Chapter I: Introduction

My Dear Boys: This book is a complete story in itself, but forms the sixth volume in a line issued under the general title, "The Second Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."

As noted in some volumes of the first series, this line was started years ago with the publication of "The Rover Boys at School," "On the Ocean," and "In the Jungle," in which I introduced my readers to Dick, Tom and Sam Rover and their relatives and friends. The twenty volumes of the First Series related the doings of these three Rover boys while attending Putnam Hall Military Academy, Brill College, and while on numerous outings.

Having finished their education, the three young men established themselves in business and became married. Dick Rover was blessed with a son and a daughter, as was also his brother Sam, while Tom became the proud father of a pair of the liveliest kind of twin boys.

From their home in New York City the young Rovers were sent to a boarding school, as related in the first volume of the Second Series, entitled "The Rover Boys at Colby Hall." From that institution of learning the scene was shifted to "Snowshoe Island," where the lads spent a mid-winter outing. Then they rejoined their fellow-cadets and had some strenuous doings while "Under Canvas." After that, in a volume entitled "The Rover Boys on a Hunt," I related how they uncovered the mystery surrounding a strange house in the woods. And following this came a trip to Texas and Oklahoma, where, "In the Land of Luck," the boys aided Dick Rover in his efforts to locate some valuable oil wells.

In the present volume the scene is shifted back to Colby Hall and then to a ranch in the West where some remarkable happenings await our young heroes.

From reports received I am assured that the sale of this line of books has now passed the _three million_ mark! This is as astonishing as it is gratifying. I sincerely trust that the reading of the volumes will do all of the boys and girls good.

Affectionately and sincerely yours,
Edward Stratemeyer.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I. Snow and Snowballs 1
II. Something about the Rover Boys 13
III. What the Sneak Told 23
IV. Prisoners 35
V. By the Fishing-Pole Route 46
VI. A Touch of Mystery 58
VII. Something about a Sleighride Party 70
VIII. A Fight and a Challenge 82
IX. The Shooting Contest 93
X. Spouter's Secret 103
XI. The Election of Officers 113
XII. Bonfire Night 123
XIII. A Startling Discovery 133
XIV. The Parade 145
XV. Baseball 156
XVI. Spouter Is Cornered 166
XVII. Good-Bye to School 175
XVIII. On the Way West 184
XIX. In the Saddle 193
XX. At Big Horn Ranch 204
XXI. Hop Lung and the Fish 213
XXII. A Horse and a Snake 222
XXIII. Jarley Bangs 232
XXIV. A New Arrival 242
XXV. Professor Duke's Secret 254
XXVI. The Cattle Stampede 264
XXVII. The Mountain Lion 274
XXVIII. In the Cave 284
XXIX. A Confession 294
XXX. The Capture--Conclusion 303

THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH