tself, but forms the
thirteenth volume of the "Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."

This line of books was started some ten years ago with the publication
of the first three volumes, "The Rover Boys at School," "The Rover Boys
on the Ocean" and "The Rover Boys in the Jungle." At that time I
thought to end the series with a fourth volume--provided the readers
wanted another. But with the publication of "The Rover Boys Out West,"
came a cry for "more!" and so I added "On the Great Lakes," "In the
Mountains," "In Camp," "On Land and Sea," "On the River," "On the
Plains," "In Southern Waters" and "On the Farm," where we last left our
friends.

For a number of years Tom, Dick and Sam have attended a military
academy, but now their school days at Putnam Hall are at an end, and we
find them getting ready to go to college. But before leaving home for
the higher seat of learning they take a remarkable cruise on a steam
yacht, searching for an island upon which it is said a large treasure
is hidden. They are accompanied on this trip by their father and a
number of friends, and have several adventures somewhat out of the
ordinary, and also a good bit of fun--for there is bound to be fun when
Tom Rover is around. They lose themselves and lose their yacht, and
once some of them come pretty close to losing their lives, but in the
end--well, the story will tell the rest.

I cannot close without again thanking my many friends for all the nice
things they have said about the "Rover Boys" stories and the "Putnam
Hall" stories. I trust the present volume will fulfill every fair
expectation.

Affectionately and sincerely yours,

EDWARD STRATEMEYER

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. BOUND FOR HOME 1

II. AN IMPORTANT TELEGRAM 11

III. FUN ON THE FARM 19

IV. A MIDNIGHT SEARCH 29

V. AT THE OLD MILL 39

VI. THE STORY OF A TREASURE 50

VII. IN WHICH SOMETHING IS MISSING 60

VIII. THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK 70

IX. A CHASE ON THE BOWERY 80

X. DICK BECOMES A PRISONER 90

XI. ABOARD THE STEAM YACHT 100

XII. SOMETHING ABOUT FIR