I could
get an express train for Albany, when what should I see coming up to
the dock but the Varmint II. As soon as the people on board saw me they
immediately began to urge me to come with them. They had seen the
Growler just pulling out and leaving me in my unfortunate plight."

"I guess they suspected what you had in the basket," laughed Fred.

"That may be," acknowledged John. "At all events it saved them buying a
good spread, for they took me on board right away and we trailed you
all the way up the Hudson. I tell you, Peewee, it's a comfort to ride
in a good boat. That Varmint II can travel! Oh, I don't know how many
knots an hour!"

"Can she beat the Black Growler?" inquired Fred anxiously.

"Beat her! Beat her!" retorted John. "Why you would think the Black
Growler was standing still the Varmint can pull away from her so fast."

"I don't believe that," said Fred, shaking his head.

"Well, you will have to, for they are going to the same place we are.
They have entered her in the motor-boat races and as she belongs to the
same class that your tub does you will have a fine chance to see her
win the cup. That's about the only chance you'll have too, in my
opinion." John winked at George and Grant, who immediately in doleful
tones expressed their sympathy for Fred.

"It's too bad," declared George, "after a fellow's father has given him
a boat such as the Black Growler to find out that it doesn't stand any
show in the race. Now if you had found that out before you had bought
the boat, Fred, just think how much money, time, labor, trouble,
perplexity, sleeplessness, loss of appetite--"

"Never that," broke in Grant, shaking his head. "All the other things,
yes, but loss of appetite, never. Just look at him!"

John insisted upon relating his experiences and increased the interest
of his friends in spite of their efforts to appear indifferent when he
said there were three young people on board the Varmint, who were
expecting to spend the summer on an island near Fred's grandfather's
and were also confident that the boat race was to be the supreme event
of the summer.

In spite of his declaration that he was not anxious, it was plain to
his friends that Fred was somewhat cast down by the glowing reports
which his companion had brought concerning the swift rival motor-boat.

"To-morrow we'll be on the 'ragin' canawl,"' said Grant. "Now then, I
want to know if there is any fellow in this crowd who knows anyth