"By George! Bob, I believe you are right," he burst out, at length. "If this isn't the biggest surprise. Perhaps Nat's threat wasn't an idle one, after all."
Successively, the field-glass was passed from one to another, and the amazing fact now became apparent to all, that the rapidly approaching motor boat did contain the rejected applicant, as well as three of his particular chums, John Hackett, Kirk Talbot and Ted Pollock.
"H'm," said Dave, "he's got a fine lot of scrappers with him, that's sure."
By the way Nat's craft cut through the water, it could be seen at a glance that it was a much speedier boat than the "Rambler."
"I'll wager that Mr. Wingate examined our boat so that he could get a better one," said Bob, earnestly.
"But it scarcely seems possible that he would make Nat such a handsome present," declared Dave.
"And Wingate was always protesting about his uncle's stinginess, too," put in Tom. Then he added: "Are you going to let them pass us?"
"By the look of things, it can't be helped," responded Bob, grimly.
Just then the sound of Nat's familiar voice reached their ears. He was standing at the bow, holding a huge megaphone, while one of his chums frantically waved a gaudily colored flag.
"Halloa there!" shouted Nat, using his funnel-shaped instrument to good effect. "Get out of the way! Don't block up the stream—this is the lightning express, and nothing can stop it. Hurrah for the Nimrod Club!"