lieve that's our peerless leader, as George is
so fond of saying. I'm glad to know they've got here all safe and
sound."

Shortly afterward they heard the sound of a horn, and Jimmie answered
with a few vigorous blasts on the conch shell, which had its apex sawed
off to admit of a certain amount of air; though some practice was
necessary before one could produce a far reaching note.

"Thought you'd never get here," said George, as the _Tramp_ swung in
alongside so that the rival crews could shake hands, which they did
heartily.

It turned out that luck had highly favored the leading boat. They had
escaped any catastrophe on the river, even though making fast, and
possibly reckless time. And wonderful to relate, not once had the
engine broken down since last the boats separated.

"That's good news!" exclaimed Jack, when he heard this; and there was
not a trace of envy or malice in his hearty tone. "That would be fine,
if only it kept up all the rest of the trip, eh, Buster?"

"It would be just heavenly," sighed the fat boy; "but I don't expect
it. I know that measly old engine all right; and I just bet you she's
holding in so as to get a good whack at us when she does let go. My!
all I hope is, that the blamed thing don't go up the flue, and scatter
us around. I seriously object to getting wet as a regular diet."

"I wonder if the other boat will get here by four?" George ventured;
but none of them pretended to be a prophet, and so his question
remained unanswered.

When the time arrived there was still no sign of the _Comfort_.
Another hour passed, two of them, and the boys were growing anxious,
with many looks cast up the river.

It had been arranged that if one of the boats had to run "after hours"
in order to join the others at a station, the time stolen should be
charged against that craft's record. And this was how it came that
they were hoping the third boat might yet appear.

But the darkness gathered around them, and they had to give it up for
that day, since they had all promised their folks at home never to run
at night except under an actual necessity.

There being no creek handy the two motor boats remained where they
were, with their mudhooks holding them steady against the never ceasing
flow of the current.

They were close enough to shake hands, though when it came time for
sleep the one nearer the shore hauled off fifty feet or more, so that
there might be smaller chances of a colli