CHAPTER XIX
A QUIET CRUISE
"Have they done any damage?" asked Mr. Damon as he stood in the bow ofthe RED STREAK.
Tom did not answer for a moment. His trained eye was looking over theengine.
"They yanked out the high tension wire instead of stopping the motorwith the switch," he answered at length, and then, when he had taken alook into the compartment where the gasoline tank was, he added: "Andthey've ripped out two more of the braces I put in. Why in the worldthey did that I can't imagine."
"That's evidently what one man had that the others wanted," was Mr.Damon's opinion.
"Probably," agreed Tom. "But what could he or they want with woodenbraces?"
That was a puzzler for Mr. Damon, but he answered:
"Perhaps they wanted to damage your boat and those two men were madbecause the other got ahead of them."
"Taking out the braces wouldn't do much damage. I can easily putothers in. All it would do would be to cause the tank to sag down andmaybe cause a leak in the pipe. But that would be a queer thing to do.No, I think there's some mystery that I haven't gotten to the bottom ofyet. But I'm going to."
"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "I'll help you. But can you run yourboat back home?"
"Not without fixing it a bit. I must brace up that tank and put in anew high-tension wire from the spark coil. I can do it here, but I'drather take it to the shop. Besides, with two boats to run back, for Imust return Andy's to him, I don't see how I can do it very well unlessyou operate one, Mr. Damon."
"Excuse me, but I can't do it. Bless my slippers, but I would be sureto run on a rock! The best plan will be for you to tow your boat andI'll ride in it and steer. I can do that much, anyhow. You can ridein the RED STREAK."
Tom agreed that this would be a good plan. So, after temporarilybracing up the tank in the ARROW, it was shoved out into the lake andattached to Andy's craft.
"But aren't you going to make a search for those men?" asked Mr. Damonwhen Tom was ready to start back.
"No, I think it would be useless. They are well away by this time, andI don't fancy chasing them through the woods, especially as night iscoming on. Besides, I won't leave these boats."
"No doubt you are right, but I would like to see them punished, and Iam curious enough to wish to know what object that scoundrel could havein ripping out the blocks that served as a brace for the tank."
"I feel the same way myself," commented the lad, "especially since thisis the second time that's happened. But we'll have to wait, I guess."
A little later the start back was made, Mr. Damon steering the ARROWskillfully enough so that it did not drag on the leading boat, in whichTom rode. His course took him not far from the lake sanitarium, whereMr. Duncan, the hunter, had been brought, and desiring to know how thewounded man was getting on, the youth proposed that they make a halt,explaining to Mr. Damon his reason.
"Yes, and while you're about it you'd better telephone your father thatyou will join him to-morrow," suggested the other. "I know what it isto fret and worry. You can fix your boat up in time to go to Sandportto-morrow, can't you?"
"Yes, I'm glad you reminded me of it. I'll telephone from thesanitarium, if they'll let me."
Mr. Duncan was not at the institution, Tom was told, his injury havinghealed sufficiently to allow of his being removed to his home. Theyouth readily secured permission to use the telephone, and was soon incommunication with Mr. Swift. While not telling him all theoccurrences that had delayed him, Tom gave his father and Ned Newtonenough information to explain his absence. Then the trip to Shoptonwas resumed in the two boats.
"What are you going to do about your automobile?" asked Tom as theyneared the point where the machine had been left.
"Never mind about that," replied Mr. Damon. "It will do it good tohave a night's vacation. I will go on to your house with you, andperhaps I can get a train back to my friend's home, so that I can claimmy car."
"Won't you stay all night with me?" invited the young inventor. "I'dbe glad to have you."
Mr. Damon agreed, and, Tom putting more speed on the RED STREAK, wassoon opposite his own dock. The ARROW was run in the boathouse and theowner hastily told Mrs. Baggert and the engineer what had occurred.Then he took Andy's boat to Mr. Foger's dock and warmly thanked thered-haired lad for the use of his craft.
"Did you find your boat?" asked Andy eagerly. "How did the RED STREAKrun?"
"I got my boat and yours runs fine," explained Tom.
"Good! I'll race you again some day," declared Andy.
Mr. Damon enjoyed his visit at our hero's house, for Mrs. Baggertcooked one of her best suppers for him. Tom and the engineer spent theevening repairing the motor-boat, Mr. Damon looking on and exclaiming"Bless my shoe leather" or some other part of his dress or anatomy atevery stage of the work. The engineer wanted to know all about the menand their doings, but he could supply no reason for their queer actionsregarding the braces under the gasoline tank.
In the morning Tom once more prepared for an early start for Sandport,and Mr. Damon, reconsidering his plans, rode as far with him as theplace where the automobile had been left. There he took leave of theyoung inventor, promising to call on Mr. Swift in the near future.
"I hope you arrive at the hotel where your father is without any moreaccidents," remarked the automobilist. "Bless my very existence, butyou seem to have the most remarkable series of adventures I ever heardof!"
"They are rather odd," admitted Tom. "I don't know that I particularlycare for them, either. But, now that I have my boat back, I guesseverything will be all right."
But Tom could not look ahead. He was destined to have still moreexciting times, as presently will be related.
Without further incident he arrived at the Lakeview Hotel in Sandportthat evening and found his father and Ned very glad to see him. Ofcourse he had to explain everything then, and, with his son safely inhis sight, Mr. Swift was not so nervous over the recital as he wouldhave been had Tom not been present.
"Now for some nice, quiet trips," remarked the lad when he had finishedhis account. "I feel as if I had cheated you out of part of yourvacation, Ned, staying away as long as I did."
"Well, of course we missed you," answered his chum. "But your fatherand I had a good time."
"Yes, and I invented a new attachment for a kitchen boiler," added Mr.Swift. "I had a chance for it when I passed through the hotel kitchenone day, for I wanted to see what kind of a range they used."
"I guess there's no stopping you from inventing," replied his son witha laugh and a hopeless shake of the head. "But don't let it happenagain when you go away to rest."
"Oh, I only just thought of it," said Mr. Swift. "I haven't worked thedetails out yet."
Then he wanted to know about everything at home and he seemedparticularly anxious lest the Happy Harry gang do some damage.
"I don't believe they will," Tom assured him. "Garret and Mrs. Baggertwill be on guard."
The next few days were pleasant ones for Tom, his father and NedNewton. They cruised about the lake, went fishing and camped in thewoods. Even Mr. Swift spent one night in the tent and said he liked itvery much. For a week the three led an ideal existence, going about asthey pleased, Ned taking a number of photographs with his new camera.The ARROW proved herself a fine boat, and Tom and Ned, when Mr. Swiftdid not accompany them, explored the seldom visited parts of LakeCarlopa.
The three had been out one day and were discussing the necessity ofreturning home soon when Ned spoke.
"I shall hate to give up this life and go to slaving in the bankagain," he complained. "I wish I was an inventor."
"Oh, we inventors don't have such an easy time," said Mr. Swift. "Younever know when trouble is coming," and he little imagined how near thetruth he was.
A little later they were at the hotel dock. When Tom had tied up hisboat the three walked up the path to the broad veranda that faced thelake. A boy in unifor
m met them.
"Some one has just called you on the telephone, Mr. Swift," he reported.
"Some one wants me? Who is it?"
"I think he said his name is Jackson, sir, Garret Jackson, and he saysthe message is very important."
"Tom, something has happened at home!" exclaimed the inventor as hehurried up the steps. "I'm afraid there's bad news."
Unable to still the fear in his heart, Tom followed his father.