Part 1 (1/2)
The Rover Boys on Treasure Isle.
by Edward Stratemeyer (AKA Arthur M. Winfield).
INTRODUCTION.
My Dear Boys: This is a complete tale in itself, but forms the thirteenth volume of the ”Rover Boys Series for Young Americans.”
This line of books was started some ten years ago with the publication of the first three volumes, ”The Rover Boys at School,” ”The Rover Boys on the Ocean” and ”The Rover Boys in the Jungle.” At that time I thought to end the series with a fourth volume--provided the readers wanted another. But with the publication of ”The Rover Boys Out West,”
came a cry for ”more!” and so I added ”On the Great Lakes,” ”In the Mountains,” ”In Camp,” ”On Land and Sea,” ”On the River,” ”On the Plains,” ”In Southern Waters” and ”On the Farm,” where we last left our friends.
For a number of years Tom, d.i.c.k and Sam have attended a military academy, but now their school days at Putnam Hall are at an end, and we find them getting ready to go to college. But before leaving home for the higher seat of learning they take a remarkable cruise on a steam yacht, searching for an island upon which it is said a large treasure is hidden. They are accompanied on this trip by their father and a number of friends, and have several adventures somewhat out of the ordinary, and also a good bit of fun--for there is bound to be fun when Tom Rover is around. They lose themselves and lose their yacht, and once some of them come pretty close to losing their lives, but in the end--well, the story will tell the rest.
I cannot close without again thanking my many friends for all the nice things they have said about the ”Rover Boys” stories and the ”Putnam Hall” stories. I trust the present volume will fulfill every fair expectation.
Affectionately and sincerely yours,
EDWARD STRATEMEYER
THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE
CHAPTER I
BOUND FOR HOME
”Hurry up, Sam, unless you want to be left behind!”
”I'm coming!” shouted Sam Rover, as he crossed the depot platform on the run. ”Where is Tom?”
”He went ahead, to get two good seats for us,” answered d.i.c.k Rover. He looked around the crowd that had gathered to take the train. ”Hi, there, Songbird, this way! Come in this car, Hans!”
”Say, aren't you fellows coming aboard?” came a voice from the nearest car, and a curly-topped head with a pair of laughing eyes appeared.
”Folks crowding in to beat the band! Come on in if you want seats.”
”We'll be in directly,” answered Sam, and followed his brother d.i.c.k to the car steps. Here there was quite a jam, and the Rover boys had all they could do to get into the car, followed by half a dozen of their school chums. But Tom Rover had managed to keep seats for all, and they sat ”in a bunch,” much to their satisfaction. Then the train rolled out of the station, and the journey homeward was begun.
The term at Putnam Hall Military Academy was at an end, and the school days of the three Rover boys at that inst.i.tution were now a thing of the past. Each had graduated with honors, yet all were a trifle sad to think that there would be no going back to a place where they had made so many friends.
”It's almost like giving up your home,” d.i.c.k had said, several times, while at the actual parting Sam had had to do his best to keep back the tears which welled up in his eyes. Even fun-loving Tom had stopped a good deal of his whistling and had looked unusually sober.
”We'll never have such good times as we've had at Putnam Hall,” Sam had said, but he was mistaken, as later events proved.
The three Rover boys did not wish to part from their many school chums, yet they were more than anxious to get home, and for this there was a very good reason. Their father had told them that he had a very important communication to make to them--one regarding how the summer was to be spent. So far no arrangements had been made for the vacation, and the brothers were anxious to know ”what was in the wind,” as Tom expressed it.
”Maybe we are to prepare for college,” said d.i.c.k.
”Perhaps we are to go on another trip to Africa?” added Sam.
”Or start on a hunt for the North Pole,” put in Tom. ”That would be just the thing for this hot weather.”