THE BOAT RACE
If the boys were amazed at the way these strange mud-bespattered girls tumbled into their boat and took possession of it, they were well-bred enough not to betray surprise.
Besides, they were interested in the chase, and for the moment all lesser matters were relegated to the background. They must catch that boat.
But the first launch had a good start of them, and, just as they seemed to be gaining upon it, the smaller boat dodged about one of the islands and was completely lost to view.
"Oh, did you see that!" cried Nan, in dismay.
"Now what are we going to do?" added Jo distractedly.
"What it takes to find that boat, we've got," grinned the boy at the wheel. "Don't you worry."
But, as it turned out, the pilot was overconfident. The first boat with the two men in it, one of whom Jo was sure was Andrew Simmer, had disappeared. Though they searched for it for some time—Jo would not give up—they were finally forced to admit that the pursued had been too clever for them.
"I suppose we might as well admit defeat," said Jo reluctantly at last. "Though I'd have given a million dollars—supposing I had it—to have overhauled that boat."
On the way back to Huckleberry Island the young folks, so strangely met, introduced themselves to each other.