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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Rover Boys in Camp, by Edward Stratemeyer
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Rover Boys in Camp
+       or, The Rivals of Pine Island
+
+
+Author: Edward Stratemeyer
+
+Release Date: May 7, 2005  [eBook #15795]
+Most recently updated January 18, 2009
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP***
+
+
+E-text prepared by W. R. Marvin
+
+
+
+THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP
+
+Or, The Rivals of Pine Island
+
+by
+
+Arthur M. Winfield
+
+1904
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+My Dear Boys: "The Rover Boys in Camp" is a complete story in itself,
+but forms the eighth volume of "The Rover Boys Series for Young
+Americans."
+
+As I have mentioned before, when I started this line of stories I had
+in mind to make not more than three, or possibly four, volumes. But the
+publication of "Rover Boys at School," "Rover Boys on the Ocean,"
+"Rover Boys in the Jungle," and "Rover Boys Out West" did not appear to
+satisfy my readers, and so I followed with "Rover Boys on the Great
+Lakes," "Rover Boys in the Mountains," and lastly with "Rover Boys on
+Land and Sea." But the publishers say there is still a cry for "more!
+more!" and so I now present to you this new Rover Boys book, which
+relates the adventures of Dick, Tom, and Sam, and a number of their
+old-time friends, at home, at dear old Putnam Hall, and in camp on Pine
+Island.
+
+In writing this tale I have had in mind two thoughts--one to give my
+young readers an out-and-out story of jolly summer adventure, along
+with a little touch of mystery, and the other to show them that it very
+often pays to return good for evil. Arnold Baxter had done much to
+bring trouble to the Rover family, but what Dick Rover did in return
+was Christian-like in the highest meaning of that term. Dick was not a
+"goody-goody" youth, but he was a thoroughly manly one, and his example
+is well worth following by any lad who wishes to make something of
+himself.
+
+Once more let me thank all of those who have expressed themselves as
+satisfied with the previous stories in this series. I earnestly trust
+the present volume will also prove acceptable to them, and will do them
+good.
+
+Affectionately and sincerely yours,
+
+ARTHUR M. WINFIELD.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+     I. The Rover Boys at Home
+    II. News of Interest
+   III. A Midnight Visitor
+    IV. A Useless Pursuit
+     V. On the Way to Putnam Hall
+    VI. Fun on the Boat
+   VII. Something About the Military Academy
+  VIII. A Scene in the Gymnasium
+    IX. Settling Down to Study
+     X. An Adventure in Cedarville
+    XI. A Quarrel and it Results
+   XII. The Election for Officers
+  XIII. The Fight at the Boathouse
+   XIV. Getting Ready for the Encampment
+    XV. On the March to the Camp
+   XVI. The First Day on Pine Island
+  XVII. The Enemy Plot Mischief
+ XVIII. Hazers at Work
+   XIX. A Storm in Camp
+    XX. The Rover Boys and the Ball
+   XXI. A Tug of War
+  XXII. A Swim and Some Snakes
+ XXIII. A Glimpse of an Old Enemy
+  XXIV. More Rivalry
+   XXV. Winning the Contests
+  XXVI. Sam Shows What He Can Do
+ XXVII. A Prisoner of the Enemy
+XXVIII. Dick's Midnight Adventure
+  XXIX. True Heroism
+   XXX. Turning a New Leaf--Conclusion
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE ROVER BOYS AT HOME
+
+
+"All out for Oak Run!" shouted the brakeman of the train, as he thrust
+his head in through the doorway of the car. "Step lively, please!"
+
+"Hurrah for home!" shouted a curly-headed youth of sixteen, as he
+caught up a small dress-suit case. "Come on, Sam."
+
+"I'm coming, Tom," answered a boy a year younger. "Where is Dick?"
+
+"Here I am," replied Dick Rover, the big brother of the others. "Just
+been in the baggage car, making sure the trunks would be put off," he
+added. "Say, but this looks natural, doesn't it, after traveling
+thousands of miles across the Pacific?"
+
+"And across the Continent from San Francisco," put in Sam Rover.
+
+"Do you know, I feel as if I'd been away for an age?"
+
+"It's what we've gone through with that makes you feel that way,
+Sam," came from Tom Rover. "Just think of being cast away on a lonely
+island like Robinson Crusoe! Why, half the folks won't believe our
+story when they hear it."
+
+"They'll have to believe it." Sam hopped down to the depot platform,
+followed by the others. "Wonder if the folks got that telegram I
+forwarded from Buffalo?"
+
+"They must have, for there is Jack with the big carriage," said Tom,
+and walked over to the turnout he mentioned. "Hullo, Jack!" he called
+out. "How is everybody?"
+
+"Master Tom!" ejaculated Jack Ness, the Rovers' hired man. "Back at
+last, are you, an' safe an' sound?"
+
+"Sound as a dollar, Jack. How are the folks?"
+
+"Your father is putty well, and so is your Uncle Randolph. Your Aunt
+Martha got so excited a-thinkin' you was coming hum she got a
+headache."
+
+"Dear Aunt Martha!" murmured Tom. "I'll soon cure her of that." He
+turned to his brothers. "What shall we do about the trunks? We can't
+take 'em in the carriage."
+
+"Aleck is comin' for them boxes," said the hired man. "There's his
+wagon now."
+
+A box wagon came dashing up to the depot platform, with a tall,
+good-looking colored man on the seat. The eyes of the colored man lit
+up with pleasure when he caught sight of the boys.
+
+"Well! well! well!" he ejaculated, leaping down and rushing forward.
+"Heah yo' are at las', bless you! I'se been dat worried 'bout yo' I
+couldn't 'most sleep fo' t'ree nights. An' jess to t'ink yo' was cast
+away on an island in de middle of dat Pacific Ocean! It's a wonder dem
+cannonballs didn't eat yo' up."
+
+"Thanks, but we didn't meet any 'cannonballs,' Aleck, I am thankful to
+say," replied Dick Rover. "Our greatest trouble was with some
+mutineers who got drunk and wanted to run things to suit themselves.
+They might have got the best of us, but a warship visited the island
+just in the nick of time and rescued us."
+
+"So I heared out ob dat letter wot yo' writ yo' father. An' to t'ink
+dat Miss Dora Stanhope and de Laning gals was wrecked wid yo'! It's
+wonderful!"
+
+"It certainly was strange, Aleck. But, come, I am anxious to get home.
+Here are the trunk checks," and Dick passed the brasses over.
+
+In a moment more the three boys had entered the carriage, along with
+Jack Ness. Tom insisted on driving, and away they went at a spanking
+gait, over Swift River, through the little village of Dexter's
+Corners, and then out on the road that led to Valley Brook farm.
+
+As my old readers know, the Rover boys were three in number, as already
+introduced. They were the sons of Anderson Rover, a well-to-do
+gentleman, who was now living in retirement at Valley Brook, in company
+with his brother Randolph, and the latter's wife, Martha.
+
+While Anderson Rover had been on a hunt for gold in the heart of
+Africa, the three boys had been sent by their Uncle Randolph to a
+military academy known as Putnam Hall. Here they made many friends and
+also a few enemies, the worst of the latter being Dan Baxter, a bully
+who wanted his way in everything. Baxter was the offspring of a family
+of low reputation, and his father, Arnold Baxter, was now in prison for
+various misdeeds.
+
+The first term at school had been followed by an exciting chase on the
+ocean, after which the boys had gone with their uncle to the jungles of
+Africa, in a search after Anderson Rover. After the parent was found it
+was learned that Arnold Baxter was trying to swindle the Rovers out of
+a valuable gold mine in the far West, but this plot, after some
+exciting adventures, was nipped in the bud.
+
+The trip West had tired the boys, and they hailed an outing on the
+Great Lakes with delight. During this outing they learned something
+about a treasure located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, and
+the next winter visited the locality and unearthed a box containing
+gold, silver, and precious stones, worth several thousands of dollars.
+During this treasure-hunt Dan Baxter did his best to bring the Rover
+boys to grief, but without success.
+
+After the winter in the Adirondacks, the boys had expected to return at
+once to Putnam Hall to continue their studies. But three pupils were
+taken down with scarlet fever, and the academy was promptly closed by
+the master, Captain Victor Putnam.
+
+"That gives us another holiday," Tom had said. "Let us put in the time
+by traveling," and, later on, it was decided that the boys should visit
+California for their health. This they did, and in the seventh volume
+of this series, entitled "The Rover Boys on Land and Sea," I related
+the particulars of how they were carried off to sea during a violent
+storm, in company with three of their old-time girl friends, Dora
+Stanhope and her cousins, Nellie and Grace Laning. It may be mentioned
+here that Dick thought Dora Stanhope the sweetest girl in the world,
+and Tom and Sam were equally smitten with Nellie and Grace Laning.
+
+Being cast away on the Pacific was productive of additional adventures
+and surprises. On a ship that picked the girls and boys up they fell in
+again with Dan Baxter, and he did all in his power to make trouble for
+them. When all were cast away on a deserted island, Dan Baxter joined
+some mutineers among the sailors, and there was a fight which
+threatened to end seriously for our friends. But as luck would have it,
+a United States warship hove into sight, and from that moment the boys
+and girls, and the friends, who had stuck to them through thick and
+thin, were safe.
+
+Before the warship left the island a search was made for Dan Baxter and
+for those who had mutinied with him. But the bully and his evil-minded
+followers kept out of sight, and so they were left behind to shift for
+themselves.
+
+"Do you think that we will ever see Dan Baxter again?" Sam had
+questioned.
+
+"I hardly think so," had been Dick's reply. But in this surmise the
+elder Rover boy was mistaken, as later events will prove.
+
+The journey across the Pacific to San Francisco was accomplished
+without incident. As soon as the Golden Gate was reached the boys,
+and also the girls, sent telegrams to their folks, telling them that
+all was well.
+
+Mrs. Stanhope was staying at Santa Barbara for her health. All of the
+girls had been stopping with her, and now it was decided that Dora,
+Nellie, and Grace should go to her again.
+
+"It's too bad we must part," Dick had said, as he squeezed Dora's
+hand. "But you are coming East soon, aren't you?"
+
+"In a month or two, yes. And what will you do?"
+
+"Go back to Putnam Hall most likely--if the scarlet fever scare is
+over."
+
+"Then we'll be likely to see you again before long," and Dora smiled
+her pleasure.
+
+"It will be like old times to get back to the Hall again," Sam had put
+in. "But first, I want to go home and see the folks."
+
+"Right you are," had come from Tom. "I reckon they are dead anxious to
+see us, too."
+
+And so they had parted, with tight hand-squeezing and bright smiles
+that meant a good deal. One train had taken the girls southward to
+Santa Barbara, and another had taken the boys eastward to Denver and to
+Chicago. At the latter city the lads had made a quick change, and
+twenty-six hours later found them at Oak Run, and in the carriage for
+the farm.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+NEWS OF INTEREST
+
+
+"My boys! my boys!"
+
+Such was the cry given by Anderson Rover, when he caught sight of the
+occupants of the carriage, as the turnout swept up to the piazza of the
+comfortable farm home.
+
+   "Home again! Home again
+   Safe from a foreign shore!"
+
+sang out Tom, and leaping to the ground, he caught his father around the
+shoulders. "Aren't you glad to see us, father?" he went on.
+
+"Glad doesn't express it, Tom," replied the fond parent, as he embraced
+first one and then another. "My heart is overflowing with joy, and I
+thank God that you have returned unharmed, after having passed through
+so many grave perils. How brown all of you look!"
+
+"Tanned by the tropical sun," answered Sam. "Oh, here is Aunt Martha,
+and Uncle Randolph!"
+
+"Sam!" burst out the motherly aunt, as she kissed him. "Oh, how you
+must have suffered on that lonely island!" And then she kissed the
+others.
+
+"We've certainly had our fill of adventures," came from Dick, who was
+shaking hands with his Uncle Randolph. "And more than once we thought
+we should never see Valley Brook farm again."
+
+"We were real Robinson Crusoes," went on Sam. "And the girls were
+Robinson Crusoes, too."
+
+"Are the girls well?" questioned Mrs. Rover.
+
+"Very well, auntie. If they hadn't been we shouldn't have parted with
+them in San Francisco. They went back to Santa Barbara to finish their
+vacation."
+
+"I see. Well, it certainly was a wonderful trip. You'll have to tell us
+all the particulars this evening. I suppose you are as hungry as bears
+just now. Tom is, I'm sure."
+
+"Oh, Aunt Martha, I see you haven't forgotten my failing," piped in
+the youth mentioned, with a twinkle in his eye. "And do I get pie for
+dinner?"
+
+"Yes, Tom, and all you care to eat, too. We are going to make your
+home-coming a holiday."
+
+"Good!"
+
+They were soon in the house, every nook and corner of which was so
+familiar to them. They rushed up to their rooms, and, after a brushing
+and a washing up, came down to the big dining room, where the table
+fairly groaned with good things.
+
+"Gosh! this is a regular Christmas spread!" observed Tom, as he looked
+the table over. "Tell you what, Aunt Martha, I'm going to be cast away
+every week after this."
+
+"Oh, Tom, don't speak of it! After this you must stay right here.
+Neither your father nor your uncle nor myself will want to leave you
+out of sight."
+
+"Pooh! We can't stay home. But we'll be careful of our trips in the
+future, you can be sure of that."
+
+"Have you heard anything about Putnam Hall since we went away?" asked
+Dick, during the meal.
+
+"The academy opened again last week, Dick," answered his father. "We
+received a circular letter from Captain Putnam. The scarlet fever scare
+did not amount to much, for which the captain is very thankful."
+
+"I sent him a telegram, stating we were safe," said Sam. "I knew he
+would like to hear from us. The captain is a brick."
+
+"The best ever," said Tom, with his mouth full of chicken.
+
+"And ditto, Mr. Strong," put in Dick, referring to the head assistant
+at the Hall.
+
+"Exactly, Dick. But no more Jasper Grinders in mine," went on Tom,
+referring to a tyrannical teacher who had caused them much trouble, and
+who had been discharged from the academy, as already mentioned in "The
+Rover Boys in the Mountains."
+
+"Or Josiah Crabtrees," said Dick, referring to another teacher, who had
+been made to leave Putnam Hall, and who had wanted to marry the widow
+Stanhope, in an endeavor to get control of the money that was coming to
+Dora. Crabtree's misdeeds had landed him in prison, where he was likely
+to stay for some time to come.
+
+While the meal was still in progress the boys began the recital of
+their many adventures, and this recital was kept up until a late hour.
+It was astonishing how much they had to tell, and how interesting it
+proved to the listeners.
+
+"You might make a book of it," said Anderson Rover. "It equals our
+adventures in the jungles of Africa."
+
+"I am going to write it out some day," answered Dick. "And, maybe,
+I'll get the story printed. The trouble is, I can't end the tale
+properly."
+
+"How is that, Dick?" asked his Uncle Randolph. "You were all saved.
+Isn't that a proper ending for any book?"
+
+"Yes, but what of the villain? Baxter didn't show himself, and that is
+no ending at all. He should have fallen over a cliff, or been shot, or
+something like that."
+
+"And we should have married the three girls," put in fun-loving Tom.
+"That would make the story even more complete."
+
+"Well, things do not happen in real life as they do in story books,"
+said the parent. "It is likely you will never hear of Dan Baxter
+again. But we may hear from his father."
+
+"His father!" exclaimed the three youths in concert.
+
+"Why, Arnold Baxter is in prison," added Sam.
+
+"He was, up to five days ago, when they took him to the hospital to
+undergo some sort of an operation. At the hospital the operation was
+postponed for a day, and during the night he slipped away from the
+institution and disappeared."
+
+"Well, I never!" burst out Dick. "Isn't he the slick one, though!
+Just when you think you've got him hard and fast, you haven't at all."
+
+"Haven't they any trace of him?" asked Sam.
+
+"None, so far as I have heard. There was a report that he had gone to
+New York and taken passage on a ship bound for Liverpool, but at
+present the ship is on the Atlantic, so the authorities can do nothing."
+
+"I hope they catch him."
+
+"We all hope that, Sam."
+
+For a few days the three boys did nothing but take it easy. It was
+pleasant weather, and they roamed around the farm in company with their
+father and their uncle, or with Alexander Pop, the colored man of work.
+As my old readers know, Pop had been in former days a waiter at Putnam
+Hall, and Dick, Tom, and Sam had befriended him on more than one
+occasion, for which he was extremely grateful.
+
+"Yo' boys is jes' naturally fust-class heroes," said Aleck one day.
+"Even if dem cannonballs had cum after yo', I don't t'ink da could have
+cotched yo', no, sirree!"
+
+"It's a pity you weren't along, Aleck," answered Tom.
+
+"I can't say as to dat, Master Tom. I got 'bout all de hair-raisin'
+times I wanted when we was in de jungles ob Africy. I'se only sorry ob
+one t'ing."
+
+"And what is that?"
+
+"Dat you didn't jes' go an' frow dat Dan Baxter overboard from dat ship
+de fust time yo' sot eyes on him. Suah as yo' am born he'll turn up
+some day to make moah trouble."
+
+"Well, if he turns up we'll be ready for him," returned Tom grimly.
+
+"How can yo' be ready fo' a pusson wot acts like a snake in de grass?
+He'll sting befo' yo' hab de chance to spot him."
+
+"We'll have to keep our eyes open, Aleck," answered the youth; and then
+the subject was changed.
+
+During those days the boys went fishing and bathing in the river, and
+also visited Humpback Falls, that spot where Sam had had such a
+thrilling adventure, as related in "The Rover Boys at School."
+
+"What a lot has happened since those days," said Sam, taking a deep
+breath. "Tom, do you remember how you got into trouble with old
+Crabtree the very first day we landed at Putnam Hall?"
+
+"I do, Sam; and do you remember our first meeting, on the boat, with
+Dan Baxter, and how we sent him about his business when he tried to
+annoy Nellie, and Grace, and Dora?"
+
+"Yes, indeed. Say, I am getting anxious to get back to the Hall. It
+seems almost like a second home."
+
+"So am I," put in Dick. "Besides, we have lost time enough from our
+studies. We'll have to pitch in, or we'll drop behind our classes."
+
+"Father says we can return to the Hall next Monday, if we wish."
+
+"I vote we do so."
+
+"So do I."
+
+And thus it was decided that they should return to the academy four
+days later.
+
+But during those four days something was to happen which would have an
+important bearing upon their future actions.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A MIDNIGHT VISITOR
+
+
+The next day, shortly after noon, it began to rain, and the storm
+increased in violence until the wind blew almost a gale.
+
+The rain kept the boys indoors, at which Tom was inclined to grumble.
+
+"No use of grumbling, Tom," said Dick cheerfully. "Let us improve the
+time by looking over our school books. That will make it easier to slip
+into the grind again when we get back to the Hall."
+
+"That is excellent advice, Richard," said Randolph Rover. "Whatever you
+do, do not neglect your studies."
+
+"By the way, Uncle Randolph, how is scientific farming progressing?"
+said Tom, referring to something that had been his uncle's hobby for
+years--a hobby that had cost the gentleman considerable money.
+
+"Well--ah--to tell the truth, Thomas, not as well as I had hoped for."
+
+"Hope you didn't drop a thousand or two this year, uncle?"
+
+"Oh, no--not over fifty dollars."
+
+"Then you got off easy."
+
+"I shall do better next year. The potatoes already show signs of
+improvement."
+
+"Good! I suppose you'll be growing 'em on top of the ground soon. Then
+you won't have the bother of digging 'em, you know," went on the
+fun-loving boy innocently.
+
+"Absurd, Thomas! But I shall have some very large varieties, I feel
+certain."
+
+"Big as a watermelon?"
+
+"Hardly, but--"
+
+"Big as a muskmelon, then?"
+
+"Not exactly, but--"
+
+"About the size of a cocoanut, eh?"
+
+"No! no! They will be as large as--"
+
+"I mean a little cocoanut," pleaded Tom, while Sam felt like laughing
+outright.
+
+"Well, yes, a little cocoanut. You see--"
+
+"We saw some big potatoes in California, Uncle Randolph."
+
+"Ah! Of what variety?"
+
+"_Cornus bustabus_, or something like that. Sam, what was the name, do
+you know?"
+
+"That must be something like it, Tom," grinned the youngest Rover.
+
+"Took two men to lift some of those potatoes," went on Tom calmly.
+
+"Two men? Thomas, surely you are joking."
+
+"No, uncle, I am telling nothing but the strict truth."
+
+"But two men! The potatoes must have been of monstrous size!"
+
+"Oh, not so very big. But they did weigh a good deal, no question of
+it."
+
+"Think of two men lifting one potato!"
+
+"I didn't say one potato, Uncle Randolph. I said some of those
+potatoes."
+
+"Eh?"
+
+"The men had a barrel full of 'em."
+
+"Thomas!" The uncle shook his finger threateningly. "At your old
+tricks, I see. I might have known it." And then he stalked off to hide
+his chagrin.
+
+"Tom, that was rather rough on Uncle Randolph," said Sam, after a
+laugh.
+
+"So it was, Sam. But I've got to do something. This being boxed up,
+when one might be fishing or swimming, or playing baseball, is simply
+dreadful," answered the other.
+
+Just before the evening meal was announced Jack Ness came up from the
+barn, and sought out Randolph Rover.
+
+"Found a man slinking around the cow-shed a while ago," he said. "He
+looked like a tramp. I wanted to talk to him, but he scooted in
+double-quick order."
+
+"Humph! We haven't had any tramps here in a long time," came from
+Randolph Rover. "Where did he go to?"
+
+"Down toward the berry patch."
+
+"Did you follow him up?"
+
+"I did, sir, but he got away from me."
+
+"You must keep a close watch for those fellows," said Randolph Rover
+bluntly. "I don't want any of them getting in our barn and burning it
+down to the ground."
+
+"You are right, Randolph," said Anderson Rover. "Make them keep away
+from the place by all means, Jack."
+
+"I'll keep my eye peeled for 'em," answered the hired man.
+
+The wind was now blowing a gale, causing the trees near the farmhouse
+to creak and groan, and banging more than one shutter. But the boys did
+not mind this, and went to bed promptly at the usual hour.
+
+"A storm like this on land is nothing to one on the sea," was the way
+Tom expressed himself. "I don't like anything better than to listen to
+the whistling of the wind when I am snug in bed."
+
+For the time being Sam and Tom were occupying a room in the L of the
+farmhouse, and Dick had a small bedchamber adjoining. The boys were
+soon undressed, and, having said their prayers, hopped into bed, and
+were soon sound asleep.
+
+It was not until half an hour later that the older folks retired.
+Anderson Rover was the last to leave the sitting room, where he had
+been busy writing some letters at the desk that stood there.
+
+As he was about to retire he fancied he heard a noise outside of one of
+the windows. He drew up the curtain and looked through the glass, but
+could see nothing.
+
+"It must have been the wind," he murmured. "But, somehow, it didn't
+sound like it."
+
+As he stepped into the dark hallway an uneasy feeling took possession
+of him--a feeling hard to define, and one for which he could not
+account.
+
+"I think I had better go around and see that all the doors and windows
+are properly locked," he told himself. "Brother Randolph may have
+overlooked one of them."
+
+He walked the length of the hallway, and stepped into the kitchen and
+over to a side window.
+
+As he had his hand on the window-latch he heard a quick step directly
+behind him.
+
+He started to turn, but before he could do so he received a blow on the
+head from a club that staggered him. Then he was jerked backward to the
+floor.
+
+"Silence!" muttered a voice close to his ear. "Don't you dare to make a
+sound!"
+
+"What does this mean--" he managed to gasp.
+
+"Silence, I tell you!" was the short answer. "If you say another word,
+I will hit you again!"
+
+Having no desire to receive a blow that might render him totally
+unconscious, or, perhaps, take his life, Anderson Rover said no more.
+He heard a match struck, and then a bit of a tallow candle was lit and
+placed on the edge of the kitchen table.
+
+By this dim light the father of the Rover boys saw standing over him a
+tall man, beardless, and with his head closely cropped. One glance into
+that hardened face sufficed to tell him who the unwelcome visitor was.
+
+"Arnold Baxter!"
+
+"I see you recognize me," was the harsh reply. "Not so loud, please,
+unless you want that crack I promised you."
+
+"What brings you here, and at such an hour as this?"
+
+"I find it more convenient to travel during the night than in the
+daytime."
+
+"The police are on your track."
+
+"I know that as well you, Rover."
+
+"What do you want here?"
+
+"What does any man want when he has been stripped of all his
+belongings? I want money."
+
+"I have none for you."
+
+"Bosh! Do you think I have forgotten how you and your boys swindled me
+out of my rights to that mine in the far West?"
+
+"We did not swindle you, Baxter. The claim was lawfully mine."
+
+"I can't stop to argue the question, and I don't want you to talk so
+loud, remember that. No, don't try to get up," went on the midnight
+visitor, as Anderson Rover attempted to rise. "Stay just where you
+are."
+
+He was feeling in his pocket, and now he brought forth a strip of
+cloth, with a knot tied in the middle.
+
+It was a gag, and he started to place it in Anderson Rover's mouth,
+when the latter leaped up and began to struggle with all the force he
+could command.
+
+"Stop, I tell you!" cried Arnold Baxter softly.
+
+"Stop!" And then, catching up his club once more, he dealt Anderson
+Rover another blow, this time directly across the temple. The gentleman
+wavered for an instant, gave a deep groan, and fell like a log to the
+floor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A USELESS PURSUIT
+
+
+Half an hour later Tom awoke with a start. For the moment he could not
+tell what had aroused him. Then he remembered hearing the slam of a
+door or a window sash.
+
+"Must have been the storm," he told himself, and was about to turn over
+and go to sleep when he heard a gun-shot from the direction of the
+barn.
+
+"Something is wrong, that's certain!" he cried. "Sam, wake up!"
+
+"What's the row, Tom?" questioned the youngest brother sleepily.
+
+Before Tom could reply they heard Dick getting up, and also their Uncle
+Randolph and Aunt Martha.
+
+"What did that shot mean?" demanded Randolph Rover, coming toward the
+boys' rooms. "Did any of you fire it?"
+
+"No, it came from outside," returned Torn. "Hark!"
+
+"Hullo, in the house!" came in the voice of Jack Ness. "Wake up,
+everybody! Something is wrong!"
+
+After this it did not take long for those upstairs to slip into some
+clothing, and go below. Randolph Rover ran to the side door, to find it
+wide open. Dick lit the hall lamp.
+
+"Saw a man running across the garden," said Jack Ness, who had his
+shot-gun with him. "I yelled to him to stop, and then fired the gun. I
+think he came from the house."
+
+"How did you happen to be up?" asked Sam.
+
+"One of the horses is sick, and I was attending to him."
+
+By this time some of the others were looking into the various rooms.
+
+"The desk has been broken open!" cried Dick. "And the pantry in the
+corner, too!"
+
+"Mercy, save us!" shrieked Mrs. Rover, from the kitchen. "Come here at
+once. Poor Anderson has been killed!"
+
+"Killed!" gasped Tom; and then all ran to the kitchen as quickly as
+they could.
+
+They found Anderson Rover lying where he had fallen, and still
+unconscious. There was a lump on his forehead, and a thin stream of
+blood trickled down one side of his face.
+
+"Thank heaven, he is not dead!" murmured Dick, as he knelt beside his
+father. "But he has been struck some cruel blows. Somebody fetch water
+and a bandage."
+
+The water was procured, and also a bandage, and under skillful
+treatment, Anderson Rover was presently restored to consciousness.
+
+"Where--where is he?" he questioned, when he could speak.
+
+"Do you mean the person who struck you down?" asked Dick.
+
+"Ye--yes."
+
+"I don't know. Got away, I guess."
+
+"The villain! He attacked me most foully!"
+
+"I saw him running across the garden," put in the hired man. "Did he
+steal anything?"
+
+"To be sure he stole something," said Sam. "He ransacked the whole
+lower floor, by the looks of things."
+
+"Wonder who it was?" put in Tom.
+
+"It was Arnold Baxter," answered his father.
+
+"Arnold Baxter!" cried the others in chorus.
+
+"Are you certain?" asked Dick.
+
+"Yes. He struck me down, and then lit the bit of tallow candle you see
+lying there. Then we struggled, and he hit me again, and that is all I
+know. But I am sure it was Baxter, for I spoke to him. He accused us of
+having robbed him of that mine out West."
+
+"Was he alone?" asked Randolph Rover.
+
+"I saw no one else."
+
+"We ought to follow him up," declared Tom, now that he realized his
+father was not so badly hurt as at first feared.
+
+"That's the talk!" ejaculated Dick. "Wait till I get my pistol."
+
+"Boys, do keep out of harm," pleaded Mrs. Rover. "Remember that this
+Arnold Baxter is a desperate criminal."
+
+"We are not afraid of him," answered Tom.
+
+"We'll show him that he can't
+come here and attack father," added Sam.
+
+Leaving their father in the care of their Aunt Martha, the three Rover
+boys armed themselves and sallied forth, accompanied by their uncle and
+Alexander Pop, the latter carrying a horse-pistol of the old-fashioned
+variety.
+
+"Dat dar Baxter am a rascal of de fust water," was Aleck's comment. "He
+deserbes to be shot full ob holes, an' I am de boy to do dat same, if
+only I gets de chance."
+
+Jack Ness was closely questioned, and he described the spot where he
+had last seen the unwelcome midnight visitor.
+
+"He had a bag of something over his shoulder," he declared.
+
+"Most likely the stuff taken from the house," declared Dick.
+
+The party crossed the garden patch and then took to the path which ran
+down toward the river.
+
+Here all was intensely dark, although it had stopped raining, and the
+wind was trying its best to scatter the heavy clouds that obscured the
+stars.
+
+"Not a thing to see," observed Randolph Rover. "We may as well go
+back."
+
+"Let us scatter and make a search," came from Dick, and his idea was
+carried out. But though they tramped the locality for a good half hour
+the pursuit of Arnold Baxter proved useless.
+
+"He is probably making good use of his time," was Tom's comment. "He
+knew we would be after him hot-footed, just as soon as we heard of his
+being here."
+
+"I'm going to drive over to the railroad station," said Dick. "He may
+hang around and get aboard of the first morning train."
+
+"Take me along with you," said Sam, and Dick agreed. They got Aleck to
+drive them and took the fastest team the stable afforded.
+
+But at the depot all was dark and deserted, and if Arnold Baxter was
+anywhere near he took good care not to show himself, nor was anything
+seen of him in Oak Run later on.
+
+"He has left the neighborhood by some other way," said Randolph Rover,
+and his surmise was correct.
+
+When the boys reached home again they found their parent sitting up in
+an easy-chair, with his forehead still bandaged. The blows he had
+received were painful, but by no means serious, and when the doctor was
+called in he said the patient would speedily recover.
+
+"But you had a narrow escape," said the doctor. "Had you been struck a
+little harder your skull might have been broken."
+
+"Well, I don't think Arnold Baxter would have cared if he had broken my
+skull," answered Anderson Rover. "He is a thoroughly bad man."
+
+It was broad daylight before a complete examination of the house was
+made, and then it was learned that Baxter had run away with some silver
+knives, forks, and spoons, some gold napkin rings, a silver and gold
+water pitcher, and half a dozen similar articles. From the desk he had
+taken a pocketbook containing three hundred dollars in cash, and from
+Anderson Rover's person his watch and chain, and a diamond stud. He
+had also tried to rob the unconscious man of his diamond ring, but as
+the ring would not come off had pried out the stone and taken that.
+
+"He is at his old tricks again," said Dick. "Evidently his term in
+prison has done him no good."
+
+"Guess it has made him worse," added Sam. "Oh, how I would like to lay
+my hands on him!" And Tom said the same.
+
+The authorities were notified, including the sheriff of the county, and
+later still Anderson Rover hired a New York detective to take up the
+case. But it was of no avail. Arnold Baxter did not show himself, and
+not a trace of him was to be found anywhere.
+
+"I shouldn't be surprised if he disguised himself as soon as he got
+away from here," remarked Tom. "He could easily put on a false
+mustache, and a wig would fit capitally over that almost bald pate of
+his."
+
+"But where would he get the mustache and wig, Tom?" asked Dick.
+
+"He may have bought them before he came here. I have heard that some
+robbers prepare themselves for all sorts of emergencies. Only last week
+I was reading about a fellow who went to a ball, and between the dances
+went out and robbed a gentleman on the street of his watch. When he was
+arrested, he tried to prove that he hadn't been outside of the ballroom
+all night, and it was by the merest accident that the authorities found
+out his story wasn't true."
+
+"Tom is right; some criminals are very shrewd," said his father. "And I
+fancy Arnold Baxter is about as slick as any of them."
+
+"Well, I hope we run across him some day," said Dick.
+
+With so much to occupy their minds the days flew by swiftly, and almost
+before they knew it Monday was at hand, and the three boys set out to
+return once more to Putnam Hall.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+ON THE WAY TO PUTNAM HALL
+
+
+The idea of going back to dear old Putnam Hall, with all of its
+pleasant memories, filled Tom with good humor, and he was fairly
+bubbling over on the train which carried the boys to Ithaca, where they
+were to take a steamer up Cayuga Lake to Cedarville, the nearest
+village to the academy.
+
+"Makes me feel as I did the first time we went to the Hall," he
+declared. "Don't you remember that trip, and the fun we had with Peleg
+Snuggers, the wagon man?" and then he burst out singing:
+
+"Putnam Hall's the place for me!
+Tra-la-lee! Tra-la-lee!
+Putnam Hall's the place for me!
+The best old school I know!"
+
+"You'll have the conductor putting you off, the next thing you know,"
+remarked Sam.
+
+"Putting me off? Never!" cried Tom. "He knows that academy boys own
+privileges that other passengers do not possess. He can't cork me up. I
+defy him!"
+
+"Wonder if we'll meet any of the other fellows," mused Dick.
+
+He had hardly spoken when the train stopped at a junction, and two
+other lads got aboard and came down the aisle. One was tall and handsome,
+and the other stout and with a round, chubby face beaming with good humor.
+
+"Larry Colby!" cried Dick, leaping up and grasping the tall boy's hand.
+"I'm awfully glad to meet you. Returning to the Hall, of course?"
+
+"Yes," was the answer from the Rover boys' old chum. "Isn't it odd that
+I should be thinking of you just as we meet?" and he shook hands.
+
+"Hullo, if it ton't peen dem Rofer brudders alretty," cried the
+round-faced lad, with a twinkle in his eyes. "I dink me you vos left
+der Hall for goot, yah!"
+
+"Hans Mueller!" came from Sam. "Then you are going back, too? I thought
+you had scarlet fever?"
+
+"Not much I ain't," said the German youth. "I vos eat too much of dem
+puckveat cakes alretty, und dot makes mine face preak owid, put I ain't
+got no scarlet fefers, nein! How you vos alretty annahow?" And he
+shook hands as Larry had done.
+
+"I can hardly believe your story about being cast away on an island in
+the Pacific," said Larry.
+
+"Your letter read like a fairy tale. If you tell the fellows they'll
+think you are drawing the long bow."
+
+"Yes, Larry vos told me somedings apoud dot," broke in Hans. "You vos
+regular Robinson Roosters," he said.
+
+"Great Scott! Robinson Roosters!" yelled Tom, bursting out into a fit
+of laughter. "Boys, we are discovered at last."
+
+"Well, if you are, you needn't crow over it," came from Larry.
+
+"Roosters and crowing! Oh, Larry, I didn't think you'd begin to pun so
+early," put in Sam.
+
+"He just hatched it out," said Tom.
+
+"I suppose you think that sounds chic," joined in Dick. And then there
+was a laugh in which all but Hans Mueller joined. The German youth
+looked blankly from one to another of his companions.
+
+"Vos dot Robinson Rooster a choke?" he demanded. "Of it vos let me in
+by it kvick."
+
+"Oh, you couldn't climb in on a gangway and a step-ladder combined,"
+answered Tom.
+
+"Put vos you Robinson Roosters or vos you not Robinson Roosters?"
+
+"Oh, we were Robinson Roosters right enough," answered Tom, when he
+could control his laughter.
+
+"Den vot you vos giggling apout, hey?"
+
+"Nothing, only it was so funny to be a Robinson Rooster and live on a
+big island with nobody but lions, buffaloes, snakes, and 'cannonballs,'"
+added the fun-loving youth.
+
+"Cannonballs?" queried Larry
+
+"That's what Aleck Pop calls 'em, Larry. He said it was a wonder the
+'cannonballs' hadn't eaten us up," and then came another laugh, during
+which Hans was as mute as ever.
+
+"Vos dere lions, snakes, and buffaloes py dot island on?" went on the
+German youth.
+
+"To be sure there were, Hans. And likewise elephants, panthers, cats,
+dogs, hippopotamuses, mice, elk, rats, and winged jibberjackers."
+
+"Mine gracious, Tom! Und you vosn't eaten up alretty kvick!"
+
+"None of the animals troubled us, but the three-horned jibberjacker. He
+came into our house one night, crawled upstairs, and began to swallow
+Sam alive."
+
+"You ton't tole me!"
+
+"Yes, I do tell you. He had Sam in his mouth, and had swallowed him as
+far as his waist, when Sam began to kick on the floor with his feet."
+
+"I see, I see--" Hans' eyes were as big as saucers.
+
+"That woke Dick and me up, and we ran and got Sam by the legs, and
+pulled for all we were worth."
+
+"You ton't tole me, Tom! Und vot did dot vot-you-call-him do den?"
+
+"He planked his ten feet on the floor, and--"
+
+"His ten feet did you said, Tom?" interrupted Hans doubtfully.
+
+"To be sure. Didn't you know that a real jibberjacker has ten feet?"
+
+"Maype I did--I ton't oxactly remember about him."
+
+"I am surprised at your ignorance of natural history, Hans. Yes, the
+real jibberjacker has ten feet, although a branch of the family, known
+as the jibbertwister, has only eight feet."
+
+"Well, go on. He planked his ten feets by der floor town--"
+
+"He held on and so did we, and it was a regular tug of war between us.
+Sam was swallowed as far as the waist, and couldn't do anything to help
+himself. You just ask Sam if that isn't so."
+
+"When Tom tells the truth it's a fact every time, Hans," answered Sam,
+who felt as if he would choke from suppressed laughter.
+
+"So the blamed old jibberjacker held on and held on," continued Tom.
+"Then we gave a tug and he gave a tug, and all of a sudden Sam came
+out. The shock was so great it threw Dick and me clear across the room,
+and through a doorway into the next room. But the poor jibberjacker
+fared still worse."
+
+"How vos dot?"
+
+"He flew up against the outside wall, and his weight was so great he
+went right through the side of the building, and landed on some rocks
+below. All of his ten legs were broken, and of course he couldn't get
+away, so we went down, got a long cross-cut saw, and sawed off his
+head. Now, if you don't believe that story, you come to our house
+sometime and I'll show you the cross-cut saw."
+
+Hans stared in breathless amazement. His solemn face was too much for
+the others, and a peal of laughter rang through the car. At this Hans
+grew suspicious, and at length a sickly grin overspread his features.
+
+"I know you, Tom Rofer," he said. "Dot vos von of dem fish stories,
+ain't it alretty?"
+
+"No, it's a jibberjacker story, Hans."
+
+"It vos a jibjacker fish story den annahow. You can't fool me some
+more. I vos too schmart for dot alretty. Ven I go py der academy I git
+mine ear teeths cut, hey?"
+
+"All right, Hans, if you have cut your ear-teeth we'll call it off,"
+said Dick, and here the conversation took a more rational turn.
+
+"So far as I know only a few of the fellows have left the Hall on
+account of the scarlet fever scare," said Larry. "And they were boys
+that nobody seemed to care much about."
+
+"I was told that the fellows expected to elect an entirely new lot of
+officers," said Sam. "We have been away so much I've rather lost track
+of our military affairs."
+
+"Captain Putnam said we would have to ballot for officers as soon as
+all the boys were back," said Larry. "Some of the old officers have
+graduated, you must remember."
+
+"I've not forgotten that I was once second lieutenant of Company A,"
+put in Dick. "Reckon I'll have to try my luck once more--if the boys
+want me to run."
+
+"Well, I want you to run for one, Dick," said Larry. "Hans, you'll vote
+for Dick, won't you?"
+
+"Yah, und I vonts him to vote for me, too," said the German youth.
+
+"Why, Hans, do you want to be water-carrier this year?" asked Sam.
+
+"_Nein_, I vonts to be high brivate py der rear rank alretty. Von of der
+fellows tole me dot would chust suit me."
+
+"All right, Hans, we'll all elect you high private of the rear rank,"
+answered Larry with a laugh.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+FUN ON THE BOAT
+
+
+At the city of Ithaca the boys stopped long enough to get dinner, and
+were here joined by Fred Garrison and George Granbury, two more of
+their old school chums.
+
+"Hurrah for the gathering of the clans!" cried George Granbury, with a
+beaming face. "This is like a touch of old times. How are all of you,
+anyway?"
+
+"First rate, with the exception of Hans here," said Tom. "He's got the
+buckwheat measles."
+
+"Yah, und Tom he's got der jipperjocker fefer," declared the German
+boy, bound to do his best to get square.
+
+"Good for Hans!" cried Sam. "Tom, after this, you have got to take
+care, or Hansie will roast you."
+
+"Oh, Hans is just all right," observed Tom, and when the German boy's
+face was turned away he took the latter's coffee and put into it about
+a teaspoonful of salt. "Tell you what, fellows, this coffee just
+touches the spot," he added loudly.
+
+"Right you are," said Fred Garrison. "Never tasted better in my life."
+
+So far Hans had not touched the coffee, but hearing the words he took
+up his cup and downed a deep draught. It may be added that he was a
+German who loved coffee a good deal, and frequently drank several cups
+at a meal.
+
+For an instant the German youth said nothing. Then his face turned
+pale.
+
+"Dat coffee was no goot!" he gasped.
+
+"Why, Hans," cried several.
+
+"See how pale he is getting," came from George Granbury. "Hans, are you
+going to die?
+
+"Don't say the coffee is going to poison him," burst out Tom. "I was
+reading about poison getting into the coffee at this hotel last week.
+But, of course--"
+
+"Did da got poison py der coffee in here?" demanded Hans.
+
+"To be sure, put--"
+
+"How vos dot poisoned coffee taste annahow?"
+
+"I'm sure I don't know."
+
+"I think it was a little salty," came from Fred Garrison.
+
+"Mine cracious me! Of dot's so I vos poisoned, sure. Run for der toctor
+kvick!"
+
+"Here, eat some jam, Hans. That will counteract the effect of
+the poison," said Tom, and handed over a small dish with jam in it,
+over which he had just sprinkled the pepper with an exceedingly liberal
+hand.
+
+Anxious to do anything that would stop him from being poisoned, the
+German boy clutched the dish and took a large spoonful of the jam. But
+as he gulped it, he gave a gasp, and the tears started down his cheeks.
+
+"_Du meine zeit!_" he bawled. "I vos purnt up alife by mine mouth
+alretty! Dake it avay kvick!" And jumping up from the table he began to
+dance around madly.
+
+"It's a serious case," said Tom. "If he's burning up we had better call
+out the fire department."
+
+This remark made Hans grow suddenly suspicious. He caught up Tom's cup
+of coffee and tasted it.
+
+"I know you, Tom Rofer," he said. "Dot vos more dricks of yours, ain't
+it?" He held the cup of coffee on high. "How you like dot, hey!" And
+splash! down came the coffee on Tom's head, and trickled down his back.
+
+"Hi, you! let up!" roared Tom, and knocked the half-empty cup to one
+side. "Let up, I say, or I'll have the landlord put you out."
+
+"I told you to take care, Tom," came from Sam, when the other boys had
+restored quietness. "When Hans gets his dander up he is dangerous."
+
+"Dot is drue," came from Hans. "I vonts no more of them chokes
+alretty." And then, as the waiter came hurrying up, he forced Tom to
+order him another cup of coffee, and took good care to keep it out of
+the fun-loving youth's reach. Poor Tom sopped away the spilt coffee as
+best he could, but it must be admitted that for the balance of that day
+his backbone felt none too comfortable. Yet he bore no grudge towards
+Hans, for he knew that he had deserved the punishment meted out to him.
+
+Down at the dock the boys found the _Golden Star_, a trim little
+side-wheeler, ready to take them up the lake. There were about half a
+hundred passengers, bound for various landings, and among them six
+Putnam Hall scholars, including our old-time acquaintances, Jack
+Powell, generally called Songbird Powell, because of his habit of
+composing poems and songs, and that aristocratic young gentleman who
+rejoiced in the name of William Philander Tubbs.
+
+"The family is surely getting together," remarked Dick, after another
+handshaking had been indulged in. "Songbird, do you warble as much as
+ever?"
+
+"You can wager a sweet potato he does," said George Granbury. "Nothing
+short of a cyclone will ever stop Songbird's warbling, eh, Songbird?"
+
+For reply the youth addressed turned a pair of dreamy eyes on the
+speaker, and then said slowly:
+
+   "With hopeful hearts
+   And brightest faces,
+   To school we go
+   To fill our places.
+   We'll study hard,
+   And do our best--"
+
+   "If Songbird Powell
+   Will give us a rest!"
+
+finished Tom. "Oh, Songbird, have mercy on us, and don't begin so early."
+
+"You're a good one to preach, Tom," came from Larry. "Started to joke
+the moment we met him, didn't he, Hans?"
+
+"Did I?" questioned Tom innocently. "I had forgotten." He turned to
+Tubbs. "And how is our friend Philliam Willander to-day?"
+
+"William Philander, if you please, Rover," was the dignified reply. "I
+must insist on your getting my name correctly this term."
+
+"All right, Tubby, old boy, it shall be just as you say. I wouldn't
+hurt your feelings for a big red apple."
+
+"Then, please don't call me Tubby. You know my real name is William
+Philander Tubbs."
+
+"Don't you want Esquire tacked to it, too?"
+
+"That is hardly necessary as yet. But you may write it after my name,
+if you have occasion to send me any written communication," continued
+Tubbs, with greater dignity than ever.
+
+"Phew! but Tubby is worse than he was before," whispered Sam to Dick.
+"They must have been tuning him up at home."
+
+"Tubbs is going to try for a captaincy this term," said Powell, who had
+not minded Tom's interruption of his versification in the least.
+
+"Hurrah for Captain Tubbs!" cried Tom. "Captain, allow me to salute
+you," and he made a sweeping bow to the deck. Tom spoke so earnestly
+that Tubbs was pleased, and instantly forgot their little differences.
+
+"I shall be pleased to become a captain," said the young gentleman. "I
+feel I can fill the position with credit to myself and dignity to the
+academy. There is military blood in my veins, for a second cousin on my
+mother's side was a lieutenant in the Civil War. Besides that, I have
+studied military movements at West Point, where I went to see the
+cadets drill."
+
+"Do you know how to swab out a cannon?" asked Sam, with a wink at the
+others.
+
+"I shouldn't--ah--care for such dirty work," replied William Philander
+Tubbs with dignity.
+
+"Or police a camp?"
+
+"Surely you don't think I was ever a policeman?"
+
+"Don't you remember what policing a camp is?" asked George Granbury.
+
+"Upon my honor, I do not."
+
+"It means to clean up the streets, burn up the rubbish, and all that."
+
+"Thank you, but I do not--ah--care to become a street cleaner," returned
+Tubbs, with great dignity.
+
+"Sorry, but I'm afraid you are not cut out for a corporalship," came
+from Tom.
+
+"I didn't say a corporalship, Tom, I said--"
+
+"Excuse me, I meant a sergeantship."
+
+"No, I said--"
+
+"Make it a second lieutenantship, then, Tubby. Anything to be friends,
+you know."
+
+"I said--"
+
+"Oh, bother, if you want to be a major-general, go ahead. Nobody will
+stop you."
+
+"Hurrah, Major-General Tubbs!" cried Sam. "That sounds well, doesn't
+it, fellows?"
+
+"We'll have to present him with a tin-plated sword," came from one of
+the crowd.
+
+"And a pair of yellow worsted epaulets," added another.
+
+And then Songbird Powell began to sing softly:
+
+   "Rub a dub, dub!
+    Here comes General Tubb!
+       He'll make you bow to the ground!
+    You must stop ev'ry lark,
+    And toe the chalk mark,
+       As soon as he comes around."
+
+"There you are, Tubby; think of Songbird composing a poem in your
+honor," cried Tom. "You ought to present him with a leather medal."
+
+"I--I don't like such--er--such doggerel," cried William Philander Tubbs
+angrily. "I think--"
+
+"Well, I never!" ejaculated Tom, in pretended astonishment. "And
+Songbird worked so hard over it, too! Thus doth genius receive its
+reward. Songbird, if I were you, I'd give up writing poems, and go turn
+railroad president, track-walker, or something like that."
+
+"You boys are simply horrid, don't you know!" cried Tubbs, and, pushing
+his way through the crowd, he walked to the other end of the boat.
+
+"Being away from school hasn't done Tubby any good," was Fred
+Garrison's remark. "He thinks he's the High Tum-Tum, and no mistake."
+
+"Don't fret, he'll be taken down before the term is over," came from
+Larry Colby.
+
+"That's true," added another pupil, who had been taken down himself two
+terms before. "And when he hits his level he'll be just as good as any
+of us."
+
+The time on the steamer passed quickly enough, and after several stops
+along the lake, the Golden Star turned in at the Cedarville landing,
+and all of the Putnam Hall cadets went ashore.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+SOMETHING ABOUT THE MILITARY ACADEMY
+
+
+As my old readers know, Cedarville was only a small country village, so
+the arrival and departure of the steamer was a matter of importance to
+the inhabitants.
+
+The boys, consequently, found the little dock crowded with sightseers
+and more than one face looked familiar to them.
+
+"There are the Rover boys," said one man, quite loudly. "Everybody
+knows 'em."
+
+"We are growing notorious, it would seem," whispered Dick to Sam.
+
+Back of the dock stood the big carryall attached to Putnam Hall, with
+the old Hall driver, Peleg Snuggers, on the box.
+
+"Hullo, Peleg, old friend!" shouted Tom, waving his hand at the man.
+"How are we to-morrow, as the clown in the circus puts it?"
+
+"I'm all right, Master Tom--an' will be so long as you let me alone,"
+was the deliberate answer from the driver.
+
+"He remembers you all right enough, Tom," came from George Granbury.
+
+"Now, Peleg, don't throw cold water on my enthusiasm," said Tom
+reproachfully.
+
+"I ain't throwin' water on nobody, Master Tom; I'm only giving fair
+warning that I want to be let alone," answered the driver doggedly. "No
+more monkey shines around me, remember that."
+
+"All right, Peleg, I'll remember. And how is Mrs. Green, our worthy
+housekeeper?"
+
+"First-rate."
+
+"No whooping-cough?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Nor measles, or chicken-pox?"
+
+"Not a bit of 'em."
+
+"Or mumps? Tell me, now, she really hasn't got the mumps, has she?"
+
+"See here, Master Tom, didn't I jest tell you--"
+
+"No, you didn't tell me, and that's why I'm so anxious to know. If
+she's got the mumps, and the chilblains, and the ingrowing warts--"
+
+"Oh, crickey! I knew it!" groaned Peleg Snuggers. "I says to myself as I
+was a-drivin' over, 'if thet Tom Rover comes back, I might as well throw
+up my job, for he won't give nobody a rest!' If you would only--"
+
+"All right, Peleg, I see you are really and truly bound to go back on
+me. You hate me!" Tom drew his handkerchief from his pocket. "It is
+awful, after all I have tried to do for you in the past. I've got to--
+to--cry! Boo--hoo!" And the boy began to wipe his eyes.
+
+"Look a-here, Master Tom, it ain't nothin' to cry about," said Peleg
+half suspiciously. "I only give you warnin'--"
+
+"You are so--so hard-hearted, Peleg. Boohoo! I want to go back home!"
+And Tom began to sob.
+
+This was too much for the driver, and his face fell.
+
+"Don't you mind me, Master Tom," he said softly. "I didn't mean
+nothin', indeed, I didn't. You're all right. I like you better'n any of
+'em."
+
+"Oh, dear!" burst out Larry Colby. "Just to hear that!"
+
+"Peleg, have you gone back on us?" demanded George Granbury.
+
+"He ought to have a ducking for that," put in another.
+
+"Let's dump him into the lake!"
+
+"Come on, a cold bath will do him good!"
+
+"No! no! Oh, crickey!" groaned the driver of the carryall. "This is a
+mess! I--I didn't mean nuthin', gents, indeed, I didn't--"
+
+"He's mean enough for anything, that's what he means," came from a
+voice in the rear. "Pile in, before he runs away, and leaves us to walk
+to the Hall!" And into the carryall the boys tumbled, one over another.
+Dick got a seat beside the driver, and away they went at a spanking
+gait, through Cedarville, and then along the winding road leading to
+the academy. Two or three of the cadets had brought tin horns with
+them, and they made the welkin ring as the turnout dashed on its way.
+
+"A ginger-snap prize to the first fellow who spots the academy," cried
+Sam, as they made the last turn in the highway.
+
+"I see the Hall!" shouted half a dozen voices in chorus. And in a few
+seconds they came out into full view of the broad brick and stone
+building, with its well-kept parade ground, and its trees and
+shrubbery. The parade ground came down to the edge of the wagon road,
+and off to the other side the land sloped gradually down to the lake,
+glistening like a sheet of gold in the rays of the setting sun.
+
+The boys set up a loud shout and a wild blowing of horns, and in a
+moment a score of cadets came running forward to greet them, followed
+by Captain Victor Putnam, the master of the academy, and George Strong,
+his head assistant.
+
+"I am glad to see you, young gentlemen," said Captain Putnam, as he
+shook one and another by the hand. "You look as if your vacation had
+done you good."
+
+"It's done me a pile of good," said Sam. "But I don't know as I want
+another like it."
+
+"You Rover boys have certainly had some remarkable experiences,"
+continued the captain. "I congratulate you on escaping so many grave
+perils. Sometime you must give me all the particulars. But now it is
+time to prepare for supper. I dare say the trip on the lake has made
+you hungry."
+
+"Dot is so," came from Hans Mueller. "I vos so hungry like four lions
+alretty."
+
+"I have made some slight changes in your sleeping accommodations," went
+on Captain Putnam. "Mr. Strong will show you to your rooms." Then the
+boys marched into the academy, led by the head assistant.
+
+The majority of the cadets had their dormitories on the second floor of
+the building. Each room held from four to eight students, and was both
+bright and clean. The rules of Putnam Hall were similar to those in
+force at West Point, and every pupil was expected to keep his clothing,
+his books, and his other possessions in perfect order. Each had a cot,
+a chair, and a clothes closet to himself, extra closets having been
+introduced in the rooms for that purpose, and each was allowed the use
+of his trunk in addition. Each cadet had to take his turn at keeping the
+room in order, although the dormitories were given a regular sweeping
+and cleaning once a week by the servants.
+
+As before, the Rover boys were placed in one room, and into this came
+also Larry Colby, Fred Garrison, and George Granbury. The apartment was
+at an angle of the building, and next to it was another occupied by
+Songbird Powell, Tubbs, Hans, and three other cadets. Between the two
+rooms was a door, but this was closed, and was supposed to be kept
+locked.
+
+"This makes one feel like home," said Sam, as he began to wash up for
+supper.
+
+"Right you are," answered Larry Colby. "No matter where I go during a
+vacation, I am always glad to get back to Putnam Hall."
+
+A little later came the evening parade of the cadets, who marched
+around the parade ground several times before entering the messroom, as
+the dining hall was termed. The late arrivals did not join in the
+parade, but they watched it with interest, and then hurried to their
+accustomed places at the long tables, where a plain, but substantial
+supper awaited them.
+
+Only a little talking was allowed throughout the meal, but at its
+conclusion the cadets were given an hour off, in which time they could
+do very much as they pleased. In that hour some played games, others
+took walks, and not a few drifted over to the gymnasium, which stood at
+one corner of the grounds.
+
+"I'm going over to the gym," said Dick to Larry Colby. "Want to go
+along?"
+
+"Certainly," was the prompt answer. "I am going in for gymnastics this
+term, Dick."
+
+"Want to win some of the prizes when we have our contests?"
+
+"If I can."
+
+"I don't see why you shouldn't, Larry. You seem to be in first-class
+shape physically."
+
+"I am going to try hard, Dick."
+
+They were soon in the building, and Larry slipped off to the dressing
+room to don his gymnasium suit.
+
+While Dick was waiting for his friend to reappear he looked on at the
+efforts of the other cadets present. Some were on the rings and bars,
+others were using the parallel bars and horses, and still others were
+at the pulling and lifting machines. In one corner two of the boys
+were boxing, while another was hammering a punching bag as hard as he
+could.
+
+The boy at the punching bag was a tall, big-boned youth, named Lew
+Flapp. He was a newcomer at Putnam Hall, but though he had been there
+but three weeks he acted as if half of the place already belonged to
+him. At the start, he had made a few friends, principally on account of
+the money he had to spend, but these were gradually deserting him.
+
+Dick was interested in the work on the punching bag, and he walked
+closer to note what Lew Flapp was doing. Clap! clap! clap! went Flapp's
+fists on the bag, which bounced back and forth with great rapidity.
+
+"Well, how do you like that?" asked Lew Flapp, as he paused in his
+exercise and stared at Dick.
+
+"It's all right," answered Dick briefly.
+
+"I'll bet there ain't another cadet here can do as well," went on Lew
+Flapp boastfully.
+
+"Oh, that's saying a good deal," said Dick. "Some of the boys can hit
+the bag pretty well."
+
+"Humph!" Lew Flapp stared at the eldest Rover harder than ever.
+"Perhaps you think you can do it," he sneered.
+
+"I didn't say that."
+
+"But your words implied it."
+
+"Dick Rover can do every bit as well," said a cadet who overheard the
+talk.
+
+"I want to see him do it."
+
+"I didn't come here to punch the bag," said Dick as calmly as ever. "I
+just thought I'd take a look around."
+
+"Humph! Afraid to try, eh?"
+
+"Oh, no."
+
+"I dare you to show what you can do," sneered Lew Flapp.
+
+"Very well, I'll show you," came from Dick, and he began to take off
+his coat, collar, and tie.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A SCENE IN THE GYMNASIUM
+
+
+Lew Flapp spoke in such a loud, overbearing voice that a crowd began to
+collect in the corner where the punching apparatus was located.
+
+"What's up?" asked more than one cadet.
+
+"Lew Flapp and Dick Rover are going to try to beat each other at
+punching the bag," was the report.
+
+"Rover will have to do his best then. Flapp is a prime one at bag
+punching. It's about the only thing he can do real well."
+
+"This isn't a fair contest," put in another student. "Flapp took
+lessons from a man who used to do bag-punching on the vaudeville
+stage."
+
+"If that's so I wouldn't try to beat him, if I was Dick Rover."
+
+Dick heard some of this talk but said nothing. He was soon ready for
+the trial, and stepping up to the punching bag he began to undo the top
+strap.
+
+"That bag is all right," blustered Lew Flapp.
+
+"Yes--for you," answered Dick. "But you must remember, I am not quite
+so tall. I must have it an inch lower."
+
+"It seems to me you are mighty particular."
+
+"I have a right to be. When you do your punching you can raise the bag
+as high as you please."
+
+"That's the talk," came from several standing near.
+
+By this time Larry was on the floor again, and he came up to learn what
+Dick was doing.
+
+"Dick, they tell me he is the best bag-puncher here," whispered Larry.
+
+"I can't help it."
+
+"He will crow over you if you don't do as well as he can do."
+
+"Let him."
+
+Dick began his punching exercise slowly, for he had not tried it for
+some time, and was afraid he was a little stiff. But, it may be added
+here, there was a punching bag in the barn at the Rovers' farm, so the
+youth knew exactly what he was doing.
+
+"Oh, anybody can do that," remarked Lew Flapp presently. "That's as
+simple as A. B. C."
+
+"Well, can you do this?" returned Dick, and branched off into something
+a trifle more difficult.
+
+"To be sure I can."
+
+"Then what about this?" and now Dick settled down to some real work.
+Clap! clap! went the bag, this way and that.
+
+"Yes, I can do that, too," answered the tall boy.
+
+"I'd like to see you."
+
+Lew Flapp was only too anxious to show his skill, and having adjusted
+the bag to suit him, he went at the work once again, doing just what
+Dick had done.
+
+"Now do this!" he cried, and gave a performance of his most difficult
+exercise. It was certainly well executed and at the conclusion many of
+the cadets began to applaud.
+
+"Dick Rover will have to hump himself to do that," remarked one.
+
+"I don't believe he can touch it," said another.
+
+With care Dick fixed the bag and went at the exercise. It was something
+he had not practiced for a considerable time, yet he did not miss a
+stroke, and he wound up with a speed fully equal to that exhibited by
+his opponent.
+
+"Good for you, Dick!" cried Larry heartily.
+
+"They'll have to call it a tie," suggested another cadet.
+
+"I'm not done yet," said Dick. "Can you do this?" he asked of Lew
+Flapp, and then commenced an exercise he had learned some time before,
+from a boxing instructor. It was full of intricate movements, all
+executed so rapidly that the eye could scarcely follow them. The cadets
+looked on in wonder, Lew Flapp staring angrily at the performance.
+
+"Wonderful!"
+
+"I didn't know Dick Rover could do such punching!"
+
+"Say, Flapp, you'll have to get up early in the morning to beat that."
+
+"Oh, you shut your mouth!" retorted Lew Flapp angrily. "I can do ten
+times better, if I want to."
+
+"Let us see you."
+
+"I--I--I'm in no condition to go ahead just now. Remember, I was
+punching the bag for an hour before Rover got here."
+
+"How can that be, when all of us just came from the mess hall?"
+questioned Larry.
+
+"He's trying to sneak out of the trial," said a voice in the rear of
+the crowd.
+
+"I'll sneak you!" roared Lew Flap, in a rage. "I want you all to know
+that I ain't afraid of Dick Rover, or anybody else."
+
+"Do you want the trial to continue?"  questioned Dick, in an even tone.
+
+"Didn't I just say I was tired out? But I'll show you what I can do
+some time," blustered Lew Flapp.
+
+"Oh; all right."
+
+"You needn't think you're king-pin of the punching bag," went on the
+tall boy, who had lost control of his temper because of the exhibition.
+
+"Thank you, Flapp, what I think and what I don't think isn't any of
+your business."
+
+"Pooh! I've heard about you and your two brothers, Dick Rover. They
+tell all sorts of stories about you, but I don't believe the half of
+them."
+
+"Come, come, what's the use of quarreling," put in Larry pleasantly.
+
+"I'm sure I don't want to quarrel," answered Dick. "He challenged me to
+punch the bag against him, and I did so, that's all."
+
+"You're dead stuck on yourself, Rover," went on Lew Flapp slangily.
+"You think you're the only toad in the puddle. But you ain't, let me
+tell you that. As soon as I heard about you, I made up my mind I
+wouldn't knuckle under to you."
+
+"This isn't right!" cried Larry. "Dick is my friend, and let me say he
+never asks any cadet to knuckle under to him, unless the cadet did
+something that wasn't on the level."
+
+"That's true! That's true!" came from half a dozen of the students.
+"Dick Rover is all right!"
+
+"So you're all turning against me, eh?" burst out Lew Flapp fiercely,
+his face growing dark with rage. "I was warned of this before I came
+here."
+
+"Who warned you?" asked Tom, who had just put in an appearance.
+
+"A gentleman who used to teach here."
+
+"What was his name?" questioned several.
+
+"Mr. Jasper Grinder. He said he had left because the Rover boys tried
+to run everything."
+
+"That old fraud!" cried Larry.
+
+"He left because he was kicked out," came from another.
+
+"And he is a criminal," put in Dick. "I can prove it, if he wants me to
+do it."
+
+"Oh, you can talk all you please," growled Lew Flapp. "I know what I
+know, and don't you forget it. And what is more, Dick Rover, don't you
+expect me to knuckle under to you. If you try that game, you'll get
+what you least expect," and so speaking Lew Flapp forced his way out of
+the crowd and left the gymnasium.
+
+"Well, of all the idiots I ever met!" came from Tom. "He believes in
+meeting trouble three-quarters of the way, doesn't he?"
+
+"I think Jasper Grinder must have stuffed him full of stories about
+us," said Dick. "That's the way that rascally teacher expects to get
+square on Captain Putnam--by ruining the reputation of the school."
+
+"Oh, it's mostly Lew Flapp's fault," put in a pupil who had been at the
+Hall for some time. "The very first day Flapp arrived he had a row with
+little Tommy Browne, and knocked Tommy down, and a few days after that
+he had a fight with Jack Raymond, and was pounding Jack good when Mr.
+Strong came up and made them run off in different directions. He's a
+good deal of the same kind of a bully that Dan Baxter was."
+
+"If that's the case, he had better keep his distance," said Dick
+determinedly. "I don't want any quarrels, but I despise a bully
+thoroughly."
+
+"So do I."
+
+"I wonder if this Flipflap ever heard of Dan Baxter," put in Tom. "If
+he has he ought to profit by the example."
+
+"Hullo, Tom's got a new name for Flapp," said one of the boys.
+
+"Isn't his name Flipflap?" questioned Tom innocently. "Or is it
+Flapjack?"
+
+"It will be Flopdown, if he ever gets into a fight with Dick," said
+Larry, and then followed a general laugh.
+
+"I really don't want any more fights," said Dick, when he could be
+heard. "I came back to Putnam Hall to dig in and learn something. I've
+had enough adventures to last a lifetime. If the others will only leave
+me alone I'll leave them alone."
+
+"But if they won't leave you alone, Dick?" asked George Granbury.
+
+"Then they had better look out for themselves, that's all," was the
+reply of the eldest Rover.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+SETTLING DOWN TO STUDY
+
+
+Dick meant what he said concerning coming back to Putnam Hall for the
+sake of learning something. He felt that he had lost too much time from
+school already to lose more, and he pitched in with a vigor that was
+indeed surprising.
+
+"I don't see how you can do it," said Tom one day. "I can't, to save my
+life." Yet Tom was by no means a poor scholar, and if he did not stand
+at the head of his class he was not far from it. Sam was also doing his
+best, and all of this gratified Captain Putnam exceedingly.
+
+"It shows they can work as well as play," was what the captain told
+himself, and he wrote Anderson Rover a long letter, in which he praised
+the boys for their efforts.
+
+The boys fell into their places at the academy with a naturalness that
+was surprising when one considered the adventures that had but lately
+befallen them. Over and over again did they have to tell of their
+doings while on the Pacific, and as Crusoes, and some of the cadets
+never tired of listening to the stories. A few, including Lew Flapp,
+did not believe them true, but the majority did, and that was enough
+for the Rovers.
+
+Dick was now advancing in years, and he knew that before long he would
+either have to go into business or to college, which he had not yet
+fully decided. To tell the truth, the thought of separating from his
+brothers was exceedingly distasteful to him.
+
+"If I went to college I'd like you fellows to be with me," he said one
+day to Tom and Sam. "There would be no fun in going alone."
+
+"That's true," answered Tom. "But if you wanted us to go together you'd
+have to wait for Sam and me to catch up to you."
+
+"Well, I might spend a year or so in traveling while I waited, or Sam
+and you might hurry up a little," answered the eldest Rover.
+
+During those days but little out of the ordinary happened. Dick took
+especial care to avoid Lew Flapp, and the tall youth did not attempt to
+bother him. It was soon learned that Flapp was more of a braggart than
+anything else, and then even some of the smaller boys grew less afraid
+of him.
+
+As already told, it had been decided by Captain Putnam to have the
+cadets elect a new set of officers for the term, and these officers
+were to be chosen in a somewhat different manner than heretofore.
+
+"In the past," said the captain, when addressing the students on the
+subject, "you have been permitted to elect whoever you pleased to any
+office, from major down. This has occasionally resulted in someone
+being chosen who, while he might be a good scholar and a good fellow
+generally, was not exactly fitted to a military position. On that
+account I have made a change. Next Wednesday and Thursday I shall hold
+a general examination in military matters only, and the twenty pupils
+standing highest shall be the ones eligible for the positions of major,
+captain, and first and second lieutenants. On these twenty names you
+shall vote as heretofore. As we now have three companies here we shall
+want a major, three captains, and six lieutenants, making a total of
+ten officers. After that each company shall choose its own corporals
+and sergeants. The company marching best on parade the following
+Saturday shall have the honor of carrying the flag until after the
+annual encampment, which this year will begin a month from to-day."
+
+At the mention of the annual encampment the cadets set up a cheer. The
+outing was looked forward to with great interest.
+
+"Where are we going this year?" asked George Granbury.
+
+"It's a secret, I believe," answered Larry Colby. "But I am pretty
+certain that we are going further away than usual."
+
+"I hope we go into the mountains."
+
+"Or along some other lake, where the fishing is fine," put in Tom.
+
+"Yes, that would suit me, too."
+
+The announcement concerning the examination in military matters also
+caused much talk, and many of the cadets began at once to study
+military tactics harder than ever, while drills became a pleasure
+instead of a hardship.
+
+"I'm going to win some kind of a place," said Larry earnestly. "Even a
+lieutenantship would be better than nothing."
+
+"I am sure I am going to win," put in William Philander Tubbs. "I am
+perfect in every kind of a drill."
+
+"Good for Buttertub, the perfect man!" sang out Tom. "Billy, you ought
+to have your picture done in oil, to hang alongside of Washington's, in
+the library."
+
+"Don't you dare to call me Buttertub, or Billy either, you rude thing!"
+snorted Tubbs, and walked away in outraged dignity.
+
+"Dot examinations vos dickle me alretty," said Hans. "Vot I don't know
+apoud dem military tictacs you don't know, ain't it. I vill pe by der
+top of der class so kvick as neffer vos, you pet yourself!" And he
+nodded his head as if he meant every word of it.
+
+Dick Rover said but little on the subject, but he meant to win if he
+possibly could, and so did Tom. Sam felt he was as yet too young to
+become anything but a sergeant, so he did not enter the competition
+with much vigor.
+
+Lew Flapp was not a particularly bright pupil, but there was one thing,
+outside of bag punching, that he could do well, and that was to drill.
+He took to military tactics naturally, and knew nearly every rule that
+the book of instructions contained.
+
+"It's going to be an easy matter to get into the chosen twenty," the
+tall boy told himself. "But after that, will the cadets elect me to one
+of those positions?"  He wanted to be major of the battalion, but
+doubted if he could muster up sufficient friends to elect him.
+
+The examination in military matters came off on the afternoon of the
+following Wednesday and on Thursday morning. Captain Putnam was very
+thorough in the work, and made the pupils do certain things over and
+over again, and write the answers to long lists of questions.
+
+"It has given me great pleasure to conduct this examination," he said,
+on the day following. "It shows that the average in military knowledge
+is much higher than it was last term. The following are the pupils who
+have passed, given in the order of merit." And then he read the list of
+names. Lew Flapp came first, Dick Rover next, Larry Colby third, George
+Granbury fourth, and the others, including Tom and Fred Garrison,
+followed. Neither William Philander Tubbs nor Hans Mueller were
+mentioned.
+
+"I dink me dere vos a mistake py dot," said the German boy. "Or else I
+vos know so much der captain didn't vont nobody to know apout it," and
+this raised a laugh.
+
+"It's an outrage!" declared Tubbs. "An outrage! I shall request my
+parents to withdraw me from the institution." And he wrote a letter
+home that very night. But his parents refused to grant his request.
+Probably they knew of his shortcomings, and thought a few terms at
+Putnam Hall would do him good.
+
+Lew Flapp was much pleased over the fact that he headed the list of
+those who had passed, and nobody could blame him for this. But he
+immediately made himself more obnoxious than ever by going around among
+the cadets and declaring that he was the only one to be elected to the
+office of major.
+
+"It's mine by right," he said. "It wouldn't be fair to elect anybody
+else."
+
+"But Dick Rover and Larry Colby stand almost as high," said one of the
+cadets. "Captain Putnam said your average was 96 per cent., while
+Rover's average was 95 per cent., and Larry Colby's was 94 per cent. A
+difference of one or two per cent. out of a possible hundred isn't
+much."
+
+"I don't care," retorted Lew Flapp, "I ought to be elected major, and
+that is all there is to it."
+
+When Dick was approached he had but little to say.
+
+"I didn't expect to stand so high," he declared. "I don't know that I
+care to be made major. If I get to be a captain or a first lieutenant I
+shall be well content. You know I was a second lieutenant once."
+
+"My percentage is more than I expected," said Larry. "I really didn't
+think I was so well up in military matters. Now, if the boys want me
+for an officer I'll take whatever they give me."
+
+"And that is what I say," added George Granbury.
+
+"Ditto, myself," put in Tom. "Even a second lieutenantship will not be
+declined by yours truly."
+
+After this there was a good deal of canvassing and "log rolling" as it
+is called. Lew Flapp spent much money in secret, treating boys when at
+the village and elsewhere. By this means he gathered quite a band of
+followers around him.
+
+"He is going to win, by hook or by crook," observed Songbird Powell.
+"He acts just like some of those politicians who don't care what they
+do so long as they win."
+
+"I am not going to spend a cent on the boys," declared Dick. "I don't
+believe in buying votes."
+
+There was a strict rule at Putnam Hall that no cadet should touch
+liquor of any kind excepting when ordered by the doctor. This rule had
+been broken in the past by Dan Baxter and a few others, but the
+majority of the cadets respected the rule and kept it.
+
+But Lew Flapp had always been allowed to drink when at home and now he
+frequently drank on the sly when down to Cedarville. On these
+excursions he was generally joined by a weak-minded boy named Hurdy,
+who was usually willing to do whatever Flapp desired done.
+
+One day, just before the election for officers was to come off, Lew
+Flapp called Ben Hurdy to him.
+
+"I am going down to Cedarville this evening," he said. "I want you to
+go along and invite Jackson and Pender and Rockley."
+
+"Going to have a good time?"  asked Ben Hurdy.
+
+"Yes and you can tell the others so, and tell them if they know some
+others who want a good time, and can keep their mouths shut about it,
+to bring them along. But mind, Hurdy, we want no blabbers."
+
+"All right, Flapp, I'll get the right fellows," answered Ben Hurdy, and
+ran away to fulfill his questionable errand.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+AN ADVENTURE IN CEDARVILLE
+
+
+On the same evening that Lew Flapp and his particular cronies went down
+to Cedarville to have a good time in a very questionable way, Dick
+Rover and Songbird Powell also visited the village, one to buy some
+handkerchiefs, and the other to invest in a book he had ordered from
+the local bookseller and newsdealer.
+
+"I heard that Lew Flapp was going to Cedarville," said Powell, while on
+the way. "Do you know, Dick, I don't like that fellow at all."
+
+"Neither do I, Songbird."
+
+"It will make me sick if he is elected major of the battalion."
+
+"Nevertheless, the cadets have a right to elect whom they please."
+
+"I know that as well as you do. But I can't stand Flapp's domineering
+ways. And he is bound to grow worse if he is put in authority."
+
+"As to that, I shall not stand being bullied," came from Dick, with
+flashing eyes. "I'll let him go just so far, and if he goes any further
+he'll have to beware."
+
+Both boys were excellent walkers and it was not long before Cedarville
+was reached. Dick soon had the handkerchiefs wanted, and then Powell
+led the way to the bookstore, to obtain a volume of humorous verses he
+had ordered the week previous.
+
+"I don't see why you buy verses, since you can make them up so
+readily," said Dick with a smile.
+
+"Oh, I like to see what the other fellows are doing," answered his
+friend.
+
+"I saw some more of your cadets in town to-night," said the bookseller,
+while wrapping up the book.
+
+"Yes, I believe half a dozen or more came down," returned Powell.
+
+"Having a special celebration to-night?"
+
+"Not that I am aware of."
+
+"Why do you ask?" put in Dick, who knew the bookseller well.
+
+"Oh, I only thought some of the boys were flying their kite pretty
+high, that's all," and the man closed one eye suggestively.
+
+"Where did you meet the fellows?"
+
+"Well--er--I'd rather not say, Rover. You see, I don't want to make
+trouble for anybody."
+
+"Are they in town yet?"
+
+"I presume they are. But don't say I mentioned it, please," pleaded the
+bookseller.
+
+No more was said, and having paid for the book Powell walked out, with
+Dick behind him.
+
+"If those fellows are drinking it's a jolly shame," declared Dick, when
+they were out of hearing. "What do you think about it, Songbird?"
+
+"Exactly as you do, Dick."
+
+"Shall we hunt them up?"
+
+"What good will it do? Lew Flapp won't listen to what you say, and I'm
+sure I don't want to play the spy and report him."
+
+"But what if he is leading some innocent students astray? He has had
+half a dozen young chaps dangling at his heels lately."
+
+"I know that." There was a pause. "We might look into some of the
+places as we pass them."
+
+Very slowly they walked up and down the main street of Cedarville, a
+thing easy to do, since the stores extended only a distance of two
+blocks. Then they passed to a side street, upon which two new places
+had recently been built.
+
+One of the new places was a butcher shop, and this was dark and
+deserted. Next to it was a new resort known as Mike Sherry's Palace,
+and this was well lit up and evidently in full blast.
+
+"If Flapp is drinking he is evidently in this place," remarked Dick.
+"But I don't see anything of him," he added, after peering through the
+swinging doors.
+
+"They tell me this Sherry has a room upstairs, also for drinking
+purposes," returned Powell. "Maybe Flapp and his friends are up there.
+They wouldn't want to be seen in public, you must remember."
+
+"That is true. But how do they get upstairs--through the saloon?"
+
+"There may be a back way. Let us look."
+
+They walked around to the rear of the building and here found a door
+leading into a back hall. But the door was locked.
+
+"This is the way up, I feel sure," said Dick. "Somebody has locked the
+door as a safeguard."
+
+"Then, I'm afraid, we'll have to give it up."
+
+"Not yet, Songbird." Dick had been looking over toward the rear of the
+butcher shop. "See, the painters are at work here and have left one of
+their ladders. Wonder if we can't move it over and put it up under one
+of those windows?"
+
+The matter was talked over for a minute, and then the two boys took
+hold of the long ladder and did as Dick desired.
+
+"This may be a wild goose chase," was Powell's comment. "And if it is,
+and Mike Sherry discovers us, he'll want us to explain. Maybe he'll
+take us for burglars."
+
+"You can keep shady if you want to, Songbird. I'm going up," and so
+speaking Dick began to mount the ladder.
+
+The window under which the ladder had been placed was open from the top
+only, and a half curtain over the lower portion hid what was beyond
+from view. So, in order to look over the curtain, Dick had to climb to
+the very top of the ladder and then brace his feet on the window sill.
+
+He could now hear voices quite plainly, and presently heard Lew Flapp
+speak.
+
+"I'm on the right track," he called softly to Powell. "They are in the
+room next to this one, but the door between is wide open."
+
+"Shall I come up?"
+
+"Suit yourself. I'm going inside."
+
+As good as his word, Dick slipped over the top of the lowered window
+sash, and an instant later stood in the room, which was but dimly lit.
+Then he tiptoed his way behind a door and peeped into the room beyond.
+
+Seven cadets were present, including Lew Flapp, Ben Hurdy, and their
+particular cronies Jackson, Pender, and Rockley. The others were two
+young cadets named Joe Davis and Harry Moss.
+
+On the table in the center of the room stood a platter of chicken
+sandwiches and also several bottles containing beer and wine, and a box
+of cigars. Evidently all of the crowd had been eating and drinking, and
+now several were filling the apartment with tobacco smoke.
+
+"Come, smoke up, Moss," cried Lew Flapp, shoving the box of cigars
+toward one of the younger cadets. "Don't be afraid. It won't kill you."
+
+"Thank you, Flapp, but I--I guess I won't to-night," pleaded Harry Moss,
+whose face was strangely flushed.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"I--I--don't feel well. The drinking has made me feel sick."
+
+"Oh, nonsense! Here, take this cigar and smoke up. It will brace your
+nerves. And you, Davis, have another glass of something to drink," went
+on Lew Flapp, pouring out a glassful and handing it to the one
+addressed.
+
+"Thank you, Flapp, but I don't want any more," answered Joe Davis. He
+looked as ill at ease as did Harry Moss.
+
+"Don't you want to be sociable?" demanded the tall boy.
+
+"It isn't that, Flapp. I--I guess I've had enough already."
+
+"Oh, don't be a sissy, Davis. Here, I'll drink with you, and then I'll
+smoke a cigar with Moss. If you are going to be men you want to start
+right in. Eh, Rockley?"
+
+"That's right, Lew," answered Rockley, as he lit a fresh cigar.
+
+"What you need is another glass, Davis," came from Pender. "It will act
+as a bracer. Just try it and see."
+
+"I--I don't want to get--get--" faltered Davis.
+
+"Get what?"
+
+"Intoxicated--really I don't--"
+
+"Who said anything about that?" demanded Lew Flapp in apparent anger.
+"Don't be a fool. One more glass won't hurt you. Here, take it," and he
+almost forced the liquor to Joe Davis's lips.
+
+But before he could accomplish his wicked design Dick Rover leaped
+quickly into the apartment and hurled the glass from the big boy's
+hand.
+
+"For shame, Flapp!" he cried. "For shame!"
+
+"And that's what I say, too," came from Powell, who was close behind Dick.
+
+Every cadet in the room was astonished, and all leaped to their feet.
+
+"What's up?" cried Rockley.
+
+"They have been spying on us!" came from Jackson.
+
+"Talk about meanness! This is the limit!" added Pender.
+
+"I want you to leave Joe Davis and Harry Moss alone," went on Dick, as
+calmly as he could. "It's an outrage to get them to drink and smoke
+against their will."
+
+"Are you two alone?" asked Lew Flapp, glancing nervously over the
+newcomers' shoulders.
+
+"We are."
+
+"What right had you to come here?"
+
+"Well, we took the right."
+
+"Then you enjoy playing the spy?"
+
+"No, Flapp," said Dick boldly, "but I do enjoy doing Davis and Moss a
+favor."
+
+"What do you mean by that?"
+
+"I mean that I am going to stand by them, so you shall not get them to
+drink any more or smoke."
+
+"Humph! What right have you to interfere?"
+
+"Maybe he's going to squeal to the captain," put in Jackson.
+
+"If he does that I'll punch his head for him!" roared Lew Flapp, who
+had been drinking just enough to make him ugly and unreasonable.
+
+"I did not come here to squeal on anybody," answered Dick.
+
+"I know you did--and I'm going to pound you well for it!" howled Lew
+Flapp, and on the instant he leaped forward and aimed a savage blow
+with his fist at Dick's head.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A QUARREL AND ITS RESULT
+
+
+Had the blow landed as intended Dick Rover would have received a bloody
+nose and might perhaps have lost one or two teeth.
+
+But Dick was on the alert and he dodged to one side, so the blow landed
+on Songbird Powell's shoulder.
+
+"See here, what do you mean by that, Flapp?" demanded Powell, who was
+no weakling.
+
+"I meant to hit Rover," was the answer.
+
+"Hands off, Flapp!" cried Dick. "I didn't come here to fight, but I can
+defend myself."
+
+"We'll see!" roared the unreasonable tall boy, and made another rush at
+Dick. But in a twinkling he found himself flat on the floor, where he
+had been thrown with a suddenness that took away his breath.
+
+"Hi! that ain't fair," put in Rockley. "You let Lew alone."
+
+"I will, when he leaves me alone," retorted Dick. He turned to Harry
+Moss and Joe Davis. "Do you want to stay here any longer?"
+
+"No," answered both of the small cadets promptly.
+
+"I didn't wish to come at all, but Ben Hurdy urged it," continued Harry
+Moss.
+
+"And Pender said it would do no harm," added Joe Davis. "He said we
+were going to have nothing but sandwiches, root beer, and soda."
+
+"Look here, Davis, you keep your mouth shut!" cried Pender. "You knew
+exactly what to expect. You know Mike Sherry don't run a temperance
+hotel," he continued, with a sneer.
+
+At these words Joe Davis grew pale.
+
+"Yes, I know it--now, and if I ever get out of it, I shan't come again."
+
+"Oh, you're too good to live!" broke in Jackson. "You ought to be laid
+away in a glass case for safe keeping."
+
+"Davis is all right, and he has more brains than you, Jackson," came
+from Dick. "If you want to make a fool of yourself by drinking and
+smoking, I shan't stop you. But you shan't drag Joe and Harry into it
+against their will."
+
+"That's the way to talk, Dick," said Powell. "Let us clear out, and
+take the youngsters with us."
+
+By this time Lew Flap had recovered from the flooring received and now
+he approached Dick once more.
+
+"Do you want me to hammer you good, Rover?" he panted.
+
+"As I said before, Flapp, I didn't come here to fight, but I can defend
+myself. I propose to leave quietly, and take Harry and Joe with me."
+
+"Supposing I won't let you leave?"
+
+"I don't think you'll stop me."
+
+"Come, Flapp, don't make a fool of yourself," put in Powell. "We didn't
+come here to quarrel, but to urge all of the crowd to quit drinking.
+You know it's against the Hall rules and regulations."
+
+"And you intend to blab on us?"
+
+"Not at all. I'm not that kind. And Dick Rover isn't either."
+
+"I know how to fix 'em," came from Pender, with a cunning look in his
+eye.
+
+"How?" asked Flapp and Rockley, in concert.
+
+"Our word is as good as anybody's. If they say they found us at Mike
+Sherry's we can say that we found them there, too. For all we know they
+were drinking below before they came up."
+
+"That's it!" interrupted Lew Flapp, thinking he saw a way of
+implicating Dick and Powell. "Mike Sherry never lets anybody in his
+saloon without they drink something."
+
+"It's as plain as day," came from Rockley.
+
+"They had all the liquor they wanted before they came up, and now they
+want to stop our sport."
+
+"Your story might be believed were it not for one thing," said Dick,
+trying to keep calm. "Come on, Harry, come, Joe." And he whispered
+something into their ears.
+
+"Oh, all right," said Harry Moss, and he retreated from the room,
+speedily followed by Joe Davis.
+
+"Hi! come back here, you young scamps!" roared Lew Flapp. And then he
+made for the doorway leading to the next room.
+
+"Not so fast, Flapp!" said Dick, and blocked the opening with his own
+form, while Powell stood directly behind.
+
+"Say, fellows, Moss and Davis are getting out of the window!" cried
+Flapp, in astonishment.
+
+"That's the way Rover and Powell must have gotten in," came from
+Pender.
+
+"Exactly," answered Dick, "and that proves we didn't have to stop below
+for liquor," he added triumphantly.
+
+"Look here, I don't mean to let those fellows go yet," blustered Lew
+Flapp. "Let me get at them."
+
+"Not to-night, Flapp."
+
+Scarcely had Dick spoken when the tall boy flung himself forward. The
+pair grappled, and a moment later both went down, with Dick on top.
+
+"Hit him, Dick, don't let him get the best of you!" cried Powell, and
+an instant later found himself tackled by Pender and Jackson. For the
+moment Ben Hurdy, who had remained silent during the most of the talk,
+did nothing, but then he ran forward, and watching his chance, kicked
+Dick in the side of the head with his foot.
+
+The quarrel was now on in earnest, and in the midst of the melee a
+burly waiter came rushing from below, demanding to know what was the
+matter.
+
+"A pair of spies!" shouted Pender. "Help us to give them a sound
+thrashing, Pat."
+
+"Sure, Oi will that!" was the answer, and the waiter joined in the
+attack on Dick and Powell.
+
+It was with a mighty effort that Powell managed to throw off his
+assailants. Then he leaped for the window, reached the ladder, and
+fairly slid to the ground.
+
+"Let up on Dick Rover!" he called, when safe. "If you don't, I'll rouse
+the constable and have somebody locked up."
+
+"Confound him!" muttered Rockley. "We had better dust out. If he calls
+a constable the jig will be up."
+
+With a parting kick at Dick he rushed down the back stairs to the
+resort, and unlocked the door. Taking care that Powell should not see
+him, he darted into the gathering darkness.
+
+Ben Hurdy followed Rockley, and a moment later Pender and Jackson did
+the same. Then Flapp came staggering down the stairs, holding his nose,
+from which the blood was flowing freely.
+
+"Let's get back to the Hall as quickly as we can," he said to the
+others. "And if we are examined, we can deny everything."
+
+"All right," said Pender. "But what did you do to Rover?"
+
+"Somebody kicked him and he's about half unconscious. I left him to the
+tender mercies of Pat the waiter." And then Lew Flapp and his cronies
+hurried away on the road leading to Putnam Hall.
+
+Dick might have defended himself, but he was cruelly kicked several
+times, and partly lost consciousness, as already told. In a dim,
+uncertain manner he felt himself raised up and carried below, and then
+put on the grass of the yard behind Mike Sherry's resort.
+
+When he was able to move he sat up and then arose to his feet slowly.
+At that moment Songbird Powell discovered him. Powell had been up the
+ladder a second time, to find the window closed and locked.
+
+"Dick!" he exclaimed. "Are you badly hurt?"
+
+"I--I don't know," was the slow reply. "How are you?"
+
+"I'm all right?"
+
+"Where are Flapp and the rest?"
+
+"They ran away."
+
+"And Harry and Joe?"
+
+"They are waiting for us, down at the turn in the road."
+
+Dick put his hand to his head, to find a big lump directly back of the
+ear. His ear was cut, and there was a scratch on his chin.
+
+"They didn't fight fair," he explained, when he felt a little
+stronger. "They kicked me when I was down."
+
+Aided by Powell he made his way to a pump and there bathed his head and
+procured a drink of water.
+
+While both boys were recovering from the adventure all the lights in
+Mike Sherry's resort were put out and every door and window was locked.
+
+"He wants to steer clear of trouble," said Powell.
+
+"I put the blame on Lew Flapp," answered Dick. "To my mind he is about
+as mean as any boy around here."
+
+"Of course we can't report him, Dick."
+
+"No, I'm no tale-bearer, Songbird. But he ought to be punished."
+
+"He'll make a fine major, if he's elected," went on Powell, as he and
+Dick started for the road leading to the academy.
+
+"He shall never be elected, if I can help it."
+
+"I am with you on that."
+
+They found Harry Moss and Joe Davis walking slowly toward Putnam Hall.
+Joe seemed to feel all right now that he was out in the fresh evening
+air, but Harry complained of a strange sickness at the stomach.
+
+"It was horrid of Lew Flapp to make us drink," said the young cadet. "I
+told him I didn't want anything stronger than soda. But he and Pender
+made me take it."
+
+"I think the walk will do you good, Harry," answered Dick kindly.
+"Here, take my arm, and Songbird can take your other arm."
+
+When the Hall was reached they found that Lew Flapp and his cronies had
+already gone to bed. Dick took Harry and Joe to their dormitory and
+then rejoined Powell.
+
+"Going to keep mum?" asked the latter.
+
+"For the present," answered the eldest Rover. "But after this let us
+keep a sharp eye on Flapp, Pender & Company."
+
+And so it was agreed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE ELECTION FOR OFFICERS
+
+
+On the following morning all of the cadets but Harry Moss appeared in
+the messroom.
+
+"Joe Davis says Harry is quite sick," said Powell to Dick.
+
+"That's too bad. Have they sent for a doctor?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+When Lew Flapp heard that Harry was sick he grew pale, and during the
+morning session could scarcely fix his mind on his studies.
+
+"I hope the little fool don't blab on us," was his thought. "If he does
+there is no telling what the captain will do. He's altogether too
+strict for comfort in some things."
+
+No doctor was sent for, so it was finally agreed that Harry Moss was
+not as ill as had been supposed. But the young cadet did not enter the
+schoolroom for all of that day.
+
+The sickness had frightened Captain Putnam, who was not yet over the
+scarlet fever scare, and he questioned Harry thoroughly about what he
+had been doing, and about what he had been eating and drinking.
+
+At first the young cadet did not dare to tell the truth, but finally he
+blurted out that he had taken a glass of liquor against his will and it
+had turned his stomach in a most painful manner.
+
+"Where did you get the liquor?" demanded Captain Putnam sternly.
+
+"I--I--oh, must I tell you, sir?"
+
+"Yes, Harry."
+
+"I--that is, Lew Flapp--Oh, sir, I don't want to be a tattle-tale."
+
+"Did Lew Flapp give you the liquor? Answer me at once."
+
+"Yes, sir, he and another cadet named Pender. But, sir, I don't want to
+hurt them. I--I--" and here Harry burst into tears.
+
+"Where was this?"
+
+"Down in Cedarville, sir. But, I--I--I shan't say any more, Captain
+Putnam," and after that Harry remained silent. As it was plain to see
+that he was suffering, Captain Putnam did not push the matter. But he
+called Lew Flapp and Pender into his private office and interviewed the
+unworthy pair for fully half an hour.
+
+"To do such a thing is outrageous," said the captain. "If I hear of it
+again I shall dismiss you from the Hall at once."
+
+On the following morning one of the assistant teachers made a brief
+announcement that filled the entire school with curiosity.
+
+"On next Monday you are to have an election of officers for the term,"
+said he. "As you know, twenty cadets were selected as worthy of being
+elected. The list has since been cut down to eighteen. Lew Flapp and
+Augustus Pender will not run."
+
+At this announcement Dick and Powell looked at each other
+significantly. All of the other cadets looked around to find Flapp and
+Pender, but the pair were absent, nor did they put in an appearance at
+all until the next school session.
+
+"The captain found it out in some way," said Dick to Powell.
+
+"Shouldn't wonder if Harry Moss let the cat out of the bag," was the
+answer.
+
+"It's queer about Flapp and Pender," declared Tom to his older brother.
+"Do you know why they were dropped?"
+
+"Yes, Tom, but I don't want you to say anything about it."
+
+"There's a report around that they were found cutting loose in the
+village," put in Sam.
+
+"Well, as I said before, I don't want to speak about it," went on Dick.
+
+A few of the boys dared to question Flapp and Pender, but got no
+satisfaction.
+
+"If I want to drop out I reckon I can do it," growled Flapp, and that
+was as much as either he or his crony would say.
+
+With Flapp out of the race there was considerable curiosity to know
+who would be elected for the term. Each set of cadets had their
+favorite candidates and the spirit of rivalry ran high. But most of the
+candidates were good-natured about it, and especially Dick and Tom
+Rover and George Granbury, Fred Garrison, and Larry Colby.
+
+It had been decided that the cadets should first elect the major, then
+the three captains, and then the six lieutenants, all to be selected
+according to the highest number of votes received.
+
+The voting began on Monday immediately after breakfast. Captain Putnam
+had slips passed around and on these each cadet wrote down his choice
+for major.
+
+"I will read the result," said the captain, a few minutes after the
+poll was declared closed. And he read as follows:
+
+"Whole number of votes cast--96.
+
+"Lawrence Colby has 67.
+
+"The next highest student has 19.
+
+"Lawrence Colby is declared elected major of the battalion for the
+present term, including the annual encampment."
+
+"Hurrah for Major Larry Colby!" cried Tom, and a rousing cheer
+followed, while Captain Putnam strode over and shook hands with the
+newly elected commanding officer.
+
+"I must congratulate you, Major Colby," he said warmly. "I must say I
+am well satisfied with the choice of our students."
+
+"Thank you, sir," answered Larry, and blushed in spite of himself.
+
+"We will now proceed to the election of the three captains," went on
+Captain Putnam. "Remember, the three standing highest on the list will
+be declared elected respectively."
+
+Again slips were passed around and again the students marked down the
+names of their favorites, three upon each slip.
+
+Counting up the vote for captains took longer than that for major, but
+soon the captain had his statement ready and the cadets listened in
+silence as he proceeded to make his announcement:
+
+"Whole number of votes cast, 288.
+
+"Richard Rover has 82.
+
+"Fred Garrison has 67.
+
+"Mark Romer has 59.
+
+"The next highest student has 28.
+
+"Richard Rover is elected captain of Company A, Frederick Garrison
+captain of Company B, and Mark Romer captain of Company C, for this
+term and during the annual encampment."
+
+"Hurrah for Dick Rover!"
+
+"Hurrah for Fred Garrison and Mark Romer!"
+
+And then the students cheered as wildly as ever, while Captain Putnam
+once more offered his congratulations.
+
+"Captain Rover, my hand," said Larry, coming up.
+
+"Thank you, Major Colby," answered Dick, and then both gave a grip that
+meant a good deal.
+
+"We seem to be right in it," observed the newly elected major.
+
+"That's true," answered Dick.
+
+"We shall now proceed to the election of six lieutenants," went on
+Captain Putnam, and once more the slips went the rounds, and the boys
+did a lot of writing and speculating as each put down the six names
+required.
+
+This vote was rather a long one, and Captain Putnam had two teachers
+help him in tabulating the result.
+
+"This contest must make Flapp feel sick," whispered Powell to Dick,
+while the students were taking it easy on the parade ground.
+
+"Well, he brought it on himself," was the brief reply.
+
+"I'll wager he tries to square up with us, especially if he thinks we
+told on him."
+
+A bugle sounded, calling the cadets together, and once more Captain
+Putnam read the result:
+
+"Whole number of votes cast, 576.
+
+"John Powell has 83.
+
+"William Merrick has 76.
+
+"Walter Durham has 71.
+
+"Thomas Rover has 68.
+
+"George Granbury has 51.
+
+"Raymond Hollbrook has 43.
+
+"The next highest cadet has 38.
+
+"John Powell is declared first lieutenant of Company A, William Merrick
+first lieutenant of Company B, Walter Durham first lieutenant of
+Company C, Thomas Rover second lieutenant of Company A, George Granbury
+second lieutenant of Company B, and Raymond Hollbrook second lieutenant
+of Company C, for this term and during the annual encampment."
+
+As this announcement was made there was a breathless silence. Then came
+a rousing cheer and the various successful ones were congratulated by
+the captain and their friends.
+
+"Well, Songbird, it seems you are to be my first lieutenant," said Dick
+as he shook hands with Powell. "That suits me first-rate."
+
+"And I am to be second lieutenant," said Tom, coming up. "With Sam in
+the company as private this begins to look like a family affair."
+
+"Oh, I'm going to make you fellows toe the mark now," laughed Dick. "No
+more skylarking, if you please, Lieutenant Rover."
+
+"All right, Captain Rover," replied Tom, with a stiff salute that was
+side-splitting.
+
+Taking it all the way through the election was declared to be a popular
+success. Of course some of the defeated candidates were bitterly
+disappointed, but they did their best to hide their true feelings.
+William Philander Tubbs had declined to vote and Lew Flapp and Gus
+Pender had kept entirely out of sight while the voting was going on.
+The two cronies took themselves to the gymnasium and there declared
+their hatred of Dick Rover.
+
+"He is responsible for this," muttered Flapp, clenching his fists and
+grating his teeth. "But for him I might at this minute be major of the
+battalion, or one of the captains. Oh, but won't I square up some day!"
+
+"What will you do?" questioned Pender. "Remember, I'm just as down on
+him as you are."
+
+"I don't know yet, Gus. But I'll do something."
+
+"All right; when you are ready to act, let me know, and I'll help you
+all I can," answered Gus Pender.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE FIGHT AT THE BOATHOUSE
+
+
+Inside of a week the newly-elected officers felt perfectly at home in
+their various positions. Captain Putnam's idea of allowing only such
+cadets to be candidates as could fill the positions properly had borne
+good fruit, and the battalion was now in better condition than ever
+before.
+
+Contrary to general expectations, Larry Colby, as major, proved a
+strict disciplinarian when on parade. In the playground he was as
+"chummy" as ever, but this was cast aside when he buckled on his sword
+and took command.
+
+"This is as it should be," was Captain Putnam's comment. "And it is the
+same throughout life: play is play and business is business."
+
+As a captain Dick was equally successful and Tom also made a good
+second lieutenant. Company A was speedily voted superior to the others,
+when drilling and when on the march, and consequently became the flag
+bearer for the term.
+
+"This is splendid!" said Dick, when the announcement was made. And then
+he went at Company A, to make the cadets drill and march better than
+ever.
+
+But though the students gave considerable time to military matters,
+they were not permitted to neglect their regular studies, and to their
+honor be it said that the three Rover boys pitched in with a will.
+
+"If I can't be an officer I'm going to be a high grade student anyway,"
+said Sam, and kept his word. Books suited him better than did military
+glories, and soon he was at the top of his class in almost every branch
+of learning.
+
+Many of the cadets were anxious to know where the annual encampment
+would be held, but for the time being Captain Putnam declined to
+discuss the subject.
+
+"We will talk about that as soon as lessons are done for the term,"
+said he.
+
+"I don't believe we'll go to Brierroot Grove again," said Powell to
+Dick. "A farmer has built a house up there and is clearing off the land
+as fast as he can."
+
+"I wish we could go to some place at a distance," returned Dick. "All
+of us know this territory pretty well. I like to visit new localities."
+
+"So do I."
+
+During those days the Rover boys received a letter from their father
+which proved unusually interesting. Anderson Rover wrote, in part, as
+follows:
+
+"You will be surprised to learn, at this late day, that something had
+been heard about Arnold Baxter. A man who knows him fairly well met him
+a few nights ago in Owego. The news was telegraphed to me at once, and
+the local police were informed, but since that time nothing more has
+been seen or heard of the rascal. The man said he was well dressed and
+had been stopping at a leading hotel. Evidently he is using what was
+stolen."
+
+"In Owego!" cried Sam. "Why, that city isn't over fifty miles from
+here."
+
+"This is his old stamping ground," put in Tom. "For all we know he may
+now be hanging around Ithaca or Cedarville."
+
+"I don't believe he'll come here," said Dick. "He is too well known."
+
+"Oh, if only we could lay hands on him, Dick!"
+
+"Wish we could, Tom. But Arnold Baxter knows enough to keep out of our
+clutches."
+
+"Wonder if he knows what became of Dan?"
+
+"Like as not our story was in all the newspapers, and they mentioned
+Dan too."
+
+"If that is so, it's more than likely he thinks we are responsible for
+Dan being left behind on the island."
+
+"I'm not going to bother my head about Arnold Baxter," put in Sam. "If
+he shows himself I'll have him arrested, that's all."
+
+One day after another slipped by and all of the boys continued to study
+with a will. Once they received long letters from Dora Stanhope and
+Nellie and Grace Laning, and sent long letters in return.
+
+"Wish the girls were back here," said Dick. But this could not be, as
+they had decided to remain in California for a while longer, and the
+boys had to content themselves by sending the girls keepsakes by which
+to be remembered.
+
+On the Friday afternoon preceding the final week of the term Tom and
+Sam walked down to the lake, intending to go out in a boat for a short
+row.
+
+As they drew close to the boathouse they heard loud talking and then a
+cry of pain.
+
+"Please don't," came in the voice of a young cadet. "Please, please
+don't, Flapp!"
+
+"But I just will, you little imp!" came in Lew Flapp's harsh voice.
+"I'll teach you to play the sneak!"
+
+"But I--I didn't mean to do anything, really I didn't," answered the
+other. "But I felt so sick, and I--"
+
+"Oh, I know you, Moss. For two pins I'd break your head for you!" And
+then came the sounds of several blows in quick succession.
+
+"It's Flapp!" cried Sam. "He is beating somebody most shamefully."
+
+"It's little Harry Moss," returned Tom, leaping to the front. "The big
+bully! Why can't he take a fellow of his own size?"
+
+He rushed around the corner of the boathouse and there beheld a scene
+that aroused his warmest indignation. Harry Moss was crowded into a
+corner and over him stood Lew Flapp, beating him with a heavy boat
+chain.
+
+Flapp had just raised the chain for another blow when Tom ran in and
+caught his arm.
+
+"Stop!" he cried. "You let Harry Moss alone!"
+
+Startled at the interruption Lew Flapp turned. When he saw both Tom and
+Sam his face fell.
+
+"What do you want here?" he asked sulkily.
+
+"I want you to leave Harry Moss alone," answered Tom.
+
+"Oh, Rover, please make him stop," pleaded Harry. "He's trying to kill
+me!"
+
+"No, I ain't," retorted Flapp. "I'm only giving him a whipping that he
+deserves."
+
+"It's an outrage to strike anybody with that chain," said Sam.
+
+"You needn't put your oar in, Sam Rover!"
+
+"But he just will, and so will I," said Tom. "Give me that chain," and
+he tried to pull it from Lew Flapp's hand.
+
+"Let go!" screamed Lew Flapp, and began a struggle to keep the chain in
+his possession. He struck at Tom, hitting him in the shoulder. Then Tom
+got mad, doubled up his fist, and Lew Flapp received a blow in the left
+eye that made him see stars.
+
+"Oh!" he howled and dropped the chain. "Tom Rover, I'll get even for
+that, mind that!"
+
+"What do you mean by attacking Harry Moss in such a disgraceful
+fashion?"
+
+"Because he's a sneak, and you know it."
+
+"I know nothing of the kind."
+
+"Didn't he go and blab on me to Captain Putnam?"
+
+"About what?"
+
+Lew Flapp paused and eyed Tom and Sam curiously.
+
+"I reckon you know well enough," he remarked slowly.
+
+"But I don't know anything. Do you, Sam?"
+
+"Not a thing. So far as I know Harry is all right."
+
+"Is he?" sneered Flapp. "Well, I don't think so."
+
+"What was the trouble about, Harry?" asked Tom, turning to the small
+boy.
+
+"Don't you say a word!" shouted Lew Flapp, in alarm. "If Tom and Sam
+Rover don't know already they needn't know at all, so there."
+
+"Evidently you don't want Harry to talk," said Sam suggestively.
+
+"He's a sneak, I tell you."
+
+"And you are a big, long-legged bully," retorted Tom. "For two pins I'd
+give you a good drubbing."
+
+"Humph! Do you think you can lick me?" blustered Flapp, who felt
+certain he could best Tom at fisticuffs.
+
+"I don't think so--I know it," said Tom coolly.
+
+"Don't you fight him, Tom," said Sam, in alarm. "He only wants to get
+you into trouble. He'd like nothing better than to see you lose your
+position as lieutenant."
+
+"He's afraid," sneered Lew Flapp. "All of you Rover boys are mere bags
+of wind."
+
+"I don't think you found Dick a bag of wind, Flapp."
+
+"Yes, I did. Now you clear out and let Moss and me settle this affair
+between us."
+
+But this was not to be, for Harry Moss was already at the doorway of
+the boathouse and now he retreated to a safe distance.
+
+"If you hit Tom Rover, or Sam, I'll call Mr. Strong?" cried the little
+cadet.
+
+"Don't you do it," said Tom. "I am not afraid of Flapp."
+
+"But he's so big, Tom."
+
+"I don't care for that."
+
+Tom had scarcely spoken when Lew Flapp, watching his opportunity,
+leaped forward and planted a blow on his chin that sent him staggering
+back into Sam's arms.
+
+"Now come on, if you dare!" he cried.
+
+"All right!" came from Tom, as he recovered. And like a flash he flew
+at Lew Flapp, before Sam could do a thing to stop him. Blow after blow
+was taken and given by each of the cadets, and Tom was hit in the
+chest, on the shoulder, and in the left cheek. In return Flapp got one
+in the right eye that almost closed up that optic and then came a blow
+on the nose that made the blood spurt in all directions.
+
+"Good for you, Tom!" cried Sam, dancing around, forgetful of what he
+had just said about his brother getting into trouble. "That's the time
+you did it. Now give him another!"
+
+Again the two boys went at it and once more Tom was struck in the
+shoulder. Then Lew Flapp aimed for Tom's face, but the latter ducked
+and, recovering, hit the big boy a heavy blow in the chin that made his
+teeth rattle and sent him staggering over the side of an upturned boat
+and flat on his back.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried Sam. "That was almost a knockout, Tom. Now give him to
+understand--"
+
+Sam broke off short, as a warning cry from Harry Moss reached his ears.
+All eyes turned toward the doorway of the boathouse and a second later
+George Strong, the head teacher, stepped into view.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+GETTING READY FOR THE ENCAMPMENT
+
+
+For fully ten seconds after the head teacher appeared nobody spoke. Lew
+Flapp arose slowly to his feet, and bringing out his handkerchief
+applied it to his bleeding nose.
+
+"What does this mean?" demanded George Strong sternly.
+
+"He--he pitched into me," faltered Flapp.
+
+"That is hardly true," returned Tom hotly.
+
+"Both of you are well aware that it is against the rules of this school
+to fight," went on the teacher.
+
+"I know that, Mr. Strong," answered Tom. "But Flapp struck me first."
+
+"It isn't so!" cried the big boy. "I wasn't doing anything, when Rover
+came along and started to quarrel."
+
+"My brother Sam and Harry Moss can prove that Flapp struck me first."
+
+"That is true," said Harry Moss, while Sam nodded.
+
+"What was the quarrel about?"
+
+"I caught him here, beating Harry with this boat chain. I told him to
+stop and then he pitched into me."
+
+"Is this true, Moss?"
+
+"Ye--yes, sir, but--I--I--didn't want to say anything about it, sir."
+
+"Do you mean to say that Flapp attacked you with that chain?"
+
+Harry Moss was silent.
+
+"Answer me."
+
+"He did. But, Mr. Strong, I don't want to make any complaint. He and
+some of the others think I'm a--a sneak already," and now Harry could
+hardly keep back his tears.
+
+"I don't know why he attacked Harry," put in Tom. "But I couldn't stand
+it, and I took the chain away from him and told him to stop. Then he
+struck me, and we pitched into each other--and I guess he got the worst
+of it," added Tom, a bit triumphantly.
+
+"Hum! Flapp, you may go and bathe your nose, which I see is bleeding,
+and then come to Captain Putnam's office. The others can come to the
+office with me."
+
+George Strong led the way, and Tom, Sam, and Harry Moss followed. The
+teacher took along the boat chain and made Harry show where he had been
+struck.
+
+Captain Putnam looked very grave when the affair was explained to him.
+He questioned Harry in private and learned that the attack was made by
+Flapp because of what the young cadet had told about drinking and
+smoking.
+
+"Rover, it was wrong to fight," said the captain to Tom. "But under the
+circumstances I am inclined to be lenient with you. You can retire,
+and this evening during off time I want you to write one hundred times,
+the proverb beginning, 'Blessed are the peace-makers.'"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Tom humbly. He was glad to escape thus easily, for he
+knew that the captain was very strict concerning fighting.
+
+A little later the others were sent off, leaving Lew Flapp alone with
+Captain Putnam.
+
+"Flapp," said the owner of the school, with a hardness that made the
+big boy's heart sink into his shoes. "I hardly know what to say to you.
+Your former conduct was mean enough, and this appears to be on a level
+with it. With such a heavy boat chain you might have injured Moss very
+seriously. Do you want me to give you another chance or not?"
+
+"Wh--what do you mean, sir?" asked Flapp, much frightened.
+
+"Do you want to remain at Putnam Hall, or shall I send you home in
+disgrace?"
+
+"I--I don't want to go home," said the big boy. His father was a rough
+man and he knew that if his parent heard of this trouble he would make
+him pay dearly for it.
+
+"I expect my pupils to be young gentlemen," went on Captain Putnam.
+"This is an academy for the better class of boys only. Bad boys do not
+come here, but are sent to the reformatory. If I give you another
+chance will you promise to do better in the future?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Very well then, I will give you one more chance. I believe you are
+somewhat behind in your arithmetic. During the next four days you will
+remain in during all off time and apply yourself to such examples as
+your teacher gives you."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Now you can go, and remember, I want to hear of no further fighting,
+and no further molesting of Harry Moss."
+
+"I'll remember, sir," answered Lew Flapp meekly, and then left the
+office and ran up to his dormitory, to bathe his nose and put
+witch-hazel on his hurts. Although outwardly humble he was in reality
+burning with rage.
+
+"I'll have to be careful in the future," he told himself, with clenched
+fists. "But I'll get square--oh, I'll get square!"
+
+"Hullo, hurt yourself?" asked Pender, as he came in.
+
+"Yes, I fell over a boat down at the boathouse," answered the big boy.
+
+"Is that so? I heard something of a fight, and came up to see about
+it."
+
+"Oh, I had a row with Harry Moss and Tom Rover, but it didn't amount to
+much, Gus. But, say, I just wish I could square up with Dick Rover, and
+Tom, too!"
+
+"You said something like that before."
+
+"I'm going to watch my chances."
+
+"Perhaps something will turn up during the encampment."
+
+"Yes, I was thinking of that. A fellow has more of a chance in camp
+than he does in school."
+
+"It would be a fine thing to get Dick Rover into trouble and make him
+lose his position as captain," went on Gus Pender.
+
+"Yes, and make Tom Rover lose his position as lieutenant, too," added
+Flapp.
+
+The term at Putnam Hall was now drawing to a close and it was not long
+before the semi-annual examinations began. All of the Rovers worked
+hard over their papers, and with more or less success. Sam came out at
+the top of his class, while Tom stood third in his grade, and Dick
+third in a still higher class. The boys lost no time in sending the
+news home, and received word back that not only their father, but also
+Uncle Randolph and Aunt Martha, were much pleased with the result.
+
+"Now we'll feel as if we deserve an outing," said Tom, and Sam and Dick
+agreed with him.
+
+It was on the following morning that Captain Putnam made an
+announcement that filled all of the cadets with interest.
+
+"You are all anxious, I know, to learn where the annual encampment is
+to be held," said he, during general assembly. "I am pleased to be able
+to announce that I have arranged to hold it at Pine Island, a fine bit
+of ground, located close to the south shore of Bass Lake. The lake is
+situated about thirty-five miles from here, and we will make a
+two-days' march to the spot, stopping on the road over night, in true
+soldier style, weather permitting."
+
+"Hurrah!" burst out half a dozen cadets.
+
+"Three cheers for Captain Putnam!" called out Tom, and they were given
+with a will.
+
+"I am told that the lake is an excellent one for fishing and for
+bathing, and I have already engaged six boats which the cadets will be
+allowed to use from time to time."
+
+Again there was a cheer and with it a loud clapping of hands.
+
+"While in camp you may play such games as you please, during off time,
+and we will see if we cannot arrange for contests at swimming, rowing,
+and running, and to the winners suitable prizes shall be given."
+
+"Hurrah for Captain Putnam!" came the cry once more, and again a cheer
+arose.
+
+"When will we start, captain?"
+
+"Wish we were going right now!"
+
+"We shall start Monday morning," was the answer. "To-morrow we will get
+out our tents and camping outfits and see that all are in first-class
+order. It is perhaps needless to add that during this encampment the
+officers will be in authority during all but off hours, when myself and
+my assistants will take charge."
+
+This ended the talk, and the students immediately broke up into little
+groups to discuss the good news.
+
+"We ought to have just a boss good time while in camp," cried Sam.
+"Think of living in tents, and having nothing to do but fish, and swim,
+and make yourself comfortable."
+
+"Sam must be getting lazy," returned Dick. "But I grant you I think it
+will be first-class myself."
+
+About the only pupil who did not relish going into camp was William
+Philander Tubbs.
+
+"It will be beastly to live out in the open, on the ground," said
+Tubbs. "Supposing it should rain? Why, we'll all get wet!"
+
+"Never mind, that will make you grow, Tubby," said Sam.
+
+"Sam Rover, how often must I tell you not to address me as--ah--Tubby.
+My full name is--"
+
+"Oh, I know that--William Longfellow Washington Hezekiah Philander
+Salamander Tubbs. But you can't expect me to say that every time, can
+you?" questioned Sam innocently.
+
+"Mine cracious! vos dot his hull name?" burst in Hans Mueller. "It's
+apout as long as a freight drain, ain't it, alretty!"
+
+"No, my name is--"
+
+"Perhaps I forgot one or two syllables," interrupted Sam. "Very sorry,
+I'm sure."
+
+"I said my name--"
+
+"I know you said it, half a dozen times, Billy. But you see life is so
+very short, and time so precious--"
+
+"I meant to say--"
+
+"Sorry, Billy, but I can't wait to hear it all," cried Sam, and ran
+away.
+
+"He is--er--extremely rude," murmured Tubbs.
+
+"Put dot's a long name, ain't it?" said Hans, "I couldn't remember dot
+no more as I can remember der names of all der kings py England
+alretty."
+
+"Oh, I am disgusted!" sighed William Philander, and started to walk
+away.
+
+"Vot is you disgusted apout, Mr. Dubbs?"
+
+"Because they won't call me by my proper name."
+
+"Do da call you by your imbrober name?" asked Hans innocently.
+
+"Eh?"
+
+"I said, do da call you py your imbrober name?" repeated the German
+youth.
+
+"Oh, don't talk to me," howled Tubbs, and walked away more disconcerted
+than ever.
+
+"Dot fellow vas so sharp like a pox of bebber, ain't it?" sighed Hans
+to himself.
+
+The preparations for the annual encampment went forward rapidly. All of
+the outfit was inspected with care and found to be in good order. Each
+cadet was provided with a blanket, and a knapsack full of extra
+underclothing and other necessary things. The captain had already
+engaged three big wagons to carry the tents, poles, and cooking utensils,
+including several camp stoves, and from another quarter cots were to be
+sent to the camp direct, so that the cadets would not be compelled to
+lie upon the ground.
+
+"Now, I guess everything is ready," said Dick; late Saturday evening.
+
+Sunday was a day of rest for the most part. In the morning the majority
+of the students marched to church under the directions of the captain
+and Mr. Strong, and part of the afternoon was spent in writing letters
+to the folks at home. "Lights out," sounded half an hour earlier than
+usual, so that the cadets might get a good sleep before starting out on
+the two days' march.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+ON THE MARCH TO CAMP
+
+
+_Rat-tat-tat!_ _Rat-tat-tat!_ _Rat-tat-tat!_
+
+The cadets got their first taste of the annual encampment early in the
+morning, when, instead of hearing the familiar bell, they were awakened
+by the rolling of the drum.
+
+"Time to get up, everybody!" cried Sam, flinging the covers from him.
+"It won't do to be late this morning."
+
+"That is true, Private Rover," came solemnly from Dick. "I will fine
+any soldier of my command who is behind time."
+
+"Thank you, Captain Rover, I'll remember that," came from one of the
+other cadets. "And how is Lieutenant Rover this morning"?
+
+"Fine as silk," came from Tom, who was already splashing in the cold
+water of his washbowl. "I'll bet a big red apple against a turnip that
+I'm down first," and he began to don his uniform with remarkable
+rapidity.
+
+All of the students were soon below, and then the various companies
+marched into the messroom for their last breakfast at the Hall for some
+time to come.
+
+"I see the wagons have already left," said Sam.
+
+"Yes, the drivers are to get the camp in readiness for to-night,"
+answered his big brother.
+
+Knowing that they had a long march before them, the majority of the
+cadets ate a hearty breakfast. Mrs. Green, the housekeeper, was sorry
+to have them leave, and had prepared an unusually fine repast.
+
+"Mrs. Green is just all right," declared Tom. "I move we give her a
+vote of thanks." And this was later on done, much to the old lady's
+delight.
+
+It was a perfect day. The sun shone brightly, and there was just enough
+breeze to keep the atmosphere fresh and exhilarating. Captain Putnam
+was to accompany the students on horseback, and the teachers had
+already gone off with the wagons.
+
+"Battalion, attention!" shouted Major Larry Colby, when the cadets were
+assembled on the parade ground. And the order was immediately obeyed.
+
+"Shoulder arms!" was the next order given, and up went every gun in
+unison. The movement was so pretty that the spectators who had gathered
+to see the boys march off clapped their hands in approval.
+
+"Forward--march!" came next, and the drums and fifes struck up, and
+away went the cadets, company front, toward the road.
+
+"By column of fours!" was the next command, and Captain Dick Rover
+turned to his company.
+
+"By column of fours!" he repeated, and Company A broke up into four
+abreast and turned into the road leading off in the direction of Pine
+Island. The other companies also broke up, and in a minute more the
+cadets were really and truly on the march for the camp.
+
+The drums and fifes sounded well on that bracing morning air, and quite
+a crowd of boys and not a few girls followed the students over the
+first of the hills back of Putnam Hall. But here the crowd dropped
+gradually away, until the young soldiers had the country road
+practically to themselves.
+
+For a full mile the cadets were made to keep in step. Then came the
+order, "Route step!" and they moved forward as pleased them, keeping
+together, however, by companies. The route step is given that one may
+take the step that is most natural to him, be it longer or shorter than
+the regulation step.
+
+Farms were rather scattered in that neighborhood, but occasionally
+they passed country homes, when all the folks would rush forth to learn
+what the drumming and fifing meant.
+
+"They are the Putnam Hall cadets," said one farm woman. "How neat they
+look and how nicely they march!"
+
+"Puts me in mind o' war times, Mirandy," said her husband. "Don't you
+remember how the boys marched away in them days"?
+
+"Indeed I do, Ira," answered the woman. "But that was real, while this
+is only for fun."
+
+"Well, I reckon some o' those lads would make putty good soldiers, were
+they put to it. They handle their guns like veterans."
+
+The cadets marched until ten o'clock and then stopped for a brief rest
+near a fine hillside spring, where all procured a drink. Then they
+moved forward again until noon, when they reached a small village where
+dinner already awaited them.
+
+"We have covered twelve miles," said Captain Putnam. "Eight more, and
+the day's march will be over."
+
+The cadets were glad enough to eat their dinner and take it easy on the
+porch of the old country hotel at which they had stopped.
+
+"Imagine us marching off to war," observed Sam. "How would you like it,
+Tom"?
+
+"Oh, I don't think I would complain," was the answer. "Anything for a
+bit of excitement."
+
+The day's march was completed long before sundown, and the battalion
+came to a halt in an open field through which flowed a shaded brook.
+
+The tents were at hand and the students lost no time in putting up the
+shelters.
+
+Food was supplied for the occasion by a farmer living near, for it was
+not deemed advisable to unload the cook stoves and build the necessary
+fires.
+
+The farmer gave the students permission to visit his apple orchard, and
+this the majority did, returning to the temporary camp with their
+pockets fairly bulging with apples.
+
+The weather remained clear and warm, so the first night in the open
+proved very agreeable. A camp-fire was lit just for the look of things,
+and around this the cadets gathered, telling stories and singing songs
+until it was time to turn in.
+
+Sleeping in a tent just suited the Rover boys and none of them awoke
+until sunrise. Soon the whole camp was astir, and each cadet took a
+good washing up at the brook. Breakfast was supplied by the farmer,
+and by nine o'clock the column was once again in motion on its way to
+Pine Island.
+
+"Dot sleeping out in der air vos a funny dings," said Hans Mueller to
+Sam. "I vake up der middle of der night in und find a pig mouskeeter
+mine toe on alretty!"
+
+"Be thankful that it wasn't something worse, Hans," said Sam. "What
+would you do if you woke up and saw a big black bear standing beside
+your cot"?
+
+"I dink I cofer mine head kvick, Sammy."
+
+"But the bear might chew the cover up."
+
+"Den I vos rund for mine life und holler like sixty!"
+
+"Well, you want to keep your eyes open for bears," added Sam, thinking
+he scented fun ahead.
+
+"How vos I going to keep mine eyes oben of I go to sleep, tell me dot"?
+
+"You'll have to figure that out yourself, Hansy, old boy;" and here
+the talk had to come to an end.
+
+By the middle of the afternoon they came in sight of Bass Lake, a
+beautiful sheet of water about two miles and a half long by nearly half
+a mile wide. Close to the south shore lay Pine Island, so called
+because it was covered in spots with tall pine trees. Between the main
+shore and Pine Island were two smaller islands, and there were low
+wooden bridges from one to the other, connecting the big island with
+the mainland.
+
+The wagons had already gone over the bridges to the spot selected for
+the camp, and now the battalion marched across, from island to island,
+under low arching trees and over ground covered with fallen leaves and
+moss.
+
+"What a grand spot for a camp!"
+
+It was Dick who uttered the words when the final halt was made. His
+words were true, and his fellow students agreed with him that Captain
+Putnam could not have made a better selection.
+
+There was an open space nearly an acre in extent, covered with short
+grass and sloping slightly toward the lake. At the water's edge was a
+small wooden dock, where the boats were tied up, and next to this a
+sandy strip excellent for bathing purposes. Back of the open space was
+a fine grove of trees, to which the students could retire when the sun
+became too hot for them. More trees lined the north shore, some hanging
+out far over the water, making ideal spots for reading or fishing.
+There were beautiful walks through the woods, and in the center of the
+island was a rocky hill from the top of which one could obtain a view
+of the country for several miles around.
+
+Captain Putnam insisted upon it that the camp be laid out in true
+military fashion, and two students who knew a little about civil
+engineering put down the necessary stakes. There was a street for each
+company, with a tent for the captain and his lieutenants at the head.
+Each tent was of the wall pattern and large enough to accommodate four
+soldiers. That the flooring of the tent might be kept dry around each a
+trench was dug, by which the water could run off when it rained. On the
+bottom pine boughs were strewn, giving a delicious smell to the
+interior.
+
+"This smell of pine is very good for a cold in the head," said Major
+Larry to Dick. "My sister always uses a pillow filled with pine needles
+for that purpose."
+
+The students worked hard that evening getting their tents ready for
+occupancy and as a consequence all were glad to retire when the proper
+time came. Captain Putnam had expected that there would be some
+skylarking, but he was mistaken. That was to come later--when the lads
+felt more rested.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE FIRST DAY ON PINE ISLAND
+
+
+"Can anybody tell me where the--er--looking glass is"?
+
+It was William Philander Tubbs who asked the question. He stood in the
+middle of one of the tents, gazing helplessly about him.
+
+"Beastly way to live, really now it is," he continued. "How is a fellow
+to arrange his toilet without a glass"?
+
+"Better run down to the lake and look into the water," suggested Sam,
+who occupied a cot in the tent.
+
+"Look into the water? Beastly!" murmured Tubbs. "Really now, this isn't
+like home, is it"? he continued.
+
+"It suits me well enough," went on Sam, leaping up and beginning to
+dress. "You'll get used to it before long."
+
+"Never, my dear boy, never!"
+
+As Tubbs spoke he began to put on his coat, but failed to get either of
+his hands further than the elbows of the sleeves.
+
+"What's the matter with this coat"? he ejaculated. "Well, I declare!"
+
+"What's up now"? asked another cadet.
+
+"Somebody has gone and sewed up the sleeves."
+
+There was a roar of laughter at this.
+
+"Mustn't mind a little thing like that," said Sam, and he sat down on
+the edge of his cot to put on his shoes. "Great Scott, what's this"?
+
+He had forced his foot into one shoe and now withdrew it covered with
+soft soap.
+
+"Haw! haw!" roared Tubbs. "Rather fancy the laugh is on you now,
+Rover."
+
+"That's a fact," muttered Sam, and began to clean out the shoe as
+quickly as he could.
+
+Several other small jokes had been played, showing that the cadets were
+"tuning up," as Major Larry expressed it.
+
+"I guess I'll have my hands full before the week is out," he said to
+Dick, in private. "Keeping order will be no fool of a job."
+
+"Well, you must remember that you liked to have your fling too, when
+you were a private, major," answered the captain of Company A.
+
+The cooking detail were already preparing breakfast and the aroma of
+hot coffee floated throughout the camp. Immediately after roll-call
+breakfast was served, of fruit, fish, eggs, bread, and coffee, and the
+cadets pitched in with a will.
+
+"Gives one an appetite to live out in the open," said Lieutenant Tom.
+
+"As if you didn't carry your appetite with you wherever you go,"
+grinned Sam.
+
+"Silence, Private Rover, or I'll fine you half a day's pay," flung back
+Tom with a similar grin.
+
+"My, but we are some pumpkins," went on Sam, squaring his shoulders.
+"Wonder how soon we'll get to be a general."
+
+"Perhaps at the next general election," suggested George Granbury.
+
+"Lieutenant Granbury is fined a peanut for punning," said Tom severely.
+"Don't do it again and the fine will be remitted."
+
+"That's a fine way to do," murmured George, and then Sam shied a tin
+plate at him.
+
+As soon as the meal was over there was a drill lasting half an hour,
+and then the cadets were permitted to do as they pleased until noon.
+Some went boating, some fishing, while others took a swim, or simply
+"knocked around" as Sam expressed it.
+
+"I shouldn't mind a swim," said Tom. "Who will go in with me"?
+
+A dozen cadets were willing, including Dick, Larry, and Fred Garrison.
+As it was off time, Larry, even though major, did not feel it necessary
+to "stand on his dignity."
+
+"I'm just going to be as I've always been," he told the others. "If I
+can't be that, I don't want to be major."
+
+Several tents had been erected close to the water's edge, where the
+cadets might undress and don their bathing suits. Tom was the first
+ready, and with a run he plunged into the lake head-first.
+
+"It's glorious!" he shouted, as he came up and shook the water from his
+head. "Worth a dollar a minute. Come on in!" And they came, one after
+another, without loss of more time. The water was slightly cool, but
+the students at Putnam Hall were required to take cold baths weekly, so
+they did not mind the temperature. Laughing and shouting gleefully they
+dove around in all directions, and then Tom suggested a race.
+
+"Just the thing!" said another cadet. "Where shall we race to"?
+
+"Over to yonder rock and back," answered Tom. "Line up, everybody. A
+stale biscuit to the winner and a sour cream puff for the last man. All
+ready"?
+
+There was a pause.
+
+"Start!" yelled Tom, and made a wild splash that sent the water flying
+in all directions.
+
+"A race! A race!" shouted one of the students on the shore, and his cry
+soon brought a score or more of the others to the spot.
+
+"I think Tom Rover will win that race."
+
+"I'll bet on Major Larry."
+
+"Fred Garrison is ahead. He's the best swimmer in the school."
+
+"He can't swim as well as Dick Rover."
+
+"I'll bet Jackson wins," came from Lew Flapp, who was in the crowd on
+the beach. Jackson, it will be remembered, was one of his particular
+cronies.
+
+"Jackson can't swim against Dick Rover," came from Songbird Powell, who
+had hardly spoken to Flapp since the row at Mike Sherry's resort.
+
+"I'll bet you a dollar he beats Rover," replied the tall boy, in a low
+tone.
+
+"I don't bet, Flapp."
+
+"You're afraid to bet," sneered the tall boy.
+
+This statement angered Powell and he quickly dove into his pocket and
+pulled out the sum mentioned.
+
+"This is the time you lose, Flapp," he said quietly.
+
+Another student was made stakeholder and each boy passed over his
+money.
+
+By this time the race was well underway. Tom was still in the lead, but
+Jackson was close behind him, with Larry Colby third and Dick fourth.
+
+"Go it, Tom, you are sure to win!" shouted one of his friends.
+
+"Don't know about that," Tom returned pantingly. "Guess I started too
+hard!" And soon he began to drop behind.
+
+"Jackson is ahead!" was the next cry.
+
+"Major Colby is a close second!"
+
+"That is true, but Dick Rover is crawling up!"
+
+So the cries went on until the big rock that was the turning point was
+gained.
+
+Jackson touched the rock first, several seconds before either Larry or
+Dick came up. It certainly looked as if Lew Flapp's crony had a good
+chance of winning.
+
+"Told you he would win," said Flapp to Powell.
+
+"The race isn't over yet," answered Songbird briefly.
+
+"Humph! Do you think Dick Rover can catch Jackson when he is five yards
+behind"?
+
+"Not quite as much as that, Flapp, and he is gradually crawling up."
+
+"He won't make it, I tell you."
+
+"Perhaps he will."
+
+"I'll bet you five to one that he won't," insisted the big boy.
+
+"I won't bet any more."
+
+"You're afraid," sneered Flapp.
+
+Again Powell went down into his pocket and drew forth another dollar.
+
+"There you are," he said to the stakeholder.
+
+Lew Flapp had not expected this, but he quickly covered the one dollar
+with a five, feeling sure he was going to win.
+
+"You'll never see your two dollars again, Powell," he said.
+
+"Perhaps you'll never see your six again," answered Songbird, and moved
+away to watch the race from another point along the island shore.
+
+Jackson was certainly swimming well, although the terrific strain was
+beginning to tell upon him.
+
+"Go it, Jackson," roared Lew Flapp. "Go it, old Moneybags!"
+
+"Moneybags" was a signal among many of the cadets, signifying that the
+speaker had bet money on the result. Betting at the academy was
+strictly prohibited, but wagers were often made on the sly.
+
+Hearing this cry, Jackson renewed his struggles and for a few seconds
+held his lead.
+
+But now Dick Rover was crawling up inch by inch. He had passed Tom, who
+was left hopelessly in the rear, and now he was pressing Larry.
+
+"The major and the captain are tie!"
+
+"See, Captain Rover is crawling ahead!"
+
+"Swim, Jackson, swim!" yelled Lew Flapp frantically. "You must win!"
+And Pender took up the call, and so did Rockley.
+
+Again Jackson did his best. The finish of the race was now but twenty
+yards off.
+
+"Go in and win, Dick," came from Larry Colby. "I'm about used up," and
+he let Dick go ahead.
+
+Dick was almost as fresh as at the start and slowly but surely he kept
+gaining upon Jackson until the two were not over two yards apart.
+
+"Hurrah, Captain Rover is crawling up!"
+
+"Don't give up, Jackson, you can win out yet!" screamed Lew Flapp.
+
+"Go it, Dick!" yelled Sam. "Go it, I say! The race is yours!"
+
+Cheered by the last cry Dick increased his stroke and in a second more
+he was alongside of Jackson.
+
+The latter made a side kick, intending to catch Dick in the stomach,
+but the eldest Rover was wise enough to keep out of his opponent's
+reach.
+
+The kick made Jackson lose ground, and like a flash Dick passed him.
+
+"Dick Rover is ahead!"
+
+"See, Jackson is played out! He can hardly take another stroke!"
+
+"Major Colby is crawling up! See, he is passing Jackson!"
+
+"And here comes Tom Rover, too."
+
+"Wake up, Tom!" cried Sam. "You can beat Jackson yet!"
+
+At this cry Tom did wake up, and seeing Jackson floundering around put
+on a final spurt and passed him.
+
+"Dick Rover has won the race!"
+
+"And Major Colby is second, and Tom Rover third."
+
+"Poor Jackson wasn't in it, after all!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE ENEMY PLOT MISCHIEF
+
+
+The most disgusted cadet on Pine Island was Lew Flapp, and when Jackson
+walked out of the water and entered one of the bath-tents he followed
+his crony with a face full of bitterness.
+
+"Why didn't you try to keep up and win out"? he asked bitterly, while
+Jackson was dressing.
+
+"I did try. But Rover came up like a steam engine."
+
+"You seemed to play out all in a minute."
+
+"And that is just what I did do. The pace was too hot for me, and I
+just about collapsed. Those fellows are good swimmers, no two ways
+about that."
+
+"Bah! I could have beaten them with ease."
+
+"I'd like to see you do it."
+
+"Do you know I lost six dollars on that race," went on Flapp, after a
+pause.
+
+"Who won the money"?
+
+"Songbird Powell."
+
+"How did you come to put up such an odd figure, Lew"?
+
+"I bet a dollar even first, and then, when I felt certain you would
+win, I gave him odds of five to one. I was a chump."
+
+"Well, I did my best--honestly I did," returned Jackson, who hated to
+have his crony lose.
+
+"I ought to make you pay me back."
+
+"I'd do it if I had the money," said Jackson. He rarely had money in
+his pocket, spending everything as fast as received.
+
+"Well, that is one more we owe that crowd," observed Flapp with
+increased bitterness.
+
+When Jackson was dressed he and Flapp took themselves to another part
+of the camp, and there met Pender, Rockley, and Ben Hurdy.
+
+"Let us take a walk," said Jackson. "I am sick of staying around where
+the others can stare at me."
+
+"Come with me," put in Pender. "I have found something I want to show
+you."
+
+"A gold mine, perhaps," said Flapp. "I need one just now. Betting on
+Jackson nearly cleaned me out."
+
+"It's no gold mine, but it may prove useful to us," answered the other
+cadet.
+
+The crowd started off, and Pender led the way through the woods and
+partly around the rocky hill in the center of the island.
+
+"I ran into it quite by accident," he said. "You'd never suspect it was
+there unless you knew of it."
+
+"Knew of what?" asked Rockley. "What sort of a mystery are you running
+us into now?"
+
+"Just wait and see."
+
+Pender stepped from the path they had been pursuing and pushed aside
+some overhanging bushes. Beyond was a small clearing, backed up by a
+high, rocky wall. In the wall was an opening, blocked up by a heavy
+door secured by a rusty iron chain that was passed through a ring in
+the rocks.
+
+"Well, this is certainly odd," exclaimed Flapp. "What kind of a place
+is it"?
+
+"It's a den of some sort," said Hurdy. "Maybe some counterfeiters
+belong here."
+
+"Bosh, you talk as if you were in a dime novel," came from Jackson.
+"More than likely some old hermit lived here. When some men get queer
+in the head they come to just such a spot as this to end their days.
+They hate the sight of other human beings."
+
+"I reckon it is a hermit's den," said Pender. "But if so the hermit
+left it years ago, for everything inside is covered with dust and
+cobwebs and mildew."
+
+Pender walked up to the stout wooden door, unfastened the iron chain,
+and threw the barrier back.
+
+One after the other the boys entered the opening beyond. At first they
+could see but little, but gradually their eyes became accustomed to the
+gloom and they made out a rocky chamber about twelve feet wide and
+running back in irregular shape for a hundred feet or more. At some
+points the ceiling was so low they had to stoop, while elsewhere it was
+far above their reach. The flooring was fairly level, with rock in some
+places and hard dirt in others.
+
+The opening was rudely furnished with a heavy table and a bench, and
+close to one wall was a box bed, still filled with pine boughs. On a
+big wooden hook hung a man's coat, so decayed that it began to fall
+apart when they touched it. The table contained several tin cups and
+plates, all rust eaten.
+
+"This is certainly a curious find," said Flapp. "How did you happen to
+hit it, Gus?"
+
+"I was exploring the cliff above when I happened to slip and fall into
+the bushes just in front of the door. I was shook up but not hurt, and
+when I got up I saw the door and wondered what it meant. Then I looked
+inside and after that went back to camp to tell you fellows about it."
+
+"It will make a dandy place for secret meetings," suggested Rockley.
+"We can come here and do what we please."
+
+"Just what I thought," said Pender. "We can smuggle no end of good
+things here from the nearest village and come whenever we have our off
+time."
+
+"Perhaps we can do more than that," said Flapp, struck with a sudden
+idea.
+
+"What"? asked the others.
+
+"I'll tell you some other time. It's a great find," continued the tall
+boy.
+
+In the meantime those left at the camp had surrounded Dick and were
+congratulating him on his victory.
+
+"I knew you would win," said Powell, when the excitement was over. "I
+bet with Lew Flapp on the result. Garling was stakeholder."
+
+"What did you win, Songbird"?
+
+"Six dollars."
+
+"Gracious! You went in pretty deep.'
+
+"Flapp called me a coward when I told him I didn't want to bet, so I
+had to take him up," went on Songbird. "Had it been anybody else I
+might have given the money back. But I won't give it back to that
+bully."
+
+"It's against the rules to bet, Songbird."
+
+"But you are not going to tell on me, are you?"
+
+"You know me better than to ask the question. Just the same, I am sorry
+you bet," said Dick.
+
+"I'm going to treat the boys as soon as I get the chance," went on
+Powell. "Six dollars will buy a whole lot of ice cream and cake, not to
+mention soda and candy and peanuts." And then he began to hum to
+himself:
+
+   "Peanuts and candy and raspberry ice,
+    Chocolate cake, and all that's nice,
+    Ev'ry student can come if he will,
+    And ev'ry student can eat his fill!"
+
+"I believe you'd sing at a funeral," said Dick, laughing.
+
+"I wouldn't sing at my own funeral," answered Powell, and stalked off,
+humming as gayly as ever.
+
+The remainder of the day passed quietly enough, although by the
+whispering in various tents it was easy to see that something unusual
+was in the air.
+
+"Hazing to-night, as sure as guns," said Major Larry to one of the
+officers.
+
+"Shall we arrest the hazers"? asked the officer, with a twinkle in his
+eye.
+
+"You must obey orders," answered the youthful major, non-committally,
+since he had given no orders on the subject.
+
+He could well remember his first year in camp, when he had been dragged
+from his cot at midnight, almost stripped, and thrown into a brook of
+icy spring water, and then made to run over a rough road in his bare
+feet for half a mile, "just to warm up," as the hazers told him. It
+was rough sport, not to be approved, but "boys will be boys," and it
+is practically impossible to stop hazing even in the highest of our
+institutions of learning.
+
+It was poor Hans Mueller who was the first to suffer that night. In the
+midst of the darkness, for there was no moon, Hans found himself
+suddenly aroused from his slumbers by being dragged out of his cot by
+the feet.
+
+"Shtop!" he began, when a hand was thrust over his mouth. Then he was
+raised up by six cadets, shoved out of the back of the tent and carried
+away to the grove in the rear of the camp. The party had to pass two
+sentries, but the sentries were evidently posted, for they appeared to
+see nothing wrong.
+
+Hans was not allowed to speak until he was out of hearing distance of
+the camp. Then he was dumped on the ground with a dull thud.
+
+"Mine cracious! vot does dis mean annahow"? he demanded, as he
+struggled to his feet. "Does you vants to kill me alretty, drowing me
+aroundt like a log of vood, hey"?
+
+There was no answer, and now he looked at the cadets, to discover that
+each wore a black mask, with a hood from which two black horns
+protruded.
+
+"Who you vos alretty"? he spluttered, staring in open-mouthed amazement
+at the party. "You vos all look like der Oldt Boy, ain't it! I guess I
+go me back to der camp kvick!" and he started to run.
+
+Hans did not get far, for a foot send him sprawling, and by the time he
+was again on his feet four masked cadets had him by the hands and arms,
+so that he could not get away. He started to yell when of a sudden
+somebody threw a handful of dry flour into his wide open mouth.
+
+"Wuog!" he gasped. "Wuog! Do--you--wants--to choke me alretty!" And
+then he started to sneeze, as some of the flour entered his nose.
+
+There was a moment of silence and then one of the masked figures
+advanced slowly.
+
+"Hans Mueller, are you prepared to meet your doom"? was the question
+put, in a deep bass voice.
+
+"Doom? Vot's dot?" asked the German boy, slightly frightened.
+
+"Are you prepared to die?"
+
+"Die? Not by a jugful I ain't. You let me go!"
+
+"Are you prepared to become a full-fledged member of the Order of Black
+Skulls."
+
+"Not much, I ton't belong to noddings," gasped Hans.
+
+"Then you must prepare to meet your fate. Away with him, fellows, to
+his doom!"
+
+Before Hans could resist he was caught up once again. One of the cadets
+had brought with him a large blanket and into this the German youth was
+thrown. Then the others caught the blanket around the edges.
+
+"Stop!" roared Hans, and tried to climb out of the blanket. But before
+he could manage it, the thing was given a toss and up he went, high
+into the air.
+
+"Oh! Mine cracious!" he gasped and came down with a crash, to go up
+again an instant later. Then up and down went the boy, turning over and
+over, until he was all but dazed.
+
+"Stop! Murder! Fire! Robbers!" he roared. "Let me owid, kvick! I vos
+turning outsides in alretty! Oh, stop, von't you, blease!"
+
+"Will you join the Order of Black Skulls"? he was asked again.
+
+"_Yah, yah!_ Anydings, so long as you lets me town kvick!"
+
+"And you will not breathe a word about what has taken place here"?
+
+"I say me noddings, upon my honor, ain't it!"
+
+"Then let him go, fellows," and a moment later Hans was lowered.
+
+"Now you are one of us," said another student, and handed him a mask,
+skull-cap and pair of horns, the latter made of stuffed black cloth.
+"Do you promise to help us"?
+
+"Anydings vot you vonts."
+
+"Then come with us, and don't dare to open your mouth."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+HAZERS AT WORK
+
+
+William Philander Tubbs was dreaming of a fashionable dance he had once
+enjoyed when he suddenly found himself bound and gagged and being
+carried he knew not where.
+
+"This is awful!" he thought. "What in the world does it mean?"
+
+Then he remembered that some of the cadets had spoken about hazing, and
+the cold perspiration came out on his forehead.
+
+The gag in his mouth was made of nothing more than a knot in a clean
+towel, but it worried him a good deal and he was afraid he would be
+choked to death by it. But nothing of the sort happened, and soon the
+gag was removed.
+
+"What does this mean?" he asked, as many cadets had done before him.
+
+He received no answer, and tried to break away from his tormentors. But
+their hold on him could not be shaken, and before he was set down he
+found himself well out of sight and hearing of Camp Putnam, as the spot
+had been named.
+
+"This is a beastly shame," he murmured. "Why do you dare to break into
+my night's rest in this fashion?"
+
+He had heard of the mysterious society of Black Skulls before, but so
+far had never been hazed by the members. He looked curiously at the
+masked cadets, wondering if he could recognize any of them.
+
+"Are you prepared to meet your doom?" he was asked.
+
+"I am prepared to go back to my tent," he answered.
+
+"Away with him!" was the cry.
+
+"Where are you going to take me?" he asked anxiously.
+
+There was no reply, but in a twinkling his hands were caught and bound
+tightly behind him, and a bag was thrust over his head and fastened
+around his throat. The bag was so thick that he could not see a thing
+before him.
+
+"Let him take the cold water cure," said a voice, and he was forced to
+move forward.
+
+"It's rather deep there," whispered a voice, just loud enough for him
+to hear.
+
+"Not over his waist," whispered another voice.
+
+"What! It's twice over his head," was the answer. "I tested the water
+this afternoon."
+
+"Never mind, he's got to take the test anyway."
+
+Now Tubbs was by no means a good swimmer, and the idea of being thrown
+into the water with his hands tied behind him and his head in a sack
+was frightful in the extreme.
+
+"Le--let me go!" he whined. "Let me go, I say!"
+
+"Forward with him!" was the heartless reply, and he was pushed on until
+he suddenly found himself in water up to his ankles.
+
+"Stop! stop!" he cried, in a muffled voice. "Stop! I don't want to
+drown!"
+
+"Will you obey your superiors?"
+
+"Yes, yes--anything!"
+
+"Will you join the Order of Black Skulls?"
+
+"Anything, I told you, only don't let me drown!" cried the frightened
+William Philander.
+
+"And will you promise to keep mum about what has happened here
+to-night?"
+
+"Yes, yes!"
+
+"Very well, you shall not be allowed to drown. But you must take the
+plunge."
+
+"Oh, dear me! I can't--"
+
+"Forward, and be lively about it. We will fish you out with a crab
+net."
+
+"But I--I can't swim with my hands tied behind me!" chattered poor
+Tubbs.
+
+"Yes, you can. Forward now! Ha, fellows, he will not go. Jab him with
+the pitchfork!"
+
+At this a student stepped behind Tubbs and pricked his back with a pin.
+
+The fashionable youth let out a yell of terror, and then, certain that
+he was about to take an awful plunge into some deep part of the lake,
+made a desperate leap forward.
+
+A wild shriek of laughter rang out as Tubbs made the leap. He had
+jumped across a narrow brook not six inches deep and landed sprawling
+on the grass beyond.
+
+"You are now initiated," said one of the masked cadets, when the
+laughter had somewhat died away. And at once Tubbs' hands were untied
+and the bag was taken from his head.
+
+"Well, I never!" he murmured, as he gazed in amazement at the brook.
+"Thought it was the lake front sure!"
+
+"As you are now one of us, Tubbs, you must wear these," said a cadet,
+and furnished the fashionable youth with a mask, cap, and pair of
+horns.
+
+"We have now disposed of number two," said another cadet. "What of
+number three?"
+
+"Number three must--"
+
+At that moment a gun-shot rang out on the still night air.
+
+"Hullo, something is wrong!" cried one of the hazers, in quick alarm.
+
+"There goes the drum, fellows!" came in the unmistakable voice of Sam
+Rover. "We've got to hustle back to camp or we'll be exposed!"
+
+"Right you are," came from Songbird Powell. "Come, fellows, and mind
+you don't let anybody see the masks and other things."
+
+And away they scooted, under the trees and then along a row of bushes
+running fairly close to the first line of tents. In the meantime the
+drum continued to roll and the whole camp was astir. Captain Putnam
+himself was out and was soon followed by Major Larry and Captain Fred
+Garrison. Dick Rover knew what was up and took his time about showing
+himself, since he did not wish any of the hazers to be captured.
+
+"Call the roll!" said Major Larry, after making a round of the company
+streets. But he himself was in no particular hurry.
+
+Almost out of breath with running, the hazers came into camp,
+accompanied by Hans and Tubbs. Masks, caps, and horns were pushed out
+of sight under cots, and then all sallied forth to join their various
+commands. Calling the roll was already in progress.
+
+"All present or accounted for," came the declaration, five minutes
+later.
+
+"All present, eh?" mused Captain Putnam. "That's queer. Who fired that
+gun?"
+
+"Private Jackson."
+
+"I will interview Jackson," said the master of the school, and he
+ordered Jackson to his private tent.
+
+"What made you raise the alarm, Jackson?" he questioned sharply.
+
+"I thought some of the cadets were out of camp, sir," was the answer.
+
+"Did you see them go?"
+
+"Not exactly, sir, but I thought I saw three or four of them sneaking
+along near the woods."
+
+"Humph! You should be sure of what you are doing, Jackson. It is not
+commendable to arouse the whole camp at midnight for nothing."
+
+"Well, I thought I was sure," insisted the crestfallen cadet. He knew
+for a certainty that some of the cadets had been out but saw no way to
+prove it.
+
+"In the future be more careful while on guard duty," said Captain
+Putnam coldly; and there the subject was dropped.
+
+"Who fired that shot?" asked Sam, on the morning following the hazing.
+
+"Jackson," replied a cadet named Gilson, who had been one of the
+hazers.
+
+"The sneak!" murmured the youngest Rover.
+
+"That's what I say, Rover."
+
+"Guess he did it to get square for losing that swimming race," put in
+another of the hazers.
+
+"More than likely. We ought to square up with him for it."
+
+"That's the talk."
+
+"Vat's der madder mit tossing him a blanket up?" asked Hans earnestly.
+
+"Think that's a good way to get square, eh, Hans?" laughed Sam.
+
+"Dot's der vorst bunishments vot I know of," said the German boy with
+deep conviction. "Makes you feel like you vos going to preak abard
+alretty kvick!"
+
+All of the boys knew that it would not do to try any more hazing for
+the next few nights. Even if the guards gave no alarm, Captain Putnam
+or one of the teachers might be on the watch to catch them.
+
+On the following day it rained and the majority of the cadets were glad
+enough to remain under shelter. A few went bathing or fishing and the
+latter brought in quite a respectable mess of fish. Even in fishing the
+boys were rivals and a new tin cup was voted to the cadet bringing in
+the string that weighed the most.
+
+The rain began about ten o'clock and by noon the water was coming down
+in torrents.
+
+"This is beautiful," remarked Tom, as he looked at the puddle in the
+company's street.
+
+"We ought to have dug another ditch to let that water run off,"
+remarked Dick.
+
+"Well, nobody wants to go out now and dig."
+
+"That is true."
+
+Instead of abating the rain became more violent as the afternoon
+advanced.
+
+"This looks as if we were going to have some wind." remarked Major
+Larry with a doubtful shake of his head.
+
+"I hope it doesn't blow too heavily," said Captain Putnam.
+
+"Don't you think I had better caution the fellows to pin down their
+tents extra hard?"
+
+"It would do no harm, Major Colby."
+
+"Then I'll do it," said Larry, and issued the order without delay. Some
+of the cadets grumbled at being driven out into the wet, but the
+majority knew they were doing the work for their own good and went at
+it without a murmur.
+
+At about sundown the wind fell and after supper it was as calm as it
+had been before the storm started.
+
+"Told you there wasn't any use of getting wet pounding down stakes,"
+growled Lew Flapp. He had done his work in a slip-shod fashion,
+staying out but a minute or two for that purpose.
+
+It still rained, so building camp-fires was out of the question. This
+being so, the cadets turned in early, glad to seek the shelter of their
+cots and their warm blankets.
+
+An hour went by, when of a sudden the rain increased once more. Then
+came a rush of wind that shook all of the tents violently.
+
+"We are not out of it yet, it would seem," said Dick, as he sat up on
+his cot to listen to the flapping of the canvas in the company street.
+
+He had hardly spoken when another gust of wind tore down on the camp.
+There was a ripping of cloth and a crashing of poles, and then a cry
+for help sounded from several places at once.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+A STORM IN CAMP
+
+
+"Say, fellows, are we all going up in a balloon!" cried Sam Rover, as
+he rolled off his cot in a great hurry.
+
+One whole side of the tent was loose and the structure was in danger of
+tumbling down on the inmates' heads.
+
+"Help!" came from the next tent. "I'm being smothered!"
+
+"That's Lew Flapp!" said a cadet. "What's up now, Flapp?" he called
+out.
+
+No answer came back, and now canvases could be heard ripping in all
+directions.
+
+"Fasten down the pegs!" came the order. "Fasten them down, quick!"
+
+The cadets were already at work, and Sam and his tent-mates set at
+their task with a will, realizing that every moment was precious. While
+one student held the peg upright the other would pound it down into the
+wet ground with a hammer or the back of a spade.
+
+"The confounded pegs won't hold," cried out one cadet. "There she
+goes!" and the next instant the tent went flying skyward, to land on
+another tent some distance away.
+
+It was still raining "cats, dogs, and hammer handles" as Tom Rover
+expressed it. All was dark, the only light being that given forth by
+the lantern which had not been blown out. Occasionally came a flash of
+lightning, followed by the distant rolling of thunder.
+
+"This is one of the real comforts of camp life," said Songbird Powell
+sarcastically. "So much nicer than being under the roof of the Hall,
+you know!"
+
+"Never mind, Songbird, you need a washing off at least once a year,"
+replied a fellow sufferer.
+
+A minute later came another yell from Lew Flapp. He and his tent-mates
+had tried in vain to hold down their canvas. Now it went up with a
+rush. One of the peg ropes caught around Flapp's leg and he was dragged
+over the wet ground, with his head splashing into every pool of water
+that he passed.
+
+"Help me! I'll be killed!" roared the tall youth.
+
+The tent was blowing along the company street and half a dozen cadets
+ran to the rescue, Tom with them. Some leaped on the canvas, while
+others held Flapp. Then the rope was cut with a knife.
+
+"Wha--what a fearful wind!" groaned the tall boy, when he could speak.
+"This is the worst storm I ever saw!"
+
+"Oh, but I'm sorry I ever came to camp," groaned William Philander
+Tubbs. "I'm so wet the water is actually running out of my shoetops!"
+
+"Ton't said a vord," came from Hans. "I dink me I half a rifer floating
+mine packpone town alretty! Of dis keeps on much longer der whole camp
+vos in der schwim, ain't it!"
+
+"I reckon we're in the swim already," broke in Sam. "Some of us had
+better bring the rowboats up."
+
+The high wind lasted for fully half an hour and during that time six of
+the tents were literally blown to ribbons, while many others suffered
+to a lesser extent. A quarter of the shelters laid flat in the mud, and
+nothing could be done with these until the wind went down.
+
+"It's the worst blow I have seen since we have held our encampments,"
+was Captain Putnam's comment, and he and the teachers went around with
+lanterns to aid the students as much as they could.
+
+By three o'clock in the morning the storm was over and the stars began
+to peep forth from behind the clouds. As tired as they were the cadets
+had to set to work to put up the tents and arrange their cots as best
+they could. Camp-fires were lit in half a dozen places and the students
+huddled around these to dry themselves and get warm.
+
+"I guess this is a touch of real army life," said Dick. "And I must say
+I don't like it overly much."
+
+"We'll have to make the best of it, Dick," answered Tom, who had come
+over to see how his brother was getting along.
+
+"How is Sam?"
+
+"Oh, he's all right, although as wet as any of us."
+
+"This storm reminds me of the one we experienced when in the jungles of
+Africa," went on the eldest Rover. "Do you remember how it blew, Tom?"
+
+"Indeed I do," was the answer, as Tom's mind went back to that
+thrilling experience, as related in "The Rover Boys in the Jungle."
+
+On the following day the cadets were glad enough to remain in camp,
+cleaning out their tents and drying the things that had become wet. But
+the storm was a thing of the past and the sun shone as brightly as
+ever. Big fires were kept burning, and hot coffee could be had whenever
+wanted, so scarcely anybody suffered from the drenching received.
+
+The storm had somewhat disarranged the plans made by Flapp, Rockley,
+and their particular cronies. But two days later Flapp, Rockley, and
+Pender got permission to go to the village of Oakville, two miles
+distant, one to buy some corn salve he said he wanted and the others to
+do a little trading.
+
+The boys had collected nine dollars from various members of their crowd
+and this was to be spent for liquor, cigars, and for several packs of
+cards. All of these things were to be smuggled to the hermit's den
+Pender had discovered.
+
+"We can get enough to last us during the encampment," said Flapp. "And
+then we can have a good time whenever we wish, and Captain Putnam will
+never suspect what is going on."
+
+It did not take the cadets long to reach Oakville, a pretty place
+located among the hills. There were a dozen stores, a blacksmith shop,
+two churches, and perhaps fifty houses. Beyond were farms in a state of
+high cultivation, showing that the inhabitants of that section were
+thrifty people.
+
+"This town is about as slow as Cedarville," observed Pender, as they
+walked up the single street. "How folks can idle their lives away in
+such a place is what gets me."
+
+"They don't know anything of the joys of city life," returned Flapp.
+"Some of these people have never seen the inside of a real theater."
+
+As might be expected, the unworthy cadets lost no time in entering one
+of the taverns located in Oakville, and here Flapp treated. Then, after
+cigars or cigarettes had been lit, they proceeded to buy the things
+desired for the den.
+
+"Laying in quite a stock, ain't ye?" said the tavern keeper.
+
+"Oh, we are getting this for the whole crowd," replied Pender
+carelessly. "But, say," he added suddenly.
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"We don't want you to say anything about our buying this stuff."
+
+"All right, I'll be mum," answered the tavern keeper.
+
+From the tavern they proceeded to the general store, where they
+purchased the packs of cards and a few other things.
+
+While they were making their purchases two girls came in with a market
+basket between them. One was tall and thin and the other short and
+rather stout. Yet the girls looked very much alike and were noticeably
+pretty.
+
+"Fine girls," whispered Flapp to Rockley, nudging his companion in the
+ribs.
+
+"Yes," was the answer, and Rockley began to smile openly on the new
+arrivals. As the girls did not appear to notice this, he drew closer
+and tipped his cap.
+
+"Fine day after the storm," he said smoothly. "Yes, very," said the
+taller of the girls, and turned away.
+
+"I suppose you belong in Oakville," put in Lew Flapp, to the smaller
+girl.
+
+"Yes," answered the girl, and turned away to join her companion.
+
+"We are up to the camp on Pine Island," went on Rockley, following the
+girls up. "Have you ever been there?"
+
+"Once," said the taller girl, and began to purchase some articles from
+the clerk behind the counter.
+
+"You ought to come and take a look at our camp," continued Flapp. "It's
+a real interesting sight."
+
+"All the girls are welcome," said Pender, feeling he must say
+something.
+
+"We'd be willing to show you the way at any time," added Rockley, and
+placed his hand on the arm of one of the girls.
+
+"Please let me be," said the girl, and walked away. A moment later she
+left the store, and her companion went with her.
+
+"My, but they were shy!" laughed Pender. "Rockley, you didn't make any
+impression at all. Nor you either, Flapp."
+
+"Humph! Wonder who they are?" murmured Lew Flapp.
+
+"Let's ask the storekeeper and find out."
+
+"Those girls are twins," said the proprietor of the establishment.
+
+"Twins!" cried Rockley. "They didn't look it--not by their difference in
+sizes."
+
+"But they did in looks," said Pender.
+
+"What are their names?"
+
+"The tall one is Alice Staton and the other is Helen Staton. Their
+father is the local constable, although he runs a big farm for a
+living."
+
+"Do they come here often?"
+
+"Pretty often. But they are very shy girls and don't hardly speak to
+anybody. They are both studying to be school-teachers."
+
+In the meantime Helen Staton and her sister Alice were hurrying down
+the main street of Oakville with flushed cheeks.
+
+"I don't think those cadets were very nice," said Helen.
+
+"Certainly they were not very good-looking," replied Alice. "And I
+thought they smelt a little of liquor."
+
+"The idea of their saying they would show us the way to the camp! I
+guess papa can drive us there if we want to go."
+
+"I'd like to see it. But I shouldn't want to go with those boys," went
+on Alice.
+
+"Perhaps papa can take us," said Helen. "But come, we promised mamma
+we'd hurry back as soon as we could."
+
+To get home the two girls had to walk for a considerable distance along
+the road leading to Bass Lake.
+
+On the way they passed the farm of one Isaac Klem, a man who took great
+pride in his poultry and his cattle. Klem had forty cows, and two bulls
+which were worth a good deal of money.
+
+One of the bulls, a black, vicious looking fellow, was tied up in a
+small lot at the corner of the farm.
+
+The girls were just walking past this lot when Helen happened to glance
+over her shoulder and set up a cry of alarm.
+
+"Oh, Alice, Mr. Klem's black bull is loose!"
+
+"Where, Helen?" queried her twin sister.
+
+"There he is, at the fence. See, he is trying to get over!"
+
+The fence she mentioned was of stones piled loosely, one on top of the
+other. The bull was striking at the stones with his front hoofs. Soon
+some came down, and then the animal leaped out into the roadway. Then
+he gave a snort and looked at the girls curiously.
+
+Now as ill luck would have it, each of the twins wore a red
+shirt-waist. This color enraged the bull, and with a wild snort, he
+lowered his horns and rushed at the pair, as if to gore them through
+and through.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE ROVER BOYS AND THE BULL
+
+
+About an hour after Lew Flapp and his cronies left camp, Dick Rover and
+his brothers received permission to do likewise.
+
+"Let us go to the village," suggested Tom. "I want to buy some cough
+drops. My throat is raw from the wet weather."
+
+"And I want to get some reading matter," added Sam. "A good story of
+some sort would just suit me."
+
+"I wouldn't mind a magazine or two myself," came from Dick. "But I
+don't know if Oakville can supply them."
+
+They were soon on the way, each in the best of spirits. Tom began to
+whistle and his brothers joined in.
+
+"Feelin' putty good," queried a farmer, who chanced to be leaning over
+his garden gate as they passed.
+
+"Why not?" retorted Tom. "It's better to whistle than to cry."
+
+"Right you are, young man. When one of my hands is whistling I always
+know he is pitchin' in."
+
+The way lay over a hill and around a bend where a number of apple trees
+lined the road. The apples were within easy reach, and soon each was
+chewing on the juicy fruit to his heart's content.
+
+"Wonder where Flapp and his crowd went," came presently from Tom.
+
+"If they went to Oakville they most likely visited the tavern,"
+answered Dick.
+
+"It's a shame!" declared Tom. "Drinking and smoking and playing cards
+will never do them any good."
+
+Another bend in the road was passed and they came within sight of Isaac
+Klem's farm.
+
+"Hullo!" ejaculated Sam, pointing ahead. "What's the matter?"
+
+"Those girls are running for all they are worth!" said Dick.
+
+"A bull is after them!" came from Tom. "My stars! but he seems to mean
+business!"
+
+Tom was right, Helen and Alice Staton were running along the highway at
+all the speed they could command. Behind them, less than fifty feet
+distant, was the enraged black bull, bent on doing all the mischief
+possible.
+
+"Those girls will be hurt!" said Dick, running forward.
+
+"Can't we do something?" asked Sam.
+
+"We can try," said Tom. "Get a rock, or something," and he picked up a
+sharp stone which lay handy. Sam did likewise.
+
+By this time the twins were almost upon the boys.
+
+"Chase the bull away!" panted Helen, who was ready to drop from
+exhaustion.
+
+"Yes! yes!" gasped Alice. "Please don't let him touch us!"
+
+"Jump the fence!" said Dick. "Quick, I'll help you over!"
+
+He caught each girl by the hand and turned toward the low stone fence.
+At the same time Tom and Sam let fly the two sharp stones. One took the
+bull in the nose and the other struck the creature in the eye.
+
+With a snort the animal came to a halt and viewed the boys curiously.
+He had evidently not expected the attack, and the wound in the eye hurt
+not a little. Tom and Sam lost no time in providing themselves with
+more stones.
+
+By this time Dick was at the wall and in another moment he had
+assisted the girls over. Both had lost their hats and also dropped the
+market basket filled with things from the store.
+
+"Oh, be careful," said Alice. "That bull will try to kill you."
+
+"We'll look out for ourselves," answered Dick, and picked up a bit of
+fence rail lying near. "Did he chase you far?"
+
+"From that lot yonder," answered Helen.
+
+The bull had turned toward the fence, and watching his chance, Dick
+struck out with the bit of rail. His aim was good and the animal
+received a sharp blow directly across the nostrils. Then Sam and Tom
+let fly more stones, and the bull was hit in the mouth, the leg, and
+the side. He stood his ground for a moment and then began to retreat.
+
+"Hurrah! we've got him on the run!" cried Tom. "Give it to him!" and he
+let go another stone, which hit the bull in the tail and made him throw
+up his rear hoofs in a most alarming fashion.
+
+"You had better come over into the lot!" said one of the girls. "He may
+come back."
+
+"Here comes Mr. Klem with a pitchfork," said the other.
+
+A farmer was rushing down the road, with a pitchfork in one hand and a
+rope in the other. He ran up to the bull and slipped the rope over the
+animal's neck. Then he tied the creature to a tree.
+
+"Pretty savage animal you've got," observed Tom as he came up.
+
+"Is them gals hurt?" demanded the farmer.
+
+"I don't think so. But they are pretty well out of breath and scared."
+
+"Don't know how the pesky critter got loose," said Isaac Klem. "First
+thing I see he was after them gals lickety-split. I was out hayin', and
+I didn't wait, but picked up a pitchfork and a rope and run."
+
+"The girls lost their hats," said Sam, who had also come up.
+
+"Yes, they're in the road up yonder, along with a basket o' stuff they
+had."
+
+"Let us get the things," said Sam, and he and Tom started after the
+hats and the basket. The things which had been in the basket were
+scattered in all directions, and the boys picked them up.
+
+Dick remained with the girls, doing what he could to quiet them. They
+were so exhausted they could not stand and each sat on a rock panting
+for breath.
+
+"It was simply dreadful!" declared Helen. "I thought every moment the
+bull would catch me and toss me up into the air."
+
+"He didn't like the sight of your red shirt-waists," was Dick's
+comment.
+
+"That must be it," put in Alice. "After this, I don't think I'll go
+near him when I have a red waist on."
+
+"Perhaps the farmer will be more careful and keep him roped up."
+
+When Tom and Sam came up with the hats and the basket Isaac Klem
+accompanied them.
+
+"All right, Helen?" he asked. "And you too, Alice?"
+
+"Yes, Mr. Klem," said the tall girl. "But it was a narrow escape. The
+bull would have gored us if it hadn't been for these young gentlemen."
+
+The girls thanked Tom and Sam for what they had brought.
+
+"Who be you young fellows?" asked Isaac Klem curiously.
+
+"I am Dick Rover, and these are my brothers Tom and Sam. We belong to
+the cadets of Putnam Hall."
+
+"The young sodgers up to Bass Lake?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I see. Well, it was gritty o' you to face my bull, and I give ye
+credit for it. My name's Isaac Klem, and thet's my farm over yonder.
+These gals is Helen and Alice Staton, and they live down the road a
+piece."
+
+The boys tipped their caps and the girls smiled.
+
+"We are very thankful to you," said Alice and Helen, almost in a
+breath.
+
+"You are welcome to the little I did," returned Dick.
+
+"It was fun to pelt the old bull with rocks," put in Tom. "I'll do as
+much for you any time," and this caused a laugh.
+
+Isaac Klem went off to drive his bull home and the girls also prepared
+to depart.
+
+"When you are coming back this way you can stop at our house if you
+wish," said Alice Staton. "It's the yellow one with honeysuckle growing
+over the porch."
+
+"I remember it," said Sam. "Thank you," and the others also gave thanks
+for the invitation. A moment later the two parties separated.
+
+"What a difference between those cadets and the ones we met at the
+store," said Helen to her twin sister when they were out of hearing.
+
+"Yes, indeed," said Alice. "The Rovers are gentlemen, while those at
+the store were--were rude."
+
+"Two nice girls," declared Tom. "How much alike their faces are!"
+
+"Tom is smitten," cried Sam. "Going to forget all about Nellie Laning,
+Tom?" he went on quizzically.
+
+"Oh, you needn't talk!" cried Tom, growing red in the face. "You were
+just as attentive as a dancing master yourself."
+
+"Don't quarrel about it," put in Dick good naturedly. "You can be
+pleasant to them without forgetting all about Grace and Nellie Laning,
+I think."
+
+"Or Dora Stanhope either," put in Sam slyly. "Shall we stop at the
+house on the way back?"
+
+"Why not? They may offer us a piece of pie," said Tom.
+
+"I don't know. We can walk by slowly. They may be on the lookout for
+us, you know."
+
+Once again the boys set their faces toward Oakville, and soon reached
+the outskirts of the town.
+
+They were passing some of the stores when Lew Flapp caught sight of
+them.
+
+"Hullo!" cried the tall boy. "I declare! there are the three Rover
+brothers. What brought them to Oakville?"
+
+"We had better not let them see us with this stuff," said Pender
+hurriedly. "We'll get into hot water if they do."
+
+They lost no time in putting their purchases out of sight. Then they
+walked out on the street and stood leaning against the posts of a
+wooden awning.
+
+"There is Flapp and his crowd now," said Tom, catching sight of the
+trio.
+
+"We want nothing to do with them," said Dick. "They are not our kind at
+all."
+
+"Hullo, Rovers!" cried Pender as they came up.
+
+"Hullo, yourself," returned Tom coldly.
+
+"What brought you to town?" asked Rockley.
+
+"My feet."
+
+"Thanks. I thought it might have been your ears. They're big enough."
+
+At this sally both Flapp and Pender began to laugh.
+
+"That's a good one," said Flapp.
+
+"I suppose you used your tongue for a walking stick when you came
+over," said Tom. "It's long enough."
+
+"Bah!" cried Rockley, and turned away in disgust.
+
+"Those Rover boys have got the swelled head," muttered Flapp. "But
+we'll turn 'em down before the encampment is over, eh, fellows?"
+
+"That's what," replied Rockley.
+
+While the Rover boys were making their purchases Lew Flapp and his
+cronies turned back into the tavern. There was a billiard room in the
+rear and here they began to play billiards.
+
+"We'll let the Rovers start for home first," said Rockley. "It will be
+safer."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+A TUG OF WAR
+
+
+When the Rover boys reached the vicinity of the Staton cottage they
+found Alice and Helen in the dooryard, watching for them.
+
+"Mamma says you must come in," said Alice. "She wishes to see you."
+
+"And papa wants to see you, too," added Helen.
+
+"Thank you, we won't mind resting a bit," answered Dick. "The sun is
+rather hot."
+
+They were soon seated on the broad porch, and here Mrs. Staton and her
+husband were introduced. They proved to be nice people, and both
+thanked the boys warmly for what they had done on the road.
+
+"I've told Isaac Klem about that bull," said Mr. Staton. "Some day
+he'll do a whole lot of damage."
+
+"We are going to keep a good lookout for him in the future," put in
+Alice. "I don't wish to be scared out of my wits again."
+
+Before the boys left Mrs. Staton insisted on treating each to a piece
+of apple pie and a glass of milk.
+
+"What did I tell you about pie?" whispered Tom. "Say, but it's all
+right, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, indeed!" whispered Sam.
+
+The girls had a set of croquet on the lawn and asked the boys to play,
+but they had to decline for want of time.
+
+All had moved to the rear of the cottage, under a wide-spreading tree,
+when Dick chanced to look toward the roadway and uttered an
+exclamation:
+
+"Here come the other fellows now!"
+
+"Yes, and look at the packages they are carrying," added Sam.
+
+"And the bottles," came from Tom significantly.
+
+Dick was about to step forward when Tom caught him by the arm.
+
+"Let us keep shady, Dick."
+
+"All right, Tom, if you say so."
+
+Sam noticed that the faces of the two girls fell when Flapp and his
+cronies went past.
+
+"Those are some of your chums, I suppose?" said Helen.
+
+"They are some of the cadets, but no chums of ours," replied Dick.
+
+"Oh!"
+
+"They belong to a little crowd of their own." explained Tom. "We don't
+hitch very well, so that is why we let them go by unnoticed."
+
+"We met them at the store in Oakville," said Alice.
+
+"Did they speak to you?"
+
+"Yes, but--but we did not want them to."
+
+"Humph!" said Dick, and then the subject was changed.
+
+Having invited the girls to come and look at the camp some pleasant day
+the Rover boys left the cottage and hurried along the road after Lew
+Flapp and his cronies.
+
+"I'll wager those fellows made themselves obnoxious to the girls," said
+Tom. "You could tell that by the way the girls looked."
+
+"What do you think they are going to do with the stuff they are
+carrying?" came from Sam.
+
+"I believe they intend to smuggle it into camp," replied Dick. "And if
+that is so, I don't know but what it is my duty to report them."
+
+"If you do that, Flapp will consider you the worst kind of a spy,
+Dick."
+
+"Perhaps, but as a captain of the command it is my duty to see that
+such things are kept out of camp."
+
+"Well, do what you think is best."
+
+"Better make sure that the stuff they are carrying isn't all right,"
+said Sam. "They may have nothing but soda in those bottles."
+
+They hurried along faster than ever but, strange to say, failed to
+catch up to Lew Flapp and his cronies, who were making for the hermit's
+den with all possible speed.
+
+"Maybe they got scared, thinking we might be spying on them," suggested
+Tom, and hit upon the exact truth of the matter.
+
+After that nearly a week passed in camp without anything unusual
+happening. Lew Flapp and his cronies kept their distance, and so strict
+was the guard set by Captain Putnam and his assistants that hazing
+became, for the time being, out of the question.
+
+To pass the time more pleasantly some of the cadets organized several
+tug-of-war teams. This sort of thing pleased Tom very much and he
+readily consented to act as anchor man on one of the teams. Another
+team had Pender for an anchor man, with Rockley and seven others on the
+rope.
+
+"Let us have a regular contest," said one of the cadets, and all was
+arranged for a match on the following morning after drill.
+
+The students were enthusiastic over the match, some thinking one side
+would win and others favoring the opponents.
+
+"Tom's crowd will win that match," said Sam.
+
+"What makes you so sure?" questioned Ben Hurdy.
+
+"Oh, Tom knows how to pull and how to manage the others."
+
+"And so does Rockley know how to pull," continued Hurdy. "And what is
+more, he knows a trick or two that will pull your fellows over the line
+in no time."
+
+"I don't believe it, Hurdy."
+
+"Want to bet?"
+
+"No, I don't bet. Just the same, I think Rockley's crowd will lose."
+
+Although Sam would not bet, some of the other students did, so that by
+the time the match was to come off quite a sum was up.
+
+George Strong had been chosen as starter and umpire. On the green a
+line of white was laid down, and the team pulling the other over this
+line would be the winner.
+
+For the contest Captain Putnam provided a new rope of proper size. To
+each end was attached a belt for the anchor men, and there was ample
+room on each side of the line for the eight cadets on the rope.
+
+"All ready?" questioned George Strong, when the time had come for the
+contest.
+
+"All ready on this end," replied Tom, seeing to it that each of his
+team was in his proper position and had a proper hold on the rope.
+
+"All ready here," said Rockley, a few seconds later.
+
+"Drop!" cried the teacher, and down went the two teams like a flash,
+each pulling for all it knew how. But neither gained an inch at the
+fall, so the start-off was perfect.
+
+"Now pull for all you're worth, Rovers!" cried one cadet.
+
+"Haul 'em over, Rockleys!" cried another.
+
+"Steady, boys!" whispered Tom. "Don't get nervous. There is lots of
+time."
+
+He was almost flat on his back, with both feet braced firmly in the
+soil. Rockley was also down, and it looked as if it might be well-nigh
+impossible to budge either.
+
+"This is a dandy tug of war," said Fred Garrison. "Neither has got an
+inch of advantage."
+
+"The Rovers will beat!"
+
+"The Rockleys will win!"
+
+"I think it will be a tie," said another.
+
+The strain was terrific and soon each member of the two teams was
+bathed in perspiration.
+
+"Here is where you earn your rations!" cried one cadet, and this caused
+a general laugh.
+
+"Watch your chances, Tom," whispered Dick, and his brother nodded to
+show that he understood.
+
+Both sides were glaring at each other. The strain was beginning to
+tell, but so far nobody had thought of letting up in the least.
+
+But now Tom saw two of Rockley's men "getting their wind" as it is
+called. They still held on to the rope, but were hardly pulling at all.
+
+"Up!" cried Tom suddenly, and his men went up like a flash. "Down!"
+came the cry, an instant later, and down they went, before Rockley's
+men could recover.
+
+"Hurrah! the Rovers have gained four inches!" came the shout. And then
+those who favored that team set up a cheer.
+
+It was true, the rope had shifted over four inches. Rockley was angry,
+but could do nothing.
+
+"Mind yourselves, Wilson and Brady!" he whispered. "Don't let up a
+minute."
+
+"I didn't let up," growled Wilson. "It was Chambers."
+
+"Not much!" growled Chambers. "I wasn't--"
+
+"Up!" cried Tom again. "Down! Up! Pull, pull! pull! Down!"
+
+Up and down went the team twice, the second time hauling the rope
+forward over a foot. Then they went down once more and anchored as
+firmly as ever.
+
+"Good!" shouted Sam enthusiastically. "You're doing it, boys! Keep it
+up!"
+
+"Are they?" sneered Lew Flapp. "Just you wait and see."
+
+He had a little roll of paper in his hand, and watching his opportunity
+he blew the contents into the air, directly over the team led by Tom
+Rover. The paper contained pepper and it set several of Tom's men to
+sneezing.
+
+This trick had been arranged between Flapp and Rockley, the latter
+feeling certain that Tom and his followers could not sneeze and pull at
+the same time.
+
+"Up!" yelled Rockley. "Pull! pull! pull!"
+
+"Stay down!" roared Tom. "Down! Don't give in an inch!"
+
+But the cry could not be obeyed. Half the team was up and sneezing and
+before order could be restored the rope had gone over to the Rockleys'
+side a distance of two and a half feet.
+
+"Hurrah, the Rockleys are winning!" yelled Ben Hurdy. "Haul 'em over,
+boys!"
+
+"Down!" ordered Tom.
+
+"What on earth made the men sneeze?" demanded Dick, gazing around
+sharply.
+
+"Smells like pepper," replied Major Larry Colby, who was close at hand.
+
+"Would anybody be mean enough to use that?"
+
+"Perhaps."
+
+"Up!" cried Rockley once more. "Pull! pull! pull!"
+
+His team gave a savage haul as ordered, and up came Tom's men in spite
+of themselves. Then began a tug of war in dead earnest, with the rope
+nearly three feet in the Rockleys' favor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+A SWIM AND SOME SNAKES
+
+
+The majority of the cadets were now inclined to think that Rockley's
+team would win the contest. They had seen Tom's followers sneezing,
+but thought this might come from the dampness of the ground.
+
+"Don't give in, Tom!" cried Sam, dancing around. "You've got to beat
+him!"
+
+"Bah! you act like a monkey," said Lew Flapp. "Rockley's fellows are
+bound to win."
+
+In the meantime the rope was moving rapidly backward and forward. Once
+Rockley and his men had Tom's team dangerously close to the line. But
+Tom ordered a drop and there the team clung, refusing to budge an inch
+further.
+
+"Time is almost up," said George Strong. "Three minutes more!"
+
+"Up!" cried Rockley.
+
+"Up and pull for all you are worth!" cried Tom. "Pull, I tell you! Make
+every ounce of muscle count!"
+
+And pull Tom's team did as never before, and Tom with them, watching
+for the first sign of returning weakness. But the team was now on its
+mettle and made the Rockleys come over the line in spite of the frantic
+orders from Rockley himself to drop.
+
+"It's ours!" screamed Tom, and with a final haul brought the opponents
+over the line with a rush. Rockley, flat on his back on the grass,
+trying in vain to dig his heels into the soil, and the others
+floundering just as vainly.
+
+A cheer went up for Tom's team, while Rockley and his followers left
+the field in disgust.
+
+"It was well won, Tom!" said Dick enthusiastically. "I never saw a
+better tug of war in my life."
+
+"I'd like to know who threw that pepper," answered Tom, with an angry
+glance toward Lew Flapp and his cronies.
+
+"Did somebody throw pepper?" asked Mr. Strong.
+
+"I think they did, although I'm not sure. Anyway, something came along
+and made the most of us sneeze."
+
+"It's too bad, Rover. I'll try to make sure of this," said the teacher.
+But though he made an investigation nothing came of it.
+
+Some of the cadets were so delighted with the success of Tom's team
+that they took Tom on their shoulders and marched around the entire
+encampment with him.
+
+"I tell you, Rockley feels sore," said Sam, a little later.
+
+"Around the belt?" asked Tom with a grin.
+
+"I mean in his mind. He and Lew Flapp are having a regular quarrel over
+the contest. I guess Flapp lost some money."
+
+"Perhaps, if he has, it will cure him of betting," put in Dick.
+
+Sam and Tom had received permission to go to the upper end of the lake
+in one of the rowboats on the following afternoon. Songbird Powell and
+Fred Garrison went along, and all took their fishing outfits and plenty
+of bait.
+
+"Bring home a nice mess of fish," said Dick, on parting with his
+brothers. "Sorry I can't go with you."
+
+"Oh, you'll have company enough," declared Sam. "I heard that some of
+the country folks are going to visit the encampment to-day and perhaps
+those Staton girls will be among them."
+
+The four boys were soon on the way, two rowing at a time. The weather
+was ideal, and the water as smooth as that of a mill pond.
+
+"What a beautiful spot this is," declared Fred, as they glided long.
+"I'm sure Captain Putnam could not have selected a better."
+
+"I have already gotten some splendid pictures," returned Powell, who
+possessed a good snap-shot camera, now lying on the stern seat of the
+boat. "I'm going to take some more pictures to-day."
+
+On the way to the upper end of the lake Sam did a little fishing and
+brought in one bass of fair size.
+
+"This makes a fellow feel like a true poet," murmured Powell, gazing
+dreamily at the water, and then he went on:
+
+  "I love to glide,
+   By the green-clad side
+   Of the glassy lake,
+   And there to take
+   My ease with book
+   Or line and hook,
+   And spend the day
+   Far, far away
+   From care and toil,
+   On Nature's soil."
+
+"Just to listen to Songbird!" cried Tom. "He grinds it out like a
+regular sausage-making machine," and then he went on gayly:
+
+  "I love to swim,
+   In Nature's soil,
+   By the green-clad side,
+   Of a mountain wide,
+   And there to bake,
+   My little toes,
+   On a garden rose,
+   And take a hose,
+   And wet the lake
+   With a hot snowflake,
+   In the middle of June--
+   If that isn't too soon--
+   And sail to the moon
+   In a big balloon--"
+
+"Oh, Tom, let up!" roared Fred. "Talk about a sausage-making machine--"
+
+  "And when in the moon,
+   I'd drive a stake,
+   And tie my lake
+   Fast to a star,
+   Or a trolley car,
+   Then jump in a sack
+   And ride right back--"
+
+  "To where you belong,
+   And stop that song!"
+
+finished Sam. "Oh, but that's the worst yet. Shall we duck him, Fred?"
+
+"No, don't pollute the water," answered Garrison.
+
+"He ought to be ducked," came from Powell, in disgust. "Whenever I have
+a poetic streak--"
+
+"It's catching, as the fly-paper said to the fly," finished Tom. "Let's
+call it square and take a new tack. Who's in for a swim when we reach
+the end of the lake?"
+
+"I am!" was the united cry from the others. They were passing several
+small islands and now came to another turn in Bass Lake. Just beyond
+this was a small sandy beach, backed up by a mass of rocks and
+brushwood.
+
+"That looks like a good place for a swim," said Powell, forgetting all
+about his so-called poetry.
+
+"Suits me," returned Tom. "Let's pull ashore and tie the boat fast, and
+I'll put up--"
+
+"A peanut reward for the first fellow in," finished Fred. "Caught you
+that time, Tom, just as you caught Songbird with his doggerel."
+
+As happy as any boys could be, the four cadets tied up their boat. In
+doing this one started to splash in the water, followed by another, and
+as a consequence before the cutting-up came to a finish the seats of
+the craft were pretty well wetted.
+
+"Never mind," said Tom. "They'll soon dry in the sun. We can put our
+clothes on the rocks."
+
+The boys were soon in the water and having a most glorious time. The
+lake was fairly deep off the end of the boat and here they took turns
+at diving. Fred and Songbird also went in for a race, the former coming
+in only a few feet ahead.
+
+"I guess we had better dress now and try our hand at fishing," said Sam
+after nearly an hour had passed.
+
+"One more dive!" cried Tom and took one full of grace, to the very
+bottom of the lake.
+
+As Tom came up to the surface he heard a cry from Sam, quickly followed
+by a yell from Fred.
+
+"What's up?" he called out, swimming toward the shore.
+
+"Land on the boat, Tom!" cried Sam, and leaped into the craft, followed
+by Fred and Powell.
+
+"All right; but what is wrong?" asked Tom, and climbed tip over the
+stern.
+
+"We can't get our clothes."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Look for yourself."
+
+Tom looked and gave a low whistle of astonishment. And not without good
+reason, for there on the rocks where they had left their garments
+rested a big black snake!
+
+"This is interesting truly," murmured the boy, gazing at his companions
+in dismay.
+
+"I'm going to get a rock and throw it at the snake," said Sam.
+
+A stone was close to the boat, and watching his chance, he picked it up
+and threw it at the reptile.
+
+The snake darted to one side. It was merely grazed by the rock and now
+it hissed viciously.
+
+The hiss appeared to be a signal, and in a moment more another snake
+and then another appeared, until fully a dozen reptiles each a yard or
+more in length covered the rocks where all of the cadets' wearing
+apparel rested!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+A GLIMPSE OF AN OLD ENEMY
+
+
+"We are in a pickle now and no mistake!" groaned Fred Garrison. He
+hated snakes as much as he did poison.
+
+"It's certainly bad," declared Songbird Powell. "I wonder what we had
+best do?"
+
+"Has anybody got a pistol?"
+
+Nobody had, nor was there any weapon handy outside of a jackknife and a
+fishing rod.
+
+"If we only had a shot-gun," sighed Sam.
+
+"But we haven't one and we must do the best we can without it,"
+answered Tom. "Songbird, supposing you try to charm 'em with some of
+that soothing poetry of yours. Or take a picture of 'em."
+
+"This is no joke," growled Powell. "I want my clothes."
+
+"Well, go ahead and take 'em--I shan't stop you."
+
+"I'm going to get another rock," said Sam.
+
+"Let us all get stones," suggested Tom. "Then we can throw together."
+
+This was thought to be a good idea, and soon the stones were secured
+and each cadet took careful aim.
+
+Three of the snakes were hit, one quite seriously. These retreated, but
+the other snakes remained as defiant as ever.
+
+"There must be a nest under the rocks," said Tom. "Were that not so I
+am sure the snakes would leave at once."
+
+"I've got another idea!" cried Fred. "Why didn't we think of it
+before?"
+
+"I haven't thought of it yet, Fred," grinned Tom. "What is it?"
+
+"Let us take our fishing rods and tie one fast to another. Then we can
+turn the boat around and go fishing on the rocks for our clothes."
+
+"That's the talk," rejoined Powell. "A good idea, Fred."
+
+Three of the rods were pieced together, making a fishing pole over
+thirty feet long. The boat was then swung around, and while two kept
+the craft in place the others went fishing for the clothing.
+
+The task was not so easy as it looked, and the snakes whipped around
+and hissed in a most alarming fashion. More than once they had a coat
+or other garment on the pole only to drop it again. But they persevered
+and soon had everything on board but Fred's shirt and one of Tom's
+shoes.
+
+"Here comes the shirt," cried Tom, at last, and landed the garment in
+the bow of the rowboat.
+
+"And a snake with it!" screamed Sam. "Look out, everybody!"
+
+Sam was right, the snake was there and in a trice was whipping around
+under the seat.
+
+"Stamp on him, Fred!" cried Tom, and Garrison, who had his shoes on,
+did so. Then Tom caught the reptile by the tail and flung it into the
+lake.
+
+After this there was but little trouble in getting the remaining shoe,
+and with this aboard they sent the rowboat out into the lake and lost
+no time in finishing their dressing.
+
+"This was a truly horrible experience," was Sam's comment, after the
+excitement had died down. "Gracious, I feel as if the snakes were
+crawling around me this minute!"
+
+"Don't say that," said Fred with a shudder. "You make me feel as if
+there was another snake in my shirt."
+
+"The best thing to do is to forget the snakes," put in Songbird Powell.
+"Let us row around to the other side of the lake."
+
+All were willing, and soon the vicinity was left far behind. Then they
+came to where a fair sized brook flowed into Bass Lake, and here they
+came to anchor and began to fish, while Powell took several
+photographs.
+
+"I have always found it good fishing near a brook like that," said Tom.
+"The fish come around looking for food from the brook."
+
+Tom's remark was evidently true, for in less than an hour each of the
+boys had a good sized string of fish to his credit.
+
+In the excitement of the sport the cadets forgot all about the
+adventure with the snakes, nor did they pay much attention to the
+flight of time until Fred Garrison glanced at his watch.
+
+"Gee Christopher!" he ejaculated.
+
+"What time is it?" asked Powell.
+
+"Half-past four."
+
+"And we promised to be back at five-thirty!" put in Sam. "We'll have to
+hustle, fellows."
+
+"Oh, we can get back in an hour easily enough," put in Tom.
+
+"But we've got to clean out the boat and clean up ourselves," came from
+Fred. "Come, fellows, wind up and put away your hooks and poles."
+
+He started and the others followed. Then Fred and Powell took the oars,
+and the return to camp was begun. Not caring to go back the same way
+they had come, they sped along the opposite shore of the lake, where
+were located several coves and cliffs of rock.
+
+"This is as pretty as the other shore," remarked Songbird. And he
+began:
+
+"Oh, dreamy days in summer time,
+   When purling brooks and shady nooks--"
+
+"If you start up again I'll jump overboard," interrupted Tom.
+
+"Do so, you need a cooling off," grunted Powell; but that was the end
+of the poetry for the time being.
+
+They were just passing one of the coves when they caught sight of a man
+sitting on an overhanging tree, fishing.
+
+"Hullo, what luck?" cried Fred, good-naturedly.
+
+"Fair," was the somewhat surly answer. Then, as the man caught sight of
+the others in the boat, he turned his head away.
+
+"That fellow looks familiar to me," ejaculated Sam, in sudden and
+strong excitement.
+
+"And he looks familiar to me, too," exclaimed Tom.
+
+"Do you think it is Arnold Baxter?"
+
+"If it isn't, it's his double," went on Tom. "Row the boat over quick,
+boys."
+
+"Who is this Arnold Baxter? The father of Dan Baxter?" questioned Fred.
+
+"The same, Fred."
+
+"The fellow who escaped from prison, or the hospital?" asked Powell.
+
+"That's the chap."
+
+Without delay the rowboat was turned in toward the overhanging tree.
+
+Scarcely had this been done when the fisherman pulled in his line with
+all speed, took up his string of fish and ran into the bushes between
+two cliffs of rocks.
+
+"He is getting out, and in a hurry too!" said Fred.
+
+"Hi, there, stop! We want to talk to you!" sang out Tom, at the top of
+his lungs.
+
+"Ain't got time," roared back the strange fisherman, and on the instant
+he was gone.
+
+"It must have been Arnold Baxter, beyond a doubt," said Sam.
+
+"If it was, what is he doing here?" questioned his brother.
+
+"He's keeping out of the reach of the law," answered Powell. "I suppose
+he thought he was perfectly safe in such an out-of-the-way place as
+this."
+
+"And he was fishing just to kill time," put in Fred.
+
+"I'd like to go after him and make sure," went on Tom. "What do you
+say, Sam?"
+
+"I am with you."
+
+"But we may be late--" began Fred.
+
+"Oh, Captain Putnam will excuse us when I tell him what delayed us."
+
+The rowboat soon reached the shore, and Sam and Tom leaped to the
+brushwood, where the trail of the vanished fisherman was plainly to be
+seen.
+
+It was decided that Fred and Powell should remain in charge of the
+rowboat, so that nobody might come and make off with the craft. Leaving
+their fishing outfits behind them the two Rover boys struck out through
+the bushes, and soon gained a narrow forest path running through the
+woods that skirted this section of Bass Lake.
+
+"I wish we could catch Baxter," said Tom, on the way. "It would be a
+feather in our cap, Sam."
+
+"We must be careful. More than likely he is armed, and he won't
+hesitate to shoot if he is cornered."
+
+"Oh, I know that. The most we can do is to follow him until we reach
+some place where we can summon assistance."
+
+The path led deeper and deeper into the woods and then along a
+fairsized brook. They kept their eyes wide open, but could see nothing
+excepting a number of birds and an occasional squirrel or chipmunk.
+Once they heard the distant bark of a fox and this was the only sound
+that broke the stillness.
+
+"It's rather a lonely place," said Sam, after a silence lasting several
+minutes. "I must say I shouldn't like to meet Arnold Baxter here
+alone."
+
+"For all we know he may be watching us from behind some tree."
+
+Several times they got down to examine the path. Footprints could be
+seen quite plainly, but neither of the boys was expert enough at
+trailing to tell whether these prints had been made recently or not.
+
+"It would take an Indian scout to make sure of these footmarks," said
+Tom. "They are beyond me."
+
+"Let us go a bit further," returned his brother. "Then if we don't see
+anything, we may as well go back to the lake."
+
+"Hark!"
+
+They listened intently and at a distance heard a crashing in the
+brushwood.
+
+"That sounded as if somebody had jumped across the brook, Tom!"
+
+"Just what I should say, Sam. Come on!"
+
+Again they went forward, a distance of thirty or forty yards. At this
+point the path seemed to dwindle down to little or nothing.
+
+"We have come to the end of the trail," was Tom's comment, as he gazed
+around sharply.
+
+"Do you see anything?" queried his brother.
+
+"Nothing much. One or two of the bushes over yonder seem to be brushed
+aside and broken."
+
+"What do you think we had best do now?"
+
+"Listen!"
+
+Both remained silent for several minutes, but nothing out of the
+ordinary reached their ears.
+
+"We may as well give it up, Sam. It is growing dark and there is no
+telling where this search would lead us. We might even get lost in the
+woods."
+
+They retraced their steps as quickly as they could to where they had
+left the rowboat.
+
+"What luck?" queried Fred.
+
+"None; he got away from us."
+
+"It's too bad," said Powell; and then the return to the camp was made
+without further delay.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+MORE RIVALRY
+
+
+"Do you mean to tell me that you saw Arnold Baxter?" exclaimed Dick,
+after listening to Sam and Tom's story.
+
+"We did," replied the youngest Rover. "There was no mistake?"
+
+"If it wasn't Arnold Baxter do you think he would take such pains to
+get out of our reach?" asked Tom.
+
+"That is true, Tom. But it seems so unnatural. What can he be doing in
+this out-of-the-way place?"
+
+"As Powell says, he must be keeping out of the reach of the law.
+Perhaps he expects to keep shady until this affair blows over."
+
+"As if it would blow over!" cried Sam. "Dick, we ought to do
+something."
+
+Captain Putnam had already learned why the four cadets had been late in
+returning to camp. The Rovers now went to consult him further.
+
+"I agree, something should be done," said the captain. "Perhaps you had
+better go to the nearest telegraph office, Richard, and telegraph to
+your folks. You might also get some of the local authorities to take up
+the hunt for this criminal."
+
+"Who are the local authorities?"
+
+"I really don't know, but we can find out at Oakville."
+
+In the end Dick and Tom received permission to leave camp for an
+indefinite time. Late as it was, they hurried to Oakville and caught
+the telegraph operator at the little railroad station just as he was
+shutting up for the night.
+
+Having sent the message to their father they made inquiries of the
+operator and learned that the town boasted of a Judge Perkins and that
+the local constable was Munro Staton.
+
+"Do you mean the farmer who lives down on the road to Bass Lake?" asked
+Dick. "The man who has twin daughters?"
+
+"That's the man."
+
+"Why, he was in camp to-day, with his daughters," cried Dick. "Wish I
+had known of this before. I might have hired him to make a hunt for the
+fellow we are after. Where does that judge live?"
+
+"Sorry, but he went to New York yesterday and won't be back for several
+days."
+
+The boys said no more, but without delay turned away from Oakville and
+made their way to the Staton farmhouse.
+
+"Hullo! I didn't expect to see you again to-day!" exclaimed Munro
+Staton, as he opened the door for them. "Come in."
+
+They entered, to find the girls sewing and Mrs. Staton darning
+stockings. Mr. Staton had been reading his favorite weekly newspaper.
+
+"We have come on a very important errand, Mr. Staton," began Dick. "We
+have been down to Oakville and learned there that you are the local
+police officer."
+
+"Ah! Do you want somebody arrested?"
+
+"If it can be done."
+
+"Somebody at the camp?" put in Helen.
+
+"No, I wish he was at the camp," said Tom. "But I'm afraid he is miles
+away."
+
+All of the Statons were interested and listened to the tale Tom and
+Dick had to tell with close attention.
+
+"Seems to me I've heard of this Baxter and his son," said Munro Staton,
+scratching his head. "How does he look?"
+
+As well as he was able Tom described the man, while Dick took a sheet
+of paper and a pencil and made a rough but life-like sketch of the
+individual.
+
+"Why, you are quite an artist!" said Alice Staton as she gazed at the
+picture. "I'm sure I'd recognize that man if I met him."
+
+"So would I," added her father. "Can I keep this picture?"
+
+"To be sure," replied Dick. "Now, Mr. Staton, to come to business. What
+are your services as constable worth a day?"
+
+"Oh, about two or two dollars and a half."
+
+"Well if you will start a hunt for this man Baxter at once I'll
+guarantee you three dollars per day for a week or two, and if you
+succeed in landing him in jail I'll guarantee you a reward of one
+hundred dollars. I know my father will pay that amount willingly."
+
+"And if he won't, I will," said Tom.
+
+"You must be rich."
+
+"We are fairly rich, Mr. Staton. This man is a great criminal and has
+been an enemy to our family for years. We don't want to see him at
+large."
+
+"Well, I'll take the job and do the best I can for you," said Munro
+Staton and arose to his feet. "My hired man can run the farm while I am
+gone."
+
+He said he knew the spot where the boys had first seen Arnold Baxter,
+and he would visit it at sunrise the next day and take up the trail as
+best he could.
+
+"That trail through the woods used to lead to the village of Hopdale,"
+he said. "Perhaps I'll learn something about him over there."
+
+"I sincerely hope that you do," returned Dick.
+
+The boys, and especially Tom, were worn out with traveling and readily
+consented to borrow a horse from Munro Staton, on which to ride back to
+camp. The steed was returned early in the morning.
+
+"It's rather a wild-goose chase," said Dick, in talking matters over
+with his brothers. "But I don't know of anything else to do. Mr. Staton
+may catch Baxter quicker than a metropolitan detective could do the
+job."
+
+Three days passed, and during that time the boys received two telegrams
+from home, stating they should do as they thought best in the Baxter
+affair, and that a detective was on the way. Then the detective
+appeared at the camp and followed Munro Staton on the hunt for the
+missing criminal. But the search by both men proved useless, and
+nothing more was seen of Arnold Baxter for the time being.
+
+The cadets had arranged for a series of athletic contests, to come off
+at the beginning of the following week. There was to be broad and high
+jumping, and running, as well as throwing the hammer. All of the
+students were interested, and for some time these contests formed the
+total subject of conversation.
+
+The cadets to enter for the various events, eight in number, were those
+already introduced in these pages and a dozen or fifteen in addition,
+all lively, wide-awake youths, each of whom looked as if he would do
+his best to win.
+
+In a manner not to be easily explained, the camp divided itself into
+two factions, one led by Dick and Major Larry, and the other led by Lew
+Flapp and Pender. To the former belonged the Rovers and their numerous
+chums, and to the latter Rockley, Ben Hurdy, and boys of a similar
+turn. Each crowd had one or more followers entered for every event and,
+as before, numerous wagers were made as to which person and which crowd
+would win.
+
+Dick had entered for the high jump, Tom for the hammer throwing, and
+Sam for a half mile race for cadets of his own class. The boys
+practiced a good deal, although not always where the others could see
+what they were doing.
+
+The day for the contests was a perfect one and as news of the events
+had traveled to Oakville and other places, quite a respectable crowd of
+outsiders came to the camp to witness the affair.
+
+"I hope you Rover boys win," said Alice Staton, who had come with her
+twin sister and her mother in a buggy.
+
+"Thank you," returned Dick politely. "We shall certainly do our best.
+But you must remember that we have some first-class athletes at this
+academy."
+
+"Oh, I don't doubt it. All academies have them," put in Helen Staton.
+
+The first event to come off was the hammer throwing, to take place in
+the middle of the parade ground. There were four entries for this, Tom,
+as already mentioned, Jackson, Powell, and a big boy named Larson.
+
+Larson, who belonged to the Flapp crowd, was looked on as the probable
+winner, for he handled the hammer exceedingly well. But Jackson could
+also throw, as the others well knew. Nothing was known about the skill
+of Tom or Powell in this direction.
+
+The contest began with a throw by Powell. It was not very good and
+Jackson outdistanced him by three feet.
+
+"That's the style, Jackson!" cried Lew Flapp. "Show 'em what you can
+do."
+
+"This is the day our crowd comes out on top," put in Pender.
+
+"Crowing rather early, seems to me," came from Fred Garrison dryly.
+
+It was now Tom's turn and he threw the hammer with all the force at his
+command. It fell just beyond the point reached by Jackson.
+
+"Good for you, Tom!" cried Sam. "That's the way to do it."
+
+"Humph! Just wait till Larson takes his turn," came from a Flapp
+follower.
+
+Larson stepped to the mark with the air of one who knows just what he
+is doing. Up went the hammer with a long swing--to land in the very spot
+where Tom had thrown it.
+
+"A tie! A tie!" was the cry.
+
+"Well done, Larson!" came from Lew Flapp, but he was by no means
+satisfied over the showing made.
+
+Being tied, it was necessary for Tom and Larson to throw once more, and
+again Tom took his position at the mark.
+
+"Be careful, Tom," whispered Dick. "Take your time."
+
+Again the hammer swung up into the air and went sailing forward.
+
+"Hurrah, eight inches beyond his first mark!" came the cry.
+
+"Larson will have to hump himself to beat that!"
+
+It was now Larson's turn and he stepped to the mark with a quick,
+earnest air. He realized that he must do his best if he expected to
+beat Tom.
+
+Jackson had picked up the hammer and he it was who had handed the
+article to Tom.
+
+As Larson swung the hammer on high Tom cried out quickly:
+
+"Stop!"
+
+"What's the matter with you?" cried Jackson uglily.
+
+"I want Captain Putnam to examine that hammer."
+
+"There ain't nothing wrong with it."
+
+"Possibly not. But please remember that I used the one marked A."
+
+"So did I," came from Powell.
+
+Captain Putnam brushed forward.
+
+"I will look at that hammer, please," he said to Larson quietly. He
+knew that the cadets had several hammers for practicing throwing in the
+camp.
+
+"I--I guess it's all right," faltered Larson. "This hammer is marked B."
+
+"B!" cried Tom. "That B hammer is about half a pound lighter than the
+one marked A."
+
+"It ain't so!" yelled Jackson.
+
+"Let me see the hammer marked A," said the captain, and it was brought
+from the spot where Jackson had thrown it. "It is certainly heavier
+than this one," he went on. "Jackson, what do you mean by making such a
+substitution?"
+
+"I--er--I didn't know there was any difference."
+
+"But why did you make the change at all?"
+
+"I--er--I knew Larson liked this hammer better. The handle just suits
+him."
+
+"That is so," replied Larson blandly.
+
+"We will try the contest over again," said Captain Putnam. "And every
+contestant will use the hammer marked A."
+
+"I don't like the hammer marked A," grumbled Larson.
+
+"I would just as lief use the hammer marked B," said Tom quickly.
+
+"So would I," added Powell, who felt he could not win anyway.
+
+"Very well then, we will use the hammer marked B," said Captain Putnam.
+"And after this, Jackson, be sure of what you are doing," he added
+sharply, and at the words the boy who had tried to work such a mean
+trick was glad enough to slink back out of sight as much as possible.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+WINNING THE CONTESTS
+
+
+Powell was again the first to throw the hammer and this time it went
+two feet beyond his first mark.
+
+"Good for you, Songbird!" said Tom. "I wish you had made it a yard."
+
+Jackson came up with a scowling face. He did his best, but this time
+fell behind Powell by four inches.
+
+"You ought to have stuck to the other hammer, Jackson," laughed the
+youth who composed songs.
+
+"Don't you throw that up to me!" whispered Jackson fiercely. "If you do
+I'll hammer you for it."
+
+"Is that meant for a pun, Jackson?"
+
+"No, it ain't. I won't stand being slurred. I'll pound you good."
+
+"With the hammer?"
+
+"No, with my fists."
+
+"Really? Well, you'll have to spell able first." Tom came next, as
+before, and now the hammer flew out four feet and nine inches beyond
+his first mark.
+
+"That shows what the other hammer can do," said Major Larry.
+
+Larson was as much out of sorts as Jackson, but nevertheless he
+resolved to do his best to win the contest. Up went the hammer with a
+mighty swing and circled through the air. But the throw was behind that
+of Tom by fourteen inches.
+
+"Hurrah! Tom Rover wins!" was the cry, and many rushed forward to
+congratulate him, while Larson and Jackson retired as quickly as they
+could and in great disgust.
+
+The next contest was a dash of two hundred yards and was won by a boy
+named Bird.
+
+"He's a bird!" sang out Tom loudly, and at this the crowd laughed
+heartily.
+
+Then came a race of a quarter of a mile for the little cadets and this
+was won by Harry Moss, with Joe Davis a close second. Lew Flapp had
+backed up Ben Hurdy, but cigarettes had done their work on Hurdy and
+his wind gave out long before the race came to a finish.
+
+"Good for you, Harry," said Dick, slapping the little cadet on the
+back. "That was a fine run you made. And your run was almost as good,
+Joe," he added, to Davis.
+
+"I don't care if I did lose," panted Davis. "Both of us beat Ben Hurdy
+hollow, and that's all I wanted to do."
+
+"Oh, there's no moss growing on Moss," cried Tom, and this brought out
+another laugh.
+
+The next contest to come off was the high jump, for which Dick had
+entered, along with Pender, Rockley, and four others, including Hans
+Mueller. What had possessed the German boy to enter was beyond finding
+out, for he could scarcely jump at all. Yet many, for the fun of it,
+told him they thought he would surely win.
+
+"Oh, you'll outjump everybody," said Sam. "None of 'em will come
+anywhere near you."
+
+"Dot's it! Dot's it!" cried Hans excitedly. "I vos chump so high like
+nefer vos, ain't it?"
+
+A lad named Lemon was the first to go over the bar, at a height of four
+feet and two inches. Another cadet followed, going him two inches
+better.
+
+"Now, Hans, see what you can do," said Major Larry.
+
+"Vos it mine turn to chump?"
+
+"Yes. Are you ready?"
+
+"Sure I vos."
+
+"How high up shall they place the stick?"
+
+"Apout like dot," and Hans pointed to the top of his head.
+
+"All right, fellows, up she goes!" sang out Tom, and the stick went up.
+
+Hans spat on his hands as if going to lift something. Then he squared
+his shoulders and drew far back from the jumping place.
+
+"Gif me lots of room, eferypotty!" he sang out.
+
+"All the room you want, Dutchy!" cried one of the cadets.
+
+Away Hans started for the stick, running as swiftly as his short legs
+would carry him. When about ten feet away he made a wild leap, stuck up
+both legs in the air, and came down flat on his back with a loud whack.
+
+"Hurrah, Hans wins!" cried Tom. "Best fall I've seen in a year!"
+
+"Wh--who--vat--" gasped Hans, trying to recover his wind. "Who knocked
+me der pack ofer annahow?"
+
+"Nobody hit you, Hans."
+
+"Who put geese grease der groundt on ver I run, hey?"
+
+"Nobody."
+
+"Well, did I knock der stick town?"
+
+"No, you didn't come anywhere near the stick."
+
+"Do I got some more trials?"
+
+"I think, Mueller, that you had better retire," said Captain Putnam
+with a smile. "High jumping does not seem to agree with you."
+
+"Maype dot's so, captain. Veil, I ton't care annahow. I vill drow der
+hammer ven ve haf some more of dem kondests," and then Hans dropped to
+the rear.
+
+Rockley was the next to jump, and his record was an inch better than
+that already made.
+
+"That's all right," said Lew Flapp.
+
+Two other pupils now took their turns in jumping and Rockley's record
+was speedily eclipsed. Then Dick came along and sent the record still
+higher.
+
+"That's the talk, Dick," said Tom enthusiastically. "I don't think
+Pender can do as well."
+
+"Can't I," sneered Pender. "I'll show you."
+
+On he came, measuring his distance with care, and went over the stick
+at the same height Dick had taken.
+
+"Another tie!" was the cry.
+
+The last boy to jump did not do as well as Rockley, so the contest was
+voted a tie between Dick and Gus Pender.
+
+"Now, Dick, you must win," said Sam.
+
+"You think a good lot of his ability," sneered Lew Flapp, who stood
+close by, and started to walk off.
+
+He had scarcely taken a step when Dick gave him a quick shove that sent
+the tall boy flat on his face.
+
+"I'll teach you to step on my foot, Lew Flapp!" he cried hotly.
+
+"What's the trouble?" demanded several, while Mr. Strong came forward
+to investigate.
+
+"Lew Flapp stepped on my right foot, and he did it just as hard as he
+could," said Dick.
+
+"I--I didn't," growled Flapp.
+
+"I say you did--and what is more, I think you did it on purpose."
+
+"He did it to lame you, so you couldn't jump against Pender," came from
+Tom.
+
+"Flapp, did you step on Rover's foot on purpose?" demanded George
+Strong.
+
+"No, sir--didn't step on it at all."
+
+"It is very strange. Rover says you did."
+
+"He is mistaken."
+
+"I am not mistaken. That is why I shoved him away, Mr. Strong."
+
+"Is your foot hurt?"
+
+"I don't think it is. But it didn't do it any good to have it stepped
+on."
+
+"Probably not. Do you still wish to jump?"
+
+"Yes, sir. If I don't, some of the crowd will say I am afraid," said
+Dick.
+
+"In the future, Flapp, be more careful," said George Strong
+significantly.
+
+"By Jinks! but the Flapp crowd are dandies!" whispered Tom. "First
+Jackson tried to change the hammers and now Flapp himself tries to
+disable you. We must be on our guard after this."
+
+"That's true," replied his elder brother, and Sam nodded.
+
+Because of Dick's hurt foot it was decided that Gus Pender should jump
+first. Pender did his best, clearing the stick by two inches better
+than before.
+
+"Put it up an inch higher," cried Dick, and made the jump, despite a
+pain in the instep that was by no means pleasant. Then Pender tried
+again, but failed, and Dick was declared the winner.
+
+"This is the day for the Rovers!" cried one cadet, and a cheer for Tom
+and Dick followed, while the Staton girls waved their handkerchiefs
+wildly.
+
+After this came several other contests, in each of which the crowd
+pitted against the Flapp faction won. This made Lew Flapp, Rockley,
+Pender, Jackson and a number of others feel very sore.
+
+"We must win something," cried Pender fiercely. "If we don't we'll be
+the laughing stock of the whole academy."
+
+At last came the half mile race for which Sam had entered. Now, though
+Lew Flapp was much larger than most of the others, he was in the same
+class as Sam, and he had also entered this race, which boasted of ten
+contestants, including William Philander Tubbs.
+
+"You have got to win this, Lew," said Rockley. "It ought to be easy
+for you, with such long legs."
+
+"I mean to win and leave that Rover boy so far behind he'll feel sick,"
+answered Flapp.
+
+Sam had but little to say. But he knew that both Tom and Dick expected
+him to win, and he resolved to "do or die" as the saying goes.
+
+"Even if I lose they shan't say I didn't try," the youngest Rover told
+himself.
+
+Out on the field William Philander Tubbs was strutting around
+boastfully.
+
+"I can't help but win, don't you know," he drawled. "Running is exactly
+in my line."
+
+"Oh, what a whopper!" was Fred Garrison's comment. "Tubbs is about as
+lazy as they make 'em."
+
+Soon all of the contestants were ready, and George Strong explained the
+conditions of the race.
+
+"You are to run along the shore to the big rock where Lieutenant
+Merrick is stationed," he said. "You are to round the rock by running
+to the right, and you must keep to the right of the path on returning,
+so that you won't run into anybody. The first to reach this mark on the
+return wins the race. Do you understand?"
+
+The runners said that they did.
+
+"Very well then. Get ready. Go!"
+
+Away piled the boys in a line that did not break for several yards.
+Then Sam Rover shot ahead, followed by Flapp and two cadets named
+Pigley and Franell.
+
+"There they go!" was the shout.
+
+"Leg it, Sam!" yelled Tom. "Leg it, old man!"
+
+"Go it, Flapp! Don't let them win this race!"
+
+"It's yours if you want it, Franell!"
+
+"Remember how you won the race at Ithaca, Pigley!"
+
+So the cries went on, while the outsiders cheered for nobody in
+particular.
+
+"Oh, I hope that Rover boy wins," said Alice Staton to her sister.
+
+"So do I," answered Helen.
+
+"By Jove, but I think I'll rest a bit!" panted William Philander Tubbs,
+after running a couple of hundred yards, and he sat down on the grass,
+while the crowd laughed at him.
+
+Sam was keeping the lead in good shape, although hard pressed by Flapp,
+Pigley, and Franell. His wind was good and he was running with a grace
+which brought forth much favorable comment.
+
+"Whether he wins or not, he is the most graceful runner in the school,"
+whispered George Strong to Captain Putnam. "I never saw his equal."
+
+"You are right, Strong," answered the captain. "I'll tell you what," he
+added. "They are a great trio, those Rover boys. One cannot help but
+love them, in spite of their tricks and occasional wrong-doings."
+
+"I agree, Captain Putnam. And I must say I do not find their
+wrong-doings so very great either," concluded George Strong.
+
+The rock that was the turning point in the race was now almost gained.
+Sam still led, but Flapp was right at one shoulder, with Pigley at the
+other. Franell, at a look from Flapp, had dropped behind.
+
+On the rock stood the lieutenant George Strong had mentioned. He was
+friendly to Lew Flapp and as Sam swept around the rock, he leaned
+forward, making the youngest Rover run about a yard further than was
+necessary. Then he allowed Flapp to cut the rock closely.
+
+But Sam was on his mettle and now bounded ahead faster than ever,
+leaving Flapp and Pigley several yards in the rear.
+
+"Confound him," thought Lew Flapp. "He'll win sure, unless Franell does
+as he agreed--good!"
+
+Flapp almost shouted the word, as he saw Sam run into Franell with a
+crash and go down. The other boy had crossed the running path and
+gotten directly into Sam's way.
+
+"I see you are out of it!" cried Flapp gleefully, as he shot by the
+prostrate figure.
+
+"It was a trick!" muttered Sam to himself, and tried to rise to his
+feet. But the wind was knocked completely out of him and before he
+could recover the race was over, and Lew Flapp had come in ahead.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+SAM SHOWS WHAT HE CAN DO
+
+
+"It was another trick. He knocked me down on purpose."
+
+Thus spoke Sam, as soon as he could get a hearing.
+
+"Well, if that isn't beastly!" cried Franell, in apparent surprise. "I
+knocked him over! Why the little clown plumped right into me!
+
+"Were you running on your side of the path?" questioned George Strong.
+
+"I was, sir. Flapp and Pigley can prove it."
+
+"That's right, Mr. Strong," said Lew Flapp.
+
+"It was entirely Rover's fault," added Pigley. "He didn't keep to the
+right as he should."
+
+The other runners were questioned, but could give no testimony, as they
+had not been close enough at the time of the collision.
+
+"It is too bad it happened," said Captain Putnam.
+
+"I would have won if it hadn't been for the fall," said Sam bitterly.
+"I was in the lead."
+
+"Yes, but you were about winded," said Flapp. "I saw you getting
+groggy. That's what made you fall into Franell, I guess."
+
+This remark made the youngest Rover more angry than ever.
+
+"Mr. Strong," he said, turning to the head teacher suddenly, "will you
+do me a favor?"
+
+"What do you wish, Rover?"
+
+"Will you time me if I run that race over again?"
+
+"You mean to run it over alone?"
+
+"Yes, sir--unless Flapp will run against me."
+
+"I've won the race and that's all there is to it," grumbled the tall
+boy doggedly.
+
+"Certainly I'll time you, if you wish it," said Mr. Strong, who saw how
+disappointed Sam was. "But it won't be a race, you know."
+
+"I don't care--I want to show them what I can do."
+
+"Very well."
+
+Sam drew up to the mark and declared himself ready.
+
+"Shall I run with you?" asked Tom. "Just to urge you on, you know?"
+
+"All right, Tom, come on."
+
+"Go!" cried George Strong, watch in hand and his eye on the second
+hand.
+
+Away went the brothers side by side, while a cheer went up from those
+who had wished to see Sam win.
+
+Tom kept close to his brother until the rounding rock was gained and
+here Sam compelled him to drop behind.
+
+"Go on!" yelled Tom good-naturedly. "Go! I'm after you!" and he put on
+an extra spurt. Sam also spurted and kept the lead by about two yards.
+
+"Humph! that ain't running!" muttered Lew Flapp to Rockley, but
+nevertheless, he was greatly disturbed.
+
+Down the line swept the two runners with the speed of the wind, Sam
+keeping his two yards' lead in spite of Tom's efforts to overtake him.
+
+"Won!" was the shout. "And Tom Rover is close behind." And then the
+crowd gathered around George Strong to learn the time.
+
+"Eight seconds better than Lew Flapp!" was the cry. "And Tom Rover came
+in four seconds better!"
+
+"That shows what Sam Rover would have done had Franell kept out of his
+way."
+
+"The race should have gone to Sam Rover!"
+
+So the cries kept up until Captain Putnam compelled the cadets to quiet
+down.
+
+Lew Flapp and his cronies were much disgusted and left the field almost
+immediately.
+
+"He's afraid to stay," declared Dick. "He doesn't want Sam to challenge
+him," and this was the truth.
+
+The foot races were followed by some prize shooting, a race on the
+lake, and then by a tub race, and a race in sacks, which called forth
+much laughter, not only from the cadets, but also from the visitors.
+
+"It was just splendid!" declared Alice Staton to Dick, when it was all
+over. "I never had such a lovely time in my life."
+
+"Nor I," added her twin sister. "But your brother should have had that
+running race. It was a shame to knock him down."
+
+"Never mind," said Tom, who had come up. "All the boys know he can run
+faster than the winner anyway."
+
+A luncheon was served to the visitors by Captain Putnam's order and
+after that the cadets and their newly-made friends were allowed to go
+walking, boating, or driving, as they saw fit. Swings had been erected
+in the grove close to the encampment and these were constantly
+patronized.
+
+"It must be lots of fun to be a cadet," said Alice Staton, when ready
+to depart. "If I was a boy I should want to go to a military academy."
+
+"Oh, it's not all play," said Tom. "We have to work pretty hard over
+our studies and sometimes a fellow doesn't feel like drilling, but has
+to do it all the same."
+
+It can truly be said that the Flapp crowd were much disappointed over
+the results of the day's contests. Only two events had been won--a boat
+race of small importance and the race in which Lew Flapp had come off
+victor, and the latter victory was dimmed by the knowledge that Sam
+Rover had cut down Flapp's time over the course by eight seconds.
+
+"We may as well sell out and go home," said Pender, in deep disgust.
+
+"But we can't go home," returned Rockley. "We've got to stay right here
+and take all the taunts that come along."
+
+"Nobody shall taunt me," cried Jackson. "If they try it I'll punch
+somebody's nose."
+
+"And to think we lost our money, too," said Ben Hurdy, after a pause.
+"That's what makes me sick."
+
+"Reckon you didn't lose much," said Lew Flapp, with a sickly grin.
+
+"I lost all I had, and that's enough."
+
+"Who won it?"
+
+"Hans Mueller. That crazy Dutch boy was yelling for Tom Rover and I
+took him up."
+
+The Flapp crowd did not feel like mingling with the visitors, and at
+the first opportunity Lew Flapp and his intimate cronies slipped away
+from the camp and hurried to the hermit's den they had discovered.
+
+"We'll have a little jollification of our own," said Rockley, and his
+plan was speedily carried into effect, in a fashion which would not
+have been approved by Captain Putnam or any of the teachers under him.
+
+"We must get after Dick Rover," said Flapp, while smoking a
+black-looking cigar. "As a captain he stands pretty high. If we can
+pull him down we'll be striking a blow at the whole Rover family and
+also at their intimate friends."
+
+"Right you are. But the question is, How are we to get hold of him, and
+what are we to do?" put in Jackson.
+
+"I've got a plan, but I don't know exactly how it will work."
+
+"Let us have it, Lew," came from Gus Pender.
+
+"Some dark night we'll go to Rover's tent and haul him from his cot.
+We'll wear masks and he'll think he's in for a bit of hazing and won't
+squeal very loud. Then we can blindfold him and bring him here."
+
+"So far, so good," put in Rockley. "And after that?"
+
+"You know how he hates liquor?"
+
+"Does he, or is it all put on?" questioned Ben Hurdy.
+
+"I can't say as to that, but anyway he pretends to hate it, so it
+amounts to the same thing. Well, after we have him here we can get him
+to drink something by hook or by crook, and when he falls asleep we can
+put an empty bottle in his hand and then somebody can bring Captain
+Putnam to the spot. That will wipe out Dick Rover's record as a model
+pupil all in a minute."
+
+"Good!" almost shouted Rockley. "We can dose him easily. You just leave
+that for me."
+
+"Wish we could get his brothers into it, too," came from Pender.
+
+"Oh, we can serve them out some other way," answered Lew Flapp. "At the
+start, we don't want to bite off more than we can chew," he added
+slangily.
+
+The matter was discussed for fully an hour, and when the meeting broke
+up each member understood fully what was to be accomplished.
+
+Two days after the athletic contests the cadets had a prize drill. The
+cadets had been preparing for this for some time and each company did
+its best to win.
+
+"I am greatly pleased with the showing made by all three companies,"
+said Captain Putnam after the drilling and marching were at an end.
+"Companies B and C have done very well indeed. But for general
+excellence the average of Company A is a little above the others, so
+the prize must go to Captain Rover's command."
+
+"Hurrah for Dick Rover!" was the cry, and this was followed by a cheer
+for First Lieutenant Powell and for Second Lieutenant Tom Rover.
+
+"Humph! Forever cheering those Rovers!" muttered Flapp, who was in
+Company C. "My, but it makes me sick!"
+
+"Never mind," whispered Rockley. "Just wait till we get the chance to
+work our little game."
+
+At once Lew Flapp's face took on a cunning look.
+
+"I've got an idea," he whispered in return. "Why not try it on
+to-night? Then Captain Putnam would say Rover had been celebrating
+because his company won the prize."
+
+"You are right there, Lew, I didn't think of that. Wait till I sound
+the other fellows."
+
+It did not take Rockley long to talk to his cronies, and presently he
+came back with a knowing look on his face.
+
+"It's settled," he said. "By to-morrow morning Dick Rover will be in
+disgrace and will lose his position as captain of Company A."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+A PRISONER OF THE ENEMY
+
+
+Never dreaming of the plot hatched out against him, Dick retired as
+usual that night. Now that the worry over the competitive drill was a
+thing of the past he realized that he was worn out, and scarcely had
+his head touched the pillow than he was in the land of Nod.
+
+His awakening was a rude one. He felt himself raised up, a large towel
+was passed over his face and tied behind his head, and then he was
+dragged from his cot.
+
+"Don't dare to make a sound!" whispered a low voice in his ear. "If you
+do, you'll be struck senseless."
+
+"Hullo, I'm about to be hazed," thought Dick, and it must be admitted
+that he was far from pleased. "They think they are going to do
+something grand to the captain of the company that won the prize. Well,
+not if I can help it," and he began to struggle to free himself.
+
+But his tormentors were too many for him and almost before he knew it
+his hands and his feet were made secure and a sack was drawn over his
+head. Then he was raised up and carried away he knew not to where.
+
+"One thing is certain, they are taking me a long distance from camp,"
+was his thought, when he found himself dumped into a rowboat. "Can they
+be going to the head of the lake?"
+
+The idea of using the boat had been suggested by Jackson, who said it
+would bewilder Dick, so he would not know where he was being taken. And
+Jackson was right, the eldest Rover thought he was a long way from camp
+when he was placed on shore again.
+
+His feet were now unloosed and he was made to march forward until the
+vicinity of the hermit's den was reached. Then he was carried into the
+den and tied fast to a log erected near one of the side walls.
+
+"Take the sack from his head," came in the voice of Lew Flapp, and this
+was done and then the towel was also removed.
+
+For the moment Dick could see nothing, for the glare of a large lantern
+was directly in his face. Then he made out half a dozen or more cadets
+standing around him, each with a red mask over his face, and a red
+skull cap with horns.
+
+"Hullo, this must be a new secret society," he thought. "I've been
+initiated into the Order of Black Skulls, but never into the Order of
+Red Skulls. Wonder what they will want me to do?" There was a moment
+of silence and one of the masked cadets stepped to the front.
+
+"Prisoner, are you prepared to meet your doom?" was the question put in
+a harsh voice.
+
+"Oh, chestnuts!" cried Dick. "I went through that long ago, when I
+first came to Putnam Hall."
+
+"Bow to your superiors," said another voice.
+
+"Where are the superiors?" asked Dick innocently. "I don't see 'em."
+
+"The prisoner is impertinent! Make him bow!"
+
+At once several sprang behind Dick and forced him to move his head up
+and down.
+
+"Let up, my head isn't on a hinge!" he cried. "Cut it short, for I'm
+sleepy."
+
+"Make him drink the poison and at once!" put in another of the masked
+cadets.
+
+The speaker tried to disguise his tones, but the voice sounded much
+like that of Lew Flapp and instantly Dick was on the alert.
+
+"How much do you want me to drink?" he asked cheerfully.
+
+"Only one glass, if you drink it without stopping to sneeze," put in
+another voice, and now Dick was certain that he recognized Rockley.
+
+"These are no friends," he thought. "They are enemies and they intend
+to play me foul."
+
+"How can I drink with my hands tied behind me?" he asked.
+
+"We will hold the glass for you," said another, and Dick felt almost
+sure it was Gus Pender who uttered the words.
+
+"It's the whole Flapp crowd," he mused. "I'm in a pickle and no
+mistake. I suppose they'll half kill me before they let me go."
+
+"Will you drink?" asked another. He was small in size and Dick put him
+down as being Ben Hurdy.
+
+"I want you to untie my hands."
+
+"Very well, let the prisoner hold the glass," said Flapp.
+
+"Thank you, Flapp."
+
+"Who said I was Flapp?" growled the tall boy, in dismay.
+
+"I say so."
+
+"My name is Brown."
+
+"All right then, Brown let it be," said Dick, not wanting to anger the
+bully too much.
+
+The prisoner's hands were untied and a glass containing a dark-colored
+mixture was handed to him. Dick had heard of the "glass of poison"
+before, said glass containing nothing but mud and water well stirred
+up. But now he was suspicious. This glass looked as if it might contain
+something else.
+
+"They'd as soon drug me as not," he thought. "For all I know this may
+be a dose strong enough to make an elephant sick. I don't think I'll
+drink it, no matter what they do."
+
+"Prisoner, drink!" was the cry.
+
+"Thanks, but I am not thirsty," answered Dick, as coolly as he could.
+"Besides, I had my dose of mud and water a long time ago."
+
+"He must drink!" roared Rockley.
+
+"Get the switches!" ordered Lew Flapp, and from a corner a number of
+long, heavy switches were brought forth and passed around.
+
+Things began to look serious and it must be confessed that Dick's heart
+beat fast, for he had no desire to undergo a switching at the hands of
+such a cold-hearted crowd, who would be sure to lay on the strokes
+heavily.
+
+"Don't you strike me," said Dick, thinking rapidly. "I'll drink fast
+enough. But I want to know one thing first."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"What are you going to do with me next?"
+
+"Make you take the antidote for the poison," said Flapp.
+
+"And what is that?"
+
+"Another drink."
+
+"They are going to drug me as sure as fate," reasoned Dick. "How can I
+outwit them?"
+
+While he was deliberating there was a noise outside, as a night bird
+swept by the entrance to the hermit's den.
+
+All of the masked cadets were startled and looked in that direction.
+
+By inspiration Dick seized the moment to throw the contents of the
+glass over his shoulder into a dark corner. When the crowd turned back
+he had the glass turned up to his mouth and was going through the
+movement of swallowing.
+
+"Ugh! what ugly stuff," he said, handing the glass to one of the crowd.
+
+"Ha! he has swallowed the poison!" cried Lew Flapp, and nudged Rockley
+in the ribs. "That was easy, wasn't it?" he whispered.
+
+"Give him the second glass," muttered Rockley. "That will make him as
+foolish as a fiddler."
+
+Pender already had the glass handy. He passed it to Dick, who suddenly
+glared at him in an uncertain manner. Dick had smelt the liquor in the
+first glass and now realized something of the plot to bring him to
+disgrace.
+
+"Say, but that stuff makes me feel lightheaded," he said. "Wasn't so
+bad, after all."
+
+"Drink this, quick," cried Flapp, more eagerly than ever.
+
+"All right," said Dick, and spilt a little out of the glass onto the
+floor. "Wonder what makes my hand shake so?" he murmured.
+
+"Take this and it will brace you up," put in Pender.
+
+"Ha, look there!" yelled Dick, gazing fixedly at the rear of the den.
+"See the three-headed owl!"
+
+All looked in the direction and again he threw the contents of the
+glass behind him. Then he pretended to drink, while glaring at the
+cadets around him.
+
+"Funny, I can't count you any more!" he muttered. "Six, seven, ten,
+'leven, nine! Say, I'm all mixed up. Who put me on the merry-go-'round
+anyway?" He began to stagger. "Guess I'm on a toboggan slide, ain't I?"
+and he acted as if he could no longer stand up-right.
+
+"Cut him loose, fellows!" cried Flapp, and this was done, and Dick
+staggered to the table, clutched it, slid to the floor and acted as if
+he had fallen into a deep sleep.
+
+"Say, that was dead easy!" cried Pender gleefully. "Took the stuff
+like a lamb."
+
+"What's to do next, Flapp?" asked Jackson.
+
+"Say, Jackson, don't speak my name, please," cried the tall boy in
+alarm.
+
+"Oh, what's the odds," put in Pender. "Rover is dead to the world.
+Rockley knew just how to fix those doses."
+
+"That's right, Gus," came from Rockley.
+
+"We had better not lose time here," went on Flapp presently. "Let us
+tell Captain Putnam without delay. He'll have Rover brought back to
+camp just as he is, and that will disgrace him forever."
+
+"Wait till I put the empty bottle near him," said Rockley, and this was
+done.
+
+Then the crowd of masked cadets left the den, leaving the door wide
+open behind them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+DICK'S MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE
+
+
+A minute after the last of Lew Flapp's crowd left the hermit's den Dick
+leaped to his feet, went to the doorway, and listened intently. It was
+quite dark, so he could see little or nothing.
+
+At a distance he heard the masked cadets stealing swiftly along through
+the woods. They had put out the lantern, knowing the road fairly well
+through repeated excursions to the den. Soon the crowd was completely
+out of hearing.
+
+It must be confessed that Dick felt lonely, and almost the first thing
+he did was to take a match from his pocket and strike it. Discovering a
+bit of candle on the table he lighted this also.
+
+But little was to be seen outside of that which had already met his
+gaze. The hermit's den had been cleaned up around the table, on which
+rested half a dozen bottles, an empty cigar box, and several packs of
+cards.
+
+"This must be the stuff those fellows bought in Oakville," thought the
+eldest Rover. "They have been using this cave for a regular club room.
+What a beastly crowd they are! And they really imagine they are having
+good times, too!"
+
+As will be remembered, Dick had been given a trip on a rowboat before
+being brought into the den and he imagined that he was somewhere near
+the head of Bass Lake, how far from the camp he could not tell.
+
+"Perhaps I'm near where Tom and the others met those snakes," he mused.
+"Ugh! I don't want to fall in with things like that. And how I am to
+get back to camp without a boat is more than I can settle."
+
+Blowing out the bit of candle, he placed it in his pocket and left the
+den. On all sides were the thick bushes already described, and poor
+Dick knew not which way to turn. He listened once more, but hardly a
+sound broke the midnight silence.
+
+"Might as well strike out as to stay here," he said. "I don't think
+they'll come back in very much of a hurry, and perhaps they won't come
+until morning."
+
+Pushing his way through the bushes he at last reached a tiny stream
+that poured over the rocks. He followed the stream and after half an
+hour's hard walking reached the edge of the lake. He had journeyed
+directly away from the camp and was now in a spot that was lonely in
+the extreme.
+
+Fortunately or unfortunately, the water at this point was very shallow
+and soon Dick was wading over to what he took to be the island upon
+which the encampment had been located. But as a matter of fact he was
+headed for the main shore of the lake, and soon he was tramping further
+away from the camp than ever. For once in his life, so far as his bump
+of locality was concerned, Dick was hopelessly mixed.
+
+Dick traveled nearly a mile before he reached the conclusion that he
+was not on Pine Island or anywhere near it.
+
+"I'm on the mainland, that's certain," he told himself. "I guess the
+best thing I can do is to wait for daylight before going further. I may
+only--Hullo, a light!"
+
+Dick had emerged from a grove of trees and now saw a light streaming
+from the window of a cottage but a short distance away. The sight of
+this caused him to breathe a sigh of relief.
+
+"Some farmer's place, I suppose," he murmured. "Well, anything will do.
+I can get a place to sleep, and the farmer can testify to it that I
+haven't been drinking, as Lew Flapp and his cronies will want to
+prove."
+
+A curtain was drawn over the window of the cottage, so that Dick could
+not see into the room. The cottage was small, with but a single doors
+and on this the youth rapped loudly.
+
+The rapping was followed by a commotion inside of the cottage and Dick
+heard two persons leap to their feet.
+
+"Who's there?" demanded a rough voice.
+
+"A stranger," Dick answered. "I have lost my way in the darkness," and
+without waiting he tried the door, and finding it unlocked, opened it.
+
+"Dick Rover!"
+
+The cry came from one of the occupants of the room, a tall,
+awkward-looking young man, much tanned by exposure, and with a pair of
+dark and wicked-looking eyes.
+
+"Great Scott!" gasped Dick, falling back a step. "Am I dreaming or is
+this really Dan Baxter?"
+
+"Oh. I'm Dan Baxter right enough," answered the former bully of Putnam
+Hall.
+
+"But--but I thought you were still on that island in the Pacific."
+
+"You wanted to see me end my days there, didn't you?" sneered Dan
+Baxter.
+
+Dick did not reply, for he was gazing at the other occupant of the
+room, a man with a short crop of hair and a short beard.
+
+"And your father, too!" he murmured.
+
+"Come in here," cried Arnold Baxter savagely and caught him by the arm.
+"Are you alone?"
+
+"Yes," answered Dick, before he had stopped to think twice.
+
+"Good enough. Come in," and Arnold Baxter continued to hold him.
+
+"He may be fooling us, dad," put in Dan Baxter. "The officers of the
+law may be with him."
+
+"Take a look around and see, Dan. I'll keep him here."
+
+"Let me go!" cried Dick, trying to break away.
+
+"Not much, Rover. You'll stay right where you are for the present,"
+answered the older Baxter grimly.
+
+Dan had slipped out and he made a thorough search before returning to
+the cottage. In the meantime Dick was forced to sit down on a bench in
+a corner, while Arnold Baxter stood over him with a stout club.
+
+"This is getting interesting, to say the least," thought Dick. "I wish
+I hadn't come anywhere near the cottage."
+
+"Nobody around," announced Dan Baxter, as he came in and closed and
+locked the door.
+
+"Good," answered his father. He turned again to Dick. "Now, how comes
+it that you are wandering around here, Rover?" he went on.
+
+"I was trying to find my way back to camp and lost my way in the
+woods."
+
+"But your camp is on an island."
+
+"I know it. I was carried off by some students who were hazing me. They
+put a bag over my head and took me in a boat, and I got mixed up.
+
+"I hope they hazed you good," came from Dan Baxter with a malicious
+grin.
+
+"Thank you, Dan, you always were a real friend," returned Dick, as
+coolly as he could.
+
+"Oh, don't you come any of that game over me!" roared Dan Baxter. "I
+haven't forgotten the past, Dick Rover, and you'll find it out so
+before I get through with you. I was just hoping you or your precious
+brothers might drop into my arms."
+
+"What are you and your father doing here?"
+
+"That is my business," broke in Arnold Baxter.
+
+"I don't see why you fellows can't turn over a new leaf," went on Dick
+earnestly.
+
+"Oh, don't preach, Dick Rover," answered Dan Baxter. "You make me sick
+when you do that."
+
+"I suppose you find this a good hiding place."
+
+"It has been--up to now," said Arnold Baxter. "But since you have
+discovered us--" he did not finish.
+
+"We'll make him pay for it," said Dan Baxter. "I've been waiting to
+square accounts for a long time."
+
+"How did you escape from that island, Dan?" asked Dick curiously.
+
+"A ship came along about a week after you left it."
+
+"I see. And did you come right through to here?"
+
+"That is my business, Dick Rover. But I came to help my father, I don't
+mind telling you that."
+
+"Then you knew he had escaped from prison?"
+
+"From the hospital, yes."
+
+"And did you know he had robbed our house?"
+
+"He took what belonged to him, Dick Rover. Your folks robbed him of
+that mine in the West."
+
+"Well, I won't argue the point, Dan Baxter." Dick got up and moved
+toward the door. "I think I'll go."
+
+"Will you!" cried both of the Baxters, in a breath, and seizing him
+they forced him back into the corner.
+
+"Let us make him a prisoner," went on Dan Baxter, and this was speedily
+done by aid of a rope which the elder Baxter brought forth. Then Dick
+was thrown into a closet of an inner apartment and the door was locked
+upon him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+TRUE HEROISM
+
+
+"Well, one thing is certain, I am much worse off now than I was when in
+the hands of Lew Flapp's crowd," thought Dick dismally, after trying in
+vain to break the bonds that bound him.
+
+The closet in which he was a prisoner was so small that he could
+scarcely turn himself. The door was a thick one, so to break it down
+was out of the question.
+
+"Stop your row in there!" called out Dan Baxter presently. "If you
+don't, I'll give you something you won't want."
+
+"How long are you going to keep me here?"
+
+"If you wait long enough you'll find out," was the unsatisfactory
+answer.
+
+"It won't do you any good to keep me a prisoner, Dan."
+
+"Won't it? Perhaps you think I'm going to let you go so that you can
+get the officers to arrest my father," sneered the younger Baxter.
+
+"They are bound to get him anyway, sooner or later."
+
+"They'll never get him if they don't catch him this week."
+
+"Why? Is he going to leave the country?"
+
+"That's his business, not yours," said Dan Baxter, and walked away.
+
+"It's too bad he turned up as he did," remarked Arnold Baxter, when he
+found himself alone with his son. "I thought I'd be safe here until I
+could slip over to Boston."
+
+"When does that steamer sail for Cape Town, Africa, dad?"
+
+"Tuesday or Wednesday of next week."
+
+"Then all we can do is to keep Dick Rover a prisoner until that time."
+
+"We can't do it, Dan. As soon as he is reported missing this whole
+vicinity will be searched."
+
+"Do you think they'll find this cottage?"
+
+"Perhaps, although so far I have not been disturbed."
+
+"Tom and Sam Rover came pretty close to locating you, didn't they?"
+
+"They came within half a mile of the spot. But I gave them the slip."
+
+"I wish I could square up with all of the Rovers," went on Dan Baxter
+savagely. "They have caused me no end of trouble."
+
+"Better leave them alone, Dan. Every time you try to do something you
+get your fingers burnt."
+
+To this the son could not answer, for he knew that his father spoke the
+truth.
+
+A long talk followed, and then Dan Baxter left, promising to return
+before noon of the next day. He was to proceed to a town about twelve
+miles away and there purchase for his father a new suit of clothing and
+a preparation for dyeing his hair and beard. With this disguise Arnold
+Baxter hoped to get away from the vicinity and reach Boston without
+being recognized.
+
+So far the night had been clear, but now a storm was brewing. From a
+great distance came a rumble of thunder and occasionally a glimpse of
+lightning lit up the landscape.
+
+"You'll have a bad journey of it," said Arnold Baxter to his son as the
+latter was leaving.
+
+"Reckon I'll have to make the best of it," answered Dan. "But I've got
+used to such things, since I've been knocking around the ocean and
+elsewhere."
+
+Left to himself, Arnold Baxter paced the floor of the cottage uneasily.
+Age was beginning to tell upon him and he was by no means the man he
+was when introduced to the Rovers years before.
+
+"I wish I was out of it," he murmured to himself. "I'd give a good deal
+to be on the ocean this minute, bound for some place where I can make a
+fresh start."
+
+The storm kept growing in violence until the cottage fairly shook from
+the fury of the wind. There was much thunder and lightning, with some
+crashing in the woods close at hand, that caused both Baxter and Dick
+to start in alarm.
+
+Dick was doing his best to free himself and at last managed to get one
+hand loose.
+
+He had already found that to attempt forcing the door was useless. Now
+he tried the walls of the closet and then the flooring and the ceiling.
+
+He was much gratified to find that the boards of the ceiling were not
+fastened down. With a great effort he managed to raise himself and
+after a minute of hard work found himself in the tiny loft of the
+cottage. Here the patter of the rain was strong and the water was
+leaking in everywhere.
+
+"I'll have to drop to the ground and run for it," he told himself, and
+crawled to where there was a tiny window just large enough to admit the
+passage of his body.
+
+It was no easy matter to get down to the ground with one hand still
+fastened behind him, and Dick made rather slow work of it. The rain
+beat in at the window, and soon he was soaked to the skin.
+
+Where to go next he did not know. To journey far in such a storm was
+entirely out of the question.
+
+Dick had hardly gotten to the edge of the woods when a blinding flash
+of lightning and a ripping crash of thunder fairly lifted him from his
+feet.
+
+"Oh!" he gasped, and staggered to a tree for support. "My, but that was
+close!"
+
+It was not until a moment later that he realized what had occurred. The
+lightning had struck the cottage, ripping off a corner of the roof and
+descending into the room below. The structure was now a mass of flames.
+
+"The cottage is on fire!" murmured the youth. "Wonder if the Baxters
+have been struck?"
+
+The wind quickly drove the fire in all directions until the cottage was
+in flames almost from end to end.
+
+Staggering from the effects of the shock, Dick drew closer to the
+building and then tried the door, to find it locked.
+
+"Help!" came faintly, in Arnold Baxter's voice. "Help!"
+
+"Open the door," returned Dick, forgetting that it was an enemy who was
+calling for assistance.
+
+"I--I cannot. I--I am helpless!"
+
+Again Dick tried the door, but without success. Then he leaped for the
+window. Some of the glass was broken, and with his naked fist he drove
+in the whole sash, and tore down the flapping curtain.
+
+The sight which met his gaze filled him with horror. The room was on
+fire in several places and in a corner, near the chimney piece, rested
+Arnold Baxter, pinned down by a section of brick and stonework that had
+fallen. He had been hit in the head, and from the wound the blood was
+flowing.
+
+"Rover, is that you?" he cried faintly. "Don't desert me!"
+
+Without replying, Dick began to crawl in through the broken window. The
+air was filled with smoke and he could scarcely see what he was doing.
+The sparks, too, were flying in all directions and only the wetness of
+his garments kept them from catching fire.
+
+He was soon at Arnold Baxter's side, and with his one free hand hurled
+the bricks and stones in all directions. As he worked the fire kept
+coming closer, until his face was fairly blistered by the
+conflagration.
+
+At last the man was free. But he could not raise himself up, and when
+Dick did it Arnold Baxter fell a limp form in his arm. He had fainted.
+
+Mustering up all the strength that remained to him, Dick dragged the
+unconscious man to the door. There was a bar to be flung aside and then
+Dick threw the barrier wide open. It was none too soon, for now the
+fire was swirling in all directions. Staggering beneath his burden the
+youth hurried into the open and then fell flat, with Arnold Baxter
+beside him.
+
+"What a close call!" murmured Dick, when he was able to rise. He felt
+weak in the knees, and his hands and face smarted from the blistering
+received. He looked at Arnold Baxter. The man had not yet recovered and
+looked to be more dead than alive.
+
+Dick remembered having crossed a brook but a short distance away, and
+to this he went and bathed his burns and brought some water back for
+Arnold Baxter. His other hand had now become free, so he could work to
+much better advantage.
+
+"He has been seriously hurt, that is certain," thought the youth.
+"Perhaps he breathed in some of the flames. If he did that he may never
+get over it."
+
+Left to itself the cottage burnt to the ground and then the falling
+rain put out the hissing embers. In the meantime Dick did what he could
+to restore Arnold Baxter to consciousness, and at last had the
+satisfaction of seeing the man open his eyes.
+
+"Oh!" murmured the man. "The fire--"
+
+"You are out of it," answered Dick soothingly.
+
+"Did you--did you haul me out?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"It was good of you to do it, Rover," said Arnold Baxter, and then he
+fainted once more.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+TURNING A NEW LEAF--CONCLUSION
+
+
+The night was a long one for Dick Rover and he was glad when the storm
+cleared away and the first streaks of dawn began to show themselves in
+the eastern sky.
+
+Arnold Baxter had recovered consciousness, but was evidently in great
+pain, for he moaned almost constantly. Dick was willing to aid the
+sufferer, yet could do little or nothing.
+
+"Tell me the way to our camp and I will get help," said Dick at last.
+And Arnold Baxter gave him the directions as best he could.
+
+"I must have a doctor," whispered the man hoarsely. "If not, I'll
+surely die. And I don't want to die yet, Rover!"
+
+As well as he was able, Dick set off for the lake shore and then began
+to move in the direction of Bass Island.
+
+He had not gone very far when he heard somebody calling his name.
+
+"Rover! Dick Rover!" was the cry. "Dick Rover!"
+
+"It must be a searching party," he thought, and he was right. The party
+contained Tom and Sam, and Mr. Strong, and they said that two other
+parties were out, one headed by Captain Putnam and the other by an
+assistant.
+
+"Where in the world have you been?" asked Tom. "We have been scared
+almost to death over your absence."
+
+"It's a long story," answered Dick. "What I want just now is a doctor
+and a lot of salve. Just look at me, will you?"
+
+"Blisters!" ejaculated Sam. "Where did you get those?"
+
+"In a fire that nearly burnt Arnold Baxter to death. I want the doctor
+for him."
+
+And then Dick had to tell the particulars of how he had run across the
+cottage in the woods and of what had followed.
+
+"And Dan Baxter is here!" ejaculated Tom. "It doesn't seem possible."
+
+"He ought to be locked up," put in Sam.
+
+It was decided by Mr. Strong that Arnold Baxter should be removed to
+the camp on a stretcher, and four boys, including Sam and Tom,
+volunteered for the service. In the meantime Dick went to camp, to
+attend to his hurts, and a cadet was sent to Oakville for a doctor.
+
+"Hullo, here comes Rover!" whispered Lew Flapp to Pender, as Dick
+appeared. "Wonder what sort of a story he will have to tell?"
+
+"One thing is certain, we made a mess of our plans," muttered Pender.
+
+"Perhaps Rover won't give us away," put in Rockley hopefully.
+
+On returning to camp word had been sent to Captain Putnam that Dick
+Rover was at the den in a condition not fit to be seen.
+
+Mr. Strong and another teacher had gone to the place mentioned in the
+anonymous communication only to find the den empty.
+
+A general alarm was sent out, and the search for the missing captain of
+Company A was begun as recorded. Captain Putnam also began to
+investigate on his private account, with results that were as
+surprising as they were dismaying. He learned the several cadets had
+left camp early in the night and among them Ben Hurdy, Lew Flapp,
+Pender, and Jackson. Without delay he summoned Ben Hurdy to his private
+tent and made the young cadet undergo a strict cross-examination.
+
+At first Hurdy would not talk, but soon he became frightened and broke
+down utterly. He told of the plot against Dick, and of how Flapp and
+the others had carried it out.
+
+"I didn't want to go into it," he whined. "But Flapp said he would
+thrash me if I didn't do my share. They wanted to get square with
+Captain Rover because he had won at the athletic contests and at the
+drill."
+
+"I see," said Captain Putnam grimly, and then he ordered Ben Hurdy to
+keep absolutely silent until called on to speak. "If you say a word now
+I'll dismiss you at once," he concluded.
+
+When Dick arrived Captain Putnam saw to it that his blisters were
+dressed with care, and then he asked the eldest Rover to tell his whole
+story.
+
+"I do not know as I can do that, Captain Putnam," said the young
+captain, blushing. "I don't care to become a tale-bearer."
+
+"Did you leave camp of your own free will, Rover?"
+
+"I did not, sir."
+
+"You were carried away to be hazed, then?"
+
+"Yes, sir; but I would prefer not to speak of that part of my
+adventures."
+
+"Those who carried you off drugged you."
+
+"How do you know that?" asked Dick, in surprise.
+
+"Never mind that now, Rover. Did they drug you or not?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"What!"
+
+"They tried to drug me, but I threw the liquor over my shoulder when
+they weren't looking."
+
+"Oh, I see," and Captain Putnam smiled. "They tried to trick you and
+you ended by tricking them, is that it?"
+
+"That's about the size of it, sir. They thought I was in a stupor when
+they left me, but as soon as they were gone I began to shift for
+myself. But I don't understand how you know about this, Captain
+Putnam."
+
+"One of the party to this outrage has confessed, so I know all about
+it, Rover. The leader, I believe, was Lew Flapp, and his main
+supporters were Pender, Rockley, and Jackson."
+
+To this Dick did not say a word.
+
+"I know you would speak if I were accusing anybody wrongly, Rover. In
+one way I can appreciate your silence. But this affair was carried too
+far. It was not an ordinary hazing. The plot was one to blast your
+honest name and bring you into disgrace. Such things cannot be
+permitted at any school of which I am the head. I will hear the rest of
+your strange tale."
+
+In as few words as possible Dick told how he had wandered around until
+he had reached the cottage, and what had happened afterward.
+
+"It was assuredly a remarkable adventure," said Captain Putnam. "I
+thought I had about seen the last of Daniel Baxter."
+
+"Perhaps Dan Baxter will keep shady when he finds out what has
+happened."
+
+"Perhaps. And you think Arnold Baxter is in a bad way?"
+
+"Yes, sir. He came pretty close to being burnt up."
+
+"We will do our best for him, and notify the authorities without
+delay."
+
+An hour later the disabled man was brought into camp and the doctor
+came to attend him.
+
+Under the physician's directions Arnold Baxter was made fairly
+comfortable in one of the tents of the camp.
+
+"He is in a bad way," said the doctor. "He will probably recover, but
+it will take weeks and perhaps months."
+
+Arnold Baxter asked for Dick and the eldest Rover went in to see him.
+
+"I--I want to thank you for what you did, Rover," said the criminal in a
+low voice. "It--it was noble, very noble. I shan't forget it."
+
+"Mr. Baxter, why don't you try to turn over a new leaf?" questioned
+Dick. "Haven't you found out that it doesn't pay to be bad?"
+
+"Yes, I have found it out, and the lesson has been dearly bought," said
+Arnold Baxter with a sigh. "In the future I shall try to--to do better.
+Here, I want you to give these to your father, and tell him I--I am
+sorry that I visited your house some time ago," went on the disabled
+man.
+
+He gave Dick an envelope containing some pawn tickets which called for
+the things stolen from the Rover homestead, and also a pocketbook with
+some money in it.
+
+"That is all I have left of the cash," he said. "I'm sorry I haven't
+every cent of it. Tell him he can do as he pleases about me. I deserve
+no pity."
+
+"I think he'd like to see you turn over a new leaf, too. He hates to
+see people on the downward path, Mr. Baxter."
+
+"You are a good boy, Dick Rover. I am sorry that my son Dan isn't like
+you. Has he been caught yet?"
+
+"I believe not."
+
+"If he is caught, let me know," concluded Arnold Baxter, and there the
+talk ended.
+
+"I imagine he really intends to turn over a new leaf," said Dick to Tom
+and Sam, a little later.
+
+"Hope he does," replied Tom.
+
+"So do I," added Sam.
+
+
+
+Let me add a few words more and then bring this story of life in camp
+to a conclusion.
+
+On the day following Dick's return to camp Captain Putnam summoned Lew
+Flapp, Pender, Rockley, and Jackson before him.
+
+"I presume you know why I have sent for you," said the captain briefly.
+"Since the disappearance of Captain Rover I have been making an
+investigation. Rover himself would not talk, but others have spoken,
+and Rover has not denied the truth. All of you have been guilty of such
+serious misconduct that to overlook it would be almost criminal on my
+part."
+
+"What have I done?" asked Lew Flapp brazenly.
+
+"You have earned your dismissal from Putnam Hall, Flapp, and you leave
+this camp as soon as arrangements can be made."
+
+"Going to fire me out, eh?"
+
+"You are dismissed. I will not allow such a boy as you to mingle longer
+with the rest of my pupils."
+
+"What are you going to do with the others? I wasn't to blame alone."
+
+"Pender, Rockley, and Jackson shall go, too. The others, including
+Hurdy, shall have another chance, for I believe they were dragged into
+the affair unwillingly by you and your particular cronies."
+
+"If we have got to go, don't let's listen to any more gas," growled
+Rockley, and stalked away with a very white face, followed by Flapp.
+Pender and Jackson pleaded for another chance, but Captain Putnam would
+not listen, and in the end the evil-minded cadets had to leave the
+school, never to return.
+
+"Putnam Hall is well rid of that crowd," said Songbird Powell, and the
+majority of the students agreed with him.
+
+Munro Staton, the local constable, was much chagrined to think that he
+had not had a hand in finding Arnold Baxter, and he at once set out to
+locate Dan. But Dan Baxter knew enough to leave the vicinity, and that
+was the last heard of him for some time.
+
+Through the pawn tickets given to Dick, Mr. Anderson Rover recovered
+the spoons, napkin rings and other things taken from the homestead by
+Arnold Baxter. Mr. Rover visited Baxter before the latter was returned
+to the hospital from which he had escaped.
+
+"I believe the man really intends to reform," said Anderson Rover
+afterwards. "But he is in a bad condition physically and may die before
+his term of imprisonment is at an end."
+
+"I hope he lives," said Sam. "I'd like to see him lead an upright,
+honest life."
+
+"I don't think we'll be bothered much with Dan Baxter after this," said
+Tom, but he was mistaken, Dan Baxter bothered them a great deal, and so
+did Lew Flapp, and how will be told in the next volume of this series,
+to be entitled, "The Rover Boys on the River; Or, The Search for the
+Missing Houseboat," in which we shall meet our old friends in a series
+of adventures as interesting as those already related.
+
+As was the custom at Putnam Hall the encampment came to an end on the
+Fourth of July. This was a gala day for the cadets and they were
+allowed to invite both friends and relatives to the affair.
+
+The Rover boys had the Statons over and also had their father and their
+Uncle Randolph and Aunt Martha participate.
+
+"Never saw such a time in my life!" declared Aunt Martha. "Music and
+marching, and such fireworks! And such a spread out under the trees! No
+wonder our boys like to go to Putnam Hall."
+
+"It's a good place for them," came from the father of the boys. "It is
+making good men of them."
+
+After the fireworks big bonfires were lit, and the cadets were allowed
+to do pretty much as they pleased. As they gathered around the largest
+of the fires all joined hands in a big circle, and it was Tom who
+started the Putnam Hall cheer:
+
+"Zip, boom, bang! Ding, dong! Ding, dong! Boom, bang, bang! Hurrah for
+Putnam Hall!"
+
+"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!" came from all sides; and here let us say
+good-by.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP***
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