The Hilltop Boys on the River

hine shop, and Jack was showing his new acquisition to Pe

turned out of the shops. Why, she's a beauty and no

ver forward, put the rail around the standing room, and put in the seats, installed the

ck. A fellow who shows a knack for doing things that you do and goes ahead in spite of all obstacles is bound to get on. Come on, let me se

er, and then down toward the railroad station, Percival noting the speed, the smoothness with which everything

ed. "I suppose you can go faster if

, Dick. I'll have a clear way before me in a little while, an

s. Why, one would think that you had

sing faces standing on the wharf near a motor-boat moored alongside, one of them, the biggest and most disagreeable looking, saying in a

oat for him. It's all he's good for, and Dick

Dick's carriage if he had one. Blacks his boots and brushes

s to Jack, the boys being two of the mos

Sheldon had to work you think he is no good, but he has you fellows skinned, in s

he middle of the river. "It won't do any good, and they'll

Peter Herring by name, and the chief bully of the school. "You daren't! You're afraid of

ey are going to be with us this summer, but I guess their fathers think they are better off with the d

aging his boat in the deeper water and in a stronger current as well as he did nearer sh

wled Percival. "They are getting ready for a good thrashing and they'll get it. I am

the other quietly. "I

nough away from her and managed his head so that her wash did no

up the river, and Jack went in nearer shore. "I would not be afra

hether you run her by gas or pull the oars o

se that was their boat that they were

d a lot of money to get fun out of a boat, however. Some fell

low for spending money. Guess if I had to earn it I'd be more careful of i

Herring and Merritt in the motorboat they had seen, Herring

l, if you think you can trust your helpe

t," said Percival, "and I woul

eve that Sheldon can earn money to

e others turned and came after th

Jack?" asked Percival in a low tone,

not going to

o beat you. Don'

attention to the

them pass us. They'd never grow tire

ng on at the same steady spe

her to her speed so as to pass Jack, and Me

you a tow, y

of the river had just put out, and was coming on at a good gait, bl

her bow with plenty

caught her wash, his b

on, taking in water an

hout and go

citedly, waving his arms and scolding both Herring and the ste

he?" asked Jack, s

Let them pick the fellow up. Serves him righ

boat and tried to clamber aboard, Herr

me!" he shouted. "Why

cow in a boat, you a

! Keep away,

right, but he'll have to go back to the Academy in wet clothes. No danger of c

e the rowboat that Dick had seen took in Merritt, and

had reached the dock o

his engine and walke

the latt

e fellows to say that

board. They did not

d Jack. "Talk costs not

a few little items, writing them out on the typewriter, Percival lo

ow I could not do that. The very noise of the thing would bother me an

nd the chug of an auto or of a motor-bo

that thing making such a clatter. It would drive all the thoughts

me upon Herring on the main street,

cond. You'll have to pay for Erne's clothes and his doctor's bills, to

othes came out of a hotel on the corner, the boys see

ave suffered any," sai

nd does not appear to suffer from colds or in

n't you wait?" Merrit

him and he s

erritt snorted, "and I had to buy a suit

breath smelled of something stronger than milk or lemonade. "Spirits may be

They aren't worth wasting time on," and the bull

any trouble, D

't think t