"Better take a teenty more breath in that right lung, Hippo!" called another, with cruel intent; but Nick only grinned, and waved his hand, as though utterly indifferent to their jibes.
Jack looked at his little dollar nickel watch for the last time.
"Five minutes more only, fellows!" he announced. "Get aboard, all!"
Presently they were settled in their places, and the engines had been started to make sure everything was right for the word "go!"
Then the plain sound of the clock in the town hall came to their ears, as it started to strike the hour.
"Let loose!" called Jack; and immediately gave several sharp toots on his shell signal horn.
A storm of wild cheers broke out when the trio of handsome boats shot off as soon as those on the dock had eased the detaining cables.
"Look at the Wireless, will you? Talk about your speed, ain't she got it to burn, though?" shouted one enthusiast, as the long, cigar-shaped boat shot ahead, and rapidly opened a gap between herself and the other contestants.
And minutes before the Tramp and the Comfort, she passed out of sight around the bend in the river, a mile below the town.
As long as the pilots of the other two craft could see the faintest sign of the home town they were leaving on this long and doubtless perilous voyage over unknown waters, they could hear the whoops of the excited people, as they waved the adventurous cruisers and racers an adieu, with good wishes for a safe journey.