"No, sir, I'm not."
"Then you'll not be interested in the fact that the man who wanted it came down here to the dock while you were gone."
"He did? He did?" exclaimed Fred so eagerly that his friends all laughed. "What did he want?"
"That, sir, I can't explain to you at this time," answered George, striving to mimic the tones and manner of his friend. "It's difficult for me to tell the whole story unless I know what you all have to say."
"I have nothing to say," retorted Fred.
"Neither have I," responded George glibly.
Meanwhile Sam had cast off and with his boat-hook had pushed the Black Growler out into the stream. The graceful lines of the motor-boat were more distinctly seen now and the enthusiasm of the spectators was somewhat noisily expressed.
At that moment, however, the Varmint II came sweeping in a great semi-circle toward the dock and the attention of the assembly was quickly divided.
The boys were able to overhear the comparisons which were made, some of them favorable to one boat and some to the other.
The Go Ahead boys, however, were so deeply interested in the sight of their rival that they gave slight heed to the comments. They were keenly watching the young men on board, but in a few minutes they were beyond the sight of the dock and the Varmint II consequently no longer could be seen.