
Three friends lounge beneath the cool shade of birch trees atop Hood’s Hill, their eyes scanning the glittering Hudson and the bustling scene of ferried boats and a gleaming yacht anchored nearby. The summer heat presses down on the island, but the boys are captivated by the lively festivities at Ferry Hill and the distant school buildings that frame the riverbank. From their lofty perch they watch Sid Welches, a privileged guest on the luxurious vessel, and his schoolmates as they glide past, sparking a mix of envy and curiosity.
As the day unfolds, the trio’s easy camaraderie is tested by the promise of an evening gathering and the lure of the island’s hidden pathways. Their imagination runs wild with plans for adventure, daring races, and secret explorations beyond the well‑trodden trails. The story invites listeners into a world of youthful enthusiasm, scenic river vistas, and the subtle tension between belonging and the yearning for something more.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (339K 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
2017-06-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1870–1944
Best known for lively school and college stories, this prolific American writer helped shape early 20th-century boys’ fiction with tales of sports, friendship, and campus life. He also wrote under the name Oliver Horn and left behind a large body of popular juvenile novels.
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