Somebody started singing, and the twelve young voices were soon in the rhythm of "This is the Life!" Dave and Tubby were ahead, their paddles over their shoulders, each carrying his blanket-roll in approved scout fashion. The roll made Tubby Blaisdell look twice his real size. As the party struck across the sward toward the boathouses Dave suddenly dropped his paraphernalia and started on a run for the river. "Hi, there!" he shouted. "The professor is in trouble, boys!" The Busters bounded away after him, and the girls, catching the excitement, followed along the bank of the swiftly-flowing Wintinooski. There was Professor Skillings in his canoe, drifting rapidly into the middle of the current, and plainly without his paddle. Indeed, that useful--not to say necessary--instrument, capped the pile of Professor Skillings' impedimenta on the bank. He had evidently--in his usual absent-minded manner--stepped into his canoe and pushed off from shore without getting his cargo aboard. Amid much laughter Dave and Ferd Roberts got a skiff and went after their teacher. Professor Skillings chuckled at his own troubles. Although he was well past the meridian of life, he had neither lost his sense of the ridiculous nor his ability to laugh at a joke when it was on himself. While the boys were rescuing their friend and mentor, the Go-Ahead Club proceeded to get out their own canoes and load them. The weight had to be distributed in bow and stern of the light, cedar craft; but Wyn and her mates had practised loading and launching their boats so frequently that there was little danger of an overset now. Grace was still growling about the food and cooking apparatus distributed among the canoeists. Wyn said, laughing: "That is still the bone of contention; is it, Gracie?" "What _is_ a 'bone of contention'?" demanded Mina, innocently. "Why, the jawbone, of course, silly!" cried Frank. "Don't you mind about my jawbone, miss!" snapped Grace. "Oh, don't let's fight, girls," Mina said, soothingly. "Better a dinner of herbs with contentment than a stalled ox and trouble on the side," misquoted Frank. The six girls quickly shot their canoes out into the stream. At this point the current was swift; but above Denton the river broadened into wide pools through which the current flowed sluggishly and it would be easier paddling. The girls set into a steady stroke, led by their captain, and passed the pretty town in a few minutes. Wyn could see the upper windows of her home and noted a white cloth fluttering from one. She knew that her mother was standing there with the field-glasses and Baby May. Perhaps the little one was trying to see "sister" through the strong glasses. So Wyn pulled off her cap and swung it over her head and the six canoes immediately fell out of alignment. "Don't do that, Wyn!" shouted Bess. "Those boys will catch up with us."