come with them. They had seen the Growler just pulling out and
leaving me in my unfortunate plight."

"I guess they suspected what you had in the basket," laughed
Fred.

"That may be," acknowledged John. "At all events it saved them
buying a good spread, for they took me on board right away and we
trailed you all the way up the Hudson. I tell you, Peewee, it's a
comfort to ride in a good boat. That Varmint II can travel! Oh, I
don't know how many knots an hour!"

"Can she beat the Black Growler?" inquired Fred anxiously.

"Beat her! Beat her!" retorted John. "Why you would think the
Black Growler was standing still the Varmint can pull away from
her so fast."

"I don't believe that," said Fred, shaking his head.

"Well, you will have to, for they are going to the same place we
are. They have entered her in the motor-boat races and as she
belongs to the same class that your tub does you will have a fine
chance to see her win the cup. That's about the only chance
you'll have too, in my opinion." John winked at George and Grant,
who immediately in doleful tones expressed their sympathy for
Fred.

"It's too bad," declared George, "after a fellow's father has
given him a boat such as the Black Growler to find out that it