Produced by David Edwards and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) [Illustration: "Mr. Polk," said Randy, "it was not my fault, and I shall not stand for the damage done."--p. 223.] 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 THE RISE IN LIFE SERIES By Horatio Alger, Jr. OUT FOR BUSINESS; Or, Robert Frost's Strange Career. FALLING IN WITH FORTUNE; Or, The Experiences of a Young Secretary NELSON THE NEWSBOY, Or, Afloat in New York. JERRY THE BACKWOODS BOY, Or, The Parkhurst Treasure. FROM FARM TO FORTUNE, Or, Nat Nason's Strange Experience. YOUNG CAPTAIN JACK, Or, The Son of a Soldier. THE YOUNG BOOK AGENT, Or, Frank Hardy's Road to Success. LOST AT SEA, Or, Robert Roscoe's Strange Cruise. RANDY OF THE RIVER, Or, The Adventures of a Young Deckhand. _Cloth. 12mo. Illustrated Price, 60 cents per volume._ 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 CHAPTER PAGE I. SOMETHING ABOUT RANDY 7 II. AT THE FISHING HOLE 17 III. EXPOSING BOB BANGS 26 IV. RANDY AT HOME 36 V. THE RESULT OF A QUARREL 45 VI. THE IRON WORKS AFFAIR 54