E-text prepared by Al Haines Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustration. See 21980-h.htm or 21980-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/9/8/21980/21980-h/21980-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/9/8/21980/21980-h.zip) MOTOR BOAT BOYS MISSISSIPPI CRUISE Or The Dash For Dixie by LOUIS ARUNDEL [Frontispiece: Jack was keeping his hand on the alert, ready to reverse his engine at even a second's warning.] Chicago M. A. Donohue & Co. Copyright 1914 by M. A. Donohue & Co. Chicago CONTENTS I. ALL ABOARD FOR DIXIELAND! II. THE START III. A HANDICAP AT THE FIRST STATION IV. THE SUDDEN PERIL V. AROUSED AT MIDNIGHT VI. STARTLING NEWS FROM NEAR HOME VII. QUITE A SURPRISE PASTY VIII. LEFT IN THE LURCH IX. THE SWIFT RUN OF THE "TRAMP" X. IN A KENTUCKY COVE XI. TURNING THE TABLES ON THE BANK ROBBERS XII. "LUCKY JACK!" XIII. THE "WIRELESS" IN TOW XIV. SIGNS OF THE SUNNY SOUTH XV. BUSTER TAKES HOPE XVI. ERASTUS, THE HOUSEBURNER XVII. THE SHERIFF'S POSSE XVIII. AT THE MOUTH OF THE SUNFLOWER XIX. IN THE LAND OF COTTON XX. THE CASTAWAYS OF THE SWAMP XXI. BUSTER FACES STARVATION XXII. THE DISCOVERY XXIII. THE WINNER OF THE CUP--CONCLUSION [Transcriber's note: The following two short stories were in the original book, but are not related to the above story. No author was given for them.] An Awakening at Alvin Caught with a Scrap of Paper THE MOTOR BOAT BOYS' MISSISSIPPI CRUISE; or A Dash for the Dixie Cup CHAPTER I. ALL ABOARD FOR DIXIELAND! "Aw, quit your kidding, now, George. You know I said I'd stick by you to the bitter end; and nobody ever knew Nick Longfellow to back water, did they?" "I guess you're right about that, Pudding. Your word is your strongest hold--next to eating. I depend on you to be my boat-mate on that long cruise, if so be we make a go of the race." "Huh! even if Herb Dickson and Josh Purdue can't get a chance to enter this old tub of theirs which they call the _Comfort_, what's to hinder us from starting when Jack heads his dandy _Tramp_ south; tell me that?" "Nothing, Nick; only three boats would be better than two, and add to the fun of the race for the silver cup;" and the speaker, George Rollins, bent affectionately over the smart, bright engine of a new and exceedingly narrow motor boat undoubtedly built for speed alone, and carrying the significant name of _Wireless_. "I'm told by Jack that the cup his father is having made is a jim dandy one, and has the word 'Dixie' engraved on it," the fat boy remarked. "He says it will be here by tomorrow. Perhaps when the other fellows show it to their folks, they'll get the word they're waiting for."