"That's the best thing we've found in a long while," laughed George. "The way for us to get rid of all peddlers is to shake an arm or wave a leg at them."
"We may have to try again before long," suggested Fred. "This is the time when most of the peddlers come here."
Meanwhile the Black Growler was moving swiftly down the river. The talk of the excited boys soon turned toward the prospect of the race and somehow it was manifest that a measure of confidence had returned to Fred. So much had been said of late concerning the prowess of the Varmint II by the boys who delighted in teasing their friend, that Fred had arrived at a stage of mind when it was difficult for him to distinguish between the words that were spoken in bantering and in earnest.
"I'll tell you what I'm going to do," said George as the swift little boat came within sight of Alexandria Bay.
"What are you going to do?" inquired John.
"I'm going to take my right arm out of my coat and tie it behind me. Then I'm going to put one of Sam's artificial arms in the sleeve and find somebody to shake hands with me. He'll shake so hard that I'm half afraid my arm will come off."
"That's all right," laughed his companions as they assisted George to carry out his plan.
When the motor-boat stopped at the dock the artificial arm had been placed in the coat sleeve and George was assisted to the dock.
There George discovered one of the men who had helped in repairing the Black Growler.
"Hello!" called the mechanic, discovering the boys and at once approaching.