Motor Boat Boys on the St. Lawrence
 Or, Solving the Mystery of the Thousand Islands

by Louis Arundel

"Motor Boat Boys on the St. Lawrence" by Louis Arundel is a fictional adventure tale written in the early 20th century. Centered around a group of young boys who are part of a motor boat club, the story follows their summer excursions on the St. Lawrence River as they navigate friendships, rivalries, and unexpected challenges, including encounters with rivals eager to ruin their plans. The opening of the narrative introduces us to the core group of friends—Jack, Buster, Jimmie, Herb, and George—who have just come from an exciting baseball game. As they discuss their recent victory, conversations shift to their upcoming summer excursion and the potential threats from their rivals, particularly Clarence Macklin, who has been snooping around for their plans. After a suspenseful exchange regarding the whereabouts of their motor boats, news arrives that they might have been discovered, setting the stage for a summer filled with adventure and rivalry. This initial chapter effectively establishes the camaraderie among the boys and hints at upcoming conflicts as they prepare for their journey.