E-book stuff: Finished H. Irving Hancock's The Young Engineers in Arizona, part of another series of boys' books starring another pair of upright young gentleman of the early part of the 20th century. In Arizona they defeat "the Man-Killer," a stretch of quicksand, to get the railroad through, while fighting a corrupt gambler in the nearby town of Paloma. Lots of gunplay, steadfast good guys and dime-novel bad guys (one of Our Heroes even comments that they act like dime-store villains).

This is actually a series spinoff with a long history. It started out as "The Grammar School Boys," following the adventures of Dick Prescott, Tom Reade, Harry Hazelton, plus Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell. The "High School Boys" and "The High School Boys' Vacation Series" continue their exploits. Then, interestingly enough, the books split into three series. Tom and Harry become "The Young Engineers," Dick goes to West Point in one series, then is one of "The Boys of the Army," while Dave and Darrin first go to Annapolis and then into the Navy in "The Dave Darrin Series."

Interestingly enough, Hancock did, among his other series, a four-series "alternate history" of what might happen if the U.S. had not entered World War I and the "Huns" invaded America.

Also finished Lucy Fitch Perkins' The Scotch Twins, which I found delightful. Unlike the books about the younger twins, who do merely cute, everyday things, this story about Jean and Jock, children of a shepherd, has a great storyline about them defeating the dishonest gamekeeper of the late laird, along with their new friend Alan. These kids would have been great at psychological warfare!

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. . . . . noted and logged by Linda at 12:37:00 PM

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