Chapter I: Front Matter

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FOUR AFOOT

* * * * * *

BY RALPH HENRY BARBOUR.

Each Illustrated, 12mo, Cloth, $1.50.

Double Play.
Forward Pass!
The Spirit of the School.
Four in Camp.
Four Afoot.
Four Afloat.
The Arrival of Jimpson.
Behind the Line.
Captain of the Crew.
For the Honor of the School.
The Half-Back.
On Your Mark.
Weatherby’s Inning.

D. APPLETON & COMPANY, NEW YORK.

* * * * * *

FOUR AFOOT

Being the Adventures of the Big Four on the Highway

by

RALPH HENRY BARBOUR

Author of “The Half-Back,” “Behind the Line,” “Weatherby’s Inning,” “On Your Mark,” “Four in Camp,” etc.

New York and London D. Appleton and Company 1910

Copyright, 1906, by D. Appleton and Company

Published September, 1906

To L. S. S.

IN MEMORY OF PLEASANT HOURS

TO THE READER

Many of you who followed the adventures of Nelson, Dan, Bob, and Tom, as narrated in a previous story, FOUR IN CAMP, have very kindly professed a willingness to hear more about this quartette of everyday boys, and the author, who has himself grown rather fond of the “Big Four,” was very well pleased to take them again for his heroes. It seems now as though there might even be a third volume to the series--but that will depend altogether on how well you like this one, for, as of course you understand, the author is writing in an effort to please you, and not himself. And if he doesn’t please you, he would be very glad to have you tell him so, and why.

If you go to searching your map of Long Island for the places mentioned in this story you will be disappointed. They are all there, but, with one or two exceptions, under other names. You see, it doesn’t do to be too explicit in a case of this sort. Mr. William Hooper, for instance, might seriously object were you to stop in front of his house and remark, “Huh! there’s where old Bill Hooper lives, the fellow that wouldn’t give the ‘four’ any supper!” Of course it is different in the case of Sag Harbor--that town has already been immortalized on the stage, and is probably by this time quite hardened to publicity. And as for Jericho--but then they never got there!

RALPH HENRY BARBOUR.
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I.--IN WHICH THE BIG FOUR SET OUT FOR JERICHO 1

II.--IN WHICH TOMMY DELAYS PROGRESS AND THEY LOSE
THEIR WAY 13

III.--INTRODUCES MR. JERRY HINKLEY AND AN IMPROMPTU
DINNER 24

IV.--INTRODUCES MR. WILLIAM HOOPER AND AN IMPROMPTU
SUPPER 37

V.--DESCRIBES A SECOND ENCOUNTER WITH MR. WADE 45

VI.--WITNESSES A RESCUE AND AN ADDITION TO THE PARTY 57

VII.--WHEREIN BARRY DISTINGUISHES HIMSELF 67

VIII.--IN WHICH POVERTY CLAIMS THE FOUR 77

IX.--SHOWS THEM BOTH HUNGRY AND SATISFIED 88

X.--IN WHICH NELSON SEES STRANGE VISIONS 98

XI.--IN WHICH JERRY TELLS HIS STORY AND DAN PROVIDES
DINNER 112

XII.--WITNESSES THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF “DANELLO” 128

XIII.--WHEREIN THEY MEET THE WILD MAN OF THE TARTARY
STEPPES 137

XIV.--TOM SWIMS IN THE OCEAN AND DIPS INTO POETRY 151

XV.--TELLS HOW THEY MEET THE MANNIG BASEBALL CLUB AND
HOW NELSON AND BOB GET ENGAGEMENTS 170

XVI.--WHEREIN NELSON AND BOB PLAY BALL AND LAURELVILLE
MAKES A PROTEST 184

XVII.--IN WHICH A FIRE ALARM AIDS MANNIG, AND THE FOUR
LEAVE HURRIEDLY 201

XVIII.--TELLS OF AN ADVENTURE IN A HUT 218

XIX.--TELLS OF A VOYAGE AND A SHIPWRECK 230

XX.--FOLLOWS WITH A RESCUE AND INTRODUCES FRIENDS IN
NEED 246

XXI.--WHEREIN TOM LOSES HIS TOOTHBRUSH AND DAN TELLS
A STORY 261

XXII.--WHEREIN GOOD-BYS ARE SAID AND BARRY MAKES HIS
CHOICE 271

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

FACING
PAGE

“Swinging along a country road on Long Island.” _Frontispiece_

“Leaped excitedly at the counter.” 74

“‘Why! Hello, Jerry Hinkley!’” 104

“Suddenly the boat’s head swirled around.” 242

FOUR AFOOT