The Go Ahead Boys and the Racing Motorboat | Page 9

that you are less hungry some times than others. We can stop anywhere
you want."
"Then I say we stop at Poughkeepsie," said Grant.
"Poughkeepsie will do for me all right," said John soberly.
A half-hour later the graceful little motor-boat was lying alongside a
dock at Poughkeepsie. Two of the boys had remained on board to guard
their possessions while two had gone to a restaurant to purchase a
luncheon with which they were to return to the boat.
John and George had volunteered their services for the latter purpose
and about fifteen minutes after their departure George was seen
returning to the dock, his arms well laden with packages of fruit and
sandwiches.
"Where's String?" Fred asked as his friend stepped on board and

deposited his packages.
"I don't know. I lost him up here."
"Poor John. Lost in Poughkeepsie. I'm afraid we'll have to advertise."
"There's one thing we won't do though," said Grant.
"What's that?" inquired Fred.
"We shan't wait for him to come before we begin operations."
"It does my heart good to hear you speak so truthfully," said George, as
at once he opened the packages and passed the various articles of food
which he had obtained.
So busily engaged were the boys that time passed rapidly and a
half-hour later George said, "What do you suppose has become of that
fellow? I told you that his mother said that he was worse than I am and
couldn't find any of his belongings, but I didn't know that he would lose
himself."
"Have you ever been in Poughkeepsie?" inquired Grant soberly.
"I have never stopped here."
"Then I have no need for other explanations. I know what has become
of John."
"Then you'll be the one to go and get him."
"I guess not," laughed Fred.
"No, if he doesn't show up within fifteen minutes the Black Growler
proceeds gracefully on its way and leaves little Johnnie to come after us.
Maybe he can work his way by driving mules for a canal boat."
"There isn't any canal here," said Fred.

"Well, we'll leave it to him to settle the way he will come. We shan't
wait for him."
"Who's captain of this ship, anyway?" spoke up Fred.
"That's the question that has often puzzled me too," said Grant soberly.
"Well, I am," said Fred.
"You are? Then let me tell you, Captain Peewee, you will have a
mutiny on your hands before you know it. This boat is going on to
Albany. We have got to get there to-night and if John doesn't care
enough about going with us he will have to take the consequences. Do
you know I think he may have lost his nerve and gone back home."
"Don't you believe it," said Fred sharply. "John will be here in a few
minutes. He never will lose his nerve."
Fifteen minutes however elapsed and still the absent member of the Go
Ahead boys did not return.
When fifteen more minutes had passed, Fred, who had insisted that
some investigation should be made and a search for John begun, was
overruled by his two companions and in spite of the captain's protests,
the Black Growler slipped quickly away from the dock and proceeded
steadily on her way up the Hudson.
There were no mishaps although twice Fred stopped to secure fresh
supplies of gasoline. No trace of the Varmint II had been seen and if
she too was headed for the far away St. Lawrence, there was nothing to
indicate the fact. And yet Fred became more positive with the passing
minutes that among his rivals in the race in which his own swift
motor-boat was already entered, would be found the boat whose pursuit
he had found it so difficult to shake off.
The boys by the middle of the afternoon were tired. There was no
opportunity for exercise and in spite of the beauty of the region through
which they were passing there was a certain monotony in their voyage

which at last became wearisome.
The sun was sinking low in the western sky when Fred at last said, "I
think we'll make Albany in about an hour."
"Do you think we'll find String there?" inquired George.
"I hope so. If it was any other of the Go Ahead boys I would say we
would be sure to find him there, but no one knows what Jack will do.
The only certain thing about him is his uncertainty. Don't you
remember--"
"I'm telling you," interrupted Grant, "that we'll find John waiting for us
at the dock. He knows where we're going to land."
"If String is there I'll agree to pay for the dinner to-night," said George.
"My own feeling is that he hasn't left Poughkeepsie yet."
It was still light when