"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.