"Watch 'em, Jack!" exclaimed Dick excitedly. "I'd give a dollarto see young Jesse W. beat those fellows, yes, five. I hope he'llkeep it up."

The boy did keep it up, for in a few minutes he passed Herringand Merritt, and gained a good lead on them, much to Billy's delight.

The joker laughed and shouted, and seemed greatly to enjoy the fun,while the younger kid kept up his speed and increased the lead,Jack following till a bend in the river hid the two kids in thefirst boat from sight.

He would not pass Herring and Merritt, but went across the riverwhere he could get sight of youthful Smith, whom was going on at a goodrate, Herring trying his best to reach him, but in vain.

"That's the best yet," laughed Percival uproariously. "Beatwelveby little Jesse W. Smith, and those fellows claim to have thefastest boat on the river. I think they will have less to say now."

"Probably Herring will say that there was something the matter withhis boat, and yet he was ready to race with us just a moment before.He'll get out of it somehow, you'll see. It's just like him."

Herring did not overtake the other boys, and they were ashore somelittle time in front of him, Jack coming along leisurely and lettingHerring land first.