talk to someone at the fertilizer factory. You stay here. I'll be
right back."

"Say, why don't you put a tent over the whale, and charge admission to
see it?" asked Bert Ramsey. "You could make a lot of money. Summer
visitors from Seabright and other places would like to see a real
whale."

"Couldn't get a tent big enough without a lot of trouble," replied
Andy, as his brother hurried away. Meanwhile the crowd on the beach
became larger, and there were new arrivals every second, as the news
spread.

"There's a big motor boat coming in here," suddenly remarked Bob to
Andy, as they stood near the head of the whale.

The Racer lad glanced across the darkening sea. He had a momentary
idea that it might be the craft from which he and his brother had
rescued Paul Gale. But a glance showed him that it was a fishing
vessel, that had been fitted up with a "kicker" or small gasolene
engine, the noise of which came across the bay as the craft was headed
toward the spot where the whale was stranded.

"Wonder what they want?" mused Andy.

"Out of gasolene, perhaps, and need a supply," suggested Bob.

Few paid any attention to the oncoming craft, as they were too
interested in looking at the whale. Frank came hurrying back, and said
to his brother:

"It's all right. Mother was just beginning to get worried. But I
fixed it all right, and said we had the whale, and hadn't been in a bit
of danger."

"What about the fertilizer factory?"

"Couldn't get 'em on the wire. To-morrow will do for that. Now let's
get home. The whale will be safe here, I guess."

"Let's see that the line is good and tight," suggested Bob, for the
ketch anchor cable had been carried up on shore and made fast to an old
bulkhead.

The three boys were just making their way through the crowd when the
oncoming motor boat came to a stop as near the shore as was possible to
run in. Two men, in long rubber boots, leaped overboard and waded
through the shallow water.

"Here it is, Bill!" called the foremost.

"So you were right about it, Jack. Those lads in the small boat did
have it."

The two burly fishermen elbowed their way through the throng, shoving
people to right and left as they approached the whale.

"Come now!" exclaimed the one called Jack. "Get away from our whale!
We're going to tow it out again."

"Your whale!" cried Frank, who, hearing the words, quickly turned back
with his brother and Bob.

"Yes, our whale!" crie