Chapter I: Preface

"DOWN THE RIVER" is the sixth of the continued stories published in "OUR BOYS AND GIRLS," and the last of "THE STARRY FLAG SERIES." It is the personal narrative of Buck Bradford, who, with his deformed sister, made an eventful voyage down the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, to New Orleans. The writer's first book--not a juvenile, and long since out of print--was planned during a long and tedious passage up the Father of Waters; and it seems like going back to an old friend to voyage again, even in imagination, upon its turbid tide.

Buck Bradford tells his story to suit himself; and the author hopes it will also suit the young reader. Whatever moral it may contain will be found in the reading; and the writer trusts it will impart a lesson of self-reliance, honesty, and truth, and do something towards convincing the young reader that it is best always to do right, whatever the consequences may be, leaving results, in the choice between good and evil, to take care of themselves.

However often the author may be called upon to thank the juvenile public for the generous favor bestowed upon his books, he feels that the agreeable duty cannot be so frequently repeated as ever to become a mere formality; for with each additional volume he finds his sense of obligation to them for their kindness renewed and deepened.

WILLIAM T. ADAMS.

HARRISON SQUARE, MASS.,
October 28, 1868.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
CHAPTER I.
TWO OF THE TYRANTS. 11

CHAPTER II.
FLORA BRADFORD. 21

CHAPTER III.
ON THE DEFENSIVE. 32

CHAPTER IV.
WHO IS MASTER. 44

CHAPTER V.
A BATTLE AT LONG RANGE. 55

CHAPTER VI.
SQUIRE FISHLEY. 66

CHAPTER VII.
AFTER MIDNIGHT. 77

CHAPTER VIII.
MISS LARRABEE'S LETTER. 88

CHAPTER IX.
THE HUNGRY RUNAWAY. 99

CHAPTER X.
WHAT SIM GWYNN WANTED TO SEE ME FOR. 110

CHAPTER XI.
BUILDING THE RAFT. 121

CHAPTER XII.
SQUIRE FISHLEY MAKES IT RIGHT. 132

CHAPTER XIII.
NEAR UNTO DEATH. 143

CHAPTER XIV.
WHO ROBBED THE MAIL. 154

CHAPTER XV.
THE DEPARTURE. 166

CHAPTER XVI.
DOWN THE RIVER. 178

CHAPTER XVII.
NIGHT ON THE RIVER. 189

CHAPTER XVIII.
AT THE MOUTH OF THE OHIO. 201

CHAPTER XIX.
AFTER THE EXPLOSION. 212

CHAPTER XX.
EMILY GOODRIDGE. 223

CHAPTER XXI.
FLORA AND HER PATIENT. 234

CHAPTER XXII.
THE END OF THE VOYAGE. 245

CHAPTER XXIII.
CLARENCE BRADFORD. 256

CHAPTER XXIV.
UP THE RIVER. 268

CHAPTER XXV.
TWO HOURS IN JAIL. 279

CHAPTER XXVI.
CONCLUSION. 290

DOWN THE RIVER:

OR,

BUCK BRADFORD AND HIS TYRANTS.