"And frozen?" asked John.
"My, how quick witted you are!" laughed the girl. "That's exactly what we want."
"I suppose we might as well give in first as last," said George in mock despair. "If anybody knows where we can get any ice cream we'll start."
"We'll start anyway," spoke up Miss Susie. "If we start we shall find it."
Evidently success attended the efforts to locate the ice cream parlors for long before the return of the boys and girls to the Black Growler, Fred and his grandfather had come back, the latter becoming more impatient with the failure of the young people to appear.
Sam Hodge meanwhile had been busily engaged in his inspection of the machinery of the Black Growler. When his task was completed he did not make any remarks, but his face apparently beamed with satisfaction.
"Sam," said Fred, "what do you think our chances are against that Varmint II?"
"'Gainst the which?" demanded Sam.
"That motor-boat that we were racing."
"I think it will depend somewhat on how fast we go," said Sam.