"But that doesn't mean I am going to stop for them."
"Betty Nelson! Do you mean that you aren't going to stop?" gasped Grace.
"That's what I do mean. I don't see why we should halt our boat just because two strange men signal us. Indeed I'm not going to!" and Betty turned on more power. She gazed straight ahead as though she did not see the men in the approaching craft, who were now wildly waving their hands, and turning their rather disreputable-looking craft in the direction of the Gem.
"Betty Nelson! You're just splendid!" cried Grace impulsively as she moved forward and threw her arms about her chum. "I wish I had your courage!"
"Don't hug me too tightly," begged Betty with a laugh. "I may have to steer out of their way."
Indeed it did seem so, for the other craft was coming about so as to almost cross the bows of the boat of the outdoor girls. Then one of the men called:
"I say, young ladies, will you stop a minute? We want to speak to you."
Betty never turned her head, but gazed on down the river as though intent on not grounding on a sand bar, or running into an alligator.
