docks. We may find some new streams or
lakes to explore, for we've been all over Lake Chad." This was so, the
girls soon having exhausted the possibilities of that body of water.

"I'm willing," agreed Mollie.

"And we can take our lunch, and stay all day," added Grace. "Oh dear! I
wish someone would invent non-melting chocolate!" she complained, for
her fingers were stained with the half-liquid confection.

"Some non-eating ones would be better," said Mollie, with a laugh. "Just
the kind you look at, you know."

"I don't think that's funny," spoke Grace, slightly elevating her pretty
nose.

Finally they got started, after repeated injunctions from Mrs.
Stonington to "be careful," to all of which they dutifully promised
obedience.

The trip was a delightful one, and no accidents marred it. They swept
on up the river, which had hardly current enough to be noticeable. They
paused to admire pretty spots, and stopped for lunch in a "perfect
fairyland of a grove," to quote Amy. The _Gem_ was anchored near an
overhanging tree which served to permit the girls to go ashore dry-shod.

Merry indeed was the luncheon. Grace was passing the olives, when she
happened to glance toward the boat. Her surprise caused her to drop the
bottle in the box of crackers, as she cried:

"Betty--look, your boat is adrift!"

"So it is!" agreed the Little Captain, standing up. "I thought we
anchored it securely."

"And look!" added Mollie, as she pointed. "It's going up stream! Can the
engine have started of itself?"

"No, the clutch is out," said Betty, running down to the shore.
"Something is towing the boat up stream. See, the anchor rope is
extended out in front!"

CHAPTER XIV

THE TATTERED YOUTH

Betty Nelson reached the bank of the river and stopped. She could go no
farther for the muddy water stretched itself at her feet. But her
boat--the trim little _Gem_--was moving slowly up the stream under the
influence of the mysterious something that was towing it away from the
girls.

"Oh!" cried Grace. "What can we do? Betty--Mollie! We must stop it."

"Yes; but how?" asked Mollie. She and the others had followed Betty to
the shore.

"We must find another boat, and catch the _Gem_!" cried Amy. "It isn't
going very fast."

"If we only could!" murmured Betty, looking helplessly around. But no
other boat was in sight. "We must do something," she went on. "We'll be
marooned if we stay here!"

"But what can be towing ou