Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND SIMON'S MINE BY ROSS KAY Author of "Dodging the North Sea Mines," "With Joffre on the Battle Line," "The Search for the Spy," "The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island," "The Go Ahead Boys and the Treasure Cave," "The Go Ahead Boys and the Racing Motor Boat," etc., etc. _ILLUSTRATED BY R. EMMETT OWEN_ _I leave this rule for others when I'm dead: Be always sure you're right--THEN GO AHEAD Davy Crockett's Motto_ NEW YORK BARSE & HOPKINS PUBLISHERS =BOOKS FOR YOUNG MEN= * * * * * =THE GO AHEAD BOYS By Ross Kay= _12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 75 cents, postpaid_. 1 THE GO AHEAD BOYS ON SMUGGLERS' ISLAND 2 THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE TREASURE CAVE 3 THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE MYSTERIOUS OLD HOUSE 4 THE GO AHEAD BOYS IN THE ISLAND CAMP 5 THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND THE RACING MOTOR BOAT 6 THE GO AHEAD BOYS AND SIMON'S MINE (_Other volumes in preparation_) BARSE & HOPKINS PUBLISHERS NEW YORK 1917 * * * * * _The Go Ahead Boys and Simon's Mine_ [Illustration: In spite of their recent exertions and the loads they were carrying they all began to run. page 203] PREFACE In this book the writer has endeavored to relate a story of stirring adventure and at the same time eliminate all sensationalism and improbable elements. The thread of the story was given him by a man who was familiar with the life and experiences of prospectors. Indeed, there is warrant for almost every event recorded in these pages. The author has no desire to make his young heroes either preternaturally brilliant or possessed of too precocious brains. They are normal, healthy American boys fond of travel and adventure and naturally are meeting experiences such as come to men doing what they were doing in certain parts of our country. Self-reliance, determination, the ability to decide quickly and to act promptly, the strength of will which prevents one from abandoning too easily a course of action which has been decided upon,--all these are foundations upon which any successful life must rest. If these qualities can be acquired in the early years then life is just that much stronger and better. The Go Ahead Boys, in spite of their many experiences are typical boys of America, and as such wish to express to the many friends they have made their hearty appreciation of the interest which has been expressed in their wanderings and adventures. Ross Kay. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I A GHASTLY DISCOVERY 11 II A CLUE 21 III TWO UNBIDDEN GUESTS 30