Produced by W. R. Marvin

THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS

THE DESERTED STEAM YACHT

By Arthur M. Winfield

Chatterton-Peck Company Publishers

CHAPTER

I. THE ROVER BOYS AND THEIR FRIENDS II. ABOUT A MISSING HOUSEBOAT III. A FRIEND IN NEED IV. HAROLD BIRD'S STRANGE TALE V. STUCK IN THE MUD VI. FIGHTING BOB CATS VII. THE HOUSEBOAT IN THE BUSHES VIII. IN THE SWAMP IX. TWO YOUNG PRISONERS X. THE CHASE ON THE RIVER XI. WHAT THE ROCKETS REVEALED XII. STUCK ON A SNAG XIII. THE CAPTURE OF SOLLY JACKSON XIV. ON A GULF STEAMER XV. THE CASTAWAYS OF THE GULF XVI. A DESERTED STEAM YACHT XVII. IN UNDISPUTED POSSESSION XVIII. IN PERIL OF STEAM XIX. THE STORM ON THE GULF XX. A NIGHT OF ANXIETY XXI. THE PICTURE IN THE CARDCASE XXII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING ON THE WATER XXIII. THE ENEMY TRIES TO TAKE POSSESSION XXIV. IN THE ENGINE ROOM XXV, ONE PLOT AND ANOTHER XXVI. TURNING THE TABLES XXVII. DAN BAXTER'S REPENTANCE XXVIII. HATCHWAY AND DOOR XXIX. AN EXCITING TIME ALL AROUND XXX. HOMEWARD BOUND—CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

My Dear Boys: "The Rover Boys in Southern Waters" is a complete storyin itself but forms the eleventh volume of a line known by the generaltitle of "The Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."

Eleven volumes! Just think of it! What a great number to write aboutone set of young people and their doings! When I started out, as Ihave mentioned before, I thought to pen three volumes, possibly four.I was not at all sure that the boys and girls would wish any of them.But no sooner had I given them "The Rover Boys at School" than therewas a demand for "The Rover Boys on the Ocean" and then "The RoverBoys in the Jungle," and then, year after year, there followed "TheRover Boys Out West," "On the Great Lakes," "In the Mountains," "OnLand and Sea," "In Camp," "On the River," and "On the Plains," wherewe last met them.

In the present tale the scene is shifted to the lower Mississippiand then the Gulf of Mexico. As before, Sam, Tom, and Dick areintroduced, along with a number of their friends, and all have avariety of adventures and not a little fun. While on the Gulf theboys discover a deserted steam yacht, board the craft, and try toascertain who is the owner, and this leads to a mystery which I leavethe pages that follow to unfold.

Once again I take the opportunity to thank the thousands of youngfolks all over our broad land who have signified their appreciationof my efforts to afford them amusement and at the same time teach amoral. Were it possible I should like nothing better than to writeto each and shake everyone by the hand. But that is out of thequestion, so I can simply pen my thanks, and subscribe myself,

Affectionately and sincerely yours,

ARTHUR M. WINFIELD.