The River Motor Boat Boys on the Colorado; Or, The Clue in the Rocks

"The River Motor Boat Boys on the Colorado; Or, The Clue in the Rocks" by Harry Gordon is an adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows a trio of resourceful boys—Clayton Emmett, Cornelius Witters, and Alexander Smithwick—as they embark on a thrilling journey along the Colorado River aboard their motor boat, the "Rambler". In the opening chapters, the boys encounter a mystery involving mysterious disappearances and the pursuit of a missing friend, setting up a tale filled with challenges, excitement, and a hint of danger. At the start of the story, the boys prepare breakfast on their boat, but find that their food mysteriously vanishes. This quirky occurrence hints at the presence of a phantom or intruder on board. Not long after, one of the boys, Alex, dives into the river in pursuit of a pancake thief, which brings him face to face with an enigmatic character named Don Durand, who bears secrets of his own—including having stolen a substantial sum of money. Suddenly, the summer adventure takes a dark turn when Alex goes missing, igniting the search for him and raising the stakes in a chase filled with excitement and unforeseen twists. The opening sets the foundation for a story rich in camaraderie, mystery, and the thrill of exploration.