For an hour or more the boys were busily engaged in rummaging.
Then they began to think about getting their luggage aboard, as well as
the necessary supplies. Jack had his lists made out to the fraction.
Previous experience would prove of considerable benefit to them now,
since they knew just what was most needed, and what things to leave
behind.
"I say, Jack!" called George, across the scant space that separated
their boats.
"Hello! what is it?" asked the skipper of the _Tramp_, looking up.
"We've all been so busy we haven't thought to look around," remarked
George; "and consequently missed seeing that dandy craft lying off there
a couple of hundred yards. Nobody seems to be aboard, as far as I've
noticed. My! but ain't she a beaut, though? Such graceful lines. I
warrant she can just skim the water, and make you _dizzy_ watching her.
Do you know what struck me, Jack?"
"That this might be the swift boat Clarence has had built, and which he
said was going to cut capers all around our fleet," replied the other,
promptly.
"Guessed it the first shot. Am I right?" asked George.
"Looks to me like a regular black, piratical craft," observed Josh.
"Just notice how low she sits in the water, would you? And there's
something sneaky in her whole make-up. Yes, that sort of a boat just
seems to fit in with a fellow like Clarence Macklin, 'Sneaky Clarence,'
you remember."
"There's a name in gold letters on her bow, but I can't quite make it
out. Here, Buster, just hand me my glasses, will you?"
A minute later George, having adjusted the marine glasses to his sight,
gave utterance to a low whistle.
"I've got the name all right, fellows," he remarked, "and what d'ye
think it is? Just the plain word _'Flash.'_ I guess that stands for
speed all right."
"It also stands for what Clarence and Bully Joe represent," Herb
observed.
Often, as they busied themselves during the balance of that day,
George's eyes would wander toward that long, narrow boat that sat upon
the heaving water with the grace of a black swan from Australia. George
believed he could see the times when it would be nip and tuck between
the _Flash_ and his own hitherto unbeaten _Wireless_; and he confessed
that perhaps the boast of the rival of the motor boat boys might not
have been without reasonable foundation.
Knowing how many times they must go ashore before the stores and
supplies were all aboard, the motor boat boys realized that it would be
a saving of time if they raised anchor, and moored alongside the dock.
This was accordingly done. As noon had come, they went in detachments to
the nearest hotel, and secured a meal; after which their baggage was
taken aboard. Then, leaving the others to stow it away, as on the
previous cruise, Jack, Herb and George went into town to purchase what
their long list called for.
Nick called out after them three times, begging them on each occasion to
be sure and not forget a certain thing of which he happened to be
particularly fond. Josh poked a whole lot of fun at the fat boy, and
warned him to beware lest he equal the enormous girth of Mr. Amos in a
short time if he did not curb that tremendous appetite.
"Oh! don't you fret about that," Nick answered. "In good time I expect
to gradually cut down my rations until I become as skinny as you. Then,
like enough, I'll want to jump overboard and end it all."
That was always Nick's way--_tomorrow_ he meant to start in regulating
his diet; but as usual with those who put off the evil day, tomorrow
never seemed to come.
That was a busy afternoon with them all.
Jack saw to it that the eatables were put up in three separate packages
all around, so that they could be handed over to the several boats
without division. This helped wonderfully, for there was no choosing,
and no ill feeling because one happened to get a better looking
assortment than the others.
"It's near stopping time, fellows!" called Nick, as he squatted on a
seat, like a big toad, Josh said, and wiped the perspiration from his
rosy face.
"Well, I guess everything's ready," added Jack.
"Ditto here," came from Herb. "And Josh is already rustling the kettles,
as if he meant business. So I move we pull out again and anchor. When
the gent comes we can get him aboard with the help of this rowboat he
hired for us."
That sort of talk seemed to satisfy every one; and accordingly they set
about working the motor boats to the positions they had occupied
previously, at the time their mudhooks were down.
Then began great preparations for a feast. Both the other boats handed
over their several batteries for cooking. Their previous experience had
taught George and Herb a lesson, so that they had discarded their
cumbersome oil lamps, and now each rejoiced in a fine new, brass Jewel
gas oil-stove, of the same reliable German brand as that which Jack
carried when on the famous Mississippi trip, now but a fond memory.
And they were surely a busy lot, every one working under the directions
of the head _chef_. Josh might play second, and even third fiddle, many
times; but when it came to cooking he was right there, as he himself
said, "with the goods." Some boys may seem gifted in one way, and a
comrade shine in another; it was the privilege of Josh Purdue to be a
natural born cook. He could throw together the most appetizing dishes
with apparently little effort. Everything he touched had a decidedly
delightful taste. And even Buster admitted that he stood without a peer,
monarch of all he surveyed.
So it came about that when Mr. Spofford arrived on the dock, and was
ferried across by Herb, he found some mighty fine odors wafting hither
and thither.
"My goodness!" he said, as he sniffed vigorously, "I hope dinner won't
be long delayed, boys, because you've just got me keyed up to a
desperate pitch, with all these joyful smells afloat."
"Ready right now, sir!" sang out Josh, who had donned a snow-white
baker's muslin cap, which he had fetched along with the intention of
coaxing Buster to wear, when engaged in his culinary tasks.
They were a jolly crowd gathered in the roomy _Comfort_, and discussing
the glorious dinner prepared under the direction of the head _chef_.
"Josh, you haven't forgotten how," observed Jack, as he started in on
the savory mess piled up on his pannikin.
"Which pleases me a whole lot," said George; "because you see, Mr.
Spofford, on this trip Josh sails with me in my _Wireless_."
"Alas! poor Josh! I see his finish. These are funeral meats, fellows,"
giggled Buster, already warmly engaged.
And so they laughed and joked as the meal progressed. Mr. Amos was as
merry as any one of the six boys. Again he seemed carried back to the
days when he loved this sort of life; and many times did they hear him
declare positively:
"You've opened up the fount that has been closed for many years, boys.
And after this it's me for the free life and the fresh air. Perhaps that
may reduce my overabundant flesh somewhat. Anyway, it will delight my
heart. Away with dull care; and from this time on I'm going to study
Nature again! And I have you to thank for opening my eyes. It was a
lucky day my old friend Rube thought of me, and put his boy in touch
with Amos Spofford."
"Perhaps you'd like to go out a few days, sir, with us," remarked Herb,
quite overwhelmed by the cordial ways of the retired lawyer. "This boat
is roomy, you see, and we might get along. The only difficulty would be
about sleeping quarters."
Poor Nick held his breath in suspense. If so be Mr. Spofford accepted,
he believed he saw his finish. But the other only laughed heartily.
"That's awfully kind of you, Herb, but I couldn't think of accepting,"
he said; and Nick breathed easy again. "When I go out, I shall have a
boat that is suited to my heft. Every time I move here, something seems
to groan, and threaten to give way. I guess you will have all you can
manage with my friend, Buster."
And after the hearty meal was finished they made themselves as
comfortable as possible, while Jack read the official log of the other
cruise, for the particular benefit of Mr. Amos.
The latter asked a thousand questions, and in this way managed to get a
comprehensive history of all the stirring adventures that had fallen to
their lot between their home town on the great river and the Crescent
City.
It was quite late when he left them, giving to each a squeeze of the
hand that would not soon be forgotten.
"If I can only find a boat suited to my size, boys," he said, as he left
them; "I'm going to get afloat this very season. But at any rate another
year will find me fully prepared for the season, with the greatest motor
boat you ever struck. Goodbye, you fine and dandy fellows! My heart will
be with you all along. Think of me sometimes, won't you, Buster?"
He chuckled as he fancied he heard a hollow groan from Nick; as if the
memory of Mr. Spofford's tremendous girth could ever long leave the
troubled mind of the fat boy.
A quiet night followed. Jack advised that they keep on the alert, lest
some peril drop in upon them; but fortunately his fears were not
realized, and morning coming found the little fleet all serene.
"Look, there he is!" said Nick, as they were gathered on the _Comfort_
enjoying one of Josh's little spreads, that included some of the
lightest flapjacks ever put before hungry campers.
"Clarence, as sure as anything!" ejaculated Herb.
"And wasn't I right about that boat?" asked Jack. "You can see he's
meaning to go out to it right now. But one good thing, we'll be likely
to have twenty-four hours' start of them. And on these broad waters they
may have some trouble looking us up."
"There's Bully Joe, too," remarked George. "See him look over this way
and scowl! Somehow the sight of our gallant little fleet doesn't seem to
please Mr. Brinker a whole lot. He'd be better satisfied if he could
only set eyes on them awash, with their decks level with the water."
Clarence did not seem to glance once toward the three motor boats. A
third party joined them, and it was not hard for Jack and his friends to
guess that this must be the unlucky Jared Fullerton, whom the stalwart
Mr. Spofford had dumped into the waters of the St. Lawrence when he
attempted to board the _Comfort_ one night not so very long since.
Just as soon as they were well through with breakfast, the motor boat
boys got ready to put out on the broad waters which were, from now on,
to serve them as a field of recreation.
Jack gave the signal, when he had learned that both the others were
ready. Immediately there was a tremendous amount of energetic popping,
as the motors once more got into service after their spell of idleness.
Clarence and the others aboard the long dark boat looked after the three
departing craft; and while none of our friends bothered waving a hand in
parting, Jack could see that the owner of the _Flash_ and his crony,
Bully Joe, were talking earnestly, as though laying some sort of plan
for the near future.
He even saw Clarence pointing after them, and then sweep his hand half
way around, as if declaring that no matter where the departing boats
might vanish, he would have little trouble in locating them if he wanted
to do so.
And to himself Jack was saying that there could be no doubt but that
Clarence, with that vindictive, cruel disposition of his, would put
himself to almost any trouble in order to get the laugh on those he
hated so bitterly.
The sun shone brightly as they pulled out of Clayton, and all of them
believed it was a good sign. The last they saw of the suspicious dark
boat with the contour of a river greyhound, Clarence was still talking
to his mates, and doing a great deal of pointing.
But before them was spread as lovely a stretch of water, with its green
and rocky islands, as ever a motor boat cruiser could wish to see. And
none of the boys believed on that glorious July morning that they could
wish for anything finer than fortune seemed to be placing at their feet.