Chapter I: Preface

"Dave Porter in the Far North" is a complete story in itself, but forms the fourth volume in a line issued under the general title of "Dave Porter Series."

In the first volume, entitled "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," I introduced a typical American lad, full of life and vigor, and related the particulars of his doings at an American boarding school of to-day--a place which is a little world in itself. At this school Dave made both friends and enemies, proved that he was a natural leader, and was admired accordingly.

The great cloud over Dave's life was the question of his parentage. His enemies called him "that poorhouse nobody," which hurt him deeply. He made a discovery, and in the second volume of the series, entitled "Dave Porter in the South Seas," we followed him on a most unusual voyage, at the end of which he found an uncle, and learned something of his father and sister, who were at that time traveling in Europe.

Dave was anxious to meet his own family, but could not find out just where they were. While waiting for word from them, he went back to Oak Hall, and in the third volume of the series, called "Dave Porter's Return to School," we learned how he became innocently involved in a mysterious series of robberies, helped to win two great games of football, and brought the bully of the academy to a realization of his better self.

As time went by Dave longed more than ever to meet his father and his sister, and how he went in search of them I leave the pages which follow to relate. As before, Dave is bright, manly, and honest to the core, and in those qualities I trust my young readers will take him as their model throughout life.

Once more I thank the thousands who have taken an interest in what I have written for them. May the present story help them to despise those things which are mean and hold fast to those things which are good.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

January 10, 1908.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. ON THE TRAIN 1

II. A ROW IN A RESTAURANT 12

III. OFF THE TRACK 22

IV. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE BARN 32

V. BACK TO OAK HALL 42

VI. GUS PLUM'S CONFESSION 51

VII. HOW JOB HASKERS WENT SLEIGH-RIDING 59

VIII. A MYSTERIOUS LETTER 69

IX. DAVE TALKS TO THE POINT 78

X. AN ADVENTURE ON ROBBER ISLAND 87

XI. A HUNT FOR AN ICE-BOAT 97

XII. THE MEETING OF THE GEE EYES 107

XIII. AN INTERRUPTED INITIATION 116

XIV. GOOD-BYE TO OAK HALL 125

XV. DAVE AND ROGER IN LONDON 134

XVI. SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION 143

XVII. ON THE NORTH SEA 152

XVIII. IN NORWAY AT LAST 162

XIX. OFF TO THE NORTHWARD 171

XX. AN ENCOUNTER WITH WOLVES 181

XXI. CAUGHT IN A WINDSTORM 190

XXII. SNOWBOUND IN THE MOUNTAINS 200

XXIII. LEFT IN THE DARK 210

XXIV. THE BURGOMASTER OF MASOLGA 219

XXV. TO THE NORTHWARD ONCE MORE 228

XXVI. DAYS OF WAITING 237

XXVII. DAVE STRIKES OUT ALONE 246

XXVIII. A JOYOUS MEETING 255

XXIX. BEARS AND WOLVES 264

XXX. HOME AGAIN--CONCLUSION 274

ILLUSTRATIONS

In a twinkling the turnout was upset (page 206) _Frontispiece_

PAGE

Roger shoved it aside and it struck Isaac Pludding full on the stomach 25

"Can't stop, I'm on the race-track!" yelled Shadow 58

The mule shied to one side and sent Dave sprawling on the ice 101

What was left of the camp-fire flew up in the air 120

Once they ran close to a three-masted schooner 160

"Out with the lot of them! I will take the rooms" 229

Dave received a blow from a rough paw that sent him headlong 267

DAVE PORTER IN THE FAR NORTH