The San Francisco call., 1910-05-15

aware of he walked right into a ring
of Franks confederates, who lay in
ambush for him around corner. And
then Ben got another surprise. He
was hustled down to the river tthe
Prairie river flowed through the city)
and then out on a deserted wharf,
where Frank received him with mock
ceremony.y ALLOW me to introduce you
to the latest thing in motor boats. he
cried to the astounded Ben, who was
bundled over the side of trim little
craft moored to the wharf end
Frank started the engine and the
little motor boat 'chugged" down
stream. towing another boatload OF
Franks friends. and headed for a shall
low bathing beach much frequented by
the boys of both crowds An expression
of great satisfaction overspread
Franks countenance he noted
number of Ben's cronies swimming
about, and he remarked;
Here's where you're going to get
that square deal you've been bowling
for and your friends can be witnesses
Joe, bring out the KiYi"'
Joe disappeared in the tiny cabin
and returned carrying the Ki-Yi and
the Arrow He motioned the other
boys to let go of Ben, while he pointed
to a kit of tools on the deck.
"Now Ben, here's everything you
need to put the XIII in fine shape for
again Joe says he can beat you with
out any handicap at all--so he doesn't
ask for one. If you can beat him we
will set you ashore and give you full
credit"
Finally Ben said he was ready, and
the motor boat now took broadside-on
position at one end OF the course, so
that the two racers could be properly
launched. Ben and Joe leaned over the
side and waited for Franks signal.
Bang" barked the same cap pistol;
away shot the two rival craft. They
late up the first quarter side by side.
though the Ki-Yi was nearly twice as
long as the Arrow. At the half (30
feet) the Ki-Yi took a slight lead
which she increased to more than two
feet at the three-quarter CAS- feeD,
while Ben and his gang on shore yelled
their delight.
Could the Arrow pull up? She
couldn't. But now it wasn't a question
of her increased speed. That last spurt
was all that was in the Ki-Yi, and she
slowly fell back to the Arrow. whose
electric engine began to show it's ad-
vantage over the Ki-Yfs steam power.
1t worked evenly, every propeller revo-
luton giving it's steady forward thrust
The Ki-Yi engine depended on the al
cohol heater, and as it was badly pro-
tected from the wind the breeze famed
it so that it's fame didn't properly lick
the boiler bottom-just small thing
but that lost the Ki-Yi her steadiness
and the two boats passed the finish
line so closely together that the occu-
pants of the Zip III could not tell which
one led.
There was strained silence, and
even Ben's shore friends quieted down
until Carl Jones. who held the stop
watch in the rowboat tender stationed
at the finish. could announce his decl-
SION
Arrow wins by four inches in 1s LIS
seconds!
No sooner had he spoken than Ben's
followers noticed great commotion
take place on the deck OF the Zip II.
Everything happened so quickly that
all they could see was a pair of way-
ing arms and legs suddenly shoot over
the side and Ben Jordan strike the
water with tremendous splash IL
wasn't of any depth, and when Ben's
dripping head and shoulders finally
emerged and he stood sputtering in the
water up to his armpits, Frank pointed
10 the Ki-Hi. now fast nearing shore
(for Carl hadn't stopped herr, and
cried
ben. I'm afraid you lose by four
feet-deep! Now wade in and join the
ki-Yi, with my compliments"