"Didn't know I was following you," was the sour rejoinder. "I have a right to sail where I please." "If you have any game in mind I advise you not to try it on." "What game would I have, Dick Rover?" "Some game to get yourself into trouble." "I know my own business." "Alright, you can go about your business. But don't try to step on our toes--or you'll get the worst of it." "So you're going to play the part of a bully?" "No; I'm only giving you fair warning. If you let us alone we'll let you alone." "You have been watching the movements of the _Falcon_ since day before yesterday," went on Mumps, slowly and distinctly, as though he expected his words to have a great effect. "Watching your boat--" began Dick and Tom simultaneously. "Yes, watching my boat--and I don't like it," answered Fenwick, and his face grew dark. "Why should we watch your boat?" demanded Sam. "Never mind why. You've been watching her, and that's enough." "And why should we put ourselves out to that extent--when we are merely out for pleasure," said Dick. "There is no fun in watching a fellow like you, I'm sure." "John is right; ye have been a-watchin' this boat," growled the old sailor named Bill Goss, who, it may be as well to state here, was thoroughly under his younger master's thumb for reasons best known to himself. "If I had my way I'd wollop the lot on ye!" And he shook his fist at the occupants of the _Spray_. "You keep your oar out!" cried Dick sternly. "You are entirely mistaken in your suspicions. We are not spying on you or anybody, and if you--" Dick was permitted to go no further. While Bill Goss was speaking the _Spray_ had been caught by a sudden puff of wind and sent over to starboard. Now the _Falcon_ came on swiftly, and in an instant her sharp bow crashed into the Rover boy's boat. The shock of the collision caused the _Spray_ to shiver from stem to stern, and then, with a jagged hole in her side, she began to slowly sink. CHAPTER II THE ENCOUNTER ON THE RIVER For the instant after the collision occurred none of the Rover boys uttered a word. Tom and Sam stared in amazement at Mumps, while Dick gazed helplessly at the damage done. "Pull her away, quick, Bill!" cried Mumps in a low voice to the old sailor, who at once sprang forward and shoved the two yachts apart with a long boathook. Then the rudder of the _Falcon_ was put hard a port, and she swung, away for a distance of half a dozen yards. "We are sinking!" gasped Tom, who was the first of the three brothers to find his voice. "Mumps, you rascal, what do you mean by this work?" demanded Dick. And then, without waiting for an answer, he turned to Sam. "Steer for the shore and beach her--if you can." "I don't believe we can make it, Dick. But we can try." "We'll have you locked up for this, Mumps," shouted Tom. "I couldn't help it--it was an accident," returned the former sneak of Putnam Hall glibly. "You should have kept out of the way."