r
money at fashionable summer resorts."

"We do not have to be with them any more than we can help, Dick," said
Jack quietly, managing his boat in the deeper water and in a stronger
current as well as he did nearer shore. "They like to stir you up, and
you only please them the more when you answer them."

"If Pete Herring and Ernest Merritt think they can shut me up they
are mistaken," growled Percival. "They are getting ready for a good
thrashing and they'll get it. I am not the only Hilltop boy who is
ready to give it to them. Here comes a steamer, Jack."

"Yes, I see her," said the other quietly. "I will look out for her."

One of the big river steamers was coming up, but Jack kept far enough
away from her and managed his head so that her wash did not affect
him, and the boat passed without causing him any trouble.

"That was well done, Jack," said Percival when the boat was well up
the river, and Jack went in nearer shore. "I would not be afraid to
trust myself in any boat with you. Run 'em before, have you?"

"Not this sort, Dick, but a boat is a boat whether you run her by gas
or pull the oars or have sails. You must look out for yourself."

"And that's just what you do. I suppose that was their boat that
they were looking at? Must have cost something."

"Yes, it looked like it," carelessly. "You don't have to spend a lot
of money to get fun out of a boat, however. Some fellows' boats cost
them about fifty cents a mile, but this won't."

"H'm! I must look out that mine does not," laughed Dick. "I am a
great fellow for spending money. Guess if I had to earn it I'd be
more careful of it. That's what the governor is always saying, but
I get it just the same."

When the boys were on their way back to the wharf they met Herring
and Merritt in the motorboat they had seen, Herring shouting out with
his usual sneer and a contemptuous look:

"We'll race you for ten dollars, Percival, if you think you can trust
your helper. Two to one we'll beat you hands down."

"This happens not to be my boat," said Percival, "and I would not race
with you if it was."

"Ah, go on! You can't make us believe that Sheldon can earn money to
buy a motor-boat by picking fruit!"

Jack did not say anything, and the others turned and came after them
so as to force them into a race.

"You could beat them, couldn't you, Jack?" asked Percival in a low
tone, so as not to be heard by the others.

"Yes, but I am not g