Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net [Illustration: As Dave clucked again, Hero shot ahead.--Page 121.] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Dave Porter Series 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," "Old Glory Series," "Colonial Series," "Pan-American Series," etc. _ILLUSTRATED BY LYLE T. HAMMOND_ BOSTON LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Published, August, 1910 COPYRIGHT, 1910, BY LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. _All rights reserved_ DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Norwood Press BERWICK & SMITH CO. Norwood, Mass. U. S. A. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. April 12, 1910.