To-morrow
it will grow big and fast. It's like the pumpkins out in South
Dakota. They say that a man has to be on horseback when he plants
them."
"How's that?" laughed John.
"Why the vines grow so fast that the only way he can escape is to
put his horse into his best paces. Even then they don't always
escape."
"What happens if they are overtaken?" asked John.
"Oh, the pumpkin vines grow right around them and cover them up
and choke off their wind and do other various stunts."
"Fine! Fine," laughed John, "My story isn't growing like that
though let me tell you. This story is true. It's a complete
narrative of truthful John. I was about to turn back and make
inquiries when I could get an express train for Albany, when what
should I see coming up to the dock but the Varmint II. As soon as
the people on board saw me they immediately began to urge me to
come with them. They had seen the Growler just pulling out and
leaving me in my unfortunate plight."
"I guess they suspected what you had in the basket," laughed
Fred.
"That may be," acknowledged John. "At all events it saved them
buying a good spread, for they took me on board right away and we
trailed you all the way up the Hudson. I tell you, Peewee, it's a
comfort to ride in a good boat. That Varmint II can travel! Oh, I
don't know how many knots an hour!"
"Can she beat the Black Growler?" inquired Fred anxiously.
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