Preface

FOUR BOY HUNTERS

or, The Outing of the Gun Club

by

CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL

CONTENTS

CHAPTERS

I. Target Shooting and a Plan

II. The Fire at the Saw Mill

III. Down the River

IV. The Disappearance of the Boat

V. Another Start

VI. A First Night in Camp

VII. Something About a Strange Animal

VIII. An Unwelcome Arrival

IX. A Night of Discomfort

X. Giant and the Maskalonge

XI. In a New Camp

XII. Shep and the Hollow Tree

XIII. Lost in the Woods

XIV. The Boys and the Wildcat

XV. The Cave in the Mountain

XVI. A Successful Deer Hunt

XVII. The Rival Campers

XVIII. A Mix-Up in Camp

XIX. Another Hunt After Dark

XX. In a Storm on the Lake

XXI. A Camp and a Prisoner

XXII. Rabbits, Nuts and a Snake

XXIII. After Mountain Brook Mink

XXIV. Ham Spink and the Skunk

XXV. Surrounded by Wolves

XXVI. Something About Trapping

XXVII. The Deserted Cottage

XVIII. The Boy Hunters and a Bear

XXIX. A Strange Meeting in the Forest

XXX. Words and a Blow

XXXI. The Forest Fire—-Conclusion

PREFACE

My Dear Lads:

This tale of"Four Boy Hunters"is a complete story in itself, but forms the first volume of a line to be called"The Boy Hunters Series,"taking the heroes through various adventures while searching for big and little game in the woods and in the mountains.

The boys are bright, lively fellows of to-day, with a natural taste for a life in the open, and a fondness for a gun and a rod. In the present volume they organize their little club, and after a good deal of talk obtain permission to go a number of miles from home and establish a camp on the edge of a lake. From this spot they are driven away by one who is their enemy, and then they go elsewhere. They have fun and adventures in plenty, around the camp and while out after both big and little game, and they help to bring to justice two men who are hiding from the officers of the law. To-day hunting in our country is not what it was some years ago. Many of the best hunting localities have become settled, and it is becoming harder and harder to catch a sight of a deer, or a moose, or a bear, or, in fact, any wild animal of size. In the far We st the buffalo has been practically wiped out, and in the East the deer and moose would also be gone were it not for the protection of the law, which makes it illegal to shoot down such game during the closed season.

With best wishes to all who love a gun and love good hunting,

I remain, Your sincere friend, Captain Ralph Bonehill.