Early the following morning when the Go Ahead boys went down to the dock, they found that Sam Hodge already had arrived and was busily at work on the Black Growler.
"Good morning, Sam," called Fred, deeply interested in the sight of the investigation which Sam was making.
"'Mornin'," called Sam, without looking up from his task.
"How do you find everything on the boat?"
"I haven't only seen a few things yet," retorted Sam. "I'll tell you later what I think about it."
"Did you bring along any extra legs or arms?" asked George.
"Nothin' much," replied Sam. His manner, however, to the boys seemed to imply that he was holding some information in reserve and this fact at once increased their curiosity.
"What have you got?" asked George.
"I have nothin' much, but an albuminoid rib."
"What kind of a rib?"
"That's what you call it. If it isn't that it's alkali."
"What kind of a rib is an alkali rib?" asked John.
"Why, it's one of those things that's about as light as paper. Here, I'll show it to you," he added as he drew from his inner pocket a metal rib, which he at once handed to Fred.
"That looks like aluminum to me," said Fred quickly.
"That's just what I said," retorted Sam. "I thought I'd bring it along in case anything happened. I'll have some feet and hands comin' later."
"What for?" laughed Fred.
"What do you s'pose they're for? They're for you to wear."
"If you had brought along a head," said Grant solemnly, "it might have been a good thing. I have known Fred to lose his several times."
"We don't furnish brains, we just use them," said Sam as he restored the rib to his pocket. "Now, then," he added, "I'm goin' to give this here boat an overhaulin' from stem to stern."
"There isn't anything wrong, is there?" inquired Fred anxiously.
"I told you I can't say yet," answered Sam. "I don't know until I have investigated. Can't expect much when a lot of harem scarem boys are driving such a machine as this is. Had any more trouble since I left you?"
"We haven't had any," answered Fred. "We helped pull a couple of girls out of the river yesterday."
"What was they doing in the river?" demanded Sam, looking up for the first time since the arrival of the boys.
"What most people usually do when they can't swim," answered Fred.
"What was the trouble?" asked Sam.
"The chief trouble was," said Grant solemnly, "that they did not have any alkali heads. Their heads were made of bone and were solid all the way through."
"The worst of it is," broke in Fred, "that they said we were to blame for spilling them into the river."
"Maybe you were," said Sam. "One never knows. Maybe they saw you trying to steer this boat."
"That's it. That's it exactly," spoke up George quickly. "I hadn't thought before why those girls were spilled out of the canoe. I don't wonder they wanted to drown themselves when they saw the way Fred steered."
"That's all right," retorted Fred as his friends all laughed. "We'll take the Growler out this morning and see how she behaves. That's what Sam wants to do, I know. He can't tell how she runs until he sees her in action. Besides, my grandfather wants to go up to Cape Vincent and we promised to take those girls along."
"Better not," said Sam quickly. "I should think you had had experience enough. Don't you know that every sailor says that it is bad luck to bring a woman aboard ship?"
"The girls weren't on board. If they had been there wouldn't have been any trouble," asserted Fred.
"Well, go up and get your breakfast," said Sam, "and by the time you're ready, I guess we'll start."
The Black Growler stopped at the dock of the Stevens' and after waiting a half-hour Miss Susie and her friend appeared and took their seats on board the motor-boat.
Mr. Button was not enthusiastic in his morning salutations, evidently sharing in Sam's superstition that ill luck might follow the reception of their visitors.
Apparently the boys were not alarmed, however, and in a brief time the Black Growler sped forward on her way, and the sounds of laughter that came from her occupants were not indicative that trouble of any kind was greatly feared.
"Grandfather," said Fred, "I would like to try the boat to-day over the course or at least over part of the course that we'll have to run in that race."
"Well, if you want to try it," broke in Sam, who was steering the boat, "why don't you? There isn't anything to prevent you that I know."
"All right then, we will," said Fred. "We'll run up to Cape Vincent first and on our way back we'll try out the course a little. Maybe we'll try only one leg of it--"
"Only one what?" broke in Sam, abruptly looking back at the boys as he spoke.
"Oh, it's not an albuminoid rib, Sam, it's just one leg of the course. They don't have any artificial legs in such places."
"You never can tell what will happen," said Sam; "you'd better bring one along."
"Why don't we try out the leg that we'll have to follow when we go up the river anyway?" inquired John. "Part of the course will be up stream and we might as well try that out now as any time."
"Is she in shape for trying it?" inquired Mr. Button of Sam.
"I haven't tried yet," said Sam cautiously.
"Then you never will know until you try," laughed Mr. Button. "When we strike the beginning let her go for a little while anyway, and we'll see how she works out."
In a brief time the swiftly moving Black Growler arrived near the spot which Fred had been informed would form one of the points in the triangular course over which the race was to take place.
"I guess you have got some friends that want to try out the course too," suggested Sam, pointing as he spoke to a motor-boat apparently of the same size as the Black Growler.
Instantly glancing in the direction indicated by Sam, the Go Ahead boys discovered the Varmint II nearby and from her actions it was plain that she too was planning to test the course.
"Make her show what she can do!" said George eagerly, a demand in which Miss Susie quickly joined.
"That's right," she exclaimed. "I just love to go fast. You can't make the Black Growler move too fast to suit me."
The two boats now were following parallel lines, although they were more than one hundred feet apart. It was manifest also that the crew of the rival boat were aware of the purpose in the minds of the Go Ahead boys and that they also were not unwilling to discover what one of their rivals might be able to do in the coming race.
Conversation ceased as suddenly the Black Growler darted forward almost as if she was a thing alive. The Varmint II started at the same moment and an impromptu race was on.
The bow of the Black Growler at times seemed almost to be lifted above the river. Dashes of water when the bow again struck were driven into the faces of all on board. The spray soon made the cockpit as wet as if a stream of water had been played upon it. The noise of the engine, the splash of the water, the rushing river, the white and excited faces, as well as the anxiety with which the Go Ahead boys watched the speed of their rival, all combined to increase the prevailing excitement. Apparently the two boats were moving almost neck and neck.
"We don't seem to gain on her, Sam," shouted Fred.
Sam turned and glared upon the boy, but did not reply to the suggestion. He was giving his entire attention to the task of steering the boat, glancing occasionally at his rival, which tenaciously was holding to its course.
Several steamboats were passed and as the sight of the racing boats was seen there was a wild rush of the passengers to the rail to watch the contest.
For twenty minutes the unexpected race continued. At the expiration of that time the Varmint II changed her course. Veering to the left she swerved in a wide semi-circle, saluting the Black Growler several times as she turned her course backward.
"I guess that will be some race," said Miss Susie Stevens. "I think I'll go with you."
"You think you'll what?" demanded Mr. Button sharply.
"I just said that I thought I would be one of the crew of the Black Growler in the race."
"Excuse me, young lady," said Mr. Button solemnly. "That will be no place for a lady."
"Why not?" demanded Miss Susie unabashed.
"All you have to do is to look at yourself now," retorted Mr. Button somewhat tartly. "You're soaked, you're dripping from your head to your heels."
"I don't mind a little thing like that."
"Well, you ought to, whether you do or not. When I was your age the girls didn't go in for racing."
"Then they never knew what they lost."
"No, they didn't know what they lost," said Mr. Button quietly. "I guess they were better, if they were not better off."
"Oh, you'll enjoy having me about, Mr. Button," said Miss Susie. "You need all the help you can get and Fred says he's going to steer in the race. He'll want me close by to tell him just what to do."
"If you speak to mo while I'm steering the boat in that race," spoke up Fred, "I'm afraid you'll find yourself where you and Mildred were yesterday when the Black Growler came along."
The fearless girl laughed derisively, but as the impromptu contest now was ended, conversation turned to other topics.
The speed under which the Black Growler was moving was somewhat diminished, but the motor-boat still was sweeping swiftly on its course.
"I hope we'll get there in time for luncheon," exclaimed Miss Susie at last breaking in upon the silence that had followed her conversation with Fred's grandfather.
"That's another thing," said Mr. Button, "that I don't approve."
"What's that?" inquired Miss Susie. "Luncheon? Doesn't it make you hungry to ride on the river?"
"When I was young," said Mr. Button, "the girls didn't gorge themselves, and many a time I have seen my sisters even at a formal dinner eat only enough to enable them to follow the courses."
"Yes, and afterwards," said Miss Susie, who was unterrified by the gloomy remarks of the old gentleman, "they used to go behind the pantry doors and eat pickles and lots of other indigestible things. I don't wonder that they had such frightful color."
"But they didn't have such 'frightful color,' as you are pleased to call it," said Mr. Button. "When they were exposed to the sunlight they wore veils and protected themselves."
"And afterwards," said the girl, "they died of consumption. Now, honestly, Mr. Button, didn't some of these girls that you're speaking about die when they were young?"
"Death is no respector of persons. He cuts down the young as well as the old."
"Do you mean that for an answer to my question?"
The conversation which was becoming slightly heated abruptly ceased when George excitedly called the attention of his companions to a man standing on the dock in Cape Vincent which they were rapidly approaching.
"There's your bond man," he said in a low voice.
Instantly the eyes of all were turned toward the individual to whom George had referred. One look was sufficient to convince all the Go Ahead boys that George had spoken truly, and that the man before them was indeed the one who had demanded that the bond which the boys had discovered on board should be given to him.
"You come with me, Freddie," said Mr. Button. Fred's face flushed at the term applied to him by his grandfather and still deeper color appeared in his cheeks when he saw a mischievous expression appear in the eyes of the girls. To be called by the name be which he was called when he was a little fellow, or at least very much smaller than he was at the present time, was the last thing that could be applied him in the way of teasing. Mr. Button, however, had no thought of annoying his grandson and used the term simply because it had been familiar to him from the time when Fred was born.
"Good-by, Freddie, good-by," called the three Go Ahead boys together, as their comrade obediently followed the call and at once joined his grandfather and the man who had demanded the bond and turned into the street.
"That fellow was waiting for us," exclaimed George in surprise. "I believe that Mr. Button knew all the time that he was to be here."
"Well, what do you make of it?" inquired Grant.
"I don't know what to make of it. That man and a lot of his friends from the canal-boats force their way on board the Black Growler and leave only when they are scared by the coming of the Caledonia. Then the first thing we know he shows up here at Cape Vincent and orders us to give up a bond which he says we have."
"And the worst of it is that we have it," said George ruefully.
"HAD it, you mean," suggested Grant soberly.
"That's right," joined in John. "We gave it up and had it recorded in Fred's name. Now I suspect that those two men somehow have put up a job on Fred and that we'll lose our bond."
"'Our' bond is good," scoffed George.
"Well, whose is it?" demanded John.
"That's what we don't know, but that doesn't mean that everything we see, which may be the property of somebody we don't know, belongs to us."
"Well, if this Mr. Somebody owns that bond why doesn't he come and claim it?" retorted John.
"It's my opinion that Mr. Somebody has come," said Grant dryly.
"What do you mean?" inquired George.
"I don't know that I mean anything. I'm thinking though that the man who owns that bond, if it is good for anything, isn't going to rest easily until he finds out where it is."
"Do you think that boatman owns it?" asked John.
"It's plain that he knows something about it," answered Grant.
Meanwhile the two girls in the party were becoming somewhat impatient.
"My, nobody knows how thirsty I am!" said Miss Susie, who had been an interested listener and for some strange reason had not joined in the conversation.
"Plenty of water around here," suggested John.
"I don't mean that," said the girl quickly. "I mean something cold."
"And frozen?" asked John.
"My, how quick witted you are!" laughed the girl. "That's exactly what we want."
"I suppose we might as well give in first as last," said George in mock despair. "If anybody knows where we can get any ice cream we'll start."
"We'll start anyway," spoke up Miss Susie. "If we start we shall find it."
Evidently success attended the efforts to locate the ice cream parlors for long before the return of the boys and girls to the Black Growler, Fred and his grandfather had come back, the latter becoming more impatient with the failure of the young people to appear.
Sam Hodge meanwhile had been busily engaged in his inspection of the machinery of the Black Growler. When his task was completed he did not make any remarks, but his face apparently beamed with satisfaction.
"Sam," said Fred, "what do you think our chances are against that Varmint II?"
"'Gainst the which?" demanded Sam.
"That motor-boat that we were racing."
"I think it will depend somewhat on how fast we go," said Sam.
"What a wise man you are," laughed Fred. "I might have thought of that myself if I had tried hard. Do you think we can beat that boat? That's what I want to know."
"I think we can if we go faster than she does," replied Sam.
"Well, can we make her go faster?"
"You can if the speed is in her."
"Well, do you think the speed is in her?"
"I can't say just yet," said Sam, who was not to be moved from his cautious position. "Here come your friends," he added as the boys and girls were seen approaching the dock.
Mr. Button grumbled over the delay which had been caused by the failure of the young people to return, but as no one except Fred understood just what he was saying slight attention was paid him.
Meanwhile at Sam's command the engine was started, and the Black Growler, free from the dock once more, soon was noisily and speedily making her way down the mighty river.
"Why didn't you beat that other boat?" demanded Miss Susie of Fred.
"That wasn't what we were trying to do."
"Well, what were you trying to do?" demanded the girl.
"Testing our boat and at the same time trying to find out what time they could make in the Varmint II."
"Well, did you find out?"
"We found that she can go," answered Fred somewhat dolefully. "Sam here says that we can beat her if we can go faster than she does."
"That's exactly what I say," spoke up Sam.
"How many legs have you got, Sam?" asked George abruptly.
"Six," answered Sam.
Both girls looked up in surprise. Miss Susie said, "He's a regular centipede. What does he mean?"
"What do you mean, Sam?" said Fred. "Miss Susie doesn't understand you. How many legs really have you got?"
"I have told you once," retorted Sam. "I have got six here and about fifty in New York."
The girls stared blankly at each other and then as the boys laughed, Miss Susie said, "What's the joke?"
"No joke," said Fred. "It's just a fact."
The attention of the party, however, was speedily attracted by the sight of a little boat that was approaching, flying a white flag at the stern.
"Oh, I know what that is," said Miss Susie confidently. "That means that somebody is sick on board and that they are signaling us to help them."
"Huh!" grunted Mr. Button.
"That's not it," responded George.
"Well, what is it then?" demanded the girl.
"It means that somebody on board has caught a muscallonge and they are bringing it in. If any boat catches one it usually puts straight for home and it isn't backward in letting the world know what has happened."
"Have they got the fish with them?"
"Why don't you ask them?" laughed George, handing the girl a megaphone as he spoke.
Quickly taking her place on the deck, Miss Susie shouted, "Have you got a muscallonge?"
"Yes," replied somebody on board.
"Hold it up and let us see it."
In response a man on the other boat held forth to view a huge fish which weighed at least twenty-five pounds.
"Good for you! Good for you!" shouted the Go Ahead boys together.
"Hold it up higher," called Miss Susie. "Is that a real fish? Did you really catch it or did you buy it somewhere?"
A reply was not given the questions, for suddenly the great fish slipped from the hands of the man who was holding it and with a splash it fell into the water.
"That's right," grunted Mr. Button. "I told you what was going to happen."
"Why, Mr. Button," exclaimed Miss Susie, "did you know beforehand that he was going to drop that fish?"
"I told the boys before we started that they would surely have trouble to-day. Now, stop this boat, Sam Hodge," he added. "We have got to help those people get that fish in."
"I guess they won't need any help," said Sam, who was watching the efforts of the men on the other boat. Its speed had been checked as soon as the accident had occurred and the two men on board quickly began to pull in the two skiffs, which they had in tow.
In a brief time they took their places on board one of the little boats and with long strokes started swiftly back in their search for their lost prize.
Fortunately the men soon found the floating muscallonge which now had been dead two hours. Eagerly they drew the fish into their skiff and when they returned to their motor-boat they were aware for the first time that the Go Ahead boys were there to help.
Few remarks, however, were made and as soon as the muscallonge had been restored to its place both boats continued on their way.
"I'm afraid," muttered Mr. Button, "that isn't the last thing that is going to happen to-day."
"I hope not," said Miss Susie lightly.
Apparently all the efforts of Fred's grandfather to subdue the light-hearted girl were doomed to failure. Why his prejudice against her had become so strong it was difficult even for Fred to understand, although he was familiar with the peculiar ways of Mr. Button.
"Look yonder!" suddenly exclaimed John, "That's the Varmint II again."
Coming around the end of a nearby island the swift little motor-boat was seen approaching.
Taking his megaphone Fred shouted, "Come on, we'll try it again! We couldn't do much this morning."
"All right," came back the answering hail from the Varmint II and in a brief time both boats were swiftly moving down the river.
Again the spray dashed over each party, the water through which they were passing again seemed to be moved as if by some intense heat beneath it. The noise of the motor and the sound of the rushing water made it difficult for the Go Ahead boys to hear one another.
There was slight disposition however, to talk, for all on board the little boat were eagerly watching their rival. Although there were no sure grounds for their belief, the Go Ahead boys were confident that the strongest rival they would face in the coming race was the boat which now was only a few yards distant.
And what a beautiful little structure she was. Her lines were all graceful and as she slipped through the water she seemed almost to share in the prevailing excitement.
Steadily the two boats continued on their way, neither apparently being able to gain much upon its rival. Occasionally the Varmint II led by a few feet, only to lose the advantage as the Black Growler slowly drew ahead. Evidently they were evenly matched. This fact, however, served only to increase the interest of the Go Ahead boys.
When at last the Varmint II again turned from the course and with a wide sweep started across the river there had been no sure test of the comparative speed of the two boats.
"What do you think, Sam?" inquired Fred anxiously. "Can we beat her?"
"We can if we go faster than she does," replied Sam briefly.
The thought of the race which was to take place within a few days and in which both the Black Growler and the Varmint II were to be contestants was in the mind of every one. In spite of the unwillingness of Sam to express his opinion as to the outcome, Fred insisted repeatedly upon asking what he thought. Again and again Sam evaded a direct reply as in one form or another he explained that all he did know was that the Black Growler would win if she could run more swiftly than the Varmint II.
As to the possibility of developing the required speed he was non-committal.
Conversation did not lag on the voyage down the river. The presence of Mr. Button as well as the fact that Fred apparently was somewhat reserved and uncommunicative concerning his recent experiences in Cape Vincent, caused the Go Ahead boys to neglect the topic of conversation which just then was uppermost in their thoughts. Time did not drag, however, and it was a merry party on the motor-boat which attracted the attention of many of the parties they met. In the most informal manner salutes were given and whistles were tooted whenever boats large or small passed.
In spite of Miss Susie's apparent carelessness she had provided a most excellent luncheon, to which ample justice had been done by all on board, including Mr. Button.
It was late in the afternoon, however, when the two girls were left at their cottage and the Black Growler sped forward toward Chestnut Island.
As soon as a landing was made Mr. Button at once started for the cottage.
Left to themselves Fred's three friends quickly turned upon him and eagerly began to question him concerning his experiences at Cape Vincent.
"Where's your man that wanted the bond?" demanded George.
"Did you get the bond?" asked Grant.
"Did you find out who that fellow is?" inquired John.
"Hold on, fellows," laughed Fred. "I'll take you one at a time, but I don't want you all together. Now then speak up, one of you. What is it you want to know?"
"Did you find out who that man is?" asked John.
"I fancy you're referring to the gentleman who requested us to deliver to him that five thousand dollar bond?" answered Fred.
"You catch my meaning exactly," answered John solemnly.
"Well, then, let me say that he is just as big a mystery to me as he is to you."
"Did he get the bond?" demanded Grant.
"I don't know."
"Weren't you with him?"
"I was, but not all the time."
"Did he go to the bank?"
"He certainly did."
"Weren't you there, too? Couldn't you see whether they gave him the bond or not?"
"Not being able to see through a foot wall, and a door still stronger, I am unable to give you the information you so courteously request."
"What do you mean? Can't you speak in plain English?"
"I'll do my best," laughed Fred, who so often had been the object of attention from his friends that now he was rejoiced that in a measure at least the tables were turned. "Well, we were at the bank," he continued. "My grandfather told me to stay outside while he went into Mr. Reese's office. They were in there about five minutes and then Mr. Reese came out and asked me to tell our canal-boat friend that his presence was desired in the office, so I went outside the bank and found the man they were looking for, gave him the message and then I went back."
"Didn't they want you in the office too?" inquired John.
"I didn't receive any strong urging to enter," laughed Fred, "so I decided it was better for me to stay outside."
"How long were they in there?" inquired Grant.
"I suppose it was about half an hour, but it seemed a good deal longer."
"Who came out first?"
"The canal-man."
"Was he alone?"
"Yes."
"How long before any one else came out?"
"Five minutes anyway, perhaps ten."
"What did your friend do?"
"He went out of the bank and that's the last I saw of him."
"You don't know then whether he went to the hotel or the station, or came down the river."
"I have told you just what I know and all I know. I can't do any more."
"So we're just as wise as we were when we began," laughed George. "We don't know what has become of our bond nor where the man that wanted it went. We don't even know whether or not it is in the bank yet."
"Don't begin on the list of things you don't know, George," said Fred soberly. "It'll take too much time."
"It's a good thing to know that you don't know. Some people that don't know, don't know that they don't know. Now, I know some things and among the things I know, I know that I don't know some things that I think I know."
The Go Ahead boys laughed as they all started toward the cottage to prepare for dinner.
The following morning Fred and George were the first to dress and together they made their way once more to the boat-house.
In a room above the slip, in which the graceful little motor-boat was resting, Sam Hodge was found. He had arisen two hours before this time and already had eaten his breakfast and was preparing for the duties of the coming day.
It was because of Sam's own choice that the room he occupied had been assigned him. And what a strange room it was. Sam had brought many of his own belongings among which were various pictures of the human anatomy, both external and internal. A life-size dummy stood in one corner of the room, the expression on its face being almost human in its dolefulness. In other parts of the room were legs, arms, feet and hands in various stages of completion. Sam explained that his love for the work which he did in the winter, when he was employed in the factory on Broome Street, New York, was present with him throughout the year.
"Yes, I like fooling around a boat in the summer time," he explained, "but you can't do that when the ice is about two feet thick. And yet if I go back to New York then I am all out of practice with my feet and legs and arms, so the only thing for me to do is to keep in the game. Besides, I like it and what a fellow likes to do isn't work, it's play. I'm finishing up that dummy," explained Sam to the boys when they entered. "One arm is a bit too long and one of the feet ought to have a number four shoe and the other about a number nine. I have seen people that way, but not very often."
"I should think you would wake up in the night with the nightmare," laughed George. "I think I should if I looked out and saw somebody over in the corner of the room still, staring and silent."
"Yes, some folks is easily scared," acknowledged Sam. "I've been over to Alexandria Bay," he added.
"When?" inquired Fred quickly.
"Oh, I guess I've been over two or three times. I've been asking some questions about those men that run the Varmint II."
"What did you find out about them?" inquired both boys eagerly.
"Accordin' to what I heard they aren't much good."
"What do you mean?"
"Why, I think they are a tough lot," said Sam, shaking his head. "The two fellows that own the boat are both of them sons of very rich men, who give them all the money they want to use. It hasn't done the youngsters any good, I guess, from what I heard. They bought the motor-boat expecting that there wouldn't be anything on the river that could touch her. They say they are pretty sore now that they have found that there is a boat which may give them a hard rub and perhaps take the cup away from them after all."
"Sam, if you win that race for us--" began Fred eagerly.
"I'm not going to win your race," broke in Sam. "I've heard you say that you're going to do the steering yourself and if you are, why the only thing I can do is to be a sort of court of appeals. I'll be there to help you out if something goes wrong. Now, we're up against a pretty serious proposition. Those fellows are bound to win that race and if they can't win it one way they are goin' to win it another."
"I don't see how they can win, Sam, if they don't go faster than we do."
"Maybe they can win," suggested Sam, "if we go slower than they do."
"That's the same thing," laughed George.
"Not by a jugful."
"Why isn't it?"
"Why, they may not be goin' so very fast and yet if our boat isn't in good shape it may be that they'll keep ahead of us and beat us."
"Well, that's just what you're here for," said Fred; "to see that nothing does happen to us or to our boat."
"Are you goin' to take them girls along that you had yesterday?" inquired Sam abruptly.
"Do you mean in the race?" asked Fred.
"What did you think I meant?"
"Well, we're not going to take them."
"Then maybe there'll be a chance to win out. I wouldn't promise anything with them on board, especially one of them. She's all right, but she would want to steer the boat and talk to the crew when it might be that the whole race was dependin' on what we were doin' right then and there."
"No, you can rest easy about that," said Fred. "There won't be anybody on board except the Go Ahead boys and you."
"Well, then," said Sam, "if that's the case then we'll have to keep a sharp watch on the Black Growler."
Sam's manner more than the words he spoke impressed the boys with the fact that he was holding back something that he had heard or knew concerning the possibilities of trouble for the swift little motor-boat. Just what they were, neither Fred nor George could conjecture. Their confidence in Sam was great and when they departed from the boat-house they made light of his fears.
"Sam is a regular old kill joy," laughed George.
"There has to be somebody," said Fred, "to take the joy out of life. It wouldn't be worth living if that wasn't so."
"Well, Sam does his best," said George with a laugh, "and the only reason why he doesn't succeed is because his bark is worse than his bite. We know he doesn't mean half he says."
"But why does he seem so worried about something happening to the Black Growler?"
"Oh, I don't know," said George. "That's just one of his notions, I guess."
It was not long, however, before both boys were excitedly aware that Sam's forebodings had been based upon a knowledge greater than that possessed by any of the Go Ahead boys.
On each of the three days that followed, the Black Growler was sent over a part of the course which had been mapped out for the race. The speed of the marvelous little motor-boat apparently was satisfactory to all concerned, except Sam. He growled and protested that there was something wrong with the boat and declared that unless they kept a careful watch, other things that would be still worse might occur.
On several occasions an impromptu race was had with the Varmint II. It was plain to the occupants of each boat that their rival was dangerous. Fred became more anxious with the passing days, sometimes being low spirited and declaring that there was no hope for the Black Growler.
He was easily routed out of his despondency, however, for it has been well said that it is not difficult for men to believe the things which they wish to believe.
"We'll be all right," said George confidently. "There wouldn't be any fun in a race if the other boat did not have some speed in her. But you just wait, Fred, and we'll show that Varmint II a clean pair of heels."
"I hope so," said Fred, his courage quickly rising again.
"By the way, Fred," said John, "you never told us any more about that man who came for the bond."
"I haven't any more to tell," said Fred quietly.
"Now look here, Peewee," spoke up Grant. "That bond wasn't yours. It belonged to the Go Ahead boys. I don't see why you assume all the rights of ownership."
"I don't," protested Fred. "The bond was registered in my name at the bank and so I had to go with my grandfather to see about it."
"Did that canal-man steal the bond?" asked John.
"I can't tell you," replied Fred.
"Do you mean you can't, or you won't tell?"
"A little of both," laughed Fred, eager to change the subject.
Throughout these conversations Sam Hodge seldom spoke. Indeed, as the time drew nearer the day of the race, his anxiety manifestly increased. He was busy on or about the boat throughout the day and even when night fell it was difficult to persuade him to retire to his room in the boat-house.
Once when Fred looked out of his bedroom window, in the moonlight night about twelve o'clock, he discovered Sam pacing back and forth on the dock. Just why he was so uneasy Fred did not understand and Sam did not offer any explanation.
On the following night not long after the boys had retired, they were awakened by a loud call from Sam Hodge.
"Hi! Hi there!" he shouted. "Come out here."
Hastily donning their clothing the boys ran out of the house and quickly joined Sam, who had leaped into a skiff that had been fastened to the dock and was now rowing swiftly toward the head of the island.
"What is it, Sam?" called Fred.
Sam, however, made no response and soon disappeared from sight around the bend in the shore.
"What do you suppose the trouble is?" inquired John.
"I'm telling you," said George, "that Sam has seen something that surprised him. He has been saying all the while that he was afraid something might happen to the Black Growler."
"But nothing can happen to her to-night. It's perfectly clear. There's no storm, and even Sam did not think it was worth while to run her into the boat-house."
"That may be just the trouble," suggested Grant.
"I don't know what you mean," retorted George, quickly turning upon his friend. "What might happen?"
"The thing that Sam seemed to be afraid of."
"But what is that?"
"Sam hasn't told me."
"That's all so," spoke up Fred, "but Sam has some reason for being worried. I don't know what it is, and I think he ought to tell us."
"Maybe he will when he comes back," suggested George.
"Back from where?" retorted John scornfully. "He's just started, and nobody knows where he is going or when he is coming back."
"He will be here within a few minutes," said Grant confidently.
True to Grant's suggestion, not many minutes had elapsed before Sam was seen approaching. He was rowing leisurely and apparently was neither alarmed nor excited.
As soon as he came within speaking distance, Fred called sharply, "What is it, Sam?"
"Did you see anything?" inquired Sam as he rested on his oars a few yards from the dock.
"Nothing, except you," answered Fred. "We saw you pulling as if your life depended upon it."
"It wasn't my life, exactly," said Sam slowly, "but there was a man here on the dock."
"A man?" exclaimed George. "Who was he? What was he doing here?"
"That's exactly what I should like to know myself," said Sam shortly. "I was trying to find out and that was just the reason why I followed him."
"Didn't you see any one?" Fred asked.
"Yes, sir, I did," replied Sam.
"What was he doing?" inquired John.
"I saw a skiff headed for Alexandria Bay."
"How many were in it?"
"Two men."
"What were they doing?"
"The last I saw of them they were pulling as if for dear life. That was why I couldn't catch them."
"And you think they were here on our dock?"
"I do," explained Sam promptly. "I saw one man on the dock. Probably the other was in the skiff."
"What were they doing?"
"Nothing when I first saw them. They were just getting ready to do it."
"Do what?" demanded George.
"I guess it's time for you boys to go back to your beds," said Sam after a brief silence. "If you can't tell, then I'm not going to explain."
"Tell us, Sam, just what happened," pleaded Fred.
For a moment the man was silent and then as if thinking better of his resolution, he said, "The fact is, boys, there was some one in the boat-house. I was sure of it though I couldn't see any one. I heard him moving around and when I came out on the dock there I saw him just as plain as day. Just about that time he saw me too, and that was the first I knew that there were two of them, one in the skiff and one on the dock."
"Were they near the Black Growler?" inquired Fred, who was keenly aroused by the story Sam was telling.
"They couldn't have been nearer," declared Sam, "but when they saw me, they started out as if the evil one was after them."
"I don't wonder," suggested George.
"Huh?" said Sam quickly. "What's that you say?"
"I think it would scare anybody if he thought you were trying to catch him," said George glibly.
Mollified by the explanation, Sam continued, "They lighted out as soon as they both were in the skiff and the way they rowed was something marvelous. I chased them around the point, but if you'll believe me when I got there they were already more than half-way to Alexandria Bay."
"They must have traveled fast," laughed John.
"They didn't delay any, let me tell you," said Sam, shaking his head. "And they had good reason to hurry up."
"Was anything wrong with the boat?" asked Fred.
"I haven't found out yet. I don't think they had time to do much harm."
"What makes you think they wanted to harm the boat anyway?" asked Grant.
"Huh," said Sam, turning abruptly upon the speaker. "What else could they want here?"
"I don't know that they would want anything," said Grant quietly. "When you have made up your mind that somebody is trying to put the Black Growler out of business it is easy for you to believe that everything is working for that one thing."
"You don't know as much as you might," said Sam tartly.
"By which you mean?" inquired Grant.
"By which I mean just this," responded Sam warmly. "The people that own the Varmint II are a tough crowd. They are some young fellows that have got more money than they have sense."
"More dollars than cents, you mean, don't you?" interrupted George.
"That's what I said," retorted Sam. "They are betting all sorts of money on their boat. From what I heard over at the Bay they have staked more money than you would believe on their boat winning the race."
"Who told you about it?" inquired Fred.
"Never you mind that," said Sam. "I know and that's enough. Now, if they've got so much staked they wouldn't feel so very bad, would they, if anything happened to the Growler? It seems she's the only boat they are afraid of anyway, and if she isn't in the race why the Varmint II will just walk away with the cup."
"And do you really think," inquired Fred, "that they will try to damage our boat so that she can't be in the race?"
"I'm not saying THEY will," answered Sam, "but somebody might. Perhaps they wouldn't know anything about it."
"Do you think those men who were here to-night came to do that?"
"I'm suspicious," said Sam, "but I don't know yet how much damage they did. I called you because I thought I might need your help. There isn't anything more you can do now and you might as well go back to bed."
With the coming of the day most of the fears and anxieties of the boys departed. The alarm of Sam the preceding night appeared very differently now and they even were inclined to laugh at him for his fears. Sam, however, had fallen once more into one of his periods of silence and made no comment on the remarks of the Go Ahead boys.
"I'm going over to the Bay now," said Sam when the boys after breakfast approached the dock.
"Are you going in the motor-boat?" inquired Fred.
"Yes, sir."
"How long will you be there?"
"I don't know. Probably an hour."
"Then we'll go over with you," answered Fred. "Perhaps we'll find one of these fellows who were trying to blow up the Black Growler last night." "I'm not saying they were trying to blow her up," retorted Sam. "You don't have to blow up a boat to put it out of commission, do you? Her machinery is so fine that it wouldn't take very much damage to one part to throw the whole thing out of gear."
"That's true," said George, "but I don't believe, Sam, that there's need for our being scared. Probably those two men you saw last night were just stopping on their way back to the Bay from some of the islands."
Sam shook his head and although he did not speak, his action implied that the Go Ahead boys might soon be wiser than they were at that time.
Nor was his suspicion misplaced. Not many hours had elapsed before they were almost as strong as Sam in their belief that the Black Growler was not only an object of dislike, but also that there was a real peril that she might be so injured that it would be impossible for her to enter the race.