d secured his boat yet, and added:

"I have mine, and she is a beauty, cost me three hundred dollars, but
it's worth all that."

"Mine did not cost me a hundred," said Jack, "and she is sixteen feet
long, and makes good speed. I'll have her down to-morrow when we go
to camp. She is in a machine shop in Riverton, and it will be easy
enough to take her down to our quarters."

"So you have one, eh?" exclaimed Dick. "Where did you buy it? You've
been very quiet about it. Did you send to the city for it?"

"No, I got everything around here, as I said I would, fixed it up
myself from one thing or another, but I don't think you'd know it,
for she is like a new boat."

"And you did all the work on her yourself?"

"Certainly," laughed Jack. "It is nothing new for me to wear overalls
and a jumper, and get my hands greasy. I can wash them."

"The first time I saw you it was in overalls. Dress doesn't make a
boy. I believe you'd look all right in anything. But I'd like to see
the boat now, Jack, and not wait till to-morrow."

"Well, I don't mind showing her to you, Dick, so if you will get out
your runabout we'll go down and I'll give you a trip on the river."

"To be sure I will," replied Percival eagerly. "Come along."

CHAPTER II

TRYING OUT THE NEW BOAT

In half an hour the two boys were at the wharf of the machine shop,
and Jack was showing his new acquisition to Percival, whose delight
could hardly be expressed in words.

"Why, I say, Jack, she looks as if she had just been turned out of
the shops. Why, she's a beauty and no mistake. And you did all the
work on her yourself?"

"I did not build the boat, Dick, but I fixed her up, caulked, painted,
and decked her over forward, put the rail around the standing room,
and put in the seats, installed the engine, set the propeller, and
got her in the shape you see her now. She's all right?"

"All right? Well, I should say she was. I'd never believe that you
hadn't just got her brand new from the shop. No wonder you get along,
Jack. A fellow who shows a knack for doing things that you do and
goes ahead in spite of all obstacles is bound to get on. Come on,
let me see how she can go. My boat is a lot fancier than yours, but
I doubt if she can make the same speed or last as long. Come ahead,
get aboard!"

The boys got on board, and Jack took his seat, started his engine,
took the tiller and glided out upon the river, and then down toward