e the boy tried
to beat him off with his fists.

"The Barnacle!" yelled Chet again, and that name stuck.

So did the dog. He refused to leave. The party left Lumberton with the
foolish beast sitting up in the prow of the _Duchess_, wagging his
ridiculous tail and barking a last farewell to the amused spectators
gathered along the edge of the dock.

CHAPTER VIII

UP ROCKY RIVER

The second start of the flotilla--that from Lumberton--was a hilarious
start indeed. Poor Prettyman Sweet was the butt of everybody's
laughter. The glare of rage he threw now and then at the ridiculous
dog in the bow of the _Duchess_ sent the boys into spasms of
laughter.

The girls in the other motorboat--even Bobby--seeing that their
laughter quite offended Lily Pendleton, began talking about something
else and ignored the Barnacle, as the dog had been so aptly named.

Reddy Butts and Art Hobbs, however, loved to annoy the Central High
dude. They told Purt that the Barnacle possessed a family resemblance
to the Sweets that could not be denied.

"He smiles just like you do, Pretty," said Arthur. "I declare I
wouldn't deny the relationship."

"You fellows think you are funny," snarled the dude, losing his
temper at last. "I'll fix that beast!"

"How you going to do it?" demanded Reddy, grinning.

"You come here and take the wheel," commanded the dude. "See that you
steer right and keep in the channel, right behind Chet's boat and his
tow."

"All right," said Butts, and took the spokes in hand.

Purt, shooting an inquiring glance forward to see if the girls were
watching, began to creep up on the dog. The beast was looking over the
bow, his tongue hanging out, and evidently enjoying the rapid sail up
Rocky River.

Somebody had removed the rope from his collar since he had come aboard
the _Duchess_. There was nothing for Purt to grab had the dog observed
his approach and sought to get away.

However, the dog remained unconscious of the attempt on his peace of
mind. Purt crept nearer and nearer, while the giggling boys in the
cockpit watched him narrowly.

Reddy looked knowingly at Arthur, and the latter pulled off his jacket
and kicked off his sneakers. The water was warm and Arthur was a good
swimmer.

The dude, earnestly striving to move softly, got within hand's reach
of the dog. Suddenly he threw himself forward. At the same moment
Reddy twisted the wheel ever so little to starboard.

The _Duchess_ was travelin