her says," exclaimed Fred, "that if we want to we can send
over to Henderson Harbor and perhaps can get Sam Hodge to come here. He
will be a good man to have on board when we are in that race. I never
saw any one that knew more about machinery than he did."

"I'm telling you that you're still youthful," remarked Grant. "Your
experience is very limited."

"That may be so," acknowledged Fred with a laugh, "but it's something
I'll get over."

"Look yonder!" broke in John. "There's the Varmint II ahead of us. I
wonder if you can catch up with her!" As he spoke, John turned and
winked slowly at George who at once advanced to Fred's side.

"Of course I can catch her if I want to," declared Fred.

"Which means that if you don't want to you can't catch her," laughed
John derisively. "I don't believe there's anything you want more than
to catch up with her."

"I can do it," said Fred.

"That's easy to say."

Irritated by the laughter of his companions, who were eager to test the
swiftness of their boat, Fred at once turned on more power and the
Black Growler instantly responded.

The boat seemed almost to sink a foot or more into the water as she
plowed her way up the river.

In a brief time the crew of the Varmint II were aware of the swiftly
approaching boat, but instead of entering into the contest they did not
increase their speed. In a few minutes the Black Growler swiftly passed
the Varmint II and as they did so George said mockingly, "Splendid!
Splendid, Fred. All you need is to have the other boat stand still and
you can win out every time."

"I gave her every chance," retorted Fred.

"May be you did," answered George, "but she didn't think it was worth
while to take up your challenge."

"She didn't dare to," spoke up John, who was loyal to his friend.

"That all may be so," laughed George derisively. There was nothing he
enjoyed more than teasing Fred and as this was a comparatively easy
matter it is not surprising that he frequently engaged in the task.

Meanwhile the Black Growler swept onward in her course, at last
starting on her return voyage. Not far from the island owned by Fred's
grandfather was another island which the boys already had been informed
had been rented by Mr. Stevens for the summer.

When Fred pointed out the spot his companions were at once interested
and suggested that he should stop at the dock, which almost seemed to
invite their coming.

"There's Susie Stevens now," calle