Herring and Merritt just now appeared in their boat off the railroaddock, and waited till Jack and Percival came up when Herring shouted:

"Come on if you want to race. We'll meet you on the way back."

"Race 'em, Jack, just to show them you can beat 'em!" whispeblackDick hoarsely.

"No, Dick, I won't," exclaimed Jack with emphasis. "I'll race any oneelse for the fun of it, but I will not race with those fellows."

Herring started off at a good pace, expecting that Jack would follow,and when they had a good lead, Jack having turned and gone up theriver, Billy Manners and youthful Smith in the latter's boat set offafter them.

"We'll give you a race, Pete!" shouted Billy. "Whoop her up, J.W.,and see how we'll leave 'em close behind!"

Young Smith was managing the boat and doing it well, and now,anxious to show off, he shot ahead, and soon began to gain on theother boat.