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

he cabin was cut off by a floating cloud, and the faces of the two boy

l right?" A

ry guns in there?"

ward the window. It was necessary that some definite plan of action should

here?" whi

aptain Joe! We came down the river in a busted boat and on a poor raft! We shou

rs are in the lower drawer of the cupboard. I've been trying to get at them for a long time, but t

d and secured three revolve

ugh the window while the ruffians are

. He pranced about the cabin, too, in spite of all Clay could do to restrain him, tipping over chairs a

of light shone full on the little stern deck, and on the figures grouped there. Case and Jule pulled themselves through

lay at the window, and caught sight of a figure outside and called out to Red, who was still busy at the prow, trying to keep the boat

door open and turned the switch which operated the prow light. In an instant the deck of the Rambler was as light as it

bring forth the weapons carried there. Instead, they came up empty and were pushed

un within an inch of his crooked nose, at the same time cal

ns could have done so, when the weapons were taken from him. Glancing hasti

the leak can be repaired, so we've got no time to waste guarding a skunk like you. You would have m

on the deck, wet and shivering from the river,

Clay to take a bite out of him. The cub pranced around the little waif as if he had found a friend from whom he had long been parted

e said. "I don't hear anything about your bein

question, and he would have struck Sam only that Case

will have a settlement right soon after we get

swim. He's great on giving exhibition stunts in the

t to see how far he can swim! Take a run-an

ake, dat's what

arty, advanced upon him. The pirate sprang for a floating timber, missed it, and went under. He came up in a second and struck out

dividual, a smile on

down and wait until we get up the greatest dinner that ever was served on the Mississippi. I'm half s

remble in his gruff voice, "that I can't

well as hungry, and so I'll have to do the cooking. W

ot to be out there o

een bought at Cairo and kept in the tiny refrigerator. Then he boiled potatoes, and made light biscuit, and the coffee he produced was a hearty meal in itself! Ther

in a common rug on the floor, in a corner where they would not be in the way, and

ing about this section all

he motors, directly, and go on down the river. Why d

ith the lights going, and the shore not far away, Sam

t any gun!" C

't found on him. He keeps it in a watertight sack un

from where he was put off, and try to pick us off?" asked

a trace of current now, because there is a great headland just below, and the flo

two hours since he left the boat. The moon, which is in the first quar

ng hereabouts," insisted

motors and start on down. Here, Case," h

short time Clay was at work on the motive power, w

arted down stream at a pace which kept the driftwood from lunging against her ster

was the slow reply. "How

e reply. "It puzzled

oices with some river

ut a boy who had come on bo

there," Red replied,

saw him after the officers came on board.

hesitating reply.

remain with u

I had kept away he

was the next que

the face steadily for

nt to harm th

so forlorn, and wet, and cold, and hungry, that

perplexed tone, "that i

t know where he i

ow where he is, but

ked, looking sharply into the man's flushed fac

Red, a frown on his face. "He may be associated with criminals,

boys. The boat made good progress during the night while all save Clay and his strange companion slept. With

get that, lads! There'll come another day! And if you come across that waif again, just feed him, and

ay asked as the man disappeared in a grove ne