Chapter I: Preface

"DAVE PORTER AND HIS DOUBLE" is a complete story in itself, but forms the twelfth volume in a line issued under the general title of "Dave Porter Series."

This series was begun some years ago by the publication of "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," in which my young readers were introduced to a wide-awake American lad at a typical American boarding-school.

The publication of this volume was followed by "Dave Porter in the South Seas," to which portion of our globe the lad journeyed to clear up a question concerning his parentage. Next came "Dave Porter's Return to School," telling of additional happenings at Oak Hall; "Dave Porter in the Far North," where he went on a second journey looking for his father; "Dave Porter and His Classmates," in which our young hero showed what he could do under most trying circumstances; "Dave Porter at Star Ranch," in which he took part in many strenuous adventures in the Wild West; "Dave Porter and His Rivals," in which the youth outwitted some of his old-time enemies; "Dave Porter on Cave Island," giving the details of a remarkable sea voyage and strange doings ashore; "Dave Porter and the Runaways," in which the boy taught some of his school chums a much-needed lesson; "Dave Porter in the Gold Fields," whither he went in search of a lost mine; and finally "Dave Porter at Bear Camp," which was located in the Adirondack Mountains, and where we last left him.

In the present volume we find our hero in a new field of activity. Having graduated from school, he has taken up the study of civil engineering, and while engaged in that calling in Texas he becomes mixed up in most unusual happenings, the particulars of which are given in the pages that follow.

Once more I wish to thank my young readers, and many of their parents, for all the kind things they have said regarding my stories. I trust that the reading of the present book will not only please but also profit the young folks.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

_March 1, 1916_.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I Off for a Sleigh-ride 1
II Something of the Past 13
III The Team that Ran Away 22
IV Ward Porton Again 32
V What Asa Dickley Had to Say 42
VI More Trouble 53
VII Face to Face 63
VIII The Basswood Fortune 72
IX Something About Miniatures 82
X The Big Sleighing-Party 93
XI Held by the Blizzard 104
XII Tim Crapsey's Plot 114
XIII What Washington Bones had to Tell 124
XIV Movements of the Enemy 133
XV The Return to Crumville 143
XVI How the Miniatures Disappeared 153
XVII A Vain Search 163
XVIII The Civil Engineering Examination 173
XIX Off for Texas 181
XX In New York City 191
XXI Dave in Washington 201
XXII In Texas at Last 211
XXIII At the Engineering Camp 221
XXIV A Midnight Alarm 230
XXV The Mexican Raiders 239
XXVI The Chase on the Bridge 249
XXVII Across the Rio Grande 259
XXVIII A Strange Discovery 269
XXIX The Capture 278
XXX The Fortune Recovered--Conclusion 288

ILLUSTRATIONS

The team left the roadway, and the next instant had
crashed through a frail railway fence (_Page
24_) _Frontispiece_

FACING
PAGE
He seized Porton's upraised arm and backed the
fellow against a tree 70
From under the snow and the robes crawled the boys
and the girls 102
Slowly the train puffed in, and proved to be a
freight 136
The young people played games, sang, and danced to
their hearts' content 170
The next instant he was dashing into the street 202
"Here we are at the camp!" announced the guide 226
"Hold tight, Roger! I'll help you," returned Dave,
quickly 256

DAVE PORTER AND HIS DOUBLE