CHAPTER XII
PIERRE CATCHES UP
“You can go a bit further in, Jack,” said Joe, who was busy sounding with the lead.
“Too much risk of getting the propeller all choked up with weeds, Joe, old boy. Shut off the power, Norman; that’s right. Give me a hand with the anchor, George. Good! Now, fellows, we are all right for the night.”
“I don’t see any of those school chaps around; do you?” asked Tom, presently.
“No,” said Jack.
“Wonder what in thunder they are doing, so far away from Albany; and how is it that the rivals are together?”
“Say, does this sort of thing go on every year? I’d jolly well like to join.”
Norman smiled, as the volley of questions was fired at him.
“Give me a chance, boys, and I’ll explain,” he said. “No! I don’t believe the boys are together. Most likely there is the same rivalry as before; and they are having lots of fun at each other’s expense. You see, the seniors of Ripley Academy—my school—formed a motor boat club; and every year, just before school begins, they take a long cruise on the Hudson. Thornton Preparatory School, not to be outdone, followed their example, and this time the rival clubs may have met by chance, or, perhaps, one followed the other.”