From their home in New York City the young Rovers were sent to a boarding school, as related in the first volume of the Second Series, entitled "The Rover Boys at Colby Hall." From that institution of learning the scene was shifted to "Snowshoe Island," where the lads spent a mid-winter outing. Then they rejoined their fellow-cadets and had some strenuous doings while "Under Canvas." After that, in a volume entitled "The Rover Boys on a Hunt," I related how they uncovered the mystery surrounding a strange house in the woods. And following this came a trip to Texas and Oklahoma, where, "In the Land of Luck," the boys aided Dick Rover in his efforts to locate some valuable oil wells.
In the present volume the scene is shifted back to Colby Hall and then to a ranch in the West where some remarkable happenings await our young heroes.
From reports received I am assured that the sale of this line of books has now passed the _three million_ mark! This is as astonishing as it is gratifying. I sincerely trust that the reading of the volumes will do all of the boys and girls good.
Affectionately and sincerely yours, Edward Stratemeyer.
CHAPTER PAGE I. Snow and Snowballs 1 II. Something about the Rover Boys 13 III. What the Sneak Told 23 IV. Prisoners 35 V. By the Fishing-Pole Route 46 VI. A Touch of Mystery 58 VII. Something about a Sleighride Party 70 VIII. A Fight and a Challenge 82 IX. The Shooting Contest 93 X. Spouter's Secret 103 XI. The Election of Officers 113 XII. Bonfire Night 123 XIII. A Startling Discovery 133 XIV. The Parade 145 XV. Baseball 156 XVI. Spouter Is Cornered 166 XVII. Good-Bye to School 175 XVIII. On the Way West 184 XIX. In the Saddle 193 XX. At Big Horn Ranch 204 XXI. Hop Lung and the Fish 213 XXII. A Horse and a Snake 222 XXIII. Jarley Bangs 232 XXIV. A New Arrival 242 XXV. Professor Duke's Secret 254 XXVI. The Cattle Stampede 264 XXVII. The Mountain Lion 274 XXVIII. In the Cave 284 XXIX. A Confession 294 XXX. The Capture--Conclusion 303
"Line up, fellows! No crowding ahead in this contest."
"Here, Jack, give me some elbow room if you want me to do any real snowball throwing!" cried Fred Rover.
"All the elbow room you want," returned his cousin gayly.