osite Centerville. The rumor of a ghost that was said to
haunt Oak Ridge did much to draw the boys, and it can be readily
understood that before they left their camp in the hills they had
succeeded in discovering the astonishing truth about that same spectre.
Just how this was done, together with many other thrilling episodes, you
will find in the record of the outing as given in the third volume,
called: "The Outdoor Chums in the Forest; or, Laying the Ghost of Oak
Ridge."

By the time Will had run the gamut of these adventures, some of which
caused him to shiver, while others brought a smile on his face, he heard
the voices of his chums drawing near.

They soon joined him, each burdened with some more of the outfit in the
way of blankets, and clothes-bags made of waterproof canvas.

These were hastily stowed away, after which the boys began to get busy.
Frank had, ere now, closely examined the engine of the launch, and
even started it going so as to get "the hang of the thing," as he said.
He felt that he had nothing to fear with regard to his ability to
handle it.

"If anything does happen we will have to use the push-poles, and in that
way float down on the swift current until we get to a town," he said,
laughingly; but not one of them had the slightest fear.

"All aboard for the gulf!" called Will, as he stood by the rail watching
Jerry unwarp the hawser that held the nose of the boat down-stream,
another securing the stern above.

Just as soon as this latter was unfastened the boat would begin to move
with the rapid current, and at that time Frank wanted his engine to be
working.

"Ready, Frank?" called Jerry from astern.

He could cast off there, recovering the rope as they moved along.

The engine began to whirr.

"Say, doesn't that sound encouraging?" ventured Bluff, as the cheery
cough smote the air, and announced the whole power of twelve horses to be
at their disposal.

"I only hope she turns out one-half as good as she looks," remarked
Frank, who believed that the proof of the pudding lay in the eating of
it.

A minute later, satisfied that everything was working, he shouted:

"Let her go, Jerry!"

Immediately the motor-boat commenced to glide down-stream. Frank found
that his engine worked like a charm. He could apparently do anything he
wanted with it, and the whole apparatus seemed more like a plaything than
a powerful motor.

"A good beginning. Hope it keeps up," remarked Bluff.

"