RANDY OF THE RIVER

OR

THE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG DECKHAND

By

HORATIO ALGER, JR.

AUTHOR OF "NELSON THE NEWSBOY," "OUT FOR BUSINESS," "THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT," "LOST AT SEA," "RAGGED DICK SERIES," ETC.

GROSSET & DUNLAP
PUBLISHERS    ::    ::    NEW YORK

Copyright, 1906
By
STITT PUBLISHING COMPANY

Randy of the River.

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

• ChapterPage

• Something about Randy7
• At the Fishing Hole17
• Exposing Bob Bangs26
• Randy at Home36
• The Result of a Quarrel45
• The Iron Works Affair54
• More Troubles for Randy62
• Randy and His Uncle Peter70
• The New Home80
• Sammy's Fourth of July88
• Randy to the Rescue99
• A Steamboat Man108
• Mr. Shalley Makes an Offer118
• Bob Bangs and His Horse127
• Randy as a Deckhand135
• In New York City145
• The Purser Has His Say153
• A Meeting on the River161
• An Unlooked-for Encounter169
• What Came of a Demand177
• Randy Visits His Home186
• Mr. Bartlett Makes a Move193
• The Papers in the Safe201
• Another Hiding Place208
• A Victory for Randy215
• New Troublespublic@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@21416@[email protected]#XXVI"