audiobook
E-text prepared by Al Haines
Jack was keeping his hand on the alert, ready to reverse his engine at even a second's warning.
A handful of bright‑eyed boys set out on a daring sprint down the mighty Mississippi, each hoping to claim the glittering silver cup that promises both glory and a piece of a distant uncle’s fortune. Their sleek, cigar‑shaped motorboat, oddly christened “Wireless,” is a marvel of speed, and the crew—Jack, the steady leader, his loyal friend Jimmy, and a gaggle of companions—are determined to outpace rival vessels and the river’s own hidden currents. Their banter mixes youthful bravado with a sense of duty, especially as a will hangs over the whole venture, urging them onward toward New Orleans before the first of December.
As they slice through the river’s bends, the boys confront unexpected hazards: sudden whirlpools, nervous riverbank bandits, and the looming threat of a storm that could capsize more than just their boat. Friendly rivalry turns tense when a rival crew tries to sabotage their progress, forcing quick thinking and a test of true friendship. Between daring maneuvers and moments of quiet camaraderie, the adventure promises the thrills of early‑20th‑century motor‑boat racing, the mystery of a family inheritance, and the timeless joy of boys racing toward a shared dream.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (273K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2007-06-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Best known for fast-moving boys' adventure stories, this early 20th-century writer filled his books with boats, camps, and outdoor danger. Writing as Louis Arundel, he created lively series fiction that helped shape a generation of popular juvenile adventure reading.
View all booksby Louis Arundel

by Louis Arundel

by Louis Arundel

by Vinceslas-Eugène Dick