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+The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake, by Laura Lee Hope
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you
+will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
+using this eBook.
+
+Title: The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake
+
+Author: Laura Lee Hope
+
+Release Date: April 7, 2002 [eBook #4987]
+[Most recently updated: February 25, 2021]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+Produced by: Jim Weiler, xooqi.com
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE ***
+
+
+
+
+The Outdoor Girls At Rainbow Lake
+
+or
+
+The Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem
+
+by Laura Lee Hope
+
+1913
+
+
+Contents
+
+ CHAPTER I. A GRAND SURPRISE
+ CHAPTER II. AFTER THE PAPERS
+ CHAPTER III. THE RUNAWAY
+ CHAPTER IV. THE MISSING DOCUMENTS
+ CHAPTER V. THE GEM
+ CHAPTER VI. READY FOR A CRUISE
+ CHAPTER VII. STOWAWAYS
+ CHAPTER VIII. A HINT OF GHOSTS
+ CHAPTER IX. OFF ON THE TRIP
+ CHAPTER X. ADRIFT
+ CHAPTER XI. IN DANGER
+ CHAPTER XII. AT RAINBOW LAKE
+ CHAPTER XIII. CRACKERS AND OLIVES
+ CHAPTER XIV. THE REGATTA
+ CHAPTER XV. THE RACE
+ CHAPTER XVI. FIGHTING FIRE
+ CHAPTER XVII. ON ELM ISLAND
+ CHAPTER XVIII. IN CAMP
+ CHAPTER XIX. A QUEER DISTURBANCE
+ CHAPTER XX. THE STORM
+ CHAPTER XXI. THE GHOST
+ CHAPTER XXII. WHAT MOLLIE FOUND
+ CHAPTER XXIII. SETTING A TRAP
+ CHAPTER XXIV. THE GHOST CAUGHT
+ CHAPTER XXV. THE MISSING SADDLE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+A GRAND SURPRISE
+
+
+“Girls, I’ve got the grandest surprise for you!”
+
+Betty Nelson crossed the velvety green lawn, and crowded into the
+hammock, slung between two apple trees, which were laden with green
+fruit. First she had motioned for Grace Ford to make room for her, and
+then sank beside her chum with a sigh of relief.
+
+“Oh, it was so warm walking over!” she breathed. “And I did come too
+fast, I guess.” She fanned herself with a filmy handkerchief.
+
+“But the surprise?” Mollie Billette reminded Betty.
+
+“I’m coming to it, my dear, but just let me get my breath. I didn’t
+know I hurried so. Swing, Grace.”
+
+With a daintily shod foot—a foot slender and in keeping with her
+figure—Grace gave rather a languid push, and set the hammock to swaying
+in wider arcs.
+
+Amy Stonington, who had not joined in the talk since the somewhat
+hurried arrival of Betty, strolled over to the hammock and began
+peering about in it—that is, in as much of it as the fluffy skirts of
+the two occupants would allow to be seen.
+
+“I don’t see it,” she said in gentle tones—everything Amy did was
+gentle, and her disposition was always spoken of as “sweet” by her
+chums, though why such an inapt word is generally selected to describe
+what might better be designated as “natural” is beyond comprehension.
+“I don’t see it,” murmured Amy.
+
+“What?” asked Grace, quickly.
+
+“I guess she means that box of chocolates,” murmured Mollie. “It’s no
+use, Amy, for Grace finished the last of them long before Betty blew in
+on us—or should I say drifted? Really, it’s too warm to do more than
+drift to-day.”
+
+“You finished the last of the candy yourself!” exclaimed Grace, with
+spirit. If Grace had one failing, or a weakness, it was for chocolates.
+
+“I did not!” snapped Mollie. Her own failing was an occasional burst of
+temper. She had French blood in her veins—and not of French lilac
+shade, either, as Betty used to say. It was of no uncertain color—was
+Mollie’s temper—at times.
+
+“Yes, you did!” insisted Grace. “Don’t you remember? It was one with a
+cherry inside, and we both wanted it, and——”
+
+“You got it!” declared Mollie. “If you say I took it——”
+
+“That’s right, Grace, you did have it,” said gentle Amy. “Don’t you
+recall, you held it in one hand behind your back and told Billy to
+choose?” Billy was Mollie’s “chummy” name.
+
+“That’s so,” admitted Grace. “And Mollie didn’t guess right. I beg your
+pardon, Mollie. It’s so warm, and the prickly heat bothers me so that I
+can hardly think of anything but that I’m going in and get some talcum
+powder. I’ve got some of the loveliest scent—the Yamma-yamma flower
+from Japan.”
+
+“It sounds nice,” murmured Betty. “But, girls——”
+
+“Excuse me,” murmured Grace, making a struggle to arise from the
+hammock—never a graceful feat for girl or woman.
+
+“Don’t! You’ll spill me!” screamed Betty, clutching at the yielding
+sides of the net. “Grace! There!”
+
+There would have been a “spill” except that Amy caught the swaying
+hammock and held it until Grace managed, more or less “gracelessly,” to
+get out.
+
+“There’s the empty box,” she remarked, as it was disclosed where it had
+lain hidden between herself and Betty. “Not a crumb left, Amy, my dear.
+But I fancy I have a fresh box in the house, if Will hasn’t found them.
+He’s always—snooping, if you’ll pardon my slang.”
+
+“I wasn’t looking for candy,” replied Amy. “It’s my handkerchief—that
+new lace one; I fancied I left it in the hammock.”
+
+“Wait, I’ll get up,” said Betty. “Don’t you dare let go, Amy. I don’t
+see why I’m so foolish as to wear this tight skirt. We didn’t bother
+with such style when we were off on our walking tour.”
+
+“Oh, blessed tour!” sighed Mollie. “I wish we could go on another
+one—to the North Pole,” and she vigorously fanned herself with a
+magazine cover.
+
+Betty rose, and Amy found what she was looking for. Grace walked slowly
+over the shaded lawn toward her house, at which the three chums had
+gathered this beautiful—if too warm—July day. Betty, Amy, and Mollie
+made a simultaneous dive for the hammock, and managed, all three, to
+squeeze into it, with Betty in the middle.
+
+“Oh, dear!” she cried. “This is too much! Let me out, and you girls can
+have it to yourselves. Besides, I want to talk, and I can’t do it
+sitting down very well.”
+
+“You used to,” observed Amy, smoothing out her rather crumpled dress,
+and making dabs at her warm face with the newly discovered
+handkerchief.
+
+“The kind of talking I’m going to do now calls for action—‘business,’
+as the stage people call it,” explained Betty. “I want to walk around
+and swing my arms. Besides, I can’t properly do justice to the subject
+sitting down. Oh, girls, I’ve got the grandest surprise for you!” Her
+eyes sparkled and her cheeks glowed; she seemed electrified with some
+piece of news.
+
+“That’s what you said when you first came,” spoke Mollie, “but we
+seemed to get off the track. Start over, Betty, that’s a dear, and tell
+us all about it. Take that willow chair,” and Billy pointed to an
+artistic green one that harmonized delightfully with the grass, and the
+gray bark of an apple tree against which it was drawn.
+
+“No, I’m going to stand up,” went on Betty. “Anyhow, I don’t want to
+start until Grace comes back. I detest telling a thing over twice.”
+
+“If Grace can’t find that box of chocolates she’ll most likely run down
+to the store for another,” said Amy.
+
+“And that means we won’t hear the surprise for ever so long,” said
+Mollie. “Go on, Bet, tell us, and we’ll retell it to Grace when she
+comes. That will get rid of your objection,” and Mollie tucked back
+several locks of her pretty hair that had strayed loose when the
+vigorous hammock-action took place.
+
+“No, I’d rather tell it to you all together,” insisted Betty, with a
+shake of her head. “It wouldn’t be fair to Grace to tell it to you two
+first. We’ll wait.”
+
+“I’ll go in and ask her to hurry,” ventured Amy. She was always willing
+to do what she could to promote peace, harmony, and general good
+feeling. If ever anyone wanted anything done, Amy was generally the
+first to volunteer.
+
+“There’s no great hurry,” said Betty, “though from the way I rushed
+over here you might think so. But really, it is the grandest thing! Oh,
+girls, such a time as may be ahead of us this summer!” and she
+pretended to hug herself in delight.
+
+“Betty Nelson, you’ve just got to tell us!” insisted Mollie. “Look out,
+Amy, I’m going to get up.”
+
+Getting up from a hammock—or doing anything vigorous, for that
+matter—was always a serious business with quick Mollie. She generally
+warned her friends not to “stand too close.”
+
+“Never mind, here comes Grace,” interrupted Amy. “Do sit still, Mollie;
+it’s too warm to juggle—or is it jiggle?—around so.”
+
+“Make it wiggle,” suggested Betty.
+
+“Do hurry, Grace,” called Mollie “We can’t hear about the grand
+surprise until you get here, and we’re both just dying to know what it
+is.”
+
+“I couldn’t find my chocolates,” said Grace, as she strolled gracefully
+up, making the most of her slender figure. “I just know Will took them.
+Isn’t he horrid!”
+
+“Never mind, did you bring the talcum?” asked Amy. “We can sprinkle it
+on green apples and pretend it’s fruit juice.”
+
+“Don’t you dare suggest such a thing when my little twins come along,
+as they’re sure to do, sooner or later,” spoke Mollie, referring to her
+brother and sister—Paul and Dora—or more often “Dodo,” aged four.
+
+They were “regular tykes,” whatever that is. Mollie said so, and she
+ought to know. “If you gave them that idea,” she went on, “we’d have
+them both in the hospital. However, they’re not likely to come to-day.”
+
+“Why not?” asked Betty, for the twins had a habit of appearing most
+unexpectedly, and in the most out-of-the-way places.
+
+“They’re over at Aunt Kittie’s for the day, and I told mamma I
+shouldn’t mind if she kept them a week.”
+
+“Oh, the dears!” murmured Amy.
+
+“You wouldn’t say so if you saw how they upset my room yesterday. I
+like a little peace and quietness,” exclaimed Mollie. “I love Paul and
+Dodo, but—and she shrugged her shoulders effectively, as only the
+French can.
+
+“Here’s the talcum,” spoke Grace. “I’m sorry about the chocolates. Wait
+until I see Will,” and she shook an imaginary brother.
+
+“Never mind, dear, it’s too hot for candies, anyhow,” consoled Betty.
+“Pass the talcum,” and she reached for the box that Mollie was then
+using. “It has the most delightful odor, Grace. Where did you get it?”
+
+“It’s a new sample lot Harrison’s pharmacy got in. Mr. Harrison gave me
+a box to try, and said——”
+
+“He wanted you to recommend it to your friends, I’ve no doubt,”
+remarked Mollie.
+
+“He didn’t say so, but I haven’t any hesitation in doing so. I just
+love it.”
+
+“It is nice,” said Amy. “I’m going to get some the next time I go
+down-town.”
+
+The spicy scent of the perfumed talcum powder mingled with the odor of
+the grass, the trees, and the flowers, over which the bees were
+humming.
+
+“Come, come, Betty!” exclaimed Mollie, vigorously, when shining noses
+had been rendered immune from the effects of the sun, “when do we hear
+that wonderful secret of yours?”
+
+“Right away! Make yourselves comfortable. I’m going to walk about, and
+get the proper action to go with the words. Now, what did I do with
+that letter?” and she looked in her belt, up her sleeve, and in the
+folds of her waist.
+
+“Gracious, I hope I haven’t lost it!” she exclaimed, glancing about,
+anxiously.
+
+“Was it only a letter?” asked Mollie, something of disappointment
+manifesting itself in her tones.
+
+“_Only_ a letter!” repeated Betty, with proper emphasis. “Well, I like
+the way you say that! It isn’t a common letter, by any means.”
+
+“Is it from that queer Mr. Blackford, whose five hundred dollar bill we
+found when we were on our walking trip?” asked Amy, with strange
+recollections of that queer occurrence.
+
+“No, it was from my uncle, Amos Marlin, a former sea captain,” was the
+answer “A most quaint and delightful character, as you’ll all say when
+you meet him.”
+
+“Then we are going to meet him?” interjected Grace, questioningly.
+
+“Yes, he’s coming to pay me a visit.”
+
+“Was that the grand surprise?” Amy wanted to know.
+
+“Indeed not. Oh, there’s the letter,” and Betty caught up a piece of
+paper from underneath the hammock. “I’ll read it to you. It’s quite
+funny, and in it he says he’s going to give me the grandest surprise
+that ever a girl had. It——”
+
+“But _what_ is the surprise itself?” inquired Mollie.
+
+“Oh, he didn’t say exactly,” spoke Betty, smoothing out the letter.
+“But I know, from the way he writes, that it will be quite wonderful.
+Everything Uncle Amos does is wonderful. He’s quite rich, and——”
+
+“Hark!” exclaimed Amy.
+
+A voice was calling:
+
+“Miss Ford! Miss Ford!”
+
+“Yes, Nellie, what is it?” asked Grace, as she saw a maid coming
+towards her, beckoning.
+
+“Your brother wants you on the telephone, Miss Ford,” answered the
+maid, “he says it’s quite important, and he wants you to please hurry.”
+
+“Excuse me,” flung back Grace, as she hurried off. “I’ll be back in a
+minute. I hope he’s going to confess where he put those chocolates.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+AFTER THE PAPERS
+
+
+“Hello, is this you, Will?”
+
+“Yes, this is Grace. What did you do with my chocolates? The girls are
+here, and—Never mind about the chocolates? The idea! I like——. What’s
+that? You want to go to the ball game? Will I do your errand for you?
+Yes, I’m listening. Go on!”
+
+“It’s this way, Sis,” explained Will over the wire from a down-town
+drug store. “This morning dad told me to go over to grandmother’s and
+get those papers. You know; the ones in that big property deal which
+has been hanging fire so long. Grandmother has the papers in her safe.
+The deal is to be closed to-day. I promised dad I’d go, but I forgot
+all about it, and now the fellows want me to go to the ball game with
+them.
+
+“If you’ll go over to grandmother’s and get the papers I’ll buy you a
+two-pound box of the best chocolates—honest, I will. And you can get
+the papers as well as I can. Grandmother expects one of the family over
+after them to-day, and she has them all ready.
+
+“You can go just as well as I can—better, in fact, and dad won’t care
+as long as he gets the papers. You’re to take them to his office. Will
+you do it for me, Sis? Come on, now, be a sport, and say yes.”
+
+“But it’s so hot, and Betty, Amy, and Mollie are here with me. I don’t
+want to go all the way over to grandmother’s after some tiresome old
+papers. Besides, it was your errand, anyhow.”
+
+“I know it, Sis, but I don’t want to miss that game. It’s going to be a
+dandy! Come on, go for me, that’s a good fellow. I’ll make it three
+pounds.”
+
+“No, I’m not going. Besides, it looks like a thunder storm.”
+
+“Say, Sis, will you go if I let you ride Prince?”
+
+“Your new horse?” asked Grace, eagerly.
+
+“Yes, you may ride Prince,” came over the wire. Will was a good
+horseman, but for some time had to be content with rather an ordinary
+steed. Lately he had prevailed on his father to get him a new one, and
+Prince, a pure white animal, of great beauty, had been secured. It was
+gentle, but spirited, and had great speed. Grace rode well, but her
+mount did not suit her, and Mr. Ford did not want to get another just
+then. Will never allowed his sister to more than try Prince around the
+yard, but she was eager to go for a long canter with the noble animal.
+Now was the chance she had waited for so long.
+
+“You must want to see that ball game awfully bad, to lend me Prince,”
+said Grace.
+
+“I do,” answered Will. “But be careful of him. Don’t let him have his
+head too much or he’ll bolt. But there’s not a mean streak in him.”
+
+“Oh, I know that—I can manage.”
+
+“Then you’ll get those papers from grandmother for me, and take them to
+dad?”
+
+“Yes, I guess so, though I don’t like leaving the girls.”
+
+“Oh, you can explain it to them. And you can ’phone down for the
+chocolates and have them sent up. Charge them to me. The girls can chew
+on them until you come back. It won’t take you long on Prince. And say,
+listen, Sis!”
+
+“Yes, go on.”
+
+“Those papers are pretty valuable, dad said. There are other parties
+interested in this deal, and if they got hold of the documents it might
+make a lot of trouble.”
+
+“Trouble?”
+
+“Yes. But there’s not much chance of that. They don’t even know where
+the papers are.”
+
+“All right, I’ll get them. Have a good time at the game, Billy boy.”
+
+“I will, and look out for Prince. So long!” and Will hung up the
+receiver, while Grace over the private wire, telephoned to the groom to
+saddle Prince. Then she went out to tell her friends of her little
+trip.
+
+And while she is doing this, I will interject a few words of
+explanation so that those who did not read the first volume of this
+series may have a better understanding of the characters and location
+of this story.
+
+The first book was called “The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale; Or, Camping
+and Tramping for Fun and Health.” In that is given an account of how
+the four chums set off to walk about two hundred miles in two weeks,
+stopping nights at the homes of various friends and relatives on the
+route. At the very outset they stumbled on the mystery of a five
+hundred dollar bill, and it was not until the end that the strange
+affair was cleared up most unexpectedly.
+
+The four girls were Betty Nelson, a born leader, bright, vigorous and
+with more than her share of common sense. She was the daughter of
+Charles Nelson, a wealthy carpet manufacturer. Grace Ford, tall,
+willowly, and exceedingly pretty, was blessed with well-to-do parents.
+Mr. Ford being a lawyer of note, who handled many big cases. Mollie
+Billette, was just the opposite type from Grace. Mollie was almost
+always in action, Grace in repose. Mollie was dark, Grace fair. Mollie
+was quick-tempered—Grace very slow to arouse. Perhaps it was the French
+blood in Mollie—blood that showed even more plainly in her mother, a
+wealthy widow—that accounted for this. Or perhaps it was the
+mischievous twins—Dodo and Paul—whose antics so often annoyed their
+older sister, that caused Mollie to “flare up” at times.
+
+Amy Stonington was concerned in a mystery that she hoped would some day
+be unraveled. For years she had believed that John and Sarah Stonington
+were her father and mother, but in the first book I related how she was
+given to understand differently.
+
+It appears that, when she was a baby, Amy lived in a Western city.
+There came a flood, and she was picked up on some wreckage. There was a
+note pinned to her baby dress—or, rather an envelope that had contained
+a note, and this was addressed to Mrs. Stonington. Amy’s mother was
+Mrs. Stonington’s aunt, though the two had not seen each other in many
+years.
+
+Whether Amy’s parents perished in the flood, as seemed likely, or what
+became of them, was never known, nor was it known whether there were
+any other children. But Mr. Stonington, after the flood, was
+telegraphed for, and came to get Amy. He and his wife had kept her ever
+since, and shortly before this story opens they had told her of the
+mystery surrounding her. Of course it was a great shock to poor Amy,
+but she bore it bravely. She called Mr. and Mrs. Stonington “uncle” and
+“aunt” after that.
+
+I described Deepdale and its surroundings in the previous book, so I
+will make no more than a passing reference to it here. Sufficient to
+say that the town nestled in a bend of the Argono River, a few miles
+above where that stream widened out into beautiful and picturesque
+Rainbow Lake. Then the river continued on its way again, increasing
+into quite a large body of water. On the river and lake plied many
+pleasure craft, and some built for trade, in which they competed with a
+railroad that connected with the main line to New York. In Rainbow Lake
+were a number of islands, the largest—Triangle—obviously so called,
+being quite a summer resort.
+
+Our four girls lived near each other in fine residences, that of
+Mollie’s mother being on the bank of the river. Deepdale was a thriving
+community, in the midst of a fertile farming section.
+
+The summer sun glinted in alternate shadows and brilliant patches on
+Grace Ford as she hurried out to her friends on the lawn, after
+receiving the message from her brother Will.
+
+“What happened?” asked Mollie, for it was evident from the expression
+on the face of the approaching girl that something out of the ordinary
+had been the import of the message.
+
+“Oh, it was Will. He——”
+
+“Did he ‘fess up’ about the chocolates?” inquired Mollie.
+
+“No, but he’s going to treat us to a three-pound box. I ’phoned down
+for them. They’ll be here soon, and you girls can enjoy them while I’m
+gone.”
+
+“Gone!” echoed Betty, blankly. “Where are you going, pray tell?”
+
+“Oh, Will forgot to do something father told him to, and he wants me to
+do it for him. Get some rather important papers from Grandmother Ford.
+I’m going to ride Prince. I wish you all could come. Will you be angry
+if I run away for a little while? I shan’t be more than an hour.”
+
+“Angry? Of course not,” said Amy, gently. “Besides, it’s important;
+isn’t it?”
+
+“I imagine so, from what Will said. But he has the baseball fever, and
+there’s no cure for it. So if you don’t mind I’ll just slip into my
+habit, and canter over. Oh, I just love Prince! He’s the finest horse!”
+
+“I’m afraid of horses,” confessed Amy.
+
+“I’m not!” declared Betty, who was fond of all sports, and who had
+fully earned her title of “Little Captain,” which she was often called.
+“Some day I’m going to prevail on daddy to get me one.”
+
+“I should think you’d rather have an auto,” spoke Mollie.
+
+“I may, some day,” murmured Betty. “But hurry along, Grace. It looks as
+though it might storm. We’ll save some of the candy for you.”
+
+“You’d better!”
+
+The chocolates came before Grace was ready to start after the papers,
+for she discovered a rent in her skirt and it had to be mended. Then,
+too, Prince proved a little more restive than had been anticipated,
+from not having been out in two days, and the groom suggested that he
+take the animal up and down the road on a sharp gallop to give the
+excess spirit a chance to be worked off. So Grace saw to it that she
+had at least part of her share of chocolates before she left.
+
+“And I have just time to hear the rest about the grand surprise,” she
+said to Betty, who had been turning and creasing in her hand the letter
+her uncle had written.
+
+“I’m afraid I can’t go as much into detail as I thought I could,”
+confessed Betty. “But I’ll read you the letter my old sea-captain uncle
+sent me. It begins: ‘In port; longitude whatever you like, and latitude
+an ice cream soda.’ Then he goes on:
+
+“‘Dear messmate. Years ago, when you first signed papers to voyage
+through life, when you weren’t rated as an A. B., you used to have me
+spill sea-yarns for you. And you always said you were going to be a
+sailor, shiver my timbers, or something like that,—real sailor-like, so
+it sounded.
+
+“‘I never forgot this, and I always counted on taking you on a voyage
+with me. But your captain—that is to say your father—never would let
+me, and often the barometer went away down between him and me.
+
+“‘Howsomever, I haven’t forgotten how you liked the water, nor how much
+you wanted a big ship of your own. You used to make me promise that if
+ever I could tow the _Flying Dutchman_ into port that you could have it
+for a toy. And I promised.
+
+“‘Well, now I have the chance to get the _Flying Dutchman_ for you, and
+I’m bringing it home, with sails furled so it won’t get away. I’m going
+to give you a grand surprise soon, and you can pass it on to your
+friends. So if you let me luff along for a few more cable lengths I
+think I’ll make port soon, and then we’ll see what sort of a sailor
+you’ll make. You may expect the surprise shortly.’
+
+“That’s all there is to it,” concluded Betty, “and I’ve been puzzling
+my brains as to just what the surprise may be.”
+
+“He’s going to take you on a voyage,” said Amy.
+
+“He’s bought you some toy ship,” was the opinion of Mollie.
+
+“Oh, if he’d only bring a real boat that we could make real a trip in!”
+sighed Grace. “That would be—lovely!”
+
+“Betty Nelson! Write to your uncle right away!” commanded Mollie, “and
+find out exactly what he means.”
+
+“I can’t,” sighed Betty. “He’s traveling, and one never knows where he
+is. We’ll just have to wait. Besides, he is so peculiar that he’d just
+as likely as not only puzzle me the more. We’ll just have to wait;
+that’s all.”
+
+“Well, if it should be some sort of a boat, even a big rowboat, we
+could have some fun,” asserted Grace.
+
+“Yes, for mine isn’t much account,” remarked Mollie, who owned a small
+skiff on the river.
+
+“I was so excited and amused when I got uncle’s letter,” said Betty,
+“that I didn’t know what to do. Mamma puzzled over it, but she couldn’t
+make any more out of it than I could. So I decided to come over here.”
+
+“I’m glad you did,” spoke Grace, holding up her long habit in one hand
+and delicately eating a chocolate from the other “There comes James
+with Prince. Oh, he’s run him too hard!” she exclaimed as she noted the
+hard-breathing animal.
+
+“Oh, no, Miss,” said the groom, who heard her. “That was only a romp
+for him. He’ll be much easier to handle now.”
+
+He gave Grace a hand to help her mount to the saddle, and adjusted the
+stirrups for her.
+
+“Good-bye!” she called, as she cantered off. “Save some of the
+chocolates for me,” and the others laughingly promised, as they went
+back to the shade, to rest in the hammock or lawn chairs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+THE RUNAWAY
+
+
+Grace cantered along the pleasant country road on the back of Prince.
+The noble animal had lost some of his fiery eagerness to cover the
+whole earth in one jump, and now was mindful of snaffle and curb, the
+latter of which Grace always applied with gentle hand. Prince seemed to
+know this, for he behaved in such style as not to need the cruel
+gripping, which so many horsemen—and horsewomen too, for that matter,
+needlessly inflict.
+
+“Oh, but it is glorious to ride!” exclaimed the girl, as she urged the
+animal into a gallop on a soft stretch of road beneath wonderful trees
+that interlaced their branches overhead. “Glorious—glorious!”
+
+“I hope those papers are not so valuable that it would be an object
+for—for some one to try to take them away from me,” she mused.
+Instinctively she glanced behind her, but the peaceful road was
+deserted save for the sunshine and shadows playing tag in the dust.
+Then Grace looked above. The sky was of rather a somber tint, that
+seemed to suggest a storm to come, and there was a sultriness and a
+silence, with so little wind that it might indicate a coming
+disturbance of the elements to restore the balance that now seemed so
+much on one side.
+
+“But if any one tries to get them away from us, we—we’ll just—run away;
+won’t we, Prince?” and she patted the neck of the horse. Prince
+whinnied acquiescence.
+
+“Grandmother will be surprised to see me,” thought Grace, as she rode
+on. “But I’m glad I can do as well as Will in business matters. I hope
+papa won’t be too severe with Will for not attending to this himself.”
+
+She passed a drinking trough—a great log hollowed out, into which
+poured a stream of limpid water coming from a distant hill through a
+rude wooden pipe. It dripped over the mossy green sides of the trough,
+and Prince stretched his muzzle eagerly toward it.
+
+“Of course you shall have a drink!” exclaimed Grace, as she let him
+have his head. Then she felt thirsty herself, and looked about for
+something that would serve as a mounting block, in case she got down.
+She saw nothing near; but a ragged, barefooted, freckled-faced and
+snub-nosed urchin, coming along just then, divined her desire.
+
+“Want a drink, lady?” he asked, smiling.
+
+“Yes,” answered Grace, “but I have no cup.”
+
+“I kin make ye one.”
+
+Straightway he fashioned a natural flagon from a leaf of the wild grape
+vine that grew nearby, piercing the leaf with its own stem so that it
+formed a cup out of which a Druid might have quaffed ambrosia.
+
+“There’s a cup,” he said. “I allers makes ’em that way when I wants a
+drink.” He filled it from the running water and held it up. Grace drank
+thirstily, and asked for more.
+
+“And here is something for you,” she said with a smile, as she passed
+down some chocolates she had slipped into a small pocket of her riding
+habit.
+
+“Say, is it Christmas, or Fourth of July?” gasped the urchin as he
+accepted them. “Thanks, lady.”
+
+Grace again smiled down at him, and Prince, having dipped his muzzle
+into the cool water again, for very pleasure in having all he wanted,
+swung about and trotted on.
+
+The distance was not long now, and Grace, noting the gathering clouds,
+was glad of it.
+
+“I’m sure I don’t want to be caught in a storm,” she said. “This stuff
+shrinks so,” and she glanced down at her velvet skirt. “I wouldn’t have
+it made up again. I hope the storm doesn’t spoil Will’s ball game,”
+
+She urged Prince to a faster pace, and, cantering along a quiet stretch
+of road, was soon at the house of Mr. Ford’s mother.
+
+“Why Grace!” exclaimed the elderly lady, “I expected Will to come over.
+Your father said——”
+
+“I know, grandma, but Will—well, he is wild about baseball, and I said
+I’d come for him.”
+
+“That was good of you.”
+
+“Oh, no it wasn’t. I don’t deserve any praise. Chocolates and Prince—a
+big bribe, grandma.”
+
+“Oh, you young folks! Well, come in. Thomas will see to Prince.”
+
+“I can’t stay long.”
+
+“No, I suppose not. Your father wanted these papers in a hurry. He
+would have come himself, but he had some matters to attend to. And, its
+being rather a family affair, he did not want to send one of his law
+clerks. Those young men tattle so.”
+
+“I wonder if they are any worse than girls, grandma?”
+
+“Oh, much—much! But come in, and I will have Ellen make you a cup of
+tea. It is refreshing on a hot day. Then I will get you the papers. It
+is very warm.”
+
+“Yes, I think we will have a shower.”
+
+“Then I must not keep you. Is everyone well?”
+
+“Yes. How have you been?”
+
+“Oh, well enough for an old lady.”
+
+“Old, grandma? I only hope I look as nice as you when I get——”
+
+“Now, my dear, no flattery. I had my share of that when I was younger,
+though I must say your grandfather knew how to turn a compliment to
+perfection. Ah, my dear, there are not many like him now-a-days. Not
+many!” and she sighed.
+
+Tea was served in the quaint old dining room, for Mrs. Ford, though
+keeping up many old customs, had adopted some modern ones, and her
+house was perfection itself.
+
+“I suppose your brother told you these papers were rather valuable; did
+he not?” asked Mrs. Ford a little later, as she brought Grace a rather
+bulky package.
+
+“Yes, grandma.”
+
+“And if they should happen to fall into other hands it might make
+trouble—at least for a time.”
+
+“Yes. I will take good care of them.”
+
+“How can you carry them?”
+
+“In the saddle. Will had pockets, made especially for his needs. They
+will fit nicety. I looked before starting out.”
+
+“Very good. Then I won’t keep you. Trot along. It does look as though
+we would have a storm. I hope you get back before it breaks. I would
+ask you to stay, but I know your father is waiting for those papers.”
+
+“Yes, Will said he wanted them quickly. Oh, well, I think I can
+out-race the storm,” and Grace laughed.
+
+She found that she really would have to race when, a little later, out
+on the main road, the distant rumble of thunder was heard.
+
+“Come, Prince!” she called. “We must see what we can do. Your best foot
+foremost, old fellow!” The horse whinnied in answer, and swung into an
+easy gallop that covered the ground well.
+
+The clouds gathered thicker and faster. Now and then their black masses
+would be split by jagged flashes of lightning, that presaged the
+rumbling report of heaven’s artillery which seemed drawing nearer to
+engage in the battle of the sky.
+
+“Prince, we are going to get wet, I’m very much afraid,” Grace
+exclaimed. “And yet—well, we’ll try a little faster pace!”
+
+She touched the animal lightly with the crop, and he fairly leaped into
+greater speed. But it was only too evident that they could not escape
+the storm. The clouds were more lowering now, and the bursts of thunder
+followed more quickly on the heels of the lightning flashes. Then came
+a few angry dashes of rain, as though to give sample of what was to
+follow.
+
+“Come, Prince!” cried Grace.
+
+Suddenly from behind there came another sound. It was the deep staccato
+of the exhaust of an automobile, with opened muffler. It was tearing
+along the road.
+
+Grace glanced back and saw a low, dust-covered racing car, rakish and
+low-hung, swinging along. It was evident that the occupants—two young
+men—were putting on speed to get to some shelter before the storm broke
+in all its fury.
+
+Prince jumped nervously and shied to one side at the sound of the
+on-coming car.
+
+“Quiet, old fellow,” said Grace, soothingly.
+
+The car shot past her, and at the same moment Prince waltzed to one
+side, or else the car swerved, so that only by the narrowest margin was
+a terrible accident averted. Grace heard the men shout, and there was a
+wilder burst of the opened muffler. Then she felt a shock, and she knew
+that the machine had struck and grazed Prince.
+
+She glanced down and saw a red streak on his off fore shoulder. He had
+been cut by some part of the car.
+
+The next moment, as the racing auto swung out of sight around a bend in
+the road, Prince took the bit in his teeth and bolted. With all her
+strength Grace reined him in, but he was wildly frightened. She felt
+herself slipping from the saddle.
+
+“Prince! Prince!” she cried, bracing herself in the stirrups, and
+gripping the reins with all her might. “Prince! Quiet, old fellow!”
+
+But Prince was now beyond the reasoning power of any human voice. The
+thunder rumbled and crashed overhead. Grace, above it, could hear the
+whining decrease of the exhaust of the big car that had caused her
+steed to run away.
+
+“Prince! Prince!” she pleaded.
+
+He did not heed. Farther and farther she slipped from the saddle as his
+wild plunges threw her out of it. Then there came a crash that seemed
+to mark the height of the storm. A great light shone in front of Grace.
+Myriads of stars danced before her eyes.
+
+She flashed towards a house. From it ran two little tots, and, even in
+that terror she recognized them as Dodo and Paul, the two Billette
+twins. They were visiting a relative who lived on this road, she dimly
+recalled hearing Mollie say. Evidently the children had run out in the
+storm. A nursemaid caught Paul, but Dodo eluded the girl, and ran
+straight for the road along which Grace was plunging.
+
+“Go back! Go back!” screamed Grace. “Go back, Dodo!”
+
+But Dodo came on. The next moment the child seemed to be beneath the
+feet of the maddened horse, which, a second later, slipped and fell,
+throwing Grace heavily. Her senses left her. All was black, and the
+rain pelted down while the lightning flashed and the thunder rumbled
+and roared.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+THE MISSING DOCUMENTS
+
+
+“How do you feel now? Do you think you can drink a little of this?”
+
+Faintly Grace heard these words, as though some one, miles away, was
+repeating them through a heavy fog. Myriads of bells seemed ringing in
+her ears, and her whole body felt as though made of lead. Then she
+became conscious of shooting pains. Her head ached, there was a roaring
+in it. This was followed by a delicious drowsiness.
+
+“Try and take a little of this. The doctor does not think you are badly
+hurt. Fortunately the horse did not fall on you.”
+
+Again it seemed as though the voice came from the distant clouds.
+
+Grace tried to think—to reason out where she was, and discover what had
+happened; but when she did, that same ringing of bells sounded in her
+ears, her head ached and she felt she was losing that much-to-be
+desired drowsiness.
+
+“Try and take it.”
+
+She felt some one raise her head, supporting her shoulders. She
+struggled with herself, resolving not to give way to that lethargy. She
+opened her eyes with an effort, and looked about her in wonder. She was
+in a strange room, and a strange woman was bending over her, holding a
+glass of some pleasant-scented liquid.
+
+“There, you have roused up, my dear, try to take this,” said the woman,
+with a smile. “The doctor will be back to see you in a little while.”
+
+“The doctor,” stammered Grace. “Am I hurt? What happened? Oh, I
+remember, Prince was frightened by the auto, and ran away. Where is
+he?” she asked in sudden terror, as a thought came to her.
+
+“He got up and ran off after he fell with you,” said the woman, as she
+held the glass for Grace to drink. “We had no time to try and catch
+him, for there were others to attend to.”
+
+“Oh, but Prince must be caught!” cried Grace, trying to rise from the
+couch on which she was lying, but finding it too much of an effort.
+
+“He will be, my dear,” said the woman. “Don’t fret about the horse. He
+did not seem to be hurt.”
+
+Oh, it isn’t so much Prince himself, though Will would feel very badly
+if anything happened to him. It is——”
+
+Then Grace recalled that to mention the papers in the saddle bag might
+not be wise, so she stopped.
+
+“There now, don’t worry, my dear,” spoke the woman, soothingly. “Some
+one will catch the horse,”
+
+“Oh, he must be caught!” cried Grace. “You say the doctor was here to
+see me?”
+
+“Yes, we sent for one soon after a passing farmer carried you in here
+when you fell and fainted. You were lying out in the rain—insensible.
+We managed to get off your wet dress, and I just slipped this dressing
+gown of mine on you.”
+
+“You were very kind. I can’t seem to think very clearly,” and poor
+Grace put her hand to her head.
+
+“Then don’t try, my dear: You’ll be all right in a little while. Just
+rest. I’ll see if the doctor can come to you now.”
+
+“Why is he here—in the house—is some one else ill?” asked Grace,
+quickly.
+
+“Yes, my dear. Poor little Dodo was knocked down by the horse, and we
+fear is badly hurt.”
+
+“Dodo?” and the voice of Grace fairly rang at the name.
+
+“Yes, little Dora Billette. This is her aunt’s house. She and her
+brother Paul are visiting here.”
+
+“Yes, yes! I know. They live near me in Deepdale. Their sister Mollie
+is one of my best friends. I am Grace Ford.”
+
+“Oh yes, I know you now. I thought I recognized your face. I have seen
+you at Mollie’s house. I am a distant relative. But rest yourself now,
+and the doctor will come to you as soon as he can. He has to attend to
+Dodo first, the little dear!”
+
+“Oh! Dodo, Dodo!” cried Grace, much affected. “You poor little darling,
+and to think that it was my fault! I must go to her. Mollie will never
+forgive me!”
+
+She tried to rise.
+
+“Lie still,” commanded the woman, but gently. “It was not your fault. I
+saw it all. The twins persisted in running out in the storm. The girl
+could not stop them. Dodo got away and ran directly for the horse.”
+
+“Yes, I saw that. I thought she would be terribly hurt. Oh, to think it
+had to be I and Prince who did it!”
+
+“It was not at all your fault. If anyone is to blame it is those
+autoists for going so fast, and passing you so closely. There was no
+excuse for that. The road was plenty wide enough and they scarcely
+stopped a moment after you went down, but hurried right on. They should
+be arrested!”
+
+“Oh, but poor Dodo! poor Dodo!” murmured Grace. “Is she much hurt?”
+
+“The doctor is not sure. He is afraid of internal injuries, and there
+seems to be something the matter with one of her legs. But we are
+hoping for the best. Here, take some more of this; the doctor left it
+for you.”
+
+Grace was feeling easier now. Gradually it all came back to her; how
+she had raced to get home before the storm broke—the pursuing auto, the
+injured horse and then the heavy fall. She had no recollection of the
+passing farmer carrying her into the house.
+
+The doctor came into the room.
+
+“Well, how are we coming on?” he asked, cheerfully. “Ah, we have roused
+up I see,” he went on, as he noted Grace sitting up. “I guess it is
+nothing serious after all. Just a bump on the head; eh?” and he smiled
+genially, as he took her hand.
+
+“Yes, I feel pretty well, except that my head aches,” said Grace,
+rather wanly.
+
+“I don’t blame it. With that fall they say you got it is a wonder you
+have any head left,” and he put out his hand to feel her pulse, nodding
+in a satisfied sort of way.
+
+“How—how is little Dodo?” faltered Grace.
+
+Dr. Morrison did not answer at once. He seemed to be studying Grace.
+
+“How is she—much hurt?” Grace asked again.
+
+“Well, we will hope for the best,” he answered as cheerfully as he
+could. “I can’t say for sure, but her left leg isn’t in the shape I’d
+like to see it. I am afraid the horse stepped on it. But there, don’t
+worry. We will hope for the best.”
+
+“Little Dodo’s sister is my best chum,” explained Grace, the tears
+coming into her eyes. “Oh, when I saw her running toward Prince I
+thought I would faint! Poor little dear! I called to her, but she would
+not mind.”
+
+“That was the trouble,” explained Mrs. Watson, who had been ministering
+to Grace, “she seemed just wild to get out in the rain.”
+
+“Well, it may yet come out all right,” said Dr. Morrison, “but it is
+not going to be easy. I don’t believe you need me any more—er——”
+
+He paused suggestively.
+
+“Miss Ford is my name,” Grace supplied.
+
+“Ah, yes, I am glad to know you. Now I must go back to the little one.”
+
+“Could I see her?” asked Grace, impulsively.
+
+“I had rather not—now.”
+
+Grace caught her breath convulsively. It was worse than she had
+feared—not to even see Dodo!
+
+“But you can talk to Paul,” went on the physician. “Probably it will do
+him good to meet a friend. He is rather upset. His aunt, Mrs. Carr,
+with whom the children were staying for a few days, has telephoned to
+Mrs. Billette about the accident. Word came back that Nellie—is that
+the name—the larger sister——”
+
+“Mollie,” said Grace.
+
+“Well, then, Mollie is to come to take Paul home. We cannot move Dodo
+yet.”
+
+“Oh, is Mollie coming here?”
+
+“Yes. You can arrange to go home with her if you like. I believe Mrs.
+Carr asked for a closed carriage.”
+
+“Then, I will go home with Mollie and Paul. Oh, will they ever forgive
+me?”
+
+“It was not your fault at all!” insisted Mrs. Watson.” I saw the whole
+thing. Please don’t worry.”
+
+“No, you must not,” said the physician. “Well, I will go back to my
+little patient,” and he sighed, for even he was affected by Dodo’s
+suffering.
+
+Grace sought out Paul, who was with his aunt, whom Grace knew slightly.
+Mrs. Carr greeted her warmly, and put her arms about her in sympathy.
+Paul looked up at the familiar face and asked:
+
+“Oo dot any tandy?”
+
+“No, dear,” said Grace, gently, “but I’ll get you some soon. Mollie
+will bring some, perhaps.”
+
+With this promise Paul was content, and Mrs. Carr left him with Grace.
+
+Poor Grace! With all the whirl that her head was in, feeling as
+wretched as she did, one thought was uppermost in her mind—the papers
+in the saddlebag. So much might happen to the valuable documents that
+were needed now—this very instant, perhaps—by her father. She almost
+wanted to go out in the storm and search for Prince.
+
+“But perhaps he ran straight home to the stable,” she reasoned. “In
+that case it will be all right, if only they think to go out and get
+them from the saddle, and take them to papa. Oh, if only Will were home
+from that ball game. What can I do? The telephone! They will be worried
+when they see Prince come home, cut, and will think I am badly hurt. I
+must let them know at once.”
+
+Mrs. Carr took her unexpected guest to the telephone, and Grace was
+soon talking to her mother.
+
+“Don’t worry, Momsey,” she said. “Prince ran away with me—an auto hit
+him—now don’t faint, I am all right. I’m at Mollie’s Aunt Kittie’s.
+Poor Dodo is hurt, I’ll tell you about that later. But, listen. Go out
+to the stable—I suppose Prince ran there: Get those papers from the
+saddle, and send them to papa at once. Grandma’s papers. They are very
+important. What? Prince has not come home? Oh, what can have become of
+him? Those missing papers! Oh, telephone to papa at once! He must do
+something,” and Grace let the receiver fall from her nerveless hand as
+she looked out into the storm. The rain, after a long dry spell, was
+coming down furiously.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+THE GEM
+
+
+Grace and Mollie were riding home in the carriage that had been sent to
+bring Mrs. Billette to the home of her relative, for the anxious
+mother, on hearing that Dodo could not be moved, had come to look after
+the injured child. Paul went home with his sister. He was munching
+contentedly on some candy, and all thought of the recent accident and
+scare had vanished in the present small and sweet happiness.
+
+“Oh, it must have been perfectly dreadful, Grace,” said Mollie,
+sympathetically. “Perfectly terrible!”
+
+“It was! And are you sure you don’t feel resentful toward me?”
+
+“The idea! Certainly not. It was poor Dodo’s fault, in a way; but I
+blame those motorists more than anyone else. They should be found.”
+
+“They certainly made a lot of trouble,” admitted Grace. “But I would
+rather find Prince than them. I wonder where he could have run to?”
+
+“Oh, probably not far, after he got over being frightened. Doubtless
+you’ll hear of his being found, and then you can send for him, and
+recover the papers.”
+
+“If only the saddle doesn’t come off, and get lost,” said Grace. “That
+would be dreadful, for there would be no telling where to look for it.”
+
+“Most likely it would be along some road. Prince would probably keep to
+the highways, and if the girth should break and the saddle come off it
+would be seen. Then, by the papers in the pockets, persons could tell
+to whom it belonged.”
+
+“That is just it. Papa doesn’t want anyone to see those papers. Some of
+them have to be kept secret. Oh, I know he will feel dreadful about the
+loss, and so will Grandma! It was partly her property that was involved
+in the transaction.”
+
+“But they can’t blame you.”
+
+“I hope not. I’ll never be forgiven by Will for letting Prince throw me
+and run away, though. He’ll never let me take him again.”
+
+“It was partly Will’s fault for not doing the errand himself,” declared
+Mollie, with energy. “Then this might not have happened. Of course I
+don’t mean,” she added hastily, “that I blame him in the least for what
+happened to Dodo. But I mean the papers might not have been lost, for
+he would likely have carried them in his coat pocket, and not in the
+saddle.”
+
+“That is what I should have done, I suppose,” spoke Grace with a sigh.
+“But my riding habit had no pocket large enough. Oh, dear! I’m afraid
+it will be spoiled by the mud and rain,” for she had left it at Mrs.
+Carr’s and had borrowed a dress to wear home in the carriage, a dress
+that was rather incongruous in conjunction with her riding boots and
+derby hat.
+
+“It can be cleaned,” consoled Mollie. “No, Paul, not another bit of
+candy. Don’t give him any, Grace. He’ll be ill, and as I’ll have to
+look after him when mamma is away I don’t want to have it any harder
+than necessary.”
+
+“Me ikes tandy,” remarked Paul. “Dodo ikes tandy too. Why not Dodo come
+wif us?” His big eyes looked appealing at his sister, and her own
+filled with tears, while those of Grace were not dry.
+
+“Poor little Dodo,” said Mollie. Then with a smile, and brushing away
+her tears, she spoke more brightly, “but we must not be gloomy. I just
+_know_ she will be all right.”
+
+“I shall never cease praying that she will,” spoke Grace, softly.
+
+They were splashing home through the mud. The rain was still coming
+down, but not so hard. The long, dry spell had broken, and it seemed
+that a continued wet one had set in.
+
+Grace was left at her house, where she found Amy and Betty ready to
+sympathize with her. Her father was there also, and Will. Both looked
+grave.
+
+Seeing that family matters awaited discussion, Amy and Betty soon took
+their leave, after being assured that Grace was all right, except for a
+stiffness and a few cuts caused by the fall. A carriage took the two
+girls to their homes. Mollie had gone on with Paul.
+
+“What will happen if we can’t find the papers?” asked Grace of her
+father, when she had explained everything.
+
+“Well, there will be a lot of trouble,” he said, “and of course the
+whole matter will have to be held up. In the meanwhile, even if the
+other interests do not get the documents, they may make it unpleasant
+for us. I wish, Will, that you had done this errand yourself—not that I
+blame you Grace,” he said quickly, “but Will knew how very important it
+was.”
+
+“I’m very sorry, Dad. I’ll never cut business for a ball game again,
+and I’ll do all I can to help out. I’m sure Prince will soon come home,
+though, and it will be all right. I’ll go out to the stable now, and if
+he isn’t there I’ll saddle Toto and go hunting. I’ll start from where
+the accident happened, and trace Prince. Lucky he’s pure white, he’ll
+show up well, even in the dark.”
+
+“No, I don’t want you to do that,” objected Mr. Ford. “You may go to
+the stable, if you like, but don’t start any search until morning. In
+the meanwhile we may hear something, or he may come back. It’s too bad
+a night to go out. But let this be a lesson to you, Will.”
+
+“I will; yes, sir. Poor little Sis, I can’t tell you how sorry I am.
+Are you much hurt?” and Will laid his hand tenderly on her head. She
+winced, for he had touched a bruised place.
+
+“Don’t worry,” she said, as brightly as she could. “I am all right, and
+the papers may be found. It is poor little Dodo I feel so badly about.
+She—she may be a cripple, the doctor says.”
+
+“No!” exclaimed Will, aghast.
+
+“It seems terrible, but that is his opinion.”
+
+“Oh, they can do such wonderful things in surgery now a-days,” said
+Mrs. Ford, “that I’m sure, in such a young child, there are many
+chances in her favor. Don’t worry, daughter dear. Now you must go to
+bed, or you will be ill over this. Those motorists ought to be
+punished, if any one is.”
+
+“Yes,” agreed Mr. Ford. “Now I must see what I can do to offset this
+loss. You don’t suppose, do you Grace, that those men could have had
+any object in getting those papers away from you?”
+
+“What do you mean?” asked Grace, in wonderment.
+
+“I mean, did they seem to follow you—as if they had knowledge that the
+papers would be transferred to-day, and were determined to get them?”
+
+“I don’t think so, Daddy. I’m sure they didn’t follow me. They just
+seemed to come out of the storm—trying to get away from it—as I was
+doing. I’m sure it was all an accident—just carelessness.
+
+“Very likely. I was foolish to suggest it, but so much depends on those
+papers that I don’t know just what to think. But there, Grace,” as he
+kissed her, “you must rest yourself. I will think of a way out, I’m
+sure. Will, come with me. I may need you to make some memoranda while I
+telephone,” and he and his son went to the library.
+
+Morning did not see Prince in the stable, and all that day Will
+searched without result. Many had seen the white horse flying wildly
+past, but that was all. Some said the saddle was still on, others that
+it had come off. Mr. Ford was much exercised over the loss of the
+papers.
+
+He did what he could to hold back the business, but there was a
+prospect of loss and considerable trouble if the documents were not
+eventually found. The opposing interests learned of the halt, and tried
+to take advantage of it. They were, however, only partly successful.
+
+In the meanwhile, after several days had passed, Dodo grew well enough
+to be brought home. The chief injury was to her leg, and there was
+grave danger of it being permanently lame. As soon as she was in better
+condition it was decided to have a noted specialist treat her.
+
+Prince remained missing, nor was there any report of the saddle being
+located, though Mr. Ford offered a liberal reward for that, or the
+return of the horse.
+
+Betty had telephoned for her three friends. Her voice held in it the
+hint of pleasure and mystery both, but to all inquiries of what was
+wanted she returned only the answer:
+
+“Come and see. I want you to meet some one.”
+
+It was two weeks after the accident, and, in a great measure, the
+bitter memories of it had passed. Dodo was doing as well as could be
+expected, and, save for a slight limp, Grace had fully recovered.
+
+The three chums—“graces” Will called them—arrived at Betty’s house at
+the same time. With sparkling eyes she led them into the parlor.
+
+“But what is it?” whispered Amy.
+
+“If it’s a strange young man, I’m not going to go and meet him,” said
+Mollie, with quick decision.
+
+“It’s a man, but not young, and I think you’ll be glad to meet him,”
+answered Betty.
+
+Grace instinctively looked at her dress.
+
+“Oh, you’re all right!” cried Betty. Then she threw open the parlor
+door. “Here they are, Uncle Amos!” she cried, gaily, and the girls
+beheld a rather grizzled, elderly man, with tanned face and hands, and
+wrinkled cheeks, like an apple that has kept all winter, with the
+merriest blue eyes imaginable, and when he spoke there sounded the
+heartiest voice that could well fit into the rather small parlor.
+
+“Avast there!” he cried, as he saw the girls. “So these are your
+consorts; eh, Bet? They do you proud! May I be keel-hauled if I’ve seen
+a prettier set of sails on a craft in a long while. It’s good
+rigging—good rigging,” and he glanced particularly at the dresses.
+
+Betty presented her friends in turn, and Mr. Martin had something odd
+to say to each as he shook hands heartily.
+
+“Uncle Amos has brought the—surprise,” said Betty. “But even yet he
+won’t tell me what it is.”
+
+“If I did it wouldn’t be a surprise!” he protested. “But I’m all
+prepared to pilot you down to where she is. She’s in the offing, all
+fitted for a cruise. All she needs is a captain and crew, and I think
+Bet here will be the one, and you girls the other. I may ship as cook
+or cabin boy, if you’ll have me, but that is as may be. Now, if you’re
+ready we’ll go down to the dock and see how the tide is.”
+
+“But we have no tide here, Uncle Amos,” spoke Betty.
+
+“What! No tide! What sort of a place is it without a tide? I’m
+disappointed, lass, disappointed!”
+
+“We’ll try and have one made for you,” said Mollie, with a laugh.
+
+“That’s it! That’s the way to talk. Salt water and a tide would make
+any place, even a desert—er—er—what is it I want to say, Bet?”
+
+“I don’t know, Uncle, unless that it would make the desert blossom like
+the rose.”
+
+“That’s it—a rose. You luffed just at the right time. Well, ladies, all
+hands have been piped to quarters, so we’ll start. It’s nearly four
+bells, and I told the mate I’d be there by then. Let’s start.”
+
+And start they did. On the way toward the river, whither Mr. Marlin
+insisted on leading the girls, Betty explained how her uncle had
+arrived unexpectedly that day, and had talked mysteriously about the
+surprise.
+
+“It’s a boat—I’m sure it is,” said Mollie.
+
+“Oh, he’d talk that same way about an automobile or an airship,” said
+Betty. “He calls everything, ‘she,’ and if it was an auto he’d ‘anchor’
+it near the river just to be close to the water he loves so much.”
+
+“What if it’s an airship?” asked Amy.
+
+“I shall—learn to run it!” declared Betty.
+
+“Never!”
+
+“Yes I shall.”
+
+“Let us hope it is but a rowboat then,” sighed Amy.
+
+They went out on the public dock in the Argono River. At the string
+piece was tied what the girls saw was one of the neatest motor boats
+that, as Will said afterward, “ever ate a gasoline sandwich.”
+
+There was a trunk cabin, an ample cockpit at the stern, a little
+cooking galley, a powerful motor, complete fittings and everything that
+the most exacting motor boat enthusiast could desire.
+
+“There she is!” cried Mr. Marlin. “There’s the surprise, Bet. I got her
+for you! I named her the _Gem_—for she is a gem. Aside from an ocean
+steamer there’s no better boat built. I saw to it myself. I’ve been
+planning that for you for years. And there you are. The _Gem_ is yours.
+I want you girls to take a cruise in her, and if you don’t have a good
+time it will be your own fault. There’s the _Gem_ for you, Betty. Let’s
+go aboard and see if that rascally mate has grub ready. There’s the
+_Gem!_” and he led the way toward the beautiful boat. The girls simply
+gasped with delight, and Betty turned pale—at least Grace said so.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+READY FOR A CRUISE
+
+
+“What a pretty cabin!” cried Mollie.
+
+“And see the places to put things!” exclaimed Betty.
+
+“Places to put things!” fairly snorted Mr. Marlin, or to give him his
+proper title, Captain Marlin. “Places! Huh! Lockers, young ladies!
+Lockers! That’s where you _put_ things. The aft starboard locker, the
+for’d port locker. You must learn sea lingo if you’re to cruise in the
+_Gem_.”
+
+The girls were still aboard the new motor boat. They could not seem to
+leave it since Betty had been told that it was a gift from her uncle.
+They inspected every part, turned the wheel, daintily touched the
+shining motor, and even tried the bunks.
+
+“There is room for five in the cabin,” said Betty, looking about. “If
+we wanted to take another girl with us we could, when we go cruising.”
+
+“Or a chaperone,” added Grace. “We may have to do that, you know.”
+
+“Well, we can,” admitted Betty. “The question is, shall we go on a
+cruise?”
+
+“Ask us!” exclaimed Mollie with a laugh. “Just ask us!”
+
+“I do ask you,” retorted the little captain of the _Gem_. “Girls, you
+are hereby invited to accompany me on a cruise to go—Oh, where can we
+go?”
+
+“To Rainbow Lake, of course,” said Grace, promptly. “We can go down the
+river into the lake, motor about it, go out into the lower river if we
+want to, camp on an island or two, if we like, and have a general good
+time.”
+
+“That’s the way to talk!” cried Captain Marlin. “And I’ll come with you
+part of the time. There’s some extra bunks back here maybe you didn’t
+see,” and he showed them three folding ones in the cockpit back of the
+trunk cabin, where awnings could be stretched in stormy weather,
+enclosing that part of the craft.
+
+“But what makes the boat go?” asked gentle Amy.
+
+“The motor makes it ‘mote,’” spoke Betty. “It’s up in front; isn’t it,
+Uncle Amos?”
+
+“Up in front! There you go again, Bet. Up in front! You mean for’ard;
+up for’ard!”
+
+“That’s right, Uncle, I forgot. Come, we’ll show these girls where the
+motor is,” and she led the way to where the machinery was enclosed in a
+large compartment in the bow, close by hinged wing-covers.
+
+The motor, one of three cylinders, was a self-starter, but by means of
+a crank and chain could be started from the steering platform, just aft
+of the trunk cabin, in case of emergency. There was a clutch, so that
+the motor could be set in motion without starting the boat, until the
+clutch, set for forward or reverse motion, had been adjusted, just as
+the motor of an automobile can be allowed to run without the car itself
+moving.
+
+“And what a dear little stove in the kitchen!” exclaimed Betty, as the
+girls looked in the cooking compartment—it was not much more than a
+compartment.
+
+“Kitchen!” cried Captain Marlin. “That isn’t a kitchen!”
+
+“What is it?” Amy wanted to know.
+
+“The galley, lass, the galley. That’s where we cook aboard a ship, in
+the galley. There’s an alcohol and oil stove combined. You can have
+chafing dish parties—is that what you call them? and he laughed.
+
+“That’s right, Uncle,” cried Betty. “And see the—what are we supposed
+to call these?” and she pointed to pots, pans, dishes and other
+utensils that hung around the galley.
+
+“Oh, call ’em galley truck, that’s as good a name as any,” said the old
+captain. “Do you like this, Bet?”
+
+“Like it, Uncle Amos! It’s the dearest little boat in the world. I
+don’t deserve it. You are so good to get it for me, and it was such a
+surprise.”
+
+“Yes, I calculated it would be a surprise, all right. But I didn’t
+forget that you always wanted to be a sailor, and so when I got the
+chance, I made up my mind I’d get you something worth while before I
+got sent to Davy Jones’ locker.”
+
+“Where is that?” asked Amy, innocently.
+
+“Oh, he means before he got drowned, or something like that,” explained
+Betty. “Oh, Uncle Amos, you’re a dear!” and she kissed him, somewhat to
+his confusion.
+
+“So I got a man to build this boat to suit my ideas,” went on the old
+seaman. “It’s equipped for salt water, if so be you should ever want to
+take a trip to sea.”
+
+“Never!” cried Mollie.
+
+“Well, you never can tell,” he said sagely. “After she was finished I
+had him ship her here, and then I got her into the water. I will say,
+that, for her size, she is a sweet little craft. And I hope you’ll like
+her, Bet.”
+
+“Like her! Who could help it? Uncle you’re a——”
+
+“No more kissing, Bet. I’m too old for that.”
+
+“The idea! Oh, girls, aren’t the bunks too cute for anything!” and
+Betty sat down on one.
+
+“And the dining room—may I call it that?” Grace timidly asked of the
+captain.
+
+“Well, saloon is a better word, but let it go,” he murmured. “Now, what
+do you say to a little run down the river? It will give you an idea of
+how to handle her.”
+
+“Oh, how lovely!” cried Betty. “Let’s go, girls.”
+
+“That man is from the firm that built the craft,” went on the former
+sailor. “He’ll show you all the wrinkles,” and he motioned to a man
+standing near.
+
+Lines were cast off, the motor started, the clutch thrown in and then,
+with Captain Betty at the wheel, her uncle standing near to instruct
+her, the _Gem_ started down the stream, attracting not a little
+attention.
+
+“This is a sea wheel,” explained the captain. “That is, you turn it the
+opposite way to what you want the boat to go. I wouldn’t have a
+land-lubber’s wheel on any boat I built. So don’t forget, Bet, your
+boat shifts opposite to the way you turn the wheel.”
+
+“I’ll remember, Uncle.”
+
+With dancing eyes and flushed faces, the girls sat in the cockpit back,
+or “aft,” of the trunk cabin, and watched Betty steer. She did very
+well, for she had had some practice in a small motor boat the girls
+occasionally hired.
+
+“Oh, I couldn’t have had anything in the world I wanted more than
+this!” she cried to her uncle. “It is just great!”
+
+“And you think you girls will go for a cruise?”
+
+“I am sure we will, and as soon as we can. It will be the very thing
+for the hot summer.”
+
+“Wouldn’t Will just love this?” sighed Grace.
+
+“Perhaps Betty will invite him and Allen Washburn and Percy Falconer to
+come along on a trip or two,” said Mollie, with a wink at her chums as
+she mentioned Percy’s name. The latter was a foppish young man about
+town, who tried to be friendly with Betty; but she would have none of
+him.
+
+“Never Percy!” she declared. “I’ll ask Will, of course, and Frank
+Haley, but——”
+
+“Not Allen?” inquired Amy, mischievously, for it was no great secret
+that Betty really liked Allen, a young law student, and that he was
+rather attentive to her.
+
+“Which way shall I steer to pass that boat, Uncle?” asked Betty, to
+change a subject that was getting too personal.
+
+“Port,” he answered briefly.
+
+“And that is——” she hesitated.
+
+“The left,” he answered quickly. “It’s easy if you think that the
+letter L comes before the letter P and that L is the beginning of left.
+Port means left, always.”
+
+“I’m sure it’s easy to say left and right,” commented Grace, who was
+eating a chocolate.
+
+“Hum!” exclaimed the old captain, disapprovingly.
+
+The _Gem_ proved worthy of her name. The girls made a little trip about
+the river, and then Captain Marlin, on learning that there was a boat
+house and dock on the property of Mollie’s mother, steered the craft
+there, where it would be tied up until the girls started on their
+cruise.
+
+And that they would cruise was fully decided on in the next few days.
+Now that the great surprise was known, plans were made to spend some
+time on the lake and river in the new craft.
+
+The wonder and delight of it grew. Each day the girls discovered
+something different about Betty’s boat. It was most complete, and
+practical. The boys were in transports over it, and when Will and his
+chum Frank Haley were allowed to steer they could not talk enough about
+it.
+
+Preparations for the cruise went on apace. Captain Marlin oversaw them
+at odd times, for he was in business, and made trips between New York
+and Deepdale.
+
+In the meanwhile Grace fully recovered from the runaway accident. Not
+so poor Dodo, however, and it was feared that the little girl would
+have to be operated on.
+
+“When?” asked Betty, thinking that this would spoil Mollie’s trip.
+
+“Oh, not for some time,” was the answer. “They are going to try
+everything else first.”
+
+Some of the mothers arranged to go along on part of the cruises, and
+other married ladies volunteered for the remaining days, so the girls
+would be properly chaperoned. Then began the final preparations.
+
+“And if you see anything of Prince on your wanderings, don’t fail to
+catch him,” begged Will, a few nights before the day set for the start.
+
+“We will,” promised Grace.
+
+The telephone rang—they were all at Grace’s house. She answered.
+
+“Yes, yes. This is Mr. Ford’s residence. What’s that—you have a stray
+white horse? Oh, Will, maybe it’s Prince!” and she turned eagerly to
+her brother. “A man from Randall’s livery stable is on the wire. He
+says they have a white horse that was just brought in. A farmer says he
+found him wandering about the country. Hurry down there!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+STOWAWAYS
+
+
+“Then he isn’t your horse, Will?” It was Mr. Randall, the livery stable
+keeper who asked this question as Grace’s brother critically inspected
+an animal that was led out for view in the stable.
+
+“No, that isn’t Prince,” was the answer. “He looks enough like him,
+though, to be his brother. I’m much obliged for calling me up.”
+
+Will had hastened down after the receipt of the message Grace had taken
+over the telephone, for Randall’s, as had all livery stables in the
+vicinity, had been notified to be on the lookout for the strangely
+missing animal, who might be wandering about the country carrying
+valuable documents in the saddle pocket.
+
+“Two young fellows drove in here with this horse, and asked if they
+could put him up for a while,” went on the livery man. “I didn’t like
+the way they acted, but I didn’t see how they could do me any harm, so
+I said they could. Then I got to thinking about your horse, and I
+called up. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
+
+“I’m sorry myself, Mr. Randall. I can’t imagine where Prince can be.”
+
+“Oh, some one has him, you may be sure of that. A valuable horse like
+that wouldn’t go long without an owner. Maybe some one has changed his
+color—dyed him, you know. That has been done. Of course the dye doesn’t
+last forever, but in this case it might hold long enough for the
+excitement to subside.”
+
+“Well, if they’ll send back the papers, they can keep the horse, as
+much as I like Prince,” Spoke Will, as he started home to tell his
+sister and the girls the details of the unsuccessful trip. He had
+already briefly telephoned to them of his disappointment.
+
+“Oh, isn’t it too bad!” cried Horace, as Will came back. “Do you really
+think, Will, that some one has Prince and the papers?”
+
+“It looks so, Sis. Has dad said anything lately?”
+
+“No, I believe the other side hasn’t done anything, either, which might
+go to show that they haven’t the papers. But it’s all so uncertain.
+Well, girls,” and she turned to her guests, “I guess we can finish
+talking about what we will wear.”
+
+“Which, means that I must become like a tree in Spring,” sighed Will.
+
+“How is that?” asked Amy. “Is it a riddle?”
+
+“He means he must leave—that’s an old one,” mocked Mollie. “Any candy
+left, Grace?” and Mollie, who had been artistically posing on a divan,
+crossed the room to where Grace sat near a table strewn with books and
+papers, a box of chocolates occupying the place of honor.
+
+“Of course there are some left,” answered Grace.
+
+“Which is a wonder!” exclaimed Will, as he hurried out of the room
+before his sister could properly punish him.
+
+“Will we wear our sailor costumes all the while?” asked Betty, for the
+girls, as soon as the cruise in the _Gem_ had been decided on, had had
+suits made on the sailor pattern, with some distinctive changes
+according to their own ideas. Betty had been informally named
+“Captain,” a title with which she was already more or less familiar.
+
+“Well, of course we’ll wear our sailors—middy blouses and all—while
+we’re aboard—ahem!” exclaimed Betty, with exaggerated emphasis. “Notice
+my sea terms,” she directed.
+
+“Oh, you are getting to be a regular sailor,” said Mollie. “I’ve got a
+book home with a lot of sea words in. I’m going to learn them, and also
+how to tie sailor knots.”
+
+“Then maybe your shoe laces won’t come undone so easily,” challenged
+Grace, and she thrust out her own dainty shoe, and tapped the patent
+leather tip of Mollie’s tie.
+
+“It is not!” came indignantly from Billy.
+
+“It is loose, and it may trip you,” advised Amy, and Mollie,
+relinquishing a candy she had selected with care, bent over. The moment
+she did so Grace appropriated the Sweetmeat.
+
+“As I said,” went on Betty, “we can wear our sailor suits when aboard.
+When we go ashore we can wear our other dresses.”
+
+“I’m not going to take a lot of clothes,” declared Grace, getting ready
+to defend herself against Mollie when the latter should have discovered
+the loss of the tidbit. “One reason we had such a good time on our
+‘hike,’ was that we didn’t have to bother with a lot of clothes. We
+shall enjoy ourselves much more, I think.”
+
+“And I agree with you, my dear,” said Betty. “Besides, we haven’t room
+for many things on the _Gem_. Not that I want to deprive you of
+anything,” she added, quickly, for she realized her position as
+hostess. “But really, to be comfortable, we don’t want to be crowded,
+and if we each take our smallest steamer trunk I think that will hold
+everything, and then we’ll have so much more room. The trunks will go
+under the bunks very nicely.”
+
+“Then we’ll agree to that,” said Mollie. “Two sailor suits, so we can
+change; one nice shore dress, if we are asked anywhere, and one
+rough-and-ready suit for work—or play.”
+
+“Good!” cried Amy. “As for shoes——”
+
+“Who took my candy?” cried Mollie, discovering the loss of the one she
+had put down to tie her lace. “It was the only one in the box and——”
+
+Grace laughed, and thus acknowledged her guilt.
+
+“I’ve got another box up stairs,” she said. “I’ll get it,” which she
+proceeded to do.
+
+“Grace, you’ll ruin your digestion with so much sweet stuff,” declared
+Betty, seriously. “Really you will.”
+
+“I suppose so, my dear; but really I can’t seem to help it.”
+
+“As captain of the _Gem_ I’m going to put you on short rations, as soon
+as our cruise begins,” said Betty. “It will do you good.”
+
+“Perhaps it will,” Grace admitted, with a sigh. “I’ll be glad to have
+you do it. Now, is everything arranged for?”
+
+“Well,” answered Betty, “This is how it stands: We are to start on
+Tuesday, and motor down the river, taking our time. Aunt Kate will go
+with us for the first few days, and, as you know, we have arranged for
+other chaperones on the rest of the cruise. We will eat aboard, when we
+wish to, or go ashore for meals if it’s more convenient. Of course we
+will sleep aboard, tying up wherever we can find the best place.
+
+“I plan to get to Rainbow Lake about the second day, and we will spend
+a week or so on that, visiting the different points of interest—I’m
+talking like a guide book, I’m afraid,” she apologized with a smile.
+
+“That’s all right—go on, Little Captain,” said Amy.
+
+“Well, then, I thought we might do a little camping on Triangle, or one
+of the other islands, say, for three or four days.”
+
+“Don’t camp on Triangle,” suggested Grace. “There are too many people
+there, and we can’t be free. There’d always be a lot of curious ones
+about, looking at our boat, and our things, and all that.”
+
+“Very well, we can pick out some other island,” agreed Betty. “You know
+there is to be a regatta, and water sports, on Rainbow Lake just about
+the time we get there, and we can take part, if we like.”
+
+“Do! And if we can get in a race we will!” cried Mollie, with sparkling
+eyes.
+
+“Uncle Amos has promised to be with us some of the time,” went on
+Betty. “And I suppose we will have to invite the boys occasionally,
+just for the day, you know.”
+
+“Oh, don’t make too much of an effort,” exclaimed Mollie. “Allen
+Washburn said he might be going abroad this summer, anyhow.”
+
+“Who said anything about him?” demanded Betty, with a blush.
+
+“No one; but I can read—thoughts!” answered Mollie, helping herself to
+another candy.
+
+“I meant Will and Frank,” went on Betty. “They would like to come.”
+
+“I’m sure of it,” murmured Grace—literally murmured—for she had a
+marshmallow chocolate between her white teeth.
+
+“How about Percy Falconer?” asked Amy, mischievously. “I am sure he
+would wear a perfectly stunning—to use his own word—sailor suit.”
+
+“Don’t you dare mention his name!” cried Betty. “I detest him.”
+
+“Let us have peace!” quoted Mollie. “Then it’s all settled—we’ll cruise
+and camp and——”
+
+“Cruise again,” finished Betty. “For we have two months, nearly, ahead
+of us; and we won’t want to camp more than a week, perhaps. We can go
+into the lower river, below Rainbow Lake, too, I think. It is sometimes
+rough there, but the _Gem_ is built for rough weather, Uncle Amos
+says.”
+
+The girls discussed further the coming trip and then, as each one had
+considerable to do still to get ready, they went gaily to their several
+homes.
+
+Will came in later, looked moodily into an empty candy box, and
+exclaimed:
+
+“You might have left a few, Sis.”
+
+“What! With four girls? Will, you expect too much.”
+
+“I wonder if I’ll be disappointed in expecting a ride in Betty’s boat?”
+
+“No, we are going to be very kind and forgiving, and ask you and Frank.
+I believe Betty is planning it.”
+
+“Good for her. She’s a brick! I wish, though, that we could clear up
+this business about the papers.”
+
+“So do I. Wasn’t it unfortunate?”
+
+“Yes. How is little Dodo coming on?”
+
+“Not very well, I’m afraid,” and Grace sighed. The injury to the child
+hung like a black shadow, over her. “The specialist is going to see her
+soon again. He has some hopes.”
+
+“That’s good; cheer up, Sis! Come on down town and I’ll blow you to a
+soda.”
+
+“‘Blow’—such slang!”
+
+“It’s no worse than ‘hike.’”
+
+“I suppose not. Wait until I fix my hair.”
+
+“Good night!” gasped Will. “I don’t want to wait an hour. I’m thirsty!”
+
+“I won’t be a minute.”
+
+“That’s what they all say.” But Grace was really not very long.
+
+In answer to a telephone message next day the three chums assembled at
+Betty’s house.
+
+“I think we will go for a little trip all by ourselves on the river
+this afternoon,” she said. “Every time so far Uncle Amos, or one of the
+boys, has been with us. We must learn to depend on ourselves.”
+
+“That is so,” agreed Mollie. “It will be lovely, it is such a nice
+day.”
+
+“Just a little trip,” went on Betty, “to see if we have forgotten
+anything of our instructions.”
+
+Just then a clock chimed out eight strokes, in four sections of two
+strokes each.
+
+“Eight o’clock!” exclaimed Amy. “Your timepiece must be wrong, Betty.
+It’s nearer noon than eight.”
+
+“That’s eight bells—twelve o’clock,” said the pretty hostess, with a
+laugh. “That’s a new marine clock Uncle Amos gave me for the _Gem_. It
+keeps time just as it is done on shipboard.”
+
+“And when it’s eight o’clock it’s twelve,” murmured Grace. “Do you have
+to do subtraction and addition every time the clock strikes?”
+
+“No, you see, eight bells is the highest number. It is eight bells at
+eight o’clock, at four o’clock and at twelve—either at night, or in the
+daytime.”
+
+“Oh, I’m sure I’ll never learn that,” sighed Amy.
+
+“It is very simple,” explained Betty, “Now it is eight bells—twelve
+o’clock noon. At half-past twelve it will be one bell. Then half an
+hour later, it will be two bells—one o’clock. You see, every half hour
+is rung.”
+
+“Worse and worse!” protested Mollie. “What time is it at two o’clock?”
+
+“Four bells,” answered Betty, promptly. “Why, I thought four bells was
+four o’clock,” spoke Grace.
+
+“No, eight bells is four o’clock in the after-noon, and also four
+o’clock in the morning. Then it starts over again with one bell, which
+would be half-past four; two bells, five; three hells, half-past five,
+and——”
+
+“Oh, stop! stop! you make my head ache!” cried Grace, “Has anyone a
+chocolate cream?”
+
+They all laughed.
+
+“You’ll soon understand it,” said Betty.
+
+“It’s worse than remembering to turn the steering wheel the opposite
+way you want to go,” objected Mollie. “But we are young—we may learn in
+time.”
+
+The _Gem_ was all ready to start, and the girls, reaching Mollie’s
+house, in the rear of which, at a river dock, the boat was tied, went
+aboard.
+
+“Have you enough gasoline?” asked Amy, as she helped Betty loosen the
+mooring ropes.
+
+“Yes, I telephoned for the man to fill the tank this morning. Look at
+the automatic gauge and see if it isn’t registered,” for there was a
+device on the boat that did away with the necessity of taking the top
+off the tank and putting a dry stick down, to ascertain how much of the
+fluid was on hand.
+
+“Yes, it’s full,” replied Amy.
+
+“Then here we go!” cried Betty, as the other girls shoved off from the
+dock, and the Little Captain pushed the automatic starter. With a throb
+and a roar the motor took up its staccato song of progress. When
+sufficiently away from the dock Betty let in the clutch, and the craft
+shot swiftly down the stream.
+
+“Oh, this is glorious!” cried Mollie, as she stood beside Betty, the
+wind fanning her cheeks and blowing her hair in a halo about her face.
+
+“Perfect!” echoed Amy. “And even Grace has forgotten to eat a chocolate
+for ten minutes.”
+
+“Oh, let me alone—I just want to enjoy this!” exclaimed the
+candy-loving maiden. They had been going along for some time, taking
+turns steering, saluting other craft by their whistle, and being
+saluted in turn.
+
+“Let’s go sit down on the stern lockers,” proposed Grace after a while,
+the lockers being convertible into bunks on occasion. As the girls went
+aft, there came from the forward cabin a series of groans.
+
+“What’s that?” cried Mollie.
+
+“Some one is in there!” added Grace, clinging to Amy.
+
+Again a groan, and some suppressed laughter.
+
+“There are stowaways aboard!” cried Betty. “Girls, we must put ashore
+at once and get an officer!” and she shifted the wheel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+A HINT OF GHOSTS
+
+
+“Who can they be?”
+
+“It sounds like more than one!”
+
+“Anyhow, they can’t get out!” It was Betty who said this last, Grace
+and Mollie having made the foregoing remarks. And Betty had no sooner
+detected the presence on the _Gem_ of stowaways than she had pulled
+shut the sliding door leading into the trunk cabin, and had slid the
+hatch cover forward, fastening both with the hasps.
+
+“They’ll stay there until we get an officer,” she explained. “Probably
+they are tramps!”
+
+“Oh, Betty!” It was a startled trio who cried thus.
+
+“Well, maybe only boys,” admitted the Little Captain, as a concession.
+“They may have come aboard, intending to go off for a ride in my boat,
+and we came just in time. They hid themselves in there. That’s what I
+think about it.”
+
+“And you are exactly right, Betty!” unexpectedly exclaimed a voice from
+behind the closed door. “That’s exactly how it happened. We’re
+sorry—we’ll be good!”
+
+“Dot any tandy?” came in childish accents from another of the
+stowaways.
+
+The girls looked at one another in surprise. Then a light dawned on
+them.
+
+“Don’t have us arrested!” pleaded another voice, with laughter in it.
+
+“That’s Will!” cried Grace.
+
+“And Frank Haley!” added Amy.
+
+“And Paul!” spoke Mollie. “Little brother, are you in there?”
+
+They listened for the answer.
+
+“Ess, I’se here. Oo dot any tandy?”
+
+“The boys put him up to that,” whispered Grace.
+
+Betty slid open the door, and there stood Will and Frank, with Paul
+between them. The boys looked sheepish—the child expectant.
+
+“I ought to put you two in irons,” spoke Betty, but with a smile. “I
+believe that is what is done with stowaways.”
+
+“Couldn’t you ship us before the mast?” asked Will, with a chuckle.
+“That is the very latest manner of dealing with gentlemen who are
+unexpectedly carried off on a cruise.”
+
+“Unexpectedly?” asked Grace, with meaning.
+
+“Certainly,” went on her brother. “We just happened to come aboard to
+look over the boat, Frank and I. Then Paul wandered down here, and
+before we knew it we heard you coming. For a joke we hid under the
+bunks, and thought to give you a little scare. We didn’t think you were
+going for a spin, but when you started we just made up our minds to
+remain hidden until you got far enough out so you wouldn’t want to turn
+back. That’s what stowaways always do,” he concluded.
+
+“I’m glad you do things as they ought to be done,” remarked Betty,
+swinging the wheel over. She had changed her mind about going ashore
+after an officer.
+
+“Dot any tandy?” asked Paul again.
+
+“Do give him some, if you have any,” begged Will. “We bribed him with
+the promise of some to keep quiet. Surely he has earned it.”
+
+“Here,” said Grace, impulsively, as she extended some to the tot, who
+at once proceeded to get as much outside his face as into his mouth.
+Then she added rather sternly: “I don’t think this was very nice of
+you, Will. Betty didn’t invite you aboard.”
+
+“Oh, that’s all right!” said Betty, good-naturedly. “I’m glad they’re
+here now—let them stay. I’m so relieved to find they aren’t horrid
+tramps. Besides, the motor may not—mote—and we’d need help—We will make
+them work their passage.”
+
+“Aye, aye, sir!” exclaimed Frank, pulling his front hair,
+sailor-fashion. “Shall we holystone the decks, or scrub the lee
+scuppers? You have but to command us!” and he bowed exaggeratedly.
+
+“You may steer if you like,” said Betty, graciously, and Frank and Will
+were both so eager for the coveted privilege that they had to draw lots
+to settle who should stand the first “trick.”
+
+For Betty’s boat was a beauty, and the envy not only of Will and Frank,
+but of every other boy in Deepdale. So it is no wonder these two stowed
+themselves away for the chance of getting a ride in the fine craft.
+
+“Let’s go down as far as one of the lake islands,” suggested Will, who
+was now at the wheel, his turn having come.
+
+“Can we get back in time?” asked Betty. “The river is high now, after
+the rains, and there’s quite a current.”
+
+“Oh, the _Gem_ has speed and power enough to do it in style,” declared
+Frank. “We’ll guarantee to get you back in time for supper.”
+
+“All right,” agreed the captain, who had gone into the cabin with the
+other girls.
+
+“And perhaps we can pick out a good place to go camping,” added Grace.
+
+The boys directed the course of the boat, while the girls looked after
+Paul.
+
+“We must stop at some place where there is a telephone,” said Mollie,
+“and I’ll send word to mamma that Paul is with me. She may be worried.”
+
+“Yes, do,” suggested Betty. A little later the girls saw that the boys
+were approaching a dock, the main one of a small town just below
+Deepdale.
+
+“Where are you going?” asked Grace of her brother.
+
+“Going to tie up for a minute. Frank and I want to make amends for
+sneaking aboard, so we thought you’d like some soda. There’s a grocery
+store here that keeps pretty good stuff.”
+
+“Oh, yes, I know Mr. Lagg!” exclaimed Mollie. “Barry Lagg is his name.
+He’s real quaint and jolly.”
+
+“Then let’s go ashore for the soda ourselves, and meet him,” suggested
+Grace. “I am very thirsty. What is Mr. Lagg’s special line of jollity?”
+she asked Mollie.
+
+“Oh, he makes up little verses as he waits on you. You’ll see,” was
+Mollie’s answer. I often stop in for a little something to eat when I
+am out rowing. He is a nice old gentleman, very polite, and he has lots
+of queer stories to tell.”
+
+“Has he dot any tandy?” inquired Paul, eagerly.
+
+“Oh, you dear, of course he has!” cried his sister. “You are getting as
+bad as Grace,” and she looked at her chum meaningly.
+
+Will skillfully laid the _Gem_ alongside the dock and soon the little
+party of young people were trooping up to the store, which was near the
+river front.
+
+“Ah, good day to you all—good day, ladies and gentlemen, every one, and
+the little shaver too!” cried Mr. Lagg, with a bow as they entered his
+shop.
+
+
+“What will you please to buy to-day?
+
+ If it’s coffee or tea, just walk this way,”
+
+
+And, with this charming couplet Mr. Lagg started toward the rear of his
+store, where the aromatic odor of ground coffee indicated that he had
+spoken truly.
+
+“We’d like some of your good soda,” spoke Will.
+
+“Ha, soda. I don’t know that I have anything in the line of soda.”
+
+“No soda?” exclaimed Frank.
+
+“I mean I haven’t made up any poetry about that. I have about almost
+everything else in my store. Let me see—soda—soda——”
+
+He seemed searching for a rhyme.
+
+“Pagoda! Pagoda!” laughed Betty.
+
+“That is it!” exclaimed Mr Lagg. “Thank you for the suggestion. Let me
+see, now. How would this do?
+
+
+“If you wish to drink of Lagg’s fine soda,
+
+ Just take your seat in a Chinese pagoda!”
+
+
+“Very good,” complimented Will. “We’ll dispense with the pagoda if you
+will dispense the soda.”
+
+“Ha! Good again! You are a punster, I see!”
+
+Mr. Lagg laughed genially, and soon provided the party with bottles of
+deliciously cool soda, and straws through which to partake of it,
+glasses being voted too prosaic.
+
+There came a protest from Paul, who was sharing the treat.
+
+“I tan’t dit no sody!” he cried. “It all bubbles up!”
+
+“No wonder! You are blowing down your straw. Pull up on it, just as if
+you were whistling backwards,” said Mollie.
+
+“Whistling backwards is a distinctly new way of expressing it,”
+commented Frank.
+
+“I dot it!” cried the tot, as the level of his glass began to fall
+under his efforts—successful this time.
+
+Then, having finished that, he fixed his big eyes on Mr. Lagg, and
+demanded:
+
+“Oo dot any tandy?”
+
+“Candy!” cried the eccentric store keeper. “Ha, I have a couplet about
+that.
+
+
+“If you would feel both fine and dandy,
+
+ Just buy a pound of Lagg’s best candy!”
+
+
+“That is irresistible!” exclaimed Will. “Trot out a pound of the most
+select.”
+
+“With pleasure,” said Mr. Lagg.
+
+Merrily the young people wandered about the store, the girls buying
+some notions and trinkets they thought they would need on the trip, for
+Mr. Lagg did a general business.
+
+“What are all you folks doing around here?” asked the storekeeper, when
+he had waited on some other customers.
+
+“Getting in practice for a cruise,” answered Mollie. “Betty, here, is
+the proud possessor of a lovely motor boat, and we are going to Rainbow
+Lake soon.”
+
+“And camp on an island, too,” added Amy. “I know I shall love that.”
+
+“Any particular island?” asked Mr. Lagg.
+
+“Elm is a nice one,” remarked Will “Why don’t you girls try that? It
+isn’t as far as Triangle, and it’s nearly as large. It’s wilder and
+prettier, too.”
+
+“Know anything about Elm Island, Mr. Lagg?” asked Frank, as he
+inspected some fishing tackle.
+
+“Well, yes, I might say I do,” and Mr. Lagg pursed up his lips.
+
+“Is it a good place?”
+
+“Oh, it’s good all right, but——” and he hesitated.
+
+“What is the matter?” demanded Betty quickly. She thought she detected
+something strange in Mr. Lagg’s manner.
+
+“Why, the only thing about it is that it’s haunted—there’s a ghost
+there,” and as he spoke the storekeeper slipped a generous slice of
+cheese on a cracker and munched it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+OFF ON THE TRIP
+
+
+The girls stared blankly at one another. The boys frankly winked at
+each other, clearly unbelieving.
+
+“Haunted?” Betty finally gasped.
+
+“A ghost?” echoed Amy, falteringly.
+
+“What—what kind?” Grace stammered.
+
+“Why, the usual kind, of course,” declared Will. “A ghosty ghost, to be
+sure. White, with long waving arms, and clanking chains, and all the
+accessories.”
+
+“Stop it!” commanded his sister. “You’ll scare Paul,” for the child was
+looking at Will strangely.
+
+“Oh, it’s white all right,” put in Mr. Lagg, “and some of the fishermen
+around here did say they heard clanking chains, but I don’t take much
+stock in them. Tell me,” he demanded, helping himself to another slice
+of cheese, “tell me why would anything as light as a ghost—for they’re
+always supposed to float like an airship, you know—tell me why should
+they want to burden themselves with a lot of clanking chains—especially
+when a ghost is so thin that the chains would fall right through ’em,
+anyhow. I don’t take no stock in that!”
+
+“But what is this story?” asked Betty. “If we are thinking of camping
+on Elm Island, we do not want to be annoyed by some one playing pranks;
+do we, girls?”
+
+“I should say not!” chorused the three.
+
+“Well, of course I didn’t see it myself,” spoke Mr. Lagg, “but Hi
+Sneddecker, who stopped there to eat his supper one night when he went
+out to set his eel pots—Hi told me he seen something tall and white
+rushing around, and making a terrible noise in the bushes.”
+
+“I thought ghosts never made a noise,” remarked Grace, languidly. She
+was beginning to believe now that it was only a poor attempt at a joke.
+
+“Hi said this one did,” went on Mr. Lagg, being too interested to quote
+verses now. “It was him as told me about the clanking chains,” he went
+on, “but, as I said, I don’t take no stock in that part.”
+
+“I guess Hi was telling one of his fish stories,” commented Frank.
+
+“Oh, Josh Whiteby seen it, too,” said Mr. Lagg. He was enjoying the
+sensation he had created.
+
+“Is he reliable?” asked Will.
+
+“Well, he don’t owe me as much as some,” was the judicious answer.
+“Josh says he seen the white thing, but he didn’t mention no chains. It
+was more like a ‘swishing’ sound he heard.
+
+“Dot any more tandy?” asked Paul, and the laugh that followed in a
+measure relieved the nerves of the girls, for in spite of their almost
+entire disbelief in what they had heard, the talk bothered them a
+little.
+
+“There are no such things as ghosts!” declared Betty, with excellent
+sense. “We are silly to even talk about them. Oh, there is something I
+want for my boat,” and she pointed to a little brass lantern. “It will
+be just fine for going up on deck with,” she proceeded. “Of course the
+electric lights, run by the storage battery, are all right, but we need
+a lantern like that. How much is it, Mr. Lagg?.”
+
+
+“That lantern to you
+
+ Will cost—just two!”
+
+
+“I’ll take it,” said Betty, promptly.
+
+“Dollars—not cents,” said the storekeeper, quickly. “I couldn’t make a
+dollar rhyme in there, somehow or other,” he added.
+
+“You might say,” spoke Will, “‘’Twill cost you two dollar, but don’t
+make a holler.’”
+
+“That isn’t my style. My poetry is always correct,” said Mr. Lagg,
+somewhat stiffly.
+
+The lantern was wrapped up and the young people got ready to go down to
+the boat.
+
+“Say, Mr. Lagg,” asked Will, lingering a bit behind the others, “just
+how much is there in this ghost story, anyhow?”
+
+“Just what I told you,” was the answer. “There is something queer on
+that island.”
+
+“Then the girls will find out what it is!” declared Will, with
+conviction. “If they could find the man who lost the five hundred
+dollar bill, they’re equal to laying the ghost of Elm Island. I’m not
+going to worry about them.”
+
+“Let’s go down a little way farther and have a look at the haunted
+island,” proposed Grace, when they were again on board the _Gem_.
+
+“Have we time?” asked Betty.
+
+“Lots,” declared Will.
+
+The motor boat was headed for the place. The island was of good size,
+well wooded, and the shore was lined with bushes. There were a few
+bungalows on it, but the season was not very good this year, and none
+of them had been rented. The girls half-planned to hire one to use as
+headquarters in case they camped on the island.
+
+“It doesn’t look very—ghostly,” said Betty, as she surveyed it from the
+cockpit of her craft.
+
+“No, it looks lovely,” said Grace.
+
+“Is the ghost going to keep us away?” asked Mollie.
+
+“Never!” cried the Little Captain, vigorously.
+
+“Hurray!” shouted Will, waving the boat’s flag that he took from the
+after-socket.
+
+They made a turn of the island, and started back up the river for
+Deepdale, reaching Mollie’s dock without incident.
+
+Busy days followed, for they were getting ready for the cruise. Uncle
+Amos went out with Betty and the girls several times to offer advice,
+and he declared that they were fast becoming good sailors.
+
+“Of course not good enough for deep water,” he made haste to qualify,
+“but all right for a river and a lake.”
+
+The girls were learning to tell time seaman fashion. Betty fairly lived
+aboard her new boat, her mother complained, but the Little Captain was
+not selfish—she invited many of her friends and acquaintances to take
+short trips with her. Among the girls she asked were Alice Jallow and
+Kittie Rossmore, the two who had acted rather meanly toward our friends
+just prior to the walking trip. But Alice was sincerely sorry for the
+anonymous letter she had written, giving a hint of the mystery
+surrounding Amy Stonington, and the girls had forgiven her.
+
+Betty’s Aunt Kate arrived. She was a middle-aged lady, but as fond of
+the great out-doors as the girls themselves. She was to chaperone them
+for a time.
+
+The final preparations were made, the sailor suits were pronounced
+quite “chicken” by Will—he meant “chic,” of course. Trunks had been
+packed, some provisions put aboard, and all was in readiness. Uncle
+Amos planned to meet the girls later, and see that all was going well.
+The boys were to be given a treat some time after Rainbow Lake was
+reached, word to be sent to them of this event.
+
+“All aboard!” cried Betty on the morning of the start. It was a
+glorious, sunshiny day, quite warm, but there was a cool breeze on the
+river. “All aboard!”
+
+“Oh, I just know I’ve forgotten something!” declared Grace,
+
+“Your candy?” questioned Mollie.
+
+“No, indeed. Don’t be horrid!”
+
+“I’m not. Only I thought——”
+
+“I’m just tired of thinking!” returned Betty.
+
+“Shall I cast off?” asked Will, who, with Frank, had come down to the
+dock to see the girls start.
+
+“Don’t you dare!” cried Mollie. “I’m sure I forgot to bring my——” She
+made a hurried search among her belongings. “No, I have it!” and she
+sighed in relief. She did not say what it was.
+
+“All aboard!” cried Betty, giving three blasts on the compressed air
+whistle.
+
+“Don’t forget to send us word,” begged Frank. “We want to join you on
+the lake.”
+
+“We’ll remember,” promised Betty, with a smile that showed her white,
+even teeth.
+
+All was in readiness. Good-byes had been said to relatives and friends,
+and Mrs. Billette, holding Paul by the hand, had come down to the dock
+to bid farewell to her daughter and chums.
+
+“Have a good time!” she wished them.
+
+A maid hurried up to her, and said something in French.
+
+“Oh, the doctor has come!” exclaimed Mollie’s mother. “The doctor who
+is to look at Dodo—the specialist. Oh, I am so glad!”
+
+“Shall I stay, mother?” cried Mollie, making a move as though to come
+ashore.
+
+“No, dear; no! Go with your friends. I can send you word. You may call
+me by the telephone. Good-bye—good-bye!”
+
+The _Gem_ slowly dropped down the stream under the influence of the
+current and her own power, Betty having throttled down the motor that
+the farewell calls might be better heard. Mrs. Billette, waving her
+hand, hastened toward the house, the maid taking care of little Paul,
+whose last request was:
+
+“Brin’ me some tandy!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+ADRIFT
+
+
+“Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?” asked Amy, as the four
+girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk
+cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the _Gem_ moved slowly down the
+Argono River.
+
+“Just make yourselves perfectly at home,” answered Betty. “This trip is
+for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as we
+please. You don’t mind; do you, Aunt Kate?”
+
+“Not in the least, my dear, as long as you don’t sink,” and the
+chaperone smiled indulgently.
+
+“This boat won’t sink,” declared Betty, with confidence. “It has
+water-tight compartments. Uncle Amos had them built purposely.”
+
+“It certainly is a beautiful boat—beautiful,” murmured Mollie, looking
+about as she pulled and straightened her middy blouse. “And it was so
+good of you, Bet, to ask us on this cruise.”
+
+“Why, that’s what the boat is for—for one’s friends. We are all
+shipmates now.”
+
+“‘Strike up a song, here comes a sailor,’” chanted Grace, rather
+indistinctly, for she was, as usual, eating a chocolate.
+
+The girls, standing there on the little depressed deck, their hair
+tastefully arranged, topped by natty little caps, with their sailor
+suits of blue and white, presented a picture that more than one turned
+to look at. The _Gem_ was near the shore, along which ran a
+main-traveled highway, and there seemed to be plenty of traffic this
+morning. Also, a number of boats were going up or down stream, some
+large, some small, and often the occupants turned to take a second look
+at the Outdoor Girls.
+
+Certainly they had every appearance of living the life of the open, for
+they had been well tanned by the long walk they took, and that
+“berry-brown” was being added to now by the summer sun reflecting from
+the river.
+
+“Is this as fast as you can go?” asked Mollie, as she looked over the
+side and noted that they were not much exceeding the current of the
+river.
+
+“Indeed, no! Look!” cried Betty, as she released the throttle control
+that connected the gasoline supply with the motor. At once, as when the
+accelerator pedal of an auto is pressed, the engine hummed and
+throbbed, and a mass of foam appeared at the stern to show the presence
+of the whirling propeller.
+
+“That’s fine!” cried Grace, as Betty slowed down once more.
+
+“I thought we’d take it easy,” the Little Captain went on, “as we don’t
+want to finish our cruise in one day, or even two. If I drove the _Gem_
+to the limit, we’d be in Rainbow Lake, and out of it, in too short a
+time. So I planned to go down the river slowly, stop at noon and go
+ashore for our lunch, go on slowly again, and tie up for the night.”
+
+“Then we’re going to sleep aboard?” asked Grace.
+
+“Of course! What would be the fun of having bunks if we didn’t use
+them? Of course we’ll sleep here.”
+
+“And stand watches—and all that sort of thing, the way your uncle told
+of it being done aboard ships?” Mollie wanted to know.
+
+“There’ll be no need of that,” declared Betty. “But we can leave a
+light burning.”
+
+“To scare away sharks?” asked Amy, with a laugh.
+
+“No, but if we didn’t some one passing might think the boat deserted
+and—come aboard to take things.”
+
+“I hope they don’t take us!” cried Mollie. “I’m going to hide my new
+bracelet,” and she looked at the sparkling trinket on her wrist.
+
+“Amy, want to steer?” asked Grace, after a while, and the girl of
+mystery agreed eagerly. But she nearly came to grief within a few
+minutes. A canoeist rather rashly crossed the bows of the _Gem_ at no
+great distance.
+
+“Port! Port!” cried Betty, suddenly, seeing the danger.
+
+“Which is port—right or left? I’ve forgotten!” wailed Amy, helplessly.
+
+“To the left! To the left!” answered Betty, springing forward. She was
+not in time to prevent Amy from turning the wheel to the left, which
+had the effect of swinging the boat to the right, and almost directly
+toward the canoeist, who shouted in alarm.
+
+But by this time Betty had reached the wheel, and twirled it rapidly.
+She was only just in time, and the _Gem_ fairly grazed the canoe, the
+wash from the propeller rocking it dangerously.
+
+“We beg your pardon!” called Betty to the young man in the frail craft.
+
+“That’s all right,” he said, pleasantly. “It was my own fault.”
+
+“Thank you,” spoke Amy, gratefully. “Here, Bet, I don’t want to steer
+any more.”
+
+“No, keep the wheel. You may as well learn, and I’ll stand by you. No
+telling when you may have to steer all alone.”
+
+They stopped for lunch in a pretty little grove, and sat and talked for
+an hour afterward. Mollie hunted up a telephone and got into
+communication with her house. She came back looking rather sober.
+
+“The specialist says Dodo will have to undergo an operation,” she
+reported. Grace gasped, and the others looked worried.
+
+“It isn’t serious,” continued Mollie, “and he says she will surely be
+better after it. But of course mamma feels dreadful about it.”
+
+“I should think so,” observed Betty. “They never found out who those
+mean autoists were, did they?”
+
+“No,” answered Grace, “and we’ve never gotten a trace of Prince, or the
+missing papers. Papa is much worried.”
+
+“Well, let’s talk about something more pleasant,” suggested Betty.
+“Shall we start off again?”
+
+“Might as well,” agreed Grace. “And as it isn’t far to that funny Mr.
+Lagg’s store, let’s stop and——”
+
+“Get some candy and poetry,” sniped Amy, with a laugh.
+
+“I was going to say hairpins, as I need them,” spoke Grace, with a
+dignity that soon vanished, “but since you suggested chocolates, I’ll
+get them as well.”
+
+They found Mr. Lagg smiling as usual.
+
+
+“This fine and beautiful sunny day,
+
+ what will you have—oats or hay?”
+
+
+Thus he greeted the girls, who laughingly declined anything in the line
+of fodder.
+
+“Unless you could put some out as a bait for our horse Prince,” spoke
+Grace. “It’s the queerest thing where he can have gone.”
+
+“It is strange,” admitted the genial storekeeper, who had heard the
+story from Will. “But if I hear of him I’ll let you know. And, now what
+can I do for you?
+
+
+“I’ve razors, soap and perfume rare,
+
+ To scent the balmy summer air,”
+
+
+He bowed to the girls in turn.
+
+“How about chewing gum?” asked Betty.
+
+“Oh, would you?” asked Grace, in rather horrified tones.
+
+“Certainly, aboard the boat where no one will see us.”
+
+
+“Gum, gum; chewing gum,
+
+ One and two is a small sum,”
+
+
+Mr. Lagg thus quoted as he opened the showcase.
+
+The girls made several purchases, and were treated to more of the
+storekeeper’s amusing couplets. Then they started off again, having
+inquired for a good place at which to tie up for the night.
+
+Dunkirk, on the western shore, was recommended by Mr. Lagg in a little
+rhyme, and then he waved to them from the end of his dock as the _Gem_
+was once more under way.
+
+“Look out for that big steamer,” cautioned Betty a little later, to
+Grace, who was steering.
+
+“Why, I’m far enough off,” answered Grace.
+
+“You never can tell,” responded the Little Captain, “for there is often
+a strong attraction between vessels on a body of water. Give it a wide
+berth, as Uncle Amos would say.”
+
+That Betty’s advice was needed was made manifest a moment later, for
+the large steamer whistled sharply, which was an intimation to the
+smaller craft to veer off, and Grace shifted the wheel.
+
+They reached Dunkirk without further incident, except that about a mile
+from it the motor developed some trouble. In vain Betty and the others
+poked about in the forward compartment trying to locate it, and they
+might not have succeeded had not a man, passing in a little
+one-cylindered boat, kindly stopped and discovered that one of the
+spark plug wires was loose. It was soon adjusted and the _Gem_
+proceeded.
+
+“I’ll always be on the lookout for that first, when there is any
+trouble after this,” said Betty, as she thanked the stranger.
+
+“Oh, that isn’t the only kind of trouble that can develop in a motor,”
+he assured her. But Betty well knew this herself.
+
+They had passed Elm Island soon after leaving Mr. Lagg’s store, but saw
+no sign of life on it. They intended to come back later on in their
+cruise and camp there, if they decided to carry out their original
+plans of living in a tent or bungalow.
+
+“That is, if the ghost doesn’t make it too unpleasant,” remarked Betty.
+
+They ate supper aboard the boat, cooking on the little galley stove.
+Then the work of getting ready for the night, washing the dishes,
+preparing the bunks, and so on, was divided among the five, though Aunt
+Kate wanted the girls to go ashore and let her attend to everything.
+
+“We’ll take a little walk ashore after we have everything ready,”
+suggested Betty. The stroll along the river bank in the cool of the
+evening, while the colors of the glorious sunset were still in the sky,
+was most enjoyable.
+
+“Gracious! A mosquito bit me!” exclaimed Grace, as she rubbed the back
+of her slim, white hand.
+
+“That isn’t a capital crime,” laughed Mollie.
+
+“No, but if there are mosquitoes here they will make life miserable for
+us to-night,” Grace went on.
+
+“I have citronella, and there are mosquito nettings over the bunks,”
+said Betty. “Don’t worry.”
+
+They went back to the boat, and the lanterns were lighted.
+
+“Oh, doesn’t it look too nice to sleep in!” exclaimed Amy, as they
+gazed into the little cabin, with its tastefully arranged berths.
+
+“I’m tired enough to sleep on almost any thing,” yawned Mollie. “Let’s
+see who’ll be the first to——”
+
+“Not snore, I hope!” exclaimed Betty.
+
+“Don’t suggest such a thing,” came from Amy. “We are none of us
+addicted to the luxury.”
+
+But, after all, tired as they were, no one felt like going to sleep,
+once they were prepared for it. They talked over the events of the day,
+got to laughing, and from laughing to almost hysterical giggling. But
+finally nature asserted herself, and all was quiet aboard the _Gem_,
+which had been moored to a private dock, just above the town.
+
+It was Betty, rather a light sleeper, who awoke first, and she could
+not account at once for the peculiar motion. It was as though she was
+swinging in a hammock. She sat up, and peered about the dimly lighted
+cabin. Then the remembrance of where she was came to her.
+
+“But—but!” she exclaimed. “We’re adrift! We’re floating down the
+river!”
+
+She sprang from her berth and awakened Grace by shaking her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+IN DANGER
+
+
+“What is it? Oh, what has happened?”
+
+Grace cried half hysterically as she saw Betty bending over her. The
+others awakened.
+
+“Why, we’re moving!” exclaimed Amy, in wonderment.
+
+“What did you want to start off for, in the middle of the night?”
+Mollie asked, blinking the sleep from her eyes.
+
+“I didn’t,” answered Betty quickly. “We’re adrift! I don’t know how it
+could have happened. You girls tied the boat, didn’t you?”
+
+“Of course,” answered Grace. “I fastened both ropes myself.”
+
+“Never mind about that,” broke in Aunt Kate. “I don’t know much about
+boats, but if this one isn’t being steered we may run into something.”
+
+“That’s so!” cried Betty. “But I didn’t want to go out on deck
+alone—slip your raincoats on, girls, and come with me! There may be—I
+mean some one may have set us adrift purposely!”
+
+“Oh, don’t say such things!” pleaded Grace, looking at the cabin ports
+as though a face might be peering in.
+
+Quickly Betty and Mollie got into their long, dark coats, and without
+waiting for slippers reached the after deck. As they looked ahead they
+saw a bright light bearing directly for them. It was a white light, and
+on either side showed a gleam of red and green. Then a whistle blew.
+
+“Oh, we’re going to be run down!” cried Mollie. “A steamer is coming
+directly for us, Betty!”
+
+“We won’t be run down if we can get out of the way!” exclaimed Betty,
+sharply. “Push that button—the automatic, I mean—and start the motor.
+I’ll steer,” and Betty grasped the wheel with one hand, while with the
+other she pulled the signal cord, sending out a sharp blast that
+indicated her direction to the oncoming steamer would be to port. The
+steamer replied, indicating that she would take the same course.
+Evidently there was some misunderstanding.
+
+“And we haven’t our side lamps going!” cried Betty, in alarm, as she
+realized the danger. “Quick, girls, come up here!” she called to Grace
+and Amy. “One of you switch on the electric lamps. At least they can
+see us, then, and can avoid us. Oh, I don’t know what to do! I never
+thought of this!”
+
+A sudden glow told that Amy had found the storage battery switch, for
+the red and green lights now gleamed. Again the on-coming steamer
+whistled, sharply—interrogatively. Betty answered, but she was not sure
+she had given the right signal.
+
+“Why don’t you start the motor?” she called to Mollie.
+
+“I can’t! It doesn’t seem to work.”
+
+“The switch is off!” exclaimed Grace, as she came out of the cabin.
+With a quick motion she shoved it over.
+
+“How stupid of me!” cried Betty. “I should have seen to that first. Try
+again, Mollie!”
+
+Again Mollie pressed the button of the self-starter, but there was no
+response. The _Gem_ was still drifting, seemingly in the very path of
+the steamer.
+
+“Why don’t they change their course?” wailed Amy. “Can’t they see we’re
+not under control? We can’t start! We can’t start!” she cried at the
+top of her voice, hoping the other steersman would hear.
+
+“The steamer can’t get out of the channel—that’s the reason!” gasped
+Betty. “I see now. It’s too shallow for big boats except in certain
+places here. We must get out of her way—she can’t get out of ours!
+Girls, we must start the motor!”
+
+“Then try it with the crank, and let the automatic go,” suggested Aunt
+Kate, practically. “Probably it’s out of order. You must do something,
+girls!”
+
+“Use the crank!” cried Betty, who was hobbling the wheel over as hard
+as she could, hoping the tug of the current would carry the _Gem_ out
+of danger. But the craft hardly had steerage way on.
+
+Mollie seized the crank, which, by means of a long shaft and sprocket
+chain, extending from the after cabin bulkhead to the flywheel,
+revolved that. She gave it a vigorous turn. There was no welcome
+response of throbbing explosions in the cylinders.
+
+“Try again!” gasped Betty, “Oh, all of you try. I simply can’t leave
+the wheel.”
+
+The steamer was now sending out a concert of sharp, staccato blasts.
+Plainly she was saying, loudly:
+
+“Get out of my way! I have the right of the river! You must get out of
+my way! I can’t avoid you!”
+
+“Why don’t they stop?” wailed Grace. “Then we wouldn’t bump them so
+hard!”
+
+As if in answer, there came echoing over the dark water the clang of
+the engine-room bell, that told half-speed ahead had been ordered. A
+moment later came the signal to stop the engines.
+
+“Oh, if only Uncle Amos—or some of the boys—were here!” breathed Betty.
+“Girls, try once more!”
+
+Together Mollie and Grace whirled the crank, and an instant later the
+motor started with a throb that shook the boat from stem to stern.
+
+“There!” cried Betty. “Now I can avoid them.”
+
+She threw in the clutch, and as the _Gem_ shot ahead she whistled to
+indicate her course. This time came the proper response, and a little
+later the motor boat shot past the towering sides of the river steamer.
+So near had a collision been that the girls could hear the complaining
+voice of the pilot of the large craft.
+
+“What’s the matter with you fellows?” the man cried, as he looked down
+on the girls. “Don’t you know what you’re doing?” Clearly he was angry.
+
+“We got adrift, and the motor wouldn’t start,” cried Betty, in shrill
+tones.
+
+“Pilot biscuit and puppy cakes!” cried the man. “It’s a bunch of girls!
+No wonder they didn’t know what to do!”
+
+“We did—only we couldn’t do it!” shouted Betty, not willing to have any
+aspersions cast on herself or her friends. “It was an accident!”
+
+“All right; don’t let it happen again,” cried the steersman, in more
+kindly tones. And then the _Gem_ slipped on down the river.
+
+“What are we going to do?” asked Mollie, as Grace steered her boat.
+
+“If we’re going to stay out here I’m going to get dressed,” declared
+Grace. “It’s quite chilly.”
+
+Can you find your way back to the dock?” Aunt Kate inquired. “Can you
+do it, Betty?”
+
+“I think so. We left a light on it, you know. I’ll turn around and see
+if I can pick it out. Oh, but I’m all in a tremble!”
+
+“I don’t blame you—it was a narrow escape,” said Mollie.
+
+“I don’t see how we could have gone adrift, unless some one cut the
+ropes,” remarked Grace. “I’m sure I tied them tightly enough.”
+
+“They may have become frayed by rubbing,” suggested Betty. “We’ll look
+when we get a chance. What are you going to do, Amy?” for she was
+entering the cabin.
+
+“I’m going to make some hot chocolate,” Amy answered. “I think we need
+it.”
+
+“I’ll help,” spoke Aunt Kate. “That’s a very sensible idea.”
+
+“I think that is the dock light,” remarked Betty a little later, when
+the boat was headed up stream.
+
+“Anyhow, we can’t be very far from it,” observed Grace. “Try that one,”
+and she pointed to a gleam that came across the waters. “Then there’s
+another just above.”
+
+The first light did not prove to be the one on the private dock where
+they had been tied up, but the second attempt to locate it was
+successful, and soon they were back where they had been before. Betty
+laid the _Gem_ alongside the stringpiece, and Grace and Mollie, leaping
+out, soon had the boat fast. The ends of the ropes, which had been
+trailing from the deck cleats in the water, were found unfrayed.
+
+“They must have come untied!” said Grace. “Oh, it was my fault. I
+thought I had mastered those knots, but I must have tied the wrong
+kind.”
+
+“Never mind,” said Betty, gently.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+AT RAINBOW LAKE
+
+
+Once the _Gem_ was securely tied—and Betty now made sure of this—the
+tired and rather chilly girls adjourned to the cabin, and under the
+lights had the hot chocolate Aunt Kate and Amy had made.
+
+“It’s delicious,” spoke Betty. “I feel so much better now.”
+
+“We must never let on to the boys that we came near running down a
+steamer,” said Grace. “We’d never hear the last of it.”
+
+“But we didn’t nearly run down a steamer—she came toward us,” insisted
+Betty, not willing to have her seamanship brought into question. “If it
+had been any other boat, not drawing so much water, she could have
+steered out of the way. As it was we, not being under control, had the
+right of way.”
+
+“It wouldn’t have done any good to have insisted on it,” remarked
+Grace, drawlingly.
+
+“No, especially as we couldn’t hoist the signal to show that,” went on
+Betty. “Uncle Amos told me there are signals for nearly everything that
+can happen at sea, but of course I never thought of such a thing as
+that we’d get adrift. I must be prepared next time.”
+
+“I can’t understand about those knots,” spoke Grace. “Where is that
+book?”
+
+“What book?”
+
+“The one showing how to tie different kinds of knots. I’m going to
+study up on the subject.”
+
+“Not to-night,” objected Aunt Kate. “It’s nearly morning as it is.”
+
+“Well, the first thing to-morrow, then,” declared Grace. “I’m going to
+make up for my blunder.”
+
+“Oh, don’t be distressed,” consoled Betty. “Any of us might have made
+the same mistake. It was only an accident, Grace dear.”
+
+“Well, I seem fated to have accidents lately. There was poor little
+Dodo——”
+
+“Not your fault at all!” exclaimed Mollie, promptly. “I’ll not allow
+you to blame yourself for her accident. It was those motorists, if
+any-one, and I’m not sure they were altogether to blame. Anyhow, I’m
+sure Dodo will be cured after the operation.”
+
+“I hope so,” murmured Grace.
+
+The appetizing odor of bacon and eggs came from the little galley,
+mingled with the aromatic foretaste of coffee. Aunt Kate was busy
+inside. The girls were laughing out in the cabin, or on the lowered
+after-deck. It was the next morning—which makes all the difference in
+the world.
+
+“I’m afraid we’re going to have a shower today,” observed Amy,
+musingly, as she looked up at the sky. A light fog hung over the river.
+
+“Will you ever forget the awful shower that kept us in the deserted
+house all night?” asked Betty, as she arranged her hair. “I mean when
+we were on our walking trip,” she added, looking for a ribbon that had
+floated, like a rose petal, under her shelf-dresser.
+
+“Oh, we’ll never get over that!” declared Mollie, who was industriously
+putting hairpins where they would be more serviceable. “And we couldn’t
+imagine, for the longest time, why the house should be left all alone
+that way.”
+
+“Now I’m going to begin my lesson,” announced Grace, who, having gotten
+herself ready for breakfast, took up the book showing how various
+sailor knots should be made. With a piece of twine she tied
+“figure-eights,” now and then slipping into the “grannie” class; she
+made half-hitches, clove hitches, a running bowline, and various other
+combinations, until Amy declared that it made her head ache to look on.
+
+The girls had breakfast, strolled about on shore for a little while,
+and then started off, intending to stop in Dunkirk, which town lay a
+little below them, to get some supplies, and replenish the oil and
+gasoline.
+
+It was while Betty was bargaining for the latter necessaries for her
+motor in a garage near the river that she heard a hearty voice outside
+asking:
+
+“Have you men seen anything of a trim little craft, manned by four
+pretty girls, in the offing? She’d be about two tons register, a rakish
+little motor boat, sailing under the name _Gem_ and looking every inch
+of it. She ought to be here about high tide, stopping for sealed
+orders, and——”
+
+“Uncle Amos!” cried Betty, hurrying to the garage door, as she
+recognized his voice. “Are you looking for us?”
+
+“That’s what I am, lass, and I struck the right harbor first thing;
+didn’t I? Davy Jones couldn’t be any more accurate! Well, how are you?”
+
+“All right, Uncle. The girls are down in the boat at the dock,” and she
+pointed. “The man is going to take down the oil and gasoline. Won’t you
+come on a trip with us? We expect to make Rainbow Lake by night.”
+
+“Of course I’ll come! That’s why I drifted in here. I worked out your
+reckoning and I calculated that you’d be here about to-day, so I come
+by train, stayed over night, and here I am. What kind of a voyage did
+you have?”
+
+“Very good—one little accident, that’s all,” and she told about getting
+adrift.
+
+“Pshaw, now! That’s too bad! I’ll have to give you some lessons in
+mooring knots, I guess. It won’t do to slip your cable in the middle of
+the night.”
+
+The girls were as glad to see Betty’s uncle as he was to greet them,
+and soon, with plenty of supplies on board, and with the old sea
+captain at the wheel, which Betty graciously asked him to take, the
+_Gem_ slipped down the river again.
+
+At noon, when they tied up to go ashore in a pleasant grove for lunch,
+Mr. Marlin demonstrated how to tie so many different kinds of knots
+that the girls said they never could remember half of them. But most
+particularly he insisted on all of them learning how to tie a boat
+properly so it could not slip away.
+
+Betty already knew this, and Mollie had a fairly good notion of it, but
+Grace admitted that, all along, she had been making a certain wrong
+turn which would cause the knot to slip under strain.
+
+They motored down the river again, stopping at a small town to enable
+Mollie to go ashore and telephone home to learn the condition of little
+Dodo. There was nothing new to report, for the operation would not take
+place for some time yet.
+
+Grace also called up to ask if anything had been heard of the missing
+horse and papers, but there was no good news. However, there was no bad
+news, Will, who talked to his sister, reporting that the interests
+opposed to their father had made no move to take advantage of the
+non-production of the documents.
+
+“Have a good time, Sis,” called Will over the wire. “Don’t worry. It
+doesn’t do any good, and it will spoil your cruise. Something may turn
+up any time. But it sure is queer how Prince can be away so long.”
+
+“It certainly is,” agreed Grace.
+
+“And so you expect to make Rainbow Lake by six bells?” asked Betty’s
+uncle, as he paced up and down the rather restricted quarters of the
+deck.
+
+“Yes, Uncle, by seven o’clock,” answered Betty, who was at the wheel.
+“Six bells—six bells!” he exclaimed. “You must talk sea lingo on a
+boat, Bet.”
+
+“All right, Uncle—six bells.”
+
+“Where’s your charts?” he asked, suddenly.
+
+“Charts?”
+
+“Yes, how are you sailing? Have you marked the course since last night
+and posted it? Where are your charts—your maps? How do you expect to
+make Rainbow Lake without some kind of charts? Are you going by dead
+reckoning?”
+
+“Why, Uncle, all we have to do is to keep right on down the river, and
+it opens into Rainbow Lake. The lake is really a wide part of the
+river, you know. We don’t need any charts.”
+
+“Don’t need any charts? Have you heaved the lead to see how much water
+you’ve got?”
+
+“Why, no,” and she looked at him wonderingly.
+
+“Well, well!” he exclaimed. “Oh, I forgot this isn’t salt water. Well,
+I dare say you will stumble into the lake after some fashion—but it
+isn’t seaman-like—it isn’t seaman-like,” and the old tar shook his
+grizzled head gloomily.
+
+Betty smiled, and shifted her course a little to give a wide berth to
+some boys who were fishing. She did not want the propeller’s wash to
+disturb them. They waved gratefully to her.
+
+The sun was declining in the west, amid a bank of golden, olive and
+purple clouds, and a little breeze ruffled the water of the river. The
+stream was widening out now, and Betty remarked:
+
+“We’ll soon be in the lake now.”
+
+“The boat—not us, I hope,” murmured Grace.
+
+“Of course,” assented Betty, “Won’t you stay with us to-night, Uncle
+Amos?” she asked, as she opened the throttle a little wider, to get
+more speed. “You can have one of the rear—I mean after, bunks,” she
+corrected, quickly.
+
+“That’s better,” and he smiled. “No, I’ll berth ashore, I guess. I’ve
+got to get back to town, anyhow. I just wanted to see how you girls
+were getting along.”
+
+The _Gem_ was speeding up. They rounded a turn, and then the girls
+exclaimed:
+
+“Rainbow Lake!”
+
+In all its beauty this wide sheet of water lay before them. It was
+dotted with many pleasure craft, for vacation life was pulsing and
+throbbing in its summer heydey now. As the _Gem_ came out on the broad
+expanse a natty little motor boat, long and slender, evidently built
+for speed, came racing straight toward the craft of the girls.
+
+“Gracious, I hope we haven’t violated any rules,” murmured Betty, as
+she slowed down, for she caught a motion that indicated that the two
+young men in the boat wished to speak to her.
+
+As they came nearer Grace uttered an exclamation.
+
+“What is it?” asked Mollie.
+
+“Those young men—in the boat. I’m sure they’re the same two who were in
+the auto that made Prince run away! Oh, what shall I do?”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+CRACKERS AND OLIVES
+
+
+Betty grasped the situation, and acted quickly, as she always did in an
+emergency.
+
+“Are you sure, Grace?” she asked. She could speak without fear of the
+men in the racing boat overhearing her, for they had thrown out their
+clutch, a moment later letting it slip into reverse, and the churning
+propeller, and the throb of the motor, made it impossible for them to
+hear what was said aboard the _Gem_. “Are you sure, Grace?” repeated
+Betty.
+
+“Well, almost. Of course I only had a glimpse of them, but I have good
+cause to remember them.”
+
+“Don’t say anything now, then,” suggested Betty. “We will wait and see
+what they say. Later we may be able to make sure.”
+
+“All right,” Grace agreed, looking intently at the two young men. They
+seemed nice enough, and were smiling in a pleasant, frank manner at the
+outdoor girls and Aunt Kate. The two boats were now slowly drifting
+side by side on Rainbow Lake, the motors of both stilled.
+
+“I beg your pardon,” said the darker complexioned of the two men, “my
+name is Stone, and this is my friend, Mr. Kennedy. We are on the
+regatta committee and we’d like to get as many entries for the water
+pageant as we can. Is your boat entered yet?”
+
+He gazed from one girl to another, as though to ascertain who was in
+command of the newly arrived craft, which seemed to have attracted
+considerable attention, for a number of other boats were centering
+about her.
+
+“We have just arrived,” spoke Betty in her capacity as captain. “We are
+cruising about, and we haven’t heard of any regatta or pageant, except
+a rumor that one was to be held some time this summer.”
+
+“Well, it’s only been in process of arrangement for about a week,”
+explained Mr. Stone. “It will be the first of its kind to be held on
+the lake, and we want it to be a success. Nearly all of the campers and
+summer cottagers, who have motor boats, have agreed to enter the
+parade, and also in the races. We’d like to enter you in both. We have
+different classes, handicapped according to speed, and your craft looks
+as though it could go some.”
+
+“It can,” Betty admitted, while Grace was intently studying the faces
+of the two young men. The more she looked at them, the more convinced
+she was that they were the ones who had been in the auto.
+
+“We saw you arrive,” said Mr. Kennedy, who, Mollie said afterward, had
+a pleasant voice, “and we hurried over to get you down on the list the
+first thing.”
+
+“Don’t disappoint us—say you’ll enter!” urged Mr. Stone. “You don’t
+know us, of course, but I have taken the liberty of introducing myself,
+If you are acquainted with any of the cottagers on the lake shore, or
+on Triangle Island, you can ask them about us.”
+
+“Oh, we are very glad you invited us,” replied Betty, quickly. She did
+not want the young men to think that she resented anything. Besides, if
+what Grace thought about them was so, they would want a chance to
+inquire about the young men more closely, perhaps, than the young men
+themselves would care to be looked after. For Betty recalled what Grace
+had said—that her father had a faint idea that perhaps the motorists
+might have acted as they did purposely, to get possession of the
+papers.
+
+“Then you’ll enter?” asked Mr. Kennedy.
+
+“We can’t be sure,” spoke Betty, who seemed to be doing all the
+talking. “Our plans are uncertain, we have no very definite ones,
+though. We intended merely to cruise about, and perhaps camp on one of
+the islands for a few days. But if we find we can, we will at least
+take part in the water pageant—that is, in the parade with the other
+boats.”
+
+“And we’d like you to be in the races,” suggested Mr. Kennedy. “Your
+boat has very fine lines. What horse power have you?”
+
+“It is rated twenty,” answered Betty, promptly, proud that she had the
+knowledge at her tongue’s end, “but it develops nearer twenty-five.”
+
+“Then you’d go in Class B.” said Mr. Stone. “I will enter you,
+tentatively at least, for that race, and if you find you can’t compete,
+no harm will be done. There are some very handsome prizes.”
+
+“Oh, do enter, Bet!” exclaimed Mollie in a whisper, for she was fond of
+sports of all kinds. “It will he such jolly fun!”
+
+Betty looked at her aunt. Racing had not entered into their plans when
+they talked them over with the folks at home.
+
+“I think you might; they seem very nice, and we can easily find out if
+other girls are to race,” said Aunt Kate, in a low voice.
+
+“You may enter my boat, then,” said Betty, graciously.
+
+“Thank you!” exclaimed Mr. Stone. “The _Gem_ goes in, and her captain’s
+name—?”
+
+“Miss Nelson.”
+
+“Of—?” again he paused suggestively, pencil poised.
+
+“Of Deepdale.”
+
+“Oh, yes, I have been there. I am sure you will not regret having
+decided to enter the regatta. Now if you would like to tie up for the
+night there are several good public docks near here. That one over
+there,” and he pointed, “is used by very few other boats, and perhaps
+you would like it. Plenty of room, you know.”
+
+“Thank you,” said Betty. “We shall go over there.”
+
+“I will send you a formal entry blank to-morrow,” said Mr. Stone, as
+his companion started the motor, and a moment later they were rushing
+off in a smother of foam thrown up by the powerful racing craft.
+
+“Well, what do you think of that?” gasped Mollie, when they had gone.
+“No sooner do we arrive than we are plunged into the midst of—er—the
+midst of—what is it I want to say?” She laughed and looked about for
+assistance.
+
+“Better give it up,” said Amy. “But what Grace said surprises me—about
+those two young men.”
+
+“Well, of course I can’t be sure of it,” said Grace, as all eyes were
+turned in her direction, “but the more I look at those two the more I
+really think they are the ones. I wonder if there isn’t some way I
+could make sure?”
+
+“Yes,” said practical Betty, “there is. That is why I decided to enter
+the _Gem_ in the regatta. It will give us a chance to do a little quiet
+investigating.”
+
+“But how?” inquired Grace, puzzled.
+
+“Well, if we make some inquiries, and find out that they are all right
+to talk to—and they may be in spite of the mean way they acted toward
+you—why, then, we can question them, and gradually lead the talk around
+to autos, and racing, and storms, and all that. They’ll probably let
+out something about having been caught in a storm once, and seeing a
+horse run away. Then we will be sure they are the same ones, and—well,
+I don’t know what would be the best thing to do then, Grace.”
+
+“Grace had better notify her father or brother if she finds out these
+are the men,” suggested Aunt Kate. “They would be the best ones to act
+after that.”
+
+“Surely,” agreed Grace. “That’s what I’ll do. And now let’s go over to
+the dock, and see about supper. I’m as hungry as a starved kitten.”
+
+“And with all the candy she’s eaten since lunch!” exclaimed Mollie.
+
+“I didn’t eat much at all!” came promptly from Grace. “Did I, Amy?”
+
+“I wasn’t watching. Anyhow, I am hungry, too.”
+
+“I fancy we all are,” spoke Betty. “Well, we will soon be there,” and
+she started the motor, and swung the prow of the _Gem_ over toward the
+dock.
+
+There were one or two small open motor boats tied there, but they were
+not manned. The girls made sure of their cable fastenings, and soon the
+appetizing odor of cooking came from the small galley. The girls donned
+long aprons over their sailor costumes, and ate out on the open deck,
+for it was rather close in the cabin.
+
+“It is as sultry as though there were going to be a storm,” remarked
+Betty, looking up at the sky, which was taking on the tints of evening.
+“I am glad we’re not going to be out on the lake to-night.”
+
+“Aren’t we ever going to do any night cruising?” asked Mollie, who was
+a bit venturesome at times.
+
+“Oh, of course. Why, the main water pageant takes place at night, one
+of those young men said, and we’ll be in that. Only I’m just as glad
+we’re tied up to-night,” spoke Betty.
+
+Near where they had docked was a little colony of summer cottages, and
+not far off was an amusement resort, including a moving picture show.
+
+“Let’s go, girls!” proposed Grace after supper, “We don’t want to sit
+around all evening doing nothing. The boat will be safe; won’t it,
+Betty?”
+
+“Don’t say ‘it’—my boat is a lady—speak of her as such,” laughed the
+Little Captain. “Yes, I think she will be safe. But I will see if there
+is a dock watchman, and if there is I’ll engage him.”
+
+There proved to be one, who, for a small fee, would see that no
+unauthorized persons entered the _Gem_. Then the girls, attiring
+themselves in their “shore togs,” as Betty expressed it, went to see
+the moving pictures.
+
+“What will we do to-morrow?” asked Grace, as they came out, having had
+two hours of enjoyment.
+
+“I was thinking of a little picnic ashore,” answered Betty. “There are
+some lovely places on the banks of the lake, to say nothing of the
+several small islands. We can cruise about a bit, and then go ashore
+with our lunch. Or, if any of you have any other plan, don’t hesitate
+to mention it. I want you girls to have a good time.”
+
+“As if we weren’t having it, Little Captain!” cried Mollie with an
+impulsive embrace. “The picnic by all means, and please let’s take
+plenty of crackers and olives.”
+
+“Talk about me eating candy,” mocked Grace, “you are as bad on olives.”
+
+“Well, they’re not so bad for one as candy.”
+
+“I don’t know about that.”
+
+“Oh, don’t argue!” begged quiet little Amy. “Let’s talk about the
+picnic.”
+
+It was arranged that they should have an informal one, and the next
+morning, after an uneventful night—save that Grace awakened them all by
+declaring someone was coming aboard, when it proved to be only a
+frightened dog—the next morning they started off again, leaving word
+with the dock watchman, who did boat repairing, that they would be back
+late that afternoon.
+
+They had made some inquiries, and decided to go ashore on Eel Island,
+so named from its long, narrow shape. There was a small dock there,
+which made it easy for the _Gem_ to land her passengers, since she drew
+a little too much water to get right up to shore.
+
+The girls cruised about Rainbow Lake, being saluted many times by other
+craft, the occupants of which seemed to admire Betty’s fine boat. In
+turn she answered with the regulation three blasts of the air whistle.
+At several private docks, the property of wealthy cottagers, could be
+seen signs of preparation for the coming water carnival. The boat
+houses were being decorated, and in some cases elaborate schemes of
+ornamentation were under way for the boats themselves.
+
+“It looks as though it would be nice,” remarked Mollie.
+
+“Yes, I think we shall enjoy it,” agreed Betty.
+
+They stopped at one cottage, occupied by a Mrs. Ralston, whom Betty
+knew slightly. Mrs. Ralston wanted the girls and Aunt Kate to stay to
+lunch, but they told of their picnic plans. They wanted to inquire
+about Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy, and they were all glad to learn that
+the two young men were held in the highest esteem, and were given a
+great deal of credit for their hard work in connection with the lake
+pageant.
+
+“And to think they could be so unfeeling as to make Prince run away and
+cause all that trouble,” observed Mollie, as they were again aboard the
+boat.
+
+“Perhaps it was not they, or there may be some explanation of their
+conduct,” suggested Betty. “We must not judge too hastily.”
+
+“That’s Betty Nelson—all over,” said Amy.
+
+Eel Island proved to be an ideal picnic place, and there were one or
+two other parties on it when the girls arrived. They made the _Gem_
+secure, and struck off into the woods with their lunch baskets, Betty
+having removed a certain patented spark plug, without which the motor
+could not be started. It was not likely that anyone would be able to
+duplicate it and make off with the craft in their absence, so they felt
+it safe to leave the boat unguarded.
+
+“Pass the olives, Grace my dear,” requested Mollie, when they were
+seated on a grassy knoll under a big oak tree. “I have the crackers
+beside me. Now I am happy,” and she munched the appetizing combination.
+
+“Crackers and olives!” murmured Betty. “Our old schoolday feast. I
+haven’t gotten over my love for them, either. Let them circulate,
+Mollie.”
+
+The girls were making merry with quip and jest when Grace, hearing a
+crackling of under brush, looked back along the path they had come. She
+started and exclaimed:
+
+“Here come those two young men—Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy.”
+
+“Don’t notice them,” begged Amy, who was not much given to making new
+acquaintances.
+
+“Too late! They see us—they’re coming right toward us!” cried Grace, in
+some confusion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+THE REGATTA
+
+
+The two young men came on, apparently with the object of speaking to
+the girls. Evidently they had purposely sought them out.
+
+“Oh, it is Miss Nelson, and her friends from the _Gem_!” exclaimed Mr.
+Stone, which might indicate that he had expected to meet some other
+party of picnic lovers.
+
+“I hope we are not intruding,” said Mr. Kennedy, “but we want to borrow
+some salt, if you have any.”
+
+Betty looked at them curiously. Was this a subterfuge—a means to an
+acquaintance? Her manner stiffened a trifle, and she glanced at Aunt
+Kate.
+
+“You see we came off on a little picnic like yourselves,” explained Mr.
+Stone, “and Bob, here, forgot the salt.”
+
+“You told me you’d put it in yourself, Harry!” exclaimed the other,
+“and of course I thought you did.”
+
+“Well, be that as it may,” said his friend, “we have no salt. We heard
+your voices over here and decided to be bold enough to ask for some. Do
+you remember us, Miss Nelson?”
+
+“Oh, yes.” Betty’s manner softened. The explanation was sufficient.
+Clearly the young men had not resorted to this trick to scrape an
+acquaintance with the girls.
+
+“Is there anything else you’d like?” asked impulsive Mollie. “Grace has
+plenty of candy, I think, and as for olives——” she tilted one empty
+bottle, and smiled. Mr. Kennedy smiled back in a frank manner. Betty
+decided that introductions would be in good form, since they had
+learned that the young men were “perfectly proper.”
+
+Names were exchanged, and Mr. Kennedy and his friend sat down on the
+grass. They did not seem in any special hurry about the salt, now that
+it was offered.
+
+“We hope you haven’t changed your minds about the race and regatta,”
+spoke Mr. Stone, after some generalities had been exchanged. “By the
+way, I have the entry blanks for you,” and he passed the papers to
+Betty, who accepted them with murmured thanks.
+
+“We shall very likely enter both the pageant and the race,” she said.
+“When do they take place?”
+
+“The pageant will be held two nights hence. That will really open the
+carnival. The boats, decorated as suit the fancies of the owners, will
+form in line, and move about the lake, past the judges’ stand. There
+will be prizes for the most beautifully decorated boat, the oddest, and
+also the worst, if you understand me. I mean by the last that some
+captains have decided to make their boats look like wrecks, striving
+after queer effects.”
+
+“I should not like that,” said Betty, decidedly. “But if there is time,
+and we can do it, we might decorate?” and she looked at her chums
+questioningly.
+
+“Surely,” said Grace, and Mollie took the chance to whisper to her:
+
+“Why don’t you start some questions?”
+
+“I will—if I get a chance,” was the answer.
+
+Betty was finding out more about the carnival when the start would be
+made, the course and other details. The races would take place the day
+after the boat parade.
+
+“There will be canoe and rowing races, as well as tub and ‘upset’
+events,” said Mr. Stone. “We are also planning to have a swimming and
+diving contest the latter part of the regatta week, but I don’t suppose
+you young ladies would care to enter that.”
+
+“We all swim, and we have our bathing suits,” said Mollie,
+indefinitely.
+
+“Mollie dives beautifully!” exclaimed Amy.
+
+“I do not—that is, I’m not an expert at it,” Mollie hastened to say.
+“But I love diving.”
+
+“Then why not enter?” asked Mr. Kennedy. “I am chairman of that
+committee. I’ll put the names of you girls down, if you don’t mind. It
+doesn’t commit you to anything.”
+
+The girls had no formal objections.
+
+“You are real out-door girls, I can see that!” complimented Mr. Stone.
+“You must like life in the woods and on the lake.”
+
+“Indeed they do,” spoke Aunt Kate. “They walked—I think it was two
+hundred miles, just before coming on this cruise; didn’t you, Betty?”
+
+“Yes, but we took it by easy stages,” evaded the Little Captain.
+
+“That was fine!” exclaimed Mr. Kennedy. “Well, Harry, if we’re gong to
+eat we’d better take our salt and go.”
+
+“Won’t you have some of our sandwiches?” asked Mollie, impulsive as
+usual. “We have more than we can eat,” for they had brought along a
+most substantial lunch. Mollie looked at Betty and Aunt Kate. They
+registered no objections.
+
+“You are very good,” protested Mr. Kennedy, “but really we don’t want
+to deprive you——”
+
+“It will be no deprivation,” said Betty. “We will be glad not to have
+them wasted——”
+
+“Oh, then by all means let us be—the wastebaskets!” exclaimed Mr.
+Stone, laughing.
+
+“Oh, I didn’t mean just that,” and Betty blushed.
+
+“I understand,” he replied, and Aunt Kate passed over a plate of
+chicken sandwiches. Under cover of opening another bottle of olives,
+Mollie whispered to Grace:
+
+“Ask him some questions—start on motoring—ask if they ever motored near
+Deepdale.”
+
+“I will,” whispered Grace, and, as the two young men ate, she led the
+topic of talk to automobiles.
+
+“Do you motor?” she asked, looking directly at Mr. Stone. She was
+certain now that at least he had been in the car that caused Prince to
+run away.
+
+“Oh, yes, often,” he answered. “Do you?”
+
+“No, but I am very fond of horseback riding,” she said. She was certain
+that Mr. Stone started.
+
+“Indeed,” said he, “that is something I never cared about. Frankly, I
+am afraid of horses. I saw one run away once, with a young lady, and——”
+
+“Do you mean that time we were speeding up to get out of the storm?”
+his friend interrupted, “and we hit a stone, swerved over toward the
+animal, and nearly struck it?”
+
+“Yes, that was the time,” answered Mr. Stone. Grace could hardly
+refrain from crying out that she was on that same horse.
+
+“I have always wondered who that girl was,” Mr. Stone went on, “and
+some day I mean to go back to the scene of the accident, and see if I
+can find out. I have an idea she blames us for her horse running away.
+But it was an accident, pure and simple; wasn’t it, Bob?”
+
+“It certainly was. You see it was this way,” he explained, and Grace
+felt sure they would ask her why she was so pale, for the blood had
+left her cheeks on hearing that the young men were really those she had
+suspected. “Harry, here, and myself,” went on Mr. Kennedy, “had been
+out for a little run, to transact some business. We were on a country
+road, and a storm was coming up. We put on speed, because we did not
+want to get wet, and I had to be at a telegraph office at a certain
+time to complete a deal by wire.
+
+“Just ahead of us was a girl on a white horse. The animal seemed
+frightened at the storm, and just as we came racing past our car struck
+a stone, and was jolted right over toward the animal. I am not sure but
+what we hit it. Anyhow the horse bolted. The girl looked able to manage
+it, and as it was absolutely necessary for us to keep on, we did so.”
+
+“I looked back, and I thought I saw the horse stumble with the girl,”
+put in Mr. Stone, “but I was not sure, and then the rain came pelting
+down, and the road was so bad that it took both of us to manage the
+car. We were late, too. But we meant to go back and see if any accident
+happened.”
+
+“Only when we got to the telegraph office,” supplied his friend, “we
+were at once called to New York in haste, and so many things have come
+up since that we never got the chance. Tell me,” he said earnestly,
+“you girls live in Deepdale. This happened not far from there. Did you
+ever hear of a girl on a white horse being seriously hurt?”
+
+Grace made a motion to her chums to keep silent about the whole affair,
+and let her answer. She had her reasons.
+
+“There was no report of any girl being seriously hurt at the time you
+mention,” she said, a trifle coolly, “but a little child was knocked
+down by a horse—a white horse. It may have been the one you scared.”
+
+“But unintentionally—unintentionally! I hope you believe that!” said
+Mr. Stone earnestly.
+
+“Oh—yes—of course,” and Grace’s voice was not quite so cold now. She
+could readily understand that the accident could have happened in just
+that way, and it was beginning to look so. Certainly, not knowing the
+girls, the young man could have no object in deceiving them,
+
+“A little child knocked down, you say!” exclaimed Mr. Kennedy. “I hope
+it was not badly hurt. Who was it?”
+
+“My——” began Mollie, and she was on the point of saying it was her
+sister Dodo, when from the lake there sounded the cry of:
+
+“Fire! Fire! Fire!”
+
+Then came a sharp explosion. Everyone arose, and Mr. Kennedy exclaimed
+excitedly:
+
+“That must be an explosion on a motor boat. Come on, Harry. We may he
+needed!”
+
+They rushed through the bushes toward the place whence the alarm came,
+the girls following as fast as they could.
+
+“Don’t let him know it was I, or that it was your sister who was hurt!”
+Grace cautioned her chums. “I am going to write to papa, and he can
+make an investigation. Their explanation sounds all right, but they may
+have the papers after all. I’m going to write to-day.”
+
+“I would,” advised Aunt Kate.” “It may amount to nothing, but it can do
+no harm to let your father know. And I think it wise not to let these
+young men know that you were in that runaway. If they really were not
+careless, as it seemed at first, you can tell them later, when you see
+how the investigation by Mr. Ford turns out.”
+
+“That will be best,” spoke Betty. “Oh, see, it is a boat on fire!”
+
+They had reached a place where they could see a small motor boat, not
+far from shore, wrapped in a pall of black smoke, through which could
+be observed flickering flames.
+
+“There—he’s jumped!” cried Mollie, as a figure leaped from the burning
+craft. “He’s safe, anyhow.”
+
+“There go Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone in their boat!” exclaimed Grace, as
+the slender racing craft shot out from shore.
+
+Whatever may have been the faults of the young men as motorists, they
+knew how to act promptly in this case. As they passed the man who had
+leaped from the burning boat they tossed him a life preserver.
+
+Then, nearing the burning boat, they halted their own, and began using
+a chemical extinguisher—the only safe thing save sand with which to
+fight a gasoline blaze. The fire did not have a chance to get much
+headway, and it was soon out, another boat coming up and lending aid.
+
+The man who had jumped was taken aboard this second boat, and his own,
+rather charred but not seriously damaged, was towed to shore. Later the
+girls learned that there had been some gasoline which leaked from his
+tank. He had been repairing his motor, which had stalled, when a spark
+from the electric wire set fire to the gasoline. There was a slight
+explosion, followed by the fire.
+
+“And it came just in time to stop me from telling what might have
+spoiled your plans, Grace,” said Mollie, when they went back to gather
+up their lunch baskets.
+
+“Well, I haven’t any plans. I am going to let father or Will make them,
+after I send the information,” she answered, “But I think it best to
+let the two young men remain in ignorance, for a while.”
+
+“Oh, I do, too!” exclaimed Betty. “They will probably not refer to it
+again, being so busy over the regatta.”
+
+There was a busy time for the girls, too. They finally decided to
+convert the _Gem_, as nearly as possible under the circumstances, into
+a Venetian gondola. By building a light wooden framework about it, and
+tacking on muslin, this could be done without too much labor. Betty
+engaged the help of a man and boy, and with the girls to aid the work
+was soon well under way.
+
+The girls saw little of Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone—save passing
+glimpses—after the picnic. Grace telephoned to her father, who promised
+to at once look into the matter.
+
+“I do hope we win a prize!” exclaimed Mollie, on the evening of the
+regatta. “The _Gem_ looks lovely!”
+
+“Yes, I think it is rather nice,” admitted Betty.
+
+The muslin, drawn tightly over the temporary frame, had been painted
+until in the dark the boat bore a striking resemblance to a gondola,
+even to the odd prow in front. It was arranged that Grace should stand
+at the stern with a long oar, or what was to pass for it, while Betty
+would run the motor and do the real steering. Mollie, Amy, and Aunt
+Kate were to be passengers. Mollie borrowed a guitar and there was to
+be music and singing as they took part in the water pageant.
+
+“Well, it’s time to start,” announced Betty after supper. “We’ll light
+the Chinese lanterns after we get to our place in line,” for the boats
+were to be illuminated.
+
+The _Gem_ started off, being in the midst of many craft, all more or
+less decorated, that were to take part in the affair.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+THE RACE
+
+
+Like the scene from some simulated fairyland, or a stage picture, was
+the water pageant on Rainbow Lake. In double lines the motor boats
+moved slowly along from the starting point toward the float where the
+judges were stationed to decide which craft was entitled to the prize
+in its own class.
+
+“Oh, I’m so glad we entered!” cried Betty, as she stood at the wheel.
+Because of the cloth side of the “gondola” it appeared that she was
+merely reclining at her ease, as did the Venetian ladies of old, for a
+seat with cushions had been arranged near the steering wheel.
+
+“Oh, see that boat—just like an airship!” exclaimed Mollie, as they saw
+just ahead of them a craft so decorated.
+
+“And here’s one that looks just like a floating island, with trees and
+bushes,” added Amy. “That ought to take a prize.”
+
+“We ought to take one ourselves!” exclaimed Mollie. “We worked hard
+enough. My hands are a mass of blisters.”
+
+“And my back aches!” declared Grace. “But it was worth while. I don’t
+see any boat just like ours,” and she glanced along the line of craft
+ahead of them, and to those in the rear, as they were making a turn
+just then.
+
+“Oh, there’s one of the lanterns gone out!” cried Mollie. “I’ll light
+it,” and she proceeded to do so, taking it into the cabin because of
+the little breeze that blew over the lake.
+
+There was a band on one of the larger boats, and this played at
+intervals.
+
+“Let’s sing!” proposed Grace, and, with guitar accompaniment, the girls
+mingled their voices in one of the many part songs they had practiced
+at school. Applause followed their rendition, for they had chosen a
+time when there was comparative quiet.
+
+Around the course went the flotilla of boats, past the judges’ float,
+and back to the starting point. Then the parade was over, but a number
+of affairs had been arranged—dances, suppers and the like—by different
+cottagers. The girls had been invited to the dance at the headquarters
+of the Rainbow Lake Yacht Club, and they had accepted. They had dressed
+for the affair, and tying their boat to the club dock they went into
+the pretty little ballroom with Aunt Kate.
+
+“Congratulations!” exclaimed Mr. Kennedy, stepping up to Betty as she
+entered with her chums.
+
+“For what?”
+
+“Your boat won first prize for those of most original design. It is a
+beautiful silver cup.”
+
+“Oh, I’m so glad! Girls, do you hear? We won first prize in our class!”
+
+“Fine!” cried Mollie.
+
+“Oh, isn’t it nice?” said Amy.
+
+“Did we really?” asked Grace, somewhat incredulously,
+
+“You really did. I just heard the decision of the judges. Harry and I
+are out of it, though. We tried in the ‘wreck’ class, but the Rabbit,
+which was rigged out like the Flying Dutchman, beat us.”
+
+“That’s too bad,” said Mollie, sympathetically.
+
+“Never mind, we’ve had our fun,” said Mr. Stone, coming up at this
+point. “You girls certainly deserved the prize, if anyone did. And now
+I hope your dance cards aren’t filled.”
+
+They were not—but they soon were, and the evening passed most
+delightfully.
+
+“Who said breakfast?” yawned Grace the next morning, as she looked from
+her bunk down on Betty.
+
+“I ate so much lobster salad last night I don’t want anything but a
+glass of water on toast,” murmured Mollie. “Oh, but we had a lovely
+time!” and she sighed in regret at its departure.
+
+“And those young men were lovely dancers,” said Betty.
+
+“And wasn’t it nice of Will, Frank, and Allen to come?” spoke Amy, for
+Grace’s brother, and his two friends, had arrived most unexpectedly at
+the Yacht Club ball. Will had come to tell his sister certain things in
+regard to the missing papers, and had met a friend who belonged to the
+club.
+
+Naturally there was an invitation to the dance, which was quite
+informal in a way, and so the three boys from Deepdale had also had a
+good time. They were put up at the club over night.
+
+It developed that Mr. Ford had investigated certain matters in regard
+to Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone, and had learned that by no possibility
+could they have secured the missing papers. There would have been
+absolutely no interest in the documents for them. It was merely a
+coincidence that they had been on the scene. And this news made their
+explanation about the auto accident most plausible.
+
+Will had come to Rainbow Lake to tell his sister this, to relieve her
+mind. When he mentioned coming he had told Frank and Allen, asking them
+to go with him. All the boys expected to do was to spend the evening on
+board the _Gem_ with the girls, but when they arrived, and learned of
+the pageant, and Will met his club friend, the plans were changed.
+
+“Too bad Percy Falconer didn’t come,” remarked Grace, as she slipped
+into her dressing gown.
+
+“Don’t spoil everything,” begged Betty. “You know I detest him!”
+
+Gradually the girls got breakfast, talking of the events of the night
+before.
+
+“I wonder when we will get our prize?” said Betty. “I am wild to see
+it. I hope it’s that oddly shaped cup we so admired when we looked at
+the prizes.”
+
+It proved to be that one, the trophy being sent over to the dock where
+the _Gem_ was tied, by a special messenger. It was given the place of
+honor in the cabin.
+
+Will and his two chums went home rather late that day.
+
+“Is father much worried about the missing papers?” asked Grace, as she
+parted from her brother.
+
+“He sure is. He’s afraid the other side may spring something on him any
+minute.”
+
+“You mean—take some action to get the property?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“It’s too bad. But I don’t see what we can do.”
+
+“Neither do I. I wish I could find Prince. I think that’s the queerest
+thing about him.”
+
+“It certainly is. Say, Will, how is poor little Dodo getting on?”
+
+“Oh, as well as you can expect. They’re going to operate soon, I heard.
+How is Mollie standing it, Grace?”
+
+“Fairly well. Isn’t it strange that we should meet the two autoists?”
+
+“Yes. Have you put them wise yet?”
+
+“Wise? What do you mean? Such slang!”
+
+“I mean told ’em who you are?”
+
+“No, and we’re not going to for a while yet. We don’t want to make them
+feel bad.”
+
+“All right, suit yourselves. We’re coming up and see you when you get
+in camp.”
+
+“Yes, do. We’ll write when we’re settled.”
+
+Preparations for the race were going on, and the _Gem_, as were the
+other boats, was being groomed for the contest. She had been converted
+into her own self again, and Betty had engaged a man to look over the
+motor, and make a few adjustments of which she was not quite capable.
+
+Uncle Amos came to Rainbow Lake to see the girls and the boat. He was
+not much impressed with the sheet of water, large as it was, but he did
+take considerable interest in the coming race, and insisted on
+personally doing a lot of work to the boat to get her “ship-shape.”
+
+So that when the _Gem_ was ready to go to the starting line she was
+prepared to make the “try of her life,” as Betty expressed it.
+
+There were six boats in the class that included the _Gem_. Some were
+about the same size, one was larger and one was smaller. In horse power
+they rated about the same, but some handicapping had been done by the
+judges. The _Gem_ was to start four minutes after the first boat got
+away, and of course she would have to make up this time to win.
+
+“But we can do it!” declared Betty, confidently.
+
+As they were on their way to the starting line the girls noticed two
+boys rowing along the shore, looking intently as they proceeded.
+
+“Say, you haven’t seen a big green canoe, with an Indian’s head painted
+in red on each end; have you?” asked one of the lads.
+
+“No; why?” asked Grace.
+
+“Someone took ours last night,” spoke the other boy. “We were going in
+the races with it, too. It was a dandy canoe!” and he seemed much
+depressed.
+
+“That’s too bad,” spoke Betty sympathetically. “If we see anything of
+your canoe we’ll let you know.”
+
+“Just send word to Tom Cardiff, over at Shaffer’s dock!” cried the
+elder boy eagerly. “There’s a reward of two dollars for anyone who
+finds it.”
+
+“Poor fellows!” said Betty as they rowed off. “I’d give two dollars of
+my own now if we could find their canoe for them. They must be
+dreadfully disappointed. Well, shall we start?”
+
+“Yes, let’s get it over with,” replied Grace, nervously.
+
+Grace and Amy were selected to look after the motor, they having been
+“coached” by Uncle Amos for several days. They were to see that it did
+not lack for oil, and if anything got out of adjustment they could fix
+it. They would be stationed well forward in the cabin, and the bulkhead
+being removed, they could easily get at the machinery.
+
+Betty and Mollie would be at the wheel. Aunt Kate declined to take part
+in the race, and Uncle Amos was not eligible under the rules, this
+being strictly a race for girls and women.
+
+Several events were run off before the Class B race was called. Then
+the boats, including the _Gem_, moved up, and were formally inspected
+to make sure that all the rules and regulations had been complied with.
+No fault was found.
+
+“Are you all ready?” asked the starter.
+
+“Ready,” was the answer, and the first boat shot away. It was nervous
+waiting for Betty and her chums—those four minutes—but they finally
+passed.
+
+“Ready?” asked the starter again.
+
+“Ready,” answered Betty, her voice trembling in spite of herself. There
+was a sharp crack of the pistol, and the _Gem_ shot ahead, as Betty let
+the clutch slip into place. The race was on!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+FIGHTING FIRE
+
+
+“Betty, do you think we can win?”
+
+It was Mollie who asked this as she stood beside her chum at the wheel
+of the _Gem_. The boat was churning through the water, gradually
+creeping up on the craft that had gotten away ahead of her. Behind came
+other boats, starting as the crack of the official pistol was heard.
+
+“Of course we’ll win!” exclaimed Betty, as she changed the course
+slightly. She wanted to keep it as straight as possible, for well she
+knew that the shortest distance between any two points is in a straight
+line.
+
+“We wouldn’t miss that lovely prize for anything,” called Grace from up
+forward, where she was helping Amy look after the laboring motor.
+
+A number of prizes had been provided by the regatta committee; the
+chief one for this particular race was a handsome cut-glass bowl, that
+had been much admired when on exhibition at the club house.
+
+The course was a triangular one of three miles, and now all the craft
+that were competing were on the last “leg” of the triangle.
+
+“We’re creeping up on her!” whispered Amy, as she directed the
+attention of Grace to the boat just ahead of them. It was a light, open
+affair, with a two-cylinder motor, but speedy, and two girls in it
+seemed to be working desperately over their machinery. Something seemed
+to have gone wrong with one of the cylinders, for Betty could detect a
+“miss” now and then.
+
+“Yes, we’re coming up,” admitted Grace, as she skillfully put a little
+oil on a cam shaft. “If we can only hold out!”
+
+“Oh, trust Betty for that.”
+
+“It isn’t that—it’s the motor. One never knows when they are not going
+to ‘mote.’ But this one seems to be coming on well,” and Grace glanced
+critically at the various parts.
+
+They were well out in Rainbow Lake now, and many eyes were watching the
+race. One of the last boats to get away had given up, for the girls in
+charge could not remedy the ignition trouble that developed soon after
+they started. This left five. The _Gem_ was second in line, but behind
+her a very powerful boat was gradually creeping up on her, even as she
+was overhauling the boat that got away first.
+
+“Can’t you turn on a little more gasoline?” asked Mollie.
+
+“I think I can—now,” spoke Betty. “I wanted to give it gradually.”
+
+She opened the throttle a little more, and advanced the spark slightly.
+The result was at once apparent. The _Gem_ shot ahead, and the girls in
+the leading boat looked back nervously.
+
+“One of them is that pretty girl Will danced with so often at the
+ball,” said Mollie, as she got a glimpse of the rival’s face.
+
+“Yes, and the other is her cousin, or something,” spoke Betty. “I was
+introduced to her. It’s mean, perhaps, to beat you, girls,” she
+whispered, “But I’m going to do it.”
+
+The chugging of many motors—the churning to foam of the blue waters of
+the lake—a haze of acrid smoke hanging over all, as some cylinder did
+not properly digest the gasoline vapor and oil fed to it, but sent it
+out half consumed—spray thrown up now and then—the distant sound of a
+band—eager eyes looking toward the stake buoys—tense breathing—all this
+went to make up the race in which our outdoor girls were taking part.
+
+Foot by foot the _Gem_ crept up on the _Bug_, which was the name of the
+foremost boat. Drop by drop Betty fed more gasoline to her striving
+motor. The other girls did their duty, if it was only encouragement.
+Those in the _Bug_ worked desperately, but it was not to be. The _Gem_
+passed them.
+
+“We’re sorry!” called Betty, as she flashed by. The other girls smiled
+bravely.
+
+The _Gem_ was now first, but the race was far from won. They were on
+the last leg, however, but in the rear, coming on, and overhauling
+Betty and her chums as they had just overhauled the others, was the
+speedy _Eagle_. She had been last to get off, but had passed all the
+others.
+
+“They are after us,” spoke Mollie, as she held the wheel a moment while
+Betty tucked under her natty yachting cap some wind-tossed locks of
+hair.
+
+“But they shan’t get us,” declared the Little Captain grimly. “We
+haven’t reached our limit yet.”
+
+Once more she gave more gasoline, but the rivals in the rear were
+settling down now to win the race for themselves. The _Eagle_ came on
+rapidly. The finish line was near at hand, but it seemed that Betty and
+her chums had the upper hand.
+
+Suddenly Grace cried:
+
+“One of the wires is broken. It’s snapped in two, and it’s spouting
+sparks!”
+
+There came a noticeable slowing down to the speed of the motor. The
+_Gem_ lagged. The _Eagle_ was in hot pursuit. Betty acted quickly.
+
+“Put on those rubber gloves!” she ordered. “Take a pair of pliers, and
+hold the ends of that wire together. That will make it as good as
+mended until after the race. Amy, you help. But wear rubber gloves, and
+then you won’t get a shock. Quick, girls!”
+
+The breaking of the wire threw one cylinder out of commission. The
+_Gem_ was one third crippled. There came a murmur from the pursuing
+boat. There was a commotion in the forward engine compartment of
+Betty’s boat. This was caused by Grace and Amy seeking to repair the
+damage.
+
+A moment later the resumption of the staccato exhaust of the motor told
+that the break had been repaired—temporarily, at least. The boat shot
+ahead again, at her former speed, and only just in time, for her rival
+was now on even terms with her.
+
+“Oh, Betty, we can’t do it!” Mollie said, pathetically. “We’re going to
+lose!”
+
+“We are not! I’ve got another notch I can slip forward the gasoline
+throttle, and here it goes! If that doesn’t push us ahead nothing will—
+and——”
+
+“We don’t get that cut glass,” finished Mollie.
+
+But just that little fraction was what was needed. The _Gem_ went ahead
+almost by inches only, but it was enough. The _Eagle’s_ crew of three
+girls tried in vain to coax another revolution out of her propeller,
+but it was not to be, and the _Gem_ shot over the line a winner. A
+winner, but by so narrow a margin that the judges conferred a moment
+before making the announcement. But they finally made it. The _Gem_ had
+undoubtedly won.
+
+“Oh!” exclaimed Grace as she climbed out into the cabin, and thence to
+the deck, followed by Amy. “Oh, my hand is numb holding the ends of
+that wire together. I didn’t dare let go——”
+
+“It was brave of you!” exclaimed Betty, patting Grace on the shoulder.
+“If you had let go we would have lost. We’ll bathe your hand for you in
+witch hazel.”
+
+“Oh, it is only cramped. It will be all right in a little while.”
+
+“What a din they are making!” cried Amy, covering her ears with her
+hands.
+
+“They are saluting the winner,” said Mollie, as she noted the tooting
+of many boat whistles. Betty slowed down her boat, and saluted as she
+swept past the boat of the judges.
+
+“Well, I’m glad it’s over,” sighed Grace. “It was nervous work. I’m
+going to make some chocolate, and have it iced. It was warm up there by
+the motor.”
+
+“And you both need baths,” remarked Mollie with a laugh. “You are as
+grimy as chimney sweeps.”
+
+“Yes, but we don’t mind,” said Amy. “You won, Betty! I’m so glad!”
+
+“We won, you mean,” corrected the Little Captain. “I couldn’t have done
+it except for you girls,”
+
+Many craft saluted the _Gem_ as she came off the course.
+
+“I wish Uncle Amos could have seen us!” exclaimed Betty. “He would have
+been proud.” The girls remained as spectators for the remainder of the
+carnival, and then, the day being warm, they went to their dock. Near
+it was a sandy bathing beach, and soon they were swimming about in the
+limpid waters of Rainbow Lake.
+
+“Here goes for a dive!” cried Mollie, as she climbed out on the end of
+the pier, and mounted a mooring post. She poised herself gracefully.
+
+“Better not—you don’t know how deep it is,” cautioned Betty.
+
+“I’m only going to take a shallow dive,” was the answer and then
+Mollie’s slender body shot through the air in a graceful curve, and cut
+down into the water. A second later she bobbed up, shaking her head to
+rid her eyes of water.
+
+“That was lovely!” cried Grace.
+
+“Did I splash much?”
+
+“Not at all.”
+
+“It’s real deep there,” said Mollie. “Some day I’m going to try to
+touch bottom.”
+
+The girls splashed about, refreshing themselves after the race. Then
+came calm evening, when they sat on deck and ate supper prepared by
+Aunt Kate.
+
+“Now you girls just sit right still and enjoy yourselves,” she told
+them, when they insisted on helping. “You don’t win motor boat races
+every day, and you’re entitled to a banquet.”
+
+That night there was another informal dance at the Yacht Club, and the
+girls had a splendid time. Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy exerted themselves
+to see that our friends did not lack for partners, and Grace was rather
+ashamed of the suspicions she had entertained concerning the twain.
+
+The carnival came to an end with a series of water sports. There were
+swimming races for ladies, and Mollie won one of these, but her chums
+were less fortunate. The carnival had been a great success and many
+congratulations were showered on Messrs. Stone and Kennedy for their
+part in it.
+
+“We are glad it is over,” said Mr. Stone, as he and his chums sat on
+the deck of the _Gem_ one evening, having called to ask the girls to go
+to another dance. But Betty and her chums voted for staying aboard, and
+proposed a little trip about the lake by moonlight. Soon they were
+under way.
+
+It was a perfect night, and the mystic gleam of the moon moved them to
+song as they swept slowly along under the influence of the
+throttled-down engine.
+
+Suddenly Mr. Kennedy, who was sitting well forward on the trunk cabin
+with Grace, sprang to his feet, exclaiming:
+
+“What’s that?”
+
+“It looks like a fire,” said Grace.
+
+“It is a fire!” cried Mr. Stone. “Say, it’s that hay barge we noticed
+coming over this evening, tied up at Black’s dock. It’s got adrift and
+caught fire!”
+
+“Look where it’s drifting!” exclaimed Betty.
+
+“Right for the Yacht Club boathouse!” added Mollie. “The wind is taking
+it there. Look, the fire is increasing!”
+
+“And if it runs against the boat house there’ll be no saving it!” said
+Mr. Kennedy. “There’s no fire-boat up here—there ought to be!”
+
+“Girls!” cried Betty, “there’s just a chance to save the boat house!”
+
+“How?” demanded Amy.
+
+“If we could get on the windward side of that burning barge, throw a
+line aboard and tow it out into the middle of the lake, it could burn
+there without doing any damage!”
+
+“By Jove! She’s hit the nail on the head!” declared Mr. Stone, with
+emphasis. “But dare you do it, Miss Nelson?”
+
+“I certainly will dare—if you’ll help!”
+
+“Of course we’ll help! Steer over there!”
+
+The burning hay, fanned by a brisk wind, was now sending up a pillar of
+fire and a cloud of smoke. And the barge was drifting perilously near
+the boathouse. Many whistles of alarm smote the air, but no boat was as
+near as the _Gem_.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+ON ELM ISLAND
+
+
+“Have you a long rope aboard, Miss Nelson?” asked Mr. Stone, when they
+had drawn near to the burning load of hay.
+
+“Yes, you will find it in one of the after lockers,” answered Betty, as
+she skillfully directed the course of her boat so as to get on the
+windward side of the barge.
+
+“And have you a boathook? I want to fasten it to the rope, and see if I
+can cast it aboard the barge.”
+
+“There is something better than that,” went on the Little Captain. “I
+have a small anchor—a kedge, I think my Uncle Amos called it.”
+
+“Fine, that will be just the thing to cast! Where is it?”
+
+“In the same locker with the rope. Uncle insisted that I carry it,
+though we’ve never used it.”
+
+“Well, it will come in mighty handy now,” declared Mr. Kennedy, as he
+prepared to assist his chum. “You girls had better get in the cabin,”
+he added, “for there is no telling when the wind may shift, and blow
+sparks on your dresses. They’re too nice to have holes burned in them,”
+and he gazed, not without proper admiration, at Betty and her chums.
+Even in this hour of stress and no little danger he could do that.
+
+“We’ll put on our raincoats,” suggested Mollie. “The little sparks from
+the hay won’t burn them. Or, if they do, we can have a pail of water
+ready.”
+
+“That’s a good idea,” commented Mr. Stone, who was making the kedge
+anchor fast to the long rope. “Have several pails ready if you can. No
+telling when the sparks may come aboard too fast for us.”
+
+“And we have fire extinguishers, too,” said Betty. “Grace, you know
+where they are in the cabin. Get them out.”
+
+“And I’ll draw the water,” said Mr. Kennedy.
+
+“I can help at that,” added Aunt Kate, bravely. “I know where the
+scrubbing pail is.” She had insisted on making it one of her duties to
+scrub the deck every day, and for this purpose she kept in readiness a
+pail to which a rope was attached, that it might be dropped overboard
+into the lake and hauled up full. This was soon in use. Aunt Kate
+insisted on having several large pots and pans also filled.
+
+“You can’t have too much water at a fire,” she said, practically.
+
+The burning hay barge was rapidly being blown down toward the
+boathouse. At the latter structure quite a throng of club members, and
+others, had gathered in readiness to act when the time came.
+
+In the moonlight they could be seen getting pails and tubs of water in
+readiness, and one small line of hose, used to water the lawn, was
+laid. But it would be of small service against such a blaze as now
+enveloped the barge. Many boats were hastening to the scene, whistling
+frantically—as though that helped.
+
+“Have you got a pump aboard?” some one hailed those on the _Gem_.
+
+“No, we’re going to haul the barge away,” answered Betty.
+
+“Good idea, but don’t go too close!” came the warning.
+
+“It is going to be pretty warm,” remarked Mr. Stone. He had the anchor
+made fast, and with the rope coiled so that it would not foul as he
+made the cast, he took his place on one of the after lockers. Betty’s
+plan was to go as close to the burning craft as she could, to allow the
+cast to be made, As soon as the prongs of the anchor caught, she would
+head her motor and out toward the middle of the lake, towing the barge
+where it could be anchored and allowed to burn to the water’s edge.
+
+“But what are you going to anchor it with?” asked Mr. Kennedy, when
+this last feature had been discussed.
+
+“That’s so,” spoke his chum, reflectively.
+
+“There’s a heavy piece of iron under the middle board of the cabin,”
+said Betty. “Uncle Amos said it was there for ballast in case we wanted
+to use a sail, but I don’t see that we need it.”
+
+“We’ll use it temporarily, anyhow, for an anchor,” decided Mr. Stone.
+He and his companion soon had it out, and made fast to the other end of
+the rope.
+
+“Get ready now!” warned Betty, when this had been done. “I’m going as
+close as I can.”
+
+She steered her boat toward the burning barge. There came whistles of
+encouragement from the surrounding craft. The heat was intense, and on
+the suggestion of Mr. Kennedy the motor boat’s decks were kept wet from
+the water in the pails. The girls felt their hands and faces grow warm.
+Those on the boathouse float and pier were all anxiety. The flames,
+blown by the wind, seemed to leap across the intervening space as if to
+reach the boat shelter.
+
+“Here she goes!” cried Mr. Stone, as he cast the anchor. It was
+skillfully done, and the prongs caught on some part of the barge, low
+enough down so that the hempen strands would not burn. Mr. Stone pulled
+on the rope to see if it would hold. It did, and he called:
+
+“Let her go, Miss Nelson! Gradually though; don’t put too much strain
+on the rope at first! After you get the barge started the other way, it
+will be all right.”
+
+Betty sent the _Gem_ ahead. The rope paid out over the
+stern—taunted—became tight. There was a heavy strain on it. Would it
+hold? It did, and slowly the hay barge began to move out into the lake.
+
+“Hurray!” cried Mr. Kennedy. “That solved the problem.”
+
+“You girls certainly know how to do things,” said Mr. Stone,
+admiringly.
+
+Cheers from those in surrounding boats seemed to emphasize this
+sentiment. There was now no danger to the Yacht Club boathouse.
+
+A little later, when the flames in the hay were at their height, the
+piece of iron was dropped overboard from the _Gem_. This, with the rope
+and the kedge anchor, served to hold the barge in place. There it could
+burn without doing any harm.
+
+Soon the fire began to die down, and a little later it was but a
+smouldering mass, not even interesting as a spectacle. Betty Nelson’s
+plan had worked well, and later she received the thanks of the Yacht
+Club, she and her chums being elected honorary life members in
+recognition of the service they had rendered.
+
+Summer days passed—delicious, lazy summer days—during which the girls
+motored, canoed or rowed as they fancied, went on picnics in the woods,
+or on some of the islands of Rainbow Lake, or took long walks. Mr.
+Stone and Mr. Kennedy, sometimes one, often both, went with the girls.
+Occasionally Will and his friends ran out for a day or two, taking
+cruises with Betty, and her chums.
+
+Aunt Kate remained as chaperone, others who had been invited finding it
+impossible to come. The girls’ mothers made up a party and paid them a
+visit one day, being royally entertained at the time.
+
+“Yes, you girls certainly know how to do things,” said Mr. Stone one
+day; after Betty had skillfully avoided a collision, due to the
+carelessness of another skipper.
+
+“I wish we could do something to get those papers for father,” thought
+Grace. Not a trace had been found of Prince or the missing documents.
+It was very strange. Mr. Ford and his lawyer friends could not
+understand it. The interests opposed to him were preparing to take
+action, it was rumored, and if the papers were found this would be
+stopped. Even a detective agency that made a specialty of tracing lost
+articles had no success. Prince and the papers seemed to have vanished
+into thin air.
+
+One day as Betty and her chums were motoring about the lake, having
+gone to the store for some supplies, they saw the two boys who had been
+searching for their canoe.
+
+“Did you find it?” asked Grace.
+
+“No, not a trace of it, Too, bad, too, for we saved up our money—four
+dollars, now,” said the taller of the two lads. “If you find her we’ll
+give you that money; won’t we?” and he appealed to his companion.
+
+“We sure will!”
+
+“Well, if we see, or hear, anything of it we’ll let you know,” promised
+Betty. “Poor fellows,” she murmured, as they rowed away. They had made
+a circuit of the lake, going in many coves, but without success.
+
+“It’s about time to be thinking of camp, if we’re going in for that
+sort of thing,” announced Betty one day. “Shall we try it, girl?”
+
+“I’d like it,” said Mollie. “We can use the boat, too; can’t we?”
+
+“Of course,” replied Betty.
+
+“And sleep aboard?” asked Grace.
+
+“No, let’s sleep in a tent,” proposed Amy. “It will be lots of fun.”
+
+“But the bugs, and mosquitoes—not to mention frogs and snakes,” came
+protestingly from Grace.
+
+“Oh, we’ve done it before, and we can use our mosquito nets,” said
+Betty. “I heard of a nice tent, and a well-fitted up camp over on Elm
+Island we can hire for a week or so.”
+
+“But the ghost—the one Mr. Lagg told about?” asked Mollie.
+
+“We’ll ‘lay’ the ghost!” laughed Betty. “Seriously, I don’t believe
+there is anything more than a fisherman’s story to account for it.
+Still, if you girls are afraid——”
+
+“Afraid!” they protested in chorus.
+
+“Then we’ll go to Elm Island,” decided Betty, and they did. The camp,
+near a little dock where the _Gem_ could be tied, was well suited to
+their needs.
+
+“Oh, we’ll have a good time here!” declared Betty as they took
+possession. “But we must get in plenty of supplies. Let’s go over and
+call on Mr. Lagg,” and they headed for the mainland in the motor boat.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+IN CAMP
+
+
+“Well, well, young ladies, I certainly am glad to see you again! Indeed
+I am.”
+
+
+“Ladies, ladies, one and all,
+
+ I’m very glad to have you call!”
+
+
+Thus Mr. Lagg made our friends welcome as they entered his “emporium,”
+as the sign over the door had it.
+
+“What will it be to-day?” he went on.
+
+
+“I’ve prunes and peaches, pies and pills,
+
+ To feed you well, and cure your ills.”
+
+
+“Thank you, but we haven’t any ills!” cried “Brown Betty,” as her
+friends were beginning to call her, for certainly she was tanned most
+becomingly. “However, we do want the lottest lot of things. Where is
+that list, Mollie?”
+
+“You have it.”
+
+“No, I gave it to you.”
+
+“Grace had it last,” volunteered Amy. “She said she did not want to
+forget——”
+
+“Oh, we know what Grace doesn’t want to forget,” interrupted Mollie
+with a laugh. “Produce that list, Grace,” and it was forthcoming.
+
+“You see we have let our supplies run low,” remarked Betty as she gave
+her order,
+
+“Are you going on a long cruise?” Mr. Lagg, wanted to know.
+
+
+“To sail and sail the bounding main,
+
+ And then come back to port again?
+
+
+“Of course I know that isn’t very good,” he apologized. “When I make
+’em up on the spur of the moment that way I don’t take time to polish
+’em off. And of course Rainbow Lake isn’t exactly the bounding main,
+but it will answer as well.”
+
+“Certainly,” agreed Betty, with a laugh. “I think that is all,” she
+went on, looking at her list. “Oh, I almost forgot, we want some more
+of your lovely olives—those large ones.”
+
+“Yes, those are fine olives,” admitted the store keeper. “I get them
+from New York.
+
+
+“Olives stuffed, and some with pits,
+
+ With girls my olives sure make hits.”
+
+
+He chanted this with a bow and a smile.
+
+“I am aware,” he said, “I am aware that the foregoing may sound like a
+baseball game, but such is not my intention. I use hit in the sense of
+meaning that it is well-liked.”
+
+“Too well liked—I mean the olives,” spoke Mollie. “We can’t keep enough
+on hand. I think we’ll have to buy them by the case after this.”
+
+“As Grace does her chocolates,” remarked Betty, with a smile that took
+all the sarcasm out of the words.
+
+“Well,” remarked Grace, drawlingly, “I have noticed that you girls are
+generally around when I open a fresh box.”
+
+“Well hit!” cried Amy. “Don’t let them fuss you, Grace my dear.”
+
+“I don’t intend to.”
+
+Mr. Lagg helped his red-haired boy of all work to carry the girls’
+purchases down to the boat.
+
+“You must be fixing for a long voyage,” he remarked.
+
+“No, we are going to camp over on Elm Island,” said Betty.
+
+The storekeeper started.
+
+“What! With the ghost?” He nearly dropped a package of fresh eggs.
+
+“Really, Mr. Lagg, is there—er—anything really there?” asked Mollie,
+seriously.
+
+“Well, now, far be it from me to cause you young ladies any alarm,”
+said Mr. Lagg, “but I only repeat what I heard. There is something on
+that island that none of the men or boys who have seen and heard it
+cannot account for.”
+
+“Just what is it?” asked Betty,
+
+“Do you want me to tell you?”
+
+“Certainly—we are not afraid. Though we mustn’t let Aunt Kate know,”
+said Betty, quickly.
+
+“Well, it’s white and it rattles,” said Mr. Lagg.
+
+“Sounds like a riddle,” commented Amy. “Let’s see who can guess the
+answer.”
+
+“White—and rattles,” murmured Betty. “I have it—it’s a pan full of
+white dishes. Some lone camper goes down to wash his dishes in the lake
+every night, and that accounts for it.”
+
+“Then we’ll ask the lone camper—to scamper!” cried Grace with a laugh.
+“We want peace and quietness.”
+
+“And you are really going to camp on Elm Island?” asked Mr. Lagg, as he
+put the purchases aboard.
+
+“We are,” said Betty, solenmly. “And if you hear us call for help in
+the middle of the night——”
+
+“Betty Nelson!” protested Amy.
+
+
+“And if for help you call on I—
+
+  I’ll come exceeding quick and spry!”
+
+
+Thus spouted Mr. Lagg.
+
+“I am painfully aware,” he said, quickly, “that my poem on this
+occasion needs much polishing, but I sometimes make them that way, just
+to show what can be done—on the spur of the moment. Howsomever, I wish
+you luck. And if you do need help, just holler, or light a fire on
+shore, or fire a gun. I can see you or hear you from the end of my
+dock.” Indeed, Elm Island was in sight.
+
+The girls went back with their supplies, and soon were in camp. The
+hard part of the work had been done for them by those of whom they had
+hired the tent and the outfit. All that remained to do was to light the
+patent oil stove, and cook. They could prepare their meals aboard the
+boat if they desired, and take them to the dining tent. In short they
+could take their choice of many methods of out-door life.
+
+Their supplies were put away, the camp gotten in “ship-shape,” cots
+were made up, and mosquito bars suspended to insure a night of comfort.
+A little tour was made of the island in the vicinity of the camp, and,
+as far as the girls could see, occasional picnic parties were the only
+visitors. There were no other campers there.
+
+“We’ll have a marshmallow roast to-night,” decided Betty, as evening
+came on. They had gathered wood for a fire on the shore of the lake,
+and the candy had been provided by Grace, as might have been guessed.
+
+“I hope the ghost doesn’t come and want some,” murmured Mollie.
+
+“Hush!” exclaimed Betty. A noise in the woods made them all jump. Then
+they laughed, as a bird flew out.
+
+“Our nerves are not what they should be,” said Betty. “We must calm
+down. I wonder did we get any pickles?”
+
+“I saw him put some in,” spoke Grace.
+
+“Then let’s have supper, and we’ll go out for a ride on the lake
+afterward,” suggested Betty.
+
+“Maybe the ghost will carry off our camp,” remarked Amy.
+
+“Don’t you dare let Aunt Kate hear you say that or she’ll run away!”
+cried Betty. “Come on, everyone help get supper, and we’ll be through
+early,” and, gaily humming she began to set the table that stood under
+a canvas shelter in front of the big tent.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+A QUEER DISTURBANCE
+
+
+“Have we blankets enough?”
+
+“It’s sure to be cool before morning.”
+
+“We can burn the oil stove turned down love—that will make the tent
+warm.”
+
+“Oh, but it makes it so close and—er—smelly.”
+
+They all laughed at that.
+
+Betty and her chums were preparing to spend their first night in camp
+on Elm Island, in the tent. They had had supper—eating with fine
+appetites—and after a little run about the lake had tied up at the
+small dock near their tent.
+
+“A lantern would be a good thing to burn,” said Aunt Kate. “That will
+give some warmth, too.”
+
+“And we can see better, if—if anything comes!” exclaimed Amy, evidently
+with an effort.
+
+“Anything—what do you mean?” demanded Mollie, as she combed out her
+long hair, preparatory to braiding it.
+
+“Well, I mean—er—_anything_!” and again Amy faltered.
+
+“Oh, girls she means—the ghost!” exclaimed Betty, with a laugh. “Why
+not say it?”
+
+“Don’t!” pleaded Grace.
+
+“Now look here,” went on practical Betty. “There’s no use evading this
+matter. There’s no such thing as a ghost, of that we are certain, and
+yet if we shy at mentioning it all the while it will only make us more
+nervous.”
+
+“The idea! I’m not nervous a bit,” declared Mollie.
+
+“Well, then,” resumed Betty, “there’s no use in being afraid to use the
+word, as Amy seemed to be. So talk ghost all you like—you can’t scare
+me. I’m so tired I know I’ll sleep soundly, and I hope the rest of you
+will. Only, for goodness sakes, don’t be talking in weird whispers.
+That is far worse than all the ghosts in creation.”
+
+“That’s what I say!” exclaimed Aunt Kate, who was an old-fashioned,
+motherly soul. “If the ghost comes I’m going to talk to it, and ask how
+things are—er—on the other side. Girls, it’s a great privilege to have
+a ghostly friend. If the man who owns this island knew what was good
+for him he’d advertise the fact that it was haunted. If Mr. Lagg were
+here I’d get him to make up a poem about the ghost. That would scare it
+off, if anything could.”
+
+“That’s the way to talk!” cried Betty, cheerfully. “And now for a good
+night’s rest. Bur—r—r—r! It _is_ cold!” and she shivered.
+
+“I’m going to get some more blankets from the boat,” declared Mollie.
+“I know we’ll be glad of them before morning. Come along with me,
+Grace,” she added, after a moment’s pause, as she took up one of the
+lanterns. “You can help carry them.”
+
+“And scare away the——” began Amy.
+
+“Indeed, I wasn’t thinking a thing about it!” insisted Mollie, with
+emphasis. “And I’ll thank you to——”
+
+She began in that impetuous style, that usually presaged a burst of
+temper, and Betty looked distressed. But Mollie corrected her fault
+almost before she had committed it.
+
+“Excuse me, Amy,” she said, contritely. “I know what you mean. Will you
+come, Grace?”
+
+“Of course. I’ll be glad of some extra coverings myself.”
+
+The two girls were back in remarkably short time.
+
+“You didn’t stay long,” commented Betty, drily. “it’s only a step to
+the dock,” answered Mollie, as she and Grace deposited their arm-loads
+of blankets on the cots.
+
+Then after the talk and laughter had died away, quiet gradually settled
+down in the camp tent. The Outdoor Girls were trying to go to sleep,
+but one and all, afterward, even Aunt Kate, complained that it was
+difficult. Whether it was the change from the boat, or the talk of the
+ghost, none could say. At any rate there were uneasy turnings from side
+to side, and as each cot squeaked in a different key, and as one or the
+other was constantly “singing,” the result may be imagined.
+
+“Oh, dear!” exclaimed Grace, impatiently, after a half-hour of
+comparative quiet, “I know I’ll never get to sleep. Do you girls mind
+if I sit up and read a little? That always makes me drowsy, and I’ve
+got a book that needs finishing.” Only Aunt Kate was slumbering.
+
+“Got any chocolates that need eating?” asked Mollie, with a laugh, in
+which they all joined, half-hysterically.
+
+“Yes, I have!” with emphasis. “But, just for that you won’t get any.”
+
+“I don’t want them! You couldn’t hire me to eat candy at night,” and
+again Mollie flared up.
+
+“Girls, girls!” besought Betty. “This will never do! We will all be
+rags in the morning.”
+
+“Polishing rags then, I hope,” murmured Amy. “My hands are black from
+the oil stove—it smoked, and I’ll need a cake of sand-soap to get clean
+again.”
+
+“Well, I can’t stand this—I’m too fidgety!” declared Grace. “I’m going
+to sit up a little while, and read. I’m going to eat a chocolate, too.
+I’ll give you some, Mollie, if you like. I bought a fresh box of Mr.
+Lagg.
+
+
+“Chocolates they are nice and sweet,
+
+ Good for man and beast to eat.”
+
+
+“Give me a young lady-like brand,” suggested Amy.
+
+“Why don’t we all of us sit up a while, and—I have it—we’ll make a pot
+of chocolate,” exclaimed Mollie. “That will make us all sleep, and warm
+us—it is getting real chilly already.”
+
+“Perhaps that will be best,” agreed Betty, as she donned her heavy
+dressing gown and warm slippers, for the tent was cool even in July.
+
+Soon there was the aroma of chocolate in the little cooking shelter,
+and the girls sat around, in various picturesque and comfortable
+attitudes, sipping the warm beverage and nibbling the crisp crackers.
+
+Then gradually their nerves quieted down, and even Grace, more aroused
+than any of the others, began to feel drowsy. One by one they again
+sought their cots, and finally a series of deep breathings told of
+much-needed sleep.
+
+It must have been long after midnight when Betty was suddenly aroused
+by a queer noise. She had slept heavily, and at first she was not fully
+aware of her surroundings, nor what had awakened her. Then she became
+conscious of a curious heavy breathing, as of some animal. She sat up
+in alarm, her heart pounding furiously. Her throat went dry.
+
+“Girls—girls!” she gasped, hoarsely. “Aunt Kate!”
+
+The latter was the first to reply. Quickly reaching out to the lantern
+near her, she turned up the wick. Following the sudden illumination in
+the tent there was a cracking in the underbrush near it.
+
+“Oh!” screamed Grace, sitting up. “What is it?”
+
+“I’m going to look!” said Mollie, resolutely.
+
+“Don’t! Don’t!” pleaded Amy, but Mollie was already at the flap of the
+tent, which she quickly loosed. Then she screamed.
+
+“Look! It’s white! It’s white!”
+
+Betty, forcing herself to action, stood beside her chum. She was just
+in time to see some-thing big and white run down toward the lake. There
+was a clash and jingling as of chains, and a splashing of water. Then
+the white thing disappeared, and the girls stood staring at one
+another, trembling violently.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+THE STORM
+
+
+Grace “draped” herself over the nearest cot. Amy followed her example,
+with the added distinction that she covered her head with the blankets.
+Betty and Mollie stood clinging to each other.
+
+“Though I don’t think they were any braver than we,” declared Grace
+afterward. “They simply couldn’t fall down, for Betty wanted to go one
+way and Grace the other. So they just naturally held each other up.”
+
+“I couldn’t stand,” declared Amy. “My, knees shook so.”
+
+Aunt Kate was the first to speak after the apparition had passed away,
+seeming to lose itself in the lake.
+
+“Girls, have you any idea what it was?” she asked.
+
+“The—the—” began Amy. “Oh, I can’t say it!” she wailed from beneath the
+covers.
+
+“Don’t be silly!” commanded Betty, sharply. “If you mean—ghost—say so,”
+but she herself hesitated over the word.
+
+“If that was the ghost it was the queerest one I ever saw!” declared
+Mollie, with resolution. “I don’t just mean that, either,” she hastened
+to add, “for I never saw a ghost before. But in all the stories I ever
+read ghosts were tall and thin, of the willowy type——”
+
+“Like Grace,” put in Betty, with rather a wan smile.
+
+“Don’t you dare compare me to a ghost!” commanded the Gibson girl,”
+with energy that brought the blood to her pale cheeks. She ventured to
+peer out from under the tent flap now. “Is it—is it gone?” she
+faltered.
+
+“It’s in the lake—whatever it was,” said Mollie. “But wasn’t it oddly
+shaped, Betty?”
+
+“It was indeed. And it made plenty of noise. Real ghosts never do
+that.”
+
+“Oh, some do!” asserted Amy. “I read the ‘Ghost of the Stone Castle,’ a
+most fascinating story, and that ghost always rattled chains, and made
+a terrible noise.”
+
+“What did it turn out to be?” asked Aunt Kate.
+
+“The story didn’t say. No one ever found out.”
+
+“Well, this one is exactly like Mr. Lagg described,” spoke Grace,
+“chains and all. What could it have been?”
+
+“I imagine,” said Betty, slowly, “that it may be some wild animal——”
+
+Grace screamed.
+
+“What is it now?” asked Betty, regarding her.
+
+“Don’t say wild animals—they’re worse than ghosts!”
+
+“Nonsense! Don’t be silly! I mean it may he some wild animal, like a
+fox or deer that has been caught in a trap. Traps have chains on them,
+you know. This animal may have been caught some time ago, have pulled
+the chain loose, and the poor thing may be going around with the trap
+still fastened to him. That would account for the rattling.”
+
+“Yes,” said Mollie, “that may be so, and there may be white foxes, but
+I never heard of any outside of Arctic regions. But, Betty Nelson,
+there never was a fox as large as that. Why it was as—as big as our
+tent!”
+
+“Yes, and how it sniffed and breathed!” added Betty. “I guess it
+couldn’t be a wild animal. It may have been a cow. I wonder if any
+campers here keep a white cow?”
+
+“A cow would moo,” declared Grace.
+
+“But whatever it was, it was frightened at the light,” said Aunt Kate,
+practically, “so I don’t think we need to be afraid of it—whatever it
+was. We’ll leave a light outside the tent the rest of the night, and it
+won’t come back.”
+
+“I’m going to sleep in the boat!” declared Grace.
+
+“Nonsense!” cried Betty. “Don’t be a deserter! Have some more
+chocolate, and we’ll all go to sleep,” and they finally persuaded Grace
+to remain. It took some little time to get their nerves quiet, but
+finally they all fell into a more or less uneasy slumber that lasted
+until morning. The “ghost” did not return.
+
+Wan, and with rather dark circles under their eyes, the girls got
+breakfast the next morning. The meal put them in better spirits, and
+when they bustled around about the camp duties they, forgot their scare
+of the night before.
+
+They made a partial tour of the island, though some parts were too
+densely wooded and swampy to penetrate. But such parts as they visited
+showed the presence of no other campers. They were alone on Elm Island,
+save for an occasional picnic party, several evidently having been
+there the day before.
+
+“Then that—thing—couldn’t have been a cow,” said Grace, positively.
+
+“Make up a new theory,” suggested Betty, with a laugh. “One thing,
+though, we’re not going to let it drive us away, are we—not away from
+our camp?”
+
+The others did not answer for a moment, and then Mollie exclaimed:
+
+“I’m going to stay—for one.”
+
+“So am I!” declared Aunt Kate, vigorously. “A light will keep whatever
+animal it is away, and I’m sure it was that. Of course we’ll stay!”
+
+There was nothing for Grace and Amy to do but give in—which they did,
+rather timidly, be it confessed.
+
+“And now let’s go for a ride,” proposed Betty, after lunch. “There are
+some things I want to get at Mr. Lagg’s store.”
+
+“Will you tell him about the—ghost?” asked Grace.
+
+“Certainly not. It may be,” said Betty, “that some one is playing a
+joke on us. In that case we’ll not give him the satisfaction of knowing
+that we saw anything. We will keep silent, girls.” And they did.
+
+
+“Matches, soap and oil and butter,
+
+ Business gives me such a flutter.”
+
+
+Mr. Lagg recited this as Betty gave her order.
+
+“Have you seen the ghost?” he asked.
+
+“Oh!” cried Grace, “you have in some fresh chocolates! I must have
+some.”
+
+
+“You’ll find my chocolates sweet and good,
+
+ To eat on lake or in the wood!”
+
+
+Mr. Lagg’s attention being diverted to a net subject, he did not press
+his question. Thus the girls escaped committing themselves.
+
+“I think we are going to have a storm,” remarked Betty, when they were
+under way again, cruising down the lake toward Triangle Island, where
+they expected to call on some friends. “And as Rainbow gets rough very
+quickly, I think we shall turn back.”
+
+“Yes, do,” urged Amy. “I detest getting wet.”
+
+“The cabin is dry,” urged Grace.
+
+“We had better go back,” urged Aunt Kate, and the prow of the _Gem_ was
+swung around. Other boats, too small or not staunch enough to weather
+the blow that was evidently preparing, had turned about for a run to
+shore. There passed Betty’s craft the two boys whose canoe had been
+taken.
+
+“Any luck?” asked Betty, interestedly.
+
+“No, we haven’t found a trace of it yet,” the older one replied.
+
+In the West dark masses of vapor were piling up, and now and then the
+clouds were split by a jagged chain of lightning, while the
+ever-in-creasing rumble of thunder told of the onrush of the storm.
+
+“We’re going to get caught!” declared Mollie. “I guess I’ll close the
+ports, Betty.”
+
+“Do; and bring out my raincoat, please.”
+
+Attired in this protective garment over her sailor suit, the Little
+Captain stood at the wheel.
+
+With a blast that flecked the crests of the waves into foam, with a
+rattle and roar, and a vicious swish of rain, the storm broke over the
+_Gem_ while she was yet a mile from the camp on Elm Island. The boat
+heeled over, for her cabin was high and offered a broad surface to the
+wind.
+
+“We’ll capsize!” screamed Amy.
+
+“We will not!” exclaimed Betty, above the noise. She shifted the wheel
+to bring the boat head-on to the waves, and this made her ride on a
+more even keel. Then, with a downpour, accompanied by terrific thunder
+and vivid lightning, the storm broke. Betty bravely stood to her post,
+the others offering to relieve her, but she would not give up the
+wheel, and remained there until the little dock was reached. Then,
+making snug their craft, they raced for the tent. It had stood up well,
+for it was protected from the gale by big elm trees. Soon they were in
+shelter.
+
+And then, almost as suddenly as it had come up, the storm passed. The
+clouds seemed to melt away, and the sun came out, the shower passing to
+the East.
+
+Grace, who had gone out on the end of the dock, called to the others.
+
+“Oh, come on and see it!”
+
+“What—the ghost?” inquired Mollie.
+
+“No, but the most beautiful rainbow I ever saw—a double one!”
+
+They came beside her, and Grace pointed to where, arching the heavens,
+were two bows of many colors, one low down, vivid and perfect, the
+other above it—a fainter reflection. As the sun came out from behind
+the clouds the colors grew brighter.
+
+“How lovely!” murmured Amy, clasping her hands.
+
+“Yes, it is the most brilliant bow I have ever seen,” added Aunt Kate.
+“It seems almost like like a painted one.” I would be more poetical if
+I were Mr. Lagg,” and she laughed.
+
+“It is very vivid,” went on Betty. “In fact I have heard it said that
+on account of the peculiar situation of this lake, the high mountains
+around it, and the clouds, there are brighter rainbows here than
+anywhere else in this country. That is how the lake got its
+name—Rainbow. It was the Indians who first gave it that, I was told,
+though I don’t know the Indian name for rainbow.”
+
+“We don’t need to—this is beautiful as it is,” murmured Grace. “Oh,
+isn’t it wonderful!” and they stood there admiring the beautiful scene,
+and recalling the old story of the bow—the promise of the Creator after
+the flood that never again would the world be submerged.
+
+Then the light gradually died from the colored arches, to be repeated
+again in the wonderful cloud effects at sunset. The storm had been like
+the weeping of a little child, who smiles before its tears—and
+afterward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+THE GHOST
+
+
+“Girls, there are letters for each of us!” exclaimed Betty.
+
+“Any for me?” asked Aunt Kate.
+
+“Yes, a nice—adipose—that is to say, fleshy one,” exclaimed Mollie,
+passing it over. It was bulky.
+
+The girls had stopped at the store of Mr. Lagg, where they had sent
+word to have their mail forwarded. The occasion was a morning visit
+several days after they had established their camp on Elm Island.
+
+“Any news?” asked Betty of Mollie, the former having finished a brief
+note from home, stating that all were well.
+
+“Yes, poor little Dodo is to go to the specialist to be operated on
+this week. Oh, it does seem as if I ought to go home, and yet mamma
+writes that I am to stay and enjoy myself. She says there is
+practically no danger, and that there is great hope of success. Aunt
+Kittie—Dodo was at her house when the accident happened, you know—Aunt
+Kittie has come to stay with mamma. Every one else is well, including
+Paul.
+
+“Oh, but I shall be so anxious until it is over! They are going to let
+me know as soon as it is. Are we going to stay around here, where I can
+get word quickly?”
+
+“Yes, we will remain on Elm Island, I think,” said Betty. “There is no
+use in cruising about too much when we are so comfortable there, and
+really it is lovely in the woods.”
+
+“As long as the ghost doesn’t bother us,” spoke Amy.
+
+“Nonsense!” exclaimed Betty. “What is your news, Grace?”
+
+“Oh, Will writes that he and Frank are coming up to camp on the island
+near us.”
+
+“That will be fine!” exclaimed Betty. “When will they get here?”
+
+“Allen can’t come up until the week-end,” went on Grace. “He has to
+take some kind of bar examinations. For the—high jump, I think.”
+
+“Silly!” reproved Betty, with a blush.
+
+“But Will told me to tell you specially that Allen is coming,” went on
+Grace. “They can stay a few days.”
+
+“It will be fine,” cried Mollie. “Any news about the papers, Grace?”
+
+“Not a word, and no trace of Prince.”
+
+“That is queer,” said Betty. “But we will live in hopes—that Dodo will
+be all right, and that the papers will be found.”
+
+“Indeed we will,” sighed Grace. Mr. Lagg was bowing and smiling behind
+his counter while the girls were reading their letters.
+
+
+“What will it be? What will it be? What will it be to-day?
+
+ Be pleased to leave an order, before you go away!”
+
+
+“Really, I don’t believe we need a thing,” answered Mollie, in answer
+to this poetical effusion. “We might have——”
+
+“Some more olives,” interrupted Grace. “They are so handy to eat, if
+you wake up in the night, and can’t sleep.”
+
+“Shades of Morpheus preserve us!” laughed Mollie. “Olives!”
+
+“Does the ghost keep you awake?” asked the storekeeper.
+
+“Not—not lately!” answered Betty, truthfully.
+
+
+“The ghost! The ghost! with clanking chains,
+
+ It comes out only when—it rains!”
+
+
+Thus Amy anticipated Mr. Lagg.
+
+“Very good—very good!” he commended. “I must write that down. Hank
+Lefferton was over setting eel pots on the island last night, and he
+said he seen it.”
+
+“The ghost?” faltered Betty.
+
+“Yep. Chains and all.”
+
+“Well, we didn’t,” said Aunt Kate, decidedly. “Come along, girls.”
+
+They had written some souvenir cards, which they mailed, and again they
+went sailing about Rainbow Lake.
+
+Several days passed. The girls went on little trips, on picnics,
+cruised about and spent delightful hours in the woods. They thoroughly
+enjoyed the camp, and the “ghost” did not annoy them. Mollie waited
+anxiously for news from home, but none came.
+
+Then the boys arrived, with their camping paraphernalia, and in such
+bubbling good spirits that the girls were infected with them, for they
+had become rather lonesome of late.
+
+The boys pitched their tent near that of the girls, and many meals were
+eaten in common. Then one night it happened!
+
+It was late, and after a jolly session—a marshmallow roast, to be
+exact—they had all retired. No one remained awake now, for the girls
+had become used to their surroundings, and the boys—Allen included, for
+he had come up—were sound sleepers.
+
+There was a crash of underbrush, a series of snorts—no other word
+describes them—and the screaming girls, hastening to their tent flaps,
+cried:
+
+“The ghost! The ghost!”
+
+“Get after it, fellows!” called Will, as he recognized his sister’s
+voice. “We’ll lay this chap—whoever he is!”
+
+There was a vision of something white, again that rattling of chains,
+and a plunge into the lake. Then all was still.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+WHAT MOLLIE FOUND
+
+
+“Did you get—it?”
+
+Betty hesitated a moment over the question.
+
+Will, Frank and Allen stood just outside the tent of the girls. They
+had come back from a hurried race after the white object that had again
+disturbed the slumbers of the campers.
+
+“We only had a glimpse of it,” answered Will. “Then it seemed to melt
+into the water.”
+
+“But it was big,” said Frank.
+
+“And made lots of noise,” added Allen.
+
+“That’s just the way it acted before,” declared Mollie.
+
+In dressing gowns, warmly wrapped up, and in slippers, the girls were
+talking through the opened flap of the tent to Grace’s brother and his
+chums.
+
+“Can you imagine what it may be?” asked Aunt Kate. She had been making
+chocolate—a seemingly never-failing remedy for night alarms.
+
+“Haven’t the least idea,” answered Will, “unless it’s someone trying to
+play a so-called practical joke.”
+
+“I’d like to get hold of the player,” announced Allen. “I’d run him
+off——”
+
+“Off the scale,” interrupted Betty, with a laugh.
+
+“That’s it,” conceded Allen. “Are you girls all right?”
+
+“All but our nerves,” answered Grace.
+
+The boys made a search in the gloom, but found nothing, and once more
+quiet settled down. Nor were they disturbed again that night. In the
+morning they laughed.
+
+“Oh, but it’s hot!” exclaimed Mollie during the forenoon, when the
+question of dinner was being discussed. “I think we might go for a
+swim. There’s a nice sandy beach at the side of our dock.”
+
+“Let’s!” proposed Grace. The boys had gone off fishing.
+
+Soon the girls were splashing around in the lake, making a pretty
+picture in their becoming bathing suits, of which they had more use
+than they had anticipated.
+
+“Let’s try some diving!” proposed Mollie, always a daring water sprite.
+“It’s lovely and deep here,” and she looked down from the end of the
+dock.
+
+“I wish I dared dive,” said Amy. She was a rather timid swimmer, slow
+and deliberate, probably able to keep afloat for a long time, but
+always timid in deep water.
+
+“Here goes!” cried impulsive Mollie, as she poised for a flash into the
+water.
+
+She went down cleanly, but was rather long coming up. Grace and Betty
+looked anxiously at one another.
+
+“She is——” began Betty.
+
+Mollie flashed into sight like a seal.
+
+“I—I found something!” she panted.
+
+“Did you strike bottom?” asked Betty.
+
+“Almost. But that’s all right. I’m going down again. There is something
+down there. Maybe it’s the ghost!”
+
+“Oh, do be careful!” cautioned Betty, but Mollie was already in the
+water. She was longer this time coming up, and Betty was getting
+nervous. Then Mollie shot into view.
+
+“I—I found it!” she gasped.
+
+“What?” chorused the others.
+
+“The missing canoe those boys have been looking for! It is down there
+on the bottom, freighted with stones. We will get it up for them!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+SETTING A TRAP
+
+
+“Are you sure it is the canoe?” asked Betty, who did not want Mollie to
+take any unnecessary risks.
+
+“Of course I am,” came the confident answer, as Mollie poised, in her
+dripping bathing suit, on the little dock. She made a pretty picture,
+too, with her red cap, and blue suit trimmed with white. “I could feel
+the edge of the gunwhale,” she went on, “and the stones in it that keep
+it down.”
+
+“But how can we get it up?” asked Grace, who was sitting on the dock,
+splashing her feet in the water. Grace never did care much about
+getting wet. Amy said she thought she looked better dry. Certainly she
+was a pretty girl and knew how to “pose” to make the most of her
+charms—small blame to her, though, for she was unconscious of it.
+
+“We can get it up easily enough,” declared Mollie, wringing the water
+from her skirt, “All we’ll have to do will be to toss out the stones,
+one by one, and the canoe will almost float itself. I can tie a rope to
+the bow, and we can stand on shore and pull. Those boys will be so glad
+to get it back.”
+
+“But can we lift out the heavy stones?” asked Amy, in considerable
+doubt.
+
+“Of course we can. You know any object is much lighter in water than
+out of it, we learned that in physics class, you remember. The water
+buoys it up. You can move a much heavier stone under water than you
+could if the same stone was on land. We can all try.”
+
+“I never could stay under water long enough to get out even one stone,”
+declared Grace.
+
+“Nor I,” added Amy.
+
+“I’ll try,” spoke Betty—she was always willing to try—“but I’m afraid I
+can’t be of much help, Mollie. And I’m sure I don’t want you to do it
+all.”
+
+“Well, wait until I make another inspection,” said the diving girl. “It
+may be more than I bargained for. I’ll hold my breath longer this
+time.”
+
+“Do be careful!” cautioned Aunt Kate, coming out from the tent.
+
+“We will,” promised Betty.
+
+Again Mollie dived. She had practiced the trick of opening her eyes
+under water, and this time she looked carefully over the sunken canoe.
+She stayed under her full limit, and when she came up she was panting
+for breath.
+
+“You must not stay under so long,” warned Betty.
+
+“There—are—a—lot—of—stones,” gasped Mollie. “But I think we can do it,”
+she added a moment later.
+
+“I’ll see what I can do,” spoke Betty. She was a good swimmer and
+diver, perhaps not so brilliant a performer as Mollie, but with more
+staying qualities. Down went Betty in a clean dive, and when she came
+up, panting and shaking the water from her eyes, she called:
+
+“I lifted out two, but I think we had better let the boys do it,
+Mollie.”
+
+“Perhaps,” was the reply.
+
+“I’m sorry you can’t count on me,” sail Grace, “but really I’d have
+nervous prostration if I went down there, even though it’s only ten
+feet deep, as you say.”
+
+“Well, getting nervous prostration under water would be a very bad
+idea,” commented Betty.
+
+“And I’m sure I never could do it,” remarked Amy. “Do let the boys
+manage it, Bet. The lads who own the canoe will be glad of the chance.”
+
+“I’m going to move out a couple of stones, so Betty won’t beat my
+record,” laughed Mollie, diving again. She bobbed up a moment later.
+
+“Oh, dear!” she cried. “An eel slid right over me. Ugh! I’m not going
+down again!” and she shivered. Even the fearless Mollie had had enough
+of the under-water work.
+
+By means of a cord and a float the position of the sunken canoe was
+marked, so that the boys could locate it, and when they returned from a
+rather unsuccessful fishing trip, they readily agreed to raise the
+boat. It did not take them long to remove the stones, for Will, Frank
+and Allen were all expert swimmers, and could remain under water much
+longer than can most persons.
+
+Then a rope was made fast to the canoe, which would not rise completely
+because of being filled with water. It was pulled ashore and word sent
+to the young owners. That they were delighted goes without saying. They
+proffered the reward they had offered, but of course our friends would
+not take it. Later it was learned that the canoe had been taken by an
+unscrupulous fisherman, who was not above the suspicion of making a
+practice of such tricks. It was thought he intended to let it remain
+where it was until fall, when he would raise it, paint it a different
+color, and sell it. But Mollie’s fortunate dive frustrated his plans.
+
+“Seen anything more of the ghost?” asked Will of the girls, when the
+canoe had been moored to the shore.
+
+“No, and we don’t want to,” returned Betty.
+
+“Afraid?” Allen wanted to know.
+
+“Indeed not!” she exclaimed, with a blush.
+
+“I’ll tell you what let’s do,” suggested Frank. “Let’s take a look
+around and see if that ghost left any footprints.”
+
+“Ghosts never do,” asserted Will.
+
+“Well, let’s have a look anyhow. We should have done it before. Now, as
+nearly as I can recollect, the creature came about to here, and then
+rushed into the lake,” and Frank went to a spot some distance from the
+tents. The others agreed that it was about there that the white object
+had been seen. Will was looking along the ground, going toward the
+lake. Suddenly he uttered an exclamation.
+
+“Girls! Fellows!” he cried. “Come here!” They all hastened to his side.
+He pointed to some marks in the sandy soil.
+
+“What are they?” he asked, excitedly.
+
+“Hoof marks!” cried Allen, dramatically.
+
+“That’s right!” agreed Will. “They are the marks of a horse! Girls,
+that’s what your ghost is—a white horse, and—and——”
+
+He ceased abruptly, looked at Grace strangely, and then brother and
+sister gasped together:
+
+“Prince!”
+
+“What?” demanded Allen.
+
+“I’ll wager almost anything that this ghost is my white horse, Prince,
+that has been missing so long!” went on Will. “But how in the world he
+could have gotten on this island, so far from the mainland, is a
+mystery!”
+
+“Couldn’t he swim?” asked Frank.
+
+“Of course!” cried Will. “I forgot about that. And Prince was once a
+circus horse, or at least in some show where he had to jump into a tank
+of water. Prince is a regular hippopotamus when it comes to water.
+Strange I never thought of that before!
+
+“But this solves the ghost mystery, girls. You and the other folks have
+been frightened by white Prince scooting about the island.”
+
+“We—we weren’t so very frightened,” spoke Mollie.
+
+“But the rattling chains?” questioned Grace.
+
+“What were they?”
+
+“The stirrups, of course,” answered her brother. “And, by Jove, Grace,
+if the stirrups are on Prince the saddle must be on him also, and the
+papers——”
+
+“Oh, isn’t this just fine!” cried Grace, her face alight. “Now papa can
+complete that business deal. I never loved a ghost before. Dear old
+Prince!”
+
+“Of course we are assuming a lot,” said Will. “It may not be Prince
+after all, but all signs point to it. He must have been on this island
+all the while. No wonder we could get no trace of him. Probably he was
+so frightened at the storm and the auto, and his fall, that he ran on
+until he came to the lake. Then his old training came back to him, and
+in he plunged. There’s enough fodder here for a dozen horses. He’s just
+been running wild. I’ll have my own troubles with him when I get him
+back.”
+
+“But how are you going to do it?” asked Frank.
+
+“We’ll search the island for him,” replied Will. “Come on, we’ll start
+now.”
+
+Changing from their bathing suits to more conventional garments, the
+boys and girls at once began a tour of the island. But though it was
+not very large, there were inaccessible places, and it must have been
+in one of these that Prince hid during the day, for they neither saw,
+nor heard anything of him.
+
+“We’ve got to set a trap!” exclaimed Will.
+
+“How?” asked Grace.
+
+“Well, evidently he’s been in the habit of coming around the tent to
+get scraps of food. We’ll leave plenty out to-night, and also some
+oats. Then we’ll watch, and when Prince comes I’ll catch him.”
+
+The boys voted this plan a good one. They went over to Mr. Lagg’s store
+in the _Gem_ to get a supply of fodder for the trap.
+
+“A horse on the island!” exclaimed Mr. Lagg. So that’s the ghost; eh?
+Well, it’s very likely, but it sort of spoils the story;
+
+
+“A ghostly ghost—a ghost in white
+
+ Appearing in the darkest night.
+
+ That it should prove a horse to be,
+
+ Most certainly amazes me.”
+
+
+“Good!” exclaimed Will, with a laugh. “You are progressing, Mr. Lagg.”
+
+A goodly supply of oats was placed in a box near the tent that evening,
+and then the boys and girls sat about the camp-fire and talked, while
+waiting for the time to retire. The boys were to make the attempt to
+capture Prince.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+THE GHOST CAUGHT
+
+
+“When do you expect to hear about little Dodo?” asked Grace, as the
+girls sat together on a log in front of the fire, “like roosting
+chickens,” Will was ungallant enough to remark.
+
+“Almost any day now,” replied Mollie. “They were to wait for the most
+favorable time for the operation, and the specialist, so mamma wrote,
+could not exactly fix on the day. But I am anxious to hear.”
+
+“I should think you would be. Poor little Dodo! I’d give anything to
+hear her say now ‘Has oo dot any tandy?’”
+
+“Don’t,” spoke Betty in a low tone to Grace, for she saw the tears in
+Mollie’s eyes.
+
+“It was the strangest thing how Stone and Kennedy should turn out to be
+the two chaps in the auto,” remarked Will, to change the subject. “And
+you have never let on that Grace was the girl on the horse?”
+
+“Never,” answered Amy. “Don’t say after this that girls can’t keep a
+secret.”
+
+Frank was to watch the first part of the night, to be relieved by
+Allen, and the latter by Will.
+
+“For, from what the girls say, Prince has been in the habit of coming
+rather late,” Will explained, “and he’s more likely to let me catch him
+than if you fellows tried it. So I’ll take last watch.”
+
+Frank’s vigil was unrewarded, and when he awakened Allen, who sat up,
+sleepy-eyed, there was nothing to report. Allen found it hard work to
+keep awake, but managed to do so by drinking cold coffee.
+
+“Anything doing, old man?” asked Will, as, yawning, he got on some of
+the clothes he had discarded, the more comfortably to lie down on the
+cot.
+
+“Something came snooping around about an hour ago. At first I thought
+it was the horse, and went out to take a look. But it was only a fox, I
+guess, for it scampered away in the bushes. I hope you have better
+luck.”
+
+“So do I. Dad wants those papers the worst way. If I could get them for
+him I’d feel better, for I can’t get over blaming myself that it was my
+fault they were lost. It was, because I shouldn’t have sent Grace for
+them when I knew how important they were.”
+
+Allen went to his cot, and Will took up his vigil. For an hour he sat
+reading by a shaded lantern, so the light would not shine in the faces
+of his chums. Then, when he was beginning to nod, in spite of the
+attractions of the book, he heard a noise that brought him bolt upright
+in the chair.
+
+“Something is coming!” he whispered. He stole to the edge of the board
+platform, and cautiously opened the flap of the tent. The box
+containing oats and sugar had been placed a little distance away, in
+plain view.
+
+“That’s Prince!” exclaimed Will, for in the moonlight he saw a white
+horse eating from the box. The “ghost” had arrived.
+
+Will resolved to make the attempt alone. He stepped softly from the
+tent, and made his way toward the horse. He had on a pair of tennis
+shoes that made his footsteps practically noiseless. Fortunately,
+Prince, should it prove to be that animal, stood sideways to the tent,
+his head away from it, so that he did not see Will. The boy tried to
+ascertain if there was a saddle on the horse, but there was the shadow
+of a tree across the middle of his back, and it was impossible to say
+for sure.
+
+Nearer and nearer stole Will. He thought he was going to have no
+trouble catching him, but when almost beside Prince, for Will was
+certain of the identity now, he stepped on a twig, that broke with a
+snap.
+
+With a snort Prince threw up his head and wheeled about. He saw Will,
+and leaped away.
+
+“Prince, old fellow! Prince! don’t you know me?” called the boy, and he
+gave a whistle that Prince always answered.
+
+The horse retreated. Will held out some sugar he had ready for such an
+emergency.
+
+“Prince! Prince!” he called. The horse stopped and stretched out his
+head, sniping. Prank and Allen came to the tent opening. “Keep back!”
+called Will, in even tones. “I think I have him. Prince! Come here!”
+
+The horse took a step forward. He sensed his master now. Will advanced,
+speaking gently, and a moment later Prince, with a joyful whinny, was
+nibbling at the sugar in the boy’s hand. Then Will slid the other along
+and caught the mane. The bridle was gone.
+
+“I have him!” cried Will. “Bring the rope, fellows.”
+
+Prince was not frightened now. He stood still. Will led him into the
+full moonlight. Then he exclaimed:
+
+“The saddle is gone!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+THE MISSING SADDLE
+
+
+“Have you caught Prince?” Grace called this to her brother from the
+tent where she and the other girls had been aroused by the commotion.
+
+“Yes, I have him. He knew me almost at once,” answered Will. “But the
+saddle is gone!”
+
+“And the papers?” Grace faltered.
+
+“Gone with it, I fancy. Too bad!”
+
+“Maybe he just brushed the saddle off,” suggested Allen, who, with
+Frank, had come out with a rope halter that had been provided in case
+the “ghost hunt” was a success. “We’ll look around. I’ll get a
+lantern.”
+
+But a hasty search in the darkness revealed nothing. There was no sign
+of a saddle.
+
+“We’ll have to wait until morning,” sighed Will, as he tied Prince to a
+tree. “Then we can see better, and look all around. Prince, old boy,
+you knew me; didn’t you?” The handsome animal whinnied, and rubbed his
+nose against Will’s arm.
+
+“And so you played the part of a ghost, you rascal! Scaring the
+girls——”
+
+“We’ll never admit that,” called Betty from the tent.
+
+There was nothing more to do that night, after making Prince secure.
+The boys ate a little mid-night supper, and from the tent of the girls
+came the odor of chocolate, which Grace insisted on making. Then, after
+fitful slumbers, morning came.
+
+Will was up early to examine Prince. He found the healed cut, where the
+auto had struck, and there was evidence that the saddle had been on the
+animal until recently. The iron stirrups would account for the sound
+like chains.
+
+“The saddle must be somewhere on this island,” declared Will. “I’m
+going to find it.”
+
+“How?” asked Allen, who had made a careful toilet, as Betty had
+promised to go for a row with him.
+
+“I’ll strap a pad on Prince, get on his back, and see where he takes
+me. The way I figure is this. Prince never liked to be in the open. I’m
+almost certain he has been staying in some sort of shelter—either a
+cave, or an old cabin, or stable on the island. The saddle may have
+come off there. Now he’ll most likely take me right to his stopping
+place. Of course he may not, but it’s worth trying.”
+
+“Indeed it is,” agreed Prank.
+
+After a hasty breakfast Will put his plan to the test. Prince was fed
+well, and with Frank and Allen to follow, Will leaped on his pet’s
+back, and gave him free rein—or, rather, free halter, since there was
+no bridle. The girls said they would take a walk around the island,
+looking for the saddle as they went.
+
+Prince, after a little hesitation, started off with Will on his back.
+The splendid animal headed for the lake shore, and for a moment Will
+was inclined to think that Prince was going to plunge in and swim to
+some other island or the mainland. But Prince was only thirsty, and,
+slaking that desire, he ambled along the shore for a mile or so, the
+two young men following.
+
+“Where can he be going?” asked Frank.
+
+“Just let him alone,” counseled Will. “He knows what he is about.”
+
+And so Prince did. He took a path he had evidently traveled many times
+before, to judge by the hoof-marks, and presently came to a swampy
+place at which Frank and Allen balked.
+
+“Wait here,” advised Will. “I’ll soon be back. This is near one end of
+the island. It must be here that Prince has his stable.”
+
+And so it proved. Splashing through the swamp, Prince ascended a little
+slope, pushed under some low tree branches that nearly brushed Will
+from his back, and came to a halt before a tumbled-down cabin, that was
+just about large enough for an improvised stable. Will leaped off, gave
+a look inside, and uttered a shout of joy, for there, trampled on and
+torn, broken and water-stained, was the saddle. A second later Will was
+kneeling before it, exploring the saddle pockets.
+
+“Here they are!” he cried, as he pulled out the missing papers. “I have
+them, fellows!”
+
+A hasty survey showed him that they were all there—somewhat stained and
+torn, to be sure, but as good as ever for the purpose intended.
+
+“This is great luck!” cried Will. He looked about him. Then he saw the
+reason why Prince had made this place his headquarters. The former
+occupant of the deserted cabin had left behind a quantity of salt, and
+as all animals like, and need, this crystal, Prince had been attracted
+to the place. It was like the old “buffalo licks.” Then, too, there was
+shelter from storms.
+
+“Prince, old man, you’re all right!” cried Will, as he put the papers
+in his pockets. By dint of a little hasty repairing the saddle could be
+used temporarily. It was evident that Prince had kept it on until
+lately, and the dangling stirrups had caused the sound like rattling
+chains. There was no sign of the bridle, however, but the halter would
+answer. Will saddled his pet, and soon had rejoined Frank and Allen, to
+whom he had shouted the good news. Then a hasty trip was made back to
+camp.
+
+“Oh, I’m so glad!” cried Grace. “Now I can really enjoy camping and
+cruising. You must telephone papa at once.”
+
+Which Will did, the whole party going over to Mr. Lagg’s store in the
+motor boat.
+
+“Yes, I have the papers safe,” Will told Mr. Ford. “Yes, I’ll mail them
+at once. What’s that—Dodo—tell Mollie Dodo is over the operation and is
+going to get well? I will—that’s good news! Hurrah!”
+
+“Oh, thank the dear Lord!” murmured Mollie, and then she sobbed on
+Betty’s shoulder.
+
+“Well, I guess we are ready to start,” announced Grace. “I have the
+chocolates. Who has the olives?”
+
+“Chocolates and olives—the school girl’s delight!” mocked Will,
+
+“Oh, you’ll be asking for some,” declared his sister.
+
+
+“Chocolates and olives are good for the boys,
+
+ And to the girls they also bring joys.”
+
+
+Thus remarked Mr. Lagg. The crowd of young people were in his store,
+stocking up the _Gem_ for a resumption of her cruise on Rainbow Lake.
+It was several days after the finding of the missing saddle and the
+papers. The latter had been sent to Mr. Ford, Prince had been swum
+across to the mainland and sent home, and the news about little Dodo
+had been confirmed. The child would fully recover, and not even be
+lame.
+
+“Oh, what a fine time we’ve had!” exclaimed Grace, as she waltzed about
+the store with Amy.
+
+“Well, the summer isn’t over yet by any means,” spoke Mollie. “And
+there is the glorious Fall to come. I wonder what we shall do then?”
+
+And what they did do may be ascertained by reading the next volume of
+this series, to be called “The Outdoor Girls in a Motor Car; Or, The
+Haunted Mansion of Shadow Valley,” in which we will meet all our old
+friends again, and some new ones.
+
+“All aboard!” called Betty, as she led the way down to the dock where
+the _Gem_ awaited them. Each one was carrying a bundle of supplies, for
+they expected to cruise for about a week.
+
+They boarded the motor boat. Betty threw over the lever of the
+self-starter. The engine responded promptly. As the clutch slipped in,
+white foam showed at the stern where the industrious propeller whirled
+about. The _Gem_ slid away from the dock.
+
+“Good-bye! Good-bye!” called the boys and girls to Mr. Lagg.
+
+“Good-bye!” he answered, waving his red handkerchief at them. Then he
+recited.
+
+
+“As you sail o’er the bounding sea,
+
+ Pause now and then and think of me.
+
+ I’ve many things for man and beast,
+
+ From chocolate drops to compressed yeast.”
+
+
+“Good!” shouted Will, laughing.
+
+And Betty swung around the wheel to avoid the two boys whose canoe
+Mollie had so strangely found, as the _Gem_, continued her cruise down
+Rainbow Lake. And here, for a time, we, too, like Mr. Lagg, will say
+farewell to our friends.
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE ***
+
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+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" />
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" />
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake by Laura Lee Hope</title>
+
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+<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold;'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake, by Laura Lee Hope</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you
+are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the
+country where you are located before using this eBook.
+</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Laura Lee Hope</div>
+<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Release Date: April 7, 2002 [eBook #4987]<br />
+[Most recently updated: February 25, 2021]</div>
+<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div>
+<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Jim Weiler, xooqi.com</div>
+<div style='margin-top:2em;margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE ***</div>
+
+<h1>The Outdoor Girls At Rainbow Lake</h1>
+
+<h4>or</h4>
+
+<h3>The Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem</h3>
+
+<h2 class="no-break">by Laura Lee Hope</h2>
+
+<h4>1913</h4>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>Contents</h2>
+
+<table summary="" style="">
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap01">CHAPTER I. A GRAND SURPRISE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap02">CHAPTER II. AFTER THE PAPERS</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap03">CHAPTER III. THE RUNAWAY</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap04">CHAPTER IV. THE MISSING DOCUMENTS</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap05">CHAPTER V. THE GEM</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap06">CHAPTER VI. READY FOR A CRUISE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap07">CHAPTER VII. STOWAWAYS</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap08">CHAPTER VIII. A HINT OF GHOSTS</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap09">CHAPTER IX. OFF ON THE TRIP</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap10">CHAPTER X. ADRIFT</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap11">CHAPTER XI. IN DANGER</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap12">CHAPTER XII. AT RAINBOW LAKE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap13">CHAPTER XIII. CRACKERS AND OLIVES</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap14">CHAPTER XIV. THE REGATTA</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap15">CHAPTER XV. THE RACE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap16">CHAPTER XVI. FIGHTING FIRE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap17">CHAPTER XVII. ON ELM ISLAND</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap18">CHAPTER XVIII. IN CAMP</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap19">CHAPTER XIX. A QUEER DISTURBANCE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap20">CHAPTER XX. THE STORM</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap21">CHAPTER XXI. THE GHOST</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap22">CHAPTER XXII. WHAT MOLLIE FOUND</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap23">CHAPTER XXIII. SETTING A TRAP</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap24">CHAPTER XXIV. THE GHOST CAUGHT</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap25">CHAPTER XXV. THE MISSING SADDLE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+</table>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap01"></a>CHAPTER I<br />
+A GRAND SURPRISE</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Girls, I&rsquo;ve got the grandest surprise for you!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty Nelson crossed the velvety green lawn, and crowded into the hammock,
+slung between two apple trees, which were laden with green fruit. First she had
+motioned for Grace Ford to make room for her, and then sank beside her chum
+with a sigh of relief.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, it was so warm walking over!&rdquo; she breathed. &ldquo;And I did
+come too fast, I guess.&rdquo; She fanned herself with a filmy handkerchief.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But the surprise?&rdquo; Mollie Billette reminded Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m coming to it, my dear, but just let me get my breath. I
+didn&rsquo;t know I hurried so. Swing, Grace.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With a daintily shod foot&mdash;a foot slender and in keeping with her
+figure&mdash;Grace gave rather a languid push, and set the hammock to swaying
+in wider arcs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Amy Stonington, who had not joined in the talk since the somewhat hurried
+arrival of Betty, strolled over to the hammock and began peering about in
+it&mdash;that is, in as much of it as the fluffy skirts of the two occupants
+would allow to be seen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see it,&rdquo; she said in gentle tones&mdash;everything
+Amy did was gentle, and her disposition was always spoken of as
+&ldquo;sweet&rdquo; by her chums, though why such an inapt word is generally
+selected to describe what might better be designated as &ldquo;natural&rdquo;
+is beyond comprehension. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see it,&rdquo; murmured Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo; asked Grace, quickly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess she means that box of chocolates,&rdquo; murmured Mollie.
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s no use, Amy, for Grace finished the last of them long before
+Betty blew in on us&mdash;or should I say drifted? Really, it&rsquo;s too warm
+to do more than drift to-day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You finished the last of the candy yourself!&rdquo; exclaimed Grace,
+with spirit. If Grace had one failing, or a weakness, it was for chocolates.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I did not!&rdquo; snapped Mollie. Her own failing was an occasional
+burst of temper. She had French blood in her veins&mdash;and not of French
+lilac shade, either, as Betty used to say. It was of no uncertain
+color&mdash;was Mollie&rsquo;s temper&mdash;at times.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, you did!&rdquo; insisted Grace. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you remember? It
+was one with a cherry inside, and we both wanted it, and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You got it!&rdquo; declared Mollie. &ldquo;If you say I took
+it&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right, Grace, you did have it,&rdquo; said gentle Amy.
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you recall, you held it in one hand behind your back and
+told Billy to choose?&rdquo; Billy was Mollie&rsquo;s &ldquo;chummy&rdquo;
+name.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; admitted Grace. &ldquo;And Mollie didn&rsquo;t
+guess right. I beg your pardon, Mollie. It&rsquo;s so warm, and the prickly
+heat bothers me so that I can hardly think of anything but that I&rsquo;m going
+in and get some talcum powder. I&rsquo;ve got some of the loveliest
+scent&mdash;the Yamma-yamma flower from Japan.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It sounds nice,&rdquo; murmured Betty. &ldquo;But,
+girls&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Excuse me,&rdquo; murmured Grace, making a struggle to arise from the
+hammock&mdash;never a graceful feat for girl or woman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t! You&rsquo;ll spill me!&rdquo; screamed Betty, clutching at
+the yielding sides of the net. &ldquo;Grace! There!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There would have been a &ldquo;spill&rdquo; except that Amy caught the swaying
+hammock and held it until Grace managed, more or less
+&ldquo;gracelessly,&rdquo; to get out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s the empty box,&rdquo; she remarked, as it was disclosed
+where it had lain hidden between herself and Betty. &ldquo;Not a crumb left,
+Amy, my dear. But I fancy I have a fresh box in the house, if Will hasn&rsquo;t
+found them. He&rsquo;s always&mdash;snooping, if you&rsquo;ll pardon my
+slang.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t looking for candy,&rdquo; replied Amy. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s
+my handkerchief&mdash;that new lace one; I fancied I left it in the
+hammock.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wait, I&rsquo;ll get up,&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you dare
+let go, Amy. I don&rsquo;t see why I&rsquo;m so foolish as to wear this tight
+skirt. We didn&rsquo;t bother with such style when we were off on our walking
+tour.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, blessed tour!&rdquo; sighed Mollie. &ldquo;I wish we could go on
+another one&mdash;to the North Pole,&rdquo; and she vigorously fanned herself
+with a magazine cover.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty rose, and Amy found what she was looking for. Grace walked slowly over
+the shaded lawn toward her house, at which the three chums had gathered this
+beautiful&mdash;if too warm&mdash;July day. Betty, Amy, and Mollie made a
+simultaneous dive for the hammock, and managed, all three, to squeeze into it,
+with Betty in the middle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, dear!&rdquo; she cried. &ldquo;This is too much! Let me out, and you
+girls can have it to yourselves. Besides, I want to talk, and I can&rsquo;t do
+it sitting down very well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You used to,&rdquo; observed Amy, smoothing out her rather crumpled
+dress, and making dabs at her warm face with the newly discovered handkerchief.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The kind of talking I&rsquo;m going to do now calls for
+action&mdash;&lsquo;business,&rsquo; as the stage people call it,&rdquo;
+explained Betty. &ldquo;I want to walk around and swing my arms. Besides, I
+can&rsquo;t properly do justice to the subject sitting down. Oh, girls,
+I&rsquo;ve got the grandest surprise for you!&rdquo; Her eyes sparkled and her
+cheeks glowed; she seemed electrified with some piece of news.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what you said when you first came,&rdquo; spoke Mollie,
+&ldquo;but we seemed to get off the track. Start over, Betty, that&rsquo;s a
+dear, and tell us all about it. Take that willow chair,&rdquo; and Billy
+pointed to an artistic green one that harmonized delightfully with the grass,
+and the gray bark of an apple tree against which it was drawn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I&rsquo;m going to stand up,&rdquo; went on Betty. &ldquo;Anyhow, I
+don&rsquo;t want to start until Grace comes back. I detest telling a thing over
+twice.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If Grace can&rsquo;t find that box of chocolates she&rsquo;ll most
+likely run down to the store for another,&rdquo; said Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And that means we won&rsquo;t hear the surprise for ever so long,&rdquo;
+said Mollie. &ldquo;Go on, Bet, tell us, and we&rsquo;ll retell it to Grace
+when she comes. That will get rid of your objection,&rdquo; and Mollie tucked
+back several locks of her pretty hair that had strayed loose when the vigorous
+hammock-action took place.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I&rsquo;d rather tell it to you all together,&rdquo; insisted Betty,
+with a shake of her head. &ldquo;It wouldn&rsquo;t be fair to Grace to tell it
+to you two first. We&rsquo;ll wait.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go in and ask her to hurry,&rdquo; ventured Amy. She was
+always willing to do what she could to promote peace, harmony, and general good
+feeling. If ever anyone wanted anything done, Amy was generally the first to
+volunteer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no great hurry,&rdquo; said Betty, &ldquo;though from the
+way I rushed over here you might think so. But really, it is the grandest
+thing! Oh, girls, such a time as may be ahead of us this summer!&rdquo; and she
+pretended to hug herself in delight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Betty Nelson, you&rsquo;ve just got to tell us!&rdquo; insisted Mollie.
+&ldquo;Look out, Amy, I&rsquo;m going to get up.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Getting up from a hammock&mdash;or doing anything vigorous, for that
+matter&mdash;was always a serious business with quick Mollie. She generally
+warned her friends not to &ldquo;stand too close.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never mind, here comes Grace,&rdquo; interrupted Amy. &ldquo;Do sit
+still, Mollie; it&rsquo;s too warm to juggle&mdash;or is it
+jiggle?&mdash;around so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Make it wiggle,&rdquo; suggested Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do hurry, Grace,&rdquo; called Mollie &ldquo;We can&rsquo;t hear about
+the grand surprise until you get here, and we&rsquo;re both just dying to know
+what it is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t find my chocolates,&rdquo; said Grace, as she strolled
+gracefully up, making the most of her slender figure. &ldquo;I just know Will
+took them. Isn&rsquo;t he horrid!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never mind, did you bring the talcum?&rdquo; asked Amy. &ldquo;We can
+sprinkle it on green apples and pretend it&rsquo;s fruit juice.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you dare suggest such a thing when my little twins come
+along, as they&rsquo;re sure to do, sooner or later,&rdquo; spoke Mollie,
+referring to her brother and sister&mdash;Paul and Dora&mdash;or more often
+&ldquo;Dodo,&rdquo; aged four.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were &ldquo;regular tykes,&rdquo; whatever that is. Mollie said so, and
+she ought to know. &ldquo;If you gave them that idea,&rdquo; she went on,
+&ldquo;we&rsquo;d have them both in the hospital. However, they&rsquo;re not
+likely to come to-day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not?&rdquo; asked Betty, for the twins had a habit of appearing most
+unexpectedly, and in the most out-of-the-way places.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They&rsquo;re over at Aunt Kittie&rsquo;s for the day, and I told mamma
+I shouldn&rsquo;t mind if she kept them a week.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, the dears!&rdquo; murmured Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You wouldn&rsquo;t say so if you saw how they upset my room yesterday. I
+like a little peace and quietness,&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie. &ldquo;I love Paul
+and Dodo, but&mdash;and she shrugged her shoulders effectively, as only the
+French can.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here&rsquo;s the talcum,&rdquo; spoke Grace. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry
+about the chocolates. Wait until I see Will,&rdquo; and she shook an imaginary
+brother.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never mind, dear, it&rsquo;s too hot for candies, anyhow,&rdquo;
+consoled Betty. &ldquo;Pass the talcum,&rdquo; and she reached for the box that
+Mollie was then using. &ldquo;It has the most delightful odor, Grace. Where did
+you get it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a new sample lot Harrison&rsquo;s pharmacy got in. Mr.
+Harrison gave me a box to try, and said&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He wanted you to recommend it to your friends, I&rsquo;ve no
+doubt,&rdquo; remarked Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He didn&rsquo;t say so, but I haven&rsquo;t any hesitation in doing so.
+I just love it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is nice,&rdquo; said Amy. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to get some the next
+time I go down-town.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The spicy scent of the perfumed talcum powder mingled with the odor of the
+grass, the trees, and the flowers, over which the bees were humming.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come, come, Betty!&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie, vigorously, when shining
+noses had been rendered immune from the effects of the sun, &ldquo;when do we
+hear that wonderful secret of yours?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Right away! Make yourselves comfortable. I&rsquo;m going to walk about,
+and get the proper action to go with the words. Now, what did I do with that
+letter?&rdquo; and she looked in her belt, up her sleeve, and in the folds of
+her waist.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gracious, I hope I haven&rsquo;t lost it!&rdquo; she exclaimed, glancing
+about, anxiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Was it only a letter?&rdquo; asked Mollie, something of disappointment
+manifesting itself in her tones.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;<i>Only</i> a letter!&rdquo; repeated Betty, with proper emphasis.
+&ldquo;Well, I like the way you say that! It isn&rsquo;t a common letter, by
+any means.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is it from that queer Mr. Blackford, whose five hundred dollar bill we
+found when we were on our walking trip?&rdquo; asked Amy, with strange
+recollections of that queer occurrence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, it was from my uncle, Amos Marlin, a former sea captain,&rdquo; was
+the answer &ldquo;A most quaint and delightful character, as you&rsquo;ll all
+say when you meet him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then we are going to meet him?&rdquo; interjected Grace, questioningly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, he&rsquo;s coming to pay me a visit.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Was that the grand surprise?&rdquo; Amy wanted to know.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed not. Oh, there&rsquo;s the letter,&rdquo; and Betty caught up a
+piece of paper from underneath the hammock. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll read it to you.
+It&rsquo;s quite funny, and in it he says he&rsquo;s going to give me the
+grandest surprise that ever a girl had. It&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But <i>what</i> is the surprise itself?&rdquo; inquired Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, he didn&rsquo;t say exactly,&rdquo; spoke Betty, smoothing out the
+letter. &ldquo;But I know, from the way he writes, that it will be quite
+wonderful. Everything Uncle Amos does is wonderful. He&rsquo;s quite rich,
+and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hark!&rdquo; exclaimed Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A voice was calling:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Miss Ford! Miss Ford!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, Nellie, what is it?&rdquo; asked Grace, as she saw a maid coming
+towards her, beckoning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your brother wants you on the telephone, Miss Ford,&rdquo; answered the
+maid, &ldquo;he says it&rsquo;s quite important, and he wants you to please
+hurry.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Excuse me,&rdquo; flung back Grace, as she hurried off.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be back in a minute. I hope he&rsquo;s going to confess where
+he put those chocolates.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap02"></a>CHAPTER II<br />
+AFTER THE PAPERS</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hello, is this you, Will?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, this is Grace. What did you do with my chocolates? The girls are
+here, and&mdash;Never mind about the chocolates? The idea! I
+like&mdash;&mdash;. What&rsquo;s that? You want to go to the ball game? Will I
+do your errand for you? Yes, I&rsquo;m listening. Go on!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s this way, Sis,&rdquo; explained Will over the wire from a
+down-town drug store. &ldquo;This morning dad told me to go over to
+grandmother&rsquo;s and get those papers. You know; the ones in that big
+property deal which has been hanging fire so long. Grandmother has the papers
+in her safe. The deal is to be closed to-day. I promised dad I&rsquo;d go, but
+I forgot all about it, and now the fellows want me to go to the ball game with
+them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If you&rsquo;ll go over to grandmother&rsquo;s and get the papers
+I&rsquo;ll buy you a two-pound box of the best chocolates&mdash;honest, I will.
+And you can get the papers as well as I can. Grandmother expects one of the
+family over after them to-day, and she has them all ready.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You can go just as well as I can&mdash;better, in fact, and dad
+won&rsquo;t care as long as he gets the papers. You&rsquo;re to take them to
+his office. Will you do it for me, Sis? Come on, now, be a sport, and say
+yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But it&rsquo;s so hot, and Betty, Amy, and Mollie are here with me. I
+don&rsquo;t want to go all the way over to grandmother&rsquo;s after some
+tiresome old papers. Besides, it was your errand, anyhow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know it, Sis, but I don&rsquo;t want to miss that game. It&rsquo;s
+going to be a dandy! Come on, go for me, that&rsquo;s a good fellow. I&rsquo;ll
+make it three pounds.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I&rsquo;m not going. Besides, it looks like a thunder storm.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, Sis, will you go if I let you ride Prince?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your new horse?&rdquo; asked Grace, eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, you may ride Prince,&rdquo; came over the wire. Will was a good
+horseman, but for some time had to be content with rather an ordinary steed.
+Lately he had prevailed on his father to get him a new one, and Prince, a pure
+white animal, of great beauty, had been secured. It was gentle, but spirited,
+and had great speed. Grace rode well, but her mount did not suit her, and Mr.
+Ford did not want to get another just then. Will never allowed his sister to
+more than try Prince around the yard, but she was eager to go for a long canter
+with the noble animal. Now was the chance she had waited for so long.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You must want to see that ball game awfully bad, to lend me
+Prince,&rdquo; said Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do,&rdquo; answered Will. &ldquo;But be careful of him. Don&rsquo;t
+let him have his head too much or he&rsquo;ll bolt. But there&rsquo;s not a
+mean streak in him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I know that&mdash;I can manage.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then you&rsquo;ll get those papers from grandmother for me, and take
+them to dad?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I guess so, though I don&rsquo;t like leaving the girls.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, you can explain it to them. And you can &rsquo;phone down for the
+chocolates and have them sent up. Charge them to me. The girls can chew on them
+until you come back. It won&rsquo;t take you long on Prince. And say, listen,
+Sis!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, go on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Those papers are pretty valuable, dad said. There are other parties
+interested in this deal, and if they got hold of the documents it might make a
+lot of trouble.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Trouble?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. But there&rsquo;s not much chance of that. They don&rsquo;t even
+know where the papers are.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right, I&rsquo;ll get them. Have a good time at the game, Billy
+boy.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I will, and look out for Prince. So long!&rdquo; and Will hung up the
+receiver, while Grace over the private wire, telephoned to the groom to saddle
+Prince. Then she went out to tell her friends of her little trip.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And while she is doing this, I will interject a few words of explanation so
+that those who did not read the first volume of this series may have a better
+understanding of the characters and location of this story.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The first book was called &ldquo;The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale; Or, Camping and
+Tramping for Fun and Health.&rdquo; In that is given an account of how the four
+chums set off to walk about two hundred miles in two weeks, stopping nights at
+the homes of various friends and relatives on the route. At the very outset
+they stumbled on the mystery of a five hundred dollar bill, and it was not
+until the end that the strange affair was cleared up most unexpectedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The four girls were Betty Nelson, a born leader, bright, vigorous and with more
+than her share of common sense. She was the daughter of Charles Nelson, a
+wealthy carpet manufacturer. Grace Ford, tall, willowly, and exceedingly
+pretty, was blessed with well-to-do parents. Mr. Ford being a lawyer of note,
+who handled many big cases. Mollie Billette, was just the opposite type from
+Grace. Mollie was almost always in action, Grace in repose. Mollie was dark,
+Grace fair. Mollie was quick-tempered&mdash;Grace very slow to arouse. Perhaps
+it was the French blood in Mollie&mdash;blood that showed even more plainly in
+her mother, a wealthy widow&mdash;that accounted for this. Or perhaps it was
+the mischievous twins&mdash;Dodo and Paul&mdash;whose antics so often annoyed
+their older sister, that caused Mollie to &ldquo;flare up&rdquo; at times.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Amy Stonington was concerned in a mystery that she hoped would some day be
+unraveled. For years she had believed that John and Sarah Stonington were her
+father and mother, but in the first book I related how she was given to
+understand differently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It appears that, when she was a baby, Amy lived in a Western city. There came a
+flood, and she was picked up on some wreckage. There was a note pinned to her
+baby dress&mdash;or, rather an envelope that had contained a note, and this was
+addressed to Mrs. Stonington. Amy&rsquo;s mother was Mrs. Stonington&rsquo;s
+aunt, though the two had not seen each other in many years.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whether Amy&rsquo;s parents perished in the flood, as seemed likely, or what
+became of them, was never known, nor was it known whether there were any other
+children. But Mr. Stonington, after the flood, was telegraphed for, and came to
+get Amy. He and his wife had kept her ever since, and shortly before this story
+opens they had told her of the mystery surrounding her. Of course it was a
+great shock to poor Amy, but she bore it bravely. She called Mr. and Mrs.
+Stonington &ldquo;uncle&rdquo; and &ldquo;aunt&rdquo; after that.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+I described Deepdale and its surroundings in the previous book, so I will make
+no more than a passing reference to it here. Sufficient to say that the town
+nestled in a bend of the Argono River, a few miles above where that stream
+widened out into beautiful and picturesque Rainbow Lake. Then the river
+continued on its way again, increasing into quite a large body of water. On the
+river and lake plied many pleasure craft, and some built for trade, in which
+they competed with a railroad that connected with the main line to New York. In
+Rainbow Lake were a number of islands, the
+largest&mdash;Triangle&mdash;obviously so called, being quite a summer resort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Our four girls lived near each other in fine residences, that of Mollie&rsquo;s
+mother being on the bank of the river. Deepdale was a thriving community, in
+the midst of a fertile farming section.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The summer sun glinted in alternate shadows and brilliant patches on Grace Ford
+as she hurried out to her friends on the lawn, after receiving the message from
+her brother Will.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What happened?&rdquo; asked Mollie, for it was evident from the
+expression on the face of the approaching girl that something out of the
+ordinary had been the import of the message.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, it was Will. He&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did he &lsquo;fess up&rsquo; about the chocolates?&rdquo; inquired
+Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, but he&rsquo;s going to treat us to a three-pound box. I
+&rsquo;phoned down for them. They&rsquo;ll be here soon, and you girls can
+enjoy them while I&rsquo;m gone.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gone!&rdquo; echoed Betty, blankly. &ldquo;Where are you going, pray
+tell?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Will forgot to do something father told him to, and he wants me to
+do it for him. Get some rather important papers from Grandmother Ford.
+I&rsquo;m going to ride Prince. I wish you all could come. Will you be angry if
+I run away for a little while? I shan&rsquo;t be more than an hour.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Angry? Of course not,&rdquo; said Amy, gently. &ldquo;Besides,
+it&rsquo;s important; isn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I imagine so, from what Will said. But he has the baseball fever, and
+there&rsquo;s no cure for it. So if you don&rsquo;t mind I&rsquo;ll just slip
+into my habit, and canter over. Oh, I just love Prince! He&rsquo;s the finest
+horse!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m afraid of horses,&rdquo; confessed Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not!&rdquo; declared Betty, who was fond of all sports, and
+who had fully earned her title of &ldquo;Little Captain,&rdquo; which she was
+often called. &ldquo;Some day I&rsquo;m going to prevail on daddy to get me
+one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should think you&rsquo;d rather have an auto,&rdquo; spoke Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I may, some day,&rdquo; murmured Betty. &ldquo;But hurry along, Grace.
+It looks as though it might storm. We&rsquo;ll save some of the candy for
+you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;d better!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The chocolates came before Grace was ready to start after the papers, for she
+discovered a rent in her skirt and it had to be mended. Then, too, Prince
+proved a little more restive than had been anticipated, from not having been
+out in two days, and the groom suggested that he take the animal up and down
+the road on a sharp gallop to give the excess spirit a chance to be worked off.
+So Grace saw to it that she had at least part of her share of chocolates before
+she left.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I have just time to hear the rest about the grand surprise,&rdquo;
+she said to Betty, who had been turning and creasing in her hand the letter her
+uncle had written.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m afraid I can&rsquo;t go as much into detail as I thought I
+could,&rdquo; confessed Betty. &ldquo;But I&rsquo;ll read you the letter my old
+sea-captain uncle sent me. It begins: &lsquo;In port; longitude whatever you
+like, and latitude an ice cream soda.&rsquo; Then he goes on:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;&lsquo;Dear messmate. Years ago, when you first signed papers to voyage
+through life, when you weren&rsquo;t rated as an A. B., you used to have me
+spill sea-yarns for you. And you always said you were going to be a sailor,
+shiver my timbers, or something like that,&mdash;real sailor-like, so it
+sounded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;&lsquo;I never forgot this, and I always counted on taking you on a
+voyage with me. But your captain&mdash;that is to say your father&mdash;never
+would let me, and often the barometer went away down between him and me.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;&lsquo;Howsomever, I haven&rsquo;t forgotten how you liked the water,
+nor how much you wanted a big ship of your own. You used to make me promise
+that if ever I could tow the <i>Flying Dutchman</i> into port that you could
+have it for a toy. And I promised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;&lsquo;Well, now I have the chance to get the <i>Flying Dutchman</i> for
+you, and I&rsquo;m bringing it home, with sails furled so it won&rsquo;t get
+away. I&rsquo;m going to give you a grand surprise soon, and you can pass it on
+to your friends. So if you let me luff along for a few more cable lengths I
+think I&rsquo;ll make port soon, and then we&rsquo;ll see what sort of a sailor
+you&rsquo;ll make. You may expect the surprise shortly.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all there is to it,&rdquo; concluded Betty, &ldquo;and
+I&rsquo;ve been puzzling my brains as to just what the surprise may be.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s going to take you on a voyage,&rdquo; said Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s bought you some toy ship,&rdquo; was the opinion of Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, if he&rsquo;d only bring a real boat that we could make real a trip
+in!&rdquo; sighed Grace. &ldquo;That would be&mdash;lovely!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Betty Nelson! Write to your uncle right away!&rdquo; commanded Mollie,
+&ldquo;and find out exactly what he means.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t,&rdquo; sighed Betty. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s traveling, and one
+never knows where he is. We&rsquo;ll just have to wait. Besides, he is so
+peculiar that he&rsquo;d just as likely as not only puzzle me the more.
+We&rsquo;ll just have to wait; that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, if it should be some sort of a boat, even a big rowboat, we could
+have some fun,&rdquo; asserted Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, for mine isn&rsquo;t much account,&rdquo; remarked Mollie, who
+owned a small skiff on the river.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was so excited and amused when I got uncle&rsquo;s letter,&rdquo; said
+Betty, &ldquo;that I didn&rsquo;t know what to do. Mamma puzzled over it, but
+she couldn&rsquo;t make any more out of it than I could. So I decided to come
+over here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad you did,&rdquo; spoke Grace, holding up her long habit in
+one hand and delicately eating a chocolate from the other &ldquo;There comes
+James with Prince. Oh, he&rsquo;s run him too hard!&rdquo; she exclaimed as she
+noted the hard-breathing animal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, no, Miss,&rdquo; said the groom, who heard her. &ldquo;That was only
+a romp for him. He&rsquo;ll be much easier to handle now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He gave Grace a hand to help her mount to the saddle, and adjusted the stirrups
+for her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good-bye!&rdquo; she called, as she cantered off. &ldquo;Save some of
+the chocolates for me,&rdquo; and the others laughingly promised, as they went
+back to the shade, to rest in the hammock or lawn chairs.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap03"></a>CHAPTER III<br />
+THE RUNAWAY</h2>
+
+<p>
+Grace cantered along the pleasant country road on the back of Prince. The noble
+animal had lost some of his fiery eagerness to cover the whole earth in one
+jump, and now was mindful of snaffle and curb, the latter of which Grace always
+applied with gentle hand. Prince seemed to know this, for he behaved in such
+style as not to need the cruel gripping, which so many horsemen&mdash;and
+horsewomen too, for that matter, needlessly inflict.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, but it is glorious to ride!&rdquo; exclaimed the girl, as she urged
+the animal into a gallop on a soft stretch of road beneath wonderful trees that
+interlaced their branches overhead. &ldquo;Glorious&mdash;glorious!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hope those papers are not so valuable that it would be an object
+for&mdash;for some one to try to take them away from me,&rdquo; she mused.
+Instinctively she glanced behind her, but the peaceful road was deserted save
+for the sunshine and shadows playing tag in the dust. Then Grace looked above.
+The sky was of rather a somber tint, that seemed to suggest a storm to come,
+and there was a sultriness and a silence, with so little wind that it might
+indicate a coming disturbance of the elements to restore the balance that now
+seemed so much on one side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But if any one tries to get them away from us, we&mdash;we&rsquo;ll
+just&mdash;run away; won&rsquo;t we, Prince?&rdquo; and she patted the neck of
+the horse. Prince whinnied acquiescence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Grandmother will be surprised to see me,&rdquo; thought Grace, as she
+rode on. &ldquo;But I&rsquo;m glad I can do as well as Will in business
+matters. I hope papa won&rsquo;t be too severe with Will for not attending to
+this himself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She passed a drinking trough&mdash;a great log hollowed out, into which poured
+a stream of limpid water coming from a distant hill through a rude wooden pipe.
+It dripped over the mossy green sides of the trough, and Prince stretched his
+muzzle eagerly toward it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course you shall have a drink!&rdquo; exclaimed Grace, as she let him
+have his head. Then she felt thirsty herself, and looked about for something
+that would serve as a mounting block, in case she got down. She saw nothing
+near; but a ragged, barefooted, freckled-faced and snub-nosed urchin, coming
+along just then, divined her desire.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Want a drink, lady?&rdquo; he asked, smiling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Grace, &ldquo;but I have no cup.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I kin make ye one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Straightway he fashioned a natural flagon from a leaf of the wild grape vine
+that grew nearby, piercing the leaf with its own stem so that it formed a cup
+out of which a Druid might have quaffed ambrosia.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a cup,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I allers makes &rsquo;em
+that way when I wants a drink.&rdquo; He filled it from the running water and
+held it up. Grace drank thirstily, and asked for more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And here is something for you,&rdquo; she said with a smile, as she
+passed down some chocolates she had slipped into a small pocket of her riding
+habit.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, is it Christmas, or Fourth of July?&rdquo; gasped the urchin as he
+accepted them. &ldquo;Thanks, lady.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace again smiled down at him, and Prince, having dipped his muzzle into the
+cool water again, for very pleasure in having all he wanted, swung about and
+trotted on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The distance was not long now, and Grace, noting the gathering clouds, was glad
+of it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure I don&rsquo;t want to be caught in a storm,&rdquo; she
+said. &ldquo;This stuff shrinks so,&rdquo; and she glanced down at her velvet
+skirt. &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t have it made up again. I hope the storm
+doesn&rsquo;t spoil Will&rsquo;s ball game,&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She urged Prince to a faster pace, and, cantering along a quiet stretch of
+road, was soon at the house of Mr. Ford&rsquo;s mother.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why Grace!&rdquo; exclaimed the elderly lady, &ldquo;I expected Will to
+come over. Your father said&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know, grandma, but Will&mdash;well, he is wild about baseball, and I
+said I&rsquo;d come for him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That was good of you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, no it wasn&rsquo;t. I don&rsquo;t deserve any praise. Chocolates and
+Prince&mdash;a big bribe, grandma.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, you young folks! Well, come in. Thomas will see to Prince.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t stay long.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I suppose not. Your father wanted these papers in a hurry. He would
+have come himself, but he had some matters to attend to. And, its being rather
+a family affair, he did not want to send one of his law clerks. Those young men
+tattle so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wonder if they are any worse than girls, grandma?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, much&mdash;much! But come in, and I will have Ellen make you a cup
+of tea. It is refreshing on a hot day. Then I will get you the papers. It is
+very warm.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I think we will have a shower.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then I must not keep you. Is everyone well?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. How have you been?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, well enough for an old lady.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Old, grandma? I only hope I look as nice as you when I
+get&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now, my dear, no flattery. I had my share of that when I was younger,
+though I must say your grandfather knew how to turn a compliment to perfection.
+Ah, my dear, there are not many like him now-a-days. Not many!&rdquo; and she
+sighed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tea was served in the quaint old dining room, for Mrs. Ford, though keeping up
+many old customs, had adopted some modern ones, and her house was perfection
+itself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I suppose your brother told you these papers were rather valuable; did
+he not?&rdquo; asked Mrs. Ford a little later, as she brought Grace a rather
+bulky package.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, grandma.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And if they should happen to fall into other hands it might make
+trouble&mdash;at least for a time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. I will take good care of them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How can you carry them?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In the saddle. Will had pockets, made especially for his needs. They
+will fit nicety. I looked before starting out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very good. Then I won&rsquo;t keep you. Trot along. It does look as
+though we would have a storm. I hope you get back before it breaks. I would ask
+you to stay, but I know your father is waiting for those papers.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, Will said he wanted them quickly. Oh, well, I think I can out-race
+the storm,&rdquo; and Grace laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She found that she really would have to race when, a little later, out on the
+main road, the distant rumble of thunder was heard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come, Prince!&rdquo; she called. &ldquo;We must see what we can do. Your
+best foot foremost, old fellow!&rdquo; The horse whinnied in answer, and swung
+into an easy gallop that covered the ground well.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The clouds gathered thicker and faster. Now and then their black masses would
+be split by jagged flashes of lightning, that presaged the rumbling report of
+heaven&rsquo;s artillery which seemed drawing nearer to engage in the battle of
+the sky.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Prince, we are going to get wet, I&rsquo;m very much afraid,&rdquo;
+Grace exclaimed. &ldquo;And yet&mdash;well, we&rsquo;ll try a little faster
+pace!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She touched the animal lightly with the crop, and he fairly leaped into greater
+speed. But it was only too evident that they could not escape the storm. The
+clouds were more lowering now, and the bursts of thunder followed more quickly
+on the heels of the lightning flashes. Then came a few angry dashes of rain, as
+though to give sample of what was to follow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come, Prince!&rdquo; cried Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly from behind there came another sound. It was the deep staccato of the
+exhaust of an automobile, with opened muffler. It was tearing along the road.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace glanced back and saw a low, dust-covered racing car, rakish and low-hung,
+swinging along. It was evident that the occupants&mdash;two young
+men&mdash;were putting on speed to get to some shelter before the storm broke
+in all its fury.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Prince jumped nervously and shied to one side at the sound of the on-coming
+car.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quiet, old fellow,&rdquo; said Grace, soothingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The car shot past her, and at the same moment Prince waltzed to one side, or
+else the car swerved, so that only by the narrowest margin was a terrible
+accident averted. Grace heard the men shout, and there was a wilder burst of
+the opened muffler. Then she felt a shock, and she knew that the machine had
+struck and grazed Prince.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She glanced down and saw a red streak on his off fore shoulder. He had been cut
+by some part of the car.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next moment, as the racing auto swung out of sight around a bend in the
+road, Prince took the bit in his teeth and bolted. With all her strength Grace
+reined him in, but he was wildly frightened. She felt herself slipping from the
+saddle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Prince! Prince!&rdquo; she cried, bracing herself in the stirrups, and
+gripping the reins with all her might. &ldquo;Prince! Quiet, old fellow!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Prince was now beyond the reasoning power of any human voice. The thunder
+rumbled and crashed overhead. Grace, above it, could hear the whining decrease
+of the exhaust of the big car that had caused her steed to run away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Prince! Prince!&rdquo; she pleaded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He did not heed. Farther and farther she slipped from the saddle as his wild
+plunges threw her out of it. Then there came a crash that seemed to mark the
+height of the storm. A great light shone in front of Grace. Myriads of stars
+danced before her eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She flashed towards a house. From it ran two little tots, and, even in that
+terror she recognized them as Dodo and Paul, the two Billette twins. They were
+visiting a relative who lived on this road, she dimly recalled hearing Mollie
+say. Evidently the children had run out in the storm. A nursemaid caught Paul,
+but Dodo eluded the girl, and ran straight for the road along which Grace was
+plunging.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Go back! Go back!&rdquo; screamed Grace. &ldquo;Go back, Dodo!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Dodo came on. The next moment the child seemed to be beneath the feet of
+the maddened horse, which, a second later, slipped and fell, throwing Grace
+heavily. Her senses left her. All was black, and the rain pelted down while the
+lightning flashed and the thunder rumbled and roared.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap04"></a>CHAPTER IV<br />
+THE MISSING DOCUMENTS</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How do you feel now? Do you think you can drink a little of this?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Faintly Grace heard these words, as though some one, miles away, was repeating
+them through a heavy fog. Myriads of bells seemed ringing in her ears, and her
+whole body felt as though made of lead. Then she became conscious of shooting
+pains. Her head ached, there was a roaring in it. This was followed by a
+delicious drowsiness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Try and take a little of this. The doctor does not think you are badly
+hurt. Fortunately the horse did not fall on you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again it seemed as though the voice came from the distant clouds.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace tried to think&mdash;to reason out where she was, and discover what had
+happened; but when she did, that same ringing of bells sounded in her ears, her
+head ached and she felt she was losing that much-to-be desired drowsiness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Try and take it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She felt some one raise her head, supporting her shoulders. She struggled with
+herself, resolving not to give way to that lethargy. She opened her eyes with
+an effort, and looked about her in wonder. She was in a strange room, and a
+strange woman was bending over her, holding a glass of some pleasant-scented
+liquid.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There, you have roused up, my dear, try to take this,&rdquo; said the
+woman, with a smile. &ldquo;The doctor will be back to see you in a little
+while.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The doctor,&rdquo; stammered Grace. &ldquo;Am I hurt? What happened? Oh,
+I remember, Prince was frightened by the auto, and ran away. Where is
+he?&rdquo; she asked in sudden terror, as a thought came to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He got up and ran off after he fell with you,&rdquo; said the woman, as
+she held the glass for Grace to drink. &ldquo;We had no time to try and catch
+him, for there were others to attend to.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, but Prince must be caught!&rdquo; cried Grace, trying to rise from
+the couch on which she was lying, but finding it too much of an effort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He will be, my dear,&rdquo; said the woman. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t fret
+about the horse. He did not seem to be hurt.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Oh, it isn&rsquo;t so much Prince himself, though Will would feel very badly if
+anything happened to him. It is&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then Grace recalled that to mention the papers in the saddle bag might not be
+wise, so she stopped.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There now, don&rsquo;t worry, my dear,&rdquo; spoke the woman,
+soothingly. &ldquo;Some one will catch the horse,&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, he must be caught!&rdquo; cried Grace. &ldquo;You say the doctor was
+here to see me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, we sent for one soon after a passing farmer carried you in here
+when you fell and fainted. You were lying out in the rain&mdash;insensible. We
+managed to get off your wet dress, and I just slipped this dressing gown of
+mine on you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You were very kind. I can&rsquo;t seem to think very clearly,&rdquo; and
+poor Grace put her hand to her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then don&rsquo;t try, my dear: You&rsquo;ll be all right in a little
+while. Just rest. I&rsquo;ll see if the doctor can come to you now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why is he here&mdash;in the house&mdash;is some one else ill?&rdquo;
+asked Grace, quickly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, my dear. Poor little Dodo was knocked down by the horse, and we
+fear is badly hurt.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dodo?&rdquo; and the voice of Grace fairly rang at the name.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, little Dora Billette. This is her aunt&rsquo;s house. She and her
+brother Paul are visiting here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, yes! I know. They live near me in Deepdale. Their sister Mollie is
+one of my best friends. I am Grace Ford.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh yes, I know you now. I thought I recognized your face. I have seen
+you at Mollie&rsquo;s house. I am a distant relative. But rest yourself now,
+and the doctor will come to you as soon as he can. He has to attend to Dodo
+first, the little dear!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! Dodo, Dodo!&rdquo; cried Grace, much affected. &ldquo;You poor
+little darling, and to think that it was my fault! I must go to her. Mollie
+will never forgive me!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She tried to rise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lie still,&rdquo; commanded the woman, but gently. &ldquo;It was not
+your fault. I saw it all. The twins persisted in running out in the storm. The
+girl could not stop them. Dodo got away and ran directly for the horse.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I saw that. I thought she would be terribly hurt. Oh, to think it
+had to be I and Prince who did it!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was not at all your fault. If anyone is to blame it is those autoists
+for going so fast, and passing you so closely. There was no excuse for that.
+The road was plenty wide enough and they scarcely stopped a moment after you
+went down, but hurried right on. They should be arrested!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, but poor Dodo! poor Dodo!&rdquo; murmured Grace. &ldquo;Is she much
+hurt?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The doctor is not sure. He is afraid of internal injuries, and there
+seems to be something the matter with one of her legs. But we are hoping for
+the best. Here, take some more of this; the doctor left it for you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace was feeling easier now. Gradually it all came back to her; how she had
+raced to get home before the storm broke&mdash;the pursuing auto, the injured
+horse and then the heavy fall. She had no recollection of the passing farmer
+carrying her into the house.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor came into the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, how are we coming on?&rdquo; he asked, cheerfully. &ldquo;Ah, we
+have roused up I see,&rdquo; he went on, as he noted Grace sitting up. &ldquo;I
+guess it is nothing serious after all. Just a bump on the head; eh?&rdquo; and
+he smiled genially, as he took her hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I feel pretty well, except that my head aches,&rdquo; said Grace,
+rather wanly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t blame it. With that fall they say you got it is a wonder
+you have any head left,&rdquo; and he put out his hand to feel her pulse,
+nodding in a satisfied sort of way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How&mdash;how is little Dodo?&rdquo; faltered Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dr. Morrison did not answer at once. He seemed to be studying Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How is she&mdash;much hurt?&rdquo; Grace asked again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, we will hope for the best,&rdquo; he answered as cheerfully as he
+could. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t say for sure, but her left leg isn&rsquo;t in the
+shape I&rsquo;d like to see it. I am afraid the horse stepped on it. But there,
+don&rsquo;t worry. We will hope for the best.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Little Dodo&rsquo;s sister is my best chum,&rdquo; explained Grace, the
+tears coming into her eyes. &ldquo;Oh, when I saw her running toward Prince I
+thought I would faint! Poor little dear! I called to her, but she would not
+mind.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That was the trouble,&rdquo; explained Mrs. Watson, who had been
+ministering to Grace, &ldquo;she seemed just wild to get out in the
+rain.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, it may yet come out all right,&rdquo; said Dr. Morrison,
+&ldquo;but it is not going to be easy. I don&rsquo;t believe you need me any
+more&mdash;er&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He paused suggestively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Miss Ford is my name,&rdquo; Grace supplied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, yes, I am glad to know you. Now I must go back to the little
+one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Could I see her?&rdquo; asked Grace, impulsively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I had rather not&mdash;now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace caught her breath convulsively. It was worse than she had
+feared&mdash;not to even see Dodo!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But you can talk to Paul,&rdquo; went on the physician. &ldquo;Probably
+it will do him good to meet a friend. He is rather upset. His aunt, Mrs. Carr,
+with whom the children were staying for a few days, has telephoned to Mrs.
+Billette about the accident. Word came back that Nellie&mdash;is that the
+name&mdash;the larger sister&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mollie,&rdquo; said Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, then, Mollie is to come to take Paul home. We cannot move Dodo
+yet.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, is Mollie coming here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. You can arrange to go home with her if you like. I believe Mrs.
+Carr asked for a closed carriage.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then, I will go home with Mollie and Paul. Oh, will they ever forgive
+me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was not your fault at all!&rdquo; insisted Mrs. Watson.&rdquo; I saw
+the whole thing. Please don&rsquo;t worry.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, you must not,&rdquo; said the physician. &ldquo;Well, I will go back
+to my little patient,&rdquo; and he sighed, for even he was affected by
+Dodo&rsquo;s suffering.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace sought out Paul, who was with his aunt, whom Grace knew slightly. Mrs.
+Carr greeted her warmly, and put her arms about her in sympathy. Paul looked up
+at the familiar face and asked:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oo dot any tandy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, dear,&rdquo; said Grace, gently, &ldquo;but I&rsquo;ll get you some
+soon. Mollie will bring some, perhaps.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With this promise Paul was content, and Mrs. Carr left him with Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Poor Grace! With all the whirl that her head was in, feeling as wretched as she
+did, one thought was uppermost in her mind&mdash;the papers in the saddlebag.
+So much might happen to the valuable documents that were needed now&mdash;this
+very instant, perhaps&mdash;by her father. She almost wanted to go out in the
+storm and search for Prince.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But perhaps he ran straight home to the stable,&rdquo; she reasoned.
+&ldquo;In that case it will be all right, if only they think to go out and get
+them from the saddle, and take them to papa. Oh, if only Will were home from
+that ball game. What can I do? The telephone! They will be worried when they
+see Prince come home, cut, and will think I am badly hurt. I must let them know
+at once.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Carr took her unexpected guest to the telephone, and Grace was soon
+talking to her mother.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry, Momsey,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Prince ran away with
+me&mdash;an auto hit him&mdash;now don&rsquo;t faint, I am all right. I&rsquo;m
+at Mollie&rsquo;s Aunt Kittie&rsquo;s. Poor Dodo is hurt, I&rsquo;ll tell you
+about that later. But, listen. Go out to the stable&mdash;I suppose Prince ran
+there: Get those papers from the saddle, and send them to papa at once.
+Grandma&rsquo;s papers. They are very important. What? Prince has not come
+home? Oh, what can have become of him? Those missing papers! Oh, telephone to
+papa at once! He must do something,&rdquo; and Grace let the receiver fall from
+her nerveless hand as she looked out into the storm. The rain, after a long dry
+spell, was coming down furiously.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap05"></a>CHAPTER V<br />
+THE GEM</h2>
+
+<p>
+Grace and Mollie were riding home in the carriage that had been sent to bring
+Mrs. Billette to the home of her relative, for the anxious mother, on hearing
+that Dodo could not be moved, had come to look after the injured child. Paul
+went home with his sister. He was munching contentedly on some candy, and all
+thought of the recent accident and scare had vanished in the present small and
+sweet happiness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, it must have been perfectly dreadful, Grace,&rdquo; said Mollie,
+sympathetically. &ldquo;Perfectly terrible!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was! And are you sure you don&rsquo;t feel resentful toward
+me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The idea! Certainly not. It was poor Dodo&rsquo;s fault, in a way; but I
+blame those motorists more than anyone else. They should be found.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They certainly made a lot of trouble,&rdquo; admitted Grace. &ldquo;But
+I would rather find Prince than them. I wonder where he could have run
+to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, probably not far, after he got over being frightened. Doubtless
+you&rsquo;ll hear of his being found, and then you can send for him, and
+recover the papers.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If only the saddle doesn&rsquo;t come off, and get lost,&rdquo; said
+Grace. &ldquo;That would be dreadful, for there would be no telling where to
+look for it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Most likely it would be along some road. Prince would probably keep to
+the highways, and if the girth should break and the saddle come off it would be
+seen. Then, by the papers in the pockets, persons could tell to whom it
+belonged.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is just it. Papa doesn&rsquo;t want anyone to see those papers.
+Some of them have to be kept secret. Oh, I know he will feel dreadful about the
+loss, and so will Grandma! It was partly her property that was involved in the
+transaction.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But they can&rsquo;t blame you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hope not. I&rsquo;ll never be forgiven by Will for letting Prince
+throw me and run away, though. He&rsquo;ll never let me take him again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was partly Will&rsquo;s fault for not doing the errand
+himself,&rdquo; declared Mollie, with energy. &ldquo;Then this might not have
+happened. Of course I don&rsquo;t mean,&rdquo; she added hastily, &ldquo;that I
+blame him in the least for what happened to Dodo. But I mean the papers might
+not have been lost, for he would likely have carried them in his coat pocket,
+and not in the saddle.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is what I should have done, I suppose,&rdquo; spoke Grace with a
+sigh. &ldquo;But my riding habit had no pocket large enough. Oh, dear!
+I&rsquo;m afraid it will be spoiled by the mud and rain,&rdquo; for she had
+left it at Mrs. Carr&rsquo;s and had borrowed a dress to wear home in the
+carriage, a dress that was rather incongruous in conjunction with her riding
+boots and derby hat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It can be cleaned,&rdquo; consoled Mollie. &ldquo;No, Paul, not another
+bit of candy. Don&rsquo;t give him any, Grace. He&rsquo;ll be ill, and as
+I&rsquo;ll have to look after him when mamma is away I don&rsquo;t want to have
+it any harder than necessary.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Me ikes tandy,&rdquo; remarked Paul. &ldquo;Dodo ikes tandy too. Why not
+Dodo come wif us?&rdquo; His big eyes looked appealing at his sister, and her
+own filled with tears, while those of Grace were not dry.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Poor little Dodo,&rdquo; said Mollie. Then with a smile, and brushing
+away her tears, she spoke more brightly, &ldquo;but we must not be gloomy. I
+just <i>know</i> she will be all right.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shall never cease praying that she will,&rdquo; spoke Grace, softly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were splashing home through the mud. The rain was still coming down, but
+not so hard. The long, dry spell had broken, and it seemed that a continued wet
+one had set in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace was left at her house, where she found Amy and Betty ready to sympathize
+with her. Her father was there also, and Will. Both looked grave.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Seeing that family matters awaited discussion, Amy and Betty soon took their
+leave, after being assured that Grace was all right, except for a stiffness and
+a few cuts caused by the fall. A carriage took the two girls to their homes.
+Mollie had gone on with Paul.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What will happen if we can&rsquo;t find the papers?&rdquo; asked Grace
+of her father, when she had explained everything.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, there will be a lot of trouble,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and of
+course the whole matter will have to be held up. In the meanwhile, even if the
+other interests do not get the documents, they may make it unpleasant for us. I
+wish, Will, that you had done this errand yourself&mdash;not that I blame you
+Grace,&rdquo; he said quickly, &ldquo;but Will knew how very important it
+was.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m very sorry, Dad. I&rsquo;ll never cut business for a ball game
+again, and I&rsquo;ll do all I can to help out. I&rsquo;m sure Prince will soon
+come home, though, and it will be all right. I&rsquo;ll go out to the stable
+now, and if he isn&rsquo;t there I&rsquo;ll saddle Toto and go hunting.
+I&rsquo;ll start from where the accident happened, and trace Prince. Lucky
+he&rsquo;s pure white, he&rsquo;ll show up well, even in the dark.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I don&rsquo;t want you to do that,&rdquo; objected Mr. Ford.
+&ldquo;You may go to the stable, if you like, but don&rsquo;t start any search
+until morning. In the meanwhile we may hear something, or he may come back.
+It&rsquo;s too bad a night to go out. But let this be a lesson to you,
+Will.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I will; yes, sir. Poor little Sis, I can&rsquo;t tell you how sorry I
+am. Are you much hurt?&rdquo; and Will laid his hand tenderly on her head. She
+winced, for he had touched a bruised place.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry,&rdquo; she said, as brightly as she could. &ldquo;I
+am all right, and the papers may be found. It is poor little Dodo I feel so
+badly about. She&mdash;she may be a cripple, the doctor says.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No!&rdquo; exclaimed Will, aghast.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It seems terrible, but that is his opinion.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, they can do such wonderful things in surgery now a-days,&rdquo; said
+Mrs. Ford, &ldquo;that I&rsquo;m sure, in such a young child, there are many
+chances in her favor. Don&rsquo;t worry, daughter dear. Now you must go to bed,
+or you will be ill over this. Those motorists ought to be punished, if any one
+is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; agreed Mr. Ford. &ldquo;Now I must see what I can do to
+offset this loss. You don&rsquo;t suppose, do you Grace, that those men could
+have had any object in getting those papers away from you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo; asked Grace, in wonderment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I mean, did they seem to follow you&mdash;as if they had knowledge that
+the papers would be transferred to-day, and were determined to get them?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think so, Daddy. I&rsquo;m sure they didn&rsquo;t follow
+me. They just seemed to come out of the storm&mdash;trying to get away from
+it&mdash;as I was doing. I&rsquo;m sure it was all an accident&mdash;just
+carelessness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very likely. I was foolish to suggest it, but so much depends on those
+papers that I don&rsquo;t know just what to think. But there, Grace,&rdquo; as
+he kissed her, &ldquo;you must rest yourself. I will think of a way out,
+I&rsquo;m sure. Will, come with me. I may need you to make some memoranda while
+I telephone,&rdquo; and he and his son went to the library.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morning did not see Prince in the stable, and all that day Will searched
+without result. Many had seen the white horse flying wildly past, but that was
+all. Some said the saddle was still on, others that it had come off. Mr. Ford
+was much exercised over the loss of the papers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He did what he could to hold back the business, but there was a prospect of
+loss and considerable trouble if the documents were not eventually found. The
+opposing interests learned of the halt, and tried to take advantage of it. They
+were, however, only partly successful.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the meanwhile, after several days had passed, Dodo grew well enough to be
+brought home. The chief injury was to her leg, and there was grave danger of it
+being permanently lame. As soon as she was in better condition it was decided
+to have a noted specialist treat her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Prince remained missing, nor was there any report of the saddle being located,
+though Mr. Ford offered a liberal reward for that, or the return of the horse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty had telephoned for her three friends. Her voice held in it the hint of
+pleasure and mystery both, but to all inquiries of what was wanted she returned
+only the answer:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come and see. I want you to meet some one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was two weeks after the accident, and, in a great measure, the bitter
+memories of it had passed. Dodo was doing as well as could be expected, and,
+save for a slight limp, Grace had fully recovered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The three chums&mdash;&ldquo;graces&rdquo; Will called them&mdash;arrived at
+Betty&rsquo;s house at the same time. With sparkling eyes she led them into the
+parlor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But what is it?&rdquo; whispered Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If it&rsquo;s a strange young man, I&rsquo;m not going to go and meet
+him,&rdquo; said Mollie, with quick decision.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a man, but not young, and I think you&rsquo;ll be glad to
+meet him,&rdquo; answered Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace instinctively looked at her dress.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, you&rsquo;re all right!&rdquo; cried Betty. Then she threw open the
+parlor door. &ldquo;Here they are, Uncle Amos!&rdquo; she cried, gaily, and the
+girls beheld a rather grizzled, elderly man, with tanned face and hands, and
+wrinkled cheeks, like an apple that has kept all winter, with the merriest blue
+eyes imaginable, and when he spoke there sounded the heartiest voice that could
+well fit into the rather small parlor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Avast there!&rdquo; he cried, as he saw the girls. &ldquo;So these are
+your consorts; eh, Bet? They do you proud! May I be keel-hauled if I&rsquo;ve
+seen a prettier set of sails on a craft in a long while. It&rsquo;s good
+rigging&mdash;good rigging,&rdquo; and he glanced particularly at the dresses.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty presented her friends in turn, and Mr. Martin had something odd to say to
+each as he shook hands heartily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Uncle Amos has brought the&mdash;surprise,&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;But
+even yet he won&rsquo;t tell me what it is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If I did it wouldn&rsquo;t be a surprise!&rdquo; he protested.
+&ldquo;But I&rsquo;m all prepared to pilot you down to where she is.
+She&rsquo;s in the offing, all fitted for a cruise. All she needs is a captain
+and crew, and I think Bet here will be the one, and you girls the other. I may
+ship as cook or cabin boy, if you&rsquo;ll have me, but that is as may be. Now,
+if you&rsquo;re ready we&rsquo;ll go down to the dock and see how the tide
+is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But we have no tide here, Uncle Amos,&rdquo; spoke Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What! No tide! What sort of a place is it without a tide? I&rsquo;m
+disappointed, lass, disappointed!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll try and have one made for you,&rdquo; said Mollie, with a
+laugh.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s it! That&rsquo;s the way to talk. Salt water and a tide
+would make any place, even a desert&mdash;er&mdash;er&mdash;what is it I want
+to say, Bet?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know, Uncle, unless that it would make the desert blossom
+like the rose.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s it&mdash;a rose. You luffed just at the right time. Well,
+ladies, all hands have been piped to quarters, so we&rsquo;ll start. It&rsquo;s
+nearly four bells, and I told the mate I&rsquo;d be there by then. Let&rsquo;s
+start.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And start they did. On the way toward the river, whither Mr. Marlin insisted on
+leading the girls, Betty explained how her uncle had arrived unexpectedly that
+day, and had talked mysteriously about the surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a boat&mdash;I&rsquo;m sure it is,&rdquo; said Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, he&rsquo;d talk that same way about an automobile or an
+airship,&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;He calls everything, &lsquo;she,&rsquo; and
+if it was an auto he&rsquo;d &lsquo;anchor&rsquo; it near the river just to be
+close to the water he loves so much.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What if it&rsquo;s an airship?&rdquo; asked Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shall&mdash;learn to run it!&rdquo; declared Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes I shall.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let us hope it is but a rowboat then,&rdquo; sighed Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They went out on the public dock in the Argono River. At the string piece was
+tied what the girls saw was one of the neatest motor boats that, as Will said
+afterward, &ldquo;ever ate a gasoline sandwich.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a trunk cabin, an ample cockpit at the stern, a little cooking
+galley, a powerful motor, complete fittings and everything that the most
+exacting motor boat enthusiast could desire.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There she is!&rdquo; cried Mr. Marlin. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s the
+surprise, Bet. I got her for you! I named her the <i>Gem</i>&mdash;for she is a
+gem. Aside from an ocean steamer there&rsquo;s no better boat built. I saw to
+it myself. I&rsquo;ve been planning that for you for years. And there you are.
+The <i>Gem</i> is yours. I want you girls to take a cruise in her, and if you
+don&rsquo;t have a good time it will be your own fault. There&rsquo;s the
+<i>Gem</i> for you, Betty. Let&rsquo;s go aboard and see if that rascally mate
+has grub ready. There&rsquo;s the <i>Gem!</i>&rdquo; and he led the way toward
+the beautiful boat. The girls simply gasped with delight, and Betty turned
+pale&mdash;at least Grace said so.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap06"></a>CHAPTER VI<br />
+READY FOR A CRUISE</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What a pretty cabin!&rdquo; cried Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And see the places to put things!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Places to put things!&rdquo; fairly snorted Mr. Marlin, or to give him
+his proper title, Captain Marlin. &ldquo;Places! Huh! Lockers, young ladies!
+Lockers! That&rsquo;s where you <i>put</i> things. The aft starboard locker,
+the for&rsquo;d port locker. You must learn sea lingo if you&rsquo;re to cruise
+in the <i>Gem</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls were still aboard the new motor boat. They could not seem to leave it
+since Betty had been told that it was a gift from her uncle. They inspected
+every part, turned the wheel, daintily touched the shining motor, and even
+tried the bunks.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There is room for five in the cabin,&rdquo; said Betty, looking about.
+&ldquo;If we wanted to take another girl with us we could, when we go
+cruising.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Or a chaperone,&rdquo; added Grace. &ldquo;We may have to do that, you
+know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, we can,&rdquo; admitted Betty. &ldquo;The question is, shall we go
+on a cruise?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ask us!&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie with a laugh. &ldquo;Just ask us!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do ask you,&rdquo; retorted the little captain of the <i>Gem</i>.
+&ldquo;Girls, you are hereby invited to accompany me on a cruise to
+go&mdash;Oh, where can we go?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To Rainbow Lake, of course,&rdquo; said Grace, promptly. &ldquo;We can
+go down the river into the lake, motor about it, go out into the lower river if
+we want to, camp on an island or two, if we like, and have a general good
+time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the way to talk!&rdquo; cried Captain Marlin. &ldquo;And
+I&rsquo;ll come with you part of the time. There&rsquo;s some extra bunks back
+here maybe you didn&rsquo;t see,&rdquo; and he showed them three folding ones
+in the cockpit back of the trunk cabin, where awnings could be stretched in
+stormy weather, enclosing that part of the craft.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But what makes the boat go?&rdquo; asked gentle Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The motor makes it &lsquo;mote,&rsquo;&rdquo; spoke Betty.
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s up in front; isn&rsquo;t it, Uncle Amos?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Up in front! There you go again, Bet. Up in front! You mean
+for&rsquo;ard; up for&rsquo;ard!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right, Uncle, I forgot. Come, we&rsquo;ll show these girls
+where the motor is,&rdquo; and she led the way to where the machinery was
+enclosed in a large compartment in the bow, close by hinged wing-covers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The motor, one of three cylinders, was a self-starter, but by means of a crank
+and chain could be started from the steering platform, just aft of the trunk
+cabin, in case of emergency. There was a clutch, so that the motor could be set
+in motion without starting the boat, until the clutch, set for forward or
+reverse motion, had been adjusted, just as the motor of an automobile can be
+allowed to run without the car itself moving.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And what a dear little stove in the kitchen!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty, as
+the girls looked in the cooking compartment&mdash;it was not much more than a
+compartment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Kitchen!&rdquo; cried Captain Marlin. &ldquo;That isn&rsquo;t a
+kitchen!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What is it?&rdquo; Amy wanted to know.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The galley, lass, the galley. That&rsquo;s where we cook aboard a ship,
+in the galley. There&rsquo;s an alcohol and oil stove combined. You can have
+chafing dish parties&mdash;is that what you call them? and he laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right, Uncle,&rdquo; cried Betty. &ldquo;And see
+the&mdash;what are we supposed to call these?&rdquo; and she pointed to pots,
+pans, dishes and other utensils that hung around the galley.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, call &rsquo;em galley truck, that&rsquo;s as good a name as
+any,&rdquo; said the old captain. &ldquo;Do you like this, Bet?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Like it, Uncle Amos! It&rsquo;s the dearest little boat in the world. I
+don&rsquo;t deserve it. You are so good to get it for me, and it was such a
+surprise.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I calculated it would be a surprise, all right. But I didn&rsquo;t
+forget that you always wanted to be a sailor, and so when I got the chance, I
+made up my mind I&rsquo;d get you something worth while before I got sent to
+Davy Jones&rsquo; locker.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where is that?&rdquo; asked Amy, innocently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, he means before he got drowned, or something like that,&rdquo;
+explained Betty. &ldquo;Oh, Uncle Amos, you&rsquo;re a dear!&rdquo; and she
+kissed him, somewhat to his confusion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So I got a man to build this boat to suit my ideas,&rdquo; went on the
+old seaman. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s equipped for salt water, if so be you should ever
+want to take a trip to sea.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never!&rdquo; cried Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, you never can tell,&rdquo; he said sagely. &ldquo;After she was
+finished I had him ship her here, and then I got her into the water. I will
+say, that, for her size, she is a sweet little craft. And I hope you&rsquo;ll
+like her, Bet.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Like her! Who could help it? Uncle you&rsquo;re a&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No more kissing, Bet. I&rsquo;m too old for that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The idea! Oh, girls, aren&rsquo;t the bunks too cute for
+anything!&rdquo; and Betty sat down on one.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And the dining room&mdash;may I call it that?&rdquo; Grace timidly asked
+of the captain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, saloon is a better word, but let it go,&rdquo; he murmured.
+&ldquo;Now, what do you say to a little run down the river? It will give you an
+idea of how to handle her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, how lovely!&rdquo; cried Betty. &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s go, girls.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That man is from the firm that built the craft,&rdquo; went on the
+former sailor. &ldquo;He&rsquo;ll show you all the wrinkles,&rdquo; and he
+motioned to a man standing near.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lines were cast off, the motor started, the clutch thrown in and then, with
+Captain Betty at the wheel, her uncle standing near to instruct her, the
+<i>Gem</i> started down the stream, attracting not a little attention.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This is a sea wheel,&rdquo; explained the captain. &ldquo;That is, you
+turn it the opposite way to what you want the boat to go. I wouldn&rsquo;t have
+a land-lubber&rsquo;s wheel on any boat I built. So don&rsquo;t forget, Bet,
+your boat shifts opposite to the way you turn the wheel.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll remember, Uncle.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With dancing eyes and flushed faces, the girls sat in the cockpit back, or
+&ldquo;aft,&rdquo; of the trunk cabin, and watched Betty steer. She did very
+well, for she had had some practice in a small motor boat the girls
+occasionally hired.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I couldn&rsquo;t have had anything in the world I wanted more than
+this!&rdquo; she cried to her uncle. &ldquo;It is just great!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you think you girls will go for a cruise?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am sure we will, and as soon as we can. It will be the very thing for
+the hot summer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t Will just love this?&rdquo; sighed Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps Betty will invite him and Allen Washburn and Percy Falconer to
+come along on a trip or two,&rdquo; said Mollie, with a wink at her chums as
+she mentioned Percy&rsquo;s name. The latter was a foppish young man about
+town, who tried to be friendly with Betty; but she would have none of him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never Percy!&rdquo; she declared. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll ask Will, of course,
+and Frank Haley, but&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not Allen?&rdquo; inquired Amy, mischievously, for it was no great
+secret that Betty really liked Allen, a young law student, and that he was
+rather attentive to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Which way shall I steer to pass that boat, Uncle?&rdquo; asked Betty, to
+change a subject that was getting too personal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Port,&rdquo; he answered briefly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And that is&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; she hesitated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The left,&rdquo; he answered quickly. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s easy if you
+think that the letter L comes before the letter P and that L is the beginning
+of left. Port means left, always.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure it&rsquo;s easy to say left and right,&rdquo; commented
+Grace, who was eating a chocolate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hum!&rdquo; exclaimed the old captain, disapprovingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The <i>Gem</i> proved worthy of her name. The girls made a little trip about
+the river, and then Captain Marlin, on learning that there was a boat house and
+dock on the property of Mollie&rsquo;s mother, steered the craft there, where
+it would be tied up until the girls started on their cruise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And that they would cruise was fully decided on in the next few days. Now that
+the great surprise was known, plans were made to spend some time on the lake
+and river in the new craft.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The wonder and delight of it grew. Each day the girls discovered something
+different about Betty&rsquo;s boat. It was most complete, and practical. The
+boys were in transports over it, and when Will and his chum Frank Haley were
+allowed to steer they could not talk enough about it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Preparations for the cruise went on apace. Captain Marlin oversaw them at odd
+times, for he was in business, and made trips between New York and Deepdale.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the meanwhile Grace fully recovered from the runaway accident. Not so poor
+Dodo, however, and it was feared that the little girl would have to be operated
+on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When?&rdquo; asked Betty, thinking that this would spoil Mollie&rsquo;s
+trip.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, not for some time,&rdquo; was the answer. &ldquo;They are going to
+try everything else first.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Some of the mothers arranged to go along on part of the cruises, and other
+married ladies volunteered for the remaining days, so the girls would be
+properly chaperoned. Then began the final preparations.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And if you see anything of Prince on your wanderings, don&rsquo;t fail
+to catch him,&rdquo; begged Will, a few nights before the day set for the
+start.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We will,&rdquo; promised Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The telephone rang&mdash;they were all at Grace&rsquo;s house. She answered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, yes. This is Mr. Ford&rsquo;s residence. What&rsquo;s
+that&mdash;you have a stray white horse? Oh, Will, maybe it&rsquo;s
+Prince!&rdquo; and she turned eagerly to her brother. &ldquo;A man from
+Randall&rsquo;s livery stable is on the wire. He says they have a white horse
+that was just brought in. A farmer says he found him wandering about the
+country. Hurry down there!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap07"></a>CHAPTER VII<br />
+STOWAWAYS</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then he isn&rsquo;t your horse, Will?&rdquo; It was Mr. Randall, the
+livery stable keeper who asked this question as Grace&rsquo;s brother
+critically inspected an animal that was led out for view in the stable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, that isn&rsquo;t Prince,&rdquo; was the answer. &ldquo;He looks
+enough like him, though, to be his brother. I&rsquo;m much obliged for calling
+me up.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Will had hastened down after the receipt of the message Grace had taken over
+the telephone, for Randall&rsquo;s, as had all livery stables in the vicinity,
+had been notified to be on the lookout for the strangely missing animal, who
+might be wandering about the country carrying valuable documents in the saddle
+pocket.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Two young fellows drove in here with this horse, and asked if they could
+put him up for a while,&rdquo; went on the livery man. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t
+like the way they acted, but I didn&rsquo;t see how they could do me any harm,
+so I said they could. Then I got to thinking about your horse, and I called up.
+I&rsquo;m sorry to disappoint you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry myself, Mr. Randall. I can&rsquo;t imagine where Prince
+can be.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, some one has him, you may be sure of that. A valuable horse like
+that wouldn&rsquo;t go long without an owner. Maybe some one has changed his
+color&mdash;dyed him, you know. That has been done. Of course the dye
+doesn&rsquo;t last forever, but in this case it might hold long enough for the
+excitement to subside.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, if they&rsquo;ll send back the papers, they can keep the horse, as
+much as I like Prince,&rdquo; Spoke Will, as he started home to tell his sister
+and the girls the details of the unsuccessful trip. He had already briefly
+telephoned to them of his disappointment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, isn&rsquo;t it too bad!&rdquo; cried Horace, as Will came back.
+&ldquo;Do you really think, Will, that some one has Prince and the
+papers?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It looks so, Sis. Has dad said anything lately?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I believe the other side hasn&rsquo;t done anything, either, which
+might go to show that they haven&rsquo;t the papers. But it&rsquo;s all so
+uncertain. Well, girls,&rdquo; and she turned to her guests, &ldquo;I guess we
+can finish talking about what we will wear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Which, means that I must become like a tree in Spring,&rdquo; sighed
+Will.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How is that?&rdquo; asked Amy. &ldquo;Is it a riddle?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He means he must leave&mdash;that&rsquo;s an old one,&rdquo; mocked
+Mollie. &ldquo;Any candy left, Grace?&rdquo; and Mollie, who had been
+artistically posing on a divan, crossed the room to where Grace sat near a
+table strewn with books and papers, a box of chocolates occupying the place of
+honor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course there are some left,&rdquo; answered Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Which is a wonder!&rdquo; exclaimed Will, as he hurried out of the room
+before his sister could properly punish him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Will we wear our sailor costumes all the while?&rdquo; asked Betty, for
+the girls, as soon as the cruise in the <i>Gem</i> had been decided on, had had
+suits made on the sailor pattern, with some distinctive changes according to
+their own ideas. Betty had been informally named &ldquo;Captain,&rdquo; a title
+with which she was already more or less familiar.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, of course we&rsquo;ll wear our sailors&mdash;middy blouses and
+all&mdash;while we&rsquo;re aboard&mdash;ahem!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty, with
+exaggerated emphasis. &ldquo;Notice my sea terms,&rdquo; she directed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, you are getting to be a regular sailor,&rdquo; said Mollie.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got a book home with a lot of sea words in. I&rsquo;m going
+to learn them, and also how to tie sailor knots.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then maybe your shoe laces won&rsquo;t come undone so easily,&rdquo;
+challenged Grace, and she thrust out her own dainty shoe, and tapped the patent
+leather tip of Mollie&rsquo;s tie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is not!&rdquo; came indignantly from Billy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is loose, and it may trip you,&rdquo; advised Amy, and Mollie,
+relinquishing a candy she had selected with care, bent over. The moment she did
+so Grace appropriated the Sweetmeat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As I said,&rdquo; went on Betty, &ldquo;we can wear our sailor suits
+when aboard. When we go ashore we can wear our other dresses.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to take a lot of clothes,&rdquo; declared Grace,
+getting ready to defend herself against Mollie when the latter should have
+discovered the loss of the tidbit. &ldquo;One reason we had such a good time on
+our &lsquo;hike,&rsquo; was that we didn&rsquo;t have to bother with a lot of
+clothes. We shall enjoy ourselves much more, I think.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I agree with you, my dear,&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;Besides, we
+haven&rsquo;t room for many things on the <i>Gem</i>. Not that I want to
+deprive you of anything,&rdquo; she added, quickly, for she realized her
+position as hostess. &ldquo;But really, to be comfortable, we don&rsquo;t want
+to be crowded, and if we each take our smallest steamer trunk I think that will
+hold everything, and then we&rsquo;ll have so much more room. The trunks will
+go under the bunks very nicely.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then we&rsquo;ll agree to that,&rdquo; said Mollie. &ldquo;Two sailor
+suits, so we can change; one nice shore dress, if we are asked anywhere, and
+one rough-and-ready suit for work&mdash;or play.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good!&rdquo; cried Amy. &ldquo;As for shoes&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who took my candy?&rdquo; cried Mollie, discovering the loss of the one
+she had put down to tie her lace. &ldquo;It was the only one in the box
+and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace laughed, and thus acknowledged her guilt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got another box up stairs,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll
+get it,&rdquo; which she proceeded to do.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Grace, you&rsquo;ll ruin your digestion with so much sweet stuff,&rdquo;
+declared Betty, seriously. &ldquo;Really you will.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I suppose so, my dear; but really I can&rsquo;t seem to help it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As captain of the <i>Gem</i> I&rsquo;m going to put you on short
+rations, as soon as our cruise begins,&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;It will do you
+good.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps it will,&rdquo; Grace admitted, with a sigh. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll
+be glad to have you do it. Now, is everything arranged for?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; answered Betty, &ldquo;This is how it stands: We are to
+start on Tuesday, and motor down the river, taking our time. Aunt Kate will go
+with us for the first few days, and, as you know, we have arranged for other
+chaperones on the rest of the cruise. We will eat aboard, when we wish to, or
+go ashore for meals if it&rsquo;s more convenient. Of course we will sleep
+aboard, tying up wherever we can find the best place.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I plan to get to Rainbow Lake about the second day, and we will spend a
+week or so on that, visiting the different points of interest&mdash;I&rsquo;m
+talking like a guide book, I&rsquo;m afraid,&rdquo; she apologized with a
+smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right&mdash;go on, Little Captain,&rdquo; said Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, then, I thought we might do a little camping on Triangle, or one
+of the other islands, say, for three or four days.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t camp on Triangle,&rdquo; suggested Grace. &ldquo;There are
+too many people there, and we can&rsquo;t be free. There&rsquo;d always be a
+lot of curious ones about, looking at our boat, and our things, and all
+that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very well, we can pick out some other island,&rdquo; agreed Betty.
+&ldquo;You know there is to be a regatta, and water sports, on Rainbow Lake
+just about the time we get there, and we can take part, if we like.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do! And if we can get in a race we will!&rdquo; cried Mollie, with
+sparkling eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Uncle Amos has promised to be with us some of the time,&rdquo; went on
+Betty. &ldquo;And I suppose we will have to invite the boys occasionally, just
+for the day, you know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, don&rsquo;t make too much of an effort,&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie.
+&ldquo;Allen Washburn said he might be going abroad this summer, anyhow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who said anything about him?&rdquo; demanded Betty, with a blush.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No one; but I can read&mdash;thoughts!&rdquo; answered Mollie, helping
+herself to another candy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I meant Will and Frank,&rdquo; went on Betty. &ldquo;They would like to
+come.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure of it,&rdquo; murmured Grace&mdash;literally
+murmured&mdash;for she had a marshmallow chocolate between her white teeth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How about Percy Falconer?&rdquo; asked Amy, mischievously. &ldquo;I am
+sure he would wear a perfectly stunning&mdash;to use his own word&mdash;sailor
+suit.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you dare mention his name!&rdquo; cried Betty. &ldquo;I
+detest him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let us have peace!&rdquo; quoted Mollie. &ldquo;Then it&rsquo;s all
+settled&mdash;we&rsquo;ll cruise and camp and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cruise again,&rdquo; finished Betty. &ldquo;For we have two months,
+nearly, ahead of us; and we won&rsquo;t want to camp more than a week, perhaps.
+We can go into the lower river, below Rainbow Lake, too, I think. It is
+sometimes rough there, but the <i>Gem</i> is built for rough weather, Uncle
+Amos says.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls discussed further the coming trip and then, as each one had
+considerable to do still to get ready, they went gaily to their several homes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Will came in later, looked moodily into an empty candy box, and exclaimed:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You might have left a few, Sis.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What! With four girls? Will, you expect too much.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wonder if I&rsquo;ll be disappointed in expecting a ride in
+Betty&rsquo;s boat?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, we are going to be very kind and forgiving, and ask you and Frank. I
+believe Betty is planning it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good for her. She&rsquo;s a brick! I wish, though, that we could clear
+up this business about the papers.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So do I. Wasn&rsquo;t it unfortunate?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. How is little Dodo coming on?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not very well, I&rsquo;m afraid,&rdquo; and Grace sighed. The injury to
+the child hung like a black shadow, over her. &ldquo;The specialist is going to
+see her soon again. He has some hopes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s good; cheer up, Sis! Come on down town and I&rsquo;ll blow
+you to a soda.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;&lsquo;Blow&rsquo;&mdash;such slang!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s no worse than &lsquo;hike.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I suppose not. Wait until I fix my hair.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good night!&rdquo; gasped Will. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to wait an
+hour. I&rsquo;m thirsty!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I won&rsquo;t be a minute.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what they all say.&rdquo; But Grace was really not very
+long.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In answer to a telephone message next day the three chums assembled at
+Betty&rsquo;s house.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think we will go for a little trip all by ourselves on the river this
+afternoon,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Every time so far Uncle Amos, or one of the
+boys, has been with us. We must learn to depend on ourselves.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is so,&rdquo; agreed Mollie. &ldquo;It will be lovely, it is such a
+nice day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just a little trip,&rdquo; went on Betty, &ldquo;to see if we have
+forgotten anything of our instructions.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just then a clock chimed out eight strokes, in four sections of two strokes
+each.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Eight o&rsquo;clock!&rdquo; exclaimed Amy. &ldquo;Your timepiece must be
+wrong, Betty. It&rsquo;s nearer noon than eight.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s eight bells&mdash;twelve o&rsquo;clock,&rdquo; said the
+pretty hostess, with a laugh. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a new marine clock Uncle Amos
+gave me for the <i>Gem</i>. It keeps time just as it is done on
+shipboard.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And when it&rsquo;s eight o&rsquo;clock it&rsquo;s twelve,&rdquo;
+murmured Grace. &ldquo;Do you have to do subtraction and addition every time
+the clock strikes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, you see, eight bells is the highest number. It is eight bells at
+eight o&rsquo;clock, at four o&rsquo;clock and at twelve&mdash;either at night,
+or in the daytime.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I&rsquo;m sure I&rsquo;ll never learn that,&rdquo; sighed Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is very simple,&rdquo; explained Betty, &ldquo;Now it is eight
+bells&mdash;twelve o&rsquo;clock noon. At half-past twelve it will be one bell.
+Then half an hour later, it will be two bells&mdash;one o&rsquo;clock. You see,
+every half hour is rung.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Worse and worse!&rdquo; protested Mollie. &ldquo;What time is it at two
+o&rsquo;clock?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Four bells,&rdquo; answered Betty, promptly. &ldquo;Why, I thought four
+bells was four o&rsquo;clock,&rdquo; spoke Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, eight bells is four o&rsquo;clock in the after-noon, and also four
+o&rsquo;clock in the morning. Then it starts over again with one bell, which
+would be half-past four; two bells, five; three hells, half-past five,
+and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, stop! stop! you make my head ache!&rdquo; cried Grace, &ldquo;Has
+anyone a chocolate cream?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They all laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;ll soon understand it,&rdquo; said Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s worse than remembering to turn the steering wheel the
+opposite way you want to go,&rdquo; objected Mollie. &ldquo;But we are
+young&mdash;we may learn in time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The <i>Gem</i> was all ready to start, and the girls, reaching Mollie&rsquo;s
+house, in the rear of which, at a river dock, the boat was tied, went aboard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you enough gasoline?&rdquo; asked Amy, as she helped Betty loosen
+the mooring ropes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I telephoned for the man to fill the tank this morning. Look at the
+automatic gauge and see if it isn&rsquo;t registered,&rdquo; for there was a
+device on the boat that did away with the necessity of taking the top off the
+tank and putting a dry stick down, to ascertain how much of the fluid was on
+hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, it&rsquo;s full,&rdquo; replied Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then here we go!&rdquo; cried Betty, as the other girls shoved off from
+the dock, and the Little Captain pushed the automatic starter. With a throb and
+a roar the motor took up its staccato song of progress. When sufficiently away
+from the dock Betty let in the clutch, and the craft shot swiftly down the
+stream.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, this is glorious!&rdquo; cried Mollie, as she stood beside Betty,
+the wind fanning her cheeks and blowing her hair in a halo about her face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perfect!&rdquo; echoed Amy. &ldquo;And even Grace has forgotten to eat a
+chocolate for ten minutes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, let me alone&mdash;I just want to enjoy this!&rdquo; exclaimed the
+candy-loving maiden. They had been going along for some time, taking turns
+steering, saluting other craft by their whistle, and being saluted in turn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s go sit down on the stern lockers,&rdquo; proposed Grace
+after a while, the lockers being convertible into bunks on occasion. As the
+girls went aft, there came from the forward cabin a series of groans.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo; cried Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Some one is in there!&rdquo; added Grace, clinging to Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again a groan, and some suppressed laughter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There are stowaways aboard!&rdquo; cried Betty. &ldquo;Girls, we must
+put ashore at once and get an officer!&rdquo; and she shifted the wheel.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap08"></a>CHAPTER VIII<br />
+A HINT OF GHOSTS</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who can they be?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It sounds like more than one!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Anyhow, they can&rsquo;t get out!&rdquo; It was Betty who said this
+last, Grace and Mollie having made the foregoing remarks. And Betty had no
+sooner detected the presence on the <i>Gem</i> of stowaways than she had pulled
+shut the sliding door leading into the trunk cabin, and had slid the hatch
+cover forward, fastening both with the hasps.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They&rsquo;ll stay there until we get an officer,&rdquo; she explained.
+&ldquo;Probably they are tramps!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Betty!&rdquo; It was a startled trio who cried thus.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, maybe only boys,&rdquo; admitted the Little Captain, as a
+concession. &ldquo;They may have come aboard, intending to go off for a ride in
+my boat, and we came just in time. They hid themselves in there. That&rsquo;s
+what I think about it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you are exactly right, Betty!&rdquo; unexpectedly exclaimed a voice
+from behind the closed door. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s exactly how it happened.
+We&rsquo;re sorry&mdash;we&rsquo;ll be good!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dot any tandy?&rdquo; came in childish accents from another of the
+stowaways.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls looked at one another in surprise. Then a light dawned on them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t have us arrested!&rdquo; pleaded another voice, with
+laughter in it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s Will!&rdquo; cried Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And Frank Haley!&rdquo; added Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And Paul!&rdquo; spoke Mollie. &ldquo;Little brother, are you in
+there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They listened for the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ess, I&rsquo;se here. Oo dot any tandy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The boys put him up to that,&rdquo; whispered Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty slid open the door, and there stood Will and Frank, with Paul between
+them. The boys looked sheepish&mdash;the child expectant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I ought to put you two in irons,&rdquo; spoke Betty, but with a smile.
+&ldquo;I believe that is what is done with stowaways.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Couldn&rsquo;t you ship us before the mast?&rdquo; asked Will, with a
+chuckle. &ldquo;That is the very latest manner of dealing with gentlemen who
+are unexpectedly carried off on a cruise.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Unexpectedly?&rdquo; asked Grace, with meaning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; went on her brother. &ldquo;We just happened to come
+aboard to look over the boat, Frank and I. Then Paul wandered down here, and
+before we knew it we heard you coming. For a joke we hid under the bunks, and
+thought to give you a little scare. We didn&rsquo;t think you were going for a
+spin, but when you started we just made up our minds to remain hidden until you
+got far enough out so you wouldn&rsquo;t want to turn back. That&rsquo;s what
+stowaways always do,&rdquo; he concluded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad you do things as they ought to be done,&rdquo; remarked
+Betty, swinging the wheel over. She had changed her mind about going ashore
+after an officer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dot any tandy?&rdquo; asked Paul again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do give him some, if you have any,&rdquo; begged Will. &ldquo;We bribed
+him with the promise of some to keep quiet. Surely he has earned it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here,&rdquo; said Grace, impulsively, as she extended some to the tot,
+who at once proceeded to get as much outside his face as into his mouth. Then
+she added rather sternly: &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think this was very nice of you,
+Will. Betty didn&rsquo;t invite you aboard.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, that&rsquo;s all right!&rdquo; said Betty, good-naturedly.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad they&rsquo;re here now&mdash;let them stay. I&rsquo;m so
+relieved to find they aren&rsquo;t horrid tramps. Besides, the motor may
+not&mdash;mote&mdash;and we&rsquo;d need help&mdash;We will make them work
+their passage.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Aye, aye, sir!&rdquo; exclaimed Frank, pulling his front hair,
+sailor-fashion. &ldquo;Shall we holystone the decks, or scrub the lee scuppers?
+You have but to command us!&rdquo; and he bowed exaggeratedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You may steer if you like,&rdquo; said Betty, graciously, and Frank and
+Will were both so eager for the coveted privilege that they had to draw lots to
+settle who should stand the first &ldquo;trick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For Betty&rsquo;s boat was a beauty, and the envy not only of Will and Frank,
+but of every other boy in Deepdale. So it is no wonder these two stowed
+themselves away for the chance of getting a ride in the fine craft.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s go down as far as one of the lake islands,&rdquo; suggested
+Will, who was now at the wheel, his turn having come.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can we get back in time?&rdquo; asked Betty. &ldquo;The river is high
+now, after the rains, and there&rsquo;s quite a current.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, the <i>Gem</i> has speed and power enough to do it in style,&rdquo;
+declared Frank. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll guarantee to get you back in time for
+supper.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right,&rdquo; agreed the captain, who had gone into the cabin with
+the other girls.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And perhaps we can pick out a good place to go camping,&rdquo; added
+Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boys directed the course of the boat, while the girls looked after Paul.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We must stop at some place where there is a telephone,&rdquo; said
+Mollie, &ldquo;and I&rsquo;ll send word to mamma that Paul is with me. She may
+be worried.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, do,&rdquo; suggested Betty. A little later the girls saw that the
+boys were approaching a dock, the main one of a small town just below Deepdale.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where are you going?&rdquo; asked Grace of her brother.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Going to tie up for a minute. Frank and I want to make amends for
+sneaking aboard, so we thought you&rsquo;d like some soda. There&rsquo;s a
+grocery store here that keeps pretty good stuff.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, yes, I know Mr. Lagg!&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie. &ldquo;Barry Lagg is
+his name. He&rsquo;s real quaint and jolly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then let&rsquo;s go ashore for the soda ourselves, and meet him,&rdquo;
+suggested Grace. &ldquo;I am very thirsty. What is Mr. Lagg&rsquo;s special
+line of jollity?&rdquo; she asked Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, he makes up little verses as he waits on you. You&rsquo;ll
+see,&rdquo; was Mollie&rsquo;s answer. I often stop in for a little something
+to eat when I am out rowing. He is a nice old gentleman, very polite, and he
+has lots of queer stories to tell.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Has he dot any tandy?&rdquo; inquired Paul, eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, you dear, of course he has!&rdquo; cried his sister. &ldquo;You are
+getting as bad as Grace,&rdquo; and she looked at her chum meaningly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Will skillfully laid the <i>Gem</i> alongside the dock and soon the little
+party of young people were trooping up to the store, which was near the river
+front.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, good day to you all&mdash;good day, ladies and gentlemen, every one,
+and the little shaver too!&rdquo; cried Mr. Lagg, with a bow as they entered
+his shop.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What will you please to buy to-day?<br />
+
+&nbsp;If it&rsquo;s coffee or tea, just walk this way,&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+And, with this charming couplet Mr. Lagg started toward the rear of his store,
+where the aromatic odor of ground coffee indicated that he had spoken truly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;d like some of your good soda,&rdquo; spoke Will.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ha, soda. I don&rsquo;t know that I have anything in the line of
+soda.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No soda?&rdquo; exclaimed Frank.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I mean I haven&rsquo;t made up any poetry about that. I have about
+almost everything else in my store. Let me
+see&mdash;soda&mdash;soda&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He seemed searching for a rhyme.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pagoda! Pagoda!&rdquo; laughed Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is it!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr Lagg. &ldquo;Thank you for the
+suggestion. Let me see, now. How would this do?
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If you wish to drink of Lagg&rsquo;s fine soda,<br />
+
+&nbsp;Just take your seat in a Chinese pagoda!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very good,&rdquo; complimented Will. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll dispense with
+the pagoda if you will dispense the soda.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ha! Good again! You are a punster, I see!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Lagg laughed genially, and soon provided the party with bottles of
+deliciously cool soda, and straws through which to partake of it, glasses being
+voted too prosaic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There came a protest from Paul, who was sharing the treat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I tan&rsquo;t dit no sody!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;It all bubbles
+up!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No wonder! You are blowing down your straw. Pull up on it, just as if
+you were whistling backwards,&rdquo; said Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Whistling backwards is a distinctly new way of expressing it,&rdquo;
+commented Frank.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I dot it!&rdquo; cried the tot, as the level of his glass began to fall
+under his efforts&mdash;successful this time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then, having finished that, he fixed his big eyes on Mr. Lagg, and demanded:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oo dot any tandy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Candy!&rdquo; cried the eccentric store keeper. &ldquo;Ha, I have a
+couplet about that.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If you would feel both fine and dandy,<br />
+
+&nbsp;Just buy a pound of Lagg&rsquo;s best candy!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is irresistible!&rdquo; exclaimed Will. &ldquo;Trot out a pound of
+the most select.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;With pleasure,&rdquo; said Mr. Lagg.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Merrily the young people wandered about the store, the girls buying some
+notions and trinkets they thought they would need on the trip, for Mr. Lagg did
+a general business.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What are all you folks doing around here?&rdquo; asked the storekeeper,
+when he had waited on some other customers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Getting in practice for a cruise,&rdquo; answered Mollie. &ldquo;Betty,
+here, is the proud possessor of a lovely motor boat, and we are going to
+Rainbow Lake soon.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And camp on an island, too,&rdquo; added Amy. &ldquo;I know I shall love
+that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Any particular island?&rdquo; asked Mr. Lagg.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Elm is a nice one,&rdquo; remarked Will &ldquo;Why don&rsquo;t you girls
+try that? It isn&rsquo;t as far as Triangle, and it&rsquo;s nearly as large.
+It&rsquo;s wilder and prettier, too.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Know anything about Elm Island, Mr. Lagg?&rdquo; asked Frank, as he
+inspected some fishing tackle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, yes, I might say I do,&rdquo; and Mr. Lagg pursed up his lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is it a good place?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, it&rsquo;s good all right, but&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; and he
+hesitated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What is the matter?&rdquo; demanded Betty quickly. She thought she
+detected something strange in Mr. Lagg&rsquo;s manner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, the only thing about it is that it&rsquo;s
+haunted&mdash;there&rsquo;s a ghost there,&rdquo; and as he spoke the
+storekeeper slipped a generous slice of cheese on a cracker and munched it.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap09"></a>CHAPTER IX<br />
+OFF ON THE TRIP</h2>
+
+<p>
+The girls stared blankly at one another. The boys frankly winked at each other,
+clearly unbelieving.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Haunted?&rdquo; Betty finally gasped.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A ghost?&rdquo; echoed Amy, falteringly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&mdash;what kind?&rdquo; Grace stammered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, the usual kind, of course,&rdquo; declared Will. &ldquo;A ghosty
+ghost, to be sure. White, with long waving arms, and clanking chains, and all
+the accessories.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Stop it!&rdquo; commanded his sister. &ldquo;You&rsquo;ll scare
+Paul,&rdquo; for the child was looking at Will strangely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, it&rsquo;s white all right,&rdquo; put in Mr. Lagg, &ldquo;and some
+of the fishermen around here did say they heard clanking chains, but I
+don&rsquo;t take much stock in them. Tell me,&rdquo; he demanded, helping
+himself to another slice of cheese, &ldquo;tell me why would anything as light
+as a ghost&mdash;for they&rsquo;re always supposed to float like an airship,
+you know&mdash;tell me why should they want to burden themselves with a lot of
+clanking chains&mdash;especially when a ghost is so thin that the chains would
+fall right through &rsquo;em, anyhow. I don&rsquo;t take no stock in
+that!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But what is this story?&rdquo; asked Betty. &ldquo;If we are thinking of
+camping on Elm Island, we do not want to be annoyed by some one playing pranks;
+do we, girls?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should say not!&rdquo; chorused the three.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, of course I didn&rsquo;t see it myself,&rdquo; spoke Mr. Lagg,
+&ldquo;but Hi Sneddecker, who stopped there to eat his supper one night when he
+went out to set his eel pots&mdash;Hi told me he seen something tall and white
+rushing around, and making a terrible noise in the bushes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought ghosts never made a noise,&rdquo; remarked Grace, languidly.
+She was beginning to believe now that it was only a poor attempt at a joke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hi said this one did,&rdquo; went on Mr. Lagg, being too interested to
+quote verses now. &ldquo;It was him as told me about the clanking
+chains,&rdquo; he went on, &ldquo;but, as I said, I don&rsquo;t take no stock
+in that part.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess Hi was telling one of his fish stories,&rdquo; commented Frank.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Josh Whiteby seen it, too,&rdquo; said Mr. Lagg. He was enjoying the
+sensation he had created.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is he reliable?&rdquo; asked Will.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, he don&rsquo;t owe me as much as some,&rdquo; was the judicious
+answer. &ldquo;Josh says he seen the white thing, but he didn&rsquo;t mention
+no chains. It was more like a &lsquo;swishing&rsquo; sound he heard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dot any more tandy?&rdquo; asked Paul, and the laugh that followed in a
+measure relieved the nerves of the girls, for in spite of their almost entire
+disbelief in what they had heard, the talk bothered them a little.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There are no such things as ghosts!&rdquo; declared Betty, with
+excellent sense. &ldquo;We are silly to even talk about them. Oh, there is
+something I want for my boat,&rdquo; and she pointed to a little brass lantern.
+&ldquo;It will be just fine for going up on deck with,&rdquo; she proceeded.
+&ldquo;Of course the electric lights, run by the storage battery, are all
+right, but we need a lantern like that. How much is it, Mr. Lagg?.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That lantern to you<br />
+
+&nbsp;Will cost&mdash;just two!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll take it,&rdquo; said Betty, promptly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dollars&mdash;not cents,&rdquo; said the storekeeper, quickly. &ldquo;I
+couldn&rsquo;t make a dollar rhyme in there, somehow or other,&rdquo; he added.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You might say,&rdquo; spoke Will, &ldquo;&lsquo;&rsquo;Twill cost you
+two dollar, but don&rsquo;t make a holler.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That isn&rsquo;t my style. My poetry is always correct,&rdquo; said Mr.
+Lagg, somewhat stiffly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lantern was wrapped up and the young people got ready to go down to the
+boat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, Mr. Lagg,&rdquo; asked Will, lingering a bit behind the others,
+&ldquo;just how much is there in this ghost story, anyhow?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just what I told you,&rdquo; was the answer. &ldquo;There is something
+queer on that island.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then the girls will find out what it is!&rdquo; declared Will, with
+conviction. &ldquo;If they could find the man who lost the five hundred dollar
+bill, they&rsquo;re equal to laying the ghost of Elm Island. I&rsquo;m not
+going to worry about them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s go down a little way farther and have a look at the haunted
+island,&rdquo; proposed Grace, when they were again on board the <i>Gem</i>.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have we time?&rdquo; asked Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lots,&rdquo; declared Will.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The motor boat was headed for the place. The island was of good size, well
+wooded, and the shore was lined with bushes. There were a few bungalows on it,
+but the season was not very good this year, and none of them had been rented.
+The girls half-planned to hire one to use as headquarters in case they camped
+on the island.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t look very&mdash;ghostly,&rdquo; said Betty, as she
+surveyed it from the cockpit of her craft.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, it looks lovely,&rdquo; said Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is the ghost going to keep us away?&rdquo; asked Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never!&rdquo; cried the Little Captain, vigorously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hurray!&rdquo; shouted Will, waving the boat&rsquo;s flag that he took
+from the after-socket.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They made a turn of the island, and started back up the river for Deepdale,
+reaching Mollie&rsquo;s dock without incident.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Busy days followed, for they were getting ready for the cruise. Uncle Amos went
+out with Betty and the girls several times to offer advice, and he declared
+that they were fast becoming good sailors.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course not good enough for deep water,&rdquo; he made haste to
+qualify, &ldquo;but all right for a river and a lake.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls were learning to tell time seaman fashion. Betty fairly lived aboard
+her new boat, her mother complained, but the Little Captain was not
+selfish&mdash;she invited many of her friends and acquaintances to take short
+trips with her. Among the girls she asked were Alice Jallow and Kittie
+Rossmore, the two who had acted rather meanly toward our friends just prior to
+the walking trip. But Alice was sincerely sorry for the anonymous letter she
+had written, giving a hint of the mystery surrounding Amy Stonington, and the
+girls had forgiven her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty&rsquo;s Aunt Kate arrived. She was a middle-aged lady, but as fond of the
+great out-doors as the girls themselves. She was to chaperone them for a time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The final preparations were made, the sailor suits were pronounced quite
+&ldquo;chicken&rdquo; by Will&mdash;he meant &ldquo;chic,&rdquo; of course.
+Trunks had been packed, some provisions put aboard, and all was in readiness.
+Uncle Amos planned to meet the girls later, and see that all was going well.
+The boys were to be given a treat some time after Rainbow Lake was reached,
+word to be sent to them of this event.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All aboard!&rdquo; cried Betty on the morning of the start. It was a
+glorious, sunshiny day, quite warm, but there was a cool breeze on the river.
+&ldquo;All aboard!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I just know I&rsquo;ve forgotten something!&rdquo; declared Grace,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your candy?&rdquo; questioned Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, indeed. Don&rsquo;t be horrid!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not. Only I thought&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m just tired of thinking!&rdquo; returned Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shall I cast off?&rdquo; asked Will, who, with Frank, had come down to
+the dock to see the girls start.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you dare!&rdquo; cried Mollie. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure I
+forgot to bring my&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; She made a hurried search among her
+belongings. &ldquo;No, I have it!&rdquo; and she sighed in relief. She did not
+say what it was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All aboard!&rdquo; cried Betty, giving three blasts on the compressed
+air whistle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t forget to send us word,&rdquo; begged Frank. &ldquo;We want
+to join you on the lake.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll remember,&rdquo; promised Betty, with a smile that showed
+her white, even teeth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All was in readiness. Good-byes had been said to relatives and friends, and
+Mrs. Billette, holding Paul by the hand, had come down to the dock to bid
+farewell to her daughter and chums.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have a good time!&rdquo; she wished them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A maid hurried up to her, and said something in French.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, the doctor has come!&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie&rsquo;s mother.
+&ldquo;The doctor who is to look at Dodo&mdash;the specialist. Oh, I am so
+glad!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shall I stay, mother?&rdquo; cried Mollie, making a move as though to
+come ashore.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, dear; no! Go with your friends. I can send you word. You may call me
+by the telephone. Good-bye&mdash;good-bye!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The <i>Gem</i> slowly dropped down the stream under the influence of the
+current and her own power, Betty having throttled down the motor that the
+farewell calls might be better heard. Mrs. Billette, waving her hand, hastened
+toward the house, the maid taking care of little Paul, whose last request was:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Brin&rsquo; me some tandy!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap10"></a>CHAPTER X<br />
+ADRIFT</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?&rdquo; asked Amy, as the four
+girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk cabin, Betty
+being at the wheel, while the <i>Gem</i> moved slowly down the Argono River.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just make yourselves perfectly at home,&rdquo; answered Betty.
+&ldquo;This trip is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do
+just as we please. You don&rsquo;t mind; do you, Aunt Kate?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not in the least, my dear, as long as you don&rsquo;t sink,&rdquo; and
+the chaperone smiled indulgently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This boat won&rsquo;t sink,&rdquo; declared Betty, with confidence.
+&ldquo;It has water-tight compartments. Uncle Amos had them built
+purposely.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It certainly is a beautiful boat&mdash;beautiful,&rdquo; murmured
+Mollie, looking about as she pulled and straightened her middy blouse.
+&ldquo;And it was so good of you, Bet, to ask us on this cruise.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, that&rsquo;s what the boat is for&mdash;for one&rsquo;s friends. We
+are all shipmates now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;&lsquo;Strike up a song, here comes a sailor,&rsquo;&rdquo; chanted
+Grace, rather indistinctly, for she was, as usual, eating a chocolate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls, standing there on the little depressed deck, their hair tastefully
+arranged, topped by natty little caps, with their sailor suits of blue and
+white, presented a picture that more than one turned to look at. The <i>Gem</i>
+was near the shore, along which ran a main-traveled highway, and there seemed
+to be plenty of traffic this morning. Also, a number of boats were going up or
+down stream, some large, some small, and often the occupants turned to take a
+second look at the Outdoor Girls.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Certainly they had every appearance of living the life of the open, for they
+had been well tanned by the long walk they took, and that
+&ldquo;berry-brown&rdquo; was being added to now by the summer sun reflecting
+from the river.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is this as fast as you can go?&rdquo; asked Mollie, as she looked over
+the side and noted that they were not much exceeding the current of the river.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed, no! Look!&rdquo; cried Betty, as she released the throttle
+control that connected the gasoline supply with the motor. At once, as when the
+accelerator pedal of an auto is pressed, the engine hummed and throbbed, and a
+mass of foam appeared at the stern to show the presence of the whirling
+propeller.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s fine!&rdquo; cried Grace, as Betty slowed down once more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought we&rsquo;d take it easy,&rdquo; the Little Captain went on,
+&ldquo;as we don&rsquo;t want to finish our cruise in one day, or even two. If
+I drove the <i>Gem</i> to the limit, we&rsquo;d be in Rainbow Lake, and out of
+it, in too short a time. So I planned to go down the river slowly, stop at noon
+and go ashore for our lunch, go on slowly again, and tie up for the
+night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then we&rsquo;re going to sleep aboard?&rdquo; asked Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course! What would be the fun of having bunks if we didn&rsquo;t use
+them? Of course we&rsquo;ll sleep here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And stand watches&mdash;and all that sort of thing, the way your uncle
+told of it being done aboard ships?&rdquo; Mollie wanted to know.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;ll be no need of that,&rdquo; declared Betty. &ldquo;But we
+can leave a light burning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To scare away sharks?&rdquo; asked Amy, with a laugh.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, but if we didn&rsquo;t some one passing might think the boat
+deserted and&mdash;come aboard to take things.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hope they don&rsquo;t take us!&rdquo; cried Mollie. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m
+going to hide my new bracelet,&rdquo; and she looked at the sparkling trinket
+on her wrist.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Amy, want to steer?&rdquo; asked Grace, after a while, and the girl of
+mystery agreed eagerly. But she nearly came to grief within a few minutes. A
+canoeist rather rashly crossed the bows of the <i>Gem</i> at no great distance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Port! Port!&rdquo; cried Betty, suddenly, seeing the danger.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Which is port&mdash;right or left? I&rsquo;ve forgotten!&rdquo; wailed
+Amy, helplessly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To the left! To the left!&rdquo; answered Betty, springing forward. She
+was not in time to prevent Amy from turning the wheel to the left, which had
+the effect of swinging the boat to the right, and almost directly toward the
+canoeist, who shouted in alarm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But by this time Betty had reached the wheel, and twirled it rapidly. She was
+only just in time, and the <i>Gem</i> fairly grazed the canoe, the wash from
+the propeller rocking it dangerously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We beg your pardon!&rdquo; called Betty to the young man in the frail
+craft.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; he said, pleasantly. &ldquo;It was my own
+fault.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; spoke Amy, gratefully. &ldquo;Here, Bet, I don&rsquo;t
+want to steer any more.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, keep the wheel. You may as well learn, and I&rsquo;ll stand by you.
+No telling when you may have to steer all alone.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They stopped for lunch in a pretty little grove, and sat and talked for an hour
+afterward. Mollie hunted up a telephone and got into communication with her
+house. She came back looking rather sober.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The specialist says Dodo will have to undergo an operation,&rdquo; she
+reported. Grace gasped, and the others looked worried.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t serious,&rdquo; continued Mollie, &ldquo;and he says she
+will surely be better after it. But of course mamma feels dreadful about
+it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should think so,&rdquo; observed Betty. &ldquo;They never found out
+who those mean autoists were, did they?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Grace, &ldquo;and we&rsquo;ve never gotten a trace
+of Prince, or the missing papers. Papa is much worried.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, let&rsquo;s talk about something more pleasant,&rdquo; suggested
+Betty. &ldquo;Shall we start off again?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Might as well,&rdquo; agreed Grace. &ldquo;And as it isn&rsquo;t far to
+that funny Mr. Lagg&rsquo;s store, let&rsquo;s stop and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get some candy and poetry,&rdquo; sniped Amy, with a laugh.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was going to say hairpins, as I need them,&rdquo; spoke Grace, with a
+dignity that soon vanished, &ldquo;but since you suggested chocolates,
+I&rsquo;ll get them as well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They found Mr. Lagg smiling as usual.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This fine and beautiful sunny day,<br />
+
+&nbsp;what will you have&mdash;oats or hay?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+Thus he greeted the girls, who laughingly declined anything in the line of
+fodder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Unless you could put some out as a bait for our horse Prince,&rdquo;
+spoke Grace. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the queerest thing where he can have
+gone.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is strange,&rdquo; admitted the genial storekeeper, who had heard the
+story from Will. &ldquo;But if I hear of him I&rsquo;ll let you know. And, now
+what can I do for you?
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve razors, soap and perfume rare,<br />
+
+&nbsp;To scent the balmy summer air,&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+He bowed to the girls in turn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How about chewing gum?&rdquo; asked Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, would you?&rdquo; asked Grace, in rather horrified tones.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly, aboard the boat where no one will see us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gum, gum; chewing gum,<br />
+
+&nbsp;One and two is a small sum,&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Lagg thus quoted as he opened the showcase.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls made several purchases, and were treated to more of the
+storekeeper&rsquo;s amusing couplets. Then they started off again, having
+inquired for a good place at which to tie up for the night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dunkirk, on the western shore, was recommended by Mr. Lagg in a little rhyme,
+and then he waved to them from the end of his dock as the <i>Gem</i> was once
+more under way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look out for that big steamer,&rdquo; cautioned Betty a little later, to
+Grace, who was steering.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, I&rsquo;m far enough off,&rdquo; answered Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You never can tell,&rdquo; responded the Little Captain, &ldquo;for
+there is often a strong attraction between vessels on a body of water. Give it
+a wide berth, as Uncle Amos would say.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That Betty&rsquo;s advice was needed was made manifest a moment later, for the
+large steamer whistled sharply, which was an intimation to the smaller craft to
+veer off, and Grace shifted the wheel.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They reached Dunkirk without further incident, except that about a mile from it
+the motor developed some trouble. In vain Betty and the others poked about in
+the forward compartment trying to locate it, and they might not have succeeded
+had not a man, passing in a little one-cylindered boat, kindly stopped and
+discovered that one of the spark plug wires was loose. It was soon adjusted and
+the <i>Gem</i> proceeded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll always be on the lookout for that first, when there is any
+trouble after this,&rdquo; said Betty, as she thanked the stranger.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, that isn&rsquo;t the only kind of trouble that can develop in a
+motor,&rdquo; he assured her. But Betty well knew this herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had passed Elm Island soon after leaving Mr. Lagg&rsquo;s store, but saw
+no sign of life on it. They intended to come back later on in their cruise and
+camp there, if they decided to carry out their original plans of living in a
+tent or bungalow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is, if the ghost doesn&rsquo;t make it too unpleasant,&rdquo;
+remarked Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They ate supper aboard the boat, cooking on the little galley stove. Then the
+work of getting ready for the night, washing the dishes, preparing the bunks,
+and so on, was divided among the five, though Aunt Kate wanted the girls to go
+ashore and let her attend to everything.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll take a little walk ashore after we have everything
+ready,&rdquo; suggested Betty. The stroll along the river bank in the cool of
+the evening, while the colors of the glorious sunset were still in the sky, was
+most enjoyable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gracious! A mosquito bit me!&rdquo; exclaimed Grace, as she rubbed the
+back of her slim, white hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That isn&rsquo;t a capital crime,&rdquo; laughed Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, but if there are mosquitoes here they will make life miserable for
+us to-night,&rdquo; Grace went on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have citronella, and there are mosquito nettings over the
+bunks,&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They went back to the boat, and the lanterns were lighted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, doesn&rsquo;t it look too nice to sleep in!&rdquo; exclaimed Amy, as
+they gazed into the little cabin, with its tastefully arranged berths.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m tired enough to sleep on almost any thing,&rdquo; yawned
+Mollie. &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s see who&rsquo;ll be the first
+to&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not snore, I hope!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t suggest such a thing,&rdquo; came from Amy. &ldquo;We are
+none of us addicted to the luxury.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But, after all, tired as they were, no one felt like going to sleep, once they
+were prepared for it. They talked over the events of the day, got to laughing,
+and from laughing to almost hysterical giggling. But finally nature asserted
+herself, and all was quiet aboard the <i>Gem</i>, which had been moored to a
+private dock, just above the town.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was Betty, rather a light sleeper, who awoke first, and she could not
+account at once for the peculiar motion. It was as though she was swinging in a
+hammock. She sat up, and peered about the dimly lighted cabin. Then the
+remembrance of where she was came to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But&mdash;but!&rdquo; she exclaimed. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re adrift!
+We&rsquo;re floating down the river!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She sprang from her berth and awakened Grace by shaking her.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap11"></a>CHAPTER XI<br />
+IN DANGER</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What is it? Oh, what has happened?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace cried half hysterically as she saw Betty bending over her. The others
+awakened.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, we&rsquo;re moving!&rdquo; exclaimed Amy, in wonderment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What did you want to start off for, in the middle of the night?&rdquo;
+Mollie asked, blinking the sleep from her eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; answered Betty quickly. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re
+adrift! I don&rsquo;t know how it could have happened. You girls tied the boat,
+didn&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; answered Grace. &ldquo;I fastened both ropes
+myself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never mind about that,&rdquo; broke in Aunt Kate. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t
+know much about boats, but if this one isn&rsquo;t being steered we may run
+into something.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so!&rdquo; cried Betty. &ldquo;But I didn&rsquo;t want to
+go out on deck alone&mdash;slip your raincoats on, girls, and come with me!
+There may be&mdash;I mean some one may have set us adrift purposely!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, don&rsquo;t say such things!&rdquo; pleaded Grace, looking at the
+cabin ports as though a face might be peering in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Quickly Betty and Mollie got into their long, dark coats, and without waiting
+for slippers reached the after deck. As they looked ahead they saw a bright
+light bearing directly for them. It was a white light, and on either side
+showed a gleam of red and green. Then a whistle blew.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, we&rsquo;re going to be run down!&rdquo; cried Mollie. &ldquo;A
+steamer is coming directly for us, Betty!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We won&rsquo;t be run down if we can get out of the way!&rdquo;
+exclaimed Betty, sharply. &ldquo;Push that button&mdash;the automatic, I
+mean&mdash;and start the motor. I&rsquo;ll steer,&rdquo; and Betty grasped the
+wheel with one hand, while with the other she pulled the signal cord, sending
+out a sharp blast that indicated her direction to the oncoming steamer would be
+to port. The steamer replied, indicating that she would take the same course.
+Evidently there was some misunderstanding.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And we haven&rsquo;t our side lamps going!&rdquo; cried Betty, in alarm,
+as she realized the danger. &ldquo;Quick, girls, come up here!&rdquo; she
+called to Grace and Amy. &ldquo;One of you switch on the electric lamps. At
+least they can see us, then, and can avoid us. Oh, I don&rsquo;t know what to
+do! I never thought of this!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A sudden glow told that Amy had found the storage battery switch, for the red
+and green lights now gleamed. Again the on-coming steamer whistled,
+sharply&mdash;interrogatively. Betty answered, but she was not sure she had
+given the right signal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why don&rsquo;t you start the motor?&rdquo; she called to Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t! It doesn&rsquo;t seem to work.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The switch is off!&rdquo; exclaimed Grace, as she came out of the cabin.
+With a quick motion she shoved it over.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How stupid of me!&rdquo; cried Betty. &ldquo;I should have seen to that
+first. Try again, Mollie!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again Mollie pressed the button of the self-starter, but there was no response.
+The <i>Gem</i> was still drifting, seemingly in the very path of the steamer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why don&rsquo;t they change their course?&rdquo; wailed Amy.
+&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t they see we&rsquo;re not under control? We can&rsquo;t
+start! We can&rsquo;t start!&rdquo; she cried at the top of her voice, hoping
+the other steersman would hear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The steamer can&rsquo;t get out of the channel&mdash;that&rsquo;s the
+reason!&rdquo; gasped Betty. &ldquo;I see now. It&rsquo;s too shallow for big
+boats except in certain places here. We must get out of her way&mdash;she
+can&rsquo;t get out of ours! Girls, we must start the motor!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then try it with the crank, and let the automatic go,&rdquo; suggested
+Aunt Kate, practically. &ldquo;Probably it&rsquo;s out of order. You must do
+something, girls!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Use the crank!&rdquo; cried Betty, who was hobbling the wheel over as
+hard as she could, hoping the tug of the current would carry the <i>Gem</i> out
+of danger. But the craft hardly had steerage way on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mollie seized the crank, which, by means of a long shaft and sprocket chain,
+extending from the after cabin bulkhead to the flywheel, revolved that. She
+gave it a vigorous turn. There was no welcome response of throbbing explosions
+in the cylinders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Try again!&rdquo; gasped Betty, &ldquo;Oh, all of you try. I simply
+can&rsquo;t leave the wheel.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The steamer was now sending out a concert of sharp, staccato blasts. Plainly
+she was saying, loudly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get out of my way! I have the right of the river! You must get out of my
+way! I can&rsquo;t avoid you!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why don&rsquo;t they stop?&rdquo; wailed Grace. &ldquo;Then we
+wouldn&rsquo;t bump them so hard!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As if in answer, there came echoing over the dark water the clang of the
+engine-room bell, that told half-speed ahead had been ordered. A moment later
+came the signal to stop the engines.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, if only Uncle Amos&mdash;or some of the boys&mdash;were here!&rdquo;
+breathed Betty. &ldquo;Girls, try once more!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Together Mollie and Grace whirled the crank, and an instant later the motor
+started with a throb that shook the boat from stem to stern.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There!&rdquo; cried Betty. &ldquo;Now I can avoid them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She threw in the clutch, and as the <i>Gem</i> shot ahead she whistled to
+indicate her course. This time came the proper response, and a little later the
+motor boat shot past the towering sides of the river steamer. So near had a
+collision been that the girls could hear the complaining voice of the pilot of
+the large craft.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter with you fellows?&rdquo; the man cried, as he
+looked down on the girls. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you know what you&rsquo;re
+doing?&rdquo; Clearly he was angry.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We got adrift, and the motor wouldn&rsquo;t start,&rdquo; cried Betty,
+in shrill tones.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pilot biscuit and puppy cakes!&rdquo; cried the man. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a
+bunch of girls! No wonder they didn&rsquo;t know what to do!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We did&mdash;only we couldn&rsquo;t do it!&rdquo; shouted Betty, not
+willing to have any aspersions cast on herself or her friends. &ldquo;It was an
+accident!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right; don&rsquo;t let it happen again,&rdquo; cried the steersman,
+in more kindly tones. And then the <i>Gem</i> slipped on down the river.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What are we going to do?&rdquo; asked Mollie, as Grace steered her boat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If we&rsquo;re going to stay out here I&rsquo;m going to get
+dressed,&rdquo; declared Grace. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s quite chilly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Can you find your way back to the dock?&rdquo; Aunt Kate inquired. &ldquo;Can
+you do it, Betty?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think so. We left a light on it, you know. I&rsquo;ll turn around and
+see if I can pick it out. Oh, but I&rsquo;m all in a tremble!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t blame you&mdash;it was a narrow escape,&rdquo; said
+Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see how we could have gone adrift, unless some one cut the
+ropes,&rdquo; remarked Grace. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure I tied them tightly
+enough.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They may have become frayed by rubbing,&rdquo; suggested Betty.
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll look when we get a chance. What are you going to do,
+Amy?&rdquo; for she was entering the cabin.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to make some hot chocolate,&rdquo; Amy answered.
+&ldquo;I think we need it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll help,&rdquo; spoke Aunt Kate. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a very
+sensible idea.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think that is the dock light,&rdquo; remarked Betty a little later,
+when the boat was headed up stream.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Anyhow, we can&rsquo;t be very far from it,&rdquo; observed Grace.
+&ldquo;Try that one,&rdquo; and she pointed to a gleam that came across the
+waters. &ldquo;Then there&rsquo;s another just above.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The first light did not prove to be the one on the private dock where they had
+been tied up, but the second attempt to locate it was successful, and soon they
+were back where they had been before. Betty laid the <i>Gem</i> alongside the
+stringpiece, and Grace and Mollie, leaping out, soon had the boat fast. The
+ends of the ropes, which had been trailing from the deck cleats in the water,
+were found unfrayed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They must have come untied!&rdquo; said Grace. &ldquo;Oh, it was my
+fault. I thought I had mastered those knots, but I must have tied the wrong
+kind.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never mind,&rdquo; said Betty, gently.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap12"></a>CHAPTER XII<br />
+AT RAINBOW LAKE</h2>
+
+<p>
+Once the <i>Gem</i> was securely tied&mdash;and Betty now made sure of
+this&mdash;the tired and rather chilly girls adjourned to the cabin, and under
+the lights had the hot chocolate Aunt Kate and Amy had made.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s delicious,&rdquo; spoke Betty. &ldquo;I feel so much better
+now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We must never let on to the boys that we came near running down a
+steamer,&rdquo; said Grace. &ldquo;We&rsquo;d never hear the last of it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But we didn&rsquo;t nearly run down a steamer&mdash;she came toward
+us,&rdquo; insisted Betty, not willing to have her seamanship brought into
+question. &ldquo;If it had been any other boat, not drawing so much water, she
+could have steered out of the way. As it was we, not being under control, had
+the right of way.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It wouldn&rsquo;t have done any good to have insisted on it,&rdquo;
+remarked Grace, drawlingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, especially as we couldn&rsquo;t hoist the signal to show
+that,&rdquo; went on Betty. &ldquo;Uncle Amos told me there are signals for
+nearly everything that can happen at sea, but of course I never thought of such
+a thing as that we&rsquo;d get adrift. I must be prepared next time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t understand about those knots,&rdquo; spoke Grace.
+&ldquo;Where is that book?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What book?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The one showing how to tie different kinds of knots. I&rsquo;m going to
+study up on the subject.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not to-night,&rdquo; objected Aunt Kate. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s nearly
+morning as it is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, the first thing to-morrow, then,&rdquo; declared Grace.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to make up for my blunder.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, don&rsquo;t be distressed,&rdquo; consoled Betty. &ldquo;Any of us
+might have made the same mistake. It was only an accident, Grace dear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I seem fated to have accidents lately. There was poor little
+Dodo&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not your fault at all!&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie, promptly.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll not allow you to blame yourself for her accident. It was
+those motorists, if any-one, and I&rsquo;m not sure they were altogether to
+blame. Anyhow, I&rsquo;m sure Dodo will be cured after the operation.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hope so,&rdquo; murmured Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The appetizing odor of bacon and eggs came from the little galley, mingled with
+the aromatic foretaste of coffee. Aunt Kate was busy inside. The girls were
+laughing out in the cabin, or on the lowered after-deck. It was the next
+morning&mdash;which makes all the difference in the world.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m afraid we&rsquo;re going to have a shower today,&rdquo;
+observed Amy, musingly, as she looked up at the sky. A light fog hung over the
+river.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Will you ever forget the awful shower that kept us in the deserted house
+all night?&rdquo; asked Betty, as she arranged her hair. &ldquo;I mean when we
+were on our walking trip,&rdquo; she added, looking for a ribbon that had
+floated, like a rose petal, under her shelf-dresser.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, we&rsquo;ll never get over that!&rdquo; declared Mollie, who was
+industriously putting hairpins where they would be more serviceable. &ldquo;And
+we couldn&rsquo;t imagine, for the longest time, why the house should be left
+all alone that way.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now I&rsquo;m going to begin my lesson,&rdquo; announced Grace, who,
+having gotten herself ready for breakfast, took up the book showing how various
+sailor knots should be made. With a piece of twine she tied
+&ldquo;figure-eights,&rdquo; now and then slipping into the
+&ldquo;grannie&rdquo; class; she made half-hitches, clove hitches, a running
+bowline, and various other combinations, until Amy declared that it made her
+head ache to look on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls had breakfast, strolled about on shore for a little while, and then
+started off, intending to stop in Dunkirk, which town lay a little below them,
+to get some supplies, and replenish the oil and gasoline.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was while Betty was bargaining for the latter necessaries for her motor in a
+garage near the river that she heard a hearty voice outside asking:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you men seen anything of a trim little craft, manned by four pretty
+girls, in the offing? She&rsquo;d be about two tons register, a rakish little
+motor boat, sailing under the name <i>Gem</i> and looking every inch of it. She
+ought to be here about high tide, stopping for sealed orders,
+and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Uncle Amos!&rdquo; cried Betty, hurrying to the garage door, as she
+recognized his voice. &ldquo;Are you looking for us?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what I am, lass, and I struck the right harbor first thing;
+didn&rsquo;t I? Davy Jones couldn&rsquo;t be any more accurate! Well, how are
+you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right, Uncle. The girls are down in the boat at the dock,&rdquo; and
+she pointed. &ldquo;The man is going to take down the oil and gasoline.
+Won&rsquo;t you come on a trip with us? We expect to make Rainbow Lake by
+night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course I&rsquo;ll come! That&rsquo;s why I drifted in here. I worked
+out your reckoning and I calculated that you&rsquo;d be here about to-day, so I
+come by train, stayed over night, and here I am. What kind of a voyage did you
+have?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very good&mdash;one little accident, that&rsquo;s all,&rdquo; and she
+told about getting adrift.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pshaw, now! That&rsquo;s too bad! I&rsquo;ll have to give you some
+lessons in mooring knots, I guess. It won&rsquo;t do to slip your cable in the
+middle of the night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls were as glad to see Betty&rsquo;s uncle as he was to greet them, and
+soon, with plenty of supplies on board, and with the old sea captain at the
+wheel, which Betty graciously asked him to take, the <i>Gem</i> slipped down
+the river again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At noon, when they tied up to go ashore in a pleasant grove for lunch, Mr.
+Marlin demonstrated how to tie so many different kinds of knots that the girls
+said they never could remember half of them. But most particularly he insisted
+on all of them learning how to tie a boat properly so it could not slip away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty already knew this, and Mollie had a fairly good notion of it, but Grace
+admitted that, all along, she had been making a certain wrong turn which would
+cause the knot to slip under strain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They motored down the river again, stopping at a small town to enable Mollie to
+go ashore and telephone home to learn the condition of little Dodo. There was
+nothing new to report, for the operation would not take place for some time
+yet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace also called up to ask if anything had been heard of the missing horse and
+papers, but there was no good news. However, there was no bad news, Will, who
+talked to his sister, reporting that the interests opposed to their father had
+made no move to take advantage of the non-production of the documents.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have a good time, Sis,&rdquo; called Will over the wire.
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry. It doesn&rsquo;t do any good, and it will spoil your
+cruise. Something may turn up any time. But it sure is queer how Prince can be
+away so long.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It certainly is,&rdquo; agreed Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And so you expect to make Rainbow Lake by six bells?&rdquo; asked
+Betty&rsquo;s uncle, as he paced up and down the rather restricted quarters of
+the deck.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, Uncle, by seven o&rsquo;clock,&rdquo; answered Betty, who was at
+the wheel. &ldquo;Six bells&mdash;six bells!&rdquo; he exclaimed. &ldquo;You
+must talk sea lingo on a boat, Bet.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right, Uncle&mdash;six bells.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where&rsquo;s your charts?&rdquo; he asked, suddenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Charts?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, how are you sailing? Have you marked the course since last night
+and posted it? Where are your charts&mdash;your maps? How do you expect to make
+Rainbow Lake without some kind of charts? Are you going by dead
+reckoning?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, Uncle, all we have to do is to keep right on down the river, and it
+opens into Rainbow Lake. The lake is really a wide part of the river, you know.
+We don&rsquo;t need any charts.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t need any charts? Have you heaved the lead to see how much
+water you&rsquo;ve got?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, no,&rdquo; and she looked at him wonderingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, well!&rdquo; he exclaimed. &ldquo;Oh, I forgot this isn&rsquo;t
+salt water. Well, I dare say you will stumble into the lake after some
+fashion&mdash;but it isn&rsquo;t seaman-like&mdash;it isn&rsquo;t
+seaman-like,&rdquo; and the old tar shook his grizzled head gloomily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty smiled, and shifted her course a little to give a wide berth to some boys
+who were fishing. She did not want the propeller&rsquo;s wash to disturb them.
+They waved gratefully to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sun was declining in the west, amid a bank of golden, olive and purple
+clouds, and a little breeze ruffled the water of the river. The stream was
+widening out now, and Betty remarked:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll soon be in the lake now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The boat&mdash;not us, I hope,&rdquo; murmured Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; assented Betty, &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you stay with us
+to-night, Uncle Amos?&rdquo; she asked, as she opened the throttle a little
+wider, to get more speed. &ldquo;You can have one of the rear&mdash;I mean
+after, bunks,&rdquo; she corrected, quickly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s better,&rdquo; and he smiled. &ldquo;No, I&rsquo;ll berth
+ashore, I guess. I&rsquo;ve got to get back to town, anyhow. I just wanted to
+see how you girls were getting along.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The <i>Gem</i> was speeding up. They rounded a turn, and then the girls
+exclaimed:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Rainbow Lake!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In all its beauty this wide sheet of water lay before them. It was dotted with
+many pleasure craft, for vacation life was pulsing and throbbing in its summer
+heydey now. As the <i>Gem</i> came out on the broad expanse a natty little
+motor boat, long and slender, evidently built for speed, came racing straight
+toward the craft of the girls.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gracious, I hope we haven&rsquo;t violated any rules,&rdquo; murmured
+Betty, as she slowed down, for she caught a motion that indicated that the two
+young men in the boat wished to speak to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As they came nearer Grace uttered an exclamation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What is it?&rdquo; asked Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Those young men&mdash;in the boat. I&rsquo;m sure they&rsquo;re the same
+two who were in the auto that made Prince run away! Oh, what shall I do?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap13"></a>CHAPTER XIII<br />
+CRACKERS AND OLIVES</h2>
+
+<p>
+Betty grasped the situation, and acted quickly, as she always did in an
+emergency.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you sure, Grace?&rdquo; she asked. She could speak without fear of
+the men in the racing boat overhearing her, for they had thrown out their
+clutch, a moment later letting it slip into reverse, and the churning
+propeller, and the throb of the motor, made it impossible for them to hear what
+was said aboard the <i>Gem</i>. &ldquo;Are you sure, Grace?&rdquo; repeated
+Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, almost. Of course I only had a glimpse of them, but I have good
+cause to remember them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t say anything now, then,&rdquo; suggested Betty. &ldquo;We
+will wait and see what they say. Later we may be able to make sure.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right,&rdquo; Grace agreed, looking intently at the two young men.
+They seemed nice enough, and were smiling in a pleasant, frank manner at the
+outdoor girls and Aunt Kate. The two boats were now slowly drifting side by
+side on Rainbow Lake, the motors of both stilled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I beg your pardon,&rdquo; said the darker complexioned of the two men,
+&ldquo;my name is Stone, and this is my friend, Mr. Kennedy. We are on the
+regatta committee and we&rsquo;d like to get as many entries for the water
+pageant as we can. Is your boat entered yet?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He gazed from one girl to another, as though to ascertain who was in command of
+the newly arrived craft, which seemed to have attracted considerable attention,
+for a number of other boats were centering about her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We have just arrived,&rdquo; spoke Betty in her capacity as captain.
+&ldquo;We are cruising about, and we haven&rsquo;t heard of any regatta or
+pageant, except a rumor that one was to be held some time this summer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, it&rsquo;s only been in process of arrangement for about a
+week,&rdquo; explained Mr. Stone. &ldquo;It will be the first of its kind to be
+held on the lake, and we want it to be a success. Nearly all of the campers and
+summer cottagers, who have motor boats, have agreed to enter the parade, and
+also in the races. We&rsquo;d like to enter you in both. We have different
+classes, handicapped according to speed, and your craft looks as though it
+could go some.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It can,&rdquo; Betty admitted, while Grace was intently studying the
+faces of the two young men. The more she looked at them, the more convinced she
+was that they were the ones who had been in the auto.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We saw you arrive,&rdquo; said Mr. Kennedy, who, Mollie said afterward,
+had a pleasant voice, &ldquo;and we hurried over to get you down on the list
+the first thing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t disappoint us&mdash;say you&rsquo;ll enter!&rdquo; urged Mr.
+Stone. &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t know us, of course, but I have taken the liberty
+of introducing myself, If you are acquainted with any of the cottagers on the
+lake shore, or on Triangle Island, you can ask them about us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, we are very glad you invited us,&rdquo; replied Betty, quickly. She
+did not want the young men to think that she resented anything. Besides, if
+what Grace thought about them was so, they would want a chance to inquire about
+the young men more closely, perhaps, than the young men themselves would care
+to be looked after. For Betty recalled what Grace had said&mdash;that her
+father had a faint idea that perhaps the motorists might have acted as they did
+purposely, to get possession of the papers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then you&rsquo;ll enter?&rdquo; asked Mr. Kennedy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We can&rsquo;t be sure,&rdquo; spoke Betty, who seemed to be doing all
+the talking. &ldquo;Our plans are uncertain, we have no very definite ones,
+though. We intended merely to cruise about, and perhaps camp on one of the
+islands for a few days. But if we find we can, we will at least take part in
+the water pageant&mdash;that is, in the parade with the other boats.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And we&rsquo;d like you to be in the races,&rdquo; suggested Mr.
+Kennedy. &ldquo;Your boat has very fine lines. What horse power have
+you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is rated twenty,&rdquo; answered Betty, promptly, proud that she had
+the knowledge at her tongue&rsquo;s end, &ldquo;but it develops nearer
+twenty-five.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then you&rsquo;d go in Class B.&rdquo; said Mr. Stone. &ldquo;I will
+enter you, tentatively at least, for that race, and if you find you can&rsquo;t
+compete, no harm will be done. There are some very handsome prizes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, do enter, Bet!&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie in a whisper, for she was
+fond of sports of all kinds. &ldquo;It will he such jolly fun!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty looked at her aunt. Racing had not entered into their plans when they
+talked them over with the folks at home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think you might; they seem very nice, and we can easily find out if
+other girls are to race,&rdquo; said Aunt Kate, in a low voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You may enter my boat, then,&rdquo; said Betty, graciously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Stone. &ldquo;The <i>Gem</i> goes in,
+and her captain&rsquo;s name&mdash;?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Miss Nelson.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of&mdash;?&rdquo; again he paused suggestively, pencil poised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of Deepdale.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, yes, I have been there. I am sure you will not regret having decided
+to enter the regatta. Now if you would like to tie up for the night there are
+several good public docks near here. That one over there,&rdquo; and he
+pointed, &ldquo;is used by very few other boats, and perhaps you would like it.
+Plenty of room, you know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;We shall go over there.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I will send you a formal entry blank to-morrow,&rdquo; said Mr. Stone,
+as his companion started the motor, and a moment later they were rushing off in
+a smother of foam thrown up by the powerful racing craft.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, what do you think of that?&rdquo; gasped Mollie, when they had
+gone. &ldquo;No sooner do we arrive than we are plunged into the midst
+of&mdash;er&mdash;the midst of&mdash;what is it I want to say?&rdquo; She
+laughed and looked about for assistance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Better give it up,&rdquo; said Amy. &ldquo;But what Grace said surprises
+me&mdash;about those two young men.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, of course I can&rsquo;t be sure of it,&rdquo; said Grace, as all
+eyes were turned in her direction, &ldquo;but the more I look at those two the
+more I really think they are the ones. I wonder if there isn&rsquo;t some way I
+could make sure?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said practical Betty, &ldquo;there is. That is why I decided
+to enter the <i>Gem</i> in the regatta. It will give us a chance to do a little
+quiet investigating.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But how?&rdquo; inquired Grace, puzzled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, if we make some inquiries, and find out that they are all right to
+talk to&mdash;and they may be in spite of the mean way they acted toward
+you&mdash;why, then, we can question them, and gradually lead the talk around
+to autos, and racing, and storms, and all that. They&rsquo;ll probably let out
+something about having been caught in a storm once, and seeing a horse run
+away. Then we will be sure they are the same ones, and&mdash;well, I
+don&rsquo;t know what would be the best thing to do then, Grace.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Grace had better notify her father or brother if she finds out these are
+the men,&rdquo; suggested Aunt Kate. &ldquo;They would be the best ones to act
+after that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Surely,&rdquo; agreed Grace. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s what I&rsquo;ll do. And
+now let&rsquo;s go over to the dock, and see about supper. I&rsquo;m as hungry
+as a starved kitten.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And with all the candy she&rsquo;s eaten since lunch!&rdquo; exclaimed
+Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t eat much at all!&rdquo; came promptly from Grace.
+&ldquo;Did I, Amy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t watching. Anyhow, I am hungry, too.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I fancy we all are,&rdquo; spoke Betty. &ldquo;Well, we will soon be
+there,&rdquo; and she started the motor, and swung the prow of the <i>Gem</i>
+over toward the dock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There were one or two small open motor boats tied there, but they were not
+manned. The girls made sure of their cable fastenings, and soon the appetizing
+odor of cooking came from the small galley. The girls donned long aprons over
+their sailor costumes, and ate out on the open deck, for it was rather close in
+the cabin.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is as sultry as though there were going to be a storm,&rdquo;
+remarked Betty, looking up at the sky, which was taking on the tints of
+evening. &ldquo;I am glad we&rsquo;re not going to be out on the lake
+to-night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Aren&rsquo;t we ever going to do any night cruising?&rdquo; asked
+Mollie, who was a bit venturesome at times.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, of course. Why, the main water pageant takes place at night, one of
+those young men said, and we&rsquo;ll be in that. Only I&rsquo;m just as glad
+we&rsquo;re tied up to-night,&rdquo; spoke Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Near where they had docked was a little colony of summer cottages, and not far
+off was an amusement resort, including a moving picture show.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s go, girls!&rdquo; proposed Grace after supper, &ldquo;We
+don&rsquo;t want to sit around all evening doing nothing. The boat will be
+safe; won&rsquo;t it, Betty?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t say &lsquo;it&rsquo;&mdash;my boat is a lady&mdash;speak of
+her as such,&rdquo; laughed the Little Captain. &ldquo;Yes, I think she will be
+safe. But I will see if there is a dock watchman, and if there is I&rsquo;ll
+engage him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There proved to be one, who, for a small fee, would see that no unauthorized
+persons entered the <i>Gem</i>. Then the girls, attiring themselves in their
+&ldquo;shore togs,&rdquo; as Betty expressed it, went to see the moving
+pictures.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What will we do to-morrow?&rdquo; asked Grace, as they came out, having
+had two hours of enjoyment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was thinking of a little picnic ashore,&rdquo; answered Betty.
+&ldquo;There are some lovely places on the banks of the lake, to say nothing of
+the several small islands. We can cruise about a bit, and then go ashore with
+our lunch. Or, if any of you have any other plan, don&rsquo;t hesitate to
+mention it. I want you girls to have a good time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As if we weren&rsquo;t having it, Little Captain!&rdquo; cried Mollie
+with an impulsive embrace. &ldquo;The picnic by all means, and please
+let&rsquo;s take plenty of crackers and olives.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Talk about me eating candy,&rdquo; mocked Grace, &ldquo;you are as bad
+on olives.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, they&rsquo;re not so bad for one as candy.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know about that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, don&rsquo;t argue!&rdquo; begged quiet little Amy.
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s talk about the picnic.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was arranged that they should have an informal one, and the next morning,
+after an uneventful night&mdash;save that Grace awakened them all by declaring
+someone was coming aboard, when it proved to be only a frightened dog&mdash;the
+next morning they started off again, leaving word with the dock watchman, who
+did boat repairing, that they would be back late that afternoon.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had made some inquiries, and decided to go ashore on Eel Island, so named
+from its long, narrow shape. There was a small dock there, which made it easy
+for the <i>Gem</i> to land her passengers, since she drew a little too much
+water to get right up to shore.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls cruised about Rainbow Lake, being saluted many times by other craft,
+the occupants of which seemed to admire Betty&rsquo;s fine boat. In turn she
+answered with the regulation three blasts of the air whistle. At several
+private docks, the property of wealthy cottagers, could be seen signs of
+preparation for the coming water carnival. The boat houses were being
+decorated, and in some cases elaborate schemes of ornamentation were under way
+for the boats themselves.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It looks as though it would be nice,&rdquo; remarked Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I think we shall enjoy it,&rdquo; agreed Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They stopped at one cottage, occupied by a Mrs. Ralston, whom Betty knew
+slightly. Mrs. Ralston wanted the girls and Aunt Kate to stay to lunch, but
+they told of their picnic plans. They wanted to inquire about Mr. Stone and Mr.
+Kennedy, and they were all glad to learn that the two young men were held in
+the highest esteem, and were given a great deal of credit for their hard work
+in connection with the lake pageant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And to think they could be so unfeeling as to make Prince run away and
+cause all that trouble,&rdquo; observed Mollie, as they were again aboard the
+boat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps it was not they, or there may be some explanation of their
+conduct,&rdquo; suggested Betty. &ldquo;We must not judge too hastily.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s Betty Nelson&mdash;all over,&rdquo; said Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Eel Island proved to be an ideal picnic place, and there were one or two other
+parties on it when the girls arrived. They made the <i>Gem</i> secure, and
+struck off into the woods with their lunch baskets, Betty having removed a
+certain patented spark plug, without which the motor could not be started. It
+was not likely that anyone would be able to duplicate it and make off with the
+craft in their absence, so they felt it safe to leave the boat unguarded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pass the olives, Grace my dear,&rdquo; requested Mollie, when they were
+seated on a grassy knoll under a big oak tree. &ldquo;I have the crackers
+beside me. Now I am happy,&rdquo; and she munched the appetizing combination.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Crackers and olives!&rdquo; murmured Betty. &ldquo;Our old schoolday
+feast. I haven&rsquo;t gotten over my love for them, either. Let them
+circulate, Mollie.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls were making merry with quip and jest when Grace, hearing a crackling
+of under brush, looked back along the path they had come. She started and
+exclaimed:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here come those two young men&mdash;Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t notice them,&rdquo; begged Amy, who was not much given to
+making new acquaintances.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Too late! They see us&mdash;they&rsquo;re coming right toward us!&rdquo;
+cried Grace, in some confusion.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap14"></a>CHAPTER XIV<br />
+THE REGATTA</h2>
+
+<p>
+The two young men came on, apparently with the object of speaking to the girls.
+Evidently they had purposely sought them out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, it is Miss Nelson, and her friends from the <i>Gem</i>!&rdquo;
+exclaimed Mr. Stone, which might indicate that he had expected to meet some
+other party of picnic lovers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hope we are not intruding,&rdquo; said Mr. Kennedy, &ldquo;but we want
+to borrow some salt, if you have any.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty looked at them curiously. Was this a subterfuge&mdash;a means to an
+acquaintance? Her manner stiffened a trifle, and she glanced at Aunt Kate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You see we came off on a little picnic like yourselves,&rdquo; explained
+Mr. Stone, &ldquo;and Bob, here, forgot the salt.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You told me you&rsquo;d put it in yourself, Harry!&rdquo; exclaimed the
+other, &ldquo;and of course I thought you did.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, be that as it may,&rdquo; said his friend, &ldquo;we have no salt.
+We heard your voices over here and decided to be bold enough to ask for some.
+Do you remember us, Miss Nelson?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, yes.&rdquo; Betty&rsquo;s manner softened. The explanation was
+sufficient. Clearly the young men had not resorted to this trick to scrape an
+acquaintance with the girls.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is there anything else you&rsquo;d like?&rdquo; asked impulsive Mollie.
+&ldquo;Grace has plenty of candy, I think, and as for
+olives&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; she tilted one empty bottle, and smiled. Mr.
+Kennedy smiled back in a frank manner. Betty decided that introductions would
+be in good form, since they had learned that the young men were
+&ldquo;perfectly proper.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Names were exchanged, and Mr. Kennedy and his friend sat down on the grass.
+They did not seem in any special hurry about the salt, now that it was offered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We hope you haven&rsquo;t changed your minds about the race and
+regatta,&rdquo; spoke Mr. Stone, after some generalities had been exchanged.
+&ldquo;By the way, I have the entry blanks for you,&rdquo; and he passed the
+papers to Betty, who accepted them with murmured thanks.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We shall very likely enter both the pageant and the race,&rdquo; she
+said. &ldquo;When do they take place?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The pageant will be held two nights hence. That will really open the
+carnival. The boats, decorated as suit the fancies of the owners, will form in
+line, and move about the lake, past the judges&rsquo; stand. There will be
+prizes for the most beautifully decorated boat, the oddest, and also the worst,
+if you understand me. I mean by the last that some captains have decided to
+make their boats look like wrecks, striving after queer effects.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should not like that,&rdquo; said Betty, decidedly. &ldquo;But if
+there is time, and we can do it, we might decorate?&rdquo; and she looked at
+her chums questioningly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Surely,&rdquo; said Grace, and Mollie took the chance to whisper to her:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why don&rsquo;t you start some questions?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I will&mdash;if I get a chance,&rdquo; was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty was finding out more about the carnival when the start would be made, the
+course and other details. The races would take place the day after the boat
+parade.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There will be canoe and rowing races, as well as tub and
+&lsquo;upset&rsquo; events,&rdquo; said Mr. Stone. &ldquo;We are also planning
+to have a swimming and diving contest the latter part of the regatta week, but
+I don&rsquo;t suppose you young ladies would care to enter that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We all swim, and we have our bathing suits,&rdquo; said Mollie,
+indefinitely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mollie dives beautifully!&rdquo; exclaimed Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do not&mdash;that is, I&rsquo;m not an expert at it,&rdquo; Mollie
+hastened to say. &ldquo;But I love diving.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then why not enter?&rdquo; asked Mr. Kennedy. &ldquo;I am chairman of
+that committee. I&rsquo;ll put the names of you girls down, if you don&rsquo;t
+mind. It doesn&rsquo;t commit you to anything.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls had no formal objections.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are real out-door girls, I can see that!&rdquo; complimented Mr.
+Stone. &ldquo;You must like life in the woods and on the lake.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed they do,&rdquo; spoke Aunt Kate. &ldquo;They walked&mdash;I think
+it was two hundred miles, just before coming on this cruise; didn&rsquo;t you,
+Betty?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but we took it by easy stages,&rdquo; evaded the Little Captain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That was fine!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Kennedy. &ldquo;Well, Harry, if
+we&rsquo;re gong to eat we&rsquo;d better take our salt and go.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you have some of our sandwiches?&rdquo; asked Mollie,
+impulsive as usual. &ldquo;We have more than we can eat,&rdquo; for they had
+brought along a most substantial lunch. Mollie looked at Betty and Aunt Kate.
+They registered no objections.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are very good,&rdquo; protested Mr. Kennedy, &ldquo;but really we
+don&rsquo;t want to deprive you&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It will be no deprivation,&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;We will be glad not
+to have them wasted&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, then by all means let us be&mdash;the wastebaskets!&rdquo; exclaimed
+Mr. Stone, laughing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I didn&rsquo;t mean just that,&rdquo; and Betty blushed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I understand,&rdquo; he replied, and Aunt Kate passed over a plate of
+chicken sandwiches. Under cover of opening another bottle of olives, Mollie
+whispered to Grace:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ask him some questions&mdash;start on motoring&mdash;ask if they ever
+motored near Deepdale.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I will,&rdquo; whispered Grace, and, as the two young men ate, she led
+the topic of talk to automobiles.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you motor?&rdquo; she asked, looking directly at Mr. Stone. She was
+certain now that at least he had been in the car that caused Prince to run
+away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, yes, often,&rdquo; he answered. &ldquo;Do you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, but I am very fond of horseback riding,&rdquo; she said. She was
+certain that Mr. Stone started.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;that is something I never cared about.
+Frankly, I am afraid of horses. I saw one run away once, with a young lady,
+and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you mean that time we were speeding up to get out of the
+storm?&rdquo; his friend interrupted, &ldquo;and we hit a stone, swerved over
+toward the animal, and nearly struck it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, that was the time,&rdquo; answered Mr. Stone. Grace could hardly
+refrain from crying out that she was on that same horse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have always wondered who that girl was,&rdquo; Mr. Stone went on,
+&ldquo;and some day I mean to go back to the scene of the accident, and see if
+I can find out. I have an idea she blames us for her horse running away. But it
+was an accident, pure and simple; wasn&rsquo;t it, Bob?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It certainly was. You see it was this way,&rdquo; he explained, and
+Grace felt sure they would ask her why she was so pale, for the blood had left
+her cheeks on hearing that the young men were really those she had suspected.
+&ldquo;Harry, here, and myself,&rdquo; went on Mr. Kennedy, &ldquo;had been out
+for a little run, to transact some business. We were on a country road, and a
+storm was coming up. We put on speed, because we did not want to get wet, and I
+had to be at a telegraph office at a certain time to complete a deal by wire.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just ahead of us was a girl on a white horse. The animal seemed
+frightened at the storm, and just as we came racing past our car struck a
+stone, and was jolted right over toward the animal. I am not sure but what we
+hit it. Anyhow the horse bolted. The girl looked able to manage it, and as it
+was absolutely necessary for us to keep on, we did so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I looked back, and I thought I saw the horse stumble with the
+girl,&rdquo; put in Mr. Stone, &ldquo;but I was not sure, and then the rain
+came pelting down, and the road was so bad that it took both of us to manage
+the car. We were late, too. But we meant to go back and see if any accident
+happened.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Only when we got to the telegraph office,&rdquo; supplied his friend,
+&ldquo;we were at once called to New York in haste, and so many things have
+come up since that we never got the chance. Tell me,&rdquo; he said earnestly,
+&ldquo;you girls live in Deepdale. This happened not far from there. Did you
+ever hear of a girl on a white horse being seriously hurt?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace made a motion to her chums to keep silent about the whole affair, and let
+her answer. She had her reasons.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There was no report of any girl being seriously hurt at the time you
+mention,&rdquo; she said, a trifle coolly, &ldquo;but a little child was
+knocked down by a horse&mdash;a white horse. It may have been the one you
+scared.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But unintentionally&mdash;unintentionally! I hope you believe
+that!&rdquo; said Mr. Stone earnestly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh&mdash;yes&mdash;of course,&rdquo; and Grace&rsquo;s voice was not
+quite so cold now. She could readily understand that the accident could have
+happened in just that way, and it was beginning to look so. Certainly, not
+knowing the girls, the young man could have no object in deceiving them,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A little child knocked down, you say!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Kennedy.
+&ldquo;I hope it was not badly hurt. Who was it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; began Mollie, and she was on the point of saying
+it was her sister Dodo, when from the lake there sounded the cry of:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fire! Fire! Fire!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then came a sharp explosion. Everyone arose, and Mr. Kennedy exclaimed
+excitedly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That must be an explosion on a motor boat. Come on, Harry. We may he
+needed!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They rushed through the bushes toward the place whence the alarm came, the
+girls following as fast as they could.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let him know it was I, or that it was your sister who was
+hurt!&rdquo; Grace cautioned her chums. &ldquo;I am going to write to papa, and
+he can make an investigation. Their explanation sounds all right, but they may
+have the papers after all. I&rsquo;m going to write to-day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I would,&rdquo; advised Aunt Kate.&rdquo; &ldquo;It may amount to
+nothing, but it can do no harm to let your father know. And I think it wise not
+to let these young men know that you were in that runaway. If they really were
+not careless, as it seemed at first, you can tell them later, when you see how
+the investigation by Mr. Ford turns out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That will be best,&rdquo; spoke Betty. &ldquo;Oh, see, it is a boat on
+fire!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had reached a place where they could see a small motor boat, not far from
+shore, wrapped in a pall of black smoke, through which could be observed
+flickering flames.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&mdash;he&rsquo;s jumped!&rdquo; cried Mollie, as a figure leaped
+from the burning craft. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s safe, anyhow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There go Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone in their boat!&rdquo; exclaimed
+Grace, as the slender racing craft shot out from shore.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whatever may have been the faults of the young men as motorists, they knew how
+to act promptly in this case. As they passed the man who had leaped from the
+burning boat they tossed him a life preserver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then, nearing the burning boat, they halted their own, and began using a
+chemical extinguisher&mdash;the only safe thing save sand with which to fight a
+gasoline blaze. The fire did not have a chance to get much headway, and it was
+soon out, another boat coming up and lending aid.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man who had jumped was taken aboard this second boat, and his own, rather
+charred but not seriously damaged, was towed to shore. Later the girls learned
+that there had been some gasoline which leaked from his tank. He had been
+repairing his motor, which had stalled, when a spark from the electric wire set
+fire to the gasoline. There was a slight explosion, followed by the fire.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And it came just in time to stop me from telling what might have spoiled
+your plans, Grace,&rdquo; said Mollie, when they went back to gather up their
+lunch baskets.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I haven&rsquo;t any plans. I am going to let father or Will make
+them, after I send the information,&rdquo; she answered, &ldquo;But I think it
+best to let the two young men remain in ignorance, for a while.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I do, too!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty. &ldquo;They will probably not
+refer to it again, being so busy over the regatta.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a busy time for the girls, too. They finally decided to convert the
+<i>Gem</i>, as nearly as possible under the circumstances, into a Venetian
+gondola. By building a light wooden framework about it, and tacking on muslin,
+this could be done without too much labor. Betty engaged the help of a man and
+boy, and with the girls to aid the work was soon well under way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls saw little of Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone&mdash;save passing
+glimpses&mdash;after the picnic. Grace telephoned to her father, who promised
+to at once look into the matter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do hope we win a prize!&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie, on the evening of the
+regatta. &ldquo;The <i>Gem</i> looks lovely!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I think it is rather nice,&rdquo; admitted Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The muslin, drawn tightly over the temporary frame, had been painted until in
+the dark the boat bore a striking resemblance to a gondola, even to the odd
+prow in front. It was arranged that Grace should stand at the stern with a long
+oar, or what was to pass for it, while Betty would run the motor and do the
+real steering. Mollie, Amy, and Aunt Kate were to be passengers. Mollie
+borrowed a guitar and there was to be music and singing as they took part in
+the water pageant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, it&rsquo;s time to start,&rdquo; announced Betty after supper.
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll light the Chinese lanterns after we get to our place in
+line,&rdquo; for the boats were to be illuminated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The <i>Gem</i> started off, being in the midst of many craft, all more or less
+decorated, that were to take part in the affair.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap15"></a>CHAPTER XV<br />
+THE RACE</h2>
+
+<p>
+Like the scene from some simulated fairyland, or a stage picture, was the water
+pageant on Rainbow Lake. In double lines the motor boats moved slowly along
+from the starting point toward the float where the judges were stationed to
+decide which craft was entitled to the prize in its own class.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I&rsquo;m so glad we entered!&rdquo; cried Betty, as she stood at
+the wheel. Because of the cloth side of the &ldquo;gondola&rdquo; it appeared
+that she was merely reclining at her ease, as did the Venetian ladies of old,
+for a seat with cushions had been arranged near the steering wheel.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, see that boat&mdash;just like an airship!&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie,
+as they saw just ahead of them a craft so decorated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And here&rsquo;s one that looks just like a floating island, with trees
+and bushes,&rdquo; added Amy. &ldquo;That ought to take a prize.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We ought to take one ourselves!&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie. &ldquo;We
+worked hard enough. My hands are a mass of blisters.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And my back aches!&rdquo; declared Grace. &ldquo;But it was worth while.
+I don&rsquo;t see any boat just like ours,&rdquo; and she glanced along the
+line of craft ahead of them, and to those in the rear, as they were making a
+turn just then.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, there&rsquo;s one of the lanterns gone out!&rdquo; cried Mollie.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll light it,&rdquo; and she proceeded to do so, taking it into
+the cabin because of the little breeze that blew over the lake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a band on one of the larger boats, and this played at intervals.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s sing!&rdquo; proposed Grace, and, with guitar accompaniment,
+the girls mingled their voices in one of the many part songs they had practiced
+at school. Applause followed their rendition, for they had chosen a time when
+there was comparative quiet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Around the course went the flotilla of boats, past the judges&rsquo; float, and
+back to the starting point. Then the parade was over, but a number of affairs
+had been arranged&mdash;dances, suppers and the like&mdash;by different
+cottagers. The girls had been invited to the dance at the headquarters of the
+Rainbow Lake Yacht Club, and they had accepted. They had dressed for the
+affair, and tying their boat to the club dock they went into the pretty little
+ballroom with Aunt Kate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Congratulations!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Kennedy, stepping up to Betty as
+she entered with her chums.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;For what?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your boat won first prize for those of most original design. It is a
+beautiful silver cup.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I&rsquo;m so glad! Girls, do you hear? We won first prize in our
+class!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fine!&rdquo; cried Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, isn&rsquo;t it nice?&rdquo; said Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did we really?&rdquo; asked Grace, somewhat incredulously,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You really did. I just heard the decision of the judges. Harry and I are
+out of it, though. We tried in the &lsquo;wreck&rsquo; class, but the Rabbit,
+which was rigged out like the Flying Dutchman, beat us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s too bad,&rdquo; said Mollie, sympathetically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never mind, we&rsquo;ve had our fun,&rdquo; said Mr. Stone, coming up at
+this point. &ldquo;You girls certainly deserved the prize, if anyone did. And
+now I hope your dance cards aren&rsquo;t filled.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were not&mdash;but they soon were, and the evening passed most
+delightfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who said breakfast?&rdquo; yawned Grace the next morning, as she looked
+from her bunk down on Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I ate so much lobster salad last night I don&rsquo;t want anything but a
+glass of water on toast,&rdquo; murmured Mollie. &ldquo;Oh, but we had a lovely
+time!&rdquo; and she sighed in regret at its departure.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And those young men were lovely dancers,&rdquo; said Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And wasn&rsquo;t it nice of Will, Frank, and Allen to come?&rdquo; spoke
+Amy, for Grace&rsquo;s brother, and his two friends, had arrived most
+unexpectedly at the Yacht Club ball. Will had come to tell his sister certain
+things in regard to the missing papers, and had met a friend who belonged to
+the club.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Naturally there was an invitation to the dance, which was quite informal in a
+way, and so the three boys from Deepdale had also had a good time. They were
+put up at the club over night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It developed that Mr. Ford had investigated certain matters in regard to Mr.
+Kennedy and Mr. Stone, and had learned that by no possibility could they have
+secured the missing papers. There would have been absolutely no interest in the
+documents for them. It was merely a coincidence that they had been on the
+scene. And this news made their explanation about the auto accident most
+plausible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Will had come to Rainbow Lake to tell his sister this, to relieve her mind.
+When he mentioned coming he had told Frank and Allen, asking them to go with
+him. All the boys expected to do was to spend the evening on board the
+<i>Gem</i> with the girls, but when they arrived, and learned of the pageant,
+and Will met his club friend, the plans were changed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Too bad Percy Falconer didn&rsquo;t come,&rdquo; remarked Grace, as she
+slipped into her dressing gown.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t spoil everything,&rdquo; begged Betty. &ldquo;You know I
+detest him!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Gradually the girls got breakfast, talking of the events of the night before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wonder when we will get our prize?&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;I am wild
+to see it. I hope it&rsquo;s that oddly shaped cup we so admired when we looked
+at the prizes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It proved to be that one, the trophy being sent over to the dock where the
+<i>Gem</i> was tied, by a special messenger. It was given the place of honor in
+the cabin.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Will and his two chums went home rather late that day.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is father much worried about the missing papers?&rdquo; asked Grace, as
+she parted from her brother.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He sure is. He&rsquo;s afraid the other side may spring something on him
+any minute.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You mean&mdash;take some action to get the property?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s too bad. But I don&rsquo;t see what we can do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Neither do I. I wish I could find Prince. I think that&rsquo;s the
+queerest thing about him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It certainly is. Say, Will, how is poor little Dodo getting on?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, as well as you can expect. They&rsquo;re going to operate soon, I
+heard. How is Mollie standing it, Grace?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fairly well. Isn&rsquo;t it strange that we should meet the two
+autoists?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. Have you put them wise yet?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wise? What do you mean? Such slang!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I mean told &rsquo;em who you are?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, and we&rsquo;re not going to for a while yet. We don&rsquo;t want to
+make them feel bad.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right, suit yourselves. We&rsquo;re coming up and see you when you
+get in camp.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, do. We&rsquo;ll write when we&rsquo;re settled.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Preparations for the race were going on, and the <i>Gem</i>, as were the other
+boats, was being groomed for the contest. She had been converted into her own
+self again, and Betty had engaged a man to look over the motor, and make a few
+adjustments of which she was not quite capable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Uncle Amos came to Rainbow Lake to see the girls and the boat. He was not much
+impressed with the sheet of water, large as it was, but he did take
+considerable interest in the coming race, and insisted on personally doing a
+lot of work to the boat to get her &ldquo;ship-shape.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So that when the <i>Gem</i> was ready to go to the starting line she was
+prepared to make the &ldquo;try of her life,&rdquo; as Betty expressed it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There were six boats in the class that included the <i>Gem</i>. Some were about
+the same size, one was larger and one was smaller. In horse power they rated
+about the same, but some handicapping had been done by the judges. The
+<i>Gem</i> was to start four minutes after the first boat got away, and of
+course she would have to make up this time to win.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But we can do it!&rdquo; declared Betty, confidently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As they were on their way to the starting line the girls noticed two boys
+rowing along the shore, looking intently as they proceeded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, you haven&rsquo;t seen a big green canoe, with an Indian&rsquo;s
+head painted in red on each end; have you?&rdquo; asked one of the lads.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No; why?&rdquo; asked Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Someone took ours last night,&rdquo; spoke the other boy. &ldquo;We were
+going in the races with it, too. It was a dandy canoe!&rdquo; and he seemed
+much depressed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s too bad,&rdquo; spoke Betty sympathetically. &ldquo;If we
+see anything of your canoe we&rsquo;ll let you know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just send word to Tom Cardiff, over at Shaffer&rsquo;s dock!&rdquo;
+cried the elder boy eagerly. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a reward of two dollars for
+anyone who finds it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Poor fellows!&rdquo; said Betty as they rowed off. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d give
+two dollars of my own now if we could find their canoe for them. They must be
+dreadfully disappointed. Well, shall we start?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, let&rsquo;s get it over with,&rdquo; replied Grace, nervously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace and Amy were selected to look after the motor, they having been
+&ldquo;coached&rdquo; by Uncle Amos for several days. They were to see that it
+did not lack for oil, and if anything got out of adjustment they could fix it.
+They would be stationed well forward in the cabin, and the bulkhead being
+removed, they could easily get at the machinery.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty and Mollie would be at the wheel. Aunt Kate declined to take part in the
+race, and Uncle Amos was not eligible under the rules, this being strictly a
+race for girls and women.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Several events were run off before the Class B race was called. Then the boats,
+including the <i>Gem</i>, moved up, and were formally inspected to make sure
+that all the rules and regulations had been complied with. No fault was found.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you all ready?&rdquo; asked the starter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ready,&rdquo; was the answer, and the first boat shot away. It was
+nervous waiting for Betty and her chums&mdash;those four minutes&mdash;but they
+finally passed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ready?&rdquo; asked the starter again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ready,&rdquo; answered Betty, her voice trembling in spite of herself.
+There was a sharp crack of the pistol, and the <i>Gem</i> shot ahead, as Betty
+let the clutch slip into place. The race was on!
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap16"></a>CHAPTER XVI<br />
+FIGHTING FIRE</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Betty, do you think we can win?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was Mollie who asked this as she stood beside her chum at the wheel of the
+<i>Gem</i>. The boat was churning through the water, gradually creeping up on
+the craft that had gotten away ahead of her. Behind came other boats, starting
+as the crack of the official pistol was heard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course we&rsquo;ll win!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty, as she changed the
+course slightly. She wanted to keep it as straight as possible, for well she
+knew that the shortest distance between any two points is in a straight line.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We wouldn&rsquo;t miss that lovely prize for anything,&rdquo; called
+Grace from up forward, where she was helping Amy look after the laboring motor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A number of prizes had been provided by the regatta committee; the chief one
+for this particular race was a handsome cut-glass bowl, that had been much
+admired when on exhibition at the club house.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The course was a triangular one of three miles, and now all the craft that were
+competing were on the last &ldquo;leg&rdquo; of the triangle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;re creeping up on her!&rdquo; whispered Amy, as she directed
+the attention of Grace to the boat just ahead of them. It was a light, open
+affair, with a two-cylinder motor, but speedy, and two girls in it seemed to be
+working desperately over their machinery. Something seemed to have gone wrong
+with one of the cylinders, for Betty could detect a &ldquo;miss&rdquo; now and
+then.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, we&rsquo;re coming up,&rdquo; admitted Grace, as she skillfully put
+a little oil on a cam shaft. &ldquo;If we can only hold out!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, trust Betty for that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t that&mdash;it&rsquo;s the motor. One never knows when
+they are not going to &lsquo;mote.&rsquo; But this one seems to be coming on
+well,&rdquo; and Grace glanced critically at the various parts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were well out in Rainbow Lake now, and many eyes were watching the race.
+One of the last boats to get away had given up, for the girls in charge could
+not remedy the ignition trouble that developed soon after they started. This
+left five. The <i>Gem</i> was second in line, but behind her a very powerful
+boat was gradually creeping up on her, even as she was overhauling the boat
+that got away first.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t you turn on a little more gasoline?&rdquo; asked Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think I can&mdash;now,&rdquo; spoke Betty. &ldquo;I wanted to give it
+gradually.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She opened the throttle a little more, and advanced the spark slightly. The
+result was at once apparent. The <i>Gem</i> shot ahead, and the girls in the
+leading boat looked back nervously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One of them is that pretty girl Will danced with so often at the
+ball,&rdquo; said Mollie, as she got a glimpse of the rival&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, and the other is her cousin, or something,&rdquo; spoke Betty.
+&ldquo;I was introduced to her. It&rsquo;s mean, perhaps, to beat you,
+girls,&rdquo; she whispered, &ldquo;But I&rsquo;m going to do it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The chugging of many motors&mdash;the churning to foam of the blue waters of
+the lake&mdash;a haze of acrid smoke hanging over all, as some cylinder did not
+properly digest the gasoline vapor and oil fed to it, but sent it out half
+consumed&mdash;spray thrown up now and then&mdash;the distant sound of a
+band&mdash;eager eyes looking toward the stake buoys&mdash;tense
+breathing&mdash;all this went to make up the race in which our outdoor girls
+were taking part.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Foot by foot the <i>Gem</i> crept up on the <i>Bug</i>, which was the name of
+the foremost boat. Drop by drop Betty fed more gasoline to her striving motor.
+The other girls did their duty, if it was only encouragement. Those in the
+<i>Bug</i> worked desperately, but it was not to be. The <i>Gem</i> passed
+them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;re sorry!&rdquo; called Betty, as she flashed by. The other
+girls smiled bravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The <i>Gem</i> was now first, but the race was far from won. They were on the
+last leg, however, but in the rear, coming on, and overhauling Betty and her
+chums as they had just overhauled the others, was the speedy <i>Eagle</i>. She
+had been last to get off, but had passed all the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They are after us,&rdquo; spoke Mollie, as she held the wheel a moment
+while Betty tucked under her natty yachting cap some wind-tossed locks of hair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But they shan&rsquo;t get us,&rdquo; declared the Little Captain grimly.
+&ldquo;We haven&rsquo;t reached our limit yet.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Once more she gave more gasoline, but the rivals in the rear were settling down
+now to win the race for themselves. The <i>Eagle</i> came on rapidly. The
+finish line was near at hand, but it seemed that Betty and her chums had the
+upper hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly Grace cried:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One of the wires is broken. It&rsquo;s snapped in two, and it&rsquo;s
+spouting sparks!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There came a noticeable slowing down to the speed of the motor. The <i>Gem</i>
+lagged. The <i>Eagle</i> was in hot pursuit. Betty acted quickly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Put on those rubber gloves!&rdquo; she ordered. &ldquo;Take a pair of
+pliers, and hold the ends of that wire together. That will make it as good as
+mended until after the race. Amy, you help. But wear rubber gloves, and then
+you won&rsquo;t get a shock. Quick, girls!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The breaking of the wire threw one cylinder out of commission. The <i>Gem</i>
+was one third crippled. There came a murmur from the pursuing boat. There was a
+commotion in the forward engine compartment of Betty&rsquo;s boat. This was
+caused by Grace and Amy seeking to repair the damage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A moment later the resumption of the staccato exhaust of the motor told that
+the break had been repaired&mdash;temporarily, at least. The boat shot ahead
+again, at her former speed, and only just in time, for her rival was now on
+even terms with her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Betty, we can&rsquo;t do it!&rdquo; Mollie said, pathetically.
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to lose!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We are not! I&rsquo;ve got another notch I can slip forward the gasoline
+throttle, and here it goes! If that doesn&rsquo;t push us ahead nothing
+will&mdash; and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t get that cut glass,&rdquo; finished Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But just that little fraction was what was needed. The <i>Gem</i> went ahead
+almost by inches only, but it was enough. The <i>Eagle&rsquo;s</i> crew of
+three girls tried in vain to coax another revolution out of her propeller, but
+it was not to be, and the <i>Gem</i> shot over the line a winner. A winner, but
+by so narrow a margin that the judges conferred a moment before making the
+announcement. But they finally made it. The <i>Gem</i> had undoubtedly won.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; exclaimed Grace as she climbed out into the cabin, and thence
+to the deck, followed by Amy. &ldquo;Oh, my hand is numb holding the ends of
+that wire together. I didn&rsquo;t dare let go&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was brave of you!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty, patting Grace on the
+shoulder. &ldquo;If you had let go we would have lost. We&rsquo;ll bathe your
+hand for you in witch hazel.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, it is only cramped. It will be all right in a little while.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What a din they are making!&rdquo; cried Amy, covering her ears with her
+hands.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They are saluting the winner,&rdquo; said Mollie, as she noted the
+tooting of many boat whistles. Betty slowed down her boat, and saluted as she
+swept past the boat of the judges.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m glad it&rsquo;s over,&rdquo; sighed Grace. &ldquo;It was
+nervous work. I&rsquo;m going to make some chocolate, and have it iced. It was
+warm up there by the motor.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you both need baths,&rdquo; remarked Mollie with a laugh. &ldquo;You
+are as grimy as chimney sweeps.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but we don&rsquo;t mind,&rdquo; said Amy. &ldquo;You won, Betty!
+I&rsquo;m so glad!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We won, you mean,&rdquo; corrected the Little Captain. &ldquo;I
+couldn&rsquo;t have done it except for you girls,&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Many craft saluted the <i>Gem</i> as she came off the course.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish Uncle Amos could have seen us!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty. &ldquo;He
+would have been proud.&rdquo; The girls remained as spectators for the
+remainder of the carnival, and then, the day being warm, they went to their
+dock. Near it was a sandy bathing beach, and soon they were swimming about in
+the limpid waters of Rainbow Lake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here goes for a dive!&rdquo; cried Mollie, as she climbed out on the end
+of the pier, and mounted a mooring post. She poised herself gracefully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Better not&mdash;you don&rsquo;t know how deep it is,&rdquo; cautioned
+Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m only going to take a shallow dive,&rdquo; was the answer and
+then Mollie&rsquo;s slender body shot through the air in a graceful curve, and
+cut down into the water. A second later she bobbed up, shaking her head to rid
+her eyes of water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That was lovely!&rdquo; cried Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did I splash much?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not at all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s real deep there,&rdquo; said Mollie. &ldquo;Some day
+I&rsquo;m going to try to touch bottom.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls splashed about, refreshing themselves after the race. Then came calm
+evening, when they sat on deck and ate supper prepared by Aunt Kate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now you girls just sit right still and enjoy yourselves,&rdquo; she told
+them, when they insisted on helping. &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t win motor boat
+races every day, and you&rsquo;re entitled to a banquet.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That night there was another informal dance at the Yacht Club, and the girls
+had a splendid time. Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy exerted themselves to see that
+our friends did not lack for partners, and Grace was rather ashamed of the
+suspicions she had entertained concerning the twain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The carnival came to an end with a series of water sports. There were swimming
+races for ladies, and Mollie won one of these, but her chums were less
+fortunate. The carnival had been a great success and many congratulations were
+showered on Messrs. Stone and Kennedy for their part in it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We are glad it is over,&rdquo; said Mr. Stone, as he and his chums sat
+on the deck of the <i>Gem</i> one evening, having called to ask the girls to go
+to another dance. But Betty and her chums voted for staying aboard, and
+proposed a little trip about the lake by moonlight. Soon they were under way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a perfect night, and the mystic gleam of the moon moved them to song as
+they swept slowly along under the influence of the throttled-down engine.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly Mr. Kennedy, who was sitting well forward on the trunk cabin with
+Grace, sprang to his feet, exclaiming:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It looks like a fire,&rdquo; said Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is a fire!&rdquo; cried Mr. Stone. &ldquo;Say, it&rsquo;s that hay
+barge we noticed coming over this evening, tied up at Black&rsquo;s dock.
+It&rsquo;s got adrift and caught fire!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look where it&rsquo;s drifting!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Right for the Yacht Club boathouse!&rdquo; added Mollie. &ldquo;The wind
+is taking it there. Look, the fire is increasing!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And if it runs against the boat house there&rsquo;ll be no saving
+it!&rdquo; said Mr. Kennedy. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s no fire-boat up
+here&mdash;there ought to be!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Girls!&rdquo; cried Betty, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s just a chance to save
+the boat house!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How?&rdquo; demanded Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If we could get on the windward side of that burning barge, throw a line
+aboard and tow it out into the middle of the lake, it could burn there without
+doing any damage!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;By Jove! She&rsquo;s hit the nail on the head!&rdquo; declared Mr.
+Stone, with emphasis. &ldquo;But dare you do it, Miss Nelson?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I certainly will dare&mdash;if you&rsquo;ll help!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course we&rsquo;ll help! Steer over there!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The burning hay, fanned by a brisk wind, was now sending up a pillar of fire
+and a cloud of smoke. And the barge was drifting perilously near the boathouse.
+Many whistles of alarm smote the air, but no boat was as near as the
+<i>Gem</i>.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap17"></a>CHAPTER XVII<br />
+ON ELM ISLAND</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you a long rope aboard, Miss Nelson?&rdquo; asked Mr. Stone, when
+they had drawn near to the burning load of hay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, you will find it in one of the after lockers,&rdquo; answered
+Betty, as she skillfully directed the course of her boat so as to get on the
+windward side of the barge.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And have you a boathook? I want to fasten it to the rope, and see if I
+can cast it aboard the barge.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There is something better than that,&rdquo; went on the Little Captain.
+&ldquo;I have a small anchor&mdash;a kedge, I think my Uncle Amos called
+it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fine, that will be just the thing to cast! Where is it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In the same locker with the rope. Uncle insisted that I carry it, though
+we&rsquo;ve never used it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, it will come in mighty handy now,&rdquo; declared Mr. Kennedy, as
+he prepared to assist his chum. &ldquo;You girls had better get in the
+cabin,&rdquo; he added, &ldquo;for there is no telling when the wind may shift,
+and blow sparks on your dresses. They&rsquo;re too nice to have holes burned in
+them,&rdquo; and he gazed, not without proper admiration, at Betty and her
+chums. Even in this hour of stress and no little danger he could do that.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll put on our raincoats,&rdquo; suggested Mollie. &ldquo;The
+little sparks from the hay won&rsquo;t burn them. Or, if they do, we can have a
+pail of water ready.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s a good idea,&rdquo; commented Mr. Stone, who was making the
+kedge anchor fast to the long rope. &ldquo;Have several pails ready if you can.
+No telling when the sparks may come aboard too fast for us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And we have fire extinguishers, too,&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;Grace,
+you know where they are in the cabin. Get them out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I&rsquo;ll draw the water,&rdquo; said Mr. Kennedy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can help at that,&rdquo; added Aunt Kate, bravely. &ldquo;I know where
+the scrubbing pail is.&rdquo; She had insisted on making it one of her duties
+to scrub the deck every day, and for this purpose she kept in readiness a pail
+to which a rope was attached, that it might be dropped overboard into the lake
+and hauled up full. This was soon in use. Aunt Kate insisted on having several
+large pots and pans also filled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t have too much water at a fire,&rdquo; she said,
+practically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The burning hay barge was rapidly being blown down toward the boathouse. At the
+latter structure quite a throng of club members, and others, had gathered in
+readiness to act when the time came.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the moonlight they could be seen getting pails and tubs of water in
+readiness, and one small line of hose, used to water the lawn, was laid. But it
+would be of small service against such a blaze as now enveloped the barge. Many
+boats were hastening to the scene, whistling frantically&mdash;as though that
+helped.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you got a pump aboard?&rdquo; some one hailed those on the
+<i>Gem</i>.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, we&rsquo;re going to haul the barge away,&rdquo; answered Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good idea, but don&rsquo;t go too close!&rdquo; came the warning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is going to be pretty warm,&rdquo; remarked Mr. Stone. He had the
+anchor made fast, and with the rope coiled so that it would not foul as he made
+the cast, he took his place on one of the after lockers. Betty&rsquo;s plan was
+to go as close to the burning craft as she could, to allow the cast to be made,
+As soon as the prongs of the anchor caught, she would head her motor and out
+toward the middle of the lake, towing the barge where it could be anchored and
+allowed to burn to the water&rsquo;s edge.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But what are you going to anchor it with?&rdquo; asked Mr. Kennedy, when
+this last feature had been discussed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; spoke his chum, reflectively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a heavy piece of iron under the middle board of the
+cabin,&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;Uncle Amos said it was there for ballast in
+case we wanted to use a sail, but I don&rsquo;t see that we need it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll use it temporarily, anyhow, for an anchor,&rdquo; decided
+Mr. Stone. He and his companion soon had it out, and made fast to the other end
+of the rope.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get ready now!&rdquo; warned Betty, when this had been done.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going as close as I can.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She steered her boat toward the burning barge. There came whistles of
+encouragement from the surrounding craft. The heat was intense, and on the
+suggestion of Mr. Kennedy the motor boat&rsquo;s decks were kept wet from the
+water in the pails. The girls felt their hands and faces grow warm. Those on
+the boathouse float and pier were all anxiety. The flames, blown by the wind,
+seemed to leap across the intervening space as if to reach the boat shelter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here she goes!&rdquo; cried Mr. Stone, as he cast the anchor. It was
+skillfully done, and the prongs caught on some part of the barge, low enough
+down so that the hempen strands would not burn. Mr. Stone pulled on the rope to
+see if it would hold. It did, and he called:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let her go, Miss Nelson! Gradually though; don&rsquo;t put too much
+strain on the rope at first! After you get the barge started the other way, it
+will be all right.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty sent the <i>Gem</i> ahead. The rope paid out over the
+stern&mdash;taunted&mdash;became tight. There was a heavy strain on it. Would
+it hold? It did, and slowly the hay barge began to move out into the lake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hurray!&rdquo; cried Mr. Kennedy. &ldquo;That solved the problem.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You girls certainly know how to do things,&rdquo; said Mr. Stone,
+admiringly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Cheers from those in surrounding boats seemed to emphasize this sentiment.
+There was now no danger to the Yacht Club boathouse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A little later, when the flames in the hay were at their height, the piece of
+iron was dropped overboard from the <i>Gem</i>. This, with the rope and the
+kedge anchor, served to hold the barge in place. There it could burn without
+doing any harm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Soon the fire began to die down, and a little later it was but a smouldering
+mass, not even interesting as a spectacle. Betty Nelson&rsquo;s plan had worked
+well, and later she received the thanks of the Yacht Club, she and her chums
+being elected honorary life members in recognition of the service they had
+rendered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Summer days passed&mdash;delicious, lazy summer days&mdash;during which the
+girls motored, canoed or rowed as they fancied, went on picnics in the woods,
+or on some of the islands of Rainbow Lake, or took long walks. Mr. Stone and
+Mr. Kennedy, sometimes one, often both, went with the girls. Occasionally Will
+and his friends ran out for a day or two, taking cruises with Betty, and her
+chums.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Aunt Kate remained as chaperone, others who had been invited finding it
+impossible to come. The girls&rsquo; mothers made up a party and paid them a
+visit one day, being royally entertained at the time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, you girls certainly know how to do things,&rdquo; said Mr. Stone
+one day; after Betty had skillfully avoided a collision, due to the
+carelessness of another skipper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish we could do something to get those papers for father,&rdquo;
+thought Grace. Not a trace had been found of Prince or the missing documents.
+It was very strange. Mr. Ford and his lawyer friends could not understand it.
+The interests opposed to him were preparing to take action, it was rumored, and
+if the papers were found this would be stopped. Even a detective agency that
+made a specialty of tracing lost articles had no success. Prince and the papers
+seemed to have vanished into thin air.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One day as Betty and her chums were motoring about the lake, having gone to the
+store for some supplies, they saw the two boys who had been searching for their
+canoe.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did you find it?&rdquo; asked Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, not a trace of it, Too, bad, too, for we saved up our
+money&mdash;four dollars, now,&rdquo; said the taller of the two lads.
+&ldquo;If you find her we&rsquo;ll give you that money; won&rsquo;t we?&rdquo;
+and he appealed to his companion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We sure will!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, if we see, or hear, anything of it we&rsquo;ll let you
+know,&rdquo; promised Betty. &ldquo;Poor fellows,&rdquo; she murmured, as they
+rowed away. They had made a circuit of the lake, going in many coves, but
+without success.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s about time to be thinking of camp, if we&rsquo;re going in
+for that sort of thing,&rdquo; announced Betty one day. &ldquo;Shall we try it,
+girl?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like it,&rdquo; said Mollie. &ldquo;We can use the boat, too;
+can&rsquo;t we?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; replied Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And sleep aboard?&rdquo; asked Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, let&rsquo;s sleep in a tent,&rdquo; proposed Amy. &ldquo;It will be
+lots of fun.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But the bugs, and mosquitoes&mdash;not to mention frogs and
+snakes,&rdquo; came protestingly from Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, we&rsquo;ve done it before, and we can use our mosquito nets,&rdquo;
+said Betty. &ldquo;I heard of a nice tent, and a well-fitted up camp over on
+Elm Island we can hire for a week or so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But the ghost&mdash;the one Mr. Lagg told about?&rdquo; asked Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll &lsquo;lay&rsquo; the ghost!&rdquo; laughed Betty.
+&ldquo;Seriously, I don&rsquo;t believe there is anything more than a
+fisherman&rsquo;s story to account for it. Still, if you girls are
+afraid&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Afraid!&rdquo; they protested in chorus.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then we&rsquo;ll go to Elm Island,&rdquo; decided Betty, and they did.
+The camp, near a little dock where the <i>Gem</i> could be tied, was well
+suited to their needs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, we&rsquo;ll have a good time here!&rdquo; declared Betty as they
+took possession. &ldquo;But we must get in plenty of supplies. Let&rsquo;s go
+over and call on Mr. Lagg,&rdquo; and they headed for the mainland in the motor
+boat.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap18"></a>CHAPTER XVIII<br />
+IN CAMP</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, well, young ladies, I certainly am glad to see you again! Indeed I
+am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ladies, ladies, one and all,<br />
+
+&nbsp;I&rsquo;m very glad to have you call!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+Thus Mr. Lagg made our friends welcome as they entered his
+&ldquo;emporium,&rdquo; as the sign over the door had it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What will it be to-day?&rdquo; he went on.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve prunes and peaches, pies and pills,<br />
+
+&nbsp;To feed you well, and cure your ills.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, but we haven&rsquo;t any ills!&rdquo; cried &ldquo;Brown
+Betty,&rdquo; as her friends were beginning to call her, for certainly she was
+tanned most becomingly. &ldquo;However, we do want the lottest lot of things.
+Where is that list, Mollie?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I gave it to you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Grace had it last,&rdquo; volunteered Amy. &ldquo;She said she did not
+want to forget&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, we know what Grace doesn&rsquo;t want to forget,&rdquo; interrupted
+Mollie with a laugh. &ldquo;Produce that list, Grace,&rdquo; and it was
+forthcoming.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You see we have let our supplies run low,&rdquo; remarked Betty as she
+gave her order,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you going on a long cruise?&rdquo; Mr. Lagg, wanted to know.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To sail and sail the bounding main,<br />
+
+&nbsp;And then come back to port again?
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course I know that isn&rsquo;t very good,&rdquo; he apologized.
+&ldquo;When I make &rsquo;em up on the spur of the moment that way I
+don&rsquo;t take time to polish &rsquo;em off. And of course Rainbow Lake
+isn&rsquo;t exactly the bounding main, but it will answer as well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; agreed Betty, with a laugh. &ldquo;I think that is
+all,&rdquo; she went on, looking at her list. &ldquo;Oh, I almost forgot, we
+want some more of your lovely olives&mdash;those large ones.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, those are fine olives,&rdquo; admitted the store keeper. &ldquo;I
+get them from New York.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Olives stuffed, and some with pits,<br />
+
+&nbsp;With girls my olives sure make hits.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+He chanted this with a bow and a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am aware,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I am aware that the foregoing may
+sound like a baseball game, but such is not my intention. I use hit in the
+sense of meaning that it is well-liked.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Too well liked&mdash;I mean the olives,&rdquo; spoke Mollie. &ldquo;We
+can&rsquo;t keep enough on hand. I think we&rsquo;ll have to buy them by the
+case after this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As Grace does her chocolates,&rdquo; remarked Betty, with a smile that
+took all the sarcasm out of the words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; remarked Grace, drawlingly, &ldquo;I have noticed that you
+girls are generally around when I open a fresh box.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well hit!&rdquo; cried Amy. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let them fuss you, Grace
+my dear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t intend to.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Lagg helped his red-haired boy of all work to carry the girls&rsquo;
+purchases down to the boat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You must be fixing for a long voyage,&rdquo; he remarked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, we are going to camp over on Elm Island,&rdquo; said Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The storekeeper started.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What! With the ghost?&rdquo; He nearly dropped a package of fresh eggs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Really, Mr. Lagg, is there&mdash;er&mdash;anything really there?&rdquo;
+asked Mollie, seriously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, now, far be it from me to cause you young ladies any alarm,&rdquo;
+said Mr. Lagg, &ldquo;but I only repeat what I heard. There is something on
+that island that none of the men or boys who have seen and heard it cannot
+account for.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just what is it?&rdquo; asked Betty,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you want me to tell you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly&mdash;we are not afraid. Though we mustn&rsquo;t let Aunt Kate
+know,&rdquo; said Betty, quickly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, it&rsquo;s white and it rattles,&rdquo; said Mr. Lagg.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sounds like a riddle,&rdquo; commented Amy. &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s see who
+can guess the answer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;White&mdash;and rattles,&rdquo; murmured Betty. &ldquo;I have
+it&mdash;it&rsquo;s a pan full of white dishes. Some lone camper goes down to
+wash his dishes in the lake every night, and that accounts for it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then we&rsquo;ll ask the lone camper&mdash;to scamper!&rdquo; cried
+Grace with a laugh. &ldquo;We want peace and quietness.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you are really going to camp on Elm Island?&rdquo; asked Mr. Lagg,
+as he put the purchases aboard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We are,&rdquo; said Betty, solenmly. &ldquo;And if you hear us call for
+help in the middle of the night&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Betty Nelson!&rdquo; protested Amy.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And if for help you call on I&mdash;<br />
+
+&nbsp; I&rsquo;ll come exceeding quick and spry!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+Thus spouted Mr. Lagg.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am painfully aware,&rdquo; he said, quickly, &ldquo;that my poem on
+this occasion needs much polishing, but I sometimes make them that way, just to
+show what can be done&mdash;on the spur of the moment. Howsomever, I wish you
+luck. And if you do need help, just holler, or light a fire on shore, or fire a
+gun. I can see you or hear you from the end of my dock.&rdquo; Indeed, Elm
+Island was in sight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls went back with their supplies, and soon were in camp. The hard part
+of the work had been done for them by those of whom they had hired the tent and
+the outfit. All that remained to do was to light the patent oil stove, and
+cook. They could prepare their meals aboard the boat if they desired, and take
+them to the dining tent. In short they could take their choice of many methods
+of out-door life.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Their supplies were put away, the camp gotten in &ldquo;ship-shape,&rdquo; cots
+were made up, and mosquito bars suspended to insure a night of comfort. A
+little tour was made of the island in the vicinity of the camp, and, as far as
+the girls could see, occasional picnic parties were the only visitors. There
+were no other campers there.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll have a marshmallow roast to-night,&rdquo; decided Betty, as
+evening came on. They had gathered wood for a fire on the shore of the lake,
+and the candy had been provided by Grace, as might have been guessed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hope the ghost doesn&rsquo;t come and want some,&rdquo; murmured
+Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hush!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty. A noise in the woods made them all jump.
+Then they laughed, as a bird flew out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Our nerves are not what they should be,&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;We
+must calm down. I wonder did we get any pickles?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I saw him put some in,&rdquo; spoke Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then let&rsquo;s have supper, and we&rsquo;ll go out for a ride on the
+lake afterward,&rdquo; suggested Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Maybe the ghost will carry off our camp,&rdquo; remarked Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you dare let Aunt Kate hear you say that or she&rsquo;ll run
+away!&rdquo; cried Betty. &ldquo;Come on, everyone help get supper, and
+we&rsquo;ll be through early,&rdquo; and, gaily humming she began to set the
+table that stood under a canvas shelter in front of the big tent.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap19"></a>CHAPTER XIX<br />
+A QUEER DISTURBANCE</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have we blankets enough?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s sure to be cool before morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We can burn the oil stove turned down love&mdash;that will make the tent
+warm.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, but it makes it so close and&mdash;er&mdash;smelly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They all laughed at that.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty and her chums were preparing to spend their first night in camp on Elm
+Island, in the tent. They had had supper&mdash;eating with fine
+appetites&mdash;and after a little run about the lake had tied up at the small
+dock near their tent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A lantern would be a good thing to burn,&rdquo; said Aunt Kate.
+&ldquo;That will give some warmth, too.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And we can see better, if&mdash;if anything comes!&rdquo; exclaimed Amy,
+evidently with an effort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Anything&mdash;what do you mean?&rdquo; demanded Mollie, as she combed
+out her long hair, preparatory to braiding it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I mean&mdash;er&mdash;<i>anything</i>!&rdquo; and again Amy
+faltered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, girls she means&mdash;the ghost!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty, with a
+laugh. &ldquo;Why not say it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t!&rdquo; pleaded Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now look here,&rdquo; went on practical Betty. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s no
+use evading this matter. There&rsquo;s no such thing as a ghost, of that we are
+certain, and yet if we shy at mentioning it all the while it will only make us
+more nervous.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The idea! I&rsquo;m not nervous a bit,&rdquo; declared Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, then,&rdquo; resumed Betty, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s no use in being
+afraid to use the word, as Amy seemed to be. So talk ghost all you
+like&mdash;you can&rsquo;t scare me. I&rsquo;m so tired I know I&rsquo;ll sleep
+soundly, and I hope the rest of you will. Only, for goodness sakes, don&rsquo;t
+be talking in weird whispers. That is far worse than all the ghosts in
+creation.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what I say!&rdquo; exclaimed Aunt Kate, who was an
+old-fashioned, motherly soul. &ldquo;If the ghost comes I&rsquo;m going to talk
+to it, and ask how things are&mdash;er&mdash;on the other side. Girls,
+it&rsquo;s a great privilege to have a ghostly friend. If the man who owns this
+island knew what was good for him he&rsquo;d advertise the fact that it was
+haunted. If Mr. Lagg were here I&rsquo;d get him to make up a poem about the
+ghost. That would scare it off, if anything could.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the way to talk!&rdquo; cried Betty, cheerfully. &ldquo;And
+now for a good night&rsquo;s rest. Bur&mdash;r&mdash;r&mdash;r! It <i>is</i>
+cold!&rdquo; and she shivered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to get some more blankets from the boat,&rdquo; declared
+Mollie. &ldquo;I know we&rsquo;ll be glad of them before morning. Come along
+with me, Grace,&rdquo; she added, after a moment&rsquo;s pause, as she took up
+one of the lanterns. &ldquo;You can help carry them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And scare away the&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; began Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed, I wasn&rsquo;t thinking a thing about it!&rdquo; insisted
+Mollie, with emphasis. &ldquo;And I&rsquo;ll thank you to&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She began in that impetuous style, that usually presaged a burst of temper, and
+Betty looked distressed. But Mollie corrected her fault almost before she had
+committed it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Excuse me, Amy,&rdquo; she said, contritely. &ldquo;I know what you
+mean. Will you come, Grace?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course. I&rsquo;ll be glad of some extra coverings myself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two girls were back in remarkably short time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You didn&rsquo;t stay long,&rdquo; commented Betty, drily.
+&ldquo;it&rsquo;s only a step to the dock,&rdquo; answered Mollie, as she and
+Grace deposited their arm-loads of blankets on the cots.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then after the talk and laughter had died away, quiet gradually settled down in
+the camp tent. The Outdoor Girls were trying to go to sleep, but one and all,
+afterward, even Aunt Kate, complained that it was difficult. Whether it was the
+change from the boat, or the talk of the ghost, none could say. At any rate
+there were uneasy turnings from side to side, and as each cot squeaked in a
+different key, and as one or the other was constantly &ldquo;singing,&rdquo;
+the result may be imagined.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, dear!&rdquo; exclaimed Grace, impatiently, after a half-hour of
+comparative quiet, &ldquo;I know I&rsquo;ll never get to sleep. Do you girls
+mind if I sit up and read a little? That always makes me drowsy, and I&rsquo;ve
+got a book that needs finishing.&rdquo; Only Aunt Kate was slumbering.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Got any chocolates that need eating?&rdquo; asked Mollie, with a laugh,
+in which they all joined, half-hysterically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I have!&rdquo; with emphasis. &ldquo;But, just for that you
+won&rsquo;t get any.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want them! You couldn&rsquo;t hire me to eat candy at
+night,&rdquo; and again Mollie flared up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Girls, girls!&rdquo; besought Betty. &ldquo;This will never do! We will
+all be rags in the morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Polishing rags then, I hope,&rdquo; murmured Amy. &ldquo;My hands are
+black from the oil stove&mdash;it smoked, and I&rsquo;ll need a cake of
+sand-soap to get clean again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I can&rsquo;t stand this&mdash;I&rsquo;m too fidgety!&rdquo;
+declared Grace. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to sit up a little while, and read.
+I&rsquo;m going to eat a chocolate, too. I&rsquo;ll give you some, Mollie, if
+you like. I bought a fresh box of Mr. Lagg.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Chocolates they are nice and sweet,<br />
+
+&nbsp;Good for man and beast to eat.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Give me a young lady-like brand,&rdquo; suggested Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why don&rsquo;t we all of us sit up a while, and&mdash;I have
+it&mdash;we&rsquo;ll make a pot of chocolate,&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie.
+&ldquo;That will make us all sleep, and warm us&mdash;it is getting real chilly
+already.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps that will be best,&rdquo; agreed Betty, as she donned her heavy
+dressing gown and warm slippers, for the tent was cool even in July.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Soon there was the aroma of chocolate in the little cooking shelter, and the
+girls sat around, in various picturesque and comfortable attitudes, sipping the
+warm beverage and nibbling the crisp crackers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then gradually their nerves quieted down, and even Grace, more aroused than any
+of the others, began to feel drowsy. One by one they again sought their cots,
+and finally a series of deep breathings told of much-needed sleep.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It must have been long after midnight when Betty was suddenly aroused by a
+queer noise. She had slept heavily, and at first she was not fully aware of her
+surroundings, nor what had awakened her. Then she became conscious of a curious
+heavy breathing, as of some animal. She sat up in alarm, her heart pounding
+furiously. Her throat went dry.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Girls&mdash;girls!&rdquo; she gasped, hoarsely. &ldquo;Aunt Kate!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The latter was the first to reply. Quickly reaching out to the lantern near
+her, she turned up the wick. Following the sudden illumination in the tent
+there was a cracking in the underbrush near it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; screamed Grace, sitting up. &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to look!&rdquo; said Mollie, resolutely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t! Don&rsquo;t!&rdquo; pleaded Amy, but Mollie was already at
+the flap of the tent, which she quickly loosed. Then she screamed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look! It&rsquo;s white! It&rsquo;s white!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty, forcing herself to action, stood beside her chum. She was just in time
+to see some-thing big and white run down toward the lake. There was a clash and
+jingling as of chains, and a splashing of water. Then the white thing
+disappeared, and the girls stood staring at one another, trembling violently.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap20"></a>CHAPTER XX<br />
+THE STORM</h2>
+
+<p>
+Grace &ldquo;draped&rdquo; herself over the nearest cot. Amy followed her
+example, with the added distinction that she covered her head with the
+blankets. Betty and Mollie stood clinging to each other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Though I don&rsquo;t think they were any braver than we,&rdquo; declared
+Grace afterward. &ldquo;They simply couldn&rsquo;t fall down, for Betty wanted
+to go one way and Grace the other. So they just naturally held each other
+up.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t stand,&rdquo; declared Amy. &ldquo;My, knees shook
+so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Aunt Kate was the first to speak after the apparition had passed away, seeming
+to lose itself in the lake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Girls, have you any idea what it was?&rdquo; she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The&mdash;the&mdash;&rdquo; began Amy. &ldquo;Oh, I can&rsquo;t say
+it!&rdquo; she wailed from beneath the covers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be silly!&rdquo; commanded Betty, sharply. &ldquo;If you
+mean&mdash;ghost&mdash;say so,&rdquo; but she herself hesitated over the word.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If that was the ghost it was the queerest one I ever saw!&rdquo;
+declared Mollie, with resolution. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t just mean that,
+either,&rdquo; she hastened to add, &ldquo;for I never saw a ghost before. But
+in all the stories I ever read ghosts were tall and thin, of the willowy
+type&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Like Grace,&rdquo; put in Betty, with rather a wan smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you dare compare me to a ghost!&rdquo; commanded the Gibson
+girl,&rdquo; with energy that brought the blood to her pale cheeks. She
+ventured to peer out from under the tent flap now. &ldquo;Is it&mdash;is it
+gone?&rdquo; she faltered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s in the lake&mdash;whatever it was,&rdquo; said Mollie.
+&ldquo;But wasn&rsquo;t it oddly shaped, Betty?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was indeed. And it made plenty of noise. Real ghosts never do
+that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, some do!&rdquo; asserted Amy. &ldquo;I read the &lsquo;Ghost of the
+Stone Castle,&rsquo; a most fascinating story, and that ghost always rattled
+chains, and made a terrible noise.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What did it turn out to be?&rdquo; asked Aunt Kate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The story didn&rsquo;t say. No one ever found out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, this one is exactly like Mr. Lagg described,&rdquo; spoke Grace,
+&ldquo;chains and all. What could it have been?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I imagine,&rdquo; said Betty, slowly, &ldquo;that it may be some wild
+animal&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace screamed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What is it now?&rdquo; asked Betty, regarding her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t say wild animals&mdash;they&rsquo;re worse than
+ghosts!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nonsense! Don&rsquo;t be silly! I mean it may he some wild animal, like
+a fox or deer that has been caught in a trap. Traps have chains on them, you
+know. This animal may have been caught some time ago, have pulled the chain
+loose, and the poor thing may be going around with the trap still fastened to
+him. That would account for the rattling.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Mollie, &ldquo;that may be so, and there may be white
+foxes, but I never heard of any outside of Arctic regions. But, Betty Nelson,
+there never was a fox as large as that. Why it was as&mdash;as big as our
+tent!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, and how it sniffed and breathed!&rdquo; added Betty. &ldquo;I guess
+it couldn&rsquo;t be a wild animal. It may have been a cow. I wonder if any
+campers here keep a white cow?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A cow would moo,&rdquo; declared Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But whatever it was, it was frightened at the light,&rdquo; said Aunt
+Kate, practically, &ldquo;so I don&rsquo;t think we need to be afraid of
+it&mdash;whatever it was. We&rsquo;ll leave a light outside the tent the rest
+of the night, and it won&rsquo;t come back.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to sleep in the boat!&rdquo; declared Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nonsense!&rdquo; cried Betty. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be a deserter! Have
+some more chocolate, and we&rsquo;ll all go to sleep,&rdquo; and they finally
+persuaded Grace to remain. It took some little time to get their nerves quiet,
+but finally they all fell into a more or less uneasy slumber that lasted until
+morning. The &ldquo;ghost&rdquo; did not return.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Wan, and with rather dark circles under their eyes, the girls got breakfast the
+next morning. The meal put them in better spirits, and when they bustled around
+about the camp duties they, forgot their scare of the night before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They made a partial tour of the island, though some parts were too densely
+wooded and swampy to penetrate. But such parts as they visited showed the
+presence of no other campers. They were alone on Elm Island, save for an
+occasional picnic party, several evidently having been there the day before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then that&mdash;thing&mdash;couldn&rsquo;t have been a cow,&rdquo; said
+Grace, positively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Make up a new theory,&rdquo; suggested Betty, with a laugh. &ldquo;One
+thing, though, we&rsquo;re not going to let it drive us away, are we&mdash;not
+away from our camp?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The others did not answer for a moment, and then Mollie exclaimed:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to stay&mdash;for one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So am I!&rdquo; declared Aunt Kate, vigorously. &ldquo;A light will keep
+whatever animal it is away, and I&rsquo;m sure it was that. Of course
+we&rsquo;ll stay!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was nothing for Grace and Amy to do but give in&mdash;which they did,
+rather timidly, be it confessed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And now let&rsquo;s go for a ride,&rdquo; proposed Betty, after lunch.
+&ldquo;There are some things I want to get at Mr. Lagg&rsquo;s store.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Will you tell him about the&mdash;ghost?&rdquo; asked Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly not. It may be,&rdquo; said Betty, &ldquo;that some one is
+playing a joke on us. In that case we&rsquo;ll not give him the satisfaction of
+knowing that we saw anything. We will keep silent, girls.&rdquo; And they did.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Matches, soap and oil and butter,<br />
+
+&nbsp;Business gives me such a flutter.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Lagg recited this as Betty gave her order.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you seen the ghost?&rdquo; he asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; cried Grace, &ldquo;you have in some fresh chocolates! I must
+have some.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;ll find my chocolates sweet and good,<br />
+
+&nbsp;To eat on lake or in the wood!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Lagg&rsquo;s attention being diverted to a net subject, he did not press
+his question. Thus the girls escaped committing themselves.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think we are going to have a storm,&rdquo; remarked Betty, when they
+were under way again, cruising down the lake toward Triangle Island, where they
+expected to call on some friends. &ldquo;And as Rainbow gets rough very
+quickly, I think we shall turn back.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, do,&rdquo; urged Amy. &ldquo;I detest getting wet.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The cabin is dry,&rdquo; urged Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We had better go back,&rdquo; urged Aunt Kate, and the prow of the
+<i>Gem</i> was swung around. Other boats, too small or not staunch enough to
+weather the blow that was evidently preparing, had turned about for a run to
+shore. There passed Betty&rsquo;s craft the two boys whose canoe had been
+taken.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Any luck?&rdquo; asked Betty, interestedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, we haven&rsquo;t found a trace of it yet,&rdquo; the older one
+replied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the West dark masses of vapor were piling up, and now and then the clouds
+were split by a jagged chain of lightning, while the ever-in-creasing rumble of
+thunder told of the onrush of the storm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to get caught!&rdquo; declared Mollie. &ldquo;I guess
+I&rsquo;ll close the ports, Betty.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do; and bring out my raincoat, please.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Attired in this protective garment over her sailor suit, the Little Captain
+stood at the wheel.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With a blast that flecked the crests of the waves into foam, with a rattle and
+roar, and a vicious swish of rain, the storm broke over the <i>Gem</i> while
+she was yet a mile from the camp on Elm Island. The boat heeled over, for her
+cabin was high and offered a broad surface to the wind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll capsize!&rdquo; screamed Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We will not!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty, above the noise. She shifted the
+wheel to bring the boat head-on to the waves, and this made her ride on a more
+even keel. Then, with a downpour, accompanied by terrific thunder and vivid
+lightning, the storm broke. Betty bravely stood to her post, the others
+offering to relieve her, but she would not give up the wheel, and remained
+there until the little dock was reached. Then, making snug their craft, they
+raced for the tent. It had stood up well, for it was protected from the gale by
+big elm trees. Soon they were in shelter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And then, almost as suddenly as it had come up, the storm passed. The clouds
+seemed to melt away, and the sun came out, the shower passing to the East.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Grace, who had gone out on the end of the dock, called to the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, come on and see it!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&mdash;the ghost?&rdquo; inquired Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, but the most beautiful rainbow I ever saw&mdash;a double one!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They came beside her, and Grace pointed to where, arching the heavens, were two
+bows of many colors, one low down, vivid and perfect, the other above
+it&mdash;a fainter reflection. As the sun came out from behind the clouds the
+colors grew brighter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How lovely!&rdquo; murmured Amy, clasping her hands.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, it is the most brilliant bow I have ever seen,&rdquo; added Aunt
+Kate. &ldquo;It seems almost like like a painted one.&rdquo; I would be more
+poetical if I were Mr. Lagg,&rdquo; and she laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is very vivid,&rdquo; went on Betty. &ldquo;In fact I have heard it
+said that on account of the peculiar situation of this lake, the high mountains
+around it, and the clouds, there are brighter rainbows here than anywhere else
+in this country. That is how the lake got its name&mdash;Rainbow. It was the
+Indians who first gave it that, I was told, though I don&rsquo;t know the
+Indian name for rainbow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t need to&mdash;this is beautiful as it is,&rdquo; murmured
+Grace. &ldquo;Oh, isn&rsquo;t it wonderful!&rdquo; and they stood there
+admiring the beautiful scene, and recalling the old story of the bow&mdash;the
+promise of the Creator after the flood that never again would the world be
+submerged.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then the light gradually died from the colored arches, to be repeated again in
+the wonderful cloud effects at sunset. The storm had been like the weeping of a
+little child, who smiles before its tears&mdash;and afterward.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap21"></a>CHAPTER XXI<br />
+THE GHOST</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Girls, there are letters for each of us!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Any for me?&rdquo; asked Aunt Kate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, a nice&mdash;adipose&mdash;that is to say, fleshy one,&rdquo;
+exclaimed Mollie, passing it over. It was bulky.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls had stopped at the store of Mr. Lagg, where they had sent word to
+have their mail forwarded. The occasion was a morning visit several days after
+they had established their camp on Elm Island.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Any news?&rdquo; asked Betty of Mollie, the former having finished a
+brief note from home, stating that all were well.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, poor little Dodo is to go to the specialist to be operated on this
+week. Oh, it does seem as if I ought to go home, and yet mamma writes that I am
+to stay and enjoy myself. She says there is practically no danger, and that
+there is great hope of success. Aunt Kittie&mdash;Dodo was at her house when
+the accident happened, you know&mdash;Aunt Kittie has come to stay with mamma.
+Every one else is well, including Paul.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, but I shall be so anxious until it is over! They are going to let me
+know as soon as it is. Are we going to stay around here, where I can get word
+quickly?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, we will remain on Elm Island, I think,&rdquo; said Betty.
+&ldquo;There is no use in cruising about too much when we are so comfortable
+there, and really it is lovely in the woods.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As long as the ghost doesn&rsquo;t bother us,&rdquo; spoke Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nonsense!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty. &ldquo;What is your news,
+Grace?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Will writes that he and Frank are coming up to camp on the island
+near us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That will be fine!&rdquo; exclaimed Betty. &ldquo;When will they get
+here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Allen can&rsquo;t come up until the week-end,&rdquo; went on Grace.
+&ldquo;He has to take some kind of bar examinations. For the&mdash;high jump, I
+think.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Silly!&rdquo; reproved Betty, with a blush.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But Will told me to tell you specially that Allen is coming,&rdquo; went
+on Grace. &ldquo;They can stay a few days.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It will be fine,&rdquo; cried Mollie. &ldquo;Any news about the papers,
+Grace?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not a word, and no trace of Prince.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is queer,&rdquo; said Betty. &ldquo;But we will live in
+hopes&mdash;that Dodo will be all right, and that the papers will be
+found.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed we will,&rdquo; sighed Grace. Mr. Lagg was bowing and smiling
+behind his counter while the girls were reading their letters.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What will it be? What will it be? What will it be to-day?<br />
+
+&nbsp;Be pleased to leave an order, before you go away!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Really, I don&rsquo;t believe we need a thing,&rdquo; answered Mollie,
+in answer to this poetical effusion. &ldquo;We might have&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Some more olives,&rdquo; interrupted Grace. &ldquo;They are so handy to
+eat, if you wake up in the night, and can&rsquo;t sleep.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shades of Morpheus preserve us!&rdquo; laughed Mollie.
+&ldquo;Olives!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Does the ghost keep you awake?&rdquo; asked the storekeeper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not&mdash;not lately!&rdquo; answered Betty, truthfully.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The ghost! The ghost! with clanking chains,<br />
+
+&nbsp;It comes out only when&mdash;it rains!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+Thus Amy anticipated Mr. Lagg.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very good&mdash;very good!&rdquo; he commended. &ldquo;I must write that
+down. Hank Lefferton was over setting eel pots on the island last night, and he
+said he seen it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The ghost?&rdquo; faltered Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yep. Chains and all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, we didn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; said Aunt Kate, decidedly. &ldquo;Come
+along, girls.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had written some souvenir cards, which they mailed, and again they went
+sailing about Rainbow Lake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Several days passed. The girls went on little trips, on picnics, cruised about
+and spent delightful hours in the woods. They thoroughly enjoyed the camp, and
+the &ldquo;ghost&rdquo; did not annoy them. Mollie waited anxiously for news
+from home, but none came.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then the boys arrived, with their camping paraphernalia, and in such bubbling
+good spirits that the girls were infected with them, for they had become rather
+lonesome of late.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boys pitched their tent near that of the girls, and many meals were eaten
+in common. Then one night it happened!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was late, and after a jolly session&mdash;a marshmallow roast, to be
+exact&mdash;they had all retired. No one remained awake now, for the girls had
+become used to their surroundings, and the boys&mdash;Allen included, for he
+had come up&mdash;were sound sleepers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a crash of underbrush, a series of snorts&mdash;no other word
+describes them&mdash;and the screaming girls, hastening to their tent flaps,
+cried:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The ghost! The ghost!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get after it, fellows!&rdquo; called Will, as he recognized his
+sister&rsquo;s voice. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll lay this chap&mdash;whoever he
+is!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a vision of something white, again that rattling of chains, and a
+plunge into the lake. Then all was still.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap22"></a>CHAPTER XXII<br />
+WHAT MOLLIE FOUND</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did you get&mdash;it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Betty hesitated a moment over the question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Will, Frank and Allen stood just outside the tent of the girls. They had come
+back from a hurried race after the white object that had again disturbed the
+slumbers of the campers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We only had a glimpse of it,&rdquo; answered Will. &ldquo;Then it seemed
+to melt into the water.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But it was big,&rdquo; said Frank.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And made lots of noise,&rdquo; added Allen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s just the way it acted before,&rdquo; declared Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In dressing gowns, warmly wrapped up, and in slippers, the girls were talking
+through the opened flap of the tent to Grace&rsquo;s brother and his chums.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can you imagine what it may be?&rdquo; asked Aunt Kate. She had been
+making chocolate&mdash;a seemingly never-failing remedy for night alarms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Haven&rsquo;t the least idea,&rdquo; answered Will, &ldquo;unless
+it&rsquo;s someone trying to play a so-called practical joke.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to get hold of the player,&rdquo; announced Allen.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d run him off&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Off the scale,&rdquo; interrupted Betty, with a laugh.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s it,&rdquo; conceded Allen. &ldquo;Are you girls all
+right?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All but our nerves,&rdquo; answered Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boys made a search in the gloom, but found nothing, and once more quiet
+settled down. Nor were they disturbed again that night. In the morning they
+laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, but it&rsquo;s hot!&rdquo; exclaimed Mollie during the forenoon,
+when the question of dinner was being discussed. &ldquo;I think we might go for
+a swim. There&rsquo;s a nice sandy beach at the side of our dock.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s!&rdquo; proposed Grace. The boys had gone off fishing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Soon the girls were splashing around in the lake, making a pretty picture in
+their becoming bathing suits, of which they had more use than they had
+anticipated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s try some diving!&rdquo; proposed Mollie, always a daring
+water sprite. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s lovely and deep here,&rdquo; and she looked
+down from the end of the dock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish I dared dive,&rdquo; said Amy. She was a rather timid swimmer,
+slow and deliberate, probably able to keep afloat for a long time, but always
+timid in deep water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here goes!&rdquo; cried impulsive Mollie, as she poised for a flash into
+the water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She went down cleanly, but was rather long coming up. Grace and Betty looked
+anxiously at one another.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She is&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; began Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mollie flashed into sight like a seal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&mdash;I found something!&rdquo; she panted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did you strike bottom?&rdquo; asked Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Almost. But that&rsquo;s all right. I&rsquo;m going down again. There is
+something down there. Maybe it&rsquo;s the ghost!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, do be careful!&rdquo; cautioned Betty, but Mollie was already in the
+water. She was longer this time coming up, and Betty was getting nervous. Then
+Mollie shot into view.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&mdash;I found it!&rdquo; she gasped.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo; chorused the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The missing canoe those boys have been looking for! It is down there on
+the bottom, freighted with stones. We will get it up for them!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap23"></a>CHAPTER XXIII<br />
+SETTING A TRAP</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you sure it is the canoe?&rdquo; asked Betty, who did not want
+Mollie to take any unnecessary risks.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course I am,&rdquo; came the confident answer, as Mollie poised, in
+her dripping bathing suit, on the little dock. She made a pretty picture, too,
+with her red cap, and blue suit trimmed with white. &ldquo;I could feel the
+edge of the gunwhale,&rdquo; she went on, &ldquo;and the stones in it that keep
+it down.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But how can we get it up?&rdquo; asked Grace, who was sitting on the
+dock, splashing her feet in the water. Grace never did care much about getting
+wet. Amy said she thought she looked better dry. Certainly she was a pretty
+girl and knew how to &ldquo;pose&rdquo; to make the most of her
+charms&mdash;small blame to her, though, for she was unconscious of it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We can get it up easily enough,&rdquo; declared Mollie, wringing the
+water from her skirt, &ldquo;All we&rsquo;ll have to do will be to toss out the
+stones, one by one, and the canoe will almost float itself. I can tie a rope to
+the bow, and we can stand on shore and pull. Those boys will be so glad to get
+it back.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But can we lift out the heavy stones?&rdquo; asked Amy, in considerable
+doubt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course we can. You know any object is much lighter in water than out
+of it, we learned that in physics class, you remember. The water buoys it up.
+You can move a much heavier stone under water than you could if the same stone
+was on land. We can all try.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I never could stay under water long enough to get out even one
+stone,&rdquo; declared Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nor I,&rdquo; added Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll try,&rdquo; spoke Betty&mdash;she was always willing to
+try&mdash;&ldquo;but I&rsquo;m afraid I can&rsquo;t be of much help, Mollie.
+And I&rsquo;m sure I don&rsquo;t want you to do it all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, wait until I make another inspection,&rdquo; said the diving girl.
+&ldquo;It may be more than I bargained for. I&rsquo;ll hold my breath longer
+this time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do be careful!&rdquo; cautioned Aunt Kate, coming out from the tent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We will,&rdquo; promised Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again Mollie dived. She had practiced the trick of opening her eyes under
+water, and this time she looked carefully over the sunken canoe. She stayed
+under her full limit, and when she came up she was panting for breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You must not stay under so long,&rdquo; warned Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&mdash;are&mdash;a&mdash;lot&mdash;of&mdash;stones,&rdquo; gasped
+Mollie. &ldquo;But I think we can do it,&rdquo; she added a moment later.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll see what I can do,&rdquo; spoke Betty. She was a good swimmer
+and diver, perhaps not so brilliant a performer as Mollie, but with more
+staying qualities. Down went Betty in a clean dive, and when she came up,
+panting and shaking the water from her eyes, she called:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I lifted out two, but I think we had better let the boys do it,
+Mollie.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps,&rdquo; was the reply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry you can&rsquo;t count on me,&rdquo; sail Grace,
+&ldquo;but really I&rsquo;d have nervous prostration if I went down there, even
+though it&rsquo;s only ten feet deep, as you say.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, getting nervous prostration under water would be a very bad
+idea,&rdquo; commented Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I&rsquo;m sure I never could do it,&rdquo; remarked Amy. &ldquo;Do
+let the boys manage it, Bet. The lads who own the canoe will be glad of the
+chance.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to move out a couple of stones, so Betty won&rsquo;t
+beat my record,&rdquo; laughed Mollie, diving again. She bobbed up a moment
+later.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, dear!&rdquo; she cried. &ldquo;An eel slid right over me. Ugh!
+I&rsquo;m not going down again!&rdquo; and she shivered. Even the fearless
+Mollie had had enough of the under-water work.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+By means of a cord and a float the position of the sunken canoe was marked, so
+that the boys could locate it, and when they returned from a rather
+unsuccessful fishing trip, they readily agreed to raise the boat. It did not
+take them long to remove the stones, for Will, Frank and Allen were all expert
+swimmers, and could remain under water much longer than can most persons.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then a rope was made fast to the canoe, which would not rise completely because
+of being filled with water. It was pulled ashore and word sent to the young
+owners. That they were delighted goes without saying. They proffered the reward
+they had offered, but of course our friends would not take it. Later it was
+learned that the canoe had been taken by an unscrupulous fisherman, who was not
+above the suspicion of making a practice of such tricks. It was thought he
+intended to let it remain where it was until fall, when he would raise it,
+paint it a different color, and sell it. But Mollie&rsquo;s fortunate dive
+frustrated his plans.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Seen anything more of the ghost?&rdquo; asked Will of the girls, when
+the canoe had been moored to the shore.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, and we don&rsquo;t want to,&rdquo; returned Betty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Afraid?&rdquo; Allen wanted to know.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed not!&rdquo; she exclaimed, with a blush.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you what let&rsquo;s do,&rdquo; suggested Frank.
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s take a look around and see if that ghost left any
+footprints.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ghosts never do,&rdquo; asserted Will.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, let&rsquo;s have a look anyhow. We should have done it before.
+Now, as nearly as I can recollect, the creature came about to here, and then
+rushed into the lake,&rdquo; and Frank went to a spot some distance from the
+tents. The others agreed that it was about there that the white object had been
+seen. Will was looking along the ground, going toward the lake. Suddenly he
+uttered an exclamation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Girls! Fellows!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;Come here!&rdquo; They all
+hastened to his side. He pointed to some marks in the sandy soil.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What are they?&rdquo; he asked, excitedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hoof marks!&rdquo; cried Allen, dramatically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right!&rdquo; agreed Will. &ldquo;They are the marks of a
+horse! Girls, that&rsquo;s what your ghost is&mdash;a white horse,
+and&mdash;and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He ceased abruptly, looked at Grace strangely, and then brother and sister
+gasped together:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Prince!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo; demanded Allen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll wager almost anything that this ghost is my white horse,
+Prince, that has been missing so long!&rdquo; went on Will. &ldquo;But how in
+the world he could have gotten on this island, so far from the mainland, is a
+mystery!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Couldn&rsquo;t he swim?&rdquo; asked Frank.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course!&rdquo; cried Will. &ldquo;I forgot about that. And Prince was
+once a circus horse, or at least in some show where he had to jump into a tank
+of water. Prince is a regular hippopotamus when it comes to water. Strange I
+never thought of that before!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But this solves the ghost mystery, girls. You and the other folks have
+been frightened by white Prince scooting about the island.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&mdash;we weren&rsquo;t so very frightened,&rdquo; spoke Mollie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But the rattling chains?&rdquo; questioned Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What were they?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The stirrups, of course,&rdquo; answered her brother. &ldquo;And, by
+Jove, Grace, if the stirrups are on Prince the saddle must be on him also, and
+the papers&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, isn&rsquo;t this just fine!&rdquo; cried Grace, her face alight.
+&ldquo;Now papa can complete that business deal. I never loved a ghost before.
+Dear old Prince!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course we are assuming a lot,&rdquo; said Will. &ldquo;It may not be
+Prince after all, but all signs point to it. He must have been on this island
+all the while. No wonder we could get no trace of him. Probably he was so
+frightened at the storm and the auto, and his fall, that he ran on until he
+came to the lake. Then his old training came back to him, and in he plunged.
+There&rsquo;s enough fodder here for a dozen horses. He&rsquo;s just been
+running wild. I&rsquo;ll have my own troubles with him when I get him
+back.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But how are you going to do it?&rdquo; asked Frank.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll search the island for him,&rdquo; replied Will. &ldquo;Come
+on, we&rsquo;ll start now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Changing from their bathing suits to more conventional garments, the boys and
+girls at once began a tour of the island. But though it was not very large,
+there were inaccessible places, and it must have been in one of these that
+Prince hid during the day, for they neither saw, nor heard anything of him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got to set a trap!&rdquo; exclaimed Will.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How?&rdquo; asked Grace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, evidently he&rsquo;s been in the habit of coming around the tent
+to get scraps of food. We&rsquo;ll leave plenty out to-night, and also some
+oats. Then we&rsquo;ll watch, and when Prince comes I&rsquo;ll catch
+him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boys voted this plan a good one. They went over to Mr. Lagg&rsquo;s store
+in the <i>Gem</i> to get a supply of fodder for the trap.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A horse on the island!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Lagg. So that&rsquo;s the
+ghost; eh? Well, it&rsquo;s very likely, but it sort of spoils the story;
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A ghostly ghost&mdash;a ghost in white<br />
+
+&nbsp;Appearing in the darkest night.<br />
+
+&nbsp;That it should prove a horse to be,<br />
+
+&nbsp;Most certainly amazes me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good!&rdquo; exclaimed Will, with a laugh. &ldquo;You are progressing,
+Mr. Lagg.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A goodly supply of oats was placed in a box near the tent that evening, and
+then the boys and girls sat about the camp-fire and talked, while waiting for
+the time to retire. The boys were to make the attempt to capture Prince.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap24"></a>CHAPTER XXIV<br />
+THE GHOST CAUGHT</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When do you expect to hear about little Dodo?&rdquo; asked Grace, as the
+girls sat together on a log in front of the fire, &ldquo;like roosting
+chickens,&rdquo; Will was ungallant enough to remark.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Almost any day now,&rdquo; replied Mollie. &ldquo;They were to wait for
+the most favorable time for the operation, and the specialist, so mamma wrote,
+could not exactly fix on the day. But I am anxious to hear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should think you would be. Poor little Dodo! I&rsquo;d give anything
+to hear her say now &lsquo;Has oo dot any tandy?&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t,&rdquo; spoke Betty in a low tone to Grace, for she saw the
+tears in Mollie&rsquo;s eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was the strangest thing how Stone and Kennedy should turn out to be
+the two chaps in the auto,&rdquo; remarked Will, to change the subject.
+&ldquo;And you have never let on that Grace was the girl on the horse?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never,&rdquo; answered Amy. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t say after this that girls
+can&rsquo;t keep a secret.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Frank was to watch the first part of the night, to be relieved by Allen, and
+the latter by Will.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;For, from what the girls say, Prince has been in the habit of coming
+rather late,&rdquo; Will explained, &ldquo;and he&rsquo;s more likely to let me
+catch him than if you fellows tried it. So I&rsquo;ll take last watch.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Frank&rsquo;s vigil was unrewarded, and when he awakened Allen, who sat up,
+sleepy-eyed, there was nothing to report. Allen found it hard work to keep
+awake, but managed to do so by drinking cold coffee.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Anything doing, old man?&rdquo; asked Will, as, yawning, he got on some
+of the clothes he had discarded, the more comfortably to lie down on the cot.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Something came snooping around about an hour ago. At first I thought it
+was the horse, and went out to take a look. But it was only a fox, I guess, for
+it scampered away in the bushes. I hope you have better luck.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So do I. Dad wants those papers the worst way. If I could get them for
+him I&rsquo;d feel better, for I can&rsquo;t get over blaming myself that it
+was my fault they were lost. It was, because I shouldn&rsquo;t have sent Grace
+for them when I knew how important they were.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Allen went to his cot, and Will took up his vigil. For an hour he sat reading
+by a shaded lantern, so the light would not shine in the faces of his chums.
+Then, when he was beginning to nod, in spite of the attractions of the book, he
+heard a noise that brought him bolt upright in the chair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Something is coming!&rdquo; he whispered. He stole to the edge of the
+board platform, and cautiously opened the flap of the tent. The box containing
+oats and sugar had been placed a little distance away, in plain view.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s Prince!&rdquo; exclaimed Will, for in the moonlight he saw
+a white horse eating from the box. The &ldquo;ghost&rdquo; had arrived.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Will resolved to make the attempt alone. He stepped softly from the tent, and
+made his way toward the horse. He had on a pair of tennis shoes that made his
+footsteps practically noiseless. Fortunately, Prince, should it prove to be
+that animal, stood sideways to the tent, his head away from it, so that he did
+not see Will. The boy tried to ascertain if there was a saddle on the horse,
+but there was the shadow of a tree across the middle of his back, and it was
+impossible to say for sure.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nearer and nearer stole Will. He thought he was going to have no trouble
+catching him, but when almost beside Prince, for Will was certain of the
+identity now, he stepped on a twig, that broke with a snap.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With a snort Prince threw up his head and wheeled about. He saw Will, and
+leaped away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Prince, old fellow! Prince! don&rsquo;t you know me?&rdquo; called the
+boy, and he gave a whistle that Prince always answered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The horse retreated. Will held out some sugar he had ready for such an
+emergency.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Prince! Prince!&rdquo; he called. The horse stopped and stretched out
+his head, sniping. Prank and Allen came to the tent opening. &ldquo;Keep
+back!&rdquo; called Will, in even tones. &ldquo;I think I have him. Prince!
+Come here!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The horse took a step forward. He sensed his master now. Will advanced,
+speaking gently, and a moment later Prince, with a joyful whinny, was nibbling
+at the sugar in the boy&rsquo;s hand. Then Will slid the other along and caught
+the mane. The bridle was gone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have him!&rdquo; cried Will. &ldquo;Bring the rope, fellows.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Prince was not frightened now. He stood still. Will led him into the full
+moonlight. Then he exclaimed:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The saddle is gone!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap25"></a>CHAPTER XXV<br />
+THE MISSING SADDLE</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you caught Prince?&rdquo; Grace called this to her brother from the
+tent where she and the other girls had been aroused by the commotion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I have him. He knew me almost at once,&rdquo; answered Will.
+&ldquo;But the saddle is gone!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And the papers?&rdquo; Grace faltered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gone with it, I fancy. Too bad!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Maybe he just brushed the saddle off,&rdquo; suggested Allen, who, with
+Frank, had come out with a rope halter that had been provided in case the
+&ldquo;ghost hunt&rdquo; was a success. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll look around.
+I&rsquo;ll get a lantern.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But a hasty search in the darkness revealed nothing. There was no sign of a
+saddle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll have to wait until morning,&rdquo; sighed Will, as he tied
+Prince to a tree. &ldquo;Then we can see better, and look all around. Prince,
+old boy, you knew me; didn&rsquo;t you?&rdquo; The handsome animal whinnied,
+and rubbed his nose against Will&rsquo;s arm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And so you played the part of a ghost, you rascal! Scaring the
+girls&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll never admit that,&rdquo; called Betty from the tent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was nothing more to do that night, after making Prince secure. The boys
+ate a little mid-night supper, and from the tent of the girls came the odor of
+chocolate, which Grace insisted on making. Then, after fitful slumbers, morning
+came.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Will was up early to examine Prince. He found the healed cut, where the auto
+had struck, and there was evidence that the saddle had been on the animal until
+recently. The iron stirrups would account for the sound like chains.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The saddle must be somewhere on this island,&rdquo; declared Will.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to find it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How?&rdquo; asked Allen, who had made a careful toilet, as Betty had
+promised to go for a row with him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll strap a pad on Prince, get on his back, and see where he
+takes me. The way I figure is this. Prince never liked to be in the open.
+I&rsquo;m almost certain he has been staying in some sort of
+shelter&mdash;either a cave, or an old cabin, or stable on the island. The
+saddle may have come off there. Now he&rsquo;ll most likely take me right to
+his stopping place. Of course he may not, but it&rsquo;s worth trying.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed it is,&rdquo; agreed Prank.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a hasty breakfast Will put his plan to the test. Prince was fed well, and
+with Frank and Allen to follow, Will leaped on his pet&rsquo;s back, and gave
+him free rein&mdash;or, rather, free halter, since there was no bridle. The
+girls said they would take a walk around the island, looking for the saddle as
+they went.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Prince, after a little hesitation, started off with Will on his back. The
+splendid animal headed for the lake shore, and for a moment Will was inclined
+to think that Prince was going to plunge in and swim to some other island or
+the mainland. But Prince was only thirsty, and, slaking that desire, he ambled
+along the shore for a mile or so, the two young men following.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where can he be going?&rdquo; asked Frank.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just let him alone,&rdquo; counseled Will. &ldquo;He knows what he is
+about.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And so Prince did. He took a path he had evidently traveled many times before,
+to judge by the hoof-marks, and presently came to a swampy place at which Frank
+and Allen balked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wait here,&rdquo; advised Will. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll soon be back. This is
+near one end of the island. It must be here that Prince has his stable.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And so it proved. Splashing through the swamp, Prince ascended a little slope,
+pushed under some low tree branches that nearly brushed Will from his back, and
+came to a halt before a tumbled-down cabin, that was just about large enough
+for an improvised stable. Will leaped off, gave a look inside, and uttered a
+shout of joy, for there, trampled on and torn, broken and water-stained, was
+the saddle. A second later Will was kneeling before it, exploring the saddle
+pockets.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here they are!&rdquo; he cried, as he pulled out the missing papers.
+&ldquo;I have them, fellows!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A hasty survey showed him that they were all there&mdash;somewhat stained and
+torn, to be sure, but as good as ever for the purpose intended.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This is great luck!&rdquo; cried Will. He looked about him. Then he saw
+the reason why Prince had made this place his headquarters. The former occupant
+of the deserted cabin had left behind a quantity of salt, and as all animals
+like, and need, this crystal, Prince had been attracted to the place. It was
+like the old &ldquo;buffalo licks.&rdquo; Then, too, there was shelter from
+storms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Prince, old man, you&rsquo;re all right!&rdquo; cried Will, as he put
+the papers in his pockets. By dint of a little hasty repairing the saddle could
+be used temporarily. It was evident that Prince had kept it on until lately,
+and the dangling stirrups had caused the sound like rattling chains. There was
+no sign of the bridle, however, but the halter would answer. Will saddled his
+pet, and soon had rejoined Frank and Allen, to whom he had shouted the good
+news. Then a hasty trip was made back to camp.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I&rsquo;m so glad!&rdquo; cried Grace. &ldquo;Now I can really enjoy
+camping and cruising. You must telephone papa at once.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Which Will did, the whole party going over to Mr. Lagg&rsquo;s store in the
+motor boat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I have the papers safe,&rdquo; Will told Mr. Ford. &ldquo;Yes,
+I&rsquo;ll mail them at once. What&rsquo;s that&mdash;Dodo&mdash;tell Mollie
+Dodo is over the operation and is going to get well? I will&mdash;that&rsquo;s
+good news! Hurrah!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, thank the dear Lord!&rdquo; murmured Mollie, and then she sobbed on
+Betty&rsquo;s shoulder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I guess we are ready to start,&rdquo; announced Grace. &ldquo;I
+have the chocolates. Who has the olives?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Chocolates and olives&mdash;the school girl&rsquo;s delight!&rdquo;
+mocked Will,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, you&rsquo;ll be asking for some,&rdquo; declared his sister.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Chocolates and olives are good for the boys,<br />
+
+&nbsp;And to the girls they also bring joys.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+Thus remarked Mr. Lagg. The crowd of young people were in his store, stocking
+up the <i>Gem</i> for a resumption of her cruise on Rainbow Lake. It was
+several days after the finding of the missing saddle and the papers. The latter
+had been sent to Mr. Ford, Prince had been swum across to the mainland and sent
+home, and the news about little Dodo had been confirmed. The child would fully
+recover, and not even be lame.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, what a fine time we&rsquo;ve had!&rdquo; exclaimed Grace, as she
+waltzed about the store with Amy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, the summer isn&rsquo;t over yet by any means,&rdquo; spoke Mollie.
+&ldquo;And there is the glorious Fall to come. I wonder what we shall do
+then?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And what they did do may be ascertained by reading the next volume of this
+series, to be called &ldquo;The Outdoor Girls in a Motor Car; Or, The Haunted
+Mansion of Shadow Valley,&rdquo; in which we will meet all our old friends
+again, and some new ones.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All aboard!&rdquo; called Betty, as she led the way down to the dock
+where the <i>Gem</i> awaited them. Each one was carrying a bundle of supplies,
+for they expected to cruise for about a week.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They boarded the motor boat. Betty threw over the lever of the self-starter.
+The engine responded promptly. As the clutch slipped in, white foam showed at
+the stern where the industrious propeller whirled about. The <i>Gem</i> slid
+away from the dock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good-bye! Good-bye!&rdquo; called the boys and girls to Mr. Lagg.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good-bye!&rdquo; he answered, waving his red handkerchief at them. Then
+he recited.
+</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As you sail o&rsquo;er the bounding sea,<br />
+
+&nbsp;Pause now and then and think of me.<br />
+
+&nbsp;I&rsquo;ve many things for man and beast,<br />
+
+&nbsp;From chocolate drops to compressed yeast.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good!&rdquo; shouted Will, laughing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And Betty swung around the wheel to avoid the two boys whose canoe Mollie had
+so strangely found, as the <i>Gem</i>, continued her cruise down Rainbow Lake.
+And here, for a time, we, too, like Mr. Lagg, will say farewell to our friends.
+</p>
+
+<h4>THE END</h4>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div style='display:block;margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE ***</div>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake
+by Laura Lee Hope
+(#3 in our series by Laura Lee Hope)
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+Title: The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake
+
+Author: Laura Lee Hope
+
+Release Date: January, 2004  [EBook #4987]
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+[This file was first posted on April 7, 2002]
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+Language: English
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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE ***
+
+
+
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+This eBook was produced by Jim Weiler, xooqi.com
+
+
+
+                    The Outdoor Girls At Rainbow Lake
+
+ or
+
+ The Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem
+
+by Laura Lee Hope, 1913
+  _________________________________________________________________
+
+  CHAPTER I
+
+ A GRAND SURPRISE
+
+"Girls, I've got the grandest surprise for you!"
+
+Betty Nelson crossed the velvety green lawn, and crowded into the
+hammock, slung between two apple trees, which were laden with green
+fruit. First she had motioned for Grace Ford to make room for her, and
+then sank beside her chum with a sigh of relief.
+
+"Oh, it was so warm walking over!" she breathed. "And I did come too
+fast, I guess." She fanned herself with a filmy handkerchief.
+
+"But the surprise?" Mollie Billette reminded Betty.
+
+"I'm coming to it, my dear, but just let me get my breath. I didn't
+know I hurried so. Swing, Grace."
+
+With a daintily shod foot-- a foot slender and in keeping with her
+figure-- Grace gave rather a languid push, and set the hammock to
+swaying in wider arcs.
+
+Amy Stonington, who had not joined in the talk since the somewhat
+hurried arrival of Betty, strolled over to the hammock and began
+peering about in it-- that is, in as much of it as the fluffy skirts
+of the two occupants would allow to be seen.
+
+"I don't see it," she said in gentle tones-- everything Amy did was
+gentle, and her disposition was always spoken of as "sweet" by her
+chums, though why such an inapt word is generally selected to describe
+what might better be designated as "natural" is beyond comprehension.
+"I don't see it," murmured Amy.
+
+"What?" asked Grace, quickly.
+
+"I guess she means that box of chocolates," murmured Mollie. "It's no
+use, Amy, for Grace finished the last of them long before Betty blew
+in on us-- or should I say drifted? Really, it's too warm to do more
+than drift to-day."
+
+"You finished the last of the candy yourself!" exclaimed Grace, with
+spirit. If Grace had one failing, or a weakness, it was for
+chocolates.
+
+"I did not!" snapped Mollie. Her own failing was an occasional burst
+of temper. She had French blood in her veins-- and not of French lilac
+shade, either, as Betty used to say. It was of no uncertain color--
+was Mollie's temper-- at times.
+
+"Yes, you did!" insisted Grace. "Don't you remember? It was one with a
+cherry inside, and we both wanted it, and---- "
+
+"You got it!" declared Mollie. "If you say I took it---- "
+
+"That's right, Grace, you did have it," said gentle Amy. "Don't you
+recall, you held it in one hand behind your back and told Billy to
+choose?" Billy was Mollie's "chummy" name.
+
+"That's so," admitted Grace. "And Mollie didn't guess right. I beg
+your pardon, Mollie. It's so warm, and the prickly heat bothers me so
+that I can hardly think of anything but that I'm going in and get some
+talcum powder. I've got some of the loveliest scent-- the Yamma-yamma
+flower from Japan."
+
+"It sounds nice," murmured Betty. "But, girls---- "
+
+"Excuse me," murmured Grace, making a struggle to arise from the
+hammock-- never a graceful feat for girl or woman.
+
+"Don't! You'll spill me!" screamed Betty, clutching at the yielding
+sides of the net. "Grace! There!"
+
+There would have been a "spill" except that Amy caught the swaying
+hammock and held it until Grace managed, more or less "gracelessly,"
+to get out.
+
+"There's the empty box," she remarked, as it was disclosed where it
+had lain hidden between herself and Betty. "Not a crumb left, Amy, my
+dear. But I fancy I have a fresh box in the house, if Will hasn't
+found them. He's always-- snooping, if you'll pardon my slang."
+
+"I wasn't looking for candy," replied Amy. "It's my handkerchief--
+that new lace one; I fancied I left it in the hammock."
+
+"Wait, I'll get up," said Betty. "Don't you dare let go, Amy. I don't
+see why I'm so foolish as to wear this tight skirt. We didn't bother
+with such style when we were off on our walking tour."
+
+"Oh, blessed tour!" sighed Mollie. "I wish we could go on another
+one-- to the North Pole," and she vigorously fanned herself with a
+magazine cover.
+
+Betty rose, and Amy found what she was looking for. Grace walked
+slowly over the shaded lawn toward her house, at which the three chums
+had gathered this beautiful-- if too warm-- July day. Betty, Amy, and
+Mollie made a simultaneous dive for the hammock, and managed, all
+three, to squeeze into it, with Betty in the middle.
+
+"Oh, dear!" she cried. "This is too much! Let me out, and you girls
+can have it to yourselves. Besides, I want to talk, and I can't do it
+sitting down very well."
+
+"You used to," observed Amy, smoothing out her rather crumpled dress,
+and making dabs at her warm face with the newly discovered
+handkerchief.
+
+"The kind of talking I'm going to do now calls for action--
+'business,' as the stage people call it," explained Betty. "I want to
+walk around and swing my arms. Besides, I can't properly do justice to
+the subject sitting down. Oh, girls, I've got the grandest surprise
+for you!" Her eyes sparkled and her cheeks glowed; she seemed
+electrified with some piece of news.
+
+"That's what you said when you first came," spoke Mollie, "but we
+seemed to get off the track. Start over, Betty, that's a dear, and
+tell us all about it. Take that willow chair," and Billy pointed to an
+artistic green one that harmonized delightfully with the grass, and
+the gray bark of an apple tree against which it was drawn.
+
+"No, I'm going to stand up," went on Betty. "Anyhow, I don't want to
+start until Grace comes back. I detest telling a thing over twice."
+
+"If Grace can't find that box of chocolates she'll most likely run
+down to the store for another," said Amy.
+
+"And that means we won't hear the surprise for ever so long," said
+Mollie. "Go on, Bet, tell us, and we'll retell it to Grace when she
+comes. That will get rid of your objection," and Mollie tucked back
+several locks of her pretty hair that had strayed loose when the
+vigorous hammock-action took place.
+
+"No, I'd rather tell it to you all together," insisted Betty, with a
+shake of her head. "It wouldn't be fair to Grace to tell it to you two
+first. We'll wait."
+
+"I'll go in and ask her to hurry," ventured Amy. She was always
+willing to do what she could to promote peace, harmony, and general
+good feeling. If ever anyone wanted anything done, Amy was generally
+the first to volunteer.
+
+"There's no great hurry," said Betty, "though from the way I rushed
+over here you might think so. But really, it is the grandest thing!
+Oh, girls, such a time as may be ahead of us this summer!" and she
+pretended to hug herself in delight.
+
+"Betty Nelson, you've just got to tell us!" insisted Mollie. "Look
+out, Amy, I'm going to get up."
+
+Getting up from a hammock-- or doing anything vigorous, for that
+matter-- was always a serious business with quick Mollie. She
+generally warned her friends not to "stand too close."
+
+"Never mind, here comes Grace," interrupted Amy. "Do sit still,
+Mollie; it's too warm to juggle-- or is it jiggle?-- around so."
+
+"Make it wiggle," suggested Betty.
+
+"Do hurry, Grace," called Mollie "We can't hear about the grand
+surprise until you get here, and we're both just dying to know what it
+is."
+
+"I couldn't find my chocolates," said Grace, as she strolled
+gracefully up, making the most of her slender figure. "I just know
+Will took them. Isn't he horrid!"
+
+"Never mind, did you bring the talcum?" asked Amy. "We can sprinkle it
+on green apples and pretend it's fruit juice."
+
+"Don't you dare suggest such a thing when my little twins come along,
+as they're sure to do, sooner or later," spoke Mollie, referring to
+her brother and sister-- Paul and Dora-- or more often "Dodo," aged
+four.
+
+They were "regular tykes," whatever that is. Mollie said so, and she
+ought to know. "If you gave them that idea," she went on, "we'd have
+them both in the hospital. However, they're not likely to come
+to-day."
+
+"Why not?" asked Betty, for the twins had a habit of appearing most
+unexpectedly, and in the most out-of-the-way places.
+
+"They're over at Aunt Kittie's for the day, and I told mamma I
+shouldn't mind if she kept them a week."
+
+"Oh, the dears!" murmured Amy.
+
+"You wouldn't say so if you saw how they upset my room yesterday. I
+like a little peace and quietness," exclaimed Mollie. "I love Paul and
+Dodo, but-- and she shrugged her shoulders effectively, as only the
+French can.
+
+"Here's the talcum," spoke Grace. "I'm sorry about the chocolates.
+Wait until I see Will," and she shook an imaginary brother.
+
+"Never mind, dear, it's too hot for candies, anyhow," consoled Betty.
+"Pass the talcum," and she reached for the box that Mollie was then
+using. "It has the most delightful odor, Grace. Where did you get it?"
+
+"It's a new sample lot Harrison's pharmacy got in. Mr. Harrison gave
+me a box to try, and said---- "
+
+"He wanted you to recommend it to your friends, I've no doubt,"
+remarked Mollie.
+
+"He didn't say so, but I haven't any hesitation in doing so. I just
+love it."
+
+"It is nice," said Amy. "I'm going to get some the next time I go
+down-town."
+
+The spicy scent of the perfumed talcum powder mingled with the odor of
+the grass, the trees, and the flowers, over which the bees were
+humming.
+
+"Come, come, Betty!" exclaimed Mollie, vigorously, when shining noses
+had been rendered immune from the effects of the sun, "when do we hear
+that wonderful secret of yours?"
+
+"Right away! Make yourselves comfortable. I'm going to walk about, and
+get the proper action to go with the words. Now, what did I do with
+that letter?" and she looked in her belt, up her sleeve, and in the
+folds of her waist.
+
+"Gracious, I hope I haven't lost it!" she exclaimed, glancing about,
+anxiously.
+
+"Was it only a letter?" asked Mollie, something of disappointment
+manifesting itself in her tones.
+
+"Only a letter!" repeated Betty, with proper emphasis. "Well, I like
+the way you say that! It isn't a common letter, by any means."
+
+"Is it from that queer Mr. Blackford, whose five hundred dollar bill
+we found when we were on our walking trip?" asked Amy, with strange
+recollections of that queer occurrence.
+
+"No, it was from my uncle, Amos Marlin, a former sea captain," was the
+answer "A most quaint and delightful character, as you'll all say when
+you meet him."
+
+"Then we are going to meet him?" interjected Grace, questioningly.
+
+"Yes, he's coming to pay me a visit."
+
+"Was that the grand surprise?" Amy wanted to know.
+
+"Indeed not. Oh, there's the letter," and Betty caught up a piece of
+paper from underneath the hammock. "I'll read it to you. It's quite
+funny, and in it he says he's going to give me the grandest surprise
+that ever a girl had. It---- "
+
+"But what is the surprise itself?" inquired Mollie.
+
+"Oh, he didn't say exactly," spoke Betty, smoothing out the letter.
+"But I know, from the way he writes, that it will be quite wonderful.
+Everything Uncle Amos does is wonderful. He's quite rich, and---- "
+
+"Hark!" exclaimed Amy.
+
+A voice was calling:
+
+"Miss Ford! Miss Ford!"
+
+"Yes, Nellie, what is it?" asked Grace, as she saw a maid coming
+towards her, beckoning.
+
+"Your brother wants you on the telephone, Miss Ford," answered the
+maid, "he says it's quite important, and he wants you to please
+hurry."
+
+"Excuse me," flung back Grace, as she hurried off. "I'll be back in a
+minute. I hope he's going to confess where he put those chocolates."
+
+  CHAPTER II
+
+ AFTER THE PAPERS
+
+"Hello, is this you, Will?"
+
+"Yes, this is Grace. What did you do with my chocolates? The girls are
+here, and-- Never mind about the chocolates? The idea! I like---- .
+What's that? You want to go to the ball game? Will I do your errand
+for you? Yes, I'm listening. Go on!"
+
+"It's this way, Sis," explained Will over the wire from a down-town
+drug store. "This morning dad told me to go over to grandmother's and
+get those papers. You know; the ones in that big property deal which
+has been hanging fire so long. Grandmother has the papers in her safe.
+The deal is to be closed to-day. I promised dad I'd go, but I forgot
+all about it, and now the fellows want me to go to the ball game with
+them.
+
+"If you'll go over to grandmother's and get the papers I'll buy you a
+two-pound box of the best chocolates-- honest, I will. And you can get
+the papers as well as I can. Grandmother expects one of the family
+over after them to-day, and she has them all ready.
+
+"You can go just as well as I can-- better, in fact, and dad won't
+care as long as he gets the papers. You're to take them to his office.
+Will you do it for me, Sis? Come on, now, be a sport, and say yes."
+
+"But it's so hot, and Betty, Amy, and Mollie are here with me. I don't
+want to go all the way over to grandmother's after some tiresome old
+papers. Besides, it was your errand, anyhow."
+
+"I know it, Sis, but I don't want to miss that game. It's going to be
+a dandy! Come on, go for me, that's a good fellow. I'll make it three
+pounds."
+
+"No, I'm not going. Besides, it looks like a thunder storm."
+
+"Say, Sis, will you go if I let you ride Prince?"
+
+"Your new horse?" asked Grace, eagerly.
+
+"Yes, you may ride Prince," came over the wire. Will was a good
+horseman, but for some time had to be content with rather an ordinary
+steed. Lately he had prevailed on his father to get him a new one, and
+Prince, a pure white animal, of great beauty, had been secured. It was
+gentle, but spirited, and had great speed. Grace rode well, but her
+mount did not suit her, and Mr. Ford did not want to get another just
+then. Will never allowed his sister to more than try Prince around the
+yard, but she was eager to go for a long canter with the noble animal.
+Now was the chance she had waited for so long.
+
+"You must want to see that ball game awfully bad, to lend me Prince,"
+said Grace.
+
+"I do," answered Will. "But be careful of him. Don't let him have his
+head too much or he'll bolt. But there's not a mean streak in him."
+
+"Oh, I know that-- I can manage."
+
+"Then you'll get those papers from grandmother for me, and take them
+to dad?"
+
+"Yes, I guess so, though I don't like leaving the girls."
+
+"Oh, you can explain it to them. And you can 'phone down for the
+chocolates and have them sent up. Charge them to me. The girls can
+chew on them until you come back. It won't take you long on Prince.
+And say, listen, Sis!"
+
+"Yes, go on."
+
+"Those papers are pretty valuable, dad said. There are other parties
+interested in this deal, and if they got hold of the documents it
+might make a lot of trouble."
+
+"Trouble?"
+
+"Yes. But there's not much chance of that. They don't even know where
+the papers are."
+
+"All right, I'll get them. Have a good time at the game, Billy boy."
+
+"I will, and look out for Prince. So long!" and Will hung up the
+receiver, while Grace over the private wire, telephoned to the groom
+to saddle Prince. Then she went out to tell her friends of her little
+trip.
+
+And while she is doing this, I will interject a few words of
+explanation so that those who did not read the first volume of this
+series may have a better understanding of the characters and location
+of this story.
+
+The first book was called "The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale; Or, Camping
+and Tramping for Fun and Health." In that is given an account of how
+the four chums set off to walk about two hundred miles in two weeks,
+stopping nights at the homes of various friends and relatives on the
+route. At the very outset they stumbled on the mystery of a five
+hundred dollar bill, and it was not until the end that the strange
+affair was cleared up most unexpectedly.
+
+The four girls were Betty Nelson, a born leader, bright, vigorous and
+with more than her share of common sense. She was the daughter of
+Charles Nelson, a wealthy carpet manufacturer. Grace Ford, tall,
+willowly, and exceedingly pretty, was blessed with well-to-do parents.
+Mr. Ford being a lawyer of note, who handled many big cases. Mollie
+Billette, was just the opposite type from Grace. Mollie was almost
+always in action, Grace in repose. Mollie was dark, Grace fair. Mollie
+was quick-tempered-- Grace very slow to arouse. Perhaps it was the
+French blood in Mollie-- blood that showed even more plainly in her
+mother, a wealthy widow-- that accounted for this. Or perhaps it was
+the mischievous twins-- Dodo and Paul-- whose antics so often annoyed
+their older sister, that caused Mollie to "flare up" at times.
+
+Amy Stonington was concerned in a mystery that she hoped would some
+day be unraveled. For years she had believed that John and Sarah
+Stonington were her father and mother, but in the first book I related
+how she was given to understand differently.
+
+It appears that, when she was a baby, Amy lived in a Western city.
+There came a flood, and she was picked up on some wreckage. There was
+a note pinned to her baby dress-- or, rather an envelope that had
+contained a note, and this was addressed to Mrs. Stonington. Amy's
+mother was Mrs. Stonington's aunt, though the two had not seen each
+other in many years.
+
+Whether Amy's parents perished in the flood, as seemed likely, or what
+became of them, was never known, nor was it known whether there were
+any other children. But Mr. Stonington, after the flood, was
+telegraphed for, and came to get Amy. He and his wife had kept her
+ever since, and shortly before this story opens they had told her of
+the mystery surrounding her. Of course it was a great shock to poor
+Amy, but she bore it bravely. She called Mr. and Mrs. Stonington
+"uncle" and "aunt" after that.
+
+I described Deepdale and its surroundings in the previous book, so I
+will make no more than a passing reference to it here. Sufficient to
+say that the town nestled in a bend of the Argono River, a few miles
+above where that stream widened out into beautiful and picturesque
+Rainbow Lake. Then the river continued on its way again, increasing
+into quite a large body of water. On the river and lake plied many
+pleasure craft, and some built for trade, in which they competed with
+a railroad that connected with the main line to New York. In Rainbow
+Lake were a number of islands, the largest-- Triangle-- obviously so
+called, being quite a summer resort.
+
+Our four girls lived near each other in fine residences, that of
+Mollie's mother being on the bank of the river. Deepdale was a
+thriving community, in the midst of a fertile farming section.
+
+The summer sun glinted in alternate shadows and brilliant patches on
+Grace Ford as she hurried out to her friends on the lawn, after
+receiving the message from her brother Will.
+
+"What happened?" asked Mollie, for it was evident from the expression
+on the face of the approaching girl that something out of the ordinary
+had been the import of the message.
+
+"Oh, it was Will. He---- "
+
+"Did he 'fess up' about the chocolates?" inquired Mollie.
+
+"No, but he's going to treat us to a three-pound box. I 'phoned down
+for them. They'll be here soon, and you girls can enjoy them while I'm
+gone."
+
+"Gone!" echoed Betty, blankly. "Where are you going, pray tell?"
+
+"Oh, Will forgot to do something father told him to, and he wants me
+to do it for him. Get some rather important papers from Grandmother
+Ford. I'm going to ride Prince. I wish you all could come. Will you be
+angry if I run away for a little while? I shan't be more than an
+hour."
+
+"Angry? Of course not," said Amy, gently. "Besides, it's important;
+isn't it?"
+
+"I imagine so, from what Will said. But he has the baseball fever, and
+there's no cure for it. So if you don't mind I'll just slip into my
+habit, and canter over. Oh, I just love Prince! He's the finest
+horse!"
+
+"I'm afraid of horses," confessed Amy.
+
+"I'm not!" declared Betty, who was fond of all sports, and who had
+fully earned her title of "Little Captain," which she was often
+called. "Some day I'm going to prevail on daddy to get me one."
+
+"I should think you'd rather have an auto," spoke Mollie.
+
+"I may, some day," murmured Betty. "But hurry along, Grace. It looks
+as though it might storm. We'll save some of the candy for you."
+
+"You'd better!"
+
+The chocolates came before Grace was ready to start after the papers,
+for she discovered a rent in her skirt and it had to be mended. Then,
+too, Prince proved a little more restive than had been anticipated,
+from not having been out in two days, and the groom suggested that he
+take the animal up and down the road on a sharp gallop to give the
+excess spirit a chance to be worked off. So Grace saw to it that she
+had at least part of her share of chocolates before she left.
+
+"And I have just time to hear the rest about the grand surprise," she
+said to Betty, who had been turning and creasing in her hand the
+letter her uncle had written.
+
+"I'm afraid I can't go as much into detail as I thought I could,"
+confessed Betty. "But I'll read you the letter my old sea-captain
+uncle sent me. It begins: 'In port; longitude whatever you like, and
+latitude an ice cream soda.' Then he goes on:
+
+"'Dear messmate. Years ago, when you first signed papers to voyage
+through life, when you weren't rated as an A. B., you used to have me
+spill sea-yarns for you. And you always said you were going to be a
+sailor, shiver my timbers, or something like that,-- real sailor-like,
+so it sounded.
+
+"'I never forgot this, and I always counted on taking you on a voyage
+with me. But your captain-- that is to say your father-- never would
+let me, and often the barometer went away down between him and me.
+
+"'Howsomever, I haven't forgotten how you liked the water, nor how
+much you wanted a big ship of your own. You used to make me promise
+that if ever I could tow the Flying Dutchman into port that you could
+have it for a toy. And I promised.
+
+"'Well, now I have the chance to get the Flying Dutchman for you, and
+I'm bringing it home, with sails furled so it won't get away. I'm
+going to give you a grand surprise soon, and you can pass it on to
+your friends. So if you let me luff along for a few more cable lengths
+I think I'll make port soon, and then we'll see what sort of a sailor
+you'll make. You may expect the surprise shortly.'
+
+"That's all there is to it," concluded Betty, "and I've been puzzling
+my brains as to just what the surprise may be."
+
+"He's going to take you on a voyage," said Amy.
+
+"He's bought you some toy ship," was the opinion of Mollie.
+
+"Oh, if he'd only bring a real boat that we could make real a trip
+in!" sighed Grace. "That would be-- lovely!"
+
+"Betty Nelson! Write to your uncle right away!" commanded Mollie, "and
+find out exactly what he means."
+
+"I can't," sighed Betty. "He's traveling, and one never knows where he
+is. We'll just have to wait. Besides, he is so peculiar that he'd just
+as likely as not only puzzle me the more. We'll just have to wait;
+that's all."
+
+"Well, if it should be some sort of a boat, even a big rowboat, we
+could have some fun," asserted Grace.
+
+"Yes, for mine isn't much account," remarked Mollie, who owned a small
+skiff on the river.
+
+"I was so excited and amused when I got uncle's letter," said Betty,
+"that I didn't know what to do. Mamma puzzled over it, but she
+couldn't make any more out of it than I could. So I decided to come
+over here."
+
+"I'm glad you did," spoke Grace, holding up her long habit in one hand
+and delicately eating a chocolate from the other "There comes James
+with Prince. Oh, he's run him too hard!" she exclaimed as she noted
+the hard-breathing animal.
+
+"Oh, no, Miss," said the groom, who heard her. "That was only a romp
+for him. He'll be much easier to handle now."
+
+He gave Grace a hand to help her mount to the saddle, and adjusted the
+stirrups for her.
+
+"Good-bye!" she called, as she cantered off. "Save some of the
+chocolates for me," and the others laughingly promised, as they went
+back to the shade, to rest in the hammock or lawn chairs.
+
+  CHAPTER III
+
+ THE RUNAWAY
+
+Grace cantered along the pleasant country road on the back of Prince.
+The noble animal had lost some of his fiery eagerness to cover the
+whole earth in one jump, and now was mindful of snaffle and curb, the
+latter of which Grace always applied with gentle hand. Prince seemed
+to know this, for he behaved in such style as not to need the cruel
+gripping, which so many horsemen-- and horsewomen too, for that
+matter, needlessly inflict.
+
+"Oh, but it is glorious to ride!" exclaimed the girl, as she urged the
+animal into a gallop on a soft stretch of road beneath wonderful trees
+that interlaced their branches overhead. "Glorious-- glorious!"
+
+"I hope those papers are not so valuable that it would be an object
+for-- for some one to try to take them away from me," she mused.
+Instinctively she glanced behind her, but the peaceful road was
+deserted save for the sunshine and shadows playing tag in the dust.
+Then Grace looked above. The sky was of rather a somber tint, that
+seemed to suggest a storm to come, and there was a sultriness and a
+silence, with so little wind that it might indicate a coming
+disturbance of the elements to restore the balance that now seemed so
+much on one side.
+
+"But if any one tries to get them away from us, we-- we'll just-- run
+away; won't we, Prince?" and she patted the neck of the horse. Prince
+whinnied acquiescence.
+
+"Grandmother will be surprised to see me," thought Grace, as she rode
+on. "But I'm glad I can do as well as Will in business matters. I hope
+papa won't be too severe with Will for not attending to this himself."
+
+She passed a drinking trough-- a great log hollowed out, into which
+poured a stream of limpid water coming from a distant hill through a
+rude wooden pipe. It dripped over the mossy green sides of the trough,
+and Prince stretched his muzzle eagerly toward it.
+
+"Of course you shall have a drink!" exclaimed Grace, as she let him
+have his head. Then she felt thirsty herself, and looked about for
+something that would serve as a mounting block, in case she got down.
+She saw nothing near; but a ragged, barefooted, freckled-faced and
+snub-nosed urchin, coming along just then, divined her desire.
+
+"Want a drink, lady?" he asked, smiling.
+
+"Yes," answered Grace, "but I have no cup."
+
+"I kin make ye one."
+
+Straightway he fashioned a natural flagon from a leaf of the wild
+grape vine that grew nearby, piercing the leaf with its own stem so
+that it formed a cup out of which a Druid might have quaffed ambrosia.
+
+"There's a cup," he said. "I allers makes 'em that way when I wants a
+drink." He filled it from the running water and held it up. Grace
+drank thirstily, and asked for more.
+
+"And here is something for you," she said with a smile, as she passed
+down some chocolates she had slipped into a small pocket of her riding
+habit.
+
+"Say, is it Christmas, or Fourth of July?" gasped the urchin as he
+accepted them. "Thanks, lady."
+
+Grace again smiled down at him, and Prince, having dipped his muzzle
+into the cool water again, for very pleasure in having all he wanted,
+swung about and trotted on.
+
+The distance was not long now, and Grace, noting the gathering clouds,
+was glad of it.
+
+"I'm sure I don't want to be caught in a storm," she said. "This stuff
+shrinks so," and she glanced down at her velvet skirt. "I wouldn't
+have it made up again. I hope the storm doesn't spoil Will's ball
+game,"
+
+She urged Prince to a faster pace, and, cantering along a quiet
+stretch of road, was soon at the house of Mr. Ford's mother.
+
+"Why Grace!" exclaimed the elderly lady, "I expected Will to come
+over. Your father said---- "
+
+"I know, grandma, but Will-- well, he is wild about baseball, and I
+said I'd come for him."
+
+"That was good of you."
+
+"Oh, no it wasn't. I don't deserve any praise. Chocolates and Prince--
+a big bribe, grandma."
+
+"Oh, you young folks! Well, come in. Thomas will see to Prince."
+
+"I can't stay long."
+
+"No, I suppose not. Your father wanted these papers in a hurry. He
+would have come himself, but he had some matters to attend to. And,
+its being rather a family affair, he did not want to send one of his
+law clerks. Those young men tattle so."
+
+"I wonder if they are any worse than girls, grandma?"
+
+"Oh, much-- much! But come in, and I will have Ellen make you a cup of
+tea. It is refreshing on a hot day. Then I will get you the papers. It
+is very warm."
+
+"Yes, I think we will have a shower."
+
+"Then I must not keep you. Is everyone well?"
+
+"Yes. How have you been?"
+
+"Oh, well enough for an old lady."
+
+"Old, grandma? I only hope I look as nice as you when I get---- "
+
+"Now, my dear, no flattery. I had my share of that when I was younger,
+though I must say your grandfather knew how to turn a compliment to
+perfection. Ah, my dear, there are not many like him now-a-days. Not
+many!" and she sighed.
+
+Tea was served in the quaint old dining room, for Mrs. Ford, though
+keeping up many old customs, had adopted some modern ones, and her
+house was perfection itself.
+
+"I suppose your brother told you these papers were rather valuable;
+did he not?" asked Mrs. Ford a little later, as she brought Grace a
+rather bulky package.
+
+"Yes, grandma."
+
+"And if they should happen to fall into other hands it might make
+trouble-- at least for a time."
+
+"Yes. I will take good care of them."
+
+"How can you carry them?"
+
+"In the saddle. Will had pockets, made especially for his needs. They
+will fit nicety. I looked before starting out."
+
+"Very good. Then I won't keep you. Trot along. It does look as though
+we would have a storm. I hope you get back before it breaks. I would
+ask you to stay, but I know your father is waiting for those papers."
+
+"Yes, Will said he wanted them quickly. Oh, well, I think I can
+out-race the storm," and Grace laughed.
+
+She found that she really would have to race when, a little later, out
+on the main road, the distant rumble of thunder was heard.
+
+"Come, Prince!" she called. "We must see what we can do. Your best
+foot foremost, old fellow!" The horse whinnied in answer, and swung
+into an easy gallop that covered the ground well.
+
+The clouds gathered thicker and faster. Now and then their black
+masses would be split by jagged flashes of lightning, that presaged
+the rumbling report of heaven's artillery which seemed drawing nearer
+to engage in the battle of the sky.
+
+"Prince, we are going to get wet, I'm very much afraid," Grace
+exclaimed. "And yet-- well, we'll try a little faster pace!"
+
+She touched the animal lightly with the crop, and he fairly leaped
+into greater speed. But it was only too evident that they could not
+escape the storm. The clouds were more lowering now, and the bursts of
+thunder followed more quickly on the heels of the lightning flashes.
+Then came a few angry dashes of rain, as though to give sample of what
+was to follow.
+
+"Come, Prince!" cried Grace.
+
+Suddenly from behind there came another sound. It was the deep
+staccato of the exhaust of an automobile, with opened muffler. It was
+tearing along the road.
+
+Grace glanced back and saw a low, dust-covered racing car, rakish and
+low-hung, swinging along. It was evident that the occupants-- two
+young men-- were putting on speed to get to some shelter before the
+storm broke in all its fury.
+
+Prince jumped nervously and shied to one side at the sound of the
+on-coming car.
+
+"Quiet, old fellow," said Grace, soothingly.
+
+The car shot past her, and at the same moment Prince waltzed to one
+side, or else the car swerved, so that only by the narrowest margin
+was a terrible accident averted. Grace heard the men shout, and there
+was a wilder burst of the opened muffler. Then she felt a shock, and
+she knew that the machine had struck and grazed Prince.
+
+She glanced down and saw a red streak on his off fore shoulder. He had
+been cut by some part of the car.
+
+The next moment, as the racing auto swung out of sight around a bend
+in the road, Prince took the bit in his teeth and bolted. With all her
+strength Grace reined him in, but he was wildly frightened. She felt
+herself slipping from the saddle.
+
+"Prince! Prince!" she cried, bracing herself in the stirrups, and
+gripping the reins with all her might. "Prince! Quiet, old fellow!"
+
+But Prince was now beyond the reasoning power of any human voice. The
+thunder rumbled and crashed overhead. Grace, above it, could hear the
+whining decrease of the exhaust of the big car that had caused her
+steed to run away.
+
+"Prince! Prince!" she pleaded.
+
+He did not heed. Farther and farther she slipped from the saddle as
+his wild plunges threw her out of it. Then there came a crash that
+seemed to mark the height of the storm. A great light shone in front
+of Grace. Myriads of stars danced before her eyes.
+
+She flashed towards a house. From it ran two little tots, and, even in
+that terror she recognized them as Dodo and Paul, the two Billette
+twins. They were visiting a relative who lived on this road, she dimly
+recalled hearing Mollie say. Evidently the children had run out in the
+storm. A nursemaid caught Paul, but Dodo eluded the girl, and ran
+straight for the road along which Grace was plunging.
+
+"Go back! Go back!" screamed Grace. "Go back, Dodo!"
+
+But Dodo came on. The next moment the child seemed to be beneath the
+feet of the maddened horse, which, a second later, slipped and fell,
+throwing Grace heavily. Her senses left her. All was black, and the
+rain pelted down while the lightning flashed and the thunder rumbled
+and roared.
+
+  CHAPTER IV
+
+ THE MISSING DOCUMENTS
+
+"How do you feel now? Do you think you can drink a little of this?"
+
+Faintly Grace heard these words, as though some one, miles away, was
+repeating them through a heavy fog. Myriads of bells seemed ringing in
+her ears, and her whole body felt as though made of lead. Then she
+became conscious of shooting pains. Her head ached, there was a
+roaring in it. This was followed by a delicious drowsiness.
+
+"Try and take a little of this. The doctor does not think you are
+badly hurt. Fortunately the horse did not fall on you."
+
+Again it seemed as though the voice came from the distant clouds.
+
+Grace tried to think-- to reason out where she was, and discover what
+had happened; but when she did, that same ringing of bells sounded in
+her ears, her head ached and she felt she was losing that much-to-be
+desired drowsiness.
+
+"Try and take it."
+
+She felt some one raise her head, supporting her shoulders. She
+struggled with herself, resolving not to give way to that lethargy.
+She opened her eyes with an effort, and looked about her in wonder.
+She was in a strange room, and a strange woman was bending over her,
+holding a glass of some pleasant-scented liquid.
+
+"There, you have roused up, my dear, try to take this," said the
+woman, with a smile. "The doctor will be back to see you in a little
+while."
+
+"The doctor," stammered Grace. "Am I hurt? What happened? Oh, I
+remember, Prince was frightened by the auto, and ran away. Where is
+he?" she asked in sudden terror, as a thought came to her.
+
+"He got up and ran off after he fell with you," said the woman, as she
+held the glass for Grace to drink. "We had no time to try and catch
+him, for there were others to attend to."
+
+"Oh, but Prince must be caught!" cried Grace, trying to rise from the
+couch on which she was lying, but finding it too much of an effort.
+
+"He will be, my dear," said the woman. "Don't fret about the horse. He
+did not seem to be hurt."
+
+Oh, it isn't so much Prince himself, though Will would feel very badly
+if anything happened to him. It is---- "
+
+Then Grace recalled that to mention the papers in the saddle bag might
+not be wise, so she stopped.
+
+"There now, don't worry, my dear," spoke the woman, soothingly. "Some
+one will catch the horse,"
+
+"Oh, he must be caught!" cried Grace. "You say the doctor was here to
+see me?"
+
+"Yes, we sent for one soon after a passing farmer carried you in here
+when you fell and fainted. You were lying out in the rain--
+insensible. We managed to get off your wet dress, and I just slipped
+this dressing gown of mine on you."
+
+"You were very kind. I can't seem to think very clearly," and poor
+Grace put her hand to her head.
+
+"Then don't try, my dear: You'll be all right in a little while. Just
+rest. I'll see if the doctor can come to you now."
+
+"Why is he here-- in the house-- is some one else ill?" asked Grace,
+quickly.
+
+"Yes, my dear. Poor little Dodo was knocked down by the horse, and we
+fear is badly hurt."
+
+"Dodo?" and the voice of Grace fairly rang at the name.
+
+"Yes, little Dora Billette. This is her aunt's house. She and her
+brother Paul are visiting here."
+
+"Yes, yes! I know. They live near me in Deepdale. Their sister Mollie
+is one of my best friends. I am Grace Ford."
+
+"Oh yes, I know you now. I thought I recognized your face. I have seen
+you at Mollie's house. I am a distant relative. But rest yourself now,
+and the doctor will come to you as soon as he can. He has to attend to
+Dodo first, the little dear!"
+
+"Oh! Dodo, Dodo!" cried Grace, much affected. "You poor little
+darling, and to think that it was my fault! I must go to her. Mollie
+will never forgive me!"
+
+She tried to rise.
+
+"Lie still," commanded the woman, but gently. "It was not your fault.
+I saw it all. The twins persisted in running out in the storm. The
+girl could not stop them. Dodo got away and ran directly for the
+horse."
+
+"Yes, I saw that. I thought she would be terribly hurt. Oh, to think
+it had to be I and Prince who did it!"
+
+"It was not at all your fault. If anyone is to blame it is those
+autoists for going so fast, and passing you so closely. There was no
+excuse for that. The road was plenty wide enough and they scarcely
+stopped a moment after you went down, but hurried right on. They
+should be arrested!"
+
+"Oh, but poor Dodo! poor Dodo!" murmured Grace. "Is she much hurt?"
+
+"The doctor is not sure. He is afraid of internal injuries, and there
+seems to be something the matter with one of her legs. But we are
+hoping for the best. Here, take some more of this; the doctor left it
+for you."
+
+Grace was feeling easier now. Gradually it all came back to her; how
+she had raced to get home before the storm broke-- the pursuing auto,
+the injured horse and then the heavy fall. She had no recollection of
+the passing farmer carrying her into the house.
+
+The doctor came into the room.
+
+"Well, how are we coming on?" he asked, cheerfully. "Ah, we have
+roused up I see," he went on, as he noted Grace sitting up. "I guess
+it is nothing serious after all. Just a bump on the head; eh?" and he
+smiled genially, as he took her hand.
+
+"Yes, I feel pretty well, except that my head aches," said Grace,
+rather wanly.
+
+"I don't blame it. With that fall they say you got it is a wonder you
+have any head left," and he put out his hand to feel her pulse,
+nodding in a satisfied sort of way.
+
+"How-- how is little Dodo?" faltered Grace.
+
+Dr. Morrison did not answer at once. He seemed to be studying Grace.
+
+"How is she-- much hurt?" Grace asked again.
+
+"Well, we will hope for the best," he answered as cheerfully as he
+could. "I can't say for sure, but her left leg isn't in the shape I'd
+like to see it. I am afraid the horse stepped on it. But there, don't
+worry. We will hope for the best."
+
+"Little Dodo's sister is my best chum," explained Grace, the tears
+coming into her eyes. "Oh, when I saw her running toward Prince I
+thought I would faint! Poor little dear! I called to her, but she
+would not mind."
+
+"That was the trouble," explained Mrs. Watson, who had been
+ministering to Grace, "she seemed just wild to get out in the rain."
+
+"Well, it may yet come out all right," said Dr. Morrison, "but it is
+not going to be easy. I don't believe you need me any more-- er---- "
+
+He paused suggestively.
+
+"Miss Ford is my name," Grace supplied.
+
+"Ah, yes, I am glad to know you. Now I must go back to the little
+one."
+
+"Could I see her?" asked Grace, impulsively.
+
+"I had rather not-- now."
+
+Grace caught her breath convulsively. It was worse than she had
+feared-- not to even see Dodo!
+
+"But you can talk to Paul," went on the physician. "Probably it will
+do him good to meet a friend. He is rather upset. His aunt, Mrs. Carr,
+with whom the children were staying for a few days, has telephoned to
+Mrs. Billette about the accident. Word came back that Nellie-- is that
+the name-- the larger sister---- "
+
+"Mollie," said Grace.
+
+"Well, then, Mollie is to come to take Paul home. We cannot move Dodo
+yet."
+
+"Oh, is Mollie coming here?"
+
+"Yes. You can arrange to go home with her if you like. I believe Mrs.
+Carr asked for a closed carriage."
+
+"Then, I will go home with Mollie and Paul. Oh, will they ever forgive
+me?"
+
+"It was not your fault at all!" insisted Mrs. Watson." I saw the whole
+thing. Please don't worry."
+
+"No, you must not," said the physician. "Well, I will go back to my
+little patient," and he sighed, for even he was affected by Dodo's
+suffering.
+
+Grace sought out Paul, who was with his aunt, whom Grace knew
+slightly. Mrs. Carr greeted her warmly, and put her arms about her in
+sympathy. Paul looked up at the familiar face and asked:
+
+"Oo dot any tandy?"
+
+"No, dear," said Grace, gently, "but I'll get you some soon. Mollie
+will bring some, perhaps."
+
+With this promise Paul was content, and Mrs. Carr left him with Grace.
+
+Poor Grace! With all the whirl that her head was in, feeling as
+wretched as she did, one thought was uppermost in her mind-- the
+papers in the saddlebag. So much might happen to the valuable
+documents that were needed now-- this very instant, perhaps-- by her
+father. She almost wanted to go out in the storm and search for
+Prince.
+
+"But perhaps he ran straight home to the stable," she reasoned. "In
+that case it will be all right, if only they think to go out and get
+them from the saddle, and take them to papa. Oh, if only Will were
+home from that ball game. What can I do? The telephone! They will be
+worried when they see Prince come home, cut, and will think I am badly
+hurt. I must let them know at once."
+
+Mrs. Carr took her unexpected guest to the telephone, and Grace was
+soon talking to her mother.
+
+"Don't worry, Momsey," she said. "Prince ran away with me-- an auto
+hit him-- now don't faint, I am all right. I'm at Mollie's Aunt
+Kittie's. Poor Dodo is hurt, I'll tell you about that later. But,
+listen. Go out to the stable-- I suppose Prince ran there: Get those
+papers from the saddle, and send them to papa at once. Grandma's
+papers. They are very important. What? Prince has not come home? Oh,
+what can have become of him? Those missing papers! Oh, telephone to
+papa at once! He must do something," and Grace let the receiver fall
+from her nerveless hand as she looked out into the storm. The rain,
+after a long dry spell, was coming down furiously.
+
+  CHAPTER V
+
+ THE GEM
+
+Grace and Mollie were riding home in the carriage that had been sent
+to bring Mrs. Billette to the home of her relative, for the anxious
+mother, on hearing that Dodo could not be moved, had come to look
+after the injured child. Paul went home with his sister. He was
+munching contentedly on some candy, and all thought of the recent
+accident and scare had vanished in the present small and sweet
+happiness.
+
+"Oh, it must have been perfectly dreadful, Grace," said Mollie,
+sympathetically. "Perfectly terrible!"
+
+"It was! And are you sure you don't feel resentful toward me?"
+
+"The idea! Certainly not. It was poor Dodo's fault, in a way; but I
+blame those motorists more than anyone else. They should be found."
+
+"They certainly made a lot of trouble," admitted Grace. "But I would
+rather find Prince than them. I wonder where he could have run to?"
+
+"Oh, probably not far, after he got over being frightened. Doubtless
+you'll hear of his being found, and then you can send for him, and
+recover the papers."
+
+"If only the saddle doesn't come off, and get lost," said Grace. "That
+would be dreadful, for there would be no telling where to look for
+it."
+
+"Most likely it would be along some road. Prince would probably keep
+to the highways, and if the girth should break and the saddle come off
+it would be seen. Then, by the papers in the pockets, persons could
+tell to whom it belonged."
+
+"That is just it. Papa doesn't want anyone to see those papers. Some
+of them have to be kept secret. Oh, I know he will feel dreadful about
+the loss, and so will Grandma! It was partly her property that was
+involved in the transaction."
+
+"But they can't blame you."
+
+"I hope not. I'll never be forgiven by Will for letting Prince throw
+me and run away, though. He'll never let me take him again."
+
+"It was partly Will's fault for not doing the errand himself,"
+declared Mollie, with energy. "Then this might not have happened. Of
+course I don't mean," she added hastily, "that I blame him in the
+least for what happened to Dodo. But I mean the papers might not have
+been lost, for he would likely have carried them in his coat pocket,
+and not in the saddle."
+
+"That is what I should have done, I suppose," spoke Grace with a sigh.
+"But my riding habit had no pocket large enough. Oh, dear! I'm afraid
+it will be spoiled by the mud and rain," for she had left it at Mrs.
+Carr's and had borrowed a dress to wear home in the carriage, a dress
+that was rather incongruous in conjunction with her riding boots and
+derby hat.
+
+"It can be cleaned," consoled Mollie. "No, Paul, not another bit of
+candy. Don't give him any, Grace. He'll be ill, and as I'll have to
+look after him when mamma is away I don't want to have it any harder
+than necessary."
+
+"Me ikes tandy," remarked Paul. "Dodo ikes tandy too. Why not Dodo
+come wif us?" His big eyes looked appealing at his sister, and her own
+filled with tears, while those of Grace were not dry.
+
+"Poor little Dodo," said Mollie. Then with a smile, and brushing away
+her tears, she spoke more brightly, "but we must not be gloomy. I just
+know she will be all right."
+
+"I shall never cease praying that she will," spoke Grace, softly.
+
+They were splashing home through the mud. The rain was still coming
+down, but not so hard. The long, dry spell had broken, and it seemed
+that a continued wet one had set in.
+
+Grace was left at her house, where she found Amy and Betty ready to
+sympathize with her. Her father was there also, and Will. Both looked
+grave.
+
+Seeing that family matters awaited discussion, Amy and Betty soon took
+their leave, after being assured that Grace was all right, except for
+a stiffness and a few cuts caused by the fall. A carriage took the two
+girls to their homes. Mollie had gone on with Paul.
+
+"What will happen if we can't find the papers?" asked Grace of her
+father, when she had explained everything.
+
+"Well, there will be a lot of trouble," he said, "and of course the
+whole matter will have to be held up. In the meanwhile, even if the
+other interests do not get the documents, they may make it unpleasant
+for us. I wish, Will, that you had done this errand yourself-- not
+that I blame you Grace," he said quickly, "but Will knew how very
+important it was."
+
+"I'm very sorry, Dad. I'll never cut business for a ball game again,
+and I'll do all I can to help out. I'm sure Prince will soon come
+home, though, and it will be all right. I'll go out to the stable now,
+and if he isn't there I'll saddle Toto and go hunting. I'll start from
+where the accident happened, and trace Prince. Lucky he's pure white,
+he'll show up well, even in the dark."
+
+"No, I don't want you to do that," objected Mr. Ford. "You may go to
+the stable, if you like, but don't start any search until morning. In
+the meanwhile we may hear something, or he may come back. It's too bad
+a night to go out. But let this be a lesson to you, Will."
+
+"I will; yes, sir. Poor little Sis, I can't tell you how sorry I am.
+Are you much hurt?" and Will laid his hand tenderly on her head. She
+winced, for he had touched a bruised place.
+
+"Don't worry," she said, as brightly as she could. "I am all right,
+and the papers may be found. It is poor little Dodo I feel so badly
+about. She-- she may be a cripple, the doctor says."
+
+"No!" exclaimed Will, aghast.
+
+"It seems terrible, but that is his opinion."
+
+"Oh, they can do such wonderful things in surgery now a-days," said
+Mrs. Ford, "that I'm sure, in such a young child, there are many
+chances in her favor. Don't worry, daughter dear. Now you must go to
+bed, or you will be ill over this. Those motorists ought to be
+punished, if any one is."
+
+"Yes," agreed Mr. Ford. "Now I must see what I can do to offset this
+loss. You don't suppose, do you Grace, that those men could have had
+any object in getting those papers away from you?"
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Grace, in wonderment.
+
+"I mean, did they seem to follow you-- as if they had knowledge that
+the papers would be transferred to-day, and were determined to get
+them?"
+
+"I don't think so, Daddy. I'm sure they didn't follow me. They just
+seemed to come out of the storm-- trying to get away from it-- as I
+was doing. I'm sure it was all an accident-- just carelessness.
+
+"Very likely. I was foolish to suggest it, but so much depends on
+those papers that I don't know just what to think. But there, Grace,"
+as he kissed her, "you must rest yourself. I will think of a way out,
+I'm sure. Will, come with me. I may need you to make some memoranda
+while I telephone," and he and his son went to the library.
+
+Morning did not see Prince in the stable, and all that day Will
+searched without result. Many had seen the white horse flying wildly
+past, but that was all. Some said the saddle was still on, others that
+it had come off. Mr. Ford was much exercised over the loss of the
+papers.
+
+He did what he could to hold back the business, but there was a
+prospect of loss and considerable trouble if the documents were not
+eventually found. The opposing interests learned of the halt, and
+tried to take advantage of it. They were, however, only partly
+successful.
+
+In the meanwhile, after several days had passed, Dodo grew well enough
+to be brought home. The chief injury was to her leg, and there was
+grave danger of it being permanently lame. As soon as she was in
+better condition it was decided to have a noted specialist treat her.
+
+Prince remained missing, nor was there any report of the saddle being
+located, though Mr. Ford offered a liberal reward for that, or the
+return of the horse.
+
+Betty had telephoned for her three friends. Her voice held in it the
+hint of pleasure and mystery both, but to all inquiries of what was
+wanted she returned only the answer:
+
+"Come and see. I want you to meet some one."
+
+It was two weeks after the accident, and, in a great measure, the
+bitter memories of it had passed. Dodo was doing as well as could be
+expected, and, save for a slight limp, Grace had fully recovered.
+
+The three chums-- "graces" Will called them-- arrived at Betty's house
+at the same time. With sparkling eyes she led them into the parlor.
+
+"But what is it?" whispered Amy.
+
+"If it's a strange young man, I'm not going to go and meet him," said
+Mollie, with quick decision.
+
+"It's a man, but not young, and I think you'll be glad to meet him,"
+answered Betty.
+
+Grace instinctively looked at her dress.
+
+"Oh, you're all right!" cried Betty. Then she threw open the parlor
+door. "Here they are, Uncle Amos!" she cried, gaily, and the girls
+beheld a rather grizzled, elderly man, with tanned face and hands, and
+wrinkled cheeks, like an apple that has kept all winter, with the
+merriest blue eyes imaginable, and when he spoke there sounded the
+heartiest voice that could well fit into the rather small parlor.
+
+"Avast there!" he cried, as he saw the girls. "So these are your
+consorts; eh, Bet? They do you proud! May I be keel-hauled if I've
+seen a prettier set of sails on a craft in a long while. It's good
+rigging-- good rigging," and he glanced particularly at the dresses.
+
+Betty presented her friends in turn, and Mr. Martin had something odd
+to say to each as he shook hands heartily.
+
+"Uncle Amos has brought the-- surprise," said Betty. "But even yet he
+won't tell me what it is."
+
+"If I did it wouldn't be a surprise!" he protested. "But I'm all
+prepared to pilot you down to where she is. She's in the offing, all
+fitted for a cruise. All she needs is a captain and crew, and I think
+Bet here will be the one, and you girls the other. I may ship as cook
+or cabin boy, if you'll have me, but that is as may be. Now, if you're
+ready we'll go down to the dock and see how the tide is."
+
+"But we have no tide here, Uncle Amos," spoke Betty.
+
+"What! No tide! What sort of a place is it without a tide? I'm
+disappointed, lass, disappointed!"
+
+"We'll try and have one made for you," said Mollie, with a laugh.
+
+"That's it! That's the way to talk. Salt water and a tide would make
+any place, even a desert-- er-- er-- what is it I want to say, Bet?"
+
+"I don't know, Uncle, unless that it would make the desert blossom
+like the rose."
+
+"That's it-- a rose. You luffed just at the right time. Well, ladies,
+all hands have been piped to quarters, so we'll start. It's nearly
+four bells, and I told the mate I'd be there by then. Let's start."
+
+And start they did. On the way toward the river, whither Mr. Marlin
+insisted on leading the girls, Betty explained how her uncle had
+arrived unexpectedly that day, and had talked mysteriously about the
+surprise.
+
+"It's a boat-- I'm sure it is," said Mollie.
+
+"Oh, he'd talk that same way about an automobile or an airship," said
+Betty. "He calls everything, 'she,' and if it was an auto he'd
+'anchor' it near the river just to be close to the water he loves so
+much."
+
+"What if it's an airship?" asked Amy.
+
+"I shall-- learn to run it!" declared Betty.
+
+"Never!"
+
+"Yes I shall."
+
+"Let us hope it is but a rowboat then," sighed Amy.
+
+They went out on the public dock in the Argono River. At the string
+piece was tied what the girls saw was one of the neatest motor boats
+that, as Will said afterward, "ever ate a gasoline sandwich."
+
+There was a trunk cabin, an ample cockpit at the stern, a little
+cooking galley, a powerful motor, complete fittings and everything
+that the most exacting motor boat enthusiast could desire.
+
+"There she is!" cried Mr. Marlin. "There's the surprise, Bet. I got
+her for you! I named her the Gem-- for she is a gem. Aside from an
+ocean steamer there's no better boat built. I saw to it myself. I've
+been planning that for you for years. And there you are. The Gem is
+yours. I want you girls to take a cruise in her, and if you don't have
+a good time it will be your own fault. There's the Gem for you, Betty.
+Let's go aboard and see if that rascally mate has grub ready. There's
+the Gem!" and he led the way toward the beautiful boat. The girls
+simply gasped with delight, and Betty turned pale-- at least Grace
+said so.
+
+  CHAPTER VI
+
+ READY FOR A CRUISE
+
+"What a pretty cabin!" cried Mollie.
+
+"And see the places to put things!" exclaimed Betty.
+
+"Places to put things!" fairly snorted Mr. Marlin, or to give him his
+proper title, Captain Marlin. "Places! Huh! Lockers, young ladies!
+Lockers! That's where you put things. The aft starboard locker, the
+for'd port locker. You must learn sea lingo if you're to cruise in the
+Gem."
+
+The girls were still aboard the new motor boat. They could not seem to
+leave it since Betty had been told that it was a gift from her uncle.
+They inspected every part, turned the wheel, daintily touched the
+shining motor, and even tried the bunks.
+
+"There is room for five in the cabin," said Betty, looking about. "If
+we wanted to take another girl with us we could, when we go cruising."
+
+"Or a chaperone," added Grace. "We may have to do that, you know."
+
+"Well, we can," admitted Betty. "The question is, shall we go on a
+cruise?"
+
+"Ask us!" exclaimed Mollie with a laugh. "Just ask us!"
+
+"I do ask you," retorted the little captain of the Gem. "Girls, you
+are hereby invited to accompany me on a cruise to go-- Oh, where can
+we go?"
+
+"To Rainbow Lake, of course," said Grace, promptly. "We can go down
+the river into the lake, motor about it, go out into the lower river
+if we want to, camp on an island or two, if we like, and have a
+general good time."
+
+"That's the way to talk!" cried Captain Marlin. "And I'll come with
+you part of the time. There's some extra bunks back here maybe you
+didn't see," and he showed them three folding ones in the cockpit back
+of the trunk cabin, where awnings could be stretched in stormy
+weather, enclosing that part of the craft.
+
+"But what makes the boat go?" asked gentle Amy.
+
+"The motor makes it 'mote,'" spoke Betty. "It's up in front; isn't it,
+Uncle Amos?"
+
+"Up in front! There you go again, Bet. Up in front! You mean for'ard;
+up for'ard!"
+
+"That's right, Uncle, I forgot. Come, we'll show these girls where the
+motor is," and she led the way to where the machinery was enclosed in
+a large compartment in the bow, close by hinged wing-covers.
+
+The motor, one of three cylinders, was a self-starter, but by means of
+a crank and chain could be started from the steering platform, just
+aft of the trunk cabin, in case of emergency. There was a clutch, so
+that the motor could be set in motion without starting the boat, until
+the clutch, set for forward or reverse motion, had been adjusted, just
+as the motor of an automobile can be allowed to run without the car
+itself moving.
+
+"And what a dear little stove in the kitchen!" exclaimed Betty, as the
+girls looked in the cooking compartment-- it was not much more than a
+compartment.
+
+"Kitchen!" cried Captain Marlin. "That isn't a kitchen!"
+
+"What is it?" Amy wanted to know.
+
+"The galley, lass, the galley. That's where we cook aboard a ship, in
+the galley. There's an alcohol and oil stove combined. You can have
+chafing dish parties-- is that what you call them? and he laughed.
+
+"That's right, Uncle," cried Betty. "And see the-- what are we
+supposed to call these?" and she pointed to pots, pans, dishes and
+other utensils that hung around the galley.
+
+"Oh, call 'em galley truck, that's as good a name as any," said the
+old captain. "Do you like this, Bet?"
+
+"Like it, Uncle Amos! It's the dearest little boat in the world. I
+don't deserve it. You are so good to get it for me, and it was such a
+surprise."
+
+"Yes, I calculated it would be a surprise, all right. But I didn't
+forget that you always wanted to be a sailor, and so when I got the
+chance, I made up my mind I'd get you something worth while before I
+got sent to Davy Jones' locker."
+
+"Where is that?" asked Amy, innocently.
+
+"Oh, he means before he got drowned, or something like that,"
+explained Betty. "Oh, Uncle Amos, you're a dear!" and she kissed him,
+somewhat to his confusion.
+
+"So I got a man to build this boat to suit my ideas," went on the old
+seaman. "It's equipped for salt water, if so be you should ever want
+to take a trip to sea."
+
+"Never!" cried Mollie.
+
+"Well, you never can tell," he said sagely. "After she was finished I
+had him ship her here, and then I got her into the water. I will say,
+that, for her size, she is a sweet little craft. And I hope you'll
+like her, Bet."
+
+"Like her! Who could help it? Uncle you're a---- "
+
+"No more kissing, Bet. I'm too old for that."
+
+"The idea! Oh, girls, aren't the bunks too cute for anything!" and
+Betty sat down on one.
+
+"And the dining room-- may I call it that?" Grace timidly asked of the
+captain.
+
+"Well, saloon is a better word, but let it go," he murmured. "Now,
+what do you say to a little run down the river? It will give you an
+idea of how to handle her."
+
+"Oh, how lovely!" cried Betty. "Let's go, girls."
+
+"That man is from the firm that built the craft," went on the former
+sailor. "He'll show you all the wrinkles," and he motioned to a man
+standing near.
+
+Lines were cast off, the motor started, the clutch thrown in and then,
+with Captain Betty at the wheel, her uncle standing near to instruct
+her, the Gem started down the stream, attracting not a little
+attention.
+
+"This is a sea wheel," explained the captain. "That is, you turn it
+the opposite way to what you want the boat to go. I wouldn't have a
+land-lubber's wheel on any boat I built. So don't forget, Bet, your
+boat shifts opposite to the way you turn the wheel."
+
+"I'll remember, Uncle."
+
+With dancing eyes and flushed faces, the girls sat in the cockpit
+back, or "aft," of the trunk cabin, and watched Betty steer. She did
+very well, for she had had some practice in a small motor boat the
+girls occasionally hired.
+
+"Oh, I couldn't have had anything in the world I wanted more than
+this!" she cried to her uncle. "It is just great!"
+
+"And you think you girls will go for a cruise?"
+
+"I am sure we will, and as soon as we can. It will be the very thing
+for the hot summer."
+
+"Wouldn't Will just love this?" sighed Grace.
+
+"Perhaps Betty will invite him and Allen Washburn and Percy Falconer
+to come along on a trip or two," said Mollie, with a wink at her chums
+as she mentioned Percy's name. The latter was a foppish young man
+about town, who tried to be friendly with Betty; but she would have
+none of him.
+
+"Never Percy!" she declared. "I'll ask Will, of course, and Frank
+Haley, but---- "
+
+"Not Allen?" inquired Amy, mischievously, for it was no great secret
+that Betty really liked Allen, a young law student, and that he was
+rather attentive to her.
+
+"Which way shall I steer to pass that boat, Uncle?" asked Betty, to
+change a subject that was getting too personal.
+
+"Port," he answered briefly.
+
+"And that is----" she hesitated.
+
+"The left," he answered quickly. "It's easy if you think that the
+letter L comes before the letter P and that L is the beginning of
+left. Port means left, always."
+
+"I'm sure it's easy to say left and right," commented Grace, who was
+eating a chocolate.
+
+"Hum!" exclaimed the old captain, disapprovingly.
+
+The Gem proved worthy of her name. The girls made a little trip about
+the river, and then Captain Marlin, on learning that there was a boat
+house and dock on the property of Mollie's mother, steered the craft
+there, where it would be tied up until the girls started on their
+cruise.
+
+And that they would cruise was fully decided on in the next few days.
+Now that the great surprise was known, plans were made to spend some
+time on the lake and river in the new craft.
+
+The wonder and delight of it grew. Each day the girls discovered
+something different about Betty's boat. It was most complete, and
+practical. The boys were in transports over it, and when Will and his
+chum Frank Haley were allowed to steer they could not talk enough
+about it.
+
+Preparations for the cruise went on apace. Captain Marlin oversaw them
+at odd times, for he was in business, and made trips between New York
+and Deepdale.
+
+In the meanwhile Grace fully recovered from the runaway accident. Not
+so poor Dodo, however, and it was feared that the little girl would
+have to be operated on.
+
+"When?" asked Betty, thinking that this would spoil Mollie's trip.
+
+"Oh, not for some time," was the answer. "They are going to try
+everything else first."
+
+Some of the mothers arranged to go along on part of the cruises, and
+other married ladies volunteered for the remaining days, so the girls
+would be properly chaperoned. Then began the final preparations.
+
+"And if you see anything of Prince on your wanderings, don't fail to
+catch him," begged Will, a few nights before the day set for the
+start.
+
+"We will," promised Grace.
+
+The telephone rang-- they were all at Grace's house. She answered.
+
+"Yes, yes. This is Mr. Ford's residence. What's that-- you have a
+stray white horse? Oh, Will, maybe it's Prince!" and she turned
+eagerly to her brother. "A man from Randall's livery stable is on the
+wire. He says they have a white horse that was just brought in. A
+farmer says he found him wandering about the country. Hurry down
+there!"
+
+  CHAPTER VII
+
+ STOWAWAYS
+
+"Then he isn't your horse, Will?" It was Mr. Randall, the livery
+stable keeper who asked this question as Grace's brother critically
+inspected an animal that was led out for view in the stable.
+
+"No, that isn't Prince," was the answer. "He looks enough like him,
+though, to be his brother. I'm much obliged for calling me up."
+
+Will had hastened down after the receipt of the message Grace had
+taken over the telephone, for Randall's, as had all livery stables in
+the vicinity, had been notified to be on the lookout for the strangely
+missing animal, who might be wandering about the country carrying
+valuable documents in the saddle pocket.
+
+"Two young fellows drove in here with this horse, and asked if they
+could put him up for a while," went on the livery man. "I didn't like
+the way they acted, but I didn't see how they could do me any harm, so
+I said they could. Then I got to thinking about your horse, and I
+called up. I'm sorry to disappoint you."
+
+"I'm sorry myself, Mr. Randall. I can't imagine where Prince can be."
+
+"Oh, some one has him, you may be sure of that. A valuable horse like
+that wouldn't go long without an owner. Maybe some one has changed his
+color-- dyed him, you know. That has been done. Of course the dye
+doesn't last forever, but in this case it might hold long enough for
+the excitement to subside."
+
+"Well, if they'll send back the papers, they can keep the horse, as
+much as I like Prince," Spoke Will, as he started home to tell his
+sister and the girls the details of the unsuccessful trip. He had
+already briefly telephoned to them of his disappointment.
+
+"Oh, isn't it too bad!" cried Horace, as Will came back. "Do you
+really think, Will, that some one has Prince and the papers?"
+
+"It looks so, Sis. Has dad said anything lately?"
+
+"No, I believe the other side hasn't done anything, either, which
+might go to show that they haven't the papers. But it's all so
+uncertain. Well, girls," and she turned to her guests, "I guess we can
+finish talking about what we will wear."
+
+"Which, means that I must become like a tree in Spring," sighed Will.
+
+"How is that?" asked Amy. "Is it a riddle?"
+
+"He means he must leave-- that's an old one," mocked Mollie. "Any
+candy left, Grace?" and Mollie, who had been artistically posing on a
+divan, crossed the room to where Grace sat near a table strewn with
+books and papers, a box of chocolates occupying the place of honor.
+
+"Of course there are some left," answered Grace.
+
+"Which is a wonder!" exclaimed Will, as he hurried out of the room
+before his sister could properly punish him.
+
+"Will we wear our sailor costumes all the while?" asked Betty, for the
+girls, as soon as the cruise in the Gem had been decided on, had had
+suits made on the sailor pattern, with some distinctive changes
+according to their own ideas. Betty had been informally named
+"Captain," a title with which she was already more or less familiar.
+
+"Well, of course we'll wear our sailors-- middy blouses and all--
+while we're aboard-- ahem!" exclaimed Betty, with exaggerated
+emphasis. "Notice my sea terms," she directed.
+
+"Oh, you are getting to be a regular sailor," said Mollie. "I've got a
+book home with a lot of sea words in. I'm going to learn them, and
+also how to tie sailor knots."
+
+"Then maybe your shoe laces won't come undone so easily," challenged
+Grace, and she thrust out her own dainty shoe, and tapped the patent
+leather tip of Mollie's tie.
+
+"It is not!" came indignantly from Billy.
+
+"It is loose, and it may trip you," advised Amy, and Mollie,
+relinquishing a candy she had selected with care, bent over. The
+moment she did so Grace appropriated the Sweetmeat.
+
+"As I said," went on Betty, "we can wear our sailor suits when aboard.
+When we go ashore we can wear our other dresses."
+
+"I'm not going to take a lot of clothes," declared Grace, getting
+ready to defend herself against Mollie when the latter should have
+discovered the loss of the tidbit. "One reason we had such a good time
+on our 'hike,' was that we didn't have to bother with a lot of
+clothes. We shall enjoy ourselves much more, I think."
+
+"And I agree with you, my dear," said Betty. "Besides, we haven't room
+for many things on the Gem. Not that I want to deprive you of
+anything," she added, quickly, for she realized her position as
+hostess. "But really, to be comfortable, we don't want to be crowded,
+and if we each take our smallest steamer trunk I think that will hold
+everything, and then we'll have so much more room. The trunks will go
+under the bunks very nicely."
+
+"Then we'll agree to that," said Mollie. "Two sailor suits, so we can
+change; one nice shore dress, if we are asked anywhere, and one
+rough-and-ready suit for work-- or play."
+
+"Good!" cried Amy. "As for shoes---- "
+
+"Who took my candy?" cried Mollie, discovering the loss of the one she
+had put down to tie her lace. "It was the only one in the box and----
+"
+
+Grace laughed, and thus acknowledged her guilt.
+
+"I've got another box up stairs," she said. "I'll get it," which she
+proceeded to do.
+
+"Grace, you'll ruin your digestion with so much sweet stuff," declared
+Betty, seriously. "Really you will."
+
+"I suppose so, my dear; but really I can't seem to help it."
+
+"As captain of the Gem I'm going to put you on short rations, as soon
+as our cruise begins," said Betty. "It will do you good."
+
+"Perhaps it will," Grace admitted, with a sigh. "I'll be glad to have
+you do it. Now, is everything arranged for?"
+
+"Well," answered Betty, "This is how it stands: We are to start on
+Tuesday, and motor down the river, taking our time. Aunt Kate will go
+with us for the first few days, and, as you know, we have arranged for
+other chaperones on the rest of the cruise. We will eat aboard, when
+we wish to, or go ashore for meals if it's more convenient. Of course
+we will sleep aboard, tying up wherever we can find the best place.
+
+"I plan to get to Rainbow Lake about the second day, and we will spend
+a week or so on that, visiting the different points of interest-- I'm
+talking like a guide book, I'm afraid," she apologized with a smile.
+
+"That's all right-- go on, Little Captain," said Amy.
+
+"Well, then, I thought we might do a little camping on Triangle, or
+one of the other islands, say, for three or four days."
+
+"Don't camp on Triangle," suggested Grace. "There are too many people
+there, and we can't be free. There'd always be a lot of curious ones
+about, looking at our boat, and our things, and all that."
+
+"Very well, we can pick out some other island," agreed Betty. "You
+know there is to be a regatta, and water sports, on Rainbow Lake just
+about the time we get there, and we can take part, if we like."
+
+"Do! And if we can get in a race we will!" cried Mollie, with
+sparkling eyes.
+
+"Uncle Amos has promised to be with us some of the time," went on
+Betty. "And I suppose we will have to invite the boys occasionally,
+just for the day, you know."
+
+"Oh, don't make too much of an effort," exclaimed Mollie. "Allen
+Washburn said he might be going abroad this summer, anyhow."
+
+"Who said anything about him?" demanded Betty, with a blush.
+
+"No one; but I can read-- thoughts!" answered Mollie, helping herself
+to another candy.
+
+"I meant Will and Frank," went on Betty. "They would like to come."
+
+"I'm sure of it," murmured Grace-- literally murmured-- for she had a
+marshmallow chocolate between her white teeth.
+
+"How about Percy Falconer?" asked Amy, mischievously. "I am sure he
+would wear a perfectly stunning-- to use his own word-- sailor suit."
+
+"Don't you dare mention his name!" cried Betty. "I detest him."
+
+"Let us have peace!" quoted Mollie. "Then it's all settled-- we'll
+cruise and camp and---- "
+
+"Cruise again," finished Betty. "For we have two months, nearly, ahead
+of us; and we won't want to camp more than a week, perhaps. We can go
+into the lower river, below Rainbow Lake, too, I think. It is
+sometimes rough there, but the Gem is built for rough weather, Uncle
+Amos says."
+
+The girls discussed further the coming trip and then, as each one had
+considerable to do still to get ready, they went gaily to their
+several homes.
+
+Will came in later, looked moodily into an empty candy box, and
+exclaimed:
+
+"You might have left a few, Sis."
+
+"What! With four girls? Will, you expect too much."
+
+"I wonder if I'll be disappointed in expecting a ride in Betty's
+boat?"
+
+"No, we are going to be very kind and forgiving, and ask you and
+Frank. I believe Betty is planning it."
+
+"Good for her. She's a brick! I wish, though, that we could clear up
+this business about the papers."
+
+"So do I. Wasn't it unfortunate?"
+
+"Yes. How is little Dodo coming on?"
+
+"Not very well, I'm afraid," and Grace sighed. The injury to the child
+hung like a black shadow, over her. "The specialist is going to see
+her soon again. He has some hopes."
+
+"That's good; cheer up, Sis! Come on down town and I'll blow you to a
+soda."
+
+"'Blow'-- such slang!"
+
+"It's no worse than 'hike.'"
+
+"I suppose not. Wait until I fix my hair."
+
+"Good night!" gasped Will. "I don't want to wait an hour. I'm
+thirsty!"
+
+"I won't be a minute."
+
+"That's what they all say." But Grace was really not very long.
+
+In answer to a telephone message next day the three chums assembled at
+Betty's house.
+
+"I think we will go for a little trip all by ourselves on the river
+this afternoon," she said. "Every time so far Uncle Amos, or one of
+the boys, has been with us. We must learn to depend on ourselves."
+
+"That is so," agreed Mollie. "It will be lovely, it is such a nice
+day."
+
+"Just a little trip," went on Betty, "to see if we have forgotten
+anything of our instructions."
+
+Just then a clock chimed out eight strokes, in four sections of two
+strokes each.
+
+"Eight o'clock!" exclaimed Amy. "Your timepiece must be wrong, Betty.
+It's nearer noon than eight."
+
+"That's eight bells-- twelve o'clock," said the pretty hostess, with a
+laugh. "That's a new marine clock Uncle Amos gave me for the Gem. It
+keeps time just as it is done on shipboard."
+
+"And when it's eight o'clock it's twelve," murmured Grace. "Do you
+have to do subtraction and addition every time the clock strikes?"
+
+"No, you see, eight bells is the highest number. It is eight bells at
+eight o'clock, at four o'clock and at twelve-- either at night, or in
+the daytime."
+
+"Oh, I'm sure I'll never learn that," sighed Amy.
+
+"It is very simple," explained Betty, "Now it is eight bells-- twelve
+o'clock noon. At half-past twelve it will be one bell. Then half an
+hour later, it will be two bells-- one o'clock. You see, every half
+hour is rung."
+
+"Worse and worse!" protested Mollie. "What time is it at two o'clock?"
+
+"Four bells," answered Betty, promptly. "Why, I thought four bells was
+four o'clock," spoke Grace.
+
+"No, eight bells is four o'clock in the after-noon, and also four
+o'clock in the morning. Then it starts over again with one bell, which
+would be half-past four; two bells, five; three hells, half-past five,
+and---- "
+
+"Oh, stop! stop! you make my head ache!" cried Grace, "Has anyone a
+chocolate cream?"
+
+They all laughed.
+
+"You'll soon understand it," said Betty.
+
+"It's worse than remembering to turn the steering wheel the opposite
+way you want to go," objected Mollie. "But we are young-- we may learn
+in time."
+
+The Gem was all ready to start, and the girls, reaching Mollie's
+house, in the rear of which, at a river dock, the boat was tied, went
+aboard.
+
+"Have you enough gasoline?" asked Amy, as she helped Betty loosen the
+mooring ropes.
+
+"Yes, I telephoned for the man to fill the tank this morning. Look at
+the automatic gauge and see if it isn't registered," for there was a
+device on the boat that did away with the necessity of taking the top
+off the tank and putting a dry stick down, to ascertain how much of
+the fluid was on hand.
+
+"Yes, it's full," replied Amy.
+
+"Then here we go!" cried Betty, as the other girls shoved off from the
+dock, and the Little Captain pushed the automatic starter. With a
+throb and a roar the motor took up its staccato song of progress. When
+sufficiently away from the dock Betty let in the clutch, and the craft
+shot swiftly down the stream.
+
+"Oh, this is glorious!" cried Mollie, as she stood beside Betty, the
+wind fanning her cheeks and blowing her hair in a halo about her face.
+
+"Perfect!" echoed Amy. "And even Grace has forgotten to eat a
+chocolate for ten minutes."
+
+"Oh, let me alone-- I just want to enjoy this!" exclaimed the
+candy-loving maiden. They had been going along for some time, taking
+turns steering, saluting other craft by their whistle, and being
+saluted in turn.
+
+"Let's go sit down on the stern lockers," proposed Grace after a
+while, the lockers being convertible into bunks on occasion. As the
+girls went aft, there came from the forward cabin a series of groans.
+
+"What's that?" cried Mollie.
+
+"Some one is in there!" added Grace, clinging to Amy.
+
+Again a groan, and some suppressed laughter.
+
+"There are stowaways aboard!" cried Betty. "Girls, we must put ashore
+at once and get an officer!" and she shifted the wheel.
+
+  CHAPTER VIII
+
+ A HINT OF GHOSTS
+
+"Who can they be?"
+
+"It sounds like more than one!"
+
+"Anyhow, they can't get out!" It was Betty who said this last, Grace
+and Mollie having made the foregoing remarks. And Betty had no sooner
+detected the presence on the Gem of stowaways than she had pulled shut
+the sliding door leading into the trunk cabin, and had slid the hatch
+cover forward, fastening both with the hasps.
+
+"They'll stay there until we get an officer," she explained. "Probably
+they are tramps!"
+
+"Oh, Betty!" It was a startled trio who cried thus.
+
+"Well, maybe only boys," admitted the Little Captain, as a concession.
+"They may have come aboard, intending to go off for a ride in my boat,
+and we came just in time. They hid themselves in there. That's what I
+think about it."
+
+"And you are exactly right, Betty!" unexpectedly exclaimed a voice
+from behind the closed door. "That's exactly how it happened. We're
+sorry-- we'll be good!"
+
+"Dot any tandy?" came in childish accents from another of the
+stowaways.
+
+The girls looked at one another in surprise. Then a light dawned on
+them.
+
+"Don't have us arrested!" pleaded another voice, with laughter in it.
+
+"That's Will!" cried Grace.
+
+"And Frank Haley!" added Amy.
+
+"And Paul!" spoke Mollie. "Little brother, are you in there?"
+
+They listened for the answer.
+
+"Ess, I'se here. Oo dot any tandy?"
+
+"The boys put him up to that," whispered Grace.
+
+Betty slid open the door, and there stood Will and Frank, with Paul
+between them. The boys looked sheepish-- the child expectant.
+
+"I ought to put you two in irons," spoke Betty, but with a smile. "I
+believe that is what is done with stowaways."
+
+"Couldn't you ship us before the mast?" asked Will, with a chuckle.
+"That is the very latest manner of dealing with gentlemen who are
+unexpectedly carried off on a cruise."
+
+"Unexpectedly?" asked Grace, with meaning.
+
+"Certainly," went on her brother. "We just happened to come aboard to
+look over the boat, Frank and I. Then Paul wandered down here, and
+before we knew it we heard you coming. For a joke we hid under the
+bunks, and thought to give you a little scare. We didn't think you
+were going for a spin, but when you started we just made up our minds
+to remain hidden until you got far enough out so you wouldn't want to
+turn back. That's what stowaways always do," he concluded.
+
+"I'm glad you do things as they ought to be done," remarked Betty,
+swinging the wheel over. She had changed her mind about going ashore
+after an officer.
+
+"Dot any tandy?" asked Paul again.
+
+"Do give him some, if you have any," begged Will. "We bribed him with
+the promise of some to keep quiet. Surely he has earned it."
+
+"Here," said Grace, impulsively, as she extended some to the tot, who
+at once proceeded to get as much outside his face as into his mouth.
+Then she added rather sternly: "I don't think this was very nice of
+you, Will. Betty didn't invite you aboard."
+
+"Oh, that's all right!" said Betty, good-naturedly. "I'm glad they're
+here now-- let them stay. I'm so relieved to find they aren't horrid
+tramps. Besides, the motor may not-- mote-- and we'd need help-- We
+will make them work their passage."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir!" exclaimed Frank, pulling his front hair,
+sailor-fashion. "Shall we holystone the decks, or scrub the lee
+scuppers? You have but to command us!" and he bowed exaggeratedly.
+
+"You may steer if you like," said Betty, graciously, and Frank and
+Will were both so eager for the coveted privilege that they had to
+draw lots to settle who should stand the first "trick."
+
+For Betty's boat was a beauty, and the envy not only of Will and
+Frank, but of every other boy in Deepdale. So it is no wonder these
+two stowed themselves away for the chance of getting a ride in the
+fine craft.
+
+"Let's go down as far as one of the lake islands," suggested Will, who
+was now at the wheel, his turn having come.
+
+"Can we get back in time?" asked Betty. "The river is high now, after
+the rains, and there's quite a current."
+
+"Oh, the Gem has speed and power enough to do it in style," declared
+Frank. "We'll guarantee to get you back in time for supper."
+
+"All right," agreed the captain, who had gone into the cabin with the
+other girls.
+
+"And perhaps we can pick out a good place to go camping," added Grace.
+
+The boys directed the course of the boat, while the girls looked after
+Paul.
+
+"We must stop at some place where there is a telephone," said Mollie,
+"and I'll send word to mamma that Paul is with me. She may be
+worried."
+
+"Yes, do," suggested Betty. A little later the girls saw that the boys
+were approaching a dock, the main one of a small town just below
+Deepdale.
+
+"Where are you going?" asked Grace of her brother.
+
+"Going to tie up for a minute. Frank and I want to make amends for
+sneaking aboard, so we thought you'd like some soda. There's a grocery
+store here that keeps pretty good stuff."
+
+"Oh, yes, I know Mr. Lagg!" exclaimed Mollie. "Barry Lagg is his name.
+He's real quaint and jolly."
+
+"Then let's go ashore for the soda ourselves, and meet him," suggested
+Grace. "I am very thirsty. What is Mr. Lagg's special line of
+jollity?" she asked Mollie.
+
+"Oh, he makes up little verses as he waits on you. You'll see," was
+Mollie's answer. I often stop in for a little something to eat when I
+am out rowing. He is a nice old gentleman, very polite, and he has
+lots of queer stories to tell."
+
+"Has he dot any tandy?" inquired Paul, eagerly.
+
+"Oh, you dear, of course he has!" cried his sister. "You are getting
+as bad as Grace," and she looked at her chum meaningly.
+
+Will skillfully laid the Gem alongside the dock and soon the little
+party of young people were trooping up to the store, which was near
+the river front.
+
+"Ah, good day to you all-- good day, ladies and gentlemen, every one,
+and the little shaver too!" cried Mr. Lagg, with a bow as they entered
+his shop.
+
+  "What will you please to buy to-day?
+   If it's coffee or tea, just walk this way,"
+
+And, with this charming couplet Mr. Lagg started toward the rear of
+his store, where the aromatic odor of ground coffee indicated that he
+had spoken truly.
+
+"We'd like some of your good soda," spoke Will.
+
+"Ha, soda. I don't know that I have anything in the line of soda."
+
+"No soda?" exclaimed Frank.
+
+"I mean I haven't made up any poetry about that. I have about almost
+everything else in my store. Let me see-- soda-- soda---- "
+
+He seemed searching for a rhyme.
+
+"Pagoda! Pagoda!" laughed Betty.
+
+"That is it!" exclaimed Mr Lagg. "Thank you for the suggestion. Let me
+see, now. How would this do?
+
+  "If you wish to drink of Lagg's fine soda,
+   Just take your seat in a Chinese pagoda!"
+
+"Very good," complimented Will. "We'll dispense with the pagoda if you
+will dispense the soda."
+
+"Ha! Good again! You are a punster, I see!"
+
+Mr. Lagg laughed genially, and soon provided the party with bottles of
+deliciously cool soda, and straws through which to partake of it,
+glasses being voted too prosaic.
+
+There came a protest from Paul, who was sharing the treat.
+
+"I tan't dit no sody!" he cried. "It all bubbles up!"
+
+"No wonder! You are blowing down your straw. Pull up on it, just as if
+you were whistling backwards," said Mollie.
+
+"Whistling backwards is a distinctly new way of expressing it,"
+commented Frank.
+
+"I dot it!" cried the tot, as the level of his glass began to fall
+under his efforts-- successful this time.
+
+Then, having finished that, he fixed his big eyes on Mr. Lagg, and
+demanded:
+
+"Oo dot any tandy?"
+
+"Candy!" cried the eccentric store keeper. "Ha, I have a couplet about
+that.
+
+  "If you would feel both fine and dandy,
+   Just buy a pound of Lagg's best candy!"
+
+"That is irresistible!" exclaimed Will. "Trot out a pound of the most
+select."
+
+"With pleasure," said Mr. Lagg.
+
+Merrily the young people wandered about the store, the girls buying
+some notions and trinkets they thought they would need on the trip,
+for Mr. Lagg did a general business.
+
+"What are all you folks doing around here?" asked the storekeeper,
+when he had waited on some other customers.
+
+"Getting in practice for a cruise," answered Mollie. "Betty, here, is
+the proud possessor of a lovely motor boat, and we are going to
+Rainbow Lake soon."
+
+"And camp on an island, too," added Amy. "I know I shall love that."
+
+"Any particular island?" asked Mr. Lagg.
+
+"Elm is a nice one," remarked Will "Why don't you girls try that? It
+isn't as far as Triangle, and it's nearly as large. It's wilder and
+prettier, too."
+
+"Know anything about Elm Island, Mr. Lagg?" asked Frank, as he
+inspected some fishing tackle.
+
+"Well, yes, I might say I do," and Mr. Lagg pursed up his lips.
+
+"Is it a good place?"
+
+"Oh, it's good all right, but----" and he hesitated.
+
+"What is the matter?" demanded Betty quickly. She thought she detected
+something strange in Mr. Lagg's manner.
+
+"Why, the only thing about it is that it's haunted-- there's a ghost
+there," and as he spoke the storekeeper slipped a generous slice of
+cheese on a cracker and munched it.
+
+  CHAPTER IX
+
+ OFF ON THE TRIP
+
+The girls stared blankly at one another. The boys frankly winked at
+each other, clearly unbelieving.
+
+"Haunted?" Betty finally gasped.
+
+"A ghost?" echoed Amy, falteringly.
+
+"What-- what kind?" Grace stammered.
+
+"Why, the usual kind, of course," declared Will. "A ghosty ghost, to
+be sure. White, with long waving arms, and clanking chains, and all
+the accessories."
+
+"Stop it!" commanded his sister. "You'll scare Paul," for the child
+was looking at Will strangely.
+
+"Oh, it's white all right," put in Mr. Lagg, "and some of the
+fishermen around here did say they heard clanking chains, but I don't
+take much stock in them. Tell me," he demanded, helping himself to
+another slice of cheese, "tell me why would anything as light as a
+ghost-- for they're always supposed to float like an airship, you
+know-- tell me why should they want to burden themselves with a lot of
+clanking chains-- especially when a ghost is so thin that the chains
+would fall right through 'em, anyhow. I don't take no stock in that!"
+
+"But what is this story?" asked Betty. "If we are thinking of camping
+on Elm Island, we do not want to be annoyed by some one playing
+pranks; do we, girls?"
+
+"I should say not!" chorused the three.
+
+"Well, of course I didn't see it myself," spoke Mr. Lagg, "but Hi
+Sneddecker, who stopped there to eat his supper one night when he went
+out to set his eel pots-- Hi told me he seen something tall and white
+rushing around, and making a terrible noise in the bushes."
+
+"I thought ghosts never made a noise," remarked Grace, languidly. She
+was beginning to believe now that it was only a poor attempt at a
+joke.
+
+"Hi said this one did," went on Mr. Lagg, being too interested to
+quote verses now. "It was him as told me about the clanking chains,"
+he went on, "but, as I said, I don't take no stock in that part."
+
+"I guess Hi was telling one of his fish stories," commented Frank.
+
+"Oh, Josh Whiteby seen it, too," said Mr. Lagg. He was enjoying the
+sensation he had created.
+
+"Is he reliable?" asked Will.
+
+"Well, he don't owe me as much as some," was the judicious answer.
+"Josh says he seen the white thing, but he didn't mention no chains.
+It was more like a 'swishing' sound he heard.
+
+"Dot any more tandy?" asked Paul, and the laugh that followed in a
+measure relieved the nerves of the girls, for in spite of their almost
+entire disbelief in what they had heard, the talk bothered them a
+little.
+
+"There are no such things as ghosts!" declared Betty, with excellent
+sense. "We are silly to even talk about them. Oh, there is something I
+want for my boat," and she pointed to a little brass lantern. "It will
+be just fine for going up on deck with," she proceeded. "Of course the
+electric lights, run by the storage battery, are all right, but we
+need a lantern like that. How much is it, Mr. Lagg?."
+
+  "That lantern to you
+   Will cost-- just two!"
+
+"I'll take it," said Betty, promptly.
+
+"Dollars-- not cents," said the storekeeper, quickly. "I couldn't make
+a dollar rhyme in there, somehow or other," he added.
+
+"You might say," spoke Will, "''Twill cost you two dollar, but don't
+make a holler.'"
+
+"That isn't my style. My poetry is always correct," said Mr. Lagg,
+somewhat stiffly.
+
+The lantern was wrapped up and the young people got ready to go down
+to the boat.
+
+"Say, Mr. Lagg," asked Will, lingering a bit behind the others, "just
+how much is there in this ghost story, anyhow?"
+
+"Just what I told you," was the answer. "There is something queer on
+that island."
+
+"Then the girls will find out what it is!" declared Will, with
+conviction. "If they could find the man who lost the five hundred
+dollar bill, they're equal to laying the ghost of Elm Island. I'm not
+going to worry about them."
+
+"Let's go down a little way farther and have a look at the haunted
+island," proposed Grace, when they were again on board the Gem.
+
+"Have we time?" asked Betty.
+
+"Lots," declared Will.
+
+The motor boat was headed for the place. The island was of good size,
+well wooded, and the shore was lined with bushes. There were a few
+bungalows on it, but the season was not very good this year, and none
+of them had been rented. The girls half-planned to hire one to use as
+headquarters in case they camped on the island.
+
+"It doesn't look very-- ghostly," said Betty, as she surveyed it from
+the cockpit of her craft.
+
+"No, it looks lovely," said Grace.
+
+"Is the ghost going to keep us away?" asked Mollie.
+
+"Never!" cried the Little Captain, vigorously.
+
+"Hurray!" shouted Will, waving the boat's flag that he took from the
+after-socket.
+
+They made a turn of the island, and started back up the river for
+Deepdale, reaching Mollie's dock without incident.
+
+Busy days followed, for they were getting ready for the cruise. Uncle
+Amos went out with Betty and the girls several times to offer advice,
+and he declared that they were fast becoming good sailors.
+
+"Of course not good enough for deep water," he made haste to qualify,
+"but all right for a river and a lake."
+
+The girls were learning to tell time seaman fashion. Betty fairly
+lived aboard her new boat, her mother complained, but the Little
+Captain was not selfish-- she invited many of her friends and
+acquaintances to take short trips with her. Among the girls she asked
+were Alice Jallow and Kittie Rossmore, the two who had acted rather
+meanly toward our friends just prior to the walking trip. But Alice
+was sincerely sorry for the anonymous letter she had written, giving a
+hint of the mystery surrounding Amy Stonington, and the girls had
+forgiven her.
+
+Betty's Aunt Kate arrived. She was a middle-aged lady, but as fond of
+the great out-doors as the girls themselves. She was to chaperone them
+for a time.
+
+The final preparations were made, the sailor suits were pronounced
+quite "chicken" by Will-- he meant "chic," of course. Trunks had been
+packed, some provisions put aboard, and all was in readiness. Uncle
+Amos planned to meet the girls later, and see that all was going well.
+The boys were to be given a treat some time after Rainbow Lake was
+reached, word to be sent to them of this event.
+
+"All aboard!" cried Betty on the morning of the start. It was a
+glorious, sunshiny day, quite warm, but there was a cool breeze on the
+river. "All aboard!"
+
+"Oh, I just know I've forgotten something!" declared Grace,
+
+"Your candy?" questioned Mollie.
+
+"No, indeed. Don't be horrid!"
+
+"I'm not. Only I thought---- "
+
+"I'm just tired of thinking!" returned Betty.
+
+"Shall I cast off?" asked Will, who, with Frank, had come down to the
+dock to see the girls start.
+
+"Don't you dare!" cried Mollie. "I'm sure I forgot to bring my---- "
+She made a hurried search among her belongings. "No, I have it!" and
+she sighed in relief. She did not say what it was.
+
+"All aboard!" cried Betty, giving three blasts on the compressed air
+whistle.
+
+"Don't forget to send us word," begged Frank. "We want to join you on
+the lake."
+
+"We'll remember," promised Betty, with a smile that showed her white,
+even teeth.
+
+All was in readiness. Good-byes had been said to relatives and
+friends, and Mrs. Billette, holding Paul by the hand, had come down to
+the dock to bid farewell to her daughter and chums.
+
+"Have a good time!" she wished them.
+
+A maid hurried up to her, and said something in French.
+
+"Oh, the doctor has come!" exclaimed Mollie's mother. "The doctor who
+is to look at Dodo-- the specialist. Oh, I am so glad!"
+
+"Shall I stay, mother?" cried Mollie, making a move as though to come
+ashore.
+
+"No, dear; no! Go with your friends. I can send you word. You may call
+me by the telephone. Good-bye-- good-bye!"
+
+The Gem slowly dropped down the stream under the influence of the
+current and her own power, Betty having throttled down the motor that
+the farewell calls might be better heard. Mrs. Billette, waving her
+hand, hastened toward the house, the maid taking care of little Paul,
+whose last request was:
+
+"Brin' me some tandy!"
+
+  CHAPTER X
+
+ ADRIFT
+
+"Well, Captain Betty, what are your orders?" asked Amy, as the four
+girls, and Aunt Kate, stood grouped in the space aft of the trunk
+cabin, Betty being at the wheel, while the Gem moved slowly down the
+Argono River.
+
+"Just make yourselves perfectly at home," answered Betty. "This trip
+is for fun and pleasure, and, as far as possible, we are to do just as
+we please. You don't mind; do you, Aunt Kate?"
+
+"Not in the least, my dear, as long as you don't sink," and the
+chaperone smiled indulgently.
+
+"This boat won't sink," declared Betty, with confidence. "It has
+water-tight compartments. Uncle Amos had them built purposely."
+
+"It certainly is a beautiful boat-- beautiful," murmured Mollie,
+looking about as she pulled and straightened her middy blouse. "And it
+was so good of you, Bet, to ask us on this cruise."
+
+"Why, that's what the boat is for-- for one's friends. We are all
+shipmates now."
+
+"'Strike up a song, here comes a sailor,'" chanted Grace, rather
+indistinctly, for she was, as usual, eating a chocolate.
+
+The girls, standing there on the little depressed deck, their hair
+tastefully arranged, topped by natty little caps, with their sailor
+suits of blue and white, presented a picture that more than one turned
+to look at. The Gem was near the shore, along which ran a
+main-traveled highway, and there seemed to be plenty of traffic this
+morning. Also, a number of boats were going up or down stream, some
+large, some small, and often the occupants turned to take a second
+look at the Outdoor Girls.
+
+Certainly they had every appearance of living the life of the open,
+for they had been well tanned by the long walk they took, and that
+"berry-brown" was being added to now by the summer sun reflecting from
+the river.
+
+"Is this as fast as you can go?" asked Mollie, as she looked over the
+side and noted that they were not much exceeding the current of the
+river.
+
+"Indeed, no! Look!" cried Betty, as she released the throttle control
+that connected the gasoline supply with the motor. At once, as when
+the accelerator pedal of an auto is pressed, the engine hummed and
+throbbed, and a mass of foam appeared at the stern to show the
+presence of the whirling propeller.
+
+"That's fine!" cried Grace, as Betty slowed down once more.
+
+"I thought we'd take it easy," the Little Captain went on, "as we
+don't want to finish our cruise in one day, or even two. If I drove
+the Gem to the limit, we'd be in Rainbow Lake, and out of it, in too
+short a time. So I planned to go down the river slowly, stop at noon
+and go ashore for our lunch, go on slowly again, and tie up for the
+night."
+
+"Then we're going to sleep aboard?" asked Grace.
+
+"Of course! What would be the fun of having bunks if we didn't use
+them? Of course we'll sleep here."
+
+"And stand watches-- and all that sort of thing, the way your uncle
+told of it being done aboard ships?" Mollie wanted to know.
+
+"There'll be no need of that," declared Betty. "But we can leave a
+light burning."
+
+"To scare away sharks?" asked Amy, with a laugh.
+
+"No, but if we didn't some one passing might think the boat deserted
+and-- come aboard to take things."
+
+"I hope they don't take us!" cried Mollie. "I'm going to hide my new
+bracelet," and she looked at the sparkling trinket on her wrist.
+
+"Amy, want to steer?" asked Grace, after a while, and the girl of
+mystery agreed eagerly. But she nearly came to grief within a few
+minutes. A canoeist rather rashly crossed the bows of the Gem at no
+great distance.
+
+"Port! Port!" cried Betty, suddenly, seeing the danger.
+
+"Which is port-- right or left? I've forgotten!" wailed Amy,
+helplessly.
+
+"To the left! To the left!" answered Betty, springing forward. She was
+not in time to prevent Amy from turning the wheel to the left, which
+had the effect of swinging the boat to the right, and almost directly
+toward the canoeist, who shouted in alarm.
+
+But by this time Betty had reached the wheel, and twirled it rapidly.
+She was only just in time, and the Gem fairly grazed the canoe, the
+wash from the propeller rocking it dangerously.
+
+"We beg your pardon!" called Betty to the young man in the frail
+craft.
+
+"That's all right," he said, pleasantly. "It was my own fault."
+
+"Thank you," spoke Amy, gratefully. "Here, Bet, I don't want to steer
+any more."
+
+"No, keep the wheel. You may as well learn, and I'll stand by you. No
+telling when you may have to steer all alone."
+
+They stopped for lunch in a pretty little grove, and sat and talked
+for an hour afterward. Mollie hunted up a telephone and got into
+communication with her house. She came back looking rather sober.
+
+"The specialist says Dodo will have to undergo an operation," she
+reported. Grace gasped, and the others looked worried.
+
+"It isn't serious," continued Mollie, "and he says she will surely be
+better after it. But of course mamma feels dreadful about it."
+
+"I should think so," observed Betty. "They never found out who those
+mean autoists were, did they?"
+
+"No," answered Grace, "and we've never gotten a trace of Prince, or
+the missing papers. Papa is much worried."
+
+"Well, let's talk about something more pleasant," suggested Betty.
+"Shall we start off again?"
+
+"Might as well," agreed Grace. "And as it isn't far to that funny Mr.
+Lagg's store, let's stop and---- "
+
+"Get some candy and poetry," sniped Amy, with a laugh.
+
+"I was going to say hairpins, as I need them," spoke Grace, with a
+dignity that soon vanished, "but since you suggested chocolates, I'll
+get them as well."
+
+They found Mr. Lagg smiling as usual.
+
+  "This fine and beautiful sunny day,
+   what will you have-- oats or hay?"
+
+Thus he greeted the girls, who laughingly declined anything in the
+line of fodder.
+
+"Unless you could put some out as a bait for our horse Prince," spoke
+Grace. "It's the queerest thing where he can have gone."
+
+"It is strange," admitted the genial storekeeper, who had heard the
+story from Will. "But if I hear of him I'll let you know. And, now
+what can I do for you?
+
+  "I've razors, soap and perfume rare,
+   To scent the balmy summer air,"
+
+He bowed to the girls in turn.
+
+"How about chewing gum?" asked Betty.
+
+"Oh, would you?" asked Grace, in rather horrified tones.
+
+"Certainly, aboard the boat where no one will see us."
+
+  "Gum, gum; chewing gum,
+   One and two is a small sum,"
+
+Mr. Lagg thus quoted as he opened the showcase.
+
+The girls made several purchases, and were treated to more of the
+storekeeper's amusing couplets. Then they started off again, having
+inquired for a good place at which to tie up for the night.
+
+Dunkirk, on the western shore, was recommended by Mr. Lagg in a little
+rhyme, and then he waved to them from the end of his dock as the Gem
+was once more under way.
+
+"Look out for that big steamer," cautioned Betty a little later, to
+Grace, who was steering.
+
+"Why, I'm far enough off," answered Grace.
+
+"You never can tell," responded the Little Captain, "for there is
+often a strong attraction between vessels on a body of water. Give it
+a wide berth, as Uncle Amos would say."
+
+That Betty's advice was needed was made manifest a moment later, for
+the large steamer whistled sharply, which was an intimation to the
+smaller craft to veer off, and Grace shifted the wheel.
+
+They reached Dunkirk without further incident, except that about a
+mile from it the motor developed some trouble. In vain Betty and the
+others poked about in the forward compartment trying to locate it, and
+they might not have succeeded had not a man, passing in a little
+one-cylindered boat, kindly stopped and discovered that one of the
+spark plug wires was loose. It was soon adjusted and the Gem
+proceeded.
+
+"I'll always be on the lookout for that first, when there is any
+trouble after this," said Betty, as she thanked the stranger.
+
+"Oh, that isn't the only kind of trouble that can develop in a motor,"
+he assured her. But Betty well knew this herself.
+
+They had passed Elm Island soon after leaving Mr. Lagg's store, but
+saw no sign of life on it. They intended to come back later on in
+their cruise and camp there, if they decided to carry out their
+original plans of living in a tent or bungalow.
+
+"That is, if the ghost doesn't make it too unpleasant," remarked
+Betty.
+
+They ate supper aboard the boat, cooking on the little galley stove.
+Then the work of getting ready for the night, washing the dishes,
+preparing the bunks, and so on, was divided among the five, though
+Aunt Kate wanted the girls to go ashore and let her attend to
+everything.
+
+"We'll take a little walk ashore after we have everything ready,"
+suggested Betty. The stroll along the river bank in the cool of the
+evening, while the colors of the glorious sunset were still in the
+sky, was most enjoyable.
+
+"Gracious! A mosquito bit me!" exclaimed Grace, as she rubbed the back
+of her slim, white hand.
+
+"That isn't a capital crime," laughed Mollie.
+
+"No, but if there are mosquitoes here they will make life miserable
+for us to-night," Grace went on.
+
+"I have citronella, and there are mosquito nettings over the bunks,"
+said Betty. "Don't worry."
+
+They went back to the boat, and the lanterns were lighted.
+
+"Oh, doesn't it look too nice to sleep in!" exclaimed Amy, as they
+gazed into the little cabin, with its tastefully arranged berths.
+
+"I'm tired enough to sleep on almost any thing," yawned Mollie. "Let's
+see who'll be the first to---- "
+
+"Not snore, I hope!" exclaimed Betty.
+
+"Don't suggest such a thing," came from Amy. "We are none of us
+addicted to the luxury."
+
+But, after all, tired as they were, no one felt like going to sleep,
+once they were prepared for it. They talked over the events of the
+day, got to laughing, and from laughing to almost hysterical giggling.
+But finally nature asserted herself, and all was quiet aboard the Gem,
+which had been moored to a private dock, just above the town.
+
+It was Betty, rather a light sleeper, who awoke first, and she could
+not account at once for the peculiar motion. It was as though she was
+swinging in a hammock. She sat up, and peered about the dimly lighted
+cabin. Then the remembrance of where she was came to her.
+
+"But-- but!" she exclaimed. "We're adrift! We're floating down the
+river!"
+
+She sprang from her berth and awakened Grace by shaking her.
+
+  CHAPTER XI
+
+ IN DANGER
+
+"What is it? Oh, what has happened?"
+
+Grace cried half hysterically as she saw Betty bending over her. The
+others awakened.
+
+"Why, we're moving!" exclaimed Amy, in wonderment.
+
+"What did you want to start off for, in the middle of the night?"
+Mollie asked, blinking the sleep from her eyes.
+
+"I didn't," answered Betty quickly. "We're adrift! I don't know how it
+could have happened. You girls tied the boat, didn't you?"
+
+"Of course," answered Grace. "I fastened both ropes myself."
+
+"Never mind about that," broke in Aunt Kate. "I don't know much about
+boats, but if this one isn't being steered we may run into something."
+
+"That's so!" cried Betty. "But I didn't want to go out on deck alone--
+slip your raincoats on, girls, and come with me! There may be-- I mean
+some one may have set us adrift purposely!"
+
+"Oh, don't say such things!" pleaded Grace, looking at the cabin ports
+as though a face might be peering in.
+
+Quickly Betty and Mollie got into their long, dark coats, and without
+waiting for slippers reached the after deck. As they looked ahead they
+saw a bright light bearing directly for them. It was a white light,
+and on either side showed a gleam of red and green. Then a whistle
+blew.
+
+"Oh, we're going to be run down!" cried Mollie. "A steamer is coming
+directly for us, Betty!"
+
+"We won't be run down if we can get out of the way!" exclaimed Betty,
+sharply. "Push that button-- the automatic, I mean-- and start the
+motor. I'll steer," and Betty grasped the wheel with one hand, while
+with the other she pulled the signal cord, sending out a sharp blast
+that indicated her direction to the oncoming steamer would be to port.
+The steamer replied, indicating that she would take the same course.
+Evidently there was some misunderstanding.
+
+"And we haven't our side lamps going!" cried Betty, in alarm, as she
+realized the danger. "Quick, girls, come up here!" she called to Grace
+and Amy. "One of you switch on the electric lamps. At least they can
+see us, then, and can avoid us. Oh, I don't know what to do! I never
+thought of this!"
+
+A sudden glow told that Amy had found the storage battery switch, for
+the red and green lights now gleamed. Again the on-coming steamer
+whistled, sharply-- interrogatively. Betty answered, but she was not
+sure she had given the right signal.
+
+"Why don't you start the motor?" she called to Mollie.
+
+"I can't! It doesn't seem to work."
+
+"The switch is off!" exclaimed Grace, as she came out of the cabin.
+With a quick motion she shoved it over.
+
+"How stupid of me!" cried Betty. "I should have seen to that first.
+Try again, Mollie!"
+
+Again Mollie pressed the button of the self-starter, but there was no
+response. The Gem was still drifting, seemingly in the very path of
+the steamer.
+
+"Why don't they change their course?" wailed Amy. "Can't they see
+we're not under control? We can't start! We can't start!" she cried at
+the top of her voice, hoping the other steersman would hear.
+
+"The steamer can't get out of the channel-- that's the reason!" gasped
+Betty. "I see now. It's too shallow for big boats except in certain
+places here. We must get out of her way-- she can't get out of ours!
+Girls, we must start the motor!"
+
+"Then try it with the crank, and let the automatic go," suggested Aunt
+Kate, practically. "Probably it's out of order. You must do something,
+girls!"
+
+"Use the crank!" cried Betty, who was hobbling the wheel over as hard
+as she could, hoping the tug of the current would carry the Gem out of
+danger. But the craft hardly had steerage way on.
+
+Mollie seized the crank, which, by means of a long shaft and sprocket
+chain, extending from the after cabin bulkhead to the flywheel,
+revolved that. She gave it a vigorous turn. There was no welcome
+response of throbbing explosions in the cylinders.
+
+"Try again!" gasped Betty, "Oh, all of you try. I simply can't leave
+the wheel."
+
+The steamer was now sending out a concert of sharp, staccato blasts.
+Plainly she was saying, loudly:
+
+"Get out of my way! I have the right of the river! You must get out of
+my way! I can't avoid you!"
+
+"Why don't they stop?" wailed Grace. "Then we wouldn't bump them so
+hard!"
+
+As if in answer, there came echoing over the dark water the clang of
+the engine-room bell, that told half-speed ahead had been ordered. A
+moment later came the signal to stop the engines.
+
+"Oh, if only Uncle Amos-- or some of the boys-- were here!" breathed
+Betty. "Girls, try once more!"
+
+Together Mollie and Grace whirled the crank, and an instant later the
+motor started with a throb that shook the boat from stem to stern.
+
+"There!" cried Betty. "Now I can avoid them."
+
+She threw in the clutch, and as the Gem shot ahead she whistled to
+indicate her course. This time came the proper response, and a little
+later the motor boat shot past the towering sides of the river
+steamer. So near had a collision been that the girls could hear the
+complaining voice of the pilot of the large craft.
+
+"What's the matter with you fellows?" the man cried, as he looked down
+on the girls. "Don't you know what you're doing?" Clearly he was
+angry.
+
+"We got adrift, and the motor wouldn't start," cried Betty, in shrill
+tones.
+
+"Pilot biscuit and puppy cakes!" cried the man. "It's a bunch of
+girls! No wonder they didn't know what to do!"
+
+"We did-- only we couldn't do it!" shouted Betty, not willing to have
+any aspersions cast on herself or her friends. "It was an accident!"
+
+"All right; don't let it happen again," cried the steersman, in more
+kindly tones. And then the Gem slipped on down the river.
+
+"What are we going to do?" asked Mollie, as Grace steered her boat.
+
+"If we're going to stay out here I'm going to get dressed," declared
+Grace. "It's quite chilly."
+
+Can you find your way back to the dock?" Aunt Kate inquired. "Can you
+do it, Betty?"
+
+"I think so. We left a light on it, you know. I'll turn around and see
+if I can pick it out. Oh, but I'm all in a tremble!"
+
+"I don't blame you-- it was a narrow escape," said Mollie.
+
+"I don't see how we could have gone adrift, unless some one cut the
+ropes," remarked Grace. "I'm sure I tied them tightly enough."
+
+"They may have become frayed by rubbing," suggested Betty. "We'll look
+when we get a chance. What are you going to do, Amy?" for she was
+entering the cabin.
+
+"I'm going to make some hot chocolate," Amy answered. "I think we need
+it."
+
+"I'll help," spoke Aunt Kate. "That's a very sensible idea."
+
+"I think that is the dock light," remarked Betty a little later, when
+the boat was headed up stream.
+
+"Anyhow, we can't be very far from it," observed Grace. "Try that
+one," and she pointed to a gleam that came across the waters. "Then
+there's another just above."
+
+The first light did not prove to be the one on the private dock where
+they had been tied up, but the second attempt to locate it was
+successful, and soon they were back where they had been before. Betty
+laid the Gem alongside the stringpiece, and Grace and Mollie, leaping
+out, soon had the boat fast. The ends of the ropes, which had been
+trailing from the deck cleats in the water, were found unfrayed.
+
+"They must have come untied!" said Grace. "Oh, it was my fault. I
+thought I had mastered those knots, but I must have tied the wrong
+kind."
+
+"Never mind," said Betty, gently.
+
+  CHAPTER XII
+
+ AT RAINBOW LAKE
+
+Once the Gem was securely tied-- and Betty now made sure of this-- the
+tired and rather chilly girls adjourned to the cabin, and under the
+lights had the hot chocolate Aunt Kate and Amy had made.
+
+"It's delicious," spoke Betty. "I feel so much better now."
+
+"We must never let on to the boys that we came near running down a
+steamer," said Grace. "We'd never hear the last of it."
+
+"But we didn't nearly run down a steamer-- she came toward us,"
+insisted Betty, not willing to have her seamanship brought into
+question. "If it had been any other boat, not drawing so much water,
+she could have steered out of the way. As it was we, not being under
+control, had the right of way."
+
+"It wouldn't have done any good to have insisted on it," remarked
+Grace, drawlingly.
+
+"No, especially as we couldn't hoist the signal to show that," went on
+Betty. "Uncle Amos told me there are signals for nearly everything
+that can happen at sea, but of course I never thought of such a thing
+as that we'd get adrift. I must be prepared next time."
+
+"I can't understand about those knots," spoke Grace. "Where is that
+book?"
+
+"What book?"
+
+"The one showing how to tie different kinds of knots. I'm going to
+study up on the subject."
+
+"Not to-night," objected Aunt Kate. "It's nearly morning as it is."
+
+"Well, the first thing to-morrow, then," declared Grace. "I'm going to
+make up for my blunder."
+
+"Oh, don't be distressed," consoled Betty. "Any of us might have made
+the same mistake. It was only an accident, Grace dear."
+
+"Well, I seem fated to have accidents lately. There was poor little
+Dodo---- "
+
+"Not your fault at all!" exclaimed Mollie, promptly. "I'll not allow
+you to blame yourself for her accident. It was those motorists, if
+any-one, and I'm not sure they were altogether to blame. Anyhow, I'm
+sure Dodo will be cured after the operation."
+
+"I hope so," murmured Grace.
+
+The appetizing odor of bacon and eggs came from the little galley,
+mingled with the aromatic foretaste of coffee. Aunt Kate was busy
+inside. The girls were laughing out in the cabin, or on the lowered
+after-deck. It was the next morning-- which makes all the difference
+in the world.
+
+"I'm afraid we're going to have a shower today," observed Amy,
+musingly, as she looked up at the sky. A light fog hung over the
+river.
+
+"Will you ever forget the awful shower that kept us in the deserted
+house all night?" asked Betty, as she arranged her hair. "I mean when
+we were on our walking trip," she added, looking for a ribbon that had
+floated, like a rose petal, under her shelf-dresser.
+
+"Oh, we'll never get over that!" declared Mollie, who was
+industriously putting hairpins where they would be more serviceable.
+"And we couldn't imagine, for the longest time, why the house should
+be left all alone that way."
+
+"Now I'm going to begin my lesson," announced Grace, who, having
+gotten herself ready for breakfast, took up the book showing how
+various sailor knots should be made. With a piece of twine she tied
+"figure-eights," now and then slipping into the "grannie" class; she
+made half-hitches, clove hitches, a running bowline, and various other
+combinations, until Amy declared that it made her head ache to look
+on.
+
+The girls had breakfast, strolled about on shore for a little while,
+and then started off, intending to stop in Dunkirk, which town lay a
+little below them, to get some supplies, and replenish the oil and
+gasoline.
+
+It was while Betty was bargaining for the latter necessaries for her
+motor in a garage near the river that she heard a hearty voice outside
+asking:
+
+"Have you men seen anything of a trim little craft, manned by four
+pretty girls, in the offing? She'd be about two tons register, a
+rakish little motor boat, sailing under the name Gem and looking every
+inch of it. She ought to be here about high tide, stopping for sealed
+orders, and---- "
+
+"Uncle Amos!" cried Betty, hurrying to the garage door, as she
+recognized his voice. "Are you looking for us?"
+
+"That's what I am, lass, and I struck the right harbor first thing;
+didn't I? Davy Jones couldn't be any more accurate! Well, how are
+you?"
+
+"All right, Uncle. The girls are down in the boat at the dock," and
+she pointed. "The man is going to take down the oil and gasoline.
+Won't you come on a trip with us? We expect to make Rainbow Lake by
+night."
+
+"Of course I'll come! That's why I drifted in here. I worked out your
+reckoning and I calculated that you'd be here about to-day, so I come
+by train, stayed over night, and here I am. What kind of a voyage did
+you have?"
+
+"Very good-- one little accident, that's all," and she told about
+getting adrift.
+
+"Pshaw, now! That's too bad! I'll have to give you some lessons in
+mooring knots, I guess. It won't do to slip your cable in the middle
+of the night."
+
+The girls were as glad to see Betty's uncle as he was to greet them,
+and soon, with plenty of supplies on board, and with the old sea
+captain at the wheel, which Betty graciously asked him to take, the
+Gem slipped down the river again.
+
+At noon, when they tied up to go ashore in a pleasant grove for lunch,
+Mr. Marlin demonstrated how to tie so many different kinds of knots
+that the girls said they never could remember half of them. But most
+particularly he insisted on all of them learning how to tie a boat
+properly so it could not slip away.
+
+Betty already knew this, and Mollie had a fairly good notion of it,
+but Grace admitted that, all along, she had been making a certain
+wrong turn which would cause the knot to slip under strain.
+
+They motored down the river again, stopping at a small town to enable
+Mollie to go ashore and telephone home to learn the condition of
+little Dodo. There was nothing new to report, for the operation would
+not take place for some time yet.
+
+Grace also called up to ask if anything had been heard of the missing
+horse and papers, but there was no good news. However, there was no
+bad news, Will, who talked to his sister, reporting that the interests
+opposed to their father had made no move to take advantage of the
+non-production of the documents.
+
+"Have a good time, Sis," called Will over the wire. "Don't worry. It
+doesn't do any good, and it will spoil your cruise. Something may turn
+up any time. But it sure is queer how Prince can be away so long."
+
+"It certainly is," agreed Grace.
+
+"And so you expect to make Rainbow Lake by six bells?" asked Betty's
+uncle, as he paced up and down the rather restricted quarters of the
+deck.
+
+"Yes, Uncle, by seven o'clock," answered Betty, who was at the wheel.
+"Six bells-- six bells!" he exclaimed. "You must talk sea lingo on a
+boat, Bet."
+
+"All right, Uncle-- six bells."
+
+"Where's your charts?" he asked, suddenly.
+
+"Charts?"
+
+"Yes, how are you sailing? Have you marked the course since last night
+and posted it? Where are your charts-- your maps? How do you expect to
+make Rainbow Lake without some kind of charts? Are you going by dead
+reckoning?"
+
+"Why, Uncle, all we have to do is to keep right on down the river, and
+it opens into Rainbow Lake. The lake is really a wide part of the
+river, you know. We don't need any charts."
+
+"Don't need any charts? Have you heaved the lead to see how much water
+you've got?"
+
+"Why, no," and she looked at him wonderingly.
+
+"Well, well!" he exclaimed. "Oh, I forgot this isn't salt water. Well,
+I dare say you will stumble into the lake after some fashion-- but it
+isn't seaman-like-- it isn't seaman-like," and the old tar shook his
+grizzled head gloomily.
+
+Betty smiled, and shifted her course a little to give a wide berth to
+some boys who were fishing. She did not want the propeller's wash to
+disturb them. They waved gratefully to her.
+
+The sun was declining in the west, amid a bank of golden, olive and
+purple clouds, and a little breeze ruffled the water of the river. The
+stream was widening out now, and Betty remarked:
+
+"We'll soon be in the lake now."
+
+"The boat-- not us, I hope," murmured Grace.
+
+"Of course," assented Betty, "Won't you stay with us to-night, Uncle
+Amos?" she asked, as she opened the throttle a little wider, to get
+more speed. "You can have one of the rear-- I mean after, bunks," she
+corrected, quickly.
+
+"That's better," and he smiled. "No, I'll berth ashore, I guess. I've
+got to get back to town, anyhow. I just wanted to see how you girls
+were getting along."
+
+The Gem was speeding up. They rounded a turn, and then the girls
+exclaimed:
+
+"Rainbow Lake!"
+
+In all its beauty this wide sheet of water lay before them. It was
+dotted with many pleasure craft, for vacation life was pulsing and
+throbbing in its summer heydey now. As the Gem came out on the broad
+expanse a natty little motor boat, long and slender, evidently built
+for speed, came racing straight toward the craft of the girls.
+
+"Gracious, I hope we haven't violated any rules," murmured Betty, as
+she slowed down, for she caught a motion that indicated that the two
+young men in the boat wished to speak to her.
+
+As they came nearer Grace uttered an exclamation.
+
+"What is it?" asked Mollie.
+
+"Those young men-- in the boat. I'm sure they're the same two who were
+in the auto that made Prince run away! Oh, what shall I do?"
+
+  CHAPTER XIII
+
+ CRACKERS AND OLIVES
+
+Betty grasped the situation, and acted quickly, as she always did in
+an emergency.
+
+"Are you sure, Grace?" she asked. She could speak without fear of the
+men in the racing boat overhearing her, for they had thrown out their
+clutch, a moment later letting it slip into reverse, and the churning
+propeller, and the throb of the motor, made it impossible for them to
+hear what was said aboard the Gem. "Are you sure, Grace?" repeated
+Betty.
+
+"Well, almost. Of course I only had a glimpse of them, but I have good
+cause to remember them."
+
+"Don't say anything now, then," suggested Betty. "We will wait and see
+what they say. Later we may be able to make sure."
+
+"All right," Grace agreed, looking intently at the two young men. They
+seemed nice enough, and were smiling in a pleasant, frank manner at
+the outdoor girls and Aunt Kate. The two boats were now slowly
+drifting side by side on Rainbow Lake, the motors of both stilled.
+
+"I beg your pardon," said the darker complexioned of the two men, "my
+name is Stone, and this is my friend, Mr. Kennedy. We are on the
+regatta committee and we'd like to get as many entries for the water
+pageant as we can. Is your boat entered yet?"
+
+He gazed from one girl to another, as though to ascertain who was in
+command of the newly arrived craft, which seemed to have attracted
+considerable attention, for a number of other boats were centering
+about her.
+
+"We have just arrived," spoke Betty in her capacity as captain. "We
+are cruising about, and we haven't heard of any regatta or pageant,
+except a rumor that one was to be held some time this summer."
+
+"Well, it's only been in process of arrangement for about a week,"
+explained Mr. Stone. "It will be the first of its kind to be held on
+the lake, and we want it to be a success. Nearly all of the campers
+and summer cottagers, who have motor boats, have agreed to enter the
+parade, and also in the races. We'd like to enter you in both. We have
+different classes, handicapped according to speed, and your craft
+looks as though it could go some."
+
+"It can," Betty admitted, while Grace was intently studying the faces
+of the two young men. The more she looked at them, the more convinced
+she was that they were the ones who had been in the auto.
+
+"We saw you arrive," said Mr. Kennedy, who, Mollie said afterward, had
+a pleasant voice, "and we hurried over to get you down on the list the
+first thing."
+
+"Don't disappoint us-- say you'll enter!" urged Mr. Stone. "You don't
+know us, of course, but I have taken the liberty of introducing
+myself, If you are acquainted with any of the cottagers on the lake
+shore, or on Triangle Island, you can ask them about us."
+
+"Oh, we are very glad you invited us," replied Betty, quickly. She did
+not want the young men to think that she resented anything. Besides,
+if what Grace thought about them was so, they would want a chance to
+inquire about the young men more closely, perhaps, than the young men
+themselves would care to be looked after. For Betty recalled what
+Grace had said-- that her father had a faint idea that perhaps the
+motorists might have acted as they did purposely, to get possession of
+the papers.
+
+"Then you'll enter?" asked Mr. Kennedy.
+
+"We can't be sure," spoke Betty, who seemed to be doing all the
+talking. "Our plans are uncertain, we have no very definite ones,
+though. We intended merely to cruise about, and perhaps camp on one of
+the islands for a few days. But if we find we can, we will at least
+take part in the water pageant-- that is, in the parade with the other
+boats."
+
+"And we'd like you to be in the races," suggested Mr. Kennedy. "Your
+boat has very fine lines. What horse power have you?"
+
+"It is rated twenty," answered Betty, promptly, proud that she had the
+knowledge at her tongue's end, "but it develops nearer twenty-five."
+
+"Then you'd go in Class B." said Mr. Stone. "I will enter you,
+tentatively at least, for that race, and if you find you can't
+compete, no harm will be done. There are some very handsome prizes."
+
+"Oh, do enter, Bet!" exclaimed Mollie in a whisper, for she was fond
+of sports of all kinds. "It will he such jolly fun!"
+
+Betty looked at her aunt. Racing had not entered into their plans when
+they talked them over with the folks at home.
+
+"I think you might; they seem very nice, and we can easily find out if
+other girls are to race," said Aunt Kate, in a low voice.
+
+"You may enter my boat, then," said Betty, graciously.
+
+"Thank you!" exclaimed Mr. Stone. "The Gem goes in, and her captain's
+name-- ?"
+
+"Miss Nelson."
+
+"Of-- ?" again he paused suggestively, pencil poised.
+
+"Of Deepdale."
+
+"Oh, yes, I have been there. I am sure you will not regret having
+decided to enter the regatta. Now if you would like to tie up for the
+night there are several good public docks near here. That one over
+there," and he pointed, "is used by very few other boats, and perhaps
+you would like it. Plenty of room, you know."
+
+"Thank you," said Betty. "We shall go over there."
+
+"I will send you a formal entry blank to-morrow," said Mr. Stone, as
+his companion started the motor, and a moment later they were rushing
+off in a smother of foam thrown up by the powerful racing craft.
+
+"Well, what do you think of that?" gasped Mollie, when they had gone.
+"No sooner do we arrive than we are plunged into the midst of-- er--
+the midst of-- what is it I want to say?" She laughed and looked about
+for assistance.
+
+"Better give it up," said Amy. "But what Grace said surprises me--
+about those two young men."
+
+"Well, of course I can't be sure of it," said Grace, as all eyes were
+turned in her direction, "but the more I look at those two the more I
+really think they are the ones. I wonder if there isn't some way I
+could make sure?"
+
+"Yes," said practical Betty, "there is. That is why I decided to enter
+the Gem in the regatta. It will give us a chance to do a little quiet
+investigating."
+
+"But how?" inquired Grace, puzzled.
+
+"Well, if we make some inquiries, and find out that they are all right
+to talk to-- and they may be in spite of the mean way they acted
+toward you-- why, then, we can question them, and gradually lead the
+talk around to autos, and racing, and storms, and all that. They'll
+probably let out something about having been caught in a storm once,
+and seeing a horse run away. Then we will be sure they are the same
+ones, and-- well, I don't know what would be the best thing to do
+then, Grace."
+
+"Grace had better notify her father or brother if she finds out these
+are the men," suggested Aunt Kate. "They would be the best ones to act
+after that."
+
+"Surely," agreed Grace. "That's what I'll do. And now let's go over to
+the dock, and see about supper. I'm as hungry as a starved kitten."
+
+"And with all the candy she's eaten since lunch!" exclaimed Mollie.
+
+"I didn't eat much at all!" came promptly from Grace. "Did I, Amy?"
+
+"I wasn't watching. Anyhow, I am hungry, too."
+
+"I fancy we all are," spoke Betty. "Well, we will soon be there," and
+she started the motor, and swung the prow of the Gem over toward the
+dock.
+
+There were one or two small open motor boats tied there, but they were
+not manned. The girls made sure of their cable fastenings, and soon
+the appetizing odor of cooking came from the small galley. The girls
+donned long aprons over their sailor costumes, and ate out on the open
+deck, for it was rather close in the cabin.
+
+"It is as sultry as though there were going to be a storm," remarked
+Betty, looking up at the sky, which was taking on the tints of
+evening. "I am glad we're not going to be out on the lake to-night."
+
+"Aren't we ever going to do any night cruising?" asked Mollie, who was
+a bit venturesome at times.
+
+"Oh, of course. Why, the main water pageant takes place at night, one
+of those young men said, and we'll be in that. Only I'm just as glad
+we're tied up to-night," spoke Betty.
+
+Near where they had docked was a little colony of summer cottages, and
+not far off was an amusement resort, including a moving picture show.
+
+"Let's go, girls!" proposed Grace after supper, "We don't want to sit
+around all evening doing nothing. The boat will be safe; won't it,
+Betty?"
+
+"Don't say 'it'-- my boat is a lady-- speak of her as such," laughed
+the Little Captain. "Yes, I think she will be safe. But I will see if
+there is a dock watchman, and if there is I'll engage him."
+
+There proved to be one, who, for a small fee, would see that no
+unauthorized persons entered the Gem. Then the girls, attiring
+themselves in their "shore togs," as Betty expressed it, went to see
+the moving pictures.
+
+"What will we do to-morrow?" asked Grace, as they came out, having had
+two hours of enjoyment.
+
+"I was thinking of a little picnic ashore," answered Betty. "There are
+some lovely places on the banks of the lake, to say nothing of the
+several small islands. We can cruise about a bit, and then go ashore
+with our lunch. Or, if any of you have any other plan, don't hesitate
+to mention it. I want you girls to have a good time."
+
+"As if we weren't having it, Little Captain!" cried Mollie with an
+impulsive embrace. "The picnic by all means, and please let's take
+plenty of crackers and olives."
+
+"Talk about me eating candy," mocked Grace, "you are as bad on
+olives."
+
+"Well, they're not so bad for one as candy."
+
+"I don't know about that."
+
+"Oh, don't argue!" begged quiet little Amy. "Let's talk about the
+picnic."
+
+It was arranged that they should have an informal one, and the next
+morning, after an uneventful night-- save that Grace awakened them all
+by declaring someone was coming aboard, when it proved to be only a
+frightened dog-- the next morning they started off again, leaving word
+with the dock watchman, who did boat repairing, that they would be
+back late that afternoon.
+
+They had made some inquiries, and decided to go ashore on Eel Island,
+so named from its long, narrow shape. There was a small dock there,
+which made it easy for the Gem to land her passengers, since she drew
+a little too much water to get right up to shore.
+
+The girls cruised about Rainbow Lake, being saluted many times by
+other craft, the occupants of which seemed to admire Betty's fine
+boat. In turn she answered with the regulation three blasts of the air
+whistle. At several private docks, the property of wealthy cottagers,
+could be seen signs of preparation for the coming water carnival. The
+boat houses were being decorated, and in some cases elaborate schemes
+of ornamentation were under way for the boats themselves.
+
+"It looks as though it would be nice," remarked Mollie.
+
+"Yes, I think we shall enjoy it," agreed Betty.
+
+They stopped at one cottage, occupied by a Mrs. Ralston, whom Betty
+knew slightly. Mrs. Ralston wanted the girls and Aunt Kate to stay to
+lunch, but they told of their picnic plans. They wanted to inquire
+about Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy, and they were all glad to learn that
+the two young men were held in the highest esteem, and were given a
+great deal of credit for their hard work in connection with the lake
+pageant.
+
+"And to think they could be so unfeeling as to make Prince run away
+and cause all that trouble," observed Mollie, as they were again
+aboard the boat.
+
+"Perhaps it was not they, or there may be some explanation of their
+conduct," suggested Betty. "We must not judge too hastily."
+
+"That's Betty Nelson-- all over," said Amy.
+
+Eel Island proved to be an ideal picnic place, and there were one or
+two other parties on it when the girls arrived. They made the Gem
+secure, and struck off into the woods with their lunch baskets, Betty
+having removed a certain patented spark plug, without which the motor
+could not be started. It was not likely that anyone would be able to
+duplicate it and make off with the craft in their absence, so they
+felt it safe to leave the boat unguarded.
+
+"Pass the olives, Grace my dear," requested Mollie, when they were
+seated on a grassy knoll under a big oak tree. "I have the crackers
+beside me. Now I am happy," and she munched the appetizing
+combination.
+
+"Crackers and olives!" murmured Betty. "Our old schoolday feast. I
+haven't gotten over my love for them, either. Let them circulate,
+Mollie."
+
+The girls were making merry with quip and jest when Grace, hearing a
+crackling of under brush, looked back along the path they had come.
+She started and exclaimed:
+
+"Here come those two young men-- Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy."
+
+"Don't notice them," begged Amy, who was not much given to making new
+acquaintances.
+
+"Too late! They see us-- they're coming right toward us!" cried Grace,
+in some confusion.
+
+  CHAPTER XIV
+
+ THE REGATTA
+
+The two young men came on, apparently with the object of speaking to
+the girls. Evidently they had purposely sought them out.
+
+"Oh, it is Miss Nelson, and her friends from the Gem!" exclaimed Mr.
+Stone, which might indicate that he had expected to meet some other
+party of picnic lovers.
+
+"I hope we are not intruding," said Mr. Kennedy, "but we want to
+borrow some salt, if you have any."
+
+Betty looked at them curiously. Was this a subterfuge-- a means to an
+acquaintance? Her manner stiffened a trifle, and she glanced at Aunt
+Kate.
+
+"You see we came off on a little picnic like yourselves," explained
+Mr. Stone, "and Bob, here, forgot the salt."
+
+"You told me you'd put it in yourself, Harry!" exclaimed the other,
+"and of course I thought you did."
+
+"Well, be that as it may," said his friend, "we have no salt. We heard
+your voices over here and decided to be bold enough to ask for some.
+Do you remember us, Miss Nelson?"
+
+"Oh, yes." Betty's manner softened. The explanation was sufficient.
+Clearly the young men had not resorted to this trick to scrape an
+acquaintance with the girls.
+
+"Is there anything else you'd like?" asked impulsive Mollie. "Grace
+has plenty of candy, I think, and as for olives----" she tilted one
+empty bottle, and smiled. Mr. Kennedy smiled back in a frank manner.
+Betty decided that introductions would be in good form, since they had
+learned that the young men were "perfectly proper."
+
+Names were exchanged, and Mr. Kennedy and his friend sat down on the
+grass. They did not seem in any special hurry about the salt, now that
+it was offered.
+
+"We hope you haven't changed your minds about the race and regatta,"
+spoke Mr. Stone, after some generalities had been exchanged. "By the
+way, I have the entry blanks for you," and he passed the papers to
+Betty, who accepted them with murmured thanks.
+
+"We shall very likely enter both the pageant and the race," she said.
+"When do they take place?"
+
+"The pageant will be held two nights hence. That will really open the
+carnival. The boats, decorated as suit the fancies of the owners, will
+form in line, and move about the lake, past the judges' stand. There
+will be prizes for the most beautifully decorated boat, the oddest,
+and also the worst, if you understand me. I mean by the last that some
+captains have decided to make their boats look like wrecks, striving
+after queer effects."
+
+"I should not like that," said Betty, decidedly. "But if there is
+time, and we can do it, we might decorate?" and she looked at her
+chums questioningly.
+
+"Surely," said Grace, and Mollie took the chance to whisper to her:
+
+"Why don't you start some questions?"
+
+"I will-- if I get a chance," was the answer.
+
+Betty was finding out more about the carnival when the start would be
+made, the course and other details. The races would take place the day
+after the boat parade.
+
+"There will be canoe and rowing races, as well as tub and 'upset'
+events," said Mr. Stone. "We are also planning to have a swimming and
+diving contest the latter part of the regatta week, but I don't
+suppose you young ladies would care to enter that."
+
+"We all swim, and we have our bathing suits," said Mollie,
+indefinitely.
+
+"Mollie dives beautifully!" exclaimed Amy.
+
+"I do not-- that is, I'm not an expert at it," Mollie hastened to say.
+"But I love diving."
+
+"Then why not enter?" asked Mr. Kennedy. "I am chairman of that
+committee. I'll put the names of you girls down, if you don't mind. It
+doesn't commit you to anything."
+
+The girls had no formal objections.
+
+"You are real out-door girls, I can see that!" complimented Mr. Stone.
+"You must like life in the woods and on the lake."
+
+"Indeed they do," spoke Aunt Kate. "They walked-- I think it was two
+hundred miles, just before coming on this cruise; didn't you, Betty?"
+
+"Yes, but we took it by easy stages," evaded the Little Captain.
+
+"That was fine!" exclaimed Mr. Kennedy. "Well, Harry, if we're gong to
+eat we'd better take our salt and go."
+
+"Won't you have some of our sandwiches?" asked Mollie, impulsive as
+usual. "We have more than we can eat," for they had brought along a
+most substantial lunch. Mollie looked at Betty and Aunt Kate. They
+registered no objections.
+
+"You are very good," protested Mr. Kennedy, "but really we don't want
+to deprive you---- "
+
+"It will be no deprivation," said Betty. "We will be glad not to have
+them wasted---- "
+
+"Oh, then by all means let us be-- the wastebaskets!" exclaimed Mr.
+Stone, laughing.
+
+"Oh, I didn't mean just that," and Betty blushed.
+
+"I understand," he replied, and Aunt Kate passed over a plate of
+chicken sandwiches. Under cover of opening another bottle of olives,
+Mollie whispered to Grace:
+
+"Ask him some questions-- start on motoring-- ask if they ever motored
+near Deepdale."
+
+"I will," whispered Grace, and, as the two young men ate, she led the
+topic of talk to automobiles.
+
+"Do you motor?" she asked, looking directly at Mr. Stone. She was
+certain now that at least he had been in the car that caused Prince to
+run away.
+
+"Oh, yes, often," he answered. "Do you?"
+
+"No, but I am very fond of horseback riding," she said. She was
+certain that Mr. Stone started.
+
+"Indeed," said he, "that is something I never cared about. Frankly, I
+am afraid of horses. I saw one run away once, with a young lady,
+and---- "
+
+"Do you mean that time we were speeding up to get out of the storm?"
+his friend interrupted, "and we hit a stone, swerved over toward the
+animal, and nearly struck it?"
+
+"Yes, that was the time," answered Mr. Stone. Grace could hardly
+refrain from crying out that she was on that same horse.
+
+"I have always wondered who that girl was," Mr. Stone went on, "and
+some day I mean to go back to the scene of the accident, and see if I
+can find out. I have an idea she blames us for her horse running away.
+But it was an accident, pure and simple; wasn't it, Bob?"
+
+"It certainly was. You see it was this way," he explained, and Grace
+felt sure they would ask her why she was so pale, for the blood had
+left her cheeks on hearing that the young men were really those she
+had suspected. "Harry, here, and myself," went on Mr. Kennedy, "had
+been out for a little run, to transact some business. We were on a
+country road, and a storm was coming up. We put on speed, because we
+did not want to get wet, and I had to be at a telegraph office at a
+certain time to complete a deal by wire.
+
+"Just ahead of us was a girl on a white horse. The animal seemed
+frightened at the storm, and just as we came racing past our car
+struck a stone, and was jolted right over toward the animal. I am not
+sure but what we hit it. Anyhow the horse bolted. The girl looked able
+to manage it, and as it was absolutely necessary for us to keep on, we
+did so."
+
+"I looked back, and I thought I saw the horse stumble with the girl,"
+put in Mr. Stone, "but I was not sure, and then the rain came pelting
+down, and the road was so bad that it took both of us to manage the
+car. We were late, too. But we meant to go back and see if any
+accident happened."
+
+"Only when we got to the telegraph office," supplied his friend, "we
+were at once called to New York in haste, and so many things have come
+up since that we never got the chance. Tell me," he said earnestly,
+"you girls live in Deepdale. This happened not far from there. Did you
+ever hear of a girl on a white horse being seriously hurt?"
+
+Grace made a motion to her chums to keep silent about the whole
+affair, and let her answer. She had her reasons.
+
+"There was no report of any girl being seriously hurt at the time you
+mention," she said, a trifle coolly, "but a little child was knocked
+down by a horse-- a white horse. It may have been the one you scared."
+
+"But unintentionally-- unintentionally! I hope you believe that!" said
+Mr. Stone earnestly.
+
+"Oh-- yes-- of course," and Grace's voice was not quite so cold now.
+She could readily understand that the accident could have happened in
+just that way, and it was beginning to look so. Certainly, not knowing
+the girls, the young man could have no object in deceiving them,
+
+"A little child knocked down, you say!" exclaimed Mr. Kennedy. "I hope
+it was not badly hurt. Who was it?"
+
+"My----" began Mollie, and she was on the point of saying it was her
+sister Dodo, when from the lake there sounded the cry of:
+
+"Fire! Fire! Fire!"
+
+Then came a sharp explosion. Everyone arose, and Mr. Kennedy exclaimed
+excitedly:
+
+"That must be an explosion on a motor boat. Come on, Harry. We may he
+needed!"
+
+They rushed through the bushes toward the place whence the alarm came,
+the girls following as fast as they could.
+
+"Don't let him know it was I, or that it was your sister who was
+hurt!" Grace cautioned her chums. "I am going to write to papa, and he
+can make an investigation. Their explanation sounds all right, but
+they may have the papers after all. I'm going to write to-day."
+
+"I would," advised Aunt Kate." "It may amount to nothing, but it can
+do no harm to let your father know. And I think it wise not to let
+these young men know that you were in that runaway. If they really
+were not careless, as it seemed at first, you can tell them later,
+when you see how the investigation by Mr. Ford turns out."
+
+"That will be best," spoke Betty. "Oh, see, it is a boat on fire!"
+
+They had reached a place where they could see a small motor boat, not
+far from shore, wrapped in a pall of black smoke, through which could
+be observed flickering flames.
+
+"There-- he's jumped!" cried Mollie, as a figure leaped from the
+burning craft. "He's safe, anyhow."
+
+"There go Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone in their boat!" exclaimed Grace,
+as the slender racing craft shot out from shore.
+
+Whatever may have been the faults of the young men as motorists, they
+knew how to act promptly in this case. As they passed the man who had
+leaped from the burning boat they tossed him a life preserver.
+
+Then, nearing the burning boat, they halted their own, and began using
+a chemical extinguisher-- the only safe thing save sand with which to
+fight a gasoline blaze. The fire did not have a chance to get much
+headway, and it was soon out, another boat coming up and lending aid.
+
+The man who had jumped was taken aboard this second boat, and his own,
+rather charred but not seriously damaged, was towed to shore. Later
+the girls learned that there had been some gasoline which leaked from
+his tank. He had been repairing his motor, which had stalled, when a
+spark from the electric wire set fire to the gasoline. There was a
+slight explosion, followed by the fire.
+
+"And it came just in time to stop me from telling what might have
+spoiled your plans, Grace," said Mollie, when they went back to gather
+up their lunch baskets.
+
+"Well, I haven't any plans. I am going to let father or Will make
+them, after I send the information," she answered, "But I think it
+best to let the two young men remain in ignorance, for a while."
+
+"Oh, I do, too!" exclaimed Betty. "They will probably not refer to it
+again, being so busy over the regatta."
+
+There was a busy time for the girls, too. They finally decided to
+convert the Gem, as nearly as possible under the circumstances, into a
+Venetian gondola. By building a light wooden framework about it, and
+tacking on muslin, this could be done without too much labor. Betty
+engaged the help of a man and boy, and with the girls to aid the work
+was soon well under way.
+
+The girls saw little of Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone-- save passing
+glimpses-- after the picnic. Grace telephoned to her father, who
+promised to at once look into the matter.
+
+"I do hope we win a prize!" exclaimed Mollie, on the evening of the
+regatta. "The Gem looks lovely!"
+
+"Yes, I think it is rather nice," admitted Betty.
+
+The muslin, drawn tightly over the temporary frame, had been painted
+until in the dark the boat bore a striking resemblance to a gondola,
+even to the odd prow in front. It was arranged that Grace should stand
+at the stern with a long oar, or what was to pass for it, while Betty
+would run the motor and do the real steering. Mollie, Amy, and Aunt
+Kate were to be passengers. Mollie borrowed a guitar and there was to
+be music and singing as they took part in the water pageant.
+
+"Well, it's time to start," announced Betty after supper. "We'll light
+the Chinese lanterns after we get to our place in line," for the boats
+were to be illuminated.
+
+The Gem started off, being in the midst of many craft, all more or
+less decorated, that were to take part in the affair.
+
+  CHAPTER XV
+
+ THE RACE
+
+Like the scene from some simulated fairyland, or a stage picture, was
+the water pageant on Rainbow Lake. In double lines the motor boats
+moved slowly along from the starting point toward the float where the
+judges were stationed to decide which craft was entitled to the prize
+in its own class.
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad we entered!" cried Betty, as she stood at the wheel.
+Because of the cloth side of the "gondola" it appeared that she was
+merely reclining at her ease, as did the Venetian ladies of old, for a
+seat with cushions had been arranged near the steering wheel.
+
+"Oh, see that boat-- just like an airship!" exclaimed Mollie, as they
+saw just ahead of them a craft so decorated.
+
+"And here's one that looks just like a floating island, with trees and
+bushes," added Amy. "That ought to take a prize."
+
+"We ought to take one ourselves!" exclaimed Mollie. "We worked hard
+enough. My hands are a mass of blisters."
+
+"And my back aches!" declared Grace. "But it was worth while. I don't
+see any boat just like ours," and she glanced along the line of craft
+ahead of them, and to those in the rear, as they were making a turn
+just then.
+
+"Oh, there's one of the lanterns gone out!" cried Mollie. "I'll light
+it," and she proceeded to do so, taking it into the cabin because of
+the little breeze that blew over the lake.
+
+There was a band on one of the larger boats, and this played at
+intervals.
+
+"Let's sing!" proposed Grace, and, with guitar accompaniment, the
+girls mingled their voices in one of the many part songs they had
+practiced at school. Applause followed their rendition, for they had
+chosen a time when there was comparative quiet.
+
+Around the course went the flotilla of boats, past the judges' float,
+and back to the starting point. Then the parade was over, but a number
+of affairs had been arranged-- dances, suppers and the like-- by
+different cottagers. The girls had been invited to the dance at the
+headquarters of the Rainbow Lake Yacht Club, and they had accepted.
+They had dressed for the affair, and tying their boat to the club dock
+they went into the pretty little ballroom with Aunt Kate.
+
+"Congratulations!" exclaimed Mr. Kennedy, stepping up to Betty as she
+entered with her chums.
+
+"For what?"
+
+"Your boat won first prize for those of most original design. It is a
+beautiful silver cup."
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad! Girls, do you hear? We won first prize in our
+class!"
+
+"Fine!" cried Mollie.
+
+"Oh, isn't it nice?" said Amy.
+
+"Did we really?" asked Grace, somewhat incredulously,
+
+"You really did. I just heard the decision of the judges. Harry and I
+are out of it, though. We tried in the 'wreck' class, but the Rabbit,
+which was rigged out like the Flying Dutchman, beat us."
+
+"That's too bad," said Mollie, sympathetically.
+
+"Never mind, we've had our fun," said Mr. Stone, coming up at this
+point. "You girls certainly deserved the prize, if anyone did. And now
+I hope your dance cards aren't filled."
+
+They were not-- but they soon were, and the evening passed most
+delightfully.
+
+"Who said breakfast?" yawned Grace the next morning, as she looked
+from her bunk down on Betty.
+
+"I ate so much lobster salad last night I don't want anything but a
+glass of water on toast," murmured Mollie. "Oh, but we had a lovely
+time!" and she sighed in regret at its departure.
+
+"And those young men were lovely dancers," said Betty.
+
+"And wasn't it nice of Will, Frank, and Allen to come?" spoke Amy, for
+Grace's brother, and his two friends, had arrived most unexpectedly at
+the Yacht Club ball. Will had come to tell his sister certain things
+in regard to the missing papers, and had met a friend who belonged to
+the club.
+
+Naturally there was an invitation to the dance, which was quite
+informal in a way, and so the three boys from Deepdale had also had a
+good time. They were put up at the club over night.
+
+It developed that Mr. Ford had investigated certain matters in regard
+to Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone, and had learned that by no possibility
+could they have secured the missing papers. There would have been
+absolutely no interest in the documents for them. It was merely a
+coincidence that they had been on the scene. And this news made their
+explanation about the auto accident most plausible.
+
+Will had come to Rainbow Lake to tell his sister this, to relieve her
+mind. When he mentioned coming he had told Frank and Allen, asking
+them to go with him. All the boys expected to do was to spend the
+evening on board the Gem with the girls, but when they arrived, and
+learned of the pageant, and Will met his club friend, the plans were
+changed.
+
+"Too bad Percy Falconer didn't come," remarked Grace, as she slipped
+into her dressing gown.
+
+"Don't spoil everything," begged Betty. "You know I detest him!"
+
+Gradually the girls got breakfast, talking of the events of the night
+before.
+
+"I wonder when we will get our prize?" said Betty. "I am wild to see
+it. I hope it's that oddly shaped cup we so admired when we looked at
+the prizes."
+
+It proved to be that one, the trophy being sent over to the dock where
+the Gem was tied, by a special messenger. It was given the place of
+honor in the cabin.
+
+Will and his two chums went home rather late that day.
+
+"Is father much worried about the missing papers?" asked Grace, as she
+parted from her brother.
+
+"He sure is. He's afraid the other side may spring something on him
+any minute."
+
+"You mean-- take some action to get the property?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"It's too bad. But I don't see what we can do."
+
+"Neither do I. I wish I could find Prince. I think that's the queerest
+thing about him."
+
+"It certainly is. Say, Will, how is poor little Dodo getting on?"
+
+"Oh, as well as you can expect. They're going to operate soon, I
+heard. How is Mollie standing it, Grace?"
+
+"Fairly well. Isn't it strange that we should meet the two autoists?"
+
+"Yes. Have you put them wise yet?"
+
+"Wise? What do you mean? Such slang!"
+
+"I mean told 'em who you are?"
+
+"No, and we're not going to for a while yet. We don't want to make
+them feel bad."
+
+"All right, suit yourselves. We're coming up and see you when you get
+in camp."
+
+"Yes, do. We'll write when we're settled."
+
+Preparations for the race were going on, and the Gem, as were the
+other boats, was being groomed for the contest. She had been converted
+into her own self again, and Betty had engaged a man to look over the
+motor, and make a few adjustments of which she was not quite capable.
+
+Uncle Amos came to Rainbow Lake to see the girls and the boat. He was
+not much impressed with the sheet of water, large as it was, but he
+did take considerable interest in the coming race, and insisted on
+personally doing a lot of work to the boat to get her "ship-shape."
+
+So that when the Gem was ready to go to the starting line she was
+prepared to make the "try of her life," as Betty expressed it.
+
+There were six boats in the class that included the Gem. Some were
+about the same size, one was larger and one was smaller. In horse
+power they rated about the same, but some handicapping had been done
+by the judges. The Gem was to start four minutes after the first boat
+got away, and of course she would have to make up this time to win.
+
+"But we can do it!" declared Betty, confidently.
+
+As they were on their way to the starting line the girls noticed two
+boys rowing along the shore, looking intently as they proceeded.
+
+"Say, you haven't seen a big green canoe, with an Indian's head
+painted in red on each end; have you?" asked one of the lads.
+
+"No; why?" asked Grace.
+
+"Someone took ours last night," spoke the other boy. "We were going in
+the races with it, too. It was a dandy canoe!" and he seemed much
+depressed.
+
+"That's too bad," spoke Betty sympathetically. "If we see anything of
+your canoe we'll let you know."
+
+"Just send word to Tom Cardiff, over at Shaffer's dock!" cried the
+elder boy eagerly. "There's a reward of two dollars for anyone who
+finds it."
+
+"Poor fellows!" said Betty as they rowed off. "I'd give two dollars of
+my own now if we could find their canoe for them. They must be
+dreadfully disappointed. Well, shall we start?"
+
+"Yes, let's get it over with," replied Grace, nervously.
+
+Grace and Amy were selected to look after the motor, they having been
+"coached" by Uncle Amos for several days. They were to see that it did
+not lack for oil, and if anything got out of adjustment they could fix
+it. They would be stationed well forward in the cabin, and the
+bulkhead being removed, they could easily get at the machinery.
+
+Betty and Mollie would be at the wheel. Aunt Kate declined to take
+part in the race, and Uncle Amos was not eligible under the rules,
+this being strictly a race for girls and women.
+
+Several events were run off before the Class B race was called. Then
+the boats, including the Gem, moved up, and were formally inspected to
+make sure that all the rules and regulations had been complied with.
+No fault was found.
+
+"Are you all ready?" asked the starter.
+
+"Ready," was the answer, and the first boat shot away. It was nervous
+waiting for Betty and her chums-- those four minutes-- but they
+finally passed.
+
+"Ready?" asked the starter again.
+
+"Ready," answered Betty, her voice trembling in spite of herself.
+There was a sharp crack of the pistol, and the Gem shot ahead, as
+Betty let the clutch slip into place. The race was on!
+
+  CHAPTER XVI
+
+ FIGHTING FIRE
+
+"Betty, do you think we can win?"
+
+It was Mollie who asked this as she stood beside her chum at the wheel
+of the Gem. The boat was churning through the water, gradually
+creeping up on the craft that had gotten away ahead of her. Behind
+came other boats, starting as the crack of the official pistol was
+heard.
+
+"Of course we'll win!" exclaimed Betty, as she changed the course
+slightly. She wanted to keep it as straight as possible, for well she
+knew that the shortest distance between any two points is in a
+straight line.
+
+"We wouldn't miss that lovely prize for anything," called Grace from
+up forward, where she was helping Amy look after the laboring motor.
+
+A number of prizes had been provided by the regatta committee; the
+chief one for this particular race was a handsome cut-glass bowl, that
+had been much admired when on exhibition at the club house.
+
+The course was a triangular one of three miles, and now all the craft
+that were competing were on the last "leg" of the triangle.
+
+"We're creeping up on her!" whispered Amy, as she directed the
+attention of Grace to the boat just ahead of them. It was a light,
+open affair, with a two-cylinder motor, but speedy, and two girls in
+it seemed to be working desperately over their machinery. Something
+seemed to have gone wrong with one of the cylinders, for Betty could
+detect a "miss" now and then.
+
+"Yes, we're coming up," admitted Grace, as she skillfully put a little
+oil on a cam shaft. "If we can only hold out!"
+
+"Oh, trust Betty for that."
+
+"It isn't that-- it's the motor. One never knows when they are not
+going to 'mote.' But this one seems to be coming on well," and Grace
+glanced critically at the various parts.
+
+They were well out in Rainbow Lake now, and many eyes were watching
+the race. One of the last boats to get away had given up, for the
+girls in charge could not remedy the ignition trouble that developed
+soon after they started. This left five. The Gem was second in line,
+but behind her a very powerful boat was gradually creeping up on her,
+even as she was overhauling the boat that got away first.
+
+"Can't you turn on a little more gasoline?" asked Mollie.
+
+"I think I can-- now," spoke Betty. "I wanted to give it gradually."
+
+She opened the throttle a little more, and advanced the spark
+slightly. The result was at once apparent. The Gem shot ahead, and the
+girls in the leading boat looked back nervously.
+
+"One of them is that pretty girl Will danced with so often at the
+ball," said Mollie, as she got a glimpse of the rival's face.
+
+"Yes, and the other is her cousin, or something," spoke Betty. "I was
+introduced to her. It's mean, perhaps, to beat you, girls," she
+whispered, "But I'm going to do it."
+
+The chugging of many motors-- the churning to foam of the blue waters
+of the lake-- a haze of acrid smoke hanging over all, as some cylinder
+did not properly digest the gasoline vapor and oil fed to it, but sent
+it out half consumed-- spray thrown up now and then-- the distant
+sound of a band-- eager eyes looking toward the stake buoys-- tense
+breathing-- all this went to make up the race in which our outdoor
+girls were taking part.
+
+Foot by foot the Gem crept up on the Bug, which was the name of the
+foremost boat. Drop by drop Betty fed more gasoline to her striving
+motor. The other girls did their duty, if it was only encouragement.
+Those in the Bug worked desperately, but it was not to be. The Gem
+passed them.
+
+"We're sorry!" called Betty, as she flashed by. The other girls smiled
+bravely.
+
+The Gem was now first, but the race was far from won. They were on the
+last leg, however, but in the rear, coming on, and overhauling Betty
+and her chums as they had just overhauled the others, was the speedy
+Eagle. She had been last to get off, but had passed all the others.
+
+"They are after us," spoke Mollie, as she held the wheel a moment
+while Betty tucked under her natty yachting cap some wind-tossed locks
+of hair.
+
+"But they shan't get us," declared the Little Captain grimly. "We
+haven't reached our limit yet."
+
+Once more she gave more gasoline, but the rivals in the rear were
+settling down now to win the race for themselves. The Eagle came on
+rapidly. The finish line was near at hand, but it seemed that Betty
+and her chums had the upper hand.
+
+Suddenly Grace cried:
+
+"One of the wires is broken. It's snapped in two, and it's spouting
+sparks!"
+
+There came a noticeable slowing down to the speed of the motor. The
+Gem lagged. The Eagle was in hot pursuit. Betty acted quickly.
+
+"Put on those rubber gloves!" she ordered. "Take a pair of pliers, and
+hold the ends of that wire together. That will make it as good as
+mended until after the race. Amy, you help. But wear rubber gloves,
+and then you won't get a shock. Quick, girls!"
+
+The breaking of the wire threw one cylinder out of commission. The Gem
+was one third crippled. There came a murmur from the pursuing boat.
+There was a commotion in the forward engine compartment of Betty's
+boat. This was caused by Grace and Amy seeking to repair the damage.
+
+A moment later the resumption of the staccato exhaust of the motor
+told that the break had been repaired-- temporarily, at least. The
+boat shot ahead again, at her former speed, and only just in time, for
+her rival was now on even terms with her.
+
+"Oh, Betty, we can't do it!" Mollie said, pathetically. "We're going
+to lose!"
+
+"We are not! I've got another notch I can slip forward the gasoline
+throttle, and here it goes! If that doesn't push us ahead nothing
+will-- and---- "
+
+"We don't get that cut glass," finished Mollie.
+
+But just that little fraction was what was needed. The Gem went ahead
+almost by inches only, but it was enough. The Eagle's crew of three
+girls tried in vain to coax another revolution out of her propeller,
+but it was not to be, and the Gem shot over the line a winner. A
+winner, but by so narrow a margin that the judges conferred a moment
+before making the announcement. But they finally made it. The Gem had
+undoubtedly won.
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Grace as she climbed out into the cabin, and thence to
+the deck, followed by Amy. "Oh, my hand is numb holding the ends of
+that wire together. I didn't dare let go---- "
+
+"It was brave of you!" exclaimed Betty, patting Grace on the shoulder.
+"If you had let go we would have lost. We'll bathe your hand for you
+in witch hazel."
+
+"Oh, it is only cramped. It will be all right in a little while."
+
+"What a din they are making!" cried Amy, covering her ears with her
+hands.
+
+"They are saluting the winner," said Mollie, as she noted the tooting
+of many boat whistles. Betty slowed down her boat, and saluted as she
+swept past the boat of the judges.
+
+"Well, I'm glad it's over," sighed Grace. "It was nervous work. I'm
+going to make some chocolate, and have it iced. It was warm up there
+by the motor."
+
+"And you both need baths," remarked Mollie with a laugh. "You are as
+grimy as chimney sweeps."
+
+"Yes, but we don't mind," said Amy. "You won, Betty! I'm so glad!"
+
+"We won, you mean," corrected the Little Captain. "I couldn't have
+done it except for you girls,"
+
+Many craft saluted the Gem as she came off the course.
+
+"I wish Uncle Amos could have seen us!" exclaimed Betty. "He would
+have been proud." The girls remained as spectators for the remainder
+of the carnival, and then, the day being warm, they went to their
+dock. Near it was a sandy bathing beach, and soon they were swimming
+about in the limpid waters of Rainbow Lake.
+
+"Here goes for a dive!" cried Mollie, as she climbed out on the end of
+the pier, and mounted a mooring post. She poised herself gracefully.
+
+"Better not-- you don't know how deep it is," cautioned Betty.
+
+"I'm only going to take a shallow dive," was the answer and then
+Mollie's slender body shot through the air in a graceful curve, and
+cut down into the water. A second later she bobbed up, shaking her
+head to rid her eyes of water.
+
+"That was lovely!" cried Grace.
+
+"Did I splash much?"
+
+"Not at all."
+
+"It's real deep there," said Mollie. "Some day I'm going to try to
+touch bottom."
+
+The girls splashed about, refreshing themselves after the race. Then
+came calm evening, when they sat on deck and ate supper prepared by
+Aunt Kate.
+
+"Now you girls just sit right still and enjoy yourselves," she told
+them, when they insisted on helping. "You don't win motor boat races
+every day, and you're entitled to a banquet."
+
+That night there was another informal dance at the Yacht Club, and the
+girls had a splendid time. Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy exerted
+themselves to see that our friends did not lack for partners, and
+Grace was rather ashamed of the suspicions she had entertained
+concerning the twain.
+
+The carnival came to an end with a series of water sports. There were
+swimming races for ladies, and Mollie won one of these, but her chums
+were less fortunate. The carnival had been a great success and many
+congratulations were showered on Messrs. Stone and Kennedy for their
+part in it.
+
+"We are glad it is over," said Mr. Stone, as he and his chums sat on
+the deck of the Gem one evening, having called to ask the girls to go
+to another dance. But Betty and her chums voted for staying aboard,
+and proposed a little trip about the lake by moonlight. Soon they were
+under way.
+
+It was a perfect night, and the mystic gleam of the moon moved them to
+song as they swept slowly along under the influence of the
+throttled-down engine.
+
+Suddenly Mr. Kennedy, who was sitting well forward on the trunk cabin
+with Grace, sprang to his feet, exclaiming:
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"It looks like a fire," said Grace.
+
+"It is a fire!" cried Mr. Stone. "Say, it's that hay barge we noticed
+coming over this evening, tied up at Black's dock. It's got adrift and
+caught fire!"
+
+"Look where it's drifting!" exclaimed Betty.
+
+"Right for the Yacht Club boathouse!" added Mollie. "The wind is
+taking it there. Look, the fire is increasing!"
+
+"And if it runs against the boat house there'll be no saving it!" said
+Mr. Kennedy. "There's no fire-boat up here-- there ought to be!"
+
+"Girls!" cried Betty, "there's just a chance to save the boat house!"
+
+"How?" demanded Amy.
+
+"If we could get on the windward side of that burning barge, throw a
+line aboard and tow it out into the middle of the lake, it could burn
+there without doing any damage!"
+
+"By Jove! She's hit the nail on the head!" declared Mr. Stone, with
+emphasis. "But dare you do it, Miss Nelson?"
+
+"I certainly will dare-- if you'll help!"
+
+"Of course we'll help! Steer over there!"
+
+The burning hay, fanned by a brisk wind, was now sending up a pillar
+of fire and a cloud of smoke. And the barge was drifting perilously
+near the boathouse. Many whistles of alarm smote the air, but no boat
+was as near as the Gem.
+
+  CHAPTER XVII
+
+ ON ELM ISLAND
+
+"Have you a long rope aboard, Miss Nelson?" asked Mr. Stone, when they
+had drawn near to the burning load of hay.
+
+"Yes, you will find it in one of the after lockers," answered Betty,
+as she skillfully directed the course of her boat so as to get on the
+windward side of the barge.
+
+"And have you a boathook? I want to fasten it to the rope, and see if
+I can cast it aboard the barge."
+
+"There is something better than that," went on the Little Captain. "I
+have a small anchor-- a kedge, I think my Uncle Amos called it."
+
+"Fine, that will be just the thing to cast! Where is it?"
+
+"In the same locker with the rope. Uncle insisted that I carry it,
+though we've never used it."
+
+"Well, it will come in mighty handy now," declared Mr. Kennedy, as he
+prepared to assist his chum. "You girls had better get in the cabin,"
+he added, "for there is no telling when the wind may shift, and blow
+sparks on your dresses. They're too nice to have holes burned in
+them," and he gazed, not without proper admiration, at Betty and her
+chums. Even in this hour of stress and no little danger he could do
+that.
+
+"We'll put on our raincoats," suggested Mollie. "The little sparks
+from the hay won't burn them. Or, if they do, we can have a pail of
+water ready."
+
+"That's a good idea," commented Mr. Stone, who was making the kedge
+anchor fast to the long rope. "Have several pails ready if you can. No
+telling when the sparks may come aboard too fast for us."
+
+"And we have fire extinguishers, too," said Betty. "Grace, you know
+where they are in the cabin. Get them out."
+
+"And I'll draw the water," said Mr. Kennedy.
+
+"I can help at that," added Aunt Kate, bravely. "I know where the
+scrubbing pail is." She had insisted on making it one of her duties to
+scrub the deck every day, and for this purpose she kept in readiness a
+pail to which a rope was attached, that it might be dropped overboard
+into the lake and hauled up full. This was soon in use. Aunt Kate
+insisted on having several large pots and pans also filled.
+
+"You can't have too much water at a fire," she said, practically.
+
+The burning hay barge was rapidly being blown down toward the
+boathouse. At the latter structure quite a throng of club members, and
+others, had gathered in readiness to act when the time came.
+
+In the moonlight they could be seen getting pails and tubs of water in
+readiness, and one small line of hose, used to water the lawn, was
+laid. But it would be of small service against such a blaze as now
+enveloped the barge. Many boats were hastening to the scene, whistling
+frantically-- as though that helped.
+
+"Have you got a pump aboard?" some one hailed those on the Gem.
+
+"No, we're going to haul the barge away," answered Betty.
+
+"Good idea, but don't go too close!" came the warning.
+
+"It is going to be pretty warm," remarked Mr. Stone. He had the anchor
+made fast, and with the rope coiled so that it would not foul as he
+made the cast, he took his place on one of the after lockers. Betty's
+plan was to go as close to the burning craft as she could, to allow
+the cast to be made, As soon as the prongs of the anchor caught, she
+would head her motor and out toward the middle of the lake, towing the
+barge where it could be anchored and allowed to burn to the water's
+edge.
+
+"But what are you going to anchor it with?" asked Mr. Kennedy, when
+this last feature had been discussed.
+
+"That's so," spoke his chum, reflectively.
+
+"There's a heavy piece of iron under the middle board of the cabin,"
+said Betty. "Uncle Amos said it was there for ballast in case we
+wanted to use a sail, but I don't see that we need it."
+
+"We'll use it temporarily, anyhow, for an anchor," decided Mr. Stone.
+He and his companion soon had it out, and made fast to the other end
+of the rope.
+
+"Get ready now!" warned Betty, when this had been done. "I'm going as
+close as I can."
+
+She steered her boat toward the burning barge. There came whistles of
+encouragement from the surrounding craft. The heat was intense, and on
+the suggestion of Mr. Kennedy the motor boat's decks were kept wet
+from the water in the pails. The girls felt their hands and faces grow
+warm. Those on the boathouse float and pier were all anxiety. The
+flames, blown by the wind, seemed to leap across the intervening space
+as if to reach the boat shelter.
+
+"Here she goes!" cried Mr. Stone, as he cast the anchor. It was
+skillfully done, and the prongs caught on some part of the barge, low
+enough down so that the hempen strands would not burn. Mr. Stone
+pulled on the rope to see if it would hold. It did, and he called:
+
+"Let her go, Miss Nelson! Gradually though; don't put too much strain
+on the rope at first! After you get the barge started the other way,
+it will be all right."
+
+Betty sent the Gem ahead. The rope paid out over the stern-- taunted--
+became tight. There was a heavy strain on it. Would it hold? It did,
+and slowly the hay barge began to move out into the lake.
+
+"Hurray!" cried Mr. Kennedy. "That solved the problem."
+
+"You girls certainly know how to do things," said Mr. Stone,
+admiringly.
+
+Cheers from those in surrounding boats seemed to emphasize this
+sentiment. There was now no danger to the Yacht Club boathouse.
+
+A little later, when the flames in the hay were at their height, the
+piece of iron was dropped overboard from the Gem. This, with the rope
+and the kedge anchor, served to hold the barge in place. There it
+could burn without doing any harm.
+
+Soon the fire began to die down, and a little later it was but a
+smouldering mass, not even interesting as a spectacle. Betty Nelson's
+plan had worked well, and later she received the thanks of the Yacht
+Club, she and her chums being elected honorary life members in
+recognition of the service they had rendered.
+
+Summer days passed-- delicious, lazy summer days-- during which the
+girls motored, canoed or rowed as they fancied, went on picnics in the
+woods, or on some of the islands of Rainbow Lake, or took long walks.
+Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy, sometimes one, often both, went with the
+girls. Occasionally Will and his friends ran out for a day or two,
+taking cruises with Betty, and her chums.
+
+Aunt Kate remained as chaperone, others who had been invited finding
+it impossible to come. The girls' mothers made up a party and paid
+them a visit one day, being royally entertained at the time.
+
+"Yes, you girls certainly know how to do things," said Mr. Stone one
+day; after Betty had skillfully avoided a collision, due to the
+carelessness of another skipper.
+
+"I wish we could do something to get those papers for father," thought
+Grace. Not a trace had been found of Prince or the missing documents.
+It was very strange. Mr. Ford and his lawyer friends could not
+understand it. The interests opposed to him were preparing to take
+action, it was rumored, and if the papers were found this would be
+stopped. Even a detective agency that made a specialty of tracing lost
+articles had no success. Prince and the papers seemed to have vanished
+into thin air.
+
+One day as Betty and her chums were motoring about the lake, having
+gone to the store for some supplies, they saw the two boys who had
+been searching for their canoe.
+
+"Did you find it?" asked Grace.
+
+"No, not a trace of it, Too, bad, too, for we saved up our money--
+four dollars, now," said the taller of the two lads. "If you find her
+we'll give you that money; won't we?" and he appealed to his
+companion.
+
+"We sure will!"
+
+"Well, if we see, or hear, anything of it we'll let you know,"
+promised Betty. "Poor fellows," she murmured, as they rowed away. They
+had made a circuit of the lake, going in many coves, but without
+success.
+
+"It's about time to be thinking of camp, if we're going in for that
+sort of thing," announced Betty one day. "Shall we try it, girl?"
+
+"I'd like it," said Mollie. "We can use the boat, too; can't we?"
+
+"Of course," replied Betty.
+
+"And sleep aboard?" asked Grace.
+
+"No, let's sleep in a tent," proposed Amy. "It will be lots of fun."
+
+"But the bugs, and mosquitoes-- not to mention frogs and snakes," came
+protestingly from Grace.
+
+"Oh, we've done it before, and we can use our mosquito nets," said
+Betty. "I heard of a nice tent, and a well-fitted up camp over on Elm
+Island we can hire for a week or so."
+
+"But the ghost-- the one Mr. Lagg told about?" asked Mollie.
+
+"We'll 'lay' the ghost!" laughed Betty. "Seriously, I don't believe
+there is anything more than a fisherman's story to account for it.
+Still, if you girls are afraid---- "
+
+"Afraid!" they protested in chorus.
+
+"Then we'll go to Elm Island," decided Betty, and they did. The camp,
+near a little dock where the Gem could be tied, was well suited to
+their needs.
+
+"Oh, we'll have a good time here!" declared Betty as they took
+possession. "But we must get in plenty of supplies. Let's go over and
+call on Mr. Lagg," and they headed for the mainland in the motor boat.
+
+  CHAPTER XVIII
+
+ IN CAMP
+
+"Well, well, young ladies, I certainly am glad to see you again!
+Indeed I am."
+
+  "Ladies, ladies, one and all,
+   I'm very glad to have you call!"
+
+Thus Mr. Lagg made our friends welcome as they entered his "emporium,"
+as the sign over the door had it.
+
+"What will it be to-day?" he went on.
+
+  "I've prunes and peaches, pies and pills,
+   To feed you well, and cure your ills."
+
+"Thank you, but we haven't any ills!" cried "Brown Betty," as her
+friends were beginning to call her, for certainly she was tanned most
+becomingly. "However, we do want the lottest lot of things. Where is
+that list, Mollie?"
+
+"You have it."
+
+"No, I gave it to you."
+
+"Grace had it last," volunteered Amy. "She said she did not want to
+forget---- "
+
+"Oh, we know what Grace doesn't want to forget," interrupted Mollie
+with a laugh. "Produce that list, Grace," and it was forthcoming.
+
+"You see we have let our supplies run low," remarked Betty as she gave
+her order,
+
+"Are you going on a long cruise?" Mr. Lagg, wanted to know.
+
+  "To sail and sail the bounding main,
+   And then come back to port again?
+
+"Of course I know that isn't very good," he apologized. "When I make
+'em up on the spur of the moment that way I don't take time to polish
+'em off. And of course Rainbow Lake isn't exactly the bounding main,
+but it will answer as well."
+
+"Certainly," agreed Betty, with a laugh. "I think that is all," she
+went on, looking at her list. "Oh, I almost forgot, we want some more
+of your lovely olives-- those large ones."
+
+"Yes, those are fine olives," admitted the store keeper. "I get them
+from New York.
+
+  "Olives stuffed, and some with pits,
+   With girls my olives sure make hits."
+
+He chanted this with a bow and a smile.
+
+"I am aware," he said, "I am aware that the foregoing may sound like a
+baseball game, but such is not my intention. I use hit in the sense of
+meaning that it is well-liked."
+
+"Too well liked-- I mean the olives," spoke Mollie. "We can't keep
+enough on hand. I think we'll have to buy them by the case after
+this."
+
+"As Grace does her chocolates," remarked Betty, with a smile that took
+all the sarcasm out of the words.
+
+"Well," remarked Grace, drawlingly, "I have noticed that you girls are
+generally around when I open a fresh box."
+
+"Well hit!" cried Amy. "Don't let them fuss you, Grace my dear."
+
+"I don't intend to."
+
+Mr. Lagg helped his red-haired boy of all work to carry the girls'
+purchases down to the boat.
+
+"You must be fixing for a long voyage," he remarked.
+
+"No, we are going to camp over on Elm Island," said Betty.
+
+The storekeeper started.
+
+"What! With the ghost?" He nearly dropped a package of fresh eggs.
+
+"Really, Mr. Lagg, is there-- er-- anything really there?" asked
+Mollie, seriously.
+
+"Well, now, far be it from me to cause you young ladies any alarm,"
+said Mr. Lagg, "but I only repeat what I heard. There is something on
+that island that none of the men or boys who have seen and heard it
+cannot account for."
+
+"Just what is it?" asked Betty,
+
+"Do you want me to tell you?"
+
+"Certainly-- we are not afraid. Though we mustn't let Aunt Kate know,"
+said Betty, quickly.
+
+"Well, it's white and it rattles," said Mr. Lagg.
+
+"Sounds like a riddle," commented Amy. "Let's see who can guess the
+answer."
+
+"White-- and rattles," murmured Betty. "I have it-- it's a pan full of
+white dishes. Some lone camper goes down to wash his dishes in the
+lake every night, and that accounts for it."
+
+"Then we'll ask the lone camper-- to scamper!" cried Grace with a
+laugh. "We want peace and quietness."
+
+"And you are really going to camp on Elm Island?" asked Mr. Lagg, as
+he put the purchases aboard.
+
+"We are," said Betty, solenmly. "And if you hear us call for help in
+the middle of the night---- "
+
+"Betty Nelson!" protested Amy.
+
+  "And if for help you call on I--
+    I'll come exceeding quick and spry!"
+
+Thus spouted Mr. Lagg.
+
+"I am painfully aware," he said, quickly, "that my poem on this
+occasion needs much polishing, but I sometimes make them that way,
+just to show what can be done-- on the spur of the moment. Howsomever,
+I wish you luck. And if you do need help, just holler, or light a fire
+on shore, or fire a gun. I can see you or hear you from the end of my
+dock." Indeed, Elm Island was in sight.
+
+The girls went back with their supplies, and soon were in camp. The
+hard part of the work had been done for them by those of whom they had
+hired the tent and the outfit. All that remained to do was to light
+the patent oil stove, and cook. They could prepare their meals aboard
+the boat if they desired, and take them to the dining tent. In short
+they could take their choice of many methods of out-door life.
+
+Their supplies were put away, the camp gotten in "ship-shape," cots
+were made up, and mosquito bars suspended to insure a night of
+comfort. A little tour was made of the island in the vicinity of the
+camp, and, as far as the girls could see, occasional picnic parties
+were the only visitors. There were no other campers there.
+
+"We'll have a marshmallow roast to-night," decided Betty, as evening
+came on. They had gathered wood for a fire on the shore of the lake,
+and the candy had been provided by Grace, as might have been guessed.
+
+"I hope the ghost doesn't come and want some," murmured Mollie.
+
+"Hush!" exclaimed Betty. A noise in the woods made them all jump. Then
+they laughed, as a bird flew out.
+
+"Our nerves are not what they should be," said Betty. "We must calm
+down. I wonder did we get any pickles?"
+
+"I saw him put some in," spoke Grace.
+
+"Then let's have supper, and we'll go out for a ride on the lake
+afterward," suggested Betty.
+
+"Maybe the ghost will carry off our camp," remarked Amy.
+
+"Don't you dare let Aunt Kate hear you say that or she'll run away!"
+cried Betty. "Come on, everyone help get supper, and we'll be through
+early," and, gaily humming she began to set the table that stood under
+a canvas shelter in front of the big tent.
+
+  CHAPTER XIX
+
+ A QUEER DISTURBANCE
+
+"Have we blankets enough?"
+
+"It's sure to be cool before morning."
+
+"We can burn the oil stove turned down love-- that will make the tent
+warm."
+
+"Oh, but it makes it so close and-- er-- smelly."
+
+They all laughed at that.
+
+Betty and her chums were preparing to spend their first night in camp
+on Elm Island, in the tent. They had had supper-- eating with fine
+appetites-- and after a little run about the lake had tied up at the
+small dock near their tent.
+
+"A lantern would be a good thing to burn," said Aunt Kate. "That will
+give some warmth, too."
+
+"And we can see better, if-- if anything comes!" exclaimed Amy,
+evidently with an effort.
+
+"Anything-- what do you mean?" demanded Mollie, as she combed out her
+long hair, preparatory to braiding it.
+
+"Well, I mean-- er-- anything!" and again Amy faltered.
+
+"Oh, girls she means-- the ghost!" exclaimed Betty, with a laugh. "Why
+not say it?"
+
+"Don't!" pleaded Grace.
+
+"Now look here," went on practical Betty. "There's no use evading this
+matter. There's no such thing as a ghost, of that we are certain, and
+yet if we shy at mentioning it all the while it will only make us more
+nervous."
+
+"The idea! I'm not nervous a bit," declared Mollie.
+
+"Well, then," resumed Betty, "there's no use in being afraid to use
+the word, as Amy seemed to be. So talk ghost all you like-- you can't
+scare me. I'm so tired I know I'll sleep soundly, and I hope the rest
+of you will. Only, for goodness sakes, don't be talking in weird
+whispers. That is far worse than all the ghosts in creation."
+
+"That's what I say!" exclaimed Aunt Kate, who was an old-fashioned,
+motherly soul. "If the ghost comes I'm going to talk to it, and ask
+how things are-- er-- on the other side. Girls, it's a great privilege
+to have a ghostly friend. If the man who owns this island knew what
+was good for him he'd advertise the fact that it was haunted. If Mr.
+Lagg were here I'd get him to make up a poem about the ghost. That
+would scare it off, if anything could."
+
+"That's the way to talk!" cried Betty, cheerfully. "And now for a good
+night's rest. Bur-- r-- r-- r! It is cold!" and she shivered.
+
+"I'm going to get some more blankets from the boat," declared Mollie.
+"I know we'll be glad of them before morning. Come along with me,
+Grace," she added, after a moment's pause, as she took up one of the
+lanterns. "You can help carry them."
+
+"And scare away the----" began Amy.
+
+"Indeed, I wasn't thinking a thing about it!" insisted Mollie, with
+emphasis. "And I'll thank you to---- "
+
+She began in that impetuous style, that usually presaged a burst of
+temper, and Betty looked distressed. But Mollie corrected her fault
+almost before she had committed it.
+
+"Excuse me, Amy," she said, contritely. "I know what you mean. Will
+you come, Grace?"
+
+"Of course. I'll be glad of some extra coverings myself."
+
+The two girls were back in remarkably short time.
+
+"You didn't stay long," commented Betty, drily. "it's only a step to
+the dock," answered Mollie, as she and Grace deposited their arm-loads
+of blankets on the cots.
+
+Then after the talk and laughter had died away, quiet gradually
+settled down in the camp tent. The Outdoor Girls were trying to go to
+sleep, but one and all, afterward, even Aunt Kate, complained that it
+was difficult. Whether it was the change from the boat, or the talk of
+the ghost, none could say. At any rate there were uneasy turnings from
+side to side, and as each cot squeaked in a different key, and as one
+or the other was constantly "singing," the result may be imagined.
+
+"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Grace, impatiently, after a half-hour of
+comparative quiet, "I know I'll never get to sleep. Do you girls mind
+if I sit up and read a little? That always makes me drowsy, and I've
+got a book that needs finishing." Only Aunt Kate was slumbering.
+
+"Got any chocolates that need eating?" asked Mollie, with a laugh, in
+which they all joined, half-hysterically.
+
+"Yes, I have!" with emphasis. "But, just for that you won't get any."
+
+"I don't want them! You couldn't hire me to eat candy at night," and
+again Mollie flared up.
+
+"Girls, girls!" besought Betty. "This will never do! We will all be
+rags in the morning."
+
+"Polishing rags then, I hope," murmured Amy. "My hands are black from
+the oil stove-- it smoked, and I'll need a cake of sand-soap to get
+clean again."
+
+"Well, I can't stand this-- I'm too fidgety!" declared Grace. "I'm
+going to sit up a little while, and read. I'm going to eat a
+chocolate, too. I'll give you some, Mollie, if you like. I bought a
+fresh box of Mr. Lagg.
+
+  "Chocolates they are nice and sweet,
+   Good for man and beast to eat."
+
+"Give me a young lady-like brand," suggested Amy.
+
+"Why don't we all of us sit up a while, and-- I have it-- we'll make a
+pot of chocolate," exclaimed Mollie. "That will make us all sleep, and
+warm us-- it is getting real chilly already."
+
+"Perhaps that will be best," agreed Betty, as she donned her heavy
+dressing gown and warm slippers, for the tent was cool even in July.
+
+Soon there was the aroma of chocolate in the little cooking shelter,
+and the girls sat around, in various picturesque and comfortable
+attitudes, sipping the warm beverage and nibbling the crisp crackers.
+
+Then gradually their nerves quieted down, and even Grace, more aroused
+than any of the others, began to feel drowsy. One by one they again
+sought their cots, and finally a series of deep breathings told of
+much-needed sleep.
+
+It must have been long after midnight when Betty was suddenly aroused
+by a queer noise. She had slept heavily, and at first she was not
+fully aware of her surroundings, nor what had awakened her. Then she
+became conscious of a curious heavy breathing, as of some animal. She
+sat up in alarm, her heart pounding furiously. Her throat went dry.
+
+"Girls-- girls!" she gasped, hoarsely. "Aunt Kate!"
+
+The latter was the first to reply. Quickly reaching out to the lantern
+near her, she turned up the wick. Following the sudden illumination in
+the tent there was a cracking in the underbrush near it.
+
+"Oh!" screamed Grace, sitting up. "What is it?"
+
+"I'm going to look!" said Mollie, resolutely.
+
+"Don't! Don't!" pleaded Amy, but Mollie was already at the flap of the
+tent, which she quickly loosed. Then she screamed.
+
+"Look! It's white! It's white!"
+
+Betty, forcing herself to action, stood beside her chum. She was just
+in time to see some-thing big and white run down toward the lake.
+There was a clash and jingling as of chains, and a splashing of water.
+Then the white thing disappeared, and the girls stood staring at one
+another, trembling violently.
+
+  CHAPTER XX
+
+ THE STORM
+
+Grace "draped" herself over the nearest cot. Amy followed her example,
+with the added distinction that she covered her head with the
+blankets. Betty and Mollie stood clinging to each other.
+
+"Though I don't think they were any braver than we," declared Grace
+afterward. "They simply couldn't fall down, for Betty wanted to go one
+way and Grace the other. So they just naturally held each other up."
+
+"I couldn't stand," declared Amy. "My, knees shook so."
+
+Aunt Kate was the first to speak after the apparition had passed away,
+seeming to lose itself in the lake.
+
+"Girls, have you any idea what it was?" she asked.
+
+"The-- the--" began Amy. "Oh, I can't say it!" she wailed from beneath
+the covers.
+
+"Don't be silly!" commanded Betty, sharply. "If you mean-- ghost-- say
+so," but she herself hesitated over the word.
+
+"If that was the ghost it was the queerest one I ever saw!" declared
+Mollie, with resolution. "I don't just mean that, either," she
+hastened to add, "for I never saw a ghost before. But in all the
+stories I ever read ghosts were tall and thin, of the willowy type----
+"
+
+"Like Grace," put in Betty, with rather a wan smile.
+
+"Don't you dare compare me to a ghost!" commanded the Gibson girl,"
+with energy that brought the blood to her pale cheeks. She ventured to
+peer out from under the tent flap now. "Is it-- is it gone?" she
+faltered.
+
+"It's in the lake-- whatever it was," said Mollie. "But wasn't it
+oddly shaped, Betty?"
+
+"It was indeed. And it made plenty of noise. Real ghosts never do
+that."
+
+"Oh, some do!" asserted Amy. "I read the 'Ghost of the Stone Castle,'
+a most fascinating story, and that ghost always rattled chains, and
+made a terrible noise."
+
+"What did it turn out to be?" asked Aunt Kate.
+
+"The story didn't say. No one ever found out."
+
+"Well, this one is exactly like Mr. Lagg described," spoke Grace,
+"chains and all. What could it have been?"
+
+"I imagine," said Betty, slowly, "that it may be some wild animal----
+"
+
+Grace screamed.
+
+"What is it now?" asked Betty, regarding her.
+
+"Don't say wild animals-- they're worse than ghosts!"
+
+"Nonsense! Don't be silly! I mean it may he some wild animal, like a
+fox or deer that has been caught in a trap. Traps have chains on them,
+you know. This animal may have been caught some time ago, have pulled
+the chain loose, and the poor thing may be going around with the trap
+still fastened to him. That would account for the rattling."
+
+"Yes," said Mollie, "that may be so, and there may be white foxes, but
+I never heard of any outside of Arctic regions. But, Betty Nelson,
+there never was a fox as large as that. Why it was as-- as big as our
+tent!"
+
+"Yes, and how it sniffed and breathed!" added Betty. "I guess it
+couldn't be a wild animal. It may have been a cow. I wonder if any
+campers here keep a white cow?"
+
+"A cow would moo," declared Grace.
+
+"But whatever it was, it was frightened at the light," said Aunt Kate,
+practically, "so I don't think we need to be afraid of it-- whatever
+it was. We'll leave a light outside the tent the rest of the night,
+and it won't come back."
+
+"I'm going to sleep in the boat!" declared Grace.
+
+"Nonsense!" cried Betty. "Don't be a deserter! Have some more
+chocolate, and we'll all go to sleep," and they finally persuaded
+Grace to remain. It took some little time to get their nerves quiet,
+but finally they all fell into a more or less uneasy slumber that
+lasted until morning. The "ghost" did not return.
+
+Wan, and with rather dark circles under their eyes, the girls got
+breakfast the next morning. The meal put them in better spirits, and
+when they bustled around about the camp duties they, forgot their
+scare of the night before.
+
+They made a partial tour of the island, though some parts were too
+densely wooded and swampy to penetrate. But such parts as they visited
+showed the presence of no other campers. They were alone on Elm
+Island, save for an occasional picnic party, several evidently having
+been there the day before.
+
+"Then that-- thing-- couldn't have been a cow," said Grace,
+positively.
+
+"Make up a new theory," suggested Betty, with a laugh. "One thing,
+though, we're not going to let it drive us away, are we-- not away
+from our camp?"
+
+The others did not answer for a moment, and then Mollie exclaimed:
+
+"I'm going to stay-- for one."
+
+"So am I!" declared Aunt Kate, vigorously. "A light will keep whatever
+animal it is away, and I'm sure it was that. Of course we'll stay!"
+
+There was nothing for Grace and Amy to do but give in-- which they
+did, rather timidly, be it confessed.
+
+"And now let's go for a ride," proposed Betty, after lunch. "There are
+some things I want to get at Mr. Lagg's store."
+
+"Will you tell him about the-- ghost?" asked Grace.
+
+"Certainly not. It may be," said Betty, "that some one is playing a
+joke on us. In that case we'll not give him the satisfaction of
+knowing that we saw anything. We will keep silent, girls." And they
+did.
+
+  "Matches, soap and oil and butter,
+   Business gives me such a flutter."
+
+Mr. Lagg recited this as Betty gave her order.
+
+"Have you seen the ghost?" he asked.
+
+"Oh!" cried Grace, "you have in some fresh chocolates! I must have
+some."
+
+  "You'll find my chocolates sweet and good,
+   To eat on lake or in the wood!"
+
+Mr. Lagg's attention being diverted to a net subject, he did not press
+his question. Thus the girls escaped committing themselves.
+
+"I think we are going to have a storm," remarked Betty, when they were
+under way again, cruising down the lake toward Triangle Island, where
+they expected to call on some friends. "And as Rainbow gets rough very
+quickly, I think we shall turn back."
+
+"Yes, do," urged Amy. "I detest getting wet."
+
+"The cabin is dry," urged Grace.
+
+"We had better go back," urged Aunt Kate, and the prow of the Gem was
+swung around. Other boats, too small or not staunch enough to weather
+the blow that was evidently preparing, had turned about for a run to
+shore. There passed Betty's craft the two boys whose canoe had been
+taken.
+
+"Any luck?" asked Betty, interestedly.
+
+"No, we haven't found a trace of it yet," the older one replied.
+
+In the West dark masses of vapor were piling up, and now and then the
+clouds were split by a jagged chain of lightning, while the
+ever-in-creasing rumble of thunder told of the onrush of the storm.
+
+"We're going to get caught!" declared Mollie. "I guess I'll close the
+ports, Betty."
+
+"Do; and bring out my raincoat, please."
+
+Attired in this protective garment over her sailor suit, the Little
+Captain stood at the wheel.
+
+With a blast that flecked the crests of the waves into foam, with a
+rattle and roar, and a vicious swish of rain, the storm broke over the
+Gem while she was yet a mile from the camp on Elm Island. The boat
+heeled over, for her cabin was high and offered a broad surface to the
+wind.
+
+"We'll capsize!" screamed Amy.
+
+"We will not!" exclaimed Betty, above the noise. She shifted the wheel
+to bring the boat head-on to the waves, and this made her ride on a
+more even keel. Then, with a downpour, accompanied by terrific thunder
+and vivid lightning, the storm broke. Betty bravely stood to her post,
+the others offering to relieve her, but she would not give up the
+wheel, and remained there until the little dock was reached. Then,
+making snug their craft, they raced for the tent. It had stood up
+well, for it was protected from the gale by big elm trees. Soon they
+were in shelter.
+
+And then, almost as suddenly as it had come up, the storm passed. The
+clouds seemed to melt away, and the sun came out, the shower passing
+to the East.
+
+Grace, who had gone out on the end of the dock, called to the others.
+
+"Oh, come on and see it!"
+
+"What-- the ghost?" inquired Mollie.
+
+"No, but the most beautiful rainbow I ever saw-- a double one!"
+
+They came beside her, and Grace pointed to where, arching the heavens,
+were two bows of many colors, one low down, vivid and perfect, the
+other above it-- a fainter reflection. As the sun came out from behind
+the clouds the colors grew brighter.
+
+"How lovely!" murmured Amy, clasping her hands.
+
+"Yes, it is the most brilliant bow I have ever seen," added Aunt Kate.
+"It seems almost like like a painted one." I would be more poetical if
+I were Mr. Lagg," and she laughed.
+
+"It is very vivid," went on Betty. "In fact I have heard it said that
+on account of the peculiar situation of this lake, the high mountains
+around it, and the clouds, there are brighter rainbows here than
+anywhere else in this country. That is how the lake got its name--
+Rainbow. It was the Indians who first gave it that, I was told, though
+I don't know the Indian name for rainbow."
+
+"We don't need to-- this is beautiful as it is," murmured Grace. "Oh,
+isn't it wonderful!" and they stood there admiring the beautiful
+scene, and recalling the old story of the bow-- the promise of the
+Creator after the flood that never again would the world be submerged.
+
+Then the light gradually died from the colored arches, to be repeated
+again in the wonderful cloud effects at sunset. The storm had been
+like the weeping of a little child, who smiles before its tears-- and
+afterward.
+
+  CHAPTER XXI
+
+ THE GHOST
+
+"Girls, there are letters for each of us!" exclaimed Betty.
+
+"Any for me?" asked Aunt Kate.
+
+"Yes, a nice-- adipose-- that is to say, fleshy one," exclaimed
+Mollie, passing it over. It was bulky.
+
+The girls had stopped at the store of Mr. Lagg, where they had sent
+word to have their mail forwarded. The occasion was a morning visit
+several days after they had established their camp on Elm Island.
+
+"Any news?" asked Betty of Mollie, the former having finished a brief
+note from home, stating that all were well.
+
+"Yes, poor little Dodo is to go to the specialist to be operated on
+this week. Oh, it does seem as if I ought to go home, and yet mamma
+writes that I am to stay and enjoy myself. She says there is
+practically no danger, and that there is great hope of success. Aunt
+Kittie-- Dodo was at her house when the accident happened, you know--
+Aunt Kittie has come to stay with mamma. Every one else is well,
+including Paul.
+
+"Oh, but I shall be so anxious until it is over! They are going to let
+me know as soon as it is. Are we going to stay around here, where I
+can get word quickly?"
+
+"Yes, we will remain on Elm Island, I think," said Betty. "There is no
+use in cruising about too much when we are so comfortable there, and
+really it is lovely in the woods."
+
+"As long as the ghost doesn't bother us," spoke Amy.
+
+"Nonsense!" exclaimed Betty. "What is your news, Grace?"
+
+"Oh, Will writes that he and Frank are coming up to camp on the island
+near us."
+
+"That will be fine!" exclaimed Betty. "When will they get here?"
+
+"Allen can't come up until the week-end," went on Grace. "He has to
+take some kind of bar examinations. For the-- high jump, I think."
+
+"Silly!" reproved Betty, with a blush.
+
+"But Will told me to tell you specially that Allen is coming," went on
+Grace. "They can stay a few days."
+
+"It will be fine," cried Mollie. "Any news about the papers, Grace?"
+
+"Not a word, and no trace of Prince."
+
+"That is queer," said Betty. "But we will live in hopes-- that Dodo
+will be all right, and that the papers will be found."
+
+"Indeed we will," sighed Grace. Mr. Lagg was bowing and smiling behind
+his counter while the girls were reading their letters.
+
+  "What will it be? What will it be? What will it be to-day?
+   Be pleased to leave an order, before you go away!"
+
+"Really, I don't believe we need a thing," answered Mollie, in answer
+to this poetical effusion. "We might have---- "
+
+"Some more olives," interrupted Grace. "They are so handy to eat, if
+you wake up in the night, and can't sleep."
+
+"Shades of Morpheus preserve us!" laughed Mollie. "Olives!"
+
+"Does the ghost keep you awake?" asked the storekeeper.
+
+"Not-- not lately!" answered Betty, truthfully.
+
+  "The ghost! The ghost! with clanking chains,
+   It comes out only when-- it rains!"
+
+Thus Amy anticipated Mr. Lagg.
+
+"Very good-- very good!" he commended. "I must write that down. Hank
+Lefferton was over setting eel pots on the island last night, and he
+said he seen it."
+
+"The ghost?" faltered Betty.
+
+"Yep. Chains and all."
+
+"Well, we didn't," said Aunt Kate, decidedly. "Come along, girls."
+
+They had written some souvenir cards, which they mailed, and again
+they went sailing about Rainbow Lake.
+
+Several days passed. The girls went on little trips, on picnics,
+cruised about and spent delightful hours in the woods. They thoroughly
+enjoyed the camp, and the "ghost" did not annoy them. Mollie waited
+anxiously for news from home, but none came.
+
+Then the boys arrived, with their camping paraphernalia, and in such
+bubbling good spirits that the girls were infected with them, for they
+had become rather lonesome of late.
+
+The boys pitched their tent near that of the girls, and many meals
+were eaten in common. Then one night it happened!
+
+It was late, and after a jolly session-- a marshmallow roast, to be
+exact-- they had all retired. No one remained awake now, for the girls
+had become used to their surroundings, and the boys-- Allen included,
+for he had come up-- were sound sleepers.
+
+There was a crash of underbrush, a series of snorts-- no other word
+describes them-- and the screaming girls, hastening to their tent
+flaps, cried:
+
+"The ghost! The ghost!"
+
+"Get after it, fellows!" called Will, as he recognized his sister's
+voice. "We'll lay this chap-- whoever he is!"
+
+There was a vision of something white, again that rattling of chains,
+and a plunge into the lake. Then all was still.
+
+  CHAPTER XXII
+
+ WHAT MOLLIE FOUND
+
+"Did you get-- it?"
+
+Betty hesitated a moment over the question.
+
+Will, Frank and Allen stood just outside the tent of the girls. They
+had come back from a hurried race after the white object that had
+again disturbed the slumbers of the campers.
+
+"We only had a glimpse of it," answered Will. "Then it seemed to melt
+into the water."
+
+"But it was big," said Frank.
+
+"And made lots of noise," added Allen.
+
+"That's just the way it acted before," declared Mollie.
+
+In dressing gowns, warmly wrapped up, and in slippers, the girls were
+talking through the opened flap of the tent to Grace's brother and his
+chums.
+
+"Can you imagine what it may be?" asked Aunt Kate. She had been making
+chocolate-- a seemingly never-failing remedy for night alarms.
+
+"Haven't the least idea," answered Will, "unless it's someone trying
+to play a so-called practical joke."
+
+"I'd like to get hold of the player," announced Allen. "I'd run him
+off---- "
+
+"Off the scale," interrupted Betty, with a laugh.
+
+"That's it," conceded Allen. "Are you girls all right?"
+
+"All but our nerves," answered Grace.
+
+The boys made a search in the gloom, but found nothing, and once more
+quiet settled down. Nor were they disturbed again that night. In the
+morning they laughed.
+
+"Oh, but it's hot!" exclaimed Mollie during the forenoon, when the
+question of dinner was being discussed. "I think we might go for a
+swim. There's a nice sandy beach at the side of our dock."
+
+"Let's!" proposed Grace. The boys had gone off fishing.
+
+Soon the girls were splashing around in the lake, making a pretty
+picture in their becoming bathing suits, of which they had more use
+than they had anticipated.
+
+"Let's try some diving!" proposed Mollie, always a daring water
+sprite. "It's lovely and deep here," and she looked down from the end
+of the dock.
+
+"I wish I dared dive," said Amy. She was a rather timid swimmer, slow
+and deliberate, probably able to keep afloat for a long time, but
+always timid in deep water.
+
+"Here goes!" cried impulsive Mollie, as she poised for a flash into
+the water.
+
+She went down cleanly, but was rather long coming up. Grace and Betty
+looked anxiously at one another.
+
+"She is----" began Betty.
+
+Mollie flashed into sight like a seal.
+
+"I-- I found something!" she panted.
+
+"Did you strike bottom?" asked Betty.
+
+"Almost. But that's all right. I'm going down again. There is
+something down there. Maybe it's the ghost!"
+
+"Oh, do be careful!" cautioned Betty, but Mollie was already in the
+water. She was longer this time coming up, and Betty was getting
+nervous. Then Mollie shot into view.
+
+"I-- I found it!" she gasped.
+
+"What?" chorused the others.
+
+"The missing canoe those boys have been looking for! It is down there
+on the bottom, freighted with stones. We will get it up for them!"
+
+  CHAPTER XXIII
+
+ SETTING A TRAP
+
+"Are you sure it is the canoe?" asked Betty, who did not want Mollie
+to take any unnecessary risks.
+
+"Of course I am," came the confident answer, as Mollie poised, in her
+dripping bathing suit, on the little dock. She made a pretty picture,
+too, with her red cap, and blue suit trimmed with white. "I could feel
+the edge of the gunwhale," she went on, "and the stones in it that
+keep it down."
+
+"But how can we get it up?" asked Grace, who was sitting on the dock,
+splashing her feet in the water. Grace never did care much about
+getting wet. Amy said she thought she looked better dry. Certainly she
+was a pretty girl and knew how to "pose" to make the most of her
+charms-- small blame to her, though, for she was unconscious of it.
+
+"We can get it up easily enough," declared Mollie, wringing the water
+from her skirt, "All we'll have to do will be to toss out the stones,
+one by one, and the canoe will almost float itself. I can tie a rope
+to the bow, and we can stand on shore and pull. Those boys will be so
+glad to get it back."
+
+"But can we lift out the heavy stones?" asked Amy, in considerable
+doubt.
+
+"Of course we can. You know any object is much lighter in water than
+out of it, we learned that in physics class, you remember. The water
+buoys it up. You can move a much heavier stone under water than you
+could if the same stone was on land. We can all try."
+
+"I never could stay under water long enough to get out even one
+stone," declared Grace.
+
+"Nor I," added Amy.
+
+"I'll try," spoke Betty-- she was always willing to try-- "but I'm
+afraid I can't be of much help, Mollie. And I'm sure I don't want you
+to do it all."
+
+"Well, wait until I make another inspection," said the diving girl.
+"It may be more than I bargained for. I'll hold my breath longer this
+time."
+
+"Do be careful!" cautioned Aunt Kate, coming out from the tent.
+
+"We will," promised Betty.
+
+Again Mollie dived. She had practiced the trick of opening her eyes
+under water, and this time she looked carefully over the sunken canoe.
+She stayed under her full limit, and when she came up she was panting
+for breath.
+
+"You must not stay under so long," warned Betty.
+
+"There-- are-- a-- lot-- of-- stones," gasped Mollie. "But I think we
+can do it," she added a moment later.
+
+"I'll see what I can do," spoke Betty. She was a good swimmer and
+diver, perhaps not so brilliant a performer as Mollie, but with more
+staying qualities. Down went Betty in a clean dive, and when she came
+up, panting and shaking the water from her eyes, she called:
+
+"I lifted out two, but I think we had better let the boys do it,
+Mollie."
+
+"Perhaps," was the reply.
+
+"I'm sorry you can't count on me," sail Grace, "but really I'd have
+nervous prostration if I went down there, even though it's only ten
+feet deep, as you say."
+
+"Well, getting nervous prostration under water would be a very bad
+idea," commented Betty.
+
+"And I'm sure I never could do it," remarked Amy. "Do let the boys
+manage it, Bet. The lads who own the canoe will be glad of the
+chance."
+
+"I'm going to move out a couple of stones, so Betty won't beat my
+record," laughed Mollie, diving again. She bobbed up a moment later.
+
+"Oh, dear!" she cried. "An eel slid right over me. Ugh! I'm not going
+down again!" and she shivered. Even the fearless Mollie had had enough
+of the under-water work.
+
+By means of a cord and a float the position of the sunken canoe was
+marked, so that the boys could locate it, and when they returned from
+a rather unsuccessful fishing trip, they readily agreed to raise the
+boat. It did not take them long to remove the stones, for Will, Frank
+and Allen were all expert swimmers, and could remain under water much
+longer than can most persons.
+
+Then a rope was made fast to the canoe, which would not rise
+completely because of being filled with water. It was pulled ashore
+and word sent to the young owners. That they were delighted goes
+without saying. They proffered the reward they had offered, but of
+course our friends would not take it. Later it was learned that the
+canoe had been taken by an unscrupulous fisherman, who was not above
+the suspicion of making a practice of such tricks. It was thought he
+intended to let it remain where it was until fall, when he would raise
+it, paint it a different color, and sell it. But Mollie's fortunate
+dive frustrated his plans.
+
+"Seen anything more of the ghost?" asked Will of the girls, when the
+canoe had been moored to the shore.
+
+"No, and we don't want to," returned Betty.
+
+"Afraid?" Allen wanted to know.
+
+"Indeed not!" she exclaimed, with a blush.
+
+"I'll tell you what let's do," suggested Frank. "Let's take a look
+around and see if that ghost left any footprints."
+
+"Ghosts never do," asserted Will.
+
+"Well, let's have a look anyhow. We should have done it before. Now,
+as nearly as I can recollect, the creature came about to here, and
+then rushed into the lake," and Frank went to a spot some distance
+from the tents. The others agreed that it was about there that the
+white object had been seen. Will was looking along the ground, going
+toward the lake. Suddenly he uttered an exclamation.
+
+"Girls! Fellows!" he cried. "Come here!" They all hastened to his
+side. He pointed to some marks in the sandy soil.
+
+"What are they?" he asked, excitedly.
+
+"Hoof marks!" cried Allen, dramatically.
+
+"That's right!" agreed Will. "They are the marks of a horse! Girls,
+that's what your ghost is-- a white horse, and-- and---- "
+
+He ceased abruptly, looked at Grace strangely, and then brother and
+sister gasped together:
+
+"Prince!"
+
+"What?" demanded Allen.
+
+"I'll wager almost anything that this ghost is my white horse, Prince,
+that has been missing so long!" went on Will. "But how in the world he
+could have gotten on this island, so far from the mainland, is a
+mystery!"
+
+"Couldn't he swim?" asked Frank.
+
+"Of course!" cried Will. "I forgot about that. And Prince was once a
+circus horse, or at least in some show where he had to jump into a
+tank of water. Prince is a regular hippopotamus when it comes to
+water. Strange I never thought of that before!
+
+"But this solves the ghost mystery, girls. You and the other folks
+have been frightened by white Prince scooting about the island."
+
+"We-- we weren't so very frightened," spoke Mollie.
+
+"But the rattling chains?" questioned Grace.
+
+"What were they?"
+
+"The stirrups, of course," answered her brother. "And, by Jove, Grace,
+if the stirrups are on Prince the saddle must be on him also, and the
+papers---- "
+
+"Oh, isn't this just fine!" cried Grace, her face alight. "Now papa
+can complete that business deal. I never loved a ghost before. Dear
+old Prince!"
+
+"Of course we are assuming a lot," said Will. "It may not be Prince
+after all, but all signs point to it. He must have been on this island
+all the while. No wonder we could get no trace of him. Probably he was
+so frightened at the storm and the auto, and his fall, that he ran on
+until he came to the lake. Then his old training came back to him, and
+in he plunged. There's enough fodder here for a dozen horses. He's
+just been running wild. I'll have my own troubles with him when I get
+him back."
+
+"But how are you going to do it?" asked Frank.
+
+"We'll search the island for him," replied Will. "Come on, we'll start
+now."
+
+Changing from their bathing suits to more conventional garments, the
+boys and girls at once began a tour of the island. But though it was
+not very large, there were inaccessible places, and it must have been
+in one of these that Prince hid during the day, for they neither saw,
+nor heard anything of him.
+
+"We've got to set a trap!" exclaimed Will.
+
+"How?" asked Grace.
+
+"Well, evidently he's been in the habit of coming around the tent to
+get scraps of food. We'll leave plenty out to-night, and also some
+oats. Then we'll watch, and when Prince comes I'll catch him."
+
+The boys voted this plan a good one. They went over to Mr. Lagg's
+store in the Gem to get a supply of fodder for the trap.
+
+"A horse on the island!" exclaimed Mr. Lagg. So that's the ghost; eh?
+Well, it's very likely, but it sort of spoils the story;
+
+  "A ghostly ghost-- a ghost in white
+   Appearing in the darkest night.
+   That it should prove a horse to be,
+   Most certainly amazes me."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Will, with a laugh. "You are progressing, Mr. Lagg."
+
+A goodly supply of oats was placed in a box near the tent that
+evening, and then the boys and girls sat about the camp-fire and
+talked, while waiting for the time to retire. The boys were to make
+the attempt to capture Prince.
+
+  CHAPTER XXIV
+
+ THE GHOST CAUGHT
+
+"When do you expect to hear about little Dodo?" asked Grace, as the
+girls sat together on a log in front of the fire, "like roosting
+chickens," Will was ungallant enough to remark.
+
+"Almost any day now," replied Mollie. "They were to wait for the most
+favorable time for the operation, and the specialist, so mamma wrote,
+could not exactly fix on the day. But I am anxious to hear."
+
+"I should think you would be. Poor little Dodo! I'd give anything to
+hear her say now 'Has oo dot any tandy? '"
+
+"Don't," spoke Betty in a low tone to Grace, for she saw the tears in
+Mollie's eyes.
+
+"It was the strangest thing how Stone and Kennedy should turn out to
+be the two chaps in the auto," remarked Will, to change the subject.
+"And you have never let on that Grace was the girl on the horse?"
+
+"Never," answered Amy. "Don't say after this that girls can't keep a
+secret."
+
+Frank was to watch the first part of the night, to be relieved by
+Allen, and the latter by Will.
+
+"For, from what the girls say, Prince has been in the habit of coming
+rather late," Will explained, "and he's more likely to let me catch
+him than if you fellows tried it. So I'll take last watch."
+
+Frank's vigil was unrewarded, and when he awakened Allen, who sat up,
+sleepy-eyed, there was nothing to report. Allen found it hard work to
+keep awake, but managed to do so by drinking cold coffee.
+
+"Anything doing, old man?" asked Will, as, yawning, he got on some of
+the clothes he had discarded, the more comfortably to lie down on the
+cot.
+
+"Something came snooping around about an hour ago. At first I thought
+it was the horse, and went out to take a look. But it was only a fox,
+I guess, for it scampered away in the bushes. I hope you have better
+luck."
+
+"So do I. Dad wants those papers the worst way. If I could get them
+for him I'd feel better, for I can't get over blaming myself that it
+was my fault they were lost. It was, because I shouldn't have sent
+Grace for them when I knew how important they were."
+
+Allen went to his cot, and Will took up his vigil. For an hour he sat
+reading by a shaded lantern, so the light would not shine in the faces
+of his chums. Then, when he was beginning to nod, in spite of the
+attractions of the book, he heard a noise that brought him bolt
+upright in the chair.
+
+"Something is coming!" he whispered. He stole to the edge of the board
+platform, and cautiously opened the flap of the tent. The box
+containing oats and sugar had been placed a little distance away, in
+plain view.
+
+"That's Prince!" exclaimed Will, for in the moonlight he saw a white
+horse eating from the box. The "ghost" had arrived.
+
+Will resolved to make the attempt alone. He stepped softly from the
+tent, and made his way toward the horse. He had on a pair of tennis
+shoes that made his footsteps practically noiseless. Fortunately,
+Prince, should it prove to be that animal, stood sideways to the tent,
+his head away from it, so that he did not see Will. The boy tried to
+ascertain if there was a saddle on the horse, but there was the shadow
+of a tree across the middle of his back, and it was impossible to say
+for sure.
+
+Nearer and nearer stole Will. He thought he was going to have no
+trouble catching him, but when almost beside Prince, for Will was
+certain of the identity now, he stepped on a twig, that broke with a
+snap.
+
+With a snort Prince threw up his head and wheeled about. He saw Will,
+and leaped away.
+
+"Prince, old fellow! Prince! don't you know me?" called the boy, and
+he gave a whistle that Prince always answered.
+
+The horse retreated. Will held out some sugar he had ready for such an
+emergency.
+
+"Prince! Prince!" he called. The horse stopped and stretched out his
+head, sniping. Prank and Allen came to the tent opening. "Keep back!"
+called Will, in even tones. "I think I have him. Prince! Come here!"
+
+The horse took a step forward. He sensed his master now. Will
+advanced, speaking gently, and a moment later Prince, with a joyful
+whinny, was nibbling at the sugar in the boy's hand. Then Will slid
+the other along and caught the mane. The bridle was gone.
+
+"I have him!" cried Will. "Bring the rope, fellows."
+
+Prince was not frightened now. He stood still. Will led him into the
+full moonlight. Then he exclaimed:
+
+"The saddle is gone!"
+
+  CHAPTER XXV
+
+ THE MISSING SADDLE
+
+"Have you caught Prince?" Grace called this to her brother from the
+tent where she and the other girls had been aroused by the commotion.
+
+"Yes, I have him. He knew me almost at once," answered Will. "But the
+saddle is gone!"
+
+"And the papers?" Grace faltered.
+
+"Gone with it, I fancy. Too bad!"
+
+"Maybe he just brushed the saddle off," suggested Allen, who, with
+Frank, had come out with a rope halter that had been provided in case
+the "ghost hunt" was a success. "We'll look around. I'll get a
+lantern."
+
+But a hasty search in the darkness revealed nothing. There was no sign
+of a saddle.
+
+"We'll have to wait until morning," sighed Will, as he tied Prince to
+a tree. "Then we can see better, and look all around. Prince, old boy,
+you knew me; didn't you?" The handsome animal whinnied, and rubbed his
+nose against Will's arm.
+
+"And so you played the part of a ghost, you rascal! Scaring the
+girls---- "
+
+"We'll never admit that," called Betty from the tent.
+
+There was nothing more to do that night, after making Prince secure.
+The boys ate a little mid-night supper, and from the tent of the girls
+came the odor of chocolate, which Grace insisted on making. Then,
+after fitful slumbers, morning came.
+
+Will was up early to examine Prince. He found the healed cut, where
+the auto had struck, and there was evidence that the saddle had been
+on the animal until recently. The iron stirrups would account for the
+sound like chains.
+
+"The saddle must be somewhere on this island," declared Will. "I'm
+going to find it."
+
+"How?" asked Allen, who had made a careful toilet, as Betty had
+promised to go for a row with him.
+
+"I'll strap a pad on Prince, get on his back, and see where he takes
+me. The way I figure is this. Prince never liked to be in the open.
+I'm almost certain he has been staying in some sort of shelter--
+either a cave, or an old cabin, or stable on the island. The saddle
+may have come off there. Now he'll most likely take me right to his
+stopping place. Of course he may not, but it's worth trying."
+
+"Indeed it is," agreed Prank.
+
+After a hasty breakfast Will put his plan to the test. Prince was fed
+well, and with Frank and Allen to follow, Will leaped on his pet's
+back, and gave him free rein-- or, rather, free halter, since there
+was no bridle. The girls said they would take a walk around the
+island, looking for the saddle as they went.
+
+Prince, after a little hesitation, started off with Will on his back.
+The splendid animal headed for the lake shore, and for a moment Will
+was inclined to think that Prince was going to plunge in and swim to
+some other island or the mainland. But Prince was only thirsty, and,
+slaking that desire, he ambled along the shore for a mile or so, the
+two young men following.
+
+"Where can he be going?" asked Frank.
+
+"Just let him alone," counseled Will. "He knows what he is about."
+
+And so Prince did. He took a path he had evidently traveled many times
+before, to judge by the hoof-marks, and presently came to a swampy
+place at which Frank and Allen balked.
+
+"Wait here," advised Will. "I'll soon be back. This is near one end of
+the island. It must be here that Prince has his stable."
+
+And so it proved. Splashing through the swamp, Prince ascended a
+little slope, pushed under some low tree branches that nearly brushed
+Will from his back, and came to a halt before a tumbled-down cabin,
+that was just about large enough for an improvised stable. Will leaped
+off, gave a look inside, and uttered a shout of joy, for there,
+trampled on and torn, broken and water-stained, was the saddle. A
+second later Will was kneeling before it, exploring the saddle
+pockets.
+
+"Here they are!" he cried, as he pulled out the missing papers. "I
+have them, fellows!"
+
+A hasty survey showed him that they were all there-- somewhat stained
+and torn, to be sure, but as good as ever for the purpose intended.
+
+"This is great luck!" cried Will. He looked about him. Then he saw the
+reason why Prince had made this place his headquarters. The former
+occupant of the deserted cabin had left behind a quantity of salt, and
+as all animals like, and need, this crystal, Prince had been attracted
+to the place. It was like the old "buffalo licks." Then, too, there
+was shelter from storms.
+
+"Prince, old man, you're all right!" cried Will, as he put the papers
+in his pockets. By dint of a little hasty repairing the saddle could
+be used temporarily. It was evident that Prince had kept it on until
+lately, and the dangling stirrups had caused the sound like rattling
+chains. There was no sign of the bridle, however, but the halter would
+answer. Will saddled his pet, and soon had rejoined Frank and Allen,
+to whom he had shouted the good news. Then a hasty trip was made back
+to camp.
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad!" cried Grace. "Now I can really enjoy camping and
+cruising. You must telephone papa at once."
+
+Which Will did, the whole party going over to Mr. Lagg's store in the
+motor boat.
+
+"Yes, I have the papers safe," Will told Mr. Ford. "Yes, I'll mail
+them at once. What's that-- Dodo-- tell Mollie Dodo is over the
+operation and is going to get well? I will-- that's good news!
+Hurrah!"
+
+"Oh, thank the dear Lord!" murmured Mollie, and then she sobbed on
+Betty's shoulder.
+
+"Well, I guess we are ready to start," announced Grace. "I have the
+chocolates. Who has the olives?"
+
+"Chocolates and olives-- the school girl's delight!" mocked Will,
+
+"Oh, you'll be asking for some," declared his sister.
+
+  "Chocolates and olives are good for the boys,
+   And to the girls they also bring joys."
+
+Thus remarked Mr. Lagg. The crowd of young people were in his store,
+stocking up the Gem for a resumption of her cruise on Rainbow Lake. It
+was several days after the finding of the missing saddle and the
+papers. The latter had been sent to Mr. Ford, Prince had been swum
+across to the mainland and sent home, and the news about little Dodo
+had been confirmed. The child would fully recover, and not even be
+lame.
+
+"Oh, what a fine time we've had!" exclaimed Grace, as she waltzed
+about the store with Amy.
+
+"Well, the summer isn't over yet by any means," spoke Mollie. "And
+there is the glorious Fall to come. I wonder what we shall do then?"
+
+And what they did do may be ascertained by reading the next volume of
+this series, to be called "The Outdoor Girls in a Motor Car; Or, The
+Haunted Mansion of Shadow Valley," in which we will meet all our old
+friends again, and some new ones.
+
+"All aboard!" called Betty, as she led the way down to the dock where
+the Gem awaited them. Each one was carrying a bundle of supplies, for
+they expected to cruise for about a week.
+
+They boarded the motor boat. Betty threw over the lever of the
+self-starter. The engine responded promptly. As the clutch slipped in,
+white foam showed at the stern where the industrious propeller whirled
+about. The Gem slid away from the dock.
+
+"Good-bye! Good-bye!" called the boys and girls to Mr. Lagg.
+
+"Good-bye!" he answered, waving his red handkerchief at them. Then he
+recited.
+
+  "As you sail o'er the bounding sea,
+   Pause now and then and think of me.
+   I've many things for man and beast,
+   From chocolate drops to compressed yeast."
+
+"Good!" shouted Will, laughing.
+
+And Betty swung around the wheel to avoid the two boys whose canoe
+Mollie had so strangely found, as the Gem, continued her cruise down
+Rainbow Lake. And here, for a time, we, too, like Mr. Lagg, will say
+farewell to our friends.
+
+ THE END
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE ***
+
+This file should be named 4987.txt or 4987.zip
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