Edward Stratemeyer

Edward Stratemeyer (1862-1930) was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He was an American publisher and writer of books for children. He wrote 150 books himself, and created the most famous of the series books for juveniles, including the Rover Boys (1899 and after), Bobbsey Twins (1904), Tom Swift (1910), Hardy Boys (1927), and Nancy Drew (1930) series, among others. Stratemeyer pioneered the technique of producing long-running, consistent series of books using a team of freelance authors to write standardised novels, which were published under a pen name owned by his company. Through his Stratemeyer Syndicate, founded in 1906, Stratemeyer produced short plot summaries for the novels in each series, which he sent to other writers who completed the story. Stratemeyer's series were also innovative in that they were intended purely as entertainment, with little of the moral lessons or educational intent found in most other popular fiction of the early twentieth century. Stratemeyer's series included, besides the famous ones, many that are now forgotten except by collectors: The Motor Boys (1906), Honey Bunch (1923), The Blythe Girls (1925) and Bomba the Jungle Boy (1926).

My dear boys: "The Rover Boys on the River" is a complete story in itself, but forms the ninth volume of "The Rover Boys Series for Young Americans." Nine volumes What a great number of tales to write about one set of characters When I started the series I had in mind, as I have mentioned before, to write three, or possibly, four books. But the gratifying reception given to "The Rover Boys at School," soon made the publishers call for the second, third, and fourth volumes, and then came the others, and still the boys and girls do not seem to be satisfied. I am told there is a constant cry for "more more " and so I present this new Rover Boys story, which tells of the doings of Dick, Tom, and Sam and their friends during an outing on one of our great rivers, -an outing full of excitement and fun and with a touch of a rather unusual mystery. During the course of the tale some of the old enemies of the Rover Boys turn up, but our heroes know, as of old, how to take care of themselves; and all ends well. In placing this book into the hands of my young readers I wish once more to thank them for the cordial reception given the previous volumes. Many have written to me personally about them, and I have perused the letters with much satisfaction. I sincerely trust the present volume fulfills their every expectation.

But the third man had a second to think, and he retaliated by a blow which nearly lifted poor Tom off his feet. But before he could strike out a second time, Sam, with the nimbleness of a monkey, darted in and caught him by one leg. Dick saw the movement, gave the sailor a shove, and the tar pitched headlong in the passageway.

Sam, this isn't the path. "I know it, Tom." "We've missed our way," went on Tom Rover, with a serious look on his usually sunny face. "It looks that way to me," answered Sam Rover, his younger brother. "I think we made a wrong turn after we slid down the cliff."

It was a Saturday afternoon, and, as usual, the cadets of the military academy were making the most of their off time, some with bobsleds and other with ordinary handsleds and what were locally called "bread shovels." For some weeks before this the boys, as well as many other residents in that vicinity, had enjoyed skating on the lake. But a rather wet snow had fallen which the wind had been unable to sweep away, and consequently skating became a thing of the past. Then the lads turned to their bobsleds, the Rovers getting out one they had used the season before. This they painted and varnished very carefully and christened the Blue Moon.

This line was started thirteen years ago by the publication of the first three volumes, The Rover Boys at School, On the Ocean, and In the Jungle. I hoped that the young people would like the stories, but I was hardly prepared for the very warm welcome the volumes received. The three books were followed by a fourth, The Rover Boys Out West, and then, yearly, by 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, and then by Down East, where we last left our heroes and their friends.

The Rover Boys, or The Rover Boys Series for Young Americans, was a popular juvenile series authored by Arthur M. Winfield, a pseudonym for Edward Stratemeyer, and published by Stratemeyer Syndicate. Thirty titles were published between 1899 and 1926 and the books remained in print for years afterward.

The Rover brothers spend time at Putnam Hall and on a camping expedition in this entry to the series. They have a new set of rivals, let by lanky, surly Lew Flapp, a would-be boxer. Rover family nemesis, Arnold Baxter, is on the lam from prison. Also returning, the largely-unintelligible Hans Mueller and various other good boys from the military academy.

The Rover Boys was a popular juvenile series authored by Arthur M. Winfield, a pseudonym for Edward Stratemeyer. 30 titles were published between 1899 and 1926 and the books remained in print for years afterward. While there are better-known and longer-running juvenile series such as The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and Tom Swift, the Rovers were very successful and influential. They established the template for all later Stratemeyer Syndicate series to come. Brothers Tom, Sam, and Dick Rover were students at a military boarding school: adventurous, prank-playing, flirtatious, and often unchaperoned adolescents. They were frequently causing mischief for authorities as well as criminals. This is volume 19 in the series.

Follow The Rover Boys - Tom, Sam, & Dick - during their adventures Down East. The Rover Boys' lives are full of escapades, practical jokes, and a cast of characters of both friends and foes. It's never a dull moment with the Rover Boys. The Rover Boys series was authored by Edward Stratemeyer under the pseudonym 'Arthur M. Winfield' and remains one of his most popular series. First published in 1911, this edition is derived from the original book with 4 black & white illustrations.

Tells of adventures on the mighty Mississippi River as well as the Great Plains, as Dick, Tom, Sam and some of their friends have a variety of adventures and assist in unraveling a mystery surrounding a lonely ranch.

"Come on away; I guess we've heard enough," answered his cousin. "The best thing we can do is to report to Jack and Andy, and then make up our minds what we are going to do next." Pg 152 CHAPTER XV AN ALARM OF FIRE With great care, so as not to make any noise, the two Rover boys tiptoed their way back behind the boxes and barrels until they reached the narrow stairway. "Come on But don't make a bit of noise," said Randy quickly, and went down the stairs as rapidly as possible, with Fred at his heels. Reaching the lower floor of the gymnasium, they shut the door, and then lost no time in mixing with the other Rovers and their chums at the far end of the building. "Where have you fellows been?" questioned Jack, who had suddenly noticed their absence. "I'll tell you later," said Fred.

Luft up a little, Sam, or the Spray will run on the rocks. "All right, Dick. I haven't got sailing down quite as One as you yet. How far do you suppose we are from Albany?" "Not over eight or nine miles. If this wind holds out we'll make that city by six o'clock. I'll tell you what, sailing on the Hudson suits me first-rate." "And it suits me, too," put in Tom Rover, addressing both of his brothers. "I like it ten times better than staying on Uncle Randolph's farm." "But I can't say that I like it better than life at Putnam Hall," smiled Sam Rover, as he threw over the tiller of the little yacht. "I'm quite anxious to meet Captain Putnam and Fred, Frank, and Larry again." "Oh, so am I," answered Tom Rover. "But an outing on the Hudson is just the best of a vacation. By the way, I wonder if all four old friends will be back?"

Edward Stratemeyer BOUND FOR HOME "Hurry up, Sam, unless you want to be left behind " "I'm coming " shouted Sam Rover, as he crossed the depot platform on the run. "Where is Tom?" "He went ahead, to get two good seats for us," answered Dick Rover. He looked around the crowd that had gathered to take the train. "Hi, there, Songbird, this way Come in this car, Hans " "Say, aren't you fellows coming aboard?" came a voice from the nearest car, and a curly-topped head with a pair of laughing eyes appeared. "Folks crowding in to beat the band Come on in if you want seats." "We'll be in directly," answered Sam, and followed his brother Dick to the car steps. Here there was quite a jam, and the Rover boys had all they could do to get into the car, followed by half a dozen of their school chums. But Tom Rover had managed to keep seats for all, and they sat "in a bunch," much to their satisfaction. Then the train rolled out of the station, and the journey homeward was begun. We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.

While Putnam Hall is not the real name of the particular place of learning I had in mind while penning this tale for your amusement and instruction; there is really such a school; and dear Captain Putnam is a living person; as are also the lively; wide-awake; fun-loving Rover brothers; Dick; Tom; and Sam; and their schoolfellows; Larry; Fred; and Frank. The same can be said; to a certain degree; of the bully Dan Baxter; and his toady; the sneak; commonly known as "Mumps."

This book has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies and hence the text is clear and readable.