CHAPTER II
THE MOTOR BOAT
The boys found Mr. Jaeger so busy hauling all sorts of freight andmerchandise from the depot and other parts of Cresville that he couldnot promise to go after the boat that day.
"Look here, Mr. Jaeger," said Bob. "We've got to have that boat on theriver to-night or we'll lose all our sleep, and it will be your fault.We'll come and stand under your window after dark and sing."
"Oh my! Oh my!" exclaimed the truckman, throwing up his hands.
"Yes, we will!" insisted Bob. "We'll sing 'The Solder's Farewell' and'My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean' if you don't get that boat for us."
"Don't threaten any more!" cried Mr. Jaeger. "I'll haul the boat foryou if I have to disappoint every customer I've got. Only don't sing.I can't stand it. Never could," and he laughed. Then he called hisassistant and gave orders to have the boat taken from the freightstation.
It was quite a job, for the boat was encased in a heavy box to preventbreakage, but eventually it was loaded upon the wagon. The boys climbedupon the truck and rode along, fearful to let the precious boat get outof their sight.
It was about a mile to the river and all along the way many personsstared at the big load, wondering what the motor boys were up to now,since their adventures were known all over Cresville. As the truck waspassing Mr. Nixon's house Jerry nudged Bob.
"What is it?" asked Chunky.
"There's Noddy."
"Where?"
"In the barn. He was just looking out. There he is now."
Bob caught sight of Noddy's head as he quickly dodged out of sight.
"Never mind," said Bob, "we'll be on the lookout for him after this."
Noddy Nixon did not seem to care to be seen by the motor boys. As itdeveloped, after the part he had played in the capture of Bob and ininducing the gang of Mexicans, Bill Berry and others to follow on thetrail of the searchers after the lost city, the young rascal had keptpretty well under cover. But, being tired of a roving life and keepingso far away from home Noddy had written to his father.
Mr. Nixon had called on Mr. Baker, and had humbly apologized forNoddy's actions, promising to see that his son did no more mischief.On these conditions, of which Mr. Baker said nothing to his son or theother boys, Noddy was allowed to come home, it being agreed that hewould not be prosecuted for his crimes. He had reached his house thatvery day, though the rumor of his coming had preceded him.
In anticipation of the arrival of the motor boat the boys had built afloat and dock on the edge of the river fronting on a piece of landbelonging to Mr. Baker. This plot adjoined one owned by Mr. Nixon, whohad a small boathouse where were kept a rowboat and a small sailingcraft.
The boys had hired a carpenter to erect for them a good sized shelterwhere their motor boat might be kept, but it was not quite finished.The big box was soon unloaded and opened.
"Ain't she just a dandy!" cried Ned.
"A regular beauty!" exploded Jerry.
"Finest thing in the country!" came from Bob, his desire to eat nowforgotten. "It's worth every cent we paid for it. I only hope it willgo all right."
"Of course it will go," answered Ned. "I wonder if we have anygasolene?"
"I sent some down last night on the chance that she would come to-day,"said Jerry. "Now to launch the _Dartaway_!"
"The _Dartaway_? Is that her name?" asked Ned.
"Sure," replied Jerry. "I forgot to tell you when I wrote out the orderthat I told the manufacturers to give her that name. If you don't likeit, we can change it."
"That's a fine name," came from Ned, and Bob said it suited him.
The boat was twenty-five feet long and about six feet beam. The enginewas a four cylinder one, with all the latest improvements, arrangedwith three speeds forward and a reverse just as an automobile is,and the craft also steered with a bright colored wheel in the front,similar to a touring car.
There was a little cockpit forward where there was room for six tosit comfortably and leave a place for the steersman. The engineer hada little place partitioned off for himself, and amidships were roomylockers and an arrangement where a table could be set.
There was even a small galley with a stove which burned gasolene, andfood could be cooked on board. There was a camping outfit of dishes andkitchen utensils, and the lockers could be made into fairly comfortablebunks in case one wanted to sleep on board.
There was a portable awning that could be put up to cover the whole ofthe craft and side curtains that could be fastened shut. The one infront was fitted with a celluloid window so that in stormy weather theboat could be worked and steered under shelter. Also, if the occupantsdesired they could pass a night on board and keep dry in the hardestrain.
A whistle worked by the exhaust of the gasolene explosions, a searchlamp, similar to those on automobiles, a small anchor, a regular ship'scompass, flags and a kit of repair tools, with some extra parts of theengine, completed the boat's equipment.
The truckmen, no less interested than the boys, surveyed the _Dartaway_.It was indeed a fine boat and the motor boys might well be proud of her.There was nothing like her on the river. She looked speedy, as if thename fitted her.
"Now to get her into the water," said Ned. "How are we going to do it?I never launched a boat before."
"I'll show ye," spoke the truck driver. "Come on men," and he motionedto his helpers.
They passed a heavy rope about the cradle, and ran one end of it to awindlass under the front seat of the big wagon. The vehicle had beenbacked down on the dock. The driver next placed some rollers under thebottom of the cradle, and the craft was soon in the water.
By bow and stern lines the craft was made fast to the float. Then theboys jumped in. The boat rocked gently to and fro. It bobbed up anddown slightly and swung with the current of the river.
"Oh! This is something like!" cried Bob as he grasped the steeringwheel, and gave it a few turns.
"That's like you, taking the easy part the first thing!" exclaimed Ned."Why don't you crank up the engine?"
"What's the use, there's no gasolene," came from Bob.
"We'll soon remedy that," replied Jerry, as he hurried into theboathouse.