Chapter I: Preface

This volume of the series finds the boys entering upon manhood. Already, by integrity and energy, have they secured the respect and confidence of their employers and the community.

Isaac at sea, John behind the anvil, Fred in trade, and Charlie in the shipyard. Fired by the success of Lion Ben, and the spirit of enterprise abroad, among a people who, having burst the shackles of arbitrary power, were leaping forward, with long strides, in pursuit of wealth, knowledge, and power, they resolve to build a vessel. When, by severe toil, and all manner of make-shifts, they have completed the hull, their means fail. Roused by necessity to still greater efforts, they weave the canvas for the sails in household looms, betake themselves to the depths of the forest, there spend an entire winter hunting and trapping. When the spring opens, they build canoes of bark, and return by water, unloading their furs, and carrying their canoes round the rapids, thus obtaining sufficient to accomplish their purpose.

So severe and protracted has been the conflict, they call their vessel the Hard-Scrabble.

She arrives at Martinique during the contest occasioned by the French revolution; war prices are obtained for the cargo, affording a most ample return. The property thus acquired is used to create business for the benefit of the community.

_ELM ISLAND STORIES._

1. LION BEN OF ELM ISLAND.
2. CHARLIE BELL, THE WAIF OF ELM ISLAND.
3. THE ARK OF ELM ISLAND.
4. THE BOY FARMERS OF ELM ISLAND.
5. THE YOUNG SHIP-BUILDERS OF ELM ISLAND.
6. THE HARD-SCRABBLE OF ELM ISLAND.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. INSTINCT TRIUMPHANT. 9

II. I’LL GIVE HIM QUICKSILVER. 13

III. THE BOYS CATCH THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE. 31

IV. NEWS FROM HOME. 40

V. TIGE’S NOSE BETTER THAN THE CAPTAIN’S SPY-GLASS. 45

VI. TELLING AND HEARING THE NEWS. 55

VII. CHARLIE AT HOME AGAIN. 64

VIII. JOE GRIFFIN AT HOUSEKEEPING. 77

IX. HOW JOE ENTERTAINED HIS GUESTS. 88

X. TRAPPING AND NETTING. 104

XI. MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS. 118

XII. GENIUS STRUGGLING WITH DIFFICULTIES. 135

XIII. SCATTERING FRAMES. 148

XIV. CHARLIE ACHIEVES SUCCESS. 162

XV. DIFFICULTIES WHET THE EDGE OF RESOLUTION. 169

XVI. SALLY COMES TO THE RESCUE. 188

XVII. CHARLIE’S THEODOLITE. 200

XVIII. HARD-SCRABBLE. 204

XIX. PLEASURE AND PROFIT. 219

XX. CAMPING. 234

XXI. UNCLE ISAAC’S BEAR STORY. 246

XXII. RAID ON A BEAVER SETTLEMENT. 266

XXIII. BREAKING CAMP. 276

XXIV. THE HARD-SCRABBLE WEIGHS ANCHOR.--CHARLIE GETS MARRIED. 284

XXV. STRIKING WHILE THE IRON’S HOT. 300

XXVI. PROGRESS. 312

THE HARD-SCRABBLE OF ELM ISLAND.