SOME LIVELY BIDDING
"Attention, people!" cried the auctioneer."Give me your attention for a few minutes, and we will proceed with the business in hand.As you all know, I am about to dispose of a fine motor- boat, the property of Mr.Bently Hastings.The reason for disposing of it at auction is known to most of you, but for the benefit of those who do not, I will briefly state them.The boat was stolen by a gang of thieves and recovered recently through the efforts of a young man, Thomas Swift, son of Barton Swift, our fellow-townsman, of Shopton." At that moment the auctioneer, Jacob Wood, caught sight of Tom in the press, and, looking directly at the lad, continued:
"I understand that young Mr.Swift is here to-day, and I hope he intends to bid on this boat.If he does, the bidding will be lively, for Tom Swift is a lively young man.I wish I could say that some of the men who stole the boat were here to-day."The auctioneer paused and there were some murmurs from those in the throng as to why such a wish should be uttered.Tom felt some one moving near him, and, looking around, he saw the same man with whom he had come in contact before.The person seemed desirous of getting out on the edge of the crowd, and Tom felt a return of his vague suspicions.He looked closely at the fellow, but could trace no resemblance to any of the men who had so daringly stolen his father's model.
"The reason I wish they were here to-day," went on Mr.Wood, "is that the men did some slight damage to the boat, and if they were here to-day we would make them pay for it.However, the damage is slight and can easily be repaired.I mention that, as Mr.Hastings desired me to.Now we will proceed with the bidding, and I will say that an opportunity will first be given all to examine the boat.Perhaps Tom Swift will give us his opinion on the state it is in as we know he is well qualified to talk about machinery."All eyes were turned on Tom, for many knew him.
"Humph! I guess I know as much about boats and motors as he does," sneered Andy Foger.'He isn't the only one in this crowd! Why didn't the auctioneer ask me?""Keep quiet," begged Sam Snedecker."People are laughing at you, Andy.""I don't care if they are," muttered the sandy haired youth."Tom Swift needn't think he's everything.""If you will come down to the dock," went on the auctioneer, "you can all see the boat, and I would be glad to have young Mr.Swift give us the benefit of his advice."The throng trooped down to the lake, and, blushing somewhat, Tom told what was the matter with the motor and how it could be fixed.It was noticed that there was less enthusiasm over the matter than there had been, for certainly the engine, rusty and out of order as it was, did not present an attractive sight.Tom noted that the man, who had acted so strangely, did not come down to the dock.
"Guess he can't be much interested in the motor," decided Tom.
"Now then, if it's all the same to you folks, I'll proceed with the auction here," went on Mr.Wood."You can all see the boat from here.It is, as you see, a regular family launch and will carry twelve persons comfortably.With a canopy fitted to it a person could cruise all about the lake and stay out over night, for you could sleep on the seat cushions.It is twenty-one feet in length and has a five-and-a-half-foot beam, the design being what is known as a compromise stern.The motor is a double- cylinder two-cycle one, of ten horsepower.It has a float-feed carburetor, mechanical oiler, and the ignition system is the jump- spark--- the best for this style of motor.The boat will make ten miles an hour, with twelve in, and, of course, more than that with a lighter load.A good deal will depend on the way the motor is managed.
"Now, as you know, Mr.Hastings wishes to dispose of the boat partly because he does not wish to repair it and partly because he has a newer and larger one.The craft, which is named CARLOPA by the way, cost originally nine hundred dollars.It could not be purchased new to day, in many places, for a thousand.Now what am I offered in its presentcondition? Will any one make an offer? Will you give me five hundred dollars?"The auctioneer paused and looked critically at the throng.Several persons smiled.Tom looked worried.He had no idea that the price would start so high.
"Well, perhaps that is a bit stiff," went on Mr.Wood."Shall we say four hundred dollars? Come now, I'm sure it's worth four hundred.Who'll start it at four hundred?"No one would, and the auctioneer descended to three hundred, then to two and finally, as if impatient, he called out:
"Well, will any one start at fifty dollars?"Instantly there were several cries of "I will!" "I thought you would," went on the auctioneer."Now we will get down to work.I'm offered fifty dollars for this twenty-one foot, ten horsepower family launch.Will any one make it sixty?""Sixty!" called out Andy Foger in a shrill voice.Several turned to look at him.
"I didn't know he was going to bid," thought Tom."He may go above me.He's got plenty of money, and, while I have too, I'm not going to pay too much for a damaged boat.""Sixty I'm bid, sixty---sixty!" cried Mr.Wood in a sing-song tone, "who'll make it seventy?""Sixty-five!" spoke a quiet voice at Tom's elbow, and he turned to see the mysterious man who had joined the crowd at the edge of the lake.
"Sixty-five from the gentleman in the white straw hat!" called Mr.Wood with a smile at his wit, for there were many men wearing white straw hats, the day being a warm one in June.
"Here, who's bidding above me?" exclaimed Andy, as if it was against the law.
"I guess you'll find a number going ahead of you, my young friend," remarked the auctioneer."Will you have the goodness not to interrupt me, except when you want to bid?""Well, I offered sixty," said the squint-eyed bully, while his crony, Sam Snedecker, was vainly, pulling at his sleeve.
