Books: The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake
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Laura Lee Hope >> The Outdoor Girls at Rainbow Lake
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"Better give it up," said Amy. "But what Grace said surprises me--
about those two young men."
"Well, of course I can't be sure of it," said Grace, as all eyes were
turned in her direction, "but the more I look at those two the more I
really think they are the ones. I wonder if there isn't some way I
could make sure?"
"Yes," said practical Betty, "there is. That is why I decided to enter
the Gem in the regatta. It will give us a chance to do a little quiet
investigating."
"But how?" inquired Grace, puzzled.
"Well, if we make some inquiries, and find out that they are all right
to talk to-- and they may be in spite of the mean way they acted
toward you-- why, then, we can question them, and gradually lead the
talk around to autos, and racing, and storms, and all that. They'll
probably let out something about having been caught in a storm once,
and seeing a horse run away. Then we will be sure they are the same
ones, and-- well, I don't know what would be the best thing to do
then, Grace."
"Grace had better notify her father or brother if she finds out these
are the men," suggested Aunt Kate. "They would be the best ones to act
after that."
"Surely," agreed Grace. "That's what I'll do. And now let's go over to
the dock, and see about supper. I'm as hungry as a starved kitten."
"And with all the candy she's eaten since lunch!" exclaimed Mollie.
"I didn't eat much at all!" came promptly from Grace. "Did I, Amy?"
"I wasn't watching. Anyhow, I am hungry, too."
"I fancy we all are," spoke Betty. "Well, we will soon be there," and
she started the motor, and swung the prow of the Gem over toward the
dock.
There were one or two small open motor boats tied there, but they were
not manned. The girls made sure of their cable fastenings, and soon
the appetizing odor of cooking came from the small galley. The girls
donned long aprons over their sailor costumes, and ate out on the open
deck, for it was rather close in the cabin.
"It is as sultry as though there were going to be a storm," remarked
Betty, looking up at the sky, which was taking on the tints of
evening. "I am glad we're not going to be out on the lake to-night."
"Aren't we ever going to do any night cruising?" asked Mollie, who was
a bit venturesome at times.
"Oh, of course. Why, the main water pageant takes place at night, one
of those young men said, and we'll be in that. Only I'm just as glad
we're tied up to-night," spoke Betty.
Near where they had docked was a little colony of summer cottages, and
not far off was an amusement resort, including a moving picture show.
"Let's go, girls!" proposed Grace after supper, "We don't want to sit
around all evening doing nothing. The boat will be safe; won't it,
Betty?"
"Don't say 'it'-- my boat is a lady-- speak of her as such," laughed
the Little Captain. "Yes, I think she will be safe. But I will see if
there is a dock watchman, and if there is I'll engage him."
There proved to be one, who, for a small fee, would see that no
unauthorized persons entered the Gem. Then the girls, attiring
themselves in their "shore togs," as Betty expressed it, went to see
the moving pictures.
"What will we do to-morrow?" asked Grace, as they came out, having had
two hours of enjoyment.
"I was thinking of a little picnic ashore," answered Betty. "There are
some lovely places on the banks of the lake, to say nothing of the
several small islands. We can cruise about a bit, and then go ashore
with our lunch. Or, if any of you have any other plan, don't hesitate
to mention it. I want you girls to have a good time."
"As if we weren't having it, Little Captain!" cried Mollie with an
impulsive embrace. "The picnic by all means, and please let's take
plenty of crackers and olives."
"Talk about me eating candy," mocked Grace, "you are as bad on
olives."
"Well, they're not so bad for one as candy."
"I don't know about that."
"Oh, don't argue!" begged quiet little Amy. "Let's talk about the
picnic."
It was arranged that they should have an informal one, and the next
morning, after an uneventful night-- save that Grace awakened them all
by declaring someone was coming aboard, when it proved to be only a
frightened dog-- the next morning they started off again, leaving word
with the dock watchman, who did boat repairing, that they would be
back late that afternoon.
They had made some inquiries, and decided to go ashore on Eel Island,
so named from its long, narrow shape. There was a small dock there,
which made it easy for the Gem to land her passengers, since she drew
a little too much water to get right up to shore.
The girls cruised about Rainbow Lake, being saluted many times by
other craft, the occupants of which seemed to admire Betty's fine
boat. In turn she answered with the regulation three blasts of the air
whistle. At several private docks, the property of wealthy cottagers,
could be seen signs of preparation for the coming water carnival. The
boat houses were being decorated, and in some cases elaborate schemes
of ornamentation were under way for the boats themselves.
"It looks as though it would be nice," remarked Mollie.
"Yes, I think we shall enjoy it," agreed Betty.
They stopped at one cottage, occupied by a Mrs. Ralston, whom Betty
knew slightly. Mrs. Ralston wanted the girls and Aunt Kate to stay to
lunch, but they told of their picnic plans. They wanted to inquire
about Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy, and they were all glad to learn that
the two young men were held in the highest esteem, and were given a
great deal of credit for their hard work in connection with the lake
pageant.
"And to think they could be so unfeeling as to make Prince run away
and cause all that trouble," observed Mollie, as they were again
aboard the boat.
"Perhaps it was not they, or there may be some explanation of their
conduct," suggested Betty. "We must not judge too hastily."
"That's Betty Nelson-- all over," said Amy.
Eel Island proved to be an ideal picnic place, and there were one or
two other parties on it when the girls arrived. They made the Gem
secure, and struck off into the woods with their lunch baskets, Betty
having removed a certain patented spark plug, without which the motor
could not be started. It was not likely that anyone would be able to
duplicate it and make off with the craft in their absence, so they
felt it safe to leave the boat unguarded.
"Pass the olives, Grace my dear," requested Mollie, when they were
seated on a grassy knoll under a big oak tree. "I have the crackers
beside me. Now I am happy," and she munched the appetizing
combination.
"Crackers and olives!" murmured Betty. "Our old schoolday feast. I
haven't gotten over my love for them, either. Let them circulate,
Mollie."
The girls were making merry with quip and jest when Grace, hearing a
crackling of under brush, looked back along the path they had come.
She started and exclaimed:
"Here come those two young men-- Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy."
"Don't notice them," begged Amy, who was not much given to making new
acquaintances.
"Too late! They see us-- they're coming right toward us!" cried Grace,
in some confusion.
CHAPTER XIV
THE REGATTA
The two young men came on, apparently with the object of speaking to
the girls. Evidently they had purposely sought them out.
"Oh, it is Miss Nelson, and her friends from the Gem!" exclaimed Mr.
Stone, which might indicate that he had expected to meet some other
party of picnic lovers.
"I hope we are not intruding," said Mr. Kennedy, "but we want to
borrow some salt, if you have any."
Betty looked at them curiously. Was this a subterfuge-- a means to an
acquaintance? Her manner stiffened a trifle, and she glanced at Aunt
Kate.
"You see we came off on a little picnic like yourselves," explained
Mr. Stone, "and Bob, here, forgot the salt."
"You told me you'd put it in yourself, Harry!" exclaimed the other,
"and of course I thought you did."
"Well, be that as it may," said his friend, "we have no salt. We heard
your voices over here and decided to be bold enough to ask for some.
Do you remember us, Miss Nelson?"
"Oh, yes." Betty's manner softened. The explanation was sufficient.
Clearly the young men had not resorted to this trick to scrape an
acquaintance with the girls.
"Is there anything else you'd like?" asked impulsive Mollie. "Grace
has plenty of candy, I think, and as for olives----" she tilted one
empty bottle, and smiled. Mr. Kennedy smiled back in a frank manner.
Betty decided that introductions would be in good form, since they had
learned that the young men were "perfectly proper."
Names were exchanged, and Mr. Kennedy and his friend sat down on the
grass. They did not seem in any special hurry about the salt, now that
it was offered.
"We hope you haven't changed your minds about the race and regatta,"
spoke Mr. Stone, after some generalities had been exchanged. "By the
way, I have the entry blanks for you," and he passed the papers to
Betty, who accepted them with murmured thanks.
"We shall very likely enter both the pageant and the race," she said.
"When do they take place?"
"The pageant will be held two nights hence. That will really open the
carnival. The boats, decorated as suit the fancies of the owners, will
form in line, and move about the lake, past the judges' stand. There
will be prizes for the most beautifully decorated boat, the oddest,
and also the worst, if you understand me. I mean by the last that some
captains have decided to make their boats look like wrecks, striving
after queer effects."
"I should not like that," said Betty, decidedly. "But if there is
time, and we can do it, we might decorate?" and she looked at her
chums questioningly.
"Surely," said Grace, and Mollie took the chance to whisper to her:
"Why don't you start some questions?"
"I will-- if I get a chance," was the answer.
Betty was finding out more about the carnival when the start would be
made, the course and other details. The races would take place the day
after the boat parade.
"There will be canoe and rowing races, as well as tub and 'upset'
events," said Mr. Stone. "We are also planning to have a swimming and
diving contest the latter part of the regatta week, but I don't
suppose you young ladies would care to enter that."
"We all swim, and we have our bathing suits," said Mollie,
indefinitely.
"Mollie dives beautifully!" exclaimed Amy.
"I do not-- that is, I'm not an expert at it," Mollie hastened to say.
"But I love diving."
"Then why not enter?" asked Mr. Kennedy. "I am chairman of that
committee. I'll put the names of you girls down, if you don't mind. It
doesn't commit you to anything."
The girls had no formal objections.
"You are real out-door girls, I can see that!" complimented Mr. Stone.
"You must like life in the woods and on the lake."
"Indeed they do," spoke Aunt Kate. "They walked-- I think it was two
hundred miles, just before coming on this cruise; didn't you, Betty?"
"Yes, but we took it by easy stages," evaded the Little Captain.
"That was fine!" exclaimed Mr. Kennedy. "Well, Harry, if we're gong to
eat we'd better take our salt and go."
"Won't you have some of our sandwiches?" asked Mollie, impulsive as
usual. "We have more than we can eat," for they had brought along a
most substantial lunch. Mollie looked at Betty and Aunt Kate. They
registered no objections.
"You are very good," protested Mr. Kennedy, "but really we don't want
to deprive you---- "
"It will be no deprivation," said Betty. "We will be glad not to have
them wasted---- "
"Oh, then by all means let us be-- the wastebaskets!" exclaimed Mr.
Stone, laughing.
"Oh, I didn't mean just that," and Betty blushed.
"I understand," he replied, and Aunt Kate passed over a plate of
chicken sandwiches. Under cover of opening another bottle of olives,
Mollie whispered to Grace:
"Ask him some questions-- start on motoring-- ask if they ever motored
near Deepdale."
"I will," whispered Grace, and, as the two young men ate, she led the
topic of talk to automobiles.
"Do you motor?" she asked, looking directly at Mr. Stone. She was
certain now that at least he had been in the car that caused Prince to
run away.
"Oh, yes, often," he answered. "Do you?"
"No, but I am very fond of horseback riding," she said. She was
certain that Mr. Stone started.
"Indeed," said he, "that is something I never cared about. Frankly, I
am afraid of horses. I saw one run away once, with a young lady,
and---- "
"Do you mean that time we were speeding up to get out of the storm?"
his friend interrupted, "and we hit a stone, swerved over toward the
animal, and nearly struck it?"
"Yes, that was the time," answered Mr. Stone. Grace could hardly
refrain from crying out that she was on that same horse.
"I have always wondered who that girl was," Mr. Stone went on, "and
some day I mean to go back to the scene of the accident, and see if I
can find out. I have an idea she blames us for her horse running away.
But it was an accident, pure and simple; wasn't it, Bob?"
"It certainly was. You see it was this way," he explained, and Grace
felt sure they would ask her why she was so pale, for the blood had
left her cheeks on hearing that the young men were really those she
had suspected. "Harry, here, and myself," went on Mr. Kennedy, "had
been out for a little run, to transact some business. We were on a
country road, and a storm was coming up. We put on speed, because we
did not want to get wet, and I had to be at a telegraph office at a
certain time to complete a deal by wire.
"Just ahead of us was a girl on a white horse. The animal seemed
frightened at the storm, and just as we came racing past our car
struck a stone, and was jolted right over toward the animal. I am not
sure but what we hit it. Anyhow the horse bolted. The girl looked able
to manage it, and as it was absolutely necessary for us to keep on, we
did so."
"I looked back, and I thought I saw the horse stumble with the girl,"
put in Mr. Stone, "but I was not sure, and then the rain came pelting
down, and the road was so bad that it took both of us to manage the
car. We were late, too. But we meant to go back and see if any
accident happened."
"Only when we got to the telegraph office," supplied his friend, "we
were at once called to New York in haste, and so many things have come
up since that we never got the chance. Tell me," he said earnestly,
"you girls live in Deepdale. This happened not far from there. Did you
ever hear of a girl on a white horse being seriously hurt?"
Grace made a motion to her chums to keep silent about the whole
affair, and let her answer. She had her reasons.
"There was no report of any girl being seriously hurt at the time you
mention," she said, a trifle coolly, "but a little child was knocked
down by a horse-- a white horse. It may have been the one you scared."
"But unintentionally-- unintentionally! I hope you believe that!" said
Mr. Stone earnestly.
"Oh-- yes-- of course," and Grace's voice was not quite so cold now.
She could readily understand that the accident could have happened in
just that way, and it was beginning to look so. Certainly, not knowing
the girls, the young man could have no object in deceiving them,
"A little child knocked down, you say!" exclaimed Mr. Kennedy. "I hope
it was not badly hurt. Who was it?"
"My----" began Mollie, and she was on the point of saying it was her
sister Dodo, when from the lake there sounded the cry of:
"Fire! Fire! Fire!"
Then came a sharp explosion. Everyone arose, and Mr. Kennedy exclaimed
excitedly:
"That must be an explosion on a motor boat. Come on, Harry. We may he
needed!"
They rushed through the bushes toward the place whence the alarm came,
the girls following as fast as they could.
"Don't let him know it was I, or that it was your sister who was
hurt!" Grace cautioned her chums. "I am going to write to papa, and he
can make an investigation. Their explanation sounds all right, but
they may have the papers after all. I'm going to write to-day."
"I would," advised Aunt Kate." "It may amount to nothing, but it can
do no harm to let your father know. And I think it wise not to let
these young men know that you were in that runaway. If they really
were not careless, as it seemed at first, you can tell them later,
when you see how the investigation by Mr. Ford turns out."
"That will be best," spoke Betty. "Oh, see, it is a boat on fire!"
They had reached a place where they could see a small motor boat, not
far from shore, wrapped in a pall of black smoke, through which could
be observed flickering flames.
"There-- he's jumped!" cried Mollie, as a figure leaped from the
burning craft. "He's safe, anyhow."
"There go Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone in their boat!" exclaimed Grace,
as the slender racing craft shot out from shore.
Whatever may have been the faults of the young men as motorists, they
knew how to act promptly in this case. As they passed the man who had
leaped from the burning boat they tossed him a life preserver.
Then, nearing the burning boat, they halted their own, and began using
a chemical extinguisher-- the only safe thing save sand with which to
fight a gasoline blaze. The fire did not have a chance to get much
headway, and it was soon out, another boat coming up and lending aid.
The man who had jumped was taken aboard this second boat, and his own,
rather charred but not seriously damaged, was towed to shore. Later
the girls learned that there had been some gasoline which leaked from
his tank. He had been repairing his motor, which had stalled, when a
spark from the electric wire set fire to the gasoline. There was a
slight explosion, followed by the fire.
"And it came just in time to stop me from telling what might have
spoiled your plans, Grace," said Mollie, when they went back to gather
up their lunch baskets.
"Well, I haven't any plans. I am going to let father or Will make
them, after I send the information," she answered, "But I think it
best to let the two young men remain in ignorance, for a while."
"Oh, I do, too!" exclaimed Betty. "They will probably not refer to it
again, being so busy over the regatta."
There was a busy time for the girls, too. They finally decided to
convert the Gem, as nearly as possible under the circumstances, into a
Venetian gondola. By building a light wooden framework about it, and
tacking on muslin, this could be done without too much labor. Betty
engaged the help of a man and boy, and with the girls to aid the work
was soon well under way.
The girls saw little of Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone-- save passing
glimpses-- after the picnic. Grace telephoned to her father, who
promised to at once look into the matter.
"I do hope we win a prize!" exclaimed Mollie, on the evening of the
regatta. "The Gem looks lovely!"
"Yes, I think it is rather nice," admitted Betty.
The muslin, drawn tightly over the temporary frame, had been painted
until in the dark the boat bore a striking resemblance to a gondola,
even to the odd prow in front. It was arranged that Grace should stand
at the stern with a long oar, or what was to pass for it, while Betty
would run the motor and do the real steering. Mollie, Amy, and Aunt
Kate were to be passengers. Mollie borrowed a guitar and there was to
be music and singing as they took part in the water pageant.
"Well, it's time to start," announced Betty after supper. "We'll light
the Chinese lanterns after we get to our place in line," for the boats
were to be illuminated.
The Gem started off, being in the midst of many craft, all more or
less decorated, that were to take part in the affair.
CHAPTER XV
THE RACE
Like the scene from some simulated fairyland, or a stage picture, was
the water pageant on Rainbow Lake. In double lines the motor boats
moved slowly along from the starting point toward the float where the
judges were stationed to decide which craft was entitled to the prize
in its own class.
"Oh, I'm so glad we entered!" cried Betty, as she stood at the wheel.
Because of the cloth side of the "gondola" it appeared that she was
merely reclining at her ease, as did the Venetian ladies of old, for a
seat with cushions had been arranged near the steering wheel.
"Oh, see that boat-- just like an airship!" exclaimed Mollie, as they
saw just ahead of them a craft so decorated.
"And here's one that looks just like a floating island, with trees and
bushes," added Amy. "That ought to take a prize."
"We ought to take one ourselves!" exclaimed Mollie. "We worked hard
enough. My hands are a mass of blisters."
"And my back aches!" declared Grace. "But it was worth while. I don't
see any boat just like ours," and she glanced along the line of craft
ahead of them, and to those in the rear, as they were making a turn
just then.
"Oh, there's one of the lanterns gone out!" cried Mollie. "I'll light
it," and she proceeded to do so, taking it into the cabin because of
the little breeze that blew over the lake.
There was a band on one of the larger boats, and this played at
intervals.
"Let's sing!" proposed Grace, and, with guitar accompaniment, the
girls mingled their voices in one of the many part songs they had
practiced at school. Applause followed their rendition, for they had
chosen a time when there was comparative quiet.
Around the course went the flotilla of boats, past the judges' float,
and back to the starting point. Then the parade was over, but a number
of affairs had been arranged-- dances, suppers and the like-- by
different cottagers. The girls had been invited to the dance at the
headquarters of the Rainbow Lake Yacht Club, and they had accepted.
They had dressed for the affair, and tying their boat to the club dock
they went into the pretty little ballroom with Aunt Kate.
"Congratulations!" exclaimed Mr. Kennedy, stepping up to Betty as she
entered with her chums.
"For what?"
"Your boat won first prize for those of most original design. It is a
beautiful silver cup."
"Oh, I'm so glad! Girls, do you hear? We won first prize in our
class!"
"Fine!" cried Mollie.
"Oh, isn't it nice?" said Amy.
"Did we really?" asked Grace, somewhat incredulously,
"You really did. I just heard the decision of the judges. Harry and I
are out of it, though. We tried in the 'wreck' class, but the Rabbit,
which was rigged out like the Flying Dutchman, beat us."
"That's too bad," said Mollie, sympathetically.
"Never mind, we've had our fun," said Mr. Stone, coming up at this
point. "You girls certainly deserved the prize, if anyone did. And now
I hope your dance cards aren't filled."
They were not-- but they soon were, and the evening passed most
delightfully.
"Who said breakfast?" yawned Grace the next morning, as she looked
from her bunk down on Betty.
"I ate so much lobster salad last night I don't want anything but a
glass of water on toast," murmured Mollie. "Oh, but we had a lovely
time!" and she sighed in regret at its departure.
"And those young men were lovely dancers," said Betty.
"And wasn't it nice of Will, Frank, and Allen to come?" spoke Amy, for
Grace's brother, and his two friends, had arrived most unexpectedly at
the Yacht Club ball. Will had come to tell his sister certain things
in regard to the missing papers, and had met a friend who belonged to
the club.
Naturally there was an invitation to the dance, which was quite
informal in a way, and so the three boys from Deepdale had also had a
good time. They were put up at the club over night.
It developed that Mr. Ford had investigated certain matters in regard
to Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone, and had learned that by no possibility
could they have secured the missing papers. There would have been
absolutely no interest in the documents for them. It was merely a
coincidence that they had been on the scene. And this news made their
explanation about the auto accident most plausible.
Will had come to Rainbow Lake to tell his sister this, to relieve her
mind. When he mentioned coming he had told Frank and Allen, asking
them to go with him. All the boys expected to do was to spend the
evening on board the Gem with the girls, but when they arrived, and
learned of the pageant, and Will met his club friend, the plans were
changed.
"Too bad Percy Falconer didn't come," remarked Grace, as she slipped
into her dressing gown.
"Don't spoil everything," begged Betty. "You know I detest him!"
Gradually the girls got breakfast, talking of the events of the night
before.
"I wonder when we will get our prize?" said Betty. "I am wild to see
it. I hope it's that oddly shaped cup we so admired when we looked at
the prizes."
It proved to be that one, the trophy being sent over to the dock where
the Gem was tied, by a special messenger. It was given the place of
honor in the cabin.
Will and his two chums went home rather late that day.
"Is father much worried about the missing papers?" asked Grace, as she
parted from her brother.
"He sure is. He's afraid the other side may spring something on him
any minute."
"You mean-- take some action to get the property?"
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