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+Project Gutenberg's Go Ahead Boys and the Racing Motorboat, by Ross Kay
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Go Ahead Boys and the Racing Motorboat
+
+Author: Ross Kay
+
+Posting Date: September 13, 2008 [EBook #562]
+Release Date: June, 1996
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GO AHEAD BOYS AND RACING MOTORBOAT ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Keller.  HTML version by Al Haines.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE RACING MOTOR-BOAT
+
+
+BY
+
+ROSS KAY
+
+
+
+
+Author of "Dodging the North Sea Mines," "With Joffre on the Battle
+Line," "Fighting in France," "The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island,"
+"The Go Ahead Boys and the Treasure Cave," etc. etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+Preface
+
+Every normal boy loves a motor-boat, but words fail to express his
+enthusiasm when that boat is also a racer. Behind the events recorded
+in this story are certain facts, so that the tale is largely true. The
+author will be glad if the account of life in the open, the adventures
+and fortunes, good or ill, the contests and exciting experiences
+interest his readers even partly as much as they did the boys who
+shared in the actual occurrences. I have tried to write a story filled
+with action, but devoid of sensationalism and false representations. If
+my boy friends enjoy the company of the Go Ahead boys I shall feel
+repaid for my labor.
+
+Ross Kay
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+     I  THE START
+    II  ON THE WAY
+   III  JOHN DISAPPEARS
+    IV  THE LOST IS FOUND
+     V  THE MISSING BAG
+    VI  IN THE TAVERN
+   VII  AN UNWELCOME PARTY
+  VIII  THE COMING OF THE CALEDONIA
+    IX  A FRIEND IN NEED
+     X  IN TROUBLE
+    XI  RESCUED
+   XII  A BATTLE WITH ARMS AND LEGS
+  XIII  A SURPRISE
+   XIV  A SURPRISING PASSENGER
+    XV  AN UPSET
+   XVI  THE RESCUE
+  XVII  SENDING FOR SAM
+ XVIII  A TEST
+   XIX  THE LOST FISH
+    XX  SAM'S WARNING
+   XXI  THE SUMMONS IN THE NIGHT
+  XXII  A COLLISION
+ XXIII  THE CALL IN THE NIGHT
+  XXIV  THE MAN IN THE BOAT-HOUSE
+   XXV  THE OWNER OF THE BOND
+  XXVI  CONCLUSION
+
+
+
+
+THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE RACING MOTOR-BOAT
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE START
+
+"Here we go!"
+
+"We're off!"
+
+"Look quick, or we'll be out of your sight."
+
+The long, low motor-boat glided smoothly out from the dock to which it
+had been made fast. Behind it the water boiled as if it had been
+stirred by some invisible furnace. The graceful lines of the boat, its
+manifest power and speed, formed a fitting complement to the bright
+sunshine and clear air which rested over the waters of the Hudson River.
+
+On the dock, which the Black Growler was leaving so rapidly behind her,
+were assembled various members of the families represented by the four
+boys on board the motor-boat. Younger brothers and sisters, two uncles,
+several aunts, not to mention the various fathers and mothers united in
+a final word of farewell. Handkerchiefs were waved and the sounds of
+the last faint call came across the intervening waters.
+
+The Black Growler was leaving Yonkers to be gone more than a month. The
+trip was one to which the Go Ahead boys had looked forward with
+steadily increasing interest.
+
+In the first place the boat belonged to Fred Button, one of the
+quartet. Fred now was at the wheel and the expression of pride on his
+face as he occasionally glanced behind him at his companions was one
+that indicated something of the feeling in his heart. And indeed there
+was a substantial basis for Fred's pride. Among the many boats on the
+river the Black Growler moved as if she belonged in a class of her own.
+People on board the cat boats or yachts, and even the passengers on a
+great passing steamer, all stood looking with manifest interest at the
+dark-colored little boat which was speeding over the waters almost like
+a thing alive.
+
+Fred Button, the owner and present pilot of the swift motor-boat was
+the smallest, or at least the shortest, of the four boys. His age was
+the same as that of his companions, all of whom were about seventeen.
+His round body and rounder face were evidences that in time what Fred
+lacked in length he might provide in breadth. Among his companions he
+was a great favorite and frequently was called by one of the several
+nicknames which his comrades had bestowed upon him. Peewee or Pygmy,
+the latter sometimes shortened to Pyg, were names to which he answered
+almost as readily as to his Christian name.
+
+His most intimate friend of the four was John Clemens, whose nickname,
+"String," indicated what his physique was. He was six feet three inches
+in height, although his weight was not much more than that of the more
+diminutive Fred. "The long and the short of it" the two boys sometimes
+were called when they were seen together.
+
+Grant was the one member of the Go Ahead boys who easily led in
+whatever he attempted. His standing in school was high and his time in
+the hundred yards dash stood now as a school record. His fund of
+general information was so large that some years before, in a joke he
+had been dubbed Socrates. That expressive name, however, had recently
+been shortened to Soc.
+
+George Washington Sanders, one of the most popular boys in his school,
+frequently was referred to as Pop, by which designation his friends
+indirectly expressed their admiration for one who, even if he bore the
+name of the Father of his Country, was laughingly referred to as the
+Papa of the Land. This nickname in the course of time had been
+shortened to Pop.
+
+Already the four Go Ahead boys had had several stirring experiences in
+their summer vacations. One of these had been spent at Mackinac Island
+where their adventures had been chiefly concerned with Smugglers'
+Island. Together they had made a voyage to the West Indies where their
+experiences on a desert island have been already recorded.[1] Together
+they had investigated the mysteries connected with an old house near
+George's country home, a place shunned by the country folk because of
+its reputation of being haunted.[2] Another delightful summer had been
+spent by the boys in a camp in the Canadian woods.[3] All these
+experiences had only prepared the way for the days which now were
+confronting them.
+
+Every one was confident that the Black Growler would give a good
+account of herself in the motor-boat races which were to be held on the
+St. Lawrence River. The grandfather of Fred Button, who was the
+fortunate owner of an island in the majestic river, had invited the
+boys to spend a month with him in his cottage. Incidentally he had
+explained that their visit would be at the time when the boat races
+occurred, which he had no question they all would greatly enjoy. He was
+unaware that Mr. Button had already purchased a motor-boat of marvelous
+speed, although at the time he had no thought that it would be entered
+in any contest or races.
+
+Yielding to Fred's persuasions at last his father had somewhat
+reluctantly given his consent for the boat to be entered, as well as
+for Fred to invite the other three Go Ahead boys to spend the coming
+weeks together on the island.
+
+All these thoughts were more or less in the minds of the Go Ahead boys
+when the Black Growler swiftly started on her long voyage.
+
+"Are you going to keep her going like this all the time?" demanded John
+as the swift little boat steadily continued on her way.
+
+"She doesn't like to slow up," replied Fred glancing behind him as he
+spoke.
+
+"She had better slow up than blow up," retorted John.
+
+"No danger of that," laughed Fred. "The first thing you know we'll be
+in the canal."
+
+"I hope not," laughed Grant. "It will be a great day when the Go Ahead
+boys learn how to use the English language. You don't mean 'in' the
+canal, you mean 'on' the canal."
+
+"Perhaps he means what my grandfather used to call the 'ragin'
+canawl'," suggested Grant.
+
+"Maybe we'll be both IN it and ON it," laughed Fred. "If we should
+happen to strike a rock or bump into another boat it wouldn't be very
+hard to understand what would follow."
+
+"That makes me think," said Grant solemnly. "Are you sure that you know
+how to steer? If we were traveling on the Erie Canal as they used to go
+soon after it was opened--"
+
+"When was that?" broke in George.
+
+"1825. The Erie Canal extended from Albany to Lake Erie and was
+constructed chiefly because DeWitt Clinton worked for it with might and
+main from 1817 to 1825."
+
+"Good for you!" laughed George, "It's pretty hard to trip up old Soc
+when it comes to figures. Now, I myself happen to know how long the
+canal is and so I shall be able to tell whether you reeled off your
+figures, depending upon our ignorance or whether you gave them because
+you knew what they are. How long is the Erie Canal?" he added slowly.
+
+"Three hundred and fifty and one-half miles, though I find some
+authorities give it as three hundred and fifty-two miles," laughed
+Grant.
+
+"Splendid! Splendid!" retorted George solemnly. "I suppose you know all
+about all the other great canals too."
+
+"I have looked them up," replied Grant simply. "I don't believe in
+starting off on a trip like ours without finding out some of the facts
+connected with it."
+
+"Don't ask me! Don't ask me!" protested John quickly. "I haven't been
+looking them up, so I don't know."
+
+"I didn't say I was going to ask you," retorted Grant. "I told you I
+was going to inform you. I looked them up for the benefit of my
+benighted companions. Now there's the Cape Cod Canal," he added. "I
+don't believe there's one of you that knows anything about it."
+
+"If we don't stop you, there won't be one of us that doesn't know ALL
+about it," said John, pretending to be discouraged by the attitude of
+his friend. "I suppose we'll have to have it," he added solemnly, "so
+the sooner we get it out of the way the better. Tell us and have it
+over with."
+
+"The Cape Cod Canal," said Grant as he looked sternly at John, "is
+eight miles long, it is twenty-five feet deep and one hundred feet
+wide."
+
+"My, now I am almost ready to go back home!" said George solemnly. "I
+cannot imagine finding out anything more important than that. Have you
+noticed these Palisades we have been passing? Did you ever see anything
+more beautiful than the river? Pretty soon we'll come to the Highlands
+and to West Point and I want to say to you right now, Soc, that I would
+rather know about these things than I would to hear about a ditch that
+is one hundred feet wide and twenty-five feet deep and eight miles
+long. What's the good of knowing that anyway?"
+
+"I shall try to improve your mind before we come back home," said
+Grant, shaking his head.
+
+"You don't expect to accomplish much in just a month, do you?"
+interposed George.
+
+"Not much more than to get ready to prepare to begin to start to
+commence on the contract."
+
+"My, what a fluent talker my friend is!" said George. "He never is at a
+loss for a word. It doesn't make any difference to him whether he knows
+what it means or not."
+
+"Never mind your old facts and figures," spoke up Fred. "I want you to
+notice that big! black yacht yonder. Isn't she a beauty?"
+
+"She is that," replied Grant with enthusiasm. "I can almost make out
+her name," he added as he looked through the field-glasses. "There it
+is C-a-l-e-Caledonia," he added quickly.
+
+"They have got quite a good many people on board," suggested George as
+he noticed a group of boys and girls near the rail, who apparently were
+as deeply interested in the motor-boat as the Go Ahead boys were in the
+big, black yacht.
+
+"Let's have a race with her," suggested George. "Start her up, Fred,
+and see if the yacht will try to keep up with us."
+
+Fred laughingly complied with the request, although neither of his
+companions had any suspicion of the many experiences they were to have
+with the passengers and crew of the Caledonia before either vessel
+returned to New York.
+
+
+[1] See "The Go Ahead Boys and The Treasure Cave."
+
+[2] "The Go Ahead Boys and the Mysterious Old House."
+
+[3] See "The Go Ahead Boys and the Island Camp."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+ON THE WAY
+
+The proposed race, however, did not take place. The graceful Caledonia
+steadily continued on her way without increasing her speed. There were
+calls from the deck where the boys noticed several young people
+standing near the rail. It was plain that there was great admiration on
+each boat for the beauty and speed of the other. There were calls and
+cheers, and waving of handkerchiefs to express their feelings. Perhaps
+it was in part due to this fact that the Black Growler soon began to
+pull away from the larger boat and not long afterward the Caledonia was
+left far behind.
+
+"That's the kind of a boat I'm going to have when I get rich!" said
+George enthusiastically. "I should like to spend about four months a
+year on board a craft like that."
+
+"That's all right," spoke up Grant, "but I think after about two months
+of it you would want something else. You see I know you better than you
+know yourself."
+
+"Yes, I see," retorted George sharply. "You make me think of what Josh
+Billings said that 'it's a good deal better not to know so many things
+than it is to know so many things that ain't so!'"
+
+"Never you mind, fellows," spoke up Fred. "This boat suits me all
+right. You wait until you see that cup the Black Growler is going to
+win."
+
+"I hope we shan't have to wait too long," said John dryly.
+
+"You'll wait until the race comes off," declared Fred. "I'm not taking
+any cups before I win them, but when the time comes you wait and see me
+run away from any boat that tries to keep up with us. I have been on
+the St. Lawrence before and unless there is something a good deal
+better than I have ever seen there, we shall simply show our heels to
+any motor-boats on the river. And they say there are more motor-boats
+between Clayton and Ogdensburg than anywhere else in America."
+
+"How many?" inquired John.
+
+"I have been told that there are more than a thousand."
+
+"Well," said George, "I'm deeply impressed by the modesty of Peewee. He
+simply thinks this boat will outclass nine hundred and ninety-nine
+others that will be madly chasing him all summer long, trying to keep
+pace with him."
+
+"But he hasn't won the cup yet," said Grant quietly.
+
+"That's right. That's right," spoke up Fred, pretending to be annoyed
+by the bantering of his friends. "There are always some people that try
+to take the joy out of life. I heard of an old man the other day who
+was so disgruntled that when he met a friend on the street who saluted
+him with a hearty 'good morning' this old man looked all over the sky
+to make sure he couldn't find a cloud somewhere and say that it wasn't
+a 'good' morning."
+
+"What did he do if he didn't find any?" laughed George.
+
+"Why he put his hand on his stomach as if he had a pain and shook his
+head and closed his eyes and groaned out, 'Yes, it's a fine day, but I
+am sure it is a weather-breeder. We'll have rain to-morrow.'"
+
+"Do you know there are a lot of people like that?" said George. "I met
+an old woman up near our farm one summer who always said when anybody
+asked her how she was that she 'enjoyed' poor health. And I guess she
+did. I never knew any one who took such pride in her aches and pains as
+she did. One day when the doctor had been to see her she had told him
+all the pains she suffered and the poor old doctor had to sit there and
+listen to her for almost an hour. Finally, when he left she started out
+of the house after him calling to him to come back because she had just
+thought of another ache that she hadn't told him about."
+
+The boys laughed and silence for a time rested upon the little boat.
+The Black Growler was moving swiftly and still was attracting attention
+from every boat she met. Following the channel they kept well out in
+the river, but the towering hills and the attractive shores were all
+within sight and manifestly did much to impress the Go Ahead boys.
+
+"Tell me, Fred," spoke up John at last. "Do they have these races on
+the St. Lawrence every summer?"
+
+"They have had for the past few years and they have had water sports
+too."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Oh, they have swimming, tilting contests, canoe races, diving and I
+don't know what all."
+
+"Did you ever go in any of them?" inquired John.
+
+A solemn expression came over Fred's face as he said, "Yes, once."
+
+"What did you go into?"
+
+"I tried to walk the greased pole. There was a silver cup on the end of
+it and the fellow who could walk out and take it could claim it."
+
+"Did you get the cup?"
+
+"I did not," replied Fred shortly.
+
+"I'm surprised, Peewee. I don't know a fellow in all my acquaintance
+that I think could walk better on a greased pole than you."
+
+"Huh," muttered Fred. "You ought to have seen me. That pole was a part
+of a telegraph pole. It stuck out from the dock about fifteen feet. It
+was covered with grease and the grease had been rubbed in."
+
+"How many times were you allowed to try?" asked George.
+
+"Five."
+
+"And you couldn't go in five trials?"
+
+"I didn't go. The first time I stepped on the pole my feet flew out
+from under me and I sat down on the river about six or seven feet
+below. I sat down hard too."
+
+"Did you enjoy it?" laughed John.
+
+"I did not," replied Fred slowly, "but the people on the docks and
+along the banks seemed to have a fine time."
+
+"What did you do next?" laughed George.
+
+"I tied some old sacking on my feet and tried to wipe up the grease as
+I went along."
+
+"And didn't that work?"
+
+"Nay, verily it didn't work. I took my seat that time on the pole and
+then when I slipped, I tried to throw my arms around it. But for some
+good reason I didn't delay very long, before I dropped with a splash
+into the St. Lawrence."
+
+"I hope they will have those things this summer," spoke up John.
+
+"You would be a good one to walk on a greased pole," said George
+soberly. "You wouldn't take much space and if you could once get a
+footing you could reach forward almost to the end and grab the cup."
+
+"If I did," retorted John, "you can rest easy that I wouldn't let go of
+it."
+
+"How soon do we come to West Point?" inquired Grant.
+
+"In about an hour," answered Fred.
+
+"Do you know, I sometimes think I should like to go there," said George.
+
+"Couldn't be done, my son," spoke up John.
+
+"Why can't it be done?"
+
+"Because a fellow that enters West Point has to pass an examination."
+
+"Don't you think I could pass it?" demanded George as his friends
+laughed.
+
+"It depends on what it is," answered John.
+
+"If they would examine you about the old Meeker House and running tin
+tubes from the kitchen into the front room and a few other things like
+that maybe you would pass."[1]
+
+"That's all right," spoke up George promptly. "I know something about
+what a fellow has to do before he passes the West Point examinations
+anyway and that's more than some fellows I know can say."
+
+"What do you know that we don't?" inquired John.
+
+"How old does a fellow have to be to enter West Point?" demanded George.
+
+"I don't know," replied John somewhat foolishly. "I suppose he has to
+be about eighteen, at least I suppose a fellow eighteen could enter."
+
+"Could he enter if he was twenty-one?" inquired George.
+
+"He could," spoke up Grant. "A fellow has to be between seventeen and
+twenty-two years of age before he can take the preliminary
+examinations. But there's another qualification almost as necessary,"
+he added. "He has got to be free from infirmities."
+
+"No hope for Pop then," said John solemnly. "He has too many
+infirmities."
+
+"What, for example?" demanded George.
+
+"His appetite is abnormal, his confidence in himself colossal, his
+willingness to condescend to the level of his superiors is--"
+
+"You're getting all mixed up," interrupted George. "A fellow has to
+pass a good physical examination and that is all there is to it. Of
+course if he has too long a tongue or too small a head it might shut
+him out."
+
+"Of course," assented John. "How does a fellow get a chance to try the
+examination anyway?"
+
+"He has to be named by his congressman. Most of them, I guess, have a
+preliminary examination for all the boys that want to enter and then
+select the one who passes the best examination. But even if he passes,
+his troubles have only begun, for they make every fellow work his way."
+
+"The government appropriates some money for every cadet, doesn't it?"
+inquired John.
+
+"Yes," replied George, "$709.50 per year. That is supposed to cover the
+necessary expenses. It is not only hard work but the boys don't get but
+one leave of absence in all the course, and even that isn't given until
+after the first two years."
+
+"But they have vacations, don't they?" inquired John.
+
+"If you want to call them vacations," laughed Grant. "From about the
+middle of June to the end of August the cadets go into camp. They are
+busy every day."
+
+"What does a fellow have to pass an examination in in order to enter
+West Point?"
+
+"English grammar, English composition, algebra through quadratic
+equations, plane geometry, descriptive geography, physical geography,
+United States history and the outlines of general history."
+
+"I think I'll go if that's all," laughed John, who was well known to
+have troubles with most of his examinations in school.
+
+"Look at that boat over yonder!" suddenly interrupted Fred, pointing to
+a motor-boat about one hundred feet away. "It looks to me as if it was
+trying to pass us."
+
+"That's just what it is trying to do," said Grant eagerly.
+
+"Don't you let them do it, Peewee."
+
+"That's just what I intend not to do," said Fred resolutely.
+
+In a moment the speed of the Black Growler was increased, but it was
+also manifest as the boys glanced behind them that the boat they had
+noticed was in swift pursuit.
+
+
+[1] See "The Go Ahead Boys and the Mysterious Old House."
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+JOHN DISAPPEARS
+
+The rival boat was distant about one hundred feet, moving in a line
+nearly parallel with that which the Black Growler was following.
+
+"I believe I have seen that boat before," muttered Fred. "Can any of
+you fellows make out the name?"
+
+George hastily took the field-glasses and gazed earnestly at the
+swiftly moving boat. "I can make out some of the letters, Fred," he
+said slowly. "I can see V--a--r, the next letter looks like n."
+
+"What's that?" demanded Fred abruptly.
+
+"I can't make out the whole of it yet," answered George. "I don't see
+what Varn spells anyway."
+
+"You better look again," suggested Fred. "I think I know the boat. I
+guess it's the Varmint."
+
+"That's it," said George quickly. "Only there's something right after
+the word. I can't just see what that is."
+
+"Here, let me take those glasses," said Grant quickly. "I don't believe
+you can find anything. Your mother told me that she doesn't want any
+better evidence that your clothes are hanging in the right places in
+the closet than for you to say that you had looked for them and they
+aren't there."
+
+"Listen to the words of our modest friend," said George as he handed
+the glasses to his comrade. "Grant is a good boy. The only difficulty
+with him is he doesn't realize how good he is."
+
+"If he doesn't," spoke up John, "it isn't because he doesn't try."
+
+"Keep still, fellows," said Grant, waving his hand at the other Go
+Ahead boys. "I'm just about to find out what the name of that
+motor-boat that is beating us--"
+
+"'Beating' us nothing!" interrupted Fred. "Can't you see that she isn't
+gaining a foot?"
+
+"I can't even see her name yet," said Grant. "You had better slow up a
+bit, Pygmy. That will give you a good excuse."
+
+In response, Fred increased the power of the fast moving motor-boat.
+
+"I have it. I have it," called Grant exultantly a moment later. "It is
+Varmint II."
+
+"It is what?" demanded Fred quickly as he glanced behind him for a
+moment.
+
+"Varmint II, that's what it is," said Grant positively. "What do you
+know about that?"
+
+Fred was silent a moment before he replied. "Two years ago when I was
+visiting at my grandfather's I saw the Varmint run away from all the
+boats in the race. This must be a new one and if she's swifter than the
+other one then there will be some race, let me tell you. I'm going to
+try her out a little now."
+
+In accordance with his words Fred changed the course which the Black
+Growler was following until he was nearer the rival boat. It was plain
+now that the crew of the Varmint II were deeply interested in the Black
+Growler. They were watching her movements and eagerly talking to the
+man at the wheel.
+
+For several minutes the race continued and then abruptly the Varmint II
+shut off part of her power and speedily dropped behind.
+
+"I told you what would happen," said Fred exultantly. "I would like to
+run away from that boat in a race. There isn't a boat on the St.
+Lawrence I would like better to beat."
+
+"But you don't even know she is going to be on the St. Lawrence or in
+that race," suggested John.
+
+"That's right. That's right," said Fred dolefully. "There's always
+somebody taking the joy out of life. You mark my words, that boat is
+going to the St. Lawrence and we'll find her in the race when we leave
+the stake."
+
+"I hope so," said Grant. "It will be a great race if she's in it! But
+honestly, Fred, if you knew a little more about steering a boat I think
+you could win from her. How would it do for you to get somebody to
+steer, the day of the race?"
+
+"That's right," spoke up George quickly. "All the Black Growler needs
+is a pilot."
+
+"That--is--most--certainly true," said John slowly, winking at Grant as
+he spoke.
+
+"Huh," spoke up Fred. "It's a pity there isn't enough gray matter
+somewhere in this crowd to spell me at the wheel. I have run all the
+way from New York and I'm tired and yet there isn't a fellow here who
+is able to steer this boat."
+
+"Beg your pardon," said John. "Ill steer her with great gladness."
+
+"I don't doubt your 'gladness,'" said Fred. "What I'm afraid of is your
+ability. If it was Grant now steering and we struck a rock he would
+never own up that that wasn't the very place he was steering for.
+However, String, take hold here awhile and give me a rest."
+
+"Where are we going to stop for dinner?" inquired George. "This mad
+race has brought on an attack of hunger with me."
+
+"That's all right," laughed Fred. "I think the only thing you can say
+is that you are less hungry some times than others. We can stop
+anywhere you want."
+
+"Then I say we stop at Poughkeepsie," said Grant.
+
+"Poughkeepsie will do for me all right," said John soberly.
+
+A half-hour later the graceful little motor-boat was lying alongside a
+dock at Poughkeepsie. Two of the boys had remained on board to guard
+their possessions while two had gone to a restaurant to purchase a
+luncheon with which they were to return to the boat.
+
+John and George had volunteered their services for the latter purpose
+and about fifteen minutes after their departure George was seen
+returning to the dock, his arms well laden with packages of fruit and
+sandwiches.
+
+"Where's String?" Fred asked as his friend stepped on board and
+deposited his packages.
+
+"I don't know. I lost him up here."
+
+"Poor John. Lost in Poughkeepsie. I'm afraid we'll have to advertise."
+
+"There's one thing we won't do though," said Grant.
+
+"What's that?" inquired Fred.
+
+"We shan't wait for him to come before we begin operations."
+
+"It does my heart good to hear you speak so truthfully," said George,
+as at once he opened the packages and passed the various articles of
+food which he had obtained.
+
+So busily engaged were the boys that time passed rapidly and a
+half-hour later George said, "What do you suppose has become of that
+fellow? I told you that his mother said that he was worse than I am and
+couldn't find any of his belongings, but I didn't know that he would
+lose himself."
+
+"Have you ever been in Poughkeepsie?" inquired Grant soberly.
+
+"I have never stopped here."
+
+"Then I have no need for other explanations. I know what has become of
+John."
+
+"Then you'll be the one to go and get him."
+
+"I guess not," laughed Fred.
+
+"No, if he doesn't show up within fifteen minutes the Black Growler
+proceeds gracefully on its way and leaves little Johnnie to come after
+us. Maybe he can work his way by driving mules for a canal boat."
+
+"There isn't any canal here," said Fred.
+
+"Well, we'll leave it to him to settle the way he will come. We shan't
+wait for him."
+
+"Who's captain of this ship, anyway?" spoke up Fred.
+
+"That's the question that has often puzzled me too," said Grant soberly.
+
+"Well, I am," said Fred.
+
+"You are? Then let me tell you, Captain Peewee, you will have a mutiny
+on your hands before you know it. This boat is going on to Albany. We
+have got to get there to-night and if John doesn't care enough about
+going with us he will have to take the consequences. Do you know I
+think he may have lost his nerve and gone back home."
+
+"Don't you believe it," said Fred sharply. "John will be here in a few
+minutes. He never will lose his nerve."
+
+Fifteen minutes however elapsed and still the absent member of the Go
+Ahead boys did not return.
+
+When fifteen more minutes had passed, Fred, who had insisted that some
+investigation should be made and a search for John begun, was overruled
+by his two companions and in spite of the captain's protests, the Black
+Growler slipped quickly away from the dock and proceeded steadily on
+her way up the Hudson.
+
+There were no mishaps although twice Fred stopped to secure fresh
+supplies of gasoline. No trace of the Varmint II had been seen and if
+she too was headed for the far away St. Lawrence, there was nothing to
+indicate the fact. And yet Fred became more positive with the passing
+minutes that among his rivals in the race in which his own swift
+motor-boat was already entered, would be found the boat whose pursuit
+he had found it so difficult to shake off.
+
+The boys by the middle of the afternoon were tired. There was no
+opportunity for exercise and in spite of the beauty of the region
+through which they were passing there was a certain monotony in their
+voyage which at last became wearisome.
+
+The sun was sinking low in the western sky when Fred at last said, "I
+think we'll make Albany in about an hour."
+
+"Do you think we'll find String there?" inquired George.
+
+"I hope so. If it was any other of the Go Ahead boys I would say we
+would be sure to find him there, but no one knows what Jack will do.
+The only certain thing about him is his uncertainty. Don't you
+remember--"
+
+"I'm telling you," interrupted Grant, "that we'll find John waiting for
+us at the dock. He knows where we're going to land."
+
+"If String is there I'll agree to pay for the dinner to-night," said
+George. "My own feeling is that he hasn't left Poughkeepsie yet."
+
+It was still light when at last the Black Growler approached the dock
+where she was to be tied up for the night. The three Go Ahead boys were
+peering ahead of them with interest, every one looking among the men on
+the docks for their missing companion.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE LOST IS FOUND
+
+"He isn't there," exclaimed George gleefully. "I'm safe on my dinner."
+
+"I believe you are right," said Fred in a low voice after he had
+glanced along the docks several times searching for his missing friend.
+
+"Of course I'm right," said George. "I am always right. That's the
+reason why your fond parents wanted me to go with you on this trip.
+Somebody has to go along who understands modern life, so I reluctantly
+gave up my own convenience and came along to look after these poor
+benighted Go Ahead boys."
+
+"Keep quiet a minute, George," said Grant, "we all appreciate your
+kindness. Just now, however, I would rather see String than hear you."
+
+"Not seeing String you must listen to me," laughed George again. "Let
+me see, I don't buy the dinner, and it seems to me that one or the
+other of my friends agreed to provide one if I was mistaken about John."
+
+"No such agreement was made," declared Fred sharply.
+
+"Is that so, Grant?" demanded George, turning to the remaining member
+of the party.
+
+"It certainly is," declared Grant. "You were the only one to make the
+offer."
+
+"Then I suppose I shall have to put up with it," said George
+disconsolately. "Now as soon as we get everything ship-shape, we had
+better go up to the hotel."
+
+"Shall we take our bags or send down for them?" inquired Grant.
+
+"If we don't take them some one else will," said Fred quickly. "We can
+lock up everything else, but we don't want to leave anything on board
+that can be taken away."
+
+"Just as you say," said Grant, as taking his bag in his hand he stepped
+quickly to the dock.
+
+Already a small assembly had gathered and was commenting upon the
+beauty of the little motor-boat. The pride of Fred had been satisfied
+so many times throughout the day that he was not unduly moved now by
+the words which he overheard. In a brief time he and his two companions
+were walking up State Street and soon secured rooms for the night in
+their hotel.
+
+An hour later when they entered the dining-room they were amazed to
+behold their missing friend John seated at a small table at which there
+were three places besides the one he had taken.
+
+For a moment the three Go Ahead boys stopped and gazed in amazement at
+him, and then, without a word being spoken, all three silently advanced
+to the table which he had reserved and apparently without recognizing
+the presence of their friend at once seated themselves.
+
+"Why don't you say something?" demanded John, a grin appearing on his
+face as he spoke.
+
+"I'm going to say something in a minute," said George. "I want to read
+through this program first to find out what I'm to have for my dinner."
+
+"'Program' is a good word," said Grant soberly. "When George has such a
+chance to get a square meal he always has a regular program mapped out."
+
+"That's all right," retorted George, without glancing up from the menu
+card.
+
+"Why don't you say something?" demanded John again.
+
+"My friend," said Grant soberly, gazing a moment at John as he spoke,
+"words are not adequate to express our feeling. How is it with you?"
+
+"I'm fine," said John. "Why don't you ask me where I have been and how
+I came to Albany?"
+
+"You're in Albany and that is enough to satisfy all the curiosity we
+have," said Grant.
+
+"It doesn't satisfy me," said John. "When three fellows run away from
+you and leave you high and dry in a city like Poughkeepsie why all I
+can say is that--"
+
+"That's enough to say, Johnnie. That will do," interrupted George,
+waving his right hand at his friend.
+
+"You are simply mistaken," said John, the grin appearing on his face
+once more. "I want to tell you that whether you want it or not you are
+going to hear from me and in more ways than one."
+
+"'Threatened people live long,'" spoke up Fred. "At the same time,
+String, you'll have to own up that we waited for you as long as we
+thought we could before we started for Albany. I didn't want to be out
+after dark in the Black Growler."
+
+"I appreciate all your kind feelings," laughed John. "Now I want you to
+sympathize with me. I had gone to half a dozen different places doing
+my best to select certain good things for our luncheon. I had a choice
+assortment too, let me tell you. Why Pop's eyes would have popped out
+if he had seen what I had obtained, but alas when I came down to the
+dock I saw the Growler running up the river as if she was trying to get
+away from me."
+
+"Did you come up by train?" inquired Fred.
+
+"I did not come up by train," retorted John, speaking deliberately.
+
+"How did you come?" asked George, interested now in spite of his effort
+to appear indifferent.
+
+"Didn't you see the aeroplane?" asked John.
+
+"Aeroplane? No, we didn't see any," said Grant quickly.
+
+"Well, I didn't either," said John, "so that's one way that I didn't
+come."
+
+"Oh, leave him alone," said George, "he is just bursting with his
+story. He wants to tell us and we shan't be able to stop him, so let's
+have our dinner and you may rest easy that before we are done you'll
+know all of John's story and some beside. To-morrow it will grow big
+and fast. It's like the pumpkins out in South Dakota. They say that a
+man has to be on horseback when he plants them."
+
+"How's that?" laughed John.
+
+"Why the vines grow so fast that the only way he can escape is to put
+his horse into his best paces. Even then they don't always escape."
+
+"What happens if they are overtaken?" asked John.
+
+"Oh, the pumpkin vines grow right around them and cover them up and
+choke off their wind and do other various stunts."
+
+"Fine! Fine," laughed John, "My story isn't growing like that though
+let me tell you. This story is true. It's a complete narrative of
+truthful John. I was about to turn back and make inquiries when I could
+get an express train for Albany, when what should I see coming up to
+the dock but the Varmint II. As soon as the people on board saw me they
+immediately began to urge me to come with them. They had seen the
+Growler just pulling out and leaving me in my unfortunate plight."
+
+"I guess they suspected what you had in the basket," laughed Fred.
+
+"That may be," acknowledged John. "At all events it saved them buying a
+good spread, for they took me on board right away and we trailed you
+all the way up the Hudson. I tell you, Peewee, it's a comfort to ride
+in a good boat. That Varmint II can travel! Oh, I don't know how many
+knots an hour!"
+
+"Can she beat the Black Growler?" inquired Fred anxiously.
+
+"Beat her! Beat her!" retorted John. "Why you would think the Black
+Growler was standing still the Varmint can pull away from her so fast."
+
+"I don't believe that," said Fred, shaking his head.
+
+"Well, you will have to, for they are going to the same place we are.
+They have entered her in the motor-boat races and as she belongs to the
+same class that your tub does you will have a fine chance to see her
+win the cup. That's about the only chance you'll have too, in my
+opinion." John winked at George and Grant, who immediately in doleful
+tones expressed their sympathy for Fred.
+
+"It's too bad," declared George, "after a fellow's father has given him
+a boat such as the Black Growler to find out that it doesn't stand any
+show in the race. Now if you had found that out before you had bought
+the boat, Fred, just think how much money, time, labor, trouble,
+perplexity, sleeplessness, loss of appetite--"
+
+"Never that," broke in Grant, shaking his head. "All the other things,
+yes, but loss of appetite, never. Just look at him!"
+
+John insisted upon relating his experiences and increased the interest
+of his friends in spite of their efforts to appear indifferent when he
+said there were three young people on board the Varmint, who were
+expecting to spend the summer on an island near Fred's grandfather's
+and were also confident that the boat race was to be the supreme event
+of the summer.
+
+In spite of his declaration that he was not anxious, it was plain to
+his friends that Fred was somewhat cast down by the glowing reports
+which his companion had brought concerning the swift rival motor-boat.
+
+"To-morrow we'll be on the 'ragin' canawl,"' said Grant. "Now then, I
+want to know if there is any fellow in this crowd who knows anything
+about the world's great canals."
+
+"We don't know anything," said Fred. "We heard you talking this
+morning, but how much of what you said is true nobody knows, not even
+yourself."
+
+"It's all true," retorted Grant. "As I told you I wasn't willing to
+start on a trip like this without knowing something about what I was
+doing."
+
+"When do you start on that new line?" laughed George.
+
+"It doesn't make any difference," said Grant. "Now the Panama Canal,
+for example belongs to the United States, doesn't it?"
+
+"It does," acknowledged Fred.
+
+"Well, now as a future citizen of this country just tell me between
+what places that canal extends. If there is one fellow in this crowd
+who can give me the right answer I will pay for the dinner for all the
+Go Ahead boys."
+
+"Panama," said John promptly.
+
+"Panama what?" retorted Grant sharply.
+
+"Why the Panama Canal is located at the City of Panama," said John
+somewhat abashed by the manner of his friend.
+
+"That's good as far as it goes," said Grant, "but I want to know if you
+know where the other end of the canal is located."
+
+The three boys looked blankly at one another and for an instant no one
+spoke.
+
+"The canal extends between Colon and the City of Panama," said Grant
+hastily.
+
+"That's exactly what I was going to say," said George. "You took the
+words right out of my mouth. You did it so that you wouldn't have to
+pay for the dinner to-morrow. I guess every one of us knows where the
+Panama Canal is."
+
+"All right," said Grant. "I'll take your word for it, if you'll tell me
+how long it is."
+
+Again there was silence among the Go Ahead boys as they glanced
+foolishly at one another.
+
+"Of course every young American is sure to know such simple facts as
+that," said Grant condescendingly, "but for my own satisfaction, I am
+willing to state that it is exactly fifty and one-half miles long."
+
+"How deep is it?" said Fred sharply.
+
+"It is about forty-one feet," answered Grant promptly. "Of course in
+the lakes it is deeper than that and it is from three hundred to six
+hundred and forty-nine feet wide. Why, I don't believe," he continued,
+"that some American boys I happen to know although they passed right
+through it, could tell me how long the Sault Ste. Marie Canal is. I
+have a dim suspicion too that they don't know what it connects."
+
+"I know that," said George. "It connects Lake Superior with St. Mary's
+River and Lake Huron."
+
+"I'm glad you're right once in your life," said Grant. "Now tell me how
+long that canal is."
+
+"I can't tell a lie, Mr. Schoolmaster," said George, "the Sault Ste.
+Marie Canal is two miles long."
+
+"All right, I don't have to buy the dinner to-morrow," said Grant.
+
+"There may be some other things you'll have to do though," said John.
+"You're not done with me yet. No, sir," he added emphatically "that is
+NOT all!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE MISSING BAG
+
+Early the following morning the Go Ahead boys were moving swiftly over
+the waters of the Erie Canal. Most of the country through which they
+were passing was new to them, and, rested as they were from the voyage
+of the preceding day, they were deeply interested in the various scenes
+through which they were moving.
+
+The speedy Growler still aroused the interest of the people who saw the
+graceful little boat. The speed at which Fred was driving was not as
+great as when they had been on the Hudson. The stream was narrower and
+frequently there were long canal-boats to be passed.
+
+The experiences when they arrived at the locks were alike novel and
+filled with interest. After they had watched the slowly rising waters
+and several times had been lifted to a different level the novelty,
+however, wore off and by the middle of the forenoon the Go Ahead boys
+were beginning to tease one another.
+
+"There's one thing," said John, "that's as fixed as the sun."
+
+Nobody made any response to his startling suggestion and after he had
+glanced quizzically at his companions John continued, "No crowd ever
+left a fellow at Poughkeepsie and went on without him without having to
+pay the price. I'm telling you, fellows, that just as sure as the sun
+shines there's something coming to every one of you, and most of all to
+Grant."
+
+"Why am I selected for this special favor?" demanded Grant quickly.
+
+"If you don't know there isn't any one who can tell you," retorted
+John. "All I'm saying is that action and reaction are equal, even if
+the Panama Canal is fifty and one-half miles long."
+
+"Speaking of canals," said Grant. "I want to know if anybody knows how
+long the Suez Canal is."
+
+"Speak up, Professor," said George dejectedly. "We have got to hear it,
+so we might as well have it now as any time. How long is it?"
+
+"It's exactly one hundred miles. Now if there's any Go Ahead boy who
+can tell what the Suez Canal connects, it will be my turn to pay for
+the dinner."
+
+There was a silence following Grant's words while the Go Ahead boys
+looked foolishly at one another. Not one of them was able to answer the
+simple question.
+
+"The Suez Canal," began Grant, "connects the Mediterranean Sea with the
+Red Sea."
+
+"How do you know?" demanded Fred. "You have never seen it."
+
+"I don't have to see it to know. I have never seen London, but I am
+quite confident there is a city by that name. By the way, fellows, if
+you'll wait a minute I'll show you something I put in my bag. I saved
+it for a day just like this."
+
+Rising from his seat Grant hastily sought his bag and in a brief time
+rejoined his companions.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded John, as he saw an expression of
+consternation on the face of his friend.
+
+"Matter!" retorted Grant. "Matter enough. Somebody brought the wrong
+bag."
+
+"Let me see," said John, rising and examining the bag, which Grant had
+placed on the seat near him. "That's not mine."
+
+"It surely isn't mine," said George.
+
+"I won't claim it either," added Fred as he glanced behind him.
+
+"Well, it isn't mine," said Grant. "Somebody made a mistake at the
+hotel this morning and instead of giving me what belonged to me they
+have sent my bag off in some other direction and given me a bag that
+belongs to some one else."
+
+"Try your keys," suggested John. "Maybe it isn't as bad as you think."
+
+"The keys don't fit," declared Grant after he had tested them all.
+
+"Maybe there's a catch or a trick of some kind. Look again, Soc, and
+see if there isn't some way to find out what there is inside that bag.
+That's about the only way you can tell whose it is."
+
+"I have been trying," retorted Grant sharply. "It's locked and I
+haven't any key that will fit it."
+
+"It feels pretty heavy," said John as he lifted the bag in question.
+
+"Yes, it's heavier than mine," acknowledged Grant. "I don't see how
+that porter could have made any such mistake."
+
+"I don't see any way out of it, Soc, but for you to take your bag back
+to Albany," said Fred.
+
+"I'm not going back," declared Grant. "I'll send the bag back by
+express and telegraph the hotel to send my bag in the same way to
+Utica. If they get busy right away it ought to be there by the time we
+are."
+
+"No use, my dear friend," said John, shaking his head. "Your bag by
+this time is on its way to Timbuctoo or San Francisco. Some other
+fellow has it and if he has and isn't making remarks that sound like
+echoes of yours, it is only because he hasn't yet found out his
+mistake."
+
+The perplexity in which Grant found himself was increasing. Many of his
+necessary articles and much of his clothing that he would require on
+the trip were contained in the missing bag. He was unable to see the
+sly wink which John gave Fred when the latter looked questioningly at
+him.
+
+So insistent was Grant that the Black Growler was stopped at
+Schenectady to enable him to send a telegram to the hotel at which the
+Go Ahead boys had stopped the preceding night at Albany.
+
+No one had offered to assist him in his task and the boy alone carried
+the bag which he believed had been given him in place of his own to the
+express office. There, in accordance with the word which he had already
+sent the hotel, he shipped the bag to Albany.
+
+When he returned to the motor-boat so engrossed was he with his own
+troubles that he failed to discover the grin which appeared on the
+faces of two of the Go Ahead boys.
+
+"You might have offered to go back to get my bag," suggested Grant
+sharply when he resumed his seat on board.
+
+"Yes, we might," said Fred. "We might have offered to buy a new one for
+you and fit it out with all the things you need, but we thought we
+wouldn't. You need the lesson, Soc. You have been telling all the world
+how to do it so long that it is time for you to begin to find out some
+things for yourself."
+
+Grant made no reply and indeed he had little to say until the boat
+stopped at an attractive village where the boys obtained their luncheon.
+
+When the voyage was resumed, Grant's confidence that his own missing
+bag would be found when they arrived at Utica in a measure served to
+restore his good nature and throughout the afternoon he took an active
+part in the bantering in which the boys engaged.
+
+Occasionally Fred relinquished his task at the wheel and permitted his
+friends to take turns in steering the boat. The banks of the canal were
+free from rocks and even if the swift little motor-boat was turned from
+her course no great amount of damage could follow.
+
+There were other boats they were informed that had preceded them and
+among them the references to the swift Varmint II were frequent.
+
+On such occasions Fred's passengers at once resumed their task of
+informing their captain how small his chances of winning the race were
+becoming. Apparently the Varmint had everything her own way.
+
+Fred did his utmost to appear indifferent to the words of his
+companions, but in spite of it all it became plain to the other boys
+that he was seriously disturbed by the comments they made.
+
+There were times when, the course being clear, the speed of the Black
+Growler was increased almost to her maximum. At such times the farmers
+in the fields stopped in their labors and stared at the motor-boat,
+which almost seemed to be shooting through the country.
+
+At other times when they were passing through villages or met a heavily
+laden canal-boat the Black Growler moved slowly and seemed to share in
+the need of caution.
+
+It was late in the afternoon when at last the little party arrived at
+Utica.
+
+"We'll go up to the hotel and have our dinner," said Grant. "I do not
+know that I owe the rest of you anything, but I'm going to take pity on
+you and do what I at first thought I wouldn't. I'm going to give you a
+dinner."
+
+"That's very kind," said John, winking at Fred as he spoke. "Meanwhile
+who's going to look after our bags?"
+
+"I'm going to find out first if mine is here to be looked after," said
+Grant. "Come on with me, Jack, and I'll go to the express offices and
+see if it is there."
+
+John followed his friend, but their labors were not crowned with
+success when after an absence of an hour they returned to the place
+where the Black Growler was awaiting them. Not a word had been received
+from Albany nor had Grant succeeded in finding any trace of his missing
+baggage.
+
+"Never mind," he said quickly. "I'll have to make the best of it. I'm
+not going to spoil all the fun of the trip crying over spilled milk."
+
+Again John winked at Fred, but no words were spoken after the boat and
+its belongings had been left in charge of a man and the boys together
+had started for their hotel.
+
+It was still light when they returned to the dock and Fred said, "I
+wonder how it would do for us to go on a bit farther. There are hotels
+all along the way and I think it would be good fun to stop at some one
+of those country taverns."
+
+"We're with you," said George. "We want to get all the experiences we
+can on this trip."
+
+"I guess it will be something you will remember," said Grant.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+IN THE TAVERN
+
+About half-past eight o 'clock the Go Ahead boys returned to the dock
+where the Black Growler had been left. A hasty examination convinced
+them that all their belongings were safe. In accordance with the
+suggestion which had been made they soon decided to set forth on their
+voyage. Just how far they would go was left undecided.
+
+"I hear," said Fred, "that we can stop at a village half-way between
+here and Rome. They say it is all right. If we don't like to sail in
+the night then we can stop there, but if we want to we can keep on
+until we get to Rome or Oneida. That's about as far as we'll want to go
+anyway."
+
+"I think it will be good fun," said John, "to travel through the
+country by night. Perhaps we'll find some more places like the old
+Meeker House."[1]
+
+"I'm afraid," laughed George, "that we'll find our ghosts a little more
+substantial than they were in that old place."
+
+"I wish we could find my bag," spoke up Grant. "It's strange it didn't
+come to Utica. I left word with the express office though to send it
+ahead just as soon as they received it."
+
+"Maybe we'll find the ghost of it," suggested Fred.
+
+Meanwhile they had cast off and the Black Growler was moving
+noiselessly over the waters of the Erie Canal. They were soon beyond
+the borders of the attractive city, but after they had passed the first
+village on their way George said quickly, "Fellows, I believe it's
+going to rain. Look at those clouds over yonder." As he spoke George
+pointed to some heavy clouds that could be seen massing in the western
+sky.
+
+"I don't want to get caught out here in a thunder storm," said John.
+
+"We shan't be," said Fred. "I'll put on a little more speed and we'll
+go on to the next place. That's where the hotel or tavern is that they
+told me about in Utica. It won't rain before we get there for it is
+only four or five miles ahead. If it is going to rain we can stop. If
+it doesn't we can keep on if we want to."
+
+Conversation ceased as the speed of the swift little boat increased.
+Less than a half-hour had elapsed when the boys found that they were
+entering the village to which Fred had referred.
+
+"How about it, Fred?" called John. "It looks pretty black to me."
+
+"It does to me, too," replied Fred. "I think the best thing for us to
+do will be to stop. We'll find a place where we can leave the
+motor-boat and then we'll go up to the hotel and if we have to we'll
+stay there all night."
+
+The boys all agreed to the suggestion and in a brief time the graceful
+little boat was covered in such a way that she was protected from the
+coming storm, which now was almost upon them.
+
+Hastily the boys took their bags and at once started for the hotel
+which they were informed was only a few yards distant.
+
+With difficulty they made their way along the darkened street, and in a
+few minutes arrived at their destination.
+
+Just as they entered, the storm broke. There was a long roll of thunder
+followed by a blinding flash and then the rain began to fall in
+torrents.
+
+"Just in time, weren't we?" said Fred with a laugh. "You're always
+right if you do what I tell you to. It was my suggestion and I am glad
+that for once in your lives you had wisdom enough to do what I said."
+
+"That remains to be seen," said Grant dryly as he looked about the room
+in which they found themselves. "It seems to me that the motto over the
+door of this place ought to be, 'He who enters here leaves soap
+behind.'"
+
+"Where did you find that?" laughed George.
+
+"Didn't you ever hear of the motto over the Bridge of Sighs?"
+
+Whether the boys had ever heard of the famous bridge or not was not
+manifest, for at that moment in the midst of a deafening peal of
+thunder the landlady entered the room where the boys were waiting.
+
+"What can I do for you?" she inquired as the thunder ceased.
+
+"We're caught in the storm and thought perhaps we might stay here all
+night," suggested Fred.
+
+"The house is pretty full," said the woman dubiously. "I don't know
+whether I can give you rooms or not."
+
+At that moment there came a burst of loud laughter from the bar-room.
+It was plain that many of the men who were employed on the canal also
+had sought shelter in the little tavern. The house was old, so old that
+the boards in the floor were warped and the low ceilings gave evidence
+of the many years that had passed since they had been placed there. Not
+a door fitted its frame and the windows were all small, the panes being
+not much more than seven by nine. Whatever was done in one part of the
+house plainly was likely to be known also in other parts. The noisy
+men, who were drinking in the bar-room, whose shouts and songs and
+cries now were even more distinctly heard, could not confine their loud
+demonstrations to the room in which they had assembled even if they had
+been so inclined.
+
+"If you don't mind," suggested Fred to the landlady, "I think we would
+like to go up to our rooms."
+
+"Have you had any supper?" inquired the woman.
+
+"Yes, we got some in Utica," replied Fred.
+
+"Where are you goin'?"
+
+"We expect to go to the St. Lawrence River."
+
+"You don't tell me," exclaimed the woman. "How be you goin'?"
+
+"We have got a motor-boat."
+
+"Land sakes! You don't say so! That's a terrible long ways and I don't
+see how you can get there with a boat all the way."
+
+"The storm caught us and we thought we had better stop here for the
+night than try to go on any farther."
+
+"Where do you come from?" inquired the woman, who busied herself
+lighting two candles while she was talking.
+
+"We came from Albany this morning," replied Fred, who did not think it
+necessary to go more into details concerning their expedition.
+
+"My, you must have come pretty fast. Now, if you'll follow me I'll show
+you to your rooms."
+
+Fred glanced uneasily behind him as from the bar-room at that moment
+there came another noisy outburst that was almost alarming in its
+character.
+
+"How many men are there in there?" inquired Fred, nodding his head
+toward the room as he spoke.
+
+"It's about full," replied the landlady. "A stormy night like this
+drives a good many of the boatmen and the hands under cover."
+
+"They are a noisy lot," suggested Fred.
+
+"They are a tough crowd," said the woman feelingly. "Sometimes they go
+off and don't pay me a cent. That's one reason why I make everybody pay
+before I give them a room."
+
+"Do you mean that we'll have to pay before we take the room?" inquired
+John.
+
+"Yes, sir, that's just what I say. That's the rule o' this house."
+
+"Well, I guess we'll see the rooms first then," said George.
+
+Conversation ceased as the woman, who was stout and consequently slow
+in her movements, led the way up the creaking stairway and then through
+the hall on the second floor. The floor here also was loose and every
+step was announced by creakings, while various other sounds were
+emitted as the boards resumed their accustomed places.
+
+"Here you be," said the woman at last as she stopped before the rooms
+at the end of the hall-way.
+
+"We're directly over the bar-room, aren't we?" inquired John as another
+noisy outburst came from below.
+
+"Yes, but you won't mind that after a bit," explained the landlady.
+"You'll get used to it same as I have. I go to sleep and don't pay no
+more attention to the noises than I do to the wind that blows."
+
+By this time she had opened the doors, which were unlocked, and entered
+the rooms.
+
+The boys looked ruefully at one another when they became aware in the
+dim light of the condition of the rooms to which they had been shown.
+
+"I don't believe those windows have seen soap and water since the Erie
+Canal was built," whispered George to Grant. "When did you say that
+was?"
+
+"Keep quiet a minute, Pop," retorted Grant.
+
+The rain was beating against the windows with renewed force. The storm
+apparently was at its height. For them to go on in the Black Growler
+was almost impossible. There was nothing to be done, except to make the
+best of the conditions in which they now found themselves.
+
+Soon after the withdrawal of their landlady, who had been paid in
+advance for the use of the rooms, although breakfast was not included
+as the boys explained they might have to leave the village before
+sunrise, they prepared for bed. They were thoroughly tired by the new
+experiences of the past day and in spite of their surroundings and the
+noise of the men below and of the storm, which still was raging, they
+decided to retire.
+
+Their rooms did not connect and as George and Grant withdrew, Fred
+said, "If we need your help in the night, fellows, don't fail to come
+right away."
+
+"Are you scared, Peewee?" laughed George.
+
+"Yes, I am, and I don't mind saying so," retorted Fred. "I don't like
+the sound that comes from that room downstairs."
+
+Fred's feelings were not relieved when he found it was impossible to
+lock the doors. An old fashioned iron latch was the only means by which
+each door was opened and there were not even bolts or buttons by which
+the door could be fastened.
+
+"I'm going to put a chair against the door," said Fred. "I'm afraid
+something will happen before morning."
+
+Nor was Fred disappointed, for two hours after the boys were in bed the
+door of the room which Fred and John occupied was stealthily opened by
+some one in the hall.
+
+
+[1] The Go Ahead Boys and the Mysterious Old House.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+AN UNWELCOME PARTY
+
+"Who's there? Who's there?" demanded Fred sharply.
+
+The noise in the room below had prevented him from sleeping soundly.
+Several times he sat erect in bed, convinced that some one was in the
+room. Even when his fears proved to be groundless he was unable to
+ignore the shouts and songs and calls that frequently indicated that
+the men in the room below were angry. Before he had retired he had
+obtained a glimpse of the shouting assembly when a door had been opened
+and the sight had not soothed his feelings. And now he was positive
+some one was trying to open the door of their room.
+
+Aroused by the call of his friend, John also quickly sat up and stared
+about him. There was no mistaking the fact that some one was trying to
+enter by the door which yielded slightly to the pressure and the chair
+which had been placed by Fred to protect them had been moved back a few
+inches from its place.
+
+"Who's there? Who's there?" demanded Fred sharply.
+
+No reply was given to his question although the door slowly was closed
+again and the sound of the footsteps of some one moving down the hall
+was plainly heard.
+
+"What do you suppose that was?" demanded Fred in a whisper.
+
+"Somebody was trying to break in," replied John.
+
+"What do you suppose he wanted?"
+
+"He wanted to get in."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I don't know. You'll have to ask him, I guess," replied John drowsily
+for by this time he had resumed his place on the pillow.
+
+"I think he wanted our money," suggested Fred.
+
+"He didn't want much then. Maybe he wanted our money and our lives."
+
+"All the same I'm scared. I don't like this place. I don't know why we
+stopped here. It must be past one o'clock now and yet hear those men
+yell down there in the bar-room. I'm going to see what time it is."
+
+Fred climbed out of bed and striking a match looked at his watch. "It's
+quarter past one," he said, but the sound which came from John did not
+indicate that he was specially interested in the report of the watch.
+
+Fred looked out of the window and saw that the storm long since had
+passed. The air was cool and fresh and had it not been for the uproar
+in the hotel the night would have been an ideal one.
+
+Before he rejoined his companion Fred replaced the chair so that it
+barred the opening of the door.
+
+Convinced that he had done all in his power he climbed back into bed
+once more and in spite of his declaration when daylight came that he
+had not been asleep John was not convinced.
+
+"Come on, String," said Fred when once more he had looked at his watch
+to discover the time. "It's five o'clock. It's time for us to be
+moving. I wouldn't have breakfast in this hole if they paid me for it."
+
+"Why can't you leave a fellow alone and let him sleep? I'm tired. I got
+left at Poughkeepsie and I had a hard day yesterday too."
+
+"No, sir," said Fred firmly. "This party starts from this place in
+thirty minutes. Any one who isn't ready will have to come by
+canal-boat. The Black Growler leaves here at five-thirty sharp."
+
+With a groan John arose and began to dress, although he protested
+feelingly all the time against the unreasonable demands of Fred.
+
+The other two Go Ahead boys were speedily aroused and twenty minutes
+later they departed from the hotel.
+
+"It looks worse in the morning than it does at night and we thought
+that wasn't possible when we came here last evening," said George when
+the Go Ahead boys looked behind them after their departure.
+
+"I think I will send that landlady a Christmas present of a cake of
+soap," said Grant soberly.
+
+"She wouldn't know what it was for," laughed John, "if you did."
+
+"My, I would like to hear what my mother would say if she could see the
+inside of that old tavern."
+
+"The worst thing of all," said Fred, "was the riot in the bar-room. I
+didn't sleep a wink last night."
+
+"You didn't sound that way, Freddie," said George.
+
+"What time did the noise downstairs stop, Peewee?" inquired John.
+
+"It didn't stop, I guess," laughed Fred. "The landlady said the storm
+drove all the canal-men into the house, but it didn't seem to me there
+was anything that drove them out. I shouldn't like to meet one of those
+men in a dark alley."
+
+"You don't have to meet them," suggested George. "We have lived through
+the night somehow and are all safe. Now if the Black Growler is ready
+we are. We'll get our breakfast at Rome, I suppose."
+
+"That's what we will," said Fred, quickening his pace as he spoke.
+
+"Look yonder!" exclaimed John, abruptly halting as he spoke and
+pointing in surprise at their motor-boat, which was only a few yards
+distant.
+
+In response to his suggestion the Go Ahead boys all stopped and stared
+in amazement at the sight before them.
+
+On board the Black Growler were at least a half-dozen men and it
+required no explanation to enable the boys to understand that they were
+a part of the noisy assembly which had made night hideous in the hotel.
+
+"Here," called Fred, running ahead of his companions. "What are you
+doing in that boat?"
+
+"Who are you?" demanded one of the occupants, turning and facing Fred
+as he spoke.
+
+"That's my boat," declared Fred.
+
+"You don't say so!" replied the man in shrill tones, at which his
+companions laughed loudly.
+
+For a moment Fred stopped and stared blankly at the men, who had
+apparently made themselves fully at home on board his motor-boat. The
+awnings had been taken in and the self-invited guests had been
+examining various parts of the fleet little craft.
+
+"Did you ever hear," continued the spokesman, "that possession is nine
+points of the law and that the tenth isn't worth fighting about? Maybe
+we'll ask you to prove that this boat is yours. According to the
+records of my private secretary this here yacht is mine. I'm goin' on a
+cruise up to Buffalo and I have invited a few o' my pals to come along
+with me."
+
+The men were a brutal and powerful lot. Every one showed the effect of
+the night which he had spent in the bar-room. The boys were powerless
+to compel them to leave the boat if they did not choose to do so.
+
+The predicament in which the Go Ahead boys now found themselves seemed
+to appeal strongly to the men on board. They laughed loudly and the
+leader who had spoken before, said, "Why don't you come on board? If
+this boat is yours all you have to do is to come and take it."
+
+"It is, all right. That is our boat," said Fred.
+
+"If you don't get out I shall have to get some one to put you out."
+
+"Don't be so unkind, mister," retorted the leader, while his companions
+again united in a shout of glee. "There aren't many men around this
+place that will want to undertake that job. If you would really like to
+have us go ashore it seems to me the best plan would be for you to come
+and throw us out."
+
+Once more the unwelcome guests laughed loudly at the words of their
+leader, while the confusion among the Go Ahead boys became more marked.
+
+Withdrawing a few feet from the bank Fred called his companions about
+him and in low tones they discussed the course of action which they
+ought to follow.
+
+"We had better go up and get the constable," suggested John. "Get out a
+warrant for these men. They won't make any trouble even if the
+constable comes down alone."
+
+"I'm not so sure," said Fred. "What do you think, Grant?"
+
+"I don't believe the men intend to stay on board," replied Grant. "They
+probably were attracted by the appearance of the Black Growler and when
+they saw us coming they put up a bold front and just tried to scare
+Fred."
+
+"What do you think is the best thing to do?" inquired Fred.
+
+"My suggestion is to go back to the boat, not have much to say to the
+men and get ready to start. They won't bother us, at least I don't
+believe they will."
+
+"What shall we do if they make trouble?"
+
+"It will be time enough to decide that when we have to," replied Grant.
+"I'm sure they won't make any trouble after they see that we are going
+to start."
+
+"All right, we'll try it," said Fred dubiously, and once more returning
+to the place where the Black Growler was awaiting them, the three bags
+which contained the belongings of the boys were placed on board and
+ignoring the bantering of the men, they at once prepared to cast off.
+
+"You don't mean to say we're going to start now, do you?" inquired the
+leader.
+
+"Yes," said Fred shortly.
+
+"Why, we didn't think you'd go for an hour yet. We haven't got our
+trunks."
+
+Again his companions laughed loudly at the wit of their leader, but as
+yet not one of them had made any move to leave the boat.
+
+Fred's alarm was plain in spite of the boldness with which he cast off
+the bow line. Grant already had performed a similar service with the
+stern line and the boys were now ready to depart.
+
+"It's nice of you to invite us to go along with you," said the leader.
+"This is a purty little boat and me and my pals will enjoy a ride in
+her."
+
+"We're going to start now," said Fred quietly, striving to conceal his
+fear.
+
+"Why, I guess we're ready, aren't we?" said the leader as he glanced at
+his companions.
+
+"I reckon we are, cap'n," replied one of the men.
+
+The six men occupied most of the available space on board the little
+boat. Striving to appear indifferent to their presence Fred advanced to
+the wheel, turned on the power and prepared to depart.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE COMING OF THE CALEDONIA
+
+In response to Fred's action there was a loud shout of protest from the
+men on board. Every one still was manifesting the effect of the drunken
+spree through which they had passed the preceding night. As yet,
+however, they had not offered any violence and although Fred's heart
+was beating rapidly he resolutely stuck to his task and in a brief time
+the Black Growler darted forward like a thing alive.
+
+For a moment the uninvited passengers apparently were startled by the
+unexpected action of the young captain. They speedily recovered,
+however, from their surprise, and one of the men turning to the leader
+said, "My, ain't she purty, Jim!"
+
+"She is that," replied Jim promptly. "She looks better than she did
+when I took my last trip to Niag'ra. When I left my house on Fifth
+Avenoo I didn't think she'd ever measure up to what she was that time,
+but she is goin' one better. Yes, sir, she's all that you say she is."
+
+Still the men did not interfere with Fred in his management of the
+motor-boat. Apparently too they did not have any objection to the
+voyage. Indeed the Go Ahead boys already were aware of the fact that
+every one of their self-invited guests had brought a small bundle with
+him. They naturally inferred that these bundles contained most of the
+earthly possessions of their noisy passengers.
+
+"How is it, Jim!" called another of the men. "Isn't it about time we
+had breakfast?"
+
+"That's right," spoke up another. "I'm hungry, too. Seems to me I would
+like one o' them grape fruits."
+
+"Grape fruits? You don't know what they be," retorted Jim.
+
+"You tell us what they be," responded the man, unabashed by the rebuke
+of the leader.
+
+"Don't you know?" retorted Jim scornfully. "Why grape fruit's the stuff
+that grows on grape vines."
+
+"Get out!" said the other one. "I guess I know enough about the country
+to know that grapes grow on grape vines."
+
+"In course they do," acknowledged Jim, "but this isn't grapes, this is
+grape FRUIT. It takes a special vine to grow it."
+
+"Does it grow right on the vine?"
+
+"In course it does. What do you think, it grows under the ground like
+tomatoes?"
+
+"Tomatoes don't grow under the ground," spoke up another of the party.
+"It's potatoes that grow under the ground."
+
+"It's all one," retorted Jim glibly. "Potatoes and tomatoes. I knew one
+grew in the air and the other grew in the ground."
+
+"What about the grape fruits, Jim?" demanded the first speaker.
+
+"Well, they grow on the vines. They are just like big yeller grapes.
+Many 's a time out on my country estate I have climbed the ladder and
+picked 'em from the vines that grow so high they hid the sight of the
+street from the piazzy of my bungaloo."
+
+"I'm wondering where you got this yacht, Jim," inquired another.
+
+"Never mind how I got it as long as we have got it. That's the main
+thing," interrupted another one. "What I want to know, is about those
+grape fruits we're talking about. How does it taste?"
+
+"Fine. Fine," answered Jim promptly. Then turning to the boys he
+inquired, "Have you got anything on board to eat?"
+
+"You see that monemint up yonder," interrupted another pointing to a
+tall granite shaft that could be seen in the distance. The entire party
+including the boys at once looked in the direction indicated and saw a
+beautiful memorial stone, although few of them were aware of what it
+commemorated.
+
+"Yes, that's my granddad's tombstone," said one of the tramps.
+
+"I guess he must have been some man," exclaimed one of his companions.
+"It's a pity the rest of the family didn't take after him."
+
+"We did, but we didn't want to hog the whole thing. We had to let some
+one else have a chance too."
+
+Meanwhile the Black Growler was speeding swiftly over the waters of the
+Erie Canal. Fred was driving at high speed and as the boat sped forward
+he was keenly watching for the coming of a boat that might provide help
+for the Go Ahead boys in their predicament.
+
+Several canal-boats had been passed, but there was no one on board who
+appeared to be able to help.
+
+The unwelcome guests still talked noisily to one another, but in the
+main they ignored the boys and as yet had not offered any violence.
+
+"Who's running this 'ere boat, Jim?" suddenly spoke up one of the
+passengers. "I thought you said this was your yacht."
+
+"I did say so," answered Jim promptly. "I'm just taking out a pleasure
+party. Didn't you never go to no picnic afore? I want you to be good,
+for we have got comp'ny on board. When you have got guests you have to
+be perlite whether you want to be or not."
+
+Still the Black Growler was moving swiftly. The waters over which she
+was passing seethed and boiled as if they had been heated by unseen
+fires. Even Fred had lost a part of his alarm as he began to suspect
+that his uninvited passengers did not know how to manage the boat. If
+they did, it was difficult to understand why they had not yet driven
+the boys away and taken charge.
+
+There was another thought in Fred's mind that was perplexing. He
+suspected that the supply of gasoline was running low. He had neglected
+to have the tank filled the preceding night, believing that he had a
+supply ample to carry them forward until they could obtain more.
+Suppose the motor-boat should stop? What would the men do? They might
+accuse him of deliberately stopping and in that event he was aware that
+there might be serious trouble. Indeed, he was still puzzled to
+understand why the men appeared to be so contented. If they had been
+workers on the canal, or had been employed by any of the boats why was
+it that they were free this morning? He was aware that the little city
+of Rome could not be far away.
+
+If once he should be able to bring the Black Growler safely within the
+borders of the city he was confident he would be able to rid himself
+speedily of the men, whose presence with every passing moment was
+becoming more difficult to bear.
+
+He looked eagerly ahead for signs of the city. He was unable to
+discover any, however, but his fears increased as he became more
+positive that his supply of gasoline was low. If only it would last a
+half-hour longer!
+
+On either side of the canal was a level stretch of country and near to
+the water no houses were to be seen. His friends had taken seats on the
+deck forward. In low tones they conversed among themselves, but Fred
+was too busy in his own task either to heed what they were saying or to
+join in their conversation.
+
+A few minutes later, after the speed of the boat had materially
+decreased, Fred said abruptly, "We have got to stop."
+
+"What for?" demanded the leader, quickly rising as he spoke and turning
+toward the young pilot.
+
+"Our gasoline is gone."
+
+"Look here, young fellow," said the leader of the gang after he had
+silently glared at Fred a moment, "I don't want you to try any of your
+games on us. We're bad men. Now then, you keep this boat goin'," he
+added threateningly.
+
+"I only wish I could do it," said Fred.
+
+"Are you givin' us straight goods when you say your gasoline is gone?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"What are you goin' to do?"
+
+"Nothing. That's the trouble. You can't do anything without gasoline. I
+am thinking of letting some of my passengers go ahead and get enough to
+carry us into the town. Do you know how far it is to Rome?"
+
+"Must be about three mile."
+
+"That wouldn't be very much of a walk," said Fred glibly.
+
+For some unexplained reason his courage now had returned and he stood
+in less fear of his rough and noisy guests.
+
+"What are you goin' to do?" again demanded the leader.
+
+"There isn't anything I can do," retorted Fred sharply, "unless some of
+you will go ahead and get some gasoline."
+
+"That's right, Jim," spoke up one of his companions. "We'll go and get
+his gasoline. Tell him to give us four dollars and we'll get a good
+supply."
+
+"That's right," spoke up Jim quickly. "We can't get gasoline without
+some money."
+
+"Oh, one of us will go along and pay the bills," spoke up John, who up
+to this point had taken no part in the conversation.
+
+"How much money you got?"
+
+"I guess we have got just enough to buy fifteen gallons of gasoline."
+
+"All right, then, give it to us and we'll get the gasoline for you."
+
+"I told you that we shan't give you the money," said John. "We'll go
+with you. Perhaps we can get a ride on a canal-boat or something."
+
+"You won't save much time that way," retorted Jim. "The only thing to
+do is to let us have the money and save yourselves a lot of trouble."
+
+"We're not going to give you any money," said John quietly. "I told you
+that before. The thing for you to do is to clear out, every one of you
+if you don't want to help."
+
+Unknown to his companions John had been keeping a careful outlook on
+the canal behind them. In the distance he had seen a yacht approaching
+that he was confident was the Caledonia, which they had passed when
+first they had set forth on their voyage. He was confident also that
+the coming of the yacht, together with the number of men that comprised
+her crew, would be sufficient to overawe the half-dozen men that had
+forced their company upon the Go Ahead boys.
+
+"Yonder comes the Caledonia!" he exclaimed suddenly. "They will give us
+a lift as soon as they catch up with us."
+
+Instantly the eyes of every one on board the Black Growler were turned
+toward the approaching yacht.
+
+Apparently the sight had markedly different effects. The Go Ahead boys
+were elated, but their passengers after a hasty glance and a few words
+spoken in low tones to one another, instantly seizing their bundles
+leaped ashore and ran swiftly toward the road which was not more than
+fifty yards distant.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A FRIEND IN NEED
+
+In response to the signal of distress which Fred waved from the deck of
+the Black Growler as the Caledonia approached, the speed of the big
+yacht was checked and she stopped not far from the motor-boat. It was
+still early in the morning and the owners or guests on board the
+Caledonia were not seen on deck.
+
+"What's wrong? What's the trouble?" called the captain, leaning over
+the rail and speaking to Fred.
+
+"We have had trouble," replied Fred. "A gang of tramps or canal men
+forced themselves on board and we have just gotten rid of them. When
+they saw the Caledonia coming they all ran."
+
+"Well, if you have got rid of them," said the captain gruffly, "what
+more do you want? If you go ahead they won't catch up with you."
+
+"But we can't go ahead."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Our gasoline is out."
+
+"We don't run by gasoline," said the captain, "and I'm afraid steam
+wouldn't do you any good."
+
+"Perhaps you might give us a tow as far as Rome."
+
+"Perhaps we might and then--"
+
+"What's the trouble?" Fred looked up quickly as he saw a man about
+fifty years of age approaching the rail and standing near the captain
+of the yacht. He wore a yachting cap and it was plain to the perplexed
+boy that he either was the owner of the beautiful boat or one whose
+word counted for much.
+
+"We have had our troubles," explained Fred once more. "A gang of tramps
+forced their way on board our boat and they have just left us. Our
+gasoline is out and I was asking the captain if he would be willing to
+give us a tow as far as Rome."
+
+"Of course he will," said the man heartily. "Have you got a painter
+long enough?"
+
+"I'm afraid not," replied Fred.
+
+"Then we'll toss you a rope."
+
+The captain at once responded to the word of the man who had been
+speaking to Fred and in a brief time a rope was thrown on board the
+little motor-boat.
+
+"Are you all ready?" called the man from the deck.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Fred heartily, for by this time he and his friends
+had made the rope fast and were prepared to start.
+
+"All right then, captain, go ahead."
+
+The Caledonia at once resumed her way and the Black Growler obediently
+followed about twenty-five feet behind the larger boat.
+
+Before they arrived at Rome other people, in addition to the man who
+assisted the boys, were seen on the deck of the Caledonia. It was
+evident that the party had not followed the example of the Go Ahead
+boys in spending any nights at hotels. They slept on board and the
+port-holes of what undoubtedly were beautiful little cabins were
+plainly seen along the sides of the yacht.
+
+It was manifest too that the story of the misfortunes of the Go Ahead
+boys was speedily told, for a party of five young people in addition to
+the older ones assembled in the stern of the Caledonia and laughingly
+greeted the boys in the boat that was being towed.
+
+A short time afterward the boats entered the little city of Rome. When
+they arrived at a place where a landing safely could be made Fred
+shouted to the people on the Caledonia, "We'll cast off now. Thank you
+for all you have done. You have helped us out of a bad fix."
+
+"You're very welcome, I'm sure," replied the man who had arranged for
+their relief from their predicament.
+
+"Are you going down the St. Lawrence?" he added.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Fred, "as far as Alexandria Bay."
+
+"Then we may see you again," called the man. "We expect to be on an
+island near there. My name is Stevens. If you expect to be in
+Alexandria Bay very long don't fail to look us up."
+
+"Thank you, sir," replied Fred, and his companions were as interested
+as he in his word. "We certainly shall do so. Thank you again for all
+that you have done to help us."
+
+The Caledonia quickly resumed her voyage, while the boys waving their
+handkerchiefs in response to the tokens of good will that came from the
+strangers who had helped them, speedily made their boat fast and went
+ashore.
+
+In response to their inquiries they were directed to a place where they
+could obtain a breakfast and not many minutes had elapsed before the
+four Go Ahead boys were seated about a table busily engaged in their
+repast.
+
+"I tell you I'm hungry," said John as he called for a second piece of
+beefsteak.
+
+"That's the way you would be all the time," said George, "if you would
+only get up early in the morning."
+
+"That doesn't go. I was up all night long," spoke up Fred. "I didn't
+sleep any last night."
+
+"I noticed that," said Grant. "The sound that came from your room
+showed very plainly that you were not sleeping and yet I cannot
+understand why a fellow should make all those noises if he is wide
+awake."
+
+"It was John you heard," retorted Fred.
+
+"Yes, I heard John too," said Grant. "It was a duet most of the time.
+Now aren't you glad," he added, "that I told you how wide the Erie
+Canal is? You see there was plenty of room for the Caledonia to pass us
+and take us in tow."
+
+"How wide is the Erie Canal?" spoke up George. "I don't believe you can
+remember it now yourself. You haven't your notes with you. None of
+that," he added quickly as Grant felt in his pocket for a paper. "Tell
+me on your word of honor how wide the Erie Canal is."
+
+"Seventy feet wide on the surface and fifty-six feet wide at the
+bottom," said Grant promptly.
+
+"I suppose we'll have to take your word for it," said George as his
+friends laughed at his discomfiture. "We can't dispute you and even if
+you don't know anything about it you tell it as if you believed it to
+be the most solemn truth in the world."
+
+"It's true, just as I'm telling you," said Grant.
+
+"How about the new canal that New York State is building now?"
+
+"I have told you about that too," said Grant, "but then you have to
+have a good many review lessons with some people."
+
+"That's all right, but just the same tell me about the new canal. How
+wide is it?"
+
+"That's one hundred and twenty-three to one hundred and seventy-one
+feet wide on the surface, and seventy-five feet wide at the bottom. Of
+course there are some places," Grant added, "when it runs into a lake
+or a pond where it is a good deal wider than that. But as far as the
+digging is concerned that's the width."
+
+"Is it deeper than the Erie Canal?"
+
+"Yes, sir. The Erie Canal is about seven feet deep and the new one is
+about twelve feet deep. It's going to be deep enough to take in boats
+of three thousand tons."
+
+As soon as their breakfast had been eaten, and a fresh supply of
+gasoline had been obtained, once more in high spirits the boys started
+in their swift motor-boat.
+
+Their experience with the canal-men now was only a memory and they
+could well afford to laugh at what had been said and done.
+
+"That's what you get for having us stop in a place such as you picked
+out, Peewee," said George. "There's no accounting for the tastes of
+some people. Now, I never should have selected that place."
+
+"You can believe me, I'll never select it again," answered Fred, so
+soberly that his friends all laughed. "Once is enough and forever. I
+didn't believe there could be such a place in the whole of New York
+State."
+
+"Well, you know now there is," said John, "and so do the rest of us. We
+don't stop again without knowing something of the hotel in which we are
+to stay."
+
+"Where shall we stay to-night, fellows?" inquired Fred. "We ought to
+get to Syracuse early this afternoon and we can go right on to Oswego
+if you want to or we can stay there until to-morrow morning and start
+then."
+
+"Wait and see what time it is when we strike Syracuse," said Grant.
+"Probably the gasoline you bought back there at Rome won't last until
+we get there."
+
+"I have got enough gasoline to take us to the St. Lawrence River,"
+declared Fred. "I'm not going to be caught again as I was this morning."
+
+Meanwhile the Black Growler was noisily speeding on her way. To three
+of the boys the country through which they were moving was all new and
+therefore abounded in interest. Prosperous villages and fertile farms
+were passed. As the sun climbed higher into the heavens the day became
+so much warmer that the boys were glad to seek the shelter behind the
+awnings which they now had made use of, as a protection from the heat
+and glare.
+
+It was early in the afternoon when the Go Ahead boys arrived at the
+thriving city of Syracuse. They speedily decided to rest an hour after
+they had stopped for luncheon and then through the Oswego Canal to go
+on to the shore of Lake Ontario. There they would be ready to start on
+the following morning and were hopeful that if no mishaps occurred they
+would arrive at their destination the following afternoon. The clear
+air, the quiet that rested over the region through which they were
+passing, the tranquil attitude of even the cattle in the fields gave
+slight indication that the peacefulness of the scene was soon to be
+broken and the Go Ahead boys were to enter upon one of their most
+stirring experiences.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+IN TROUBLE
+
+The Black Growler was not moving as swiftly as when she had been
+speeding over the waters of the Erie Canal. There was less need of
+haste now and the boys were more interested as they were drawing near
+the city which was to be the destination of their inland voyage.
+
+It was dusk when they arrived at Oswego. They made the little
+motor-boat safe until the following morning and then with their
+belongings at once walked to the hotel where they were to pass the
+night.
+
+A hearty dinner soon revived the spirits of the boys, who were now
+somewhat wearied by their long voyage from New York.
+
+They visited several places of interest in the little city but at an
+early hour returned to the hotel and sought their rooms.
+
+The following morning found them soon after an early breakfast once
+more on board the Black Growler.
+
+They now were about to pass out upon the waters of Lake Ontario.
+Whatever perils they had experienced from the canal-men were no longer
+to be faced. If there was danger ahead it would come from the squalls
+which frequently occurred on Lake Ontario. They were all confident,
+however, that they would complete the remainder of their voyage
+successfully and in high spirits prepared to cast off.
+
+"Hi, Peewee!" called George. "Are you sure you have got all the
+gasoline we need?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I'm sure," laughed Fred. "That's one predicament I'm never
+going to get caught in again. We may have something else go wrong but
+we'll not run short of gasoline."
+
+"I'm glad to hear it," said Grant soberly. "I noticed from the sounds
+that came from your room last night that you weren't sleeping very well
+again. I didn't know but you would be so tired this morning that you
+would forget all about the Black Growler and even the Go Ahead boys."
+
+"That's all right," laughed Fred. "Do I look sleepy this morning?"
+
+"Not especially."
+
+"Well, I'm not, whether I look so or not," retorted Fred. "If you are
+all ready we'll start."
+
+"We're all ready," answered the Go Ahead boys together and a moment
+later the Black Growler was speeding on her way toward the waters of
+the open lake.
+
+"My, what a glorious day this is," exclaimed John when a little later
+the motor-boat was fast leaving Oswego behind.
+
+Indeed there was much to cause the young sailors to be enthusiastic
+over the morning. The clear air, the morning sunlight, the sparkling
+waters of the beautiful lake all combined to produce an effect that was
+unlike any which the boys before had experienced. Even the waves
+appeared to be peaceful. Not a whitecap was in sight.
+
+"Did you hear what that man on the dock said when we passed?" inquired
+Grant.
+
+"What man?" inquired Fred. "What did he say?"
+
+"Why he said we had better take a man along with us that knows the
+lake."
+
+"No, I didn't hear him," said Fred. "And if I had, it wouldn't have
+made any difference. I know my way all right and you fellows needn't be
+afraid that you won't be down among the Thousand Islands in time for
+dinner."
+
+"Where shall we get our luncheon, Fred?" asked George.
+
+"I don't know yet. It will depend somewhat on where we are. If we can
+make Cape Vincent all right we'll have it there."
+
+An hour later John said after he had looked out over the lake, "The
+wind is getting fresher. Don't you notice it, fellows?"
+
+"Yes," said George. "I hope it will keep it up. I would like to be out
+here when the Black Growler was rolling a little. I would give a dime
+to see one of the Go Ahead boys seasick."
+
+"Don't be so extravagant," retorted Fred. "You'll only have a chance to
+lose your money before night. The wind is rising," he added a moment
+later.
+
+In the distance the boys saw occasional waves that now were capped with
+white. The Black Growler also had taken on a rolling motion and
+although all four of the Go Ahead boys declared that they enjoyed the
+experience it was noticed after a brief time that Fred was strangely
+quiet. He was still at the wheel and apparently devoting all his
+thought to his task.
+
+"Say, fellows, will you take a look at Peewee?" demanded George about
+ten minutes later. "I believe he is getting sick."
+
+Fred turned and glanced at his companions but did not speak. The color
+and expression of his face, however, were such as to arouse great
+elation among his passengers.
+
+"That's the way, Peewee!" laughed John. "You'll have to give up your
+place at the wheel. I'm sorry that we haven't any doctor on board."
+
+"There was an old fellow down on Long Island Sound," suggested George,
+"who used to tell us that the best cure for seasickness was a sweet
+apple and if that wasn't any good then he suggested swallowing a piece
+of raw salt pork with a string tied to it."
+
+"What was the string for?" demanded John.
+
+"If you can't guess, I shan't tell you," laughed George. "I'm just
+making these suggestions for little Pyg's benefit. He doesn't look as
+if he was happy. Hi, Fred!" he added, turning to the pilot, "you had
+better go back in the stern and lie down."
+
+"I would," answered Fred, who was genuinely miserable now, "if there
+was any one on board who knew enough to take my place."
+
+"Any one of us can do it," spoke up George glibly.
+
+Fred shook his head in token of his unbelief as he said slowly, "We
+would go to the bottom."
+
+"We may go there anyway," said John, "if this wind keeps rising. I want
+you to notice how much higher the waves are and how many more white
+caps we can see. I don't know what's going to become of us."
+
+The boy spoke seriously and for a moment his companions looked keenly
+at him.
+
+Sometimes it was difficult to decide just what thoughts were in John's
+mind. His manner of speaking did not betray his innermost feelings.
+This time, however, it was evident that he was anxious, if not alarmed,
+and when a moment later Fred declared that he was so miserable that he
+must find some relief, the anxiety of the Go Ahead boys increased
+greatly.
+
+Fred retired to the cockpit and stretched himself at full length upon
+the cushions of the seats. A ghastly, greenish pallor was upon his face
+and no proof was required that he was far from being happy.
+
+John now took the wheel and did his utmost to hold the Black Growler to
+a steady course.
+
+Occasionally the motor-boat was caught in the trough of the waves and
+the spray dashed over the boys. It was not long before every one was
+wet, Fred taking more than his full share of the water. He was,
+however, so miserable that he did not protest and even his friends now
+were silent as they devoted their efforts to holding the motor-boat
+steadily to her course.
+
+All thoughts of luncheon were abandoned. Fred, of course, had passed
+the stage where the thought of food brought any pleasure, while his
+companions were so busy that they too had forgotten that midday had
+arrived.
+
+"You don't need to mind this too much," suggested John in his loudest
+tones. "I have seen the wind come up and then go down just as suddenly
+as it came. Perhaps that will be the way it will be to-day."
+
+Whatever the thoughts in the minds of George and Grant were they did
+not express them. They were standing near the wheel eagerly looking
+before them.
+
+Each boy was hopeful that a boat might be seen which would come to the
+aid of the unfortunate Black Growler. Several passing steamers were
+seen low on the horizon, but it was impossible to attract the attention
+of any.
+
+"I feel," said George at last breaking in upon the silence, "that we
+made a great mistake this morning when we didn't take the advice of
+that man in Oswego."
+
+"What man? What was his advice?" asked Grant.
+
+"Why the one who told us that we ought not to start out on Lake Ontario
+without taking some man along with us who knew the course and could
+help us if we got into a fix."
+
+"I don't like such remarks at this time," said Grant. "I never want the
+man who says 'I told you so' to come around to me with his comfort."
+
+"I didn't mean it that way," protested George.
+
+"Of course you didn't, Pop, but we're boxed here as sure as you live.
+There isn't any use in complaining or in spending our time wishing that
+we had done something else. Is the wind going down any?"
+
+"Not a bit," spoke up John. "I think it's getting stronger if anything."
+
+Meanwhile the little boat had been rolling and tossing, almost helpless
+in the trough of the waves. Poor Fred was stretched out at full length
+on the cushions and the ghastly expression of his face indicated that
+he at least was not suffering from any fear of the fate which might
+befall them. He had reached that stage in his sickness wherein he was
+completely indifferent to his surroundings.
+
+Again and again the anxious boys did their utmost to discover the cause
+of the trouble. They were unable to find any serious defect with the
+machinery, however, and their anxiety steadily increased. Several times
+the motor-boat shipped water and once or twice she was thrown with such
+violence by the onrushing waves that it did not seem possible she could
+again right herself.
+
+The boys were now far from land, for only a dim outline of the faraway
+shore could be seen. They had not taken the direct course to Cape
+Vincent. Although they might have saved time by doing so, it was
+considered safer to keep near the shore, although at no place were they
+within three miles of it.
+
+Another hour elapsed and still the wind continued strong. The sun was
+shining brightly and the clouds scudding across the face of the sky
+only occasionally concealed its beams.
+
+The supreme hope in the minds of all had been that their predicament
+would be discovered and that some one would come to their aid. The
+shore, however, was so far distant that it was vain to expect help from
+that direction and on the other hand most of the boats, whose courses
+were marked by trails of smoke, were so far away that it was almost
+impossible for them to discern the drifting motor-boat.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+RESCUED
+
+No change occurred for another hour in the position in which the boys
+found themselves. Fred still was lying helpless on the cushions and the
+boys by taking turns or working together at the wheel had somehow, in
+spite of numerous moments of peril, been able to keep the Black Growler
+headed to the wind.
+
+At that time George broke in upon the silence by saying excitedly,
+"Look yonder, fellows! Isn't that a boat coming this way?"
+
+Instantly the eyes of all three turned in the direction in which George
+pointed. Far away a trail of smoke was visible and from the direction
+in which it was moving it was apparent that it had come from a boat
+which was coming nearer the place where the boys were drifting than had
+any boats since their mishap.
+
+"I believe it's coming," exclaimed Grant. "We'll get some help pretty
+soon."
+
+"Yes," broke in John, whose hands now were blistered and whose temper
+had suffered from his efforts. "Yes, she's probably bound for Liverpool
+and won't stop until she's gone across the ocean. A lot of good it will
+do us!"
+
+"Don't take all the joy out of living, String," laughed George
+good-naturedly. "Maybe we shan't have any chance to be taken on board,
+but we'll do our best anyway."
+
+Silence followed as the three boys eagerly watched the approaching
+boat, for there was no question in their minds now that the unknown
+steamer was approaching.
+
+A few minutes later Grant said, looking through the field glasses at
+the approaching stranger, "That's a yacht of some kind, in my opinion."
+As soon as he had spoken, his companions eagerly demanded an
+opportunity to confirm his statement.
+
+"Soc is right," said John after a long inspection.
+
+"Of course he is," said Grant lightly. "He always is right. How many
+times must I tell you that if you would only follow my advice you would
+soon be improving?"
+
+"It's no time to joke," said John solemnly. "We've just got to make
+them take us on board or help us out of our trouble."
+
+"We'll have to wait until they come nearer than they are now," said
+George. "Have we got a big white cloth that we can use as a signal?"
+
+"I think there are some sheets down in the cabin," suggested Grant.
+
+"Then I'll get them," said Grant quickly, as he disappeared from sight.
+
+In a brief time he returned with two sheets in his arms. Handing one to
+Grant, while John was still busy at the wheel, George said excitedly,
+"Now we have got to stand up and let them know that we're here."
+
+It was plain to the watching boys that the approaching boat was a yacht
+as Grant had suggested. Her graceful outlines now could be plainly seen
+and she was swiftly approaching.
+
+"I'm wondering," suggested George thoughtfully, "if we are tossing
+around on the water the way she is. Just look at her," he added
+excitedly as the yacht in the distance pitched visibly in the rough
+water.
+
+"Of course we are," said John, "only worse. A little boat like the
+Black Growler is not worth much more than an egg shell."
+
+"Still I think I would rather be in the Black Growler," laughed George.
+
+The spray continued to dash over the motor-boat and the little craft
+was roughly tossed by the passing waves. Fred twice had rolled from his
+position on the cushions and fallen upon the floor. The assistance of
+his friends had been required to restore him to his former position.
+His ghastly appearance by this time had aroused the sympathies of his
+companions and besides they were all three anxious for the safety of
+the boat as well as of themselves.
+
+The sun was still shining brightly and there was life in the air as it
+swept across the great mass of fresh water. Steadily the Black Growler
+had been moving before the wind, which was blowing directly from the
+lake. As a result they were able to see more distinctly the outlines of
+the shore before them, which now was not more than two miles distant.
+
+A few minutes had elapsed when George said excitedly, "Do you see what
+boat that is?"
+
+His companions did not reply for a brief time and then Grant said
+quietly, "It's the Caledonia."
+
+"Yes, I believe it is," joined in John.
+
+"I know it is," said George. "We're sure now that we'll get some help."
+
+"We may have our troubles," suggested Grant, "if the captain answers
+our hail, or he may pick us up and claim salvage."
+
+"I guess there won't be anything like that," exclaimed George, who was
+greatly relieved by the sight of the approaching yacht. Her black sides
+glistened in the sunlight and her graceful outline now that she was
+near had never appeared to greater advantage.
+
+Two of the boys were still waving and shaking the sheets as their
+signals of distress. It was evident, however, that they had been seen
+by the crew of the Caledonia and that the big black yacht was directly
+bearing down upon them.
+
+A few minutes later the Caledonia shut off steam and the captain was
+seen on deck.
+
+Approaching the rail, with his speaking trumpet in his hand, he called,
+"Ahoy, there! What's the trouble?"
+
+"Our engine is broken down," replied John.
+
+"Aren't you the same boys we towed through the Erie Canal yesterday?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied John.
+
+"You seem to be in trouble most of the way," retorted the captain. "It
+seems to me the best thing we can do is to take you up and send you
+back to your mothers. You aren't fit to be out here on Lake Ontario all
+alone. What do you want us to do?"
+
+At that moment the owner of the yacht again appeared by the captain's
+side and taking the speaking trumpet from that officer he called to the
+boys, "Are you in trouble?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied John, who still was the spokesman for the Go Ahead
+boys.
+
+"What can we do for you?"
+
+"If you will take us on board, or give us a tow until we can land
+somewhere we shall be very grateful to you."
+
+"What's the trouble?"
+
+"That's just what we do not know," said John.
+
+"Have you got plenty of gasoline?"
+
+"Yes, sir. It's something wrong with the machinery this time."
+
+Fred now was sitting erect and gazing interestedly at the people on the
+deck of the Caledonia. His face was still ghastly in its color but the
+opportunity to secure help apparently had aroused him from the
+semi-stupor into which he had fallen.
+
+"I think the best thing will be to take you on board and tow the boat.
+We're going to put in for the night right here and if there isn't
+anybody there who can fix up your machinery then you'll have to stay
+until to-morrow morning when we can take you on to Sacket's Harbor. I
+think it will be better for all you boys to come aboard," he added. "In
+a sea like this there's no knowing what may happen to a boat in tow."
+
+"You fellows go on board," said Fred. "I'll stay here and look after
+the boat."
+
+"You'll do nothing of the kind," retorted John promptly. "If you stay I
+shall stay with you."
+
+It finally was agreed that the four boys should be taken on board the
+Caledonia and that one of the crew of the yacht should take his place
+on board the Black Growler and do his best to see that she was guided
+aright while she was being towed by the larger boat.
+
+The big yacht was drifting steadily nearer the motor-boat and in a
+brief time it was possible for a rope to be cast. The boys succeeded in
+making this fast and then the yacht swung around so that the Black
+Growler was in the lea.
+
+In spite of the rough water the boys succeeded in making their way to
+the deck of the yacht while one of the crew took his place on board the
+Black Growler.
+
+The motor-boat then was dropped back and when the Caledonia started,
+she was fifty feet in the rear of the larger boat.
+
+Mr. Stevens cordially and yet laughingly greeted the boys, whom he
+dubbed at the time the "sons of misfortune."
+
+Relieved as the Go Ahead boys were by their rescue they nevertheless
+all showed traces of chagrin over the fact that twice they had been
+helped by the big, black yacht.
+
+"We're going to put up at Henderson Harbor," explained Mr. Stevens. "I
+have some friends staying at the big club-house and I have promised to
+spend the night there. I'm sure there will be a welcome for you boys if
+you wish to stop. It may be, however, that there will be some one there
+who can fix you up so that you can go on to Sacket's Harbor if you
+desire. My suggestion is, however, that you spend the night at the
+club-house. In the morning we can take your boat in tow again and drop
+you at Sacket's Harbor or Cape Vincent for such repairs as you may
+need."
+
+"Thank you," replied John. "I'm sure we shall all be glad to do as you
+suggest."
+
+At this time the members of Mr. Stevens' family approached the little
+group and the Go Ahead boys one by one were introduced.
+
+The ghastly expression on the face of Fred in part disappeared when he
+was introduced to the older daughter of the owner. Miss Susie Stevens
+laughed in a manner which increased Fred's annoyance when his
+companions explained the cause of his troubles.
+
+"I wasn't seasick!" declared Fred glibly. "I just had a headache."
+
+"That's all right, Peewee," said George in mock seriousness. "That's
+all right. All I can say is that if I was not seasick I'm mighty sure I
+wouldn't be doing some of the things you did."
+
+The young people all laughed at Fred's manifest irritation but the
+subject was changed, for the Caledonia by this time was drawing near
+the island on which the club house they were seeking was located.
+
+The water within the harbor was much smoother than on the open lake and
+the relief from the motion produced by the tossing waves speedily
+restored Fred so that when at last the yacht was anchored and the Black
+Growler was safely drawn into the boat house he was ready to take his
+part with his companions in the events that speedily followed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A BATTLE WITH ARMS AND LEGS
+
+The Go Ahead boys enjoyed a bath in the lake before they reported at
+the club-house in response to the invitation of Mr. Stevens. Even Fred
+had now thoroughly recovered from his experience and was more than
+positive that he had not been seasick. His strong words greatly
+delighted his friends, who aware now that he was sensitive concerning
+the matter, lost no opportunity to describe his sufferings which began
+soon after they set sail from Oswego.
+
+At first the boys had insisted that as soon as the difficulty with the
+Black Growler had been remedied they must proceed at once on their way.
+When it was found, however, that there was no mechanic at the
+club-house they were easily persuaded to abandon their project and
+accept the hospitality of Mr. Stevens for the night.
+
+Early the following morning a man skilled in all the uncertain ways of
+motor-boats arrived in response to the summons of the officials and in
+a brief time he discovered that there was nothing seriously wrong with
+the Black Growler. Indeed, within a few minutes he was racing the swift
+little motor-boat over the waters of Lake Ontario, which now was calm
+once more.
+
+The club-house was located on an island at the entrance of a
+marvelously beautiful harbor. Three miles inland and about an equal
+number in length the waters appeared like a great bowl. High wooded
+shores were seen on one shore and on another a row of attractive
+cottages behind which the road was visible winding in and out in the
+direction of Sacket's Harbor.
+
+Soon after breakfast, when Fred declared that it was time for the Go
+Ahead boys to start; Mr. Stevens said, "I think you young gentlemen
+will do well to take Sam Hodge along with you. He's an excellent
+mechanic and if anything goes wrong he will know what to do."
+
+"How about Fred?" demanded George, whose eyes twinkled as he spoke.
+"Can he fix him up if he is seasick again?"
+
+"I'm not going to be seasick," retorted Fred. "I wasn't seasick
+yesterday. I have told you so ten times."
+
+Ignoring the protest, George said, "It seems to me it ought to be as
+easy to adjust the internal workings of Peewee as those of the Black
+Growler. Perhaps a dose of a similar kind might be good for both."
+George's face was expressionless and his voice did not betray his
+purpose of bantering his diminutive friend.
+
+Fred's face flushed an angry red, for Miss Susie Stevens and other
+members of the club were standing on the dock when the conversation
+occurred. Her black eyes twinkled with mischief and it was manifest
+that she was enjoying the visit of the boys.
+
+"I think," said Grant positively, "that we had better take Sam Hodge
+with us. We ought to arrive at your grandfather's place by night, Fred,
+and he can come back by train."
+
+"That's right. That's right," spoke up John quickly. "I had to steer
+the Black Growler most of the time yesterday and my arms are lame."
+
+"All the length of them?" asked George. "Why, think when John has a
+pain how long he must have it."
+
+John turned quickly upon his tormentor as he said, "That's the
+thirteenth time I have heard you get off that old joke. You mustn't
+take him too seriously, Miss Susie," he added, turning to the girl, who
+was laughing at George 's suggestion. "You know what his nickname is,
+don't you?"
+
+"No, I cannot say that I do," replied Miss Susie.
+
+"Well, we call him Pop."
+
+"Why?" she inquired.
+
+"Because he's the papa of his country. He is named for George
+Washington, who is the Father of his Country, but the name doesn't go
+very far."
+
+"That's all right," spoke up George. "Up yonder where your topknot is
+there's an aching void. I read the other day that Sydney Smith said
+'Nature never built a man more than seven stories high without leaving
+the top loft empty'."
+
+"On the contrary," spoke up John, "all the great men have been those
+who could look down on the rest of the world."
+
+"Huh!" broke in Grant, "it will do you good to find out how much of
+your statement is really true. What do you think of Caesar, Napoleon,
+William of Orange, General Grant, Alexander Stephens, Alexander
+Hamilton--"
+
+"That will do, my son. That will do," said John, patting Grant upon the
+head. "That is a sufficiency of information this morning. Pray desist.
+In other words, shut up. If we don't stop you pretty soon you'll start
+in on the matter of canals again. All the way up from New York," he
+added, turning to Miss Susie as he spoke, "he has been giving us
+undigested and undesirable information about the canals. He even said
+that the Amsterdam Canal connected the Zuider Zee with the North Sea."
+
+"So it does," said Grant quickly. "If you'll tell me how long that
+canal is I'll buy the dinner, when we stop at Cape Vincent."
+
+"One hundred and sixty-five miles," declared John promptly. As he
+spoke, however, he glanced at his cuff on which the fact was plainly
+written.
+
+"That doesn't count," declared Grant. "No ponying in this game. Look up
+into the sky, John, which isn't very far from you, and if you'll tell
+me how long the Panama Canal is I'll call it square and buy the dinner."
+
+"The--Panama--Canal--is--is--quite long."
+
+"So I have heard," laughed Grant. "I guess you buy the dinner."
+
+"How long is it?" inquired John. "I knew, but I have forgotten."
+
+"It's fifty and one-half miles long. Here comes Sam Hodge," Grant added
+as the boatman came alongside the dock. "Are you going with us?" he
+inquired as he quickly approached the dock.
+
+"Where's that?" inquired Sam.
+
+"Down the St. Lawrence River."
+
+"How far?"
+
+"Oh, down among the Thousand Islands, that's all."
+
+"First I have heard of it," said Sam.
+
+"I think it will be a good thing if you can go with the boys, Sam,"
+spoke up Mr. Stevens. "They had a mishap yesterday and didn't quite
+know what to do."
+
+"Sure, I'll go," said Sam.
+
+Fred made no protests and the terms with the mechanic were speedily
+arranged.
+
+A half-hour later the Black Growler set forth on her voyage.
+
+The Caledonia was to follow some time that day and plans already had
+been made by which the boys were to spend some time on Hecla Island, on
+which was located the summer home of the Stevens.
+
+Fortunately for Fred, at least, the lake continued to be calm. In the
+eagerness of the boy to prove to his friends that he merely had a
+"headache" the preceding day and had not been seasick, he was unusually
+busy.
+
+Sam called the attention of the Go Ahead boys to the post at Sacket's
+Harbor. On a bluff above the lake the barracks and other buildings of
+the place were plainly visible. Even the soldiers stationed there could
+be plainly seen as they moved about the quarters.
+
+"That's a great place to have an army post," said George. "I can't
+think of any place better unless it's in the middle of the Sahara
+Desert. Why did the government establish a post here?"
+
+"Because there was a fort here, 'way back in the War of 1812," answered
+Grant promptly. "Sacket's Harbor was the headquarters of the army of
+the North and so the place has been kept up ever since."
+
+"Do any of you want to stop?" inquired Fred, glancing at his companions
+as he spoke.
+
+"Not I," replied John quickly. "When we have a good sea like this and
+Fred can be safe from the misery he suffered yesterday I'm not for
+taking any chances of the wind coming up later."
+
+"That's mighty kind of you," growled Fred. "I never knew you to be so
+thoughtful of any one,--except yourself."
+
+"Don't say that," said John. "You don't mean it. What you mean is that
+this is the first time you ever have appreciated how good I am."
+
+"Huh," began Fred in response. His reply, however, was interrupted by
+Sam Hodge as he said, "This is a mighty good boat. She must have cost a
+pile of money."
+
+"She did," said George quickly. "Fred had to save up his spending money
+for several days before he bought her. You don't talk like a native
+around here, Sam. Where did you come from?"
+
+"I come from New York," answered Sam.
+
+"What were you doing there?"
+
+"Oh, I worked in a factory where we made legs and feet and arms for
+dummies and models."
+
+"Fine job," laughed George. "Did you like it?"
+
+"I liked the job all right," replied Sam, "but I didn't like our
+foreman. I quit on account of him."
+
+"What was wrong with him?"
+
+"Everything," said Sam quietly.
+
+"So that was why you left and came up here to work on motor-boats was
+it?"
+
+"Yes," answered Sam. "That foreman was the hardest man to get along
+with I ever saw. I put up with it for months, but finally there came a
+day when I decided I wouldn't stand any more of it."
+
+"What happened?"
+
+"Why, I had a sore hand and I asked him to cut one of my feet off and
+he cut it off for me and then he got mad at something I said and threw
+one of his legs at me. Then not satisfied with that he took one of the
+girl's feet and threw that at me, too. Of course I got mad. I picked up
+one of my legs in my hand and I tried to defend myself and then he hit
+me in the eye with one of his hands and knocked me over among a lot of
+legs and arms. He almost broke my foot and--"
+
+"Did you say he cut one of your feet off?" asked Grant, soberly looking
+down at the pedal extremities of the mechanic, as he did so.
+
+"That's just what he did," answered Sam.
+
+"But it seems to be all right now," protested Fred.
+
+"You don't quite see," said Sam. "I'm talking about the foreman of the
+factory where I worked over on Broome Street. We manufactured legs and
+feet and arms for dummies and models like I was telling you."
+
+"Like those that we see in the show windows?"
+
+"That's it exactly," said Sam. "Those dummies and models that they put
+in the store windows to display gowns on. I was working on one of the
+artificial feet and I mean he broke it. Oh, no, he didn't cut one of my
+REAL feet off. But he did hit me in the eye with one of his hands."
+
+"I see," said George seriously. "It was an artificial eye of yours that
+he hit."
+
+"No, it wasn't," retorted Sam. "It was my real eye."
+
+"But he hit it with one of his artificial hands. Is that it, or did he
+hit it with one of the hands he manufactured?"
+
+"No. No," said Sam. "He hit me in my real eye with his real hand."
+
+"And that was why you picked up one of your legs and he took one of the
+girl's feet and he hit you in the real eye, no, I mean the artificial
+eye with his real hand,--that's not quite it. I mean he hit you in the
+hand with his artificial eye. No, that isn't it either. Hold on. He
+threw one of his legs at you and then he took his eye and threw it at
+one of the girl's feet. Hold on, I'm getting all mixed up. I can't tell
+just where I am at. Say it again, Sam."
+
+"I think it's better for a man to have a wooden leg than it is to have
+a wooden head," spoke up Fred.
+
+"Splendid, Peewee! Fine!" laughed George. "That's immense! Great! Sam,"
+he added soberly as he turned to the mechanic who was now steering the
+Black Growler, "did you say you made artificial legs and arms and feet?"
+
+"That's what I said," acknowledged Sam.
+
+"Did you ever manufacture artificial heads?"
+
+"Lots of 'em. Lots of 'em."
+
+"Have you got any with you?"
+
+"No, I haven't."
+
+"I'm sorry," said George. "There are several reasons why I should like
+to buy one."
+
+Meanwhile the Black Growler swiftly and greatly to the delight of Sam
+was speeding over the smooth waters. Scarcely a ripple was to be seen.
+The reflection of the sunlight increased the discomfort of the Go Ahead
+boys and all four were rejoiced when at last Cape Vincent was sighted
+in the distance.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A SURPRISE
+
+"Wait a minute, fellows!" called Fred when his companions prepared to
+depart from the dock and go to the hotel for their luncheon. "I have
+lost my knife. I think I must have dropped it somewhere behind the
+cushions."
+
+The boys halted on the dock while Fred speedily turned over the
+cushions. He did not discover his missing knife, but he did find a
+large envelope lying directly beneath the cushion in the stern of the
+cockpit.
+
+"What's that?" he called as he held the paper up to view. "Have any of
+you fellows lost anything?"
+
+All three Go Ahead boys declared that the paper did not belong to any
+of them. Approaching the place where Fred was standing on board and
+still looking at the document Grant suggested that he should open the
+envelope as it was unsealed and unaddressed.
+
+Fred followed the suggestion and to the amazement as well as to the
+consternation of his friends he drew forth a bond for five thousand
+dollars. For a moment an expression of blank amazement appeared on the
+faces of all on board.
+
+"What's that?" demanded Fred at last. "Whose is it? What is it doing on
+board the Black Growler?"
+
+"It's a railway mortgage bond and given by one of the strongest
+railroads in the United States," said Grant, who had been looking
+carefully at the surprising discovery which his friend had made.
+
+"Is it good for anything?" inquired John.
+
+"Not much," laughed Grant. "Only five thousand dollars, that's all."
+
+"Do you mean to tell me you could get five thousand dollars for that
+piece of paper?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I think you could."
+
+"Well, then," said John, "why don't we do it? It may be as good as
+money, as you say, but I think I'd rather see the cold cash. Where can
+we get the money?"
+
+"It might take a little time to get it cashed, but almost any bank
+would pay it. It's not a registered bond and it looks as if it was all
+right every way."
+
+"Yes, but whose is it?" said Fred. "That's what troubles me."
+
+"I guess you won't have any trouble in finding out whose bond it is,"
+laughed George. "Though I must confess I don't see how it came on
+board."
+
+"Neither do I," said Fred slowly. "It must have been here some time."
+
+"Yes," said John dryly. "I guess this is the first time we have turned
+over or shaken out the cushions."
+
+"'We' have shaken out, is good," retorted Fred. "I was doing this
+little job all myself. There wasn't a fellow who offered to lend a
+hand. But what shall I do with the thing?" he added.
+
+"Put it in your pocket now," said Grant, "and wait until we have had
+our luncheon. We can talk it over while we are at the table and decide
+what is the best thing to do."
+
+Grant's advice was followed. Fred thrust the bond into the envelope and
+then placed the package in the inner pocket of his jacket.
+
+Throughout their meal the discovery of the bond was the chief topic of
+conversation. The mystery of its presence on board the Black Growler as
+well as that of its ownership again and again were talked over, but no
+satisfactory conclusion had been obtained when at last the boys
+departed from the hotel.
+
+"I'll tell you what we'll do, fellows," said Grant. "Let's take that
+bond down to the bank. There must be one or two banks here and we can
+find out about it and leave it there, if it is thought best. It may be
+that we shan't want to be found with the goods on us a little later."
+
+"That's all right, Soc," said Fred, who was more nervous than any of
+the boys concerning the discovery which he had made. "I'll find out
+where there's a bank."
+
+In response to his inquiries, Fred soon was informed where a bank could
+be found and together with his companions at once entered it.
+
+He inquired for the president and soon was introduced to that official.
+Briefly Fred then related the story of the discovery of the bond. The
+man before him listened attentively and when Fred ceased he said, "Let
+me see the bond."
+
+As soon as he received it he carefully read its contents and then said
+slowly, "That is a perfectly good bond and is worth at least fifty-two
+hundred and fifty dollars. What do you intend to do with it?"
+
+"That's what we wanted to ask you," explained Fred.
+
+"And you haven't any idea where it came from?" inquired the banker,
+looking keenly at Fred as he spoke.
+
+"Not the slightest," answered Fred. "I never was more surprised in my
+life than when I found that bond under the cushion on our boat."
+
+"Hum," said the banker slowly. "Will you accept a suggestion from me?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Fred eagerly. "That's what we came for."
+
+"Then my advice to you is to leave the bond here. I'll give you a
+description of it and the number, and will make such inquiries as are
+in my power concerning its ownership. You must give me your names and
+addresses and tell me where I can get you on the 'phone within the next
+few days if I want to call you."
+
+Fred glanced questioningly at his companions and when Grant nodded his
+head, he said, "All right Mr.----"
+
+"My name is Reese," explained the banker.
+
+"All right, Mr. Reese," said Fred. "You give us the paper and we'll be
+glad to leave the bond here in your keeping. Have you any idea," he
+added, "how that bond may have been placed on board our boat?"
+
+"No, sir, not the slightest," replied the banker.
+
+Mr. Reese retired from the room in which the boys were waiting and in a
+moment returned stating that as soon as the chief facts concerning the
+bond had been transcribed he would give a copy to the boys. Meanwhile
+he took the names of all four Go Ahead boys and also their addresses.
+
+"I know your grandfather quite well," he explained when Fred gave his
+name as that in the care of which all letters and messages for the boys
+should be sent. "He frequently comes up to Cape Vincent in his yacht. I
+am glad to meet you on his account as well as on your own."
+
+The task at last having been completed, the Go Ahead boys at once
+started toward the dock where their motor-boat had been left.
+
+As they drew near the place, John suddenly stopped and clutching George
+by his arm, who was walking beside him, said, "Look at that man over on
+the dock! Who is it?"
+
+"It's the fellow who was the leader of that gang of canal-men that
+boarded us the other morning."
+
+"What do you suppose he's doing here?" demanded John in a whisper.
+
+"I can't say. I'm not sure that it is the same man, but it certainly
+looks like him."
+
+The boys stopped and excitedly explained to their friends the discovery
+which they had made.
+
+The opinion was general as soon as all had looked at the man that it
+was indeed their unwelcome visitor who had fled precipitately with his
+companions when the Caledonia had stopped to aid them.
+
+The stranger was only a few yards from the place where the Black
+Growler had been made fast, and as the boys approached he looked up and
+said with a laugh, "Glad to see yer. I thought I'd come down and look
+ye up. I wonder if yer got any gasoline?"
+
+"Yes, sir, we have," answered Fred tartly. He was not desirous of
+continuing the conversation.
+
+Sam Hodge, who had come with the boys from Henderson Harbor, had
+departed soon after the landing at Cape Vincent had been made.
+Consequently the Black Growler had been left without any one on board
+when the Go Ahead boys had gone to the hotel for their luncheon.
+Whether or not the man before them had made investigations or helped
+himself to anything of value on board the boat no one knew. There was,
+however, no one to prevent him from doing such things as he had desired.
+
+"Where did you come from?" demanded George as he stepped in front of
+the stranger.
+
+"I jes' started for me summer home," laughed the canal-man. "I didn't
+think I would go down before the Fourth of July, but the sight of you
+boys made me homesick."
+
+"Where is your island?"
+
+"I can't jes' describe it," said the man, "but if you'll give me a lift
+in your boat I'll p'int it out to you when we come to it."
+
+"How did you come down here?" demanded George.
+
+"The same as any gintleman might come. I thought of comin' in me yacht,
+but I finally decided I'd take me own car and in that way I would be
+indepindent of the whole world. Now, then, boys," he added, "I'm a bit
+fearful that I shan't be able to stay with ye very long. Did any of ye
+find a document of any value after I left ye the other day? I was a bit
+sorry I couldn't stop to shake hands with ye, but there were several
+reasons why me and me pals thought it might be a good thing not to
+interfere with you when your friends on that black yacht stopped to say
+good mornin'."
+
+The four boys looked shyly at one another, every one of them convinced
+that the mystery of the presence of the bond which they had discovered
+was in part explained.
+
+"What was your document?" asked Grant.
+
+"That wasn't what I said," replied the man. "I asked you if you had
+found any document."
+
+"Of course we'd find a good many things on board," explained Grant.
+"You'll have to tell us just what it is you lost, if you want us to say
+whether or not we have found it."
+
+"You found it all the same. I can see it by the look in your eyes,"
+declared the man. "Now, what I want to know is if you'll give it up
+peaceable-like or do you want me to call a policeman and get him to
+help me take what belongs to me."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A SURPRISING PASSENGER
+
+"We haven't got your bond," said Fred quickly. He was somewhat uneasy
+as he was aware when he glanced keenly at the man that he was unusually
+strong and if he really had obtained possession of the security in a
+way that was open to suspicion it was quite probable that he would not
+hesitate to defend what he had taken.
+
+Fred glanced anxiously about the dock to ascertain if help was near in
+case it should be required.
+
+"Where is it?" demanded the stranger.
+
+"We found it on the boat."
+
+"Yes, I know you did," interrupted the man, "but what I want is for you
+to let me see it or tell me where it is."
+
+"I tell you we haven't got it," said Fred.
+
+"Where is it?"
+
+"It's where it will be safe until it can be looked up and we find out
+whose it is."
+
+"Where did you get that bond?" demanded George, abruptly breaking in
+upon the conversation.
+
+"Did I say it was mine?" demanded the stranger.
+
+"You asked for it."
+
+"If I recall, I asked about it."
+
+"That's the same thing," retorted George.
+
+"Not quite," said the man. "Now then, will you tell me where it is?"
+
+"I don't think we shall," spoke up Fred. "If you'll tell me who owns it
+and what it was doing on our motor-boat, then perhaps I'll be willing
+to talk with you."
+
+"Then you say you'll not tell me where it is?" said the man, speaking
+slowly and looking savagely at Fred as he spoke.
+
+"I shan't tell you," said Fred. "Now, if you're done, we'll start."
+
+As he spoke, Fred stepped on board the Black Growler, an action which
+was speedily followed by his companions. Advancing to the wheel Fred
+inspected everything to satisfy himself that all things were in
+readiness for their departure and then said to the man waiting on the
+dock, "We'll have to bid you good-by."
+
+At the same time he turned on the power. As George and John pushed the
+little boat out from the dock it began to move, but not before the
+canal-man unbidden suddenly leaped on board.
+
+"Thank you for your very kind invitation," he said as he seated himself
+on the cushions.
+
+"We didn't ask you to come," spoke up Fred, "and we don't want your
+company. You'll have to go ashore."
+
+"Is that so?" laughed the man banteringly.
+
+"Yes, sir, it's so!" retorted Fred.
+
+"Well, then if I go ashore I think there will be somebody going with
+me."
+
+"You're mistaken," said Fred. "We're going down among the Thousand
+Islands."
+
+"That doesn't make any difference to me. I'm going to find out who took
+that bond. If you don't tell me where it is then I shall go to a
+constable or justice and get out a warrant for you. You have owned up
+that you had the bond on board your boat. It was a stolen bond and I
+have been trying to run it down for some time. Now I have found it, or
+at least I have found the party that had it, and you try to bluff me by
+saying that you won't tell me where it is. Now, I'll give you your
+choice. You can have my company, for I shan't leave you until I find
+out more about it, or you can try to put me ashore and I'll get help.
+Just as sure as you're sitting here I'll swear out a warrant and have
+you arrested for stealing that bond."
+
+The boys were inexperienced and for a moment they stared blankly at one
+another, startled more than they were willing to acknowledge by the
+bold threat of their unwelcome passenger.
+
+"Well, what is it?" said the man a moment later when no reply had been
+given to his questions. "Which do you want?"
+
+"The thing for us to do," said Grant in a low voice to Fred, "is to
+keep right on. We'll take this man down to your grandfather's island
+and when we get there we'll tell him all about it. He'll know best what
+to do and we'll wait for his advice before we do anything."
+
+"That's all right, Soc," said Fred, greatly relieved by the words of
+his friend. Then turning to their passenger he said more boldly than
+before he had spoken, "I guess we'll take our chances and have you go
+with us. We'll find out more about this later and give you a chance to
+tell your story."
+
+"It's all the same to me," said the man glibly. "I'll be glad to have
+the ride anyway. It's been a long time since I have been on the St.
+Lawrence River."
+
+Apparently Fred's threat had produced slight effect upon the addition
+to their party. He spoke as if he were in no fear for himself, while
+his threat to swear out a warrant for the boys, although it had
+startled them, had not greatly alarmed any one.
+
+Meanwhile the Black Growler, almost as if she was sharing in the
+excitement of the boys, was speeding swiftly down the river. The broad
+expanse of water when she left her dock at Cape Vincent soon was broken
+by the sight of many islands, some of which were miles in extent while
+others were tiny little spots, just lifted above the surface of the
+water.
+
+There was some anxiety on the part of John, that, unfamiliar as they
+were with the channel, they might strike some hidden rock, but Fred
+assured his friend that there was slight danger of that in the daytime,
+as a careful watch was maintained and it was easy for them to follow
+the course of boats that were in advance of them.
+
+"Look yonder!" said George, suddenly pointing as he spoke to a yacht
+that was swiftly approaching from the Canadian side of the river.
+
+"Do you know what boat that is?" exclaimed John.
+
+"We ought to know it," said Fred. "That's the Varmint II."
+
+"She beat us down here by a good deal," suggested George, who was
+keenly observing the graceful and swift little motor-boat that was
+steadily approaching.
+
+"I don't know about that," retorted Fred. "She may be just coming now."
+
+"Don't you believe it," retorted George. "She has been here a long time
+and they're just out testing her on the river. Are you going to try to
+race with her here?"
+
+"I am not," retorted Fred promptly. "It will be time enough when we see
+what she can do in the real race. That won't be for three weeks yet."
+
+"How many races do they have down here in the summer?" inquired John.
+
+"I don't know," answered Fred. "Two, I guess."
+
+"One will be enough this summer, I'm thinking," laughed John. "What are
+we going to do with that man?" As he spoke John glanced again at the
+uninvited and unwelcome passenger who apparently was taking his ease on
+the cushions in the stern of the boat.
+
+"I'm going to do nothing," said Fred quickly. "I think I will leave him
+alone until we land at my grandfather's island and then I will tell him
+all about it."
+
+"What do you suppose he is?" inquired John, glancing again at the man,
+who apparently was unaware of the interest his presence on board the
+Black Growler had aroused.
+
+"I haven't any idea."
+
+"How did he know about that bond?"
+
+"I can't tell you."
+
+"Do you suppose he stole it?"
+
+"It doesn't seem so to me," said Fred slowly, as he shook his head. "If
+he stole it I can't understand why he comes down here after it. You
+would think he would want to put a long distance between himself and
+that bond after he lost it."
+
+"And yet he seemed bold enough when he told us to tell him where it is.
+What do you suppose made him think of that?"
+
+"Think of what?"
+
+"Why, that we had put it somewhere."
+
+"It's the most natural thing in the world," retorted Fred glibly. "He
+would know that fellows like us wouldn't want to keep a bond of that
+size. I am wondering what it all means."
+
+"First thing you know that man will jump on us all and take the Black
+Growler away from us. I tell you he's a desperate character. Just look
+at those hands. If he had his coat off I tell you you would see the
+muscles of his shoulders stand out like great knots. He's a powerful
+brute and I don't like his disposition. I wish he was somewhere else."
+
+"I guess he wouldn't attack us," laughed Fred. "We're four to one and
+even if he's stronger than any one of us he's not as strong as all four
+of us put together."
+
+"I tell you," said John more positively, "he's a pirate. He's a regular
+pirate. He stole that bond and tried to take the motor-boat away from
+us when we were on the canal and I shall feel mighty well satisfied if
+he doesn't get it away from us now before we go very much farther."
+
+"I confess it's all mighty queer, John, but I don't believe the man
+will attack us. He has got too many matters just now to look after to
+try such a fool thing as that."
+
+"But I can't understand why he forces himself on board and why he
+insists on going with us down the river. I shouldn't be surprised to
+have him stop us when we are in some quiet place and search the boat.
+How does he know that the bond isn't here?"
+
+"Because he has searched the Black Growler already," replied Fred. "You
+may be sure he has gone through every nook and cranny before we came
+back from the bank."
+
+"I guess you're right," assented John, as once more he glanced
+apprehensively at the man who was the subject of their conversation.
+
+"I don't know of but one way to get even with him," suggested Fred.
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"Why, to set Soc on him and make him answer questions about canals. I'm
+telling you that if Grant should ask him about how wide the Suez Canal
+is or how deep the Sault Ste. Marie is he'd get an answer that would
+surprise him."
+
+"I haven't any doubt about that," said John somewhat ruefully. "The man
+is a surprise anyway."
+
+John spoke more truly than he knew. The surprise that was occasioned by
+the presence of their unbidden guest was mild compared with that which
+soon followed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+AN UPSET
+
+The Black Growler, carried forward by the current of the mighty river
+as well as by her own power, brought the party on board to their
+destination late in the afternoon.
+
+It was the first time that Fred's friends had seen the spot. The clear
+running water of the great river, the skies without a cloud, the sight
+of the numberless camps and cottages, as well as of the many yachts and
+motor-boats that were to be seen on the river, all combined to increase
+the interest of the Go Ahead boys.
+
+When at last they arrived at the island owned by Fred's grandfather
+their enthusiasm became still greater. A beautiful cottage, which
+really was a house with twenty rooms, was located in a grove of high
+trees. The boathouse, ample and attractive in every way, and the sight
+of several skiffs that had been made fast to the dock caused George to
+exclaim in his impulsive manner, "There isn't a place like it in all
+the world! I never saw such a spot before in all my life!"
+
+"But you're young yet," suggested Grant soberly.
+
+"But I have seen some things, even if I am young," retorted George. "I
+thought Mackinac Island was beautiful, but this has some things you
+can't find up there."
+
+"Spoken like a philosopher," again retorted John. The expression on his
+face was serious as he hastily made inquiries concerning Grant's
+missing bag. "The poor chap," he explained, "is in trouble. He can't
+wear any clothes that fit the rest of us and unless he gets help soon
+we shall have to lock him in the boathouse for he won't be presentable
+anywhere."
+
+To Grant's delight his bag already was in his room awaiting his coming.
+The mistake had occurred at Albany which had caused as much trouble to
+the owner of the other bag as Grant himself had suffered.
+
+As soon as the boys were ready they all went down to the broad piazza
+which adjoined the house on three sides and there were greeted
+cordially by Fred's grandfather and grandmother.
+
+"We're always glad to see Freddie," said Mrs. Button, beaming
+affectionately upon her grandson, as she spoke, "and you may be sure
+that his friends are all as welcome as he is."
+
+"Thank you, Mrs. Button," said George promptly. "If you knew how glad
+we are to be here you might feel almost as if you were doing missionary
+work in inviting us."
+
+"She will think she's doing missionary work, I'm afraid," spoke up
+Grant. "I want to warn you, Mrs. Button, that when George gets into the
+dining room you'll have to drive him out. It's the only way we can get
+him to stop."
+
+Mrs. Button smiled as she said, "That's just the kind of a guest I
+like."
+
+Meanwhile Fred had not been with his companions when they had gone to
+their rooms, for he had remained behind to talk with his grandfather
+concerning the uninvited passenger who had arrived with them.
+
+"Yes," Fred explained, "he was with some other men, canal-men we
+thought they were, that boarded us between Utica and Rome and we
+couldn't get rid of them. I thought at first they were going to try to
+take the Black Growler away from us, but they didn't do that and when
+Mr. Stevens came along in the Caledonia and stopped to help us they all
+ran away. We didn't think that we would ever see any of them again, but
+up here at Cape Vincent who should show up but this man."
+
+"What did he come for?" inquired Mr. Button. "We couldn't understand it
+at first," replied Fred, "but, Grandfather, we found under a cushion a
+bond for five thousand dollars."
+
+"You did WHAT?"
+
+"We found a bond for five thousand dollars."
+
+"What kind of a bond was it?"
+
+"I don't know," said Fred somewhat foolishly. "I know it was a railroad
+bond."
+
+"What did you do with it?"
+
+"We took it to the bank in Cape Vincent. We left it there with the man
+who is in charge."
+
+"Did you get a receipt for it?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"That's right. That's right," said Mr. Button, nodding his head
+approvingly. "Go on."
+
+"Well, when we came back from the bank whom should we find on board our
+motor-boat but this same man, that we had seen on the Erie Canal. He
+demanded that we should give up the bond."
+
+"So he knew about the bond, did he?"
+
+"So it seemed. But we told him we didn't have it. Then he wanted to
+know what we had done with it and we wouldn't tell him. When we wanted
+him to go ashore he wouldn't do it, and just stayed on board and said
+he was coming with us. I thought it was better to let him come--"
+
+"That was kind of you," broke in his grandfather, with a smile.
+
+"I thought it was better to let him come and turn him over to you to
+deal with than it was for us to have any trouble up there at Cape
+Vincent."
+
+"That's all right, Fred," said his grandfather. "I'll go right down
+there and talk with him."
+
+Fred watched his grandfather as he started toward the dock and then he
+quickly entered the house and went to his room.
+
+A half-hour later when he returned to the piazza and joined his friends
+who already were seated there, his grandfather, bidding him follow him
+to the library, said as soon as the door was closed behind them, "What
+about that bond?"
+
+"I told you all I know."
+
+"You say it was a five thousand dollar bond?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And a railroad bond?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Do you remember which road?"
+
+"Yes, sir. It was the New York Central."
+
+"But you don't know what kind of a bond?"
+
+"No, sir. I didn't know there was more than one kind."
+
+"Perhaps you'll know more about that later," replied Mr. Button dryly.
+
+"Did this man that came with us know anything more than we did about
+it?"
+
+Ignoring the question Mr. Button said, "Your friend has gone."
+
+"Who? The man we brought with us?"
+
+"Yes. I had Tom take him over to Alexandria Bay in the Jessie."
+
+"And where is he going?" inquired Fred astounded by the statement of
+his grandfather.
+
+"He will go to Syracuse. Whether he will stay there or not I do not
+know."
+
+"But what did he say?" asked Fred somewhat impatiently. "Do you think
+he stole the bond?"
+
+"There are a good many things that are somewhat strange connected with
+this affair. I am quite inclined to think your bond is good. About this
+man, there are some matters that must be cleared up before I can make
+any explanations to you." Rising as he spoke Mr. Button led the way
+back to the piazza and Fred was convinced that it was useless for him
+to talk any more, for the present at least, about the man or the bond.
+
+The following morning the four Go Ahead boys set forth in the Black
+Growler on a voyage on the river. Fred was eager to show the wonders of
+the great St. Lawrence to his friends and equally desirous of trying
+out the motor-boat.
+
+In the time which was to intervene before the race was held he was
+eager to make himself familiar with every feature of the marvelous
+little craft. All things were novel and interesting to his companions,
+both in the scenery through which they were passing and the detailed
+parts of the Black Growler.
+
+"My grandfather says," exclaimed Fred, "that if we want to we can send
+over to Henderson Harbor and perhaps can get Sam Hodge to come here. He
+will be a good man to have on board when we are in that race. I never
+saw any one that knew more about machinery than he did."
+
+"I'm telling you that you're still youthful," remarked Grant. "Your
+experience is very limited."
+
+"That may be so," acknowledged Fred with a laugh, "but it's something
+I'll get over."
+
+"Look yonder!" broke in John. "There's the Varmint II ahead of us. I
+wonder if you can catch up with her!" As he spoke, John turned and
+winked slowly at George who at once advanced to Fred's side.
+
+"Of course I can catch her if I want to," declared Fred.
+
+"Which means that if you don't want to you can't catch her," laughed
+John derisively. "I don't believe there's anything you want more than
+to catch up with her."
+
+"I can do it," said Fred.
+
+"That's easy to say."
+
+Irritated by the laughter of his companions, who were eager to test the
+swiftness of their boat, Fred at once turned on more power and the
+Black Growler instantly responded.
+
+The boat seemed almost to sink a foot or more into the water as she
+plowed her way up the river.
+
+In a brief time the crew of the Varmint II were aware of the swiftly
+approaching boat, but instead of entering into the contest they did not
+increase their speed. In a few minutes the Black Growler swiftly passed
+the Varmint II and as they did so George said mockingly, "Splendid!
+Splendid, Fred. All you need is to have the other boat stand still and
+you can win out every time."
+
+"I gave her every chance," retorted Fred.
+
+"May be you did," answered George, "but she didn't think it was worth
+while to take up your challenge."
+
+"She didn't dare to," spoke up John, who was loyal to his friend.
+
+"That all may be so," laughed George derisively. There was nothing he
+enjoyed more than teasing Fred and as this was a comparatively easy
+matter it is not surprising that he frequently engaged in the task.
+
+Meanwhile the Black Growler swept onward in her course, at last
+starting on her return voyage. Not far from the island owned by Fred's
+grandfather was another island which the boys already had been informed
+had been rented by Mr. Stevens for the summer.
+
+When Fred pointed out the spot his companions were at once interested
+and suggested that he should stop at the dock, which almost seemed to
+invite their coming.
+
+"There's Susie Stevens now," called John, pointing as he spoke to a
+nearby canoe in which two young girls were seated. One of them was
+paddling, while her companion was seated in the opposite end of the
+frail little craft.
+
+At the moment of John's discovery apparently Miss Susie also became
+aware of the approach of the Black Growler. As she lifted her paddle to
+salute the Go Ahead boys, her companion, who doubtless was unfamiliar
+with canoes, reached forward to pick up a sweater to wave at the
+motor-boat; she suddenly destroyed the balance of the little canoe.
+Instantly it was overturned and both girls were thrown into the St.
+Lawrence.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE RESCUE
+
+A cry of horror and alarm arose from the startled boys when they beheld
+the accident. In a moment one of the girls was seen swimming near the
+overturned canoe. The other, however, was not within sight.
+
+"It's time for us to do something!" shouted John, who was almost beside
+himself in his excitement.
+
+Fred at once had changed the course of the Black Growler but a
+semi-circle was necessary to be turned before she could approach the
+place where the girls had fallen into the river.
+
+Grant, meanwhile promptly had removed his sweater and taken off his
+sneakers preparing to go to the assistance of the unfortunate girls. As
+he was the strongest and swiftest swimmer, his companions by common
+consent had expected him to be the one to leap into the water.
+
+A moment later it was seen that one of the girls had seized the canoe.
+In her desperation, however, the frail little craft was over-turned and
+she lost her hold and again disappeared from sight.
+
+At that moment the motor-boat approached within twenty-five feet of the
+place where the accident had occurred. Shouting to his friends to take
+the canoe and do their utmost to rescue the unfortunate girl, Grant
+dived from the deck of the Black Growler and a moment later with
+powerful strokes was swiftly approaching the victims of the accident.
+
+Meanwhile, following the instructions of Grant, John and George had
+been able with a boat-hook to reach the overturned canoe and drawing it
+speedily to them, both carefully and hastily took their places on board.
+
+"Get one of the girls while I am getting the other," called Grant as he
+turned his head for a moment toward his companions.
+
+At that instant Grant saw the face of one of the girls appear on the
+surface but a moment later it again disappeared from sight.
+
+The current was moderately strong, and aware that when she again was
+seen it would be a little farther down the river, Grant slowly moved
+with the stream.
+
+The depth of the water made it impossible for him to dive in an effort
+to find her in the depths. Carefully he scanned the water all about him
+and when in a brief time her face once more was seen and only a few
+feet farther down the stream, with two powerful strokes he darted
+forward and succeeded in seizing the girl by the hair of her head just
+as she began to sink once more.
+
+Grant was elated when he discovered that the girl was still conscious.
+Holding to her hair with one hand he contrived to place himself behind
+her. Then holding her up by one hand with which he grasped her under
+the shoulder, he said hastily, "Don't move. Don't try to do anything
+for yourself. There, don't do that," he added as the frantic girl made
+an effort to seize him. "Don't touch me. Keep just as you are and
+you'll be all right."
+
+In a measure his orders were obeyed. Instead of trying to swim toward
+the boat Grant was simply doing his utmost to keep himself and his
+companion afloat. He was treading water and moving with the current.
+
+At the same time he looked all about him for help. He saw two of his
+friends in the canoe and was relieved when he discovered that John, who
+in his excitement had neglected to drop the boat-hook was holding the
+long implement toward the other girl who already had grasped it with
+both hands and was being drawn toward the boys.
+
+"Come here and help me," shouted Grant. He was hoping that his two
+friends would be able to rescue the other girl, or at least prevent her
+from sinking, but he was well aware that if he and his companion were
+to be saved help soon must be had.
+
+In response to his hail Fred turned the bow of the Black Growler and
+slowly approached the place where Grant was struggling.
+
+The girl now was motionless and Grant's great anxiety was in a measure
+relieved. He had been fearful that she would try to seize him by the
+neck or arms and prevent him from doing anything to help either of them.
+
+Grant was aware also that his strength would not permit him to continue
+the struggle much longer. Already he was breathing heavily and all his
+powers were required to keep himself and the nearly unconscious girl
+afloat. He had been able thus far to hold her head above the water, for
+fortunately at this time the river was unusually calm.
+
+Again, almost in despair, he looked back at the motor-boat.
+
+"Here!" called Fred, who had left the wheel and was standing in the bow
+holding a rope in his hand. "Catch this!" He had hastily tied a noose
+in the end and as he threw this toward the struggling boy, Grant
+fortunately grasped it.
+
+By a supreme effort he managed to slip one arm through the noose and as
+soon as this had been done Fred instantly began to pull. Several times
+in spite of all the care Fred was exercising, the heads of Grant and
+his companion were drawn beneath the water. Still Grant managed to
+maintain his hold upon the girl and in a brief time they were drawn
+alongside the Black Growler.
+
+"I can't pull you both up," called Fred in his excitement.
+
+"No," gasped Grant. "I don't think you can pull either one of us."
+
+While he was speaking he had contrived to slip the noose over the
+shoulders and under the arms of his companion. As soon as this had been
+done, he released his hold and said to Fred, "You can keep her head out
+of the water anyway. If your noose holds she's all right."
+
+"What are you going to do?" demanded Fred.
+
+"I'm all right," responded Grant as turning himself upon his back he
+floated with the current and obtained a brief rest.
+
+Meanwhile John and George had drawn Miss Susie Stevens to the canoe and
+seized her by her hands. John had been seated in the stern but now he
+stretched himself upon the bottom of the little craft and reached over
+with his hands, one on each side of the canoe, and held the girl up so
+that she was able to breathe, although he did not attempt to draw her
+out of the water. "Take your paddle," he called to George. "I've got
+her all right, but make for the Black Growler. There's no knowing what
+will happen."
+
+In this manner the canoe slowly was paddled toward the motor-boat, but
+Fred was holding the rope by which the second girl was held and
+consequently was unable to respond to the appeal of his friends to come
+to their aid.
+
+Meanwhile the motor-boat was drifting with the current and there was
+grave danger that she might run aground on some one of the numerous
+islands.
+
+Indeed this was just what occurred a few minutes later.
+
+The keel of the boat now grated on the rocky bottom. Grant, who had
+been following the same course now obtained a precarious foothold and
+at once advanced to the aid of the helpless girl. He was still
+breathing heavily from his own exertions and his strength had not fully
+returned. Stumbling, slipping on the rocks, twice nearly falling into
+the river he managed to draw the girl up on the shore and as soon as he
+was satisfied that she was living he called to Fred, "Go on back and
+help the other fellows and I'll run up to this cottage and get some one
+to look after this girl."
+
+"Give me a push, I'm almost grounded," called Fred frantically.
+
+The engine had been reversed and the added help which Grant gave as he
+pushed hard against the bow sent the motor-boat back into the river.
+Satisfied that there was nothing more to be done Grant once more turned
+and as fast as he was able ran toward the cottage located fifty yards
+back from the shore.
+
+In response to his appeal two women and a man at once ran toward the
+place where Grant had left the girl.
+
+"Please look after her," said Grant hastily. "I want to go back to help
+the others. We had an accident," he explained.
+
+The boy was rapidly recovering his breath by this time and as already
+he had seen a little skiff at the nearby dock, without asking
+permission or explaining what he was about to do he ran to the place,
+cast off and leaped on board. A few powerful strokes sent him out upon
+the river once more and in a brief time he was near the place where the
+canoe was drifting.
+
+Cautiously approaching it, he soon was able to grasp Miss Susie Stevens
+under her arms and draw her on board the skiff.
+
+By this time the motor-boat had approached the spot, but Grant called
+to Fred, "I'll take her right ashore where I took the other girl. Wait
+for me out here or at the dock."
+
+"We'll help you," called George from the canoe.
+
+"All right," answered Grant.
+
+Nothing more was said while the skiff and the canoe were soon swiftly
+towed toward the dock.
+
+Willing hands were there awaiting their coming, for the entire
+household now had been aroused and was watching the events on the river.
+
+In a brief time Miss Susie was lifted to the dock. She was still able
+to stand and declared sturdily that she did not require any help.
+However, two of the women, one on each side, were helping her, and in a
+brief time she was assisted to the house and taken within the cottage.
+
+"What shall we do now, fellows?" inquired Grant blankly as he turned to
+greet his companions.
+
+"We had better wait," replied George, "and take them back home as soon
+as they are able to go."
+
+"I guess that's good advice," responded Grant.
+
+Shouting to Fred he bade him bring the Black Growler to the dock and
+make her fast there while they waited for the more complete restoration
+of the girls whom they had rescued.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+SENDING FOR SAM
+
+The waiting of the boys continued longer than any of them had expected.
+
+An hour passed and still no one appeared from the cottage.
+
+"I wonder if there's anything wrong," said Fred as he glanced anxiously
+at the door.
+
+"I guess not," answered George promptly. "The girls probably are
+exhausted, but I don't think there's anything serious. They came out of
+it a good deal better than I was afraid they would at first."
+
+Following George's statement, the two girls were seen at that moment
+departing from the house. Accompanying them on their way to the dock
+were several members of the household who were doing their utmost to
+assist them.
+
+Apparently, however, their services were neither required nor
+requested, for in a moment both girls moved quickly in advance of the
+little company and approached the dock.
+
+Stepping quickly on board, Miss Susie said, "What did you do with my
+canoe?"
+
+"We have got it here for you in tow. We thought you would probably want
+to take it with you and we're going to carry you home."
+
+"That's very good of you," laughed the girl as she glanced back at her
+companion to make sure that she too had boarded the motor-boat.
+
+"If you're all ready to go," suggested Fred, "we'll start right away.
+We have been waiting until you were ready."
+
+"That's very good of you," again said the girl quickly. "I haven't
+thanked my life preservers yet for what they did. If you had not been
+there where you were the accident never would have happened," she added
+boldly.
+
+For a moment the four Go Ahead boys stared blankly at the girl, who
+apparently had forgotten all their efforts to rescue her and her
+companion. Fortunately for the boys they had had other suits of
+clothing in the cabin of their boat so that all four now were clothed
+and dry. But to have all their heroism forgotten and to be blamed for
+being the cause of the accident was something which had not even
+remotely occurred to them.
+
+"Yes," declared the girl, "if you had left us alone we wouldn't have
+tipped over."
+
+"What was it we did?" demanded George.
+
+"Why you came up with your old motor-boat and when I tried to be
+polite, Mildred thought she had to do the same thing, and then over we
+went."
+
+"Well, that was the time when it was fortunate for you that we happened
+to be nearby," said John dryly.
+
+"That's just what you had to do; you couldn't have helped yourselves."
+
+In spite of the words of the animated girl, who apparently now had
+recovered her spirits and strength, it was plain to the boys that she
+was genuinely grateful for the rescue which they had made. She was a
+deeply interested spectator of the work of the boys in casting off and
+starting their swift boat and even insisted upon being permitted to
+steer part of the way.
+
+"Have you joined the yacht club yet?" she inquired.
+
+"What's that?" demanded George.
+
+"Why the St. Lawrence Yacht Club. I am sure Fred's grandfather must
+belong and probably that will be enough of an introduction. We have
+some fine times there. Tennis all day, dances in the evenings and I
+don't know what all. You must be sure to come over there."
+
+"You may be sure we'll come," spoke up George promptly. "Now I want to
+know," he added, "what our reward is to be for our heroic rescue of two
+forlorn maidens who were sinking in the cold waters of the St. Lawrence
+River."
+
+"I think virtue will have to be its own reward in this case," laughed
+Mildred. "You ought to be satisfied with the honor you have won."
+
+Fortunately the island which Mr. Stevens had rented was not far distant
+and not many minutes had elapsed before it was plainly seen by them all.
+
+Before a landing was made, however, Miss Susie Stevens had suggested
+numerous plans for picnics, cruises among the islands, meetings for
+tennis at the yacht club and various other methods by which the days
+were to be passed.
+
+As soon as their passengers departed, the Black Growler was headed
+swiftly for Chestnut Island, the name by which the place owned by
+Fred's grandfather was commonly called.
+
+Upon their arrival they were informed that already Mr. Button had
+telephoned for Sam Hodge and that he had received word that the man
+would arrive the following morning.
+
+"I hope he'll bring all his legs, and arms with him," suggested George
+with a laugh.
+
+"What do you mean?" inquired Mr. Button.
+
+"Why, he has a choice assortment," explained George. "It seems he used
+to work in a shop on Broome Street in New York City where they make
+legs and heads and arms for dummies."
+
+"I don't understand yet," said Mr. Button blankly.
+
+"Why, these wax figures that they have in the windows," explained Fred.
+"It was in a place where they make them that Sam Hodge worked and he
+made us all laugh when we took him on at Henderson Harbor. He was
+telling us about the boss throwing his leg at him and Sam told us he
+fired a foot back and before he had gone very far we had the air full
+of eyes, heads and legs and arms, feet and hands and everything else
+that goes to the making of a dummy. In fact I have almost come to
+believe that Sam is pretty well made up himself. When he comes down
+to-morrow I'm going to ask him to let me take out his eyes, take off
+his hair, pull out a foot and an arm, and when he gets through I'll see
+just how much there is of the real Sam anyway."
+
+The boys laughed as Fred pictured the condition in which the loquacious
+Sam would be left.
+
+Their interest, however, was still great in the exciting events through
+which they recently had passed. Mr. Button was an interested listener
+and when the story had been all told he said quietly, "Mr. Stevens has
+been down here several summers. I have been afraid of that girl every
+year. If she doesn't find herself in the bottom of the river some time
+soon, I don't believe the fault will be hers."
+
+"Why, what's the matter with her?" inquired Fred.
+
+"She's too much of a tomboy."
+
+"What's that?" inquired Grant, winking at the other boys as he spoke.
+
+"Why, she does most of the things that the boys do. She plays tennis,
+shoots a rifle, paddles a canoe and manages the Stevens family."
+
+"And that is why you call her a tomboy?" inquired Fred.
+
+"Yes, sir, it is," said the old gentleman solemnly. "Girls didn't act
+that way when I was young."
+
+"How did they act?"
+
+"Why, they were taught to be ladylike."
+
+"And what is ladylike?" asked Fred.
+
+"Why, it is to act like a lady."
+
+"Yes," protested Fred, "but why shouldn't a lady do these things you're
+speaking of?"
+
+"Because they are not ladylike," replied Mr. Button testily.
+
+"But why aren't they?" persisted Fred. "I don't see."
+
+"That's because you haven't learned any sense yet," said his
+grandfather, irritated at last by the failure of his grandson to agree
+to all that he had said.
+
+Fred laughed goodnaturedly, for behind the manner of his grandfather he
+knew there was a heart that was big and generous. Mr. Button
+occasionally stormed about the "present generation" being so markedly
+different and deficient in all the good qualities that marked the young
+people of his own younger days.
+
+"What about that bond?" inquired John. "Have you heard anything more
+about it?"
+
+"Not a word," said Mr. Button sharply.
+
+Before the old gentleman turned away, however, for Fred suspected that
+the subject was not a welcome topic of conversation, he said quickly,
+"Where's the man that wanted the bond?"
+
+"How should I know?" retorted his grandfather.
+
+"Has he been back here?"
+
+"No, sir, he hasn't."
+
+"Do you know where he is?"
+
+"I'm not sure if I did that I should tell you."
+
+"But you said he went to Syracuse."
+
+"If I did that's probably where he went."
+
+"Yes," said Fred, still persisting in asking questions, "but you don't
+say whether he is coming back or not."
+
+"That's quite true."
+
+"Is he coming?"
+
+"I cannot tell you."
+
+"Don't you know?"
+
+"Did any one ever hear such a pestiferous child!" said Mr. Button,
+laughing as he spoke. "His questions and his tongue run like a
+mill-tail."
+
+"What's a mill-tail?" inquired Fred.
+
+"There he goes again!" said Mr. Button, holding up both hands in mock
+despair.
+
+"But I want to know whether or not you have been up to Cape Vincent to
+do anything about that bond," demanded Fred.
+
+"The bond isn't registered in my name anyway," answered Mr. Button.
+"Probably I couldn't get it if I wanted to."
+
+"But you don't answer my question."
+
+"Go into the house now and get ready for dinner. If you haven't any
+plans made for to-morrow I may ask you to take me up to Cape Vincent in
+the Black Growler."
+
+"Of course we'll take you," said Fred. "We should like nothing better."
+
+"Then it's understood that to-morrow we'll go to Cape Vincent."
+
+"But, Grandfather," said Fred before he went upstairs, "Susie Stevens
+and Mildred think they will want to go with us to-morrow."
+
+"And you told them they might?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Well, I don't see then but what you'll have to keep your promise,
+though you mark my words, young man, you'll be sorry you took that
+tomboy along with you. She'll get you into trouble just as sure as the
+sun rises. You mark my words."
+
+Fred laughed and as he went to his room he had no thought how nearly
+his grandfather's words were to be fulfilled the following day.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A TEST
+
+Early the following morning when the Go Ahead boys went down to the
+dock, they found that Sam Hodge already had arrived and was busily at
+work on the Black Growler.
+
+"Good morning, Sam," called Fred, deeply interested in the sight of the
+investigation which Sam was making.
+
+"'Mornin'," called Sam, without looking up from his task.
+
+"How do you find everything on the boat?"
+
+"I haven't only seen a few things yet," retorted Sam. "I'll tell you
+later what I think about it."
+
+"Did you bring along any extra legs or arms?" asked George.
+
+"Nothin' much," replied Sam. His manner, however, to the boys seemed to
+imply that he was holding some information in reserve and this fact at
+once increased their curiosity.
+
+"What have you got?" asked George.
+
+"I have nothin' much, but an albuminoid rib."
+
+"What kind of a rib?"
+
+"That's what you call it. If it isn't that it's alkali."
+
+"What kind of a rib is an alkali rib?" asked John.
+
+"Why, it's one of those things that's about as light as paper. Here,
+I'll show it to you," he added as he drew from his inner pocket a metal
+rib, which he at once handed to Fred.
+
+"That looks like aluminum to me," said Fred quickly.
+
+"That's just what I said," retorted Sam. "I thought I'd bring it along
+in case anything happened. I'll have some feet and hands comin' later."
+
+"What for?" laughed Fred.
+
+"What do you s'pose they're for? They're for you to wear."
+
+"If you had brought along a head," said Grant solemnly, "it might have
+been a good thing. I have known Fred to lose his several times."
+
+"We don't furnish brains, we just use them," said Sam as he restored
+the rib to his pocket. "Now, then," he added, "I'm goin' to give this
+here boat an overhaulin' from stem to stern."
+
+"There isn't anything wrong, is there?" inquired Fred anxiously.
+
+"I told you I can't say yet," answered Sam. "I don't know until I have
+investigated. Can't expect much when a lot of harem scarem boys are
+driving such a machine as this is. Had any more trouble since I left
+you?"
+
+"We haven't had any," answered Fred. "We helped pull a couple of girls
+out of the river yesterday."
+
+"What was they doing in the river?" demanded Sam, looking up for the
+first time since the arrival of the boys.
+
+"What most people usually do when they can't swim," answered Fred.
+
+"What was the trouble?" asked Sam.
+
+"The chief trouble was," said Grant solemnly, "that they did not have
+any alkali heads. Their heads were made of bone and were solid all the
+way through."
+
+"The worst of it is," broke in Fred, "that they said we were to blame
+for spilling them into the river."
+
+"Maybe you were," said Sam. "One never knows. Maybe they saw you trying
+to steer this boat."
+
+"That's it. That's it exactly," spoke up George quickly. "I hadn't
+thought before why those girls were spilled out of the canoe. I don't
+wonder they wanted to drown themselves when they saw the way Fred
+steered."
+
+"That's all right," retorted Fred as his friends all laughed. "We'll
+take the Growler out this morning and see how she behaves. That's what
+Sam wants to do, I know. He can't tell how she runs until he sees her
+in action. Besides, my grandfather wants to go up to Cape Vincent and
+we promised to take those girls along."
+
+"Better not," said Sam quickly. "I should think you had had experience
+enough. Don't you know that every sailor says that it is bad luck to
+bring a woman aboard ship?"
+
+"The girls weren't on board. If they had been there wouldn't have been
+any trouble," asserted Fred.
+
+"Well, go up and get your breakfast," said Sam, "and by the time you're
+ready, I guess we'll start."
+
+The Black Growler stopped at the dock of the Stevens' and after waiting
+a half-hour Miss Susie and her friend appeared and took their seats on
+board the motor-boat.
+
+Mr. Button was not enthusiastic in his morning salutations, evidently
+sharing in Sam's superstition that ill luck might follow the reception
+of their visitors.
+
+Apparently the boys were not alarmed, however, and in a brief time the
+Black Growler sped forward on her way, and the sounds of laughter that
+came from her occupants were not indicative that trouble of any kind
+was greatly feared.
+
+"Grandfather," said Fred, "I would like to try the boat to-day over the
+course or at least over part of the course that we'll have to run in
+that race."
+
+"Well, if you want to try it," broke in Sam, who was steering the boat,
+"why don't you? There isn't anything to prevent you that I know."
+
+"All right then, we will," said Fred. "We'll run up to Cape Vincent
+first and on our way back we'll try out the course a little. Maybe
+we'll try only one leg of it--"
+
+"Only one what?" broke in Sam, abruptly looking back at the boys as he
+spoke.
+
+"Oh, it's not an albuminoid rib, Sam, it's just one leg of the course.
+They don't have any artificial legs in such places."
+
+"You never can tell what will happen," said Sam; "you'd better bring
+one along."
+
+"Why don't we try out the leg that we'll have to follow when we go up
+the river anyway?" inquired John. "Part of the course will be up stream
+and we might as well try that out now as any time."
+
+"Is she in shape for trying it?" inquired Mr. Button of Sam.
+
+"I haven't tried yet," said Sam cautiously.
+
+"Then you never will know until you try," laughed Mr. Button. "When we
+strike the beginning let her go for a little while anyway, and we'll
+see how she works out."
+
+In a brief time the swiftly moving Black Growler arrived near the spot
+which Fred had been informed would form one of the points in the
+triangular course over which the race was to take place.
+
+"I guess you have got some friends that want to try out the course
+too," suggested Sam, pointing as he spoke to a motor-boat apparently of
+the same size as the Black Growler.
+
+Instantly glancing in the direction indicated by Sam, the Go Ahead boys
+discovered the Varmint II nearby and from her actions it was plain that
+she too was planning to test the course.
+
+"Make her show what she can do!" said George eagerly, a demand in which
+Miss Susie quickly joined.
+
+"That's right," she exclaimed. "I just love to go fast. You can't make
+the Black Growler move too fast to suit me."
+
+The two boats now were following parallel lines, although they were
+more than one hundred feet apart. It was manifest also that the crew of
+the rival boat were aware of the purpose in the minds of the Go Ahead
+boys and that they also were not unwilling to discover what one of
+their rivals might be able to do in the coming race.
+
+Conversation ceased as suddenly the Black Growler darted forward almost
+as if she was a thing alive. The Varmint II started at the same moment
+and an impromptu race was on.
+
+The bow of the Black Growler at times seemed almost to be lifted above
+the river. Dashes of water when the bow again struck were driven into
+the faces of all on board. The spray soon made the cockpit as wet as if
+a stream of water had been played upon it. The noise of the engine, the
+splash of the water, the rushing river, the white and excited faces, as
+well as the anxiety with which the Go Ahead boys watched the speed of
+their rival, all combined to increase the prevailing excitement.
+Apparently the two boats were moving almost neck and neck.
+
+"We don't seem to gain on her, Sam," shouted Fred.
+
+Sam turned and glared upon the boy, but did not reply to the
+suggestion. He was giving his entire attention to the task of steering
+the boat, glancing occasionally at his rival, which tenaciously was
+holding to its course.
+
+Several steamboats were passed and as the sight of the racing boats was
+seen there was a wild rush of the passengers to the rail to watch the
+contest.
+
+For twenty minutes the unexpected race continued. At the expiration of
+that time the Varmint II changed her course. Veering to the left she
+swerved in a wide semi-circle, saluting the Black Growler several times
+as she turned her course backward.
+
+"I guess that will be some race," said Miss Susie Stevens. "I think
+I'll go with you."
+
+"You think you'll what?" demanded Mr. Button sharply.
+
+"I just said that I thought I would be one of the crew of the Black
+Growler in the race."
+
+"Excuse me, young lady," said Mr. Button solemnly. "That will be no
+place for a lady."
+
+"Why not?" demanded Miss Susie unabashed.
+
+"All you have to do is to look at yourself now," retorted Mr. Button
+somewhat tartly. "You're soaked, you're dripping from your head to your
+heels."
+
+"I don't mind a little thing like that."
+
+"Well, you ought to, whether you do or not. When I was your age the
+girls didn't go in for racing."
+
+"Then they never knew what they lost."
+
+"No, they didn't know what they lost," said Mr. Button quietly. "I
+guess they were better, if they were not better off."
+
+"Oh, you'll enjoy having me about, Mr. Button," said Miss Susie. "You
+need all the help you can get and Fred says he's going to steer in the
+race. He'll want me close by to tell him just what to do."
+
+"If you speak to mo while I'm steering the boat in that race," spoke up
+Fred, "I'm afraid you'll find yourself where you and Mildred were
+yesterday when the Black Growler came along."
+
+The fearless girl laughed derisively, but as the impromptu contest now
+was ended, conversation turned to other topics.
+
+The speed under which the Black Growler was moving was somewhat
+diminished, but the motor-boat still was sweeping swiftly on its course.
+
+"I hope we'll get there in time for luncheon," exclaimed Miss Susie at
+last breaking in upon the silence that had followed her conversation
+with Fred's grandfather.
+
+"That's another thing," said Mr. Button, "that I don't approve."
+
+"What's that?" inquired Miss Susie. "Luncheon? Doesn't it make you
+hungry to ride on the river?"
+
+"When I was young," said Mr. Button, "the girls didn't gorge
+themselves, and many a time I have seen my sisters even at a formal
+dinner eat only enough to enable them to follow the courses."
+
+"Yes, and afterwards," said Miss Susie, who was unterrified by the
+gloomy remarks of the old gentleman, "they used to go behind the pantry
+doors and eat pickles and lots of other indigestible things. I don't
+wonder that they had such frightful color."
+
+"But they didn't have such 'frightful color,' as you are pleased to
+call it," said Mr. Button. "When they were exposed to the sunlight they
+wore veils and protected themselves."
+
+"And afterwards," said the girl, "they died of consumption. Now,
+honestly, Mr. Button, didn't some of these girls that you're speaking
+about die when they were young?"
+
+"Death is no respector of persons. He cuts down the young as well as
+the old."
+
+"Do you mean that for an answer to my question?"
+
+The conversation which was becoming slightly heated abruptly ceased
+when George excitedly called the attention of his companions to a man
+standing on the dock in Cape Vincent which they were rapidly
+approaching.
+
+"There's your bond man," he said in a low voice.
+
+Instantly the eyes of all were turned toward the individual to whom
+George had referred. One look was sufficient to convince all the Go
+Ahead boys that George had spoken truly, and that the man before them
+was indeed the one who had demanded that the bond which the boys had
+discovered on board should be given to him.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE LOST FISH
+
+"You come with me, Freddie," said Mr. Button. Fred's face flushed at
+the term applied to him by his grandfather and still deeper color
+appeared in his cheeks when he saw a mischievous expression appear in
+the eyes of the girls. To be called by the name be which he was called
+when he was a little fellow, or at least very much smaller than he was
+at the present time, was the last thing that could be applied him in
+the way of teasing. Mr. Button, however, had no thought of annoying his
+grandson and used the term simply because it had been familiar to him
+from the time when Fred was born.
+
+"Good-by, Freddie, good-by," called the three Go Ahead boys together,
+as their comrade obediently followed the call and at once joined his
+grandfather and the man who had demanded the bond and turned into the
+street.
+
+"That fellow was waiting for us," exclaimed George in surprise. "I
+believe that Mr. Button knew all the time that he was to be here."
+
+"Well, what do you make of it?" inquired Grant.
+
+"I don't know what to make of it. That man and a lot of his friends
+from the canal-boats force their way on board the Black Growler and
+leave only when they are scared by the coming of the Caledonia. Then
+the first thing we know he shows up here at Cape Vincent and orders us
+to give up a bond which he says we have."
+
+"And the worst of it is that we have it," said George ruefully.
+
+"HAD it, you mean," suggested Grant soberly.
+
+"That's right," joined in John. "We gave it up and had it recorded in
+Fred's name. Now I suspect that those two men somehow have put up a job
+on Fred and that we'll lose our bond."
+
+"'Our' bond is good," scoffed George.
+
+"Well, whose is it?" demanded John.
+
+"That's what we don't know, but that doesn't mean that everything we
+see, which may be the property of somebody we don't know, belongs to
+us."
+
+"Well, if this Mr. Somebody owns that bond why doesn't he come and
+claim it?" retorted John.
+
+"It's my opinion that Mr. Somebody has come," said Grant dryly.
+
+"What do you mean?" inquired George.
+
+"I don't know that I mean anything. I'm thinking though that the man
+who owns that bond, if it is good for anything, isn't going to rest
+easily until he finds out where it is."
+
+"Do you think that boatman owns it?" asked John.
+
+"It's plain that he knows something about it," answered Grant.
+
+Meanwhile the two girls in the party were becoming somewhat impatient.
+
+"My, nobody knows how thirsty I am!" said Miss Susie, who had been an
+interested listener and for some strange reason had not joined in the
+conversation.
+
+"Plenty of water around here," suggested John.
+
+"I don't mean that," said the girl quickly. "I mean something cold."
+
+"And frozen?" asked John.
+
+"My, how quick witted you are!" laughed the girl. "That's exactly what
+we want."
+
+"I suppose we might as well give in first as last," said George in mock
+despair. "If anybody knows where we can get any ice cream we'll start."
+
+"We'll start anyway," spoke up Miss Susie. "If we start we shall find
+it."
+
+Evidently success attended the efforts to locate the ice cream parlors
+for long before the return of the boys and girls to the Black Growler,
+Fred and his grandfather had come back, the latter becoming more
+impatient with the failure of the young people to appear.
+
+Sam Hodge meanwhile had been busily engaged in his inspection of the
+machinery of the Black Growler. When his task was completed he did not
+make any remarks, but his face apparently beamed with satisfaction.
+
+"Sam," said Fred, "what do you think our chances are against that
+Varmint II?"
+
+"'Gainst the which?" demanded Sam.
+
+"That motor-boat that we were racing."
+
+"I think it will depend somewhat on how fast we go," said Sam.
+
+"What a wise man you are," laughed Fred. "I might have thought of that
+myself if I had tried hard. Do you think we can beat that boat? That's
+what I want to know."
+
+"I think we can if we go faster than she does," replied Sam.
+
+"Well, can we make her go faster?"
+
+"You can if the speed is in her."
+
+"Well, do you think the speed is in her?"
+
+"I can't say just yet," said Sam, who was not to be moved from his
+cautious position. "Here come your friends," he added as the boys and
+girls were seen approaching the dock.
+
+Mr. Button grumbled over the delay which had been caused by the failure
+of the young people to return, but as no one except Fred understood
+just what he was saying slight attention was paid him.
+
+Meanwhile at Sam's command the engine was started, and the Black
+Growler, free from the dock once more, soon was noisily and speedily
+making her way down the mighty river.
+
+"Why didn't you beat that other boat?" demanded Miss Susie of Fred.
+
+"That wasn't what we were trying to do."
+
+"Well, what were you trying to do?" demanded the girl.
+
+"Testing our boat and at the same time trying to find out what time
+they could make in the Varmint II."
+
+"Well, did you find out?"
+
+"We found that she can go," answered Fred somewhat dolefully. "Sam here
+says that we can beat her if we can go faster than she does."
+
+"That's exactly what I say," spoke up Sam.
+
+"How many legs have you got, Sam?" asked George abruptly.
+
+"Six," answered Sam.
+
+Both girls looked up in surprise. Miss Susie said, "He's a regular
+centipede. What does he mean?"
+
+"What do you mean, Sam?" said Fred. "Miss Susie doesn't understand you.
+How many legs really have you got?"
+
+"I have told you once," retorted Sam. "I have got six here and about
+fifty in New York."
+
+The girls stared blankly at each other and then as the boys laughed,
+Miss Susie said, "What's the joke?"
+
+"No joke," said Fred. "It's just a fact."
+
+The attention of the party, however, was speedily attracted by the
+sight of a little boat that was approaching, flying a white flag at the
+stern.
+
+"Oh, I know what that is," said Miss Susie confidently. "That means
+that somebody is sick on board and that they are signaling us to help
+them."
+
+"Huh!" grunted Mr. Button.
+
+"That's not it," responded George.
+
+"Well, what is it then?" demanded the girl.
+
+"It means that somebody on board has caught a muscallonge and they are
+bringing it in. If any boat catches one it usually puts straight for
+home and it isn't backward in letting the world know what has happened."
+
+"Have they got the fish with them?"
+
+"Why don't you ask them?" laughed George, handing the girl a megaphone
+as he spoke.
+
+Quickly taking her place on the deck, Miss Susie shouted, "Have you got
+a muscallonge?"
+
+"Yes," replied somebody on board.
+
+"Hold it up and let us see it."
+
+In response a man on the other boat held forth to view a huge fish
+which weighed at least twenty-five pounds.
+
+"Good for you! Good for you!" shouted the Go Ahead boys together.
+
+"Hold it up higher," called Miss Susie. "Is that a real fish? Did you
+really catch it or did you buy it somewhere?"
+
+A reply was not given the questions, for suddenly the great fish
+slipped from the hands of the man who was holding it and with a splash
+it fell into the water.
+
+"That's right," grunted Mr. Button. "I told you what was going to
+happen."
+
+"Why, Mr. Button," exclaimed Miss Susie, "did you know beforehand that
+he was going to drop that fish?"
+
+"I told the boys before we started that they would surely have trouble
+to-day. Now, stop this boat, Sam Hodge," he added. "We have got to help
+those people get that fish in."
+
+"I guess they won't need any help," said Sam, who was watching the
+efforts of the men on the other boat. Its speed had been checked as
+soon as the accident had occurred and the two men on board quickly
+began to pull in the two skiffs, which they had in tow.
+
+In a brief time they took their places on board one of the little boats
+and with long strokes started swiftly back in their search for their
+lost prize.
+
+Fortunately the men soon found the floating muscallonge which now had
+been dead two hours. Eagerly they drew the fish into their skiff and
+when they returned to their motor-boat they were aware for the first
+time that the Go Ahead boys were there to help.
+
+Few remarks, however, were made and as soon as the muscallonge had been
+restored to its place both boats continued on their way.
+
+"I'm afraid," muttered Mr. Button, "that isn't the last thing that is
+going to happen to-day."
+
+"I hope not," said Miss Susie lightly.
+
+Apparently all the efforts of Fred's grandfather to subdue the
+light-hearted girl were doomed to failure. Why his prejudice against
+her had become so strong it was difficult even for Fred to understand,
+although he was familiar with the peculiar ways of Mr. Button.
+
+"Look yonder!" suddenly exclaimed John, "That's the Varmint II again."
+
+Coming around the end of a nearby island the swift little motor-boat
+was seen approaching.
+
+Taking his megaphone Fred shouted, "Come on, we'll try it again! We
+couldn't do much this morning."
+
+"All right," came back the answering hail from the Varmint II and in a
+brief time both boats were swiftly moving down the river.
+
+Again the spray dashed over each party, the water through which they
+were passing again seemed to be moved as if by some intense heat
+beneath it. The noise of the motor and the sound of the rushing water
+made it difficult for the Go Ahead boys to hear one another.
+
+There was slight disposition however, to talk, for all on board the
+little boat were eagerly watching their rival. Although there were no
+sure grounds for their belief, the Go Ahead boys were confident that
+the strongest rival they would face in the coming race was the boat
+which now was only a few yards distant.
+
+And what a beautiful little structure she was. Her lines were all
+graceful and as she slipped through the water she seemed almost to
+share in the prevailing excitement.
+
+Steadily the two boats continued on their way, neither apparently being
+able to gain much upon its rival. Occasionally the Varmint II led by a
+few feet, only to lose the advantage as the Black Growler slowly drew
+ahead. Evidently they were evenly matched. This fact, however, served
+only to increase the interest of the Go Ahead boys.
+
+When at last the Varmint II again turned from the course and with a
+wide sweep started across the river there had been no sure test of the
+comparative speed of the two boats.
+
+"What do you think, Sam?" inquired Fred anxiously. "Can we beat her?"
+
+"We can if we go faster than she does," replied Sam briefly.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+SAM'S WARNING
+
+The thought of the race which was to take place within a few days and
+in which both the Black Growler and the Varmint II were to be
+contestants was in the mind of every one. In spite of the unwillingness
+of Sam to express his opinion as to the outcome, Fred insisted
+repeatedly upon asking what he thought. Again and again Sam evaded a
+direct reply as in one form or another he explained that all he did
+know was that the Black Growler would win if she could run more swiftly
+than the Varmint II.
+
+As to the possibility of developing the required speed he was
+non-committal.
+
+Conversation did not lag on the voyage down the river. The presence of
+Mr. Button as well as the fact that Fred apparently was somewhat
+reserved and uncommunicative concerning his recent experiences in Cape
+Vincent, caused the Go Ahead boys to neglect the topic of conversation
+which just then was uppermost in their thoughts. Time did not drag,
+however, and it was a merry party on the motor-boat which attracted the
+attention of many of the parties they met. In the most informal manner
+salutes were given and whistles were tooted whenever boats large or
+small passed.
+
+In spite of Miss Susie's apparent carelessness she had provided a most
+excellent luncheon, to which ample justice had been done by all on
+board, including Mr. Button.
+
+It was late in the afternoon, however, when the two girls were left at
+their cottage and the Black Growler sped forward toward Chestnut Island.
+
+As soon as a landing was made Mr. Button at once started for the
+cottage.
+
+Left to themselves Fred's three friends quickly turned upon him and
+eagerly began to question him concerning his experiences at Cape
+Vincent.
+
+"Where's your man that wanted the bond?" demanded George.
+
+"Did you get the bond?" asked Grant.
+
+"Did you find out who that fellow is?" inquired John.
+
+"Hold on, fellows," laughed Fred. "I'll take you one at a time, but I
+don't want you all together. Now then speak up, one of you. What is it
+you want to know?"
+
+"Did you find out who that man is?" asked John.
+
+"I fancy you're referring to the gentleman who requested us to deliver
+to him that five thousand dollar bond?" answered Fred.
+
+"You catch my meaning exactly," answered John solemnly.
+
+"Well, then, let me say that he is just as big a mystery to me as he is
+to you."
+
+"Did he get the bond?" demanded Grant.
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Weren't you with him?"
+
+"I was, but not all the time."
+
+"Did he go to the bank?"
+
+"He certainly did."
+
+"Weren't you there, too? Couldn't you see whether they gave him the
+bond or not?"
+
+"Not being able to see through a foot wall, and a door still stronger,
+I am unable to give you the information you so courteously request."
+
+"What do you mean? Can't you speak in plain English?"
+
+"I'll do my best," laughed Fred, who so often had been the object of
+attention from his friends that now he was rejoiced that in a measure
+at least the tables were turned. "Well, we were at the bank," he
+continued. "My grandfather told me to stay outside while he went into
+Mr. Reese's office. They were in there about five minutes and then Mr.
+Reese came out and asked me to tell our canal-boat friend that his
+presence was desired in the office, so I went outside the bank and
+found the man they were looking for, gave him the message and then I
+went back."
+
+"Didn't they want you in the office too?" inquired John.
+
+"I didn't receive any strong urging to enter," laughed Fred, "so I
+decided it was better for me to stay outside."
+
+"How long were they in there?" inquired Grant.
+
+"I suppose it was about half an hour, but it seemed a good deal longer."
+
+"Who came out first?"
+
+"The canal-man."
+
+"Was he alone?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How long before any one else came out?"
+
+"Five minutes anyway, perhaps ten."
+
+"What did your friend do?"
+
+"He went out of the bank and that's the last I saw of him."
+
+"You don't know then whether he went to the hotel or the station, or
+came down the river."
+
+"I have told you just what I know and all I know. I can't do any more."
+
+"So we're just as wise as we were when we began," laughed George. "We
+don't know what has become of our bond nor where the man that wanted it
+went. We don't even know whether or not it is in the bank yet."
+
+"Don't begin on the list of things you don't know, George," said Fred
+soberly. "It'll take too much time."
+
+"It's a good thing to know that you don't know. Some people that don't
+know, don't know that they don't know. Now, I know some things and
+among the things I know, I know that I don't know some things that I
+think I know."
+
+The Go Ahead boys laughed as they all started toward the cottage to
+prepare for dinner.
+
+The following morning Fred and George were the first to dress and
+together they made their way once more to the boat-house.
+
+In a room above the slip, in which the graceful little motor-boat was
+resting, Sam Hodge was found. He had arisen two hours before this time
+and already had eaten his breakfast and was preparing for the duties of
+the coming day.
+
+It was because of Sam's own choice that the room he occupied had been
+assigned him. And what a strange room it was. Sam had brought many of
+his own belongings among which were various pictures of the human
+anatomy, both external and internal. A life-size dummy stood in one
+corner of the room, the expression on its face being almost human in
+its dolefulness. In other parts of the room were legs, arms, feet and
+hands in various stages of completion. Sam explained that his love for
+the work which he did in the winter, when he was employed in the
+factory on Broome Street, New York, was present with him throughout the
+year.
+
+"Yes, I like fooling around a boat in the summer time," he explained,
+"but you can't do that when the ice is about two feet thick. And yet if
+I go back to New York then I am all out of practice with my feet and
+legs and arms, so the only thing for me to do is to keep in the game.
+Besides, I like it and what a fellow likes to do isn't work, it's play.
+I'm finishing up that dummy," explained Sam to the boys when they
+entered. "One arm is a bit too long and one of the feet ought to have a
+number four shoe and the other about a number nine. I have seen people
+that way, but not very often."
+
+"I should think you would wake up in the night with the nightmare,"
+laughed George. "I think I should if I looked out and saw somebody over
+in the corner of the room still, staring and silent."
+
+"Yes, some folks is easily scared," acknowledged Sam. "I've been over
+to Alexandria Bay," he added.
+
+"When?" inquired Fred quickly.
+
+"Oh, I guess I've been over two or three times. I've been asking some
+questions about those men that run the Varmint II."
+
+"What did you find out about them?" inquired both boys eagerly.
+
+"Accordin' to what I heard they aren't much good."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, I think they are a tough lot," said Sam, shaking his head. "The
+two fellows that own the boat are both of them sons of very rich men,
+who give them all the money they want to use. It hasn't done the
+youngsters any good, I guess, from what I heard. They bought the
+motor-boat expecting that there wouldn't be anything on the river that
+could touch her. They say they are pretty sore now that they have found
+that there is a boat which may give them a hard rub and perhaps take
+the cup away from them after all."
+
+"Sam, if you win that race for us--" began Fred eagerly.
+
+"I'm not going to win your race," broke in Sam. "I've heard you say
+that you're going to do the steering yourself and if you are, why the
+only thing I can do is to be a sort of court of appeals. I'll be there
+to help you out if something goes wrong. Now, we're up against a pretty
+serious proposition. Those fellows are bound to win that race and if
+they can't win it one way they are goin' to win it another."
+
+"I don't see how they can win, Sam, if they don't go faster than we do."
+
+"Maybe they can win," suggested Sam, "if we go slower than they do."
+
+"That's the same thing," laughed George.
+
+"Not by a jugful."
+
+"Why isn't it?"
+
+"Why, they may not be goin' so very fast and yet if our boat isn't in
+good shape it may be that they'll keep ahead of us and beat us."
+
+"Well, that's just what you're here for," said Fred; "to see that
+nothing does happen to us or to our boat."
+
+"Are you goin' to take them girls along that you had yesterday?"
+inquired Sam abruptly.
+
+"Do you mean in the race?" asked Fred.
+
+"What did you think I meant?"
+
+"Well, we're not going to take them."
+
+"Then maybe there'll be a chance to win out. I wouldn't promise
+anything with them on board, especially one of them. She's all right,
+but she would want to steer the boat and talk to the crew when it might
+be that the whole race was dependin' on what we were doin' right then
+and there."
+
+"No, you can rest easy about that," said Fred. "There won't be anybody
+on board except the Go Ahead boys and you."
+
+"Well, then," said Sam, "if that's the case then we'll have to keep a
+sharp watch on the Black Growler."
+
+Sam's manner more than the words he spoke impressed the boys with the
+fact that he was holding back something that he had heard or knew
+concerning the possibilities of trouble for the swift little
+motor-boat. Just what they were, neither Fred nor George could
+conjecture. Their confidence in Sam was great and when they departed
+from the boat-house they made light of his fears.
+
+"Sam is a regular old kill joy," laughed George.
+
+"There has to be somebody," said Fred, "to take the joy out of life. It
+wouldn't be worth living if that wasn't so."
+
+"Well, Sam does his best," said George with a laugh, "and the only
+reason why he doesn't succeed is because his bark is worse than his
+bite. We know he doesn't mean half he says."
+
+"But why does he seem so worried about something happening to the Black
+Growler?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know," said George. "That's just one of his notions, I
+guess."
+
+It was not long, however, before both boys were excitedly aware that
+Sam's forebodings had been based upon a knowledge greater than that
+possessed by any of the Go Ahead boys.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE SUMMONS IN THE NIGHT
+
+On each of the three days that followed, the Black Growler was sent
+over a part of the course which had been mapped out for the race. The
+speed of the marvelous little motor-boat apparently was satisfactory to
+all concerned, except Sam. He growled and protested that there was
+something wrong with the boat and declared that unless they kept a
+careful watch, other things that would be still worse might occur.
+
+On several occasions an impromptu race was had with the Varmint II. It
+was plain to the occupants of each boat that their rival was dangerous.
+Fred became more anxious with the passing days, sometimes being low
+spirited and declaring that there was no hope for the Black Growler.
+
+He was easily routed out of his despondency, however, for it has been
+well said that it is not difficult for men to believe the things which
+they wish to believe.
+
+"We'll be all right," said George confidently. "There wouldn't be any
+fun in a race if the other boat did not have some speed in her. But you
+just wait, Fred, and we'll show that Varmint II a clean pair of heels."
+
+"I hope so," said Fred, his courage quickly rising again.
+
+"By the way, Fred," said John, "you never told us any more about that
+man who came for the bond."
+
+"I haven't any more to tell," said Fred quietly.
+
+"Now look here, Peewee," spoke up Grant. "That bond wasn't yours. It
+belonged to the Go Ahead boys. I don't see why you assume all the
+rights of ownership."
+
+"I don't," protested Fred. "The bond was registered in my name at the
+bank and so I had to go with my grandfather to see about it."
+
+"Did that canal-man steal the bond?" asked John.
+
+"I can't tell you," replied Fred.
+
+"Do you mean you can't, or you won't tell?"
+
+"A little of both," laughed Fred, eager to change the subject.
+
+Throughout these conversations Sam Hodge seldom spoke. Indeed, as the
+time drew nearer the day of the race, his anxiety manifestly increased.
+He was busy on or about the boat throughout the day and even when night
+fell it was difficult to persuade him to retire to his room in the
+boat-house.
+
+Once when Fred looked out of his bedroom window, in the moonlight night
+about twelve o'clock, he discovered Sam pacing back and forth on the
+dock. Just why he was so uneasy Fred did not understand and Sam did not
+offer any explanation.
+
+On the following night not long after the boys had retired, they were
+awakened by a loud call from Sam Hodge.
+
+"Hi! Hi there!" he shouted. "Come out here."
+
+Hastily donning their clothing the boys ran out of the house and
+quickly joined Sam, who had leaped into a skiff that had been fastened
+to the dock and was now rowing swiftly toward the head of the island.
+
+"What is it, Sam?" called Fred.
+
+Sam, however, made no response and soon disappeared from sight around
+the bend in the shore.
+
+"What do you suppose the trouble is?" inquired John.
+
+"I'm telling you," said George, "that Sam has seen something that
+surprised him. He has been saying all the while that he was afraid
+something might happen to the Black Growler."
+
+"But nothing can happen to her to-night. It's perfectly clear. There's
+no storm, and even Sam did not think it was worth while to run her into
+the boat-house."
+
+"That may be just the trouble," suggested Grant.
+
+"I don't know what you mean," retorted George, quickly turning upon his
+friend. "What might happen?"
+
+"The thing that Sam seemed to be afraid of."
+
+"But what is that?"
+
+"Sam hasn't told me."
+
+"That's all so," spoke up Fred, "but Sam has some reason for being
+worried. I don't know what it is, and I think he ought to tell us."
+
+"Maybe he will when he comes back," suggested George.
+
+"Back from where?" retorted John scornfully. "He's just started, and
+nobody knows where he is going or when he is coming back."
+
+"He will be here within a few minutes," said Grant confidently.
+
+True to Grant's suggestion, not many minutes had elapsed before Sam was
+seen approaching. He was rowing leisurely and apparently was neither
+alarmed nor excited.
+
+As soon as he came within speaking distance, Fred called sharply, "What
+is it, Sam?"
+
+"Did you see anything?" inquired Sam as he rested on his oars a few
+yards from the dock.
+
+"Nothing, except you," answered Fred. "We saw you pulling as if your
+life depended upon it."
+
+"It wasn't my life, exactly," said Sam slowly, "but there was a man
+here on the dock."
+
+"A man?" exclaimed George. "Who was he? What was he doing here?"
+
+"That's exactly what I should like to know myself," said Sam shortly.
+"I was trying to find out and that was just the reason why I followed
+him."
+
+"Didn't you see any one?" Fred asked.
+
+"Yes, sir, I did," replied Sam.
+
+"What was he doing?" inquired John.
+
+"I saw a skiff headed for Alexandria Bay."
+
+"How many were in it?"
+
+"Two men."
+
+"What were they doing?"
+
+"The last I saw of them they were pulling as if for dear life. That was
+why I couldn't catch them."
+
+"And you think they were here on our dock?"
+
+"I do," explained Sam promptly. "I saw one man on the dock. Probably
+the other was in the skiff."
+
+"What were they doing?"
+
+"Nothing when I first saw them. They were just getting ready to do it."
+
+"Do what?" demanded George.
+
+"I guess it's time for you boys to go back to your beds," said Sam
+after a brief silence. "If you can't tell, then I'm not going to
+explain."
+
+"Tell us, Sam, just what happened," pleaded Fred.
+
+For a moment the man was silent and then as if thinking better of his
+resolution, he said, "The fact is, boys, there was some one in the
+boat-house. I was sure of it though I couldn't see any one. I heard him
+moving around and when I came out on the dock there I saw him just as
+plain as day. Just about that time he saw me too, and that was the
+first I knew that there were two of them, one in the skiff and one on
+the dock."
+
+"Were they near the Black Growler?" inquired Fred, who was keenly
+aroused by the story Sam was telling.
+
+"They couldn't have been nearer," declared Sam, "but when they saw me,
+they started out as if the evil one was after them."
+
+"I don't wonder," suggested George.
+
+"Huh?" said Sam quickly. "What's that you say?"
+
+"I think it would scare anybody if he thought you were trying to catch
+him," said George glibly.
+
+Mollified by the explanation, Sam continued, "They lighted out as soon
+as they both were in the skiff and the way they rowed was something
+marvelous. I chased them around the point, but if you'll believe me
+when I got there they were already more than half-way to Alexandria
+Bay."
+
+"They must have traveled fast," laughed John.
+
+"They didn't delay any, let me tell you," said Sam, shaking his head.
+"And they had good reason to hurry up."
+
+"Was anything wrong with the boat?" asked Fred.
+
+"I haven't found out yet. I don't think they had time to do much harm."
+
+"What makes you think they wanted to harm the boat anyway?" asked Grant.
+
+"Huh," said Sam, turning abruptly upon the speaker. "What else could
+they want here?"
+
+"I don't know that they would want anything," said Grant quietly. "When
+you have made up your mind that somebody is trying to put the Black
+Growler out of business it is easy for you to believe that everything
+is working for that one thing."
+
+"You don't know as much as you might," said Sam tartly.
+
+"By which you mean?" inquired Grant.
+
+"By which I mean just this," responded Sam warmly. "The people that own
+the Varmint II are a tough crowd. They are some young fellows that have
+got more money than they have sense."
+
+"More dollars than cents, you mean, don't you?" interrupted George.
+
+"That's what I said," retorted Sam. "They are betting all sorts of
+money on their boat. From what I heard over at the Bay they have staked
+more money than you would believe on their boat winning the race."
+
+"Who told you about it?" inquired Fred.
+
+"Never you mind that," said Sam. "I know and that's enough. Now, if
+they've got so much staked they wouldn't feel so very bad, would they,
+if anything happened to the Growler? It seems she's the only boat they
+are afraid of anyway, and if she isn't in the race why the Varmint II
+will just walk away with the cup."
+
+"And do you really think," inquired Fred, "that they will try to damage
+our boat so that she can't be in the race?"
+
+"I'm not saying THEY will," answered Sam, "but somebody might. Perhaps
+they wouldn't know anything about it."
+
+"Do you think those men who were here to-night came to do that?"
+
+"I'm suspicious," said Sam, "but I don't know yet how much damage they
+did. I called you because I thought I might need your help. There isn't
+anything more you can do now and you might as well go back to bed."
+
+With the coming of the day most of the fears and anxieties of the boys
+departed. The alarm of Sam the preceding night appeared very
+differently now and they even were inclined to laugh at him for his
+fears. Sam, however, had fallen once more into one of his periods of
+silence and made no comment on the remarks of the Go Ahead boys.
+
+"I'm going over to the Bay now," said Sam when the boys after breakfast
+approached the dock.
+
+"Are you going in the motor-boat?" inquired Fred.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"How long will you be there?"
+
+"I don't know. Probably an hour."
+
+"Then we'll go over with you," answered Fred. "Perhaps we'll find one
+of these fellows who were trying to blow up the Black Growler last
+night." "I'm not saying they were trying to blow her up," retorted Sam.
+"You don't have to blow up a boat to put it out of commission, do you?
+Her machinery is so fine that it wouldn't take very much damage to one
+part to throw the whole thing out of gear."
+
+"That's true," said George, "but I don't believe, Sam, that there's
+need for our being scared. Probably those two men you saw last night
+were just stopping on their way back to the Bay from some of the
+islands."
+
+Sam shook his head and although he did not speak, his action implied
+that the Go Ahead boys might soon be wiser than they were at that time.
+
+Nor was his suspicion misplaced. Not many hours had elapsed before they
+were almost as strong as Sam in their belief that the Black Growler was
+not only an object of dislike, but also that there was a real peril
+that she might be so injured that it would be impossible for her to
+enter the race.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+A COLLISION
+
+In a brief time the Black Growler was fast to one of the side-docks and
+the party prepared to disembark.
+
+"I'm not going to leave that boat without somebody stayin' on board,"
+asserted Sam positively, when he was aware that the Go Ahead boys were
+all planning to accompany him.
+
+"What are you afraid of?" inquired George. "There's some one around
+here all the time and no one could do any damage without being seen."
+
+"It doesn't make any difference," asserted Sam. "A man might drop sand
+into the bearings or grease cups or do some other mean trick and nobody
+ever see him."
+
+"All right, then," laughed George, "I'll be the goat. I'll stay here
+while you're gone. I guess I shan't be lonesome," he added with a laugh
+as he glanced at the increasing assembly which already had been drawn
+to the dock to gaze at the beautiful little motor-boat.
+
+Soon after the departure of his friends, George seated himself in the
+stern of the boat and did his utmost to appear indifferent to the
+admiring glances and words of approval which now were coming from the
+spectators.
+
+He had secured a copy of the morning paper and was pretending to be
+interested in the news he was reading.
+
+Suddenly he partly dropped the paper as in the crowd he discovered the
+canal-man, who had demanded their bond at Cape Vincent. For some reason
+which George was unable to understand he did not advance to the boat,
+preferring to remain on the outskirts of the little assembly. The fact,
+however, that the man was there was in itself somewhat startling.
+
+Still pretending to be interested in his paper, George did his utmost
+to follow the actions of the man whom he had discovered, but not many
+minutes had elapsed before he departed from the dock.
+
+When his friends returned the strange man had not come back.
+
+"Did anything happen?" inquired Fred eagerly as he stepped on board.
+
+"What did you think was going to happen?" answered George somewhat
+evasively.
+
+"I didn't think anything was," laughed Fred. "Sam is the only one who
+is worried."
+
+"Well, he has some right to be worried, I guess," said George slowly.
+
+"Why, what's wrong? What happened?" demanded Fred excitedly.
+
+"Are you ready to explain what you did with that bond that belongs to
+the Go Ahead boys?" asked George slowly.
+
+"No, sir, I'm not."
+
+"Then you'll not be interested in the fact that the man who wanted it
+came down here to the dock while you were gone."
+
+"He did? He did?" exclaimed Fred so eagerly that his friends all
+laughed. "What did he want?"
+
+"That, sir, I can't explain to you at this time," answered George,
+striving to mimic the tones and manner of his friend. "It's difficult
+for me to tell the whole story unless I know what you all have to say."
+
+"I have nothing to say," retorted Fred.
+
+"Neither have I," responded George glibly.
+
+Meanwhile Sam had cast off and with his boat-hook had pushed the Black
+Growler out into the stream. The graceful lines of the motor-boat were
+more distinctly seen now and the enthusiasm of the spectators was
+somewhat noisily expressed.
+
+At that moment, however, the Varmint II came sweeping in a great
+semi-circle toward the dock and the attention of the assembly was
+quickly divided.
+
+The boys were able to overhear the comparisons which were made, some of
+them favorable to one boat and some to the other.
+
+The Go Ahead boys, however, were so deeply interested in the sight of
+their rival that they gave slight heed to the comments. They were
+keenly watching the young men on board, but in a few minutes they were
+beyond the sight of the dock and the Varmint II consequently no longer
+could be seen.
+
+"I tell you, Sam is right," said George positively. "Those fellows on
+that Varmint II are a hard crowd. If they have been betting as much
+money as Sam says they have, it may be that there's some reason for his
+being afraid that some accident may happen to the Black Growler."
+
+"It wouldn't do any harm to keep pretty close watch anyway," suggested
+Grant. "Whatever the weather is I think it will be better to run her
+into the boat-house every night and put double locks on the doors."
+
+"We'll do more than that," said Sam. "We'll have somebody on the
+lookout. I guess it wouldn't be very much of a job for you boys to
+divide the night up into watches. I'll stay on duty until eleven or
+twelve o'clock and from then on until six wouldn't take more than an
+hour and a half from each of you."
+
+"We'll do that," said Fred quickly. "That's a good suggestion, Sam."
+
+"But if we have the Black Growler fast inside the boat-house how can
+any one get at her?" inquired John.
+
+"My dear String," said Grant solemnly, "I fear now that the remark of
+that wise Englishman was correct when he said that Nature never built
+men seven stories high without the top lofts being left empty."
+
+"I have heard you say that before," retorted John, irritated by the
+manner more than by the words of his friend.
+
+"Well, all I can say is," said Grant, "if you have any gray matter up
+there where your brain ought to be located you had better begin pretty
+soon to make it work. If a man wanted to break into the boat-house he
+wouldn't have very much trouble in doing it, no matter how many
+padlocks we put on the doors."
+
+"That's right," spoke up George. "He could dive under the doors, or
+smash in the window or cut out a glass and if there wasn't any one on
+guard he might never be detected. No, sir, we've got to establish a
+guard and the fellow who is on duty must keep up a regular patrol. He
+must keep walking around the dock all the time."
+
+"And there may be some other ways by which they will try to get at us
+besides injuring our boat," suggested Grant.
+
+"I don't see what," spoke up John quickly. "It's the one boat they are
+afraid of and if they can only put the Black Growler out of business
+they won't have anything to fear, as far as the outcome of the race is
+concerned. What could they do anyway?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know," said Grant. "I can think of a dozen tricks they
+might play, any one of which might throw us out of the race."
+
+Grant's words proved to be more prophetic than he had dreamed. That
+very afternoon after the boys had taken their daily run over a part of
+the triangular course where the great race was to be held, an event
+occurred which confirmed his statement and added strength to Sam's
+warning.
+
+The Black Growler already had finished her course and under low speed
+was moving with the current on her way back to the island where she
+belonged.
+
+Suddenly and without any warning whistle, a swift little boat dashed
+out from behind one of the small islands which the Black Growler
+chanced to be passing at the time and almost before the boys were aware
+of what was occurring there was a collision.
+
+"Look out! Look out there!" shouted Fred, who was steering, in his
+loudest tones. At the same time he did his utmost to change the course
+of the motor-boat. His words of warning, however, were either unheard
+or unheeded. There was a sharp collision, for the smaller boat was
+moving swiftly. This was followed by the sound of a grinding crash. In
+dismay the Go Ahead boys ran to the side of their boat and speedily
+discovered that the metal bow of the little boat before them had cut a
+long gash which extended below the water's edge. Indeed, it was only by
+an effort that the other boat was freed. To all appearances she was
+uninjured. On board were two men, plainly belonging to the region.
+
+"What's the matter with you?" called one of the men on the other boat.
+
+"What's the matter with YOU?" retorted Fred. "Why didn't you whistle
+before you turned the end of the island?"
+
+"How were we to know anything was there if you didn't let us know? You,
+yourself, ought to have whistled."
+
+The damage to the Black Growler, however, was not to be explained away
+by abuse or questions. Sam, already in the skiff, had brought it
+along-side and was inspecting the damage on the outside. As yet he had
+not made any suggestions and how serious the collision might prove to
+have been was not yet known.
+
+Meanwhile the other boat hastily withdrew and when the Go Ahead boys
+again looked up to discover where it was, not one of them was able to
+find it.
+
+"That's a great note!" exclaimed George in disgust. "They not merely
+ram us, but they don't wait nor even offer to help us."
+
+"They didn't want to help," grumbled Sam. "The sooner they could get
+away from here, the better."
+
+"What do you mean?" said Grant, abruptly turning to face Sam as he
+spoke.
+
+"It seems to me," spoke up John, "that Nature doesn't have to make
+every fellow seven stories high to leave his topknot vacant. Sam thinks
+those fellows ran into us purposely."
+
+For a moment the Go Ahead boys stared blankly at one another. The
+suggestion of John in the light of what had occurred after the accident
+might be true. The men in the other boat were strangers to the boys,
+not one of whom had ever seen either of them before.
+
+The silent manner in which the sharp little boat had come around the
+island also was suspicious. With redoubled anxiety the boys turned to
+Sam to discover how serious was the damage which had been inflicted.
+
+"How do you find it, Sam?" called Fred anxiously. "Are we out of the
+race?"
+
+Sam shook his head as if he either was unwilling or unable as yet to
+reply.
+
+Meanwhile the Black Growler had been drifting with the current, all
+power instantly having been shut off. Slight effort was required to
+keep her headed aright and Fred had remained at the wheel when Sam had
+begun his investigations.
+
+Conversation now ceased while all four boys anxiously awaited the
+results of Sam's efforts to discover whether or not the Black Growler
+had suffered serious damage.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THE CALL IN THE NIGHT
+
+The only announcement which Sam vouchsafed after he had completed his
+hasty inspection of the damage which had been done was, "I guess she'll
+stand it all right as far as Alexandria Bay."
+
+"Are you going to drift all the way, Sam?" inquired John.
+
+"Drift? No! I'm going ahead. Seems to me I've heard some boys talk
+about 'goin' ahead,' and now 's the time to find out whether they mean
+business or not."
+
+Relieved by the manner of Sam, although he had not made any positive
+statement, the four Go Ahead boys eagerly watched him as under slow
+headway he carefully guided the swift little boat toward its
+destination.
+
+An hour afterward, they arrived at Alexandria Bay. There Sam insisted
+once more upon the boys remaining on board while he sought the help he
+desired in repairing the Black Growler.
+
+While the boys were awaiting his return, their conversation naturally
+turned upon the mishap which had befallen them and their anxiety
+concerning the outcome of the accident.
+
+"I'm telling you," said John, "that I haven't seen but one fellow on
+the Varmint II that was on board when I came up the Hudson with them."
+
+"What has become of the others?" inquired Fred.
+
+"I don't know. I haven't seen any of them. I remember that one
+particular fellow because he made me think when I saw him that there
+weren't many things he would hesitate to do if he wanted to win pretty
+badly."
+
+"Do you really think," inquired George, "that this 'accident' up here
+was not an accident at all? Do you honestly believe that they ran into
+us on purpose?"
+
+"I'm not charging nobody with nothin', as Sam says," laughed John, "but
+it's strange that boat didn't give any warning."
+
+"They said that we didn't give any warning either," spoke up Grant.
+"Perhaps we were as much to blame as they were."
+
+"Well, if that's the only thing that happens to us," said Fred, "I
+shan't complain, that is, if the Black Growler isn't put out of the
+race."
+
+"You'll have a good excuse, Peewee," laughed George, "if you lose the
+cup."
+
+"How's that?" inquired Fred.
+
+"Why, you can charge it up to the collision."
+
+"I'm not going to charge it to anything but the boat," retorted Fred
+sharply. "If the Black Growler doesn't win it isn't going to be the
+fault of any one but herself. There comes Sam with two men," he added,
+as the boatman was seen approaching, accompanied by two mechanics.
+
+Another inspection of the damaged boat was made by the men whom Sam had
+brought, but their verdict coincided with his own. The Black Growler
+was marred, but no serious damage had been done.
+
+"You're sure there isn't any leak, are you?" inquired Fred anxiously
+after the work was completed.
+
+"Not a leak," laughed one of the men.
+
+"All the same," spoke up Sam, "I'm going to leave the boat here and
+I'll be back for her to-night. Don't let any one come near her, and
+give her a thorough overhauling."
+
+The men readily consented and soon departed, taking the Black Growler
+around the point to the spot where their boathouse was located.
+
+The Go Ahead boys and Sam then took their places in the two skiffs
+which the Black Growler had had in tow and in a brief time arrived at
+the dock on the island owned by Mr. Button.
+
+Fred's grandfather chanced to be in the boat-house when they arrived
+and in response to his inquiry concerning the motor-boat, Fred briefly
+related the story of the accident.
+
+"Who was steering?" demanded Mr. Button sharply. "That's what comes of
+letting a lot of boys run such a delicate piece of work as that
+motor-boat. I told your father, Fred, that he ought not to get you any
+such plaything as that. I'll warrant that you were steering and not
+paying any attention."
+
+Fred laughed as he said, "The fact is, Grandfather, that I was on the
+lookout but the other boat never whistled nor gave us any sign of their
+coming."
+
+"Did you let them know that you were coming?"
+
+"Why, no, we didn't whistle."
+
+"Then I don't see that you have any one to blame but yourselves," said
+Mr. Button tartly. "It's just as I said."
+
+"But we're not so sure that it was an accident," persisted Fred.
+
+"No," laughed Mr. Button. "I suppose you think that other boat was
+hiding behind the rock ready to jump out at you the way a pickerel
+starts for a minnow."
+
+"If that was the only thing," explained Fred, "we might agree with you.
+But the trouble is that we're afraid somebody wants to injure the Black
+Growler."
+
+"Why?" demanded Mr. Button, turning abruptly upon the boys as he spoke.
+
+"To put her out of the race."
+
+For a moment Mr. Button stared blankly at his grandson and then said
+quietly, "Don't you believe it. We don't have that kind of people
+around here. I shall have to write your father that you were to blame."
+
+"And I'll write him and tell him all about it," said Fred angrily.
+
+"See that you do. See that you do," said his grandfather as he turned
+to the house and left the boys standing on the dock.
+
+"All the same," spoke up George, "I'm sure that that collision wasn't
+any accident. What do you think, Grant?"
+
+"I confess I don't know," replied Grant. "If it was the only thing that
+had happened I might think it was an accident, but taken in connection
+with some other things we have found out, I'm almost afraid it wasn't."
+
+"Then the only thing for us to do," said John, "is to keep watch. Sam
+is going to bring the Black Growler back here to-night and some one of
+us will have to be on guard all the time."
+
+"I have got that all fixed," said Fred, taking a slip of paper from his
+pocket as he spoke; "I have divided the night into five watches. We'll
+let Sam stay on guard until eleven o'clock. I'll take the watch from
+eleven P. M. to twelve-thirty A. M. Grant can come on at twelve-thirty
+and stay until two, then George will take his place and stay until
+half-past three. John will be the last one and he can be the guard from
+half-past three until five o 'clock. There won't be any need of any one
+after that because it will be light by that time."
+
+"That's all right," spoke up George. "The only suggestion I have to
+make is that we rotate the hours, if we keep this up many nights."
+
+"What do you mean?" inquired Fred.
+
+"Why the one that comes on at eleven o'clock one night comes on at
+twelve-thirty the next night. The one who comes on at twelve-thirty
+will report at two and so on. We'll just keep pushing the schedule up
+every night so we'll all be the same when we're done."
+
+"How shall we know when our turns come?" inquired John.
+
+"Every fellow is to call the one who is to take his place."
+
+"But suppose the villain comes between spells?"
+
+"We'll have to take our chances on that," said John.
+
+The proposed scheme was finally accepted. About six o'clock Sam
+returned with the Black Growler and when the plan was explained to him
+he readily consented to accept the part which had been assigned to him.
+
+That night at eleven o 'clock he called Fred who was to have the first
+watch. After the first half-hour the young guard in the silence that
+rested over the great river found the time dragging heavily. In order
+to keep awake he walked about the dock, peering intently in every
+direction. Not a sign of danger had been discovered, however, when at
+half-past twelve he summoned Grant to take his place.
+
+Grant also was not molested and when he called George at two o'clock he
+said sleepily, "It all seems like fool business anyway, Pop."
+
+"You've been asleep," retorted George.
+
+"I haven't closed my eyes," retorted Grant sharply. "If you do as well
+you'll be lucky."
+
+A half-hour after George had entered upon his task he stopped and
+peered through the window into the boathouse. The light of the moon
+made many of the objects within clear and distinct. The Black Growler
+was lying peacefully in her slip. Apparently peril was nowhere
+threatening.
+
+Suddenly, as George glanced at the farther end of the platform beside
+the slip, he stopped abruptly and stepped quickly back from the window.
+Approaching the place again, he cautiously peered within and his first
+impressions were confirmed. He was able to see distinctly the figure of
+a man crouching in a corner of the room.
+
+Instantly George's heart was thumping wildly and he was tempted to
+shout to the intruder. Hastily banishing the impulse he watched the
+man. The dim outline of his figure was distinctly seen. Perhaps the
+intruder had been startled by the discovery of the face at the window.
+At all events he remained motionless and not a sound was heard save the
+lapping of the little waves against the dock.
+
+By this time George's fears had returned in full force. He decided
+quickly to summon the Go Ahead boys and not attempt alone to drive away
+the intruder. That the man's purpose in coming was evil he had no
+question. What other explanation was to be had for the presence of a
+strange man in the boat-house at three o'clock in the morning?
+
+Running silently and swiftly to the house, George speedily summoned his
+friends, who were wide awake as soon as the report of his discovery of
+the man in the boat-house was heard.
+
+"Shall I take a gun?" whispered Fred to his companion.
+
+"No," said Grant sharply. "We don't want any gun."
+
+"Well, some of us ought to have clubs or something," persisted Fred.
+
+"I don't think we shall want anything," said Grant, "but if you're
+afraid, bring along two or three bats."
+
+These weapons were secured and then silently the four Go Ahead boys
+departed from the house and stealthily approached the boat-house in
+which George had discovered the presence of the intruder.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+THE MAN IN THE BOAT-HOUSE
+
+When the Go Ahead boys drew near the dock they separated, George and
+Grant moving to one side of the boat-house while John and Fred
+approached from the opposite side. There were two large doors in the
+front of the boat-house, both of which now were closed. The upper part
+of each, however, was of glass and was so made that the boys were able
+to stand on the dock and by leaning forward could peer into the
+building.
+
+"He's there," whispered George excitedly, after he had looked within.
+Quickly withdrawing, Grant took his place and silently peered into the
+slip. At the same time John and Fred were making their investigations
+on the opposite side of the slip, although Fred was having his
+difficulties because he was not tall enough to enable him to look
+through the glass.
+
+The man whom George had discovered apparently had not moved from the
+place in which he had first been seen. Perhaps he too was listening and
+was fearful of an attack.
+
+Their excitement now greatly intensified, George beckoned for John and
+Fred to come to the place where he and Grant were standing on the dock.
+
+"He's there," whispered Fred.
+
+"I told you he was," whispered George in reply. "Now the question is
+how shall we get him?"
+
+"How did he get in?" inquired Grant.
+
+"I don't know," replied George, shaking his head. "There isn't any
+window open and the doors are locked."
+
+"He must have dived under the door and come up that way," suggested
+John.
+
+"This isn't any time to be discussing how he got there," remarked
+George. "The thing for us to do is to find out how we are going to get
+him out or get him. Let's go around to the window on the river side."
+
+In response to the suggestion the boys stealthily crept along the dock
+and then one after another cautiously peered through the window. Not
+one of them stood in full view of the man within, for they were aware
+of the peril that might follow such an action.
+
+"He's still there," whispered Fred, "and I don't believe he has moved
+once since we came back."
+
+"He's scared," suggested John. "He doesn't know which way to turn."
+
+The suggestion that the intruder might be alarmed was new to the Go
+Ahead boys and did much to revive their courage.
+
+John and George each had secured a bat when they had left the house.
+And now they were prepared to defend the motor-boat and themselves also
+if the need arose.
+
+"Knock on the window," suggested Grant. "Let the fellow know we're
+here."
+
+"He may get away," warned George, who still was the most excited of all.
+
+"If he tries to, we'll get him then anyway," said Grant. "Go around and
+look on the other side of the boat-house," he directed Fred and John.
+"We'll wait here. I'll rap on the window and we'll see what he does."
+
+Grant waited until sufficient time had elapsed to enable his friends to
+take their position in front of the entrance on the opposite side and
+then rapped lightly upon the window. No response was made to his
+summons.
+
+"He couldn't hear you," whispered George. "You'll have to make more
+noise than that."
+
+Again Grant rapped upon the glass, pounding on the window sash also in
+his efforts to arouse the attention of the man within.
+
+All four boys now were keenly excited and all were eager to discover
+what the intruder would do, now that his presence had been discovered.
+
+To their surprise the man did not respond to the summons. Even his
+position was unchanged and in the dim light the boys were unable to
+decide whether or not he had even glanced in the direction from which
+the hail had come.
+
+"There's only one thing we can do," said George.
+
+"What's that?" demanded Grant.
+
+"Go around to the other side and tell Fred we've got to have the door
+unlocked. Then we'll make a rush on the fellow before he knows that we
+are after him."
+
+The suggestion was quickly followed and soon the four boys were
+standing together in front of the side-door which opened upon the dock.
+
+"Now, then," said Fred, who insisted upon retaining his key, "when I
+unlock the door all four of us must make a rush together."
+
+"That's right," whispered George as he grasped more tightly the bat
+which he was holding in his hand.
+
+"Let String and George go ahead. They are the best armed," said Grant.
+
+For some reason Grant was less excited than his companions, a fact
+which escaped the attention of the boys at that time.
+
+"All ready!" whispered Fred. Quickly turning the key he opened the door
+and together the four boys darted into the boat-house.
+
+Although the moon was shining, the interior of the room was somewhat
+darker than it had been on the dock. The boys, however, were able to
+see clearly the man who was still standing near the Black Growler. Not
+even when they rushed upon him did he turn his face toward them.
+
+In their eagerness to secure him all four did their utmost to leap upon
+him at the same time.
+
+A most amazing result, however, followed their desperate attempt.
+Despite his efforts to save himself, Fred, who pluckily was in advance,
+was pushed over the edge of the slip and with a loud splash fell into
+the river. Before he could check himself John followed his example. A
+yell came from Fred when he arose to the surface because at that moment
+the intruder, whom they had discovered in the boat-house, also followed
+the example set by the boys.
+
+Meanwhile George and Grant had broken into loud laughter. George was
+bowed and slapping his sides as he moved about the room. Grant was
+laughing almost as loudly as his companion, although he did not move
+from the place where he was standing.
+
+"Give us a hand," called Fred. "I can't see the ladder."
+
+"It's right in front of you," suggested George, advancing to the edge
+and looking down into the water which was only about four feet below
+him. "There it is. Follow the sound of my voice."
+
+"I don't see what there is so funny about all this," sputtered Fred as
+he climbed to the floor.
+
+"Funny!" exclaimed Grant. "It beats anything I ever experienced."
+
+"What's the trouble?" demanded John, who now also had climbed out of
+the water. His elongated form only partly clothed, his garments
+dripping and clinging to his slim body, increased the weirdness of his
+appearance.
+
+"I think the joke's on George more than even it is on Peewee and
+String," laughed Grant.
+
+At this moment Sam, who had been asleep in his room appeared, rubbing
+his eyes and gazing in surprise at the boys. "What's wrong?" he
+demanded gruffly.
+
+"Nothing," said George, beginning to laugh again.
+
+"It seems to me you make lots of fuss when nothin' is the matter. What
+are you all down here for anyway?"
+
+"Why, George got us down here to help him get a man who was in the
+boat-house."
+
+"Huh, what's that you say?"
+
+"Why, George discovered somebody in the boat-house and he routed us all
+out to help him get him."
+
+"Did you get him?" inquired Sam.
+
+"We got all there was to get," laughed Grant.
+
+"What do you mean?" demanded Sam, looking around the room and for the
+first time suspecting what had taken place.
+
+"Why, we mean that you had that wax figure of yours down here and we
+all thought it was a man."
+
+"I don't blame you," said Sam solemnly. "That's one of the best wax
+dummies I ever made."
+
+"But why did you leave it where you did?" inquired George.
+
+"Why, I figured it out this way," said Sam slowly. "If a scarecrow will
+keep crows out of a cornfield, why couldn't I rig up something to scare
+off anybody that wanted to damage the Black Growler?"
+
+"That's good sense," said Grant soberly.
+
+"Of course it is sense," declared Sam. "I put the dummy down there so
+that if anybody looked into the boat-house he would see it and he would
+think somebody was on guard."
+
+"That's right," said Fred. "We had two dummies on guard to-night. One
+inside the boat-house and one outside."
+
+"That may be all true," spoke up George, "but there was only one of
+them that followed you into the river."
+
+"You would feel better if you had," declared Fred. "Now, then, I don't
+see that there's anything more for us to do except to go back to bed."
+
+"But where's my dummy?" demanded Sam.
+
+"That's right," said Fred. "We never fished it out of the river. I
+guess you'll find it all right, Sam, somewhere in the slip."
+
+In a brief time Sam's possession was rescued from its place of peril,
+but the boatman's lamentations were the last words the boys heard when
+they departed.
+
+"Color's all washed out. It doesn't look more than half human," Sam was
+declaring as he stood in the moonlight examining the dummy which he had
+fashioned after his arrival at the boat-house. "Sam has an extra
+assortment of legs and arms in his room," exclaimed Grant, as the boys
+entered the house. "He seems possessed to have them around him."
+
+"Perhaps they will come in handy some day," laughed George.
+
+"I don't know how."
+
+On the following morning, however, when the Black Growler was withdrawn
+from the slip and once more was sent over a part of the course there
+was a goodly supply of Sam's legs and arms on board. Just why he had
+insisted upon taking them, he did not explain. So human were the pieces
+in their appearance that a stranger might have been startled when he
+first saw the heap.
+
+As usual the Varmint II was speedily trailing the Black Growler. Indeed
+it was not long before the two boats were moving side by side, only a
+few feet intervening.
+
+The Go Ahead boys had been singing a song which has long been famous on
+the St. Lawrence,
+
+  "Saw my leg off,
+  Saw my leg off,
+  Saw my leg off,
+      Short!"
+
+
+"That's what you'll have to do," called one of the men on board the
+Varmint II, "to lighten your load the day of the race."
+
+"We won't wait until then," called back George. "We'll see if we can't
+lighten up a bit right now."
+
+As soon as he had spoken, taking one of the artificial legs from the
+pile he flung it far behind the swiftly moving motor-boat.
+
+Instantly the men on the Varmint II rushed to the stern of their boat
+and in astonishment were all looking at the leg which now could be seen
+floating on the surface of the river.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+THE OWNER OF THE BOND
+
+A loud laugh arose from the people on board the Varmint II when the
+floating leg was more clearly seen.
+
+Indeed the last sound that came to the ears of the Go Ahead boys from
+their rivals when the boat no longer was seen was a mocking echo of
+their song,
+
+  "Saw my leg off--
+       Short!"
+
+A half-hour afterward the Go Ahead boys stopped at one of the largest
+islands and all four went ashore.
+
+On their return to the dock they were followed by a very persistent
+Armenian who apparently was unshaken in his determination to sell
+certain articles he was peddling.
+
+"I tell you," said Fred sharply, turning upon the dark-complexioned
+man, "we don't want any of your rugs or table cloths."
+
+"Yees, kind sir, but just see these mooch fine han'ki'chiefs."
+
+"But we don't want any," said Fred.
+
+"But, my gud sir, they are ver' cheep."
+
+By this time the boys had arrived at the landing and still the
+persistent peddler gave them no rest. He was calling his wares and
+insisting upon an inspection of them, ignoring the protests of the boys.
+
+Finally in despair Fred reached beneath the seat and drew forth one of
+Sam's artificial legs. He waved it before the startled Armenian who
+gazed at it a moment in manifest fear and then uttering a loud scream
+ran back to his basket.
+
+A laugh arose from the assembly on the dock who had been watching the
+experiences of the boys. The Armenian, however, did not delay and when
+the Black Growler departed, the boys were able to see the disappearing
+figure of their tormentor walking rapidly up the hill.
+
+There he turned and looked back at the dock, but although the boat had
+departed, apparently his fears were only slightly relieved, for he soon
+disappeared.
+
+"That's the best thing we've found in a long while," laughed George.
+"The way for us to get rid of all peddlers is to shake an arm or wave a
+leg at them."
+
+"We may have to try again before long," suggested Fred. "This is the
+time when most of the peddlers come here."
+
+Meanwhile the Black Growler was moving swiftly down the river. The talk
+of the excited boys soon turned toward the prospect of the race and
+somehow it was manifest that a measure of confidence had returned to
+Fred. So much had been said of late concerning the prowess of the
+Varmint II by the boys who delighted in teasing their friend, that Fred
+had arrived at a stage of mind when it was difficult for him to
+distinguish between the words that were spoken in bantering and in
+earnest.
+
+"I'll tell you what I'm going to do," said George as the swift little
+boat came within sight of Alexandria Bay.
+
+"What are you going to do?" inquired John.
+
+"I'm going to take my right arm out of my coat and tie it behind me.
+Then I'm going to put one of Sam's artificial arms in the sleeve and
+find somebody to shake hands with me. He'll shake so hard that I'm half
+afraid my arm will come off."
+
+"That's all right," laughed his companions as they assisted George to
+carry out his plan.
+
+When the motor-boat stopped at the dock the artificial arm had been
+placed in the coat sleeve and George was assisted to the dock.
+
+There George discovered one of the men who had helped in repairing the
+Black Growler.
+
+"Hello!" called the mechanic, discovering the boys and at once
+approaching.
+
+"Hello, to you!" called back George. "It's been a long time since I
+have seen you. I shan't forget you for I have three or four good
+reasons."
+
+"I hope you won't," laughed the mechanic, "but I should like to know
+what your reasons are."
+
+"One reason," said George seriously, "was that you never shook hands
+with me in the morning when you came to work."
+
+"I didn't know you wanted me to," said the man. "I'll make up for lost
+time now." As he spoke he grasped the hand which extended from George's
+right sleeve and as George at that same moment turned quickly away, the
+astonished handshaker stood holding in his grasp an arm which had
+apparently come from the sleeve of the boy.
+
+"That's right," said George soberly, pretending to be much grieved.
+"That's right. First you don't shake hands and then you shake hands so
+hard that you take my arm right off."
+
+The sight had quickly drawn many of the people who were loitering about
+the dock and for a moment they were startled to see what had been
+apparently a serious accident.
+
+"It's nothing," said George, turning to the assembly. "This man shook
+hands with me and the first thing I know he had shaken my arm off. He's
+welcome to it, however, and I hope it will do him some good."
+
+The crowd was laughing noisily by this time and when George turned back
+to resume his place on board the motor-boat, the mechanic was the
+center of an observing throng which was inspecting the arm that he
+still was holding.
+
+Upon the return of the boys to the island, they discovered that Fred's
+grandfather was seated upon the piazza conversing with a man whose form
+impressed the Go Ahead boys as being familiar.
+
+When they drew near the house John exclaimed in a low voice, "That's
+our friend that we saw on the canal-boat."
+
+His startled companions again glanced hastily at the man and Grant
+said, "You're right for once in your life, String. That's just who it
+is."
+
+"What is he doing here?" demanded John.
+
+"I can't tell you," said Fred.
+
+"Was he expected this morning?"
+
+"Not to my knowledge."
+
+When the boys went up the steps, however, Mr. Button summoned all four
+to come to the place where he was seated.
+
+Somewhat startled by the invitation the boys approached, all glancing
+in some confusion at the man seated near Mr. Button. He was dressed in
+a different suit now and many of his ways and manners had been changed
+for the better. He was now at his ease and the twinkle that appeared in
+his eyes was far different from the expression which the boys had seen
+there in their earlier experiences with the man.
+
+"You appear to be acquainted with this man," suggested Mr. Button dryly.
+
+"We have seen him before," said George.
+
+"And not exactly where you wanted to see him, I fancy," laughed Mr.
+Button. "Do you know who he is?"
+
+"No, sir," said George quickly, "and we don't know what he is either."
+
+"Well, this is Mr. Brown from Syracuse," explained Mr. Button. "A gang
+of bank robbers got into one of the vaults there some time ago and got
+away with a large number of bonds. Mr. Brown was detailed to find and
+catch the thieves if possible."
+
+As Mr. Button ceased speaking the interest and excitement of the boys
+at once increased.
+
+They looked eagerly at one another and at Mr. Brown, who now assumed an
+importance in their eyes, which before he had not had, even when they
+believed him to be a false claimant to the bond which they had found on
+board the Black Growler.
+
+"Are you a detective?" inquired John, turning to Mr. Brown as he spoke.
+
+"I don't speak of myself in that way," replied Mr. Brown, "and yet--"
+
+"That's what he is," interrupted Mr. Button "He already has run down
+and found most of the bonds."
+
+"How did that one come to be on our boat?" inquired Grant.
+
+"Why, I had it in my pocket," laughed Mr. Brown, "and I put it under
+the cushion for safe keeping. You see, I joined that crowd and they
+thought I was one of the canal-men. I was with them for ten days at
+least and finally I found out what I wanted to know."
+
+"Were they the bank thieves?" asked George eagerly.
+
+"Some of them," replied Mr. Brown. "They were strangely mixed up. In
+fact that is one of the tricks they have, I am told. When a bank is
+broken into if the men are successful they scatter so that no two are
+in the same locality. It took me a long time to get in with these men
+but I finally succeeded. Indeed the care of some of the stolen bonds
+was left to me. They were not very easily converted into cash by any of
+them and as they all believed I was really a yeggman they finally let
+me into their secrets."
+
+"Where are they now?" asked Fred.
+
+"Some of them are missing but two have been taken into custody. I have
+forwarded the bond, which you boys unconsciously were carrying on the
+Black Growler, to the bank to be restored to its proper owners."
+
+After the boys went to their rooms they were still discussing the story
+of the lost bond.
+
+The fact that one of the gang, which had forced its way on board the
+boat while they were passing through the Erie Canal, had turned out to
+be a detective, was sufficient to arouse the keenest interest among the
+Go Ahead boys. Indeed, in the afternoon they insisted upon Mr. Brown
+accompanying them once more while they made another test of the racing
+motor-boat on the course.
+
+Mr. Brown, upon the insistence of the Go Ahead boys, related many of
+the stirring experiences which he had had as a detective and when he
+departed, after they had returned to the island, they were all
+delighted with the changed man. How he had been able to pass himself
+among the professional bank thieves as one of their number was an
+increasing marvel to all four.
+
+It was still agreed that the boat-house must be guarded every night.
+The various watches were continued, for the fear of the boys that some
+evil might befall their boat was still with them.
+
+Mr. Button laughed good-naturedly at their precautions, declaring that
+a thief was almost unknown in the entire region. However, he offered no
+objections and the boys arranged their vigils as on the preceding
+nights.
+
+No evil had befallen the racing motor-boat, however when morning came.
+
+The race now was only two days distant. Only one night therefore
+intervened and the irksome task of guarding the boat-house would only
+have to be performed once more. The vigil of the Go Ahead boys,
+however, was not rewarded by detecting the presence of any one with
+plots against the Black Growler.
+
+The day of the race dawned clear and fair. The excitement among the
+boys had now become intense. Everything had been done for the swift
+little racer that had been in the power of the boys.
+
+Her sides were glistening and her machinery oiled and polished and when
+at last she was declared by Sam to be ready for the supreme trial, all
+the Go Ahead boys were agreed that never before had their boat been
+more capable of making her highest speed than at the present time.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+When the Black Growler slowly moved forward to take her position in the
+line, the excited boys were aware that the shores of the nearby islands
+were filled with interested spectators. Outside the limits of the race
+there were scores of yachts and motor-boats, whose owners with their
+guests had assembled to watch the exciting contest. Patrol boats were
+noisily demanding that the line should be kept clear and were busily
+speeding back and forth to see that their demands were strictly
+enforced.
+
+Before the boys had left Chestnut Island, Miss Susie Stevens and her
+friend had arrived, the impulsive girl begging that she might be
+permitted to be one of the company on board the Black Growler during
+the race.
+
+Her request, however, was denied. Only the four Go Ahead boys and Sam
+were to be on board to manage the swift little craft.
+
+When the boys advanced toward the starting place, they discovered,
+after lots had been drawn for positions, that they were next to the
+Varmint II, the latter boat having drawn number four, while its chief
+rival was fifth in the line.
+
+"Those fellows aren't so bad, after all," said George good-naturedly to
+his companions when he saw the five men that were on board the rival
+boat. "There we were suspecting them of all sorts of tricks and yet
+nothing happened to the Black Growler. We had our troubles for our
+pains."
+
+"Huh!" interrupted Sam. "You aren't out of the woods yet. There's no
+knowing what may happen before we turn the last stake."
+
+"Sam," demanded Fred anxiously, "have you any reason to suspect
+anything more?"
+
+"Nothin' except that I know those fellows will not stop at anything to
+win the race. They have a lot of money bet and they aren't goin' to
+lose it if they can help it."
+
+"Well, I shan't have any sympathy for them if they do lose their
+money," spoke up Grant, "at least if they lose it by betting on their
+boat. I don't believe in that thing myself. I don't want any money that
+I haven't honestly earned."
+
+"That's all right to talk," laughed John.
+
+"It's all right to DO, too," asserted Grant positively. "I don't
+believe there's anything that takes away the best part of a man as
+surely as gambling. The gambler has no sympathy for any one, his heart
+is dried up and to my mind he is about the worst specimen you can find
+anywhere."
+
+At that moment the conversation was interrupted by the firing of the
+first gun. This was the signal for all the boats to prepare themselves
+for the coming struggle. Several minutes would elapse before the race
+began and the report was for the warning of the contestants.
+
+The boys now were clad in bathing suits although every one wore a
+sweater in addition. They were confident that they would speedily be
+drenched and they were prepared for emergencies. If any accident befell
+the boat and they were compelled to swim, they would not be hampered by
+heavy clothing.
+
+It had been agreed that there should not be a flying start. Every boat
+was to rest on the line and turn on its power after the second signal
+was given.
+
+As Fred, who was at the wheel glanced along the line of the contestants
+he counted ten other boats that had entered the race. The only one of
+the number, however, which he feared was the graceful little
+motor-boat, only a few yards distant from the place where the Black
+Growler was resting.
+
+There was no conversation on the boat. The faces of all the Go Ahead
+boys were tense and drawn and apparently all were unaware of the noise
+and the presence of the hundreds of interested spectators.
+
+Sam, though he was silent, was not idle. Every minute he was either
+looking into the machinery or rubbing it with the cloth which he
+continually held.
+
+"It's time for that gun," said Fred in a low voice.
+
+Every one was watching the face of the little clock on board and as the
+seconds slowly passed, the boys did not even glance at one another.
+
+In spite of the fact that everything had been done in their power to
+prepare the Black Growler for the race, the boys were fearful that
+something had been omitted or overlooked in their preparations.
+
+A silence so tense that it was almost possible to feel it had settled
+over the region. Even the judges seemed to share in the excitement of
+the spectators.
+
+The long stillness was broken by the report of the gun.
+
+Instantly every one of the boats on the line started forward.
+
+The Varmint II, and the Black Growler, as we know, were close together
+and it was speedily evident that the expectations of the assembly were
+that the former was to be the winner of the race.
+
+"What's the trouble? What's the matter?" demanded George excitedly as
+the Varmint II was seen to be creeping steadily ahead of its rival.
+
+"Never you mind," said Sam brusquely. "We aren't goin' to be left in
+this race. If everything keeps up as it ought to and nothin' breaks
+down, we'll be in ahead at the finish."
+
+The race was far different from that in which the boys had engaged in
+their track meets. In those contests endurance and a reserve of
+strength were elements that counted almost as much for success as speed.
+
+In the present race, however, there was no fear of exhaustion and if
+the Black Growler only held to her course, the Go Ahead boys were
+satisfied that they had little to fear.
+
+When the Varmint II had gained a lead of about ten feet the distance
+between the two boats remained stationary. Both now were moving
+swiftly, the stern of each boat had settled low in the water and the
+spray from the bow speedily drenched every one on board. All, however,
+were unmindful of any thought of discomfort. Their eyes occasionally
+were turned toward their rival, but in the main all were looking
+straight ahead. The sound of the whistles of the yachts, many of which
+now were slowly moving in a line parallel to that which the racers were
+following, apparently indicated the delight of many that the Varmint II
+was leading. Already it was manifest that the other contesting boats
+had dropped back, as had been expected. The real race was between the
+two rivals who now were ahead.
+
+The first lap had been covered and the boats had made the first stake.
+Here the skill of Sam manifested itself by the sharp turn which he told
+Fred to make. The lead of ten feet had been decreased by at least a
+yard. The relative positions of the two boats were maintained while
+they both sped swiftly toward the next turn.
+
+Taught by their rivals of the advantage a quick turn might bring, the
+Varmint II here was sharply brought in and a shout of protest arose
+from the Go Ahead boys when for a moment a collision appeared to be
+unavoidable. The Black Growler yielded a little in her course, however,
+and the danger was avoided, although the Varmint II by her trick
+regained the yard which she had lost at the previous stake.
+
+The boats now were speeding back toward the starting place. The entire
+course covered eighteen and three-eighths miles and each boat was
+supposed to cover the course three times.
+
+When the racing motor-boats drew near the start a chorus of whistles
+and cries were mingled in the salute which greeted them both.
+
+The sounds to the Go Ahead boys seemed indistinct and far away. They
+were all intent solely upon what the Varmint II might try to do when
+the stake was turned.
+
+This time, however, each boat held to its course and the danger of a
+collision was avoided. Sharply and swiftly both boats made the turn and
+then, with the Varmint II still leading by nearly ten feet, the second
+course was begun.
+
+Sam had taken his position directly behind Fred. He seldom spoke to the
+excited boy, who was handling the wheel with marvelous skill.
+
+"We can turn on more power," suggested Fred.
+
+"We don't want any more now," replied Sam. "Just hold her as she is."
+
+The wind was slightly stronger than it had been a few minutes before
+and the spray dashed more frequently over the crews of both boats.
+Somehow the two racing motor-boats had now drawn in so that they were
+nearer each other by at least two yards than they had been at the start.
+
+When still holding the same relative position the two swiftly moving
+boats passed the Caledonia on which Fred's grandfather was the guest of
+the Stevens', there were several prolonged blasts of the whistle and
+numerous loud calls from Mr. Button as well as from Miss Susie for the
+Black Growler to overtake her rival. The sounds, however, were all lost
+upon the Go Ahead boys whose attention now was centered upon the boat
+immediately in front of them.
+
+Sam was complacent and apparently confident, but his feelings were not
+shared by his young friends. To them it seemed as if their efforts to
+cut down the distance by which the Varmint II was leading were vain.
+The speed of the two boats apparently was equal. The bows alike flung
+the water far from either side while the stern of each boat appeared to
+be almost buried in the midst of the seething, boiling, rushing water.
+
+Far behind them in a long line stretched out the other contestants.
+There was slight interest in the race now except between the two
+leading boats, one or the other of which seemed to be certain of the
+prize.
+
+Apparently the narrow escape from an accident when the turn had been
+made in the preceding lap had made the crew of each boat more cautious.
+At all events neither tried to cut in very far upon the other and even
+on the home stretch in the second lap neither had gained any advantage
+upon the other.
+
+"It looks as if it was all up," exclaimed George dolefully.
+
+"Never you mind," said Sam. "If we can hold them where they are I think
+we can do a little better on the home stretch than they can."
+
+"But they may be planning the same thing," protested Fred.
+
+"You just give your attention to your wheel," said Sam. "I guess if you
+attend to your share, the rest of us will try to look after ours."
+
+On the third and last part of the course even the shrill whistles of
+the yachts and the cries and cheers that greeted the ears of the Go
+Ahead boys appeared to take on a sharper edge. The face of every boy
+was set and drawn. That silver cup in the eyes of all four now appeared
+to be the most valuable prize that life could offer.
+
+Steadily and swiftly the two boats rounded the first point and then Sam
+once more began to work. Just what he was doing was not apparent to his
+companions, but after a few minutes George exclaimed excitedly, "We're
+gaining on them! We're gaining as sure as you live!"
+
+In a brief time the announcement of the excited boy was manifestly seen
+to be correct. Slowly and yet steadily the lead of the Varmint II was
+cut down. Less than six feet now intervened between the two boats.
+
+The supreme moment apparently arrived when the last turn was made.
+Before them was the home stretch. The last leg of the course was now to
+be run and here the Black Growler must win if she was to win at all.
+
+As the boat rounded the stake a shout of anger arose from all on board
+the Black Growler when it was seen that their rival again was trying to
+cut in upon the course.
+
+"She wants to box us," muttered Sam. "She thinks if she can get right
+in front of us that we'll have to take her breakers and that we'll not
+be able to make up any of the distance."
+
+Rising to his feet Sam seized the megaphone and called in his loudest
+tones, "Don't you try that! We shall ram you if you do. Keep to your
+own course and we'll keep to ours."
+
+Whether it was Sam's demand or not will never be known, but the course
+of the Varmint II veered slightly and almost before the boys were aware
+of the change which had occurred they were side by side with their
+rival.
+
+As the two boats drew near the finish the excitement on board each
+apparently was shared by the spectators. The calls and screams and
+cries redoubled, while the blasts of the whistles were added to the
+deafening noise. Swiftly and steadily and yet side by side the boats
+swept forward. To the anxious boys it did not appear that there was any
+distance between them. Do what they might the Go Ahead boys were unable
+to increase the speed of their racing motor-boat, which now seemed to
+be almost below the surface so low was it lying in the water.
+
+The Caledonia meanwhile had moved closer to the line and the excitement
+on her deck was keener than that on any other boat in the assembly. If
+Fred's attention had not been so strongly centered upon his task he
+might have seen his grandfather running back and forth near the rail,
+his hat in one hand and his cane held midway in the other, shouting in
+his loudest tones to his grandson to "put on more power and win that
+race."
+
+Miss Susie already had lost much of her ability to shout. Her voice
+rose scarcely above a whisper.
+
+Of all these things, however, the Go Ahead boys were ignorant when the
+two boats swept across the line.
+
+Even those who were on board were not able to say positively which had
+won the cup.
+
+"That is the worst finish I have ever seen in a race," said Fred to his
+friends when the Black Growler in a wide semi-circle turned from the
+course.
+
+"I think it will be for the judges to say anyway," said George as he
+wrung the water out of his dripping sweater.
+
+"I fancy they will be the ones who will pick the winner," laughed
+Grant. "I hope they'll not call it a draw and that we shall have to try
+it all over again."
+
+"I shan't mind very much if they do," said John.
+
+"There's a call from the judges!" interrupted Fred, who had seldom
+looked away from the judges' boat, which now they were again
+approaching.
+
+Suddenly a great hush fell over the assembly. Every one anxiously
+looked toward the boat of the judges, striving to hear the announcement
+which was about to be made through the megaphone.
+
+"Hold me!" said Fred. "If the Varmint II wins I think I shall need
+somebody to brace me up."
+
+At that moment, however, the voice of the judge was heard and when he
+announced that by a margin of only six inches the Black Growler had won
+the cup, a shout went up from the crew of the little racing motor-boat
+that was heard above the din that followed the award.
+
+"That's worth while, Peewee!" declared George as he pounded his
+diminutive friend upon his back.
+
+"That's what it is!" joined in the other boys.
+
+Meanwhile the victorious motor-boat had drawn alongside the Caledonia
+and as Fred looked up to the enthusiastic people on the deck the only
+voice to which he was listening was that of his grandfather.
+
+"That was fine, young man!" shouted the old gentleman. "If you hadn't
+won that race I think I should have cut you off in my will. I have got
+a reward here for Sam, too, and you tell him not to leave before he has
+seen me."
+
+Sam who also had heard the statement made no response until Fred
+eagerly turned to him and said, "You'll not leave, will you, Sam,
+without seeing my grandfather?"
+
+Sam smiled as he replied, "Probably not. I don't intend to leave this
+boat anyway. She won out by six inches in this race but I'm tellin' you
+this isn't the only race she'll have, and when she is racing I don't
+intend to be very far away."
+
+
+
+
+Other books in the series:
+
+  1. THE GO AHEAD BOYS ON SMUGGLERS' ISLAND
+  2. THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE TREASURE CAVE
+  3. THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE MYSTERIOUS OLD HOUSE
+  4. THE GO AHEAD BOYS IN THE ISLAND CAMP
+  5. THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE RACING MOTOR BOAT
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Go Ahead Boys and the Racing Motorboat, by Ross Kay
+
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