The Rover Boys on a Hunt

The Rover Boys on a Hunt?by Arthur M. Winfield (Edward Stratemeyer)

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Title: The Rover Boys on a Hunt or The Mysterious House in the Woods
Author: Arthur M. Winfield (Edward Stratemeyer)
Release Date: July 7, 2007 [EBook #22012]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT
OR
THE MYSTERIOUS HOUSE IN THE WOODS
BY
ARTHUR M. WINFIELD (Edward Stratemeyer)
AUTHOR OF "THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL," "THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN," "THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES," ETC.
ILLUSTRATED

NEW YORK GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS
Made in the United States of America
Copyright, 1920, by EDWARD STRATEMEYER

[Illustration: THE WOLVES GAVE LOUD YELPS OF PAIN.]

The Rover Boys on a Hunt

INTRODUCTION
MY DEAR BOYS: This book is a complete story in itself, but forms the fourth volume in a line issued under the general title, "The Second Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."
As mentioned in some volumes of the first series, this line was started years ago with the publication of "The Rover Boys at School," "On the Ocean," and "In the Jungle," in which I introduced my readers to Dick, Tom and Sam Rover. The twenty volumes of the first series related the doings of these three youths while attending Putnam Hall Military Academy, Brill College, and while on numerous outings.
Having acquired a thorough education, the three young men established themselves in business and were married. Presently Dick Rover became the father of a son and a daughter, and so did his brother Sam, while Tom Rover became the father of twin boys. The four lads were later on sent to boarding school, as related in the first volume of this second series, entitled "The Rover Boys at Colby Hall."
From Colby Hall the scene was shifted to "Snowshoe Island," where the lads went for a winter outing. Then they came back to the military academy, and later on participated in the annual encampment, as related in the third volume, entitled "The Rover Boys under Canvas."
In the present volume the scene is shifted from lively times at Colby Hall to still more livelier times in the woods, to which the lads journeyed for a season of hunting. They came upon a mysterious house in the forest, and there uncovered a secret which I will leave the pages that follow to relate.
Once more I wish to thank my numerous readers for the many nice things they have said about these "Rover Boys" books. I trust that the reading of the volumes will do them all good.
Affectionately and sincerely yours,
EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

CONTENTS
I THE BOBSLED RACE
II ABOUT THE ROVERS
III NEWS OF IMPORTANCE
IV SOMETHING ABOUT CEDAR LODGE
V THE DEFEAT OF THE BULLY
VI AT THE MOVING PICTURE THEATER
VII THE END OF THE TERM
VIII CHRISTMAS AT HOME
IX THE RAILROAD ACCIDENT
X THE RESCUE
XI ON THE WAY TO CEDAR LODGE
XII AT THE FROZEN-UP SPRING
XIII THE MEETING ON THE ROAD
XIV THE FIRST HUNT
XV A CRY FOR HELP
XVI UNDESIRABLE VISITORS
XVII NEW YEAR'S DAY IN CAMP
XVIII FISHING THROUGH THE ICE
XIX LETTERS FROM HOME
XX LOST IN THE WOODS
XXI A NIGHT UNDER THE CLIFF
XXII AT TONY DUVAL'S CAMP
XXIII SIX BIG SNOWBALLS
XXIV A CONVERSATION OF IMPORTANCE
XXV THE MYSTERIOUS HOUSE IN THE WOODS
XXVI WHAT THE BIG BARN CONTAINED
XXVII THE COMING OF THE WOLVES
XXVIII THE MAN IN THE GREY OVERCOAT
XXIX WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LODGE
XXX THE EXPOSURE--CONCLUSION
CHAPTER I
THE BOBSLED RACE
"All ready, boys?"
"Wait a minute, Jack."
"Can't wait; life is too short!" cried Jack Rover gayly. He was seated at the front of a long bobsled holding six boys. "Remember, we've got to be back at the Hall in half an hour."
"Please don't mention it!" pleaded Randy Rover, his cousin.
"Hi, you fellows! are you going to race or not?" came from another youth on a bobsled standing close by.
"You bet we're going to race!" sang out Fred Rover, who was at the tail end of the first sled. "And we'll beat you, too, Bill Glutts!"
"You will, like fun!" grumbled the cadet addressed, a rather heavy-set and by-no-means pre-possessing youth. "Come on now, unless you're afraid."
"We're afraid of nobody!" sang out Andy Rover, and, leaning sideways from where he sat on the bobsled, he scooped up a handful of loose snow and threw it playfully at Glutts.
"Hi, you! what do you mean?" roared Bill Glutts in anger, as the snow landed directly behind his right ear.
"Hello! I guess it must have