Part 27 (1/2)
”Well, those Jallows are acting s to your father, regardless of the strip in dispute I'ht to be stopped”
”Oh dear! More trouble!” sighed Grace ”Well, do as you think best, Mr
Franklin I think you'll find papa home Oh, I wish this was all settled I wonder why there are such people as the Jallows, anyhow?”
”Probably for the same reason that there are mosquitoes,” said Betty
”It's so ill appreciate nice people all theout in that boat?” asked Mr Franklin as he started back toward his cabin
”Yes Why shouldn't we?” inquired Mollie, for she saw a look of concern on his face
”Well, you'll be all right if you stay around here, but the ice is breaking up below and above you, on account of the thaw It won't be safe to go too far, or you'll meet open water Be on the lookout”
”We will,” pro out for a practice spin by ourselves It will surprise the boys”
She did not realize what a surprise she and her chu
After one or two ineffectual atte to see that all was clear, Betty, as at the helave the word for Mollie to lower the toothed wheel, which engaging on the ice, would move the craft
At first there was only a shower of soft and rather watery ice The surface was too ”mushy” to enable the teeth to ”bite”
”Harder! Push down harder!” directed Betty
Mollie did so, and then, after hesitating a second as if uncertain whether or not to go, the _Spider_ lorious!” cried Grace as she sat well forward and breathed in deep of the fresh air ”Betty--Mollie--you are wonderful!”
”Oh, it's easy to run,” said Mollie, calmly ”I understand it now
Really, it's very si, for the boat was not going very fast, on account of the condition of the ice Once or twice there were boo noises, like the sound of distant cannon
”What are those?” asked A,” explained Betty ”It isn't anything It often happens on a big surface, and we're on a wide part of the river now”
They went on for a mile or so, until Mollie suddenly clutched the arm of Betty, and cried:
”Look--there's open water ahead!”
”That's right,” agreed Betty, as she quickly shi+fted the hele into that,” for the water looked black and treacherous in contrast with the white ice about it
They headed for their ca ice became oftener, and more than once Betty looked a bit apprehensively at Mollie