Chapter I: Preface

MY DEAR BOYS: With this I present to you "The Rover Boys on the Farm," the twelfth volume in the "Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."

It is a large number of volumes to write about one set of characters, isn't it? When I started the series, many years ago, I had in mind, as I have told you before, to pen three books, possibly four. But as soon as I had written "The Rover Boys at School," "The Rover Boys on the Ocean," and "The Rover Boys in the Jungle," there was a cry for more, and so I wrote "The Rover Boys Out West," "On the Great Lakes," "In the Mountains," "On Land and Sea," "In Camp," "On the River," "On the Plains," and then "In Southern Waters," where we last left our heroes.

In the present story, as promised in the last volume, the scene is shifted back to the farm and to dear old Putnam Hall, with their many pleasant associations. As before, Sam, Tom and Dick are to the front, along with several of their friends, and there are a number of adventures, some comical and some strange and mystifying. At the school the rivalries are as keen as ever, but the Rover boys are on their mettle, and prove their worth on more than one occasion.

Again I thank my numerous readers for all the kind words they have spoken about my stories. I hope the present volume will please them in every way.

Affectionately and sincerely yours,

EDWARD STRATEMEYER

CONTENTS.

I. SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS

II. WHAT HAPPENED ON THE MOUNTAIN

III. A MYSTERIOUS CAVE

IV. AT THE FARM

V. RANDOLPH ROVER'S STORY

VI. WAITING FOR NEWS

VII. A STRANGE LETTER BOX

VIII. LAST DAYS ON THE FARM

IX. AT THE WILD WEST SHOW

X. JOLLY OLD SCHOOLMATES

XI. WILLIAM PHILANDER TUBBS

XII. WHAT HAPPENED ON THE STAIRS

XIII. DORA, GRACE AND NELLIE

XIV. AT THE ICE-CREAM ESTABLISHMENT

XV. AN ASTONISHING GIFT

XVI. THE HUNT FOR A SNAKE

XVII. A STIRRING SCENE IN THE SCHOOLROOM

XVIII. IN WHICH TAD SOBBER DISAPPEARS

XIX. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE PARTY

XX. DICK AND DORA

XXI. A BOB SLED RACE

XXII. PELEG SNUGGERS' QUEER RIDE

XXIII. HOLIDAYS AT THE FARM

XXIV. A CAPTURE AND A SURPRISE

XXV. CHRISTMAS AT THE FARM

XXVI. THE SKATING RACE

XXVII. ON THE LAKE

XXVIII. AT THE OLD HOUSE

XXIX. A WRECK AND A CAPTURE

XXX. GOOD-BYE TO PUTNAM HALL

THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM