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[Illustration: THE YACHT WAS BEARING DOWN UPON THEM.]




                                  THE
                       YOUNG OARSMEN OF LAKEVIEW.


                                   BY

                       _CAPT.  RALPH  BONEHILL._


                              _Author of_
         “_Rival Bicyclists_,” “_Leo, the Circus Boy_,” _Etc._


                             [Illustration]


                                NEW YORK
                           W. L. ALLISON CO.,
                              PUBLISHERS.




                            COPYRIGHT, 1897.
                                   BY
                           W. L. ALLISON CO.




                               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                  43
              VIII. A Prisoner of the Enemy                 48
                IX. Tar and Feathers                        55
                 X. What Towser Did                         61
                XI. Off for Hermit Island                   67
               XII. An Attack in the Dark                   73
              XIII. Jerry’s Shot                            78
               XIV. The Hermit of the Island                83
                XV. The Hermit’s Secret                     89
               XVI. An Exciting Chase                       94
              XVII. Harry’s New Yacht                       99
             XVIII. The Robbery of the Rockpoint Hotel     108
               XIX. The Red Valise                         113
                XX. The Mishap to the Yacht                118
               XXI. Words and Blows                        125
              XXII. Another Boat Race                      132
             XXIII. Jerry Starts on a Journey              140
              XXIV. The Work of a Real Hero                146
               XXV. A Fruitless Search                     153
              XXVI. Alexander Slocum is Astonished         160
             XXVII. Jerry’s Clever Escape                  165
            XXVIII. Something About a Tramp                171
              XXIX. Mr. Wakefield Smith Again              178
               XXX. An Unlooked for Adventure              182
              XXXI. Nellie Ardell’s Troubles               187
             XXXII. A Crazy Man’s Doings                   193
            XXXIII. The Little Nobody                      200
             XXXIV. Alexander Slocum Shows His Hand        208
              XXXV. A Strange Disappearance                215
             XXXVI. Jerry Hears an Astonishing
                      Statement                            222
            XXXVII. A Joyous Meeting                       229
           XXXVIII. Alexander Slocum is Brought to Book    237
             XXXIX. Harry to the Rescue                    244
                XL. A Struggle in the Dark                 252
               XLI. A Last Race—Good-bye to the Rival
                      Oarsmen                              262




                               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