Read Online Clive Cussler by The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy
Tags: Fiction, General, Action & Adventure, Family, Juvenile Fiction, Magic, Fantasy & Magic, Brothers and sisters, Twins, Animals, Siblings, Dogs, racing, Basset Hound, Transportation, boats, Ships & Underwater Craft, Motorboats
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backs are to the wall."
"We have to make a decision," said the kindly man under the green cap.
Black Cap took his cap off and wiped a handkerchief over his bald head. "Because of the vast publicity, we have to allow those crazy kids to continue in the race. They've become the darlings of the news media and the American public."
"He's right," said Pink Cap. "If we pulled their boat out of the contest, the crowds would go crazy and might get unruly."
"Then it's settled," said White Cap, who was the head official. "We have to let them continue in the race."
"With luck," said Green Cap, "their old boat will break down and they'll drop out."
"With luck," White Cap echoed. "But we had no idea they were as fast as they've shown they are and would pass so many of the fastest powerboats ever built."
"Luck," said Black Cap. "They've been lucky. Their luck can't last."
"I agree," said White Cap. "It's a miracle their boat has lasted this far."
"She'll never make it down the river to the bay," agreed Pink Cap. "Few boats will be able to race down a narrow river with sharp bends every mile."
Black Cap nodded. "Twenty failed to make it back to the finish line in last year's race."
"Then it's agreed," said White Cap. "We'll let the Hotsy Totsy run the rest of the race. But . . ." He held up his hand. "Since she and the children do not meet race regulations, she cannot be considered for any prize money."
"We all concur," White Cap said, nodding. "Hotsy Totsy is not a true participant but only an intruder who is allowed by our good grace."
All the officials muttered agreement.
A man in white coveralls holding the nozzle of a hose that ran to a fuel tank yelled down to the twins, still in the cockpit beside the dock. "You guys open your fuel cap and I'll fill her up."
Casey looked up. "No, thanks, we don't need any."
The fuel man looked like he hadn't heard right. "How can you not need fuel? You just raced a hundred miles from San Francisco. All the other boats' tanks are nearly empty."
"We're fine and dandy," said Lacey. "Thank you all the same."
"We have enough to get back to San Francisco," Casey assured him.
The fuel man walked over to the next boat, shaking his head.
Lacey whispered to Casey, "No one knows Hotsy Totsy is a magical boat and doesn't need fuel for her engine."
"I only hope we can all finish the race in one piece," Casey said quietly. "From what I see on your charts, the river that runs down to the bay is filled with sharp, narrow bends. Passing other boats will be tricky."
Casey and Lacey tensed as the white-capped official and his assistants approached Hotsy Totsy. He looked sternly at the twins. "You've run a good race and we've decided to let you continue."
"You mean we can compete and cross the finish line in San Francisco?" asked Lacey doubtfully.
White Cap nodded. "Yes, but since you are not an official entry, you cannot win any trophy or prize money should you finish in the top ten."
"That's fine," said Casey, vastly relieved. "Thank you."
"Just watch your driving, stay out of the way of the faster boats and don't cause any accidents," the official said severely. "Mind that you stay out of trouble."
"We'll do our best to run a safe race," Casey promised.
The friendly man under the green cap said, "I wish you the best of luck." He turned and gestured at the throng of Hotsy Totsy well-wishers crowding the city streets along the river and on the pleasure boats anchored along the race course. "You've certainly become winners in the public's eyes. You and your dog and your boat are featured on every channel on television."
The twins could see a horde of news media television cameras pointed in their direction.
They looked at each other with the same thought. What if their father and mother saw them? If so, they were in for a harsh scolding when they returned to the farm.
11 Danger down the River
From the marina to the delta, the Sacramento River was very curvy and narrow. The race officials
"We have to make a decision," said the kindly man under the green cap.
Black Cap took his cap off and wiped a handkerchief over his bald head. "Because of the vast publicity, we have to allow those crazy kids to continue in the race. They've become the darlings of the news media and the American public."
"He's right," said Pink Cap. "If we pulled their boat out of the contest, the crowds would go crazy and might get unruly."
"Then it's settled," said White Cap, who was the head official. "We have to let them continue in the race."
"With luck," said Green Cap, "their old boat will break down and they'll drop out."
"With luck," White Cap echoed. "But we had no idea they were as fast as they've shown they are and would pass so many of the fastest powerboats ever built."
"Luck," said Black Cap. "They've been lucky. Their luck can't last."
"I agree," said White Cap. "It's a miracle their boat has lasted this far."
"She'll never make it down the river to the bay," agreed Pink Cap. "Few boats will be able to race down a narrow river with sharp bends every mile."
Black Cap nodded. "Twenty failed to make it back to the finish line in last year's race."
"Then it's agreed," said White Cap. "We'll let the Hotsy Totsy run the rest of the race. But . . ." He held up his hand. "Since she and the children do not meet race regulations, she cannot be considered for any prize money."
"We all concur," White Cap said, nodding. "Hotsy Totsy is not a true participant but only an intruder who is allowed by our good grace."
All the officials muttered agreement.
A man in white coveralls holding the nozzle of a hose that ran to a fuel tank yelled down to the twins, still in the cockpit beside the dock. "You guys open your fuel cap and I'll fill her up."
Casey looked up. "No, thanks, we don't need any."
The fuel man looked like he hadn't heard right. "How can you not need fuel? You just raced a hundred miles from San Francisco. All the other boats' tanks are nearly empty."
"We're fine and dandy," said Lacey. "Thank you all the same."
"We have enough to get back to San Francisco," Casey assured him.
The fuel man walked over to the next boat, shaking his head.
Lacey whispered to Casey, "No one knows Hotsy Totsy is a magical boat and doesn't need fuel for her engine."
"I only hope we can all finish the race in one piece," Casey said quietly. "From what I see on your charts, the river that runs down to the bay is filled with sharp, narrow bends. Passing other boats will be tricky."
Casey and Lacey tensed as the white-capped official and his assistants approached Hotsy Totsy. He looked sternly at the twins. "You've run a good race and we've decided to let you continue."
"You mean we can compete and cross the finish line in San Francisco?" asked Lacey doubtfully.
White Cap nodded. "Yes, but since you are not an official entry, you cannot win any trophy or prize money should you finish in the top ten."
"That's fine," said Casey, vastly relieved. "Thank you."
"Just watch your driving, stay out of the way of the faster boats and don't cause any accidents," the official said severely. "Mind that you stay out of trouble."
"We'll do our best to run a safe race," Casey promised.
The friendly man under the green cap said, "I wish you the best of luck." He turned and gestured at the throng of Hotsy Totsy well-wishers crowding the city streets along the river and on the pleasure boats anchored along the race course. "You've certainly become winners in the public's eyes. You and your dog and your boat are featured on every channel on television."
The twins could see a horde of news media television cameras pointed in their direction.
They looked at each other with the same thought. What if their father and mother saw them? If so, they were in for a harsh scolding when they returned to the farm.
11 Danger down the River
From the marina to the delta, the Sacramento River was very curvy and narrow. The race officials
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