Chapter I: Preface

The majority of stories for boys have their background laid either in the city or the country, or possibly on the ocean, and we have read much about the doings of lads both rich and poor in such locations.

In the present tale we have a youth of sturdy qualities who elects to follow the calling of a deckhand on a Hudson River steamboat, doing his duty faithfully day by day, and trying to help others as well as himself. Like all other boys he is at times tempted to do wrong, but he has a heart of gold even though it is hidden by a somewhat ragged outer garment, and in the end proves the truth of that old saying that it pays to be honest,--not only in regard to others but also regarding one's self.

Life on a river steamboat is not so romantic as some young people may imagine. There is hard work and plenty of it, and the remuneration is not of the best. But Randy Thompson wanted work and took what was offered. His success in the end was well deserved, and perhaps the lesson his doings teach will not be lost upon those who peruse these pages. It is better to do what one finds to do than to fold your hands and remain idle, and the idle boy is sure, sooner or later, to get into serious mischief.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. SOMETHING ABOUT RANDY 7

II. AT THE FISHING HOLE 17

III. EXPOSING BOB BANGS 26

IV. RANDY AT HOME 36

V. THE RESULT OF A QUARREL 45

VI. THE IRON WORKS AFFAIR 54

VII. MORE TROUBLES FOR RANDY 62

VIII. RANDY AND HIS UNCLE PETER 70

IX. THE NEW HOME 80

X. SAMMY'S FOURTH OF JULY 88

XI. RANDY TO THE RESCUE 99

XII. A STEAMBOAT MAN 108

XIII. MR. SHALLEY MAKES AN OFFER 118

XIV. BOB BANGS AND HIS HORSE 127

XV. RANDY AS A DECKHAND 135

XVI. IN NEW YORK CITY 145

XVII. THE PURSER HAS HIS SAY 153

XVIII. A MEETING ON THE RIVER 161

XIX. AN UNLOOKED-FOR ENCOUNTER 169

XX. WHAT CAME OF A DEMAND 177

XXI. RANDY VISITS HIS HOME 186

XXII. MR. BARTLETT MAKES A MOVE 193

XXIII. THE PAPERS IN THE SAFE 201

XXIV. ANOTHER HIDING PLACE 208

XXV. A VICTORY FOR RANDY 215

XXVI. NEW TROUBLES 222

XXVII. RANDY MAKES A DISCOVERY 229

XXVIII.OUT OF A TIGHT CORNER 237

XXIX. GEORGE GAFFNEY'S STATEMENT 244

XXX. A SWIM FOR LIFE 252

XXXI. NEWS OF IMPORTANCE 259

XXXII. BROUGHT TO TERMS--CONCLUSION 265

RANDY OF THE RIVER