Early the following morning the Go Ahead boys were moving swiftly over the waters of the Erie Canal. Most of the country through which they were passing was new to them, and, rested as they were from the voyage of the preceding day, they were deeply interested in the various scenes through which they were moving.
The speedy Growler still aroused the interest of the people who saw the graceful little boat. The speed at which Fred was driving was not as great as when they had been on the Hudson. The stream was narrower and frequently there were long canal-boats to be passed.
The experiences when they arrived at the locks were alike novel and filled with interest. After they had watched the slowly rising waters and several times had been lifted to a different level the novelty, however, wore off and by the middle of the forenoon the Go Ahead boys were beginning to tease one another.
"There's one thing," said John, "that's as fixed as the sun."
Nobody made any response to his startling suggestion and after he had glanced quizzically at his companions John continued, "No crowd ever left a fellow at Poughkeepsie and went on without him without having to pay the price. I'm telling you, fellows, that just as sure as the sun shines there's something coming to every one of you, and most of all to Grant."
"Why am I selected for this special favor?" demanded Grant quickly.
"If you don't know there isn't any one who can tell you," retorted John. "All I'm saying is that action and reaction are equal, even if the Panama Canal is fifty and one-half miles long."
"Speaking of canals," said Grant. "I want to know if anybody knows how long the Suez Canal is."
"Speak up, Professor," said George dejectedly. "We have got to hear it, so we might as well have it now as any time. How long is it?"
"It's exactly one hundred miles. Now if there's any Go Ahead boy who can tell what the Suez Canal connects, it will be my turn to pay for the dinner."
There was a silence following Grant's words while the Go Ahead boys looked foolishly at one another. Not one of them was able to answer the simple question.
"The Suez Canal," began Grant, "connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea."
"How do you know?" demanded Fred. "You have never seen it."
"I don't have to see it to know. I have never seen London, but I am quite confident there is a city by that name. By the way, fellows, if you'll wait a minute I'll show you something I put in my bag. I saved it for a day just like this."
Rising from his seat Grant hastily sought his bag and in a brief time rejoined his companions.
"What's the matter?" demanded John, as he saw an expression of consternation on the face of his friend.
"Matter!" retorted Grant. "Matter enough. Somebody brought the wrong bag."
"Let me see," said John, rising and examining the bag, which Grant had placed on the seat near him. "That's not mine."
"It surely isn't mine," said George.
"I won't claim it either," added Fred as he glanced behind him.
"Well, it isn't mine," said Grant. "Somebody made a mistake at the hotel this morning and instead of giving me what belonged to me they have sent my bag off in some other direction and given me a bag that belongs to some one else."
"Try your keys," suggested John. "Maybe it isn't as bad as you think."
"The keys don't fit," declared Grant after he had tested them all.
"Maybe there's a catch or a trick of some kind. Look again, Soc, and see if there isn't some way to find out what there is inside that bag. That's about the only way you can tell whose it is."
"I have been trying," retorted Grant sharply. "It's locked and I haven't any key that will fit it."
"It feels pretty heavy," said John as he lifted the bag in question.
"Yes, it's heavier than mine," acknowledged Grant. "I don't see how that porter could have made any such mistake."
"I don't see any way out of it, Soc, but for you to take your bag back to Albany," said Fred.
"I'm not going back," declared Grant. "I'll send the bag back by express and telegraph the hotel to send my bag in the same way to Utica. If they get busy right away it ought to be there by the time we are."
"No use, my dear friend," said John, shaking his head. "Your bag by this time is on its way to Timbuctoo or San Francisco. Some other fellow has it and if he has and isn't making remarks that sound like echoes of yours, it is only because he hasn't yet found out his mistake."
The perplexity in which Grant found himself was increasing. Many of his necessary articles and much of his clothing that he would require on the trip were contained in the missing bag. He was unable to see the sly wink which John gave Fred when the latter looked questioningly at him.
So insistent was Grant that the Black Growler was stopped at Schenectady to enable him to send a telegram to the hotel at which the Go Ahead boys had stopped the preceding night at Albany.
No one had offered to assist him in his task and the boy alone carried the bag which he believed had been given him in place of his own to the express office. There, in accordance with the word which he had already sent the hotel, he shipped the bag to Albany.
When he returned to the motor-boat so engrossed was he with his own troubles that he failed to discover the grin which appeared on the faces of two of the Go Ahead boys.
"You might have offered to go back to get my bag," suggested Grant sharply when he resumed his seat on board.
"Yes, we might," said Fred. "We might have offered to buy a new one for you and fit it out with all the things you need, but we thought we wouldn't. You need the lesson, Soc. You have been telling all the world how to do it so long that it is time for you to begin to find out some things for yourself."
Grant made no reply and indeed he had little to say until the boat stopped at an attractive village where the boys obtained their luncheon.
When the voyage was resumed, Grant's confidence that his own missing bag would be found when they arrived at Utica in a measure served to restore his good nature and throughout the afternoon he took an active part in the bantering in which the boys engaged.
Occasionally Fred relinquished his task at the wheel and permitted his friends to take turns in steering the boat. The banks of the canal were free from rocks and even if the swift little motor-boat was turned from her course no great amount of damage could follow.
There were other boats they were informed that had preceded them and among them the references to the swift Varmint II were frequent.
On such occasions Fred's passengers at once resumed their task of informing their captain how small his chances of winning the race were becoming. Apparently the Varmint had everything her own way.
Fred did his utmost to appear indifferent to the words of his companions, but in spite of it all it became plain to the other boys that he was seriously disturbed by the comments they made.
There were times when, the course being clear, the speed of the Black Growler was increased almost to her maximum. At such times the farmers in the fields stopped in their labors and stared at the motor-boat, which almost seemed to be shooting through the country.
At other times when they were passing through villages or met a heavily laden canal-boat the Black Growler moved slowly and seemed to share in the need of caution.
It was late in the afternoon when at last the little party arrived at Utica.
"We'll go up to the hotel and have our dinner," said Grant. "I do not know that I owe the rest of you anything, but I'm going to take pity on you and do what I at first thought I wouldn't. I'm going to give you a dinner."
"That's very kind," said John, winking at Fred as he spoke. "Meanwhile who's going to look after our bags?"
"I'm going to find out first if mine is here to be looked after," said Grant. "Come on with me, Jack, and I'll go to the express offices and see if it is there."
John followed his friend, but their labors were not crowned with success when after an absence of an hour they returned to the place where the Black Growler was awaiting them. Not a word had been received from Albany nor had Grant succeeded in finding any trace of his missing baggage.
"Never mind," he said quickly. "I'll have to make the best of it. I'm not going to spoil all the fun of the trip crying over spilled milk."
Again John winked at Fred, but no words were spoken after the boat and its belongings had been left in charge of a man and the boys together had started for their hotel.
It was still light when they returned to the dock and Fred said, "I wonder how it would do for us to go on a bit farther. There are hotels all along the way and I think it would be good fun to stop at some one of those country taverns."
"We're with you," said George. "We want to get all the experiences we can on this trip."
"I guess it will be something you will remember," said Grant.
About half-past eight o 'clock the Go Ahead boys returned to the dock where the Black Growler had been left. A hasty examination convinced them that all their belongings were safe. In accordance with the suggestion which had been made they soon decided to set forth on their voyage. Just how far they would go was left undecided.
"I hear," said Fred, "that we can stop at a village half-way between here and Rome. They say it is all right. If we don't like to sail in the night then we can stop there, but if we want to we can keep on until we get to Rome or Oneida. That's about as far as we'll want to go anyway."
"I think it will be good fun," said John, "to travel through the country by night. Perhaps we'll find some more places like the old Meeker House."[1]
"I'm afraid," laughed George, "that we'll find our ghosts a little more substantial than they were in that old place."
"I wish we could find my bag," spoke up Grant. "It's strange it didn't come to Utica. I left word with the express office though to send it ahead just as soon as they received it."
"Maybe we'll find the ghost of it," suggested Fred.
Meanwhile they had cast off and the Black Growler was moving noiselessly over the waters of the Erie Canal. They were soon beyond the borders of the attractive city, but after they had passed the first village on their way George said quickly, "Fellows, I believe it's going to rain. Look at those clouds over yonder." As he spoke George pointed to some heavy clouds that could be seen massing in the western sky.
"I don't want to get caught out here in a thunder storm," said John.
"We shan't be," said Fred. "I'll put on a little more speed and we'll go on to the next place. That's where the hotel or tavern is that they told me about in Utica. It won't rain before we get there for it is only four or five miles ahead. If it is going to rain we can stop. If it doesn't we can keep on if we want to."
Conversation ceased as the speed of the swift little boat increased. Less than a half-hour had elapsed when the boys found that they were entering the village to which Fred had referred.
"How about it, Fred?" called John. "It looks pretty black to me."
"It does to me, too," replied Fred. "I think the best thing for us to do will be to stop. We'll find a place where we can leave the motor-boat and then we'll go up to the hotel and if we have to we'll stay there all night."
The boys all agreed to the suggestion and in a brief time the graceful little boat was covered in such a way that she was protected from the coming storm, which now was almost upon them.
Hastily the boys took their bags and at once started for the hotel which they were informed was only a few yards distant.
With difficulty they made their way along the darkened street, and in a few minutes arrived at their destination.
Just as they entered, the storm broke. There was a long roll of thunder followed by a blinding flash and then the rain began to fall in torrents.
"Just in time, weren't we?" said Fred with a laugh. "You're always right if you do what I tell you to. It was my suggestion and I am glad that for once in your lives you had wisdom enough to do what I said."
"That remains to be seen," said Grant dryly as he looked about the room in which they found themselves. "It seems to me that the motto over the door of this place ought to be, 'He who enters here leaves soap behind.'"
"Where did you find that?" laughed George.
"Didn't you ever hear of the motto over the Bridge of Sighs?"
Whether the boys had ever heard of the famous bridge or not was not manifest, for at that moment in the midst of a deafening peal of thunder the landlady entered the room where the boys were waiting.
"What can I do for you?" she inquired as the thunder ceased.
"We're caught in the storm and thought perhaps we might stay here all night," suggested Fred.
"The house is pretty full," said the woman dubiously. "I don't know whether I can give you rooms or not."
At that moment there came a burst of loud laughter from the bar-room. It was plain that many of the men who were employed on the canal also had sought shelter in the little tavern. The house was old, so old that the boards in the floor were warped and the low ceilings gave evidence of the many years that had passed since they had been placed there. Not a door fitted its frame and the windows were all small, the panes being not much more than seven by nine. Whatever was done in one part of the house plainly was likely to be known also in other parts. The noisy men, who were drinking in the bar-room, whose shouts and songs and cries now were even more distinctly heard, could not confine their loud demonstrations to the room in which they had assembled even if they had been so inclined.
"If you don't mind," suggested Fred to the landlady, "I think we would like to go up to our rooms."
"Have you had any supper?" inquired the woman.
"Yes, we got some in Utica," replied Fred.
"Where are you goin'?"
"We expect to go to the St. Lawrence River."
"You don't tell me," exclaimed the woman. "How be you goin'?"
"We have got a motor-boat."
"Land sakes! You don't say so! That's a terrible long ways and I don't see how you can get there with a boat all the way."
"The storm caught us and we thought we had better stop here for the night than try to go on any farther."
"Where do you come from?" inquired the woman, who busied herself lighting two candles while she was talking.
"We came from Albany this morning," replied Fred, who did not think it necessary to go more into details concerning their expedition.
"My, you must have come pretty fast. Now, if you'll follow me I'll show you to your rooms."
Fred glanced uneasily behind him as from the bar-room at that moment there came another noisy outburst that was almost alarming in its character.
"How many men are there in there?" inquired Fred, nodding his head toward the room as he spoke.
"It's about full," replied the landlady. "A stormy night like this drives a good many of the boatmen and the hands under cover."
"They are a noisy lot," suggested Fred.
"They are a tough crowd," said the woman feelingly. "Sometimes they go off and don't pay me a cent. That's one reason why I make everybody pay before I give them a room."
"Do you mean that we'll have to pay before we take the room?" inquired John.
"Yes, sir, that's just what I say. That's the rule o' this house."
"Well, I guess we'll see the rooms first then," said George.
Conversation ceased as the woman, who was stout and consequently slow in her movements, led the way up the creaking stairway and then through the hall on the second floor. The floor here also was loose and every step was announced by creakings, while various other sounds were emitted as the boards resumed their accustomed places.
"Here you be," said the woman at last as she stopped before the rooms at the end of the hall-way.
"We're directly over the bar-room, aren't we?" inquired John as another noisy outburst came from below.
"Yes, but you won't mind that after a bit," explained the landlady. "You'll get used to it same as I have. I go to sleep and don't pay no more attention to the noises than I do to the wind that blows."
By this time she had opened the doors, which were unlocked, and entered the rooms.
The boys looked ruefully at one another when they became aware in the dim light of the condition of the rooms to which they had been shown.
"I don't believe those windows have seen soap and water since the Erie Canal was built," whispered George to Grant. "When did you say that was?"
"Keep quiet a minute, Pop," retorted Grant.
The rain was beating against the windows with renewed force. The storm apparently was at its height. For them to go on in the Black Growler was almost impossible. There was nothing to be done, except to make the best of the conditions in which they now found themselves.
Soon after the withdrawal of their landlady, who had been paid in advance for the use of the rooms, although breakfast was not included as the boys explained they might have to leave the village before sunrise, they prepared for bed. They were thoroughly tired by the new experiences of the past day and in spite of their surroundings and the noise of the men below and of the storm, which still was raging, they decided to retire.
Their rooms did not connect and as George and Grant withdrew, Fred said, "If we need your help in the night, fellows, don't fail to come right away."
"Are you scared, Peewee?" laughed George.
"Yes, I am, and I don't mind saying so," retorted Fred. "I don't like the sound that comes from that room downstairs."
Fred's feelings were not relieved when he found it was impossible to lock the doors. An old fashioned iron latch was the only means by which each door was opened and there were not even bolts or buttons by which the door could be fastened.
"I'm going to put a chair against the door," said Fred. "I'm afraid something will happen before morning."
Nor was Fred disappointed, for two hours after the boys were in bed the door of the room which Fred and John occupied was stealthily opened by some one in the hall.
[1] The Go Ahead Boys and the Mysterious Old House.
"Who's there? Who's there?" demanded Fred sharply.
The noise in the room below had prevented him from sleeping soundly. Several times he sat erect in bed, convinced that some one was in the room. Even when his fears proved to be groundless he was unable to ignore the shouts and songs and calls that frequently indicated that the men in the room below were angry. Before he had retired he had obtained a glimpse of the shouting assembly when a door had been opened and the sight had not soothed his feelings. And now he was positive some one was trying to open the door of their room.
Aroused by the call of his friend, John also quickly sat up and stared about him. There was no mistaking the fact that some one was trying to enter by the door which yielded slightly to the pressure and the chair which had been placed by Fred to protect them had been moved back a few inches from its place.
"Who's there? Who's there?" demanded Fred sharply.
No reply was given to his question although the door slowly was closed again and the sound of the footsteps of some one moving down the hall was plainly heard.
"What do you suppose that was?" demanded Fred in a whisper.
"Somebody was trying to break in," replied John.
"What do you suppose he wanted?"
"He wanted to get in."
"What for?"
"I don't know. You'll have to ask him, I guess," replied John drowsily for by this time he had resumed his place on the pillow.
"I think he wanted our money," suggested Fred.
"He didn't want much then. Maybe he wanted our money and our lives."
"All the same I'm scared. I don't like this place. I don't know why we stopped here. It must be past one o'clock now and yet hear those men yell down there in the bar-room. I'm going to see what time it is."
Fred climbed out of bed and striking a match looked at his watch. "It's quarter past one," he said, but the sound which came from John did not indicate that he was specially interested in the report of the watch.
Fred looked out of the window and saw that the storm long since had passed. The air was cool and fresh and had it not been for the uproar in the hotel the night would have been an ideal one.
Before he rejoined his companion Fred replaced the chair so that it barred the opening of the door.
Convinced that he had done all in his power he climbed back into bed once more and in spite of his declaration when daylight came that he had not been asleep John was not convinced.
"Come on, String," said Fred when once more he had looked at his watch to discover the time. "It's five o'clock. It's time for us to be moving. I wouldn't have breakfast in this hole if they paid me for it."
"Why can't you leave a fellow alone and let him sleep? I'm tired. I got left at Poughkeepsie and I had a hard day yesterday too."
"No, sir," said Fred firmly. "This party starts from this place in thirty minutes. Any one who isn't ready will have to come by canal-boat. The Black Growler leaves here at five-thirty sharp."
With a groan John arose and began to dress, although he protested feelingly all the time against the unreasonable demands of Fred.
The other two Go Ahead boys were speedily aroused and twenty minutes later they departed from the hotel.
"It looks worse in the morning than it does at night and we thought that wasn't possible when we came here last evening," said George when the Go Ahead boys looked behind them after their departure.
"I think I will send that landlady a Christmas present of a cake of soap," said Grant soberly.
"She wouldn't know what it was for," laughed John, "if you did."
"My, I would like to hear what my mother would say if she could see the inside of that old tavern."
"The worst thing of all," said Fred, "was the riot in the bar-room. I didn't sleep a wink last night."
"You didn't sound that way, Freddie," said George.
"What time did the noise downstairs stop, Peewee?" inquired John.
"It didn't stop, I guess," laughed Fred. "The landlady said the storm drove all the canal-men into the house, but it didn't seem to me there was anything that drove them out. I shouldn't like to meet one of those men in a dark alley."
"You don't have to meet them," suggested George. "We have lived through the night somehow and are all safe. Now if the Black Growler is ready we are. We'll get our breakfast at Rome, I suppose."
"That's what we will," said Fred, quickening his pace as he spoke.
"Look yonder!" exclaimed John, abruptly halting as he spoke and pointing in surprise at their motor-boat, which was only a few yards distant.
In response to his suggestion the Go Ahead boys all stopped and stared in amazement at the sight before them.
On board the Black Growler were at least a half-dozen men and it required no explanation to enable the boys to understand that they were a part of the noisy assembly which had made night hideous in the hotel.
"Here," called Fred, running ahead of his companions. "What are you doing in that boat?"
"Who are you?" demanded one of the occupants, turning and facing Fred as he spoke.
"That's my boat," declared Fred.
"You don't say so!" replied the man in shrill tones, at which his companions laughed loudly.
For a moment Fred stopped and stared blankly at the men, who had apparently made themselves fully at home on board his motor-boat. The awnings had been taken in and the self-invited guests had been examining various parts of the fleet little craft.
"Did you ever hear," continued the spokesman, "that possession is nine points of the law and that the tenth isn't worth fighting about? Maybe we'll ask you to prove that this boat is yours. According to the records of my private secretary this here yacht is mine. I'm goin' on a cruise up to Buffalo and I have invited a few o' my pals to come along with me."
The men were a brutal and powerful lot. Every one showed the effect of the night which he had spent in the bar-room. The boys were powerless to compel them to leave the boat if they did not choose to do so.
The predicament in which the Go Ahead boys now found themselves seemed to appeal strongly to the men on board. They laughed loudly and the leader who had spoken before, said, "Why don't you come on board? If this boat is yours all you have to do is to come and take it."
"It is, all right. That is our boat," said Fred.
"If you don't get out I shall have to get some one to put you out."
"Don't be so unkind, mister," retorted the leader, while his companions again united in a shout of glee. "There aren't many men around this place that will want to undertake that job. If you would really like to have us go ashore it seems to me the best plan would be for you to come and throw us out."
Once more the unwelcome guests laughed loudly at the words of their leader, while the confusion among the Go Ahead boys became more marked.
Withdrawing a few feet from the bank Fred called his companions about him and in low tones they discussed the course of action which they ought to follow.
"We had better go up and get the constable," suggested John. "Get out a warrant for these men. They won't make any trouble even if the constable comes down alone."
"I'm not so sure," said Fred. "What do you think, Grant?"
"I don't believe the men intend to stay on board," replied Grant. "They probably were attracted by the appearance of the Black Growler and when they saw us coming they put up a bold front and just tried to scare Fred."
"What do you think is the best thing to do?" inquired Fred.
"My suggestion is to go back to the boat, not have much to say to the men and get ready to start. They won't bother us, at least I don't believe they will."
"What shall we do if they make trouble?"
"It will be time enough to decide that when we have to," replied Grant. "I'm sure they won't make any trouble after they see that we are going to start."
"All right, we'll try it," said Fred dubiously, and once more returning to the place where the Black Growler was awaiting them, the three bags which contained the belongings of the boys were placed on board and ignoring the bantering of the men, they at once prepared to cast off.
"You don't mean to say we're going to start now, do you?" inquired the leader.
"Yes," said Fred shortly.
"Why, we didn't think you'd go for an hour yet. We haven't got our trunks."
Again his companions laughed loudly at the wit of their leader, but as yet not one of them had made any move to leave the boat.
Fred's alarm was plain in spite of the boldness with which he cast off the bow line. Grant already had performed a similar service with the stern line and the boys were now ready to depart.
"It's nice of you to invite us to go along with you," said the leader. "This is a purty little boat and me and my pals will enjoy a ride in her."
"We're going to start now," said Fred quietly, striving to conceal his fear.
"Why, I guess we're ready, aren't we?" said the leader as he glanced at his companions.
"I reckon we are, cap'n," replied one of the men.
The six men occupied most of the available space on board the little boat. Striving to appear indifferent to their presence Fred advanced to the wheel, turned on the power and prepared to depart.
In response to Fred's action there was a loud shout of protest from the men on board. Every one still was manifesting the effect of the drunken spree through which they had passed the preceding night. As yet, however, they had not offered any violence and although Fred's heart was beating rapidly he resolutely stuck to his task and in a brief time the Black Growler darted forward like a thing alive.
For a moment the uninvited passengers apparently were startled by the unexpected action of the young captain. They speedily recovered, however, from their surprise, and one of the men turning to the leader said, "My, ain't she purty, Jim!"
"She is that," replied Jim promptly. "She looks better than she did when I took my last trip to Niag'ra. When I left my house on Fifth Avenoo I didn't think she'd ever measure up to what she was that time, but she is goin' one better. Yes, sir, she's all that you say she is."
Still the men did not interfere with Fred in his management of the motor-boat. Apparently too they did not have any objection to the voyage. Indeed the Go Ahead boys already were aware of the fact that every one of their self-invited guests had brought a small bundle with him. They naturally inferred that these bundles contained most of the earthly possessions of their noisy passengers.
"How is it, Jim!" called another of the men. "Isn't it about time we had breakfast?"
"That's right," spoke up another. "I'm hungry, too. Seems to me I would like one o' them grape fruits."
"Grape fruits? You don't know what they be," retorted Jim.
"You tell us what they be," responded the man, unabashed by the rebuke of the leader.
"Don't you know?" retorted Jim scornfully. "Why grape fruit's the stuff that grows on grape vines."
"Get out!" said the other one. "I guess I know enough about the country to know that grapes grow on grape vines."
"In course they do," acknowledged Jim, "but this isn't grapes, this is grape FRUIT. It takes a special vine to grow it."
"Does it grow right on the vine?"
"In course it does. What do you think, it grows under the ground like tomatoes?"
"Tomatoes don't grow under the ground," spoke up another of the party. "It's potatoes that grow under the ground."
"It's all one," retorted Jim glibly. "Potatoes and tomatoes. I knew one grew in the air and the other grew in the ground."
"What about the grape fruits, Jim?" demanded the first speaker.
"Well, they grow on the vines. They are just like big yeller grapes. Many 's a time out on my country estate I have climbed the ladder and picked 'em from the vines that grow so high they hid the sight of the street from the piazzy of my bungaloo."
"I'm wondering where you got this yacht, Jim," inquired another.
"Never mind how I got it as long as we have got it. That's the main thing," interrupted another one. "What I want to know, is about those grape fruits we're talking about. How does it taste?"
"Fine. Fine," answered Jim promptly. Then turning to the boys he inquired, "Have you got anything on board to eat?"
"You see that monemint up yonder," interrupted another pointing to a tall granite shaft that could be seen in the distance. The entire party including the boys at once looked in the direction indicated and saw a beautiful memorial stone, although few of them were aware of what it commemorated.
"Yes, that's my granddad's tombstone," said one of the tramps.
"I guess he must have been some man," exclaimed one of his companions. "It's a pity the rest of the family didn't take after him."
"We did, but we didn't want to hog the whole thing. We had to let some one else have a chance too."
Meanwhile the Black Growler was speeding swiftly over the waters of the Erie Canal. Fred was driving at high speed and as the boat sped forward he was keenly watching for the coming of a boat that might provide help for the Go Ahead boys in their predicament.
Several canal-boats had been passed, but there was no one on board who appeared to be able to help.
The unwelcome guests still talked noisily to one another, but in the main they ignored the boys and as yet had not offered any violence.
"Who's running this 'ere boat, Jim?" suddenly spoke up one of the passengers. "I thought you said this was your yacht."
"I did say so," answered Jim promptly. "I'm just taking out a pleasure party. Didn't you never go to no picnic afore? I want you to be good, for we have got comp'ny on board. When you have got guests you have to be perlite whether you want to be or not."
Still the Black Growler was moving swiftly. The waters over which she was passing seethed and boiled as if they had been heated by unseen fires. Even Fred had lost a part of his alarm as he began to suspect that his uninvited passengers did not know how to manage the boat. If they did, it was difficult to understand why they had not yet driven the boys away and taken charge.
There was another thought in Fred's mind that was perplexing. He suspected that the supply of gasoline was running low. He had neglected to have the tank filled the preceding night, believing that he had a supply ample to carry them forward until they could obtain more. Suppose the motor-boat should stop? What would the men do? They might accuse him of deliberately stopping and in that event he was aware that there might be serious trouble. Indeed, he was still puzzled to understand why the men appeared to be so contented. If they had been workers on the canal, or had been employed by any of the boats why was it that they were free this morning? He was aware that the little city of Rome could not be far away.
If once he should be able to bring the Black Growler safely within the borders of the city he was confident he would be able to rid himself speedily of the men, whose presence with every passing moment was becoming more difficult to bear.
He looked eagerly ahead for signs of the city. He was unable to discover any, however, but his fears increased as he became more positive that his supply of gasoline was low. If only it would last a half-hour longer!
On either side of the canal was a level stretch of country and near to the water no houses were to be seen. His friends had taken seats on the deck forward. In low tones they conversed among themselves, but Fred was too busy in his own task either to heed what they were saying or to join in their conversation.
A few minutes later, after the speed of the boat had materially decreased, Fred said abruptly, "We have got to stop."
"What for?" demanded the leader, quickly rising as he spoke and turning toward the young pilot.
"Our gasoline is gone."
"Look here, young fellow," said the leader of the gang after he had silently glared at Fred a moment, "I don't want you to try any of your games on us. We're bad men. Now then, you keep this boat goin'," he added threateningly.
"I only wish I could do it," said Fred.
"Are you givin' us straight goods when you say your gasoline is gone?"
"I am."
"What are you goin' to do?"
"Nothing. That's the trouble. You can't do anything without gasoline. I am thinking of letting some of my passengers go ahead and get enough to carry us into the town. Do you know how far it is to Rome?"
"Must be about three mile."
"That wouldn't be very much of a walk," said Fred glibly.
For some unexplained reason his courage now had returned and he stood in less fear of his rough and noisy guests.
"What are you goin' to do?" again demanded the leader.
"There isn't anything I can do," retorted Fred sharply, "unless some of you will go ahead and get some gasoline."
"That's right, Jim," spoke up one of his companions. "We'll go and get his gasoline. Tell him to give us four dollars and we'll get a good supply."
"That's right," spoke up Jim quickly. "We can't get gasoline without some money."
"Oh, one of us will go along and pay the bills," spoke up John, who up to this point had taken no part in the conversation.
"How much money you got?"
"I guess we have got just enough to buy fifteen gallons of gasoline."
"All right, then, give it to us and we'll get the gasoline for you."
"I told you that we shan't give you the money," said John. "We'll go with you. Perhaps we can get a ride on a canal-boat or something."
"You won't save much time that way," retorted Jim. "The only thing to do is to let us have the money and save yourselves a lot of trouble."
"We're not going to give you any money," said John quietly. "I told you that before. The thing for you to do is to clear out, every one of you if you don't want to help."
Unknown to his companions John had been keeping a careful outlook on the canal behind them. In the distance he had seen a yacht approaching that he was confident was the Caledonia, which they had passed when first they had set forth on their voyage. He was confident also that the coming of the yacht, together with the number of men that comprised her crew, would be sufficient to overawe the half-dozen men that had forced their company upon the Go Ahead boys.
"Yonder comes the Caledonia!" he exclaimed suddenly. "They will give us a lift as soon as they catch up with us."
Instantly the eyes of every one on board the Black Growler were turned toward the approaching yacht.
Apparently the sight had markedly different effects. The Go Ahead boys were elated, but their passengers after a hasty glance and a few words spoken in low tones to one another, instantly seizing their bundles leaped ashore and ran swiftly toward the road which was not more than fifty yards distant.
In response to the signal of distress which Fred waved from the deck of the Black Growler as the Caledonia approached, the speed of the big yacht was checked and she stopped not far from the motor-boat. It was still early in the morning and the owners or guests on board the Caledonia were not seen on deck.
"What's wrong? What's the trouble?" called the captain, leaning over the rail and speaking to Fred.
"We have had trouble," replied Fred. "A gang of tramps or canal men forced themselves on board and we have just gotten rid of them. When they saw the Caledonia coming they all ran."
"Well, if you have got rid of them," said the captain gruffly, "what more do you want? If you go ahead they won't catch up with you."
"But we can't go ahead."
"Why not?"
"Our gasoline is out."
"We don't run by gasoline," said the captain, "and I'm afraid steam wouldn't do you any good."
"Perhaps you might give us a tow as far as Rome."
"Perhaps we might and then--"
"What's the trouble?" Fred looked up quickly as he saw a man about fifty years of age approaching the rail and standing near the captain of the yacht. He wore a yachting cap and it was plain to the perplexed boy that he either was the owner of the beautiful boat or one whose word counted for much.
"We have had our troubles," explained Fred once more. "A gang of tramps forced their way on board our boat and they have just left us. Our gasoline is out and I was asking the captain if he would be willing to give us a tow as far as Rome."
"Of course he will," said the man heartily. "Have you got a painter long enough?"
"I'm afraid not," replied Fred.
"Then we'll toss you a rope."
The captain at once responded to the word of the man who had been speaking to Fred and in a brief time a rope was thrown on board the little motor-boat.
"Are you all ready?" called the man from the deck.
"Yes, sir," replied Fred heartily, for by this time he and his friends had made the rope fast and were prepared to start.
"All right then, captain, go ahead."
The Caledonia at once resumed her way and the Black Growler obediently followed about twenty-five feet behind the larger boat.
Before they arrived at Rome other people, in addition to the man who assisted the boys, were seen on the deck of the Caledonia. It was evident that the party had not followed the example of the Go Ahead boys in spending any nights at hotels. They slept on board and the port-holes of what undoubtedly were beautiful little cabins were plainly seen along the sides of the yacht.
It was manifest too that the story of the misfortunes of the Go Ahead boys was speedily told, for a party of five young people in addition to the older ones assembled in the stern of the Caledonia and laughingly greeted the boys in the boat that was being towed.
A short time afterward the boats entered the little city of Rome. When they arrived at a place where a landing safely could be made Fred shouted to the people on the Caledonia, "We'll cast off now. Thank you for all you have done. You have helped us out of a bad fix."
"You're very welcome, I'm sure," replied the man who had arranged for their relief from their predicament.
"Are you going down the St. Lawrence?" he added.
"Yes, sir," replied Fred, "as far as Alexandria Bay."
"Then we may see you again," called the man. "We expect to be on an island near there. My name is Stevens. If you expect to be in Alexandria Bay very long don't fail to look us up."
"Thank you, sir," replied Fred, and his companions were as interested as he in his word. "We certainly shall do so. Thank you again for all that you have done to help us."
The Caledonia quickly resumed her voyage, while the boys waving their handkerchiefs in response to the tokens of good will that came from the strangers who had helped them, speedily made their boat fast and went ashore.
In response to their inquiries they were directed to a place where they could obtain a breakfast and not many minutes had elapsed before the four Go Ahead boys were seated about a table busily engaged in their repast.
"I tell you I'm hungry," said John as he called for a second piece of beefsteak.
"That's the way you would be all the time," said George, "if you would only get up early in the morning."
"That doesn't go. I was up all night long," spoke up Fred. "I didn't sleep any last night."
"I noticed that," said Grant. "The sound that came from your room showed very plainly that you were not sleeping and yet I cannot understand why a fellow should make all those noises if he is wide awake."
"It was John you heard," retorted Fred.
"Yes, I heard John too," said Grant. "It was a duet most of the time. Now aren't you glad," he added, "that I told you how wide the Erie Canal is? You see there was plenty of room for the Caledonia to pass us and take us in tow."
"How wide is the Erie Canal?" spoke up George. "I don't believe you can remember it now yourself. You haven't your notes with you. None of that," he added quickly as Grant felt in his pocket for a paper. "Tell me on your word of honor how wide the Erie Canal is."
"Seventy feet wide on the surface and fifty-six feet wide at the bottom," said Grant promptly.
"I suppose we'll have to take your word for it," said George as his friends laughed at his discomfiture. "We can't dispute you and even if you don't know anything about it you tell it as if you believed it to be the most solemn truth in the world."
"It's true, just as I'm telling you," said Grant.
"How about the new canal that New York State is building now?"
"I have told you about that too," said Grant, "but then you have to have a good many review lessons with some people."
"That's all right, but just the same tell me about the new canal. How wide is it?"
"That's one hundred and twenty-three to one hundred and seventy-one feet wide on the surface, and seventy-five feet wide at the bottom. Of course there are some places," Grant added, "when it runs into a lake or a pond where it is a good deal wider than that. But as far as the digging is concerned that's the width."
"Is it deeper than the Erie Canal?"
"Yes, sir. The Erie Canal is about seven feet deep and the new one is about twelve feet deep. It's going to be deep enough to take in boats of three thousand tons."
As soon as their breakfast had been eaten, and a fresh supply of gasoline had been obtained, once more in high spirits the boys started in their swift motor-boat.
Their experience with the canal-men now was only a memory and they could well afford to laugh at what had been said and done.
"That's what you get for having us stop in a place such as you picked out, Peewee," said George. "There's no accounting for the tastes of some people. Now, I never should have selected that place."
"You can believe me, I'll never select it again," answered Fred, so soberly that his friends all laughed. "Once is enough and forever. I didn't believe there could be such a place in the whole of New York State."
"Well, you know now there is," said John, "and so do the rest of us. We don't stop again without knowing something of the hotel in which we are to stay."
"Where shall we stay to-night, fellows?" inquired Fred. "We ought to get to Syracuse early this afternoon and we can go right on to Oswego if you want to or we can stay there until to-morrow morning and start then."
"Wait and see what time it is when we strike Syracuse," said Grant. "Probably the gasoline you bought back there at Rome won't last until we get there."
"I have got enough gasoline to take us to the St. Lawrence River," declared Fred. "I'm not going to be caught again as I was this morning."
Meanwhile the Black Growler was noisily speeding on her way. To three of the boys the country through which they were moving was all new and therefore abounded in interest. Prosperous villages and fertile farms were passed. As the sun climbed higher into the heavens the day became so much warmer that the boys were glad to seek the shelter behind the awnings which they now had made use of, as a protection from the heat and glare.
It was early in the afternoon when the Go Ahead boys arrived at the thriving city of Syracuse. They speedily decided to rest an hour after they had stopped for luncheon and then through the Oswego Canal to go on to the shore of Lake Ontario. There they would be ready to start on the following morning and were hopeful that if no mishaps occurred they would arrive at their destination the following afternoon. The clear air, the quiet that rested over the region through which they were passing, the tranquil attitude of even the cattle in the fields gave slight indication that the peacefulness of the scene was soon to be broken and the Go Ahead boys were to enter upon one of their most stirring experiences.