d the man glibly. "I'll be glad to have
the ride anyway. It's been a long time since I have been on the St.
Lawrence River."

Apparently Fred's threat had produced slight effect upon the addition
to their party. He spoke as if he were in no fear for himself, while
his threat to swear out a warrant for the boys, although it had
startled them, had not greatly alarmed any one.

Meanwhile the Black Growler, almost as if she was sharing in the
excitement of the boys, was speeding swiftly down the river. The broad
expanse of water when she left her dock at Cape Vincent soon was broken
by the sight of many islands, some of which were miles in extent while
others were tiny little spots, just lifted above the surface of the
water.

There was some anxiety on the part of John, that, unfamiliar as they
were with the channel, they might strike some hidden rock, but Fred
assured his friend that there was slight danger of that in the daytime,
as a careful watch was maintained and it was easy for them to follow
the course of boats that were in advance of them.

"Look yonder!" said George, suddenly pointing as he spoke to a yacht
that was swiftly approaching from the Canadian side of the river.

"Do you know what boat that is?" exclaimed John.

"We ought to know it," said Fred. "That's the Varmint II."

"She beat us down here by a good deal," suggested George, who was
keenly observing the graceful and swift little motor-boat that was
steadily approaching.

"I don't know about that," retorted Fred. "She may be just coming now."

"Don't you believe it," retorted George. "She has been here a long time
and they're just out testing her on the river. Are you going to try to
race with her here?"

"I am not," retorted Fred promptly. "It will be time enough when we see
what she can do in the real race. That won't be for three weeks yet."

"How many races do they have down here in the summer?" inquired John.

"I don't know," answered Fred. "Two, I guess."

"One will be enough this summer, I'm thinking," laughed John. "What are
we going to do with that man?" As he spoke John glanced again at the
uninvited and unwelcome passenger who apparently was taking his ease on
the cushions in the stern of the boat.

"I'm going to do nothing," said Fred quickly. "I think I will leave him
alone until we land at my grandfather's island and then I will tell him
all about it."

"What do you suppose he is?" inquired John, glancing again at the ma