CHAPTER PAGE I. Introduces a Gasoline Launch, Four Boys and a Dog 1 II. Starts the _Vagabond_ on its Cruise 11 III. Wherein Dan Practices Steering 21 IV. Is Largely Concerned with Salt Water and Salt Fish 34 V. Wherein Tom Buys Lobsters and Dan Disapproves 43 VI. In Which They Follow a Race 57 VII. In Which Nelson Discovers a Stowaway 69 VIII. Tells How They Outwitted the Captain of the _Henry Nellis_ 86 IX. Proves that a Stern Chase is not Always a Long Chase 95 X. Shows The Crew Of the _Vagabond_ Under Fire 108 XI. Records A Mysterious Disappearance 118 XII. Wherein Nelson Solves the Mystery 130 XIII. Wherein Dan Tells a Story and Tom is Incredulous 138 XIV. In Which Tom Disappears from Sight 152 XV. Tells of Adventures in the Fog 163 XVI. Witnesses a Defeat for the _Vagabond_ 172 XVII. In Which Dan Plays a Joke 186 XVIII. In Which Tom Puts Up at the Seamont Inn 200 XIX. Narrates a Midnight Adventure 209 XX. Wherein Tom Appears and the Launch Disappears 225 XXI. Tells of the Search for the _Vagabond_ 235 XXII. Wherein the _Vagabond_ is Recovered and the Thief is Captured 245 XXIII. Tells How The Four Encountered Old Acquaintances 256 XXIV. Wherein Spencer Floyd Leaves the _Henry Nellis_ 265 XXV. Wherein the _Vagabond_ Starts for Home and the Story Ends 273 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS “The _Vagabond_ started after the other craft with a rush” Frontispiece “Captain Sander ... raised his revolver and fired” 116 “‘I would like to see the manager, if you please’” 208 “At the top of the sandy road he turned and waved them farewell” 274 FOUR AFLOAT CHAPTER I—INTRODUCES A GASOLINE LAUNCH, FOUR BOYS, AND A DOG “She’s a pu-pu-pu-pu——!” “Quite so, Tommy,” said Dan soothingly, “but don’t excite yourself.” “——pu-pu-peach!” “Oh, all right!” laughed Nelson. “I thought you were trying to call her a puppy. What do you think of her, Bob?” “Best ever,” answered Bob promptly and quietly.