The girls cruised about Rainbow Lake, being saluted many times by other craft, the occupants of which seemed to admire Betty’s fine boat. In turn she answered with the regulation three blasts of the air whistle. At several private docks, the property of wealthy cottagers, could be seen signs of preparation for the coming water carnival. The boat houses were being decorated, and in some cases elaborate schemes of ornamentation were under way for the boats themselves. “It looks as though it would be nice,” remarked Mollie. “Yes, I think we shall enjoy it,” agreed Betty. They stopped at one cottage, occupied by a Mrs. Ralston, whom Betty knew slightly. Mrs. Ralston wanted the girls and Aunt Kate to stay to lunch, but they told of their picnic plans. They wanted to inquire about Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy, and they were all glad to learn that the two young men were held in the highest esteem, and were given a great deal of credit for their hard work in connection with the lake pageant. “And to think they could be so unfeeling as to make Prince run away and cause all that trouble,” observed Mollie, as they were again aboard the boat. “Perhaps it was not they, or there may be some explanation of their conduct,” suggested Betty. “We must not judge too hastily.” “That’s Betty Nelson—all over,” said Amy. Eel Island proved to be an ideal picnic place, and there were one or two other parties on it when the girls arrived. They made the _Gem_ secure, and struck off into the woods with their lunch baskets, Betty having removed a certain patented spark plug, without which the motor could not be started. It was not likely that anyone would be able to duplicate it and make off with the craft in their absence, so they felt it safe to leave the boat unguarded. “Pass the olives, Grace my dear,” requested Mollie, when they were seated on a grassy knoll under a big oak tree. “I have the crackers beside me. Now I am happy,” and she munched the appetizing combination. “Crackers and olives!” murmured Betty. “Our old schoolday feast. I haven’t gotten over my love for them, either. Let them circulate, Mollie.” The girls were making merry with quip and jest when Grace, hearing a crackling of under brush, looked back along the path they had come. She started and exclaimed: “Here come those two young men—Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennedy.” “Don’t notice them,” begged Amy, who was not much given to making new acquaintances. “Too late! They see us—they’re coming right toward us!” cried Grace, in some confusion. CHAPTER XIV THE REGATTA The two young men came on, apparently with the object of speaking to the girls. Evidently they had purposely sought them out. “Oh, it is Miss Nelson, and her friends from the _Gem_!” exclaimed Mr. Stone, which might indicate that he had expected to meet some other party of picnic lovers. “I hope we are not intruding,” said Mr. Kennedy, “but we want to borrow some salt, if you have any.”