any
wetter than I already am."

Feeling a little bit rested, he presently got up and walked around the
edge of the cove. Then he began to climb the river bank proper. It was
hard work, but soon he came out on a river roadway and saw at a
distance a hotel and half a dozen fashionable cottages.

"This looks familiar," he told himself. "Well, I declare, that place
yonder must be the house at which Bob Bangs and his mother are
stopping!"

Back of the house was a big barn and further to the rear was another
building, used as a summerhouse and a place where oars and other things
for small boats might be stored.

The summer storm was now letting up a bit. It was still raining, but
the thunder and lightning had ceased and the wind had gone down. To get
out of the rain and rest, Randy took himself to the summerhouse.

He was busy emptying the water from his shoes, when he heard somebody
utter an exclamation and turning saw Bob Bangs standing near, umbrella
in hand. The rich youth was staring at him in astonishment.

"Where did you come from?" he demanded, as he entered the summerhouse.

"From the river."

"You look pretty wet."

"I have been in the water quite some time."

"Oh! Did you fall overboard from the steamboat?"

"I did."

"You must be pretty careless," went on Bob, with a sneer.

"I certainly didn't fall overboard because I wanted to," answered Randy
as lightly as he could.

"Say, I understand you are trying to get my father into trouble,"
pursued the rich boy, throwing himself on a bench.

"Who told you that?"

"Never mind. You are hand-in-glove with the Bartlett crowd."

"Well, why shouldn't I be, Bob Bangs? Jack is my dearest friend."

"Humph! I shouldn't care for him for a friend."

"And he wouldn't pick you for a chum," added Jack, quickly.

"I consider myself better than Jack Bartlett."

To this our hero did not answer.

"My dad is going to make it hot for old Bartlett," went on Bob. "He is
going to sue him for defamation of character."

"When?"

"Oh, before a great while. Bartlett had no right to search our house
and break open the safe."

"He had the law on his side."

"No, he didn't. Just you wait till my dad brings suit. It will ruin the
Bartletts."

"I hope not."

"How do you like being a steamboat deckhand?" went on the rich youth,
to change the subject.

"Very well."

"It must be a dirty job," and Bob Bangs tilted his nose in the air.

"It might be worse."

"Whe