“Oh, Frank, he’s a dreadful man! Better keep your eyes open or he’ll do you harm,” remarked Minnie, when they were again alone.
“Don’t worry, Minnie,” was Frank’s answer. “He won’t dare do anything very bad.”
But in this Frank Allen was mistaken.
CHAPTER V
“I’ll FIX HIM YET!”
“Twelve o’clock and all’s well!” cheerily sang out Lanky Wallace as the clock struck in the City Hall tower.
Four energetic lads, Frank Allen, Lanky Wallace, Paul Bird and Buster Billings, had packed everything they needed on board the Rocket, swaying gently to and fro in the Allen boathouse on the Harrapin River, at the foot of Main street in Columbia.
It had been planned to get away at noon, and they were now ready.
“Everything’s ready!” said Frank. “Ease her out.”
The Rocket slid gently, easily, gracefully out of the “well” and was promptly caught by the current of the river.
Lanky threw the flywheel over, the chug of the motor was the immediate response, for they had spent a half-hour tuning the cold motor up.