A whistle worked by the exhaust of the gasolene explosions, a search lamp, similar to those on automobiles, a small anchor, a regular ship’s compass, flags and a kit of repair tools, with some extra parts of the engine, completed the boat’s equipment.
The truckmen, no less interested than the boys, surveyed the Dartaway. It was indeed a fine boat and the motor boys might well be proud of her. There was nothing like her on the river. She looked speedy, as if the name fitted her.
“Now to get her into the water,” said Ned. “How are we going to do it? I never launched a boat before.”
“I’ll show ye,” spoke the truck driver. “Come on men,” and he motioned to his helpers.
They passed a heavy rope about the cradle, and ran one end of it to a windlass under the front seat of the big wagon. The vehicle had been backed down on the dock. The driver next placed some rollers under the bottom of the cradle, and the craft was soon in the water.
By bow and stern lines the craft was made fast to the float. Then the boys jumped in. The boat rocked gently to and fro. It bobbed up and down slightly and swung with the current of the river.
“Oh! This is something like!” cried Bob as he grasped the steering wheel, and gave it a few turns.
“That’s like you, taking the easy part the first thing!” exclaimed Ned. “Why don’t you crank up the engine?”
“What’s the use, there’s no gasolene,” came from Bob.