erman origin. It was primed
with a little alcohol, and when the heat had thus been applied to the
plate a few pumps started the oil to moving, and it was turned into
blue flame gas, very powerful in its capacity for boiling water
speedily.

When the stove was going it made a little crackling, hissing noise, but
nothing to cause annoyance. And its convenience on a cruise of this
sort outweighed any minor faults.

The other boats were equipped with other cooking appliances, the
_Wireless_ having a battery of three lamps, and the _Comfort_ a genuine
gasoline affair, of course of generous proportions as became so big a
craft, on which a dinner for the crowd might have been prepared if
necessary.

Jimmie heated some Boston baked beans left over from the preceding
night's supper, and made a pot of coffee. A loaf of bread and some
cheese afforded ample substantial, as Jimmie declared when he could eat
no more.

Still there were no signs of either of the other boats above. They
could see various river craft moving about, but though Jack used his
glasses diligently up to two o'clock he had discovered nothing of the
others.

"Say, this looks bad for a beginning," he observed, as three o'clock
came, and he took the glasses again to sweep the upper river. "Already
we have a start of four hours on both our rivals. Perhaps after all
George may have to explore some of those cut-offs Nick dreads so much,
in order to make up for time lost while tinkering with that blessed old
engine of his, that breaks down once in so often."

He had hardly applied the glasses to his eyes than he gave an
exclamation.

"I wager now that's the bully ould _Comfort_ splashing along in the
middle of the river!" cried Jimmie, who had good eyes of his own and
had been using them to some advantage meanwhile.

"Go up head, Jimmie," said Jack; "for that's just what it is. And as
sure as you live I think I sight the rushing _Wireless_ away back
there, booming along, and cutting through the water like a knife, while
the broad bow of Herb's boat throws the spray flying with every dip!
It's a race for second honors, that's what it is, Jimmie!"

"Whirra! and we're the spectators, so we are!" cried the delighted
Irish lad, as he eagerly reached for the glasses and clapped them to
his eyes. "Yis, ye're right, Jack, it's the speed boat all the same;
and my sowl, how she's rushing things! By the powers, don't I hope the
ould _Comfort_ draws in here a