But Houston would not have this. "Your place is here, gentlemen," he
said. "Here, to pass laws and make our State an assured fact. I will
take the field and organise a relief force, and I give you my word that
no enemy shall come near you." The Convention settled down, and inside
of an hour Houston, accompanied by several of his staff, was riding
like the wind for Gonzales.




CHAPTER XXXII.

IN WHICH THE TEXAN ARMY FALLS BACK.


As the excitement in Gonzales continued, and there was no telling what
would happen next, Amos Radbury resolved to remain in the town for at
least several days.

"If I am needed I shall reГ«nter the army," he said.

"Then I shall go with you," said Dan.

"But your side, my son----"

"My side is all right again. It was a mere scratch."

"I wish I could call my wound a scratch," put in Poke Stover. "But
instead of getting better my shoulder seems to get wuss, hang the
luck."

"I think it would be a good plan for you to go up to the ranch, and
take it easy," said Amos Radbury. "Pompey can wait on you, and at the
same time you can keep an eye on Ralph and the place. I do not like to
leave my boy and the negro all alone."

"Then I'll go up to once," answered the frontiersman. "I'm no good at
fighting in the saddle, but perhaps I can mind things about the ranch,
as you say." And he departed up the Guadalupe before night. His going
was a great relief to the planter, for he was afraid Ralph might get
into trouble if left to his own devices. And in this he was not far
wrong, for when Stover reached the ranch he found that the youngest
Radbury had just heard of the fall of the Alamo, and was going to ride
off in the direction of San Antonio, thinking to find his father and
brother there.

In the meantime, General Houston, having heard of the fall of the
Alamo, at once sent word to Colonel Fannin to blow up the
powder-magazine at Goliad, and abandon the place. "You must hurry all
you can," added the commander-in-chief, "for the enemy is reported to
be advancing upon you." Fannin was to intrench at Victoria, on the
Guadalupe, and await further orders.

Colonel Fannin was in command of between four hundred and five hundred
men, the majority of whom were volunteers from the United States,
including the New Orleans Grays, the Georgias, the Alabama Red Rovers,
and the Kentucky Mustangs. On receiving Houston's order he sent out one
of his captains to bring in the settlers and their families at Refugio.
Before the settlers could be assisted, the Texans were attacked by an
advance guard of Mexican cavalry, and then Fannin sent out another body
of men to help the first. There were several fierce skirmishes, and the
Texans tried to get away, but in the end they were either shot down or
taken prisoners.

Having tried in vain to give succour to those sent to Refugio, Colonel
Fannin started, several days later, for Victoria, after dismantling his
fort and burying his cannon. Not a Mexican was in sight as the troop,
numbering about three hundred, crossed the San Antonio River and
marched across the prairie, and coming to a fine bit of grazing ground
the colonel halted to give his horses a chance to feed and to rest.

"We ought not to halt here,--we ought to push on to the timber," said
one under-officer, and several others agreed with him, but the halt was
made, and time lost that proved fatal to the entire expedition.

The soldiers had just resumed their march when some Mexican cavalry
were seen at a distance, in front. Hardly had they spread out before
the Texans when a large force of Mexican infantry appeared to the rear.
This was at two o'clock in the afternoon, and a little later the Texans
were entirely surrounded, and the Mexicans began a furious attack.

The Texans formed into something of a square, with the wagons in the
centre, and the artillery at the corners, and so withering was their
fire that the Mexicans were repulsed again and again, and retreated,
leaving the prairie crimson with the blood of the dead and wounded.
With the Mexicans were a number of Indians, but they quickly retreated
when their leaders were shot down by the Texan sharpshooters.

As night came on, Colonel Fannin called his men together, and asked
them if they wished to remain and fight it out, or try to escape to the
timber. "You can escape if you wish," he said, "for the Mexicans are
demoralised by the large numbers that they have lost."

"We can't leave the wounded to be butchered," was the reply. "We will
stand by them to the end," and so they remained.

In the morning it was seen that the enemy had been reinforced, and once
again the battle was renewed, the Mexicans opening with their howitzers
loaded with grape and canister, and doing fearful damage. At last the
Texans could stand it no longer, and sent out a flag of truce, although
against Colonel Fannin's desire.

The flag was received, and it was arranged that the Texans should
surrender as prisoners of war, to be treated according to the usages of
civilised nations. Their arms were then taken from them, and they were
marched back to Goliad, and placed in an old church in that town. The
wounded were also brought in, but only a few received medical aid.

It had been stipulated that the prisoners' lives be spared, yet when
the capture of the Goliad garrison was reported to General Santa Anna
he instantly sent word that all of the prisoners should be taken out
and shot! The command was an infamous one, yet it was obeyed almost to
the letter, only a handful of the Texans escaping out of about three
hundred. Small wonder was it that Santa Anna was often termed the
Mexican butcher.

Houston's arrival at Gonzales did something toward allaying the
excitement, and in a short time he gathered together some three hundred
men. But as report after report came in of the advance of Santa Anna
with a large force, he felt that it would be useless to give battle,
and began to fall back toward the Colorado River, hoping there to be
joined by Fannin and others. He took with him most of the inhabitants
of Gonzales, and the town was left behind in flames.

With the army went Amos Radbury and Dan, both well mounted and well
armed. The first stop was at Peach Creek, fifteen miles distant; and
here, on the day following, over a hundred additional volunteers joined
Houston's command. From Peach Creek the little army moved to Nevada
Creek, and here Houston delayed his march in order that some of his men
might bring in a blind widow, who had been left at her home some
distance back with her six children. When the Colorado was gained, the
army went into camp at Burnham's Crossing, and then across the river at
Beason's Crossing.

Here the general received news of the surrender of Fannin's force,
brought by a settler from Goliad. This was a great blow to Houston, and
he felt that he must fall back still farther, and wait for
reinforcements from other sources before risking a battle with the
powerful Mexican general who was bent upon crushing him. He began to
fall back to the Brazos River.

The retreat toward the Brazos caused much murmuring. "Houston is a
coward,--he won't fight the greasers," said some, but others who
understood their commander more thoroughly said nothing and did as
ordered. Once an under-officer tried to start an open rebellion, but
Houston threatened to "lick him out of his boots," if he didn't mind
his own business. Then he made a little speech, and told the men that
he would soon give them all the fighting they wanted, and "on the top
side," as he expressed it. Many of the volunteers were of lawless
character, and it needed just such a man as the dashing and daring, yet
cautious, Houston to keep them in check and make them do their best
when the proper moment arrived.

"What do you make of this, father?" asked Dan of his parent, when the
retreat toward the Brazos was ordered.

"I don't know what to make of it," answered Amos Radbury. "I suppose
General Houston knows what he is doing."

"But see how the settlers are leaving their homes. There is a regular
panic among them."

"That is true, Dan. I wish I knew how Ralph and Stover are faring at
home."

"Can we get back to them?"

"Hardly now, for we would most likely have to pass right through Santa
Anna's lines. I do not believe it will be long before we have a big
fight."

"Do you believe it is true that Colonel Fannin has been defeated?"

"It may be so, for, judging by what took place at the Alamo, Santa Anna
must have a large army concentrating here."

It was raining at the time; indeed, it rained now nearly every day, and
the march was anything but a pleasant one. Often the wagons and cannon
got stuck, and the men had to put their shoulders to the wheels to help
things along. Volunteers came and went, and so did the settlers, and
sometimes the commander could not calculate how many men he had to rely
upon in case of emergency. Yet on struggled the body until, on March
28th, the army reached San Felipe. From here they went up the Brazos
and encamped near Groce's Ferry.

In the meantime, Santa Anna's army was pressing forward, but in several
different ways. The Mexican general had thought that the slaughter at
the Alamo and the massacre at Goliad would make the Texans submit
without further difficulty. He had yet to learn that it was indeed
liberty or death with these stern people, who were so soon to risk
their all in one final contest.

One portion of the Mexican army, having gained the Colorado, crossed in
rafts, while another portion moved upon San Felipe; and then a portion
of the concentrated forces went to Fort Bend. From here Santa Anna
pushed on, through the rain and mud, to Harrisburg, hoping to surprise
the town; but, when he arrived, the place was practically abandoned.

He wished most of all to capture the heads of the government the Texans
had set up, and, learning they were off for Galveston Island, he set
out on the march for New Washington, which is located just north of
Galveston Bay.

Houston, hearing that Santa Anna had at last crossed the Brazos, began
to march south to meet him. The Texans encamped at Buffalo Bayou,
opposite to what was left of the smoking ruins of Harrisburg. Every
soldier was now more than eager to fight.

"Very well; fight you shall," said General Houston.

"We will! We will!" shouted the soldiers.

Then Houston continued: "Some of us may be killed, and some must be
killed. But, boys, remember the Alamo!"

"Yes, we will remember the Alamo!" came back in a deep chorus. "Down
with every Mexican in the State of Texas!"

Buffalo Bayou was crossed with great difficulty, on rafts and by
swimming, and the soaked and weary army took its way to Lynch's Ferry,
where the Buffalo Bayou and the San Jacinto River join. Here were found
some rafts belonging to the Mexicans, piled high with army stores, and
these were confiscated. Falling back to a shelter of live-oaks, General
Houston planted his cannon, and then prepared to fight the enemy on
sight.




CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE VICTORY OF SAN JACINTO.


"I reckon we are in for it now, father."

"Yes, Dan, we shall soon see some heavy fighting, I am afraid. I trust
you come out of it unharmed."

"And I hope you come out unharmed, too, father," added Dan, earnestly.

The two sat under a live-oak, overlooking a wide expanse of prairie,
dotted here and there with patches of timber. Behind them flowed the
broad and muddy stream, with a stretch of treacherous marsh-land
separating them from the water. The soldiers had been formed into
something resembling companies, and Mr. Radbury had been assigned to
his old position of lieutenant, with Dan as one of the privates under
him.

The Texans had gathered around in little knots to discuss the situation
in low tones. Under one of the trees stood General Houston, clad in
nothing more striking than an old slouch hat, a shiny black coat, and a
light-coloured pair of trousers which had long since seen their best
days. His sword, also an old affair, was tied to his belt with bits of
a lariat. Altogether he looked anything but a general bent upon leading
a raw and undisciplined army to victory.

"We will win!" he was saying. "We cannot afford to lose. The whole fate
of Texas hangs upon our courage!"

Amos Radbury looked at Dan, and something of a smile crossed his face.
"Did you hear that, lad?" he asked. "I believe our general speaks the
truth. He is not a man to fail."

The day wore along until two in the afternoon, when several
cannon-shots were heard in the distance, and incoming scouts announced
that Santa Anna was coming, but not with his entire army. The Mexican
general had divided his forces again, much to his disadvantage, as we
shall see.

A light skirmish occurred late in the afternoon, but Houston could not
draw on a general engagement, and while Santa Anna pitched his camp and
fortified it, the Texans remained on strict guard all night, fearing a
surprise.

In the morning General Cos arrived with five hundred men, to reinforce
Santa Anna, but the soldiers were so tired out by a forced march they
could scarcely stand, and so for the time being the Mexican general did
nothing. In the meantime, the Texans called a council of war. Some were
for attacking the Mexicans, and others wanted to wait to be attacked.
Houston said but little, yet by his face he showed that some plan of
action was forming in his brain.

The council over, the commander called two trusty scouts to him, and
sent them off with axes on a secret mission, which was to cut away the
bridge by which both armies had reached their present encampments. This
done, neither could retreat, so the fight would have to be "to a
finish."

"To arms!" came the call in the middle of the afternoon, and the
solitary drum the Texans possessed began to roll. Then, as the men
formed to march, the single fifer struck up the popular tune of the
day, "Will You Come to the Bower?"

"Dan, be careful of yourself!" cried Amos Radbury, as he pressed his
son's hand. "Be careful for my sake!" And then he rushed off to lead
his men forward. Dan's face was pale, but his clear eyes shone with a
determination that could not be mistaken. He would do his duty, come
what might.

"Vance's bridge has been cut down!" came the cry. "You must fight now
to a finish! Remember the Alamo!"

"Remember the Alamo!" came back wildly. "_Remember the Alamo!_ Down
with Santa Anna!" And then the long lines rushed on, straight for the
barricades which the Mexicans had erected.

The Mexicans were taken completely by surprise, for it had grown so
late that they had come to the conclusion that hostilities would be put
off until the next day. Santa Anna was taking a nap in his tent, while
his officers lay around smoking and playing cards. The soldiers were
partaking of such food as their scanty means afforded.

"Forward!" came from the Texan officers. "Forward! Don't give them time
to form!" And on swept the line, and crack! crack! went the rifles and
pistols. Some of the Mexicans tried to return the fire, while others
fell flat to avoid the bullets.

"The cannon!" shouted the Mexican general, Castrillon, when a bullet
killed him instantly. Some of the cannoneers were already at the
field-pieces, but they could do little, for the Texans were already
upon them. The smoke was thick, and the yelling upon both sides
incessant. In the midst of all was General Houston, firing his pistol
and using his sword to every possible advantage, and calling to his men
to remember the Alamo and not let one Mexican get away.

Side by side Amos Radbury and Dan gained the barricade. A Mexican
loomed up before them and the lieutenant despatched him with a
pistol-shot. Then over the barricade went father and son, Dan using his
empty gun as a club, and the lieutenant drawing his bowie-knife, a
weapon with which nearly every Texan was provided. The Texans came over
at leaps and bounds, and charged straight into the heart of the enemy's
camp, striking down every Mexican that opposed them.

Coming out of his tent, Santa Anna yelled to his men to arm themselves
and form into battle-line. But the confusion was so great that none of
his followers paid attention to him. The Texans were aroused as never
before, and struck at the Mexicans with such lightning-like rapidity
that the enemy was dazed, and scores of them fell upon their knees
begging for mercy. The shooting still continued, and now Dan was
horrified to see his father go down, stabbed in the leg by a Mexican
bayonet.

"Father!" he yelled, hoarsely, and then turned to the Mexican who had
done the deed. The fellow tried to pierce Dan with his steel, but more
by instinct than reason the youth leaped to one side. Then Dan's gun
came crashing down, and the Mexican with it, his skull cracked by the
force of the blow.

A crowd was now rushing that way, a score of Mexicans pursued by fully
as many Texans, and Dan had his hands full to keep his parent from
being trampled upon. There was a strange humming in the boy's ears, and
he seemed to be lifted up as though walking on air, while he panted for
breath.

"Keep off,--he is my father!" he screamed, and hurled one of the
Mexicans to one side. Then another came to take his place, and man and
boy rolled over on the prairie--grass close to the wounded lieutenant.
The Mexican had Dan by the throat when a Texan, rushing forward, kicked
the enemy in the head, rendering him partly unconscious.

Leaping up, Dan tried to collect his confused senses. Texans and
Mexicans were running in every direction, but at a glance he saw that
his own side had the best of the battle, and a prayer of thankfulness
burst from his lips. Then he saw General Houston go down, struck in the
ankle by a bullet. Yet the staunch commander kept to his post. His
horse was also shot several times.

At last the Mexicans were in full retreat. Paralysed with fear, some of
them sought the open prairie, where they were shot down by the Texan
sharpshooters, while others ran frantically for where the Vance bridge
had been located. Here the banks of the river were high and rocky, and
but few escaped to the opposite side.

The battle had been fought and won, but the end was not yet. On the
prairie, one of the Mexican commanders tried to make a stand, but the
Texans shot down the line almost as quickly as it was formed. Then the
Mexicans began to throw down their firearms, and the officers held up
their swords, handles to the front, as a token of surrender.

"It's too late to surrender!" cried a number of Texans. "Remember the
Alamo!" Meaning, "Remember how you butchered our soldiers!"

"Me no Alamo! Me no Alamo!" shrieked many of the Mexicans. "Good
Americano! Me no Alamo!" They wished the Texans to understand that they
were not responsible for the cold-blooded slaughter at the mission. At
last Colonel Almonte gathered together nearly four hundred of the
defeated and made a formal surrender, and to the everlasting honour of
Texas be it said that these prisoners were not maltreated.

The night that followed was one never to be forgotten. Santa Anna had
escaped, and while some ran around crying, "Santa Anna! Hunt down Santa
Anna!" others procured from the Mexicans' store a number of candles,
which they lit, and then formed a grand procession through the live-oak
grove and across the prairie, dancing and yelling like a lot of
Indians. The victory had been so long delayed that now, when it was
really theirs, they were intoxicated with joy.

The contest had been a remarkable one in many ways. The Texan army
numbered exactly 743, of whom eight were killed and thirty wounded.
Santa Anna's force numbered over sixteen hundred, and of these, 630
were killed, two hundred wounded, and 730 made prisoners. The enemy had
lost, in killed and wounded, more men than the Texan army contained,
and at the end of the battle the Texans had more prisoners than they
had men in the ranks! Besides prisoners, the Texans took over a
thousand firearms, two hundred sabres, four hundred horses and mules,
and about $12,000 in silver. Part of the money was divided among the
soldiers, each man receiving $7.50, and that was his entire pay for the
campaign.

The Texans were bound to find Santa Anna, and scouts went out in all
directions in search of him. On the following day he was discovered in
the long grass near the edge of a ravine, on the other side of the
river. He tried to hide in the grass, but was compelled to crawl out
and surrender. At first he claimed to be a private, but his jewels
betrayed him, and then he said he was one of Santa Anna's
aides-de-camp. But no one believed him, and he was taken into the Texan
camp without delay. Here there was a most dramatic scene between
General Houston and his noted prisoner. Houston, exhausted and covered
with the dirt of battle, lay at the foot of a tree, where he had just
taken a nap after having his ankle dressed.

"I am General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President of the Mexican
Republic," said that individual, as he bowed low and flashed his jewels
and military decorations before Houston. "I claim to be a prisoner of
war at your disposal."

General Houston regarded him in utter silence for several seconds, a
silence in which each man measured the other thoroughly. Plainly Santa
Anna was disconcerted, and he looked around nervously, as if expecting
that at any moment he might be shot in the back. Then Houston waved him
to a seat on a near-by box of ammunition.

An interpreter was called up, and Santa Anna asked for a piece of
opium, saying he was suffering much pain. The opium was given him and
this quieted his nerves.

"That man may consider himself born to no common destiny who has
conquered the Napoleon of the West," went on the Mexican general,
bombastically. "It now remains for him to be generous to the
vanquished."

Again Houston looked at him, a look that made Santa Anna quail.

"You should have remembered that at the Alamo," said the Texan
commander.

"I am not to blame--I acted under the orders of the government of
Mexico," cried Santa Anna, hastily, and tried to explain that there was
a law which held that prisoners taken with arms must be treated as
pirates. But Houston cut the interpreter short when translating the
words.

"Who is the government of Mexico?" he exclaimed. "You, and you alone,
and you are responsible for the law that made the slaughter at the
Alamo possible. And you are likewise responsible for the massacre at
Goliad!" went on Houston, with great intensity of feeling.

"No, no, you are mistaken," answered Santa Anna, and then tried to
excuse the massacre of Fannin and his men in various ways. He wanted to
treat for peace and for his release, but Houston told him that only the
government of Texas had jurisdiction in the matter. Then Santa Anna was
placed in a tent, given his private baggage, and a strong guard was
set, that some of the more headstrong of the Texans might not kill him.




CHAPTER XXXIV.

BACK TO THE RANCH--CONCLUSION.


Immediately after the battle, Dan sought out medical aid and had his
father attended to. Mr. Radbury was still unconscious, and for several
days it was not known whether he would live or die. During all that
time, his son remained at his side, hoping and praying for the best. At
last the planter was pronounced out of danger, but the wound had been a
deep one and it was doubtful if Mr. Radbury would ever be as strong
again as he had been.

While father and son were at the temporary hospital which the Texans
had opened, Dan made a discovery which filled him with interest. Among
the Mexican prisoners that had been taken, the youth found a man from
San Antonio whom he knew well,--a person who had joined Santa Anna's
army after the fall of the Alamo. During a talk with this individual,
he learned that Carlos Martine was also in the army, having joined at
the same time.

"I must find that man and have a talk with him," said Dan to himself,
and as soon as his father was a little better he set out on his hunt.

He had not made many inquiries, when he learned that Carlos Martine was
dead, having been shot down while trying to escape across the open
prairie, and the body had already been put away.

"But what of the dead--were the things in their pockets buried with
them?" asked Dan of one of the Texan guards.

"No, their pockets were emptied, and everything found was turned over
to the quartermaster," was the reply, and then the youth went to the
officer named and told him of Martine and of the missing papers.

"Here is a lot of stuff, Radbury. You can look it over and see if there
is anything there belonging to your father."

Dan examined the pile with care, and presently came upon the papers,
safe and sound, just as they had been stolen by Hank Stiger.

"They are here!" he cried, and passed them over for examination. "Won't
father be glad of this!" And off he ran a little later to tell his
parent. Amos Radbury could scarcely speak, but his satisfaction shone
in his eyes.

"It is a great relief," he murmured. "They cannot disturb my home now."
And then he added with a sigh, "I wish I were there now!"

"All in good time, father," said Dan, affectionately. "We have truly
nothing more to fear. Santa Anna is whipped and has already sent word
that his other troops must withdraw. The independence of Texas is
assured beyond a doubt."

Dan was right in what he said. Not long after Santa Anna's defeat the
remainder of his army was in full retreat. As they fell back they were
closely watched by the Texans, but no further fighting took place.

The government of Texas had retired to Galveston, but as soon as the
victory of San Jacinto became known, President Burnett and his cabinet
hurried to the Texan camp and opened negotiations with Santa Anna. The
Mexican general was ready to promise almost anything in return for his
liberty, and Houston suggested that he be made to recognise the
independence of Texas, that the Rio Grande River should become the
boundary between the independent State and Mexico, that all Texan
prisoners should be released, that all private property should be
restored, and numerous other things, all of which were afterward
embodied in a treaty signed at Velasco.

Yet even then Santa Anna was not given his liberty. The people were
aroused to the depths of their very souls and they feared that the
"Mexican Butcher" could not be trusted. Against the advice of many he
was put into prison, and it was not until nearly a year later that he
was allowed to return to Mexico. Here he found himself "out in the
cold" in more ways than one, and highly disgusted he retired to his
estate at Mango del Clavo, not to be heard of again for some time to
come.

With the closing of the war matters waxed hot in Texas politically, but
with politics Amos Radbury had little to do. As soon as he was able, he
returned to his ranch on the Guadalupe, where both he and Dan were
received in a warm manner by Ralph and the ever faithful Poke Stover
and Pompey.

"You are both heroes," cried the youngest Radbury. And then he added,
with all the ardor of youth: "How I wish I had been along!"

"Never mind, lad, your time may come some day," said Poke Stover.

"If it dun cum dat boy will prove as brave as any of dem," said Pompey.
"Yo' see, it's in de Radbury blood, wot fit in de Rebolution, de wah ob
1812 and de Injun wahs. Da can't help it no moah dan da kin help
eatin', he! he!" And he slapped his thigh enthusiastically. That
evening Pompey served the "spread of his life," as Dan designated it,
and never were a party happier than the Radburys and Poke Stover as
they sat and ate and drank, and talked over the many things which had
happened since the first trouble with the Indians.

"But I am glad it is over," said Amos Radbury. "Glad it is over, and
equally glad that we are all home once more."

                    *      *      *      *      *

Here let us bring to a close this tale of the war, "For the Liberty of
Texas." Summer was now at hand, and as soon as Dan felt rested he and
Ralph, assisted by Pompey, set to work to put the ranch in order and
attend to the stock, which had suffered more or less from neglect.
Later on, both Mr. Radbury and Poke Stover joined in the labour, and
before fall everything was running as smoothly as it had the spring
previous.

The liberty of Texas had been assured, but the people were not
satisfied, and clamoured to be admitted to the United States. In a few
years this was accomplished, and Texas became as she is to-day, the
largest State in our glorious Union. Then followed trouble about the
boundary line between the United States and Mexico, and soon war was
declared between the two principal republics of North America. The
further adventures of the Radburys before this war and through a
portion of it will be told in the next volume of this series, to be
entitled, "With Taylor on the Rio Grande," in which we shall meet all
of our old friends once more, and learn what they did to defeat both
their personal enemies and also the enemies of their country.

Yet for the time being all went well, and here we will say good-bye,
echoing the shout Ralph gives as he dashes over the range on his pet
mustang:

"Hurrah for the liberty of Texas! Hurrah for the heroes of San
Jacinto!"


THE END.

                    *      *      *      *      *

MEXICAN WAR SERIES

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER

VOLUME ONE

FOR THE LIBERTY OF TEXAS

12mo  Cloth  Illustrated  Price, $1.25

Much is told here of Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, Colonel Bowie, and
other Texan heroes in connection with the entertaining story of the
fortunes of two brothers, Dan and Ralph Radbury. The fall of the Alamo
is introduced, and other famous incidents.

VOLUME TWO

WITH TAYLOR ON THE RIO GRANDE

12mo  Cloth  Illustrated  Price, $1.25

As with each of the series, this is a complete story, but continues the
adventures of the patriotic young Radbury brothers.  They serve under
General Taylor at Palo Alto, Monterey, and Buena Vista and share in the
glory of "Old Rough and Ready."

VOLUME THREE

UNDER SCOTT IN MEXICO

12mo  Cloth  Illustrated  Price, $1.25

In the concluding volume of this valuable historical series Dan and
Ralph come under the command of Gen. Winfield Scott and finally bear
their part in the triumphant entry of the proud city of Mexico.

                    *      *      *      *      *

These books were first issued under a pen name and by another publisher.
We have now placed them in the regular list of this unequaled writer for
boys, with an entirely new cover design in keeping with the uniformly
rich appearance of our Stratemeyer books.

                    *      *      *      *      *

"There are few live boys in the country who have not read the intensely
interesting books of Mr. Stratemeyer, and who do not have a warm place
in their hearts for him. No living American writer of boys' books is so
widely read, and none so sure of a cordial welcome for everything that
comes from his pen."--_Chicago News._




DAVE PORTER SERIES

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER

12mo  Cloth  Illustrated  $1.25 per volume

Mr. Stratemeyer has seldom introduced a more popular hero than Dave
Porter. He is a typical boy, manly, brave, always ready for a good time
if it can be obtained in an honorable way,--_Wisconsin, Milwaukee,
Wis._

"Edward Stratemeyer's 'Dave Porter' has become exceedingly
popular."--_Boston Globe._

"Dave and his friends are nice, manly chaps."--_Times-Democrat, New
Orleans._

DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL
  Or the Schooldays of an American Boy

DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS
  Or The Strange Cruise of the Stormy Petrel

DAVE PORTER'S RETURN TO SCHOOL
  Or Winning the Medal of Honor

DAVE PORTER IN THE FAR NORTH
  Or The Pluck of an American Schoolboy

DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES
  Or For the Honor of Oak Hall

DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH
  Or The Cowboy's Secret

DAVE PORTER AND HIS RIVALS
  Or the Chums and Foes of Oak Hall

                    *      *      *      *      *

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Publishers, Boston




THE LAKEPORT SERIES

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER

12mo  Cloth  Illustrated  $1.25 per volume

"The author of the Lakeport Series, Mr. Edward Stratemeyer, is well
known for his delightful boys' stories."--_Philadelphia Ledger._

"The Lakeport Series, by Edward Stratemeyer, is the lineal descendant
of the better class of boys' books of a generation ago."--_Christian
Advocate, New York._

"The Lakeport Series will be fully as popular as the author's Dave
Porter Series,"--_San Francisco Call._

THE GUN CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT
  Or The Island Camp

THE BASEBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT
  Or The Winning Run

THE BOAT CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT
  Or The Water Champions

THE FOOTBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT
  Or More Goals Than One

THE AUTOMOBILE BOYS OF LAKEPORT
  Or A Run for Fun and Fame

                    *      *      *      *      *

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Publishers, Boston




COLONIAL SERIES

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER

FIRST VOLUME

_WITH WASHINGTON IN THE WEST_

_Or a Soldier Boy's Battles in the Wilderness_

Illustrated by A. B. Shute  302 pages  $1.25

Mr. Stratemeyer has woven into an excellent story something of
Washington's youthful experience as a surveyor, leading on to the
always thrilling Braddock's defeat. The hero, David Morris, is several
years younger than Washington, with whom he becomes intimately
associated. Pictures of pioneer life are given; scenes with friendly
Indians; and old-time games.

SECOND VOLUME

_MARCHING ON NIAGARA_
  _Or The Soldier Boys of the Old Frontier_

Illustrated by A. B. Shute  Price $1.25

The story relates the doings of two young soldiers who join the
Colonial forces in a march on Fort Niagara, during the time of the war
with France, when the whole territory between the Blue Ridge and the
Great Lakes was in a state of unrest. Many side lights are thrown into
the colonial homes, and much useful information is given of the
pioneers who helped to make our country what it is to-day.

David Morris is a fine fellow, and about him is woven a fine "Injun"
story that is sure to delight the boys.--_Universalist Leader, Boston._

THIRD VOLUME

_AT THE FALL OF MONTREAL_
  _Or a Soldier Boy's Final Victory_

Illustrated by A. B. Shute  Price $1.25

This volume relates the adventures of Dave Morris and his cousin Henry
during the two last campaigns against the French for the possession of
Canada and the territory below the great lakes. The scaling of the
heights of Quebec under General Wolfe, and the memorable battle on the
Plains of Abraham, are given in detail. There are many stirring scenes
of battle, and there are also adventures while fishing and hunting, and
with the Indians.

The chief charm of Mr. Stratemeyer's stories lies in the fact that an
enormous quantity of valuable information, collected from the most
reliable sources, is deftly woven into the narrative without taking
away from the interest.--_Philadelphia Inquirer._




COLONIAL SERIES

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER

FOURTH VOLUME

ON THE TRAIL OF PONTIAC
Or _Pioneer Boys of the Ohio_

Illustrated by A. B. Shute  Price $1.25

This volume tells of times in our country immediately after the war
with France for the possession of Canada. A fight with the Indians and
the French in a snowstorm is especially realistic, and the entire book
carries with it the atmosphere of colonial times.

Boys are attracted to stories by Edward Stratemeyer, and they will
enjoy "On the Trail of Pontiac."--_Plain Dealer, Cleveland, O._

VOLUME FIVE

THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS
  Or _The Soldier Boys of the Indian Trails_

306 pages  Illustrated by A. B. Shute  Price $1.25

This story is one of the best tales of Colonial days penned by this
favorite author for young people. A central figure is the noted Indian
warrior, Pontiac, and the particulars are given of the rise and fall of
that awful conspiracy against the whites, which will never be
forgotten, and vivid pen pictures are given of fights in and around the
forts and at a trading-post on the Ohio.

VOLUME SIX

TRAIL AND TRADING POST
  Or _The Young Hunters of the Ohio_

320 pages  Illustrated  Price $1.25

A fine closing volume to this deservingly popular series. Here we again
meet the Morris boys, and many other friends. The plot centres about
the possession of a certain trading-post on the Ohio River at a time
just previous to the Revolution, and there are some encounters with the
unfriendly Indians and with some Frenchmen who wished to claim the post
as their own.

There are few authors whose books have so wide and so thoroughly
satisfactory a reading as those by Mr. Stratemeyer--_Courier, Boston_




American Boys' Biographical Series

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER

VOLUME ONE

AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY

300 pages  Illustrated by A. B. Shute and from Photographs  $1.25

Here is told the whole story of McKinley's boyhood days, his life at
school and at college, his work as a school teacher, his glorious
career in the army, his struggles to obtain a footing as a lawyer, his
efforts as a Congressman and a Governor, and lastly his prosperous
career as our President, all told in a style particularly adapted to
boys and young men. The book is full of interesting anecdotes, all
taken from life, showing fully the sincere, honest, painstaking efforts
of a life cut all too short. The volume will prove an inspiration to
all boys and young men, and should be in every library.

For nearly a year Mr. Stratemeyer has been gathering material and
giving careful study to the life of the young William, his childhood,
his boyhood, and all his inspiring and romantic history. The story was
nearing its end when the awful finale came and tragedy ended the drama
of President McKinley's life.--_New York Journal._

VOLUME TWO

AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT

300 pages  12mo  Illustrated from Photographs  $1.25

This excellent work for young people covers the whole life of our
strenuous executive, as schoolboy, college student, traveler, author,
hunter and ranchman, as assemblyman, as civil service commissioner, as
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, as a daring rough rider, as Governor
of New York, and lastly as President. Full of stories taken from real
life and told in a manner to interest both young and old.

We unreservedly recommend Mr. Stratemeyer's books for boys. They are
wholesome, accurate as to historical details, and always
interesting.--_Boston Times._