was very probable, but there was no
time to speculate on it. The anchor line was quickly made fast, and
being attached to the stern of the boat the work of towing the whale to
the beach was begun.

It was hard work, and it might seem that three boys could not
accomplish it. But it is well known that once a large and heavy body
is started in motion in water, a slight force will keep it going. It
was so in this case.

At first the three lads tugged and strained on the oars to little
advantage. The whale did not move. But finally persistance told, and
the inert body began to slide through the waves. After that it was but
a matter of keeping at it.

"Oh, we'll get home before dark I guess," remarked Andy, when they had
rowed in silence for half an hour.

"If we don't we'll be in for it when we do arrive," prophesied Frank
half dubiously. "Let's see if we can't get up a little more steam."

They quickened their strokes, and soon the coast line came into view,
having been hidden by mist. Then they headed for the stretch of sand
of their home town.

"Where shall we land it?" asked Frank, nodding at the whale, floating
astern.

"Oh, a little way up from the big pier will be a good place, I guess,"
decided Bob. "It's deep water close in to shore there, and we'll have
to get the body stranded where the tide won't carry it off. Besides,
if we sell it to the fertilizer factory that's the best place for them
to come after it."

To this the Racer boys agreed, and by hard work they managed to reach
the beach before dark, towing the whale in as close to shore as
possible.

Their arrival was soon noticed by the people of Harbor View and as word
of what they had captured spread, a large throng soon gathered on the
beach.

"A whale! Good land, what will them Racer boys do next?" one woman
wanted to know. No one took the trouble to answer her.

"It's a fair-sized one, too," observed old Captain Obed Harkness. "I
mind the time I was up in the Arctic after them critters. We didn't
often git 'em bigger'n that."

"What you fellows going to do with it?" asked Harry Dunn, who sometimes
went clamming with Bob. "Gee, I wish I'd been along."

"We're going to sell it to the fertilizer factory," said Andy. Then he
added to his brother, in a low voice: "Hadn't we better telephone to
mother that we're here? She may get wind of this and worry."

"Yes, I'll call her up," volunteered Frank. "Then we'll see if we can