"I should think you had had
experience enough. Don't you know that every sailor says that it
is bad luck to bring a woman aboard ship?"
"The girls weren't on board. If they had been there wouldn't have
been any trouble," asserted Fred.
"Well, go up and get your breakfast," said Sam, "and by the time
you're ready, I guess we'll start."
The Black Growler stopped at the dock of the Stevens' and after
waiting a half-hour Miss Susie and her friend appeared and took
their seats on board the motor-boat.
Mr. Button was not enthusiastic in his morning salutations,
evidently sharing in Sam's superstition that ill luck might
follow the reception of their visitors.
Apparently the boys were not alarmed, however, and in a brief
time the Black Growler sped forward on her way, and the sounds of
laughter that came from her occupants were not indicative that
trouble of any kind was greatly feared.
"Grandfather," said Fred, "I would like to try the boat to-day
over the course or at least over part of the course that we'll
have to run in that race."
"Well, if you want to try it," broke in Sam, who was steering the
boat, "why don't you? There isn't anything to prevent you that I
know."
"All right then, we will," said Fred. "We'll run up to Cape
Vincent first and on our way back we'll try out the course a
little. Maybe we'll try only one leg of it--"
"Only one what?" broke in Sam, abruptly looking back at the boys
as he spoke.
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