Dave Porter at Star Ranch

by Edward Stratemeyer

Dave Porter
at Star Ranch

Edward Stratemeyer

Dave Porter Series

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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,"
"The Old Glory Series," "Colonial Series,"
"Pan-American Series," etc.

ILLUSTRATED BY LYLE T. HAMMOND

BOSTON
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.
1930

Copyright, 1910, by Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Co.

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All rights reserved

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Dave Porter at Star Ranch

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

As Dave clucked again, Hero shot ahead.—Page 121.

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.

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