The Merriweather Girls and the Mystery of the Queen's Fan. Edholm Lizette M.

horse when they put on a saddle for the first time," thought Kit. The bow of the canoe was lifted straight up and then lowered on a wave. For a second it rested only to meet another swell.

      Sometimes Bet raised her eyes and looked anxiously down the river. The squall was coming straight toward them; travelling with the wind, it was racing over the water.

      The little boat rolled and plunged as the blinding sheet of rain enveloped it, shutting out for a moment the shore on both sides of the river.

      Spray broke over the sides and soaked the girls to the skin.

      "There's a can there, Kit. Try to keep the water baled out." It was all she could do to make Kit hear, even when she screamed with all her might.

      Bet's arms were aching, her eyes strained with the nerve tension and the strength that she was giving out to keep the boat from being engulfed.

      While Kit would have gladly relieved her, she had never handled a paddle in her life and now was not the time to experiment.

      "It can't be far now," muttered Bet between her clenched teeth. It seemed to the girl that she had been paddling for hours.

      Bet spoke again: "Scream for help, Kit! Someone may hear, but it's not likely. Scream anyway!"

      And Kit shouted until she was hoarse but the wind stopped the sound. Even Bet, close beside her, could hardly hear and made a sign for her to stop.

      "If I can only get across the channel," thought Bet, as she struggled to keep the canoe balanced.

      But all her efforts seemed not to send the canoe ahead even a foot. Buffeted by the angry waves, it was all she could do to keep it afloat.

      "Hold on to it, Bet! That's it! Keep it up!" cried Kit. "I think I see a boat coming!"

      For a brief moment darkness settled down upon Bet. Her head swam. Her strength was about gone.

      There was a violent jar on the canoe that brought her back to her senses. If they were to be saved, she must keep on.

      Another wave dashed over them, and Kit's arm was kept busy scooping up the water and throwing it back to the river. Never had she worked so desperately in her life.

      At intervals she glanced up at Bet, but the girl's white face was no comfort to her.

      Her eyes searched the river again. "It is a boat, Bet! Help is coming!" and as another dash of water struck them she screamed: "Hold it, Bet! Don't let go!"

      CHAPTER VI

      THE RESCUE

      After the canoe had started on its voyage that was to prove so terrifying to the girls, Joy had stretched herself at full length in the sand preparing for a lazy afternoon. She was content just to let the sand sift through her fingers. Mostly she liked to dance or sing, but today she was too indolent. Shirley busied herself as usual, directing her camera this time toward some gulls that flew above her head.