Plains," and then "In Southern Waters," where we last left our heroes. In the present story, as promised in the last volume, the scene is shifted back to the farm and to dear old Putnam Hall, with their many pleasant associations. As before, Sam, Tom and Dick are to the front, along with several of their friends, and there are a number of adventures, some comical and some strange and mystifying. At the school the rivalries are as keen as ever, but the Rover boys are on their mettle, and prove their worth on more than one occasion. Again I thank my numerous readers for all the kind words they have spoken about my stories. I hope the present volume will please them in every way. Affectionately and sincerely yours, EDWARD STRATEMEYER CONTENTS. I. SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS II. WHAT HAPPENED ON THE MOUNTAIN III. A MYSTERIOUS CAVE IV. AT THE FARM V. RANDOLPH ROVER'S STORY VI. WAITING FOR NEWS VII. A STRANGE LETTER BOX VIII. LAST DAYS ON THE FARM IX. AT THE WILD WEST SHOW X. JOLLY OLD SCHOOLMATES XI. WILLIAM PHILANDER TUBBS XII. WHAT HAPPENED ON THE STAIRS XIII. DORA, GRACE AND NELLIE XIV. AT THE ICE-CREAM ESTABLISHMENT XV. AN ASTONISHING GIFT XVI. THE HUNT FOR A SNAKE XVII. A STIRRING SCENE IN THE SCHOOLROOM XVIII. IN WHICH TAD SOBBER DISAPPEARS XIX. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE PARTY XX. DICK AND DORA XXI. A BOB SLED RACE XXII. PELEG SNUGGERS' QUEER RIDE XXIII. HOLIDAYS AT THE FARM XXIV. A CAPTURE AND A SURPRISE XXV. CHRISTMAS AT THE FARM XXVI. THE SKATING RACE XXVII. ON THE LAKE XXVIII. AT THE OLD HOUSE XXIX. A WRECK AND A CAPTURE XXX. GOOD-BYE TO PUTNAM HALL THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM CHAPTER I SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS "Sam, this isn't the path." "I know it, Tom." "We've missed our way," went on Tom Rover, with a serious look on his usually sunny face. "It looks that way to me," answered Sam Rover, his younger brother. "I think we made a wrong turn after we slid down the cliff." "What is keeping Dick?" "I don't know." "Let's call to him," went on Tom, and set up a loud cry, in which his brother joined. The pair listened intently, but no answer came back. "I don't like this," said Sam, an anxious look in his clear eyes. "Maybe Dick is in trouble." "Perhaps so," answered Tom Rover. The two boys were far up on a mountainside, and all around them were tall trees, thick brushwood, and immense ridges of rocks. It had been a clear, sunshiny day, but now the sky was overcast, and it looked like rain. "We've got to go back for Dick," said Tom, after a painful pause. "No use of going on without him." "I hope he hasn't fallen over some cliff and hurt himself," returned his younger brother. "I don't see why he doesn't answer us, if he's all right," was the unsatisfactory reply. "Come on, or the storm will overtake us before we get down from the mountain and we'll be soaked by the time we reach home." Side by side the brothers retraced their steps--a hard task, for it is much easier to climb down a steep mountainside than to climb up. To those who have read the previous volumes in this "Rover Boys Series," the two brothers just mentioned will need no special introduction. The Rover boys were three in number, Dick being the oldest, fun-loving Tom coming next, and Sam bringing up the rear. All were bright, lively, up-to-date lads, and honest...