and the girls were preparing luncheon.

They carried their own fresh water with them, not depending on finding
a spring. Condensed milk, sugar and some tins of sweet crackers
completed the meal, which was served on the grass for a table, paper
napkins adding to the luxury of the occasion.

The picnic place was on a spit of land that jutted out into Crystal
Bay. It could be approached from either side, and on one side there
was some dense shrubbery that hid the water from sight.

It was when Cora and her chums were in the midst of their impromptu
luncheon that they heard a boat grate on the beach that was hidden
from view by the bushes.

"Someone is coming!" exclaimed Bess.

"Maybe it's the boys," remarked Belle.

"It's about time they followed us," suggested Lottie. "They don't give
us a moment's peace."

"Do you want it?" asked Cora pointedly, for Lottie had been rather
taken up with Jack, of late.

"Oh, I don't know," answered the girl. "Of course the boys are nice,
and----"

"'Handsome is as handsome does,'" quoted Belle. "But that doesn't
happen to be the boys."

"How do you know?" asked Bess.

"I just had a glimpse of them through the bushes. It's a strange motor
boat--neither the _Dixie_ nor the _Lassie_."

"Who is in her?" asked Cora.

"I can't make out. Listen!"

She raised her hand for silence, but there was no need. The girls
ceased chatting at once, and silently followed Cora toward a hedge of
underbrush, some little distance from where their luncheon was spread.

Then they heard some odd talk--at least it seemed odd until they
understood the meaning of it.

"So you had a race with them?" one voice asked.

"Yes," replied another, who had just landed on the spit of the land.
"I raced 'em, but I didn't beat 'em!"

"Couldn't you?"

"Couldn't I? Say, you know what the _Pickerel_ can do when she's
pushed to it. I held back the throttle."

Cora started. Her suspicions were unexpectedly confirmed.

"You can see them from over here," whispered Belle, pulling Cora's
sleeve. Cora moved to where an opening in the bushes afforded a
glimpse of the strangers.

She saw three men, and one of them she knew in an instant to be the
young chap who had raced with her. His boat, too, was on the beach. It
was from her that the men had come.

"Well, you know how fast the _Chelton_ can go now, that's sure," spoke
a voice.

"Yes," answered the young man, "I know. We needn't fear her if it
comes to a c