ran out of tricks and
games he invented new things to interest them.

"His sister will be a lucky girl--whoever she is, if he takes her to
live with him," said Betty one night after an evening of enjoyment.

"That's right," agreed Mollie. "He's almost as nice as--Allen--isn't
he?"

"I'm glad you think so," replied blushing Betty.

There came a freeze, and the river was just right for glorious skating
and ice boating. The _Spider_ had been brought to her dock again, and
one pleasant afternoon, when there was a good, but not too cold or stiff
a breeze, the party set off for another run. It was cool and clear, with
no hint of storm.

They had not gone very far in the ice boat before they heard the
approach of another behind them, and soon, to their surprise, they saw
in the craft that was rapidly overcoming them Alice Jallow, and her
three young friends. As they came up Jake Rossmore called patronizingly:

"Want a race?"

"Sure," answered Allen, nothing loath, for he had faith in his craft.

Soon the two gliders were on even terms, but it was soon seen that the
rival boat carried more sail, and was better built for racing. It began
to forge ahead of the _Spider_.

"I'll tell them you're coming!" jeered Sam Batty as he waved his hand to
those he was leaving behind.

"Oh, can't you beat him?" exclaimed Mollie impulsively. "Do try, Allen!"

"I will, but they have the better boat."

He manoeuvered as best he could, but it was of no use. The other boat
shot ahead.

"Wait!" murmured Will. "I'll show them a trick next week."

CHAPTER XV

IN A TRAP

"Well, they beat us," said Frank mournfully, as Allen came up into the
wind, and let the _Spider_ glide easily over the ice, while the rival
craft, its occupants visibly rejoicing, shot out of sight around a bend
of the river. "They beat us good and proper."

"Yes," agreed Will. "But I don't believe they can do it again."

"Oh, yes they can," insisted Allen. "They've got a faster boat, there's
no denying that. But of course we had a much bigger load than they did.
They're lighter. However, I'm not backing water. Those fellows handled
her well, too."

"I wish we could have won," sighed Mollie.

"Yes, we'll never hear the last of it from Kittie and Alice," declared
Betty. "They'll crow over us every chance they get."

"Let them," said Grace, speaking rather indistinctly on account of a
chocolate in her mouth. "Some day you can come out, Allen--just you