"I am glad I know what young J.W.'s boat can do," he said to himself, "and if that fellow had not had a lead on me I would have been up to him by this time. I think I can beat him in the long run, as he does not know my boat as well as I do, and I know this one now."
Jack hoped that by the time he reached town he might get aid to stop the man even if he had not overhauled him, and he kept on at a good rate.
"That fellow must know something about motor-boats," he thought, "for he is managing mine in good shape. I could do better with her, but he is doing very well. I only wish some one would come along so as to head him off. I don't like to lose him."
When they neared the mouth of the kill Jack shot a hasty glance ahead to see if there was any one coming to whom he could shout, and saw a little tug put out from the railroad dock.
He was about to shout to them when to his great annoyance he saw the man in his boat shoot into the kill and disappear.
"H'm! I don't know where he will go now!" he muttered in disappointment, hurrying after the fugitive.
He was not far behind as it was, and as he entered the creek, having put on extra speed, he saw the man only a short distance ahead.
Not far away there was a turn in the creek, and the runaway presently disappeared around it, Jack following and gaining ground.
In a short time he came in sight not of the man, but of his boat, tied up at the bank, the man having disappeared.
"Well, I have my boat at any rate," laughed Jack rather ruefully, "and that is something I suppose. I wanted the man, but I shall have to be satisfied with what I can get."