"I'm telling you that you're still youthful," remarked Grant. "Your experience is very limited."
"That may be so," acknowledged Fred with a laugh, "but it's something I'll get over."
"Look yonder!" broke in John. "There's the Varmint II ahead of us. I wonder if you can catch up with her!" As he spoke, John turned and winked slowly at George who at once advanced to Fred's side.
"Of course I can catch her if I want to," declared Fred.
"Which means that if you don't want to you can't catch her," laughed John derisively. "I don't believe there's anything you want more than to catch up with her."
"I can do it," said Fred.
"That's easy to say."
Irritated by the laughter of his companions, who were eager to test the swiftness of their boat, Fred at once turned on more power and the Black Growler instantly responded.
The boat seemed almost to sink a foot or more into the water as she plowed her way up the river.
In a brief time the crew of the Varmint II were aware of the swiftly approaching boat, but instead of entering into the contest they did not increase their speed. In a few minutes the Black Growler swiftly passed the Varmint II and as they did so George said mockingly, "Splendid! Splendid, Fred. All you need is to have the other boat stand still and you can win out every time."