"No, I suppose not. I was just wondering weather that was one of
the new blocks or an old one."

"Oh, an old one. I'm going to paint them, too, so in case the
water leaks in or the gasoline leaks out the wood won't be
affected. A gasoline tank should vibrate as little as possible,
if you don't want it to leak. I guess I'll paint the whole
interior of this compartment white, then I can see away into the
far corners of it."

"I think that's a good idea," commented Mr. Swift.

It was four days after his purchase of the boat before Tom was
ready to make a long trip in it. Up to that time he had gone on
short spins not far from the dock, in order to test the engine
adjustment. The lad found it was working very well, but he
decided with a new kind of spark plugs for the two cylinders that
he could get more speed out of it. Finally the forward
compartment was painted and a general overhauling given the hull
and Tom was ready to put, his boat to a good test.

"Come on, Ned," he said to his chum early one evening after Mr.
Swift had said he was too tired to go out on a trial run. "We'll
see what the ARROW will do now."

From the time Tom started up the motor it was evident that the
boat was going through the water at a rapid rate. For a mile or
more the two lads speeded along, enjoying it hugely. Then Ned
exclaimed: