Part 18 (1/2)

Betty was nervously glancing at the sky now and then

”Do hurry!” she urged her chums

”Oh, don't fuss so,” advised Mollie ”You won't enjoy your food if you do”

”But I' to storm”

”Let it!” said Will recklessly

Five ht even Will to a sense of possible danger The things were hurriedly collected, the young people got into the _Spider_ and the sail was hoisted Off they glided down the river toward their camp

”We'll beat the storm there!” boasted Will

”I don't know about that,” said Allen slowly, as he cast a glance aloft

”It looks toto co”

The white flakes did increase in voluh the pine trees on shore, and through the rigging of the ice boat

Then, with a suddenness that was al, the storm broke over them in a fury so often witnessed in wintry outbursts The snoas blinding, and hipped into their faces by an ever-increasing wind

”Why--e can't see ten feet ahead!” cried Frank

”Oh, slon--don't run into anything!” begged Betty

”I guess I had better lay to a while, until we see what it's going to do,” decided Allen, as he lowered the sail ”It's too much of a risk

There may be open water, or an air hole, or another boat on the river”

And then, as the craft ca storht

CHAPTER XIII

THE MISSING PIECE

”Say, this is no fun!” exclaimed Will, when ten minutes had passed, with no cessation of the fury of the wind and whirling white flakes

”It is keeping up,” spoke Mollie in a low tone ”Can we ever get back to camp?”

”Of course!” cried Betty quickly It was no tio to pieces ”Certainly we can get back, if we have to walk; can't we, boys?” and she gave Allen a look that made his eyes sparkle as he answered:

”Certainly It will be , anyhow”