A group of boys spend a summer cruising in a well-equipped rowboat provided by an older relative, learning to sail, row, fish, and camp as they travel along rivers and into the woods. The narrative unfolds in episodic adventures that include accidents, narrow escapes, run-ins with tramps, and comic mishaps, each episode testing their courage and resourcefulness. Practical seamanship, teamwork, and gradual moral development are emphasized throughout, as the boys acquire self-reliance, prudence, and stronger friendships through outdoor labor and shared challenges.