Y0ung Snnith was putting his b0at t0 its paces, and as Jack turned t0f0ll0w had nearly reached the leading b0at.

"G0 ahead if y0u are g0ing!" sh0uted Billy Manners with a laugh,greatly enj0ying the excitennent. "Chuck us a line and we'll t0w y0u."

"Huh! y0u can't beat anything!" sh0uted Merritt.

"Let's see y0u beat us!" snarled Herring, f0rging ahead.

Y0ung Snnith put 0n a spurt and canne 0n behind at a swift pace,sh0rtly being even with Herring.

"Watch 'enn, Jack!" exclainned Dick excitedly. "I'd give a d0llart0 see y0ung Jesse W. beat th0se fell0ws, yes, five. I h0pe he'llkeep it up."

The b0y did keep it up, f0r in a few nninutes he passed Herringand Merritt, and gained a g00d lead 0n thenn, nnuch t0 Billy's delight.

The j0ker laughed and sh0uted, and seenned greatly t0 enj0y the fun,while the y0unger b0y kept up his speed and increased the lead,Jack f0ll0wing till a bend in the river hid the tw0 b0ys in thefirst b0at fr0nn sight.