Chapter I: Preface

"DAVE PORTER AT BEAR CAMP" is a complete story in itself, but forms the eleventh volume in a line issued under the general title of "Dave Porter Series."

As I have mentioned several times, this series was started a number of years ago by the publication of "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," in which my young readers were introduced to a typical, wide-awake American lad at an up-to-date American boarding school.

The publication of this first volume was followed by that of "Dave Porter in the South Seas," whither the lad journeyed to clear up a question concerning his parentage. Then came "Dave Porter's Return to School," telling of more doings at Oak Hall; "Dave Porter in the Far North," in which he went on a second journey looking for his father; "Dave Porter and His Classmates," relating more happenings at school; "Dave Porter at Star Ranch," in which our hero participated in many adventures in the wild West; "Dave Porter and His Rivals," showing how he outwitted some of his old-time enemies; "Dave Porter on Cave Island," giving the particulars of a remarkable voyage on the ocean and strange doings ashore; "Dave Porter and the Runaways," in which the youth taught some of his chums a much-needed lesson; and finally "Dave Porter in the Gold Fields," in which the lad and a number of his chums went in quest of a gold mine, all traces of which had been lost through a landslide.

The present volume tells the particulars of a thrilling rescue from fire at sea, and how the boys and girls, along with some of the older folks, went for a vacation in a camp on the shore of a beautiful lake. Here, most unexpectedly, Dave fell in with one of his old enemies. The youth and his chums had some strenuous times, the particulars of which are given in the pages which follow.

Once again I avail myself of the opportunity to thank my young readers for all the pleasant things they have said regarding my stories. I trust that the reading of this volume will benefit them all.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
_March 1, 1915._

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I THE BOYS ON SHIPBOARD 1

II SOMETHING ABOUT THE PAST 11

III THE RESCUE AT SEA 21

IV BACK TO CRUMVILLE 32

V DAVE AT HOME 42

VI NEWS OF IMPORTANCE 52

VII LINK MERWELL AGAIN 62

VIII OFF FOR BEAR CAMP 72

IX ON THE ROAD 83

X CAUGHT IN A STORM 93

XI FROM ONE HARDSHIP TO ANOTHER 105

XII A STROKE OF LIGHTNING 116

XIII AT BEAR CAMP 126

XIV SOMETHING OF A QUARREL 137

XV VISITORS 148

XVI A STRANGE COMMUNICATION 158

XVII THE SWIMMING RACE 169

XVIII A CRY FROM THE CLIFF 180

XIX THE CAPTURE OF LINK MERWELL 191

XX BACK IN CAMP 201

XXI THE ESCAPE 210

XXII MORE OF A MYSTERY 220

XXIII SHOOTING A WILDCAT 230

XXIV THE MAN AT THE CABIN 239

XXV TWO DEER 249

XXVI STARTLING NEWS 257

XXVII WHAT HAPPENED IN THE NIGHT 266

XXVIII DELLA FORD'S STATEMENT 275

XXIX THE BIG BEAR 284

XXX GOOD NEWS--CONCLUSION 295

ILLUSTRATIONS

Out came a kettle, a frying-pan, some knives
and forks (Page 293) _Frontispiece_

FACING
PAGE

Dave caught her under the arms, and, treading water,
brought both her and himself to the surface 24

Then, as Dave went after him, he broke into a run 64

And then all the young folks fell to eating with great
gusto 102

"Hello! hello! Where are you going?" 154

"It's a snake, and a big one!" 180

"You just said that I was not Dave Porter. What
do you mean by that?" 202

Crack! Bang! The two pieces rang out in quick
succession 254

DAVE PORTER AT BEAR CAMP