an went on with what he
evidently meant for a friendly smile, but which made the girls shudder.
"My place is at Penbrook--about ten miles up the river. Now, then, have
you that rope fast?"

"Yes," answered Betty.

"Get ready then--I'm going to pull you. And start your motor as soon as
the tow rope gets taut!"

"All right," answered Betty in business-like tones.

The tow rope straightened out as the other motor boat started down
stream. Betty watched, and, when she thought the proper time had come,
she started her motor on the reverse.

For a moment it seemed that, even with this, the _Gem_ would not come
off the bar, and the girls looked anxiously over the side to detect the
first motion.

Then there came a quiver to the stranded boat, and a shout from the
colored men:

"She's movin', boss!"

"Turn on a little more gas!" cried the steersman to Betty. "I think we
have her now!"

She speeded up her motor, and in another instant the _Gem_ came free so
suddenly that there was danger of a collision.

"Shut down!" called Hank Belton quickly. "You're all right now."

Betty turned off the power, and Mollie cast loose the tow rope.

"Thank you very much," she called to the man.

"I wish you would let us pay you," added Betty.

"Nary a pay, Miss," was his answer. "I'm glad I could help you. Just
give my message to Mr. Stonington, and I'll be obliged to you. Better
back down a bit before you turn. That bar sticks out a ways. It's a
wonder you didn't hit it before. You can't draw much."

"We don't!" answered Betty.

The other boat was proceeding down stream now, the colored men looking
back with their rolling eyes. Betty started her engine on the reverse
again, and then, feeling sure that they were beyond the bar, she turned
and steered her craft back toward the orange grove. The picnic plan was
given up now as it was getting late and the girls were tired.

"Thank goodness that's over!" exclaimed Grace, with a sigh of relief.
"Oh, I was so frightened!"

"At what?" asked Mollie.

"I--I don't know."

"Well, it was very kind of them," said Betty. "We might have had to stay
there a long time."

"And I'm going to tell Uncle Stonington," spoke Amy. "He may want to
hire men, for there are many more oranges to pick."

Grace sat thoughtfully on the cushions, neglecting even to eat her
chocolates.

"'A penny for your thoughts,'" offered Betty.

"I was just wondering," said Grace slowly, "that perhaps that man