The River Motor Boat Boys on the Mississippi; Or, On the Trail to the Gulf

x. and Jule sat flat on a rotten, yielding floor somewhere in the interior of the deserted house, feeling tenderly over their limbs t

ncline to the story below. A hatch in the floor in front of the hearth had been dropped back, a

hen the humor of their sudden removal from the apartm

of a comic section in one of the Chicago newsp

e. "What kind of hospital

aughed Alex., "I wouldn't

d they felt about until their hands touched.

?" asked Jule. "This do

ex. replied. "We seem to have visited a crank who thinks

a river pirate!

y makers or warehouse thieves. The valley is said to swarm with bandits whenever the river i

he motor boat were in a situation far more serio

t so dark here!"

a right to talk as loudly as we like, I tak

ained, in a whisper which barely reached his chum

, then. "Hello! Come on o

electric torch and pushed the button. On board the Rambler or on shore, it was a rule of th

broken lath, so they knew that they were on the ground floor of the deserted house, and not in the cellar. The floor was worn, and the ro

d and walk out," Jule said, still s

Alex. hastened to say. "I don't know but

watched or not," said the other, "and that is t

a gleam of water could be seen through the cracks in the window-guard. The

't do tha

ith a hand suspended in air, and Alex. quickly flashed h

rking in the disreputable walls, for there was a continuous scratching noise, but t

se!" he said. "We'l

don't get away!" said the voice. "If you make any t

ng me right!" Alex. said, with a chuckle whic

meantime, don't show that electric light again, and if y

ed Alex. "I brought

slid his revolver along the floor in the direction of th

ss said. "Now, you with the light, send

a round illumination sprang up on the wall. Almost in the center of this they saw

l knowing that every word uttered would be heard by their guard

ts. They would make sure by searching us! I don't believe they ever took a prisoner before, or that they are very anxious ab

lls shook under heavy burdens. It seemed to the listening lads that h

the old mansion was being deserted, and their impression was that the thieves were removing their plunder

the room, and the boys ate heartily of the fresh por

ed back in the direction of the corner whe

one there in the room with them. It does not always require the eyes, or the

presence of hostile elements, and this it was which s

e; still, now and then, there came the jar of heavy burdens on the floors, and th

the comfortable cabin of the Rambler, and of the companionship of the other boys with spasms of anger and regret

y, "how many acts are there in this drama? When do the persecuted

s the remarkable answer, still in t

t you cut it o

are at present discussing your fate. Many declare that it is not wise to permit

d, "you hoist a piracy fl

y board you refer to ma

ders at any momen

alls where rodents were busy making nests, but no sound of human

ad over to him and w

Joe, for a dol

ded. "I'll be glad to lo

Alex. went on. "Besides, I told you that

lared Jule. "He never fo

ound came again. "I hope he won't make enough noise t

and then the guard whistled softly, as if attempting

g!" he said. "Why don't yo

soft feet came nearer,

get in here?" he demanded.

ing afraid of this thing which had found its way into a room supp

ng with weapon extended and with staring eyes, Captain Joe all ready for a spring, an open window, an

" cried both b

tered to the floor. Alex. had hold of the dog in an inst

aring the dog away from the fallen man. C

itten my arm!" t

complain of. We'll just tie you up and get out! After we are gone some

y, so the boys secured him and crept