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