eir song,

"Saw my leg off--
Short!"

A half-hour afterward the Go Ahead boys stopped at one of the largest
islands and all four went ashore.

On their return to the dock they were followed by a very persistent
Armenian who apparently was unshaken in his determination to sell
certain articles he was peddling.

"I tell you," said Fred sharply, turning upon the dark-complexioned
man, "we don't want any of your rugs or table cloths."

"Yees, kind sir, but just see these mooch fine han'ki'chiefs."

"But we don't want any," said Fred.

"But, my gud sir, they are ver' cheep."

By this time the boys had arrived at the landing and still the
persistent peddler gave them no rest. He was calling his wares and
insisting upon an inspection of them, ignoring the protests of the boys.

Finally in despair Fred reached beneath the seat and drew forth one of
Sam's artificial legs. He waved it before the startled Armenian who
gazed at it a moment in manifest fear and then uttering a loud scream
ran back to his basket.

A laugh arose from the assembly on the dock who had been watching the
experiences of the boys. The Armenian, however, did not delay and when
the Black Growler departed, the boys were able to see the disappearing
figure of their tormentor walking rapidly up the hill.

There he turned and looked back at the dock, but although the boat had
departed, apparently his fears were only slightly relieved, for he soon
disappeared.

"That's the best thing we've found in a long while," laughed George.
"The way for us to get rid of all peddlers is to shake an arm or wave a
leg at them."

"We may have to try again before long," suggested Fred. "This is the
time when most of the peddlers come here."

Meanwhile the Black Growler was moving swiftly down the river. The talk
of the excited boys soon turned toward the prospect of the race and
somehow it was manifest that a measure of confidence had returned to
Fred. So much had been said of late concerning the prowess of the
Varmint II by the boys who delighted in teasing their friend, that Fred
had arrived at a stage of mind when it was difficult for him to
distinguish between the words that were spoken in bantering and in
earnest.

"I'll tell you what I'm going to do," said George as the swift little
boat came within sight of Alexandria Bay.

"What are you going to do?" inquired John.

"I'm going to take my right arm out of my coat and tie it behind me.
Then I