dock, and waited till Jack and Percival came up when Herring shouted:

"Come on if you want to race. We'll meet you on the way back."

"Race 'em, Jack, just to show them you can beat 'em!" whispered
Dick hoarsely.

"No, Dick, I won't," said Jack with emphasis. "I'll race any one
else for the fun of it, but I will not race with those fellows."

Herring started off at a good pace, expecting that Jack would follow,
and when they had a good lead, Jack having turned and gone up the
river, Billy Manners and young Smith in the latter's boat set off
after them.

"We'll give you a race, Pete!" shouted Billy. "Whoop her up, J.W.,
and see how we'll leave 'em behind!"

Young Smith was managing the boat and doing it well, and now,
anxious to show off, he shot ahead, and soon began to gain on the
other boat.

"You can watch the fun even if you don't race, Jack," chuckled
Percival. "Turn around, old man, and follow."

"I don't mind that," said Jack, "and if anything should happen to
either Billy or to J.W., we will be on hand to help them."

Young Smith was putting his boat to its paces, and as Jack turned to
follow had nearly reached the leading boat.