"How?" demanded Amy.

"If we could get on the windward side of that burning barge, throw a
line aboard and tow it out into the middle of the lake, it could burn
there without doing any damage!"

"By Jove! She's hit the nail on the head!" declared Mr. Stone, with
emphasis. "But dare you do it, Miss Nelson?"

"I certainly will dare-- if you'll help!"

"Of course we'll help! Steer over there!"

The burning hay, fanned by a brisk wind, was now sending up a pillar
of fire and a cloud of smoke. And the barge was drifting perilously
near the boathouse. Many whistles of alarm smote the air, but no boat
was as near as the Gem.

CHAPTER XVII

ON ELM ISLAND

"Have you a long rope aboard, Miss Nelson?" asked Mr. Stone, when they
had drawn near to the burning load of hay.

"Yes, you will find it in one of the after lockers," answered Betty,
as she skillfully directed the course of her boat so as to get on the
windward side of the barge.

"And have you a boathook? I want to fasten it to the rope, and see if