Chapter I: Front Matter

The Rambler Club’s
House-boat

BY W. CRISPIN SHEPPARD

AUTHOR OF

“THE RAMBLER CLUB AFLOAT”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB’S WINTER CAMP”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB IN THE MOUNTAINS”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB ON CIRCLE T RANCH”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB AMONG THE LUMBERJACKS”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB’S GOLD MINE”
“THE RAMBLER CLUB’S AEROPLANE”

Illustrated by the Author

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY
PHILADELPHIA
MCMXII

COPYRIGHT
1912 BY
THE PENN
PUBLISHING
COMPANY

The Rambler Club’s House-boat

Introduction

The earlier adventures of Bob Somers and his friends have been described in “The Rambler Club Afloat,” “The Rambler Club’s Winter Camp,” “The Rambler Club in the Mountains,” “The Rambler Club on Circle T Ranch,” “The Rambler Club Among the Lumberjacks,” “The Rambler Club’s Gold Mine,” and “The Rambler Club’s Aeroplane.”

“The Rambler Club’s House-boat” deals with the adventures on the Hudson of the Rambler boys and Jack Lyons and his friends.

They have an exciting and enjoyable time on the historic river, and begin to appreciate its varied beauty and charm.

When the “Gray Gull,” Jack Lyons, Master, is close to Yonkers Bob Somers is the means of aiding a young man in distress. Formerly he had been the tutor of a boy residing at Nyack; but, for a reason which reflects no discredit upon him, he lost his position.

A friendship springs up all around. The lads on the house-boat meet the Nyack boy, who is enthusiastic over the idea of such a trip, and decides to join.

Misunderstandings arise, and for a while the trip of the “Gray Gull” promises to be the means of causing much trouble. But events so shape themselves that in the end right prevails, and his chance meeting with the boys turns out to be a fortunate thing for the former tutor.

W. CRISPIN SHEPPARD.

Contents

I. THE “GRAY GULL” 9

II. THE ENGINE 30

III. “ALL ABOARD!” 46

IV. A VOICE IN THE NIGHT 70

V. AN EXPLORING TRIP 91

VI. JOE IN TROUBLE 105

VII. THE BATTLE FOR THE BOAT 116

VIII. A COLLISION 130

IX. THE MILLIONAIRE BOY 140

X. IN THE AUTOMOBILE 155

XI. GEORGE GOES ALONG 166

XII. PIERRE CATCHES UP 181

XIII. COLONEL ELLISON TAKES A HAND 188

XIV. “THAT CHAFFER FELLOW” 196

XV. THE COLONEL SPEAKS HIS MIND 212

XVI. THE WAR-CALL 228

XVII. IN THE RED CAR 240

XVIII. THE COLONEL IS ANGRY 257

XIX. GEORGE IS WANTED 266

XX. TWO NIGHTS 275

XXI. A MIDNIGHT TOW 286

XXII. THE PUSH-BALL CONTEST 295

XXIII. GOOD NEWS FOR REDFERN 308

XXIV. THE END OF THE CRUISE 318

Illustrations

PAGE

THE VOYAGE WAS BEGUN _Frontispiece_

“I WISH I WERE GOING WITH YOU” 82

“HIS EYES SNAPPED FIERCELY” 163

“HANG ON TIGHT, SIR” 220

“SEE WHO’S COMING” 302

The Rambler Club’s House-boat