Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat | Page 9

a fair proposition two hundred dollars was
about all the motor- boat in its present condition was worth, at least to
him. Then he made a sudden resolve. He thought he might as well have
the suspense over.

"Two hundred dollars!" he called boldly.
"I'm offered two hundred!" repeated Mr. Wood. "That is something like
it. Now who will raise that?"
There was a moment of silence. Then the auctioneer swung into an
enthusiastic description of the boat. He begged for an advance, but
none was made, though Tom's heart seemed in his throat, so afraid was
he that he would not get the CARLOPA.
"Two hundred---two hundred!" droned on Mr. Wood. "I am offered
two hundred. Will any of you go any higher?" He paused a moment,
and Tom's heart beat harder than ever. "If not," resumed the speaker, "I
will declare the bidding closed. Are you all done? Once---twice---three
times. Two hundred dollars. Going---going-- -gone!" He clapped his
hands. "The boat is sold to Thomas Swift for two hundred dollars. If
he'll step up I'll take his money."
There was a laugh as Tom, blushingly, advanced. He passed Andy
Foger, who had worked his way over near him.
"You got the boat," sneered the bully, "and I s'pose you think you got
ahead of me."
"Keep quiet!" begged Sam.
"I won't!" exclaimed Andy. "He outbid me just out of spite, and I'll get
even with him. You see if I don't!"
Tom looked Andy Foger straight in the eyes, but did not answer, and
the red-haired youth turned aside, followed by his crony, and started
toward his automobile.
"I congratulate you on your bargain," said Mr. Wood as Tom proceeded
to make out a check. He gave little thought to the threat Andy Foger
had made, but the time was coming when he was to remember it well.
CHAPTER III

A TIMELY WARNING
"Well, are you satisfied with your bargain, Tom?" asked Mr. Wood
when the formalities about transferring the ownership of the motor-boat
had been completed.
"Oh, yes, I calculated to pay just what I did."
"I'm glad you're satisfied, for Mr. Hastings told me to be sure the
purchaser was satisfied. Here he comes now. I guess he wasn't at the
auction."
An elderly gentleman was approaching Mr. Wood and Tom. Most of
the throng was dispersing, but the young inventor noticed that Andy
Foger and Sam Snedecker stood to one side, regarding him closely.
"So you got my boat," remarked the former owner of the craft. "I hope
you will be able to fix it up."
"Oh, I think I shall," answered the new owner of the CARLOPA. "If I
can't, father will help me."
"Yes, you have an advantage there. Are you going to keep the same
name?" and Mr. Hastings seemed quite interested in what answer the
lad would make.
"I think not," replied Tom. "It's a good name, but I want something that
tells more what a fast boat it is, for I'm going to make some changes
that will increase the speed."
"That's a good idea. Call it the Swift."
"Folks would say I was stuck up if I did that," retorted the youth
quickly. "I think I shall call it the ARROW. That's a good, short name,
and---"
"It's certainly speedy," interrupted Mr. Hastings. "Well now, since
you're not going to use the name CARLOPA, would you mind if I took
it for my new boat? I have a fancy for it."

"Not in the least," said Tom. "Don't you want the letters from each side
of the bow to put on your new craft?"
"It's very kind of you to offer them, and, since you will have no need
for them, I'll be glad to take them off."
"Come down to my boat," invited Tom, using the word "my" with a
proper pride, "and I'll take off the brass letters. I have a screw driver in
my motor-cycle tool bag."
As the former and present owners of the ARROW (which is the name
by which I shall hereafter designate Tom's motor-boat) walked down
toward the dock where it was moored the young inventor gave a
startled cry.
"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Hastings.
"That man! See him at my motor-boat?" cried Tom. He pointed to the
craft in the lake. A man was in the cockpit and seemed to be doing
something to the forward bulkhead, which closed off the compartment
holding the gasoline tank.
"Who is he?" asked Mr. Hastings, while Tom started on a run toward
the boat.
"I don't know. Some man who bid on the boat at the auction, but who
didn't go high enough," answered the lad. As he neared the craft the
man sprang out, ran along the lakeshore for a short distance and then
disappeared