a narrow balcony that projected from the
second floor of a neat but unpretentious boathouse. The rear end of the
edifice was built against the sloping base of the river bank.

From the park above a flight of steps, with a single hand rail, led down
to the main entrance, which was on the second floor. The other end of
the apartment opened on the balcony and faced the Susquehanna river.

From the lower floor, which held a number of boats and canoes, a plank
walk sloped to the water's edge, ten or fifteen yards away.

Randy Moore was the fortunate owner of this snug little piece of
property. The Harrisburg boys envied him his gun, his dog and his pony,
but they would have fairly bowed down before him if by so doing they
could have been put on the list of those favored ones who made free and
daily use of the boathouse.

A "luck fellow" was the general verdict concerning Randy, and it was a
true one. His father was wealthy and never refused to gratify any
reasonable desire of his only son. In consequence Randy was somewhat
spoiled and self willed, but in other ways he was really a sensible lad.

The fact of his own superior position in life never occurred to him in
relation to his companions. He gave himself no airs, and expected no
homage or adulation.

His chief fault was a strong and uncurbed will, and he unfortunately had
a quick temper. He was just sixteen years old, and was strong and hardy.
He had dark eyes and hair, and a pleasing, attractive face.

Randy's most intimate friend, Ned Chapman, differed from him in every
respect, and made an admirable foil for the other's impetuous
temperament. Ned's father was a merchant in moderate circumstances, and
he had just reason to be proud of his son's bringing up.

Ned was a steady, sensible lad, with very rigid ideas of right and
wrong. Not that there was anything "priggish" about him. On the
contrary, he was always the foremost in any undertaking that provided a
little sport.

He was intensely fond of outdoor life, and was an acknowledged authority
on everything relating to fishing, hunting, canoeing, and boating. But
he did not allow recreation to interfere with his studies.

He and Randy were pupils at the academy, and both stood high in their
classes.

Ned was a year older than Randy and half a head taller. He had brown
hair, grayish brown eyes, and a deeply bronzed complexion, the result of
living much in the open air and under the burning glow of the summe