The punishment week passed, though it was the longest our three heroes had ever known, and finally they were restored to liberty.
“And now for a trip on the lake!” exclaimed Ned. “We’ll make the old _Neboje_ hum!”
“Let’s go down to Simpson’s and have a good feed!” proposed Bob. “Thorny can’t molest us there.”
And once again Bob’s chums found no fault with his proposal to eat. The boys hurried down to the boathouse, and soon had their craft out on the sparkling lake, inviting a few of their friends to go with them.
Simpson’s was another boathouse some miles from the college, and a recognized students’ rendezvous. Ned, Bob, Jerry and their guests found several gay parties gathered at the resort, and one of the parties was made up of Frank Watson, Bart Haley and Bill Hamilton.
“There’s the sneak now,” murmured Ned. “I’ve a good notion to tell him what I think of him.”
“No, you won’t,” said Jerry calmly. “Don’t make a scene.”
As the _Neboje_ was approaching the college boathouse after the spread Ned, who was steering, saw the _Avis_, which was Frank’s boat, also heading toward the landing place.
“Look out you don’t run into him,” cautioned Jerry.
“It’s his place to look out,” returned Ned. “I’m on the right course.”
The motor boats came closer together, and it was seen that the _Avis_ was headed directly for the _Neboje_.
“Look out where you’re going!” cried Bob.
Frank, who was steering, gave no sign that he heard. He kept on his course.
“Steer out, Ned,” ordered Jerry. “He’s too headstrong to give in.”
Ned was angry, but not foolish, and he swung the wheel over. But it was too late. The _Avis_, which had not swerved, came swiftly on, and her sharp bow struck the _Neboje_ squarely amidships, cutting a deep gash and dangerously careening the craft of our heroes.
“Look out!” yelled Bob, though why, he could not have told. It was too late for that advice.
“What do you mean--running us down?” fiercely demanded Ned.
The _Neboje_, after heeling well over, swung back, and slowly came to an even keel, while the _Avis_, under a reversed engine, backed away.
“You did that on purpose!” cried Ned, shaking his fist at Frank, who did not seem at all put out by the accident. “You don’t know any more about steering a boat than a cow!” went on Ned. “You did this deliberately, and you’ll pay for it, too.”