The Go Ahead Boys and the Racing Motorboat | Page 9

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 at last the Black Growler approached the dock where she was to be tied up for the night. The three Go Ahead boys were peering ahead of them with interest, every one looking among the men on the docks for their missing companion.
CHAPTER IV
THE LOST IS FOUND
"He isn't there," exclaimed George gleefully. "I'm safe on my dinner."
"I believe you are right," said Fred in a low voice after he had glanced along the docks several times searching for his missing friend.
"Of course I'm right," said George. "I am always right. That's the reason why your fond parents wanted me to go with you on this trip. Somebody has to go along who understands modern life, so I reluctantly gave up my own convenience and came along to look after these poor benighted Go Ahead boys."
"Keep quiet a minute, George," said Grant, "we all appreciate your kindness. Just now, however, I would rather see String than hear you."
"Not seeing String you must listen to me," laughed George again. "Let me see, I don't buy the dinner, and it seems to me that one or the other of my friends agreed to provide one if I was mistaken about John."
"No such agreement was made," declared Fred sharply.
"Is that so, Grant?" demanded George, turning to the remaining member of the party.
"It certainly is," declared Grant. "You were the only one to make the offer."
"Then I suppose I shall have to put up with it," said George disconsolately. "Now as soon as we get everything