ppenings at school;
"Dave Porter at Star Ranch," in which our hero participated in many
adventures in the wild West; "Dave Porter and His Rivals," showing how
he outwitted some of his old-time enemies; "Dave Porter on Cave
Island," giving the particulars of a remarkable voyage on the ocean and
strange doings ashore; "Dave Porter and the Runaways," in which the
youth taught some of his chums a much-needed lesson; and finally "Dave
Porter in the Gold Fields," in which the lad and a number of his chums
went in quest of a gold mine, all traces of which had been lost through
a landslide.

The present volume tells the particulars of a thrilling rescue from fire
at sea, and how the boys and girls, along with some of the older folks,
went for a vacation in a camp on the shore of a beautiful lake. Here,
most unexpectedly, Dave fell in with one of his old enemies. The youth
and his chums had some strenuous times, the particulars of which are
given in the pages which follow.

Once again I avail myself of the opportunity to thank my young readers
for all the pleasant things they have said regarding my stories. I trust
that the reading of this volume will benefit them all.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
_March 1, 1915._

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I THE BOYS ON SHIPBOARD 1

II SOMETHING ABOUT THE PAST 11

III THE RESCUE AT SEA 21

IV BACK TO CRUMVILLE 32

V DAVE AT HOME 42

VI NEWS OF IMPORTANCE 52

VII LINK MERWELL AGAIN 62

VIII OFF FOR BEAR CAMP 72

IX ON THE ROAD 83

X CAUGHT IN A STORM 93

XI FROM ONE HARDSHIP TO ANOTHER 105

XII A STROKE OF LIGHTNING 116

XIII AT BEAR CAMP 126

XIV SOMETHING OF A QUARREL 137

XV VISITORS 148

XVI A STRANGE COMMUNICATION 158

XVII THE SWIMMING RACE 169

XVIII A CRY FROM THE CLIFF 180

XIX THE CAPTURE OF LINK MERWELL 191

XX BACK IN CAMP 201

XXI THE ESCAPE 210

XXII MORE OF A MYSTERY 220

XXIII SHOOTING A WILDCAT 230

XXI