"The Motor Boys Afloat; or, The Stirring Cruise of the Dartaway" by Clarence Young is a children's adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around three young boys, Bob Baker, Ned Slade, and Jerry Hopkins, who are excited to receive their new motorboat, the "Dartaway". The book captures their adventures as they face various challenges and adversities, emphasizing themes of friendship, bravery, and problem-solving. At the start of the story, Bob Baker receives a postal notification that their long-awaited motorboat has arrived, sending him racing to share the news with his friends. They quickly make plans to retrieve the boat and prepare for adventures on the river. Their newfound excitement is tempered by the looming presence of Noddy Nixon, a local bully who has returned to town and poses a potential threat. The boys' eagerness to embrace their new vessel and embark on thrilling journeys highlights their youthful spirit, while the introduction of unsettled dynamics with adversaries hints at forthcoming challenges in the narrative. (This is an automatically generated summary.)