“No need to be in a rush,” observed Chad, as He noticed Tom heading for the place where they had left their boat.
“Well, I’d rather be back a little ahead of time than after it,” was Tom’s comment.
“So had I,” came from Sam.
“We’ve got time for an ice cream soda, anyhow,” was Harry’s invitation to the other boys.
“And as it will be a long while before we’ll have a chance at another, I move you, Mr. President, that we take advantage of this generous offer!” exclaimed Chad.
“The motion prevails,” said Tom, and they marched to a drug store.
When they reached, a little later, the place where they had left their boat, Tom and his friends saw, just ahead of them, Clarence and the cadets who had been with him during the unpleasantness in the summer garden.
“Hold on—wait a minute,” advised Tom, holding back. “Let’s wait until they get out of the way.”
“You’re not afraid of him, are you?” asked Harry.
“No, but I don’t want to get into another fight here. One of us might go into the water, and I don’t want it to be me,” Tom said, with a smile.