of sight at a bend in the
river.

"He wants to get away from those who are after him," observed Grace. "I
wonder if he is a desperate criminal?"

"He didn't look at all like a criminal," spoke Amy. "I think he had a
nice face."

"He wasn't bad looking," admitted Betty. "Poor fellow, he was very
nervous, though."

"And no wonder--meeting four girls at once!" laughed Mollie.

"What shall we do if we meet those men who are after him?" asked Grace.
"I shall be so frightened!"

"We won't meet them!" declared Betty. "If we do we need not speak to
them. But if they insist we can say truthfully that we don't know who
that young fellow was, nor where he went."

"He's out of sight now, at all events," spoke Amy. "I wonder whom he is
going to get help for? I wish he had told us more."

"I don't," answered Betty, promptly. "The less we know the less we can
tell if any men question us. Now let's get aboard and get back. No more
manatees for me!"

The _Gem_ was none the worse for her queer tow, and soon, with the girls
aboard, was dropping down stream again. The strange youth was not in
sight, even when the turn of the river was made, but he may have poled
off into one of the many little bayous, or tributary streams, that
joined the main one.

"I'm glad he's out of sight," murmured Grace. "If those men should come
after him----"

She stopped suddenly, and stared ahead. There, coming around a turn in
the river, was a small motor boat containing two men, who, at the sight
of the _Gem_, headed directly for her, at the same time indicating by
gestures that they wished to speak to those aboard.

CHAPTER XVI

SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS

"What shall we do?" whispered Grace, glancing at Betty, who stood at the
wheel, seemingly as calm and unperturbed as though she had the _Gem_ out
for a little run on Rainbow Lake. "Oh, what shall we do?"

"Do?" echoed Mollie. "Wait until there's something to be done, of
course."

"But those men--they are heading right for us, and we don't know them!"

"And we didn't know Mr. Belton when he came to our rescue," replied
Mollie. "So that doesn't count."

"But neither of these men is Mr. Belton," went on Grace. "Oh, I don't
like Florida as much as I thought I would!"

"I'm sorry," spoke Amy gently.

"I--I didn't mean just that, my dear," answered Grace impulsively. "But
they are heading for us, Betty."

"Of course they are," said the Little Captain.

"But that doesn't mean I am