rcumstances; "Dave
Porter at Star Ranch," in which he took part in many strenuous
adventures in the Wild West; "Dave Porter and His Rivals," in which
the youth outwitted some of his old-time enemies; "Dave Porter on
Cave Island," giving the details of a remarkable sea voyage and
strange doings ashore; "Dave Porter and the Runaways," in which the
boy taught some of his school chums a much-needed lesson; "Dave Porter
in the Gold Fields," whither he went in search of a lost mine; and
finally "Dave Porter at Bear Camp," which was located in the
Adirondack Mountains, and where we last left him.

In the present volume we find our hero in a new field of activity.
Having graduated from school, he has taken up the study of civil
engineering, and while engaged in that calling in Texas he becomes
mixed up in most unusual happenings, the particulars of which are
given in the pages that follow.

Once more I wish to thank my young readers, and many of their parents,
for all the kind things they have said regarding my stories. I trust
that the reading of the present book will not only please but also
profit the young folks.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

_March 1, 1916_.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I Off for a Sleigh-ride 1
II Something of the Past 13
III The Team that Ran Away 22
IV Ward Porton Again 32
V What Asa Dickley Had to Say 42
VI More Trouble 53
VII Face to Face 63
VIII The Basswood Fortune 72
IX Something About Miniatures 82
X The Big Sleighing-Party 93
XI Held by the Blizzard 104
XII Tim Crapsey's Plot 114
XIII What Washington Bones had to Tell 124
XIV Movements of the Enemy 133
XV The Return to Crumville 143
XVI How the Miniatures Disappeared 153
XVII A Vain Search