blame you because the boat was smashed. It's too bad! I feel like I'd
lost an old friend."

Mr. Hitter had had several rides in the Dartaway for he had done the
boys many favors and they wished to return them, so he was given a
chance to get intimately acquainted with the speedy craft.

Taking the boys into his office, Mr. Hitter instructed them how to
write a letter to the claim department of the Florida Coast Railway,
demanding damages for the smashing of the boat.

"Be respectful, but put it good and strong," he said. "I'll write on
my own account to the general freight agent. He's a friend of mine,
and we have business dealings together-- that is his road and my
road," and Mr. Hitter spoke as though he owned the line of which he
was the Cresville agent.

"That'll be good," said Bob. "Maybe it will hurry matters up. We're
much obliged to you, Mr. Hitter."

"That's what we are," chimed in Jerry and Ned.

The boys lost no time in sending in their claim. Then there was
nothing to do but to wait. They knew it would take some days, and they
did not expect an answer in less than a week, while Mr. Hitter told
them that if they got money in payment for the destroyed boat within
three months they would be lucky.

"Well, since the Dartaway's gone, I guess we'll have to go back to the
automobile for a change," suggested Jerry one afternoon, early in