usy in his own task either to heed what they were saying or to
join in their conversation.

A few minutes later, after the speed of the boat had materially
decreased, Fred said abruptly, "We have got to stop."

"What for?" demanded the leader, quickly rising as he spoke and turning
toward the young pilot.

"Our gasoline is gone."

"Look here, young fellow," said the leader of the gang after he had
silently glared at Fred a moment, "I don't want you to try any of your
games on us. We're bad men. Now then, you keep this boat goin'," he
added threateningly.

"I only wish I could do it," said Fred.

"Are you givin' us straight goods when you say your gasoline is gone?"

"I am."

"What are you goin' to do?"

"Nothing. That's the trouble. You can't do anything without gasoline. I
am thinking of letting some of my passengers go ahead and get enough to
carry us into the town. Do you know how far it is to Rome?"

"Must be about three mile."

"That wouldn't be very much of a walk," said Fred glibly.

For some unexplained reason his courage now had returned and he stood
in less fear of his rough and noisy guests.

"What are you goin' to do?" again demanded the leader.

"There isn't anything I can do," retorted Fred sharply, "unless some of
you will go ahead and get some gasoline."

"That's right, Jim," spoke up one of his companions. "We'll go and get
his gasoline. Tell him to give us four dollars and we'll get a good
supply."

"That's right," spoke up Jim quickly. "We can't get gasoline without
some money."

"Oh, one of us will go along and pay the bills," spoke up John, who up
to this point had taken no part in the conversation.

"How much money you got?"

"I guess we have got just enough to buy fifteen gallons of gasoline."

"All right, then, give it to us and we'll get the gasoline for you."

"I told you that we shan't give you the money," said John. "We'll go
with you. Perhaps we can get a ride on a canal-boat or something."

"You won't save much time that way," retorted Jim. "The only thing to
do is to let us have the money and save yourselves a lot of trouble."

"We're not going to give you any money," said John quietly. "I told you
that before. The thing for you to do is to clear out, every one of you
if you don't want to help."

Unknown to his companions John had been keeping a careful outlook on
the canal behind them. In the distance he had seen a yacht approaching
that he was confident was