“On board the Tortoise!” called back Jerry, reading the name of Mr. Smith’s craft on the bow.
“I was wondering if you’d show up,” went on Mr. Smith. “That’s a nice boat you got there. Can she go?”
“Well, we think so,” replied Jerry modestly.
“Come on out and have a brush,” invited Mr. Smith, running up along side. The boys saw his craft was a powerful six cylindered one.
“Thank you, but I guess we’d better get our camp in shape first,” spoke Jerry. “Afterward why perhaps we can have a race.”
“Tell you what, you’re just in time for the regatta,” went on Mr. Smith. “I’m in charge of the motor boat contests. Let me enter you. The prize is a silver cup.”
“Oh I guess you can put us down all right,” went on Ned.
“What are the names?” asked Mr. Smith, slowing down his craft and producing paper and pencil.
Ned gave the names of his friends and his own, and Mr. Smith jotted them down. “I’ll send you an entry blank this afternoon,” he said, “and you can fill it up. I’ll show you over the course whenever you like. Good-bye, I’ve got to run over for the mail,” and, opening the throttle, he sent his boat ahead in a smother of foam while the cylinders fairly thundered with the explosions.