ll feature in the aggregate, and soon the
_Spider_ was on her legs again, if that be the proper term.

"Look--they seem to be having trouble," remarked Betty, pointing to the
overturned ice boat with one hand, while with the other she tried to get
her rebellious hair in some sort of order. Her locks had become
loosed--as had those of her chums--in the spill.

The youth who had been responsible for the accident was standing near
Alice, seemingly ill at ease. Alice Jallow appeared to be crying. The
boat was some distance off, and it needed but a glance to show that the
mast was broken.

"Maybe she's hurt!" suggested Will, starting on the run toward the two
figures. Allen had lowered the sail of the _Spider_ and had tossed out a
sharp-pronged ice anchor.

"Shall we--I wonder if we had better go _to_ Alice?" asked Mollie,
doubtfully.

"Oh, yes, we must, I think," spoke Betty. "Come on, girls." And even
Amy, who might have been excused for not going, under the circumstances,
started toward Alice, while Allen and Frank seeing that there was
assistance enough, worked to get their own craft in shape, and to
replace the rugs and luggage.

"Are you--can we help you--is there anything the matter, Alice?" asked
Betty, gently, as she reached the sobbing girl.

"I can't get her to tell me," spoke Harry Brook. "But I don't believe
she's more than scared."

"I am so! My elbow hurts terrible!" exclaimed Alice, petulantly.

"Perhaps if I look at it," suggested Grace, laying a hand on the arm of
Alice.

"I'll thank you to let me alone!" was the snappish retort. "It was your
fault we upset, anyhow. Let me alone!"

"Whew!" whistled Will. "Well, I like that!"

And his sister and her chums wished they were free to express themselves
as forcibly.

"Our fault!" cried Will. "Why, you came right for us, Brook! You know
you did. We had to jibe to get out of your way, and that's what put us
in bad."

"I know it--I'm sorry," Harry had the grace to answer. "My mast is
broken, too. The rudder seemed to jam, and I couldn't shift it."

"Well, I guess we can be of no service here," said Betty, a bit coldly.
"Come on, girls," and without so much as a glance at the girl who had
spurned their kind offer the four chums started back. It was very
evident that Alice was not much hurt, for she walked off to one side.

"Shall I give you a hand at righting your boat, Harry?" asked Will,
after rather an awkward pause.

"Yes--if you will. I gu