Chapter I: Introduction

MY DEAR BOYS: This book is a complete story in itself, but forms the first volume in a line issued under the general title, "The Second Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."

As mentioned in several of the other volumes of the first series, this line was started a number of years ago with the publication of "The Rover Boys at School," in which my readers were introduced to Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover, three wide-awake American lads. In that volume and in those which followed I gave the particulars of their adventures while attending Putnam Hall Military Academy, Brill College, and while on numerous outings, both in our own country and abroad.

The Rover boys were, of course, growing older; and, having met three young ladies very much to their liking, each married and settled down, as related in detail in the several volumes immediately preceding this. They were well established in business; and in due course of time Dick Rover was blessed with a son, as was also Sam, while the fun-loving Tom became the proud possessor of a pair of twins who were as full of life as their father had ever been.

In this volume the younger Rover boys are old enough to go to boarding school. They are sent to Colby Hall Military Academy, presided over by an old friend and schoolmate of their fathers; and there they make both friends and enemies, and have numerous adventures.

In the beginning this chronicle of the younger Rovers, I wish to thank my numerous readers for all the kind things they have said about the other volumes in these series, and I trust that they will make just as good friends of Jack, Andy and Randy, and Fred as they did of Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover.

Affectionately and sincerely yours,

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

CONTENTS

PAGE

I INTRODUCING THE YOUNGER ROVERS 1

II SOMETHING OF THE PAST 13

III WHAT FOLLOWED ANOTHER TRICK 24

IV JACK IN WALL STREET 35

V GETTING READY TO LEAVE 45

VI ON THE TRAIN 54

VII A SCENE IN THE DINING CAR 65

VIII AT COLBY HALL 76

IX THE MISSING SUITCASE 88

X GETTING ACQUAINTED 98

XI DOWN IN THE CORNFIELD 109

XII LEARNING TO DRILL 119

XIII FRED IS FOLLOWED 129

XIV THE FIGHT 139

XV IN THE TOWN 148

XVI AT THE MOVING PICTURE THEATER 157

XVII THE GIRLS FROM CLEARWATER HALL 167

XVIII SLUGGER BROWN IS EXPOSED 178

XIX A SQUALL ON THE LAKE 187

XX IN GREAT PERIL 197

XXI ASSISTANCE REFUSED 206

XXII THE MEETING WITH HIXLEY HIGH 216

XXIII TARGET PRACTICE 226

XXIV THE FUN OF HALLOWE'EN 235

XXV OFF ON A HUNT 245

XXVI FROM ONE TROUBLE TO ANOTHER 254

XXVII ELIAS LACY'S DEMAND 265

XXVIII IN THE GUARDROOM 274

XXIX THE EXPOSURE 284

XXX A FOOTBALL VICTORY--CONCLUSION 296

THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL