"A race?" chuckled Dave. "Queer how you've bit us where we live!"

"Do you think you can beat us in a canoe race?" asked Hartwell.

"Yes," Dick rejoined. "All we need to arrange is the date. We'll
beat you on any date that you name! That isn't brag, please
understand! It's merely the old, old Gridley High School way."

The young ladies applauded this sentiment merrily.




CHAPTER XVI

A SCALP-HUNTING DISAPPOINTMENT


"Want to try us out, Gridley?" hailed Big Chief Hartwell, from the
Preston High School canoe.

It was nearly ten o'clock the next morning, but Dick & Co. had
just finished putting their camp to rights after breakfast, for
they had slept late after the feast.

"Do we want to try you out?" Dick answered laughingly. "Why,
we don't have to do that. We shall be ready to hand you a beating,
though, at any time you ask for it. We can't help beating you,
you know. It's the Gridley way!"