"We did-- only we couldn't do it!" shouted Betty, not willing to have
any aspersions cast on herself or her friends. "It was an accident!"

"All right; don't let it happen again," cried the steersman, in more
kindly tones. And then the Gem slipped on down the river.

"What are we going to do?" asked Mollie, as Grace steered her boat.

"If we're going to stay out here I'm going to get dressed," declared
Grace. "It's quite chilly."

Can you find your way back to the dock?" Aunt Kate inquired. "Can you
do it, Betty?"

"I think so. We left a light on it, you know. I'll turn around and see
if I can pick it out. Oh, but I'm all in a tremble!"

"I don't blame you-- it was a narrow escape," said Mollie.

"I don't see how we could have gone adrift, unless some one cut the
ropes," remarked Grace. "I'm sure I tied them tightly enough."

"They may have become frayed by rubbing," suggested Betty. "We'll look
when we get a chance. What are you going to do, Amy?" for she was
entering the cabin.

"I'm going to make some hot chocolate," Amy answered. "I think we need
it."