small sailboats for girls' parties."

"Oh, very well."

"Now, Belle, you will begin to believe that I'm a muff at heart," Darrin
remonstrated.

"I won't anyway, Dave," Laura broke in. "I can see that you're merely
determined that we shall take no risks when we go out with you. I shall
feel very safe in whatever you propose for water sports."

"It's a good deal better to be safe, than sorry, when you have girls
under your care," Dan Dalzell added.

The motor boat, a fast though a low-hulled craft, had been long out of
sight up the river. Presently there came a new turn to the wind. Dan wet
a forefinger and held it up to the breeze.

"I hope Foss has sense enough to run in somewhere and tie up until the
coming squall blows over," Dalzell remarked.

"Are we going to have a storm?" Belle asked quickly.

"Not rain, if that's what you mean," Darrin replied. "But I believe the
river is going to be pretty rough before long."

Ere two minutes more had passed Dave suddenly rose and
straightened himself.

"Look downstream, girls," he cried. "Do you see the big rollers coming?"