"Must be somebody from the Stockton house," said Vincent; "though I
didn't know anybody was living there now."

"Yes, there's somebody in it," added John Boll, "but I never knew they
had a boat."

"Look out!" suddenly exclaimed Bert. "It's coming right for us!"

Sure enough the motor boat was headed straight for the rowing craft,
and it was coming on at top speed. No one could be seen in it, though
the engine could be heard puffing.

"It's running away!" cried Tom. "Let's catch it!"

"Let's get out of the way, you mean," called Bert. "Do you want to be
sunk in the deepest part of the lake? Pull on your left oar, Tom!
Pull! Pull!"

The motor boat was now almost upon the other craft.




CHAPTER IX

A NARROW ESCAPE


"Give a yell!" suggested Vincent.