volume I have related some of the things that took place at Oak Hall

after Dave got back,--how he worked hard, played hard, overcame his enemies, and what he did for the honor of the academy.

Once more I thank the young people for the interest they have shown in my books. I trust that the reading of the present volume will do them much good.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

_February 1, 1909_

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. DAVE AND HIS PAST 1

II. WHAT LAURA HAD TO TELL 11

III. ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL 21

IV. THE FUN OF A NIGHT 31

V. WHAT HAPPENED TO NAT POOLE 41

VI. WHAT A BIG SNOWBALL DID 51

VII. PRISONERS IN THE SCHOOL 61

VIII. A MOVE IN THE DARK 71

IX. VERA ROCKWELL 81

X. DAVE SPEAKS HIS MIND 91

XI. AT THE OLD GRANARY 101

XII. GUS PLUM'S STORY 111

XIII. THE GEE EYES' INITIATION 121

XIV. IN WHICH JOB HASKERS GETS LEFT IN THE COLD 131

XV. WHAT MIKE MARCY HAD TO TELL 141

XVI. SOMETHING ABOUT LESSONS 151

XVII. SHADOW HAMILTON'S PERIL 161

XVIII. THE BOXING BOUT 171

XIX. AT THE EXPRESS OFFICE 181

XX. A MISUNDERSTANDING 191

XXI. IN WHICH THE BOYS GIVE AN ENTERTAINMENT 201

XXII. FORMING THE BASEBALL CLUB 211

XXIII. A GREAT VICTORY 221

XXIV. ON BUSH ISLAND 231

XXV. WHAT AN AUTOMOBILE DID 241

XXVI. A DEFEAT FOR OAK HALL 250

XXVII. STUCK ON A SANDBAR 260

XXVIII. LINK MERWELL HAS HIS SAY 270

XXIX. DAVE MAKES UP HIS MIND 280

XXX. DAVE TAKES THE LAW IN HIS OWN HANDS 289

XXXI. MORE VICTORIES--CONCLUSION 298

ILLUSTRATIONS

The big touring car shot past the carryall (page 249) _Frontispiece_ PAGE

The big snowball hit the craft and bowled it over, (_missing_) 52

"It's a shame to make you eat without a fork, Phil" 74

"Now to Jackson's Gully with him!" 124

Dave pointed out the form of the sleep-walker, (_missing_) 164

Down went the back part, letting him fall most unexpectedly 208

"Well, you can row if you want to," sneered Poole 232

Raising his oar, he hit the bully a blow on the shoulder 274

DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES