thought Tom. "I'll get right at it. I shouldn't wonder if I
could make a good showing against Mr. Hastings' new CARLOPA,
though his boat's got four cylinders and mine has but two."

The lad was proceeding leisurely along the lakeshore, near his
home, with the motor throttled down to test it at low speed, when
he heard some one shout. Looking toward the bank, Tom saw a man
waving his hands.

"I wonder what he wants?" thought our hero as he put the wheel
over to send his craft to shore. He heard a moment later, for the
man on the bank cried:

"I say, my young friend, do you know anything about automobiles?
Of course you do or you wouldn't be running a motor-boat. Bless
my very existence, but I'm in trouble! My machine has stopped on
a lonely road and I can't seem to get it started. I happened to
hear your boat and I came here to hail you. Bless my coat-pockets
but I am in trouble! Can you help me? Bless my soul and
gizzard!"

"Mr. Damon" exclaimed Tom, shutting off the power, for he was now
near shore. "Of course I'll help you, Mr. Damon," for the young
inventor had recognized the eccentric man of whom he had purchased
the motor-cycle and who had helped him in rounding up the thieves.

"Why, bless my shoe-laces, if it isn't Tom Swift!" exclaimed Mr.
Damon, who seemed very fond of calling down blessings upon himself
or upon articles of his dress or person.