THE B0AT AFFAIR UNSETTLED

The conspirators had not mistaken the boat, and got hold of youthfulJ.W.'s by mischance, but had really begun operations on Jack's boatwhen surprised by the kid who they supposed to be fast asleep.

It had happened that the little fellow had wanted to know someparticular point about the engine, and had asked Jack's permissionto look at his, which was simple and easily understood.

Jack had told him he could do what he liked, and the boy was underthe cover with his electric light turned on the engine when theevildoers came up and got to work. The first turn of the augerstartled him, and he called out sharply wanting to know what theywere doing.

Then he suspected mischief, and immediately threw aside the cover,and turned his light upon the fleeing rascals.

He was unable to identify them, because there were several of the boysof the same build, but he was satisfied that they would not return.

That was not enough, however, and he raised an alarm and brought outBucephalus and a number of the servants, and exclaimed: