"'Pa, I've figured the whole thing out, and we can do it easily enough. The car, to begin with, will cost $5,000, which at six per cent, is only $300 a year. If we charge ten per cent, off for depreciation it will come to $500 more. A good chauffeur can be had for $125 per month, or $1,500 per year. I have allowed $10 per week for gasoline and $5 for repairs. The chauffeur's uniform and furs will come to about $200. Now, let's see what it comes to. Three hundred, plus five hundred, and then the chauffeur's salary at----' "'Don't bother me any more, my dear,' says pa. 'I know what it comes to.' "'What _does_ it come to, Pa?' I asked. 'How quick you are at figures!' "'My dear,' he said, impressively, 'it comes to a standstill right here and now. We will have no touring car. I'll say no more about the Go-Ahead Club.' "Oh, you can manage the grown-ups," concluded Frank, with a laugh, "if you go about it right." The bateau of stores went up the Wintinooski two days before the girls and boys were to start; yet for fear that all might not have gone right with the provisions, Wyn insisted that each member of the Go-Ahead. Club pack in her canoe the usual "day's ration" that they had been taught should always be carried for an emergency. "It only adds to the weight," grumbled Grace. "And dear knows, the old blankets and things that you make us paddle about, makes the going hard enough." "That's it--kick!" exclaimed Frank. "You'd kick if your feet were tied, Gracie." "Assuredly!" returned the big girl. "Now, don't fuss at the rules of the club that have long ago been voted upon and adopted," said Wyn, cheerfully. "We do not know what is going to happen. Somebody might hit a snag. It would take hours to make repairs--perhaps we would have to camp for the night somewhere on the way. We want to be prepared for all such emergencies." "Well, the Busters aren't loading themselves down with all this truck," declared Grace, with, vigor. "That's all right. Let us be the wise ones," laughed Wynifred. "The boys may want to borrow of us before we get to Lake Honotonka." "Why, Wynnie!" cried Bess Lavine, "if you are expecting all sorts of breakdowns and misfortunes, I shall be afraid to start at all." "Guess I'll go on with Aunt Evelyn to the Forge, and send my canoe by train," laughed Percy Havel. "Wyn's got us drowned already." But on the morning of the departure not one of the girls prophesied misfortune. As for the boys, they were bubbling over with fun. Professor Skillings was going to paddle up the river with them, although Mrs. Havel would take the afternoon train to the lake. The professor had gone on ahead; but Dave Shepard arranged the two clubs in line and boys and girls marched through the streets and down to the river, being hailed by their friends and bidden good-bye by their less fortunate mates.