“Seems to be glad to see us,” remarked Teddy, as the boys waved back. “I take that as a good sign.”
“Hello Ross,” they yelled over the water when he got within earshot.
“Hello, yourselves,” the boy in the motor boat 141 shouted eagerly in reply. “What good wind blew you up to meet me?”
“What good engine drove you down to meet us?” Teddy flung back at him with a grin.
“I was on my way down to pay you a little visit at the Shoals,” replied Ross. “I didn’t think I’d be able to get over there so soon. But when I got back to Oakland I found a letter from my mother saying she had been delayed in starting, and wouldn’t be here for three or four days yet. So I thought I’d scoot over and make hay while the sun shone.”
“That’ll be bully,” said Lester warmly. “Dad will be glad to see you, and I hope you’ll be able to stay with us at the Shoals until you have to meet your mother.”
“I’d like nothing better and it’s good of you to ask me,” responded Ross. “But where are you fellows bound for now?”
“We’re going up to Milton on an errand that will interest you, when we get time to tell you about it. Come right along with us.”
“Sure thing. I’ll just round to under your stern and we’ll travel up alongside.”
He started his engine going, and then for the first time he noticed the huge bulk that was trailing along in the wake of the Ariel.