n' to have a boat like ours, a present from the big
manufacturer, Mr. Gobbler; and they all say they expect to lick the
stuffing out of poor old Riverport this time, because the boys in their
town have always been more like water ducks than we have, rowing boats,
skating, making ice-boats, and all such things."

"They're welcome to a think that way," laughed Corney Shays, apparently
delighted with the prospect; "but perhaps we Riverport boys aren't so
sleepy after all. We're just going to surprise 'em some; eh, fellers?"

Judging from the shouts that broke out, all of them believed the same
as the confident Corney. Sandy was soon sent back to the home town to
report that the members of the boat club were nicely fixed in camp, and
that none of their folks need worry a minute about them.

So evening found them, with the several appointed cooks busily engaged
in their work preparing supper. It was pronounced a fine meal, and as
every lad had brought his vacation appetite along with him, the inroad
they made upon the stock of provisions gave small hope that there would
be anything to take back, when the little camping and training trip was
over.

Afterwards they sat around the blazing logs, for the evening had turned
a bit cool, and it was pleasant near a cheerful camp fire. The
conversation changed from one thing to another; but always seemed to
return again to the exciting event of that day--when the challenge was
received from Mechanicsburg.

In imagination some of the young oarsmen doubtless already saw the
scene that would take place upon the banks of the Mohunk when the rival
towns cheered their pet crews on to victory, or defeat.

Into the midst of all this good-natured chaffing and chattering,
Bristles Carpenter suddenly burst, with his hair more on end than ever,
it seemed, and his face white with apprehension.

"Hey! wake up, fellers!" he cried. "There's some sneak down near our
boat, and just as like as not he's been trying to cut a hole in her, so
we can't row in any race! I saw him creeping around, when I stepped out
just now!"

CHAPTER V

HOOFS AND HORNS

"Get a move on, boys!" yelled Colon, as he unlimbered his long legs, on
which he had been coiled after the fashion of a tailor at work.

"Capture him!" shouted Corney Shays. "We ought to give him a licking if
he's hurt our boat!"

"First catch your rabbit!" warned another.

Everybody was on the jump, and it was a furious crowd that wen