"I am ready to pay the other eleven dollars on the canoe," Prescott announced, speaking as calmly as possible. "All right," agreed the clerk. "But you'll have to find some man you can trust to take the bill of sale. We can't pass title to a minor." "Why didn't you tell me that before?" Dick demanded. "That's all right. It wasn't necessary before, but it is now. Just find some man who will treat you all right and give you the canoe. Then we'll take the money and make out the bill of sale to him." Fred Ripley now sauntered up, offering his money. He was given the same directions for finding a man to whom title could pass. Dick looked about him. Then across the lot, and over on the further side of the street he saw his father. Dick returned quickly to the lot with Mr. Prescott, explaining the situation. The bookseller listened gravely, but offered no objections. He stepped over, paid the money for Dick, then said: "I must be going. Turn the canoe over to my son." "Yes, sir," replied the auctioneer's clerk. "Men, haul out the truck that has the canoe on." Mr. Prescott had already walked away. Dick and his chums greeted the coming of truck and canoe with a wild whoop. Then they piled up on the truck to inspect their treasure. Fred Ripley, returning with Mr. Dodge, a local banker, saw the six youngsters climbing up to look at their purchase. A broad, malicious grin appeared on Ripley's face. "Sold! sold!" gasped Dave Darrin. Then his face flushed with anger. For the canoe, which looked well enough on exhibition, proved to have three bad holes in her hull, which had been carefully concealed by the manner in which the craft had been propped up on the truck. The great war canoe looked worthless---certain to sink in less than sixty seconds if launched! CHAPTER II "RIP" TRIES OUT HIS BARGAIN Had a meaner trick ever been played on boys with whom it was so hard to raise money? "Ha, ha, ha!" chuckled Fred Ripley, so loudly that the dismayed, angry boys could not fail to hear him. "You sneak! You knew it all the time!" flared Dave Darrin, gazing down in disgust at the lawyer's son. "Maybe I did know," Fred admitted, yet speaking to Mr. Dodge. "You see, one of my father's clerks served the papers which attached the show." There was no help for Dick & Co. They had parted with their money and their "property" had been turned over to them. It is an ancient principle of law that the buyer must beware. The auctioneer had been most careful not to represent the canoe as being fit for service. He had offered it as an historical curiosity! Dick & Co. looked at the canoe anxiously. "What shall we do with it?" asked Dave Darrin moodily. "Make a bonfire of it?" asked Danny Grin. "Might as well," Greg nodded. "No, sir!" Dick interrupted. "Tom, what do you say? You're one of the really handy boys. Can't this canoe be patched up, mended and put in commission?" "It might be done," Tom answered slowly.