Part 1 (1/2)
The Rover Boys in Alaska.
by Arthur M. Winfield.
INTRODUCTION
MY DEAR BOYS: This book is a complete story in itself, but forms the eighteenth volume in a line issued under the general t.i.tle of ”The Rover Boys Series for Young Americans.”
As I have mentioned in some of the other volumes, this line was started with the publication of ”The Rover Boys at School,” ”On the Ocean,” and ”In the Jungle.” The books were so well received that they were followed, year after year, by the publication of ”The Rover Boys Out West,” ”On the Great Lakes,” ”In Camp,” ”On Land and Sea,” ”On the River,” ”On the Plains,” ”In Southern Waters,” ”On the Farm,” ”On Treasure Isle,” ”At College,” ”Down East,” ”In the Air,” and then ”In New York,” where we last met the lads.
The boys are growing older--as all boys do--and d.i.c.k is married, and helping his father in business. In the present story Sam and Tom return to college, until something quite out of the ordinary occurs and the fun-loving Tom disappears most mysteriously. Sam and d.i.c.k go in search of their brother, and the trail leads them to far-away Alaska, where they encounter many perils in the fields of ice and snow.
The publishers a.s.sure me that by the end of the present year the total of sales on this series of books will have reached _one million and a half copies_! This is, to me, truly amazing, and I cannot help but feel profoundly grateful to all the boys and girls, and their parents, who have taken such an interest in my stories. I trust with all my heart that the reading of the books will do the young folks good.
Affectionately and sincerely yours,
EDWARD STRATEMEYER
THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA
CHAPTER I
TOM AND SAM
”Well, here we are again, Tom, down to the grind of college life.”
”That's right, Sam. Not so much fun as attending a wedding, is it?”
And Tom Rover grinned broadly at his brother.
”We can't expect to go to weddings all the time,” returned Sam Rover, a grin showing on his own face. ”Wonder how d.i.c.k and Dora are making out,” he mused.
”Oh, fine, you can be sure of that. Dora is just the girl for d.i.c.k.”
”How do you like being back here, Tom?” and the youngest Rover looked anxiously at his brother.
Tom heaved a deep sigh before replying.
”To tell the truth, Sam, I wish I had stayed home a bit longer,” he said slowly. ”My head isn't just as clear as it might be. That whack Pelter gave me with that footstool was an awful one.”
”It certainly was, and it's a wonder it didn't split your skull open.
Maybe you'd better go back home for a rest.”
”Oh, no, it isn't as bad as that. Sometimes I feel a bit dizzy, that's all. But I guess that will wear away, sooner or later. You see, I've been studying hard the last three days, trying to make up for lost time, and that is what's done it. I think I'll take it a bit easier after this, until I feel more like myself.”
”Don't you think you had better see a doctor?”
”No, I've had the doctor fussing over me until I am tired of it. What I need is some fun, Sam. Can't you think of something? Whenever I try to concoct some sort of a joke it makes my head ache,” and poor Tom, who loved to play pranks as much as ever, heaved another sigh.
”Let us take a long walk this afternoon, Tom. Maybe that will do your head some good. We can take Songbird and some of the others along.”