second book, "The Rover Boys on the Ocean," immediately called for a
third, "The Rover Boys in the Jungle," and this finished, many boys
wanted to know what would happen next, and so I must needs give them
"The Rover Boys Out West." Still they were not satisfied; hence the
volume now in your hands.

So far we have followed the doings of Dick, Tom, and Sam at dear old
Putnam Hall, with many larks and sports; then out upon the broad
Atlantic in a daring chase which came pretty close to ending in sad
disaster; next into the interior of Africa on a quest of grave
importance; and lastly out into the mountainous regions of the wild
West, to locate a mining claim belonging to Mr. Anderson Rover.

In the present tale the scene is shifted to the Great Lakes. The three
boys go on a pleasure tour and, while on Lake Erie, fall in with an old
enemy, who concocts a scheme for kidnapping Dick, who had fallen
overboard from his yacht in a storm. This scheme leads to many
adventures, the outcome of which will be found in the pages that
follow.

In placing this volume in my young readers hands I can but repeat what
I have said before: that I am extremely grateful to all for the kind
reception given the other Rover Boys stories. I sincerely trust the
present tale meets with equal commendation.

Affectionately and sincerely yours,

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

_April_ 12, 1901