"Are you girls going out in that boat?" asked Mr. Franklin as he started back toward his cabin.
"Yes. Why shouldn't we?" inquired Mollie, for she saw a look of concern on his face.
"Well, you'll be all right if you stay around here, but the ice is breaking up below and above you, on account of the thaw. It won't be safe to go too far, or you'll meet open water. Be on the lookout."
"We will," promised Betty. "We're only just going out for a practice spin by ourselves. It will surprise the boys."
She did not realize what a surprise she and her chums were to get before long.
After one or two ineffectual attempts the girls got the motor running. Then, looking to see that all was clear, Betty, who was at the helm, gave the word for Mollie to lower the toothed wheel, which engaging on the ice, would move the craft.
At first there was only a shower of soft and rather watery ice. The surface was too "mushy" to enable the teeth to "bite."
"Harder! Push down harder!" directed Betty.
Mollie did so, and then, after hesitating a second as if uncertain whether or not to go, the Spider moved off, gradually acquiring speed.
"Oh, this is glorious!" cried Grace as she sat well forward and breathed in deep of the fresh air. "Betty—Mollie—you are wonderful!"