Chapter I: Front Matter

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BY RALPH HENRY BARBOUR.
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Four Afoot.
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Four in Camp.
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On Your Mark.
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The Arrival of Jimpson.
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The Book of School and College Sports.
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Weatherby's Inning.
Illustrated in Colors. $1.50.

Behind the Line.
A Story of School and Football. $1.50.

Captain of the Crew. $1.50.

For the Honor of the School.
A Story of School Life and Interscholastic Sport. $1.50.

The Half-Back.
A Story of School, Football, and Golf. $1.50.

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, NEW YORK.

FOUR AFLOAT

BEING THE ADVENTURES OF THE
BIG FOUR ON THE WATER

By RALPH HENRY BARBOUR

Author of "Four in Camp,"
"Four Afoot," etc.

NEW YORK
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
1907

Copyright, 1907, by
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY

_Published, September, 1907_

TO
J. W. A.
SKIPPER OF MANY
CRAFT

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I. Introduces a Gasoline Launch, Four Boys and a Dog 1
II. Starts the _Vagabond_ on its Cruise 11
III. Wherein Dan Practices Steering 21
IV. Is Largely Concerned with Salt Water and Salt Fish 34
V. Wherein Tom Buys Lobsters and Dan Disapproves 43
VI. In Which They Follow a Race 57
VII. In Which Nelson Discovers a Stowaway 69
VIII. Tells How They Outwitted the Captain of the _Henry Nellis_ 86
IX. Proves that a Stern Chase is not Always a Long Chase 95
X. Shows The Crew Of the _Vagabond_ Under Fire 108
XI. Records A Mysterious Disappearance 118
XII. Wherein Nelson Solves the Mystery 130
XIII. Wherein Dan Tells a Story and Tom is Incredulous 138
XIV. In Which Tom Disappears from Sight 152
XV. Tells of Adventures in the Fog 163
XVI. Witnesses a Defeat for the _Vagabond_ 172
XVII. In Which Dan Plays a Joke 186
XVIII. In Which Tom Puts Up at the Seamont Inn 200
XIX. Narrates a Midnight Adventure 209
XX. Wherein Tom Appears and the Launch Disappears 225
XXI. Tells of the Search for the _Vagabond_ 235
XXII. Wherein the _Vagabond_ is Recovered and the Thief is Captured 245
XXIII. Tells How The Four Encountered Old Acquaintances 256
XXIV. Wherein Spencer Floyd Leaves the _Henry Nellis_ 265
XXV. Wherein the _Vagabond_ Starts for Home and the Story Ends 273

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

"The _Vagabond_ started after the other craft with a rush" Frontispiece
"Captain Sander ... raised his revolver and fired" 116
"'I would like to see the manager, if you please'" 208
"At the top of the sandy road he turned and waved them farewell" 274

FOUR AFLOAT