“Oh! don’t care if I do, Ben,” replied Lanky, never dreaming to what a strange end this trivial incident might lead him; “if your boat isn’t too crowded.”
“Huh! nothing’s too good for you this day, Lanky,” replied the other; “and I’d pitch a few of the others overboard to make room for the boy who’s going to bring victory our way next week. We’re sure proud of the way you covered that five-mile course to-day, and that’s the truth. Here, hook your arm with mine. It’s an honor to be seen walking with you, Lanky, let me tell you.”
“Is it?” queried Lanky, gloomily; “some people don’t think that way, Ben. But I’m wondering if Frank Allen couldn’t have run me a hot race if he wanted.”
“Rats! Frank did the best he could,” retorted Ben. “I heard him say so.”
And so, arguing in this friendly spirit, they finally came to the river, where a number of boats of all sorts lay, having come for the most part from the other towns.
The Harrapin Belle was a big launch that Ben’s father had bought early that season. It had been second-hand, but was in fair condition. More than a dozen boys and girls were going back to town on board, having been invited by generous Ben, and evidently bent on enjoying a little river trip to vary the monotony of things.
Lanky discovered, when it was too late, that Dora and Walter Ackerman were aboard, sitting far up in the bow. He kept away from that quarter studiously; and, as the boat started up the river, busied himself in appearing to be utterly care-free.
They had not gone more than a few hundred yards before the pilot managed to run against some sort of snag, which was unseen above the surface of the water. No particular damage to the boat resulted; but there was quite a little shock. And then came a scream in a voice that seemed familiar to Lanky.
Springing to his feet he dashed toward the bow. The boat was floating with the current now, the power having been turned off. Several of the boys and girls were bending over the side, gazing in alarm at something that was occurring there; and among them Lanky could see Walter Ackerman.
But he failed to discover Dora; and the truth broke upon him that it must be the girl who had once been so dear a friend to him, who had fallen into the river at the time of the collision!