us," went on Mrs. Jallow. "Jim—that's Mr. Jallow, +you know—has quite a lot of timber to get out of that new tract, and he +wants to finish before Spring. So as I was sort of run down I thought +I'd take a rest and come up with him and the girls and boys. Your folks +all well?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," went on Grace, who seemed to have had the office of spokesman +thrust upon her.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry about the trouble you had with Hank Smither," went on Alice's +mother.</p> + +<p>"Hank Smither?" questioned Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Yes. He's one of Mr. Jallow's men, you know. He ordered you off, the +other day. But you must excuse him. He was only carrying out our orders, +and I've no doubt Mr. Jallow will be glad to let you come over and see +us."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Smither didn't annoy us," said Grace easily. "We realized that +the poor man was only carrying out his orders. Thank you for the +invitation, but I don't know as we will have much time for calling. We +are up here to get as much fresh air as we can."</p> + +<p>"Humph!" sneered Alice audibly.</p> + +<p>"Well, we mustn't let business quarrels interfere with we women folks +being friendly," said Mrs. Jallow in what she probably meant for a +conciliatory tone, but which she only succeeded in making patronizing.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, we don't intend to," said Betty, calmly. "We hope you will +enjoy it here."</p> + +<p>"Well, the young folks do, if I don't," said Mrs. Jallow. "I like more +conveniences than you have in a log cabin. But then it may do my nerves +good to get a rest."</p> + +<p>There was a little pause—rather an awkward one—and then Grace said:</p> + +<p>"Well, girls, we had better be getting on. It's late."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I must see about supper," said Mrs. Jallow. "I wish you'd come +over." She did not heed the eye-telegraphic signals her daughter was +flashing at her. But the other girls understood.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Grace again, non-committally.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well—good-bye!" said Mrs. Jallow, a farewell in which Kittie joined +faintly, but Alice, without a word, turned her back and marched toward +the cabin, where the two boys still were.</p> + +<p>"She tried to find out all she could," said Mollie when the outdoor +girls had gotten out of sight in the woods. "That's all she talked for."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I believe they just came up here camping because they heard we +were here," went on Betty. "Oh, I do hope we don't get into any trouble +with them."</p> + +<p>"It will have to be of their making," said Grace firmly. "I'll never set +foot on that land Mr. Jallow claims if I can help it. It might +complicate legal matters."</p> + +<p>"That is a wise decision," said Allen, viewing it from a lawyer's +standpoint. "Let the trespass come from them, if there is to be any."</p> + +<p>They talked over the unexpected meeting with their rivals, and +speculated as to when they had come, and the motive that brought them, +also, to a winter camp.</p> + +<p>"I believe it's just to spy on us!" declared Mollie. "We have evidently +frightened them, Grace."</p> + +<p>"Then they must have something to be frightened about," said Will. "I do +wish we could get on the track of something, or somebody, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> could let +us know how to prove that the boundary is wrong; for wrong father surely +thinks it is."</p> + +<p>"We'll do the best we can," suggested Allen. "I am going to send for +copies of the deeds, and then we'll look along the present boundary +marks. I may be able to see if they have been changed. I once studied +surveying."</p> + +<p>"I want you boys to promise something," said Grace, as they neared their +cabin.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Not to have any quarrels with those girls—Alice and Kittie."</p> + +<p>"We never quarrel with girls," said Will.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, with those boys, either."</p> + +<p>"We won't do anything to provoke a quarrel if they don't, Sis," Will +promised. "But we're not going to let them walk over us; eh, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not!" cried Frank.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but please don't get into a—a fight!" begged Grace, and she meant +it.</p> + +<p>"All right, little one; here is a chocolate for thou!" laughed Will, as +he crowded one into her mouth.</p> + +<p>For a few days our friends saw nothing of Alice and the rival campers. +They did not go toward the part of the wood where the Jallow cabin was +located, and Mrs. Jallow did not bring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> her charges toward the place +where our boys and girls held forth.</p> + +<p>There was little for Ted Franklin, Mr. Ford's man, to do, save to keep a +watch over the camp, visiting the distant points on different days. In +his trips he was often accompanied by some of the young people, who much +enjoyed his company, for Mr. Franklin was an old woodsman, and many an +interesting bit of information, or lore, he gave out, to the profit of +the boys and girls.</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" exclaimed Will one day, when a belated mail had come in. +"Here's a letter from Mr. Blackford. He says he's coming up to pay us a +visit soon."</p> + +<p>"That will be nice," spoke Mollie. She had taken quite a liking to the +young business man, and he seemed fond of her.</p> + +<p>"We'll have some fun," said Frank. "We'll show him the woods, all +right."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he is no tenderfoot," declared Allen.</p> + +<p>It was several days after this that Will proposed an ice boat trip. The +river was in fine condition, and the wind was just right.</p> + +<p>"The only thing is that it looks like a storm," said Betty. "We don't +want to go too far."</p> + +<p>"We won't," promised Will.</p> + +<p>They got an early start, and took some food<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> with them, intending to +stay until afternoon. Though they did not plan to sail far, it was so +glorious, once they started to glide along, that there was a temptation +to continue, and when, by consulting her watch, Mollie discovered it to +be some minutes after noon, they were many miles from camp.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we must stop!" she exclaimed. "The wind may die out and we can't +get back!"</p> + +<p>"All right—let's have the eats then," proposed Will. A halt was made, +and on the bank, under the shelter of some big trees, they built a fire, +made chocolate and partook of the sandwiches they had brought.</p> + +<p>"This is all right!" exclaimed Frank, munching on some bread and +chicken, a sentiment with which they all agreed.</p> + +<p>Betty was nervously glancing at the sky now and then.</p> + +<p>"Do hurry!" she urged her chums.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't fuss so," advised Mollie. "You won't enjoy your food if you +do."</p> + +<p>"But I'm sure it's going to storm."</p> + +<p>"Let it!" said Will recklessly.</p> + +<p>Five minutes later the first flakes began falling. This brought even +Will to a sense of possible danger. The things were hurriedly collected, +the young people got into the <i>Spider</i> and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> the sail was hoisted. Off +they glided down the river toward their camp.</p> + +<p>"We'll beat the storm there!" boasted Will.</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," said Allen slowly, as he cast a glance aloft. +"It looks to me as though it was going to come down hard soon. And the +wind is freshening."</p> + +<p>The white flakes did increase in volume a little later and the wind +sighed mournfully through the pine trees on shore, and through the +rigging of the ice boat.</p> + +<p>Then, with a suddenness that was almost terrifying, the storm broke over +them in a fury so often witnessed in wintry outbursts. The snow was +blinding, and was whipped into their faces by an ever-increasing wind.</p> + +<p>"Why—why, we can't see ten feet ahead!" cried Frank.</p> + +<p>"Oh, slow down—don't run into anything!" begged Betty.</p> + +<p>"I guess I had better lay to a while, until we see what it's going to +do," decided Allen, as he lowered the sail. "It's too much of a risk. +There may be open water, or an air hole, or another boat on the river."</p> + +<p>And then, as the craft came slowly to a stop, they gazed out at the big +storm which enveloped them, hiding the shores from sight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>THE MISSING PIECE</h3> + + +<p>"Say, this is no fun!" exclaimed Will, when ten minutes had passed, with +no cessation of the fury of the wind and whirling white flakes.</p> + +<p>"It is keeping up," spoke Mollie in a low tone. "Can we ever get back to +camp?"</p> + +<p>"Of course!" cried Betty quickly. It was no time now to have anyone's +nerves go to pieces. "Certainly we can get back, if we have to walk; +can't we, boys?" and she gave Allen a look that made his eyes sparkle as +he answered:</p> + +<p>"Certainly. It will be more fun walking, anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Spoken like a true hero," said Will in his ear.</p> + +<p>"The boat can't go if the snow gets very deep," observed Frank.</p> + +<p>"And it is getting heavier every minute," declared Amy, looking over the +side of the cockpit of the ice boat, and brushing some of the white +crystals from the frozen surface of the river.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> "There's nearly half an +inch now," and she shivered slightly.</p> + +<p>"Are you cold, dear?" asked Betty, passing over a spare blanket, for +they had brought along plenty of coverings and wraps.</p> + +<p>"No, not exactly cold, Betty, but——"</p> + +<p>"Don't say you're worried, my dear," whispered Betty, as she tucked some +stray strands of hair under her Tam-o'-Shanter. "Grace is so nervous +lately," went on Betty, under pretense of wrapping the robe around Amy. +"I don't know what is the matter with her, but she seems to fly to +pieces if you look at her."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's worry about this lumber camp business."</p> + +<p>"It may be. Anyhow we don't want to get her alarmed. We may have hard +enough time as it is."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Betty! Do you think—anything will—happen?"</p> + +<p>"Of course—lots of things will happen!" laughed Betty, Grace and Mollie +having gotten out of the boat to stroll about a bit. "We'll have a nice +walk home, and a good hot supper, and then we'll sit about the fireplace +and roast apples and marshmallows, and talk about this."</p> + +<p>"That listens good," observed Will rather sarcastically, "but it may be +a long while before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> you're sitting before your own fireside, or we in +front of ours."</p> + +<p>"Well, you don't need to make the announcement of that fact; do you?" +asked Allen, as he straightened out some of the running tackle of the +sail.</p> + +<p>"So that's the way the wind lies; eh?" asked Will in a queer tone. +"What's the answer, old man?"</p> + +<p>"Just this," replied Allen. "We may not be able to go on in the boat. I +thought this was only a snow squall, but it seems to be turning into a +regular blizzard. You know we can't glide over the ice when it's covered +with snow. We may have to walk back to camp, and it's no small stretch. +What I mean is that we've got to keep up the courage of the girls. +That's all."</p> + +<p>He and Will and Frank were out of the boat now, fixing one of the ropes +that had gotten out of place, so Betty and Amy, who remained cuddled up +in the soft and warm robes, did not hear the talk.</p> + +<p>"So that's the game—bluff?" asked Will.</p> + +<p>"Somewhat—yes. I'm going to try to start off again, but I don't know +how far we'll get. Where's Grace and Mollie?"</p> + +<p>"Hey—Grace!" cried Will, raising his voice. "We're going to start!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right!" floated back the answer through the storm.</p> + +<p>Soon the girls came running up to the ice boat. They had been racing +about, they said, to get warm, and Betty and Amy, sitting amid the furs +and blankets, rather wished they had done the same, for they were quite +chilly in spite of their coverings.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to make a try for it," explained Allen. "We may not be able +to go far, for the snow is rather wet and heavy, and it may clog the +runners. But we'd better make a start, anyhow. It seems to be slackening +up a bit."</p> + +<p>They piled into the ice boat, and the sail was hoisted. The <i>Spider</i> +darted off, after a moment's hesitation.</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" cried Will. "We're moving."</p> + +<p>"And that's about all," said Allen in a low voice. "Don't crow until +you're out of the woods. This snow is worse than I thought it was."</p> + +<p>For a time the ice boat went along well, halting occasionally as masses +of snow clogged the runners. Then there came a jolt, and a puff of wind +nearly upset it, as the craft did not properly answer the helm.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my!" screamed Grace, as she clutched Betty. "We are going to +upset."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, we're not!" declared Allen, as he loosed the halyards, letting the +sail come down on the run. "I guess we'll have to abandon the <i>Spider,"</i> +he went on, "and tramp it. The snow is too heavy. We may upset."</p> + +<p>"Well, the girls are good walkers," observed Frank.</p> + +<p>"Which is a blessing," spoke Will. "Out of the <i>Spider</i> into +the—frying-pan. Don't you ask me to carry you, Sis," and he looked at +his sister.</p> + +<p>"No danger!" she retorted, haughtily.</p> + +<p>The storm, though continuing steadily, had so far lessened in severity +that the shores of the river could be made out, standing grim and dark +with their fringes of trees.</p> + +<p>"We'll just run the <i>Spider</i> over to shore," said Allen, "and leave it +there. We can come for it to-morrow, or whenever the storm lets up."</p> + +<p>"What about the blankets and robes?" asked Will.</p> + +<p>"Take them with us. We—oh, well, take them along. They may blow away," +and Allen corrected himself.</p> + +<p>The girls and boys climbed out of the boat, loaded themselves with the +wraps after the craft had been tied close to shore, and started off down +the river.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What were you going to say about the blankets and robes?" asked Will, +when he got a chance to speak to Allen alone. "Was it that we might need +them—in case we didn't get back to camp?"</p> + +<p>"It was."</p> + +<p>"Don't you think we have a very good chance?"</p> + +<p>"Not extra good—to-night. Of course we'll get there to-morrow, but it +will be too bad if the girls have to stay out all night. Perhaps they +won't, but if they do we can make a shelter of the robes and blankets."</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed Will.</p> + +<p>On they tramped through the storm. It was hard work, for the snow +clogged their steps and the wind made the carrying of the heavy blankets +an additional burden. But no one murmured.</p> + +<p>They kept to the river, and thus were assured of a straight road to +camp. It was not like being lost in the wood. The only danger was that +they were quite a distance from their cabins, and that night was coming +on, and that a big storm was raging. Long since it had passed from the +class of a mere squall, in which it seemed to be at one time.</p> + +<p>"Did anyone bring the sandwiches we left?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> asked Grace, when they had +gone on for perhaps a mile.</p> + +<p>"I did, and your chocolates, too," said Allen. "Will you have them now?"</p> + +<p>"Divide the candy up," said Grace. "They say that persons lost in the +snowy Alps eat chocolate."</p> + +<p>"You eat it—lost or not," laughed Will. "But pass it around, Allen."</p> + +<p>There was a sandwich each, and also a few pieces of candy for each one, +as Allen divided them, and the eating of the bread, meat and sweets did +really put new energy into them. They trudged on in better heart now.</p> + +<p>"But we're still a good way from camp," said Allen, as he peered as best +he could at the landmarks on the shore. "It will take us another hour."</p> + +<p>"And it will be dark then," said Amy in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," advised Betty. "The snow on the ground will make it light, +and we can't miss the river. We'll be all right."</p> + +<p>Darkness did not bring them in sight of their camp, and they were +beginning to lose heart, when Will cried:</p> + +<p>"I see a light! It's Franklin's cabin. We're at camp! We're all right +now!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Are you sure?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Certainly. I knew we were near it some time ago."</p> + +<p>He gave a hail, which was answered, and soon the young people heard the +welcome call of Mr. Franklin, who demanded to know where they had been, +and what had happened.</p> + +<p>"There's a light in our cabin!" exclaimed Will, as he saw the gleam in +the window. "Who's there, Mr. Franklin?"</p> + +<p>"A friend of yours—he says."</p> + +<p>"A friend of ours!" exclaimed Allen. "Is it Mr. Jallow, masquerading +under that name, and trying to get possession of this land as well as +the other valuable strip?"</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't Jallow," replied Mr. Franklin. "I know him. This is a +young fellow you've been expecting, he says. He come up in a hired rig +from the village. Blackstone—Blackrock—some such name as that he +give."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Blackford, yes. We were expecting him. So he has arrived? I +hope he made himself at home."</p> + +<p>"I told him to," said Mr. Franklin, "and I guess he did. He had quite a +time of it in the storm, and I reckon you folks did, too."</p> + +<p>"We did!" exclaimed Will. "But we're all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> right now. Come on, girls, get +in and make yourselves comfortable, and we'll bring Blackford over as +soon as we feed him."</p> + +<p>The girls went to their cabin, the boys to theirs. The latter found Mr. +Blackford making himself perfectly at home.</p> + +<p>"Well, what brings you up here?" asked Allen, when greetings had been +exchanged.</p> + +<p>"Boys, I've got good news!" cried the young business man. "I've found +the missing piece of paper that tells me what sort of a birth mark my +sister has—the sister I have been searching for so long. I could hardly +wait to tell you!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>AN ICE BOAT RACE</h3> + + +<p>"The girls will want to know this!" cried Will, when he had grasped the +import of the news.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I want to tell them," said Mr. Blackford. "Somehow or other I +have an idea that they can help me to find my sister. I don't know why I +feel so, but I have—all along. They have always been so lucky."</p> + +<p>"They surely have," agreed Allen. "From the time they first set out——"</p> + +<p>"And found my five hundred dollar bill," interrupted Mr. Blackford. "And +then——"</p> + +<p>"Un-haunting the mansion of Shadow Valley," added Will.</p> + +<p>"How did you come to find the missing piece of paper?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"It was simple enough," replied the young man. "It appears that the +corner of the document, describing the birth mark on my sister, was torn +off when the firm I have engaged to help<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> search for her, forwarded it +to me. One of the stenographers found it in her desk the other day, and +they sent it on.</p> + +<p>"I had some business in this section, so, remembering your kind +invitation to spend some time in your camp, I decided to avail myself of +it, and stop over."</p> + +<p>"Glad you did," said Will hospitably. "Did the storm bother you?"</p> + +<p>"Not much. You were caught in it though."</p> + +<p>"Yes. Had to leave the ice boat and tramp back. But we're all right now. +We'll hustle around and get some grub," announced Allen. "Then we'll go +over and see the girls. They'll be anxious to hear the story. You +haven't succeeded in locating your sister yet; have you?"</p> + +<p>"No, I've been on a number of false trails, but I somehow feel that luck +is going to turn now."</p> + +<p>Mr. Blackford, who said he had been invited by Mr. Franklin to make +himself at home in the cabin of the boys, turned in and helped them get +ready a simple meal. It was now night, and the boys were tired out from +buffeting the storm. But they were in good spirits, and glad to see +their friend.</p> + +<p>After the meal, at which all present displayed good appetites, they went +over to the girls' cabin,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> where they found Betty and her chums in dry +clothes sitting before a roaring fire.</p> + +<p>"My, this looks like all the comforts of home!" exclaimed Mr. Blackford +approaching the blaze and rubbing his hands. "You certainly have it fine +here!"</p> + +<p>"So you have good news?" queried Grace, for Will had slipped over for a +moment to give a hint of what was to come.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have a description of my sister's birth mark now. So if you see +her—or if I do—we can identify her."</p> + +<p>"I hope we do find her," spoke Betty sympathetically. "What sort of a +mark is it?"</p> + +<p>"It is the letter 'V' on her left arm, just above the elbow," returned +Mr. Blackford.</p> + +<p>"That ought to be easy to see—especially in summer time when the girls +wear short sleeves," said Will. "But in winter it would be rather +awkward going about asking a girl if she had the letter 'V' tattooed on +her elbow. She might think you were trying to jolly her."</p> + +<p>"It isn't a tattoo mark," said Mr. Blackford, as he consulted the +description, the torn-off piece having been pasted on to make it +complete. "It's a red birth-mark, this paper says, and is in the shape +of a 'V'. I do hope it will lead to something. If you girls——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why—why!" cried Betty springing to her feet. "Amy, you have a mark +like that—at least it looks like a mark on your arm. I have often seen +it!" Betty was much excited, and Amy turned pale.</p> + +<p>"Is this—is this so?" faltered Mr. Blackford eagerly. "Have you such a +mark?"</p> + +<p>"Not such as you describe," replied Amy with a blush. When the young man +had first spoken of a birth mark a rush of hope had flooded her heart. +Now it had receded, leaving her disappointed.</p> + +<p>"See," she said, rolling up her sleeve just above her elbow. "It is a +mere scar. I have had it ever since I was a child. I don't know how I +came by the thing, and neither—neither do—any of my friends." She +hesitated at the word.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm afraid the mark I am looking for isn't that kind," said Mr. +Blackford slowly. "The one spoken of in the missing part of the letter +is very definite. I am sorry."</p> + +<p>Amy was too, but she did not speak.</p> + +<p>"Oh, isn't this too bad!" exclaimed Betty contritely. "I am sorry I +spoke, and raised false hopes. But I remembered that mark on Amy's +arm——"</p> + +<p>"Well, better luck next time," said Mr. Black<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>ford, as cheerfully as he +could. "If you girls will continue to be on the lookout——"</p> + +<p>"We'll do all we can for you," said Mollie, Amy did not speak again. It +might be that she was wishing she had some such clue so that she could +locate her missing parents or relatives, whoever they might be.</p> + +<p>Mr. Blackford, who had been in Deepdale a few days before setting out +for the camp, told the news and gossip of the village.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear anything as to why Mr. Jallow brought his folks up here?" +asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Nothing definite—no. There was talk that they had come here, and folks +were speculating as to why. I wondered if it had anything to do with the +dispute over the land."</p> + +<p>"We think so, but we can't be sure," said Will. "I have written to +father about it, and he has asked us to be on our guard. Jallow may be +planning some trick to get more land away from dad."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wish this unpleasant dispute was all over!" sighed Grace. "It +makes it so uncertain!"</p> + +<p>"Well, don't worry," advised Allen. "We're having a good time up here."</p> + +<p>"And we'll have more fun when I get what I've sent for," said Will +mysteriously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Grace. "Another box of chocolates?"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! Always chocolates!" cried her brother. "No, this is better. +Did you inquire about it when you were in town, Mr. Blackford?" for Will +had been corresponding with the young man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and they said it would be shipped this week."</p> + +<p>"Good! Then I'll get it next, and we'll astonish the girls."</p> + +<p>"Mean thing—not to tell!" pouted Grace. But Will was obdurate.</p> + +<p>The storm kept up all night, and part of the next day. The snow was so +deep that skating and <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'iceboating'">ice boating</ins> were out of the question. But the +young people could go on sledding excursions, which they did, Mr. +Franklin furnishing the horses and sleigh.</p> + +<p>This was a new kind of fun, and was enjoyed to the utmost. They went to +near-by towns, and had oyster suppers, going to informal dances +afterward. Mr. Blackford stayed, and as he could do little business +while thus snow-bound he made arrangements to remain in camp a week or +two. The boys and girls were glad to have him, as he was good company, +and knew no end of games for an evening entertainment.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>Meanwhile, though the young folks often went off in the woods, they had +no further clashes with the Jallows. They did not call on their rivals, +though Mrs. Jallow, meeting the girls once or twice, pressed them to +come.</p> + +<p>"But she just wants to ask us questions about father's business," +decided Grace. "We'll not go."</p> + +<p>And they did not, for it would have been embarrassing for poor Amy.</p> + +<p>Once or twice the girls had a sight of Hank Smither patroling the +dividing line between the two properties, but he said nothing, and his +dog growled. The girls were careful to keep on Mr. Ford's land.</p> + +<p>Then came a miserable week, when it rained and rained and rained again. +Much of the snow was washed away, and the boys and girls had to stay in +their cabins most of the time. Then it was that Mr. Blackford proved his +worth, for he was a royal entertainer, and when he ran out of tricks and +games he invented new things to interest them.</p> + +<p>"His sister will be a lucky girl—whoever she is, if he takes her to +live with him," said Betty one night after an evening of enjoyment.</p> + +<p>"That's right," agreed Mollie. "He's almost as nice as—Allen—isn't +he?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm glad you think so," replied blushing Betty.</p> + +<p>There came a freeze, and the river was just right for glorious skating +and ice boating. The <i>Spider</i> had been brought to her dock again, and +one pleasant afternoon, when there was a good, but not too cold or stiff +a breeze, the party set off for another run. It was cool and clear, with +no hint of storm.</p> + +<p>They had not gone very far in the ice boat before they heard the +approach of another behind them, and soon, to their surprise, they saw +in the craft that was rapidly overcoming them Alice Jallow, and her +three young friends. As they came up Jake Rossmore called patronizingly:</p> + +<p>"Want a race?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," answered Allen, nothing loath, for he had faith in his craft.</p> + +<p>Soon the two gliders were on even terms, but it was soon seen that the +rival boat carried more sail, and was better built for racing. It began +to forge ahead of the <i>Spider</i>.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell them you're coming!" jeered Sam Batty as he waved his hand to +those he was leaving behind.</p> + +<p>"Oh, can't you beat him?" exclaimed Mollie impulsively. "Do try, Allen!"</p> + +<p>"I will, but they have the better boat."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + +<p>He manœuvered as best he could, but it was of no use. The other boat +shot ahead.</p> + +<p>"Wait!" murmured Will. "I'll show them a trick next week."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>IN A TRAP</h3> + + +<p>"Well, they beat us," said Frank mournfully, as Allen came up into the +wind, and let the <i>Spider</i> glide easily over the ice, while the rival +craft, its occupants visibly rejoicing, shot out of sight around a bend +of the river. "They beat us good and proper."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Will. "But I don't believe they can do it again."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes they can," insisted Allen. "They've got a faster boat, there's +no denying that. But of course we had a much bigger load than they did. +They're lighter. However, I'm not backing water. Those fellows handled +her well, too."</p> + +<p>"I wish we could have won," sighed Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll never hear the last of it from Kittie and Alice," declared +Betty. "They'll crow over us every chance they get."</p> + +<p>"Let them," said Grace, speaking rather indistinctly on account of a +chocolate in her mouth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> "Some day you can come out, Allen—just you +boys—and have another race with them—a regular race."</p> + +<p>"We might win then," agreed the young lawyer, "but I doubt it. Theirs is +a racer all right, and ours is built more for pleasure. It's a safer +boat too, the <i>Spider</i> is. Once or twice they came near having a spill +in wind that didn't faze us a bit. I'm glad we didn't have any accidents +like the last time we met Alice."</p> + +<p>"That's right," said Betty, recalling the two upsets.</p> + +<p>"Let them wait," remarked Will mysteriously. "I'll soon have a boat that +will beat anything on the river."</p> + +<p>"Oh, is papa going to let you get an ice boat?" cried Grace. "I don't +care! I don't think it's fair! You get anything you want. You had a new +horse and——"</p> + +<p>"And wasn't it on your account that dad let you girls come to this +camp?" demanded Will. "Talk about me getting all the favors——"</p> + +<p>"Children! Children!" admonished Betty with a smile.</p> + +<p>"And besides, this has nothing to do with dad," went on Will. "This is +something I'm getting up on my own account."</p> + +<p>"Oh, tell us!" begged Mollie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nope. It's a secret. You'll see it as soon as it comes."</p> + +<p>"Give you a chocolate if you tell," bribed Grace.</p> + +<p>"Nope."</p> + +<p>"Two."</p> + +<p>"Nope!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, let him alone," advised Betty. "What are we going to do next?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, just sail on—sail on," answered Allen with a laugh. "We won't try +any more races though."</p> + +<p>They proceeded up the river another mile or so, and had a distant +glimpse of their rivals scudding about. Then something else claimed +their attention. This was a sight of some men fishing through the ice +for pickerel, and the girls at once evinced an appetite for fresh fish.</p> + +<p>"Why, we can do that ourselves," declared Will. "We'll try it when we +get back."</p> + +<p>"Oh, see if you can't get them to sell you some," begged Grace. "They +will be fine for supper."</p> + +<p>The men were very willing to dispose of some of their catch. They were +lumbermen from a distant camp, which fact becoming known, Grace insisted +on her brother inquiring if they knew anything of Paddy Malone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I used to know him," said one burly fisherman, "but he hasn't been +around for a year or so."</p> + +<p>"Guess he don't dast come," put in another.</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Will curiously.</p> + +<p>"He got into trouble, I hear, and the authorities want him."</p> + +<p>"Nothing of the sort," the first man declared. "Paddy is as straight as +a fish pole. More likely it's the other way round and he's staying away +so as not to make trouble for some one else."</p> + +<p>"Maybe," agreed the second man. "Anyhow he isn't around."</p> + +<p>"That's true enough."</p> + +<p>With their fish the young people started back in the ice boat, Will +finding out, by talking with the other lumbermen, that Paddy Malone had +not been seen in some time.</p> + +<p>The fresh fish were indeed a welcome addition to the table that night, +the boys having their share. "We'll have to try this sport to-morrow," +decided Will, when he had cleaned off his plate the second time. +"They're great!"</p> + +<p>Accordingly the next day the boys chopped holes in the ice, and with +baited hooks attached to springy branches, set in the ice, with a piece +of cloth, that, by its bobbing gave indication of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> bite, planned for a +big catch. The visual signals enabled each lad to set several hooks.</p> + +<p>But either they were not in the right place, or they did not use the +right bait, for two small fish were all they caught.</p> + +<p>"Those lumbermen have them hypnotized," complained Will. "I'm going up +to their fishing grounds to-morrow."</p> + +<p>The other boys said they would accompany him. This left the girls to +their own devices, since they did not care to go with the boys.</p> + +<p>"Who's for a walk in the woods?" asked Mollie, and they all were eager +to come along. In their short skirts and leggings they found it easy +going, even in comparatively deep snow.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's great to be an outdoor girl!" exulted Betty, as she trudged +along beside Grace.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I wonder if Carrie Norton, the girl who fell out of the tree, +would like this?" ventured Amy.</p> + +<p>"She was a real outdoor girl, too," observed Mollie, reflectively.</p> + +<p>Carrie, however, who figured largely in the third book of this series, +had gone, as has been said, to live with a distant relative. +Occasionally she wrote to her young friends.</p> + +<p>The girls had gone about a mile, or perhaps two, from their camp, and +were nearing the de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>batable ground where Mr. Jallow claimed a valuable +strip of timber. Grace was just about to warn her companions not to +trespass, when Amy called attention to something in the woods a short +distance off.</p> + +<p>"See the cute little log cabin!" she cried. "Let's see if any one lives +there."</p> + +<p>"If they do they must be frozen!" declared Mollie. "It is full of chinks +and cracks."</p> + +<p>They approached closer to it. It was not like any log cabin they had +ever seen, consisting, as they could see through the open door, of but +one room.</p> + +<p>"It's probably only a hunter's lean-to," said Betty. "Don't go too +close, Amy."</p> + +<p>But Betty spoke too late. Curious to see the whole interior of the +cabin, Amy stepped across the threshold. A moment later she heard +something move behind her. She turned, but not in time.</p> + +<p>An instant later a raised, sliding door of heavy logs slid down in +grooves, and Amy was a prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Oh—Oh!" she cried out. "What has happened?" and she beat on the heavy +logs with her little hands. "Oh dear!"</p> + +<p>"It's a trap! You're in a bear trap!" cried Betty. "We must go for +help!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>TROUBLE</h3> + + +<p>The girls were stunned for a moment. After Amy's first frantic cry, and +Betty's realization of the danger, and the way out, there came, as there +often does following a shock, a period of lethargy.</p> + +<p>Mollie and Grace, who had clung to each other spasmodically, now +separated. Grace, even in this moment sought her sweater pocket, where, +as might be supposed, she carried some of her seemingly never-failing +chocolates.</p> + +<p>"What—what must we do?" asked Mollie, who looked to Betty to answer +this question. It was curious how even Mollie, used as she was to +thinking for herself, turned to the Little Captain now.</p> + +<p>"Get her out, of course. If we can't do it, we must go for help. But we +must get her out!" Thus spoke Betty promptly.</p> + +<p>"Is—is she really in there?" asked Grace, as though she hardly believed +it. Grace had a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> habit of saying surprising things when least expected.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am in here! Oh, don't go away and leave me!" begged the +imprisoned one, sobbing hysterically. "I shall die if you do!"</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Amy dear," answered Betty soothingly. "We won't leave +you. Or, at least some one will stay with you. But perhaps you can find +a way out yourself. Look and see, dear."</p> + +<p>But it was only too evident that the bear trap was made to hold whatever +unfortunate animal or human being got into it. The affair was like a +small log cabin, the whole front consisting of a heavy planked sliding +door, dropping down from above in grooves.</p> + +<p>The back of the trap was against a great slab of rock, and the sides and +roofs were made of heavy logs, notched together at the ends, and spiked. +While there were chinks and crevices between the logs they were not +large enough for even a cat to get through. The girls, as far as they +could see, could find no way for Amy to get out unless the heavy door +was raised, and this they did not believe they could accomplish.</p> + +<p>"Can you see a way out, Amy?" asked Betty. "Look carefully, my dear."</p> + +<p>They could hear Amy moving about in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> trap, and presently her voice +came falteringly out through the chinks:</p> + +<p>"No, there's no way out that I see. Can't you raise the door?"</p> + +<p>"We'll try!" called Mollie. But the trouble was that there was no way of +getting a hold on the smooth planks.</p> + +<p>"We must go for help!" decided Betty after a few ineffectual attempts. +"There is no use wasting time here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't leave me!" cried Amy. "I can't stand it to be <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'her'">here</ins> alone!"</p> + +<p>"Listen," said Betty. "Grace and I will go for help. It needs a man's +strength to raise this door. Mollie will stay and keep you company, Amy. +Grace and I will go to where the lumbermen are fishing. That is the +nearest place, and the boys may be there also. We'll be as quick as we +can."</p> + +<p>"Please do!" urged Amy. "Oh, how silly of me to get caught like this!"</p> + +<p>"You couldn't help it," said Betty. "Come on, Grace."</p> + +<p>They started off over the snow, heading in as straight a line as +possible for the river. They knew they were near the place where they +had seen the fishing lumbermen, and they hoped to meet some of them +there now. The boys had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> said they were going there to learn the trick +of getting pickerel through the ice.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt, Amy?" asked Mollie, when she was left alone outside the +trap.</p> + +<p>"No, not a bit; only a little scared," replied Amy.</p> + +<p>"Well, you'll get over that. How did it happen? Was the trap baited?"</p> + +<p>As Mollie asked this she thought of the possibility of the bear, for +which the trap evidently had been set, coming along. In that case her +position would be worse than that of Amy's who was effectually +protected.</p> + +<p>"I'd be glad to be in the trap then myself," thought Mollie.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't see any signs of bait," said Amy, looking about.</p> + +<p>"Then what made the door fall down?"</p> + +<p>"It seems to have been propped up with a stick," went on Amy. "When I +walked in, so foolishly, I must have knocked the stick down, and the +door fell. The prop is here. Oh, I'll never be so curious again!"</p> + +<p>The two girls talked to each other to keep up their spirits, and +wondered how long Betty and Grace would be.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the two latter were having no easy time. They got into deep +drifts, and stumbled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> out again, tiring themselves greatly in the +process. Then they got off the trail, and wandered into the back +country. It was not until they got on a high bluff, and saw the river +below them, that they realized their mistake.</p> + +<p>Then came a hard scramble down a snowy hill, but at length they were on +the frozen river, and headed for the place where the fishing was going +on.</p> + +<p>"We are surely living up to our reputation as outdoor girls," panted +Betty as she walked along beside Grace.</p> + +<p>"Yes—all but Amy. She is strictly in-doors now."</p> + +<p>"Poor child! She does seem to have the most trouble!"</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe it will soon be happily over."</p> + +<p>"I hope so!"</p> + +<p>Neither of them realized how soon the fates were to be kind to Amy in a +most peculiar manner.</p> + +<p>"There are the fishermen!" exclaimed Betty a little later, as they made +a turn in the river, and saw several men on the ice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and the boys are with them. Oh, let's hurry!"</p> + +<p>"I can't go a bit faster," said Betty. "You're a better walker than I, +Grace."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, no, only I'm not quite so stout—that's all."</p> + +<p>"Stout is very kind of you to say. I'm afraid I'm getting +positively—fleshy, Grace."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! You're fine!"</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble?" cried Will, running forward as he saw his sister +and Betty approaching. "Has anything happened?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—yes," faltered Grace. "Poor Amy——"</p> + +<p>"Is—is she——" began Allen, as he joined his chum.</p> + +<p>"It's nothing at all!" said Betty, quickly, seeing that Grace, in her +nervousness, might give them a scare. "She is caught in a bear trap, +that's all, and we want you to help get her out."</p> + +<p>"A bear trap!" cried Will. "One of those spring ones—with heavy jaws?"</p> + +<p>"No, a sort of box trap," explained Betty. "We can't raise the door."</p> + +<p>"By hemlock!" exclaimed one of the lumbermen who overheard the talk. "It +must be the trap I set for that young fellow over at the Jallow cabin."</p> + +<p>"Did you set one for him?" asked Will, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I told him at the time it was a piece of foolishness. There's +no bears around now, anyhow, and I said some one might get in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> it by +mistake and be caught. I only rigged it up temporary. The two young +fellows wanted to see how it worked. They sprung it after I set it, but +they must have set it again, after I left, to see how it worked."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's worked all right—now," said Will, grimly. "Come on, we must +get Amy out."</p> + +<p>"That's what!" cried the lumberman. "Come on, Bill and Tom. Bring your +axes."</p> + +<p>The little party was soon under way, led by the lumberman who recalled +the location of the old bear trap.</p> + +<p>Betty and Grace, with the three boys, brought up in the rear.</p> + +<p>"To think of poor Amy being in that trap!" mused Frank.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it was set by Jake Rossmore and Sam Batty," added Will. "I'll +give 'em a piece of my mind when I see 'em!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, please don't have trouble!" begged his sister.</p> + +<p>"Trouble! The trouble will all be on their side," announced Will, +grimly.</p> + +<p>It was the matter of but a few moments for the lumbermen, expert as they +were with the axes, to release Amy, and she fell sobbing into the arms +of her friends.</p> + +<p>"Oh, take me home! Take me home!" she begged.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There, there!" soothed Betty, with her arms about the shrinking figure, +"you'll be all right soon."</p> + +<p>"I told those fellows it was foolish to set that bear trap," asserted +the lumberman, "but they would have it."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's one satisfaction," grimly spoke one of his companions, +"it will need a lot of repairin' before it's fit for use again," for +they had chopped the front away to more quickly release Amy.</p> + +<p>Will was peering about, and, as the party made ready to start for the +cabins, the lumbermen going back to their fishing, Grace's brother said:</p> + +<p>"Unless I'm mistaken this trap is on dad's land, which means that that +Jallow crowd must have trespassed here to set it. Take a look, Allen, +and see if the boundary line doesn't bring the trap on this side."</p> + +<p>"It certainly does," declared the young lawyer. "They were trespassers, +all right."</p> + +<p>"And I'll let 'em know it, too," said Will.</p> + +<p>"Oh, please don't quarrel!" begged Grace.</p> + +<p>Amy was fast recovering her composure, and she and her girl chums went +on ahead, the boys coming more leisurely. Soon the girls were out of +sight in a little valley.</p> + +<p>The boys were talking about the recent hap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>pening, when, as they came +from a little clump of trees, they saw Alice and Kittie, with the two +boys who, according to the lumberman, had set the trap.</p> + +<p>"Here's where I tackle 'em," said Will.</p> + +<p>"Go easy, old man," advised Allen.</p> + +<p>"Say, what do you fellows mean by setting that bear trap on our land?" +cried Will, hotly, as he advanced toward the two lads. Alice and Kittie +shrank back.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" challenged Jake. "We had a right to set that trap!"</p> + +<p>"You did not, and one of our friends was just caught in it. You ought to +be ashamed of yourselves. And you were on our property, too, not that we +care so much about that, though."</p> + +<p>"Who was caught?" asked Kittie, and she could not keep the sympathy out +of her voice.</p> + +<p>"Amy," replied Will.</p> + +<p>Alice Jallow laughed.</p> + +<p>"We didn't think we'd get game so soon; did we, Jake?" asked Sam, with a +grin.</p> + +<p>"I'll teach you to make game of us!" cried Will as he strode forward.</p> + +<p>Probably the snowball was not meant for him, but one thrown at that +moment by Jake struck Will full in the face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>A SNOW FIGHT</h3> + + +<p>Alice Jallow screamed, and in this was joined by Kittie Rossmore. Then +both girls turned and fled. Possibly they anticipated what was coming, +for after the white flakes of the snowball had fallen from Will's face, +and the red, caused by the impact, had died out, he became white with +anger.</p> + +<p>"What did you do that for, Jake Rossmore?" Will cried.</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to. You walked right into it!"</p> + +<p>"A likely story. I'll fix you for that," and Will sprang forward.</p> + +<p>To the credit of Jake and Sam, though this is not to be taken in any +sense as upholding fighting, the two boys did not turn back, though +out-numbered.</p> + +<p>"You fellows are altogether too fresh!" declared Frank. "You go and set +a bear trap where you have no business to, and then you pelt us with +snowballs. We won't stand it!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Better go easy," advised Allen Washburn, though, truth, to tell, his +blood was also up. "Better go easy."</p> + +<p>By this time Will had reached Jake, and aimed a blow at him. It fell +short, and was a mere tap, but Jake retaliated. He swung too wide, and +the next moment Will had pushed him into a snowbank. Jake was up again +in an instant, however, and there might have been a serious fistic +encounter had not Allen cried out:</p> + +<p>"Here, fellows! This won't do!"</p> + +<p>"But he pushed me!" cried Jake, with doubled fists, while Frank and Sam +were regarding each other with none too friendly eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and you hit me with a snowball first!" retorted Will. It was very +much like two children, but the boys did not realize it at the time. +Possibly Allen did.</p> + +<p>"You'd better arbitrate," he suggested with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I will not!" declared Will.</p> + +<p>"Me either," added Jake.</p> + +<p>"Then have a snowball fight—two on a side—I'll see fair play," +suggested the young lawyer. "That will be a good way out of it. It will +relieve your feelings, and no one will be much hurt. Come, here's the +line," and he drew one in the snow. "Get your ammunition ready,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> and +I'll give the word. The side that first cries 'enough,' loses, and honor +is satisfied."</p> + +<p>"I'm willing, if they are," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Will.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," spoke Jake, and Sam nodded his assent.</p> + +<p>"If we only had Mr. Blackford here we could have three on a side," +remarked Will to Frank, as they made a pile of snowballs, which example +was being followed by their rivals. But the young business man had gone +into town to see about some of his affairs, promising to come back by +evening.</p> + +<p>"All ready?" asked Allen, as he noted that the white ammunition was +accumulating. He would have been glad to take a hand himself, but he +thought it hardly dignified.</p> + +<p>"All ready!" replied Will, and his rivals nodded their willingness to +start. "Everybody in the game!"</p> + +<p>Then the snowball fight began, and it was sufficiently fierce to allow +the rather angry feelings on both sides to be worked off, in perhaps the +least harmful manner.</p> + +<p>All four of the boys were fairly good shots, and for the first five +minutes a number of hits were recorded. Each was struck in the face +several times, though most of the shots were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> on the body. Will received +one in his eye that pained him very much.</p> + +<p>"That's sure to swell, and be black and blue," he thought. "Well, we'll +see what this will do," and he aimed one at Jake. It took young Rossmore +full in the ear, and a little later he begged for a truce to rid it of +snow.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Kittie and Alice, rather terrified at the impending clash, had +hurried on.</p> + +<p>"We ought to get a policeman and make that Ford fellow and his chums +stop," said Alice, vindictively.</p> + +<p>"I guess it isn't all on their side," spoke Kittie, who could be fair. +"Besides, there's no policeman here."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm going to tell father. I don't believe that bear trap is on the +Ford land. They are trying to claim everything. I'm just going to tell +father, or Hank Smither. He'll make 'em let Jake and Sam alone."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess Jake and Sam can look after themselves," said Kittie, +calmly. "Only I don't like to see a clash. It makes me nervous. I don't +believe it will amount to so very much, though."</p> + +<p>The two tramped on, and, as luck would have it, they overtook Betty and +her chums, hurrying on to the cabin with Amy. Our friends turning,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> saw +their rivals, and then became aware that their boys were not in sight.</p> + +<p>"I wonder where they can be?" asked Mollie. "Did you see Frank, Will and +Allen?" she asked of Kittie, ignoring Alice.</p> + +<p>"They're back there—fighting," replied Kittie, breathlessly.</p> + +<p>"Fighting!" cried Grace. "And Will promised he wouldn't! Oh! girls, I +must stop him at once!"</p> + +<p>She was about to run back in the direction she had come, when a man, +driving a sled containing a bulky object, called to the girls:</p> + +<p>"Say, where can I find a Mr. Will Ford around here?"</p> + +<p>"Why—why, that's my brother!" exclaimed Grace in surprise. "What is it, +please?"</p> + +<p>"It's some machinery for him. It's an express piece. Where shall I +deliver it?"</p> + +<p>"That's his cabin over there," and Grace pointed to where it could just +be seen. "Are there any charges on it?"</p> + +<p>"Yep. Three dollars."</p> + +<p>"I'll pay them. Oh, girls, I wonder what it can be?"</p> + +<p>"Will's secret, probably," answered Betty. "I wish he would come;" and +she looked anxiously over the trail.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't you wish Allen would come, too?" asked Mollie, slily.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" exclaimed Betty, with a glance at Alice and Kittie.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm going back, anyhow!" decided Grace, as she paid the +expressman. "I'll tell Will there is a big box for him, and that will be +a good excuse for him coming back. They must not fight. Papa would not +like it."</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps that is a good plan," agreed Betty. "I'll keep on with +Amy, and you and Mollie can go back to the boys."</p> + +<p>"I'll go tell papa, and have him stop Jake and Sam," said Alice, moving +off with her chum.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE AUTO ICE BOAT</h3> + + +<p>Grace strode ahead so rapidly through the snow that Mollie was forced to +ask her to moderate her pace.</p> + +<p>"This isn't a race!" was the objection.</p> + +<p>"But I want to stop them fighting!" insisted Grace. "Will gets so angry, +sometimes, that he doesn't know what he is doing. Papa often said he'd +do something desperate in his fits of temper some day. I'm really +afraid."</p> + +<p>"He's like me," laughed Mollie, frankly. "Only I just flare up for a +second, and then I'm sorry for it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, Will is too," admitted his sister, "but I don't want to give +him a chance to be sorry. Come on!"</p> + +<p>"If I come any faster you'll have to carry me," panted Mollie. "Remember +that I am not a Gibson girl like you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do come!" begged Grace. "They may be rolling and tumbling about in +the snow, biting each other——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Boys don't fight that way, and you ought to know it," said Mollie. "I +detest fighting myself, but I know that when it is done right—if ever +there is such a time—there is no biting and scratching."</p> + +<p>"Well, I've seen some football games," spoke Grace, and she wondered why +Mollie laughed.</p> + +<p>The girls were rather surprised, on coming to a point where they could +look down on the boys, to see merely a snow battle in progress. The air +seemed filled with the flying white missiles, and the four rivals were +running back and forth, looking for vantage points. Allen hovered about, +seeing that no unfair tactics were used.</p> + +<p>Finally, as the girls started forward again, Grace much relieved in +mind, Sam Batty pulled out his handkerchief and waved it.</p> + +<p>"What's that for?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Flag of truce, probably. Very likely he's had enough."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Will is down!" cried Grace a moment later, as her brother slipped +and fell. Jake rushed forward to deliver a ball at close range, but +Allen held up his hand.</p> + +<p>"No hitting when one is down!" he decided, and Jake drew back. Then, as +Will scrambled to his feet again, the battle was renewed, only two being +engaged, however.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> + +<p>As Will vainly dodged a ball aimed at him, which struck him in the face, +Grace screamed. Her brother turned quickly.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" cried Will, in some alarm.</p> + +<p>"Stop that right away!" demanded Grace, "or I'll tell papa, and make him +take you home."</p> + +<p>"One more shot!" Will exclaimed, and he delivered a large snowball with +such good aim that it nearly covered the whole of Jake's face. Kittie's +brother staggered about, and when he could get his breath he cried:</p> + +<p>"I'm through—I've had enough!"</p> + +<p>"Battle's over—cease firing!" laughed Allen. "Well, girls, what's the +trouble?" he asked as he and his two friends advanced to meet Grace and +Mollie, while Jake and Sam moved off in the direction of their cabin.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Will, there's a big express package for you at the cabin!" Grace +exclaimed. "You owe me three dollars on it."</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried the lad. "I'll give you the money out of my next +allowance. It's the motor boat, fellows," he added.</p> + +<p>"A motor boat!" cried Betty. "What good is a motor boat up here, with +the river frozen?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's something new—a little idea of my own," said Will. "It's a +converted motor-cycle gasoline engine, that can be attached to our ice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +boat. We're tired of having to depend on the wind. Now fellows, we'll +have some fun. Hurry home, and we'll see if we can get it working +to-day."</p> + +<p>"First you ought to do something to that eye," said Grace. "It will be +black and blue; and you'll look disgraceful."</p> + +<p>"No one will see it up here," said Will calmly. "It doesn't matter."</p> + +<p>"Don't we girls matter?" demanded Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I'll put some raw beefsteak on it when I get to the cabin. +I've heard that's good. Jake caught me a hard one in the eye."</p> + +<p>"Fighting! Disgraceful!" murmured Will's sister.</p> + +<p>"It was the best way out—snowballs," said Allen in a low voice, while +Will and Frank were comparing notes. "It might have been more serious +only for that. It was because they set the trap that Amy was caught in."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well then, I'm glad they did fight—with snowballs," returned Grace +in a different tone.</p> + +<p>The big box had been unloaded in front of the cabin when the boys +arrived, and while Grace and Mollie went in to talk to Betty and Amy, +the boys proceeded to get out the motor.</p> + +<p>As Will had said this was one taken from a motorcycle. It was of two +cylinders, and power<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>ful. The boys planned to set it in the after part +of the cockpit of the ice boat, and take off the sail. The motor would +revolve a wheel at the stern, the wheel having spikes all around the +rim. These spikes would dig into the ice and thus send the boat ahead. A +lever was provided so that the spiked wheel could be pushed down lightly +or hard on the ice, thus regulating the speed of the queer looking +craft. The <i>Spider</i> could be steered as before, by moving the rear +runner.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll show you some sport!" cried Will, when he had seen that all +the parts of the motor were there. "We'll go some, now!"</p> + +<p>But if the boys had hoped to try their new craft that day they were +disappointed, for there was more work about installing the motor than +they had calculated on. The girls grew tired of waiting, and strolled +over to the village, the day being pleasant. They met Mr. Blackford +coming from the depot, he having returned to complete his visit with the +boys.</p> + +<p>He looked rather tired and discouraged, which prompted Betty to ask in a +low voice:</p> + +<p>"Have you had any trace of your sister?"</p> + +<p>"None at all," he said despondently. "I seem to be up against a stone +wall, and so do the lawyers and searchers I have engaged. We get to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> a +certain point, and there we stick. After that, all traces of her are +lost."</p> + +<p>"Poor little sister! I wonder what she will look like, and what she will +be like?"</p> + +<p>"Then you never saw her?"</p> + +<p>"Only when she was a baby, and I a small chap. I do not remember her. +But I have not given up hope yet. Now, how are you all, and what has +happened since I went away?"</p> + +<p>Betty told him, including the news about the new auto ice boat.</p> + +<p>"That sounds interesting," declared Mr. Blackford. "I want a ride in +that."</p> + +<p>"That's more than I do," spoke Mollie. "I'd rather go in an airship."</p> + +<p>"So would I," agreed Grace.</p> + +<p>But when the next day, after several false starts, and a breakdown, the +motor was finally set in motion on the <i>Spider</i>, the girls were +interested enough to come down to look at it.</p> + +<p>"All aboard!" cried Will, who was quite proud of his apparatus. "Come +on, girls!"</p> + +<p>"Wait until we see you try it," suggested Betty.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, get in, fellows!"</p> + +<p>Allen, Frank and Mr. Blackford took their places, Allen to steer while +Will looked after the motor. Looking to see that all was running<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +smoothly, the big notched wheel at the stern revolving swiftly, Will +cautiously lowered it. There was a shower of icy particles as the teeth +chipped into the frozen surface of the river, and then the <i>Spider</i> +slowly forged ahead, under the influence of the motor instead of a sail.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're actually moving!" cried Grace.</p> + +<p>"And how fast!" agreed Mollie.</p> + +<p>"That's fine!" declared Betty.</p> + +<p>"I—I'm going to ask them to give me a ride!" exclaimed Amy. "Oh, it +must be glorious!"</p> + +<p>"Well, if she's brave enough to risk it, I am!" said Grace positively. +"Shall we go, girls?"</p> + +<p>"Wait a bit and see what happens," suggested Mollie. But nothing seemed +to be going to happen. On up the river went the auto ice boat at +ever-increasing speed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>MAROONED</h3> + + +<p>"Dare we take it out ourselves?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"I don't see why not," replied Mollie. "I can run a motor car, Betty can +manage a motor boat, and this is sort of between them both. Of course we +can run it!"</p> + +<p>"Will you promise to go slow?" asked Amy, timidly.</p> + +<p>"Of course," agreed Betty. "Anyhow the ice is so soft that we can't get +as much speed out of it as the boys did the other day."</p> + +<p>The outdoor girls were grouped about the auto ice boat at the little +dock near their cabin. The boys had gone off on a hunt, a rumor of a +bear having been seen about five miles off coming to them by a friendly +lumberman.</p> + +<p>The girls were discussing the advisability of going out for a little +trip in the queer craft that Will and his chums had made. For a week +past the boys had run it at various times, taking the girls out on +trips, and explaining how the motor and notched wheel operated. The +girls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> had even run it for short distances themselves, under the +tutelage of the boys.</p> + +<p>A week has passed since it was first run and, though it was voted "great +sport," the boys had rather tired of it, especially when the rumor of +the bear reached them.</p> + +<p>"Will said we could take it whenever we wanted to," spoke Grace, as she +arranged some fur rugs in the cockpit. "But are you sure you can run it, +Mollie—or Betty?"</p> + +<p>"It's simple," replied Betty noncommittally. "It will do no harm to +try."</p> + +<p>"And it's easy to stop," said Mollie. "Even if we forget to shut off the +engine, by pushing down on this handle, the wheel will be raised, and +won't cut into the ice. Then it will stop."</p> + +<p>"Just as when you throw out the clutch on your auto," suggested Betty.</p> + +<p>"Exactly. Come on girls. We'll go for a little run. There's nothing else +to do in camp."</p> + +<p>The week had been rather a monotonous one, for the weather had turned +warm, and the ice was not in good condition for skating. It was almost +too soft for the boat, and the boys had rather given it up. But the +girls wanted to do something, and the auto ice craft offered them a +chance.</p> + +<p>They had visited a hunters' camp a few days<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> before, and seen some novel +sights, though game was not as plentiful as the hunters had wished.</p> + +<p>"Well, if we're going—let's go!" cried Betty in a jolly voice, as she +buttoned her sweater more closely about her, and saw that her cap fitted +snugly.</p> + +<p>"You must expect to get some speed out of it," returned Amy. "But +remember you promised to go slow."</p> + +<p>"We can't do much else—it's so soft," declared Mollie, digging the toe +of her shoe into the surface of the ice.</p> + +<p>"Well—let's mote!" exclaimed Grace. "I've got some chocolates, so that +if the wind does out——"</p> + +<p>"Wind! You forget we don't use a sail," cried Betty with a laugh. "We +can get home in a dead calm. So if that's your only excuse for bringing +chocolates——"</p> + +<p>"We might run out of gasoline," Grace interrupted. "I'll take them, +anyway."</p> + +<p>"That's right, angel child!" murmured Mollie, "and I'll help you eat +them," and she calmly appropriated the box Grace had produced, and +selected some choice confections.</p> + +<p>Just as the girls were about to leave, having shoved the ice boat out +away from the dock so as to get a good start, Mr. Franklin, the camp<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +care-taker, who had been over to a distant section, came running down to +the dock.</p> + +<p>"Do you think your father is back from his Western trip yet, Miss Ford?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I had a letter from home to-day, saying he would be home to-night. +Why?"</p> + +<p>"Well, those Jallows are acting mean again. They're cutting timber on +land I'm sure belongs to your father, regardless of the strip in +dispute. I'm going to wire him to come up here. This thing ought to be +stopped."</p> + +<p>"Oh dear! More trouble!" sighed Grace. "Well, do as you think best, Mr. +Franklin. I think you'll find papa home. Oh, I wish this was all +settled. I wonder why there are such people as the Jallows, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"Probably for the same reason that there are mosquitoes," said Betty. +"It's so we will appreciate nice people all the more. But don't worry, +Grace."</p> + +<p>"Are you girls going out in that boat?" asked Mr. Franklin as he started +back toward his cabin.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Why shouldn't we?" inquired Mollie, for she saw a look of concern +on his face.</p> + +<p>"Well, you'll be all right if you stay around here, but the ice is +breaking up below and above you, on account of the thaw. It won't be +safe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> to go too far, or you'll meet open water. Be on the lookout."</p> + +<p>"We will," promised Betty. "We're only just going out for a practice +spin by ourselves. It will surprise the boys."</p> + +<p>She did not realize what a surprise she and her chums were to get before +long.</p> + +<p>After one or two ineffectual attempts the girls got the motor running. +Then, looking to see that all was clear, Betty, who was at the helm, +gave the word for Mollie to lower the toothed wheel, which engaging on +the ice, would move the craft.</p> + +<p>At first there was only a shower of soft and rather watery ice. The +surface was too "mushy" to enable the teeth to "bite."</p> + +<p>"Harder! Push down harder!" directed Betty.</p> + +<p>Mollie did so, and then, after hesitating a second as if uncertain +whether or not to go, the <i>Spider</i> moved off, gradually acquiring speed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, this is glorious!" cried Grace as she sat well forward and breathed +in deep of the fresh air. "Betty—Mollie—you are wonderful!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's easy to run," said Mollie, calmly. "I understand it now. +Really, it's very simple."</p> + +<p>The girls took turns steering, for the boat was not going very fast, on +account of the condition<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> of the ice. Once or twice there were booming +noises, like the sound of distant cannon.</p> + +<p>"What are those?" asked Amy, with a start.</p> + +<p>"The ice cracking," explained Betty. "It isn't anything. It often +happens on a big surface, and we're on a wide part of the river now."</p> + +<p>They went on for a mile or so, until Mollie suddenly clutched the arm of +Betty, and cried:</p> + +<p>"Look—there's open water ahead!"</p> + +<p>"That's right," agreed Betty, as she quickly shifted the helm. "We don't +want to plunge into that," for the water looked black and treacherous in +contrast with the white ice about it.</p> + +<p>They headed for their camp. The sound of the cracking ice became +oftener, and more than once Betty looked a bit apprehensively at Mollie. +But they tried to conceal their growing uneasiness from Grace and Amy.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there came a sharp report, louder than any that had gone +before, and, involuntarily, Mollie raised the spiked wheel. The ice boat +slowly lost headway.</p> + +<p>"Don't stop! Don't stop!" cried Betty. "Keep on!"</p> + +<p>"But it may be dangerous!"</p> + +<p>"It will be more dangerous to stand still! Don't you know that a moving +body has a better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> chance over thin ice than one standing still? Keep +going, Mollie, and head for shore!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm sure something is going to happen!" cried Amy.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, be quiet!" urged Betty. "Grace, give her a chocolate! Mollie, +lower that wheel again."</p> + +<p>Again the "propeller" engaged the ice, and the <i>Spider</i> forged ahead. +Grace looked back, and saw where a big crack had appeared. It was +constantly widening.</p> + +<p>Then came a thunderous report. The girls screamed, and Betty almost let +go of the tiller. Then she grasped it more tightly, for she saw, with a +shudder of fear, that black water was now all around them.</p> + +<p>"Stop! Stop!" cried Betty to Mollie. "Stop the boat! We're on a big cake +of ice and we're floating away! Stop it!"</p> + +<p>In an instant Mollie had lifted the wheel, and in the next she had shut +of the motor. The <i>Spider</i> with the girl passengers was indeed marooned +on an immense cake of ice, while all about were other cakes, grinding +and smashing over one another. The river was breaking up fast.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>TO THE RESCUE</h3> + + +<p>"Oh—oh!" gasped Grace, when she saw the dark and seething water all +around them. "Oh, we're—afloat!"</p> + +<p>"And it's a good thing, too!" exclaimed Betty quickly, as she squared +the rudder-runner. "If we weren't afloat we'd be sinking, and I don't +want to do that—it's too cold!"</p> + +<p>Thus spoke the practical Little Captain, for she realized that now was +the time to gain control over the nerves of her chums. Once they became +hysterical there would be no managing them. And, as she spoke she +glanced sharply at Mollie, who had opened her mouth to say something, +but had thought better of it.</p> + +<p>"But we're on a cake of—ice!" cried Amy.</p> + +<p>"And, as the old wolf said to Little Red Riding Hood, so much the better +to keep afloat with, my dear!" went on Betty gaily, a condition which +she was far from feeling.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 252px;"> +<img src="images/p168.jpg" width="252" height="400" alt=""WE ARE ON A CAKE OF ICE, AND WE ARE FLOATING AWAY!"" title=""WE ARE ON A CAKE OF ICE, AND WE ARE FLOATING AWAY!"" /> +<span class="caption">"WE ARE ON A CAKE OF ICE, AND WE ARE FLOATING AWAY!"</span> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp.</i> <i>Page 160.</i></div> + +<p>"Yes, it's a nice big cake, too!" declared Mollie, recognizing that +Betty would need help<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>—"backing-up"—in her efforts to calm the two +more timid girls. "It's a lovely large cake," Mollie added. "The largest +around of any. Just suppose we were on—that?" and she pointed to one +about as large as a "five cent piece the ice man brings in on a hot +day," to quote Betty's later characterization.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how can you make fun, when we may—when we may—may slip off any +minute?" protested Grace, half tearfully. "Oh, why did we come out in +this ice boat?"</p> + +<p>"Now look here!" and Betty spoke sharply. "Isn't it a good deal better +to be jolly than glum? Of course it is. And we're in no immediate +danger. As Mollie says, we may be thankful we are not on a small cake of +ice. This will hold us nicely."</p> + +<p>"But we're floating down the stream," said Amy.</p> + +<p>"Of course we are," agreed Betty cheerfully. "A river never stands +still, you know. We are floating down with the rest of the cakes. Pretty +soon there will be an ice jam, and——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say that!" begged Grace. "An ice jam! That's one of those +terrible things where so many persons are killed."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! You're thinking of an ava<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>lanche!" declared Mollie. "Betty +means that the cakes of ice will all jam together pretty soon, when the +river narrows, and we can walk ashore as nicely as you please, hauling +the ice boat after us."</p> + +<p>"Why can't we go ashore in that?" asked Amy, her face brightening.</p> + +<p>"Because it will be so—humpy!" explained Betty. "We could not run the +auto ice boat over the bumps. But really it might be worse; I'm not +fooling."</p> + +<p>Their situation was indeed peculiarly fortunate considering what had +happened. The warm weather had softened the ice, and the melting of much +snow had caused the river to rise. This had had the effect of cracking +the covering of ice, and it had broken up. The ice boat got on a certain +large section that split off and went <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'float-'">floating</ins> down stream.</p> + +<p>"Well, let's get out and see what we can do," proposed Mollie, as she +left her place near the motor.</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare leave this boat!" commanded Betty, a bit sternly.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" asked Mollie, curiously.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you why. Though the cake we are on seems solid, there may be +cracks in it, and it might separate if we stepped out on it. You<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> see +our weight would come in a comparatively small space, whereas in the +boat it is distributed over a large surface."</p> + +<p>"My? Where did you learn that?" asked Mollie, admiringly.</p> + +<p>"In our physics class. It's true, too. We must stay here."</p> + +<p>"How, long?" queried Grace. "It will soon be late, and——"</p> + +<p>"You have some chocolates; haven't you?" demanded Betty, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but——"</p> + +<p>"Then save them. We may be here for some time, but we are bound to be +taken off—sooner or later."</p> + +<p>"And if it's later, and the cake of ice goes to pieces, no matter +whether we get out on it or not, what will happen?" Amy wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Well, the boat contains a lot of wood, and it will float for some +time—especially this cockpit part," said Betty. "Then, too, some one is +sure to see us when we get down a little further. Or the boys will miss +the ice boat, and, knowing that we have it out, they'll hunt for us. +Especially when they see the ice breaking up."</p> + +<p>They were slowly floating down stream—slowly because of the number of +large and small cakes their own encountered. After the first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> alarm the +girls felt more at ease, especially Amy and Grace, for, in a large +measure, they had come to depend on Betty and Mollie. And these two +justified the confidence reposed in them.</p> + +<p>Eagerly they all scanned the shore of the river, but they saw no one.</p> + +<p>"I'd even be <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'gad'">glad</ins> to see some of the Jallows!" exclaimed Grace, after a +bit. "They couldn't refuse to rescue us. Oh, I do hope papa will have no +further trouble with that man! If we could only help him to straighten +out the tangle!"</p> + +<p>"We'll have to straighten out our own first," said Mollie, with a tense +smile. "Do you think we are getting nearer shore, Betty?"</p> + +<p>Betty was about to reply, when, with a sharp report, a large piece broke +off their cake of ice. This left one of the runners on the forward +cross-piece close to the lapping water.</p> + +<p>"Oh dear!" cried Amy. "If this keeps up——"</p> + +<p>"Isn't that a man over there?" suddenly cried Betty, pointing toward +shore. "Yes, girls, it is. A man! Oh, shout to him! Call for help!"</p> + +<p>The next instant there went echoing over the expanse of ice-strewn water +four young voices, uniting in a call for aid.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the wind was right, and the man heard. He had been walking +along the river<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> shore, and now, looking up and across, he saw the girls +in the ice boat in their perilous position. It needed but an instant for +him to sense the situation, and he acted promptly.</p> + +<p>He waved his hand as a sign of encouragement, and his voice came faintly +to the girls, but they could not make out what he said. The man ran back +up the shore a little way.</p> + +<p>"Where's he going?" asked Amy. "Oh, he's going to leave us!"</p> + +<p>"No, he's probably gone for help!" said Betty. "Oh, there goes another +piece of our floe!"</p> + +<p>"Help! Help! Hurry!" shouted Mollie, the others joining their voices to +hers.</p> + +<p>Presently the man was seen to be pushing something down to the river.</p> + +<p>"It's a boat!" cried Betty. "Now we're all right!" And it did seem to be +some sort of boat in which the man was coming to the rescue.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>A HELPING HAND</h3> + + +<p>"What is he doing?"</p> + +<p>"What a queer boat!"</p> + +<p>"Sometimes it's in the water, and again it's on the ice!"</p> + +<p>"No matter! He's coming to save us, and it's high time! There goes +another chunk off our ice raft!"</p> + +<p>It was Betty who gave voice to the last, and Grace, Amy and Mollie in +turn, who had expressed the other sentiments. All were true in their +way. The man did certainly seem to be advancing in a peculiar manner. At +times he appeared to be rowing, or padding, and again he propelled +himself over a big cake of ice, pushing himself along by means of short +poles on either side of the boat.</p> + +<p>And, as Mollie had said, at times he was in the water, and again gliding +over the ice. What Betty had said was but too true. Now and then, with a +startling report, the big floe on which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> rested the auto ice boat +containing the girls would be lessened by a great chunk, that would +break off, and go floating away.</p> + +<p>"Oh, hurry! Do, please, hurry!" breathed Grace, as she sat huddled close +beside Amy, gazing now and then into the ice-encumbered black water that +seemed momentarily to be encroaching on their margin of safety.</p> + +<p>"We can never all get in that boat!" decided Amy, as the man alternately +pushed and paddled it toward them. "It will only hold two, and he'll +have to make four trips. It may be too late—for the last one!"</p> + +<p>"He's doing all he can," said Betty. "Perhaps the boat will hold more +than you think." But, even as she said this she looked askance at the +peculiar craft. Clearly it was small, and at most could hold but three. +There would be danger in this even. And it would necessitate two trips +at best. This delay, with the constantly-decreasing size of the floe +meant danger for two of them.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, ladies, I'm coming!!" cried the man in the boat. "I'll soon +have you safe ashore. Don't jump, whatever you do, or you'll be ground +to pieces by the ice cakes!"</p> + +<p>"Cheerful prospect," remarked Betty grimly.</p> + +<p>Amy and Grace did not try to conceal the tears<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> in their eyes. Mollie +was more like the Little Captain—brave and hopeful. Not that Grace and +Amy were cowards—far from it—but they had not the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'bouyant'">buoyant</ins> reserve +strength of their chums.</p> + +<p>"Steady now, and I'll have you!" cried the man. He had come to a halt in +his boat on a big swirling cake, which was keeping pace with the +progress of the one containing the ice boat. "I'm going to make a line +fast to you," the man explained, "and take my end ashore. Then I can +haul you in. I don't dare risk taking you off in the boat. The ice is +breaking up too fast. Stand by now, to catch the line I'm going to +throw."</p> + +<p>He was kneeling in his queer craft, and the girls could now see that it +was made for just such work as this. It was a small punt, capable of +being rowed or paddled. And to enable it to slide over the ice two +strips of iron, for runners, extended along the bottom from stem to +stern, just under the lower and outer edges of the boat's sides. In +other words it was a combined sled and boat. It was a type much used by +muskrat-hunters who have to seek their quarry on flooded meadows that +often freeze over uncertainly.</p> + +<p>"Here you go!" shouted the man. "Make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> this line fast to the forward +part of your boat. How are the runners; well sunk in?"</p> + +<p>"Yes!" answered Betty, glancing to make sure. The steel runners of the +cross-piece of the craft, as well as the steering plates in the rear, +had, because of the fact that the boat had been stationary so long, sunk +deep into the soft ice. The <i>Spider</i> was firmly anchored.</p> + +<p>"The rope will hold better on your craft, than on the ice itself," the +man explained after he had thrown it. "Have you made it fast?"</p> + +<p>"Yes!" cried Mollie, who had assisted Betty in catching the line, and +taking a couple of turns about a strong cleat.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do please hurry and—and save us!" panted Grace.</p> + +<p>"I will, miss. Don't be skeered," said their rescuer kindly. The girls +could see that he was a burly lumberman, but no one they had ever met +before, as far as any of them could remember.</p> + +<p>"I'll have you ashore soon," he added. "I'll make as good time back as I +can, though it's ticklish work, for the ice is going out fast. It's +early for it, too, and the river will freeze up again bad. But don't +worry. Your floe will hold until I get you all ashore. Just sit tight, +and don't worry!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But we—we can't help it," half whispered Amy.</p> + +<p>The man, having tossed the rope which Betty and Mollie secured, now +arranged the coils in the bottom of his boat so that it would pay out +without tangling.</p> + +<p>"I was just passing when I saw your pickle," he told them. "Lucky I had +the rope with me, and I knew old Muskrat Ike must have his punt hid +along the bank somewhere. I routed it out and here I am. Now I'm off. +Keep up your spirits!" he called with a smile.</p> + +<p>With two short, iron shod and pointed poles he shoved his boat around +and off the floe where he had halted. Into the water plunged the queer +craft, and then the man paddled. He slid the shelving, pointed prow out +on another ice cake and thus, alternately progressing, he neared the +shore.</p> + +<p>As he approached it, narrowly watched by the girls, who cast occasional +glances at their own floe, Betty uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>"There are the boys!"</p> + +<p>Three figures could be seen hurrying down to the edge of the ice-filled +river, and it needed but a glance to show that they were Will, Frank and +Allen.</p> + +<p>In another minute or two the lumberman, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> his queer boat, had reached +the shore. Out he leaped, and shoving his punt to one side he began +hauling on the rope that was fast to the ice-anchored auto craft, the +rope forming a slender bridge to the land. Slowly the ice-floe began to +approach the shore, shoving the lesser cakes aside.</p> + +<p>But now a new danger presented itself. As long as the big floe had gone +down with the current it had not been struck hard by other chunks of +ice, since all were moving at the same rate of speed. Now, as the big +floe was hauled cross-ways to the current, other cakes collided with it, +breaking off large chunks.</p> + +<p>"There won't be anything left when we get ashore," cried Grace. "We're +going to pieces fast!"</p> + +<p>"Don't get excited!" advised Mollie. "We'll be all right," but she +watched with eager eyes the progress they were making, and the +ever-decreasing size of their floe.</p> + +<p>"The boys are going to help him!" cried Mollie. "Now we will move +faster."</p> + +<p>Will and the others, reaching the side of the lumberman, and seeing his +plan, laid hold of the rope with him, and hauled with all their might. +Then, indeed, the floe containing the ice boat did move toward shore +more quickly. And to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> such good purpose did the rescuers haul that, in a +short time, the cake grounded in shallow water, with one point so near +shore that the girls could leap across the intervening water safely.</p> + +<p>And it was only just in time, for when Betty, who insisted on being the +last to leave the boat, landed, the cake split in half, and the <i>Spider</i> +was partly submerged.</p> + +<p>"What luck!" cried Will, as he clasped his sister's hand. "Whatever +possessed you girls to go out on a day like this?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind asking questions now," replied Grace half-hysterically. +"We're safe! Better get your boat ashore boys."</p> + +<p>"That's good advice," agreed Allen, and with the help of the lumberman +the <i>Spider</i> was hauled ashore, not in the least damaged. The girls were +beginning to recover their nerves now, though they were a trifle shaky.</p> + +<p>"Let's get back to the cabin!" cried Grace. "Oh, I'll never go <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'ice-boating'">ice boating</ins> again."</p> + +<p>"Not when the ice is like it was to-day," commented her brother. +"Franklin says he warned you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, we didn't think we'd go so far," said Mollie. "We must thank +that man. Where is he?"</p> + +<p>The lumberman, having replaced the queer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> punt where he had found it, +was walking away, when Betty, running after him, cried:</p> + +<p>"Oh, won't you let us know who you are? We want to thank you, and——"</p> + +<p>"Oh that's all right," he said, with rough good-nature. "It was all in +the day's work. I've done the same thing before."</p> + +<p>"But won't—won't you tell us who you are?" asked Allen.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't matter. I'm a stranger around here, and I don't expect to +stay. I'll be getting along," and he took off his fur cap and bowed. It +was so evident that he did not want to disclose this identity that the +boys did not press him.</p> + +<p>"But we can't thank you enough," said Mollie.</p> + +<p>"The sight of your pretty faces is enough," he replied gallantly, and +with just the trace of a brogue. He smiled genially, bowed again and +tramped off through the snow.</p> + +<p>"How odd!" exclaimed Grace.</p> + +<p>"Maybe he's one of the Jallow lumbermen, and didn't want it known that +he had done the Ford family a favor," suggested Will.</p> + +<p>"Silly!" remarked his sister.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's something queer about him anyhow," insisted Will. "Say, +but you girls were in a pickle, all right."</p> + +<p>"It was a whole jar full—with some olives<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> thrown in," remarked Betty. +"Oh, I was so frightened!"</p> + +<p>"You didn't show it, my dear," spoke Amy. "You were very brave!"</p> + +<p>"Well, some one had to be. Not that you all weren't!" said Betty +quickly.</p> + +<p>"When we got back, and Franklin said you'd gone off in the boat, and we +saw the ice breaking up, we were wild about you," spoke Will. "We +started out to trace you, keeping on the high ground to see you quicker. +But the lumberman beat us to it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know what we should have done without him," declared +Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Well, let's get back to the cabin," voiced Will. "My feet are wet."</p> + +<p>"And we'll all feel better for a cup of tea," added Mollie.</p> + +<p>Behold them then, a little later, seated about a cosy fire, sipping tea, +coffee or chocolate, according to their fancies, Mrs. Franklin having +insisted on serving them. Soon the danger was but a <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'piognant'">poignant</ins> memory.</p> + +<p>Days passed. The thaw spent itself and a freeze set in. Again there was +excellent skating and ice boating, though the girls were a bit timid of +the latter. Then came several winter affairs—parties in country-homes +to which the girls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> were invited through the courtesy of Mrs. Franklin.</p> + +<p>The girls enjoyed every one of them, and so did the boys. The winter was +approaching its coldest spell. The Christmas holidays were not far off. +Regarding the disputed claim, Mr. Jallow appeared to have matters in his +favor. His men continued to cut the choice timber despite the protest of +Mr. Ford, who was in despair at his inability to prove what he believed +to be his right.</p> + +<p>Alice Jallow and her friends remained in their winter cabin, but our +friends saw little of them. Occasionally the boys met one another, but +beyond rather frigid greetings little was said.</p> + +<p>A big snow storm put an end to ice sports and the boys and girls went in +for snowshoes, no one being very expert on them, however. One afternoon, +when the boys had gone to town for some supplies, Betty proposed that +the girls go for a little tramp. It was not cold, and the snow, with a +heavy crust, was just right for the "tennis racquets," as she somewhat +gaily dubbed the snowshoes.</p> + +<p>They walked for several miles, and were about to turn back, when, +unexpectedly they came in sight of a little cabin in a snow-filled +glade.</p> + +<p>"I wonder who lives there?" said Amy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't go too close. It may be another bear trap," said Betty with a +laugh.</p> + +<p>"That's no trap!" insisted Grace. "It's a regular cabin. I'm going to +look in. Maybe an Indian used to live there, and we can find some +relics."</p> + +<p>The others rather reluctantly followed as Grace advanced. She peered in +one of the windows, and, as she uttered a cry the others heard a +distinct groan.</p> + +<p>"What—what's that?" gasped Amy.</p> + +<p>"Some one is in there! I saw a man lying in a bunk!" exclaimed Grace, +moving away.</p> + +<p>As the girls hesitated, looking at one another with fear-blanched faces, +they heard a hollow voice calling:</p> + +<p>"Help! Help! Get me a doctor!"</p> + +<p>"Some one is hurt!" cried Betty. "We must see who it is, and help."</p> + +<p>"But it—it's a man!" gasped Grace. "I saw him!"</p> + +<p>"Well, a man can need help as well as anyone else," said Mollie, in +defense of her chum Betty. "Come—I'm not afraid."</p> + +<p>Resolutely she went to the front door. It opened at her touch, and the +others, standing behind her saw a figure huddled up on a bunk built +against the cabin wall.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, thank the dear Lord some one has come!" groaned a man's voice. +"Will you please get a doctor or someone. My leg is broken, and I've +been without help for two days!"</p> + +<p>Then his voice trailed off weakly.</p> + +<p>"He's fainted!" cried Betty, hurrying to his side.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>THE OLD LUMBERMAN</h3> + + +<p>Finding an injured man in a lonely cabin, practically snowed in, was not +the only surprise the girls were to receive that day. The other followed +quickly on the heels of the first. It was Mollie who "sprung it," as +Will said afterward, and even Grace did not rebuke him for his slang.</p> + +<p>Betty, followed by the others—rather timidly followed, it must be +confessed—approached the bunk where the man lay. He had indeed fainted +and his face was woefully white. Then Mollie cried out:</p> + +<p>"Why it's that man—the one who rescued us from the ice floe. It's the +kind lumberman!"</p> + +<p>The others stared at her for a moment, and then looked at the burly form +amid the rough blankets. A light broke over Betty's face.</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> the same one!" she cried. "Oh, girls, here is a chance for us +to repay him for what he did for us!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But what—what can we do?" asked Grace. "We can't fix his broken leg!"</p> + +<p>"No, but we can get him something to eat—some hot coffee, and revive +him. Then we can go for help!" exclaimed practical Betty. "Now, girls, +the first thing to do is to build a fire, and heat some water. The +doctor will want that when he comes. We'll make some coffee, too. Then +we'll see what is next to be done."</p> + +<p>The outdoor girls were used to doing things for themselves. They had not +lived in their cabin a month, building fires, getting their own meals +and doing practically all the hard work, for nothing. They knew how to +proceed, now that there was need of haste.</p> + +<p>Betty, looking among the stores in the cupboard, found a bottle of +strong ammonia. This she carefully brought to the man's nostrils. His +breathing became quicker, and soon he opened his eyes. Wonderingly he +stared about him.</p> + +<p>"What—what happened? Who are you—girls? Oh, I guess I must have keeled +over. Mighty foolish of me. Oh, my leg!"</p> + +<p>A spasm of pain shot over his face.</p> + +<p>"Lie still," said Betty soothingly. "We will send for help. Here, drink +this," and she held some water to his lips. He supported himself on his +elbow, and drank greedily.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> + +<p>"First I had in a long time," he apologized huskily.</p> + +<p>Mollie and Grace were making the fire, while Amy was washing out the +pot, and putting some ground coffee in it. The stove was blazing well, +and the kettle was put on to boil. The man drank some more water and +seemed better.</p> + +<p>"I slipped and fell coming home the other day," he explained. "I didn't +think it was much more than a sprain at first, but the next morning I +couldn't walk, and I knew my leg was broken. Then come this last big +storm, and nobody passed here. I yelled for help until I was hoarse, but +it did no good. I had about given up when you girls came along. I +haven't been able to even crawl, the pain was so bad. I just had to keep +covered up to prevent freezing."</p> + +<p>"You'll soon be all right," said Betty soothingly. "We are making +coffee."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can smell it. It's mighty good of you girls."</p> + +<p>"You know who we are; don't you?" asked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"I can't say as I do. The light ain't very good in here."</p> + +<p>"Don't you remember the girls who were stranded in the ice boat; and how +you pulled us to shore?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, are you those girls? Well, land be!"</p> + +<p>"Here is some coffee," said Betty, pouring out a fragrant cup. "I +couldn't find any milk, though."</p> + +<p>"I never use it. I like it black. You can sweeten it with molasses. +You'll find some in that jug," and he indicated it. "Well, well, to +think you're those girls!" he murmured as he sipped the hot beverage. +Every moment he seemed to be stronger, though his pain in his leg made +him wince every now and then.</p> + +<p>"We must get a doctor for you—or send the boys," spoke Betty. "Won't +you tell us who you are? So we will know how to tell the physician."</p> + +<p>The man hesitated a moment, and looked sharply at the girls.</p> + +<p>"I didn't aim to tell my name," he said slowly. "I didn't want it known +that I had come back. But I can't see that there's any harm in telling +you girls. You won't know my story, and I guess the doctor won't either. +I'm Paddy Malone!"</p> + +<p>Grace started. The name stirred half-forgotten memories.</p> + +<p>"What!" she cried. "Paddy Malone, who used to work for Mr. Ford?"</p> + +<p>It was the turn of the lumberman to start.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mr. Ford!" he exclaimed. "Do you know Mr. Ford?"</p> + +<p>"I am his daughter," said Grace simply, "and he has been looking all +over for you. He has had trouble about a lumber tract and he thinks you +could straighten it out for him, and prove his claim. Are you really +that Paddy Malone?"</p> + +<p>"I am," said the man humbly, "and this is a judgment on me—a judgment +on me! To think that James Ford's daughter should help me. Well, well! +Yes, I am that Paddy Malone," he went on in louder tones, "and I can +prove your father's claim. I'm through with that Jallow crowd, now. +Through with 'em! Get a doctor, girls, if you can, and I'll tell +everything when I'm fixed up. I'll prove James Ford's lumber claim for +him, and show those swindlers that they can't fool Paddy Malone! I'll +show 'em!"</p> + +<p>He sank back on his pillow exhausted, while Betty made haste to bring +more coffee.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>REVELATIONS</h3> + + +<p>"And to think that we found Paddy Malone!" exclaimed Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but he first found us—only we didn't know it," answered Grace.</p> + +<p>They were gliding along on their snowshoes from the lonely cabin where +they discovered the injured lumberman. Betty and Amy had volunteered to +stay while the other girls went for the nearest doctor. There was one +living half-way between the winter camp and the town.</p> + +<p>"Papa will be so glad!" Grace went on. "I must telegraph to him right +away."</p> + +<p>"One of the boys can take in the message," suggested Mollie. "Then we +can go back and hear the rest of the story. It sounds, from what Paddy +Malone said, as if that Mr. Jallow had been up to some unfair tricks."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't wonder," agreed Grace. "Oh, what a lot of things have +happened up here!"</p> + +<p>"And more are going to, if I'm any judge. Your father will get his +timber land back."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, how glad I'll be!"</p> + +<p>The girls hurried on, hoping they would find the boys in their cabin. +There was some doubt of this, but they were reasonably certain of +locating Mr. Franklin, who would go for a doctor for the injured man.</p> + +<p>The boys had not yet returned, but Mrs. Franklin, who listened with +wonder to the story Grace and Mollie pantingly told, informed them where +they could locate her husband not far off in the woods.</p> + +<p>He was using a light sled to haul firewood, and at once set off for the +doctor, whom he brought back with him in due time.</p> + +<p>Then, in a larger sled, in which it was planned to bring back Paddy +Malone to the boy's cabin, where it would easier to nurse him, Mr. +Franklin, Mollie, Grace and the physician set off for the lonely cabin.</p> + +<p><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'The'">They</ins> found Paddy much improved under the ministrations of Amy and Betty. +The lumberman was quite cheerful. Telling of his determination to aid +Mr. Ford seemed to have taken a load off his conscience.</p> + +<p>With the aid of Mr. Franklin, the rather badly broken leg was set, the +lumberman bearing the pain like a stoic. Then, resting on a soft bed of +straw in the bottom of the sled, he was taken<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> to the boys' cabin, the +girls also riding in the big sled.</p> + +<p>That the boys were much astonished, on their return from a little trip, +to find a wounded lumberman in their cabin, is putting it mildly. And +when they learned that it was the long missing Paddy Malone, who could +give such valuable testimony for Mr. Ford, their astonishment knew no +bounds.</p> + +<p>"Say, you girls certainly do things!" exclaimed Will admiringly.</p> + +<p>"They sure do!" agreed Allen, with a warm glance at Betty, who averted +her eyes, and blushed, whereat Grace and Mollie nudged each other, to +the further discomfiture of their friend.</p> + +<p>"I'm just crazy to hear what he will say, and how he is going to +establish daddy's boundary lines," said Grace, when the lumberman had +been made comfortable.</p> + +<p>"He must not be disturbed until to-morrow," ordered the doctor. "He has +a little fever, and I want that to go down."</p> + +<p>So the girls and boys had to curb their impatience as best they could. A +telegram was sent to Mr. Ford, and he replied that he would be on hand +the next day.</p> + +<p>The morning visit of the doctor found Mr. Malone—or Paddy, as he +insisted his young<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> friends call him—so much better that the physician +said:</p> + +<p>"You may tell your story now, but don't talk too much."</p> + +<p>"Sure, and I'll leave that for the ladies!" exclaimed Paddy with a +twinkle in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Now everybody keep quiet and listen," said Grace, when she had related +how she and her chums had come to the winter camp, and how Mr. Jallow +and his company had encroached on land that Mr. Ford believed was his +own.</p> + +<p>"And it <i>is</i> his!" exclaimed Paddy. "The boundary lines have been +changed. I can see that myself. It's that Jallow's work. Listen and I'll +tell you how it happened.</p> + +<p>"As your father says, Miss," he went on, turning to Grace, "I was with +him when the survey was made, and stone piles put up and the trees +blazed to mark the line. That valuable strip was on his side. Then some +time passed, and that cunning fox, Jallow, came to me, and he +represented that he had been wrongly dealt with. He said Mr. Ford had +sold out his interests to strangers who were going to do harm to Jallow +and his friends.</p> + +<p>"Not knowing any different, I believed him. He said the courts would not +give him justice and he was going to take it himself, and I had small<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +blame for him for doing that. I'd do the same. But mind you," Paddy +insisted, "I did not know I was doing my friend James Ford any harm.</p> + +<p>"Jallow said he would pay me just to disappear for a time, and, +foolishly, I consented. I went out of the country, and for a while +Jallow sent me, and a friend of mine, money. My friend knew the proper +boundaries, too.</p> + +<p>"Then the money stopped, and I came on to find out why. Jallow only +laughed at me, and said he had no further use for me, as he'd got all he +wanted. I didn't know what to do. I stayed around here, keeping in +hiding, for I feared maybe I could be arrested for what I did. That was +why I didn't give you my name," and he smiled at the girls.</p> + +<p>"So I came to this old cabin I used to own, to see what would turn up. +Sure and it was myself turned up—slipped up—and broke my leg. That was +what turned up.</p> + +<p>"But before that I had seen all I wanted to—that was the changed +boundary lines. Then I knew Jallow's game. He wanted to throw that +valuable timber strip into his own land. I made some inquiries, and +found that Mr. Ford still owned the lumber camp, and hadn't sold out, as +Jallow told me. Then I knew I had been fooled, but still I didn't know +what to do, for I was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> afraid of arrest, and I never could stand jail, +when I knew I <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'headn't'">hadn't</ins> really meant any wrong.</p> + +<p>"I saw Jallow again, but he only laughed at me, and give me a little +money to get out of the country. But I didn't go then, and I'm not going +now. I'm going to see justice done!"</p> + +<p>"And I think I can assure you that you will not suffer for it," said +Allen Washburn, with a glance at Will and Grace. "Mr. Ford will be here +soon, and you can arrange everything with him."</p> + +<p>"I hope he'll forgive me," remarked Paddy somewhat mournfully.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure he will," declared Grace, warmly.</p> + +<p>Paddy Malone went more into details of how he had been induced to +disappear so that the proper boundaries might be shifted to make it +appear that the valuable land was on Mr. Jallow's side, instead of +belonging to Mr. Ford. Then Dr. Burke insisted that his patient have +rest, so the boys and girls went outside to talk it over.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I do wish papa would come!" sighed Grace.</p> + +<p>In due time Mr. Ford arrived at the camp, a very much surprised but +pleased lawyer indeed. He had a consultation with Paddy, who confirmed +all he had said and furnished the address<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> of a companion who was +present when the proper survey was made.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ford then made his plans, but, as he needed the help of Paddy in +carrying them out, it was decided to postpone action until the lumberman +could get around—on crutches, at least.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ford stayed a day or so in camp with his daughter and her friends, +going about to look at the various boundaries, and arranging certain +details with Ted Franklin. He was entertained by the young people, and +seemed to enjoy himself.</p> + +<p>He did not go near the strip in dispute, however, preferring to wait +until he was ready with his plans. Paddy was slowly getting better, and +Mr. Ford went back to Deepdale, to look after matters there, arranging +to come back as <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'soon as soon as'">soon as</ins> Paddy could limp around.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the young people made the most of their life in the great +wintry woods, for they were to return home for the Christmas holidays, +as school would open the first of the new year.</p> + +<p>There were sleigh-rides, coasting, skating occasionally, and some more +ice boating, though, because of considerable snow, the latter sport was +rather curtailed.</p> + +<p>Occasionally Mr. Blackford came out for a day or so, but he had no good +news regarding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> his missing sister. He had followed several clues +unsuccessfully.</p> + +<p>"But somehow, in spite of all my disappointments, I feel that I will be +successful before long," he affirmed.</p> + +<p>"We hope so," replied Amy, gently, and the others echoed her words.</p> + +<p>Then came a day when Paddy could limp about. He was a happy man, and, in +answer to a telegram sent him with this news, Mr. Ford returned word +that he would come up and assist at the "last act in the lumber play," +as Will called it.</p> + +<p>Accompanied by a court officer, and with Allen Washburn as consulting +attorney, Grace's father reached the camp one evening.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can stand it to face Jallow to-morrow, Paddy?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I can. I'm thinkin' he won't face me, though."</p> + +<p>"Maybe not. We'll see. Well, we'll go over and take possession of the +disputed strip in the morning."</p> + +<p>The court officer and Allen nodded.</p> + +<p>"May we come along, Daddy, and see the fun?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Well," replied her father, "I don't know as there will be much fun, +but—yes, you may be there."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>THE LYNX</h3> + + +<p>Over the snow to where, according to Ted Franklin, the Jallow lumbermen +had last been seen cutting the valuable timber, went Mr. Ford and his +little party, including the boys and girls. There was eager anticipation +in their demeanor.</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose your father will do?" asked Mollie of Grace, as +they rode along in the big sled, for, out of consideration of Paddy's +leg, they rode instead of walked.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," was the answer. "But I guess daddy has his plans all +made."</p> + +<p>"I just hope that Alice Jallow sees how we come out ahead!" went on +Mollie, half-vindictively.</p> + +<p>"Mollie!" reproached Betty, gently.</p> + +<p>"I don't care. She—she's a—cat!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Ford, Paddy and Allen were consulting with the court officer, Will +and Frank were discussing a prospective hunting trip, and the girls were +planning Christmas surprises as the sled slid on.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here's the new line," said Paddy, as they came to a pile of stones. +"And there's where it ought to be," he added, as they drove across the +valuable strip in dispute. There was a difference of nearly a mile.</p> + +<p>"That is my recollection of it," said Mr. Ford. "Owing to the death of +the surveyor, and the destruction of some of his records, I was unable +to prove it, though."</p> + +<p>"Well, you can now," retorted Paddy, significantly.</p> + +<p>Soon they heard the sound of axes and, in answer to a nod from Mr. Ford, +the horses were turned in that direction.</p> + +<p>Suddenly from behind a tree stepped the burly form of Hank Smither.</p> + +<p>"You can't go any further!" he growled. "Turn back an' git off this +land! You're trespassin'!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think not," said Mr. Ford, pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I tell you you be! Git off, 'fore I——"</p> + +<p>"Now I advise you to go slow, my big friend," put in the constable. "I'm +from the court, and I have authority in this matter that goes above even +Jallow's."</p> + +<p>"All I know is that my orders is not to let any one on here exceptin' +Mr. Jallow's men," growled Hank.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Where is Mr. Jallow?" asked Mr. Ford.</p> + +<p>"Over there," and Hank pointed.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll settle with him. Drive on, Ted."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how I kin let ye!" whined Hank. He had lost much of his +bluster now.</p> + +<p>"You don't have to let us. We'll do it without, Hank!" spoke Paddy, +suddenly. At the sound of his voice—for up to now Hank had not seen the +lumberman—the burly guard started slightly.</p> + +<p>"Paddy Malone!" he gasped. "You back!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I guess Jallow won't be any more glad to see me than you are," +was the grim comment.</p> + +<p>There was no further hindrance to their progress. The sound of chopping +grew louder, and a little later the sled turned into a clearing, about +which were strewn many big, fallen trees. Mr. Ford's eyes sparkled at +the sight.</p> + +<p>"They haven't hauled out much of my timber," he said. "We are just in +time!"</p> + +<p>A man came running from a group. He held up a warning hand.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to get out of here!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"Who says so?" asked Mr. Ford.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jallow sent me to tell you."</p> + +<p>"Well, you tell Mr. Jallow to come here himself. We want to see him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> + +<p>The man hesitated a minute and then set off on the run.</p> + +<p>"Here comes Jallow now," observed Will.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I hope there won't be any trouble," murmured Amy.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry," said Mr. Blackford, who sat beside her.</p> + +<p>"Here, what do you want?" blustered Mr. Jallow, as he came up. "Oh, it's +you; is it, Ford? Well, you haven't any more right here than any one +else. Get off. This is my land—the courts have awarded it to me."</p> + +<p>"Under a misapprehension—yes. Because of false boundary lines—yes, Jim +Jallow!"</p> + +<p>"Who says the boundary lines are false?"</p> + +<p>"I do!" cried Paddy Malone, standing up in the sled, and leaning on his +crutch. "I say the lines were changed, Jim Jallow, and you know it! I +saw the right marks put, but they were shifted, and I'm ready to testify +that you paid me to keep out of the country while you changed 'em."</p> + +<p>"That isn't so!" stormed Jallow. "Who would believe you?" but he paled, +and was obviously ill at ease.</p> + +<p>"I guess they'll believe me when Mr. Ford and Dick Norbury testify to +the same thing," said Paddy, coolly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Dick Norbury—why, he's—dead!" gasped Jallow.</p> + +<p>"Not much!" cried Paddy. "He's very much alive, and I've got a letter +from him in my pocket now, saying he'll come on any time he's wanted and +testify as to the right boundaries."</p> + +<p>Mr. Jallow stood with open mouth. As the saying goes, all the wind had +been taken out of his sails.</p> + +<p>"I guess you had better give up, Mr. Jallow," said the court officer. +"I'm here to take charge of this land until the matter is officially +settled. In the meanwhile no more trees must be cut. That is a court +order, and here is a copy of it. I serve it on you, and violation of it +means contempt, with heavy penalties."</p> + +<p>"The jig is up, Jim!" cried Paddy. "I told you I'd get even with you!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Jallow said not another word. He was beaten at every point, and he +knew it. His men crowded up around him.</p> + +<p>"Shall we go on cutting?" asked the foreman.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jallow hesitated a moment.</p> + +<p>"No," he said, in a low voice. "Better stop—I guess."</p> + +<p>"I may want you men to work for me," put in Mr. Ford. "I intend to go on +cutting this tract, as soon as the court formalities are over.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> If you +like you may remain in camp until it is time to go to work again. I'll +hire you."</p> + +<p>A cheer greeted this announcement. The men had looked rather blank at +losing their work in the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'midde'">middle</ins> of winter.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's all over," said Grace, as the sled turned homeward. "And it +wasn't so terrible; was it, Amy?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed. Oh, I'm so glad your father has won, dear."</p> + +<p>"I guess we all are," spoke Betty. "Now we can enjoy the rest of our +stay in camp without having to worry, and we can go where we please. Can +you stay, Mr. Blackford?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, for a few days more."</p> + +<p>The court formalities did not take long, and soon the title of Mr. Ford +to the disputed land was confirmed. The change in boundary lines was +shown, and, had he so desired, Mr. Ford could have proceeded against Mr. +Jallow. But he preferred not to, since he had not really lost any of the +valuable timber.</p> + +<p>"Besides, there is no use making Alice feel any worse than she does," +said Grace. The Jallow camp had been broken up, since it was on Mr. +Ford's land, and Alice, her mother and guests had gone back to Deepdale. +Our friends held undisputed sway in the woods.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> + +<p>Christmas was approaching. There was but about a week more in the woods, +when, one fine warm day—that is, warm for that time of year—the party +of young people set off for a tramp in the forest.</p> + +<p>By twos and threes they strolled on, until finally Amy and Mr. Blackford +found themselves in rather a lonely part of the woods, separated from +the others.</p> + +<p>"I guess we had better be getting back," he observed with a smile. "They +may be anxious about us."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Amy. "But it is so wonderful here—in the winter woods. I +feel I could stay—forever!"</p> + +<p>They walked along a narrow path. There was a movement in the trees over +their heads.</p> + +<p>"What is that?" asked Amy, suddenly.</p> + +<p>"A bird, I guess. Did you think it was a bear?"</p> + +<p>Amy did not answer at once. Then she screamed as the grayish body of +some animal with curiously tufted ears, sprang from an overhanging +branch straight at her.</p> + +<p>Mr. Blackford, who was carrying a heavy cudgel, turned quickly at the +sound of Amy's voice, and pulled her to one side. He was not altogether +successful, for the keen claws of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> lynx grazed Amy's shoulder, +tearing through her coat and dress, ripping off the sleeves and leaving +her arm exposed to the shoulder, a slight scratch, through even the +thicknesses of cloth, bringing blood.</p> + +<p>With a snarl the beast turned as though to repeat the attack, but Mr. +Blackford brought down the cudgel on its head with such force that the +brute turned with a shrill cry of pain and fled.</p> + +<p>Then the young man, who had caught the almost fainting girl in his other +arm, turned his attention to her.</p> + +<p>"Amy—Amy!" he cried. "Are you hurt? Speak and tell me!"</p> + +<p>Slowly she opened her eyes. The blood came back into her cheeks, that +paled again at the sight of the crimson mark on her arm.</p> + +<p>"It is only a scratch—not deep," said Mr. Blackford, reassuringly. "The +brute leaped to one side. It must have been desperate to spring on you +that way."</p> + +<p>"What was it?" asked Amy, weakly.</p> + +<p>"A lynx—a fierce sort of beast. Wait, I will bind up your arm," and he +drew out his handkerchief.</p> + +<p>As he was winding the linen about the cut he started. A queer look came +over his face. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> stared at a mark—a strange red mark—on her +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"That—that!" stammered Mr. Blackford. "How did you come by that mark, +Amy?"</p> + +<p>He stood holding her arm—her arm whence the sleeves had been ripped, +and the young man was gazing with fascinated eyes at a peculiar +star-shaped mark in deep red imprinted on the white flesh. In red it +matched the ruddy hue of the blood drawn by the lynx.</p> + +<p>"Tell me," he said, hoarsely, "how did that mark come there?"</p> + +<p>"It is a birth mark," said Amy, slowly. "It has always been there. But +why—why do you question me so? Why do you look at me so strangely?"</p> + +<p>"Because, Amy, there may be something providential in this. Because +you—you may be my—sister!"</p> + +<p>"Your sister!" She started as though to pull away from him, but he held +her arm, continuing to gaze at the red mark.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he answered. "Wait. I must make sure this time. I have a drawing +of it. Let me compare it, please. You are not cold?"</p> + +<p>"No." Amy was pale, but her heart was pumping blood through her veins at +such a rapid rate that it seemed as if she would never be cold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> again. +The flow of blood from the scratches made by the beast had somewhat +lessened.</p> + +<p>From his pocket Mr. Blackford drew a paper. Amy could see that it +contained a drawing—an outline in red ink. The young man compared this +with the mark on her shoulder—a mark at which she had often wondered +herself.</p> + +<p>"It is the same—the very same," he murmured. "The same shape, the same +size, and in the same place. There can be no doubt of it, I think. Amy, +you must be—my sister!"</p> + +<p>"But—but," she stammered, "you said your sister had a 'V' shaped mark +on her arm, just above the elbow. Now you——"</p> + +<p>"I know I said that, but it was a mistake. Or, rather, that was not the +real identifying mark. The people on whom I relied did not send me all +the information they had.</p> + +<p>"My missing sister did have a mark on her arm—a mark shaped like a 'V,' +but it is not a birth mark. It was caused by the sharp point of a hot +flatiron when she was a child. But the main identifying mark is this red +one on the shoulder. You have it! Everything tallies with the new +information I have."</p> + +<p>"But you never said anything to us about this," spoke Amy, wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"I know it. I thought I had inflicted enough<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> of my family troubles on +you girls. I kept quiet about this. I determined to say nothing. But +now, when I saw this mark on you, I was sure. There can be no mistake. +Oh, Amy!" and his eyes filled with tears of joy.</p> + +<p>"I—I hope there is no mistake," she faltered. "I—perhaps it will be +well to say nothing to the others about it—just yet."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps. I will have further inquiries made, and then I will let you +know. Poor Amy! Does it pain you very much?" and he touched her arm +gently.</p> + +<p>"No, hardly any, now."</p> + +<p>"I will bind it up, and we will go back. Oh, Amy, I hope—I pray that it +may turn out you are my sister. I—I want you so much."</p> + +<p>"And I hope so, too," she said.</p> + +<p>The scratched arm was bandaged, and the torn sleeves adjusted as well as +could be. Then the two, upon whom Fate had payed such a strange trick, +walked back.</p> + +<p>"I had some hopes, when you first mentioned a birth mark," said Amy, +"that mine might prove to be the one you were looking for, but when you +spoke of one near the elbow I knew it could not be. This scar, which +does somewhat resemble a 'V,' was not a birth mark, though."</p> + +<p>"No, and that threw us all off. But I did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> not then know of the mistake +having been made. I only learned differently the other day, but I kept +silent about it. There had been disappointments enough. But when I saw +that mark on your shoulder, it came to me in a rush. Amy, you must be my +sister!"</p> + +<p>"I—I hope I am!"</p> + +<p>"But we will wait and make sure."</p> + +<p>To this she agreed. Of course they showed their excitement when they +joined the others—a double excitement—but the story of the lynx was +excuse enough for that, and no embarrassing questions were asked. Amy +was hurried back to the cabin to have her arm dressed properly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>CHRISTMAS JOYS</h3> + + +<p>They were gathered about a big fire on the hearth in the largest +cabin—the outdoor girls, the boys, Mr. Ford and others. The crackling +blaze leaped up the broad-throated chimney—it snapped with the energy +of Fourth of July pyrotechnics, and threw a ruddy glow on happy faces. +Betty sang:</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Merry, merry Christmas"> +<tr><td align='left'>"Merry, merry Christmas, everywhere,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cheerily it ringeth through the air.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Christmas bells, Christmas trees,</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Christmas odors on the breeze.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Merry, merry Christmas, everywhere,</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Cheerily it ringeth through the air!"</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>The others joined in, and then, clasping hands they circled around the +room, their shadows flickering in fantastic and gigantic shapes on the +wall as the fire danced with them.</p> + +<p>"It's going to be the best Christmas ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span>—the very best ever!" +murmured Amy, shyly, as she sat beside her—brother.</p> + +<p>"That's right, little girl," he said, patting her arm, the one torn by +the lynx. But he took good care to pat above the scratch, which had been +bandaged.</p> + +<p>For there was now no doubt that Amy and Mr. Blackford were brother and +sister. Following the strange revelation to him of the red mark on her +shoulder, the young business man had caused careful inquiries to be +made. There was no mistake this time. The baby picked up in the flood +had the red mark—Mr. Blackford's missing sister had the red mark, and +so had Amy. They were one and the same. This was sufficiently proved.</p> + +<p>And if other identification was needed, it was in the scar near Amy's +elbow—a scar which at one time she hoped would prove a means of +identifying her. And it did in a measure.</p> + +<p>For the mark was that made by the hot point of a flatiron. One had +fallen on her when she was a baby, making a bad burn that had healed +over in the course of time. This fact regarding Amy was learned from the +old diary found with her on the raft in the flood. And from another and +independent source it was learned that Mr. Blackford's missing sister +had a similar scar,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> caused by a like accident. Though years had almost +obliterated it, still it was sufficiently plain.</p> + +<p>"They can't get you away from me now, Amy," said Mr. Blackford, proudly.</p> + +<p>"I won't let them," added Amy, moving closer to him.</p> + +<p>"Pass the chocolates, Sis," ordered Will. "What is Christmas without +candy?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! to think of all the good luck we've had since we came to the winter +camp!" cried Grace, as she complied. "Papa gets his land back——"</p> + +<p>"Because you girls were lucky enough to discover the missing witness," +interrupted Mr. Ford.</p> + +<p>"Then Amy finds her brother," Grace went on, "and——"</p> + +<p>"All because a lynx happened to jump down out of a tree to bite her!" +cried Will, gaily.</p> + +<p>"And then—and then——" mused Grace.</p> + +<p>"Oh, here is a package that came by express for you to-day!" broke in +Mollie. "It's marked chocolates, but——"</p> + +<p>"Please give it to me!" cried Grace. "I was wondering what had become of +it."</p> + +<p>"That will keep her quiet for a while," said Will.</p> + +<p>It was three days after the sensational developments related in the +preceding chapter. Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> Blackford, recognizing the peculiar mark on +Amy's arm, tentatively decided she was his long-missing sister, and a +reference to the documents, as well as a communication with Mr. and Mrs. +Stonington, bore this out. Amy was not the relative of the Deepdale +Stoningtons. There had been a mix-up in the babies rescued from the +flood, and, as far as could be learned on hasty inquiry, the child of +Mrs. Stonington's relative had disappeared.</p> + +<p>"But I've got folks at last—real folks, even if it is only one," said +Amy, with a loving look at her brother, who regarded her affectionately.</p> + +<p>"You are a lucky girl," whispered Mollie, with a look at Mr. +Blackford—Henry they all called him now, since he was found to be +related to one of the outdoor girls.</p> + +<p>"And my name is Blackford—not Stonington," Amy went on. "I will feel +strange at first, but I can get used to it."</p> + +<p>"And to-morrow we'll go home for Christmas," said Betty, after a pause. +"Well, of course it will be nice in Deepdale, but we have had some +glorious times here; haven't we, girls?"</p> + +<p>"We have!" they all chorused—boys included.</p> + +<p>They had indulged in their last skating race<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> at camp, and taken a final +trip in the ice boat, the boys had voted to go home in the odd motor +craft, but the girls were to go by train, starting in the morning.</p> + +<p>"And now, one last song," suggested Betty. "All has ended well and +happily from the finding of Amy's brother to the regaining of Mr. Ford's +land. One last song!"</p> + +<p>They sang a Christmas carol, and then, in order to be up early, they +went to bed soon afterward.</p> + +<p>"Well, I wonder what will be next?" asked Mollie, as she bade Betty +good-night. "Can you imagine anything else happening to us?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered Betty, reflectively. "There are many more +things that <i>might</i> happen."</p> + +<p>And what they were will be related in the next volume of this series, +which will be entitled: "The Outdoor Girls in Florida; Or, Wintering in +the Sunny South." There we shall meet our old friends again in the land +of oranges and magnolias, and learn how they saw unusual sights in the +wilds of the interior.</p> + +<p>"You must wake and call me early, call me early, Mollie dear, for soon +it will be Christmas, the best time of all the year." Thus chanted Will +next morning under the window of the cabin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> occupied by the outdoor +girls. But the girls were already up, and packing.</p> + +<p>Ted Franklin was to be left in charge of the camp, and the valuable +timber strip so fortunately restored to Mr. Ford. Paddy Malone was to be +foreman of the new cutting gang, many of Mr. Jallow's employes hiring +out to Grace's father. The Jallows had gone back to Deepdale, as I have +said, the case against Mr. Jallow being dropped.</p> + +<p>"See you later!" called the girls to the boys, as the latter prepared to +go home in the auto ice boat. And as good-byes were called, the eyes of +Amy rested longest on the face of her newly-found brother. There was to +be a new life before her—she felt sure. A new and more happy life.</p> + +<p>And now that matters have turned out so well, we will take leave of the +Outdoor Girls.</p> + + +<h2>THE END</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><span class="u"><i>This Isn't All!</i></span></h2> + +<div class='blockquot'>Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in +this book?<br /> +<br /> +Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and +experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author?<br /> +<br /> +On the <i>reverse side</i> of the wrapper which comes with this book, you +will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same +store where you got this book.</div> + +<h3><i>Don't throw away the Wrapper</i></h3> + +<div class='blockquot'>Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But in +case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete catalog.</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<div class='center'>Author of the "Bobbsey Twins," "Bunny Brown" Series, Etc.</div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers.<br /> +Every Volume Complete in Itself.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='blockquot'><p>These are the tales of the various adventures participated in by a group +of bright, fun-loving, up-to-date girls who have a common bond in their +fondness for outdoor life, camping, travel and adventure. They are clean +and wholesome and free from sensationalism.</p></div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT FOAMING FALLS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ALONG THE COAST</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT SPRING HILL FARM</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT NEW MOON RANCH</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A HIKE</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <i>Publishers</i>, NEW YORK</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by</b><br /> + +<b>THELMA GOOCH</b><br /> +<br /> +<b>Every Volume Complete in Itself</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='blockquot'><p>The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City. +Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while +Margy, just out of a business school, obtained a position as a private +secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and businesslike, took what she called +a "job" in a department store.</p> + + +<div><b>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE</b></div> + +<p>A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE</b></div> + +<p>The Girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left an unusual +inheritance.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM</b></div> + +<p>Rose, still at work in the big department store, is one day faced with +the greatest problem of her life.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER</b></div> + +<p>Helen goes to the assistance of a strange girl, whose real identity is a +puzzle. Who the girl really was comes as a tremendous surprise.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION</b></div> + +<p>The girls go to the country for two weeks—and fall in with all sorts of +curious and exciting happenings.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S SECRET MISSION</b></div> + +<p>Of course we cannot divulge the big secret, but nevertheless the girls +as usual have many exciting experiences.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S ODD DISCOVERY</b></div> + +<p>A very interesting story, telling how Rose aided an old man in the +almost hopeless search for his daughter.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HELEN</b></div> + +<p>Helen calls on the art dealer on business and finds the old fellow has +made a wonderful discovery.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: SNOWBOUND IN CAMP</b></div> + +<p>An absorbing tale of winter happenings, full of excitement.</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <i>Publishers</i>, NEW YORK</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY</h3> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.</b><br /> + +<b>Every Volume Complete in Itself.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='blockquot'><p>A delightful series for girls in which they will follow Polly and +Eleanor through many interesting adventures and enjoyable trips to +various places in the United States, Europe and South America.</p></div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY AND ELEANOR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY IN NEW YORK</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY IN ALASKA</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="smcap">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>GIRL SCOUTS SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY</h3> + +<div class='center'>Author of the "Polly Brewster Books"</div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated</b><br /> +<b>Each Volume Complete in Itself.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='blockquot'><p>Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the Tom +Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are delightful stories +of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful surroundings and are filled with +stirring adventures.</p> + + +<div><br />GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP</div> + +<p>This is a story which centers around the making and the enjoying of a +mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively troop of Girl Scouts. The +charm of living in the woods, of learning woodcraft of all sorts, of +adventuring into the unknown, combine to make a busy and an exciting +summer for the girls.</p> + + +<div><br />GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS</div> + +<p>New scenery, new problems of camping, association with a neighboring +camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip with them through the Fulton +Chain, all in the setting of the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the +girls enlargement of horizon, new development, and new joys.</p> + + +<div><br />GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES</div> + +<p>On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as the Continental +Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails, canoeing through canyons, +shooting rapids, encountering a landslide, a summer blizzard, a sand +storm, wild animals, and forest fires, the girls pack the days full with +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'unforgetable'">unforgettable</ins> experiences.</p> + + +<div><br />GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO</div> + +<p>The Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona and New +Mexico. They travel over the old <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Sante'">Santa</ins> Fe trail, cross the Painted +Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon. Their exciting adventures form a +most interesting story.</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="smcap">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS</h2> + +<div class='center'><b>Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Coloured Wrappers.<br /> +Every Volume Complete in Itself.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='blockquot'><p>Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed +herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that +Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment, +while still at high school, she took charge of the woman's page for a +city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that +she left school to take entire charge of woman's work for the largest +daily in an important Eastern city.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Garis turned to girls' books directly after her marriage, and of +these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies them and +depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic.</p></div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Lillian Garis Books"> +<tr><td align='left'>A GIRL CALLED TED</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TED AND TONY, Two Girls of Today</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>CLEO'S MISTY RAINBOW</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>CLEO'S CONQUEST</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BARBARA HALE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>BARBARA HALE'S MYSTERY FRIEND;</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">(Formerly Barbara Hale and Cozette)</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>JOAN: JUST GIRL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>JOAN'S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>CONNIE LORING;</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">(Formerly Connie Loring's Ambition)</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>CONNIE LORING'S GYPSY FRIEND;</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">(Formerly Connie Loring's Dilemma)</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>NANCY BRANDON</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>NANCY BRANDON'S MYSTERY</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>AMY BELL MARLOWE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS</h2> + +<div class='center'><b>Charming, Fresh and Original Stories</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>Illustrated. Wrappers Printed in Colors with individual design for each +story</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='blockquot'><p>Miss Marlowe's books for girls are somewhat of the type of Miss Alcott +and also Mrs. Meade; but all are thoroughly up-to-date and wholly +American in scene and action. Good, clean absorbing tales that all girls +thoroughly enjoy.</p> + + +<div><b>THE OLDEST OF FOUR; Or, Natalie's Way Out.</b></div> + +<p>A sweet story of the struggles of a live girl to keep a family from +want.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>THE GIRLS AT HILLCREST FARM; Or, The Secret of the Rocks.</b></div> + +<p>Relating the trials of two girls who take boarders on an old farm.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>A LITTLE MISS NOBODY; Or, With the Girls of Pinewood Hall.</b></div> + +<p>Tells of a school girl who was literally a nobody until she solved the +mystery of her identity.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>THE GIRL FROM SUNSET RANCH; Or, Alone in a Great City.</b></div> + +<p>A ranch girl comes to New York to meet relatives she has never seen. Her +adventures make unusually good reading.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>WYN'S CAMPING DAYS; Or, The Outing of the GO-AHEAD CLUB.</b></div> + +<p>A tale of happy days on the water and under canvas, with a touch of +mystery and considerable excitement.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>FRANCES OF THE RANGES; Or, The Old Ranchman's Treasure.</b></div> + +<p>A vivid picture of life on the great cattle ranges of the West.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>THE GIRLS OF RIVERCLIFF SCHOOL; Or, Beth Baldwin's Resolve.</b></div> + +<p>This is one of the most entertaining stories centering about a girl's +school that has ever been written.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>WHEN ORIOLE CAME TO HARBOR LIGHT.</b></div> + +<p>The story of a young girl, cast up by the sea, and rescued by an old +lighthouse keeper.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>WHEN ORIOLE TRAVELED WESTWARD.</b></div> + +<p>Oriole visits the family of a rich ranchman and enjoys herself +immensely.</p> + + +<div><br /><b>WHEN ORIOLE WENT TO BOARDING SCHOOL.</b></div> + +<p>How this brave girl bears up under the most trying experiences, makes a +very interesting story.</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <i>Publishers</i>, NEW YORK</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS</h2> + +<div class='center'><b>Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>THE MARJORIE BOOKS</h3> + +<div class='blockquot'><p>Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of +goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will +see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure.</p></div> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE MAJORIE BOOKS"> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S VACATION</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE IN COMMAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S MAYTIME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE AT SEACOTE</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES</h3> + +<div class='blockquot'><p>Introducing Dorinda Fayre—a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a +little slow, and Dorothy Rose—a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, +high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes.</p></div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES"> +<tr><td align='left'>TWO LITTLE WOMEN</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS</h3> + +<div class='blockquot'><p>Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks, +their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories +"really true" to young readers.</p></div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS"> +<tr><td align='left'>DICK AND DOLLY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="smcap">Publishers, New York</span></div> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> + +<p>One instance each of "airhole", "air-hole," "motorcycle," "motor-cycle," "noncommittally," and "non-committally," +was retained.</p> + +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. +Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp, by +Laura Lee Hope + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP *** + +***** This file should be named 19607-h.htm or 19607-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/6/0/19607/ + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, J.P.W. Fraser, Emmy +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/19607-h/images/p001.jpg b/19607-h/images/p001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dd43382 --- /dev/null +++ b/19607-h/images/p001.jpg diff --git a/19607-h/images/p084.jpg b/19607-h/images/p084.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c37d08 --- /dev/null +++ b/19607-h/images/p084.jpg diff --git a/19607-h/images/p168.jpg b/19607-h/images/p168.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..572be60 --- /dev/null +++ b/19607-h/images/p168.jpg diff --git a/19607.txt b/19607.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6fe3e5c --- /dev/null +++ b/19607.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6569 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp, by Laura Lee Hope + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp + Glorious Days on Skates and Ice Boats + +Author: Laura Lee Hope + +Release Date: October 23, 2006 [EBook #19607] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP *** + + + + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, J.P.W. Fraser, Emmy +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + + + +The Outdoor Girls +In a Winter Camp + +OR + +GLORIOUS DAYS ON SKATES +AND ICE BOATS + +BY +LAURA LEE HOPE + +AUTHOR OF "THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE," "THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW +LAKE," "THE BOBBSEY TWINS," "THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE," ETC. + +_ILLUSTRATED_ + + NEW YORK + GROSSET & DUNLAP + PUBLISHERS + + Made in the United States of America + + + + +=BOOKS FOR GIRLS= + +BY LAURA LEE HOPE + + * * * * * + +=THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES= + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA + + +=THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS= + +For Little Men and Women + + THE BOBBSEY TWINS + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE + + * * * * * + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + COPYRIGHT, 1913, BY + GROSSET & DUNLAP. + + * * * * * + +THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP + +[Illustration: "SLOW DOWN--DON'T RUN INTO ANYTHING!" BEGGED BETTY. + +_The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp._ _Frontispiece_ (_Page 106._)] + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + I DANGER 1 + II A FINE CHANCE 14 + III THE COMPLICATIONS 24 + IV MR. BLACKFORD'S CLUE 30 + V UNPLEASANT NEWS 40 + VI PREPARATIONS 47 + VII OFF FOR CAMP 57 + VIII A SPILL 66 + IX GETTING SETTLED 74 + X WARNED OFF 81 + XI THE RIVALS 88 + XII IN A BIG STORM 99 + XIII THE MISSING PIECE 107 + XIV AN ICE BOAT RACE 116 + XV IN A TRAP 125 + XVI TROUBLE 131 + XVII A SNOW FIGHT 140 + XVIII THE AUTO ICE BOAT 146 + XIX MAROONED 153 + XX TO THE RESCUE 160 + XXI A HELPING HAND 166 + XXII THE OLD LUMBERMAN 178 + XXIII REVELATIONS 183 + XXIV THE LYNX 191 + XXV CHRISTMAS JOYS 203 + + + + +THE OUTDOOR GIRLS +IN A WINTER CAMP + + + + +CHAPTER I + +DANGER + + +"How cold it is!" exclaimed Grace Ford, wrapping closer about her a fur +neck-piece, and plunging her gloved hands deeper into the pockets of her +maroon sweater. "I had no idea it was so chilling!" + +"Nonsense!" cried Betty Nelson, her cheeks aglow. "Skate about, and +you'll soon be warm enough. Isn't it glorious, Mollie?" + +"Surely, and the ice is perfect. Come on Grace, and we'll see who'll be +first to the bend!" and Mollie, her dark eyes dancing under the spell of +the day, circled about the almost shivering Grace, doing a gliding waltz +on skates. + +"I don't want to race!" protested the tall, slim girl who had complained +about the weather. + +"Oh, but you must!" insisted Betty. "Come, we'll have a short, sharp +one, and then you'll feel so warm you'll wonder you ever said it was +chilly." + +"I wish I had brought along that vacuum bottle of hot chocolate, as I +intended," murmured Grace, reflectively. + +"Nobody stopped you!" exclaimed Mollie, a trifle sharply. Of late she +had had less and less patience with the "confectionery-failing" of +Grace, as she termed it. + +"Yes, you did!" declared the cold one. "You and Bet were in such a rush +I didn't have time. I wish I hadn't come skating," and Grace permitted +as much of a frown to gather on her pretty face as she ever indulged +herself in--for Grace, be it known, was just a trifle vain, and +desperately afraid of a wrinkle. + +"Oh, well, come on and skate!" invited Betty. "Amy and I will race you +and Mollie, Grace. That will--make us all feel better," for the Little +Captain, as she was often called, saw just the shadow of a cloud +gathering over the two chums, who seldom, or never, quarreled. + +"Does Amy want to?" asked Grace, glancing at a quiet girl who was +adjusting her skates. Amy was always quiet, but of late her chums had +noted that she was more than usually so. And they guessed, rightly, that +it had to do with the mystery surrounding her identity, which mystery +Amy had almost given up hope of solving. + +"Yes, I'll race," said Amy gently, and she smiled. Amy was always +willing to oblige, and she did not often consult her own personal +feelings. + +Something like a look of disappointment passed over the countenance of +Grace. Seeing it Mollie laughed. + +"Grace was hoping Amy would say no, so she could get out of it!" cried +vivacious Mollie. "That's the time you didn't say the right thing, Amy." + +"Oh, well, if nothing but a race will satisfy you, I suppose I must," +and Grace gave in "gracefully." "I'm nearly perished standing still, +anyhow, and skating can't make me much worse." + +"It will be all the better," insisted Betty. "Now we'll race in this +fashion--team work to count. Amy and I in one team, you and Grace in the +other, Mollie. Whichever member of the team gets to the bend first will +win. You see," Betty explained, "one of a team might fall, or turn her +ankle, or get tired, and then the other could keep on. It's like a relay +race." + +"Oh, well, if I have to--I suppose I have to," and Grace said this with +such a doleful sigh that the others laughed heartily, even quiet Amy +joining. + +"On your marks!" cried Betty. "Let's show that we are worthy of our +names--true Outdoor Girls." + +"Show who?" asked Grace looking around. + +"Well, here comes your brother Will, for one, and I think Allen Washburn +and Frank Haley are with him," spoke Betty, shading her eyes with her +hands, and gazing off across the sparkling surface of the frozen Argono +River. + +"Can't you see Percy Falconer?" asked Mollie mischievously, referring to +a certain foppish lad, who seemed to have a great fondness for the +Little Captain. + +"If there was any snow here I'd wash your face!" cried Betty, her cheeks +flaming more than before--for, be it known, she did not reciprocate the +feeling that "burned in Percy's manly bosom," to quote the rather +jeering remarks of Grace. + +"I'd rather Allen would do it," murmured Mollie. "That is, if you will +let him, Betty." + +"Let him? Why shouldn't I?" demanded Betty rather sharply, but she +turned her head away, and bit her lips. + +"Oh, nothing, only the other night, when you and he went on such a long +walk down the road, I thought perhaps you might have come to some +understanding----" + +"Mollie Billette, if you don't stop----!" began Betty, and then the +approach of three young men on their ringing skates forced her to +conclude rather quickly. + +"Hello, girls," greeted Will Ford, the brother of the willowy Grace, +"what's doing?" Will was just the opposite of his sister, being rather +short and chunky. + +"We're going to have a race," said Betty quickly, perhaps to forestall +any resumption of the embarrassing conversation, now that the subject of +it was present. + +"A race!" exclaimed Allen, a rising young lawyer. "May we join in?" + +"This is strictly a ladies' relay race," explained Mollie. "You may be +judges, or starters and offer the prizes, though, if you like." + +"And the prizes----?" suggested Frank, who was Will's special chum. + +"Hot chocolates when we go back to town," said Betty quickly. "I know +Grace will agree." + +"Indeed I will," the latter said. "I don't care how much fun you make of +me, but I am cold, and--and----" + +"Us 'ikes tandy--don't us!" interrupted Will, mimicking the little twin +brother and sister of Mollie, whose penchant for sweets was only +equalled by the longing of Grace. + +"Easy," said Betty softly. "Well, if we're going to race, let's do it. +Boys, you see fair play. It's to be down to the bend and back." + +"No, not back!" declared Amy. "I can't do as much as that at top speed." + +"Well, then, just to the bend," agreed Betty, indicating a spot where +the river made a turn, about a mile away. + +"We'll skate along," suggested Allen. "It is a bit chilly, and the +exercise will be good for us. Get ready girls. I'm sorry we haven't a +pistol to fire." + +"This will do!" exclaimed Will, producing a paper bag. "It _had_ +chocolates in," he added with a sly look at his sister. + +"Oh!" she cried. + +"Nothing doing!" he added quickly if slangily. "Nothing but crumbs," and +he proceeded to empty them into his mouth, and then blew up the bag. +"When I burst it--go!" he called. + +The sharp report of the exploding bag echoed on the keen, wintry air, +and the four girls glided off on their skates. Mollie and Betty, the two +best skaters, rather hung back, letting the more unskillful Amy and +Grace lead the way. The boys skated together in the rear. + +"When are you going to spurt?" called Will, as he saw that the pace was +not increasing much. + +"Time enough," replied Betty, narrowly watching her rival, Mollie. + +"That isn't skating!" declared Frank with a laugh. "You girls are only +creeping." + +But at that instant Grace, at a signal from Mollie, darted ahead, and +then the race began in earnest, for Amy, at a nod from the Little +Captain did likewise, and then Mollie and Betty, holding themselves in +readiness for the burst of speed that would take place at the finish, +came after. + +"Now they're off!" cried Will. "A pound of chocolates to the winner!" + +Three-quarters of the way to the bend Amy showed signs of fatigue. +Betty, noting it, called to her: + +"I'll take it now." + +"So will I!" agreed Mollie, and Grace, gliding to one side, allowed her +partner to take the lead. + +"Now they're off!" cried Will again. + +"Thank goodness, I'm warm, anyhow!" remarked Grace, a rosy glow +replacing the former paleness of her cheeks. + +Leaving Amy and Grace to follow on more leisurely, the youths rushed up +to see the finish of the race. It was close, but by unanimous decision +they awarded the contest to Betty. + +"Oh, I'm so glad you won, anyhow!" declared Mollie with fine spirit. +"You earned it, Betty dear, but I thought I was going to beat you, until +the very end." + +"Yes, and you might have, only your left skate was loose," said Betty. +"I noticed it. Suppose we try it over?" + +"Indeed not! My skate did loosen," spoke Mollie, "but I wasn't going to +say anything about it. You won fairly Betty, and I'm too exhausted to +try again. Now if the boys will----" + +"Oh, we'll fulfill our part of the program!" declared Will promptly. +"Come on back to the village whenever you like, and order what you wish. +Or we can go on to the store of the poetical Mr. Lagg if you prefer." + +"It's too far," protested Grace, who, with Amy, had come up now. +"Besides he doesn't serve hot chocolate." + +"Then thou shalt have thy hot chocolate, sister mine!" cried Will, +rubbing her ears. + +"Oh, stop it!" she begged. "You hurt dreadfully, Will!" + +"That's the way to make them warm," and he got back out of the way in +time to avoid having his own ears soundly boxed. + +Slowly the young people skated back. There were a number of others on +the ice now, and soon our friends were in the midst of quite a throng. + +"Here come Alice Jallow and Kittie Rossmore," murmured Mollie. "I hope +they don't tag along after us." + +"They're likely to," said Grace. "Though since that last little trouble +they haven't been as unpleasant as they used to be." + +The boys circled away from Betty and her chums momentarily, and the two +girls referred to came skating past. They bowed rather coldly, and then, +an acquaintance of theirs joining them, they stopped to chat with the +latter. Mollie's skate again becoming loosened, she halted to adjust it, +her friends waiting for her. It was thus that they overheard what Alice +Jallow was saying to Margaret Black, the girl who had just come up. + +"Yes," Alice spoke, "she gives herself as many airs as if she was +somebody, instead of a nobody." + +"A nobody?" repeated Margaret, wonderingly, "why----" + +"Yes, indeed! She isn't even sure her name is Stonington, and as for Mr. +and Mrs. Stonington being her uncle and aunt as she says, why, I heard +the other day that there is doubt of that even. She and her chums think +themselves high and mighty, but we wouldn't go with anybody that didn't +know who they were!" + +"But I thought there was something about a flood in the West----" + +"Oh, yes, that's the story she gave out, but I, for one don't believe +it. She's a nobody, and that's all there is to it!" + +Then Alice, leaving her bitter words echoing on the wintry air, which +carried them clearly to poor Amy, skated off. Perhaps Alice had not +meant that she should be overheard, but such was the case. She did not +take the trouble to look and see if the one to whom she referred was +within hearing distance. + +At the first intimation of what was coming Betty had started off, as did +the other girls. Mollie seemed to have a notion of rushing over to Alice +and the others, but Grace, by a gesture, warned her not to. + +Poor Amy's eyes filled with tears. She turned aside and Betty made as +though to skate after her, intending to offer words of sympathy, but +this time Mollie shook her head. + +"Perhaps she had better be alone for a little while," she whispered. +"Sometimes that is the best way to pass it off. Oh, but that Alice +Jallow is a--cat!" + +No one disagreed with Mollie this time. + +Tears blinded the eyes of poor Amy. She skated on out of the crowd, +toward a part of the frozen river where there were no merry-makers. She +did not want to look on pleasure now, for her heart ached from the +bitter words she had overheard--words, she realized, that might be but +too true. + +Blindly she skated on, not heeding, and scarcely caring where she went. +Her only desire was to get away where she could be by herself, to think +it out--to try and devise a way of setting at rest all the rumors about +her. For the rumors had grown apace of late, and from a source she could +not determine. It might be that what she had just heard was a clue. + +Amy had thought of appealing to Mr. and Mrs. Stonington, with whom she +lived, and who, for many years she had regarded as father and mother. +Then, a few months back, she had learned that they were but uncle and +aunt. Now it seemed that she was to lose even this relationship. It was +a bitter blow, especially to one so young in years. + +To briefly mention the mystery of Amy, I might say that she was picked +up when an infant, afloat on a raft in a flood in a western city. Pinned +to her baby dress was an envelope containing the name of Mr. Stonington +of Deepdale. He had been telegraphed for, and took charge of the +infant. + +It was supposed that the mother of the baby was a distant relative of +Mrs. Stonington, for the latter had a cousin who resided in the western +city. It was believed that, finding herself about to perish, the mother +did what she could to insure the salvation of her child, and pinned a +note to her dress so that relatives would look after her if the baby was +saved. + +But only the envelope was found, together with an old and torn diary +that gave no tangible clue. + +And this was the mystery of Amy's life. As I have said, after living for +years in the belief that Mr. and Mrs. Stonington were her parents, they +had told her the truth. Now it seemed that there was to be another +change. + +"Oh, but why must it be so?" mourned poor Amy. "Why can't I be like +other girls?" + +The tears rushed to her eyes. She could not see, and she skated rapidly +on, only wanting to get away. + +She heard the ringing of steel runners behind her, but would not turn. +Then a voice--a boy's voice--called: + +"Look out! Look out where you're going, Amy! The ice is thin up there, +and you're going right toward an air-hole! There's danger! Look out!" + +If Amy heard she gave no sign nor heed. On she skated, and then the +voice behind her called in startled tones: + +"What do you mean? Amy, turn! Turn back before it is too late! You'll be +drowned!" + +The skater behind fairly rushed forward, for he had seen what the +tear-blinded girl had not--black water showing through a hole in the +ice. And Amy was headed directly for this opening. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A FINE CHANCE + + +"That Alice Jallow is certainly the meanest girl in Deepdale!" declared +Mollie, with vehemence. + +"And Kittie isn't much better," added Grace, with spirit. "I don't see +how Margaret can go with them." + +"She's a newcomer here, that's the reason," said Betty--bouncing Betty +she was now, for she was whirling about and "teetering" on her skates in +a dizzying fashion. "When she gets to know those girls she won't have +any more to do with them than--we do." + +"And there was a time, even after they made those first slurring remarks +about Amy, that they seemed real nice," spoke Grace. + +"It was too good to last," asserted Mollie. "Oh--the cat!" + +Mollie shot out the word as though she would like to exercise some of +the proclivities of a feline herself, and scratch. + +"What possessed her to stop where she did, and talk loud enough for Amy +to hear?" asked Grace. + +"It's hard to tell," decided Betty with a sigh. "Shall we go after her?" +and she nodded in the direction taken by Amy, who could not now be seen +because of the intervening crowds. + +"No; best let her cry it out, poor child," said Mollie, softly. "She was +crying when she skated away." + +"Well, if we can find the boys we'll just mildly hint that those +chocolates are about due," observed Grace, and she and the others looked +about for Will and his chums, little dreaming of the danger which, at +that moment, menaced poor Amy. + +Those of you who have read the previous books of this series need no +special introduction to my heroines. Others may care for just a brief +one. The initial volume, entitled "The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale; Or, +Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health," told how Betty, Mollie, Grace +and Amy decided to go on a walking tour. Incidentally they solved the +mystery of a five hundred dollar bill, and won the lasting gratitude of +a Mr. Henry Blackford, a young business man. + +In the second book, "The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake; Or, The +Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat _Gem_," there was a queer ghostly +mystery on an island, but the girls were a match for it. As may be +guessed from the title, the story has to do with boating, Betty having +become the proud possessor of a fine craft. + +When Mollie Billette got her touring car the girls saw no end of good +times ahead of them, and their hopes were fully realized. The third +volume, named "The Outdoor Girls in a Motor Car; Or, The Haunted Mansion +of Shadow Valley," involved the girls from the very start in a series of +queer happenings. They could not discover, until the very end, why a +certain girl fell out of a tree. And as for the strange manifestations +in the mysterious old mansion--but there, it would not be fair to betray +the secret in such a fashion. + +The beautiful Fall weather gave the girls a chance to make long tours in +the car, and they enjoyed every minute spent in the open. And now they +were on the edge of winter. + +A cold snap had frozen over the Argono River, on the pleasant banks of +which was located Deepdale, the thriving town where our friends lived. +And they were out enjoying the sport when Amy overheard the cruel words +that sent her off crying. + +I might add something about the personal lives of the four chums, by +saying that Betty was an only child, that Grace had a lovable brother +Will, and Mollie a small brother and sister--Paul and Dodo--twins, who +were alternately called the "cutest" and the "most mischievous" +youngsters in existence. Of Amy's mystery I have already hinted. + +When Will Ford saw the danger in which his sister's chum was +unconsciously placing herself he fairly raced forward. There was need to +act promptly, and Will did so. Skating in a diagonal direction he fairly +collided with the girl, and forced her out of her course, and away from +the dangerous hole that yawned there just before her. + +"Amy!" Will cried. "What is the matter?" + +Amy looked up with a start, and Will saw that she had been crying. + +"I--I don't know," she stammered. "I guess I wasn't looking where I was +going." + +"I should say not!" cried Will. "Look there!" and he pointed to the open +water that seemed so black and ugly in contrast with the pure ice. + +"Oh--oh!" she gasped. "Was--was I skating toward that?" + +"Right toward it!" exclaimed Will. "I couldn't do anything else than +shove you to one side. I hope I didn't hurt you." + +"Oh, no, Will, it was good of you. I--I didn't know what I was doing. I +was thinking--thinking----" + +She hesitated, and again tears came into her eyes. + +"Can I do anything for you--has anything happened?" he asked, eagerly. +"Has anyone----" + +"Oh, no, Will. It is--nothing." + +"Then let's go back to the others," he proposed. "They may be getting +anxious about you." + +"No, Will, I'd rather not go back--just now. I'll go on--home." Amy +hesitated over the word. "I can take a short cut across the fields." + +"Then let me take off your skates," he said, gently. Perhaps he guessed +at something that had occurred. "Come over to shore and I'll have them +off in a jiffy. Then I'll walk home with you." + +"No, Will," said Amy, in a low voice. "I had rather go alone, really I +would. Just tell the girls----" + +She hesitated again, and seemed unable to speak. + +"Tell them I am all right--that I want to be alone. They will +understand." + +"Very well." He skated with her to the bank, where she sat on a log. +Then, with her skates dangling over her shoulder, Amy set off across the +snow-covered fields alone--with bowed head--and into her eyes the tears +came again as she thought of what she had heard. + +Will watched her, shook his head once or twice, as though puzzled, and +then skated back toward his sister and the others. + +"Where's Amy?" Grace demanded, anxiously, as he came in sight. + +"Gone home." + +"Home? Why didn't you go with her?" asked Mollie, quickly. + +"She wouldn't let me. Say, she acted mighty funny. She was skating +along, looking down, and she came within a few feet of going into an air +hole. I had to almost knock her to one side. She seemed dazed. Did +anything happen?" + +"Yes, there did," said Grace, promptly. "And the less said about it the +better. It was that horrid Alice Jallow making slurring remarks about +Amy. We won't take any notice of her after this. Oh, how mean she is!" +Briefly, she told Will what had happened. + +"That accounts for it," he said. "Poor Amy! No wonder she didn't look +where she was going. She might have been drowned." + +"Don't say that!" cried Betty, sharply. + +"Why not, when it's the truth?" + +Betty gave the woman's reason. + +"Because." + +Frank and Allen came skating up. + +"Come!" cried Grace, as joyfully as possible under the circumstances. +"The prizes--our chocolates, boys!" + +"Of course!" added Allen. "But where is Amy?" + +"She'll be along later--maybe," and Will winked at his chum as a signal +not to be too inquisitive. The young lawyer understood and nodded. + +Soon the party of young people were in a drug store, partaking of hot +chocolates, and talking of the fun on the ice, while Grace spent some +time at the candy counter, selecting a new variety of chocolates. + +That evening Betty and Mollie called on Grace. + +"Let's go over and cheer Amy up," proposed Betty, who was always +thinking of some kindness. + +"All right," agreed Grace. "Come into the library a moment. I'll get you +that book I promised, Betty. Oh, it's just splendid! You won't stop +until you finish it." + +"Good!" + +"Oh, Papa, I didn't know you were here!" exclaimed Grace, as, leading +her chums into the library, she discovered her father busy over a mass +of papers on the table. + +"That's all right," he invited. "Come right in. It's only a little legal +tangle I'm trying to straighten out," for Mr. Ford was a well-known +lawyer. + +"Anything we can help you with?" asked Betty, with a smile. + +"I'm afraid not," he answered, laughing. "I've just been appointed +receiver of a bankrupt lumber camp up in the North Woods, and I've got +to arrange for some one to stay there during the winter to see that it +isn't disturbed. It comes just at the wrong time, too. I'm so busy I +don't know how I can spare the time to go up there and straighten things +out. Where are you going, Grace?" + +"Over to see poor Amy Stonington. It's too bad! She heard something more +about her mystery to-day, Daddy, and she nearly skated into an +airhole--she was so upset. Isn't it horrid?" + +"Yes, it is too bad about Amy," said Mr. Ford, for he knew the story, as +did many in Deepdale. "She ought to get out and away from the +influences around here. Stonington ought to take her away." + +He was musing for a moment. Then a queer expression came over his face. + +"Girls!" he cried. "I think I have something that will just fill the +bill!" + +"Oh, Papa!" cried Grace, clapping her hands. "When you talk that way I +know something is going to happen!" + +"Well, we'll see," he answered. "As I understand it, the High School +won't open until late this winter, on account of the repairs not being +finished." + +"That's right, Daddy!" cried Grace. "Not until after Christmas. Go on!" + +"Well, about this lumber camp that I've got to get someone to take +charge of. It seems that there are some bungalows or cabins in it that +can be hired out to campers. Now if----" + +"Daddy, I've guessed it!" cried Grace, jumping up and putting her arms +about his neck. "You're going to let us go up there to a winter camp. +Aren't you?" + +"I was thinking of it," he confessed. "It seems to me to be a fine +chance for you to get all the fresh air you want. And I suggest that you +take Amy along. What she needs is a change of environment. She has had +too much of Deepdale of late. Could you take her with you?" + +"Of course, Daddy!" cried Grace. "Oh, what a lovely opportunity! We +could get Cousin Jane to go with us, perhaps," and she looked at Mollie, +whose cousin had chaperoned them on the auto tour. + +"Yes, she could," said Mr. Ford, slowly. "And I was thinking of an old +lumberman and his wife whom I might appoint as care-takers of the camp. +They could help look after you." + +"As if we needed looking after!" challenged Grace. + +"Well, we'll think about it," he said. "If you girls want to go to a +winter camp, I see no reason why you could not. Of course there are +complications, but perhaps we can get over those." + +"Complications!" cried Grace. "Girls, we'll not stir another step until +we hear all about those complications! It sounds very interesting." + +"It surely does," agreed Betty and Mollie. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE COMPLICATIONS + + +"Before I begin," said Mr. Ford, as he glanced over the papers that +littered the table, "let me ask, has anything new come up about your +friend Amy? Is she any nearer solving the mystery of her identity?" + +"No," replied Betty. + +"Then what occurred to-day?" + +"Oh, it was that horrid Alice Jallow!" exclaimed Mollie. "Excuse me, Mr. +Ford!" she cried, impulsively, "but I just can't help saying it." + +"You are excused," he said, smiling. + +By turns the girls told what had happened on the ice. + +"Humph! Rather strange," mused the lawyer. "Quite a coincidence. I don't +believe I ever told you, Grace," and he looked at his daughter, "but, as +a matter of fact, I am the principal owner of this lumber camp where you +girls may go." + +"No, you never told me, Daddy." + +"Well, I am. I bought it some time ago as an investment, but things went +wrong. I guess the right men didn't have charge. Neither the lumber +business, nor the leasing of camp sites and bungalows to Summer +vacationists and Fall hunters, paid. The matter got into the courts and +I had myself named as receiver, so I could better look after my +interest. Now I don't know just what I am going to do, except that I +want some one up there to see to things. If I can get Ted Franklin and +his wife I know it will be all right, and you girls will have a fine +time with them. + +"You can have a bungalow or a cabin or two to yourselves, if you like, +and lay in enough provisions for all winter. It's on a branch of the +Argono River," he went on, "and you can skate all the way to camp on the +ice, if you like. But we'll discuss the details later." + +"What about the complications, Daddy?" asked Grace, laughing. + +"I'm coming to them. Mr. Jallow, the father of your friend Alice----" + +"She isn't our friend," said Grace, quickly. + +"Well, anyhow, her father is mixed up in this lumber camp business. He +owns a lot of property next to mine, and he claims some that I think +should belong to me." + +"He does?" cried Mollie. "That's just like the Jallows! Always taking +what doesn't belong to them--even the reputation of other girls. She +borrowed my botany a year ago and never returned it." + +Mr. Ford smiled. + +"I don't know anything about the girl Alice," he said, "but that Jallow +is certainly a sharper, to be moderate. He and I will have a clash if he +doesn't look out!" and Mr. Ford's hands clenched. + +"What about, Daddy?" asked Grace. + +"Why, as I said, he claims some land that I think is mine. When I bought +this lumber camp, and formed a company, with myself as the largest +stockholder, I was given to understand that a certain tract, containing +valuable timber, went with my purchase. I had it surveyed, and I +supposed I had title to this big strip, that joins on some land Jallow +owns. + +"We didn't cut any trees on this strip for some years, and here this +Fall, when we started in on it, Jallow stopped us by an injunction from +the court." + +"By what right?" asked Betty. + +"Why, he claimed that valuable strip was his. I contested, of course, +but it seems that there was a mix-up in the landmarks. Those by which I +went, when I had my survey made, had disappeared, and others which were +accepted by the court seemed to indicate that the land was Jallow's. But +I know better. I was there at the survey, and saw the marks. The trouble +is that I couldn't prove it. My word alone was not enough, and the +surveyor, I am sorry to say, is dead." + +"Then you can never prove it is your land, Daddy?" + +"Well, if I could find an old lumberman--Paddy Malone he called +himself--if I could find him, I might prove my case, for he was with me +at the time, he and a couple of his friends, and he saw where the stakes +and stone piles were. But Paddy seems to have disappeared." + +"That's too bad!" exclaimed Mollie, sympathetically. + +"Yes. Well, I may be able to do something later. I am sure the landmarks +were changed--if not by Jallow, by some one interested with him. The +strip they claim, and which I say is mine, is the most valuable in the +woods. I wish I could establish title to it, but unless I can find +Paddy, or some of his friends, I'm afraid I'll have to lose. + +"That is the complication I spoke of. But it need not hinder you girls +from going to spend the winter in camp--or at least part of the +winter." + +"Will there be any danger?" asked Grace, rather timidly. + +"No, not at all. You won't be mixed up in the legal proceedings. Nothing +will be done, anyhow, until Spring. Then I'll see what can be +accomplished. I only want a legal representative in the camp, in case +Jallow tries any more sharp tricks. He has won the first skirmish, +however, so I don't believe he'll make another move until I do. It only +complicates matters, though. + +"Now, if you girls think you'd like to go winter camping, why, say the +word, find out if your folks will let you," and Mr. Ford looked at +Mollie and Betty, "and I'll arrange with Ted Franklin and his wife." + +"Of course we'll go, Daddy!" cried Grace, dancing about the room. "It +will be just lovely; won't it, girls?" + +"Scrumptious!" agreed Mollie. + +"I'm sure I can go!" declared Betty. "Now let's go tell poor Amy!" + +"Yes, I think the change will do her good," said Mr. Ford, reflectively. +"Those Jallows--well, perhaps the least said about them the better." + +Talking excitedly over the chance that had been offered to them, Grace, +Mollie and Betty were soon on their way to the home of Amy Stonington. +They found their chum in better spirits. The gloom of the day had +passed, and she smiled, though wanly. + +By common, though unspoken, consent, the little episode of the afternoon +was not referred to. + +"But, oh! we've got the finest news!" cried Betty, enthusiastically. +"We're going winter camping! Think of that! Winter camping!" + +"Tell me about it!" commanded Amy, her face brightening. And they told +her. + +The description had been nearly finished, and from Mr. and Mrs. +Stonington had been exacted a tentative promise that Amy could go if the +rest did, when the telephone bell rang. + +"It's Will on the wire," said Amy to Grace. "He wants to speak to you." + +"How did he know I was here?" asked Grace, as she took the receiver from +her chum. "Oh, papa must have told him. Yes, what is it, Will? What! Mr. +Blackford there? And he has some strange news of his missing sister? +Yes, you and he can come right over!" + +She turned and gazed with startled eyes at her chums. + +"I--I wonder if he has found her?" faltered Mollie. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +MR. BLACKFORD'S CLUE + + +"Hope I didn't disturb any family party," apologized Mr. Blackford, when +he and Will called at the Stonington home a little later that evening. + +"Not at all," greeted Amy. "Come in. We are planning another season of +activity." + +"I might have guessed," answered the young man who had been so +peculiarly involved in the five hundred dollar bill mystery. "You +Outdoor Girls are always doing something novel. What is it this time?" + +"A winter camp!" they cried in chorus. + +"List to the pretty maidens!" sung Will, mockingly, as he assumed a +theatrical attitude. + +"Behave!" ordered his sister, whereat Will proceeded to contort himself +in various ways to the great amusement of the girls. + +"That's fine!" exclaimed Mr. Blackford--"fine that you can go camping, I +mean--not Will's circus act. But I must apologize for coming in on you +this way. I happened to have some business in town, and as I received a +curious bit of news I thought you girls might be interested. It's about +my missing sister," he added, simply. "I've told you how I have been +searching for her. + +"Perhaps I shouldn't bother you with my family troubles," he continued, +hesitatingly, "but, somehow, ever since you helped me out so in the +matter of that five hundred dollars, I have felt as though you did +really take an interest in me, as I do in you. And, as I haven't any +real folks of my own--so far," and he smiled, "naturally I come to you. +Shall I go on?" + +The girls nodded. After making the acquaintance of the young man in the +manner related in our first volume, they had learned the queer fact of +Mr. Blackford having a sister of whom he had lost track. At one time he +hoped it might develop that she was the strange girl who fell out of the +tree, but it was not so. This girl, Carrie Norton, had, after spending +some time in Deepdale, departed to live with a distant relative. + +Mr. Blackford had engaged a firm which made a specialty of locating +missing persons to look for his sister, but so far there had been no +result. + +"And it doesn't look as though this were going to be very promising," +the young man went on. "You know this searching firm has been delving +among my wood-pile relations, as I call them, looking for clues," he +went on. "They are getting all the old documents, bits of family +history, descriptions, and so on, that they can lay hands on. It all +helps, in a way, but we haven't had much luck so far. But you may be +interested in something that just came up, and you may be able to help +me. + +"I've been traveling about, in connection with my business, and as I +knew I would 'make' this town to-night, I had all my mail sent here. +Imagine my surprise when I got to my hotel, a little while ago, to find +the most promising clue yet." + +"What is it?" asked Betty, eagerly. + +"I thought you might be interested," said the young man, "and that is +why I called at your house," and he nodded to Will. + +"You had gone out," remarked Will to Grace, "so I asked dad where, as +the maid said you'd all been in the library. Then I called up here," and +he nodded to Amy. + +"Glad you did," she returned. She seemed to have forgotten the trouble +of the afternoon. + +"Well," went on Mr. Blackford, "I feared it was a sort of imposition to +come, and----" + +"I told him it wasn't at all," interrupted Will. + +"So on I came," proceeded the young business man. + +"But what is the clue?" asked Grace, interestedly. + +"This," was the reply, as he took some papers from his pocket. "But it's +a clue that----" + +"Isn't a clue," put in Will. + +"Because----" + +"It breaks off in the middle." + +"Oh, Will, let him tell it; can't you?" demanded Grace, impatiently. "We +don't know whom we're listening to." + +"Well, to be brief," said Mr. Blackford, "the firm I have engaged, the +other day, wrote me that they were on the track of my sister. They felt +sure they were going to find her, and I was very hopeful. + +"It seems that they had found some old documents in the attic of a house +where some distant relatives live. They wrote me they were sending them +on, and--here they are!" + +He brought out a bundle of time-stained and yellow papers, and spread +them on the table. + +"Gracious!" cried Will. "Your sister must be quite elderly to have such +ancient documents refer to her." + +"No," said Mr. Blackford, "she is younger than I am, I believe. But I +have no certain knowledge of that. Anyhow, this is part of a letter +written about the girl whom I have every reason to believe is my sister. +And the part that is most interesting----" + +"Is where----" began Will. + +"Can't you keep still?" begged his sister. + +"Has 'oo dot any tandy?" and he imitated little Dodo. + +"Oh, take that!" and Grace passed him a caramel. "Now, let's hear what +it is, Mr. Blackford." + +"There is a part of the letter which says this," went on Mr. Blackford, +and he proceeded to read: + +"'You can always identify the girl because she has a most peculiar +birth-mark on----'" + +He ceased reading. + +"Well, go on, please," requested Betty. "This is getting interesting." + +"It isn't _getting_ interesting--it's so already," declared Mollie. "Go +on, please, Mr. Blackford, tell us what sort of birth-mark your sister +has." + +"That's just the trouble," he remarked, ruefully. "I can't do it." + +"Why not?" Betty wanted to know. + +"Because, just at that point--where the description of the birth-mark, +and its location, should appear--the letter is torn. A corner is gone. +I have no more idea of what sort of identifying mark my sister has, than +have you. It is worse than before, for I saw hope ahead of me, only to +see it disappear now. + +"I feel sure that the girl referred to in the old letter is my sister; +but how can I identify her, in case I meet her, until I know what sort +of a mark she has, and where it is?" + +"You can't!" declared Will, positively. + +"And that makes it all the more tantalizing," went on Mr. Blackford. +"They even--that firm I spoke of--they even had located the part of the +country where it might be possible my sister was, and now to have it +fail this way----" + +"Where did they say she might be?" asked Amy. + +"Somewhere up in Canada. But it is rather vague. If only that piece was +not torn off the edge of the letter!" + +"Can't you find it somewhere?" asked Mollie. "Maybe in forwarding it the +people you hired tore it by accident." + +"I thought of that, so I telephoned as soon as I got this letter, asking +where the missing piece was. I got word back that they knew nothing +about it." + +There was silence for a moment, while they all looked at the mutilated +document Mr. Blackford held up. It showed a tear across one corner, a +tear that disposed of the most vital piece of information contained on +the whole paper. + +"That's too bad," spoke Amy, sympathetically. + +"Yes," agreed Mollie, as she put back a stray and rebellious lock of +hair, "it spoils all your plans, I suppose, Mr. Blackford." + +"In a way, yes. But I'm not going to give up. I'm going to find out +where they got this document from, and go there. It may have been in +some old attic trunk, among some--love letters--and the missing piece +may be there." + +"Without it you're all at sea," declared Will. "You don't know what sort +of a mark to look for, nor where it might be." + +"And he can't very well go around asking all the girls he meets if they +have peculiar birth-marks," commented Mollie. + +"Well, I hardly know why I told you my troubles," said the young man, +"but----" + +"Why shouldn't you?" asked Betty, pleasantly. "We are interested in you, +of course, ever since----" + +"That five hundred dollar bill you thought was gone for good," added +Amy. "But if we hear of anything----" and she paused suggestively. + +"I wish you'd let me know!" exclaimed Mr. Blackford. "I know you girls +are very lucky. You've proved it several times. Now if you happen to +hear of anyone who would fit what description I have of my sister--and +it isn't much, to tell the truth--or if you think you see anyone who +resembles me, or who has a peculiar birth-mark, just let me know. You +travel around so much, and you meet so many strange people----" + +"We do seem to," agreed Grace. + +"Well, just let me know," finished Mr. Blackford. + +For some little time they talked of the curious happening, and the +perversity of fate that should provide for such a vital piece of the +letter being missing. Then, after Amy had provided refreshments, the +young men and girls prepared to take their leave. + +"And you and Mollie won't forget to find out for sure if you can go to +the lumber camp; will you, Betty?" asked Grace. "Let me know as soon as +you can." + +"I'll call you up first thing in the morning," promised Betty. "I'm +pretty sure I can go. Oh! what fun we'll have!" + +"Any skating there?" asked Mr. Blackford. + +"Oceans of it!" said Grace, who had asked her father many questions +about the camp they expected to visit. + +"How about ice boating?" inquired Will. + +"You can have that, too. There isn't an ice boat in camp, father said, +but not far away a man has a sort of winter bungalow, and he keeps a +number. Maybe he'll lend us one." + +"And can you run it?" asked Amy, timidly. + +"It runs itself--you just sit in it and the wind blows it along. All you +have to do is steer," said Grace. + +"You're getting to be quite an authority," declared Mollie. "Oh, but I +know we'll have a fine time!" + +"And we'll come up too, sometimes," put in Will. "That is, if you girls +will let us." + +"Of course," murmured Mollie. "Isn't that the telephone ringing, Grace?" +for they were all on the front steps. + +"Yes. I'll see who it is," said Amy. "Maybe they want one of you girls. +Wait!" + +"Can't have any of 'em--all taken," declared Will. + +"It's you they want, Mollie," reported Amy, coming back. "It's your +mother, and she seems to be in trouble." + +"Trouble?" Mollie's voice trembled. + +"Yes. Oh, dear! I'm sure she was crying!" and Amy's voice faltered, for +she was very tender-hearted. + +Mollie went to the telephone. The others listened anxiously for an +inkling of what the message might be. + +"What!" cried Mollie. "Paul missing--he must have gone out right after I +did! Oh, dear! And it's beginning to snow!" + +"Girls!" she cried, turning to the others, and letting the receiver fall +with a bang, "little Paul is missing--mother thinks he went out of +doors. Oh, that poor child!" + + + + +CHAPTER V + +UNPLEASANT NEWS + + +Will was the first to realize the import of the message. He exclaimed +briskly: + +"Gone out; eh? Well, it won't be hard to track him, for there is a +light, new covering of snow on the ground and sidewalks. That is, if we +get right at it. Come on, Mr. Blackford, and we'll find the little +rascal!" + +"Of course we will!" cried Betty. "Don't cry, Mollie dear. He can't be +lost for long; everyone in Deepdale knows him and whoever finds him will +take him home." + +"Yes, but he--he may freeze!" + +"Oh, it isn't cold!" declared Grace, though she was even then shivering. +Grace was not any too well built to stand cold weather. + +"That's it! Stick to it!" whispered Will in her ear. "Insist that it +isn't cold." + +"I'll come with you and help search," suggested Amy, who had been +bidding her callers good-night. "I wonder if we ought to have a +lantern?" + +"It would be useful," spoke Betty. + +"I have one of those pocket electric flash-lights," remarked Will. + +"And I can get another," said Amy. "I'll be right with you, as soon as I +get my coat and rubbers." + +Soon the six young people were tramping through the storm, which seemed +to be increasing in severity, though knowing how Mollie would worry +about her little brother being out in it, the others kept insisting that +it was a mere flurry, that it would amount to nothing, and would soon be +over, or turn to rain. + +But the snow did not itself hold out any such mild promises as that, and +Mollie shivered as she felt the cold and cutting blasts of wind, which +had a lower temperature than on the ice that afternoon. + +They reached Mollie's house to find a very much excited and tearful Mrs. +Billette, the widow being ministered to by some of her neighbors who had +hurriedly come in, on hearing from a servant what had happened. + +"Tell me all about it, Mother!" cried Mollie, partly lapsing into French +in her excitement. Mrs. Billette spoke entirely in that language now. + +It appeared that little Paul had been allowed to stay up later than +usual without being undressed, as he had a new picture book to look at. + +Then company had come in, and, in the abstraction of playing hostess, +Mrs. Billette had forgotten about Paul until a little while before. He +had been missed and a hasty search had not disclosed him in the house, +but had shown the absence of his little cap, coat and rubbers. + +"And he has gone out! Out into the storm!" cried Mrs. Billette on +Mollie's shoulder. "Oh, my little Paul!" + +"There, there, Mother, we'll find him!" declared Mollie, more bravely +than she felt. She had dried her own tears under the stress of looking +after her mother. + +"Of course we shall!" affirmed Will. "Scatter and search now. Get more +lights!" + +Fortunately Mollie had some of the pocket torches and soon the little +party of searchers was going about the house. In the mantle of +newly-fallen snow it would seem to be an easy, matter to pick out the +child's footprints and at least trace in which direction he went. + +Will was the first to locate them, and a joyful whoop told of his +success. + +"Here they are!" he called. "He came out of this side door, and headed +for the river----" + +"The river!" screamed Mrs. Billette, clutching at Mollie's arm. + +"Hush, Mother! It is frozen over, you know. He can come to no harm, I'm +sure." + +"Oh, Will, hurry! Do! Find my little baby!" cried the frantic mother. + +Will dashed on, followed by the others. They kept their electric torches +aglow, and could easily trace the line of tiny footsteps, since no other +persons had passed down this way over the Billette property to the +frozen Argono. + +A sound near the boathouse attracted Will, and he turned in that +direction, seeing instinctively that the steps led there. Then he saw a +flash of light in the structure where, in addition to some craft owned +by Mollie, was stored Betty's motor boat, the _Gem_. + +"Are you in there, Paul?" cried Will. + +They all waited anxiously for the answer. + +"Ess," was the childish answer. "What oo want? I goin' way off in boat. +I goin' be Robbyson Tuso." + +"Oh, Paul!" reproached his mother. But her voice showed relief. + +They pushed open the side door of the boat house, which had been left +unlocked that day--inadvertently, it seemed--as a man was doing some +repairs to Betty's craft. + +They saw Paul gravely seated in the boat, which he had managed to get +into by means of a chair. He had a lantern with him, taken, it +developed, from where Isaac, the furnace man, had left it for a moment +in the Billette kitchen. And Paul was gravely playing that he was +Robinson Crusoe, starting off on a voyage. + +"Oh, Paul, how could you frighten mamma so?" asked Mollie, as she caught +him up. "You should be punished!" + +"Pichure in my book about Robbyson Tuso. He got in boat--I go in boat. +Betty no care--does oo?" + +"No, dear, not about my boat. But----" + +"You were very, very naughty!" said Mollie, severely, "and sister +doesn't love you any more. Naughty Paul!" + +The sensitive lip of the toddler began pursing outward, quivering. His +eyes filled with tears. Then catching sight of Grace, who, with the +others, formed a circle about the recovered lost one, Paul smiled +through the gathering mist of tears and asked: + +"Oo dot any tandy?" + +And he laughed with them as Grace produced some chocolates in a bag. And +no one remarked on her failing--that time, at least. + +Paul was soon in bed, having made many promises not to offend again. +Then Will went back with Amy, Mr. Blackford escorting Betty and Grace, +who lived near each other. The girls promised to meet again next day, +but this was hardly necessary, since scarcely a day passed that they +were not together--"inseparables," they had been dubbed. + +Of course for the next few days little was talked of except the prospect +of going to the winter camp. From the parents of the three, tentative +permission had been wrung, Grace's father and mother being much in favor +of her making the trip. + +"Her lungs are none too strong," Mr. Ford had said to his wife, "and the +winter in the pine woods will do her good." + +"If only there is no danger!" + +"Danger! Nonsense!" Mr. Ford had exclaimed. + +But he did not know what was in prospect, or he might not have been so +positive. Even as it was, a few days later brought unpleasant news to +him. + +He had been in correspondence with the old lumberman and his wife, and +had practically arranged for them to take charge of the camp, and look +after the girls, who would occupy one of the large cabins, if they went +to the woods. Then came a letter from a brother lawyer who was looking +after some details of the receivership. + +"By Jove! That makes it bad!" exclaimed Mr. Ford on reading this +communication. + +"What is it, Daddy?" asked Grace, who happened to be in the library with +her father when the mail came in. + +"Why, Travert writes me that Jallow has begun cutting timber on the +strip that is in dispute. Valuable timber, too, that I'm sure belongs to +me. This is contrary to the ruling of the court. I must stop this if I +have to come to an open fight!" + +"Oh, Father, will this stop us going to camp?" + +"No, not necessarily. The strip is far enough away from the camp itself. +I don't know but what it will be a good plan to have you on the ground, +Grace. You can let me know if anything happens. Now I must see what I +can do about this. If only I could find Paddy Malone, and he could +testify about the changed boundary lines, I'd have none of this +trouble," and Mr. Ford sighed. + +"Maybe we can find him up there, papa," said Grace, softly. + +"Maybe; but I doubt it. I've been trying for a year to locate him, and +can't. But never mind. Don't let this bad news worry you. You and your +chums can go there all right, and have a good time. Maybe you'll have +more of a time than you want. It looks as though we would have a hard +winter." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +PREPARATIONS + + +"How many dresses are you going to take?" + +"I wonder if we ought to bring along something for evening wear?" + +"Anyhow we want something warm." + +"And what about shoes--or boots? How would it do to wear leggings, like +the boy scouts?" + +"I'm sure we won't want anything like evening dresses. Where could we +wear them up in the wilderness?" + +"Why, perhaps there may be a lumbermen's dance." + +"Oh, listen to Mollie! As if we'd go!" + +"Why not? Of course we could go if we had a chaperone," and Mollie, who +had proposed this, looked rather defiantly at her chums. + +The other foregoing remarks had been shot back and forth so quickly, in +such zig-zag fashion, that it was difficult to tell who said which; in +many cases the authors themselves being hardly able to identify their +verbal creations. + +The girls were at the home of Grace, discussing, as they had been doing +ever since it was practically decided that they were to go to camp, what +they should take, and what to wear. It was far from being settled yet. + +"Well, I'm sure of one thing," remarked Grace, "and that is that, as Amy +says, we ought to have at least two warm cloth dresses." + +"An extra skirt, too, would be no harm," added Betty. "If we go out in +deep snow the skirt is sure to get wet, and then we could change on +coming in." + +"Yes, I think that would be wise," admitted Mollie. "I am almost tempted +to wear--bloomers!" + +"Mollie Billette!" + +"I don't care," and she spoke defiantly. "More and more girls are coming +to wear them. Why, if we wear them in the school gym. I don't see any +harm in using them when we go camping." + +"But up there--where we may meet a lot of rough lumbermen, who wouldn't +understand--I'd like it, really I would," confessed Betty. "But I guess +we'd better not. It's different here, and at school." + +"Yes, I guess it is," admitted Mollie with a sigh. "But we can wear +skirts of a sensible length, and leggings. I'm glad we thought of +those. They'll be much more comfortable than boots, and not so heavy. +But what about a light dress? Do you think we'd have any use for one? +There's no use taking along a lot of clothes we won't wear." + +"That's right," said Grace. "I spoke to papa about it, and he said that +while there were often little affairs among the lumbermen and the +residents up there, they never thought of wearing light clothes in +winter. They'd think it queer if we did, and went to any of the parties. +So let's don't bother with our fancy duds." + +"Good!" cried Betty. "We'll be real outdoor girls, and dress as such. +Well, so much is settled. I'll make a note of that," and she proceeded +to set down the facts agreed to. + +"Let me see," she mused, "what's this?" and she frowned over some +cabalistic marks on her paper. + +"Can't you read your own writing?" asked Amy with a smile. + +"Well, it looks like 'hats,' but I'm sure I didn't mean that. We settled +that we'd wear Tam-o'-Shanter affairs, or caps, so it can't be hats. Oh, +I have it. It's 'eats'--what are we going to do about food?" + +"Papa says," spoke Grace, "that we can get lots of canned stuff up +there. The store that used to supply the lumbermen is open. And we can +send some cases of things from here. We can get fresh meat three times a +week, and eggs from the farmers when they have any. So make a note of +that, Little Captain." + +"I will. But, as I understand it, the lumbermen have all left your +father's camp now--it's in the hands of a receiver. Maybe the store will +close." + +"No, father said the country people depend on that store for their +things. It wasn't just a camp grocery. It will be all right." + +"Well, that settles the two important items of food and clothing," +remarked Betty, checking them off on her list. "Of course we'll have to +do considerable ordering, and decide on what variety we want to take, +but that can be done later. + +"Next, let me see what is next--oh, yes, how are we going to get to the +camp--walk, ride, or----" + +"Skate!" interrupted Mollie. "Why can't we skate there? It isn't so very +far." + +"And drag our baggage and sandwiches along behind us on sleds?" asked +Betty. + +"Too much work," declared Amy. "Let's hire a sled, get up a straw ride +and go in style." + +"Oh, say, what about Mr. Jallow? Do you think he will make trouble up +there?" inquired Amy, glancing rather apprehensively at Grace. "You +know you said your father told you about his beginning to cut timber +and----" + +"Oh, we needn't worry about that," declared Grace with confidence. "The +strip in dispute is far enough from the camp." + +"Isn't it mean to have even that little worry, when it seemed as if +everything was going to be so nice?" murmured Mollie. "And that Alice +Jallow! I met her and Kittie on the street yesterday afternoon and I +just cut them both--dead." + +"Mollie, you never did!" cried gentle Amy. + +"Yes I did, and I'll do it again. I guess they were surprised, for I +heard them chattering like two--two crows--when I passed on." + +"Serves them right--the way they talked about Amy," exclaimed Grace. + +"Oh, but I don't want you girls to get into trouble on my account--to +fight my--my battles for me," faltered Amy. "It is unpleasant enough as +it is, without making it worse." + +"Now don't you worry, little one," said Betty soothingly. "We can look +after ourselves, and I'd like to know why we should not break a lance or +two in your behalf." + +"Of course!" cried Mollie. + +"You're a member of our club," declared Grace, "and club members must +stand up for each other." + +"Certainly," agreed Betty. "I don't like quarrels any more than you +girls do, but I do think that Alice Jallow ought to know that we resent +what she said." + +"Oh, she knows it all right!" exclaimed Mollie. "I took good care that +she should! She's a regular--cat. No other word expresses what I mean, +and I don't care if it isn't a nice thing to say about a girl. She +deserves it." + +Amy flushed and looked troubled. + +"Don't let's talk about it," suggested Betty quickly, catching an +appealing glance from her little chum. "We all know there isn't the +least foundation for it, any more than there was at first, and that's an +old story." + +"Oh, yes, there is a little more basis for it," said Amy in a low voice, +and with a hasty look around. + +"There is?" cried Betty, before she thought. "Oh, I didn't mean that!" +she added quickly. "Don't tell us--unless it will make you feel better, +Amy." + +"It will, I think. I have been going to ever since the day Alice hurt me +so, but I couldn't seem to come to it. But of late there has been a +change in--in Mr. and Mrs. Stonington." + +"Don't you call them Uncle and Aunt any more?" asked Grace in a low +voice. + +"I do to their faces--yes, but I don't think of them that way," and +Amy's voice faltered. + +"Why?" Betty wanted to know. + +"Because, by the merest accident, I found the other day, a piece of +paper in--in Mr. Stonington's desk. I had read it before I realized it +and it intimated that a mistake had been made in assuming that the +envelope pinned on my dress, when I was rescued from the flood, was +really intended to be on me. In that case Mr. and Mrs. Stonington would +be no relation to me." + +"But if the envelope with their names and address on it was found on +you, why shouldn't it refer to you?" asked Mollie. + +"Because there were _two_ babies rescued in that flood." + +"Two babies?" It was a general chorus of surprise from the three girls. + +"Yes. I was one. There was another. A man saved both of us, and set us +on an improvised raft. He found the envelope lying loose near us, and as +it was nearer to me he pinned it on my dress, assuming that it had come +from my sleeve. But it may have been on the other baby." + +"How did this become known?" asked Grace. + +"Through this man. It seems that some newspaper reporter, on the +anniversary of the flood in Rocky Ford--that's where I was found--this +reporter wrote up the former incidents about it. He interviewed several +who had made rescues, and this man was one. He told of having found two +babies, and one paper. I know Mr. and Mrs. Stonington, who read this +account, must have had their doubts about me raised anew, for I +overheard them talking very earnestly about it." + +"Poor Amy!" sighed Grace. + +"Yes, it's dreadful not to know who you are," said Amy, with a rather +cheerless smile. "But I am getting used to it now. It did hurt, though, +to hear what Alice said about it that day." + +"I should think so--the mean thing!" snapped Mollie, her quick temper on +the verge of rising. + +"But I know, no matter what happens, that Mr. and Mrs. Stonington will +always care for me," Amy went on. "If it were not for that I don't know +what I'd do. Now let's talk of something else--something more pleasant." + +"Oh, this isn't unpleasant for us!" Betty hastened to assure her chum. +"Only of course we know how you must feel about it. If we could only +help you in some way!" + +"I'm afraid you can't," said Amy softly. "It's good of you, though." + +"It's like one of those queer puzzle stories, that end with a bump, in +the middle, and leave you guessing--like 'The Lady or the Tiger,'" +asserted Mollie. "I can't bear them. I get to thinking of the solution +in the night and it sets me wild." + +"Yes, it is like that," agreed Amy gently. "But I don't see how it can +ever be known on which baby the envelope belonged." + +"What became of the other baby?" asked Grace. + +"I never heard, and the man who rescued me did not know either," +answered Amy. "He turned us both over to the relief authorities, and, +assuming that I belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Stonington, because of their +address on the envelope, on my sleeve, they sent for--for my uncle, as I +suppose I ought to call him, though he may not be--and he has kept me +ever since." + +"But there is just as much chance that you were the baby on whom the +paper was pinned, as to think that you were not," came somewhat +positively from Betty. + +"Yes, I suppose so," Amy agreed. "But, please, let's talk about going +camping. I want to forget that I may be a--nobody." + +"You'll never be that, Amy--to us!" declared Mollie, positively. + +"Thank you, dear." + +"The question still to be settled," broke in Betty, determined to change +the conversation, "is how are we to go to camp. Shall we skate or sled +or----" + +"Ice boat!" cried the voice of Will Ford at the door. "Ladies, excuse +me, but I have arrived at a most propitious time, I observe. I overheard +what you said. Allow me to suggest--an ice boat!" + +They looked at him with rather startled glances, and he added: + +"Shall I explain?" + +"As it seems to be an unguessable riddle--do," urged his sister. "Did +you bring any chocolates?" + +"I did." + +"Pay as you enter," said Mollie, laughingly. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +OFF FOR CAMP + + +Will entered with the air of one conferring a favor, and successfully +evaded the efforts of his sister to take away a certain box he was +carrying. + +"Have patience, little sister mine!" he mocked. "Have patience, and you +will get your desires." + +"You mean thing! and I haven't had a chocolate all day. How did you come +to bring them?" + +"Amy asked me to," he said boldly. + +"Oh, Will Ford! I did not!" and Amy blushed a "lobster red," as the lad +ungallantly informed her. + +"Well, anyhow take them, and dole them out," he added, tossing the box +of confectionery into her lap. + +"Oh, Amy, I always loved you!" confided Grace, "shooting" a look of +wonder at her brother. + +"And while Amy passes the treat, perhaps you will kindly elucidate the +riddle of the ice boat for us," suggested Mollie, catching a marshmallow +chocolate which Amy deftly threw across the parlor. + +"Nothing very complicated about it," replied Will, himself munching on +some candy that he produced from a hidden source--likely one of his +seemingly innumerable pockets. Betty said she never could understand how +a boy could remember all the pockets he had--fourteen she once counted, +when she had Allen Washburn enumerate them for her. + +"It's this way," went on Will, with tantalizing slowness, but Grace knew +better than to try to hurry him. "Allen and Frank and I have bought a +big ice boat." + +"You have?" cried Grace. "You never told me a thing about it." She +looked her keen reproaches. + +"Well, I'm telling you now," said Will. "It is a second-hand one, and +used to belong to the Chacalott Club, down the river. They bought a new +one for racing purposes, and Allen heard of the chance to get this one. +He told me, I told Frank, Frank told--told----" + +"Oh, spare us the horrible details!" protested Grace. "Where do we come +in?" + +"In the ice boat, of course. Where else did you expect?" and Will +grinned at her like a Cheshire cat. + +"Provoking!" murmured Grace. "Do go on." + +"Yes, do," urged Mollie. "We've got so much to do yet!" + +"Well, as I said, we have a big, roomy ice boat," went on Will. "It +isn't as comfortable as your _Gem_, Betty, and has no cabin." + +"No cabin!" cried Amy. "I thought all boats had to have cabins." + +"An ice boat is like a pair of stilts, crossed," explained Will. +"There's no room for a cabin, but there is a sort of cockpit on this +one. It will hold ten when they aren't spilled out on the way." + +"Spilled out?" queried Mollie. "That sounds interesting." + +"It is--when you're not spilled," said Will. "You see in a stiff breeze +the ice boat sort of rears up on its hind legs, like an auto going +around a curve on two wheels, and there the spilling begins. + +"As I said, the cockpit of the _Spider_ will hold about ten comfortably, +and if half spill out, why so much the more comfort for those who +succeed in holding themselves in." + +"But what about us?" asked Grace. + +"Oh, we'll hold you in," volunteered Will, cheerfully. + +"No, I mean do you really intend for us to use it to go to camp?" +insisted his sister. + +"I sure do. It's a dandy boat--the _Spider_, and----" + +"_Spider!_" exclaimed Betty with a little shiver. "What possessed you to +take such a name?" + +"It looks like a water bug--the ice is not far removed from water. Hence +_Spider_. Do you get me--or the spider?" + +"Oh, you boys!" sighed Grace. "Girls, shall we consider it--the ice +boat?" + +"It will be just the proper caper," said Will. "We can take you all up +in one load, and your suit cases, too. Trunks can go by express. Then we +can stay a week or so with you in the cabin, and----" + +"You can stay--you boys--who said so?" demanded Grace a bit defiantly. + +"Dad. I asked him. There are several furnished cabins there, and we can +use one, he said. Oh, don't worry, we won't bother you," and he glared +at his sister. Grace and Will did not get along any better than the +average brother and sister, it will be noted. + +"I think it would be nice," spoke gentle Amy, hastening to pour oil on +troubled waters. "It wouldn't be quite so lonesome--with the boys +there." + +"Bless you for saying that!" exclaimed Will, with mock heroics. "You +shall be doubly repaid. We'll see that you are never alone, Amy." + +She blushed, but did not seem displeased. + +"And as we boys are going anyhow," went on Will, "you girls can come in +the ice boat, or not, just as you choose. I only thought I'd offer it." + +"It's kind of you," declared Mollie. + +"I think ice boating would be lovely," vouchsafed Betty. + +Seeing her chums thus in favor Grace capitulated. + +"All right," she said. "We'll go, with you boys." + +"And you needn't think you are doing us a favor, either!" asserted Will +a bit truculently. "We can get other girls. There is Kittie Rossmore, +Alice----" + +"Stop it!" commanded Grace, and Will subsided. He knew better than to +keep on in that strain. + +"The boat is a dandy, though," he went on. "We can pile the cockpit full +of fur robes, and when the wind is right we can scoot up the lake to +beat the band!" + +"Such slang!" cried Grace. + +"Well, I only meant hat band--or rubber band. That isn't slang." + +And so it was decided. Will went on to describe the boat from the rudder +and runners, to the sails and tackle, most of it being as Greek to the +girls. But they made up their minds to soon learn how to run a craft on +the ice. + +"And if things go right I'll soon have a better one than the _Spider_," +declared Will, as he prepared to take his leave. + +"You mean you are going to buy another?" asked Grace. + +"No, not buy--make one--and it will be a surprise, too, let me tell +you!" + +"How?" asked Betty, interested. + +"Oh, you'll see when the time comes. It's a secret." + +This naturally roused the curiosity of the girls, but Will, having +accomplished his purpose in doing that, refused to talk further and left +in a hurry, Frank having called for him. + +As for the girls, there were many details yet to be settled, even though +the matter of food and clothing had been decided, in a measure. + +In the days that followed Mr. Ford reported that he had succeeded in +getting Ted Franklin and his wife to go to the lumber camp, to live in +one of the cabins and assume charge as care-takers. + +"They'll have a cabin all ready for you girls," the lawyer had said to +his daughter. "It will be near theirs, and if Will and the boys want to +go up for week-ends, there is a cabin they can use." + +"But, Daddy, tell Will not to bother us. He's sure to play some kind of +tricks." + +"Oh, I guess you girls can look after yourselves. Now, about getting +yourselves and your things up there----" + +"We've arranged about ourselves," said Grace. "We're going in the ice +boat up the river. But our trunks----" + +"I'll have them shipped. I have also sent an order to the storekeeper +there to supply the cabin with stock provisions. The others you can buy +as you need them. Now I guess that's all." + +"Is Mr. Jallow cutting any more trees?" + +"Yes, and I haven't succeeded in stopping him. There may be trouble--of +a legal kind only," he hastened to assure his daughter, who looked +alarmed. "Don't worry. Only if you should happen to run across that +Paddy Malone up there--that old lumberman--hold on to him, or at least +get him to communicate with me. With his testimony I can beat this +Jallow." + +"I hope we can find him," observed Grace. + +There were seemingly a hundred and one things to do before starting off +for camp, but somehow they got done. Betty was very busy, for though +Grace had initiated the idea of the camp, the Little Captain naturally +assumed the leadership, as she generally did. + +The girls had two or three rides in the ice boat, and liked the +experience very much. It was a novel sensation gliding over the frozen +surface before a stiff wind. And really the boys managed the _Spider_ +very well. In spite of the protest of the girls, they refused to change +the name, even ignoring the compromise of _Cobweb_, which Grace declared +quite poetical. + +The day set for the start brought disappointment, for the wind blew in +exactly the opposite direction desired, and, after waiting until late +afternoon for a change, the trip was given up. + +But in the night it grew colder, which was good for the condition of the +ice, and the wind shifted. It blew straight up the river toward the +distant lumber camp, and early the next morning Will was astir to make +sure there would be no delay. + +The start was made from Mollie's boathouse, where the _Spider_ was +moored. The suitcases were piled in the forward part of the cockpit, +which was well provided with rugs. Then with Allen at the helm, and Will +and Frank to look after the sail, the girls took their places. + +"All aboard!" cried Will, looking at his sister and her chums. "Hold +fast, everybody! Shall I shove off, Allen?" + +"Yes!" + +The boat glided out into the middle of the frozen river. The wind caught +the sail, it curved out, and the _Spider_ shot ahead, gathering speed +every second. + +"We're off!" cried Betty, waving her hands to those who had come to see +them start. + +"Good-bye! Good-bye!" was chorused over and over again. + +As Amy waved with the others she little dreamed what a change would take +place in her life before she saw dear Deepdale again. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A SPILL + + +Straight up the Argono River flew the _Spider_. Crawled would perhaps be +a more appropriate term, considering the insect, but the ice boat did +not crawl--it literally flew. + +"Oh, this is just glorious!" cried Mollie, with shining eyes, as she +crouched down amid the rugs near Will, and looked ahead at the white, +icy stretch. + +"It's the most comfortable form of motion I ever imagined could be," +said Betty. "I'm so glad you thought of it, Will. I wouldn't have missed +it for worlds." + +"It's a little too swift for me," confessed Amy. + +"Swift! I wish we could go faster!" exclaimed Mollie. + +"We'll go faster soon, when we get around the bend," spoke Allen. "Then +we'll get the full force of the wind, and then----" + +"Yes, and then will be the time you girls will have to hang on, even by +your eyelids," declared Will. "You'll see!" + +"Oh, is it as scary as all that?" asked Grace. + +"You won't mind," declared Frank, soothingly. "He's only trying to scare +you." + +Amy looked a bit timid, but a reassuring glance from Betty put her at +her ease once more. + +Truly the ice boat was all that the boys had claimed for it. Roomy, as +ice boats go, comfortable and speedy, it was really a prize. + +"You deserve a vote of thanks, boys," said Mollie, as the sharp wind +brightened the roses in her cheeks. + +"Leave it to your Uncle Dudley," declared Will. "I told you that you'd +like it." + +"Here!" cried Grace, tossing him a chocolate. + +"Oh!" he cried, as it hit him in the face, "whence this sudden flow of +sisterly kindness." + +"As a reward for your thoughtfulness in providing the boat," said Grace. + +"That means I'll have to look out, or she'll be wanting me to do +something more before night," spoke Will. + +"I hope Mr. Franklin has fires lighted in our cabin," remarked Grace +after a bit. "It will be real chilly, I'm afraid," and she drew her very +becoming furs closer about her. Her face was framed in them, and she +looked, as Allen said, "like a picture on a magazine cover." + +"I don't know whether to feel complimented or not," she confessed with a +laugh. "I only know I'm cold-d-d-d-d! Burrrrr!" and she shivered. + +"It isn't as warm as skating," said Allen. "But perhaps this may help," +and with one hand he took from a box a long, round object. "It's a +vacuum bottle of hot coffee," he explained. "I didn't think, until the +last minute, or I'd have brought chocolate, Grace." + +"Oh, coffee will do just as well!" she hastened to assure him. "It is +just what I want to drive the shivers away." + +"There are some cups there in that other box," said Allen to Frank. "If +you'll get them out, and pass the refreshments around." + +"Happy to oblige!" exclaimed Frank. + +"There is sugar and milk already in the coffee," explained the young +lawyer. "I hope none of you object." + +They did not, as it developed, and soon they were sipping the hot +beverage while gliding along, the wind having died out somewhat. + +As they made the turn around the bend, a little later, they got the full +force of the breeze, which, increasing in power, sent them along so +suddenly that the ice boat tilted on two runners. + +"Oh, dear!" screamed Grace, clutching Mollie, and causing her to spill +what remained of the cup of coffee. + +"There, look what you did!" snapped the French girl, quickly. + +"I--I didn't mean to," said Grace, contritely. "I thought we were going +to spill." + +"This was the only 'spill' there was," laughed Betty, as she helped +Grace wipe up the trickling beverage. + +"Oh, well, it doesn't matter," said Mollie--"mollified Mollie," as Will +expressed it later. The little flash of temper died out almost as soon +as it showed. + +"Steady all!" called Allen, for the girls were moving about, and he +needed less motion in order to handle the boat easily. + +They were proceeding along at a fast pace when, from behind one of the +boathouses along the shore of the frozen river, there shot out a small +ice craft, containing two persons. It was so sudden, and cut so sharply +across the path of the _Spider_, that Allen narrowly avoided a +collision. + +"Why don't you look before you come out?" he called sharply to the +steersman of the smaller craft. + +"Why don't you keep more to the middle of the river?" was the retort, +and then the boat shot around and took the same direction as the one in +which the _Spider_ was going. + +"Why, there's Alice Jallow in that boat!" exclaimed Betty. "Did you see, +girls?" + +"Sure enough! So it was!" agreed Mollie. "But who is that fellow with +her?" + +"Harry Brook," answered Will. + +"Do you know him?" demanded Grace, quickly. + +"A little. He's a new lad in town." + +"Has he been going with--her--long?" asked Betty. + +"I don't know. First time I ever saw him with her. Mind that chunk of +wood just ahead, Allen." + +"I see it, thanks. That fellow gave me a scare, though. I never saw him +until I was almost into him." + +"That's right," assented Frank. "I guess he doesn't know much about +running one of these things. How are you coming on with your----" he +added, looking at Will. + +"Do you think it will rain?" asked Will, promptly, looking up into the +cloudless sky, and nudging Frank sharply. "Keep still," he whispered. + +"What is it?" demanded Grace. "Do you know his secret, Frank?" + +"If he tells--I'll have revenge!" cried Will in theatrical fashion. +"Mum's the word, old man," and he glanced significantly at Frank. + +"All right--don't worry," was the retort. + +"They seem to think they are having a race with us," remarked Allen, +nodding in the direction of the other boat. It was a little distance +ahead, but off to one side, a considerable space of glittering ice +separating the two craft. + +"Maybe he saw us coming, and shot out that way to make Alice think he +was some ice yachtsman," suggested Will. "I'll tell him what I think the +next time I see him." + +"Oh, don't make any more trouble, Will," begged his sister. "We seem to +be on the outs enough with the Jallow family. I only hope we don't meet +Mr. Jallow up in the woods." + +"He wouldn't dare annoy you," spoke Allen. "I know something about your +father's case, and I think, when it is next tried, that Jallow will +lose. He deserves to, I think, and I have gone over most of the +evidence." + +"If we could only get that missing lumberman to testify," said Grace, +"it would end it all in papa's favor. But I suppose that is too much to +hope for." + +They were moving swiftly along now, and were a little more than a +quarter of the way to the lumber camp. They intended to stop at noon, +which would see them three-quarters there, and eat the lunch they had +brought along. + +It did seem that Alice and the young fellow with her invited the +_Spider_ to a race, but Allen knew better than to accept. The other boat +was a light craft, built purposely for racing, whereas the larger boat +was not. + +Gradually the boat containing the two occupants drew away up the river. +Our friends gave it little thought until, when they were discussing the +advisability of eating lunch, Frank called out: + +"Here he comes back, tacking against the wind." + +"Yes, and he doesn't know how to do it," said Allen in a low voice. +"He'll have trouble if he doesn't watch out." + +The small boat came nearer and nearer, gliding from side to side of the +frozen river to make distance against a quartering wind. + +"Look out where you're going!" suddenly cried Allen, as he saw the craft +headed directly for the Spider. "Luff there! Luff!" + +Evidently in the emergency the other boy lost his head. He came straight +on, but Allen was not minded to suffer a collision. Quickly he shifted +his helm, and so quickly that the next moment the _Spider_ overturned, +spilling them all out. + +There were hoarse shouts from the boys, and shrill screams from the +girls as Allen, who had managed to jump clear, raced after the still +moving boat to prevent it becoming damaged. + +And, as he looked back to see the figures of his friends more or less +entangled in luggage and fur robes, scattered over the ice, he saw the +boat, the action of which had made it necessary for him to spill, +herself turn over, throwing out Alice and her friend. + +"Anybody hurt?" asked Will, as he sat up, a robe around his shoulders. + +"Guess not," answered Frank, taking a quick survey of the girls. They +were laughing now, and getting up. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +GETTING SETTLED + + +Only a glance was needed to show that none of the party of campers had +been more than bruised. They were all up now, getting rid of the +entangling rugs, and collecting the scattered baggage, which had slid +over the ice in various directions. + +"Never mind that," advised Allen, who was busy with the ropes of the ice +boat. "Let's right this, fellows," he suggested, "and see if it's +damaged any. It doesn't look so; but we'd better make sure." + +It was no easy task to get the boat on her runners again, but the girls +lent their strength, no small feature in the aggregate, and soon the +_Spider_ was on her legs again, if that be the proper term. + +"Look--they seem to be having trouble," remarked Betty, pointing to the +overturned ice boat with one hand, while with the other she tried to get +her rebellious hair in some sort of order. Her locks had become +loosed--as had those of her chums--in the spill. + +The youth who had been responsible for the accident was standing near +Alice, seemingly ill at ease. Alice Jallow appeared to be crying. The +boat was some distance off, and it needed but a glance to show that the +mast was broken. + +"Maybe she's hurt!" suggested Will, starting on the run toward the two +figures. Allen had lowered the sail of the _Spider_ and had tossed out a +sharp-pronged ice anchor. + +"Shall we--I wonder if we had better go _to_ Alice?" asked Mollie, +doubtfully. + +"Oh, yes, we must, I think," spoke Betty. "Come on, girls." And even +Amy, who might have been excused for not going, under the circumstances, +started toward Alice, while Allen and Frank seeing that there was +assistance enough, worked to get their own craft in shape, and to +replace the rugs and luggage. + +"Are you--can we help you--is there anything the matter, Alice?" asked +Betty, gently, as she reached the sobbing girl. + +"I can't get her to tell me," spoke Harry Brook. "But I don't believe +she's more than scared." + +"I am so! My elbow hurts terrible!" exclaimed Alice, petulantly. + +"Perhaps if I look at it," suggested Grace, laying a hand on the arm of +Alice. + +"I'll thank you to let me alone!" was the snappish retort. "It was your +fault we upset, anyhow. Let me alone!" + +"Whew!" whistled Will. "Well, I like that!" + +And his sister and her chums wished they were free to express themselves +as forcibly. + +"Our fault!" cried Will. "Why, you came right for us, Brook! You know +you did. We had to jibe to get out of your way, and that's what put us +in bad." + +"I know it--I'm sorry," Harry had the grace to answer. "My mast is +broken, too. The rudder seemed to jam, and I couldn't shift it." + +"Well, I guess we can be of no service here," said Betty, a bit coldly. +"Come on, girls," and without so much as a glance at the girl who had +spurned their kind offer the four chums started back. It was very +evident that Alice was not much hurt, for she walked off to one side. + +"Shall I give you a hand at righting your boat, Harry?" asked Will, +after rather an awkward pause. + +"Yes--if you will. I guess I don't know so much about ice craft as I +thought I did. It was easy enough going before the wind, but when I +turned to tack I had trouble. I'll just run her up on shore and see what +I can do to-morrow about getting a new mast. Any of your crowd hurt?" + +"No, only their--feelings." + +"I'm sorry." + +"Oh, well, accidents will happen." Will looked narrowly at Alice, but +she averted her gaze. Then, when Harry had assured him there was nothing +more to do, Will set out to rejoin his friends, while Harry, after +sliding the ice boat to shore, set off down the frozen stream with +Alice. + +"I wouldn't like to be in his shoes," remarked Frank when the situation +had been explained to him. "Alice will have it in for him, all right." + +"Well, perhaps after her show of uncalled-for temper he'll not want to +have anything more to do with her," said Mollie. "I wouldn't--if I were +in his place." + +Allen found that their ice boat had not been in the least damaged, and +when the spilled-out possessions had been gathered up and replaced, they +resumed their way with the hoisting of the sail. + +"I hope the lunch isn't spoiled," remarked Grace. "I'm hungry." + +"So am I," was the general admission. + +A few miles farther on they came to a sheltered cove where they stopped +and ate dinner. They made hot chocolate over a little fire of driftwood +on shore. + +Then they kept on up the river, the wind holding good, and about three +o'clock reached the lumber camp. Allen sent the ice boat up to the +little dock in proper style, and one after another the young people +leaped out. + +"Whoop!" yelled Will. "Here we are! Whoop!" + +"Be still, you--Indian!" begged Grace. + +"Indians always whoop," he said. "I want to let Franklin know we're +here!" + +From one of the cabins, clustered in the wood, a short distance back +from the shore of the frozen river, came a grizzled but pleasant-faced +man. In the doorway stood a short, stout woman, smiling a welcome. + +"Well, you got here, I see," remarked Mr. Franklin, genially, as he took +two suitcases. "Mother and I've been expecting you, and we've got a hot +supper all ready but putting on the table." + +"Oh, that was too much work, though it's lovely of you!" protested +Grace. + +"We expected to cook our own meal," added Mollie. "You will get us into +bad habits." + +[Illustration: "THEY MADE HOT CHOCOLATE OVER A LITTLE FIRE OF +DRIFTWOOD."--_Page 78._ + +_The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp._] + +"Eatin's the best habit I know of!" chuckled the care-taker. "I've been +acquirin' it for a good many years and it hasn't hurt me yet. I expect +to keep right on with it, too. I hope you didn't lose your appetites on +the way." + +"No danger," remarked Will. "Is everything all right?" + +"Yes. All your stuff come; there's a lot of grub, plenty of wood, and +all you've got to do is to enjoy yourself." + +"Has that fellow--Jallow--or any of his men made trouble?" Will asked, +when the girls had gone on ahead. + +"Not much; no. I did catch one of 'em on our land the other day--on land +there's no question but what your father owns. I ordered him off." + +"Did he go?" + +"Yep." + +"Peaceably?" + +"Well, no, not exactly. I had to sort of--shove him off, and I'm afraid +he stumbled and bumped his nose," chuckled Mr. Franklin. + +"That's the way!" cried Will, laughing. + +The cabins to be occupied by the boys and girls were close together, and +that used by Mr. Franklin and his wife was not far off. All three were +near to the water, and back of them was a forest of big trees, gaunt +and bare now, their black limbs tossing restlessly in the wind. + +Baggage was put away, a hasty survey was taken of the camp and the +cabins, and then, as it got dark soon, Mrs. Franklin, with whom all the +girls fell in love at first sight, suggested an early supper. And a most +bountiful one it was, though the dining room was rather taxed. But that +only made it the more merry. + +"And now to get settled!" exclaimed Betty, as she and the girls went +over to their cabin. + +"You'll find the bunks all made up!" called Mrs. Franklin, "and if you +haven't covers enough you'll find more in the big chest." + +"That's good," agreed Grace. "I hate to be cold!" + +"You want to get more flesh and you'll be warmer!" said Amy, who was +rather plump. + +"Ugh! Flesh! Never!" declared the willowy Grace. + +They began unpacking their trunks and suitcases, each one appropriating +part of the bureaus and wall space. From the cabin of the boys came +shouts and laughter. + +"Cutting up--as usual," observed Grace. "Oh, I wonder if I left out that +big box of chocolates?" and frantically she began searching in her +trunk. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +WARNED OFF + + +"Girls, it's gone!" + +Thus cried Grace, as a further search of her possessions did not reveal +the box of candy. + +"What is?" asked Mollie, who had not heard the first frantic cry. + +"That lovely big box of chocolates father gave me! I'm sure I put it in +the tray of my trunk when I was packing, but now----" + +A perfect storm of things seemed to fly from the trunk, not only the +"annex," as Mollie termed the tray, but the "main hotel" as well. + +"Grace, you'll have this room a perfect sight!" protested Betty. + +"Can't help it!" returned the chocolate-lover. "I must find it. Amy, you +were with me the day I packed; what did I do with that box with the pink +ribbon?" + +"Oh, that; why the last I saw of it was on your dresser. Don't you +remember? You took it out for a moment, after putting it in, to see if +your ribbon box wouldn't go in that place better. Then you----" + +"Yes, I know!" interrupted Grace. "I forgot to put it back. Then the +telephone rang, and I went to answer it. Will was in talking to you when +I came back again, and----" + +"Perhaps he did not take it--you may have simply left it home," +suggested Betty. + +Grace nervously tossed her possessions back into her trunk. There came a +knock at the cabin door. + +"Come!" cried Mollie, who was in the outer apartment. + +"I say, Grace!" cried Will's voice as he entered. "There are two buttons +off my coat--must have torn loose when we upset. Sew 'em on, will you?" + +"Not now, Will, I'm busy--I can't find something. I'll sew 'em on +to-morrow." + +"Yes, around noon. We fellows are going off early. There may be a bear +or two up here, and we brought our guns, you know." + +"I can't bother." + +"Then Amy will," said the boy. "Say 'yes,' Amy, and I'll give you a +lovely box of chocolates, with a pink ribbon on!" + +"Will Ford!" cried Grace, striding up to him. "Give me my candy this +instant!" + +"Your candy?" Will pretended much surprise. + +"Yes, certainly, my candy. The box of Walford's papa gave me!" + +She pulled his hand from behind his back and there was revealed the +missing box of confections. + +"There it is!" Grace cried. "I knew he had my candy!" + +"Your candy? Say, Sis, if it's yours, how in the world did it get in my +suitcase, I'd like to know?" + +"Was it there?" + +"Honor bright!" + +Grace looked puzzled for a moment, and then she exclaimed: + +"I see now. I had it in my hand when I went in your room as you were +packing. I wanted to get a piece of wrapping paper for it, and just then +you cut your finger, and----" + +"Yes, and you ran out like a scared cat, and dropped the candy in my +suitcase," finished her brother. "I thought you meant to give it to me, +so I kept it, and toted it up here. Now will you sew those buttons on +for me?" + +"Yes, Will," answered Grace, meekly, as she accepted the box. + +"I thought that would fetch you around," he said with a cheerful grin. +"Never mind, Amy, next time it will be you." + +The unpacking was finished, bunks were prepared and for a little while, +before turning in for the night, Will and his chums called on his sister +and her friends. Mr. Franklin dropped in to see if the young folks +needed anything. He had filled a number of lamps for them, so there was +no lack of light, that winter evening. + +The ice boat had been safely moored, plans had been made for breakfast, +and the boys had evinced a determination to get up early and go hunting. + +"Are there any bears up here, Mr. Franklin?" asked Amy, nervously, +looking out of the window. + +"Well, there has been known to be a few, especially in a hard winter. +They come out once in a while to sort of feed-up on our stock, if they +haven't eaten enough to sleep 'em through to Spring." + +"Would you call this a hard winter?" Amy went on. + +"Well, middlin' so," was the slow answer. + +"What are you driving at, Amy?" Mollie wanted to know. + +"It's a problem in geometry," said Will. "Things that are equal to the +same thing are equal to each other. A bear comes out to feed in a hard +winter--this is a hard winter, therefore a hungry bear is equal to a +hard winter. Eh, Amy?" + +"It wasn't that at all!" she declared, blushing. "I only was wondering +if they would--would annoy us here." + +"I won't let 'em bite you, Amy!" said Will, with a protecting, brotherly +air--too brotherly, Grace said it was. + +"I guess all the bears you'll get down here you can put in your trunk," +laughed the old woodsman. "Well, I must be gettin' back. This is late +for me. 'Most nine." + +Indeed, they were all tired from the day's travel, and soon the boys had +been "shooed" away and the girls let down their hair. + +After a hysterical half-hour or so, which always seems to follow when +one retires after a day spent in getting to a strange place, the girls +were asleep. + +Amy awoke with a start shortly after midnight. She knew this because a +light left burning low in the living room shone on a small clock. And as +the girl listened she heard a crunching sound out on the frozen snow. + +"Some one is trying to get in the cabin!" was the fearsome conclusion to +which she jumped. Then in her fright she called: "Betty--Mollie! Wake +up!" + +Mollie was the first to rouse. + +"What is it?" she asked, sitting up in bed. + +"Some one outside--they're walking around the cabin. I'm sure they're +trying to get in. Oh, please call Mr. Franklin, or the boys! I'm so +frightened!" + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mollie. "Wait until I take a look. No use sounding +a false alarm." + +Grace and Betty wakened at the sound of the others' voices, and asked +what was going on. + +"I'll look out and see what it," volunteered Betty, her room being +nearest the window. She slipped from bed and a moment later called: + +"Sillies! It's nothing but Mr. Franklin's dog keeping guard around the +house. He's walking like a sentinel. Go to sleep, all of you." + +"Oh, I'm so relieved!" murmured Amy, but it was some time before she +closed her eyes again for an uninterrupted slumber. + +Morning came, with no further alarms having been reported, and, after +some confusion, due to their new environment, the girls got their +breakfast. They sent over some hot pancakes to the boys, for they could +tell by the sounds coming from their cabin that the meal there was not +progressing favorably. + +In spite of the fact that Mr. Franklin was not very encouraging about +the presence of bears, the boys determined to go off and see for +themselves. They each had a gun. + +"Then we girls will go for a walk," decided Betty. "The woods must be +interesting at this time of year. And it isn't as cold as it was +yesterday." + +They set out, comfortably equipped for a walk, with short skirts and +leggings, for the snow was rather deep. There were woodland trails and +logging roads and the girls alternated on them; seeing much to wonder at +and admire, for the woods in winter are more interesting than many +suppose who have never seen them except in Summer or Fall. + +The girls went on for perhaps three miles, and were thinking of turning +back, for it was nearing noon, when a voice hailed them from a dense +growth of hemlock trees. + +"I say, you folks will have to git away from there. You're on private +ground. Git off!" and there stepped into view a burly, roughly-dressed +man, accompanied by a bulldog. Master and dog looked equally savage. + +"Go on!" ordered the man, "before I----" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE RIVALS + + +Grace clutched Mollie, and Amy made an equally effective seizure of +Betty. The two girls whose nerves were under better control than those +of their two chums stood their ground--if not sturdily, at least with +the appearance of it. They stared at the man, for want of something +better to do, as Mollie afterward admitted. And the man found their gaze +a bit disconcerting, it was evident, for he shifted uneasily, first on +one big-booted foot, and then on the other. + +"Well, be you goin' t' git?" he finally asked. "I tell you this is +private land, and Mr. Jallow don't allow nobody on it 'ceptin' them he +hires." + +This gave Mollie an opening. + +"Oh, is this Mr. Jallow's land?" she asked, and her chums wondered at +the sweetness of her tones. + +"It be," the burly guard replied, "an' you'd better git off." + +The dog growled, and looked up inquiringly at his master as though +asking for orders. + +"We--we know Mr. Jallow," went on Mollie. Then nudging Grace, she +whispered: "Say something; can't you? This must be the piece your father +is having trouble about. Say something." + +"I--I don't know what to say," faltered Grace. "Oh, let's get away from +here! That dog----" + +The animal growled, as though resenting the tone in which Grace talked +about him. + +"Do come," urged Amy. "I'm all in a tremble. The woods are big enough +without getting on this disputed land." + +"I tell you you'd better go!" insisted the guardian of the forest. "I'm +supposed to keep trespassers off, an' I'm goin' t' do it, too!" +Evidently he did not like the looks of the girls whispering together. +Perhaps he may have imagined that there was a conspiracy to kidnap him +and take possession of the property in dispute. He moved nearer to the +girls, the dog following him. + +Grace uttered a little cry. + +"Now I ain't a-goin' fer t' hurt ye!" exclaimed the man, "an' I don't +want t' be no harsher than I have t' be, but you folks must move back, +else I'll have t' make ye go. I'm on guard here, and----" + +"Oh, we'll go," said Betty quickly, "but I don't see what harm we were +doing. The woods seem all alike to me." + +"Well, mebbe ye wasn't doin' no particular harm," admitted the man in +surly tones, "but my orders is to keep trespassers off, an' I'm goin' t' +do it!" + +"It's hard to tell where Mr. Ford's land ends and Mr. Jallow's begins," +said Mollie, looking for some sign of a boundary mark. The man started. + +"Be you folks from Ford's camp?" he asked, quickly. + +"Yes," said Grace, taking heart, perhaps, at the mention of her father's +name. "I am Miss Ford." + +"Well, I'm sorry, but now you'll have to go quicker than if you was some +one else!" said the man firmly. "I thought you was jest ordinary folks, +but I've got very strict orders not to let Mr. Ford nor nobody who +represents him, set foot on this land. So that's your game; is it?" and +he leered at them. + +"Game! We don't know what you mean!" said Mollie with asperity. "We +certainly are up to no game." + +"Indeed not!" echoed Betty indignantly. The girls, even Amy and Grace, +had recovered their "nerve" now. The opposition, when they knew they had +done no real harm, was enough to make them assert themselves for their +common rights. + +"Well, you'll have to git right away from here. I won't stand for no +nonsense!" cried the fellow. "Fer all I know you may be tryin' some +law-dodge on me. Move on!" + +He advanced threateningly, and the dog growled menacingly. Even Mollie +and Betty were not brave enough to stand their ground now, and they were +preparing for a precipitate retreat when the sound of a shot was heard +close at hand. + +The man uttered an exclamation of alarm, and the dog barked, ending in a +howl. + +"Ha! More trespassers!" ejaculated the man. "Are they with you? Are they +friends of yours?" he asked cunningly. + +"They might be," answered Mollie, thinking of the boys who had gone +hunting. + +"Well, if that's the case," began the man, "I'll have to----" + +But he did not finish, for, at that instant, Will, Allen, and Frank came +out from behind a clump of bushes. Will bore a gun that still had smoke +coming from the muzzle. The boys started at the sight of the girls, and +looked wonderingly at the man who was so evidently threatening them. + +"What's up, Sis?" demanded Will, striding forward. + +"Has this--fellow--been annoying you?" asked Allen. + +"I warned 'em away--they are trespassing on Mr. Jallow's land," said the +man, but his manner was much softened. Evidently the sight of the three +young huntsmen had had a good effect. + +"Oh, so this is Mr. Jallow's land?" inquired Allen quickly. "Is this the +part that is in dispute?" + +"I don't know nothin' about no dispute," was the sullen response, "but I +know what my orders are, and I'm going t' carry 'em out." + +"Far be it from us to stand in the way of you doing your duty," remarked +Will pleasantly. "But if you have been annoying these young ladies----" +he paused significantly and looked at his two chums. + +"Oh, he--he didn't annoy us!" said Grace quickly. She wanted no +unpleasantness. + +"I am glad of it," spoke Will. + +"Perhaps you will be glad enough to point out just where the boundary +marks are," said Allen quietly. "We may be walking in these woods often, +and we would not like to trespass if we can avoid it. Where is the +dividing line?" + +The question evidently took the man by surprise. He seemed confused. + +"It's somewhere about here," he muttered. "I seen one of the stone piles +a while ago." + +"Perhaps the young ladies were not trespassing at all," went on Allen. +"In that case I have to point out that you have exceeded your authority. +You may even be a trespasser yourself, on Mr. Ford's land. If you are, +don't be alarmed. We shall take no extreme measures." + +"Huh! Think you're smart; don't you? Maybe you're a lawyer?" + +"I am!" was the quiet answer "And I know my rights, and those of my +friends." + +"So that's the game, is it? You're tryin' t' establish a right here. +Well, you can't do it! I order you off." + +"First show that you have the right," insisted Allen. "Where is the +dividing line?" + +The man looked up and down through the woods. He went a little way +backward, and then forward. Then he uttered an exclamation. + +"There it is--back of you!" he exclaimed. "You're all on Mr. Jallow's +land now, and I order you off. Them stone piles are the points in the +line. That big pine tree is another mark. The line runs right along +here, and you're all trespassers." + +"Well, if that is the correct line, perhaps we are," agreed the young +lawyer. "And we are willing to go--for the time being. But it looks to +me as though those stone piles had been very recently put up, and the +blaze on that tree is certainly a fresh one." + +"I don't know nothin' about that," growled the man. "All I was told was +that this is the line, and to keep strangers off; so I'm going to do +it!" + +"And we don't blame you," went on Will, recognizing that it would be +poor policy to quarrel with a mere guard. "If we question this at all it +will be with those in authority." + +"Huh! If you lock horns with Mr. Jallow you'll be sorry for it," said +the guard. "Now you'd better go. My dog is getting uneasy." + +"He'd better not get _too_ uneasy," remarked Frank significantly. "Come +on, girls," and the girls, who had been getting more and more nervous as +the talk proceeded, were glad enough to precede the boys off the +disputed territory. The man stood sullenly watching them, while the dog +growled deep in his throat. + +"Well, you had quite an adventure; eh?" asked Will when they were out of +earshot of the man. + +"Yes, and I was so afraid something would happen," said Grace. "He came +upon us so suddenly!" + +"Evidently Mr. Jallow means to contest this land business!" exclaimed +Allen. "I should like to look into this matter myself. I don't like the +looks of those stone piles." + +"Father is sure there has been some unlawful change in the boundary +line," spoke Grace. "But it is hard to prove. Oh, if we could only find +that old lumberman, Paddy Malone." + +"Perhaps we may come across him in our wanderings," suggested Mollie. + +"Did you boys have any luck hunting?" inquired Betty, when the details +of the encounter with the man had been given. + +"Not a luck!" exclaimed Will. "We all fired at one poor little rabbit, +and he ran home and told his mamma on us, I guess." + +"Well, you won't go hungry," said Amy. + +"Why, are you girls going to invite us over to lunch?" asked Will +quickly. "That's great, fellows! For this unexpected pleasure--many +thanks!" and he bowed low. + +"I--I didn't exactly mean it that way!" stammered Amy, blushing, and +looking at her friends in some alarm at thus being so quickly taken up. +"I meant that you had plenty of food in your own cabin." + +"Oh, no, Amy! You can't take it back that way!" cried Will, waltzing +around with her in the snow. "You gave us an out-and-out invitation; +didn't she, fellows?" + +"Sure," chorused Frank and Allen. + +"Oh, well, I guess we can stand you for one meal," said Grace. "Shall +we, girls?" + +The others were willing, and the hunters were soon with their friends, +making merry at table. + +The weather, which had been threatening, became more so toward night, +and the next two days it snowed. It did not keep the outdoor girls in, +but they did not go far from the cabins, as Mr. Franklin said they might +easily become lost. The boys shoveled paths for them, and spent much +time in hunting, but with poor luck. The girls managed to fill in the +time, and they declared they would not have missed coming for anything. + +Amy seemed to have recovered her spirits under the influence of her +friends, and in the fresh, bracing air of the Winter woods. Letters from +home came for all the girls and boys, but mails were not very frequent. + +Going for food, cooking, doing the work of the cabin, taking walks +filled up the days completely, and then there came a thaw, a rain and a +freeze. The young folks spent much time on the river then, skating and +ice boating, and having good times generally. + +Then ensued another mild spell, during which long walks were taken to +distant parts of the big lumber camp. The place where the logs were cut +and hauled to the river, and the saw mill, now deserted, where some of +the big trees were made into beams, were inspected by the curious ones. + +One afternoon, following a long tramp, while the boys and girls were on +their way to camp they made a curious discovery. Since the encounter +with the man (the story of it having been sent to Mr. Ford) no further +trouble had been experienced. But Grace and her chums were careful to +keep on their side of the boundary. + +On this occasion, however, they approached it closely, and looking off +through the trees of the land Mr. Jallow claimed, Mollie espied smoke +coming from a log cabin. + +"Why, someone's living over there!" she exclaimed. "I never noticed that +before." + +"Neither did I," agreed Betty. "I'm sure no one was in it when we passed +here two days ago!" + +As they paused to look several persons came from the cabin, which had +evidently been built for camping purposes. + +"Look!" exclaimed Grace in a low voice. + +"It's Alice Jallow!" exclaimed Mollie. + +"And Kittie Rossmore!" added Betty. + +"Who are the two fellows with them?" Grace wanted to know. + +"One is Jake Rossmore--Kittie's brother," spoke Will, "and the other +is----" + +"Sam Batty!" interrupted Frank. "Two cronies if ever there were any. I +wonder what this means?" + +"It looks as though they were camping out--just as we are," said Mollie. +"And, look, there is Mrs. Jallow. Oh, they've seen us!" + +It was indeed so. Mrs. Jallow, her daughter and Kittie looked up and saw +our friends--their rivals. Then the three newcomers started for the +boundary line, the two boys remaining at the cabin. + +"Shall we--shall we wait?" asked Betty in a low voice. + +"We're on my father's land--I don't see why we should run," said Grace +calmly. "Especially from--them!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +IN A BIG STORM + + +"How do you do?" asked Kittie sweetly--too sweetly, the other girls +mentally decided as the three rivals approached the boundary line. "We +hear you are camping up in these woods." + +"Yes," remarked Betty a bit coldly. Really they had no quarrel with +Kittie, though she was the chum of Alice, and always siding with her. +Kittie had never said anything actually mean. "Yes, we are here. Are you +camping too?" + +"We are," said Mrs. Jallow, taking up the conversation. Evidently she +did not propose to do as her daughter did, and not speak, for Alice, +with a supercilious air, had not so much as addressed a word to the +outdoor girls and their boy friends. "We are in one of Mr. Jallow's +cabins. We like it very much." + +"Yes, it is nice," agreed Grace. Amy had taken no part in the talk, and +Will, sensing her feelings, took her arm and led her along the path, +pretending to show her some curious moss formation on the trees. + +"Where are you staying?" went on Mrs. Jallow. She must have known of the +feeling between her daughter and the other girls, but she was credited +with being a very curious person, and she may have been willing, for the +sake of acquiring information, to sink her personal feelings. Naturally +she would side with Alice. + +"Oh, we are in one of the cabins my father owns," said Grace. + +"Going to stay long?" + +"We don't know." + +"That is the way with us," went on Mrs. Jallow. "Jim--that's Mr. Jallow, +you know--has quite a lot of timber to get out of that new tract, and he +wants to finish before Spring. So as I was sort of run down I thought +I'd take a rest and come up with him and the girls and boys. Your folks +all well?" + +"Yes," went on Grace, who seemed to have had the office of spokesman +thrust upon her. + +"I'm sorry about the trouble you had with Hank Smither," went on Alice's +mother. + +"Hank Smither?" questioned Mollie. + +"Yes. He's one of Mr. Jallow's men, you know. He ordered you off, the +other day. But you must excuse him. He was only carrying out our orders, +and I've no doubt Mr. Jallow will be glad to let you come over and see +us." + +"Oh, Mr. Smither didn't annoy us," said Grace easily. "We realized that +the poor man was only carrying out his orders. Thank you for the +invitation, but I don't know as we will have much time for calling. We +are up here to get as much fresh air as we can." + +"Humph!" sneered Alice audibly. + +"Well, we mustn't let business quarrels interfere with we women folks +being friendly," said Mrs. Jallow in what she probably meant for a +conciliatory tone, but which she only succeeded in making patronizing. + +"No, indeed, we don't intend to," said Betty, calmly. "We hope you will +enjoy it here." + +"Well, the young folks do, if I don't," said Mrs. Jallow. "I like more +conveniences than you have in a log cabin. But then it may do my nerves +good to get a rest." + +There was a little pause--rather an awkward one--and then Grace said: + +"Well, girls, we had better be getting on. It's late." + +"Yes, and I must see about supper," said Mrs. Jallow. "I wish you'd come +over." She did not heed the eye-telegraphic signals her daughter was +flashing at her. But the other girls understood. + +"Thank you," said Grace again, non-committally. + +"Well--good-bye!" said Mrs. Jallow, a farewell in which Kittie joined +faintly, but Alice, without a word, turned her back and marched toward +the cabin, where the two boys still were. + +"She tried to find out all she could," said Mollie when the outdoor +girls had gotten out of sight in the woods. "That's all she talked for." + +"Yes, and I believe they just came up here camping because they heard we +were here," went on Betty. "Oh, I do hope we don't get into any trouble +with them." + +"It will have to be of their making," said Grace firmly. "I'll never set +foot on that land Mr. Jallow claims if I can help it. It might +complicate legal matters." + +"That is a wise decision," said Allen, viewing it from a lawyer's +standpoint. "Let the trespass come from them, if there is to be any." + +They talked over the unexpected meeting with their rivals, and +speculated as to when they had come, and the motive that brought them, +also, to a winter camp. + +"I believe it's just to spy on us!" declared Mollie. "We have evidently +frightened them, Grace." + +"Then they must have something to be frightened about," said Will. "I do +wish we could get on the track of something, or somebody, who could let +us know how to prove that the boundary is wrong; for wrong father surely +thinks it is." + +"We'll do the best we can," suggested Allen. "I am going to send for +copies of the deeds, and then we'll look along the present boundary +marks. I may be able to see if they have been changed. I once studied +surveying." + +"I want you boys to promise something," said Grace, as they neared their +cabin. + +"What is it?" asked Frank. + +"Not to have any quarrels with those girls--Alice and Kittie." + +"We never quarrel with girls," said Will. + +"Well, then, with those boys, either." + +"We won't do anything to provoke a quarrel if they don't, Sis," Will +promised. "But we're not going to let them walk over us; eh, fellows?" + +"Of course not!" cried Frank. + +"Oh, but please don't get into a--a fight!" begged Grace, and she meant +it. + +"All right, little one; here is a chocolate for thou!" laughed Will, as +he crowded one into her mouth. + +For a few days our friends saw nothing of Alice and the rival campers. +They did not go toward the part of the wood where the Jallow cabin was +located, and Mrs. Jallow did not bring her charges toward the place +where our boys and girls held forth. + +There was little for Ted Franklin, Mr. Ford's man, to do, save to keep a +watch over the camp, visiting the distant points on different days. In +his trips he was often accompanied by some of the young people, who much +enjoyed his company, for Mr. Franklin was an old woodsman, and many an +interesting bit of information, or lore, he gave out, to the profit of +the boys and girls. + +"Hurray!" exclaimed Will one day, when a belated mail had come in. +"Here's a letter from Mr. Blackford. He says he's coming up to pay us a +visit soon." + +"That will be nice," spoke Mollie. She had taken quite a liking to the +young business man, and he seemed fond of her. + +"We'll have some fun," said Frank. "We'll show him the woods, all +right." + +"Oh, he is no tenderfoot," declared Allen. + +It was several days after this that Will proposed an ice boat trip. The +river was in fine condition, and the wind was just right. + +"The only thing is that it looks like a storm," said Betty. "We don't +want to go too far." + +"We won't," promised Will. + +They got an early start, and took some food with them, intending to +stay until afternoon. Though they did not plan to sail far, it was so +glorious, once they started to glide along, that there was a temptation +to continue, and when, by consulting her watch, Mollie discovered it to +be some minutes after noon, they were many miles from camp. + +"Oh, we must stop!" she exclaimed. "The wind may die out and we can't +get back!" + +"All right--let's have the eats then," proposed Will. A halt was made, +and on the bank, under the shelter of some big trees, they built a fire, +made chocolate and partook of the sandwiches they had brought. + +"This is all right!" exclaimed Frank, munching on some bread and +chicken, a sentiment with which they all agreed. + +Betty was nervously glancing at the sky now and then. + +"Do hurry!" she urged her chums. + +"Oh, don't fuss so," advised Mollie. "You won't enjoy your food if you +do." + +"But I'm sure it's going to storm." + +"Let it!" said Will recklessly. + +Five minutes later the first flakes began falling. This brought even +Will to a sense of possible danger. The things were hurriedly collected, +the young people got into the _Spider_ and the sail was hoisted. Off +they glided down the river toward their camp. + +"We'll beat the storm there!" boasted Will. + +"I don't know about that," said Allen slowly, as he cast a glance aloft. +"It looks to me as though it was going to come down hard soon. And the +wind is freshening." + +The white flakes did increase in volume a little later and the wind +sighed mournfully through the pine trees on shore, and through the +rigging of the ice boat. + +Then, with a suddenness that was almost terrifying, the storm broke over +them in a fury so often witnessed in wintry outbursts. The snow was +blinding, and was whipped into their faces by an ever-increasing wind. + +"Why--why, we can't see ten feet ahead!" cried Frank. + +"Oh, slow down--don't run into anything!" begged Betty. + +"I guess I had better lay to a while, until we see what it's going to +do," decided Allen, as he lowered the sail. "It's too much of a risk. +There may be open water, or an air hole, or another boat on the river." + +And then, as the craft came slowly to a stop, they gazed out at the big +storm which enveloped them, hiding the shores from sight. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE MISSING PIECE + + +"Say, this is no fun!" exclaimed Will, when ten minutes had passed, with +no cessation of the fury of the wind and whirling white flakes. + +"It is keeping up," spoke Mollie in a low tone. "Can we ever get back to +camp?" + +"Of course!" cried Betty quickly. It was no time now to have anyone's +nerves go to pieces. "Certainly we can get back, if we have to walk; +can't we, boys?" and she gave Allen a look that made his eyes sparkle as +he answered: + +"Certainly. It will be more fun walking, anyhow." + +"Spoken like a true hero," said Will in his ear. + +"The boat can't go if the snow gets very deep," observed Frank. + +"And it is getting heavier every minute," declared Amy, looking over the +side of the cockpit of the ice boat, and brushing some of the white +crystals from the frozen surface of the river. "There's nearly half an +inch now," and she shivered slightly. + +"Are you cold, dear?" asked Betty, passing over a spare blanket, for +they had brought along plenty of coverings and wraps. + +"No, not exactly cold, Betty, but----" + +"Don't say you're worried, my dear," whispered Betty, as she tucked some +stray strands of hair under her Tam-o'-Shanter. "Grace is so nervous +lately," went on Betty, under pretense of wrapping the robe around Amy. +"I don't know what is the matter with her, but she seems to fly to +pieces if you look at her." + +"Perhaps it's worry about this lumber camp business." + +"It may be. Anyhow we don't want to get her alarmed. We may have hard +enough time as it is." + +"Oh, Betty! Do you think--anything will--happen?" + +"Of course--lots of things will happen!" laughed Betty, Grace and Mollie +having gotten out of the boat to stroll about a bit. "We'll have a nice +walk home, and a good hot supper, and then we'll sit about the fireplace +and roast apples and marshmallows, and talk about this." + +"That listens good," observed Will rather sarcastically, "but it may be +a long while before you're sitting before your own fireside, or we in +front of ours." + +"Well, you don't need to make the announcement of that fact; do you?" +asked Allen, as he straightened out some of the running tackle of the +sail. + +"So that's the way the wind lies; eh?" asked Will in a queer tone. +"What's the answer, old man?" + +"Just this," replied Allen. "We may not be able to go on in the boat. I +thought this was only a snow squall, but it seems to be turning into a +regular blizzard. You know we can't glide over the ice when it's covered +with snow. We may have to walk back to camp, and it's no small stretch. +What I mean is that we've got to keep up the courage of the girls. +That's all." + +He and Will and Frank were out of the boat now, fixing one of the ropes +that had gotten out of place, so Betty and Amy, who remained cuddled up +in the soft and warm robes, did not hear the talk. + +"So that's the game--bluff?" asked Will. + +"Somewhat--yes. I'm going to try to start off again, but I don't know +how far we'll get. Where's Grace and Mollie?" + +"Hey--Grace!" cried Will, raising his voice. "We're going to start!" + +"All right!" floated back the answer through the storm. + +Soon the girls came running up to the ice boat. They had been racing +about, they said, to get warm, and Betty and Amy, sitting amid the furs +and blankets, rather wished they had done the same, for they were quite +chilly in spite of their coverings. + +"I'm going to make a try for it," explained Allen. "We may not be able +to go far, for the snow is rather wet and heavy, and it may clog the +runners. But we'd better make a start, anyhow. It seems to be slackening +up a bit." + +They piled into the ice boat, and the sail was hoisted. The _Spider_ +darted off, after a moment's hesitation. + +"Hurray!" cried Will. "We're moving." + +"And that's about all," said Allen in a low voice. "Don't crow until +you're out of the woods. This snow is worse than I thought it was." + +For a time the ice boat went along well, halting occasionally as masses +of snow clogged the runners. Then there came a jolt, and a puff of wind +nearly upset it, as the craft did not properly answer the helm. + +"Oh, my!" screamed Grace, as she clutched Betty. "We are going to +upset." + +"No, we're not!" declared Allen, as he loosed the halyards, letting the +sail come down on the run. "I guess we'll have to abandon the _Spider,"_ +he went on, "and tramp it. The snow is too heavy. We may upset." + +"Well, the girls are good walkers," observed Frank. + +"Which is a blessing," spoke Will. "Out of the _Spider_ into +the--frying-pan. Don't you ask me to carry you, Sis," and he looked at +his sister. + +"No danger!" she retorted, haughtily. + +The storm, though continuing steadily, had so far lessened in severity +that the shores of the river could be made out, standing grim and dark +with their fringes of trees. + +"We'll just run the _Spider_ over to shore," said Allen, "and leave it +there. We can come for it to-morrow, or whenever the storm lets up." + +"What about the blankets and robes?" asked Will. + +"Take them with us. We--oh, well, take them along. They may blow away," +and Allen corrected himself. + +The girls and boys climbed out of the boat, loaded themselves with the +wraps after the craft had been tied close to shore, and started off down +the river. + +"What were you going to say about the blankets and robes?" asked Will, +when he got a chance to speak to Allen alone. "Was it that we might need +them--in case we didn't get back to camp?" + +"It was." + +"Don't you think we have a very good chance?" + +"Not extra good--to-night. Of course we'll get there to-morrow, but it +will be too bad if the girls have to stay out all night. Perhaps they +won't, but if they do we can make a shelter of the robes and blankets." + +"That's so," agreed Will. + +On they tramped through the storm. It was hard work, for the snow +clogged their steps and the wind made the carrying of the heavy blankets +an additional burden. But no one murmured. + +They kept to the river, and thus were assured of a straight road to +camp. It was not like being lost in the wood. The only danger was that +they were quite a distance from their cabins, and that night was coming +on, and that a big storm was raging. Long since it had passed from the +class of a mere squall, in which it seemed to be at one time. + +"Did anyone bring the sandwiches we left?" asked Grace, when they had +gone on for perhaps a mile. + +"I did, and your chocolates, too," said Allen. "Will you have them now?" + +"Divide the candy up," said Grace. "They say that persons lost in the +snowy Alps eat chocolate." + +"You eat it--lost or not," laughed Will. "But pass it around, Allen." + +There was a sandwich each, and also a few pieces of candy for each one, +as Allen divided them, and the eating of the bread, meat and sweets did +really put new energy into them. They trudged on in better heart now. + +"But we're still a good way from camp," said Allen, as he peered as best +he could at the landmarks on the shore. "It will take us another hour." + +"And it will be dark then," said Amy in a low voice. + +"Never mind," advised Betty. "The snow on the ground will make it light, +and we can't miss the river. We'll be all right." + +Darkness did not bring them in sight of their camp, and they were +beginning to lose heart, when Will cried: + +"I see a light! It's Franklin's cabin. We're at camp! We're all right +now!" + +"Are you sure?" asked Grace. + +"Certainly. I knew we were near it some time ago." + +He gave a hail, which was answered, and soon the young people heard the +welcome call of Mr. Franklin, who demanded to know where they had been, +and what had happened. + +"There's a light in our cabin!" exclaimed Will, as he saw the gleam in +the window. "Who's there, Mr. Franklin?" + +"A friend of yours--he says." + +"A friend of ours!" exclaimed Allen. "Is it Mr. Jallow, masquerading +under that name, and trying to get possession of this land as well as +the other valuable strip?" + +"No, it isn't Jallow," replied Mr. Franklin. "I know him. This is a +young fellow you've been expecting, he says. He come up in a hired rig +from the village. Blackstone--Blackrock--some such name as that he +give." + +"Oh, Mr. Blackford, yes. We were expecting him. So he has arrived? I +hope he made himself at home." + +"I told him to," said Mr. Franklin, "and I guess he did. He had quite a +time of it in the storm, and I reckon you folks did, too." + +"We did!" exclaimed Will. "But we're all right now. Come on, girls, get +in and make yourselves comfortable, and we'll bring Blackford over as +soon as we feed him." + +The girls went to their cabin, the boys to theirs. The latter found Mr. +Blackford making himself perfectly at home. + +"Well, what brings you up here?" asked Allen, when greetings had been +exchanged. + +"Boys, I've got good news!" cried the young business man. "I've found +the missing piece of paper that tells me what sort of a birth mark my +sister has--the sister I have been searching for so long. I could hardly +wait to tell you!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +AN ICE BOAT RACE + + +"The girls will want to know this!" cried Will, when he had grasped the +import of the news. + +"Yes, and I want to tell them," said Mr. Blackford. "Somehow or other I +have an idea that they can help me to find my sister. I don't know why I +feel so, but I have--all along. They have always been so lucky." + +"They surely have," agreed Allen. "From the time they first set out----" + +"And found my five hundred dollar bill," interrupted Mr. Blackford. "And +then----" + +"Un-haunting the mansion of Shadow Valley," added Will. + +"How did you come to find the missing piece of paper?" asked Frank. + +"It was simple enough," replied the young man. "It appears that the +corner of the document, describing the birth mark on my sister, was torn +off when the firm I have engaged to help search for her, forwarded it +to me. One of the stenographers found it in her desk the other day, and +they sent it on. + +"I had some business in this section, so, remembering your kind +invitation to spend some time in your camp, I decided to avail myself of +it, and stop over." + +"Glad you did," said Will hospitably. "Did the storm bother you?" + +"Not much. You were caught in it though." + +"Yes. Had to leave the ice boat and tramp back. But we're all right now. +We'll hustle around and get some grub," announced Allen. "Then we'll go +over and see the girls. They'll be anxious to hear the story. You +haven't succeeded in locating your sister yet; have you?" + +"No, I've been on a number of false trails, but I somehow feel that luck +is going to turn now." + +Mr. Blackford, who said he had been invited by Mr. Franklin to make +himself at home in the cabin of the boys, turned in and helped them get +ready a simple meal. It was now night, and the boys were tired out from +buffeting the storm. But they were in good spirits, and glad to see +their friend. + +After the meal, at which all present displayed good appetites, they went +over to the girls' cabin, where they found Betty and her chums in dry +clothes sitting before a roaring fire. + +"My, this looks like all the comforts of home!" exclaimed Mr. Blackford +approaching the blaze and rubbing his hands. "You certainly have it fine +here!" + +"So you have good news?" queried Grace, for Will had slipped over for a +moment to give a hint of what was to come. + +"Yes, I have a description of my sister's birth mark now. So if you see +her--or if I do--we can identify her." + +"I hope we do find her," spoke Betty sympathetically. "What sort of a +mark is it?" + +"It is the letter 'V' on her left arm, just above the elbow," returned +Mr. Blackford. + +"That ought to be easy to see--especially in summer time when the girls +wear short sleeves," said Will. "But in winter it would be rather +awkward going about asking a girl if she had the letter 'V' tattooed on +her elbow. She might think you were trying to jolly her." + +"It isn't a tattoo mark," said Mr. Blackford, as he consulted the +description, the torn-off piece having been pasted on to make it +complete. "It's a red birth-mark, this paper says, and is in the shape +of a 'V'. I do hope it will lead to something. If you girls----" + +"Why--why!" cried Betty springing to her feet. "Amy, you have a mark +like that--at least it looks like a mark on your arm. I have often seen +it!" Betty was much excited, and Amy turned pale. + +"Is this--is this so?" faltered Mr. Blackford eagerly. "Have you such a +mark?" + +"Not such as you describe," replied Amy with a blush. When the young man +had first spoken of a birth mark a rush of hope had flooded her heart. +Now it had receded, leaving her disappointed. + +"See," she said, rolling up her sleeve just above her elbow. "It is a +mere scar. I have had it ever since I was a child. I don't know how I +came by the thing, and neither--neither do--any of my friends." She +hesitated at the word. + +"No, I'm afraid the mark I am looking for isn't that kind," said Mr. +Blackford slowly. "The one spoken of in the missing part of the letter +is very definite. I am sorry." + +Amy was too, but she did not speak. + +"Oh, isn't this too bad!" exclaimed Betty contritely. "I am sorry I +spoke, and raised false hopes. But I remembered that mark on Amy's +arm----" + +"Well, better luck next time," said Mr. Blackford, as cheerfully as he +could. "If you girls will continue to be on the lookout----" + +"We'll do all we can for you," said Mollie, Amy did not speak again. It +might be that she was wishing she had some such clue so that she could +locate her missing parents or relatives, whoever they might be. + +Mr. Blackford, who had been in Deepdale a few days before setting out +for the camp, told the news and gossip of the village. + +"Did you hear anything as to why Mr. Jallow brought his folks up here?" +asked Grace. + +"Nothing definite--no. There was talk that they had come here, and folks +were speculating as to why. I wondered if it had anything to do with the +dispute over the land." + +"We think so, but we can't be sure," said Will. "I have written to +father about it, and he has asked us to be on our guard. Jallow may be +planning some trick to get more land away from dad." + +"Oh, I wish this unpleasant dispute was all over!" sighed Grace. "It +makes it so uncertain!" + +"Well, don't worry," advised Allen. "We're having a good time up here." + +"And we'll have more fun when I get what I've sent for," said Will +mysteriously. + +"What is it?" asked Grace. "Another box of chocolates?" + +"Nonsense! Always chocolates!" cried her brother. "No, this is better. +Did you inquire about it when you were in town, Mr. Blackford?" for Will +had been corresponding with the young man. + +"Yes, and they said it would be shipped this week." + +"Good! Then I'll get it next, and we'll astonish the girls." + +"Mean thing--not to tell!" pouted Grace. But Will was obdurate. + +The storm kept up all night, and part of the next day. The snow was so +deep that skating and ice boating were out of the question. But the +young people could go on sledding excursions, which they did, Mr. +Franklin furnishing the horses and sleigh. + +This was a new kind of fun, and was enjoyed to the utmost. They went to +near-by towns, and had oyster suppers, going to informal dances +afterward. Mr. Blackford stayed, and as he could do little business +while thus snow-bound he made arrangements to remain in camp a week or +two. The boys and girls were glad to have him, as he was good company, +and knew no end of games for an evening entertainment. + +Meanwhile, though the young folks often went off in the woods, they had +no further clashes with the Jallows. They did not call on their rivals, +though Mrs. Jallow, meeting the girls once or twice, pressed them to +come. + +"But she just wants to ask us questions about father's business," +decided Grace. "We'll not go." + +And they did not, for it would have been embarrassing for poor Amy. + +Once or twice the girls had a sight of Hank Smither patroling the +dividing line between the two properties, but he said nothing, and his +dog growled. The girls were careful to keep on Mr. Ford's land. + +Then came a miserable week, when it rained and rained and rained again. +Much of the snow was washed away, and the boys and girls had to stay in +their cabins most of the time. Then it was that Mr. Blackford proved his +worth, for he was a royal entertainer, and when he ran out of tricks and +games he invented new things to interest them. + +"His sister will be a lucky girl--whoever she is, if he takes her to +live with him," said Betty one night after an evening of enjoyment. + +"That's right," agreed Mollie. "He's almost as nice as--Allen--isn't +he?" + +"I'm glad you think so," replied blushing Betty. + +There came a freeze, and the river was just right for glorious skating +and ice boating. The _Spider_ had been brought to her dock again, and +one pleasant afternoon, when there was a good, but not too cold or stiff +a breeze, the party set off for another run. It was cool and clear, with +no hint of storm. + +They had not gone very far in the ice boat before they heard the +approach of another behind them, and soon, to their surprise, they saw +in the craft that was rapidly overcoming them Alice Jallow, and her +three young friends. As they came up Jake Rossmore called patronizingly: + +"Want a race?" + +"Sure," answered Allen, nothing loath, for he had faith in his craft. + +Soon the two gliders were on even terms, but it was soon seen that the +rival boat carried more sail, and was better built for racing. It began +to forge ahead of the _Spider_. + +"I'll tell them you're coming!" jeered Sam Batty as he waved his hand to +those he was leaving behind. + +"Oh, can't you beat him?" exclaimed Mollie impulsively. "Do try, Allen!" + +"I will, but they have the better boat." + +He manoeuvered as best he could, but it was of no use. The other boat +shot ahead. + +"Wait!" murmured Will. "I'll show them a trick next week." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +IN A TRAP + + +"Well, they beat us," said Frank mournfully, as Allen came up into the +wind, and let the _Spider_ glide easily over the ice, while the rival +craft, its occupants visibly rejoicing, shot out of sight around a bend +of the river. "They beat us good and proper." + +"Yes," agreed Will. "But I don't believe they can do it again." + +"Oh, yes they can," insisted Allen. "They've got a faster boat, there's +no denying that. But of course we had a much bigger load than they did. +They're lighter. However, I'm not backing water. Those fellows handled +her well, too." + +"I wish we could have won," sighed Mollie. + +"Yes, we'll never hear the last of it from Kittie and Alice," declared +Betty. "They'll crow over us every chance they get." + +"Let them," said Grace, speaking rather indistinctly on account of a +chocolate in her mouth. "Some day you can come out, Allen--just you +boys--and have another race with them--a regular race." + +"We might win then," agreed the young lawyer, "but I doubt it. Theirs is +a racer all right, and ours is built more for pleasure. It's a safer +boat too, the _Spider_ is. Once or twice they came near having a spill +in wind that didn't faze us a bit. I'm glad we didn't have any accidents +like the last time we met Alice." + +"That's right," said Betty, recalling the two upsets. + +"Let them wait," remarked Will mysteriously. "I'll soon have a boat that +will beat anything on the river." + +"Oh, is papa going to let you get an ice boat?" cried Grace. "I don't +care! I don't think it's fair! You get anything you want. You had a new +horse and----" + +"And wasn't it on your account that dad let you girls come to this +camp?" demanded Will. "Talk about me getting all the favors----" + +"Children! Children!" admonished Betty with a smile. + +"And besides, this has nothing to do with dad," went on Will. "This is +something I'm getting up on my own account." + +"Oh, tell us!" begged Mollie. + +"Nope. It's a secret. You'll see it as soon as it comes." + +"Give you a chocolate if you tell," bribed Grace. + +"Nope." + +"Two." + +"Nope!" + +"Oh, let him alone," advised Betty. "What are we going to do next?" + +"Oh, just sail on--sail on," answered Allen with a laugh. "We won't try +any more races though." + +They proceeded up the river another mile or so, and had a distant +glimpse of their rivals scudding about. Then something else claimed +their attention. This was a sight of some men fishing through the ice +for pickerel, and the girls at once evinced an appetite for fresh fish. + +"Why, we can do that ourselves," declared Will. "We'll try it when we +get back." + +"Oh, see if you can't get them to sell you some," begged Grace. "They +will be fine for supper." + +The men were very willing to dispose of some of their catch. They were +lumbermen from a distant camp, which fact becoming known, Grace insisted +on her brother inquiring if they knew anything of Paddy Malone. + +"I used to know him," said one burly fisherman, "but he hasn't been +around for a year or so." + +"Guess he don't dast come," put in another. + +"Why?" asked Will curiously. + +"He got into trouble, I hear, and the authorities want him." + +"Nothing of the sort," the first man declared. "Paddy is as straight as +a fish pole. More likely it's the other way round and he's staying away +so as not to make trouble for some one else." + +"Maybe," agreed the second man. "Anyhow he isn't around." + +"That's true enough." + +With their fish the young people started back in the ice boat, Will +finding out, by talking with the other lumbermen, that Paddy Malone had +not been seen in some time. + +The fresh fish were indeed a welcome addition to the table that night, +the boys having their share. "We'll have to try this sport to-morrow," +decided Will, when he had cleaned off his plate the second time. +"They're great!" + +Accordingly the next day the boys chopped holes in the ice, and with +baited hooks attached to springy branches, set in the ice, with a piece +of cloth, that, by its bobbing gave indication of a bite, planned for a +big catch. The visual signals enabled each lad to set several hooks. + +But either they were not in the right place, or they did not use the +right bait, for two small fish were all they caught. + +"Those lumbermen have them hypnotized," complained Will. "I'm going up +to their fishing grounds to-morrow." + +The other boys said they would accompany him. This left the girls to +their own devices, since they did not care to go with the boys. + +"Who's for a walk in the woods?" asked Mollie, and they all were eager +to come along. In their short skirts and leggings they found it easy +going, even in comparatively deep snow. + +"Oh, it's great to be an outdoor girl!" exulted Betty, as she trudged +along beside Grace. + +"Yes. I wonder if Carrie Norton, the girl who fell out of the tree, +would like this?" ventured Amy. + +"She was a real outdoor girl, too," observed Mollie, reflectively. + +Carrie, however, who figured largely in the third book of this series, +had gone, as has been said, to live with a distant relative. +Occasionally she wrote to her young friends. + +The girls had gone about a mile, or perhaps two, from their camp, and +were nearing the debatable ground where Mr. Jallow claimed a valuable +strip of timber. Grace was just about to warn her companions not to +trespass, when Amy called attention to something in the woods a short +distance off. + +"See the cute little log cabin!" she cried. "Let's see if any one lives +there." + +"If they do they must be frozen!" declared Mollie. "It is full of chinks +and cracks." + +They approached closer to it. It was not like any log cabin they had +ever seen, consisting, as they could see through the open door, of but +one room. + +"It's probably only a hunter's lean-to," said Betty. "Don't go too +close, Amy." + +But Betty spoke too late. Curious to see the whole interior of the +cabin, Amy stepped across the threshold. A moment later she heard +something move behind her. She turned, but not in time. + +An instant later a raised, sliding door of heavy logs slid down in +grooves, and Amy was a prisoner. + +"Oh--Oh!" she cried out. "What has happened?" and she beat on the heavy +logs with her little hands. "Oh dear!" + +"It's a trap! You're in a bear trap!" cried Betty. "We must go for +help!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +TROUBLE + + +The girls were stunned for a moment. After Amy's first frantic cry, and +Betty's realization of the danger, and the way out, there came, as there +often does following a shock, a period of lethargy. + +Mollie and Grace, who had clung to each other spasmodically, now +separated. Grace, even in this moment sought her sweater pocket, where, +as might be supposed, she carried some of her seemingly never-failing +chocolates. + +"What--what must we do?" asked Mollie, who looked to Betty to answer +this question. It was curious how even Mollie, used as she was to +thinking for herself, turned to the Little Captain now. + +"Get her out, of course. If we can't do it, we must go for help. But we +must get her out!" Thus spoke Betty promptly. + +"Is--is she really in there?" asked Grace, as though she hardly believed +it. Grace had a habit of saying surprising things when least expected. + +"Yes, I am in here! Oh, don't go away and leave me!" begged the +imprisoned one, sobbing hysterically. "I shall die if you do!" + +"That's all right, Amy dear," answered Betty soothingly. "We won't leave +you. Or, at least some one will stay with you. But perhaps you can find +a way out yourself. Look and see, dear." + +But it was only too evident that the bear trap was made to hold whatever +unfortunate animal or human being got into it. The affair was like a +small log cabin, the whole front consisting of a heavy planked sliding +door, dropping down from above in grooves. + +The back of the trap was against a great slab of rock, and the sides and +roofs were made of heavy logs, notched together at the ends, and spiked. +While there were chinks and crevices between the logs they were not +large enough for even a cat to get through. The girls, as far as they +could see, could find no way for Amy to get out unless the heavy door +was raised, and this they did not believe they could accomplish. + +"Can you see a way out, Amy?" asked Betty. "Look carefully, my dear." + +They could hear Amy moving about in the trap, and presently her voice +came falteringly out through the chinks: + +"No, there's no way out that I see. Can't you raise the door?" + +"We'll try!" called Mollie. But the trouble was that there was no way of +getting a hold on the smooth planks. + +"We must go for help!" decided Betty after a few ineffectual attempts. +"There is no use wasting time here." + +"Oh, don't leave me!" cried Amy. "I can't stand it to be here alone!" + +"Listen," said Betty. "Grace and I will go for help. It needs a man's +strength to raise this door. Mollie will stay and keep you company, +Amy. Grace and I will go to where the lumbermen are fishing. That is the +nearest place, and the boys may be there also. We'll be as quick as we +can." + +"Please do!" urged Amy. "Oh, how silly of me to get caught like this!" + +"You couldn't help it," said Betty. "Come on, Grace." + +They started off over the snow, heading in as straight a line as +possible for the river. They knew they were near the place where they +had seen the fishing lumbermen, and they hoped to meet some of them +there now. The boys had said they were going there to learn the trick +of getting pickerel through the ice. + +"Are you hurt, Amy?" asked Mollie, when she was left alone outside the +trap. + +"No, not a bit; only a little scared," replied Amy. + +"Well, you'll get over that. How did it happen? Was the trap baited?" + +As Mollie asked this she thought of the possibility of the bear, for +which the trap evidently had been set, coming along. In that case her +position would be worse than that of Amy's who was effectually +protected. + +"I'd be glad to be in the trap then myself," thought Mollie. + +"No, I don't see any signs of bait," said Amy, looking about. + +"Then what made the door fall down?" + +"It seems to have been propped up with a stick," went on Amy. "When I +walked in, so foolishly, I must have knocked the stick down, and the +door fell. The prop is here. Oh, I'll never be so curious again!" + +The two girls talked to each other to keep up their spirits, and +wondered how long Betty and Grace would be. + +Meanwhile the two latter were having no easy time. They got into deep +drifts, and stumbled out again, tiring themselves greatly in the +process. Then they got off the trail, and wandered into the back +country. It was not until they got on a high bluff, and saw the river +below them, that they realized their mistake. + +Then came a hard scramble down a snowy hill, but at length they were on +the frozen river, and headed for the place where the fishing was going +on. + +"We are surely living up to our reputation as outdoor girls," panted +Betty as she walked along beside Grace. + +"Yes--all but Amy. She is strictly in-doors now." + +"Poor child! She does seem to have the most trouble!" + +"Well, maybe it will soon be happily over." + +"I hope so!" + +Neither of them realized how soon the fates were to be kind to Amy in a +most peculiar manner. + +"There are the fishermen!" exclaimed Betty a little later, as they made +a turn in the river, and saw several men on the ice. + +"Yes, and the boys are with them. Oh, let's hurry!" + +"I can't go a bit faster," said Betty. "You're a better walker than I, +Grace." + +"Oh, no, only I'm not quite so stout--that's all." + +"Stout is very kind of you to say. I'm afraid I'm getting +positively--fleshy, Grace." + +"Nonsense! You're fine!" + +"What's the trouble?" cried Will, running forward as he saw his sister +and Betty approaching. "Has anything happened?" + +"Yes--yes," faltered Grace. "Poor Amy----" + +"Is--is she----" began Allen, as he joined his chum. + +"It's nothing at all!" said Betty, quickly, seeing that Grace, in her +nervousness, might give them a scare. "She is caught in a bear trap, +that's all, and we want you to help get her out." + +"A bear trap!" cried Will. "One of those spring ones--with heavy jaws?" + +"No, a sort of box trap," explained Betty. "We can't raise the door." + +"By hemlock!" exclaimed one of the lumbermen who overheard the talk. "It +must be the trap I set for that young fellow over at the Jallow cabin." + +"Did you set one for him?" asked Will, quickly. + +"Yes, and I told him at the time it was a piece of foolishness. There's +no bears around now, anyhow, and I said some one might get in it by +mistake and be caught. I only rigged it up temporary. The two young +fellows wanted to see how it worked. They sprung it after I set it, but +they must have set it again, after I left, to see how it worked." + +"Well, it's worked all right--now," said Will, grimly. "Come on, we must +get Amy out." + +"That's what!" cried the lumberman. "Come on, Bill and Tom. Bring your +axes." + +The little party was soon under way, led by the lumberman who recalled +the location of the old bear trap. + +Betty and Grace, with the three boys, brought up in the rear. + +"To think of poor Amy being in that trap!" mused Frank. + +"Yes, and it was set by Jake Rossmore and Sam Batty," added Will. "I'll +give 'em a piece of my mind when I see 'em!" + +"Oh, please don't have trouble!" begged his sister. + +"Trouble! The trouble will all be on their side," announced Will, +grimly. + +It was the matter of but a few moments for the lumbermen, expert as they +were with the axes, to release Amy, and she fell sobbing into the arms +of her friends. + +"Oh, take me home! Take me home!" she begged. + +"There, there!" soothed Betty, with her arms about the shrinking figure, +"you'll be all right soon." + +"I told those fellows it was foolish to set that bear trap," asserted +the lumberman, "but they would have it." + +"Well, there's one satisfaction," grimly spoke one of his companions, +"it will need a lot of repairin' before it's fit for use again," for +they had chopped the front away to more quickly release Amy. + +Will was peering about, and, as the party made ready to start for the +cabins, the lumbermen going back to their fishing, Grace's brother said: + +"Unless I'm mistaken this trap is on dad's land, which means that that +Jallow crowd must have trespassed here to set it. Take a look, Allen, +and see if the boundary line doesn't bring the trap on this side." + +"It certainly does," declared the young lawyer. "They were trespassers, +all right." + +"And I'll let 'em know it, too," said Will. + +"Oh, please don't quarrel!" begged Grace. + +Amy was fast recovering her composure, and she and her girl chums went +on ahead, the boys coming more leisurely. Soon the girls were out of +sight in a little valley. + +The boys were talking about the recent happening, when, as they came +from a little clump of trees, they saw Alice and Kittie, with the two +boys who, according to the lumberman, had set the trap. + +"Here's where I tackle 'em," said Will. + +"Go easy, old man," advised Allen. + +"Say, what do you fellows mean by setting that bear trap on our land?" +cried Will, hotly, as he advanced toward the two lads. Alice and Kittie +shrank back. + +"What do you mean?" challenged Jake. "We had a right to set that trap!" + +"You did not, and one of our friends was just caught in it. You ought to +be ashamed of yourselves. And you were on our property, too, not that we +care so much about that, though." + +"Who was caught?" asked Kittie, and she could not keep the sympathy out +of her voice. + +"Amy," replied Will. + +Alice Jallow laughed. + +"We didn't think we'd get game so soon; did we, Jake?" asked Sam, with a +grin. + +"I'll teach you to make game of us!" cried Will as he strode forward. + +Probably the snowball was not meant for him, but one thrown at that +moment by Jake struck Will full in the face. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A SNOW FIGHT + + +Alice Jallow screamed, and in this was joined by Kittie Rossmore. Then +both girls turned and fled. Possibly they anticipated what was coming, +for after the white flakes of the snowball had fallen from Will's face, +and the red, caused by the impact, had died out, he became white with +anger. + +"What did you do that for, Jake Rossmore?" Will cried. + +"I didn't mean to. You walked right into it!" + +"A likely story. I'll fix you for that," and Will sprang forward. + +To the credit of Jake and Sam, though this is not to be taken in any +sense as upholding fighting, the two boys did not turn back, though +out-numbered. + +"You fellows are altogether too fresh!" declared Frank. "You go and set +a bear trap where you have no business to, and then you pelt us with +snowballs. We won't stand it!" + +"Better go easy," advised Allen Washburn, though, truth, to tell, his +blood was also up. "Better go easy." + +By this time Will had reached Jake, and aimed a blow at him. It fell +short, and was a mere tap, but Jake retaliated. He swung too wide, and +the next moment Will had pushed him into a snowbank. Jake was up again +in an instant, however, and there might have been a serious fistic +encounter had not Allen cried out: + +"Here, fellows! This won't do!" + +"But he pushed me!" cried Jake, with doubled fists, while Frank and Sam +were regarding each other with none too friendly eyes. + +"Yes, and you hit me with a snowball first!" retorted Will. It was very +much like two children, but the boys did not realize it at the time. +Possibly Allen did. + +"You'd better arbitrate," he suggested with a smile. + +"I will not!" declared Will. + +"Me either," added Jake. + +"Then have a snowball fight--two on a side--I'll see fair play," +suggested the young lawyer. "That will be a good way out of it. It will +relieve your feelings, and no one will be much hurt. Come, here's the +line," and he drew one in the snow. "Get your ammunition ready, and +I'll give the word. The side that first cries 'enough,' loses, and honor +is satisfied." + +"I'm willing, if they are," said Frank. + +"Yes," agreed Will. + +"Go ahead," spoke Jake, and Sam nodded his assent. + +"If we only had Mr. Blackford here we could have three on a side," +remarked Will to Frank, as they made a pile of snowballs, which example +was being followed by their rivals. But the young business man had gone +into town to see about some of his affairs, promising to come back by +evening. + +"All ready?" asked Allen, as he noted that the white ammunition was +accumulating. He would have been glad to take a hand himself, but he +thought it hardly dignified. + +"All ready!" replied Will, and his rivals nodded their willingness to +start. "Everybody in the game!" + +Then the snowball fight began, and it was sufficiently fierce to allow +the rather angry feelings on both sides to be worked off, in perhaps the +least harmful manner. + +All four of the boys were fairly good shots, and for the first five +minutes a number of hits were recorded. Each was struck in the face +several times, though most of the shots were on the body. Will received +one in his eye that pained him very much. + +"That's sure to swell, and be black and blue," he thought. "Well, we'll +see what this will do," and he aimed one at Jake. It took young Rossmore +full in the ear, and a little later he begged for a truce to rid it of +snow. + +Meanwhile Kittie and Alice, rather terrified at the impending clash, had +hurried on. + +"We ought to get a policeman and make that Ford fellow and his chums +stop," said Alice, vindictively. + +"I guess it isn't all on their side," spoke Kittie, who could be fair. +"Besides, there's no policeman here." + +"Then I'm going to tell father. I don't believe that bear trap is on the +Ford land. They are trying to claim everything. I'm just going to tell +father, or Hank Smither. He'll make 'em let Jake and Sam alone." + +"Oh, I guess Jake and Sam can look after themselves," said Kittie, +calmly. "Only I don't like to see a clash. It makes me nervous. I don't +believe it will amount to so very much, though." + +The two tramped on, and, as luck would have it, they overtook Betty and +her chums, hurrying on to the cabin with Amy. Our friends turning, saw +their rivals, and then became aware that their boys were not in sight. + +"I wonder where they can be?" asked Mollie. "Did you see Frank, Will and +Allen?" she asked of Kittie, ignoring Alice. + +"They're back there--fighting," replied Kittie, breathlessly. + +"Fighting!" cried Grace. "And Will promised he wouldn't! Oh! girls, I +must stop him at once!" + +She was about to run back in the direction she had come, when a man, +driving a sled containing a bulky object, called to the girls: + +"Say, where can I find a Mr. Will Ford around here?" + +"Why--why, that's my brother!" exclaimed Grace in surprise. "What is it, +please?" + +"It's some machinery for him. It's an express piece. Where shall I +deliver it?" + +"That's his cabin over there," and Grace pointed to where it could just +be seen. "Are there any charges on it?" + +"Yep. Three dollars." + +"I'll pay them. Oh, girls, I wonder what it can be?" + +"Will's secret, probably," answered Betty. "I wish he would come;" and +she looked anxiously over the trail. + +"Don't you wish Allen would come, too?" asked Mollie, slily. + +"Hush!" exclaimed Betty, with a glance at Alice and Kittie. + +"Well, I'm going back, anyhow!" decided Grace, as she paid the +expressman. "I'll tell Will there is a big box for him, and that will be +a good excuse for him coming back. They must not fight. Papa would not +like it." + +"Well, perhaps that is a good plan," agreed Betty. "I'll keep on with +Amy, and you and Mollie can go back to the boys." + +"I'll go tell papa, and have him stop Jake and Sam," said Alice, moving +off with her chum. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE AUTO ICE BOAT + + +Grace strode ahead so rapidly through the snow that Mollie was forced to +ask her to moderate her pace. + +"This isn't a race!" was the objection. + +"But I want to stop them fighting!" insisted Grace. "Will gets so angry, +sometimes, that he doesn't know what he is doing. Papa often said he'd +do something desperate in his fits of temper some day. I'm really +afraid." + +"He's like me," laughed Mollie, frankly. "Only I just flare up for a +second, and then I'm sorry for it." + +"Oh, well, Will is too," admitted his sister, "but I don't want to give +him a chance to be sorry. Come on!" + +"If I come any faster you'll have to carry me," panted Mollie. "Remember +that I am not a Gibson girl like you." + +"Oh, do come!" begged Grace. "They may be rolling and tumbling about in +the snow, biting each other----" + +"Boys don't fight that way, and you ought to know it," said Mollie. "I +detest fighting myself, but I know that when it is done right--if ever +there is such a time--there is no biting and scratching." + +"Well, I've seen some football games," spoke Grace, and she wondered why +Mollie laughed. + +The girls were rather surprised, on coming to a point where they could +look down on the boys, to see merely a snow battle in progress. The air +seemed filled with the flying white missiles, and the four rivals were +running back and forth, looking for vantage points. Allen hovered about, +seeing that no unfair tactics were used. + +Finally, as the girls started forward again, Grace much relieved in +mind, Sam Batty pulled out his handkerchief and waved it. + +"What's that for?" asked Grace. + +"Flag of truce, probably. Very likely he's had enough." + +"Oh, Will is down!" cried Grace a moment later, as her brother slipped +and fell. Jake rushed forward to deliver a ball at close range, but +Allen held up his hand. + +"No hitting when one is down!" he decided, and Jake drew back. Then, as +Will scrambled to his feet again, the battle was renewed, only two being +engaged, however. + +As Will vainly dodged a ball aimed at him, which struck him in the face, +Grace screamed. Her brother turned quickly. + +"What is it?" cried Will, in some alarm. + +"Stop that right away!" demanded Grace, "or I'll tell papa, and make him +take you home." + +"One more shot!" Will exclaimed, and he delivered a large snowball with +such good aim that it nearly covered the whole of Jake's face. Kittie's +brother staggered about, and when he could get his breath he cried: + +"I'm through--I've had enough!" + +"Battle's over--cease firing!" laughed Allen. "Well, girls, what's the +trouble?" he asked as he and his two friends advanced to meet Grace and +Mollie, while Jake and Sam moved off in the direction of their cabin. + +"Oh, Will, there's a big express package for you at the cabin!" Grace +exclaimed. "You owe me three dollars on it." + +"Good!" cried the lad. "I'll give you the money out of my next +allowance. It's the motor boat, fellows," he added. + +"A motor boat!" cried Betty. "What good is a motor boat up here, with +the river frozen?" + +"Oh, it's something new--a little idea of my own," said Will. "It's a +converted motor-cycle gasoline engine, that can be attached to our ice +boat. We're tired of having to depend on the wind. Now fellows, we'll +have some fun. Hurry home, and we'll see if we can get it working +to-day." + +"First you ought to do something to that eye," said Grace. "It will be +black and blue; and you'll look disgraceful." + +"No one will see it up here," said Will calmly. "It doesn't matter." + +"Don't we girls matter?" demanded Mollie. + +"Oh, well, I'll put some raw beefsteak on it when I get to the cabin. +I've heard that's good. Jake caught me a hard one in the eye." + +"Fighting! Disgraceful!" murmured Will's sister. + +"It was the best way out--snowballs," said Allen in a low voice, while +Will and Frank were comparing notes. "It might have been more serious +only for that. It was because they set the trap that Amy was caught in." + +"Oh, well then, I'm glad they did fight--with snowballs," returned Grace +in a different tone. + +The big box had been unloaded in front of the cabin when the boys +arrived, and while Grace and Mollie went in to talk to Betty and Amy, +the boys proceeded to get out the motor. + +As Will had said this was one taken from a motorcycle. It was of two +cylinders, and powerful. The boys planned to set it in the after part +of the cockpit of the ice boat, and take off the sail. The motor would +revolve a wheel at the stern, the wheel having spikes all around the +rim. These spikes would dig into the ice and thus send the boat ahead. A +lever was provided so that the spiked wheel could be pushed down lightly +or hard on the ice, thus regulating the speed of the queer looking +craft. The _Spider_ could be steered as before, by moving the rear +runner. + +"Now we'll show you some sport!" cried Will, when he had seen that all +the parts of the motor were there. "We'll go some, now!" + +But if the boys had hoped to try their new craft that day they were +disappointed, for there was more work about installing the motor than +they had calculated on. The girls grew tired of waiting, and strolled +over to the village, the day being pleasant. They met Mr. Blackford +coming from the depot, he having returned to complete his visit with the +boys. + +He looked rather tired and discouraged, which prompted Betty to ask in a +low voice: + +"Have you had any trace of your sister?" + +"None at all," he said despondently. "I seem to be up against a stone +wall, and so do the lawyers and searchers I have engaged. We get to a +certain point, and there we stick. After that, all traces of her are +lost." + +"Poor little sister! I wonder what she will look like, and what she will +be like?" + +"Then you never saw her?" + +"Only when she was a baby, and I a small chap. I do not remember her. +But I have not given up hope yet. Now, how are you all, and what has +happened since I went away?" + +Betty told him, including the news about the new auto ice boat. + +"That sounds interesting," declared Mr. Blackford. "I want a ride in +that." + +"That's more than I do," spoke Mollie. "I'd rather go in an airship." + +"So would I," agreed Grace. + +But when the next day, after several false starts, and a breakdown, the +motor was finally set in motion on the _Spider_, the girls were +interested enough to come down to look at it. + +"All aboard!" cried Will, who was quite proud of his apparatus. "Come +on, girls!" + +"Wait until we see you try it," suggested Betty. + +"Well, then, get in, fellows!" + +Allen, Frank and Mr. Blackford took their places, Allen to steer while +Will looked after the motor. Looking to see that all was running +smoothly, the big notched wheel at the stern revolving swiftly, Will +cautiously lowered it. There was a shower of icy particles as the teeth +chipped into the frozen surface of the river, and then the _Spider_ +slowly forged ahead, under the influence of the motor instead of a sail. + +"Oh, they're actually moving!" cried Grace. + +"And how fast!" agreed Mollie. + +"That's fine!" declared Betty. + +"I--I'm going to ask them to give me a ride!" exclaimed Amy. "Oh, it +must be glorious!" + +"Well, if she's brave enough to risk it, I am!" said Grace positively. +"Shall we go, girls?" + +"Wait a bit and see what happens," suggested Mollie. But nothing seemed +to be going to happen. On up the river went the auto ice boat at +ever-increasing speed. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +MAROONED + + +"Dare we take it out ourselves?" asked Grace. + +"I don't see why not," replied Mollie. "I can run a motor car, Betty can +manage a motor boat, and this is sort of between them both. Of course we +can run it!" + +"Will you promise to go slow?" asked Amy, timidly. + +"Of course," agreed Betty. "Anyhow the ice is so soft that we can't get +as much speed out of it as the boys did the other day." + +The outdoor girls were grouped about the auto ice boat at the little +dock near their cabin. The boys had gone off on a hunt, a rumor of a +bear having been seen about five miles off coming to them by a friendly +lumberman. + +The girls were discussing the advisability of going out for a little +trip in the queer craft that Will and his chums had made. For a week +past the boys had run it at various times, taking the girls out on +trips, and explaining how the motor and notched wheel operated. The +girls had even run it for short distances themselves, under the +tutelage of the boys. + +A week has passed since it was first run and, though it was voted "great +sport," the boys had rather tired of it, especially when the rumor of +the bear reached them. + +"Will said we could take it whenever we wanted to," spoke Grace, as she +arranged some fur rugs in the cockpit. "But are you sure you can run it, +Mollie--or Betty?" + +"It's simple," replied Betty noncommittally. "It will do no harm to +try." + +"And it's easy to stop," said Mollie. "Even if we forget to shut off the +engine, by pushing down on this handle, the wheel will be raised, and +won't cut into the ice. Then it will stop." + +"Just as when you throw out the clutch on your auto," suggested Betty. + +"Exactly. Come on girls. We'll go for a little run. There's nothing else +to do in camp." + +The week had been rather a monotonous one, for the weather had turned +warm, and the ice was not in good condition for skating. It was almost +too soft for the boat, and the boys had rather given it up. But the +girls wanted to do something, and the auto ice craft offered them a +chance. + +They had visited a hunters' camp a few days before, and seen some novel +sights, though game was not as plentiful as the hunters had wished. + +"Well, if we're going--let's go!" cried Betty in a jolly voice, as she +buttoned her sweater more closely about her, and saw that her cap fitted +snugly. + +"You must expect to get some speed out of it," returned Amy. "But +remember you promised to go slow." + +"We can't do much else--it's so soft," declared Mollie, digging the toe +of her shoe into the surface of the ice. + +"Well--let's mote!" exclaimed Grace. "I've got some chocolates, so that +if the wind does out----" + +"Wind! You forget we don't use a sail," cried Betty with a laugh. "We +can get home in a dead calm. So if that's your only excuse for bringing +chocolates----" + +"We might run out of gasoline," Grace interrupted. "I'll take them, +anyway." + +"That's right, angel child!" murmured Mollie, "and I'll help you eat +them," and she calmly appropriated the box Grace had produced, and +selected some choice confections. + +Just as the girls were about to leave, having shoved the ice boat out +away from the dock so as to get a good start, Mr. Franklin, the camp +care-taker, who had been over to a distant section, came running down to +the dock. + +"Do you think your father is back from his Western trip yet, Miss Ford?" +he asked. + +"Yes, I had a letter from home to-day, saying he would be home to-night. +Why?" + +"Well, those Jallows are acting mean again. They're cutting timber on +land I'm sure belongs to your father, regardless of the strip in +dispute. I'm going to wire him to come up here. This thing ought to be +stopped." + +"Oh dear! More trouble!" sighed Grace. "Well, do as you think best, Mr. +Franklin. I think you'll find papa home. Oh, I wish this was all +settled. I wonder why there are such people as the Jallows, anyhow?" + +"Probably for the same reason that there are mosquitoes," said Betty. +"It's so we will appreciate nice people all the more. But don't worry, +Grace." + +"Are you girls going out in that boat?" asked Mr. Franklin as he started +back toward his cabin. + +"Yes. Why shouldn't we?" inquired Mollie, for she saw a look of concern +on his face. + +"Well, you'll be all right if you stay around here, but the ice is +breaking up below and above you, on account of the thaw. It won't be +safe to go too far, or you'll meet open water. Be on the lookout." + +"We will," promised Betty. "We're only just going out for a practice +spin by ourselves. It will surprise the boys." + +She did not realize what a surprise she and her chums were to get before +long. + +After one or two ineffectual attempts the girls got the motor running. +Then, looking to see that all was clear, Betty, who was at the helm, +gave the word for Mollie to lower the toothed wheel, which engaging on +the ice, would move the craft. + +At first there was only a shower of soft and rather watery ice. The +surface was too "mushy" to enable the teeth to "bite." + +"Harder! Push down harder!" directed Betty. + +Mollie did so, and then, after hesitating a second as if uncertain +whether or not to go, the _Spider_ moved off, gradually acquiring speed. + +"Oh, this is glorious!" cried Grace as she sat well forward and breathed +in deep of the fresh air. "Betty--Mollie--you are wonderful!" + +"Oh, it's easy to run," said Mollie, calmly. "I understand it now. +Really, it's very simple." + +The girls took turns steering, for the boat was not going very fast, on +account of the condition of the ice. Once or twice there were booming +noises, like the sound of distant cannon. + +"What are those?" asked Amy, with a start. + +"The ice cracking," explained Betty. "It isn't anything. It often +happens on a big surface, and we're on a wide part of the river now." + +They went on for a mile or so, until Mollie suddenly clutched the arm of +Betty, and cried: + +"Look--there's open water ahead!" + +"That's right," agreed Betty, as she quickly shifted the helm. "We don't +want to plunge into that," for the water looked black and treacherous in +contrast with the white ice about it. + +They headed for their camp. The sound of the cracking ice became +oftener, and more than once Betty looked a bit apprehensively at Mollie. +But they tried to conceal their growing uneasiness from Grace and Amy. + +Suddenly there came a sharp report, louder than any that had gone +before, and, involuntarily, Mollie raised the spiked wheel. The ice boat +slowly lost headway. + +"Don't stop! Don't stop!" cried Betty. "Keep on!" + +"But it may be dangerous!" + +"It will be more dangerous to stand still! Don't you know that a moving +body has a better chance over thin ice than one standing still? Keep +going, Mollie, and head for shore!" + +"Oh, I'm sure something is going to happen!" cried Amy. + +"Nonsense, be quiet!" urged Betty. "Grace, give her a chocolate! Mollie, +lower that wheel again." + +Again the "propeller" engaged the ice, and the _Spider_ forged ahead. +Grace looked back, and saw where a big crack had appeared. It was +constantly widening. + +Then came a thunderous report. The girls screamed, and Betty almost let +go of the tiller. Then she grasped it more tightly, for she saw, with a +shudder of fear, that black water was now all around them. + +"Stop! Stop!" cried Betty to Mollie. "Stop the boat! We're on a big cake +of ice and we're floating away! Stop it!" + +In an instant Mollie had lifted the wheel, and in the next she had shut +of the motor. The _Spider_ with the girl passengers was indeed marooned +on an immense cake of ice, while all about were other cakes, grinding +and smashing over one another. The river was breaking up fast. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +TO THE RESCUE + + +"Oh--oh!" gasped Grace, when she saw the dark and seething water all +around them. "Oh, we're--afloat!" + +"And it's a good thing, too!" exclaimed Betty quickly, as she squared +the rudder-runner. "If we weren't afloat we'd be sinking, and I don't +want to do that--it's too cold!" + +Thus spoke the practical Little Captain, for she realized that now was +the time to gain control over the nerves of her chums. Once they became +hysterical there would be no managing them. And, as she spoke she +glanced sharply at Mollie, who had opened her mouth to say something, +but had thought better of it. + +"But we're on a cake of--ice!" cried Amy. + +"And, as the old wolf said to Little Red Riding Hood, so much the better +to keep afloat with, my dear!" went on Betty gaily, a condition which +she was far from feeling. + +[Illustration: "WE ARE ON A CAKE OF ICE, AND WE ARE FLOATING AWAY!" + +_The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp._ _Page 160._] + +"Yes, it's a nice big cake, too!" declared Mollie, recognizing that +Betty would need help--"backing-up"--in her efforts to calm the two +more timid girls. "It's a lovely large cake," Mollie added. "The largest +around of any. Just suppose we were on--that?" and she pointed to one +about as large as a "five cent piece the ice man brings in on a hot +day," to quote Betty's later characterization. + +"Oh, how can you make fun, when we may--when we may--may slip off any +minute?" protested Grace, half tearfully. "Oh, why did we come out in +this ice boat?" + +"Now look here!" and Betty spoke sharply. "Isn't it a good deal better +to be jolly than glum? Of course it is. And we're in no immediate +danger. As Mollie says, we may be thankful we are not on a small cake of +ice. This will hold us nicely." + +"But we're floating down the stream," said Amy. + +"Of course we are," agreed Betty cheerfully. "A river never stands +still, you know. We are floating down with the rest of the cakes. Pretty +soon there will be an ice jam, and----" + +"Oh, don't say that!" begged Grace. "An ice jam! That's one of those +terrible things where so many persons are killed." + +"Nonsense! You're thinking of an avalanche!" declared Mollie. "Betty +means that the cakes of ice will all jam together pretty soon, when the +river narrows, and we can walk ashore as nicely as you please, hauling +the ice boat after us." + +"Why can't we go ashore in that?" asked Amy, her face brightening. + +"Because it will be so--humpy!" explained Betty. "We could not run the +auto ice boat over the bumps. But really it might be worse; I'm not +fooling." + +Their situation was indeed peculiarly fortunate considering what had +happened. The warm weather had softened the ice, and the melting of much +snow had caused the river to rise. This had had the effect of cracking +the covering of ice, and it had broken up. The ice boat got on a certain +large section that split off and went floating down stream. + +"Well, let's get out and see what we can do," proposed Mollie, as she +left her place near the motor. + +"Don't you dare leave this boat!" commanded Betty, a bit sternly. + +"Why not?" asked Mollie, curiously. + +"I'll tell you why. Though the cake we are on seems solid, there may be +cracks in it, and it might separate if we stepped out on it. You see +our weight would come in a comparatively small space, whereas in the +boat it is distributed over a large surface." + +"My? Where did you learn that?" asked Mollie, admiringly. + +"In our physics class. It's true, too. We must stay here." + +"How, long?" queried Grace. "It will soon be late, and----" + +"You have some chocolates; haven't you?" demanded Betty, quickly. + +"Yes, but----" + +"Then save them. We may be here for some time, but we are bound to be +taken off--sooner or later." + +"And if it's later, and the cake of ice goes to pieces, no matter +whether we get out on it or not, what will happen?" Amy wanted to know. + +"Well, the boat contains a lot of wood, and it will float for some +time--especially this cockpit part," said Betty. "Then, too, some one is +sure to see us when we get down a little further. Or the boys will miss +the ice boat, and, knowing that we have it out, they'll hunt for us. +Especially when they see the ice breaking up." + +They were slowly floating down stream--slowly because of the number of +large and small cakes their own encountered. After the first alarm the +girls felt more at ease, especially Amy and Grace, for, in a large +measure, they had come to depend on Betty and Mollie. And these two +justified the confidence reposed in them. + +Eagerly they all scanned the shore of the river, but they saw no one. + +"I'd even be glad to see some of the Jallows!" exclaimed Grace, after a +bit. "They couldn't refuse to rescue us. Oh, I do hope papa will have no +further trouble with that man! If we could only help him to straighten +out the tangle!" + +"We'll have to straighten out our own first," said Mollie, with a tense +smile. "Do you think we are getting nearer shore, Betty?" + +Betty was about to reply, when, with a sharp report, a large piece broke +off their cake of ice. This left one of the runners on the forward +cross-piece close to the lapping water. + +"Oh dear!" cried Amy. "If this keeps up----" + +"Isn't that a man over there?" suddenly cried Betty, pointing toward +shore. "Yes, girls, it is. A man! Oh, shout to him! Call for help!" + +The next instant there went echoing over the expanse of ice-strewn water +four young voices, uniting in a call for aid. + +Fortunately the wind was right, and the man heard. He had been walking +along the river shore, and now, looking up and across, he saw the girls +in the ice boat in their perilous position. It needed but an instant for +him to sense the situation, and he acted promptly. + +He waved his hand as a sign of encouragement, and his voice came faintly +to the girls, but they could not make out what he said. The man ran back +up the shore a little way. + +"Where's he going?" asked Amy. "Oh, he's going to leave us!" + +"No, he's probably gone for help!" said Betty. "Oh, there goes another +piece of our floe!" + +"Help! Help! Hurry!" shouted Mollie, the others joining their voices to +hers. + +Presently the man was seen to be pushing something down to the river. + +"It's a boat!" cried Betty. "Now we're all right!" And it did seem to be +some sort of boat in which the man was coming to the rescue. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A HELPING HAND + + +"What is he doing?" + +"What a queer boat!" + +"Sometimes it's in the water, and again it's on the ice!" + +"No matter! He's coming to save us, and it's high time! There goes +another chunk off our ice raft!" + +It was Betty who gave voice to the last, and Grace, Amy and Mollie in +turn, who had expressed the other sentiments. All were true in their +way. The man did certainly seem to be advancing in a peculiar manner. At +times he appeared to be rowing, or padding, and again he propelled +himself over a big cake of ice, pushing himself along by means of short +poles on either side of the boat. + +And, as Mollie had said, at times he was in the water, and again gliding +over the ice. What Betty had said was but too true. Now and then, with a +startling report, the big floe on which rested the auto ice boat +containing the girls would be lessened by a great chunk, that would +break off, and go floating away. + +"Oh, hurry! Do, please, hurry!" breathed Grace, as she sat huddled close +beside Amy, gazing now and then into the ice-encumbered black water that +seemed momentarily to be encroaching on their margin of safety. + +"We can never all get in that boat!" decided Amy, as the man alternately +pushed and paddled it toward them. "It will only hold two, and he'll +have to make four trips. It may be too late--for the last one!" + +"He's doing all he can," said Betty. "Perhaps the boat will hold more +than you think." But, even as she said this she looked askance at the +peculiar craft. Clearly it was small, and at most could hold but three. +There would be danger in this even. And it would necessitate two trips +at best. This delay, with the constantly-decreasing size of the floe +meant danger for two of them. + +"Hold on, ladies, I'm coming!!" cried the man in the boat. "I'll soon +have you safe ashore. Don't jump, whatever you do, or you'll be ground +to pieces by the ice cakes!" + +"Cheerful prospect," remarked Betty grimly. + +Amy and Grace did not try to conceal the tears in their eyes. Mollie +was more like the Little Captain--brave and hopeful. Not that Grace and +Amy were cowards--far from it--but they had not the buoyant reserve +strength of their chums. + +"Steady now, and I'll have you!" cried the man. He had come to a halt in +his boat on a big swirling cake, which was keeping pace with the +progress of the one containing the ice boat. "I'm going to make a line +fast to you," the man explained, "and take my end ashore. Then I can +haul you in. I don't dare risk taking you off in the boat. The ice is +breaking up too fast. Stand by now, to catch the line I'm going to +throw." + +He was kneeling in his queer craft, and the girls could now see that it +was made for just such work as this. It was a small punt, capable of +being rowed or paddled. And to enable it to slide over the ice two +strips of iron, for runners, extended along the bottom from stem to +stern, just under the lower and outer edges of the boat's sides. In +other words it was a combined sled and boat. It was a type much used by +muskrat-hunters who have to seek their quarry on flooded meadows that +often freeze over uncertainly. + +"Here you go!" shouted the man. "Make this line fast to the forward +part of your boat. How are the runners; well sunk in?" + +"Yes!" answered Betty, glancing to make sure. The steel runners of the +cross-piece of the craft, as well as the steering plates in the rear, +had, because of the fact that the boat had been stationary so long, sunk +deep into the soft ice. The _Spider_ was firmly anchored. + +"The rope will hold better on your craft, than on the ice itself," the +man explained after he had thrown it. "Have you made it fast?" + +"Yes!" cried Mollie, who had assisted Betty in catching the line, and +taking a couple of turns about a strong cleat. + +"Oh, do please hurry and--and save us!" panted Grace. + +"I will, miss. Don't be skeered," said their rescuer kindly. The girls +could see that he was a burly lumberman, but no one they had ever met +before, as far as any of them could remember. + +"I'll have you ashore soon," he added. "I'll make as good time back as I +can, though it's ticklish work, for the ice is going out fast. It's +early for it, too, and the river will freeze up again bad. But don't +worry. Your floe will hold until I get you all ashore. Just sit tight, +and don't worry!" + +"But we--we can't help it," half whispered Amy. + +The man, having tossed the rope which Betty and Mollie secured, now +arranged the coils in the bottom of his boat so that it would pay out +without tangling. + +"I was just passing when I saw your pickle," he told them. "Lucky I had +the rope with me, and I knew old Muskrat Ike must have his punt hid +along the bank somewhere. I routed it out and here I am. Now I'm off. +Keep up your spirits!" he called with a smile. + +With two short, iron shod and pointed poles he shoved his boat around +and off the floe where he had halted. Into the water plunged the queer +craft, and then the man paddled. He slid the shelving, pointed prow out +on another ice cake and thus, alternately progressing, he neared the +shore. + +As he approached it, narrowly watched by the girls, who cast occasional +glances at their own floe, Betty uttered a cry. + +"There are the boys!" + +Three figures could be seen hurrying down to the edge of the ice-filled +river, and it needed but a glance to show that they were Will, Frank and +Allen. + +In another minute or two the lumberman, in his queer boat, had reached +the shore. Out he leaped, and shoving his punt to one side he began +hauling on the rope that was fast to the ice-anchored auto craft, the +rope forming a slender bridge to the land. Slowly the ice-floe began to +approach the shore, shoving the lesser cakes aside. + +But now a new danger presented itself. As long as the big floe had gone +down with the current it had not been struck hard by other chunks of +ice, since all were moving at the same rate of speed. Now, as the big +floe was hauled cross-ways to the current, other cakes collided with it, +breaking off large chunks. + +"There won't be anything left when we get ashore," cried Grace. "We're +going to pieces fast!" + +"Don't get excited!" advised Mollie. "We'll be all right," but she +watched with eager eyes the progress they were making, and the +ever-decreasing size of their floe. + +"The boys are going to help him!" cried Mollie. "Now we will move +faster." + +Will and the others, reaching the side of the lumberman, and seeing his +plan, laid hold of the rope with him, and hauled with all their might. +Then, indeed, the floe containing the ice boat did move toward shore +more quickly. And to such good purpose did the rescuers haul that, in a +short time, the cake grounded in shallow water, with one point so near +shore that the girls could leap across the intervening water safely. + +And it was only just in time, for when Betty, who insisted on being the +last to leave the boat, landed, the cake split in half, and the _Spider_ +was partly submerged. + +"What luck!" cried Will, as he clasped his sister's hand. "Whatever +possessed you girls to go out on a day like this?" + +"Never mind asking questions now," replied Grace half-hysterically. +"We're safe! Better get your boat ashore boys." + +"That's good advice," agreed Allen, and with the help of the lumberman +the _Spider_ was hauled ashore, not in the least damaged. The girls were +beginning to recover their nerves now, though they were a trifle shaky. + +"Let's get back to the cabin!" cried Grace. "Oh, I'll never go ice +boating again." + +"Not when the ice is like it was to-day," commented her brother. +"Franklin says he warned you." + +"Oh, well, we didn't think we'd go so far," said Mollie. "We must thank +that man. Where is he?" + +The lumberman, having replaced the queer punt where he had found it, +was walking away, when Betty, running after him, cried: + +"Oh, won't you let us know who you are? We want to thank you, and----" + +"Oh that's all right," he said, with rough good-nature. "It was all in +the day's work. I've done the same thing before." + +"But won't--won't you tell us who you are?" asked Allen. + +"It doesn't matter. I'm a stranger around here, and I don't expect to +stay. I'll be getting along," and he took off his fur cap and bowed. It +was so evident that he did not want to disclose this identity that the +boys did not press him. + +"But we can't thank you enough," said Mollie. + +"The sight of your pretty faces is enough," he replied gallantly, and +with just the trace of a brogue. He smiled genially, bowed again and +tramped off through the snow. + +"How odd!" exclaimed Grace. + +"Maybe he's one of the Jallow lumbermen, and didn't want it known that +he had done the Ford family a favor," suggested Will. + +"Silly!" remarked his sister. + +"Well, there's something queer about him anyhow," insisted Will. "Say, +but you girls were in a pickle, all right." + +"It was a whole jar full--with some olives thrown in," remarked Betty. +"Oh, I was so frightened!" + +"You didn't show it, my dear," spoke Amy. "You were very brave!" + +"Well, some one had to be. Not that you all weren't!" said Betty +quickly. + +"When we got back, and Franklin said you'd gone off in the boat, and we +saw the ice breaking up, we were wild about you," spoke Will. "We +started out to trace you, keeping on the high ground to see you quicker. +But the lumberman beat us to it." + +"Oh, I don't know what we should have done without him," declared +Mollie. + +"Well, let's get back to the cabin," voiced Will. "My feet are wet." + +"And we'll all feel better for a cup of tea," added Mollie. + +Behold them then, a little later, seated about a cosy fire, sipping tea, +coffee or chocolate, according to their fancies, Mrs. Franklin having +insisted on serving them. Soon the danger was but a poignant memory. + +Days passed. The thaw spent itself and a freeze set in. Again there was +excellent skating and ice boating, though the girls were a bit timid of +the latter. Then came several winter affairs--parties in country-homes +to which the girls were invited through the courtesy of Mrs. Franklin. + +The girls enjoyed every one of them, and so did the boys. The winter was +approaching its coldest spell. The Christmas holidays were not far off. +Regarding the disputed claim, Mr. Jallow appeared to have matters in his +favor. His men continued to cut the choice timber despite the protest of +Mr. Ford, who was in despair at his inability to prove what he believed +to be his right. + +Alice Jallow and her friends remained in their winter cabin, but our +friends saw little of them. Occasionally the boys met one another, but +beyond rather frigid greetings little was said. + +A big snow storm put an end to ice sports and the boys and girls went in +for snowshoes, no one being very expert on them, however. One afternoon, +when the boys had gone to town for some supplies, Betty proposed that +the girls go for a little tramp. It was not cold, and the snow, with a +heavy crust, was just right for the "tennis racquets," as she somewhat +gaily dubbed the snowshoes. + +They walked for several miles, and were about to turn back, when, +unexpectedly they came in sight of a little cabin in a snow-filled +glade. + +"I wonder who lives there?" said Amy. + +"Don't go too close. It may be another bear trap," said Betty with a +laugh. + +"That's no trap!" insisted Grace. "It's a regular cabin. I'm going to +look in. Maybe an Indian used to live there, and we can find some +relics." + +The others rather reluctantly followed as Grace advanced. She peered in +one of the windows, and, as she uttered a cry the others heard a +distinct groan. + +"What--what's that?" gasped Amy. + +"Some one is in there! I saw a man lying in a bunk!" exclaimed Grace, +moving away. + +As the girls hesitated, looking at one another with fear-blanched faces, +they heard a hollow voice calling: + +"Help! Help! Get me a doctor!" + +"Some one is hurt!" cried Betty. "We must see who it is, and help." + +"But it--it's a man!" gasped Grace. "I saw him!" + +"Well, a man can need help as well as anyone else," said Mollie, in +defense of her chum Betty. "Come--I'm not afraid." + +Resolutely she went to the front door. It opened at her touch, and the +others, standing behind her saw a figure huddled up on a bunk built +against the cabin wall. + +"Oh, thank the dear Lord some one has come!" groaned a man's voice. +"Will you please get a doctor or someone. My leg is broken, and I've +been without help for two days!" + +Then his voice trailed off weakly. + +"He's fainted!" cried Betty, hurrying to his side. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE OLD LUMBERMAN + + +Finding an injured man in a lonely cabin, practically snowed in, was not +the only surprise the girls were to receive that day. The other followed +quickly on the heels of the first. It was Mollie who "sprung it," as +Will said afterward, and even Grace did not rebuke him for his slang. + +Betty, followed by the others--rather timidly followed, it must be +confessed--approached the bunk where the man lay. He had indeed fainted +and his face was woefully white. Then Mollie cried out: + +"Why it's that man--the one who rescued us from the ice floe. It's the +kind lumberman!" + +The others stared at her for a moment, and then looked at the burly form +amid the rough blankets. A light broke over Betty's face. + +"It _is_ the same one!" she cried. "Oh, girls, here is a chance for us +to repay him for what he did for us!" + +"But what--what can we do?" asked Grace. "We can't fix his broken leg!" + +"No, but we can get him something to eat--some hot coffee, and revive +him. Then we can go for help!" exclaimed practical Betty. "Now, girls, +the first thing to do is to build a fire, and heat some water. The +doctor will want that when he comes. We'll make some coffee, too. Then +we'll see what is next to be done." + +The outdoor girls were used to doing things for themselves. They had not +lived in their cabin a month, building fires, getting their own meals +and doing practically all the hard work, for nothing. They knew how to +proceed, now that there was need of haste. + +Betty, looking among the stores in the cupboard, found a bottle of +strong ammonia. This she carefully brought to the man's nostrils. His +breathing became quicker, and soon he opened his eyes. Wonderingly he +stared about him. + +"What--what happened? Who are you--girls? Oh, I guess I must have keeled +over. Mighty foolish of me. Oh, my leg!" + +A spasm of pain shot over his face. + +"Lie still," said Betty soothingly. "We will send for help. Here, drink +this," and she held some water to his lips. He supported himself on his +elbow, and drank greedily. + +"First I had in a long time," he apologized huskily. + +Mollie and Grace were making the fire, while Amy was washing out the +pot, and putting some ground coffee in it. The stove was blazing well, +and the kettle was put on to boil. The man drank some more water and +seemed better. + +"I slipped and fell coming home the other day," he explained. "I didn't +think it was much more than a sprain at first, but the next morning I +couldn't walk, and I knew my leg was broken. Then come this last big +storm, and nobody passed here. I yelled for help until I was hoarse, but +it did no good. I had about given up when you girls came along. I +haven't been able to even crawl, the pain was so bad. I just had to keep +covered up to prevent freezing." + +"You'll soon be all right," said Betty soothingly. "We are making +coffee." + +"Yes, I can smell it. It's mighty good of you girls." + +"You know who we are; don't you?" asked Mollie. + +"I can't say as I do. The light ain't very good in here." + +"Don't you remember the girls who were stranded in the ice boat; and how +you pulled us to shore?" + +"Oh, are you those girls? Well, land be!" + +"Here is some coffee," said Betty, pouring out a fragrant cup. "I +couldn't find any milk, though." + +"I never use it. I like it black. You can sweeten it with molasses. +You'll find some in that jug," and he indicated it. "Well, well, to +think you're those girls!" he murmured as he sipped the hot beverage. +Every moment he seemed to be stronger, though his pain in his leg made +him wince every now and then. + +"We must get a doctor for you--or send the boys," spoke Betty. "Won't +you tell us who you are? So we will know how to tell the physician." + +The man hesitated a moment, and looked sharply at the girls. + +"I didn't aim to tell my name," he said slowly. "I didn't want it known +that I had come back. But I can't see that there's any harm in telling +you girls. You won't know my story, and I guess the doctor won't either. +I'm Paddy Malone!" + +Grace started. The name stirred half-forgotten memories. + +"What!" she cried. "Paddy Malone, who used to work for Mr. Ford?" + +It was the turn of the lumberman to start. + +"Mr. Ford!" he exclaimed. "Do you know Mr. Ford?" + +"I am his daughter," said Grace simply, "and he has been looking all +over for you. He has had trouble about a lumber tract and he thinks you +could straighten it out for him, and prove his claim. Are you really +that Paddy Malone?" + +"I am," said the man humbly, "and this is a judgment on me--a judgment +on me! To think that James Ford's daughter should help me. Well, well! +Yes, I am that Paddy Malone," he went on in louder tones, "and I can +prove your father's claim. I'm through with that Jallow crowd, now. +Through with 'em! Get a doctor, girls, if you can, and I'll tell +everything when I'm fixed up. I'll prove James Ford's lumber claim for +him, and show those swindlers that they can't fool Paddy Malone! I'll +show 'em!" + +He sank back on his pillow exhausted, while Betty made haste to bring +more coffee. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +REVELATIONS + + +"And to think that we found Paddy Malone!" exclaimed Mollie. + +"Yes, but he first found us--only we didn't know it," answered Grace. + +They were gliding along on their snowshoes from the lonely cabin where +they discovered the injured lumberman. Betty and Amy had volunteered to +stay while the other girls went for the nearest doctor. There was one +living half-way between the winter camp and the town. + +"Papa will be so glad!" Grace went on. "I must telegraph to him right +away." + +"One of the boys can take in the message," suggested Mollie. "Then we +can go back and hear the rest of the story. It sounds, from what Paddy +Malone said, as if that Mr. Jallow had been up to some unfair tricks." + +"I shouldn't wonder," agreed Grace. "Oh, what a lot of things have +happened up here!" + +"And more are going to, if I'm any judge. Your father will get his +timber land back." + +"Oh, how glad I'll be!" + +The girls hurried on, hoping they would find the boys in their cabin. +There was some doubt of this, but they were reasonably certain of +locating Mr. Franklin, who would go for a doctor for the injured man. + +The boys had not yet returned, but Mrs. Franklin, who listened with +wonder to the story Grace and Mollie pantingly told, informed them where +they could locate her husband not far off in the woods. + +He was using a light sled to haul firewood, and at once set off for the +doctor, whom he brought back with him in due time. + +Then, in a larger sled, in which it was planned to bring back Paddy +Malone to the boy's cabin, where it would easier to nurse him, Mr. +Franklin, Mollie, Grace and the physician set off for the lonely cabin. + +They found Paddy much improved under the ministrations of Amy and Betty. +The lumberman was quite cheerful. Telling of his determination to aid +Mr. Ford seemed to have taken a load off his conscience. + +With the aid of Mr. Franklin, the rather badly broken leg was set, the +lumberman bearing the pain like a stoic. Then, resting on a soft bed of +straw in the bottom of the sled, he was taken to the boys' cabin, the +girls also riding in the big sled. + +That the boys were much astonished, on their return from a little trip, +to find a wounded lumberman in their cabin, is putting it mildly. And +when they learned that it was the long missing Paddy Malone, who could +give such valuable testimony for Mr. Ford, their astonishment knew no +bounds. + +"Say, you girls certainly do things!" exclaimed Will admiringly. + +"They sure do!" agreed Allen, with a warm glance at Betty, who averted +her eyes, and blushed, whereat Grace and Mollie nudged each other, to +the further discomfiture of their friend. + +"I'm just crazy to hear what he will say, and how he is going to +establish daddy's boundary lines," said Grace, when the lumberman had +been made comfortable. + +"He must not be disturbed until to-morrow," ordered the doctor. "He has +a little fever, and I want that to go down." + +So the girls and boys had to curb their impatience as best they could. A +telegram was sent to Mr. Ford, and he replied that he would be on hand +the next day. + +The morning visit of the doctor found Mr. Malone--or Paddy, as he +insisted his young friends call him--so much better that the physician +said: + +"You may tell your story now, but don't talk too much." + +"Sure, and I'll leave that for the ladies!" exclaimed Paddy with a +twinkle in his eyes. + +"Now everybody keep quiet and listen," said Grace, when she had related +how she and her chums had come to the winter camp, and how Mr. Jallow +and his company had encroached on land that Mr. Ford believed was his +own. + +"And it _is_ his!" exclaimed Paddy. "The boundary lines have been +changed. I can see that myself. It's that Jallow's work. Listen and I'll +tell you how it happened. + +"As your father says, Miss," he went on, turning to Grace, "I was with +him when the survey was made, and stone piles put up and the trees +blazed to mark the line. That valuable strip was on his side. Then some +time passed, and that cunning fox, Jallow, came to me, and he +represented that he had been wrongly dealt with. He said Mr. Ford had +sold out his interests to strangers who were going to do harm to Jallow +and his friends. + +"Not knowing any different, I believed him. He said the courts would not +give him justice and he was going to take it himself, and I had small +blame for him for doing that. I'd do the same. But mind you," Paddy +insisted, "I did not know I was doing my friend James Ford any harm. + +"Jallow said he would pay me just to disappear for a time, and, +foolishly, I consented. I went out of the country, and for a while +Jallow sent me, and a friend of mine, money. My friend knew the proper +boundaries, too. + +"Then the money stopped, and I came on to find out why. Jallow only +laughed at me, and said he had no further use for me, as he'd got all he +wanted. I didn't know what to do. I stayed around here, keeping in +hiding, for I feared maybe I could be arrested for what I did. That was +why I didn't give you my name," and he smiled at the girls. + +"So I came to this old cabin I used to own, to see what would turn up. +Sure and it was myself turned up--slipped up--and broke my leg. That was +what turned up. + +"But before that I had seen all I wanted to--that was the changed +boundary lines. Then I knew Jallow's game. He wanted to throw that +valuable timber strip into his own land. I made some inquiries, and +found that Mr. Ford still owned the lumber camp, and hadn't sold out, as +Jallow told me. Then I knew I had been fooled, but still I didn't know +what to do, for I was afraid of arrest, and I never could stand jail, +when I knew I hadn't really meant any wrong. + +"I saw Jallow again, but he only laughed at me, and give me a little +money to get out of the country. But I didn't go then, and I'm not going +now. I'm going to see justice done!" + +"And I think I can assure you that you will not suffer for it," said +Allen Washburn, with a glance at Will and Grace. "Mr. Ford will be here +soon, and you can arrange everything with him." + +"I hope he'll forgive me," remarked Paddy somewhat mournfully. + +"I'm sure he will," declared Grace, warmly. + +Paddy Malone went more into details of how he had been induced to +disappear so that the proper boundaries might be shifted to make it +appear that the valuable land was on Mr. Jallow's side, instead of +belonging to Mr. Ford. Then Dr. Burke insisted that his patient have +rest, so the boys and girls went outside to talk it over. + +"Oh, I do wish papa would come!" sighed Grace. + +In due time Mr. Ford arrived at the camp, a very much surprised but +pleased lawyer indeed. He had a consultation with Paddy, who confirmed +all he had said and furnished the address of a companion who was +present when the proper survey was made. + +Mr. Ford then made his plans, but, as he needed the help of Paddy in +carrying them out, it was decided to postpone action until the lumberman +could get around--on crutches, at least. + +Mr. Ford stayed a day or so in camp with his daughter and her friends, +going about to look at the various boundaries, and arranging certain +details with Ted Franklin. He was entertained by the young people, and +seemed to enjoy himself. + +He did not go near the strip in dispute, however, preferring to wait +until he was ready with his plans. Paddy was slowly getting better, and +Mr. Ford went back to Deepdale, to look after matters there, arranging +to come back as soon as Paddy could limp around. + +Meanwhile the young people made the most of their life in the great +wintry woods, for they were to return home for the Christmas holidays, +as school would open the first of the new year. + +There were sleigh-rides, coasting, skating occasionally, and some more +ice boating, though, because of considerable snow, the latter sport was +rather curtailed. + +Occasionally Mr. Blackford came out for a day or so, but he had no good +news regarding his missing sister. He had followed several clues +unsuccessfully. + +"But somehow, in spite of all my disappointments, I feel that I will be +successful before long," he affirmed. + +"We hope so," replied Amy, gently, and the others echoed her words. + +Then came a day when Paddy could limp about. He was a happy man, and, in +answer to a telegram sent him with this news, Mr. Ford returned word +that he would come up and assist at the "last act in the lumber play," +as Will called it. + +Accompanied by a court officer, and with Allen Washburn as consulting +attorney, Grace's father reached the camp one evening. + +"Do you think you can stand it to face Jallow to-morrow, Paddy?" he +asked. + +"I'm sure I can. I'm thinkin' he won't face me, though." + +"Maybe not. We'll see. Well, we'll go over and take possession of the +disputed strip in the morning." + +The court officer and Allen nodded. + +"May we come along, Daddy, and see the fun?" asked Grace. + +"Well," replied her father, "I don't know as there will be much fun, +but--yes, you may be there." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE LYNX + + +Over the snow to where, according to Ted Franklin, the Jallow lumbermen +had last been seen cutting the valuable timber, went Mr. Ford and his +little party, including the boys and girls. There was eager anticipation +in their demeanor. + +"What do you suppose your father will do?" asked Mollie of Grace, as +they rode along in the big sled, for, out of consideration of Paddy's +leg, they rode instead of walked. + +"I don't know," was the answer. "But I guess daddy has his plans all +made." + +"I just hope that Alice Jallow sees how we come out ahead!" went on +Mollie, half-vindictively. + +"Mollie!" reproached Betty, gently. + +"I don't care. She--she's a--cat!" + +Mr. Ford, Paddy and Allen were consulting with the court officer, Will +and Frank were discussing a prospective hunting trip, and the girls were +planning Christmas surprises as the sled slid on. + +"Here's the new line," said Paddy, as they came to a pile of stones. +"And there's where it ought to be," he added, as they drove across the +valuable strip in dispute. There was a difference of nearly a mile. + +"That is my recollection of it," said Mr. Ford. "Owing to the death of +the surveyor, and the destruction of some of his records, I was unable +to prove it, though." + +"Well, you can now," retorted Paddy, significantly. + +Soon they heard the sound of axes and, in answer to a nod from Mr. Ford, +the horses were turned in that direction. + +Suddenly from behind a tree stepped the burly form of Hank Smither. + +"You can't go any further!" he growled. "Turn back an' git off this +land! You're trespassin'!" + +"Oh, I think not," said Mr. Ford, pleasantly. + +"Well, I tell you you be! Git off, 'fore I----" + +"Now I advise you to go slow, my big friend," put in the constable. "I'm +from the court, and I have authority in this matter that goes above even +Jallow's." + +"All I know is that my orders is not to let any one on here exceptin' +Mr. Jallow's men," growled Hank. + +"Where is Mr. Jallow?" asked Mr. Ford. + +"Over there," and Hank pointed. + +"Then we'll settle with him. Drive on, Ted." + +"I don't see how I kin let ye!" whined Hank. He had lost much of his +bluster now. + +"You don't have to let us. We'll do it without, Hank!" spoke Paddy, +suddenly. At the sound of his voice--for up to now Hank had not seen the +lumberman--the burly guard started slightly. + +"Paddy Malone!" he gasped. "You back!" + +"Yes, and I guess Jallow won't be any more glad to see me than you are," +was the grim comment. + +There was no further hindrance to their progress. The sound of chopping +grew louder, and a little later the sled turned into a clearing, about +which were strewn many big, fallen trees. Mr. Ford's eyes sparkled at +the sight. + +"They haven't hauled out much of my timber," he said. "We are just in +time!" + +A man came running from a group. He held up a warning hand. + +"You'll have to get out of here!" he cried. + +"Who says so?" asked Mr. Ford. + +"Mr. Jallow sent me to tell you." + +"Well, you tell Mr. Jallow to come here himself. We want to see him." + +The man hesitated a minute and then set off on the run. + +"Here comes Jallow now," observed Will. + +"Oh, I hope there won't be any trouble," murmured Amy. + +"Don't worry," said Mr. Blackford, who sat beside her. + +"Here, what do you want?" blustered Mr. Jallow, as he came up. "Oh, it's +you; is it, Ford? Well, you haven't any more right here than any one +else. Get off. This is my land--the courts have awarded it to me." + +"Under a misapprehension--yes. Because of false boundary lines--yes, Jim +Jallow!" + +"Who says the boundary lines are false?" + +"I do!" cried Paddy Malone, standing up in the sled, and leaning on his +crutch. "I say the lines were changed, Jim Jallow, and you know it! I +saw the right marks put, but they were shifted, and I'm ready to testify +that you paid me to keep out of the country while you changed 'em." + +"That isn't so!" stormed Jallow. "Who would believe you?" but he paled, +and was obviously ill at ease. + +"I guess they'll believe me when Mr. Ford and Dick Norbury testify to +the same thing," said Paddy, coolly. + +"Dick Norbury--why, he's--dead!" gasped Jallow. + +"Not much!" cried Paddy. "He's very much alive, and I've got a letter +from him in my pocket now, saying he'll come on any time he's wanted and +testify as to the right boundaries." + +Mr. Jallow stood with open mouth. As the saying goes, all the wind had +been taken out of his sails. + +"I guess you had better give up, Mr. Jallow," said the court officer. +"I'm here to take charge of this land until the matter is officially +settled. In the meanwhile no more trees must be cut. That is a court +order, and here is a copy of it. I serve it on you, and violation of it +means contempt, with heavy penalties." + +"The jig is up, Jim!" cried Paddy. "I told you I'd get even with you!" + +Mr. Jallow said not another word. He was beaten at every point, and he +knew it. His men crowded up around him. + +"Shall we go on cutting?" asked the foreman. + +Mr. Jallow hesitated a moment. + +"No," he said, in a low voice. "Better stop--I guess." + +"I may want you men to work for me," put in Mr. Ford. "I intend to go on +cutting this tract, as soon as the court formalities are over. If you +like you may remain in camp until it is time to go to work again. I'll +hire you." + +A cheer greeted this announcement. The men had looked rather blank at +losing their work in the middle of winter. + +"Well, it's all over," said Grace, as the sled turned homeward. "And it +wasn't so terrible; was it, Amy?" + +"No, indeed. Oh, I'm so glad your father has won, dear." + +"I guess we all are," spoke Betty. "Now we can enjoy the rest of our +stay in camp without having to worry, and we can go where we please. Can +you stay, Mr. Blackford?" + +"Yes, for a few days more." + +The court formalities did not take long, and soon the title of Mr. Ford +to the disputed land was confirmed. The change in boundary lines was +shown, and, had he so desired, Mr. Ford could have proceeded against Mr. +Jallow. But he preferred not to, since he had not really lost any of the +valuable timber. + +"Besides, there is no use making Alice feel any worse than she does," +said Grace. The Jallow camp had been broken up, since it was on Mr. +Ford's land, and Alice, her mother and guests had gone back to Deepdale. +Our friends held undisputed sway in the woods. + +Christmas was approaching. There was but about a week more in the woods, +when, one fine warm day--that is, warm for that time of year--the party +of young people set off for a tramp in the forest. + +By twos and threes they strolled on, until finally Amy and Mr. Blackford +found themselves in rather a lonely part of the woods, separated from +the others. + +"I guess we had better be getting back," he observed with a smile. "They +may be anxious about us." + +"Yes," agreed Amy. "But it is so wonderful here--in the winter woods. I +feel I could stay--forever!" + +They walked along a narrow path. There was a movement in the trees over +their heads. + +"What is that?" asked Amy, suddenly. + +"A bird, I guess. Did you think it was a bear?" + +Amy did not answer at once. Then she screamed as the grayish body of +some animal with curiously tufted ears, sprang from an overhanging +branch straight at her. + +Mr. Blackford, who was carrying a heavy cudgel, turned quickly at the +sound of Amy's voice, and pulled her to one side. He was not altogether +successful, for the keen claws of the lynx grazed Amy's shoulder, +tearing through her coat and dress, ripping off the sleeves and leaving +her arm exposed to the shoulder, a slight scratch, through even the +thicknesses of cloth, bringing blood. + +With a snarl the beast turned as though to repeat the attack, but Mr. +Blackford brought down the cudgel on its head with such force that the +brute turned with a shrill cry of pain and fled. + +Then the young man, who had caught the almost fainting girl in his other +arm, turned his attention to her. + +"Amy--Amy!" he cried. "Are you hurt? Speak and tell me!" + +Slowly she opened her eyes. The blood came back into her cheeks, that +paled again at the sight of the crimson mark on her arm. + +"It is only a scratch--not deep," said Mr. Blackford, reassuringly. "The +brute leaped to one side. It must have been desperate to spring on you +that way." + +"What was it?" asked Amy, weakly. + +"A lynx--a fierce sort of beast. Wait, I will bind up your arm," and he +drew out his handkerchief. + +As he was winding the linen about the cut he started. A queer look came +over his face. He stared at a mark--a strange red mark--on her +shoulder. + +"That--that!" stammered Mr. Blackford. "How did you come by that mark, +Amy?" + +He stood holding her arm--her arm whence the sleeves had been ripped, +and the young man was gazing with fascinated eyes at a peculiar +star-shaped mark in deep red imprinted on the white flesh. In red it +matched the ruddy hue of the blood drawn by the lynx. + +"Tell me," he said, hoarsely, "how did that mark come there?" + +"It is a birth mark," said Amy, slowly. "It has always been there. But +why--why do you question me so? Why do you look at me so strangely?" + +"Because, Amy, there may be something providential in this. Because +you--you may be my--sister!" + +"Your sister!" She started as though to pull away from him, but he held +her arm, continuing to gaze at the red mark. + +"Yes," he answered. "Wait. I must make sure this time. I have a drawing +of it. Let me compare it, please. You are not cold?" + +"No." Amy was pale, but her heart was pumping blood through her veins at +such a rapid rate that it seemed as if she would never be cold again. +The flow of blood from the scratches made by the beast had somewhat +lessened. + +From his pocket Mr. Blackford drew a paper. Amy could see that it +contained a drawing--an outline in red ink. The young man compared this +with the mark on her shoulder--a mark at which she had often wondered +herself. + +"It is the same--the very same," he murmured. "The same shape, the same +size, and in the same place. There can be no doubt of it, I think. Amy, +you must be--my sister!" + +"But--but," she stammered, "you said your sister had a 'V' shaped mark +on her arm, just above the elbow. Now you----" + +"I know I said that, but it was a mistake. Or, rather, that was not the +real identifying mark. The people on whom I relied did not send me all +the information they had. + +"My missing sister did have a mark on her arm--a mark shaped like a 'V,' +but it is not a birth mark. It was caused by the sharp point of a hot +flatiron when she was a child. But the main identifying mark is this red +one on the shoulder. You have it! Everything tallies with the new +information I have." + +"But you never said anything to us about this," spoke Amy, wonderingly. + +"I know it. I thought I had inflicted enough of my family troubles on +you girls. I kept quiet about this. I determined to say nothing. But +now, when I saw this mark on you, I was sure. There can be no mistake. +Oh, Amy!" and his eyes filled with tears of joy. + +"I--I hope there is no mistake," she faltered. "I--perhaps it will be +well to say nothing to the others about it--just yet." + +"Perhaps. I will have further inquiries made, and then I will let you +know. Poor Amy! Does it pain you very much?" and he touched her arm +gently. + +"No, hardly any, now." + +"I will bind it up, and we will go back. Oh, Amy, I hope--I pray that it +may turn out you are my sister. I--I want you so much." + +"And I hope so, too," she said. + +The scratched arm was bandaged, and the torn sleeves adjusted as well as +could be. Then the two, upon whom Fate had payed such a strange trick, +walked back. + +"I had some hopes, when you first mentioned a birth mark," said Amy, +"that mine might prove to be the one you were looking for, but when you +spoke of one near the elbow I knew it could not be. This scar, which +does somewhat resemble a 'V,' was not a birth mark, though." + +"No, and that threw us all off. But I did not then know of the mistake +having been made. I only learned differently the other day, but I kept +silent about it. There had been disappointments enough. But when I saw +that mark on your shoulder, it came to me in a rush. Amy, you must be my +sister!" + +"I--I hope I am!" + +"But we will wait and make sure." + +To this she agreed. Of course they showed their excitement when they +joined the others--a double excitement--but the story of the lynx was +excuse enough for that, and no embarrassing questions were asked. Amy +was hurried back to the cabin to have her arm dressed properly. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +CHRISTMAS JOYS + + +They were gathered about a big fire on the hearth in the largest +cabin--the outdoor girls, the boys, Mr. Ford and others. The crackling +blaze leaped up the broad-throated chimney--it snapped with the energy +of Fourth of July pyrotechnics, and threw a ruddy glow on happy faces. +Betty sang: + + "Merry, merry Christmas, everywhere, + Cheerily it ringeth through the air. + Christmas bells, Christmas trees, + Christmas odors on the breeze. + Merry, merry Christmas, everywhere, + Cheerily it ringeth through the air!" + +The others joined in, and then, clasping hands they circled around the +room, their shadows flickering in fantastic and gigantic shapes on the +wall as the fire danced with them. + +"It's going to be the best Christmas ever--the very best ever!" +murmured Amy, shyly, as she sat beside her--brother. + +"That's right, little girl," he said, patting her arm, the one torn by +the lynx. But he took good care to pat above the scratch, which had been +bandaged. + +For there was now no doubt that Amy and Mr. Blackford were brother and +sister. Following the strange revelation to him of the red mark on her +shoulder, the young business man had caused careful inquiries to be +made. There was no mistake this time. The baby picked up in the flood +had the red mark--Mr. Blackford's missing sister had the red mark, and +so had Amy. They were one and the same. This was sufficiently proved. + +And if other identification was needed, it was in the scar near Amy's +elbow--a scar which at one time she hoped would prove a means of +identifying her. And it did in a measure. + +For the mark was that made by the hot point of a flatiron. One had +fallen on her when she was a baby, making a bad burn that had healed +over in the course of time. This fact regarding Amy was learned from the +old diary found with her on the raft in the flood. And from another and +independent source it was learned that Mr. Blackford's missing sister +had a similar scar, caused by a like accident. Though years had almost +obliterated it, still it was sufficiently plain. + +"They can't get you away from me now, Amy," said Mr. Blackford, proudly. + +"I won't let them," added Amy, moving closer to him. + +"Pass the chocolates, Sis," ordered Will. "What is Christmas without +candy?" + +"Oh! to think of all the good luck we've had since we came to the winter +camp!" cried Grace, as she complied. "Papa gets his land back----" + +"Because you girls were lucky enough to discover the missing witness," +interrupted Mr. Ford. + +"Then Amy finds her brother," Grace went on, "and----" + +"All because a lynx happened to jump down out of a tree to bite her!" +cried Will, gaily. + +"And then--and then----" mused Grace. + +"Oh, here is a package that came by express for you to-day!" broke in +Mollie. "It's marked chocolates, but----" + +"Please give it to me!" cried Grace. "I was wondering what had become of +it." + +"That will keep her quiet for a while," said Will. + +It was three days after the sensational developments related in the +preceding chapter. Mr. Blackford, recognizing the peculiar mark on +Amy's arm, tentatively decided she was his long-missing sister, and a +reference to the documents, as well as a communication with Mr. and Mrs. +Stonington, bore this out. Amy was not the relative of the Deepdale +Stoningtons. There had been a mix-up in the babies rescued from the +flood, and, as far as could be learned on hasty inquiry, the child of +Mrs. Stonington's relative had disappeared. + +"But I've got folks at last--real folks, even if it is only one," said +Amy, with a loving look at her brother, who regarded her affectionately. + +"You are a lucky girl," whispered Mollie, with a look at Mr. +Blackford--Henry they all called him now, since he was found to be +related to one of the outdoor girls. + +"And my name is Blackford--not Stonington," Amy went on. "I will feel +strange at first, but I can get used to it." + +"And to-morrow we'll go home for Christmas," said Betty, after a pause. +"Well, of course it will be nice in Deepdale, but we have had some +glorious times here; haven't we, girls?" + +"We have!" they all chorused--boys included. + +They had indulged in their last skating race at camp, and taken a final +trip in the ice boat, the boys had voted to go home in the odd motor +craft, but the girls were to go by train, starting in the morning. + +"And now, one last song," suggested Betty. "All has ended well and +happily from the finding of Amy's brother to the regaining of Mr. Ford's +land. One last song!" + +They sang a Christmas carol, and then, in order to be up early, they +went to bed soon afterward. + +"Well, I wonder what will be next?" asked Mollie, as she bade Betty +good-night. "Can you imagine anything else happening to us?" + +"I don't know," answered Betty, reflectively. "There are many more +things that _might_ happen." + +And what they were will be related in the next volume of this series, +which will be entitled: "The Outdoor Girls in Florida; Or, Wintering in +the Sunny South." There we shall meet our old friends again in the land +of oranges and magnolias, and learn how they saw unusual sights in the +wilds of the interior. + +"You must wake and call me early, call me early, Mollie dear, for soon +it will be Christmas, the best time of all the year." Thus chanted Will +next morning under the window of the cabin occupied by the outdoor +girls. But the girls were already up, and packing. + +Ted Franklin was to be left in charge of the camp, and the valuable +timber strip so fortunately restored to Mr. Ford. Paddy Malone was to be +foreman of the new cutting gang, many of Mr. Jallow's employes hiring +out to Grace's father. The Jallows had gone back to Deepdale, as I have +said, the case against Mr. Jallow being dropped. + +"See you later!" called the girls to the boys, as the latter prepared to +go home in the auto ice boat. And as good-byes were called, the eyes of +Amy rested longest on the face of her newly-found brother. There was to +be a new life before her--she felt sure. A new and more happy life. + +And now that matters have turned out so well, we will take leave of the +Outdoor Girls. + + +THE END + + + + +_This Isn't All!_ + +Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in +this book? + +Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and +experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author? + +On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes with this book, you +will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same +store where you got this book. + +=Don't throw away the Wrapper= + +Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But in +case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete catalog. + + + + +THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of the "Bobbsey Twins," "Bunny Brown" Series, Etc. + + * * * * * + +=Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers.= + +=Every Volume Complete in Itself.= + + * * * * * + +These are the tales of the various adventures participated in by a group +of bright, fun-loving, up-to-date girls who have a common bond in their +fondness for outdoor life, camping, travel and adventure. They are clean +and wholesome and free from sensationalism. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT FOAMING FALLS + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ALONG THE COAST + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT SPRING HILL FARM + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT NEW MOON RANCH + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A HIKE + + * * * * * + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK + + + + +THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + + * * * * * + +=Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by= + +=THELMA GOOCH= + +=Every Volume Complete in Itself= + + * * * * * + +The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City. +Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while +Margy, just out of a business school, obtained a position as a private +secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and businesslike, took what she called +a "job" in a department store. + + +=THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE= + +A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis. + + +=THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE= + +The Girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left an unusual +inheritance. + + +=THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM= + +Rose, still at work in the big department store, is one day faced with +the greatest problem of her life. + + +=THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER= + +Helen goes to the assistance of a strange girl, whose real identity is a +puzzle. Who the girl really was comes as a tremendous surprise. + + +=THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION= + +The girls go to the country for two weeks--and fall in with all sorts of +curious and exciting happenings. + + +=THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S SECRET MISSION= + +Of course we cannot divulge the big secret, but nevertheless the girls +as usual have many exciting experiences. + + +=THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S ODD DISCOVERY= + +A very interesting story, telling how Rose aided an old man in the +almost hopeless search for his daughter. + + +=THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HELEN= + +Helen calls on the art dealer on business and finds the old fellow has +made a wonderful discovery. + + +=THE BLYTHE GIRLS: SNOWBOUND IN CAMP= + +An absorbing tale of winter happenings, full of excitement. + + * * * * * + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK + + + + +THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES + +By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY + + * * * * * + +=Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.= + +=Every Volume Complete in Itself.= + + * * * * * + +A delightful series for girls in which they will follow Polly and +Eleanor through many interesting adventures and enjoyable trips to +various places in the United States, Europe and South America. + + POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT + POLLY AND ELEANOR + POLLY IN NEW YORK + POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD + POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE + POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE + POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA + POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST + POLLY IN ALASKA + + * * * * * + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + +GIRL SCOUTS SERIES + +By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY + +Author of the "Polly Brewster Books" + + * * * * * + +=Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated= + +=Each Volume Complete in Itself.= + + * * * * * + +Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the Tom +Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are delightful stories +of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful surroundings and are filled with +stirring adventures. + + +GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP + +This is a story which centers around the making and the enjoying of a +mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively troop of Girl Scouts. The +charm of living in the woods, of learning woodcraft of all sorts, of +adventuring into the unknown, combine to make a busy and an exciting +summer for the girls. + + +GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS + +New scenery, new problems of camping, association with a neighboring +camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip with them through the Fulton +Chain, all in the setting of the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the +girls enlargement of horizon, new development, and new joys. + + +GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES + +On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as the Continental +Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails, canoeing through canyons, +shooting rapids, encountering a landslide, a summer blizzard, a sand +storm, wild animals, and forest fires, the girls pack the days full with +unforgettable experiences. + + +GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO + +The Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona and New +Mexico. They travel over the old Santa Fe trail, cross the Painted +Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon. Their exciting adventures form a +most interesting story. + + * * * * * + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + +THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS + + * * * * * + +=Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers.= + +=Every Volume Complete in Itself.= + + * * * * * + +Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed +herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that +Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment, +while still at high school, she took charge of the woman's page for a +city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that +she left school to take entire charge of woman's work for the largest +daily in an important Eastern city. + +Mrs. Garis turned to girls' books directly after her marriage, and of +these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies them and +depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic. + + A GIRL CALLED TED + TED AND TONY, Two Girls of Today + CLEO'S MISTY RAINBOW + CLEO'S CONQUEST + BARBARA HALE + BARBARA HALE'S MYSTERY FRIEND; + (Formerly Barbara Hale and Cozette) + GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD + GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL + JOAN: JUST GIRL + JOAN'S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE + CONNIE LORING; + (Formerly Connie Loring's Ambition) + CONNIE LORING'S GYPSY FRIEND; + (Formerly Connie Loring's Dilemma) + NANCY BRANDON + NANCY BRANDON'S MYSTERY + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + + + +AMY BELL MARLOWE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS + + * * * * * + +=Charming, Fresh and Original Stories= + + * * * * * + +=Illustrated. Wrappers Printed in Colors with individual design for each +story= + + * * * * * + +Miss Marlowe's books for girls are somewhat of the type of Miss Alcott +and also Mrs. Meade; but all are thoroughly up-to-date and wholly +American in scene and action. Good, clean absorbing tales that all girls +thoroughly enjoy. + + +=THE OLDEST OF FOUR; Or, Natalie's Way Out.= + +A sweet story of the struggles of a live girl to keep a family from +want. + + +=THE GIRLS AT HILLCREST FARM; Or, The Secret of the Rocks.= + +Relating the trials of two girls who take boarders on an old farm. + + +=A LITTLE MISS NOBODY; Or, With the Girls of Pinewood Hall.= + +Tells of a school girl who was literally a nobody until she solved the +mystery of her identity. + + +=THE GIRL FROM SUNSET RANCH; Or, Alone in a Great City.= + +A ranch girl comes to New York to meet relatives she has never seen. Her +adventures make unusually good reading. + + +=WYN'S CAMPING DAYS; Or, The Outing of the GO-AHEAD CLUB.= + +A tale of happy days on the water and under canvas, with a touch of +mystery and considerable excitement. + + +=FRANCES OF THE RANGES; Or, The Old Ranchman's Treasure.= + +A vivid picture of life on the great cattle ranges of the West. + + +=THE GIRLS OF RIVERCLIFF SCHOOL; Or, Beth Baldwin's Resolve.= + +This is one of the most entertaining stories centering about a girl's +school that has ever been written. + + +=WHEN ORIOLE CAME TO HARBOR LIGHT.= + +The story of a young girl, cast up by the sea, and rescued by an old +lighthouse keeper. + + +=WHEN ORIOLE TRAVELED WESTWARD.= + +Oriole visits the family of a rich ranchman and enjoys herself +immensely. + + +=WHEN ORIOLE WENT TO BOARDING SCHOOL.= + +How this brave girl bears up under the most trying experiences, makes a +very interesting story. + + * * * * * + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK + + + + +CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS + + * * * * * + +=Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.= + + * * * * * + +THE MARJORIE BOOKS + +Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of +goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will +see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure. + + MARJORIE'S VACATION + MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS + MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND + MARJORIE IN COMMAND + MARJORIE'S MAYTIME + MARJORIE AT SEACOTE + + +THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES + +Introducing Dorinda Fayre--a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a +little slow, and Dorothy Rose--a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, +high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes. + + TWO LITTLE WOMEN + TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE + TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY + + +THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS + +Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks, +their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories +"really true" to young readers. + + DICK AND DOLLY + DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES + + * * * * * + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + +Page 16, "thy" changed to "they". (now they were) + +Page 32, "buisness" changed to "business". (my business, and) + +Page 44, "Robison" changed to "Robinson". (was Robinson Crusoe) + +Page 81, word "as" added. ("main hotel" as well) + +Page 97, "iceboating" changed to "ice boating" to conform to rest of +text. (skating and ice boating) + +Page 133, "her" changed to "here". (be here alone) + +Page 162, "float-" changed to "floating". (went floating down) + +Page 164, "gad" changed to "glad". (be glad to see) + +Page 168, "bouyant" changed to "buoyant". (the buoyant reserve) + +Page 172, "ice-boating" changed to "ice boating" to conform to rest of +text. (go ice boating again) + +Page 174, "piognant" changed to "poignant". (but a poignant memory) + +Page 184, "The" changed to "They". (They found Paddy) + +Page 188, "headn't" changed to "hadn't". (hadn't really meant) + +Page 189, double words "soon as" deleted. (come back as soon as Paddy) + +Page 196, "midde" changed to "middle". (middle of winter) + +Ad for "Girl Scouts in the Rockies," "unforgetable" changed to +"unforgettable". (with unforgettable experiences) + +Ad for "Girl Scouts in Arizona," "Sante" changed to "Santa". (Santa Fe) + +One instance each of "airhole", "air-hole," "motorcycle," "motor-cycle," +"noncommittally," and "non-committally," was retained. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Outdoor Girls in a Winter Camp, by +Laura Lee Hope + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP *** + +***** This file should be named 19607.txt or 19607.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/6/0/19607/ + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, J.P.W. Fraser, Emmy +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/19607.zip b/19607.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c13f8ff --- /dev/null +++ b/19607.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e03a585 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #19607 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19607) |
