Dave Porter at Star Ranch

Porter at Star Ranch, by Edward Stratemeyer

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Title: Dave Porter at Star Ranch Or, The Cowboy's Secret
Author: Edward Stratemeyer
Illustrator: Lyle T. Hammond
Release Date: August 9, 2006 [EBook #19016]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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[Illustration: As Dave clucked again, Hero shot ahead.--Page 121.]
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Dave Porter Series
DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH OR THE COWBOY'S SECRET
BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER
Author of "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," "The Gun Club Boys of Lakeport," "Old Glory Series," "Colonial Series," "Pan-American Series," etc.
ILLUSTRATED BY LYLE T. HAMMOND
BOSTON LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.
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Published, August, 1910
COPYRIGHT, 1910, BY LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.
All rights reserved
DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH
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Norwood Press BERWICK & SMITH CO. Norwood, Mass. U. S. A.
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PREFACE
"Dave Porter at Star Ranch" is a complete tale in itself, but forms the sixth volume in a line issued under the general title of "Dave Porter Series."
In the first book of the series, called "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," the reader was introduced to a typical American lad of to-day, and was likewise shown the workings of a modern boarding school--a little world in itself.
There was a cloud over Dave's parentage, and to solve the mystery he took a long sea voyage, as related in the second volume, called "Dave Porter in the South Seas." Then he came back to Oak Hall, to help win several important games, as the readers of "Dave Porter's Return to School" already know.
So far, although Dave had heard of his father, he had not met his parent. He resolved to go on a hunt for the one who was so dear to him, and what that led to was related in "Dave Porter in the Far North."
When Dave returned to America he was sent again to school--to dear old Oak Hall with its many associations. Here he met many friends and some enemies, as narrated in "Dave Porter and His Classmates." The lad had no easy time of it, but did something for the honor of the school that was a great credit to him.
While at Oak Hall, Dave, through his sister, received an invitation to spend his coming summer vacation on a ranch in the Far West. He was privileged to take some friends with him; and how the invitation was accepted, and what happened, I leave the pages which follow to relate.
It has been an especial pleasure for me to write this book. During the past summer I covered about seven thousand miles of our great western country, and I have seen many of the places herein described. I have also been touched by our warm western hospitality, and have had the added pleasure of meeting some of my young readers face to face.
Once again I thank the many who have praised my books in the past. I trust that this volume may prove to their liking, and benefit them.
EDWARD STRATEMEYER. April 12, 1910.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. Dave and His Chums 1 II. A Stray Shot 11 III. An Interview of Interest 21 IV. Caught in the Act 31 V. At Niagara Falls 41 VI. Nat Poole's Little Game 51 VII. In Which Dave is Robbed 61 VIII. The Youth in the Balcony 71 IX. Only a Street Waif 81 X. Off for the Boundless West 91 XI. The Arrival at Star Ranch 101 XII. A Race on Horseback 112 XIII. The Crazy Steer 122 XIV. A Face Puzzles Dave 132 XV. Among the Cowboys 142 XVI. A Meeting on the Trail 152 XVII. In Which Some Horses Are Stolen 162 XVIII. Out in the Wind and Rain 172 XIX. A Fruitless Search 182 XX. Fishing and Hunting 192 XXI. A Wildcat Among the Horses 202 XXII. Cowboy Tricks and "Bronco-Busting" 212 XXIII. Dave on a Bronco 222 XXIV. The Cattle Stampede 232 XXV. The Beginning of the Grand Hunt 242 XXVI. After Deer 253 XXVII. The Mountain Lion 263 XXVIII. Up to the Mountain Top 273 XXIX. Two Elk and a Bear 283 XXX. To the Rescue--Conclusion 292
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DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH
CHAPTER I
DAVE AND HIS CHUMS
"Why, Dave, what are you going to do with that revolver?"
"Phil and Roger and I are going to do some target shooting back of the barn," answered Dave Porter. "If we are going to try ranch life, we want to know how to shoot."
"Oh! Well, do be careful!" pleaded Laura Porter, as she glanced affectionately at her brother. "A revolver is such a dangerous thing!"
"We know how