Chapter II: Preface: To the Revised Edition

“OLIVER BRIGHT’S SEARCH,” the second volume of the “Bound to Succeed” Series, relates the adventures of a manly American youth who goes West to locate a mine in which his invalid father owns a large interest. Oliver is just out of school, and has but little experience in travelling, yet he does not hesitate to take the trip to California, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and thence into the interior on horseback.

Oliver is, in every respect, an up-to-date boy; one who will stand no nonsense when dealing with those who would defraud his father out of his lawful property; yet the boy’s moral principles are of a high order, and he is not unmerciful when the object of his long search has been gained.

It was hoped, when the book was first issued, that the story would stand well beside “Richard Dare’s Venture,” which had preceded it. It has been even more successful than the other volume named, and once more the author must thank the readers and critics who have taken such an interest in what he has written.

In conclusion, the author would say a word in regard to the scenes in the mining districts of California. These were drawn very largely from the narratives of a close and dear relative who spent much time out there, going as an Argonaut of ’49, and to whom the vicinity of Sutter’s Mill and the Mokelumne River became as an open book, not only then but later on. To write down these descriptions was, therefore, not only a work of interest, but of love.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

NEWARK, N.J.,
April 1, 1899.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE
I. AN UNEXPECTED DISCLOSURE 5
II. THE STORY OF THE AURORA MINE 12
III. MR. BRIGHT’S RESOLVE 19
IV. AN ACCIDENT 25
V. LEAVING HOME 32
VI. AT THE STEAMSHIP OFFICE 39
VII. A CONVERSATION OF IMPORTANCE 45
VIII. A NIGHT IN NEW YORK 52
IX. ON THE STEAMER 58
X. THE STORM OFF CAPE HATTERAS 65
XI. MR. WHYLAND 73
XII. ARRIVAL AT ASPINWALL 79
XIII. MR. WHYLAND’S STORY 86
XIV. IN THE WILDS OF THE ISTHMUS 94
XV. AN ADVENTURE ON THE ISTHMUS 101
XVI. A CHANGE OF PLAN 108
XVII. A STARTLING CRY 114
XVIII. OLIVER’S HEROISM 120
XIX. GUS HAS AN ADVENTURE 127
XX. A FLYING GLANCE 134
XXI. AN UNSUCCESSFUL PURSUIT 141
XXII. FELIX COTTLE 148
XXIII. OFF FOR THE MINES 155
XXIV. IN THE MOUNTAINS 162
XXV. A STORM IN THE MOUNTAINS 169
XXVI. THE AURORA MINE AT LAST 175
XXVII. AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION 182
XXVIII. COLONEL MENDIX IS ASTONISHED 188
XXIX. IN THE AURORA MINE 195
XXX. A PERILOUS SITUATION 202
XXXI. SEEKING DELIVERANCE 208
XXXII. A VALUABLE FIND 213
XXXIII. BROUGHT TO BOOK 221
XXXIV. CONCLUSION 238

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

FACING
PAGE

Before the other could interfere, Oliver was on
the rail and over the side _Frontispiece_

Yes, Oliver, alas! I am ruined 10

The next instant his body disappeared over the edge! 160

There is the Cortez mine, and just below it is the
Aurora. 180

OLIVER BRIGHT’S SEARCH.