"Why, how funny," exclaimed Betty, forgetting her nautical manner, and speaking in her natural voice; "I wonder what makes it sunny all at once. It was nice and shady a minute ago."
A shrill scream from Winifred brought Betty's wonder to an abrupt end.
"Look, oh look!" shrieked the little girl, pointing with a shaking finger towards the shore; "the boat's moving, it's moving all by itself."
Every one followed the direction of Winifred's terrified gaze. Sure enough; several feet of water already separated the boat from the shore.
"The chain's broken," gasped Betty, growing very white. "It must have broken when we made the boat rock so hard. There aren't any oars, and we're drifting. Oh, what shall we do?"
Winifred began to cry.
"It's all your fault, Lulu," she wailed; "you said it was safe, and now we shall be drowned, and what will mother do. Oh, oh, oh!"
Lulu was shaking from head to foot, but realizing the truth of her friend's accusation, she made an effort to think of some way of escape.
"Couldn't we jump out and wade ashore?" she suggested desperately.
"Of course not," said Betty, with prompt decision; "we don't know how deep the water is, and besides we couldn't leave Jack."