le
town on us in another minute."

"Hang the luck!" howled Peters. "But just wait, Jerry Upton, I'll get
square with you yet."

He turned away with his friends, and the quartet scooted for the lake,
with Jerry, Blumpo, and half a dozen others at their heels.

Wash Crosby's launch was tied up at a dock, and into this they tumbled.
The line was cut, and off they steamed, amid a perfect shower of stones,
lumps of dirt, old bottles, and anything that came handy to the Lakeview
boys' reach.

"There, I fancy that's the end of them," said Jerry. "I thought they had
gone long ago."

"Da laid for me!" groaned Blumpo. "Wish I dun had a hoss pistol, I would
shoot 'em all full of holes!"

Soon the steam launch faded away in the darkness, and a little later found
Jerry again on his way home. Of course his folks were proud to think he
had won the race.

"My boy, Jerry!" was all Mrs. Upton said, but the way she said it meant a
good deal.

It was a week later that the boat club gave a reception, at which Jerry
was the lion. He was presented with the silver trophy, and made a neat
little speech. There were refreshments and music, and altogether the
affair was the most brilliant Lakeview had seen for some time.

Matters moved along slowly for a week after the racing and the reception
were over. Jerry worked on the farm, and never was there a more
industrious youth.

In the meanwhile Harry Parker made several arrangements for the outing up
the lake, in which Jerry and Blumpo were to accompany him.

One day Mr. Upton received a letter from Rockpoint. It was from a friend,
and asked if the farmer could send him over at once a load of hay.

"I can't go very well," said Mr. Upton. "Supposing you take it over to Mr.
Dike, Jerry?"

"I will, sir," replied Jerry, promptly.

The young oarsman had not been over to Rockpoint since the races, but he
thought he could go over and come back without encountering trouble.

The hay was soon loaded on the rick, and then Jerry started off for the
other shore. He was compelled to drive nearly to the lower end of the lake
to cross on the bridge, consequently it was well on toward the middle of
the afternoon when Rockpoint was reached.

He and Mr. Dike put the load in the barn, and after being paid, and
partaking of a glass of cold milk and a piece of home-made pie, Jerry, at
just six o'clock, started on the return.

It had been a gloomy day, and, consequently, it was already growing dark,