The Go Ahead Boys and the Racing Motorboat | Page 8

the Black Growler was following.
"I believe I have seen that boat before," muttered Fred. "Can any of you
fellows make out the name?"
George hastily took the field-glasses and gazed earnestly at the swiftly
moving boat. "I can make out some of the letters, Fred," he said slowly.
"I can see V--a-r, the next letter looks like n."

"What's that?" demanded Fred abruptly.
"I can't make out the whole of it yet," answered George. "I don't see
what Varn spells anyway."
"You better look again," suggested Fred. "I think I know the boat. I
guess it's the Varmint."
"That's it," said George quickly. "Only there's something right after the
word. I can't just see what that is."
"Here, let me take those glasses," said Grant quickly. "I don't believe
you can find anything. Your mother told me that she doesn't want any
better evidence that your clothes are hanging in the right places in the
closet than for you to say that you had looked for them and they aren't
there."
"Listen to the words of our modest friend," said George as he handed
the glasses to his comrade. "Grant is a good boy. The only difficulty
with him is he doesn't realize how good he is."
"If he doesn't," spoke up John, "it isn't because he doesn't try."
"Keep still, fellows," said Grant, waving his hand at the other Go
Ahead boys. "I'm just about to find out what the name of that
motor-boat that is beating us--"
" 'Beating' us nothing!" interrupted Fred. "Can't you see that she isn't
gaining a foot?"
"I can't even see her name yet," said Grant. "You had better slow up a
bit, Pygmy. That will give you a good excuse."
In response, Fred increased the power of the fast moving motor-boat.
"I have it. I have it," called Grant exultantly a moment later. "It is
Varmint II."
"It is what?" demanded Fred quickly as he glanced behind him for a

moment.
"Varmint II, that's what it is," said Grant positively. "What do you
know about that?"
Fred was silent a moment before he replied. "Two years ago when I
was visiting at my grandfather's I saw the Varmint run away from all
the boats in the race. This must be a new one and if she's swifter than
the other one then there will be some race, let me tell you. I'm going to
try her out a little now."
In accordance with his words Fred changed the course which the Black
Growler was following until he was nearer the rival boat. It was plain
now that the crew of the Varmint II were deeply interested in the Black
Growler. They were watching her movements and eagerly talking to the
man at the wheel.
For several minutes the race continued and then abruptly the Varmint II
shut off part of her power and speedily dropped behind.
"I told you what would happen," said Fred exultantly. "I would like to
run away from that boat in a race. There isn't a boat on the St.
Lawrence I would like better to beat."
"But you don't even know she is going to be on the St. Lawrence or in
that race," suggested John.
"That's right. That's right," said Fred dolefully. "There's always
somebody taking the joy out of life. You mark my words, that boat is
going to the St. Lawrence and we'll find her in the race when we leave
the stake."
"I hope so," said Grant. "It will be a great race if she's in it! But
honestly, Fred, if you knew a little more about steering a boat I think
you could win from her. How would it do for you to get somebody to
steer, the day of the race?"
"That's right," spoke up George quickly. "All the Black Growler needs

is a pilot."
"That--is--most--certainly true," said John slowly, winking at Grant as
he spoke.
"Huh," spoke up Fred. "It's a pity there isn't enough gray matter
somewhere in this crowd to spell me at the wheel. I have run all the
way from New York and I'm tired and yet there isn't a fellow here who
is able to steer this boat."
"Beg your pardon," said John. "Ill steer her with great gladness."
"I don't doubt your 'gladness,' " said Fred. "What I'm afraid of is your
ability. If it was Grant now steering and we struck a rock he would
never own up that that wasn't the very place he was steering for.
However, String, take hold here awhile and give me a rest."
"Where are we going to stop for dinner?" inquired George. "This mad
race has brought on an attack of hunger with me."
"That's all right," laughed Fred. "I think the only thing you can say is