Chapter I: Introduction

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

As mentioned in some volumes of the first series, this line was started years ago with the publication of "The Rover Boys at School," "On the Ocean," and "In the Jungle," in which I introduced my readers to Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover and their relatives. The volumes of the first series related the doings of these three Rover boys while at Putnam Hall Military Academy, Brill College, and while on numerous outings.

Having acquired a good education, the three young men established themselves in business in New York and became married. Dick Rover was blessed with a son and a daughter, as was likewise his brother Sam, while Tom Rover became the proud father of twin boys. As the four lads were all of a decidedly lively disposition, it was thought best to send them to a boarding school, and in the first volume of the second series, entitled "The Rover Boys at Colby Hall," I related what happened to them while attending this institution.

From Colby Hall the scene was shifted to "Snowshoe Island," where the lads went for a mid-Winter outing. Then they came back to Colby Hall, and what happened to them at the annual encampment of the young cadets is related in the third volume, entitled "The Rover Boys Under Canvas."

When Winter was once more at hand the younger Rovers thought they would like to go on another outing with their chums, and in a volume entitled "The Rover Boys on a Hunt" I related how they came upon a mysterious house in the forest and uncovered a most unusual mystery.

In the present volume the scene is shifted from stirring doings at Colby Hall to still more stirring doings in the famous oil fields in the southern part of our country.

Once more I feel called upon to thank my numerous readers for the many nice things they have said about these "Rover Boys" books. I earnestly hope that the reading of the volumes will do them all good.

Affectionately and sincerely yours,
Edward Stratemeyer.

CONTENTS

I OUT IN THE STORM

II WHO THE ROVER BOYS WERE

III TO THE RESCUE

IV IN THE GYMNASIUM

V THE RIVAL SCHOOL

VI PLAYING HIXLEY HIGH

VII NEWS FROM ABROAD

VIII THE JOKE ON THE SNEAK

IX THE GAME WITH LONGLEY

X A GLORIOUS VICTORY

XI BONFIRE NIGHT

XII ON BLUEBELL ISLAND

XIII WERNER'S ATTACK

XIV BOUND FOR HOME

XV BACK FROM FRANCE

XVI DICK ROVER'S HEROISM

XVII THE GREAT VICTORY PARADE

XVIII BOUND FOR TEXAS

XIX IN THE LAND OF LUCK

XX PLOTTING AGAINST DICK ROVER

XXI WORDS AND BLOWS

XXII AMONG THE OIL WELLS

XXIII A QUEER SUMMONS

XXIV DICK ROVER'S REVELATION

XXV DAVENPORT'S ACCUSATION

XXVI NEWS OF RUTH

XXVII CAUGHT BY THE ENEMY

XXVIII AT THE FRANKLIN PLACE

XXIX DAYS OF ANXIETY

XXX THE NEW WELL--CONCLUSION

THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK