leader.

"Yes," said Fred shortly.

"Why, we didn't think you'd go for an hour yet. We haven't got our
trunks."

Again his companions laughed loudly at the wit of their leader, but as
yet not one of them had made any move to leave the boat.

Fred's alarm was plain in spite of the boldness with which he cast off
the bow line. Grant already had performed a similar service with the
stern line and the boys were now ready to depart.

"It's nice of you to invite us to go along with you," said the leader.
"This is a purty little boat and me and my pals will enjoy a ride in
her."

"We're going to start now," said Fred quietly, striving to conceal his
fear.

"Why, I guess we're ready, aren't we?" said the leader as he glanced at
his companions.

"I reckon we are, cap'n," replied one of the men.

The six men occupied most of the available space on board the little
boat. Striving to appear indifferent to their presence Fred advanced to
the wheel, turned on the power and prepared to depart.

CHAPTER VIII

THE COMING OF THE CALEDONIA

In response to Fred's action there was a loud shout of protest from the
men on board. Every one still was manifesting the effect of the drunken
spree through which they had passed the preceding night. As yet,
however, they had not offered any violence and although Fred's heart
was beating rapidly he resolutely stuck to his task and in a brief time
the Black Growler darted forward like a thing alive.

For a moment the uninvited passengers apparently were startled by the
unexpected action of the young captain. They speedily recovered,
however, from their surprise, and one of the men turning to the leader
said, "My, ain't she purty, Jim!"

"She is that," replied Jim promptly. "She looks better than she did
when I took my last trip to Niag'ra. When I left my house on Fifth
Avenoo I didn't think she'd ever measure up to what she was that time,
but she is goin' one better. Yes, sir, she's all that you say she is."

Still the men did not interfere with Fred in his management of the
motor-boat. Apparently too they did not have any objection to the
voyage. Indeed the Go Ahead boys already were aware of the fact that
every one of their self-invited guests had brought a small bundle with
him. They naturally inferred that these bundles contained most of the
earthly possessions of their noisy passengers.

"How is it, Jim!" called another of the men. "Isn't it about time we
had breakfast?