
Four friends—Jack, George, Buster, and Josh—set off for Europe aboard their trusty motorboat, eager to trade the bustle of New York for the glittering waters of the Danube. Their arrival in Budapest brings them face‑to‑face with the city’s striking bridges, bright skies, and the lively river that seems to promise endless adventure. As they disembark, the boys’ banter reveals a mix of skepticism, optimism, and a shared love of discovery that sets the tone for their journey.
Beyond the scenery, the boys find themselves drawn into the swirling politics of the Balkans, hearing rumors of tensions between Serbia, Austria, and the great powers that loom over the region. Their curiosity turns the holiday into a subtle lesson in history, as each boy brings his own perspective—George’s caution, Buster’s enthusiasm, and Jack’s leadership—to the conversation. With the Danube as their guide, they are poised to encounter both natural challenges and unexpected encounters that will test their friendship and bravery.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (286K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2013-02-25
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Best known as the pen name behind brisk, adventurous boys' stories, this prolific American writer turned out dozens of popular novels packed with boats, scouts, mystery, and outdoor action. His books capture the fast-moving, serial storytelling that helped define early 20th-century juvenile fiction.
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