The Go Ahead Boys and the Racing Motorboat | Page 3

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THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE RACING MOTOR-BOAT
BY ROSS KAY

Author of ``Dodging the North Sea Mines," "With Joffre on the Battle
Line," "Fighting in France," "The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers'
Island," "The Go Ahead Boys and the Treasure Cave," etc. etc.

Preface
Every normal boy loves a motor-boat, but words fail to express his

enthusiasm when that boat is also a racer. Behind the events recorded in
this story are certain facts, so that the tale is largely true. The author
will be glad if the account of life in the open, the adventures and
fortunes, good or ill, the contests and exciting experiences interest his
readers even partly as much as they did the boys who shared in the
actual occurrences. I have tried to write a story filled with action, but
devoid of sensationalism and false representations. If my boy friends
enjoy the company of the Go Ahead boys I shall feel repaid for my
labor.
Ross Kay

CONTENTS I THE START II ON THE WAY III JOHN
DISAPPEARS IV THE LOST IS FOUND V THE MISSING BAG VI
IN THE TAVERN VII AN UNWELCOME PARTY VIII THE
COMING OF THE CALEDONIA IX A FRIEND IN NEED X IN
TROUBLE XI RESCUED XII A BATTLE WITH ARMS AND LEGS
XIII A SURPRISE XIV A SURPRISING PASSENGER XV AN
UPSET XVI THE RESCUE XVII SENDING FOR SAM XVIII A
TEST XIX THE LOST FISH XX SAM'S WARNING XXI THE
SUMMONS IN THE NIGHT XXII A COLLISION XXIII THE CALL
IN THE NIGHT XXIV THE MAN IN THE BOAT-HOUSE XXV
THE OWNER OF THE BOND XXVI CONCLUSION

THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE RACING MOTOR-BOAT
CHAPTER I
THE START
"Here we go!"
"We're off!"
"Look quick, or we'll be out of your sight."

The long, low motor-boat glided smoothly out from the dock to which
it had been made fast. Behind it the water boiled as if it had been stirred
by some invisible furnace. The graceful lines of the boat, its manifest
power and speed, formed a fitting complement to the bright sunshine
and clear air which rested over the waters of the Hudson River.
On the dock, which the Black Growler was leaving so rapidly behind
her, were assembled various members of the families represented by
the four boys on board the motor-boat. Younger brothers and sisters,
two uncles, several aunts, not to mention the various fathers and
mothers united in a final word of farewell. Handkerchiefs were waved
and the sounds of the last faint call came across the intervening waters.
The Black Growler was leaving Yonkers to be gone more than a month.
The trip was one to which the Go Ahead boys had looked forward with
steadily increasing interest.
In the first place the boat belonged to Fred Button, one of the quartet.
Fred now was at the wheel and the expression of pride on his face as he
occasionally glanced behind him at his companions was one that
indicated something of the feeling in his heart. And indeed there was a
substantial basis for Fred's pride. Among the many boats on the river
the Black Growler moved as if she belonged in a class of her own.
People on board the cat boats or yachts, and even the passengers on a
great passing steamer, all stood looking with manifest interest at the
dark-colored little boat which was speeding over the waters almost like
a thing alive.
Fred Button, the owner and present pilot of the swift motor-boat was
the smallest, or at least the shortest, of the four boys. His age was the
same as that of his companions, all of whom were about seventeen. His
round body and rounder face were evidences that in time what Fred
lacked in length he might provide in breadth. Among his companions
he was a great favorite and frequently was called by one of