"
"Well, if that's the only thing that happens to us," said Fred,
"I shan't complain, that is, if the Black Growler isn't put out
of the race."
"You'll have a good excuse, Peewee," laughed George, "if you lose
the cup."
"How's that?" inquired Fred.
"Why, you can charge it up to the collision."
"I'm not going to charge it to anything but the boat," retorted
Fred sharply. "If the Black Growler doesn't win it isn't going to
be the fault of any one but herself. There comes Sam with two
men," he added, as the boatman was seen approaching, accompanied
by two mechanics.
Another inspection of the damaged boat was made by the men whom
Sam had brought, but their verdict coincided with his own. The
Black Growler was marred, but no serious damage had been done.
"You're sure there isn't any leak, are you?" inquired Fred
anxiously after the work was completed.
"Not a leak," laughed one of the men.
"All the same," spoke up Sam, "I'm going to leave the boat here
and I'll be back for her to-night. Don't let any one come near
her, and give her a thorough overhauling."
The men readily consented and soon departed, taking the Black
Growler around the point to the spot where their boathouse was
located.
The Go Ahead boys and Sam then took their places in the two
skiffs which the Black Growler had had in tow and in a brief time
arrived at the dock on the island owned by Mr.
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