Chapter I: Introduction

MY DEAR BOYS: This book is a complete story in itself, but forms the twentieth volume in a line issued under the general title, "The Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."

As I have mentioned in other volumes, this line was started a number of years ago with the publication of "The Rover Boys at School," "On the Ocean," and "In the Jungle." These stories were so well received that there was an immediate cry for more, and so, year by year, they were followed by the publication of "The Rover Boys Out West," "On the Great Lakes," "In the Mountains," "In Camp," "On Land and Sea," "On the River," "On the Plains," "In Southern Waters," "On the Farm," "On Treasure Isle," "At College," "Down East," "In the Air," "In New York," "In Alaska," and finally, "In Business," where we last left our heroes.

The Rover boys have, of course, gradually been growing older. Dick and Tom are both married and doing what they can to carry on their father's business in New York City. Sam, the youngest of the boys, is still at Brill College. The particulars are given of some winter sports around that institution of learning, and then of a great baseball game in which the youngest Rover distinguishes himself. Then Sam graduates from college, and all the boys, with some others, go on a long automobile tour, during which a number of exciting adventures occur. The party is caught in a storm on the mountains, and later on are caught in a great flood. What the Rover boys did under such trying circumstances I leave for the pages which follow to disclose.

Once more I wish to thank all my young friends for the many gratifying things they have said about my books. I trust that the present volume will fulfil all their expectations, and that the reading of the same will do them good.

Affectionately and sincerely yours,

EDWARD STRATEMEYER

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I THE SNOWBALL FIGHT 1
II SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS 14
III WHAT HAPPENED TO SONGBIRD 25
IV THE CHASE 35
V AT THE RAILROAD STATION 46
VI AT THE SANDERSON HOME 57
VII SAM AND GRACE 67
VIII SOMETHING ABOUT BLACKIE CROWDEN 78
IX IN WHICH TOM ARRIVES 90
X THE FEAST 100
XI TOM FREES HIS MIND 111
XII OLD GRISLEY COMES TO TERMS 121
XIII SAM ON THE ROAD 133
XIV DAYS OF WAITING 143
XV BASEBALL TALK 154
XVI THE OPENING OF THE BALL GAME 166
XVII HOW THE GAME ENDED 176
XVIII GOOD-BYE TO BRILL 187
XIX GETTING READY FOR THE TOUR 201
XX A MOMENT OF PERIL 211
XXI NEWS OF BLACKIE CROWDEN 221
XXII ON THE TRAIL 232
XXIII BACK AT ASHTON 242
XXIV AT THE FESTIVAL 252
XXV A CALL FOR ASSISTANCE 262
XXVI SAM FREES HIS MIND 272
XXVII A TELEGRAM FROM NEW YORK 282
XXVIII CLOUDBURST AND FLOOD 292
XXIX THE RESCUE ON THE RIVER 304
XXX MRS. SAM ROVER--CONCLUSION 314

THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR