The motor boat was headed for the place. The island was of good size, well wooded, and the shore was lined with bushes. There were a few bungalows on it, but the season was not very good this year, and none of them had been rented. The girls half-planned to hire one to use as headquarters in case they camped on the island. “It doesn’t look very—ghostly,” said Betty, as she surveyed it from the cockpit of her craft. “No, it looks lovely,” said Grace. “Is the ghost going to keep us away?” asked Mollie. “Never!” cried the Little Captain, vigorously. “Hurray!” shouted Will, waving the boat’s flag that he took from the after-socket. They made a turn of the island, and started back up the river for Deepdale, reaching Mollie’s dock without incident. Busy days followed, for they were getting ready for the cruise. Uncle Amos went out with Betty and the girls several times to offer advice, and he declared that they were fast becoming good sailors. “Of course not good enough for deep water,” he made haste to qualify, “but all right for a river and a lake.” The girls were learning to tell time seaman fashion. Betty fairly lived aboard her new boat, her mother complained, but the Little Captain was not selfish—she invited many of her friends and acquaintances to take short trips with her. Among the girls she asked were Alice Jallow and Kittie Rossmore, the two who had acted rather meanly toward our friends just prior to the walking trip. But Alice was sincerely sorry for the anonymous letter she had written, giving a hint of the mystery surrounding Amy Stonington, and the girls had forgiven her. Betty’s Aunt Kate arrived. She was a middle-aged lady, but as fond of the great out-doors as the girls themselves. She was to chaperone them for a time. The final preparations were made, the sailor suits were pronounced quite “chicken” by Will—he meant “chic,” of course. Trunks had been packed, some provisions put aboard, and all was in readiness. Uncle Amos planned to meet the girls later, and see that all was going well. The boys were to be given a treat some time after Rainbow Lake was reached, word to be sent to them of this event. “All aboard!” cried Betty on the morning of the start. It was a glorious, sunshiny day, quite warm, but there was a cool breeze on the river. “All aboard!” “Oh, I just know I’ve forgotten something!” declared Grace, “Your candy?” questioned Mollie. “No, indeed. Don’t be horrid!” “I’m not. Only I thought——” “I’m just tired of thinking!” returned Betty. “Shall I cast off?” asked Will, who, with Frank, had come down to the dock to see the girls start. “Don’t you dare!” cried Mollie. “I’m sure I forgot to bring my——” She made a hurried search among her belongings. “No, I have it!” and she sighed in relief. She did not say what it was. “All aboard!” cried Betty, giving three blasts on the compressed air whistle. “Don’t forget to send us word,” begged Frank. “We want to join you on the lake.”