The Outdoor Chums on a Houseboat; Or, The Rivals of the Mississippi

The narrative follows four college friends who accept an elderly relative's request to bring a neglected houseboat down the Mississippi. Their voyage mixes campcraft, photography, and improvised seamanship as they confront river hazards, storms, collisions, a runaway craft, a stowaway antagonist, and a wild bobcat aboard. Episodes alternate planning, peril, and problem-solving, with rivalries, rescues, and cooperative leadership shaping their decisions. The tale closes with the completion of the voyage and a settling of disputes, showing practical ingenuity and loyalty among the companions.