



Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
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[Illustration: THE TAR WAS READY FOR USE.]

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THE YOUNG OARSMEN OF LAKEVIEW

By
CAPT. RALPH BONEHILL.

Author of
"Rival Bicyclists," "Leo, the Circus Boy," Etc.

CHICAGO.
M. A. DONOHUE & CO.
407-429 DEARBORN ST.

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CONTENTS

 CHAPTER                                               PAGE
      I.  Jerry, Harry, and Blumpo.                       5
     II.  Mrs. Fleming's Runaway Horse.                  12
    III.  Jerry's Bravery.                               18
     IV.  Saving The Sloop.                              24
      V.  Harry Is Rescued.                              30
     VI.  The Single Shell Race.                         37
    VII.  Who Won the Shell Race.                        42
   VIII.  A Prisoner of the Enemy.                       47
     IX.  Tar And Feathers.                              54
      X.  What Towser Did.                               60
     XI.  Off for Hermit Island.                         66
    XII.  An Attack in the Dark.                         72
   XIII.  Jerry's Shot.                                  77
    XIV.  The Hermit of the Island.                      82
     XV.  The Hermit's Secret.                           88
    XVI.  An Exciting Chase.                             93
   XVII.  Harry's New Yacht.                             98
  XVIII.  The Robbery of the Rockpoint Hotel.           107
    XIX.  The Red Valise.                               112
     XX.  The Mishap to the Yacht.                      117
    XXI.  Words and Blows.                              124
   XXII.  Another Boat Race.                            131
  XXIII.  Jerry Starts on a Journey.                    139
   XXIV.  The Work of a Real Hero.                      145
    XXV.  A Fruitless Search.                           152
   XXVI.  Alexander Slocum is Astonished.               159
  XXVII.  Jerry's Clever Escape.                        164
 XXVIII.  Something About a Tramp.                      170
   XXIX.  Mr. Wakefield Smith Again.                    177
    XXX.  An Unlooked for Adventure.                    181
   XXXI.  Nellie Ardell's Troubles.                     186
  XXXII.  A Crazy Man's Doings.                         192
 XXXIII.  The Little Nobody.                            199
  XXXIV.  Alexander Slocum Shows His Hand.              207
   XXXV.  A Strange Disappearance                       214
  XXXVI.  Jerry Hears an Astonishing Statement.         221
 XXXVII.  A Joyous Meeting.                             228
XXXVIII.  Alexander Slocum is Brought to Book.          236
  XXXIX.  Harry to the Rescue.                          243
     XL.  A Struggle in the Dark.                       251
    XLI.  A Last Race--Good-Bye to the Rival Oarsmen.   261

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THE YOUNG OARSMEN OF LAKEVIEW.

CHAPTER I.

JERRY, HARRY, AND BLUMPO.


"I'll race you."

"Done! Are you ready?"

"I am."

"Then off we go."

Quicker than it can be related, four oars fell into the water and four
sturdy arms bent to the task of sending two beautiful single-shell craft
skimming over the smooth surface of the lake.

It was a spirited scene, and attracted not a little attention, for both of
the contestants were well known.

"Go it, Jerry! You can beat him if you try!"

"Don't let him get ahead, Harry. Keep closer to the shore!"

"How far is the race to be?"

"Up to the big pine tree and back."

"That's a full mile and more. I'll bet on Jerry Upton."

"And I'll bet on Harry Parker. He has more skill than Jerry."

"But Jerry has the muscle."

"There they go, side by side!"

And thus the talking and shouting went on along the lake front. Most of
the boys present were members of the Lakeview Boat Club, but there were
others of the town there, too, as enthusiastic as the rest.

It was a clear, warm day in June. The summer holidays at the various
institutes of learning in the vicinity had just begun, so many of the lads
had nothing to do but to enjoy themselves.

There were not a few craft out besides the two shells to which we have
drawn attention. But they drew out of the way to give the racers a free
field.

On and on went Jerry and Harry until the big pine was reached. Then came
the turn, and they started on the home stretch side by side, neither one
foot ahead of the other.

"It's going to be a tie race."

"Pull, Harry! Let yourself out!"

"Show him what you can do, Jerry!"

Encouraged by the shouts of their friends, both