Part 12 (1/2)

”What's this? See who's come!” yelled Billy Long.

”The Barnacle!” quoth Chet, bursting into a roar of laughter.

Even Lily Pendleton could not forbear giving vent to her amus.e.m.e.nt, and she laughed with the others. Down the dock tore the ragged coated dog, with a fathom of rope tied to his collar.

He leaped aboard the _Bonnie La.s.s_ and then, with a glad yelp, sprang to the decked-over part of the _d.u.c.h.ess_.

Purt Sweet looked up with a cry of amazement and received the delighted dog full in his chest. They rolled together in the c.o.c.kpit of the boat, the dog eagerly lapping Purt's face, while the boy tried to beat him off with his fists.

”The Barnacle!” yelled Chet again, and that name stuck.

So did the dog. He refused to leave. The party left Lumberton with the foolish beast sitting up in the prow of the _d.u.c.h.ess_, wagging his ridiculous tail and barking a last farewell to the amused spectators gathered along the edge of the dock.

CHAPTER VIII

UP ROCKY RIVER

The second start of the flotilla--that from Lumberton--was a hilarious start indeed. Poor Prettyman Sweet was the b.u.t.t of everybody's laughter. The glare of rage he threw now and then at the ridiculous dog in the bow of the _d.u.c.h.ess_ sent the boys into spasms of laughter.

The girls in the other motorboat--even Bobby--seeing that their laughter quite offended Lily Pendleton, began talking about something else and ignored the Barnacle, as the dog had been so aptly named.

Reddy b.u.t.ts and Art Hobbs, however, loved to annoy the Central High dude. They told Purt that the Barnacle possessed a family resemblance to the Sweets that could not be denied.

”He smiles just like you do, Pretty,” said Arthur. ”I declare I wouldn't deny the relations.h.i.+p.”

”You fellows think you are funny,” snarled the dude, losing his temper at last. ”I'll fix that beast!”

”How you going to do it?” demanded Reddy, grinning.

”You come here and take the wheel,” commanded the dude. ”See that you steer right and keep in the channel, right behind Chet's boat and his tow.”

”All right,” said b.u.t.ts, and took the spokes in hand.

Purt, shooting an inquiring glance forward to see if the girls were watching, began to creep up on the dog. The beast was looking over the bow, his tongue hanging out, and evidently enjoying the rapid sail up Rocky River.

Somebody had removed the rope from his collar since he had come aboard the _d.u.c.h.ess_. There was nothing for Purt to grab had the dog observed his approach and sought to get away.

However, the dog remained unconscious of the attempt on his peace of mind. Purt crept nearer and nearer, while the giggling boys in the c.o.c.kpit watched him narrowly.

Reddy looked knowingly at Arthur, and the latter pulled off his jacket and kicked off his sneakers. The water was warm and Arthur was a good swimmer.

The dude, earnestly striving to move softly, got within hand's reach of the dog. Suddenly he threw himself forward. At the same moment Reddy twisted the wheel ever so little to starboard.

The _d.u.c.h.ess_ was traveling at a good clip. The wave at her nose was foam-streaked and spreading broadly. The water in her wake boiled.

The sudden thrust Purt gave the dog cast the surprised brute overboard; with a yelp of amazement he sank beneath the foam-streaked surface as the motorboat rushed on.

But another yelp echoed the dog's; when Reddy b.u.t.ts swerved the boat's nose, the move was quite unexpected by Purt.