ack looked proudly at the little motor which he was bending over and
petting.

"Thims the houses of Clinton we say away ahead there, thin?" asked
Jimmie, as he shaded his eyes with a palm, and stared toward the south.

"Yes, on the Illinois shore; and across the way lies Clinton in Iowa.
I used the marine glass which every boat carries, and there isn't a
sign of either the _Wireless_ or the _Comfort_ ahead. That means,
Jimmie, we're the first to arrive at the initial bag or station."

The Irish boy grinned as though tickled. "Sure I can understand why
Herb and Josh are held back by a slow boat; but by the powers where can
that speed boy be? By the way he wint off he might be bringing up in
New Orleans just now," he remarked, humorously.

"If I gave a guess I'd say he was up in some creek, tinkering at that
twenty horsepower engine of his that shakes the whole frame of his boat
whenever he opens the throttle wide," Jack replied.

"Right ye are," declared Jimmie, nodding his head. "And by the toime
we get to the journey's ind I belave on me sowl George and Buster will
know the location of ivery creek along the river."

"Well," remarked the pilot of the boat, as he turned shoreward, "if a
fellow is daft enough to sacrifice everything else for speed, on a long
cruise like this, he must expect to put up with all sorts of trouble.
But I'm sorry for Buster, though."

"Sure he can afford to lose twinty pounds, and not fale it," declared
the Irish boy, sagely. "And so long as the provisions howld out,
Buster won't kick too harrd."

When they had arrived at a certain point not far from the shore the
engine was shut off.

"Now!" sang out Jack, "drop it! Quick, Jimmie!"

With a splash the anchor fell into the water, and presently the jaunty
little motor boat was riding restlessly at the end of her cable; while
the two boys started to get something ready to eat.

Jimmie was to act as cook most of the time, since the other inmate of
the _Tramp_ had plenty of things to hold his attention in managing the
engine, and figuring out the course.

First of all Jimmie placed on a firm foundation a neat little
contraption made of brass, and which seemed to be a kerosene stove,
capable of manufacturing gas. It was the pet of the skipper, and had
served him many a time under conditions when a camp fire was out of the
question, on account of pouring rain, or from some other reason.

This Juwel kerosene-burning stove was of G