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diff --git a/old/gabrm10.txt b/old/gabrm10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7e6773b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/gabrm10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7080 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Go Ahead Boys and Their Racing Motorboat +by Ross Kay + + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. Do not remove this. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations* + +Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and +further information is included below. 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If you + don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are + payable to "Project Gutenberg Association / Illinois + Benedictine College" within the 60 days following each + date you prepare (or were legally required to prepare) + your annual (or equivalent periodic) tax return. + +WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? +The Project gratefully accepts contributions in money, time, +scanning machines, OCR software, public domain etexts, royalty +free copyright licenses, and every other sort of contribution +you can think of. Money should be paid to "Project Gutenberg +Association / Illinois Benedictine College". + +*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + +Scanned by Charles Keller +with OmniPage Professional OCR software +donated by Caere Corporation, 1-800-535-7226. +Contact Mike Lough <Mikel@caere.com> + + + + + +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. + +[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." + + 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. + + +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."[4] + + [4] See "The Go Ahead Boys and the Mysterious Old House." + + "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. + + +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."[5] + + [5] The Go Ahead Boys and the Mysterious Old House. + + "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. + + +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 IN + +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." + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Go Ahead Boys and Their Racing Motorboat + + + +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. 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