CHAPTER VIII
UP ROCKY RIVER
The second start of the flotilla—that from Lumberton—was a hilarious start indeed. Poor Prettyman Sweet was the butt of everybody’s laughter. The glare of rage he threw now and then at the ridiculous dog in the bow of the Duchess sent the boys into spasms of laughter.
The girls in the other motorboat—even Bobby—seeing that their laughter quite offended Lily Pendleton, began talking about something else and ignored the Barnacle, as the dog had been so aptly named.
Reddy Butts and Art Hobbs, however, loved to annoy the Central High dude. They told Purt that the Barnacle possessed a family resemblance to the Sweets that could not be denied.
“He smiles just like you do, Pretty,” said Arthur. “I declare I wouldn’t deny the relationship.”
“You fellows think you are funny,” snarled 73 the dude, losing his temper at last. “I’ll fix that beast!”
“How you going to do it?” demanded Reddy, grinning.
“You come here and take the wheel,” commanded the dude. “See that you steer right and keep in the channel, right behind Chet’s boat and his tow.”