There were seemingly a hundred and one things to do before starting off for camp, but somehow they got done. Betty was very busy, for though Grace had initiated the idea of the camp, the Little Captain naturally assumed the leadership, as she generally did. The girls had two or three rides in the ice boat, and liked the experience very much. It was a novel sensation gliding over the frozen surface before a stiff wind. And really the boys managed the _Spider_ very well. In spite of the protest of the girls, they refused to change the name, even ignoring the compromise of _Cobweb_, which Grace declared quite poetical. The day set for the start brought disappointment, for the wind blew in exactly the opposite direction desired, and, after waiting until late afternoon for a change, the trip was given up. But in the night it grew colder, which was good for the condition of the ice, and the wind shifted. It blew straight up the river toward the distant lumber camp, and early the next morning Will was astir to make sure there would be no delay. The start was made from Mollie's boathouse, where the _Spider_ was moored. The suitcases were piled in the forward part of the cockpit, which was well provided with rugs. Then with Allen at the helm, and Will and Frank to look after the sail, the girls took their places. "All aboard!" cried Will, looking at his sister and her chums. "Hold fast, everybody! Shall I shove off, Allen?" "Yes!" The boat glided out into the middle of the frozen river. The wind caught the sail, it curved out, and the _Spider_ shot ahead, gathering speed every second. "We're off!" cried Betty, waving her hands to those who had come to see them start. "Good-bye! Good-bye!" was chorused over and over again. As Amy waved with the others she little dreamed what a change would take place in her life before she saw dear Deepdale again. CHAPTER VIII A SPILL Straight up the Argono River flew the _Spider_. Crawled would perhaps be a more appropriate term, considering the insect, but the ice boat did not crawl--it literally flew. "Oh, this is just glorious!" cried Mollie, with shining eyes, as she crouched down amid the rugs near Will, and looked ahead at the white, icy stretch. "It's the most comfortable form of motion I ever imagined could be," said Betty. "I'm so glad you thought of it, Will. I wouldn't have missed it for worlds." "It's a little too swift for me," confessed Amy. "Swift! I wish we could go faster!" exclaimed Mollie. "We'll go faster soon, when we get around the bend," spoke Allen. "Then we'll get the full force of the wind, and then----" "Yes, and then will be the time you girls will have to hang on, even by your eyelids," declared Will. "You'll see!" "Oh, is it as scary as all that?" asked Grace. "You won't mind," declared Frank, soothingly. "He's only trying to scare you." Amy looked a bit timid, but a reassuring glance from Betty put her at her ease once more.