Oh fickle Wallie! To fall in love with a motor boat, just because
her name is Pet."

Walter was talking to Cora before Ed had finished speaking to him.
That was Walter's irresistible way with the girls.

"No use talking, sis," said Jack, "this sail was worth being
stranded for. If you are in no hurry, Ben, suppose we prolong it.
Take us some place where we haven't been. You know the rounds of
Cedar Lake."

This plan was agreed to, and, though the boys were not dressed as
they would wish to have been, it was evening on the water, and their
jersey suits were not altogether out of place.

"But what I would like to get at," began Ed, not being able to
dismiss the subject, "is who stole our boat?"

"It may have drifted away," suggested Cora wisely. "There was a
great fleet on the lake to-day, and any small boy might have let
your boat go."

"Well, if I should lay hold of such a chap," declared Jack grimly,
"he will grow up quickly. He will never be a small boy again."

"Now I'll tell you," offered Ben obligingly. "There's a lot of
strange things likely to happen to you young 'uns while you're at
this here lake. So take my advice an' go slow. Every one here goes
slow, and it's the best way. If you suspicion a feller don't go at
him. Just wait and he will walk right into your hands," and Ben