for vantage points. Allen hovered about,
seeing that no unfair tactics were used.

Finally, as the girls started forward again, Grace much relieved in
mind, Sam Batty pulled out his handkerchief and waved it.

"What's that for?" asked Grace.

"Flag of truce, probably. Very likely he's had enough."

"Oh, Will is down!" cried Grace a moment later, as her brother slipped
and fell. Jake rushed forward to deliver a ball at close range, but
Allen held up his hand.

"No hitting when one is down!" he decided, and Jake drew back. Then, as
Will scrambled to his feet again, the battle was renewed, only two being
engaged, however.

As Will vainly dodged a ball aimed at him, which struck him in the face,
Grace screamed. Her brother turned quickly.

"What is it?" cried Will, in some alarm.

"Stop that right away!" demanded Grace, "or I'll tell papa, and make him
take you home."

"One more shot!" Will exclaimed, and he delivered a large snowball with
such good aim that it nearly covered the whole of Jake's face. Kittie's
brother staggered about, and when he could get his breath he cried:

"I'm through--I've had enough!"

"Battle's over--cease firing!" laughed Allen. "Well, girls, what's the
trouble?" he asked as he and his two friends advanced to meet Grace and
Mollie, while Jake and Sam moved off in the direction of their cabin.

"Oh, Will, there's a big express package for you at the cabin!" Grace
exclaimed. "You owe me three dollars on it."

"Good!" cried the lad. "I'll give you the money out of my next
allowance. It's the motor boat, fellows," he added.

"A motor boat!" cried Betty. "What good is a motor boat up here, with
the river frozen?"

"Oh, it's something new--a little idea of my own," said Will. "It's a
converted motor-cycle gasoline engine, that can be attached to our ice
boat. We're tired of having to depend on the wind. Now fellows, we'll
have some fun. Hurry home, and we'll see if we can get it working
to-day."

"First you ought to do something to that eye," said Grace. "It will be
black and blue; and you'll look disgraceful."

"No one will see it up here," said Will calmly. "It doesn't matter."

"Don't we girls matter?" demanded Mollie.

"Oh, well, I'll put some raw beefsteak on it when I get to the cabin.
I've heard that's good. Jake caught me a hard one in the eye."

"Fighting! Disgraceful!" murmured Will's sister.

"It was the best way out--snowballs," said Allen in a low voice, while
Wi