"Here," called Fred, running ahead of his companions. "What are
you doing in that boat?"
"Who are you?" demanded one of the occupants, turning and facing
Fred as he spoke.
"That's my boat," declared Fred.
"You don't say so!" replied the man in shrill tones, at which his
companions laughed loudly.
For a moment Fred stopped and stared blankly at the men, who had
apparently made themselves fully at home on board his motor-boat.
The awnings had been taken in and the self-invited guests had
been examining various parts of the fleet little craft.
"Did you ever hear," continued the spokesman, "that possession is
nine points of the law and that the tenth isn't worth fighting
about? Maybe we'll ask you to prove that this boat is yours.
According to the records of my private secretary this here yacht
is mine. I'm goin' on a cruise up to Buffalo and I have invited a
few o' my pals to come along with me."
The men were a brutal and powerful lot. Every one showed the
effect of the night which he had spent in the bar-room. The boys
were powerless to compel them to leave the boat if they did not
choose to do so.
The predicament in which the Go Ahead boys now found themselves
seemed to appeal strongly to the men on board. They laughed
loudly and the leader who had spoken before, said, "Why don't you
come on board? If this boat is yours all you have to do is to
come and take it.
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