Chapter II: Preface

"Dave Porter and His Classmates" is a complete story in itself, but forms the fifth volume in a line issued under the general title of "Dave Porter Series."

The first book of this series, "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," introduced to the reader a typical American youth of to-day, full of vim and vigor, and with a true sense of manliness, and related the particulars of some doings at a modern boarding school. At this institution of learning Dave, by pluck and perseverance, fought his way to the front, and was admired accordingly.

There was a cloud on the youth's parentage, and in order to clear this away he took a long and eventful sea voyage, as related in the second volume of the series, called "Dave Porter in the South Seas." Thousands of miles from home he found an uncle and learned something of his father and sister, who were then traveling in Europe.

As was but natural, the lad was anxious to meet all his relatives, but the address of his father and sister could not be obtained, and while waiting for this he returned to Oak Hall, as related in the next volume, entitled "Dave Porter's Return to School." At school Dave lived a truly strenuous life, becoming innocently involved in some robberies, aiding to win some great football games, and helping to bring the bully of the academy to a realization of his better self.

In the midst of his school life Dave learned that his father had been heard from. More anxious than ever to meet his parent he, in company with an old chum, set sail for England, and then went to Norway, as related in "Dave Porter in the Far North." Here, amid the ice and snow of the Land of the Midnight Sun, Dave found his father, and learned much of his sister, which filled him with great satisfaction.

It was now time for the youth to return to school, and in the present volume I have related some of the things that took place at Oak Hall after Dave got back,--how he worked hard, played hard, overcame his enemies, and what he did for the honor of the academy.

Once more I thank the young people for the interest they have shown in my books. I trust that the reading of the present volume will do them much good.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

_February 1, 1909_

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. DAVE AND HIS PAST 1

II. WHAT LAURA HAD TO TELL 11

III. ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL 21

IV. THE FUN OF A NIGHT 31

V. WHAT HAPPENED TO NAT POOLE 41

VI. WHAT A BIG SNOWBALL DID 51

VII. PRISONERS IN THE SCHOOL 61

VIII. A MOVE IN THE DARK 71

IX. VERA ROCKWELL 81

X. DAVE SPEAKS HIS MIND 91

XI. AT THE OLD GRANARY 101

XII. GUS PLUM'S STORY 111

XIII. THE GEE EYES' INITIATION 121

XIV. IN WHICH JOB HASKERS GETS
LEFT IN THE COLD 131

XV. WHAT MIKE MARCY HAD TO TELL 141

XVI. SOMETHING ABOUT LESSONS 151

XVII. SHADOW HAMILTON'S PERIL 161

XVIII. THE BOXING BOUT 171

XIX. AT THE EXPRESS OFFICE 181

XX. A MISUNDERSTANDING 191

XXI. IN WHICH THE BOYS GIVE AN
ENTERTAINMENT 201

XXII. FORMING THE BASEBALL CLUB 211

XXIII. A GREAT VICTORY 221

XXIV. ON BUSH ISLAND 231

XXV. WHAT AN AUTOMOBILE DID 241

XXVI. A DEFEAT FOR OAK HALL 250

XXVII. STUCK ON A SANDBAR 260

XXVIII. LINK MERWELL HAS HIS SAY 270

XXIX. DAVE MAKES UP HIS MIND 280

XXX. DAVE TAKES THE LAW IN HIS OWN HANDS 289

XXXI. MORE VICTORIES--CONCLUSION 298

ILLUSTRATIONS

The big touring car shot past the
carryall (page 249) _Frontispiece_
PAGE

The big snowball hit the craft and bowled it over, (_missing_) 52

"It's a shame to make you eat without a fork, Phil" 74

"Now to Jackson's Gully with him!" 124

Dave pointed out the form of the sleep-walker, (_missing_) 164

Down went the back part, letting him fall
most unexpectedly 208

"Well, you can row if you want to," sneered Poole 232

Raising his oar, he hit the bully a blow on the shoulder 274

DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES