Chapter I: Front Matter

The Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts

A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS

Which, in addition to the interesting boy scout stem
by CAPTAIN ALAN DOUGLAS, Scoutmaster, contain articles
on nature lore, native animals and a fund of other
information pertaining to out-of-door life, that will
appeal to the boy's love of the open.

I. The Campfires of the Wolf Patrol

Their first camping experience affords the scouts
splendid opportunities to use their recently acquired
knowledge in a practical way. Elmer Chenowith, a lad
from the northwest woods, astonishes everyone by his
familiarity with camp life. A clean, wholesome story
every boy should read.

II. Woodcraft; or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good

This tale presents many stirring situations in which
some of the boys are called upon to exercise all their
ingenuity and unselfishness. A story filled with
healthful excitement.

III. Pathfinder; or, The Musing Tenderfoot

Some mysteries are cleared up in a most unexpected
way, greatly to the credit of our young friends. A
variety of incidents follow fast, one after the other.

IV. Fast Nine; or, a Challenge From Fairfield

They show the same team-work here as when in camp. The
description of the final game with the team of a rival
town, and the outcome thereof, form a stirring
narrative. One of the best baseball stories of recent
years.

V. Great Hike; or, The Pride of The Khaki Troop

After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on
their greatest undertaking. Their march takes them far
from home, and the good-natured rivalry of the
different patrols furnishes many interesting and
amusing situations.

VI. Endurance Test; or, How Clear Grit Won the Day

Few stories "get" us more than illustrations of pluck
in the face of apparent failure. Our heroes show the
stuff they are made of and surprise their most ardent
admirers. One of the best stories Captain Douglas has
written.

Boy Scout Nature Lore to be Found in The Hickory Ridge Boy Scout Series

Wild Animals of the United States--Tracking--in Number I.
Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.
Reptiles of the United States in Number III.
Fishes of the United States in Number IV.
Insects of the United States in Number V.
Birds of the United States in Number VI.

_Cloth Binding_ _Cover Illustrations in Four Colors_
_40c. Post Volume_

THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
147 FOURTH AVENUE (near 14th St) NEW YORK

FAST NINE

OR

A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD

COMPLETE ROSTER, WHEN THE PATROLS WERE FILLED, OF

THE HICKORY RIDGE TROOP OF BOY SCOUTS

MR. RODERIC GARRABRANT, SCOUT MASTER

THE WOLF PATROL

ELMER CHENOWITH, Patrol Leader, and also Assistant Scout Master

MARK CUMMINGS
TED (THEODORE) BURGOYNE
TOBY (TOBIAS) ELLSWORTH JONES
"LIL ARTHA" (ARTHUR) STANSBURY
CHATZ (CHARLES) MAXFIELD
PHIL (PHILIP) DALE
GEORGE BOBBINS

THE BEAVER PATROL

MATTY (MATTHEW) EGGLESTON, Patrol Leader

"RED" (OSCAR) HUGGINS
TY (TYRUS) COLLINS
JASPER MERRIWEATHER
TOM CROPSEY
LARRY (LAWRENCE) BILLINGS
HEN (HENRY) CONDIT
LANDY (PHILANDER) SMITH

THE EAGLE PATROL

JACK ARMITAGE, Patrol Leader

NAT (NATHAN) SCOTT

(OTHERS TO BE ENLISTED UNTIL THIS PATROL HAS REACHED ITS LEGITIMATE NUMBER)

THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS

FAST NINE

OR

A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD

BY

CAPTAIN ALAN DOUGLAS

SCOUT MASTER

THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
NEW YORK

COPYRIGHT, 1928, BY
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I.--ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE FISHING HOLE 17
II.--A STARTLING ACCUSATION 25
III.--WHEN THE CHALLENGE CAME 33
IV.--THE PRACTICE GAME WITH THE SCRUB TEAM 41
V.--BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY 49
VI.--A QUESTION OF A SCOUT'S DUTY 57
VII.--MORE WORK ON THE DIAMOND 65
VIII.--THE PUNCTURED TIRE 73
IX.--FAITHFUL TO HIS FRIEND 81
X.--GIVING HIM ANOTHER CHANCE 89
XI.--READY FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BATS 97
XII.--STEALING THE SIGNALS 105
XIII.--READY FOR THE GREAT GAME 113
XIV.--HOW THE FIGHT WENT ON 121
XV.--LIL ARTHA PLANTS HIS GARDEN IN DEEP CENTER 129
XVI.--THE MYSTERY SOLVED 137

FAST NINE

OR

A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD

_THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS_

FAST NINE; OR, A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD.