"That is a wise decision," said Allen, viewing it from a lawyer's standpoint. "Let the trespass come from them, if there is to be any." They talked over the unexpected meeting with their rivals, and speculated as to when they had come, and the motive that brought them, also, to a winter camp. "I believe it's just to spy on us!" declared Mollie. "We have evidently frightened them, Grace." "Then they must have something to be frightened about," said Will. "I do wish we could get on the track of something, or somebody, who could let us know how to prove that the boundary is wrong; for wrong father surely thinks it is." "We'll do the best we can," suggested Allen. "I am going to send for copies of the deeds, and then we'll look along the present boundary marks. I may be able to see if they have been changed. I once studied surveying." "I want you boys to promise something," said Grace, as they neared their cabin. "What is it?" asked Frank. "Not to have any quarrels with those girls--Alice and Kittie." "We never quarrel with girls," said Will. "Well, then, with those boys, either." "We won't do anything to provoke a quarrel if they don't, Sis," Will promised. "But we're not going to let them walk over us; eh, fellows?" "Of course not!" cried Frank. "Oh, but please don't get into a--a fight!" begged Grace, and she meant it. "All right, little one; here is a chocolate for thou!" laughed Will, as he crowded one into her mouth. For a few days our friends saw nothing of Alice and the rival campers. They did not go toward the part of the wood where the Jallow cabin was located, and Mrs. Jallow did not bring her charges toward the place where our boys and girls held forth. There was little for Ted Franklin, Mr. Ford's man, to do, save to keep a watch over the camp, visiting the distant points on different days. In his trips he was often accompanied by some of the young people, who much enjoyed his company, for Mr. Franklin was an old woodsman, and many an interesting bit of information, or lore, he gave out, to the profit of the boys and girls. "Hurray!" exclaimed Will one day, when a belated mail had come in. "Here's a letter from Mr. Blackford. He says he's coming up to pay us a visit soon." "That will be nice," spoke Mollie. She had taken quite a liking to the young business man, and he seemed fond of her. "We'll have some fun," said Frank. "We'll show him the woods, all right." "Oh, he is no tenderfoot," declared Allen. It was several days after this that Will proposed an ice boat trip. The river was in fine condition, and the wind was just right. "The only thing is that it looks like a storm," said Betty. "We don't want to go too far." "We won't," promised Will.