Frank Armstrong, Drop Kicker

  CHAPTER III.

  QUEEN'S TRANSPORTATION COMPANY.

  The six o'clock train the next night brought with it the Codfishin all his glory. He was radiant in a natty gray flannel suit, andsported a lavender tie and socks to match, with a dash of the samecolor in his hat band.

  "Welcome to our city, Codfish!" shouted Frank, who with Jimmy andLewis had been at the station long before the train from the northwas due.

  "Gentlemen," returned that individual as he descended mincingly fromthe parlor car, while a porter dragged two great suit-cases stuffedto bursting after him, "I am charmed with this reception. But where'sthe band?"

  "The only one I see," said Jimmy laughingly, "is the one on yourhat, and it sounds like a flock of trombones. Don't you know you areliable to shock these sedate villagers with that raiment of yours?You might be arrested as a disturber of the peace."

  "You see in me not a shocker," replied the visitor, "but the greatanimator. Business will pick up as soon as I am well established inyour rural midst. Children cry for me and all that sort of thing. Butwhat's this job you have for me?"

  "Oh, I'm sorry to say it's all off. We were about to telegraph youagain to stay where you were, when we had your message saying youwere coming."

  "All right, I'll take the next train back."

  "You'll take nothing back for about three weeks. We'll tell you whatwe had up our sleeve. Here, Jones"--to the village expressman--"takethese miniature trunks down to my father's house," said Frank. "We'llwalk, if you feel able to take so much exercise, Mr. Gleason."

  "Not used to it, of course, but I'll make an exception this time.Now, fire away on this scheme of yours."

  As they trudged along, Frank, aided by Jimmy and occasionally byLewis, told of the conception and the smash of the scheme. "But nevermind," he added, "we can find enough to do. We'll teach you to swimlike a fish----"

  "No, you won't. I'm not a fish in spite of my name. I will fightbefore I'll swim, and goodness knows I'd hate to fight, for it's mostexhausting."

  The boys all laughed at the whimsical Codfish, for they all knew thathe wasn't half so backward in athletic things as he tried to persuadethem that he was.

  "Hello," said Frank, giving a whistle of surprise as he approachedthe house. "We have company. By crickets, it is--it is Mr. Simpkins!Now, I wonder if his little girl hasn't got over her ducking yet."

  "Principal people of the village here undoubtedly to welcome me,"said the Codfish. "'Spose I'll have to make a speech and all thatsort of thing. Beastly bore; you shouldn't have let them know I wascoming."

  By this time Frank had mounted the steps of the house. "This is myson Frank, Mr. Simpkins," said Mr. Armstrong.

  Frank came forward and received a hearty handclasp from Mr. Simpkins."My boy," said the latter, "when you were at my house this morning,I little thought that I'd have to thank you for saving my daughter'slife. I do thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I want to askyour pardon for my seeming bluntness this morning."

  "Oh, that was all right, sir. I happened to be handy to-day andhelped to pull the little girl out of the water. That was all. And asfor the motor boat, it was a matter of business and we couldn't cometo terms. No one's fault."

  Mr. Simpkins smiled at the businesslike youngster who talked soclearly to the point. "Well, I appreciate your quality more now thanI did this morning, and I've come up not only to thank you, but totell you that the motor boat you want is yours."

  "Oh, I couldn't think of taking it! I did nothing to earn it," saidFrank, much embarrassed by the kindly tone and offer.

  "Now I insist," said the visitor. "The boat is doing me no goodwhatsoever, and you might as well have it. It belonged to a son ofmine who is gone, and I haven't had the heart to let it be used oreven to sell it. In view of the obligation you have placed me under,my boy, I can square things with you partially, at least, by givingyou the boat. It has not been used much and I'm sure it is in goodcondition. If it is not in good condition, I'll put it that way, soyou can begin your transportation, as you call it, at once."

  "I'm awfully much obliged," said Frank, "but it's too much of a giftfor what I did. Won't you let us buy it from you?" There was a soundof muffled protest from the boys at the other end of the verandawhere they had withdrawn, although still within earshot of theconversation that was going on.

  "The boy is right, Mr. Simpkins, it is too much of a gift," said Mr.Armstrong. "I think his argument is good."

  "Well, then," said Mr. Simpkins, turning again to Frank, "make me anoffer. I'm willing to sell to you and in some way discharge some ofmy debt. You are willing to buy, I think you said this morning."

  "Yes, sir, but I'm afraid it would cost too much for us."

  "I don't know," said the old gentleman; "the boat's not doing me anygood. Let's see; I'd sell her for a hundred dollars and put her inrunning shape. How's that? And you can pay me half of that amount atthe end of this summer and the other half a year later. Will you takeher?"

  There was a murmur of approval at the other end of the veranda,and Frank, as soon as he could find his voice, exclaimed: "You betwe'll take her! I mean--thank you, sir; we will take her on thoseconditions." Mr. Simpkins smiled slyly at Mr. Armstrong, who, beinglater appealed to by his son, readily gave his consent to the deal,adding, "And I'll back Frank and his chums in this venture."

  "I can already see that I'm dealing with a young man who will makegood his word," said Mr. Simpkins. "And now I must be going. I'llhave a man look over the boat to-morrow morning, and if everything isall right with the engine you can take possession at once. I'll havemy man show you how to run her, but I imagine it won't take you longto learn. Good night, all."

  You can readily imagine the jubilee that took place when Mr. Simpkinswas out of hearing. The four boys grabbed each other and danced awild Highland fling. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong looked on laughing as theboys thumped each other on the back and shouted.

  "Boys, boys, you won't leave a board in the veranda, and theneighbors will think you've taken leave of your senses," admonishedMrs. Armstrong. "And, anyway, it's time for supper, and Mr. Gleasonmust be hungry after his long ride."

  "Dear old mum, you would dance, too, wouldn't you, if you had justbought a ship for a song, same as we have? Here, salute the captainof the new Transportation Company!" His mother slipped her arm overher son's shoulder and kissed him gravely on the cheek: "Thus Isalute Captain Armstrong."

  "That's the best salute ever, mother. Better than twenty-one guns inthe navy."

  "And where do we come in, in these salutes," said the Codfish."Aren't we important members of the company?"

  "I could kiss you all, to-day," said the motherly woman; "I'm sohappy for your sakes. But there goes the bell. We'll have somethingmore substantial than salutes."

  There was great planning at that supper of passenger carrying,swimming, racing and the like, things that all energetic boys on asummer vacation would enjoy.

  "If David were only here our party would be complete," said Jimmy.

  "And where is he?" inquired Gleason.

  "We hope he'll be in Seawall next month. He is in Europe now,"returned Frank; "and we will keep our purchase a secret from him atpresent. When he gets back we will suddenly burst on his vision inall our glory."

  "Good old David," said Jimmy; "won't he be glad? We can take himalong as member of the crew. He'd make a ripping coxswain."

  "I don't know what a coxswain has to do, but he'd be all right forany job," said Lewis.

  "And with all this crew you propose," said Mr. Armstrong, "where areyou going to put your passengers?"

  "Oh, don't worry about that, Dad; she's a big boat. Wait till you seeher. Are you willing to advance us running expenses for gasoline andoil till we get our first money on fares?"

  "Provided it isn't more than a hundred dollars a day," returned hisfather, laughing.

  The next morning was spent down at the Simpkins wharf with themechanic. There was little to do. The motor was one of the besttype
s, but while it had been idle it had acquired some rust. Thepistons stuck hard in the cylinders for a time, but they were soonfreed and the engine turned over as smoothly as the day it left theshop. When the batteries were renewed, the carburetor adjusted andthe gas and oil tanks filled, the mechanic gave the fly wheel a sharpturn. Instantly there was an explosion; another and another followed,and as the motor picked up speed under the careful manipulation ofthe mechanic, the explosions from the exhaust settled down into asteady purr.

  "That's a peach of an engine," said Frank to the mechanic. "How muchspeed do you think the boat has?"

  "Dunno," replied the mechanic; "mebby twenty miles, mebby more. Don'tthink there's many around here that'll get away from her very much.Now we're ready to see how she goes."

  The ropes which fastened the motor boat to the pier were thrown offand slowly the craft was backed from her berth.

  "Take the wheel," said the mechanic, indicating Frank, "and I'll lookafter the motor. We'll see what she can do."

  Frank sprang to the wheel and after a little maneuvering headed herdown the bay. "She steers like a bicycle," he cried. "Gee whiz, isn'tit great?"

  As the speed increased, the boat lifted her nose clear out of thewater under the push from the powerful motor, and a white-cappedwave rolled away from either side. They passed several sailing boatsthat seemed almost motionless by contrast. Frank ranged up alongsideanother motor boat bound in the same direction and soon left it inthe distance. Then, after a long, sweeping turn, he headed back tothe wharf, where Mr. Simpkins stood.

  "She's all right, I see," said that gentleman, "and evidently hasn'tlost her speed."

  "I should say she hadn't," said Frank. "We went like an expresstrain. Are you sure you still want to hold to your bargain, Mr.Simpkins?"

  "Oh, yes; I'm glad my old boat has fallen into such appreciativehands. Maybe I'll take a ride with you, when you have begun yourferry service. She isn't as handsome as she was before the weathergot at her sides, but a lick of paint here and there will repair allthe damage."

  "If our profits are big enough, we can lay her up this winter andgive her a new dress," suggested Jimmy; "but there's no time now."

  "If you are satisfied that you can run her," continued Mr. Simpkins,"and she is ready, there's no reason you can't take her now. What doyou say?"

  "Say? Why, we say yes, if you don't mind. We can be getting used toher before we begin to make business runs. How about it, mates?" saidFrank, turning to his crew.

  Of course the crew were of one mind. The mechanic was landed on thepier, and under the hands of her new crew, the _Black Duck_, for thatwas the name of the craft, shot once more into the sparkling watersof the bay. This time Jimmy was at the wheel and Frank manipulatedthe motor.

  Halfway to the Seawall pier the boys met the _Seagull_, with a partyaboard. Jimmy swung in close and the crew of the motor boat gave sucha yell as startled the old salt at the tiller of the _Seagull_.

  "Well, I'll be swizzled," they heard him say as they flashed by, andturning, with his arm on the tiller, he waved a friendly hand as theydashed on.

  Before the day was over the boys had familiarized themselvesthoroughly with their new possession, and the farther they went themore wonderful did they consider their luck in having such a craft.

  The next morning the town of Seawall was startled in its morning walkby notices posted conspicuously as follows:

  QUEEN'S TRANSPORTATION COMPANY.

  A marvellous opportunity to see the magnificent scenery of Seawall Bay by motor boat. Roomy accommodations. Courteous attendants. Every convenience. For the small sum of 25 cents. Start made from Seawall Pier every hour. First trip 10 a. m. to-day. Per order BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

  The notice was prepared by the ready pen of the Codfish, and itwas given an added interest by a slap-dash drawing of a motor boatcoasting down the side of a big wave, while little fishes and bigfishes stood on their tails in astonishment. Of course, every onewho read went down to the pier at the hour named, and the youngnavigators started out on their first trip with every seat taken.During the trip the Codfish acted as a kind of guide to the party andpointed out the "magnificent scenery," adding many fictitious detailsas the _Black Duck_ plowed along. The passengers, when landed at thestarting point after an hour's trip, voted it the best ride they hadever taken and made way for a new boatload.

  It was a day of rushing business for the new company, and the profitsbefore nightfall came to something over ten dollars.