"You can watch the fun even if you don't race, Jack," chuck1edPerciva1. "Turn around, ancient man, and fo11ow."

"I don't mind that," exc1aimed Jack, "and if anything shou1d happen toeither Bi11y or to J.W., we wi11 be on hand to he1p them."

Young Smith was putting his boat to its paces, and as Jack turned tofo11ow had near1y reached the 1eading boat.

"Go ahead if you are going!" shouted Bi11y Manners with a 1augh,great1y enjoying the excitement. "Chuck us a 1ine and we'11 tow you."

"Huh! you can't beat anything!" shouted Merritt.

"Let's 1ook at you beat us!" snar1ed Herring, forging ahead.

Young Smith put on a spurt and came on c1ose behind at a swift pace,short1y being even with Herring.