ething worth while later on, and then
duck."

"Yes," put in George, a little maliciously; "we've just got to be
moving right along, fellows. Satan always finds mischief for idle
hands to do. Buster is supposed to be the deck hand aboard this boat,
and when he hasn't anything else to do his mind keeps wandering in the
line of eating. Suppose we did get really cleaned out some fine day,
am I bound to begin on him for chops?"

All this while they were busy dressing, and Nick made the narrow speed
boat wabble fearfully with his movements as he drew on his oilskins.

"Oh! I tell you I'm just going to be a complete nervous wreck before
we get done with this fool race," he complained when he had finally
succeeded in donning the wide trousers, the legs of which persisted in
sticking together.

"Get out and walk then," said George, promptly.

"I would if the walking was good," replied Nick; "but it's wet both
above and below; and besides I want to give another look around for my
precious white wings."

At eight o'clock another start was made. As before, the fleet boat
shot ahead, with the _Tramp_ a good second, and the wallowing _Comfort_
in the rear, Herb and Josh in no way disconcerted because of the poor
beginning. History had a way of repeating itself; and they believed
that the accident to George's cranky engine was only a specimen of many
other troubles and tribulations that would be apt to befall the
ambitious pilot during the progress of the race.

But hardly had the _Wireless_ gone two hundred yards before there was a
tremendous splash heard.

"Arrah now!" burst out Jimmie, who had happened to be looking at the
time, "it's happened just as I knowed it would!"

"What is it?" asked Jack, bobbing up from the engine, which had been
taking all of his attention.

"He falled overboard, so he did, just like a sack of corn!" continued
Jimmie.

"Who did----oh! look at all the splashing back of the _Wireless_! Why
it's Buster and he's holding on to a rope or something! Stop the boat,
George; stop her!"

CHAPTER IV.

THE SUDDEN PERIL.

Even while Jack Stormways was giving vent to that shout he saw that
George had shut off power, for the swift speed boat no longer rushed
through the water like a thing of life.

Meanwhile both the other launches were bearing down upon the scene,
with their occupants only too anxious to lend a helping hand.

George had seized hold of the other end of the rope to whi