rovide help
for the Go Ahead boys in their predicament.

Several canal-boats had been passed, but there was no one on board who
appeared to be able to help.

The unwelcome guests still talked noisily to one another, but in the
main they ignored the boys and as yet had not offered any violence.

"Who's running this 'ere boat, Jim?" suddenly spoke up one of the
passengers. "I thought you said this was your yacht."

"I did say so," answered Jim promptly. "I'm just taking out a pleasure
party. Didn't you never go to no picnic afore? I want you to be good,
for we have got comp'ny on board. When you have got guests you have to
be perlite whether you want to be or not."

Still the Black Growler was moving swiftly. The waters over which she
was passing seethed and boiled as if they had been heated by unseen
fires. Even Fred had lost a part of his alarm as he began to suspect
that his uninvited passengers did not know how to manage the boat. If
they did, it was difficult to understand why they had not yet driven
the boys away and taken charge.

There was another thought in Fred's mind that was perplexing. He
suspected that the supply of gasoline was running low. He had neglected
to have the tank filled the preceding night, believing that he had a
supply ample to carry them forward until they could obtain more.
Suppose the motor-boat should stop? What would the men do? They might
accuse him of deliberately stopping and in that event he was aware that
there might be serious trouble. Indeed, he was still puzzled to
understand why the men appeared to be so contented. If they had been
workers on the canal, or had been employed by any of the boats why was
it that they were free this morning? He was aware that the little city
of Rome could not be far away.

If once he should be able to bring the Black Growler safely within the
borders of the city he was confident he would be able to rid himself
speedily of the men, whose presence with every passing moment was
becoming more difficult to bear.

He looked eagerly ahead for signs of the city. He was unable to
discover any, however, but his fears increased as he became more
positive that his supply of gasoline was low. If only it would last a
half-hour longer!

On either side of the canal was a level stretch of country and near to
the water no houses were to be seen. His friends had taken seats on the
deck forward. In low tones they conversed among themselves, but Fred
was too b