on the river as the two boys and some
others came running down.

"I am going to take your boat, J.W., if it's ready!" shouted Jack
to young Smith whom he saw approaching. "I must catch that fellow!"

"All right, Jack!" cried the boy. "Do what you like with it."

Jack sprang into the smaller boy's boat, started the engine and set
off after the runaway at a good speed.

The man was going up the river, and already had a good lead, but Jack
did not hesitate, relying on getting help to stop him before he had
gone much farther, or, at any rate, when he reached town, where he
was evidently making his way.

The fugitive kept as close in to shore as possible, and made the
highest speed he could; Jack realized that his boat was a good one,
and would have some trouble to keep it in sight, although young
Smith's boat was capable of making good time.

"I am glad I know what young J.W.'s boat can do," he said to
himself, "and if that fellow had not had a lead on me I would have
been up to him by this time. I think I can beat him in the long
run, as he does not know my boat as well as I do, and I know this
one now."

Jack hoped that by the time he reached town he might get aid to stop
the man even if he had not overhauled him, and he kept on at a good
rate.

"That fellow must know something about motor-boats," he thought,
"for he is managing mine in good shape. I could do better with her,
but he is doing very well. I only wish some one would come along so
as to head him off. I don't like to lose him."

When they neared the mouth of the kill Jack shot a hasty glance ahead
to see if there was any one coming to whom he could shout, and saw a
little tug put out from the railroad dock.

He was about to shout to them when to his great annoyance he saw the
man in his boat shoot into the kill and disappear.

"H'm! I don't know where he will go now!" he muttered in disappointment,
hurrying after the fugitive.

He was not far behind as it was, and as he entered the creek, having
put on extra speed, he saw the man only a short distance ahead.

Not far away there was a turn in the creek, and the runaway presently
disappeared around it, Jack following and gaining ground.

In a short time he came in sight not of the man, but of his boat, tied
up at the bank, the man having disappeared.

"Well, I have my boat at any rate," laughed Jack rather ruefully, "and
that is something I suppose. I wanted the man, but I shall have to