They reached the float in time to see the automobile bus from Gridley coming down to the water front.

In it were some thirty people of all ages.
"Oh, you Prescott!" yelled one irrepressible young man, through a megaphone.

"Don't you dare make fools of us this afternoon! Gridley must win!" "Don't worry!" Dick shouted back, waving his hand.

"Gridley is going to win!" "Yes, sirree!" called Bob Hartwell, laughingly.

"Preston High School guarantees Gridley to be a winner---for second place!" People now came crowding down upon the float to such an extent that Mr.Wright had to use the services of four hotel employs in coaxing them to keep back out of the way of the crews.
"No further admittance to the float, ladies and gentlemen!" called the hotel manager.