149

XVIII. AT THE MERCY OF THE TEMPEST 156

XIX. ADRIFT ON A LOG 163

XX. MR. DUDE MOXLEY 170

XXI. A MYSTERIOUS WARNING 178

XXII. AN INSOLENT DEMAND 185

XXIII. A DARING ATTEMPT 192

XXIV. AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER 200

XXV. THE SIEGE BEGINS 207

XXVI. BUG'S PROPOSITION 215

XXVII. THE BURNING OF THE MILL 222

XXVIII. A GOOD DEED 229

XXIX. RANDY GOES SAILING 236

XXX. A NIGHT ALARM 243

XXXI. STORMY WEATHER 250

XXXII. THE BROKEN DAM 257

XXXIII. AN UNDERGROUND CRUISE 264

XXXIV. DESPAIR 270

XXXV. NUGGET DISCOVERS A LIGHT 275

XXXVI. HOME AGAIN 280

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CANOE BOYS AND CAMPFIRES

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCING THE BOYS

"I say, Ned, this is beginning to grow wearisome," drawled Randy Moore
as he tipped his chair against the wall, and crossed his feet on the low
railing in front of him. "Clay promised to be here half an hour ago," he
went on in an injured tone, "and if he doesn't come in a few minutes I'm
going to have a spin on the river. It's aggravating to sit here and do
nothing. I can count a dozen boats between the railroad bridge and Bushy
Island."

"I wouldn't mind being out myself," said Ned Chapman, "but we have
important business to transact to-night, Randy, and I think it would be
wiser to let boating go for once. I have everything planned out in ship
shape fashion, and it only wants the seal of approval from you and
Clayton."

"Oh! you have, have you?" exclaimed Randy with a sudden show of
interest. "That's good news, Ned. If Clay knew the momentous question
was to be settled at last, he would stir himself to get here, wherever
he is. I'll give him ten minutes' grace."

"You'll give him as many minutes as he needs," rejoined Ned. "There must
be some reason for his delay. It's new for him to be late. He's always
the first to keep an engagement."

"We'll know when he comes," said Randy wisely. "Stop talking now. I want
to count the boats. I never saw so many on the river before."

The two boys were sitting on