“Oh, about a mile ahead,” answered Nelson sadly. “Next time let’s pick out a chap our own size.”
“Well, she’s certainly a dandy!” said Bob. “She must do about thirty miles.”
“Maybe twenty-five,” said Nelson. “But that’ll hold us for awhile. Isn’t that her coming back?”
It was. They looked at each other inquiringly. Dan began to whistle. Tom glanced at Bob.
“You take the wheel,” he said finally. “I—I want to get something out of my locker.”
A shout of laughter went up.
“No, you’ll stay right where you are, Tommy,” said Bob, “and take your medicine. You’re to blame for it, anyhow.”
The So Long approached at full speed, cutting the water like a knife. The Four watched silently. When a little distance away the chap in shirt sleeves bent forward out of sight behind the arch of the cabin and the So Long’s speed decreased. But even so when the two boats met it was like an express train passing a freight on a siding. The chap in shirt sleeves looked across the twenty feet of water that separated the two boats and viewed the Four as calmly as ever, but there was a twinkle in his eye. As the “red tub” dashed by he waved his hand.
“So long!” he called politely.
“Hope you ch-ch-ch-choke!” sputtered Tom.