CHAPTER XXII

THE COLLISION

What shouting and cheers greeted the motor boys as they slowed up their craft! The din was deafening, augmented as it was by the shrill whistles. The _Tortoise_, too, was received with an ovation as she came over the line second, but it was easy to see the victory of the smaller boat was popular.

“Congratulations, boys!” called Mr. Smith as he run his craft alongside. “You beat me fair and square.”

He did not refer to the fact that one of his cylinders went out of commission, but for which fact he undoubtedly would have won. The boys appreciated this.

The boys accepted their victory modestly, and when they were sent for to go aboard the judges’ boat and get the prize Bob was for backing out, while neither Ned nor Jerry felt much like going through the ceremony.

“Tell ’em to send it over,” suggested Bob.

“That would hardly look nice,” replied Jerry. “Come on, let’s all go together. It will soon be over. Who’d have thought we could have butted into the lime-light so soon?”

Having received the cup and stowed it safely away Jerry was about to steer the _Dartaway_ back to Deer Island when he was hailed by Mr. Smith.

“Oh I say, you’re not going away, are you?” asked the skipper of the _Tortoise_.

“I think we’d better be getting back,” replied Jerry. “We have to straighten out the camp.”

“Nonsense,” said Mr. Smith. “The fun’s not half over. Why there’s no end of good things to eat over there. The committee made arrangements to dine all contestants, and I’m sure you boys are the chief ones after the handy way in which you won that race. Really now, you must stop a bit with us.”

“I guess we’d better,” said Bob, in a whisper. “It wouldn’t be polite to refuse.”

“You were willing enough when it came to sliding out of the cup proposition,” said Jerry, “but now, when there’s something to eat, you’re right on the job, Chunky.”

“Guess we might as well,” put in Ned. “I could dally with a bit of chicken myself.”

“Well, far be it from me to stand in the way,” said Jerry, and, throwing the wheel around he followed the _Tortoise_, which, with the other boats, was making toward shore.

In the grove the boys found Mr. Smith had not exaggerated matters when he said there “was no end of good things to eat.” Large tables had been spread under the trees and waiters were flying here and there. The boys were a bit confused by all the excitement, but Mr. Smith soon found them, and introducing them to some of his friends, got places for them at one of the best tables.

“I guess you boys will have plenty of chances to race while you’re here,” said Mr. Smith. “I hear a number of skippers want to try issues with you.”

“Well, they’ll find us ready,” said Jerry. “We’re rather new at the game, but we’ll do our best.”

“That’s the way to talk,” cried Mr. Smith. “Play the game to the limit, no matter what it is. I’d like another brush myself. Your boat can certainly go.”

“I think you could beat us,” said Jerry frankly. “If you hadn’t had that accident you would have won.”

But now the dinner was almost over. Ice cream was being served, and when every one had eaten their fill, there arose from the head table where the regatta committee sat a cry of:

“Speeches! Speeches!”

Then came applause and cheers. The chairman of the committee arose and, looking down toward where the motor boys were sitting, began:

“I’m sure it would give us all pleasure to hear a few words from the winners of the motor boat race. They are newcomers to our midst, and, as such we welcome them.”

“Hear! Hear!” cried the crowd. “Speech! Speech!”

For a moment the boys felt a sort of cold chill go down their backs. It was the first time they had been placed in such a position. Bob looked at Ned, Ned looked at Jerry, and Jerry glanced down at Bob.

“Say something, Jerry!” whispered Ned.

“Yes; go ahead; talk!” exclaimed Bob.

“Wait until I get you both back to camp!” muttered Jerry, as he pushed back his chair and arose.

His heart was beating fast and there was a roaring in his ears. He was greatly embarrassed, but he felt he must say something to show that he appreciated the honor paid him and his comrades.

“I’m sure my friends and I are deeply sensible of this welcome,” he said. “We didn’t expect to win the race, though we did our best. We’re very glad to be here among you, and we hope to continue the acquaintances we have made. And I want to say that if one of Mr. Smith’s cylinders--I mean if one of Mr. Cylinder’s smith--er--that is if the boat Mr. Smith cylinders--I mean owns--if his cylinder--er--that is if his boat’s culander--cylinder--hadn’t cracked Mr. Smith’s head--I would say if the cylinder--”

“What he means,” said Mr. Smith gallantly coming to the relief of poor Jerry, “is that if I hadn’t had the misfortune to crack the forward cylinder I might not have been beaten so badly. But I want to say that that’s all nonsense. It was a fair race, and won fairly, and the _Dartaway_ did it. So I ask you to join with me in giving three cheers for the owners.”

The cheers were given with a will, and the boys felt the blushes coming to their cheeks. Altogether it was a jolly time, and one the lads never forgot.

“We didn’t make any mistake coming here,” said Jerry, who had taken his place at the wheel as they started for their camp. “It’s almost as much fun as automobiling in Mexico or crossing the plains.”

The boys were proceeding rather slowly as they had not yet familiarized themselves with the lake and their bearings, and they did not want to run into anything.

For a while the _Dartaway_ skimmed along, there being no other craft near. The water lapped the sides and broke away in a ripple of silver waves.

Suddenly Jerry threw out the gear clutch, and began spinning the wheel around. At the same instant Bob and Ned, who had been looking to the rear, turned around and saw a big black shape in front of them.

“Ahoy there! Schooner ahoy!” called Jerry. “What do you mean by cruising about without a light. You’ve no right to do that. Look out there. You’ll foul us!”

The sound of feet running about on a deck could be heard. Then there came a moment of silence followed by a sudden jar and a grinding crash.