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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island, 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 on Snowshoe Island
+       or, The Old Lumberman's Treasure Box
+
+
+Author: Edward Stratemeyer
+
+
+
+Release Date: October 16, 2007  [eBook #22996]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE
+ISLAND***
+
+
+E-text prepared by David Edwards, Verity White, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) from page
+images generously made available by Microsoft Live Search Books
+(http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=&scope=books)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 22996-h.htm or 22996-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/9/9/22996/22996-h/22996-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/9/9/22996/22996-h.zip)
+
+
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Microsoft Live Search Books. See
+      http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=&scope=books#q=rover%20boys%20on%20snowshoe%20island&filter=all&start=1&t=mtkWR1DE1uzvhm0Te90ghw&sq=rover%20boys%20on%20snowshoe%20island
+
+
+      +----------------------------------------------------+
+      | Transcriber's Note:                                |
+      |                                                    |
+      | Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document  |
+      | has been preserved.                                |
+      |                                                    |
+      | Obvious typographical errors have been corrected;  |
+      | please see the end of the text for details.        |
+      +----------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND
+
+Or
+
+The Old Lumberman's Treasure Box
+
+by
+
+ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
+
+(Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+Author of "The Rover Boys at School," "The Rover Boys on the Ocean,"
+"The Putnam Hall Series," Etc.
+
+Illustrated
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: JACK AND THE TWINS RESCUE THE INJURED MAN.
+
+_Frontispiece--Page 46_]
+
+
+
+New York
+Grosset & Dunlap
+Publishers
+
+Made in the United States of America
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+BOOKS BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
+
+(Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+THE FIRST ROVER BOYS SERIES
+
+  THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE
+  THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE
+  THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE
+  THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR
+
+THE SECOND ROVER BOYS SERIES
+
+  THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND
+
+THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES
+
+  THE PUTNAM HALL CADETS
+  THE PUTNAM HALL RIVALS
+  THE PUTNAM HALL CHAMPIONS
+  THE PUTNAM HALL REBELLION
+  THE PUTNAM HALL ENCAMPMENT
+  THE PUTNAM HALL MYSTERY
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York
+Copyright, 1918, by
+Edward Stratemeyer
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+My Dear Boys: This book is a complete story in itself, but forms the
+second volume in a line issued under the general title, "The Second
+Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."
+
+As mentioned in several volumes of the first series, this line was
+started a number of years ago with the publication of "The Rover Boys at
+School," "On the Ocean," and "In the Jungle." In those volumes my young
+readers were introduced to Dick, Tom and Sam Rover.
+
+The volumes of the first series related the adventures of the three
+Rover boys while attending Putnam Hall Military Academy, Brill College,
+and while on numerous outings.
+
+These Rover boys were, of course, growing steadily older. They met three
+young ladies in whom they became intensely interested, and, after
+becoming established in business, three happy marriages followed.
+Presently Dick Rover was blessed with a son and a daughter, as was also
+his brother Sam, while the fun-loving Tom became the proud father of
+twin boys, who were as full of spirit as their parent had ever been. At
+first the boys were kept at home, but then it was thought best to send
+them to a boarding school.
+
+At Colby Hall the young Rovers made a host of friends, and also some
+enemies. They had to work hard over their studies, but they had a
+thoroughly good time.
+
+In the present volume the boys are still at Colby Hall, but presently
+the scene is shifted to Snowshoe Island, where the lads go for a short
+hunting season. How they ran into a most unusual mystery and helped an
+old lumberman to establish his claim to the island, I will leave the
+pages which follow to relate.
+
+In conclusion I wish to thank my numerous readers for the many kind
+things they have said about these Rover Boys books, and especially about
+the initial volume in the second series. I trust that all my readers
+will like Jack, Andy and Randy, and Fred as much as they did Dick, Tom,
+and Sam Rover.
+
+  Affectionately and sincerely yours,
+  EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                                      PAGE
+
+        I  FUN ON THE ICE                       1
+       II  SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS      13
+      III  OUT OF PERIL                        23
+       IV  OUT HUNTING                         33
+        V  UNCLE BARNEY STEVENSON              44
+       VI  DEEP IN THE WOODS                   56
+      VII  AN UNEXPECTED MEETING               65
+     VIII  THE SLEIGHING PARTY                 76
+       IX  A MISHAP ON THE ROAD                86
+        X  SOMETHING ABOUT TWO GOATS           96
+       XI  THE JOKE ON ASA LEMM               108
+      XII  IN COLONEL COLBY'S OFFICE          119
+     XIII  ASA LEMM IS DISMISSED              132
+      XIV  OVERHEARING A PLOT                 143
+       XV  AN ALARM OF FIRE                   152
+      XVI  PUTTING OUT THE FLAMES             161
+     XVII  CAUGHT IN THE ACT                  168
+    XVIII  HOME AGAIN                         177
+      XIX  OFF FOR SNOWSHOE ISLAND            188
+       XX  CAUGHT IN A SNOWSTORM              197
+      XXI  AN ASTONISHING REVELATION          207
+     XXII  THE FIRST NIGHT ON THE ISLAND      216
+    XXIII  UNEXPECTED VISITORS                226
+     XXIV  A WAR OF WORDS                     237
+      XXV  FACING THE WOLVES                  247
+     XXVI  JACK FREES HIS MIND                258
+    XXVII  THE BLUE TIN BOX                   268
+   XXVIII  UNCLE BARNEY'S SECRET              279
+     XXIX  THE DISCOVERY                      289
+      XXX  SETTLING ACCOUNTS--CONCLUSION      298
+
+
+
+
+THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+FUN ON THE ICE
+
+
+"Everybody ready?"
+
+"Sure! Been ready half an hour."
+
+"Wait a minute, Frank, till I tighten my skate strap," cried Fred Rover,
+as he bent down to adjust the loosened bit of leather.
+
+"Hurry up, Fred, we don't want to stand here all day," sang out his
+Cousin Andy gaily.
+
+"That's it! I want to win this race," broke in Randy Rover, Andy's twin
+brother.
+
+"Now remember, the race is to be to the old white pine and back,"
+announced the starter. "Every contestant has got to touch the tree
+before he starts to come back; otherwise he'll be counted out."
+
+"You ought to have a pistol to start us with," came from Jack Rover.
+
+"I guess my old locomotive whistle will do for that," answered Frank
+Newberry. He paused to look at the line of skaters. "Now then, everybody
+on the job!" and a loud whistle rent the air.
+
+Instantly there was a scurry of skates, and off the line started across
+Clearwater Lake to where a blasted pine tree reared its naked trunk
+against the skyline.
+
+It was a Saturday afternoon in early winter, and the cadets of Colby
+Hall Military Academy were out in force to enjoy themselves on the
+smooth ice of the lake, near which the school was located. The cadets
+had been amusing themselves in various ways, playing tag and hockey, and
+in "snapping the whip," as it is called, when Gif Garrison, at the head
+of the athletic association, had suggested a race.
+
+"We might as well find out who is the best skater in the school," Gif
+had said.
+
+"Right you are," had come from his particular chum, Spouter Powell. "Let
+us get up a race by all means."
+
+With so many cadets who could skate well, it was an easy matter to
+arrange for the contest. To make the matter more interesting, one of the
+Hall professors, Mr. Brice, said he would give some prizes to the pupils
+coming in first, second and third.
+
+"I'll give a fine book of adventures to the first cadet, and also books
+to the others," Mr. Brice announced. He was still a young man, and in
+hearty sympathy with everything in the way of outdoor sports.
+
+Among those to enter the contest were Jack Rover and his three cousins,
+Fred, Andy and Randy. All were provided with hockey skates, and each
+felt confident of making a good record for himself. Yet they all knew
+that the school boasted of some fine skaters, one lad in particular, Dan
+Soppinger, having won several contests on the ice in years gone by.
+
+"We've got our work cut out for us!" cried Fred Rover, as he skated
+beside Jack.
+
+"Save your wind, Fred," answered his cousin briefly.
+
+"Believe me, this is going to be some race!" came from Randy, who was on
+the other side of Jack, with his twin brother next to him.
+
+"I don't care who wins so long as I'm not last," responded his twin
+merrily.
+
+Over twenty cadets had started in the contest, and soon the line, which
+had been fairly even for a few seconds after the whistle had sounded,
+began to take on a straggly appearance, as some skaters forged ahead and
+others fell behind.
+
+"Don't give up! Everybody keep in the race until the finish!" cried
+Professor Brice encouragingly. "Remember, a race isn't over until the
+end is reached."
+
+Thus encouraged, those who were in the rear did their best to overtake
+those ahead. But gradually the skaters divided into three groups; eight
+in the lead, six but a short distance behind them, and the others
+several yards further to the rear.
+
+In the front group were Jack and his cousin Randy, while Fred and Andy
+were less than ten feet behind.
+
+The distance across Clearwater Lake was about half a mile, but the
+blasted pine tree was located some distance down the shore, so that the
+race would be close to a mile and a half in length.
+
+Spouter Powell was in the lead when the first group of skaters came up
+to the pine tree. Dan Soppinger was close behind him, with Jack and
+Randy following. Behind Randy came Walt Baxter, another cadet who skated
+remarkably well. The others of the first group were gradually dropping
+back to the second contingent. Spouter Powell touched the tree with his
+finger tips, and was followed almost immediately by Dan Soppinger. As
+they turned to go back to the starting point, they were followed by Jack
+and Randy.
+
+"Hi, you fellows! what do you mean by skating so quick?" piped out Andy
+Rover gaily.
+
+"We'll leave the tree to you, Andy!" shouted his twin.
+
+"I don't think we'll win, but, anyway, we won't be last," came from
+Fred, as he and Andy touched the tree.
+
+"Well, we can't have everything in this world," was the philosophic
+reply from the other Rover boy.
+
+It could be seen that the race had now narrowed down to the five who
+were in the lead. Of these, Spouter Powell and Dan Soppinger were less
+than two feet apart, while only a yard to the rear came Jack, Randy and
+Walt Baxter.
+
+"Go it, Randy!" sang out Andy, as he dropped still further behind. "Go
+it! I know you can win!"
+
+"Keep it up, Jack!" yelled Fred, who, being the smallest of the four
+Rovers, found it impossible to keep up the pace. "Don't let Spouter and
+Dan hold you back!"
+
+There were numerous cries of encouragement for all of the skaters as
+they swept forward toward the starting point. Here a line had been drawn
+on the ice, and the cadets stood at either end, some with their watches
+in their hands to time the winners.
+
+"I'll bet Dan Soppinger wins!" cried one of the cadets. "He's the best
+skater on the lake."
+
+"Well, Spouter Powell is a good skater, too," returned another.
+
+"Huh! what's the matter with the Rover boys?" burst out a third cadet,
+round-faced and remarkably fat--so fat, in fact, that he had not dreamed
+of participating in the contest.
+
+"I don't know much about how they can skate," was the reply. "They
+weren't here last winter, you remember."
+
+"Yes, I know that," answered Fatty Hendry.
+
+"Here they come!"
+
+By this time the skaters were half way on the return from the blasted
+pine. Spouter Powell and Dan Soppinger were still in the lead, but Walt
+Baxter was crawling up steadily, while Jack and Randy were close behind.
+
+"Say, this is going to be a neck-and-neck race!" cried one of the
+cadets, Ned Lowe by name. He had wanted to race himself, but knew that
+his skates were too dull for that purpose.
+
+"Stand back! Give them plenty of room!" exclaimed Professor Brice, and
+he took measures to clear the cadets away from the finishing line.
+
+Quite a crowd had assembled to witness the contest, not only cadets, but
+also some folks from the neighboring town of Haven Point, and also a
+number of young ladies from Clearwater Hall, a seminary located some
+distance away.
+
+The skaters had still a distance of several hundred yards to cover when
+it was seen that Spouter Powell was gradually falling behind. Then Jack
+Rover forged forward, followed by his Cousin Randy.
+
+"The Rovers are crawling up!"
+
+"See, Jack Rover and his Cousin Randy and Dan Soppinger and Walt Baxter
+are all in a line!"
+
+"This certainly is one close race!"
+
+The excitement increased as the racers drew closer to the finishing
+line. Walt Baxter was panting painfully, showing that he had used up
+almost every ounce of his strength.
+
+"Oh, dear! I do hope the Rovers come in ahead," whispered one girl
+skater to another. She was a tall girl, remarkably good looking and
+dressed in a suit of brown, with furs.
+
+"So do I hope the Rover boys win, Ruth," answered her girl companion,
+"now that my Cousin Dick has fallen behind."
+
+"It's too bad, May, that your Cousin Dick couldn't have kept up,"
+answered Ruth Stevenson.
+
+Closer and closer to the finishing line crept the four leading skaters,
+Jack and Randy in the middle, with Dan Soppinger on their left and Walt
+Baxter on their right. Now Spouter Powell had fallen back to the second
+group of racers.
+
+"Here they come!"
+
+"It's Dan Soppinger's race!"
+
+"Not much! Here comes Walt Baxter! Gee, see him strike out!"
+
+"It's the Rovers who are coming to the front!" exclaimed Ned Lowe.
+
+"I knew they couldn't hold those Rover boys back," was Frank Newberry's
+comment. "Now then, boys, for a final dash!" he shouted.
+
+All four of the leading contestants were bending forward and striking
+out as powerfully as possible, their arms swinging from side to side
+like pendulums and their skates ringing clearly on the smooth ice.
+
+For an instant all were in a line, then, by a tremendous effort, Walter
+Baxter forged a foot ahead. But almost instantly Dan Soppinger overtook
+the other cadet. An instant later Randy Rover came up beside the others,
+followed by his Cousin Jack.
+
+The finishing line was now less than fifty yards away, and the crowd was
+yelling all sorts of words of encouragement and cheering wildly, even
+the girls and older folks present being much excited. Then, of a sudden,
+an exclamation of wonder rent the air.
+
+"Look at that, will you? Did you ever see such striking out in your
+life?"
+
+"He's coming forward like a cannon ball!"
+
+These exclamations had been brought forth by the sudden change of
+tactics on the part of Jack Rover. Coming back from the blasted pine he
+had managed to hang close to his opponents, but without using up all his
+reserve force. Now he let out "for all he was worth," as he afterwards
+declared, and, with strokes that could hardly be seen for their
+rapidity, he forged in front of Soppinger and Baxter.
+
+"It's Jack Rover's race!"
+
+"Look! Look! Here comes his Cousin Randy!" yelled Ned Lowe.
+
+"No use in talking--you can't hold those Rover boys back," was Fatty
+Hendry's comment.
+
+What the cadets had said was true. Following the extraordinary spurt
+made by Jack, Randy let himself out, and in a twinkling had passed
+Baxter. Then he found himself neck-and-neck with Dan Soppinger, who was
+struggling with might and main to catch up to Jack, just two feet ahead.
+
+"Make room for the winners!"
+
+"Jack Rover wins the race!"
+
+"Yes, and Randy Rover is second!"
+
+"Who takes third place?"
+
+"Soppinger, I guess."
+
+"No, I think Walt Baxter was a little ahead of him."
+
+"Nonsense! It was a tie between them."
+
+"Three cheers for the Rover boys!" shouted Ned Lowe, and many cadets
+joined in the cheering.
+
+Jack and Randy were quickly surrounded by many of their chums and
+congratulated on their success.
+
+"It was a tie race between Soppinger and Baxter," announced Professor
+Brice. "And that being so, I will give each of them a third prize," and
+with this those two contestants had to be contented.
+
+"You made that race in record time, Jack," announced Gif Garrison. "It
+is better time by twelve seconds than was ever made before on this
+lake."
+
+"Well, where do I come in?" demanded Randy.
+
+"You broke the record by ten seconds," was the reply. "And believe me,
+that's some stunt!"
+
+"I guess I was beaten fairly," announced Dan Soppinger, a little
+ruefully; "so there is no use of complaining."
+
+"Oh, it was a fair and square race sure enough," answered Walt Baxter.
+"All the same, if my skates had been just a little sharper I think I
+might have won," he added a little wistfully.
+
+"Well, I am glad the honors stay in our family anyhow," announced Fred,
+as he skated up, followed by Andy.
+
+"And first and second prizes, too!" cried his cousin. "That ought to be
+enough to hold the other fellows for awhile."
+
+Jack and Randy were both panting from their exertions, but their faces
+showed their satisfaction, and especially did Jack look his pleasure
+when he happened to glance beyond the crowd of cadets and saw Ruth
+Stevenson waving her hand toward him. Beside Ruth was May Powell, who
+waved gaily to all of the Rovers.
+
+"Fine race, boys! Fine race!" was Fatty Hendry's comment. "Just the
+same, none of you would have been in it for a minute if I had entered,"
+and at this joke there was a general laugh.
+
+"Say, Fatty, you should have gone into it just to lose flesh," was
+Andy's dry comment. "If you tried real hard, you might lose a pound a
+mile," and at this there was another laugh.
+
+The crowd began to gather around Jack and Randy and the others who had
+won the race, and many wanted to shake hands with the oldest Rover boy.
+Even some of the town folks skated up, and they were followed by some of
+the girls from Clearwater Hall.
+
+"I say, boys, this may not be safe!" cried Professor Brice suddenly,
+when the crowd on the ice had become unusually thick. "This ice isn't as
+strong as it might be."
+
+"Yes, and with Fatty in the crowd----" began Andy Rover. Then, of a
+sudden, he stopped short because an ominous crack was heard, followed by
+several other cracks.
+
+"The ice is breaking!"
+
+"Skate away, everybody, or we'll go down!"
+
+Instantly there was a commotion, and all of the skaters tried to break
+away from the spot where the crowd had congregated. The confusion was
+tremendous, and in the mix-up six or eight persons, including Ruth
+Stevenson and May Powell, were thrown down. Then came another crack, and
+it looked as if in another instant the ice would give way completely and
+precipitate the whole crowd into the cold waters of the lake.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS
+
+
+It was a time of extreme peril, and it is doubtful if any one realized
+that more than did Jack Rover. He, too, had been thrown down, and across
+his legs was sprawled the heavy form of Fatty Hendry. It was the
+toppling over of the fat youth which had caused one of the cracks which
+were now so numerous in the ice.
+
+"Hi! get off of me!" yelled Jack, and managed to pull one of his legs
+free; and with this he pushed the fat youth to one side.
+
+"Help! help! We're going down!" came in a scream from May Powell.
+
+The ice had become depressed where she and Ruth Stevenson stood, and
+both were already in a half inch of water.
+
+"Scatter! Everybody scatter!" cried Professor Brice, and then rushed to
+one side, to rescue several little boys and girls.
+
+"Come on, Jack, we've got to help those girls!" cried Randy, and caught
+his cousin by the arm, thus assisting him to his feet. Then off the
+pair skated, with Andy and Fred behind them, all bent on going to the
+assistance of the girls from Clearwater Hall.
+
+Now, I know quite well that to the readers of the former volumes in
+these two "Rover Boys Series," all of the Rovers, both old and young,
+will need no introduction. But for the benefit of those who have not
+perused any of the previous volumes in this line, a few words concerning
+our characters will not be amiss.
+
+In my first volume, entitled "The Rover Boys at School," I told how
+three brothers, Dick, Tom and Sam Rover, had been sent off to Putnam
+Hall Military Academy, where they made a host of friends, including a
+manly and straightforward cadet, named Lawrence Colby. From Putnam Hall,
+the Rovers were sent to Brill College, and after leaving that
+institution of learning they went into business in Wall Street, New York
+City, where they organized The Rover Company, of which Dick was now
+president; Tom, secretary; and Sam, treasurer.
+
+While at Putnam Hall the three Rovers had become acquainted with three
+charming girls, Dora Stanhope and her cousins Nellie and Grace Laning.
+This acquaintance had ripened into loving intimacy, and when Dick went
+into business he had made Dora Stanhope his life-long partner. A short
+while after this Tom married Nellie Laning and Sam married Grace.
+
+When first married, Dick and his beautiful wife Dora had begun
+housekeeping in a small apartment, but a few years later the three
+brothers had purchased a plot of ground on Riverside Drive, overlooking
+the Hudson river, and there they had built three handsome houses, Dick
+living in the middle house, and Tom on one side and Sam on the other.
+
+Before the young people had moved into the new homes, Dick and Dora
+became the proud parents of a little son, who was named John, after Mr.
+Laning. The son was followed by a daughter, Martha, so named after her
+Great Aunt Martha of Valley Brook Farm, where the older boys had spent
+many of their youthful days. Little Jack, as he was called, was a bright
+lad with many of the qualities which had made his father so well liked
+and so successful in life.
+
+About the time Jack's sister Martha was born, Tom and Nellie Rover came
+forward with twin boys, one of whom they named Anderson, after his
+grandfather, and the other Randolph, after Uncle Randolph, of Valley
+Brook Farm. Andy and Randy, as they were always called for short, were
+exceedingly clever and active lads, in this particular being a second
+edition of their father. Andy was usually saying things that were more
+or less funny, and Randy thought that playing some trick was the finest
+thing in the world.
+
+"You can't find fault with those kids, Tom," Dick Rover said more than
+once. "They are chips off the old block."
+
+"Well, I suppose they are," Tom Rover would reply, with a twinkle in his
+eye. "But if they never do anything that is really mean or harmful, I
+won't care."
+
+About the same time the twins were born, Sam and Grace Rover came along
+with a beautiful little girl, whom they named Mary, after Mrs. Laning.
+Then, a year later, the girl was followed by a sturdy little boy, who
+was christened Fred, after Sam Rover's old school chum, Fred Garrison.
+
+Living so close together--the three stone mansions on Riverside Drive
+were connected--the younger generation of Rover boys, as well as the
+girls, were brought up very much like one big family. The winters were
+spent in New York City, while during the summer the young folks were
+generally bundled off to Valley Brook Farm, where their grandfather,
+Anderson Rover, still resided with his brother Randolph and wife
+Martha.
+
+At first both the girls and the boys had been sent to private schools in
+the metropolis. But the boys showed such a propensity for "cutting up,"
+as Dick Rover expressed it, that the fathers were compelled to hold a
+consultation.
+
+"The best thing we can do is to send them to some strict boarding
+school," was Dick Rover's comment, and in this the brothers agreed.
+
+Some time before, their old school chum, Lawrence Colby, who had since
+become a colonel in the state militia, had opened a military academy,
+which he called Colby Hall. The place was gaining an enviable reputation
+as a first-class institution of learning, being modeled after Putnam
+Hall, which, in its day, had been run somewhat on the lines of West
+Point.
+
+"We'll send them to Colby Hall," had been the decision of the older
+Rovers, and to that place Jack, Andy and Randy, and Fred had gone, as
+related in detail in the volume entitled "The Rover Boys at Colby Hall."
+
+The military school presided over by Colonel Colby was located about
+half a mile from the town of Haven Point, on Clearwater Lake, a
+beautiful sheet of water about two miles long and half a mile wide. At
+the head of the lake was the Rick Rack River, running down from the
+hills and woods beyond. The school consisted of a large stone building
+shaped somewhat in the form of a cross, the upper portion facing the
+river. It was three stories in height, and contained, not only the
+classrooms and the mess hall, but also the dormitories and private rooms
+for the scholars. To one side was a brick building, which at one time
+had been a private dwelling, but which was now occupied by Colonel Colby
+and his family and some of the professors. On the opposite side was a
+new and up-to-date gymnasium. Down at the water's edge were a number of
+small buildings used as boathouses and bathhouses. Behind the Hall were
+a stable and a barn, and also a garage; and still further back there
+were a large vegetable garden and numerous farm fields.
+
+On their arrival at Colby Hall, the Rover boys had found several of
+their friends awaiting them. One of these was Dick Powell, the son of
+Songbird Powell, a former schoolmate of their fathers, a fellow who was
+usually called Spouter because of his fondness for making speeches.
+Another lad was Gifford Garrison, usually called Gif for short, who was
+at the head of the school athletics. Gif was the son of Fred Garrison,
+after whom Fred Rover had been named.
+
+They also made friends of a number of others, some of whom we have
+already met. These included Walter Baxter, the son of Dan Baxter, who
+in years gone by had been an enemy to the older Rovers, but who had long
+since reformed.
+
+Before coming to Colby Hall Jack Rover had had a quarrel in New York
+with a tall, dudish youth named Napoleon Martell, and this had almost
+led to a fight. Nappy Martell, as he was usually called by his cronies,
+was a pupil at the military academy, and soon he and his crony, a big,
+overgrown bully, named Slogwell Brown, did what they could to make life
+miserable for all of the Rovers. But in one of their dirty tricks they
+over-reached themselves, and as a consequence they had been exposed and
+sent away from the institution of learning for the time being.
+
+"But they are coming back," Walt Baxter had told the Rover boys; "and
+they say when they do, they will make it hot for you."
+
+"Well, when Slugger and Nappy return we will be ready for them," had
+been Jack Rover's reply.
+
+"And the next time we won't be as easy on them as we were before," Fred
+had added.
+
+All of the cadets formed a battalion of several companies, commanded by
+one of the older cadets, Major Ralph Mason. The Rovers took to the
+military drill and general exercises readily, and soon learned how to
+march and how to handle a gun. They enjoyed drilling very much--in
+fact, they enjoyed it more than they did studying, although all of them
+were good scholars.
+
+As has been stated, Colby Hall was located about half a mile out of
+Haven Point. On the other side of the town was located Clearwater Hall,
+a boarding school for girls. During a panic in a moving picture theater
+in the town, Jack and his cousins had become acquainted with a number of
+these girls, including Ruth Stevenson and May Powell. After that the
+four boys had taken four of the girls rowing on the lake and on other
+outings, and through this had become quite well acquainted with a number
+of the Clearwater Hall pupils. Jack was particularly interested in Ruth
+Stevenson, and thought her a very beautiful and entertaining young lady.
+The others did not seem to have any particular preference, although Fred
+was often seen to side up to May Powell, the entertaining cousin of
+Spouter.
+
+And now, having introduced these young ladies in a proper manner, let us
+return to them at the time when they were struggling on the ice and in
+the midst of the frightened crowd rushing hither and thither, striving
+to save itself from being immersed in the icy waters of the lake.
+
+"Oh! oh! What shall we do?" cried May in terror, as she clung to her
+companion's arm.
+
+"Come on! We'll have to skate away from here!" burst out Ruth. "Come!
+let us see if we can't get to shore," and she started off, her companion
+still clinging to her.
+
+In the meanwhile, Jack and Randy were skating as fast as possible in the
+direction where they had seen the two girls. But now a crowd of cadets
+and town folks swept in front of them, and the next instant Randy was
+hurled flat on his back and went spinning across the smooth ice.
+
+By this time one of the spots on the lake had broken through, and the
+water was rapidly rising all around it and covering the sinking surface.
+Men, women and children mingled with the cadets and hurried in all
+directions, but most of them toward the shore.
+
+"Come on! We've got to help those girls somehow!" panted Jack, as he
+skated over to where Randy had been flung. He assisted his cousin to his
+feet just as Fred and Andy flashed up.
+
+"The girls! Don't you see them over there? They are going down!" yelled
+Fred.
+
+"Yes, I see them! Come on!" answered Jack.
+
+As tired as he was because of the race, the oldest Rover struck out with
+all the vigor he could muster. Soon he found himself sloshing through
+water that was several inches deep. The next moment he stood beside the
+two girls, who had become almost too frightened to move.
+
+"Come on! Don't stand here!" he called, catching Ruth by the arm.
+
+He looked back and saw that Fred and the others were close behind him,
+and that Fred already had hold of May. Then he started off up the lake.
+
+"Oh, Jack, hadn't we better head for the shore?" gasped the frightened
+girl.
+
+"No. There is too much of a crowd in that direction already," he
+answered quickly. "If they don't look out they'll all go in. Come on!
+The best thing to do is to get out where there isn't anybody."
+
+He skated on, allowing the girl to rest on his arm as he did so. Soon
+they seemed to be out of the danger zone, and then he looked back.
+
+The sight that met his gaze filled him with new alarm. Fred had been
+skating with May close beside him, but their feet had caught in one of
+the new cracks, and both of them had gone down headlong. Andy and Randy
+had been close behind, and now they too went sprawling, while the ice
+cracked ominously, as if ready to let them down into the water at any
+instant!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+OUT OF PERIL
+
+
+"Oh look! May and Fred have both gone down!" cried Ruth.
+
+"Yes, and there go Andy and Randy over them!" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"And look, Jack, the ice is cracking everywhere!" continued the
+frightened girl. She clutched his arm and looked appealingly into his
+face. "Oh! what shall we do?"
+
+"Spread out, you fellows! Spread out!" yelled the oldest Rover boy.
+"Spread out! Don't keep together!"
+
+His cry was heard, and an instant later Andy commenced to roll over on
+the ice in one direction while his twin rolled in another. In the
+meantime, Fred had managed to scramble to his feet, and now he pulled up
+May.
+
+"Come on, we'll soon be out of danger," encouraged the youngest Rover;
+and, striking out, he pulled May behind him, the girl being too excited
+to skate.
+
+In less than a minute the danger, so far as it concerned the Rovers and
+the two girls from Clearwater Hall, was past. All reached a point where
+the ice was perfectly firm. Here Ruth speedily gained her
+self-possession, but May continued to cling closely to Fred's arm.
+
+"I'm going to see how they are making out in front of the boathouse!"
+cried Randy. "Some of the skaters must have gotten in."
+
+"I'm with you," returned his twin. He looked back at his cousins. "I
+suppose you will look after the girls?"
+
+"Sure!" answered Jack quickly. "Go ahead."
+
+"I don't suppose we can be of any assistance down there?" came from
+Fred.
+
+"I don't think so, Fred. There is too much of a crowd as it is; they
+will simply be in one another's way."
+
+"Oh! oh! suppose some one should be drowned!" moaned May.
+
+"Let us hope for the best," answered Jack. He did not want to add to the
+girls' fright, yet he was decidedly anxious over the outcome of the
+unexpected catastrophe.
+
+They skated toward the shore at a point between Colby Hall and the town,
+and then they worked their way along shore up to the vicinity of the
+military academy. Here men and cadets were rushing hither and thither,
+some with planks and others with ropes.
+
+"Six of the cadets broke through," announced Spouter Powell, as he came
+up to learn if his cousin was safe.
+
+"They are all out, aren't they?" questioned Jack quickly.
+
+"Yes. But there may have been others that went under the ice. Professor
+Brice and Mr. Crews are going to make a thorough search." Crews was the
+gymnastic instructor.
+
+The excitement continued for fully half an hour. By that time it was
+ascertained that every one had gotten off of the ice or out of the water
+in safety. Those who had gone down were rushed to shelter, so that they
+might not catch cold. Gradually the crowd dispersed, and then Professor
+Brice had danger signs placed at various points on the ice, so that
+there should not be a repetition of the accident.
+
+"The thing would not have occurred had not the entire crowd happened to
+congregate around the winners of the skating race," explained Professor
+Brice to Colonel Colby.
+
+"You think the ice is thick enough for any ordinary crowd?" questioned
+the master of the school anxiously.
+
+"Yes, sir. You can test it for yourself."
+
+"Well, we must be more careful in the future, Mr. Brice. We don't want
+any of our cadets drowned."
+
+"We won't have any such crowd again if I can avoid it," was the reply.
+
+"It's all nonsense to have such races anyway. It encourages too much
+rowdyism," was the comment of Asa Lemm, one of the language professors.
+Lemm was the least liked of all the teachers at the Hall. He did not
+believe in a boy's having any fun, but expected the cadets to spend
+their entire time in studying. He had once been fairly wealthy, and the
+loss of his money had made him sour-minded and disagreeable.
+
+"I cannot agree with that opinion," returned Colonel Colby coldly. "The
+boys must have some exercise. And to be out in the fresh air is a very
+good thing for them. They will study so much the better for it."
+
+"Maybe; but I doubt it," answered Asa Lemm shortly. "You let a boy go
+out and carouse around, and the first thing you know he won't care for
+anything else," and he strode away with his chin held high in the air
+and his lips tightly compressed. He was a man of very positive ideas,
+which he tried at every opportunity to impress upon others.
+
+"Aren't your feet wet?" questioned Jack suddenly, as he looked down at
+the skating shoes worn by Ruth and May.
+
+"Well, they are rather damp," answered Ruth.
+
+"Mine are both wet and cold," said May. "I shouldn't mind it if I could
+dry them off and warm them somewhere."
+
+"Come on up to the Hall," went on Jack. "I'm sure they will let you dry
+them in front of the open fire in the big living-room."
+
+"Oh, Jack, we don't want to go there in such a crowd of cadets!"
+
+"Don't worry about the cadets," put in Fred.
+
+When they arrived at the living-room of the military academy, they found
+it practically deserted, the great majority of the cadets being at the
+lake front or in the big boathouse, where a pot stove was kept going for
+the benefit of the skaters.
+
+"My, but this is a cozy place!" remarked Ruth, after she had become
+comfortably settled in a big armchair with her feet resting close to the
+blaze.
+
+"I wish I was a cadet here," sighed May. "It's more fun being a boy than
+being a girl."
+
+"How do you know? You never were a boy," returned Fred, with a grin.
+
+"I know, just the same," May answered. "I'm sure you boys have a much
+better time of it than we girls."
+
+This started quite an argument, in which all of the young people,
+including Spouter, joined. In the midst of the talk Andy and Randy came
+in, having been told where the others had gone.
+
+"It's all over and everybody is safe," announced Randy.
+
+"And the only thing lost, so far as we can find out, was Fatty's skating
+cap," put in Andy.
+
+"Well, if that's all, we can chip in and buy him another cap," remarked
+Jack, and at this there was a short laugh. Now that the peril was a
+thing of the past all felt greatly relieved, and their manner showed it.
+
+Jack and Fred had the pleasure of skating all the way to Clearwater Hall
+with Ruth and May. During that time the young folks grew quite
+confidential.
+
+"Why don't you get your sister Martha to come to Clearwater Hall?" said
+Ruth to Jack. "I'm sure I'd like very much to meet her."
+
+"Yes, and why not have your sister Mary come too?" added May to Fred.
+
+"Say, that's a great idea!" burst out Jack.
+
+"Let's put it up to the folks at home without delay," added his cousin.
+"But they might not like to leave the private school they are now
+attending," he continued, his face falling.
+
+"That's true, for they are getting along very nicely," said Jack. "Just
+the same, we can put it up to the folks at home and let them know all
+about what a nice place Clearwater Hall is--and what awfully nice girls
+there are here." And at this latter remark Ruth and May blushed.
+
+"I sent a letter to Mary a year or two ago," said May; "but at that time
+I wasn't here. I think I'll send her another letter."
+
+"Do, by all means," returned Fred quickly. "And let her know all about
+how nice a place it is. That may help."
+
+"It would be a fine thing if they were at this school--it would give us
+more chances to call here," remarked Jack to Ruth.
+
+"Last week I met Cousin Dick in town," said May, "and he was telling me
+how that Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell had left the Hall. He said the
+pair were terribly down on all you Rovers."
+
+"Yes, they were very much enraged over the way we exposed them,"
+answered Fred.
+
+"They deserved to be exposed!" cried Ruth. "The idea of their shooting
+two of Mr. Lacy's valuable cows and then trying to prove that you did
+it! It was shameful!"
+
+"Well, their folks had to pay Lacy for the cows," answered Jack.
+
+"And then to think how they tampered with the chains on that lumber
+raft so that the raft went to pieces in that storm on the lake!" added
+May. "Oh, I think they must be very wicked boys!"
+
+"They are certainly no angels."
+
+"Jack, if they should come back to Colby Hall, won't you be afraid that
+they will try to do something more to get you into trouble?"
+
+"More than likely they will; but I am not afraid of them."
+
+"We intend to keep our eyes wide open, and if Slugger or Nappy try any
+funny work, we'll jump on 'em like a ton of bricks," added Fred.
+
+Then the subject was changed, and a few minutes later the cadets bid the
+girls good-bye, promising to see them again if possible in the near
+future.
+
+"I'll tell you what, Jack, they are a pair of mighty fine girls," was
+Fred's comment, as he and his cousin skated back in the direction of the
+military academy.
+
+"I agree with you, Fred."
+
+"I wish we could persuade Martha and Mary to go to Clearwater Hall,"
+went on the youngest Rover boy, wistfully. "I'd like first rate to have
+'em get better acquainted with May and get acquainted with the other
+girls there."
+
+"We'll have to be careful how we write home about it," cautioned his
+cousin. "If we aren't, they'll think we want them to come just on
+account of Ruth and May, and then they'll tease the life out of us."
+
+"Oh, sure, we'll be careful! Just the same, it would be a fine boarding
+school for them. I don't think much of that fashionable private school
+where they are now going. Most of the girls there think more of how they
+are dressed and what dances they are learning than anything else."
+
+"By the way, do you think Spouter knows more about what Slugger and
+Nappy intend to do than he told?"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, perhaps he heard something, but didn't want to tell all of it for
+fear of alarming us."
+
+"I don't think Spouter would do that. He knows well enough that we
+aren't afraid of that pair."
+
+"Just the same, Fred, if they do come back we'll have to keep our eyes
+wide open, for they surely will do their best to put one over on us, and
+any fellows who would be mean enough to do what they have done, wouldn't
+hesitate to do worse."
+
+"I can't understand why Colonel Colby is going to let them come back at
+all."
+
+"Oh, I suppose he feels that he ought to give them at least one more
+chance. He probably remembers how Dan Baxter acted toward our fathers
+and the colonel himself, as well as their chums, and how Baxter
+afterwards reformed."
+
+"Yes, that may be true. But when one fellow like Walt Baxter's father
+reforms, a dozen others remain as bad as ever, or grow worse. To my
+mind, there isn't much in the way of reform in Slugger Brown's make-up,
+or in Nappy Martell either."
+
+"Oh, I agree with you there. Slugger Brown is nothing short of a brute,
+and Nappy Martell is as sly and vicious as any fellow I ever ran up
+against. We'll certainly have to watch them when they get back here."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+OUT HUNTING
+
+
+After the excitement attending the skating races, matters moved along
+quietly at Colby Hall for several days. The Rover boys, as was their
+custom, paid close attention to their studies.
+
+"We've got to make a record for ourselves," was the way Jack put it. "If
+we don't, our folks may take it in their heads to send us to some other
+boarding school, thinking Colonel Colby is too easy with us."
+
+"And to take Jack away from this vicinity when he is getting so sweet on
+Ruth Steven----" began Randy, when he was cut short by a book flung by
+his cousin, landing on his shoulder.
+
+"You cut out that talk, Randy!" cried Jack.
+
+"Let's talk about the weather," murmured Andy, who had passed to the
+window. "Say, fellows, do you know, I think it's going to snow!"
+
+"Hurrah! That means some fun snowballing!" cried Fred.
+
+The snow came down all that night, and in the morning covered the
+ground to the depth of several inches. A great many of the cadets rushed
+out in glee, and half a dozen impromptu snowballing matches were soon in
+progress.
+
+It was almost time to go in for the morning session when several of the
+cadets noticed a figure, huddled up in a slouch hat and a heavy
+overcoat, coming up from behind the Hall toward a side door.
+
+"Here comes Bob Nixon!" yelled one of the cadets, mentioning the name of
+Colonel Colby's chauffeur. "Let's give him a volley."
+
+"Right you are!" exclaimed Andy gleefully.
+
+"Stop! Can't you see----" commenced Jack, but before he could finish his
+sentence both Andy and Randy had let drive at the advancing figure. One
+snowball took the man in the shoulder and the other landed just below
+his left ear.
+
+"Here! here! what do you mean by such proceedings?" cried the attacked
+individual in great wrath, and then, as he held up his head and pushed
+back his slouch hat, all saw that it was Asa Lemm.
+
+"Great watermelons!" groaned Andy. "I thought sure it was Nixon!"
+
+"I knew it wasn't, and that's why I tried to stop you," said Jack.
+
+"Say, he's some mad," whispered Randy, as the language teacher strode
+toward them. "I wonder what he'll do."
+
+"How dare you boys attack me?" roared Asa Lemm, as he shook his fist at
+the crowd. "How dare you do it?"
+
+"It was all a mistake, Mr. Lemm," said Randy meekly.
+
+"We didn't know it was you--really we didn't," came from Andy. "We
+thought it was Bob Nixon. He likes to snowball with us."
+
+"I do not believe a word of it!" cried the irate instructor. "How many
+of you threw at me?" he questioned, glaring at the crowd.
+
+To this there was no immediate answer, and then Randy stepped forward.
+
+"I did, for one," he said.
+
+"And so did I," came from his twin.
+
+"Anybody else?"
+
+"No. We were the only ones, Professor," answered Randy. "And I hope you
+will overlook it this time," he continued. "We did not know it was you."
+
+"Both of you report to me after school this afternoon," said the
+instructor harshly; and then without another word he turned and tramped
+off into the Hall.
+
+"Now we are in for it, Andy," was Randy's dismal comment.
+
+"Oh, well, he can't do any more than kill us," was the light-hearted
+reply of the other.
+
+"Do you want to be killed, Andy?" quizzed Jack.
+
+"I know what he'll do," was Randy's comment. "He'll keep us both in and
+give us extra lessons to learn." And in this surmise the fun-loving
+Rover boy was correct. For their rashness in snowballing the teacher
+they were made to stay in after school for two afternoons, and in
+addition had two extra pages of Latin to translate.
+
+"He's a lemon, if ever there was one," was what Andy said after his
+punishment had come to an end. "Oh, wouldn't I just like to get square
+with him!"
+
+"We'll have to think something up, Andy," answered his twin.
+
+Following the first fall of snow, came another, but then the sun came
+out brightly, packing down the snow so that sleighing became quite
+popular.
+
+"If we only had a big sleigh up here, we could go and get the girls from
+Clearwater Hall and give them a ride," said Fred one day to Jack.
+
+"I was thinking we might hire a big sleigh in town some Saturday
+afternoon and do just that," answered his cousin. "I'll look into it the
+first chance I get."
+
+Fred and Jack had not forgotten the sport they had had earlier in the
+season, when they had gone out with Frank Newberry and some others on a
+hunt for rabbits and other small game.
+
+"The hunting season is still open, Fred," said Jack one day. "What do
+you say if we ask Colonel Colby for permission to go out."
+
+"Suits me," answered his cousin quickly.
+
+"Do you think Andy and Randy would like to go, too?"
+
+"More than likely. They have been wanting to go ever since we brought
+down that game."
+
+When the subject was mentioned to the twins, they quickly agreed that it
+would be a fine thing if they could all obtain permission to go on a
+hunting trip the coming Saturday. Colonel Colby was appealed to without
+delay.
+
+"Well, boys, I have no objection to your going out," he said. "I know
+you all understand the use of firearms, and I know, also, that your
+fathers loved to go out in their day and hunt. And I did a little bit in
+that line myself," and he smiled faintly. "But I want you to be very
+careful in what you shoot at; and do your level best to keep out of
+trouble of all kinds," and he looked at Jack and Fred as he uttered the
+latter words.
+
+"Getting into trouble before, Colonel Colby, wasn't our fault," answered
+Jack quickly.
+
+"I know that."
+
+"By the way, Colonel Colby, if it isn't asking too much, would you mind
+letting us know if Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell are really going to
+return here?" questioned Fred.
+
+"They have asked for permission to come back--at least, their parents
+have asked for them--and I have the matter under consideration,"
+answered the master of the Hall. He gazed questioningly at the Rovers.
+"I meant to mention this subject to you, and I am glad you have brought
+it up. In one way, I don't feel like having them here; but in another
+way I should like to give them another chance in case they feel like
+turning over a new leaf and making a fresh start. What do you boys think
+of it?"
+
+For a moment all of the Rover boys were silent, looking at each other
+questioningly. Then the others showed that they expected Jack to speak.
+
+"Well, if you want my candid opinion, it's just this, Colonel Colby,"
+said the oldest Rover boy earnestly. "Personally I would much prefer to
+have Brown and Martell stay away from Colby Hall. But if you think they
+ought to be given another chance to make good here, why, I am sure I'm
+not going to stand in their way. Just the same, if they do come here,
+I'm going to watch them pretty closely so that they won't be able to
+play any more of their dirty tricks."
+
+"I shall not blame you for watching them, Rover. After what happened to
+you and your Cousin Fred, it is no more than right that you should be on
+your guard. Yet, I trust that you will give Brown and Martell a chance
+to prove themselves, provided they really do want to turn over a new
+leaf and make amends for what has happened."
+
+"Oh, we'll give them plenty of chances to make good if it is in them;
+won't we?" and Jack turned to his cousins.
+
+"Sure!" came in a chorus.
+
+"Then that is settled, and I am glad of it. Now you have my permission
+to go on your hunting trip, and I trust you will bring down all the
+small game you desire. But, as I said before, be very careful. So far, I
+have allowed all of my pupils to go out hunting whenever they have so
+desired, and without any accidents happening. I don't want to break that
+record." And with these words the master of the Hall dismissed them.
+
+This conversation took place on Thursday evening, and all day Friday the
+boys were anxiously looking forward to the proposed outing and wondering
+what the weather would prove to be. They obtained permission to take
+two small rifles and two double-barreled shotguns belonging to the
+institution, and these they cleaned and oiled so that they would be in
+prime condition.
+
+Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, and the four Rovers obtained
+their breakfast as early as the rules of the school permitted. Then,
+with game bags and guns slung over their shoulders, they set out on
+their skates up the lake shore and then along the Rick Rack River, the
+wind of the day previous having cleared large portions of the ice of
+snow.
+
+"Come on, let's have a race!" cried Andy gleefully. Had he not been on
+his skates he would have attempted a handspring in the exuberance of his
+spirits.
+
+"No racing to-day!" warned Jack. "You save your breath, Andy. We expect
+to skate and tramp a good many miles to-day before we get back to the
+school."
+
+"All right, just as you say," answered his cousin, and then he began
+some horseplay with Fred, which came to a sudden end when the youngest
+Rover tripped him up and sent him plunging into a snowbank on the side
+of the narrow stream.
+
+"Now let up, I tell you!" warned Jack. "You never want to try any
+horseplay when you are tramping or skating along with a loaded gun.
+It's too dangerous. Remember what Colonel Colby said," and then Andy
+sobered down a little.
+
+All too soon for the boys, the skating on the river came to an end.
+Beyond, the stream was little better than a rocky watercourse, now
+thickly covered with ice and snow.
+
+"Why can't we leave our skates here until we come back?" suggested
+Randy.
+
+"We could if we were sure we were going to return this way," answered
+Jack. "But we had better take them along, for we may return to the Hall
+by an entirely different route. We'll place our skates in our game bags
+for the present;" and this advice was followed.
+
+After this the Rover boys trudged along through the woods bordering the
+stream. Soon they came upon some rabbit tracks, and less than a minute
+later Jack suddenly raised his double-barreled shotgun and blazed away.
+
+"Hurrah! you've got him!" cried Fred, and all of the boys rushed forward
+to where the game lay--a big, fat rabbit.
+
+"Say, Jack, you're the lucky one!" cried Andy. "Now you know what you
+promised?" he added.
+
+"All right--it's your turn now to have the shotgun," answered his
+cousin, for that was the bargain which had been made. "I'll carry the
+rifle."
+
+On and on went the young hunters, getting deeper and deeper into the
+woods. Here they managed to stir up more game, and Andy had the pleasure
+of bringing down the second rabbit, while the others laid low several
+squirrels.
+
+"This is pretty rough ground around here," remarked Jack, after they had
+wound in and out around some exceedingly rough rocks and through some
+thick underbrush.
+
+"We had better keep close to this stream," was Randy's suggestion. "If
+we don't, we may become hopelessly lost in these woods."
+
+"Huh! I guess we could find our way out sooner or later," retorted his
+twin. To Andy, getting lost in the woods would seem nothing more than a
+big joke.
+
+The young hunters continued to advance, and, during the course of the
+next hour, brought down several more rabbits, and also another squirrel.
+Then, just as Andy had handed back one of the shotguns to Jack and the
+weapon had been reloaded, they heard a strange noise coming from back of
+some bushes not a great distance away.
+
+"Now what do you suppose that is?" whispered Fred.
+
+"I think I know, Fred," was Jack's reply; "and if I am right, get ready
+to fire as soon as I do."
+
+The two boys with the shotguns went in advance, and soon reached a point
+where they could look beyond the bushes. Then came a sudden whirr, and
+up into the air went a small flock of pheasants.
+
+Bang! bang! rang out Jack's fowling piece, and bang! bang! came the
+report of Fred's firearm.
+
+The strange whirring continued, but then three of the birds were seen to
+drop to the ground, one dead and the other two seriously wounded.
+
+"Hurrah! we've got three of them!" cried Fred excitedly, and then ran
+forward, to quickly put the wounded birds out of their misery.
+
+"Say, that's some luck!" exclaimed Randy. "If I----"
+
+Randy stopped short, and so did some of the others who had started to
+speak. A strange sound from a distance had reached their ears.
+
+"Help! help!" came in a low cry. "Help! For heaven's sake, somebody come
+and help me!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+UNCLE BARNEY STEVENSON
+
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"It's somebody calling for help!"
+
+"It's a man's voice; and he must be in pretty bad shape to call like
+that!" burst out Jack.
+
+"Hello there!" yelled Randy. "Where are you?"
+
+"Here! Under the fallen tree!" came in a faint cry. "Help me, quick!"
+
+"I think the cry came from that direction," said Andy, pointing with his
+hand.
+
+"And I think it came from over there," added his twin, pointing off at a
+right angle to the first direction given.
+
+"I think Andy is right!" exclaimed Jack. "Anyway, he and I can go off in
+that direction, while you, Randy, and Fred can see if you can locate him
+over yonder."
+
+Neither of the boys had been exactly right in locating the cry for
+assistance, which had come from a point about midway between the two
+places suggested, but it was Jack who saw a large fallen tree from a
+distance and ran quickly toward it, yelling for all of the others to do
+likewise.
+
+The sight which met their gaze filled them with a pity and a strong
+desire to be of assistance. There, in the snow, lay an elderly man, clad
+in the garb of a hunter or lumberman, with a shotgun and a well-worn
+game bag beside him. Over the man's legs and one outstretched arm,
+rested the upper portion of a large pine tree, which had evidently
+crashed down because of the weight of snow upon it but a short time
+before. The man lay on his chest, and it was all he could do to raise
+his head to cry for aid.
+
+"Say, this is tough!" exclaimed Andy, as he reached the spot. "What can
+we do to help him?"
+
+"We've got to pry up that tree somehow," answered Jack.
+
+"Come on; let us see if we can't lift it!" exclaimed Randy, and took
+hold of one of the numerous branches.
+
+The others did the same, and all pulled upon the tree with their utmost
+strength. Yet, it was too heavy for them and could scarcely be budged.
+
+"We've got to get some kind of pry and pry it up," announced Jack. "I
+wish we had brought a hatchet along. I meant to bring one, so that we
+could make firewood, but I forgot it."
+
+"Help me! Help me!" moaned the man. "Don't leave me here pinned down
+like this;" and then he seemed to faint.
+
+Alarmed by the condition of the sufferer, the boys ran around the spot
+looking for something which might aid them in releasing the man. They
+found several flat stones, and then discovered a sapling which they
+succeeded in pulling up by the roots. Piling up the flat stones close to
+the fallen tree, they placed the sapling upon them, using it as a lever,
+and by this means Jack and the twins managed to raise the fallen pine
+just high enough to allow Fred to haul the hurt man from under it. Then
+they let the pine slip back to its original position.
+
+"Looks to me as if he might have his two legs broken, and maybe his
+arm," announced Jack, after they had placed the man on his back with his
+head raised on some pine boughs stripped from the trees. The sufferer's
+eyes were closed, and he breathed heavily.
+
+"We ought to get a doctor for him just as soon as possible," said Randy.
+"But where to go for one, excepting back to Haven Point, I don't know."
+
+While the young hunters were wondering what they had better do, the man
+slowly opened his eyes and gave a gasp.
+
+"Help me! Please help me!" he cried feebly.
+
+"Don't excite yourself, you're all right now," answered Jack kindly.
+"Take it easy. We'll do what we can for you."
+
+The man had closed his eyes again, but now he opened them and tried to
+look around him.
+
+"You got me clear of the fallen tree, did you?" he murmured. "Good! I
+was afraid I'd have to stay there until I froze to death."
+
+"How about it? Can you use your left arm?" questioned Jack.
+
+"I don't know. I guess so," answered the man, and then tried to raise
+the arm in question. He held it up for a few seconds, but then let it
+drop heavily by his side.
+
+"It's pretty well lamed I reckon," he said. "You see, I had it right
+under one of the tree limbs."
+
+"What about your legs? Can you move them at all?" went on the oldest
+Rover boy. He did not have the heart to mention that the man's lower
+limbs might be broken.
+
+Feebly, the man raised up first one leg and then the other. The limbs
+had not been broken, but they were much bruised and swollen, and the
+movements caused the sufferer to give a groan.
+
+"I'm afraid I'm done up so far as walking is concerned," he said
+dolefully. "You see, I'm getting old," he went on. "If I was a younger
+man, maybe this wouldn't affect me quite so much. But as it is----" He
+shook his head dismally.
+
+"I guess you had better let us carry you out of the woods," said Jack.
+"You can't walk, and you certainly can't stay here alone."
+
+"Do you know where the nearest house is located?" questioned Randy.
+
+"Let me see----" The man mused for a moment, shutting his eyes while he
+did so. "Unless I'm greatly mistaken, Bill Hobson lives on the edge of
+the woods just to the north of this spot."
+
+"Is he a farmer?" questioned Fred.
+
+"No, he's a lumberman, like myself," was the reply. The man looked from
+one to another of the youths. "May I ask who you are?"
+
+"We're the Rover boys," answered the oldest of the four. "I am Jack
+Rover, and these are my cousins, Fred, Andy, and Randy."
+
+"Glad to know you, boys; and doubly glad to think you were up in this
+section of the woods just when I had this accident. I sha'n't forget
+your kindness. My name is Stevenson, but most all the folks that know me
+call me Uncle Barney. I take it from your uniforms that you belong at
+Colby Hall."
+
+"We do," answered Andy.
+
+"I don't belong in this neighborhood. I just came over early this
+morning to see what the hunting looked like around here. My home is on
+Snowshoe Island, in the middle of Lake Monona, about ten miles north of
+here."
+
+"I think you had better rest on some of these pine boughs while some of
+us try to locate the Bill Hobson you mentioned," said Jack. "Can you
+point out the general direction of his place?"
+
+"It's up along this mountain stream," and Barney Stevenson indicated the
+Rick Rack River. "You just follow that watercourse for about a quarter
+of a mile, and I'm pretty sure you'll come to it."
+
+"Well, if you're sure it's along this stream, we might as well try to
+get you there first as last," announced Randy. He turned to his cousins.
+"Why can't we take turns in carrying him, either on our backs or on a
+litter?"
+
+"I think we had better try to make some sort of litter of pine boughs,"
+answered Jack. "It will be much easier for the four of us to do the
+carrying than for one."
+
+"I've got a hatchet in my game bag, and you can cut some pine boughs
+with that. And you will find some cord in my game bag, too."
+
+"How did the accident happen, if I may ask?" questioned Randy, while
+Jack began to trim several large boughs from the fallen pine.
+
+"It came quicker'n lightning," was the old lumberman's answer. "I had
+just spotted a fine, fat rabbit, and was taking aim, when, without
+warning, the tree gave a sudden snap like the report of a gun, and down
+it came right on top of me. Of course, I tried to jump out of the way,
+but my foot caught on a tree root, or a rock, or something, and down I
+went, and the next minute the tree came down on top of me, right across
+my legs and my left arm, like when you found me. I tried to pull myself
+loose, but my legs and my arm seemed to be wedged down between the tree
+and some stones, and I couldn't budge nary a one of 'em."
+
+"I guess you can be thankful that you didn't break your arm or your
+legs."
+
+"I suppose that's true, my boy. Just the same, I suppose this will lay
+me up for a week or two, and maybe longer," answered Barney Stevenson,
+dubiously.
+
+Having cut several pine boughs that looked as if they might answer the
+purpose, the four boys lost no time in twisting them together and then
+tying them into a rude litter. Across this they laid additional pine
+boughs, and upon these placed the form of the hurt man. When they moved
+him he shut his teeth hard, evidently to keep from crying out with
+pain.
+
+"I know it must hurt you, Mr. Stevenson," said Jack kindly. "We'll be
+just as careful as possible."
+
+"I know you'll be, my lads. I suppose I ought to have a doctor, but if I
+can get to Bill Hobson's cabin, I guess I'll be all right. Bill will
+most likely have some liniment, and that will fix me up."
+
+With the old lumberman resting on the litter and the four youths
+carrying this as carefully as possible, the party made its way along the
+Rick Rack River, which at this point was little better than a mountain
+torrent. They had considerable difficulty in climbing over the rocks and
+in making their way through the heavy brushwood, but finally they came
+out to a cleared space, beyond which there were only scattered patches
+of trees.
+
+"I see some smoke!" cried Fred presently.
+
+"That must be the smoke from Bill Hobson's place," announced the old
+lumberman, and then he closed his eyes once more and lay back on the
+litter, for the pain he was suffering was great.
+
+Keeping on in the direction where they had seen the smoke, they soon
+came in sight of a fairly large cabin with a lean-to attached. They
+marched up to the place, and Jack rapped upon the door, which was opened
+a moment later by a burly man, well along in years.
+
+"What do you want?" began the man, and then looked past Jack to the
+litter and the old lumberman lying on it. "What's this? Why, it's Uncle
+Barney, I declare! What's happened?"
+
+"I got hurt by a falling tree, Bill," was the reply. "And if it hadn't
+been for these cadets, I might be layin' down in the woods yet."
+
+"He is quite a bit hurt," explained Jack. "You had better let us carry
+him in and place him on a couch or a bed of some kind."
+
+"Surest thing you know, young man," answered Bill Hobson. "Fetch him
+right in," and he turned to make a bunk ready for the sufferer.
+
+Fortunately the cabin was well warmed, so that as soon as they had
+Barney Stevenson safe inside, they lost no time in taking off some of
+his clothing and examining his hurts. The other old lumberman, assisted
+by Jack, did this, and Hobson examined the condition of his friend with
+care.
+
+"I can't see that anything is broken," he announced; "but those bruises
+are pretty bad. I think I'll bathe 'em with hot water, and then put on
+some liniment and bind 'em up."
+
+"I guess I'll have to stay right where I am for a spell, Bill," said the
+hurt man.
+
+"That's what, Uncle Barney. And you're welcome to stay as long as you
+please," announced the owner of the cabin. The boys had brought along
+the old lumberman's game bag and shotgun.
+
+Bill Hobson wanted to know the particulars of the affair, and the Rover
+boys related how they had come up into the woods to hunt and heard
+Barney Stevenson's cries for assistance, and how they had liberated him
+and brought him along on the litter.
+
+"I'm very thankful indeed to you," said Barney Stevenson, and his face
+showed his gratitude. "If I can ever do you boys a good turn, believe
+me, I'll do it."
+
+"Didn't you say you lived on Snowshoe Island?" queried Jack.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I've heard of the place, but I don't know exactly where it is located
+or why they call it Snowshoe Island."
+
+"It's a big island located almost in the middle of Lake Monona,"
+answered the old lumberman. "I own the place, and it's called Snowshoe
+Island because some years ago a number of Indians lived on it and made
+their living by making snowshoes. The Indians are all gone now."
+
+"I guess, Uncle Barney, you've lived on that island a good number of
+years," put in Bill Hobson.
+
+"Twelve years coming this Christmas," was the reply. "I went there the
+day after my wife was buried," and the old lumberman's face clouded as
+if the memory of what had happened was still bitter.
+
+"Do you do any lumbering there?" questioned Randy, more to change the
+subject than for any other reason.
+
+"Oh, yes; I do quite some lumbering during the season. I have a firm in
+the city that sends up there every year for all the stuff I cut. At this
+time of year. I like to go out hunting. It's the one sport that I
+thoroughly enjoy. And I reckon you boys enjoy it, too, or you wouldn't
+be out with your guns."
+
+"Yes, we like to go hunting once in a while."
+
+"Well, now, listen to me, boys. You saved my life out there in the
+woods, and if I was real well off, I'd try to reward you for it. But, as
+it is----"
+
+"We don't want any reward," broke in Jack quickly.
+
+"I know you don't--you're not that kind. And I'm not going to offend you
+by offering it. Just the same, if you ever feel like coming over to
+Snowshoe Island and paying me a visit, I'll treat you as well as I know
+how."
+
+"Maybe we might be able to go over there and do some hunting some
+time," suggested Andy.
+
+"Yes, you come over some time and stay a few days or a week with me, and
+I'll give you the best time hunting I can," answered Barney Stevenson.
+
+"By the way, Mr. Stevenson," said Jack curiously, "do you know a Mr.
+Frederic Stevenson?" Jack had learned from Ruth that that was her
+father's name.
+
+At this unexpected question, the old lumberman opened wide his eyes and
+glared at the young cadet.
+
+"Yes, I know him--very well," he growled. "But I don't want to hear
+anything about him--not a word! Is he a friend of yours?"
+
+"He is the father of one of the young ladies who is a pupil at
+Clearwater Hall."
+
+"Oh, I see! Humph! Well, I don't want to hear anything about Fred
+Stevenson, and if you want to be friends with me, you needn't mention
+his name to me again," went on the old lumberman, much to the surprise
+of the Rover boys.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+DEEP IN THE WOODS
+
+
+"What do you suppose was the reason that old lumberman didn't want to
+hear Mr. Stevenson's name mentioned?" questioned Randy of Jack, about
+half an hour later, when the four cadets were tramping through the woods
+again to resume their hunting.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know, Randy," was the slow reply. "Evidently he was
+very bitter over something."
+
+"Having the same name, it looks to me as if this Uncle Barney, as they
+call him, might be some relative of Ruth's family," said Fred.
+
+"More than likely."
+
+"Maybe he's some cast-off relation, who got into trouble with them and
+then took himself off to that Snowshoe Island," was Fred's comment.
+
+"I'd have asked him some more questions if he hadn't acted so ugly about
+it," went on Jack.
+
+"Yes. But he seemed to be a very nice sort of man otherwise," put in
+Andy quickly.
+
+"I agree with you there." Jack gave a little sigh. "There must be some
+mystery to it."
+
+"Why don't you ask Ruth about it some time?"
+
+"I will, when I get a good chance to do it. Of course, if it's some sort
+of family affair, I'm not going to butt in."
+
+Before the Rover boys had left the cabin of Bill Hobson, they had been
+assured by old Uncle Barney that he was feeling fairly comfortable and
+that the owner of the place would look after him until he recovered.
+Barney Stevenson had mentioned Snowshoe Island several times, and had
+told the boys again that he was sorry he could not reward them for
+coming to his assistance, but that if they ever cared to visit his
+island, he would do his best to make them feel at home and show them
+where the best hunting in that vicinity was to be had. He had also
+mentioned the fact that there was a vacant cabin close to his own on the
+island, and that they would be welcome to camp out there at any time
+they chose to do so.
+
+"I'd like to visit his place some time," said Fred, "just to see how the
+old fellow lives. I'll bet he's got quite a comfortable outfit there."
+
+"He may live in very queer style," returned Randy. "According to what he
+says, and what that Bill Hobson told me, he must be a good deal of a
+hermit."
+
+"Maybe he committed some sort of crime and the other Stevensons cast him
+off," suggested Andy.
+
+"Oh, I can't think that! He didn't look to be a criminal," returned
+Jack. "Don't you remember what he said about taking up his residence on
+the island after his wife died? Maybe that loss made him feel as if he
+didn't want to mingle with the rest of the world."
+
+The boys talked the matter over for some time, but could reach no
+conclusion whatever regarding the way the old lumberman had acted when
+Frederic Stevenson's name had been mentioned. Then, however, they
+stirred up some more squirrels and rabbits, and in the excitement of the
+chase that subject, for the time being, was forgotten.
+
+They had brought a lunch with them, and at noon they found a convenient
+spot and there built a small campfire, over which they made themselves a
+can of hot chocolate, and this, with some sandwiches and some doughnuts,
+constituted the repast. Andy wanted to take time to clean a couple of
+the squirrels and cook them, but Jack and the others were afraid this
+would take too long, and so the idea had to be abandoned.
+
+"Gee! but this tramping through the woods gives a fellow an appetite!"
+cried Andy, after he had eaten his second sandwich and his third
+doughnut. "I could eat a whole rabbit or a squirrel myself." And then,
+feeling in fine fettle, he proceeded to pull himself up on a near-by
+tree limb and "skin the cat," as it is called by acrobatic boys.
+
+"You look out, young man, that you don't tumble down on your head,"
+warned Jack. "This ground around here is frozen pretty hard."
+
+"If I tumble, I know where I'll land," cried Andy gleefully; and,
+swinging himself back and forth on the tree limb, he suddenly let go and
+came down straight on Jack's shoulders. Both went down in the snow, and
+there rolled over and over, each trying to get the better of the other.
+Then Fred commenced to snowball the fallen pair, and Randy joined in;
+and a moment later there began a snowball fight on the part of all four
+which lasted about ten minutes.
+
+"Cease firing!" cried Fred at last, as he dug some of the snow out of
+his left ear. "If this is going to be a snowballing contest, all right;
+but I thought we were out to do some hunting."
+
+"Fred surrenders, and the war is over!" cried Jack.
+
+"Hoist the milk-blue flag and call it off!" burst out Andy gleefully.
+"Throw the snowballs into the ice-cream freezer and season to taste!"
+
+After that the four young hunters packed up their belongings and saw to
+it that the campfire was completely extinguished. Then they continued on
+their tramp in the vicinity of the Rick Rack River.
+
+"I'm getting tired of hanging around this watercourse," said Fred
+finally. "I believe the reports of our guns have driven all the
+remaining game away. Why can't we strike off into the woods yonder and
+come in on the other side of Haven Point?"
+
+They noted the position of the sun with care, and then struck off at
+right angles to the river. Soon they found themselves going up hill and
+presently struck a lumberman's trail leading down in the direction of
+the town. Here, however, after two hours of hunting, they failed to find
+any game whatever.
+
+"We didn't improve things by coming over here," grumbled Andy.
+
+"Now I guess we had better be thinking of getting back to the school,"
+said Jack, as he consulted his watch. They had been told that they must
+return in time for the evening meal.
+
+"All right, I'm ready to go," came from Fred. "Gosh! I wish I had a
+horse to ride, or something." The many miles of tramping had wearied him
+greatly.
+
+"My left foot is beginning to hurt me a little," put in Randy. "I
+slipped on the rocks this morning when we were carrying that old Uncle
+Barney. I didn't think much of it at the time, but now it's growing
+quite lame."
+
+"You can walk on it, can't you?" questioned Jack anxiously.
+
+"Oh, yes, I can walk; but I can't go any too fast--or any too far,
+either."
+
+The boys had done their best to keep track of where they were going, and
+now they turned in what they thought was the direction of Haven Point.
+But, as my young readers may have heard, it is an easy matter to lose
+one's sense of direction in the woods, and before they knew it, they
+found themselves in a locality that was entirely strange to them.
+
+"We don't seem to be getting much closer to town," announced Fred
+presently. "I don't see a farmhouse of any sort in sight."
+
+They had gone but a short distance when they stirred up several more
+rabbits, and had the pleasure of bringing two of the creatures down.
+Then they came to a small clearing, and beyond this some farm fields.
+
+"Now we must be getting to somewhere," announced Randy; and a few
+minutes later a turn of the road brought them in sight of a farmhouse.
+Here they saw a farmer coming from a cowshed with a pail of foaming
+milk, and accosted him.
+
+"Sure, you're on the road to Haven Point," answered the farmer, in reply
+to their question. "It's about two miles and a half from here. But do
+you want to go to the Point or to Colby Hall?" he went on, noticing
+their uniforms.
+
+"We want to get to the Hall--and by as short a route as possible,"
+answered Jack.
+
+"Then the best thing you lads can do is to come right through my lane
+here and go across the back field. Then you will come out on the road
+that runs from the Hall to Carwell. I guess you know that?"
+
+"Oh, yes; we know that road," returned Randy.
+
+The cadets thanked the farmer for his information, and lost no time in
+following his directions. Soon they came out on the other highway, and
+then started forward as rapidly as their somewhat weary legs would
+permit.
+
+When they reached the vicinity of Colby Hall Jack found, by again
+consulting his watch, that they were almost three-quarters of an hour
+late.
+
+"Let's see if we can't slide in without any of the teachers seeing us,"
+suggested Andy.
+
+"Oh, I don't know that we've got to do that, Andy," returned Jack. "We
+haven't done anything wrong."
+
+"Well, we are late, and you know some of the teachers won't stand for
+that."
+
+"We had permission to go hunting, and we couldn't help it getting lost
+up there in the woods," answered his twin.
+
+They were just about to enter one of the side doors of the Hall, when it
+was flung open and they found themselves confronted by one of the
+younger teachers, accompanied by Professor Lemm. They stepped to one
+side to let the teachers pass.
+
+"Yes, as I remarked before, Tompkins, unless you have strict discipline
+in that class----" Asa Lemm was saying, when, of a sudden, he happened
+to glance at the cadets and recognized the Rovers. "What are you doing
+here? Where have you been?" he demanded, coming to an abrupt halt.
+
+"We've been out hunting, sir," answered Jack.
+
+"Hunting, eh?" And as was usual with him, Asa Lemm drew down the corners
+of his mouth.
+
+"We had permission from Colonel Colby to go," put in Randy.
+
+"Ah, well, in that case----" Asa Lemm paused for a moment. "Did he say
+you could stay out as late as this?" he added suddenly.
+
+"We had permission to stay out until supper time," answered Jack.
+
+"Don't you know it is an hour after that time now, Rover?"
+
+"Three-quarters of an hour, Professor. We might have been on time, only
+my cousin here slipped on the rocks and hurt his ankle, and that has
+delayed us a little."
+
+"Humph! always some excuse! You boys have got to learn to be on time.
+You'll never get through life unless you are punctual. I shall mention
+the fact of your being late to Colonel Colby. Now go in at once, and if
+you are too late to get anything to eat, it will be your own fault;" and
+thus speaking, Asa Lemm moved on with the other teacher.
+
+"Oh, but he's the sourest old lemon that ever grew!" was Andy's comment.
+
+"You never said anything truer than that, Andy," answered his twin.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+AN UNEXPECTED MEETING
+
+
+"Say, fellows, did you ever hear this song?"
+
+It was Ned Lowe who spoke. He sat in one of the rooms belonging to the
+Rovers. On his knee rested a mandolin which he had been strumming
+furiously for the past ten minutes.
+
+"Sure we've heard it, Ned!" cried Andy. "What is it?"
+
+"For gracious sake, Ned! why don't you let up?" cried Fred, who was in
+the next room trying his best to study. "How in the world is a fellow
+going to do an example in algebra with you singing about good times on
+the old plantation?"
+
+"That is right, Ned. Why don't you sing about good times in the
+classroom when Asa Lemm is there?"
+
+"Gee Christopher! what's the use of your throwing cold water on this
+camp meeting?" came from Walt Baxter, who sat on the edge of the bed
+munching an apple.
+
+"Really, it's a shame the way you young gentlemen attempt to choke off
+Ned's efforts to please this congregation!" exclaimed Spouter Powell,
+who sat in an easy chair with his feet resting on the edge of a
+chiffonier. "Now, when a man's soul is overflowing with harmony, and
+beautiful thoughts are coursing through his cranium, and he is doing his
+utmost to bring pleasure----"
+
+"Wow! Spouter is at it again! Somebody choke him off!" cried Randy, and
+catching up a pillow, he threw it at the head of the cadet who loved to
+make long speeches.
+
+"Say, fellows, why won't some of you let me get a word in edgeways?"
+came from Dan Soppinger, who stood with his back against the door
+leading to the hall. "I've been wanting to ask you a question for the
+last ten minutes. Who of you can tell me the names of the fifth, tenth,
+and fifteenth presidents of our country?"
+
+"Oh, baby!" wailed Andy, throwing up his hands in comic despair. "Dan is
+worse than either Spouter or Ned."
+
+"I thought you were going to put a padlock on that question box of
+yours, Dan," remarked Fred.
+
+"I'll bet there isn't one of you can answer my question," retorted Dan
+Soppinger.
+
+"Sure! I can answer it!" returned Andy readily. "What was that question?
+Who was the first laundryman in Chicago?"
+
+"No; I said, who were the fifth, the tenth, and the fifteenth----"
+
+"Oh! I remember now--the fifth, tenth and fifteenth discoverers of the
+North Pole. That's easy, Dan. The fifth was Julius Cæsar, the tenth,
+Benjamin Frank----"
+
+"See here! I didn't say a word about the North Pole discoverers!"
+ejaculated the Human Question Box. "I said the fifth, tenth and
+fifteenth----"
+
+"Men to find out how to manufacture oleomargarine out of pure butter,"
+finished Andy. "Now that's a purely scientific problem, Dan, not an
+ordinary question. You want to take three pounds of oleomargarine and
+divide them by two pounds of unadulterated butter, then----"
+
+"For gracious sake! has that boy gone crazy?" cried Dan Soppinger in
+despair. "I come over here and ask an ordinary question in history----"
+
+"How do we know it's an ordinary question in history?" broke in Randy.
+"The five, ten and fifteen sounds like a problem in higher arithmetic."
+
+"Say, Dan, just forgive me for what I said, and I'll send you the answer
+day after yesterday on a postal card," announced Andy mournfully. "And
+I'll prepay the postage, too. Now, be a good boy, Son, and run along,
+and maybe some time papa will buy you a lemon stick," and at this
+remark there was a general laugh, in the midst of which Dan Soppinger
+threw up his hands, turned and left the room.
+
+It was several days after the hunting expedition, and the Rover boys had
+settled down once more to their studies. This was the off hour in the
+evening, and, as was usual, a number of their friends had dropped in to
+see them.
+
+"Only three weeks more to the winter holidays," announced Gif presently.
+"What are you fellows going to do with yours?"
+
+"We haven't decided yet, Gif, any further than that we're going home,"
+answered Jack.
+
+"If you feel like it, you had better come and pay me a visit. I know my
+folks would be only too glad to have you."
+
+"And we'd be glad to have you come down to New York and stay with us,
+Gif," was the reply.
+
+During the days that had gone by since the hunt, the Rover boys had had
+several little differences with Professor Lemm. The teacher had spoken
+to Colonel Colby about their coming in late, but the master of the Hall
+had passed this matter over as being of no importance, somewhat to Asa
+Lemm's chagrin.
+
+"Oh, how I love that man!" had been Andy's comment.
+
+The weather had remained clear, but on Thursday of that week came
+another fall of snow, and by Friday this was in good condition for
+sleighing.
+
+"I wonder if we can't get up a sleighing party for Saturday afternoon
+and take out some of the girls from Clearwater Hall?" said Jack.
+
+"We ought to be able to get some sort of box-sled down at the Haven
+Point livery stable," answered Randy. "Suppose we call the liveryman up
+on the 'phone and see what he has to say, and then call up the girls?"
+
+This was done without delay, and, as a result, it was arranged that the
+liveryman should call at the school early Saturday afternoon for the
+four boys and some of their chums, bringing with him a large box-sled
+drawn by four horses. Then the boys were to get the girls, and all were
+to take a ride until the supper hour. It was arranged that the four
+Rovers should go on the ride, and also Spouter Powell, Gif Garrison,
+Fatty Hendry, and some others.
+
+"Of course, Fatty, we really ought to make you pay double price,"
+remarked Andy to the fat boy, when the arrangements were being made.
+
+"Nothing doing," grunted Fatty. "I don't weigh a bit more than Spouter
+or Gif."
+
+"Oh, no, not at all--only about sixty pounds more!" remarked Gif.
+
+Some of the girls attending Clearwater Hall had stated that they wished
+to do a little shopping in Haven Point before going on the ride, and so
+all had promised to meet the boys in front of the moving picture
+theater, which was a resort well-known to all of them.
+
+"Now if the weather only remains good, we ought to have a peach of a
+time," announced Randy, after all the arrangements had been settled.
+
+The weather remained good, and promptly on time the liveryman drove up
+to the entrance of the Hall with his big box-sled, which he had filled
+with straw and robes. Into the sled piled the boys, Fatty Hendry
+perching himself up on the front seat beside the driver.
+
+Some of the lads had provided themselves with tin horns, and they set
+off on the trip with a grand flourish, a number of the cadets left
+behind gazing after them wistfully. But these lads were not utterly
+disconsolate, for the reason that skating and coasting were now both
+very good around the school.
+
+The horses pulling the box-sled were fine animals, and in a short space
+of time they jangled merrily into Haven Point, the boys blowing their
+horns loudly to attract attention.
+
+In the meantime, Ruth Stevenson and May Powell, accompanied by Alice
+Strobell, Annie Larkins, and some of their chums from Clearwater Hall,
+had arrived in the town and gone to several of the stores on various
+errands. Then, a few minutes before the time appointed for meeting the
+cadets, they hurried over in the direction of the moving picture
+theater.
+
+Several of the girls went into a drugstore close to the theater, leaving
+Ruth and May standing on the sidewalk, looking at the various gaudy
+billboards which were displayed there. The girls were discussing the
+picture of a well-known moving-picture actress, when suddenly Ruth felt
+some one touch her arm. Turning, she found herself confronted by a tall,
+heavy-set youth, rather loudly dressed, and accompanied by another boy,
+wearing a fur cap and fur-lined overcoat.
+
+"Excuse me, but this is Miss Ruth Stevenson, I believe?" said the big
+youth, with a broad smile on his coarse face.
+
+Ruth was not at all pleased by being thus addressed, for she had
+recognized the fellow as Slugger Brown, and also recognized Nappy
+Martell. Nappy raised his cap and bowed pleasantly, both to her and to
+May.
+
+"We just got back to Haven Point," said Slugger Brown smoothly. "Been
+away a short while, you know."
+
+"And we thought we would go into the movies before going back to
+school," put in Nappy Martell. "Were you going in, too? If you were,
+let's go in together. I'll get the tickets," and he opened his coat to
+thrust his fingers into his vest pocket and bring forth a small roll of
+bills.
+
+"Thank you, we are not going into the theater," answered May stiffly.
+She did not like either Slugger or Nappy, and was sorry the pair had
+shown themselves.
+
+"How about it?" broke out Slugger, taking hold of Ruth's arm in a
+decidedly familiar way. "Let's go in. You've got time enough."
+
+"Thank you, but we have something else to do, Mr. Brown," responded Ruth
+icily.
+
+"You can't do much outside on a cold day like this," went on the bully.
+"Come on in--I'm sure it's nice and warm in there, and they've got some
+dandy pictures. Come ahead."
+
+"Sure!" broke out Nappy. "I'll get the tickets," and he took several
+steps toward the ticket booth.
+
+"Thank you, but I said I didn't want to go with you," said May, quite
+loudly and with flashing eyes.
+
+"We pick our company when we go anywhere," added Ruth, giving Slugger
+Brown a look which would almost have annihilated any ordinary boy. But
+the bully was proof against anything of that sort.
+
+"Oh, you needn't get on your high horse about it, Ruth Stevenson," he
+sneered. "Some day maybe you'll be glad to go to a show with me."
+
+"If you won't go, I guess there are other girls just as good, and maybe
+better," added Nappy Martell, not knowing what else to say.
+
+It was at this moment that the big box-sled containing the cadets hove
+into sight. With a flourish, the driver drew up to the curb with the
+boys tooting loudly on their tin horns, but this salute came to a sudden
+end when the lads caught sight of their former schoolmates.
+
+"Look who's here, will you!" ejaculated Randy.
+
+"Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell," murmured Fred.
+
+"Say, they are talking to Ruth and May!" broke in Andy.
+
+To all this Jack said nothing. But he lost no time in leaping to the
+pavement and walking up to the girls, who came forward to greet him.
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad you got here!" exclaimed Ruth in a low voice, and she
+looked at Jack appealingly and then let her eyes rove in the direction
+of the bully and his crony.
+
+"Those boys are just too horrid for anything!" murmured May, by way of
+explanation.
+
+"What did they do?" demanded Spouter of his cousin, he having quickly
+followed Jack from the sled.
+
+"They almost insisted upon it that we accompany them into the movies!"
+
+"Why, they hardly know you!"
+
+"That's true, Dick. And I think it was awful of them, the way they came
+up."
+
+"That Brown boy caught me by the arm, and he had no right to do that,"
+said Ruth to Jack. "I don't want a thing to do with him."
+
+"You get into the sled, girls, and we'll tend to Brown and Martell,"
+announced Spouter, and the tone of his voice showed his anger.
+
+The girls did as bidden, being assisted by the others; and, in the
+meantime the remaining girls came from the store and also got into the
+sled. Spouter and Jack strode across the pavement, and caught Slugger
+Brown and Nappy Martell just as they were on the point of dropping their
+tickets into the ticket box.
+
+"Come here a minute. I want to talk to you," said Spouter, catching
+Martell by the arm.
+
+"And I want to talk to you," added Jack, as he detained Slugger Brown.
+
+"I won't talk to you," retorted Nappy Martell, and tried to pass.
+
+"Yes, you will!" answered Spouter. "You listen to me, Nappy! After this
+you leave my cousin, May Powell, alone. If you don't, you'll have an
+account to settle with me."
+
+"And you leave both of those girls alone!" said Jack to Slugger Brown.
+"Miss Stevenson doesn't want anything to do with you. Now, you mind what
+I'm telling you, or you'll get into trouble the first thing you return
+to the Hall!"
+
+"Oh, say, Rover, you make me tired!" sneered the bully, glaring at Jack.
+"I'm not going to try to take your girl away from you. There are plenty
+of better girls around Haven Point. You go about your business and leave
+me alone;" and, thus speaking, Slugger Brown passed into the
+moving-picture theater, followed a moment later by Nappy Martell. The
+two others watched them out of sight, and then looked at each other
+knowingly.
+
+"One fine pair, believe me!" was Spouter's comment.
+
+"I'm mighty sorry Colonel Colby allowed them to return to the Hall,"
+answered Jack. "I'm afraid it spells just one thing--Trouble!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE SLEIGHING PARTY
+
+
+"What did you say to those horrid young men?" asked May, after Jack and
+Spouter had returned to the box-sled and the driver had picked up the
+reins and started through the main street of Haven Point.
+
+"Oh, we told them to mind their own business after this," answered Jack.
+
+"And if they don't, you let me know, and we'll attend to them," said
+Spouter to his cousin.
+
+"It's too bad, Jack, they came back to Colby Hall," remarked Ruth.
+
+"Right you are! But Colonel Colby wanted to give them another chance. He
+asked us about it, and we didn't want to stand in the way of Slugger and
+Nappy turning over a new leaf."
+
+"Hi there--somebody start a song!" cried Andy, who caught a few words of
+what was said, and thought the occasion was getting too serious.
+
+"That's the talk!" exclaimed Alice Strobell.
+
+"What shall we sing?" questioned Annie Larkins.
+
+"Oh, sing something that we all know," came from Jennie Mason. She, too,
+had seen Slugger and Nappy, but had refused to recognize them,
+remembering well the trouble she and Ida Brierley had had with the pair
+when all had gone out on the lake in a motor-boat, the particulars of
+which were given in the volume preceding this.
+
+Soon the happy young folks were singing one familiar song after another
+and shouting and tooting the tin horns in great glee. In the meanwhile
+the turnout had left the vicinity of Haven Point, and was moving swiftly
+along in the direction of one of the neighboring towns.
+
+"Oh, isn't this too lovely for anything!" exclaimed May, as one of the
+songs came to an end. "I never felt better in my life."
+
+"If I felt any better, I'd have to call in the doctor," announced Andy
+with a sudden sober look on his face, and at this little sally all the
+girls giggled.
+
+They were soon passing close to a stone wall, and from this some of the
+boys scooped handfuls of snow with which they began to pelt each other.
+Then they attempted to wash the faces of some of the girls, and a great
+commotion ensued.
+
+"Hi you! be careful back there!" cautioned the driver. "First thing you
+know, somebody will get pushed out."
+
+"Oh, that will never happen!" cried Gif; but he had scarcely spoken when
+there came a wild yell from two of the cadets in the back of the
+box-sled, and the next moment Randy was seen to turn over and pitch out
+into the snow.
+
+"Stop the sleigh! Stop the sleigh!" yelled Andy. "One man overboard, and
+no life-line handy!"
+
+"Oh, dear! do you think he is hurt?" questioned May anxiously.
+
+"He looks it!" answered her cousin. "Look out, or you'll get hit;" for
+scarcely had Randy landed in the snow than he picked himself up and
+began to make snowballs, which he sent after the sled in rapid
+succession. In the meantime, the driver had brought the turnout to a
+halt.
+
+"Stop that, Randy," warned Jack. "You might hit some of the girls."
+
+"No more such horseplay," announced Gif. "It's too dangerous, and,
+besides that, some of the girls might get hurt. You fellows have got to
+act like gentlemen. Ahem!" and Gif straightened himself up in imitation
+of Asa Lemm.
+
+"Please, teacher, can't we act like ladies?" piped out Andy in a thin,
+effeminate voice.
+
+"You'll remain after school for that, Rover, and recite one hundred
+lines of Cæsar backward," commanded Gif.
+
+"You bet your pink necktie, I'll be backward about reciting the hundred
+lines!" murmured the fun-loving boy.
+
+The cadets had already arranged it between themselves to stop at a town
+about twelve miles away. There all hands trooped into a candy store to
+regale themselves with dainty sandwiches and hot chocolate. Some of the
+boys also obtained boxes of candy, and also some popcorn and peanuts, as
+well as apples, and these were passed around.
+
+So far, Jack had had no opportunity to speak to Ruth in private, but
+while the others were still at the little tables in the rear of the
+candy shop, he motioned to her, and the pair walked toward the front.
+
+"I want to ask you about the man we rescued in the woods, Ruth," he
+said. "Probably you know him. His name is Stevenson, although he said he
+was usually called Uncle Barney by all who knew him."
+
+"Why, can that be possible!" exclaimed the girl in astonishment. "Uncle
+Barney Stevenson! Why didn't you tell me this before?"
+
+"I'll tell you why," he answered. "I was afraid that possibly it might
+create some sort of scene. By the way this Barney Stevenson acted, I
+knew there was something wrong between him and your folks. When I
+mentioned your father's name, he said he didn't want to hear anything
+about him--not a word!"
+
+"Poor old man! I am so sorry for him;" and Ruth's manner showed that she
+spoke the truth.
+
+"Why doesn't he want to hear from your father? But, excuse me,
+Ruth--maybe that is a private matter."
+
+"I don't know that it is so very private, Jack. And, anyway, I'd like
+you to know the truth,--otherwise you might get a wrong impression--if
+you heard the story from outsiders. In a nutshell, the matter is this:
+Some years ago my father and his Uncle Barney were connected with a
+certain manufacturing company in which both held a considerable
+interest. The company went to pieces, and my father and Uncle Barney
+both lost their money. But my father had other interests which were
+distantly connected with this company, and in some manner poor old Uncle
+Barney, who was not much of a business man even though he was a
+lumberman, got it into his head that my father had, in some manner,
+gotten the best of him, because my father had money and he had not.
+Then, in the midst of this trouble, Uncle Barney's wife died. My father
+was away in the West at the time with my mother, and could not get back
+in time for the funeral. This made Uncle Barney more bitter than ever,
+and he refused to listen to any explanations my folks might make. He had
+made some sort of deal to get possession of Snowshoe Island in Lake
+Monona, and he retired to the island and became almost a hermit."
+
+"Yes, he told us he lived on the island, and he invited us to come over
+there, and he would show us some good hunting. I suppose it must be
+quite a place."
+
+"My father has tried several times to patch up matters with old Uncle
+Barney, but he will not listen to any explanations. He is rather queer
+at times, and I suppose he has it strongly fixed in his mind that my
+father is in some manner responsible for his poverty, and that we think
+ourselves too high-toned to have anything to do with him, when, as a
+matter of fact, my folks would be very much pleased to have the old man
+become friends and live with them."
+
+"Why doesn't your father send him a letter if he won't listen to his
+talk?"
+
+"He has tried that. And mother has written old Uncle Barney some
+letters, too, during the last six or eight years. But he is very
+peculiar, and the letters come back unopened."
+
+"And you really feel that you would like to be on good terms with him?"
+
+"Yes, Jack. My folks would give a good deal to smooth the whole matter
+over. But, instead of becoming reconciled to the situation, old Uncle
+Barney apparently is becoming more bitter as time goes by."
+
+"If you and your folks feel that way about it, I'd like very much to
+meet the old man again and have a talk with him. Of course, he told me
+that he never wanted to hear your father's name mentioned; but if I got
+a good chance I might be able to get him to open up and tell me his side
+of the story. And after he had done that, he might be more willing to
+listen to what I had to say."
+
+"Oh, Jack! if you ever do get the chance, try to talk to him, by all
+means, and do what you can to impress it on his mind that my father had
+nothing to do with the loss of his money, and that my folks would have
+gone to Mrs. Stevenson's funeral had they been able to do so. And tell
+him, too, that my father and my mother, and also myself, would be very
+glad to become friends once more, and that our house will be open to him
+at any time."
+
+The others of the sleighing party were now coming up, so there was no
+chance of saying anything further regarding the strange affair.
+
+"Let's return to Haven Point by some other route," suggested Spouter.
+
+"We'll have to ask the driver about the roads first," said Gif.
+
+The driver had gone out to look after his horses. When questioned, he
+stated that they might return by a roundabout way through the village of
+Neckbury, but that it might take half an hour or so longer.
+
+"Oh, I guess we've got time enough," said Fred, consulting his watch.
+"The girls haven't got to get back to Clearwater Hall until supper time,
+and we can get from one school to the other in a jiffy in the sleigh."
+
+The liveryman was anxious to please the boys and girls, being desirous
+of getting more business from them in the future, and he readily agreed
+to take them home by the way of Neckbury, and he also agreed to get them
+back by the required time.
+
+Once more all bundled into the turnout, and then, with a crack of the
+whip and a loud tooting of the horns, they started on the return.
+
+"Another song now!" cried Andy, and commenced one of the ditties which
+at that time was popular at Colby Hall. In this the girls joined, most
+of them having heard it; and thus the crowd continued to enjoy
+themselves.
+
+So far, they had met but few turnouts on the road, but now they found
+that the other route toward Haven Point was more popular, and they
+passed several farm sleds, and also a number of cutters, and even two
+automobiles, the latter ploughing along through the snow, using their
+heavy chains for that purpose.
+
+They were soon mounting a small hill, and the driver allowed the horses
+to drop to a walk. From the top of the hill they could see for many
+miles around, with farms dotting one side of the roadway and the other
+sloping down gradually toward the distant lake.
+
+"I'm afraid we're going to be a little late, after all," announced Gif,
+as he looked at his timepiece. "You'll have to shake it up a bit, old
+man," he added to the driver.
+
+"Oh, I'll get you there in time--don't worry," was the ready reply, and
+then the driver cracked his whip and sent his horses down the other side
+of the hill at a good rate of speed.
+
+About half way down the long hill there was a turn to the right. Here,
+on the outer edge of the road, was a gully which the wind of the day
+previous had partly filled with snow. Just before this bend was gained,
+those in the box-sled heard the toot of an automobile horn.
+
+"Somebody coming up the hill," said Fatty Hendry, who had resumed his
+seat beside the driver.
+
+"Confound 'em! and I've got to take the outside of the turn," muttered
+the liveryman.
+
+"Better be careful--it's none too wide along here," cautioned the fat
+youth.
+
+The driver was already reining in his steeds, but the slope was
+considerable, and it was hard to hold them back. The box-sled struck the
+rear horses in the flanks, and away they went as fast as ever, crowding
+the horses in front and urging them onward also. Then the on-coming
+automobile hove in sight, and passed so closely that the driver of the
+box-sled had to pull still further over to the edge of the highway.
+
+"Look out where you're going!" yelled Jack.
+
+"I told you to be careful----" commenced Fatty, and then clutched at the
+high seat of the box-sled.
+
+There was a wild scream of alarm and a general confusion among all the
+young people as the back end of the box-sled slewed around. One corner
+went down into the gully, and an instant later the box-sled stood up on
+its side, and girls and cadets went floundering forth into the snow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A MISHAP ON THE ROAD
+
+
+"Gracious! where are we going?"
+
+"Get off my head, Randy!"
+
+"Say, Spouter, don't sit down on Ruth that way!"
+
+"Hi! stop the horses, somebody!" screamed Fred, and then he leaped up
+and clung to the partly overturned box-sled, while Gif and another cadet
+did the same.
+
+The driver had sensed the coming of the accident, and when the box-sled
+went over to one side, he had leaped to the other. Now he was standing
+in the snow with the reins still in his hands and doing his best to
+quiet the somewhat frightened steeds, which were plunging into each
+other in anything but an orderly fashion.
+
+Down in the gully the girls and the cadets were having an exciting time
+of it. Some of the party had plunged almost head first into the snow.
+
+"Come on, boys, help the girls all you can!" came from Jack, as he
+managed, though not without considerable effort, to bring Ruth to her
+feet.
+
+Fred and Randy were already assisting May to arise, and soon the other
+girls and boys were doing what they could to scramble through the deep
+snow toward the highway. Here there was a slippery slope of several
+feet.
+
+Jack was the first boy up, and Randy came behind him. Then, while the
+two Rovers, assisted by Spouter, held fast to each other, they pulled up
+one girl after another. In the meanwhile, the other cadets made
+something of a chain, and soon all stood at the spot where the box-sled
+had overturned.
+
+"All here?" queried Gif.
+
+"I guess so," answered Spouter, knocking some snow from his cap.
+
+The driver of the box-sled, assisted by several of the cadets, had
+managed to quiet the horses, some of which were inclined to bolt. The
+box-sled was all right, and the boys picked up what they could of the
+dry straw, and also shook out and replaced the robes.
+
+"Oh, my, what a dreadful experience!" remarked Annie Larkins.
+
+"Oh, I don't know that it was so very dreadful," returned Ruth. "No one
+was hurt."
+
+"But we might have been," added Jennie Mason.
+
+"Oh, I thought it was fun," laughed Ruth.
+
+"It was the fault of that auto," grumbled the liveryman, thinking he had
+to defend himself. "He crowded me too close to the edge of the gully."
+
+"That's just what he did!" cried Fatty. "The fellow who was driving that
+car ought to be arrested."
+
+"Did you get his number, Fatty?" questioned Fred.
+
+"Get his number? I didn't have time to get anything. He just slid by,
+and the next thing I knew, I was turning a somersault in the air and
+diving right down into the bottom of that hole;" and at this remark the
+other cadets had to smile.
+
+The cadets assisted the girls back into the box-sled, and then they
+moved off once more, Jack and Gif both cautioning the driver to be
+careful.
+
+Now that the danger was past, the young folks soon recovered from their
+scare, and then, to put all in a better humor, Andy started another
+school song, in which all joined lustily. Thus they soon rolled into
+town, and a little later came up to the entrance of the Clearwater
+grounds.
+
+"I've had a perfectly splendid time, in spite of that little mishap,"
+declared Ruth, as she bid Jack good-bye.
+
+"We couldn't have had a nicer afternoon," said May. "You can come
+around with your box-sled just as often as you please;" and she smiled
+mischievously, in a way that set Fred's heart to bounding.
+
+As it was growing late, the boys had scant time in which to bid the
+girls good-bye. Soon they were on the way to Colby Hall, and they told
+the driver to hurry as much as possible.
+
+"If we're late and Asa Lemm finds it out, he'll certainly punish us in
+some way," was Randy's comment.
+
+"Well, we're in luck for once," announced Gif. "I heard old Lemon say
+that he was going away right after lunch and wouldn't be back until
+to-morrow."
+
+"It seems to me he has been spending quite some time away lately,"
+remarked Spouter. "Not but what I'm perfectly willing that he should
+absent himself at every possible opportunity. The institution of
+learning can very well dispense with the services of such an individual
+as Professor Asa Lemm."
+
+"A little long-winded, Spouter, but you hit the nail on the head,"
+answered Fred. "Old Lemon could quit for good, and I doubt if any of us
+would shed a tear."
+
+Although the cadets were half an hour late, neither Colonel Colby nor
+any of the professors who saw them found any fault, and for this they
+were thankful.
+
+As soon as he had an opportunity to do so, Jack told his cousins about
+what Ruth had said regarding old Barney Stevenson. They listened to his
+recital with keen interest.
+
+"He certainly must be a queer stick," was Randy's comment. "Just the
+same, I'd like to go to Snowshoe Island and visit him."
+
+"Yes, and try the hunting around that neighborhood," added Fred.
+"According to what that Bill Hobson said, Uncle Barney, as they call
+him, must be quite a hunter, as well as a lumberman."
+
+"I'd like to have the chance to talk with him," resumed Jack. "From the
+way Ruth spoke, I'm quite sure her folks are very much put out over the
+way he is acting."
+
+"I'll tell you what!" put in Andy, "we're going to have an extra long
+Christmas holiday, and we might get a chance to go over to Snowshoe
+Island hunting at that time."
+
+"How do you know the holiday is going to be extra long?" queried Fred.
+
+"I heard Professor Brice saying so. It seems they have got to fix some
+part of the heating plant, which is pretty well worn out, and the
+furnace man said it would take longer than at first expected. So,
+instead of closing up for ten days or two weeks at Christmas, they are
+going to shut down for about three weeks."
+
+"Three weeks! That will give us a nice holiday at home and give us a
+chance for an outing in the bargain," cried Jack.
+
+Late that evening Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell put in an appearance
+and were closeted with Colonel Colby for the best part of half an hour.
+What was said by the master of Colby Hall the other cadets did not
+learn, but the two new arrivals looked exceedingly meek when they went
+up to their former rooms. On the following day they met the Rovers, but
+paid no attention whatever to them.
+
+"Maybe they are going to give us the cold shoulder," remarked Fred.
+
+"Well, that won't hurt me," answered Jack.
+
+Several days went by, and the Rover boys applied themselves closely to
+their studies, realizing that before long the examinations previous, to
+the Christmas holidays would take place. They did very well in their
+recitations, and got along nicely with all the professors except Asa
+Lemm.
+
+"There is no use of talking--I can't get along with that man!" said Andy
+one afternoon. He was almost in despair. "If I hadn't just shut my mouth
+hard when old Lemon lectured me, there would have been an explosion, and
+I'd have told him just exactly what I think of him--and it wouldn't
+have been anything that he would want to hear."
+
+"Gif was telling me that Lemm is getting more and more anxious about
+some of that money he lost years ago."
+
+"Maybe he thought he saw a chance of getting it back, and now it is
+slipping away from him again, and that is making him more sour than
+ever," suggested Randy.
+
+"I don't care what is making him so sour--he needn't take it out of me,"
+retorted his twin.
+
+There had been another slight fall of snow, and on Thursday afternoon
+the cadets of Colby Hall organized a grand snowball match. A fort was
+built on the top of a little hill in the vicinity, and one crowd of
+cadets defended this, while the others made an attack. The school flag
+was hoisted over the fort, and the battle raged furiously for over an
+hour. Major Ralph Mason was in charge of the fort defenders, while the
+Rover boys, along with half of the school cadets, composed the attacking
+party. The fort was captured only after a terrific bombardment with
+snowballs, and it was Jack who had the pleasure of hauling down the
+flag.
+
+"Some fight that!" remarked Fred, after the contest was over.
+
+"Almost like a real battle," said Randy. "Just look at my left ear, will
+you?" and he pointed to that member, which was much swollen. "Got hit
+there twice--with regular soakers, too."
+
+"Well, that's part of the game, Randy," remarked Jack. He had been hit
+half a dozen times, but had not minded it in the least.
+
+On the following afternoon the Rover boys visited a long hill in that
+vicinity, which a number of the cadets were using for coasting purposes.
+With money sent to them by Jack's father, they had purchased a fine
+bobsled, and on this they took numerous rides, along with several of
+their chums.
+
+There were two ways of going down the hill. One was in the direction of
+Haven Point, and the other wound around a second smaller hill and ended
+in the pasture lot of an old farmer. This farmer was an Irishman named
+Mike O'Toole, a pleasant enough individual, who had often given the boys
+rides on his farm wagon, and who was not averse to selling them fruit,
+and also milk, when they desired it. He was such a good-natured old man
+that very few of the cadets ever thought to molest his orchard.
+
+"Say, I've got an idea!" cried Andy suddenly, when he and the other
+Rovers were riding down into O'Toole's pasture. "Let's go down and have
+a look at the old man's goats," and he winked knowingly at his twin.
+
+O'Toole had once lived in the city, and there had been the proud
+possessor of several goats, which he had used in one of the public
+parks, where they were attached to little wagons in which the children
+could ride for ten cents per person. O'Toole had brought his goats to
+the farm with him, and treated them with as much affection as if they
+were members of his family.
+
+"What have you go up your sleeve, Andy?" questioned Fred, as they got
+off the bobsled and dragged it behind them toward Mike O'Toole's house.
+The old Irish farmer and his wife lived alone, having no children and no
+hired help.
+
+"Oh, I thought we might hire a goat or two to pull the bobsled," was the
+easy answer.
+
+"To pull the bobsled?"
+
+"To be sure. If those goats can pull wagons, they can certainly pull
+sleds, too. Then, I thought if we could get the goats to pull us all the
+way to Colby Hall, it wouldn't be any more than fair to take the goats
+in out of the cold and treat 'em nicely."
+
+"Oh, I see!" cried Randy, who was listening to his twin's talk. "For
+instance, we might take the goats into the Hall and up to Professor
+Lemm's room, eh?"
+
+"You've caught the idea, Randy. What do you think of it?"
+
+"Fine! Couldn't be better!" chuckled the other.
+
+"What's this talk about taking O'Toole's goats to Colby Hall?" demanded
+Jack.
+
+"Oh, we were thinking Professor Lemm would like to see the goats."
+
+The oldest Rover boy looked stern for an instant, but then his mouth
+relaxed and he broke into a broad grin.
+
+"Of course, we'll have to be careful how we get the goats into the
+Hall," he began.
+
+"Hurrah! I knew it would hit you just right, Jack!" cried Andy, slapping
+his cousin on the shoulder. "Just you wait--we'll make old Lemon sit up
+and take notice this time!"
+
+"But mum's the word--remember that," cautioned Randy. "If he ever caught
+us, well--good-night!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+SOMETHING ABOUT TWO GOATS
+
+
+The four Rover boys were almost up to Mike O'Toole's place when suddenly
+Jack caught Andy by the shoulder.
+
+"Wait a minute!" he exclaimed.
+
+"What's wrong now?" demanded the fun-loving youth.
+
+"I've just been thinking, Andy. If we take those goats into the Hall and
+get into any kind of trouble, Professor Lemm will find it an easy matter
+to learn who got the goats from O'Toole."
+
+"That's right, too!" broke in Fred, in dismay.
+
+"Maybe we can get the goats on the sly," suggested Randy.
+
+"I think that would be the better way to do it," answered Jack. "We can
+leave a note behind, stating that the goats will be returned, and we can
+also pay O'Toole something for using his animals."
+
+The boys talked the matter over for several minutes, and then it was
+decided that Andy and Randy should go ahead and reconnoitre. This they
+did, and were gone for about ten minutes.
+
+"The coast is clear so far as we can see," announced Randy. "Mike
+O'Toole and his wife are both in the kitchen of the farmhouse preparing
+supper.
+
+"And where are the goats?" questioned Fred quickly.
+
+"He keeps them in a little shed off of his barn. Come on, I'll show
+you," returned Randy.
+
+The other cadets followed him, and they soon reached the place he had
+mentioned. Here O'Toole kept six goats, and they were found finishing up
+some food he had evidently given them a short while before.
+
+Two of the billy goats were quite large, one possessing a very fine pair
+of horns. This one, the boys knew, was called Patrick. The other large
+goat went by the name of Dan.
+
+"Here is the harness," said Andy, bringing it from some pegs on which it
+was hanging. "We'll have to do the best we can about hitching 'em up."
+
+While the others were doing this, Jack tore a page from a notebook he
+carried, and on this, in a large, disguised hand, he wrote the
+following:
+
+     "DEAR MR O'TOOLE:
+
+     "We have taken the privilege of using two of your goats until
+     to-morrow. They will be safely returned to you."
+
+"I think we ought to pay him for the use of the animals," said Jack. "A
+little money will make him feel a great deal better."
+
+"Let's pin two dollars to the note," suggested Fred, and this was done
+by Jack and the note placed where the Irish farmer would be sure to find
+it when he came again to tend to his animals.
+
+It was an easy matter for the four boys to get the goats out of the
+shed, and then they led them to a spot behind some trees where the
+animals were hitched to the bobsled. Soon they started on the way to
+Colby Hall.
+
+"Now that we've got possession of the goats, how do you fellows expect
+to work this stunt?" demanded Fred, as they brought the two goats down
+to a walk.
+
+"I'll tell you one thing," declared Jack. "If you want to play this
+trick without the whole school knowing it, you had better reach Colby
+Hall by the lane that comes up behind the barn."
+
+"Just what I was thinking of doing," answered Andy. "I thought maybe we
+could stable them in that little toolhouse in the cornfield until we
+had a chance to get 'em into the Hall."
+
+"That's the talk!" cried Randy. "Of course, we'll have to watch our
+chance, and not make a mess of it."
+
+The two billy goats had often been harnessed together, so they got along
+quite amiably on the trip to the Military Academy. They were strong
+animals, and consequently the boys reached the field behind the barn in
+ample time to unhitch the goats and place them in the toolhouse that had
+been mentioned. Then they hurried around to the garage, where they were
+allowed to store their bobsled, and after that lost no time in getting
+ready for the evening parade and drill.
+
+Directly after supper was over, the Rovers took Spouter, Gif and Fatty
+Hendry aside and told them of what was in the wind.
+
+"Oh, say! that's great!" cried Fatty. "Let me have a hand in it, won't
+you?" He had had a quarrel with Asa Lemm a few days before, and was as
+sore as any of the other cadets.
+
+"You ought to let us all have a hand in that, Andy," put in Spouter. "I
+believe every one of us feels the same way when it comes to old Lemon.
+He may have a vast amount of learning stored in his cranium, but his
+font of the milk of human kindness is completely dried up. Were he to
+realize, or have the least conception----"
+
+"Cut it, Spouter!" interposed Gif. "We agree with you--Asa Lemm is the
+lemon of all lemons, and I for one would like to teach him some kind of
+lesson."
+
+The matter was talked over for some time, and, as a result, a number of
+other cadets, including Walt Baxter, Ned Lowe and Dan Soppinger, were
+let into the secret.
+
+"Some of you will have to keep tab on Lemm while others see if the coast
+is clear during the time we are trying to get the goats upstairs,"
+announced Randy.
+
+"I don't think we'll have an easy time getting two animals to old
+Lemon's room," remarked Fred. "However, we'll get 'em up there somehow!"
+
+Dan Soppinger was detailed to locate and watch Asa Lemm, and he soon
+came back and reported that the professor was sitting in a corner of the
+school library, making notes from several volumes.
+
+"Well, you watch him, Dan," said Jack, "and if he starts to come
+upstairs, you let us know at once;" and to this Soppinger agreed.
+
+After the supper hour, the cadets had their usual studying to do, and
+then came another hour for recreation previous to retiring.
+
+"Now is our time," said Andy, as he threw aside his books and leaped to
+his feet. "Come on! Everybody on the job!"
+
+The lads had already figured out how they expected to get the goats up
+to Asa Lemm's room. In the extreme rear of the school building was
+located an outside fire-escape leading from the third and second floors
+to the ground. At each floor there was a large doorway with a bolt on
+the inside. In order to induce the goats to mount the steps of the
+fire-escape, the boys had provided themselves with some vegetables
+purloined from the kitchen storeroom. Leaving the others to watch on the
+fire-escape and in the upper hallway of the school, the Rovers went out
+to the toolhouse and released the two goats.
+
+"Now then, Patrick and Dan, be good!" said Randy, patting the animals on
+the neck. And then he handed each of them a small carrot.
+
+With more vegetables displayed close in front of them, the two billy
+goats mounted the fire-escape quite nimbly, being rewarded with
+something more to eat when they stood on the landing in front of the
+door leading into the upper hallway.
+
+"Now if they only don't take it into their heads to let out a loud 'ba'
+when they get into the hall!" said Fred anxiously.
+
+"We'll feed them something," returned Jack. "That will be sure to keep
+them quiet," and he passed over some bits of celery he had in his
+pocket.
+
+A cautious rap on the iron door, and it was unbolted by Walt Baxter, who
+had been assigned to that duty.
+
+"How about it--is the coast clear?" whispered Andy anxiously.
+
+"I think so; but wait a minute and I'll make sure," whispered Walt in
+return.
+
+Soon he came back with word from Fatty and Ned that the rear hall of the
+school was practically deserted. Ned had already tried several keys in
+the door to Asa Lemm's apartment, and unlocked it.
+
+It was by sheer good luck that the boys managed unobserved to get the
+two goats into the school through two hallways and at last into the room
+of the hated professor.
+
+On one side of the professor's bedroom there was a large clothing
+closet, and in this the two goats were placed.
+
+"Now we'll take off their harness," said Jack. "There is no use in
+getting that snarled up or damaged."
+
+"I'm going to fix up some new harness for them," announced Randy. "Come
+on, Andy."
+
+His twin understood, and while the others remained on guard in the
+hallway, Randy and Andy lost no time in decorating the two goats with
+various articles of Professor Lemm's wearing apparel. They buttoned a
+coat around each goat like a blanket, and got a bright green sweater
+over one goat's head and around his neck. Then they found a number of
+used neckties in a chiffonier, and these were tied on the goat's legs
+and horns.
+
+"They sure do look like some goats now!" cried Andy gaily. Then the
+animals were shoved back into the closet and the door closed.
+
+"Is the coast still clear?" asked Randy, as they came out of the
+bedroom.
+
+"It is. But I don't think Lemm will stay downstairs much longer,"
+answered Jack.
+
+"Will you fellows come down again? I've got another idea!" burst out
+Randy. "Come on--quick!"
+
+Not knowing what was in the wind, the others followed him through the
+hallway and down the fire-escape once more. Then he led them to a place
+behind the garage. Here were a number of flat boxes, which, in the
+springtime, had been used for raising plants. These boxes had had a
+small amount of water in them, and were now filled with thin sheets of
+ice.
+
+"Let's take a few of those sheets of ice upstairs," said Randy. "They'll
+fit in very nicely between the sheets on old Lemon's bed."
+
+All of the others caught at the suggestion with avidity, and in a very
+few minutes each of the boys was mounting the fire-escape once again,
+this time with a large sheet of ice, not unlike a heavy pane of glass,
+under his arm.
+
+"I've got a scheme," suggested Andy, with a broad grin. "We'll place
+three of the sheets of ice in his bed under the sheet, and the others on
+the floor here right in front of the door. Then he'll have a chance to
+slide into the room."
+
+"Wow! and maybe it won't be some slide!" chuckled Walt Baxter.
+
+The sheets of ice were soon placed in the bed and covered with some of
+the bedspreads, and the others were disposed on the hardwood floor
+directly in front of the door inside the room. Then the cadets turned
+out the lights, locked the door as before, and hurried away.
+
+It was less than five minutes later when Dan Soppinger came rushing
+upstairs, whistling in a peculiar manner. This was a signal that danger
+was at hand.
+
+"He just put the books away, and he's gathering up his papers,"
+announced Dan. "I think he'll be upstairs in a few minutes more."
+
+"All right, Dan, we're ready for him," announced Randy. "Now then,
+fellows, if there isn't some fun when Asa Lemm enters his room, then I
+miss my guess."
+
+The joke that was to come off seemed to be too good to keep, and as a
+consequence, after a hurried consultation, about a dozen other cadets
+were let into the secret. All watched eagerly for the coming of
+Professor Lemm, and there was a low whistle of warning went from room to
+room when the hated teacher was seen to be mounting the stairs.
+
+As was quite usual with him, Asa Lemm was not in good humor. He had been
+hunting up a number of references in the library without his usual
+success.
+
+"This job of teaching is getting worse and worse," he grumbled to
+himself. "It's too bad that I've got to waste my time on these boys. If
+I could only get back some of that money I lost, I wouldn't spend
+another hour over this tiresome task," and he heaved a deep sigh. The
+loss of his little fortune was the one great sore spot with him.
+
+He came swinging through the hall with long, rapid strides, and as he
+did so the Rovers and their friends watched him from various doorways
+and side halls. They saw him unlock his door and throw it open. The
+next instant came a sudden yell of alarm, and then a tremendous bump.
+Asa Lemm's feet had struck the sheets of ice on the floor, and they had
+gone out from under him very suddenly, letting him down flat on his
+back.
+
+"Hi! hi! what's the meaning of this?" spluttered the teacher; and then,
+as his hand struck the icy coldness of what was beneath him, he gave
+another cry. "Ice! What does this mean? Can the water pipes have burst
+and flooded the room?"
+
+Not without difficulty he managed to regain his feet, and then started
+to walk to where he could turn on the lights. But again he slipped, and
+this time he came up against a small table piled high with books and
+sent this over with a crash.
+
+"Gee! he's sure enjoying himself!" chuckled Andy.
+
+"Come on, fellows, let's see what all the noise is about!" exclaimed
+Jack in a loud voice. "Something dreadful must be going on in Professor
+Lemm's room."
+
+"What's the matter--is somebody getting killed?" called out Randy.
+
+"It isn't a fire, is it?" broke in Walt Baxter, catching the cue.
+
+"Sounds to me as if somebody was pulling the school down," was Spouter's
+contribution.
+
+"Everybody to the rescue!" yelled Ned Lowe.
+
+These cries, combined with the noise which was coming from Asa Lemm's
+apartment, caused such a commotion that soon fully a score of other
+cadets showed themselves in the hallway.
+
+"What's the matter?" questioned Slugger Brown, who had just been on the
+point of retiring, and who was in his pajamas and slippers.
+
+"Something going on in Professor Lemm's room," answered Nappy Martell,
+who had been with him, and who was similarly attired.
+
+By this time Professor Lemm had managed to regain his feet a second
+time, but the broken sheets of ice were now all over the floor of his
+room, and just as he managed to turn on the lights he slipped once more,
+this time sending a chair spinning against the closet door.
+
+"It's ice--it's ice, and nothing else!" he ejaculated, as he gazed in
+wonder at the floor. "Now, how did that come here? I don't see any
+broken water pipe." Then, of a sudden, his face took on a dark look.
+"It's those boys--confound them! If I can catch them, I'll make them
+suffer for this!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE JOKE ON ASA LEMM
+
+
+"Let's go in and see what's the matter with the poor man," suggested
+Andy.
+
+"That's right--maybe he's got a fit."
+
+"Something has happened to Professor Lemm!" yelled one of the other
+cadets.
+
+By this time the commotion had attracted the attention of nearly
+everybody in the school, and teachers and cadets came running from all
+directions, and even some of the hired help from the kitchen came up the
+back stairs, wondering what had gone wrong. Then the bunch of boys, led
+by the Rovers, suddenly threw open the door which led to Asa Lemm's
+room. It was at this instant that the astonished and bewildered
+professor was making his way toward the closet door. A strange thumping
+had reached his ears.
+
+"I knew it--it's some of those boys, and more than likely one of them
+got locked into the closet by his fellows. I'll soon find out who he is
+and make him tell me who is responsible for this outrage!"
+
+The door had been locked by Randy, but the key was in it, and readily
+turned. Then Professor Lemm flung the door open viciously.
+
+"You rascals, I'll teach you to play tricks on me!" he began, as in the
+somewhat dim light he made out what he thought were the forms of two
+crouching boys. Then he let out a sudden yell of alarm as one of the
+crouching figures launched itself forward at him. The figure was that of
+Patrick, the larger of the goats.
+
+Bewildered by the confinement, and not at all liking the way in which he
+had been dressed up, the big billy goat hurled himself straight at the
+teacher. He struck Asa Lemm fairly and squarely in the stomach, bowling
+him over as if he were a tenpin. Then he made another leap, and landed
+on the top of the bed, where he gazed around, not knowing which way to
+turn next.
+
+"Oh my! look at what Professor Lemm has in his room!" piped up Andy.
+
+Asa Lemm had rolled over and was now trying to get up, but just as he
+raised himself on his hands and knees, he struck some of the sliding
+sheets of ice, and down he went once more, this time directly in front
+of the other goat, which promptly proceeded to leap on top of him.
+
+"Hi! get off of me, you rascal!" spluttered the professor, and thrashed
+around wildly. "Get off of me! Who are you, anyway?" and then, as he got
+a better sight of the animal, which at that moment leaped up on the bed
+beside his mate, he turned and sat up in amazement.
+
+"A goat! Two goats! How did they get here?"
+
+"What do you know about this? Professor Lemm is keeping goats in his
+room!" cried Jack.
+
+These and a score of other cries rent the air, while all the cadets
+crowded into the doorway of the room to see what was going on. In the
+bunch of boys were Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell, and it must be
+confessed that these two unworthies were enjoying the scene quite as
+much as anybody.
+
+"I'll fix some of you for this!" roared Asa Lemm, as he struggled to his
+feet, slipping around and clutching the end of his bed as he did so.
+"I'll have some of you suspended! Where is Colonel Colby? Send for
+Colonel Colby at once!"
+
+Evidently Patrick, the larger goat, did not like the looks of the irate
+teacher, who was now shaking his fists at the grinning cadets. Suddenly
+the goat made another leap, this time striking Asa Lemm in the shoulder,
+and once more the professor went down, this time with his feet sliding
+directly under the bed, so that he became somewhat wedged in from his
+waist down. Then the goat made another leap and charged toward the door
+to the hallway.
+
+"Look out!" warned Jack, and was just in time to push Fred out of
+danger. Then the goat made a rush, and the next minute came full tilt
+into Slugger Brown, sending the bully crashing into those behind him.
+The second goat also leaped from the bed, and made for the doorway,
+hitting Martell as he passed.
+
+"Look out for the battering-ram!"
+
+"This is only a battering goat--but it's just as bad!" yelled Andy. "Go
+it, goat! Go it!" he added gleefully.
+
+Both goats did "go it." They raced through the hallway, knocking down
+cadets right and left. One younger boy, named Stowell, but who was
+always called Codfish by the others because of his unusually broad
+mouth, was attacked at the head of the stairs and sent hurtling down to
+the bottom.
+
+"Oh! oh! I'm killed! He has knocked me to pieces!" yelled Codfish.
+
+With the two goats racing around the school, the excitement increased.
+But gradually the goats were driven by the Rovers to a lower hallway,
+and then toward a side door, which Jack and Fred lost no time in
+opening.
+
+"Get them out of here as quick as you can. We don't want them to be
+captured," whispered Jack to his cousins. "We don't want old Lemon to
+know they are Mike O'Toole's animals."
+
+"Stop those goats! I don't want them to get away!" yelled Asa Lemm, from
+the upper hallway. But the goats were already outside.
+
+"Oh gee! we forgot one thing--I mean several things!" gasped Andy. "The
+goats are dressed up in old Lemon's clothes!"
+
+"Gracious! why didn't we think of that?" gasped Randy. "We can't let 'em
+run away with all that stuff!"
+
+"I'll go after them and see if I can stop them," said Jack.
+
+"Want me to go with you?" questioned Walt.
+
+"If you will, Walt. Maybe it will take two of us to manage the goats."
+And then Jack and Walt hurried off and the others returned to see what
+would happen next.
+
+Fortunately for the boys who had gone after them, the goats did not run
+very far. Jack had a few more vegetables left in his pocket, and with
+these in his hand he walked cautiously up to the animals, which had run
+down to a corner of the campus.
+
+"Hurrah! I've got one of them!" cried the Rover boy presently, as he
+caught Patrick by the horns. "Now, Walt, see if you can hold the other,
+and we'll take these things off of them."
+
+Now that they were once more in the open air, the goats appeared to be
+quite docile, and consequently the two cadets had little difficulty in
+disrobing them.
+
+"Why don't you return the goats to O'Toole while you are at it?"
+suggested Walt, after the wearing apparel had been placed in a small
+bundle.
+
+"I'd do it if I had their harness, Walt."
+
+"Want me to go back for it?"
+
+"If you will."
+
+"All right, I'll do it. And give me that bundle. I'll smuggle it into
+the school somehow and watch my chance to leave it in old Lemon's room."
+Evidently the son of Dan Baxter was as bold as his father had ever been
+before him.
+
+So it was arranged, and a minute later Walt disappeared into the school
+building. He was gone the best part of five minutes, and then came
+running across the school campus, carrying the goats' harness under his
+sweater.
+
+"Gee, but they are having a peach of a time in the school," he
+announced. "Asa Lemm is quarreling with Colonel Colby, who came over
+from his rooms. He wants to have half the school arrested on account of
+the goats and the ice."
+
+"What did you do with the bundle?"
+
+"Oh, say--that was easy! All the crowd were around old Lemon and the
+colonel discussing the matter, so I slipped behind them and threw the
+bundle in the corner of Lemon's room."
+
+The two Rovers lost no time in placing a little of the harness on the
+goats--just sufficient to drive them.
+
+"Now, you needn't go with me, Walt, unless you want to. I can get these
+goats to O'Toole's alone."
+
+"Oh, I'd just as lief keep you company," answered the other cheerfully.
+
+Urging the two goats before them, the pair made off down the hill in the
+direction of the O'Toole farm. The animals seemed to know the way home,
+and kept up a brisk pace.
+
+"Now then, we had better go a bit slow," announced Jack, when they came
+in sight of the buildings. "Maybe O'Toole has discovered the absence of
+the goats, and is on the watch for us."
+
+This warning, however, was unnecessary, for the old Irish farmer and his
+wife had retired for the night, doing this without being aware of what
+had taken place among their live stock.
+
+[Illustration: THE GOAT CAME FULL TILT INTO SLUGGER BROWN.
+
+_Page 111_]
+
+Cautiously the two cadets opened the goat stable and led the animals
+inside. Then, while Walt lit a couple of matches, Jack managed to place
+the goats where they had been before, and also put the harness away.
+
+"I don't think I'll leave that note, or the money either," he said.
+"Maybe it will be as well if O'Toole never knows that the goats were
+out. I don't think the experience did them any harm. If it did, we can
+settle with O'Toole later;" and he pocketed the note he had previously
+written, and also the money. Then the two cadets lost no time in
+hurrying back to Colby Hall.
+
+In the meantime, what Walt had said about the commotion going on at the
+school was true.
+
+"I tell you, sir, it's a perfect outrage!" bawled Asa Lemm at the top of
+his lungs. "An outrage, sir, and I demand satisfaction!"
+
+"Please do not become so excited, Professor," responded Colonel Colby.
+"We must try to get at the bottom of this matter. You say there is ice
+on the floor of your room?"
+
+"Yes, sir; a perfect pond of ice!"
+
+"Did somebody flood your floor and then freeze it?" questioned the
+master of the Hall in wonder.
+
+"I don't know how it was done. But it was done, and I nearly broke my
+neck the minute I entered the room. It was disgraceful! I never saw
+anything to equal it!" and Asa Lemm's face was fairly purple with rage.
+
+"And what about those goats?"
+
+"They were locked up in my closet and dressed up in some clothing--my
+clothing, I suppose."
+
+"Then, when they ran out of the building, they must have taken your
+clothing with them."
+
+"More than likely. Oh, it's shameful!" and the irate professor shook his
+fists in his rage.
+
+"Where are the goats now?"
+
+"I don't know, and I don't care."
+
+"One of those goats knocked me flat," growled Slugger Brown.
+
+"Yes, and he biffed me one, too," came from Nappy Martell.
+
+"Let us go and make an investigation, Professor Lemm," remarked Colonel
+Colby. "I will accompany you to your room," for they were now near the
+stairway which the goats had descended.
+
+The pair proceeded to the apartment, followed by some of the other
+teachers and nearly all of the cadets. By this time much of the ice on
+the floor had melted, forming little pools of muddy water.
+
+"We had better have this cleaned up at once," said Colonel Colby, and
+turned to one of the teachers. "Order some of the hired help up here,
+please;" and the teacher hurried off to execute the errand.
+
+While Colonel Colby was looking at the ice and the water, Asa Lemm
+chanced to glance in a corner. Then he strode forward and caught up the
+bundle Walt Baxter had flung there.
+
+"What is that?" questioned the master of the Hall. And then, as the
+professor undid the bundle, he continued: "Is that your clothing?"
+
+"I--I think it is," faltered Asa Lemm. "Yes, sir."
+
+"Did they undress the animals before they let them go?" queried the
+master of the school, and, if the truth must be told, he had all he
+could do to keep a straight face. He could not help but remember some of
+the pranks he had played himself while a cadet at Putnam Hall.
+
+"I don't know anything about this, Colonel Colby. But these are my
+things," and, catching up the bundle, Asa Lemm flung it into the
+clothing closet. He continued to storm around, demanding that some of
+the boys be punished for what had occurred. While this was going on, two
+of the hired help came up from the kitchen with pails and mops, and
+presently succeeded in cleaning up the floor. Two rugs which had been
+lying there were taken away to be dried.
+
+"I think we had better let this matter rest until morning," said
+Colonel Colby finally. "It is too late to start an investigation now. I
+wish all of you to retire at once," he commanded, to the amused cadets.
+
+"Some one is going to suffer for this," growled Asa Lemm.
+
+"I shall do what I can for you, Professor," announced the master of the
+Hall, and then he moved away, scattering the cadets before him.
+
+Most of the boys retired to their rooms smiling broadly to themselves,
+for nearly all of them had enjoyed the joke greatly.
+
+"But it isn't over yet," whispered Andy to his immediate friends. "There
+is more to come. Just watch and see!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+IN COLONEL COLBY'S OFFICE
+
+
+As soon as Jack and Walt returned to Colby Hall, they hurried up to the
+rooms occupied by the Rover boys. They found Jack's cousins present, and
+also Gif, Spouter and several others.
+
+"We had the best luck ever!" declared Jack, and related how they had
+managed to get the goats back to Mike O'Toole's stable without the Irish
+farmer being aware of what had happened.
+
+"Say, that's fine!" burst out Andy.
+
+"We want to be on the watch," remarked Randy. "Old Lemon will be going
+to bed pretty soon, and we want to find out just how comfortable he
+finds his bed," and he grinned.
+
+Word had been passed around to about a dozen of the cadets, and as soon
+as the school had quieted down and the others had retired to their
+rooms, these cadets came forth into the halls on tiptoes and made their
+way noiselessly in the direction of the apartment occupied by Asa Lemm.
+
+"He's arranging that clothing in his closet," announced Andy, after
+peering through the keyhole in the door. "He's partly undressed, so I
+guess he'll go to bed pretty soon."
+
+There was a short silence, and then the boys heard the bed creak as
+Professor Lemm got into it. An instant later came a cry of rage.
+
+"What's this? More ice, I declare! The bed is sopping wet! Oh, those
+young rascals!" for Asa Lemm had thrown himself down beneath the spread
+under which had been placed several sheets of thin ice. A large portion
+of the ice had melted, and the sheets were as wet as they were cold. As
+a consequence, his pajamas were pretty well soaked, and he shivered as
+he threw the covers back and bounced to his feet.
+
+"He's enjoying it all right enough," whispered Andy.
+
+"Hang those boys!" roared the irate teacher. "Oh, what I wouldn't do to
+them if I had them here!" He hopped around the room first on one foot
+and then on the other, shivering as he did so. As was usual, the steam
+throughout the building had been turned off some time before, so that
+the apartment was quite cold.
+
+"We had better scatter," warned Jack. "He may open the door at any
+instant and find us here."
+
+"Right you are!" answered Randy, and then, unable to resist the
+temptation, he bent down and shouted through the keyhole: "Pleasant
+dreams, Professor! I hope you enjoyed the ice-water!"
+
+Then all of the cadets fled to their rooms, and in less than five
+minutes each of them was undressed and safe in bed.
+
+If ever there was an angry man, it was Asa Lemm at that particular
+moment. He had to change all his night clothing, and then don a bathrobe
+and slippers and go down below once more and get some of the hired help
+to clean up his room and take away the wet mattress of his bed. A dry
+mattress was substituted from a vacant bedroom, but it was all of half
+an hour before this work was accomplished; and in the meantime the
+professor stormed around, threatening about everything he could imagine.
+
+"I'll have the law on them! I'll have every one of them locked up!" he
+said to Colonel Colby. "It's an outrage that I should be treated in this
+fashion."
+
+"It is certainly a most unpleasant occurrence, Professor," agreed the
+master of the Hall. "But boys will be boys--you know that as well as I
+do. I can remember when I went to school, I loved to play practical
+jokes, and they were not always kindly jokes, either. But as for having
+these boys arrested, or anything of that sort, that, I think, would be
+going too far. We can punish them enough right here--that is, provided
+we can find out who they are."
+
+"I don't believe in such jokes!"
+
+"Neither do I--now that I have grown older. But I did believe in them
+when I was a boy."
+
+"The trouble with this school is, the discipline is not strict enough,"
+snapped Asa Lemm. "If we are not more strict, the cadets will degenerate
+into nothing but rowdies and hoodlums."
+
+"I think I am the best judge of how discipline should be maintained in
+this institution," responded Colonel Colby, with dignity. "I will take
+this matter up in the morning and do my best to sift it to the bottom.
+Now I think we had better retire, as it is growing late," and thereupon
+he returned to his own rooms.
+
+"I think that was the best joke we ever played," remarked Andy, when he
+and the other Rovers were dressing on the following morning.
+
+"It sure did count one against old Lemon," chuckled Randy.
+
+"Yes. And to think the way Slugger and Nappy were knocked over by the
+goats too!" broke in Fred.
+
+"I'll bet they're mad over that," observed Jack. "More than likely, it
+will make them take a hand in assisting Lemm to find out who was
+guilty. We'll have to be on our guard against them."
+
+"Did anybody see you making off with the goats?" queried Randy suddenly.
+
+"I don't think so," answered Jack. But in this surmise he was mistaken;
+one cadet had seen Walt Baxter hurrying from the school with goats'
+harness under his sweater, and this youth had, from a safe distance,
+watched Jack and Walt place some of the harness on the goats and drive
+them off in the direction of Mike O'Toole's farm.
+
+This cadet was Codfish, who was always sneaking around, trying to pick
+up information that did not rightly belong to him.
+
+"Ha, ha!" said the little sneak to himself, after Walt and Jack had
+disappeared. "Now I know who was responsible for bringing those goats
+into the school."
+
+At first the sneak thought he would report the matter to either Asa Lemm
+or Colonel Colby, but as he was not in particularly good favor with the
+professor on whom the joke had been played, he thought it might be as
+well for him to wait and think the matter over.
+
+"Maybe I had better tell Slugger and Nappy first and see what they've
+got to say about it," he reasoned. He went to the bully and his crony
+with everything.
+
+He dressed early, and then went over to Nappy's room, where he found the
+cronies together, just as he had surmised. They were talking over the
+affair of the night before and wondering who could be guilty.
+
+"I've got some news," announced Codfish.
+
+"What news?" demanded Nappy.
+
+"It's very important," went on the little cadet. "If I tell you will you
+promise not to give me away?"
+
+"Is it about last night's affair, Cod?" demanded Slugger quickly.
+
+"Now look here, Slugger! You promised not to call me Cod any more,"
+pleaded the sneak.
+
+"All right, Henry. That was merely a slip of the tongue," returned the
+bully good-naturedly. He knew exactly how to handle such a fellow as
+Stowell. "Now tell us what you've got on your mind."
+
+"Will you promise not to give me away?"
+
+"Sure!" came from both of the others promptly.
+
+"Well then, I know who brought those two goats into the school last
+night," announced Codfish proudly; and thereupon, being urged to do so
+by the others, he told of what he had seen.
+
+"I knew the Rovers were mixed up in that!" cried Slugger.
+
+"And I've noticed that Walt Baxter has been training with them. More
+than likely it was the work of the whole Rover crowd," announced Nappy.
+
+"Don't you think we ought to let Colonel Colby know about this?"
+questioned Codfish anxiously. It was his delight to get other cadets
+into trouble and see them suffer, but he always wanted to keep his own
+actions dark for fear his schoolmates might turn on him and start in to
+"square up."
+
+"Of course we ought to let Colonel Colby know about this--and Professor
+Lemm too," answered Nappy. "The question is, how can we do it without
+getting mixed up in it ourselves?"
+
+"We might send a note to Colonel Colby," suggested the sneak.
+
+The matter was talked over for several minutes, and then it was decided
+that two notes should be written and one delivered to Colonel Colby and
+the other to Asa Lemm.
+
+"Who is going to write the notes?" questioned Codfish.
+
+"You can do that, Henry," said the bully quickly. He had not forgotten
+how the anonymous letter he had once sent out had been traced back to
+him, in spite of the disguised handwriting.
+
+"Oh, I couldn't do that!" answered Stowell in alarm. And he shook his
+head vigorously.
+
+"Yes, you can!" broke in Nappy. And thereupon, somewhat against his
+will, Codfish penned the two notes in as much of a disguised hand as was
+possible for him.
+
+"But I'm not going to deliver the notes," he warned feebly. "You two
+have got to do that much."
+
+"All right, we will," answered Slugger. He turned to his crony. "You
+slip one of them under Professor Lemm's door, and I'll place the other
+on Colonel Colby's desk."
+
+"All right, but be careful."
+
+"Bet your life!"
+
+Asa Lemm was just finishing his morning toilet and grumbling over the
+happenings of the night, when he chanced to glance toward the door of
+his room, and at that moment saw a letter thrust under it. He stared for
+an instant in amazement, and then rushed forward and threw the door wide
+open. But his movement, quick as it was, came too late, for Nappy
+Martell had already slipped around a corner and made his escape. Taking
+up the letter, the professor read the contents with great interest. The
+communication ran as follows:
+
+     "DEAR PROFESSOR LEMM:
+
+     "If you want to know more about the trouble last night, ask John
+     Rover and Walter Baxter. They had the two billy goats. I think you
+     will find that all of the Rovers and the boys who go with them were
+     in this joke.
+
+     "Yours respectfully,
+
+     _"One Who Knows."_
+
+"So that's who is guilty!" muttered the teacher, after reading the
+letter a second time. "The Rovers, eh? I might have known it because of
+the trouble I have had with them in the classroom. And I remember now
+that I have also had trouble with that Baxter boy. I must see Colonel
+Colby about this at once."
+
+The professor hurried downstairs, and found that Colonel Colby had
+entered his office but a few minutes before, and was perusing the
+communication left there secretly by Slugger Brown.
+
+"I have found out who was guilty last night," snapped Asa Lemm, as he
+flourished the letter in his hand.
+
+"Did you receive an anonymous communication?" demanded the master of the
+Hall.
+
+"I did, sir. But what makes you ask that question?"
+
+"I have such a communication myself," and Colonel Colby indicated the
+epistle.
+
+"We must punish those rascals, sir!"
+
+"First I want to find out if there is any truth in these letters,"
+answered Colonel Colby. "Very frequently anonymous communications cannot
+be relied upon."
+
+"Oh, I haven't the least doubt but what Rover and Baxter are guilty!"
+exclaimed Asa Lemm quickly. "I've had trouble in the classroom with
+them, and also with the other Rovers. I should not be surprised if the
+whole crowd had something to do with it."
+
+"I will send for Rover and Baxter."
+
+It must be confessed that Jack was somewhat surprised when one of the
+assistants came to him and told him he was wanted immediately in the
+office.
+
+"Gee! this looks bad!" cried Randy.
+
+"Want any of us to go with you?" questioned Fred quickly.
+
+"No; I can face the music alone," answered the oldest Rover boy.
+
+He arrived at the office just as another assistant was bringing in Walt
+Baxter. The two exchanged glances, but said nothing. But the glance
+given Walt meant, "Keep mum," and the other understood and nodded
+slightly.
+
+"So here you are, eh?" cried Asa Lemm, before Colonel Colby had a chance
+to say a word. "I thought I'd catch you!"
+
+"Excuse me, Professor Lemm, but I wish you would allow me to conduct
+this examination," put in Colonel Colby a trifle stiffly. If the truth
+must be told, the overbearing manner of the teacher was not any more to
+the liking of the master of the Hall than it was to the cadets. Yet, Asa
+Lemm had come well recommended, and Colonel Colby did not wish to pass
+hasty judgment on him.
+
+"Yes, sir," returned the professor. "But please remember I have suffered
+greatly, and I demand satisfaction."
+
+"I have sent for you cadets in order to clear up the affair that
+happened last night," began Colonel Colby, ignoring Asa Lemm's last
+remark. "I have been given to understand that you were the two to bring
+those goats into the Hall. Am I right?"
+
+"I did not bring the goats into the Hall," returned Walt Baxter
+promptly. "Just the same, I guess I'm as guilty as anybody," he added
+quickly, not wishing to shirk responsibility.
+
+"I was one of the cadets who brought the goats into the Hall, Colonel
+Colby," answered Jack promptly.
+
+"Baxter did not assist in bringing them into the Hall?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"But you were not alone, Rover?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Who was with you in this escapade?"
+
+"I prefer not to answer that question, Colonel Colby."
+
+"Make him answer! Make him answer!" stormed Asa Lemm. "You young rascal!
+I'll teach you to play tricks on me!" and he shook his fist in Jack's
+face.
+
+"Professor Lemm, I'll thank you to be less violent," interrupted Colonel
+Colby. "This examination must be held in an orderly fashion. You say you
+were not alone, Rover. Will you tell me how many were mixed up in this
+affair?"
+
+Jack thought for a moment. "Do you mean the whole happening in Professor
+Lemm's room?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Oh, there were eight or ten of us--maybe more. Of course, some had more
+to do with it than others," responded Jack.
+
+"Eight or ten of you!" gasped Asa Lemm. "As many as that?" And his face
+showed his surprise. He had imagined that possibly only the Rover boys
+and Walt Baxter were guilty.
+
+"Are you quite sure you don't want to mention any names, Rover?" asked
+Colonel Colby again.
+
+"No, Colonel. And if you were in my position, I do not think you would
+want to mention any of them either," added Jack, looking the master of
+the Hall squarely in the eyes.
+
+"We won't discuss that side of the question." Colonel Colby turned to
+Walt Baxter. "How about you? Do you care to say who was mixed up in this
+affair?"
+
+"No, sir," was the prompt response.
+
+"Make them tell! Make them tell!" exclaimed Asa Lemm. "Punish them
+severely! Put them in the guardhouse on bread and water until they are
+willing to divulge the names of all the rascals who were mixed up in
+these outrageous proceedings."
+
+"I am not going to make them tell if they won't do it on their own
+account," was Colonel Colby's answer. As a cadet at Putnam Hall, he had
+never had any use for a tale bearer.
+
+"Then I'll take the law in my own hands!" cried Asa Lemm vindictively.
+"I'll go down to Haven Point and make a complaint and have them both
+arrested!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+ASA LEMM IS DISMISSED
+
+
+While the examination of Jack and Walt was taking place in the office,
+the other Rovers and their chums held a meeting in Randy's room.
+
+"What do you suppose this means--calling Jack and Walt down to the
+colonel's office?" remarked Fred anxiously. He had just been informed by
+Dan Soppinger about Walt.
+
+"It was Jack and Walt who took those goats back. Maybe somebody spotted
+them," suggested Spouter.
+
+The discussion lasted for some minutes and grew quite warm, and then
+Andy leaped up.
+
+"I know what I'm going to do!" he said. "I'm going below and try to find
+out just what it means."
+
+"And so am I," added Fred and Randy quickly.
+
+"We'll all stand by him," announced Spouter. "Of course, you fellows
+brought the goats here, but I think we had as much to do with the rest
+of it as any of you."
+
+Andy hurried off, and lost no time in making his way to the door of
+Colonel Colby's private office. The door had been left slightly ajar, so
+it was an easy matter for him to take in most of what was said.
+
+"Gracious! this certainly is growing serious," he murmured to himself,
+when Asa Lemm made the declaration that he would go down to Haven Point
+and have Jack and Walt arrested. "I guess I had better let the others
+know about it," and he scurried upstairs again.
+
+"Oh, Andy! do you suppose old Lemon will really have them locked up?"
+questioned Fred anxiously, after being told of what was taking place
+below.
+
+"I don't think he would dare to do it," announced Spouter.
+
+"I move we all go down and take a hand in this!" cried Gif. "There is no
+fairness in letting Jack and Walt suffer for what we did."
+
+Several other cadets had drifted in, those who had either been on the
+watch while the joke was being prepared or who had assisted in placing
+the sheets of ice on the floor and in the bed, and all agreed that the
+crowd had better stand together when it came to acknowledging what had
+been done.
+
+"Forward march!" cried Gif, who, as a leader in athletics, took it upon
+himself to manage the affair. "Come on now--and no shirking!"
+
+Braced up by numbers, all of the cadets fell in readily with this plan,
+and as a consequence there were ten boys led by Gif and the Rovers who
+marched down to the office.
+
+"We'll enter by column of twos," announced Gif. "March in in regular
+military fashion," he added, and then knocked upon the office door.
+
+Colonel Colby was doing what he could to question Jack and Walt on one
+hand, while trying to make Asa Lemm keep quiet on the other, when the
+others arrived. The master of the Hall was having no easy time of it,
+because Professor Lemm seemed to be growing more and more excited.
+
+"I'll have the law on them, I tell you!" he cried. "They ought to go to
+state's prison for this!"
+
+"Please be quiet just a minute, Professor," remonstrated Colonel Colby.
+Then came the knock on the door, and the colonel flung it open, not at
+all pleased over the interruption.
+
+"Wha--what does this mean?" gasped Asa Lemm, as he saw the double row of
+cadets filing in.
+
+"Colonel Colby, we have come to report," announced Gif, saluting.
+
+"Please allow me to be the spokesman, Gif," pleaded Randy, stepping to
+the front. And then, before his school chum could speak, he continued:
+"Colonel Colby, we have come to give ourselves up."
+
+"Give yourselves up! What do you mean, Rover?"
+
+"We were all in this lark together, sir."
+
+"And if there is to be any punishment we want to stand for our share of
+it," added Andy.
+
+"I think we Rover boys were more to blame than the others," put in Fred.
+
+"You see, Professor Lemm is down on us, and we thought we had to do
+something to get square," Andy endeavored to explain.
+
+"He doesn't treat us fairly in the classroom!" cried Spouter.
+
+"If he wasn't here we'd get along without any trouble whatever," piped
+up a voice in the rear.
+
+It must be confessed that the sudden entrance of the ten cadets, and
+what they had to say concerning the joke that had been played, somewhat
+stumped the master of the Hall. As for Asa Lemm, for the moment he was
+dumbfounded; but then his natural antipathy to boys asserted itself, and
+he glared at them viciously.
+
+"So you were all in it, eh?" he snarled. "I might have known as much.
+You are all a pack of rowdies! You are not fit to associate with
+respectable people!"
+
+"Professor Lemm, I do not wish you to address our cadets in such a
+manner," said Colonel Colby sternly. "These young gentlemen are not
+rowdies, even though they have played a joke which was not particularly
+nice. I do not uphold them in the least in what they have done, but, at
+the same time, I cannot help but remember that they are only boys, and
+that boys are sometimes very thoughtless."
+
+"Thoughtless! They think too much! I tell you, sir, they are a pack of
+rowdies, and unless you punish them, and punish them severely, I shall
+take the matter in my own hands and have them arrested."
+
+"If you do anything of that sort, Professor Lemm, we will have to
+dispense with your services in this school," announced Colonel Colby
+flatly. He was growing weary of the irate teacher's manner.
+
+A strenuous half hour followed, everybody present forgetting all about
+roll call and breakfast. Colonel Colby did what he could in questioning
+all of the cadets regarding the occurrences of the night before, but was
+continually interrupted by the unreasonable teacher. Finally he could
+stand it no longer, and turned to the professor with all the dignity he
+could command.
+
+"Professor Lemm, I have stood enough," he said in a cold, hard voice,
+which instantly commanded attention. "I want no more such language from
+you. You may go to your breakfast, and I will conduct this examination
+alone, and will see you about it before we begin the day's session in
+the school. And, in the meantime, allow me to impress upon you that it
+is all nonsense to talk about having any of these boys arrested. They
+have done nothing that warrants arrest, and if you attempt anything of
+that sort, you will not only make yourself ridiculous, but you might
+place yourself open to a suit for damages. Now, please leave this
+office."
+
+"I'll see about this! I'll see about this!" snapped the unreasonable
+teacher, and left the office in anything but a dignified fashion.
+
+As soon as Professor Lemm had gone, the master of the Hall questioned
+the boys closely concerning, not only the affair of the night before,
+but also about the troubles they had had with the teacher, both in the
+classroom and elsewhere. This was the first time the boys had had a
+chance to "get one in on old Lemon," as Andy afterwards declared, and
+they did not mince matters in telling of the many trials and
+tribulations which Asa Lemm had caused them. It is barely possible that
+some of the complaints were overdrawn, yet there was such a unanimity of
+opinion concerning Professor Lemm's harshness that Colonel Colby was
+quite impressed.
+
+"Now I want to ask you boys a question, and I want you to answer it
+honestly," said Colonel Colby toward the close of the examination.
+"Would you have played such a trick as this upon any of the other
+professors?"
+
+"I wouldn't," answered Randy quickly.
+
+"Nor I," came from Fred and Andy.
+
+"I'd never dream of playing such a trick on anybody but a man like
+Professor Lemm," announced Jack. The others also agreed that it was not
+likely any such joke would have been played on anybody else in the Hall.
+
+"Then, evidently, none of you likes Professor Lemm," said Colonel Colby
+slowly.
+
+To this there was no reply, but the look on the faces of the various
+cadets showed the master of the Hall that he had struck the truth.
+
+"Now I'm going to ask you boys another question," he went on, after a
+pause, and there was a faint smile on his face when he spoke. "Don't you
+think you ought to be punished for what you have done?"
+
+For a moment there was another silence. Then Jack spoke up.
+
+"In one way, yes, sir; but in another, no," he replied. "Professor Lemm
+treated us very unjustly in the classroom in making us stay in and
+making us do extra lessons, and we didn't know of any other way to get
+square with him."
+
+"Looks to me as if we got our punishment before we played the joke,"
+said Andy, and this reply made some of the cadets grin.
+
+Colonel Colby looked out of the window, which faced the snow-covered
+campus. Although the boys did not know it, he hardly knew what to say or
+do. He realized that he could not pass over the occurrence without
+punishing the lads, and yet he could see their point of view--that Asa
+Lemm had been the first at fault in not treating them fairly during
+classes.
+
+"Order has got to be maintained in this school," he said finally, as he
+faced them. "If we did not have order, the whole institution would go to
+pieces. That is my first point. My second is that two Wrongs have never
+yet made a Right, and instead of taking matters into your own hands, as
+you did, after having trouble with Professor Lemm, you should have come
+to me and told me what was wrong.
+
+"I shall take this matter up later, after I have had an opportunity to
+make further inquiries concerning your conduct. In the meantime, you
+may go to breakfast, and then to your classes;" and thus he dismissed
+them.
+
+Of course, as soon as the boys were by themselves, they began to discuss
+the situation from every possible angle. Several wanted to know how it
+was that the master of the Hall had learned that Jack and Walt were
+guilty.
+
+"Somebody sent Colonel Colby a note about us. I saw it on his desk,"
+answered Jack.
+
+"Yes, and Asa Lemm had another note just like it," added Walt. "Some
+sneak in this school must have watched us, and then sent the notes."
+
+Much to the cadets' relief, they did not see Asa Lemm in the messroom.
+Nor did the language teacher show himself during the morning session.
+
+"Perhaps he's having another talk with Colonel Colby," suggested Fred.
+
+The youngest Rover was right. The unreasonable teacher was closeted with
+the master of the Hall for over an hour, and during that time much of
+what had been told by the cadets was threshed over. Asa Lemm was as
+unreasonable as ever, and finally Colonel Colby lost all patience with
+him.
+
+"I am afraid, Professor Lemm, that you are not suited to be a teacher in
+this institution," he said. "Your actions here show that you are very
+irritable and unreasonable. After you left this office, I questioned all
+of those cadets closely, and all had practically the same story to tell;
+namely, that you had required more than was fair of them in your
+classes, and that, on the slightest pretext, you had punished them by
+making them stay in and do extra lessons. I went into many of the
+details, and I am convinced that in a good proportion of the cases the
+students were right and you were wrong. Now, I regret this very much,
+because I realize that----"
+
+"Sir, I don't want to be talked to in this fashion!" cried Asa Lemm,
+bridling up. "I was not in the wrong at all. Those boys are regular
+imps! They don't know how to treat a teacher decently! I won't stand for
+their nonsense! I want them severely punished, or else----"
+
+"Wait a moment, Professor Lemm," interrupted the colonel, rising and
+facing him sternly. "I said I was sorry, and I am; but I feel that you
+are not the man to teach in this institution, and consequently I must
+ask you for your resignation. I will pay you your salary up to the first
+of next month, and you can leave this school just as soon as you
+desire."
+
+"Wha--what? This! to me?" ejaculated the professor in consternation.
+
+"Yes, sir. You can draw your pay, and, if you wish, you can leave this
+morning."
+
+"But--but--this is outrageous! I won't stand it! I was hired for the
+school year!"
+
+"You were--on condition that your services were entirely satisfactory to
+me. They are not satisfactory, and consequently I am giving you this
+opportunity to resign."
+
+"If I have to leave, I'll have those boys arrested!" stormed Asa Lemm.
+
+"I don't think I'd be so foolish, if I were in your place, Professor.
+What they did was nothing but a foolish schoolboy joke, and they did
+that simply to get square with you for your unreasonable conduct toward
+them. I think the best you can do is to drop the matter. If you insist
+on dragging this affair before the public, perhaps the boys, and I,
+myself, will have something to say that you will not care to hear."
+
+"We'll see--we'll see!" cried Asa Lemm, shaking his head and with his
+eyes blazing wrathfully. "We'll see about this!" and thus speaking, he
+stamped away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+OVERHEARING A PLOT
+
+
+"Professor Lemm has left Colby Hall!"
+
+"What do you mean, Jack? Left the Hall for good?"
+
+"Yes, Randy."
+
+"Who told you that?" questioned Fred eagerly.
+
+"I just got it from Professor Brice. He said that old Lemon resigned,
+took his pay, and left yesterday afternoon while we were in classes."
+
+"Hurrah! that's the best news I've heard in a year of Sundays!" cried
+Andy. "Gone for good! Just think of it!" and, in high spirits, he began
+to do a jig, and ended with a handspring across the room, landing with a
+violent thump on the bed.
+
+"Hi, you, Andy!" remonstrated Jack. "Just because you are happy is no
+reason you should bust up my sleeping place."
+
+"Wow! I feel fine enough to do almost anything," returned the fun-loving
+Rover. "Just to think of it! We won't be worried by Asa Lemm any more!"
+
+"Don't you be too sure of that," went on his cousin. "Asa Lemm is gone,
+it is true; but we may hear from him, nevertheless. When he went away he
+was an angry as ever, so Professor Brice said."
+
+As was usual, the Rovers had congregated in their rooms, along with
+several of their chums. Outside it was snowing once again, the soft
+particles whirling in all directions and clinging fast to the window
+panes. It was the off hour of the afternoon, but none of the lads had
+cared to go outside, or even visit the school library.
+
+The news that Asa Lemm had left the Hall was true. Following his heated
+interview with Colonel Colby, he had written out his resignation,
+accepted his pay for the month, packed his baggage, and left the school,
+never to return. Only several of the teachers and the man who had driven
+him away had seen him go; and this was as Colonel Colby wished it, for
+he was afraid that if the cadets were present at the disliked teacher's
+departure, they would make some sort of demonstration against him.
+
+Strange as it may seem, Colonel Colby had said nothing further about
+punishing the cadets. Evidently he had taken their word for it that
+they would not have played the trick on any other teacher in the
+school, and possibly he remembered what Andy had said to the effect that
+the boys had been punished beforehand for what had been done. A few of
+the lads were afraid that the matter might be taken up later, but the
+majority had reached the conclusion that they would hear no more
+concerning it.
+
+"It's too bad it's snowing," said Jack, after he and the others had
+tired of speaking about the departed teacher. "I had an idea we would be
+able to get in some fine skating before we left for the Christmas
+holidays."
+
+The Rover boys had not forgotten the fact that both Asa Lemm and Colonel
+Colby had received notes concerning the joke that had been played. They
+remembered well how Slugger Brown, as related in a previous volume, had
+sent an anonymous communication to Elias Lacy, accusing them of having
+shot the old farmer's cows.
+
+"If Slugger was mean enough to send that letter, he'd be mean enough to
+send these notes," was the way Jack put it.
+
+"I wish we could see one or both of the letters," remarked Randy. "We
+could very quickly tell if they were in Slugger's handwriting, or
+Nappy's either."
+
+"Oh, you can bet they'd disguise their handwriting as much as possible,"
+said Fred.
+
+The snow continued the next day, and it was so windy and unpleasant
+outdoors that the battalion had to dispense with its outdoor parade and
+spend that time in a drill in the gymnasium. After this was over the
+Rovers and some of their chums amused themselves on the bars, swinging
+rings, and with the exercising machines the gymnasium afforded.
+
+The boys were doing all sorts of stunts, when suddenly Fred called Randy
+to one side.
+
+"Come on with me," he said in a low voice. "I think I've discovered
+something."
+
+His manner showed that he had something unusual on his mind, and Randy
+lost no time in doing as was bidden. The two cousins hurried to a corner
+of the gymnasium, and then Fred led the way up a narrow stairway, which
+opened up on the second floor of the building, a place which was heated,
+but seldom used by the majority of the cadets. It was used more as a
+storeroom, and contained a lot of disused gymnasium paraphernalia and
+boxes and barrels.
+
+"What's going on up here?" questioned Randy, when his cousin placed a
+hand over his mouth.
+
+"I just saw Slugger and Nappy come up here with Codfish," whispered
+Fred. "And those three wouldn't come to such an out-of-the-way place if
+there wasn't something in the wind."
+
+"You're right there, Fred," was the equally low reply. "When those three
+get together on the sly there is generally something brewing."
+
+Before emerging on the second floor of the gymnasium, they looked around
+cautiously. At the far end, near a steam radiator, they saw Slugger and
+Nappy seated on a couple of boxes, while Codfish rested on the top of an
+old nail keg. The two older boys were puffing away at cigarettes,
+something that was against the school rules.
+
+"Might as well have a cigarette, Henry," Slugger was saying
+good-naturedly, and, at the same time, holding out a box.
+
+"I--I don't think I will," answered Codfish.
+
+"Oh, go ahead. It will make a man of you," put in Nappy; and, somewhat
+against his will, the small cadet took a cigarette and lit it.
+
+While this was going on, Fred and Randy had managed to step from the top
+of the stairs to where a number of boxes were piled up. They moved along
+cautiously, and soon got to within a few feet of where the other three
+cadets were seated, without being noticed.
+
+"Now, then, let's come to business!" remarked Slugger, after puffing
+away at a cigarette for a moment. He blew a cloud of smoke to the
+ceiling. "I think now is a dandy time to get square with those Rovers."
+
+"But you want to be careful--they are awful sly," said Codfish.
+
+"I think you are mistaken, Henry. They didn't find out about those
+notes," and the bully chuckled.
+
+"Just the same, Slug, I think we ought to take Cod's advice and be
+careful," broke in Nappy, lighting a fresh cigarette. "I have a hunch
+that the Rovers are watching us like a cat watches mice."
+
+"Maybe they are. But I guess we know how to fool them," went on the
+bully swaggeringly. "And now is just our chance to get them into a
+hole."
+
+"Explain, please."
+
+"It's just like this, Nappy. Of course, they haven't admitted it, but
+you know just as well as I do that Colonel Colby must have punished them
+pretty severely for the trick they played on Lemm. What he did to them,
+we don't know, but probably he has given 'em some extra lessons to do,
+and maybe he's punished 'em in other ways."
+
+"Oh, sure! he must have punished them somehow."
+
+"I haven't seen any of them going down to town since it happened," put
+in Codfish. "Maybe Colonel Colby made them promise to stay within
+bounds."
+
+"Perhaps. Well, as I was saying, being punished, they, of course, are
+pretty sore on the colonel. Now then, if we can only play some dirty
+trick on Colonel Colby and make it appear as if the Rovers and their
+crowd did it, they'll sure get into hot water over it."
+
+"I'm willing to do anything to square up with those fellows," grumbled
+Nappy. He paused for a moment to puff away at his cigarette. "What do
+you propose doing?"
+
+"That, of course, is something we'll have to figure out. We'll want to
+be careful, so as not to get our own fingers burnt."
+
+"I'll tell you what you might do!" broke in Codfish eagerly. "You might
+drop ashes all over Colonel Colby's office and his bedroom, and then
+leave some of the ashes in a box in the Rovers' rooms, and somebody
+might say something about having seen Jack Rover getting the ashes from
+the boiler-room."
+
+"That's good as far as it goes, Henry, but it isn't quite strong
+enough," returned Slugger. "We ought to do something that will make
+Colonel Colby hopping mad."
+
+"I'll tell you what let's do!" broke out Nappy. "We'll use the ashes,
+and we'll use some other things too. I was down past the kitchen a while
+ago, and I heard one of the cooks complaining about some of the canned
+tomatoes which were all spoiled and he was going to throw out. Now,
+suppose we use some of those spoiled tomatoes with the ashes, and maybe
+a quart or two of ink. How about it?"
+
+"Great!" exclaimed Slugger. "Ashes, ink and decayed tomatoes will make
+one fine combination, believe me!"
+
+"Oh, you want to be very careful," remarked Codfish, his voice shaking a
+little. "The ink will be sure to spoil some things, not to mention the
+bad tomatoes."
+
+"Well, we want to spoil something," returned Slugger. "We want to get
+Colonel Colby real mad. Maybe then he'll send the Rovers home."
+
+"How soon do you suppose we can play this joke?" questioned Nappy, while
+Slugger lit a fresh cigarette.
+
+"Perhaps we can play it very soon. We'll have to watch our chance," was
+the answer. Slugger held out his box of cigarettes to Codfish. "Here,
+Henry, have another."
+
+"N-n-no, th-thank you," stammered the sneak. "I--I do--don't care to
+smoke any more. It--it makes my head dizzy."
+
+"Oh, you'll soon get over that. Come on, be a real man and smoke up!"
+urged Slugger; and much against his will poor Codfish lit a second
+cigarette, he having dropped the other behind the nail keg.
+
+This talk was followed by an animated discussion between Slugger and
+Nappy as to just how the proposed trick might be played. Codfish said
+but little. He was growing pale, and at the first chance threw away the
+second cigarette.
+
+Of course Fred and Randy had listened to every word that was said.
+Ordinarily, the Rovers did not favor playing the part of eavesdroppers,
+but just now they thought they were amply justified in listening to
+everything that their enemies might have to say.
+
+"They are a fine bunch if ever there was one!" whispered Randy.
+
+"Come on away; I guess we've heard enough," answered his cousin. "The
+best thing we can do is to report to Jack and Andy, and then make up our
+minds what we are going to do next."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+AN ALARM OF FIRE
+
+
+With great care, so as not to make any noise, the two Rover boys tiptoed
+their way back behind the boxes and barrels until they reached the
+narrow stairway.
+
+"Come on! But don't make a bit of noise," said Randy quickly, and went
+down the stairs as rapidly as possible, with Fred at his heels. Reaching
+the lower floor of the gymnasium, they shut the door, and then lost no
+time in mixing with the other Rovers and their chums at the far end of
+the building.
+
+"Where have you fellows been?" questioned Jack, who had suddenly noticed
+their absence.
+
+"I'll tell you later," said Fred.
+
+"Now, don't say a word more about our being away--especially if Slugger
+and Nappy and Codfish come this way. Act just as if we had been here
+right along."
+
+"I get you, Randy," said Jack; and a minute later, as the others who had
+been mentioned came into sight, he continued in a loud voice: "Go
+ahead, Randy, it's your turn. Have you been asleep?"
+
+"No; I'm not asleep," answered Randy, and caught a ball which was being
+pitched around.
+
+Fred began to practise on an exercising machine, and acted as if he had
+been at it for some time.
+
+Soon Slugger, Nappy and Codfish came down and passed the crowd, eyeing
+all of them closely. Then Slugger winked to the others, and the three
+made their way slowly from the gymnasium building.
+
+"Now then, I'll tell you fellows something," announced Fred; and
+thereupon he and his cousin related to the others what they had
+overheard in the upper room of the building.
+
+"So that's their game, is it?" cried Jack wrathfully. "That's the way
+they are going to pay us back for agreeing to give them another chance
+at this school!"
+
+"You ought to tell Colonel Colby about this at once," put in Spouter,
+who had listened to what was being said. "Then he can have those rascals
+watched."
+
+"I don't like the idea of going to Colonel Colby," Jack answered. "I
+feel more like taking the matter in my own hands."
+
+"Don't you do it, Jack," advised Gif. "Your idea would be all well
+enough if they were ordinary cadets. But they are not. They should have
+been dismissed from this school long ago. If I were you, I wouldn't
+dirty my hands on them. Report the matter to the colonel, and let him
+take charge of it."
+
+"What is this you are saying, Garrison?" demanded a voice from close
+behind the cadets, and Professor Brice appeared in the doorway of the
+washroom of the gymnasium. "What is this you just said about Brown and
+Martell?"
+
+"I said they were not fit to be cadets in this institution," answered
+Gif flatly.
+
+"From what you young gentlemen have been saying, I should judge that you
+know something concerning Brown and Martell," went on the young teacher,
+with a glance around the crowd.
+
+"We do know something," answered Walt, after a somewhat painful silence.
+"That is, two of the crowd here know. We have been urging them to speak
+to Colonel Colby about it."
+
+"Who are the two, and what do you know?"
+
+Again there was a silence, and then Spouter came to the front.
+
+"Professor Brice, I'd like to ask a question," he said. "Two of the
+cadets here overheard a talk between Brown, Martell and Stowell. Those
+three proposed to play a most outrageous trick on Colonel Colby, and
+then make it appear as if that trick had been played by some other
+cadets. In fact, they were going to make all the evidence point to those
+other cadets. Now, do you think those cadets ought to defend themselves
+by telling Colonel Colby all they know? They feel that they don't want
+to be tale bearers."
+
+"If the trick was to be played solely to injure their reputation, they
+certainly ought to expose it," was the teacher's quick response. "It is
+one thing to tell on another person just for the sake of telling, and it
+is quite a different thing to defend one's own reputation."
+
+Following this there was quite a discussion, but in the end Professor
+Brice convinced the Rovers that they had better tell the particulars of
+what they had overheard. He listened to their story with close
+attention.
+
+"This is certainly worthy of an investigation," he said, after they had
+finished. "I'll tell Colonel Colby about it, and maybe he will send for
+you. If he does so, kindly take my advice and see to it that when you
+come to the colonel's office you are not watched by Brown, Martell and
+Stowell, or that may spoil everything. I think that the colonel will
+agree with me that the thing to do is to catch those fellows
+red-handed."
+
+"All right, Professor, we'll leave everything in your hands," answered
+Fred. Even yet he did not feel just right over what had been done. He
+still felt that he and his cousins should have settled affairs privately
+with Slugger Brown and his cronies, even if it had been a matter of fist
+fights.
+
+The young professor lost no time in going to Colonel Colby. He found the
+master of the Hall in his study looking over the questions which were to
+be used in the coming examination.
+
+"I am sorry to report more trouble, sir," he announced, and, sitting
+down, he gave Colonel Colby a rapid sketch of what had taken place at
+the gymnasium.
+
+"Too bad! too bad!" and the master of the Hall showed his
+disappointment. He heaved a sigh. "It looks to me, Brice, as if I had
+made a mistake in giving Brown and Martell another chance."
+
+"Just what I was thinking, sir," returned the young teacher.
+
+"You say the Rovers did not wish to report the matter?"
+
+"That's it, sir. I had to fairly drag the story but of them. They did
+not want to have the reputation of tale bearers."
+
+"I think I understand their view of it, Brice. At the same time, this is
+too serious a matter to allow them to settle it between themselves. I
+think the best thing we can do is to have those three cadets watched
+closely, to see if they really intend to carry out their nefarious
+plot."
+
+"Exactly what I was thinking, Colonel Colby."
+
+"First, however, you may send Randy Rover and his Cousin Fred to me. I
+want to question them, so as to make sure of my ground."
+
+Expecting this call, Randy and Fred kept themselves in readiness, and as
+soon as Professor Brice came for them they hurried off to the office,
+taking care that none of their enemies should see them. Slugger, Nappy
+and Codfish, however, were out of sight, having gone upstairs to their
+rooms.
+
+"Now, I want you to tell me exactly what was said," announced Colonel
+Colby, as soon as the two cadets appeared.
+
+They had their story well in mind, and it did not take long to give the
+master of the Hall all of the details. In the midst of the conversation,
+Fred let drop accidentally that the three unworthy cadets had been
+smoking.
+
+"They were smoking?" interrupted the colonel.
+
+"Yes, sir. But--I--I--didn't mean to mention that," stammered Fred.
+
+"What were they smoking, Rover?"
+
+"Cigarettes."
+
+"All of them?"
+
+"Yes, sir. Although, to tell the truth, Codfish--I mean Stowell--didn't
+seem to want to smoke, but Slugger--that is, Brown--urged him, so that
+he didn't know how to get out of it. I guess the cigarette made him
+sick."
+
+"I see." Colonel Colby nodded his head slowly. "Now go on;" and then the
+story of what had been overheard in the upper room of the gymnasium was
+finished.
+
+"It's an outrage! an outrage! if what you say is true; and I have no
+reason to doubt your word," went on the master of the Hall, after the
+cadets had finished. "I am sorry now that I gave Brown and Martell this
+chance to return to our school."
+
+To this neither of the Rovers made any reply. For an instant both of
+them thought of the trick they had played on Asa Lemm. Colonel Colby
+seemed to follow their thought.
+
+"Your trick and this thing are two entirely different affairs,"
+continued the colonel. "In the one case, you, in your boyish fashion,
+tried to square up for the way you had been mistreated. In this case,
+however, these cadets are trying to get you into trouble, and if this
+trick had succeeded, it is just possible that I might have been angry
+enough to send you and the rest of your family home."
+
+"Well, don't send Brown and Martell home on our account," announced
+Randy. "We are not afraid of them."
+
+"That may be, Rover. But I cannot have such underhand work at this
+school. Now I want you cadets to do me a favor. I want you to act
+exactly as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. I want you to
+tell all of the others to keep quiet about this. I want to set a trap,
+and if possible catch those rascals in the midst of their work. Do you
+understand?"
+
+"Yes, sir," came from both of the cadets.
+
+"Then that is all."
+
+Allowed to leave the office, Randy and Fred lost no time in hunting up
+the others, who had gone upstairs to the Rover boys' rooms. On the way,
+they met Walt, Spouter and Gif, and told these cadets to come along.
+Then they closed the door to the hallway.
+
+"It's to be kept a secret," announced Randy.
+
+In subdued voices, so that no one passing in the hallway might hear
+them, the Rovers and their chums discussed the situation. They were in
+the midst of this when they suddenly heard a wild cry of alarm. Then
+came a rush of footsteps, and less than a minute later the loud clanging
+of a bell.
+
+"Hello! what's that?" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"Something is wrong--that's sure!" announced Randy.
+
+"What's the bell ringing for?" queried Fred. "It isn't time for parade
+yet."
+
+"That isn't the parade bell!" ejaculated Gif. "That's the fire bell!
+There must be a fire!"
+
+The boys flung open the doors, and ran hastily into the hallway. Cadets
+were pouring forth from every quarter, and there was a tremendous
+excitement.
+
+"Is the building on fire?"
+
+"Take it easy, boys! Take it easy!" yelled Major Ralph Mason, as he
+appeared at the head of one of the stairways. "There is no fire in this
+building. Don't get excited."
+
+"Where is the fire?" queried a dozen voices in chorus.
+
+"It's down at the gym! The upper floor is in flames!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+PUTTING OUT THE FLAMES
+
+
+"What do you know about that! The gym is on fire!" gasped Fred, and
+clutched Randy by the arm. He looked at his cousin knowingly.
+
+"I know what you're thinking, Fred. Those cigarettes that Slugger, Nappy
+and Codfish were smoking----"
+
+"That's it! They threw them down recklessly, and also threw down the
+matches they had lighted."
+
+"If the gym burns down Colonel Colby will hold them responsible for the
+loss," put in Jack, who had heard what was said.
+
+While this talk was taking place, all of the cadets were rushing down
+the stairs. Soon they were out on the campus and headed through the
+fast-falling snow in the direction of the gymnasium building.
+
+A heavy smoke was pouring from a broken-out upper window, and also from
+the edges of a scuttle on the roof. As the cadets hurried closer, they
+saw a thin flame show itself for a moment just inside the window.
+
+"It's on fire all right enough, but maybe they can get it under
+control," announced Jack. "Come on, fellows! Do your duty!"
+
+Warned by the fate which had overtaken Putnam Hall, Colonel Colby had
+taken every possible precaution against fire. There were several large
+water towers erected in and near the school buildings, and these were
+connected with various fire plugs. There were also numerous lengths of
+hose, with nozzles attached, hung up in the several buildings, and both
+the cadets and the teachers had been instructed in a fire drill.
+
+Some of the cadets, who had been in the gymnasium when the fire was
+discovered, had already brought out the hose in that building and
+attached it to one of the plugs. Now this water was turned on, and a
+stream of fair size began to play upon the flames, the cadets, aided by
+one of the teachers, dragging the hose up the narrow stairway for that
+purpose.
+
+"Get out hose number three and number eight!" directed Colonel Colby,
+who was on the scene; and the cadets went to work with a will, and soon
+had two more streams in action.
+
+Despite the thickness of the smoke, two of the teachers and several of
+the cadets had gone up into the second floor of the building and
+located the fire.
+
+"It's up near the steam radiator, just between the two windows,"
+announced one of the teachers. "It's in some boxes and barrels that
+contain straw and excelsior."
+
+"Isn't the building on fire?" queried one cadet.
+
+"The flames are going up to the roof, but so far they haven't broken
+through."
+
+The announcement that the fire so far was confined to some boxes and
+barrels, nerved the cadets and the others to make a greater effort to
+get it under control, and some began to fill buckets with water in the
+washroom below, and these were passed up the narrow stairway and the
+water thrown where it was apparently most needed.
+
+Randy and Andy were in this bucket brigade, while Fred and Jack worked
+with one of the hose gangs. It was exciting labor for all of the boys,
+but this they did not mind.
+
+"Hurrah! we're getting it under control!" shouted Major Mason presently.
+"Keep it up, boys, and we'll save the whole building!"
+
+In the crowd were, of course, Slugger, Nappy and Codfish. At the first
+alarm they had run forth from the school and gazed in amazement at the
+smoke pouring from the gymnasium.
+
+"Oh, look! It's the gym that's on fire!" Codfish had burst out; and then
+the little sneak had suddenly turned deadly pale, and would have sunk
+down in the snow had not Slugger caught him.
+
+"See here, Codfish!" hissed the bully, shaking him. "Don't you say a
+word about this, do you understand? Not a word!"
+
+"Don't you dare to admit to anybody that you were upstairs in the
+gymnasium," added Nappy.
+
+"I--I ain't going to say nothing!" sniveled Codfish, and then, of a
+sudden, burst out crying. "You fellows let me alone! I didn't want to
+smoke anyhow!" he wailed.
+
+"Shut up! Don't you mention smoking to anybody, or I'll just about half
+kill you!" hissed Slugger. "Now mind! not a word, if you know when you
+are best off!" and then he gave Codfish's arm such a twist that the
+little cadet screamed with pain.
+
+Not to be suspected of what they had done, Slugger and Nappy mingled
+with the other cadets and did their full share in working on the lines
+of hose; but there were really more cadets than were needed for this
+labor, so they had little to do. Codfish also tried to take hold, but he
+trembled so that he soon had to give up, and then he ran back into the
+Hall, where he sat on the stairs, half sobbing.
+
+By this time there was little more than smoke to be seen in the upper
+part of the gymnasium. The teachers and the cadets still continued to
+play water into the building. Some now began to open all the windows,
+realizing that a draft could not do much harm. Then, as the smoke began
+to clear away, they began an investigation, so that the last spark of
+the fire might be extinguished.
+
+"I guess it's about out," announced Professor Brice presently. He had
+worked hard, and his face and hands were streaked with black.
+
+"I think you are right, Brice," answered Colonel Colby, who had also
+mounted to the upper floor. "We may as well bring up a few buckets of
+water, and then turn off all the hose. There is no use of flooding the
+building, especially in this cold weather. As it is, I think the boys
+will have a skating pond below by morning," and he smiled faintly.
+
+"Do you suppose this started from the heating plant?" questioned the
+teacher.
+
+"Not at all!" was the low reply. "But we won't speak about that now,
+Brice," added Colonel Colby significantly; and thereupon the young
+teacher understood and said no more about the matter.
+
+The cadets were sent below, and Colonel Colby and Professor Brice,
+aided by a couple of the hired men, made a close examination of the spot
+where the fire had taken place. It had been confined almost wholly to
+three boxes, loosely filled with excelsior, and two barrels containing
+straw and waste paper.
+
+"It was a mistake to put such inflammable material up here," said
+Colonel Colby to Mr. Crews, the gymnasium instructor.
+
+"I realize that now, Colonel Colby," answered Silas Crews, and his
+manner showed how much the fire had upset him. "But, you see, it was
+this way. We got some of that new gymnasium material in only a couple of
+weeks ago, and we weren't altogether satisfied with it--if you will
+remember. I said something about sending it back. Well, it came in those
+boxes and barrels, and so I just put them up here, thinking that maybe
+we'd want to use them in sending the stuff back. If it hadn't been for
+that, I'd have cleaned the boxes and barrels out and burnt the stuff
+up."
+
+"I see, Crews. Well, after this, I want you to be careful and not do
+anything like that again."
+
+"But I don't see how the boxes and barrels caught fire, sir," went on
+the gymnasium instructor perplexedly. "We had no light up here, and I
+don't see how they could catch from that little steam radiator over
+there. Why, that radiator hardly gets warm!" It may be mentioned here
+that the radiator had been placed on the upper floor of the gymnasium
+because there had once been talk of partitioning this part of the floor
+from the rest and making of it a meeting room for one of the cadet
+clubs.
+
+"I'll make an investigation later," answered Colonel Colby. "For the
+present, as the steam heating plant seems to be in perfect order, you
+had better start the fire up well, so that we can dry things out here.
+Otherwise, all the pipes may freeze up, and that might give us more
+trouble than this fire."
+
+"Yes, sir. I'll see to it, sir," said Silas Crews hastily. "And I'll
+have this whole place cleaned up the first thing in the morning. And
+I'll also have the broken windows fixed."
+
+As soon as he returned to the school, Colonel Colby sent for Randy and
+Fred. He questioned them closely about the cigarette smoking indulged in
+by Slugger, Nappy and Codfish.
+
+"You two are quite sure that you were not smoking yourselves?" he
+demanded sternly.
+
+"We don't smoke, sir," answered Randy promptly.
+
+"Did you light any matches while you were upstairs in the gymnasium?"
+
+"No, sir. We had no need for a light," returned Fred.
+
+"Have you any idea how this fire started?"
+
+"I don't see how it could start unless it was from the cigarettes and
+the matches those fellows used," answered Randy bluntly. "I hate to make
+that statement, but the truth is the truth."
+
+"I believe you are right, Rover. Now then, I wish you to do me a favor.
+I want you to keep as quiet about this as you are to keep quiet about
+that joke those cadets proposed to play. Do you understand?"
+
+"Yes, sir," answered both the Rovers.
+
+"Then that is all for the present;" and, so speaking, Colonel Colby
+dismissed the boys.
+
+"I guess he's going to save this fire affair until he catches them
+trying to play the joke," was Fred's comment, as they hurried away to
+join the others.
+
+"That's it, Fred." Randy looked at his cousin knowingly. "There is
+certainly something coming to Slugger, Nappy and Codfish, isn't there?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+CAUGHT IN THE ACT
+
+
+The news that there had been a fire at Colby Hall soon spread to the
+town and to Clearwater Hall, and there were many anxious inquiries over
+the telephone and otherwise as to whether anybody had been hurt.
+
+"No, nobody was hurt, and the fire didn't amount to much," said Spouter,
+when called up by his Cousin May. "Perhaps, when we see you girls
+personally, we'll have something to tell you that will be a surprise."
+
+In the middle of the afternoon of the day following the fire, a number
+of letters were brought in by one of the hired men from the Haven Point
+post-office.
+
+"Here's a drop letter for you, Jack," remarked Gif, who was distributing
+some of the mail. "Most likely from your best girl," and he smiled
+good-naturedly.
+
+"Doesn't look much like a girl's handwriting," answered the oldest Rover
+boy, as he inspected the envelope. Wondering what the letter might
+contain, he tore open the envelope and was considerably surprised to
+read the following, written on a raggedly-torn half sheet of note paper:
+
+     "You Rovers think yourselves smart, but do not forget that I am not
+     done with you. You have been the means of my losing a very
+     lucrative position. I will not have you arrested, for it would be a
+     hard matter for me to obtain justice in this neighborhood; but I
+     will remember you, and some day I will bring you to book for what
+     you have done. You are nothing but a set of imps and hoodlums, and
+     sooner or later Colby will learn the truth."
+
+"This is undoubtedly from Professor Lemm," announced Jack, as he allowed
+his cousins and their chums to read the letter.
+
+"He's certainly a sweet-natured man," was Andy's comment. "He's real
+charitable and kind, isn't he?" and this brought forth a smile from the
+others.
+
+"What do you think he'll do?" questioned Fred.
+
+"I don't believe he'll do anything," answered Jack. "Fellows who write
+such anonymous communications are usually cowards. Old Lemon belongs in
+the class with Slugger, Nappy & Company."
+
+The heavy snowstorm cleared away as rapidly as it had come, and the wind
+blew the snow from large sections of the lake, so that the cadets could
+once more enjoy themselves skating.
+
+"Let's skate up to Clearwater Hall and see the girls," suggested Jack at
+the first opportunity; and this was agreed to readily by all of the
+crowd.
+
+They found the girls of Clearwater Hall on the ice, watching out for
+them, and soon the cadets and the girls were enjoying themselves
+thoroughly.
+
+"You must tell me all about the fire and about how Professor Lemm
+happened to leave the Hall," said Ruth, as she skated away with Jack.
+
+"I'll do that," he answered. "But you must keep a good part of what I'm
+going to tell you a secret--at least for the present," he added, and
+then gave the particulars of the joke which had been played on the
+disliked teacher. Then he told of what had occurred at the gymnasium.
+
+"Oh, Jack! do you really think Slugger and Nappy and that little Codfish
+set the gymnasium on fire?" cried the girl.
+
+"I think they did, Ruth--although, of course, it was by accident."
+
+"What dreadful boys they must be getting to be," sighed the girl.
+
+She had quite a few things to tell about happenings at the Hall, and
+also mentioned what she intended to do during the Christmas holidays.
+
+"I wish you were coming down to New York," said Jack. "I'd like first
+rate to have you meet my Sister Martha and my Cousin Mary."
+
+"Perhaps I shall get down there some time, Jack. Are you going to stay
+at home during all of the holidays?"
+
+"No. We have been planning to stay at home about a week, and then, if we
+can arrange it, we want to visit Snowshoe Island and do a little hunting
+before school opens again."
+
+"Then you're going to accept old Uncle Barney's invitation!"
+
+"That's the idea, Ruth. You don't mind, do you?" and the oldest Rover
+boy looked anxiously at his companion.
+
+"Not at all. In fact, I'm rather glad to hear of your going to the
+island. It may give you a chance to talk to old Uncle Barney about my
+folks. And if you get any such chance, I hope you'll impress it upon him
+that we want to be friends."
+
+When the cadets returned to Colby Hall, both Jack and Fred were in
+unusual good humor, for, not only had Ruth said she would try to get
+down to New York during the holidays, but May had told Fred that if
+Spouter came down to the metropolis she would try to accompany her
+cousin.
+
+Several days slipped by, and the Rover boys applied themselves closely
+to their lessons, for they wished to make as good a showing as possible
+during the coming examinations. During that time, they saw Slugger,
+Nappy and Codfish a number of times, but all of those unworthies seemed
+to give them a wide berth.
+
+Although Colonel Colby had not given the Rovers any of the particulars
+of what he proposed to do, he had not forgotten what Randy and Fred had
+told him. He had had a conference on the subject with Professor Brice,
+Silas Crews, and Bob Nixon, the chauffeur, and Nixon and Crews were
+detailed to watch every movement made by the bully and his cronies.
+
+It was on the following Tuesday, the day previous to the examinations,
+that Silas Crews came hurrying to the master of the Hall, who had just
+entered the school library in search of a certain book.
+
+"I think Brown and Martell are at it," he announced in a low tone of
+voice. "Martell just sneaked a quart bottle of ink from the storeroom,
+while Brown picked up some of the cans of vegetables which were cast
+aside by the cook as unfit to eat. Now they have both gone down into the
+boiler-room, evidently after those ashes."
+
+"Continue to watch them, Crews, and tell Nixon to watch them, too. I
+will notify Professor Brice, and also Captain Dale." Captain Dale was
+the military instructor of the Academy.
+
+Silas Crews hurried off, and Colonel Colby lost no time in notifying the
+others of what was taking place. As a result, a guard was established,
+which took cognizance of every move made by Slugger and Nappy. Why it
+was that Codfish was not with them, nobody knew. The fact was, the poor
+little sneak had been so terrified at the mere mention of doing anything
+further that he had burst out crying and locked himself in his room,
+stating that he was too sick to act.
+
+Having obtained the bottle of ink and several cans of spoiled tomatoes,
+Slugger and Nappy watched their chance and visited the boiler-room under
+the school. Here they found a dozen large cans of ashes, and also an old
+empty soap-box.
+
+"We'll fill the soap box half full of ashes," said Slugger, "and then we
+can place the opened-up cans of tomatoes and the opened-up bottle of ink
+on top. When we get the stuff over to Colonel Colby's rooms, we can
+spread half of everything around where it will make the best showing,
+then we can skip over to the offices and do the same thing, and after
+that we'll rush back and leave a little trail of ashes and some ink
+leading into the Rovers' rooms, and place the empty ink bottle and the
+empty cans in their closets and put the ash-box under one of the beds."
+
+"Dandy!" replied Nappy. "Come on!"
+
+Not knowing that Bob Nixon was watching them from a corner of the
+boiler-room, they soon had the box of ashes and other stuff ready. Then,
+watching their chance to see that the coast was clear, they sneaked up
+out of the boiler-room and then out of the school by a side door. Here a
+path led to the nearby building where Colonel Colby had his private
+suite of rooms.
+
+"Now then, hurry up!" cried Nappy, who was beginning to show signs of
+nervousness.
+
+They found the door to the main room unlocked, and both entered and set
+the box of stuff on one of the easy chairs. Then one took up the ink and
+the other an opened can of the decayed tomatoes.
+
+"Now make a fine job of it," whispered Slugger.
+
+Both took a step forward to start their nefarious work, when each was
+almost paralyzed by hearing Colonel Colby's voice.
+
+"Stop!" commanded the master of the school, and stepped out from behind
+a screen which stood near a corner of the apartment.
+
+"Oh!" ejaculated Nappy. "We're discovered!" and, dropping the bottle of
+ink in his hands, he started to run.
+
+"Not so quick, Martell!" came from the doorway, and then both of the
+youths were startled to see themselves confronted by Bob Nixon. Behind
+the chauffeur stood Captain Dale, while in another doorway appeared the
+form of Professor Brice.
+
+"Wa--wa--what does this mean?" stammered Slugger. He knew not what to
+say or do.
+
+"It means that I have found you out," answered Colonel Colby sternly.
+"You will both march over to my office at once."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+HOME AGAIN
+
+
+"Good riddance to bad rubbish!"
+
+"You told the truth that time, Andy. We're certainly well rid of Slugger
+Brown and Nappy Martell."
+
+"Say! I'd like to know some of the particulars of the interview Slugger
+and Nappy had with Colonel Colby. It must have been a pippin," remarked
+Fred.
+
+"One thing is certain--Colonel Colby must have laid down the law pretty
+severely to them; otherwise they would never have gotten out of this
+school in such a hurry," came from Jack.
+
+"I'm mighty glad I got that one crack in on Martell," remarked Fred.
+"Some day I'll give that fellow a licking, big as he is," continued the
+youngest of the Rover boys.
+
+"The only fellow I'm sorry for is Codfish," came from Randy. "That poor
+little rat looks about as miserable as any kid could look."
+
+"He ought to be thankful that he wasn't kicked out with the others,"
+said Spouter. "He certainly deserved it."
+
+"He did," agreed Jack. "Just the same, now that Slugger and Nappy are
+gone, if Codfish wants to turn over a new leaf and make a man of
+himself, I'm not going to stand in his way."
+
+Twenty-four hours had passed since the events recorded in the previous
+chapter. They had been filled with both mystery and excitement for the
+Rover boys and their chums. Only a little of what had taken place in
+Colonel Colby's office had filtered out to the cadets, but it was enough
+to show them that the master of the Hall had dealt severely with Slugger
+and Nappy. Those two unworthies had come forth looking both cowed and
+excited, and they had rushed up to their rooms to pack their belongings
+without delay.
+
+In the meanwhile, Codfish had come forth sobbing, and had been allowed
+to go to his room, where he locked himself in and denied himself even to
+Mrs. Crews, the matron who looked after the younger scholars.
+
+"I--I don't want to see no--nobody!" Codfish had cried out. "Go away and
+leave me alone! I--I didn't mean to do anything! It was Brown and
+Martell made me do it!" and then he had burst into another fit of
+weeping.
+
+Both the Rover boys and their chums had wanted to see how the bully and
+his crony would act after their interview with Colonel Colby. They met
+Slugger and Nappy in the hall as they were on the point of leaving the
+school, and some sharp words had passed. Nappy had threatened Fred, and
+made a savage pass at him with his fist. In return, the youngest Rover
+had landed on the other's chin, and sent Nappy staggering up against the
+wall.
+
+In the meanwhile, there had been a set-to between Slugger and Jack, and
+although the oldest Rover boy was struck on the shoulder, he had had the
+satisfaction of making the bully measure his length on his back. Then
+the approach of Professor Brice, backed up by Captain Dale and Bob
+Nixon, had brought the brief contests to a close, and Slugger and Nappy
+had lost no time in hurrying below, where the auto-stage was already in
+waiting to take them and their baggage to Haven Point. Many of the
+cadets assembled had jeered at the departing youths, and they, in their
+rage, had shaken their fists at those left behind as the auto-stage
+departed.
+
+"I hope we never see those fellows again," remarked Randy. But this wish
+was doomed to disappointment--the Rovers were to see a good deal more of
+Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell.
+
+The boys had now to apply themselves to their examinations, and they
+went at this with a will, resolved to make the best showing possible.
+
+"We've got to do it," was the way Jack expressed himself. "We want the
+folks at home to know that we are keeping at our studies. Then, if they
+happen to hear of some of the jokes we play, they will know that we're
+doing something else here besides having fun."
+
+The lads had already written home regarding the Christmas holidays and
+what they would like to do. In return, they received word that they
+could have Gif and Spouter down for the week between Christmas and New
+Year's if they so desired. And Jack's mother also sent a letter to
+Spouter inviting him to bring along his Cousin May and her friend, Ruth.
+
+     "All of us, including Martha and Mary, will be glad to become
+     acquainted with your cousin and her school chum," wrote Mrs. Dick
+     Rover. "The girls are very anxious to learn more about Clearwater
+     Hall, and it is just possible that we may send them to that school
+     later on."
+
+"Hurrah! that's fine!" cried Jack, when Spouter showed him the letter.
+"If only May and Ruth go to New York, I'm sure they'll be able to
+persuade Martha and Mary that there is no better girls' school on earth
+than Clearwater Hall."
+
+"You leave that to me, Jack," answered Spouter. "I'll tell May just what
+to do."
+
+Of course the Rover boys were all very anxious after the examinations
+were over to find out how they had fared. On the following Friday
+afternoon Colonel Colby read the results. Fred and Randy had received
+ninety-four per cent., Jack had gotten ninety-two, and Andy had reached
+eighty-eight. As seventy per cent. was the passing mark, it can be seen
+that the boys had passed with considerable to spare.
+
+"My, that's a relief!" sighed Andy. "Somehow, at the last minute, I was
+afraid I had fallen down completely. There were a few examples in
+algebra that were regular stickers for me."
+
+"Physiology was what got me," observed Jack grimly. "How do I know how
+many bones I've got in my body? I never saw them," and at this there was
+a general smile.
+
+After the examinations there was but little to do at the school apart
+from the drills. There was an entertainment given by the boys in which
+both Jack and Andy took part. Then, almost before they knew it, the
+session came to an end, and the cadets had packed up and were on their
+way home.
+
+"After all, I'll be glad to see little old New York once more," remarked
+Randy, when they and their friends were seated on the train.
+
+"Right you are!" cried Fred. "I think, after the semi-country life at
+Haven Point, a big city will look mighty good to us."
+
+"Say, fellows, do you remember when we came up to the school, how we
+fell in with Asa Lemm?" remarked Andy.
+
+"I haven't forgotten it!" cried his twin, and then he added quickly: "I
+wonder if old Lemon wrote to our folks."
+
+"I don't think so," answered Jack. "If he had, I think we would have
+heard of it."
+
+When the boys arrived at the Grand Central Terminal, they found Martha
+and Mary and Tom Rover awaiting them.
+
+"Glad to see you back, boys!" cried the father of the twins, as he
+greeted them warmly, and then greeted the others.
+
+"Oh, Jack, I declare you're growing awfully tall!" burst out his sister
+Martha, as she embraced him.
+
+"Well, I guess Fred is growing tall, too," put in Mary Rover.
+
+"Well, you wouldn't expect any of us to grow shorter, would you?"
+queried Andy gaily, and this made both of the girls laugh.
+
+With greetings all around finished, the whole party pushed its way
+through the crowd to the Forty-second Street entrance of the Terminal,
+where two of the Rover limousines were in waiting.
+
+"This looks something like!" remarked Jack, when the automobiles were on
+their way through the busy streets to Riverside Drive. "I haven't seen
+so many people since I left."
+
+"And how do you like Colby Hall?" questioned his sister eagerly.
+
+"Dandy, Martha! It couldn't be beat! I can tell you, we boys are mighty
+glad that our dads picked out such a bully good school for us," and his
+face showed his satisfaction.
+
+"And what about Clearwater Hall?"
+
+"That's a dandy place, too,--at least, the girls who go there say it is.
+If May Powell comes down with Spouter, she'll tell you all about it."
+
+The home-coming of the Rover boys was a gala occasion. Dick Rover and
+his brother Sam had just come up home from the offices in Wall Street,
+and they and their wives, as well as the twins' mother, greeted the lads
+affectionately.
+
+"It's been kind of lonely since you went away," said Mrs. Tom Rover, as
+she caught each of the twins around the waist.
+
+"I suppose you missed our tricks, Ma," returned Andy slyly.
+
+"Maybe I did, Andy. But I wouldn't mind the tricks so much if only you
+were here," and she gave a little sigh.
+
+"Well, we're going to be here for a week, anyway," put in Randy, and
+then both of the twins gave their mother such a hug as she had not
+received for a long time.
+
+Jack was already telling his father and his two uncles something about
+Colby Hall. All of the men listened with close attention and
+considerable satisfaction.
+
+"I guess Larry has patterned it pretty closely after Putnam Hall and
+West Point," remarked Sam Rover. "And that's as it should be, to my way
+of thinking."
+
+"He'd have to go a long way to do better," answered Tom Rover.
+"Everybody knows that West Point is an ideal school, and dear old Putnam
+Hall was a close second to it."
+
+"I hope you lads haven't been playing too many tricks," went on Dick
+Rover, as he gazed from one face to another before him.
+
+"Well, Uncle Dick, we had to play _some_ tricks," answered Andy, a bit
+lamely.
+
+"You couldn't expect us to just sit still and hold our hands," added
+Randy.
+
+"We might as well own up to one thing," said Jack boldly. "We did play a
+trick on one of the teachers--a fellow named Asa Lemm. Nobody liked
+Lemm, and when Colonel Colby had a rumpus with him and made him resign,
+all of us felt better."
+
+Fortunately for the boys, an interruption came just at that moment in
+the way of an announcement that dinner was ready. This was served in the
+Dick Rover home, and was participated in by all of the members of the
+Rover family. It made quite a table full.
+
+"Gee! but it's nice to be here once more!" exclaimed Andy, while he was
+eating.
+
+"Beats a meal in the mess-room at the Hall all hollow, doesn't it?"
+returned his twin.
+
+"And yet you talk about going away on a hunting trip," broke in their
+father quizzically.
+
+"Oh, yes! But Uncle Tom, we are going to spend a whole week in New York
+before that!" broke in Fred.
+
+"I want to know a little more about this trip you're planning to
+Snowshoe Island," remarked Dick Rover. "I want to make sure that it's a
+perfectly safe place for you to visit."
+
+"Oh, I'm sure it's safe enough," answered Jack; and thereupon he and the
+others told what they knew about the island and Barney Stevenson.
+
+"That old lumberman must be quite a character," was Dick Rover's
+comment. "Well, we'll see about this trip later," and there, for the
+time being, the matter was dropped.
+
+The boys had gotten home just two days before Christmas, and they spent
+their entire time the next day in shopping for presents. In this they
+were partly aided by Martha and Mary, especially when it came to
+selecting presents for their mothers. Then, however, they sent the girls
+away, so that they might buy something for them. Although they did not
+mention this, Jack also wished to get a little reminder for Ruth, while
+Fred was equally desirous of obtaining something for May.
+
+Christmas dawned bright and clear, and many were the cries of joy which
+rang throughout the three Rover households. All the young folks spent
+over an hour in running back and forth, wishing this one and that one
+"Merry Christmas!" Then came the distribution of presents.
+
+"Just what I wanted!" cried Fred, as he inspected his pile of gifts.
+There was a new watch, some gorgeous neckties, several books, and a
+splendid little double-barrelled shotgun.
+
+"Don't say a word! It couldn't be better!" came from Randy.
+
+"The best Christmas ever!" echoed his twin. They, too, had numerous
+gifts, including little diamond stickpins, new skates, some boxing
+gloves, and bright-colored sweaters, into which their cousins had
+knitted the initials C. H.
+
+"Now, I presume, you'll be real Colby Hall cadets," said their mother,
+when they had donned the sweaters and were strutting around in them.
+
+"This sure is one grand Christmas!" said Jack. He, too, had fared well,
+receiving a beautiful seal ring, a new traveling bag, completely
+equipped, several sets of books for which he had longed greatly, and
+also a small, but first-class, repeating rifle.
+
+"Now we've certainly got to go on that hunt," remarked Fred, placing his
+new shotgun beside the new rifle.
+
+"Right you are, Fred!" responded Jack. "But first we're going to have
+one dandy time down here in New York."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+OFF FOR SNOWSHOE ISLAND
+
+
+"What an awfully large place New York is!"
+
+It was Ruth who uttered the words while she was taking a ride down Fifth
+Avenue in company with Jack and his sister and several of the others.
+
+It was the day after Christmas, and Spouter had arrived at noon,
+bringing his cousin May and Ruth with him. The young folks were taking a
+ride previous to stopping at the Grand Central Terminal to meet Gif, who
+was to come later.
+
+"You won't find many places larger," answered Dick. He felt very happy
+to think that Ruth was beside him, and more so because Ruth and his
+sister seemed to become good friends from the very moment they met.
+
+Behind the first auto came a second, containing Spouter, May, Mary, and
+Fred. They, too, were enjoying themselves, the youngest Rover doing what
+he could to point out the various places of interest to Spouter's fair
+cousin.
+
+The Rover boys, aided by Mary and Martha, had laid their plans for the
+next five days with care. The young folks were to be taken to Central
+and Bronx Parks, to several well-known theaters, and also to the Grand
+Opera, and Mrs. Dick Rover had arranged to give a party at her home in
+the visitors' honor.
+
+Mary and Martha had been eager to hear about Clearwater Hall, and the
+two girl visitors were not slow in singing the praises of that
+institution.
+
+"Oh, I think I'd like to go there!" cried Martha. "What do you think,
+Mary?"
+
+"I think I'd like to go myself, now that we know somebody there," was
+her cousin's reply. Mary had always been a little shy.
+
+During those days of pleasure in New York only one thing occurred to mar
+the happiness of the young folks. That was one afternoon when all of
+them went over to Central Park for a couple of hours to enjoy the
+skating. There, quite unexpectedly, they ran into Nappy Martell. He
+favored the Rover boys with a black look, and then lost himself in the
+crowd of skaters.
+
+"He certainly has no love for us," was Jack's comment. "If he could
+possibly do us an injury, I think he would do it."
+
+But aside from this incident the young folks had nothing to worry them,
+and they spent a most agreeable time on the ice. They talked a good
+deal of nonsense, and often laughed when there was no apparent cause for
+so doing, but that was due entirely to their high spirits. When they
+returned to the Rover homes the girls had a glow in their cheeks and a
+sparkle in their eyes that made them more beautiful than ever.
+
+"That Ruth Stevenson is certainly a handsome girl," whispered Mrs. Dick
+Rover to her husband.
+
+"So she is, Dora," answered Dick. "And if you'll notice, our Jack has
+quite an eye for her," he added dryly.
+
+"Oh, Dick! you don't suppose he's smitten with her? Why, he's so young!"
+
+"I'm not saying anything about that, Dora. I can't help but remember
+that I was smitten with you the first time I saw you," and at this Dora
+Rover gave her husband a warm look that meant a great deal.
+
+May had not forgotten her promise to her Cousin Spouter, and during the
+visit she did all she could to impress on the older folks the charms of
+life at Clearwater Hall. She told of what fine teachers there were at
+the school, how rapidly most of the pupils advanced in their studies,
+and of the good times to be had there.
+
+"And I do hope that you will let Mary and Martha join us," she
+concluded. "I am sure they will feel perfectly at home there, and that
+they will be as well taught, if not better, than they would be if they
+remained here in the city."
+
+"I'll think it over, May," answered Mrs. Sam Rover; and Martha's mother
+said the same.
+
+Jack and his cousins had already sent a letter to Barney Stevenson,
+completing the arrangements for going up to Snowshoe Island. Now came a
+brief communication from the old lumberman, stating that he would be on
+the look-out for them, and would do all he could to make their outing
+enjoyable.
+
+"What a nice letter for him to write!" exclaimed Ruth, when Jack showed
+her the communication. "Oh, I do hope you'll be able to fix up this
+difference between old Uncle Barney and my folks! It's dreadful to have
+him on the outs with our family."
+
+"As I said before, Ruth, I'll do what I can," Jack replied.
+
+With so much going on, the holidays sped by swiftly, and all too soon it
+was time for the visitors to take their departure. Spouter and Gif both
+wished they could accompany the Rovers to Snowshoe Island, but this was
+not to be, as they had already made other arrangements.
+
+"But have a good time," said Spouter.
+
+"Don't forget to lay low a few deer and a bear or two," added Gif.
+
+"Good gracious! you don't expect them to shoot bears, do you?" exclaimed
+May, in some alarm.
+
+"I don't believe there are any bears on that island, are there?" came
+from Ruth.
+
+"There are very few bears anywhere," answered Jack. "Gif was only
+fooling. The biggest game that we may possibly see will be a deer,
+although even they are growing scarce. We may see nothing bigger than
+squirrels, rabbits and partridges, and maybe a mink or a fox."
+
+The Rover boys accompanied the others to the Grand Central Terminal.
+Here Jack managed to have a few words in private with Ruth, and at the
+conclusion he gave her hand so tight a squeeze that she blushed. Then
+the visitors boarded the train and in a minute more were gone.
+
+"And now to get ready for the trip to Snowshoe Island!" cried Randy.
+
+"That's the talk!" returned his twin.
+
+The boys were to leave for Rockville, the nearest railroad station to
+Snowshoe Island, on the day after New Year's. They spent several hours
+in packing their things, being advised in that matter by their fathers,
+who, as my old readers know, had been on many hunting expeditions before
+them.
+
+"Now, there is no use of my giving you any advice on how to handle your
+firearms," said Dick Rover. "I have given you that advice before, and
+you ought to remember what I said."
+
+"I do, Dad," answered his son. "And I'm sure the others remember, too."
+
+"And I want you two boys to keep out of mischief," put in Tom Rover,
+addressing his twins. "Of course, you can have all the fun you please,
+but let it be good, innocent nonsense. Don't do anything mean, and don't
+do anything to get somebody else into trouble."
+
+"And my advice is, to go slow and be careful," added Sam Rover. "In
+other words: 'Look before you leap'----"
+
+"As the clown in the circus said," finished Tom Rover, "when he thought
+he was going to jump through a paper hoop and found instead that it was
+a solid white barrel-head;" and at this little joke there was a general
+laugh.
+
+The boys had already told their fathers about the doings of Nappy
+Martell and Slugger Brown.
+
+"Nappy Martell is evidently the son of his father," remarked Dick Rover.
+"The senior Martell is just as domineering, and not one bit more
+reliable. Down in Wall Street we've been watching him pretty closely."
+
+"Yes, and he needed watching," put in Tom Rover. "To my mind, if he
+isn't a fraud, he's pretty close to it."
+
+"You said something about his underhanded work before," came from Sam.
+"If he is a swindler, I certainly hope that sooner or later they expose
+him."
+
+The boys had learned that Rockville was a town of considerable
+importance and boasted of several good-sized stores. They felt certain
+that they could buy all the supplies needed at that place, so it would
+be unnecessary to get them in New York. They, however, took along all
+the clothing that was needed, and likewise their guns and a good supply
+of ammunition.
+
+"Now do be careful!" pleaded Mrs. Tom Rover, when they were ready to
+depart. "I don't want any of you to get shot."
+
+"Don't you worry, Ma. We'll be careful all right enough," answered
+Randy, as he kissed her good-bye.
+
+Several of the neighboring boys had come to see them off, and there was
+a little bit of envy as these watched the Rovers depart. They went to
+the railroad station in one of the limousines, only the two girls going
+with them to see them off.
+
+"Now don't get hurt, Jack," said Martha, when it was almost time for him
+to take the train. "Remember, if you do, Ruth will never forgive
+you," and she gave her brother a roguish look which, somehow, made his
+cheeks burn.
+
+[Illustration: "WHAT A NICE LETTER FOR HIM TO WRITE!" EXCLAIMED RUTH.
+
+_Page 191_]
+
+"Aw, cut that, Martha!" he answered. And then, of a sudden, he
+continued: "You join those girls at Clearwater Hall, and I'll pick a
+fine cadet for you to go out with."
+
+"Boo!" cried Martha, and put out the tip of her tongue at him. "Who said
+I wanted any of your old cadets!" Then, as he and his cousins ran for
+the train, she waved him an affectionate farewell.
+
+The boys had obtained seats in advance in one of the parlor cars, and
+soon they made themselves comfortable. They talked over what had
+happened while their visitors had been with them, and presently
+commenced to discuss the expected hunting on and around Snowshoe Island.
+
+"We ought to have a dandy two weeks," was Fred's comment. "Just think of
+it! For fourteen days we'll be able to do exactly as we please!"
+
+"Yum-yum!" added Randy. "Sleep as long as you please, eat when you
+please and as much as you please, and shoot all the game you want to!
+What more could a fellow want?"
+
+"And cut all the firewood you want to! And wash all the dirty dishes you
+want to! And miss all the really good game you want to----" commenced
+Andy.
+
+"Jump on him!"
+
+"Throw him out of the window!"
+
+"Let's make him go without his supper to-night!"
+
+So the cries went on as the three others caught Andy by the arms and by
+the coat collar.
+
+"Hold up! I surrender!" gasped the fun-loving youth. "Let up! will you?"
+
+"You've got to promise to be good and not throw cold water on our
+hopes," announced Jack. "We're going to have the best time ever on
+Snowshoe Island. And not a thing is going to happen to mar our
+pleasure."
+
+But in this last surmise the oldest Rover boy was sadly mistaken. Many
+things of which he and his cousins did not dream were to occur, not only
+to startle and annoy them, but also to place them in extreme peril.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+CAUGHT IN A SNOWSTORM
+
+
+"Next station stop Rockville!"
+
+"That's our jumping off place, boys! We had better get our baggage
+together!" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"I wonder if Barney Stevenson will be at the station to meet us?"
+questioned Fred.
+
+"That depends on whether he got my last message or not," answered Jack.
+"However, if he isn't there, I guess we can find our way to Snowshoe
+Island alone."
+
+Soon the long train rolled into the little station at Rockville, and the
+boys alighted, being assisted by the porter, who had already taken
+charge of their baggage. He readily accepted the tip they gave him, and,
+as he had learned that they were off on a little hunting tour, said he
+hoped they would have every success.
+
+"But don't you bring down too many lions and elephants," added the
+colored man.
+
+"No, we'll leave the lions and elephants for you," returned Andy, and
+this made the porter grin broadly, showing two rows of white ivories.
+
+"Hello, boys! So you've got here at last, eh?" cried a voice from the
+doorway of the railroad station, and old Barney Stevenson strode toward
+them. He looked the picture of health, having recovered entirely from
+the accident in the woods. He shook hands cordially, giving each hand a
+squeeze that made the recipient wince.
+
+"We're glad to see you, Mr. Stevenson," began Fred, when up went the old
+lumberman's hand in protest.
+
+"'Twon't do, boys! 'Twon't do at all! If you're going to come over to
+Snowshoe Island with me, you've got to drop that Mister business. Plain
+Uncle Barney is good enough for me."
+
+"All right, then! Uncle Barney it is!" answered Fred, and the others
+smiled and nodded.
+
+"I just got your message this noon," explained the old lumberman. "Billy
+Sanders, the station agent's son, brought it over to me. I see you've
+got your duffle with you," and he looked at their various bags.
+
+"We didn't bring anything along in the way of provisions," answered
+Randy. "We thought we could buy all those things here in town."
+
+"So you can--providing you've got the money, lad;" and Uncle Barney
+smiled.
+
+"Oh, we've got the money!" answered Andy. "Our folks treated us very
+handsomely."
+
+"I brought over my big bobsled," went on the old lumberman. "Come
+ahead--I'll help you carry your baggage. We can leave it all at
+Crumpers' boathouse until we get the other stuff."
+
+He led the way, and they soon found themselves at the boathouse he had
+mentioned. Here they placed their traveling bags on Uncle Barney's
+bobsled, and then made their way to a nearby general store, where the
+old fellow was well known.
+
+"We've got a list written out here," explained Jack, bringing it forth.
+"I'll read it to you, and then you can tell me what you think of it."
+
+The list was quite a long one, and the old lumberman listened
+attentively as Jack read it over. Then he nodded approvingly.
+
+"You've got it about right, boys," he said. "You must have been out
+before."
+
+"My dad helped me make out this list," explained Dick. "He and my uncles
+have had quite some experience hunting, and, of course, they knew just
+what to take along."
+
+"Do you think it will be enough?" questioned Randy anxiously. His
+appetite for eating never seemed to be lacking.
+
+"You've got enough there for six or eight," answered the old lumberman.
+"However, it won't do any harm to add a few more beans and a little
+extra bacon; likewise a little more sugar, seeing as how boys generally
+like things sweet."
+
+It was an easy matter to purchase the various articles at the general
+store, and the boys had the clerk pack them securely in several soap
+boxes. Then Jack, as the treasurer for the crowd, paid the bill.
+
+By this time it was growing dark, and Uncle Barney told them they had
+better not waste their time.
+
+"I may be mistaken, but it looks a good deal like another snowstorm to
+me," he explained. "And if it's going to snow, we might as well get to
+the island before it starts to come down too hard."
+
+The old lumberman was right about the snow, and some early flakes came
+sifting down while they were still at the boathouse packing the bobsled.
+The old lumberman showed them how to secure the load so that there would
+be no danger of its falling off.
+
+"Now then, on with your skates, and we'll be off," he announced. In the
+winter time he always made the journey between the island and the town
+on his steel runners.
+
+"I suppose skating is a good deal easier than walking," remarked Fred,
+while the boys were putting on their skates.
+
+"To be sure. And we can make so much better time."
+
+"How far have we got to go?" questioned Andy.
+
+"To the upper end of the island, where I've got my home, is about four
+miles."
+
+"Oh, that isn't so far!" cried Fred. "We can skate that in no time."
+
+"We could if we could go in a straight line. But we can't," answered
+Uncle Barney. "The wind blew the last snow in all sorts of ridges across
+the ice, and we'll have to pick our way along as best we can."
+
+A long rope had been attached to the bobsled, so that they could all
+assist in hauling it along. On the smooth ice the load proved to be a
+light one, so that they had little difficulty in progressing. But, as
+the old lumberman had said, the ridges of snow on the lake were
+numerous, and some of these were piled up several feet high, and the
+party had to make long detours around them.
+
+"This isn't going to be so easy, after all," remarked Fred, after they
+had skated for almost half an hour. "I thought we would get to Snowshoe
+Island in no time."
+
+It was now quite dark, and the snow was falling steadily. So far, there
+had been little wind, but now this, too, sprang up, sending the frozen
+particles directly into their faces.
+
+"Gee! this isn't so pleasant!" exclaimed Andy, as he pulled down his cap
+and pulled up the sweater he was wearing.
+
+"The wind is increasing," said Fred a minute later. "Hark to that, will
+you?"
+
+All listened, and from a distance heard the wind stirring through the
+woods bordering the lake in that vicinity. Then the wind bore down upon
+them, and with it came a heavier fall of snow.
+
+"Say, this is going to be some snowstorm!"
+
+"Yes, and some blow too!"
+
+"I wish it wasn't so dark!"
+
+"Uncle Barney, are you sure you know the way?" questioned Randy, as all
+came to a halt for a moment to turn their backs to the wind and catch
+their breath.
+
+"Oh, yes, my lad! I know the way well enough," was the old lumberman's
+reply. "But, believe me, I didn't expect any such snowstorm as this when
+I went after you. I thought it would be just an ordinary fall."
+
+"It seems to be getting heavier every minute," declared Jack, as he
+sheltered his eyes with his hand and tried to peer forth into the
+darkness. "Why, the snow is coming down in regular chunks!"
+
+The flakes were indeed both heavy and thick, and the wind sent the snow
+sweeping across the ice, forming new ridges in every direction.
+
+"The first thing you know, we'll be blocked completely," declared Randy,
+after they had progressed another quarter of a mile. "Just look at that
+wall of snow, will you?" and he pointed ahead, where a snowdrift was all
+of five feet high and rapidly growing higher.
+
+The Rovers could see by his manner that the old lumberman was growing
+much disturbed. He led the way first in one direction and then in
+another. Then presently he called a halt.
+
+"It ain't no use," he declared flatly. "I thought I could work my way
+around these snowdrifts, the same as I did when I came over to town
+after you. But the darkness and this heavy fall of snow is bothering me
+tremendously."
+
+"What do you think we ought to do?" questioned Fred anxiously. The
+situation was making the youngest Rover boy a little fearful.
+
+"I guess about the best thing we can do is to strike a bee-line for the
+island," answered Uncle Barney. "It won't be much harder to break
+through these snowdrifts than it is to try to find our way around them
+in this wind and darkness."
+
+"Are you sure you know the way to the island?" questioned Jack, who knew
+only too well that it was the easiest thing in the world to get turned
+around in such a situation as this.
+
+"Oh, I'm pretty sure I haven't lost my bearings," answered the old
+lumberman. "However, to make sure, maybe I had better have a squint at
+my compass."
+
+"Oh, say! that puts me in mind!" burst out Randy. "What's the matter
+with using one of our flashlights?" for the boys had brought along two
+of those useful articles, which were now packed in the baggage on the
+bobsled.
+
+"Yes, let's get out both of the flashlights," returned Fred. "In this
+darkness we'll want all the light we can get."
+
+Sheltering themselves as best they could from the wind, which seemed
+every minute to be increasing in violence, the boys unstrapped part of
+their load and managed to bring forth the two flashlights. While this
+was being done, Uncle Barney brought from his pocket a small compass.
+
+"Now, I think north is in that direction," he said, pointing with his
+hand. With the aid of one of the lights, the compass was inspected, and
+it was found that the old lumberman was almost right, he having pointed
+a little to the northwest.
+
+"If we'd gone on the way I expected to go, we'd have struck the lower
+end of the island instead of the upper," he explained. "It wouldn't have
+made a great deal of difference, but we might as well take the
+straightest line we know how. Come on! Follow me, and I'll break the way
+for you."
+
+Once more they started forward, and in a minute more the boys found
+themselves struggling through snow which was several feet deep.
+
+"Gee! a fellow ought to have snowshoes instead of skates!" panted Fred,
+when in the midst of the drift. "This is the worst ever!"
+
+"The drift isn't very wide, Fred," announced Jack, who was ahead of his
+cousin, flashing one of the lights around. "Here we come to the clear
+ice again," and a few seconds later they found themselves skating along
+as easily as before.
+
+But this open patch did not last long. Soon they came to several more
+snowdrifts. The first was barely a foot high, but the second was almost
+up to their arm-pits. The old lumberman was still ahead, breaking a path
+for them as well as he was able. Hampered with the load of the bobsled,
+the boys made slow progress.
+
+"It's no use!" groaned Andy at last. "I'm all out of breath. I've got to
+stop and rest."
+
+"We had better not stop to rest here, Andy," answered Jack quickly. "We
+must reach some sort of shelter from this wind."
+
+"I'm all out of breath myself," came from Fred. The exertion of plowing
+through the snowdrifts had tired him dreadfully, and he was trembling in
+the legs so that he could scarcely stand.
+
+"Come on, boys! Don't stay here!" called back Uncle Barney to them.
+"This snowstorm is getting worse every minute!"
+
+The old lumberman had scarcely spoken when all the boys heard a strange
+whistling in the air. Then the wind tore down upon them harder than
+ever, sending the snowy particles in all directions, so that to make out
+what was ahead, even with the flashlights, was out of the question.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+AN ASTONISHING REVELATION
+
+
+The situation was certainly a disheartening one, and the boys huddled
+close together around the bobsled, both for protection and to talk the
+matter over.
+
+"Can you tell us at all how far we really are from some sort of
+shelter--I mean the nearest shelter at hand?" questioned Jack of Uncle
+Barney, as the old lumberman came back to see what had happened.
+
+"It's about a mile to my cabin," was the reply.
+
+"And is that the nearest place?" asked Fred, who had sat down on the
+bobsled load to rest.
+
+"No. The nearest place is a little hut that I put up at this end of the
+island several years ago. It isn't very much of a shelter, but it might
+do."
+
+"Do you mean we could stay there all night?" queried Randy.
+
+"Oh, yes. It's plenty large enough for all of us, and there is a rough
+fireplace where we could start a blaze and cook something."
+
+"Then let's head for that place, by all means!" cried Jack. "This storm
+is getting worse every minute."
+
+With the wind whistling keenly in their ears and blowing the snow across
+the ice and into numerous high drifts, the little party moved on once
+more, the boys doing their best to keep up with the old lumberman. This
+was comparatively easy, for even Uncle Barney was well-nigh exhausted by
+his exertions.
+
+"If this snow keeps on, it will be one of the worst storms we ever had
+up here," he announced. "But, somehow, I don't think it will last; the
+sky didn't look heavy enough this afternoon."
+
+"I hope it doesn't last," returned Jack.
+
+"We don't want to be snowed in while we are up here," added Randy. "We
+want to have a chance to hunt."
+
+To make progress against the fury of the elements was not easy, but
+presently the boys heard Uncle Barney give a cry of satisfaction.
+
+"Here we are, lads, in sight of the island!" exclaimed the old
+lumberman. "Now it won't be long before we reach that shelter I
+mentioned."
+
+By the aid of the two flashlights, the boys made out a number of trees
+and bushes ahead. The bushes were covered thickly with snow, and behind
+them were sharp rocks, also outlined in white.
+
+"This is what I call Squirrel Point," explained the old lumberman. "It
+used to be a great place for squirrels."
+
+"How much further to that shelter?" queried Fred. Just then he took no
+interest whatever in game. He was so tired he could scarcely place one
+foot in front of the other; and, to tell the truth, his cousins were
+little better off.
+
+"We've got only a couple of hundred feet to go," was the reply. "Come
+ahead. I'll help you pull that bobsled," and now Uncle Barney took hold,
+and once again they started forward, this time skirting the lower
+extremity of Snowshoe Island. Here there were a great number of pines
+and hemlocks growing amid a perfect wilderness of rocks, now all thickly
+covered with snow.
+
+"Now you'll have a little climbing to do," announced the old lumberman a
+few minutes later. "You might as well take off your skates, and I'll do
+the same. And we'll have to hoist that bobsled up the best we know how."
+
+He had turned toward the island, and soon they were climbing up over the
+rough rocks and pulling the bobsled after them. In one spot they had to
+raise the sled up over their heads. The old lumberman assisted them in
+this task, and then pointed to a small, cleared space between a number
+of pines.
+
+"Hurrah! I see the hut!" cried Jack in delight, and ran forward,
+followed by his cousins. Uncle Barney came with them, and an instant
+later had forced open a rude door. Then one of the lights was flashed
+inside.
+
+The boys and Uncle Barney had expected to find the little cabin vacant.
+Consequently they were much surprised when they heard a queer little
+noise, not unlike the snarl of a dog.
+
+"By gum! it's a wolf!" ejaculated the old lumberman in amazement.
+
+Scarcely had he spoken when there leaped into view a full-grown wolf. As
+he confronted the boys and the old man, he snarled viciously, and his
+eyes appeared to gleam like two balls of fire.
+
+"It's a wolf, sure enough!"
+
+"Shoot him, somebody! Shoot him!"
+
+"Where's my gun?"
+
+"The guns are all strapped down on the bobsled!"
+
+Such were some of the cries which came from the Rover boys when they
+found themselves confronted by the wolf. They fell back several paces,
+and Uncle Barney did likewise. The old lumberman had gone to Rockville
+armed, but he too had strapped his weapon fast on the bobsled, so that
+he might assist the boys in hauling the load.
+
+As the little party fell back wondering what was best to do, the wolf
+gave another leap, thereby reaching the doorway of the little cabin.
+Then, with a snarl, he whirled around, leaped into the snow behind some
+hemlocks, and in a moment more had disappeared from view.
+
+"Well, what do you know about that!" cried Fred faintly.
+
+"And to think we weren't ready to shoot!" groaned Randy.
+
+"We're a fine bunch of hunters, we are!" scoffed Andy.
+
+"Well, we didn't expect to find a wolf in possession of this hut,"
+remarked Jack. "Just the same, I wish we had been able to get a shot at
+him," he added wistfully.
+
+"I should have carried my gun," remarked Uncle Barney. "It was a mistake
+to put it on the sled. That's just my luck, confound it! Whenever I go
+out free-handed, I'm almost certain to see something worth shooting,"
+and he shook his head grimly.
+
+"You didn't say anything about wolves being on the island," said Fred,
+while the old man was looking around inside the cabin with both
+flashlights.
+
+"There are very few wolves in this neighborhood," was the reply. "The
+last wolf I saw on the island, outside of this one, was two years ago."
+
+As the door to the cabin had been closed, the boys wondered how the wolf
+had gotten into the place, but Uncle Barney showed them a small,
+broken-out window in the rear of the shelter. This window was now partly
+covered with snow.
+
+"I suppose the wolf thought he couldn't get out that way on account of
+the snow, and consequently he had to come by way of the door," explained
+the old lumberman. "Well, I'm mighty glad he didn't go any damage."
+
+An examination revealed the fact that no other living thing was in or
+around the cabin, and as soon as they were satisfied of this, the boys
+brought in the bobsled. In the meantime, Uncle Barney stirred around
+outside and managed to find some firewood which was fairly dry. Then a
+blaze was started in the rude fireplace, the door was shut, and a
+blanket was nailed up over the broken-out window.
+
+"Now this is something like!" remarked Jack, when the cabin began to
+grow warm. The boys had unpacked the contents of the bobsled and brought
+forth a candle, which was lighted and placed in a rude holder on the
+wall.
+
+Now that they were safe from the storm, all of the Rovers felt in better
+humor. Uncle Barney showed them how they could obtain water by melting
+some snow and ice, and soon they had enough to make a pot of chocolate
+and another pot of coffee. In the meantime, the old lumberman, assisted
+by Jack, opened up a box of sardines fried some bacon, and also warmed
+up a can of green corn which had been among the stores. They had no
+bread, so they used up one of the boxes of soda crackers which they had
+purchased.
+
+"It's too bad we haven't got some game to cook," observed Randy.
+
+"Let's be thankful that we've got some sort of a roof over our heads,
+and that we can rest," put in Fred. He had not yet gotten over the
+struggle to get through the snow.
+
+With nothing else to do, the boys and the old lumberman took their time
+over the evening meal, and never had anything tasted better than did
+this first supper on Snowshoe Island to the Rovers.
+
+Outside the wind was blowing as strongly as ever, and the snow still
+came down steadily. To make sure that they would not suffer from the
+cold, all of the lads went out with Uncle Barney and brought in a large
+supply of firewood. Then they built up a good blaze, around which they
+sat in a semicircle on the sled and the boxes brought along, and on a
+rude bench of which the little cabin boasted.
+
+"When I first came to Snowshoe Island, twelve years ago, I thought I
+would locate at this end," remarked Barney Stevenson during the course
+of the conversation. "But after staying here a short while I concluded
+that it was nicer at the upper end, so I went there."
+
+"Did you buy the island as far back as that?" queried Jack.
+
+"Oh, no, lad. In those days I only leased the island. You see, it
+belonged to an old lady named Martinson. She had a son who drifted out
+to California, and then went to Alaska. When the old lady died, Luke
+Martinson came back home, and then he came to see me. He wanted to get
+rid of all his property around here so he could go back to Alaska, and
+he offered this place to me, and I bought it. That was several years
+ago."
+
+"It's nice to own an island like this," observed Fred. "A fellow can
+have a regular Robinson Crusoe time of it if he wants to."
+
+"When I bought the island I thought I'd have no difficulty in holding
+it," continued Barney Stevenson. "But since that time I have had a whole
+lot of trouble. Two men claim that Luke Martinson never had any rights
+here--that the old Martinson claim to the island was a false one. They
+have tried two or three times to get me off the place, but I've refused
+to go."
+
+"Didn't you get a deed to the island?" questioned Jack, who had often
+heard his father and his uncles speak about deeds to real estate.
+
+"Certainly, I got a deed! But they claim that the old Martinson deed was
+no good. But it is good--and I know it!" grumbled Uncle Barney.
+
+"Who are the men who want to take the island away from you?" questioned
+Andy. "Some hunters around here, or lumbermen?"
+
+"Oh no! They are two men from the city--a real estate dealer and a man
+who used to be interested in buying and selling property, but who lost
+most of his fortune and then went to teaching, or something like that."
+
+"Teaching!" exclaimed Jack, struck by a sudden idea. "What is that man's
+name, if I may ask?"
+
+"His name is Asa Lemm, and the name of the other man is Slogwell Brown,"
+was the reply of the old lumberman, which filled the Rover boys with
+amazement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE FIRST NIGHT ON THE ISLAND
+
+
+"Asa Lemm and Slogwell Brown!"
+
+"What do you know about that, boys?"
+
+"That's bringing this matter pretty close to us, isn't it?"
+
+"I should say so!"
+
+Such were some of the remarks coming from the Rover boys after Barney
+Stevenson had made his astonishing declaration that the father of
+Slugger Brown and the ex-teacher of Colby Hall were the two men who were
+trying to dispossess him.
+
+"Why, you speak as if you knew those two men!" exclaimed the old
+lumberman.
+
+"We certainly know Asa Lemm," answered Jack.
+
+"And we know the son of Slogwell Brown," added Randy.
+
+"Yes, and if Mr. Brown is no better than his son, I wouldn't put it past
+him to do something crooked," was Andy's comment.
+
+"Tell me what you know," said Uncle Barney.
+
+Thereupon the four boys related the particulars of the trouble they had
+had with Professor Lemm, and of how he had left the military academy.
+They also told much about Slugger, and, incidentally, Nappy Martell, and
+of how the two cadets had been dismissed by Colonel Colby.
+
+"This certainly is wonderful!" exclaimed the old lumberman, when they
+had finished. "I had no idea you boys knew anything about those men. I
+reckon your opinion of their honesty is just about as high as mine is,"
+and he smiled grimly.
+
+"Asa Lemm claims to have lost quite a fortune," said Jack; "but we
+certainly did not think that part of it was located in this island."
+
+"It isn't located in this island--at least it isn't so far as I am
+concerned!" cried Uncle Barney. "If those men bought what they thought
+were the rights to this island, they were defrauded, that's all! And
+that has absolutely nothing to do with my rights to this land!"
+
+"I should think if you got a good deed to the land from that Luke
+Martinson--and his folks had a good deed from somebody else--that ought
+to be proof enough that you own the island."
+
+"Well, I've got the deed from Martinson, and I've got the old deeds he
+used to have, too! I've got them placed away in a tin box and in a safe
+place, too!" answered the old man.
+
+"Then, if you've got those deeds, why do they bother you?" questioned
+Fred.
+
+"As I've said before, they won't admit that the deeds old Mrs. Martinson
+had were any good. The fact of the matter is, Slogwell Brown wants to
+get those deeds away from me. He has been at me to let him look at the
+deeds several times, but I've always refused, for I was afraid that if
+he got the deeds away from me I would never see them again."
+
+"I thought they recorded deeds at the Court House," said Jack, who had
+heard this fact mentioned between his father and his uncles.
+
+"They do record deeds, and I suppose that one was recorded at some time
+or other; but the Court House in this county was burnt down some years
+ago and all the records went up in smoke."
+
+"But you could get the deeds recorded now--I mean have it done over
+again," remarked Randy.
+
+"I suppose so. But that wouldn't do me any good, because they would
+probably try to prove that the deeds I brought in were not the
+originals. You see, the date when a deed is recorded has a good deal to
+do with it. Anyway, I'm not going to let anybody have those deeds until
+I am sure of what I'm doing," went on Uncle Barney. It was easy to see
+that the old man was peculiar and wanted to do things in his own
+manner.
+
+"Did you ever ask a lawyer about this?" questioned Fred.
+
+"No! I ain't got no use for lawyers!" was the quick reply. "I hired a
+lawyer in a lawsuit nigh on to thirteen years ago, and I lost the suit
+and it cost me over a hundred dollars more than I might have paid
+otherwise." The old lumberman did not add that this was a lawsuit to
+which Ruth Stevenson's father was also a party, yet such was the fact.
+
+"How long is it since you heard from Mr. Brown and Professor Lemm?"
+asked Andy.
+
+"The last time they came to see me was in the middle of the summer. They
+threatened all sorts of things, and they got me so mad that I had to
+take down my shotgun and warn them away. Then they left in a big hurry."
+
+"Don't you think it's a bad thing to warn them off with a gun?"
+questioned Jack. "They might have you arrested for threatening their
+lives."
+
+"I'm not afraid of them!" was the quick reply. "This is my island, and
+nobody shall take it away from me!"
+
+The boys could see that the subject was becoming distasteful to the old
+man, and so they started to speak of other things. They questioned him
+about how they could get to his regular cabin, and also the cabin they
+were to occupy, and then spoke about the game they might have a chance
+to bring down.
+
+"Your going hunting will depend a good deal on how the weather turns
+out," said the old lumberman. "If this snow keeps on for a day or two,
+it will make traveling pretty bad. However, I'm in hopes that the storm
+will clear away by morning."
+
+The boys had put in a strenuous day, and they were glad enough when
+Uncle Barney suggested that they turn in for the night.
+
+"We're pretty short on blankets," he said, "but that won't matter so
+much so long as we keep the fire going. I've got a good back log
+started, and that ought to last until morning, if not longer. When I'm
+at this hut alone, I usually sleep in that corner, and I'll do the same
+to-night. You can spread yourselves around as you please."
+
+With such a limited supply of blankets, it was no easy matter to make
+comfortable couches, yet the boys had left home to rough it, so nobody
+complained. They lay down in their clothing, using some of their
+suitcases and Gladstone bags for pillows.
+
+"If we had had a chance to do so, we might have brought in some pine
+boughs to lie on," said Jack. "But as it is, I guess we'll manage."
+
+"Is there any chance of that wolf coming back?" questioned Fred, a bit
+anxiously.
+
+"I hardly think so, Fred. And, anyway, I don't see how he's going to get
+in here, with the door closed and the blanket nailed over the window.
+However, we can keep our guns handy in case he does appear."
+
+Worn out so completely, it did not take the boys long to fall into a
+sound sleep, and the old lumberman soon joined them, snoring lustily.
+Thus the night passed, and nothing came to disturb them.
+
+Of the lads, it was Randy who was the first to arise in the morning. He
+found Uncle Barney in the act of stirring up the fire. The old lumberman
+had already brought in some ice to be melted for a pot of coffee.
+
+"I ain't really awake in the morning until after I've had my cup of
+coffee," he explained. "That's the one thing that really sets me on my
+feet."
+
+"How about the storm?" questioned Randy, and now the sound of his voice
+set the others to stirring.
+
+"The storm is about over," was the welcome announcement. "In a little
+while I think you'll see the sun peeping out over the woods on the
+eastern shore."
+
+"Hurrah! that's good news!" cried Andy, leaping to his feet and
+stretching himself. "I must have a look!" and, jamming his cap on his
+head, he started for the door. The other Rovers followed him.
+
+Outside they found the snow covering everything to a depth of from
+several inches to several feet, but the air was as clear as a bell, and
+just beyond the woods, on the eastern shore of Lake Monona, there was a
+rosy glow, betokening the rising of the sun.
+
+"It's going to be a grand day!" exclaimed Fred.
+
+"I don't think it could be any better, even though the snow is quite
+deep in spots," returned Jack.
+
+Once more they went over the stores which had been brought along, and
+took out enough for breakfast. They had with them some flour for griddle
+cakes, and soon the appetizing odor of the cakes, mingling with the
+aroma of hot coffee and hot chocolate, filled the little cabin. Then
+they took turns at frying bacon and making more griddle cakes and eating
+breakfast.
+
+"What do you think will be the easiest way of getting to the other end
+of the island?" questioned Jack of Uncle Barney, while they were eating.
+
+"Well, as you've got the bobsled and all those stores along, I should
+say the easiest way would be to climb down to the lake again," was the
+reply. "That wind must have cleaned off some of the ice, and we can get
+along a good deal better by skating and by hauling the bobsled over the
+ice than we can trying to break our way through the woods in this heavy
+fall of snow."
+
+"I was thinking if we walked the length of the island we might stir up
+some game," remarked Randy.
+
+"You'll have plenty of chances to go out after game after you're settled
+at the regular camp," returned the old lumberman. "The game isn't going
+to run away, you know," and he smiled pleasantly.
+
+Breakfast at an end, the boys lost no time in repacking their
+belongings, and Uncle Barney assisted them in fastening the load to the
+bobsled.
+
+"But I'm going to carry my shotgun this time," announced Fred. "Then, if
+any game appears, I'll be ready for it."
+
+"You can all carry your guns if you want to," said the owner of the
+island. "I'll leave my weapon strapped to the sled, so that if any game
+appears you boys can do the shooting."
+
+The little cabin was closed up, and then the party made its way down
+over the rough rocks and between the trees to the lake shore. It was no
+easy matter to bring the bobsled along, and once Fred slipped on one of
+the smooth rocks and pitched headlong into a snowbank.
+
+"Hi you! stop your fooling!" cried Andy, and then, in great glee, he
+picked up a chunk of snow and hurled it at Jack.
+
+"Let up!" cried the oldest Rover boy. "This is no time for jokes!" and
+then, as Andy came at him with another chunk of snow, he jumped at his
+cousin, put out his foot, and made the fun-loving youth measure his
+length in a drift.
+
+"Wow! but that snow is cold!" cried Andy, who had gotten some down the
+sleeves of his sweater. "Stop! Don't bury me! I'll be good!" And then he
+scrambled to his feet once more, while Fred did the same. Then the whole
+party proceeded on its way.
+
+Reaching the lake, they lost no time in putting on their skates, and
+then, with Uncle Barney leading the way, the four Rovers followed,
+dragging the loaded bobsled behind them.
+
+On all sides could be seen snowdrifts and ridges of snow piled in
+curiously fantastic shapes. But the keen wind of the afternoon and night
+had cleared many long reaches of the ice, and over these reaches Uncle
+Barney picked his way, gradually working closer and closer to the upper
+end of Snowshoe Island.
+
+"We'll turn in here," he announced presently, when they came to where
+there was something of a cove. "There seems to be quite a cleared space.
+It won't be very long now before we reach the upper end."
+
+As they turned in once more toward the island, Jack noticed a peculiar
+fluttering among some trees not far away.
+
+"Wait a minute!" he cried out in a low tone. "I think I see some game!"
+
+All came to a halt, and then Uncle Barney looked in the direction to
+which the oldest Rover boy pointed.
+
+"You are right, my lad," answered the old lumberman. "There is a fine
+chance for all of you."
+
+"What are they?" questioned Fred a trifle excitedly.
+
+"Wild turkeys! And the best kind of eating--if you can only get close
+enough to bring them down."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+UNEXPECTED VISITORS
+
+
+"Oh, say! we've got to bring down at least one of those wild turkeys!"
+cried Andy.
+
+"Keep quiet," admonished Jack, speaking in a whisper. "If those turkeys
+hear you they'll be gone in a jiffy."
+
+"I didn't know there were any wild turkeys around here," remarked Randy.
+"I thought they had been all cleaned out long ago."
+
+"They are getting very scarce," answered Uncle Barney, "but once in a
+while you will see a small flock of them. I was after that flock about a
+week ago, but they got away from me. I've a notion that it's about the
+last flock in this district."
+
+While this talk was going on in low tones of voice, all of the Rovers
+had abandoned the bobsled and were moving toward the shore of the
+island.
+
+"You had better come this way and crawl up in the shelter of yonder
+rocks and brushwood," advised Uncle Barney. "And don't shoot until you
+have a good aim and know what you're shooting at," he concluded.
+
+It must be admitted that all of the boys were somewhat excited over the
+prospect ahead. They caught only a brief glance at the game, but felt
+certain that it was close at hand.
+
+"Wild turkeys are a good sight better than rabbits or squirrels, or even
+pheasants," said Fred. "They'll make dandy eating."
+
+"Don't eat them until after you have shot them, Fred," remarked Andy
+dryly.
+
+"Hush," warned Jack. "Now, make as little noise as possible, and each of
+you hold his gun ready for use."
+
+They had not stopped to take off their skates, but this was unnecessary,
+for the snow was deep and the skates merely kept them from slipping.
+They pushed on around some large rocks, and then in between the thick
+brushwood, where the snow fell upon their heads and shoulders, covering
+them with white--something which was to their advantage, as it aided
+them in hiding themselves from the game. Not far away they could hear
+the wild turkeys, one in particular giving the peculiar gobble by which
+they are well known.
+
+"I see them," whispered Fred a minute later, and pointed with his gun.
+
+There in a little clearing some distance ahead was a tall and long
+turkey gobbler surrounded by a number of hens. They were plump and of a
+peculiar black and bronzed color.
+
+"Let's all fire together. Maybe we can bring down the whole flock!"
+exclaimed Randy, and his manner showed that he was growing quite
+excited.
+
+"All right--I'm willing," answered Jack. "But let us see if we can't get
+a little nearer first."
+
+"Maybe if we try to get closer they'll get away from us," said Andy.
+
+"Keep your guns pointed at them, and if they start to leave fire as
+quickly as you can," answered Jack, and then he moved forward with his
+cousins ranged on either side of him.
+
+The Rover boys had advanced but a few paces when the wild turkeys caught
+sight of them. The turkey cock issued a loud note of alarm, and all
+started to fly from the low bushes upon which they had been resting.
+
+"Fire!" yelled Jack, and discharged his rifle.
+
+The crack of this weapon was followed by the report of Fred's shotgun,
+and then the twins also let drive. Then Fred fired again, and so did
+some of the others.
+
+At the first report the turkey cock was seen to rise in the air,
+followed by some of the hens, while two hens dropped lifeless in the
+snow. The turkey cock, however, was seriously wounded and fluttered
+around in a circle.
+
+"Give him another shot!" yelled Fred, whose gun was empty; and thereupon
+Jack and Randy fired and the gobbler fell directly at their feet. He was
+not yet dead, but they quickly put him out of his misery by wringing his
+neck. By this time the hens which had flown away were out of sight.
+
+"Two hens and one gobbler!" cried Jack, as he surveyed the game. "I
+think we can congratulate ourselves on this haul."
+
+"You certainly can!" exclaimed Uncle Barney, as he plowed up behind the
+boys. "Wild turkeys are no mean game to bring down, let me tell you!
+I've tried time and again to get a turkey, and somehow or other it would
+always get away from me."
+
+"Some size to this gobbler!" remarked Fred. "And some weight, too," he
+added, as he picked the turkey cock up by the legs.
+
+"He'll weigh sixteen or eighteen pounds at least," said the old
+lumberman, as he took the turkey cock from the youngest Rover boy and
+held the game out in both hands. "Yes, sir! every bit of eighteen--and
+he may go twenty. You'll have a dandy meal off of him."
+
+"I know what I'd like to do," said Randy wistfully. "I'd like to send
+him home to the folks."
+
+"That's the talk!" returned his twin. "Why can't we do it?"
+
+"I'm willing," answered Jack. "The express company ought to know how to
+pack game like that so it will carry properly."
+
+"They'll pack anything you want them to down at the railroad station,"
+said Uncle Barney. "There is a man there who makes a specialty of that
+sort of thing for hunters. He'll see that the turkey reaches your folks
+in New York in first-class shape."
+
+"We can send the gobbler home and keep the two hens," said Fred. "That
+will make eating enough for us, I'm sure. They must weigh at least seven
+or eight pounds apiece."
+
+"All of that," came from the old lumberman.
+
+Much elated over the success of their first effort at hunting on
+Snowshoe Island, the Rovers picked up the game and made their way back
+to where they had left the bobsled. They placed the turkeys on the sled,
+and then resumed their journey once more.
+
+"We're coming up to the end of the island now," announced Barney
+Stevenson presently, and a minute later they made a turn around some
+trees lining the shore and came into view of a cleared spot, containing
+a small boat-landing. Beyond the cleared spot, backed up by some tall
+pines and hemlocks, were two fair-sized cabins, standing about a
+hundred feet apart.
+
+"That's the cabin I use," explained the old lumberman, pointing to the
+building on the right. "The other is the one you can make yourselves at
+home in."
+
+The setting for the two cabins was an ideal one, and the boys could well
+imagine how beautiful the place must look in the summer time with the
+green trees, and the cleared space sloping down to the great lake. Now,
+of course, the ground, as well as the trees and brushwood, was heavily
+covered with snow, and the snow hung down off the rough roof of each
+cabin.
+
+"I'll take you directly over to the cabin you are to occupy," said Uncle
+Barney. "I've got it all in shape for you, with plenty of firewood and
+everything."
+
+He led the way, and they followed, dragging the bobsled behind them. The
+door to the cabin had been locked, for the old lumberman stated that he
+did not wish any outside hunters or other people to take possession
+during his absence.
+
+"Of course, a good many of the hunters and lumberman are my friends," he
+explained. "But then there are often strangers, and some of those
+fellows wouldn't be above carrying off anything that suited their
+fancy."
+
+The boys gave cries of delight when he took them into the cabin which
+they were to occupy during their stay on the island. They found it a
+fairly large place, divided into two rooms, one a general living-room
+and the other a sleeping apartment. In the former was located a fairly
+well-made table, a couple of benches, and also a swinging shelf,
+containing quite an assortment of dishes, while at one side there was a
+big open fireplace, and in a corner a small closet furnished with
+numerous kitchen utensils.
+
+The other apartment contained three regular bunks and a temporary one
+put in for the occasion; and these bunks were well spread with fresh
+pine boughs and camp blankets. The opening from one room into the next
+was so located that the warmth from the fire in the living-room could
+easily reach the sleeping apartment.
+
+"Say, this is bang-up!" exclaimed Randy.
+
+"It's the best ever!" echoed Fred.
+
+"It's a peach!" was Andy's comment.
+
+"I certainly didn't expect anything half as good as this, Uncle Barney,"
+remarked Jack, his eyes showing his pleasure. "If we don't have a good
+time here, it certainly won't be your fault."
+
+"Then you really like it, do you, boys?" asked the old lumberman
+anxiously.
+
+"I certainly don't know how it could be better," remarked Randy. "And
+just look at the dishes and things to cook with!"
+
+"And these fine bunks!" exclaimed his twin, sitting down on one. "Why,
+this is just as good as a hair mattress!"
+
+"And how sweet the pine boughs smell!" murmured Fred.
+
+"If you boys want to send that turkey cock home, you had better let me
+take it down to Rockville to-day," said the old lumberman. "I won't mind
+the trip at all," he added, as he saw that some of them were going to
+remonstrate. "Fact is, I forgot to get some of the things I was going to
+buy yesterday. So if you'll just make yourselves at home here, I'll go
+down there and be back some time before nightfall."
+
+"Don't you want to wait until after dinner?" questioned Jack.
+
+"No. I'll get something to eat while I'm in town."
+
+The matter was talked over, and it was finally arranged that Barney
+Stevenson should return to Rockville with the turkey cock and have it
+shipped by express to the Rover boys' folks in New York. Jack wrote out
+a card, which was to be sent with the game, and also another card to be
+tacked on the box in which it was to be shipped. Then the old lumberman
+hurried over to his own cabin to get ready for the journey.
+
+"Won't our folks be surprised when they get that box!" exclaimed Fred.
+"I wish I could be there to see them."
+
+"They'll know we didn't lose any time going hunting," added Andy, with a
+happy laugh.
+
+When the old hunter had departed with the turkey cock, the boys hung up
+the dead hens and then proceeded to make themselves at home in the cabin
+which had been assigned to them. They had quite something to do to build
+a fire and to unpack and stow away the various things which they had
+brought along, and almost before they were aware it was time for dinner.
+
+"Shall we eat the game to-day?" questioned Randy.
+
+"Oh, let us wait until to-morrow. Then Uncle Barney will be with us, and
+he can enjoy it, too," answered Jack, and so it was decided. Then the
+boys started in to get such a meal as their stores and the things which
+the old lumberman had turned over to them provided.
+
+It was great fun, and all of them felt in the best of spirits. Andy
+could hardly keep himself down, and had to whistle at the top of his
+lungs, and even do a jig or two while he moved about.
+
+"It's going to be the best outing ever!" he declared over and over
+again.
+
+"Yes, and won't we have something to tell when we get back to Colby
+Hall!" put in Fred.
+
+It was over an hour later before dinner was ready. Having had such an
+early breakfast, the boys did full justice to all the things they had
+cooked, and they spent quite some time over the meal. After that they
+continued to put the cabin in order, and cleaned their skates, and also
+looked over their guns.
+
+"We'll have to try these snowshoes to-morrow," announced Jack, referring
+to a number of such articles which Barney Stevenson had hung on the
+walls of the cabin. "Maybe we'll almost break our necks at first, but
+there is nothing like getting used to a thing."
+
+"What do you mean? Getting used to breaking your neck?" questioned Andy
+dryly, and this brought forth a laugh all around.
+
+About the middle of the afternoon the boys found themselves with but
+little to do, and Fred suggested that they might go out and look for
+more game.
+
+"Oh, let's take it easy for the rest of the day, and go out early in the
+morning," cried Randy.
+
+"Let us go over to the other cabin and take a look around," suggested
+Andy. "I'm sure old Uncle Barney won't mind. He's a fine old gentleman,
+even though he is rather peculiar."
+
+"I want to talk to him about Ruth Stevenson's folks some time," said
+Jack; "but I'm afraid I'm going to have a hard time getting at it."
+
+Andy led the way out of the cabin, and the four boys had almost reached
+the place used by the old lumberman when suddenly Fred gave a cry.
+
+"Here come two men from the lake!"
+
+"Maybe it's Uncle Barney coming back with one of his friends," said
+Andy.
+
+"No; neither of the men walks like the old lumberman," announced his
+twin.
+
+"One of those men looks familiar to me," burst out Jack. He gazed
+intently at the advancing pair.
+
+"There are two others behind them," broke in Fred. "Young fellows, I
+think."
+
+"One of those men is Professor Lemm!" cried Jack.
+
+"And the two fellows in the rear are Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell!"
+added Fred.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+A WAR OF WORDS
+
+
+The knowledge that Professor Lemm, Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell were
+approaching the cabins on the upper end of Snowshoe Island filled the
+Rover boys with wonder.
+
+"Professor Lemm must have come to see Uncle Barney about those deeds,"
+remarked Randy.
+
+"I wonder if that is Slugger's father with him?" broke in Fred.
+
+"Maybe," answered Jack. "Those men were the only two who were interested
+in getting possession of this island."
+
+"I'll tell you what I think we ought to do!" exclaimed Andy.
+
+"What?" came from the others quickly.
+
+"I think we ought to go back to our own cabin and arm ourselves."
+
+"That might not be such a bad idea, Andy," returned Jack. "Those men,
+backed up by Slugger and Nappy, may want to carry things with a high
+hand."
+
+Acting on Andy's suggestion, the four boys retreated to the cabin which
+they had just left, and each took possession of his weapon.
+
+"I don't think they'll try much rough-house work when they see how we
+are armed," remarked Randy grimly.
+
+"Of course, we don't want to do any shooting," cautioned Jack. "We only
+want to scare them, in case they go too far."
+
+"Jack, you had better be the spokesman for the crowd," remarked Randy.
+"You go ahead and talk to them, and we'll stand back with our guns."
+
+Still holding his rifle, Jack went forward again, and in a moment more
+found himself confronted by Asa Lemm and the man who was with him.
+
+"Rover! Is it possible!" exclaimed the former teacher of Colby Hall in
+astonishment. "What are you doing here?"
+
+"I and my cousins are here to hunt."
+
+"Humph! I didn't know old Stevenson allowed anybody to do hunting around
+here."
+
+"Maybe they are hunting here without the old man's permission,"
+suggested the other man. "Where is Barney Stevenson?" he demanded of
+Jack.
+
+"Mr. Stevenson has gone over to Rockville on an errand," was the reply.
+
+By this time Slugger and Nappy had come up, and they stared at Jack and
+his cousins as if they could not believe the evidences of their senses.
+
+"Well, what do you know about this!" burst out the former bully of Colby
+Hall.
+
+"All of those Rovers up here, and armed!" came from Nappy.
+
+"Who gave you the right to come to this island?" went on the bully,
+glaring at Jack.
+
+"Do you know these boys?" queried the man who was with Professor Lemm.
+
+"Sure, Dad, I know them! They are the Rover boys I told you about--the
+fellows who helped to have me and Nappy sent away from school."
+
+"Oh, so that's it!" cried Slogwell Brown. "Did you have any idea they
+might be up here?" he questioned quickly.
+
+"Not the least, Dad. I thought they were down in New York. Nappy said he
+had seen them on the ice in Central Park."
+
+"I did see them, too," answered the lad mentioned.
+
+"Well, we didn't come here to see you Rovers," broke in Asa Lemm
+stiffly. "Not but what I have an account to settle with you," he
+continued significantly.
+
+"We want nothing more to do with you, Professor Lemm," answered Jack
+boldly.
+
+"But I'm going to have something to do with you, young man!" stormed
+the former teacher of the Hall, beginning to show his usual ill humor.
+
+"Never mind these boys now, Lemm," interposed Slogwell Brown. "We want
+to fix up our business with old Stevenson first."
+
+"If you have anything to say to Mr. Stevenson, you'll have to come when
+he is here," answered Jack.
+
+"When do you expect him back?"
+
+"I don't know exactly when he will come--probably before nightfall."
+
+"Then, all we can do is to wait for him," grumbled Slogwell Brown.
+
+"If we have to wait, we might as well go inside his cabin and do it,"
+suggested Nappy. "It's too cold to stay out here."
+
+"Yes, and I'm all tired out from wading through those snowdrifts," added
+Slugger. He looked past Jack at the other Rover boys. "Had any luck
+hunting?"
+
+For the moment there was no reply. Then Randy stepped forward.
+
+"I don't know as that is any of your business, Slugger," he replied
+coldly.
+
+"Oh, say! you needn't get on your high-horse," growled the bully. "What
+Nappy and I ought to do is to pitch into you for having us fired out of
+the Hall."
+
+"You stay right where you are!" cried Fred.
+
+"Humph! you think you've got the best of us with those guns, don't you?"
+came from Nappy, who had ranged up beside Slugger.
+
+"Never mind what we think," answered Andy. "If you know when you're well
+off, you'll keep your distance."
+
+"See here! you boys needn't get too fresh," came harshly from Slogwell
+Brown. "I've heard all about your doings at Colby Hall, and how you got
+the professor, here, and my son and his chum into trouble. Some day I
+intend to make you suffer for that. But just now we are here on a
+different errand."
+
+"We're going to put old Stevenson off this island and take possession!"
+cried Nappy triumphantly. "And then, when he goes, you can go, too!"
+
+"Why cannot we take possession of these two cabins at once?" suggested
+Asa Lemm. "The island belongs to us, and we have a perfect right to do
+so."
+
+"Of course we can take possession," answered Slogwell Brown.
+"Remember--possession is nine points of the law," he added, in a low
+tone of voice.
+
+"We'll show old Stevenson where he belongs," growled Slugger.
+
+"Yes, and we'll show these Rover boys where they belong, too," put in
+Nappy, his eyes snapping viciously.
+
+Without further ado, the whole party started toward the cabin which was
+Barney Stevenson's home. Evidently the men had been there before, and
+knew that this was the right building of the two.
+
+"Oh, Jack! are you going to let them take possession?" questioned Fred,
+in a low voice.
+
+"What do you fellows think we ought to do?" queried the oldest Rover boy
+quickly.
+
+"I think we ought to make them keep out until Uncle Barney gets back,"
+answered Randy.
+
+"That's my idea, too," added his twin.
+
+"They may have the right to this island, but I'd make them fight it out
+with Mr. Stevenson," was Fred's comment.
+
+"That's just the way I look at it, too," answered Jack. "Come on, Randy;
+we'll guard that cabin while Andy and Fred can remain here to guard this
+place."
+
+"Would you dare to shoot at them?" questioned Fred anxiously.
+
+"I don't think there will be any necessity for shooting, Fred. I think
+if we merely show we mean business they will keep their distance."
+
+The boys exchanged a few more words, and then Jack and Randy set off on
+a run for the cabin occupied by Uncle Barney. They outdistanced the
+visitors, and soon placed themselves in the doorway.
+
+"Now, you keep back!" cried Jack warningly. "Don't come near this place
+until Mr. Stevenson returns!"
+
+"Ha! do you dare to threaten me?" burst out Slogwell Brown in amazement.
+
+"You heard what I said."
+
+"Every one of you keep away from here," put in Randy.
+
+"See here, Rover!" commenced Asa Lemm. "This is outrageous! We own this
+island, and we intend to take possession."
+
+"Whether you own it or not, you are not going to take possession of
+anything until after Mr. Stevenson gets here," answered Jack, as calmly
+as he could. "I don't know anything about your claim. As far as I do
+know, Mr. Stevenson is the owner of this place. He left us in charge
+when he went away, and we are going to remain in charge until he gets
+back."
+
+"Huh! do you think we're going to stay out in this cold?" grumbled
+Slugger.
+
+"I don't care what you do," answered Jack. "You can't come into either
+of these cabins--and that's final!"
+
+"We'll see about that!" stormed Nappy, and advanced several steps.
+
+"Get back there," ordered Jack sternly, and made a movement as if to
+raise his rifle.
+
+"Stop! Stop! Don't shoot!" yelled Asa Lemm, in sudden fright. "Keep
+back, boys, or they'll certainly shoot at us!" and he began to retreat.
+
+"Do you dare to threaten us?" questioned Slogwell Brown and the tone of
+his voice showed his uneasiness. A glance over his shoulder had shown
+him the other two boys at the doorway of the second cabin, and also
+armed.
+
+"I'm telling you to keep away from here--that's all," answered Jack.
+"You can come back when Mr. Stevenson returns."
+
+"I--I think maybe it would be better for us to retire," stammered
+Professor Lemm. "We--er--don't want to run the risk of being shot. Those
+boys are very hot-headed, and there is no telling what they might do if
+we exasperated them."
+
+"I'm not going to give in to a bunch of school boys!" stormed Slogwell
+Brown, who, in his manner, was every bit as much of a bully as his son.
+
+"But if they should shoot at us----"
+
+"I don't think they've got the nerve to do it. They are only putting up
+a big bluff."
+
+"Don't you be too sure about that," put in Nappy, who was just as much
+scared as was the professor. "Those Rover boys are game to do almost
+anything when they are aroused."
+
+"We've got to remember one thing," came from Slugger. "There are four of
+them, and each of 'em has got a gun."
+
+"I wish I had brought a gun along myself," said his crony.
+
+"We should have armed ourselves," grumbled Slogwell Brown. "It was a
+mistake to come over to this island without so much as a pistol. If I
+only had some sort of a weapon, I'd show those boys a thing or two."
+
+"Maybe we can get into the cabin by a back way," suggested Nappy.
+
+"Say, that's an idea!" cried his crony. "And if we can do that, maybe
+there's a gun or a pistol inside that we can use."
+
+"You boys can take a walk around to the rear if you want to," answered
+Slugger's father. "I'll see if I can't bluff those fellows into letting
+us in at the front."
+
+Slugger and Nappy had just started to move away toward the lake shore,
+intending to sneak behind some rocks and bushes, when they heard Fred
+give a loud shout from the entrance to the second cabin. Then Andy gave
+a long whistle.
+
+"What's that for?" questioned Nappy quickly.
+
+"See! they are waving their hands to somebody," announced Slugger. He
+turned to gaze out over the lake. "A man is coming."
+
+"What do you bet it isn't old Stevenson?"
+
+"It is! See, he's coming as fast as he can!"
+
+"Yes, and he has his gun with him," announced Asa Lemm somewhat feebly.
+
+Attracted by the call from Fred and the loud whistle given by Andy, the
+old lumberman had noted that a number of visitors were standing in front
+of the two cabins at the upper end of Snowshoe Island. He was still a
+considerable distance out on the lake, but his rapid skate strokes soon
+brought him to the shore. Then, without waiting to unstrap his skates,
+he came forward through the snow, his shotgun ready for use.
+
+"Well, I'm mighty glad he's got here," murmured Jack, and his cousins
+echoed the sentiment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+FACING THE WOLVES
+
+
+"So this is how you treat me, eh?" exclaimed old Barney Stevenson, as he
+confronted the visitors. "Come here to do as you please while I'm away,
+eh?" and his face showed his intense displeasure.
+
+"They wanted to go into your cabin, but we wouldn't let them do it while
+you were away," said Jack quickly.
+
+"Good for you, boys--I'm glad you kept 'em out."
+
+"See here, Stevenson, this nonsense has got to end!" cried Slogwell
+Brown. "You know as well as I do that you have no valid claim to this
+island."
+
+"The island belongs to me, Brown, and I intend to keep it!" was the
+quick reply. "I've got my deed for it."
+
+"That deed is no good, and you know it," broke in Asa Lemm.
+
+"Look here! if you are so sure that Mr. Stevenson is in the wrong, why
+don't you go to law about it?" questioned Jack, struck by a sudden idea.
+
+"See here, boy, this is none of your affair," growled Slogwell Brown.
+"We'll conduct our own business in our own way."
+
+"And I'll conduct my own business in my own way, too!" interposed Uncle
+Barney. "You get off of this island--all of you--just as quick as you
+can," and he started as if to raise his gun.
+
+"Now, see here, Stevenson----" began Slogwell Brown.
+
+"We have rights----" came from Asa Lemm.
+
+"I've listened to you before. I'm not going to listen again!"
+interrupted the old lumberman. "You haven't any right on this island,
+and I'm ordering you--every one of you--to get off just as soon as you
+can. You're trespassers--nothing else!" and now he raised his gun as if
+getting ready to shoot.
+
+"Come on, let us go back!" cried Professor Lemm in sudden terror, and he
+retreated several steps, followed by Slugger and Nappy.
+
+"See here, Stevenson, you'll be sorry for this some day," growled
+Slogwell Brown. He had still too much of the fight left in him to
+retreat, and yet he was not brave enough to advance.
+
+"I'll take my chances!" returned Uncle Barney. "I've got those deeds,
+and I know they are all O. K. Now, you clear out--and don't you dare to
+come here again!"
+
+"Why won't you let me see those deeds?" questioned the other man.
+
+"Because I won't--that's why!"
+
+"I came on purpose to look them over and show you your mistake."
+
+"Maybe he hasn't got any deeds," came from Nappy, who had fallen back
+still further.
+
+"I've got those deeds safe and sound--in a box--and put away where you
+fellows can't find 'em!" answered the old lumberman triumphantly. "Now
+you get out! I'll give you just five minutes to do it in. Jack, you time
+'em, will you?" and he glanced at the oldest Rover boy.
+
+"Sure, I will!" was the ready reply, and Jack pulled out his watch.
+"It's now exactly twelve minutes past four."
+
+"All right. Then you've got until seventeen minutes after four to get
+off of this island," announced Barney Stevenson to the visitors. "If you
+are not off by that time, there'll most likely be some shooting around
+here."
+
+He had taken his place in front of his cabin, and all of the boys were
+now ranged beside him. As each was armed, they made quite a formidable
+looking firing squad.
+
+Much against his will, Slogwell Brown retreated to where Professor Lemm
+and the others of the crowd stood. The four talked matters over in a low
+tone.
+
+"It's too bad we came here unarmed," grumbled Slogwell Brown.
+
+"That's just what I say, Dad!" answered his son. "Let's go back and get
+some guns and pistols."
+
+"No! no! We don't want any shooting!" cried Asa Lemm in new alarm.
+
+"I'm not going to get mixed up in any gun-play," added Nappy.
+
+"If we could only get possession of those deeds!" went on the former
+teacher of Colby Hall.
+
+"I've got a plan," suggested Nappy, after a moment's pause. "Come on,
+let's go away now, and I'll tell you what it is."
+
+Growling and grumbling, the four visitors made their way slowly to the
+lake shore. As they skated off, Slugger Brown turned to shake his fist
+at the Rovers, and Nappy did likewise.
+
+"Well, they've gone!" exclaimed Fred, and his voice showed his relief.
+
+"But there's no telling when they'll come back," said Randy quickly.
+
+"I don't think they'll come back in a hurry," broke in Andy. "We scared
+them pretty thoroughly with our guns."
+
+"What did they say to you before I came?" questioned Uncle Barney, while
+the party on the lake was disappearing in the gloom.
+
+Thereupon the boys related the particulars of all that had taken place,
+the old lumberman listening closely to the recital. At the end, he shut
+his teeth and shook his head grimly.
+
+"The rascals!" he ejaculated. "If it hadn't been for you, they would
+most likely have ransacked both of the cabins, and maybe, if they had
+gotten hold of my extra gun or my pistol, taken possession and made me
+keep away."
+
+"Oh, they would have taken possession all right enough!" cried Jack.
+"But if the island is really yours, Uncle Barney, I don't see why you
+couldn't have had them arrested for anything like that."
+
+"I told you before--I have no use for lawyers or law courts," grumbled
+the old lumberman. "All I want to do is to stay here and not be
+disturbed. I've got my deeds, and that's enough."
+
+"Are you sure they are in a safe place?" questioned Jack. "I mean, some
+place where those rascals can't get at them?"
+
+"I've got 'em in a tin box, and put away safe enough."
+
+"I hope you haven't got them hidden around one of the cabins," said
+Fred. "They'd be sure to find them if they came here some time when you
+were away, and made a search."
+
+"I haven't got 'em in or near either of the cabins. I've got 'em in a
+better place than that," was the cunning reply.
+
+"You really ought to have them recorded, Uncle Barney; and then maybe it
+wouldn't be a bad scheme to put them in a safe deposit box in a bank,"
+said Jack.
+
+"Oh, they're safe enough--don't you fear!" answered the old man. It was
+plainly to be seen that he was bound to have his own way in everything
+he did.
+
+Satisfied that the visitors had left the island for the time being, the
+boys followed the old lumberman into his own cabin, and there helped him
+to start up the fire. He told them that he had shipped off the wild
+turkey as desired.
+
+The evening passed quietly, and in the morning the boys found themselves
+thoroughly rested.
+
+"It's a grand day for hunting!" exclaimed Fred, as he went outside to
+view the landscape. The sun was just peeping over the trees on the
+eastern shore of Lake Monona, and soon the dazzling shafts of light were
+streaming over the ice and snow in all directions.
+
+"Do you think Asa Lemm and those others will be back to-day?" queried
+Randy.
+
+"There's no telling," answered Jack.
+
+While some of the boys were preparing breakfast, the others walked over
+to Uncle Barney's cabin. They found the old lumberman already stirring,
+and invited him to come over and eat his morning meal with them, an
+invitation which he readily accepted, for he had taken a great liking to
+all of the Rovers.
+
+"We've been thinking of trying those snowshoes, Uncle Barney," said
+Jack.
+
+"No time like the present, boys," was the answer. "I'll show you how to
+put 'em on, and how to use 'em, too."
+
+"Won't you go out hunting with us?" questioned Fred.
+
+"No; I'm going to stay around the cabins, in case those rascals come
+back. I don't think they will, but there is nothing like being on the
+safe side."
+
+The hour after the morning meal was productive of a good deal of fun.
+None of the boys had ever used snowshoes before, and consequently in
+their efforts to move around on them, they got more than one tumble.
+
+"Great watermelons!" cried Andy, as he pitched headfirst into a
+snowdrift. "And I thought using snowshoes was the easiest thing in the
+world!"
+
+"It's just like plain walking, Andy; it's got to be learned," answered
+Jack, who, a moment before, had had a tumble himself.
+
+Finally, however, the boys managed to remain on their feet fairly well,
+and then they started off to do a little hunting along the eastern shore
+of the island.
+
+"I don't know as you'll be able to stir up very much to-day," announced
+Uncle Barney. "But even a few rabbits and a few squirrels won't be so
+bad."
+
+They carried a lunch with them, not knowing whether they would get back
+to the cabin by noon or not. They were soon gliding over the snow where
+something of a trail led through the woods.
+
+They tramped a good half mile before they saw anything in the way of
+game. Then several squirrels appeared, and Fred and Andy had the
+satisfaction of laying them low with their shotguns. Then they tramped
+on further, and by noon managed to obtain a rabbit and two woodcocks.
+
+"Not so bad but what it might be worse," announced Jack, who had the
+rabbit to his credit. "We won't go hungry, that's sure!"
+
+"And don't forget that we've got those wild turkeys to eat," added Andy,
+who had laid low the two woodcocks.
+
+Being unaccustomed to the use of snowshoes, the lads were glad to rest.
+They built themselves a little campfire, and, huddling around this,
+partook of the lunch they had brought along, washing it down with some
+hot chocolate from a thermos bottle they carried.
+
+The lunch finished, they set off once again, this time going deeper into
+the woods than ever.
+
+"Listen!" cried Jack presently. "I thought I heard some game stirring."
+
+All came to a halt and listened intently. From a distance they heard a
+peculiar drumming sound.
+
+"Partridges, I'll bet anything!" cried Randy in a low voice. "Come on,
+let's see if we can't get some of them."
+
+He led the way over the snow, and the others were not slow in following.
+They had reached a point where the trees grew sparingly, and where there
+were a great number of rocks and brushwood.
+
+They could hear a strange fluttering, and then a number of partridges
+arose in the air some distance in front of them. All took hasty aim and
+fired, but the game sailed out of sight unharmed.
+
+"That's the time we missed it," observed Jack dismally. "I guess we made
+too much noise and they heard us."
+
+"Listen!" interrupted Randy. "There is some sort of fight going on
+ahead."
+
+He was right; and, listening, they made out a strange bark mingled with
+a snarl and several yelps.
+
+"Let's go ahead and see what it means!" exclaimed Andy, and pushed on,
+with the others close behind him.
+
+The boys had to skirt some heavy brushwood, and then came out in a small
+cleared space surrounded by numerous big rocks and pine trees. The
+strange noises they had heard had come from between two of the large
+rocks, and now, of a sudden, several forms, snapping and snarling and
+whirling this way and that in the snow, burst upon their view.
+
+"Wolves!"
+
+"Four of them!"
+
+"They are all fighting over the possession of a dead partridge!"
+
+Four gaunt and hungry-looking wolves had come tumbling out in the snow.
+One of them was carrying a dead partridge in his mouth, and the other
+three were doing their best to get the game away from him. As the Rovers
+came into the opening, the wolves, for an instant, stopped their
+fighting and glared at the boys. Then the animal having the game made a
+sudden leap over the rocks and disappeared from view. The three wolves
+that remained began to snap and snarl and show their teeth.
+
+"Gracious! they are certainly hungry-looking beggars!" was Randy's
+comment.
+
+"Come on, let's shoot them!" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"They're no good for game," interposed Randy.
+
+"I know that, Randy. But we don't want them on the island, and neither
+does Uncle Barney."
+
+"I thought he said there weren't very many wolves left. Maybe----"
+
+Fred, who was speaking, got no further, for at that moment the three
+hungry-looking wolves crouched low, and then sprang straight in the
+direction of the four young hunters!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+JACK FREES HIS MIND
+
+
+"Jump for your lives!"
+
+"Shoot them!"
+
+These cries had scarcely been made when Jack's gun rang out and the
+foremost of the three wolves was hit in the foreleg. He gave a plunge,
+and rolled over in the snow, snapping and snarling viciously. The report
+of the weapon was followed by the discharge of Randy's gun, but his aim
+was wild and the charge passed harmlessly over the heads of the wolves.
+
+"Shoot them!"
+
+"Club them!"
+
+Then another shot rang out as Fred swung into action. It was at close
+range, and the charge of shot tore directly into the throat of the
+leading wolf, causing him to leap high into the air, and then fall over
+on his back. He plunged for a moment, sending the snow flying in every
+direction, and then lay still.
+
+Shocked evidently by the fate that had overtaken both of his
+companions, the third wolf came to a sudden halt. With eyes glaring
+fiercely, he snapped and then leaped for the nearest rocks.
+
+[Illustration: THE WOLF RECEIVED A BLOW THAT BOWLED HIM OVER.
+
+_Page 260_]
+
+"Shoot him, somebody! We want to get all three of them!"
+
+Crack! Bang! went a rifle and a shotgun almost simultaneously, but the
+aim of the two marksmen was poor, and only a few scattering shots went
+through the tail of the wolf. Then, with a wild yelp, he disappeared
+behind the rocks, and that was the last seen of him. In the meantime,
+the wounded beast was snapping and snarling most ferociously. He sent a
+shower of loose snow toward the Rovers, and then made a desperate leap
+at Jack.
+
+It was a time of dire peril, and no one realized it more than did the
+oldest Rover boy. He attempted to retreat, but to do so in snowshoes was
+too much for him, and over he went on his side in a deep bank of snow,
+almost disappearing from view.
+
+"The wolf is on top of Jack!"
+
+"Shoot him--but be careful and don't hit Jack!"
+
+"Don't fire!" gasped Randy. "You'll hit Jack sure!" and then, as well as
+he was able, he sprang to the front, using his gun as a club as he did
+so. Around came the stock with a wide swing, and the wolf received a
+blow in the side that bowled him over and over.
+
+This second attack, coming after he had been wounded in the foreleg, was
+too much for the animal, and with a yelp of sudden fear he went limping
+and leaping through the snow, sending the loose particles flying all
+about him. One of the boys discharged his gun after the beast, but
+whether he hit the animal or not he could not tell. In another moment
+the wolf was out of sight.
+
+"Do you think any of them will come back?" panted Andy, who was quite
+out of breath with excitement.
+
+"I don't think so," answered Jack. "However, let us reload just as
+quickly as we can and be ready for them." He had been taught the
+all-important lesson that a hunter should not let his firearm remain
+empty.
+
+"Well, anyhow, I got one of them!" cried Fred, with proper pride, as he
+surveyed the beast he had laid low. The discharge of shot had almost
+torn the wolf's throat asunder.
+
+"What will you do with him?" questioned Randy.
+
+"I'm going to take him back to the cabin and ask Uncle Barney about it,"
+was Fred's reply. "Perhaps we can have the wolf stuffed."
+
+The excitement of the encounter with the wolves had taken away the boys'
+desire to do any more hunting that day, and, strapping the dead wolf
+fast to a tree limb, they started on the return to the northern end of
+the island, each doing his share in carrying the dead animal.
+
+"What's that? A wolf?" cried Barney Stevenson, when he saw what they had
+brought. And then he added quickly. "Must be the one that we located in
+the cabin at the other end of the island."
+
+"We can't say about that," answered Jack, and then all of the boys told
+the story of the encounter in the woods.
+
+"Four of them! Why, I haven't heard of any such thing as that around
+here for years! I'll have to go after some of those wolves myself."
+
+"I was wondering what we could do with this wolf," said Fred. "Do you
+think I could send him home to have him stuffed?"
+
+"You could, my boy. But I wouldn't advise it. Who would want a stuffed
+wolf around anyhow? Of course, you might put him in some club-house or
+furrier's window--or something like that."
+
+"Oh, I guess I won't bother," answered Fred.
+
+"I'll tell you what we'll do," suggested Jack. "We'll prop the wolf up
+against a tree, and then take a photograph of Fred shooting at him;"
+and so it was decided, and the boys had much fun taking the picture.
+
+Several days passed, and no one came near the island. In the meantime,
+the boys went out hunting every day, and Barney Stevenson showed them
+how to fish through a hole in the ice. This was great sport, and they
+had the satisfaction of adding a number of pickerel and perch to their
+bill of fare. During those days, they cooked and ate the wild turkeys,
+and found the meat quite palatable.
+
+"We sure are having one dandy time," said Fred one evening, when sitting
+in front of the blazing fire.
+
+"I don't see how it could be any better, Fred," answered Andy.
+
+"And just think of what we've brought down in the way of rabbits,
+squirrels, pheasants, woodcocks and turkeys!"
+
+"Not to say anything about my wolf," came from Fred.
+
+"Yes, and a shot I got at a brook mink," added Jack. He had seen the
+mink at a distance, but had been unable to bring the game down.
+
+Uncle Barney had been with the boys at supper time, but had taken
+himself over to his own cabin, to smoke and to read one of several books
+the boys had given him.
+
+"I think I'll go over and see the old lumberman," said Jack presently.
+"You fellows can stay here."
+
+"Going to talk to him about Ruth and her folks?" questioned Randy.
+
+"Yes, if I get the chance."
+
+"I wouldn't worry him too much," said Fred. "He hasn't gotten over that
+visit from Professor Lemm and the others yet."
+
+"Oh, I'll be careful--don't worry about that."
+
+The old lumberman was a bit surprised to have Jack walk in on him, but
+the youth had brought his gun along, and he asked Uncle Barney to
+examine the hammer of the weapon.
+
+"It looks all right to me," said the old lumberman, after an
+examination; "but I'll put on a few drops of oil, and then maybe it'll
+work easier. It won't do to have the hammer stick just when you want to
+use it."
+
+"And now, Uncle Barney, if you'll permit me, I'd like to speak of
+something else," said Jack, as he dropped into a seat alongside of the
+fireplace. "I've got something on my mind, and I want to see if you
+can't help me out."
+
+"Something on your mind, eh?" returned the old man kindly. "Well, if I
+can help you out, you can depend on old Uncle Barney to do it," and he
+smiled broadly.
+
+"It isn't exactly my trouble, Uncle Barney. It's somebody else's," went
+on the oldest Rover boy. "A young lady I know is very much worried over
+something, and she has asked me if I can't do something to help her get
+rid of that worry."
+
+"Must be some young lady you know pretty well, then, Jack;" and the old
+lumberman smiled again.
+
+"I do know her quite well. And I think a great deal of her friendship.
+Her folks have some trouble on hand--quite a good deal of it in
+fact--and it worries the girl a good deal, and that, of course, worries
+me. You see, there has been a terrible mistake made, and neither the
+girl nor her folks know how to get at it to remedy it."
+
+"I see--I see!" The old lumberman nodded his head several times. "That's
+the way it is often. Things get into a snarl, and a fellow can't see his
+way clear to straighten 'em out. I've been there myself, and I know."
+
+"This young lady I'm speaking about has an old relative--a sort of
+uncle--that she thinks a great deal of. Her folks think a great deal of
+this gentleman, too. Now, years ago, her folks and the old gentleman had
+a quarrel, and now the old gentleman won't let her come anywhere near
+him, even though she would love dearly to talk to him and try to
+explain matters, so that he would understand that it was not her folks'
+fault that the quarrel had taken place."
+
+"See here! what are you talking about?" exclaimed Uncle Barney, eyeing
+Jack suspiciously. "Come now, no beating about the bush!"
+
+"Well, if you must know, I'm speaking about Ruth Stevenson, who goes to
+a young ladies' school not far from Colby Hall. She and I are very good
+friends, and she has told me a good deal about this quarrel you had with
+her father."
+
+"It was Fred Stevenson's fault--it wasn't my fault!" grumbled the old
+lumberman.
+
+"Maybe it was, Uncle Barney. I don't know anything about that. But I do
+know that Ruth has told me that her father never wanted nor tried to do
+you any injury. He claims that it was all a mistake, and that you should
+have given him a chance to explain."
+
+"It wasn't any mistake--I know just exactly what happened!"
+
+"But don't you think you ought to at least listen to what Ruth's father
+has to say? All he wants you to do is to hear his story."
+
+"Did he tell you that?"
+
+"Ruth told me. She said both her father and her mother are very much
+upset over the way you have treated them. They want to be friends with
+you, and her father is willing to do whatever is right regarding what
+took place years ago. She said her folks would like nothing better than
+to have you give up your lonely life on this island and come down and
+make your home with them."
+
+"What! Me go down there and live with them after all that has happened!
+I couldn't do anything like that!" and the old lumberman sprang up and
+began to pace the cabin floor.
+
+"You could do it if you tried, Uncle Barney. By the way, don't you
+remember Ruth?"
+
+"Sure I do--as pretty a little girl as ever I set eyes on. I never had
+anything against her. It was her father I had my quarrel with."
+
+"And you liked Ruth's mother, too, didn't you?" went on Jack slowly.
+
+"Oh, yes. Helen Dean always was a nice girl. I knew her long before Fred
+Stevenson married her."
+
+"And you liked Ruth's father, too, didn't you, before this quarrel took
+place?"
+
+"Of course. We were very chummy up to that time." The old lumberman took
+several turns across the cabin floor. "But that's all over now. He
+didn't treat me fair--that's all there is to it! He didn't even come to
+my wife's funeral!"
+
+"Well, if he didn't, he's very sorry for it now. And you can take it
+from me, Uncle Barney, that he would like nothing better than to patch
+up the matter somehow or other, and be friends once more."
+
+"Yes, but----"
+
+"And just think how happy it would make his wife and Ruth!" continued
+Jack quietly.
+
+"Maybe. But I don't see how it can be done. Anyway, I ain't going to
+take the first step," went on Uncle Barney, somewhat lamely.
+
+"You won't have to take the first step!" cried Jack. "You just let them
+do that." He came over and caught the old lumberman by the arm. "Will
+you?"
+
+For a moment Uncle Barney was silent. He bit his lip and rubbed his chin
+with the back of his hand.
+
+"Well, I'll see about it," he said slowly. "I'll think it over."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+THE BLUE TIN BOX
+
+
+When Jack Rover returned to the other cabin he was in a happy frame of
+mind. He had talked to Barney Stevenson for over an hour, and the old
+man had at last agreed to listen to what Ruth's father might have to say
+to him. He had admitted that living on the island was rather a lonely
+existence for him, especially as he was getting old.
+
+"I do hope they patch up their differences," remarked Jack to his
+cousins, after he had told them of the conversation held. "I know it
+will take a great load off of Ruth's mind."
+
+"Are you going to send the Stevensons a letter?" questioned Fred.
+
+"I'm going to do better than that, Fred," was the reply. "I'll skate
+down to Rockville the first thing in the morning and send Ruth and her
+folks a telegram. There is nothing like striking while the iron is hot."
+
+"Exactly so!" put in Andy. "It's just like catching a flea while he is
+biting;" and at this sally there was a general laugh.
+
+Jack was as good as his word, and slipped off early in the morning,
+accompanied by Randy. It was a beautiful day, and the youths had little
+difficulty in reaching the town. Here the oldest Rover boy spent quite
+some time concocting the proper message, which he sent to the Stevenson
+home address.
+
+"I only hope somebody will be there to receive it," he said, after the
+message had been paid for, and he had urged upon the operator to send it
+without delay.
+
+Several more days, including Sunday, passed rather quietly for the boys.
+One afternoon there came another fall of snow, and they grew rather
+fearful, thinking they might be snowed in. But the fall proved a light
+one, and in the morning it was as clear as ever.
+
+Jack had been rather disappointed at not getting the brook mink at which
+he had shot, and now he asked the others if they would not go to the
+locality where the mink had been seen.
+
+"I'd like to bring one of them down," said the oldest Rover boy.
+
+"Well, we might as well go after the mink as do anything," answered
+Fred. He was growing just a bit tired of going after nothing but
+rabbits and squirrels. For two days they had seen nothing else at which
+to shoot. Even the wolves and wild turkeys kept well out of sight.
+
+The boys found old Uncle Barney polishing his gun. He told them,
+however, that he was not going out hunting, but was going into the woods
+to inspect some of the trees with a view to cutting them down for
+lumber.
+
+"You won't have no easy time of it getting a mink," he said. "The only
+way I ever got 'em was in a trap. Howsomever, go ahead and enjoy
+yourselves. Hunting is a good deal like fishing--you can have lots of
+fun even if you don't get anything," and he chuckled. Nevertheless, his
+face looked as if he was somewhat worried.
+
+"I'll wager he's thinking about Ruth's father and that meeting they may
+have," said Randy, when the Rovers were alone and preparing to go out on
+the hunt.
+
+"Either that, Randy, or else he is brooding over the trouble Professor
+Lemm and Mr. Brown are making for him."
+
+"There's one thing I can't understand about this," put in Andy. "Why
+should those men be so anxious to obtain possession of an island like
+this? It isn't very large, and the lumber on it can't be worth a great
+deal. I should think they could pick up a piece of real estate almost
+anywhere that would be far more valuable than this."
+
+"Now you're saying something that I've been thinking right along,"
+answered Jack. "Even if they wanted this place for a summer resort, it
+wouldn't bring any great sum of money."
+
+"One thing is certain," said Fred; "they are very eager to get
+possession."
+
+"Yes. And another thing is certain, too," added Jack. "That is, Uncle
+Barney isn't going to let them have it if he can possibly stop them."
+
+The boys had had an early breakfast, and now they filled one of their
+game bags with a well-cooked lunch, and also carried with them a thermos
+bottle filled with hot chocolate.
+
+"We don't want to run short on food," cautioned Andy. "Gee! what an
+appetite this fresh air gives a fellow!"
+
+"Right you are!" answered Fred. "I could eat five or six meals a day and
+never mind it at all."
+
+"I'm glad we have managed to bring down so many squirrels and rabbits,"
+put in Randy. "If it wasn't for that, we might have run a little short
+on eating. I'm a little bit tired of squirrel stew and rabbit potpie,
+although they are a whole lot better than going hungry."
+
+Barney Stevenson came out to see them off.
+
+"Going down to that brook where you saw the mink?" he questioned,
+referring to a tiny watercourse, now, of course, frozen up, located near
+the southern end of the island.
+
+"Yes. And maybe we'll get away down to the other cabin," answered Jack.
+"We thought we'd like to take a look around there."
+
+"And if we don't come back to-night, you'll know that we're staying at
+that cabin," said Fred.
+
+"Oh, we didn't calculate to stay out all night," put in Jack quickly.
+
+"I know we didn't. But it's just possible it may get too late for us to
+come back, and that cabin would be comfortable enough, especially if we
+managed to drag in some pine boughs for beds."
+
+"Well, don't shoot more than half a dozen minks--or half a dozen deer,
+either!" shouted Uncle Barney after them; and then they started off and
+were soon out of sight, skating along the eastern shore of Snowshoe
+Island.
+
+Left to himself, Uncle Barney began to pace the floor of his cabin
+impatiently. Evidently the old lumberman was turning over something in
+his mind--something which bothered him a great deal.
+
+"Of course they are safe!" he murmured to himself. "It couldn't be
+otherwise. The last time I looked, the tin box was just where I had
+left it. I don't see why I should get so nervous over it."
+
+Presently he drew out his pipe, filled it, and sat down in front of the
+fire to smoke. As he did this, a slight noise outside the cabin
+attracted his attention.
+
+"I wonder what that was?" he asked himself, and, arising, looked out of
+one of the cabin windows. Then he went to the door and gazed around. No
+one was in sight, and he closed the door again.
+
+"Must have been the wind, or something like that," he murmured. "Or else
+I'm getting more nervous than I ever was before. Now that I've got used
+to those boys around, it seems dreadfully lonely when they are gone;"
+and he heaved a deep sigh.
+
+He remained in front of the fire for the best part of half an hour.
+Then, as if struck by a sudden determination, he leaped up, knocked the
+ashes from his pipe, and began to put on his snowshoes. He donned his
+heavy coat and his cap, locked up his cabin, and strode off in the
+direction of the heavy woods in the center of the island.
+
+Although Barney Stevenson was not aware of it, the noise he had heard
+while seated before the open fire had betokened something of
+importance. Entirely unknown to the old lumberman or to the Rover boys,
+Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell had arrived in the vicinity of the two
+cabins on the northern point of the island. Both of the youths were
+armed, but they approached the cabin occupied by the old lumberman with
+the greatest of secrecy.
+
+"It looks like another wild-goose chase to me," growled Slugger Brown,
+when they were close to the place. "We've been here three times now, and
+the old man hasn't done a thing out of the ordinary."
+
+"Well, we're sure of one thing, anyway," Nappy replied. "He hasn't got
+those deeds anywhere around that cabin--or at least no place where we
+could locate them."
+
+The bully and his crony had, from a distance, watched the departure of
+the Rovers. As can be guessed from their conversation, they had visited
+the island several times before, each time taking care that none of the
+others should discover their presence. On their trips they had been
+strongly tempted to "rough-house" the cabin occupied by Jack and his
+cousins, but they had not dared to do this, fearing it might cause the
+Rovers to go on guard.
+
+"And anyhow, we're not here for that purpose now," Slugger Brown had
+observed. "We want to get those land deeds for my dad and old Lemon."
+
+The two youths had come close to the side of the cabin and peered in at
+one of the windows, and it was this noise that had attracted Barney
+Stevenson's attention. But they had managed to keep out of sight of the
+old lumberman by flinging themselves down behind some bushes. They
+watched the departure of Uncle Barney with interest, and at once
+resolved to follow him.
+
+"Of course we haven't any snowshoes; so maybe we won't get very far,"
+said Slugger, "but we will do the best we can."
+
+Unconscious that his movements were being so closely observed, Uncle
+Barney plunged deep into the woods, taking a trail which was familiar to
+him. In some spots the snow lay deep, but in the majority of places the
+wind had swept the ground almost bare, so Slugger and Nappy had no great
+difficulty in following in the old man's footsteps.
+
+"He doesn't seem to be going out after any game," observed Nappy
+presently. "I just saw a rabbit running ahead of him, and he never even
+raised his gun."
+
+"I think I know where he's going," answered Slugger. "We'll soon find
+out if I'm right."
+
+"You mean that cave your father once spoke about?"
+
+"That's it, Nappy."
+
+"What is there about that cave that makes it so important?" went on the
+other curiously.
+
+"Never mind that now--you'll know some day--when my father gets
+possession of the island," answered Slugger rather importantly.
+
+The best part of half a mile more was covered, and then Barney Stevenson
+left the trail and plunged in among a wilderness of trees and rocks. He
+had to take off his snowshoes, and he hung them up in a tree. Then he
+went ahead once more, presently reaching the foot of a little cliff.
+Here there was an opening six or seven feet in diameter, and he
+disappeared into this.
+
+"What do you know about that?" cried Nappy in a low voice. "Is that a
+cave?"
+
+"That's just what it is!" answered Slugger triumphantly. "I only hope
+it's the cave my father wanted to locate."
+
+"Why does he want to locate a cave on this island?" asked Nappy, more
+curious than ever.
+
+"You'll know some day, Nap. Now come on--let's try to find out what the
+old man is going to do in that cave."
+
+With caution, the bully and his crony made their way over the snow, and
+then slipped inside the entrance to the cave. Ahead of them they saw
+the flicker of a lantern which Uncle Barney had lit.
+
+The cave was irregular in shape, running back a distance of a hundred
+feet or more. As the old man advanced he held his gun ready for use,
+thinking that possibly some wild animal had taken possession; but no
+animal of any sort appeared.
+
+Coming to the back end of the cave, the old man set down the lantern on
+a rock. Then he got down on his knees and began to pull away at a large
+flat stone, close by. He worked rather feverishly, as if growing more
+nervous every instance.
+
+"It must be here! They couldn't have gotten it away from me!" he
+muttered to himself.
+
+As he worked, Slugger and Nappy approached until they were within plain
+sight of what he was doing. They did not make a sound, however, and
+Uncle Barney never suspected their presence.
+
+When the flat stone had been set aside, there was revealed a small
+_cache_, lined with more stones. At the bottom of this _cache_ rested a
+fair-sized tin box, dark blue in color, and secured with a padlock.
+
+"Ha! I knew it was safe!" cried the old man in a relieved tone of voice.
+"I knew they couldn't find it!"
+
+"Say! what do you suppose----" began Nappy, when Slugger clapped a hand
+over his mouth.
+
+The low-spoken words echoed throughout the cavern, and, much startled,
+Uncle Barney dropped the tin box and sprang to his feet. As he did this
+Slugger Brown shoved his crony behind a projecting rock, and crouched
+low himself.
+
+"Who is there?" cried the old lumberman, and caught up his gun. "Who is
+there, I say! Speak, or I'll fire!"
+
+For reply, Slugger picked up a good-sized stone which was handy. Taking
+hasty aim, he hurled it at the old man. It struck Uncle Barney in the
+forehead, and slowly the old lumberman sank to the floor of the cave
+unconscious.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+UNCLE BARNEY'S SECRET
+
+
+"Looks to me as if we were going to be stumped, Jack."
+
+"I agree, Andy. It doesn't look as if there were any mink in this
+neighborhood," answered the oldest Rover boy.
+
+"Don't give up yet," pleaded Fred, who sat on a fallen tree, resting.
+
+"It's barely noon yet," announced Andy, glancing at his watch. "We've
+half a day before us."
+
+The boys had spent the entire time since leaving their cabin in skating
+along the shore of the island and making their way along the tiny,
+frozen-up watercourse, where they had hoped to discover at least one
+brook mink. But the only game to come into sight had been a squirrel,
+and they had not shot at this, fearing to disturb the other game, were
+it in that vicinity.
+
+"Let's have lunch before we continue hunting," suggested Andy. "This is
+as good a spot as any to rest in."
+
+The others were willing, and, finding a little cleared space, they built
+a tiny campfire and proceeded to make themselves at home. They passed a
+full hour over the mid-day meal, for the constant skating and tramping
+through the woods and climbing over the rocks was very tiring.
+
+"It won't be long before our vacation will be at an end," observed Fred.
+"Only a few days more, and we'll have to get into the grind again at
+Colby Hall."
+
+"Don't dare to mention lessons yet, Fred!" cried Andy. "Time enough for
+that when the school bell rings."
+
+"I was hoping Mr. Stevenson would get up here before we left," said
+Jack. "I want to see how he and old Uncle Barney get along."
+
+"Maybe he's staying away on purpose, so that he'll have a chance to see
+the old man alone," suggested Randy.
+
+The middle of the afternoon found the four young hunters near the end of
+the frozen-up watercourse, at a point where it ran in summer over some
+rough rocks into the lake below. Here the ground was very irregular, and
+once Fred slipped into a hollow, giving his left ankle a bad twist.
+
+"Ouch!" he cried, and made a wry face.
+
+"Much hurt?" asked the others quickly.
+
+"I--I don't think so," answered the youngest Rover slowly. He pulled
+himself up and took a step or two. "I guess it is all right; but it was
+a nasty tumble, just the same."
+
+"We've got to be careful. It won't do for any of us to sprain an ankle
+or break a leg," cautioned Jack.
+
+They had gone only a short distance further when Randy suddenly put up
+his hand.
+
+"I saw something flit through the snow near yonder rocks," he whispered,
+pointing.
+
+"I see it!" ejaculated Jack, and with these words he took hasty aim, and
+fired. Then his cousins saw another movement in the snow, between some
+nearby rocks, and they, too, discharged their weapons.
+
+There was a commotion both in the direction in which Jack had fired, and
+also down between the nearer rocks, and, rushing up, the four young
+hunters beheld two minks, whirling about in the snow, each badly
+wounded.
+
+"Mink, boys! Think of it!"
+
+"Don't let them get away!"
+
+These cries mingled with several more rapid reports, as one lad after
+another fired a second charge. This time their aims were better, and in
+a moment each of the minks lay stretched out on the rocks, dead.
+
+"I think there was a third one," observed Randy, "but he must have got
+away."
+
+"Well, we've got two, anyway," answered Jack with some pride. "What
+beautiful creatures they are!"
+
+Each of the minks was over a foot in length, not counting the bushy
+tail. They were of a soft brown shade, with a ridge of black on the back
+and patches of white below. Each was quite plump, and gave forth a
+peculiar strong odor.
+
+The boys were greatly delighted, and viewed the game with much
+satisfaction. They placed the minks over their shoulders, and then
+continued the hunt, presently stirring up half a dozen rabbits.
+
+"I guess we had better be starting for the cabin," announced Jack
+presently.
+
+"How about going to that other cabin at the south end of the island?"
+queried Fred.
+
+"Oh, let's give that up!" cried Randy. "I feel like getting back to
+where we have all our things."
+
+The others were inclined to do this, and, somewhat against his will,
+Fred agreed to return to the north end of Snowshoe Island. Not without
+some difficulty, they made their way back to the lake shore, and there
+put on their skates once again and started.
+
+The young hunters had expected to see Uncle Barney awaiting them on
+their return, and they were a bit surprised when the old lumberman did
+not show himself.
+
+"He must be putting in a full day sizing up that lumber he spoke about,"
+observed Jack, as he gazed at his watch. "It's nearly six o'clock."
+
+"He can't see much in this darkness," observed Randy.
+
+The boys entered their cabin, and after resting a bit proceeded to cook
+supper. They expected every moment to hear a shout from Uncle Barney,
+but none came, and at last they sat down to the meal alone.
+
+"I don't like this much," was Jack's comment, when another hour had
+passed, and the old lumberman had failed to show himself. "If he was
+going to stay away like this he should have left some word."
+
+"Let's take a look around his cabin," suggested Fred.
+
+This was done, but it shed no light on the unusual occurrence. The boys
+sat down and tried to amuse themselves as best they could, but, as
+another hour went by, their anxiety increased.
+
+"Something is wrong, I feel certain," announced Jack at last.
+
+"Maybe while he was out in the woods he fell down over some rocks,"
+suggested Andy.
+
+"He's a pretty old man to be climbing around in dangerous places," added
+his twin.
+
+When the time came to go to bed, none of the boys felt like retiring. A
+lantern was lit and hung up on a flagpole which stood between the two
+cabins. This was a signal which had been agreed upon when the Rovers had
+first come to Snowshoe Island.
+
+"There! Now if he can see the light he'll be able to locate himself,"
+said Fred.
+
+The boys took a walk around by the boat landing, and also to the edge of
+the woods back of the cabin, but all to no purpose. Then they finally
+retired to their own shelter.
+
+"We might as well go to bed," suggested Handy. "It won't do any good for
+all of us to stay up. If you say so, we might take turns in staying on
+guard, in case we should hear a call for help, or anything like that."
+
+This was considered good advice, and each youth took two hours at
+staying awake while the others slept; and thus the night passed.
+
+With the first streak of daylight, the boys prepared a hasty breakfast,
+and then went outside to view the situation. They soon found the tracks
+of the old lumberman's snowshoes, leading into the woods, and presently
+saw two other tracks close behind them.
+
+"I'm no sleuth, but it looks to me as if Uncle Barney went into the
+woods and two persons followed him!" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"Just the way it looks to me, too," answered Fred.
+
+"Let's go and follow up those footprints at once," suggested Andy.
+
+The others were willing, and in a short space of time they were on their
+snowshoes and making their way through the woods in the center of the
+island.
+
+"Hello! here's something!" cried Jack presently, and pointed to the old
+lumberman's snowshoes, where they still rested among the branches of a
+tree.
+
+Then the boys saw where he had climbed between the rocks, and, taking
+off their snowshoes, they followed the footprints.
+
+"A cave!"
+
+"What do you know about that!"
+
+It did not take the lads long to reach the entrance of the cavern. Then
+Jack, who had brought along one of the flashlights, turned it on and
+entered, followed by his cousins.
+
+"Hello, Uncle Barney!" he cried out at the top of his lungs. "Uncle
+Barney! are you here?"
+
+"Help! help!" came feebly from the inner end of the cave, and, guided by
+the flashlight, the four Rovers ran in that direction. They found the
+old man sitting on a rock with his head resting on his arm.
+
+"Are you hurt? How did it happen?" questioned Jack quickly.
+
+"They've robbed me!" moaned the old lumberman. "They came up behind me,
+and somebody hit me in the head with a rock! Then they ran away with my
+tin box!"
+
+"Who was it? Are you badly hurt?" questioned Randy.
+
+"I guess I'm not so awfully bad off, even though my head did bleed
+some," answered Uncle Barney. "But the worst of it is, they got away
+with my tin box--the one that's got the deeds to this island in it, and
+all my other valuables, including my dead wife's jewelry and a thousand
+dollars in gold."
+
+By this time the boys were examining the old man's head. They saw where
+the rock had struck him, making quite a cut, from which the blood had
+flowed over one ear. It was much swollen, and over it Uncle Barney had
+tied a bandanna handkerchief.
+
+"I'll get some snow and wash it off with that!" cried Fred, and did so.
+Then the wound was bound up once more, and Uncle Barney said he felt
+better. He told his story in detail.
+
+"What am I going to do?" he groaned. "Those rascals have got my treasure
+box!"
+
+"Who were they?" questioned Randy.
+
+"I don't know exactly. I heard them talk, and faced them with my gun.
+They were in the dark, so I couldn't distinguish them very good. Then
+one of them threw a big rock, and that is all I can remember. As soon as
+I became unconscious they must have grabbed the box and run away with
+it."
+
+"It must have been either Asa Lemm and Mr. Brown, or else Slugger and
+Nappy," said Randy.
+
+"I don't know what I'm going to do, now those deeds are gone--not to say
+anything about my wife's jewelry and all that gold!" groaned the old
+lumberman.
+
+"Just you take it easy, Uncle Barney. You mustn't excite yourself now,"
+said Jack kindly. "We'll do what we can toward getting the box back."
+
+The boys had brought some food along, and they insisted upon it that the
+old man eat and drink something. This seemed to strengthen Uncle Barney
+greatly, and he arose to his feet.
+
+"Now we'll get after those rascals," he said, with something of the
+old-time fire in his eyes. "I'm not going to allow 'em to rob me in this
+fashion!"
+
+While the old lumberman had been eating, the Rover boys had glanced
+around the cave curiously. It was a place partly natural and partly
+artificial. On one side it looked as if a little mining had been done,
+and Jack, who had studied geology, gazed at the surface of rocks and
+dirt with much interest.
+
+"Why, Uncle Barney, this looks to me as if it was zinc ore!" he cried
+presently.
+
+"Hush, hush, boy! I don't want anybody to know about that!" answered the
+old man quickly.
+
+"Then it is zinc ore, is it?" queried Randy, who had also been
+inspecting a side of the cave.
+
+"Yes, if you must know," was the surprising reply. "Right here, in the
+middle of this island, is one of the most valuable zinc ore beds to be
+found anywhere."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+THE DISCOVERY
+
+
+"The trouble is, those rascals have a twenty-four hours' start of us,"
+remarked Jack. "For all we know they may be miles away by this time."
+
+"It's too bad Uncle Barney didn't take our advice and either have those
+deeds recorded, or else place them in some bank vault," said Fred.
+
+"The thing now is to see if we can trail those fellows, whoever they
+were," put in Randy.
+
+"That's the talk!" cried his twin. "No use of crying over spilt milk, as
+the cat said when she tipped the pan over into the well," and at this
+remark there was a faint smile.
+
+The Rovers had drawn to one side to talk over the situation while Barney
+Stevenson was preparing to accompany them from the cave. The old man was
+both excited and worried. He cared little about the wound he had
+received on the head. All he wanted to do was to get back his treasure
+box, as he called it.
+
+The little party soon reached the point where all had left their
+snowshoes. They looked around with care, and presently made out a trail
+leading toward the lake shore.
+
+"If they went down to the lake, they most likely skated away," remarked
+Fred.
+
+It was an easy matter to follow the trail through the snow. It led up to
+the vicinity of some rough rocks, and here turned southward.
+
+"I guess they reasoned that they couldn't get over those rocks,"
+remarked Uncle Barney. "Maybe they were afraid of a bad tumble. I wish
+they had gone over them and broken their necks!" he added bitterly.
+
+"If only they had dropped the treasure box in the snow!" murmured Fred.
+
+"No such luck for us, Fred," responded Jack. "I'm afraid that box and
+its precious contents are far away by this time."
+
+They continued to follow the footprints, and at the end of a quarter of
+an hour found themselves at something of a clearing between the trees.
+Here those who had stolen the box had evidently stopped to rest, for it
+could be seen where they had been seated on a fallen log, and where they
+had placed the box.
+
+"Look here!" cried Jack, who was inspecting the ground closely. "Just as
+I thought--those fellows were Slugger and Nappy, I feel certain." He
+pointed to several half-burnt matches, and also a number of cigarette
+stubs.
+
+"I guess you're right," returned Randy. "I'm quite sure Asa Lemm doesn't
+smoke cigarettes, and when he was on the island Mr. Brown was smoking a
+black-looking cigar."
+
+"Well, if those boys stole the box, they will most likely turn it over
+to the professor and Brown," said Uncle Barney. "Oh, if only I could get
+my hands on them!" and his eyes flashed.
+
+The trail now led through a patch of woods and went into something of a
+semicircle. Then there was a little loop, which caused the boys some
+perplexity, but did not bother the old lumberman.
+
+"They lost their way--that's all," explained Uncle Barney. "But, after
+moving around in a loop, they headed in this direction," and he pointed
+with his hand. "Come on! Maybe they got hopelessly lost further on and
+are still in the woods. I hope so."
+
+The trail led deeper and deeper into the woods and wound in and out
+among a number of rocks. It was plainly evident that Slugger and Nappy
+had lost their way, and had made a number of false turns.
+
+"Here is where they rested again," announced Jack presently, and showed
+where some rocks had been swept clear of the snow.
+
+"Yes, and they stopped long enough to have something to eat," added
+Randy. "Here are a crust of bread and some cake crumbs."
+
+The trail continued to wind in and out among the woods, and the Rovers
+and the old lumberman followed it for fully an hour longer. Then they
+came out on the eastern shore of the island.
+
+"I guess this is the end of it," announced Uncle Barney dismally. "They
+probably skated away from this point."
+
+"No, they didn't!" cried Jack, who was making an examination of the
+footprints. "They went down the lake shore."
+
+"I'll tell you what I think!" said Randy. "They most likely wanted to
+get to Rockville, and they were afraid that if they attempted to cross
+to the other side of the island they would become lost again. So instead
+of going across, they went down to the lower end."
+
+"Here come two men!" cried Randy suddenly. He had been peering out on
+the surface of the lake.
+
+"Maybe they are Professor Lemm and Mr. Brown," suggested Andy.
+
+The men were at a great distance, but skating rapidly toward the island.
+As they came closer, Jack saw that they were strangers, and he waved his
+cap and shouted at them.
+
+"They may have seen Slugger and Nappy, or else they may have some news
+for us," he said.
+
+As the two strangers came closer, Uncle Barney looked at them curiously.
+Then he drew himself up and his face stiffened.
+
+"Don't you know those two men?" he questioned rather sharply, turning to
+the boys.
+
+"No," answered Jack, and the others shook their heads.
+
+"The man ahead is Fred Stevenson, and the other is Mr. Powell."
+
+"Oh, is that so!" exclaimed Jack; and then without further ado he ran
+out on the ice to meet the newcomers.
+
+"So this is Jack Rover, eh?" said Mr. Stevenson, shaking hands warmly.
+"I'm glad to know you; and I must thank you for sending me that
+telegram."
+
+"I sincerely hope you can patch up your differences with old Uncle
+Barney," answered Jack quietly. "He's in a peck of trouble just now."
+
+"Why, what has happened?" questioned Ruth's father. "But excuse me," he
+added. "This is my friend, Mr. Powell."
+
+By this time the other Rovers had come forward, and all told the two men
+of what had taken place. In the meantime, Uncle Barney remained behind
+on the lake shore, resting on his gun and eyeing the visitors
+speculatively.
+
+"I wish you would all do me a favor," said Mr. Stevenson, in a low tone
+of voice, so that the old lumberman might not hear. "I wish you would
+give me a chance to speak to Uncle Barney alone."
+
+"Certainly we'll give you that chance, Mr. Stevenson," answered Jack
+readily. "We are after the two rascals who stole that treasure box. Tell
+Uncle Barney that we are going to continue the hunt while you are doing
+your talking. Maybe Mr. Powell would like to go with us."
+
+"Certainly. I don't want to interfere with this affair between these
+other men," was the quick reply.
+
+Leaving Ruth's father to talk matters over with the old lumberman, the
+Rover boys and Mr. Powell began the journey down the side of Snowshoe
+Island. As they proceeded, the boys told the man many of the particulars
+of how Professor Lemm and Mr. Brown, accompanied by Slugger and Nappy,
+had come to the island to take possession, and then how the old
+lumberman had been attacked in the cave and how the precious blue tin
+box had been stolen.
+
+"That's certainly carrying matters with a high hand," was Mr. Powell's
+comment. "I sincerely trust the old man gets the box back. If he
+doesn't, it may cause him a great deal of trouble, especially if those
+deeds have not been recorded since the old courthouse burnt down. I
+remember well that that fire caused a great deal of trouble among
+property owners in this county."
+
+He told the boys that he and his wife and daughter May had been visiting
+the Stevensons at the time the Rovers' telegram arrived. He had left his
+wife and daughter to continue the visit, and had accompanied Mr.
+Stevenson on the trip just for the sake of a little outing.
+
+"This quarrel between old Uncle Barney, as he is called, and the
+Stevensons is all nonsense," he declared flatly. "It could have been
+cleared up years ago if the old man would only have listened to reason.
+But he was much upset by his financial losses, and more upset when his
+wife died, and he wouldn't listen to a word. Now that he is willing to
+talk I am sure they can patch it up."
+
+About a mile was covered, and then the Rovers and Mr. Powell found where
+Slugger and Nappy had gone ashore again at a point where the island was
+quite low.
+
+"I'll wager they thought they could cross here with ease, and thus save
+themselves the trouble of going around the south point," said Jack, and
+in this surmise he was correct.
+
+Once again the trail led into the woods, and now it was fairly straight
+up to a point where the ground became rougher. Here they found the snow
+scattered around some rocks, and rightly guessed that one of the youths
+had had a tumble.
+
+"And I guess the tumble must have hurt some," announced Randy. "Look at
+those footprints further on, will you? One of the fellows did a lot of
+limping."
+
+"Maybe he twisted his ankle, or something like that!" cried Andy.
+
+"It's too bad he didn't hurt himself so severely that he couldn't go any
+further," grumbled Fred.
+
+"It won't be long now before we come out near that cabin where we stayed
+during that awful snowstorm," said Jack.
+
+It was now well along in the middle of the afternoon, and the Rovers
+rightly concluded that this point had not been reached by Slugger and
+Nappy until late the day before.
+
+"If one of them was hurt, they wouldn't want to skate away over to
+Rockville in the dark," said Randy. "Maybe they stayed on this island
+all night."
+
+"There is that old cabin!" exclaimed Fred, as they reached a cleared
+space and could see some distance ahead.
+
+The little cabin was thickly surrounded by snow, and looked very much
+as it had when they had left it. But to their surprise, not to say
+delight, they saw a thin wreath of smoke curling up out of the chimney.
+
+"Somebody is there as sure as fate!" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"Come on, let's see who it is!" burst out Randy.
+
+All hurried forward, making no noise in the snow, and soon reached the
+side of the cabin. Then Jack, who was in advance, peered in through a
+corner of the broken-out window, pulling aside the nailed-up blanket for
+that purpose.
+
+The sight which met his gaze filled him with surprise and satisfaction.
+On a rude couch at one side of the single room of which the structure
+boasted, rested Slugger Brown, his ankle tied up in a rude bandage. In
+front of the fire sat Nappy Martell with the old lumberman's treasure
+box on his lap. Nappy had a knife in one hand, and, with the file blade,
+was trying to file apart the padlock to the box.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+SETTLING ACCOUNTS--CONCLUSION
+
+
+"How are you making out?" those outside the cabin heard Slugger Brown
+ask.
+
+"It's slow work with such a small file," grumbled Nappy Martell. "If I
+had a big file I could get the padlock off in no time."
+
+"What's the matter with smashing it off with a rock?" growled the bully.
+He arose to his feet and hobbled to where his crony sat. "Give it to
+me--I'll soon have it off!"
+
+"Come on," whispered Jack to his cousins and Mr. Powell. "They are in
+there and trying to open the treasure box!"
+
+It took the party but a few seconds to reach the door of the cabin. Jack
+pushed upon it, to find the barrier locked in some manner from the
+inside.
+
+"Hello! who's there?" shouted Slugger.
+
+"Maybe it's your father and Professor Lemm come back," added Nappy.
+
+The bully came to the door and threw it open. When he found himself
+confronted by the Rovers and a strange man, he fell back in
+consternation.
+
+"You!" he gasped. "How--er--did you get here?"
+
+"You let us alone!" cried Nappy, in alarm; and, leaping to his feet, he
+tried to hide the precious box behind him.
+
+"So we've got you, have we?" exclaimed Jack. "Nappy, you hand over that
+box."
+
+"I--I don't know what you mean," stammered the lad addressed.
+
+"See here! you haven't any right to come in here in this fashion,"
+blustered Slugger, recovering somewhat from his surprise.
+
+"Haven't we though!" broke out Randy.
+
+"We've caught you, and we intend to make you suffer for what you've
+done," said Andy.
+
+As lame as he was, Slugger attempted to edge his way toward the door,
+thinking he might get a chance to run away. But Jack caught him by the
+arm and sent him flying backward into a corner of the cabin.
+
+"You'll stay right where you are, Slugger Brown!" declared the oldest
+Rover boy. "Don't you dare to run away!"
+
+By this time Randy and Fred had approached Nappy, and suddenly the
+youngest Rover darted behind the youth and snatched the blue tin box
+from his grasp.
+
+"Hi! you give me that box!" stormed Nappy. "You've no right to take it
+from me!" and then he, too, tried to run from the cabin. He got as far
+as the doorway when Andy put out his foot and sent him headlong into the
+snow outside. Then Andy quickly sat down on him, and, rushing up, Randy
+did the same.
+
+"Don--don't smash me!" spluttered Nappy, whose face was partly in the
+snow.
+
+"We're not going to let you get away," came firmly from Andy.
+
+"Let's tie his hands behind him and make him a prisoner," suggested his
+twin, and this the two boys proceeded to do, using some skate straps for
+that purpose.
+
+In the meanwhile, Slugger attempted to draw a pistol, but was promptly
+hurled back by Jack and Fred. Then Mr. Powell disarmed the youth, and
+he, too, was made a prisoner.
+
+"You'll catch it for treating us this way!" growled Slugger, when he
+realized that he could do no more. "Just wait until my father hears of
+this!"
+
+"And just you wait, Slugger, until Mr. Stevenson gets here," retorted
+Jack, and this answer made the bully turn pale.
+
+Now that the two rascals had been captured, the Rover boys felt very
+much elated, the more so since they had recovered Uncle Barney's
+treasure box without the contents having been disturbed.
+
+"Won't he be glad!" murmured Fred, as he looked the box over.
+
+"Let's go out and see if we can't signal to him in some way," returned
+Randy.
+
+He went outside and three shots were fired in rapid succession, a signal
+which had been agreed upon when the boys had first gone out hunting.
+After the signal had been given, Mr. Powell said he would go out and
+watch for the coming of the Stevensons. While he was doing this, the
+Rovers talked matters over with Slugger and Nappy.
+
+"You're a fine pair to act in this fashion," said Jack sternly. "Don't
+you know you might have killed Barney Stevenson?"
+
+"Oh, we didn't hurt him much," grumbled Slugger.
+
+"And it was stealing to run off with this box!" said Randy.
+
+"No, it wasn't! That box has got deeds in it that ought to go to my
+father!"
+
+"I don't believe it, Slugger. Those deeds belong to Barney Stevenson."
+
+A minute or two later all those in the cabin heard Mr. Powell give a
+shout.
+
+"A couple of men are coming!" he cried.
+
+"It's my dad and Professor Lemm!" broke out Slugger. "Now you fellows
+will catch it!"
+
+"Be on your guard, everybody!" sang out Jack to his cousins, and each of
+them caught up his gun and waited.
+
+A few minutes later, Professor Lemm and Mr. Brown appeared in front of
+the cabin. Their arms were full of camp supplies. Evidently, this place
+had been a rendezvous for the entire Brown party for several days. It
+was from here that Slugger and Nappy had gone up to the other end of the
+island to spy upon Uncle Barney.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Mr. Brown, when he found himself
+confronted by the Rovers.
+
+"It means that we have made your son and Nappy Martell prisoners,"
+explained Jack calmly.
+
+"Prisoners!"
+
+"Yes. And I think more than likely we'll have to hand them over to the
+authorities."
+
+"I don't understand this at all," put in Asa Lemm, and his voice
+trembled a little.
+
+Mr. Powell had now come up, and the Rovers told him who the men were. He
+at once took charge of matters.
+
+"This is a serious business, Mr. Brown," he said sternly. "Your son and
+this other young man attacked old Barney Stevenson in a most outrageous
+manner and robbed him of a box of valuables. What Mr. Stevenson will do
+in the matter I don't know. I expect him here very shortly."
+
+At once there was a wordy quarrel, Mr. Brown showing his temper in
+anything but a dignified manner. He wanted his son and Nappy released,
+and threatened all sorts of things, but all to no purpose. Mr. Powell
+was obdurate, and the Rovers kept themselves in readiness to use their
+firearms should the occasion require. Asa Lemm had little to say.
+
+The discussion was growing exceedingly warm when there came another
+interruption, and Uncle Barney, followed by Frederic Stevenson, burst
+into the cabin. The old lumberman gazed at the assembled crowd, and then
+at the Rovers.
+
+"My box? Did you find my box?" he questioned quickly.
+
+"Yes, Uncle Barney, we've got the box safe and sound," answered Jack,
+and handed it over.
+
+"Did those young rascals have it?" and Uncle Barney pointed to Slugger
+and Nappy.
+
+"Yes. And that fellow was trying to file away the padlock when we got
+here."
+
+"You whelps, you!" cried the old lumberman, his eyes blazing. And as he
+strode toward Slugger and Nappy they shrank back as far as the corner of
+the cabin permitted.
+
+"Don't you hit me--don't you dare!" howled the bully.
+
+"I--I didn't mean anything by it!" whined Nappy. He was now thoroughly
+cowed.
+
+Another war of words followed, and the discussion grew even hotter than
+before. Again Mr. Brown threatened all sorts of things, but Uncle Barney
+simply laughed at him. Then Frederic Stevenson took a hand.
+
+"Uncle Barney," he said, catching the old man by the shoulder, "you let
+me manage this for you, will you?"
+
+"All right, Fred. You do as you please--only they can't have Snowshoe
+Island," was the old man's answer. Evidently the long standing
+differences between the pair had been patched up at last.
+
+"What I've got to say, I can say in very few words," came from Ruth's
+father, as he confronted Mr. Brown and Professor Lemm. "You have tried
+to carry matters here with a high hand, and the result has been that you
+have laid yourselves liable to a suit at law, while those two young
+rascals are liable to go to prison."
+
+"Oh, Dad! don't let them have us arrested!" pleaded Slugger.
+
+"I don't want to bother with the law--I want to be left alone," said
+Uncle Barney in a low voice.
+
+"This island belongs to my relative here--Mr. Barnard Stevenson,"
+proceeded Ruth's father. "He has a free and clear title to it, as I well
+know. I understand something of your underhanded work, Brown. And I
+understand, too, how you and Professor Lemm found out that this island
+contained some very valuable zinc ore beds. But your scheme to gain
+possession of this place has fallen through."
+
+"Don't be so sure of that!" snarled Slugger's father.
+
+"I am sure of it. Unless you leave my relative here alone, you are going
+to get yourself into pretty hot water. And not only that--if you bother
+him again, I'll see to it that your son and that other young man are
+sent to prison for what they have done."
+
+"Say! will you let us go if my dad gives up his claim to the island?"
+broke in Slugger eagerly.
+
+"If your father and Professor Lemm will promise never to bother Barnard
+Stevenson in the future, I think he'll be willing to let this case
+against you drop."
+
+"All right then. Dad, let's do that. We don't want the old island,
+anyhow!"
+
+"You can't do anything without those deeds," added Nappy.
+
+"Shut up! You boys make me sick!" grunted Mr. Brown.
+
+"But Martell is right--we can't do anything without the deeds,"
+whispered Professor Lemm. He was growing more fearful every moment over
+the outcome of what had taken place.
+
+More words followed, but in the end Mr. Brown and Professor Lemm
+promised to let their so-called claim on Snowshoe Island drop. Then
+Slugger and Nappy were released, and all were told to take their
+departure as soon as possible.
+
+"You think you're smart, don't you?" grumbled Slugger to Jack, when he
+was ready to go. "You just wait, Jack Rover! I'm not going to forget you
+and your cousins in a hurry!"
+
+"And I won't forget you, either!" added Nappy Martell.
+
+What these two unworthies did in the future to worry the Rovers will be
+told in another volume, to be entitled, "The Rover Boys Under Canvas;
+Or, The Mystery of the Wrecked Submarine." In that volume we shall meet
+many of our old friends again, and learn the particulars of some
+out-of-the-ordinary happenings.
+
+"Well, I'm mighty glad they're gone," said Fred, after the visitors had
+disappeared in the distance.
+
+"Glad doesn't express it!" added Andy. "I could fairly dance a jig for
+joy!"
+
+"And to think we saved the treasure box!" broke in Jack.
+
+"That's the best of all," came from Randy.
+
+Old Uncle Barney was exceedingly happy, not only to have the box
+restored to him, but also because the trouble between himself and his
+relatives had been completely cleared away.
+
+"I guess I was something of an old fool to quarrel with Fred and his
+family," he remarked to Jack later on, when talking the matter over. "It
+shows that a man should not be too hasty and headstrong. If I had only
+listened in the first place, all this would never have happened."
+
+"I'm glad you're friends once more," said Jack.
+
+"I owe you boys a great deal for this, just as I owe you a great deal
+for saving the treasure box and saving my life in the woods that time,"
+answered the old lumberman with feeling.
+
+The next day was spent by Uncle Barney and Mr. Stevenson in going over
+the matter of the deeds. Ruth's father insisted upon it that they be
+duly recorded and then placed away in a bank vault. It may be added
+here that later on this was done, and, later still, the zinc ore beds on
+the island were opened up and found to be fully as valuable as
+anticipated. Old Uncle Barney became quite a rich man, and took up his
+home with the other Stevensons.
+
+While the Stevensons were consulting about the deeds, the Rover boys
+went out on another hunt, this time accompanied by Mr. Powell, who was
+quite a sportsman. They had considerable luck, bringing in over a dozen
+rabbits, four squirrels and several partridges.
+
+"And now we've got to get ready to go home," said Jack, a day or two
+later.
+
+"Yes. And get ready for the grind at Colby Hall," added Fred.
+
+"But we've had some dandy times on this island!" declared Andy.
+
+"Couldn't have been better!" came in a chorus.
+
+And here we will say good-bye to the Rover boys.
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+THE TOM SWIFT SERIES
+
+By VICTOR APPLETON
+
+Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every Volume
+Complete in Itself.
+
+Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. Tom Swift is a
+bright, ingenious boy and his inventions and adventures make the most
+interesting kind of reading.
+
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE
+  TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS
+  TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE
+  TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER
+  TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL
+  TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH
+  TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE DON STURDY SERIES
+
+By VICTOR APPLETON
+
+Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by
+
+WALTER S. ROGERS
+
+Every Volume Complete in Itself
+
+In company with his uncles, one a mighty hunter and the other a noted
+scientist, Don Sturdy travels far and wide, gaining much useful
+knowledge and meeting many thrilling adventures.
+
+  DON STURDY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY;
+  Or, Autoing in the Land of the Caravans.
+
+An engrossing tale of the Sahara Desert, of encounters with wild animals
+and crafty Arabs.
+
+  DON STURDY WITH THE BIG SNAKE HUNTERS;
+  Or, Lost in the Jungles of the Amazon.
+
+Don's uncle, the hunter, took an order for some of the biggest snakes to
+be found in South America--to be delivered alive! The filling of that
+order brought keen excitement to the boy.
+
+  DON STURDY IN THE TOMBS OF GOLD;
+  Or, The Old Egyptian's Great Secret.
+
+A fascinating tale of exploration and adventure in the Valley of Kings
+in Egypt. Once the whole party became lost in the maze of cavelike tombs
+far underground.
+
+  DON STURDY ACROSS THE NORTH POLE;
+  Or, Cast Away in the Land of Ice.
+
+Don and his uncles joined an expedition bound by air across the north
+pole. A great polar blizzard nearly wrecks the airship.
+
+  DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF VOLCANOES;
+  Or, The Trail of the Ten Thousand Smokes.
+
+An absorbing tale of adventures among the volcanoes of Alaska in a
+territory but recently explored. A story that will make Don dearer to
+his readers than ever.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE RADIO BOYS SERIES
+
+(Trademark Registered)
+
+By ALLEN CHAPMAN
+
+Author of the "Railroad Series," Etc.
+
+Individual Colored Wrappers. Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in
+Itself.
+
+A new series for boys giving full details of radio work, both in sending
+and receiving--telling how small and large amateur sets can be made and
+operated, and how some boys got a lot of fun and adventure out of what
+they did. Each volume from first to last is so thoroughly fascinating,
+so strictly up-to-date and accurate, we feel sure all lads will peruse
+them with great delight.
+
+Each volume has a Foreword by Jack Binns, the well-known radio expert.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS' FIRST WIRELESS;
+  Or, Winning the Ferberton Prize.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS AT OCEAN POINT;
+  Or, The Message That Saved the Ship.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS AT THE SENDING STATION;
+  Or, Making Good in the Wireless Room.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS AT MOUNTAIN PASS;
+  Or, The Midnight Call for Assistance.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING A VOICE;
+  Or, Solving a Wireless Mystery.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE FOREST RANGERS;
+  Or, The Great Fire on Spruce Mountain.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE ICEBERG PATROL;
+  Or, Making Safe the Ocean Lanes.
+
+  RADIO BOYS WITH THE FLOOD FIGHTERS;
+  Or, Saving the City in the Valley.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE RAILROAD SERIES
+
+By ALLEN CHAPMAN
+
+Author of the "Radio Boys," Etc.
+
+Uniform Style of Binding. Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+In this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of a great
+American railroad system. There are adventures in abundance--railroad
+wrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a "wildcat"
+locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money on
+board--but there is much more than this--the intense rivalry among
+railroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, the
+getting through "on time" in spite of all obstacles, and the
+manipulation of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule or
+ruin.
+
+  RALPH OF THE ROUND HOUSE;
+  Or, Bound to Become a Railroad Man.
+
+  RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER;
+  Or, Clearing the Track.
+
+  RALPH ON THE ENGINE;
+  Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail.
+
+  RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS;
+  Or, The Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer.
+
+  RALPH, THE TRAIN DISPATCHER;
+  Or, The Mystery of the Pay Car.
+
+  RALPH ON THE ARMY TRAIN;
+  Or, The Young Railroader's Most Daring Exploit.
+
+  RALPH ON THE MIDNIGHT FLYER;
+  Or, The Wreck at Shadow Valley.
+
+  RALPH AND THE MISSING MAIL POUCH;
+  Or, The Stolen Government Bonds.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+  +--------------------------------------------------------------+
+  |  Corrections:                                                |
+  |                                                              |
+  |  Page 16, line 589: of changed to off.                       |
+  |  Page 21, line 726: slishing changed to sloshing.            |
+  |  Page 76, line 2180: Strobel changed to Strobell.            |
+  |  Page 88, line 2490: prefectly changed to perfectly.         |
+  |  Page 246, line 6620: it changed to is.                      |
+  |  Page 250, line 6737: first changed to fist.                 |
+  |  Page 296, line 7946: tht change to the.                     |
+  |  Page 311, line 8409: Messsage changed to Message.           |
+  +--------------------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND***
+
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+******* This file should be named 22996-8.txt or 22996-8.zip *******
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+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island, by Edward Stratemeyer</title>
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+<body>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island, by Edward
+Stratemeyer</h1>
+<pre>
+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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island</p>
+<p>       or, The Old Lumberman's Treasure Box</p>
+<p>Author: Edward Stratemeyer</p>
+<p>Release Date: October 16, 2007  [eBook #22996]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h4>E-text prepared by David Edwards, Verity White,<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net/c/">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br />
+    from page images generously made available by<br />
+    Microsoft Live Search Books<br />
+    (<a href="http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=&amp;scope=books">http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=&amp;scope=books</a>)</h4>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<table border="0" style="background-color: #F0F8FF;" cellpadding="10">
+  <tr>
+    <td valign="top">
+      Note:
+    </td>
+    <td>
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Microsoft Live Search Books. See
+      <a href="http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=&amp;scope=books#q=rover%20boys%20on%20snowshoe%20island&amp;filter=all&amp;start=1&amp;t=mtkWR1DE1uzvhm0Te90ghw&amp;sq=rover%20boys%20on%20snowshoe%20island">
+      http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=&amp;scope=books#q=rover%20boys%20on%20snowshoe%20island&amp;filter=all&amp;start=1&amp;t=mtkWR1DE1uzvhm0Te90ghw&amp;sq=rover%20boys%20on%20snowshoe%20island</a>
+	</td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<table cellpadding="5" summary="note">
+<tr>
+<td class="note">Transcriber's note:<br />
+<br />Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has been preserved.<br />
+<br />
+Obvious typographical errors have been <ins class="correction" title="like this">corrected</ins>.
+Hovering the cursor over an area so marked will display the correction made.</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;">
+<img src="images/image1.jpg" width="300" height="445" alt="image1" title="Cover" />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;">
+<img src="images/image2.jpg" width="300" height="468" alt="image2" title="Illustration" />
+<span class="caption" style="font-size: small">JACK AND THE TWINS RESCUE THE INJURED MAN.<br /><i>Frontispiece&mdash;Page <a href='#page46'><b>46</b></a></i></span>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="pagei" id="pagei">[Pg i]</a></span></p>
+
+<h1>THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND</h1>
+
+<p class="center"><b>OR</b></p>
+
+<h3><i>THE OLD LUMBERMAN'S TREASURE BOX</i></h3>
+
+<p class="center"><b>BY</b></p>
+
+<p class="center"><span style="font-size: x-large"><b>ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</b></span><br />
+(Edward Stratemeyer)</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-size: small"><b>AUTHOR OF "THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL," "THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN,"
+"THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES," ETC.</b></p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h4><i>ILLUSTRATED</i></h4>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h4>NEW YORK</h4>
+<h3>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP</h3>
+<h4>PUBLISHERS</h4>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-size: small">Made in the United States of America</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="pageii" id="pageii">[Pg ii]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<table cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="80%" summary="other books" border="2" style="border-style: solid; border-collapse: collapse">
+<tr>
+<td>
+<p class="center"><span style="font-size: x-large"><b>BOOKS BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</b></span><br />
+(Edward Stratemeyer)</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h3>THE FIRST ROVER BOYS SERIES</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR<br />
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h3>THE SECOND ROVER BOYS SERIES</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND<br />
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h3>THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES</h3>
+
+<p class="center">
+THE PUTNAM HALL CADETS<br />
+THE PUTNAM HALL RIVALS<br />
+THE PUTNAM HALL CHAMPIONS<br />
+THE PUTNAM HALL REBELLION<br />
+THE PUTNAM HALL ENCAMPMENT<br />
+THE PUTNAM HALL MYSTERY<br />
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center">12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Grosset &amp; Dunlap</span>, Publishers, New York</p></td></tr></table>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1918, by</span><br />
+EDWARD STRATEMEYER</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="pageiii" id="pageiii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h2>INTRODUCTION</h2>
+
+
+<p>My Dear Boys: This book is a complete story in itself, but forms the
+second volume in a line issued under the general title, "The Second
+Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."</p>
+
+<p>As mentioned in several volumes of the first series, this line was
+started a number of years ago with the publication of "The Rover Boys at
+School," "On the Ocean," and "In the Jungle." In those volumes my young
+readers were introduced to Dick, Tom and Sam Rover.</p>
+
+<p>The volumes of the first series related the adventures of the three
+Rover boys while attending Putnam Hall Military Academy, Brill College,
+and while on numerous outings.</p>
+
+<p>These Rover boys were, of course, growing steadily older. They met three
+young ladies in whom they became intensely interested, and, after
+becoming established in business, three happy marriages followed.
+Presently Dick Rover was blessed with a son and a daughter, as was also
+his brother Sam, while the fun-loving Tom became<span class='pagenum'><a name="pageiv" id="pageiv">[Pg iv]</a></span> the proud father of
+twin boys, who were as full of spirit as their parent had ever been. At
+first the boys were kept at home, but then it was thought best to send
+them to a boarding school.</p>
+
+<p>At Colby Hall the young Rovers made a host of friends, and also some
+enemies. They had to work hard over their studies, but they had a
+thoroughly good time.</p>
+
+<p>In the present volume the boys are still at Colby Hall, but presently
+the scene is shifted to Snowshoe Island, where the lads go for a short
+hunting season. How they ran into a most unusual mystery and helped an
+old lumberman to establish his claim to the island, I will leave the
+pages which follow to relate.</p>
+
+<p>In conclusion I wish to thank my numerous readers for the many kind
+things they have said about these Rover Boys books, and especially about
+the initial volume in the second series. I trust that all my readers
+will like Jack, Andy and Randy, and Fred as much as they did Dick, Tom,
+and Sam Rover.</p>
+
+<p><span style="padding-left: 10em">
+Affectionately and sincerely yours,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-left: 15em">Edward Stratemeyer.</span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="pagev" id="pagev">[Pg v]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<table cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="60%" summary="contents" class="center">
+<tr>
+<td align="right"><span style="font-size: small">CHAPTER</span></td>
+<td align="right"></td>
+<td align="right"><span style="font-size: small">PAGE</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">I</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Fun on the Ice</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page1">1</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">II</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Something About the Rover Boys</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page13">13</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">III</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Out of Peril</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page23">23</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">IV</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Out Hunting</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page33">33</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">V</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Uncle Barney Stevenson</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page44">44</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">VI</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Deep in the Woods</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page56">56</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">VII</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">An Unexpected Meeting</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page65">65</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">VIII</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">The Sleighing Party</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page76">76</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">IX</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">A Mishap on the Road</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page86">86</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">X</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Something About Two Goats</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page96">96</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XI</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">The Joke on Asa Lemm</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page108">108</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XII</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">In Colonel Colby's Office</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page119">119</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XIII</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Asa Lemm Is Dismissed</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page132">132</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XIV</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Overhearing a Plot</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page143">143</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XV</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">An Alarm of Fire</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page152">152</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XVI</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Putting Out the Flames</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page161">161</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XVII</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Caught in the Act</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page168">168</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XVIII</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Home Again</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page177">177</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XIX</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Off for Snowshoe Island</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page188">188</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="pagevi" id="pagevi">[Pg vi]</a></span>XX</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Caught in a Snowstorm</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page197">197</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XXI</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">An Astonishing Revelation</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page207">207</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XXII</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">The First Night on the Island</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page216">216</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XXIII</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Unexpected Visitors</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page226">226</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XXIV</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">A War of Words</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page237">237</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XXV</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Facing the Wolves</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page247">247</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XXVI</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Jack Frees His Mind</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page258">258</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XXVII</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">The Blue Tin Box</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page268">268</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XXVIII</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Uncle Barney's Secret</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page279">279</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XXIX</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">The Discovery</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page289">289</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td align="right">XXX</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Settling Accounts&mdash;Conclusion</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#page298">298</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page1" id="page1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h3>FUN ON THE ICE</h3>
+
+<p>"Everybody ready?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure! Been ready half an hour."</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a minute, Frank, till I tighten my skate strap," cried Fred Rover,
+as he bent down to adjust the loosened bit of leather.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurry up, Fred, we don't want to stand here all day," sang out his
+Cousin Andy gaily.</p>
+
+<p>"That's it! I want to win this race," broke in Randy Rover, Andy's twin
+brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Now remember, the race is to be to the old white pine and back,"
+announced the starter. "Every contestant has got to touch the tree
+before he starts to come back; otherwise he'll be counted out."</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to have a pistol to start us with," came from Jack Rover.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page2" id="page2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I guess my old locomotive whistle will do for that," answered Frank
+Newberry. He paused to look at the line of skaters. "Now then, everybody
+on the job!" and a loud whistle rent the air.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly there was a scurry of skates, and off the line started across
+Clearwater Lake to where a blasted pine tree reared its naked trunk
+against the skyline.</p>
+
+<p>It was a Saturday afternoon in early winter, and the cadets of Colby
+Hall Military Academy were out in force to enjoy themselves on the
+smooth ice of the lake, near which the school was located. The cadets
+had been amusing themselves in various ways, playing tag and hockey, and
+in "snapping the whip," as it is called, when Gif Garrison, at the head
+of the athletic association, had suggested a race.</p>
+
+<p>"We might as well find out who is the best skater in the school," Gif
+had said.</p>
+
+<p>"Right you are," had come from his particular chum, Spouter Powell. "Let
+us get up a race by all means."</p>
+
+<p>With so many cadets who could skate well, it was an easy matter to
+arrange for the contest. To make the matter more interesting, one of the
+Hall professors, Mr. Brice, said he would give some prizes to the pupils
+coming in first, second and third.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page3" id="page3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'll give a fine book of adventures to the first cadet, and also books
+to the others," Mr. Brice announced. He was still a young man, and in
+hearty sympathy with everything in the way of outdoor sports.</p>
+
+<p>Among those to enter the contest were Jack Rover and his three cousins,
+Fred, Andy and Randy. All were provided with hockey skates, and each
+felt confident of making a good record for himself. Yet they all knew
+that the school boasted of some fine skaters, one lad in particular, Dan
+Soppinger, having won several contests on the ice in years gone by.</p>
+
+<p>"We've got our work cut out for us!" cried Fred Rover, as he skated
+beside Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Save your wind, Fred," answered his cousin briefly.</p>
+
+<p>"Believe me, this is going to be some race!" came from Randy, who was on
+the other side of Jack, with his twin brother next to him.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care who wins so long as I'm not last," responded his twin
+merrily.</p>
+
+<p>Over twenty cadets had started in the contest, and soon the line, which
+had been fairly even for a few seconds after the whistle had sounded,
+began to take on a straggly appearance, as some skaters forged ahead and
+others fell behind.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't give up! Everybody keep in the race<span class='pagenum'><a name="page4" id="page4">[Pg 4]</a></span> until the finish!" cried
+Professor Brice encouragingly. "Remember, a race isn't over until the
+end is reached."</p>
+
+<p>Thus encouraged, those who were in the rear did their best to overtake
+those ahead. But gradually the skaters divided into three groups; eight
+in the lead, six but a short distance behind them, and the others
+several yards further to the rear.</p>
+
+<p>In the front group were Jack and his cousin Randy, while Fred and Andy
+were less than ten feet behind.</p>
+
+<p>The distance across Clearwater Lake was about half a mile, but the
+blasted pine tree was located some distance down the shore, so that the
+race would be close to a mile and a half in length.</p>
+
+<p>Spouter Powell was in the lead when the first group of skaters came up
+to the pine tree. Dan Soppinger was close behind him, with Jack and
+Randy following. Behind Randy came Walt Baxter, another cadet who skated
+remarkably well. The others of the first group were gradually dropping
+back to the second contingent. Spouter Powell touched the tree with his
+finger tips, and was followed almost immediately by Dan Soppinger. As
+they turned to go back to the starting point, they were followed by Jack
+and Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi, you fellows! what do you mean by skat<span class='pagenum'><a name="page5" id="page5">[Pg 5]</a></span>ing so quick?" piped out Andy
+Rover gaily.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll leave the tree to you, Andy!" shouted his twin.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think we'll win, but, anyway, we won't be last," came from
+Fred, as he and Andy touched the tree.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we can't have everything in this world," was the philosophic
+reply from the other Rover boy.</p>
+
+<p>It could be seen that the race had now narrowed down to the five who
+were in the lead. Of these, Spouter Powell and Dan Soppinger were less
+than two feet apart, while only a yard to the rear came Jack, Randy and
+Walt Baxter.</p>
+
+<p>"Go it, Randy!" sang out Andy, as he dropped still further behind. "Go
+it! I know you can win!"</p>
+
+<p>"Keep it up, Jack!" yelled Fred, who, being the smallest of the four
+Rovers, found it impossible to keep up the pace. "Don't let Spouter and
+Dan hold you back!"</p>
+
+<p>There were numerous cries of encouragement for all of the skaters as
+they swept forward toward the starting point. Here a line had been drawn
+on the ice, and the cadets stood at either end, some with their watches
+in their hands to time the winners.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll bet Dan Soppinger wins!" cried one of<span class='pagenum'><a name="page6" id="page6">[Pg 6]</a></span> the cadets. "He's the best
+skater on the lake."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Spouter Powell is a good skater, too," returned another.</p>
+
+<p>"Huh! what's the matter with the Rover boys?" burst out a third cadet,
+round-faced and remarkably fat&mdash;so fat, in fact, that he had not dreamed
+of participating in the contest.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know much about how they can skate," was the reply. "They
+weren't here last winter, you remember."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know that," answered Fatty Hendry.</p>
+
+<p>"Here they come!"</p>
+
+<p>By this time the skaters were half way on the return from the blasted
+pine. Spouter Powell and Dan Soppinger were still in the lead, but Walt
+Baxter was crawling up steadily, while Jack and Randy were close behind.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, this is going to be a neck-and-neck race!" cried one of the
+cadets, Ned Lowe by name. He had wanted to race himself, but knew that
+his skates were too dull for that purpose.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand back! Give them plenty of room!" exclaimed Professor Brice, and
+he took measures to clear the cadets away from the finishing line.</p>
+
+<p>Quite a crowd had assembled to witness the contest, not only cadets, but
+also some folks from the neighboring town of Haven Point, and also a
+number of young ladies from Clearwater<span class='pagenum'><a name="page7" id="page7">[Pg 7]</a></span> Hall, a seminary located some
+distance away.</p>
+
+<p>The skaters had still a distance of several hundred yards to cover when
+it was seen that Spouter Powell was gradually falling behind. Then Jack
+Rover forged forward, followed by his Cousin Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"The Rovers are crawling up!"</p>
+
+<p>"See, Jack Rover and his Cousin Randy and Dan Soppinger and Walt Baxter
+are all in a line!"</p>
+
+<p>"This certainly is one close race!"</p>
+
+<p>The excitement increased as the racers drew closer to the finishing
+line. Walt Baxter was panting painfully, showing that he had used up
+almost every ounce of his strength.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear! I do hope the Rovers come in ahead," whispered one girl
+skater to another. She was a tall girl, remarkably good looking and
+dressed in a suit of brown, with furs.</p>
+
+<p>"So do I hope the Rover boys win, Ruth," answered her girl companion,
+"now that my Cousin Dick has fallen behind."</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad, May, that your Cousin Dick couldn't have kept up,"
+answered Ruth Stevenson.</p>
+
+<p>Closer and closer to the finishing line crept the four leading skaters,
+Jack and Randy in the middle, with Dan Soppinger on their left and Walt<span class='pagenum'><a name="page8" id="page8">[Pg 8]</a></span>
+Baxter on their right. Now Spouter Powell had fallen back to the second
+group of racers.</p>
+
+<p>"Here they come!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's Dan Soppinger's race!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not much! Here comes Walt Baxter! Gee, see him strike out!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's the Rovers who are coming to the front!" exclaimed Ned Lowe.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew they couldn't hold those Rover boys back," was Frank Newberry's
+comment. "Now then, boys, for a final dash!" he shouted.</p>
+
+<p>All four of the leading contestants were bending forward and striking
+out as powerfully as possible, their arms swinging from side to side
+like pendulums and their skates ringing clearly on the smooth ice.</p>
+
+<p>For an instant all were in a line, then, by a tremendous effort, Walter
+Baxter forged a foot ahead. But almost instantly Dan Soppinger overtook
+the other cadet. An instant later Randy Rover came up beside the others,
+followed by his Cousin Jack.</p>
+
+<p>The finishing line was now less than fifty yards away, and the crowd was
+yelling all sorts of words of encouragement and cheering wildly, even
+the girls and older folks present being much excited. Then, of a sudden,
+an exclamation of wonder rent the air.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page9" id="page9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Look at that, will you? Did you ever see such striking out in your
+life?"</p>
+
+<p>"He's coming forward like a cannon ball!"</p>
+
+<p>These exclamations had been brought forth by the sudden change of
+tactics on the part of Jack Rover. Coming back from the blasted pine he
+had managed to hang close to his opponents, but without using up all his
+reserve force. Now he let out "for all he was worth," as he afterwards
+declared, and, with strokes that could hardly be seen for their
+rapidity, he forged in front of Soppinger and Baxter.</p>
+
+<p>"It's Jack Rover's race!"</p>
+
+<p>"Look! Look! Here comes his Cousin Randy!" yelled Ned Lowe.</p>
+
+<p>"No use in talking&mdash;you can't hold those Rover boys back," was Fatty
+Hendry's comment.</p>
+
+<p>What the cadets had said was true. Following the extraordinary spurt
+made by Jack, Randy let himself out, and in a twinkling had passed
+Baxter. Then he found himself neck-and-neck with Dan Soppinger, who was
+struggling with might and main to catch up to Jack, just two feet ahead.</p>
+
+<p>"Make room for the winners!"</p>
+
+<p>"Jack Rover wins the race!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and Randy Rover is second!"</p>
+
+<p>"Who takes third place?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page10" id="page10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Soppinger, I guess."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I think Walt Baxter was a little ahead of him."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! It was a tie between them."</p>
+
+<p>"Three cheers for the Rover boys!" shouted Ned Lowe, and many cadets
+joined in the cheering.</p>
+
+<p>Jack and Randy were quickly surrounded by many of their chums and
+congratulated on their success.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a tie race between Soppinger and Baxter," announced Professor
+Brice. "And that being so, I will give each of them a third prize," and
+with this those two contestants had to be contented.</p>
+
+<p>"You made that race in record time, Jack," announced Gif Garrison. "It
+is better time by twelve seconds than was ever made before on this
+lake."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, where do I come in?" demanded Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"You broke the record by ten seconds," was the reply. "And believe me,
+that's some stunt!"</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I was beaten fairly," announced Dan Soppinger, a little
+ruefully; "so there is no use of complaining."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it was a fair and square race sure enough," answered Walt Baxter.
+"All the same, if my skates had been just a little sharper I think<span class='pagenum'><a name="page11" id="page11">[Pg 11]</a></span> I
+might have won," he added a little wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am glad the honors stay in our family anyhow," announced Fred,
+as he skated up, followed by Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"And first and second prizes, too!" cried his cousin. "That ought to be
+enough to hold the other fellows for awhile."</p>
+
+<p>Jack and Randy were both panting from their exertions, but their faces
+showed their satisfaction, and especially did Jack look his pleasure
+when he happened to glance beyond the crowd of cadets and saw Ruth
+Stevenson waving her hand toward him. Beside Ruth was May Powell, who
+waved gaily to all of the Rovers.</p>
+
+<p>"Fine race, boys! Fine race!" was Fatty Hendry's comment. "Just the
+same, none of you would have been in it for a minute if I had entered,"
+and at this joke there was a general laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Fatty, you should have gone into it just to lose flesh," was
+Andy's dry comment. "If you tried real hard, you might lose a pound a
+mile," and at this there was another laugh.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd began to gather around Jack and Randy and the others who had
+won the race, and many wanted to shake hands with the oldest Rover boy.
+Even some of the town folks skated up, and they were followed by some of
+the girls from Clearwater Hall.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page12" id="page12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I say, boys, this may not be safe!" cried Professor Brice suddenly,
+when the crowd on the ice had become unusually thick. "This ice isn't as
+strong as it might be."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and with Fatty in the crowd&mdash;&mdash;" began Andy Rover. Then, of a
+sudden, he stopped short because an ominous crack was heard, followed by
+several other cracks.</p>
+
+<p>"The ice is breaking!"</p>
+
+<p>"Skate away, everybody, or we'll go down!"</p>
+
+<p>Instantly there was a commotion, and all of the skaters tried to break
+away from the spot where the crowd had congregated. The confusion was
+tremendous, and in the mix-up six or eight persons, including Ruth
+Stevenson and May Powell, were thrown down. Then came another crack, and
+it looked as if in another instant the ice would give way completely and
+precipitate the whole crowd into the cold waters of the lake.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page13" id="page13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3>SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was a time of extreme peril, and it is doubtful if any one realized
+that more than did Jack Rover. He, too, had been thrown down, and across
+his legs was sprawled the heavy form of Fatty Hendry. It was the
+toppling over of the fat youth which had caused one of the cracks which
+were now so numerous in the ice.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi! get off of me!" yelled Jack, and managed to pull one of his legs
+free; and with this he pushed the fat youth to one side.</p>
+
+<p>"Help! help! We're going down!" came in a scream from May Powell.</p>
+
+<p>The ice had become depressed where she and Ruth Stevenson stood, and
+both were already in a half inch of water.</p>
+
+<p>"Scatter! Everybody scatter!" cried Professor Brice, and then rushed to
+one side, to rescue several little boys and girls.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, Jack, we've got to help those girls!" cried Randy, and caught
+his cousin by the arm,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page14" id="page14">[Pg 14]</a></span> thus assisting him to his feet. Then off the
+pair skated, with Andy and Fred behind them, all bent on going to the
+assistance of the girls from Clearwater Hall.</p>
+
+<p>Now, I know quite well that to the readers of the former volumes in
+these two "Rover Boys Series," all of the Rovers, both old and young,
+will need no introduction. But for the benefit of those who have not
+perused any of the previous volumes in this line, a few words concerning
+our characters will not be amiss.</p>
+
+<p>In my first volume, entitled "The Rover Boys at School," I told how
+three brothers, Dick, Tom and Sam Rover, had been sent off to Putnam
+Hall Military Academy, where they made a host of friends, including a
+manly and straightforward cadet, named Lawrence Colby. From Putnam Hall,
+the Rovers were sent to Brill College, and after leaving that
+institution of learning they went into business in Wall Street, New York
+City, where they organized The Rover Company, of which Dick was now
+president; Tom, secretary; and Sam, treasurer.</p>
+
+<p>While at Putnam Hall the three Rovers had become acquainted with three
+charming girls, Dora Stanhope and her cousins Nellie and Grace Laning.
+This acquaintance had ripened into loving intimacy, and when Dick went
+into business<span class='pagenum'><a name="page15" id="page15">[Pg 15]</a></span> he had made Dora Stanhope his life-long partner. A short
+while after this Tom married Nellie Laning and Sam married Grace.</p>
+
+<p>When first married, Dick and his beautiful wife Dora had begun
+housekeeping in a small apartment, but a few years later the three
+brothers had purchased a plot of ground on Riverside Drive, overlooking
+the Hudson river, and there they had built three handsome houses, Dick
+living in the middle house, and Tom on one side and Sam on the other.</p>
+
+<p>Before the young people had moved into the new homes, Dick and Dora
+became the proud parents of a little son, who was named John, after Mr.
+Laning. The son was followed by a daughter, Martha, so named after her
+Great Aunt Martha of Valley Brook Farm, where the older boys had spent
+many of their youthful days. Little Jack, as he was called, was a bright
+lad with many of the qualities which had made his father so well liked
+and so successful in life.</p>
+
+<p>About the time Jack's sister Martha was born, Tom and Nellie Rover came
+forward with twin boys, one of whom they named Anderson, after his
+grandfather, and the other Randolph, after Uncle Randolph, of Valley
+Brook Farm. Andy and Randy, as they were always called for short, were
+exceedingly clever and active lads, in this<span class='pagenum'><a name="page16" id="page16">[Pg 16]</a></span> particular being a second
+edition of their father. Andy was usually saying things that were more
+or less funny, and Randy thought that playing some trick was the finest
+thing in the world.</p>
+
+<p>"You can't find fault with those kids, Tom," Dick Rover said more than
+once. "They are chips <ins class="correction" title="original: offl">off</ins> the old block."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I suppose they are," Tom Rover would reply, with a twinkle in his
+eye. "But if they never do anything that is really mean or harmful, I
+won't care."</p>
+
+<p>About the same time the twins were born, Sam and Grace Rover came along
+with a beautiful little girl, whom they named Mary, after Mrs. Laning.
+Then, a year later, the girl was followed by a sturdy little boy, who
+was christened Fred, after Sam Rover's old school chum, Fred Garrison.</p>
+
+<p>Living so close together&mdash;the three stone mansions on Riverside Drive
+were connected&mdash;the younger generation of Rover boys, as well as the
+girls, were brought up very much like one big family. The winters were
+spent in New York City, while during the summer the young folks were
+generally bundled off to Valley Brook Farm, where their grandfather,
+Anderson Rover, still resided with his brother Randolph and wife
+Martha.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page17" id="page17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>At first both the girls and the boys had been sent to private schools in
+the metropolis. But the boys showed such a propensity for "cutting up,"
+as Dick Rover expressed it, that the fathers were compelled to hold a
+consultation.</p>
+
+<p>"The best thing we can do is to send them to some strict boarding
+school," was Dick Rover's comment, and in this the brothers agreed.</p>
+
+<p>Some time before, their old school chum, Lawrence Colby, who had since
+become a colonel in the state militia, had opened a military academy,
+which he called Colby Hall. The place was gaining an enviable reputation
+as a first-class institution of learning, being modeled after Putnam
+Hall, which, in its day, had been run somewhat on the lines of West
+Point.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll send them to Colby Hall," had been the decision of the older
+Rovers, and to that place Jack, Andy and Randy, and Fred had gone, as
+related in detail in the volume entitled "The Rover Boys at Colby Hall."</p>
+
+<p>The military school presided over by Colonel Colby was located about
+half a mile from the town of Haven Point, on Clearwater Lake, a
+beautiful sheet of water about two miles long and half a mile wide. At
+the head of the lake was the Rick Rack River, running down from the
+hills and woods beyond. The school consisted of<span class='pagenum'><a name="page18" id="page18">[Pg 18]</a></span> a large stone building
+shaped somewhat in the form of a cross, the upper portion facing the
+river. It was three stories in height, and contained, not only the
+classrooms and the mess hall, but also the dormitories and private rooms
+for the scholars. To one side was a brick building, which at one time
+had been a private dwelling, but which was now occupied by Colonel Colby
+and his family and some of the professors. On the opposite side was a
+new and up-to-date gymnasium. Down at the water's edge were a number of
+small buildings used as boathouses and bathhouses. Behind the Hall were
+a stable and a barn, and also a garage; and still further back there
+were a large vegetable garden and numerous farm fields.</p>
+
+<p>On their arrival at Colby Hall, the Rover boys had found several of
+their friends awaiting them. One of these was Dick Powell, the son of
+Songbird Powell, a former schoolmate of their fathers, a fellow who was
+usually called Spouter because of his fondness for making speeches.
+Another lad was Gifford Garrison, usually called Gif for short, who was
+at the head of the school athletics. Gif was the son of Fred Garrison,
+after whom Fred Rover had been named.</p>
+
+<p>They also made friends of a number of others, some of whom we have
+already met. These included Walter Baxter, the son of Dan Baxter,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page19" id="page19">[Pg 19]</a></span> who
+in years gone by had been an enemy to the older Rovers, but who had long
+since reformed.</p>
+
+<p>Before coming to Colby Hall Jack Rover had had a quarrel in New York
+with a tall, dudish youth named Napoleon Martell, and this had almost
+led to a fight. Nappy Martell, as he was usually called by his cronies,
+was a pupil at the military academy, and soon he and his crony, a big,
+overgrown bully, named Slogwell Brown, did what they could to make life
+miserable for all of the Rovers. But in one of their dirty tricks they
+over-reached themselves, and as a consequence they had been exposed and
+sent away from the institution of learning for the time being.</p>
+
+<p>"But they are coming back," Walt Baxter had told the Rover boys; "and
+they say when they do, they will make it hot for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, when Slugger and Nappy return we will be ready for them," had
+been Jack Rover's reply.</p>
+
+<p>"And the next time we won't be as easy on them as we were before," Fred
+had added.</p>
+
+<p>All of the cadets formed a battalion of several companies, commanded by
+one of the older cadets, Major Ralph Mason. The Rovers took to the
+military drill and general exercises readily, and soon learned how to
+march and how to handle a gun. They enjoyed drilling very much&mdash;in
+fact,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page20" id="page20">[Pg 20]</a></span> they enjoyed it more than they did studying, although all of them
+were good scholars.</p>
+
+<p>As has been stated, Colby Hall was located about half a mile out of
+Haven Point. On the other side of the town was located Clearwater Hall,
+a boarding school for girls. During a panic in a moving picture theater
+in the town, Jack and his cousins had become acquainted with a number of
+these girls, including Ruth Stevenson and May Powell. After that the
+four boys had taken four of the girls rowing on the lake and on other
+outings, and through this had become quite well acquainted with a number
+of the Clearwater Hall pupils. Jack was particularly interested in Ruth
+Stevenson, and thought her a very beautiful and entertaining young lady.
+The others did not seem to have any particular preference, although Fred
+was often seen to side up to May Powell, the entertaining cousin of
+Spouter.</p>
+
+<p>And now, having introduced these young ladies in a proper manner, let us
+return to them at the time when they were struggling on the ice and in
+the midst of the frightened crowd rushing hither and thither, striving
+to save itself from being immersed in the icy waters of the lake.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! oh! What shall we do?" cried May in terror, as she clung to her
+companion's arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on! We'll have to skate away from<span class='pagenum'><a name="page21" id="page21">[Pg 21]</a></span> here!" burst out Ruth. "Come!
+let us see if we can't get to shore," and she started off, her companion
+still clinging to her.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile, Jack and Randy were skating as fast as possible in the
+direction where they had seen the two girls. But now a crowd of cadets
+and town folks swept in front of them, and the next instant Randy was
+hurled flat on his back and went spinning across the smooth ice.</p>
+
+<p>By this time one of the spots on the lake had broken through, and the
+water was rapidly rising all around it and covering the sinking surface.
+Men, women and children mingled with the cadets and hurried in all
+directions, but most of them toward the shore.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on! We've got to help those girls somehow!" panted Jack, as he
+skated over to where Randy had been flung. He assisted his cousin to his
+feet just as Fred and Andy flashed up.</p>
+
+<p>"The girls! Don't you see them over there? They are going down!" yelled
+Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I see them! Come on!" answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>As tired as he was because of the race, the oldest Rover struck out with
+all the vigor he could muster. Soon he found himself <ins class="correction" title="original: slishing">sloshing</ins> through
+water that was several inches deep. The next moment he stood beside the
+two girls, who had become almost too frightened to move.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page22" id="page22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Come on! Don't stand here!" he called, catching Ruth by the arm.</p>
+
+<p>He looked back and saw that Fred and the others were close behind him,
+and that Fred already had hold of May. Then he started off up the lake.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jack, hadn't we better head for the shore?" gasped the frightened
+girl.</p>
+
+<p>"No. There is too much of a crowd in that direction already," he
+answered quickly. "If they don't look out they'll all go in. Come on!
+The best thing to do is to get out where there isn't anybody."</p>
+
+<p>He skated on, allowing the girl to rest on his arm as he did so. Soon
+they seemed to be out of the danger zone, and then he looked back.</p>
+
+<p>The sight that met his gaze filled him with new alarm. Fred had been
+skating with May close beside him, but their feet had caught in one of
+the new cracks, and both of them had gone down headlong. Andy and Randy
+had been close behind, and now they too went sprawling, while the ice
+cracked ominously, as if ready to let them down into the water at any
+instant!</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page23" id="page23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>OUT OF PERIL</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Oh look! May and Fred have both gone down!" cried Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and there go Andy and Randy over them!" exclaimed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"And look, Jack, the ice is cracking everywhere!" continued the
+frightened girl. She clutched his arm and looked appealingly into his
+face. "Oh! what shall we do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Spread out, you fellows! Spread out!" yelled the oldest Rover boy.
+"Spread out! Don't keep together!"</p>
+
+<p>His cry was heard, and an instant later Andy commenced to roll over on
+the ice in one direction while his twin rolled in another. In the
+meantime, Fred had managed to scramble to his feet, and now he pulled up
+May.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, we'll soon be out of danger," encouraged the youngest Rover;
+and, striking out, he pulled May behind him, the girl being too excited
+to skate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page24" id="page24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In less than a minute the danger, so far as it concerned the Rovers and
+the two girls from Clearwater Hall, was past. All reached a point where
+the ice was perfectly firm. Here Ruth speedily gained her
+self-possession, but May continued to cling closely to Fred's arm.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to see how they are making out in front of the boathouse!"
+cried Randy. "Some of the skaters must have gotten in."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm with you," returned his twin. He looked back at his cousins. "I
+suppose you will look after the girls?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure!" answered Jack quickly. "Go ahead."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't suppose we can be of any assistance down there?" came from
+Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think so, Fred. There is too much of a crowd as it is; they
+will simply be in one another's way."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! oh! suppose some one should be drowned!" moaned May.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us hope for the best," answered Jack. He did not want to add to the
+girls' fright, yet he was decidedly anxious over the outcome of the
+unexpected catastrophe.</p>
+
+<p>They skated toward the shore at a point between Colby Hall and the town,
+and then they worked their way along shore up to the vicinity of the
+military academy. Here men and cadets<span class='pagenum'><a name="page25" id="page25">[Pg 25]</a></span> were rushing hither and thither,
+some with planks and others with ropes.</p>
+
+<p>"Six of the cadets broke through," announced Spouter Powell, as he came
+up to learn if his cousin was safe.</p>
+
+<p>"They are all out, aren't they?" questioned Jack quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. But there may have been others that went under the ice. Professor
+Brice and Mr. Crews are going to make a thorough search." Crews was the
+gymnastic instructor.</p>
+
+<p>The excitement continued for fully half an hour. By that time it was
+ascertained that every one had gotten off of the ice or out of the water
+in safety. Those who had gone down were rushed to shelter, so that they
+might not catch cold. Gradually the crowd dispersed, and then Professor
+Brice had danger signs placed at various points on the ice, so that
+there should not be a repetition of the accident.</p>
+
+<p>"The thing would not have occurred had not the entire crowd happened to
+congregate around the winners of the skating race," explained Professor
+Brice to Colonel Colby.</p>
+
+<p>"You think the ice is thick enough for any ordinary crowd?" questioned
+the master of the school anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. You can test it for yourself."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page26" id="page26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, we must be more careful in the future, Mr. Brice. We don't want
+any of our cadets drowned."</p>
+
+<p>"We won't have any such crowd again if I can avoid it," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"It's all nonsense to have such races anyway. It encourages too much
+rowdyism," was the comment of Asa Lemm, one of the language professors.
+Lemm was the least liked of all the teachers at the Hall. He did not
+believe in a boy's having any fun, but expected the cadets to spend
+their entire time in studying. He had once been fairly wealthy, and the
+loss of his money had made him sour-minded and disagreeable.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot agree with that opinion," returned Colonel Colby coldly. "The
+boys must have some exercise. And to be out in the fresh air is a very
+good thing for them. They will study so much the better for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe; but I doubt it," answered Asa Lemm shortly. "You let a boy go
+out and carouse around, and the first thing you know he won't care for
+anything else," and he strode away with his chin held high in the air
+and his lips tightly compressed. He was a man of very positive ideas,
+which he tried at every opportunity to impress upon others.</p>
+
+<p>"Aren't your feet wet?" questioned Jack sud<span class='pagenum'><a name="page27" id="page27">[Pg 27]</a></span>denly, as he looked down at
+the skating shoes worn by Ruth and May.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they are rather damp," answered Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>"Mine are both wet and cold," said May. "I shouldn't mind it if I could
+dry them off and warm them somewhere."</p>
+
+<p>"Come on up to the Hall," went on Jack. "I'm sure they will let you dry
+them in front of the open fire in the big living-room."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jack, we don't want to go there in such a crowd of cadets!"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't worry about the cadets," put in Fred.</p>
+
+<p>When they arrived at the living-room of the military academy, they found
+it practically deserted, the great majority of the cadets being at the
+lake front or in the big boathouse, where a pot stove was kept going for
+the benefit of the skaters.</p>
+
+<p>"My, but this is a cozy place!" remarked Ruth, after she had become
+comfortably settled in a big armchair with her feet resting close to the
+blaze.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I was a cadet here," sighed May. "It's more fun being a boy than
+being a girl."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know? You never were a boy," returned Fred, with a grin.</p>
+
+<p>"I know, just the same," May answered. "I'm sure you boys have a much
+better time of it than we girls."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page28" id="page28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This started quite an argument, in which all of the young people,
+including Spouter, joined. In the midst of the talk Andy and Randy came
+in, having been told where the others had gone.</p>
+
+<p>"It's all over and everybody is safe," announced Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"And the only thing lost, so far as we can find out, was Fatty's skating
+cap," put in Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if that's all, we can chip in and buy him another cap," remarked
+Jack, and at this there was a short laugh. Now that the peril was a
+thing of the past all felt greatly relieved, and their manner showed it.</p>
+
+<p>Jack and Fred had the pleasure of skating all the way to Clearwater Hall
+with Ruth and May. During that time the young folks grew quite
+confidential.</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you get your sister Martha to come to Clearwater Hall?" said
+Ruth to Jack. "I'm sure I'd like very much to meet her."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and why not have your sister Mary come too?" added May to Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, that's a great idea!" burst out Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's put it up to the folks at home without delay," added his cousin.
+"But they might not like to leave the private school they are now
+attending," he continued, his face falling.</p>
+
+<p>"That's true, for they are getting along very<span class='pagenum'><a name="page29" id="page29">[Pg 29]</a></span> nicely," said Jack. "Just
+the same, we can put it up to the folks at home and let them know all
+about what a nice place Clearwater Hall is&mdash;and what awfully nice girls
+there are here." And at this latter remark Ruth and May blushed.</p>
+
+<p>"I sent a letter to Mary a year or two ago," said May; "but at that time
+I wasn't here. I think I'll send her another letter."</p>
+
+<p>"Do, by all means," returned Fred quickly. "And let her know all about
+how nice a place it is. That may help."</p>
+
+<p>"It would be a fine thing if they were at this school&mdash;it would give us
+more chances to call here," remarked Jack to Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>"Last week I met Cousin Dick in town," said May, "and he was telling me
+how that Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell had left the Hall. He said the
+pair were terribly down on all you Rovers."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, they were very much enraged over the way we exposed them,"
+answered Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"They deserved to be exposed!" cried Ruth. "The idea of their shooting
+two of Mr. Lacy's valuable cows and then trying to prove that you did
+it! It was shameful!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, their folks had to pay Lacy for the cows," answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"And then to think how they tampered with<span class='pagenum'><a name="page30" id="page30">[Pg 30]</a></span> the chains on that lumber
+raft so that the raft went to pieces in that storm on the lake!" added
+May. "Oh, I think they must be very wicked boys!"</p>
+
+<p>"They are certainly no angels."</p>
+
+<p>"Jack, if they should come back to Colby Hall, won't you be afraid that
+they will try to do something more to get you into trouble?"</p>
+
+<p>"More than likely they will; but I am not afraid of them."</p>
+
+<p>"We intend to keep our eyes wide open, and if Slugger or Nappy try any
+funny work, we'll jump on 'em like a ton of bricks," added Fred.</p>
+
+<p>Then the subject was changed, and a few minutes later the cadets bid the
+girls good-bye, promising to see them again if possible in the near
+future.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what, Jack, they are a pair of mighty fine girls," was
+Fred's comment, as he and his cousin skated back in the direction of the
+military academy.</p>
+
+<p>"I agree with you, Fred."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we could persuade Martha and Mary to go to Clearwater Hall,"
+went on the youngest Rover boy, wistfully. "I'd like first rate to have
+'em get better acquainted with May and get acquainted with the other
+girls there."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have to be careful how we write home<span class='pagenum'><a name="page31" id="page31">[Pg 31]</a></span> about it," cautioned his
+cousin. "If we aren't, they'll think we want them to come just on
+account of Ruth and May, and then they'll tease the life out of us."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, sure, we'll be careful! Just the same, it would be a fine boarding
+school for them. I don't think much of that fashionable private school
+where they are now going. Most of the girls there think more of how they
+are dressed and what dances they are learning than anything else."</p>
+
+<p>"By the way, do you think Spouter knows more about what Slugger and
+Nappy intend to do than he told?"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, perhaps he heard something, but didn't want to tell all of it for
+fear of alarming us."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think Spouter would do that. He knows well enough that we
+aren't afraid of that pair."</p>
+
+<p>"Just the same, Fred, if they do come back we'll have to keep our eyes
+wide open, for they surely will do their best to put one over on us, and
+any fellows who would be mean enough to do what they have done, wouldn't
+hesitate to do worse."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't understand why Colonel Colby is going to let them come back at
+all."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page32" id="page32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I suppose he feels that he ought to give them at least one more
+chance. He probably remembers how Dan Baxter acted toward our fathers
+and the colonel himself, as well as their chums, and how Baxter
+afterwards reformed."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that may be true. But when one fellow like Walt Baxter's father
+reforms, a dozen others remain as bad as ever, or grow worse. To my
+mind, there isn't much in the way of reform in Slugger Brown's make-up,
+or in Nappy Martell either."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I agree with you there. Slugger Brown is nothing short of a brute,
+and Nappy Martell is as sly and vicious as any fellow I ever ran up
+against. We'll certainly have to watch them when they get back here."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page33" id="page33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3>OUT HUNTING</h3>
+
+
+<p>After the excitement attending the skating races, matters moved along
+quietly at Colby Hall for several days. The Rover boys, as was their
+custom, paid close attention to their studies.</p>
+
+<p>"We've got to make a record for ourselves," was the way Jack put it. "If
+we don't, our folks may take it in their heads to send us to some other
+boarding school, thinking Colonel Colby is too easy with us."</p>
+
+<p>"And to take Jack away from this vicinity when he is getting so sweet on
+Ruth Steven&mdash;&mdash;" began Randy, when he was cut short by a book flung by
+his cousin, landing on his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"You cut out that talk, Randy!" cried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's talk about the weather," murmured Andy, who had passed to the
+window. "Say, fellows, do you know, I think it's going to snow!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! That means some fun snowballing!" cried Fred.</p>
+
+<p>The snow came down all that night, and in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="page34" id="page34">[Pg 34]</a></span> morning covered the
+ground to the depth of several inches. A great many of the cadets rushed
+out in glee, and half a dozen impromptu snowballing matches were soon in
+progress.</p>
+
+<p>It was almost time to go in for the morning session when several of the
+cadets noticed a figure, huddled up in a slouch hat and a heavy
+overcoat, coming up from behind the Hall toward a side door.</p>
+
+<p>"Here comes Bob Nixon!" yelled one of the cadets, mentioning the name of
+Colonel Colby's chauffeur. "Let's give him a volley."</p>
+
+<p>"Right you are!" exclaimed Andy gleefully.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop! Can't you see&mdash;&mdash;" commenced Jack, but before he could finish his
+sentence both Andy and Randy had let drive at the advancing figure. One
+snowball took the man in the shoulder and the other landed just below
+his left ear.</p>
+
+<p>"Here! here! what do you mean by such proceedings?" cried the attacked
+individual in great wrath, and then, as he held up his head and pushed
+back his slouch hat, all saw that it was Asa Lemm.</p>
+
+<p>"Great watermelons!" groaned Andy. "I thought sure it was Nixon!"</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it wasn't, and that's why I tried to stop you," said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, he's some mad," whispered Randy, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="page35" id="page35">[Pg 35]</a></span> the language teacher strode
+toward them. "I wonder what he'll do."</p>
+
+<p>"How dare you boys attack me?" roared Asa Lemm, as he shook his fist at
+the crowd. "How dare you do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was all a mistake, Mr. Lemm," said Randy meekly.</p>
+
+<p>"We didn't know it was you&mdash;really we didn't," came from Andy. "We
+thought it was Bob Nixon. He likes to snowball with us."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not believe a word of it!" cried the irate instructor. "How many
+of you threw at me?" he questioned, glaring at the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>To this there was no immediate answer, and then Randy stepped forward.</p>
+
+<p>"I did, for one," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"And so did I," came from his twin.</p>
+
+<p>"Anybody else?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. We were the only ones, Professor," answered Randy. "And I hope you
+will overlook it this time," he continued. "We did not know it was you."</p>
+
+<p>"Both of you report to me after school this afternoon," said the
+instructor harshly; and then without another word he turned and tramped
+off into the Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we are in for it, Andy," was Randy's dismal comment.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page36" id="page36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, he can't do any more than kill us," was the light-hearted
+reply of the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you want to be killed, Andy?" quizzed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"I know what he'll do," was Randy's comment. "He'll keep us both in and
+give us extra lessons to learn." And in this surmise the fun-loving
+Rover boy was correct. For their rashness in snowballing the teacher
+they were made to stay in after school for two afternoons, and in
+addition had two extra pages of Latin to translate.</p>
+
+<p>"He's a lemon, if ever there was one," was what Andy said after his
+punishment had come to an end. "Oh, wouldn't I just like to get square
+with him!"</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have to think something up, Andy," answered his twin.</p>
+
+<p>Following the first fall of snow, came another, but then the sun came
+out brightly, packing down the snow so that sleighing became quite
+popular.</p>
+
+<p>"If we only had a big sleigh up here, we could go and get the girls from
+Clearwater Hall and give them a ride," said Fred one day to Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"I was thinking we might hire a big sleigh in town some Saturday
+afternoon and do just that," answered his cousin. "I'll look into it the
+first chance I get."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page37" id="page37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Fred and Jack had not forgotten the sport they had had earlier in the
+season, when they had gone out with Frank Newberry and some others on a
+hunt for rabbits and other small game.</p>
+
+<p>"The hunting season is still open, Fred," said Jack one day. "What do
+you say if we ask Colonel Colby for permission to go out."</p>
+
+<p>"Suits me," answered his cousin quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think Andy and Randy would like to go, too?"</p>
+
+<p>"More than likely. They have been wanting to go ever since we brought
+down that game."</p>
+
+<p>When the subject was mentioned to the twins, they quickly agreed that it
+would be a fine thing if they could all obtain permission to go on a
+hunting trip the coming Saturday. Colonel Colby was appealed to without
+delay.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, boys, I have no objection to your going out," he said. "I know
+you all understand the use of firearms, and I know, also, that your
+fathers loved to go out in their day and hunt. And I did a little bit in
+that line myself," and he smiled faintly. "But I want you to be very
+careful in what you shoot at; and do your level best to keep out of
+trouble of all kinds," and he looked at Jack and Fred as he uttered the
+latter words.</p>
+
+<p>"Getting into trouble before, Colonel Colby, wasn't our fault," answered
+Jack quickly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page38" id="page38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I know that."</p>
+
+<p>"By the way, Colonel Colby, if it isn't asking too much, would you mind
+letting us know if Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell are really going to
+return here?" questioned Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"They have asked for permission to come back&mdash;at least, their parents
+have asked for them&mdash;and I have the matter under consideration,"
+answered the master of the Hall. He gazed questioningly at the Rovers.
+"I meant to mention this subject to you, and I am glad you have brought
+it up. In one way, I don't feel like having them here; but in another
+way I should like to give them another chance in case they feel like
+turning over a new leaf and making a fresh start. What do you boys think
+of it?"</p>
+
+<p>For a moment all of the Rover boys were silent, looking at each other
+questioningly. Then the others showed that they expected Jack to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you want my candid opinion, it's just this, Colonel Colby,"
+said the oldest Rover boy earnestly. "Personally I would much prefer to
+have Brown and Martell stay away from Colby Hall. But if you think they
+ought to be given another chance to make good here, why, I am sure I'm
+not going to stand in their way. Just the same, if they do come here,
+I'm going to<span class='pagenum'><a name="page39" id="page39">[Pg 39]</a></span> watch them pretty closely so that they won't be able to
+play any more of their dirty tricks."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not blame you for watching them, Rover. After what happened to
+you and your Cousin Fred, it is no more than right that you should be on
+your guard. Yet, I trust that you will give Brown and Martell a chance
+to prove themselves, provided they really do want to turn over a new
+leaf and make amends for what has happened."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we'll give them plenty of chances to make good if it is in them;
+won't we?" and Jack turned to his cousins.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure!" came in a chorus.</p>
+
+<p>"Then that is settled, and I am glad of it. Now you have my permission
+to go on your hunting trip, and I trust you will bring down all the
+small game you desire. But, as I said before, be very careful. So far, I
+have allowed all of my pupils to go out hunting whenever they have so
+desired, and without any accidents happening. I don't want to break that
+record." And with these words the master of the Hall dismissed them.</p>
+
+<p>This conversation took place on Thursday evening, and all day Friday the
+boys were anxiously looking forward to the proposed outing and wondering
+what the weather would prove to be.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page40" id="page40">[Pg 40]</a></span> They obtained permission to take
+two small rifles and two double-barreled shotguns belonging to the
+institution, and these they cleaned and oiled so that they would be in
+prime condition.</p>
+
+<p>Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, and the four Rovers obtained
+their breakfast as early as the rules of the school permitted. Then,
+with game bags and guns slung over their shoulders, they set out on
+their skates up the lake shore and then along the Rick Rack River, the
+wind of the day previous having cleared large portions of the ice of
+snow.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, let's have a race!" cried Andy gleefully. Had he not been on
+his skates he would have attempted a handspring in the exuberance of his
+spirits.</p>
+
+<p>"No racing to-day!" warned Jack. "You save your breath, Andy. We expect
+to skate and tramp a good many miles to-day before we get back to the
+school."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, just as you say," answered his cousin, and then he began
+some horseplay with Fred, which came to a sudden end when the youngest
+Rover tripped him up and sent him plunging into a snowbank on the side
+of the narrow stream.</p>
+
+<p>"Now let up, I tell you!" warned Jack. "You never want to try any
+horseplay when you are<span class='pagenum'><a name="page41" id="page41">[Pg 41]</a></span> tramping or skating along with a loaded gun.
+It's too dangerous. Remember what Colonel Colby said," and then Andy
+sobered down a little.</p>
+
+<p>All too soon for the boys, the skating on the river came to an end.
+Beyond, the stream was little better than a rocky watercourse, now
+thickly covered with ice and snow.</p>
+
+<p>"Why can't we leave our skates here until we come back?" suggested
+Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"We could if we were sure we were going to return this way," answered
+Jack. "But we had better take them along, for we may return to the Hall
+by an entirely different route. We'll place our skates in our game bags
+for the present;" and this advice was followed.</p>
+
+<p>After this the Rover boys trudged along through the woods bordering the
+stream. Soon they came upon some rabbit tracks, and less than a minute
+later Jack suddenly raised his double-barreled shotgun and blazed away.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! you've got him!" cried Fred, and all of the boys rushed forward
+to where the game lay&mdash;a big, fat rabbit.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Jack, you're the lucky one!" cried Andy. "Now you know what you
+promised?" he added.</p>
+
+<p>"All right&mdash;it's your turn now to have the shotgun," answered his
+cousin, for that was the bargain which had been made. "I'll carry the
+rifle."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page42" id="page42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>On and on went the young hunters, getting deeper and deeper into the
+woods. Here they managed to stir up more game, and Andy had the pleasure
+of bringing down the second rabbit, while the others laid low several
+squirrels.</p>
+
+<p>"This is pretty rough ground around here," remarked Jack, after they had
+wound in and out around some exceedingly rough rocks and through some
+thick underbrush.</p>
+
+<p>"We had better keep close to this stream," was Randy's suggestion. "If
+we don't, we may become hopelessly lost in these woods."</p>
+
+<p>"Huh! I guess we could find our way out sooner or later," retorted his
+twin. To Andy, getting lost in the woods would seem nothing more than a
+big joke.</p>
+
+<p>The young hunters continued to advance, and, during the course of the
+next hour, brought down several more rabbits, and also another squirrel.
+Then, just as Andy had handed back one of the shotguns to Jack and the
+weapon had been reloaded, they heard a strange noise coming from back of
+some bushes not a great distance away.</p>
+
+<p>"Now what do you suppose that is?" whispered Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I know, Fred," was Jack's reply; "and if I am right, get ready
+to fire as soon as I do."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page43" id="page43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The two boys with the shotguns went in advance, and soon reached a point
+where they could look beyond the bushes. Then came a sudden whirr, and
+up into the air went a small flock of pheasants.</p>
+
+<p>Bang! bang! rang out Jack's fowling piece, and bang! bang! came the
+report of Fred's firearm.</p>
+
+<p>The strange whirring continued, but then three of the birds were seen to
+drop to the ground, one dead and the other two seriously wounded.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! we've got three of them!" cried Fred excitedly, and then ran
+forward, to quickly put the wounded birds out of their misery.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, that's some luck!" exclaimed Randy. "If I&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Randy stopped short, and so did some of the others who had started to
+speak. A strange sound from a distance had reached their ears.</p>
+
+<p>"Help! help!" came in a low cry. "Help! For heaven's sake, somebody come
+and help me!"</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page44" id="page44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3>UNCLE BARNEY STEVENSON</h3>
+
+<p>"What is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's somebody calling for help!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's a man's voice; and he must be in pretty bad shape to call like
+that!" burst out Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello there!" yelled Randy. "Where are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Here! Under the fallen tree!" came in a faint cry. "Help me, quick!"</p>
+
+<p>"I think the cry came from that direction," said Andy, pointing with his
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>"And I think it came from over there," added his twin, pointing off at a
+right angle to the first direction given.</p>
+
+<p>"I think Andy is right!" exclaimed Jack. "Anyway, he and I can go off in
+that direction, while you, Randy, and Fred can see if you can locate him
+over yonder."</p>
+
+<p>Neither of the boys had been exactly right in locating the cry for
+assistance, which had come from a point about midway between the two<span class='pagenum'><a name="page45" id="page45">[Pg 45]</a></span>
+places suggested, but it was Jack who saw a large fallen tree from a
+distance and ran quickly toward it, yelling for all of the others to do
+likewise.</p>
+
+<p>The sight which met their gaze filled them with a pity and a strong
+desire to be of assistance. There, in the snow, lay an elderly man, clad
+in the garb of a hunter or lumberman, with a shotgun and a well-worn
+game bag beside him. Over the man's legs and one outstretched arm,
+rested the upper portion of a large pine tree, which had evidently
+crashed down because of the weight of snow upon it but a short time
+before. The man lay on his chest, and it was all he could do to raise
+his head to cry for aid.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, this is tough!" exclaimed Andy, as he reached the spot. "What can
+we do to help him?"</p>
+
+<p>"We've got to pry up that tree somehow," answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on; let us see if we can't lift it!" exclaimed Randy, and took
+hold of one of the numerous branches.</p>
+
+<p>The others did the same, and all pulled upon the tree with their utmost
+strength. Yet, it was too heavy for them and could scarcely be budged.</p>
+
+<p>"We've got to get some kind of pry and pry it up," announced Jack. "I
+wish we had brought a hatchet along. I meant to bring one, so that we
+could make firewood, but I forgot it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page46" id="page46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Help me! Help me!" moaned the man. "Don't leave me here pinned down
+like this;" and then he seemed to faint.</p>
+
+<p>Alarmed by the condition of the sufferer, the boys ran around the spot
+looking for something which might aid them in releasing the man. They
+found several flat stones, and then discovered a sapling which they
+succeeded in pulling up by the roots. Piling up the flat stones close to
+the fallen tree, they placed the sapling upon them, using it as a lever,
+and by this means Jack and the twins managed to raise the fallen pine
+just high enough to allow Fred to haul the hurt man from under it. Then
+they let the pine slip back to its original position.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks to me as if he might have his two legs broken, and maybe his
+arm," announced Jack, after they had placed the man on his back with his
+head raised on some pine boughs stripped from the trees. The sufferer's
+eyes were closed, and he breathed heavily.</p>
+
+<p>"We ought to get a doctor for him just as soon as possible," said Randy.
+"But where to go for one, excepting back to Haven Point, I don't know."</p>
+
+<p>While the young hunters were wondering what they had better do, the man
+slowly opened his eyes and gave a gasp.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page47" id="page47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Help me! Please help me!" he cried feebly.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't excite yourself, you're all right now," answered Jack kindly.
+"Take it easy. We'll do what we can for you."</p>
+
+<p>The man had closed his eyes again, but now he opened them and tried to
+look around him.</p>
+
+<p>"You got me clear of the fallen tree, did you?" he murmured. "Good! I
+was afraid I'd have to stay there until I froze to death."</p>
+
+<p>"How about it? Can you use your left arm?" questioned Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. I guess so," answered the man, and then tried to raise
+the arm in question. He held it up for a few seconds, but then let it
+drop heavily by his side.</p>
+
+<p>"It's pretty well lamed I reckon," he said. "You see, I had it right
+under one of the tree limbs."</p>
+
+<p>"What about your legs? Can you move them at all?" went on the oldest
+Rover boy. He did not have the heart to mention that the man's lower
+limbs might be broken.</p>
+
+<p>Feebly, the man raised up first one leg and then the other. The limbs
+had not been broken, but they were much bruised and swollen, and the
+movements caused the sufferer to give a groan.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid I'm done up so far as walking is concerned," he said
+dolefully. "You see, I'm get<span class='pagenum'><a name="page48" id="page48">[Pg 48]</a></span>ting old," he went on. "If I was a younger
+man, maybe this wouldn't affect me quite so much. But as it is&mdash;&mdash;" He
+shook his head dismally.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess you had better let us carry you out of the woods," said Jack.
+"You can't walk, and you certainly can't stay here alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know where the nearest house is located?" questioned Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me see&mdash;&mdash;" The man mused for a moment, shutting his eyes while he
+did so. "Unless I'm greatly mistaken, Bill Hobson lives on the edge of
+the woods just to the north of this spot."</p>
+
+<p>"Is he a farmer?" questioned Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"No, he's a lumberman, like myself," was the reply. The man looked from
+one to another of the youths. "May I ask who you are?"</p>
+
+<p>"We're the Rover boys," answered the oldest of the four. "I am Jack
+Rover, and these are my cousins, Fred, Andy, and Randy."</p>
+
+<p>"Glad to know you, boys; and doubly glad to think you were up in this
+section of the woods just when I had this accident. I sha'n't forget
+your kindness. My name is Stevenson, but most all the folks that know me
+call me Uncle Barney. I take it from your uniforms that you belong at
+Colby Hall."</p>
+
+<p>"We do," answered Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't belong in this neighborhood. I just<span class='pagenum'><a name="page49" id="page49">[Pg 49]</a></span> came over early this
+morning to see what the hunting looked like around here. My home is on
+Snowshoe Island, in the middle of Lake Monona, about ten miles north of
+here."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you had better rest on some of these pine boughs while some of
+us try to locate the Bill Hobson you mentioned," said Jack. "Can you
+point out the general direction of his place?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's up along this mountain stream," and Barney Stevenson indicated the
+Rick Rack River. "You just follow that watercourse for about a quarter
+of a mile, and I'm pretty sure you'll come to it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you're sure it's along this stream, we might as well try to
+get you there first as last," announced Randy. He turned to his cousins.
+"Why can't we take turns in carrying him, either on our backs or on a
+litter?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think we had better try to make some sort of litter of pine boughs,"
+answered Jack. "It will be much easier for the four of us to do the
+carrying than for one."</p>
+
+<p>"I've got a hatchet in my game bag, and you can cut some pine boughs
+with that. And you will find some cord in my game bag, too."</p>
+
+<p>"How did the accident happen, if I may ask?" questioned Randy, while
+Jack began to trim several large boughs from the fallen pine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page50" id="page50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It came quicker'n lightning," was the old lumberman's answer. "I had
+just spotted a fine, fat rabbit, and was taking aim, when, without
+warning, the tree gave a sudden snap like the report of a gun, and down
+it came right on top of me. Of course, I tried to jump out of the way,
+but my foot caught on a tree root, or a rock, or something, and down I
+went, and the next minute the tree came down on top of me, right across
+my legs and my left arm, like when you found me. I tried to pull myself
+loose, but my legs and my arm seemed to be wedged down between the tree
+and some stones, and I couldn't budge nary a one of 'em."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess you can be thankful that you didn't break your arm or your
+legs."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose that's true, my boy. Just the same, I suppose this will lay
+me up for a week or two, and maybe longer," answered Barney Stevenson,
+dubiously.</p>
+
+<p>Having cut several pine boughs that looked as if they might answer the
+purpose, the four boys lost no time in twisting them together and then
+tying them into a rude litter. Across this they laid additional pine
+boughs, and upon these placed the form of the hurt man. When they moved
+him he shut his teeth hard, evidently to keep from crying out with
+pain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page51" id="page51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I know it must hurt you, Mr. Stevenson," said Jack kindly. "We'll be
+just as careful as possible."</p>
+
+<p>"I know you'll be, my lads. I suppose I ought to have a doctor, but if I
+can get to Bill Hobson's cabin, I guess I'll be all right. Bill will
+most likely have some liniment, and that will fix me up."</p>
+
+<p>With the old lumberman resting on the litter and the four youths
+carrying this as carefully as possible, the party made its way along the
+Rick Rack River, which at this point was little better than a mountain
+torrent. They had considerable difficulty in climbing over the rocks and
+in making their way through the heavy brushwood, but finally they came
+out to a cleared space, beyond which there were only scattered patches
+of trees.</p>
+
+<p>"I see some smoke!" cried Fred presently.</p>
+
+<p>"That must be the smoke from Bill Hobson's place," announced the old
+lumberman, and then he closed his eyes once more and lay back on the
+litter, for the pain he was suffering was great.</p>
+
+<p>Keeping on in the direction where they had seen the smoke, they soon
+came in sight of a fairly large cabin with a lean-to attached. They
+marched up to the place, and Jack rapped upon the door, which was opened
+a moment later by a burly man, well along in years.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page52" id="page52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What do you want?" began the man, and then looked past Jack to the
+litter and the old lumberman lying on it. "What's this? Why, it's Uncle
+Barney, I declare! What's happened?"</p>
+
+<p>"I got hurt by a falling tree, Bill," was the reply. "And if it hadn't
+been for these cadets, I might be layin' down in the woods yet."</p>
+
+<p>"He is quite a bit hurt," explained Jack. "You had better let us carry
+him in and place him on a couch or a bed of some kind."</p>
+
+<p>"Surest thing you know, young man," answered Bill Hobson. "Fetch him
+right in," and he turned to make a bunk ready for the sufferer.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately the cabin was well warmed, so that as soon as they had
+Barney Stevenson safe inside, they lost no time in taking off some of
+his clothing and examining his hurts. The other old lumberman, assisted
+by Jack, did this, and Hobson examined the condition of his friend with
+care.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't see that anything is broken," he announced; "but those bruises
+are pretty bad. I think I'll bathe 'em with hot water, and then put on
+some liniment and bind 'em up."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I'll have to stay right where I am for a spell, Bill," said the
+hurt man.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what, Uncle Barney. And you're welcome to stay as long as you
+please," announced<span class='pagenum'><a name="page53" id="page53">[Pg 53]</a></span> the owner of the cabin. The boys had brought along
+the old lumberman's game bag and shotgun.</p>
+
+<p>Bill Hobson wanted to know the particulars of the affair, and the Rover
+boys related how they had come up into the woods to hunt and heard
+Barney Stevenson's cries for assistance, and how they had liberated him
+and brought him along on the litter.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm very thankful indeed to you," said Barney Stevenson, and his face
+showed his gratitude. "If I can ever do you boys a good turn, believe
+me, I'll do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you say you lived on Snowshoe Island?" queried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"I've heard of the place, but I don't know exactly where it is located
+or why they call it Snowshoe Island."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a big island located almost in the middle of Lake Monona,"
+answered the old lumberman. "I own the place, and it's called Snowshoe
+Island because some years ago a number of Indians lived on it and made
+their living by making snowshoes. The Indians are all gone now."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess, Uncle Barney, you've lived on that island a good number of
+years," put in Bill Hobson.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page54" id="page54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Twelve years coming this Christmas," was the reply. "I went there the
+day after my wife was buried," and the old lumberman's face clouded as
+if the memory of what had happened was still bitter.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you do any lumbering there?" questioned Randy, more to change the
+subject than for any other reason.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes; I do quite some lumbering during the season. I have a firm in
+the city that sends up there every year for all the stuff I cut. At this
+time of year. I like to go out hunting. It's the one sport that I
+thoroughly enjoy. And I reckon you boys enjoy it, too, or you wouldn't
+be out with your guns."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we like to go hunting once in a while."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, now, listen to me, boys. You saved my life out there in the
+woods, and if I was real well off, I'd try to reward you for it. But, as
+it is&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"We don't want any reward," broke in Jack quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"I know you don't&mdash;you're not that kind. And I'm not going to offend you
+by offering it. Just the same, if you ever feel like coming over to
+Snowshoe Island and paying me a visit, I'll treat you as well as I know
+how."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe we might be able to go over there and<span class='pagenum'><a name="page55" id="page55">[Pg 55]</a></span> do some hunting some
+time," suggested Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you come over some time and stay a few days or a week with me, and
+I'll give you the best time hunting I can," answered Barney Stevenson.</p>
+
+<p>"By the way, Mr. Stevenson," said Jack curiously, "do you know a Mr.
+Frederic Stevenson?" Jack had learned from Ruth that that was her
+father's name.</p>
+
+<p>At this unexpected question, the old lumberman opened wide his eyes and
+glared at the young cadet.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know him&mdash;very well," he growled. "But I don't want to hear
+anything about him&mdash;not a word! Is he a friend of yours?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is the father of one of the young ladies who is a pupil at
+Clearwater Hall."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I see! Humph! Well, I don't want to hear anything about Fred
+Stevenson, and if you want to be friends with me, you needn't mention
+his name to me again," went on the old lumberman, much to the surprise
+of the Rover boys.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page56" id="page56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3>DEEP IN THE WOODS</h3>
+
+<p>"What do you suppose was the reason that old lumberman didn't want to
+hear Mr. Stevenson's name mentioned?" questioned Randy of Jack, about
+half an hour later, when the four cadets were tramping through the woods
+again to resume their hunting.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure I don't know, Randy," was the slow reply. "Evidently he was
+very bitter over something."</p>
+
+<p>"Having the same name, it looks to me as if this Uncle Barney, as they
+call him, might be some relative of Ruth's family," said Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"More than likely."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he's some cast-off relation, who got into trouble with them and
+then took himself off to that Snowshoe Island," was Fred's comment.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd have asked him some more questions if he hadn't acted so ugly about
+it," went on Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. But he seemed to be a very nice sort of man otherwise," put in
+Andy quickly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page57" id="page57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I agree with you there." Jack gave a little sigh. "There must be some
+mystery to it."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you ask Ruth about it some time?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will, when I get a good chance to do it. Of course, if it's some sort
+of family affair, I'm not going to butt in."</p>
+
+<p>Before the Rover boys had left the cabin of Bill Hobson, they had been
+assured by old Uncle Barney that he was feeling fairly comfortable and
+that the owner of the place would look after him until he recovered.
+Barney Stevenson had mentioned Snowshoe Island several times, and had
+told the boys again that he was sorry he could not reward them for
+coming to his assistance, but that if they ever cared to visit his
+island, he would do his best to make them feel at home and show them
+where the best hunting in that vicinity was to be had. He had also
+mentioned the fact that there was a vacant cabin close to his own on the
+island, and that they would be welcome to camp out there at any time
+they chose to do so.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to visit his place some time," said Fred, "just to see how the
+old fellow lives. I'll bet he's got quite a comfortable outfit there."</p>
+
+<p>"He may live in very queer style," returned Randy. "According to what he
+says, and what that Bill Hobson told me, he must be a good deal of a
+hermit."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page58" id="page58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he committed some sort of crime and the other Stevensons cast him
+off," suggested Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I can't think that! He didn't look to be a criminal," returned
+Jack. "Don't you remember what he said about taking up his residence on
+the island after his wife died? Maybe that loss made him feel as if he
+didn't want to mingle with the rest of the world."</p>
+
+<p>The boys talked the matter over for some time, but could reach no
+conclusion whatever regarding the way the old lumberman had acted when
+Frederic Stevenson's name had been mentioned. Then, however, they
+stirred up some more squirrels and rabbits, and in the excitement of the
+chase that subject, for the time being, was forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>They had brought a lunch with them, and at noon they found a convenient
+spot and there built a small campfire, over which they made themselves a
+can of hot chocolate, and this, with some sandwiches and some doughnuts,
+constituted the repast. Andy wanted to take time to clean a couple of
+the squirrels and cook them, but Jack and the others were afraid this
+would take too long, and so the idea had to be abandoned.</p>
+
+<p>"Gee! but this tramping through the woods gives a fellow an appetite!"
+cried Andy, after he<span class='pagenum'><a name="page59" id="page59">[Pg 59]</a></span> had eaten his second sandwich and his third
+doughnut. "I could eat a whole rabbit or a squirrel myself." And then,
+feeling in fine fettle, he proceeded to pull himself up on a near-by
+tree limb and "skin the cat," as it is called by acrobatic boys.</p>
+
+<p>"You look out, young man, that you don't tumble down on your head,"
+warned Jack. "This ground around here is frozen pretty hard."</p>
+
+<p>"If I tumble, I know where I'll land," cried Andy gleefully; and,
+swinging himself back and forth on the tree limb, he suddenly let go and
+came down straight on Jack's shoulders. Both went down in the snow, and
+there rolled over and over, each trying to get the better of the other.
+Then Fred commenced to snowball the fallen pair, and Randy joined in;
+and a moment later there began a snowball fight on the part of all four
+which lasted about ten minutes.</p>
+
+<p>"Cease firing!" cried Fred at last, as he dug some of the snow out of
+his left ear. "If this is going to be a snowballing contest, all right;
+but I thought we were out to do some hunting."</p>
+
+<p>"Fred surrenders, and the war is over!" cried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Hoist the milk-blue flag and call it off!" burst out Andy gleefully.
+"Throw the snowballs into the ice-cream freezer and season to taste!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page60" id="page60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After that the four young hunters packed up their belongings and saw to
+it that the campfire was completely extinguished. Then they continued on
+their tramp in the vicinity of the Rick Rack River.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm getting tired of hanging around this watercourse," said Fred
+finally. "I believe the reports of our guns have driven all the
+remaining game away. Why can't we strike off into the woods yonder and
+come in on the other side of Haven Point?"</p>
+
+<p>They noted the position of the sun with care, and then struck off at
+right angles to the river. Soon they found themselves going up hill and
+presently struck a lumberman's trail leading down in the direction of
+the town. Here, however, after two hours of hunting, they failed to find
+any game whatever.</p>
+
+<p>"We didn't improve things by coming over here," grumbled Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I guess we had better be thinking of getting back to the school,"
+said Jack, as he consulted his watch. They had been told that they must
+return in time for the evening meal.</p>
+
+<p>"All right, I'm ready to go," came from Fred. "Gosh! I wish I had a
+horse to ride, or something." The many miles of tramping had wearied him
+greatly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page61" id="page61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"My left foot is beginning to hurt me a little," put in Randy. "I
+slipped on the rocks this morning when we were carrying that old Uncle
+Barney. I didn't think much of it at the time, but now it's growing
+quite lame."</p>
+
+<p>"You can walk on it, can't you?" questioned Jack anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, I can walk; but I can't go any too fast&mdash;or any too far,
+either."</p>
+
+<p>The boys had done their best to keep track of where they were going, and
+now they turned in what they thought was the direction of Haven Point.
+But, as my young readers may have heard, it is an easy matter to lose
+one's sense of direction in the woods, and before they knew it, they
+found themselves in a locality that was entirely strange to them.</p>
+
+<p>"We don't seem to be getting much closer to town," announced Fred
+presently. "I don't see a farmhouse of any sort in sight."</p>
+
+<p>They had gone but a short distance when they stirred up several more
+rabbits, and had the pleasure of bringing two of the creatures down.
+Then they came to a small clearing, and beyond this some farm fields.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we must be getting to somewhere," announced Randy; and a few
+minutes later a turn of the road brought them in sight of a farmhouse.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="page62" id="page62">[Pg 62]</a></span>Here they saw a farmer coming from a cowshed with a pail of foaming
+milk, and accosted him.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure, you're on the road to Haven Point," answered the farmer, in reply
+to their question. "It's about two miles and a half from here. But do
+you want to go to the Point or to Colby Hall?" he went on, noticing
+their uniforms.</p>
+
+<p>"We want to get to the Hall&mdash;and by as short a route as possible,"
+answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Then the best thing you lads can do is to come right through my lane
+here and go across the back field. Then you will come out on the road
+that runs from the Hall to Carwell. I guess you know that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes; we know that road," returned Randy.</p>
+
+<p>The cadets thanked the farmer for his information, and lost no time in
+following his directions. Soon they came out on the other highway, and
+then started forward as rapidly as their somewhat weary legs would
+permit.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached the vicinity of Colby Hall Jack found, by again
+consulting his watch, that they were almost three-quarters of an hour
+late.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's see if we can't slide in without any of the teachers seeing us,"
+suggested Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know that we've got to do that, Andy," returned Jack. "We
+haven't done anything wrong."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page63" id="page63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, we are late, and you know some of the teachers won't stand for
+that."</p>
+
+<p>"We had permission to go hunting, and we couldn't help it getting lost
+up there in the woods," answered his twin.</p>
+
+<p>They were just about to enter one of the side doors of the Hall, when it
+was flung open and they found themselves confronted by one of the
+younger teachers, accompanied by Professor Lemm. They stepped to one
+side to let the teachers pass.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, as I remarked before, Tompkins, unless you have strict discipline
+in that class&mdash;&mdash;" Asa Lemm was saying, when, of a sudden, he happened
+to glance at the cadets and recognized the Rovers. "What are you doing
+here? Where have you been?" he demanded, coming to an abrupt halt.</p>
+
+<p>"We've been out hunting, sir," answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Hunting, eh?" And as was usual with him, Asa Lemm drew down the corners
+of his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"We had permission from Colonel Colby to go," put in Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, well, in that case&mdash;&mdash;" Asa Lemm paused for a moment. "Did he say
+you could stay out as late as this?" he added suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"We had permission to stay out until supper time," answered Jack.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page64" id="page64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Don't you know it is an hour after that time now, Rover?"</p>
+
+<p>"Three-quarters of an hour, Professor. We might have been on time, only
+my cousin here slipped on the rocks and hurt his ankle, and that has
+delayed us a little."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! always some excuse! You boys have got to learn to be on time.
+You'll never get through life unless you are punctual. I shall mention
+the fact of your being late to Colonel Colby. Now go in at once, and if
+you are too late to get anything to eat, it will be your own fault;" and
+thus speaking, Asa Lemm moved on with the other teacher.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but he's the sourest old lemon that ever grew!" was Andy's comment.</p>
+
+<p>"You never said anything truer than that, Andy," answered his twin.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page65" id="page65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3>AN UNEXPECTED MEETING</h3>
+
+<p>"Say, fellows, did you ever hear this song?"</p>
+
+<p>It was Ned Lowe who spoke. He sat in one of the rooms belonging to the
+Rovers. On his knee rested a mandolin which he had been strumming
+furiously for the past ten minutes.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure we've heard it, Ned!" cried Andy. "What is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"For gracious sake, Ned! why don't you let up?" cried Fred, who was in
+the next room trying his best to study. "How in the world is a fellow
+going to do an example in algebra with you singing about good times on
+the old plantation?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is right, Ned. Why don't you sing about good times in the
+classroom when Asa Lemm is there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Gee Christopher! what's the use of your throwing cold water on this
+camp meeting?" came from Walt Baxter, who sat on the edge of the bed
+munching an apple.</p>
+
+<p>"Really, it's a shame the way you young gen<span class='pagenum'><a name="page66" id="page66">[Pg 66]</a></span>tlemen attempt to choke off
+Ned's efforts to please this congregation!" exclaimed Spouter Powell,
+who sat in an easy chair with his feet resting on the edge of a
+chiffonier. "Now, when a man's soul is overflowing with harmony, and
+beautiful thoughts are coursing through his cranium, and he is doing his
+utmost to bring pleasure&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! Spouter is at it again! Somebody choke him off!" cried Randy, and
+catching up a pillow, he threw it at the head of the cadet who loved to
+make long speeches.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, fellows, why won't some of you let me get a word in edgeways?"
+came from Dan Soppinger, who stood with his back against the door
+leading to the hall. "I've been wanting to ask you a question for the
+last ten minutes. Who of you can tell me the names of the fifth, tenth,
+and fifteenth presidents of our country?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, baby!" wailed Andy, throwing up his hands in comic despair. "Dan is
+worse than either Spouter or Ned."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you were going to put a padlock on that question box of
+yours, Dan," remarked Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll bet there isn't one of you can answer my question," retorted Dan
+Soppinger.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure! I can answer it!" returned Andy readily. "What was that question?
+Who was the first laundryman in Chicago?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page67" id="page67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No; I said, who were the fifth, the tenth, and the fifteenth&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I remember now&mdash;the fifth, tenth and fifteenth discoverers of the
+North Pole. That's easy, Dan. The fifth was Julius C&aelig;sar, the tenth,
+Benjamin Frank&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"See here! I didn't say a word about the North Pole discoverers!"
+ejaculated the Human Question Box. "I said the fifth, tenth and
+fifteenth&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Men to find out how to manufacture oleomargarine out of pure butter,"
+finished Andy. "Now that's a purely scientific problem, Dan, not an
+ordinary question. You want to take three pounds of oleomargarine and
+divide them by two pounds of unadulterated butter, then&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"For gracious sake! has that boy gone crazy?" cried Dan Soppinger in
+despair. "I come over here and ask an ordinary question in history&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"How do we know it's an ordinary question in history?" broke in Randy.
+"The five, ten and fifteen sounds like a problem in higher arithmetic."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Dan, just forgive me for what I said, and I'll send you the answer
+day after yesterday on a postal card," announced Andy mournfully. "And
+I'll prepay the postage, too. Now, be a good boy, Son, and run along,
+and maybe some time papa will buy you a lemon stick," and at this<span class='pagenum'><a name="page68" id="page68">[Pg 68]</a></span>
+remark there was a general laugh, in the midst of which Dan Soppinger
+threw up his hands, turned and left the room.</p>
+
+<p>It was several days after the hunting expedition, and the Rover boys had
+settled down once more to their studies. This was the off hour in the
+evening, and, as was usual, a number of their friends had dropped in to
+see them.</p>
+
+<p>"Only three weeks more to the winter holidays," announced Gif presently.
+"What are you fellows going to do with yours?"</p>
+
+<p>"We haven't decided yet, Gif, any further than that we're going home,"
+answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"If you feel like it, you had better come and pay me a visit. I know my
+folks would be only too glad to have you."</p>
+
+<p>"And we'd be glad to have you come down to New York and stay with us,
+Gif," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>During the days that had gone by since the hunt, the Rover boys had had
+several little differences with Professor Lemm. The teacher had spoken
+to Colonel Colby about their coming in late, but the master of the Hall
+had passed this matter over as being of no importance, somewhat to Asa
+Lemm's chagrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how I love that man!" had been Andy's comment.</p>
+
+<p>The weather had remained clear, but on Thurs<span class='pagenum'><a name="page69" id="page69">[Pg 69]</a></span>day of that week came
+another fall of snow, and by Friday this was in good condition for
+sleighing.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if we can't get up a sleighing party for Saturday afternoon
+and take out some of the girls from Clearwater Hall?" said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"We ought to be able to get some sort of box-sled down at the Haven
+Point livery stable," answered Randy. "Suppose we call the liveryman up
+on the 'phone and see what he has to say, and then call up the girls?"</p>
+
+<p>This was done without delay, and, as a result, it was arranged that the
+liveryman should call at the school early Saturday afternoon for the
+four boys and some of their chums, bringing with him a large box-sled
+drawn by four horses. Then the boys were to get the girls, and all were
+to take a ride until the supper hour. It was arranged that the four
+Rovers should go on the ride, and also Spouter Powell, Gif Garrison,
+Fatty Hendry, and some others.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, Fatty, we really ought to make you pay double price,"
+remarked Andy to the fat boy, when the arrangements were being made.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing doing," grunted Fatty. "I don't weigh a bit more than Spouter
+or Gif."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, not at all&mdash;only about sixty pounds more!" remarked Gif.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page70" id="page70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Some of the girls attending Clearwater Hall had stated that they wished
+to do a little shopping in Haven Point before going on the ride, and so
+all had promised to meet the boys in front of the moving picture
+theater, which was a resort well-known to all of them.</p>
+
+<p>"Now if the weather only remains good, we ought to have a peach of a
+time," announced Randy, after all the arrangements had been settled.</p>
+
+<p>The weather remained good, and promptly on time the liveryman drove up
+to the entrance of the Hall with his big box-sled, which he had filled
+with straw and robes. Into the sled piled the boys, Fatty Hendry
+perching himself up on the front seat beside the driver.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the lads had provided themselves with tin horns, and they set
+off on the trip with a grand flourish, a number of the cadets left
+behind gazing after them wistfully. But these lads were not utterly
+disconsolate, for the reason that skating and coasting were now both
+very good around the school.</p>
+
+<p>The horses pulling the box-sled were fine animals, and in a short space
+of time they jangled merrily into Haven Point, the boys blowing their
+horns loudly to attract attention.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, Ruth Stevenson and May<span class='pagenum'><a name="page71" id="page71">[Pg 71]</a></span> Powell, accompanied by Alice
+Strobell, Annie Larkins, and some of their chums from Clearwater Hall,
+had arrived in the town and gone to several of the stores on various
+errands. Then, a few minutes before the time appointed for meeting the
+cadets, they hurried over in the direction of the moving picture
+theater.</p>
+
+<p>Several of the girls went into a drugstore close to the theater, leaving
+Ruth and May standing on the sidewalk, looking at the various gaudy
+billboards which were displayed there. The girls were discussing the
+picture of a well-known moving-picture actress, when suddenly Ruth felt
+some one touch her arm. Turning, she found herself confronted by a tall,
+heavy-set youth, rather loudly dressed, and accompanied by another boy,
+wearing a fur cap and fur-lined overcoat.</p>
+
+<p>"Excuse me, but this is Miss Ruth Stevenson, I believe?" said the big
+youth, with a broad smile on his coarse face.</p>
+
+<p>Ruth was not at all pleased by being thus addressed, for she had
+recognized the fellow as Slugger Brown, and also recognized Nappy
+Martell. Nappy raised his cap and bowed pleasantly, both to her and to
+May.</p>
+
+<p>"We just got back to Haven Point," said Slugger Brown smoothly. "Been
+away a short while, you know."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page72" id="page72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And we thought we would go into the movies before going back to
+school," put in Nappy Martell. "Were you going in, too? If you were,
+let's go in together. I'll get the tickets," and he opened his coat to
+thrust his fingers into his vest pocket and bring forth a small roll of
+bills.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, we are not going into the theater," answered May stiffly.
+She did not like either Slugger or Nappy, and was sorry the pair had
+shown themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"How about it?" broke out Slugger, taking hold of Ruth's arm in a
+decidedly familiar way. "Let's go in. You've got time enough."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, but we have something else to do, Mr. Brown," responded Ruth
+icily.</p>
+
+<p>"You can't do much outside on a cold day like this," went on the bully.
+"Come on in&mdash;I'm sure it's nice and warm in there, and they've got some
+dandy pictures. Come ahead."</p>
+
+<p>"Sure!" broke out Nappy. "I'll get the tickets," and he took several
+steps toward the ticket booth.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, but I said I didn't want to go with you," said May, quite
+loudly and with flashing eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"We pick our company when we go anywhere," added Ruth, giving Slugger
+Brown a look which would almost have annihilated any ordinary boy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page73" id="page73">[Pg 73]</a></span> But
+the bully was proof against anything of that sort.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you needn't get on your high horse about it, Ruth Stevenson," he
+sneered. "Some day maybe you'll be glad to go to a show with me."</p>
+
+<p>"If you won't go, I guess there are other girls just as good, and maybe
+better," added Nappy Martell, not knowing what else to say.</p>
+
+<p>It was at this moment that the big box-sled containing the cadets hove
+into sight. With a flourish, the driver drew up to the curb with the
+boys tooting loudly on their tin horns, but this salute came to a sudden
+end when the lads caught sight of their former schoolmates.</p>
+
+<p>"Look who's here, will you!" ejaculated Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell," murmured Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, they are talking to Ruth and May!" broke in Andy.</p>
+
+<p>To all this Jack said nothing. But he lost no time in leaping to the
+pavement and walking up to the girls, who came forward to greet him.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm so glad you got here!" exclaimed Ruth in a low voice, and she
+looked at Jack appealingly and then let her eyes rove in the direction
+of the bully and his crony.</p>
+
+<p>"Those boys are just too horrid for anything!" murmured May, by way of
+explanation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page74" id="page74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What did they do?" demanded Spouter of his cousin, he having quickly
+followed Jack from the sled.</p>
+
+<p>"They almost insisted upon it that we accompany them into the movies!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, they hardly know you!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's true, Dick. And I think it was awful of them, the way they came
+up."</p>
+
+<p>"That Brown boy caught me by the arm, and he had no right to do that,"
+said Ruth to Jack. "I don't want a thing to do with him."</p>
+
+<p>"You get into the sled, girls, and we'll tend to Brown and Martell,"
+announced Spouter, and the tone of his voice showed his anger.</p>
+
+<p>The girls did as bidden, being assisted by the others; and, in the
+meantime the remaining girls came from the store and also got into the
+sled. Spouter and Jack strode across the pavement, and caught Slugger
+Brown and Nappy Martell just as they were on the point of dropping their
+tickets into the ticket box.</p>
+
+<p>"Come here a minute. I want to talk to you," said Spouter, catching
+Martell by the arm.</p>
+
+<p>"And I want to talk to you," added Jack, as he detained Slugger Brown.</p>
+
+<p>"I won't talk to you," retorted Nappy Martell, and tried to pass.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you will!" answered Spouter. "You lis<span class='pagenum'><a name="page75" id="page75">[Pg 75]</a></span>ten to me, Nappy! After this
+you leave my cousin, May Powell, alone. If you don't, you'll have an
+account to settle with me."</p>
+
+<p>"And you leave both of those girls alone!" said Jack to Slugger Brown.
+"Miss Stevenson doesn't want anything to do with you. Now, you mind what
+I'm telling you, or you'll get into trouble the first thing you return
+to the Hall!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, say, Rover, you make me tired!" sneered the bully, glaring at Jack.
+"I'm not going to try to take your girl away from you. There are plenty
+of better girls around Haven Point. You go about your business and leave
+me alone;" and, thus speaking, Slugger Brown passed into the
+moving-picture theater, followed a moment later by Nappy Martell. The
+two others watched them out of sight, and then looked at each other
+knowingly.</p>
+
+<p>"One fine pair, believe me!" was Spouter's comment.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm mighty sorry Colonel Colby allowed them to return to the Hall,"
+answered Jack. "I'm afraid it spells just one thing&mdash;Trouble!"</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page76" id="page76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE SLEIGHING PARTY</h3>
+
+<p>"What did you say to those horrid young men?" asked May, after Jack and
+Spouter had returned to the box-sled and the driver had picked up the
+reins and started through the main street of Haven Point.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we told them to mind their own business after this," answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"And if they don't, you let me know, and we'll attend to them," said
+Spouter to his cousin.</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad, Jack, they came back to Colby Hall," remarked Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>"Right you are! But Colonel Colby wanted to give them another chance. He
+asked us about it, and we didn't want to stand in the way of Slugger and
+Nappy turning over a new leaf."</p>
+
+<p>"Hi there&mdash;somebody start a song!" cried Andy, who caught a few words of
+what was said, and thought the occasion was getting too serious.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the talk!" exclaimed Alice <ins class="correction" title="original: Strobel">Strobell</ins>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page77" id="page77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What shall we sing?" questioned Annie Larkins.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, sing something that we all know," came from Jennie Mason. She, too,
+had seen Slugger and Nappy, but had refused to recognize them,
+remembering well the trouble she and Ida Brierley had had with the pair
+when all had gone out on the lake in a motor-boat, the particulars of
+which were given in the volume preceding this.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the happy young folks were singing one familiar song after another
+and shouting and tooting the tin horns in great glee. In the meanwhile
+the turnout had left the vicinity of Haven Point, and was moving swiftly
+along in the direction of one of the neighboring towns.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, isn't this too lovely for anything!" exclaimed May, as one of the
+songs came to an end. "I never felt better in my life."</p>
+
+<p>"If I felt any better, I'd have to call in the doctor," announced Andy
+with a sudden sober look on his face, and at this little sally all the
+girls giggled.</p>
+
+<p>They were soon passing close to a stone wall, and from this some of the
+boys scooped handfuls of snow with which they began to pelt each other.
+Then they attempted to wash the faces of some of the girls, and a great
+commotion ensued.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi you! be careful back there!" cautioned the<span class='pagenum'><a name="page78" id="page78">[Pg 78]</a></span> driver. "First thing you
+know, somebody will get pushed out."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that will never happen!" cried Gif; but he had scarcely spoken when
+there came a wild yell from two of the cadets in the back of the
+box-sled, and the next moment Randy was seen to turn over and pitch out
+into the snow.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop the sleigh! Stop the sleigh!" yelled Andy. "One man overboard, and
+no life-line handy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear! do you think he is hurt?" questioned May anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"He looks it!" answered her cousin. "Look out, or you'll get hit;" for
+scarcely had Randy landed in the snow than he picked himself up and
+began to make snowballs, which he sent after the sled in rapid
+succession. In the meantime, the driver had brought the turnout to a
+halt.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop that, Randy," warned Jack. "You might hit some of the girls."</p>
+
+<p>"No more such horseplay," announced Gif. "It's too dangerous, and,
+besides that, some of the girls might get hurt. You fellows have got to
+act like gentlemen. Ahem!" and Gif straightened himself up in imitation
+of Asa Lemm.</p>
+
+<p>"Please, teacher, can't we act like ladies?" piped out Andy in a thin,
+effeminate voice.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll remain after school for that, Rover,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page79" id="page79">[Pg 79]</a></span> and recite one hundred
+lines of C&aelig;sar backward," commanded Gif.</p>
+
+<p>"You bet your pink necktie, I'll be backward about reciting the hundred
+lines!" murmured the fun-loving boy.</p>
+
+<p>The cadets had already arranged it between themselves to stop at a town
+about twelve miles away. There all hands trooped into a candy store to
+regale themselves with dainty sandwiches and hot chocolate. Some of the
+boys also obtained boxes of candy, and also some popcorn and peanuts, as
+well as apples, and these were passed around.</p>
+
+<p>So far, Jack had had no opportunity to speak to Ruth in private, but
+while the others were still at the little tables in the rear of the
+candy shop, he motioned to her, and the pair walked toward the front.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to ask you about the man we rescued in the woods, Ruth," he
+said. "Probably you know him. His name is Stevenson, although he said he
+was usually called Uncle Barney by all who knew him."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, can that be possible!" exclaimed the girl in astonishment. "Uncle
+Barney Stevenson! Why didn't you tell me this before?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you why," he answered. "I was afraid that possibly it might
+create some sort of scene.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page80" id="page80">[Pg 80]</a></span> By the way this Barney Stevenson acted, I
+knew there was something wrong between him and your folks. When I
+mentioned your father's name, he said he didn't want to hear anything
+about him&mdash;not a word!"</p>
+
+<p>"Poor old man! I am so sorry for him;" and Ruth's manner showed that she
+spoke the truth.</p>
+
+<p>"Why doesn't he want to hear from your father? But, excuse me,
+Ruth&mdash;maybe that is a private matter."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know that it is so very private, Jack. And, anyway, I'd like
+you to know the truth,&mdash;otherwise you might get a wrong impression&mdash;if
+you heard the story from outsiders. In a nutshell, the matter is this:
+Some years ago my father and his Uncle Barney were connected with a
+certain manufacturing company in which both held a considerable
+interest. The company went to pieces, and my father and Uncle Barney
+both lost their money. But my father had other interests which were
+distantly connected with this company, and in some manner poor old Uncle
+Barney, who was not much of a business man even though he was a
+lumberman, got it into his head that my father had, in some manner,
+gotten the best of him, because my father had money and he had not.
+Then, in the midst of this trouble, Uncle Barney's wife died. My father
+was away<span class='pagenum'><a name="page81" id="page81">[Pg 81]</a></span> in the West at the time with my mother, and could not get back
+in time for the funeral. This made Uncle Barney more bitter than ever,
+and he refused to listen to any explanations my folks might make. He had
+made some sort of deal to get possession of Snowshoe Island in Lake
+Monona, and he retired to the island and became almost a hermit."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he told us he lived on the island, and he invited us to come over
+there, and he would show us some good hunting. I suppose it must be
+quite a place."</p>
+
+<p>"My father has tried several times to patch up matters with old Uncle
+Barney, but he will not listen to any explanations. He is rather queer
+at times, and I suppose he has it strongly fixed in his mind that my
+father is in some manner responsible for his poverty, and that we think
+ourselves too high-toned to have anything to do with him, when, as a
+matter of fact, my folks would be very much pleased to have the old man
+become friends and live with them."</p>
+
+<p>"Why doesn't your father send him a letter if he won't listen to his
+talk?"</p>
+
+<p>"He has tried that. And mother has written old Uncle Barney some
+letters, too, during the last six or eight years. But he is very
+peculiar, and the letters come back unopened."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page82" id="page82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And you really feel that you would like to be on good terms with him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Jack. My folks would give a good deal to smooth the whole matter
+over. But, instead of becoming reconciled to the situation, old Uncle
+Barney apparently is becoming more bitter as time goes by."</p>
+
+<p>"If you and your folks feel that way about it, I'd like very much to
+meet the old man again and have a talk with him. Of course, he told me
+that he never wanted to hear your father's name mentioned; but if I got
+a good chance I might be able to get him to open up and tell me his side
+of the story. And after he had done that, he might be more willing to
+listen to what I had to say."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jack! if you ever do get the chance, try to talk to him, by all
+means, and do what you can to impress it on his mind that my father had
+nothing to do with the loss of his money, and that my folks would have
+gone to Mrs. Stevenson's funeral had they been able to do so. And tell
+him, too, that my father and my mother, and also myself, would be very
+glad to become friends once more, and that our house will be open to him
+at any time."</p>
+
+<p>The others of the sleighing party were now coming up, so there was no
+chance of saying anything further regarding the strange affair.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page83" id="page83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Let's return to Haven Point by some other route," suggested Spouter.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have to ask the driver about the roads first," said Gif.</p>
+
+<p>The driver had gone out to look after his horses. When questioned, he
+stated that they might return by a roundabout way through the village of
+Neckbury, but that it might take half an hour or so longer.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I guess we've got time enough," said Fred, consulting his watch.
+"The girls haven't got to get back to Clearwater Hall until supper time,
+and we can get from one school to the other in a jiffy in the sleigh."</p>
+
+<p>The liveryman was anxious to please the boys and girls, being desirous
+of getting more business from them in the future, and he readily agreed
+to take them home by the way of Neckbury, and he also agreed to get them
+back by the required time.</p>
+
+<p>Once more all bundled into the turnout, and then, with a crack of the
+whip and a loud tooting of the horns, they started on the return.</p>
+
+<p>"Another song now!" cried Andy, and commenced one of the ditties which
+at that time was popular at Colby Hall. In this the girls joined, most
+of them having heard it; and thus the crowd continued to enjoy
+themselves.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page84" id="page84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So far, they had met but few turnouts on the road, but now they found
+that the other route toward Haven Point was more popular, and they
+passed several farm sleds, and also a number of cutters, and even two
+automobiles, the latter ploughing along through the snow, using their
+heavy chains for that purpose.</p>
+
+<p>They were soon mounting a small hill, and the driver allowed the horses
+to drop to a walk. From the top of the hill they could see for many
+miles around, with farms dotting one side of the roadway and the other
+sloping down gradually toward the distant lake.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid we're going to be a little late, after all," announced Gif,
+as he looked at his timepiece. "You'll have to shake it up a bit, old
+man," he added to the driver.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'll get you there in time&mdash;don't worry," was the ready reply, and
+then the driver cracked his whip and sent his horses down the other side
+of the hill at a good rate of speed.</p>
+
+<p>About half way down the long hill there was a turn to the right. Here,
+on the outer edge of the road, was a gully which the wind of the day
+previous had partly filled with snow. Just before this bend was gained,
+those in the box-sled heard the toot of an automobile horn.</p>
+
+<p>"Somebody coming up the hill," said Fatty<span class='pagenum'><a name="page85" id="page85">[Pg 85]</a></span> Hendry, who had resumed his
+seat beside the driver.</p>
+
+<p>"Confound 'em! and I've got to take the outside of the turn," muttered
+the liveryman.</p>
+
+<p>"Better be careful&mdash;it's none too wide along here," cautioned the fat
+youth.</p>
+
+<p>The driver was already reining in his steeds, but the slope was
+considerable, and it was hard to hold them back. The box-sled struck the
+rear horses in the flanks, and away they went as fast as ever, crowding
+the horses in front and urging them onward also. Then the on-coming
+automobile hove in sight, and passed so closely that the driver of the
+box-sled had to pull still further over to the edge of the highway.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out where you're going!" yelled Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you to be careful&mdash;&mdash;" commenced Fatty, and then clutched at the
+high seat of the box-sled.</p>
+
+<p>There was a wild scream of alarm and a general confusion among all the
+young people as the back end of the box-sled slewed around. One corner
+went down into the gully, and an instant later the box-sled stood up on
+its side, and girls and cadets went floundering forth into the snow.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page86" id="page86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h3>A MISHAP ON THE ROAD</h3>
+
+<p>"Gracious! where are we going?"</p>
+
+<p>"Get off my head, Randy!"</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Spouter, don't sit down on Ruth that way!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hi! stop the horses, somebody!" screamed Fred, and then he leaped up
+and clung to the partly overturned box-sled, while Gif and another cadet
+did the same.</p>
+
+<p>The driver had sensed the coming of the accident, and when the box-sled
+went over to one side, he had leaped to the other. Now he was standing
+in the snow with the reins still in his hands and doing his best to
+quiet the somewhat frightened steeds, which were plunging into each
+other in anything but an orderly fashion.</p>
+
+<p>Down in the gully the girls and the cadets were having an exciting time
+of it. Some of the party had plunged almost head first into the snow.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, boys, help the girls all you can!" came from Jack, as he
+managed, though not with<span class='pagenum'><a name="page87" id="page87">[Pg 87]</a></span>out considerable effort, to bring Ruth to her
+feet.</p>
+
+<p>Fred and Randy were already assisting May to arise, and soon the other
+girls and boys were doing what they could to scramble through the deep
+snow toward the highway. Here there was a slippery slope of several
+feet.</p>
+
+<p>Jack was the first boy up, and Randy came behind him. Then, while the
+two Rovers, assisted by Spouter, held fast to each other, they pulled up
+one girl after another. In the meanwhile, the other cadets made
+something of a chain, and soon all stood at the spot where the box-sled
+had overturned.</p>
+
+<p>"All here?" queried Gif.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess so," answered Spouter, knocking some snow from his cap.</p>
+
+<p>The driver of the box-sled, assisted by several of the cadets, had
+managed to quiet the horses, some of which were inclined to bolt. The
+box-sled was all right, and the boys picked up what they could of the
+dry straw, and also shook out and replaced the robes.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my, what a dreadful experience!" remarked Annie Larkins.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know that it was so very dreadful," returned Ruth. "No one
+was hurt."</p>
+
+<p>"But we might have been," added Jennie Mason.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page88" id="page88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I thought it was fun," laughed Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>"It was the fault of that auto," grumbled the liveryman, thinking he had
+to defend himself. "He crowded me too close to the edge of the gully."</p>
+
+<p>"That's just what he did!" cried Fatty. "The fellow who was driving that
+car ought to be arrested."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you get his number, Fatty?" questioned Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Get his number? I didn't have time to get anything. He just slid by,
+and the next thing I knew, I was turning a somersault in the air and
+diving right down into the bottom of that hole;" and at this remark the
+other cadets had to smile.</p>
+
+<p>The cadets assisted the girls back into the box-sled, and then they
+moved off once more, Jack and Gif both cautioning the driver to be
+careful.</p>
+
+<p>Now that the danger was past, the young folks soon recovered from their
+scare, and then, to put all in a better humor, Andy started another
+school song, in which all joined lustily. Thus they soon rolled into
+town, and a little later came up to the entrance of the Clearwater
+grounds.</p>
+
+<p>"I've had a <ins class="correction" title="original: prefectly">perfectly</ins> splendid time, in spite of that little mishap,"
+declared Ruth, as she bid Jack good-bye.</p>
+
+<p>"We couldn't have had a nicer afternoon,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page89" id="page89">[Pg 89]</a></span> said May. "You can come
+around with your box-sled just as often as you please;" and she smiled
+mischievously, in a way that set Fred's heart to bounding.</p>
+
+<p>As it was growing late, the boys had scant time in which to bid the
+girls good-bye. Soon they were on the way to Colby Hall, and they told
+the driver to hurry as much as possible.</p>
+
+<p>"If we're late and Asa Lemm finds it out, he'll certainly punish us in
+some way," was Randy's comment.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we're in luck for once," announced Gif. "I heard old Lemon say
+that he was going away right after lunch and wouldn't be back until
+to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me he has been spending quite some time away lately,"
+remarked Spouter. "Not but what I'm perfectly willing that he should
+absent himself at every possible opportunity. The institution of
+learning can very well dispense with the services of such an individual
+as Professor Asa Lemm."</p>
+
+<p>"A little long-winded, Spouter, but you hit the nail on the head,"
+answered Fred. "Old Lemon could quit for good, and I doubt if any of us
+would shed a tear."</p>
+
+<p>Although the cadets were half an hour late, neither Colonel Colby nor
+any of the professors<span class='pagenum'><a name="page90" id="page90">[Pg 90]</a></span> who saw them found any fault, and for this they
+were thankful.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he had an opportunity to do so, Jack told his cousins about
+what Ruth had said regarding old Barney Stevenson. They listened to his
+recital with keen interest.</p>
+
+<p>"He certainly must be a queer stick," was Randy's comment. "Just the
+same, I'd like to go to Snowshoe Island and visit him."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and try the hunting around that neighborhood," added Fred.
+"According to what that Bill Hobson said, Uncle Barney, as they call
+him, must be quite a hunter, as well as a lumberman."</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to have the chance to talk with him," resumed Jack. "From the
+way Ruth spoke, I'm quite sure her folks are very much put out over the
+way he is acting."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what!" put in Andy, "we're going to have an extra long
+Christmas holiday, and we might get a chance to go over to Snowshoe
+Island hunting at that time."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know the holiday is going to be extra long?" queried Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"I heard Professor Brice saying so. It seems they have got to fix some
+part of the heating plant, which is pretty well worn out, and the
+furnace man said it would take longer than at first expected. So,
+instead of closing up for ten days<span class='pagenum'><a name="page91" id="page91">[Pg 91]</a></span> or two weeks at Christmas, they are
+going to shut down for about three weeks."</p>
+
+<p>"Three weeks! That will give us a nice holiday at home and give us a
+chance for an outing in the bargain," cried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>Late that evening Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell put in an appearance
+and were closeted with Colonel Colby for the best part of half an hour.
+What was said by the master of Colby Hall the other cadets did not
+learn, but the two new arrivals looked exceedingly meek when they went
+up to their former rooms. On the following day they met the Rovers, but
+paid no attention whatever to them.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe they are going to give us the cold shoulder," remarked Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that won't hurt me," answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>Several days went by, and the Rover boys applied themselves closely to
+their studies, realizing that before long the examinations previous, to
+the Christmas holidays would take place. They did very well in their
+recitations, and got along nicely with all the professors except Asa
+Lemm.</p>
+
+<p>"There is no use of talking&mdash;I can't get along with that man!" said Andy
+one afternoon. He was almost in despair. "If I hadn't just shut my mouth
+hard when old Lemon lectured me, there would have been an explosion, and
+I'd have<span class='pagenum'><a name="page92" id="page92">[Pg 92]</a></span> told him just exactly what I think of him&mdash;and it wouldn't
+have been anything that he would want to hear."</p>
+
+<p>"Gif was telling me that Lemm is getting more and more anxious about
+some of that money he lost years ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he thought he saw a chance of getting it back, and now it is
+slipping away from him again, and that is making him more sour than
+ever," suggested Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care what is making him so sour&mdash;he needn't take it out of me,"
+retorted his twin.</p>
+
+<p>There had been another slight fall of snow, and on Thursday afternoon
+the cadets of Colby Hall organized a grand snowball match. A fort was
+built on the top of a little hill in the vicinity, and one crowd of
+cadets defended this, while the others made an attack. The school flag
+was hoisted over the fort, and the battle raged furiously for over an
+hour. Major Ralph Mason was in charge of the fort defenders, while the
+Rover boys, along with half of the school cadets, composed the attacking
+party. The fort was captured only after a terrific bombardment with
+snowballs, and it was Jack who had the pleasure of hauling down the
+flag.</p>
+
+<p>"Some fight that!" remarked Fred, after the contest was over.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page93" id="page93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Almost like a real battle," said Randy. "Just look at my left ear, will
+you?" and he pointed to that member, which was much swollen. "Got hit
+there twice&mdash;with regular soakers, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's part of the game, Randy," remarked Jack. He had been hit
+half a dozen times, but had not minded it in the least.</p>
+
+<p>On the following afternoon the Rover boys visited a long hill in that
+vicinity, which a number of the cadets were using for coasting purposes.
+With money sent to them by Jack's father, they had purchased a fine
+bobsled, and on this they took numerous rides, along with several of
+their chums.</p>
+
+<p>There were two ways of going down the hill. One was in the direction of
+Haven Point, and the other wound around a second smaller hill and ended
+in the pasture lot of an old farmer. This farmer was an Irishman named
+Mike O'Toole, a pleasant enough individual, who had often given the boys
+rides on his farm wagon, and who was not averse to selling them fruit,
+and also milk, when they desired it. He was such a good-natured old man
+that very few of the cadets ever thought to molest his orchard.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, I've got an idea!" cried Andy suddenly, when he and the other
+Rovers were riding down into O'Toole's pasture. "Let's go down and have<span class='pagenum'><a name="page94" id="page94">[Pg 94]</a></span>
+a look at the old man's goats," and he winked knowingly at his twin.</p>
+
+<p>O'Toole had once lived in the city, and there had been the proud
+possessor of several goats, which he had used in one of the public
+parks, where they were attached to little wagons in which the children
+could ride for ten cents per person. O'Toole had brought his goats to
+the farm with him, and treated them with as much affection as if they
+were members of his family.</p>
+
+<p>"What have you go up your sleeve, Andy?" questioned Fred, as they got
+off the bobsled and dragged it behind them toward Mike O'Toole's house.
+The old Irish farmer and his wife lived alone, having no children and no
+hired help.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I thought we might hire a goat or two to pull the bobsled," was the
+easy answer.</p>
+
+<p>"To pull the bobsled?"</p>
+
+<p>"To be sure. If those goats can pull wagons, they can certainly pull
+sleds, too. Then, I thought if we could get the goats to pull us all the
+way to Colby Hall, it wouldn't be any more than fair to take the goats
+in out of the cold and treat 'em nicely."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I see!" cried Randy, who was listening to his twin's talk. "For
+instance, we might take the goats into the Hall and up to Professor
+Lemm's room, eh?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page95" id="page95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You've caught the idea, Randy. What do you think of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Fine! Couldn't be better!" chuckled the other.</p>
+
+<p>"What's this talk about taking O'Toole's goats to Colby Hall?" demanded
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we were thinking Professor Lemm would like to see the goats."</p>
+
+<p>The oldest Rover boy looked stern for an instant, but then his mouth
+relaxed and he broke into a broad grin.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, we'll have to be careful how we get the goats into the
+Hall," he began.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! I knew it would hit you just right, Jack!" cried Andy, slapping
+his cousin on the shoulder. "Just you wait&mdash;we'll make old Lemon sit up
+and take notice this time!"</p>
+
+<p>"But mum's the word&mdash;remember that," cautioned Randy. "If he ever caught
+us, well&mdash;good-night!"</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page96" id="page96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h3>SOMETHING ABOUT TWO GOATS</h3>
+
+<p>The four Rover boys were almost up to Mike O'Toole's place when suddenly
+Jack caught Andy by the shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a minute!" he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"What's wrong now?" demanded the fun-loving youth.</p>
+
+<p>"I've just been thinking, Andy. If we take those goats into the Hall and
+get into any kind of trouble, Professor Lemm will find it an easy matter
+to learn who got the goats from O'Toole."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right, too!" broke in Fred, in dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe we can get the goats on the sly," suggested Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"I think that would be the better way to do it," answered Jack. "We can
+leave a note behind, stating that the goats will be returned, and we can
+also pay O'Toole something for using his animals."</p>
+
+<p>The boys talked the matter over for several minutes, and then it was
+decided that Andy and<span class='pagenum'><a name="page97" id="page97">[Pg 97]</a></span> Randy should go ahead and reconnoitre. This they
+did, and were gone for about ten minutes.</p>
+
+<p>"The coast is clear so far as we can see," announced Randy. "Mike
+O'Toole and his wife are both in the kitchen of the farmhouse preparing
+supper.</p>
+
+<p>"And where are the goats?" questioned Fred quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"He keeps them in a little shed off of his barn. Come on, I'll show
+you," returned Randy.</p>
+
+<p>The other cadets followed him, and they soon reached the place he had
+mentioned. Here O'Toole kept six goats, and they were found finishing up
+some food he had evidently given them a short while before.</p>
+
+<p>Two of the billy goats were quite large, one possessing a very fine pair
+of horns. This one, the boys knew, was called Patrick. The other large
+goat went by the name of Dan.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is the harness," said Andy, bringing it from some pegs on which it
+was hanging. "We'll have to do the best we can about hitching 'em up."</p>
+
+<p>While the others were doing this, Jack tore a page from a notebook he
+carried, and on this, in a large, disguised hand, he wrote the
+following:<span class='pagenum'><a name="page98" id="page98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Mr. O'Toole</span>:<br />
+"We have taken the privilege of using two of your goats until
+to-morrow. They will be safely returned to you."</p></div>
+
+<p>"I think we ought to pay him for the use of the animals," said Jack. "A
+little money will make him feel a great deal better."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's pin two dollars to the note," suggested Fred, and this was done
+by Jack and the note placed where the Irish farmer would be sure to find
+it when he came again to tend to his animals.</p>
+
+<p>It was an easy matter for the four boys to get the goats out of the
+shed, and then they led them to a spot behind some trees where the
+animals were hitched to the bobsled. Soon they started on the way to
+Colby Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"Now that we've got possession of the goats, how do you fellows expect
+to work this stunt?" demanded Fred, as they brought the two goats down
+to a walk.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you one thing," declared Jack. "If you want to play this
+trick without the whole school knowing it, you had better reach Colby
+Hall by the lane that comes up behind the barn."</p>
+
+<p>"Just what I was thinking of doing," answered Andy. "I thought maybe we
+could stable them<span class='pagenum'><a name="page99" id="page99">[Pg 99]</a></span> in that little toolhouse in the cornfield until we
+had a chance to get 'em into the Hall."</p>
+
+<p>"That's the talk!" cried Randy. "Of course, we'll have to watch our
+chance, and not make a mess of it."</p>
+
+<p>The two billy goats had often been harnessed together, so they got along
+quite amiably on the trip to the Military Academy. They were strong
+animals, and consequently the boys reached the field behind the barn in
+ample time to unhitch the goats and place them in the toolhouse that had
+been mentioned. Then they hurried around to the garage, where they were
+allowed to store their bobsled, and after that lost no time in getting
+ready for the evening parade and drill.</p>
+
+<p>Directly after supper was over, the Rovers took Spouter, Gif and Fatty
+Hendry aside and told them of what was in the wind.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, say! that's great!" cried Fatty. "Let me have a hand in it, won't
+you?" He had had a quarrel with Asa Lemm a few days before, and was as
+sore as any of the other cadets.</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to let us all have a hand in that, Andy," put in Spouter. "I
+believe every one of us feels the same way when it comes to old Lemon.
+He may have a vast amount of learning stored in his cranium, but his
+font of the milk of human kindness is completely dried up. Were<span class='pagenum'><a name="page100" id="page100">[Pg 100]</a></span> he to
+realize, or have the least conception&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Cut it, Spouter!" interposed Gif. "We agree with you&mdash;Asa Lemm is the
+lemon of all lemons, and I for one would like to teach him some kind of
+lesson."</p>
+
+<p>The matter was talked over for some time, and, as a result, a number of
+other cadets, including Walt Baxter, Ned Lowe and Dan Soppinger, were
+let into the secret.</p>
+
+<p>"Some of you will have to keep tab on Lemm while others see if the coast
+is clear during the time we are trying to get the goats upstairs,"
+announced Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think we'll have an easy time getting two animals to old
+Lemon's room," remarked Fred. "However, we'll get 'em up there somehow!"</p>
+
+<p>Dan Soppinger was detailed to locate and watch Asa Lemm, and he soon
+came back and reported that the professor was sitting in a corner of the
+school library, making notes from several volumes.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you watch him, Dan," said Jack, "and if he starts to come
+upstairs, you let us know at once;" and to this Soppinger agreed.</p>
+
+<p>After the supper hour, the cadets had their usual studying to do, and
+then came another hour for recreation previous to retiring.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page101" id="page101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Now is our time," said Andy, as he threw aside his books and leaped to
+his feet. "Come on! Everybody on the job!"</p>
+
+<p>The lads had already figured out how they expected to get the goats up
+to Asa Lemm's room. In the extreme rear of the school building was
+located an outside fire-escape leading from the third and second floors
+to the ground. At each floor there was a large doorway with a bolt on
+the inside. In order to induce the goats to mount the steps of the
+fire-escape, the boys had provided themselves with some vegetables
+purloined from the kitchen storeroom. Leaving the others to watch on the
+fire-escape and in the upper hallway of the school, the Rovers went out
+to the toolhouse and released the two goats.</p>
+
+<p>"Now then, Patrick and Dan, be good!" said Randy, patting the animals on
+the neck. And then he handed each of them a small carrot.</p>
+
+<p>With more vegetables displayed close in front of them, the two billy
+goats mounted the fire-escape quite nimbly, being rewarded with
+something more to eat when they stood on the landing in front of the
+door leading into the upper hallway.</p>
+
+<p>"Now if they only don't take it into their heads to let out a loud 'ba'
+when they get into the hall!" said Fred anxiously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page102" id="page102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We'll feed them something," returned Jack. "That will be sure to keep
+them quiet," and he passed over some bits of celery he had in his
+pocket.</p>
+
+<p>A cautious rap on the iron door, and it was unbolted by Walt Baxter, who
+had been assigned to that duty.</p>
+
+<p>"How about it&mdash;is the coast clear?" whispered Andy anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"I think so; but wait a minute and I'll make sure," whispered Walt in
+return.</p>
+
+<p>Soon he came back with word from Fatty and Ned that the rear hall of the
+school was practically deserted. Ned had already tried several keys in
+the door to Asa Lemm's apartment, and unlocked it.</p>
+
+<p>It was by sheer good luck that the boys managed unobserved to get the
+two goats into the school through two hallways and at last into the room
+of the hated professor.</p>
+
+<p>On one side of the professor's bedroom there was a large clothing
+closet, and in this the two goats were placed.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we'll take off their harness," said Jack. "There is no use in
+getting that snarled up or damaged."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to fix up some new harness for them," announced Randy. "Come
+on, Andy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page103" id="page103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>His twin understood, and while the others remained on guard in the
+hallway, Randy and Andy lost no time in decorating the two goats with
+various articles of Professor Lemm's wearing apparel. They buttoned a
+coat around each goat like a blanket, and got a bright green sweater
+over one goat's head and around his neck. Then they found a number of
+used neckties in a chiffonier, and these were tied on the goat's legs
+and horns.</p>
+
+<p>"They sure do look like some goats now!" cried Andy gaily. Then the
+animals were shoved back into the closet and the door closed.</p>
+
+<p>"Is the coast still clear?" asked Randy, as they came out of the
+bedroom.</p>
+
+<p>"It is. But I don't think Lemm will stay downstairs much longer,"
+answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you fellows come down again? I've got another idea!" burst out
+Randy. "Come on&mdash;quick!"</p>
+
+<p>Not knowing what was in the wind, the others followed him through the
+hallway and down the fire-escape once more. Then he led them to a place
+behind the garage. Here were a number of flat boxes, which, in the
+springtime, had been used for raising plants. These boxes had had a
+small amount of water in them, and were now filled with thin sheets of
+ice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page104" id="page104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Let's take a few of those sheets of ice upstairs," said Randy. "They'll
+fit in very nicely between the sheets on old Lemon's bed."</p>
+
+<p>All of the others caught at the suggestion with avidity, and in a very
+few minutes each of the boys was mounting the fire-escape once again,
+this time with a large sheet of ice, not unlike a heavy pane of glass,
+under his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got a scheme," suggested Andy, with a broad grin. "We'll place
+three of the sheets of ice in his bed under the sheet, and the others on
+the floor here right in front of the door. Then he'll have a chance to
+slide into the room."</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! and maybe it won't be some slide!" chuckled Walt Baxter.</p>
+
+<p>The sheets of ice were soon placed in the bed and covered with some of
+the bedspreads, and the others were disposed on the hardwood floor
+directly in front of the door inside the room. Then the cadets turned
+out the lights, locked the door as before, and hurried away.</p>
+
+<p>It was less than five minutes later when Dan Soppinger came rushing
+upstairs, whistling in a peculiar manner. This was a signal that danger
+was at hand.</p>
+
+<p>"He just put the books away, and he's gathering up his papers,"
+announced Dan. "I think he'll be upstairs in a few minutes more."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page105" id="page105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"All right, Dan, we're ready for him," announced Randy. "Now then,
+fellows, if there isn't some fun when Asa Lemm enters his room, then I
+miss my guess."</p>
+
+<p>The joke that was to come off seemed to be too good to keep, and as a
+consequence, after a hurried consultation, about a dozen other cadets
+were let into the secret. All watched eagerly for the coming of
+Professor Lemm, and there was a low whistle of warning went from room to
+room when the hated teacher was seen to be mounting the stairs.</p>
+
+<p>As was quite usual with him, Asa Lemm was not in good humor. He had been
+hunting up a number of references in the library without his usual
+success.</p>
+
+<p>"This job of teaching is getting worse and worse," he grumbled to
+himself. "It's too bad that I've got to waste my time on these boys. If
+I could only get back some of that money I lost, I wouldn't spend
+another hour over this tiresome task," and he heaved a deep sigh. The
+loss of his little fortune was the one great sore spot with him.</p>
+
+<p>He came swinging through the hall with long, rapid strides, and as he
+did so the Rovers and their friends watched him from various doorways
+and side halls. They saw him unlock his door<span class='pagenum'><a name="page106" id="page106">[Pg 106]</a></span> and throw it open. The
+next instant came a sudden yell of alarm, and then a tremendous bump.
+Asa Lemm's feet had struck the sheets of ice on the floor, and they had
+gone out from under him very suddenly, letting him down flat on his
+back.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi! hi! what's the meaning of this?" spluttered the teacher; and then,
+as his hand struck the icy coldness of what was beneath him, he gave
+another cry. "Ice! What does this mean? Can the water pipes have burst
+and flooded the room?"</p>
+
+<p>Not without difficulty he managed to regain his feet, and then started
+to walk to where he could turn on the lights. But again he slipped, and
+this time he came up against a small table piled high with books and
+sent this over with a crash.</p>
+
+<p>"Gee! he's sure enjoying himself!" chuckled Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, fellows, let's see what all the noise is about!" exclaimed
+Jack in a loud voice. "Something dreadful must be going on in Professor
+Lemm's room."</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter&mdash;is somebody getting killed?" called out Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't a fire, is it?" broke in Walt Baxter, catching the cue.</p>
+
+<p>"Sounds to me as if somebody was pulling the school down," was Spouter's
+contribution.</p>
+
+<p>"Everybody to the rescue!" yelled Ned Lowe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page107" id="page107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>These cries, combined with the noise which was coming from Asa Lemm's
+apartment, caused such a commotion that soon fully a score of other
+cadets showed themselves in the hallway.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" questioned Slugger Brown, who had just been on the
+point of retiring, and who was in his pajamas and slippers.</p>
+
+<p>"Something going on in Professor Lemm's room," answered Nappy Martell,
+who had been with him, and who was similarly attired.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Professor Lemm had managed to regain his feet a second
+time, but the broken sheets of ice were now all over the floor of his
+room, and just as he managed to turn on the lights he slipped once more,
+this time sending a chair spinning against the closet door.</p>
+
+<p>"It's ice&mdash;it's ice, and nothing else!" he ejaculated, as he gazed in
+wonder at the floor. "Now, how did that come here? I don't see any
+broken water pipe." Then, of a sudden, his face took on a dark look.
+"It's those boys&mdash;confound them! If I can catch them, I'll make them
+suffer for this!"</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page108" id="page108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h3>THE JOKE ON ASA LEMM</h3>
+
+<p>"Let's go in and see what's the matter with the poor man," suggested
+Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"That's right&mdash;maybe he's got a fit."</p>
+
+<p>"Something has happened to Professor Lemm!" yelled one of the other
+cadets.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the commotion had attracted the attention of nearly
+everybody in the school, and teachers and cadets came running from all
+directions, and even some of the hired help from the kitchen came up the
+back stairs, wondering what had gone wrong. Then the bunch of boys, led
+by the Rovers, suddenly threw open the door which led to Asa Lemm's
+room. It was at this instant that the astonished and bewildered
+professor was making his way toward the closet door. A strange thumping
+had reached his ears.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it&mdash;it's some of those boys, and more than likely one of them
+got locked into the closet by his fellows. I'll soon find out who he is
+and<span class='pagenum'><a name="page109" id="page109">[Pg 109]</a></span> make him tell me who is responsible for this outrage!"</p>
+
+<p>The door had been locked by Randy, but the key was in it, and readily
+turned. Then Professor Lemm flung the door open viciously.</p>
+
+<p>"You rascals, I'll teach you to play tricks on me!" he began, as in the
+somewhat dim light he made out what he thought were the forms of two
+crouching boys. Then he let out a sudden yell of alarm as one of the
+crouching figures launched itself forward at him. The figure was that of
+Patrick, the larger of the goats.</p>
+
+<p>Bewildered by the confinement, and not at all liking the way in which he
+had been dressed up, the big billy goat hurled himself straight at the
+teacher. He struck Asa Lemm fairly and squarely in the stomach, bowling
+him over as if he were a tenpin. Then he made another leap, and landed
+on the top of the bed, where he gazed around, not knowing which way to
+turn next.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh my! look at what Professor Lemm has in his room!" piped up Andy.</p>
+
+<p>Asa Lemm had rolled over and was now trying to get up, but just as he
+raised himself on his hands and knees, he struck some of the sliding
+sheets of ice, and down he went once more, this time directly in front
+of the other goat, which promptly proceeded to leap on top of him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page110" id="page110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Hi! get off of me, you rascal!" spluttered the professor, and thrashed
+around wildly. "Get off of me! Who are you, anyway?" and then, as he got
+a better sight of the animal, which at that moment leaped up on the bed
+beside his mate, he turned and sat up in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"A goat! Two goats! How did they get here?"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you know about this? Professor Lemm is keeping goats in his
+room!" cried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>These and a score of other cries rent the air, while all the cadets
+crowded into the doorway of the room to see what was going on. In the
+bunch of boys were Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell, and it must be
+confessed that these two unworthies were enjoying the scene quite as
+much as anybody.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll fix some of you for this!" roared Asa Lemm, as he struggled to his
+feet, slipping around and clutching the end of his bed as he did so.
+"I'll have some of you suspended! Where is Colonel Colby? Send for
+Colonel Colby at once!"</p>
+
+<p>Evidently Patrick, the larger goat, did not like the looks of the irate
+teacher, who was now shaking his fists at the grinning cadets. Suddenly
+the goat made another leap, this time striking Asa Lemm in the shoulder,
+and once more the pro<span class='pagenum'><a name="page111" id="page111">[Pg 111]</a></span>fessor went down, this time with his feet sliding
+directly under the bed, so that he became somewhat wedged in from his
+waist down. Then the goat made another leap and charged toward the door
+to the hallway.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out!" warned Jack, and was just in time to push Fred out of
+danger. Then the goat made a rush, and the next minute came full tilt
+into Slugger Brown, sending the bully crashing into those behind him.
+The second goat also leaped from the bed, and made for the doorway,
+hitting Martell as he passed.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out for the battering-ram!"</p>
+
+<p>"This is only a battering goat&mdash;but it's just as bad!" yelled Andy. "Go
+it, goat! Go it!" he added gleefully.</p>
+
+<p>Both goats did "go it." They raced through the hallway, knocking down
+cadets right and left. One younger boy, named Stowell, but who was
+always called Codfish by the others because of his unusually broad
+mouth, was attacked at the head of the stairs and sent hurtling down to
+the bottom.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! oh! I'm killed! He has knocked me to pieces!" yelled Codfish.</p>
+
+<p>With the two goats racing around the school, the excitement increased.
+But gradually the goats were driven by the Rovers to a lower hallway,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page112" id="page112">[Pg 112]</a></span>
+and then toward a side door, which Jack and Fred lost no time in
+opening.</p>
+
+<p>"Get them out of here as quick as you can. We don't want them to be
+captured," whispered Jack to his cousins. "We don't want old Lemon to
+know they are Mike O'Toole's animals."</p>
+
+<p>"Stop those goats! I don't want them to get away!" yelled Asa Lemm, from
+the upper hallway. But the goats were already outside.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh gee! we forgot one thing&mdash;I mean several things!" gasped Andy. "The
+goats are dressed up in old Lemon's clothes!"</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious! why didn't we think of that?" gasped Randy. "We can't let 'em
+run away with all that stuff!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go after them and see if I can stop them," said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Want me to go with you?" questioned Walt.</p>
+
+<p>"If you will, Walt. Maybe it will take two of us to manage the goats."
+And then Jack and Walt hurried off and the others returned to see what
+would happen next.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately for the boys who had gone after them, the goats did not run
+very far. Jack had a few more vegetables left in his pocket, and with
+these in his hand he walked cautiously up to the animals, which had run
+down to a corner of the campus.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page113" id="page113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! I've got one of them!" cried the Rover boy presently, as he
+caught Patrick by the horns. "Now, Walt, see if you can hold the other,
+and we'll take these things off of them."</p>
+
+<p>Now that they were once more in the open air, the goats appeared to be
+quite docile, and consequently the two cadets had little difficulty in
+disrobing them.</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you return the goats to O'Toole while you are at it?"
+suggested Walt, after the wearing apparel had been placed in a small
+bundle.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd do it if I had their harness, Walt."</p>
+
+<p>"Want me to go back for it?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you will."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, I'll do it. And give me that bundle. I'll smuggle it into
+the school somehow and watch my chance to leave it in old Lemon's room."
+Evidently the son of Dan Baxter was as bold as his father had ever been
+before him.</p>
+
+<p>So it was arranged, and a minute later Walt disappeared into the school
+building. He was gone the best part of five minutes, and then came
+running across the school campus, carrying the goats' harness under his
+sweater.</p>
+
+<p>"Gee, but they are having a peach of a time in the school," he
+announced. "Asa Lemm is quarreling with Colonel Colby, who came over<span class='pagenum'><a name="page114" id="page114">[Pg 114]</a></span>
+from his rooms. He wants to have half the school arrested on account of
+the goats and the ice."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you do with the bundle?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, say&mdash;that was easy! All the crowd were around old Lemon and the
+colonel discussing the matter, so I slipped behind them and threw the
+bundle in the corner of Lemon's room."</p>
+
+<p>The two Rovers lost no time in placing a little of the harness on the
+goats&mdash;just sufficient to drive them.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, you needn't go with me, Walt, unless you want to. I can get these
+goats to O'Toole's alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'd just as lief keep you company," answered the other cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>Urging the two goats before them, the pair made off down the hill in the
+direction of the O'Toole farm. The animals seemed to know the way home,
+and kept up a brisk pace.</p>
+
+<p>"Now then, we had better go a bit slow," announced Jack, when they came
+in sight of the buildings. "Maybe O'Toole has discovered the absence of
+the goats, and is on the watch for us."</p>
+
+<p>This warning, however, was unnecessary, for the old Irish farmer and his
+wife had retired for the night, doing this without being aware of what
+had taken place among their live stock.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;">
+<img src="images/image3.jpg" width="300" height="476" alt="image3" title="Illustration" />
+<span class="caption" style="font-size: small">THE GOAT CAME FULL TILT INTO SLUGGER BROWN.<br /><i>Page <a href='#page111'><b>111</b></a></i></span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page115" id="page115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p><p>Cautiously the two cadets opened the goat stable and led the animals
+inside. Then, while Walt lit a couple of matches, Jack managed to place
+the goats where they had been before, and also put the harness away.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think I'll leave that note, or the money either," he said.
+"Maybe it will be as well if O'Toole never knows that the goats were
+out. I don't think the experience did them any harm. If it did, we can
+settle with O'Toole later;" and he pocketed the note he had previously
+written, and also the money. Then the two cadets lost no time in
+hurrying back to Colby Hall.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, what Walt had said about the commotion going on at the
+school was true.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you, sir, it's a perfect outrage!" bawled Asa Lemm at the top of
+his lungs. "An outrage, sir, and I demand satisfaction!"</p>
+
+<p>"Please do not become so excited, Professor," responded Colonel Colby.
+"We must try to get at the bottom of this matter. You say there is ice
+on the floor of your room?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; a perfect pond of ice!"</p>
+
+<p>"Did somebody flood your floor and then freeze it?" questioned the
+master of the Hall in wonder.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know how it was done. But it was done, and I nearly broke my
+neck the minute I<span class='pagenum'><a name="page116" id="page116">[Pg 116]</a></span> entered the room. It was disgraceful! I never saw
+anything to equal it!" and Asa Lemm's face was fairly purple with rage.</p>
+
+<p>"And what about those goats?"</p>
+
+<p>"They were locked up in my closet and dressed up in some clothing&mdash;my
+clothing, I suppose."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, when they ran out of the building, they must have taken your
+clothing with them."</p>
+
+<p>"More than likely. Oh, it's shameful!" and the irate professor shook his
+fists in his rage.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are the goats now?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, and I don't care."</p>
+
+<p>"One of those goats knocked me flat," growled Slugger Brown.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and he biffed me one, too," came from Nappy Martell.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us go and make an investigation, Professor Lemm," remarked Colonel
+Colby. "I will accompany you to your room," for they were now near the
+stairway which the goats had descended.</p>
+
+<p>The pair proceeded to the apartment, followed by some of the other
+teachers and nearly all of the cadets. By this time much of the ice on
+the floor had melted, forming little pools of muddy water.</p>
+
+<p>"We had better have this cleaned up at once," said Colonel Colby, and
+turned to one of the teachers. "Order some of the hired help up here,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page117" id="page117">[Pg 117]</a></span>
+please;" and the teacher hurried off to execute the errand.</p>
+
+<p>While Colonel Colby was looking at the ice and the water, Asa Lemm
+chanced to glance in a corner. Then he strode forward and caught up the
+bundle Walt Baxter had flung there.</p>
+
+<p>"What is that?" questioned the master of the Hall. And then, as the
+professor undid the bundle, he continued: "Is that your clothing?"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I think it is," faltered Asa Lemm. "Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Did they undress the animals before they let them go?" queried the
+master of the school, and, if the truth must be told, he had all he
+could do to keep a straight face. He could not help but remember some of
+the pranks he had played himself while a cadet at Putnam Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know anything about this, Colonel Colby. But these are my
+things," and, catching up the bundle, Asa Lemm flung it into the
+clothing closet. He continued to storm around, demanding that some of
+the boys be punished for what had occurred. While this was going on, two
+of the hired help came up from the kitchen with pails and mops, and
+presently succeeded in cleaning up the floor. Two rugs which had been
+lying there were taken away to be dried.</p>
+
+<p>"I think we had better let this matter rest until<span class='pagenum'><a name="page118" id="page118">[Pg 118]</a></span> morning," said
+Colonel Colby finally. "It is too late to start an investigation now. I
+wish all of you to retire at once," he commanded, to the amused cadets.</p>
+
+<p>"Some one is going to suffer for this," growled Asa Lemm.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall do what I can for you, Professor," announced the master of the
+Hall, and then he moved away, scattering the cadets before him.</p>
+
+<p>Most of the boys retired to their rooms smiling broadly to themselves,
+for nearly all of them had enjoyed the joke greatly.</p>
+
+<p>"But it isn't over yet," whispered Andy to his immediate friends. "There
+is more to come. Just watch and see!"</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page119" id="page119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<h3>IN COLONEL COLBY'S OFFICE</h3>
+
+<p>As soon as Jack and Walt returned to Colby Hall, they hurried up to the
+rooms occupied by the Rover boys. They found Jack's cousins present, and
+also Gif, Spouter and several others.</p>
+
+<p>"We had the best luck ever!" declared Jack, and related how they had
+managed to get the goats back to Mike O'Toole's stable without the Irish
+farmer being aware of what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, that's fine!" burst out Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"We want to be on the watch," remarked Randy. "Old Lemon will be going
+to bed pretty soon, and we want to find out just how comfortable he
+finds his bed," and he grinned.</p>
+
+<p>Word had been passed around to about a dozen of the cadets, and as soon
+as the school had quieted down and the others had retired to their
+rooms, these cadets came forth into the halls on tiptoes and made their
+way noiselessly in the direction of the apartment occupied by Asa Lemm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page120" id="page120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He's arranging that clothing in his closet," announced Andy, after
+peering through the keyhole in the door. "He's partly undressed, so I
+guess he'll go to bed pretty soon."</p>
+
+<p>There was a short silence, and then the boys heard the bed creak as
+Professor Lemm got into it. An instant later came a cry of rage.</p>
+
+<p>"What's this? More ice, I declare! The bed is sopping wet! Oh, those
+young rascals!" for Asa Lemm had thrown himself down beneath the spread
+under which had been placed several sheets of thin ice. A large portion
+of the ice had melted, and the sheets were as wet as they were cold. As
+a consequence, his pajamas were pretty well soaked, and he shivered as
+he threw the covers back and bounced to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"He's enjoying it all right enough," whispered Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Hang those boys!" roared the irate teacher. "Oh, what I wouldn't do to
+them if I had them here!" He hopped around the room first on one foot
+and then on the other, shivering as he did so. As was usual, the steam
+throughout the building had been turned off some time before, so that
+the apartment was quite cold.</p>
+
+<p>"We had better scatter," warned Jack. "He may open the door at any
+instant and find us here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page121" id="page121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Right you are!" answered Randy, and then, unable to resist the
+temptation, he bent down and shouted through the keyhole: "Pleasant
+dreams, Professor! I hope you enjoyed the ice-water!"</p>
+
+<p>Then all of the cadets fled to their rooms, and in less than five
+minutes each of them was undressed and safe in bed.</p>
+
+<p>If ever there was an angry man, it was Asa Lemm at that particular
+moment. He had to change all his night clothing, and then don a bathrobe
+and slippers and go down below once more and get some of the hired help
+to clean up his room and take away the wet mattress of his bed. A dry
+mattress was substituted from a vacant bedroom, but it was all of half
+an hour before this work was accomplished; and in the meantime the
+professor stormed around, threatening about everything he could imagine.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll have the law on them! I'll have every one of them locked up!" he
+said to Colonel Colby. "It's an outrage that I should be treated in this
+fashion."</p>
+
+<p>"It is certainly a most unpleasant occurrence, Professor," agreed the
+master of the Hall. "But boys will be boys&mdash;you know that as well as I
+do. I can remember when I went to school, I loved to play practical
+jokes, and they were not always kindly jokes, either. But as for having<span class='pagenum'><a name="page122" id="page122">[Pg 122]</a></span>
+these boys arrested, or anything of that sort, that, I think, would be
+going too far. We can punish them enough right here&mdash;that is, provided
+we can find out who they are."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe in such jokes!"</p>
+
+<p>"Neither do I&mdash;now that I have grown older. But I did believe in them
+when I was a boy."</p>
+
+<p>"The trouble with this school is, the discipline is not strict enough,"
+snapped Asa Lemm. "If we are not more strict, the cadets will degenerate
+into nothing but rowdies and hoodlums."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I am the best judge of how discipline should be maintained in
+this institution," responded Colonel Colby, with dignity. "I will take
+this matter up in the morning and do my best to sift it to the bottom.
+Now I think we had better retire, as it is growing late," and thereupon
+he returned to his own rooms.</p>
+
+<p>"I think that was the best joke we ever played," remarked Andy, when he
+and the other Rovers were dressing on the following morning.</p>
+
+<p>"It sure did count one against old Lemon," chuckled Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And to think the way Slugger and Nappy were knocked over by the
+goats too!" broke in Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll bet they're mad over that," observed Jack. "More than likely, it
+will make them take a hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="page123" id="page123">[Pg 123]</a></span> in assisting Lemm to find out who was
+guilty. We'll have to be on our guard against them."</p>
+
+<p>"Did anybody see you making off with the goats?" queried Randy suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think so," answered Jack. But in this surmise he was mistaken;
+one cadet had seen Walt Baxter hurrying from the school with goats'
+harness under his sweater, and this youth had, from a safe distance,
+watched Jack and Walt place some of the harness on the goats and drive
+them off in the direction of Mike O'Toole's farm.</p>
+
+<p>This cadet was Codfish, who was always sneaking around, trying to pick
+up information that did not rightly belong to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha!" said the little sneak to himself, after Walt and Jack had
+disappeared. "Now I know who was responsible for bringing those goats
+into the school."</p>
+
+<p>At first the sneak thought he would report the matter to either Asa Lemm
+or Colonel Colby, but as he was not in particularly good favor with the
+professor on whom the joke had been played, he thought it might be as
+well for him to wait and think the matter over.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe I had better tell Slugger and Nappy first and see what they've
+got to say about it," he reasoned. He went to the bully and his crony
+with everything.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page124" id="page124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He dressed early, and then went over to Nappy's room, where he found the
+cronies together, just as he had surmised. They were talking over the
+affair of the night before and wondering who could be guilty.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got some news," announced Codfish.</p>
+
+<p>"What news?" demanded Nappy.</p>
+
+<p>"It's very important," went on the little cadet. "If I tell you will you
+promise not to give me away?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it about last night's affair, Cod?" demanded Slugger quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Now look here, Slugger! You promised not to call me Cod any more,"
+pleaded the sneak.</p>
+
+<p>"All right, Henry. That was merely a slip of the tongue," returned the
+bully good-naturedly. He knew exactly how to handle such a fellow as
+Stowell. "Now tell us what you've got on your mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you promise not to give me away?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure!" came from both of the others promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well then, I know who brought those two goats into the school last
+night," announced Codfish proudly; and thereupon, being urged to do so
+by the others, he told of what he had seen.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew the Rovers were mixed up in that!" cried Slugger.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page125" id="page125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And I've noticed that Walt Baxter has been training with them. More
+than likely it was the work of the whole Rover crowd," announced Nappy.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you think we ought to let Colonel Colby know about this?"
+questioned Codfish anxiously. It was his delight to get other cadets
+into trouble and see them suffer, but he always wanted to keep his own
+actions dark for fear his schoolmates might turn on him and start in to
+"square up."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course we ought to let Colonel Colby know about this&mdash;and Professor
+Lemm too," answered Nappy. "The question is, how can we do it without
+getting mixed up in it ourselves?"</p>
+
+<p>"We might send a note to Colonel Colby," suggested the sneak.</p>
+
+<p>The matter was talked over for several minutes, and then it was decided
+that two notes should be written and one delivered to Colonel Colby and
+the other to Asa Lemm.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is going to write the notes?" questioned Codfish.</p>
+
+<p>"You can do that, Henry," said the bully quickly. He had not forgotten
+how the anonymous letter he had once sent out had been traced back to
+him, in spite of the disguised handwriting.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page126" id="page126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I couldn't do that!" answered Stowell in alarm. And he shook his
+head vigorously.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you can!" broke in Nappy. And thereupon, somewhat against his
+will, Codfish penned the two notes in as much of a disguised hand as was
+possible for him.</p>
+
+<p>"But I'm not going to deliver the notes," he warned feebly. "You two
+have got to do that much."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, we will," answered Slugger. He turned to his crony. "You
+slip one of them under Professor Lemm's door, and I'll place the other
+on Colonel Colby's desk."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, but be careful."</p>
+
+<p>"Bet your life!"</p>
+
+<p>Asa Lemm was just finishing his morning toilet and grumbling over the
+happenings of the night, when he chanced to glance toward the door of
+his room, and at that moment saw a letter thrust under it. He stared for
+an instant in amazement, and then rushed forward and threw the door wide
+open. But his movement, quick as it was, came too late, for Nappy
+Martell had already slipped around a corner and made his escape. Taking
+up the letter, the professor read the contents with great interest. The
+communication ran as follows:<span class='pagenum'><a name="page127" id="page127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Professor Lemm:</span><br />
+<br />
+"If you want to know more about the trouble last night, ask John
+Rover and Walter Baxter. They had the two billy goats. I think you
+will find that all of the Rovers and the boys who go with them were
+in this joke.<br />
+<br />
+<span style="padding-left: 10em">"Yours respectfully,</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="padding-left: 15em"><i>"One Who Knows."</i></span></p></div>
+
+<p>"So that's who is guilty!" muttered the teacher, after reading the
+letter a second time. "The Rovers, eh? I might have known it because of
+the trouble I have had with them in the classroom. And I remember now
+that I have also had trouble with that Baxter boy. I must see Colonel
+Colby about this at once."</p>
+
+<p>The professor hurried downstairs, and found that Colonel Colby had
+entered his office but a few minutes before, and was perusing the
+communication left there secretly by Slugger Brown.</p>
+
+<p>"I have found out who was guilty last night," snapped Asa Lemm, as he
+flourished the letter in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you receive an anonymous communication?" demanded the master of the
+Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"I did, sir. But what makes you ask that question?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page128" id="page128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I have such a communication myself," and Colonel Colby indicated the
+epistle.</p>
+
+<p>"We must punish those rascals, sir!"</p>
+
+<p>"First I want to find out if there is any truth in these letters,"
+answered Colonel Colby. "Very frequently anonymous communications cannot
+be relied upon."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I haven't the least doubt but what Rover and Baxter are guilty!"
+exclaimed Asa Lemm quickly. "I've had trouble in the classroom with
+them, and also with the other Rovers. I should not be surprised if the
+whole crowd had something to do with it."</p>
+
+<p>"I will send for Rover and Baxter."</p>
+
+<p>It must be confessed that Jack was somewhat surprised when one of the
+assistants came to him and told him he was wanted immediately in the
+office.</p>
+
+<p>"Gee! this looks bad!" cried Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Want any of us to go with you?" questioned Fred quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"No; I can face the music alone," answered the oldest Rover boy.</p>
+
+<p>He arrived at the office just as another assistant was bringing in Walt
+Baxter. The two exchanged glances, but said nothing. But the glance
+given Walt meant, "Keep mum," and the other understood and nodded
+slightly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page129" id="page129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"So here you are, eh?" cried Asa Lemm, before Colonel Colby had a chance
+to say a word. "I thought I'd catch you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Excuse me, Professor Lemm, but I wish you would allow me to conduct
+this examination," put in Colonel Colby a trifle stiffly. If the truth
+must be told, the overbearing manner of the teacher was not any more to
+the liking of the master of the Hall than it was to the cadets. Yet, Asa
+Lemm had come well recommended, and Colonel Colby did not wish to pass
+hasty judgment on him.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," returned the professor. "But please remember I have suffered
+greatly, and I demand satisfaction."</p>
+
+<p>"I have sent for you cadets in order to clear up the affair that
+happened last night," began Colonel Colby, ignoring Asa Lemm's last
+remark. "I have been given to understand that you were the two to bring
+those goats into the Hall. Am I right?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did not bring the goats into the Hall," returned Walt Baxter
+promptly. "Just the same, I guess I'm as guilty as anybody," he added
+quickly, not wishing to shirk responsibility.</p>
+
+<p>"I was one of the cadets who brought the goats into the Hall, Colonel
+Colby," answered Jack promptly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page130" id="page130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Baxter did not assist in bringing them into the Hall?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"But you were not alone, Rover?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Who was with you in this escapade?"</p>
+
+<p>"I prefer not to answer that question, Colonel Colby."</p>
+
+<p>"Make him answer! Make him answer!" stormed Asa Lemm. "You young rascal!
+I'll teach you to play tricks on me!" and he shook his fist in Jack's
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"Professor Lemm, I'll thank you to be less violent," interrupted Colonel
+Colby. "This examination must be held in an orderly fashion. You say you
+were not alone, Rover. Will you tell me how many were mixed up in this
+affair?"</p>
+
+<p>Jack thought for a moment. "Do you mean the whole happening in Professor
+Lemm's room?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, there were eight or ten of us&mdash;maybe more. Of course, some had more
+to do with it than others," responded Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Eight or ten of you!" gasped Asa Lemm. "As many as that?" And his face
+showed his surprise. He had imagined that possibly only the Rover boys
+and Walt Baxter were guilty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page131" id="page131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Are you quite sure you don't want to mention any names, Rover?" asked
+Colonel Colby again.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Colonel. And if you were in my position, I do not think you would
+want to mention any of them either," added Jack, looking the master of
+the Hall squarely in the eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"We won't discuss that side of the question." Colonel Colby turned to
+Walt Baxter. "How about you? Do you care to say who was mixed up in this
+affair?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," was the prompt response.</p>
+
+<p>"Make them tell! Make them tell!" exclaimed Asa Lemm. "Punish them
+severely! Put them in the guardhouse on bread and water until they are
+willing to divulge the names of all the rascals who were mixed up in
+these outrageous proceedings."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not going to make them tell if they won't do it on their own
+account," was Colonel Colby's answer. As a cadet at Putnam Hall, he had
+never had any use for a tale bearer.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll take the law in my own hands!" cried Asa Lemm vindictively.
+"I'll go down to Haven Point and make a complaint and have them both
+arrested!"</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page132" id="page132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<h3>ASA LEMM IS DISMISSED</h3>
+
+<p>While the examination of Jack and Walt was taking place in the office,
+the other Rovers and their chums held a meeting in Randy's room.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you suppose this means&mdash;calling Jack and Walt down to the
+colonel's office?" remarked Fred anxiously. He had just been informed by
+Dan Soppinger about Walt.</p>
+
+<p>"It was Jack and Walt who took those goats back. Maybe somebody spotted
+them," suggested Spouter.</p>
+
+<p>The discussion lasted for some minutes and grew quite warm, and then
+Andy leaped up.</p>
+
+<p>"I know what I'm going to do!" he said. "I'm going below and try to find
+out just what it means."</p>
+
+<p>"And so am I," added Fred and Randy quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll all stand by him," announced Spouter. "Of course, you fellows
+brought the goats here, but I think we had as much to do with the rest
+of it as any of you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page133" id="page133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Andy hurried off, and lost no time in making his way to the door of
+Colonel Colby's private office. The door had been left slightly ajar, so
+it was an easy matter for him to take in most of what was said.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious! this certainly is growing serious," he murmured to himself,
+when Asa Lemm made the declaration that he would go down to Haven Point
+and have Jack and Walt arrested. "I guess I had better let the others
+know about it," and he scurried upstairs again.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Andy! do you suppose old Lemon will really have them locked up?"
+questioned Fred anxiously, after being told of what was taking place
+below.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think he would dare to do it," announced Spouter.</p>
+
+<p>"I move we all go down and take a hand in this!" cried Gif. "There is no
+fairness in letting Jack and Walt suffer for what we did."</p>
+
+<p>Several other cadets had drifted in, those who had either been on the
+watch while the joke was being prepared or who had assisted in placing
+the sheets of ice on the floor and in the bed, and all agreed that the
+crowd had better stand together when it came to acknowledging what had
+been done.</p>
+
+<p>"Forward march!" cried Gif, who, as a leader<span class='pagenum'><a name="page134" id="page134">[Pg 134]</a></span> in athletics, took it upon
+himself to manage the affair. "Come on now&mdash;and no shirking!"</p>
+
+<p>Braced up by numbers, all of the cadets fell in readily with this plan,
+and as a consequence there were ten boys led by Gif and the Rovers who
+marched down to the office.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll enter by column of twos," announced Gif. "March in in regular
+military fashion," he added, and then knocked upon the office door.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Colby was doing what he could to question Jack and Walt on one
+hand, while trying to make Asa Lemm keep quiet on the other, when the
+others arrived. The master of the Hall was having no easy time of it,
+because Professor Lemm seemed to be growing more and more excited.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll have the law on them, I tell you!" he cried. "They ought to go to
+state's prison for this!"</p>
+
+<p>"Please be quiet just a minute, Professor," remonstrated Colonel Colby.
+Then came the knock on the door, and the colonel flung it open, not at
+all pleased over the interruption.</p>
+
+<p>"Wha&mdash;what does this mean?" gasped Asa Lemm, as he saw the double row of
+cadets filing in.</p>
+
+<p>"Colonel Colby, we have come to report," announced Gif, saluting.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page135" id="page135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Please allow me to be the spokesman, Gif," pleaded Randy, stepping to
+the front. And then, before his school chum could speak, he continued:
+"Colonel Colby, we have come to give ourselves up."</p>
+
+<p>"Give yourselves up! What do you mean, Rover?"</p>
+
+<p>"We were all in this lark together, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"And if there is to be any punishment we want to stand for our share of
+it," added Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"I think we Rover boys were more to blame than the others," put in Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"You see, Professor Lemm is down on us, and we thought we had to do
+something to get square," Andy endeavored to explain.</p>
+
+<p>"He doesn't treat us fairly in the classroom!" cried Spouter.</p>
+
+<p>"If he wasn't here we'd get along without any trouble whatever," piped
+up a voice in the rear.</p>
+
+<p>It must be confessed that the sudden entrance of the ten cadets, and
+what they had to say concerning the joke that had been played, somewhat
+stumped the master of the Hall. As for Asa Lemm, for the moment he was
+dumbfounded; but then his natural antipathy to boys asserted itself, and
+he glared at them viciously.</p>
+
+<p>"So you were all in it, eh?" he snarled. "I might have known as much.
+You are all a pack<span class='pagenum'><a name="page136" id="page136">[Pg 136]</a></span> of rowdies! You are not fit to associate with
+respectable people!"</p>
+
+<p>"Professor Lemm, I do not wish you to address our cadets in such a
+manner," said Colonel Colby sternly. "These young gentlemen are not
+rowdies, even though they have played a joke which was not particularly
+nice. I do not uphold them in the least in what they have done, but, at
+the same time, I cannot help but remember that they are only boys, and
+that boys are sometimes very thoughtless."</p>
+
+<p>"Thoughtless! They think too much! I tell you, sir, they are a pack of
+rowdies, and unless you punish them, and punish them severely, I shall
+take the matter in my own hands and have them arrested."</p>
+
+<p>"If you do anything of that sort, Professor Lemm, we will have to
+dispense with your services in this school," announced Colonel Colby
+flatly. He was growing weary of the irate teacher's manner.</p>
+
+<p>A strenuous half hour followed, everybody present forgetting all about
+roll call and breakfast. Colonel Colby did what he could in questioning
+all of the cadets regarding the occurrences of the night before, but was
+continually interrupted by the unreasonable teacher. Finally he could
+stand it no longer, and turned to the pro<span class='pagenum'><a name="page137" id="page137">[Pg 137]</a></span>fessor with all the dignity he
+could command.</p>
+
+<p>"Professor Lemm, I have stood enough," he said in a cold, hard voice,
+which instantly commanded attention. "I want no more such language from
+you. You may go to your breakfast, and I will conduct this examination
+alone, and will see you about it before we begin the day's session in
+the school. And, in the meantime, allow me to impress upon you that it
+is all nonsense to talk about having any of these boys arrested. They
+have done nothing that warrants arrest, and if you attempt anything of
+that sort, you will not only make yourself ridiculous, but you might
+place yourself open to a suit for damages. Now, please leave this
+office."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll see about this! I'll see about this!" snapped the unreasonable
+teacher, and left the office in anything but a dignified fashion.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Professor Lemm had gone, the master of the Hall questioned
+the boys closely concerning, not only the affair of the night before,
+but also about the troubles they had had with the teacher, both in the
+classroom and elsewhere. This was the first time the boys had had a
+chance to "get one in on old Lemon," as Andy afterwards declared, and
+they did not mince matters in telling of the many trials and
+tribulations which Asa Lemm had caused them. It is barely<span class='pagenum'><a name="page138" id="page138">[Pg 138]</a></span> possible that
+some of the complaints were overdrawn, yet there was such a unanimity of
+opinion concerning Professor Lemm's harshness that Colonel Colby was
+quite impressed.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I want to ask you boys a question, and I want you to answer it
+honestly," said Colonel Colby toward the close of the examination.
+"Would you have played such a trick as this upon any of the other
+professors?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't," answered Randy quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I," came from Fred and Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd never dream of playing such a trick on anybody but a man like
+Professor Lemm," announced Jack. The others also agreed that it was not
+likely any such joke would have been played on anybody else in the Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, evidently, none of you likes Professor Lemm," said Colonel Colby
+slowly.</p>
+
+<p>To this there was no reply, but the look on the faces of the various
+cadets showed the master of the Hall that he had struck the truth.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I'm going to ask you boys another question," he went on, after a
+pause, and there was a faint smile on his face when he spoke. "Don't you
+think you ought to be punished for what you have done?"</p>
+
+<p>For a moment there was another silence. Then Jack spoke up.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page139" id="page139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"In one way, yes, sir; but in another, no," he replied. "Professor Lemm
+treated us very unjustly in the classroom in making us stay in and
+making us do extra lessons, and we didn't know of any other way to get
+square with him."</p>
+
+<p>"Looks to me as if we got our punishment before we played the joke,"
+said Andy, and this reply made some of the cadets grin.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Colby looked out of the window, which faced the snow-covered
+campus. Although the boys did not know it, he hardly knew what to say or
+do. He realized that he could not pass over the occurrence without
+punishing the lads, and yet he could see their point of view&mdash;that Asa
+Lemm had been the first at fault in not treating them fairly during
+classes.</p>
+
+<p>"Order has got to be maintained in this school," he said finally, as he
+faced them. "If we did not have order, the whole institution would go to
+pieces. That is my first point. My second is that two Wrongs have never
+yet made a Right, and instead of taking matters into your own hands, as
+you did, after having trouble with Professor Lemm, you should have come
+to me and told me what was wrong.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall take this matter up later, after I have had an opportunity to
+make further inquiries concerning your conduct. In the meantime, you
+may<span class='pagenum'><a name="page140" id="page140">[Pg 140]</a></span> go to breakfast, and then to your classes;" and thus he dismissed
+them.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, as soon as the boys were by themselves, they began to discuss
+the situation from every possible angle. Several wanted to know how it
+was that the master of the Hall had learned that Jack and Walt were
+guilty.</p>
+
+<p>"Somebody sent Colonel Colby a note about us. I saw it on his desk,"
+answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and Asa Lemm had another note just like it," added Walt. "Some
+sneak in this school must have watched us, and then sent the notes."</p>
+
+<p>Much to the cadets' relief, they did not see Asa Lemm in the messroom.
+Nor did the language teacher show himself during the morning session.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps he's having another talk with Colonel Colby," suggested Fred.</p>
+
+<p>The youngest Rover was right. The unreasonable teacher was closeted with
+the master of the Hall for over an hour, and during that time much of
+what had been told by the cadets was threshed over. Asa Lemm was as
+unreasonable as ever, and finally Colonel Colby lost all patience with
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid, Professor Lemm, that you are not suited to be a teacher in
+this institution," he said. "Your actions here show that you are very<span class='pagenum'><a name="page141" id="page141">[Pg 141]</a></span>
+irritable and unreasonable. After you left this office, I questioned all
+of those cadets closely, and all had practically the same story to tell;
+namely, that you had required more than was fair of them in your
+classes, and that, on the slightest pretext, you had punished them by
+making them stay in and do extra lessons. I went into many of the
+details, and I am convinced that in a good proportion of the cases the
+students were right and you were wrong. Now, I regret this very much,
+because I realize that&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, I don't want to be talked to in this fashion!" cried Asa Lemm,
+bridling up. "I was not in the wrong at all. Those boys are regular
+imps! They don't know how to treat a teacher decently! I won't stand for
+their nonsense! I want them severely punished, or else&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a moment, Professor Lemm," interrupted the colonel, rising and
+facing him sternly. "I said I was sorry, and I am; but I feel that you
+are not the man to teach in this institution, and consequently I must
+ask you for your resignation. I will pay you your salary up to the first
+of next month, and you can leave this school just as soon as you
+desire."</p>
+
+<p>"Wha&mdash;what? This! to me?" ejaculated the professor in consternation.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. You can draw your pay, and,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page142" id="page142">[Pg 142]</a></span> if you wish, you can leave this
+morning."</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;but&mdash;this is outrageous! I won't stand it! I was hired for the
+school year!"</p>
+
+<p>"You were&mdash;on condition that your services were entirely satisfactory to
+me. They are not satisfactory, and consequently I am giving you this
+opportunity to resign."</p>
+
+<p>"If I have to leave, I'll have those boys arrested!" stormed Asa Lemm.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think I'd be so foolish, if I were in your place, Professor.
+What they did was nothing but a foolish schoolboy joke, and they did
+that simply to get square with you for your unreasonable conduct toward
+them. I think the best you can do is to drop the matter. If you insist
+on dragging this affair before the public, perhaps the boys, and I,
+myself, will have something to say that you will not care to hear."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll see&mdash;we'll see!" cried Asa Lemm, shaking his head and with his
+eyes blazing wrathfully. "We'll see about this!" and thus speaking, he
+stamped away.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page143" id="page143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<h3>OVERHEARING A PLOT</h3>
+
+<p>"Professor Lemm has left Colby Hall!"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean, Jack? Left the Hall for good?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Randy."</p>
+
+<p>"Who told you that?" questioned Fred eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"I just got it from Professor Brice. He said that old Lemon resigned,
+took his pay, and left yesterday afternoon while we were in classes."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! that's the best news I've heard in a year of Sundays!" cried
+Andy. "Gone for good! Just think of it!" and, in high spirits, he began
+to do a jig, and ended with a handspring across the room, landing with a
+violent thump on the bed.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi, you, Andy!" remonstrated Jack. "Just because you are happy is no
+reason you should bust up my sleeping place."</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! I feel fine enough to do almost anything," returned the fun-loving
+Rover. "Just to<span class='pagenum'><a name="page144" id="page144">[Pg 144]</a></span> think of it! We won't be worried by Asa Lemm any more!"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you be too sure of that," went on his cousin. "Asa Lemm is gone,
+it is true; but we may hear from him, nevertheless. When he went away he
+was an angry as ever, so Professor Brice said."</p>
+
+<p>As was usual, the Rovers had congregated in their rooms, along with
+several of their chums. Outside it was snowing once again, the soft
+particles whirling in all directions and clinging fast to the window
+panes. It was the off hour of the afternoon, but none of the lads had
+cared to go outside, or even visit the school library.</p>
+
+<p>The news that Asa Lemm had left the Hall was true. Following his heated
+interview with Colonel Colby, he had written out his resignation,
+accepted his pay for the month, packed his baggage, and left the school,
+never to return. Only several of the teachers and the man who had driven
+him away had seen him go; and this was as Colonel Colby wished it, for
+he was afraid that if the cadets were present at the disliked teacher's
+departure, they would make some sort of demonstration against him.</p>
+
+<p>Strange as it may seem, Colonel Colby had said nothing further about
+punishing the cadets. Evidently he had taken their word for it that
+they<span class='pagenum'><a name="page145" id="page145">[Pg 145]</a></span> would not have played the trick on any other teacher in the
+school, and possibly he remembered what Andy had said to the effect that
+the boys had been punished beforehand for what had been done. A few of
+the lads were afraid that the matter might be taken up later, but the
+majority had reached the conclusion that they would hear no more
+concerning it.</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad it's snowing," said Jack, after he and the others had
+tired of speaking about the departed teacher. "I had an idea we would be
+able to get in some fine skating before we left for the Christmas
+holidays."</p>
+
+<p>The Rover boys had not forgotten the fact that both Asa Lemm and Colonel
+Colby had received notes concerning the joke that had been played. They
+remembered well how Slugger Brown, as related in a previous volume, had
+sent an anonymous communication to Elias Lacy, accusing them of having
+shot the old farmer's cows.</p>
+
+<p>"If Slugger was mean enough to send that letter, he'd be mean enough to
+send these notes," was the way Jack put it.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we could see one or both of the letters," remarked Randy. "We
+could very quickly tell if they were in Slugger's handwriting, or
+Nappy's either."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page146" id="page146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you can bet they'd disguise their handwriting as much as possible,"
+said Fred.</p>
+
+<p>The snow continued the next day, and it was so windy and unpleasant
+outdoors that the battalion had to dispense with its outdoor parade and
+spend that time in a drill in the gymnasium. After this was over the
+Rovers and some of their chums amused themselves on the bars, swinging
+rings, and with the exercising machines the gymnasium afforded.</p>
+
+<p>The boys were doing all sorts of stunts, when suddenly Fred called Randy
+to one side.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on with me," he said in a low voice. "I think I've discovered
+something."</p>
+
+<p>His manner showed that he had something unusual on his mind, and Randy
+lost no time in doing as was bidden. The two cousins hurried to a corner
+of the gymnasium, and then Fred led the way up a narrow stairway, which
+opened up on the second floor of the building, a place which was heated,
+but seldom used by the majority of the cadets. It was used more as a
+storeroom, and contained a lot of disused gymnasium paraphernalia and
+boxes and barrels.</p>
+
+<p>"What's going on up here?" questioned Randy, when his cousin placed a
+hand over his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"I just saw Slugger and Nappy come up here with Codfish," whispered
+Fred. "And those three<span class='pagenum'><a name="page147" id="page147">[Pg 147]</a></span> wouldn't come to such an out-of-the-way place if
+there wasn't something in the wind."</p>
+
+<p>"You're right there, Fred," was the equally low reply. "When those three
+get together on the sly there is generally something brewing."</p>
+
+<p>Before emerging on the second floor of the gymnasium, they looked around
+cautiously. At the far end, near a steam radiator, they saw Slugger and
+Nappy seated on a couple of boxes, while Codfish rested on the top of an
+old nail keg. The two older boys were puffing away at cigarettes,
+something that was against the school rules.</p>
+
+<p>"Might as well have a cigarette, Henry," Slugger was saying
+good-naturedly, and, at the same time, holding out a box.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I don't think I will," answered Codfish.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, go ahead. It will make a man of you," put in Nappy; and, somewhat
+against his will, the small cadet took a cigarette and lit it.</p>
+
+<p>While this was going on, Fred and Randy had managed to step from the top
+of the stairs to where a number of boxes were piled up. They moved along
+cautiously, and soon got to within a few feet of where the other three
+cadets were seated, without being noticed.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, then, let's come to business!" remarked Slugger, after puffing
+away at a cigarette for a<span class='pagenum'><a name="page148" id="page148">[Pg 148]</a></span> moment. He blew a cloud of smoke to the
+ceiling. "I think now is a dandy time to get square with those Rovers."</p>
+
+<p>"But you want to be careful&mdash;they are awful sly," said Codfish.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are mistaken, Henry. They didn't find out about those
+notes," and the bully chuckled.</p>
+
+<p>"Just the same, Slug, I think we ought to take Cod's advice and be
+careful," broke in Nappy, lighting a fresh cigarette. "I have a hunch
+that the Rovers are watching us like a cat watches mice."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe they are. But I guess we know how to fool them," went on the
+bully swaggeringly. "And now is just our chance to get them into a
+hole."</p>
+
+<p>"Explain, please."</p>
+
+<p>"It's just like this, Nappy. Of course, they haven't admitted it, but
+you know just as well as I do that Colonel Colby must have punished them
+pretty severely for the trick they played on Lemm. What he did to them,
+we don't know, but probably he has given 'em some extra lessons to do,
+and maybe he's punished 'em in other ways."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, sure! he must have punished them somehow."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't seen any of them going down to<span class='pagenum'><a name="page149" id="page149">[Pg 149]</a></span> town since it happened," put
+in Codfish. "Maybe Colonel Colby made them promise to stay within
+bounds."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps. Well, as I was saying, being punished, they, of course, are
+pretty sore on the colonel. Now then, if we can only play some dirty
+trick on Colonel Colby and make it appear as if the Rovers and their
+crowd did it, they'll sure get into hot water over it."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm willing to do anything to square up with those fellows," grumbled
+Nappy. He paused for a moment to puff away at his cigarette. "What do
+you propose doing?"</p>
+
+<p>"That, of course, is something we'll have to figure out. We'll want to
+be careful, so as not to get our own fingers burnt."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what you might do!" broke in Codfish eagerly. "You might
+drop ashes all over Colonel Colby's office and his bedroom, and then
+leave some of the ashes in a box in the Rovers' rooms, and somebody
+might say something about having seen Jack Rover getting the ashes from
+the boiler-room."</p>
+
+<p>"That's good as far as it goes, Henry, but it isn't quite strong
+enough," returned Slugger. "We ought to do something that will make
+Colonel Colby hopping mad."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what let's do!" broke out Nappy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page150" id="page150">[Pg 150]</a></span> "We'll use the ashes,
+and we'll use some other things too. I was down past the kitchen a while
+ago, and I heard one of the cooks complaining about some of the canned
+tomatoes which were all spoiled and he was going to throw out. Now,
+suppose we use some of those spoiled tomatoes with the ashes, and maybe
+a quart or two of ink. How about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Great!" exclaimed Slugger. "Ashes, ink and decayed tomatoes will make
+one fine combination, believe me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you want to be very careful," remarked Codfish, his voice shaking a
+little. "The ink will be sure to spoil some things, not to mention the
+bad tomatoes."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we want to spoil something," returned Slugger. "We want to get
+Colonel Colby real mad. Maybe then he'll send the Rovers home."</p>
+
+<p>"How soon do you suppose we can play this joke?" questioned Nappy, while
+Slugger lit a fresh cigarette.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps we can play it very soon. We'll have to watch our chance," was
+the answer. Slugger held out his box of cigarettes to Codfish. "Here,
+Henry, have another."</p>
+
+<p>"N-n-no, th-thank you," stammered the sneak. "I&mdash;I do&mdash;don't care to
+smoke any more. It&mdash;it makes my head dizzy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page151" id="page151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you'll soon get over that. Come on, be a real man and smoke up!"
+urged Slugger; and much against his will poor Codfish lit a second
+cigarette, he having dropped the other behind the nail keg.</p>
+
+<p>This talk was followed by an animated discussion between Slugger and
+Nappy as to just how the proposed trick might be played. Codfish said
+but little. He was growing pale, and at the first chance threw away the
+second cigarette.</p>
+
+<p>Of course Fred and Randy had listened to every word that was said.
+Ordinarily, the Rovers did not favor playing the part of eavesdroppers,
+but just now they thought they were amply justified in listening to
+everything that their enemies might have to say.</p>
+
+<p>"They are a fine bunch if ever there was one!" whispered Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on away; I guess we've heard enough," answered his cousin. "The
+best thing we can do is to report to Jack and Andy, and then make up our
+minds what we are going to do next."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page152" id="page152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<h3>AN ALARM OF FIRE</h3>
+
+<p>With great care, so as not to make any noise, the two Rover boys tiptoed
+their way back behind the boxes and barrels until they reached the
+narrow stairway.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on! But don't make a bit of noise," said Randy quickly, and went
+down the stairs as rapidly as possible, with Fred at his heels. Reaching
+the lower floor of the gymnasium, they shut the door, and then lost no
+time in mixing with the other Rovers and their chums at the far end of
+the building.</p>
+
+<p>"Where have you fellows been?" questioned Jack, who had suddenly noticed
+their absence.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you later," said Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, don't say a word more about our being away&mdash;especially if Slugger
+and Nappy and Codfish come this way. Act just as if we had been here
+right along."</p>
+
+<p>"I get you, Randy," said Jack; and a minute later, as the others who had
+been mentioned came<span class='pagenum'><a name="page153" id="page153">[Pg 153]</a></span> into sight, he continued in a loud voice: "Go
+ahead, Randy, it's your turn. Have you been asleep?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I'm not asleep," answered Randy, and caught a ball which was being
+pitched around.</p>
+
+<p>Fred began to practise on an exercising machine, and acted as if he had
+been at it for some time.</p>
+
+<p>Soon Slugger, Nappy and Codfish came down and passed the crowd, eyeing
+all of them closely. Then Slugger winked to the others, and the three
+made their way slowly from the gymnasium building.</p>
+
+<p>"Now then, I'll tell you fellows something," announced Fred; and
+thereupon he and his cousin related to the others what they had
+overheard in the upper room of the building.</p>
+
+<p>"So that's their game, is it?" cried Jack wrathfully. "That's the way
+they are going to pay us back for agreeing to give them another chance
+at this school!"</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to tell Colonel Colby about this at once," put in Spouter,
+who had listened to what was being said. "Then he can have those rascals
+watched."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like the idea of going to Colonel Colby," Jack answered. "I
+feel more like taking the matter in my own hands."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page154" id="page154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Don't you do it, Jack," advised Gif. "Your idea would be all well
+enough if they were ordinary cadets. But they are not. They should have
+been dismissed from this school long ago. If I were you, I wouldn't
+dirty my hands on them. Report the matter to the colonel, and let him
+take charge of it."</p>
+
+<p>"What is this you are saying, Garrison?" demanded a voice from close
+behind the cadets, and Professor Brice appeared in the doorway of the
+washroom of the gymnasium. "What is this you just said about Brown and
+Martell?"</p>
+
+<p>"I said they were not fit to be cadets in this institution," answered
+Gif flatly.</p>
+
+<p>"From what you young gentlemen have been saying, I should judge that you
+know something concerning Brown and Martell," went on the young teacher,
+with a glance around the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>"We do know something," answered Walt, after a somewhat painful silence.
+"That is, two of the crowd here know. We have been urging them to speak
+to Colonel Colby about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Who are the two, and what do you know?"</p>
+
+<p>Again there was a silence, and then Spouter came to the front.</p>
+
+<p>"Professor Brice, I'd like to ask a question," he said. "Two of the
+cadets here overheard a talk between Brown, Martell and Stowell. Those<span class='pagenum'><a name="page155" id="page155">[Pg 155]</a></span>
+three proposed to play a most outrageous trick on Colonel Colby, and
+then make it appear as if that trick had been played by some other
+cadets. In fact, they were going to make all the evidence point to those
+other cadets. Now, do you think those cadets ought to defend themselves
+by telling Colonel Colby all they know? They feel that they don't want
+to be tale bearers."</p>
+
+<p>"If the trick was to be played solely to injure their reputation, they
+certainly ought to expose it," was the teacher's quick response. "It is
+one thing to tell on another person just for the sake of telling, and it
+is quite a different thing to defend one's own reputation."</p>
+
+<p>Following this there was quite a discussion, but in the end Professor
+Brice convinced the Rovers that they had better tell the particulars of
+what they had overheard. He listened to their story with close
+attention.</p>
+
+<p>"This is certainly worthy of an investigation," he said, after they had
+finished. "I'll tell Colonel Colby about it, and maybe he will send for
+you. If he does so, kindly take my advice and see to it that when you
+come to the colonel's office you are not watched by Brown, Martell and
+Stowell, or that may spoil everything. I think that the colonel will
+agree with me that the thing to do is to catch those fellows
+red-handed."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page156" id="page156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"All right, Professor, we'll leave everything in your hands," answered
+Fred. Even yet he did not feel just right over what had been done. He
+still felt that he and his cousins should have settled affairs privately
+with Slugger Brown and his cronies, even if it had been a matter of fist
+fights.</p>
+
+<p>The young professor lost no time in going to Colonel Colby. He found the
+master of the Hall in his study looking over the questions which were to
+be used in the coming examination.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry to report more trouble, sir," he announced, and, sitting
+down, he gave Colonel Colby a rapid sketch of what had taken place at
+the gymnasium.</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad! too bad!" and the master of the Hall showed his
+disappointment. He heaved a sigh. "It looks to me, Brice, as if I had
+made a mistake in giving Brown and Martell another chance."</p>
+
+<p>"Just what I was thinking, sir," returned the young teacher.</p>
+
+<p>"You say the Rovers did not wish to report the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's it, sir. I had to fairly drag the story but of them. They did
+not want to have the reputation of tale bearers."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I understand their view of it, Brice. At the same time, this is
+too serious a matter to allow them to settle it between themselves. I
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="page157" id="page157">[Pg 157]</a></span>think the best thing we can do is to have those three cadets watched
+closely, to see if they really intend to carry out their nefarious
+plot."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly what I was thinking, Colonel Colby."</p>
+
+<p>"First, however, you may send Randy Rover and his Cousin Fred to me. I
+want to question them, so as to make sure of my ground."</p>
+
+<p>Expecting this call, Randy and Fred kept themselves in readiness, and as
+soon as Professor Brice came for them they hurried off to the office,
+taking care that none of their enemies should see them. Slugger, Nappy
+and Codfish, however, were out of sight, having gone upstairs to their
+rooms.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, I want you to tell me exactly what was said," announced Colonel
+Colby, as soon as the two cadets appeared.</p>
+
+<p>They had their story well in mind, and it did not take long to give the
+master of the Hall all of the details. In the midst of the conversation,
+Fred let drop accidentally that the three unworthy cadets had been
+smoking.</p>
+
+<p>"They were smoking?" interrupted the colonel.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. But&mdash;I&mdash;I&mdash;didn't mean to mention that," stammered Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"What were they smoking, Rover?"</p>
+
+<p>"Cigarettes."</p>
+
+<p>"All of them?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page158" id="page158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. Although, to tell the truth, Codfish&mdash;I mean Stowell&mdash;didn't
+seem to want to smoke, but Slugger&mdash;that is, Brown&mdash;urged him, so that
+he didn't know how to get out of it. I guess the cigarette made him
+sick."</p>
+
+<p>"I see." Colonel Colby nodded his head slowly. "Now go on;" and then the
+story of what had been overheard in the upper room of the gymnasium was
+finished.</p>
+
+<p>"It's an outrage! an outrage! if what you say is true; and I have no
+reason to doubt your word," went on the master of the Hall, after the
+cadets had finished. "I am sorry now that I gave Brown and Martell this
+chance to return to our school."</p>
+
+<p>To this neither of the Rovers made any reply. For an instant both of
+them thought of the trick they had played on Asa Lemm. Colonel Colby
+seemed to follow their thought.</p>
+
+<p>"Your trick and this thing are two entirely different affairs,"
+continued the colonel. "In the one case, you, in your boyish fashion,
+tried to square up for the way you had been mistreated. In this case,
+however, these cadets are trying to get you into trouble, and if this
+trick had succeeded, it is just possible that I might have been angry
+enough to send you and the rest of your family home."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page159" id="page159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, don't send Brown and Martell home on our account," announced
+Randy. "We are not afraid of them."</p>
+
+<p>"That may be, Rover. But I cannot have such underhand work at this
+school. Now I want you cadets to do me a favor. I want you to act
+exactly as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. I want you to
+tell all of the others to keep quiet about this. I want to set a trap,
+and if possible catch those rascals in the midst of their work. Do you
+understand?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," came from both of the cadets.</p>
+
+<p>"Then that is all."</p>
+
+<p>Allowed to leave the office, Randy and Fred lost no time in hunting up
+the others, who had gone upstairs to the Rover boys' rooms. On the way,
+they met Walt, Spouter and Gif, and told these cadets to come along.
+Then they closed the door to the hallway.</p>
+
+<p>"It's to be kept a secret," announced Randy.</p>
+
+<p>In subdued voices, so that no one passing in the hallway might hear
+them, the Rovers and their chums discussed the situation. They were in
+the midst of this when they suddenly heard a wild cry of alarm. Then
+came a rush of footsteps, and less than a minute later the loud clanging
+of a bell.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello! what's that?" exclaimed Jack.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page160" id="page160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Something is wrong&mdash;that's sure!" announced Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the bell ringing for?" queried Fred. "It isn't time for parade
+yet."</p>
+
+<p>"That isn't the parade bell!" ejaculated Gif. "That's the fire bell!
+There must be a fire!"</p>
+
+<p>The boys flung open the doors, and ran hastily into the hallway. Cadets
+were pouring forth from every quarter, and there was a tremendous
+excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"Is the building on fire?"</p>
+
+<p>"Take it easy, boys! Take it easy!" yelled Major Ralph Mason, as he
+appeared at the head of one of the stairways. "There is no fire in this
+building. Don't get excited."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the fire?" queried a dozen voices in chorus.</p>
+
+<p>"It's down at the gym! The upper floor is in flames!"</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page161" id="page161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<h3>PUTTING OUT THE FLAMES</h3>
+
+<p>"What do you know about that! The gym is on fire!" gasped Fred, and
+clutched Randy by the arm. He looked at his cousin knowingly.</p>
+
+<p>"I know what you're thinking, Fred. Those cigarettes that Slugger, Nappy
+and Codfish were smoking&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That's it! They threw them down recklessly, and also threw down the
+matches they had lighted."</p>
+
+<p>"If the gym burns down Colonel Colby will hold them responsible for the
+loss," put in Jack, who had heard what was said.</p>
+
+<p>While this talk was taking place, all of the cadets were rushing down
+the stairs. Soon they were out on the campus and headed through the
+fast-falling snow in the direction of the gymnasium building.</p>
+
+<p>A heavy smoke was pouring from a broken-out upper window, and also from
+the edges of a scuttle on the roof. As the cadets hurried closer,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page162" id="page162">[Pg 162]</a></span> they
+saw a thin flame show itself for a moment just inside the window.</p>
+
+<p>"It's on fire all right enough, but maybe they can get it under
+control," announced Jack. "Come on, fellows! Do your duty!"</p>
+
+<p>Warned by the fate which had overtaken Putnam Hall, Colonel Colby had
+taken every possible precaution against fire. There were several large
+water towers erected in and near the school buildings, and these were
+connected with various fire plugs. There were also numerous lengths of
+hose, with nozzles attached, hung up in the several buildings, and both
+the cadets and the teachers had been instructed in a fire drill.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the cadets, who had been in the gymnasium when the fire was
+discovered, had already brought out the hose in that building and
+attached it to one of the plugs. Now this water was turned on, and a
+stream of fair size began to play upon the flames, the cadets, aided by
+one of the teachers, dragging the hose up the narrow stairway for that
+purpose.</p>
+
+<p>"Get out hose number three and number eight!" directed Colonel Colby,
+who was on the scene; and the cadets went to work with a will, and soon
+had two more streams in action.</p>
+
+<p>Despite the thickness of the smoke, two of the teachers and several of
+the cadets had gone up<span class='pagenum'><a name="page163" id="page163">[Pg 163]</a></span> into the second floor of the building and
+located the fire.</p>
+
+<p>"It's up near the steam radiator, just between the two windows,"
+announced one of the teachers. "It's in some boxes and barrels that
+contain straw and excelsior."</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't the building on fire?" queried one cadet.</p>
+
+<p>"The flames are going up to the roof, but so far they haven't broken
+through."</p>
+
+<p>The announcement that the fire so far was confined to some boxes and
+barrels, nerved the cadets and the others to make a greater effort to
+get it under control, and some began to fill buckets with water in the
+washroom below, and these were passed up the narrow stairway and the
+water thrown where it was apparently most needed.</p>
+
+<p>Randy and Andy were in this bucket brigade, while Fred and Jack worked
+with one of the hose gangs. It was exciting labor for all of the boys,
+but this they did not mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! we're getting it under control!" shouted Major Mason presently.
+"Keep it up, boys, and we'll save the whole building!"</p>
+
+<p>In the crowd were, of course, Slugger, Nappy and Codfish. At the first
+alarm they had run forth from the school and gazed in amazement at the
+smoke pouring from the gymnasium.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page164" id="page164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, look! It's the gym that's on fire!" Codfish had burst out; and then
+the little sneak had suddenly turned deadly pale, and would have sunk
+down in the snow had not Slugger caught him.</p>
+
+<p>"See here, Codfish!" hissed the bully, shaking him. "Don't you say a
+word about this, do you understand? Not a word!"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you dare to admit to anybody that you were upstairs in the
+gymnasium," added Nappy.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I ain't going to say nothing!" sniveled Codfish, and then, of a
+sudden, burst out crying. "You fellows let me alone! I didn't want to
+smoke anyhow!" he wailed.</p>
+
+<p>"Shut up! Don't you mention smoking to anybody, or I'll just about half
+kill you!" hissed Slugger. "Now mind! not a word, if you know when you
+are best off!" and then he gave Codfish's arm such a twist that the
+little cadet screamed with pain.</p>
+
+<p>Not to be suspected of what they had done, Slugger and Nappy mingled
+with the other cadets and did their full share in working on the lines
+of hose; but there were really more cadets than were needed for this
+labor, so they had little to do. Codfish also tried to take hold, but he
+trembled so that he soon had to give up, and then he ran back into the
+Hall, where he sat on the stairs, half sobbing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page165" id="page165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>By this time there was little more than smoke to be seen in the upper
+part of the gymnasium. The teachers and the cadets still continued to
+play water into the building. Some now began to open all the windows,
+realizing that a draft could not do much harm. Then, as the smoke began
+to clear away, they began an investigation, so that the last spark of
+the fire might be extinguished.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess it's about out," announced Professor Brice presently. He had
+worked hard, and his face and hands were streaked with black.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are right, Brice," answered Colonel Colby, who had also
+mounted to the upper floor. "We may as well bring up a few buckets of
+water, and then turn off all the hose. There is no use of flooding the
+building, especially in this cold weather. As it is, I think the boys
+will have a skating pond below by morning," and he smiled faintly.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you suppose this started from the heating plant?" questioned the
+teacher.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all!" was the low reply. "But we won't speak about that now,
+Brice," added Colonel Colby significantly; and thereupon the young
+teacher understood and said no more about the matter.</p>
+
+<p>The cadets were sent below, and Colonel Colby<span class='pagenum'><a name="page166" id="page166">[Pg 166]</a></span> and Professor Brice,
+aided by a couple of the hired men, made a close examination of the spot
+where the fire had taken place. It had been confined almost wholly to
+three boxes, loosely filled with excelsior, and two barrels containing
+straw and waste paper.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a mistake to put such inflammable material up here," said
+Colonel Colby to Mr. Crews, the gymnasium instructor.</p>
+
+<p>"I realize that now, Colonel Colby," answered Silas Crews, and his
+manner showed how much the fire had upset him. "But, you see, it was
+this way. We got some of that new gymnasium material in only a couple of
+weeks ago, and we weren't altogether satisfied with it&mdash;if you will
+remember. I said something about sending it back. Well, it came in those
+boxes and barrels, and so I just put them up here, thinking that maybe
+we'd want to use them in sending the stuff back. If it hadn't been for
+that, I'd have cleaned the boxes and barrels out and burnt the stuff
+up."</p>
+
+<p>"I see, Crews. Well, after this, I want you to be careful and not do
+anything like that again."</p>
+
+<p>"But I don't see how the boxes and barrels caught fire, sir," went on
+the gymnasium instructor perplexedly. "We had no light up here, and I
+don't see how they could catch from that little<span class='pagenum'><a name="page167" id="page167">[Pg 167]</a></span> steam radiator over
+there. Why, that radiator hardly gets warm!" It may be mentioned here
+that the radiator had been placed on the upper floor of the gymnasium
+because there had once been talk of partitioning this part of the floor
+from the rest and making of it a meeting room for one of the cadet
+clubs.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll make an investigation later," answered Colonel Colby. "For the
+present, as the steam heating plant seems to be in perfect order, you
+had better start the fire up well, so that we can dry things out here.
+Otherwise, all the pipes may freeze up, and that might give us more
+trouble than this fire."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. I'll see to it, sir," said Silas Crews hastily. "And I'll
+have this whole place cleaned up the first thing in the morning. And
+I'll also have the broken windows fixed."</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he returned to the school, Colonel Colby sent for Randy and
+Fred. He questioned them closely about the cigarette smoking indulged in
+by Slugger, Nappy and Codfish.</p>
+
+<p>"You two are quite sure that you were not smoking yourselves?" he
+demanded sternly.</p>
+
+<p>"We don't smoke, sir," answered Randy promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you light any matches while you were upstairs in the gymnasium?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page168" id="page168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. We had no need for a light," returned Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you any idea how this fire started?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how it could start unless it was from the cigarettes and
+the matches those fellows used," answered Randy bluntly. "I hate to make
+that statement, but the truth is the truth."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you are right, Rover. Now then, I wish you to do me a favor.
+I want you to keep as quiet about this as you are to keep quiet about
+that joke those cadets proposed to play. Do you understand?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," answered both the Rovers.</p>
+
+<p>"Then that is all for the present;" and, so speaking, Colonel Colby
+dismissed the boys.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess he's going to save this fire affair until he catches them
+trying to play the joke," was Fred's comment, as they hurried away to
+join the others.</p>
+
+<p>"That's it, Fred." Randy looked at his cousin knowingly. "There is
+certainly something coming to Slugger, Nappy and Codfish, isn't there?"</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page169" id="page169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+<h3>CAUGHT IN THE ACT</h3>
+
+<p>The news that there had been a fire at Colby Hall soon spread to the
+town and to Clearwater Hall, and there were many anxious inquiries over
+the telephone and otherwise as to whether anybody had been hurt.</p>
+
+<p>"No, nobody was hurt, and the fire didn't amount to much," said Spouter,
+when called up by his Cousin May. "Perhaps, when we see you girls
+personally, we'll have something to tell you that will be a surprise."</p>
+
+<p>In the middle of the afternoon of the day following the fire, a number
+of letters were brought in by one of the hired men from the Haven Point
+post-office.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's a drop letter for you, Jack," remarked Gif, who was distributing
+some of the mail. "Most likely from your best girl," and he smiled
+good-naturedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Doesn't look much like a girl's handwriting," answered the oldest Rover
+boy, as he inspected<span class='pagenum'><a name="page170" id="page170">[Pg 170]</a></span> the envelope. Wondering what the letter might
+contain, he tore open the envelope and was considerably surprised to
+read the following, written on a raggedly-torn half sheet of note paper:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"You Rovers think yourselves smart, but do not forget that I am not
+done with you. You have been the means of my losing a very
+lucrative position. I will not have you arrested, for it would be a
+hard matter for me to obtain justice in this neighborhood; but I
+will remember you, and some day I will bring you to book for what
+you have done. You are nothing but a set of imps and hoodlums, and
+sooner or later Colby will learn the truth."</p></div>
+
+<p>"This is undoubtedly from Professor Lemm," announced Jack, as he allowed
+his cousins and their chums to read the letter.</p>
+
+<p>"He's certainly a sweet-natured man," was Andy's comment. "He's real
+charitable and kind, isn't he?" and this brought forth a smile from the
+others.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think he'll do?" questioned Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe he'll do anything," answered Jack. "Fellows who write
+such anonymous communications are usually cowards. Old Lemon<span class='pagenum'><a name="page171" id="page171">[Pg 171]</a></span> belongs in
+the class with Slugger, Nappy &amp; Company."</p>
+
+<p>The heavy snowstorm cleared away as rapidly as it had come, and the wind
+blew the snow from large sections of the lake, so that the cadets could
+once more enjoy themselves skating.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's skate up to Clearwater Hall and see the girls," suggested Jack at
+the first opportunity; and this was agreed to readily by all of the
+crowd.</p>
+
+<p>They found the girls of Clearwater Hall on the ice, watching out for
+them, and soon the cadets and the girls were enjoying themselves
+thoroughly.</p>
+
+<p>"You must tell me all about the fire and about how Professor Lemm
+happened to leave the Hall," said Ruth, as she skated away with Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do that," he answered. "But you must keep a good part of what I'm
+going to tell you a secret&mdash;at least for the present," he added, and
+then gave the particulars of the joke which had been played on the
+disliked teacher. Then he told of what had occurred at the gymnasium.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jack! do you really think Slugger and Nappy and that little Codfish
+set the gymnasium on fire?" cried the girl.</p>
+
+<p>"I think they did, Ruth&mdash;although, of course, it was by accident."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page172" id="page172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What dreadful boys they must be getting to be," sighed the girl.</p>
+
+<p>She had quite a few things to tell about happenings at the Hall, and
+also mentioned what she intended to do during the Christmas holidays.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you were coming down to New York," said Jack. "I'd like first
+rate to have you meet my Sister Martha and my Cousin Mary."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I shall get down there some time, Jack. Are you going to stay
+at home during all of the holidays?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. We have been planning to stay at home about a week, and then, if we
+can arrange it, we want to visit Snowshoe Island and do a little hunting
+before school opens again."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you're going to accept old Uncle Barney's invitation!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's the idea, Ruth. You don't mind, do you?" and the oldest Rover
+boy looked anxiously at his companion.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all. In fact, I'm rather glad to hear of your going to the
+island. It may give you a chance to talk to old Uncle Barney about my
+folks. And if you get any such chance, I hope you'll impress it upon him
+that we want to be friends."</p>
+
+<p>When the cadets returned to Colby Hall, both Jack and Fred were in
+unusual good humor, for,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page173" id="page173">[Pg 173]</a></span> not only had Ruth said she would try to get
+down to New York during the holidays, but May had told Fred that if
+Spouter came down to the metropolis she would try to accompany her
+cousin.</p>
+
+<p>Several days slipped by, and the Rover boys applied themselves closely
+to their lessons, for they wished to make as good a showing as possible
+during the coming examinations. During that time, they saw Slugger,
+Nappy and Codfish a number of times, but all of those unworthies seemed
+to give them a wide berth.</p>
+
+<p>Although Colonel Colby had not given the Rovers any of the particulars
+of what he proposed to do, he had not forgotten what Randy and Fred had
+told him. He had had a conference on the subject with Professor Brice,
+Silas Crews, and Bob Nixon, the chauffeur, and Nixon and Crews were
+detailed to watch every movement made by the bully and his cronies.</p>
+
+<p>It was on the following Tuesday, the day previous to the examinations,
+that Silas Crews came hurrying to the master of the Hall, who had just
+entered the school library in search of a certain book.</p>
+
+<p>"I think Brown and Martell are at it," he announced in a low tone of
+voice. "Martell just sneaked a quart bottle of ink from the storeroom,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page174" id="page174">[Pg 174]</a></span>
+while Brown picked up some of the cans of vegetables which were cast
+aside by the cook as unfit to eat. Now they have both gone down into the
+boiler-room, evidently after those ashes."</p>
+
+<p>"Continue to watch them, Crews, and tell Nixon to watch them, too. I
+will notify Professor Brice, and also Captain Dale." Captain Dale was
+the military instructor of the Academy.</p>
+
+<p>Silas Crews hurried off, and Colonel Colby lost no time in notifying the
+others of what was taking place. As a result, a guard was established,
+which took cognizance of every move made by Slugger and Nappy. Why it
+was that Codfish was not with them, nobody knew. The fact was, the poor
+little sneak had been so terrified at the mere mention of doing anything
+further that he had burst out crying and locked himself in his room,
+stating that he was too sick to act.</p>
+
+<p>Having obtained the bottle of ink and several cans of spoiled tomatoes,
+Slugger and Nappy watched their chance and visited the boiler-room under
+the school. Here they found a dozen large cans of ashes, and also an old
+empty soap-box.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll fill the soap box half full of ashes," said Slugger, "and then we
+can place the opened-up cans of tomatoes and the opened-up bottle of ink
+on top. When we get the stuff over to Colonel Colby's rooms, we can
+spread half of every<span class='pagenum'><a name="page175" id="page175">[Pg 175]</a></span>thing around where it will make the best showing,
+then we can skip over to the offices and do the same thing, and after
+that we'll rush back and leave a little trail of ashes and some ink
+leading into the Rovers' rooms, and place the empty ink bottle and the
+empty cans in their closets and put the ash-box under one of the beds."</p>
+
+<p>"Dandy!" replied Nappy. "Come on!"</p>
+
+<p>Not knowing that Bob Nixon was watching them from a corner of the
+boiler-room, they soon had the box of ashes and other stuff ready. Then,
+watching their chance to see that the coast was clear, they sneaked up
+out of the boiler-room and then out of the school by a side door. Here a
+path led to the nearby building where Colonel Colby had his private
+suite of rooms.</p>
+
+<p>"Now then, hurry up!" cried Nappy, who was beginning to show signs of
+nervousness.</p>
+
+<p>They found the door to the main room unlocked, and both entered and set
+the box of stuff on one of the easy chairs. Then one took up the ink and
+the other an opened can of the decayed tomatoes.</p>
+
+<p>"Now make a fine job of it," whispered Slugger.</p>
+
+<p>Both took a step forward to start their nefarious work, when each was
+almost paralyzed by hearing Colonel Colby's voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page176" id="page176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Stop!" commanded the master of the school, and stepped out from behind
+a screen which stood near a corner of the apartment.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" ejaculated Nappy. "We're discovered!" and, dropping the bottle of
+ink in his hands, he started to run.</p>
+
+<p>"Not so quick, Martell!" came from the doorway, and then both of the
+youths were startled to see themselves confronted by Bob Nixon. Behind
+the chauffeur stood Captain Dale, while in another doorway appeared the
+form of Professor Brice.</p>
+
+<p>"Wa&mdash;wa&mdash;what does this mean?" stammered Slugger. He knew not what to
+say or do.</p>
+
+<p>"It means that I have found you out," answered Colonel Colby sternly.
+"You will both march over to my office at once."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page177" id="page177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>HOME AGAIN</h3>
+
+<p>"Good riddance to bad rubbish!"</p>
+
+<p>"You told the truth that time, Andy. We're certainly well rid of Slugger
+Brown and Nappy Martell."</p>
+
+<p>"Say! I'd like to know some of the particulars of the interview Slugger
+and Nappy had with Colonel Colby. It must have been a pippin," remarked
+Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"One thing is certain&mdash;Colonel Colby must have laid down the law pretty
+severely to them; otherwise they would never have gotten out of this
+school in such a hurry," came from Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm mighty glad I got that one crack in on Martell," remarked Fred.
+"Some day I'll give that fellow a licking, big as he is," continued the
+youngest of the Rover boys.</p>
+
+<p>"The only fellow I'm sorry for is Codfish," came from Randy. "That poor
+little rat looks about as miserable as any kid could look."</p>
+
+<p>"He ought to be thankful that he wasn't kicked<span class='pagenum'><a name="page178" id="page178">[Pg 178]</a></span> out with the others,"
+said Spouter. "He certainly deserved it."</p>
+
+<p>"He did," agreed Jack. "Just the same, now that Slugger and Nappy are
+gone, if Codfish wants to turn over a new leaf and make a man of
+himself, I'm not going to stand in his way."</p>
+
+<p>Twenty-four hours had passed since the events recorded in the previous
+chapter. They had been filled with both mystery and excitement for the
+Rover boys and their chums. Only a little of what had taken place in
+Colonel Colby's office had filtered out to the cadets, but it was enough
+to show them that the master of the Hall had dealt severely with Slugger
+and Nappy. Those two unworthies had come forth looking both cowed and
+excited, and they had rushed up to their rooms to pack their belongings
+without delay.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile, Codfish had come forth sobbing, and had been allowed
+to go to his room, where he locked himself in and denied himself even to
+Mrs. Crews, the matron who looked after the younger scholars.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I don't want to see no&mdash;nobody!" Codfish had cried out. "Go away and
+leave me alone! I&mdash;I didn't mean to do anything! It was Brown and
+Martell made me do it!" and then he had burst into another fit of
+weeping.</p>
+
+<p>Both the Rover boys and their chums had<span class='pagenum'><a name="page179" id="page179">[Pg 179]</a></span> wanted to see how the bully and
+his crony would act after their interview with Colonel Colby. They met
+Slugger and Nappy in the hall as they were on the point of leaving the
+school, and some sharp words had passed. Nappy had threatened Fred, and
+made a savage pass at him with his fist. In return, the youngest Rover
+had landed on the other's chin, and sent Nappy staggering up against the
+wall.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile, there had been a set-to between Slugger and Jack, and
+although the oldest Rover boy was struck on the shoulder, he had had the
+satisfaction of making the bully measure his length on his back. Then
+the approach of Professor Brice, backed up by Captain Dale and Bob
+Nixon, had brought the brief contests to a close, and Slugger and Nappy
+had lost no time in hurrying below, where the auto-stage was already in
+waiting to take them and their baggage to Haven Point. Many of the
+cadets assembled had jeered at the departing youths, and they, in their
+rage, had shaken their fists at those left behind as the auto-stage
+departed.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope we never see those fellows again," remarked Randy. But this wish
+was doomed to disappointment&mdash;the Rovers were to see a good deal more of
+Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell.</p>
+
+<p>The boys had now to apply themselves to their<span class='pagenum'><a name="page180" id="page180">[Pg 180]</a></span> examinations, and they
+went at this with a will, resolved to make the best showing possible.</p>
+
+<p>"We've got to do it," was the way Jack expressed himself. "We want the
+folks at home to know that we are keeping at our studies. Then, if they
+happen to hear of some of the jokes we play, they will know that we're
+doing something else here besides having fun."</p>
+
+<p>The lads had already written home regarding the Christmas holidays and
+what they would like to do. In return, they received word that they
+could have Gif and Spouter down for the week between Christmas and New
+Year's if they so desired. And Jack's mother also sent a letter to
+Spouter inviting him to bring along his Cousin May and her friend, Ruth.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"All of us, including Martha and Mary, will be glad to become
+acquainted with your cousin and her school chum," wrote Mrs. Dick
+Rover. "The girls are very anxious to learn more about Clearwater
+Hall, and it is just possible that we may send them to that school
+later on."</p></div>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! that's fine!" cried Jack, when Spouter showed him the letter.
+"If only May and Ruth go to New York, I'm sure they'll be able to
+persuade Martha and Mary that there <span class='pagenum'><a name="page181" id="page181">[Pg 181]</a></span>is no better girls' school on earth
+than Clearwater Hall."</p>
+
+<p>"You leave that to me, Jack," answered Spouter. "I'll tell May just what
+to do."</p>
+
+<p>Of course the Rover boys were all very anxious after the examinations
+were over to find out how they had fared. On the following Friday
+afternoon Colonel Colby read the results. Fred and Randy had received
+ninety-four per cent., Jack had gotten ninety-two, and Andy had reached
+eighty-eight. As seventy per cent. was the passing mark, it can be seen
+that the boys had passed with considerable to spare.</p>
+
+<p>"My, that's a relief!" sighed Andy. "Somehow, at the last minute, I was
+afraid I had fallen down completely. There were a few examples in
+algebra that were regular stickers for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Physiology was what got me," observed Jack grimly. "How do I know how
+many bones I've got in my body? I never saw them," and at this there was
+a general smile.</p>
+
+<p>After the examinations there was but little to do at the school apart
+from the drills. There was an entertainment given by the boys in which
+both Jack and Andy took part. Then, almost before they knew it, the
+session came to an end, and the cadets had packed up and were on their
+way home.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page182" id="page182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"After all, I'll be glad to see little old New York once more," remarked
+Randy, when they and their friends were seated on the train.</p>
+
+<p>"Right you are!" cried Fred. "I think, after the semi-country life at
+Haven Point, a big city will look mighty good to us."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, fellows, do you remember when we came up to the school, how we
+fell in with Asa Lemm?" remarked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't forgotten it!" cried his twin, and then he added quickly: "I
+wonder if old Lemon wrote to our folks."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think so," answered Jack. "If he had, I think we would have
+heard of it."</p>
+
+<p>When the boys arrived at the Grand Central Terminal, they found Martha
+and Mary and Tom Rover awaiting them.</p>
+
+<p>"Glad to see you back, boys!" cried the father of the twins, as he
+greeted them warmly, and then greeted the others.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jack, I declare you're growing awfully tall!" burst out his sister
+Martha, as she embraced him.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I guess Fred is growing tall, too," put in Mary Rover.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you wouldn't expect any of us to grow shorter, would you?"
+queried Andy gaily, and this made both of the girls laugh.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page183" id="page183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>With greetings all around finished, the whole party pushed its way
+through the crowd to the Forty-second Street entrance of the Terminal,
+where two of the Rover limousines were in waiting.</p>
+
+<p>"This looks something like!" remarked Jack, when the automobiles were on
+their way through the busy streets to Riverside Drive. "I haven't seen
+so many people since I left."</p>
+
+<p>"And how do you like Colby Hall?" questioned his sister eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Dandy, Martha! It couldn't be beat! I can tell you, we boys are mighty
+glad that our dads picked out such a bully good school for us," and his
+face showed his satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"And what about Clearwater Hall?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's a dandy place, too,&mdash;at least, the girls who go there say it is.
+If May Powell comes down with Spouter, she'll tell you all about it."</p>
+
+<p>The home-coming of the Rover boys was a gala occasion. Dick Rover and
+his brother Sam had just come up home from the offices in Wall Street,
+and they and their wives, as well as the twins' mother, greeted the lads
+affectionately.</p>
+
+<p>"It's been kind of lonely since you went away," said Mrs. Tom Rover, as
+she caught each of the twins around the waist.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page184" id="page184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you missed our tricks, Ma," returned Andy slyly.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe I did, Andy. But I wouldn't mind the tricks so much if only you
+were here," and she gave a little sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we're going to be here for a week, anyway," put in Randy, and
+then both of the twins gave their mother such a hug as she had not
+received for a long time.</p>
+
+<p>Jack was already telling his father and his two uncles something about
+Colby Hall. All of the men listened with close attention and
+considerable satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess Larry has patterned it pretty closely after Putnam Hall and
+West Point," remarked Sam Rover. "And that's as it should be, to my way
+of thinking."</p>
+
+<p>"He'd have to go a long way to do better," answered Tom Rover.
+"Everybody knows that West Point is an ideal school, and dear old Putnam
+Hall was a close second to it."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you lads haven't been playing too many tricks," went on Dick
+Rover, as he gazed from one face to another before him.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Uncle Dick, we had to play <i>some</i> tricks," answered Andy, a bit
+lamely.</p>
+
+<p>"You couldn't expect us to just sit still and hold our hands," added
+Randy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page185" id="page185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We might as well own up to one thing," said Jack boldly. "We did play a
+trick on one of the teachers&mdash;a fellow named Asa Lemm. Nobody liked
+Lemm, and when Colonel Colby had a rumpus with him and made him resign,
+all of us felt better."</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately for the boys, an interruption came just at that moment in
+the way of an announcement that dinner was ready. This was served in the
+Dick Rover home, and was participated in by all of the members of the
+Rover family. It made quite a table full.</p>
+
+<p>"Gee! but it's nice to be here once more!" exclaimed Andy, while he was
+eating.</p>
+
+<p>"Beats a meal in the mess-room at the Hall all hollow, doesn't it?"
+returned his twin.</p>
+
+<p>"And yet you talk about going away on a hunting trip," broke in their
+father quizzically.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! But Uncle Tom, we are going to spend a whole week in New York
+before that!" broke in Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to know a little more about this trip you're planning to
+Snowshoe Island," remarked Dick Rover. "I want to make sure that it's a
+perfectly safe place for you to visit."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm sure it's safe enough," answered Jack; and thereupon he and the
+others told what they knew about the island and Barney Stevenson.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page186" id="page186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That old lumberman must be quite a character," was Dick Rover's
+comment. "Well, we'll see about this trip later," and there, for the
+time being, the matter was dropped.</p>
+
+<p>The boys had gotten home just two days before Christmas, and they spent
+their entire time the next day in shopping for presents. In this they
+were partly aided by Martha and Mary, especially when it came to
+selecting presents for their mothers. Then, however, they sent the girls
+away, so that they might buy something for them. Although they did not
+mention this, Jack also wished to get a little reminder for Ruth, while
+Fred was equally desirous of obtaining something for May.</p>
+
+<p>Christmas dawned bright and clear, and many were the cries of joy which
+rang throughout the three Rover households. All the young folks spent
+over an hour in running back and forth, wishing this one and that one
+"Merry Christmas!" Then came the distribution of presents.</p>
+
+<p>"Just what I wanted!" cried Fred, as he inspected his pile of gifts.
+There was a new watch, some gorgeous neckties, several books, and a
+splendid little double-barrelled shotgun.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't say a word! It couldn't be better!" came from Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"The best Christmas ever!" echoed his twin. They, too, had numerous
+gifts, including little<span class='pagenum'><a name="page187" id="page187">[Pg 187]</a></span> diamond stickpins, new skates, some boxing
+gloves, and bright-colored sweaters, into which their cousins had
+knitted the initials C. H.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, I presume, you'll be real Colby Hall cadets," said their mother,
+when they had donned the sweaters and were strutting around in them.</p>
+
+<p>"This sure is one grand Christmas!" said Jack. He, too, had fared well,
+receiving a beautiful seal ring, a new traveling bag, completely
+equipped, several sets of books for which he had longed greatly, and
+also a small, but first-class, repeating rifle.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we've certainly got to go on that hunt," remarked Fred, placing his
+new shotgun beside the new rifle.</p>
+
+<p>"Right you are, Fred!" responded Jack. "But first we're going to have
+one dandy time down here in New York."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page188" id="page188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+
+<h3>OFF FOR SNOWSHOE ISLAND</h3>
+
+<p>"What an awfully large place New York is!"</p>
+
+<p>It was Ruth who uttered the words while she was taking a ride down Fifth
+Avenue in company with Jack and his sister and several of the others.</p>
+
+<p>It was the day after Christmas, and Spouter had arrived at noon,
+bringing his cousin May and Ruth with him. The young folks were taking a
+ride previous to stopping at the Grand Central Terminal to meet Gif, who
+was to come later.</p>
+
+<p>"You won't find many places larger," answered Dick. He felt very happy
+to think that Ruth was beside him, and more so because Ruth and his
+sister seemed to become good friends from the very moment they met.</p>
+
+<p>Behind the first auto came a second, containing Spouter, May, Mary, and
+Fred. They, too, were enjoying themselves, the youngest Rover doing what
+he could to point out the various places of interest to Spouter's fair
+cousin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page189" id="page189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Rover boys, aided by Mary and Martha, had laid their plans for the
+next five days with care. The young folks were to be taken to Central
+and Bronx Parks, to several well-known theaters, and also to the Grand
+Opera, and Mrs. Dick Rover had arranged to give a party at her home in
+the visitors' honor.</p>
+
+<p>Mary and Martha had been eager to hear about Clearwater Hall, and the
+two girl visitors were not slow in singing the praises of that
+institution.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I think I'd like to go there!" cried Martha. "What do you think,
+Mary?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think I'd like to go myself, now that we know somebody there," was
+her cousin's reply. Mary had always been a little shy.</p>
+
+<p>During those days of pleasure in New York only one thing occurred to mar
+the happiness of the young folks. That was one afternoon when all of
+them went over to Central Park for a couple of hours to enjoy the
+skating. There, quite unexpectedly, they ran into Nappy Martell. He
+favored the Rover boys with a black look, and then lost himself in the
+crowd of skaters.</p>
+
+<p>"He certainly has no love for us," was Jack's comment. "If he could
+possibly do us an injury, I think he would do it."</p>
+
+<p>But aside from this incident the young folks had nothing to worry them,
+and they spent a most<span class='pagenum'><a name="page190" id="page190">[Pg 190]</a></span> agreeable time on the ice. They talked a good
+deal of nonsense, and often laughed when there was no apparent cause for
+so doing, but that was due entirely to their high spirits. When they
+returned to the Rover homes the girls had a glow in their cheeks and a
+sparkle in their eyes that made them more beautiful than ever.</p>
+
+<p>"That Ruth Stevenson is certainly a handsome girl," whispered Mrs. Dick
+Rover to her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"So she is, Dora," answered Dick. "And if you'll notice, our Jack has
+quite an eye for her," he added dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Dick! you don't suppose he's smitten with her? Why, he's so young!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not saying anything about that, Dora. I can't help but remember
+that I was smitten with you the first time I saw you," and at this Dora
+Rover gave her husband a warm look that meant a great deal.</p>
+
+<p>May had not forgotten her promise to her Cousin Spouter, and during the
+visit she did all she could to impress on the older folks the charms of
+life at Clearwater Hall. She told of what fine teachers there were at
+the school, how rapidly most of the pupils advanced in their studies,
+and of the good times to be had there.</p>
+
+<p>"And I do hope that you will let Mary and<span class='pagenum'><a name="page191" id="page191">[Pg 191]</a></span> Martha join us," she
+concluded. "I am sure they will feel perfectly at home there, and that
+they will be as well taught, if not better, than they would be if they
+remained here in the city."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll think it over, May," answered Mrs. Sam Rover; and Martha's mother
+said the same.</p>
+
+<p>Jack and his cousins had already sent a letter to Barney Stevenson,
+completing the arrangements for going up to Snowshoe Island. Now came a
+brief communication from the old lumberman, stating that he would be on
+the look-out for them, and would do all he could to make their outing
+enjoyable.</p>
+
+<p>"What a nice letter for him to write!" exclaimed Ruth, when Jack showed
+her the communication. "Oh, I do hope you'll be able to fix up this
+difference between old Uncle Barney and my folks! It's dreadful to have
+him on the outs with our family."</p>
+
+<p>"As I said before, Ruth, I'll do what I can," Jack replied.</p>
+
+<p>With so much going on, the holidays sped by swiftly, and all too soon it
+was time for the visitors to take their departure. Spouter and Gif both
+wished they could accompany the Rovers to Snowshoe Island, but this was
+not to be, as they had already made other arrangements.</p>
+
+<p>"But have a good time," said Spouter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page192" id="page192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Don't forget to lay low a few deer and a bear or two," added Gif.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious! you don't expect them to shoot bears, do you?" exclaimed
+May, in some alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe there are any bears on that island, are there?" came
+from Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>"There are very few bears anywhere," answered Jack. "Gif was only
+fooling. The biggest game that we may possibly see will be a deer,
+although even they are growing scarce. We may see nothing bigger than
+squirrels, rabbits and partridges, and maybe a mink or a fox."</p>
+
+<p>The Rover boys accompanied the others to the Grand Central Terminal.
+Here Jack managed to have a few words in private with Ruth, and at the
+conclusion he gave her hand so tight a squeeze that she blushed. Then
+the visitors boarded the train and in a minute more were gone.</p>
+
+<p>"And now to get ready for the trip to Snowshoe Island!" cried Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the talk!" returned his twin.</p>
+
+<p>The boys were to leave for Rockville, the nearest railroad station to
+Snowshoe Island, on the day after New Year's. They spent several hours
+in packing their things, being advised in that matter by their fathers,
+who, as my old readers know, had been on many hunting expeditions before
+them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page193" id="page193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Now, there is no use of my giving you any advice on how to handle your
+firearms," said Dick Rover. "I have given you that advice before, and
+you ought to remember what I said."</p>
+
+<p>"I do, Dad," answered his son. "And I'm sure the others remember, too."</p>
+
+<p>"And I want you two boys to keep out of mischief," put in Tom Rover,
+addressing his twins. "Of course, you can have all the fun you please,
+but let it be good, innocent nonsense. Don't do anything mean, and don't
+do anything to get somebody else into trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"And my advice is, to go slow and be careful," added Sam Rover. "In
+other words: 'Look before you leap'&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"As the clown in the circus said," finished Tom Rover, "when he thought
+he was going to jump through a paper hoop and found instead that it was
+a solid white barrel-head;" and at this little joke there was a general
+laugh.</p>
+
+<p>The boys had already told their fathers about the doings of Nappy
+Martell and Slugger Brown.</p>
+
+<p>"Nappy Martell is evidently the son of his father," remarked Dick Rover.
+"The senior Martell is just as domineering, and not one bit more
+reliable. Down in Wall Street we've been watching him pretty closely."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and he needed watching," put in Tom<span class='pagenum'><a name="page194" id="page194">[Pg 194]</a></span> Rover. "To my mind, if he
+isn't a fraud, he's pretty close to it."</p>
+
+<p>"You said something about his underhanded work before," came from Sam.
+"If he is a swindler, I certainly hope that sooner or later they expose
+him."</p>
+
+<p>The boys had learned that Rockville was a town of considerable
+importance and boasted of several good-sized stores. They felt certain
+that they could buy all the supplies needed at that place, so it would
+be unnecessary to get them in New York. They, however, took along all
+the clothing that was needed, and likewise their guns and a good supply
+of ammunition.</p>
+
+<p>"Now do be careful!" pleaded Mrs. Tom Rover, when they were ready to
+depart. "I don't want any of you to get shot."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you worry, Ma. We'll be careful all right enough," answered
+Randy, as he kissed her good-bye.</p>
+
+<p>Several of the neighboring boys had come to see them off, and there was
+a little bit of envy as these watched the Rovers depart. They went to
+the railroad station in one of the limousines, only the two girls going
+with them to see them off.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;">
+<img src="images/image4.jpg" width="300" height="487" alt="image4" title="Illustration" />
+<span class="caption" style="font-size: small">"WHAT A NICE LETTER FOR HIM TO WRITE!" EXCLAIMED RUTH.<br /><i>Page <a href='#page191'><b>191</b></a></i></span>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Now don't get hurt, Jack," said Martha, when it was almost time for him
+to take the train. "Remember, if you do, Ruth will never forgive
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="page195" id="page195">[Pg 195]</a></span>you," and she gave her brother a roguish look which, somehow, made his
+cheeks burn.</p>
+
+<p>"Aw, cut that, Martha!" he answered. And then, of a sudden, he
+continued: "You join those girls at Clearwater Hall, and I'll pick a
+fine cadet for you to go out with."</p>
+
+<p>"Boo!" cried Martha, and put out the tip of her tongue at him. "Who said
+I wanted any of your old cadets!" Then, as he and his cousins ran for
+the train, she waved him an affectionate farewell.</p>
+
+<p>The boys had obtained seats in advance in one of the parlor cars, and
+soon they made themselves comfortable. They talked over what had
+happened while their visitors had been with them, and presently
+commenced to discuss the expected hunting on and around Snowshoe Island.</p>
+
+<p>"We ought to have a dandy two weeks," was Fred's comment. "Just think of
+it! For fourteen days we'll be able to do exactly as we please!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yum-yum!" added Randy. "Sleep as long as you please, eat when you
+please and as much as you please, and shoot all the game you want to!
+What more could a fellow want?"</p>
+
+<p>"And cut all the firewood you want to! And wash all the dirty dishes you
+want to! And miss all the really good game you want to&mdash;&mdash;" commenced
+Andy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page196" id="page196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Jump on him!"</p>
+
+<p>"Throw him out of the window!"</p>
+
+<p>"Let's make him go without his supper to-night!"</p>
+
+<p>So the cries went on as the three others caught Andy by the arms and by
+the coat collar.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold up! I surrender!" gasped the fun-loving youth. "Let up! will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"You've got to promise to be good and not throw cold water on our
+hopes," announced Jack. "We're going to have the best time ever on
+Snowshoe Island. And not a thing is going to happen to mar our
+pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>But in this last surmise the oldest Rover boy was sadly mistaken. Many
+things of which he and his cousins did not dream were to occur, not only
+to startle and annoy them, but also to place them in extreme peril.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page197" id="page197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+
+<h3>CAUGHT IN A SNOWSTORM</h3>
+
+<p>"Next station stop Rockville!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's our jumping off place, boys! We had better get our baggage
+together!" exclaimed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if Barney Stevenson will be at the station to meet us?"
+questioned Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"That depends on whether he got my last message or not," answered Jack.
+"However, if he isn't there, I guess we can find our way to Snowshoe
+Island alone."</p>
+
+<p>Soon the long train rolled into the little station at Rockville, and the
+boys alighted, being assisted by the porter, who had already taken
+charge of their baggage. He readily accepted the tip they gave him, and,
+as he had learned that they were off on a little hunting tour, said he
+hoped they would have every success.</p>
+
+<p>"But don't you bring down too many lions and elephants," added the
+colored man.</p>
+
+<p>"No, we'll leave the lions and elephants for<span class='pagenum'><a name="page198" id="page198">[Pg 198]</a></span> you," returned Andy, and
+this made the porter grin broadly, showing two rows of white ivories.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, boys! So you've got here at last, eh?" cried a voice from the
+doorway of the railroad station, and old Barney Stevenson strode toward
+them. He looked the picture of health, having recovered entirely from
+the accident in the woods. He shook hands cordially, giving each hand a
+squeeze that made the recipient wince.</p>
+
+<p>"We're glad to see you, Mr. Stevenson," began Fred, when up went the old
+lumberman's hand in protest.</p>
+
+<p>"'Twon't do, boys! 'Twon't do at all! If you're going to come over to
+Snowshoe Island with me, you've got to drop that Mister business. Plain
+Uncle Barney is good enough for me."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, then! Uncle Barney it is!" answered Fred, and the others
+smiled and nodded.</p>
+
+<p>"I just got your message this noon," explained the old lumberman. "Billy
+Sanders, the station agent's son, brought it over to me. I see you've
+got your duffle with you," and he looked at their various bags.</p>
+
+<p>"We didn't bring anything along in the way of provisions," answered
+Randy. "We thought we could buy all those things here in town."</p>
+
+<p>"So you can&mdash;providing you've got the money, lad;" and Uncle Barney
+smiled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page199" id="page199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we've got the money!" answered Andy. "Our folks treated us very
+handsomely."</p>
+
+<p>"I brought over my big bobsled," went on the old lumberman. "Come
+ahead&mdash;I'll help you carry your baggage. We can leave it all at
+Crumpers' boathouse until we get the other stuff."</p>
+
+<p>He led the way, and they soon found themselves at the boathouse he had
+mentioned. Here they placed their traveling bags on Uncle Barney's
+bobsled, and then made their way to a nearby general store, where the
+old fellow was well known.</p>
+
+<p>"We've got a list written out here," explained Jack, bringing it forth.
+"I'll read it to you, and then you can tell me what you think of it."</p>
+
+<p>The list was quite a long one, and the old lumberman listened
+attentively as Jack read it over. Then he nodded approvingly.</p>
+
+<p>"You've got it about right, boys," he said. "You must have been out
+before."</p>
+
+<p>"My dad helped me make out this list," explained Dick. "He and my uncles
+have had quite some experience hunting, and, of course, they knew just
+what to take along."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think it will be enough?" questioned Randy anxiously. His
+appetite for eating never seemed to be lacking.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page200" id="page200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You've got enough there for six or eight," answered the old lumberman.
+"However, it won't do any harm to add a few more beans and a little
+extra bacon; likewise a little more sugar, seeing as how boys generally
+like things sweet."</p>
+
+<p>It was an easy matter to purchase the various articles at the general
+store, and the boys had the clerk pack them securely in several soap
+boxes. Then Jack, as the treasurer for the crowd, paid the bill.</p>
+
+<p>By this time it was growing dark, and Uncle Barney told them they had
+better not waste their time.</p>
+
+<p>"I may be mistaken, but it looks a good deal like another snowstorm to
+me," he explained. "And if it's going to snow, we might as well get to
+the island before it starts to come down too hard."</p>
+
+<p>The old lumberman was right about the snow, and some early flakes came
+sifting down while they were still at the boathouse packing the bobsled.
+The old lumberman showed them how to secure the load so that there would
+be no danger of its falling off.</p>
+
+<p>"Now then, on with your skates, and we'll be off," he announced. In the
+winter time he always made the journey between the island and the town
+on his steel runners.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page201" id="page201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I suppose skating is a good deal easier than walking," remarked Fred,
+while the boys were putting on their skates.</p>
+
+<p>"To be sure. And we can make so much better time."</p>
+
+<p>"How far have we got to go?" questioned Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"To the upper end of the island, where I've got my home, is about four
+miles."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that isn't so far!" cried Fred. "We can skate that in no time."</p>
+
+<p>"We could if we could go in a straight line. But we can't," answered
+Uncle Barney. "The wind blew the last snow in all sorts of ridges across
+the ice, and we'll have to pick our way along as best we can."</p>
+
+<p>A long rope had been attached to the bobsled, so that they could all
+assist in hauling it along. On the smooth ice the load proved to be a
+light one, so that they had little difficulty in progressing. But, as
+the old lumberman had said, the ridges of snow on the lake were
+numerous, and some of these were piled up several feet high, and the
+party had to make long detours around them.</p>
+
+<p>"This isn't going to be so easy, after all," remarked Fred, after they
+had skated for almost half an hour. "I thought we would get to Snowshoe
+Island in no time."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page202" id="page202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was now quite dark, and the snow was falling steadily. So far, there
+had been little wind, but now this, too, sprang up, sending the frozen
+particles directly into their faces.</p>
+
+<p>"Gee! this isn't so pleasant!" exclaimed Andy, as he pulled down his cap
+and pulled up the sweater he was wearing.</p>
+
+<p>"The wind is increasing," said Fred a minute later. "Hark to that, will
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>All listened, and from a distance heard the wind stirring through the
+woods bordering the lake in that vicinity. Then the wind bore down upon
+them, and with it came a heavier fall of snow.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, this is going to be some snowstorm!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and some blow too!"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish it wasn't so dark!"</p>
+
+<p>"Uncle Barney, are you sure you know the way?" questioned Randy, as all
+came to a halt for a moment to turn their backs to the wind and catch
+their breath.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, my lad! I know the way well enough," was the old lumberman's
+reply. "But, believe me, I didn't expect any such snowstorm as this when
+I went after you. I thought it would be just an ordinary fall."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to be getting heavier every minute," declared Jack, as he
+sheltered his eyes with his<span class='pagenum'><a name="page203" id="page203">[Pg 203]</a></span> hand and tried to peer forth into the
+darkness. "Why, the snow is coming down in regular chunks!"</p>
+
+<p>The flakes were indeed both heavy and thick, and the wind sent the snow
+sweeping across the ice, forming new ridges in every direction.</p>
+
+<p>"The first thing you know, we'll be blocked completely," declared Randy,
+after they had progressed another quarter of a mile. "Just look at that
+wall of snow, will you?" and he pointed ahead, where a snowdrift was all
+of five feet high and rapidly growing higher.</p>
+
+<p>The Rovers could see by his manner that the old lumberman was growing
+much disturbed. He led the way first in one direction and then in
+another. Then presently he called a halt.</p>
+
+<p>"It ain't no use," he declared flatly. "I thought I could work my way
+around these snowdrifts, the same as I did when I came over to town
+after you. But the darkness and this heavy fall of snow is bothering me
+tremendously."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think we ought to do?" questioned Fred anxiously. The
+situation was making the youngest Rover boy a little fearful.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess about the best thing we can do is to strike a bee-line for the
+island," answered Uncle Barney. "It won't be much harder to break
+through these snowdrifts than it is to try to find<span class='pagenum'><a name="page204" id="page204">[Pg 204]</a></span> our way around them
+in this wind and darkness."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure you know the way to the island?" questioned Jack, who knew
+only too well that it was the easiest thing in the world to get turned
+around in such a situation as this.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm pretty sure I haven't lost my bearings," answered the old
+lumberman. "However, to make sure, maybe I had better have a squint at
+my compass."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, say! that puts me in mind!" burst out Randy. "What's the matter
+with using one of our flashlights?" for the boys had brought along two
+of those useful articles, which were now packed in the baggage on the
+bobsled.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, let's get out both of the flashlights," returned Fred. "In this
+darkness we'll want all the light we can get."</p>
+
+<p>Sheltering themselves as best they could from the wind, which seemed
+every minute to be increasing in violence, the boys unstrapped part of
+their load and managed to bring forth the two flashlights. While this
+was being done, Uncle Barney brought from his pocket a small compass.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, I think north is in that direction," he said, pointing with his
+hand. With the aid of one of the lights, the compass was inspected, and
+it was found that the old lumberman was almost<span class='pagenum'><a name="page205" id="page205">[Pg 205]</a></span> right, he having pointed
+a little to the northwest.</p>
+
+<p>"If we'd gone on the way I expected to go, we'd have struck the lower
+end of the island instead of the upper," he explained. "It wouldn't have
+made a great deal of difference, but we might as well take the
+straightest line we know how. Come on! Follow me, and I'll break the way
+for you."</p>
+
+<p>Once more they started forward, and in a minute more the boys found
+themselves struggling through snow which was several feet deep.</p>
+
+<p>"Gee! a fellow ought to have snowshoes instead of skates!" panted Fred,
+when in the midst of the drift. "This is the worst ever!"</p>
+
+<p>"The drift isn't very wide, Fred," announced Jack, who was ahead of his
+cousin, flashing one of the lights around. "Here we come to the clear
+ice again," and a few seconds later they found themselves skating along
+as easily as before.</p>
+
+<p>But this open patch did not last long. Soon they came to several more
+snowdrifts. The first was barely a foot high, but the second was almost
+up to their arm-pits. The old lumberman was still ahead, breaking a path
+for them as well as he was able. Hampered with the load of the bobsled,
+the boys made slow progress.</p>
+
+<p>"It's no use!" groaned Andy at last. "I'm all out of breath. I've got to
+stop and rest."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page206" id="page206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We had better not stop to rest here, Andy," answered Jack quickly. "We
+must reach some sort of shelter from this wind."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm all out of breath myself," came from Fred. The exertion of plowing
+through the snowdrifts had tired him dreadfully, and he was trembling in
+the legs so that he could scarcely stand.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, boys! Don't stay here!" called back Uncle Barney to them.
+"This snowstorm is getting worse every minute!"</p>
+
+<p>The old lumberman had scarcely spoken when all the boys heard a strange
+whistling in the air. Then the wind tore down upon them harder than
+ever, sending the snowy particles in all directions, so that to make out
+what was ahead, even with the flashlights, was out of the question.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page207" id="page207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+
+<h3>AN ASTONISHING REVELATION</h3>
+
+<p>The situation was certainly a disheartening one, and the boys huddled
+close together around the bobsled, both for protection and to talk the
+matter over.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you tell us at all how far we really are from some sort of
+shelter&mdash;I mean the nearest shelter at hand?" questioned Jack of Uncle
+Barney, as the old lumberman came back to see what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>"It's about a mile to my cabin," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"And is that the nearest place?" asked Fred, who had sat down on the
+bobsled load to rest.</p>
+
+<p>"No. The nearest place is a little hut that I put up at this end of the
+island several years ago. It isn't very much of a shelter, but it might
+do."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean we could stay there all night?" queried Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes. It's plenty large enough for all of us, and there is a rough
+fireplace where we could start a blaze and cook something."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page208" id="page208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then let's head for that place, by all means!" cried Jack. "This storm
+is getting worse every minute."</p>
+
+<p>With the wind whistling keenly in their ears and blowing the snow across
+the ice and into numerous high drifts, the little party moved on once
+more, the boys doing their best to keep up with the old lumberman. This
+was comparatively easy, for even Uncle Barney was well-nigh exhausted by
+his exertions.</p>
+
+<p>"If this snow keeps on, it will be one of the worst storms we ever had
+up here," he announced. "But, somehow, I don't think it will last; the
+sky didn't look heavy enough this afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope it doesn't last," returned Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"We don't want to be snowed in while we are up here," added Randy. "We
+want to have a chance to hunt."</p>
+
+<p>To make progress against the fury of the elements was not easy, but
+presently the boys heard Uncle Barney give a cry of satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"Here we are, lads, in sight of the island!" exclaimed the old
+lumberman. "Now it won't be long before we reach that shelter I
+mentioned."</p>
+
+<p>By the aid of the two flashlights, the boys made out a number of trees
+and bushes ahead. The bushes were covered thickly with snow, and behind
+them were sharp rocks, also outlined in white.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page209" id="page209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"This is what I call Squirrel Point," explained the old lumberman. "It
+used to be a great place for squirrels."</p>
+
+<p>"How much further to that shelter?" queried Fred. Just then he took no
+interest whatever in game. He was so tired he could scarcely place one
+foot in front of the other; and, to tell the truth, his cousins were
+little better off.</p>
+
+<p>"We've got only a couple of hundred feet to go," was the reply. "Come
+ahead. I'll help you pull that bobsled," and now Uncle Barney took hold,
+and once again they started forward, this time skirting the lower
+extremity of Snowshoe Island. Here there were a great number of pines
+and hemlocks growing amid a perfect wilderness of rocks, now all thickly
+covered with snow.</p>
+
+<p>"Now you'll have a little climbing to do," announced the old lumberman a
+few minutes later. "You might as well take off your skates, and I'll do
+the same. And we'll have to hoist that bobsled up the best we know how."</p>
+
+<p>He had turned toward the island, and soon they were climbing up over the
+rough rocks and pulling the bobsled after them. In one spot they had to
+raise the sled up over their heads. The old lumberman assisted them in
+this task, and then pointed to a small, cleared space between a number
+of pines.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page210" id="page210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! I see the hut!" cried Jack in delight, and ran forward,
+followed by his cousins. Uncle Barney came with them, and an instant
+later had forced open a rude door. Then one of the lights was flashed
+inside.</p>
+
+<p>The boys and Uncle Barney had expected to find the little cabin vacant.
+Consequently they were much surprised when they heard a queer little
+noise, not unlike the snarl of a dog.</p>
+
+<p>"By gum! it's a wolf!" ejaculated the old lumberman in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>Scarcely had he spoken when there leaped into view a full-grown wolf. As
+he confronted the boys and the old man, he snarled viciously, and his
+eyes appeared to gleam like two balls of fire.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a wolf, sure enough!"</p>
+
+<p>"Shoot him, somebody! Shoot him!"</p>
+
+<p>"Where's my gun?"</p>
+
+<p>"The guns are all strapped down on the bobsled!"</p>
+
+<p>Such were some of the cries which came from the Rover boys when they
+found themselves confronted by the wolf. They fell back several paces,
+and Uncle Barney did likewise. The old lumberman had gone to Rockville
+armed, but he too had strapped his weapon fast on the bobsled, so that
+he might assist the boys in hauling the load.</p>
+
+<p>As the little party fell back wondering what<span class='pagenum'><a name="page211" id="page211">[Pg 211]</a></span> was best to do, the wolf
+gave another leap, thereby reaching the doorway of the little cabin.
+Then, with a snarl, he whirled around, leaped into the snow behind some
+hemlocks, and in a moment more had disappeared from view.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what do you know about that!" cried Fred faintly.</p>
+
+<p>"And to think we weren't ready to shoot!" groaned Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"We're a fine bunch of hunters, we are!" scoffed Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we didn't expect to find a wolf in possession of this hut,"
+remarked Jack. "Just the same, I wish we had been able to get a shot at
+him," he added wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>"I should have carried my gun," remarked Uncle Barney. "It was a mistake
+to put it on the sled. That's just my luck, confound it! Whenever I go
+out free-handed, I'm almost certain to see something worth shooting,"
+and he shook his head grimly.</p>
+
+<p>"You didn't say anything about wolves being on the island," said Fred,
+while the old man was looking around inside the cabin with both
+flashlights.</p>
+
+<p>"There are very few wolves in this neighborhood," was the reply. "The
+last wolf I saw on the island, outside of this one, was two years ago."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page212" id="page212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As the door to the cabin had been closed, the boys wondered how the wolf
+had gotten into the place, but Uncle Barney showed them a small,
+broken-out window in the rear of the shelter. This window was now partly
+covered with snow.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose the wolf thought he couldn't get out that way on account of
+the snow, and consequently he had to come by way of the door," explained
+the old lumberman. "Well, I'm mighty glad he didn't go any damage."</p>
+
+<p>An examination revealed the fact that no other living thing was in or
+around the cabin, and as soon as they were satisfied of this, the boys
+brought in the bobsled. In the meantime, Uncle Barney stirred around
+outside and managed to find some firewood which was fairly dry. Then a
+blaze was started in the rude fireplace, the door was shut, and a
+blanket was nailed up over the broken-out window.</p>
+
+<p>"Now this is something like!" remarked Jack, when the cabin began to
+grow warm. The boys had unpacked the contents of the bobsled and brought
+forth a candle, which was lighted and placed in a rude holder on the
+wall.</p>
+
+<p>Now that they were safe from the storm, all of the Rovers felt in better
+humor. Uncle Barney showed them how they could obtain water by melting
+some snow and ice, and soon they<span class='pagenum'><a name="page213" id="page213">[Pg 213]</a></span> had enough to make a pot of chocolate
+and another pot of coffee. In the meantime, the old lumberman, assisted
+by Jack, opened up a box of sardines fried some bacon, and also warmed
+up a can of green corn which had been among the stores. They had no
+bread, so they used up one of the boxes of soda crackers which they had
+purchased.</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad we haven't got some game to cook," observed Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's be thankful that we've got some sort of a roof over our heads,
+and that we can rest," put in Fred. He had not yet gotten over the
+struggle to get through the snow.</p>
+
+<p>With nothing else to do, the boys and the old lumberman took their time
+over the evening meal, and never had anything tasted better than did
+this first supper on Snowshoe Island to the Rovers.</p>
+
+<p>Outside the wind was blowing as strongly as ever, and the snow still
+came down steadily. To make sure that they would not suffer from the
+cold, all of the lads went out with Uncle Barney and brought in a large
+supply of firewood. Then they built up a good blaze, around which they
+sat in a semicircle on the sled and the boxes brought along, and on a
+rude bench of which the little cabin boasted.</p>
+
+<p>"When I first came to Snowshoe Island, twelve years ago, I thought I
+would locate at this<span class='pagenum'><a name="page214" id="page214">[Pg 214]</a></span> end," remarked Barney Stevenson during the course
+of the conversation. "But after staying here a short while I concluded
+that it was nicer at the upper end, so I went there."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you buy the island as far back as that?" queried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, lad. In those days I only leased the island. You see, it
+belonged to an old lady named Martinson. She had a son who drifted out
+to California, and then went to Alaska. When the old lady died, Luke
+Martinson came back home, and then he came to see me. He wanted to get
+rid of all his property around here so he could go back to Alaska, and
+he offered this place to me, and I bought it. That was several years
+ago."</p>
+
+<p>"It's nice to own an island like this," observed Fred. "A fellow can
+have a regular Robinson Crusoe time of it if he wants to."</p>
+
+<p>"When I bought the island I thought I'd have no difficulty in holding
+it," continued Barney Stevenson. "But since that time I have had a whole
+lot of trouble. Two men claim that Luke Martinson never had any rights
+here&mdash;that the old Martinson claim to the island was a false one. They
+have tried two or three times to get me off the place, but I've refused
+to go."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you get a deed to the island?" questioned Jack, who had often
+heard his father and<span class='pagenum'><a name="page215" id="page215">[Pg 215]</a></span> his uncles speak about deeds to real estate.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, I got a deed! But they claim that the old Martinson deed was
+no good. But it is good&mdash;and I know it!" grumbled Uncle Barney.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are the men who want to take the island away from you?" questioned
+Andy. "Some hunters around here, or lumbermen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no! They are two men from the city&mdash;a real estate dealer and a man
+who used to be interested in buying and selling property, but who lost
+most of his fortune and then went to teaching, or something like that."</p>
+
+<p>"Teaching!" exclaimed Jack, struck by a sudden idea. "What is that man's
+name, if I may ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"His name is Asa Lemm, and the name of the other man is Slogwell Brown,"
+was the reply of the old lumberman, which filled the Rover boys with
+amazement.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page216" id="page216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE FIRST NIGHT ON THE ISLAND</h3>
+
+<p>"Asa Lemm and Slogwell Brown!"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you know about that, boys?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's bringing this matter pretty close to us, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should say so!"</p>
+
+<p>Such were some of the remarks coming from the Rover boys after Barney
+Stevenson had made his astonishing declaration that the father of
+Slugger Brown and the ex-teacher of Colby Hall were the two men who were
+trying to dispossess him.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you speak as if you knew those two men!" exclaimed the old
+lumberman.</p>
+
+<p>"We certainly know Asa Lemm," answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"And we know the son of Slogwell Brown," added Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and if Mr. Brown is no better than his son, I wouldn't put it past
+him to do something crooked," was Andy's comment.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me what you know," said Uncle Barney.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page217" id="page217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Thereupon the four boys related the particulars of the trouble they had
+had with Professor Lemm, and of how he had left the military academy.
+They also told much about Slugger, and, incidentally, Nappy Martell, and
+of how the two cadets had been dismissed by Colonel Colby.</p>
+
+<p>"This certainly is wonderful!" exclaimed the old lumberman, when they
+had finished. "I had no idea you boys knew anything about those men. I
+reckon your opinion of their honesty is just about as high as mine is,"
+and he smiled grimly.</p>
+
+<p>"Asa Lemm claims to have lost quite a fortune," said Jack; "but we
+certainly did not think that part of it was located in this island."</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't located in this island&mdash;at least it isn't so far as I am
+concerned!" cried Uncle Barney. "If those men bought what they thought
+were the rights to this island, they were defrauded, that's all! And
+that has absolutely nothing to do with my rights to this land!"</p>
+
+<p>"I should think if you got a good deed to the land from that Luke
+Martinson&mdash;and his folks had a good deed from somebody else&mdash;that ought
+to be proof enough that you own the island."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I've got the deed from Martinson, and I've got the old deeds he
+used to have, too! I've got them placed away in a tin box and in a safe
+place, too!" answered the old man.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page218" id="page218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then, if you've got those deeds, why do they bother you?" questioned
+Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"As I've said before, they won't admit that the deeds old Mrs. Martinson
+had were any good. The fact of the matter is, Slogwell Brown wants to
+get those deeds away from me. He has been at me to let him look at the
+deeds several times, but I've always refused, for I was afraid that if
+he got the deeds away from me I would never see them again."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought they recorded deeds at the Court House," said Jack, who had
+heard this fact mentioned between his father and his uncles.</p>
+
+<p>"They do record deeds, and I suppose that one was recorded at some time
+or other; but the Court House in this county was burnt down some years
+ago and all the records went up in smoke."</p>
+
+<p>"But you could get the deeds recorded now&mdash;I mean have it done over
+again," remarked Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so. But that wouldn't do me any good, because they would
+probably try to prove that the deeds I brought in were not the
+originals. You see, the date when a deed is recorded has a good deal to
+do with it. Anyway, I'm not going to let anybody have those deeds until
+I am sure of what I'm doing," went on Uncle Barney. It was easy to see
+that the old man was peculiar and wanted to do things in his own
+manner.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page219" id="page219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Did you ever ask a lawyer about this?" questioned Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"No! I ain't got no use for lawyers!" was the quick reply. "I hired a
+lawyer in a lawsuit nigh on to thirteen years ago, and I lost the suit
+and it cost me over a hundred dollars more than I might have paid
+otherwise." The old lumberman did not add that this was a lawsuit to
+which Ruth Stevenson's father was also a party, yet such was the fact.</p>
+
+<p>"How long is it since you heard from Mr. Brown and Professor Lemm?"
+asked Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"The last time they came to see me was in the middle of the summer. They
+threatened all sorts of things, and they got me so mad that I had to
+take down my shotgun and warn them away. Then they left in a big hurry."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you think it's a bad thing to warn them off with a gun?"
+questioned Jack. "They might have you arrested for threatening their
+lives."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not afraid of them!" was the quick reply. "This is my island, and
+nobody shall take it away from me!"</p>
+
+<p>The boys could see that the subject was becoming distasteful to the old
+man, and so they started to speak of other things. They questioned him
+about how they could get to his regular cabin,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page220" id="page220">[Pg 220]</a></span> and also the cabin they
+were to occupy, and then spoke about the game they might have a chance
+to bring down.</p>
+
+<p>"Your going hunting will depend a good deal on how the weather turns
+out," said the old lumberman. "If this snow keeps on for a day or two,
+it will make traveling pretty bad. However, I'm in hopes that the storm
+will clear away by morning."</p>
+
+<p>The boys had put in a strenuous day, and they were glad enough when
+Uncle Barney suggested that they turn in for the night.</p>
+
+<p>"We're pretty short on blankets," he said, "but that won't matter so
+much so long as we keep the fire going. I've got a good back log
+started, and that ought to last until morning, if not longer. When I'm
+at this hut alone, I usually sleep in that corner, and I'll do the same
+to-night. You can spread yourselves around as you please."</p>
+
+<p>With such a limited supply of blankets, it was no easy matter to make
+comfortable couches, yet the boys had left home to rough it, so nobody
+complained. They lay down in their clothing, using some of their
+suitcases and Gladstone bags for pillows.</p>
+
+<p>"If we had had a chance to do so, we might have brought in some pine
+boughs to lie on," said Jack. "But as it is, I guess we'll manage."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page221" id="page221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Is there any chance of that wolf coming back?" questioned Fred, a bit
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly think so, Fred. And, anyway, I don't see how he's going to get
+in here, with the door closed and the blanket nailed over the window.
+However, we can keep our guns handy in case he does appear."</p>
+
+<p>Worn out so completely, it did not take the boys long to fall into a
+sound sleep, and the old lumberman soon joined them, snoring lustily.
+Thus the night passed, and nothing came to disturb them.</p>
+
+<p>Of the lads, it was Randy who was the first to arise in the morning. He
+found Uncle Barney in the act of stirring up the fire. The old lumberman
+had already brought in some ice to be melted for a pot of coffee.</p>
+
+<p>"I ain't really awake in the morning until after I've had my cup of
+coffee," he explained. "That's the one thing that really sets me on my
+feet."</p>
+
+<p>"How about the storm?" questioned Randy, and now the sound of his voice
+set the others to stirring.</p>
+
+<p>"The storm is about over," was the welcome announcement. "In a little
+while I think you'll see the sun peeping out over the woods on the
+eastern shore."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah! that's good news!" cried Andy, leap<span class='pagenum'><a name="page222" id="page222">[Pg 222]</a></span>ing to his feet and
+stretching himself. "I must have a look!" and, jamming his cap on his
+head, he started for the door. The other Rovers followed him.</p>
+
+<p>Outside they found the snow covering everything to a depth of from
+several inches to several feet, but the air was as clear as a bell, and
+just beyond the woods, on the eastern shore of Lake Monona, there was a
+rosy glow, betokening the rising of the sun.</p>
+
+<p>"It's going to be a grand day!" exclaimed Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think it could be any better, even though the snow is quite
+deep in spots," returned Jack.</p>
+
+<p>Once more they went over the stores which had been brought along, and
+took out enough for breakfast. They had with them some flour for griddle
+cakes, and soon the appetizing odor of the cakes, mingling with the
+aroma of hot coffee and hot chocolate, filled the little cabin. Then
+they took turns at frying bacon and making more griddle cakes and eating
+breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think will be the easiest way of getting to the other end
+of the island?" questioned Jack of Uncle Barney, while they were eating.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, as you've got the bobsled and all those stores along, I should
+say the easiest way would<span class='pagenum'><a name="page223" id="page223">[Pg 223]</a></span> be to climb down to the lake again," was the
+reply. "That wind must have cleaned off some of the ice, and we can get
+along a good deal better by skating and by hauling the bobsled over the
+ice than we can trying to break our way through the woods in this heavy
+fall of snow."</p>
+
+<p>"I was thinking if we walked the length of the island we might stir up
+some game," remarked Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll have plenty of chances to go out after game after you're settled
+at the regular camp," returned the old lumberman. "The game isn't going
+to run away, you know," and he smiled pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p>Breakfast at an end, the boys lost no time in repacking their
+belongings, and Uncle Barney assisted them in fastening the load to the
+bobsled.</p>
+
+<p>"But I'm going to carry my shotgun this time," announced Fred. "Then, if
+any game appears, I'll be ready for it."</p>
+
+<p>"You can all carry your guns if you want to," said the owner of the
+island. "I'll leave my weapon strapped to the sled, so that if any game
+appears you boys can do the shooting."</p>
+
+<p>The little cabin was closed up, and then the party made its way down
+over the rough rocks and between the trees to the lake shore. It was no
+easy matter to bring the bobsled along, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="page224" id="page224">[Pg 224]</a></span> once Fred slipped on one of
+the smooth rocks and pitched headlong into a snowbank.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi you! stop your fooling!" cried Andy, and then, in great glee, he
+picked up a chunk of snow and hurled it at Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Let up!" cried the oldest Rover boy. "This is no time for jokes!" and
+then, as Andy came at him with another chunk of snow, he jumped at his
+cousin, put out his foot, and made the fun-loving youth measure his
+length in a drift.</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! but that snow is cold!" cried Andy, who had gotten some down the
+sleeves of his sweater. "Stop! Don't bury me! I'll be good!" And then he
+scrambled to his feet once more, while Fred did the same. Then the whole
+party proceeded on its way.</p>
+
+<p>Reaching the lake, they lost no time in putting on their skates, and
+then, with Uncle Barney leading the way, the four Rovers followed,
+dragging the loaded bobsled behind them.</p>
+
+<p>On all sides could be seen snowdrifts and ridges of snow piled in
+curiously fantastic shapes. But the keen wind of the afternoon and night
+had cleared many long reaches of the ice, and over these reaches Uncle
+Barney picked his way, gradually working closer and closer to the upper
+end of Snowshoe Island.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll turn in here," he announced presently,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page225" id="page225">[Pg 225]</a></span> when they came to where
+there was something of a cove. "There seems to be quite a cleared space.
+It won't be very long now before we reach the upper end."</p>
+
+<p>As they turned in once more toward the island, Jack noticed a peculiar
+fluttering among some trees not far away.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a minute!" he cried out in a low tone. "I think I see some game!"</p>
+
+<p>All came to a halt, and then Uncle Barney looked in the direction to
+which the oldest Rover boy pointed.</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, my lad," answered the old lumberman. "There is a fine
+chance for all of you."</p>
+
+<p>"What are they?" questioned Fred a trifle excitedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Wild turkeys! And the best kind of eating&mdash;if you can only get close
+enough to bring them down."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page226" id="page226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+
+<h3>UNEXPECTED VISITORS</h3>
+
+<p>"Oh, say! we've got to bring down at least one of those wild turkeys!"
+cried Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep quiet," admonished Jack, speaking in a whisper. "If those turkeys
+hear you they'll be gone in a jiffy."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't know there were any wild turkeys around here," remarked Randy.
+"I thought they had been all cleaned out long ago."</p>
+
+<p>"They are getting very scarce," answered Uncle Barney, "but once in a
+while you will see a small flock of them. I was after that flock about a
+week ago, but they got away from me. I've a notion that it's about the
+last flock in this district."</p>
+
+<p>While this talk was going on in low tones of voice, all of the Rovers
+had abandoned the bobsled and were moving toward the shore of the
+island.</p>
+
+<p>"You had better come this way and crawl up in the shelter of yonder
+rocks and brushwood," advised Uncle Barney. "And don't shoot until<span class='pagenum'><a name="page227" id="page227">[Pg 227]</a></span> you
+have a good aim and know what you're shooting at," he concluded.</p>
+
+<p>It must be admitted that all of the boys were somewhat excited over the
+prospect ahead. They caught only a brief glance at the game, but felt
+certain that it was close at hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Wild turkeys are a good sight better than rabbits or squirrels, or even
+pheasants," said Fred. "They'll make dandy eating."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't eat them until after you have shot them, Fred," remarked Andy
+dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"Hush," warned Jack. "Now, make as little noise as possible, and each of
+you hold his gun ready for use."</p>
+
+<p>They had not stopped to take off their skates, but this was unnecessary,
+for the snow was deep and the skates merely kept them from slipping.
+They pushed on around some large rocks, and then in between the thick
+brushwood, where the snow fell upon their heads and shoulders, covering
+them with white&mdash;something which was to their advantage, as it aided
+them in hiding themselves from the game. Not far away they could hear
+the wild turkeys, one in particular giving the peculiar gobble by which
+they are well known.</p>
+
+<p>"I see them," whispered Fred a minute later, and pointed with his gun.</p>
+
+<p>There in a little clearing some distance ahead<span class='pagenum'><a name="page228" id="page228">[Pg 228]</a></span> was a tall and long
+turkey gobbler surrounded by a number of hens. They were plump and of a
+peculiar black and bronzed color.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's all fire together. Maybe we can bring down the whole flock!"
+exclaimed Randy, and his manner showed that he was growing quite
+excited.</p>
+
+<p>"All right&mdash;I'm willing," answered Jack. "But let us see if we can't get
+a little nearer first."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe if we try to get closer they'll get away from us," said Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep your guns pointed at them, and if they start to leave fire as
+quickly as you can," answered Jack, and then he moved forward with his
+cousins ranged on either side of him.</p>
+
+<p>The Rover boys had advanced but a few paces when the wild turkeys caught
+sight of them. The turkey cock issued a loud note of alarm, and all
+started to fly from the low bushes upon which they had been resting.</p>
+
+<p>"Fire!" yelled Jack, and discharged his rifle.</p>
+
+<p>The crack of this weapon was followed by the report of Fred's shotgun,
+and then the twins also let drive. Then Fred fired again, and so did
+some of the others.</p>
+
+<p>At the first report the turkey cock was seen to rise in the air,
+followed by some of the hens, while two hens dropped lifeless in the
+snow. The tur<span class='pagenum'><a name="page229" id="page229">[Pg 229]</a></span>key cock, however, was seriously wounded and fluttered
+around in a circle.</p>
+
+<p>"Give him another shot!" yelled Fred, whose gun was empty; and thereupon
+Jack and Randy fired and the gobbler fell directly at their feet. He was
+not yet dead, but they quickly put him out of his misery by wringing his
+neck. By this time the hens which had flown away were out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Two hens and one gobbler!" cried Jack, as he surveyed the game. "I
+think we can congratulate ourselves on this haul."</p>
+
+<p>"You certainly can!" exclaimed Uncle Barney, as he plowed up behind the
+boys. "Wild turkeys are no mean game to bring down, let me tell you!
+I've tried time and again to get a turkey, and somehow or other it would
+always get away from me."</p>
+
+<p>"Some size to this gobbler!" remarked Fred. "And some weight, too," he
+added, as he picked the turkey cock up by the legs.</p>
+
+<p>"He'll weigh sixteen or eighteen pounds at least," said the old
+lumberman, as he took the turkey cock from the youngest Rover boy and
+held the game out in both hands. "Yes, sir! every bit of eighteen&mdash;and
+he may go twenty. You'll have a dandy meal off of him."</p>
+
+<p>"I know what I'd like to do," said Randy wistfully. "I'd like to send
+him home to the folks."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page230" id="page230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's the talk!" returned his twin. "Why can't we do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm willing," answered Jack. "The express company ought to know how to
+pack game like that so it will carry properly."</p>
+
+<p>"They'll pack anything you want them to down at the railroad station,"
+said Uncle Barney. "There is a man there who makes a specialty of that
+sort of thing for hunters. He'll see that the turkey reaches your folks
+in New York in first-class shape."</p>
+
+<p>"We can send the gobbler home and keep the two hens," said Fred. "That
+will make eating enough for us, I'm sure. They must weigh at least seven
+or eight pounds apiece."</p>
+
+<p>"All of that," came from the old lumberman.</p>
+
+<p>Much elated over the success of their first effort at hunting on
+Snowshoe Island, the Rovers picked up the game and made their way back
+to where they had left the bobsled. They placed the turkeys on the sled,
+and then resumed their journey once more.</p>
+
+<p>"We're coming up to the end of the island now," announced Barney
+Stevenson presently, and a minute later they made a turn around some
+trees lining the shore and came into view of a cleared spot, containing
+a small boat-landing. Beyond the cleared spot, backed up by some tall
+pines and<span class='pagenum'><a name="page231" id="page231">[Pg 231]</a></span> hemlocks, were two fair-sized cabins, standing about a
+hundred feet apart.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the cabin I use," explained the old lumberman, pointing to the
+building on the right. "The other is the one you can make yourselves at
+home in."</p>
+
+<p>The setting for the two cabins was an ideal one, and the boys could well
+imagine how beautiful the place must look in the summer time with the
+green trees, and the cleared space sloping down to the great lake. Now,
+of course, the ground, as well as the trees and brushwood, was heavily
+covered with snow, and the snow hung down off the rough roof of each
+cabin.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll take you directly over to the cabin you are to occupy," said Uncle
+Barney. "I've got it all in shape for you, with plenty of firewood and
+everything."</p>
+
+<p>He led the way, and they followed, dragging the bobsled behind them. The
+door to the cabin had been locked, for the old lumberman stated that he
+did not wish any outside hunters or other people to take possession
+during his absence.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, a good many of the hunters and lumberman are my friends," he
+explained. "But then there are often strangers, and some of those
+fellows wouldn't be above carrying off anything that suited their
+fancy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page232" id="page232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The boys gave cries of delight when he took them into the cabin which
+they were to occupy during their stay on the island. They found it a
+fairly large place, divided into two rooms, one a general living-room
+and the other a sleeping apartment. In the former was located a fairly
+well-made table, a couple of benches, and also a swinging shelf,
+containing quite an assortment of dishes, while at one side there was a
+big open fireplace, and in a corner a small closet furnished with
+numerous kitchen utensils.</p>
+
+<p>The other apartment contained three regular bunks and a temporary one
+put in for the occasion; and these bunks were well spread with fresh
+pine boughs and camp blankets. The opening from one room into the next
+was so located that the warmth from the fire in the living-room could
+easily reach the sleeping apartment.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, this is bang-up!" exclaimed Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the best ever!" echoed Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a peach!" was Andy's comment.</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly didn't expect anything half as good as this, Uncle Barney,"
+remarked Jack, his eyes showing his pleasure. "If we don't have a good
+time here, it certainly won't be your fault."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you really like it, do you, boys?" asked the old lumberman
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly don't know how it could be better,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page233" id="page233">[Pg 233]</a></span> remarked Randy. "And
+just look at the dishes and things to cook with!"</p>
+
+<p>"And these fine bunks!" exclaimed his twin, sitting down on one. "Why,
+this is just as good as a hair mattress!"</p>
+
+<p>"And how sweet the pine boughs smell!" murmured Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"If you boys want to send that turkey cock home, you had better let me
+take it down to Rockville to-day," said the old lumberman. "I won't mind
+the trip at all," he added, as he saw that some of them were going to
+remonstrate. "Fact is, I forgot to get some of the things I was going to
+buy yesterday. So if you'll just make yourselves at home here, I'll go
+down there and be back some time before nightfall."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you want to wait until after dinner?" questioned Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"No. I'll get something to eat while I'm in town."</p>
+
+<p>The matter was talked over, and it was finally arranged that Barney
+Stevenson should return to Rockville with the turkey cock and have it
+shipped by express to the Rover boys' folks in New York. Jack wrote out
+a card, which was to be sent with the game, and also another card to be
+tacked on the box in which it was to be shipped. Then the old lumberman
+hurried over<span class='pagenum'><a name="page234" id="page234">[Pg 234]</a></span> to his own cabin to get ready for the journey.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't our folks be surprised when they get that box!" exclaimed Fred.
+"I wish I could be there to see them."</p>
+
+<p>"They'll know we didn't lose any time going hunting," added Andy, with a
+happy laugh.</p>
+
+<p>When the old hunter had departed with the turkey cock, the boys hung up
+the dead hens and then proceeded to make themselves at home in the cabin
+which had been assigned to them. They had quite something to do to build
+a fire and to unpack and stow away the various things which they had
+brought along, and almost before they were aware it was time for dinner.</p>
+
+<p>"Shall we eat the game to-day?" questioned Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, let us wait until to-morrow. Then Uncle Barney will be with us, and
+he can enjoy it, too," answered Jack, and so it was decided. Then the
+boys started in to get such a meal as their stores and the things which
+the old lumberman had turned over to them provided.</p>
+
+<p>It was great fun, and all of them felt in the best of spirits. Andy
+could hardly keep himself down, and had to whistle at the top of his
+lungs, and even do a jig or two while he moved about.</p>
+
+<p>"It's going to be the best outing ever!" he declared over and over
+again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page235" id="page235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and won't we have something to tell when we get back to Colby
+Hall!" put in Fred.</p>
+
+<p>It was over an hour later before dinner was ready. Having had such an
+early breakfast, the boys did full justice to all the things they had
+cooked, and they spent quite some time over the meal. After that they
+continued to put the cabin in order, and cleaned their skates, and also
+looked over their guns.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have to try these snowshoes to-morrow," announced Jack, referring
+to a number of such articles which Barney Stevenson had hung on the
+walls of the cabin. "Maybe we'll almost break our necks at first, but
+there is nothing like getting used to a thing."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean? Getting used to breaking your neck?" questioned Andy
+dryly, and this brought forth a laugh all around.</p>
+
+<p>About the middle of the afternoon the boys found themselves with but
+little to do, and Fred suggested that they might go out and look for
+more game.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, let's take it easy for the rest of the day, and go out early in the
+morning," cried Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us go over to the other cabin and take a look around," suggested
+Andy. "I'm sure old Uncle Barney won't mind. He's a fine old gentleman,
+even though he is rather peculiar."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page236" id="page236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I want to talk to him about Ruth Stevenson's folks some time," said
+Jack; "but I'm afraid I'm going to have a hard time getting at it."</p>
+
+<p>Andy led the way out of the cabin, and the four boys had almost reached
+the place used by the old lumberman when suddenly Fred gave a cry.</p>
+
+<p>"Here come two men from the lake!"</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe it's Uncle Barney coming back with one of his friends," said
+Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"No; neither of the men walks like the old lumberman," announced his
+twin.</p>
+
+<p>"One of those men looks familiar to me," burst out Jack. He gazed
+intently at the advancing pair.</p>
+
+<p>"There are two others behind them," broke in Fred. "Young fellows, I
+think."</p>
+
+<p>"One of those men is Professor Lemm!" cried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"And the two fellows in the rear are Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell!"
+added Fred.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page237" id="page237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+
+<h3>A WAR OF WORDS</h3>
+
+<p>The knowledge that Professor Lemm, Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell were
+approaching the cabins on the upper end of Snowshoe Island filled the
+Rover boys with wonder.</p>
+
+<p>"Professor Lemm must have come to see Uncle Barney about those deeds,"
+remarked Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if that is Slugger's father with him?" broke in Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe," answered Jack. "Those men were the only two who were interested
+in getting possession of this island."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what I think we ought to do!" exclaimed Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"What?" came from the others quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"I think we ought to go back to our own cabin and arm ourselves."</p>
+
+<p>"That might not be such a bad idea, Andy," returned Jack. "Those men,
+backed up by Slugger and Nappy, may want to carry things with a high
+hand."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page238" id="page238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Acting on Andy's suggestion, the four boys retreated to the cabin which
+they had just left, and each took possession of his weapon.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think they'll try much rough-house work when they see how we
+are armed," remarked Randy grimly.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, we don't want to do any shooting," cautioned Jack. "We only
+want to scare them, in case they go too far."</p>
+
+<p>"Jack, you had better be the spokesman for the crowd," remarked Randy.
+"You go ahead and talk to them, and we'll stand back with our guns."</p>
+
+<p>Still holding his rifle, Jack went forward again, and in a moment more
+found himself confronted by Asa Lemm and the man who was with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Rover! Is it possible!" exclaimed the former teacher of Colby Hall in
+astonishment. "What are you doing here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I and my cousins are here to hunt."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! I didn't know old Stevenson allowed anybody to do hunting around
+here."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe they are hunting here without the old man's permission,"
+suggested the other man. "Where is Barney Stevenson?" he demanded of
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Stevenson has gone over to Rockville on an errand," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Slugger and Nappy had come up,<span class='pagenum'><a name="page239" id="page239">[Pg 239]</a></span> and they stared at Jack and
+his cousins as if they could not believe the evidences of their senses.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what do you know about this!" burst out the former bully of Colby
+Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"All of those Rovers up here, and armed!" came from Nappy.</p>
+
+<p>"Who gave you the right to come to this island?" went on the bully,
+glaring at Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know these boys?" queried the man who was with Professor Lemm.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure, Dad, I know them! They are the Rover boys I told you about&mdash;the
+fellows who helped to have me and Nappy sent away from school."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, so that's it!" cried Slogwell Brown. "Did you have any idea they
+might be up here?" he questioned quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Not the least, Dad. I thought they were down in New York. Nappy said he
+had seen them on the ice in Central Park."</p>
+
+<p>"I did see them, too," answered the lad mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we didn't come here to see you Rovers," broke in Asa Lemm
+stiffly. "Not but what I have an account to settle with you," he
+continued significantly.</p>
+
+<p>"We want nothing more to do with you, Professor Lemm," answered Jack
+boldly.</p>
+
+<p>"But I'm going to have something to do with<span class='pagenum'><a name="page240" id="page240">[Pg 240]</a></span> you, young man!" stormed
+the former teacher of the Hall, beginning to show his usual ill humor.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind these boys now, Lemm," interposed Slogwell Brown. "We want
+to fix up our business with old Stevenson first."</p>
+
+<p>"If you have anything to say to Mr. Stevenson, you'll have to come when
+he is here," answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"When do you expect him back?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know exactly when he will come&mdash;probably before nightfall."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, all we can do is to wait for him," grumbled Slogwell Brown.</p>
+
+<p>"If we have to wait, we might as well go inside his cabin and do it,"
+suggested Nappy. "It's too cold to stay out here."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and I'm all tired out from wading through those snowdrifts," added
+Slugger. He looked past Jack at the other Rover boys. "Had any luck
+hunting?"</p>
+
+<p>For the moment there was no reply. Then Randy stepped forward.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know as that is any of your business, Slugger," he replied
+coldly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, say! you needn't get on your high-horse," growled the bully. "What
+Nappy and I ought to do is to pitch into you for having us fired out of
+the Hall."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page241" id="page241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You stay right where you are!" cried Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! you think you've got the best of us with those guns, don't you?"
+came from Nappy, who had ranged up beside Slugger.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind what we think," answered Andy. "If you know when you're well
+off, you'll keep your distance."</p>
+
+<p>"See here! you boys needn't get too fresh," came harshly from Slogwell
+Brown. "I've heard all about your doings at Colby Hall, and how you got
+the professor, here, and my son and his chum into trouble. Some day I
+intend to make you suffer for that. But just now we are here on a
+different errand."</p>
+
+<p>"We're going to put old Stevenson off this island and take possession!"
+cried Nappy triumphantly. "And then, when he goes, you can go, too!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why cannot we take possession of these two cabins at once?" suggested
+Asa Lemm. "The island belongs to us, and we have a perfect right to do
+so."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course we can take possession," answered Slogwell Brown.
+"Remember&mdash;possession is nine points of the law," he added, in a low
+tone of voice.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll show old Stevenson where he belongs," growled Slugger.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page242" id="page242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and we'll show these Rover boys where they belong, too," put in
+Nappy, his eyes snapping viciously.</p>
+
+<p>Without further ado, the whole party started toward the cabin which was
+Barney Stevenson's home. Evidently the men had been there before, and
+knew that this was the right building of the two.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jack! are you going to let them take possession?" questioned Fred,
+in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you fellows think we ought to do?" queried the oldest Rover boy
+quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"I think we ought to make them keep out until Uncle Barney gets back,"
+answered Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"That's my idea, too," added his twin.</p>
+
+<p>"They may have the right to this island, but I'd make them fight it out
+with Mr. Stevenson," was Fred's comment.</p>
+
+<p>"That's just the way I look at it, too," answered Jack. "Come on, Randy;
+we'll guard that cabin while Andy and Fred can remain here to guard this
+place."</p>
+
+<p>"Would you dare to shoot at them?" questioned Fred anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think there will be any necessity for shooting, Fred. I think
+if we merely show we mean business they will keep their distance."</p>
+
+<p>The boys exchanged a few more words, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="page243" id="page243">[Pg 243]</a></span> then Jack and Randy set off on
+a run for the cabin occupied by Uncle Barney. They outdistanced the
+visitors, and soon placed themselves in the doorway.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, you keep back!" cried Jack warningly. "Don't come near this place
+until Mr. Stevenson returns!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! do you dare to threaten me?" burst out Slogwell Brown in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"You heard what I said."</p>
+
+<p>"Every one of you keep away from here," put in Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"See here, Rover!" commenced Asa Lemm. "This is outrageous! We own this
+island, and we intend to take possession."</p>
+
+<p>"Whether you own it or not, you are not going to take possession of
+anything until after Mr. Stevenson gets here," answered Jack, as calmly
+as he could. "I don't know anything about your claim. As far as I do
+know, Mr. Stevenson is the owner of this place. He left us in charge
+when he went away, and we are going to remain in charge until he gets
+back."</p>
+
+<p>"Huh! do you think we're going to stay out in this cold?" grumbled
+Slugger.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care what you do," answered Jack. "You can't come into either
+of these cabins&mdash;and that's final!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page244" id="page244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We'll see about that!" stormed Nappy, and advanced several steps.</p>
+
+<p>"Get back there," ordered Jack sternly, and made a movement as if to
+raise his rifle.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop! Stop! Don't shoot!" yelled Asa Lemm, in sudden fright. "Keep
+back, boys, or they'll certainly shoot at us!" and he began to retreat.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you dare to threaten us?" questioned Slogwell Brown and the tone of
+his voice showed his uneasiness. A glance over his shoulder had shown
+him the other two boys at the doorway of the second cabin, and also
+armed.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm telling you to keep away from here&mdash;that's all," answered Jack.
+"You can come back when Mr. Stevenson returns."</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I think maybe it would be better for us to retire," stammered
+Professor Lemm. "We&mdash;er&mdash;don't want to run the risk of being shot. Those
+boys are very hot-headed, and there is no telling what they might do if
+we exasperated them."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not going to give in to a bunch of school boys!" stormed Slogwell
+Brown, who, in his manner, was every bit as much of a bully as his son.</p>
+
+<p>"But if they should shoot at us&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think they've got the nerve to do it. They are only putting up
+a big bluff."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page245" id="page245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Don't you be too sure about that," put in Nappy, who was just as much
+scared as was the professor. "Those Rover boys are game to do almost
+anything when they are aroused."</p>
+
+<p>"We've got to remember one thing," came from Slugger. "There are four of
+them, and each of 'em has got a gun."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I had brought a gun along myself," said his crony.</p>
+
+<p>"We should have armed ourselves," grumbled Slogwell Brown. "It was a
+mistake to come over to this island without so much as a pistol. If I
+only had some sort of a weapon, I'd show those boys a thing or two."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe we can get into the cabin by a back way," suggested Nappy.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, that's an idea!" cried his crony. "And if we can do that, maybe
+there's a gun or a pistol inside that we can use."</p>
+
+<p>"You boys can take a walk around to the rear if you want to," answered
+Slugger's father. "I'll see if I can't bluff those fellows into letting
+us in at the front."</p>
+
+<p>Slugger and Nappy had just started to move away toward the lake shore,
+intending to sneak behind some rocks and bushes, when they heard Fred
+give a loud shout from the entrance to the second cabin. Then Andy gave
+a long whistle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page246" id="page246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What's that for?" questioned Nappy quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"See! they are waving their hands to somebody," announced Slugger. He
+turned to gaze out over the lake. "A man is coming."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you bet it isn't old Stevenson?"</p>
+
+<p>"It <ins class="correction" title="original: it">is</ins>! See, he's coming as fast as he can!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and he has his gun with him," announced Asa Lemm somewhat feebly.</p>
+
+<p>Attracted by the call from Fred and the loud whistle given by Andy, the
+old lumberman had noted that a number of visitors were standing in front
+of the two cabins at the upper end of Snowshoe Island. He was still a
+considerable distance out on the lake, but his rapid skate strokes soon
+brought him to the shore. Then, without waiting to unstrap his skates,
+he came forward through the snow, his shotgun ready for use.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm mighty glad he's got here," murmured Jack, and his cousins
+echoed the sentiment.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page247" id="page247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2>
+
+<h3>FACING THE WOLVES</h3>
+
+<p>"So this is how you treat me, eh?" exclaimed old Barney Stevenson, as he
+confronted the visitors. "Come here to do as you please while I'm away,
+eh?" and his face showed his intense displeasure.</p>
+
+<p>"They wanted to go into your cabin, but we wouldn't let them do it while
+you were away," said Jack quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Good for you, boys&mdash;I'm glad you kept 'em out."</p>
+
+<p>"See here, Stevenson, this nonsense has got to end!" cried Slogwell
+Brown. "You know as well as I do that you have no valid claim to this
+island."</p>
+
+<p>"The island belongs to me, Brown, and I intend to keep it!" was the
+quick reply. "I've got my deed for it."</p>
+
+<p>"That deed is no good, and you know it," broke in Asa Lemm.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here! if you are so sure that Mr. Steven<span class='pagenum'><a name="page248" id="page248">[Pg 248]</a></span>son is in the wrong, why
+don't you go to law about it?" questioned Jack, struck by a sudden idea.</p>
+
+<p>"See here, boy, this is none of your affair," growled Slogwell Brown.
+"We'll conduct our own business in our own way."</p>
+
+<p>"And I'll conduct my own business in my own way, too!" interposed Uncle
+Barney. "You get off of this island&mdash;all of you&mdash;just as quick as you
+can," and he started as if to raise his gun.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, see here, Stevenson&mdash;&mdash;" began Slogwell Brown.</p>
+
+<p>"We have rights&mdash;&mdash;" came from Asa Lemm.</p>
+
+<p>"I've listened to you before. I'm not going to listen again!"
+interrupted the old lumberman. "You haven't any right on this island,
+and I'm ordering you&mdash;every one of you&mdash;to get off just as soon as you
+can. You're trespassers&mdash;nothing else!" and now he raised his gun as if
+getting ready to shoot.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, let us go back!" cried Professor Lemm in sudden terror, and he
+retreated several steps, followed by Slugger and Nappy.</p>
+
+<p>"See here, Stevenson, you'll be sorry for this some day," growled
+Slogwell Brown. He had still too much of the fight left in him to
+retreat, and yet he was not brave enough to advance.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll take my chances!" returned Uncle Bar<span class='pagenum'><a name="page249" id="page249">[Pg 249]</a></span>ney. "I've got those deeds,
+and I know they are all O. K. Now, you clear out&mdash;and don't you dare to
+come here again!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why won't you let me see those deeds?" questioned the other man.</p>
+
+<p>"Because I won't&mdash;that's why!"</p>
+
+<p>"I came on purpose to look them over and show you your mistake."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he hasn't got any deeds," came from Nappy, who had fallen back
+still further.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got those deeds safe and sound&mdash;in a box&mdash;and put away where you
+fellows can't find 'em!" answered the old lumberman triumphantly. "Now
+you get out! I'll give you just five minutes to do it in. Jack, you time
+'em, will you?" and he glanced at the oldest Rover boy.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure, I will!" was the ready reply, and Jack pulled out his watch.
+"It's now exactly twelve minutes past four."</p>
+
+<p>"All right. Then you've got until seventeen minutes after four to get
+off of this island," announced Barney Stevenson to the visitors. "If you
+are not off by that time, there'll most likely be some shooting around
+here."</p>
+
+<p>He had taken his place in front of his cabin, and all of the boys were
+now ranged beside him. As each was armed, they made quite a formidable
+looking firing squad.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page250" id="page250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Much against his will, Slogwell Brown retreated to where Professor Lemm
+and the others of the crowd stood. The four talked matters over in a low
+tone.</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad we came here unarmed," grumbled Slogwell Brown.</p>
+
+<p>"That's just what I say, Dad!" answered his son. "Let's go back and get
+some guns and pistols."</p>
+
+<p>"No! no! We don't want any shooting!" cried Asa Lemm in new alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not going to get mixed up in any gun-play," added Nappy.</p>
+
+<p>"If we could only get possession of those deeds!" went on the former
+teacher of Colby Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got a plan," suggested Nappy, after a moment's pause. "Come on,
+let's go away now, and I'll tell you what it is."</p>
+
+<p>Growling and grumbling, the four visitors made their way slowly to the
+lake shore. As they skated off, Slugger Brown turned to shake his <ins class="correction" title="first">fist</ins>
+at the Rovers, and Nappy did likewise.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they've gone!" exclaimed Fred, and his voice showed his relief.</p>
+
+<p>"But there's no telling when they'll come back," said Randy quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think they'll come back in a hurry,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page251" id="page251">[Pg 251]</a></span> broke in Andy. "We scared
+them pretty thoroughly with our guns."</p>
+
+<p>"What did they say to you before I came?" questioned Uncle Barney, while
+the party on the lake was disappearing in the gloom.</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon the boys related the particulars of all that had taken place,
+the old lumberman listening closely to the recital. At the end, he shut
+his teeth and shook his head grimly.</p>
+
+<p>"The rascals!" he ejaculated. "If it hadn't been for you, they would
+most likely have ransacked both of the cabins, and maybe, if they had
+gotten hold of my extra gun or my pistol, taken possession and made me
+keep away."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, they would have taken possession all right enough!" cried Jack.
+"But if the island is really yours, Uncle Barney, I don't see why you
+couldn't have had them arrested for anything like that."</p>
+
+<p>"I told you before&mdash;I have no use for lawyers or law courts," grumbled
+the old lumberman. "All I want to do is to stay here and not be
+disturbed. I've got my deeds, and that's enough."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure they are in a safe place?" questioned Jack. "I mean, some
+place where those rascals can't get at them?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've got 'em in a tin box, and put away safe enough."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page252" id="page252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I hope you haven't got them hidden around one of the cabins," said
+Fred. "They'd be sure to find them if they came here some time when you
+were away, and made a search."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't got 'em in or near either of the cabins. I've got 'em in a
+better place than that," was the cunning reply.</p>
+
+<p>"You really ought to have them recorded, Uncle Barney; and then maybe it
+wouldn't be a bad scheme to put them in a safe deposit box in a bank,"
+said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, they're safe enough&mdash;don't you fear!" answered the old man. It was
+plainly to be seen that he was bound to have his own way in everything
+he did.</p>
+
+<p>Satisfied that the visitors had left the island for the time being, the
+boys followed the old lumberman into his own cabin, and there helped him
+to start up the fire. He told them that he had shipped off the wild
+turkey as desired.</p>
+
+<p>The evening passed quietly, and in the morning the boys found themselves
+thoroughly rested.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a grand day for hunting!" exclaimed Fred, as he went outside to
+view the landscape. The sun was just peeping over the trees on the
+eastern shore of Lake Monona, and soon the dazzling shafts of light were
+streaming over the ice and snow in all directions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page253" id="page253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Do you think Asa Lemm and those others will be back to-day?" queried
+Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"There's no telling," answered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>While some of the boys were preparing breakfast, the others walked over
+to Uncle Barney's cabin. They found the old lumberman already stirring,
+and invited him to come over and eat his morning meal with them, an
+invitation which he readily accepted, for he had taken a great liking to
+all of the Rovers.</p>
+
+<p>"We've been thinking of trying those snowshoes, Uncle Barney," said
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"No time like the present, boys," was the answer. "I'll show you how to
+put 'em on, and how to use 'em, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you go out hunting with us?" questioned Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"No; I'm going to stay around the cabins, in case those rascals come
+back. I don't think they will, but there is nothing like being on the
+safe side."</p>
+
+<p>The hour after the morning meal was productive of a good deal of fun.
+None of the boys had ever used snowshoes before, and consequently in
+their efforts to move around on them, they got more than one tumble.</p>
+
+<p>"Great watermelons!" cried Andy, as he pitched headfirst into a
+snowdrift. "And I<span class='pagenum'><a name="page254" id="page254">[Pg 254]</a></span> thought using snowshoes was the easiest thing in the
+world!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's just like plain walking, Andy; it's got to be learned," answered
+Jack, who, a moment before, had had a tumble himself.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, however, the boys managed to remain on their feet fairly well,
+and then they started off to do a little hunting along the eastern shore
+of the island.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know as you'll be able to stir up very much to-day," announced
+Uncle Barney. "But even a few rabbits and a few squirrels won't be so
+bad."</p>
+
+<p>They carried a lunch with them, not knowing whether they would get back
+to the cabin by noon or not. They were soon gliding over the snow where
+something of a trail led through the woods.</p>
+
+<p>They tramped a good half mile before they saw anything in the way of
+game. Then several squirrels appeared, and Fred and Andy had the
+satisfaction of laying them low with their shotguns. Then they tramped
+on further, and by noon managed to obtain a rabbit and two woodcocks.</p>
+
+<p>"Not so bad but what it might be worse," announced Jack, who had the
+rabbit to his credit. "We won't go hungry, that's sure!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page255" id="page255">[Pg 255]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And don't forget that we've got those wild turkeys to eat," added Andy,
+who had laid low the two woodcocks.</p>
+
+<p>Being unaccustomed to the use of snowshoes, the lads were glad to rest.
+They built themselves a little campfire, and, huddling around this,
+partook of the lunch they had brought along, washing it down with some
+hot chocolate from a thermos bottle they carried.</p>
+
+<p>The lunch finished, they set off once again, this time going deeper into
+the woods than ever.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen!" cried Jack presently. "I thought I heard some game stirring."</p>
+
+<p>All came to a halt and listened intently. From a distance they heard a
+peculiar drumming sound.</p>
+
+<p>"Partridges, I'll bet anything!" cried Randy in a low voice. "Come on,
+let's see if we can't get some of them."</p>
+
+<p>He led the way over the snow, and the others were not slow in following.
+They had reached a point where the trees grew sparingly, and where there
+were a great number of rocks and brushwood.</p>
+
+<p>They could hear a strange fluttering, and then a number of partridges
+arose in the air some distance in front of them. All took hasty aim and
+fired, but the game sailed out of sight unharmed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page256" id="page256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's the time we missed it," observed Jack dismally. "I guess we made
+too much noise and they heard us."</p>
+
+<p>"Listen!" interrupted Randy. "There is some sort of fight going on
+ahead."</p>
+
+<p>He was right; and, listening, they made out a strange bark mingled with
+a snarl and several yelps.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's go ahead and see what it means!" exclaimed Andy, and pushed on,
+with the others close behind him.</p>
+
+<p>The boys had to skirt some heavy brushwood, and then came out in a small
+cleared space surrounded by numerous big rocks and pine trees. The
+strange noises they had heard had come from between two of the large
+rocks, and now, of a sudden, several forms, snapping and snarling and
+whirling this way and that in the snow, burst upon their view.</p>
+
+<p>"Wolves!"</p>
+
+<p>"Four of them!"</p>
+
+<p>"They are all fighting over the possession of a dead partridge!"</p>
+
+<p>Four gaunt and hungry-looking wolves had come tumbling out in the snow.
+One of them was carrying a dead partridge in his mouth, and the other
+three were doing their best to get the game away from him. As the Rovers
+came into<span class='pagenum'><a name="page257" id="page257">[Pg 257]</a></span> the opening, the wolves, for an instant, stopped their
+fighting and glared at the boys. Then the animal having the game made a
+sudden leap over the rocks and disappeared from view. The three wolves
+that remained began to snap and snarl and show their teeth.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious! they are certainly hungry-looking beggars!" was Randy's
+comment.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, let's shoot them!" exclaimed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"They're no good for game," interposed Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"I know that, Randy. But we don't want them on the island, and neither
+does Uncle Barney."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought he said there weren't very many wolves left. Maybe&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Fred, who was speaking, got no further, for at that moment the three
+hungry-looking wolves crouched low, and then sprang straight in the
+direction of the four young hunters!</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page258" id="page258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2>
+
+<h3>JACK FREES HIS MIND</h3>
+
+<p>"Jump for your lives!"</p>
+
+<p>"Shoot them!"</p>
+
+<p>These cries had scarcely been made when Jack's gun rang out and the
+foremost of the three wolves was hit in the foreleg. He gave a plunge,
+and rolled over in the snow, snapping and snarling viciously. The report
+of the weapon was followed by the discharge of Randy's gun, but his aim
+was wild and the charge passed harmlessly over the heads of the wolves.</p>
+
+<p>"Shoot them!"</p>
+
+<p>"Club them!"</p>
+
+<p>Then another shot rang out as Fred swung into action. It was at close
+range, and the charge of shot tore directly into the throat of the
+leading wolf, causing him to leap high into the air, and then fall over
+on his back. He plunged for a moment, sending the snow flying in every
+direction, and then lay still.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;">
+<img src="images/image5.jpg" width="300" height="479" alt="image5" title="Illustration" />
+<span class="caption" style="font-size: smaller">THE WOLF RECEIVED A BLOW THAT BOWLED HIM OVER.<br /><i>Page <a href='#page260'><b>260</b></a></i></span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Shocked evidently by the fate that had overtaken<span class='pagenum'><a name="page259" id="page259">[Pg 259]</a></span>
+taken both of his companions, the third wolf came to a sudden halt.
+With eyes glaring fiercely, he snapped and then leaped for the nearest
+rocks.</p>
+
+<p>"Shoot him, somebody! We want to get all three of them!"</p>
+
+<p>Crack! Bang! went a rifle and a shotgun almost simultaneously, but the
+aim of the two marksmen was poor, and only a few scattering shots went
+through the tail of the wolf. Then, with a wild yelp, he disappeared
+behind the rocks, and that was the last seen of him. In the meantime,
+the wounded beast was snapping and snarling most ferociously. He sent a
+shower of loose snow toward the Rovers, and then made a desperate leap
+at Jack.</p>
+
+<p>It was a time of dire peril, and no one realized it more than did the
+oldest Rover boy. He attempted to retreat, but to do so in snowshoes was
+too much for him, and over he went on his side in a deep bank of snow,
+almost disappearing from view.</p>
+
+<p>"The wolf is on top of Jack!"</p>
+
+<p>"Shoot him&mdash;but be careful and don't hit Jack!"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't fire!" gasped Randy. "You'll hit Jack sure!" and then, as well as
+he was able, he sprang to the front, using his gun as a club as he did
+so. Around came the stock with a wide swing, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="page260" id="page260">[Pg 260]</a></span> the wolf received a
+blow in the side that bowled him over and over.</p>
+
+<p>This second attack, coming after he had been wounded in the foreleg, was
+too much for the animal, and with a yelp of sudden fear he went limping
+and leaping through the snow, sending the loose particles flying all
+about him. One of the boys discharged his gun after the beast, but
+whether he hit the animal or not he could not tell. In another moment
+the wolf was out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think any of them will come back?" panted Andy, who was quite
+out of breath with excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think so," answered Jack. "However, let us reload just as
+quickly as we can and be ready for them." He had been taught the
+all-important lesson that a hunter should not let his firearm remain
+empty.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, anyhow, I got one of them!" cried Fred, with proper pride, as he
+surveyed the beast he had laid low. The discharge of shot had almost
+torn the wolf's throat asunder.</p>
+
+<p>"What will you do with him?" questioned Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to take him back to the cabin and ask Uncle Barney about it,"
+was Fred's reply. "Perhaps we can have the wolf stuffed."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page261" id="page261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The excitement of the encounter with the wolves had taken away the boys'
+desire to do any more hunting that day, and, strapping the dead wolf
+fast to a tree limb, they started on the return to the northern end of
+the island, each doing his share in carrying the dead animal.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that? A wolf?" cried Barney Stevenson, when he saw what they had
+brought. And then he added quickly. "Must be the one that we located in
+the cabin at the other end of the island."</p>
+
+<p>"We can't say about that," answered Jack, and then all of the boys told
+the story of the encounter in the woods.</p>
+
+<p>"Four of them! Why, I haven't heard of any such thing as that around
+here for years! I'll have to go after some of those wolves myself."</p>
+
+<p>"I was wondering what we could do with this wolf," said Fred. "Do you
+think I could send him home to have him stuffed?"</p>
+
+<p>"You could, my boy. But I wouldn't advise it. Who would want a stuffed
+wolf around anyhow? Of course, you might put him in some club-house or
+furrier's window&mdash;or something like that."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I guess I won't bother," answered Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what we'll do," suggested Jack. "We'll prop the wolf up
+against a tree, and then take a photograph of Fred shooting at him;"
+and<span class='pagenum'><a name="page262" id="page262">[Pg 262]</a></span> so it was decided, and the boys had much fun taking the picture.</p>
+
+<p>Several days passed, and no one came near the island. In the meantime,
+the boys went out hunting every day, and Barney Stevenson showed them
+how to fish through a hole in the ice. This was great sport, and they
+had the satisfaction of adding a number of pickerel and perch to their
+bill of fare. During those days, they cooked and ate the wild turkeys,
+and found the meat quite palatable.</p>
+
+<p>"We sure are having one dandy time," said Fred one evening, when sitting
+in front of the blazing fire.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how it could be any better, Fred," answered Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"And just think of what we've brought down in the way of rabbits,
+squirrels, pheasants, woodcocks and turkeys!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not to say anything about my wolf," came from Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and a shot I got at a brook mink," added Jack. He had seen the
+mink at a distance, but had been unable to bring the game down.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Barney had been with the boys at supper time, but had taken
+himself over to his own cabin, to smoke and to read one of several books
+the boys had given him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page263" id="page263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I think I'll go over and see the old lumberman," said Jack presently.
+"You fellows can stay here."</p>
+
+<p>"Going to talk to him about Ruth and her folks?" questioned Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if I get the chance."</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't worry him too much," said Fred. "He hasn't gotten over that
+visit from Professor Lemm and the others yet."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'll be careful&mdash;don't worry about that."</p>
+
+<p>The old lumberman was a bit surprised to have Jack walk in on him, but
+the youth had brought his gun along, and he asked Uncle Barney to
+examine the hammer of the weapon.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks all right to me," said the old lumberman, after an
+examination; "but I'll put on a few drops of oil, and then maybe it'll
+work easier. It won't do to have the hammer stick just when you want to
+use it."</p>
+
+<p>"And now, Uncle Barney, if you'll permit me, I'd like to speak of
+something else," said Jack, as he dropped into a seat alongside of the
+fireplace. "I've got something on my mind, and I want to see if you
+can't help me out."</p>
+
+<p>"Something on your mind, eh?" returned the old man kindly. "Well, if I
+can help you out, you can depend on old Uncle Barney to do it," and he
+smiled broadly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page264" id="page264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It isn't exactly my trouble, Uncle Barney. It's somebody else's," went
+on the oldest Rover boy. "A young lady I know is very much worried over
+something, and she has asked me if I can't do something to help her get
+rid of that worry."</p>
+
+<p>"Must be some young lady you know pretty well, then, Jack;" and the old
+lumberman smiled again.</p>
+
+<p>"I do know her quite well. And I think a great deal of her friendship.
+Her folks have some trouble on hand&mdash;quite a good deal of it in
+fact&mdash;and it worries the girl a good deal, and that, of course, worries
+me. You see, there has been a terrible mistake made, and neither the
+girl nor her folks know how to get at it to remedy it."</p>
+
+<p>"I see&mdash;I see!" The old lumberman nodded his head several times. "That's
+the way it is often. Things get into a snarl, and a fellow can't see his
+way clear to straighten 'em out. I've been there myself, and I know."</p>
+
+<p>"This young lady I'm speaking about has an old relative&mdash;a sort of
+uncle&mdash;that she thinks a great deal of. Her folks think a great deal of
+this gentleman, too. Now, years ago, her folks and the old gentleman had
+a quarrel, and now the old gentleman won't let her come anywhere near
+him, even though she would love dearly to talk<span class='pagenum'><a name="page265" id="page265">[Pg 265]</a></span> to him and try to
+explain matters, so that he would understand that it was not her folks'
+fault that the quarrel had taken place."</p>
+
+<p>"See here! what are you talking about?" exclaimed Uncle Barney, eyeing
+Jack suspiciously. "Come now, no beating about the bush!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you must know, I'm speaking about Ruth Stevenson, who goes to
+a young ladies' school not far from Colby Hall. She and I are very good
+friends, and she has told me a good deal about this quarrel you had with
+her father."</p>
+
+<p>"It was Fred Stevenson's fault&mdash;it wasn't my fault!" grumbled the old
+lumberman.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe it was, Uncle Barney. I don't know anything about that. But I do
+know that Ruth has told me that her father never wanted nor tried to do
+you any injury. He claims that it was all a mistake, and that you should
+have given him a chance to explain."</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't any mistake&mdash;I know just exactly what happened!"</p>
+
+<p>"But don't you think you ought to at least listen to what Ruth's father
+has to say? All he wants you to do is to hear his story."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he tell you that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ruth told me. She said both her father and her mother are very much
+upset over the way you have treated them. They want to be friends<span class='pagenum'><a name="page266" id="page266">[Pg 266]</a></span> with
+you, and her father is willing to do whatever is right regarding what
+took place years ago. She said her folks would like nothing better than
+to have you give up your lonely life on this island and come down and
+make your home with them."</p>
+
+<p>"What! Me go down there and live with them after all that has happened!
+I couldn't do anything like that!" and the old lumberman sprang up and
+began to pace the cabin floor.</p>
+
+<p>"You could do it if you tried, Uncle Barney. By the way, don't you
+remember Ruth?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure I do&mdash;as pretty a little girl as ever I set eyes on. I never had
+anything against her. It was her father I had my quarrel with."</p>
+
+<p>"And you liked Ruth's mother, too, didn't you?" went on Jack slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes. Helen Dean always was a nice girl. I knew her long before Fred
+Stevenson married her."</p>
+
+<p>"And you liked Ruth's father, too, didn't you, before this quarrel took
+place?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course. We were very chummy up to that time." The old lumberman took
+several turns across the cabin floor. "But that's all over now. He
+didn't treat me fair&mdash;that's all there is to it! He didn't even come to
+my wife's funeral!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if he didn't, he's very sorry for it now.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page267" id="page267">[Pg 267]</a></span> And you can take it
+from me, Uncle Barney, that he would like nothing better than to patch
+up the matter somehow or other, and be friends once more."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And just think how happy it would make his wife and Ruth!" continued
+Jack quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe. But I don't see how it can be done. Anyway, I ain't going to
+take the first step," went on Uncle Barney, somewhat lamely.</p>
+
+<p>"You won't have to take the first step!" cried Jack. "You just let them
+do that." He came over and caught the old lumberman by the arm. "Will
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>For a moment Uncle Barney was silent. He bit his lip and rubbed his chin
+with the back of his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'll see about it," he said slowly. "I'll think it over."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page268" id="page268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE BLUE TIN BOX</h3>
+
+<p>When Jack Rover returned to the other cabin he was in a happy frame of
+mind. He had talked to Barney Stevenson for over an hour, and the old
+man had at last agreed to listen to what Ruth's father might have to say
+to him. He had admitted that living on the island was rather a lonely
+existence for him, especially as he was getting old.</p>
+
+<p>"I do hope they patch up their differences," remarked Jack to his
+cousins, after he had told them of the conversation held. "I know it
+will take a great load off of Ruth's mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to send the Stevensons a letter?" questioned Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to do better than that, Fred," was the reply. "I'll skate
+down to Rockville the first thing in the morning and send Ruth and her
+folks a telegram. There is nothing like striking while the iron is hot."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly so!" put in Andy. "It's just like<span class='pagenum'><a name="page269" id="page269">[Pg 269]</a></span> catching a flea while he is
+biting;" and at this sally there was a general laugh.</p>
+
+<p>Jack was as good as his word, and slipped off early in the morning,
+accompanied by Randy. It was a beautiful day, and the youths had little
+difficulty in reaching the town. Here the oldest Rover boy spent quite
+some time concocting the proper message, which he sent to the Stevenson
+home address.</p>
+
+<p>"I only hope somebody will be there to receive it," he said, after the
+message had been paid for, and he had urged upon the operator to send it
+without delay.</p>
+
+<p>Several more days, including Sunday, passed rather quietly for the boys.
+One afternoon there came another fall of snow, and they grew rather
+fearful, thinking they might be snowed in. But the fall proved a light
+one, and in the morning it was as clear as ever.</p>
+
+<p>Jack had been rather disappointed at not getting the brook mink at which
+he had shot, and now he asked the others if they would not go to the
+locality where the mink had been seen.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to bring one of them down," said the oldest Rover boy.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we might as well go after the mink as do anything," answered
+Fred. He was growing just a bit tired of going after nothing but
+rab<span class='pagenum'><a name="page270" id="page270">[Pg 270]</a></span>bits and squirrels. For two days they had seen nothing else at which
+to shoot. Even the wolves and wild turkeys kept well out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>The boys found old Uncle Barney polishing his gun. He told them,
+however, that he was not going out hunting, but was going into the woods
+to inspect some of the trees with a view to cutting them down for
+lumber.</p>
+
+<p>"You won't have no easy time of it getting a mink," he said. "The only
+way I ever got 'em was in a trap. Howsomever, go ahead and enjoy
+yourselves. Hunting is a good deal like fishing&mdash;you can have lots of
+fun even if you don't get anything," and he chuckled. Nevertheless, his
+face looked as if he was somewhat worried.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll wager he's thinking about Ruth's father and that meeting they may
+have," said Randy, when the Rovers were alone and preparing to go out on
+the hunt.</p>
+
+<p>"Either that, Randy, or else he is brooding over the trouble Professor
+Lemm and Mr. Brown are making for him."</p>
+
+<p>"There's one thing I can't understand about this," put in Andy. "Why
+should those men be so anxious to obtain possession of an island like
+this? It isn't very large, and the lumber on it can't be worth a great
+deal. I should think they could pick up a piece of real estate almost
+any<span class='pagenum'><a name="page271" id="page271">[Pg 271]</a></span>where that would be far more valuable than this."</p>
+
+<p>"Now you're saying something that I've been thinking right along,"
+answered Jack. "Even if they wanted this place for a summer resort, it
+wouldn't bring any great sum of money."</p>
+
+<p>"One thing is certain," said Fred; "they are very eager to get
+possession."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And another thing is certain, too," added Jack. "That is, Uncle
+Barney isn't going to let them have it if he can possibly stop them."</p>
+
+<p>The boys had had an early breakfast, and now they filled one of their
+game bags with a well-cooked lunch, and also carried with them a thermos
+bottle filled with hot chocolate.</p>
+
+<p>"We don't want to run short on food," cautioned Andy. "Gee! what an
+appetite this fresh air gives a fellow!"</p>
+
+<p>"Right you are!" answered Fred. "I could eat five or six meals a day and
+never mind it at all."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad we have managed to bring down so many squirrels and rabbits,"
+put in Randy. "If it wasn't for that, we might have run a little short
+on eating. I'm a little bit tired of squirrel stew and rabbit potpie,
+although they are a whole lot better than going hungry."</p>
+
+<p>Barney Stevenson came out to see them off.</p>
+
+<p>"Going down to that brook where you saw the<span class='pagenum'><a name="page272" id="page272">[Pg 272]</a></span> mink?" he questioned,
+referring to a tiny watercourse, now, of course, frozen up, located near
+the southern end of the island.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And maybe we'll get away down to the other cabin," answered Jack.
+"We thought we'd like to take a look around there."</p>
+
+<p>"And if we don't come back to-night, you'll know that we're staying at
+that cabin," said Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we didn't calculate to stay out all night," put in Jack quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"I know we didn't. But it's just possible it may get too late for us to
+come back, and that cabin would be comfortable enough, especially if we
+managed to drag in some pine boughs for beds."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, don't shoot more than half a dozen minks&mdash;or half a dozen deer,
+either!" shouted Uncle Barney after them; and then they started off and
+were soon out of sight, skating along the eastern shore of Snowshoe
+Island.</p>
+
+<p>Left to himself, Uncle Barney began to pace the floor of his cabin
+impatiently. Evidently the old lumberman was turning over something in
+his mind&mdash;something which bothered him a great deal.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course they are safe!" he murmured to himself. "It couldn't be
+otherwise. The last<span class='pagenum'><a name="page273" id="page273">[Pg 273]</a></span> time I looked, the tin box was just where I had
+left it. I don't see why I should get so nervous over it."</p>
+
+<p>Presently he drew out his pipe, filled it, and sat down in front of the
+fire to smoke. As he did this, a slight noise outside the cabin
+attracted his attention.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what that was?" he asked himself, and, arising, looked out of
+one of the cabin windows. Then he went to the door and gazed around. No
+one was in sight, and he closed the door again.</p>
+
+<p>"Must have been the wind, or something like that," he murmured. "Or else
+I'm getting more nervous than I ever was before. Now that I've got used
+to those boys around, it seems dreadfully lonely when they are gone;"
+and he heaved a deep sigh.</p>
+
+<p>He remained in front of the fire for the best part of half an hour.
+Then, as if struck by a sudden determination, he leaped up, knocked the
+ashes from his pipe, and began to put on his snowshoes. He donned his
+heavy coat and his cap, locked up his cabin, and strode off in the
+direction of the heavy woods in the center of the island.</p>
+
+<p>Although Barney Stevenson was not aware of it, the noise he had heard
+while seated before the<span class='pagenum'><a name="page274" id="page274">[Pg 274]</a></span> open fire had betokened something of
+importance. Entirely unknown to the old lumberman or to the Rover boys,
+Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell had arrived in the vicinity of the two
+cabins on the northern point of the island. Both of the youths were
+armed, but they approached the cabin occupied by the old lumberman with
+the greatest of secrecy.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks like another wild-goose chase to me," growled Slugger Brown,
+when they were close to the place. "We've been here three times now, and
+the old man hasn't done a thing out of the ordinary."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we're sure of one thing, anyway," Nappy replied. "He hasn't got
+those deeds anywhere around that cabin&mdash;or at least no place where we
+could locate them."</p>
+
+<p>The bully and his crony had, from a distance, watched the departure of
+the Rovers. As can be guessed from their conversation, they had visited
+the island several times before, each time taking care that none of the
+others should discover their presence. On their trips they had been
+strongly tempted to "rough-house" the cabin occupied by Jack and his
+cousins, but they had not dared to do this, fearing it might cause the
+Rovers to go on guard.</p>
+
+<p>"And anyhow, we're not here for that pur<span class='pagenum'><a name="page275" id="page275">[Pg 275]</a></span>pose now," Slugger Brown had
+observed. "We want to get those land deeds for my dad and old Lemon."</p>
+
+<p>The two youths had come close to the side of the cabin and peered in at
+one of the windows, and it was this noise that had attracted Barney
+Stevenson's attention. But they had managed to keep out of sight of the
+old lumberman by flinging themselves down behind some bushes. They
+watched the departure of Uncle Barney with interest, and at once
+resolved to follow him.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course we haven't any snowshoes; so maybe we won't get very far,"
+said Slugger, "but we will do the best we can."</p>
+
+<p>Unconscious that his movements were being so closely observed, Uncle
+Barney plunged deep into the woods, taking a trail which was familiar to
+him. In some spots the snow lay deep, but in the majority of places the
+wind had swept the ground almost bare, so Slugger and Nappy had no great
+difficulty in following in the old man's footsteps.</p>
+
+<p>"He doesn't seem to be going out after any game," observed Nappy
+presently. "I just saw a rabbit running ahead of him, and he never even
+raised his gun."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I know where he's going," answered Slugger. "We'll soon find
+out if I'm right."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page276" id="page276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You mean that cave your father once spoke about?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's it, Nappy."</p>
+
+<p>"What is there about that cave that makes it so important?" went on the
+other curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind that now&mdash;you'll know some day&mdash;when my father gets
+possession of the island," answered Slugger rather importantly.</p>
+
+<p>The best part of half a mile more was covered, and then Barney Stevenson
+left the trail and plunged in among a wilderness of trees and rocks. He
+had to take off his snowshoes, and he hung them up in a tree. Then he
+went ahead once more, presently reaching the foot of a little cliff.
+Here there was an opening six or seven feet in diameter, and he
+disappeared into this.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you know about that?" cried Nappy in a low voice. "Is that a
+cave?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's just what it is!" answered Slugger triumphantly. "I only hope
+it's the cave my father wanted to locate."</p>
+
+<p>"Why does he want to locate a cave on this island?" asked Nappy, more
+curious than ever.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll know some day, Nap. Now come on&mdash;let's try to find out what the
+old man is going to do in that cave."</p>
+
+<p>With caution, the bully and his crony made their way over the snow, and
+then slipped in<span class='pagenum'><a name="page277" id="page277">[Pg 277]</a></span>side the entrance to the cave. Ahead of them they saw
+the flicker of a lantern which Uncle Barney had lit.</p>
+
+<p>The cave was irregular in shape, running back a distance of a hundred
+feet or more. As the old man advanced he held his gun ready for use,
+thinking that possibly some wild animal had taken possession; but no
+animal of any sort appeared.</p>
+
+<p>Coming to the back end of the cave, the old man set down the lantern on
+a rock. Then he got down on his knees and began to pull away at a large
+flat stone, close by. He worked rather feverishly, as if growing more
+nervous every instance.</p>
+
+<p>"It must be here! They couldn't have gotten it away from me!" he
+muttered to himself.</p>
+
+<p>As he worked, Slugger and Nappy approached until they were within plain
+sight of what he was doing. They did not make a sound, however, and
+Uncle Barney never suspected their presence.</p>
+
+<p>When the flat stone had been set aside, there was revealed a small
+<i>cache</i>, lined with more stones. At the bottom of this <i>cache</i> rested a
+fair-sized tin box, dark blue in color, and secured with a padlock.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! I knew it was safe!" cried the old man in a relieved tone of voice.
+"I knew they couldn't find it!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page278" id="page278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Say! what do you suppose&mdash;&mdash;" began Nappy, when Slugger clapped a hand
+over his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>The low-spoken words echoed throughout the cavern, and, much startled,
+Uncle Barney dropped the tin box and sprang to his feet. As he did this
+Slugger Brown shoved his crony behind a projecting rock, and crouched
+low himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is there?" cried the old lumberman, and caught up his gun. "Who is
+there, I say! Speak, or I'll fire!"</p>
+
+<p>For reply, Slugger picked up a good-sized stone which was handy. Taking
+hasty aim, he hurled it at the old man. It struck Uncle Barney in the
+forehead, and slowly the old lumberman sank to the floor of the cave
+unconscious.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page279" id="page279">[Pg 279]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>UNCLE BARNEY'S SECRET</h3>
+
+<p>"Looks to me as if we were going to be stumped, Jack."</p>
+
+<p>"I agree, Andy. It doesn't look as if there were any mink in this
+neighborhood," answered the oldest Rover boy.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't give up yet," pleaded Fred, who sat on a fallen tree, resting.</p>
+
+<p>"It's barely noon yet," announced Andy, glancing at his watch. "We've
+half a day before us."</p>
+
+<p>The boys had spent the entire time since leaving their cabin in skating
+along the shore of the island and making their way along the tiny,
+frozen-up watercourse, where they had hoped to discover at least one
+brook mink. But the only game to come into sight had been a squirrel,
+and they had not shot at this, fearing to disturb the other game, were
+it in that vicinity.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's have lunch before we continue hunting," suggested Andy. "This is
+as good a spot as any to rest in."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page280" id="page280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The others were willing, and, finding a little cleared space, they built
+a tiny campfire and proceeded to make themselves at home. They passed a
+full hour over the mid-day meal, for the constant skating and tramping
+through the woods and climbing over the rocks was very tiring.</p>
+
+<p>"It won't be long before our vacation will be at an end," observed Fred.
+"Only a few days more, and we'll have to get into the grind again at
+Colby Hall."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't dare to mention lessons yet, Fred!" cried Andy. "Time enough for
+that when the school bell rings."</p>
+
+<p>"I was hoping Mr. Stevenson would get up here before we left," said
+Jack. "I want to see how he and old Uncle Barney get along."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he's staying away on purpose, so that he'll have a chance to see
+the old man alone," suggested Randy.</p>
+
+<p>The middle of the afternoon found the four young hunters near the end of
+the frozen-up watercourse, at a point where it ran in summer over some
+rough rocks into the lake below. Here the ground was very irregular, and
+once Fred slipped into a hollow, giving his left ankle a bad twist.</p>
+
+<p>"Ouch!" he cried, and made a wry face.</p>
+
+<p>"Much hurt?" asked the others quickly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page281" id="page281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I don't think so," answered the youngest Rover slowly. He pulled
+himself up and took a step or two. "I guess it is all right; but it was
+a nasty tumble, just the same."</p>
+
+<p>"We've got to be careful. It won't do for any of us to sprain an ankle
+or break a leg," cautioned Jack.</p>
+
+<p>They had gone only a short distance further when Randy suddenly put up
+his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"I saw something flit through the snow near yonder rocks," he whispered,
+pointing.</p>
+
+<p>"I see it!" ejaculated Jack, and with these words he took hasty aim, and
+fired. Then his cousins saw another movement in the snow, between some
+nearby rocks, and they, too, discharged their weapons.</p>
+
+<p>There was a commotion both in the direction in which Jack had fired, and
+also down between the nearer rocks, and, rushing up, the four young
+hunters beheld two minks, whirling about in the snow, each badly
+wounded.</p>
+
+<p>"Mink, boys! Think of it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't let them get away!"</p>
+
+<p>These cries mingled with several more rapid reports, as one lad after
+another fired a second charge. This time their aims were better, and in
+a moment each of the minks lay stretched out on the rocks, dead.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page282" id="page282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I think there was a third one," observed Randy, "but he must have got
+away."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we've got two, anyway," answered Jack with some pride. "What
+beautiful creatures they are!"</p>
+
+<p>Each of the minks was over a foot in length, not counting the bushy
+tail. They were of a soft brown shade, with a ridge of black on the back
+and patches of white below. Each was quite plump, and gave forth a
+peculiar strong odor.</p>
+
+<p>The boys were greatly delighted, and viewed the game with much
+satisfaction. They placed the minks over their shoulders, and then
+continued the hunt, presently stirring up half a dozen rabbits.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess we had better be starting for the cabin," announced Jack
+presently.</p>
+
+<p>"How about going to that other cabin at the south end of the island?"
+queried Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, let's give that up!" cried Randy. "I feel like getting back to
+where we have all our things."</p>
+
+<p>The others were inclined to do this, and, somewhat against his will,
+Fred agreed to return to the north end of Snowshoe Island. Not without
+some difficulty, they made their way back to the lake shore, and there
+put on their skates once again and started.</p>
+
+<p>The young hunters had expected to see Uncle<span class='pagenum'><a name="page283" id="page283">[Pg 283]</a></span> Barney awaiting them on
+their return, and they were a bit surprised when the old lumberman did
+not show himself.</p>
+
+<p>"He must be putting in a full day sizing up that lumber he spoke about,"
+observed Jack, as he gazed at his watch. "It's nearly six o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>"He can't see much in this darkness," observed Randy.</p>
+
+<p>The boys entered their cabin, and after resting a bit proceeded to cook
+supper. They expected every moment to hear a shout from Uncle Barney,
+but none came, and at last they sat down to the meal alone.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like this much," was Jack's comment, when another hour had
+passed, and the old lumberman had failed to show himself. "If he was
+going to stay away like this he should have left some word."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's take a look around his cabin," suggested Fred.</p>
+
+<p>This was done, but it shed no light on the unusual occurrence. The boys
+sat down and tried to amuse themselves as best they could, but, as
+another hour went by, their anxiety increased.</p>
+
+<p>"Something is wrong, I feel certain," announced Jack at last.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe while he was out in the woods he fell down over some rocks,"
+suggested Andy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page284" id="page284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He's a pretty old man to be climbing around in dangerous places," added
+his twin.</p>
+
+<p>When the time came to go to bed, none of the boys felt like retiring. A
+lantern was lit and hung up on a flagpole which stood between the two
+cabins. This was a signal which had been agreed upon when the Rovers had
+first come to Snowshoe Island.</p>
+
+<p>"There! Now if he can see the light he'll be able to locate himself,"
+said Fred.</p>
+
+<p>The boys took a walk around by the boat landing, and also to the edge of
+the woods back of the cabin, but all to no purpose. Then they finally
+retired to their own shelter.</p>
+
+<p>"We might as well go to bed," suggested Handy. "It won't do any good for
+all of us to stay up. If you say so, we might take turns in staying on
+guard, in case we should hear a call for help, or anything like that."</p>
+
+<p>This was considered good advice, and each youth took two hours at
+staying awake while the others slept; and thus the night passed.</p>
+
+<p>With the first streak of daylight, the boys prepared a hasty breakfast,
+and then went outside to view the situation. They soon found the tracks
+of the old lumberman's snowshoes, leading into the woods, and presently
+saw two other tracks close behind them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page285" id="page285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'm no sleuth, but it looks to me as if Uncle Barney went into the
+woods and two persons followed him!" exclaimed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Just the way it looks to me, too," answered Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's go and follow up those footprints at once," suggested Andy.</p>
+
+<p>The others were willing, and in a short space of time they were on their
+snowshoes and making their way through the woods in the center of the
+island.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello! here's something!" cried Jack presently, and pointed to the old
+lumberman's snowshoes, where they still rested among the branches of a
+tree.</p>
+
+<p>Then the boys saw where he had climbed between the rocks, and, taking
+off their snowshoes, they followed the footprints.</p>
+
+<p>"A cave!"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you know about that!"</p>
+
+<p>It did not take the lads long to reach the entrance of the cavern. Then
+Jack, who had brought along one of the flashlights, turned it on and
+entered, followed by his cousins.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, Uncle Barney!" he cried out at the top of his lungs. "Uncle
+Barney! are you here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Help! help!" came feebly from the inner end of the cave, and, guided by
+the flashlight, the four<span class='pagenum'><a name="page286" id="page286">[Pg 286]</a></span> Rovers ran in that direction. They found the
+old man sitting on a rock with his head resting on his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you hurt? How did it happen?" questioned Jack quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"They've robbed me!" moaned the old lumberman. "They came up behind me,
+and somebody hit me in the head with a rock! Then they ran away with my
+tin box!"</p>
+
+<p>"Who was it? Are you badly hurt?" questioned Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I'm not so awfully bad off, even though my head did bleed
+some," answered Uncle Barney. "But the worst of it is, they got away
+with my tin box&mdash;the one that's got the deeds to this island in it, and
+all my other valuables, including my dead wife's jewelry and a thousand
+dollars in gold."</p>
+
+<p>By this time the boys were examining the old man's head. They saw where
+the rock had struck him, making quite a cut, from which the blood had
+flowed over one ear. It was much swollen, and over it Uncle Barney had
+tied a bandanna handkerchief.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll get some snow and wash it off with that!" cried Fred, and did so.
+Then the wound was bound up once more, and Uncle Barney said he felt
+better. He told his story in detail.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page287" id="page287">[Pg 287]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What am I going to do?" he groaned. "Those rascals have got my treasure
+box!"</p>
+
+<p>"Who were they?" questioned Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know exactly. I heard them talk, and faced them with my gun.
+They were in the dark, so I couldn't distinguish them very good. Then
+one of them threw a big rock, and that is all I can remember. As soon as
+I became unconscious they must have grabbed the box and run away with
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"It must have been either Asa Lemm and Mr. Brown, or else Slugger and
+Nappy," said Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what I'm going to do, now those deeds are gone&mdash;not to say
+anything about my wife's jewelry and all that gold!" groaned the old
+lumberman.</p>
+
+<p>"Just you take it easy, Uncle Barney. You mustn't excite yourself now,"
+said Jack kindly. "We'll do what we can toward getting the box back."</p>
+
+<p>The boys had brought some food along, and they insisted upon it that the
+old man eat and drink something. This seemed to strengthen Uncle Barney
+greatly, and he arose to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we'll get after those rascals," he said, with something of the
+old-time fire in his eyes. "I'm not going to allow 'em to rob me in this
+fashion!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="page288" id="page288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>While the old lumberman had been eating, the Rover boys had glanced
+around the cave curiously. It was a place partly natural and partly
+artificial. On one side it looked as if a little mining had been done,
+and Jack, who had studied geology, gazed at the surface of rocks and
+dirt with much interest.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Uncle Barney, this looks to me as if it was zinc ore!" he cried
+presently.</p>
+
+<p>"Hush, hush, boy! I don't want anybody to know about that!" answered the
+old man quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then it is zinc ore, is it?" queried Randy, who had also been
+inspecting a side of the cave.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if you must know," was the surprising reply. "Right here, in the
+middle of this island, is one of the most valuable zinc ore beds to be
+found anywhere."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page289" id="page289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2>
+
+<h3>THE DISCOVERY</h3>
+
+<p>"The trouble is, those rascals have a twenty-four hours' start of us,"
+remarked Jack. "For all we know they may be miles away by this time."</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad Uncle Barney didn't take our advice and either have those
+deeds recorded, or else place them in some bank vault," said Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"The thing now is to see if we can trail those fellows, whoever they
+were," put in Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the talk!" cried his twin. "No use of crying over spilt milk, as
+the cat said when she tipped the pan over into the well," and at this
+remark there was a faint smile.</p>
+
+<p>The Rovers had drawn to one side to talk over the situation while Barney
+Stevenson was preparing to accompany them from the cave. The old man was
+both excited and worried. He cared little about the wound he had
+received on the head. All he wanted to do was to get back his treasure
+box, as he called it.</p>
+
+<p>The little party soon reached the point where<span class='pagenum'><a name="page290" id="page290">[Pg 290]</a></span> all had left their
+snowshoes. They looked around with care, and presently made out a trail
+leading toward the lake shore.</p>
+
+<p>"If they went down to the lake, they most likely skated away," remarked
+Fred.</p>
+
+<p>It was an easy matter to follow the trail through the snow. It led up to
+the vicinity of some rough rocks, and here turned southward.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess they reasoned that they couldn't get over those rocks,"
+remarked Uncle Barney. "Maybe they were afraid of a bad tumble. I wish
+they had gone over them and broken their necks!" he added bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>"If only they had dropped the treasure box in the snow!" murmured Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"No such luck for us, Fred," responded Jack. "I'm afraid that box and
+its precious contents are far away by this time."</p>
+
+<p>They continued to follow the footprints, and at the end of a quarter of
+an hour found themselves at something of a clearing between the trees.
+Here those who had stolen the box had evidently stopped to rest, for it
+could be seen where they had been seated on a fallen log, and where they
+had placed the box.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here!" cried Jack, who was inspecting the ground closely. "Just as
+I thought&mdash;those fellows were Slugger and Nappy, I feel certain."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page291" id="page291">[Pg 291]</a></span> He
+pointed to several half-burnt matches, and also a number of cigarette
+stubs.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess you're right," returned Randy. "I'm quite sure Asa Lemm doesn't
+smoke cigarettes, and when he was on the island Mr. Brown was smoking a
+black-looking cigar."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if those boys stole the box, they will most likely turn it over
+to the professor and Brown," said Uncle Barney. "Oh, if only I could get
+my hands on them!" and his eyes flashed.</p>
+
+<p>The trail now led through a patch of woods and went into something of a
+semicircle. Then there was a little loop, which caused the boys some
+perplexity, but did not bother the old lumberman.</p>
+
+<p>"They lost their way&mdash;that's all," explained Uncle Barney. "But, after
+moving around in a loop, they headed in this direction," and he pointed
+with his hand. "Come on! Maybe they got hopelessly lost further on and
+are still in the woods. I hope so."</p>
+
+<p>The trail led deeper and deeper into the woods and wound in and out
+among a number of rocks. It was plainly evident that Slugger and Nappy
+had lost their way, and had made a number of false turns.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is where they rested again," announced Jack presently, and showed
+where some rocks had been swept clear of the snow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page292" id="page292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and they stopped long enough to have something to eat," added
+Randy. "Here are a crust of bread and some cake crumbs."</p>
+
+<p>The trail continued to wind in and out among the woods, and the Rovers
+and the old lumberman followed it for fully an hour longer. Then they
+came out on the eastern shore of the island.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess this is the end of it," announced Uncle Barney dismally. "They
+probably skated away from this point."</p>
+
+<p>"No, they didn't!" cried Jack, who was making an examination of the
+footprints. "They went down the lake shore."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you what I think!" said Randy. "They most likely wanted to
+get to Rockville, and they were afraid that if they attempted to cross
+to the other side of the island they would become lost again. So instead
+of going across, they went down to the lower end."</p>
+
+<p>"Here come two men!" cried Randy suddenly. He had been peering out on
+the surface of the lake.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe they are Professor Lemm and Mr. Brown," suggested Andy.</p>
+
+<p>The men were at a great distance, but skating rapidly toward the island.
+As they came closer, Jack saw that they were strangers, and he waved his
+cap and shouted at them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page293" id="page293">[Pg 293]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"They may have seen Slugger and Nappy, or else they may have some news
+for us," he said.</p>
+
+<p>As the two strangers came closer, Uncle Barney looked at them curiously.
+Then he drew himself up and his face stiffened.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you know those two men?" he questioned rather sharply, turning to
+the boys.</p>
+
+<p>"No," answered Jack, and the others shook their heads.</p>
+
+<p>"The man ahead is Fred Stevenson, and the other is Mr. Powell."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, is that so!" exclaimed Jack; and then without further ado he ran
+out on the ice to meet the newcomers.</p>
+
+<p>"So this is Jack Rover, eh?" said Mr. Stevenson, shaking hands warmly.
+"I'm glad to know you; and I must thank you for sending me that
+telegram."</p>
+
+<p>"I sincerely hope you can patch up your differences with old Uncle
+Barney," answered Jack quietly. "He's in a peck of trouble just now."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what has happened?" questioned Ruth's father. "But excuse me," he
+added. "This is my friend, Mr. Powell."</p>
+
+<p>By this time the other Rovers had come forward, and all told the two men
+of what had taken place. In the meantime, Uncle Barney re<span class='pagenum'><a name="page294" id="page294">[Pg 294]</a></span>mained behind
+on the lake shore, resting on his gun and eyeing the visitors
+speculatively.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you would all do me a favor," said Mr. Stevenson, in a low tone
+of voice, so that the old lumberman might not hear. "I wish you would
+give me a chance to speak to Uncle Barney alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly we'll give you that chance, Mr. Stevenson," answered Jack
+readily. "We are after the two rascals who stole that treasure box. Tell
+Uncle Barney that we are going to continue the hunt while you are doing
+your talking. Maybe Mr. Powell would like to go with us."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. I don't want to interfere with this affair between these
+other men," was the quick reply.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving Ruth's father to talk matters over with the old lumberman, the
+Rover boys and Mr. Powell began the journey down the side of Snowshoe
+Island. As they proceeded, the boys told the man many of the particulars
+of how Professor Lemm and Mr. Brown, accompanied by Slugger and Nappy,
+had come to the island to take possession, and then how the old
+lumberman had been attacked in the cave and how the precious blue tin
+box had been stolen.</p>
+
+<p>"That's certainly carrying matters with a high hand," was Mr. Powell's
+comment. "I sincerely<span class='pagenum'><a name="page295" id="page295">[Pg 295]</a></span> trust the old man gets the box back. If he
+doesn't, it may cause him a great deal of trouble, especially if those
+deeds have not been recorded since the old courthouse burnt down. I
+remember well that that fire caused a great deal of trouble among
+property owners in this county."</p>
+
+<p>He told the boys that he and his wife and daughter May had been visiting
+the Stevensons at the time the Rovers' telegram arrived. He had left his
+wife and daughter to continue the visit, and had accompanied Mr.
+Stevenson on the trip just for the sake of a little outing.</p>
+
+<p>"This quarrel between old Uncle Barney, as he is called, and the
+Stevensons is all nonsense," he declared flatly. "It could have been
+cleared up years ago if the old man would only have listened to reason.
+But he was much upset by his financial losses, and more upset when his
+wife died, and he wouldn't listen to a word. Now that he is willing to
+talk I am sure they can patch it up."</p>
+
+<p>About a mile was covered, and then the Rovers and Mr. Powell found where
+Slugger and Nappy had gone ashore again at a point where the island was
+quite low.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll wager they thought they could cross here with ease, and thus save
+themselves the trouble of going around the south point," said Jack, and
+in this surmise he was correct.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page296" id="page296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Once again the trail led into the woods, and now it was fairly straight
+up to a point where the ground became rougher. Here they found the snow
+scattered around some rocks, and rightly guessed that one of the youths
+had had a tumble.</p>
+
+<p>"And I guess the tumble must have hurt some," announced Randy. "Look at
+those footprints further on, will you? One of the fellows did a lot of
+limping."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he twisted his ankle, or something like that!" cried Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad he didn't hurt himself so severely that he couldn't go any
+further," grumbled Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"It won't be long now before we come out near that cabin where we stayed
+during that awful snowstorm," said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>It was now well along in <ins class="correction" title="original: tht">the</ins> middle of the afternoon, and the Rovers
+rightly concluded that this point had not been reached by Slugger and
+Nappy until late the day before.</p>
+
+<p>"If one of them was hurt, they wouldn't want to skate away over to
+Rockville in the dark," said Randy. "Maybe they stayed on this island
+all night."</p>
+
+<p>"There is that old cabin!" exclaimed Fred, as they reached a cleared
+space and could see some distance ahead.</p>
+
+<p>The little cabin was thickly surrounded by<span class='pagenum'><a name="page297" id="page297">[Pg 297]</a></span> snow, and looked very much
+as it had when they had left it. But to their surprise, not to say
+delight, they saw a thin wreath of smoke curling up out of the chimney.</p>
+
+<p>"Somebody is there as sure as fate!" exclaimed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, let's see who it is!" burst out Randy.</p>
+
+<p>All hurried forward, making no noise in the snow, and soon reached the
+side of the cabin. Then Jack, who was in advance, peered in through a
+corner of the broken-out window, pulling aside the nailed-up blanket for
+that purpose.</p>
+
+<p>The sight which met his gaze filled him with surprise and satisfaction.
+On a rude couch at one side of the single room of which the structure
+boasted, rested Slugger Brown, his ankle tied up in a rude bandage. In
+front of the fire sat Nappy Martell with the old lumberman's treasure
+box on his lap. Nappy had a knife in one hand, and, with the file blade,
+was trying to file apart the padlock to the box.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="page298" id="page298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2>
+
+<h3>SETTLING ACCOUNTS&mdash;CONCLUSION</h3>
+
+
+<p>"How are you making out?" those outside the cabin heard Slugger Brown
+ask.</p>
+
+<p>"It's slow work with such a small file," grumbled Nappy Martell. "If I
+had a big file I could get the padlock off in no time."</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter with smashing it off with a rock?" growled the bully.
+He arose to his feet and hobbled to where his crony sat. "Give it to
+me&mdash;I'll soon have it off!"</p>
+
+<p>"Come on," whispered Jack to his cousins and Mr. Powell. "They are in
+there and trying to open the treasure box!"</p>
+
+<p>It took the party but a few seconds to reach the door of the cabin. Jack
+pushed upon it, to find the barrier locked in some manner from the
+inside.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello! who's there?" shouted Slugger.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe it's your father and Professor Lemm come back," added Nappy.</p>
+
+<p>The bully came to the door and threw it open.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page299" id="page299">[Pg 299]</a></span> When he found himself
+confronted by the Rovers and a strange man, he fell back in
+consternation.</p>
+
+<p>"You!" he gasped. "How&mdash;er&mdash;did you get here?"</p>
+
+<p>"You let us alone!" cried Nappy, in alarm; and, leaping to his feet, he
+tried to hide the precious box behind him.</p>
+
+<p>"So we've got you, have we?" exclaimed Jack. "Nappy, you hand over that
+box."</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I don't know what you mean," stammered the lad addressed.</p>
+
+<p>"See here! you haven't any right to come in here in this fashion,"
+blustered Slugger, recovering somewhat from his surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't we though!" broke out Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"We've caught you, and we intend to make you suffer for what you've
+done," said Andy.</p>
+
+<p>As lame as he was, Slugger attempted to edge his way toward the door,
+thinking he might get a chance to run away. But Jack caught him by the
+arm and sent him flying backward into a corner of the cabin.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll stay right where you are, Slugger Brown!" declared the oldest
+Rover boy. "Don't you dare to run away!"</p>
+
+<p>By this time Randy and Fred had approached Nappy, and suddenly the
+youngest Rover darted<span class='pagenum'><a name="page300" id="page300">[Pg 300]</a></span> behind the youth and snatched the blue tin box
+from his grasp.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi! you give me that box!" stormed Nappy. "You've no right to take it
+from me!" and then he, too, tried to run from the cabin. He got as far
+as the doorway when Andy put out his foot and sent him headlong into the
+snow outside. Then Andy quickly sat down on him, and, rushing up, Randy
+did the same.</p>
+
+<p>"Don&mdash;don't smash me!" spluttered Nappy, whose face was partly in the
+snow.</p>
+
+<p>"We're not going to let you get away," came firmly from Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's tie his hands behind him and make him a prisoner," suggested his
+twin, and this the two boys proceeded to do, using some skate straps for
+that purpose.</p>
+
+<p>In the meanwhile, Slugger attempted to draw a pistol, but was promptly
+hurled back by Jack and Fred. Then Mr. Powell disarmed the youth, and
+he, too, was made a prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll catch it for treating us this way!" growled Slugger, when he
+realized that he could do no more. "Just wait until my father hears of
+this!"</p>
+
+<p>"And just you wait, Slugger, until Mr. Stevenson gets here," retorted
+Jack, and this answer made the bully turn pale.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page301" id="page301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Now that the two rascals had been captured, the Rover boys felt very
+much elated, the more so since they had recovered Uncle Barney's
+treasure box without the contents having been disturbed.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't he be glad!" murmured Fred, as he looked the box over.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's go out and see if we can't signal to him in some way," returned
+Randy.</p>
+
+<p>He went outside and three shots were fired in rapid succession, a signal
+which had been agreed upon when the boys had first gone out hunting.
+After the signal had been given, Mr. Powell said he would go out and
+watch for the coming of the Stevensons. While he was doing this, the
+Rovers talked matters over with Slugger and Nappy.</p>
+
+<p>"You're a fine pair to act in this fashion," said Jack sternly. "Don't
+you know you might have killed Barney Stevenson?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we didn't hurt him much," grumbled Slugger.</p>
+
+<p>"And it was stealing to run off with this box!" said Randy.</p>
+
+<p>"No, it wasn't! That box has got deeds in it that ought to go to my
+father!"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it, Slugger. Those deeds belong to Barney Stevenson."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page302" id="page302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>A minute or two later all those in the cabin heard Mr. Powell give a
+shout.</p>
+
+<p>"A couple of men are coming!" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>"It's my dad and Professor Lemm!" broke out Slugger. "Now you fellows
+will catch it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Be on your guard, everybody!" sang out Jack to his cousins, and each of
+them caught up his gun and waited.</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes later, Professor Lemm and Mr. Brown appeared in front of
+the cabin. Their arms were full of camp supplies. Evidently, this place
+had been a rendezvous for the entire Brown party for several days. It
+was from here that Slugger and Nappy had gone up to the other end of the
+island to spy upon Uncle Barney.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Mr. Brown, when he found himself
+confronted by the Rovers.</p>
+
+<p>"It means that we have made your son and Nappy Martell prisoners,"
+explained Jack calmly.</p>
+
+<p>"Prisoners!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And I think more than likely we'll have to hand them over to the
+authorities."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand this at all," put in Asa Lemm, and his voice
+trembled a little.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Powell had now come up, and the Rovers told him who the men were. He
+at once took charge of matters.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page303" id="page303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"This is a serious business, Mr. Brown," he said sternly. "Your son and
+this other young man attacked old Barney Stevenson in a most outrageous
+manner and robbed him of a box of valuables. What Mr. Stevenson will do
+in the matter I don't know. I expect him here very shortly."</p>
+
+<p>At once there was a wordy quarrel, Mr. Brown showing his temper in
+anything but a dignified manner. He wanted his son and Nappy released,
+and threatened all sorts of things, but all to no purpose. Mr. Powell
+was obdurate, and the Rovers kept themselves in readiness to use their
+firearms should the occasion require. Asa Lemm had little to say.</p>
+
+<p>The discussion was growing exceedingly warm when there came another
+interruption, and Uncle Barney, followed by Frederic Stevenson, burst
+into the cabin. The old lumberman gazed at the assembled crowd, and then
+at the Rovers.</p>
+
+<p>"My box? Did you find my box?" he questioned quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Uncle Barney, we've got the box safe and sound," answered Jack,
+and handed it over.</p>
+
+<p>"Did those young rascals have it?" and Uncle Barney pointed to Slugger
+and Nappy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And that fellow was trying to file away the padlock when we got
+here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page304" id="page304">[Pg 304]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You whelps, you!" cried the old lumberman, his eyes blazing. And as he
+strode toward Slugger and Nappy they shrank back as far as the corner of
+the cabin permitted.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you hit me&mdash;don't you dare!" howled the bully.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I didn't mean anything by it!" whined Nappy. He was now thoroughly
+cowed.</p>
+
+<p>Another war of words followed, and the discussion grew even hotter than
+before. Again Mr. Brown threatened all sorts of things, but Uncle Barney
+simply laughed at him. Then Frederic Stevenson took a hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Uncle Barney," he said, catching the old man by the shoulder, "you let
+me manage this for you, will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"All right, Fred. You do as you please&mdash;only they can't have Snowshoe
+Island," was the old man's answer. Evidently the long standing
+differences between the pair had been patched up at last.</p>
+
+<p>"What I've got to say, I can say in very few words," came from Ruth's
+father, as he confronted Mr. Brown and Professor Lemm. "You have tried
+to carry matters here with a high hand, and the result has been that you
+have laid yourselves liable to a suit at law, while those two young
+rascals are liable to go to prison."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page305" id="page305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Dad! don't let them have us arrested!" pleaded Slugger.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to bother with the law&mdash;I want to be left alone," said
+Uncle Barney in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>"This island belongs to my relative here&mdash;Mr. Barnard Stevenson,"
+proceeded Ruth's father. "He has a free and clear title to it, as I well
+know. I understand something of your underhanded work, Brown. And I
+understand, too, how you and Professor Lemm found out that this island
+contained some very valuable zinc ore beds. But your scheme to gain
+possession of this place has fallen through."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be so sure of that!" snarled Slugger's father.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure of it. Unless you leave my relative here alone, you are going
+to get yourself into pretty hot water. And not only that&mdash;if you bother
+him again, I'll see to it that your son and that other young man are
+sent to prison for what they have done."</p>
+
+<p>"Say! will you let us go if my dad gives up his claim to the island?"
+broke in Slugger eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"If your father and Professor Lemm will promise never to bother Barnard
+Stevenson in the future, I think he'll be willing to let this case
+against you drop."<span class='pagenum'><a name="page306" id="page306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"All right then. Dad, let's do that. We don't want the old island,
+anyhow!"</p>
+
+<p>"You can't do anything without those deeds," added Nappy.</p>
+
+<p>"Shut up! You boys make me sick!" grunted Mr. Brown.</p>
+
+<p>"But Martell is right&mdash;we can't do anything without the deeds,"
+whispered Professor Lemm. He was growing more fearful every moment over
+the outcome of what had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>More words followed, but in the end Mr. Brown and Professor Lemm
+promised to let their so-called claim on Snowshoe Island drop. Then
+Slugger and Nappy were released, and all were told to take their
+departure as soon as possible.</p>
+
+<p>"You think you're smart, don't you?" grumbled Slugger to Jack, when he
+was ready to go. "You just wait, Jack Rover! I'm not going to forget you
+and your cousins in a hurry!"</p>
+
+<p>"And I won't forget you, either!" added Nappy Martell.</p>
+
+<p>What these two unworthies did in the future to worry the Rovers will be
+told in another volume, to be entitled, "The Rover Boys Under Canvas;
+Or, The Mystery of the Wrecked Submarine." In that volume we shall meet
+many of our old friends again, and learn the particulars of some
+out-of-the-ordinary happenings.<span class='pagenum'><a name="page307" id="page307">[Pg 307]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm mighty glad they're gone," said Fred, after the visitors had
+disappeared in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>"Glad doesn't express it!" added Andy. "I could fairly dance a jig for
+joy!"</p>
+
+<p>"And to think we saved the treasure box!" broke in Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the best of all," came from Randy.</p>
+
+<p>Old Uncle Barney was exceedingly happy, not only to have the box
+restored to him, but also because the trouble between himself and his
+relatives had been completely cleared away.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I was something of an old fool to quarrel with Fred and his
+family," he remarked to Jack later on, when talking the matter over. "It
+shows that a man should not be too hasty and headstrong. If I had only
+listened in the first place, all this would never have happened."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad you're friends once more," said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"I owe you boys a great deal for this, just as I owe you a great deal
+for saving the treasure box and saving my life in the woods that time,"
+answered the old lumberman with feeling.</p>
+
+<p>The next day was spent by Uncle Barney and Mr. Stevenson in going over
+the matter of the deeds. Ruth's father insisted upon it that they be
+duly recorded and then placed away in a bank<span class='pagenum'><a name="page308" id="page308">[Pg 308]</a></span> vault. It may be added
+here that later on this was done, and, later still, the zinc ore beds on
+the island were opened up and found to be fully as valuable as
+anticipated. Old Uncle Barney became quite a rich man, and took up his
+home with the other Stevensons.</p>
+
+<p>While the Stevensons were consulting about the deeds, the Rover boys
+went out on another hunt, this time accompanied by Mr. Powell, who was
+quite a sportsman. They had considerable luck, bringing in over a dozen
+rabbits, four squirrels and several partridges.</p>
+
+<p>"And now we've got to get ready to go home," said Jack, a day or two
+later.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And get ready for the grind at Colby Hall," added Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"But we've had some dandy times on this island!" declared Andy.</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't have been better!" came in a chorus.</p>
+
+<p>And here we will say good-bye to the Rover boys.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>THE END</b></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</h2>
+
+<h3>By VICTOR APPLETON</h3>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><b>Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every Volume
+Complete in Itself.</b></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p>Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. Tom Swift is a
+bright, ingenious boy and his inventions and adventures make the most
+interesting kind of reading.</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE<br />
+TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS<br />
+TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE<br />
+TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER<br />
+TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL<br />
+TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH<br />
+TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS<br />
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS<br />
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Grosset &amp; Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2>THE DON STURDY SERIES</h2>
+
+<h3>By VICTOR APPLETON</h3>
+
+<p class="center"><b>Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by</b></p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>WALTER S. ROGERS</b></p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>Every Volume Complete in Itself</b></p>
+
+<p>In company with his uncles, one a mighty hunter and the other a noted
+scientist, Don Sturdy travels far and wide, gaining much useful
+knowledge and meeting many thrilling adventures.</p>
+
+<p>DON STURDY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY;<br />
+Or, Autoing in the Land of the Caravans.</p>
+
+<p>An engrossing tale of the Sahara Desert, of encounters
+with wild animals and crafty Arabs.</p>
+
+<p>DON STURDY WITH THE BIG SNAKE HUNTERS;<br />
+Or, Lost in the Jungles of the Amazon.</p>
+
+<p>Don's uncle, the hunter, took an order for some of the
+biggest snakes to be found in South America&mdash;to be delivered
+alive! The filling of that order brought keen excitement
+to the boy.</p>
+
+<p>DON STURDY IN THE TOMBS OF GOLD;<br />
+Or, The Old Egyptian's Great Secret.</p>
+
+<p>A fascinating tale of exploration and adventure in the
+Valley of Kings in Egypt. Once the whole party became
+lost in the maze of cavelike tombs far underground.</p>
+
+<p>DON STURDY ACROSS THE NORTH POLE;<br />
+Or, Cast Away in the Land of Ice.</p>
+
+<p>Don and his uncles joined an expedition bound by air
+across the north pole. A great polar blizzard nearly wrecks
+the airship.</p>
+
+<p>DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF VOLCANOES;<br />
+Or, The Trail of the Ten Thousand Smokes.</p>
+
+<p>An absorbing tale of adventures among the volcanoes of
+Alaska in a territory but recently explored. A story that
+will make Don dearer to his readers than ever.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Grosset &amp; Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2>THE RADIO BOYS SERIES</h2>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-size: small"><b>(Trademark Registered)</b></p>
+
+<h3>By ALLEN CHAPMAN</h3>
+
+<p class="center"><b>Author of the "Railroad Series," Etc.</b></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><b>Individual Colored Wrappers. Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in
+Itself.</b></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p>A new series for boys giving full details of radio work, both in sending
+and receiving&mdash;telling how small and large amateur sets can be made and
+operated, and how some boys got a lot of fun and adventure out of what
+they did. Each volume from first to last is so thoroughly fascinating,
+so strictly up-to-date and accurate, we feel sure all lads will peruse
+them with great delight.</p>
+
+<p>Each volume has a Foreword by Jack Binns, the well-known radio expert.</p>
+
+<p class="center">THE RADIO BOYS' FIRST WIRELESS;<br />
+Or, Winning the Ferberton Prize.</p>
+
+<p class="center">THE RADIO BOYS AT OCEAN POINT;<br />
+Or, The <ins class="correction" title="original: Messsage">Message</ins> That Saved the Ship.</p>
+
+<p class="center">THE RADIO BOYS AT THE SENDING STATION;<br />
+Or, Making Good in the Wireless Room.</p>
+
+<p class="center">THE RADIO BOYS AT MOUNTAIN PASS;<br />
+Or, The Midnight Call for Assistance.</p>
+
+<p class="center">THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING A VOICE;<br />
+Or, Solving a Wireless Mystery.</p>
+
+<p class="center">THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE FOREST RANGERS;<br />
+Or, The Great Fire on Spruce Mountain.</p>
+
+<p class="center">THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE ICEBERG PATROL;<br />
+Or, Making Safe the Ocean Lanes.</p>
+
+<p class="center">RADIO BOYS WITH THE FLOOD FIGHTERS;<br />
+Or, Saving the City in the Valley.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Grosset &amp; Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2>THE RAILROAD SERIES</h2>
+
+<h3>By ALLEN CHAPMAN</h3>
+
+<p class="center"><b>Author of the "Radio Boys," Etc.</b></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><b>Uniform Style of Binding. Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.</b></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p>In this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of a great
+American railroad system. There are adventures in abundance&mdash;railroad
+wrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a "wildcat"
+locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money on
+board&mdash;but there is much more than this&mdash;the intense rivalry among
+railroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, the
+getting through "on time" in spite of all obstacles, and the
+manipulation of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule or
+ruin.</p>
+
+
+<p class="center">RALPH OF THE ROUND HOUSE;<br />
+Or, Bound to Become a Railroad Man.</p>
+
+<p class="center">RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER;<br />
+Or, Clearing the Track.</p>
+
+<p class="center">RALPH ON THE ENGINE;<br />
+Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail.</p>
+
+<p class="center">RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS;<br />
+Or, The Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer.</p>
+
+<p class="center">RALPH, THE TRAIN DISPATCHER;<br />
+Or, The Mystery of the Pay Car.</p>
+
+<p class="center">RALPH ON THE ARMY TRAIN;<br />
+Or, The Young Railroader's Most Daring Exploit.</p>
+
+<p class="center">RALPH ON THE MIDNIGHT FLYER;<br />
+Or, The Wreck at Shadow Valley.</p>
+
+<p class="center">RALPH AND THE MISSING MAIL POUCH;<br />
+Or, The Stolen Government Bonds.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Grosset &amp; Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 22996-h.txt or 22996-h.zip *******</p>
+<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br />
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@@ -0,0 +1,8916 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island, 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 on Snowshoe Island
+       or, The Old Lumberman's Treasure Box
+
+
+Author: Edward Stratemeyer
+
+
+
+Release Date: October 16, 2007  [eBook #22996]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE
+ISLAND***
+
+
+E-text prepared by David Edwards, Verity White, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) from page
+images generously made available by Microsoft Live Search Books
+(http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=&scope=books)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 22996-h.htm or 22996-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/9/9/22996/22996-h/22996-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/9/9/22996/22996-h.zip)
+
+
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Microsoft Live Search Books. See
+      http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=&scope=books#q=rover%20boys%20on%20snowshoe%20island&filter=all&start=1&t=mtkWR1DE1uzvhm0Te90ghw&sq=rover%20boys%20on%20snowshoe%20island
+
+
+      +----------------------------------------------------+
+      | Transcriber's Note:                                |
+      |                                                    |
+      | Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document  |
+      | has been preserved.                                |
+      |                                                    |
+      | Obvious typographical errors have been corrected;  |
+      | please see the end of the text for details.        |
+      +----------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND
+
+Or
+
+The Old Lumberman's Treasure Box
+
+by
+
+ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
+
+(Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+Author of "The Rover Boys at School," "The Rover Boys on the Ocean,"
+"The Putnam Hall Series," Etc.
+
+Illustrated
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: JACK AND THE TWINS RESCUE THE INJURED MAN.
+
+_Frontispiece--Page 46_]
+
+
+
+New York
+Grosset & Dunlap
+Publishers
+
+Made in the United States of America
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+BOOKS BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
+
+(Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+THE FIRST ROVER BOYS SERIES
+
+  THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE
+  THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE
+  THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE
+  THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA
+  THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR
+
+THE SECOND ROVER BOYS SERIES
+
+  THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL
+  THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND
+
+THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES
+
+  THE PUTNAM HALL CADETS
+  THE PUTNAM HALL RIVALS
+  THE PUTNAM HALL CHAMPIONS
+  THE PUTNAM HALL REBELLION
+  THE PUTNAM HALL ENCAMPMENT
+  THE PUTNAM HALL MYSTERY
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York
+Copyright, 1918, by
+Edward Stratemeyer
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+My Dear Boys: This book is a complete story in itself, but forms the
+second volume in a line issued under the general title, "The Second
+Rover Boys Series for Young Americans."
+
+As mentioned in several volumes of the first series, this line was
+started a number of years ago with the publication of "The Rover Boys at
+School," "On the Ocean," and "In the Jungle." In those volumes my young
+readers were introduced to Dick, Tom and Sam Rover.
+
+The volumes of the first series related the adventures of the three
+Rover boys while attending Putnam Hall Military Academy, Brill College,
+and while on numerous outings.
+
+These Rover boys were, of course, growing steadily older. They met three
+young ladies in whom they became intensely interested, and, after
+becoming established in business, three happy marriages followed.
+Presently Dick Rover was blessed with a son and a daughter, as was also
+his brother Sam, while the fun-loving Tom became the proud father of
+twin boys, who were as full of spirit as their parent had ever been. At
+first the boys were kept at home, but then it was thought best to send
+them to a boarding school.
+
+At Colby Hall the young Rovers made a host of friends, and also some
+enemies. They had to work hard over their studies, but they had a
+thoroughly good time.
+
+In the present volume the boys are still at Colby Hall, but presently
+the scene is shifted to Snowshoe Island, where the lads go for a short
+hunting season. How they ran into a most unusual mystery and helped an
+old lumberman to establish his claim to the island, I will leave the
+pages which follow to relate.
+
+In conclusion I wish to thank my numerous readers for the many kind
+things they have said about these Rover Boys books, and especially about
+the initial volume in the second series. I trust that all my readers
+will like Jack, Andy and Randy, and Fred as much as they did Dick, Tom,
+and Sam Rover.
+
+  Affectionately and sincerely yours,
+  EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                                      PAGE
+
+        I  FUN ON THE ICE                       1
+       II  SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS      13
+      III  OUT OF PERIL                        23
+       IV  OUT HUNTING                         33
+        V  UNCLE BARNEY STEVENSON              44
+       VI  DEEP IN THE WOODS                   56
+      VII  AN UNEXPECTED MEETING               65
+     VIII  THE SLEIGHING PARTY                 76
+       IX  A MISHAP ON THE ROAD                86
+        X  SOMETHING ABOUT TWO GOATS           96
+       XI  THE JOKE ON ASA LEMM               108
+      XII  IN COLONEL COLBY'S OFFICE          119
+     XIII  ASA LEMM IS DISMISSED              132
+      XIV  OVERHEARING A PLOT                 143
+       XV  AN ALARM OF FIRE                   152
+      XVI  PUTTING OUT THE FLAMES             161
+     XVII  CAUGHT IN THE ACT                  168
+    XVIII  HOME AGAIN                         177
+      XIX  OFF FOR SNOWSHOE ISLAND            188
+       XX  CAUGHT IN A SNOWSTORM              197
+      XXI  AN ASTONISHING REVELATION          207
+     XXII  THE FIRST NIGHT ON THE ISLAND      216
+    XXIII  UNEXPECTED VISITORS                226
+     XXIV  A WAR OF WORDS                     237
+      XXV  FACING THE WOLVES                  247
+     XXVI  JACK FREES HIS MIND                258
+    XXVII  THE BLUE TIN BOX                   268
+   XXVIII  UNCLE BARNEY'S SECRET              279
+     XXIX  THE DISCOVERY                      289
+      XXX  SETTLING ACCOUNTS--CONCLUSION      298
+
+
+
+
+THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+FUN ON THE ICE
+
+
+"Everybody ready?"
+
+"Sure! Been ready half an hour."
+
+"Wait a minute, Frank, till I tighten my skate strap," cried Fred Rover,
+as he bent down to adjust the loosened bit of leather.
+
+"Hurry up, Fred, we don't want to stand here all day," sang out his
+Cousin Andy gaily.
+
+"That's it! I want to win this race," broke in Randy Rover, Andy's twin
+brother.
+
+"Now remember, the race is to be to the old white pine and back,"
+announced the starter. "Every contestant has got to touch the tree
+before he starts to come back; otherwise he'll be counted out."
+
+"You ought to have a pistol to start us with," came from Jack Rover.
+
+"I guess my old locomotive whistle will do for that," answered Frank
+Newberry. He paused to look at the line of skaters. "Now then, everybody
+on the job!" and a loud whistle rent the air.
+
+Instantly there was a scurry of skates, and off the line started across
+Clearwater Lake to where a blasted pine tree reared its naked trunk
+against the skyline.
+
+It was a Saturday afternoon in early winter, and the cadets of Colby
+Hall Military Academy were out in force to enjoy themselves on the
+smooth ice of the lake, near which the school was located. The cadets
+had been amusing themselves in various ways, playing tag and hockey, and
+in "snapping the whip," as it is called, when Gif Garrison, at the head
+of the athletic association, had suggested a race.
+
+"We might as well find out who is the best skater in the school," Gif
+had said.
+
+"Right you are," had come from his particular chum, Spouter Powell. "Let
+us get up a race by all means."
+
+With so many cadets who could skate well, it was an easy matter to
+arrange for the contest. To make the matter more interesting, one of the
+Hall professors, Mr. Brice, said he would give some prizes to the pupils
+coming in first, second and third.
+
+"I'll give a fine book of adventures to the first cadet, and also books
+to the others," Mr. Brice announced. He was still a young man, and in
+hearty sympathy with everything in the way of outdoor sports.
+
+Among those to enter the contest were Jack Rover and his three cousins,
+Fred, Andy and Randy. All were provided with hockey skates, and each
+felt confident of making a good record for himself. Yet they all knew
+that the school boasted of some fine skaters, one lad in particular, Dan
+Soppinger, having won several contests on the ice in years gone by.
+
+"We've got our work cut out for us!" cried Fred Rover, as he skated
+beside Jack.
+
+"Save your wind, Fred," answered his cousin briefly.
+
+"Believe me, this is going to be some race!" came from Randy, who was on
+the other side of Jack, with his twin brother next to him.
+
+"I don't care who wins so long as I'm not last," responded his twin
+merrily.
+
+Over twenty cadets had started in the contest, and soon the line, which
+had been fairly even for a few seconds after the whistle had sounded,
+began to take on a straggly appearance, as some skaters forged ahead and
+others fell behind.
+
+"Don't give up! Everybody keep in the race until the finish!" cried
+Professor Brice encouragingly. "Remember, a race isn't over until the
+end is reached."
+
+Thus encouraged, those who were in the rear did their best to overtake
+those ahead. But gradually the skaters divided into three groups; eight
+in the lead, six but a short distance behind them, and the others
+several yards further to the rear.
+
+In the front group were Jack and his cousin Randy, while Fred and Andy
+were less than ten feet behind.
+
+The distance across Clearwater Lake was about half a mile, but the
+blasted pine tree was located some distance down the shore, so that the
+race would be close to a mile and a half in length.
+
+Spouter Powell was in the lead when the first group of skaters came up
+to the pine tree. Dan Soppinger was close behind him, with Jack and
+Randy following. Behind Randy came Walt Baxter, another cadet who skated
+remarkably well. The others of the first group were gradually dropping
+back to the second contingent. Spouter Powell touched the tree with his
+finger tips, and was followed almost immediately by Dan Soppinger. As
+they turned to go back to the starting point, they were followed by Jack
+and Randy.
+
+"Hi, you fellows! what do you mean by skating so quick?" piped out Andy
+Rover gaily.
+
+"We'll leave the tree to you, Andy!" shouted his twin.
+
+"I don't think we'll win, but, anyway, we won't be last," came from
+Fred, as he and Andy touched the tree.
+
+"Well, we can't have everything in this world," was the philosophic
+reply from the other Rover boy.
+
+It could be seen that the race had now narrowed down to the five who
+were in the lead. Of these, Spouter Powell and Dan Soppinger were less
+than two feet apart, while only a yard to the rear came Jack, Randy and
+Walt Baxter.
+
+"Go it, Randy!" sang out Andy, as he dropped still further behind. "Go
+it! I know you can win!"
+
+"Keep it up, Jack!" yelled Fred, who, being the smallest of the four
+Rovers, found it impossible to keep up the pace. "Don't let Spouter and
+Dan hold you back!"
+
+There were numerous cries of encouragement for all of the skaters as
+they swept forward toward the starting point. Here a line had been drawn
+on the ice, and the cadets stood at either end, some with their watches
+in their hands to time the winners.
+
+"I'll bet Dan Soppinger wins!" cried one of the cadets. "He's the best
+skater on the lake."
+
+"Well, Spouter Powell is a good skater, too," returned another.
+
+"Huh! what's the matter with the Rover boys?" burst out a third cadet,
+round-faced and remarkably fat--so fat, in fact, that he had not dreamed
+of participating in the contest.
+
+"I don't know much about how they can skate," was the reply. "They
+weren't here last winter, you remember."
+
+"Yes, I know that," answered Fatty Hendry.
+
+"Here they come!"
+
+By this time the skaters were half way on the return from the blasted
+pine. Spouter Powell and Dan Soppinger were still in the lead, but Walt
+Baxter was crawling up steadily, while Jack and Randy were close behind.
+
+"Say, this is going to be a neck-and-neck race!" cried one of the
+cadets, Ned Lowe by name. He had wanted to race himself, but knew that
+his skates were too dull for that purpose.
+
+"Stand back! Give them plenty of room!" exclaimed Professor Brice, and
+he took measures to clear the cadets away from the finishing line.
+
+Quite a crowd had assembled to witness the contest, not only cadets, but
+also some folks from the neighboring town of Haven Point, and also a
+number of young ladies from Clearwater Hall, a seminary located some
+distance away.
+
+The skaters had still a distance of several hundred yards to cover when
+it was seen that Spouter Powell was gradually falling behind. Then Jack
+Rover forged forward, followed by his Cousin Randy.
+
+"The Rovers are crawling up!"
+
+"See, Jack Rover and his Cousin Randy and Dan Soppinger and Walt Baxter
+are all in a line!"
+
+"This certainly is one close race!"
+
+The excitement increased as the racers drew closer to the finishing
+line. Walt Baxter was panting painfully, showing that he had used up
+almost every ounce of his strength.
+
+"Oh, dear! I do hope the Rovers come in ahead," whispered one girl
+skater to another. She was a tall girl, remarkably good looking and
+dressed in a suit of brown, with furs.
+
+"So do I hope the Rover boys win, Ruth," answered her girl companion,
+"now that my Cousin Dick has fallen behind."
+
+"It's too bad, May, that your Cousin Dick couldn't have kept up,"
+answered Ruth Stevenson.
+
+Closer and closer to the finishing line crept the four leading skaters,
+Jack and Randy in the middle, with Dan Soppinger on their left and Walt
+Baxter on their right. Now Spouter Powell had fallen back to the second
+group of racers.
+
+"Here they come!"
+
+"It's Dan Soppinger's race!"
+
+"Not much! Here comes Walt Baxter! Gee, see him strike out!"
+
+"It's the Rovers who are coming to the front!" exclaimed Ned Lowe.
+
+"I knew they couldn't hold those Rover boys back," was Frank Newberry's
+comment. "Now then, boys, for a final dash!" he shouted.
+
+All four of the leading contestants were bending forward and striking
+out as powerfully as possible, their arms swinging from side to side
+like pendulums and their skates ringing clearly on the smooth ice.
+
+For an instant all were in a line, then, by a tremendous effort, Walter
+Baxter forged a foot ahead. But almost instantly Dan Soppinger overtook
+the other cadet. An instant later Randy Rover came up beside the others,
+followed by his Cousin Jack.
+
+The finishing line was now less than fifty yards away, and the crowd was
+yelling all sorts of words of encouragement and cheering wildly, even
+the girls and older folks present being much excited. Then, of a sudden,
+an exclamation of wonder rent the air.
+
+"Look at that, will you? Did you ever see such striking out in your
+life?"
+
+"He's coming forward like a cannon ball!"
+
+These exclamations had been brought forth by the sudden change of
+tactics on the part of Jack Rover. Coming back from the blasted pine he
+had managed to hang close to his opponents, but without using up all his
+reserve force. Now he let out "for all he was worth," as he afterwards
+declared, and, with strokes that could hardly be seen for their
+rapidity, he forged in front of Soppinger and Baxter.
+
+"It's Jack Rover's race!"
+
+"Look! Look! Here comes his Cousin Randy!" yelled Ned Lowe.
+
+"No use in talking--you can't hold those Rover boys back," was Fatty
+Hendry's comment.
+
+What the cadets had said was true. Following the extraordinary spurt
+made by Jack, Randy let himself out, and in a twinkling had passed
+Baxter. Then he found himself neck-and-neck with Dan Soppinger, who was
+struggling with might and main to catch up to Jack, just two feet ahead.
+
+"Make room for the winners!"
+
+"Jack Rover wins the race!"
+
+"Yes, and Randy Rover is second!"
+
+"Who takes third place?"
+
+"Soppinger, I guess."
+
+"No, I think Walt Baxter was a little ahead of him."
+
+"Nonsense! It was a tie between them."
+
+"Three cheers for the Rover boys!" shouted Ned Lowe, and many cadets
+joined in the cheering.
+
+Jack and Randy were quickly surrounded by many of their chums and
+congratulated on their success.
+
+"It was a tie race between Soppinger and Baxter," announced Professor
+Brice. "And that being so, I will give each of them a third prize," and
+with this those two contestants had to be contented.
+
+"You made that race in record time, Jack," announced Gif Garrison. "It
+is better time by twelve seconds than was ever made before on this
+lake."
+
+"Well, where do I come in?" demanded Randy.
+
+"You broke the record by ten seconds," was the reply. "And believe me,
+that's some stunt!"
+
+"I guess I was beaten fairly," announced Dan Soppinger, a little
+ruefully; "so there is no use of complaining."
+
+"Oh, it was a fair and square race sure enough," answered Walt Baxter.
+"All the same, if my skates had been just a little sharper I think I
+might have won," he added a little wistfully.
+
+"Well, I am glad the honors stay in our family anyhow," announced Fred,
+as he skated up, followed by Andy.
+
+"And first and second prizes, too!" cried his cousin. "That ought to be
+enough to hold the other fellows for awhile."
+
+Jack and Randy were both panting from their exertions, but their faces
+showed their satisfaction, and especially did Jack look his pleasure
+when he happened to glance beyond the crowd of cadets and saw Ruth
+Stevenson waving her hand toward him. Beside Ruth was May Powell, who
+waved gaily to all of the Rovers.
+
+"Fine race, boys! Fine race!" was Fatty Hendry's comment. "Just the
+same, none of you would have been in it for a minute if I had entered,"
+and at this joke there was a general laugh.
+
+"Say, Fatty, you should have gone into it just to lose flesh," was
+Andy's dry comment. "If you tried real hard, you might lose a pound a
+mile," and at this there was another laugh.
+
+The crowd began to gather around Jack and Randy and the others who had
+won the race, and many wanted to shake hands with the oldest Rover boy.
+Even some of the town folks skated up, and they were followed by some of
+the girls from Clearwater Hall.
+
+"I say, boys, this may not be safe!" cried Professor Brice suddenly,
+when the crowd on the ice had become unusually thick. "This ice isn't as
+strong as it might be."
+
+"Yes, and with Fatty in the crowd----" began Andy Rover. Then, of a
+sudden, he stopped short because an ominous crack was heard, followed by
+several other cracks.
+
+"The ice is breaking!"
+
+"Skate away, everybody, or we'll go down!"
+
+Instantly there was a commotion, and all of the skaters tried to break
+away from the spot where the crowd had congregated. The confusion was
+tremendous, and in the mix-up six or eight persons, including Ruth
+Stevenson and May Powell, were thrown down. Then came another crack, and
+it looked as if in another instant the ice would give way completely and
+precipitate the whole crowd into the cold waters of the lake.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS
+
+
+It was a time of extreme peril, and it is doubtful if any one realized
+that more than did Jack Rover. He, too, had been thrown down, and across
+his legs was sprawled the heavy form of Fatty Hendry. It was the
+toppling over of the fat youth which had caused one of the cracks which
+were now so numerous in the ice.
+
+"Hi! get off of me!" yelled Jack, and managed to pull one of his legs
+free; and with this he pushed the fat youth to one side.
+
+"Help! help! We're going down!" came in a scream from May Powell.
+
+The ice had become depressed where she and Ruth Stevenson stood, and
+both were already in a half inch of water.
+
+"Scatter! Everybody scatter!" cried Professor Brice, and then rushed to
+one side, to rescue several little boys and girls.
+
+"Come on, Jack, we've got to help those girls!" cried Randy, and caught
+his cousin by the arm, thus assisting him to his feet. Then off the
+pair skated, with Andy and Fred behind them, all bent on going to the
+assistance of the girls from Clearwater Hall.
+
+Now, I know quite well that to the readers of the former volumes in
+these two "Rover Boys Series," all of the Rovers, both old and young,
+will need no introduction. But for the benefit of those who have not
+perused any of the previous volumes in this line, a few words concerning
+our characters will not be amiss.
+
+In my first volume, entitled "The Rover Boys at School," I told how
+three brothers, Dick, Tom and Sam Rover, had been sent off to Putnam
+Hall Military Academy, where they made a host of friends, including a
+manly and straightforward cadet, named Lawrence Colby. From Putnam Hall,
+the Rovers were sent to Brill College, and after leaving that
+institution of learning they went into business in Wall Street, New York
+City, where they organized The Rover Company, of which Dick was now
+president; Tom, secretary; and Sam, treasurer.
+
+While at Putnam Hall the three Rovers had become acquainted with three
+charming girls, Dora Stanhope and her cousins Nellie and Grace Laning.
+This acquaintance had ripened into loving intimacy, and when Dick went
+into business he had made Dora Stanhope his life-long partner. A short
+while after this Tom married Nellie Laning and Sam married Grace.
+
+When first married, Dick and his beautiful wife Dora had begun
+housekeeping in a small apartment, but a few years later the three
+brothers had purchased a plot of ground on Riverside Drive, overlooking
+the Hudson river, and there they had built three handsome houses, Dick
+living in the middle house, and Tom on one side and Sam on the other.
+
+Before the young people had moved into the new homes, Dick and Dora
+became the proud parents of a little son, who was named John, after Mr.
+Laning. The son was followed by a daughter, Martha, so named after her
+Great Aunt Martha of Valley Brook Farm, where the older boys had spent
+many of their youthful days. Little Jack, as he was called, was a bright
+lad with many of the qualities which had made his father so well liked
+and so successful in life.
+
+About the time Jack's sister Martha was born, Tom and Nellie Rover came
+forward with twin boys, one of whom they named Anderson, after his
+grandfather, and the other Randolph, after Uncle Randolph, of Valley
+Brook Farm. Andy and Randy, as they were always called for short, were
+exceedingly clever and active lads, in this particular being a second
+edition of their father. Andy was usually saying things that were more
+or less funny, and Randy thought that playing some trick was the finest
+thing in the world.
+
+"You can't find fault with those kids, Tom," Dick Rover said more than
+once. "They are chips off the old block."
+
+"Well, I suppose they are," Tom Rover would reply, with a twinkle in his
+eye. "But if they never do anything that is really mean or harmful, I
+won't care."
+
+About the same time the twins were born, Sam and Grace Rover came along
+with a beautiful little girl, whom they named Mary, after Mrs. Laning.
+Then, a year later, the girl was followed by a sturdy little boy, who
+was christened Fred, after Sam Rover's old school chum, Fred Garrison.
+
+Living so close together--the three stone mansions on Riverside Drive
+were connected--the younger generation of Rover boys, as well as the
+girls, were brought up very much like one big family. The winters were
+spent in New York City, while during the summer the young folks were
+generally bundled off to Valley Brook Farm, where their grandfather,
+Anderson Rover, still resided with his brother Randolph and wife
+Martha.
+
+At first both the girls and the boys had been sent to private schools in
+the metropolis. But the boys showed such a propensity for "cutting up,"
+as Dick Rover expressed it, that the fathers were compelled to hold a
+consultation.
+
+"The best thing we can do is to send them to some strict boarding
+school," was Dick Rover's comment, and in this the brothers agreed.
+
+Some time before, their old school chum, Lawrence Colby, who had since
+become a colonel in the state militia, had opened a military academy,
+which he called Colby Hall. The place was gaining an enviable reputation
+as a first-class institution of learning, being modeled after Putnam
+Hall, which, in its day, had been run somewhat on the lines of West
+Point.
+
+"We'll send them to Colby Hall," had been the decision of the older
+Rovers, and to that place Jack, Andy and Randy, and Fred had gone, as
+related in detail in the volume entitled "The Rover Boys at Colby Hall."
+
+The military school presided over by Colonel Colby was located about
+half a mile from the town of Haven Point, on Clearwater Lake, a
+beautiful sheet of water about two miles long and half a mile wide. At
+the head of the lake was the Rick Rack River, running down from the
+hills and woods beyond. The school consisted of a large stone building
+shaped somewhat in the form of a cross, the upper portion facing the
+river. It was three stories in height, and contained, not only the
+classrooms and the mess hall, but also the dormitories and private rooms
+for the scholars. To one side was a brick building, which at one time
+had been a private dwelling, but which was now occupied by Colonel Colby
+and his family and some of the professors. On the opposite side was a
+new and up-to-date gymnasium. Down at the water's edge were a number of
+small buildings used as boathouses and bathhouses. Behind the Hall were
+a stable and a barn, and also a garage; and still further back there
+were a large vegetable garden and numerous farm fields.
+
+On their arrival at Colby Hall, the Rover boys had found several of
+their friends awaiting them. One of these was Dick Powell, the son of
+Songbird Powell, a former schoolmate of their fathers, a fellow who was
+usually called Spouter because of his fondness for making speeches.
+Another lad was Gifford Garrison, usually called Gif for short, who was
+at the head of the school athletics. Gif was the son of Fred Garrison,
+after whom Fred Rover had been named.
+
+They also made friends of a number of others, some of whom we have
+already met. These included Walter Baxter, the son of Dan Baxter, who
+in years gone by had been an enemy to the older Rovers, but who had long
+since reformed.
+
+Before coming to Colby Hall Jack Rover had had a quarrel in New York
+with a tall, dudish youth named Napoleon Martell, and this had almost
+led to a fight. Nappy Martell, as he was usually called by his cronies,
+was a pupil at the military academy, and soon he and his crony, a big,
+overgrown bully, named Slogwell Brown, did what they could to make life
+miserable for all of the Rovers. But in one of their dirty tricks they
+over-reached themselves, and as a consequence they had been exposed and
+sent away from the institution of learning for the time being.
+
+"But they are coming back," Walt Baxter had told the Rover boys; "and
+they say when they do, they will make it hot for you."
+
+"Well, when Slugger and Nappy return we will be ready for them," had
+been Jack Rover's reply.
+
+"And the next time we won't be as easy on them as we were before," Fred
+had added.
+
+All of the cadets formed a battalion of several companies, commanded by
+one of the older cadets, Major Ralph Mason. The Rovers took to the
+military drill and general exercises readily, and soon learned how to
+march and how to handle a gun. They enjoyed drilling very much--in
+fact, they enjoyed it more than they did studying, although all of them
+were good scholars.
+
+As has been stated, Colby Hall was located about half a mile out of
+Haven Point. On the other side of the town was located Clearwater Hall,
+a boarding school for girls. During a panic in a moving picture theater
+in the town, Jack and his cousins had become acquainted with a number of
+these girls, including Ruth Stevenson and May Powell. After that the
+four boys had taken four of the girls rowing on the lake and on other
+outings, and through this had become quite well acquainted with a number
+of the Clearwater Hall pupils. Jack was particularly interested in Ruth
+Stevenson, and thought her a very beautiful and entertaining young lady.
+The others did not seem to have any particular preference, although Fred
+was often seen to side up to May Powell, the entertaining cousin of
+Spouter.
+
+And now, having introduced these young ladies in a proper manner, let us
+return to them at the time when they were struggling on the ice and in
+the midst of the frightened crowd rushing hither and thither, striving
+to save itself from being immersed in the icy waters of the lake.
+
+"Oh! oh! What shall we do?" cried May in terror, as she clung to her
+companion's arm.
+
+"Come on! We'll have to skate away from here!" burst out Ruth. "Come!
+let us see if we can't get to shore," and she started off, her companion
+still clinging to her.
+
+In the meanwhile, Jack and Randy were skating as fast as possible in the
+direction where they had seen the two girls. But now a crowd of cadets
+and town folks swept in front of them, and the next instant Randy was
+hurled flat on his back and went spinning across the smooth ice.
+
+By this time one of the spots on the lake had broken through, and the
+water was rapidly rising all around it and covering the sinking surface.
+Men, women and children mingled with the cadets and hurried in all
+directions, but most of them toward the shore.
+
+"Come on! We've got to help those girls somehow!" panted Jack, as he
+skated over to where Randy had been flung. He assisted his cousin to his
+feet just as Fred and Andy flashed up.
+
+"The girls! Don't you see them over there? They are going down!" yelled
+Fred.
+
+"Yes, I see them! Come on!" answered Jack.
+
+As tired as he was because of the race, the oldest Rover struck out with
+all the vigor he could muster. Soon he found himself sloshing through
+water that was several inches deep. The next moment he stood beside the
+two girls, who had become almost too frightened to move.
+
+"Come on! Don't stand here!" he called, catching Ruth by the arm.
+
+He looked back and saw that Fred and the others were close behind him,
+and that Fred already had hold of May. Then he started off up the lake.
+
+"Oh, Jack, hadn't we better head for the shore?" gasped the frightened
+girl.
+
+"No. There is too much of a crowd in that direction already," he
+answered quickly. "If they don't look out they'll all go in. Come on!
+The best thing to do is to get out where there isn't anybody."
+
+He skated on, allowing the girl to rest on his arm as he did so. Soon
+they seemed to be out of the danger zone, and then he looked back.
+
+The sight that met his gaze filled him with new alarm. Fred had been
+skating with May close beside him, but their feet had caught in one of
+the new cracks, and both of them had gone down headlong. Andy and Randy
+had been close behind, and now they too went sprawling, while the ice
+cracked ominously, as if ready to let them down into the water at any
+instant!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+OUT OF PERIL
+
+
+"Oh look! May and Fred have both gone down!" cried Ruth.
+
+"Yes, and there go Andy and Randy over them!" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"And look, Jack, the ice is cracking everywhere!" continued the
+frightened girl. She clutched his arm and looked appealingly into his
+face. "Oh! what shall we do?"
+
+"Spread out, you fellows! Spread out!" yelled the oldest Rover boy.
+"Spread out! Don't keep together!"
+
+His cry was heard, and an instant later Andy commenced to roll over on
+the ice in one direction while his twin rolled in another. In the
+meantime, Fred had managed to scramble to his feet, and now he pulled up
+May.
+
+"Come on, we'll soon be out of danger," encouraged the youngest Rover;
+and, striking out, he pulled May behind him, the girl being too excited
+to skate.
+
+In less than a minute the danger, so far as it concerned the Rovers and
+the two girls from Clearwater Hall, was past. All reached a point where
+the ice was perfectly firm. Here Ruth speedily gained her
+self-possession, but May continued to cling closely to Fred's arm.
+
+"I'm going to see how they are making out in front of the boathouse!"
+cried Randy. "Some of the skaters must have gotten in."
+
+"I'm with you," returned his twin. He looked back at his cousins. "I
+suppose you will look after the girls?"
+
+"Sure!" answered Jack quickly. "Go ahead."
+
+"I don't suppose we can be of any assistance down there?" came from
+Fred.
+
+"I don't think so, Fred. There is too much of a crowd as it is; they
+will simply be in one another's way."
+
+"Oh! oh! suppose some one should be drowned!" moaned May.
+
+"Let us hope for the best," answered Jack. He did not want to add to the
+girls' fright, yet he was decidedly anxious over the outcome of the
+unexpected catastrophe.
+
+They skated toward the shore at a point between Colby Hall and the town,
+and then they worked their way along shore up to the vicinity of the
+military academy. Here men and cadets were rushing hither and thither,
+some with planks and others with ropes.
+
+"Six of the cadets broke through," announced Spouter Powell, as he came
+up to learn if his cousin was safe.
+
+"They are all out, aren't they?" questioned Jack quickly.
+
+"Yes. But there may have been others that went under the ice. Professor
+Brice and Mr. Crews are going to make a thorough search." Crews was the
+gymnastic instructor.
+
+The excitement continued for fully half an hour. By that time it was
+ascertained that every one had gotten off of the ice or out of the water
+in safety. Those who had gone down were rushed to shelter, so that they
+might not catch cold. Gradually the crowd dispersed, and then Professor
+Brice had danger signs placed at various points on the ice, so that
+there should not be a repetition of the accident.
+
+"The thing would not have occurred had not the entire crowd happened to
+congregate around the winners of the skating race," explained Professor
+Brice to Colonel Colby.
+
+"You think the ice is thick enough for any ordinary crowd?" questioned
+the master of the school anxiously.
+
+"Yes, sir. You can test it for yourself."
+
+"Well, we must be more careful in the future, Mr. Brice. We don't want
+any of our cadets drowned."
+
+"We won't have any such crowd again if I can avoid it," was the reply.
+
+"It's all nonsense to have such races anyway. It encourages too much
+rowdyism," was the comment of Asa Lemm, one of the language professors.
+Lemm was the least liked of all the teachers at the Hall. He did not
+believe in a boy's having any fun, but expected the cadets to spend
+their entire time in studying. He had once been fairly wealthy, and the
+loss of his money had made him sour-minded and disagreeable.
+
+"I cannot agree with that opinion," returned Colonel Colby coldly. "The
+boys must have some exercise. And to be out in the fresh air is a very
+good thing for them. They will study so much the better for it."
+
+"Maybe; but I doubt it," answered Asa Lemm shortly. "You let a boy go
+out and carouse around, and the first thing you know he won't care for
+anything else," and he strode away with his chin held high in the air
+and his lips tightly compressed. He was a man of very positive ideas,
+which he tried at every opportunity to impress upon others.
+
+"Aren't your feet wet?" questioned Jack suddenly, as he looked down at
+the skating shoes worn by Ruth and May.
+
+"Well, they are rather damp," answered Ruth.
+
+"Mine are both wet and cold," said May. "I shouldn't mind it if I could
+dry them off and warm them somewhere."
+
+"Come on up to the Hall," went on Jack. "I'm sure they will let you dry
+them in front of the open fire in the big living-room."
+
+"Oh, Jack, we don't want to go there in such a crowd of cadets!"
+
+"Don't worry about the cadets," put in Fred.
+
+When they arrived at the living-room of the military academy, they found
+it practically deserted, the great majority of the cadets being at the
+lake front or in the big boathouse, where a pot stove was kept going for
+the benefit of the skaters.
+
+"My, but this is a cozy place!" remarked Ruth, after she had become
+comfortably settled in a big armchair with her feet resting close to the
+blaze.
+
+"I wish I was a cadet here," sighed May. "It's more fun being a boy than
+being a girl."
+
+"How do you know? You never were a boy," returned Fred, with a grin.
+
+"I know, just the same," May answered. "I'm sure you boys have a much
+better time of it than we girls."
+
+This started quite an argument, in which all of the young people,
+including Spouter, joined. In the midst of the talk Andy and Randy came
+in, having been told where the others had gone.
+
+"It's all over and everybody is safe," announced Randy.
+
+"And the only thing lost, so far as we can find out, was Fatty's skating
+cap," put in Andy.
+
+"Well, if that's all, we can chip in and buy him another cap," remarked
+Jack, and at this there was a short laugh. Now that the peril was a
+thing of the past all felt greatly relieved, and their manner showed it.
+
+Jack and Fred had the pleasure of skating all the way to Clearwater Hall
+with Ruth and May. During that time the young folks grew quite
+confidential.
+
+"Why don't you get your sister Martha to come to Clearwater Hall?" said
+Ruth to Jack. "I'm sure I'd like very much to meet her."
+
+"Yes, and why not have your sister Mary come too?" added May to Fred.
+
+"Say, that's a great idea!" burst out Jack.
+
+"Let's put it up to the folks at home without delay," added his cousin.
+"But they might not like to leave the private school they are now
+attending," he continued, his face falling.
+
+"That's true, for they are getting along very nicely," said Jack. "Just
+the same, we can put it up to the folks at home and let them know all
+about what a nice place Clearwater Hall is--and what awfully nice girls
+there are here." And at this latter remark Ruth and May blushed.
+
+"I sent a letter to Mary a year or two ago," said May; "but at that time
+I wasn't here. I think I'll send her another letter."
+
+"Do, by all means," returned Fred quickly. "And let her know all about
+how nice a place it is. That may help."
+
+"It would be a fine thing if they were at this school--it would give us
+more chances to call here," remarked Jack to Ruth.
+
+"Last week I met Cousin Dick in town," said May, "and he was telling me
+how that Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell had left the Hall. He said the
+pair were terribly down on all you Rovers."
+
+"Yes, they were very much enraged over the way we exposed them,"
+answered Fred.
+
+"They deserved to be exposed!" cried Ruth. "The idea of their shooting
+two of Mr. Lacy's valuable cows and then trying to prove that you did
+it! It was shameful!"
+
+"Well, their folks had to pay Lacy for the cows," answered Jack.
+
+"And then to think how they tampered with the chains on that lumber
+raft so that the raft went to pieces in that storm on the lake!" added
+May. "Oh, I think they must be very wicked boys!"
+
+"They are certainly no angels."
+
+"Jack, if they should come back to Colby Hall, won't you be afraid that
+they will try to do something more to get you into trouble?"
+
+"More than likely they will; but I am not afraid of them."
+
+"We intend to keep our eyes wide open, and if Slugger or Nappy try any
+funny work, we'll jump on 'em like a ton of bricks," added Fred.
+
+Then the subject was changed, and a few minutes later the cadets bid the
+girls good-bye, promising to see them again if possible in the near
+future.
+
+"I'll tell you what, Jack, they are a pair of mighty fine girls," was
+Fred's comment, as he and his cousin skated back in the direction of the
+military academy.
+
+"I agree with you, Fred."
+
+"I wish we could persuade Martha and Mary to go to Clearwater Hall,"
+went on the youngest Rover boy, wistfully. "I'd like first rate to have
+'em get better acquainted with May and get acquainted with the other
+girls there."
+
+"We'll have to be careful how we write home about it," cautioned his
+cousin. "If we aren't, they'll think we want them to come just on
+account of Ruth and May, and then they'll tease the life out of us."
+
+"Oh, sure, we'll be careful! Just the same, it would be a fine boarding
+school for them. I don't think much of that fashionable private school
+where they are now going. Most of the girls there think more of how they
+are dressed and what dances they are learning than anything else."
+
+"By the way, do you think Spouter knows more about what Slugger and
+Nappy intend to do than he told?"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, perhaps he heard something, but didn't want to tell all of it for
+fear of alarming us."
+
+"I don't think Spouter would do that. He knows well enough that we
+aren't afraid of that pair."
+
+"Just the same, Fred, if they do come back we'll have to keep our eyes
+wide open, for they surely will do their best to put one over on us, and
+any fellows who would be mean enough to do what they have done, wouldn't
+hesitate to do worse."
+
+"I can't understand why Colonel Colby is going to let them come back at
+all."
+
+"Oh, I suppose he feels that he ought to give them at least one more
+chance. He probably remembers how Dan Baxter acted toward our fathers
+and the colonel himself, as well as their chums, and how Baxter
+afterwards reformed."
+
+"Yes, that may be true. But when one fellow like Walt Baxter's father
+reforms, a dozen others remain as bad as ever, or grow worse. To my
+mind, there isn't much in the way of reform in Slugger Brown's make-up,
+or in Nappy Martell either."
+
+"Oh, I agree with you there. Slugger Brown is nothing short of a brute,
+and Nappy Martell is as sly and vicious as any fellow I ever ran up
+against. We'll certainly have to watch them when they get back here."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+OUT HUNTING
+
+
+After the excitement attending the skating races, matters moved along
+quietly at Colby Hall for several days. The Rover boys, as was their
+custom, paid close attention to their studies.
+
+"We've got to make a record for ourselves," was the way Jack put it. "If
+we don't, our folks may take it in their heads to send us to some other
+boarding school, thinking Colonel Colby is too easy with us."
+
+"And to take Jack away from this vicinity when he is getting so sweet on
+Ruth Steven----" began Randy, when he was cut short by a book flung by
+his cousin, landing on his shoulder.
+
+"You cut out that talk, Randy!" cried Jack.
+
+"Let's talk about the weather," murmured Andy, who had passed to the
+window. "Say, fellows, do you know, I think it's going to snow!"
+
+"Hurrah! That means some fun snowballing!" cried Fred.
+
+The snow came down all that night, and in the morning covered the
+ground to the depth of several inches. A great many of the cadets rushed
+out in glee, and half a dozen impromptu snowballing matches were soon in
+progress.
+
+It was almost time to go in for the morning session when several of the
+cadets noticed a figure, huddled up in a slouch hat and a heavy
+overcoat, coming up from behind the Hall toward a side door.
+
+"Here comes Bob Nixon!" yelled one of the cadets, mentioning the name of
+Colonel Colby's chauffeur. "Let's give him a volley."
+
+"Right you are!" exclaimed Andy gleefully.
+
+"Stop! Can't you see----" commenced Jack, but before he could finish his
+sentence both Andy and Randy had let drive at the advancing figure. One
+snowball took the man in the shoulder and the other landed just below
+his left ear.
+
+"Here! here! what do you mean by such proceedings?" cried the attacked
+individual in great wrath, and then, as he held up his head and pushed
+back his slouch hat, all saw that it was Asa Lemm.
+
+"Great watermelons!" groaned Andy. "I thought sure it was Nixon!"
+
+"I knew it wasn't, and that's why I tried to stop you," said Jack.
+
+"Say, he's some mad," whispered Randy, as the language teacher strode
+toward them. "I wonder what he'll do."
+
+"How dare you boys attack me?" roared Asa Lemm, as he shook his fist at
+the crowd. "How dare you do it?"
+
+"It was all a mistake, Mr. Lemm," said Randy meekly.
+
+"We didn't know it was you--really we didn't," came from Andy. "We
+thought it was Bob Nixon. He likes to snowball with us."
+
+"I do not believe a word of it!" cried the irate instructor. "How many
+of you threw at me?" he questioned, glaring at the crowd.
+
+To this there was no immediate answer, and then Randy stepped forward.
+
+"I did, for one," he said.
+
+"And so did I," came from his twin.
+
+"Anybody else?"
+
+"No. We were the only ones, Professor," answered Randy. "And I hope you
+will overlook it this time," he continued. "We did not know it was you."
+
+"Both of you report to me after school this afternoon," said the
+instructor harshly; and then without another word he turned and tramped
+off into the Hall.
+
+"Now we are in for it, Andy," was Randy's dismal comment.
+
+"Oh, well, he can't do any more than kill us," was the light-hearted
+reply of the other.
+
+"Do you want to be killed, Andy?" quizzed Jack.
+
+"I know what he'll do," was Randy's comment. "He'll keep us both in and
+give us extra lessons to learn." And in this surmise the fun-loving
+Rover boy was correct. For their rashness in snowballing the teacher
+they were made to stay in after school for two afternoons, and in
+addition had two extra pages of Latin to translate.
+
+"He's a lemon, if ever there was one," was what Andy said after his
+punishment had come to an end. "Oh, wouldn't I just like to get square
+with him!"
+
+"We'll have to think something up, Andy," answered his twin.
+
+Following the first fall of snow, came another, but then the sun came
+out brightly, packing down the snow so that sleighing became quite
+popular.
+
+"If we only had a big sleigh up here, we could go and get the girls from
+Clearwater Hall and give them a ride," said Fred one day to Jack.
+
+"I was thinking we might hire a big sleigh in town some Saturday
+afternoon and do just that," answered his cousin. "I'll look into it the
+first chance I get."
+
+Fred and Jack had not forgotten the sport they had had earlier in the
+season, when they had gone out with Frank Newberry and some others on a
+hunt for rabbits and other small game.
+
+"The hunting season is still open, Fred," said Jack one day. "What do
+you say if we ask Colonel Colby for permission to go out."
+
+"Suits me," answered his cousin quickly.
+
+"Do you think Andy and Randy would like to go, too?"
+
+"More than likely. They have been wanting to go ever since we brought
+down that game."
+
+When the subject was mentioned to the twins, they quickly agreed that it
+would be a fine thing if they could all obtain permission to go on a
+hunting trip the coming Saturday. Colonel Colby was appealed to without
+delay.
+
+"Well, boys, I have no objection to your going out," he said. "I know
+you all understand the use of firearms, and I know, also, that your
+fathers loved to go out in their day and hunt. And I did a little bit in
+that line myself," and he smiled faintly. "But I want you to be very
+careful in what you shoot at; and do your level best to keep out of
+trouble of all kinds," and he looked at Jack and Fred as he uttered the
+latter words.
+
+"Getting into trouble before, Colonel Colby, wasn't our fault," answered
+Jack quickly.
+
+"I know that."
+
+"By the way, Colonel Colby, if it isn't asking too much, would you mind
+letting us know if Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell are really going to
+return here?" questioned Fred.
+
+"They have asked for permission to come back--at least, their parents
+have asked for them--and I have the matter under consideration,"
+answered the master of the Hall. He gazed questioningly at the Rovers.
+"I meant to mention this subject to you, and I am glad you have brought
+it up. In one way, I don't feel like having them here; but in another
+way I should like to give them another chance in case they feel like
+turning over a new leaf and making a fresh start. What do you boys think
+of it?"
+
+For a moment all of the Rover boys were silent, looking at each other
+questioningly. Then the others showed that they expected Jack to speak.
+
+"Well, if you want my candid opinion, it's just this, Colonel Colby,"
+said the oldest Rover boy earnestly. "Personally I would much prefer to
+have Brown and Martell stay away from Colby Hall. But if you think they
+ought to be given another chance to make good here, why, I am sure I'm
+not going to stand in their way. Just the same, if they do come here,
+I'm going to watch them pretty closely so that they won't be able to
+play any more of their dirty tricks."
+
+"I shall not blame you for watching them, Rover. After what happened to
+you and your Cousin Fred, it is no more than right that you should be on
+your guard. Yet, I trust that you will give Brown and Martell a chance
+to prove themselves, provided they really do want to turn over a new
+leaf and make amends for what has happened."
+
+"Oh, we'll give them plenty of chances to make good if it is in them;
+won't we?" and Jack turned to his cousins.
+
+"Sure!" came in a chorus.
+
+"Then that is settled, and I am glad of it. Now you have my permission
+to go on your hunting trip, and I trust you will bring down all the
+small game you desire. But, as I said before, be very careful. So far, I
+have allowed all of my pupils to go out hunting whenever they have so
+desired, and without any accidents happening. I don't want to break that
+record." And with these words the master of the Hall dismissed them.
+
+This conversation took place on Thursday evening, and all day Friday the
+boys were anxiously looking forward to the proposed outing and wondering
+what the weather would prove to be. They obtained permission to take
+two small rifles and two double-barreled shotguns belonging to the
+institution, and these they cleaned and oiled so that they would be in
+prime condition.
+
+Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, and the four Rovers obtained
+their breakfast as early as the rules of the school permitted. Then,
+with game bags and guns slung over their shoulders, they set out on
+their skates up the lake shore and then along the Rick Rack River, the
+wind of the day previous having cleared large portions of the ice of
+snow.
+
+"Come on, let's have a race!" cried Andy gleefully. Had he not been on
+his skates he would have attempted a handspring in the exuberance of his
+spirits.
+
+"No racing to-day!" warned Jack. "You save your breath, Andy. We expect
+to skate and tramp a good many miles to-day before we get back to the
+school."
+
+"All right, just as you say," answered his cousin, and then he began
+some horseplay with Fred, which came to a sudden end when the youngest
+Rover tripped him up and sent him plunging into a snowbank on the side
+of the narrow stream.
+
+"Now let up, I tell you!" warned Jack. "You never want to try any
+horseplay when you are tramping or skating along with a loaded gun.
+It's too dangerous. Remember what Colonel Colby said," and then Andy
+sobered down a little.
+
+All too soon for the boys, the skating on the river came to an end.
+Beyond, the stream was little better than a rocky watercourse, now
+thickly covered with ice and snow.
+
+"Why can't we leave our skates here until we come back?" suggested
+Randy.
+
+"We could if we were sure we were going to return this way," answered
+Jack. "But we had better take them along, for we may return to the Hall
+by an entirely different route. We'll place our skates in our game bags
+for the present;" and this advice was followed.
+
+After this the Rover boys trudged along through the woods bordering the
+stream. Soon they came upon some rabbit tracks, and less than a minute
+later Jack suddenly raised his double-barreled shotgun and blazed away.
+
+"Hurrah! you've got him!" cried Fred, and all of the boys rushed forward
+to where the game lay--a big, fat rabbit.
+
+"Say, Jack, you're the lucky one!" cried Andy. "Now you know what you
+promised?" he added.
+
+"All right--it's your turn now to have the shotgun," answered his
+cousin, for that was the bargain which had been made. "I'll carry the
+rifle."
+
+On and on went the young hunters, getting deeper and deeper into the
+woods. Here they managed to stir up more game, and Andy had the pleasure
+of bringing down the second rabbit, while the others laid low several
+squirrels.
+
+"This is pretty rough ground around here," remarked Jack, after they had
+wound in and out around some exceedingly rough rocks and through some
+thick underbrush.
+
+"We had better keep close to this stream," was Randy's suggestion. "If
+we don't, we may become hopelessly lost in these woods."
+
+"Huh! I guess we could find our way out sooner or later," retorted his
+twin. To Andy, getting lost in the woods would seem nothing more than a
+big joke.
+
+The young hunters continued to advance, and, during the course of the
+next hour, brought down several more rabbits, and also another squirrel.
+Then, just as Andy had handed back one of the shotguns to Jack and the
+weapon had been reloaded, they heard a strange noise coming from back of
+some bushes not a great distance away.
+
+"Now what do you suppose that is?" whispered Fred.
+
+"I think I know, Fred," was Jack's reply; "and if I am right, get ready
+to fire as soon as I do."
+
+The two boys with the shotguns went in advance, and soon reached a point
+where they could look beyond the bushes. Then came a sudden whirr, and
+up into the air went a small flock of pheasants.
+
+Bang! bang! rang out Jack's fowling piece, and bang! bang! came the
+report of Fred's firearm.
+
+The strange whirring continued, but then three of the birds were seen to
+drop to the ground, one dead and the other two seriously wounded.
+
+"Hurrah! we've got three of them!" cried Fred excitedly, and then ran
+forward, to quickly put the wounded birds out of their misery.
+
+"Say, that's some luck!" exclaimed Randy. "If I----"
+
+Randy stopped short, and so did some of the others who had started to
+speak. A strange sound from a distance had reached their ears.
+
+"Help! help!" came in a low cry. "Help! For heaven's sake, somebody come
+and help me!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+UNCLE BARNEY STEVENSON
+
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"It's somebody calling for help!"
+
+"It's a man's voice; and he must be in pretty bad shape to call like
+that!" burst out Jack.
+
+"Hello there!" yelled Randy. "Where are you?"
+
+"Here! Under the fallen tree!" came in a faint cry. "Help me, quick!"
+
+"I think the cry came from that direction," said Andy, pointing with his
+hand.
+
+"And I think it came from over there," added his twin, pointing off at a
+right angle to the first direction given.
+
+"I think Andy is right!" exclaimed Jack. "Anyway, he and I can go off in
+that direction, while you, Randy, and Fred can see if you can locate him
+over yonder."
+
+Neither of the boys had been exactly right in locating the cry for
+assistance, which had come from a point about midway between the two
+places suggested, but it was Jack who saw a large fallen tree from a
+distance and ran quickly toward it, yelling for all of the others to do
+likewise.
+
+The sight which met their gaze filled them with a pity and a strong
+desire to be of assistance. There, in the snow, lay an elderly man, clad
+in the garb of a hunter or lumberman, with a shotgun and a well-worn
+game bag beside him. Over the man's legs and one outstretched arm,
+rested the upper portion of a large pine tree, which had evidently
+crashed down because of the weight of snow upon it but a short time
+before. The man lay on his chest, and it was all he could do to raise
+his head to cry for aid.
+
+"Say, this is tough!" exclaimed Andy, as he reached the spot. "What can
+we do to help him?"
+
+"We've got to pry up that tree somehow," answered Jack.
+
+"Come on; let us see if we can't lift it!" exclaimed Randy, and took
+hold of one of the numerous branches.
+
+The others did the same, and all pulled upon the tree with their utmost
+strength. Yet, it was too heavy for them and could scarcely be budged.
+
+"We've got to get some kind of pry and pry it up," announced Jack. "I
+wish we had brought a hatchet along. I meant to bring one, so that we
+could make firewood, but I forgot it."
+
+"Help me! Help me!" moaned the man. "Don't leave me here pinned down
+like this;" and then he seemed to faint.
+
+Alarmed by the condition of the sufferer, the boys ran around the spot
+looking for something which might aid them in releasing the man. They
+found several flat stones, and then discovered a sapling which they
+succeeded in pulling up by the roots. Piling up the flat stones close to
+the fallen tree, they placed the sapling upon them, using it as a lever,
+and by this means Jack and the twins managed to raise the fallen pine
+just high enough to allow Fred to haul the hurt man from under it. Then
+they let the pine slip back to its original position.
+
+"Looks to me as if he might have his two legs broken, and maybe his
+arm," announced Jack, after they had placed the man on his back with his
+head raised on some pine boughs stripped from the trees. The sufferer's
+eyes were closed, and he breathed heavily.
+
+"We ought to get a doctor for him just as soon as possible," said Randy.
+"But where to go for one, excepting back to Haven Point, I don't know."
+
+While the young hunters were wondering what they had better do, the man
+slowly opened his eyes and gave a gasp.
+
+"Help me! Please help me!" he cried feebly.
+
+"Don't excite yourself, you're all right now," answered Jack kindly.
+"Take it easy. We'll do what we can for you."
+
+The man had closed his eyes again, but now he opened them and tried to
+look around him.
+
+"You got me clear of the fallen tree, did you?" he murmured. "Good! I
+was afraid I'd have to stay there until I froze to death."
+
+"How about it? Can you use your left arm?" questioned Jack.
+
+"I don't know. I guess so," answered the man, and then tried to raise
+the arm in question. He held it up for a few seconds, but then let it
+drop heavily by his side.
+
+"It's pretty well lamed I reckon," he said. "You see, I had it right
+under one of the tree limbs."
+
+"What about your legs? Can you move them at all?" went on the oldest
+Rover boy. He did not have the heart to mention that the man's lower
+limbs might be broken.
+
+Feebly, the man raised up first one leg and then the other. The limbs
+had not been broken, but they were much bruised and swollen, and the
+movements caused the sufferer to give a groan.
+
+"I'm afraid I'm done up so far as walking is concerned," he said
+dolefully. "You see, I'm getting old," he went on. "If I was a younger
+man, maybe this wouldn't affect me quite so much. But as it is----" He
+shook his head dismally.
+
+"I guess you had better let us carry you out of the woods," said Jack.
+"You can't walk, and you certainly can't stay here alone."
+
+"Do you know where the nearest house is located?" questioned Randy.
+
+"Let me see----" The man mused for a moment, shutting his eyes while he
+did so. "Unless I'm greatly mistaken, Bill Hobson lives on the edge of
+the woods just to the north of this spot."
+
+"Is he a farmer?" questioned Fred.
+
+"No, he's a lumberman, like myself," was the reply. The man looked from
+one to another of the youths. "May I ask who you are?"
+
+"We're the Rover boys," answered the oldest of the four. "I am Jack
+Rover, and these are my cousins, Fred, Andy, and Randy."
+
+"Glad to know you, boys; and doubly glad to think you were up in this
+section of the woods just when I had this accident. I sha'n't forget
+your kindness. My name is Stevenson, but most all the folks that know me
+call me Uncle Barney. I take it from your uniforms that you belong at
+Colby Hall."
+
+"We do," answered Andy.
+
+"I don't belong in this neighborhood. I just came over early this
+morning to see what the hunting looked like around here. My home is on
+Snowshoe Island, in the middle of Lake Monona, about ten miles north of
+here."
+
+"I think you had better rest on some of these pine boughs while some of
+us try to locate the Bill Hobson you mentioned," said Jack. "Can you
+point out the general direction of his place?"
+
+"It's up along this mountain stream," and Barney Stevenson indicated the
+Rick Rack River. "You just follow that watercourse for about a quarter
+of a mile, and I'm pretty sure you'll come to it."
+
+"Well, if you're sure it's along this stream, we might as well try to
+get you there first as last," announced Randy. He turned to his cousins.
+"Why can't we take turns in carrying him, either on our backs or on a
+litter?"
+
+"I think we had better try to make some sort of litter of pine boughs,"
+answered Jack. "It will be much easier for the four of us to do the
+carrying than for one."
+
+"I've got a hatchet in my game bag, and you can cut some pine boughs
+with that. And you will find some cord in my game bag, too."
+
+"How did the accident happen, if I may ask?" questioned Randy, while
+Jack began to trim several large boughs from the fallen pine.
+
+"It came quicker'n lightning," was the old lumberman's answer. "I had
+just spotted a fine, fat rabbit, and was taking aim, when, without
+warning, the tree gave a sudden snap like the report of a gun, and down
+it came right on top of me. Of course, I tried to jump out of the way,
+but my foot caught on a tree root, or a rock, or something, and down I
+went, and the next minute the tree came down on top of me, right across
+my legs and my left arm, like when you found me. I tried to pull myself
+loose, but my legs and my arm seemed to be wedged down between the tree
+and some stones, and I couldn't budge nary a one of 'em."
+
+"I guess you can be thankful that you didn't break your arm or your
+legs."
+
+"I suppose that's true, my boy. Just the same, I suppose this will lay
+me up for a week or two, and maybe longer," answered Barney Stevenson,
+dubiously.
+
+Having cut several pine boughs that looked as if they might answer the
+purpose, the four boys lost no time in twisting them together and then
+tying them into a rude litter. Across this they laid additional pine
+boughs, and upon these placed the form of the hurt man. When they moved
+him he shut his teeth hard, evidently to keep from crying out with
+pain.
+
+"I know it must hurt you, Mr. Stevenson," said Jack kindly. "We'll be
+just as careful as possible."
+
+"I know you'll be, my lads. I suppose I ought to have a doctor, but if I
+can get to Bill Hobson's cabin, I guess I'll be all right. Bill will
+most likely have some liniment, and that will fix me up."
+
+With the old lumberman resting on the litter and the four youths
+carrying this as carefully as possible, the party made its way along the
+Rick Rack River, which at this point was little better than a mountain
+torrent. They had considerable difficulty in climbing over the rocks and
+in making their way through the heavy brushwood, but finally they came
+out to a cleared space, beyond which there were only scattered patches
+of trees.
+
+"I see some smoke!" cried Fred presently.
+
+"That must be the smoke from Bill Hobson's place," announced the old
+lumberman, and then he closed his eyes once more and lay back on the
+litter, for the pain he was suffering was great.
+
+Keeping on in the direction where they had seen the smoke, they soon
+came in sight of a fairly large cabin with a lean-to attached. They
+marched up to the place, and Jack rapped upon the door, which was opened
+a moment later by a burly man, well along in years.
+
+"What do you want?" began the man, and then looked past Jack to the
+litter and the old lumberman lying on it. "What's this? Why, it's Uncle
+Barney, I declare! What's happened?"
+
+"I got hurt by a falling tree, Bill," was the reply. "And if it hadn't
+been for these cadets, I might be layin' down in the woods yet."
+
+"He is quite a bit hurt," explained Jack. "You had better let us carry
+him in and place him on a couch or a bed of some kind."
+
+"Surest thing you know, young man," answered Bill Hobson. "Fetch him
+right in," and he turned to make a bunk ready for the sufferer.
+
+Fortunately the cabin was well warmed, so that as soon as they had
+Barney Stevenson safe inside, they lost no time in taking off some of
+his clothing and examining his hurts. The other old lumberman, assisted
+by Jack, did this, and Hobson examined the condition of his friend with
+care.
+
+"I can't see that anything is broken," he announced; "but those bruises
+are pretty bad. I think I'll bathe 'em with hot water, and then put on
+some liniment and bind 'em up."
+
+"I guess I'll have to stay right where I am for a spell, Bill," said the
+hurt man.
+
+"That's what, Uncle Barney. And you're welcome to stay as long as you
+please," announced the owner of the cabin. The boys had brought along
+the old lumberman's game bag and shotgun.
+
+Bill Hobson wanted to know the particulars of the affair, and the Rover
+boys related how they had come up into the woods to hunt and heard
+Barney Stevenson's cries for assistance, and how they had liberated him
+and brought him along on the litter.
+
+"I'm very thankful indeed to you," said Barney Stevenson, and his face
+showed his gratitude. "If I can ever do you boys a good turn, believe
+me, I'll do it."
+
+"Didn't you say you lived on Snowshoe Island?" queried Jack.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I've heard of the place, but I don't know exactly where it is located
+or why they call it Snowshoe Island."
+
+"It's a big island located almost in the middle of Lake Monona,"
+answered the old lumberman. "I own the place, and it's called Snowshoe
+Island because some years ago a number of Indians lived on it and made
+their living by making snowshoes. The Indians are all gone now."
+
+"I guess, Uncle Barney, you've lived on that island a good number of
+years," put in Bill Hobson.
+
+"Twelve years coming this Christmas," was the reply. "I went there the
+day after my wife was buried," and the old lumberman's face clouded as
+if the memory of what had happened was still bitter.
+
+"Do you do any lumbering there?" questioned Randy, more to change the
+subject than for any other reason.
+
+"Oh, yes; I do quite some lumbering during the season. I have a firm in
+the city that sends up there every year for all the stuff I cut. At this
+time of year. I like to go out hunting. It's the one sport that I
+thoroughly enjoy. And I reckon you boys enjoy it, too, or you wouldn't
+be out with your guns."
+
+"Yes, we like to go hunting once in a while."
+
+"Well, now, listen to me, boys. You saved my life out there in the
+woods, and if I was real well off, I'd try to reward you for it. But, as
+it is----"
+
+"We don't want any reward," broke in Jack quickly.
+
+"I know you don't--you're not that kind. And I'm not going to offend you
+by offering it. Just the same, if you ever feel like coming over to
+Snowshoe Island and paying me a visit, I'll treat you as well as I know
+how."
+
+"Maybe we might be able to go over there and do some hunting some
+time," suggested Andy.
+
+"Yes, you come over some time and stay a few days or a week with me, and
+I'll give you the best time hunting I can," answered Barney Stevenson.
+
+"By the way, Mr. Stevenson," said Jack curiously, "do you know a Mr.
+Frederic Stevenson?" Jack had learned from Ruth that that was her
+father's name.
+
+At this unexpected question, the old lumberman opened wide his eyes and
+glared at the young cadet.
+
+"Yes, I know him--very well," he growled. "But I don't want to hear
+anything about him--not a word! Is he a friend of yours?"
+
+"He is the father of one of the young ladies who is a pupil at
+Clearwater Hall."
+
+"Oh, I see! Humph! Well, I don't want to hear anything about Fred
+Stevenson, and if you want to be friends with me, you needn't mention
+his name to me again," went on the old lumberman, much to the surprise
+of the Rover boys.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+DEEP IN THE WOODS
+
+
+"What do you suppose was the reason that old lumberman didn't want to
+hear Mr. Stevenson's name mentioned?" questioned Randy of Jack, about
+half an hour later, when the four cadets were tramping through the woods
+again to resume their hunting.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know, Randy," was the slow reply. "Evidently he was
+very bitter over something."
+
+"Having the same name, it looks to me as if this Uncle Barney, as they
+call him, might be some relative of Ruth's family," said Fred.
+
+"More than likely."
+
+"Maybe he's some cast-off relation, who got into trouble with them and
+then took himself off to that Snowshoe Island," was Fred's comment.
+
+"I'd have asked him some more questions if he hadn't acted so ugly about
+it," went on Jack.
+
+"Yes. But he seemed to be a very nice sort of man otherwise," put in
+Andy quickly.
+
+"I agree with you there." Jack gave a little sigh. "There must be some
+mystery to it."
+
+"Why don't you ask Ruth about it some time?"
+
+"I will, when I get a good chance to do it. Of course, if it's some sort
+of family affair, I'm not going to butt in."
+
+Before the Rover boys had left the cabin of Bill Hobson, they had been
+assured by old Uncle Barney that he was feeling fairly comfortable and
+that the owner of the place would look after him until he recovered.
+Barney Stevenson had mentioned Snowshoe Island several times, and had
+told the boys again that he was sorry he could not reward them for
+coming to his assistance, but that if they ever cared to visit his
+island, he would do his best to make them feel at home and show them
+where the best hunting in that vicinity was to be had. He had also
+mentioned the fact that there was a vacant cabin close to his own on the
+island, and that they would be welcome to camp out there at any time
+they chose to do so.
+
+"I'd like to visit his place some time," said Fred, "just to see how the
+old fellow lives. I'll bet he's got quite a comfortable outfit there."
+
+"He may live in very queer style," returned Randy. "According to what he
+says, and what that Bill Hobson told me, he must be a good deal of a
+hermit."
+
+"Maybe he committed some sort of crime and the other Stevensons cast him
+off," suggested Andy.
+
+"Oh, I can't think that! He didn't look to be a criminal," returned
+Jack. "Don't you remember what he said about taking up his residence on
+the island after his wife died? Maybe that loss made him feel as if he
+didn't want to mingle with the rest of the world."
+
+The boys talked the matter over for some time, but could reach no
+conclusion whatever regarding the way the old lumberman had acted when
+Frederic Stevenson's name had been mentioned. Then, however, they
+stirred up some more squirrels and rabbits, and in the excitement of the
+chase that subject, for the time being, was forgotten.
+
+They had brought a lunch with them, and at noon they found a convenient
+spot and there built a small campfire, over which they made themselves a
+can of hot chocolate, and this, with some sandwiches and some doughnuts,
+constituted the repast. Andy wanted to take time to clean a couple of
+the squirrels and cook them, but Jack and the others were afraid this
+would take too long, and so the idea had to be abandoned.
+
+"Gee! but this tramping through the woods gives a fellow an appetite!"
+cried Andy, after he had eaten his second sandwich and his third
+doughnut. "I could eat a whole rabbit or a squirrel myself." And then,
+feeling in fine fettle, he proceeded to pull himself up on a near-by
+tree limb and "skin the cat," as it is called by acrobatic boys.
+
+"You look out, young man, that you don't tumble down on your head,"
+warned Jack. "This ground around here is frozen pretty hard."
+
+"If I tumble, I know where I'll land," cried Andy gleefully; and,
+swinging himself back and forth on the tree limb, he suddenly let go and
+came down straight on Jack's shoulders. Both went down in the snow, and
+there rolled over and over, each trying to get the better of the other.
+Then Fred commenced to snowball the fallen pair, and Randy joined in;
+and a moment later there began a snowball fight on the part of all four
+which lasted about ten minutes.
+
+"Cease firing!" cried Fred at last, as he dug some of the snow out of
+his left ear. "If this is going to be a snowballing contest, all right;
+but I thought we were out to do some hunting."
+
+"Fred surrenders, and the war is over!" cried Jack.
+
+"Hoist the milk-blue flag and call it off!" burst out Andy gleefully.
+"Throw the snowballs into the ice-cream freezer and season to taste!"
+
+After that the four young hunters packed up their belongings and saw to
+it that the campfire was completely extinguished. Then they continued on
+their tramp in the vicinity of the Rick Rack River.
+
+"I'm getting tired of hanging around this watercourse," said Fred
+finally. "I believe the reports of our guns have driven all the
+remaining game away. Why can't we strike off into the woods yonder and
+come in on the other side of Haven Point?"
+
+They noted the position of the sun with care, and then struck off at
+right angles to the river. Soon they found themselves going up hill and
+presently struck a lumberman's trail leading down in the direction of
+the town. Here, however, after two hours of hunting, they failed to find
+any game whatever.
+
+"We didn't improve things by coming over here," grumbled Andy.
+
+"Now I guess we had better be thinking of getting back to the school,"
+said Jack, as he consulted his watch. They had been told that they must
+return in time for the evening meal.
+
+"All right, I'm ready to go," came from Fred. "Gosh! I wish I had a
+horse to ride, or something." The many miles of tramping had wearied him
+greatly.
+
+"My left foot is beginning to hurt me a little," put in Randy. "I
+slipped on the rocks this morning when we were carrying that old Uncle
+Barney. I didn't think much of it at the time, but now it's growing
+quite lame."
+
+"You can walk on it, can't you?" questioned Jack anxiously.
+
+"Oh, yes, I can walk; but I can't go any too fast--or any too far,
+either."
+
+The boys had done their best to keep track of where they were going, and
+now they turned in what they thought was the direction of Haven Point.
+But, as my young readers may have heard, it is an easy matter to lose
+one's sense of direction in the woods, and before they knew it, they
+found themselves in a locality that was entirely strange to them.
+
+"We don't seem to be getting much closer to town," announced Fred
+presently. "I don't see a farmhouse of any sort in sight."
+
+They had gone but a short distance when they stirred up several more
+rabbits, and had the pleasure of bringing two of the creatures down.
+Then they came to a small clearing, and beyond this some farm fields.
+
+"Now we must be getting to somewhere," announced Randy; and a few
+minutes later a turn of the road brought them in sight of a farmhouse.
+Here they saw a farmer coming from a cowshed with a pail of foaming
+milk, and accosted him.
+
+"Sure, you're on the road to Haven Point," answered the farmer, in reply
+to their question. "It's about two miles and a half from here. But do
+you want to go to the Point or to Colby Hall?" he went on, noticing
+their uniforms.
+
+"We want to get to the Hall--and by as short a route as possible,"
+answered Jack.
+
+"Then the best thing you lads can do is to come right through my lane
+here and go across the back field. Then you will come out on the road
+that runs from the Hall to Carwell. I guess you know that?"
+
+"Oh, yes; we know that road," returned Randy.
+
+The cadets thanked the farmer for his information, and lost no time in
+following his directions. Soon they came out on the other highway, and
+then started forward as rapidly as their somewhat weary legs would
+permit.
+
+When they reached the vicinity of Colby Hall Jack found, by again
+consulting his watch, that they were almost three-quarters of an hour
+late.
+
+"Let's see if we can't slide in without any of the teachers seeing us,"
+suggested Andy.
+
+"Oh, I don't know that we've got to do that, Andy," returned Jack. "We
+haven't done anything wrong."
+
+"Well, we are late, and you know some of the teachers won't stand for
+that."
+
+"We had permission to go hunting, and we couldn't help it getting lost
+up there in the woods," answered his twin.
+
+They were just about to enter one of the side doors of the Hall, when it
+was flung open and they found themselves confronted by one of the
+younger teachers, accompanied by Professor Lemm. They stepped to one
+side to let the teachers pass.
+
+"Yes, as I remarked before, Tompkins, unless you have strict discipline
+in that class----" Asa Lemm was saying, when, of a sudden, he happened
+to glance at the cadets and recognized the Rovers. "What are you doing
+here? Where have you been?" he demanded, coming to an abrupt halt.
+
+"We've been out hunting, sir," answered Jack.
+
+"Hunting, eh?" And as was usual with him, Asa Lemm drew down the corners
+of his mouth.
+
+"We had permission from Colonel Colby to go," put in Randy.
+
+"Ah, well, in that case----" Asa Lemm paused for a moment. "Did he say
+you could stay out as late as this?" he added suddenly.
+
+"We had permission to stay out until supper time," answered Jack.
+
+"Don't you know it is an hour after that time now, Rover?"
+
+"Three-quarters of an hour, Professor. We might have been on time, only
+my cousin here slipped on the rocks and hurt his ankle, and that has
+delayed us a little."
+
+"Humph! always some excuse! You boys have got to learn to be on time.
+You'll never get through life unless you are punctual. I shall mention
+the fact of your being late to Colonel Colby. Now go in at once, and if
+you are too late to get anything to eat, it will be your own fault;" and
+thus speaking, Asa Lemm moved on with the other teacher.
+
+"Oh, but he's the sourest old lemon that ever grew!" was Andy's comment.
+
+"You never said anything truer than that, Andy," answered his twin.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+AN UNEXPECTED MEETING
+
+
+"Say, fellows, did you ever hear this song?"
+
+It was Ned Lowe who spoke. He sat in one of the rooms belonging to the
+Rovers. On his knee rested a mandolin which he had been strumming
+furiously for the past ten minutes.
+
+"Sure we've heard it, Ned!" cried Andy. "What is it?"
+
+"For gracious sake, Ned! why don't you let up?" cried Fred, who was in
+the next room trying his best to study. "How in the world is a fellow
+going to do an example in algebra with you singing about good times on
+the old plantation?"
+
+"That is right, Ned. Why don't you sing about good times in the
+classroom when Asa Lemm is there?"
+
+"Gee Christopher! what's the use of your throwing cold water on this
+camp meeting?" came from Walt Baxter, who sat on the edge of the bed
+munching an apple.
+
+"Really, it's a shame the way you young gentlemen attempt to choke off
+Ned's efforts to please this congregation!" exclaimed Spouter Powell,
+who sat in an easy chair with his feet resting on the edge of a
+chiffonier. "Now, when a man's soul is overflowing with harmony, and
+beautiful thoughts are coursing through his cranium, and he is doing his
+utmost to bring pleasure----"
+
+"Wow! Spouter is at it again! Somebody choke him off!" cried Randy, and
+catching up a pillow, he threw it at the head of the cadet who loved to
+make long speeches.
+
+"Say, fellows, why won't some of you let me get a word in edgeways?"
+came from Dan Soppinger, who stood with his back against the door
+leading to the hall. "I've been wanting to ask you a question for the
+last ten minutes. Who of you can tell me the names of the fifth, tenth,
+and fifteenth presidents of our country?"
+
+"Oh, baby!" wailed Andy, throwing up his hands in comic despair. "Dan is
+worse than either Spouter or Ned."
+
+"I thought you were going to put a padlock on that question box of
+yours, Dan," remarked Fred.
+
+"I'll bet there isn't one of you can answer my question," retorted Dan
+Soppinger.
+
+"Sure! I can answer it!" returned Andy readily. "What was that question?
+Who was the first laundryman in Chicago?"
+
+"No; I said, who were the fifth, the tenth, and the fifteenth----"
+
+"Oh! I remember now--the fifth, tenth and fifteenth discoverers of the
+North Pole. That's easy, Dan. The fifth was Julius Caesar, the tenth,
+Benjamin Frank----"
+
+"See here! I didn't say a word about the North Pole discoverers!"
+ejaculated the Human Question Box. "I said the fifth, tenth and
+fifteenth----"
+
+"Men to find out how to manufacture oleomargarine out of pure butter,"
+finished Andy. "Now that's a purely scientific problem, Dan, not an
+ordinary question. You want to take three pounds of oleomargarine and
+divide them by two pounds of unadulterated butter, then----"
+
+"For gracious sake! has that boy gone crazy?" cried Dan Soppinger in
+despair. "I come over here and ask an ordinary question in history----"
+
+"How do we know it's an ordinary question in history?" broke in Randy.
+"The five, ten and fifteen sounds like a problem in higher arithmetic."
+
+"Say, Dan, just forgive me for what I said, and I'll send you the answer
+day after yesterday on a postal card," announced Andy mournfully. "And
+I'll prepay the postage, too. Now, be a good boy, Son, and run along,
+and maybe some time papa will buy you a lemon stick," and at this
+remark there was a general laugh, in the midst of which Dan Soppinger
+threw up his hands, turned and left the room.
+
+It was several days after the hunting expedition, and the Rover boys had
+settled down once more to their studies. This was the off hour in the
+evening, and, as was usual, a number of their friends had dropped in to
+see them.
+
+"Only three weeks more to the winter holidays," announced Gif presently.
+"What are you fellows going to do with yours?"
+
+"We haven't decided yet, Gif, any further than that we're going home,"
+answered Jack.
+
+"If you feel like it, you had better come and pay me a visit. I know my
+folks would be only too glad to have you."
+
+"And we'd be glad to have you come down to New York and stay with us,
+Gif," was the reply.
+
+During the days that had gone by since the hunt, the Rover boys had had
+several little differences with Professor Lemm. The teacher had spoken
+to Colonel Colby about their coming in late, but the master of the Hall
+had passed this matter over as being of no importance, somewhat to Asa
+Lemm's chagrin.
+
+"Oh, how I love that man!" had been Andy's comment.
+
+The weather had remained clear, but on Thursday of that week came
+another fall of snow, and by Friday this was in good condition for
+sleighing.
+
+"I wonder if we can't get up a sleighing party for Saturday afternoon
+and take out some of the girls from Clearwater Hall?" said Jack.
+
+"We ought to be able to get some sort of box-sled down at the Haven
+Point livery stable," answered Randy. "Suppose we call the liveryman up
+on the 'phone and see what he has to say, and then call up the girls?"
+
+This was done without delay, and, as a result, it was arranged that the
+liveryman should call at the school early Saturday afternoon for the
+four boys and some of their chums, bringing with him a large box-sled
+drawn by four horses. Then the boys were to get the girls, and all were
+to take a ride until the supper hour. It was arranged that the four
+Rovers should go on the ride, and also Spouter Powell, Gif Garrison,
+Fatty Hendry, and some others.
+
+"Of course, Fatty, we really ought to make you pay double price,"
+remarked Andy to the fat boy, when the arrangements were being made.
+
+"Nothing doing," grunted Fatty. "I don't weigh a bit more than Spouter
+or Gif."
+
+"Oh, no, not at all--only about sixty pounds more!" remarked Gif.
+
+Some of the girls attending Clearwater Hall had stated that they wished
+to do a little shopping in Haven Point before going on the ride, and so
+all had promised to meet the boys in front of the moving picture
+theater, which was a resort well-known to all of them.
+
+"Now if the weather only remains good, we ought to have a peach of a
+time," announced Randy, after all the arrangements had been settled.
+
+The weather remained good, and promptly on time the liveryman drove up
+to the entrance of the Hall with his big box-sled, which he had filled
+with straw and robes. Into the sled piled the boys, Fatty Hendry
+perching himself up on the front seat beside the driver.
+
+Some of the lads had provided themselves with tin horns, and they set
+off on the trip with a grand flourish, a number of the cadets left
+behind gazing after them wistfully. But these lads were not utterly
+disconsolate, for the reason that skating and coasting were now both
+very good around the school.
+
+The horses pulling the box-sled were fine animals, and in a short space
+of time they jangled merrily into Haven Point, the boys blowing their
+horns loudly to attract attention.
+
+In the meantime, Ruth Stevenson and May Powell, accompanied by Alice
+Strobell, Annie Larkins, and some of their chums from Clearwater Hall,
+had arrived in the town and gone to several of the stores on various
+errands. Then, a few minutes before the time appointed for meeting the
+cadets, they hurried over in the direction of the moving picture
+theater.
+
+Several of the girls went into a drugstore close to the theater, leaving
+Ruth and May standing on the sidewalk, looking at the various gaudy
+billboards which were displayed there. The girls were discussing the
+picture of a well-known moving-picture actress, when suddenly Ruth felt
+some one touch her arm. Turning, she found herself confronted by a tall,
+heavy-set youth, rather loudly dressed, and accompanied by another boy,
+wearing a fur cap and fur-lined overcoat.
+
+"Excuse me, but this is Miss Ruth Stevenson, I believe?" said the big
+youth, with a broad smile on his coarse face.
+
+Ruth was not at all pleased by being thus addressed, for she had
+recognized the fellow as Slugger Brown, and also recognized Nappy
+Martell. Nappy raised his cap and bowed pleasantly, both to her and to
+May.
+
+"We just got back to Haven Point," said Slugger Brown smoothly. "Been
+away a short while, you know."
+
+"And we thought we would go into the movies before going back to
+school," put in Nappy Martell. "Were you going in, too? If you were,
+let's go in together. I'll get the tickets," and he opened his coat to
+thrust his fingers into his vest pocket and bring forth a small roll of
+bills.
+
+"Thank you, we are not going into the theater," answered May stiffly.
+She did not like either Slugger or Nappy, and was sorry the pair had
+shown themselves.
+
+"How about it?" broke out Slugger, taking hold of Ruth's arm in a
+decidedly familiar way. "Let's go in. You've got time enough."
+
+"Thank you, but we have something else to do, Mr. Brown," responded Ruth
+icily.
+
+"You can't do much outside on a cold day like this," went on the bully.
+"Come on in--I'm sure it's nice and warm in there, and they've got some
+dandy pictures. Come ahead."
+
+"Sure!" broke out Nappy. "I'll get the tickets," and he took several
+steps toward the ticket booth.
+
+"Thank you, but I said I didn't want to go with you," said May, quite
+loudly and with flashing eyes.
+
+"We pick our company when we go anywhere," added Ruth, giving Slugger
+Brown a look which would almost have annihilated any ordinary boy. But
+the bully was proof against anything of that sort.
+
+"Oh, you needn't get on your high horse about it, Ruth Stevenson," he
+sneered. "Some day maybe you'll be glad to go to a show with me."
+
+"If you won't go, I guess there are other girls just as good, and maybe
+better," added Nappy Martell, not knowing what else to say.
+
+It was at this moment that the big box-sled containing the cadets hove
+into sight. With a flourish, the driver drew up to the curb with the
+boys tooting loudly on their tin horns, but this salute came to a sudden
+end when the lads caught sight of their former schoolmates.
+
+"Look who's here, will you!" ejaculated Randy.
+
+"Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell," murmured Fred.
+
+"Say, they are talking to Ruth and May!" broke in Andy.
+
+To all this Jack said nothing. But he lost no time in leaping to the
+pavement and walking up to the girls, who came forward to greet him.
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad you got here!" exclaimed Ruth in a low voice, and she
+looked at Jack appealingly and then let her eyes rove in the direction
+of the bully and his crony.
+
+"Those boys are just too horrid for anything!" murmured May, by way of
+explanation.
+
+"What did they do?" demanded Spouter of his cousin, he having quickly
+followed Jack from the sled.
+
+"They almost insisted upon it that we accompany them into the movies!"
+
+"Why, they hardly know you!"
+
+"That's true, Dick. And I think it was awful of them, the way they came
+up."
+
+"That Brown boy caught me by the arm, and he had no right to do that,"
+said Ruth to Jack. "I don't want a thing to do with him."
+
+"You get into the sled, girls, and we'll tend to Brown and Martell,"
+announced Spouter, and the tone of his voice showed his anger.
+
+The girls did as bidden, being assisted by the others; and, in the
+meantime the remaining girls came from the store and also got into the
+sled. Spouter and Jack strode across the pavement, and caught Slugger
+Brown and Nappy Martell just as they were on the point of dropping their
+tickets into the ticket box.
+
+"Come here a minute. I want to talk to you," said Spouter, catching
+Martell by the arm.
+
+"And I want to talk to you," added Jack, as he detained Slugger Brown.
+
+"I won't talk to you," retorted Nappy Martell, and tried to pass.
+
+"Yes, you will!" answered Spouter. "You listen to me, Nappy! After this
+you leave my cousin, May Powell, alone. If you don't, you'll have an
+account to settle with me."
+
+"And you leave both of those girls alone!" said Jack to Slugger Brown.
+"Miss Stevenson doesn't want anything to do with you. Now, you mind what
+I'm telling you, or you'll get into trouble the first thing you return
+to the Hall!"
+
+"Oh, say, Rover, you make me tired!" sneered the bully, glaring at Jack.
+"I'm not going to try to take your girl away from you. There are plenty
+of better girls around Haven Point. You go about your business and leave
+me alone;" and, thus speaking, Slugger Brown passed into the
+moving-picture theater, followed a moment later by Nappy Martell. The
+two others watched them out of sight, and then looked at each other
+knowingly.
+
+"One fine pair, believe me!" was Spouter's comment.
+
+"I'm mighty sorry Colonel Colby allowed them to return to the Hall,"
+answered Jack. "I'm afraid it spells just one thing--Trouble!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE SLEIGHING PARTY
+
+
+"What did you say to those horrid young men?" asked May, after Jack and
+Spouter had returned to the box-sled and the driver had picked up the
+reins and started through the main street of Haven Point.
+
+"Oh, we told them to mind their own business after this," answered Jack.
+
+"And if they don't, you let me know, and we'll attend to them," said
+Spouter to his cousin.
+
+"It's too bad, Jack, they came back to Colby Hall," remarked Ruth.
+
+"Right you are! But Colonel Colby wanted to give them another chance. He
+asked us about it, and we didn't want to stand in the way of Slugger and
+Nappy turning over a new leaf."
+
+"Hi there--somebody start a song!" cried Andy, who caught a few words of
+what was said, and thought the occasion was getting too serious.
+
+"That's the talk!" exclaimed Alice Strobell.
+
+"What shall we sing?" questioned Annie Larkins.
+
+"Oh, sing something that we all know," came from Jennie Mason. She, too,
+had seen Slugger and Nappy, but had refused to recognize them,
+remembering well the trouble she and Ida Brierley had had with the pair
+when all had gone out on the lake in a motor-boat, the particulars of
+which were given in the volume preceding this.
+
+Soon the happy young folks were singing one familiar song after another
+and shouting and tooting the tin horns in great glee. In the meanwhile
+the turnout had left the vicinity of Haven Point, and was moving swiftly
+along in the direction of one of the neighboring towns.
+
+"Oh, isn't this too lovely for anything!" exclaimed May, as one of the
+songs came to an end. "I never felt better in my life."
+
+"If I felt any better, I'd have to call in the doctor," announced Andy
+with a sudden sober look on his face, and at this little sally all the
+girls giggled.
+
+They were soon passing close to a stone wall, and from this some of the
+boys scooped handfuls of snow with which they began to pelt each other.
+Then they attempted to wash the faces of some of the girls, and a great
+commotion ensued.
+
+"Hi you! be careful back there!" cautioned the driver. "First thing you
+know, somebody will get pushed out."
+
+"Oh, that will never happen!" cried Gif; but he had scarcely spoken when
+there came a wild yell from two of the cadets in the back of the
+box-sled, and the next moment Randy was seen to turn over and pitch out
+into the snow.
+
+"Stop the sleigh! Stop the sleigh!" yelled Andy. "One man overboard, and
+no life-line handy!"
+
+"Oh, dear! do you think he is hurt?" questioned May anxiously.
+
+"He looks it!" answered her cousin. "Look out, or you'll get hit;" for
+scarcely had Randy landed in the snow than he picked himself up and
+began to make snowballs, which he sent after the sled in rapid
+succession. In the meantime, the driver had brought the turnout to a
+halt.
+
+"Stop that, Randy," warned Jack. "You might hit some of the girls."
+
+"No more such horseplay," announced Gif. "It's too dangerous, and,
+besides that, some of the girls might get hurt. You fellows have got to
+act like gentlemen. Ahem!" and Gif straightened himself up in imitation
+of Asa Lemm.
+
+"Please, teacher, can't we act like ladies?" piped out Andy in a thin,
+effeminate voice.
+
+"You'll remain after school for that, Rover, and recite one hundred
+lines of Caesar backward," commanded Gif.
+
+"You bet your pink necktie, I'll be backward about reciting the hundred
+lines!" murmured the fun-loving boy.
+
+The cadets had already arranged it between themselves to stop at a town
+about twelve miles away. There all hands trooped into a candy store to
+regale themselves with dainty sandwiches and hot chocolate. Some of the
+boys also obtained boxes of candy, and also some popcorn and peanuts, as
+well as apples, and these were passed around.
+
+So far, Jack had had no opportunity to speak to Ruth in private, but
+while the others were still at the little tables in the rear of the
+candy shop, he motioned to her, and the pair walked toward the front.
+
+"I want to ask you about the man we rescued in the woods, Ruth," he
+said. "Probably you know him. His name is Stevenson, although he said he
+was usually called Uncle Barney by all who knew him."
+
+"Why, can that be possible!" exclaimed the girl in astonishment. "Uncle
+Barney Stevenson! Why didn't you tell me this before?"
+
+"I'll tell you why," he answered. "I was afraid that possibly it might
+create some sort of scene. By the way this Barney Stevenson acted, I
+knew there was something wrong between him and your folks. When I
+mentioned your father's name, he said he didn't want to hear anything
+about him--not a word!"
+
+"Poor old man! I am so sorry for him;" and Ruth's manner showed that she
+spoke the truth.
+
+"Why doesn't he want to hear from your father? But, excuse me,
+Ruth--maybe that is a private matter."
+
+"I don't know that it is so very private, Jack. And, anyway, I'd like
+you to know the truth,--otherwise you might get a wrong impression--if
+you heard the story from outsiders. In a nutshell, the matter is this:
+Some years ago my father and his Uncle Barney were connected with a
+certain manufacturing company in which both held a considerable
+interest. The company went to pieces, and my father and Uncle Barney
+both lost their money. But my father had other interests which were
+distantly connected with this company, and in some manner poor old Uncle
+Barney, who was not much of a business man even though he was a
+lumberman, got it into his head that my father had, in some manner,
+gotten the best of him, because my father had money and he had not.
+Then, in the midst of this trouble, Uncle Barney's wife died. My father
+was away in the West at the time with my mother, and could not get back
+in time for the funeral. This made Uncle Barney more bitter than ever,
+and he refused to listen to any explanations my folks might make. He had
+made some sort of deal to get possession of Snowshoe Island in Lake
+Monona, and he retired to the island and became almost a hermit."
+
+"Yes, he told us he lived on the island, and he invited us to come over
+there, and he would show us some good hunting. I suppose it must be
+quite a place."
+
+"My father has tried several times to patch up matters with old Uncle
+Barney, but he will not listen to any explanations. He is rather queer
+at times, and I suppose he has it strongly fixed in his mind that my
+father is in some manner responsible for his poverty, and that we think
+ourselves too high-toned to have anything to do with him, when, as a
+matter of fact, my folks would be very much pleased to have the old man
+become friends and live with them."
+
+"Why doesn't your father send him a letter if he won't listen to his
+talk?"
+
+"He has tried that. And mother has written old Uncle Barney some
+letters, too, during the last six or eight years. But he is very
+peculiar, and the letters come back unopened."
+
+"And you really feel that you would like to be on good terms with him?"
+
+"Yes, Jack. My folks would give a good deal to smooth the whole matter
+over. But, instead of becoming reconciled to the situation, old Uncle
+Barney apparently is becoming more bitter as time goes by."
+
+"If you and your folks feel that way about it, I'd like very much to
+meet the old man again and have a talk with him. Of course, he told me
+that he never wanted to hear your father's name mentioned; but if I got
+a good chance I might be able to get him to open up and tell me his side
+of the story. And after he had done that, he might be more willing to
+listen to what I had to say."
+
+"Oh, Jack! if you ever do get the chance, try to talk to him, by all
+means, and do what you can to impress it on his mind that my father had
+nothing to do with the loss of his money, and that my folks would have
+gone to Mrs. Stevenson's funeral had they been able to do so. And tell
+him, too, that my father and my mother, and also myself, would be very
+glad to become friends once more, and that our house will be open to him
+at any time."
+
+The others of the sleighing party were now coming up, so there was no
+chance of saying anything further regarding the strange affair.
+
+"Let's return to Haven Point by some other route," suggested Spouter.
+
+"We'll have to ask the driver about the roads first," said Gif.
+
+The driver had gone out to look after his horses. When questioned, he
+stated that they might return by a roundabout way through the village of
+Neckbury, but that it might take half an hour or so longer.
+
+"Oh, I guess we've got time enough," said Fred, consulting his watch.
+"The girls haven't got to get back to Clearwater Hall until supper time,
+and we can get from one school to the other in a jiffy in the sleigh."
+
+The liveryman was anxious to please the boys and girls, being desirous
+of getting more business from them in the future, and he readily agreed
+to take them home by the way of Neckbury, and he also agreed to get them
+back by the required time.
+
+Once more all bundled into the turnout, and then, with a crack of the
+whip and a loud tooting of the horns, they started on the return.
+
+"Another song now!" cried Andy, and commenced one of the ditties which
+at that time was popular at Colby Hall. In this the girls joined, most
+of them having heard it; and thus the crowd continued to enjoy
+themselves.
+
+So far, they had met but few turnouts on the road, but now they found
+that the other route toward Haven Point was more popular, and they
+passed several farm sleds, and also a number of cutters, and even two
+automobiles, the latter ploughing along through the snow, using their
+heavy chains for that purpose.
+
+They were soon mounting a small hill, and the driver allowed the horses
+to drop to a walk. From the top of the hill they could see for many
+miles around, with farms dotting one side of the roadway and the other
+sloping down gradually toward the distant lake.
+
+"I'm afraid we're going to be a little late, after all," announced Gif,
+as he looked at his timepiece. "You'll have to shake it up a bit, old
+man," he added to the driver.
+
+"Oh, I'll get you there in time--don't worry," was the ready reply, and
+then the driver cracked his whip and sent his horses down the other side
+of the hill at a good rate of speed.
+
+About half way down the long hill there was a turn to the right. Here,
+on the outer edge of the road, was a gully which the wind of the day
+previous had partly filled with snow. Just before this bend was gained,
+those in the box-sled heard the toot of an automobile horn.
+
+"Somebody coming up the hill," said Fatty Hendry, who had resumed his
+seat beside the driver.
+
+"Confound 'em! and I've got to take the outside of the turn," muttered
+the liveryman.
+
+"Better be careful--it's none too wide along here," cautioned the fat
+youth.
+
+The driver was already reining in his steeds, but the slope was
+considerable, and it was hard to hold them back. The box-sled struck the
+rear horses in the flanks, and away they went as fast as ever, crowding
+the horses in front and urging them onward also. Then the on-coming
+automobile hove in sight, and passed so closely that the driver of the
+box-sled had to pull still further over to the edge of the highway.
+
+"Look out where you're going!" yelled Jack.
+
+"I told you to be careful----" commenced Fatty, and then clutched at the
+high seat of the box-sled.
+
+There was a wild scream of alarm and a general confusion among all the
+young people as the back end of the box-sled slewed around. One corner
+went down into the gully, and an instant later the box-sled stood up on
+its side, and girls and cadets went floundering forth into the snow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A MISHAP ON THE ROAD
+
+
+"Gracious! where are we going?"
+
+"Get off my head, Randy!"
+
+"Say, Spouter, don't sit down on Ruth that way!"
+
+"Hi! stop the horses, somebody!" screamed Fred, and then he leaped up
+and clung to the partly overturned box-sled, while Gif and another cadet
+did the same.
+
+The driver had sensed the coming of the accident, and when the box-sled
+went over to one side, he had leaped to the other. Now he was standing
+in the snow with the reins still in his hands and doing his best to
+quiet the somewhat frightened steeds, which were plunging into each
+other in anything but an orderly fashion.
+
+Down in the gully the girls and the cadets were having an exciting time
+of it. Some of the party had plunged almost head first into the snow.
+
+"Come on, boys, help the girls all you can!" came from Jack, as he
+managed, though not without considerable effort, to bring Ruth to her
+feet.
+
+Fred and Randy were already assisting May to arise, and soon the other
+girls and boys were doing what they could to scramble through the deep
+snow toward the highway. Here there was a slippery slope of several
+feet.
+
+Jack was the first boy up, and Randy came behind him. Then, while the
+two Rovers, assisted by Spouter, held fast to each other, they pulled up
+one girl after another. In the meanwhile, the other cadets made
+something of a chain, and soon all stood at the spot where the box-sled
+had overturned.
+
+"All here?" queried Gif.
+
+"I guess so," answered Spouter, knocking some snow from his cap.
+
+The driver of the box-sled, assisted by several of the cadets, had
+managed to quiet the horses, some of which were inclined to bolt. The
+box-sled was all right, and the boys picked up what they could of the
+dry straw, and also shook out and replaced the robes.
+
+"Oh, my, what a dreadful experience!" remarked Annie Larkins.
+
+"Oh, I don't know that it was so very dreadful," returned Ruth. "No one
+was hurt."
+
+"But we might have been," added Jennie Mason.
+
+"Oh, I thought it was fun," laughed Ruth.
+
+"It was the fault of that auto," grumbled the liveryman, thinking he had
+to defend himself. "He crowded me too close to the edge of the gully."
+
+"That's just what he did!" cried Fatty. "The fellow who was driving that
+car ought to be arrested."
+
+"Did you get his number, Fatty?" questioned Fred.
+
+"Get his number? I didn't have time to get anything. He just slid by,
+and the next thing I knew, I was turning a somersault in the air and
+diving right down into the bottom of that hole;" and at this remark the
+other cadets had to smile.
+
+The cadets assisted the girls back into the box-sled, and then they
+moved off once more, Jack and Gif both cautioning the driver to be
+careful.
+
+Now that the danger was past, the young folks soon recovered from their
+scare, and then, to put all in a better humor, Andy started another
+school song, in which all joined lustily. Thus they soon rolled into
+town, and a little later came up to the entrance of the Clearwater
+grounds.
+
+"I've had a perfectly splendid time, in spite of that little mishap,"
+declared Ruth, as she bid Jack good-bye.
+
+"We couldn't have had a nicer afternoon," said May. "You can come
+around with your box-sled just as often as you please;" and she smiled
+mischievously, in a way that set Fred's heart to bounding.
+
+As it was growing late, the boys had scant time in which to bid the
+girls good-bye. Soon they were on the way to Colby Hall, and they told
+the driver to hurry as much as possible.
+
+"If we're late and Asa Lemm finds it out, he'll certainly punish us in
+some way," was Randy's comment.
+
+"Well, we're in luck for once," announced Gif. "I heard old Lemon say
+that he was going away right after lunch and wouldn't be back until
+to-morrow."
+
+"It seems to me he has been spending quite some time away lately,"
+remarked Spouter. "Not but what I'm perfectly willing that he should
+absent himself at every possible opportunity. The institution of
+learning can very well dispense with the services of such an individual
+as Professor Asa Lemm."
+
+"A little long-winded, Spouter, but you hit the nail on the head,"
+answered Fred. "Old Lemon could quit for good, and I doubt if any of us
+would shed a tear."
+
+Although the cadets were half an hour late, neither Colonel Colby nor
+any of the professors who saw them found any fault, and for this they
+were thankful.
+
+As soon as he had an opportunity to do so, Jack told his cousins about
+what Ruth had said regarding old Barney Stevenson. They listened to his
+recital with keen interest.
+
+"He certainly must be a queer stick," was Randy's comment. "Just the
+same, I'd like to go to Snowshoe Island and visit him."
+
+"Yes, and try the hunting around that neighborhood," added Fred.
+"According to what that Bill Hobson said, Uncle Barney, as they call
+him, must be quite a hunter, as well as a lumberman."
+
+"I'd like to have the chance to talk with him," resumed Jack. "From the
+way Ruth spoke, I'm quite sure her folks are very much put out over the
+way he is acting."
+
+"I'll tell you what!" put in Andy, "we're going to have an extra long
+Christmas holiday, and we might get a chance to go over to Snowshoe
+Island hunting at that time."
+
+"How do you know the holiday is going to be extra long?" queried Fred.
+
+"I heard Professor Brice saying so. It seems they have got to fix some
+part of the heating plant, which is pretty well worn out, and the
+furnace man said it would take longer than at first expected. So,
+instead of closing up for ten days or two weeks at Christmas, they are
+going to shut down for about three weeks."
+
+"Three weeks! That will give us a nice holiday at home and give us a
+chance for an outing in the bargain," cried Jack.
+
+Late that evening Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell put in an appearance
+and were closeted with Colonel Colby for the best part of half an hour.
+What was said by the master of Colby Hall the other cadets did not
+learn, but the two new arrivals looked exceedingly meek when they went
+up to their former rooms. On the following day they met the Rovers, but
+paid no attention whatever to them.
+
+"Maybe they are going to give us the cold shoulder," remarked Fred.
+
+"Well, that won't hurt me," answered Jack.
+
+Several days went by, and the Rover boys applied themselves closely to
+their studies, realizing that before long the examinations previous, to
+the Christmas holidays would take place. They did very well in their
+recitations, and got along nicely with all the professors except Asa
+Lemm.
+
+"There is no use of talking--I can't get along with that man!" said Andy
+one afternoon. He was almost in despair. "If I hadn't just shut my mouth
+hard when old Lemon lectured me, there would have been an explosion, and
+I'd have told him just exactly what I think of him--and it wouldn't
+have been anything that he would want to hear."
+
+"Gif was telling me that Lemm is getting more and more anxious about
+some of that money he lost years ago."
+
+"Maybe he thought he saw a chance of getting it back, and now it is
+slipping away from him again, and that is making him more sour than
+ever," suggested Randy.
+
+"I don't care what is making him so sour--he needn't take it out of me,"
+retorted his twin.
+
+There had been another slight fall of snow, and on Thursday afternoon
+the cadets of Colby Hall organized a grand snowball match. A fort was
+built on the top of a little hill in the vicinity, and one crowd of
+cadets defended this, while the others made an attack. The school flag
+was hoisted over the fort, and the battle raged furiously for over an
+hour. Major Ralph Mason was in charge of the fort defenders, while the
+Rover boys, along with half of the school cadets, composed the attacking
+party. The fort was captured only after a terrific bombardment with
+snowballs, and it was Jack who had the pleasure of hauling down the
+flag.
+
+"Some fight that!" remarked Fred, after the contest was over.
+
+"Almost like a real battle," said Randy. "Just look at my left ear, will
+you?" and he pointed to that member, which was much swollen. "Got hit
+there twice--with regular soakers, too."
+
+"Well, that's part of the game, Randy," remarked Jack. He had been hit
+half a dozen times, but had not minded it in the least.
+
+On the following afternoon the Rover boys visited a long hill in that
+vicinity, which a number of the cadets were using for coasting purposes.
+With money sent to them by Jack's father, they had purchased a fine
+bobsled, and on this they took numerous rides, along with several of
+their chums.
+
+There were two ways of going down the hill. One was in the direction of
+Haven Point, and the other wound around a second smaller hill and ended
+in the pasture lot of an old farmer. This farmer was an Irishman named
+Mike O'Toole, a pleasant enough individual, who had often given the boys
+rides on his farm wagon, and who was not averse to selling them fruit,
+and also milk, when they desired it. He was such a good-natured old man
+that very few of the cadets ever thought to molest his orchard.
+
+"Say, I've got an idea!" cried Andy suddenly, when he and the other
+Rovers were riding down into O'Toole's pasture. "Let's go down and have
+a look at the old man's goats," and he winked knowingly at his twin.
+
+O'Toole had once lived in the city, and there had been the proud
+possessor of several goats, which he had used in one of the public
+parks, where they were attached to little wagons in which the children
+could ride for ten cents per person. O'Toole had brought his goats to
+the farm with him, and treated them with as much affection as if they
+were members of his family.
+
+"What have you go up your sleeve, Andy?" questioned Fred, as they got
+off the bobsled and dragged it behind them toward Mike O'Toole's house.
+The old Irish farmer and his wife lived alone, having no children and no
+hired help.
+
+"Oh, I thought we might hire a goat or two to pull the bobsled," was the
+easy answer.
+
+"To pull the bobsled?"
+
+"To be sure. If those goats can pull wagons, they can certainly pull
+sleds, too. Then, I thought if we could get the goats to pull us all the
+way to Colby Hall, it wouldn't be any more than fair to take the goats
+in out of the cold and treat 'em nicely."
+
+"Oh, I see!" cried Randy, who was listening to his twin's talk. "For
+instance, we might take the goats into the Hall and up to Professor
+Lemm's room, eh?"
+
+"You've caught the idea, Randy. What do you think of it?"
+
+"Fine! Couldn't be better!" chuckled the other.
+
+"What's this talk about taking O'Toole's goats to Colby Hall?" demanded
+Jack.
+
+"Oh, we were thinking Professor Lemm would like to see the goats."
+
+The oldest Rover boy looked stern for an instant, but then his mouth
+relaxed and he broke into a broad grin.
+
+"Of course, we'll have to be careful how we get the goats into the
+Hall," he began.
+
+"Hurrah! I knew it would hit you just right, Jack!" cried Andy, slapping
+his cousin on the shoulder. "Just you wait--we'll make old Lemon sit up
+and take notice this time!"
+
+"But mum's the word--remember that," cautioned Randy. "If he ever caught
+us, well--good-night!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+SOMETHING ABOUT TWO GOATS
+
+
+The four Rover boys were almost up to Mike O'Toole's place when suddenly
+Jack caught Andy by the shoulder.
+
+"Wait a minute!" he exclaimed.
+
+"What's wrong now?" demanded the fun-loving youth.
+
+"I've just been thinking, Andy. If we take those goats into the Hall and
+get into any kind of trouble, Professor Lemm will find it an easy matter
+to learn who got the goats from O'Toole."
+
+"That's right, too!" broke in Fred, in dismay.
+
+"Maybe we can get the goats on the sly," suggested Randy.
+
+"I think that would be the better way to do it," answered Jack. "We can
+leave a note behind, stating that the goats will be returned, and we can
+also pay O'Toole something for using his animals."
+
+The boys talked the matter over for several minutes, and then it was
+decided that Andy and Randy should go ahead and reconnoitre. This they
+did, and were gone for about ten minutes.
+
+"The coast is clear so far as we can see," announced Randy. "Mike
+O'Toole and his wife are both in the kitchen of the farmhouse preparing
+supper.
+
+"And where are the goats?" questioned Fred quickly.
+
+"He keeps them in a little shed off of his barn. Come on, I'll show
+you," returned Randy.
+
+The other cadets followed him, and they soon reached the place he had
+mentioned. Here O'Toole kept six goats, and they were found finishing up
+some food he had evidently given them a short while before.
+
+Two of the billy goats were quite large, one possessing a very fine pair
+of horns. This one, the boys knew, was called Patrick. The other large
+goat went by the name of Dan.
+
+"Here is the harness," said Andy, bringing it from some pegs on which it
+was hanging. "We'll have to do the best we can about hitching 'em up."
+
+While the others were doing this, Jack tore a page from a notebook he
+carried, and on this, in a large, disguised hand, he wrote the
+following:
+
+     "DEAR MR O'TOOLE:
+
+     "We have taken the privilege of using two of your goats until
+     to-morrow. They will be safely returned to you."
+
+"I think we ought to pay him for the use of the animals," said Jack. "A
+little money will make him feel a great deal better."
+
+"Let's pin two dollars to the note," suggested Fred, and this was done
+by Jack and the note placed where the Irish farmer would be sure to find
+it when he came again to tend to his animals.
+
+It was an easy matter for the four boys to get the goats out of the
+shed, and then they led them to a spot behind some trees where the
+animals were hitched to the bobsled. Soon they started on the way to
+Colby Hall.
+
+"Now that we've got possession of the goats, how do you fellows expect
+to work this stunt?" demanded Fred, as they brought the two goats down
+to a walk.
+
+"I'll tell you one thing," declared Jack. "If you want to play this
+trick without the whole school knowing it, you had better reach Colby
+Hall by the lane that comes up behind the barn."
+
+"Just what I was thinking of doing," answered Andy. "I thought maybe we
+could stable them in that little toolhouse in the cornfield until we
+had a chance to get 'em into the Hall."
+
+"That's the talk!" cried Randy. "Of course, we'll have to watch our
+chance, and not make a mess of it."
+
+The two billy goats had often been harnessed together, so they got along
+quite amiably on the trip to the Military Academy. They were strong
+animals, and consequently the boys reached the field behind the barn in
+ample time to unhitch the goats and place them in the toolhouse that had
+been mentioned. Then they hurried around to the garage, where they were
+allowed to store their bobsled, and after that lost no time in getting
+ready for the evening parade and drill.
+
+Directly after supper was over, the Rovers took Spouter, Gif and Fatty
+Hendry aside and told them of what was in the wind.
+
+"Oh, say! that's great!" cried Fatty. "Let me have a hand in it, won't
+you?" He had had a quarrel with Asa Lemm a few days before, and was as
+sore as any of the other cadets.
+
+"You ought to let us all have a hand in that, Andy," put in Spouter. "I
+believe every one of us feels the same way when it comes to old Lemon.
+He may have a vast amount of learning stored in his cranium, but his
+font of the milk of human kindness is completely dried up. Were he to
+realize, or have the least conception----"
+
+"Cut it, Spouter!" interposed Gif. "We agree with you--Asa Lemm is the
+lemon of all lemons, and I for one would like to teach him some kind of
+lesson."
+
+The matter was talked over for some time, and, as a result, a number of
+other cadets, including Walt Baxter, Ned Lowe and Dan Soppinger, were
+let into the secret.
+
+"Some of you will have to keep tab on Lemm while others see if the coast
+is clear during the time we are trying to get the goats upstairs,"
+announced Randy.
+
+"I don't think we'll have an easy time getting two animals to old
+Lemon's room," remarked Fred. "However, we'll get 'em up there somehow!"
+
+Dan Soppinger was detailed to locate and watch Asa Lemm, and he soon
+came back and reported that the professor was sitting in a corner of the
+school library, making notes from several volumes.
+
+"Well, you watch him, Dan," said Jack, "and if he starts to come
+upstairs, you let us know at once;" and to this Soppinger agreed.
+
+After the supper hour, the cadets had their usual studying to do, and
+then came another hour for recreation previous to retiring.
+
+"Now is our time," said Andy, as he threw aside his books and leaped to
+his feet. "Come on! Everybody on the job!"
+
+The lads had already figured out how they expected to get the goats up
+to Asa Lemm's room. In the extreme rear of the school building was
+located an outside fire-escape leading from the third and second floors
+to the ground. At each floor there was a large doorway with a bolt on
+the inside. In order to induce the goats to mount the steps of the
+fire-escape, the boys had provided themselves with some vegetables
+purloined from the kitchen storeroom. Leaving the others to watch on the
+fire-escape and in the upper hallway of the school, the Rovers went out
+to the toolhouse and released the two goats.
+
+"Now then, Patrick and Dan, be good!" said Randy, patting the animals on
+the neck. And then he handed each of them a small carrot.
+
+With more vegetables displayed close in front of them, the two billy
+goats mounted the fire-escape quite nimbly, being rewarded with
+something more to eat when they stood on the landing in front of the
+door leading into the upper hallway.
+
+"Now if they only don't take it into their heads to let out a loud 'ba'
+when they get into the hall!" said Fred anxiously.
+
+"We'll feed them something," returned Jack. "That will be sure to keep
+them quiet," and he passed over some bits of celery he had in his
+pocket.
+
+A cautious rap on the iron door, and it was unbolted by Walt Baxter, who
+had been assigned to that duty.
+
+"How about it--is the coast clear?" whispered Andy anxiously.
+
+"I think so; but wait a minute and I'll make sure," whispered Walt in
+return.
+
+Soon he came back with word from Fatty and Ned that the rear hall of the
+school was practically deserted. Ned had already tried several keys in
+the door to Asa Lemm's apartment, and unlocked it.
+
+It was by sheer good luck that the boys managed unobserved to get the
+two goats into the school through two hallways and at last into the room
+of the hated professor.
+
+On one side of the professor's bedroom there was a large clothing
+closet, and in this the two goats were placed.
+
+"Now we'll take off their harness," said Jack. "There is no use in
+getting that snarled up or damaged."
+
+"I'm going to fix up some new harness for them," announced Randy. "Come
+on, Andy."
+
+His twin understood, and while the others remained on guard in the
+hallway, Randy and Andy lost no time in decorating the two goats with
+various articles of Professor Lemm's wearing apparel. They buttoned a
+coat around each goat like a blanket, and got a bright green sweater
+over one goat's head and around his neck. Then they found a number of
+used neckties in a chiffonier, and these were tied on the goat's legs
+and horns.
+
+"They sure do look like some goats now!" cried Andy gaily. Then the
+animals were shoved back into the closet and the door closed.
+
+"Is the coast still clear?" asked Randy, as they came out of the
+bedroom.
+
+"It is. But I don't think Lemm will stay downstairs much longer,"
+answered Jack.
+
+"Will you fellows come down again? I've got another idea!" burst out
+Randy. "Come on--quick!"
+
+Not knowing what was in the wind, the others followed him through the
+hallway and down the fire-escape once more. Then he led them to a place
+behind the garage. Here were a number of flat boxes, which, in the
+springtime, had been used for raising plants. These boxes had had a
+small amount of water in them, and were now filled with thin sheets of
+ice.
+
+"Let's take a few of those sheets of ice upstairs," said Randy. "They'll
+fit in very nicely between the sheets on old Lemon's bed."
+
+All of the others caught at the suggestion with avidity, and in a very
+few minutes each of the boys was mounting the fire-escape once again,
+this time with a large sheet of ice, not unlike a heavy pane of glass,
+under his arm.
+
+"I've got a scheme," suggested Andy, with a broad grin. "We'll place
+three of the sheets of ice in his bed under the sheet, and the others on
+the floor here right in front of the door. Then he'll have a chance to
+slide into the room."
+
+"Wow! and maybe it won't be some slide!" chuckled Walt Baxter.
+
+The sheets of ice were soon placed in the bed and covered with some of
+the bedspreads, and the others were disposed on the hardwood floor
+directly in front of the door inside the room. Then the cadets turned
+out the lights, locked the door as before, and hurried away.
+
+It was less than five minutes later when Dan Soppinger came rushing
+upstairs, whistling in a peculiar manner. This was a signal that danger
+was at hand.
+
+"He just put the books away, and he's gathering up his papers,"
+announced Dan. "I think he'll be upstairs in a few minutes more."
+
+"All right, Dan, we're ready for him," announced Randy. "Now then,
+fellows, if there isn't some fun when Asa Lemm enters his room, then I
+miss my guess."
+
+The joke that was to come off seemed to be too good to keep, and as a
+consequence, after a hurried consultation, about a dozen other cadets
+were let into the secret. All watched eagerly for the coming of
+Professor Lemm, and there was a low whistle of warning went from room to
+room when the hated teacher was seen to be mounting the stairs.
+
+As was quite usual with him, Asa Lemm was not in good humor. He had been
+hunting up a number of references in the library without his usual
+success.
+
+"This job of teaching is getting worse and worse," he grumbled to
+himself. "It's too bad that I've got to waste my time on these boys. If
+I could only get back some of that money I lost, I wouldn't spend
+another hour over this tiresome task," and he heaved a deep sigh. The
+loss of his little fortune was the one great sore spot with him.
+
+He came swinging through the hall with long, rapid strides, and as he
+did so the Rovers and their friends watched him from various doorways
+and side halls. They saw him unlock his door and throw it open. The
+next instant came a sudden yell of alarm, and then a tremendous bump.
+Asa Lemm's feet had struck the sheets of ice on the floor, and they had
+gone out from under him very suddenly, letting him down flat on his
+back.
+
+"Hi! hi! what's the meaning of this?" spluttered the teacher; and then,
+as his hand struck the icy coldness of what was beneath him, he gave
+another cry. "Ice! What does this mean? Can the water pipes have burst
+and flooded the room?"
+
+Not without difficulty he managed to regain his feet, and then started
+to walk to where he could turn on the lights. But again he slipped, and
+this time he came up against a small table piled high with books and
+sent this over with a crash.
+
+"Gee! he's sure enjoying himself!" chuckled Andy.
+
+"Come on, fellows, let's see what all the noise is about!" exclaimed
+Jack in a loud voice. "Something dreadful must be going on in Professor
+Lemm's room."
+
+"What's the matter--is somebody getting killed?" called out Randy.
+
+"It isn't a fire, is it?" broke in Walt Baxter, catching the cue.
+
+"Sounds to me as if somebody was pulling the school down," was Spouter's
+contribution.
+
+"Everybody to the rescue!" yelled Ned Lowe.
+
+These cries, combined with the noise which was coming from Asa Lemm's
+apartment, caused such a commotion that soon fully a score of other
+cadets showed themselves in the hallway.
+
+"What's the matter?" questioned Slugger Brown, who had just been on the
+point of retiring, and who was in his pajamas and slippers.
+
+"Something going on in Professor Lemm's room," answered Nappy Martell,
+who had been with him, and who was similarly attired.
+
+By this time Professor Lemm had managed to regain his feet a second
+time, but the broken sheets of ice were now all over the floor of his
+room, and just as he managed to turn on the lights he slipped once more,
+this time sending a chair spinning against the closet door.
+
+"It's ice--it's ice, and nothing else!" he ejaculated, as he gazed in
+wonder at the floor. "Now, how did that come here? I don't see any
+broken water pipe." Then, of a sudden, his face took on a dark look.
+"It's those boys--confound them! If I can catch them, I'll make them
+suffer for this!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE JOKE ON ASA LEMM
+
+
+"Let's go in and see what's the matter with the poor man," suggested
+Andy.
+
+"That's right--maybe he's got a fit."
+
+"Something has happened to Professor Lemm!" yelled one of the other
+cadets.
+
+By this time the commotion had attracted the attention of nearly
+everybody in the school, and teachers and cadets came running from all
+directions, and even some of the hired help from the kitchen came up the
+back stairs, wondering what had gone wrong. Then the bunch of boys, led
+by the Rovers, suddenly threw open the door which led to Asa Lemm's
+room. It was at this instant that the astonished and bewildered
+professor was making his way toward the closet door. A strange thumping
+had reached his ears.
+
+"I knew it--it's some of those boys, and more than likely one of them
+got locked into the closet by his fellows. I'll soon find out who he is
+and make him tell me who is responsible for this outrage!"
+
+The door had been locked by Randy, but the key was in it, and readily
+turned. Then Professor Lemm flung the door open viciously.
+
+"You rascals, I'll teach you to play tricks on me!" he began, as in the
+somewhat dim light he made out what he thought were the forms of two
+crouching boys. Then he let out a sudden yell of alarm as one of the
+crouching figures launched itself forward at him. The figure was that of
+Patrick, the larger of the goats.
+
+Bewildered by the confinement, and not at all liking the way in which he
+had been dressed up, the big billy goat hurled himself straight at the
+teacher. He struck Asa Lemm fairly and squarely in the stomach, bowling
+him over as if he were a tenpin. Then he made another leap, and landed
+on the top of the bed, where he gazed around, not knowing which way to
+turn next.
+
+"Oh my! look at what Professor Lemm has in his room!" piped up Andy.
+
+Asa Lemm had rolled over and was now trying to get up, but just as he
+raised himself on his hands and knees, he struck some of the sliding
+sheets of ice, and down he went once more, this time directly in front
+of the other goat, which promptly proceeded to leap on top of him.
+
+"Hi! get off of me, you rascal!" spluttered the professor, and thrashed
+around wildly. "Get off of me! Who are you, anyway?" and then, as he got
+a better sight of the animal, which at that moment leaped up on the bed
+beside his mate, he turned and sat up in amazement.
+
+"A goat! Two goats! How did they get here?"
+
+"What do you know about this? Professor Lemm is keeping goats in his
+room!" cried Jack.
+
+These and a score of other cries rent the air, while all the cadets
+crowded into the doorway of the room to see what was going on. In the
+bunch of boys were Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell, and it must be
+confessed that these two unworthies were enjoying the scene quite as
+much as anybody.
+
+"I'll fix some of you for this!" roared Asa Lemm, as he struggled to his
+feet, slipping around and clutching the end of his bed as he did so.
+"I'll have some of you suspended! Where is Colonel Colby? Send for
+Colonel Colby at once!"
+
+Evidently Patrick, the larger goat, did not like the looks of the irate
+teacher, who was now shaking his fists at the grinning cadets. Suddenly
+the goat made another leap, this time striking Asa Lemm in the shoulder,
+and once more the professor went down, this time with his feet sliding
+directly under the bed, so that he became somewhat wedged in from his
+waist down. Then the goat made another leap and charged toward the door
+to the hallway.
+
+"Look out!" warned Jack, and was just in time to push Fred out of
+danger. Then the goat made a rush, and the next minute came full tilt
+into Slugger Brown, sending the bully crashing into those behind him.
+The second goat also leaped from the bed, and made for the doorway,
+hitting Martell as he passed.
+
+"Look out for the battering-ram!"
+
+"This is only a battering goat--but it's just as bad!" yelled Andy. "Go
+it, goat! Go it!" he added gleefully.
+
+Both goats did "go it." They raced through the hallway, knocking down
+cadets right and left. One younger boy, named Stowell, but who was
+always called Codfish by the others because of his unusually broad
+mouth, was attacked at the head of the stairs and sent hurtling down to
+the bottom.
+
+"Oh! oh! I'm killed! He has knocked me to pieces!" yelled Codfish.
+
+With the two goats racing around the school, the excitement increased.
+But gradually the goats were driven by the Rovers to a lower hallway,
+and then toward a side door, which Jack and Fred lost no time in
+opening.
+
+"Get them out of here as quick as you can. We don't want them to be
+captured," whispered Jack to his cousins. "We don't want old Lemon to
+know they are Mike O'Toole's animals."
+
+"Stop those goats! I don't want them to get away!" yelled Asa Lemm, from
+the upper hallway. But the goats were already outside.
+
+"Oh gee! we forgot one thing--I mean several things!" gasped Andy. "The
+goats are dressed up in old Lemon's clothes!"
+
+"Gracious! why didn't we think of that?" gasped Randy. "We can't let 'em
+run away with all that stuff!"
+
+"I'll go after them and see if I can stop them," said Jack.
+
+"Want me to go with you?" questioned Walt.
+
+"If you will, Walt. Maybe it will take two of us to manage the goats."
+And then Jack and Walt hurried off and the others returned to see what
+would happen next.
+
+Fortunately for the boys who had gone after them, the goats did not run
+very far. Jack had a few more vegetables left in his pocket, and with
+these in his hand he walked cautiously up to the animals, which had run
+down to a corner of the campus.
+
+"Hurrah! I've got one of them!" cried the Rover boy presently, as he
+caught Patrick by the horns. "Now, Walt, see if you can hold the other,
+and we'll take these things off of them."
+
+Now that they were once more in the open air, the goats appeared to be
+quite docile, and consequently the two cadets had little difficulty in
+disrobing them.
+
+"Why don't you return the goats to O'Toole while you are at it?"
+suggested Walt, after the wearing apparel had been placed in a small
+bundle.
+
+"I'd do it if I had their harness, Walt."
+
+"Want me to go back for it?"
+
+"If you will."
+
+"All right, I'll do it. And give me that bundle. I'll smuggle it into
+the school somehow and watch my chance to leave it in old Lemon's room."
+Evidently the son of Dan Baxter was as bold as his father had ever been
+before him.
+
+So it was arranged, and a minute later Walt disappeared into the school
+building. He was gone the best part of five minutes, and then came
+running across the school campus, carrying the goats' harness under his
+sweater.
+
+"Gee, but they are having a peach of a time in the school," he
+announced. "Asa Lemm is quarreling with Colonel Colby, who came over
+from his rooms. He wants to have half the school arrested on account of
+the goats and the ice."
+
+"What did you do with the bundle?"
+
+"Oh, say--that was easy! All the crowd were around old Lemon and the
+colonel discussing the matter, so I slipped behind them and threw the
+bundle in the corner of Lemon's room."
+
+The two Rovers lost no time in placing a little of the harness on the
+goats--just sufficient to drive them.
+
+"Now, you needn't go with me, Walt, unless you want to. I can get these
+goats to O'Toole's alone."
+
+"Oh, I'd just as lief keep you company," answered the other cheerfully.
+
+Urging the two goats before them, the pair made off down the hill in the
+direction of the O'Toole farm. The animals seemed to know the way home,
+and kept up a brisk pace.
+
+"Now then, we had better go a bit slow," announced Jack, when they came
+in sight of the buildings. "Maybe O'Toole has discovered the absence of
+the goats, and is on the watch for us."
+
+This warning, however, was unnecessary, for the old Irish farmer and his
+wife had retired for the night, doing this without being aware of what
+had taken place among their live stock.
+
+[Illustration: THE GOAT CAME FULL TILT INTO SLUGGER BROWN.
+
+_Page 111_]
+
+Cautiously the two cadets opened the goat stable and led the animals
+inside. Then, while Walt lit a couple of matches, Jack managed to place
+the goats where they had been before, and also put the harness away.
+
+"I don't think I'll leave that note, or the money either," he said.
+"Maybe it will be as well if O'Toole never knows that the goats were
+out. I don't think the experience did them any harm. If it did, we can
+settle with O'Toole later;" and he pocketed the note he had previously
+written, and also the money. Then the two cadets lost no time in
+hurrying back to Colby Hall.
+
+In the meantime, what Walt had said about the commotion going on at the
+school was true.
+
+"I tell you, sir, it's a perfect outrage!" bawled Asa Lemm at the top of
+his lungs. "An outrage, sir, and I demand satisfaction!"
+
+"Please do not become so excited, Professor," responded Colonel Colby.
+"We must try to get at the bottom of this matter. You say there is ice
+on the floor of your room?"
+
+"Yes, sir; a perfect pond of ice!"
+
+"Did somebody flood your floor and then freeze it?" questioned the
+master of the Hall in wonder.
+
+"I don't know how it was done. But it was done, and I nearly broke my
+neck the minute I entered the room. It was disgraceful! I never saw
+anything to equal it!" and Asa Lemm's face was fairly purple with rage.
+
+"And what about those goats?"
+
+"They were locked up in my closet and dressed up in some clothing--my
+clothing, I suppose."
+
+"Then, when they ran out of the building, they must have taken your
+clothing with them."
+
+"More than likely. Oh, it's shameful!" and the irate professor shook his
+fists in his rage.
+
+"Where are the goats now?"
+
+"I don't know, and I don't care."
+
+"One of those goats knocked me flat," growled Slugger Brown.
+
+"Yes, and he biffed me one, too," came from Nappy Martell.
+
+"Let us go and make an investigation, Professor Lemm," remarked Colonel
+Colby. "I will accompany you to your room," for they were now near the
+stairway which the goats had descended.
+
+The pair proceeded to the apartment, followed by some of the other
+teachers and nearly all of the cadets. By this time much of the ice on
+the floor had melted, forming little pools of muddy water.
+
+"We had better have this cleaned up at once," said Colonel Colby, and
+turned to one of the teachers. "Order some of the hired help up here,
+please;" and the teacher hurried off to execute the errand.
+
+While Colonel Colby was looking at the ice and the water, Asa Lemm
+chanced to glance in a corner. Then he strode forward and caught up the
+bundle Walt Baxter had flung there.
+
+"What is that?" questioned the master of the Hall. And then, as the
+professor undid the bundle, he continued: "Is that your clothing?"
+
+"I--I think it is," faltered Asa Lemm. "Yes, sir."
+
+"Did they undress the animals before they let them go?" queried the
+master of the school, and, if the truth must be told, he had all he
+could do to keep a straight face. He could not help but remember some of
+the pranks he had played himself while a cadet at Putnam Hall.
+
+"I don't know anything about this, Colonel Colby. But these are my
+things," and, catching up the bundle, Asa Lemm flung it into the
+clothing closet. He continued to storm around, demanding that some of
+the boys be punished for what had occurred. While this was going on, two
+of the hired help came up from the kitchen with pails and mops, and
+presently succeeded in cleaning up the floor. Two rugs which had been
+lying there were taken away to be dried.
+
+"I think we had better let this matter rest until morning," said
+Colonel Colby finally. "It is too late to start an investigation now. I
+wish all of you to retire at once," he commanded, to the amused cadets.
+
+"Some one is going to suffer for this," growled Asa Lemm.
+
+"I shall do what I can for you, Professor," announced the master of the
+Hall, and then he moved away, scattering the cadets before him.
+
+Most of the boys retired to their rooms smiling broadly to themselves,
+for nearly all of them had enjoyed the joke greatly.
+
+"But it isn't over yet," whispered Andy to his immediate friends. "There
+is more to come. Just watch and see!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+IN COLONEL COLBY'S OFFICE
+
+
+As soon as Jack and Walt returned to Colby Hall, they hurried up to the
+rooms occupied by the Rover boys. They found Jack's cousins present, and
+also Gif, Spouter and several others.
+
+"We had the best luck ever!" declared Jack, and related how they had
+managed to get the goats back to Mike O'Toole's stable without the Irish
+farmer being aware of what had happened.
+
+"Say, that's fine!" burst out Andy.
+
+"We want to be on the watch," remarked Randy. "Old Lemon will be going
+to bed pretty soon, and we want to find out just how comfortable he
+finds his bed," and he grinned.
+
+Word had been passed around to about a dozen of the cadets, and as soon
+as the school had quieted down and the others had retired to their
+rooms, these cadets came forth into the halls on tiptoes and made their
+way noiselessly in the direction of the apartment occupied by Asa Lemm.
+
+"He's arranging that clothing in his closet," announced Andy, after
+peering through the keyhole in the door. "He's partly undressed, so I
+guess he'll go to bed pretty soon."
+
+There was a short silence, and then the boys heard the bed creak as
+Professor Lemm got into it. An instant later came a cry of rage.
+
+"What's this? More ice, I declare! The bed is sopping wet! Oh, those
+young rascals!" for Asa Lemm had thrown himself down beneath the spread
+under which had been placed several sheets of thin ice. A large portion
+of the ice had melted, and the sheets were as wet as they were cold. As
+a consequence, his pajamas were pretty well soaked, and he shivered as
+he threw the covers back and bounced to his feet.
+
+"He's enjoying it all right enough," whispered Andy.
+
+"Hang those boys!" roared the irate teacher. "Oh, what I wouldn't do to
+them if I had them here!" He hopped around the room first on one foot
+and then on the other, shivering as he did so. As was usual, the steam
+throughout the building had been turned off some time before, so that
+the apartment was quite cold.
+
+"We had better scatter," warned Jack. "He may open the door at any
+instant and find us here."
+
+"Right you are!" answered Randy, and then, unable to resist the
+temptation, he bent down and shouted through the keyhole: "Pleasant
+dreams, Professor! I hope you enjoyed the ice-water!"
+
+Then all of the cadets fled to their rooms, and in less than five
+minutes each of them was undressed and safe in bed.
+
+If ever there was an angry man, it was Asa Lemm at that particular
+moment. He had to change all his night clothing, and then don a bathrobe
+and slippers and go down below once more and get some of the hired help
+to clean up his room and take away the wet mattress of his bed. A dry
+mattress was substituted from a vacant bedroom, but it was all of half
+an hour before this work was accomplished; and in the meantime the
+professor stormed around, threatening about everything he could imagine.
+
+"I'll have the law on them! I'll have every one of them locked up!" he
+said to Colonel Colby. "It's an outrage that I should be treated in this
+fashion."
+
+"It is certainly a most unpleasant occurrence, Professor," agreed the
+master of the Hall. "But boys will be boys--you know that as well as I
+do. I can remember when I went to school, I loved to play practical
+jokes, and they were not always kindly jokes, either. But as for having
+these boys arrested, or anything of that sort, that, I think, would be
+going too far. We can punish them enough right here--that is, provided
+we can find out who they are."
+
+"I don't believe in such jokes!"
+
+"Neither do I--now that I have grown older. But I did believe in them
+when I was a boy."
+
+"The trouble with this school is, the discipline is not strict enough,"
+snapped Asa Lemm. "If we are not more strict, the cadets will degenerate
+into nothing but rowdies and hoodlums."
+
+"I think I am the best judge of how discipline should be maintained in
+this institution," responded Colonel Colby, with dignity. "I will take
+this matter up in the morning and do my best to sift it to the bottom.
+Now I think we had better retire, as it is growing late," and thereupon
+he returned to his own rooms.
+
+"I think that was the best joke we ever played," remarked Andy, when he
+and the other Rovers were dressing on the following morning.
+
+"It sure did count one against old Lemon," chuckled Randy.
+
+"Yes. And to think the way Slugger and Nappy were knocked over by the
+goats too!" broke in Fred.
+
+"I'll bet they're mad over that," observed Jack. "More than likely, it
+will make them take a hand in assisting Lemm to find out who was
+guilty. We'll have to be on our guard against them."
+
+"Did anybody see you making off with the goats?" queried Randy suddenly.
+
+"I don't think so," answered Jack. But in this surmise he was mistaken;
+one cadet had seen Walt Baxter hurrying from the school with goats'
+harness under his sweater, and this youth had, from a safe distance,
+watched Jack and Walt place some of the harness on the goats and drive
+them off in the direction of Mike O'Toole's farm.
+
+This cadet was Codfish, who was always sneaking around, trying to pick
+up information that did not rightly belong to him.
+
+"Ha, ha!" said the little sneak to himself, after Walt and Jack had
+disappeared. "Now I know who was responsible for bringing those goats
+into the school."
+
+At first the sneak thought he would report the matter to either Asa Lemm
+or Colonel Colby, but as he was not in particularly good favor with the
+professor on whom the joke had been played, he thought it might be as
+well for him to wait and think the matter over.
+
+"Maybe I had better tell Slugger and Nappy first and see what they've
+got to say about it," he reasoned. He went to the bully and his crony
+with everything.
+
+He dressed early, and then went over to Nappy's room, where he found the
+cronies together, just as he had surmised. They were talking over the
+affair of the night before and wondering who could be guilty.
+
+"I've got some news," announced Codfish.
+
+"What news?" demanded Nappy.
+
+"It's very important," went on the little cadet. "If I tell you will you
+promise not to give me away?"
+
+"Is it about last night's affair, Cod?" demanded Slugger quickly.
+
+"Now look here, Slugger! You promised not to call me Cod any more,"
+pleaded the sneak.
+
+"All right, Henry. That was merely a slip of the tongue," returned the
+bully good-naturedly. He knew exactly how to handle such a fellow as
+Stowell. "Now tell us what you've got on your mind."
+
+"Will you promise not to give me away?"
+
+"Sure!" came from both of the others promptly.
+
+"Well then, I know who brought those two goats into the school last
+night," announced Codfish proudly; and thereupon, being urged to do so
+by the others, he told of what he had seen.
+
+"I knew the Rovers were mixed up in that!" cried Slugger.
+
+"And I've noticed that Walt Baxter has been training with them. More
+than likely it was the work of the whole Rover crowd," announced Nappy.
+
+"Don't you think we ought to let Colonel Colby know about this?"
+questioned Codfish anxiously. It was his delight to get other cadets
+into trouble and see them suffer, but he always wanted to keep his own
+actions dark for fear his schoolmates might turn on him and start in to
+"square up."
+
+"Of course we ought to let Colonel Colby know about this--and Professor
+Lemm too," answered Nappy. "The question is, how can we do it without
+getting mixed up in it ourselves?"
+
+"We might send a note to Colonel Colby," suggested the sneak.
+
+The matter was talked over for several minutes, and then it was decided
+that two notes should be written and one delivered to Colonel Colby and
+the other to Asa Lemm.
+
+"Who is going to write the notes?" questioned Codfish.
+
+"You can do that, Henry," said the bully quickly. He had not forgotten
+how the anonymous letter he had once sent out had been traced back to
+him, in spite of the disguised handwriting.
+
+"Oh, I couldn't do that!" answered Stowell in alarm. And he shook his
+head vigorously.
+
+"Yes, you can!" broke in Nappy. And thereupon, somewhat against his
+will, Codfish penned the two notes in as much of a disguised hand as was
+possible for him.
+
+"But I'm not going to deliver the notes," he warned feebly. "You two
+have got to do that much."
+
+"All right, we will," answered Slugger. He turned to his crony. "You
+slip one of them under Professor Lemm's door, and I'll place the other
+on Colonel Colby's desk."
+
+"All right, but be careful."
+
+"Bet your life!"
+
+Asa Lemm was just finishing his morning toilet and grumbling over the
+happenings of the night, when he chanced to glance toward the door of
+his room, and at that moment saw a letter thrust under it. He stared for
+an instant in amazement, and then rushed forward and threw the door wide
+open. But his movement, quick as it was, came too late, for Nappy
+Martell had already slipped around a corner and made his escape. Taking
+up the letter, the professor read the contents with great interest. The
+communication ran as follows:
+
+     "DEAR PROFESSOR LEMM:
+
+     "If you want to know more about the trouble last night, ask John
+     Rover and Walter Baxter. They had the two billy goats. I think you
+     will find that all of the Rovers and the boys who go with them were
+     in this joke.
+
+     "Yours respectfully,
+
+     _"One Who Knows."_
+
+"So that's who is guilty!" muttered the teacher, after reading the
+letter a second time. "The Rovers, eh? I might have known it because of
+the trouble I have had with them in the classroom. And I remember now
+that I have also had trouble with that Baxter boy. I must see Colonel
+Colby about this at once."
+
+The professor hurried downstairs, and found that Colonel Colby had
+entered his office but a few minutes before, and was perusing the
+communication left there secretly by Slugger Brown.
+
+"I have found out who was guilty last night," snapped Asa Lemm, as he
+flourished the letter in his hand.
+
+"Did you receive an anonymous communication?" demanded the master of the
+Hall.
+
+"I did, sir. But what makes you ask that question?"
+
+"I have such a communication myself," and Colonel Colby indicated the
+epistle.
+
+"We must punish those rascals, sir!"
+
+"First I want to find out if there is any truth in these letters,"
+answered Colonel Colby. "Very frequently anonymous communications cannot
+be relied upon."
+
+"Oh, I haven't the least doubt but what Rover and Baxter are guilty!"
+exclaimed Asa Lemm quickly. "I've had trouble in the classroom with
+them, and also with the other Rovers. I should not be surprised if the
+whole crowd had something to do with it."
+
+"I will send for Rover and Baxter."
+
+It must be confessed that Jack was somewhat surprised when one of the
+assistants came to him and told him he was wanted immediately in the
+office.
+
+"Gee! this looks bad!" cried Randy.
+
+"Want any of us to go with you?" questioned Fred quickly.
+
+"No; I can face the music alone," answered the oldest Rover boy.
+
+He arrived at the office just as another assistant was bringing in Walt
+Baxter. The two exchanged glances, but said nothing. But the glance
+given Walt meant, "Keep mum," and the other understood and nodded
+slightly.
+
+"So here you are, eh?" cried Asa Lemm, before Colonel Colby had a chance
+to say a word. "I thought I'd catch you!"
+
+"Excuse me, Professor Lemm, but I wish you would allow me to conduct
+this examination," put in Colonel Colby a trifle stiffly. If the truth
+must be told, the overbearing manner of the teacher was not any more to
+the liking of the master of the Hall than it was to the cadets. Yet, Asa
+Lemm had come well recommended, and Colonel Colby did not wish to pass
+hasty judgment on him.
+
+"Yes, sir," returned the professor. "But please remember I have suffered
+greatly, and I demand satisfaction."
+
+"I have sent for you cadets in order to clear up the affair that
+happened last night," began Colonel Colby, ignoring Asa Lemm's last
+remark. "I have been given to understand that you were the two to bring
+those goats into the Hall. Am I right?"
+
+"I did not bring the goats into the Hall," returned Walt Baxter
+promptly. "Just the same, I guess I'm as guilty as anybody," he added
+quickly, not wishing to shirk responsibility.
+
+"I was one of the cadets who brought the goats into the Hall, Colonel
+Colby," answered Jack promptly.
+
+"Baxter did not assist in bringing them into the Hall?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"But you were not alone, Rover?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Who was with you in this escapade?"
+
+"I prefer not to answer that question, Colonel Colby."
+
+"Make him answer! Make him answer!" stormed Asa Lemm. "You young rascal!
+I'll teach you to play tricks on me!" and he shook his fist in Jack's
+face.
+
+"Professor Lemm, I'll thank you to be less violent," interrupted Colonel
+Colby. "This examination must be held in an orderly fashion. You say you
+were not alone, Rover. Will you tell me how many were mixed up in this
+affair?"
+
+Jack thought for a moment. "Do you mean the whole happening in Professor
+Lemm's room?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Oh, there were eight or ten of us--maybe more. Of course, some had more
+to do with it than others," responded Jack.
+
+"Eight or ten of you!" gasped Asa Lemm. "As many as that?" And his face
+showed his surprise. He had imagined that possibly only the Rover boys
+and Walt Baxter were guilty.
+
+"Are you quite sure you don't want to mention any names, Rover?" asked
+Colonel Colby again.
+
+"No, Colonel. And if you were in my position, I do not think you would
+want to mention any of them either," added Jack, looking the master of
+the Hall squarely in the eyes.
+
+"We won't discuss that side of the question." Colonel Colby turned to
+Walt Baxter. "How about you? Do you care to say who was mixed up in this
+affair?"
+
+"No, sir," was the prompt response.
+
+"Make them tell! Make them tell!" exclaimed Asa Lemm. "Punish them
+severely! Put them in the guardhouse on bread and water until they are
+willing to divulge the names of all the rascals who were mixed up in
+these outrageous proceedings."
+
+"I am not going to make them tell if they won't do it on their own
+account," was Colonel Colby's answer. As a cadet at Putnam Hall, he had
+never had any use for a tale bearer.
+
+"Then I'll take the law in my own hands!" cried Asa Lemm vindictively.
+"I'll go down to Haven Point and make a complaint and have them both
+arrested!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+ASA LEMM IS DISMISSED
+
+
+While the examination of Jack and Walt was taking place in the office,
+the other Rovers and their chums held a meeting in Randy's room.
+
+"What do you suppose this means--calling Jack and Walt down to the
+colonel's office?" remarked Fred anxiously. He had just been informed by
+Dan Soppinger about Walt.
+
+"It was Jack and Walt who took those goats back. Maybe somebody spotted
+them," suggested Spouter.
+
+The discussion lasted for some minutes and grew quite warm, and then
+Andy leaped up.
+
+"I know what I'm going to do!" he said. "I'm going below and try to find
+out just what it means."
+
+"And so am I," added Fred and Randy quickly.
+
+"We'll all stand by him," announced Spouter. "Of course, you fellows
+brought the goats here, but I think we had as much to do with the rest
+of it as any of you."
+
+Andy hurried off, and lost no time in making his way to the door of
+Colonel Colby's private office. The door had been left slightly ajar, so
+it was an easy matter for him to take in most of what was said.
+
+"Gracious! this certainly is growing serious," he murmured to himself,
+when Asa Lemm made the declaration that he would go down to Haven Point
+and have Jack and Walt arrested. "I guess I had better let the others
+know about it," and he scurried upstairs again.
+
+"Oh, Andy! do you suppose old Lemon will really have them locked up?"
+questioned Fred anxiously, after being told of what was taking place
+below.
+
+"I don't think he would dare to do it," announced Spouter.
+
+"I move we all go down and take a hand in this!" cried Gif. "There is no
+fairness in letting Jack and Walt suffer for what we did."
+
+Several other cadets had drifted in, those who had either been on the
+watch while the joke was being prepared or who had assisted in placing
+the sheets of ice on the floor and in the bed, and all agreed that the
+crowd had better stand together when it came to acknowledging what had
+been done.
+
+"Forward march!" cried Gif, who, as a leader in athletics, took it upon
+himself to manage the affair. "Come on now--and no shirking!"
+
+Braced up by numbers, all of the cadets fell in readily with this plan,
+and as a consequence there were ten boys led by Gif and the Rovers who
+marched down to the office.
+
+"We'll enter by column of twos," announced Gif. "March in in regular
+military fashion," he added, and then knocked upon the office door.
+
+Colonel Colby was doing what he could to question Jack and Walt on one
+hand, while trying to make Asa Lemm keep quiet on the other, when the
+others arrived. The master of the Hall was having no easy time of it,
+because Professor Lemm seemed to be growing more and more excited.
+
+"I'll have the law on them, I tell you!" he cried. "They ought to go to
+state's prison for this!"
+
+"Please be quiet just a minute, Professor," remonstrated Colonel Colby.
+Then came the knock on the door, and the colonel flung it open, not at
+all pleased over the interruption.
+
+"Wha--what does this mean?" gasped Asa Lemm, as he saw the double row of
+cadets filing in.
+
+"Colonel Colby, we have come to report," announced Gif, saluting.
+
+"Please allow me to be the spokesman, Gif," pleaded Randy, stepping to
+the front. And then, before his school chum could speak, he continued:
+"Colonel Colby, we have come to give ourselves up."
+
+"Give yourselves up! What do you mean, Rover?"
+
+"We were all in this lark together, sir."
+
+"And if there is to be any punishment we want to stand for our share of
+it," added Andy.
+
+"I think we Rover boys were more to blame than the others," put in Fred.
+
+"You see, Professor Lemm is down on us, and we thought we had to do
+something to get square," Andy endeavored to explain.
+
+"He doesn't treat us fairly in the classroom!" cried Spouter.
+
+"If he wasn't here we'd get along without any trouble whatever," piped
+up a voice in the rear.
+
+It must be confessed that the sudden entrance of the ten cadets, and
+what they had to say concerning the joke that had been played, somewhat
+stumped the master of the Hall. As for Asa Lemm, for the moment he was
+dumbfounded; but then his natural antipathy to boys asserted itself, and
+he glared at them viciously.
+
+"So you were all in it, eh?" he snarled. "I might have known as much.
+You are all a pack of rowdies! You are not fit to associate with
+respectable people!"
+
+"Professor Lemm, I do not wish you to address our cadets in such a
+manner," said Colonel Colby sternly. "These young gentlemen are not
+rowdies, even though they have played a joke which was not particularly
+nice. I do not uphold them in the least in what they have done, but, at
+the same time, I cannot help but remember that they are only boys, and
+that boys are sometimes very thoughtless."
+
+"Thoughtless! They think too much! I tell you, sir, they are a pack of
+rowdies, and unless you punish them, and punish them severely, I shall
+take the matter in my own hands and have them arrested."
+
+"If you do anything of that sort, Professor Lemm, we will have to
+dispense with your services in this school," announced Colonel Colby
+flatly. He was growing weary of the irate teacher's manner.
+
+A strenuous half hour followed, everybody present forgetting all about
+roll call and breakfast. Colonel Colby did what he could in questioning
+all of the cadets regarding the occurrences of the night before, but was
+continually interrupted by the unreasonable teacher. Finally he could
+stand it no longer, and turned to the professor with all the dignity he
+could command.
+
+"Professor Lemm, I have stood enough," he said in a cold, hard voice,
+which instantly commanded attention. "I want no more such language from
+you. You may go to your breakfast, and I will conduct this examination
+alone, and will see you about it before we begin the day's session in
+the school. And, in the meantime, allow me to impress upon you that it
+is all nonsense to talk about having any of these boys arrested. They
+have done nothing that warrants arrest, and if you attempt anything of
+that sort, you will not only make yourself ridiculous, but you might
+place yourself open to a suit for damages. Now, please leave this
+office."
+
+"I'll see about this! I'll see about this!" snapped the unreasonable
+teacher, and left the office in anything but a dignified fashion.
+
+As soon as Professor Lemm had gone, the master of the Hall questioned
+the boys closely concerning, not only the affair of the night before,
+but also about the troubles they had had with the teacher, both in the
+classroom and elsewhere. This was the first time the boys had had a
+chance to "get one in on old Lemon," as Andy afterwards declared, and
+they did not mince matters in telling of the many trials and
+tribulations which Asa Lemm had caused them. It is barely possible that
+some of the complaints were overdrawn, yet there was such a unanimity of
+opinion concerning Professor Lemm's harshness that Colonel Colby was
+quite impressed.
+
+"Now I want to ask you boys a question, and I want you to answer it
+honestly," said Colonel Colby toward the close of the examination.
+"Would you have played such a trick as this upon any of the other
+professors?"
+
+"I wouldn't," answered Randy quickly.
+
+"Nor I," came from Fred and Andy.
+
+"I'd never dream of playing such a trick on anybody but a man like
+Professor Lemm," announced Jack. The others also agreed that it was not
+likely any such joke would have been played on anybody else in the Hall.
+
+"Then, evidently, none of you likes Professor Lemm," said Colonel Colby
+slowly.
+
+To this there was no reply, but the look on the faces of the various
+cadets showed the master of the Hall that he had struck the truth.
+
+"Now I'm going to ask you boys another question," he went on, after a
+pause, and there was a faint smile on his face when he spoke. "Don't you
+think you ought to be punished for what you have done?"
+
+For a moment there was another silence. Then Jack spoke up.
+
+"In one way, yes, sir; but in another, no," he replied. "Professor Lemm
+treated us very unjustly in the classroom in making us stay in and
+making us do extra lessons, and we didn't know of any other way to get
+square with him."
+
+"Looks to me as if we got our punishment before we played the joke,"
+said Andy, and this reply made some of the cadets grin.
+
+Colonel Colby looked out of the window, which faced the snow-covered
+campus. Although the boys did not know it, he hardly knew what to say or
+do. He realized that he could not pass over the occurrence without
+punishing the lads, and yet he could see their point of view--that Asa
+Lemm had been the first at fault in not treating them fairly during
+classes.
+
+"Order has got to be maintained in this school," he said finally, as he
+faced them. "If we did not have order, the whole institution would go to
+pieces. That is my first point. My second is that two Wrongs have never
+yet made a Right, and instead of taking matters into your own hands, as
+you did, after having trouble with Professor Lemm, you should have come
+to me and told me what was wrong.
+
+"I shall take this matter up later, after I have had an opportunity to
+make further inquiries concerning your conduct. In the meantime, you
+may go to breakfast, and then to your classes;" and thus he dismissed
+them.
+
+Of course, as soon as the boys were by themselves, they began to discuss
+the situation from every possible angle. Several wanted to know how it
+was that the master of the Hall had learned that Jack and Walt were
+guilty.
+
+"Somebody sent Colonel Colby a note about us. I saw it on his desk,"
+answered Jack.
+
+"Yes, and Asa Lemm had another note just like it," added Walt. "Some
+sneak in this school must have watched us, and then sent the notes."
+
+Much to the cadets' relief, they did not see Asa Lemm in the messroom.
+Nor did the language teacher show himself during the morning session.
+
+"Perhaps he's having another talk with Colonel Colby," suggested Fred.
+
+The youngest Rover was right. The unreasonable teacher was closeted with
+the master of the Hall for over an hour, and during that time much of
+what had been told by the cadets was threshed over. Asa Lemm was as
+unreasonable as ever, and finally Colonel Colby lost all patience with
+him.
+
+"I am afraid, Professor Lemm, that you are not suited to be a teacher in
+this institution," he said. "Your actions here show that you are very
+irritable and unreasonable. After you left this office, I questioned all
+of those cadets closely, and all had practically the same story to tell;
+namely, that you had required more than was fair of them in your
+classes, and that, on the slightest pretext, you had punished them by
+making them stay in and do extra lessons. I went into many of the
+details, and I am convinced that in a good proportion of the cases the
+students were right and you were wrong. Now, I regret this very much,
+because I realize that----"
+
+"Sir, I don't want to be talked to in this fashion!" cried Asa Lemm,
+bridling up. "I was not in the wrong at all. Those boys are regular
+imps! They don't know how to treat a teacher decently! I won't stand for
+their nonsense! I want them severely punished, or else----"
+
+"Wait a moment, Professor Lemm," interrupted the colonel, rising and
+facing him sternly. "I said I was sorry, and I am; but I feel that you
+are not the man to teach in this institution, and consequently I must
+ask you for your resignation. I will pay you your salary up to the first
+of next month, and you can leave this school just as soon as you
+desire."
+
+"Wha--what? This! to me?" ejaculated the professor in consternation.
+
+"Yes, sir. You can draw your pay, and, if you wish, you can leave this
+morning."
+
+"But--but--this is outrageous! I won't stand it! I was hired for the
+school year!"
+
+"You were--on condition that your services were entirely satisfactory to
+me. They are not satisfactory, and consequently I am giving you this
+opportunity to resign."
+
+"If I have to leave, I'll have those boys arrested!" stormed Asa Lemm.
+
+"I don't think I'd be so foolish, if I were in your place, Professor.
+What they did was nothing but a foolish schoolboy joke, and they did
+that simply to get square with you for your unreasonable conduct toward
+them. I think the best you can do is to drop the matter. If you insist
+on dragging this affair before the public, perhaps the boys, and I,
+myself, will have something to say that you will not care to hear."
+
+"We'll see--we'll see!" cried Asa Lemm, shaking his head and with his
+eyes blazing wrathfully. "We'll see about this!" and thus speaking, he
+stamped away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+OVERHEARING A PLOT
+
+
+"Professor Lemm has left Colby Hall!"
+
+"What do you mean, Jack? Left the Hall for good?"
+
+"Yes, Randy."
+
+"Who told you that?" questioned Fred eagerly.
+
+"I just got it from Professor Brice. He said that old Lemon resigned,
+took his pay, and left yesterday afternoon while we were in classes."
+
+"Hurrah! that's the best news I've heard in a year of Sundays!" cried
+Andy. "Gone for good! Just think of it!" and, in high spirits, he began
+to do a jig, and ended with a handspring across the room, landing with a
+violent thump on the bed.
+
+"Hi, you, Andy!" remonstrated Jack. "Just because you are happy is no
+reason you should bust up my sleeping place."
+
+"Wow! I feel fine enough to do almost anything," returned the fun-loving
+Rover. "Just to think of it! We won't be worried by Asa Lemm any more!"
+
+"Don't you be too sure of that," went on his cousin. "Asa Lemm is gone,
+it is true; but we may hear from him, nevertheless. When he went away he
+was an angry as ever, so Professor Brice said."
+
+As was usual, the Rovers had congregated in their rooms, along with
+several of their chums. Outside it was snowing once again, the soft
+particles whirling in all directions and clinging fast to the window
+panes. It was the off hour of the afternoon, but none of the lads had
+cared to go outside, or even visit the school library.
+
+The news that Asa Lemm had left the Hall was true. Following his heated
+interview with Colonel Colby, he had written out his resignation,
+accepted his pay for the month, packed his baggage, and left the school,
+never to return. Only several of the teachers and the man who had driven
+him away had seen him go; and this was as Colonel Colby wished it, for
+he was afraid that if the cadets were present at the disliked teacher's
+departure, they would make some sort of demonstration against him.
+
+Strange as it may seem, Colonel Colby had said nothing further about
+punishing the cadets. Evidently he had taken their word for it that
+they would not have played the trick on any other teacher in the
+school, and possibly he remembered what Andy had said to the effect that
+the boys had been punished beforehand for what had been done. A few of
+the lads were afraid that the matter might be taken up later, but the
+majority had reached the conclusion that they would hear no more
+concerning it.
+
+"It's too bad it's snowing," said Jack, after he and the others had
+tired of speaking about the departed teacher. "I had an idea we would be
+able to get in some fine skating before we left for the Christmas
+holidays."
+
+The Rover boys had not forgotten the fact that both Asa Lemm and Colonel
+Colby had received notes concerning the joke that had been played. They
+remembered well how Slugger Brown, as related in a previous volume, had
+sent an anonymous communication to Elias Lacy, accusing them of having
+shot the old farmer's cows.
+
+"If Slugger was mean enough to send that letter, he'd be mean enough to
+send these notes," was the way Jack put it.
+
+"I wish we could see one or both of the letters," remarked Randy. "We
+could very quickly tell if they were in Slugger's handwriting, or
+Nappy's either."
+
+"Oh, you can bet they'd disguise their handwriting as much as possible,"
+said Fred.
+
+The snow continued the next day, and it was so windy and unpleasant
+outdoors that the battalion had to dispense with its outdoor parade and
+spend that time in a drill in the gymnasium. After this was over the
+Rovers and some of their chums amused themselves on the bars, swinging
+rings, and with the exercising machines the gymnasium afforded.
+
+The boys were doing all sorts of stunts, when suddenly Fred called Randy
+to one side.
+
+"Come on with me," he said in a low voice. "I think I've discovered
+something."
+
+His manner showed that he had something unusual on his mind, and Randy
+lost no time in doing as was bidden. The two cousins hurried to a corner
+of the gymnasium, and then Fred led the way up a narrow stairway, which
+opened up on the second floor of the building, a place which was heated,
+but seldom used by the majority of the cadets. It was used more as a
+storeroom, and contained a lot of disused gymnasium paraphernalia and
+boxes and barrels.
+
+"What's going on up here?" questioned Randy, when his cousin placed a
+hand over his mouth.
+
+"I just saw Slugger and Nappy come up here with Codfish," whispered
+Fred. "And those three wouldn't come to such an out-of-the-way place if
+there wasn't something in the wind."
+
+"You're right there, Fred," was the equally low reply. "When those three
+get together on the sly there is generally something brewing."
+
+Before emerging on the second floor of the gymnasium, they looked around
+cautiously. At the far end, near a steam radiator, they saw Slugger and
+Nappy seated on a couple of boxes, while Codfish rested on the top of an
+old nail keg. The two older boys were puffing away at cigarettes,
+something that was against the school rules.
+
+"Might as well have a cigarette, Henry," Slugger was saying
+good-naturedly, and, at the same time, holding out a box.
+
+"I--I don't think I will," answered Codfish.
+
+"Oh, go ahead. It will make a man of you," put in Nappy; and, somewhat
+against his will, the small cadet took a cigarette and lit it.
+
+While this was going on, Fred and Randy had managed to step from the top
+of the stairs to where a number of boxes were piled up. They moved along
+cautiously, and soon got to within a few feet of where the other three
+cadets were seated, without being noticed.
+
+"Now, then, let's come to business!" remarked Slugger, after puffing
+away at a cigarette for a moment. He blew a cloud of smoke to the
+ceiling. "I think now is a dandy time to get square with those Rovers."
+
+"But you want to be careful--they are awful sly," said Codfish.
+
+"I think you are mistaken, Henry. They didn't find out about those
+notes," and the bully chuckled.
+
+"Just the same, Slug, I think we ought to take Cod's advice and be
+careful," broke in Nappy, lighting a fresh cigarette. "I have a hunch
+that the Rovers are watching us like a cat watches mice."
+
+"Maybe they are. But I guess we know how to fool them," went on the
+bully swaggeringly. "And now is just our chance to get them into a
+hole."
+
+"Explain, please."
+
+"It's just like this, Nappy. Of course, they haven't admitted it, but
+you know just as well as I do that Colonel Colby must have punished them
+pretty severely for the trick they played on Lemm. What he did to them,
+we don't know, but probably he has given 'em some extra lessons to do,
+and maybe he's punished 'em in other ways."
+
+"Oh, sure! he must have punished them somehow."
+
+"I haven't seen any of them going down to town since it happened," put
+in Codfish. "Maybe Colonel Colby made them promise to stay within
+bounds."
+
+"Perhaps. Well, as I was saying, being punished, they, of course, are
+pretty sore on the colonel. Now then, if we can only play some dirty
+trick on Colonel Colby and make it appear as if the Rovers and their
+crowd did it, they'll sure get into hot water over it."
+
+"I'm willing to do anything to square up with those fellows," grumbled
+Nappy. He paused for a moment to puff away at his cigarette. "What do
+you propose doing?"
+
+"That, of course, is something we'll have to figure out. We'll want to
+be careful, so as not to get our own fingers burnt."
+
+"I'll tell you what you might do!" broke in Codfish eagerly. "You might
+drop ashes all over Colonel Colby's office and his bedroom, and then
+leave some of the ashes in a box in the Rovers' rooms, and somebody
+might say something about having seen Jack Rover getting the ashes from
+the boiler-room."
+
+"That's good as far as it goes, Henry, but it isn't quite strong
+enough," returned Slugger. "We ought to do something that will make
+Colonel Colby hopping mad."
+
+"I'll tell you what let's do!" broke out Nappy. "We'll use the ashes,
+and we'll use some other things too. I was down past the kitchen a while
+ago, and I heard one of the cooks complaining about some of the canned
+tomatoes which were all spoiled and he was going to throw out. Now,
+suppose we use some of those spoiled tomatoes with the ashes, and maybe
+a quart or two of ink. How about it?"
+
+"Great!" exclaimed Slugger. "Ashes, ink and decayed tomatoes will make
+one fine combination, believe me!"
+
+"Oh, you want to be very careful," remarked Codfish, his voice shaking a
+little. "The ink will be sure to spoil some things, not to mention the
+bad tomatoes."
+
+"Well, we want to spoil something," returned Slugger. "We want to get
+Colonel Colby real mad. Maybe then he'll send the Rovers home."
+
+"How soon do you suppose we can play this joke?" questioned Nappy, while
+Slugger lit a fresh cigarette.
+
+"Perhaps we can play it very soon. We'll have to watch our chance," was
+the answer. Slugger held out his box of cigarettes to Codfish. "Here,
+Henry, have another."
+
+"N-n-no, th-thank you," stammered the sneak. "I--I do--don't care to
+smoke any more. It--it makes my head dizzy."
+
+"Oh, you'll soon get over that. Come on, be a real man and smoke up!"
+urged Slugger; and much against his will poor Codfish lit a second
+cigarette, he having dropped the other behind the nail keg.
+
+This talk was followed by an animated discussion between Slugger and
+Nappy as to just how the proposed trick might be played. Codfish said
+but little. He was growing pale, and at the first chance threw away the
+second cigarette.
+
+Of course Fred and Randy had listened to every word that was said.
+Ordinarily, the Rovers did not favor playing the part of eavesdroppers,
+but just now they thought they were amply justified in listening to
+everything that their enemies might have to say.
+
+"They are a fine bunch if ever there was one!" whispered Randy.
+
+"Come on away; I guess we've heard enough," answered his cousin. "The
+best thing we can do is to report to Jack and Andy, and then make up our
+minds what we are going to do next."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+AN ALARM OF FIRE
+
+
+With great care, so as not to make any noise, the two Rover boys tiptoed
+their way back behind the boxes and barrels until they reached the
+narrow stairway.
+
+"Come on! But don't make a bit of noise," said Randy quickly, and went
+down the stairs as rapidly as possible, with Fred at his heels. Reaching
+the lower floor of the gymnasium, they shut the door, and then lost no
+time in mixing with the other Rovers and their chums at the far end of
+the building.
+
+"Where have you fellows been?" questioned Jack, who had suddenly noticed
+their absence.
+
+"I'll tell you later," said Fred.
+
+"Now, don't say a word more about our being away--especially if Slugger
+and Nappy and Codfish come this way. Act just as if we had been here
+right along."
+
+"I get you, Randy," said Jack; and a minute later, as the others who had
+been mentioned came into sight, he continued in a loud voice: "Go
+ahead, Randy, it's your turn. Have you been asleep?"
+
+"No; I'm not asleep," answered Randy, and caught a ball which was being
+pitched around.
+
+Fred began to practise on an exercising machine, and acted as if he had
+been at it for some time.
+
+Soon Slugger, Nappy and Codfish came down and passed the crowd, eyeing
+all of them closely. Then Slugger winked to the others, and the three
+made their way slowly from the gymnasium building.
+
+"Now then, I'll tell you fellows something," announced Fred; and
+thereupon he and his cousin related to the others what they had
+overheard in the upper room of the building.
+
+"So that's their game, is it?" cried Jack wrathfully. "That's the way
+they are going to pay us back for agreeing to give them another chance
+at this school!"
+
+"You ought to tell Colonel Colby about this at once," put in Spouter,
+who had listened to what was being said. "Then he can have those rascals
+watched."
+
+"I don't like the idea of going to Colonel Colby," Jack answered. "I
+feel more like taking the matter in my own hands."
+
+"Don't you do it, Jack," advised Gif. "Your idea would be all well
+enough if they were ordinary cadets. But they are not. They should have
+been dismissed from this school long ago. If I were you, I wouldn't
+dirty my hands on them. Report the matter to the colonel, and let him
+take charge of it."
+
+"What is this you are saying, Garrison?" demanded a voice from close
+behind the cadets, and Professor Brice appeared in the doorway of the
+washroom of the gymnasium. "What is this you just said about Brown and
+Martell?"
+
+"I said they were not fit to be cadets in this institution," answered
+Gif flatly.
+
+"From what you young gentlemen have been saying, I should judge that you
+know something concerning Brown and Martell," went on the young teacher,
+with a glance around the crowd.
+
+"We do know something," answered Walt, after a somewhat painful silence.
+"That is, two of the crowd here know. We have been urging them to speak
+to Colonel Colby about it."
+
+"Who are the two, and what do you know?"
+
+Again there was a silence, and then Spouter came to the front.
+
+"Professor Brice, I'd like to ask a question," he said. "Two of the
+cadets here overheard a talk between Brown, Martell and Stowell. Those
+three proposed to play a most outrageous trick on Colonel Colby, and
+then make it appear as if that trick had been played by some other
+cadets. In fact, they were going to make all the evidence point to those
+other cadets. Now, do you think those cadets ought to defend themselves
+by telling Colonel Colby all they know? They feel that they don't want
+to be tale bearers."
+
+"If the trick was to be played solely to injure their reputation, they
+certainly ought to expose it," was the teacher's quick response. "It is
+one thing to tell on another person just for the sake of telling, and it
+is quite a different thing to defend one's own reputation."
+
+Following this there was quite a discussion, but in the end Professor
+Brice convinced the Rovers that they had better tell the particulars of
+what they had overheard. He listened to their story with close
+attention.
+
+"This is certainly worthy of an investigation," he said, after they had
+finished. "I'll tell Colonel Colby about it, and maybe he will send for
+you. If he does so, kindly take my advice and see to it that when you
+come to the colonel's office you are not watched by Brown, Martell and
+Stowell, or that may spoil everything. I think that the colonel will
+agree with me that the thing to do is to catch those fellows
+red-handed."
+
+"All right, Professor, we'll leave everything in your hands," answered
+Fred. Even yet he did not feel just right over what had been done. He
+still felt that he and his cousins should have settled affairs privately
+with Slugger Brown and his cronies, even if it had been a matter of fist
+fights.
+
+The young professor lost no time in going to Colonel Colby. He found the
+master of the Hall in his study looking over the questions which were to
+be used in the coming examination.
+
+"I am sorry to report more trouble, sir," he announced, and, sitting
+down, he gave Colonel Colby a rapid sketch of what had taken place at
+the gymnasium.
+
+"Too bad! too bad!" and the master of the Hall showed his
+disappointment. He heaved a sigh. "It looks to me, Brice, as if I had
+made a mistake in giving Brown and Martell another chance."
+
+"Just what I was thinking, sir," returned the young teacher.
+
+"You say the Rovers did not wish to report the matter?"
+
+"That's it, sir. I had to fairly drag the story but of them. They did
+not want to have the reputation of tale bearers."
+
+"I think I understand their view of it, Brice. At the same time, this is
+too serious a matter to allow them to settle it between themselves. I
+think the best thing we can do is to have those three cadets watched
+closely, to see if they really intend to carry out their nefarious
+plot."
+
+"Exactly what I was thinking, Colonel Colby."
+
+"First, however, you may send Randy Rover and his Cousin Fred to me. I
+want to question them, so as to make sure of my ground."
+
+Expecting this call, Randy and Fred kept themselves in readiness, and as
+soon as Professor Brice came for them they hurried off to the office,
+taking care that none of their enemies should see them. Slugger, Nappy
+and Codfish, however, were out of sight, having gone upstairs to their
+rooms.
+
+"Now, I want you to tell me exactly what was said," announced Colonel
+Colby, as soon as the two cadets appeared.
+
+They had their story well in mind, and it did not take long to give the
+master of the Hall all of the details. In the midst of the conversation,
+Fred let drop accidentally that the three unworthy cadets had been
+smoking.
+
+"They were smoking?" interrupted the colonel.
+
+"Yes, sir. But--I--I--didn't mean to mention that," stammered Fred.
+
+"What were they smoking, Rover?"
+
+"Cigarettes."
+
+"All of them?"
+
+"Yes, sir. Although, to tell the truth, Codfish--I mean Stowell--didn't
+seem to want to smoke, but Slugger--that is, Brown--urged him, so that
+he didn't know how to get out of it. I guess the cigarette made him
+sick."
+
+"I see." Colonel Colby nodded his head slowly. "Now go on;" and then the
+story of what had been overheard in the upper room of the gymnasium was
+finished.
+
+"It's an outrage! an outrage! if what you say is true; and I have no
+reason to doubt your word," went on the master of the Hall, after the
+cadets had finished. "I am sorry now that I gave Brown and Martell this
+chance to return to our school."
+
+To this neither of the Rovers made any reply. For an instant both of
+them thought of the trick they had played on Asa Lemm. Colonel Colby
+seemed to follow their thought.
+
+"Your trick and this thing are two entirely different affairs,"
+continued the colonel. "In the one case, you, in your boyish fashion,
+tried to square up for the way you had been mistreated. In this case,
+however, these cadets are trying to get you into trouble, and if this
+trick had succeeded, it is just possible that I might have been angry
+enough to send you and the rest of your family home."
+
+"Well, don't send Brown and Martell home on our account," announced
+Randy. "We are not afraid of them."
+
+"That may be, Rover. But I cannot have such underhand work at this
+school. Now I want you cadets to do me a favor. I want you to act
+exactly as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. I want you to
+tell all of the others to keep quiet about this. I want to set a trap,
+and if possible catch those rascals in the midst of their work. Do you
+understand?"
+
+"Yes, sir," came from both of the cadets.
+
+"Then that is all."
+
+Allowed to leave the office, Randy and Fred lost no time in hunting up
+the others, who had gone upstairs to the Rover boys' rooms. On the way,
+they met Walt, Spouter and Gif, and told these cadets to come along.
+Then they closed the door to the hallway.
+
+"It's to be kept a secret," announced Randy.
+
+In subdued voices, so that no one passing in the hallway might hear
+them, the Rovers and their chums discussed the situation. They were in
+the midst of this when they suddenly heard a wild cry of alarm. Then
+came a rush of footsteps, and less than a minute later the loud clanging
+of a bell.
+
+"Hello! what's that?" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"Something is wrong--that's sure!" announced Randy.
+
+"What's the bell ringing for?" queried Fred. "It isn't time for parade
+yet."
+
+"That isn't the parade bell!" ejaculated Gif. "That's the fire bell!
+There must be a fire!"
+
+The boys flung open the doors, and ran hastily into the hallway. Cadets
+were pouring forth from every quarter, and there was a tremendous
+excitement.
+
+"Is the building on fire?"
+
+"Take it easy, boys! Take it easy!" yelled Major Ralph Mason, as he
+appeared at the head of one of the stairways. "There is no fire in this
+building. Don't get excited."
+
+"Where is the fire?" queried a dozen voices in chorus.
+
+"It's down at the gym! The upper floor is in flames!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+PUTTING OUT THE FLAMES
+
+
+"What do you know about that! The gym is on fire!" gasped Fred, and
+clutched Randy by the arm. He looked at his cousin knowingly.
+
+"I know what you're thinking, Fred. Those cigarettes that Slugger, Nappy
+and Codfish were smoking----"
+
+"That's it! They threw them down recklessly, and also threw down the
+matches they had lighted."
+
+"If the gym burns down Colonel Colby will hold them responsible for the
+loss," put in Jack, who had heard what was said.
+
+While this talk was taking place, all of the cadets were rushing down
+the stairs. Soon they were out on the campus and headed through the
+fast-falling snow in the direction of the gymnasium building.
+
+A heavy smoke was pouring from a broken-out upper window, and also from
+the edges of a scuttle on the roof. As the cadets hurried closer, they
+saw a thin flame show itself for a moment just inside the window.
+
+"It's on fire all right enough, but maybe they can get it under
+control," announced Jack. "Come on, fellows! Do your duty!"
+
+Warned by the fate which had overtaken Putnam Hall, Colonel Colby had
+taken every possible precaution against fire. There were several large
+water towers erected in and near the school buildings, and these were
+connected with various fire plugs. There were also numerous lengths of
+hose, with nozzles attached, hung up in the several buildings, and both
+the cadets and the teachers had been instructed in a fire drill.
+
+Some of the cadets, who had been in the gymnasium when the fire was
+discovered, had already brought out the hose in that building and
+attached it to one of the plugs. Now this water was turned on, and a
+stream of fair size began to play upon the flames, the cadets, aided by
+one of the teachers, dragging the hose up the narrow stairway for that
+purpose.
+
+"Get out hose number three and number eight!" directed Colonel Colby,
+who was on the scene; and the cadets went to work with a will, and soon
+had two more streams in action.
+
+Despite the thickness of the smoke, two of the teachers and several of
+the cadets had gone up into the second floor of the building and
+located the fire.
+
+"It's up near the steam radiator, just between the two windows,"
+announced one of the teachers. "It's in some boxes and barrels that
+contain straw and excelsior."
+
+"Isn't the building on fire?" queried one cadet.
+
+"The flames are going up to the roof, but so far they haven't broken
+through."
+
+The announcement that the fire so far was confined to some boxes and
+barrels, nerved the cadets and the others to make a greater effort to
+get it under control, and some began to fill buckets with water in the
+washroom below, and these were passed up the narrow stairway and the
+water thrown where it was apparently most needed.
+
+Randy and Andy were in this bucket brigade, while Fred and Jack worked
+with one of the hose gangs. It was exciting labor for all of the boys,
+but this they did not mind.
+
+"Hurrah! we're getting it under control!" shouted Major Mason presently.
+"Keep it up, boys, and we'll save the whole building!"
+
+In the crowd were, of course, Slugger, Nappy and Codfish. At the first
+alarm they had run forth from the school and gazed in amazement at the
+smoke pouring from the gymnasium.
+
+"Oh, look! It's the gym that's on fire!" Codfish had burst out; and then
+the little sneak had suddenly turned deadly pale, and would have sunk
+down in the snow had not Slugger caught him.
+
+"See here, Codfish!" hissed the bully, shaking him. "Don't you say a
+word about this, do you understand? Not a word!"
+
+"Don't you dare to admit to anybody that you were upstairs in the
+gymnasium," added Nappy.
+
+"I--I ain't going to say nothing!" sniveled Codfish, and then, of a
+sudden, burst out crying. "You fellows let me alone! I didn't want to
+smoke anyhow!" he wailed.
+
+"Shut up! Don't you mention smoking to anybody, or I'll just about half
+kill you!" hissed Slugger. "Now mind! not a word, if you know when you
+are best off!" and then he gave Codfish's arm such a twist that the
+little cadet screamed with pain.
+
+Not to be suspected of what they had done, Slugger and Nappy mingled
+with the other cadets and did their full share in working on the lines
+of hose; but there were really more cadets than were needed for this
+labor, so they had little to do. Codfish also tried to take hold, but he
+trembled so that he soon had to give up, and then he ran back into the
+Hall, where he sat on the stairs, half sobbing.
+
+By this time there was little more than smoke to be seen in the upper
+part of the gymnasium. The teachers and the cadets still continued to
+play water into the building. Some now began to open all the windows,
+realizing that a draft could not do much harm. Then, as the smoke began
+to clear away, they began an investigation, so that the last spark of
+the fire might be extinguished.
+
+"I guess it's about out," announced Professor Brice presently. He had
+worked hard, and his face and hands were streaked with black.
+
+"I think you are right, Brice," answered Colonel Colby, who had also
+mounted to the upper floor. "We may as well bring up a few buckets of
+water, and then turn off all the hose. There is no use of flooding the
+building, especially in this cold weather. As it is, I think the boys
+will have a skating pond below by morning," and he smiled faintly.
+
+"Do you suppose this started from the heating plant?" questioned the
+teacher.
+
+"Not at all!" was the low reply. "But we won't speak about that now,
+Brice," added Colonel Colby significantly; and thereupon the young
+teacher understood and said no more about the matter.
+
+The cadets were sent below, and Colonel Colby and Professor Brice,
+aided by a couple of the hired men, made a close examination of the spot
+where the fire had taken place. It had been confined almost wholly to
+three boxes, loosely filled with excelsior, and two barrels containing
+straw and waste paper.
+
+"It was a mistake to put such inflammable material up here," said
+Colonel Colby to Mr. Crews, the gymnasium instructor.
+
+"I realize that now, Colonel Colby," answered Silas Crews, and his
+manner showed how much the fire had upset him. "But, you see, it was
+this way. We got some of that new gymnasium material in only a couple of
+weeks ago, and we weren't altogether satisfied with it--if you will
+remember. I said something about sending it back. Well, it came in those
+boxes and barrels, and so I just put them up here, thinking that maybe
+we'd want to use them in sending the stuff back. If it hadn't been for
+that, I'd have cleaned the boxes and barrels out and burnt the stuff
+up."
+
+"I see, Crews. Well, after this, I want you to be careful and not do
+anything like that again."
+
+"But I don't see how the boxes and barrels caught fire, sir," went on
+the gymnasium instructor perplexedly. "We had no light up here, and I
+don't see how they could catch from that little steam radiator over
+there. Why, that radiator hardly gets warm!" It may be mentioned here
+that the radiator had been placed on the upper floor of the gymnasium
+because there had once been talk of partitioning this part of the floor
+from the rest and making of it a meeting room for one of the cadet
+clubs.
+
+"I'll make an investigation later," answered Colonel Colby. "For the
+present, as the steam heating plant seems to be in perfect order, you
+had better start the fire up well, so that we can dry things out here.
+Otherwise, all the pipes may freeze up, and that might give us more
+trouble than this fire."
+
+"Yes, sir. I'll see to it, sir," said Silas Crews hastily. "And I'll
+have this whole place cleaned up the first thing in the morning. And
+I'll also have the broken windows fixed."
+
+As soon as he returned to the school, Colonel Colby sent for Randy and
+Fred. He questioned them closely about the cigarette smoking indulged in
+by Slugger, Nappy and Codfish.
+
+"You two are quite sure that you were not smoking yourselves?" he
+demanded sternly.
+
+"We don't smoke, sir," answered Randy promptly.
+
+"Did you light any matches while you were upstairs in the gymnasium?"
+
+"No, sir. We had no need for a light," returned Fred.
+
+"Have you any idea how this fire started?"
+
+"I don't see how it could start unless it was from the cigarettes and
+the matches those fellows used," answered Randy bluntly. "I hate to make
+that statement, but the truth is the truth."
+
+"I believe you are right, Rover. Now then, I wish you to do me a favor.
+I want you to keep as quiet about this as you are to keep quiet about
+that joke those cadets proposed to play. Do you understand?"
+
+"Yes, sir," answered both the Rovers.
+
+"Then that is all for the present;" and, so speaking, Colonel Colby
+dismissed the boys.
+
+"I guess he's going to save this fire affair until he catches them
+trying to play the joke," was Fred's comment, as they hurried away to
+join the others.
+
+"That's it, Fred." Randy looked at his cousin knowingly. "There is
+certainly something coming to Slugger, Nappy and Codfish, isn't there?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+CAUGHT IN THE ACT
+
+
+The news that there had been a fire at Colby Hall soon spread to the
+town and to Clearwater Hall, and there were many anxious inquiries over
+the telephone and otherwise as to whether anybody had been hurt.
+
+"No, nobody was hurt, and the fire didn't amount to much," said Spouter,
+when called up by his Cousin May. "Perhaps, when we see you girls
+personally, we'll have something to tell you that will be a surprise."
+
+In the middle of the afternoon of the day following the fire, a number
+of letters were brought in by one of the hired men from the Haven Point
+post-office.
+
+"Here's a drop letter for you, Jack," remarked Gif, who was distributing
+some of the mail. "Most likely from your best girl," and he smiled
+good-naturedly.
+
+"Doesn't look much like a girl's handwriting," answered the oldest Rover
+boy, as he inspected the envelope. Wondering what the letter might
+contain, he tore open the envelope and was considerably surprised to
+read the following, written on a raggedly-torn half sheet of note paper:
+
+     "You Rovers think yourselves smart, but do not forget that I am not
+     done with you. You have been the means of my losing a very
+     lucrative position. I will not have you arrested, for it would be a
+     hard matter for me to obtain justice in this neighborhood; but I
+     will remember you, and some day I will bring you to book for what
+     you have done. You are nothing but a set of imps and hoodlums, and
+     sooner or later Colby will learn the truth."
+
+"This is undoubtedly from Professor Lemm," announced Jack, as he allowed
+his cousins and their chums to read the letter.
+
+"He's certainly a sweet-natured man," was Andy's comment. "He's real
+charitable and kind, isn't he?" and this brought forth a smile from the
+others.
+
+"What do you think he'll do?" questioned Fred.
+
+"I don't believe he'll do anything," answered Jack. "Fellows who write
+such anonymous communications are usually cowards. Old Lemon belongs in
+the class with Slugger, Nappy & Company."
+
+The heavy snowstorm cleared away as rapidly as it had come, and the wind
+blew the snow from large sections of the lake, so that the cadets could
+once more enjoy themselves skating.
+
+"Let's skate up to Clearwater Hall and see the girls," suggested Jack at
+the first opportunity; and this was agreed to readily by all of the
+crowd.
+
+They found the girls of Clearwater Hall on the ice, watching out for
+them, and soon the cadets and the girls were enjoying themselves
+thoroughly.
+
+"You must tell me all about the fire and about how Professor Lemm
+happened to leave the Hall," said Ruth, as she skated away with Jack.
+
+"I'll do that," he answered. "But you must keep a good part of what I'm
+going to tell you a secret--at least for the present," he added, and
+then gave the particulars of the joke which had been played on the
+disliked teacher. Then he told of what had occurred at the gymnasium.
+
+"Oh, Jack! do you really think Slugger and Nappy and that little Codfish
+set the gymnasium on fire?" cried the girl.
+
+"I think they did, Ruth--although, of course, it was by accident."
+
+"What dreadful boys they must be getting to be," sighed the girl.
+
+She had quite a few things to tell about happenings at the Hall, and
+also mentioned what she intended to do during the Christmas holidays.
+
+"I wish you were coming down to New York," said Jack. "I'd like first
+rate to have you meet my Sister Martha and my Cousin Mary."
+
+"Perhaps I shall get down there some time, Jack. Are you going to stay
+at home during all of the holidays?"
+
+"No. We have been planning to stay at home about a week, and then, if we
+can arrange it, we want to visit Snowshoe Island and do a little hunting
+before school opens again."
+
+"Then you're going to accept old Uncle Barney's invitation!"
+
+"That's the idea, Ruth. You don't mind, do you?" and the oldest Rover
+boy looked anxiously at his companion.
+
+"Not at all. In fact, I'm rather glad to hear of your going to the
+island. It may give you a chance to talk to old Uncle Barney about my
+folks. And if you get any such chance, I hope you'll impress it upon him
+that we want to be friends."
+
+When the cadets returned to Colby Hall, both Jack and Fred were in
+unusual good humor, for, not only had Ruth said she would try to get
+down to New York during the holidays, but May had told Fred that if
+Spouter came down to the metropolis she would try to accompany her
+cousin.
+
+Several days slipped by, and the Rover boys applied themselves closely
+to their lessons, for they wished to make as good a showing as possible
+during the coming examinations. During that time, they saw Slugger,
+Nappy and Codfish a number of times, but all of those unworthies seemed
+to give them a wide berth.
+
+Although Colonel Colby had not given the Rovers any of the particulars
+of what he proposed to do, he had not forgotten what Randy and Fred had
+told him. He had had a conference on the subject with Professor Brice,
+Silas Crews, and Bob Nixon, the chauffeur, and Nixon and Crews were
+detailed to watch every movement made by the bully and his cronies.
+
+It was on the following Tuesday, the day previous to the examinations,
+that Silas Crews came hurrying to the master of the Hall, who had just
+entered the school library in search of a certain book.
+
+"I think Brown and Martell are at it," he announced in a low tone of
+voice. "Martell just sneaked a quart bottle of ink from the storeroom,
+while Brown picked up some of the cans of vegetables which were cast
+aside by the cook as unfit to eat. Now they have both gone down into the
+boiler-room, evidently after those ashes."
+
+"Continue to watch them, Crews, and tell Nixon to watch them, too. I
+will notify Professor Brice, and also Captain Dale." Captain Dale was
+the military instructor of the Academy.
+
+Silas Crews hurried off, and Colonel Colby lost no time in notifying the
+others of what was taking place. As a result, a guard was established,
+which took cognizance of every move made by Slugger and Nappy. Why it
+was that Codfish was not with them, nobody knew. The fact was, the poor
+little sneak had been so terrified at the mere mention of doing anything
+further that he had burst out crying and locked himself in his room,
+stating that he was too sick to act.
+
+Having obtained the bottle of ink and several cans of spoiled tomatoes,
+Slugger and Nappy watched their chance and visited the boiler-room under
+the school. Here they found a dozen large cans of ashes, and also an old
+empty soap-box.
+
+"We'll fill the soap box half full of ashes," said Slugger, "and then we
+can place the opened-up cans of tomatoes and the opened-up bottle of ink
+on top. When we get the stuff over to Colonel Colby's rooms, we can
+spread half of everything around where it will make the best showing,
+then we can skip over to the offices and do the same thing, and after
+that we'll rush back and leave a little trail of ashes and some ink
+leading into the Rovers' rooms, and place the empty ink bottle and the
+empty cans in their closets and put the ash-box under one of the beds."
+
+"Dandy!" replied Nappy. "Come on!"
+
+Not knowing that Bob Nixon was watching them from a corner of the
+boiler-room, they soon had the box of ashes and other stuff ready. Then,
+watching their chance to see that the coast was clear, they sneaked up
+out of the boiler-room and then out of the school by a side door. Here a
+path led to the nearby building where Colonel Colby had his private
+suite of rooms.
+
+"Now then, hurry up!" cried Nappy, who was beginning to show signs of
+nervousness.
+
+They found the door to the main room unlocked, and both entered and set
+the box of stuff on one of the easy chairs. Then one took up the ink and
+the other an opened can of the decayed tomatoes.
+
+"Now make a fine job of it," whispered Slugger.
+
+Both took a step forward to start their nefarious work, when each was
+almost paralyzed by hearing Colonel Colby's voice.
+
+"Stop!" commanded the master of the school, and stepped out from behind
+a screen which stood near a corner of the apartment.
+
+"Oh!" ejaculated Nappy. "We're discovered!" and, dropping the bottle of
+ink in his hands, he started to run.
+
+"Not so quick, Martell!" came from the doorway, and then both of the
+youths were startled to see themselves confronted by Bob Nixon. Behind
+the chauffeur stood Captain Dale, while in another doorway appeared the
+form of Professor Brice.
+
+"Wa--wa--what does this mean?" stammered Slugger. He knew not what to
+say or do.
+
+"It means that I have found you out," answered Colonel Colby sternly.
+"You will both march over to my office at once."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+HOME AGAIN
+
+
+"Good riddance to bad rubbish!"
+
+"You told the truth that time, Andy. We're certainly well rid of Slugger
+Brown and Nappy Martell."
+
+"Say! I'd like to know some of the particulars of the interview Slugger
+and Nappy had with Colonel Colby. It must have been a pippin," remarked
+Fred.
+
+"One thing is certain--Colonel Colby must have laid down the law pretty
+severely to them; otherwise they would never have gotten out of this
+school in such a hurry," came from Jack.
+
+"I'm mighty glad I got that one crack in on Martell," remarked Fred.
+"Some day I'll give that fellow a licking, big as he is," continued the
+youngest of the Rover boys.
+
+"The only fellow I'm sorry for is Codfish," came from Randy. "That poor
+little rat looks about as miserable as any kid could look."
+
+"He ought to be thankful that he wasn't kicked out with the others,"
+said Spouter. "He certainly deserved it."
+
+"He did," agreed Jack. "Just the same, now that Slugger and Nappy are
+gone, if Codfish wants to turn over a new leaf and make a man of
+himself, I'm not going to stand in his way."
+
+Twenty-four hours had passed since the events recorded in the previous
+chapter. They had been filled with both mystery and excitement for the
+Rover boys and their chums. Only a little of what had taken place in
+Colonel Colby's office had filtered out to the cadets, but it was enough
+to show them that the master of the Hall had dealt severely with Slugger
+and Nappy. Those two unworthies had come forth looking both cowed and
+excited, and they had rushed up to their rooms to pack their belongings
+without delay.
+
+In the meanwhile, Codfish had come forth sobbing, and had been allowed
+to go to his room, where he locked himself in and denied himself even to
+Mrs. Crews, the matron who looked after the younger scholars.
+
+"I--I don't want to see no--nobody!" Codfish had cried out. "Go away and
+leave me alone! I--I didn't mean to do anything! It was Brown and
+Martell made me do it!" and then he had burst into another fit of
+weeping.
+
+Both the Rover boys and their chums had wanted to see how the bully and
+his crony would act after their interview with Colonel Colby. They met
+Slugger and Nappy in the hall as they were on the point of leaving the
+school, and some sharp words had passed. Nappy had threatened Fred, and
+made a savage pass at him with his fist. In return, the youngest Rover
+had landed on the other's chin, and sent Nappy staggering up against the
+wall.
+
+In the meanwhile, there had been a set-to between Slugger and Jack, and
+although the oldest Rover boy was struck on the shoulder, he had had the
+satisfaction of making the bully measure his length on his back. Then
+the approach of Professor Brice, backed up by Captain Dale and Bob
+Nixon, had brought the brief contests to a close, and Slugger and Nappy
+had lost no time in hurrying below, where the auto-stage was already in
+waiting to take them and their baggage to Haven Point. Many of the
+cadets assembled had jeered at the departing youths, and they, in their
+rage, had shaken their fists at those left behind as the auto-stage
+departed.
+
+"I hope we never see those fellows again," remarked Randy. But this wish
+was doomed to disappointment--the Rovers were to see a good deal more of
+Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell.
+
+The boys had now to apply themselves to their examinations, and they
+went at this with a will, resolved to make the best showing possible.
+
+"We've got to do it," was the way Jack expressed himself. "We want the
+folks at home to know that we are keeping at our studies. Then, if they
+happen to hear of some of the jokes we play, they will know that we're
+doing something else here besides having fun."
+
+The lads had already written home regarding the Christmas holidays and
+what they would like to do. In return, they received word that they
+could have Gif and Spouter down for the week between Christmas and New
+Year's if they so desired. And Jack's mother also sent a letter to
+Spouter inviting him to bring along his Cousin May and her friend, Ruth.
+
+     "All of us, including Martha and Mary, will be glad to become
+     acquainted with your cousin and her school chum," wrote Mrs. Dick
+     Rover. "The girls are very anxious to learn more about Clearwater
+     Hall, and it is just possible that we may send them to that school
+     later on."
+
+"Hurrah! that's fine!" cried Jack, when Spouter showed him the letter.
+"If only May and Ruth go to New York, I'm sure they'll be able to
+persuade Martha and Mary that there is no better girls' school on earth
+than Clearwater Hall."
+
+"You leave that to me, Jack," answered Spouter. "I'll tell May just what
+to do."
+
+Of course the Rover boys were all very anxious after the examinations
+were over to find out how they had fared. On the following Friday
+afternoon Colonel Colby read the results. Fred and Randy had received
+ninety-four per cent., Jack had gotten ninety-two, and Andy had reached
+eighty-eight. As seventy per cent. was the passing mark, it can be seen
+that the boys had passed with considerable to spare.
+
+"My, that's a relief!" sighed Andy. "Somehow, at the last minute, I was
+afraid I had fallen down completely. There were a few examples in
+algebra that were regular stickers for me."
+
+"Physiology was what got me," observed Jack grimly. "How do I know how
+many bones I've got in my body? I never saw them," and at this there was
+a general smile.
+
+After the examinations there was but little to do at the school apart
+from the drills. There was an entertainment given by the boys in which
+both Jack and Andy took part. Then, almost before they knew it, the
+session came to an end, and the cadets had packed up and were on their
+way home.
+
+"After all, I'll be glad to see little old New York once more," remarked
+Randy, when they and their friends were seated on the train.
+
+"Right you are!" cried Fred. "I think, after the semi-country life at
+Haven Point, a big city will look mighty good to us."
+
+"Say, fellows, do you remember when we came up to the school, how we
+fell in with Asa Lemm?" remarked Andy.
+
+"I haven't forgotten it!" cried his twin, and then he added quickly: "I
+wonder if old Lemon wrote to our folks."
+
+"I don't think so," answered Jack. "If he had, I think we would have
+heard of it."
+
+When the boys arrived at the Grand Central Terminal, they found Martha
+and Mary and Tom Rover awaiting them.
+
+"Glad to see you back, boys!" cried the father of the twins, as he
+greeted them warmly, and then greeted the others.
+
+"Oh, Jack, I declare you're growing awfully tall!" burst out his sister
+Martha, as she embraced him.
+
+"Well, I guess Fred is growing tall, too," put in Mary Rover.
+
+"Well, you wouldn't expect any of us to grow shorter, would you?"
+queried Andy gaily, and this made both of the girls laugh.
+
+With greetings all around finished, the whole party pushed its way
+through the crowd to the Forty-second Street entrance of the Terminal,
+where two of the Rover limousines were in waiting.
+
+"This looks something like!" remarked Jack, when the automobiles were on
+their way through the busy streets to Riverside Drive. "I haven't seen
+so many people since I left."
+
+"And how do you like Colby Hall?" questioned his sister eagerly.
+
+"Dandy, Martha! It couldn't be beat! I can tell you, we boys are mighty
+glad that our dads picked out such a bully good school for us," and his
+face showed his satisfaction.
+
+"And what about Clearwater Hall?"
+
+"That's a dandy place, too,--at least, the girls who go there say it is.
+If May Powell comes down with Spouter, she'll tell you all about it."
+
+The home-coming of the Rover boys was a gala occasion. Dick Rover and
+his brother Sam had just come up home from the offices in Wall Street,
+and they and their wives, as well as the twins' mother, greeted the lads
+affectionately.
+
+"It's been kind of lonely since you went away," said Mrs. Tom Rover, as
+she caught each of the twins around the waist.
+
+"I suppose you missed our tricks, Ma," returned Andy slyly.
+
+"Maybe I did, Andy. But I wouldn't mind the tricks so much if only you
+were here," and she gave a little sigh.
+
+"Well, we're going to be here for a week, anyway," put in Randy, and
+then both of the twins gave their mother such a hug as she had not
+received for a long time.
+
+Jack was already telling his father and his two uncles something about
+Colby Hall. All of the men listened with close attention and
+considerable satisfaction.
+
+"I guess Larry has patterned it pretty closely after Putnam Hall and
+West Point," remarked Sam Rover. "And that's as it should be, to my way
+of thinking."
+
+"He'd have to go a long way to do better," answered Tom Rover.
+"Everybody knows that West Point is an ideal school, and dear old Putnam
+Hall was a close second to it."
+
+"I hope you lads haven't been playing too many tricks," went on Dick
+Rover, as he gazed from one face to another before him.
+
+"Well, Uncle Dick, we had to play _some_ tricks," answered Andy, a bit
+lamely.
+
+"You couldn't expect us to just sit still and hold our hands," added
+Randy.
+
+"We might as well own up to one thing," said Jack boldly. "We did play a
+trick on one of the teachers--a fellow named Asa Lemm. Nobody liked
+Lemm, and when Colonel Colby had a rumpus with him and made him resign,
+all of us felt better."
+
+Fortunately for the boys, an interruption came just at that moment in
+the way of an announcement that dinner was ready. This was served in the
+Dick Rover home, and was participated in by all of the members of the
+Rover family. It made quite a table full.
+
+"Gee! but it's nice to be here once more!" exclaimed Andy, while he was
+eating.
+
+"Beats a meal in the mess-room at the Hall all hollow, doesn't it?"
+returned his twin.
+
+"And yet you talk about going away on a hunting trip," broke in their
+father quizzically.
+
+"Oh, yes! But Uncle Tom, we are going to spend a whole week in New York
+before that!" broke in Fred.
+
+"I want to know a little more about this trip you're planning to
+Snowshoe Island," remarked Dick Rover. "I want to make sure that it's a
+perfectly safe place for you to visit."
+
+"Oh, I'm sure it's safe enough," answered Jack; and thereupon he and the
+others told what they knew about the island and Barney Stevenson.
+
+"That old lumberman must be quite a character," was Dick Rover's
+comment. "Well, we'll see about this trip later," and there, for the
+time being, the matter was dropped.
+
+The boys had gotten home just two days before Christmas, and they spent
+their entire time the next day in shopping for presents. In this they
+were partly aided by Martha and Mary, especially when it came to
+selecting presents for their mothers. Then, however, they sent the girls
+away, so that they might buy something for them. Although they did not
+mention this, Jack also wished to get a little reminder for Ruth, while
+Fred was equally desirous of obtaining something for May.
+
+Christmas dawned bright and clear, and many were the cries of joy which
+rang throughout the three Rover households. All the young folks spent
+over an hour in running back and forth, wishing this one and that one
+"Merry Christmas!" Then came the distribution of presents.
+
+"Just what I wanted!" cried Fred, as he inspected his pile of gifts.
+There was a new watch, some gorgeous neckties, several books, and a
+splendid little double-barrelled shotgun.
+
+"Don't say a word! It couldn't be better!" came from Randy.
+
+"The best Christmas ever!" echoed his twin. They, too, had numerous
+gifts, including little diamond stickpins, new skates, some boxing
+gloves, and bright-colored sweaters, into which their cousins had
+knitted the initials C. H.
+
+"Now, I presume, you'll be real Colby Hall cadets," said their mother,
+when they had donned the sweaters and were strutting around in them.
+
+"This sure is one grand Christmas!" said Jack. He, too, had fared well,
+receiving a beautiful seal ring, a new traveling bag, completely
+equipped, several sets of books for which he had longed greatly, and
+also a small, but first-class, repeating rifle.
+
+"Now we've certainly got to go on that hunt," remarked Fred, placing his
+new shotgun beside the new rifle.
+
+"Right you are, Fred!" responded Jack. "But first we're going to have
+one dandy time down here in New York."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+OFF FOR SNOWSHOE ISLAND
+
+
+"What an awfully large place New York is!"
+
+It was Ruth who uttered the words while she was taking a ride down Fifth
+Avenue in company with Jack and his sister and several of the others.
+
+It was the day after Christmas, and Spouter had arrived at noon,
+bringing his cousin May and Ruth with him. The young folks were taking a
+ride previous to stopping at the Grand Central Terminal to meet Gif, who
+was to come later.
+
+"You won't find many places larger," answered Dick. He felt very happy
+to think that Ruth was beside him, and more so because Ruth and his
+sister seemed to become good friends from the very moment they met.
+
+Behind the first auto came a second, containing Spouter, May, Mary, and
+Fred. They, too, were enjoying themselves, the youngest Rover doing what
+he could to point out the various places of interest to Spouter's fair
+cousin.
+
+The Rover boys, aided by Mary and Martha, had laid their plans for the
+next five days with care. The young folks were to be taken to Central
+and Bronx Parks, to several well-known theaters, and also to the Grand
+Opera, and Mrs. Dick Rover had arranged to give a party at her home in
+the visitors' honor.
+
+Mary and Martha had been eager to hear about Clearwater Hall, and the
+two girl visitors were not slow in singing the praises of that
+institution.
+
+"Oh, I think I'd like to go there!" cried Martha. "What do you think,
+Mary?"
+
+"I think I'd like to go myself, now that we know somebody there," was
+her cousin's reply. Mary had always been a little shy.
+
+During those days of pleasure in New York only one thing occurred to mar
+the happiness of the young folks. That was one afternoon when all of
+them went over to Central Park for a couple of hours to enjoy the
+skating. There, quite unexpectedly, they ran into Nappy Martell. He
+favored the Rover boys with a black look, and then lost himself in the
+crowd of skaters.
+
+"He certainly has no love for us," was Jack's comment. "If he could
+possibly do us an injury, I think he would do it."
+
+But aside from this incident the young folks had nothing to worry them,
+and they spent a most agreeable time on the ice. They talked a good
+deal of nonsense, and often laughed when there was no apparent cause for
+so doing, but that was due entirely to their high spirits. When they
+returned to the Rover homes the girls had a glow in their cheeks and a
+sparkle in their eyes that made them more beautiful than ever.
+
+"That Ruth Stevenson is certainly a handsome girl," whispered Mrs. Dick
+Rover to her husband.
+
+"So she is, Dora," answered Dick. "And if you'll notice, our Jack has
+quite an eye for her," he added dryly.
+
+"Oh, Dick! you don't suppose he's smitten with her? Why, he's so young!"
+
+"I'm not saying anything about that, Dora. I can't help but remember
+that I was smitten with you the first time I saw you," and at this Dora
+Rover gave her husband a warm look that meant a great deal.
+
+May had not forgotten her promise to her Cousin Spouter, and during the
+visit she did all she could to impress on the older folks the charms of
+life at Clearwater Hall. She told of what fine teachers there were at
+the school, how rapidly most of the pupils advanced in their studies,
+and of the good times to be had there.
+
+"And I do hope that you will let Mary and Martha join us," she
+concluded. "I am sure they will feel perfectly at home there, and that
+they will be as well taught, if not better, than they would be if they
+remained here in the city."
+
+"I'll think it over, May," answered Mrs. Sam Rover; and Martha's mother
+said the same.
+
+Jack and his cousins had already sent a letter to Barney Stevenson,
+completing the arrangements for going up to Snowshoe Island. Now came a
+brief communication from the old lumberman, stating that he would be on
+the look-out for them, and would do all he could to make their outing
+enjoyable.
+
+"What a nice letter for him to write!" exclaimed Ruth, when Jack showed
+her the communication. "Oh, I do hope you'll be able to fix up this
+difference between old Uncle Barney and my folks! It's dreadful to have
+him on the outs with our family."
+
+"As I said before, Ruth, I'll do what I can," Jack replied.
+
+With so much going on, the holidays sped by swiftly, and all too soon it
+was time for the visitors to take their departure. Spouter and Gif both
+wished they could accompany the Rovers to Snowshoe Island, but this was
+not to be, as they had already made other arrangements.
+
+"But have a good time," said Spouter.
+
+"Don't forget to lay low a few deer and a bear or two," added Gif.
+
+"Good gracious! you don't expect them to shoot bears, do you?" exclaimed
+May, in some alarm.
+
+"I don't believe there are any bears on that island, are there?" came
+from Ruth.
+
+"There are very few bears anywhere," answered Jack. "Gif was only
+fooling. The biggest game that we may possibly see will be a deer,
+although even they are growing scarce. We may see nothing bigger than
+squirrels, rabbits and partridges, and maybe a mink or a fox."
+
+The Rover boys accompanied the others to the Grand Central Terminal.
+Here Jack managed to have a few words in private with Ruth, and at the
+conclusion he gave her hand so tight a squeeze that she blushed. Then
+the visitors boarded the train and in a minute more were gone.
+
+"And now to get ready for the trip to Snowshoe Island!" cried Randy.
+
+"That's the talk!" returned his twin.
+
+The boys were to leave for Rockville, the nearest railroad station to
+Snowshoe Island, on the day after New Year's. They spent several hours
+in packing their things, being advised in that matter by their fathers,
+who, as my old readers know, had been on many hunting expeditions before
+them.
+
+"Now, there is no use of my giving you any advice on how to handle your
+firearms," said Dick Rover. "I have given you that advice before, and
+you ought to remember what I said."
+
+"I do, Dad," answered his son. "And I'm sure the others remember, too."
+
+"And I want you two boys to keep out of mischief," put in Tom Rover,
+addressing his twins. "Of course, you can have all the fun you please,
+but let it be good, innocent nonsense. Don't do anything mean, and don't
+do anything to get somebody else into trouble."
+
+"And my advice is, to go slow and be careful," added Sam Rover. "In
+other words: 'Look before you leap'----"
+
+"As the clown in the circus said," finished Tom Rover, "when he thought
+he was going to jump through a paper hoop and found instead that it was
+a solid white barrel-head;" and at this little joke there was a general
+laugh.
+
+The boys had already told their fathers about the doings of Nappy
+Martell and Slugger Brown.
+
+"Nappy Martell is evidently the son of his father," remarked Dick Rover.
+"The senior Martell is just as domineering, and not one bit more
+reliable. Down in Wall Street we've been watching him pretty closely."
+
+"Yes, and he needed watching," put in Tom Rover. "To my mind, if he
+isn't a fraud, he's pretty close to it."
+
+"You said something about his underhanded work before," came from Sam.
+"If he is a swindler, I certainly hope that sooner or later they expose
+him."
+
+The boys had learned that Rockville was a town of considerable
+importance and boasted of several good-sized stores. They felt certain
+that they could buy all the supplies needed at that place, so it would
+be unnecessary to get them in New York. They, however, took along all
+the clothing that was needed, and likewise their guns and a good supply
+of ammunition.
+
+"Now do be careful!" pleaded Mrs. Tom Rover, when they were ready to
+depart. "I don't want any of you to get shot."
+
+"Don't you worry, Ma. We'll be careful all right enough," answered
+Randy, as he kissed her good-bye.
+
+Several of the neighboring boys had come to see them off, and there was
+a little bit of envy as these watched the Rovers depart. They went to
+the railroad station in one of the limousines, only the two girls going
+with them to see them off.
+
+"Now don't get hurt, Jack," said Martha, when it was almost time for him
+to take the train. "Remember, if you do, Ruth will never forgive
+you," and she gave her brother a roguish look which, somehow, made his
+cheeks burn.
+
+[Illustration: "WHAT A NICE LETTER FOR HIM TO WRITE!" EXCLAIMED RUTH.
+
+_Page 191_]
+
+"Aw, cut that, Martha!" he answered. And then, of a sudden, he
+continued: "You join those girls at Clearwater Hall, and I'll pick a
+fine cadet for you to go out with."
+
+"Boo!" cried Martha, and put out the tip of her tongue at him. "Who said
+I wanted any of your old cadets!" Then, as he and his cousins ran for
+the train, she waved him an affectionate farewell.
+
+The boys had obtained seats in advance in one of the parlor cars, and
+soon they made themselves comfortable. They talked over what had
+happened while their visitors had been with them, and presently
+commenced to discuss the expected hunting on and around Snowshoe Island.
+
+"We ought to have a dandy two weeks," was Fred's comment. "Just think of
+it! For fourteen days we'll be able to do exactly as we please!"
+
+"Yum-yum!" added Randy. "Sleep as long as you please, eat when you
+please and as much as you please, and shoot all the game you want to!
+What more could a fellow want?"
+
+"And cut all the firewood you want to! And wash all the dirty dishes you
+want to! And miss all the really good game you want to----" commenced
+Andy.
+
+"Jump on him!"
+
+"Throw him out of the window!"
+
+"Let's make him go without his supper to-night!"
+
+So the cries went on as the three others caught Andy by the arms and by
+the coat collar.
+
+"Hold up! I surrender!" gasped the fun-loving youth. "Let up! will you?"
+
+"You've got to promise to be good and not throw cold water on our
+hopes," announced Jack. "We're going to have the best time ever on
+Snowshoe Island. And not a thing is going to happen to mar our
+pleasure."
+
+But in this last surmise the oldest Rover boy was sadly mistaken. Many
+things of which he and his cousins did not dream were to occur, not only
+to startle and annoy them, but also to place them in extreme peril.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+CAUGHT IN A SNOWSTORM
+
+
+"Next station stop Rockville!"
+
+"That's our jumping off place, boys! We had better get our baggage
+together!" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"I wonder if Barney Stevenson will be at the station to meet us?"
+questioned Fred.
+
+"That depends on whether he got my last message or not," answered Jack.
+"However, if he isn't there, I guess we can find our way to Snowshoe
+Island alone."
+
+Soon the long train rolled into the little station at Rockville, and the
+boys alighted, being assisted by the porter, who had already taken
+charge of their baggage. He readily accepted the tip they gave him, and,
+as he had learned that they were off on a little hunting tour, said he
+hoped they would have every success.
+
+"But don't you bring down too many lions and elephants," added the
+colored man.
+
+"No, we'll leave the lions and elephants for you," returned Andy, and
+this made the porter grin broadly, showing two rows of white ivories.
+
+"Hello, boys! So you've got here at last, eh?" cried a voice from the
+doorway of the railroad station, and old Barney Stevenson strode toward
+them. He looked the picture of health, having recovered entirely from
+the accident in the woods. He shook hands cordially, giving each hand a
+squeeze that made the recipient wince.
+
+"We're glad to see you, Mr. Stevenson," began Fred, when up went the old
+lumberman's hand in protest.
+
+"'Twon't do, boys! 'Twon't do at all! If you're going to come over to
+Snowshoe Island with me, you've got to drop that Mister business. Plain
+Uncle Barney is good enough for me."
+
+"All right, then! Uncle Barney it is!" answered Fred, and the others
+smiled and nodded.
+
+"I just got your message this noon," explained the old lumberman. "Billy
+Sanders, the station agent's son, brought it over to me. I see you've
+got your duffle with you," and he looked at their various bags.
+
+"We didn't bring anything along in the way of provisions," answered
+Randy. "We thought we could buy all those things here in town."
+
+"So you can--providing you've got the money, lad;" and Uncle Barney
+smiled.
+
+"Oh, we've got the money!" answered Andy. "Our folks treated us very
+handsomely."
+
+"I brought over my big bobsled," went on the old lumberman. "Come
+ahead--I'll help you carry your baggage. We can leave it all at
+Crumpers' boathouse until we get the other stuff."
+
+He led the way, and they soon found themselves at the boathouse he had
+mentioned. Here they placed their traveling bags on Uncle Barney's
+bobsled, and then made their way to a nearby general store, where the
+old fellow was well known.
+
+"We've got a list written out here," explained Jack, bringing it forth.
+"I'll read it to you, and then you can tell me what you think of it."
+
+The list was quite a long one, and the old lumberman listened
+attentively as Jack read it over. Then he nodded approvingly.
+
+"You've got it about right, boys," he said. "You must have been out
+before."
+
+"My dad helped me make out this list," explained Dick. "He and my uncles
+have had quite some experience hunting, and, of course, they knew just
+what to take along."
+
+"Do you think it will be enough?" questioned Randy anxiously. His
+appetite for eating never seemed to be lacking.
+
+"You've got enough there for six or eight," answered the old lumberman.
+"However, it won't do any harm to add a few more beans and a little
+extra bacon; likewise a little more sugar, seeing as how boys generally
+like things sweet."
+
+It was an easy matter to purchase the various articles at the general
+store, and the boys had the clerk pack them securely in several soap
+boxes. Then Jack, as the treasurer for the crowd, paid the bill.
+
+By this time it was growing dark, and Uncle Barney told them they had
+better not waste their time.
+
+"I may be mistaken, but it looks a good deal like another snowstorm to
+me," he explained. "And if it's going to snow, we might as well get to
+the island before it starts to come down too hard."
+
+The old lumberman was right about the snow, and some early flakes came
+sifting down while they were still at the boathouse packing the bobsled.
+The old lumberman showed them how to secure the load so that there would
+be no danger of its falling off.
+
+"Now then, on with your skates, and we'll be off," he announced. In the
+winter time he always made the journey between the island and the town
+on his steel runners.
+
+"I suppose skating is a good deal easier than walking," remarked Fred,
+while the boys were putting on their skates.
+
+"To be sure. And we can make so much better time."
+
+"How far have we got to go?" questioned Andy.
+
+"To the upper end of the island, where I've got my home, is about four
+miles."
+
+"Oh, that isn't so far!" cried Fred. "We can skate that in no time."
+
+"We could if we could go in a straight line. But we can't," answered
+Uncle Barney. "The wind blew the last snow in all sorts of ridges across
+the ice, and we'll have to pick our way along as best we can."
+
+A long rope had been attached to the bobsled, so that they could all
+assist in hauling it along. On the smooth ice the load proved to be a
+light one, so that they had little difficulty in progressing. But, as
+the old lumberman had said, the ridges of snow on the lake were
+numerous, and some of these were piled up several feet high, and the
+party had to make long detours around them.
+
+"This isn't going to be so easy, after all," remarked Fred, after they
+had skated for almost half an hour. "I thought we would get to Snowshoe
+Island in no time."
+
+It was now quite dark, and the snow was falling steadily. So far, there
+had been little wind, but now this, too, sprang up, sending the frozen
+particles directly into their faces.
+
+"Gee! this isn't so pleasant!" exclaimed Andy, as he pulled down his cap
+and pulled up the sweater he was wearing.
+
+"The wind is increasing," said Fred a minute later. "Hark to that, will
+you?"
+
+All listened, and from a distance heard the wind stirring through the
+woods bordering the lake in that vicinity. Then the wind bore down upon
+them, and with it came a heavier fall of snow.
+
+"Say, this is going to be some snowstorm!"
+
+"Yes, and some blow too!"
+
+"I wish it wasn't so dark!"
+
+"Uncle Barney, are you sure you know the way?" questioned Randy, as all
+came to a halt for a moment to turn their backs to the wind and catch
+their breath.
+
+"Oh, yes, my lad! I know the way well enough," was the old lumberman's
+reply. "But, believe me, I didn't expect any such snowstorm as this when
+I went after you. I thought it would be just an ordinary fall."
+
+"It seems to be getting heavier every minute," declared Jack, as he
+sheltered his eyes with his hand and tried to peer forth into the
+darkness. "Why, the snow is coming down in regular chunks!"
+
+The flakes were indeed both heavy and thick, and the wind sent the snow
+sweeping across the ice, forming new ridges in every direction.
+
+"The first thing you know, we'll be blocked completely," declared Randy,
+after they had progressed another quarter of a mile. "Just look at that
+wall of snow, will you?" and he pointed ahead, where a snowdrift was all
+of five feet high and rapidly growing higher.
+
+The Rovers could see by his manner that the old lumberman was growing
+much disturbed. He led the way first in one direction and then in
+another. Then presently he called a halt.
+
+"It ain't no use," he declared flatly. "I thought I could work my way
+around these snowdrifts, the same as I did when I came over to town
+after you. But the darkness and this heavy fall of snow is bothering me
+tremendously."
+
+"What do you think we ought to do?" questioned Fred anxiously. The
+situation was making the youngest Rover boy a little fearful.
+
+"I guess about the best thing we can do is to strike a bee-line for the
+island," answered Uncle Barney. "It won't be much harder to break
+through these snowdrifts than it is to try to find our way around them
+in this wind and darkness."
+
+"Are you sure you know the way to the island?" questioned Jack, who knew
+only too well that it was the easiest thing in the world to get turned
+around in such a situation as this.
+
+"Oh, I'm pretty sure I haven't lost my bearings," answered the old
+lumberman. "However, to make sure, maybe I had better have a squint at
+my compass."
+
+"Oh, say! that puts me in mind!" burst out Randy. "What's the matter
+with using one of our flashlights?" for the boys had brought along two
+of those useful articles, which were now packed in the baggage on the
+bobsled.
+
+"Yes, let's get out both of the flashlights," returned Fred. "In this
+darkness we'll want all the light we can get."
+
+Sheltering themselves as best they could from the wind, which seemed
+every minute to be increasing in violence, the boys unstrapped part of
+their load and managed to bring forth the two flashlights. While this
+was being done, Uncle Barney brought from his pocket a small compass.
+
+"Now, I think north is in that direction," he said, pointing with his
+hand. With the aid of one of the lights, the compass was inspected, and
+it was found that the old lumberman was almost right, he having pointed
+a little to the northwest.
+
+"If we'd gone on the way I expected to go, we'd have struck the lower
+end of the island instead of the upper," he explained. "It wouldn't have
+made a great deal of difference, but we might as well take the
+straightest line we know how. Come on! Follow me, and I'll break the way
+for you."
+
+Once more they started forward, and in a minute more the boys found
+themselves struggling through snow which was several feet deep.
+
+"Gee! a fellow ought to have snowshoes instead of skates!" panted Fred,
+when in the midst of the drift. "This is the worst ever!"
+
+"The drift isn't very wide, Fred," announced Jack, who was ahead of his
+cousin, flashing one of the lights around. "Here we come to the clear
+ice again," and a few seconds later they found themselves skating along
+as easily as before.
+
+But this open patch did not last long. Soon they came to several more
+snowdrifts. The first was barely a foot high, but the second was almost
+up to their arm-pits. The old lumberman was still ahead, breaking a path
+for them as well as he was able. Hampered with the load of the bobsled,
+the boys made slow progress.
+
+"It's no use!" groaned Andy at last. "I'm all out of breath. I've got to
+stop and rest."
+
+"We had better not stop to rest here, Andy," answered Jack quickly. "We
+must reach some sort of shelter from this wind."
+
+"I'm all out of breath myself," came from Fred. The exertion of plowing
+through the snowdrifts had tired him dreadfully, and he was trembling in
+the legs so that he could scarcely stand.
+
+"Come on, boys! Don't stay here!" called back Uncle Barney to them.
+"This snowstorm is getting worse every minute!"
+
+The old lumberman had scarcely spoken when all the boys heard a strange
+whistling in the air. Then the wind tore down upon them harder than
+ever, sending the snowy particles in all directions, so that to make out
+what was ahead, even with the flashlights, was out of the question.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+AN ASTONISHING REVELATION
+
+
+The situation was certainly a disheartening one, and the boys huddled
+close together around the bobsled, both for protection and to talk the
+matter over.
+
+"Can you tell us at all how far we really are from some sort of
+shelter--I mean the nearest shelter at hand?" questioned Jack of Uncle
+Barney, as the old lumberman came back to see what had happened.
+
+"It's about a mile to my cabin," was the reply.
+
+"And is that the nearest place?" asked Fred, who had sat down on the
+bobsled load to rest.
+
+"No. The nearest place is a little hut that I put up at this end of the
+island several years ago. It isn't very much of a shelter, but it might
+do."
+
+"Do you mean we could stay there all night?" queried Randy.
+
+"Oh, yes. It's plenty large enough for all of us, and there is a rough
+fireplace where we could start a blaze and cook something."
+
+"Then let's head for that place, by all means!" cried Jack. "This storm
+is getting worse every minute."
+
+With the wind whistling keenly in their ears and blowing the snow across
+the ice and into numerous high drifts, the little party moved on once
+more, the boys doing their best to keep up with the old lumberman. This
+was comparatively easy, for even Uncle Barney was well-nigh exhausted by
+his exertions.
+
+"If this snow keeps on, it will be one of the worst storms we ever had
+up here," he announced. "But, somehow, I don't think it will last; the
+sky didn't look heavy enough this afternoon."
+
+"I hope it doesn't last," returned Jack.
+
+"We don't want to be snowed in while we are up here," added Randy. "We
+want to have a chance to hunt."
+
+To make progress against the fury of the elements was not easy, but
+presently the boys heard Uncle Barney give a cry of satisfaction.
+
+"Here we are, lads, in sight of the island!" exclaimed the old
+lumberman. "Now it won't be long before we reach that shelter I
+mentioned."
+
+By the aid of the two flashlights, the boys made out a number of trees
+and bushes ahead. The bushes were covered thickly with snow, and behind
+them were sharp rocks, also outlined in white.
+
+"This is what I call Squirrel Point," explained the old lumberman. "It
+used to be a great place for squirrels."
+
+"How much further to that shelter?" queried Fred. Just then he took no
+interest whatever in game. He was so tired he could scarcely place one
+foot in front of the other; and, to tell the truth, his cousins were
+little better off.
+
+"We've got only a couple of hundred feet to go," was the reply. "Come
+ahead. I'll help you pull that bobsled," and now Uncle Barney took hold,
+and once again they started forward, this time skirting the lower
+extremity of Snowshoe Island. Here there were a great number of pines
+and hemlocks growing amid a perfect wilderness of rocks, now all thickly
+covered with snow.
+
+"Now you'll have a little climbing to do," announced the old lumberman a
+few minutes later. "You might as well take off your skates, and I'll do
+the same. And we'll have to hoist that bobsled up the best we know how."
+
+He had turned toward the island, and soon they were climbing up over the
+rough rocks and pulling the bobsled after them. In one spot they had to
+raise the sled up over their heads. The old lumberman assisted them in
+this task, and then pointed to a small, cleared space between a number
+of pines.
+
+"Hurrah! I see the hut!" cried Jack in delight, and ran forward,
+followed by his cousins. Uncle Barney came with them, and an instant
+later had forced open a rude door. Then one of the lights was flashed
+inside.
+
+The boys and Uncle Barney had expected to find the little cabin vacant.
+Consequently they were much surprised when they heard a queer little
+noise, not unlike the snarl of a dog.
+
+"By gum! it's a wolf!" ejaculated the old lumberman in amazement.
+
+Scarcely had he spoken when there leaped into view a full-grown wolf. As
+he confronted the boys and the old man, he snarled viciously, and his
+eyes appeared to gleam like two balls of fire.
+
+"It's a wolf, sure enough!"
+
+"Shoot him, somebody! Shoot him!"
+
+"Where's my gun?"
+
+"The guns are all strapped down on the bobsled!"
+
+Such were some of the cries which came from the Rover boys when they
+found themselves confronted by the wolf. They fell back several paces,
+and Uncle Barney did likewise. The old lumberman had gone to Rockville
+armed, but he too had strapped his weapon fast on the bobsled, so that
+he might assist the boys in hauling the load.
+
+As the little party fell back wondering what was best to do, the wolf
+gave another leap, thereby reaching the doorway of the little cabin.
+Then, with a snarl, he whirled around, leaped into the snow behind some
+hemlocks, and in a moment more had disappeared from view.
+
+"Well, what do you know about that!" cried Fred faintly.
+
+"And to think we weren't ready to shoot!" groaned Randy.
+
+"We're a fine bunch of hunters, we are!" scoffed Andy.
+
+"Well, we didn't expect to find a wolf in possession of this hut,"
+remarked Jack. "Just the same, I wish we had been able to get a shot at
+him," he added wistfully.
+
+"I should have carried my gun," remarked Uncle Barney. "It was a mistake
+to put it on the sled. That's just my luck, confound it! Whenever I go
+out free-handed, I'm almost certain to see something worth shooting,"
+and he shook his head grimly.
+
+"You didn't say anything about wolves being on the island," said Fred,
+while the old man was looking around inside the cabin with both
+flashlights.
+
+"There are very few wolves in this neighborhood," was the reply. "The
+last wolf I saw on the island, outside of this one, was two years ago."
+
+As the door to the cabin had been closed, the boys wondered how the wolf
+had gotten into the place, but Uncle Barney showed them a small,
+broken-out window in the rear of the shelter. This window was now partly
+covered with snow.
+
+"I suppose the wolf thought he couldn't get out that way on account of
+the snow, and consequently he had to come by way of the door," explained
+the old lumberman. "Well, I'm mighty glad he didn't go any damage."
+
+An examination revealed the fact that no other living thing was in or
+around the cabin, and as soon as they were satisfied of this, the boys
+brought in the bobsled. In the meantime, Uncle Barney stirred around
+outside and managed to find some firewood which was fairly dry. Then a
+blaze was started in the rude fireplace, the door was shut, and a
+blanket was nailed up over the broken-out window.
+
+"Now this is something like!" remarked Jack, when the cabin began to
+grow warm. The boys had unpacked the contents of the bobsled and brought
+forth a candle, which was lighted and placed in a rude holder on the
+wall.
+
+Now that they were safe from the storm, all of the Rovers felt in better
+humor. Uncle Barney showed them how they could obtain water by melting
+some snow and ice, and soon they had enough to make a pot of chocolate
+and another pot of coffee. In the meantime, the old lumberman, assisted
+by Jack, opened up a box of sardines fried some bacon, and also warmed
+up a can of green corn which had been among the stores. They had no
+bread, so they used up one of the boxes of soda crackers which they had
+purchased.
+
+"It's too bad we haven't got some game to cook," observed Randy.
+
+"Let's be thankful that we've got some sort of a roof over our heads,
+and that we can rest," put in Fred. He had not yet gotten over the
+struggle to get through the snow.
+
+With nothing else to do, the boys and the old lumberman took their time
+over the evening meal, and never had anything tasted better than did
+this first supper on Snowshoe Island to the Rovers.
+
+Outside the wind was blowing as strongly as ever, and the snow still
+came down steadily. To make sure that they would not suffer from the
+cold, all of the lads went out with Uncle Barney and brought in a large
+supply of firewood. Then they built up a good blaze, around which they
+sat in a semicircle on the sled and the boxes brought along, and on a
+rude bench of which the little cabin boasted.
+
+"When I first came to Snowshoe Island, twelve years ago, I thought I
+would locate at this end," remarked Barney Stevenson during the course
+of the conversation. "But after staying here a short while I concluded
+that it was nicer at the upper end, so I went there."
+
+"Did you buy the island as far back as that?" queried Jack.
+
+"Oh, no, lad. In those days I only leased the island. You see, it
+belonged to an old lady named Martinson. She had a son who drifted out
+to California, and then went to Alaska. When the old lady died, Luke
+Martinson came back home, and then he came to see me. He wanted to get
+rid of all his property around here so he could go back to Alaska, and
+he offered this place to me, and I bought it. That was several years
+ago."
+
+"It's nice to own an island like this," observed Fred. "A fellow can
+have a regular Robinson Crusoe time of it if he wants to."
+
+"When I bought the island I thought I'd have no difficulty in holding
+it," continued Barney Stevenson. "But since that time I have had a whole
+lot of trouble. Two men claim that Luke Martinson never had any rights
+here--that the old Martinson claim to the island was a false one. They
+have tried two or three times to get me off the place, but I've refused
+to go."
+
+"Didn't you get a deed to the island?" questioned Jack, who had often
+heard his father and his uncles speak about deeds to real estate.
+
+"Certainly, I got a deed! But they claim that the old Martinson deed was
+no good. But it is good--and I know it!" grumbled Uncle Barney.
+
+"Who are the men who want to take the island away from you?" questioned
+Andy. "Some hunters around here, or lumbermen?"
+
+"Oh no! They are two men from the city--a real estate dealer and a man
+who used to be interested in buying and selling property, but who lost
+most of his fortune and then went to teaching, or something like that."
+
+"Teaching!" exclaimed Jack, struck by a sudden idea. "What is that man's
+name, if I may ask?"
+
+"His name is Asa Lemm, and the name of the other man is Slogwell Brown,"
+was the reply of the old lumberman, which filled the Rover boys with
+amazement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE FIRST NIGHT ON THE ISLAND
+
+
+"Asa Lemm and Slogwell Brown!"
+
+"What do you know about that, boys?"
+
+"That's bringing this matter pretty close to us, isn't it?"
+
+"I should say so!"
+
+Such were some of the remarks coming from the Rover boys after Barney
+Stevenson had made his astonishing declaration that the father of
+Slugger Brown and the ex-teacher of Colby Hall were the two men who were
+trying to dispossess him.
+
+"Why, you speak as if you knew those two men!" exclaimed the old
+lumberman.
+
+"We certainly know Asa Lemm," answered Jack.
+
+"And we know the son of Slogwell Brown," added Randy.
+
+"Yes, and if Mr. Brown is no better than his son, I wouldn't put it past
+him to do something crooked," was Andy's comment.
+
+"Tell me what you know," said Uncle Barney.
+
+Thereupon the four boys related the particulars of the trouble they had
+had with Professor Lemm, and of how he had left the military academy.
+They also told much about Slugger, and, incidentally, Nappy Martell, and
+of how the two cadets had been dismissed by Colonel Colby.
+
+"This certainly is wonderful!" exclaimed the old lumberman, when they
+had finished. "I had no idea you boys knew anything about those men. I
+reckon your opinion of their honesty is just about as high as mine is,"
+and he smiled grimly.
+
+"Asa Lemm claims to have lost quite a fortune," said Jack; "but we
+certainly did not think that part of it was located in this island."
+
+"It isn't located in this island--at least it isn't so far as I am
+concerned!" cried Uncle Barney. "If those men bought what they thought
+were the rights to this island, they were defrauded, that's all! And
+that has absolutely nothing to do with my rights to this land!"
+
+"I should think if you got a good deed to the land from that Luke
+Martinson--and his folks had a good deed from somebody else--that ought
+to be proof enough that you own the island."
+
+"Well, I've got the deed from Martinson, and I've got the old deeds he
+used to have, too! I've got them placed away in a tin box and in a safe
+place, too!" answered the old man.
+
+"Then, if you've got those deeds, why do they bother you?" questioned
+Fred.
+
+"As I've said before, they won't admit that the deeds old Mrs. Martinson
+had were any good. The fact of the matter is, Slogwell Brown wants to
+get those deeds away from me. He has been at me to let him look at the
+deeds several times, but I've always refused, for I was afraid that if
+he got the deeds away from me I would never see them again."
+
+"I thought they recorded deeds at the Court House," said Jack, who had
+heard this fact mentioned between his father and his uncles.
+
+"They do record deeds, and I suppose that one was recorded at some time
+or other; but the Court House in this county was burnt down some years
+ago and all the records went up in smoke."
+
+"But you could get the deeds recorded now--I mean have it done over
+again," remarked Randy.
+
+"I suppose so. But that wouldn't do me any good, because they would
+probably try to prove that the deeds I brought in were not the
+originals. You see, the date when a deed is recorded has a good deal to
+do with it. Anyway, I'm not going to let anybody have those deeds until
+I am sure of what I'm doing," went on Uncle Barney. It was easy to see
+that the old man was peculiar and wanted to do things in his own
+manner.
+
+"Did you ever ask a lawyer about this?" questioned Fred.
+
+"No! I ain't got no use for lawyers!" was the quick reply. "I hired a
+lawyer in a lawsuit nigh on to thirteen years ago, and I lost the suit
+and it cost me over a hundred dollars more than I might have paid
+otherwise." The old lumberman did not add that this was a lawsuit to
+which Ruth Stevenson's father was also a party, yet such was the fact.
+
+"How long is it since you heard from Mr. Brown and Professor Lemm?"
+asked Andy.
+
+"The last time they came to see me was in the middle of the summer. They
+threatened all sorts of things, and they got me so mad that I had to
+take down my shotgun and warn them away. Then they left in a big hurry."
+
+"Don't you think it's a bad thing to warn them off with a gun?"
+questioned Jack. "They might have you arrested for threatening their
+lives."
+
+"I'm not afraid of them!" was the quick reply. "This is my island, and
+nobody shall take it away from me!"
+
+The boys could see that the subject was becoming distasteful to the old
+man, and so they started to speak of other things. They questioned him
+about how they could get to his regular cabin, and also the cabin they
+were to occupy, and then spoke about the game they might have a chance
+to bring down.
+
+"Your going hunting will depend a good deal on how the weather turns
+out," said the old lumberman. "If this snow keeps on for a day or two,
+it will make traveling pretty bad. However, I'm in hopes that the storm
+will clear away by morning."
+
+The boys had put in a strenuous day, and they were glad enough when
+Uncle Barney suggested that they turn in for the night.
+
+"We're pretty short on blankets," he said, "but that won't matter so
+much so long as we keep the fire going. I've got a good back log
+started, and that ought to last until morning, if not longer. When I'm
+at this hut alone, I usually sleep in that corner, and I'll do the same
+to-night. You can spread yourselves around as you please."
+
+With such a limited supply of blankets, it was no easy matter to make
+comfortable couches, yet the boys had left home to rough it, so nobody
+complained. They lay down in their clothing, using some of their
+suitcases and Gladstone bags for pillows.
+
+"If we had had a chance to do so, we might have brought in some pine
+boughs to lie on," said Jack. "But as it is, I guess we'll manage."
+
+"Is there any chance of that wolf coming back?" questioned Fred, a bit
+anxiously.
+
+"I hardly think so, Fred. And, anyway, I don't see how he's going to get
+in here, with the door closed and the blanket nailed over the window.
+However, we can keep our guns handy in case he does appear."
+
+Worn out so completely, it did not take the boys long to fall into a
+sound sleep, and the old lumberman soon joined them, snoring lustily.
+Thus the night passed, and nothing came to disturb them.
+
+Of the lads, it was Randy who was the first to arise in the morning. He
+found Uncle Barney in the act of stirring up the fire. The old lumberman
+had already brought in some ice to be melted for a pot of coffee.
+
+"I ain't really awake in the morning until after I've had my cup of
+coffee," he explained. "That's the one thing that really sets me on my
+feet."
+
+"How about the storm?" questioned Randy, and now the sound of his voice
+set the others to stirring.
+
+"The storm is about over," was the welcome announcement. "In a little
+while I think you'll see the sun peeping out over the woods on the
+eastern shore."
+
+"Hurrah! that's good news!" cried Andy, leaping to his feet and
+stretching himself. "I must have a look!" and, jamming his cap on his
+head, he started for the door. The other Rovers followed him.
+
+Outside they found the snow covering everything to a depth of from
+several inches to several feet, but the air was as clear as a bell, and
+just beyond the woods, on the eastern shore of Lake Monona, there was a
+rosy glow, betokening the rising of the sun.
+
+"It's going to be a grand day!" exclaimed Fred.
+
+"I don't think it could be any better, even though the snow is quite
+deep in spots," returned Jack.
+
+Once more they went over the stores which had been brought along, and
+took out enough for breakfast. They had with them some flour for griddle
+cakes, and soon the appetizing odor of the cakes, mingling with the
+aroma of hot coffee and hot chocolate, filled the little cabin. Then
+they took turns at frying bacon and making more griddle cakes and eating
+breakfast.
+
+"What do you think will be the easiest way of getting to the other end
+of the island?" questioned Jack of Uncle Barney, while they were eating.
+
+"Well, as you've got the bobsled and all those stores along, I should
+say the easiest way would be to climb down to the lake again," was the
+reply. "That wind must have cleaned off some of the ice, and we can get
+along a good deal better by skating and by hauling the bobsled over the
+ice than we can trying to break our way through the woods in this heavy
+fall of snow."
+
+"I was thinking if we walked the length of the island we might stir up
+some game," remarked Randy.
+
+"You'll have plenty of chances to go out after game after you're settled
+at the regular camp," returned the old lumberman. "The game isn't going
+to run away, you know," and he smiled pleasantly.
+
+Breakfast at an end, the boys lost no time in repacking their
+belongings, and Uncle Barney assisted them in fastening the load to the
+bobsled.
+
+"But I'm going to carry my shotgun this time," announced Fred. "Then, if
+any game appears, I'll be ready for it."
+
+"You can all carry your guns if you want to," said the owner of the
+island. "I'll leave my weapon strapped to the sled, so that if any game
+appears you boys can do the shooting."
+
+The little cabin was closed up, and then the party made its way down
+over the rough rocks and between the trees to the lake shore. It was no
+easy matter to bring the bobsled along, and once Fred slipped on one of
+the smooth rocks and pitched headlong into a snowbank.
+
+"Hi you! stop your fooling!" cried Andy, and then, in great glee, he
+picked up a chunk of snow and hurled it at Jack.
+
+"Let up!" cried the oldest Rover boy. "This is no time for jokes!" and
+then, as Andy came at him with another chunk of snow, he jumped at his
+cousin, put out his foot, and made the fun-loving youth measure his
+length in a drift.
+
+"Wow! but that snow is cold!" cried Andy, who had gotten some down the
+sleeves of his sweater. "Stop! Don't bury me! I'll be good!" And then he
+scrambled to his feet once more, while Fred did the same. Then the whole
+party proceeded on its way.
+
+Reaching the lake, they lost no time in putting on their skates, and
+then, with Uncle Barney leading the way, the four Rovers followed,
+dragging the loaded bobsled behind them.
+
+On all sides could be seen snowdrifts and ridges of snow piled in
+curiously fantastic shapes. But the keen wind of the afternoon and night
+had cleared many long reaches of the ice, and over these reaches Uncle
+Barney picked his way, gradually working closer and closer to the upper
+end of Snowshoe Island.
+
+"We'll turn in here," he announced presently, when they came to where
+there was something of a cove. "There seems to be quite a cleared space.
+It won't be very long now before we reach the upper end."
+
+As they turned in once more toward the island, Jack noticed a peculiar
+fluttering among some trees not far away.
+
+"Wait a minute!" he cried out in a low tone. "I think I see some game!"
+
+All came to a halt, and then Uncle Barney looked in the direction to
+which the oldest Rover boy pointed.
+
+"You are right, my lad," answered the old lumberman. "There is a fine
+chance for all of you."
+
+"What are they?" questioned Fred a trifle excitedly.
+
+"Wild turkeys! And the best kind of eating--if you can only get close
+enough to bring them down."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+UNEXPECTED VISITORS
+
+
+"Oh, say! we've got to bring down at least one of those wild turkeys!"
+cried Andy.
+
+"Keep quiet," admonished Jack, speaking in a whisper. "If those turkeys
+hear you they'll be gone in a jiffy."
+
+"I didn't know there were any wild turkeys around here," remarked Randy.
+"I thought they had been all cleaned out long ago."
+
+"They are getting very scarce," answered Uncle Barney, "but once in a
+while you will see a small flock of them. I was after that flock about a
+week ago, but they got away from me. I've a notion that it's about the
+last flock in this district."
+
+While this talk was going on in low tones of voice, all of the Rovers
+had abandoned the bobsled and were moving toward the shore of the
+island.
+
+"You had better come this way and crawl up in the shelter of yonder
+rocks and brushwood," advised Uncle Barney. "And don't shoot until you
+have a good aim and know what you're shooting at," he concluded.
+
+It must be admitted that all of the boys were somewhat excited over the
+prospect ahead. They caught only a brief glance at the game, but felt
+certain that it was close at hand.
+
+"Wild turkeys are a good sight better than rabbits or squirrels, or even
+pheasants," said Fred. "They'll make dandy eating."
+
+"Don't eat them until after you have shot them, Fred," remarked Andy
+dryly.
+
+"Hush," warned Jack. "Now, make as little noise as possible, and each of
+you hold his gun ready for use."
+
+They had not stopped to take off their skates, but this was unnecessary,
+for the snow was deep and the skates merely kept them from slipping.
+They pushed on around some large rocks, and then in between the thick
+brushwood, where the snow fell upon their heads and shoulders, covering
+them with white--something which was to their advantage, as it aided
+them in hiding themselves from the game. Not far away they could hear
+the wild turkeys, one in particular giving the peculiar gobble by which
+they are well known.
+
+"I see them," whispered Fred a minute later, and pointed with his gun.
+
+There in a little clearing some distance ahead was a tall and long
+turkey gobbler surrounded by a number of hens. They were plump and of a
+peculiar black and bronzed color.
+
+"Let's all fire together. Maybe we can bring down the whole flock!"
+exclaimed Randy, and his manner showed that he was growing quite
+excited.
+
+"All right--I'm willing," answered Jack. "But let us see if we can't get
+a little nearer first."
+
+"Maybe if we try to get closer they'll get away from us," said Andy.
+
+"Keep your guns pointed at them, and if they start to leave fire as
+quickly as you can," answered Jack, and then he moved forward with his
+cousins ranged on either side of him.
+
+The Rover boys had advanced but a few paces when the wild turkeys caught
+sight of them. The turkey cock issued a loud note of alarm, and all
+started to fly from the low bushes upon which they had been resting.
+
+"Fire!" yelled Jack, and discharged his rifle.
+
+The crack of this weapon was followed by the report of Fred's shotgun,
+and then the twins also let drive. Then Fred fired again, and so did
+some of the others.
+
+At the first report the turkey cock was seen to rise in the air,
+followed by some of the hens, while two hens dropped lifeless in the
+snow. The turkey cock, however, was seriously wounded and fluttered
+around in a circle.
+
+"Give him another shot!" yelled Fred, whose gun was empty; and thereupon
+Jack and Randy fired and the gobbler fell directly at their feet. He was
+not yet dead, but they quickly put him out of his misery by wringing his
+neck. By this time the hens which had flown away were out of sight.
+
+"Two hens and one gobbler!" cried Jack, as he surveyed the game. "I
+think we can congratulate ourselves on this haul."
+
+"You certainly can!" exclaimed Uncle Barney, as he plowed up behind the
+boys. "Wild turkeys are no mean game to bring down, let me tell you!
+I've tried time and again to get a turkey, and somehow or other it would
+always get away from me."
+
+"Some size to this gobbler!" remarked Fred. "And some weight, too," he
+added, as he picked the turkey cock up by the legs.
+
+"He'll weigh sixteen or eighteen pounds at least," said the old
+lumberman, as he took the turkey cock from the youngest Rover boy and
+held the game out in both hands. "Yes, sir! every bit of eighteen--and
+he may go twenty. You'll have a dandy meal off of him."
+
+"I know what I'd like to do," said Randy wistfully. "I'd like to send
+him home to the folks."
+
+"That's the talk!" returned his twin. "Why can't we do it?"
+
+"I'm willing," answered Jack. "The express company ought to know how to
+pack game like that so it will carry properly."
+
+"They'll pack anything you want them to down at the railroad station,"
+said Uncle Barney. "There is a man there who makes a specialty of that
+sort of thing for hunters. He'll see that the turkey reaches your folks
+in New York in first-class shape."
+
+"We can send the gobbler home and keep the two hens," said Fred. "That
+will make eating enough for us, I'm sure. They must weigh at least seven
+or eight pounds apiece."
+
+"All of that," came from the old lumberman.
+
+Much elated over the success of their first effort at hunting on
+Snowshoe Island, the Rovers picked up the game and made their way back
+to where they had left the bobsled. They placed the turkeys on the sled,
+and then resumed their journey once more.
+
+"We're coming up to the end of the island now," announced Barney
+Stevenson presently, and a minute later they made a turn around some
+trees lining the shore and came into view of a cleared spot, containing
+a small boat-landing. Beyond the cleared spot, backed up by some tall
+pines and hemlocks, were two fair-sized cabins, standing about a
+hundred feet apart.
+
+"That's the cabin I use," explained the old lumberman, pointing to the
+building on the right. "The other is the one you can make yourselves at
+home in."
+
+The setting for the two cabins was an ideal one, and the boys could well
+imagine how beautiful the place must look in the summer time with the
+green trees, and the cleared space sloping down to the great lake. Now,
+of course, the ground, as well as the trees and brushwood, was heavily
+covered with snow, and the snow hung down off the rough roof of each
+cabin.
+
+"I'll take you directly over to the cabin you are to occupy," said Uncle
+Barney. "I've got it all in shape for you, with plenty of firewood and
+everything."
+
+He led the way, and they followed, dragging the bobsled behind them. The
+door to the cabin had been locked, for the old lumberman stated that he
+did not wish any outside hunters or other people to take possession
+during his absence.
+
+"Of course, a good many of the hunters and lumberman are my friends," he
+explained. "But then there are often strangers, and some of those
+fellows wouldn't be above carrying off anything that suited their
+fancy."
+
+The boys gave cries of delight when he took them into the cabin which
+they were to occupy during their stay on the island. They found it a
+fairly large place, divided into two rooms, one a general living-room
+and the other a sleeping apartment. In the former was located a fairly
+well-made table, a couple of benches, and also a swinging shelf,
+containing quite an assortment of dishes, while at one side there was a
+big open fireplace, and in a corner a small closet furnished with
+numerous kitchen utensils.
+
+The other apartment contained three regular bunks and a temporary one
+put in for the occasion; and these bunks were well spread with fresh
+pine boughs and camp blankets. The opening from one room into the next
+was so located that the warmth from the fire in the living-room could
+easily reach the sleeping apartment.
+
+"Say, this is bang-up!" exclaimed Randy.
+
+"It's the best ever!" echoed Fred.
+
+"It's a peach!" was Andy's comment.
+
+"I certainly didn't expect anything half as good as this, Uncle Barney,"
+remarked Jack, his eyes showing his pleasure. "If we don't have a good
+time here, it certainly won't be your fault."
+
+"Then you really like it, do you, boys?" asked the old lumberman
+anxiously.
+
+"I certainly don't know how it could be better," remarked Randy. "And
+just look at the dishes and things to cook with!"
+
+"And these fine bunks!" exclaimed his twin, sitting down on one. "Why,
+this is just as good as a hair mattress!"
+
+"And how sweet the pine boughs smell!" murmured Fred.
+
+"If you boys want to send that turkey cock home, you had better let me
+take it down to Rockville to-day," said the old lumberman. "I won't mind
+the trip at all," he added, as he saw that some of them were going to
+remonstrate. "Fact is, I forgot to get some of the things I was going to
+buy yesterday. So if you'll just make yourselves at home here, I'll go
+down there and be back some time before nightfall."
+
+"Don't you want to wait until after dinner?" questioned Jack.
+
+"No. I'll get something to eat while I'm in town."
+
+The matter was talked over, and it was finally arranged that Barney
+Stevenson should return to Rockville with the turkey cock and have it
+shipped by express to the Rover boys' folks in New York. Jack wrote out
+a card, which was to be sent with the game, and also another card to be
+tacked on the box in which it was to be shipped. Then the old lumberman
+hurried over to his own cabin to get ready for the journey.
+
+"Won't our folks be surprised when they get that box!" exclaimed Fred.
+"I wish I could be there to see them."
+
+"They'll know we didn't lose any time going hunting," added Andy, with a
+happy laugh.
+
+When the old hunter had departed with the turkey cock, the boys hung up
+the dead hens and then proceeded to make themselves at home in the cabin
+which had been assigned to them. They had quite something to do to build
+a fire and to unpack and stow away the various things which they had
+brought along, and almost before they were aware it was time for dinner.
+
+"Shall we eat the game to-day?" questioned Randy.
+
+"Oh, let us wait until to-morrow. Then Uncle Barney will be with us, and
+he can enjoy it, too," answered Jack, and so it was decided. Then the
+boys started in to get such a meal as their stores and the things which
+the old lumberman had turned over to them provided.
+
+It was great fun, and all of them felt in the best of spirits. Andy
+could hardly keep himself down, and had to whistle at the top of his
+lungs, and even do a jig or two while he moved about.
+
+"It's going to be the best outing ever!" he declared over and over
+again.
+
+"Yes, and won't we have something to tell when we get back to Colby
+Hall!" put in Fred.
+
+It was over an hour later before dinner was ready. Having had such an
+early breakfast, the boys did full justice to all the things they had
+cooked, and they spent quite some time over the meal. After that they
+continued to put the cabin in order, and cleaned their skates, and also
+looked over their guns.
+
+"We'll have to try these snowshoes to-morrow," announced Jack, referring
+to a number of such articles which Barney Stevenson had hung on the
+walls of the cabin. "Maybe we'll almost break our necks at first, but
+there is nothing like getting used to a thing."
+
+"What do you mean? Getting used to breaking your neck?" questioned Andy
+dryly, and this brought forth a laugh all around.
+
+About the middle of the afternoon the boys found themselves with but
+little to do, and Fred suggested that they might go out and look for
+more game.
+
+"Oh, let's take it easy for the rest of the day, and go out early in the
+morning," cried Randy.
+
+"Let us go over to the other cabin and take a look around," suggested
+Andy. "I'm sure old Uncle Barney won't mind. He's a fine old gentleman,
+even though he is rather peculiar."
+
+"I want to talk to him about Ruth Stevenson's folks some time," said
+Jack; "but I'm afraid I'm going to have a hard time getting at it."
+
+Andy led the way out of the cabin, and the four boys had almost reached
+the place used by the old lumberman when suddenly Fred gave a cry.
+
+"Here come two men from the lake!"
+
+"Maybe it's Uncle Barney coming back with one of his friends," said
+Andy.
+
+"No; neither of the men walks like the old lumberman," announced his
+twin.
+
+"One of those men looks familiar to me," burst out Jack. He gazed
+intently at the advancing pair.
+
+"There are two others behind them," broke in Fred. "Young fellows, I
+think."
+
+"One of those men is Professor Lemm!" cried Jack.
+
+"And the two fellows in the rear are Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell!"
+added Fred.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+A WAR OF WORDS
+
+
+The knowledge that Professor Lemm, Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell were
+approaching the cabins on the upper end of Snowshoe Island filled the
+Rover boys with wonder.
+
+"Professor Lemm must have come to see Uncle Barney about those deeds,"
+remarked Randy.
+
+"I wonder if that is Slugger's father with him?" broke in Fred.
+
+"Maybe," answered Jack. "Those men were the only two who were interested
+in getting possession of this island."
+
+"I'll tell you what I think we ought to do!" exclaimed Andy.
+
+"What?" came from the others quickly.
+
+"I think we ought to go back to our own cabin and arm ourselves."
+
+"That might not be such a bad idea, Andy," returned Jack. "Those men,
+backed up by Slugger and Nappy, may want to carry things with a high
+hand."
+
+Acting on Andy's suggestion, the four boys retreated to the cabin which
+they had just left, and each took possession of his weapon.
+
+"I don't think they'll try much rough-house work when they see how we
+are armed," remarked Randy grimly.
+
+"Of course, we don't want to do any shooting," cautioned Jack. "We only
+want to scare them, in case they go too far."
+
+"Jack, you had better be the spokesman for the crowd," remarked Randy.
+"You go ahead and talk to them, and we'll stand back with our guns."
+
+Still holding his rifle, Jack went forward again, and in a moment more
+found himself confronted by Asa Lemm and the man who was with him.
+
+"Rover! Is it possible!" exclaimed the former teacher of Colby Hall in
+astonishment. "What are you doing here?"
+
+"I and my cousins are here to hunt."
+
+"Humph! I didn't know old Stevenson allowed anybody to do hunting around
+here."
+
+"Maybe they are hunting here without the old man's permission,"
+suggested the other man. "Where is Barney Stevenson?" he demanded of
+Jack.
+
+"Mr. Stevenson has gone over to Rockville on an errand," was the reply.
+
+By this time Slugger and Nappy had come up, and they stared at Jack and
+his cousins as if they could not believe the evidences of their senses.
+
+"Well, what do you know about this!" burst out the former bully of Colby
+Hall.
+
+"All of those Rovers up here, and armed!" came from Nappy.
+
+"Who gave you the right to come to this island?" went on the bully,
+glaring at Jack.
+
+"Do you know these boys?" queried the man who was with Professor Lemm.
+
+"Sure, Dad, I know them! They are the Rover boys I told you about--the
+fellows who helped to have me and Nappy sent away from school."
+
+"Oh, so that's it!" cried Slogwell Brown. "Did you have any idea they
+might be up here?" he questioned quickly.
+
+"Not the least, Dad. I thought they were down in New York. Nappy said he
+had seen them on the ice in Central Park."
+
+"I did see them, too," answered the lad mentioned.
+
+"Well, we didn't come here to see you Rovers," broke in Asa Lemm
+stiffly. "Not but what I have an account to settle with you," he
+continued significantly.
+
+"We want nothing more to do with you, Professor Lemm," answered Jack
+boldly.
+
+"But I'm going to have something to do with you, young man!" stormed
+the former teacher of the Hall, beginning to show his usual ill humor.
+
+"Never mind these boys now, Lemm," interposed Slogwell Brown. "We want
+to fix up our business with old Stevenson first."
+
+"If you have anything to say to Mr. Stevenson, you'll have to come when
+he is here," answered Jack.
+
+"When do you expect him back?"
+
+"I don't know exactly when he will come--probably before nightfall."
+
+"Then, all we can do is to wait for him," grumbled Slogwell Brown.
+
+"If we have to wait, we might as well go inside his cabin and do it,"
+suggested Nappy. "It's too cold to stay out here."
+
+"Yes, and I'm all tired out from wading through those snowdrifts," added
+Slugger. He looked past Jack at the other Rover boys. "Had any luck
+hunting?"
+
+For the moment there was no reply. Then Randy stepped forward.
+
+"I don't know as that is any of your business, Slugger," he replied
+coldly.
+
+"Oh, say! you needn't get on your high-horse," growled the bully. "What
+Nappy and I ought to do is to pitch into you for having us fired out of
+the Hall."
+
+"You stay right where you are!" cried Fred.
+
+"Humph! you think you've got the best of us with those guns, don't you?"
+came from Nappy, who had ranged up beside Slugger.
+
+"Never mind what we think," answered Andy. "If you know when you're well
+off, you'll keep your distance."
+
+"See here! you boys needn't get too fresh," came harshly from Slogwell
+Brown. "I've heard all about your doings at Colby Hall, and how you got
+the professor, here, and my son and his chum into trouble. Some day I
+intend to make you suffer for that. But just now we are here on a
+different errand."
+
+"We're going to put old Stevenson off this island and take possession!"
+cried Nappy triumphantly. "And then, when he goes, you can go, too!"
+
+"Why cannot we take possession of these two cabins at once?" suggested
+Asa Lemm. "The island belongs to us, and we have a perfect right to do
+so."
+
+"Of course we can take possession," answered Slogwell Brown.
+"Remember--possession is nine points of the law," he added, in a low
+tone of voice.
+
+"We'll show old Stevenson where he belongs," growled Slugger.
+
+"Yes, and we'll show these Rover boys where they belong, too," put in
+Nappy, his eyes snapping viciously.
+
+Without further ado, the whole party started toward the cabin which was
+Barney Stevenson's home. Evidently the men had been there before, and
+knew that this was the right building of the two.
+
+"Oh, Jack! are you going to let them take possession?" questioned Fred,
+in a low voice.
+
+"What do you fellows think we ought to do?" queried the oldest Rover boy
+quickly.
+
+"I think we ought to make them keep out until Uncle Barney gets back,"
+answered Randy.
+
+"That's my idea, too," added his twin.
+
+"They may have the right to this island, but I'd make them fight it out
+with Mr. Stevenson," was Fred's comment.
+
+"That's just the way I look at it, too," answered Jack. "Come on, Randy;
+we'll guard that cabin while Andy and Fred can remain here to guard this
+place."
+
+"Would you dare to shoot at them?" questioned Fred anxiously.
+
+"I don't think there will be any necessity for shooting, Fred. I think
+if we merely show we mean business they will keep their distance."
+
+The boys exchanged a few more words, and then Jack and Randy set off on
+a run for the cabin occupied by Uncle Barney. They outdistanced the
+visitors, and soon placed themselves in the doorway.
+
+"Now, you keep back!" cried Jack warningly. "Don't come near this place
+until Mr. Stevenson returns!"
+
+"Ha! do you dare to threaten me?" burst out Slogwell Brown in amazement.
+
+"You heard what I said."
+
+"Every one of you keep away from here," put in Randy.
+
+"See here, Rover!" commenced Asa Lemm. "This is outrageous! We own this
+island, and we intend to take possession."
+
+"Whether you own it or not, you are not going to take possession of
+anything until after Mr. Stevenson gets here," answered Jack, as calmly
+as he could. "I don't know anything about your claim. As far as I do
+know, Mr. Stevenson is the owner of this place. He left us in charge
+when he went away, and we are going to remain in charge until he gets
+back."
+
+"Huh! do you think we're going to stay out in this cold?" grumbled
+Slugger.
+
+"I don't care what you do," answered Jack. "You can't come into either
+of these cabins--and that's final!"
+
+"We'll see about that!" stormed Nappy, and advanced several steps.
+
+"Get back there," ordered Jack sternly, and made a movement as if to
+raise his rifle.
+
+"Stop! Stop! Don't shoot!" yelled Asa Lemm, in sudden fright. "Keep
+back, boys, or they'll certainly shoot at us!" and he began to retreat.
+
+"Do you dare to threaten us?" questioned Slogwell Brown and the tone of
+his voice showed his uneasiness. A glance over his shoulder had shown
+him the other two boys at the doorway of the second cabin, and also
+armed.
+
+"I'm telling you to keep away from here--that's all," answered Jack.
+"You can come back when Mr. Stevenson returns."
+
+"I--I think maybe it would be better for us to retire," stammered
+Professor Lemm. "We--er--don't want to run the risk of being shot. Those
+boys are very hot-headed, and there is no telling what they might do if
+we exasperated them."
+
+"I'm not going to give in to a bunch of school boys!" stormed Slogwell
+Brown, who, in his manner, was every bit as much of a bully as his son.
+
+"But if they should shoot at us----"
+
+"I don't think they've got the nerve to do it. They are only putting up
+a big bluff."
+
+"Don't you be too sure about that," put in Nappy, who was just as much
+scared as was the professor. "Those Rover boys are game to do almost
+anything when they are aroused."
+
+"We've got to remember one thing," came from Slugger. "There are four of
+them, and each of 'em has got a gun."
+
+"I wish I had brought a gun along myself," said his crony.
+
+"We should have armed ourselves," grumbled Slogwell Brown. "It was a
+mistake to come over to this island without so much as a pistol. If I
+only had some sort of a weapon, I'd show those boys a thing or two."
+
+"Maybe we can get into the cabin by a back way," suggested Nappy.
+
+"Say, that's an idea!" cried his crony. "And if we can do that, maybe
+there's a gun or a pistol inside that we can use."
+
+"You boys can take a walk around to the rear if you want to," answered
+Slugger's father. "I'll see if I can't bluff those fellows into letting
+us in at the front."
+
+Slugger and Nappy had just started to move away toward the lake shore,
+intending to sneak behind some rocks and bushes, when they heard Fred
+give a loud shout from the entrance to the second cabin. Then Andy gave
+a long whistle.
+
+"What's that for?" questioned Nappy quickly.
+
+"See! they are waving their hands to somebody," announced Slugger. He
+turned to gaze out over the lake. "A man is coming."
+
+"What do you bet it isn't old Stevenson?"
+
+"It is! See, he's coming as fast as he can!"
+
+"Yes, and he has his gun with him," announced Asa Lemm somewhat feebly.
+
+Attracted by the call from Fred and the loud whistle given by Andy, the
+old lumberman had noted that a number of visitors were standing in front
+of the two cabins at the upper end of Snowshoe Island. He was still a
+considerable distance out on the lake, but his rapid skate strokes soon
+brought him to the shore. Then, without waiting to unstrap his skates,
+he came forward through the snow, his shotgun ready for use.
+
+"Well, I'm mighty glad he's got here," murmured Jack, and his cousins
+echoed the sentiment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+FACING THE WOLVES
+
+
+"So this is how you treat me, eh?" exclaimed old Barney Stevenson, as he
+confronted the visitors. "Come here to do as you please while I'm away,
+eh?" and his face showed his intense displeasure.
+
+"They wanted to go into your cabin, but we wouldn't let them do it while
+you were away," said Jack quickly.
+
+"Good for you, boys--I'm glad you kept 'em out."
+
+"See here, Stevenson, this nonsense has got to end!" cried Slogwell
+Brown. "You know as well as I do that you have no valid claim to this
+island."
+
+"The island belongs to me, Brown, and I intend to keep it!" was the
+quick reply. "I've got my deed for it."
+
+"That deed is no good, and you know it," broke in Asa Lemm.
+
+"Look here! if you are so sure that Mr. Stevenson is in the wrong, why
+don't you go to law about it?" questioned Jack, struck by a sudden idea.
+
+"See here, boy, this is none of your affair," growled Slogwell Brown.
+"We'll conduct our own business in our own way."
+
+"And I'll conduct my own business in my own way, too!" interposed Uncle
+Barney. "You get off of this island--all of you--just as quick as you
+can," and he started as if to raise his gun.
+
+"Now, see here, Stevenson----" began Slogwell Brown.
+
+"We have rights----" came from Asa Lemm.
+
+"I've listened to you before. I'm not going to listen again!"
+interrupted the old lumberman. "You haven't any right on this island,
+and I'm ordering you--every one of you--to get off just as soon as you
+can. You're trespassers--nothing else!" and now he raised his gun as if
+getting ready to shoot.
+
+"Come on, let us go back!" cried Professor Lemm in sudden terror, and he
+retreated several steps, followed by Slugger and Nappy.
+
+"See here, Stevenson, you'll be sorry for this some day," growled
+Slogwell Brown. He had still too much of the fight left in him to
+retreat, and yet he was not brave enough to advance.
+
+"I'll take my chances!" returned Uncle Barney. "I've got those deeds,
+and I know they are all O. K. Now, you clear out--and don't you dare to
+come here again!"
+
+"Why won't you let me see those deeds?" questioned the other man.
+
+"Because I won't--that's why!"
+
+"I came on purpose to look them over and show you your mistake."
+
+"Maybe he hasn't got any deeds," came from Nappy, who had fallen back
+still further.
+
+"I've got those deeds safe and sound--in a box--and put away where you
+fellows can't find 'em!" answered the old lumberman triumphantly. "Now
+you get out! I'll give you just five minutes to do it in. Jack, you time
+'em, will you?" and he glanced at the oldest Rover boy.
+
+"Sure, I will!" was the ready reply, and Jack pulled out his watch.
+"It's now exactly twelve minutes past four."
+
+"All right. Then you've got until seventeen minutes after four to get
+off of this island," announced Barney Stevenson to the visitors. "If you
+are not off by that time, there'll most likely be some shooting around
+here."
+
+He had taken his place in front of his cabin, and all of the boys were
+now ranged beside him. As each was armed, they made quite a formidable
+looking firing squad.
+
+Much against his will, Slogwell Brown retreated to where Professor Lemm
+and the others of the crowd stood. The four talked matters over in a low
+tone.
+
+"It's too bad we came here unarmed," grumbled Slogwell Brown.
+
+"That's just what I say, Dad!" answered his son. "Let's go back and get
+some guns and pistols."
+
+"No! no! We don't want any shooting!" cried Asa Lemm in new alarm.
+
+"I'm not going to get mixed up in any gun-play," added Nappy.
+
+"If we could only get possession of those deeds!" went on the former
+teacher of Colby Hall.
+
+"I've got a plan," suggested Nappy, after a moment's pause. "Come on,
+let's go away now, and I'll tell you what it is."
+
+Growling and grumbling, the four visitors made their way slowly to the
+lake shore. As they skated off, Slugger Brown turned to shake his fist
+at the Rovers, and Nappy did likewise.
+
+"Well, they've gone!" exclaimed Fred, and his voice showed his relief.
+
+"But there's no telling when they'll come back," said Randy quickly.
+
+"I don't think they'll come back in a hurry," broke in Andy. "We scared
+them pretty thoroughly with our guns."
+
+"What did they say to you before I came?" questioned Uncle Barney, while
+the party on the lake was disappearing in the gloom.
+
+Thereupon the boys related the particulars of all that had taken place,
+the old lumberman listening closely to the recital. At the end, he shut
+his teeth and shook his head grimly.
+
+"The rascals!" he ejaculated. "If it hadn't been for you, they would
+most likely have ransacked both of the cabins, and maybe, if they had
+gotten hold of my extra gun or my pistol, taken possession and made me
+keep away."
+
+"Oh, they would have taken possession all right enough!" cried Jack.
+"But if the island is really yours, Uncle Barney, I don't see why you
+couldn't have had them arrested for anything like that."
+
+"I told you before--I have no use for lawyers or law courts," grumbled
+the old lumberman. "All I want to do is to stay here and not be
+disturbed. I've got my deeds, and that's enough."
+
+"Are you sure they are in a safe place?" questioned Jack. "I mean, some
+place where those rascals can't get at them?"
+
+"I've got 'em in a tin box, and put away safe enough."
+
+"I hope you haven't got them hidden around one of the cabins," said
+Fred. "They'd be sure to find them if they came here some time when you
+were away, and made a search."
+
+"I haven't got 'em in or near either of the cabins. I've got 'em in a
+better place than that," was the cunning reply.
+
+"You really ought to have them recorded, Uncle Barney; and then maybe it
+wouldn't be a bad scheme to put them in a safe deposit box in a bank,"
+said Jack.
+
+"Oh, they're safe enough--don't you fear!" answered the old man. It was
+plainly to be seen that he was bound to have his own way in everything
+he did.
+
+Satisfied that the visitors had left the island for the time being, the
+boys followed the old lumberman into his own cabin, and there helped him
+to start up the fire. He told them that he had shipped off the wild
+turkey as desired.
+
+The evening passed quietly, and in the morning the boys found themselves
+thoroughly rested.
+
+"It's a grand day for hunting!" exclaimed Fred, as he went outside to
+view the landscape. The sun was just peeping over the trees on the
+eastern shore of Lake Monona, and soon the dazzling shafts of light were
+streaming over the ice and snow in all directions.
+
+"Do you think Asa Lemm and those others will be back to-day?" queried
+Randy.
+
+"There's no telling," answered Jack.
+
+While some of the boys were preparing breakfast, the others walked over
+to Uncle Barney's cabin. They found the old lumberman already stirring,
+and invited him to come over and eat his morning meal with them, an
+invitation which he readily accepted, for he had taken a great liking to
+all of the Rovers.
+
+"We've been thinking of trying those snowshoes, Uncle Barney," said
+Jack.
+
+"No time like the present, boys," was the answer. "I'll show you how to
+put 'em on, and how to use 'em, too."
+
+"Won't you go out hunting with us?" questioned Fred.
+
+"No; I'm going to stay around the cabins, in case those rascals come
+back. I don't think they will, but there is nothing like being on the
+safe side."
+
+The hour after the morning meal was productive of a good deal of fun.
+None of the boys had ever used snowshoes before, and consequently in
+their efforts to move around on them, they got more than one tumble.
+
+"Great watermelons!" cried Andy, as he pitched headfirst into a
+snowdrift. "And I thought using snowshoes was the easiest thing in the
+world!"
+
+"It's just like plain walking, Andy; it's got to be learned," answered
+Jack, who, a moment before, had had a tumble himself.
+
+Finally, however, the boys managed to remain on their feet fairly well,
+and then they started off to do a little hunting along the eastern shore
+of the island.
+
+"I don't know as you'll be able to stir up very much to-day," announced
+Uncle Barney. "But even a few rabbits and a few squirrels won't be so
+bad."
+
+They carried a lunch with them, not knowing whether they would get back
+to the cabin by noon or not. They were soon gliding over the snow where
+something of a trail led through the woods.
+
+They tramped a good half mile before they saw anything in the way of
+game. Then several squirrels appeared, and Fred and Andy had the
+satisfaction of laying them low with their shotguns. Then they tramped
+on further, and by noon managed to obtain a rabbit and two woodcocks.
+
+"Not so bad but what it might be worse," announced Jack, who had the
+rabbit to his credit. "We won't go hungry, that's sure!"
+
+"And don't forget that we've got those wild turkeys to eat," added Andy,
+who had laid low the two woodcocks.
+
+Being unaccustomed to the use of snowshoes, the lads were glad to rest.
+They built themselves a little campfire, and, huddling around this,
+partook of the lunch they had brought along, washing it down with some
+hot chocolate from a thermos bottle they carried.
+
+The lunch finished, they set off once again, this time going deeper into
+the woods than ever.
+
+"Listen!" cried Jack presently. "I thought I heard some game stirring."
+
+All came to a halt and listened intently. From a distance they heard a
+peculiar drumming sound.
+
+"Partridges, I'll bet anything!" cried Randy in a low voice. "Come on,
+let's see if we can't get some of them."
+
+He led the way over the snow, and the others were not slow in following.
+They had reached a point where the trees grew sparingly, and where there
+were a great number of rocks and brushwood.
+
+They could hear a strange fluttering, and then a number of partridges
+arose in the air some distance in front of them. All took hasty aim and
+fired, but the game sailed out of sight unharmed.
+
+"That's the time we missed it," observed Jack dismally. "I guess we made
+too much noise and they heard us."
+
+"Listen!" interrupted Randy. "There is some sort of fight going on
+ahead."
+
+He was right; and, listening, they made out a strange bark mingled with
+a snarl and several yelps.
+
+"Let's go ahead and see what it means!" exclaimed Andy, and pushed on,
+with the others close behind him.
+
+The boys had to skirt some heavy brushwood, and then came out in a small
+cleared space surrounded by numerous big rocks and pine trees. The
+strange noises they had heard had come from between two of the large
+rocks, and now, of a sudden, several forms, snapping and snarling and
+whirling this way and that in the snow, burst upon their view.
+
+"Wolves!"
+
+"Four of them!"
+
+"They are all fighting over the possession of a dead partridge!"
+
+Four gaunt and hungry-looking wolves had come tumbling out in the snow.
+One of them was carrying a dead partridge in his mouth, and the other
+three were doing their best to get the game away from him. As the Rovers
+came into the opening, the wolves, for an instant, stopped their
+fighting and glared at the boys. Then the animal having the game made a
+sudden leap over the rocks and disappeared from view. The three wolves
+that remained began to snap and snarl and show their teeth.
+
+"Gracious! they are certainly hungry-looking beggars!" was Randy's
+comment.
+
+"Come on, let's shoot them!" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"They're no good for game," interposed Randy.
+
+"I know that, Randy. But we don't want them on the island, and neither
+does Uncle Barney."
+
+"I thought he said there weren't very many wolves left. Maybe----"
+
+Fred, who was speaking, got no further, for at that moment the three
+hungry-looking wolves crouched low, and then sprang straight in the
+direction of the four young hunters!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+JACK FREES HIS MIND
+
+
+"Jump for your lives!"
+
+"Shoot them!"
+
+These cries had scarcely been made when Jack's gun rang out and the
+foremost of the three wolves was hit in the foreleg. He gave a plunge,
+and rolled over in the snow, snapping and snarling viciously. The report
+of the weapon was followed by the discharge of Randy's gun, but his aim
+was wild and the charge passed harmlessly over the heads of the wolves.
+
+"Shoot them!"
+
+"Club them!"
+
+Then another shot rang out as Fred swung into action. It was at close
+range, and the charge of shot tore directly into the throat of the
+leading wolf, causing him to leap high into the air, and then fall over
+on his back. He plunged for a moment, sending the snow flying in every
+direction, and then lay still.
+
+Shocked evidently by the fate that had overtaken both of his
+companions, the third wolf came to a sudden halt. With eyes glaring
+fiercely, he snapped and then leaped for the nearest rocks.
+
+[Illustration: THE WOLF RECEIVED A BLOW THAT BOWLED HIM OVER.
+
+_Page 260_]
+
+"Shoot him, somebody! We want to get all three of them!"
+
+Crack! Bang! went a rifle and a shotgun almost simultaneously, but the
+aim of the two marksmen was poor, and only a few scattering shots went
+through the tail of the wolf. Then, with a wild yelp, he disappeared
+behind the rocks, and that was the last seen of him. In the meantime,
+the wounded beast was snapping and snarling most ferociously. He sent a
+shower of loose snow toward the Rovers, and then made a desperate leap
+at Jack.
+
+It was a time of dire peril, and no one realized it more than did the
+oldest Rover boy. He attempted to retreat, but to do so in snowshoes was
+too much for him, and over he went on his side in a deep bank of snow,
+almost disappearing from view.
+
+"The wolf is on top of Jack!"
+
+"Shoot him--but be careful and don't hit Jack!"
+
+"Don't fire!" gasped Randy. "You'll hit Jack sure!" and then, as well as
+he was able, he sprang to the front, using his gun as a club as he did
+so. Around came the stock with a wide swing, and the wolf received a
+blow in the side that bowled him over and over.
+
+This second attack, coming after he had been wounded in the foreleg, was
+too much for the animal, and with a yelp of sudden fear he went limping
+and leaping through the snow, sending the loose particles flying all
+about him. One of the boys discharged his gun after the beast, but
+whether he hit the animal or not he could not tell. In another moment
+the wolf was out of sight.
+
+"Do you think any of them will come back?" panted Andy, who was quite
+out of breath with excitement.
+
+"I don't think so," answered Jack. "However, let us reload just as
+quickly as we can and be ready for them." He had been taught the
+all-important lesson that a hunter should not let his firearm remain
+empty.
+
+"Well, anyhow, I got one of them!" cried Fred, with proper pride, as he
+surveyed the beast he had laid low. The discharge of shot had almost
+torn the wolf's throat asunder.
+
+"What will you do with him?" questioned Randy.
+
+"I'm going to take him back to the cabin and ask Uncle Barney about it,"
+was Fred's reply. "Perhaps we can have the wolf stuffed."
+
+The excitement of the encounter with the wolves had taken away the boys'
+desire to do any more hunting that day, and, strapping the dead wolf
+fast to a tree limb, they started on the return to the northern end of
+the island, each doing his share in carrying the dead animal.
+
+"What's that? A wolf?" cried Barney Stevenson, when he saw what they had
+brought. And then he added quickly. "Must be the one that we located in
+the cabin at the other end of the island."
+
+"We can't say about that," answered Jack, and then all of the boys told
+the story of the encounter in the woods.
+
+"Four of them! Why, I haven't heard of any such thing as that around
+here for years! I'll have to go after some of those wolves myself."
+
+"I was wondering what we could do with this wolf," said Fred. "Do you
+think I could send him home to have him stuffed?"
+
+"You could, my boy. But I wouldn't advise it. Who would want a stuffed
+wolf around anyhow? Of course, you might put him in some club-house or
+furrier's window--or something like that."
+
+"Oh, I guess I won't bother," answered Fred.
+
+"I'll tell you what we'll do," suggested Jack. "We'll prop the wolf up
+against a tree, and then take a photograph of Fred shooting at him;"
+and so it was decided, and the boys had much fun taking the picture.
+
+Several days passed, and no one came near the island. In the meantime,
+the boys went out hunting every day, and Barney Stevenson showed them
+how to fish through a hole in the ice. This was great sport, and they
+had the satisfaction of adding a number of pickerel and perch to their
+bill of fare. During those days, they cooked and ate the wild turkeys,
+and found the meat quite palatable.
+
+"We sure are having one dandy time," said Fred one evening, when sitting
+in front of the blazing fire.
+
+"I don't see how it could be any better, Fred," answered Andy.
+
+"And just think of what we've brought down in the way of rabbits,
+squirrels, pheasants, woodcocks and turkeys!"
+
+"Not to say anything about my wolf," came from Fred.
+
+"Yes, and a shot I got at a brook mink," added Jack. He had seen the
+mink at a distance, but had been unable to bring the game down.
+
+Uncle Barney had been with the boys at supper time, but had taken
+himself over to his own cabin, to smoke and to read one of several books
+the boys had given him.
+
+"I think I'll go over and see the old lumberman," said Jack presently.
+"You fellows can stay here."
+
+"Going to talk to him about Ruth and her folks?" questioned Randy.
+
+"Yes, if I get the chance."
+
+"I wouldn't worry him too much," said Fred. "He hasn't gotten over that
+visit from Professor Lemm and the others yet."
+
+"Oh, I'll be careful--don't worry about that."
+
+The old lumberman was a bit surprised to have Jack walk in on him, but
+the youth had brought his gun along, and he asked Uncle Barney to
+examine the hammer of the weapon.
+
+"It looks all right to me," said the old lumberman, after an
+examination; "but I'll put on a few drops of oil, and then maybe it'll
+work easier. It won't do to have the hammer stick just when you want to
+use it."
+
+"And now, Uncle Barney, if you'll permit me, I'd like to speak of
+something else," said Jack, as he dropped into a seat alongside of the
+fireplace. "I've got something on my mind, and I want to see if you
+can't help me out."
+
+"Something on your mind, eh?" returned the old man kindly. "Well, if I
+can help you out, you can depend on old Uncle Barney to do it," and he
+smiled broadly.
+
+"It isn't exactly my trouble, Uncle Barney. It's somebody else's," went
+on the oldest Rover boy. "A young lady I know is very much worried over
+something, and she has asked me if I can't do something to help her get
+rid of that worry."
+
+"Must be some young lady you know pretty well, then, Jack;" and the old
+lumberman smiled again.
+
+"I do know her quite well. And I think a great deal of her friendship.
+Her folks have some trouble on hand--quite a good deal of it in
+fact--and it worries the girl a good deal, and that, of course, worries
+me. You see, there has been a terrible mistake made, and neither the
+girl nor her folks know how to get at it to remedy it."
+
+"I see--I see!" The old lumberman nodded his head several times. "That's
+the way it is often. Things get into a snarl, and a fellow can't see his
+way clear to straighten 'em out. I've been there myself, and I know."
+
+"This young lady I'm speaking about has an old relative--a sort of
+uncle--that she thinks a great deal of. Her folks think a great deal of
+this gentleman, too. Now, years ago, her folks and the old gentleman had
+a quarrel, and now the old gentleman won't let her come anywhere near
+him, even though she would love dearly to talk to him and try to
+explain matters, so that he would understand that it was not her folks'
+fault that the quarrel had taken place."
+
+"See here! what are you talking about?" exclaimed Uncle Barney, eyeing
+Jack suspiciously. "Come now, no beating about the bush!"
+
+"Well, if you must know, I'm speaking about Ruth Stevenson, who goes to
+a young ladies' school not far from Colby Hall. She and I are very good
+friends, and she has told me a good deal about this quarrel you had with
+her father."
+
+"It was Fred Stevenson's fault--it wasn't my fault!" grumbled the old
+lumberman.
+
+"Maybe it was, Uncle Barney. I don't know anything about that. But I do
+know that Ruth has told me that her father never wanted nor tried to do
+you any injury. He claims that it was all a mistake, and that you should
+have given him a chance to explain."
+
+"It wasn't any mistake--I know just exactly what happened!"
+
+"But don't you think you ought to at least listen to what Ruth's father
+has to say? All he wants you to do is to hear his story."
+
+"Did he tell you that?"
+
+"Ruth told me. She said both her father and her mother are very much
+upset over the way you have treated them. They want to be friends with
+you, and her father is willing to do whatever is right regarding what
+took place years ago. She said her folks would like nothing better than
+to have you give up your lonely life on this island and come down and
+make your home with them."
+
+"What! Me go down there and live with them after all that has happened!
+I couldn't do anything like that!" and the old lumberman sprang up and
+began to pace the cabin floor.
+
+"You could do it if you tried, Uncle Barney. By the way, don't you
+remember Ruth?"
+
+"Sure I do--as pretty a little girl as ever I set eyes on. I never had
+anything against her. It was her father I had my quarrel with."
+
+"And you liked Ruth's mother, too, didn't you?" went on Jack slowly.
+
+"Oh, yes. Helen Dean always was a nice girl. I knew her long before Fred
+Stevenson married her."
+
+"And you liked Ruth's father, too, didn't you, before this quarrel took
+place?"
+
+"Of course. We were very chummy up to that time." The old lumberman took
+several turns across the cabin floor. "But that's all over now. He
+didn't treat me fair--that's all there is to it! He didn't even come to
+my wife's funeral!"
+
+"Well, if he didn't, he's very sorry for it now. And you can take it
+from me, Uncle Barney, that he would like nothing better than to patch
+up the matter somehow or other, and be friends once more."
+
+"Yes, but----"
+
+"And just think how happy it would make his wife and Ruth!" continued
+Jack quietly.
+
+"Maybe. But I don't see how it can be done. Anyway, I ain't going to
+take the first step," went on Uncle Barney, somewhat lamely.
+
+"You won't have to take the first step!" cried Jack. "You just let them
+do that." He came over and caught the old lumberman by the arm. "Will
+you?"
+
+For a moment Uncle Barney was silent. He bit his lip and rubbed his chin
+with the back of his hand.
+
+"Well, I'll see about it," he said slowly. "I'll think it over."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+THE BLUE TIN BOX
+
+
+When Jack Rover returned to the other cabin he was in a happy frame of
+mind. He had talked to Barney Stevenson for over an hour, and the old
+man had at last agreed to listen to what Ruth's father might have to say
+to him. He had admitted that living on the island was rather a lonely
+existence for him, especially as he was getting old.
+
+"I do hope they patch up their differences," remarked Jack to his
+cousins, after he had told them of the conversation held. "I know it
+will take a great load off of Ruth's mind."
+
+"Are you going to send the Stevensons a letter?" questioned Fred.
+
+"I'm going to do better than that, Fred," was the reply. "I'll skate
+down to Rockville the first thing in the morning and send Ruth and her
+folks a telegram. There is nothing like striking while the iron is hot."
+
+"Exactly so!" put in Andy. "It's just like catching a flea while he is
+biting;" and at this sally there was a general laugh.
+
+Jack was as good as his word, and slipped off early in the morning,
+accompanied by Randy. It was a beautiful day, and the youths had little
+difficulty in reaching the town. Here the oldest Rover boy spent quite
+some time concocting the proper message, which he sent to the Stevenson
+home address.
+
+"I only hope somebody will be there to receive it," he said, after the
+message had been paid for, and he had urged upon the operator to send it
+without delay.
+
+Several more days, including Sunday, passed rather quietly for the boys.
+One afternoon there came another fall of snow, and they grew rather
+fearful, thinking they might be snowed in. But the fall proved a light
+one, and in the morning it was as clear as ever.
+
+Jack had been rather disappointed at not getting the brook mink at which
+he had shot, and now he asked the others if they would not go to the
+locality where the mink had been seen.
+
+"I'd like to bring one of them down," said the oldest Rover boy.
+
+"Well, we might as well go after the mink as do anything," answered
+Fred. He was growing just a bit tired of going after nothing but
+rabbits and squirrels. For two days they had seen nothing else at which
+to shoot. Even the wolves and wild turkeys kept well out of sight.
+
+The boys found old Uncle Barney polishing his gun. He told them,
+however, that he was not going out hunting, but was going into the woods
+to inspect some of the trees with a view to cutting them down for
+lumber.
+
+"You won't have no easy time of it getting a mink," he said. "The only
+way I ever got 'em was in a trap. Howsomever, go ahead and enjoy
+yourselves. Hunting is a good deal like fishing--you can have lots of
+fun even if you don't get anything," and he chuckled. Nevertheless, his
+face looked as if he was somewhat worried.
+
+"I'll wager he's thinking about Ruth's father and that meeting they may
+have," said Randy, when the Rovers were alone and preparing to go out on
+the hunt.
+
+"Either that, Randy, or else he is brooding over the trouble Professor
+Lemm and Mr. Brown are making for him."
+
+"There's one thing I can't understand about this," put in Andy. "Why
+should those men be so anxious to obtain possession of an island like
+this? It isn't very large, and the lumber on it can't be worth a great
+deal. I should think they could pick up a piece of real estate almost
+anywhere that would be far more valuable than this."
+
+"Now you're saying something that I've been thinking right along,"
+answered Jack. "Even if they wanted this place for a summer resort, it
+wouldn't bring any great sum of money."
+
+"One thing is certain," said Fred; "they are very eager to get
+possession."
+
+"Yes. And another thing is certain, too," added Jack. "That is, Uncle
+Barney isn't going to let them have it if he can possibly stop them."
+
+The boys had had an early breakfast, and now they filled one of their
+game bags with a well-cooked lunch, and also carried with them a thermos
+bottle filled with hot chocolate.
+
+"We don't want to run short on food," cautioned Andy. "Gee! what an
+appetite this fresh air gives a fellow!"
+
+"Right you are!" answered Fred. "I could eat five or six meals a day and
+never mind it at all."
+
+"I'm glad we have managed to bring down so many squirrels and rabbits,"
+put in Randy. "If it wasn't for that, we might have run a little short
+on eating. I'm a little bit tired of squirrel stew and rabbit potpie,
+although they are a whole lot better than going hungry."
+
+Barney Stevenson came out to see them off.
+
+"Going down to that brook where you saw the mink?" he questioned,
+referring to a tiny watercourse, now, of course, frozen up, located near
+the southern end of the island.
+
+"Yes. And maybe we'll get away down to the other cabin," answered Jack.
+"We thought we'd like to take a look around there."
+
+"And if we don't come back to-night, you'll know that we're staying at
+that cabin," said Fred.
+
+"Oh, we didn't calculate to stay out all night," put in Jack quickly.
+
+"I know we didn't. But it's just possible it may get too late for us to
+come back, and that cabin would be comfortable enough, especially if we
+managed to drag in some pine boughs for beds."
+
+"Well, don't shoot more than half a dozen minks--or half a dozen deer,
+either!" shouted Uncle Barney after them; and then they started off and
+were soon out of sight, skating along the eastern shore of Snowshoe
+Island.
+
+Left to himself, Uncle Barney began to pace the floor of his cabin
+impatiently. Evidently the old lumberman was turning over something in
+his mind--something which bothered him a great deal.
+
+"Of course they are safe!" he murmured to himself. "It couldn't be
+otherwise. The last time I looked, the tin box was just where I had
+left it. I don't see why I should get so nervous over it."
+
+Presently he drew out his pipe, filled it, and sat down in front of the
+fire to smoke. As he did this, a slight noise outside the cabin
+attracted his attention.
+
+"I wonder what that was?" he asked himself, and, arising, looked out of
+one of the cabin windows. Then he went to the door and gazed around. No
+one was in sight, and he closed the door again.
+
+"Must have been the wind, or something like that," he murmured. "Or else
+I'm getting more nervous than I ever was before. Now that I've got used
+to those boys around, it seems dreadfully lonely when they are gone;"
+and he heaved a deep sigh.
+
+He remained in front of the fire for the best part of half an hour.
+Then, as if struck by a sudden determination, he leaped up, knocked the
+ashes from his pipe, and began to put on his snowshoes. He donned his
+heavy coat and his cap, locked up his cabin, and strode off in the
+direction of the heavy woods in the center of the island.
+
+Although Barney Stevenson was not aware of it, the noise he had heard
+while seated before the open fire had betokened something of
+importance. Entirely unknown to the old lumberman or to the Rover boys,
+Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell had arrived in the vicinity of the two
+cabins on the northern point of the island. Both of the youths were
+armed, but they approached the cabin occupied by the old lumberman with
+the greatest of secrecy.
+
+"It looks like another wild-goose chase to me," growled Slugger Brown,
+when they were close to the place. "We've been here three times now, and
+the old man hasn't done a thing out of the ordinary."
+
+"Well, we're sure of one thing, anyway," Nappy replied. "He hasn't got
+those deeds anywhere around that cabin--or at least no place where we
+could locate them."
+
+The bully and his crony had, from a distance, watched the departure of
+the Rovers. As can be guessed from their conversation, they had visited
+the island several times before, each time taking care that none of the
+others should discover their presence. On their trips they had been
+strongly tempted to "rough-house" the cabin occupied by Jack and his
+cousins, but they had not dared to do this, fearing it might cause the
+Rovers to go on guard.
+
+"And anyhow, we're not here for that purpose now," Slugger Brown had
+observed. "We want to get those land deeds for my dad and old Lemon."
+
+The two youths had come close to the side of the cabin and peered in at
+one of the windows, and it was this noise that had attracted Barney
+Stevenson's attention. But they had managed to keep out of sight of the
+old lumberman by flinging themselves down behind some bushes. They
+watched the departure of Uncle Barney with interest, and at once
+resolved to follow him.
+
+"Of course we haven't any snowshoes; so maybe we won't get very far,"
+said Slugger, "but we will do the best we can."
+
+Unconscious that his movements were being so closely observed, Uncle
+Barney plunged deep into the woods, taking a trail which was familiar to
+him. In some spots the snow lay deep, but in the majority of places the
+wind had swept the ground almost bare, so Slugger and Nappy had no great
+difficulty in following in the old man's footsteps.
+
+"He doesn't seem to be going out after any game," observed Nappy
+presently. "I just saw a rabbit running ahead of him, and he never even
+raised his gun."
+
+"I think I know where he's going," answered Slugger. "We'll soon find
+out if I'm right."
+
+"You mean that cave your father once spoke about?"
+
+"That's it, Nappy."
+
+"What is there about that cave that makes it so important?" went on the
+other curiously.
+
+"Never mind that now--you'll know some day--when my father gets
+possession of the island," answered Slugger rather importantly.
+
+The best part of half a mile more was covered, and then Barney Stevenson
+left the trail and plunged in among a wilderness of trees and rocks. He
+had to take off his snowshoes, and he hung them up in a tree. Then he
+went ahead once more, presently reaching the foot of a little cliff.
+Here there was an opening six or seven feet in diameter, and he
+disappeared into this.
+
+"What do you know about that?" cried Nappy in a low voice. "Is that a
+cave?"
+
+"That's just what it is!" answered Slugger triumphantly. "I only hope
+it's the cave my father wanted to locate."
+
+"Why does he want to locate a cave on this island?" asked Nappy, more
+curious than ever.
+
+"You'll know some day, Nap. Now come on--let's try to find out what the
+old man is going to do in that cave."
+
+With caution, the bully and his crony made their way over the snow, and
+then slipped inside the entrance to the cave. Ahead of them they saw
+the flicker of a lantern which Uncle Barney had lit.
+
+The cave was irregular in shape, running back a distance of a hundred
+feet or more. As the old man advanced he held his gun ready for use,
+thinking that possibly some wild animal had taken possession; but no
+animal of any sort appeared.
+
+Coming to the back end of the cave, the old man set down the lantern on
+a rock. Then he got down on his knees and began to pull away at a large
+flat stone, close by. He worked rather feverishly, as if growing more
+nervous every instance.
+
+"It must be here! They couldn't have gotten it away from me!" he
+muttered to himself.
+
+As he worked, Slugger and Nappy approached until they were within plain
+sight of what he was doing. They did not make a sound, however, and
+Uncle Barney never suspected their presence.
+
+When the flat stone had been set aside, there was revealed a small
+_cache_, lined with more stones. At the bottom of this _cache_ rested a
+fair-sized tin box, dark blue in color, and secured with a padlock.
+
+"Ha! I knew it was safe!" cried the old man in a relieved tone of voice.
+"I knew they couldn't find it!"
+
+"Say! what do you suppose----" began Nappy, when Slugger clapped a hand
+over his mouth.
+
+The low-spoken words echoed throughout the cavern, and, much startled,
+Uncle Barney dropped the tin box and sprang to his feet. As he did this
+Slugger Brown shoved his crony behind a projecting rock, and crouched
+low himself.
+
+"Who is there?" cried the old lumberman, and caught up his gun. "Who is
+there, I say! Speak, or I'll fire!"
+
+For reply, Slugger picked up a good-sized stone which was handy. Taking
+hasty aim, he hurled it at the old man. It struck Uncle Barney in the
+forehead, and slowly the old lumberman sank to the floor of the cave
+unconscious.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+UNCLE BARNEY'S SECRET
+
+
+"Looks to me as if we were going to be stumped, Jack."
+
+"I agree, Andy. It doesn't look as if there were any mink in this
+neighborhood," answered the oldest Rover boy.
+
+"Don't give up yet," pleaded Fred, who sat on a fallen tree, resting.
+
+"It's barely noon yet," announced Andy, glancing at his watch. "We've
+half a day before us."
+
+The boys had spent the entire time since leaving their cabin in skating
+along the shore of the island and making their way along the tiny,
+frozen-up watercourse, where they had hoped to discover at least one
+brook mink. But the only game to come into sight had been a squirrel,
+and they had not shot at this, fearing to disturb the other game, were
+it in that vicinity.
+
+"Let's have lunch before we continue hunting," suggested Andy. "This is
+as good a spot as any to rest in."
+
+The others were willing, and, finding a little cleared space, they built
+a tiny campfire and proceeded to make themselves at home. They passed a
+full hour over the mid-day meal, for the constant skating and tramping
+through the woods and climbing over the rocks was very tiring.
+
+"It won't be long before our vacation will be at an end," observed Fred.
+"Only a few days more, and we'll have to get into the grind again at
+Colby Hall."
+
+"Don't dare to mention lessons yet, Fred!" cried Andy. "Time enough for
+that when the school bell rings."
+
+"I was hoping Mr. Stevenson would get up here before we left," said
+Jack. "I want to see how he and old Uncle Barney get along."
+
+"Maybe he's staying away on purpose, so that he'll have a chance to see
+the old man alone," suggested Randy.
+
+The middle of the afternoon found the four young hunters near the end of
+the frozen-up watercourse, at a point where it ran in summer over some
+rough rocks into the lake below. Here the ground was very irregular, and
+once Fred slipped into a hollow, giving his left ankle a bad twist.
+
+"Ouch!" he cried, and made a wry face.
+
+"Much hurt?" asked the others quickly.
+
+"I--I don't think so," answered the youngest Rover slowly. He pulled
+himself up and took a step or two. "I guess it is all right; but it was
+a nasty tumble, just the same."
+
+"We've got to be careful. It won't do for any of us to sprain an ankle
+or break a leg," cautioned Jack.
+
+They had gone only a short distance further when Randy suddenly put up
+his hand.
+
+"I saw something flit through the snow near yonder rocks," he whispered,
+pointing.
+
+"I see it!" ejaculated Jack, and with these words he took hasty aim, and
+fired. Then his cousins saw another movement in the snow, between some
+nearby rocks, and they, too, discharged their weapons.
+
+There was a commotion both in the direction in which Jack had fired, and
+also down between the nearer rocks, and, rushing up, the four young
+hunters beheld two minks, whirling about in the snow, each badly
+wounded.
+
+"Mink, boys! Think of it!"
+
+"Don't let them get away!"
+
+These cries mingled with several more rapid reports, as one lad after
+another fired a second charge. This time their aims were better, and in
+a moment each of the minks lay stretched out on the rocks, dead.
+
+"I think there was a third one," observed Randy, "but he must have got
+away."
+
+"Well, we've got two, anyway," answered Jack with some pride. "What
+beautiful creatures they are!"
+
+Each of the minks was over a foot in length, not counting the bushy
+tail. They were of a soft brown shade, with a ridge of black on the back
+and patches of white below. Each was quite plump, and gave forth a
+peculiar strong odor.
+
+The boys were greatly delighted, and viewed the game with much
+satisfaction. They placed the minks over their shoulders, and then
+continued the hunt, presently stirring up half a dozen rabbits.
+
+"I guess we had better be starting for the cabin," announced Jack
+presently.
+
+"How about going to that other cabin at the south end of the island?"
+queried Fred.
+
+"Oh, let's give that up!" cried Randy. "I feel like getting back to
+where we have all our things."
+
+The others were inclined to do this, and, somewhat against his will,
+Fred agreed to return to the north end of Snowshoe Island. Not without
+some difficulty, they made their way back to the lake shore, and there
+put on their skates once again and started.
+
+The young hunters had expected to see Uncle Barney awaiting them on
+their return, and they were a bit surprised when the old lumberman did
+not show himself.
+
+"He must be putting in a full day sizing up that lumber he spoke about,"
+observed Jack, as he gazed at his watch. "It's nearly six o'clock."
+
+"He can't see much in this darkness," observed Randy.
+
+The boys entered their cabin, and after resting a bit proceeded to cook
+supper. They expected every moment to hear a shout from Uncle Barney,
+but none came, and at last they sat down to the meal alone.
+
+"I don't like this much," was Jack's comment, when another hour had
+passed, and the old lumberman had failed to show himself. "If he was
+going to stay away like this he should have left some word."
+
+"Let's take a look around his cabin," suggested Fred.
+
+This was done, but it shed no light on the unusual occurrence. The boys
+sat down and tried to amuse themselves as best they could, but, as
+another hour went by, their anxiety increased.
+
+"Something is wrong, I feel certain," announced Jack at last.
+
+"Maybe while he was out in the woods he fell down over some rocks,"
+suggested Andy.
+
+"He's a pretty old man to be climbing around in dangerous places," added
+his twin.
+
+When the time came to go to bed, none of the boys felt like retiring. A
+lantern was lit and hung up on a flagpole which stood between the two
+cabins. This was a signal which had been agreed upon when the Rovers had
+first come to Snowshoe Island.
+
+"There! Now if he can see the light he'll be able to locate himself,"
+said Fred.
+
+The boys took a walk around by the boat landing, and also to the edge of
+the woods back of the cabin, but all to no purpose. Then they finally
+retired to their own shelter.
+
+"We might as well go to bed," suggested Handy. "It won't do any good for
+all of us to stay up. If you say so, we might take turns in staying on
+guard, in case we should hear a call for help, or anything like that."
+
+This was considered good advice, and each youth took two hours at
+staying awake while the others slept; and thus the night passed.
+
+With the first streak of daylight, the boys prepared a hasty breakfast,
+and then went outside to view the situation. They soon found the tracks
+of the old lumberman's snowshoes, leading into the woods, and presently
+saw two other tracks close behind them.
+
+"I'm no sleuth, but it looks to me as if Uncle Barney went into the
+woods and two persons followed him!" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"Just the way it looks to me, too," answered Fred.
+
+"Let's go and follow up those footprints at once," suggested Andy.
+
+The others were willing, and in a short space of time they were on their
+snowshoes and making their way through the woods in the center of the
+island.
+
+"Hello! here's something!" cried Jack presently, and pointed to the old
+lumberman's snowshoes, where they still rested among the branches of a
+tree.
+
+Then the boys saw where he had climbed between the rocks, and, taking
+off their snowshoes, they followed the footprints.
+
+"A cave!"
+
+"What do you know about that!"
+
+It did not take the lads long to reach the entrance of the cavern. Then
+Jack, who had brought along one of the flashlights, turned it on and
+entered, followed by his cousins.
+
+"Hello, Uncle Barney!" he cried out at the top of his lungs. "Uncle
+Barney! are you here?"
+
+"Help! help!" came feebly from the inner end of the cave, and, guided by
+the flashlight, the four Rovers ran in that direction. They found the
+old man sitting on a rock with his head resting on his arm.
+
+"Are you hurt? How did it happen?" questioned Jack quickly.
+
+"They've robbed me!" moaned the old lumberman. "They came up behind me,
+and somebody hit me in the head with a rock! Then they ran away with my
+tin box!"
+
+"Who was it? Are you badly hurt?" questioned Randy.
+
+"I guess I'm not so awfully bad off, even though my head did bleed
+some," answered Uncle Barney. "But the worst of it is, they got away
+with my tin box--the one that's got the deeds to this island in it, and
+all my other valuables, including my dead wife's jewelry and a thousand
+dollars in gold."
+
+By this time the boys were examining the old man's head. They saw where
+the rock had struck him, making quite a cut, from which the blood had
+flowed over one ear. It was much swollen, and over it Uncle Barney had
+tied a bandanna handkerchief.
+
+"I'll get some snow and wash it off with that!" cried Fred, and did so.
+Then the wound was bound up once more, and Uncle Barney said he felt
+better. He told his story in detail.
+
+"What am I going to do?" he groaned. "Those rascals have got my treasure
+box!"
+
+"Who were they?" questioned Randy.
+
+"I don't know exactly. I heard them talk, and faced them with my gun.
+They were in the dark, so I couldn't distinguish them very good. Then
+one of them threw a big rock, and that is all I can remember. As soon as
+I became unconscious they must have grabbed the box and run away with
+it."
+
+"It must have been either Asa Lemm and Mr. Brown, or else Slugger and
+Nappy," said Randy.
+
+"I don't know what I'm going to do, now those deeds are gone--not to say
+anything about my wife's jewelry and all that gold!" groaned the old
+lumberman.
+
+"Just you take it easy, Uncle Barney. You mustn't excite yourself now,"
+said Jack kindly. "We'll do what we can toward getting the box back."
+
+The boys had brought some food along, and they insisted upon it that the
+old man eat and drink something. This seemed to strengthen Uncle Barney
+greatly, and he arose to his feet.
+
+"Now we'll get after those rascals," he said, with something of the
+old-time fire in his eyes. "I'm not going to allow 'em to rob me in this
+fashion!"
+
+While the old lumberman had been eating, the Rover boys had glanced
+around the cave curiously. It was a place partly natural and partly
+artificial. On one side it looked as if a little mining had been done,
+and Jack, who had studied geology, gazed at the surface of rocks and
+dirt with much interest.
+
+"Why, Uncle Barney, this looks to me as if it was zinc ore!" he cried
+presently.
+
+"Hush, hush, boy! I don't want anybody to know about that!" answered the
+old man quickly.
+
+"Then it is zinc ore, is it?" queried Randy, who had also been
+inspecting a side of the cave.
+
+"Yes, if you must know," was the surprising reply. "Right here, in the
+middle of this island, is one of the most valuable zinc ore beds to be
+found anywhere."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+THE DISCOVERY
+
+
+"The trouble is, those rascals have a twenty-four hours' start of us,"
+remarked Jack. "For all we know they may be miles away by this time."
+
+"It's too bad Uncle Barney didn't take our advice and either have those
+deeds recorded, or else place them in some bank vault," said Fred.
+
+"The thing now is to see if we can trail those fellows, whoever they
+were," put in Randy.
+
+"That's the talk!" cried his twin. "No use of crying over spilt milk, as
+the cat said when she tipped the pan over into the well," and at this
+remark there was a faint smile.
+
+The Rovers had drawn to one side to talk over the situation while Barney
+Stevenson was preparing to accompany them from the cave. The old man was
+both excited and worried. He cared little about the wound he had
+received on the head. All he wanted to do was to get back his treasure
+box, as he called it.
+
+The little party soon reached the point where all had left their
+snowshoes. They looked around with care, and presently made out a trail
+leading toward the lake shore.
+
+"If they went down to the lake, they most likely skated away," remarked
+Fred.
+
+It was an easy matter to follow the trail through the snow. It led up to
+the vicinity of some rough rocks, and here turned southward.
+
+"I guess they reasoned that they couldn't get over those rocks,"
+remarked Uncle Barney. "Maybe they were afraid of a bad tumble. I wish
+they had gone over them and broken their necks!" he added bitterly.
+
+"If only they had dropped the treasure box in the snow!" murmured Fred.
+
+"No such luck for us, Fred," responded Jack. "I'm afraid that box and
+its precious contents are far away by this time."
+
+They continued to follow the footprints, and at the end of a quarter of
+an hour found themselves at something of a clearing between the trees.
+Here those who had stolen the box had evidently stopped to rest, for it
+could be seen where they had been seated on a fallen log, and where they
+had placed the box.
+
+"Look here!" cried Jack, who was inspecting the ground closely. "Just as
+I thought--those fellows were Slugger and Nappy, I feel certain." He
+pointed to several half-burnt matches, and also a number of cigarette
+stubs.
+
+"I guess you're right," returned Randy. "I'm quite sure Asa Lemm doesn't
+smoke cigarettes, and when he was on the island Mr. Brown was smoking a
+black-looking cigar."
+
+"Well, if those boys stole the box, they will most likely turn it over
+to the professor and Brown," said Uncle Barney. "Oh, if only I could get
+my hands on them!" and his eyes flashed.
+
+The trail now led through a patch of woods and went into something of a
+semicircle. Then there was a little loop, which caused the boys some
+perplexity, but did not bother the old lumberman.
+
+"They lost their way--that's all," explained Uncle Barney. "But, after
+moving around in a loop, they headed in this direction," and he pointed
+with his hand. "Come on! Maybe they got hopelessly lost further on and
+are still in the woods. I hope so."
+
+The trail led deeper and deeper into the woods and wound in and out
+among a number of rocks. It was plainly evident that Slugger and Nappy
+had lost their way, and had made a number of false turns.
+
+"Here is where they rested again," announced Jack presently, and showed
+where some rocks had been swept clear of the snow.
+
+"Yes, and they stopped long enough to have something to eat," added
+Randy. "Here are a crust of bread and some cake crumbs."
+
+The trail continued to wind in and out among the woods, and the Rovers
+and the old lumberman followed it for fully an hour longer. Then they
+came out on the eastern shore of the island.
+
+"I guess this is the end of it," announced Uncle Barney dismally. "They
+probably skated away from this point."
+
+"No, they didn't!" cried Jack, who was making an examination of the
+footprints. "They went down the lake shore."
+
+"I'll tell you what I think!" said Randy. "They most likely wanted to
+get to Rockville, and they were afraid that if they attempted to cross
+to the other side of the island they would become lost again. So instead
+of going across, they went down to the lower end."
+
+"Here come two men!" cried Randy suddenly. He had been peering out on
+the surface of the lake.
+
+"Maybe they are Professor Lemm and Mr. Brown," suggested Andy.
+
+The men were at a great distance, but skating rapidly toward the island.
+As they came closer, Jack saw that they were strangers, and he waved his
+cap and shouted at them.
+
+"They may have seen Slugger and Nappy, or else they may have some news
+for us," he said.
+
+As the two strangers came closer, Uncle Barney looked at them curiously.
+Then he drew himself up and his face stiffened.
+
+"Don't you know those two men?" he questioned rather sharply, turning to
+the boys.
+
+"No," answered Jack, and the others shook their heads.
+
+"The man ahead is Fred Stevenson, and the other is Mr. Powell."
+
+"Oh, is that so!" exclaimed Jack; and then without further ado he ran
+out on the ice to meet the newcomers.
+
+"So this is Jack Rover, eh?" said Mr. Stevenson, shaking hands warmly.
+"I'm glad to know you; and I must thank you for sending me that
+telegram."
+
+"I sincerely hope you can patch up your differences with old Uncle
+Barney," answered Jack quietly. "He's in a peck of trouble just now."
+
+"Why, what has happened?" questioned Ruth's father. "But excuse me," he
+added. "This is my friend, Mr. Powell."
+
+By this time the other Rovers had come forward, and all told the two men
+of what had taken place. In the meantime, Uncle Barney remained behind
+on the lake shore, resting on his gun and eyeing the visitors
+speculatively.
+
+"I wish you would all do me a favor," said Mr. Stevenson, in a low tone
+of voice, so that the old lumberman might not hear. "I wish you would
+give me a chance to speak to Uncle Barney alone."
+
+"Certainly we'll give you that chance, Mr. Stevenson," answered Jack
+readily. "We are after the two rascals who stole that treasure box. Tell
+Uncle Barney that we are going to continue the hunt while you are doing
+your talking. Maybe Mr. Powell would like to go with us."
+
+"Certainly. I don't want to interfere with this affair between these
+other men," was the quick reply.
+
+Leaving Ruth's father to talk matters over with the old lumberman, the
+Rover boys and Mr. Powell began the journey down the side of Snowshoe
+Island. As they proceeded, the boys told the man many of the particulars
+of how Professor Lemm and Mr. Brown, accompanied by Slugger and Nappy,
+had come to the island to take possession, and then how the old
+lumberman had been attacked in the cave and how the precious blue tin
+box had been stolen.
+
+"That's certainly carrying matters with a high hand," was Mr. Powell's
+comment. "I sincerely trust the old man gets the box back. If he
+doesn't, it may cause him a great deal of trouble, especially if those
+deeds have not been recorded since the old courthouse burnt down. I
+remember well that that fire caused a great deal of trouble among
+property owners in this county."
+
+He told the boys that he and his wife and daughter May had been visiting
+the Stevensons at the time the Rovers' telegram arrived. He had left his
+wife and daughter to continue the visit, and had accompanied Mr.
+Stevenson on the trip just for the sake of a little outing.
+
+"This quarrel between old Uncle Barney, as he is called, and the
+Stevensons is all nonsense," he declared flatly. "It could have been
+cleared up years ago if the old man would only have listened to reason.
+But he was much upset by his financial losses, and more upset when his
+wife died, and he wouldn't listen to a word. Now that he is willing to
+talk I am sure they can patch it up."
+
+About a mile was covered, and then the Rovers and Mr. Powell found where
+Slugger and Nappy had gone ashore again at a point where the island was
+quite low.
+
+"I'll wager they thought they could cross here with ease, and thus save
+themselves the trouble of going around the south point," said Jack, and
+in this surmise he was correct.
+
+Once again the trail led into the woods, and now it was fairly straight
+up to a point where the ground became rougher. Here they found the snow
+scattered around some rocks, and rightly guessed that one of the youths
+had had a tumble.
+
+"And I guess the tumble must have hurt some," announced Randy. "Look at
+those footprints further on, will you? One of the fellows did a lot of
+limping."
+
+"Maybe he twisted his ankle, or something like that!" cried Andy.
+
+"It's too bad he didn't hurt himself so severely that he couldn't go any
+further," grumbled Fred.
+
+"It won't be long now before we come out near that cabin where we stayed
+during that awful snowstorm," said Jack.
+
+It was now well along in the middle of the afternoon, and the Rovers
+rightly concluded that this point had not been reached by Slugger and
+Nappy until late the day before.
+
+"If one of them was hurt, they wouldn't want to skate away over to
+Rockville in the dark," said Randy. "Maybe they stayed on this island
+all night."
+
+"There is that old cabin!" exclaimed Fred, as they reached a cleared
+space and could see some distance ahead.
+
+The little cabin was thickly surrounded by snow, and looked very much
+as it had when they had left it. But to their surprise, not to say
+delight, they saw a thin wreath of smoke curling up out of the chimney.
+
+"Somebody is there as sure as fate!" exclaimed Jack.
+
+"Come on, let's see who it is!" burst out Randy.
+
+All hurried forward, making no noise in the snow, and soon reached the
+side of the cabin. Then Jack, who was in advance, peered in through a
+corner of the broken-out window, pulling aside the nailed-up blanket for
+that purpose.
+
+The sight which met his gaze filled him with surprise and satisfaction.
+On a rude couch at one side of the single room of which the structure
+boasted, rested Slugger Brown, his ankle tied up in a rude bandage. In
+front of the fire sat Nappy Martell with the old lumberman's treasure
+box on his lap. Nappy had a knife in one hand, and, with the file blade,
+was trying to file apart the padlock to the box.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+SETTLING ACCOUNTS--CONCLUSION
+
+
+"How are you making out?" those outside the cabin heard Slugger Brown
+ask.
+
+"It's slow work with such a small file," grumbled Nappy Martell. "If I
+had a big file I could get the padlock off in no time."
+
+"What's the matter with smashing it off with a rock?" growled the bully.
+He arose to his feet and hobbled to where his crony sat. "Give it to
+me--I'll soon have it off!"
+
+"Come on," whispered Jack to his cousins and Mr. Powell. "They are in
+there and trying to open the treasure box!"
+
+It took the party but a few seconds to reach the door of the cabin. Jack
+pushed upon it, to find the barrier locked in some manner from the
+inside.
+
+"Hello! who's there?" shouted Slugger.
+
+"Maybe it's your father and Professor Lemm come back," added Nappy.
+
+The bully came to the door and threw it open. When he found himself
+confronted by the Rovers and a strange man, he fell back in
+consternation.
+
+"You!" he gasped. "How--er--did you get here?"
+
+"You let us alone!" cried Nappy, in alarm; and, leaping to his feet, he
+tried to hide the precious box behind him.
+
+"So we've got you, have we?" exclaimed Jack. "Nappy, you hand over that
+box."
+
+"I--I don't know what you mean," stammered the lad addressed.
+
+"See here! you haven't any right to come in here in this fashion,"
+blustered Slugger, recovering somewhat from his surprise.
+
+"Haven't we though!" broke out Randy.
+
+"We've caught you, and we intend to make you suffer for what you've
+done," said Andy.
+
+As lame as he was, Slugger attempted to edge his way toward the door,
+thinking he might get a chance to run away. But Jack caught him by the
+arm and sent him flying backward into a corner of the cabin.
+
+"You'll stay right where you are, Slugger Brown!" declared the oldest
+Rover boy. "Don't you dare to run away!"
+
+By this time Randy and Fred had approached Nappy, and suddenly the
+youngest Rover darted behind the youth and snatched the blue tin box
+from his grasp.
+
+"Hi! you give me that box!" stormed Nappy. "You've no right to take it
+from me!" and then he, too, tried to run from the cabin. He got as far
+as the doorway when Andy put out his foot and sent him headlong into the
+snow outside. Then Andy quickly sat down on him, and, rushing up, Randy
+did the same.
+
+"Don--don't smash me!" spluttered Nappy, whose face was partly in the
+snow.
+
+"We're not going to let you get away," came firmly from Andy.
+
+"Let's tie his hands behind him and make him a prisoner," suggested his
+twin, and this the two boys proceeded to do, using some skate straps for
+that purpose.
+
+In the meanwhile, Slugger attempted to draw a pistol, but was promptly
+hurled back by Jack and Fred. Then Mr. Powell disarmed the youth, and
+he, too, was made a prisoner.
+
+"You'll catch it for treating us this way!" growled Slugger, when he
+realized that he could do no more. "Just wait until my father hears of
+this!"
+
+"And just you wait, Slugger, until Mr. Stevenson gets here," retorted
+Jack, and this answer made the bully turn pale.
+
+Now that the two rascals had been captured, the Rover boys felt very
+much elated, the more so since they had recovered Uncle Barney's
+treasure box without the contents having been disturbed.
+
+"Won't he be glad!" murmured Fred, as he looked the box over.
+
+"Let's go out and see if we can't signal to him in some way," returned
+Randy.
+
+He went outside and three shots were fired in rapid succession, a signal
+which had been agreed upon when the boys had first gone out hunting.
+After the signal had been given, Mr. Powell said he would go out and
+watch for the coming of the Stevensons. While he was doing this, the
+Rovers talked matters over with Slugger and Nappy.
+
+"You're a fine pair to act in this fashion," said Jack sternly. "Don't
+you know you might have killed Barney Stevenson?"
+
+"Oh, we didn't hurt him much," grumbled Slugger.
+
+"And it was stealing to run off with this box!" said Randy.
+
+"No, it wasn't! That box has got deeds in it that ought to go to my
+father!"
+
+"I don't believe it, Slugger. Those deeds belong to Barney Stevenson."
+
+A minute or two later all those in the cabin heard Mr. Powell give a
+shout.
+
+"A couple of men are coming!" he cried.
+
+"It's my dad and Professor Lemm!" broke out Slugger. "Now you fellows
+will catch it!"
+
+"Be on your guard, everybody!" sang out Jack to his cousins, and each of
+them caught up his gun and waited.
+
+A few minutes later, Professor Lemm and Mr. Brown appeared in front of
+the cabin. Their arms were full of camp supplies. Evidently, this place
+had been a rendezvous for the entire Brown party for several days. It
+was from here that Slugger and Nappy had gone up to the other end of the
+island to spy upon Uncle Barney.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Mr. Brown, when he found himself
+confronted by the Rovers.
+
+"It means that we have made your son and Nappy Martell prisoners,"
+explained Jack calmly.
+
+"Prisoners!"
+
+"Yes. And I think more than likely we'll have to hand them over to the
+authorities."
+
+"I don't understand this at all," put in Asa Lemm, and his voice
+trembled a little.
+
+Mr. Powell had now come up, and the Rovers told him who the men were. He
+at once took charge of matters.
+
+"This is a serious business, Mr. Brown," he said sternly. "Your son and
+this other young man attacked old Barney Stevenson in a most outrageous
+manner and robbed him of a box of valuables. What Mr. Stevenson will do
+in the matter I don't know. I expect him here very shortly."
+
+At once there was a wordy quarrel, Mr. Brown showing his temper in
+anything but a dignified manner. He wanted his son and Nappy released,
+and threatened all sorts of things, but all to no purpose. Mr. Powell
+was obdurate, and the Rovers kept themselves in readiness to use their
+firearms should the occasion require. Asa Lemm had little to say.
+
+The discussion was growing exceedingly warm when there came another
+interruption, and Uncle Barney, followed by Frederic Stevenson, burst
+into the cabin. The old lumberman gazed at the assembled crowd, and then
+at the Rovers.
+
+"My box? Did you find my box?" he questioned quickly.
+
+"Yes, Uncle Barney, we've got the box safe and sound," answered Jack,
+and handed it over.
+
+"Did those young rascals have it?" and Uncle Barney pointed to Slugger
+and Nappy.
+
+"Yes. And that fellow was trying to file away the padlock when we got
+here."
+
+"You whelps, you!" cried the old lumberman, his eyes blazing. And as he
+strode toward Slugger and Nappy they shrank back as far as the corner of
+the cabin permitted.
+
+"Don't you hit me--don't you dare!" howled the bully.
+
+"I--I didn't mean anything by it!" whined Nappy. He was now thoroughly
+cowed.
+
+Another war of words followed, and the discussion grew even hotter than
+before. Again Mr. Brown threatened all sorts of things, but Uncle Barney
+simply laughed at him. Then Frederic Stevenson took a hand.
+
+"Uncle Barney," he said, catching the old man by the shoulder, "you let
+me manage this for you, will you?"
+
+"All right, Fred. You do as you please--only they can't have Snowshoe
+Island," was the old man's answer. Evidently the long standing
+differences between the pair had been patched up at last.
+
+"What I've got to say, I can say in very few words," came from Ruth's
+father, as he confronted Mr. Brown and Professor Lemm. "You have tried
+to carry matters here with a high hand, and the result has been that you
+have laid yourselves liable to a suit at law, while those two young
+rascals are liable to go to prison."
+
+"Oh, Dad! don't let them have us arrested!" pleaded Slugger.
+
+"I don't want to bother with the law--I want to be left alone," said
+Uncle Barney in a low voice.
+
+"This island belongs to my relative here--Mr. Barnard Stevenson,"
+proceeded Ruth's father. "He has a free and clear title to it, as I well
+know. I understand something of your underhanded work, Brown. And I
+understand, too, how you and Professor Lemm found out that this island
+contained some very valuable zinc ore beds. But your scheme to gain
+possession of this place has fallen through."
+
+"Don't be so sure of that!" snarled Slugger's father.
+
+"I am sure of it. Unless you leave my relative here alone, you are going
+to get yourself into pretty hot water. And not only that--if you bother
+him again, I'll see to it that your son and that other young man are
+sent to prison for what they have done."
+
+"Say! will you let us go if my dad gives up his claim to the island?"
+broke in Slugger eagerly.
+
+"If your father and Professor Lemm will promise never to bother Barnard
+Stevenson in the future, I think he'll be willing to let this case
+against you drop."
+
+"All right then. Dad, let's do that. We don't want the old island,
+anyhow!"
+
+"You can't do anything without those deeds," added Nappy.
+
+"Shut up! You boys make me sick!" grunted Mr. Brown.
+
+"But Martell is right--we can't do anything without the deeds,"
+whispered Professor Lemm. He was growing more fearful every moment over
+the outcome of what had taken place.
+
+More words followed, but in the end Mr. Brown and Professor Lemm
+promised to let their so-called claim on Snowshoe Island drop. Then
+Slugger and Nappy were released, and all were told to take their
+departure as soon as possible.
+
+"You think you're smart, don't you?" grumbled Slugger to Jack, when he
+was ready to go. "You just wait, Jack Rover! I'm not going to forget you
+and your cousins in a hurry!"
+
+"And I won't forget you, either!" added Nappy Martell.
+
+What these two unworthies did in the future to worry the Rovers will be
+told in another volume, to be entitled, "The Rover Boys Under Canvas;
+Or, The Mystery of the Wrecked Submarine." In that volume we shall meet
+many of our old friends again, and learn the particulars of some
+out-of-the-ordinary happenings.
+
+"Well, I'm mighty glad they're gone," said Fred, after the visitors had
+disappeared in the distance.
+
+"Glad doesn't express it!" added Andy. "I could fairly dance a jig for
+joy!"
+
+"And to think we saved the treasure box!" broke in Jack.
+
+"That's the best of all," came from Randy.
+
+Old Uncle Barney was exceedingly happy, not only to have the box
+restored to him, but also because the trouble between himself and his
+relatives had been completely cleared away.
+
+"I guess I was something of an old fool to quarrel with Fred and his
+family," he remarked to Jack later on, when talking the matter over. "It
+shows that a man should not be too hasty and headstrong. If I had only
+listened in the first place, all this would never have happened."
+
+"I'm glad you're friends once more," said Jack.
+
+"I owe you boys a great deal for this, just as I owe you a great deal
+for saving the treasure box and saving my life in the woods that time,"
+answered the old lumberman with feeling.
+
+The next day was spent by Uncle Barney and Mr. Stevenson in going over
+the matter of the deeds. Ruth's father insisted upon it that they be
+duly recorded and then placed away in a bank vault. It may be added
+here that later on this was done, and, later still, the zinc ore beds on
+the island were opened up and found to be fully as valuable as
+anticipated. Old Uncle Barney became quite a rich man, and took up his
+home with the other Stevensons.
+
+While the Stevensons were consulting about the deeds, the Rover boys
+went out on another hunt, this time accompanied by Mr. Powell, who was
+quite a sportsman. They had considerable luck, bringing in over a dozen
+rabbits, four squirrels and several partridges.
+
+"And now we've got to get ready to go home," said Jack, a day or two
+later.
+
+"Yes. And get ready for the grind at Colby Hall," added Fred.
+
+"But we've had some dandy times on this island!" declared Andy.
+
+"Couldn't have been better!" came in a chorus.
+
+And here we will say good-bye to the Rover boys.
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+THE TOM SWIFT SERIES
+
+By VICTOR APPLETON
+
+Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every Volume
+Complete in Itself.
+
+Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. Tom Swift is a
+bright, ingenious boy and his inventions and adventures make the most
+interesting kind of reading.
+
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE
+  TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS
+  TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE
+  TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER
+  TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL
+  TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH
+  TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS
+  TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE DON STURDY SERIES
+
+By VICTOR APPLETON
+
+Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by
+
+WALTER S. ROGERS
+
+Every Volume Complete in Itself
+
+In company with his uncles, one a mighty hunter and the other a noted
+scientist, Don Sturdy travels far and wide, gaining much useful
+knowledge and meeting many thrilling adventures.
+
+  DON STURDY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY;
+  Or, Autoing in the Land of the Caravans.
+
+An engrossing tale of the Sahara Desert, of encounters with wild animals
+and crafty Arabs.
+
+  DON STURDY WITH THE BIG SNAKE HUNTERS;
+  Or, Lost in the Jungles of the Amazon.
+
+Don's uncle, the hunter, took an order for some of the biggest snakes to
+be found in South America--to be delivered alive! The filling of that
+order brought keen excitement to the boy.
+
+  DON STURDY IN THE TOMBS OF GOLD;
+  Or, The Old Egyptian's Great Secret.
+
+A fascinating tale of exploration and adventure in the Valley of Kings
+in Egypt. Once the whole party became lost in the maze of cavelike tombs
+far underground.
+
+  DON STURDY ACROSS THE NORTH POLE;
+  Or, Cast Away in the Land of Ice.
+
+Don and his uncles joined an expedition bound by air across the north
+pole. A great polar blizzard nearly wrecks the airship.
+
+  DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF VOLCANOES;
+  Or, The Trail of the Ten Thousand Smokes.
+
+An absorbing tale of adventures among the volcanoes of Alaska in a
+territory but recently explored. A story that will make Don dearer to
+his readers than ever.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE RADIO BOYS SERIES
+
+(Trademark Registered)
+
+By ALLEN CHAPMAN
+
+Author of the "Railroad Series," Etc.
+
+Individual Colored Wrappers. Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in
+Itself.
+
+A new series for boys giving full details of radio work, both in sending
+and receiving--telling how small and large amateur sets can be made and
+operated, and how some boys got a lot of fun and adventure out of what
+they did. Each volume from first to last is so thoroughly fascinating,
+so strictly up-to-date and accurate, we feel sure all lads will peruse
+them with great delight.
+
+Each volume has a Foreword by Jack Binns, the well-known radio expert.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS' FIRST WIRELESS;
+  Or, Winning the Ferberton Prize.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS AT OCEAN POINT;
+  Or, The Message That Saved the Ship.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS AT THE SENDING STATION;
+  Or, Making Good in the Wireless Room.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS AT MOUNTAIN PASS;
+  Or, The Midnight Call for Assistance.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING A VOICE;
+  Or, Solving a Wireless Mystery.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE FOREST RANGERS;
+  Or, The Great Fire on Spruce Mountain.
+
+  THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE ICEBERG PATROL;
+  Or, Making Safe the Ocean Lanes.
+
+  RADIO BOYS WITH THE FLOOD FIGHTERS;
+  Or, Saving the City in the Valley.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE RAILROAD SERIES
+
+By ALLEN CHAPMAN
+
+Author of the "Radio Boys," Etc.
+
+Uniform Style of Binding. Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+In this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of a great
+American railroad system. There are adventures in abundance--railroad
+wrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a "wildcat"
+locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money on
+board--but there is much more than this--the intense rivalry among
+railroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, the
+getting through "on time" in spite of all obstacles, and the
+manipulation of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule or
+ruin.
+
+  RALPH OF THE ROUND HOUSE;
+  Or, Bound to Become a Railroad Man.
+
+  RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER;
+  Or, Clearing the Track.
+
+  RALPH ON THE ENGINE;
+  Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail.
+
+  RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS;
+  Or, The Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer.
+
+  RALPH, THE TRAIN DISPATCHER;
+  Or, The Mystery of the Pay Car.
+
+  RALPH ON THE ARMY TRAIN;
+  Or, The Young Railroader's Most Daring Exploit.
+
+  RALPH ON THE MIDNIGHT FLYER;
+  Or, The Wreck at Shadow Valley.
+
+  RALPH AND THE MISSING MAIL POUCH;
+  Or, The Stolen Government Bonds.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+  +--------------------------------------------------------------+
+  |  Corrections:                                                |
+  |                                                              |
+  |  Page 16, line 589: of changed to off.                       |
+  |  Page 21, line 726: slishing changed to sloshing.            |
+  |  Page 76, line 2180: Strobel changed to Strobell.            |
+  |  Page 88, line 2490: prefectly changed to perfectly.         |
+  |  Page 246, line 6620: it changed to is.                      |
+  |  Page 250, line 6737: first changed to fist.                 |
+  |  Page 296, line 7946: tht change to the.                     |
+  |  Page 311, line 8409: Messsage changed to Message.           |
+  +--------------------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND***
+
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