initial commit of ebook 26539HEADmain

337 files changed, 27284 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/26539-8.txt b/26539-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6b40e3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,8846 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch, 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 at Big Horn Ranch
+       The Cowboys' Double Round-Up
+
+
+Author: Edward Stratemeyer
+
+
+
+Release Date: September 5, 2008  [eBook #26539]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Roger Frank and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 26539-h.htm or 26539-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/6/5/3/26539/26539-h/26539-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/6/5/3/26539/26539-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH
+
+or
+
+The Cowboys' Double Round-Up
+
+by
+
+ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
+(Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+Author of "The Rover Boys at School," "The Rover Boys
+on Treasure Isle," "The Rover Boys at Colby Hall,"
+"The Putnam Hall Cadets Series," etc.
+
+Illustrated
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: ANDY AND FRED FOUND THE ROCKS ANYTHING BUT EASY TO ASCEND.
+Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch (Page 271)]
+
+
+
+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 ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS
+THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT
+THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK
+THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH
+
+THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES
+
+THE CADETS OF PUTNAM HALL
+THE RIVALS OF PUTNAM HALL
+THE CHAMPIONS OF PUTNAM HALL
+THE REBELLION OF PUTNAM HALL
+CAMPING OUT DAYS AT PUTNAM HALL
+THE MYSTERY AT PUTNAM HALL
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+
+Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York
+
+Copyright, 1922, by
+EDWARD STRATEMEYER
+
+The Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch
+
+      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+My Dear Boys: This book is a complete story in itself, but forms the
+sixth volume in a line issued under the general title, "The Second Rover
+Boys Series for Young Americans."
+
+As noted in some volumes of the first series, this line was started years
+ago with the publication of "The Rover Boys at School," "On the Ocean,"
+and "In the Jungle," in which I introduced my readers to Dick, Tom and
+Sam Rover and their relatives and friends. The twenty volumes of the
+First Series related the doings of these three Rover boys while attending
+Putnam Hall Military Academy, Brill College, and while on numerous
+outings.
+
+Having finished their education, the three young men established
+themselves in business and became married. Dick Rover was blessed with a
+son and a daughter, as was also his brother Sam, while Tom became the
+proud father of a pair of the liveliest kind of twin boys.
+
+From their home in New York City the young Rovers were sent to a boarding
+school, as related in the first volume of the Second Series, entitled
+"The Rover Boys at Colby Hall." From that institution of learning the
+scene was shifted to "Snowshoe Island," where the lads spent a mid-winter
+outing. Then they rejoined their fellow-cadets and had some strenuous
+doings while "Under Canvas." After that, in a volume entitled "The Rover
+Boys on a Hunt," I related how they uncovered the mystery surrounding a
+strange house in the woods. And following this came a trip to Texas and
+Oklahoma, where, "In the Land of Luck," the boys aided Dick Rover in his
+efforts to locate some valuable oil wells.
+
+In the present volume the scene is shifted back to Colby Hall and then to
+a ranch in the West where some remarkable happenings await our young
+heroes.
+
+From reports received I am assured that the sale of this line of books
+has now passed the _three million_ mark! This is as astonishing as it is
+gratifying. I sincerely trust that the reading of the volumes will do all
+of the boys and girls good.
+
+                               Affectionately and sincerely yours,
+                                                   Edward Stratemeyer.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                                      PAGE
+     I.  Snow and Snowballs                     1
+    II.  Something about the Rover Boys        13
+   III.  What the Sneak Told                   23
+    IV.  Prisoners                             35
+     V.  By the Fishing-Pole Route             46
+    VI.  A Touch of Mystery                    58
+   VII.  Something about a Sleighride Party    70
+  VIII.  A Fight and a Challenge               82
+    IX.  The Shooting Contest                  93
+     X.  Spouter's Secret                     103
+    XI.  The Election of Officers             113
+   XII.  Bonfire Night                        123
+  XIII.  A Startling Discovery                133
+   XIV.  The Parade                           145
+    XV.  Baseball                             156
+   XVI.  Spouter Is Cornered                  166
+  XVII.  Good-Bye to School                   175
+ XVIII.  On the Way West                      184
+   XIX.  In the Saddle                        193
+    XX.  At Big Horn Ranch                    204
+   XXI.  Hop Lung and the Fish                213
+  XXII.  A Horse and a Snake                  222
+ XXIII.  Jarley Bangs                         232
+  XXIV.  A New Arrival                        242
+   XXV.  Professor Duke's Secret              254
+  XXVI.  The Cattle Stampede                  264
+ XXVII.  The Mountain Lion                    274
+XXVIII.  In the Cave                          284
+  XXIX.  A Confession                         294
+   XXX.  The Capture--Conclusion              303
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE ROVER BOYS AT
+BIG HORN RANCH
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+SNOW AND SNOWBALLS
+
+
+"Line up, fellows! No crowding ahead in this contest."
+
+"Here, Jack, give me some elbow room if you want me to do any real
+snowball throwing!" cried Fred Rover.
+
+"All the elbow room you want," returned his cousin gayly.
+
+"Remember the prize!" shouted Andy Rover to the cadets who were stringing
+themselves out in a ragged line. "The first fellow to throw a snowball
+over the top of the barn gets a sock doughnut."
+
+"For gracious sake! what do you call a sock doughnut?" demanded Phil
+Franklin, another cadet, as he paused in the act of rounding up a
+snowball he was making.
+
+"A sock doughnut is one with a big hole in it," answered Andy, with a
+grin.
+
+"Then my socks must be all of the doughnut variety," put in one of the
+cadets dolefully. "They are always full of holes."
+
+"Never mind the socks now!" cried Randy Rover. "Let's see who can put the
+first snowball over the barn."
+
+It was late in the afternoon of a day in January and a number of the
+cadets of Colby Hall had been amusing themselves in the snow which
+covered the ground to a depth of nearly a foot. They had started in to
+snowballing each other, but had then grown more serious and had built
+several snow forts and likewise two or three snowmen which later they had
+taken great sport in knocking apart. Then some one had suggested that
+they try their skill at seeing who could throw, the highest and farthest,
+and this had led to the present contest.
+
+"We'll mark off a line about a hundred feet from the main barn," Jack
+Rover had announced. "And then we'll see who can throw highest over the
+roof."
+
+The four Rovers were accompanied by half a dozen of their chums and six
+or eight others, and at the word from Jack the snowballs began to fly at
+a lively rate, a few landing on the roof of the big barn and the majority
+hitting the side.
+
+"Say, look out that you don't break a window," warned Gif Garrison. "If
+you do, you'll have an account to settle with Captain Dale."
+
+"Here she goes!" yelled Dan Soppinger, and let fly with so much strength
+that the snowball sailed up to the very ridgepole of the barn and
+disappeared on the other side.
+
+"Hurrah! Dan draws first blood!" shouted Jack.
+
+"Huh! Dan didn't throw over the barn, he just slid over it," snickered
+Randy.
+
+Jack was hard at work making a small and perfectly round ball. Now,
+taking careful aim, he let fly with all his might.
+
+"There she goes fair and square," he announced with pardonable pride, as
+the snowball cleared the top of the barn by several feet and disappeared
+beyond.
+
+The snowball had scarcely been thrown when two other balls thrown by Fred
+and another cadet went sailing over the barn. Then those in the contest
+seemed to acquire better skill, and soon nearly every one of them was
+topping the barn with the missiles.
+
+"Phew! some hot work, I'll say," panted Will Hendry, usually called Fatty
+because he was the stoutest boy in the school.
+
+"This exercise will do you good, Fatty," returned Fred. "You need to
+reduce."
+
+"If Fatty keeps on he'll be eating Colby Hall poor," announced Spouter
+Powell.
+
+"Huh! I don't eat any more than any of you," grumbled Fatty. "Fact is, I
+hold myself down."
+
+"Gee! listen to that, will you?" exclaimed Andy. "Fatty says he holds
+himself down! And this morning I saw him storing away three helpings of
+sausages and about 'steen dozen buckwheat cakes."
+
+"Nothing of the kind! I didn't have a bit more than you had," growled
+Hendry. He broke off suddenly. "Hello! what's up now?"
+
+"Hi! Hi! What's the meaning o' this?" cried a voice from around one end
+of the big barn, and a man, dressed in overalls and a heavy cap and
+carrying a broom, appeared.
+
+"Hello there, Bob Nixon!" cried Jack. "What's wrong?"
+
+"There'll be a whole lot wrong if you fellows keep on throwing those
+snowballs much farther," answered Bob Nixon, who was a chauffeur for the
+Hall and who did all sorts of odd jobs in the winter time.
+
+"Did we hit you?" questioned Phil Franklin.
+
+"You sure did--on the back and on my hand," answered Nixon.
+
+"We didn't know anybody was around on that side of the barn," announced
+Andy.
+
+"I don't suppose you did. But never mind me. What I want to know is, do
+you fellows intend to smash all the glass in those hotbed frames out
+yonder?"
+
+"Great salt mackerel!" ejaculated Fred. "I forgot those hotbed frames
+were there."
+
+"Why, the glass is out of 'em, anyway, isn't it?" questioned Gif.
+
+"It was out. But they've been setting some of 'em in again, getting ready
+for some early stuff. You've sent those snowballs up to within ten or
+fifteen feet of where the frames are located."
+
+"Gosh! it's a good thing you told us of this," burst out Fatty Hendry.
+"We might have had a nice lot of glassware to pay for."
+
+"Not you, Fatty," grinned Andy. "You never even hit the top of the barn.
+If you break any glass it will be in some of those basement windows."
+
+"Come on up to the other end of the barn," suggested Gif. "Then the
+snowballs will fly right out into the open field and do no harm."
+
+"Well, I don't care where you throw 'em as long as you don't get into
+mischief," answered Bob Nixon, and disappeared into the barn.
+
+After that the cadets continued to throw over the structure for some
+time. But then they gradually lost interest, and as the short winter day
+was coming rapidly to an end some hurried into the Hall to do a little
+extra school work before the bell should ring for supper.
+
+"Well, what next?" questioned Fred Rover, when he and his three cousins
+and Gif, Phil and Spouter found themselves left alone.
+
+"I've got a great scheme for to-night if you fellows will help,"
+announced Randy. He and his twin brother were always ready for a joke.
+
+"What is it?" questioned Jack quickly.
+
+"This snow is just soft enough for rolling some big balls, as we found
+out this afternoon," answered his cousin. "What's the matter with making
+a whole lot of big snowballs and placing 'em in some of the bedrooms
+to-night?"
+
+"Gee, that's the talk!" cried his twin merrily. "I'd like to place a
+couple in Codfish's room."
+
+"He certainly deserves 'em," added Fred. "He's getting to be just as big
+a sneak as he ever was. All of our kindness to him seems to have been
+useless."
+
+"And I thought he was going to turn over a new leaf," declared Jack. "I
+wonder if some of the other fellows haven't been teasing him and that has
+made him go back to his old tricks."
+
+"I know one person I'd like to treat to some big snowballs!" broke out
+Fred. "That's Professor Duke."
+
+"Oh, say! I'd like to square up with him myself," burst out Andy. "Gee!
+he certainly did have it in for us yesterday."
+
+"Professor Duke is certainly a sour one--much worse than Asa Lemm ever
+dared to be," came from Gif.
+
+"I was thinking of Duke when I mentioned it," said Randy. "You know he
+has his room in our building instead of with the other professors in
+Colonel Colby's residence."
+
+"We don't want to get in bad with the colonel," remarked Fred seriously.
+
+"Oh, I think we can fix it so that nobody will know who did it," returned
+his cousin.
+
+The matter was talked over for several minutes, and then, having agreed
+on their plan for more fun, the Rover boys and their chums set to work
+rolling a number of snowballs which were two feet or more in diameter.
+These they placed close to the school building at a point where there was
+a series of fire-escapes leading down from the upper halls of the
+institution.
+
+"We can let down the ladder just as soon as we're ready to turn the
+trick," announced Randy. "I don't believe anybody will notice it, for it
+will be dark and so cold that most everybody will be indoors."
+
+"We've got to be on our guard to make certain that Codfish or Duke or
+somebody else doesn't spot us," said Spouter Powell. "Of course it
+wouldn't hurt if some of the regular fellows found us out, because they'd
+keep it to themselves."
+
+It must be confessed that the Rover boys were rather preoccupied in mind
+during supper that evening. In fact, Andy grew so thoughtless that he
+salted some eggs he was eating three times, so that when he finally came
+to his senses the food had to be pushed aside. This happened just as
+Professor Snopper Duke was passing, and the new teacher eyed the young
+cadet suspiciously.
+
+"What is the matter with that omelet, Rover?" he demanded, in his
+high-pitched, nervous tone of voice.
+
+"Nothing the matter with it, sir," answered Andy. "Only I somehow forgot
+and salted it too much."
+
+"Really!" returned Snopper Duke sarcastically. "Is that the way you waste
+food?"
+
+"No, sir. It was only a mistake," answered Andy meekly.
+
+"You ought to be made to eat that omelet," continued the professor
+severely. "Don't let such a thing happen again." And then, with his eyes
+rolling around among the other cadets to see if anything else might be
+wrong, he passed slowly down among the tables of the mess hall.
+
+"Oh, isn't he a perfect little lamb!" murmured Randy. "So awfully
+tender-hearted!"
+
+"Somebody ought to wring his neck," grumbled his twin.
+
+"Just the same, Andy, you'd better be careful how you handle the
+salt-shaker after this," put in Jack.
+
+After the meal the Rovers and their chums mingled with the other cadets
+and informed two or three of what was in the wind, and as a consequence
+there was quite some excitement noticeable when a little later the crowd,
+with the exception of Randy, slipped out of the school building by a side
+door. Randy ran upstairs, to appear presently on the lower landing of the
+fire-escape. Here was suspended a heavy iron ladder in such a fashion
+that it could be easily shoved out so that one end would drop to the
+ground.
+
+Soon the crowd of cadets appeared in the snow below him, and then, with a
+warning to them to get out of the way, Randy let down the ladder and then
+came down himself.
+
+"All clear upstairs," he announced. "Not a soul in sight."
+
+"One of us ought to stay on guard up there to give warning in case it's
+necessary," announced Spouter.
+
+"Well, suppose you go up," returned Jack.
+
+"I'd just as soon help with the snowballs," returned Spouter. "But if you
+want me to go I'll do so." And a moment later he disappeared up the
+ladder and into the school building through a window which had been
+thrown open.
+
+The cadets on the ground found it no easy task to raise the big snowballs
+up the ladder. They tried it first with nothing but their hands, but soon
+found they could do much better by dumping a snowball into a big overcoat
+and then hauling it up by the sleeves and the tail of the garment. They
+worked as rapidly as possible, and soon had eight of the snowballs raised
+to the platform of the fire-escape.
+
+"How about it? Everything clear?" questioned Randy, as he came into the
+corridor where Spouter was on guard.
+
+"All clear so far," was the reply. "A few of the fellows are in their
+rooms, but no one that we are going to bother."
+
+"Then let's get those snowballs inside and distribute 'em."
+
+In a few minutes the snowballs were gotten inside the building, and then
+two were rolled and pushed over to the room occupied by Henry Stowell, a
+cadet commonly called Codfish on account of the broadness of his mouth.
+Luck was with them, for the door was unlocked, so that they had little
+trouble in rolling the snowballs inside, where they were placed one on
+either side of the single bed the cadet occupied.
+
+After this the cadets rolled several of the balls to various other rooms,
+one being placed in the tub of a bathroom.
+
+"I've saved the biggest of the snowballs," whispered Randy. "That's the
+one we must place in Professor Duke's room."
+
+The professor's room was around in another corridor, and to get to this
+the cadets had to roll the big snowball directly past the top of the
+broad stairs leading to the hall below. They had the snowball in a
+position right at the head of the stairs when Spouter, who was leaning
+over the upper railing on guard, gave a sudden hiss of warning.
+
+"Somebody coming!" he announced in a whisper. "And unless I'm mistaken,
+it's Professor Duke!"
+
+"Gosh! I hope he doesn't catch us," returned Gif Garrison. "Maybe we had
+better run for it."
+
+"Here he comes right for the stairs!" put in Jack, as he saw the familiar
+form pass a light in the lower hall.
+
+The cadets did not know just what to do, and while they paused to
+consider, Professor Duke started up the long, straight stairs. He was
+evidently in deep thought and did not look above him.
+
+"Run, fellows! Run!" whispered Andy excitedly, and then, as the others
+started away he attempted to follow. But the floor was wet from the
+melting snow, and down he came flat on his back, both feet hitting the
+big snowball squarely.
+
+The movement was sufficient to send the snowball directly to the edge of
+the top step. Here, as Andy scrambled to his feet, it hovered for a
+moment, then began to slide down the stairs, gathering speed from step to
+step.
+
+"Hi! Hi! What is this?" those above heard Snopper Duke ejaculate. And the
+next instant the teacher set up a yell of alarm as the big snowball hit
+him in the stomach and hurled him to one side. Then the snowball passed
+on down the stairs, slid across the lower hallway, and shot directly
+through the open door leading to Colonel Colby's private office!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS
+
+
+"Gee, we've done it now!"
+
+"The snowball knocked Professor Duke over!"
+
+"Hi! Stop that! What do you mean? Who did that?" came in smothered tones
+from Snopper Duke, who now sat on one of the lower steps of the stairs,
+holding both hands over the spot where the big snowball had struck him.
+
+"Gosh! it struck him, all right," whispered Gif Garrison.
+
+"Yes. And it went across the hallway into Colonel Colby's office!" gasped
+Andy, who had scrambled to his feet and given a glance downward.
+
+"Skip for it!" put in his twin brother quickly. "We mustn't be caught at
+this."
+
+The warning was not needed, for all of the cadets were already scrambling
+through the corridor and away from the stairs as rapidly as possible.
+They came to a halt in front of Room 18, that which Jack occupied.
+
+"Skip inside and pretend to be reading or studying," said the oldest of
+the Rover boys.
+
+"I think we had better go to our own rooms," said Gif to Phil and
+Spouter. "And remember, mum is the word," he added for the benefit of the
+others.
+
+"There'll be some fun sooner or later, believe me," remarked Fred. "Andy,
+why did you push that snowball downstairs on top of old Duke?"
+
+"I didn't do it on purpose. I slipped," was the answer. "But come before
+they start to investigate." And then he slipped into Jack's room,
+followed by his cousins.
+
+And here let me pause for a moment to tell something about the Rover boys
+and how it was that they came to be at Colby Hall. My old readers will
+not need this introduction, and, therefore, I shall not feel hurt if they
+skip my words on the subject.
+
+In the first volume of this line, entitled "The Rover Boys at School," I
+introduced three brothers, Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover, and told how they
+were sent to Putnam Hall Military Academy where they made a number of
+chums, including a cadet named Lawrence Colby.
+
+Passing through Putnam Hall successfully, the three brothers next
+attended Brill College, and then went into business in New York City,
+where they organized The Rover Company, with offices on Wall Street.
+
+During their school days the Rover brothers had fallen in with three very
+nice girls, Dora Stanhope and her cousins, Nellie and Grace Laning. The
+three young couples became married and settled down in connecting houses
+on Riverside Drive, New York City.
+
+About a year following their marriage Dick and his wife Dora became the
+parents of a son, who was named John, and this son was followed by a
+daughter Martha. The boy Jack, as he was usually called, was a sturdy
+youth with many of the independent qualities which had made his father so
+successful.
+
+Shortly after the birth of Jack, Tom Rover and his wife Nellie came
+forward with a great surprise in the form of a pair of lively twin boys,
+one of whom was named Anderson and the other Randolph. Andy and Randy, as
+they were invariably called, were exceedingly active lads, in that
+particular being a second edition of their fun-loving father, Tom.
+
+About the time Tom's twins came upon the scene, Sam Rover and his wife
+Grace became the parents of a little girl, called Mary. Then, a year
+later, the girl was followed by a boy who was christened Fred.
+
+Residing side by side, the younger generation of Rover boys, as well as
+their sisters, were brought up very much as one large family. At first
+they were sent to private schools in the Metropolis, but the boys, led by
+Andy and Randy, showed such an aptitude for fun and horseplay that their
+parents were compelled to hold a consultation.
+
+"We'll have to send those kids to some strict boarding school--some
+military academy," said Dick Rover.
+
+"I guess that's right," his brother Tom had answered. "Although how my
+wife is going to get along without having the twins around is more than I
+know."
+
+At that time Lawrence Colby, the Rovers' former Putnam Hall chum, was at
+the head of a military academy called Colby Hall. To this institution
+Jack, Fred, and the twins were sent. And what they did upon their arrival
+there is told in detail in the first volume of my second series, entitled
+"The Rover Boys at Colby Hall."
+
+The military school was located about half a mile from the town of Haven
+Point on Clearwater Lake. At the head of the lake was the Rick Rack
+River, running down from the hills and forests beyond. The school
+consisted of a large stone building facing the river, and close by was a
+smaller building occupied by Colonel Colby and his family and some of the
+professors, and at a short distance were a gymnasium, a boathouse, and
+likewise bathing pavilions.
+
+On arriving at Colby Hall the younger Rovers found several of their
+friends awaiting them, including Dick Powell, usually called Spouter
+because of his occasional desire to make long speeches, and Gifford
+Garrison. Spouter and Gif were the sons of Songbird Powell and Fred
+Garrison, men who in their boyhood days had been close chums of the older
+Rovers while at Putnam Hall. The Rovers made a number of other friends,
+and, likewise, a few enemies, many of whom will be heard of later.
+
+As mentioned, Colby Hall was located about half a mile beyond Haven
+Point, and on the opposite side of the town was Clearwater Hall, a
+boarding school for girls. During a panic in a motion picture house the
+Rover boys became acquainted with several girls from Clearwater Hall,
+including Ruth Stevenson, May Powell, Alice Strobell, and Annie Larkins.
+They discovered that May was Spouter Powell's cousin, and the whole crowd
+of young people soon became friends. Later on Mary and Martha Rover
+became pupils at the girls' school.
+
+Ruth Stevenson had an old uncle, Barney, and one day, while out hunting,
+the Rover boys did the old man a great service. For this he invited them
+to spend some winter holidays with him, which they did, as related in
+another volume, called "The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island."
+
+On this island the boys met two of their former enemies, Nappy Martell
+and Slugger Brown, as well as Asa Lemm, a discharged teacher of Colby
+Hall. The Rovers exposed a plot against old Uncle Barney and caused the
+hunter's enemies to leave Snowshoe Island in disgust.
+
+Some of the boys hoped they had seen the last of Nappy and Slugger, but
+Jack was doubtful; and how those two unworthies turned up again to cause
+more trouble is related in the book entitled "The Rover Boys Under
+Canvas."
+
+This was at the time of the annual encampment, and at an election of
+officers Jack was made captain of Company C and Fred made first
+lieutenant.
+
+While the Rover boys were at Colby Hall the great war in Europe opened.
+When the call for army volunteers came Dick Rover and his brother Sam
+lost no time in enlisting, and as soon as he could get away Tom Rover
+followed; and the three fathers of the boys went into the trenches in
+Europe to do their duty for Uncle Sam.
+
+During the following winter at Colby Hall Gif Garrison received a letter
+from an uncle, stating that he and his chums might use a bungalow up in
+the woods. Gif at once invited the Rover boys and Spouter to become his
+guests, and what a glorious time the lads had is related in a volume
+entitled "The Rover Boys on a Hunt."
+
+The return of the older Rovers from Europe at the conclusion of the great
+war in which they had served gallantly brought something of a surprise.
+Dick Rover had saved the life of a man from Texas, and in return had been
+given the deed to some property located between Texas and Oklahoma and
+said to be in a region containing oil. He decided to go to Texas and
+Oklahoma to investigate, and the four boys begged to go along. How they
+went to the oil fields and what stirring adventures they had there are
+related in detail in the volume preceding this, called "The Rover Boys in
+the Land of Luck."
+
+Here they fell in again with Nappy Martell, Slugger Brown, and another
+good-for-nothing lad named Gabe Werner, and also with a man named Carson
+Davenport, who did his best to do Dick Rover great harm. Davenport and
+some of his cohorts were finally placed under arrest. As a result of this
+Gabe Werner's father took hold of some wells that were being sunk by the
+Davenport crowd. But in the end he and the Martells and the Browns lost a
+great deal of their money, so that they were left almost penniless.
+
+"It's a terrible blow for those three families," said Dick Rover, when
+this occurred. "It will make Mr. Werner quite a poor man."
+
+"Well, I don't particularly wish them any hard luck," remarked Andy.
+"Just the same, I guess Nappy, Slugger, and Gabe got what was coming to
+them."
+
+Before going down to Texas and Oklahoma the Rover boys, while along the
+Rick Rack River during a violent storm, had succeeded in rescuing a man
+and his son who were caught between some rocks and a drifting tree in the
+middle of the swiftly flowing stream.
+
+The man, John Franklin, was exceedingly thankful for what had been done
+for him, and so was his son Philip. It developed later that the Franklins
+owned a tract of land in Texas. And when it was discovered that the tract
+inherited by Dick Rover from the soldier in France was practically
+worthless, Jack's father made an arrangement to work the Franklin place
+on shares. Two oil wells were bored, and both of these paid handsomely,
+making the Rovers richer than ever and also placing a substantial amount
+in the bank to John Franklin's account.
+
+"Do you know I can scarcely believe it's true," Phil Franklin had said to
+the Rover boys. "Why, my father will have more money than he ever dreamed
+of."
+
+"We're as glad as you are, Phil," Jack had answered. "Glad on your
+account as well as our own. Now maybe you can go to Colby Hall with us."
+
+"Say, that would be immense!" Phil had returned with pleasure. And that
+fall he had joined the crowd at the military academy and soon made for
+himself a host of friends.
+
+"Gee, I never thought going to school could be so nice," declared Phil
+Franklin to the Rover boys one day. "I always considered going to school
+a hardship. But this is bang-up in every way."
+
+"I guess you haven't made any enemies yet, Phil," remarked Fred. "Don't
+forget that Nappy Martell, Slugger Brown, and Gabe Werner all hailed from
+here."
+
+"I've met only one fellow that I don't like," returned Phil Franklin.
+"That's a fellow who came in the day I did, a big, tall, lanky chap named
+Lester Bangs."
+
+"Oh, you mean Brassy Bangs," broke in Randy. "I know that fellow only too
+well. I had quite a set-to with him one day in the gym."
+
+"For a new cadet he's certainly pretty forward," answered Jack. "I'm glad
+he isn't a member of my company. If he was I think I'd have to call him
+down more than once."
+
+"I guess Colby Hall is bound to have its bullies," Andy had remarked on
+hearing this. "No sooner do we get rid of one group than another appears.
+They seem to grow like weeds."
+
+During the fall there had been the usual football season at the military
+academy, and the boys had acquitted themselves quite creditably, winning
+seven games out of twelve. Then had come the brief Christmas holidays.
+And following this the lads had settled down once more into the grind,
+resolved to do their best at their lessons. But, of course, they were
+only boys, and they had to have their fun, and occasionally the fun went
+a little too far and brought forth rather disastrous results, as we have
+just seen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+WHAT THE SNEAK TOLD
+
+
+"I certainly didn't think that snowball would go down the stairs so
+easily," remarked Andy, when he and the other Rovers were alone.
+
+"Keep quiet," warned Jack, who had remained at the partly-opened door. "I
+want to hear what takes place."
+
+"This is outrageous, simply outrageous!" they heard in Snopper Duke's
+high-pitched voice. "How dared you roll such a snowball down these
+stairs? And how came you to get that snowball up there anyway?"
+
+"Excuse me, Professor, but I don't know what you're talking about,"
+answered another voice; and at this Jack gave a slight start, for he
+recognized the words as coming from Brassy Bangs.
+
+"What is that? You do not know anything about the big snowball that just
+came hurtling down these stairs?" stormed Professor Duke.
+
+"No, sir. I just reached the top of the stairs," answered Brassy Bangs.
+"I came out of my room not ten seconds ago."
+
+"What do you know about this, Stowell?" went on the professor, who had
+now come slowly to the top of the stairs, followed by Professor Grawson,
+who had come out of Colonel Colby's private office where he had been
+looking over some reports when the big snowball had landed with a thump
+against the desk at which he had been seated.
+
+"Me? What do you mean?" stammered the youth who was known to the cadets
+as Codfish and who had always been more or less of a sneak.
+
+"Somebody just rolled a big snowball down the stairs. It struck me and
+nearly knocked me flat," returned the irate teacher.
+
+"Yes, and it rolled all the way into the private office," added Professor
+Grawson.
+
+"I don't know anything about any snowballs," said Codfish. "I noticed the
+floor was all wet and I wondered what it meant."
+
+"I saw some fellows rushing around the corner," came from Brassy Bangs.
+
+"Who were they?" demanded Snopper Duke.
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Which way did they go?"
+
+"That way," and Brassy pointed out the direction.
+
+By this time the two professors had reached the top of the stairs and
+Grawson was looking at the water marks on the polished floor.
+
+"Here is where they brought that big snowball in," he remarked, pointing
+to the track that led to one of the windows. "They must have brought it
+up on the fire-escape."
+
+"Here are several other tracks. I think we had better follow them,"
+returned Snopper Duke quickly.
+
+The track leading to the bathroom was most in evidence, and the two
+professors quickly discovered the big snowball resting in the bathtub.
+
+"Evidently they put this here to have some more fun with," announced
+Professor Grawson grimly. "Well, it won't do much harm here. I'll turn on
+a little hot water and it will soon melt and run off," and he turned on
+the faucet as he spoke.
+
+From the bathroom the two professors, followed by Codfish and Brassy,
+followed the water trail into a room occupied by several students who
+were particularly uppish and whom the Rovers did not like, and here some
+more of the snowballs were found.
+
+"Here is another trail," announced Professor Duke, and in a moment more
+had thrown open the door leading to Stowell's bedroom.
+
+"Here! what does this mean?" stammered Codfish, as, after the light had
+been turned on, he and the others saw the two big snowballs resting on
+either side of the bed.
+
+"Stowell, you must have had something to do with this," cried Snopper
+Duke savagely.
+
+"No, sir. Not at all, sir," answered the sneak in a trembling voice. "I
+don't know a thing about it."
+
+"Where did you come from just now?"
+
+"I--I came up the back stairs. I was just coming through the corridor
+when I heard the noise and came to see what it meant."
+
+"The back stairs, eh?" put in Professor Grawson. "What were you doing on
+the back stairs this time in the evening?"
+
+"I--I was down in the kitchen." And now Codfish grew pale.
+
+"And what called you to the kitchen?"
+
+"I--I was hungry, and so I asked one of the servants for something to
+eat." And now Codfish was fairly whining.
+
+"Humph! didn't you have any supper?"
+
+"Yes, sir. But I wasn't feeling extra well just then and I didn't eat
+very much, and that made me hungry afterwards. And, oh, say! I guess I
+can tell you something about those snowballs," and Codfish's face lit up
+suddenly.
+
+"What do you know?"
+
+"When I was passing through the little entryway that leads into the
+kitchen I happened to glance out of the window and I saw four or five
+fellows down at the foot of the fire-escape."
+
+"What were they doing?"
+
+"When I looked at them they were just talking among themselves. I only
+looked for a moment because I was in a hurry to get to the kitchen and
+get back again."
+
+"Did you recognize any of the cadets?"
+
+At this direct question, Codfish hesitated and showed that he felt far
+from comfortable.
+
+"I don't like to tell on anybody," he whined. "If I do that they'll be
+sure to lick me later on--I know they will!"
+
+"You tell me who they were and I'll see to it that they do not harm you,"
+put in Professor Duke quickly.
+
+"I only saw two of the fellows real plainly," answered Stowell. "They
+were standing in the light from one of the windows."
+
+"And who were they? Tell me! I want no nonsense now," and Snopper Duke
+caught the sneak firmly by the shoulder.
+
+"Ouch! Please don't hurt me!" cried Codfish, in added alarm.
+
+"Then answer me!"
+
+"The two fellows I recognized were Captain Jack Rover and his cousin,
+Lieutenant Fred Rover."
+
+"You didn't know the others?" put in Professor Grawson.
+
+"No, sir. I didn't see them well enough. They were all in the shadows."
+
+"I'll investigate this," cried Professor Duke. "Stowell, you come with
+me."
+
+"Oh, please don't make me come!" cried the sneak. "They'll almost kill me
+if they find I gave them away!"
+
+"They sha'n't touch you."
+
+"Oh, I know what they'll do," moaned Codfish. He had not forgotten how
+the Rover boys had sided with him on more than one perilous occasion, and
+it scared him half to death to think what they might do when they
+discovered how meanly he was acting.
+
+But there was no help for it, and Codfish was marched along between the
+two professors, with Brassy and a number of other cadets, who had been
+attracted by the noise and the talk, following.
+
+Meanwhile the four Rover boys had listened to as much of the conversation
+as they could catch.
+
+"They went into Codfish's room--they are following the trail of the water
+on the floor," announced Jack.
+
+"Some of the other fellows are coming out and coming upstairs," announced
+Fred. "Let us go out too and see what happens."
+
+"Maybe they'll accuse Codfish of this," remarked Randy, with a grin.
+
+The four Rovers had just come out in the corridor and been joined by Gif,
+Phil, and Spouter when they found themselves suddenly confronted by
+Professor Duke, with Professor Grawson and poor Codfish directly behind
+him.
+
+"So this is your work, is it?" demanded Snopper Duke, glaring angrily at
+Jack and Fred in turn.
+
+"To what do you refer, Professor?" asked Jack, as calmly as he could.
+
+"You know well enough, Captain Rover. It is useless for you to deny it,"
+stormed the angry teacher. "You and your cousins here are responsible for
+bringing those big snowballs into the school."
+
+"Who says so?" questioned Fred. At the same time he gave Codfish a look
+that made the sneak want to hide himself.
+
+"Never mind who says so. We know it to be a fact," stormed Snopper Duke.
+"Will you kindly let me know what you mean by such outrageous conduct?"
+
+"Is it so very outrageous, Professor, to bring a few snowballs into the
+school?" questioned Randy innocently.
+
+"We've often brought snow into the school," put in Andy. "We used to use
+it for making a sort of home-made ice-cream--with milk and sugar and a
+little flavoring, you know."
+
+"Colonel Colby or Captain Dale never ordered us to leave the snow
+outdoors," added Fred, and at this there was a snicker from among a
+number of the cadets who were gathered.
+
+"I will not listen to such nonsense," stormed Snopper Duke. "You four
+brought those snowballs into this school, and some of you kicked that
+snowball down the stairs on top of me," he added, glaring at them.
+
+"I want to say right now, Professor Duke, that that big snowball went
+downstairs by accident," answered Andy, feeling that there was no help
+for it and that he must make a clean breast of the matter. "We were
+rolling it down the corridor when all at once I slipped in a puddle of
+water and both my feet struck the snowball and sent it on its way down
+the stairs. But we didn't mean to send it down; I can give you my word on
+that."
+
+"I don't believe it," stormed Snopper Duke.
+
+"I'm telling you the truth, sir."
+
+"Perhaps Rover didn't mean to send the snowball downstairs," put in
+Professor Grawson mildly. As a general thing he sided with the cadets and
+they had little difficulty in getting along with him.
+
+"Mr. Grawson, I was the one to suffer through this outrageous trick,"
+fumed Snopper Duke. "And you will kindly permit me to handle the affair.
+These four cadets are guilty and must be punished."
+
+"I agree it is more your affair than mine, Mr. Duke," returned the other
+teacher. "But don't you think it would be wise to let the matter rest
+until Colonel Colby comes back from the city?"
+
+"Not at all! Not at all! These young rascals must be taken in hand, and
+at once. Otherwise our authority in this institution will go to pieces."
+
+At this moment there was a movement among the students who had collected
+in the corridor, and Gif and Spouter stepped forward.
+
+"Excuse me, Professor Duke," said Gif. "But I had as much to do with
+bringing those snowballs upstairs as anybody."
+
+"And so did I," added Spouter.
+
+"And I was in on the deal, too," came from Phil Franklin, as he too
+stepped forward.
+
+"What? All of you?" demanded Snopper Duke, eyeing them coldly.
+
+"I can assure you we meant no great harm," continued Spouter. "We were
+only going to have a little fun among ourselves and with our
+fellow-cadets--that is, mostly," he added somewhat lamely, as he
+remembered what had been said about placing some of the snowballs in the
+teacher's room.
+
+"Were any others implicated in this despicable piece of business?"
+demanded Professor Duke, looking around at the assembled cadets. "Answer
+me at once!"
+
+There was no reply to this, the cadets simply looking at each other
+questioningly.
+
+"We're all here, sir," said Jack. "There were no others." And he and his
+cousins gave their chums a warm look to show they appreciated their
+coming forward to take a share of the blame.
+
+"Seven of you, eh?" was the teacher's sour comment. "A fine piece of
+business, truly." He thought for a moment. "Come with me, all of you, and
+we'll see what damage has been done down in the office."
+
+The assembled cadets made a passageway, and through this filed the Rovers
+and their chums with Professor Duke following close on their heels.
+Professor Grawson remained behind to talk to Stowell.
+
+"They'll kill me for this--I know they will!" whined Codfish. And now he
+was on the verge of tears.
+
+"I don't think the Rovers will touch you, Stowell--I don't think they're
+that class of boys," answered Professor Grawson. "Come. I'll go to your
+room with you and help you throw those snowballs out of the window." He
+had not forgotten that he had been a schoolboy himself once, and he had
+small sympathy for such a sneak as Henry Stowell.
+
+Down in Colonel Colby's private office it was found that the big snowball
+had done little damage outside of wetting a couple of the rugs. What was
+left of the snowball had been gathered up by Pud Hicks, the janitor's
+assistant, and now he was mopping up the floor.
+
+"I'll take the rugs and dry 'em in the laundry," said Hicks. "I think
+they'll be all right by morning."
+
+"You cadets remain here until I return," said Professor Duke, when Hicks
+was ready to depart. And then he went outside and in the hallway held a
+whispered conversation with the janitor's assistant.
+
+"I guess we're in for it," said Jack to his cousins and his chums.
+
+"What do you suppose they'll do with us?" questioned Phil.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know."
+
+In a few minutes Snopper Duke returned, and there was a grin of
+satisfaction in his eyes as he faced the cadets.
+
+"You will all follow me," he declared, "and I'll show you what can be
+done in this school to cadets who act as outrageously as you have acted.
+Come! March!" and he led the way out of the private office.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+PRISONERS
+
+
+In one of the wings of the school building there was located a room about
+twelve feet square with one window which was barred, and this, as my old
+readers know, was known officially as the school guardroom or prison.
+Jack and Fred had once been prisoners in this guardroom on a charge that
+was afterwards proved to be false.
+
+"Gee! I wonder if he's going to take us to the guardroom?" whispered the
+youngest of the Rovers.
+
+"I don't see how he can crowd seven of us into that small room," answered
+Randy. "Why, it's only got one cot in it!"
+
+Professor Duke led the way through the corridor and up the broad stairs.
+In the meanwhile Professor Grawson had ordered the other cadets to their
+rooms, so there was no one at hand to witness what was taking place.
+
+Arriving on the second floor, Snopper Duke led the way into another
+corridor and then up a somewhat narrow stairway leading to the third
+floor.
+
+"Hello! I wonder where he's going to take us now?" questioned Fred in
+wonder.
+
+"This is certainly a new wrinkle," declared Gif.
+
+The third floor was but dimly lit until the professor turned on more
+light. Then he turned into a little side corridor at the end of which was
+located a long, narrow room which, during the previous year, had been
+used by some of the hired help but which was now unoccupied.
+
+"You will remain in this room until I have a chance to communicate with
+Colonel Colby," said Professor Duke, as he marched the cadets in. "And
+remember! I want no cutting up here. I want you to remain perfectly
+quiet."
+
+"How long shall we have to stay here?" questioned Jack.
+
+"That will depend on what Colonel Colby has to say about it," was the
+sharp answer.
+
+"Do you expect us to stay here all night?" demanded Randy.
+
+"You will have to stay here unless Colonel Colby gets back from the city,
+and I think that hardly likely to-night," answered the teacher. "Now
+remember! No noise and no horseplay or I'll do something that you won't
+forget in a hurry," and with this admonition he walked out of the room,
+closing and locking the door after him.
+
+"Listen!" cried Fred, as all of the others started to talk at once. And
+going to the door, he listened intently, and so did the others, and they
+heard Snopper Duke pass through the little corridor and down the stairs.
+
+"He's gone, all right enough," remarked Phil Franklin.
+
+"Well, what do you know about this, anyhow!" cried Gif.
+
+"I think he's treating us like a lot of children," declared Andy
+angrily.
+
+"I don't believe he has any right to keep us out of our regular rooms,"
+came from his brother.
+
+"Well, anyway, he took the right," answered Jack grimly. "And what is
+more, he seems to have the best of us."
+
+"He won't have if we break down that door."
+
+"I don't think you'll have an easy job of it breaking down that door,"
+put in Spouter. "I happened to notice that there was not only a regular
+lock on it, but also a top bolt. You'd have to smash the whole door to
+get out. But it certainly is a despicable piece of business," Spouter
+continued. "And at the first opportunity we have we'll have to lay the
+whole case before Colonel Colby. I'm sure when he has verified our
+report, and gone into the various merits of the case, he will make a
+finding that will be in accordance with----"
+
+"Gee! Spouter can spout even if he is a prisoner," burst out Randy.
+"Better get up on a chair, Spouter, and make a regular speech about it,"
+he continued, grinning.
+
+"This is a new experience for me," remarked Phil, with a smile. "I never
+thought I was going to be put in jail."
+
+"You can hardly call it being put in jail, Phil," answered Jack. "In a
+military academy it is quite common for a cadet, when he has broken the
+rules and regulations, to be placed in the guardhouse, just the same as
+he is placed in the guardhouse in the regular army."
+
+"I thought maybe they'd make us do what they call police duty," said the
+boy from Texas. "One fellow told me that while he was in the training
+camp he overstepped the regulations and they made him peel potatoes until
+he was sick and tired of seeing them."
+
+"Well, they do that too," put in Fred. "You might have to do something
+like that if we were at the annual encampment. But while the school
+session is on all they do is to lock you up."
+
+The boys found that the long narrow room contained two double beds and
+two cots, as well as a couple of bureaus, several stools, and a table. At
+one end was a small bathroom and a clothing closet. There were three
+small windows in a row, all looking out on the snow-covered fields behind
+the school.
+
+"Well, we've got a place to sleep, anyhow," announced Jack. "Although
+three of us will have to sleep in one of the beds."
+
+"Not much in the way of covering," remarked Gif, who had been making an
+investigation. "Just one thin blanket on each bed. And that radiator is
+not letting out heat enough to warm a cat," he added, as he placed his
+hand on the one small radiator of which the long bedroom boasted.
+
+"Never mind, we can keep on our uniforms if we want to," declared Randy.
+"And who knows but what Colonel Colby may come back at any minute, and
+then I'm almost certain that he'll let us go back to our own rooms."
+
+"He will unless old Duke cooks up some dreadful story against us," came
+from his brother. "You can bet he'll make out as black a case against us
+as he can."
+
+"Yes. But I think Professor Grawson will have something to say too," said
+Jack. "And he has always been a very fair-minded man."
+
+"I don't see why Colonel Colby took on such a man as Snopper Duke,"
+declared Spouter. "He's every bit as bad as Asa Lemm was."
+
+"But you've got to hand it to him for being a very well educated man,"
+said Jack. "And he certainly knows how to teach when he's in the humor
+for it."
+
+"I don't think a man who is as harsh-minded as he is ought to be a
+teacher," was Gif's comment. "He can't get a cadet to do his best if he's
+forever nagging at him. Now, if I was a teacher, I'd do my best to gain
+my pupils' confidence."
+
+There was a pause, and presently Andy began to chuckle.
+
+"Say, he certainly did look funny when that big snowball hit him in the
+stomach and nearly knocked him over," he cried.
+
+"How could you see that when you were on your back?" questioned Fred.
+
+"Oh, I managed to flop over and look down the stairs just in time. He was
+some sight, believe me. It's a wonder he didn't go over backward to the
+floor below. I don't know what saved him. He must have grabbed the
+banisters just in time."
+
+"You can't really blame him for being mad. I think maybe I'd be mad
+myself," said Gif. "However, let's drop that. What are we going to do? Go
+to bed?"
+
+"I don't see that there is anything else to do," answered Jack.
+
+"I've got to do something to keep warm," declared Andy, and suddenly
+turned a somersault over one of the beds. Then he began to box with his
+brother, and the two spun around from one end of the room to the other.
+
+"Here! you stop that," warned Fred. "You know what Duke said. You keep on
+and he'll put us down in the cellar or some other worse place."
+
+After this the seven cadets became more quiet, and, sitting as close as
+possible to the little radiator which gave forth only a mite of warmth,
+they discussed the situation for half an hour longer.
+
+"That's another one against Codfish," declared Randy. "I'm sure he's
+guilty."
+
+"Well, he had some reason for saying what he did," said Jack. "He had to
+clear his own skirts after they found those two big snowballs in his
+room."
+
+"Just the same, Jack, you know well enough hardly any other fellow in the
+school would have squealed," cried Randy. "Codfish always was a sneak,
+and I guess he always will be, no matter what some of the other fellows
+do for him."
+
+"Say, look here! I thought you fellows told me that Captain Dale was in
+charge of this school whenever Colonel Colby was absent," burst out Phil
+suddenly.
+
+"That's true," answered Jack. "He was in charge all the time the colonel
+was in the regular army."
+
+"Then why didn't Professor Duke put this up to the captain?"
+
+"Because Captain Dale is away on a little vacation," announced Gif. "He
+won't be back until some time next week."
+
+"And where did Colonel Colby go?"
+
+"They said he had gone to the city," answered Fred. "But I don't know
+what they mean by that. They may mean Boston, or New York, or some
+smaller place."
+
+"The radiator is growing stone cold," declared Gif, who had his hands on
+it.
+
+"What'll you bet old Duke didn't turn the heat off?" broke in Andy
+quickly. "It would be just like him to do it."
+
+"I guess about the only thing we can do is to go to bed," announced
+Jack.
+
+"Well, you had better do it with your uniform on, then," said Spouter.
+"Because I'm not going to bed with the windows closed, and it's going to
+be beautifully cold by and by."
+
+All of the cadets had been accustomed to sleeping with the windows of
+their bedrooms open. But they had also been accustomed to plenty of bed
+clothing, and knew they would probably suffer with the scant quantity of
+quilts now provided.
+
+However, they had to make the best of it, and in the end did little else
+but take off their shoes and coats and then wrap themselves in the
+blankets as best they could. Of course, there was some horseplay in which
+even Phil Franklin indulged. But on the whole the cadets kept rather
+quiet, for they did not want to make matters worse than they were.
+
+"The last time Randy and I were home our dad laid down the law good and
+plenty," announced Andy. "So we've got to do something towards toeing the
+mark."
+
+"I'm afraid Brassy Bangs and a lot of the other fellows will have the
+laugh on us for this," remarked Fred, as he turned in.
+
+"Oh, well, you can't have fun without paying the piper once in a while,"
+was Jack's comment.
+
+It grew colder during the night, and on rising to cut off some of the air
+that was blowing over him, Fred noticed that it had begun to snow. The
+fine hard particles were drifting into the room, and he called the
+attention of some of the others to this.
+
+"I don't care. Let it snow in if it wants to," grumbled Randy sleepily.
+
+But some of the others demurred to this, and presently one of the windows
+was closed entirely and the others left open only a few inches.
+
+"Gee, talk about Greenland's icy mountains!" exclaimed Gif, on arising a
+little after seven o'clock. "Some coldness, if you ask me!"
+
+"You said it!" declared Jack, as he got up and walked across the floor to
+where the radiator was located. "Cold as ice!" he announced.
+
+"Did you leave it turned on?" questioned Randy quickly.
+
+"I certainly did."
+
+"Then old Duke must intend to freeze us out!" exclaimed Fred. "What do
+you know about that!"
+
+"I know it's a mean piece of business," answered Andy. "Gee! why, we
+might all catch our death of cold."
+
+Having washed themselves, the cadets lost no time in donning the clothing
+they had taken off on retiring. Then they continued to walk around the
+narrow room in order to keep their blood in circulation. It was now about
+eight o'clock, and they wondered if they would get any breakfast.
+
+"A hot cup of cocoa or coffee wouldn't go bad," remarked Spouter. "Not to
+say anything about ham and eggs, hot muffins, or a few other things on
+the side."
+
+"Yum, yum! don't mention them," groaned Andy. "I feel hollow clean down
+to my shoes. I didn't have any too much supper, and I was depending on
+having a few crackers I had in my closet."
+
+"And I left an apple on my bureau," declared Phil.
+
+"And I had two doughnuts stored away to take to bed with me," came from
+Fred.
+
+The boys heard the cadets below assembling for roll call and the short
+morning parade, and then heard them march into the mess room of the Hall
+for breakfast.
+
+"My! but I wish I was downstairs right now," declared Randy. "I wouldn't
+do a thing to that breakfast table!"
+
+"Maybe they'll bring our breakfast to us," suggested Jack.
+
+"If they do you can bet there won't be any too much of it--if old Duke
+has anything to do with it," returned Gif grimly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+BY THE FISHING-POLE ROUTE
+
+
+Another half hour went by, and the boys confined in the room on the third
+floor of the school building became more and more impatient.
+
+"Perhaps they won't give us any breakfast at all," said Phil Franklin
+presently.
+
+"If they don't there'll be war," declared Andy. "I won't stand for being
+starved."
+
+"None of us will stand for that," put in Gif grimly. "But I don't believe
+Duke will dare do it. You must remember he will have all the other
+teachers to contend with. They have the same rights here as he has."
+
+"Yes, but Professor Grawson turned this affair over to Duke," was Fred's
+comment.
+
+"That was because old Duke was the only one to really suffer through what
+we did," answered Jack.
+
+Another fifteen minutes passed, and then those in the room heard
+footsteps outside. The door was unlocked and Professor Duke appeared,
+followed by Pud Hicks and Bob Nixon and two of the mess-room waiters.
+
+"Well, did you behave yourselves during the night?" demanded the teacher,
+as he glanced sharply from one to another of the cadets, all of whom eyed
+him curiously.
+
+"We did, sir," answered Phil, who was nearest to the door.
+
+Leaving those who had accompanied him at the door so that none of the
+cadets present might escape, Snopper Duke strode into the room and looked
+around suspiciously, even going so far as to glance into the bathroom and
+the clothing closet. As was the custom during the school term, the cadets
+had put the beds and the cots in order, and also arranged the chairs and
+other furniture.
+
+"Professor Duke, I'd like to ask something. Do you know we have no heat
+in here?" questioned Jack.
+
+"Growing boys like you don't need too much heat--it makes them lazy,"
+responded the teacher tartly. "You will be warm enough after you have had
+your breakfast."
+
+"Can we go downstairs now and get it?" asked Andy quickly.
+
+"No. You are to have it up here. I have had it brought up for you," was
+the answer. And then Professor Duke motioned for the two waiters to come
+in.
+
+They carried two trays covered with napkins, and these they deposited on
+the table.
+
+"Has Colonel Colby come back yet?" questioned Spouter.
+
+"You will know quickly enough when he comes," was the teacher's reply.
+And then he motioned the waiters out of the room.
+
+"Professor, do you think----" began Bob Nixon. But the teacher caught the
+Hall chauffeur by the arm and pushed him out into the hallway.
+
+"Never mind now, Nixon," he broke in hastily. "We'll talk matters over
+downstairs." And thereupon he closed and locked the door once again, and
+the cadets heard him and all of the others go below.
+
+"What do you suppose he brought Hicks and Nixon up here for?" questioned
+Randy, when they were left alone.
+
+"I don't know, unless he thought we might try to break out, and if so he
+would have them along to stop us," answered Jack.
+
+"Maybe he thought the cold and waiting for breakfast would make us
+desperate," suggested Gif. "However, now they've gone, let's see what
+they have brought us to eat."
+
+Eagerly the seven cadets whipped away the napkins that covered the two
+trays. They gave one look, and then a cry of disappointment arose.
+
+"What do you know about this!"
+
+"Isn't this the limit!"
+
+"Black coffee and bread without butter!"
+
+"And mush with nothing but a little molasses on it!"
+
+"And no sugar in the coffee, either!"
+
+"Talk about your prison fare!" groaned Andy. "I think this takes the
+cake!"
+
+"You mention cake and I'll murder you!" burst out Fred. "Why don't you
+speak of ham and eggs, lamb chops, fried potatoes, coffee cake with
+raisins in it, and things like that while you're at it?"
+
+"Wow! Fred for the water faucet!" exclaimed Jack, and got his cousin by
+the arm and made as if to run him into the bathroom.
+
+"Hold up! I'll be good!" pleaded the youngest Rover. "But, say! doesn't
+looking at these two trays make you weary in the bones?"
+
+"Well, anyway, the coffee is hot," declared Spouter, as he tasted it.
+"And we might as well drink it before it gets cold. It will help to warm
+us up."
+
+Thereupon the seven cadets fell to eating, and soon every particle of the
+scanty breakfast furnished to them had disappeared. They grumbled,
+however, as they ate, and continued to grumble after the repast was
+finished.
+
+"I'm quite sure Colonel Colby wouldn't treat us like this," declared
+Gif.
+
+"He certainly did much better by Fred and me when we were placed in the
+guardroom," declared Jack. "We got as good a meal as we ever had served
+to us in the mess hall."
+
+"It's nothing short of a crime not to turn the heat on," said Fred, who
+was examining the radiator again. "Just as cold as ever."
+
+"Listen!" cried Randy suddenly.
+
+All did so, and heard a faint knocking on the door.
+
+"Who is that?" questioned Jack, moving to the portal.
+
+"Is that you, Jack?" came in Fatty Hendry's voice. The stout youth was
+whispering through the keyhole.
+
+"Yes, Fatty. What brought you up here?"
+
+"I got wind that you fellows were being fed scanty rations," answered
+Fatty. "How about it?"
+
+"It's true, all right enough."
+
+[Illustration: "OUR FRIENDS ARE ON THE JOB!" CRIED FRED, DELIGHTEDLY.
+Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch (Page 51)]
+
+"Well, Dan Soppinger, Walt Baxter and myself got our heads together and
+we managed to make up a bundle of food for you. Just watch the window on
+your right," continued the stout youth, and then tiptoed away.
+
+Wondering what their friends intended to do, the seven cadets crowded to
+the window in question and opened it wide. It was still snowing, and
+through the thickly-flying flakes they presently saw the end of a fishing
+pole on which was tied a bundle done up in a pillow case.
+
+"Hurrah! Our friends are on the job," cried Fred delightedly, as the
+bundle was slipped from the end of the fishing pole and hauled into the
+room. Then he looked out of the window and saw at a little distance the
+face of Dan Soppinger at another window.
+
+"Got it all right, did you?" demanded Dan, as he hauled in the fishing
+pole.
+
+"We sure did, Dan; and much obliged to you."
+
+"Has Colonel Colby come back yet?" questioned Jack, looking over his
+cousin's shoulder.
+
+"No. And there is no telling when he'll come back," answered Dan. "He
+sent word that his business might keep him away for several days." Then
+Dan spoke to some one behind him, and continued in a low voice, "I've got
+to go now, or they'll catch us. Good-bye."
+
+The imprisoned cadets closed the window again and then placed the bundle
+on the table and opened it. They found it contained a rather jumbled
+collection of buttered bread, cheese, the knuckle of a boiled ham, a
+small glass full of jelly, a square of pound cake, three bananas, a
+couple of oranges, several apples, a small bag of lump sugar, and a can
+of condensed milk.
+
+"Some collection, all right enough," declared Spouter, as they surveyed
+it. "I guess they grabbed up anything they could lay their hands on."
+
+"They must have heard we had black coffee without sugar," put in Fred.
+"Too bad we were in such a hurry. We might have feasted in great shape
+off of this collection."
+
+"Never mind. The sugar and condensed milk may come in handy later,"
+answered Jack.
+
+The boys divided some of the fruit, and then made themselves a few
+sandwiches, and with this topped off the scanty breakfast they had
+previously consumed. They placed the rest of the things on the top shelf
+of the closet and folded up the pillow case carefully.
+
+"We'll have to send that back the first chance we get," declared Fred.
+"Otherwise some cadet is going to catch it when his room is inspected."
+
+With nothing to do, the cadets found the time drag heavily. They looked
+around the room for some reading matter, but found nothing outside of
+some newspapers which had been placed on the shelves of the closet. These
+were old sheets, and contained nothing which they cared to peruse.
+
+"Hurrah! we're going to have some heat, anyhow," cried Randy, about
+eleven o'clock. "Hear the radiator cracking?"
+
+He was right, and soon the radiator became moderately warm. This did not,
+of course, warm the room very thoroughly, but it took the chill off and
+made it more comfortable than it had been.
+
+"I'll bet a cooky that some of the others made old Duke turn the heat
+on," declared Gif.
+
+"Either that or else some of our chums turned it on when he wasn't
+watching," answered Jack. Some time later they found out that Bob Nixon
+had turned on the heat unbeknown to Snopper Duke. It was also learned
+that Professor Grawson and Professor Brice knew nothing about the heat
+having been turned off.
+
+About half-past twelve Snopper Duke appeared again, this time with one of
+the under teachers and two of the waiters. The under teacher had his arms
+full of books.
+
+"I have had some of your text books brought up here," explained Professor
+Duke. "There is no sense in your wasting your time here doing nothing. I
+want you to study the same as if you were attending your classes. I have
+also had your dinner brought up."
+
+"Do you expect us to study in a cold room?" questioned Jack. He had
+thrown one of the small bed covers over the radiator and added a book or
+two so that the teacher might not notice that it was warm.
+
+"I'll not discuss that point with you, Rover," was Snopper Duke's sharp
+reply. "You can eat your dinner, and then go at your studies." And
+thereupon he directed the two waiters to deposit the fresh trays on the
+table and take the old ones away. Then the seven cadets were locked up as
+before.
+
+In comparison, the dinner was just as scanty as the breakfast had been.
+For each pupil there was a small boiled potato, almost cold, a few lima
+beans, a small slice of roast beef, and one slice of unbuttered bread.
+There were also several paper drinking cups, to indicate that the cadets
+might drink all the water they cared to draw from the faucet in the
+bathroom.
+
+"Regular miser's lunch," was Andy's comment, as he surveyed it.
+
+"Exactly!" answered Fred. And then he added dryly: "What are we going to
+use that sugar and condensed milk on?"
+
+"Oh, the condensed milk will go fine on the bread," put in Spouter. "I
+used to like condensed milk sandwiches."
+
+"And you can eat the lump sugar for dessert if you want to," put in
+Jack.
+
+All began to eat, and in the midst of the meal they heard another knock
+on the door. This time Ned Lowe was there, one of their chums who was a
+great singer and banjo player.
+
+"Be on the watch for the beautiful fishing pole," sang Ned in a low
+voice. "Hurry up. We can't stay up here very long."
+
+All leaped for the window, and a few minutes later the fishing rod came
+once more into view, this time with another bundle attached to it. They
+held the end of the pole while they detached the bundle and fastened upon
+it the empty pillow case. The new bundle was in a large paper flour bag.
+
+"Here is where we are going to have a regular feast!" cried Jack with
+satisfaction. "Just look! Almost half a boiled tongue, a quart jar of hot
+coffee, some boiled sweet potatoes, and half an apple pie. I declare I
+don't see how they managed to get hold of it."
+
+"They're certainly looking out for us," answered Spouter.
+
+With this addition to the food already on hand, the boys started in to
+have a real good dinner. They were enjoying it thoroughly and cracking
+all kinds of jokes when they suddenly heard a commotion in the corridor
+outside.
+
+"I've caught you, have I?" they heard Snopper Duke exclaim. "What
+business have you up here, anyway?"
+
+"I wasn't doing any harm, Professor," came in the voice of Dan
+Soppinger.
+
+"What is that you have behind your back? Give it to me this instant,"
+went on the teacher.
+
+"Gee! that's Dan Soppinger, and he's got himself into trouble!" exclaimed
+Jack, in alarm.
+
+"I really didn't mean to do any harm," the imprisoned cadets heard Dan
+answer.
+
+"What is that you are trying to hide? Give it to me!" There was a brief
+silence, and then those in the room heard the teacher continue: "A
+pumpkin pie and almost a pound of cheese! Where did you get those things,
+Soppinger? And what were you going to do with them? Come, answer me!"
+
+"If you want to know, I was going to try to get them to those fellows you
+locked up," answered Dan Soppinger, in desperation. "I heard you were
+just about starving them to death."
+
+"What's that? Starving them to death? Stuff and nonsense! They are
+getting all that they need, and it's not for you to interfere in my
+business," went on Snopper Duke, his high-pitched voice rising still
+higher in anger. "You should be down in your classroom. Give me those
+things and go downstairs at once. I'll attend to your case later."
+
+"Gee! poor Dan is certainly in hot water," whispered Jack.
+
+"Old Duke must have been spying on him," said Randy.
+
+"Maybe he'll come in here and see how matters are going!" cried Spouter
+excitedly. "It might not be a bad thing to get all that extra food out of
+sight."
+
+He had scarcely spoken when they heard Professor Duke at the door. An
+instant later the portal was thrown open and the teacher stepped in. His
+eyes swept the trays and the plates of food the cadets were holding.
+
+"Ha! So this is what is going on, eh?" he stormed. "Having food brought
+in on the sly, eh? Well, I'll see that that is stopped! You'll go without
+your supper for this!" And then, after a few more words, he stormed out
+of the room, banging the door behind him and locking it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A TOUCH OF MYSTERY
+
+
+"Now I reckon we are worse off than we were before," remarked Jack, as
+the assembled cadets looked at each other in consternation.
+
+"If he cuts off our supper the best thing we can do is to save this
+grub," declared Randy. "We'll have to go on short rations."
+
+"And when we feel real hungry we can turn to our school books for
+consolation," added his twin brother. "Gee! but doesn't this take the
+cake?" And picking up his algebra he threw it at Phil. The boy from Texas
+dodged, and the algebra hit the wall behind him.
+
+"Don't start a rough-house, Andy," remonstrated Jack quickly. "We're in
+deep enough as it is. Please don't forget that Fred and I are worse off
+than any of you."
+
+"How do you make that out?" demanded Gif.
+
+"Because we are officers, and are supposed to be models for the rest of
+the cadets."
+
+"Huh! I forgot that," said Gif. "That's too bad."
+
+It must be admitted that the cadets were far less cheerful while
+finishing their meal than they had been a few minutes before. They ate
+somewhat sparingly, and placed what was left of the food in an
+out-of-the-way corner under one of the cots.
+
+"No use of taking chances," said Jack. "Duke may come in here and search
+the closet for rations when he gets the dirty dishes."
+
+"Well, I suppose we might as well spend our time studying," came from
+Spouter presently. "We've got to learn our lessons, no matter if we are
+prisoners. Otherwise later on we'll be marked down for that, too."
+
+"Too bad that poor Dan had to be caught with that pumpkin pie and
+cheese," groaned Randy. He was particularly fond of the pies turned out
+by the Hall cooks.
+
+Making themselves as comfortable as they could around the radiator, the
+seven cadets began to study. Thus an hour passed, and then came more
+footsteps in the hall.
+
+"Another visitor," said Jack, looking up.
+
+When the door was thrown open they expected to see Snopper Duke or one of
+the other professors, and they were, therefore, much surprised when
+Colonel Colby stepped into the room. The master of the Hall was alone.
+
+"Attention!" called Jack sharply--for this had been arranged between the
+cadets earlier in the day--and thereupon all of the cadets leaped to
+their feet and saluted.
+
+This action came somewhat as a surprise to the master of the school, and
+just the faintest flicker of a smile passed over his features. Then he
+closed the door behind him and came forward.
+
+"I am very sorry to learn that all of you have been breaking the rules of
+this institution," said Colonel Colby, in an even tone of voice. "Captain
+Rover, I would like to have your version of the affair if you care to
+make a report."
+
+"I don't know that I can make much of a report, Colonel," answered the
+young captain, his face flushing. "We brought the snowballs into the
+school, and that is all there is to it."
+
+"Well, what about sending that big snowball down the stairs on top of
+Professor Duke?"
+
+"That was an accident, sir, and I was responsible for it," broke in
+Andy.
+
+"An accident? Professor Duke is quite certain it was done by design."
+
+"He is mistaken, sir," continued Andy, and then in a few words related
+exactly how the accident had occurred.
+
+"Well, what about the snowballs that were placed in the rooms of Stowell,
+Besser, Lunn and in the bathroom?"
+
+"We only meant it for a little fun, Colonel," pleaded Fred. "Of course, I
+realize now that maybe we went a little too far."
+
+"You certainly did go too far, Lieutenant Rover. And I am especially
+surprised to find you and Captain Rover mixed up in anything of this
+sort. I expect the officers of the cadets to set a good example."
+
+"I was thinking you might say that, Colonel Colby," put in Jack quickly.
+"And I should have thought of it before I went into the affair. But we
+were having such fun outside snowballing, and like that, that we got
+deeper into it before we gave it a second thought."
+
+"And we really didn't know that we couldn't bring any snow into the
+school," put in Phil rather lamely.
+
+"Such an explanation won't go here, Franklin. I expect my students to
+have more common sense than that. Of course, it may have been nothing but
+a boyish prank, and if you can give me your word that the snowball which
+went down the stairs and hit Professor Duke was not aimed at him
+deliberately, I shall feel inclined to let the matter pass."
+
+"Oh, Colonel Colby, will you really do that?" questioned Fred eagerly.
+
+"Please remember we've been punished already," put in Spouter. "Locked up
+like a lot of criminals, and the radiator turned off until we almost
+froze to death!"
+
+"The radiator turned off?" questioned the owner of the school. "It is hot
+enough now," he added, as he placed his hand upon it.
+
+"But it wasn't before," answered Gif, and gave the particulars. As he did
+this Colonel Colby's face became a study.
+
+"I will look into that," he said, and then walked over to one of the cots
+and also to one of the beds and inspected the thin coverings. "I trust
+none of you caught cold?"
+
+"Well, I did catch a little cold," answered Spouter, and began to cough,
+for what he said was true.
+
+After this Colonel Colby talked to the cadets for fully ten minutes,
+trying to show them that what they had done was not what he expected of
+them. He was kind almost to the point of being fatherly, and made several
+remarks which caused the boys to do considerable thinking.
+
+"I am afraid some of you lads do not like Professor Duke," said he. "I am
+afraid you consider him rather quick-tempered and irritable."
+
+"Well, he certainly isn't as nice as most of the other teachers,"
+declared Randy flatly.
+
+"He always seems to be waiting for a chance to get in on a fellow," broke
+out Fred. "In some ways he's even worse than Asa Lemm was."
+
+"But he's a splendid teacher, I will say that for him," declared Jack.
+"Only, the way he sometimes jumps on a fellow is terrible."
+
+"I shouldn't like to have you boys compare Professor Duke with that
+scalawag, Asa Lemm," declared Colonel Colby. "Lemm had a good
+education--if he hadn't had I should not have engaged him to teach
+here--but he was not the honest and upright man Snopper Duke is. I will
+admit that at times he is quick-tempered, but, believe me, boys, he has
+good reasons for it--or, at least, there is quite some excuse for his
+acting that way at times. I do not feel like discussing his personal
+affairs with you, but you will be doing a real act of kindness if at
+times you don't notice his actions when he seems rather sharp. I am quite
+sure he doesn't always mean it."
+
+"Well, of course, if there's some reason----" began Jack.
+
+"There is quite a reason, Captain Rover. But, as I said before, I do not
+care to discuss Professor Duke's personal affairs further. Only, if I
+were one of you boys, I should go very slow in judging him. And now to
+come back to this present affair: I have had a talk with Professor Duke
+and I will have another talk this evening, and, all told, I think you
+have been punished enough. So we will call the matter off and you can
+return to your classrooms."
+
+"Thank you very much, Colonel Colby," cried Jack, and, starting forward,
+he offered his hand, and the master of the school shook it warmly. Then
+all of the other cadets came forward to do likewise.
+
+"I hope you won't punish those other fellows for getting some extra food
+up to us," said Fred, as he and Andy brought out the hidden things and
+placed them on one of the trays. "They only tried to do us a good turn."
+
+"You may rest assured, Rover, that I shall treat them only as they
+deserve," answered Colonel Colby, and led the way downstairs. Here the
+cadets separated, each to pay a brief visit to his own room before going
+down to the classrooms on the lower floor.
+
+"I wonder what Colonel Colby meant when he said Duke had reasons for
+being irritable?" remarked Randy.
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure," answered Jack thoughtfully.
+
+"Maybe he's suffering from some sickness," suggested Fred. "Perhaps he
+ought to have an operation and hates to have it done."
+
+"Maybe he's worried about money matters," came from Randy.
+
+"It was certainly something worth while or Colonel Colby wouldn't have
+been so serious about it," said Fred. "Gee! I'm sorry if I misjudged him,
+if there is really something wrong."
+
+"I don't believe Colonel Colby would caution us if it wasn't so," said
+Jack. "And after this I'm going to give Duke as much consideration as I
+possibly can."
+
+The boys had been told to go to their classrooms, but this was hardly
+necessary, for they had just about presented themselves when the
+afternoon session of the school came to an end. Then they followed some
+of their friends down to the gymnasium, where they were at once
+surrounded and asked to give the particulars of what had happened to
+them.
+
+"It wasn't a great deal," said Jack. "And first of all I want to know
+what was done to Dan and the others."
+
+"Oh, Colonel Colby read us a little lecture, that's all," answered Walt
+Baxter, one of the cadets. "He told us we had no right to take any of the
+food without asking for it."
+
+"I offered to pay for it," put in Ned Lowe, "and so did Dan. But the
+colonel said that wasn't the point. That he wanted the discipline of the
+Hall maintained."
+
+"Did he say anything about Professor Duke?" questioned Fred.
+
+"Not a word."
+
+"Well, he told us something," continued the youngest Rover, and then
+related what had been said on the subject.
+
+"Say, that squares with something I once heard," cried Walt Baxter. "I
+met Professor Duke down at the barn one day where he was waiting to have
+Nixon drive him down to town. The professor was walking around, wringing
+his hands and muttering to himself. He looked all out of sorts, and he
+said something that sounded to me like 'I don't see how I can do it! I
+don't see how I can really attempt it!'"
+
+"And what do you suppose it was that bothered him, Walt?" questioned Jack
+curiously.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know. I watched him walk up and down and wring his
+hands. And then he took a notebook out of his pocket and began to study
+some of the figures in it. Then Nixon came along with the auto, and he
+jumped in and rode off."
+
+"Well, that sure is a mystery," declared Randy.
+
+This news concerning Snopper Duke gradually spread throughout the school,
+and many of the boys watched the teacher curiously. In the meantime
+Colonel Colby had a conference, not only with Duke, but also with
+Professor Grawson; and when the classes opened the next day Jack and the
+others found themselves treated just as if nothing out of the ordinary
+had occurred.
+
+"Colonel Colby said he would let the matter pass, and I guess he's going
+to keep his word," remarked Fred.
+
+There was only one boy who remained troubled, and that was Codfish. He
+avoided the Rovers and the others as much as possible, often running away
+at the sight of them.
+
+"Codfish is just about scared stiff," remarked Randy. "He knows he got
+himself in wrong."
+
+"What a poor fish he is," answered his twin.
+
+On Saturday afternoon a number of the boys obtained permission to visit
+the town and attend the moving picture performance if they so desired.
+Jack had telephoned to his sister, and Martha had answered that probably
+a number of girls from Clearwater Hall would be in town at the same
+time.
+
+"And I've got something to tell you, too, Jack," said Martha over the
+wire. "Something I'm sure you'll be interested in hearing."
+
+"Why don't you tell me now?" he replied.
+
+"Oh, this isn't something to tell over a public telephone," his sister
+answered.
+
+The snowstorm had come to an end, and it was clear and bright overhead
+when the four Rovers and some of the others tramped to Haven Point. Here,
+at the railroad station, they met Martha and Mary, and also Ruth
+Stevenson, May Powell, and several other girls from the academy.
+
+"How are your eyes feeling, Ruth?" questioned Jack anxiously, as he
+walked side by side with the girl on the way to the moving picture
+theater. As my old readers know, Ruth had once suffered dreadfully
+through getting some pepper into her eyes, and it had been feared that
+she might go blind.
+
+"Oh, my eyes are quite all right again, Jack," answered the girl.
+"Sometimes they feel the least bit scratchy. But I bathe them with a
+solution the doctor gave me and then they feel quite natural."
+
+"I'm mighty glad to hear that," Jack returned warmly. For of all the
+girls who were friends of his sister he liked Ruth the best.
+
+As luck would have it, there was a very good show on that afternoon, and
+as a consequence a crowd had assembled to obtain tickets of admission.
+Randy went ahead to get all the tickets needed, and while he did this
+Martha plucked her brother by the coat sleeve and drew him a little to
+one side.
+
+"What's this you've got to tell me, Martha?" questioned the young captain
+in a whisper.
+
+"It's about a fellow at your school--a chap named Lester Bangs," replied
+the girl.
+
+"Oh, you mean the fellow we call Brassy Bangs! What about him?"
+
+"He and one or two of his particular chums have been up to Clearwater
+Hall three times. They took some of the girls out in a sleigh they hired,
+and that Bangs did his level best to get Ruth to go along. And now he has
+invited her to attend some kind of a party next week," was Martha's
+reply, words which for some reason he could not explain even to himself
+cut Jack to the heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+SOMETHING ABOUT A SLEIGHRIDE PARTY
+
+
+"What kind of a party is it, Martha?"
+
+"I don't know, except that it's somewhere out of town and some of the
+girls and fellows are going to the place in sleighs. I wasn't asked to
+go, and I got the information in a roundabout way."
+
+"Then Ruth hasn't said anything to you about it?"
+
+"Not a word. But I'm sure she received this Lester Bangs' invitation."
+
+"And you think she may accept it?"
+
+"I hope not, Jack. Because I don't like Bangs. He wears such showy
+clothing and jewelry."
+
+"That's the reason we call him Brassy--he is brassy in looks and brassy
+in manner. He's just as much of a hot-air bag as Tommy Flanders," went on
+the young captain, referring to an arrogant youth who the summer before
+had pitched for Longley Academy and been knocked out of the box.
+
+"Isn't it queer, he put me in mind of Flanders?" whispered Martha. "I
+hope you don't have any trouble with him, Jack." And then, as some of the
+others came closer, the private conversation had to come to an end.
+
+While in the moving picture theater Jack sat with Ruth beside him. They
+occasionally spoke about the scenes presented to them and also about
+school matters in general, but not one word was said by either about the
+party Martha had mentioned.
+
+"Mr. Falstein certainly gets good pictures," remarked the girl, when the
+performance had come to an end and the crowd of young people was moving
+out of the theater. "They're just as good as one can see in the big
+cities."
+
+"They're the same thing, only he gets them a little later," answered
+Jack.
+
+"I like the comic pictures better than anything," declared Andy. "I hate
+those serious ones. They're generally so awfully mushy."
+
+"Why, Andy Rover, how you talk!" cried Alice Strobell. "I think that
+picture they showed today of Life in a Big City was perfectly grand."
+
+"Especially where the heroine sobbed herself to sleep over the sewing
+machine in her garret room," went on Andy, with a snicker. "Wasn't that
+just the tear-bringer?"
+
+"I don't care! It was just as true to life as it could be," answered
+Alice sturdily.
+
+"Well, maybe," was the airy return of the fun-loving Rover. "Come to
+think of it, I never did run a sewing machine in a garret room with the
+snow blowing through a busted window. I'd rather sit in the shade of the
+old apple tree reading a good book and getting on the outside of some
+ripe pears," he continued, and at this there was general laughter.
+
+As was their custom, the young folks drifted from the theater to a nearby
+candy and ice-cream establishment. Here they split up into various groups
+at some tables in the rear. Of course, the boys insisted on treating the
+girls, and there was quite a discussion over what each would have. Martha
+and Mary had paired off with Gif and Spouter, and Fred and the twins were
+with some of the other girls, and this left Ruth and Jack by themselves.
+
+Several times the young captain wanted to bring the conversation around
+to the question of the party that had been mentioned. But every time he
+checked himself.
+
+"What were you going to say?" questioned Ruth, when he caught himself
+once. "You act as if you had something on your mind of special
+importance, Jack."
+
+"Not at all! Not at all!" he returned hastily. "How are you getting along
+with your studies, Ruth? Do your eyes interfere much with them?"
+
+"Not a great deal. But, of course, I have to be more or less careful. But
+I'm doing finely, so the teachers say."
+
+"We're going to have an election of officers soon," continued the young
+captain. "Some of the fellows are urging me to run for major of the
+battalion. Ralph Mason is going to drop out, you know."
+
+"Oh, Jack! why don't you run?"
+
+"Do you want me to run, Ruth?"
+
+"Why, of course! if there's any chance of getting it, and I don't see why
+there shouldn't be," she returned quickly.
+
+Her manner was so intimate that once again he was on the point of
+mentioning the party. But then he shut his teeth hard and pretended to be
+interested in something taking place at the other tables.
+
+"Don't you think you could win the election if you tried?" Ruth
+continued, after looking at him questioningly for a moment.
+
+"Oh, I guess I'd have as good a chance as any one in command. Of course,
+there are a number of other officers who would have as good a chance as
+I'd have. But I'm not altogether sure that I want to be major. If I held
+that office Colonel Colby would expect me to toe the mark all the time
+just as an example to the others. Even as it was, he didn't like to have
+me as a captain and Fred as a lieutenant mixed up in that snowball
+affair."
+
+"Oh, but, Jack! think of the honor of being major of the battalion,"
+cried the girl. "I'm sure Martha and your folks will be very proud of
+you."
+
+"Would you be proud, Ruth, if I should win the position?" he asked in a
+low tone.
+
+"Why, of course--we all would," returned the girl, her face flushing
+slightly. "I always like to see my friends make something of
+themselves."
+
+Ruth's tone was cordial enough, and once again Jack was on the point of
+switching the talk to the party. But now some of the young folks had
+finished, and the little gathering began to break up and he and Ruth were
+surrounded by the others.
+
+"We've got to do some shopping," declared Mary, when they were out on the
+sidewalk. "So we can't remain with you boys any longer." And a few
+minutes later the crowd separated, the girls hurrying in one direction
+and the cadets in another.
+
+"You let me know if you hear any more about that party," whispered Jack,
+on parting from his sister.
+
+"I will," she answered.
+
+On starting back for the Hall Jack paired off with Fred and purposely
+lagged behind.
+
+"Did you hear anything about a party in which Brassy Bangs was
+interested?" he asked of his cousin.
+
+"Mary said that Brassy was getting up some sort of party, to come off
+either Thursday or Friday of this week. The crowd is going somewhere in
+two big sleighs."
+
+"She didn't say where?"
+
+"She didn't know."
+
+"Did she say who was going?"
+
+"As far as she knew the crowd of fellows consisted of Brassy and two or
+three of his chums at the Hall and some young fellows around town."
+
+"And what about the girls, Fred?"
+
+"They asked Jennie Mason and Ida Brierley to go and a number of the other
+girls from Clearwater."
+
+"Did they ask May?"
+
+"Mary wasn't sure. But she rather thinks that May and Ruth both got an
+invite, although in some kind of roundabout way. Did Ruth say anything to
+you about it?"
+
+"Not a word. But Martha did. She, too, thought Ruth had an invitation,
+but she didn't mention May."
+
+"I wonder if May and Ruth will go?" questioned the youngest Rover. He was
+almost as chummy with Spouter's cousin as Jack was with Ruth.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know, Fred. But I do know I'd hate to see either of
+them going out with such a fellow as Brassy."
+
+"It will be a shame to have any of those girls associate with him!" burst
+out Fred indignantly. "He's not in their class at all--he's altogether
+too loud and flashy."
+
+"He certainly sports a lot of cheap jewelry," was Jack's comment. "And
+that suit of clothes that he had on when he first came to the Hall was a
+scream."
+
+"Let's go around to the livery stable and see if we can find out
+something about the party."
+
+The place Fred had in mind was located on a side street less than a block
+away, and it did not take the two young officers long to reach it. They
+found the livery-stable keeper out, but one of his assistants came
+forward to see what they wanted.
+
+"Hello, Waxy," cried Jack cordially, for he had met the young fellow many
+times before. "How are you these days?"
+
+"Fine as a spider's web," answered Waxy, with a grin.
+
+"I understand you're going to use your two big sleighs for a party this
+week for some of our fellows?" went on the young captain.
+
+"Yes, both sleighs are hired for Thursday or Friday night," was the
+answer. "But you could get 'em for any other night you might want," went
+on Waxy, with an eye to business.
+
+"Where is the party to be held?" questioned Fred.
+
+"I don't know exactly. They're to go about twelve miles out of town, so I
+was told."
+
+"Some young fellows from town helping to get it up, I believe?"
+
+"Yes. Tom Drake, Bill Fenny, Joe McGuire, Ted Rosenblatt, and a bunch of
+others are interested. They'll have one high old time, you believe me,"
+went on the livery-stable keeper's assistant, with a grin.
+
+"Rather a lively bunch, are they?" questioned Jack.
+
+"About as lively as this town affords."
+
+"It's a wonder some of our fellows are going with them," was Fred's
+comment.
+
+"Oh, that'll be all right. There won't be anything out of the way," put
+in Waxy hastily, afraid that he had said too much. "They'll have a lively
+time, but everything will be perfectly all right."
+
+"Maybe," answered Jack, and then, after a few more words with the
+assistant, the two cadets hurried off after their chums.
+
+"If McGuire and Rosenblatt have anything to do with that party it will
+certainly be a lively one," said Fred, on the way to the school. "They're
+the liveliest fellows this town affords."
+
+"It won't be any kind of a party for our girl friends to attend,"
+remarked Jack. "I certainly hope May and Ruth don't go."
+
+"Maybe we ought to warn them, Jack."
+
+"If we did that somebody might say we were sore because we weren't
+invited, Fred."
+
+"I know it. But it's a shame, just the same."
+
+"We might let Martha and Mary know what we found out, and then they might
+put a flea in the ears of the other girls."
+
+It must be confessed that Jack was rather sober that night and all day
+Sunday. He could not get the coming party out of his mind, and he
+wondered constantly whether Ruth would really accept the invitation which
+had been extended to her. Along with a number of other cadets he attended
+church in town, but, owing to the fact that it had begun to snow again,
+none of the girls from Clearwater Hall were present at the services.
+
+"I guess I might as well call Martha up on the 'phone," he told Fred,
+Sunday evening.
+
+"All right," was his cousin's reply. "And don't forget to mention May."
+
+When the young captain had his sister on the wire he learned a number of
+things that surprised him not a little. It seemed that the matter of the
+coming sleighride party had been rather freely discussed at Clearwater
+Hall, and a number of the pupils there were divided on the question as to
+whether to participate in the affair or not. Jennie Mason, Ida Brierley,
+and four or five others were in favor of accepting, while others had
+either declined or were noncommittal.
+
+"Some of the girls have gotten almost into a fight over it," said Martha.
+"It's the liveliest thing that has happened in this school in a long
+while. I believe if the discussion keeps up none of the girls will be
+allowed to go, even though two married ladies from the town are to go
+along as chaperones."
+
+"Did you hear anything further about Ruth or anything about May?"
+questioned Jack.
+
+"Not a word. Of course, not having been invited myself, I didn't care to
+question either of them for fear they might think I was just a bit
+jealous, or something like that."
+
+"Well, I don't think they ought to go to any such party," answered Jack,
+and then told what he and Fred had learned at the livery stable.
+
+"I've heard of Joe McGuire and also heard of Ted Rosenblatt!" exclaimed
+Martha. "I certainly shouldn't want to be seen in their company. I'll
+have to mention this to some of the others." And here the conversation
+had to come to an end.
+
+On Monday morning Jack met Brassy Bangs in one of the corridors and
+noticed that the loud-spoken youth looked at him rather speculatively.
+Nothing, however, was said, and the young captain entered one of the
+classrooms and was soon deep in his studies. That evening, however,
+Brassy Bangs and two of his chums were missing from their usual places at
+one of the mess-hall tables.
+
+"They got permission to go to town. I suppose they went to make further
+arrangements about that big sleighing party," remarked Randy.
+
+To show that he meant to do his best as captain of Company C, Jack put in
+a full day on Tuesday drilling his command and in the classrooms. As a
+consequence that evening found him pretty well worn out from his duties.
+Yet he had some studying he felt he must do, and so announced he was
+going to sit up for a while after his cousins, who occupied rooms on both
+sides of him, had retired.
+
+The young captain was hard at work doing some examples in geometry when
+there came a sudden sharp rap on his door. Thinking that one of his
+school chums had come to have a word with him before retiring, he threw
+the door open and found himself confronted by Brassy Bangs.
+
+"I want to have a few words with you, Jack Rover!" cried the loud-mouthed
+cadet savagely. And then closing the door he advanced upon the young
+captain in anything but a friendly manner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A FIGHT AND A CHALLENGE
+
+
+Jack Rover could see that Brassy Bangs was laboring under great
+excitement. The youth who loved to dress in such a showy manner was red
+of face and his eyes glittered in a manner calculated to make any one
+quail before him.
+
+But the young captain of Company C was not going to quail, and he stood
+his ground and looked the other youth squarely in the face.
+
+"You want a few words, eh?" he said coldly. "Well, what is it?"
+
+"You know well enough what brought me here!" cried Brassy. "I've a good
+mind to wipe up the floor with you!"
+
+"I'm not fighting just now, Bangs. But don't forget that I can defend
+myself if it's necessary," answered the young captain quickly. And then
+he added: "Now say what you've got to say or get out."
+
+"I'll stay as long as I please," blustered the showy youth. "It's a fine
+piece of business you've been in--trying to belittle me and my chums in
+the eyes of the girls at Clearwater Hall."
+
+"If you came here to talk about the young ladies from Clearwater the
+sooner you get out the better," answered Jack, his face flushing.
+
+"Thought you were pulling off a fine stunt, didn't you, when you talked
+to Ruth Stevenson about me?" sneered Brassy.
+
+"I haven't said a word to Miss Stevenson about you."
+
+"I know better, Jack Rover. You went to her and some of the other girls
+and told them that my chums and I were no good, and that the sleighride
+party we and some other fellows were getting up was going to be the
+wildest thing that ever took place at Haven Point."
+
+"You're entirely mistaken, Bangs. And the sooner you get out of here the
+better it will please me."
+
+"Do you dare deny that you hauled us over the coals with those girls at
+Clearwater Hall?"
+
+"I decline to discuss the matter any further with you," answered the
+young captain.
+
+"See here, Rover! you can't ride any high horse like that with me,"
+blustered Brassy. "You and your cousins and some of the other fellows did
+your best to queer our whole sleighing party, and you've got to take the
+consequences!" And now Brassy Bangs doubled up his fists and tried to
+look more dangerous than ever.
+
+"See here, Bangs! if you don't stop your noise and get out of here I'll
+put you out," returned Jack, in a low but firm voice. "I don't want any
+fight with you, but I want you to understand that I can hold up my end
+every time."
+
+"Like pie you can! You put on a big front as a captain, but I know your
+sort well enough! You can't pull the wool over my eyes! You went to the
+girls' school and shot off your mouth, and you are going to take the
+consequences!" and without further ado Brassy Bangs stepped forward and
+aimed a heavy blow at Jack's face.
+
+Had the fist landed as intended, Jack might have been knocked flat. But
+the young captain had not been in athletic training for several years for
+nothing, and he dodged quickly. Brassy was carried forward, so that his
+arm shot over Jack's shoulder and his body came in contact with the young
+captain's arm. The next instant Jack had him by the back of the collar
+and was holding him at arm's length.
+
+"Now you get out of here!" he cried, and tried to drag Brassy toward the
+door.
+
+Of course the other youth squirmed, and in an instant there was a rough
+and tumble scuffle. Jack was pushed against the wall, and retaliated by
+forcing Brassy backward over a chair. Then the two spun around the room,
+upsetting a stand containing a number of books.
+
+"Hello! what's going on here?" came a voice from one of the side rooms,
+and Fred appeared. He had been in bed and was attired only in his
+pajamas.
+
+Jack and Brassy were so wrought up by this time that neither paid
+attention to the interruption. Nor did they take notice when another door
+opened and Andy and Randy came into view. Brassy managed to break away
+and land a blow on Jack's arm, and in return received a crack in the chin
+which sent his head backward and all but unbalanced him.
+
+"Gee! it's a regular fight," burst out Andy. "I didn't know Brassy was
+here."
+
+"Neither did I," said Fred. "Why didn't you call us, Jack?"
+
+"He didn't give me time," answered the young captain. "He accused me of
+getting him into trouble at Clearwater Hall, and then pitched into me."
+
+"I'll fix you!" yelled Brassy, who was now almost beside himself with
+rage. "I'll fix you!" and he made another lunge for Jack.
+
+But the blow he intended to deliver fell short, and before he could
+recover the young captain came at him with a crack in the ear, followed
+by another on the cheek, and these caused Brassy to stagger into a corner
+where he held fast to a chair.
+
+"Say, you fellows will have Colonel Colby here in another minute," warned
+Fred.
+
+"I don't care who comes!" bellowed Brassy recklessly. "But see here, I'm
+not going to fight four of you!" he went on sullenly, as he glared from
+one to another of the Rovers.
+
+"There won't be any more fight!" cried Jack, who had no desire to be
+brought up before the master of the school again. "Fred, open that door!"
+And then, as the youngest Rover did so, he added to his opponent: "Now
+get out of here before I throw you out."
+
+"You can't throw me out!" blustered Brassy. But then, as Jack advanced on
+him threateningly, he made a sudden spring for the door and ran out into
+the corridor. "I'm not going to fight four to one. But just wait--this
+isn't ended yet," he went on, and then disappeared.
+
+Fred closed the door again, and he and the others gathered around Jack,
+who was panting from his unexpected exertions.
+
+"Gosh, but he looked mad!" was Randy's comment. "What was it all about?"
+
+In as few words as possible the young captain explained the situation so
+far as he was able.
+
+"Brassy must have gone over to Clearwater Hall and there got the idea
+that you were queering that proposed party," was Fred's comment. "Well,
+I'm glad if the girls are wise to what is going on."
+
+"Better chew this over in the morning," admonished Andy. "The thing now
+is to get into bed and put out the lights. One of the professors may be
+up here any minute."
+
+This advice was considered good, and with lightning-like rapidity the
+room was placed in order and the others retired again, leaving Jack to
+undress and go to bed as quickly as possible. A little later one of the
+monitors came through the hall, but none of the Rovers was disturbed.
+
+It was not until two days later that the Rovers heard the particulars of
+what had occurred at Clearwater Hall. Then they learned that, unknown to
+any of the girls, one of the teachers had been delegated by Miss Garwood,
+the head of the academy, to make a quiet investigation concerning the
+proposed sleighing party. And when this teacher had found out who were on
+the committee of arrangements, Miss Garwood had forbidden any of the
+young ladies to participate. When this became known, Brassy Bangs had at
+once concluded that Jack--and perhaps some of his relatives and
+friends--was responsible for what had occurred. The party had been called
+off.
+
+"I'm glad it's called off," said Jack.
+
+"So am I," returned Fred. "But, believe me, Jack, Brassy will have it in
+for you after this."
+
+"Possibly."
+
+"You didn't hear anything about what girls intended to go, did you?" put
+in Randy.
+
+"I heard Jennie Mason, Ida Brierley, and Nettie Goss mentioned. That's
+all," answered Jack.
+
+He would have given a good deal to have known what was the real attitude
+of Ruth and May toward the party. But, as before, neither he nor Fred
+felt inclined to make any direct inquiries.
+
+"It almost looks as if Brassy had expected Ruth to go with him," murmured
+the young captain to himself, when he was alone that night. And it must
+be confessed that the thought made him feel quite gloomy.
+
+After this incident matters ran along smoothly for a week or more at the
+Hall. During that time the snow commenced to melt and almost before the
+cadets knew it, it had disappeared entirely.
+
+In the meanwhile there was constant talk of the election for officers
+that was to take place. Ralph Mason, the major of the school battalion,
+was about to leave, as was also one of the captains, so there would be
+first an election to fill these vacancies and then another election in
+case one or both vacancies were filled by those who were already acting
+as officers.
+
+"I really think you ought to try for the majorship," said Gif to Jack.
+"You certainly have done well as a captain."
+
+"It would be very nice, Gif," was Jack's reply. "But I feel sometimes as
+if I ought to give some of the other fellows a show."
+
+"But they may not want it," answered Andy. "Look at me, for instance. I
+don't want to be an officer, and neither does Randy. And Gif here would
+rather continue at the head of our athletics."
+
+"Yes, but you fellows are not the whole school," declared Jack, with a
+smile.
+
+"I know lots of fellows who want you to run," declared Spouter. "And you
+say the word and I'll go around and do a lot of electioneering for you."
+
+The matter was talked over a good many times, and fully twenty of the
+cadets came to Jack and told him they wanted him to run for the office of
+major. And finally he consented.
+
+"Hello, here's news!" burst out Fatty Hendry, one day, as he joined his
+chums. "It's the richest thing ever," and he grinned broadly.
+
+"What's that?" questioned Dan Soppinger, who was present.
+
+"I just heard through Teddy Brown that Brassy Bangs wants to run for
+major. That he even told one of the professors about it."
+
+"Why, he can't do that!" declared Fred quickly. "That is, not without
+special permission from Colonel Colby or Captain Dale. The major is
+always chosen from among the captains and lieutenants, or those who have
+been officers before. That is, if there is any one to pick. It's only
+Colonel Colby or Captain Dale who can declare the election open to any
+one. You can't put a fellow who has just learned to handle a gun to march
+at the head of the battalion."
+
+"Well, of course Brassy didn't know that, and he wouldn't believe it
+until Captain Dale explained it to him. And then he said he thought he
+ought to be able to hold the position because he was one of the best
+shots in the school."
+
+"Well, he certainly is a good shot," declared Fred. "I saw him shooting
+at a target one day and he certainly made some marvelous hits."
+
+"He comes from the West--from some place where everybody knows how to
+shoot," declared Walt Baxter. "I heard him telling some of the fellows
+about it one day. He said he had learned to ride and to shoot when he was
+only six or seven years old. And he can ride, all right enough, too. I
+saw him do it one day when I was on the road back of the Point."
+
+"Well, I think a few of us can do a little shooting," declared Andy.
+"Don't forget that out of a possible twenty-five points Fred once made
+nineteen and Jack eighteen."
+
+"Oh, yes, I remember that," put in Ned Lowe. "That was the time Lew
+Barrow scored twenty."
+
+"Yes, and the time I scored the whole of ten," chuckled Andy. "But I
+don't care," he added proudly. "I guess I brought down my share of small
+game when we went hunting."
+
+The talk concerning Brassy Bangs wanting to run for the office of major
+was true, and the cadet was much disgusted when he found that the
+regulations of the Hall forbade this.
+
+"I can beat any one of them at shooting," he grumbled to Paul Halliday,
+one of his particular cronies and the fellow who had aided in trying to
+get up the sleighing party.
+
+"Of course you can," was Halliday's quick reply. Then he went on: "Say,
+Lest, why don't you challenge Jack Rover and his cousin Fred to shoot
+against you? You can show 'em up in great shape. It would be better than
+fighting them."
+
+"I'll do it!" announced Brassy promptly, for the idea was one that
+appealed to him. "I'll shoot against them with either pistols or rifles,
+just as they may choose. I'll show 'em up for a couple of dubs when it
+comes to handling firearms."
+
+"That's the talk!" broke in Billy Sands, another of Bangs' chums. "You
+say the word and Paul and I will take the challenge to the Rovers right
+away."
+
+"All provided Colonel Colby or Captain Dale will permit the contest,"
+said Brassy sourly. "Maybe that's another one of the things their dirty
+rules won't allow."
+
+The matter was talked over for a while longer, and the three boys went
+off to interview Captain Dale. He listened to them with a smile, and then
+nodded.
+
+"Of course you can have a contest of that sort if you desire, Bangs," he
+said presently.
+
+Following this the challenge to Jack and Fred was promptly issued. It, of
+course, came as a surprise to the Rovers.
+
+"We ought not to dirty our hands with a fellow like Bangs," declared the
+young captain to Fred.
+
+"Oh, we can't afford to refuse, Jack!" cried his cousin. "If we did the
+fellows in the Hall would think we were afraid."
+
+And thereupon the challenge was accepted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE SHOOTING CONTEST
+
+
+It was decided that the shooting contest should take place the next day.
+
+"It doesn't give us much time to practice," grumbled Fred.
+
+"We might as well have it over with," answered Jack. "There is no use of
+allowing it to interfere with our lessons or with the coming election for
+officers."
+
+"Do you think we can shoot as well as Brassy?"
+
+"We can try, Fred. From all reports he's quite a wonderful shot. It seems
+he comes from a place where everybody is used to firearms."
+
+It had been decided to hold the contest on the regular range back of the
+school grounds. Fred and Jack had been in favor of rifles, but the boy
+from the West had voted in favor of pistols. As a consequence, Captain
+Dale had told them the contest would be divided into two parts of a
+possible fifteen points each, the first part to take place with pistols
+and the second with rifles.
+
+"Say, you fellows have just got to snow Brassy under!" cried Randy.
+"Don't leave him a leg to stand on."
+
+"That's easy enough to say, Randy," answered Jack. "But it isn't so easy
+to do."
+
+"I know it, and I was only fooling. However, do your best and make some
+kind of showing against that loud-mouthed fellow."
+
+Early on the morning of the contest Jack and Fred received permission to
+take rifles and pistols and do a little practicing with the firearms.
+They went out alone, not wishing to be disturbed by any one.
+
+As they were crossing the fields they saw a figure coming from a side
+road. The person approaching had the cape of his overcoat drawn up
+tightly around his throat and wore his cap pulled down well over his
+forehead.
+
+"That fellow looked like Brassy Bangs," declared Fred, as the distant
+figure leaped over a hedge and disappeared.
+
+"It certainly did look like Brassy," answered his cousin. "But what in
+the world could he be doing out so early in the morning?"
+
+"Maybe he was practicing a little on his own account."
+
+"He didn't have any gun with him."
+
+"That's right. But he might have a pistol."
+
+"He never struck me as a fellow who would get up so very early. He always
+appeared to be rather lazy. And besides that, he didn't come from the
+range. He came from the river road."
+
+"I know it, Jack. Maybe he's been out all night for a good time with some
+of those fellows from town."
+
+After this the two Rovers lost no time in hurrying to the rifle range,
+and there practised with their pistols and their rifles until it was time
+to return to the Hall for roll call and the drill before breakfast.
+
+"Well, we may not win, but we'll make some kind of a showing," remarked
+Fred.
+
+It was a clear day, the air just bracing enough to put the cadets of
+Colby Hall in good spirits. When the time came for the contest nearly all
+of them hurried to the range.
+
+"Now then, Lest, show 'em what you can do!" cried Paul Halliday.
+
+"The Rovers won't have a look-in!" broke out Billy Sands. "It will be a
+regular walk-away for Lest."
+
+"Don't be so sure of that," answered Gif.
+
+"Brassy may be all right enough with a pistol; but don't forget that Jack
+and Fred know how to handle a rifle," added Spouter.
+
+A coin was tossed up and it was thereby decided that the contest with
+pistols should take place first. Each contestant was to shoot three
+times, the rings on the target counting from 1 to 5. The three
+contestants were to shoot in rotation, Fred first, Brassy second, and
+Jack last.
+
+If Fred was a trifle nervous when he went to the front to shoot, he did
+his best to control it. Taking as careful aim as possible, he fired.
+
+"A three!"
+
+"That's good enough for a starter!"
+
+With a self-satisfied look on his face, Brassy Bangs strode forward, took
+quick aim, and fired.
+
+"A bull's-eye!" shouted Billy Sands in delight.
+
+"I told you he could do it!" added Paul Halliday.
+
+When Jack came to the front he managed to make a 4.
+
+"That's the stuff!" cried Randy. "You're only one point behind!"
+
+On the second round Fred managed to make a 4, while Jack scored a 3, thus
+tying the Rovers. Brassy scored a 4.
+
+"Seven to nine in favor of Bangs!"
+
+Then came the third round, and again Fred scored a 3 and Jack did
+likewise, while Brassy delighted his cronies by scoring another
+bull's-eye.
+
+"A total of ten each for the Rovers!"
+
+"And fourteen for Bangs!"
+
+"I told you Lest could hold 'em down!" shouted Billy Sands.
+
+"Just wait till they shoot with the rifles. He'll walk away from 'em!"
+added Paul Halliday.
+
+It must be admitted that the Rovers and their chums were somewhat
+disappointed that the score stood four points in favor of Brassy.
+
+"Now, Fred, do your best," whispered Andy to his cousin, as the latter
+went to the front after carefully examining the rifle handed to him by
+Captain Dale.
+
+The firearm was a light affair, but of approved pattern and supposed to
+be quite accurate for use at a distance of two hundred yards.
+
+Fred took longer to aim with the rifle than he had with the pistol, and
+there was a breathless silence until after the report rang out.
+
+"A four!"
+
+"That's the stuff, Fred!"
+
+"Now, Brassy, let us see what you can do!"
+
+As confident as ever, Brassy Bangs came to the front, took the rifle
+handed to him, and shot rather hastily.
+
+"A three!"
+
+Jack was up next, and to the dismay of many of his friends made only a
+2.
+
+Then came the second round with rifles, and in that Fred scored a 4,
+Bangs a 1, and Jack a 3.
+
+"Hurrah! Fred Rover and Brassy Bangs are tied with eighteen points
+each."
+
+"And Jack Rover has fifteen points."
+
+Then came the final round, and amid a breathless silence Fred shot and
+scored a bull's-eye. Then came Bangs, and made a 2. And Jack ended the
+contest with a bull's-eye.
+
+"Hurrah! Fred Rover wins the match with twenty-three points!"
+
+"Yes, and Jack Rover and Brassy Bangs are tied for second place with
+twenty each!"
+
+"Hurrah for Fred Rover!"
+
+"Pretty good shooting, I'll say!"
+
+"It was all to the merry, Fred!" exclaimed Jack, as he caught his
+cousin's hand. "You did fine!"
+
+"The best ever!" burst out Andy.
+
+"Say, Jack, why don't you and Brassy shoot off the tie?" questioned
+Spouter.
+
+"I'm willing," was the ready reply of the young captain.
+
+"I'll shoot off the tie with pistols," put in Brassy quickly.
+
+"No, let it be with rifles," broke in Randy.
+
+"I'll tell you what I think would be fair," announced Captain Dale. "Each
+of you take one shot with a rifle and one shot with a pistol." And after
+quite a little discussion it was so agreed.
+
+The pistols were used first, and there Brassy made a bull's-eye while
+Jack managed to register a 4. Then the rifles were used, and here Jack,
+shooting first, made a bull's-eye while Brassy got a 2.
+
+"Hurrah! Nine to seven in favor of Captain Rover!"
+
+"Some shooting, Jack!"
+
+"If you had shot as good as that in the first contest you might have
+beaten Fred."
+
+"I'm quite content, even if I didn't beat Fred," announced the young
+captain, with a smile.
+
+Brassy Bangs was quite gloomy over the outcome of the contest, and he and
+his cronies lost no time in quitting the range.
+
+"I'm mighty glad you two fellows beat him," announced Gif. "Maybe it will
+take a little of the conceit out of him."
+
+"Well, Gif, you've got to admit he's a wonderful shot with the pistol,"
+answered Jack.
+
+"Yes. And his rifle work isn't any worse than mine," answered Andy. "Now,
+I'll promise to make a lot of bull's-eyes for you if you'll let me use a
+good-sized shotgun or a blunderbuss," and at this there was a snicker.
+
+For the rest of that day Brassy Bangs had little to say. But the next
+morning he was as loud-mouthed as ever, declaring that he would have won
+the contest had he been allowed to use his own pistol--a long affair of
+the old-fashioned western variety.
+
+"Had he done that it might have given him one more point," declared
+Randy. "Of course that would have put him ahead of Jack in the first
+contest, but it wouldn't have helped him when it came to the rifle
+work."
+
+"Oh, let's drop Brassy," said Jack. "I am really getting tired of hearing
+of him."
+
+"I can't bear him," put in Phil Franklin. "Once or twice he has tried to
+become chummy with me, but I've always given him the cold shoulder."
+
+It was now drawing on toward the time for the election, and there was a
+great deal of wire-pulling among the various cadets as to who might run
+for the offices. Three names were in the field for the office of major:
+Jack, a Captain Glasby, and a Lieutenant Harkness.
+
+Glasby was a fellow who was very well liked, while Harkness was a
+lieutenant who at one time had been more or less of a crony of Nappy
+Martell, Gabe Werner, and others of the crowd that had been opposed to
+the Rover boys.
+
+"Well, I sha'n't complain if Glasby gets the position," declared Jack.
+"But I'd hate mightily to see Lieutenant Harkness at the head of the
+school battalion."
+
+"I never liked Harkness myself," put in Spouter. "He isn't a bit better
+in many respects than Gabe Werner."
+
+It was soon noised around the school that Brassy Bangs and his cronies
+were doing their best for Harkness, while another crowd, led by Bart
+White, were rooting in rather a lively fashion for Captain Glasby.
+
+"We've got to get busy for Jack," said Gif to Spouter. "Come on! Let's
+sound out all the fellows in the Hall we think we can influence." And
+thereupon he and Spouter and a number of others set to work to
+electioneer for Jack as hard as they could.
+
+Several days before the election Andy and Randy obtained permission to go
+to Haven Point on an errand. It was rather a disagreeable, misty day, and
+they were tramping along through the mud on the outskirts of the town
+when they saw Brassy Bangs and a stranger ahead of them. The stranger was
+a tall, thin individual, dressed in an old-fashioned suit of rusty black
+and with a big slouch hat pulled well down over his head. He was puffing
+away at a large black cigar, and seemed to be very much in earnest in
+what he was saying to Brassy.
+
+"I saw that fellow around the school about a week ago," declared Randy.
+"He didn't look like a very nice sort, either."
+
+"He certainly has a fierce-looking mustache," was Andy's comment. "And
+it's as red as his hair."
+
+"I tell you I can't do it, and that's all there is to it," the boys heard
+Brassy exclaim, in reply to something the stranger had said.
+
+"And I say you've got to do it," returned the man, and his tone was
+decidedly ugly. "You've got to do it--or otherwise you've got to take the
+consequences."
+
+"You wouldn't be so mean, Haddon!" pleaded Brassy, and now the Rovers
+could see that he was more or less scared.
+
+"Wouldn't I?" returned the strange man harshly. "You just try me and see!
+The best thing you can do is to agree to what I said. If you don't,
+well----" and here the tall man shrugged his shoulders--"you'll do as I
+said before--or you'll take the consequences."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+SPOUTER'S SECRET
+
+
+"Say, this is rather interesting," remarked Randy in a low tone to his
+brother.
+
+"That fellow is certainly threatening Brassy," returned Andy. "I wonder
+what it can be all about."
+
+"He wants Brassy to do something."
+
+The two Rovers kept on behind Bangs and the man called Haddon, and
+presently saw them turn down a side street where was located a small
+factory that had been in operation during the war but which was now
+closed. Both disappeared into a shed attached to the factory.
+
+"Let's see if we can find out what it's all about," said Randy.
+
+"I'm willing," answered his twin. "Maybe that fellow will grow abusive
+and hurt Brassy."
+
+"Well, a good licking wouldn't hurt him," answered his brother, with a
+grin.
+
+"Oh, that's all right. But we don't want to see him half killed even if
+we don't like him."
+
+"You trust Brassy to take care of himself," was the quick reply.
+
+The twins hurried to the shed and there found that the door had been left
+open and that the man and their fellow-cadet had gone into another part
+of the low building.
+
+"You know as well as I do that that barn and them hosses was worth at
+least twelve thousand dollars," the man was saying to Brassy. "That was a
+big loss for John Calder."
+
+"Please don't say another word about it!" pleaded Brassy.
+
+"I won't if you'll do as I told you to."
+
+"But I've let you have a hundred and ten dollars already! It's every cent
+I can spare!"
+
+"Well, I've got to have more."
+
+"I'll bet you've been gambling it away, Haddon."
+
+"It's none of your business what Bud Haddon does with his money!"
+exclaimed the stranger, with a toss of his head and blowing a ring of
+tobacco smoke toward the ceiling of the shed. "If you don't want me to
+start things you do as I told you to."
+
+"Do you know what I think!" exclaimed Brassy, after a pause. "I think
+those tramp cowboys were guilty."
+
+"You can't put that off on no cowboys!" exclaimed Bud Haddon. "I know all
+about it, and so do Jillson and Dusenbury."
+
+"They don't know anything--at least they don't know anything about me!"
+cried Brassy. But it was plainly to be seen that he was exceedingly
+nervous. "Somebody's been cooking up a story against me!"
+
+"Ain't nobody cookin' up nothin'," growled the man. "I know what I'm
+talkin' about. You'd better get busy if you know when you're well off. If
+you don't, and your uncle gets wind of this--well, good-night for you!"
+
+"Oh, don't say anything to my uncle! Please don't!"
+
+"Well, then you get busy. I've hung around here about as long as I intend
+to. I'm goin' back to Chicago in a few days."
+
+At this juncture the Rovers heard a noise outside, and several boys
+playing hide-and-seek appeared. Not wishing to be discovered by Brassy
+and his companion, Andy and Randy hurried out into the street and up to
+the corner. Here they waited for a while, and presently saw Brassy and
+Bud Haddon come forth. The man sauntered away in the direction of the
+town while Brassy sped off on the winding road leading to Colby Hall.
+
+"Now what do you make of this?" questioned Randy, as he and his brother
+continued on their errand.
+
+"It looks rather suspicious to me," answered Andy. "It looks as if Brassy
+had done something that wasn't right and this man was going to expose him
+unless Brassy paid over some hush money."
+
+"Yes, and from what Brassy said, he evidently has already paid the man
+one hundred and ten dollars."
+
+On the way back to Colby Hall after their errand was finished the twins
+discussed the matter, but could arrive at no satisfactory conclusion.
+That evening they told their cousins of what they had heard, and also
+mentioned the matter to Gif and Spouter.
+
+"It looks to me as if that Bud Haddon had a hold on Brassy," remarked
+Jack. "But whether Brassy is really guilty or not of some wrongdoing
+remains to be found out."
+
+"I wouldn't put it past him to do something that wasn't right," came from
+Fred.
+
+"That remains to be seen, Fred. Brassy might do some things that we
+wouldn't do; but at the same time I doubt if he's so very bad at heart.
+He's loud-mouthed and has a hasty temper, and he likes to show off, and
+all that sort of thing, but that doesn't say he's a criminal."
+
+"That Bud Haddon looks like a bad one," announced Randy. "I wouldn't
+trust him with a nickel."
+
+"It certainly is a mystery," came from Fred. "Just the same as it's a
+mystery about Professor Duke."
+
+"Gosh, don't mention Duke!" broke out Gif. "I had all I could do to keep
+from getting into a row with him this morning. He certainly is a tart one
+at times."
+
+"But he looks troubled," answered Jack. "Ever since Colonel Colby spoke
+about him I've been watching him carefully. And, believe me, that man has
+something on his mind that's far from pleasant."
+
+"He certainly comes and goes a good deal," said Spouter. "He was away
+several hours last night and the night before. And I understand he's
+going away to-morrow afternoon again."
+
+"Colonel Colby must know it's all right. Otherwise he wouldn't let him go
+away so much," declared Gif.
+
+On the following morning when the mail was distributed Spouter received a
+letter from his father that interested him greatly. He read the
+communication several times, and then, placing it in his pocket, ran off
+to where he had left Gif.
+
+"Come on, Gif!" he cried gayly. "I've got great news! Come ahead and help
+find the Rovers."
+
+"What's the news?" demanded the other, as they hurried on side by side.
+
+"Just wait and I'll tell you all about it--maybe." And then Spouter
+stopped short, struck by a sudden idea. He thought for a few seconds and
+then his face broke into a broad smile.
+
+The two boys found the Rovers up in Room 20, which the four cousins used
+as a sitting room. All were busy studying and looked up in surprise as
+Spouter dashed in with Gif at his heels.
+
+"Glorious news, boys! Glorious news!" sang out Spouter, as he beamed at
+them.
+
+"What is it?" they demanded in chorus.
+
+"Glorious, I tell you, glorious!" Spouter waved his hands eloquently.
+"Why remain cooped up here within the dingy walls of a school when the
+mighty plains, the boundless forests, the leaping streams, and the azure
+blue of the skies await you? Why snuff the tainted air of the musty
+classroom when the free ozone of the hills and mountains beckons to you?
+Why waste time over musty books when rifle and fishing rod can be had,
+when one can fling himself in the saddle and go dashing madly across
+the----"
+
+"Jumping crabs and hopping mud turtles!" exclaimed Andy. "Spouter has got
+'em again!"
+
+"What is this, Spouter?" demanded Randy. "A moving picture, or just a
+plain everyday nightmare?"
+
+"Ha, ha!" continued Spouter, prancing around. "Whoopee! Bang! Bang! Let
+her go, boys! Lasso him quick before he gets away!" and the talkative
+cadet made a movement as if throwing a lasso.
+
+"Say, Spouter, come down to earth, will you?" cried Jack, grabbing his
+chum by the shoulder. "What's the matter with you?"
+
+"Maybe he swallowed a few yeast cakes by mistake," remarked Andy.
+
+"It's the best news ever, fellows!" went on Spouter. "I got it this
+morning."
+
+"All right! Let's have it," came quickly from Fred.
+
+"I've been waiting for this news for several weeks."
+
+"News from where?" came from the others.
+
+"News from home."
+
+"From your dad?" questioned Randy.
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"What has he done now--bought you an automobile?" questioned Gif.
+
+"Better than that!"
+
+"For goodness' sake, spill out what you've got to say!" returned Fred, in
+exasperation.
+
+"When we went to Cedar Lodge on our grand hunt we were Gif's guests,"
+resumed Spouter. "This summer the tables are to be turned, and all of you
+are to be the guests of yours truly."
+
+"Gee, that sounds interesting, Spouter!" cried Randy.
+
+"Where do we go and when?" questioned his twin.
+
+"You're to go just as soon as school shuts down and you can get ready."
+
+"And where to?" questioned Jack curiously.
+
+"Ha! that's the deep, dark and delightful secret," returned Spouter.
+"You're all to be my guests, and I'll promise you the time of your lives.
+Oh, boys, but this is going to be something great!" And the cadet
+playfully pounded one and another on the shoulder with his fist.
+
+"But how can we go if we don't know where we're going?" asked Fred.
+
+"You'll know, Fred, before you're on the way," was the mysterious answer.
+"And, believe me, after you've found out you won't want to turn back."
+
+"What! do you mean you're not going to tell us where we're going?"
+demanded Jack, in astonishment.
+
+"Exactly, Jack. That's going to be my little secret until this school
+shuts up," and Spouter folded his arms calmly and grinned at all his
+chums.
+
+They looked at him in blank amazement. This was a proceeding that had
+never happened before. Suddenly Gif made a dash forward.
+
+"Let's pound it out of him!"
+
+"That's the talk! We'll make him tell!"
+
+"Pull him down and sit on him!"
+
+"Pull off his shoes and tickle his feet! He's got to tell!"
+
+"Poke him in the ribs!"
+
+"He got a letter this morning. I'll bet the news is in that!" shouted
+Gif. "It's in his pocket now!"
+
+All attempted to pounce upon Spouter, but he was too quick for them, and,
+dashing across the room, he shot into Fred's bedroom, banging the door
+after him. Then, as the others followed, he ran out into the corridor and
+then sped for his own room, where he locked the door behind him. Then he
+hid the letter in a place where he was sure none of his chums would find
+it.
+
+"Well, this takes the bakery!" announced Randy, after all of them had
+pounded on Spouter's door in vain. "What do you suppose it means?"
+
+"It's simple enough," remarked Jack. "Spouter is going to invite us on
+some sort of outing this summer, but he doesn't want to tell us yet what
+sort it's to be."
+
+"He spoke about mountains and rivers and horseback riding," said Randy.
+"That looks like some sort of outdoor affair," and his eyes glistened.
+
+"Come on out, Spouter, and let us love you a little," called Fred through
+the keyhole.
+
+"You go on down and I'll meet you downstairs," was the reply. "And
+remember, you're not to know another word about this until vacation
+comes."
+
+"Going to take us away in a submarine, Spouter?" demanded Andy.
+
+"No, he's going to take us in an airship to the south pole," declared his
+twin.
+
+"Never mind where I'm going to take you," answered Spouter. "You just
+keep calm until vacation time comes, and then you'll learn fast enough in
+what direction you're going to travel. And, believe me, we'll have some
+outing, or else I'll miss my guess."
+
+And with this statement the Rover boys and Gif had to be content.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE ELECTION FOR OFFICERS
+
+
+"Company attention! Shoulder arms! Forward march!"
+
+Boom! Boom! Boom, boom, boom!
+
+The drums rang out clearly on the morning air and the Colby Hall
+battalion swung into line on a march that carried it around the school
+buildings and then to the lake shore. Here Colonel Colby and Captain Dale
+inspected the three companies. Then the retiring major, Ralph Mason, was
+called on for a little speech which brought forth many cheers, and after
+this the command was dismissed.
+
+It was the day for the election, and there was to be no school session
+until the afternoon.
+
+At the last election there had been a total of 111 votes cast. But now
+there were one hundred and twenty-five cadets at the institution. There
+had been some talk of organizing a new command to be known as Company D,
+but so far this had not materialized.
+
+As was the custom, the election was held in the main hall of the school
+and was presided over by Captain Dale and Professor Brice.
+
+"I see they expect a hundred and twenty-five votes," remarked Randy.
+"That means sixty-three will be necessary to a choice."
+
+"Well, I'm sure Jack will get at least forty on the first vote," returned
+his brother.
+
+"I hope he gets the whole sixty-three," put in Dan Soppinger. Dan had
+once run for a captaincy, but had dropped out and turned most of his
+attention to athletics.
+
+As at other elections, it was decided by Colonel Colby that each officer
+should be voted for separately.
+
+"We'll try for a new major first," announced the head of the Hall.
+
+The ballot box was placed on the table, and after a short intermission
+during which there was some very active electioneering among the various
+groups assembled, a bell rang and the cadets were formed in one long line
+and told to march up and deposit their ballots in the box.
+
+It must be admitted that Jack was rather anxious, although he did his
+best to conceal it. He smiled at Captain Glasby, who smiled back. Then he
+smiled at Lieutenant Harkness, but that under-officer only favored him
+with a scowl.
+
+"Harkness will never win anything with that look on his face," was Gif's
+comment, as he noticed the scowl. "The fellows like an officer who can
+take things pleasantly."
+
+It did not take the cadets long to vote, and as soon as all of the
+ballots had been cast Captain Dale, assisted by Professor Brice, began to
+tabulate the vote. In less than ten minutes they had finished. Then a
+bell rang and Captain Dale came forward to read the result.
+
+"Total number of votes cast  . . . . . . . 125
+Necessary to a choice  . . . . . . . . . .  63
+Louis Glasby has . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
+Jack Rover has . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50
+Darrell Harkness has . . . . . . . . . . .  24"
+
+"What do you know about that!" exclaimed Fred. "Jack and Glasby are
+within one vote of each other!"
+
+"I'll say that's getting pretty close," answered Randy.
+
+"As no cadet has received the number of votes necessary to a choice, I
+will give the school a recess for fifteen minutes. Then we will vote
+again--for the same cadets or for new ones if you feel so inclined."
+
+After this brief announcement by Captain Dale came a hum of voices and
+there was some strenuous electioneering in all parts of the hall and also
+in the corridors and out on the campus.
+
+"Glasby is stronger than I thought he was," remarked Gif to Jack. "We'll
+have to do some tall work to overcome his vote."
+
+"I think we can get some of the Harkness fellows to come over to us," put
+in Spouter. "I don't believe he's as popular as he thinks."
+
+"Maybe we can get him to withdraw," suggested Andy, with a grin.
+
+"Withdraw, not!" broke out Fred. "He's not that sort."
+
+While the conversation was going on somebody touched Jack on the
+shoulder, and turning he found himself confronted by Paul Halliday.
+
+"Say, see here, Rover! I'd like a word with you," whispered Halliday
+somewhat excitedly.
+
+"All right, shoot!" answered the young captain.
+
+"This is a little private matter," went on Halliday. "You can bring your
+cousins along if you want to," he added.
+
+Wondering what Halliday had in his mind, Jack, along with Fred and Andy
+who happened to be close by, followed him to an out-of-the-way corner of
+a corridor.
+
+"We want to know if you're willing to make a deal with us," said Halliday
+in a low, nervous tone of voice. "You know Harkness got twenty-four
+votes. Well, he's willing to throw those votes to you if you are willing
+to back him for the new captain of Company C."
+
+"I can't do that," answered Jack quickly. "If I get to be major I'm going
+to back Fred here for the captaincy."
+
+"Oh, but, Jack, I could drop out of that!" put in his cousin quickly.
+
+"Not much, Fred! I said I was going to do it, and I'm going to stick to
+my word. Besides that, I might as well tell you, Halliday, that I don't
+believe Harkness is the best fellow for the position."
+
+"Then you won't consider my offer?" demanded Halliday sourly.
+
+"Certainly not!"
+
+"I don't believe you can control the Harkness votes," put in Andy. "I
+believe Jack will get a whole lot of them on the next ballot."
+
+"He won't get a one of them, and he'll lose some of his own!" answered
+Paul Halliday. "You just wait and see!" And then he walked away.
+
+"Jack, that move might have given you the majorship," said Fred.
+
+"If I've got to get it that way, Fred, I don't want it," was the prompt
+reply. "I wouldn't vote for Harkness under any circumstances. He's in
+hand and glove with Brassy Bangs, Halliday, Sands, and that whole bunch;
+and I don't believe he ought to be an officer."
+
+A few minutes later came a commotion near the main entrance of the Hall.
+A cadet named Gibson who was doing some electioneering for Glasby had
+knocked Paul Halliday down, and there was every prospect of a fight when
+the two cadets were separated by a number of friends.
+
+"He offered to sell the Harkness vote if our crowd would vote later on
+the way he wanted us to!" declared Gibson. "You would think he had half
+the vote of the Hall in his pocket," and he glared at Halliday, who
+thereupon lost no time in sneaking out of sight.
+
+The report that Halliday, Sands, and even Brassy Bangs were trying to
+sell the Harkness vote in exchange for some votes for a captaincy soon
+spread, and a number of the cadets who had voted for the lieutenant
+became disgusted and promptly said they were going to change. A lively
+discussion followed, in the midst of which the bell rang for the second
+ballot.
+
+"Gee, Jack! if some of those fellows do change their votes I hope they
+come to you," murmured Gif.
+
+"Well, I must confess I'm hoping that myself," answered the young
+captain, with a smile.
+
+Once more the boys lined up and deposited their ballots. Then came some
+anxious waiting, and finally Captain Dale announced the result:
+
+"Total number of votes cast.....125 Necessary to a choice............63
+Jack Rover has...................67 Louis Glasby has.................46
+Darrell Harkness has..............9 Peter Floyd has...................3"
+
+"Hurrah! Jack wins!" cried Fred enthusiastically, and was the first
+person to grab his cousin by the hand and shake it warmly.
+
+"That's great, Jack!" exclaimed Gif, slapping him on the shoulder. "Let
+me congratulate you!"
+
+"It's just the result I was looking for!" burst in Spouter, his face
+wreathed in smiles.
+
+Of course, Louis Glasby was much disappointed, but he took his defeat in
+good part and came up bravely to shake Jack by the hand.
+
+"It was a fair and square contest, Jack," he said. "And I congratulate
+you." And then turning to the other cadets he called out: "Three cheers
+for Major Rover!" They were given with a will; and then Colonel Colby,
+Captain Dale, and many of the older persons came forward to congratulate
+the newly-elected head of the school battalion.
+
+"Speech! Speech!" came the cry from the students. "A speech from the new
+major!" and almost before he was aware of it Jack was escorted to the
+platform.
+
+"I don't know what to say to you," he said, as he faced his
+fellow-students. "I thank you very heartily for your support and I will
+do my best to deserve it. I want to say that I am particularly pleased at
+the nice manner in which Louis Glasby has taken his defeat. He's a fine
+fellow and I hope I shall always have him for my friend." And following
+these words there was more cheering.
+
+"Evidently the Harkness combination went to pieces," remarked Randy. "He
+polled only nine votes."
+
+"And that was nine too many," murmured his brother.
+
+Following the election for major, Captain Dale announced that they would
+next vote for a new captain for Company A.
+
+"I don't know what you fellows are going to do, but I know I'm going to
+vote for Louis Glasby," announced Jack.
+
+"I think a whole lot of fellows will do that," answered Fred. "He'll
+probably get every one of his original fifty-one votes."
+
+Again there was an intermission of a quarter of an hour, and then the
+boys were lined up for the vote to fill the vacancy in Company A. On the
+first ballot Glasby got 60 votes while Fred poled 18 votes, the rest
+being scattering. Then on the second ballot Glasby was declared elected
+with 69 votes in his favor.
+
+"Three cheers for Captain Glasby of Company A!" called out Jack quickly,
+as he shook hands with his late rival, and the cheers were given with as
+much of a will as they had been for the newly-elected major.
+
+"Well, I got thirty-two votes on that last ballot," announced Fred. "That
+shows I've got some friends in this school. I don't want to be the
+captain of Company A. I'd rather remain a lieutenant of Company C."
+
+"But we've got to have a new captain for Company C now that Jack has
+stepped out," put in Phil Franklin.
+
+A quarter of an hour later the balloting began for a new captain for the
+company Jack had commanded. Here developed a spirited rivalry, and it was
+not until the fifth ballot that the final vote was taken. Then Fred won
+by 64 votes with the other votes scattered among eight contestants.
+
+"Three cheers for Captain Fred Rover!" shouted Phil Franklin
+enthusiastically, and threw his cap high in the air. He had electioneered
+as hard as anybody for the youngest Rover.
+
+Then Fred was called on for a little speech, and after that there was
+another election for lieutenants and a number of minor officers.
+
+"It certainly was our day, Fred," said Jack, as he and his cousin shook
+hands.
+
+"Right you are, Major Rover," and Fred saluted in the most precise
+military fashion.
+
+"Bonfires to-night, boys!" sang out Andy. "And we'll have some big
+doings, believe me!"
+
+"Right you are!" declared his twin.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+BONFIRE NIGHT
+
+
+It was the custom at Colby Hall for the officers of the battalion to take
+dinner with Colonel Colby on the day of an election. This was quite a
+formal affair and the cadets to participate made it a point to look their
+best.
+
+"Say, Jack, you're going to make a stunning looking major," remarked
+Fred, as he watched his cousin dressing.
+
+"How about yourself as captain?" was the reply.
+
+"Just wait till Ruth Stevenson sees Jack in his new uniform!" cried
+Randy.
+
+"Say, Jack, why not have a life-sized photo taken and give it to her to
+hang over her dressing table?" put in Andy, with a grin.
+
+"You beware, Andy," admonished his cousin, waving a finger severely at
+him. "Remember, as the commandant of the battalion, I can throw you into
+a dungeon cell if I feel so inclined," and Jack strutted around grandly
+in the privacy of the Rovers' sitting room.
+
+"I'll be good, oh, Most Noble One," answered the fun-loving Rover, bowing
+down until his head almost touched his feet.
+
+Jack and Fred had already sent word to Martha and Mary, and they, of
+course, had told Ruth and the others. It is needless to say that the
+Rover girls and their chums were almost as much pleased over the results
+of the election as the boys had been.
+
+"I'm just dying to see them on parade with Jack at the head," confided
+Martha to the others.
+
+"Yes, and Fred in command of Company C," added Mary. "Just to think of
+it! And he so much younger than the others!"
+
+"I hope I'm on hand to see their first parade," said Ruth, her eyes
+beaming with pleasure.
+
+"I thought you were going to write Jack a letter about that party," said
+Martha in a low tone.
+
+"I am. To-night. And I'll let him know that I've wanted to do it ever
+since the party was talked of," went on Ruth.
+
+The officers' dinner was a great success. Every one present made a little
+speech and Colonel Colby and Captain Dale made addresses to which the
+cadets listened with keen attention.
+
+"It is my desire to make this military academy one of the best in the
+country," declared the colonel earnestly. "And I cannot do that without
+the sincere coöperation of every cadet attending the institution. As many
+of you know"--and here he glanced at Jack and Fred--"when I was about
+your age I attended Putnam Hall Military Academy. I am sure the training
+I received there did me much good, and I am also sure that I made many
+friends who will stand by me as long as I live.
+
+"I want this institution to be one of good-fellowship all around, and I
+am relying upon all of you to do your best. At Putnam Hall in many
+respects we followed the honor system which I have put into operation
+here. That honor system did not fail there, and I do not look for it to
+fail here. I want you all to have a good time; but there is a limit, and
+every one of you knows what that limit is just as well as I do. In the
+late war the training which some of our soldiers had received at Putnam
+Hall stood them in good stead. And I want the training received here to
+be of equal benefit if any of my cadets should ever be called upon to
+fight for our country."
+
+"Three cheers for Colonel Colby!" came from Jack a minute later, and the
+boys assembled nearly split their throats trying to do justice to their
+feelings.
+
+While this dinner was going on the other cadets had their repast in the
+mess hall and then flew off in all directions to prepare for the real
+festivities of the evening. They had gotten together several piles of
+barrels and boxes, as well as brushwood from the forest behind the
+school, and these were soon heaped up along the river bank into great
+bonfires, the light of which could be seen a long distance.
+
+"It's going to be some night, believe me!" sang out Andy merrily. "We'll
+tear the woodpile down, as the old saying is."
+
+"We want to be a little bit careful or else we'll have Snopper Duke or
+some other professor calling us down."
+
+"Snopper Duke is going away. I heard him tell one of the other teachers
+that he had had a sudden call to go somewhere out of town," answered
+Randy.
+
+"Going away again, eh?" questioned Gif, in surprise. "He certainly is
+getting to be a regular Man of Mystery."
+
+The greater part of the cadets were wildly excited over the prospects of
+a good time that night. A few of them, however, including Lieutenant
+Harkness, Paul Halliday, and Brassy Bangs, looked far from pleased.
+
+"They make me tired," was Brassy's comment. "You'd think that being major
+of the school battalion was next to being president."
+
+"If I can't be anything better than a lieutenant I think I'll resign
+altogether," returned Harkness. "I'd rather go in for athletics."
+
+"You'll have a pretty good chance if you do," announced Paul Halliday. "I
+understand they're going to try to divorce the officers from
+participating in baseball and football as much as possible. A fellow can
+hold a commission and be on a team at the same time only when it seems
+absolutely necessary."
+
+"Then Jack Rover and Fred Rover will have to give up playing baseball,"
+put in Brassy quickly.
+
+"More than likely. Although, of course, they'll hate to lose such good
+players as they are," put in another cadet who was present.
+
+When the officers' dinner was at an end Jack and Fred lost no time in
+hurrying to their rooms, where they donned their old uniforms. It was
+what was termed a "holiday night" at the Hall, which meant that for the
+time being the cadets were all on an even footing and must treat each
+other as if such a thing as an officer was unknown.
+
+By the time Jack and Fred joined the crowd along the river bank the fun
+was at its height. Many of the cadets were running around indulging in
+all sorts of horseplay while others were dancing around the bonfires
+singing the songs they had learned in the school and while at the
+encampments. Several of the boys, including Andy, were in clowns' costume
+with big slapsticks which they used vigorously on everybody who came
+within their reach.
+
+"Hurrah, boys, let her flicker!" cried Fred, as he rushed forward.
+"Everybody join in!" he added, and then boomed out with this well-known
+Hall refrain:
+
+    "Who are we?
+    Can't you see?
+    Colby Hall!
+    Dum! Dum! Dum, dum, dum!
+    Here we come with fife and drum!
+    Colby! Colby! Colby Hall!"
+
+"That's the stuff!" cried Jack. "Let's have it again!" And then the
+refrain boomed out louder than ever.
+
+"Come on! Let's march around the school," came from Gif, and he caught up
+a firebrand as he spoke.
+
+A number of others were quick to follow his example, and in a minute more
+a torchlight procession was in progress, winding along over the campus,
+around the school, and through the edge of the woods beyond. Then the
+boys came back by way of the barns and sheds in the rear.
+
+"Look out that you don't set something on fire," warned Jack.
+
+"Something is on fire already!" burst out Andy suddenly.
+
+"You don't say!" queried Spouter.
+
+"Where is the fire?" demanded half a dozen others, looking around
+anxiously.
+
+"Right down there," declared the fun-loving Rover, and pointed to the
+bonfires along the river.
+
+"Wow! Let's duck him for that!" cried Phil Franklin.
+
+He made a dive for Andy and so did several others, but the agile Rover
+was too quick for them and danced out of their reach, having no desire to
+take an involuntary bath in the river, which at that time of the year was
+very cold.
+
+In the past the cadets had had considerable fun with Job Plunger, the
+school janitor, who was quite deaf and who was often called Shout because
+everybody had to shout at him to make him hear. But this time Plunger was
+wise and kept out of sight, as did also Pud Hicks, his assistant, and Bob
+Nixon, the chauffeur. The only person the boys could get hold of was Si
+Crews, the gymnastic instructor.
+
+"Give us a song, won't you?" asked several of the boys at once, for Si
+Crews was known to be quite a singer.
+
+"I will if Lowe will play the mandolin or the banjo," answered Crews.
+
+"That's the stuff, Ned!" called Fred. "Go on and get your mandolin."
+
+Ned Lowe, who was also a good singer, was willing, and at once ran off
+into the school to get the musical instrument mentioned. When he came out
+he tuned up hastily and then played while Si Crews sang one or two
+old-time songs. Then Ned gave the crowd one or two funny songs and a
+dozen or more of the cadets joined in the chorus.
+
+"Here's a chance to get square with Codfish!" cried Fred, as the sneak of
+the school showed himself in the crowd.
+
+"Oh, we might as well let Codfish drop," answered Jack.
+
+But before this could be done Andy and Randy caught hold of Stowell and
+pushed him forward through the circle of merry cadets around one of the
+fires.
+
+"We're going to initiate you in the Ancient Order of Cornmeal," declared
+Andy.
+
+"I don't want to be initiated," answered Codfish. "You let me alone!"
+
+[Illustration: THERE DESCENDED UPON CODFISH SEVERAL POUNDS OF
+FINELY-GROUND CORNMEAL.
+Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch (Page 131)]
+
+"Oh, but this is a first-class Order, Codfish," returned Randy. "If your
+reputation is bad it will render you almost spotless."
+
+"You let me go!" burst out Codfish in sudden fear, as Andy and Randy and
+several others came close to him. "I don't want any horseplay to-night.
+I'm tired out."
+
+"To be initiated in this Order you've got to lie down," continued Andy,
+and, motioning to his brother and some of the others, they suddenly
+caught poor Codfish and stretched him out on the grass in front of the
+fire.
+
+"Are you ready to be initiated?" questioned Randy solemnly, as he stood
+over Codfish with a small paper bag in one hand.
+
+"You let me----" began Codfish.
+
+"He says 'let me!'" burst out Randy quickly. "So go to it, Most Potent
+Sower of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Cornmeal! Go to it, I say!"
+
+And thereupon without further ado Randy overturned the paper bag he held
+in his hand and there descended upon Codfish several pounds of
+finely-ground meal which the lads had purchased in town a day or two
+before.
+
+"Hi! Hi! What's this? You let me go!" cried Codfish, and then began to
+splutter as the dry cornmeal got into his mouth and nose.
+
+"My, Codfish, you'd make a regular muffin now," declared Andy, as the
+whitened youth struggled to his feet.
+
+"Give us a song, Codfish."
+
+"Make it a regular corncake hoedown," put in Randy.
+
+"You let me go!" shrieked Codfish, and then in commingled rage and fear
+he suddenly caught up a long firebrand from the bonfire and whirled it
+around rapidly before him.
+
+"Get out of my way--all of you!" he screamed, and the next minute made a
+movement as if to dash the firebrand directly into Randy's face.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+
+
+"Drop that, Codfish!" exclaimed Randy, and backed away so suddenly that
+he tripped over some brushwood and came down flat on his back.
+
+"I'm not going to be tormented any more," stormed Codfish, and swung the
+firebrand around again, this time so the flames brushed Andy's shoulder
+and also Fred's arm.
+
+"Drop that, you imp!" exclaimed Ned Lowe. "Do you want to put out
+somebody's eyes?"
+
+"I don't care! You've got to let me alone!" screamed Codfish.
+
+"We won't let you alone until you learn how to behave yourself and act
+like the other fellows do," answered Andy. "You're the worst sneak this
+school ever had, and you know it!"
+
+"Yes, and see how you acted after all we did for you when we were at
+Cedar Lodge," added Randy, who had scrambled to his feet.
+
+"I--I didn't mean to say anything about those snowballs," whined Stowell.
+"They made me do it!" And thereupon, pitching the firebrand back on the
+bonfire, he pushed his way through the crowd of cadets and disappeared in
+the darkness in the direction of the school.
+
+"Gee, he certainly is a pill!" was Dan Soppinger's comment. "I think none
+of us would weep if Codfish left the school for good. How about it?"
+
+"Never mind--don't let it spoil the festivities," cried Andy gayly. "Come
+on! Everybody join in! A fine of one suspender button for the fellows who
+don't sing!" And thereupon he began a ditty he had composed during the
+war.
+
+    "Johnny get your musket!
+    You must get your musket!
+    Johnny get your musket!
+    You must get it now!"
+
+And this ditty the lads sang over and over again as they leaped and swung
+in a circle around the bonfires.
+
+But all gala occasions must come to an end, and by eleven o'clock the
+bonfires were nothing but heaps of smouldering ashes, and then one by one
+the cadets returned to the Hall and retired.
+
+"Well, Jack, it will seem kind of funny, won't it, to be at the head of
+the school battalion to-morrow morning?" questioned Gif, as he and the
+newly-elected major turned into the corridor leading to their rooms.
+
+"Yes, Gif. But it won't be so very strange either, because you know I had
+to command the battalion two or three times when the other officers were
+away."
+
+Their activities during the whole of the day had made the cadets sleepy,
+and nearly all turned in without much ado. Here and there there was an
+exception, and these included Fatty Hendry and Dan Soppinger.
+
+"I've got to get out some sort of a composition on City Improvements,"
+declared Fatty. "I don't know much about 'em, but if I don't get the
+paper in by nine o'clock to-morrow morning there's going to be trouble."
+
+"And I still have some examples in algebra to work out," answered Dan.
+"So I think I'll go at them before I retire."
+
+All of the Rovers slept soundly and did not awaken until they heard an
+unexpected knock on their door some time before the rising bell.
+
+"Let me in," came in the voice of Dan Soppinger. "I've got news."
+
+Jack opened the door and Dan came in, followed by Fatty.
+
+"Say, what do you know about this!" exclaimed Dan. "Colby Hall has been
+robbed!"
+
+"Robbed!" ejaculated Jack. "What do you mean? What did they take?"
+
+"What did they take!" burst out Fatty. "I guess they took about
+everything they could get their hands on that was easy to carry off. I
+lost my stickpin and my watch."
+
+"And I lost two old stickpins and two rings that I haven't been wearing,"
+put in Dan.
+
+"When did you find this out?" questioned the newly-elected major.
+
+"I made the discovery just when I was going to bed after doing some
+examples in algebra," answered Dan. "It was about half-past twelve, so I
+didn't want to wake anybody up--that is, none of the other fellows,
+although I did call on Fatty because I knew he was writing a composition.
+He looked around his room then and found he had been robbed, too. Then,
+as Professor Duke was away, we called on Professor Watson. He made an
+investigation and then said he would report to Colonel Colby the first
+thing this morning."
+
+The talk in Jack's room had brought Fred to the scene, and a few minutes
+later Randy and Andy came in, rubbing their eyes sleepily.
+
+"What was your stuff worth, Dan?" questioned Fred.
+
+"I think the rings were worth about fifteen dollars each, and the
+stickpins almost as much."
+
+"My stickpin was worth thirty-five dollars," groaned Fatty. "And the
+watch was a gold one given to me by my grandfather, and I wouldn't lose
+that for a good deal."
+
+"Hark! What's that commotion?" put in Jack suddenly.
+
+There was a murmur of excited voices in the corridor, and, throwing open
+the door, the Rovers and their friends came out to see what was up.
+
+"My room has been robbed!"
+
+"My watch is gone and a whole lot of other jewelry!"
+
+"I lost three dollars!"
+
+"Huh, that isn't anything! I lost fourteen dollars and a half!"
+
+So the talk ran on as an excited group of cadets, some fully attired and
+some still wearing their pajamas, crowded forward.
+
+"Say, what do you know about this!" exclaimed Fred.
+
+"Is anything belonging to us gone?" questioned Jack suddenly.
+
+"I'm going back to find out," came from Randy. "I was so sleepy last
+night that I just tumbled into bed and let it go at that."
+
+Without further ado the four Rovers ran back into the rooms they occupied
+and began a search of their chiffoniers and the other places where they
+kept their things of value.
+
+"My stickpin is gone and also one of my rings," groaned Randy.
+
+"I had a brand new five-dollar bill tucked away in one of my drawers,"
+said his brother. "I can't find it anywhere. And, yes, my wrist-watch is
+missing!"
+
+"My watch and chain and stickpin are gone, and likewise all my badges!"
+cried Fred. "Oh, this is the worst ever!"
+
+"Well, I'm out a ring and three stickpins," announced Jack, "including
+that brand new pin I got last year."
+
+As quickly as possible the four Rovers dressed and then joined the other
+cadets in the corridor. From all sides were heard excited exclamations as
+one pupil after another came forward to announce that either his jewelry
+or his money--and sometimes both--were gone.
+
+Colonel Colby and several of the professors had already been notified,
+and they quickly appeared on the scene and tried to interview the cadets.
+This, however, was a hard thing to undertake because nearly all the boys
+wanted to talk at once. There was so much excitement that for the time
+being the morning parade and breakfast were completely forgotten.
+
+"This is certainly a terrible state of affairs," remarked the colonel to
+Captain Dale. "Have you any idea who can be guilty?"
+
+"No, Colonel. I have always thought that every one connected with this
+school was honest."
+
+"It may be the work of some of the hired help," mused Colonel Colby. "But
+I hate to think that. Every one who is here came highly recommended."
+
+"We might make inquiry and see if any strangers were in the school last
+night during the celebration," suggested Captain Dale. "There was so much
+excitement that some one might have slipped in and out without our
+noticing."
+
+Finally Colonel Colby told all the cadets to go below for breakfast,
+dispensing with the early morning drill.
+
+"As soon as you have finished eating I wish each cadet to make a thorough
+search of his room and make out a written list of everything that is
+missing and sign the paper. Take careful note of everything when you are
+making your search, and if you find any clues to the perpetrator of this
+outrageous affair, let me know. The lists can be left at the office as
+soon as they are made out." And then, after a moment of thought, he
+added: "There will be no session of the school this morning."
+
+"Shall we notify the Haven Point authorities?" questioned Professor
+Brice.
+
+"Not at present. I wish to make my own investigation first," answered the
+head of the school.
+
+It did not take Jack and his cousins long to swallow their breakfast, and
+this finished, they hurried back to their rooms and began the search
+Colonel Colby had advised.
+
+"Well, I'm shy that gold fountain pen Aunt Martha gave me," announced
+Jack presently. "I'd forgotten about that because I didn't usually use
+it. I use the one mother gave me."
+
+Outside of this the Rovers could find nothing more missing nor did they
+locate anything in the way of a clue that might lead to the robber. They
+sat down and made out their brief lists, signed them, and then walked
+together down to the office.
+
+Here a crowd of cadets were coming and going. It was learned that
+twenty-two cadets in all had suffered losses which ranged from
+seventy-five cents to one hundred and twenty-five dollars. In all it was
+figured that the loss would amount to at least twelve hundred dollars.
+
+"This is about the worst thing that ever struck Colby Hall," announced
+Jack.
+
+"Who do you suppose did it?" questioned Randy.
+
+"Don't ask me, Randy. I'd hate to suspect any of the fellows."
+
+"Oh, I don't think any of the fellows did it!" burst out Fred.
+
+"Well, what about the hired help?" questioned Andy.
+
+"I don't know any of them that I'd suspect," said Jack promptly. "Every
+one looks like a pretty good sort."
+
+Only two cadets came forward with objects that might possibly be a clue
+to the robbery. One boy had picked up a handkerchief in his room that he
+said did not belong to him, and another boy had found the marks of muddy
+footprints over his window sill and on a fire-escape outside.
+
+"Say, that looks as if somebody had come up the fire-escape and got into
+the rooms that way," said Jack, when he heard of this.
+
+"They say the handkerchief that was picked up is not marked in any way,"
+said Gif.
+
+"Well, every handkerchief used by the cadets is marked," returned
+Spouter. "They've got to be that way or they'd get all mixed up in the
+laundry."
+
+"How about the help?"
+
+"Their stuff is all marked, too. One of the teachers told me so," put in
+Dan Soppinger.
+
+"Say, Ned! you came upstairs for your mandolin," cried Jack suddenly.
+"Did you see anybody up here?"
+
+"I don't remember that I did," answered Ned Lowe. "I was in such a hurry
+to get the instrument that I didn't pay much attention. And, besides
+that, it seemed pretty dark in here after coming away from that big
+bonfire."
+
+"A robber would be sure to keep out of Ned's sight," put in Fred.
+
+"I remember seeing some fellows in the lower hall--Major Mason, Bart
+White, and one or two others. But I can't seem to remember seeing anybody
+upstairs--and yet, somehow or other, it seems to me I did pass somebody
+just before I ran into my room," and now Ned looked perplexed.
+
+"Can't you think who it was?" questioned Andy quickly.
+
+"No, I can't."
+
+"If it was a stranger you would have remembered, wouldn't you?" asked
+Jack.
+
+"I think I would, Jack. I'd think right away what that person was doing
+upstairs." Ned scratched his head. "No, if I did meet somebody, I'm sure
+it must have been one of the cadets. But who it was, I can't think."
+
+A little later Colonel Colby continued his investigation by asking all
+those who had been inside the building during the celebration to come
+forward and tell anything they could that might be of advantage. It
+developed that not only Ned but also Ralph Mason, Bart White and two of
+the older cadets named Lawrence and Philips had been upstairs some time
+between eight and eleven o'clock. The most of these cadets said they had
+seen no one else upstairs in the building. But Bart White declared while
+at one end of a long corridor he had seen some one slip around a corner
+out of sight. He was not sure whether the person had been a cadet, one of
+the hired help, or an outsider.
+
+"It was either a man or a big boy," said Bart. "But he moved so quickly
+and it was so dark I didn't recognize him, even if I happened to know
+him."
+
+"And what time was this?" questioned Colonel Colby.
+
+"Some time between half-past nine and ten o'clock."
+
+Bart was asked to show the colonel where the disappearance of the
+stranger had taken place, and it was proved that this was at a point just
+around a corner from the room where the footprints leading to the
+fire-escape had been discovered.
+
+"Perhaps you saw the person just at the time he was making his escape,"
+was Colonel Colby's comment. "We will look for footprints below the
+fire-escape."
+
+This was done, but the cadets the night before had tramped around the
+school building so much that the footprints were hopelessly mixed. Then
+the boys were questioned as to whether or not they had seen any one
+dropping from the fire-escape to the ground, and all answered in the
+negative.
+
+"We will question the hired help and see what they have to say,"
+announced the master of the school.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE PARADE
+
+
+The inquiries made among the hired help of Colby Hall produced little
+results. Some of the servants were rather scared and declared to Colonel
+Colby that they were innocent of any wrong doing.
+
+"I am not accusing any one here," declared the master of the Hall. "I
+only want to find out, if possible, who was guilty of this outrageous
+proceeding."
+
+It was found that two men with wagon loads of supplies for the school had
+visited the place during the evening, but neither of these men had gone
+any further into the building than the storeroom, and both had departed
+as soon as their errands were finished. Outside of that, so far as the
+servants could remember, no outsiders had been on the premises.
+
+"And yet those footmarks on the window sill and the fire-escape look as
+if it had been done by an outsider," said Captain Dale to the head of the
+school.
+
+"It's just possible that it may have been an inside job and an outside
+job combined," ventured Professor Grawson.
+
+"What do you mean by that?"
+
+"Somebody in the institution may be in collusion with some outsider--some
+professional thief. The inside person may have given the outsider a tip
+as to when the coast was clear and may even have stood on guard while the
+rooms were being looted."
+
+"That is possible, Professor. But is there any one in the place that you
+suspect?"
+
+At this Professor Grawson shook his head.
+
+"No, sir. So far as I can imagine they are all thoroughly honest."
+
+"We might institute a general search of all the buildings," announced
+Captain Dale. "We can call all the cadets out on the campus and all the
+hired help into the mess room and request them to remain while the search
+is going on."
+
+"Some of the hired help may object to that," came from Professor Watson.
+
+"If they did it would throw suspicion on them," answered Colonel Colby
+quickly. "I think the idea had better be carried out."
+
+All the persons in the school were assembled as mentioned, and then
+Captain Dale explained to the cadets what had been proposed and Colonel
+Colby did the same to the hired help.
+
+"They're certainly welcome to search our rooms," declared Major Jack
+promptly.
+
+"And mine, too," added a score of others.
+
+"I'm sure I haven't anything to conceal," put in Lieutenant Harkness.
+
+"And I haven't anything to conceal either," came from Brassy Bangs. "They
+can search my room all they please." He had announced the loss of a
+stickpin and six dollars and a quarter in cash.
+
+Among the hired help there was more or less murmuring, one of the old
+cooks, an Irish woman who had been in the place since it had been opened,
+shaking her head dubiously.
+
+"Sure an' I didn't think yez would take me fer a thief, Colonel Colby,"
+said Bridget, gazing at the head of the school severely.
+
+"I'm not taking any one for a thief, Mrs. Mulligan," he answered. "But it
+would not be fair to search any of the rooms without searching all of
+them."
+
+"Sure an' that's true fer yez," announced the cook, nodding her head in
+assent. "An' if that's the way ye're after lookin' at it, go ahead and
+search me room all ye please. Only don't be disturbin' them trinkets I
+have from me dead mother."
+
+The search was made without delay, all of the teachers and the cadets who
+had lost their belongings taking part. It occupied the rest of the
+morning. Every room was gone over carefully, and when anything in the way
+of jewelry or other such articles as had been reported missing were
+discovered all those who had suffered were asked to look on and see if
+they could identify anything.
+
+"Gee! there's a fountain pen that belongs to me," cried one of the boys
+presently. And then he added in a crestfallen manner: "It's all right. I
+lent that to Bill Latimer a couple of weeks ago and forgot all about
+it."
+
+Outside of this incident the search came to an end with nothing out of
+the ordinary happening. Not an article that had been taken was discovered
+in any of the rooms occupied by the cadets or the hired help. Nor was
+anything discovered in any of the other rooms or closets of the
+institution.
+
+"It certainly is puzzling," declared Colonel Colby, after the search had
+been called off. "It looks to me as if a thief had gotten away with
+everything he took."
+
+"Either that or he has some hiding place which we as yet haven't
+unearthed," answered Captain Dale.
+
+After that the hired help were told they might go, and as soon as
+possible dinner was served to the cadets and the teachers. Then, when the
+pupils were told to go to their afternoon classes, Colonel Colby and
+Captain Dale held a conference in the office and notified the local
+police authorities.
+
+"I hate to do it," said Colonel Colby. "But there seems to be no help for
+it. It will certainly give our institution a black eye."
+
+"But I do not see how anyone can hold you responsible for this affair,"
+returned Captain Dale. "We are as watchful at this institution as they
+are anywhere."
+
+"Of course I shall not permit our cadets to lose anything by this," went
+on the master of the school quickly. "I shall ask each of them to value
+carefully what they have lost, and then, if the things are not recovered
+before the end of the term, I will make the loss good."
+
+"That would be very nice on your part, Colonel Colby. And I think it
+would be a good investment too," added Captain Dale. "It will prove to
+the parents of the cadets that you consider yourself responsible while
+they are under your care."
+
+When the local authorities came to the school they went over the ground
+carefully with Colonel Colby and some of the others and asked innumerable
+questions.
+
+"We have a number of strangers stopping in town, mostly traveling
+salesmen," announced the chief of police. "I'll look 'em up, and also
+look up any tramps or any other suspicious characters that may be hanging
+around." And that for the time being was all he could say. Soon he and
+his men departed.
+
+That evening Jack found a letter in his box which had been mailed early
+that morning at Haven Point. It was from Ruth. There was also a brief
+note to Fred which had been sent by May.
+
+In her communication to the newly-elected major Ruth congratulated him
+heartily on his success and said she hoped soon to see him in a parade at
+the head of the battalion. After that she wrote as follows about the
+sleighing party that had been called off:
+
+  "I received an invitation to that party from Lester Bangs and May
+  received an invitation from Paul Halliday. Jennie Mason, Ida
+  Brierley and several of the other girls had invitations and they
+  wanted us to go very much. But, of course, I did not want to go
+  with such a fellow as Bangs. Then he came to me and started a
+  report that all of you Rovers were going to another party with some
+  of the girls from the town, and that the party was to take place
+  the same night as our party. Of course, I did not want to say
+  anything about it, because I realized that you could do as you
+  pleased. But I told Bangs positively that I would not go with him
+  and May told the same thing to Halliday. Then both of them got
+  quite ugly and accused you and your cousin of trying to spoil his
+  outing. I told him you had had nothing to do with it, but he
+  declared that you had and that you had better look out or you would
+  get into hot water. So, Jack, please look out for him and tell Fred
+  to look out for Halliday and the others."
+
+There was more to the letter, and Jack read the communication with great
+interest. He felt greatly relieved to think that Ruth had not intended to
+accept Brassy's invitation, and later on he dropped her a note thanking
+her for her kind congratulations and telling her that the report of
+another party in which the Rovers and some girls from Haven Point were to
+participate had been faked up.
+
+The note received by Fred was on lines similar to the communication sent
+to Jack. He sent word to May clearing up the situation.
+
+"It was a mean thing for Bangs and Halliday to do," declared the
+newly-elected captain of Company C. "We ought to pitch into them."
+
+"We can't afford to do it, Fred, now that I'm a major and you're a
+captain," was Jack's reply. "Remember what Colonel Colby said: We must be
+models for the other cadets."
+
+"Great Scott! does that mean we can't stick up for our rights?" demanded
+the youngest Rover indignantly.
+
+"Not at all, Fred. If those fellows say anything, give it back to them.
+And if they start to fight, defend yourself just as well as you are
+able."
+
+As mentioned before, Snopper Duke had been absent from the Hall during
+the election for officers and the celebration which had followed. When he
+returned he looked much worried, and this worry was far from dispelled
+when he visited his room.
+
+"Colonel Colby, I, too, have been robbed!" he exclaimed, as he came
+rushing down to the office. "I've had a silver cardcase taken, and also a
+gold watch which has been in our family for several generations, a watch
+that belonged to my father and my grandfather."
+
+"It's too bad, Professor Duke," answered the master of the Hall
+seriously. "May I ask what the articles were worth?"
+
+"I don't suppose the cardcase was worth more than a few dollars, but the
+watch was of gold, and I presume it must have cost fifty or sixty
+dollars. It was an heirloom and I treasured it highly."
+
+"I am doing my best to find out something about the robbery," said
+Colonel Colby. "But so far all my efforts have been in vain. I intend, if
+the articles are not recovered by the time the school session comes to an
+end, to pay for everything that has been stolen." And that was all the
+master of the Hall could say.
+
+It must be admitted that both Jack and Fred felt quite proud when the
+first regular parade of the battalion took place that spring. The cousins
+had, of course, sent home word of the election and had received
+permission to purchase new uniforms. Both looked spick and span as they
+marched out at the head of their respective commands. It was a clear,
+warm day, and Colonel Colby announced that the cadets could parade
+through Haven Point to Clearwater Hall and return if they so desired.
+
+"Hurrah! That's the stuff!" cried Fred.
+
+And so it was arranged, and one of the teachers telephoned over to the
+girls' academy, to let those at that institution know what they might
+expect. Then one of the cadets telephoned to Felix Falstein, the owner of
+the Haven Point moving picture theater.
+
+"Falstein always hangs out his flags for us," said this cadet. "And he'll
+do it this time, I'm sure."
+
+Colby Hall now boasted of a drum and fife corps of twelve pieces, and
+they made merry music as the battalion marched away in the direction of
+Haven Point. All but three or four of the cadets were in the best of
+spirits.
+
+"I think marching over to Clearwater Hall is punk," declared Brassy
+Bangs, with a snarl. "Why can't they march some place worth while or just
+go around the town and let it go at that?"
+
+"I guess Jack Rover wants to show off before those girls," grumbled Paul
+Halliday.
+
+"I wouldn't go if I could get out of it," growled Brassy.
+
+"Oh, don't squeal," returned his crony quickly. "If you do they'll only
+laugh at us and make us go anyway."
+
+"Attention there, Bangs!" cried the captain of Company B, the command to
+which Brassy belonged. "No talking in the ranks!" And thereupon the
+cadets became silent.
+
+As had been anticipated, when the cadets reached Haven Point they found
+that Felix Falstein had outdone himself in the way of decorations. Not
+only were several flags displayed across the front of his theater, but he
+had strung two big flags across the street, and between them placed a
+banner which he had had painted some time before and which read:
+
+                              WELCOME TO
+                              COLBY HALL
+
+"That's very nice of him," remarked Jack, who was marching at the head of
+the procession with Captain Dale on horseback close beside him.
+
+"Very nice, indeed, Major Rover," answered the military man.
+
+"I wonder if we can't come to a halt here and go through the manual of
+arms?" went on the newly-elected major.
+
+"Certainly, if you wish to do so."
+
+"Battalion halt!" called out Jack, turning around and the three companies
+came to a stop.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+BASEBALL
+
+
+Soon the three companies of the Colby Hall battalion were in a long line
+in front of the moving picture theater. At once a crowd began to gather
+until several hundred people were assembled. Then the cadets were put
+through the manual of arms, after which followed some fancy evolutions in
+the street in front of the show house.
+
+"Very good! Very good, indeed!" shouted Felix Falstein, who was present.
+
+His face was beaming and he clapped his hands loudly, and, taking this
+hint, the crowd applauded with vigor. Then the march through Haven Point
+was resumed and soon the cadets came in sight of Clearwater Hall.
+
+They had good reason to feel proud of what those at the girls' school had
+done in their honor. The big flag was flying from the flagstaff on the
+campus and other flags were displayed from the front of the building. In
+addition to this the classes had been dismissed for the time being and
+nearly all the girls were out at the front of the school, many carrying
+small flags which they waved vigorously as the cadets approached.
+
+"Oh, don't they look grand!" cried Mary.
+
+"Superb!" added Martha ecstatically.
+
+"I do believe Jack has a brand new uniform," came from Ruth, and then she
+began to cheer and all the girls joined in.
+
+The cadets had been cautioned to preserve true military discipline, and
+they did their best not to smile and make eyes at their admirers. But it
+was hard work, and many a face broke into a grin impossible to control.
+
+Opposite the school the command came to a halt, and then Miss Garwood and
+a number of her teachers came forward to greet the cadets and those with
+them and invite them to the campus. Here another drill was given, the
+girls applauding louder than ever as each movement was executed with a
+precision that would have done credit to the cadets at West Point.
+
+"I'm sure that's as good as our fathers did at Putnam Hall," declared
+Mary to her cousin.
+
+Colonel Colby had come along with Captain Dale, and during the drilling
+had been in earnest conversation with Miss Garwood. Then came a surprise
+as the cadets were asked to march into the dining hall of the girls'
+school. Here they found generous plates of cake and ice-cream, as well as
+glasses of refreshing lemonade, awaiting them.
+
+"Gee, this is the best ever!" declared Andy, smacking his lips.
+
+"Yes. And what a surprise!" returned Randy.
+
+"Some day we'll have to return this compliment," came from Jack. "My,
+wouldn't it be a lark to have the girls in our mess hall and treat
+them?"
+
+"I suppose we'd have to give 'em regular soldiers fare," was Andy's dry
+comment. "Salt pork and baked beans and things like that," and he
+grinned.
+
+"Nothing doing!" declared Fred. "We'll feed 'em toasted marshmallows and
+angel cake," and at this sally there was a laugh.
+
+Following the refreshments the cadets were allowed fifteen minutes in
+which to walk around the school campus and mingle with the girl students.
+Jack, of course, at once sought out Ruth to tell her personally how much
+he appreciated the letter she had sent.
+
+"I hope, Jack, you haven't had any more trouble with Lester Bangs," the
+girl said anxiously.
+
+"Oh, he's growling around a little, but that's all," answered the young
+major. "I'm not paying any attention to him, Ruth. I'm mighty glad that
+you didn't accept his invitation," and he gave her a warm glance.
+
+"It was awful for him to get up that report about another party,"
+answered the girl. "Of course I didn't think it was true--that is, not
+what he said about you and your cousins."
+
+"Suppose we let the whole matter drop, Ruth, and forget Brassy Bangs and
+his crowd."
+
+"I'm sure I'm willing to do that, Jack." And then the girl added quickly:
+"You've had some terrible doings over at the Hall, so I have been told."
+
+"You mean the robbery, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes. Have they discovered anything?"
+
+"Not a thing. It certainly is a mystery."
+
+When the gathering of boys and girls broke up nearly every one was in the
+best of humor, the only exceptions being Brassy Bangs and Paul Halliday.
+These two unworthies had done their best to get on friendly terms with
+some of the girls, but had been snubbed in such a manner that it made
+them much crestfallen.
+
+"I'll be glad when we start back," grumbled Brassy to his crony.
+
+"Come on, let's take a walk outside," answered Halliday, and thereupon
+the pair left the school grounds.
+
+"What about baseball this spring, Jack?" questioned his sister just
+before the cadets were ready to start.
+
+"I'll be out of that this year. There is a new ruling that officers must
+step aside and let the other cadets have a chance on the baseball nine
+and the football eleven, as well as have a chance in the rowing and other
+contests. Colonel Colby has an idea that not enough cadets have filled
+these various places in the past. He wants to give every fellow a chance
+if possible."
+
+"Well, you can't blame him for that."
+
+"Not at all, Martha. I'm quite content to step aside so far as baseball
+is concerned, and so is Fred. We want to do our best as officers and also
+do our best with our studies. You know the folks at home are expecting us
+to make real records in the classrooms."
+
+"I know that only too well, Jack. Mary and I are working day and night on
+our lessons here. We're going to do our best to come out either at the
+head of our classes or very near to it."
+
+"How is Ruth making out?"
+
+"She's doing very well. Of course, she had a hard struggle to catch up on
+account of the time lost because of her eyesight."
+
+Following the parade to Clearwater Hall the cadets settled down to the
+usual routine of drills and studies. But soon there came a call for
+aspirants to the baseball team, and then talk of the coming matches with
+Columbus Academy, Hixley High, and Longley Academy filled the air.
+
+"Gee! it makes my hands tingle to think about baseball," sighed Fred,
+when talking the matter over with Jack.
+
+"I feel the same way," answered the young major. "But remember, Fred, we
+can't have everything in this world, and I'd rather be major of the
+school battalion--at least, for one term."
+
+"Of course! And I'd rather be captain of Company C."
+
+"Gif tells me there are going to be a number of important changes on the
+nine," went on Jack. "A lot of new fellows are clamoring to get on.
+They're going to have their try-outs in a day or two."
+
+What Jack said was true, and the following Saturday afternoon a somewhat
+patched-up first team played a scrub team. On the scrub, somewhat to the
+Rovers' surprise, were Brassy Bangs and Paul Halliday.
+
+"They both claim to know a whole lot about the game," explained Gif. "So
+I'm bound to give them a try-out."
+
+"Why, I thought Brassy Bangs came from a ranch in the West?"
+
+"So he does. But he told me they frequently played baseball on the ranch
+and that some of the cowboys were really good players. He said one of the
+fellows had once played on one of the Midwest Leagues."
+
+"Gee! there's no telling what an up-to-date cowboy will do these days,"
+remarked Andy. "Playing baseball, going into the movies and into
+vaudeville, and I don't know what else!"
+
+"I guess he finds more money in the doing of those things than he does in
+the herding of cows," answered his twin.
+
+The game between the patched-up first nine and the scrub nine resulted in
+a tie, 7 to 7. Jack and his cousins watched the game and had to admit
+that Brassy Bangs and Paul Halliday did quite well--in fact, much better
+than had been expected.
+
+After that the practice was continued, Gif, as head of the athletic
+association, trying out one player after another. Then came the final
+selection of the regular club to represent Colby Hall, and Brassy Bangs
+was given the position of third baseman while Paul Halliday went to
+center field.
+
+"I think I ought to be allowed to pitch," grumbled Brassy. "I'm sure I
+can send 'em in just as good as any of those other fellows."
+
+"You pitch a pretty swift ball, I admit," returned Gif. "But your
+delivery is rather erratic. You put them over the catcher's head several
+times. If you did that when the bases were full, it would mean just so
+many runs coming in." And after that Brassy said no more about pitching.
+
+The first game to be played was on the grounds of Longley Academy. The
+cadets journeyed to the place in carriages and automobiles and on
+bicycles, and were joined by quite a number of the girls from Clearwater
+Hall.
+
+"Do you suppose Tommy Flanders will pitch?" questioned Randy.
+
+"No. They tell me that last game we had over here was too much for
+Flanders and he has given up the nine entirely. I think they'll put in
+that new left-hander that they tried at the end of that game," answered
+Jack. And in this surmise he was correct.
+
+When the first man came to the bat it was easy to be seen that both nines
+were on their mettle. It was a Colby Hall player who had the stick, and
+the left-handed twirler for Longley Academy struck him out in
+one-two-three order.
+
+"Hurrah! That's the way to do it!" yelled one of the Longley students.
+"Now make it three straight!"
+
+"Gee! that was Nevins, one of our best batters," whispered Randy to his
+cousin Mary.
+
+"Never mind that, Colby Hall!" shouted Jack. "You've got to encourage 'em
+a little bit!" and at this there was a smile.
+
+The next man to the bat got a hit and on a wild pitch managed to reach
+third. But that was all that could be done, and Colby Hall retired
+without scoring.
+
+During their half of the inning Longley Academy managed to make two runs,
+and this was increased by two more at the end of the fourth inning. In
+the meantime the best Colby Hall could do was to get two hits and bring
+in one run.
+
+"Hurrah! Four to one in favor of Longley!" shouted one of the students
+from that academy.
+
+"You've got to tighten up, boys!" called out Fred to the members of his
+school team. "Tighten up and show 'em what you can do!"
+
+The fifth inning passed without a run, and so did the sixth. Then in the
+seventh Colby Hall managed to pass the home plate twice while Longley
+Academy scored once. This made the score, Longley Academy 5, Colby Hall
+3.
+
+"Oh, Jack, it looks as if Colby Hall might be beaten!" said Ruth
+anxiously.
+
+"I think they might have a better fellow than Brassy Bangs on third," put
+in Fred. "He could have put out that last runner with ease. That run
+wasn't deserved at all." And a number of others who heard this remark
+agreed with the young captain of Company C.
+
+In the eighth inning Colby Hall made one more run. Then Longley Academy
+came once more to the bat, and with two men on first and second and two
+out, the batsman knocked a high fly to center field.
+
+"Scoop it in, Halliday!"
+
+"It's a dead easy fly!"
+
+"They won't get any runs this inning!"
+
+So the shouts from the Colby Hall boys went on.
+
+In the meanwhile Paul Halliday stepped back a few paces and got directly
+under the descending sphere. Down it came, striking his finger tips and
+bouncing over his head.
+
+"He's muffed it! He's muffed it!" yelled several of the Longley Academy
+contingent gleefully. "Run, boys, run!"
+
+And how the runners did streak from base to base! And before the ball
+could be recovered by the bewildered Halliday the three runs had been
+scored.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+SPOUTER IS CORNERED
+
+
+"Hurrah for Longley!"
+
+"That's the way to do it! That makes the score eight to four!"
+
+"My, what a muff that was! That center fielder is a regular
+butter-fingers!"
+
+"Soak it to 'em good and plenty, Longley! Only two men out!"
+
+Thus the hubbub on the part of the students of Longley Academy continued
+while the cadets of Colby Hall had little to say. There were one or two
+cries to take Halliday out of the field, but these were quickly hushed.
+
+"Anybody might muff a ball," declared Jack. "It's too bad, but probably
+it couldn't be helped."
+
+The very next player to the bat knocked a liner between first and second
+and got to second on a fumble by the first baseman. Then the next player,
+after having two strikes called on him, sent a low one down to center
+field.
+
+"Go for it, Halliday! Get it!" yelled the cadets eagerly.
+
+Halliday ran for the ball, but was only able to get it on the first
+bounce. Then, as he saw the batsman rounding first for second, he threw
+the ball wildly.
+
+"Run, Newcomb, run!"
+
+"There goes the ball for the grandstand! Hurry up, Markle, and make it a
+homer!"
+
+The ball had sailed over the head of the runner and landed at least ten
+feet away from the home plate. The catcher made a dive for it while the
+pitcher came to the plate to stop the runners. But it was too late, and
+before the sphere could be sent in both runs had been scored.
+
+"Zip! Boom! Two more runs for Longley!"
+
+"That's the way to do it, boys! Let's snow 'em under!"
+
+"Take Halliday out!" was the angry cry of fully a dozen cadets. "Take him
+out! He has no business on the team!"
+
+And thereupon amid shouts of derision Paul Halliday was compelled to quit
+the field and one of the substitutes went to take his place.
+
+"It wasn't my fault! I stepped in a hole," growled Halliday when he came
+to the bench. He made a show of limping badly. "I almost sprained my
+ankle."
+
+"Well, your two errors have been very costly," answered Gif coldly.
+
+After that the pitcher for Colby Hall tightened up, and the next man up
+was put out on strikes and the side retired.
+
+With the score 10 to 4 against them, Colby Hall did what it could to
+redeem itself during the last inning. They made one run, followed by two
+outs and two hits which brought a man on first and another on third. Then
+Brassy Bangs came to the bat.
+
+"Now, Brassy, here's your chance!"
+
+"Knock it over the back lots!"
+
+Brassy set his teeth and swung the bat with a do-or-dare expression. Then
+the first ball pitched came in an outcurve which he swung at in vain.
+
+"Take your time!" called out Gif.
+
+The next was an incurve, but Brassy swung at it and missed again.
+
+"Strike two!"
+
+"Hit it, Brassy! Hit it!"
+
+"Knock the cover off!"
+
+"Take your time! Wait until you get just what you want!"
+
+And thereupon Brassy Bangs did wait--until he had three strikes called
+upon him and was declared out.
+
+"That ends the game!"
+
+"And the score is ten to five in favor of Longley Academy!"
+
+"Hurrah! That's the time we showed Colby Hall what we can do!"
+
+The Longley Academy boys went wild in their enthusiasm and danced around
+the field like so many Indians. And they had good cause to be elated, for
+they remembered only too well the drubbing they had gotten at the hands
+of Colby Hall the season before when Jack and Fred had made such records
+for themselves.
+
+The Colby Hall cadets could say nothing against the record made by the
+Longley nine. They had put up a stiff fight from the start and deserved
+their laurels.
+
+"Our defeat was largely due to Halliday and Bangs," declared Spouter.
+"Between them they let in at least five runs."
+
+"That's exactly the truth," answered Dan Soppinger. "If I were Gif I'd
+read the riot act to those two players."
+
+"Oh, I don't think I'd be too hard on them," came from Jack. "Anybody
+might have muffed that ball down in center field, and any of us might
+have struck out as Brassy did."
+
+"But both of them made several other errors," put in Walt Baxter.
+
+On the way back to Colby Hall the students were free in their comments on
+the game, and there were many uncomplimentary things said about Brassy
+and Halliday. Those two players tried to excuse themselves as best they
+could; but a baseball player who has not made good seldom gets any
+sympathy.
+
+"I'll give you both another chance in the game with Hixley High," said
+Gif at last, in talking the matter over with the two players. "But if you
+make a single error it will cost you your positions."
+
+The game with Hixley High came off on the following Saturday and was won
+by the narrow score of 7 to 6. In the second inning Halliday made another
+wild throw from center to second, and Brassy Bangs made a bad fumble in
+the fourth inning, and as a consequence both were retired and substitutes
+put in their places.
+
+"It was certainly a narrow squeak," declared Fred, when the game was over
+and the boys were preparing to celebrate that evening. "I believe if Gif
+had kept Brassy and Halliday on the team we would have lost."
+
+"Well, we may lose some other games even so," said Jack. And he was
+right. Out of a total of seven games played with the other schools of
+that vicinity that season Colby Hall won but four.
+
+"Well, we can't win every year," declared Randy. "And we're half a game
+to the good anyway, and that's something."
+
+"It's certainly better than being half a game behind," answered his
+twin.
+
+While these matters were going on Colonel Colby and Captain Dale had been
+doing everything possible with the aid of the local police, and also a
+private detective who had been called in, to solve the mystery concerning
+the robbery at the school. But all efforts seemed to be in vain. Not a
+trace of the person or persons who had committed the crime could be
+found. It was a great mystery.
+
+"I think I'll have to settle with all of the boys and with Professor
+Duke," said Colonel Colby to his head assistant. "And there I suppose the
+matter will have to be dropped."
+
+Later on he took up the various claims and paid each one of them in
+cash.
+
+"I am very thankful to you for this, Colonel Colby," declared Snopper
+Duke, when he received his money. "It will come in quite handy, I assure
+you. And yet I am much distressed over that watch which once belonged to
+my grandfather."
+
+"Well, I hope it is brought to light some day, Professor," answered the
+master of the Hall. "And if it is then you can pay me back for it," and
+he smiled faintly.
+
+In those days a number of the cadets noticed that Snopper Duke seemed to
+be much preoccupied. He paid hardly any attention to what his pupils were
+doing and was so absent-minded that often he answered the simplest
+questions in the most ridiculous manner.
+
+"He's certainly got something on his mind," was Fred's comment. "I must
+say I'd like to know what it can be."
+
+"Maybe we'll never know," answered Jack. "But because of what Colonel
+Colby said I'm certainly going to be careful how I treat him. He may have
+more of a load on his mind and heart than any of us imagine."
+
+It now lacked but ten days to the end of the term, and the boys were busy
+finishing up with the examinations in the various classes and also in
+writing the final essays to be handed in. All had worked hard to make a
+showing.
+
+"Just think! Only ten days more!" exclaimed Andy, throwing a grammar
+across his room at Randy. "Doesn't it make you feel fine?"
+
+"It sure does!" answered his twin, catching the book and sending it back
+so quickly that his brother was hit in the stomach. "And that puts me in
+mind, Andy. Why not get at Spouter and make him tell us what he's got in
+mind about our vacation this summer?"
+
+"Let's do it! Come on! We'll get Fred and Jack and Gif and go and pound
+it out of him."
+
+All alive with their scheme, the twins burst in upon the other Rovers
+while they were busy writing their essays and broached the subject. The
+others agreed, and Fred ran off to get Gif. Then the whole crowd rounded
+up Spouter, and grabbing him by the arms fairly forced him along the
+corridor and into the Rover boys' sitting room.
+
+"Now, Spouter, you've got to tell us!" declared Randy. "No more
+secrets!"
+
+"Oh, gee! Is that it?" was Spouter's reply. "I thought you wanted to
+borrow a nickel from me, or something like that," and he smiled feebly.
+
+"Come on now, Spouter! Give it to us straight," demanded Fred.
+
+"No more sawing and fiddling," put in Andy. "We want straight goods.
+Where are we going this summer?"
+
+"You're going with me," answered Spouter, with a grin.
+
+"So you've told us about three thousand times. But where are we going?"
+
+"You're going home first."
+
+"Pound him, fellows, pound him! Throw him down and pound him good!" and
+thereupon the whole crowd pounced upon the luckless schemer.
+
+"Hold on! Hold on! Let me up!" spluttered Spouter. "Let me up, and I'll
+tell you everything!"
+
+"Honest?" demanded Andy. "If you fool us this time we'll drag you to the
+bathroom and duck you."
+
+"Cross my heart!" panted Spouter. "Now let me up!"
+
+The others allowed him to arise and then forced him into an easy chair in
+the corner and all stood over him menacingly.
+
+"You are going to spend your vacation at a new place which was purchased
+by my dad only a few months ago," answered Spouter.
+
+"And what place is that?" came in a chorus from his chums.
+
+"Big Horn Ranch."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+GOOD-BYE TO SCHOOL
+
+
+"What do you know about that!"
+
+"Big Horn Ranch! That sounds interesting!"
+
+"What sort of a place is it, Spouter?"
+
+"I suppose you must have thousands of heads of cattle?"
+
+"How about horses, Spouter? We'll have enough mounts, sha'n't we?"
+
+"Any good hunting or fishing?"
+
+"Stop! Stop! What are you trying to do?" spluttered Spouter. "Trying to
+drown me in a flood of questions? Why don't you ask one thing at a
+time?"
+
+"Well, where is the ranch and how are we going to get to it?" questioned
+Jack.
+
+"And how big is it?" put in Fred.
+
+And then came another flood of questions until poor Spouter placed his
+hands to his ears in dismay.
+
+"I can't answer everything at once," he said finally. "So you'd better
+let me tell what I know in my own way. Big Horn Ranch is located out in
+Montana, and it comprises a thousand acres or more--how large I don't
+exactly know. To get there you journey by rail to a little jumping-off
+place called Four Rocks, and then you have to ride or drive to the ranch,
+which is four or five miles away. The nearest town of any size is Arrow
+Junction, which is quite a distance off."
+
+"How is it your dad bought a place like that?" broke in Gif. "I didn't
+know he was interested in ranches."
+
+"Oh, he has always liked outdoor life--you all know that. And this ranch
+came to him in rather an unexpected way. There were two brothers who were
+interested in a speculation in which my dad was interested, too. My dad
+advanced a lot of money to these brothers, and as they couldn't pay up in
+cash they asked him if he wouldn't take the ranch off their hands by
+allowing them an additional thirty thousand dollars. So he made a trip
+out there in company with another man who knew all about ranches and then
+he concluded to buy, and did so. So now we own Big Horn Ranch, and the
+family expects to spend a large part of each summer there."
+
+"And your father said we could all go out there with you?" questioned
+Randy.
+
+"Yes. He told me to invite you four Rovers and also Gif. And that isn't
+all," went on Spouter. "He's invited all your folks out there, too. He's
+going to make a great big house-party of it!"
+
+"Our folks!" exclaimed Fred. "What do you mean? They can't all go. Uncle
+Dick is just back from Texas, and somebody has got to look after the
+offices in New York."
+
+"It has been arranged that your father and mother are to go along first,
+Fred, and later on Randy and Andy's father and mother are to come out.
+Then, when they go back to New York, it's possible that Jack's folks will
+come West before the season is over. Gif's folks have not decided on what
+they can do, but will let us know in a week or two."
+
+"And what about the girls?" questioned Fred quickly.
+
+"Of course, they are to go along, too. Martha will go with Mary and her
+folks, and May will, of course, be with my mother, and she is going to
+try to get Ruth to go with her."
+
+"But Ruth said she was going somewhere else," remarked Jack, and his face
+showed disappointment.
+
+"I know that, Jack. But I think May can get the Stevensons to allow her
+to go. Anyway, all the girls are going to try."
+
+After that the Rovers and Gif asked many other questions concerning Big
+Horn Ranch and Spouter told them all he could.
+
+"Of course, I know only what dad has written and what was said about the
+ranch before we purchased it. I suppose I'll learn a lot more as soon as
+I go home, and then I'll let you know about it."
+
+"Gee! we ought to have the best time ever," exclaimed Andy gleefully, as
+he caught Spouter by the shoulders and commenced to dance him around the
+room.
+
+"It was certainly well worth waiting for, Spouter," came from Jack.
+
+"I don't see how you managed to keep it a secret," put in Randy. "I'd
+have been bustin' to tell it every minute."
+
+"Well, I had a job of it, believe me, with you fellows dinging at me all
+the time," was Spouter's answer.
+
+"When do you suppose we can start?" questioned Fred.
+
+"That, of course, will depend a good deal on you and your folks,"
+answered Spouter. "My folks are already out there, getting the ranch in
+readiness for visitors. I suppose you'll want to go home over the Fourth
+of July, but maybe you'll be able to start West right after that."
+
+"I don't know what could hold us back."
+
+"Is the ranch house big enough to accommodate such a large crowd?"
+questioned Jack. "There are a lot of us, remember."
+
+"I think so. You see the ranch is really a combination of two ranches,
+the buildings of one ranch were located near the eastern boundary while
+the buildings of the other ranch were set equally close to the western
+boundary, and as a result the two sets of buildings are not very far
+apart. Father and mother didn't know exactly what they were going to do.
+They said they would either divide the party between the two ranch houses
+or otherwise send all the hired help to one of the houses and keep our
+whole party at the other."
+
+"It would be nice if we could stick together," said Randy.
+
+"Oh, it won't make much difference, because, as I understand it, it's
+only a short walk from one set of buildings to the other."
+
+After this revelation from Spouter it was difficult for the Rover boys
+and Gif to settle down once more to their essay writing and their
+examinations. However, all did their best, and when the school term came
+to an end each had made a creditable showing.
+
+"I'll be proud to take this card home and show it," said Fred, as he
+examined the pasteboard which had been handed to him.
+
+Out of a possible 100 per cent. he had received 94 per cent. Jack had
+passed with 92 per cent., Randy with 89 per cent., and Andy with 88 per
+cent. This last figure was the one also reached by Gif. Spouter, who was
+naturally a very studious person, had passed with the highest mark of the
+class--96 per cent.
+
+"Well, eighty-eight per cent. isn't as good as it might be, but it's a
+good deal better than lots of the fellows made," remarked Andy. "And it's
+a long way from the failure mark--below seventy."
+
+Of course the boys had already talked over the telephone to the girls,
+and then it leaked out that all of those at Clearwater Hall knew about
+Big Horn Ranch and that Ruth was almost certain that she could go with
+the Rover girls and May.
+
+"If we all go together we had better charter a private car," remarked
+Jack.
+
+"Say, that would be something worth while!" put in Fred, with
+satisfaction. "Let's put it up to our folks!"
+
+Two days before the boys were to leave for home, Randy saw a messenger
+boy deliver a telegram to Snopper Duke. The professor read the brief
+communication and then Randy saw him stagger up against a chair in the
+hallway as if about to fall. He rushed forward and caught the professor
+by the arm.
+
+"What is the trouble, Professor?" he questioned kindly, for he could see
+that Snopper Duke was in deep distress.
+
+"I--I---- Don't mind me, Rover," stammered the teacher. "It's a little
+bad news, that's all. And coming on top of some other bad news I've
+received lately I can hardly stand it," and with these words Snopper Duke
+turned and went slowly upstairs to his room. Half an hour later he was
+closeted with Colonel Colby and then drove away from the Hall; and that
+was the last the Colby Hall cadets saw of the strange teacher during that
+term.
+
+"He's certainly got something on his mind," said Randy, in telling the
+others of the incident. "And I must confess I'm growing really sorry for
+him."
+
+On the next day came another surprise for the Rovers. All of them were
+out on the campus when they saw Brassy Bangs leap a side hedge and start
+toward the school. At the same time they saw a tall man wearing a slouch
+hat hurrying off in the opposite direction.
+
+"Hello! there is that fellow Brassy had trouble with in town," exclaimed
+Randy.
+
+"Just look at Brassy!" whispered Fred, after the youth had passed them
+and gone into the Hall. "Why, he's as pale as a ghost!"
+
+"It certainly is a mystery about Brassy and that strange man," was Jack's
+comment. "Just as much of a mystery as about Professor Duke's doings."
+
+Soon the boys were busy packing up, getting ready to leave. Then came the
+usual jolly times just previous to saying good-bye to their fellow-cadets
+and the teachers. The students were to scatter in all directions and the
+majority of them expected to have a glorious time during the summer
+vacation. Phil Franklin was to go back to the oil fields, to visit his
+father.
+
+At the railroad station the Rovers met Mary and Martha and also some of
+the other girls, and here many good-byes were said.
+
+"I hope you get a chance to get out to Big Horn Ranch," said Jack to
+Ruth.
+
+"So do I, Jack. But I haven't received permission to go yet. If I don't
+get there you must write to me."
+
+"I certainly will, Ruth. And you must write also. But come out if you
+possibly can."
+
+The home-coming of the Rovers was, as usual, made a gala event. The three
+mothers had come down to meet their children and there was a happy
+reunion at the Grand Central Terminal, and then the three families drove
+off in their automobiles to their homes on Riverside Drive. A little
+later the fathers of the young folks came in from downtown, and that
+night there was a grand dinner spread for all in Tom Rover's house.
+
+"Gosh, it's good to be home once more, Mother!" cried Andy, and hugged
+his parent from one side while his twin hugged her from the other.
+
+"And it's mighty good to think that we can all be together," came from
+Jack. "It's so different from what it was when the war was going on."
+
+"Oh, please don't speak of the war! I never want to hear of it again!"
+put in Martha.
+
+"And to think we're all going out to Big Horn Ranch!" burst out Fred.
+"Isn't that just the grandest ever?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+ON THE WAY WEST
+
+
+"Well, we're off for Big Horn Ranch at last!"
+
+"It certainly is a grand prospect, eh, Jack? We ought to have barrels of
+fun on the ranch."
+
+"Yes, Randy, it certainly ought to make a dandy vacation."
+
+"I'm fairly itching to get on horseback," put in Andy. "What dandy rides
+we shall have!"
+
+"Maybe we'll get a chance to break in a broncho," put in Fred, with a
+grin.
+
+"Don't you dare do such a thing, Fred Rover!" burst out his sister Mary.
+"Most likely the bronco would break your neck."
+
+"Well, we won't bust any broncos until we get to the ranch," came with a
+smile from Fred's father, who had followed the young people into the
+sleeping car at the Grand Central Terminal.
+
+It was the day of their departure for the West, and the young folks were
+quivering with suppressed excitement. Sam Rover and his wife headed the
+party, which consisted of the four boys and the two girls.
+
+Fourth of July had been spent rather quietly at home preparing for the
+trip. Of course, Andy and Randy had had some fun, especially with
+fireworks in the evening, but otherwise the young folks had been too
+preoccupied with their arrangements for getting away to pay special
+attention to the national holiday.
+
+It had been arranged that only the Rovers mentioned above should at first
+make the trip to the ranch, and Gif and Spouter were to meet them in
+Chicago, where they would change cars for Montana. Tom Rover and his wife
+were to come to the ranch two weeks later and bring with them May Powell
+and Ruth Stevenson. Later still it was barely possible that Dick Rover
+and his wife would come West.
+
+Jack's idea of chartering a private car had fallen through because not
+all of the party to meet at Big Horn Ranch were to go at the same time.
+But those now gathered had seats at one end of the sleeper along with a
+private compartment for Mrs. Rover and the two girls, so they were all
+comfortable.
+
+The boys were in the best of spirits; and for a while Sam Rover had his
+hands full making Andy and Randy behave.
+
+"I hope we strike a lot of lively cowboys, Uncle Sam," broke out Andy.
+
+"Perhaps you'll find some of the cowboys too lively," was the answer.
+
+Jack and Fred, as well as their sisters, were disappointed that May and
+Ruth had not been able to accompany them, but they were glad to know that
+the others would follow later to the ranch.
+
+Soon New York was left behind and the train was speeding along the Hudson
+River on its way to Albany.
+
+"Just think! By this time to-morrow we'll be in Chicago," remarked
+Martha. "Isn't it wonderful how you can cover such a distance?"
+
+"Do you know, I almost wish we were going out there in an auto," returned
+Fred. "That would be a trip worth taking."
+
+"Especially if you had to put on all the extra tires along the way,
+Fred," added Andy, with a grin.
+
+"Oh, well, I guess I could do that, too, if I had to," answered the
+youngest Rover boy quickly. "But the roads from here to Chicago are
+pretty good, they tell me, so I don't think we'd have many punctures or
+blow-outs."
+
+"Such a trip would be dandy, only it might take more time than we'd care
+to spend on the way right now," remarked Jack. "Personally I want to get
+out to Big Horn Ranch as soon as possible."
+
+"Exactly my sentiments," came from Randy. "Me for the mountains and
+plains and a life in the open air!"
+
+    "Oh, for a life in the open air,
+    Under the skies so blue and fair!"
+
+sang out Andy gayly.
+
+"Gee, Andy is bursting into poetry!" cried Fred. "What's going to happen
+next?"
+
+"Maybe he ate something that didn't agree with him," giggled Mary.
+
+"You'd better bottle up that poetry stuff, Andy," remarked Jack.
+"Remember we're going out to a ranch owned by Songbird Powell, and he was
+nicknamed Songbird while at Putnam Hall because he was always bursting
+out into home-made poetry. Maybe we'll get a surplus of it when we get
+out to the ranch."
+
+Lunch was had in the dining car, and almost before the young folks
+realized it the train was rolling into Albany. Here an extra car was
+attached, and then they were off on the long journey through the Mohawk
+Valley to Buffalo, Cleveland, and the great city by the Lakes.
+
+After the train had passed Utica Andy and Randy, who found it hard to sit
+still, took a walk through the cars from end to end, thinking they might
+meet somebody they knew. They were gone so long that Sam Rover became a
+little worried over them.
+
+"I think I'll hunt them up," he said to his wife. "For all we know they
+may have gotten into some mischief."
+
+"More than likely they're into something," answered Mrs. Grace Rover.
+"They're exactly like their father Tom when it comes to stirring things
+up."
+
+Sam Rover was just leaving his seat when Andy and Randy came back to the
+car. Their faces showed their excitement.
+
+"What do you think!" exclaimed Randy, as he dropped into a seat. "We met
+that same fellow who was threatening Brassy Bangs at Haven Point."
+
+"Was Brassy with him?" questioned Jack quickly.
+
+"No. But two other men were with him, and it's a tough crowd, believe
+me."
+
+"Where are they?" questioned Fred.
+
+"Two cars behind. And from the way the three talked they must have gotten
+on at Albany. The fellow Brassy had something to do with is tough enough,
+but the other two men seem to be much worse. By their talk, they are
+cattle men, and I shouldn't be surprised if they have been cowboys."
+
+"And that isn't all!" added Andy. "They spoke about going to Arrow
+Junction!"
+
+"Arrow Junction!" repeated Fred. "Why, that's the town that Spouter said
+was nearest to Big Horn Ranch!"
+
+"What were they going to do at Arrow Junction?" questioned Jack.
+
+"They've got some sort of a deal on for handling horses and cattle. We
+couldn't make out exactly what it was," answered Randy. "But they
+certainly are a tough bunch. It looks to me as if they might have been
+drinking."
+
+"Did you hear them mention Brassy?" asked Fred.
+
+"No. But that fellow who met Brassy at Haven Point, the chap called Bud
+Haddon, told the others he had struck a real snap in the East. And one of
+the others answered that he had noticed that Bud was rather flush."
+
+"It's certainly a mystery what that fellow had to do with Brassy,"
+remarked Jack. And then of a sudden his face became a study.
+
+A sudden thought had occurred to him, and it was such a horrible one that
+he was inclined to force it from his mind. And yet it came bobbing up
+time and again until Fred, who was sitting beside his cousin, noticed
+that something was on his mind.
+
+"What are you thinking of, Jack? Ruth?"
+
+"No, Fred. I was thinking of that fellow who met Brassy Bangs in Haven
+Point."
+
+"You're wondering, I suppose, why Brassy let him have some money."
+
+"Partly that and partly something else, Fred. But it's so horrible I hate
+to think of it."
+
+"Why, what do you mean, Jack?"
+
+"Well, if you must know, it just happened to cross my mind that that Bud
+Haddon was hanging around Haven Point and was seen around the school
+several times just when Colby Hall was robbed."
+
+As the young major uttered these words in a low tone of voice, Fred
+stared at him in astonishment.
+
+"My gracious, Jack, that's so!" he whispered. "Isn't it queer we didn't
+think of it before? From what Andy and Randy tell of how that fellow
+treated Brassy I wouldn't put it past him to be a bad one. But if he had
+anything to do with the robbery at the school, do you think Brassy had,
+too?"
+
+"I don't know what to think, Fred. Brassy never struck me as that sort of
+a fellow. He's loud-mouthed and he's got a big opinion of himself, and
+all that, but I never put him down as being crooked."
+
+"Neither did I. But you must remember one thing--that fellow was dinging
+at him for money. He said Brassy must get it or there would be trouble."
+
+"Yes, I'm remembering that, Fred. I must confess it looks pretty bad. But
+I don't think we had better say anything until we know more about the
+men."
+
+"Let's pump Andy and Randy all we can."
+
+Fred's suggestion was followed out, and the four Rover boys talked the
+matter over among themselves. The twins were as much surprised as Fred
+had been when Jack mentioned what was in his mind.
+
+"Gee, that Bud Haddon may be the guilty one!" burst out Randy. "Why
+didn't we think of this before? Colonel Colby might have put a detective
+on his trail."
+
+"Do you think we ought to send him a telegram or anything like that?"
+asked Andy.
+
+"It wouldn't do much good. What would be better, I think, is for us to
+watch the man and see if we can find out more about him. If he is going
+to Arrow Junction we may have a chance of learning more about him out
+there. Did he expect to stay at the Junction?"
+
+"I think so--or at least in that vicinity. The whole crowd is bound for
+some ranch out there."
+
+"Then if we learn anything of importance against the fellow we can have
+the local authorities make an investigation," said Jack.
+
+"Gosh! wouldn't it be queer if that fellow really had robbed Colby Hall
+and if Brassy was mixed up in it?" remarked Randy.
+
+"It would be terrible if Brassy was guilty," answered Jack. "It would
+just about ruin him forever."
+
+"Come on, Jack. Suppose you and I walk back and see if we can locate the
+fellows," suggested Fred. "They don't know us, so they won't be
+suspicious."
+
+"Well, we might try it," was the young major's reply.
+
+And thereupon he and his cousin walked through the cars to the place
+where the twins said Bud Haddon and his two companions were seated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+IN THE SADDLE
+
+
+The two boys located the three men without any trouble. They were seated
+near the end of the car where there was a water cooler, and here the two
+lads stopped to fumble for a minute or two over the paper drinking cups
+and then to take their time getting a drink.
+
+"Yes, we ought to make a lot of money on that deal, Noxley," they heard
+Bud Haddon say. "That is, provided we mind what we're doin'."
+
+"Oh, there'll be no trip-up this time," answered the man called Noxley.
+
+"I've been wonderin' how many horses there would be that we could sell,"
+put in the third man of the group.
+
+"I heard we could get at least twenty, Jenks. Of course, I can't tell
+exactly until I've looked over the ground."
+
+"Well, twenty head of horses and two hundred head of cattle are not to be
+sneezed at," answered the man called Jenks. "A fine piece of business,
+I'll say," and he laughed shrewdly.
+
+"How long do you expect to stay at Arrow Junction before you go out to
+Bimbel's Ranch?" questioned Noxley.
+
+"Not more 'n three or four days. I'm expectin' word from Bimbel as soon
+as I reach the Junction, and then I'll know just what he wants us to
+do."
+
+"One thing I want understood," went on Jenks crossly. "This time I get
+all that's comin' to me--no holdin' back!"
+
+"And I want the same, remember that," put in Noxley sourly.
+
+"You'll get your full share--no fear of that," said Haddon reassuringly.
+"Only remember, you've got to do your full share of the work, too. No
+shirkin' at the last minute!"
+
+"Well, we don't want to be takin' too many chances," and Jenks shook his
+uncombed head dubiously.
+
+"You've got to take chances in this game, Jenks. You can't expect the
+hens to lay eggs right in your hands," and Haddon chuckled at his little
+joke.
+
+After that the men talked about a good time they had had in Albany the
+evening before. They said nothing further of what they expected to do in
+the West nor did Haddon mention Haven Point or Brassy Bangs.
+
+"We might as well go back," whispered Jack to Fred, after they had
+remained as long at the water cooler as they dared. The men had glanced
+at them carelessly, but had evidently given them scant attention.
+
+When the two lads returned to the others they held a consultation, and
+then laid the whole case before Fred's father. Sam Rover listened with
+interest, and his face became a study.
+
+"It is just possible that your guess may be correct and this fellow
+Haddon may be guilty of robbing Colby Hall. But it would be sheer
+foolishness to accuse the fellow unless you had sufficient evidence
+against him. This talk about horses and cattle may be a perfectly
+legitimate affair. However, when we get to the ranch we can look into the
+matter further and find out what sort of place this Bimbel's ranch is and
+what the men really intend to do while there. That may give us a better
+line on this Bud Haddon and the others."
+
+"I'm going to watch that crowd as long as they travel with us," said
+Jack, and the other lads said they would do the same.
+
+A night was spent on the train, all the boys sleeping soundly, and in the
+middle of the forenoon they rolled into the great station at Chicago.
+Here the lads kept their eyes wide open and saw Haddon and his two
+companions walk away, dresssuit-cases in hand. Nor did they reappear when
+the Rovers, an hour later, hurried for the train which was to take them
+further westward. Evidently the three men were going to take some other
+train to Montana.
+
+"Here they are! We've been waiting for you folks!" came the cry, and
+Spouter rushed up to the Rovers, followed by Gif.
+
+"Ho for the glorious West!" put in Gif. "Aren't you fellows anxious to
+get there?" he questioned.
+
+"Anxious doesn't express it!" answered Andy. "Why, all night long I was
+riding broncos and lassoing wild cattle!" and he grinned.
+
+Sleeping-car accommodations had been reserved for all of the crowd, and
+they were soon making themselves at home. Then, as the train sped
+westward, the Rovers told their chums about Bud Haddon.
+
+"That certainly is interesting," said Gif. "Just the same, I can't think
+that Brassy Bangs is a thief. Why, if you'll remember, he said he had
+been robbed himself!"
+
+"He might have said that just to throw dust in the eyes of the public,"
+answered Spouter. "To my mind it will certainly be a good thing to keep
+our eyes open for this fellow Haddon."
+
+The trip to Montana took the best part of three days, and every one in
+the party enjoyed the journey thoroughly. They often went out to the
+observation end of the train, there to view the endless panorama of
+prairies and mountains, forests and streams, as they sped swiftly past.
+The magnificent view impressed Spouter as much as anybody.
+
+"It's sublime--stupendously sublime," he murmured over and over again.
+"The thoughts that well up in my bosom at such a sight as this are beyond
+the power of words to express. When I view these immense plains, these
+mountain tops fading away in the distance, these wild and weird torrents
+rushing over the rocks, and these trackless forests with often not a
+human abode in sight, I cannot but think----"
+
+"That there is room here for every man, woman and child in the city of
+New York and then some," finished Andy. "Gee, how can they stick in one
+or two miserable cubby-holes of rooms when we have all this land to draw
+on!"
+
+"That's what gets me," put in Gif. "But they do it. And I'm told that a
+whole lot of 'em would rather die huddled together than live out here
+where neighbors are miles apart."
+
+The through train took them only as far as Arrow Junction. Here they
+alighted and then boarded a little side line, running through the hills
+to a dozen small stations, including Four Rocks.
+
+"This isn't so nice," sighed Martha, when all had piled into one of the
+two little cars which comprised the train. Their baggage had been put in
+the other car, which was a combination baggage and smoking car. There
+were but a few other passengers in the car, including one fat woman with
+two small and exceedingly dirty children. There were also several
+cowboys, and a Chinaman who looked as if he might be a cook.
+
+"I think dad has a Chink at our ranch," said Spouter. "Anyway, he wrote
+he thought he'd hire one."
+
+They had telegraphed ahead, so that there might be some one to meet them
+when they arrived at Four Rocks.
+
+"It's certainly an odd name for a railroad station," remarked Mrs. Rover
+to her husband.
+
+"Four Rocks sounds substantial enough," he returned, with a smile.
+
+"Is it much of a town?"
+
+"Not likely to be any town at all. Perhaps a little railroad station and
+possibly one store, which, of course, would also be the post-office."
+
+Sam Rover's idea of Four Rocks proved to be correct. Situated near a
+ridge of rocks was a small railroad station with a telegraph office and
+baggage room attached, a water tower, and opposite to the station were
+two low buildings, one a general store and the other a place where there
+had once been a saloon and dance hall, but which was now closed up.
+
+"There's my dad now!" cried Spouter excitedly, as he leaped off the
+train. And the next minute he was running towards an automobile in which
+sat his parent. "Where is ma?" he demanded.
+
+"She remained at the house to see that everything was in readiness when
+you got there," answered Songbird Powell, as he shook hands with his
+son.
+
+Close to the automobile stood a number of horses, all saddled. On one sat
+a bronzed cowboy, who grinned broadly at the boys and tipped his hat
+rather awkwardly to Mrs. Rover and the girls.
+
+"This is my foreman, Joe Jackson," said Songbird Powell. "Joe, this is
+Mr. and Mrs. Rover, and these are the Rover boys and their sisters, and
+this is my son and another of his chums. I guess you'll get better
+acquainted a little later on," and he smiled broadly.
+
+"Who's to ride on horseback?" questioned Andy quickly, "We can't all get
+into that machine."
+
+"You boys can all ride with Joe," answered Spouter's father. "I thought
+you'd rather do that than anything else. The girls and the others can
+ride with me."
+
+"How do you know I don't want to ride on horseback, Uncle John?" cried
+Martha gayly. She often called this intimate chum of her father "uncle."
+
+"No, Martha, you'd better ride with us now," put in Mrs. Rover hastily.
+"You can do your horseback riding later on."
+
+"Oh, I was only fooling, Aunt Grace," the girl replied.
+
+"I'm just crazy to see Big Horn Ranch, Uncle John," came from Mary.
+
+"Well, I hope you'll like it," returned Songbird Powell. "I want every
+one of you to have the best times ever while you're here." His eyes
+glistened. "We ought to have a regular old-fashioned reunion." And then,
+unable to control himself, he broke out into a bit of his old-time
+doggerel.
+
+    "I'm glad you're here.
+    I hope you'll stay.
+    I'll miss you much
+    When you're away."
+
+"Hurrah, Songbird, that certainly sounds natural!" cried Sam Rover,
+slapping his old chum on the shoulder. "You'll have to give us more of
+that later on."
+
+"I haven't spent much time on verses the last few years, Sam," answered
+Songbird. "I've been too busy attending to business. But maybe I'll get
+back to it while loafing around the ranch," he added.
+
+"Are any other people coming to the ranch?"
+
+"Yes, one other person. And I think you'll be very much surprised to see
+him."
+
+"Who is that?"
+
+"Oh, you had better wait until he arrives," returned Songbird Powell, and
+began to grin as though the thought of what was coming pleased him.
+
+The older persons and the girls waited until all the boys were safely in
+the saddle, and then Songbird Powell started the automobile.
+
+"I'm leaving them in your care, Joe," he called back to his foreman, as
+he moved along. "Bring 'em to the ranch in safety."
+
+"Trust me," called out the foreman promptly. "We'll be at the ranch
+almost as soon as you."
+
+"Well, don't ride the horses to death," shouted back Songbird. And then
+in a few minutes more the automobile disappeared in the distance.
+
+"The boys will certainly enjoy that horseback riding," said Mary.
+
+"Glad of it," answered Songbird Powell, and as the automobile rolled
+onward he murmured gaily:
+
+    "An elephant sat on a bamboo tree
+    And he was as happy as he could be.
+    'To travel,' said he, 'is awfully punk
+    Unless you remember to take your trunk!'"
+
+"Oh, what a funny rhyme!" giggled Martha.
+
+"I'll have to write that down in my scrap book," returned her cousin, and
+at this remark Spouter's father looked real pleased.
+
+"Hurrah for Big Horn Ranch!" shouted Randy, waving his cap. "Come on if
+you're ready."
+
+"Don't work your horses too hard at the start," cautioned Joe Jackson.
+"It's a good five miles to the ranch, and part of it is rather tough
+climbing."
+
+"If it's tough climbing how is the automobile going to get there?"
+questioned Jack quickly.
+
+"Oh, they'll go around by the river road. But that is eight miles longer.
+We'll take the hills."
+
+"Then maybe we can get there first after all!" broke in Fred.
+
+"Well, we can try, anyhow," answered the foreman of the ranch. "Do all of
+you boys know how to ride?"
+
+"Sure we do!"
+
+"Then forward it is!" And away rode the foreman with Jack and Spouter on
+either side of him and the others following close behind.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+AT BIG HORN RANCH
+
+
+The way lay along a flat stretch of prairie bordering the river, and then
+up into the hills. The brushwood in the immediate neighborhood was
+scanty, but in the distance they could see some scrub timber backed up by
+a stretch of forest. Far to the westward they could see the distant
+mountains over which the sun was now setting.
+
+"Come on, you fellows, come on! Don't lag behind!" shouted Spouter, and
+set off at a brisk pace along the well-defined trail leading to the
+ranch.
+
+Joe Jackson, having seen that all of them could ride well, was quite
+willing to let them set their own pace.
+
+"Only look and see where you're going!" he shouted. "And remember at the
+split in the trail to take the one on the right." And then he allowed
+them to plunge on ahead, but kept his eyes on everything they were
+doing.
+
+[Illustration: "OFF TO THE EASTWARD YOU CAN SEE A BIT OF OUR RANGE."
+Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch (Page 205)]
+
+Two miles from the station the boys found they had quite a climb, and
+here they were forced to slow down. A little later they reached the top
+of the first hill.
+
+"There off to the eastward you can see a bit of our range," said the
+ranch foreman, pointing with his finger. "And those cattle yonder are our
+cattle."
+
+By the time they reached the foot of the first hill the sun was setting
+beyond the mountains in the west and the long shadows were creeping
+across the trail and over the forest beyond.
+
+"This must be some dark trail at night," remarked Jack.
+
+"Dark as a tunnel," answered Joe Jackson. "You have to carry a lantern or
+a flashlight when you try to ride it after dark."
+
+"Ever get held up?" questioned Fred curiously.
+
+"Nary a hold-up, lad," answered the foreman, with a grin. "We leave all
+that to the movie men."
+
+"Did you ever have a moving picture company out here?" asked Gif.
+
+"Yes, we had one crowd out here last year. They stayed around about six
+weeks taking some sort of a drama, as they called it. It was funny,"
+added the foreman, with a chuckle. "The leading lady was scared to death
+of horses, and yet she had to do a little riding. The man who was having
+the pictures taken wanted her to smile while she was cantering along. But
+that smile, believe me, wasn't anything to brag about. They ought to have
+brought along some leading lady who liked horses and knew all about
+'em."
+
+"Did they use any of your outfit?"
+
+"Oh, they used a few of our cowboys in a round-up. They wanted me to go
+into some of the pictures, but I told 'em there was nothing doing--that I
+was here to manage the ranch and not make moving pictures."
+
+"How many men on the place?" asked Randy.
+
+"We have six at present. But the boss is thinking of getting some more
+and increasing the herd."
+
+"Did dad get his Chinese cook?" questioned Spouter.
+
+"Yes. He's got a Chink named Hop Lung; a pretty good sort of a chap,
+too."
+
+They crossed two more hills and then passed through a patch of tall
+timber. Here there was a rough wagon road, and the foreman explained that
+it was used for hauling firewood to the ranch house and the bunkhouse.
+
+It was growing dark when the party on horseback approached the ranch.
+Already lights were streaming from the windows and the automobile stood
+in front of the wide veranda which ran around two sides of the building.
+
+"They got here ahead of us," announced Jack.
+
+"I thought they would," answered the foreman. "The river road is in
+pretty good shape just now, so I suppose the boss made fast time in
+driving over."
+
+"The trail to the ranch was rougher than I expected," put in Andy. "If
+you tried to run a horse over it he would most likely break a leg and
+maybe you would break your neck."
+
+"I've known one of our boys to go over to the station inside of twenty
+minutes," returned the foreman. "But he only did it to catch a train and
+on a bet. I'd rather take my time and save my horseflesh."
+
+When they reached the ranch Mrs. Powell came out on the veranda to greet
+her son and his chums. She was a round-faced, motherly woman, and she
+immediately did all she could to make the young folks feel at home.
+
+"You must be thoroughly tired out from your long trip," said she. "So we
+will have supper right away, and then if any of you want to go to bed you
+can do so."
+
+"I can't say that I'm tired," answered Jack. "But I suppose the girls are
+and maybe Aunt Grace is, too."
+
+The travelers were shown to some rooms and then told where they could
+wash up if they so desired.
+
+"Supper will be ready in ten minutes," announced Mrs. Powell. "So don't
+take too much time in primping up," she added, with a smile to the girls.
+"Remember, you are on a ranch now and you can dress exactly as you
+please."
+
+"I'm going to slip on a plain gingham right now," declared Martha.
+
+Their hand baggage had been brought along on the running-board of the
+touring car, and a little later one of the cowboys came in with their
+trunks, which had been brought over from the station in a wagon. In the
+meanwhile the crowd sat down to a somewhat elaborate supper which Hop
+Lung had prepared under Mrs. Powell's supervision.
+
+"He's a very good cook," the lady of the ranch confided to Mrs. Rover.
+"But he occasionally tries to turn out some very funny concoctions, so
+that I find it advisable to keep my eyes on him."
+
+"The cowboys are quite excited over the idea of having visitors here all
+summer," said Songbird Powell during the course of the meal. "And two or
+three of them are especially excited over the fact that there are going
+to be so many girls and ladies. You see, the brothers who used to own
+these combined ranches weren't married, and all they had around the
+houses were an Indian woman and a real old Dutch woman who was almost
+entirely deaf.
+
+"Joe Jackson told me that one of the cowboys, a fellow named Hank Minno,
+was very bashful and had almost been on the point of giving up his job
+when he heard so many skirts were coming here."
+
+"Oh, dear, I think I'd like to make the acquaintance of Mr. Hank," said
+Martha mischievously.
+
+"Perhaps if he saw you coming he'd run away," returned Mary.
+
+"Oh, I think he'll get over his bashfulness, and so will some of the
+others," answered Songbird Powell. "And let me tell you one thing--when I
+first got here I thought the men were a pretty rough crowd, but the more
+I get to know them, the more I'm satisfied they're all right at heart."
+
+"Your foreman certainly seems to be a fine fellow," said Jack. "We got
+well acquainted with him riding over."
+
+"He was well recommended by the former owners of the ranch, Jack. And so
+far I've had no occasion to find any fault with him. He seems thoroughly
+trustworthy."
+
+The Powells had given their visitors their choice of what to do
+concerning rooms. They could either crowd themselves a little and remain
+in the one ranch house, or otherwise the boys could take rooms in the
+other house, which was located about two hundred yards away.
+
+"If we went over to the other place we could have things all our own
+way," whispered Andy to his brother and Fred. "We could come and go to
+suit ourselves."
+
+"I think you boys had better stay in this house with us," said Mrs.
+Rover. "Then we can keep an eye on you."
+
+"But there is no sense in all of us being crowded," returned Sam Rover.
+"And the boys are certainly old enough to take care of themselves. I
+think we had better let this matter rest until to-morrow, and then we can
+see how we can arrange it."
+
+"If the boys go over to the other ranch house I'll have Joe Jackson stay
+there with them," said Songbird. "He'll know how to make them line up if
+anything goes wrong."
+
+Several days later it was arranged for all the boys to take their
+belongings and settle down in the other ranch house so far as rooming was
+concerned. They were to have their meals in the main house. The foreman
+of the ranch went with them, taking a room in a corner where he could
+watch what was going on if it became necessary to do so. The boys took
+three connecting rooms, the twins occupying one, Jack and Fred another,
+and Spouter and Gif the third.
+
+On the second day at the ranch the boys began to feel quite at home.
+Accompanied by the men, they had visited many points of interest and had
+become acquainted with all the cowboys, and also with Hop Lung, the
+cook.
+
+"Wellee nice boys," remarked the cook, after they had been chatting with
+him and gone their way. "Wellee nice boys. Me cookee heap good dinner for
+'em." And then he dived into his kitchen to start his preparations for
+the next meal.
+
+The boys found all the cowboys friendly. One of them could do some
+marvelous stunts with a lasso, and, urged by the foreman, gave an
+exhibition which interested the lads exceedingly.
+
+"Why, that fellow is as good as anybody on the vaudeville stage,"
+remarked Fred. "I never dreamed so much could be done with a rope. Just
+see how he whirled it around his body and between his legs and over his
+head!"
+
+"Yes, and how he lassoed those three running horses all in a bunch,"
+added Fred. "That's what got me."
+
+"He ought to be in a Wild West Show," put in Jack.
+
+"I'll have the boys give you an exhibition of shooting this evening,"
+said the foreman, and he was as good as his word.
+
+Some of the cowboys proved to be remarkable shots both with the rifle and
+the pistol. But here the boys, especially Fred and Jack, felt at home,
+and they, too, showed what they could do.
+
+"Rattlesnakes and tarantulas!" exclaimed one of the cowboys, Hank Minno,
+the fellow who was supposed to be so bashful. "You kids sure kin shoot
+some. I s'pose you learned it at that there military school you've been
+goin' to."
+
+"Yes," answered Fred. "Although we sometimes do a little practicing when
+we're at home. Down in the long cellar of our house."
+
+"Well, it's a good thing to know how to shoot, lad. Sometimes it comes in
+mighty handy like," answered Hank Minno.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+HOP LUNG AND THE FISH
+
+
+By the end of the first week all of the boys felt thoroughly at home on
+Big Horn Ranch. They had visited many points of interest, including the
+cowboys' bunkhouse and also the big range to the eastward, and they had
+likewise tramped over a number of the hills and tried their hand at
+fishing in the river.
+
+"It certainly is one dandy place," remarked Jack to the others one day
+when they were coming up to the house from the river, each with a
+fair-sized string of fish to his credit.
+
+"We certainly never had such fishing as this in the East," answered Gif,
+as he looked at his string admiringly. "Just look at the size of 'em,
+will you?"
+
+"I wonder what Hop Lung will say when he sees them," remarked Fred.
+
+"I've got a scheme!" cried Andy. "Let's have a little fun," and thereupon
+he unfolded to the others what he had in mind to do. They readily agreed
+to his suggestion, and all came up to the ranch house by a roundabout
+way. Then Spouter called out loudly:
+
+"Hop Lung! Hop Lung! Come out here a minute!"
+
+A moment later the Chinese cook appeared, a long soup ladle in on one
+hand and a carving knife in the other.
+
+"You callee me?" he queried.
+
+"Yes," answered Spouter. "I want you to come around to the front of the
+house and tell me what you know about this," and he motioned to the cook
+to follow him around to the big veranda.
+
+No sooner had their chum and the cook disappeared than the others ran
+into the kitchen. Here at one side was a home-made kitchen cabinet, the
+top within a foot of the ceiling.
+
+"See if you can find the big bread-board," said Randy. "I guess that will
+answer our purpose."
+
+"And here is the fishing line," added his twin. "We can run it from the
+ceiling over to the window and then outside."
+
+The line was run to the window as mentioned, then fastened to the ceiling
+back of the cabinet, and then to the back end of the board, which was
+placed flat on the top of the cabinet. On the board the boys placed the
+fish, laying them out in a row from front to back. One fish was placed on
+the pulled-out shelf of the lower part of the cabinet.
+
+"Now then, clear out before Hop Lung catches us," said Andy. And the lads
+lost no time in disappearing.
+
+In the meanwhile Spouter had taken the Chinese cook to the front of the
+ranch house and then to an out-of-the-way corner where there was a large
+spider's web.
+
+"Hello, he's gone now!" exclaimed Spouter, in a tone of disappointment.
+"Do you see him anywhere, Hop Lung?"
+
+"Hop Lung see what?" demanded the puzzled cook.
+
+"Why, that great big blue and gold spider with white feet!"
+
+"Blue an' gol' spide?" queried Hop Lung. "See black spide."
+
+"Oh, no, I don't mean the black spider. I mean that great big blue and
+gold spider about that long," and Spouter showed up his two forefingers
+six inches apart.
+
+"Noee see spide so long dat," answered the Chinese cook, shaking his head
+doubtfully. "Sploutel maybe see catpillal."
+
+"No, it wasn't a caterpillar. It was a spider. Although I think it might
+have had wings."
+
+"Um, wings! Spide he all the samee buttelfly," announced Hop Lung. "No
+see him," and he got down on his hands and knees to peer up into the
+corner to make certain.
+
+Spouter continued to engage his attention until he heard the boys coming
+around the corner of the house. Then he turned to them as if in
+surprise.
+
+"Hello! I thought you fellows were off fishing," he remarked.
+
+"So we were," answered Gif calmly.
+
+"I got a nice little fish, Hop Lung. I laid him in the kitchen for you,"
+remarked Andy.
+
+"You git only one flish?" queried the cook in surprise.
+
+"Well, maybe you can catch more," put in Randy.
+
+"Hop Lung no go flishee. Hop Lung cookee," was the calm reply. And then
+the cook walked back to the rear of the ranch house.
+
+Watching their chance, the boys stole back, some to the window where was
+located the string which had been attached to the board on the top of the
+cabinet, and others to another window from which they might see what
+would take place. Hop Lung had gone inside and picked up the fish left on
+the cabinet shelf. He looked it over, wiped off the shelf carefully, and
+then took up the fish and disappeared into the pantry with it.
+
+"Now then, Andy!" whispered his twin. And thereupon Andy gave the string
+in his hand two or three little jerks. From the board on the top of the
+cabinet a fish fell down to the shelf below.
+
+It had hardly fallen in place when Hop Lung came from the pantry. He
+looked to see how matters were going on the stove, and then turned again
+to the cabinet.
+
+A queer look came over his face when he saw the fish lying in the same
+place that the first had occupied. He looked toward the door to find no
+one there.
+
+"Him funny," he murmured in his Pidgin-English. "Him vellee funny." Then
+he took up the second fish and walked into the pantry with it.
+
+No sooner had he done this than Andy, doing his best to control his
+laughter, jiggled the string again. This time, as luck would have it, two
+fish came down, to light side by side on the cabinet shelf.
+
+Again Hop Lung entered the kitchen and again he looked at what was
+cooking on the stove. He stirred the mass in one of the pots carefully,
+and then came back to his cabinet to get some seasoning.
+
+When he saw the two fish lying there his eyes nearly started out of his
+head. He jabbered something in his native tongue and then looked around
+wildly, first to one side of the kitchen and then the other. Then he
+looked toward the door leading to the dining room and then he came to the
+door leading to the yard.
+
+"Duck!" was all Andy said, and he and the others lost no time in getting
+out of sight.
+
+Hop Lung looked carefully around the yard and then came slowly back into
+the kitchen. He walked again to the stove to see that nothing was
+burning, and finally came back to the cabinet and picked up the two fish
+gingerly. Meanwhile, the boys tiptoed their way back to their original
+positions at the windows.
+
+"He'll begin to think the cabinet is haunted," whispered Jack.
+
+"Either that, or else he'll think he's bewitched," answered Gif.
+
+And both were about right, for the poor Chinaman looked all around the
+cabinet and even behind and under it, and then he looked under the table
+and the chairs. Finally, still bewildered, he walked into the pantry with
+the fish, which he carried before him at arm's length, as if afraid it
+might bite him.
+
+"Better give him a shower now, Andy," whispered his brother, and
+thereupon Andy gave the string a strong pull which sent all the remaining
+fish tumbling down on the cabinet and the floor. The noise reached Hop
+Lung in the pantry, and he came forth on a run.
+
+When he saw the quantity of fish that had appeared so miraculously he was
+nearly dumbfounded. With eyes and mouth wide open and hands up-raised he
+uttered a sudden yell of fright and dove through the doorway leading to
+the dining room and the living room beyond.
+
+In the living room Mrs. Rover and Mrs. Powell were sitting doing some
+sewing. The sudden appearance of the Chinaman caused them to look up in
+astonishment.
+
+"What is the matter, Hop Lung?" demanded Mrs. Powell, as she sprang to
+her feet.
+
+"Flishee! Flishee!" screamed the cook. "Kitchen full flishee! Hop Lung no
+knowee where flishee come! One flishee--two flishee--two flishee
+more--whole blame kitchen flishee!" spluttered the cook, his eyes rolling
+from one side to the other.
+
+"Gracious me! is the man crazy?" asked Mrs. Rover, rising. "What does he
+mean by 'flishee?'"
+
+"Flishee! Flishee!" repeated Hop Lung. "No flishee--all flishee!"
+
+"I can't imagine what he's driving at," remarked Mrs. Powell. "Where is
+the trouble, Hop Lung? In the kitchen?"
+
+"Les, Miz Plowell. Kitchen all flishee!"
+
+Without ado the lady of the ranch marched into the kitchen, followed by
+Mrs. Rover. All the ladies could see were the freshly-caught fish resting
+on the cabinet shelf and the floor.
+
+"I don't see anything the matter here except that some of your fish are
+on the floor," remarked Mrs. Powell calmly. "You had better pick them up
+and wash them off."
+
+"Did the boys catch those fish?" asked Mrs. Rover. "They said they were
+going fishing a couple of hours ago."
+
+"Boys clatchee one flishee," announced Hop Lung. Then a sudden idea
+entered his head, and he made a quick leap to the yard door. He was just
+in time to see the boys trying to retreat, all laughing merrily.
+
+"You foolee Hop Lung! You foolee Hop Lung!" he shrieked wildly, and of a
+sudden came back into the kitchen, scooped up several of the fish, and
+ran outside again. Wildly he threw one fish after another at the lads.
+
+"Hop Lung, stop that!" commanded Mrs. Powell sternly. "Those fish are too
+good to throw away!"
+
+"Bloys fool Hop Lung," was the reply. "One flishee--two flishee--four
+flishee--all whole lot flishee," he continued, trying his best to
+explain. And then by pantomime he showed how he had found the first of
+the fish and placed them in the pantry.
+
+"It's nothing more than some of their tricks, Hop Lung," said Mrs.
+Powell. "They had no right to play such tricks, and I'll call them to
+account for it. But you had better pick up the fish which you threw
+outside. They're too good to be thrown away."
+
+"Hop Lung flix bloys, play flishee tlick," answered the Celestial. And
+then a little later he set about preparing supper.
+
+The boys did not think it wise to return to the house just then, and so
+wandered off to the stable where the ranch horses were kept.
+
+"It was certainly a rich joke," remarked Fred, with a chuckle.
+
+"I'll bet Hop Lung will have it in for us for that," returned Randy.
+
+And Hop Lung did have it in for them, as they were to learn in the near
+future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+A HORSE AND A SNAKE
+
+
+During the days which followed at Big Horn Ranch the Rover boys and their
+chums asked Joe Jackson if he knew Bud Haddon and the other men who had
+been with him.
+
+"Yes, I know Haddon," answered the foreman of the ranch. "He used to work
+for Bimbel on a ranch on the other side of the river; but I think he left
+there several months ago."
+
+"Well, if he did, I rather think he's going back," answered Jack. "Can
+you tell us anything about him?"
+
+"Oh, I imagine he's as good as the average fellow around Bimbel's place,"
+answered Joe Jackson. "You see, none of our crowd have much to do with
+that outfit. Bimbel is a hard fellow to get along with, and some of the
+men working for his outfit have rather shady characters." The foreman
+looked at the boys curiously. "How do you happen to know the fellow?"
+
+The lads had come to like the foreman very much and felt that they could
+trust him thoroughly, so they told their story in detail, to which
+Jackson listened with interest.
+
+"Looks to me as if Haddon was trying to blackmail that kid Bangs," was
+his comment. "That is unless there was something in the talk about that
+barn being burned with the horses. It's just possible that fellow Bangs
+had something to do with it and Haddon was making him pay for keeping his
+mouth shut."
+
+"Do you know anybody by the name of John Calder whose barn burned down?"
+
+"No. That couldn't have been anywhere around here or I certainly would
+have heard about it. But there's one thing I do know," added the foreman
+suddenly. "There's a man named Jarley Bangs who owns a ranch on the other
+side of the river--a small place next to the one run by Bimbel."
+
+"Jarley Bangs!" exclaimed Fred. "Do you suppose it could be Brassy Bangs'
+father?"
+
+"I don't think so," answered Gif. "I believe Bangs' folks live in
+Wyoming."
+
+"But this Bangs may be some relative of his," put in Spouter.
+
+The matter was talked over a while longer, but the boys could learn
+little further from the foreman.
+
+"I'll tell you what I'll do," said Joe Jackson at last. "I'll put it up
+to some of the cowboys. They may know more about Bimbel and his outfit
+and about Jarley Bangs than I do. Bangs has a reputation for being a very
+queer and miserly man, but that's about all I can say of him."
+
+The boys, and even the girls, spent quite a little of their time in the
+saddle. Both Mary and Martha had learned to ride while at home, using the
+bridle path in Central Park, so they felt at home when galloping over the
+plains.
+
+"This outing is going to do Mary a world of good," confided Mrs. Rover to
+Mrs. Powell. "She has always been so timid."
+
+The river in which the boys went fishing and also bathing was a broad,
+shallow stream which could be forded in many places with ease. So far,
+however, the lads had remained on their side of the watercourse. But one
+day Jack proposed that they go off on horseback and do a little exploring
+on the other side.
+
+"We might ride past the Bimbel place, and also the one Jarley Bangs
+owns," said he. "Who knows but what we may catch sight of Bud Haddon and
+his crowd."
+
+"We don't want to get into any trouble with those fellows," put in Fred
+quickly.
+
+"Oh, they can't touch us!" exclaimed Andy. "They don't even know us. And
+we've as much right to use the trails around here as anybody--the land
+isn't fenced in."
+
+"Yes, but you know what Jackson said," went on Fred. "He said the Bimbel
+outfit wasn't a very nice one and that Bangs was very miserly and
+peculiar. That sounds as if both places were good ones to steer clear
+of."
+
+"Oh, come on! Let's go anyhow," put in Spouter. "I'm anxious to know what
+sort of neighbors we have. They can't find any fault with us for coming
+over when they find out that my father owns this ranch."
+
+The boys talked this matter over several times, and the next day obtained
+permission to take the horses and go off for a day's outing along the
+river. They were to take their lunch with them, and did not expect to
+come back until evening.
+
+"I wish we could go along," sighed Martha.
+
+"We'll take you along next time, Martha," answered her brother. "This
+time I'm afraid the ride will be a little too long for you."
+
+"Never mind, Martha and I will take a little ride of our own," declared
+Mary. "We can go up to the edge of the woods and pick some wild
+flowers."
+
+"Let's do it!" answered her cousin quickly. "One of the cowboys tells me
+there are all sorts of wild flowers up there near one of the springs."
+
+Hop Lung was told to prepare a lunch which the boys might take along with
+them, and set to work immediately. As he got the things ready the
+Celestial had a faraway look in his eyes and once or twice he stuck out
+his tongue suggestively.
+
+"One flishee--two flishee--lot flishee," he murmured to himself. "Hop
+Lung fixee boys," and he smiled in his own peculiar way.
+
+The day dawned bright and clear, and immediately after breakfast the boys
+leaped into the saddle and with good-natured shouts swung the sombreros
+they were wearing, and started off on their ride. Each had equipped
+himself with a pistol, although they expected to do no shooting, and
+several carried small saddlebags containing their food and drink, the
+latter placed in a couple of thermos bottles. They also carried feed for
+the horses.
+
+"Whoop-la!" shouted Andy gaily. "Come on, fellows! let's put distance
+between ourselves and the ranch."
+
+"Better take it a little easy at the start, Andy," remonstrated Gif.
+"Remember we expect to cover quite a few miles, and we don't want to wear
+out the horses at the start."
+
+"We'll let Spouter set the pace," announced Jack, for he had not
+forgotten that they were all guests of the lad mentioned.
+
+They had questioned the foreman regarding the lay of the land, and he had
+drawn up a rough map for them which Jack carried. Inside of half an hour
+they reached the fording place he had mentioned, and there crossed the
+stream, coming out on the side of a small hill.
+
+"I wonder if we'll come across any wild animals," remarked Fred, as they
+pushed along a well-defined trail leading to the top of the hill and
+through a small patch of scrub timber further westward.
+
+"From what Joe Jackson said, I don't think there's very much left in this
+immediate vicinity," answered Spouter. "You see, the cowboys have scared
+most of the animals away. Of course, they occasionally come across a
+bobcat or a mountain lion, and then we might come across a wolf or a fox
+or some jackrabbits, or even a bear."
+
+"Well, please don't let 'em come at us in a bunch!" cried Randy, with a
+grin. "One at a time, please."
+
+"It'll be our luck not to see a thing worth shooting," declared Fred. "I
+wouldn't give five cents for our chances of bringing down anything."
+
+Fred had scarcely spoken when the horse Gif was riding shied suddenly to
+one side, throwing Gif into some low bushes. Then the horse gave a snort
+and leaped ahead on the trail, not stopping until he had covered a
+hundred yards or more.
+
+"Hello! what's the trouble?" exclaimed Jack, bringing his own steed to a
+halt. "Are you hurt, Gif?"
+
+"No. I'm all right. But what startled that horse?" demanded the other
+lad, as he scrambled to his feet. Then he gave a sudden yell. "It's a
+snake! Look out!"
+
+All looked in the direction pointed out by Gif, and there saw a black
+object wriggling away through the brushwood. As quickly as they could
+Jack and Spouter, who were close by, pulled out their pistols and fired
+at the snake. They saw the reptile rise up in the air, turning and
+twisting, and then disappear from sight between the rocks.
+
+"What's up? What are you shooting at?" cried Fred, galloping to the
+spot.
+
+"A snake. He scared Gif's horse and threw Gif into the bushes."
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"I guess he got away, although I think we wounded him," answered Jack.
+
+"It's funny how that horse shied," said Spouter. "Maybe he stepped right
+on the snake."
+
+"That might be," put in Fred. "Maybe the snake was sunning himself and
+didn't notice our approach until the horse stepped on him. Then he
+switched around, and that must have started the horse off. I wonder if we
+can catch him."
+
+"I think so," answered Spouter. "Gosh! I'm glad no one was bit. That
+snake looked to be of pretty good size."
+
+While Spouter and Jack hurried forward to capture the runaway horse, Gif
+was assisted to the back of the steed Randy rode.
+
+"I'm glad I didn't go out on my head on the rocks," remarked Gif, as the
+boys went forward. "I might have broken my neck."
+
+"Yes, you picked out just the right place to fall into," answered Andy.
+
+"I didn't pick it out. I went where I was sent," returned the other lad
+calmly. "After this I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for more snakes."
+
+"I think we had better all do that," said Fred. "Gee! I'd forgotten all
+about those pests."
+
+When they reached the runaway horse they found him still somewhat
+skittish. But he was soon calmed down, and then Gif remounted him, and
+they set off along the trail as before.
+
+"Well, we didn't exactly meet a wild animal," remarked Randy. "But we met
+something just as bad."
+
+Presently the boys came to a spot where the river wound around the hill,
+and beyond this was a broad stretch of plains, apparently many miles in
+extent. Far to the southward they could see some tall timber.
+
+"The Bimbel ranch must be somewhere in this vicinity," declared Jack.
+
+"Yes, and the Bangs place can't be so very far off," returned Fred.
+
+But distances in the open air are deceiving, and the boys rode along over
+the plains for the best part of an hour before they reached a spot where
+the trail branched in several directions. Here they came to a halt,
+wondering which way to turn next.
+
+"It's too bad they don't put up a few signboards out here," grumbled
+Randy. "How is a fellow going to know where he's heading?"
+
+"I suppose the natives know these trails just like we know the main
+streets of New York City," answered Jack. "And that being so, they don't
+need any signboards."
+
+Jack had consulted the rude map given to him by the ranch foreman, but
+this did not seem to have upon it the forks of the trail.
+
+"I suppose those cowboys would know at once which was the main trail and
+which were only side trails," said Gif.
+
+The boys were still uncertain which way to turn when Fred set up a cry of
+amazement.
+
+"Here comes an auto, boys! What do you know about that?"
+
+"An auto!" several of them repeated. "Where?"
+
+The youngest Rover pointed with his finger, and there, to the
+astonishment of every one in the party, they beheld a small touring car
+coming across the plains at a speed of twelve or fifteen miles an hour.
+It was running in a curiously haphazard fashion.
+
+"What a way to run an automobile!" ejaculated Randy.
+
+"Maybe the driver is getting out of the way of holes," answered Jack. And
+then he added quickly: "There isn't any driver!"
+
+Completely mystified, the boys stared at the oncoming automobile. For a
+moment it seemed heading directly for them, but suddenly swerved and
+started off across the plains in another direction.
+
+"It is empty!" ejaculated Andy. "It's running by itself!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+JARLEY BANGS
+
+
+"What do you know about that!"
+
+"Who ever heard of an automobile running around by itself?"
+
+"It's gotten away from somebody," came from Jack. "Just look at it
+skating over the ground!"
+
+"Come on! Let's stop the blamed thing!" shouted Andy, and started off on
+horseback after the runaway car.
+
+"You'll have a sweet job catching that auto," declared his twin.
+Nevertheless, he followed Andy, and, not knowing what else to do, the
+others did the same.
+
+The automobile was of a cheap variety, and clattered noisily on its way,
+with one cylinder occasionally missing fire. It had been running in a
+snakelike course, but now it seemed to be making something of a circle.
+
+"By jinks! I think it's coming back here!" exclaimed Fred suddenly.
+
+"It isn't running as fast as it was," declared Spouter. "Maybe it's going
+to stop."
+
+"I'm going to see if I can't get aboard!" cried Jack, with sudden
+determination, and headed his horse behind the touring car, which was
+still moving at a fair rate of speed.
+
+Once one of the front wheels went down in a hole, and then the car slued
+around and started off, heading almost for the boys.
+
+"Look out!"
+
+"Get out of the way there or you'll be run down!"
+
+Wild cries rent the air, and the young horsemen scattered in every
+direction. But Jack was watching his chance, and as the car slued around
+once more he managed to leap from his horse and clutch the side of the
+automobile. Then he leaped into the car and turned off the power, and in
+a few seconds he brought the automobile to a standstill.
+
+"This is the queerest adventure I ever heard of," declared Gif, when the
+brief excitement had come to an end. "Who ever heard of meeting a runaway
+auto like this?"
+
+"I guess we can be thankful that we weren't run down," returned Fred.
+"You took a big chance, Jack, in jumping on board as you did."
+
+"Oh, it wasn't such a risk," answered his cousin modestly. "I think the
+auto was getting ready to stop anyhow."
+
+"I wonder where the owner is?" questioned Andy.
+
+"Perhaps the auto struck a stone and threw him out!" exclaimed Spouter
+suddenly. "He may be lying along the trail somewhere stunned or dead."
+
+"I guess the best thing we can do is to see if we can locate the owner,"
+declared Gif, after a pause.
+
+"Come on, Spouter. You get in the auto with me and we'll run it back in
+the direction it came from," said Jack. "The other fellows can follow and
+bring our horses."
+
+"Do you think you can run this car?" questioned Spouter.
+
+"Sure I can! It isn't much different from the cars I'm used to even
+though it's a cheap one," was the reply.
+
+Spouter dismounted and was soon beside Jack. The power was again turned
+on and the car moved on with many a little jerk and jangling of
+metal-ware.
+
+"It's next door to a bit of junk," remarked Jack, as they moved forward
+along the trail at a rate of about fifteen miles an hour. "I think if a
+fellow tried to make real speed with it it would fall to pieces."
+
+"Sounds to me as if it needed oiling," ventured Spouter.
+
+"Yes, it needs oiling, and new springs, and a new engine, and a new
+chassis and a few other things, and then it would be quite a good car,"
+answered Jack, with a grin.
+
+The two lads in the car had covered less than a mile, and the others were
+coming up behind them, when they saw a man running toward them and waving
+his arms wildly.
+
+"Hi there! Stop!" called out the man. "Stop, I tell you! If you don't
+stop I'll have the law on you!"
+
+As soon as he saw the man Jack slowed up and came to a standstill by the
+side of the fellow. He was a tall, lean man of about fifty, with a
+strangely wrinkled and sallow face and long, drooping, reddish mustache.
+He had a pair of greenish-brown eyes that seemed to bore the boys through
+and through as he gazed rather savagely at them.
+
+"What do you mean by running off with my car?" he demanded, as he shook
+his fist at the lads.
+
+"Is this your car?" questioned Jack.
+
+"You know well enough it's my car!" blustered the man. "And I demand to
+know what you mean by running away with it!"
+
+"We didn't run away with it," answered Spouter.
+
+"Yes, you did!"
+
+"We did not!" put in Jack. "We found it back there on the plains running
+around all by itself."
+
+"What? You expect me to believe such a story as that?" exclaimed the tall
+man, glaring at them more ferociously than ever. "Running around by
+itself! How could it be doing that? You took it from where I left it, up
+by the trees yonder!" and he pointed to a quantity of tall timber some
+distance away.
+
+By this time the other boys were coming up, bringing with them the two
+unused horses. The man gazed at them in surprise and also noted the two
+steeds that were not being used.
+
+"Maybe you're telling the truth and maybe you ain't," went on the man
+sourly. "I'd like to git at the bottom of this." Thereupon the boys
+related what had taken place and Spouter mentioned the fact that his
+father was the owner of Big Horn Ranch.
+
+"Oh, then you're Mr. Powell's son, eh?" cried the man. "Are you the boy
+who went to Colby Hall with my nephew, Lester Bangs?"
+
+"Is Lester your nephew?" queried Spouter. And as the man nodded shortly,
+he added: "Then you must be Mr. Jarley Bangs?" and again the man nodded.
+
+"I think you ought to thank our chum here, Jack Rover, for bringing your
+car back to you, Mr. Bangs," remarked Gif. "If he hadn't jumped from his
+horse into the car the machine might be racking itself to pieces out on
+the prairie now. It was doing all sorts of stunts when he jumped aboard
+and shut off the power."
+
+"I can't understand this nohow," grumbled Jarley Bangs. "If what you say
+is true, how in thunder did that car git started? I left it by the edge
+of the woods while I went in to look over some timber that we thought of
+gitting out this fall. All at once I heard the engine go off with a bang,
+and when I ran out of the woods to see what was doing the car was gone."
+
+"Was any one with you?" questioned Spouter.
+
+"No. I came out alone. Lester wanted to come along, but I told him to
+stay at the ranch and do some work. He seems to think that all he's out
+here for is to play."
+
+"Oh, then Lester is staying with you, is he?" queried Fred.
+
+"Yes. His folks let him come up for a couple of months. Then he's going
+back to his home in Wyoming, and after that he's got to return to that
+military school. I think it's a fool notion to send him to that school.
+If I was his father I'd make him stay out here and go to work."
+
+"You don't suppose Lester tried to start the car, do you?" questioned
+Andy.
+
+"How could he if he was at the ranch? But wait a minute! He said
+something about going fishing in that brook that flows through the woods.
+Maybe he did come up that way, after all."
+
+"Does he know how to run the auto?" asked Randy.
+
+"Yes, he does. But I don't let him run it very often because he's so
+careless I'm afraid he'll ruin the machine--he bangs her over the rocks
+something awful. I ain't got no money to waste on a new car. This has got
+to do, even if it is kind of used up."
+
+"Maybe Brassy--I mean Lester--came up and tried to start the car while
+the gears were in mesh," suggested Jack; "and then when the car started
+to run away perhaps he got scared and ran away, too."
+
+"If he did anything like that he'll have an account to settle with me!"
+exclaimed Jarley Bangs, his eyes glowing with anger. "That boy is getting
+too fresh. I said he could come up here, thinking he'd do some work
+around the place and so earn the money that I promised him for his
+schooling. But evidently he thinks more of having a good time than he
+does of working. He is forever fooling around the car and wanting to run
+it; so I wouldn't put it past him to do what you suspect. As soon as I
+git home I'll ketch him and make him tell me the truth," continued Jarley
+Bangs, with a determined shake of his head.
+
+After that he questioned Spouter concerning the ranch Mr. Powell had
+purchased and spoke of the men who had previously owned the place.
+
+"These city fellows think they kin come out here and make a fortune on a
+ranch," he growled. "But after they've owned a place a year or two they
+find it ain't so easy. A man has got to hustle like all git-out to make a
+living."
+
+"Where is your ranch located?" asked Fred.
+
+"Our buildings are right behind that patch of timber," was the reply.
+"It's not so very much of a place, but it's good enough for me."
+
+"And where is the Bimbel ranch?" questioned Gif.
+
+"That's up to the northward, over the top of yonder hill. But you young
+fellows had better give Bimbel a wide berth," went on Jarley Bangs, with
+a shake of his head.
+
+"Why?" asked Spouter.
+
+"He don't like no strangers hanging around, that's why. If a stranger
+comes up to his door Bimbel always reaches for his gun. He had trouble
+years ago with some tramps, and he never got over it."
+
+After that Jarley Bangs had but little more to say. The boys had left the
+touring car, and now the man jumped inside, saw to it that everything was
+in order, and then asked Spouter to crank up for him.
+
+"Ain't no use to waste time here," he remarked. "I've got to git back to
+what I was doing. I'll tell Lester I saw you, and if he wants to he kin
+come over to Big Horn Ranch and visit--he ain't of much account around my
+place. And I'll git at the bottom of what happened to this auto, too,
+even if I have to lick it out of him."
+
+"I don't think Lester will care to visit our ranch," answered Spouter
+coldly.
+
+"Well, I ain't got nothing to say about that one way or the other. Now
+I'm off," and with a short nod of his head Jarley Bangs threw in the
+gears of his machine and rattled away, slowly gathering speed as he
+proceeded.
+
+"A kind, considerate man, not!" exclaimed Andy in disgust.
+
+"How politely he thanked Jack for returning his car," added Spouter.
+
+"And the beautiful invitation we got to visit his place," put in Randy.
+
+"I wonder if Brassy really started that car on him?" questioned Fred.
+
+"It might be," answered Gif. And then he added: "Gee, I'm sorry for
+Brassy if he has to live with such an uncle as that! Wouldn't you think
+he'd rather stay at home?"
+
+"Perhaps it's a case of money," put in Randy. "Didn't you hear what Mr.
+Bangs said about paying for tuition at Colby Hall? Brassy's folks may be
+quite poor, and they may be depending on this uncle for financial aid."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+A NEW ARRIVAL
+
+
+After the disappearance of Jarley Bangs the Rover boys and their chums
+continued their trip on horseback.
+
+"Let's move over the hill in the direction of the Bimbel ranch,"
+suggested Spouter. "I'd like to get a bird's-eye view of that outfit."
+
+"Perhaps we had better not go too close," advised Fred. "Bimbel may be
+getting out a shotgun for us."
+
+"I guess it isn't as bad as all that, Fred. Those things might have
+happened years ago when the country was more sparsely settled and when
+there were more bad men around. I don't take much stock in what Bangs
+said. Probably he and Bimbel have quarreled. He struck me as being a man
+who could get into a dispute very easily."
+
+"Oh, I was only fooling," answered Fred. "I wouldn't be afraid to ride
+right up to his door. That is, in the daytime. Of course, if we did it at
+night he might become suspicious."
+
+"Say, do you fellows know that it's five minutes to twelve?" questioned
+Andy, after consulting his watch. "I move that we keep our eyes open for
+some place where we can take it easy and have lunch."
+
+"And I second the commotion," returned his brother, joking in a way their
+father had made familiar to them.
+
+The boys rode on for half an hour longer, and then reached the top of the
+hill they were ascending. Here they could look a long distance in all
+directions.
+
+"Some view, I'll say," declared Jack, as he surveyed the panorama. "What
+a picture for an artist to paint!" and he pointed to the majestic
+mountains to the westward.
+
+"Just look at the river--how it glistens and sparkles in the sunshine,"
+burst out Spouter. "See how it winds in and out like a silvery ribbon
+among the hills and brushwood and then comes out to cut the broad and
+fertile prairie in the far distance."
+
+"Spouter, you'll have to write an essay about this when you get back to
+the Hall," said Fred, with a grin.
+
+"Gee, don't mention school at a time like this!" burst out Andy. "I want
+to forget all about studying until it's absolutely necessary to go back
+to it. And don't forget it's high time to eat," he added.
+
+They moved along slowly and presently selected a spot for their temporary
+camp. This was a short distance from the trail they had been following.
+It was at the edge of a patch of timber where they were sheltered from
+the rays of the sun which were now quite warm.
+
+"We'll be in the shade here, and yet just see the view we'll have," cried
+Gif.
+
+"Suits me," announced Spouter promptly; and the others agreed that the
+spot was a first-rate location.
+
+It did not take the six chums long to give the horses their feed and then
+to empty the saddlebags and prepare their mid-day meal. They had brought
+along chicken as well as roast-beef sandwiches, hard boiled eggs,
+pickles, and a large cake, and also a bag of doughnuts which Hop Lung had
+learned to make from Mrs. Powell and of which the Celestial was justly
+proud. They also had with them a thermos bottle of hot cocoa and another
+of coffee, all fixed ready to drink.
+
+"Well, Hop Lung certainly spread himself for us," said Jack, as he took
+up one of the fat chicken sandwiches and surveyed it with satisfaction.
+Then he turned to the twins. "What are you grinning about?" he questioned
+quickly.
+
+"Oh, I was only thinking about the trick we played on the Chink,"
+chuckled Andy.
+
+"And I was thinking of the same thing," put in his twin.
+
+"It's a wonder he didn't try to get square with us for that," came from
+Fred. "An American would be sure to try it."
+
+The long ride in the open air had made all of the boys hungry, and it was
+not long before they had disposed of a large part of the sandwiches,
+pickles and eggs, washing the meal down with cocoa and coffee and also
+with water from a regular water bottle Spouter carried.
+
+"Now I guess it's about time we passed around some of the cake," remarked
+Jack, presently.
+
+"I think I'll start on a doughnut," answered Gif.
+
+The cake was in a square tin and had been cut ready for use. In a few
+seconds all of the boys were munching away lustily.
+
+And then something happened! It was Fred who was the first to notice that
+the piece of cake he was devouring had a peculiar puckery taste. He
+rolled some of the cake around in his mouth, and then suddenly ejected
+it, and just as he did this Andy dropped the doughnut he was devouring.
+
+"Oh my! What's the matter with that cake?"
+
+"Say, this doughnut tastes like fire!"
+
+"Gee, my mouth is burning up!"
+
+"Give me some of that water, quick! My tongue is getting blistered!"
+
+"What do you suppose is in this cake, anyhow, and in the doughnuts?"
+demanded Jack, as he, too, made a wry face and stopped eating.
+
+"Gracious me! do you suppose Hop Lung put the wrong stuff in the cake and
+in the doughnuts?" demanded Spouter anxiously.
+
+"Oh, this is awful!" groaned Gif. "I'm burning up inside!" And he put
+both hands on his stomach.
+
+"Maybe we're poisoned!" suggested Randy. He made a wild dive for the
+water bottle, and this was passed around from hand to hand, each lad
+drinking eagerly in an endeavor to wash the burning taste from his mouth
+and throat.
+
+"I know what's the matter," said Jack, after the most of the excitement
+was over. "Hop Lung doctored the cake and the doughnuts to get square
+with us for the trick we played on him."
+
+"I wonder if that's so?" questioned Andy soberly.
+
+"Sure, it's so!" broke in Gif. "That Chink wasn't as slow as you thought,
+Andy."
+
+"Gosh, my mouth burns yet!" grumbled Randy, taking a drink of cocoa.
+"That's the worst dose I ever chewed. What do you suppose he put in the
+cake?"
+
+"Tasted to me like a combination of cayenne pepper, mustard, and a few
+things like that," answered Jack.
+
+"Then the whole cake and all the doughnuts must be no good."
+
+"That's too bad! And I had my heart set on a nice doughnut," answered
+Spouter. "Just the same, I can't blame Hop Lung."
+
+"Well, anyway, let's be thankful the sandwiches are all right and so are
+the eggs," remarked Fred.
+
+"Maybe some of the sandwiches that are left are doctored," put in Andy
+suspiciously.
+
+"No, they look all right," announced Gif, after an inspection. "And he
+couldn't do much with the eggs while they were in their shells," he
+added.
+
+While he was speaking, and while some of the boys were still taking
+drinks of various kinds to clear their mouths and throats of that awful
+burning taste, Spouter made an inspection of the paper bag containing the
+doughnuts.
+
+"Hello! here's another little bag at the bottom of the big one," he
+cried. "Let's see what it contains."
+
+He dumped out the doughnuts and drew forth the smaller bag. Opening this,
+the lads found it contained six pieces of golden yellow pound cake,
+neatly wrapped in tissue paper.
+
+"Gee! is that more of the doctored stuff?" questioned Fred.
+
+"Maybe. But I don't think so," answered Spouter. "I think Hop Lung put
+this in for a peace offering, to be found after we had chewed on that
+other stuff."
+
+And in that surmise Spouter proved correct. The pound cake was delicious,
+and, having sampled it with caution to find that it was all right, the
+boys ate it to the last crumb with great satisfaction.
+
+"We'd better dump all that other stuff away," said Fred. "No use of
+carrying it if it isn't fit to eat."
+
+"Maybe some of it is good," returned Andy.
+
+"Do you want to sample it and make sure?" questioned Jack, with a grin.
+
+"Not on your life! I wouldn't want that burning taste in my mouth again
+for a hundred dollars."
+
+The boys threw the highly-seasoned cake and the doughnuts away, repacked
+what was left of the other food, and then continued on their ride. The
+trail led through the patch of timber and then over some rather rough
+rocks and through some brushwood. Among the rocks they found a spring
+where the water was clear and cold, and here they had a most refreshing
+drink and watered their horses.
+
+"It's queer this spring is away up here on the top of the hill," remarked
+Spouter. "That water must flow underground from the mountains yonder."
+
+"What a lot of underground streams there must be!" returned Fred.
+
+While moving along those in the lead had kept their eyes open for more
+snakes. But no reptiles appeared, for which they were thankful.
+
+"But I'm sorry we didn't see some sort of wild animals," said Randy, in
+speaking of this. "I thought sure we'd see a bear or a deer or something
+like that."
+
+Even birds seemed to be scarce in that vicinity, and the only sound that
+broke the stillness as they advanced was their own voices and the clatter
+of the horses' hoofs on the rocks.
+
+The trail was a well-defined one, and they could see that it had been
+used only a short while before.
+
+"Half a dozen horsemen have been this way within the last few hours,"
+declared Gif. "Most likely they were on their way to Bimbel's ranch."
+
+"I wonder if that man Haddon has gotten here yet," said Jack.
+
+"More than likely," answered Fred. "If you'll remember, those men didn't
+expect to stay in Arrow Junction very long."
+
+"I'd like to know more about that chap, and know exactly how he's mixed
+up with Brassy Bangs," went on the oldest of the Rover boys.
+
+"I guess we'd all like to know that," put in Randy.
+
+Presently they came to a turn of the trail. Here they could see across a
+wide stretch of prairie to where there was a collection of low buildings,
+seven or eight in number. To the rear of the buildings was a corral for
+horses.
+
+"It doesn't look much different from lots of other ranches," said Fred.
+
+"Do you want to go any closer to it?" questioned Gif.
+
+The boys talked the matter over, and while Andy and Randy were rather
+curious to get a more intimate view of the place, the others decided that
+they would not ride any closer on this trip.
+
+"It's now nearly two o'clock," said Spouter. "And if we want to go any
+distance up the river it will take us until sundown to get back home."
+
+They turned back, and an hour or so later reached the point where they
+had parted from Jarley Bangs. Then they took a trail up the river and
+followed this until the sun, sinking over the western mountains, warned
+them that it was time for them to head for home.
+
+"Say, I've got an idea," announced Andy, when they came in sight of the
+ranch house. "Don't let on to anybody about that doctored cake. If Hop
+Lung or anybody else mentions it, just act as if nothing unusual had
+happened. Say the lunch was as good as any we ever had."
+
+"That's the idea!" returned his twin. "We'll keep that Chink guessing."
+And it may be added here that the boys kept their word, and Hop Lung
+never knew how his little joke had terminated, although he felt sure in
+his own mind that they had received the full benefit of the trick he had
+played.
+
+The six boys were still some distance from the house when they saw a man
+come out on the veranda and wave his hand to them. At first they thought
+it might be Sam Rover. But then, of a sudden, Jack let out a yell.
+
+"Boys, what do you know about this! Do you recognize that man?"
+
+"It's Hans Mueller!" ejaculated Fred.
+
+"Uncle Hans!"
+
+"Who would have thought he was coming to the ranch?"
+
+"Hans Mueller!" murmured Andy. "I'll be glad to see him. He's as full of
+fun as a stray dog is of fleas!"
+
+Hans Mueller was a man who in his boyhood days had been a boon companion
+of the Rover boys' fathers. When he had gone to Putnam Hall with the
+Rovers he had spoken very broken English, and his improvement in speech
+had been slow and painful. But Hans had prospered in a business way, and
+was now the sole proprietor of a chain of delicatessen stores in Chicago.
+He was unmarried, and, having no family of his own, had insisted upon it
+that all of his young friends call him "uncle."
+
+"Hello der, eferypody!" called out Hans Mueller cordially, as he came
+down from the veranda to greet them, his fat face beaming genially.
+
+"How are you, Uncle Hans?" cried Jack, leaping to the ground and shaking
+hands. "This is certainly a surprise."
+
+"Yes, Songpird tol' me you wouldn't know I vas coming," was the answer.
+"How you been alreatty?"
+
+"Fine as silk," answered Andy gayly. And now all the boys clustered
+around to shake hands.
+
+"You're just the man we want here to help us enjoy our vacation," put in
+Fred.
+
+"Dot's nice, Fred. I tink I vas going to haf a fine time alreatty. And I
+need him," went on Hans Mueller. "Since I come from de war back from
+Europe, where I fights for Uncle Sam, I work like a steam horse in mine
+delicatessen stores. But so soon like Songpird says come out here and
+meet dem Rovers and you udder friends, I say to my clerks, 'you got to
+run dem stores by yourselfes alreatty yet awhile. I go oud to Pig Horn
+Ranch and git some fresh air mine lungs in.'"
+
+"You'll get the fresh air all right enough," announced Spouter. "And
+we're mighty glad you're here," he added, and then led the way into the
+house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+PROFESSOR DUKE'S SECRET
+
+
+The girls had already returned from the woods and met Uncle Hans, as they
+called him.
+
+"I got somet'ing by mine trunk in for you young ladies," said Hans
+Mueller, with a broad smile. And later on when his trunk arrived he
+presented each of them with a bottle of the highest grade of olives. He
+also had some olives for Mrs. Powell, for use on the table.
+
+"I import dem olives myself alreatty yet," he vouchsafed. "Nopody by
+Chicago has olives half so goot."
+
+"I knew you'd be surprised to see Uncle Hans here," declared Songbird
+Powell. "And I knew an outing on the ranch would do him a world of good.
+He has been confining himself too closely to business since he got back
+from the war."
+
+"It was grand of you, Uncle Hans, to fight for Uncle Sam," declared
+Martha.
+
+"And vhy, I like to know?" demanded Hans Mueller. "Since I come by der
+United States over I been just such a goot American like anypody."
+
+"That's the way to talk, Uncle Hans!" cried Jack, and slapped him on the
+shoulder.
+
+The next day the young folks took great pleasure in showing Hans Mueller
+around the place.
+
+"He vas chust like a farm, only different," remarked the delicatessen
+man. "Dot iss a nice lot of cows you got, Songpird. I dink dos cows vould
+make apout a million pounds of frankfurters, not?" and at this remark
+there was a general laugh.
+
+A few days later Jack noticed that Songbird Powell seemed to be worried
+over something. The owner of Big Horn Ranch held an earnest consultation
+with Joe Jackson, and then the foreman of the ranch rode off in hot
+haste, accompanied by two of his cowboys.
+
+"What's the matter--is something wrong?" questioned Jack of Spouter.
+
+"Four of our best horses are missing," answered Spouter. "The men are not
+sure whether they strayed away or have been stolen. Jackson and the
+fellows with him are going to ride along the river and see if they can
+find out."
+
+"Didn't you say something about other horses being stolen before we got
+here?"
+
+"Yes. But they didn't belong to my father. They belonged to the men who
+formerly owned this ranch. They left them here, but at their own risk."
+
+"Were the animals now missing the horses we rode?" questioned Fred.
+
+"No. They were the mounts used by Jackson and his men. That is, three of
+the horses were. The other was that beautiful black my father
+occasionally rode."
+
+"You mean Blackbird?" exclaimed Randy.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Why, I think Blackbird is the finest horse on the ranch," declared Gif.
+
+"He certainly is a splendid nag," answered Spouter. "And my dad thinks a
+great deal of him."
+
+The horse in question was a three-year-old, shining black in color, with
+a peculiar diamond-shaped spot of white on his forehead and a similar
+spot on his chest. Because of these spots some of the cowboys often
+referred to him as Two-spot.
+
+"I suppose those horses are worth some money," remarked Fred.
+
+"Indeed they are!" declared Spouter. "I heard my father say he wouldn't
+take four hundred dollars for Blackbird. And the other animals must be
+worth at least a hundred and fifty dollars apiece. You know they always
+had pretty good horses on this ranch."
+
+"I certainly hope they get some trace of the horses," said Jack.
+
+But this hope was not fulfilled. Jackson and those with him came back
+disappointed, saying that they had found no trace of the animals.
+
+About a week later came another surprise. The young folks, including the
+girls, had gone off to the woods for the best part of the day, and when
+they returned, much to their astonishment, they saw seated in rocking
+chairs on the veranda Ruth and May.
+
+"My goodness!" screamed Mary. "Ruth and May! Glory hallelujah! How in the
+world did you get here?"
+
+"And you never let us know!" wailed Martha, as she bounced up the steps
+to embrace her school chums.
+
+"We got started sooner than we expected," answered May.
+
+"Did you come alone?" questioned Jack, as he, too, came forward, his
+pleasure showing on his face.
+
+"No, we didn't come alone," answered Ruth. "We came with Mr. and Mrs.
+Rover. They are inside with the others."
+
+"My mother and dad!" burst out Andy. "Where are they?" And he raced into
+the house, followed by his twin.
+
+There followed a joyous reunion all around. Everybody was happy to see
+everybody else, and for a while it seemed as if all were trying to talk
+at once.
+
+"We had a splendid trip over," declared Mrs. Nellie Rover. "Not a single
+hitch all along the way. Tom had everything mapped out to the last
+detail." And she gave her husband an affectionate glance.
+
+"That's what army discipline did for me," answered Tom Rover. "I didn't
+used to be so particular. But now I've got in the habit of walking a
+regular chalk mark."
+
+"Yes, I've walked me a chalk mark, too," put in Hans Mueller. "I run mine
+delicatessen stores chust like they vas by army regulations alreatty. And
+it pays, belief me!"
+
+"It's a regular touch of old times to see you around, Hans," said Tom,
+grabbing his former school chum by both arms. "How is that new pickling
+machine getting along?"
+
+"Vot pickling machine you mean, Tom?" questioned Hans, looking at him
+blankly.
+
+"Why, that machine you're going to invent whereby you can grind up old
+oilcloth and automobile tires and make dill pickles of them."
+
+"I don't vas got no machine like dot, Tom," answered the delicatessen man
+in bewilderment. "I buy mine dill pickles by der barrel. Dem dill pickles
+grows, you can't make 'em by no machine."
+
+"Oh! Then maybe it was a new sourkraut stamper," went on Tom innocently.
+
+"Oh, Tom, you vas joking chust like you alvays vas!" exclaimed Hans, a
+light breaking in on him. "Vell, I don't care. You vas a pretty goot
+fellow anyhow," and Hans smiled as broadly as ever.
+
+"It sure is a touch of old times," declared Songbird Powell. And then,
+unable to restrain himself, he burst out:
+
+    "From among the mountain tops
+    Where the brooklet flows,
+    There I love to linger long--"
+
+    "Counting up my toes,"
+
+broke in Tom, with a twinkle in his merry eyes.
+
+"Counting up my toes!" snorted Songbird. "Nothing of the kind! You always
+did knock my poetry endways, Tom. That last line was to read like this:
+
+    "Where the sunset glows."
+
+The young folks had a grand time that evening singing and dancing, and
+did not retire until the older heads had hinted several times that they
+had better do so.
+
+"Oh, Jack, it's a splendid place to come to!" said Ruth, when she was on
+the point of retiring. "I know I'm going to have the best times ever."
+
+"And to think my Uncle John owns the place!" put in May. "Isn't it simply
+glorious?"
+
+After that the days seemed to speed along swiftly. The boys and girls
+made up various parties up and down the river, and on the hills and in
+the woods. Once they got up a grand family picnic, and everybody
+attended.
+
+During those days the boys often wondered whether Brassy Bangs would show
+himself. But Brassy kept out of sight, and for the time being they heard
+nothing further concerning him. But they did hear through Joe Jackson of
+Bud Haddon. That man had been met on the trail to Bimbel's ranch in
+company with several other persons.
+
+"They were a bum-looking bunch," declared Jackson. "I wouldn't give one
+of 'em house room on this ranch."
+
+"Haddon certainly didn't make a very good impression on me," declared
+Jack. "I'm frank to admit I think he's a thoroughly bad egg."
+
+From time to time the boys had been sending letters to some of their
+other school chums, and a number of letters had come in return. One day
+Gif received a long communication from Fatty Hendry which he read in
+wonder.
+
+"Here's something that will interest all of you," he declared, after he
+had finished. "I guess it clears up the mystery surrounding Professor
+Duke."
+
+"What is it?" questioned Fred eagerly.
+
+"It's a letter from Fatty Hendry. He's been staying at a place named
+Ellenvale, which, as you know, is about thirty miles north of Haven
+Point. He says that Snopper Duke came from that place, and has an aged
+father living there."
+
+"Has Duke been taking care of his father?" questioned Jack.
+
+"Yes. And his father has been very sick and has had to have several
+operations. It seems the operations cost a lot of money, and Duke wanted
+two of his younger brothers to help pay for them. But they wouldn't
+contribute a cent."
+
+"Gee, that was certainly rough!" declared Randy. "No wonder the professor
+was grouchy at times."
+
+"That isn't all of it," went on Gif. "Fatty got interested and made a
+little investigation, and he found out that there was another brother, a
+little older than the professor, who had gotten into difficulties with
+the firm he was working for. That firm was on the point of having him
+arrested, so Fatty heard, but at the last minute Professor Duke came
+forward and settled up for him, so he wasn't prosecuted.
+
+"But Fatty adds in his letter that he heard this not only took every cent
+the professor had, but it also placed him in debt to Colonel Colby and
+some of his friends."
+
+"Well, that's what I call hard lines!" declared Jack emphatically. "The
+poor professor must have been worried half to death."
+
+"Does Fatty say anything further about Duke's father?"
+
+"Yes. Since the last operation the old gentleman is feeling quite like
+himself again."
+
+"And what became of the brother who got into trouble?" asked Spouter.
+
+"He disappeared, and Fatty says there is a report that he went to
+England, where the family originally came from. I suppose Professor Duke
+was glad to have him go."
+
+After this Gif handed around the letter so that all might read it. After
+its perusal Andy was the first to speak.
+
+"It's too bad," he said, with a deep sigh. "I'm mighty sorry now that I
+didn't treat the professor with more consideration. That poor man
+certainly had as much of a load as anybody to carry."
+
+"We'll have to make it up to him when we get back to Colby Hall,"
+declared Randy. "I'm going to show him just what I think of him," he went
+on. "He certainly was a fine fellow to help his old father and to get his
+brother out of that hole."
+
+The boys were still discussing this matter when they suddenly saw Joe
+Jackson dash up to the ranch house on his horse and dismount in great
+haste.
+
+"Hello, something is wrong!" declared Jack.
+
+Songbird Powell and Tom and Sam Rover had seen the approach of the
+foreman, and men and boys ran out to listen to what he might have to
+say.
+
+"Four more horses are gone!" declared Joe Jackson. "The best horses on
+the ranch! And, boss, I'm certain this time that they didn't stray away.
+They were stolen!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE CATTLE STAMPEDE
+
+
+"Four more horses gone!" cried Songbird Powell in consternation. "When
+did this happen, Jackson?"
+
+"Less than half an hour ago, over on the three-tree range," returned the
+foreman.
+
+"And what makes you certain that they were stolen this time?"
+
+"Because the horses had been left all properly tethered. Billy Brown and
+his crowd had 'em, and I know Billy is a very careful man. He's positive
+they couldn't have broken away."
+
+"This is certainly getting to be a serious matter," declared Sam Rover.
+"Songbird, if these last four horses were stolen, it's more than probable
+that the first four went the same way."
+
+"Any clue to the thief or thieves?" asked Tom Rover.
+
+"The boys looked around and picked up a quirt that they say don't belong
+to our outfit. But it's a very ordinary quirt and might belong to almost
+anybody. Of course, they found a good many hoof marks, but they were so
+mixed up with the marks from the other horses they couldn't tell one from
+the other."
+
+"I'll ride over to the place with you and investigate," returned Songbird
+Powell after a moment's thought. "Perhaps we can get on the trail of the
+thieves."
+
+"Can we go along?" questioned Spouter quickly.
+
+"No, Son. We want to use the horses. And, anyway, I think it would be
+better for you lads to remain behind."
+
+Songbird and the foreman hurried down to the horse corral accompanied by
+Tom and Sam. And thus the boys and girls, as well as the ladies of the
+household, were left by themselves.
+
+"Gee! I'd like to go on a chase after those horse thieves," burst out
+Andy.
+
+"You might get a pretty warm reception if you did that," remarked Fred.
+"Horse thieves and cattle rustlers are usually a bad bunch."
+
+"It isn't likely they'll get on the trail of the horses very quickly,"
+put in Jack. "Those fellows have too much of a start. The most they can
+do is to advertise the loss as widely as possible and trust to it that
+some one will recognize the horses, especially Blackbird."
+
+The boys had spoken about going fishing, and Ruth and May had asked if
+they could go along. As a consequence the young folks spent the remainder
+of the afternoon along the river. They managed to catch a good mess of
+fish, of which they were justly proud.
+
+"And just to think! I caught two of the fish myself!" exclaimed Ruth. "I
+never knew I was going to be a fisherman."
+
+"You mustn't say 'fisherman;' you must say fisherlady," put in Andy
+mischievously.
+
+The men did not return until ten o'clock that night. All were tired and
+hungry and glad to sit down to the meal which Mrs. Powell and the cook
+provided.
+
+"It was a wild-goose chase," answered Tom Rover in reply to a question
+from Andy. "We followed half a dozen clues, but they didn't get us
+anywhere."
+
+"What are you going to do next, Dad?" questioned Spouter.
+
+"We sent word to Arrow Junction and several other places, and they'll
+post notices giving a description of the stolen animals," answered
+Songbird. "And I've offered a hundred dollars reward for any information
+leading to the recovery of the horses."
+
+The next day one of the cowboys came in with more information. This was
+to the effect that a ranch in that neighborhood, owned by a man named
+Cheltham, had suffered the loss of three horses, one a mare of
+considerable value.
+
+"Say, this certainly is getting interesting," said Jack, when the lads
+heard the older heads talking it over. "First thing we know, all the
+horses on the place will be gone."
+
+"Years ago they used to suffer from the cattle rustlers in this
+neighborhood," said Spouter. "But horse stealing is something new."
+
+"I wonder if that fellow Bud Haddon had anything to do with it?"
+questioned Fred.
+
+"I was thinking of that," broke in Randy. "I think they ought to make an
+investigation."
+
+The boys spoke to the men about this, and there was a long discussion
+which ended when Songbird said he would ride over to the Bimbel ranch
+with his foreman and interview the men.
+
+The visit to the Bimbel ranch occurred the next day, and the boys waited
+impatiently for the return of the two men to learn what Bimbel and Bud
+Haddon might have to say.
+
+"Another wild-goose chase," announced Songbird Powell, on the return that
+evening. "We saw Bimbel, and he seemed as much surprised as anybody to
+learn of the horses being taken."
+
+"And what about Bud Haddon?" asked Jack.
+
+"We didn't see Haddon. But Bimbel said he had been at the ranch house
+early in the morning and he was certain Haddon knew nothing about the
+loss. He said Haddon and the other men were out on a range to the
+westward, looking after the cattle. Of course, if Haddon was away out
+there he couldn't have been here taking our horses."
+
+"And you didn't see any trace of the animals?" asked Spouter.
+
+"Nothing at all. They said they hadn't heard of the theft nor of the loss
+of the horses over at Cheltham's ranch."
+
+After that a week passed swiftly, during which time the young folks
+enjoyed themselves thoroughly, not only in tramping and riding around and
+in fishing, but also in other sports around the ranch home. With so much
+level ground available, a tennis court had been laid out, and also a
+croquet ground, and the boys and girls enjoyed these games immensely. The
+lads also pitched quoits, a sport which at times had been popular at
+Colby Hall.
+
+One day the boys accompanied Joe Jackson on a round-up of some cattle far
+down the river. This was a day full of excitement, for some of the cattle
+broke away and Andy and Fred happened to be separated from the rest of
+the crowd and got directly in line with the runaway steers.
+
+"Hi there! Hi there! Ride out of the way!" yelled Joe Jackson at the top
+of his lungs.
+
+Andy and Fred were looking in the opposite direction and did not notice
+the cattle until the beasts were within a hundred yards of them. Then
+they heard the foreman's cry and also the beating of the hoofs on the
+prairie.
+
+"My gracious!" gasped Fred. "Look what's coming!"
+
+"We've got to get out of the way and be quick about it," returned Andy,
+and struck his horse on the flank.
+
+The steeds the boys were riding needed no urging, for the sudden rush of
+the cattle filled them with alarm. Away they bounded across the grassy
+plain with the maddened cattle thundering after them.
+
+"Let's ride to one side and let 'em pass!" gasped Fred, who was badly
+shaken by this sudden turn of affairs. He had not dreamed that the herd
+of cattle would head for them in this fashion.
+
+But to get out of the way was not easy. To one side of the plains was a
+series of rough rocks, while to the other side there was a brook flowing
+into the river, and here the ground was soft and treacherous.
+
+"Don't go that way!" cried Andy, as he saw his cousin heading toward the
+brook. "You'll get stuck and you'll never get out."
+
+"I'd rather get stuck than be trampled under foot by those beasts,"
+panted Fred.
+
+"No, no, Fred! Turn this way! I'm sure we can get up on the rocks
+somehow!" declared Andy.
+
+The boys continued to advance with the thoroughly frightened cattle not
+far behind them. While being rounded up both cattle and cowboys had come
+upon a nest of small rattlesnakes. These had, of course, frightened the
+beasts, and they were still more frightened when the cowboys had begun to
+shoot at the reptiles. Then a few of the cattle had started the stampede,
+and the rest, terrorized by the pistol shots, had followed.
+
+As the two lads galloped on, they looked anxiously to the side where the
+rocks were located. Most of the places they passed were too steep to
+ascend. But presently Andy caught sight of a point where there was
+something of a trail leading upward.
+
+"Come on this way!" he yelled to his cousin. "I think we can get up on
+the rocks here!"
+
+In the meanwhile Joe Jackson and his men, followed by Jack and the
+others, were doing their best to get the cattle to turn back to the point
+from which they had started. The best herd riders were circling the edge
+of the rushing animals, shouting at the top of their lungs and firing
+their pistols. But so far this demonstration had had little effect.
+
+"Oh, Jack! do you think they'll be run down?" gasped Randy.
+
+"I hope not."
+
+"They're on a pair of good horses; they ought to be able to outrun the
+cattle," came from Gif.
+
+"Don't be so sure of that," cried Spouter. "A mad steer can go some,
+believe me."
+
+"Who ever thought they would start off like that?" went on Randy.
+
+"It was firing at those rattlesnakes did it," declared Jack. "Of course,
+I can't blame the cowboys for doing that."
+
+Andy and Fred found the rocks anything but easy to ascend. They went up a
+few feet, and then the horses began to slip and were in danger of rolling
+over, carrying their young riders with them.
+
+"Look out!" screamed Fred. He had to catch his horse around the neck to
+keep from being flung headlong.
+
+But the horses were as anxious to escape the maddened cattle as were the
+lads, and the steeds continued to scramble upward until they reached a
+ledge of rock where the footing was comparatively level.
+
+"Do you think we'll be all right here?" panted Fred, when he could catch
+his breath sufficiently to speak.
+
+"We shall be unless some of those steers take it into their heads to
+climb the rocks the same way we did," answered Andy. He was suffering
+from a slight bruise on his left leg where he had brushed some of the
+roughest of the rocks.
+
+The horses were still alarmed, and continued to snort and stamp their
+feet, and the two lads for a few seconds had their hands full quieting
+the animals. They looked below them and saw the cattle coming on in a
+great mass. Some had already passed, but others were huddled close to the
+rocks as if on the point of making an ascent.
+
+"I really think they'll try to come up," said Fred.
+
+"Come ahead! We'll see if we can't get a little higher up," answered
+Andy. "I don't think the steers will follow us very far, even if they do
+come. We can shoot at them if we have to," he added, for each of them
+carried a pistol.
+
+Beyond the ledge were more rough rocks, and here the two lads had to
+proceed with caution for fear one of their horses might slip and perhaps
+break a leg. As they advanced they looked back and saw that the cowboys
+were coming closer and were beginning to drive a part of the cattle to
+the rear.
+
+"Oh, if only they can drive them back!" sighed Fred. "Just look at 'em,
+Andy! There must be a hundred of the steers directly below us! And see
+how angry that big black fellow looks! He acts just as if he'd like to
+come up here and gore us!"
+
+"Listen!" ejaculated Andy, pulling back on the rein. "What's that funny
+noise?"
+
+Both listened, and, mingled with the murmurs of the cattle at the foot of
+the rocks, came to their ears a peculiar whine or growl that was entirely
+new to the lads.
+
+"It's a wild animal of some kind!" cried Fred, as the growl was
+repeated.
+
+"Where did it come from?"
+
+"I don't know. But it was close at hand."
+
+Thoroughly scared, both boys looked on all sides. Then, of a sudden, Fred
+let out another exclamation.
+
+"There it is! Right on the shelf of rocks yonder! Oh, Andy, it's a
+mountain lion!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+THE MOUNTAIN LION
+
+
+It was a time of extreme peril, and both of the Rover boys realized it.
+The shelf of rock was not over twenty feet ahead of them, and on this
+rested the mountain lion, crouched as if for a spring.
+
+Fred had scarcely spoken when both horses began to snort and stamp their
+feet as if wanting to turn and run away.
+
+"Look out!" screamed Andy, "or the horses will take us right back among
+those mad cattle."
+
+With the discovery of the mountain lion, that lay close to the rocky
+shelf with glaring eyes and tail that swept nervously from side to side,
+the boys had noted that the animal was as much penned in as they were
+themselves. Beyond the shelf was an overhanging cliff, so that further
+progress in that direction was cut off completely. Had this not been so,
+it is more than likely that the mountain lion would have turned and slunk
+away, for like all wild beasts they do not fight unless they think it is
+necessary to do so.
+
+"Come on--give him a shot!" exclaimed Fred, as soon as he could recover
+from his astonishment.
+
+His weapon was handy, and in a moment the pistol rang out sharply, and
+this shot was followed by one from his cousin.
+
+Had the two boys been on the ground their shots might have been more
+effective. But it was another task to aim from the back of a restive
+horse that was threatening every instant to bolt, and so both bullets
+merely grazed the mountain lion's side.
+
+But these shots, mingled with those coming from the plain below, had one
+good effect. The cattle had been stopped in their mad flight and now they
+turned back in the direction in which the cowboys wanted them to go.
+
+As the pistols rang out the mountain lion gave a scream of commingled
+pain and rage. Then it crept forward several feet and made a movement as
+if on the point of leaping for Fred and his steed.
+
+"Back up! Back up, Fred!" yelled Andy, and fired a second time, and his
+cousin did likewise.
+
+This time the aim of the boys was better, and the mountain lion was hit
+in one of the forelegs and in the flank. It made a sudden leap, but the
+wound in the leg made it fall short, and it fell down between the rocks
+directly in front of where Fred's horse was standing.
+
+As the mountain lion went down in the hollow the horse uttered another
+wild snort and an instant later leaped directly over the wild beast,
+coming down at the foot of the rocky ledge beyond. The steed Andy rode
+backed violently until some other rocks stopped its retreat.
+
+"Hi there! What are you shooting at?" came a cry from below, and the two
+boys recognized the voice of Joe Jackson.
+
+"It's a lion!" called back Andy.
+
+"Then plug him! Plug him quick!" yelled Jackson. "Plug him before he gets
+a chance to get at you!"
+
+There was no need for this advice, for Andy was already taking aim. This
+time the bullet passed through the body of the lion and the beast leaped
+up, turning over and over convulsively. Then Fred managed to steady his
+mount for a moment, and he, too, fired, this time catching the mountain
+lion in the ear. Then the beast gave a final leap and tumbled down the
+rocks almost at the feet of the astonished ranch foreman.
+
+"Are you hurt?" demanded Jackson anxiously, as he gave a glance at the
+lion to make certain that it was breathing its last.
+
+"No," came from both of the boys. But it must be confessed that their
+voices were trembling. They had all they could do to quiet their horses,
+the steeds showing a great inclination to leap over the rough rocks and
+run away.
+
+By the time that Fred and Andy managed to descend to the plain below them
+the stampede of the cattle, which had been only momentary, was coming to
+an end, only two steers having run away for parts unknown.
+
+"But they'll come back, Boss," said one of the cowboys to Jackson. "They
+always do. You can't hire 'em to herd by themselves. They'll sure be
+back."
+
+"A mountain lion! What do you know about that!" exclaimed Jack, as he
+came riding up, followed by the other boys.
+
+"Did he hurt you at all?" questioned Spouter quickly.
+
+"He didn't get a chance," answered Fred, just a bit proudly. "Andy and I
+let drive at him almost as soon as we saw him."
+
+"A pretty powerful beast, I'll say," remarked Gif, as he made an
+examination of the lion that was now dead. "I don't think I'd like to
+face such a creature."
+
+"We had to fight him," declared Andy. "He was right up on that rocky
+shelf yonder, and he couldn't back out. If he had had the chance he'd
+have leaped right on us."
+
+"Well, you're the prize hunters of this crowd," declared Randy.
+
+"You can't put that down to hunting," answered his twin promptly. "That
+was simply a case of necessity."
+
+"Anyway, you've got the lion, and that skin will make some rug," declared
+Spouter.
+
+"I wonder if there are any other mountain lions around?" remarked Gif.
+"I'd like to get a shot at one of them myself."
+
+"They often travel in pairs," answered Joe Jackson. "But if you're going
+after lions you had better arm yourselves with rifles. It was only good
+luck that brought this beast down with pistol bullets."
+
+"The pistols were good enough at close quarters," answered Andy. "Just
+the same, I'd rather shoot the next mountain lion from a distance," he
+added dryly.
+
+Of course, when the boys rode up to the ranch home with the carcass of
+the dead lion there was a good deal of excitement among the older folks
+and the girls, and Fred and Andy had to tell their story in detail.
+
+"You really must be more careful in the future, boys," declared Mrs. Sam
+Rover. "Why, you might have been trampled under foot by the cattle, as
+well as chewed up by this mountain lion!"
+
+"I didn't know there was any danger of the cattle stampeding," put in
+Mrs. Tom Rover.
+
+"Oh, Jackson assures me that the stampede wasn't of much consequence,"
+remarked Songbird Powell. "But, of course, the boys shouldn't have gotten
+in front of the animals. But this question of facing a mountain lion is
+another story."
+
+"Py chimminy! you don't vas cotch me facin' no mountain lions," declared
+Hans Mueller emphatically. "I did me dot years ago, ven I go oud mit your
+faders. But I ton't do him no more alreatty."
+
+"Oh, Fred, you must be more careful!" protested May to the youngest
+Rover, when she got the chance. "Suppose that lion had jumped right on
+top of you?"
+
+"Believe me, May, I didn't want to get so close," he answered. "When we
+discovered the beast he wasn't over twenty feet away."
+
+"And they told us there weren't very many wild beasts around here!" came
+from Martha. "After this I guess we had better be careful how we roam
+through the woods and along the river."
+
+"Oh, they're not likely to harm you unless you corner them," said
+Songbird Powell. "They'll sneak away from you if you give them half a
+chance. It's only when they're cornered or when they're needing food that
+they are really combative."
+
+The mountain lion was skinned and the pelt taken away by the ranch
+foreman to be cured, and then Fred and Andy took it easy for the rest of
+the day.
+
+"Isn't it queer that Brassy Bangs has never showed himself around this
+place?" remarked Spouter that evening. "Wouldn't you think he'd at least
+ride over to see what sort of an outfit we had here?"
+
+"More than likely he's afraid of his welcome," said Jack. "He knows that
+none of us care for him."
+
+"I'd like to know if he really started that auto," put in Fred.
+
+"Gosh, what a sour fellow that Jarley Bangs was!" exclaimed Andy.
+
+There had been an indication of a storm, but this had passed away, and
+one day found the Rover boys and their chums off on a trip along a trail
+which led across the river and to the mountains westward, a trail which
+they were informed by Jackson led between the ranches owned by Jarley
+Bangs and Bimbel.
+
+"I'd like to get a better view of Bimbel's ranch and also of Bangs'
+place," declared Jack. "And maybe we'll see something of Bud Haddon and
+his crowd."
+
+All of the boys were now on good terms with Hop Lung, and he had prepared
+for them a substantial lunch and also something extra in case they should
+remain out after the supper hour.
+
+"Now you lads take good care of yourselves," admonished Tom Rover, when
+they were ready to depart on their day's outing. "No more rattlesnakes or
+mountain lions!"
+
+"Or mix-ups with runaway cattle," put in Sam Rover.
+
+Spouter and Jack carried small rifles, and the others were armed with
+pistols. They, however, were not going out to hunt, but thought best to
+provide themselves with the firearms in case any game presented itself.
+
+It did not take the boys long to cross the river, and then they followed
+a trail which led up a long hill and through a somewhat dense forest.
+
+They had journeyed along the best part of two hours when they noticed the
+sun going under a cloud. This caused the trail under the trees to become
+dark.
+
+"Gee! I wonder if we're going to have a storm?" remarked Randy.
+
+"Oh, maybe it's nothing but a wind cloud," answered Spouter.
+
+They continued to move along the trail, and presently reached a small
+opening where there was a spring.
+
+"Halt!" called out Jack, who was riding ahead with Spouter.
+
+"What's the matter?" questioned Gif quickly.
+
+"Look there! Isn't that a wolf?" asked Jack. He pointed with his rifle,
+which he had already unslung, and all the boys looked in the direction
+pointed out.
+
+"Maybe it's a dog," put in Fred quickly.
+
+"You don't want to shoot somebody's pet," admonished Gif.
+
+The animal had slunk away behind some brushwood, and now they saw it
+trying to retreat, pulling something through the dead leaves as it did
+so.
+
+"It's a wolf! I'm sure of it!" declared Jack, and, raising his rifle, he
+took quick aim and fired.
+
+As the echo of the firearm died away the lads heard a snarl and a yelp,
+and an instant later a gaunt wolf showed himself, his fangs gleaming
+dangerously as he came closer.
+
+Several shots rang out, for all of the boys had their weapons ready. The
+wolf was hit in three places, and gave a single leap into the air and
+then dropped lifeless.
+
+"Hurrah! We've got him!" yelled Randy, with satisfaction.
+
+"Be careful! Don't go too close before we're sure," warned Jack. "Better
+reload first."
+
+But the wolf was past doing further harm, and having assured themselves
+of this the boys looked at what he had been carrying away.
+
+"It's the side of a calf!" exclaimed Spouter. "Isn't this the limit? I'm
+glad we brought him down!"
+
+"He must have been raiding some cow yard," said Jack.
+
+"No ranch cow yard," said Gif. "This half of a calf was skinned by some
+person. I'll bet he stole it out of some ranch larder." And later on it
+was learned that the calf meat had been stolen from Jarley Bangs' place
+the night before.
+
+The boys had become so interested in bringing down the wolf that they had
+paid no attention to what was taking place overhead. But now they noticed
+that the sky was more overcast than ever. The wind began to blow through
+the woods, and of a sudden there came a downpour as surprising as it was
+dismaying.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+IN THE CAVE
+
+
+"We're in for it now!" cried Jack, as he looked up at the sky and at the
+trees beginning to bend in the wind.
+
+"And it's going to be some storm, or I miss my guess," added Gif.
+
+"I wonder if we can find any shelter around here?" put in Randy. "If we
+can't we'll be soaked to the skin in no time."
+
+"Jackson was telling me of a couple of caves toward the end of these
+woods," said Spouter quickly. "I wonder if we could reach the nearest of
+them? It might help us to get out of the rain."
+
+"Come on--let's try it!" put in Fred eagerly.
+
+Leaving the dead wolf where it had fallen, the boys pushed forward on the
+trail, which now led downward on the other side of the hill. Here they
+noticed the going was getting rougher, and presently they found
+themselves entering a defile among the rocks. Here the trees were more
+scattering and consequently they were exposed to the full fury of the
+elements. Ever and anon a flash of lightning would illumine the sky,
+followed by the crack and rumble of thunder.
+
+"Say, maybe we had better stay under the trees," suggested Andy.
+
+"Suppose the trees should be struck by lightning?" questioned Jack. "I
+think we had better go on, especially if we're anywhere near those caves
+Jackson mentioned."
+
+A turn in the defile brought them to something of an open place. Here on
+one side the rocks towered fully fifty feet above their heads and at one
+point there was an opening perhaps fifteen feet square and leading into
+the side of the hill.
+
+"This must be the first of the caves!" cried Spouter. "Come on in!" And
+without ceremony he led the way, and the others followed, glad to get out
+of the storm.
+
+They found the cave an irregular one, running in somewhat of a semicircle
+and with a flooring that was comparatively level. It was dry and fairly
+comfortable, and once beyond the fury of the storm the lads dismounted
+and proceeded to make themselves at home.
+
+The rain continued to come down and, with nothing better to do, the boys
+proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as possible. Near the
+entrance to the cave they found some leaves and dead tree branches which
+were still dry, and these they dragged inside and then made themselves a
+campfire.
+
+"I reckon we'll have to cut out going any further," announced Spouter.
+"Even if the storm clears away, the trail will be very wet and
+slippery."
+
+It still lacked an hour to noon, and with nothing else to do the boys
+tethered their horses and then proceeded to investigate their
+surroundings. From the campfire they obtained several torches, and with
+these in hand they moved along slowly around the bend of the cave and
+over a series of rocks which led upward.
+
+"It certainly is a larger cave than I supposed," said Jack, as he and Gif
+led the way, with the others close behind.
+
+"I think I see a light ahead, Jack," was Gif's remark. "That must be
+another opening to the cave."
+
+"Maybe the two caves that Jackson mentioned are really one, and this
+passageway connects them."
+
+"We'll soon find out."
+
+By this time all but one of the torches had burnt themselves out. But
+this the lads did not mind, for the light ahead was steadily increasing,
+showing that they could not be far from another opening.
+
+"Look!" called Jack suddenly. And then he added: "Keep quiet, all of
+you!"
+
+He pointed ahead and there, around a bend of the rocks, all saw two
+figures moving around on horseback. One was the figure of a tall man, and
+the other that of a well-grown youth.
+
+"Why, that's Brassy Bangs!" whispered Fred excitedly.
+
+"Yes. And the man is Bud Haddon," returned Andy.
+
+"What do you bet Haddon isn't after Brassy for more money?" put in Fred
+excitedly.
+
+While the youngest Rover was speaking, he and the others saw that the two
+figures on horseback had disappeared behind a mass of rocks.
+
+"I'm going ahead and find out about this," declared Jack. "Come on! So
+far as we can see there are only two of them, so the six of us have
+nothing to fear."
+
+"Especially as we're armed," added Fred, who carried his pistol with
+him.
+
+Throwing down the last of their torches, the six boys advanced with
+caution. They heard the horses beyond the rocks occasionally stamping a
+hoof and caught a faint murmur of voices. Then, led by Jack, they mounted
+the rocks noiselessly, presently gaining a point where they could look
+directly down upon Brassy Bangs and his companion.
+
+"It's all wrong, Bud Haddon, and you know it!" they heard Brassy declare.
+"And sooner or later the authorities will get after you for this."
+
+"See here, Lester Bangs, you don't have to preach to me!" growled Bud
+Haddon. "You're just as deep in some things as I am in others."
+
+"It isn't true, and you know it!" whined Brassy. And now the lads who
+were listening could see that their fellow-cadet was very much upset.
+"I'm not guilty, and I never have been guilty of any wrongdoing!"
+
+"You tell that to the police and see what they have to say about it,"
+sneered Haddon, "You know well enough that you set fire to John Calder's
+barn and burnt up horses that was worth thousands of dollars."
+
+"And I always said it was some cowboys or tramps that did it!" stormed
+Brassy.
+
+"Not much! You did it! I know it, and so do Jillson and Dusenbury! We've
+got the goods on you."
+
+"What were Jillson and Dusenbury and you doing around the place?"
+questioned Brassy suddenly.
+
+"Never mind what we were doing around there. We know you set the barn on
+fire. Didn't you have a quarrel with old Calder?"
+
+"Yes, I did. But I didn't make any fire. Maybe you had a quarrel with him
+yourself."
+
+"Hold on there, Bangs! None of that!" cried Bud Haddon sternly.
+
+"Well, you wouldn't be too good to set the fire," added Brassy, with
+sudden recklessness. "Not after the way you are acting out here, running
+away with those horses, and after the way you acted at Colby Hall, trying
+to rob every room in the place!"
+
+"Wait a minute now! Wait a minute!" returned the man sarcastically. "Who
+was it lent me his uniform and who was it that told me just what rooms to
+go into? Answer me those questions, will you?"
+
+"You wouldn't have gotten hold of the uniform and you wouldn't have
+gotten any information if you hadn't threatened me in all sorts of ways,"
+answered Brassy, somewhat lamely. "I wish now that I'd never had anything
+to do with you!"
+
+"Well, you keep your tongue between your teeth, or else you'll get
+yourself in the hottest kind of water!" burst out Bud Haddon. "Don't you
+know that they can send you to prison for ten years for what you did?"
+
+"I haven't said anything to anybody as yet," answered Brassy hastily.
+
+"Well, you see that you don't!"
+
+"But I didn't set Calder's barn on fire--really I didn't!" pleaded the
+boy. "I don't see why you won't believe me."
+
+"I'm willing to let that matter drop if only you'll keep a civil tongue
+in your head and mind what you're doing," returned Bud Haddon. "And don't
+forget--I want at least a hundred dollars more just as soon as you can
+lay your hands on it."
+
+"I don't see how I'm going to get it. I'm expecting some money from my
+uncle. But that has got to pay for my tuition at Colby Hall this fall."
+
+"Well, you let the school wait for its money and you turn it over to me.
+They won't want you there anyhow if they should find out what sort of a
+fellow you are," went on Bud Haddon coarsely. "Now I've got to be getting
+back to Bimbel's, rain or no rain," he continued. "Just remember, you've
+got to fork over a hundred in cold cash before you start East again. If
+you don't--well, look out, that's all!" And with this threat the tall man
+rode out of the cave.
+
+The Rovers and their chums had listened to every word that had been
+spoken. They were both mystified and amazed by what had been said.
+
+"That fellow Haddon is surely a first-class rascal," whispered Spouter to
+Jack.
+
+"Do you know what I think we had better do?" returned the young major.
+"Let's stop Brassy and have a straight talk with him. I don't think he's
+quite as bad as we thought he might be."
+
+"Yes, let us stop Brassy by all means," came in a low tone from Fred.
+
+Brassy Bangs had ridden to the mouth of the cave and there sat astride of
+his horse, watching Bud Haddon as he galloped away though the rain. Then
+he turned back in anything but a cheerful humor. The other boys saw him
+dismount and sink down on a rock, covering his face with his hands.
+
+"Come on," said Jack, and without more ado he scrambled down from the
+rocks and came around to where Brassy was sitting, and the others did the
+same.
+
+Brassy's misery was so great that for several seconds he did not notice
+their approach. Then, he looked up startled and leaped to his feet.
+
+"Where did you come from?" he demanded, as soon as he could speak.
+
+"We came from the other end of the cave, Brassy," answered Jack.
+
+"How long have you been here?"
+
+"We've been here long enough to hear the talk you had with that fellow
+named Haddon," answered Fred.
+
+"You did!" Brassy turned pale. "It wasn't very nice to listen when you
+had no business to!"
+
+"Never mind about that now, Brassy. What we want to know is, did you or
+that fellow rob Colby Hall?"
+
+"He did it! I didn't have a thing to do with it--at least, willingly!"
+cried Brassy Bangs. "He forced me to do everything I did. He threatened
+me in all sorts of ways--said he would put me in prison and all that if I
+didn't help him. Oh, he's the worst man there ever was!" groaned the
+overwrought boy. And now the others could see that he was on the verge of
+collapse.
+
+"See here, Brassy, why don't you tell us the whole story?" put in Gif
+kindly.
+
+"Why should I tell my story to you? All you fellows are against me--you
+always were!"
+
+"We're not against you, Brassy," answered Jack. "If you can prove to us
+that you're really being hounded by that man, we'll do what we can to
+help you. Isn't that so, fellows?" And at this question the others
+nodded.
+
+"Hounded is right! He's done nothing but hound me ever since he knew me,"
+whined the accused one.
+
+"You tell me one thing!" demanded Spouter, striding up and catching
+Brassy by the shoulder. "Did that rascal steal the horses from our
+ranch?"
+
+"I think he did--in fact, I'm about certain he did. That is, either he or
+the fellows he's in league with."
+
+"Who are those other fellows?"
+
+"Two fellows who just came out here from Chicago named Jillson and
+Dusenbury and two others from Bimbel's ranch named Noxley and Jenks. The
+whole bunch were mixed up with Bimbel some years ago in a shady
+transaction, and they lit out for quite a while. But now they're back
+again."
+
+"I don't see why you want to get mixed up with a crowd like that," was
+Andy's comment.
+
+"I didn't want to get mixed up with 'em," declared Brassy. "I haven't had
+a thing to do with any of 'em except Bud Haddon. Oh, I wish I'd never met
+that man!" And now Brassy seemed almost on the verge of tears.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+A CONFESSION
+
+
+After that it was an easy matter for the other boys to get Brassy to make
+a complete confession.
+
+"My first trouble came when I got a job with John Calder who has a farm
+on the outskirts of Omaha," said Brassy. "I had had a quarrel at home,
+and also a quarrel with my uncle here, and had made up my mind to get a
+place and support myself. But I couldn't get along with Calder, who was a
+very strict man, and one afternoon we had a lively quarrel, and I told
+him I'd leave, and I did so and went to Omaha. About a week after that
+Calder's barn burned down and a number of horses were caught in the fire.
+That was just after I had fallen in with Bud Haddon and his two chums,
+Jillson and Dusenbury. Haddon pretended to be quite friendly. But all at
+once he accused me of setting the fire and said that Jillson and
+Dusenbury, who had left the day before, could prove it. I protested my
+innocence, but he insisted I was guilty and worked me up to such an
+extent that I gave him almost every dollar I had in my pocket to keep him
+quiet."
+
+"And you say positively that you had nothing to do with the fire?"
+questioned Fred.
+
+"Not a thing!"
+
+"Couldn't you prove that you weren't there when the fire took place?"
+asked Andy.
+
+"No, I couldn't, because I went to a vaudeville show that evening, and I
+was among strangers, so that I couldn't account for my time."
+
+"Did Haddon hound you when you came to Colby Hall?" questioned Gif.
+
+"He certainly did--not once, but half a dozen times. And I gave him all
+the money I could scrape up. In fact, I even borrowed some money from
+Halliday and a couple of the other fellows."
+
+"But what about the robbery at the Hall?'" questioned Fred.
+
+"Several times Haddon came to me and spoke in a mysterious manner about
+its being an easy matter to make a big haul. Then he hinted about the
+robbery; but I would have nothing to do with it. On the afternoon when we
+were getting ready to celebrate that night, he sent word that he wanted
+to see me at a certain barn not far from the school. When I got there he
+demanded that I help him go through the bedrooms while the fellows were
+having a good time on the campus and down by the river. I said I wouldn't
+do it, and then all of a sudden he hit me on the head and knocked me
+down. Then he stripped me of my trousers and jacket and tied me fast in
+one of the disused horse stalls."
+
+"And you mean to say he used your uniform in stealing into the school?"
+asked Spouter.
+
+"That's it. I didn't know it at the time, because he went to another part
+of the barn where I couldn't see him. But later on, when he brought the
+uniform back, he told me all about it. He thought he had been wonderfully
+slick."
+
+"Why didn't you expose him at once?" demanded Jack.
+
+"He told me that if I exposed him he would tell the authorities that I
+had planned the whole scheme and that I had done most of the work myself.
+He said some one had seen him in the uniform scooting from one room to
+another, so that the report would circulate that some cadet was guilty.
+He got me so worked up that at last I promised to keep quiet."
+
+"And had he really robbed your room, too?" demanded Fred.
+
+"Yes. I lost my stuff just as I reported. Oh, you can't imagine how I
+felt!" went on Brassy Bangs in a hopeless tone of voice. "Many a time I
+thought I'd go to Colonel Colby and confess everything. But then I
+thought they would bring that old charge of barn-burning up against me,
+as well as the charge of helping in the robbery, and I didn't have nerve
+enough to say a word. Oh, I know I was a big fool! I should have faced it
+out!"
+
+"Wait a minute!" put in Jack suddenly. "Are you pretty sure Haddon, as
+well as Dusenbury and Jillson, are guilty of making off with the horses
+that are missing?"
+
+"I am!"
+
+"Well, then, isn't it possible that those three went to this John
+Calder's barn and stole some of the horses and then set fire to the place
+to cover the theft?"
+
+"By golly, I'll bet that's just what they did!" burst out Brassy Bangs.
+"I remember now that the reports in the newspapers said the fire had been
+so fierce that the carcasses of the horses had been burnt up completely.
+They only found some of the bones in the ruins. Oh, if they really did do
+that!"
+
+"Did Calder have any particularly good horses?"
+
+"Yes, he had a splendid team of matched grays that were worth
+considerable money. He thought more of the grays than he did of all his
+other horses put together."
+
+"I'll wager a toothpick against a lemon that gang stole the grays before
+the fire," declared Andy emphatically.
+
+"The police ought to arrest those three men and put 'em through what they
+call the third degree," remarked Gif.
+
+"I'd like to know one other thing," went on Andy, and now his face showed
+a slight grin. "What do you know about your Uncle Jarley's auto running
+away by itself?"
+
+"Oh, please don't mention that tin junk wagon!" pleaded Brassy. "I
+started it, and the blamed thing ran over me, and I was lame for a
+week."
+
+"Does your uncle know anything about what Haddon and his crowd are up
+to?" questioned Jack.
+
+"Not exactly. Although he's becoming suspicious of the whole gang around
+the Bimbel place. You know he's never trusted Bimbel since the man got
+into difficulty with the authorities several years ago."
+
+After that the seven boys talked the matter over for half an hour longer.
+And then the others insisted upon it that Brassy accompany them to the
+other entrance to the cave, and there all sat down to partake of the
+lunch brought from Big Horn Ranch.
+
+Brassy appeared much relieved by the confession he had made, and readily
+answered all the questions put to him. His assertive manner had left him
+entirely, and he appeared quite humble.
+
+"If he ever gets out of this I'll bet he'll be a different fellow,"
+whispered Randy to Fred.
+
+"I think so myself," was the reply. "But how he is going to square
+himself with Colonel Colby remains to be seen. It was a serious piece of
+business to let Haddon steal all those things from the school and say
+nothing about it."
+
+While the boys were eating the storm stopped, and less than an hour later
+the sun was shining as before.
+
+"I think we might as well be on our way back to the ranch," remarked
+Spouter. "The sooner we get there and let our fathers know how matters
+stand, the better."
+
+"Don't you want to go with us, Brassy?" asked Jack.
+
+"If I did that I couldn't get back to my uncle's place to-night, and then
+he'd worry about me. Otherwise I would just as lief go to your place as
+not. Now that I've told you everything I'd like to see the whole matter
+cleaned up, and quick too."
+
+"How far is it to your uncle's ranch?" asked Fred.
+
+"Not over a mile and a half."
+
+"Then suppose we go there first, and then all of us can strike out for
+Big Horn Ranch. Maybe your uncle will want to take part in what is going
+on," said Jack.
+
+"I wish you would go with me!" cried Brassy eagerly. "I'm afraid my uncle
+will raise Cain when I tell him the truth."
+
+"He won't dare do much when we're around," answered Gif. "If he gets too
+ugly you can clear out and meet us on the way to our place."
+
+"That's the talk," said Randy.
+
+Again there was a discussion, but in the end it was decided that the
+whole party should lose no time in getting to Jarley Bangs' ranch. They
+would explain matters to Brassy's uncle, and then set out for Songbird
+Powell's place.
+
+The campfire was speedily stamped out, and leaping into the saddle, the
+seven boys set out for the Bangs' place, Brassy leading the way, with
+Spouter beside him. It was a wet and dismal ride through the woods, and
+it is safe to say that Brassy felt every bit as dismal as his
+surroundings.
+
+"Gee, but I certainly am sorry for him!" whispered Andy to his twin. "He
+isn't a fellow that I would cotton to, but he certainly has got himself
+into a pickle."
+
+Presently the woods were left behind and they came out on the open
+prairie. Here the sun shone brightly, and the trail was drying rapidly.
+They urged their steeds into a gallop, and in a short while came in sight
+of the Jarley Bangs' outfit.
+
+As they rode up they saw Jarley Bangs come from the ranch house and move
+swiftly toward one of the stables where the horses were kept. He was
+evidently in a hurry and much excited.
+
+"Hello! where have you been?" he demanded of his nephew. "Where did you
+pick up these chaps?"
+
+"I met 'em during the storm over at Twin Caves," answered Brassy.
+
+"It's a wonder you wouldn't stay around the house once in a while,"
+grumbled Jarley Bangs. "If you would, maybe I wouldn't be losing
+things."
+
+"Losing things! What do you mean, Uncle Jarley?" questioned the nephew
+quickly.
+
+"What do I mean?" stormed the ranch owner. "Do you know what has happened
+since you went away?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Well, then, I'll tell you! Two of our best horses have been stolen!
+Right out of the stable, too!" exclaimed Jarley Bangs wrathfully. "Duster
+and old Whitehead!"
+
+"Stolen!" came from all of the boys simultaneously.
+
+"Yes, stolen! Nobody saw 'em taken, but they're gone, and not a man on
+the ranch was near 'em!"
+
+"I'll wager that's more of Bud Haddon's work," declared Jack quickly.
+
+"But he wasn't here--he was over at the caves," returned Fred.
+
+"Well, if he didn't do it, then some members of his gang did," put in
+Randy.
+
+"I'm going to have the law on somebody for this!" stormed Jarley Bangs.
+"Too many horses in this neighborhood have been stolen. I'm going to
+visit some of the other ranchmen and notify the sheriff, and see if we
+can't raise a posse to run down the rascals."
+
+"That's the way to talk, Mr. Bangs!" cried Spouter. "And we know just
+what gang to go after."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION
+
+
+Less than an hour later found the whole party, including Jarley Bangs, on
+the way to Big Horn Ranch.
+
+Brassy's uncle had listened with keen interest to the story his nephew
+and the other lads had to relate. He had interrupted a number of times to
+ask questions, and at the finish of the recital had held up both hands in
+disgust.
+
+"You're a bigger fool than I ever thought you were, Lester," he had told
+his nephew. "Why in thunder didn't you tell your folks and me all about
+this just as soon as it happened? We could have set a trap for those
+rascals and caught 'em easy."
+
+"But, Uncle Jarley, remember how I was tied up in that Colby Hall
+affair!" Brassy had pleaded.
+
+"I don't believe Colonel Colby would hold you responsible for that--not
+after he'd made a thorough investigation. But that ain't here nor there.
+What we want to do now is to grab those fellows before they've a chance
+to make a get-away. I'd just like to ketch 'em with Duster and Whitehead
+in their possession! I think I could find enough old-timers around here
+to hand all of 'em a rope," and Jarley Bangs' eyes had flashed with a
+fire that was anything but agreeable.
+
+The Rover boys and their chums had thought to take the regular trail
+leading back to Big Horn Ranch, but Jarley Bangs told them he knew of a
+shorter way.
+
+"We can cut off over a mile," said he. "And I reckon the quicker we get a
+posse out the better."
+
+"Don't you suppose we can round them up around Bimbel's ranch almost any
+time?" queried Spouter.
+
+"Maybe, and maybe not. We'd probably be able to get the others, but
+Haddon, Dusenbury and Jillson come and go. Sometimes they're here, and
+sometimes in Omaha and Chicago."
+
+"Perhaps that's where they disposed of their stolen horses," suggested
+Jack.
+
+"More'n likely."
+
+Jarley Bangs had armed himself with a double-barreled shotgun, and he
+rode in advance with Spouter at his side and the others close behind.
+
+The way lay across a stretch of prairie and then into the edge of the
+woods bordering the river. The party had just gained the water's edge and
+were looking for a good fording place when Brassy suddenly uttered an
+exclamation.
+
+"Look up the river, will you? There are those men now! And see! they are
+leading a couple of horses!"
+
+"Get back out of sight, quick!" ordered Jarley Bangs. And in a few
+seconds all were behind the bushes which at that point lined the river.
+
+"Why, they're heading almost straight for Big Horn Ranch!" exclaimed
+Spouter excitedly.
+
+"They're going to follow the old river trail," announced Jarley Bangs.
+"More'n likely they'll take to the lower trail when they reach the
+forks."
+
+"Can't we head 'em off and capture 'em?" questioned Fred.
+
+"I think we can. Anyhow, we can try," was Jarley Bangs' answer.
+
+The old ranchman made a swift mental calculation and then directed the
+boys to follow him to a fording place a little further down the river.
+Once on the other side of the watercourse, he urged his steed forward at
+topmost speed in the direction of another patch of timber further
+southward.
+
+"They wouldn't dare take the upper trail," he told the lads. "For that
+would take 'em too close to Big Horn. They'll come this way, I'm almost
+certain."
+
+It was not easy riding on a trail which was used but seldom.
+Nevertheless, the lads hurried after the old ranchman as well as they
+could. They wound in and out over some rough rocks and up a small hill,
+and presently emerged upon a much better trail.
+
+"Here is where they ought to pass," announced Jarley Bangs. "Now then,
+we'll put our horses in the thicket and then see what we can do toward
+pocketing 'em when they come."
+
+The old ranchman had seen strenuous times in his younger days, and he
+seemed to know exactly what to do. He divided the boys into two groups,
+placing them on either side of the winding and rocky road.
+
+"Now if you have to shoot, shoot high so as not to hit anybody on the
+other side," was his warning. "But maybe we can get 'em without firing a
+shot," he went on.
+
+Brassy was armed with a small rifle, and he insisted upon remaining in
+the roadway with his uncle. The other lads with their pistols and guns
+were placed in advantageous positions behind nearby rocks and trees.
+
+The arrangement was scarcely completed when they heard the tramp of
+horses' hoofs over the somewhat rocky trail, and in a minute more Bud
+Haddon came into view, followed by Jillson and Dusenbury, all on
+horseback and each of the latter leading an extra steed.
+
+"Throw up your hands!" shouted Jarley Bangs, as the horsemen came closer,
+and he leveled his shotgun full at Haddon's head, while Brassy covered
+Dusenbury with his rifle. The boys behind the rocks and trees covered all
+three men as well as they were able.
+
+The three rascals had not anticipated such a meeting, and, seeing the
+guns leveled at them, not only from the front but also from the sides,
+three pairs of hands went up almost as one.
+
+"It's Bangs!" murmured the man named Dusenbury. "I reckon the jig is
+up."
+
+"Don't dare to budge or I'll blow somebody's head off!" roared Jarley
+Bangs. And he looked as if he meant what he said.
+
+"You've got the drop on me, and I ain't moving," answered Bud Haddon
+surlily.
+
+"Hi, Powell! Come out here, will you?" went on Brassy Bangs' uncle. And
+then, as Spouter came from the bushes with rifle in hand, he continued.
+"Go up there and take every one of their guns away from 'em."
+
+As soon as they had been disarmed the three rascals were told to dismount
+and stand in a line along the side of the road. Then, as the boys
+confronted them, Jarley Bangs went through their pockets once more to
+make sure that no weapon had been overlooked.
+
+"Fine piece of business, to run away with my horses!" exclaimed the old
+ranch owner, and he jerked his head in the direction of the two animals
+the men had been leading.
+
+With their hands tied in front of them, the men were made to remount, and
+then the entire party lost no time in heading for Big Horn Ranch.
+
+"I'll fix you for this!" hissed Haddon at Brassy when he got the chance.
+
+"You do your worst!" retorted the boy. "I'm not afraid of you any more."
+
+Of course, there was great excitement at the ranch when the crowd came in
+with the three prisoners. The story of what had happened was quickly
+circulated, and Joe Jackson and a number of the cowboys were called in
+from the ranges. One of the cowboys was sent off to notify a deputy
+sheriff of what had occurred and of what the ranch owners expected to do,
+and two other cowboys were started off to notify the owners of other
+ranches in that vicinity.
+
+As a consequence early the next morning a posse consisting of twelve men
+headed for Bimbel's ranch. Of course, the boys wanted to go along, but
+they were forced to remain behind, much to their chagrin.
+
+"You might get shot," said Songbird Powell. "And, besides that, you have
+had glory enough, helping to catch these three rascals," and he smiled
+faintly.
+
+The affair at Bimbel's was rather a strenuous one. Jenks and Noxley, as
+well as Bimbel, tried to escape, and Noxley was shot in the leg. The
+fellow thought he was going to die, and while waiting for the doctor to
+come and attend him he made a full confession concerning the stealing of
+many of the horses in that neighborhood. He said that Bud Haddon was at
+the head of the gang and that Haddon, with Jillson and Dusenbury, were in
+the habit of disposing of the animals either at Omaha or Chicago,
+although one or two steeds, including one belonging to the former owners
+of Big Horn Ranch had been sent further east.
+
+"I guess it was one of the early thefts that took Haddon to Haven Point,"
+declared Jack, and in that surmise he was correct.
+
+With this evidence against them, Haddon, Jillson and Dusenbury were
+submitted to a severe gruelling, each being examined separately. Finally
+Dusenbury broke down completely and admitted that he and the other two
+had fired John Calder's barn after stealing his noted pair of gray
+horses. The horses had been shipped out of town, and were later on
+recovered, as were also Mr. Powell's Blackbird and several other of the
+animals.
+
+When Bud Haddon's effects were examined many pawn tickets were
+discovered, and following up the clues thus afforded Colonel Colby
+managed to get back many of the articles stolen from the school. These
+included Professor Duke's heirloom watch and a number of the things lost
+by our friends.
+
+At first it was thought that Brassy might be prosecuted, but when Bud
+Haddon was brought to trial for the thefts the State used the youth as a
+witness against the fellow, and consequently Brassy was allowed to go
+free. He, however, received a stern lecture from Colonel Colby and was
+then told that he had better not return to the Hall.
+
+"I don't think I want to come back," said Brassy. "A whole lot of the
+fellows would never forgive me for what I did." And in this surmise he
+was probably correct. Brassy returned to his uncle's ranch, and that was
+the last heard of him for a long time.
+
+With the mystery of the robbery at Colby Hall and of the missing horses
+cleared up, the Rover boys and all the other young folks at Big Horn
+Ranch turned their attention once more to having a good time. Sam Rover
+went back to New York to take charge of the offices in Wall Street, and
+that gave Dick Rover and his wife a chance to come out and pay the ranch
+a visit.
+
+"We've certainly had some strenuous times here," remarked Jack one day.
+
+And he was right. But other strenuous times were still in store for the
+lads, and what some of these were will be related in the next volume, to
+be entitled, "The Rover Boys at Big Bear Lake; or, The Camps of the Rival
+Cadets."
+
+"Big Horn Ranch is a delightful place," said Ruth. "I never thought a
+spot where they raised cattle could be so interesting."
+
+"Is your father going to stay out here and become a regular ranchman,
+Spouter?" questioned Fred.
+
+"I don't know about that," answered the ranch owner's son. "He'll stay
+here for a while, anyway. He likes it better and better every day."
+
+"I dink some day I got me a ranch mineself alreatty," remarked Hans
+Mueller. "Den I could raise all mine own meats for mine delicatessen
+stores, not so?" and he smiled complacently.
+
+"Come on, boys, let's get on horseback and have a race!" cried Andy, as
+he came up from finishing a game of lawn tennis with Mary.
+
+"I'm with you," answered Fred, who had been playing a game of croquet
+with May and some of the others.
+
+"All right! A horseback race it is!" cried Jack.
+
+"An extra piece of cake to the boy who wins!" shouted his sister Martha
+after him.
+
+"Hurrah! Me for that piece of cake!" came from every one of the boys
+assembled.
+
+And here, while they are running down to the corral pell-mell to get on
+their horses for a gallop across the prairie, we will leave them and say
+good-bye.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+THE FAMOUS ROVER BOYS SERIES
+BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
+(Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+OVER THREE MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THIS SERIES
+
+Uniform Style of Binding. Colored Wrappers.
+Every Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+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 ON LAND AND SEA
+THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP
+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 ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL
+THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND
+THE ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS
+THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT
+THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK
+THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH
+THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG BEAR LAKE
+THE ROVER BOYS SHIPWRECKED
+
+Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York
+
+      *      *      *      *      *
+
+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 AND AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER
+
+Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 26539-8.txt or 26539-8.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/6/5/3/26539
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://www.gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/26539-8.zip b/26539-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..19faf7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-8.zip
diff --git a/26539-h.zip b/26539-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..030c2c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-h.zip
diff --git a/26539-h/26539-h.htm b/26539-h/26539-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e762f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-h/26539-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,9576 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" />
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch, by Edward Stratemeyer</title>
+<style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
+<!--
+    p                 {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;}
+    body              {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    a                 {text-decoration: none;}
+    h3                {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size:1.2em;}
+    h3.pg             {text-align:center; font-weight:bold; font-size:110%;}
+    .pncolor          {color: silver;}
+    div.ce p          {text-align: center; margin: auto 0;}
+    .figcenter        {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;}
+    hr.mini           {width: 2em; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;}
+    .caption          {font-size:0.8em;}
+    table             {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;}
+    .blockquot        {margin-left:5%; margin-right:5%;}
+    .pagenum          {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;}
+    hr.minor          {width: 35%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;}
+    hr.major          {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;}
+    div.ra p          {text-align: right; margin: auto 0;}
+    hr.silver         {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver;}
+    h2                {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size:1.4em;}
+
+    hr.full { width: 100%;
+              margin-top: 3em;
+              margin-bottom: 0em;
+              margin-left: auto;
+              margin-right: auto;
+              height: 4px;
+              border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */
+              border-style: solid;
+              border-color: #000000;
+              clear: both; }
+    pre      {font-size: 85%;}
+// -->
+/* XML end  ]]>*/
+</style>
+</head>
+<body>
+<h1 class="figcenter">The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch, 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 at Big Horn Ranch</p>
+<p>       The Cowboys' Double Round-Up</p>
+<p>Author: Edward Stratemeyer</p>
+<p>Release Date: September 5, 2008  [eBook #26539]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3 class="pg">E-text prepared by Roger Frank<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/illus-fpc.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 330px; height: 502px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 330px;'>
+ANDY AND FRED FOUND THE ROCKS ANYTHING BUT EASY TO ASCEND.<br />
+<i>Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch</i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(<i>Page</i> 271)<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.8em; margin-top:1em;'>THE ROVER BOYS AT</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.8em; margin-bottom:1em;'>BIG HORN RANCH</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-bottom:2em;'>OR</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>THE COWBOYS&#8217; DOUBLE</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:3em;'>ROUND-UP</p>
+<p style=' margin-bottom:0.5em;'>BY</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:1em;'>(Edward Stratemeyer)</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>AUTHOR OF &#8220;THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL,&#8221; &#8220;THE ROVER BOYS</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>ON TREASURE ISLE,&#8221; &#8220;THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL,&#8221;</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:4em;'>&#8220;THE PUTNAM HALL CADETS SERIES,&#8221; ETC.</p>
+<p style=' margin-bottom:2em; font-style:italic;'>ILLUSTRATED</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>NEW YORK</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1em;'>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:0.5em;'>PUBLISHERS</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>Made in the United States of America</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<table style="margin: auto; border: black 1px solid; font-size:0.8em;" summary="">
+<col style="width:9%;" />
+<col style="width:82%;"  />
+<col style="width:9%;" />
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><p style='text-align: center; font-size:large; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom:0'>BOOKS BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</p></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0'>(Edward Stratemeyer)</p></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><hr style='width:10em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black;' /></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><p style='text-align:center; font-size:larger'>THE FIRST ROVER BOYS SERIES</p></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><hr style='width:5em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black;' /></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td><p>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</p></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><hr style='width:5em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black;' /></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><p style='text-align:center; font-size:larger'>THE SECOND ROVER BOYS SERIES</p></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td><p>THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK<br />
+THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH</p></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><hr style='width:5em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black;' /></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><p style='text-align:center; font-size:larger'>THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES</p></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td><p>THE CADETS OF PUTNAM HALL<br />
+THE RIVALS OF PUTNAM HALL<br />
+THE CHAMPIONS OF PUTNAM HALL<br />
+THE REBELLION OF PUTNAM HALL<br />
+CAMPING OUT DAYS AT PUTNAM HALL<br />
+THE MYSTERY AT PUTNAM HALL</p></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><hr style='width:10em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black;' /></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><p style='text-align:center;'><i>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</i></p></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><hr style='width:5em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black;' /></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td colspan='3'><p style='text-align:center;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Grosset &amp; Dunlap</span>, Publishers, New York</p></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<div class='ce' style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-top:1em;'>
+<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Copyright, 1922, by</span></p>
+<p>EDWARD STRATEMEYER</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='mini' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p><i>The Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch</i></p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>INTRODUCTION</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>My Dear Boys:</span> This book is a complete story
+in itself, but forms the sixth volume in a line issued
+under the general title, &#8220;The Second Rover
+Boys Series for Young Americans.&#8221;</p>
+<p>As noted in some volumes of the first series,
+this line was started years ago with the publication
+of &#8220;The Rover Boys at School,&#8221; &#8220;On the
+Ocean,&#8221; and &#8220;In the Jungle,&#8221; in which I introduced
+my readers to Dick, Tom and Sam Rover
+and their relatives and friends. The twenty volumes
+of the First Series related the doings of
+these three Rover boys while attending Putnam
+Hall Military Academy, Brill College, and while
+on numerous outings.</p>
+<p>Having finished their education, the three
+young men established themselves in business and
+became married. Dick Rover was blessed with
+a son and a daughter, as was also his brother
+Sam, while Tom became the proud father of a
+pair of the liveliest kind of twin boys.</p>
+<p>From their home in New York City the young
+Rovers were sent to a boarding school, as related
+in the first volume of the Second Series, entitled
+&#8220;The Rover Boys at Colby Hall.&#8221; From that
+institution of learning the scene was shifted to
+&#8220;Snowshoe Island,&#8221; where the lads spent a mid-winter
+outing. Then they rejoined their fellow-cadets
+and had some strenuous doings while
+&#8220;Under Canvas.&#8221; After that, in a volume entitled
+&#8220;The Rover Boys on a Hunt,&#8221; I related how
+they uncovered the mystery surrounding a strange
+house in the woods. And following this came a
+trip to Texas and Oklahoma, where, &#8220;In the Land
+of Luck,&#8221; the boys aided Dick Rover in his efforts
+to locate some valuable oil wells.</p>
+<p>In the present volume the scene is shifted back
+to Colby Hall and then to a ranch in the West
+where some remarkable happenings await our
+young heroes.</p>
+<p>From reports received I am assured that the
+sale of this line of books has now passed the <i>three
+million</i> mark! This is as astonishing as it is
+gratifying. I sincerely trust that the reading of
+the volumes will do all of the boys and girls good.</p>
+<div class='ra'>
+<p style=' margin-right:4em;'>Affectionately and sincerely yours,</p>
+<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Edward Stratemeyer</span>.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.4em; margin-bottom:1em;'>CONTENTS</p>
+</div>
+
+<table border='0' width='500' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'>
+<tr>
+  <td align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'><span style='font-size:small;'>CHAPTER</span></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>PAGE</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>I.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Snow and Snowballs</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#I_SNOW_AND_SNOWBALLS'>1</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>II.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Something about the Rover Boys</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#II_SOMETHING_ABOUT_THE_ROVER_BOYS'>13</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>III.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>What the Sneak Told</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#III_WHAT_THE_SNEAK_TOLD'>23</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>IV.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Prisoners</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IV_PRISONERS'>35</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>V.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>By the Fishing-Pole Route</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#V_BY_THE_FISHINGPOLE_ROUTE'>46</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VI.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Touch of Mystery</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VI_A_TOUCH_OF_MYSTERY'>58</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VII.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Something about a Sleighride Party</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VII_SOMETHING_ABOUT_A_SLEIGHRIDE_PARTY'>70</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>VIII.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Fight and a Challenge</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VIII_A_FIGHT_AND_A_CHALLENGE'>82</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>IX.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Shooting Contest</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IX_THE_SHOOTING_CONTEST'>93</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>X.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Spouter&#8217;s Secret</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#X_SPOUTER_S_SECRET'>103</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XI.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Election of Officers</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XI_THE_ELECTION_OF_OFFICERS'>113</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XII.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Bonfire Night</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XII_BONFIRE_NIGHT'>123</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIII.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Startling Discovery</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIII_A_STARTLING_DISCOVERY'>133</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIV.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Parade</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIV_THE_PARADE'>145</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XV.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Baseball</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XV_BASEBALL'>156</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XVI.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Spouter Is Cornered</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVI_SPOUTER_IS_CORNERED'>166</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XVII.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Good-Bye to School</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVII_GOODBYE_TO_SCHOOL'>175</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XVIII.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>On the Way West</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVIII_ON_THE_WAY_WEST'>184</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XIX.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>In the Saddle</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIX_IN_THE_SADDLE'>193</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XX.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>At Big Horn Ranch</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XX_AT_BIG_HORN_RANCH'>204</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXI.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Hop Lung and the Fish</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXI_HOP_LUNG_AND_THE_FISH'>213</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXII.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Horse and a Snake</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXII_A_HORSE_AND_A_SNAKE'>222</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXIII.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Jarley Bangs</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIII_JARLEY_BANGS'>232</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXIV.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A New Arrival</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIV_A_NEW_ARRIVAL'>242</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXV.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Professor Duke&#8217;s Secret</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXV_PROFESSOR_DUKE_S_SECRET'>254</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXVI.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Cattle Stampede</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXVI_THE_CATTLE_STAMPEDE'>264</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXVII.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Mountain Lion</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXVII_THE_MOUNTAIN_LION'>274</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXVIII.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>In the Cave</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXVIII_IN_THE_CAVE'>284</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXIX.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>A Confession</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXIX_A_CONFESSION'>294</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right' style='padding-right:1em;'>XXX.</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>The Capture&mdash;Conclusion</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XXX_THE_CAPTURE_CONCLUSION'>303</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1' name='page_1'></a>1</span></div>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.4em; margin-top:2em;'>THE ROVER BOYS AT</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>BIG HORN RANCH</p>
+</div>
+
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='I_SNOW_AND_SNOWBALLS' id='I_SNOW_AND_SNOWBALLS'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+<h3>SNOW AND SNOWBALLS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Line up, fellows! No crowding ahead in this
+contest.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here, Jack, give me some elbow room if you
+want me to do any real snowball throwing!&#8221; cried
+Fred Rover.</p>
+<p>&#8220;All the elbow room you want,&#8221; returned his
+cousin gayly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Remember the prize!&#8221; shouted Andy Rover
+to the cadets who were stringing themselves out
+in a ragged line. &#8220;The first fellow to throw a
+snowball over the top of the barn gets a sock
+doughnut.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;For gracious sake! what do you call a sock
+doughnut?&#8221; demanded Phil Franklin, another
+cadet, as he paused in the act of rounding up a
+snowball he was making.</p>
+<p>&#8220;A sock doughnut is one with a big hole in it,&#8221;
+answered Andy, with a grin.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2' name='page_2'></a>2</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Then my socks must be all of the doughnut
+variety,&#8221; put in one of the cadets dolefully.
+&#8220;They are always full of holes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind the socks now!&#8221; cried Randy
+Rover. &#8220;Let&#8217;s see who can put the first snowball
+over the barn.&#8221;</p>
+<p>It was late in the afternoon of a day in January
+and a number of the cadets of Colby Hall
+had been amusing themselves in the snow which
+covered the ground to a depth of nearly a foot.
+They had started in to snowballing each other,
+but had then grown more serious and had built
+several snow forts and likewise two or three
+snowmen which later they had taken great sport
+in knocking apart. Then some one had suggested
+that they try their skill at seeing who could throw,
+the highest and farthest, and this had led to the
+present contest.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll mark off a line about a hundred feet
+from the main barn,&#8221; Jack Rover had announced.
+&#8220;And then we&#8217;ll see who can throw highest over
+the roof.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The four Rovers were accompanied by half a
+dozen of their chums and six or eight others, and
+at the word from Jack the snowballs began to fly
+at a lively rate, a few landing on the roof of the
+big barn and the majority hitting the side.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, look out that you don&#8217;t break a window,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3' name='page_3'></a>3</span>
+warned Gif Garrison. &#8220;If you do, you&#8217;ll
+have an account to settle with Captain Dale.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here she goes!&#8221; yelled Dan Soppinger, and
+let fly with so much strength that the snowball
+sailed up to the very ridgepole of the barn and
+disappeared on the other side.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! Dan draws first blood!&#8221; shouted
+Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Huh! Dan didn&#8217;t throw over the barn, he
+just slid over it,&#8221; snickered Randy.</p>
+<p>Jack was hard at work making a small and perfectly
+round ball. Now, taking careful aim, he
+let fly with all his might.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There she goes fair and square,&#8221; he announced
+with pardonable pride, as the snowball
+cleared the top of the barn by several feet and
+disappeared beyond.</p>
+<p>The snowball had scarcely been thrown when
+two other balls thrown by Fred and another cadet
+went sailing over the barn. Then those in the
+contest seemed to acquire better skill, and soon
+nearly every one of them was topping the barn
+with the missiles.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Phew! some hot work, I&#8217;ll say,&#8221; panted Will
+Hendry, usually called Fatty because he was the
+stoutest boy in the school.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This exercise will do you good, Fatty,&#8221; returned
+Fred. &#8220;You need to reduce.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4' name='page_4'></a>4</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;If Fatty keeps on he&#8217;ll be eating Colby Hall
+poor,&#8221; announced Spouter Powell.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Huh! I don&#8217;t eat any more than any of you,&#8221;
+grumbled Fatty. &#8220;Fact is, I hold myself down.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! listen to that, will you?&#8221; exclaimed Andy.
+&#8220;Fatty says he holds himself down! And this
+morning I saw him storing away three helpings
+of sausages and about &#8217;steen dozen buckwheat
+cakes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing of the kind! I didn&#8217;t have a bit more
+than you had,&#8221; growled Hendry. He broke off
+suddenly. &#8220;Hello! what&#8217;s up now?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hi! Hi! What&#8217;s the meaning o&#8217; this?&#8221; cried
+a voice from around one end of the big barn, and
+a man, dressed in overalls and a heavy cap and
+carrying a broom, appeared.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello there, Bob Nixon!&#8221; cried Jack. &#8220;What&#8217;s
+wrong?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;ll be a whole lot wrong if you fellows
+keep on throwing those snowballs much farther,&#8221;
+answered Bob Nixon, who was a chauffeur for
+the Hall and who did all sorts of odd jobs in the
+winter time.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did we hit you?&#8221; questioned Phil Franklin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You sure did&mdash;on the back and on my hand,&#8221;
+answered Nixon.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We didn&#8217;t know anybody was around on that
+side of the barn,&#8221; announced Andy.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5' name='page_5'></a>5</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t suppose you did. But never mind me.
+What I want to know is, do you fellows intend to
+smash all the glass in those hotbed frames out
+yonder?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Great salt mackerel!&#8221; ejaculated Fred. &#8220;I forgot
+those hotbed frames were there.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, the glass is out of &#8217;em, anyway, isn&#8217;t
+it?&#8221; questioned Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was out. But they&#8217;ve been setting some of
+&#8217;em in again, getting ready for some early stuff.
+You&#8217;ve sent those snowballs up to within ten or
+fifteen feet of where the frames are located.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gosh! it&#8217;s a good thing you told us of this,&#8221;
+burst out Fatty Hendry. &#8220;We might have had a
+nice lot of glassware to pay for.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not you, Fatty,&#8221; grinned Andy. &#8220;You never
+even hit the top of the barn. If you break any
+glass it will be in some of those basement windows.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on up to the other end of the barn,&#8221;
+suggested Gif. &#8220;Then the snowballs will fly right
+out into the open field and do no harm.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t care where you throw &#8217;em as
+long as you don&#8217;t get into mischief,&#8221; answered
+Bob Nixon, and disappeared into the barn.</p>
+<p>After that the cadets continued to throw over
+the structure for some time. But then they gradually
+lost interest, and as the short winter day
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6' name='page_6'></a>6</span>
+was coming rapidly to an end some hurried into
+the Hall to do a little extra school work before
+the bell should ring for supper.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, what next?&#8221; questioned Fred Rover,
+when he and his three cousins and Gif, Phil and
+Spouter found themselves left alone.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve got a great scheme for to-night if you
+fellows will help,&#8221; announced Randy. He and
+his twin brother were always ready for a joke.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is it?&#8221; questioned Jack quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This snow is just soft enough for rolling some
+big balls, as we found out this afternoon,&#8221; answered
+his cousin. &#8220;What&#8217;s the matter with making
+a whole lot of big snowballs and placing &#8217;em
+in some of the bedrooms to-night?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, that&#8217;s the talk!&#8221; cried his twin merrily.
+&#8220;I&#8217;d like to place a couple in Codfish&#8217;s room.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He certainly deserves &#8217;em,&#8221; added Fred.
+&#8220;He&#8217;s getting to be just as big a sneak as he ever
+was. All of our kindness to him seems to have
+been useless.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I thought he was going to turn over a
+new leaf,&#8221; declared Jack. &#8220;I wonder if some of
+the other fellows haven&#8217;t been teasing him and
+that has made him go back to his old tricks.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know one person I&#8217;d like to treat to some
+big snowballs!&#8221; broke out Fred. &#8220;That&#8217;s Professor
+Duke.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7' name='page_7'></a>7</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, say! I&#8217;d like to square up with him myself,&#8221;
+burst out Andy. &#8220;Gee! he certainly did
+have it in for us yesterday.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Professor Duke is certainly a sour one&mdash;much
+worse than Asa Lemm ever dared to be,&#8221; came
+from Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was thinking of Duke when I mentioned it,&#8221;
+said Randy. &#8220;You know he has his room in our
+building instead of with the other professors in
+Colonel Colby&#8217;s residence.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t want to get in bad with the colonel,&#8221;
+remarked Fred seriously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I think we can fix it so that nobody will
+know who did it,&#8221; returned his cousin.</p>
+<p>The matter was talked over for several minutes,
+and then, having agreed on their plan for
+more fun, the Rover boys and their chums set to
+work rolling a number of snowballs which were
+two feet or more in diameter. These they placed
+close to the school building at a point where there
+was a series of fire-escapes leading down from
+the upper halls of the institution.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We can let down the ladder just as soon as
+we&#8217;re ready to turn the trick,&#8221; announced Randy.
+&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe anybody will notice it, for it will
+be dark and so cold that most everybody will be
+indoors.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve got to be on our guard to make certain
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8' name='page_8'></a>8</span>
+that Codfish or Duke or somebody else doesn&#8217;t
+spot us,&#8221; said Spouter Powell. &#8220;Of course it
+wouldn&#8217;t hurt if some of the regular fellows found
+us out, because they&#8217;d keep it to themselves.&#8221;</p>
+<p>It must be confessed that the Rover boys were
+rather preoccupied in mind during supper that
+evening. In fact, Andy grew so thoughtless that
+he salted some eggs he was eating three times, so
+that when he finally came to his senses the food
+had to be pushed aside. This happened just as
+Professor Snopper Duke was passing, and the
+new teacher eyed the young cadet suspiciously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is the matter with that omelet, Rover?&#8221;
+he demanded, in his high-pitched, nervous tone
+of voice.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing the matter with it, sir,&#8221; answered
+Andy. &#8220;Only I somehow forgot and salted it too
+much.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Really!&#8221; returned Snopper Duke sarcastically.
+&#8220;Is that the way you waste food?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, sir. It was only a mistake,&#8221; answered
+Andy meekly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You ought to be made to eat that omelet,&#8221;
+continued the professor severely. &#8220;Don&#8217;t let such
+a thing happen again.&#8221; And then, with his eyes
+rolling around among the other cadets to see if
+anything else might be wrong, he passed slowly
+down among the tables of the mess hall.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, isn&#8217;t he a perfect little lamb!&#8221; murmured
+Randy. &#8220;So awfully tender-hearted!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Somebody ought to wring his neck,&#8221; grumbled
+his twin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just the same, Andy, you&#8217;d better be careful
+how you handle the salt-shaker after this,&#8221; put in
+Jack.</p>
+<p>After the meal the Rovers and their chums
+mingled with the other cadets and informed two
+or three of what was in the wind, and as a consequence
+there was quite some excitement noticeable
+when a little later the crowd, with the
+exception of Randy, slipped out of the school
+building by a side door. Randy ran upstairs, to
+appear presently on the lower landing of the fire-escape.
+Here was suspended a heavy iron ladder
+in such a fashion that it could be easily shoved
+out so that one end would drop to the ground.</p>
+<p>Soon the crowd of cadets appeared in the snow
+below him, and then, with a warning to them to
+get out of the way, Randy let down the ladder
+and then came down himself.</p>
+<p>&#8220;All clear upstairs,&#8221; he announced. &#8220;Not a soul
+in sight.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;One of us ought to stay on guard up there to
+give warning in case it&#8217;s necessary,&#8221; announced
+Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, suppose you go up,&#8221; returned Jack.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d just as soon help with the snowballs,&#8221; returned
+Spouter. &#8220;But if you want me to go I&#8217;ll
+do so.&#8221; And a moment later he disappeared up
+the ladder and into the school building through a
+window which had been thrown open.</p>
+<p>The cadets on the ground found it no easy task
+to raise the big snowballs up the ladder. They
+tried it first with nothing but their hands, but
+soon found they could do much better by dumping
+a snowball into a big overcoat and then hauling
+it up by the sleeves and the tail of the garment.
+They worked as rapidly as possible, and
+soon had eight of the snowballs raised to the
+platform of the fire-escape.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How about it? Everything clear?&#8221; questioned
+Randy, as he came into the corridor where Spouter
+was on guard.</p>
+<p>&#8220;All clear so far,&#8221; was the reply. &#8220;A few of
+the fellows are in their rooms, but no one that we
+are going to bother.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then let&#8217;s get those snowballs inside and distribute
+&#8217;em.&#8221;</p>
+<p>In a few minutes the snowballs were gotten inside
+the building, and then two were rolled and
+pushed over to the room occupied by Henry Stowell,
+a cadet commonly called Codfish on account
+of the broadness of his mouth. Luck was with
+them, for the door was unlocked, so that they
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span>
+had little trouble in rolling the snowballs inside,
+where they were placed one on either side of the
+single bed the cadet occupied.</p>
+<p>After this the cadets rolled several of the balls
+to various other rooms, one being placed in the
+tub of a bathroom.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve saved the biggest of the snowballs,&#8221; whispered
+Randy. &#8220;That&#8217;s the one we must place in
+Professor Duke&#8217;s room.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The professor&#8217;s room was around in another
+corridor, and to get to this the cadets had to roll
+the big snowball directly past the top of the broad
+stairs leading to the hall below. They had the
+snowball in a position right at the head of the
+stairs when Spouter, who was leaning over the
+upper railing on guard, gave a sudden hiss of
+warning.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Somebody coming!&#8221; he announced in a whisper.
+&#8220;And unless I&#8217;m mistaken, it&#8217;s Professor
+Duke!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gosh! I hope he doesn&#8217;t catch us,&#8221; returned
+Gif Garrison. &#8220;Maybe we had better run for it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here he comes right for the stairs!&#8221; put in
+Jack, as he saw the familiar form pass a light in
+the lower hall.</p>
+<p>The cadets did not know just what to do, and
+while they paused to consider, Professor Duke
+started up the long, straight stairs. He was evidently
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span>
+in deep thought and did not look above
+him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Run, fellows! Run!&#8221; whispered Andy excitedly,
+and then, as the others started away he
+attempted to follow. But the floor was wet from
+the melting snow, and down he came flat on his
+back, both feet hitting the big snowball squarely.</p>
+<p>The movement was sufficient to send the snowball
+directly to the edge of the top step. Here, as
+Andy scrambled to his feet, it hovered for a moment,
+then began to slide down the stairs, gathering
+speed from step to step.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hi! Hi! What is this?&#8221; those above heard
+Snopper Duke ejaculate. And the next instant
+the teacher set up a yell of alarm as the big snowball
+hit him in the stomach and hurled him to one
+side. Then the snowball passed on down the
+stairs, slid across the lower hallway, and shot directly
+through the open door leading to Colonel
+Colby&#8217;s private office!</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='II_SOMETHING_ABOUT_THE_ROVER_BOYS' id='II_SOMETHING_ABOUT_THE_ROVER_BOYS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+<h3>SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Gee, we&#8217;ve done it now!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;The snowball knocked Professor Duke over!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hi! Stop that! What do you mean? Who
+did that?&#8221; came in smothered tones from Snopper
+Duke, who now sat on one of the lower steps
+of the stairs, holding both hands over the spot
+where the big snowball had struck him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gosh! it struck him, all right,&#8221; whispered Gif
+Garrison.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. And it went across the hallway into
+Colonel Colby&#8217;s office!&#8221; gasped Andy, who had
+scrambled to his feet and given a glance downward.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Skip for it!&#8221; put in his twin brother quickly.
+&#8220;We mustn&#8217;t be caught at this.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The warning was not needed, for all of the
+cadets were already scrambling through the corridor
+and away from the stairs as rapidly as possible.
+They came to a halt in front of Room 18,
+that which Jack occupied.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Skip inside and pretend to be reading or
+studying,&#8221; said the oldest of the Rover boys.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think we had better go to our own rooms,&#8221;
+said Gif to Phil and Spouter. &#8220;And remember,
+mum is the word,&#8221; he added for the benefit of
+the others.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;ll be some fun sooner or later, believe
+me,&#8221; remarked Fred. &#8220;Andy, why did you push
+that snowball downstairs on top of old Duke?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t do it on purpose. I slipped,&#8221; was the
+answer. &#8220;But come before they start to investigate.&#8221;
+And then he slipped into Jack&#8217;s room, followed
+by his cousins.</p>
+<p>And here let me pause for a moment to tell
+something about the Rover boys and how it was
+that they came to be at Colby Hall. My old
+readers will not need this introduction, and, therefore,
+I shall not feel hurt if they skip my words
+on the subject.</p>
+<p>In the first volume of this line, entitled &#8220;The
+Rover Boys at School,&#8221; I introduced three brothers,
+Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover, and told how
+they were sent to Putnam Hall Military Academy
+where they made a number of chums, including a
+cadet named Lawrence Colby.</p>
+<p>Passing through Putnam Hall successfully, the
+three brothers next attended Brill College, and
+then went into business in New York City, where
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span>
+they organized The Rover Company, with offices
+on Wall Street.</p>
+<p>During their school days the Rover brothers
+had fallen in with three very nice girls, Dora
+Stanhope and her cousins, Nellie and Grace Laning.
+The three young couples became married
+and settled down in connecting houses on Riverside
+Drive, New York City.</p>
+<p>About a year following their marriage Dick
+and his wife Dora became the parents of a son,
+who was named John, and this son was followed
+by a daughter Martha. The boy Jack, as he was
+usually called, was a sturdy youth with many of
+the independent qualities which had made his
+father so successful.</p>
+<p>Shortly after the birth of Jack, Tom Rover
+and his wife Nellie came forward with a great
+surprise in the form of a pair of lively twin boys,
+one of whom was named Anderson and the other
+Randolph. Andy and Randy, as they were invariably
+called, were exceedingly active lads, in
+that particular being a second edition of their
+fun-loving father, Tom.</p>
+<p>About the time Tom&#8217;s twins came upon the
+scene, Sam Rover and his wife Grace became the
+parents of a little girl, called Mary. Then, a year
+later, the girl was followed by a boy who was
+christened Fred.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span></p>
+<p>Residing side by side, the younger generation
+of Rover boys, as well as their sisters, were
+brought up very much as one large family. At
+first they were sent to private schools in the Metropolis,
+but the boys, led by Andy and Randy,
+showed such an aptitude for fun and horseplay
+that their parents were compelled to hold a consultation.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll have to send those kids to some strict
+boarding school&mdash;some military academy,&#8221; said
+Dick Rover.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess that&#8217;s right,&#8221; his brother Tom had
+answered. &#8220;Although how my wife is going to
+get along without having the twins around is more
+than I know.&#8221;</p>
+<p>At that time Lawrence Colby, the Rovers&#8217; former
+Putnam Hall chum, was at the head of a
+military academy called Colby Hall. To this institution
+Jack, Fred, and the twins were sent.
+And what they did upon their arrival there is told
+in detail in the first volume of my second series,
+entitled &#8220;The Rover Boys at Colby Hall.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The military school was located about half a
+mile from the town of Haven Point on Clearwater
+Lake. At the head of the lake was the
+Rick Rack River, running down from the hills
+and forests beyond. The school consisted of a
+large stone building facing the river, and close by
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span>
+was a smaller building occupied by Colonel Colby
+and his family and some of the professors, and at
+a short distance were a gymnasium, a boathouse,
+and likewise bathing pavilions.</p>
+<p>On arriving at Colby Hall the younger Rovers
+found several of their friends awaiting them, including
+Dick Powell, usually called Spouter because
+of his occasional desire to make long
+speeches, and Gifford Garrison. Spouter and Gif
+were the sons of Songbird Powell and Fred Garrison,
+men who in their boyhood days had been
+close chums of the older Rovers while at Putnam
+Hall. The Rovers made a number of other
+friends, and, likewise, a few enemies, many of
+whom will be heard of later.</p>
+<p>As mentioned, Colby Hall was located about
+half a mile beyond Haven Point, and on the
+opposite side of the town was Clearwater Hall, a
+boarding school for girls. During a panic in a
+motion picture house the Rover boys became acquainted
+with several girls from Clearwater Hall,
+including Ruth Stevenson, May Powell, Alice
+Strobell, and Annie Larkins. They discovered
+that May was Spouter Powell&#8217;s cousin, and the
+whole crowd of young people soon became friends.
+Later on Mary and Martha Rover became pupils
+at the girls&#8217; school.</p>
+<p>Ruth Stevenson had an old uncle, Barney, and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span>
+one day, while out hunting, the Rover boys did
+the old man a great service. For this he invited
+them to spend some winter holidays with him,
+which they did, as related in another volume,
+called &#8220;The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island.&#8221;</p>
+<p>On this island the boys met two of their former
+enemies, Nappy Martell and Slugger Brown, as
+well as Asa Lemm, a discharged teacher of Colby
+Hall. The Rovers exposed a plot against old
+Uncle Barney and caused the hunter&#8217;s enemies to
+leave Snowshoe Island in disgust.</p>
+<p>Some of the boys hoped they had seen the last
+of Nappy and Slugger, but Jack was doubtful;
+and how those two unworthies turned up again
+to cause more trouble is related in the book entitled
+&#8220;The Rover Boys Under Canvas.&#8221;</p>
+<p>This was at the time of the annual encampment,
+and at an election of officers Jack was made captain
+of Company C and Fred made first lieutenant.</p>
+<p>While the Rover boys were at Colby Hall the
+great war in Europe opened. When the call for
+army volunteers came Dick Rover and his brother
+Sam lost no time in enlisting, and as soon as he
+could get away Tom Rover followed; and the
+three fathers of the boys went into the trenches
+in Europe to do their duty for Uncle Sam.</p>
+<p>During the following winter at Colby Hall Gif
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span>
+Garrison received a letter from an uncle, stating
+that he and his chums might use a bungalow up
+in the woods. Gif at once invited the Rover boys
+and Spouter to become his guests, and what a
+glorious time the lads had is related in a volume
+entitled &#8220;The Rover Boys on a Hunt.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The return of the older Rovers from Europe
+at the conclusion of the great war in which they
+had served gallantly brought something of a surprise.
+Dick Rover had saved the life of a man
+from Texas, and in return had been given the
+deed to some property located between Texas and
+Oklahoma and said to be in a region containing
+oil. He decided to go to Texas and Oklahoma
+to investigate, and the four boys begged to go
+along. How they went to the oil fields and what
+stirring adventures they had there are related in
+detail in the volume preceding this, called &#8220;The
+Rover Boys in the Land of Luck.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Here they fell in again with Nappy Martell,
+Slugger Brown, and another good-for-nothing lad
+named Gabe Werner, and also with a man named
+Carson Davenport, who did his best to do Dick
+Rover great harm. Davenport and some of his
+cohorts were finally placed under arrest. As a
+result of this Gabe Werner&#8217;s father took hold of
+some wells that were being sunk by the Davenport
+crowd. But in the end he and the Martells
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span>
+and the Browns lost a great deal of their money,
+so that they were left almost penniless.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a terrible blow for those three families,&#8221;
+said Dick Rover, when this occurred. &#8220;It will
+make Mr. Werner quite a poor man.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t particularly wish them any hard
+luck,&#8221; remarked Andy. &#8220;Just the same, I guess
+Nappy, Slugger, and Gabe got what was coming
+to them.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Before going down to Texas and Oklahoma
+the Rover boys, while along the Rick Rack River
+during a violent storm, had succeeded in rescuing
+a man and his son who were caught between some
+rocks and a drifting tree in the middle of the
+swiftly flowing stream.</p>
+<p>The man, John Franklin, was exceedingly
+thankful for what had been done for him, and so
+was his son Philip. It developed later that the
+Franklins owned a tract of land in Texas. And
+when it was discovered that the tract inherited by
+Dick Rover from the soldier in France was practically
+worthless, Jack&#8217;s father made an arrangement
+to work the Franklin place on shares. Two
+oil wells were bored, and both of these paid handsomely,
+making the Rovers richer than ever and
+also placing a substantial amount in the bank to
+John Franklin&#8217;s account.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know I can scarcely believe it&#8217;s true,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span>
+Phil Franklin had said to the Rover boys. &#8220;Why,
+my father will have more money than he ever
+dreamed of.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re as glad as you are, Phil,&#8221; Jack had answered.
+&#8220;Glad on your account as well as our
+own. Now maybe you can go to Colby Hall with
+us.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, that would be immense!&#8221; Phil had returned
+with pleasure. And that fall he had joined
+the crowd at the military academy and soon made
+for himself a host of friends.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, I never thought going to school could be
+so nice,&#8221; declared Phil Franklin to the Rover
+boys one day. &#8220;I always considered going to
+school a hardship. But this is bang-up in every
+way.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess you haven&#8217;t made any enemies yet,
+Phil,&#8221; remarked Fred. &#8220;Don&#8217;t forget that Nappy
+Martell, Slugger Brown, and Gabe Werner all
+hailed from here.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve met only one fellow that I don&#8217;t like,&#8221; returned
+Phil Franklin. &#8220;That&#8217;s a fellow who came
+in the day I did, a big, tall, lanky chap named
+Lester Bangs.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, you mean Brassy Bangs,&#8221; broke in Randy.
+&#8220;I know that fellow only too well. I had quite a
+set-to with him one day in the gym.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;For a new cadet he&#8217;s certainly pretty forward,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span>
+answered Jack. &#8220;I&#8217;m glad he isn&#8217;t a member
+of my company. If he was I think I&#8217;d have to
+call him down more than once.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess Colby Hall is bound to have its bullies,&#8221;
+Andy had remarked on hearing this. &#8220;No
+sooner do we get rid of one group than another
+appears. They seem to grow like weeds.&#8221;</p>
+<p>During the fall there had been the usual football
+season at the military academy, and the boys
+had acquitted themselves quite creditably, winning
+seven games out of twelve. Then had come the
+brief Christmas holidays. And following this
+the lads had settled down once more into the
+grind, resolved to do their best at their lessons.
+But, of course, they were only boys, and they had
+to have their fun, and occasionally the fun went
+a little too far and brought forth rather disastrous
+results, as we have just seen.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='III_WHAT_THE_SNEAK_TOLD' id='III_WHAT_THE_SNEAK_TOLD'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+<h3>WHAT THE SNEAK TOLD</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;I certainly didn&#8217;t think that snowball would
+go down the stairs so easily,&#8221; remarked Andy,
+when he and the other Rovers were alone.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Keep quiet,&#8221; warned Jack, who had remained
+at the partly-opened door. &#8220;I want to
+hear what takes place.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is outrageous, simply outrageous!&#8221; they
+heard in Snopper Duke&#8217;s high-pitched voice.
+&#8220;How dared you roll such a snowball down these
+stairs? And how came you to get that snowball
+up there anyway?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Excuse me, Professor, but I don&#8217;t know what
+you&#8217;re talking about,&#8221; answered another voice;
+and at this Jack gave a slight start, for he recognized
+the words as coming from Brassy Bangs.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is that? You do not know anything
+about the big snowball that just came hurtling
+down these stairs?&#8221; stormed Professor Duke.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, sir. I just reached the top of the stairs,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span>
+answered Brassy Bangs. &#8220;I came out of my room
+not ten seconds ago.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you know about this, Stowell?&#8221; went
+on the professor, who had now come slowly to
+the top of the stairs, followed by Professor Grawson,
+who had come out of Colonel Colby&#8217;s private
+office where he had been looking over some reports
+when the big snowball had landed with a
+thump against the desk at which he had been
+seated.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Me? What do you mean?&#8221; stammered the
+youth who was known to the cadets as Codfish
+and who had always been more or less of a sneak.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Somebody just rolled a big snowball down the
+stairs. It struck me and nearly knocked me flat,&#8221;
+returned the irate teacher.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and it rolled all the way into the private
+office,&#8221; added Professor Grawson.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know anything about any snowballs,&#8221;
+said Codfish. &#8220;I noticed the floor was all wet and
+I wondered what it meant.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I saw some fellows rushing around the corner,&#8221;
+came from Brassy Bangs.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who were they?&#8221; demanded Snopper Duke.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Which way did they go?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That way,&#8221; and Brassy pointed out the direction.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span></p>
+<p>By this time the two professors had reached the
+top of the stairs and Grawson was looking at the
+water marks on the polished floor.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here is where they brought that big snowball
+in,&#8221; he remarked, pointing to the track that led
+to one of the windows. &#8220;They must have brought
+it up on the fire-escape.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here are several other tracks. I think we had
+better follow them,&#8221; returned Snopper Duke
+quickly.</p>
+<p>The track leading to the bathroom was most in
+evidence, and the two professors quickly discovered
+the big snowball resting in the bathtub.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Evidently they put this here to have some more
+fun with,&#8221; announced Professor Grawson grimly.
+&#8220;Well, it won&#8217;t do much harm here. I&#8217;ll turn on
+a little hot water and it will soon melt and run
+off,&#8221; and he turned on the faucet as he spoke.</p>
+<p>From the bathroom the two professors, followed
+by Codfish and Brassy, followed the water
+trail into a room occupied by several students who
+were particularly uppish and whom the Rovers
+did not like, and here some more of the snowballs
+were found.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here is another trail,&#8221; announced Professor
+Duke, and in a moment more had thrown open
+the door leading to Stowell&#8217;s bedroom.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here! what does this mean?&#8221; stammered Codfish,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span>
+as, after the light had been turned on, he and
+the others saw the two big snowballs resting on
+either side of the bed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Stowell, you must have had something to do
+with this,&#8221; cried Snopper Duke savagely.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, sir. Not at all, sir,&#8221; answered the sneak
+in a trembling voice. &#8220;I don&#8217;t know a thing
+about it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where did you come from just now?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&mdash;I came up the back stairs. I was just coming
+through the corridor when I heard the noise
+and came to see what it meant.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;The back stairs, eh?&#8221; put in Professor Grawson.
+&#8220;What were you doing on the back stairs
+this time in the evening?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&mdash;I was down in the kitchen.&#8221; And now
+Codfish grew pale.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And what called you to the kitchen?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&mdash;I was hungry, and so I asked one of the
+servants for something to eat.&#8221; And now Codfish
+was fairly whining.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Humph! didn&#8217;t you have any supper?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, sir. But I wasn&#8217;t feeling extra well just
+then and I didn&#8217;t eat very much, and that made
+me hungry afterwards. And, oh, say! I guess I
+can tell you something about those snowballs,&#8221;
+and Codfish&#8217;s face lit up suddenly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you know?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;When I was passing through the little entryway
+that leads into the kitchen I happened to
+glance out of the window and I saw four or five
+fellows down at the foot of the fire-escape.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What were they doing?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;When I looked at them they were just talking
+among themselves. I only looked for a moment
+because I was in a hurry to get to the kitchen
+and get back again.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you recognize any of the cadets?&#8221;</p>
+<p>At this direct question, Codfish hesitated and
+showed that he felt far from comfortable.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t like to tell on anybody,&#8221; he whined.
+&#8220;If I do that they&#8217;ll be sure to lick me later on&mdash;I
+know they will!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You tell me who they were and I&#8217;ll see to it
+that they do not harm you,&#8221; put in Professor
+Duke quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I only saw two of the fellows real plainly,&#8221;
+answered Stowell. &#8220;They were standing in the
+light from one of the windows.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And who were they? Tell me! I want no
+nonsense now,&#8221; and Snopper Duke caught the
+sneak firmly by the shoulder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ouch! Please don&#8217;t hurt me!&#8221; cried Codfish,
+in added alarm.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then answer me!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;The two fellows I recognized were Captain
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span>
+Jack Rover and his cousin, Lieutenant Fred
+Rover.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You didn&#8217;t know the others?&#8221; put in Professor
+Grawson.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, sir. I didn&#8217;t see them well enough.
+They were all in the shadows.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll investigate this,&#8221; cried Professor Duke.
+&#8220;Stowell, you come with me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, please don&#8217;t make me come!&#8221; cried the
+sneak. &#8220;They&#8217;ll almost kill me if they find I gave
+them away!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;They sha&#8217;n&#8217;t touch you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I know what they&#8217;ll do,&#8221; moaned Codfish.
+He had not forgotten how the Rover boys
+had sided with him on more than one perilous
+occasion, and it scared him half to death to think
+what they might do when they discovered how
+meanly he was acting.</p>
+<p>But there was no help for it, and Codfish was
+marched along between the two professors, with
+Brassy and a number of other cadets, who had
+been attracted by the noise and the talk, following.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile the four Rover boys had listened to
+as much of the conversation as they could catch.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They went into Codfish&#8217;s room&mdash;they are following
+the trail of the water on the floor,&#8221; announced
+Jack.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Some of the other fellows are coming out and
+coming upstairs,&#8221; announced Fred. &#8220;Let us go
+out too and see what happens.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe they&#8217;ll accuse Codfish of this,&#8221; remarked
+Randy, with a grin.</p>
+<p>The four Rovers had just come out in the corridor
+and been joined by Gif, Phil, and Spouter
+when they found themselves suddenly confronted
+by Professor Duke, with Professor Grawson and
+poor Codfish directly behind him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;So this is your work, is it?&#8221; demanded Snopper
+Duke, glaring angrily at Jack and Fred in
+turn.</p>
+<p>&#8220;To what do you refer, Professor?&#8221; asked
+Jack, as calmly as he could.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You know well enough, Captain Rover. It is
+useless for you to deny it,&#8221; stormed the angry
+teacher. &#8220;You and your cousins here are responsible
+for bringing those big snowballs into the
+school.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who says so?&#8221; questioned Fred. At the same
+time he gave Codfish a look that made the sneak
+want to hide himself.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind who says so. We know it to be
+a fact,&#8221; stormed Snopper Duke. &#8220;Will you kindly
+let me know what you mean by such outrageous
+conduct?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is it so very outrageous, Professor, to bring a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span>
+few snowballs into the school?&#8221; questioned Randy
+innocently.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve often brought snow into the school,&#8221;
+put in Andy. &#8220;We used to use it for making a
+sort of home-made ice-cream&mdash;with milk and
+sugar and a little flavoring, you know.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Colonel Colby or Captain Dale never ordered
+us to leave the snow outdoors,&#8221; added Fred, and
+at this there was a snicker from among a number
+of the cadets who were gathered.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will not listen to such nonsense,&#8221; stormed
+Snopper Duke. &#8220;You four brought those snowballs
+into this school, and some of you kicked that
+snowball down the stairs on top of me,&#8221; he added,
+glaring at them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I want to say right now, Professor Duke, that
+that big snowball went downstairs by accident,&#8221;
+answered Andy, feeling that there was no help for
+it and that he must make a clean breast of the matter.
+&#8220;We were rolling it down the corridor when
+all at once I slipped in a puddle of water and both
+my feet struck the snowball and sent it on its
+way down the stairs. But we didn&#8217;t mean to send
+it down; I can give you my word on that.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe it,&#8221; stormed Snopper Duke.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m telling you the truth, sir.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps Rover didn&#8217;t mean to send the snowball
+downstairs,&#8221; put in Professor Grawson mildly.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span>
+As a general thing he sided with the cadets
+and they had little difficulty in getting along with
+him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Grawson, I was the one to suffer through
+this outrageous trick,&#8221; fumed Snopper Duke.
+&#8220;And you will kindly permit me to handle the affair.
+These four cadets are guilty and must be
+punished.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I agree it is more your affair than mine, Mr.
+Duke,&#8221; returned the other teacher. &#8220;But don&#8217;t
+you think it would be wise to let the matter rest
+until Colonel Colby comes back from the city?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not at all! Not at all! These young rascals
+must be taken in hand, and at once. Otherwise
+our authority in this institution will go to
+pieces.&#8221;</p>
+<p>At this moment there was a movement among
+the students who had collected in the corridor,
+and Gif and Spouter stepped forward.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Excuse me, Professor Duke,&#8221; said Gif. &#8220;But
+I had as much to do with bringing those snowballs
+upstairs as anybody.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And so did I,&#8221; added Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I was in on the deal, too,&#8221; came from
+Phil Franklin, as he too stepped forward.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What? All of you?&#8221; demanded Snopper
+Duke, eyeing them coldly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can assure you we meant no great harm,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span>
+continued Spouter. &#8220;We were only going to have
+a little fun among ourselves and with our fellow-cadets&mdash;that
+is, mostly,&#8221; he added somewhat
+lamely, as he remembered what had been said
+about placing some of the snowballs in the teacher&#8217;s
+room.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Were any others implicated in this despicable
+piece of business?&#8221; demanded Professor Duke,
+looking around at the assembled cadets. &#8220;Answer
+me at once!&#8221;</p>
+<p>There was no reply to this, the cadets simply
+looking at each other questioningly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re all here, sir,&#8221; said Jack. &#8220;There were
+no others.&#8221; And he and his cousins gave their
+chums a warm look to show they appreciated
+their coming forward to take a share of the
+blame.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Seven of you, eh?&#8221; was the teacher&#8217;s sour
+comment. &#8220;A fine piece of business, truly.&#8221; He
+thought for a moment. &#8220;Come with me, all of
+you, and we&#8217;ll see what damage has been done
+down in the office.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The assembled cadets made a passageway, and
+through this filed the Rovers and their chums
+with Professor Duke following close on their
+heels. Professor Grawson remained behind to
+talk to Stowell.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;ll kill me for this&mdash;I know they will!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span>
+whined Codfish. And now he was on the verge
+of tears.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think the Rovers will touch you, Stowell&mdash;I
+don&#8217;t think they&#8217;re that class of boys,&#8221;
+answered Professor Grawson. &#8220;Come. I&#8217;ll go
+to your room with you and help you throw those
+snowballs out of the window.&#8221; He had not forgotten
+that he had been a schoolboy himself once,
+and he had small sympathy for such a sneak as
+Henry Stowell.</p>
+<p>Down in Colonel Colby&#8217;s private office it was
+found that the big snowball had done little damage
+outside of wetting a couple of the rugs. What
+was left of the snowball had been gathered up by
+Pud Hicks, the janitor&#8217;s assistant, and now he
+was mopping up the floor.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll take the rugs and dry &#8217;em in the laundry,&#8221;
+said Hicks. &#8220;I think they&#8217;ll be all right by morning.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You cadets remain here until I return,&#8221; said
+Professor Duke, when Hicks was ready to depart.
+And then he went outside and in the hallway
+held a whispered conversation with the janitor&#8217;s
+assistant.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess we&#8217;re in for it,&#8221; said Jack to his cousins
+and his chums.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you suppose they&#8217;ll do with us?&#8221;
+questioned Phil.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure I don&#8217;t know.&#8221;</p>
+<p>In a few minutes Snopper Duke returned, and
+there was a grin of satisfaction in his eyes as he
+faced the cadets.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You will all follow me,&#8221; he declared, &#8220;and I&#8217;ll
+show you what can be done in this school to cadets
+who act as outrageously as you have acted.
+Come! March!&#8221; and he led the way out of the
+private office.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='IV_PRISONERS' id='IV_PRISONERS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+<h3>PRISONERS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>In one of the wings of the school building
+there was located a room about twelve feet square
+with one window which was barred, and this, as
+my old readers know, was known officially as the
+school guardroom or prison. Jack and Fred had
+once been prisoners in this guardroom on a
+charge that was afterwards proved to be false.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! I wonder if he&#8217;s going to take us to the
+guardroom?&#8221; whispered the youngest of the
+Rovers.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see how he can crowd seven of us into
+that small room,&#8221; answered Randy. &#8220;Why, it&#8217;s
+only got one cot in it!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Professor Duke led the way through the corridor
+and up the broad stairs. In the meanwhile
+Professor Grawson had ordered the other cadets
+to their rooms, so there was no one at hand to
+witness what was taking place.</p>
+<p>Arriving on the second floor, Snopper Duke
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span>
+led the way into another corridor and then up a
+somewhat narrow stairway leading to the third
+floor.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello! I wonder where he&#8217;s going to take us
+now?&#8221; questioned Fred in wonder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is certainly a new wrinkle,&#8221; declared Gif.</p>
+<p>The third floor was but dimly lit until the professor
+turned on more light. Then he turned into
+a little side corridor at the end of which was located
+a long, narrow room which, during the previous
+year, had been used by some of the hired
+help but which was now unoccupied.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You will remain in this room until I have a
+chance to communicate with Colonel Colby,&#8221; said
+Professor Duke, as he marched the cadets in.
+&#8220;And remember! I want no cutting up here. I
+want you to remain perfectly quiet.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;How long shall we have to stay here?&#8221; questioned
+Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That will depend on what Colonel Colby has
+to say about it,&#8221; was the sharp answer.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you expect us to stay here all night?&#8221; demanded
+Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You will have to stay here unless Colonel Colby
+gets back from the city, and I think that hardly
+likely to-night,&#8221; answered the teacher. &#8220;Now remember!
+No noise and no horseplay or I&#8217;ll do
+something that you won&#8217;t forget in a hurry,&#8221; and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span>
+with this admonition he walked out of the room,
+closing and locking the door after him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Listen!&#8221; cried Fred, as all of the others started
+to talk at once. And going to the door, he
+listened intently, and so did the others, and they
+heard Snopper Duke pass through the little corridor
+and down the stairs.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s gone, all right enough,&#8221; remarked Phil
+Franklin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, what do you know about this, anyhow!&#8221;
+cried Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think he&#8217;s treating us like a lot of children,&#8221;
+declared Andy angrily.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe he has any right to keep us out
+of our regular rooms,&#8221; came from his brother.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, anyway, he took the right,&#8221; answered
+Jack grimly. &#8220;And what is more, he seems to
+have the best of us.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He won&#8217;t have if we break down that door.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think you&#8217;ll have an easy job of it
+breaking down that door,&#8221; put in Spouter. &#8220;I
+happened to notice that there was not only a
+regular lock on it, but also a top bolt. You&#8217;d
+have to smash the whole door to get out. But
+it certainly is a despicable piece of business,&#8221;
+Spouter continued. &#8220;And at the first opportunity
+we have we&#8217;ll have to lay the whole case before
+Colonel Colby. I&#8217;m sure when he has verified
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span>
+our report, and gone into the various merits of the
+case, he will make a finding that will be in accordance
+with&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! Spouter can spout even if he is a prisoner,&#8221;
+burst out Randy. &#8220;Better get up on a
+chair, Spouter, and make a regular speech about
+it,&#8221; he continued, grinning.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is a new experience for me,&#8221; remarked
+Phil, with a smile. &#8220;I never thought I was going
+to be put in jail.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can hardly call it being put in jail, Phil,&#8221;
+answered Jack. &#8220;In a military academy it is quite
+common for a cadet, when he has broken the
+rules and regulations, to be placed in the guardhouse,
+just the same as he is placed in the guardhouse
+in the regular army.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I thought maybe they&#8217;d make us do what they
+call police duty,&#8221; said the boy from Texas. &#8220;One
+fellow told me that while he was in the training
+camp he overstepped the regulations and they
+made him peel potatoes until he was sick and
+tired of seeing them.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, they do that too,&#8221; put in Fred. &#8220;You
+might have to do something like that if we were
+at the annual encampment. But while the school
+session is on all they do is to lock you up.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The boys found that the long narrow room contained
+two double beds and two cots, as well as a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span>
+couple of bureaus, several stools, and a table. At
+one end was a small bathroom and a clothing
+closet. There were three small windows in a
+row, all looking out on the snow-covered fields
+behind the school.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we&#8217;ve got a place to sleep, anyhow,&#8221; announced
+Jack. &#8220;Although three of us will have
+to sleep in one of the beds.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not much in the way of covering,&#8221; remarked
+Gif, who had been making an investigation.
+&#8220;Just one thin blanket on each bed. And that
+radiator is not letting out heat enough to warm
+a cat,&#8221; he added, as he placed his hand on the
+one small radiator of which the long bedroom
+boasted.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind, we can keep on our uniforms if
+we want to,&#8221; declared Randy. &#8220;And who knows
+but what Colonel Colby may come back at any
+minute, and then I&#8217;m almost certain that he&#8217;ll let
+us go back to our own rooms.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He will unless old Duke cooks up some dreadful
+story against us,&#8221; came from his brother.
+&#8220;You can bet he&#8217;ll make out as black a case
+against us as he can.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. But I think Professor Grawson will
+have something to say too,&#8221; said Jack. &#8220;And he
+has always been a very fair-minded man.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see why Colonel Colby took on such a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span>
+man as Snopper Duke,&#8221; declared Spouter. &#8220;He&#8217;s
+every bit as bad as Asa Lemm was.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you&#8217;ve got to hand it to him for being a
+very well educated man,&#8221; said Jack. &#8220;And he
+certainly knows how to teach when he&#8217;s in the
+humor for it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think a man who is as harsh-minded
+as he is ought to be a teacher,&#8221; was Gif&#8217;s comment.
+&#8220;He can&#8217;t get a cadet to do his best if he&#8217;s
+forever nagging at him. Now, if I was a teacher,
+I&#8217;d do my best to gain my pupils&#8217; confidence.&#8221;</p>
+<p>There was a pause, and presently Andy began
+to chuckle.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, he certainly did look funny when that
+big snowball hit him in the stomach and nearly
+knocked him over,&#8221; he cried.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How could you see that when you were on
+your back?&#8221; questioned Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I managed to flop over and look down
+the stairs just in time. He was some sight, believe
+me. It&#8217;s a wonder he didn&#8217;t go over backward
+to the floor below. I don&#8217;t know what
+saved him. He must have grabbed the banisters
+just in time.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can&#8217;t really blame him for being mad. I
+think maybe I&#8217;d be mad myself,&#8221; said Gif.
+&#8220;However, let&#8217;s drop that. What are we going
+to do? Go to bed?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see that there is anything else to do,&#8221;
+answered Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve got to do something to keep warm,&#8221; declared
+Andy, and suddenly turned a somersault
+over one of the beds. Then he began to box with
+his brother, and the two spun around from one
+end of the room to the other.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here! you stop that,&#8221; warned Fred. &#8220;You
+know what Duke said. You keep on and he&#8217;ll
+put us down in the cellar or some other worse
+place.&#8221;</p>
+<p>After this the seven cadets became more quiet,
+and, sitting as close as possible to the little radiator
+which gave forth only a mite of warmth, they
+discussed the situation for half an hour longer.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s another one against Codfish,&#8221; declared
+Randy. &#8220;I&#8217;m sure he&#8217;s guilty.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, he had some reason for saying what he
+did,&#8221; said Jack. &#8220;He had to clear his own skirts
+after they found those two big snowballs in his
+room.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just the same, Jack, you know well enough
+hardly any other fellow in the school would have
+squealed,&#8221; cried Randy. &#8220;Codfish always was a
+sneak, and I guess he always will be, no matter
+what some of the other fellows do for him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, look here! I thought you fellows told
+me that Captain Dale was in charge of this school
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span>
+whenever Colonel Colby was absent,&#8221; burst out
+Phil suddenly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s true,&#8221; answered Jack. &#8220;He was in
+charge all the time the colonel was in the regular
+army.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then why didn&#8217;t Professor Duke put this up
+to the captain?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because Captain Dale is away on a little vacation,&#8221;
+announced Gif. &#8220;He won&#8217;t be back until
+some time next week.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And where did Colonel Colby go?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;They said he had gone to the city,&#8221; answered
+Fred. &#8220;But I don&#8217;t know what they mean by
+that. They may mean Boston, or New York, or
+some smaller place.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;The radiator is growing stone cold,&#8221; declared
+Gif, who had his hands on it.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;ll you bet old Duke didn&#8217;t turn the heat
+off?&#8221; broke in Andy quickly. &#8220;It would be just
+like him to do it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess about the only thing we can do is to
+go to bed,&#8221; announced Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you had better do it with your uniform
+on, then,&#8221; said Spouter. &#8220;Because I&#8217;m not going
+to bed with the windows closed, and it&#8217;s going to
+be beautifully cold by and by.&#8221;</p>
+<p>All of the cadets had been accustomed to sleeping
+with the windows of their bedrooms open.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span>
+But they had also been accustomed to plenty of
+bed clothing, and knew they would probably suffer
+with the scant quantity of quilts now provided.</p>
+<p>However, they had to make the best of it, and
+in the end did little else but take off their shoes
+and coats and then wrap themselves in the blankets
+as best they could. Of course, there was some
+horseplay in which even Phil Franklin indulged.
+But on the whole the cadets kept rather quiet, for
+they did not want to make matters worse than
+they were.</p>
+<p>&#8220;The last time Randy and I were home our dad
+laid down the law good and plenty,&#8221; announced
+Andy. &#8220;So we&#8217;ve got to do something towards
+toeing the mark.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m afraid Brassy Bangs and a lot of the other
+fellows will have the laugh on us for this,&#8221; remarked
+Fred, as he turned in.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, well, you can&#8217;t have fun without paying
+the piper once in a while,&#8221; was Jack&#8217;s comment.</p>
+<p>It grew colder during the night, and on rising
+to cut off some of the air that was blowing over
+him, Fred noticed that it had begun to snow. The
+fine hard particles were drifting into the room,
+and he called the attention of some of the others
+to this.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t care. Let it snow in if it wants to,&#8221;
+grumbled Randy sleepily.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span></p>
+<p>But some of the others demurred to this, and
+presently one of the windows was closed entirely
+and the others left open only a few inches.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, talk about Greenland&#8217;s icy mountains!&#8221;
+exclaimed Gif, on arising a little after seven
+o&#8217;clock. &#8220;Some coldness, if you ask me!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You said it!&#8221; declared Jack, as he got up and
+walked across the floor to where the radiator was
+located. &#8220;Cold as ice!&#8221; he announced.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you leave it turned on?&#8221; questioned
+Randy quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I certainly did.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then old Duke must intend to freeze us out!&#8221;
+exclaimed Fred. &#8220;What do you know about
+that!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know it&#8217;s a mean piece of business,&#8221; answered
+Andy. &#8220;Gee! why, we might all catch our
+death of cold.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Having washed themselves, the cadets lost no
+time in donning the clothing they had taken off on
+retiring. Then they continued to walk around
+the narrow room in order to keep their blood in
+circulation. It was now about eight o&#8217;clock, and
+they wondered if they would get any breakfast.</p>
+<p>&#8220;A hot cup of cocoa or coffee wouldn&#8217;t go bad,&#8221;
+remarked Spouter. &#8220;Not to say anything about
+ham and eggs, hot muffins, or a few other things
+on the side.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yum, yum! don&#8217;t mention them,&#8221; groaned
+Andy. &#8220;I feel hollow clean down to my shoes.
+I didn&#8217;t have any too much supper, and I was depending
+on having a few crackers I had in my
+closet.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I left an apple on my bureau,&#8221; declared
+Phil.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I had two doughnuts stored away to take
+to bed with me,&#8221; came from Fred.</p>
+<p>The boys heard the cadets below assembling
+for roll call and the short morning parade, and
+then heard them march into the mess room of
+the Hall for breakfast.</p>
+<p>&#8220;My! but I wish I was downstairs right now,&#8221;
+declared Randy. &#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t do a thing to that
+breakfast table!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe they&#8217;ll bring our breakfast to us,&#8221; suggested
+Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;If they do you can bet there won&#8217;t be any too
+much of it&mdash;if old Duke has anything to do with
+it,&#8221; returned Gif grimly.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='V_BY_THE_FISHINGPOLE_ROUTE' id='V_BY_THE_FISHINGPOLE_ROUTE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+<h3>BY THE FISHING-POLE ROUTE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Another half hour went by, and the boys confined
+in the room on the third floor of the school
+building became more and more impatient.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps they won&#8217;t give us any breakfast at
+all,&#8221; said Phil Franklin presently.</p>
+<p>&#8220;If they don&#8217;t there&#8217;ll be war,&#8221; declared Andy.
+&#8220;I won&#8217;t stand for being starved.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;None of us will stand for that,&#8221; put in Gif
+grimly. &#8220;But I don&#8217;t believe Duke will dare do
+it. You must remember he will have all the other
+teachers to contend with. They have the same
+rights here as he has.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but Professor Grawson turned this affair
+over to Duke,&#8221; was Fred&#8217;s comment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That was because old Duke was the only one
+to really suffer through what we did,&#8221; answered
+Jack.</p>
+<p>Another fifteen minutes passed, and then those
+in the room heard footsteps outside. The door
+was unlocked and Professor Duke appeared, followed
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span>
+by Pud Hicks and Bob Nixon and two of
+the mess-room waiters.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, did you behave yourselves during the
+night?&#8221; demanded the teacher, as he glanced
+sharply from one to another of the cadets, all of
+whom eyed him curiously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We did, sir,&#8221; answered Phil, who was nearest
+to the door.</p>
+<p>Leaving those who had accompanied him at
+the door so that none of the cadets present might
+escape, Snopper Duke strode into the room and
+looked around suspiciously, even going so far as
+to glance into the bathroom and the clothing
+closet. As was the custom during the school
+term, the cadets had put the beds and the cots in
+order, and also arranged the chairs and other
+furniture.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Professor Duke, I&#8217;d like to ask something. Do
+you know we have no heat in here?&#8221; questioned
+Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Growing boys like you don&#8217;t need too much
+heat&mdash;it makes them lazy,&#8221; responded the teacher
+tartly. &#8220;You will be warm enough after you
+have had your breakfast.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can we go downstairs now and get it?&#8221; asked
+Andy quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No. You are to have it up here. I have had
+it brought up for you,&#8221; was the answer. And
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span>
+then Professor Duke motioned for the two waiters
+to come in.</p>
+<p>They carried two trays covered with napkins,
+and these they deposited on the table.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Has Colonel Colby come back yet?&#8221; questioned
+Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You will know quickly enough when he
+comes,&#8221; was the teacher&#8217;s reply. And then he
+motioned the waiters out of the room.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Professor, do you think&mdash;&mdash;&#8221; began Bob
+Nixon. But the teacher caught the Hall chauffeur
+by the arm and pushed him out into the
+hallway.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind now, Nixon,&#8221; he broke in hastily.
+&#8220;We&#8217;ll talk matters over downstairs.&#8221; And
+thereupon he closed and locked the door once
+again, and the cadets heard him and all of the
+others go below.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you suppose he brought Hicks and
+Nixon up here for?&#8221; questioned Randy, when
+they were left alone.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know, unless he thought we might try
+to break out, and if so he would have them along
+to stop us,&#8221; answered Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe he thought the cold and waiting for
+breakfast would make us desperate,&#8221; suggested
+Gif. &#8220;However, now they&#8217;ve gone, let&#8217;s see what
+they have brought us to eat.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span></p>
+<p>Eagerly the seven cadets whipped away the
+napkins that covered the two trays. They gave
+one look, and then a cry of disappointment arose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you know about this!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Isn&#8217;t this the limit!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Black coffee and bread without butter!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And mush with nothing but a little molasses
+on it!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And no sugar in the coffee, either!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Talk about your prison fare!&#8221; groaned Andy.
+&#8220;I think this takes the cake!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You mention cake and I&#8217;ll murder you!&#8221; burst
+out Fred. &#8220;Why don&#8217;t you speak of ham and
+eggs, lamb chops, fried potatoes, coffee cake with
+raisins in it, and things like that while you&#8217;re
+at it?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wow! Fred for the water faucet!&#8221; exclaimed
+Jack, and got his cousin by the arm and made as
+if to run him into the bathroom.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hold up! I&#8217;ll be good!&#8221; pleaded the youngest
+Rover. &#8220;But, say! doesn&#8217;t looking at these
+two trays make you weary in the bones?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, anyway, the coffee is hot,&#8221; declared
+Spouter, as he tasted it. &#8220;And we might as well
+drink it before it gets cold. It will help to warm
+us up.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Thereupon the seven cadets fell to eating, and
+soon every particle of the scanty breakfast furnished
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span>
+to them had disappeared. They grumbled,
+however, as they ate, and continued to
+grumble after the repast was finished.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m quite sure Colonel Colby wouldn&#8217;t treat
+us like this,&#8221; declared Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He certainly did much better by Fred and me
+when we were placed in the guardroom,&#8221; declared
+Jack. &#8220;We got as good a meal as we ever
+had served to us in the mess hall.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s nothing short of a crime not to turn the
+heat on,&#8221; said Fred, who was examining the radiator
+again. &#8220;Just as cold as ever.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Listen!&#8221; cried Randy suddenly.</p>
+<p>All did so, and heard a faint knocking on the
+door.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who is that?&#8221; questioned Jack, moving to the
+portal.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is that you, Jack?&#8221; came in Fatty Hendry&#8217;s
+voice. The stout youth was whispering through
+the keyhole.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Fatty. What brought you up here?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I got wind that you fellows were being fed
+scanty rations,&#8221; answered Fatty. &#8220;How about
+it?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s true, all right enough.&#8221;</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span>
+<img src='images/illus-051.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 325px; height: 501px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 325px;'>
+&#8220;OUR FRIENDS ARE ON THE JOB!&#8221; CRIED FRED, DELIGHTEDLY.<br />
+<i>Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch</i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(<i>Page</i> 51)<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Dan Soppinger, Walt Baxter and myself
+got our heads together and we managed to
+make up a bundle of food for you. Just watch
+the window on your right,&#8221; continued the stout
+youth, and then tiptoed away.</p>
+<p>Wondering what their friends intended to do,
+the seven cadets crowded to the window in question
+and opened it wide. It was still snowing,
+and through the thickly-flying flakes they presently
+saw the end of a fishing pole on which was
+tied a bundle done up in a pillow case.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! Our friends are on the job,&#8221; cried
+Fred delightedly, as the bundle was slipped from
+the end of the fishing pole and hauled into the
+room. Then he looked out of the window and
+saw at a little distance the face of Dan Soppinger
+at another window.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Got it all right, did you?&#8221; demanded Dan, as
+he hauled in the fishing pole.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We sure did, Dan; and much obliged to you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Has Colonel Colby come back yet?&#8221; questioned
+Jack, looking over his cousin&#8217;s shoulder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No. And there is no telling when he&#8217;ll come
+back,&#8221; answered Dan. &#8220;He sent word that his
+business might keep him away for several days.&#8221;
+Then Dan spoke to some one behind him, and
+continued in a low voice, &#8220;I&#8217;ve got to go now, or
+they&#8217;ll catch us. Good-bye.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The imprisoned cadets closed the window
+again and then placed the bundle on the table and
+opened it. They found it contained a rather
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span>
+jumbled collection of buttered bread, cheese, the
+knuckle of a boiled ham, a small glass full of
+jelly, a square of pound cake, three bananas, a
+couple of oranges, several apples, a small bag of
+lump sugar, and a can of condensed milk.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Some collection, all right enough,&#8221; declared
+Spouter, as they surveyed it. &#8220;I guess they
+grabbed up anything they could lay their hands
+on.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;They must have heard we had black coffee
+without sugar,&#8221; put in Fred. &#8220;Too bad we were
+in such a hurry. We might have feasted in great
+shape off of this collection.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind. The sugar and condensed milk
+may come in handy later,&#8221; answered Jack.</p>
+<p>The boys divided some of the fruit, and then
+made themselves a few sandwiches, and with this
+topped off the scanty breakfast they had previously
+consumed. They placed the rest of the
+things on the top shelf of the closet and folded
+up the pillow case carefully.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll have to send that back the first chance
+we get,&#8221; declared Fred. &#8220;Otherwise some cadet
+is going to catch it when his room is inspected.&#8221;</p>
+<p>With nothing to do, the cadets found the time
+drag heavily. They looked around the room for
+some reading matter, but found nothing outside
+of some newspapers which had been placed on the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span>
+shelves of the closet. These were old sheets, and
+contained nothing which they cared to peruse.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! we&#8217;re going to have some heat, anyhow,&#8221;
+cried Randy, about eleven o&#8217;clock. &#8220;Hear
+the radiator cracking?&#8221;</p>
+<p>He was right, and soon the radiator became
+moderately warm. This did not, of course, warm
+the room very thoroughly, but it took the chill
+off and made it more comfortable than it had been.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll bet a cooky that some of the others made
+old Duke turn the heat on,&#8221; declared Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Either that or else some of our chums turned
+it on when he wasn&#8217;t watching,&#8221; answered Jack.
+Some time later they found out that Bob Nixon
+had turned on the heat unbeknown to Snopper
+Duke. It was also learned that Professor Grawson
+and Professor Brice knew nothing about the
+heat having been turned off.</p>
+<p>About half-past twelve Snopper Duke appeared
+again, this time with one of the under teachers
+and two of the waiters. The under teacher had
+his arms full of books.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have had some of your text books brought
+up here,&#8221; explained Professor Duke. &#8220;There is
+no sense in your wasting your time here doing
+nothing. I want you to study the same as if you
+were attending your classes. I have also had
+your dinner brought up.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you expect us to study in a cold room?&#8221;
+questioned Jack. He had thrown one of the small
+bed covers over the radiator and added a book or
+two so that the teacher might not notice that it
+was warm.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll not discuss that point with you, Rover,&#8221;
+was Snopper Duke&#8217;s sharp reply. &#8220;You can eat
+your dinner, and then go at your studies.&#8221; And
+thereupon he directed the two waiters to deposit
+the fresh trays on the table and take the old ones
+away. Then the seven cadets were locked up as
+before.</p>
+<p>In comparison, the dinner was just as scanty
+as the breakfast had been. For each pupil there
+was a small boiled potato, almost cold, a few
+lima beans, a small slice of roast beef, and one
+slice of unbuttered bread. There were also several
+paper drinking cups, to indicate that the
+cadets might drink all the water they cared to
+draw from the faucet in the bathroom.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Regular miser&#8217;s lunch,&#8221; was Andy&#8217;s comment,
+as he surveyed it.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Exactly!&#8221; answered Fred. And then he
+added dryly: &#8220;What are we going to use that
+sugar and condensed milk on?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, the condensed milk will go fine on the
+bread,&#8221; put in Spouter. &#8220;I used to like condensed
+milk sandwiches.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;And you can eat the lump sugar for dessert
+if you want to,&#8221; put in Jack.</p>
+<p>All began to eat, and in the midst of the meal
+they heard another knock on the door. This time
+Ned Lowe was there, one of their chums who was
+a great singer and banjo player.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Be on the watch for the beautiful fishing
+pole,&#8221; sang Ned in a low voice. &#8220;Hurry up. We
+can&#8217;t stay up here very long.&#8221;</p>
+<p>All leaped for the window, and a few minutes
+later the fishing rod came once more into view,
+this time with another bundle attached to it. They
+held the end of the pole while they detached the
+bundle and fastened upon it the empty pillow case.
+The new bundle was in a large paper flour bag.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here is where we are going to have a regular
+feast!&#8221; cried Jack with satisfaction. &#8220;Just look!
+Almost half a boiled tongue, a quart jar of hot
+coffee, some boiled sweet potatoes, and half an
+apple pie. I declare I don&#8217;t see how they managed
+to get hold of it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;re certainly looking out for us,&#8221; answered
+Spouter.</p>
+<p>With this addition to the food already on hand,
+the boys started in to have a real good dinner.
+They were enjoying it thoroughly and cracking
+all kinds of jokes when they suddenly heard a
+commotion in the corridor outside.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve caught you, have I?&#8221; they heard Snopper
+Duke exclaim. &#8220;What business have you up here,
+anyway?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wasn&#8217;t doing any harm, Professor,&#8221; came
+in the voice of Dan Soppinger.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is that you have behind your back?
+Give it to me this instant,&#8221; went on the teacher.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! that&#8217;s Dan Soppinger, and he&#8217;s got himself
+into trouble!&#8221; exclaimed Jack, in alarm.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I really didn&#8217;t mean to do any harm,&#8221; the imprisoned
+cadets heard Dan answer.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is that you are trying to hide? Give it
+to me!&#8221; There was a brief silence, and then
+those in the room heard the teacher continue: &#8220;A
+pumpkin pie and almost a pound of cheese!
+Where did you get those things, Soppinger? And
+what were you going to do with them? Come,
+answer me!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;If you want to know, I was going to try to
+get them to those fellows you locked up,&#8221; answered
+Dan Soppinger, in desperation. &#8220;I heard
+you were just about starving them to death.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s that? Starving them to death? Stuff
+and nonsense! They are getting all that they
+need, and it&#8217;s not for you to interfere in my business,&#8221;
+went on Snopper Duke, his high-pitched
+voice rising still higher in anger. &#8220;You should
+be down in your classroom. Give me those things
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span>
+and go downstairs at once. I&#8217;ll attend to your
+case later.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! poor Dan is certainly in hot water,&#8221;
+whispered Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Old Duke must have been spying on him,&#8221;
+said Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe he&#8217;ll come in here and see how matters
+are going!&#8221; cried Spouter excitedly. &#8220;It might
+not be a bad thing to get all that extra food out
+of sight.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He had scarcely spoken when they heard Professor
+Duke at the door. An instant later the
+portal was thrown open and the teacher stepped
+in. His eyes swept the trays and the plates of
+food the cadets were holding.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ha! So this is what is going on, eh?&#8221; he
+stormed. &#8220;Having food brought in on the sly,
+eh? Well, I&#8217;ll see that that is stopped! You&#8217;ll
+go without your supper for this!&#8221; And then,
+after a few more words, he stormed out of the
+room, banging the door behind him and locking
+it.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='VI_A_TOUCH_OF_MYSTERY' id='VI_A_TOUCH_OF_MYSTERY'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+<h3>A TOUCH OF MYSTERY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now I reckon we are worse off than we were
+before,&#8221; remarked Jack, as the assembled cadets
+looked at each other in consternation.</p>
+<p>&#8220;If he cuts off our supper the best thing we
+can do is to save this grub,&#8221; declared Randy.
+&#8220;We&#8217;ll have to go on short rations.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And when we feel real hungry we can turn
+to our school books for consolation,&#8221; added his
+twin brother. &#8220;Gee! but doesn&#8217;t this take the
+cake?&#8221; And picking up his algebra he threw it
+at Phil. The boy from Texas dodged, and the
+algebra hit the wall behind him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t start a rough-house, Andy,&#8221; remonstrated
+Jack quickly. &#8220;We&#8217;re in deep enough as
+it is. Please don&#8217;t forget that Fred and I are
+worse off than any of you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;How do you make that out?&#8221; demanded Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because we are officers, and are supposed to
+be models for the rest of the cadets.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Huh! I forgot that,&#8221; said Gif. &#8220;That&#8217;s too
+bad.&#8221;</p>
+<p>It must be admitted that the cadets were far
+less cheerful while finishing their meal than they
+had been a few minutes before. They ate somewhat
+sparingly, and placed what was left of the
+food in an out-of-the-way corner under one of
+the cots.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No use of taking chances,&#8221; said Jack. &#8220;Duke
+may come in here and search the closet for rations
+when he gets the dirty dishes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I suppose we might as well spend our
+time studying,&#8221; came from Spouter presently.
+&#8220;We&#8217;ve got to learn our lessons, no matter if we
+are prisoners. Otherwise later on we&#8217;ll be marked
+down for that, too.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Too bad that poor Dan had to be caught with
+that pumpkin pie and cheese,&#8221; groaned Randy.
+He was particularly fond of the pies turned out
+by the Hall cooks.</p>
+<p>Making themselves as comfortable as they
+could around the radiator, the seven cadets began
+to study. Thus an hour passed, and then
+came more footsteps in the hall.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Another visitor,&#8221; said Jack, looking up.</p>
+<p>When the door was thrown open they expected
+to see Snopper Duke or one of the other professors,
+and they were, therefore, much surprised
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span>
+when Colonel Colby stepped into the room. The
+master of the Hall was alone.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Attention!&#8221; called Jack sharply&mdash;for this had
+been arranged between the cadets earlier in the
+day&mdash;and thereupon all of the cadets leaped to
+their feet and saluted.</p>
+<p>This action came somewhat as a surprise to the
+master of the school, and just the faintest flicker
+of a smile passed over his features. Then he
+closed the door behind him and came forward.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am very sorry to learn that all of you have
+been breaking the rules of this institution,&#8221; said
+Colonel Colby, in an even tone of voice. &#8220;Captain
+Rover, I would like to have your version of
+the affair if you care to make a report.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know that I can make much of a report,
+Colonel,&#8221; answered the young captain, his
+face flushing. &#8220;We brought the snowballs into
+the school, and that is all there is to it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, what about sending that big snowball
+down the stairs on top of Professor Duke?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That was an accident, sir, and I was responsible
+for it,&#8221; broke in Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;An accident? Professor Duke is quite certain
+it was done by design.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He is mistaken, sir,&#8221; continued Andy, and
+then in a few words related exactly how the accident
+had occurred.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, what about the snowballs that were
+placed in the rooms of Stowell, Besser, Lunn
+and in the bathroom?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We only meant it for a little fun, Colonel,&#8221;
+pleaded Fred. &#8220;Of course, I realize now that
+maybe we went a little too far.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You certainly did go too far, Lieutenant
+Rover. And I am especially surprised to find you
+and Captain Rover mixed up in anything of this
+sort. I expect the officers of the cadets to set a
+good example.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was thinking you might say that, Colonel
+Colby,&#8221; put in Jack quickly. &#8220;And I should have
+thought of it before I went into the affair. But
+we were having such fun outside snowballing,
+and like that, that we got deeper into it before
+we gave it a second thought.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And we really didn&#8217;t know that we couldn&#8217;t
+bring any snow into the school,&#8221; put in Phil rather
+lamely.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Such an explanation won&#8217;t go here, Franklin.
+I expect my students to have more common sense
+than that. Of course, it may have been nothing
+but a boyish prank, and if you can give me your
+word that the snowball which went down the
+stairs and hit Professor Duke was not aimed
+at him deliberately, I shall feel inclined to let the
+matter pass.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Colonel Colby, will you really do that?&#8221;
+questioned Fred eagerly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Please remember we&#8217;ve been punished already,&#8221;
+put in Spouter. &#8220;Locked up like a lot
+of criminals, and the radiator turned off until we
+almost froze to death!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;The radiator turned off?&#8221; questioned the
+owner of the school. &#8220;It is hot enough now,&#8221; he
+added, as he placed his hand upon it.</p>
+<p>&#8220;But it wasn&#8217;t before,&#8221; answered Gif, and gave
+the particulars. As he did this Colonel Colby&#8217;s
+face became a study.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will look into that,&#8221; he said, and then
+walked over to one of the cots and also to one
+of the beds and inspected the thin coverings. &#8220;I
+trust none of you caught cold?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I did catch a little cold,&#8221; answered
+Spouter, and began to cough, for what he said
+was true.</p>
+<p>After this Colonel Colby talked to the cadets
+for fully ten minutes, trying to show them that
+what they had done was not what he expected of
+them. He was kind almost to the point of being
+fatherly, and made several remarks which caused
+the boys to do considerable thinking.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am afraid some of you lads do not like Professor
+Duke,&#8221; said he. &#8220;I am afraid you consider
+him rather quick-tempered and irritable.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, he certainly isn&#8217;t as nice as most of the
+other teachers,&#8221; declared Randy flatly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He always seems to be waiting for a chance
+to get in on a fellow,&#8221; broke out Fred. &#8220;In
+some ways he&#8217;s even worse than Asa Lemm was.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But he&#8217;s a splendid teacher, I will say that for
+him,&#8221; declared Jack. &#8220;Only, the way he sometimes
+jumps on a fellow is terrible.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I shouldn&#8217;t like to have you boys compare
+Professor Duke with that scalawag, Asa Lemm,&#8221;
+declared Colonel Colby. &#8220;Lemm had a good education&mdash;if
+he hadn&#8217;t had I should not have engaged
+him to teach here&mdash;but he was not the honest
+and upright man Snopper Duke is. I will admit
+that at times he is quick-tempered, but,
+believe me, boys, he has good reasons for it&mdash;or,
+at least, there is quite some excuse for his acting
+that way at times. I do not feel like discussing
+his personal affairs with you, but you will be
+doing a real act of kindness if at times you don&#8217;t
+notice his actions when he seems rather sharp. I
+am quite sure he doesn&#8217;t always mean it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, of course, if there&#8217;s some reason&mdash;&mdash;&#8221; began
+Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There is quite a reason, Captain Rover. But,
+as I said before, I do not care to discuss Professor
+Duke&#8217;s personal affairs further. Only, if I
+were one of you boys, I should go very slow in
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span>
+judging him. And now to come back to this
+present affair: I have had a talk with Professor
+Duke and I will have another talk this evening,
+and, all told, I think you have been punished
+enough. So we will call the matter off and you
+can return to your classrooms.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you very much, Colonel Colby,&#8221; cried
+Jack, and, starting forward, he offered his hand,
+and the master of the school shook it warmly.
+Then all of the other cadets came forward to do
+likewise.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope you won&#8217;t punish those other fellows
+for getting some extra food up to us,&#8221; said Fred,
+as he and Andy brought out the hidden things
+and placed them on one of the trays. &#8220;They only
+tried to do us a good turn.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You may rest assured, Rover, that I shall treat
+them only as they deserve,&#8221; answered Colonel
+Colby, and led the way downstairs. Here the
+cadets separated, each to pay a brief visit to his
+own room before going down to the classrooms
+on the lower floor.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder what Colonel Colby meant when he
+said Duke had reasons for being irritable?&#8221; remarked
+Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know, I&#8217;m sure,&#8221; answered Jack
+thoughtfully.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe he&#8217;s suffering from some sickness,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span>
+suggested Fred. &#8220;Perhaps he ought to have an
+operation and hates to have it done.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe he&#8217;s worried about money matters,&#8221;
+came from Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was certainly something worth while or
+Colonel Colby wouldn&#8217;t have been so serious about
+it,&#8221; said Fred. &#8220;Gee! I&#8217;m sorry if I misjudged
+him, if there is really something wrong.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe Colonel Colby would caution
+us if it wasn&#8217;t so,&#8221; said Jack. &#8220;And after this
+I&#8217;m going to give Duke as much consideration as
+I possibly can.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The boys had been told to go to their classrooms,
+but this was hardly necessary, for they
+had just about presented themselves when the
+afternoon session of the school came to an end.
+Then they followed some of their friends down
+to the gymnasium, where they were at once surrounded
+and asked to give the particulars of what
+had happened to them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It wasn&#8217;t a great deal,&#8221; said Jack. &#8220;And
+first of all I want to know what was done to Dan
+and the others.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Colonel Colby read us a little lecture,
+that&#8217;s all,&#8221; answered Walt Baxter, one of the
+cadets. &#8220;He told us we had no right to take any
+of the food without asking for it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I offered to pay for it,&#8221; put in Ned Lowe,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span>
+&#8220;and so did Dan. But the colonel said that
+wasn&#8217;t the point. That he wanted the discipline
+of the Hall maintained.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did he say anything about Professor Duke?&#8221;
+questioned Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not a word.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, he told us something,&#8221; continued the
+youngest Rover, and then related what had been
+said on the subject.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, that squares with something I once
+heard,&#8221; cried Walt Baxter. &#8220;I met Professor
+Duke down at the barn one day where he was
+waiting to have Nixon drive him down to town.
+The professor was walking around, wringing his
+hands and muttering to himself. He looked all
+out of sorts, and he said something that sounded
+to me like &#8216;I don&#8217;t see how I can do it! I don&#8217;t
+see how I can really attempt it!&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And what do you suppose it was that bothered
+him, Walt?&#8221; questioned Jack curiously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure I don&#8217;t know. I watched him walk
+up and down and wring his hands. And then he
+took a notebook out of his pocket and began to
+study some of the figures in it. Then Nixon
+came along with the auto, and he jumped in and
+rode off.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, that sure is a mystery,&#8221; declared Randy.</p>
+<p>This news concerning Snopper Duke gradually
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span>
+spread throughout the school, and many of the
+boys watched the teacher curiously. In the meantime
+Colonel Colby had a conference, not only
+with Duke, but also with Professor Grawson;
+and when the classes opened the next day Jack
+and the others found themselves treated just as if
+nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Colonel Colby said he would let the matter
+pass, and I guess he&#8217;s going to keep his word,&#8221;
+remarked Fred.</p>
+<p>There was only one boy who remained
+troubled, and that was Codfish. He avoided the
+Rovers and the others as much as possible, often
+running away at the sight of them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Codfish is just about scared stiff,&#8221; remarked
+Randy. &#8220;He knows he got himself in wrong.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What a poor fish he is,&#8221; answered his twin.</p>
+<p>On Saturday afternoon a number of the boys
+obtained permission to visit the town and attend
+the moving picture performance if they so desired.
+Jack had telephoned to his sister, and
+Martha had answered that probably a number of
+girls from Clearwater Hall would be in town at
+the same time.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I&#8217;ve got something to tell you, too, Jack,&#8221;
+said Martha over the wire. &#8220;Something I&#8217;m
+sure you&#8217;ll be interested in hearing.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why don&#8217;t you tell me now?&#8221; he replied.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, this isn&#8217;t something to tell over a public
+telephone,&#8221; his sister answered.</p>
+<p>The snowstorm had come to an end, and it
+was clear and bright overhead when the four
+Rovers and some of the others tramped to Haven
+Point. Here, at the railroad station, they met
+Martha and Mary, and also Ruth Stevenson,
+May Powell, and several other girls from the
+academy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How are your eyes feeling, Ruth?&#8221; questioned
+Jack anxiously, as he walked side by side with
+the girl on the way to the moving picture theater.
+As my old readers know, Ruth had once suffered
+dreadfully through getting some pepper into her
+eyes, and it had been feared that she might go
+blind.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, my eyes are quite all right again, Jack,&#8221;
+answered the girl. &#8220;Sometimes they feel the least
+bit scratchy. But I bathe them with a solution
+the doctor gave me and then they feel quite natural.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m mighty glad to hear that,&#8221; Jack returned
+warmly. For of all the girls who were friends
+of his sister he liked Ruth the best.</p>
+<p>As luck would have it, there was a very good
+show on that afternoon, and as a consequence a
+crowd had assembled to obtain tickets of admission.
+Randy went ahead to get all the tickets
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span>
+needed, and while he did this Martha plucked her
+brother by the coat sleeve and drew him a little
+to one side.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s this you&#8217;ve got to tell me, Martha?&#8221;
+questioned the young captain in a whisper.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s about a fellow at your school&mdash;a chap
+named Lester Bangs,&#8221; replied the girl.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, you mean the fellow we call Brassy
+Bangs! What about him?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He and one or two of his particular chums
+have been up to Clearwater Hall three times.
+They took some of the girls out in a sleigh they
+hired, and that Bangs did his level best to get
+Ruth to go along. And now he has invited her
+to attend some kind of a party next week,&#8221; was
+Martha&#8217;s reply, words which for some reason he
+could not explain even to himself cut Jack to the
+heart.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='VII_SOMETHING_ABOUT_A_SLEIGHRIDE_PARTY' id='VII_SOMETHING_ABOUT_A_SLEIGHRIDE_PARTY'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+<h3>SOMETHING ABOUT A SLEIGHRIDE PARTY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;What kind of a party is it, Martha?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know, except that it&#8217;s somewhere out
+of town and some of the girls and fellows are
+going to the place in sleighs. I wasn&#8217;t asked to
+go, and I got the information in a roundabout
+way.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then Ruth hasn&#8217;t said anything to you about
+it?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not a word. But I&#8217;m sure she received this
+Lester Bangs&#8217; invitation.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you think she may accept it?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope not, Jack. Because I don&#8217;t like Bangs.
+He wears such showy clothing and jewelry.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the reason we call him Brassy&mdash;he is
+brassy in looks and brassy in manner. He&#8217;s
+just as much of a hot-air bag as Tommy Flanders,&#8221;
+went on the young captain, referring to
+an arrogant youth who the summer before had
+pitched for Longley Academy and been knocked
+out of the box.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Isn&#8217;t it queer, he put me in mind of Flanders?&#8221;
+whispered Martha. &#8220;I hope you don&#8217;t have any
+trouble with him, Jack.&#8221; And then, as some of
+the others came closer, the private conversation
+had to come to an end.</p>
+<p>While in the moving picture theater Jack sat
+with Ruth beside him. They occasionally spoke
+about the scenes presented to them and also about
+school matters in general, but not one word was
+said by either about the party Martha had mentioned.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Falstein certainly gets good pictures,&#8221; remarked
+the girl, when the performance had come
+to an end and the crowd of young people was
+moving out of the theater. &#8220;They&#8217;re just as good
+as one can see in the big cities.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;re the same thing, only he gets them a
+little later,&#8221; answered Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I like the comic pictures better than anything,&#8221;
+declared Andy. &#8220;I hate those serious
+ones. They&#8217;re generally so awfully mushy.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, Andy Rover, how you talk!&#8221; cried Alice
+Strobell. &#8220;I think that picture they showed today
+of Life in a Big City was perfectly grand.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Especially where the heroine sobbed herself
+to sleep over the sewing machine in her garret
+room,&#8221; went on Andy, with a snicker. &#8220;Wasn&#8217;t
+that just the tear-bringer?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t care! It was just as true to life as
+it could be,&#8221; answered Alice sturdily.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, maybe,&#8221; was the airy return of the fun-loving
+Rover. &#8220;Come to think of it, I never did
+run a sewing machine in a garret room with the
+snow blowing through a busted window. I&#8217;d
+rather sit in the shade of the old apple tree reading
+a good book and getting on the outside of
+some ripe pears,&#8221; he continued, and at this there
+was general laughter.</p>
+<p>As was their custom, the young folks drifted
+from the theater to a nearby candy and ice-cream
+establishment. Here they split up into various
+groups at some tables in the rear. Of course, the
+boys insisted on treating the girls, and there was
+quite a discussion over what each would have.
+Martha and Mary had paired off with Gif and
+Spouter, and Fred and the twins were with some
+of the other girls, and this left Ruth and Jack by
+themselves.</p>
+<p>Several times the young captain wanted to
+bring the conversation around to the question of
+the party that had been mentioned. But every
+time he checked himself.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What were you going to say?&#8221; questioned
+Ruth, when he caught himself once. &#8220;You act
+as if you had something on your mind of special
+importance, Jack.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Not at all! Not at all!&#8221; he returned hastily.
+&#8220;How are you getting along with your studies,
+Ruth? Do your eyes interfere much with them?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not a great deal. But, of course, I have to be
+more or less careful. But I&#8217;m doing finely, so
+the teachers say.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re going to have an election of officers
+soon,&#8221; continued the young captain. &#8220;Some of
+the fellows are urging me to run for major of
+the battalion. Ralph Mason is going to drop out,
+you know.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Jack! why don&#8217;t you run?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you want me to run, Ruth?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, of course! if there&#8217;s any chance of getting
+it, and I don&#8217;t see why there shouldn&#8217;t be,&#8221;
+she returned quickly.</p>
+<p>Her manner was so intimate that once again
+he was on the point of mentioning the party.
+But then he shut his teeth hard and pretended to
+be interested in something taking place at the
+other tables.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you think you could win the election if
+you tried?&#8221; Ruth continued, after looking at him
+questioningly for a moment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I guess I&#8217;d have as good a chance as any
+one in command. Of course, there are a number
+of other officers who would have as good a chance
+as I&#8217;d have. But I&#8217;m not altogether sure that
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span>
+I want to be major. If I held that office
+Colonel Colby would expect me to toe the mark
+all the time just as an example to the others.
+Even as it was, he didn&#8217;t like to have me as a
+captain and Fred as a lieutenant mixed up in that
+snowball affair.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, but, Jack! think of the honor of being
+major of the battalion,&#8221; cried the girl. &#8220;I&#8217;m sure
+Martha and your folks will be very proud of
+you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Would you be proud, Ruth, if I should win
+the position?&#8221; he asked in a low tone.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, of course&mdash;we all would,&#8221; returned the
+girl, her face flushing slightly. &#8220;I always like to
+see my friends make something of themselves.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Ruth&#8217;s tone was cordial enough, and once again
+Jack was on the point of switching the talk to
+the party. But now some of the young folks had
+finished, and the little gathering began to break
+up and he and Ruth were surrounded by the
+others.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve got to do some shopping,&#8221; declared
+Mary, when they were out on the sidewalk. &#8220;So
+we can&#8217;t remain with you boys any longer.&#8221; And
+a few minutes later the crowd separated, the girls
+hurrying in one direction and the cadets in another.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You let me know if you hear any more about
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span>
+that party,&#8221; whispered Jack, on parting from his
+sister.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will,&#8221; she answered.</p>
+<p>On starting back for the Hall Jack paired off
+with Fred and purposely lagged behind.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you hear anything about a party in which
+Brassy Bangs was interested?&#8221; he asked of his
+cousin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mary said that Brassy was getting up some
+sort of party, to come off either Thursday or
+Friday of this week. The crowd is going somewhere
+in two big sleighs.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;She didn&#8217;t say where?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;She didn&#8217;t know.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did she say who was going?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;As far as she knew the crowd of fellows consisted
+of Brassy and two or three of his chums
+at the Hall and some young fellows around
+town.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And what about the girls, Fred?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;They asked Jennie Mason and Ida Brierley
+to go and a number of the other girls from Clearwater.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did they ask May?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mary wasn&#8217;t sure. But she rather thinks that
+May and Ruth both got an invite, although in
+some kind of roundabout way. Did Ruth say
+anything to you about it?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Not a word. But Martha did. She, too,
+thought Ruth had an invitation, but she didn&#8217;t
+mention May.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if May and Ruth will go?&#8221; questioned
+the youngest Rover. He was almost as
+chummy with Spouter&#8217;s cousin as Jack was with
+Ruth.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure I don&#8217;t know, Fred. But I do know
+I&#8217;d hate to see either of them going out with such
+a fellow as Brassy.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It will be a shame to have any of those girls
+associate with him!&#8221; burst out Fred indignantly.
+&#8220;He&#8217;s not in their class at all&mdash;he&#8217;s altogether too
+loud and flashy.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He certainly sports a lot of cheap jewelry,&#8221;
+was Jack&#8217;s comment. &#8220;And that suit of clothes
+that he had on when he first came to the Hall was
+a scream.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s go around to the livery stable and see if
+we can find out something about the party.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The place Fred had in mind was located on a
+side street less than a block away, and it did not
+take the two young officers long to reach it. They
+found the livery-stable keeper out, but one of his
+assistants came forward to see what they wanted.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello, Waxy,&#8221; cried Jack cordially, for he
+had met the young fellow many times before.
+&#8220;How are you these days?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Fine as a spider&#8217;s web,&#8221; answered Waxy, with
+a grin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I understand you&#8217;re going to use your two big
+sleighs for a party this week for some of our fellows?&#8221;
+went on the young captain.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, both sleighs are hired for Thursday or
+Friday night,&#8221; was the answer. &#8220;But you could
+get &#8217;em for any other night you might want,&#8221;
+went on Waxy, with an eye to business.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where is the party to be held?&#8221; questioned
+Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know exactly. They&#8217;re to go about
+twelve miles out of town, so I was told.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Some young fellows from town helping to
+get it up, I believe?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. Tom Drake, Bill Fenny, Joe McGuire,
+Ted Rosenblatt, and a bunch of others are interested.
+They&#8217;ll have one high old time, you
+believe me,&#8221; went on the livery-stable keeper&#8217;s assistant,
+with a grin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Rather a lively bunch, are they?&#8221; questioned
+Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;About as lively as this town affords.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a wonder some of our fellows are going
+with them,&#8221; was Fred&#8217;s comment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, that&#8217;ll be all right. There won&#8217;t be anything
+out of the way,&#8221; put in Waxy hastily, afraid
+that he had said too much. &#8220;They&#8217;ll have a lively
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span>
+time, but everything will be perfectly all right.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe,&#8221; answered Jack, and then, after a few
+more words with the assistant, the two cadets hurried
+off after their chums.</p>
+<p>&#8220;If McGuire and Rosenblatt have anything to
+do with that party it will certainly be a lively
+one,&#8221; said Fred, on the way to the school.
+&#8220;They&#8217;re the liveliest fellows this town affords.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It won&#8217;t be any kind of a party for our girl
+friends to attend,&#8221; remarked Jack. &#8220;I certainly
+hope May and Ruth don&#8217;t go.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe we ought to warn them, Jack.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;If we did that somebody might say we were
+sore because we weren&#8217;t invited, Fred.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know it. But it&#8217;s a shame, just the same.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We might let Martha and Mary know what
+we found out, and then they might put a flea in
+the ears of the other girls.&#8221;</p>
+<p>It must be confessed that Jack was rather sober
+that night and all day Sunday. He could not
+get the coming party out of his mind, and he
+wondered constantly whether Ruth would really
+accept the invitation which had been extended to
+her. Along with a number of other cadets he
+attended church in town, but, owing to the fact
+that it had begun to snow again, none of the girls
+from Clearwater Hall were present at the services.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess I might as well call Martha up on the
+&#8217;phone,&#8221; he told Fred, Sunday evening.</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right,&#8221; was his cousin&#8217;s reply. &#8220;And don&#8217;t
+forget to mention May.&#8221;</p>
+<p>When the young captain had his sister on the
+wire he learned a number of things that surprised
+him not a little. It seemed that the matter of the
+coming sleighride party had been rather freely
+discussed at Clearwater Hall, and a number of the
+pupils there were divided on the question as to
+whether to participate in the affair or not. Jennie
+Mason, Ida Brierley, and four or five others
+were in favor of accepting, while others had
+either declined or were noncommittal.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Some of the girls have gotten almost into a
+fight over it,&#8221; said Martha. &#8220;It&#8217;s the liveliest
+thing that has happened in this school in a long
+while. I believe if the discussion keeps up none
+of the girls will be allowed to go, even though two
+married ladies from the town are to go along as
+chaperones.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you hear anything further about Ruth or
+anything about May?&#8221; questioned Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not a word. Of course, not having been invited
+myself, I didn&#8217;t care to question either of
+them for fear they might think I was just a bit
+jealous, or something like that.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t think they ought to go to any
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span>
+such party,&#8221; answered Jack, and then told what
+he and Fred had learned at the livery stable.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve heard of Joe McGuire and also heard of
+Ted Rosenblatt!&#8221; exclaimed Martha. &#8220;I certainly
+shouldn&#8217;t want to be seen in their company.
+I&#8217;ll have to mention this to some of the
+others.&#8221; And here the conversation had to come
+to an end.</p>
+<p>On Monday morning Jack met Brassy Bangs in
+one of the corridors and noticed that the loud-spoken
+youth looked at him rather speculatively.
+Nothing, however, was said, and the young captain
+entered one of the classrooms and was soon
+deep in his studies. That evening, however,
+Brassy Bangs and two of his chums were missing
+from their usual places at one of the mess-hall
+tables.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They got permission to go to town. I suppose
+they went to make further arrangements
+about that big sleighing party,&#8221; remarked
+Randy.</p>
+<p>To show that he meant to do his best as captain
+of Company C, Jack put in a full day on
+Tuesday drilling his command and in the classrooms.
+As a consequence that evening found him
+pretty well worn out from his duties. Yet he had
+some studying he felt he must do, and so announced
+he was going to sit up for a while after
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span>
+his cousins, who occupied rooms on both sides of
+him, had retired.</p>
+<p>The young captain was hard at work doing
+some examples in geometry when there came a
+sudden sharp rap on his door. Thinking that one
+of his school chums had come to have a word with
+him before retiring, he threw the door open and
+found himself confronted by Brassy Bangs.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I want to have a few words with you, Jack
+Rover!&#8221; cried the loud-mouthed cadet savagely.
+And then closing the door he advanced upon the
+young captain in anything but a friendly manner.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='VIII_A_FIGHT_AND_A_CHALLENGE' id='VIII_A_FIGHT_AND_A_CHALLENGE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+<h3>A FIGHT AND A CHALLENGE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Jack Rover could see that Brassy Bangs was
+laboring under great excitement. The youth who
+loved to dress in such a showy manner was red
+of face and his eyes glittered in a manner calculated
+to make any one quail before him.</p>
+<p>But the young captain of Company C was not
+going to quail, and he stood his ground and
+looked the other youth squarely in the face.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You want a few words, eh?&#8221; he said coldly.
+&#8220;Well, what is it?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You know well enough what brought me
+here!&#8221; cried Brassy. &#8220;I&#8217;ve a good mind to wipe
+up the floor with you!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not fighting just now, Bangs. But don&#8217;t
+forget that I can defend myself if it&#8217;s necessary,&#8221;
+answered the young captain quickly. And then
+he added: &#8220;Now say what you&#8217;ve got to say or
+get out.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll stay as long as I please,&#8221; blustered the
+showy youth. &#8220;It&#8217;s a fine piece of business you&#8217;ve
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span>
+been in&mdash;trying to belittle me and my chums in
+the eyes of the girls at Clearwater Hall.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;If you came here to talk about the young ladies
+from Clearwater the sooner you get out the better,&#8221;
+answered Jack, his face flushing.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thought you were pulling off a fine stunt,
+didn&#8217;t you, when you talked to Ruth Stevenson
+about me?&#8221; sneered Brassy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t said a word to Miss Stevenson about
+you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know better, Jack Rover. You went to her
+and some of the other girls and told them that
+my chums and I were no good, and that the sleighride
+party we and some other fellows were getting
+up was going to be the wildest thing that
+ever took place at Haven Point.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re entirely mistaken, Bangs. And the
+sooner you get out of here the better it will please
+me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you dare deny that you hauled us over
+the coals with those girls at Clearwater Hall?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I decline to discuss the matter any further with
+you,&#8221; answered the young captain.</p>
+<p>&#8220;See here, Rover! you can&#8217;t ride any high horse
+like that with me,&#8221; blustered Brassy. &#8220;You and
+your cousins and some of the other fellows did
+your best to queer our whole sleighing party, and
+you&#8217;ve got to take the consequences!&#8221; And now
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span>
+Brassy Bangs doubled up his fists and tried to
+look more dangerous than ever.</p>
+<p>&#8220;See here, Bangs! if you don&#8217;t stop your noise
+and get out of here I&#8217;ll put you out,&#8221; returned
+Jack, in a low but firm voice. &#8220;I don&#8217;t want any
+fight with you, but I want you to understand that
+I can hold up my end every time.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Like pie you can! You put on a big front
+as a captain, but I know your sort well enough!
+You can&#8217;t pull the wool over my eyes! You went
+to the girls&#8217; school and shot off your mouth, and
+you are going to take the consequences!&#8221; and
+without further ado Brassy Bangs stepped forward
+and aimed a heavy blow at Jack&#8217;s face.</p>
+<p>Had the fist landed as intended, Jack might
+have been knocked flat. But the young captain
+had not been in athletic training for several years
+for nothing, and he dodged quickly. Brassy was
+carried forward, so that his arm shot over Jack&#8217;s
+shoulder and his body came in contact with the
+young captain&#8217;s arm. The next instant Jack had
+him by the back of the collar and was holding
+him at arm&#8217;s length.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now you get out of here!&#8221; he cried, and tried
+to drag Brassy toward the door.</p>
+<p>Of course the other youth squirmed, and in an
+instant there was a rough and tumble scuffle.
+Jack was pushed against the wall, and retaliated
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span>
+by forcing Brassy backward over a chair. Then
+the two spun around the room, upsetting a stand
+containing a number of books.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello! what&#8217;s going on here?&#8221; came a voice
+from one of the side rooms, and Fred appeared.
+He had been in bed and was attired only in his
+pajamas.</p>
+<p>Jack and Brassy were so wrought up by this
+time that neither paid attention to the interruption.
+Nor did they take notice when another door
+opened and Andy and Randy came into view.
+Brassy managed to break away and land a blow
+on Jack&#8217;s arm, and in return received a crack in
+the chin which sent his head backward and all but
+unbalanced him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! it&#8217;s a regular fight,&#8221; burst out Andy. &#8220;I
+didn&#8217;t know Brassy was here.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Neither did I,&#8221; said Fred. &#8220;Why didn&#8217;t you
+call us, Jack?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He didn&#8217;t give me time,&#8221; answered the young
+captain. &#8220;He accused me of getting him into
+trouble at Clearwater Hall, and then pitched into
+me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll fix you!&#8221; yelled Brassy, who was now
+almost beside himself with rage. &#8220;I&#8217;ll fix you!&#8221;
+and he made another lunge for Jack.</p>
+<p>But the blow he intended to deliver fell short,
+and before he could recover the young captain
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span>
+came at him with a crack in the ear, followed by
+another on the cheek, and these caused Brassy to
+stagger into a corner where he held fast to a
+chair.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, you fellows will have Colonel Colby here
+in another minute,&#8221; warned Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t care who comes!&#8221; bellowed Brassy
+recklessly. &#8220;But see here, I&#8217;m not going to fight
+four of you!&#8221; he went on sullenly, as he glared
+from one to another of the Rovers.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There won&#8217;t be any more fight!&#8221; cried Jack,
+who had no desire to be brought up before the
+master of the school again. &#8220;Fred, open that
+door!&#8221; And then, as the youngest Rover did so,
+he added to his opponent: &#8220;Now get out of here
+before I throw you out.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can&#8217;t throw me out!&#8221; blustered Brassy.
+But then, as Jack advanced on him threateningly,
+he made a sudden spring for the door and ran
+out into the corridor. &#8220;I&#8217;m not going to fight
+four to one. But just wait&mdash;this isn&#8217;t ended yet,&#8221;
+he went on, and then disappeared.</p>
+<p>Fred closed the door again, and he and the
+others gathered around Jack, who was panting
+from his unexpected exertions.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gosh, but he looked mad!&#8221; was Randy&#8217;s comment.
+&#8220;What was it all about?&#8221;</p>
+<p>In as few words as possible the young captain
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span>
+explained the situation so far as he was able.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Brassy must have gone over to Clearwater
+Hall and there got the idea that you were queering
+that proposed party,&#8221; was Fred&#8217;s comment.
+&#8220;Well, I&#8217;m glad if the girls are wise to what is
+going on.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Better chew this over in the morning,&#8221; admonished
+Andy. &#8220;The thing now is to get into
+bed and put out the lights. One of the professors
+may be up here any minute.&#8221;</p>
+<p>This advice was considered good, and with
+lightning-like rapidity the room was placed in
+order and the others retired again, leaving Jack to
+undress and go to bed as quickly as possible. A
+little later one of the monitors came through the
+hall, but none of the Rovers was disturbed.</p>
+<p>It was not until two days later that the Rovers
+heard the particulars of what had occurred at
+Clearwater Hall. Then they learned that, unknown
+to any of the girls, one of the teachers
+had been delegated by Miss Garwood, the head
+of the academy, to make a quiet investigation
+concerning the proposed sleighing party. And
+when this teacher had found out who were on
+the committee of arrangements, Miss Garwood
+had forbidden any of the young ladies to participate.
+When this became known, Brassy Bangs
+had at once concluded that Jack&mdash;and perhaps
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span>
+some of his relatives and friends&mdash;was responsible
+for what had occurred. The party had been
+called off.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad it&#8217;s called off,&#8221; said Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;So am I,&#8221; returned Fred. &#8220;But, believe me,
+Jack, Brassy will have it in for you after this.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Possibly.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You didn&#8217;t hear anything about what girls
+intended to go, did you?&#8221; put in Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I heard Jennie Mason, Ida Brierley, and Nettie
+Goss mentioned. That&#8217;s all,&#8221; answered Jack.</p>
+<p>He would have given a good deal to have known
+what was the real attitude of Ruth and May toward
+the party. But, as before, neither he nor
+Fred felt inclined to make any direct inquiries.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It almost looks as if Brassy had expected
+Ruth to go with him,&#8221; murmured the young captain
+to himself, when he was alone that night.
+And it must be confessed that the thought made
+him feel quite gloomy.</p>
+<p>After this incident matters ran along smoothly
+for a week or more at the Hall. During that
+time the snow commenced to melt and almost before
+the cadets knew it, it had disappeared entirely.</p>
+<p>In the meanwhile there was constant talk of the
+election for officers that was to take place. Ralph
+Mason, the major of the school battalion, was
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span>
+about to leave, as was also one of the captains,
+so there would be first an election to fill these vacancies
+and then another election in case one or
+both vacancies were filled by those who were already
+acting as officers.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I really think you ought to try for the majorship,&#8221;
+said Gif to Jack. &#8220;You certainly have
+done well as a captain.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It would be very nice, Gif,&#8221; was Jack&#8217;s reply.
+&#8220;But I feel sometimes as if I ought to give
+some of the other fellows a show.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But they may not want it,&#8221; answered Andy.
+&#8220;Look at me, for instance. I don&#8217;t want to be an
+officer, and neither does Randy. And Gif here
+would rather continue at the head of our athletics.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but you fellows are not the whole school,&#8221;
+declared Jack, with a smile.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know lots of fellows who want you to run,&#8221;
+declared Spouter. &#8220;And you say the word and I&#8217;ll
+go around and do a lot of electioneering for you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The matter was talked over a good many
+times, and fully twenty of the cadets came to
+Jack and told him they wanted him to run for
+the office of major. And finally he consented.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello, here&#8217;s news!&#8221; burst out Fatty Hendry,
+one day, as he joined his chums. &#8220;It&#8217;s the richest
+thing ever,&#8221; and he grinned broadly.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s that?&#8221; questioned Dan Soppinger, who
+was present.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I just heard through Teddy Brown that
+Brassy Bangs wants to run for major. That he
+even told one of the professors about it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, he can&#8217;t do that!&#8221; declared Fred quickly.
+&#8220;That is, not without special permission from
+Colonel Colby or Captain Dale. The major is
+always chosen from among the captains and lieutenants,
+or those who have been officers before.
+That is, if there is any one to pick. It&#8217;s only
+Colonel Colby or Captain Dale who can declare
+the election open to any one. You can&#8217;t put a
+fellow who has just learned to handle a gun to
+march at the head of the battalion.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, of course Brassy didn&#8217;t know that, and
+he wouldn&#8217;t believe it until Captain Dale explained
+it to him. And then he said he thought he ought
+to be able to hold the position because he was one
+of the best shots in the school.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, he certainly is a good shot,&#8221; declared
+Fred. &#8220;I saw him shooting at a target one day
+and he certainly made some marvelous hits.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He comes from the West&mdash;from some place
+where everybody knows how to shoot,&#8221; declared
+Walt Baxter. &#8220;I heard him telling some of the
+fellows about it one day. He said he had learned
+to ride and to shoot when he was only six or seven
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span>
+years old. And he can ride, all right enough, too.
+I saw him do it one day when I was on the road
+back of the Point.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I think a few of us can do a little
+shooting,&#8221; declared Andy. &#8220;Don&#8217;t forget that
+out of a possible twenty-five points Fred once
+made nineteen and Jack eighteen.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, I remember that,&#8221; put in Ned Lowe.
+&#8220;That was the time Lew Barrow scored twenty.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and the time I scored the whole of ten,&#8221;
+chuckled Andy. &#8220;But I don&#8217;t care,&#8221; he added
+proudly. &#8220;I guess I brought down my share of
+small game when we went hunting.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The talk concerning Brassy Bangs wanting to
+run for the office of major was true, and the
+cadet was much disgusted when he found that
+the regulations of the Hall forbade this.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can beat any one of them at shooting,&#8221; he
+grumbled to Paul Halliday, one of his particular
+cronies and the fellow who had aided in trying to
+get up the sleighing party.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course you can,&#8221; was Halliday&#8217;s quick reply.
+Then he went on: &#8220;Say, Lest, why don&#8217;t you
+challenge Jack Rover and his cousin Fred to shoot
+against you? You can show &#8217;em up in great
+shape. It would be better than fighting them.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll do it!&#8221; announced Brassy promptly, for
+the idea was one that appealed to him. &#8220;I&#8217;ll shoot
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span>
+against them with either pistols or rifles, just as
+they may choose. I&#8217;ll show &#8217;em up for a couple
+of dubs when it comes to handling firearms.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the talk!&#8221; broke in Billy Sands, another
+of Bangs&#8217; chums. &#8220;You say the word and
+Paul and I will take the challenge to the Rovers
+right away.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;All provided Colonel Colby or Captain Dale
+will permit the contest,&#8221; said Brassy sourly.
+&#8220;Maybe that&#8217;s another one of the things their
+dirty rules won&#8217;t allow.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The matter was talked over for a while longer,
+and the three boys went off to interview Captain
+Dale. He listened to them with a smile, and then
+nodded.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course you can have a contest of that sort
+if you desire, Bangs,&#8221; he said presently.</p>
+<p>Following this the challenge to Jack and Fred
+was promptly issued. It, of course, came as a
+surprise to the Rovers.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We ought not to dirty our hands with a fellow
+like Bangs,&#8221; declared the young captain to
+Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, we can&#8217;t afford to refuse, Jack!&#8221; cried
+his cousin. &#8220;If we did the fellows in the Hall
+would think we were afraid.&#8221;</p>
+<p>And thereupon the challenge was accepted.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='IX_THE_SHOOTING_CONTEST' id='IX_THE_SHOOTING_CONTEST'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+<h3>THE SHOOTING CONTEST</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>It was decided that the shooting contest should
+take place the next day.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It doesn&#8217;t give us much time to practice,&#8221;
+grumbled Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We might as well have it over with,&#8221; answered
+Jack. &#8220;There is no use of allowing it to
+interfere with our lessons or with the coming
+election for officers.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think we can shoot as well as Brassy?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We can try, Fred. From all reports he&#8217;s quite
+a wonderful shot. It seems he comes from a place
+where everybody is used to firearms.&#8221;</p>
+<p>It had been decided to hold the contest on the
+regular range back of the school grounds. Fred
+and Jack had been in favor of rifles, but the boy
+from the West had voted in favor of pistols. As
+a consequence, Captain Dale had told them the
+contest would be divided into two parts of a possible
+fifteen points each, the first part to take place
+with pistols and the second with rifles.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, you fellows have just got to snow Brassy
+under!&#8221; cried Randy. &#8220;Don&#8217;t leave him a leg to
+stand on.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s easy enough to say, Randy,&#8221; answered
+Jack. &#8220;But it isn&#8217;t so easy to do.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know it, and I was only fooling. However,
+do your best and make some kind of showing
+against that loud-mouthed fellow.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Early on the morning of the contest Jack and
+Fred received permission to take rifles and pistols
+and do a little practicing with the firearms. They
+went out alone, not wishing to be disturbed by
+any one.</p>
+<p>As they were crossing the fields they saw a
+figure coming from a side road. The person approaching
+had the cape of his overcoat drawn up
+tightly around his throat and wore his cap pulled
+down well over his forehead.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That fellow looked like Brassy Bangs,&#8221; declared
+Fred, as the distant figure leaped over a
+hedge and disappeared.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It certainly did look like Brassy,&#8221; answered
+his cousin. &#8220;But what in the world could he be
+doing out so early in the morning?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe he was practicing a little on his own
+account.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He didn&#8217;t have any gun with him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s right. But he might have a pistol.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;He never struck me as a fellow who would
+get up so very early. He always appeared to be
+rather lazy. And besides that, he didn&#8217;t come
+from the range. He came from the river road.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know it, Jack. Maybe he&#8217;s been out all
+night for a good time with some of those fellows
+from town.&#8221;</p>
+<p>After this the two Rovers lost no time in hurrying
+to the rifle range, and there practised with
+their pistols and their rifles until it was time to
+return to the Hall for roll call and the drill before
+breakfast.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we may not win, but we&#8217;ll make some
+kind of a showing,&#8221; remarked Fred.</p>
+<p>It was a clear day, the air just bracing enough
+to put the cadets of Colby Hall in good spirits.
+When the time came for the contest nearly all of
+them hurried to the range.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now then, Lest, show &#8217;em what you can do!&#8221;
+cried Paul Halliday.</p>
+<p>&#8220;The Rovers won&#8217;t have a look-in!&#8221; broke out
+Billy Sands. &#8220;It will be a regular walk-away for
+Lest.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t be so sure of that,&#8221; answered Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Brassy may be all right enough with a pistol;
+but don&#8217;t forget that Jack and Fred know
+how to handle a rifle,&#8221; added Spouter.</p>
+<p>A coin was tossed up and it was thereby decided
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span>
+that the contest with pistols should take
+place first. Each contestant was to shoot three
+times, the rings on the target counting from 1
+to 5. The three contestants were to shoot in
+rotation, Fred first, Brassy second, and Jack last.</p>
+<p>If Fred was a trifle nervous when he went to
+the front to shoot, he did his best to control it.
+Taking as careful aim as possible, he fired.</p>
+<p>&#8220;A three!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s good enough for a starter!&#8221;</p>
+<p>With a self-satisfied look on his face, Brassy
+Bangs strode forward, took quick aim, and fired.</p>
+<p>&#8220;A bull&#8217;s-eye!&#8221; shouted Billy Sands in delight.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I told you he could do it!&#8221; added Paul Halliday.</p>
+<p>When Jack came to the front he managed to
+make a 4.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the stuff!&#8221; cried Randy. &#8220;You&#8217;re only
+one point behind!&#8221;</p>
+<p>On the second round Fred managed to make a
+4, while Jack scored a 3, thus tying the Rovers.
+Brassy scored a 4.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Seven to nine in favor of Bangs!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Then came the third round, and again Fred
+scored a 3 and Jack did likewise, while Brassy
+delighted his cronies by scoring another bull&#8217;s-eye.</p>
+<p>&#8220;A total of ten each for the Rovers!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;And fourteen for Bangs!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I told you Lest could hold &#8217;em down!&#8221; shouted
+Billy Sands.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just wait till they shoot with the rifles. He&#8217;ll
+walk away from &#8217;em!&#8221; added Paul Halliday.</p>
+<p>It must be admitted that the Rovers and their
+chums were somewhat disappointed that the score
+stood four points in favor of Brassy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Fred, do your best,&#8221; whispered Andy
+to his cousin, as the latter went to the front after
+carefully examining the rifle handed to him by
+Captain Dale.</p>
+<p>The firearm was a light affair, but of approved
+pattern and supposed to be quite accurate for use
+at a distance of two hundred yards.</p>
+<p>Fred took longer to aim with the rifle than he
+had with the pistol, and there was a breathless silence
+until after the report rang out.</p>
+<p>&#8220;A four!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the stuff, Fred!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Brassy, let us see what you can do!&#8221;</p>
+<p>As confident as ever, Brassy Bangs came to the
+front, took the rifle handed to him, and shot
+rather hastily.</p>
+<p>&#8220;A three!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Jack was up next, and to the dismay of many
+of his friends made only a 2.</p>
+<p>Then came the second round with rifles, and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span>
+in that Fred scored a 4, Bangs a 1, and Jack a 3.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! Fred Rover and Brassy Bangs are
+tied with eighteen points each.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And Jack Rover has fifteen points.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Then came the final round, and amid a breathless
+silence Fred shot and scored a bull&#8217;s-eye.
+Then came Bangs, and made a 2. And Jack ended
+the contest with a bull&#8217;s-eye.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! Fred Rover wins the match with
+twenty-three points!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and Jack Rover and Brassy Bangs are
+tied for second place with twenty each!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah for Fred Rover!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pretty good shooting, I&#8217;ll say!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was all to the merry, Fred!&#8221; exclaimed
+Jack, as he caught his cousin&#8217;s hand. &#8220;You did
+fine!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;The best ever!&#8221; burst out Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, Jack, why don&#8217;t you and Brassy shoot
+off the tie?&#8221; questioned Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m willing,&#8221; was the ready reply of the young
+captain.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll shoot off the tie with pistols,&#8221; put in Brassy
+quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, let it be with rifles,&#8221; broke in Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll tell you what I think would be fair,&#8221; announced
+Captain Dale. &#8220;Each of you take one
+shot with a rifle and one shot with a pistol.&#8221; And
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span>
+after quite a little discussion it was so agreed.</p>
+<p>The pistols were used first, and there Brassy
+made a bull&#8217;s-eye while Jack managed to register
+a 4. Then the rifles were used, and here Jack,
+shooting first, made a bull&#8217;s-eye while Brassy
+got a 2.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! Nine to seven in favor of Captain
+Rover!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Some shooting, Jack!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;If you had shot as good as that in the first
+contest you might have beaten Fred.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m quite content, even if I didn&#8217;t beat Fred,&#8221;
+announced the young captain, with a smile.</p>
+<p>Brassy Bangs was quite gloomy over the outcome
+of the contest, and he and his cronies lost
+no time in quitting the range.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m mighty glad you two fellows beat him,&#8221;
+announced Gif. &#8220;Maybe it will take a little of
+the conceit out of him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Gif, you&#8217;ve got to admit he&#8217;s a wonderful
+shot with the pistol,&#8221; answered Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. And his rifle work isn&#8217;t any worse than
+mine,&#8221; answered Andy. &#8220;Now, I&#8217;ll promise to
+make a lot of bull&#8217;s-eyes for you if you&#8217;ll let me
+use a good-sized shotgun or a blunderbuss,&#8221; and
+at this there was a snicker.</p>
+<p>For the rest of that day Brassy Bangs had little
+to say. But the next morning he was as loud-mouthed
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span>
+as ever, declaring that he would have
+won the contest had he been allowed to use his
+own pistol&mdash;a long affair of the old-fashioned
+western variety.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Had he done that it might have given him one
+more point,&#8221; declared Randy. &#8220;Of course that
+would have put him ahead of Jack in the first
+contest, but it wouldn&#8217;t have helped him when it
+came to the rifle work.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, let&#8217;s drop Brassy,&#8221; said Jack. &#8220;I am really
+getting tired of hearing of him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t bear him,&#8221; put in Phil Franklin.
+&#8220;Once or twice he has tried to become chummy
+with me, but I&#8217;ve always given him the cold
+shoulder.&#8221;</p>
+<p>It was now drawing on toward the time for
+the election, and there was a great deal of wire-pulling
+among the various cadets as to who might
+run for the offices. Three names were in the field
+for the office of major: Jack, a Captain Glasby,
+and a Lieutenant Harkness.</p>
+<p>Glasby was a fellow who was very well liked,
+while Harkness was a lieutenant who at one time
+had been more or less of a crony of Nappy Martell,
+Gabe Werner, and others of the crowd that
+had been opposed to the Rover boys.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I sha&#8217;n&#8217;t complain if Glasby gets the position,&#8221;
+declared Jack. &#8220;But I&#8217;d hate mightily to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span>
+see Lieutenant Harkness at the head of the school
+battalion.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I never liked Harkness myself,&#8221; put in
+Spouter. &#8220;He isn&#8217;t a bit better in many respects
+than Gabe Werner.&#8221;</p>
+<p>It was soon noised around the school that
+Brassy Bangs and his cronies were doing their
+best for Harkness, while another crowd, led by
+Bart White, were rooting in rather a lively fashion
+for Captain Glasby.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve got to get busy for Jack,&#8221; said Gif to
+Spouter. &#8220;Come on! Let&#8217;s sound out all the
+fellows in the Hall we think we can influence.&#8221;
+And thereupon he and Spouter and a number of
+others set to work to electioneer for Jack as hard
+as they could.</p>
+<p>Several days before the election Andy and
+Randy obtained permission to go to Haven Point
+on an errand. It was rather a disagreeable,
+misty day, and they were tramping along through
+the mud on the outskirts of the town when they
+saw Brassy Bangs and a stranger ahead of them.
+The stranger was a tall, thin individual, dressed
+in an old-fashioned suit of rusty black and with
+a big slouch hat pulled well down over his head.
+He was puffing away at a large black cigar, and
+seemed to be very much in earnest in what he
+was saying to Brassy.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I saw that fellow around the school about a
+week ago,&#8221; declared Randy. &#8220;He didn&#8217;t look
+like a very nice sort, either.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He certainly has a fierce-looking mustache,&#8221;
+was Andy&#8217;s comment. &#8220;And it&#8217;s as red as his
+hair.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I tell you I can&#8217;t do it, and that&#8217;s all there is
+to it,&#8221; the boys heard Brassy exclaim, in reply to
+something the stranger had said.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I say you&#8217;ve got to do it,&#8221; returned the
+man, and his tone was decidedly ugly. &#8220;You&#8217;ve
+got to do it&mdash;or otherwise you&#8217;ve got to take the
+consequences.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You wouldn&#8217;t be so mean, Haddon!&#8221; pleaded
+Brassy, and now the Rovers could see that he
+was more or less scared.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wouldn&#8217;t I?&#8221; returned the strange man
+harshly. &#8220;You just try me and see! The best
+thing you can do is to agree to what I said. If
+you don&#8217;t, well&mdash;&mdash;&#8221; and here the tall man
+shrugged his shoulders&mdash;&#8220;you&#8217;ll do as I said before&mdash;or
+you&#8217;ll take the consequences.&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='X_SPOUTER_S_SECRET' id='X_SPOUTER_S_SECRET'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+<h3>SPOUTER&#8217;S SECRET</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Say, this is rather interesting,&#8221; remarked
+Randy in a low tone to his brother.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That fellow is certainly threatening Brassy,&#8221;
+returned Andy. &#8220;I wonder what it can be all
+about.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He wants Brassy to do something.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The two Rovers kept on behind Bangs and the
+man called Haddon, and presently saw them turn
+down a side street where was located a small factory
+that had been in operation during the war
+but which was now closed. Both disappeared
+into a shed attached to the factory.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s see if we can find out what it&#8217;s all about,&#8221;
+said Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m willing,&#8221; answered his twin. &#8220;Maybe that
+fellow will grow abusive and hurt Brassy.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, a good licking wouldn&#8217;t hurt him,&#8221; answered
+his brother, with a grin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, that&#8217;s all right. But we don&#8217;t want to see
+him half killed even if we don&#8217;t like him.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You trust Brassy to take care of himself,&#8221; was
+the quick reply.</p>
+<p>The twins hurried to the shed and there found
+that the door had been left open and that the man
+and their fellow-cadet had gone into another part
+of the low building.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You know as well as I do that that barn and
+them hosses was worth at least twelve thousand
+dollars,&#8221; the man was saying to Brassy. &#8220;That
+was a big loss for John Calder.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Please don&#8217;t say another word about it!&#8221;
+pleaded Brassy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I won&#8217;t if you&#8217;ll do as I told you to.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I&#8217;ve let you have a hundred and ten dollars
+already! It&#8217;s every cent I can spare!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;ve got to have more.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll bet you&#8217;ve been gambling it away, Haddon.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s none of your business what Bud Haddon
+does with his money!&#8221; exclaimed the stranger,
+with a toss of his head and blowing a ring of tobacco
+smoke toward the ceiling of the shed. &#8220;If
+you don&#8217;t want me to start things you do as I told
+you to.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know what I think!&#8221; exclaimed
+Brassy, after a pause. &#8220;I think those tramp cowboys
+were guilty.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can&#8217;t put that off on no cowboys!&#8221; exclaimed
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span>
+Bud Haddon. &#8220;I know all about it, and
+so do Jillson and Dusenbury.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;They don&#8217;t know anything&mdash;at least they don&#8217;t
+know anything about me!&#8221; cried Brassy. But it
+was plainly to be seen that he was exceedingly
+nervous. &#8220;Somebody&#8217;s been cooking up a story
+against me!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ain&#8217;t nobody cookin&#8217; up nothin&#8217;,&#8221; growled the
+man. &#8220;I know what I&#8217;m talkin&#8217; about. You&#8217;d
+better get busy if you know when you&#8217;re well off.
+If you don&#8217;t, and your uncle gets wind of this&mdash;well,
+good-night for you!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, don&#8217;t say anything to my uncle! Please
+don&#8217;t!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then you get busy. I&#8217;ve hung around
+here about as long as I intend to. I&#8217;m goin&#8217; back
+to Chicago in a few days.&#8221;</p>
+<p>At this juncture the Rovers heard a noise outside,
+and several boys playing hide-and-seek appeared.
+Not wishing to be discovered by Brassy
+and his companion, Andy and Randy hurried out
+into the street and up to the corner. Here they
+waited for a while, and presently saw Brassy and
+Bud Haddon come forth. The man sauntered
+away in the direction of the town while Brassy
+sped off on the winding road leading to Colby
+Hall.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now what do you make of this?&#8221; questioned
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span>
+Randy, as he and his brother continued on their
+errand.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It looks rather suspicious to me,&#8221; answered
+Andy. &#8220;It looks as if Brassy had done something
+that wasn&#8217;t right and this man was going to expose
+him unless Brassy paid over some hush
+money.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and from what Brassy said, he evidently
+has already paid the man one hundred and ten
+dollars.&#8221;</p>
+<p>On the way back to Colby Hall after their errand
+was finished the twins discussed the matter,
+but could arrive at no satisfactory conclusion.
+That evening they told their cousins of what they
+had heard, and also mentioned the matter to Gif
+and Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It looks to me as if that Bud Haddon had a
+hold on Brassy,&#8221; remarked Jack. &#8220;But whether
+Brassy is really guilty or not of some wrongdoing
+remains to be found out.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t put it past him to do something that
+wasn&#8217;t right,&#8221; came from Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That remains to be seen, Fred. Brassy might
+do some things that we wouldn&#8217;t do; but at the
+same time I doubt if he&#8217;s so very bad at heart.
+He&#8217;s loud-mouthed and has a hasty temper, and
+he likes to show off, and all that sort of thing,
+but that doesn&#8217;t say he&#8217;s a criminal.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;That Bud Haddon looks like a bad one,&#8221; announced
+Randy. &#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t trust him with a
+nickel.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It certainly is a mystery,&#8221; came from Fred.
+&#8220;Just the same as it&#8217;s a mystery about Professor
+Duke.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gosh, don&#8217;t mention Duke!&#8221; broke out Gif.
+&#8220;I had all I could do to keep from getting into a
+row with him this morning. He certainly is a
+tart one at times.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But he looks troubled,&#8221; answered Jack.
+&#8220;Ever since Colonel Colby spoke about him I&#8217;ve
+been watching him carefully. And, believe me,
+that man has something on his mind that&#8217;s far
+from pleasant.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He certainly comes and goes a good deal,&#8221;
+said Spouter. &#8220;He was away several hours last
+night and the night before. And I understand
+he&#8217;s going away to-morrow afternoon again.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Colonel Colby must know it&#8217;s all right.
+Otherwise he wouldn&#8217;t let him go away so much,&#8221;
+declared Gif.</p>
+<p>On the following morning when the mail was
+distributed Spouter received a letter from his
+father that interested him greatly. He read the
+communication several times, and then, placing it
+in his pocket, ran off to where he had left Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on, Gif!&#8221; he cried gayly. &#8220;I&#8217;ve got
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span>
+great news! Come ahead and help find the Rovers.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the news?&#8221; demanded the other, as
+they hurried on side by side.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just wait and I&#8217;ll tell you all about it&mdash;maybe.&#8221;
+And then Spouter stopped short, struck
+by a sudden idea. He thought for a few seconds
+and then his face broke into a broad smile.</p>
+<p>The two boys found the Rovers up in Room
+20, which the four cousins used as a sitting room.
+All were busy studying and looked up in surprise
+as Spouter dashed in with Gif at his heels.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Glorious news, boys! Glorious news!&#8221; sang
+out Spouter, as he beamed at them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is it?&#8221; they demanded in chorus.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Glorious, I tell you, glorious!&#8221; Spouter waved
+his hands eloquently. &#8220;Why remain cooped up
+here within the dingy walls of a school when the
+mighty plains, the boundless forests, the leaping
+streams, and the azure blue of the skies await
+you? Why snuff the tainted air of the musty
+classroom when the free ozone of the hills and
+mountains beckons to you? Why waste time over
+musty books when rifle and fishing rod can be
+had, when one can fling himself in the saddle and
+go dashing madly across the&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Jumping crabs and hopping mud turtles!&#8221; exclaimed
+Andy. &#8220;Spouter has got &#8217;em again!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;What is this, Spouter?&#8221; demanded Randy. &#8220;A
+moving picture, or just a plain everyday nightmare?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ha, ha!&#8221; continued Spouter, prancing around.
+&#8220;Whoopee! Bang! Bang! Let her go, boys!
+Lasso him quick before he gets away!&#8221; and the
+talkative cadet made a movement as if throwing
+a lasso.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, Spouter, come down to earth, will you?&#8221;
+cried Jack, grabbing his chum by the shoulder.
+&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter with you?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe he swallowed a few yeast cakes by
+mistake,&#8221; remarked Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s the best news ever, fellows!&#8221; went on
+Spouter. &#8220;I got it this morning.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right! Let&#8217;s have it,&#8221; came quickly from
+Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been waiting for this news for several
+weeks.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;News from where?&#8221; came from the others.</p>
+<p>&#8220;News from home.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;From your dad?&#8221; questioned Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Exactly.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What has he done now&mdash;bought you an automobile?&#8221;
+questioned Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Better than that!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;For goodness&#8217; sake, spill out what you&#8217;ve got
+to say!&#8221; returned Fred, in exasperation.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;When we went to Cedar Lodge on our grand
+hunt we were Gif&#8217;s guests,&#8221; resumed Spouter.
+&#8220;This summer the tables are to be turned, and all
+of you are to be the guests of yours truly.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, that sounds interesting, Spouter!&#8221; cried
+Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where do we go and when?&#8221; questioned his
+twin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re to go just as soon as school shuts down
+and you can get ready.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And where to?&#8221; questioned Jack curiously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ha! that&#8217;s the deep, dark and delightful secret,&#8221;
+returned Spouter. &#8220;You&#8217;re all to be my
+guests, and I&#8217;ll promise you the time of your lives.
+Oh, boys, but this is going to be something great!&#8221;
+And the cadet playfully pounded one and another
+on the shoulder with his fist.</p>
+<p>&#8220;But how can we go if we don&#8217;t know where
+we&#8217;re going?&#8221; asked Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll know, Fred, before you&#8217;re on the way,&#8221;
+was the mysterious answer. &#8220;And, believe me,
+after you&#8217;ve found out you won&#8217;t want to turn
+back.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What! do you mean you&#8217;re not going to tell
+us where we&#8217;re going?&#8221; demanded Jack, in astonishment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Exactly, Jack. That&#8217;s going to be my little
+secret until this school shuts up,&#8221; and Spouter
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span>
+folded his arms calmly and grinned at all his
+chums.</p>
+<p>They looked at him in blank amazement. This
+was a proceeding that had never happened before.
+Suddenly Gif made a dash forward.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s pound it out of him!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the talk! We&#8217;ll make him tell!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pull him down and sit on him!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pull off his shoes and tickle his feet! He&#8217;s
+got to tell!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Poke him in the ribs!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He got a letter this morning. I&#8217;ll bet the
+news is in that!&#8221; shouted Gif. &#8220;It&#8217;s in his pocket
+now!&#8221;</p>
+<p>All attempted to pounce upon Spouter, but he
+was too quick for them, and, dashing across the
+room, he shot into Fred&#8217;s bedroom, banging the
+door after him. Then, as the others followed,
+he ran out into the corridor and then sped for his
+own room, where he locked the door behind him.
+Then he hid the letter in a place where he was
+sure none of his chums would find it.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, this takes the bakery!&#8221; announced
+Randy, after all of them had pounded on Spouter&#8217;s
+door in vain. &#8220;What do you suppose it
+means?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s simple enough,&#8221; remarked Jack. &#8220;Spouter
+is going to invite us on some sort of outing this
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span>
+summer, but he doesn&#8217;t want to tell us yet what
+sort it&#8217;s to be.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He spoke about mountains and rivers and
+horseback riding,&#8221; said Randy. &#8220;That looks like
+some sort of outdoor affair,&#8221; and his eyes glistened.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on out, Spouter, and let us love you a
+little,&#8221; called Fred through the keyhole.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You go on down and I&#8217;ll meet you downstairs,&#8221;
+was the reply. &#8220;And remember, you&#8217;re
+not to know another word about this until vacation
+comes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Going to take us away in a submarine,
+Spouter?&#8221; demanded Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, he&#8217;s going to take us in an airship to the
+south pole,&#8221; declared his twin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind where I&#8217;m going to take you,&#8221;
+answered Spouter. &#8220;You just keep calm until
+vacation time comes, and then you&#8217;ll learn fast
+enough in what direction you&#8217;re going to travel.
+And, believe me, we&#8217;ll have some outing, or else
+I&#8217;ll miss my guess.&#8221;</p>
+<p>And with this statement the Rover boys and
+Gif had to be content.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XI_THE_ELECTION_OF_OFFICERS' id='XI_THE_ELECTION_OF_OFFICERS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+<h3>THE ELECTION FOR OFFICERS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Company attention! Shoulder arms! Forward
+march!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Boom! Boom! Boom, boom, boom!</p>
+<p>The drums rang out clearly on the morning air
+and the Colby Hall battalion swung into line on a
+march that carried it around the school buildings
+and then to the lake shore. Here Colonel Colby
+and Captain Dale inspected the three companies.
+Then the retiring major, Ralph Mason, was called
+on for a little speech which brought forth many
+cheers, and after this the command was dismissed.</p>
+<p>It was the day for the election, and there was
+to be no school session until the afternoon.</p>
+<p>At the last election there had been a total of
+111 votes cast. But now there were one hundred
+and twenty-five cadets at the institution. There
+had been some talk of organizing a new command
+to be known as Company D, but so far this had
+not materialized.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span></p>
+<p>As was the custom, the election was held in
+the main hall of the school and was presided over
+by Captain Dale and Professor Brice.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I see they expect a hundred and twenty-five
+votes,&#8221; remarked Randy. &#8220;That means sixty-three
+will be necessary to a choice.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;m sure Jack will get at least forty on
+the first vote,&#8221; returned his brother.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope he gets the whole sixty-three,&#8221; put in
+Dan Soppinger. Dan had once run for a captaincy,
+but had dropped out and turned most of
+his attention to athletics.</p>
+<p>As at other elections, it was decided by Colonel
+Colby that each officer should be voted for separately.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll try for a new major first,&#8221; announced
+the head of the Hall.</p>
+<p>The ballot box was placed on the table, and
+after a short intermission during which there was
+some very active electioneering among the various
+groups assembled, a bell rang and the cadets
+were formed in one long line and told to march
+up and deposit their ballots in the box.</p>
+<p>It must be admitted that Jack was rather
+anxious, although he did his best to conceal it. He
+smiled at Captain Glasby, who smiled back. Then
+he smiled at Lieutenant Harkness, but that under-officer
+only favored him with a scowl.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Harkness will never win anything with that
+look on his face,&#8221; was Gif&#8217;s comment, as he noticed
+the scowl. &#8220;The fellows like an officer who
+can take things pleasantly.&#8221;</p>
+<p>It did not take the cadets long to vote, and as
+soon as all of the ballots had been cast Captain
+Dale, assisted by Professor Brice, began to tabulate
+the vote. In less than ten minutes they had
+finished. Then a bell rang and Captain Dale came
+forward to read the result.</p>
+<table summary='votes'>
+<tr><td align='left'>&#8220;Total number of votes cast&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td align='right'>125&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Necessary to a choice</td><td align='right'>63&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Louis Glasby has</td><td align='right'>51&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Jack Rover has</td><td align='right'>50&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Darrell Harkness has</td><td align='right'>24&#8221;</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you know about that!&#8221; exclaimed
+Fred. &#8220;Jack and Glasby are within one vote of
+each other!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll say that&#8217;s getting pretty close,&#8221; answered
+Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;As no cadet has received the number of votes
+necessary to a choice, I will give the school a
+recess for fifteen minutes. Then we will vote
+again&mdash;for the same cadets or for new ones if
+you feel so inclined.&#8221;</p>
+<p>After this brief announcement by Captain Dale
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span>
+came a hum of voices and there was some strenuous
+electioneering in all parts of the hall and also
+in the corridors and out on the campus.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Glasby is stronger than I thought he was,&#8221;
+remarked Gif to Jack. &#8220;We&#8217;ll have to do some
+tall work to overcome his vote.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think we can get some of the Harkness fellows
+to come over to us,&#8221; put in Spouter. &#8220;I
+don&#8217;t believe he&#8217;s as popular as he thinks.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe we can get him to withdraw,&#8221; suggested
+Andy, with a grin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Withdraw, not!&#8221; broke out Fred. &#8220;He&#8217;s not
+that sort.&#8221;</p>
+<p>While the conversation was going on somebody
+touched Jack on the shoulder, and turning
+he found himself confronted by Paul Halliday.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, see here, Rover! I&#8217;d like a word with
+you,&#8221; whispered Halliday somewhat excitedly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, shoot!&#8221; answered the young captain.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is a little private matter,&#8221; went on Halliday.
+&#8220;You can bring your cousins along if you
+want to,&#8221; he added.</p>
+<p>Wondering what Halliday had in his mind,
+Jack, along with Fred and Andy who happened
+to be close by, followed him to an out-of-the-way
+corner of a corridor.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We want to know if you&#8217;re willing to make
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span>
+a deal with us,&#8221; said Halliday in a low, nervous
+tone of voice. &#8220;You know Harkness got twenty-four
+votes. Well, he&#8217;s willing to throw those
+votes to you if you are willing to back him for
+the new captain of Company C.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t do that,&#8221; answered Jack quickly. &#8220;If
+I get to be major I&#8217;m going to back Fred here
+for the captaincy.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, but, Jack, I could drop out of that!&#8221; put
+in his cousin quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not much, Fred! I said I was going to do
+it, and I&#8217;m going to stick to my word. Besides
+that, I might as well tell you, Halliday, that I
+don&#8217;t believe Harkness is the best fellow for the
+position.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you won&#8217;t consider my offer?&#8221; demanded
+Halliday sourly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly not!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe you can control the Harkness
+votes,&#8221; put in Andy. &#8220;I believe Jack will get a
+whole lot of them on the next ballot.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He won&#8217;t get a one of them, and he&#8217;ll lose
+some of his own!&#8221; answered Paul Halliday.
+&#8220;You just wait and see!&#8221; And then he walked
+away.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Jack, that move might have given you the
+majorship,&#8221; said Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;If I&#8217;ve got to get it that way, Fred, I don&#8217;t
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span>
+want it,&#8221; was the prompt reply. &#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t
+vote for Harkness under any circumstances. He&#8217;s
+in hand and glove with Brassy Bangs, Halliday,
+Sands, and that whole bunch; and I don&#8217;t believe
+he ought to be an officer.&#8221;</p>
+<p>A few minutes later came a commotion near
+the main entrance of the Hall. A cadet named
+Gibson who was doing some electioneering for
+Glasby had knocked Paul Halliday down, and
+there was every prospect of a fight when the two
+cadets were separated by a number of friends.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He offered to sell the Harkness vote if our
+crowd would vote later on the way he wanted us
+to!&#8221; declared Gibson. &#8220;You would think he had
+half the vote of the Hall in his pocket,&#8221; and he
+glared at Halliday, who thereupon lost no time in
+sneaking out of sight.</p>
+<p>The report that Halliday, Sands, and even
+Brassy Bangs were trying to sell the Harkness
+vote in exchange for some votes for a captaincy
+soon spread, and a number of the cadets who had
+voted for the lieutenant became disgusted and
+promptly said they were going to change. A
+lively discussion followed, in the midst of which
+the bell rang for the second ballot.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, Jack! if some of those fellows do change
+their votes I hope they come to you,&#8221; murmured
+Gif.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I must confess I&#8217;m hoping that myself,&#8221;
+answered the young captain, with a smile.</p>
+<p>Once more the boys lined up and deposited their
+ballots. Then came some anxious waiting, and
+finally Captain Dale announced the result:</p>
+<p>&#8220;Total number of votes cast.....125
+Necessary to a choice............63
+Jack Rover has...................67
+Louis Glasby has.................46
+Darrell Harkness has..............9
+Peter Floyd has...................3&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! Jack wins!&#8221; cried Fred enthusiastically,
+and was the first person to grab his cousin
+by the hand and shake it warmly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s great, Jack!&#8221; exclaimed Gif, slapping
+him on the shoulder. &#8220;Let me congratulate you!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s just the result I was looking for!&#8221; burst
+in Spouter, his face wreathed in smiles.</p>
+<p>Of course, Louis Glasby was much disappointed,
+but he took his defeat in good part and
+came up bravely to shake Jack by the hand.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was a fair and square contest, Jack,&#8221; he
+said. &#8220;And I congratulate you.&#8221; And then
+turning to the other cadets he called out: &#8220;Three
+cheers for Major Rover!&#8221; They were given with
+a will; and then Colonel Colby, Captain Dale,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span>
+and many of the older persons came forward to
+congratulate the newly-elected head of the school
+battalion.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Speech! Speech!&#8221; came the cry from the
+students. &#8220;A speech from the new major!&#8221; and
+almost before he was aware of it Jack was escorted
+to the platform.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know what to say to you,&#8221; he said, as
+he faced his fellow-students. &#8220;I thank you very
+heartily for your support and I will do my best
+to deserve it. I want to say that I am particularly
+pleased at the nice manner in which Louis
+Glasby has taken his defeat. He&#8217;s a fine fellow
+and I hope I shall always have him for my
+friend.&#8221; And following these words there was
+more cheering.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Evidently the Harkness combination went to
+pieces,&#8221; remarked Randy. &#8220;He polled only nine
+votes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And that was nine too many,&#8221; murmured his
+brother.</p>
+<p>Following the election for major, Captain Dale
+announced that they would next vote for a new
+captain for Company A.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know what you fellows are going to
+do, but I know I&#8217;m going to vote for Louis
+Glasby,&#8221; announced Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think a whole lot of fellows will do that,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span>
+answered Fred. &#8220;He&#8217;ll probably get every one
+of his original fifty-one votes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Again there was an intermission of a quarter
+of an hour, and then the boys were lined up for
+the vote to fill the vacancy in Company A. On
+the first ballot Glasby got 60 votes while Fred
+poled 18 votes, the rest being scattering. Then
+on the second ballot Glasby was declared elected
+with 69 votes in his favor.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Three cheers for Captain Glasby of Company
+A!&#8221; called out Jack quickly, as he shook hands
+with his late rival, and the cheers were given with
+as much of a will as they had been for the newly-elected
+major.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I got thirty-two votes on that last ballot,&#8221;
+announced Fred. &#8220;That shows I&#8217;ve got some
+friends in this school. I don&#8217;t want to be the
+captain of Company A. I&#8217;d rather remain a lieutenant
+of Company C.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But we&#8217;ve got to have a new captain for Company
+C now that Jack has stepped out,&#8221; put in
+Phil Franklin.</p>
+<p>A quarter of an hour later the balloting began
+for a new captain for the company Jack had
+commanded. Here developed a spirited rivalry,
+and it was not until the fifth ballot that the final
+vote was taken. Then Fred won by 64 votes with
+the other votes scattered among eight contestants.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Three cheers for Captain Fred Rover!&#8221;
+shouted Phil Franklin enthusiastically, and threw
+his cap high in the air. He had electioneered as
+hard as anybody for the youngest Rover.</p>
+<p>Then Fred was called on for a little speech, and
+after that there was another election for lieutenants
+and a number of minor officers.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It certainly was our day, Fred,&#8221; said Jack, as
+he and his cousin shook hands.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Right you are, Major Rover,&#8221; and Fred saluted
+in the most precise military fashion.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Bonfires to-night, boys!&#8221; sang out Andy.
+&#8220;And we&#8217;ll have some big doings, believe me!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Right you are!&#8221; declared his twin.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XII_BONFIRE_NIGHT' id='XII_BONFIRE_NIGHT'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+<h3>BONFIRE NIGHT</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>It was the custom at Colby Hall for the officers
+of the battalion to take dinner with Colonel
+Colby on the day of an election. This was quite
+a formal affair and the cadets to participate made
+it a point to look their best.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, Jack, you&#8217;re going to make a stunning
+looking major,&#8221; remarked Fred, as he watched his
+cousin dressing.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How about yourself as captain?&#8221; was the
+reply.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just wait till Ruth Stevenson sees Jack in his
+new uniform!&#8221; cried Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, Jack, why not have a life-sized photo
+taken and give it to her to hang over her dressing
+table?&#8221; put in Andy, with a grin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You beware, Andy,&#8221; admonished his cousin,
+waving a finger severely at him. &#8220;Remember, as
+the commandant of the battalion, I can throw you
+into a dungeon cell if I feel so inclined,&#8221; and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span>
+Jack strutted around grandly in the privacy of the
+Rovers&#8217; sitting room.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll be good, oh, Most Noble One,&#8221; answered
+the fun-loving Rover, bowing down until his head
+almost touched his feet.</p>
+<p>Jack and Fred had already sent word to Martha
+and Mary, and they, of course, had told Ruth
+and the others. It is needless to say that the
+Rover girls and their chums were almost as much
+pleased over the results of the election as the boys
+had been.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m just dying to see them on parade with
+Jack at the head,&#8221; confided Martha to the others.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and Fred in command of Company C,&#8221;
+added Mary. &#8220;Just to think of it! And he so
+much younger than the others!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope I&#8217;m on hand to see their first parade,&#8221;
+said Ruth, her eyes beaming with pleasure.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I thought you were going to write Jack a letter
+about that party,&#8221; said Martha in a low tone.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am. To-night. And I&#8217;ll let him know that
+I&#8217;ve wanted to do it ever since the party was
+talked of,&#8221; went on Ruth.</p>
+<p>The officers&#8217; dinner was a great success. Every
+one present made a little speech and Colonel Colby
+and Captain Dale made addresses to which the
+cadets listened with keen attention.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is my desire to make this military academy
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span>
+one of the best in the country,&#8221; declared the
+colonel earnestly. &#8220;And I cannot do that without
+the sincere coöperation of every cadet attending
+the institution. As many of you know&#8221;&mdash;and
+here he glanced at Jack and Fred&mdash;&#8220;when I was
+about your age I attended Putnam Hall Military
+Academy. I am sure the training I received there
+did me much good, and I am also sure that I
+made many friends who will stand by me as long
+as I live.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I want this institution to be one of good-fellowship
+all around, and I am relying upon all of
+you to do your best. At Putnam Hall in many
+respects we followed the honor system which I
+have put into operation here. That honor system
+did not fail there, and I do not look for it to fail
+here. I want you all to have a good time; but
+there is a limit, and every one of you knows what
+that limit is just as well as I do. In the late war
+the training which some of our soldiers had received
+at Putnam Hall stood them in good stead.
+And I want the training received here to be of
+equal benefit if any of my cadets should ever be
+called upon to fight for our country.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Three cheers for Colonel Colby!&#8221; came from
+Jack a minute later, and the boys assembled
+nearly split their throats trying to do justice to
+their feelings.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span></p>
+<p>While this dinner was going on the other cadets
+had their repast in the mess hall and then
+flew off in all directions to prepare for the real
+festivities of the evening. They had gotten together
+several piles of barrels and boxes, as well
+as brushwood from the forest behind the school,
+and these were soon heaped up along the river
+bank into great bonfires, the light of which could
+be seen a long distance.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s going to be some night, believe me!&#8221; sang
+out Andy merrily. &#8220;We&#8217;ll tear the woodpile
+down, as the old saying is.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We want to be a little bit careful or else we&#8217;ll
+have Snopper Duke or some other professor calling
+us down.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Snopper Duke is going away. I heard him
+tell one of the other teachers that he had had a
+sudden call to go somewhere out of town,&#8221; answered
+Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Going away again, eh?&#8221; questioned Gif, in
+surprise. &#8220;He certainly is getting to be a regular
+Man of Mystery.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The greater part of the cadets were wildly excited
+over the prospects of a good time that night.
+A few of them, however, including Lieutenant
+Harkness, Paul Halliday, and Brassy Bangs,
+looked far from pleased.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They make me tired,&#8221; was Brassy&#8217;s comment.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span>
+&#8220;You&#8217;d think that being major of the school battalion
+was next to being president.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;If I can&#8217;t be anything better than a lieutenant
+I think I&#8217;ll resign altogether,&#8221; returned Harkness.
+&#8220;I&#8217;d rather go in for athletics.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll have a pretty good chance if you do,&#8221;
+announced Paul Halliday. &#8220;I understand they&#8217;re
+going to try to divorce the officers from participating
+in baseball and football as much as possible.
+A fellow can hold a commission and be on
+a team at the same time only when it seems absolutely
+necessary.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then Jack Rover and Fred Rover will have
+to give up playing baseball,&#8221; put in Brassy quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;More than likely. Although, of course, they&#8217;ll
+hate to lose such good players as they are,&#8221; put
+in another cadet who was present.</p>
+<p>When the officers&#8217; dinner was at an end Jack
+and Fred lost no time in hurrying to their rooms,
+where they donned their old uniforms. It was
+what was termed a &#8220;holiday night&#8221; at the Hall,
+which meant that for the time being the cadets
+were all on an even footing and must treat each
+other as if such a thing as an officer was unknown.</p>
+<p>By the time Jack and Fred joined the crowd
+along the river bank the fun was at its height.
+Many of the cadets were running around indulging
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span>
+in all sorts of horseplay while others were
+dancing around the bonfires singing the songs
+they had learned in the school and while at the
+encampments. Several of the boys, including
+Andy, were in clowns&#8217; costume with big slapsticks
+which they used vigorously on everybody
+who came within their reach.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah, boys, let her flicker!&#8221; cried Fred, as
+he rushed forward. &#8220;Everybody join in!&#8221; he
+added, and then boomed out with this well-known
+Hall refrain:</p>
+<table summary='poetry' style=' margin-left:4em;'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>&#8220;Who are we?</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Can&#8217;t you see?</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Colby Hall!</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Dum! Dum! Dum, dum, dum!</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Here we come with fife and drum!</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Colby! Colby! Colby Hall!&#8221;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the stuff!&#8221; cried Jack. &#8220;Let&#8217;s have it
+again!&#8221; And then the refrain boomed out louder
+than ever.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on! Let&#8217;s march around the school,&#8221;
+came from Gif, and he caught up a firebrand as
+he spoke.</p>
+<p>A number of others were quick to follow his
+example, and in a minute more a torchlight procession
+was in progress, winding along over the
+campus, around the school, and through the edge
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span>
+of the woods beyond. Then the boys came back
+by way of the barns and sheds in the rear.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Look out that you don&#8217;t set something on
+fire,&#8221; warned Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Something is on fire already!&#8221; burst out
+Andy suddenly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t say!&#8221; queried Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where is the fire?&#8221; demanded half a dozen
+others, looking around anxiously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Right down there,&#8221; declared the fun-loving
+Rover, and pointed to the bonfires along the river.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wow! Let&#8217;s duck him for that!&#8221; cried Phil
+Franklin.</p>
+<p>He made a dive for Andy and so did several
+others, but the agile Rover was too quick for
+them and danced out of their reach, having no
+desire to take an involuntary bath in the river,
+which at that time of the year was very cold.</p>
+<p>In the past the cadets had had considerable
+fun with Job Plunger, the school janitor, who was
+quite deaf and who was often called Shout because
+everybody had to shout at him to make him
+hear. But this time Plunger was wise and kept
+out of sight, as did also Pud Hicks, his assistant,
+and Bob Nixon, the chauffeur. The only person
+the boys could get hold of was Si Crews, the gymnastic
+instructor.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Give us a song, won&#8217;t you?&#8221; asked several of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span>
+the boys at once, for Si Crews was known to be
+quite a singer.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will if Lowe will play the mandolin or the
+banjo,&#8221; answered Crews.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the stuff, Ned!&#8221; called Fred. &#8220;Go on
+and get your mandolin.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Ned Lowe, who was also a good singer, was
+willing, and at once ran off into the school to get
+the musical instrument mentioned. When he
+came out he tuned up hastily and then played
+while Si Crews sang one or two old-time songs.
+Then Ned gave the crowd one or two funny songs
+and a dozen or more of the cadets joined in the
+chorus.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here&#8217;s a chance to get square with Codfish!&#8221;
+cried Fred, as the sneak of the school showed himself
+in the crowd.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, we might as well let Codfish drop,&#8221; answered
+Jack.</p>
+<p>But before this could be done Andy and Randy
+caught hold of Stowell and pushed him forward
+through the circle of merry cadets around one of
+the fires.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re going to initiate you in the Ancient
+Order of Cornmeal,&#8221; declared Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t want to be initiated,&#8221; answered Codfish.
+&#8220;You let me alone!&#8221;</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span>
+<img src='images/illus-131.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 329px; height: 506px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 329px;'>
+THERE DESCENDED UPON CODFISH SEVERAL POUNDS OF FINELY-GROUND CORNMEAL.<br />
+<i>Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch</i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(<i>Page</i> 131)<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, but this is a first-class Order, Codfish,&#8221;
+returned Randy. &#8220;If your reputation is bad it
+will render you almost spotless.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You let me go!&#8221; burst out Codfish in sudden
+fear, as Andy and Randy and several others came
+close to him. &#8220;I don&#8217;t want any horseplay to-night.
+I&#8217;m tired out.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;To be initiated in this Order you&#8217;ve got to
+lie down,&#8221; continued Andy, and, motioning to
+his brother and some of the others, they suddenly
+caught poor Codfish and stretched him out
+on the grass in front of the fire.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are you ready to be initiated?&#8221; questioned
+Randy solemnly, as he stood over Codfish with a
+small paper bag in one hand.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You let me&mdash;&mdash;&#8221; began Codfish.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He says &#8216;let me!&#8217;&#8221; burst out Randy quickly.
+&#8220;So go to it, Most Potent Sower of the Ancient
+and Honorable Order of Cornmeal! Go to it, I
+say!&#8221;</p>
+<p>And thereupon without further ado Randy
+overturned the paper bag he held in his hand and
+there descended upon Codfish several pounds of
+finely-ground meal which the lads had purchased
+in town a day or two before.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hi! Hi! What&#8217;s this? You let me go!&#8221;
+cried Codfish, and then began to splutter as the
+dry cornmeal got into his mouth and nose.</p>
+<p>&#8220;My, Codfish, you&#8217;d make a regular muffin
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span>
+now,&#8221; declared Andy, as the whitened youth
+struggled to his feet.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Give us a song, Codfish.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Make it a regular corncake hoedown,&#8221; put in
+Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You let me go!&#8221; shrieked Codfish, and then
+in commingled rage and fear he suddenly caught
+up a long firebrand from the bonfire and whirled
+it around rapidly before him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Get out of my way&mdash;all of you!&#8221; he screamed,
+and the next minute made a movement as if to
+dash the firebrand directly into Randy&#8217;s face.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XIII_A_STARTLING_DISCOVERY' id='XIII_A_STARTLING_DISCOVERY'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+<h3>A STARTLING DISCOVERY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Drop that, Codfish!&#8221; exclaimed Randy, and
+backed away so suddenly that he tripped over some
+brushwood and came down flat on his back.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not going to be tormented any more,&#8221;
+stormed Codfish, and swung the firebrand around
+again, this time so the flames brushed Andy&#8217;s
+shoulder and also Fred&#8217;s arm.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Drop that, you imp!&#8221; exclaimed Ned Lowe.
+&#8220;Do you want to put out somebody&#8217;s eyes?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t care! You&#8217;ve got to let me alone!&#8221;
+screamed Codfish.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We won&#8217;t let you alone until you learn how
+to behave yourself and act like the other fellows
+do,&#8221; answered Andy. &#8220;You&#8217;re the worst sneak
+this school ever had, and you know it!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and see how you acted after all we did
+for you when we were at Cedar Lodge,&#8221; added
+Randy, who had scrambled to his feet.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&mdash;I didn&#8217;t mean to say anything about those
+snowballs,&#8221; whined Stowell. &#8220;They made me do
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span>
+it!&#8221; And thereupon, pitching the firebrand back
+on the bonfire, he pushed his way through the
+crowd of cadets and disappeared in the darkness
+in the direction of the school.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, he certainly is a pill!&#8221; was Dan Soppinger&#8217;s
+comment. &#8220;I think none of us would
+weep if Codfish left the school for good. How
+about it?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind&mdash;don&#8217;t let it spoil the festivities,&#8221;
+cried Andy gayly. &#8220;Come on! Everybody join
+in! A fine of one suspender button for the fellows
+who don&#8217;t sing!&#8221; And thereupon he began
+a ditty he had composed during the war.</p>
+<table summary='poetry' style=' margin-left:4em;'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>&#8220;Johnny get your musket!</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>You must get your musket!</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Johnny get your musket!</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>You must get it now!&#8221;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<p>And this ditty the lads sang over and over
+again as they leaped and swung in a circle around
+the bonfires.</p>
+<p>But all gala occasions must come to an end, and
+by eleven o&#8217;clock the bonfires were nothing but
+heaps of smouldering ashes, and then one by one
+the cadets returned to the Hall and retired.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Jack, it will seem kind of funny, won&#8217;t
+it, to be at the head of the school battalion to-morrow
+morning?&#8221; questioned Gif, as he and the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span>
+newly-elected major turned into the corridor leading
+to their rooms.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Gif. But it won&#8217;t be so very strange
+either, because you know I had to command the
+battalion two or three times when the other officers
+were away.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Their activities during the whole of the day
+had made the cadets sleepy, and nearly all turned
+in without much ado. Here and there there was
+an exception, and these included Fatty Hendry
+and Dan Soppinger.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve got to get out some sort of a composition
+on City Improvements,&#8221; declared Fatty. &#8220;I don&#8217;t
+know much about &#8217;em, but if I don&#8217;t get the
+paper in by nine o&#8217;clock to-morrow morning
+there&#8217;s going to be trouble.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I still have some examples in algebra to
+work out,&#8221; answered Dan. &#8220;So I think I&#8217;ll go at
+them before I retire.&#8221;</p>
+<p>All of the Rovers slept soundly and did not
+awaken until they heard an unexpected knock on
+their door some time before the rising bell.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let me in,&#8221; came in the voice of Dan Soppinger.
+&#8220;I&#8217;ve got news.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Jack opened the door and Dan came in, followed
+by Fatty.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, what do you know about this!&#8221; exclaimed
+Dan. &#8220;Colby Hall has been robbed!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Robbed!&#8221; ejaculated Jack. &#8220;What do you
+mean? What did they take?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What did they take!&#8221; burst out Fatty. &#8220;I
+guess they took about everything they could get
+their hands on that was easy to carry off. I lost
+my stickpin and my watch.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I lost two old stickpins and two rings
+that I haven&#8217;t been wearing,&#8221; put in Dan.</p>
+<p>&#8220;When did you find this out?&#8221; questioned the
+newly-elected major.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I made the discovery just when I was going
+to bed after doing some examples in algebra,&#8221; answered
+Dan. &#8220;It was about half-past twelve, so
+I didn&#8217;t want to wake anybody up&mdash;that is, none
+of the other fellows, although I did call on Fatty
+because I knew he was writing a composition.
+He looked around his room then and found he
+had been robbed, too. Then, as Professor Duke
+was away, we called on Professor Watson. He
+made an investigation and then said he would report
+to Colonel Colby the first thing this morning.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The talk in Jack&#8217;s room had brought Fred to
+the scene, and a few minutes later Randy and
+Andy came in, rubbing their eyes sleepily.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What was your stuff worth, Dan?&#8221; questioned
+Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think the rings were worth about fifteen
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span>
+dollars each, and the stickpins almost as much.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;My stickpin was worth thirty-five dollars,&#8221;
+groaned Fatty. &#8220;And the watch was a gold one
+given to me by my grandfather, and I wouldn&#8217;t
+lose that for a good deal.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hark! What&#8217;s that commotion?&#8221; put in Jack
+suddenly.</p>
+<p>There was a murmur of excited voices in the
+corridor, and, throwing open the door, the Rovers
+and their friends came out to see what was up.</p>
+<p>&#8220;My room has been robbed!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;My watch is gone and a whole lot of other
+jewelry!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I lost three dollars!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Huh, that isn&#8217;t anything! I lost fourteen
+dollars and a half!&#8221;</p>
+<p>So the talk ran on as an excited group of
+cadets, some fully attired and some still wearing
+their pajamas, crowded forward.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, what do you know about this!&#8221; exclaimed
+Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is anything belonging to us gone?&#8221; questioned
+Jack suddenly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going back to find out,&#8221; came from
+Randy. &#8220;I was so sleepy last night that I just
+tumbled into bed and let it go at that.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Without further ado the four Rovers ran back
+into the rooms they occupied and began a search
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span>
+of their chiffoniers and the other places where
+they kept their things of value.</p>
+<p>&#8220;My stickpin is gone and also one of my rings,&#8221;
+groaned Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I had a brand new five-dollar bill tucked away
+in one of my drawers,&#8221; said his brother. &#8220;I
+can&#8217;t find it anywhere. And, yes, my wrist-watch
+is missing!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;My watch and chain and stickpin are gone,
+and likewise all my badges!&#8221; cried Fred. &#8220;Oh,
+this is the worst ever!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;m out a ring and three stickpins,&#8221; announced
+Jack, &#8220;including that brand new pin I
+got last year.&#8221;</p>
+<p>As quickly as possible the four Rovers dressed
+and then joined the other cadets in the corridor.
+From all sides were heard excited exclamations
+as one pupil after another came forward to announce
+that either his jewelry or his money&mdash;and
+sometimes both&mdash;were gone.</p>
+<p>Colonel Colby and several of the professors had
+already been notified, and they quickly appeared
+on the scene and tried to interview the cadets.
+This, however, was a hard thing to undertake because
+nearly all the boys wanted to talk at once.
+There was so much excitement that for the time
+being the morning parade and breakfast were
+completely forgotten.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;This is certainly a terrible state of affairs,&#8221;
+remarked the colonel to Captain Dale. &#8220;Have
+you any idea who can be guilty?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Colonel. I have always thought that
+every one connected with this school was honest.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It may be the work of some of the hired help,&#8221;
+mused Colonel Colby. &#8220;But I hate to think that.
+Every one who is here came highly recommended.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We might make inquiry and see if any
+strangers were in the school last night during the
+celebration,&#8221; suggested Captain Dale. &#8220;There
+was so much excitement that some one might have
+slipped in and out without our noticing.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Finally Colonel Colby told all the cadets to go
+below for breakfast, dispensing with the early
+morning drill.</p>
+<p>&#8220;As soon as you have finished eating I wish
+each cadet to make a thorough search of his room
+and make out a written list of everything that is
+missing and sign the paper. Take careful note
+of everything when you are making your search,
+and if you find any clues to the perpetrator of
+this outrageous affair, let me know. The lists can
+be left at the office as soon as they are made out.&#8221;
+And then, after a moment of thought, he added:
+&#8220;There will be no session of the school this morning.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Shall we notify the Haven Point authorities?&#8221;
+questioned Professor Brice.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not at present. I wish to make my own investigation
+first,&#8221; answered the head of the school.</p>
+<p>It did not take Jack and his cousins long to
+swallow their breakfast, and this finished, they
+hurried back to their rooms and began the search
+Colonel Colby had advised.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;m shy that gold fountain pen Aunt
+Martha gave me,&#8221; announced Jack presently. &#8220;I&#8217;d
+forgotten about that because I didn&#8217;t usually use
+it. I use the one mother gave me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Outside of this the Rovers could find nothing
+more missing nor did they locate anything in the
+way of a clue that might lead to the robber. They
+sat down and made out their brief lists, signed
+them, and then walked together down to the
+office.</p>
+<p>Here a crowd of cadets were coming and going.
+It was learned that twenty-two cadets in all had
+suffered losses which ranged from seventy-five
+cents to one hundred and twenty-five dollars. In
+all it was figured that the loss would amount to
+at least twelve hundred dollars.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is about the worst thing that ever struck
+Colby Hall,&#8221; announced Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who do you suppose did it?&#8221; questioned
+Randy.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t ask me, Randy. I&#8217;d hate to suspect any
+of the fellows.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I don&#8217;t think any of the fellows did it!&#8221;
+burst out Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, what about the hired help?&#8221; questioned
+Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know any of them that I&#8217;d suspect,&#8221;
+said Jack promptly. &#8220;Every one looks like a
+pretty good sort.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Only two cadets came forward with objects
+that might possibly be a clue to the robbery. One
+boy had picked up a handkerchief in his room
+that he said did not belong to him, and another
+boy had found the marks of muddy footprints
+over his window sill and on a fire-escape outside.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, that looks as if somebody had come up
+the fire-escape and got into the rooms that way,&#8221;
+said Jack, when he heard of this.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They say the handkerchief that was picked up
+is not marked in any way,&#8221; said Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, every handkerchief used by the cadets
+is marked,&#8221; returned Spouter. &#8220;They&#8217;ve got to
+be that way or they&#8217;d get all mixed up in the
+laundry.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;How about the help?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Their stuff is all marked, too. One of the
+teachers told me so,&#8221; put in Dan Soppinger.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, Ned! you came upstairs for your mandolin,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span>
+cried Jack suddenly. &#8220;Did you see anybody
+up here?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t remember that I did,&#8221; answered Ned
+Lowe. &#8220;I was in such a hurry to get the instrument
+that I didn&#8217;t pay much attention. And, besides
+that, it seemed pretty dark in here after
+coming away from that big bonfire.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;A robber would be sure to keep out of Ned&#8217;s
+sight,&#8221; put in Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I remember seeing some fellows in the lower
+hall&mdash;Major Mason, Bart White, and one or two
+others. But I can&#8217;t seem to remember seeing anybody
+upstairs&mdash;and yet, somehow or other, it
+seems to me I did pass somebody just before I ran
+into my room,&#8221; and now Ned looked perplexed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t you think who it was?&#8221; questioned Andy
+quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I can&#8217;t.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;If it was a stranger you would have remembered,
+wouldn&#8217;t you?&#8221; asked Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think I would, Jack. I&#8217;d think right away
+what that person was doing upstairs.&#8221; Ned
+scratched his head. &#8220;No, if I did meet somebody,
+I&#8217;m sure it must have been one of the cadets.
+But who it was, I can&#8217;t think.&#8221;</p>
+<p>A little later Colonel Colby continued his investigation
+by asking all those who had been inside
+the building during the celebration to come
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span>
+forward and tell anything they could that might
+be of advantage. It developed that not only Ned
+but also Ralph Mason, Bart White and two of
+the older cadets named Lawrence and Philips had
+been upstairs some time between eight and eleven
+o&#8217;clock. The most of these cadets said they had
+seen no one else upstairs in the building. But
+Bart White declared while at one end of a long
+corridor he had seen some one slip around a
+corner out of sight. He was not sure whether
+the person had been a cadet, one of the hired
+help, or an outsider.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was either a man or a big boy,&#8221; said Bart.
+&#8220;But he moved so quickly and it was so dark I
+didn&#8217;t recognize him, even if I happened to know
+him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And what time was this?&#8221; questioned Colonel
+Colby.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Some time between half-past nine and ten
+o&#8217;clock.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Bart was asked to show the colonel where the
+disappearance of the stranger had taken place,
+and it was proved that this was at a point just
+around a corner from the room where the footprints
+leading to the fire-escape had been discovered.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps you saw the person just at the time
+he was making his escape,&#8221; was Colonel Colby&#8217;s
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span>
+comment. &#8220;We will look for footprints below
+the fire-escape.&#8221;</p>
+<p>This was done, but the cadets the night before
+had tramped around the school building so much
+that the footprints were hopelessly mixed. Then
+the boys were questioned as to whether or not
+they had seen any one dropping from the fire-escape
+to the ground, and all answered in the
+negative.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We will question the hired help and see what
+they have to say,&#8221; announced the master of the
+school.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XIV_THE_PARADE' id='XIV_THE_PARADE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+<h3>THE PARADE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The inquiries made among the hired help of
+Colby Hall produced little results. Some of the
+servants were rather scared and declared to Colonel
+Colby that they were innocent of any wrong
+doing.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am not accusing any one here,&#8221; declared
+the master of the Hall. &#8220;I only want to find out,
+if possible, who was guilty of this outrageous proceeding.&#8221;</p>
+<p>It was found that two men with wagon loads
+of supplies for the school had visited the place
+during the evening, but neither of these men had
+gone any further into the building than the storeroom,
+and both had departed as soon as their errands
+were finished. Outside of that, so far as
+the servants could remember, no outsiders had
+been on the premises.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And yet those footmarks on the window sill
+and the fire-escape look as if it had been done by
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span>
+an outsider,&#8221; said Captain Dale to the head of the
+school.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s just possible that it may have been an inside
+job and an outside job combined,&#8221; ventured
+Professor Grawson.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you mean by that?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Somebody in the institution may be in collusion
+with some outsider&mdash;some professional
+thief. The inside person may have given the outsider
+a tip as to when the coast was clear and
+may even have stood on guard while the rooms
+were being looted.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is possible, Professor. But is there any
+one in the place that you suspect?&#8221;</p>
+<p>At this Professor Grawson shook his head.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, sir. So far as I can imagine they are all
+thoroughly honest.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We might institute a general search of all the
+buildings,&#8221; announced Captain Dale. &#8220;We can
+call all the cadets out on the campus and all the
+hired help into the mess room and request them to
+remain while the search is going on.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Some of the hired help may object to that,&#8221;
+came from Professor Watson.</p>
+<p>&#8220;If they did it would throw suspicion on them,&#8221;
+answered Colonel Colby quickly. &#8220;I think the idea
+had better be carried out.&#8221;</p>
+<p>All the persons in the school were assembled
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span>
+as mentioned, and then Captain Dale explained
+to the cadets what had been proposed and Colonel
+Colby did the same to the hired help.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;re certainly welcome to search our
+rooms,&#8221; declared Major Jack promptly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And mine, too,&#8221; added a score of others.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure I haven&#8217;t anything to conceal,&#8221; put
+in Lieutenant Harkness.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I haven&#8217;t anything to conceal either,&#8221;
+came from Brassy Bangs. &#8220;They can search my
+room all they please.&#8221; He had announced the loss
+of a stickpin and six dollars and a quarter in
+cash.</p>
+<p>Among the hired help there was more or less
+murmuring, one of the old cooks, an Irish woman
+who had been in the place since it had been opened,
+shaking her head dubiously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sure an&#8217; I didn&#8217;t think yez would take me fer
+a thief, Colonel Colby,&#8221; said Bridget, gazing at
+the head of the school severely.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not taking any one for a thief, Mrs.
+Mulligan,&#8221; he answered. &#8220;But it would not be
+fair to search any of the rooms without searching
+all of them.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sure an&#8217; that&#8217;s true fer yez,&#8221; announced the
+cook, nodding her head in assent. &#8220;An&#8217; if that&#8217;s
+the way ye&#8217;re after lookin&#8217; at it, go ahead and
+search me room all ye please. Only don&#8217;t be
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span>
+disturbin&#8217; them trinkets I have from me dead
+mother.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The search was made without delay, all of the
+teachers and the cadets who had lost their belongings
+taking part. It occupied the rest of the
+morning. Every room was gone over carefully,
+and when anything in the way of jewelry or other
+such articles as had been reported missing were
+discovered all those who had suffered were asked
+to look on and see if they could identify anything.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! there&#8217;s a fountain pen that belongs to
+me,&#8221; cried one of the boys presently. And then
+he added in a crestfallen manner: &#8220;It&#8217;s all right.
+I lent that to Bill Latimer a couple of weeks ago
+and forgot all about it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Outside of this incident the search came to an
+end with nothing out of the ordinary happening.
+Not an article that had been taken was discovered
+in any of the rooms occupied by the cadets
+or the hired help. Nor was anything discovered
+in any of the other rooms or closets of the institution.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It certainly is puzzling,&#8221; declared Colonel
+Colby, after the search had been called off. &#8220;It
+looks to me as if a thief had gotten away with
+everything he took.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Either that or he has some hiding place which
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span>
+we as yet haven&#8217;t unearthed,&#8221; answered Captain
+Dale.</p>
+<p>After that the hired help were told they might
+go, and as soon as possible dinner was served to
+the cadets and the teachers. Then, when the
+pupils were told to go to their afternoon classes,
+Colonel Colby and Captain Dale held a conference
+in the office and notified the local police
+authorities.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hate to do it,&#8221; said Colonel Colby. &#8220;But
+there seems to be no help for it. It will certainly
+give our institution a black eye.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I do not see how anyone can hold you
+responsible for this affair,&#8221; returned Captain
+Dale. &#8220;We are as watchful at this institution as
+they are anywhere.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course I shall not permit our cadets to lose
+anything by this,&#8221; went on the master of the school
+quickly. &#8220;I shall ask each of them to value carefully
+what they have lost, and then, if the things
+are not recovered before the end of the term, I
+will make the loss good.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That would be very nice on your part, Colonel
+Colby. And I think it would be a good investment
+too,&#8221; added Captain Dale. &#8220;It will prove
+to the parents of the cadets that you consider
+yourself responsible while they are under your
+care.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span></p>
+<p>When the local authorities came to the school
+they went over the ground carefully with Colonel
+Colby and some of the others and asked innumerable
+questions.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We have a number of strangers stopping in
+town, mostly traveling salesmen,&#8221; announced the
+chief of police. &#8220;I&#8217;ll look &#8217;em up, and also look
+up any tramps or any other suspicious characters
+that may be hanging around.&#8221; And that for the
+time being was all he could say. Soon he and
+his men departed.</p>
+<p>That evening Jack found a letter in his box
+which had been mailed early that morning at
+Haven Point. It was from Ruth. There was
+also a brief note to Fred which had been sent by
+May.</p>
+<p>In her communication to the newly-elected
+major Ruth congratulated him heartily on his success
+and said she hoped soon to see him in a parade
+at the head of the battalion. After that she
+wrote as follows about the sleighing party that
+had been called off:</p>
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p>&#8220;I received an invitation to that party from
+Lester Bangs and May received an invitation from
+Paul Halliday. Jennie Mason, Ida Brierley and
+several of the other girls had invitations and they
+wanted us to go very much. But, of course, I
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span>
+did not want to go with such a fellow as Bangs.
+Then he came to me and started a report that all
+of you Rovers were going to another party with
+some of the girls from the town, and that the
+party was to take place the same night as our
+party. Of course, I did not want to say anything
+about it, because I realized that you could do as
+you pleased. But I told Bangs positively that I
+would not go with him and May told the same
+thing to Halliday. Then both of them got quite
+ugly and accused you and your cousin of trying
+to spoil his outing. I told him you had had nothing
+to do with it, but he declared that you had
+and that you had better look out or you would get
+into hot water. So, Jack, please look out for him
+and tell Fred to look out for Halliday and the
+others.&#8221;</p>
+</div>
+<p>There was more to the letter, and Jack read the
+communication with great interest. He felt
+greatly relieved to think that Ruth had not intended
+to accept Brassy&#8217;s invitation, and later on
+he dropped her a note thanking her for her kind
+congratulations and telling her that the report of
+another party in which the Rovers and some girls
+from Haven Point were to participate had been
+faked up.</p>
+<p>The note received by Fred was on lines similar
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span>
+to the communication sent to Jack. He sent word
+to May clearing up the situation.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was a mean thing for Bangs and Halliday
+to do,&#8221; declared the newly-elected captain of
+Company C. &#8220;We ought to pitch into them.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We can&#8217;t afford to do it, Fred, now that I&#8217;m
+a major and you&#8217;re a captain,&#8221; was Jack&#8217;s reply.
+&#8220;Remember what Colonel Colby said: We must
+be models for the other cadets.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Great Scott! does that mean we can&#8217;t stick up
+for our rights?&#8221; demanded the youngest Rover
+indignantly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not at all, Fred. If those fellows say anything,
+give it back to them. And if they start to
+fight, defend yourself just as well as you are
+able.&#8221;</p>
+<p>As mentioned before, Snopper Duke had been
+absent from the Hall during the election for officers
+and the celebration which had followed.
+When he returned he looked much worried, and
+this worry was far from dispelled when he visited
+his room.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Colonel Colby, I, too, have been robbed!&#8221; he
+exclaimed, as he came rushing down to the office.
+&#8220;I&#8217;ve had a silver cardcase taken, and also a gold
+watch which has been in our family for several
+generations, a watch that belonged to my father
+and my grandfather.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s too bad, Professor Duke,&#8221; answered the
+master of the Hall seriously. &#8220;May I ask what
+the articles were worth?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t suppose the cardcase was worth more
+than a few dollars, but the watch was of gold,
+and I presume it must have cost fifty or sixty
+dollars. It was an heirloom and I treasured it
+highly.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am doing my best to find out something
+about the robbery,&#8221; said Colonel Colby. &#8220;But
+so far all my efforts have been in vain. I intend,
+if the articles are not recovered by the time the
+school session comes to an end, to pay for everything
+that has been stolen.&#8221; And that was all the
+master of the Hall could say.</p>
+<p>It must be admitted that both Jack and Fred
+felt quite proud when the first regular parade of
+the battalion took place that spring. The cousins
+had, of course, sent home word of the election
+and had received permission to purchase new uniforms.
+Both looked spick and span as they
+marched out at the head of their respective commands.
+It was a clear, warm day, and Colonel
+Colby announced that the cadets could parade
+through Haven Point to Clearwater Hall and return
+if they so desired.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! That&#8217;s the stuff!&#8221; cried Fred.</p>
+<p>And so it was arranged, and one of the teachers
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span>
+telephoned over to the girls&#8217; academy, to let
+those at that institution know what they might
+expect. Then one of the cadets telephoned to
+Felix Falstein, the owner of the Haven Point
+moving picture theater.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Falstein always hangs out his flags for us,&#8221;
+said this cadet. &#8220;And he&#8217;ll do it this time, I&#8217;m
+sure.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Colby Hall now boasted of a drum and fife
+corps of twelve pieces, and they made merry music
+as the battalion marched away in the direction of
+Haven Point. All but three or four of the cadets
+were in the best of spirits.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think marching over to Clearwater Hall is
+punk,&#8221; declared Brassy Bangs, with a snarl.
+&#8220;Why can&#8217;t they march some place worth while
+or just go around the town and let it go at that?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess Jack Rover wants to show off before
+those girls,&#8221; grumbled Paul Halliday.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t go if I could get out of it,&#8221; growled
+Brassy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, don&#8217;t squeal,&#8221; returned his crony quickly.
+&#8220;If you do they&#8217;ll only laugh at us and make us
+go anyway.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Attention there, Bangs!&#8221; cried the captain of
+Company B, the command to which Brassy belonged.
+&#8220;No talking in the ranks!&#8221; And thereupon
+the cadets became silent.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span></p>
+<p>As had been anticipated, when the cadets
+reached Haven Point they found that Felix Falstein
+had outdone himself in the way of decorations.
+Not only were several flags displayed
+across the front of his theater, but he had strung
+two big flags across the street, and between them
+placed a banner which he had had painted some
+time before and which read:</p>
+<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>WELCOME TO</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>COLBY HALL</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s very nice of him,&#8221; remarked Jack, who
+was marching at the head of the procession with
+Captain Dale on horseback close beside him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Very nice, indeed, Major Rover,&#8221; answered
+the military man.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if we can&#8217;t come to a halt here and
+go through the manual of arms?&#8221; went on the
+newly-elected major.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly, if you wish to do so.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Battalion halt!&#8221; called out Jack, turning
+around and the three companies came to a stop.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XV_BASEBALL' id='XV_BASEBALL'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+<h3>BASEBALL</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Soon the three companies of the Colby Hall
+battalion were in a long line in front of the moving
+picture theater. At once a crowd began to
+gather until several hundred people were assembled.
+Then the cadets were put through the
+manual of arms, after which followed some fancy
+evolutions in the street in front of the show house.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Very good! Very good, indeed!&#8221; shouted
+Felix Falstein, who was present.</p>
+<p>His face was beaming and he clapped his hands
+loudly, and, taking this hint, the crowd applauded
+with vigor. Then the march through Haven
+Point was resumed and soon the cadets came in
+sight of Clearwater Hall.</p>
+<p>They had good reason to feel proud of what
+those at the girls&#8217; school had done in their honor.
+The big flag was flying from the flagstaff on the
+campus and other flags were displayed from the
+front of the building. In addition to this the
+classes had been dismissed for the time being and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span>
+nearly all the girls were out at the front of the
+school, many carrying small flags which they
+waved vigorously as the cadets approached.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, don&#8217;t they look grand!&#8221; cried Mary.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Superb!&#8221; added Martha ecstatically.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do believe Jack has a brand new uniform,&#8221;
+came from Ruth, and then she began to cheer
+and all the girls joined in.</p>
+<p>The cadets had been cautioned to preserve true
+military discipline, and they did their best not to
+smile and make eyes at their admirers. But it
+was hard work, and many a face broke into a grin
+impossible to control.</p>
+<p>Opposite the school the command came to a
+halt, and then Miss Garwood and a number of
+her teachers came forward to greet the cadets
+and those with them and invite them to the campus.
+Here another drill was given, the girls applauding
+louder than ever as each movement was
+executed with a precision that would have done
+credit to the cadets at West Point.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure that&#8217;s as good as our fathers did at
+Putnam Hall,&#8221; declared Mary to her cousin.</p>
+<p>Colonel Colby had come along with Captain
+Dale, and during the drilling had been in earnest
+conversation with Miss Garwood. Then came a
+surprise as the cadets were asked to march into
+the dining hall of the girls&#8217; school. Here they
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span>
+found generous plates of cake and ice-cream, as
+well as glasses of refreshing lemonade, awaiting
+them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, this is the best ever!&#8221; declared Andy,
+smacking his lips.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. And what a surprise!&#8221; returned Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Some day we&#8217;ll have to return this compliment,&#8221;
+came from Jack. &#8220;My, wouldn&#8217;t it be a
+lark to have the girls in our mess hall and treat
+them?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suppose we&#8217;d have to give &#8217;em regular soldiers
+fare,&#8221; was Andy&#8217;s dry comment. &#8220;Salt
+pork and baked beans and things like that,&#8221; and
+he grinned.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing doing!&#8221; declared Fred. &#8220;We&#8217;ll feed
+&#8217;em toasted marshmallows and angel cake,&#8221; and
+at this sally there was a laugh.</p>
+<p>Following the refreshments the cadets were allowed
+fifteen minutes in which to walk around
+the school campus and mingle with the girl students.
+Jack, of course, at once sought out Ruth
+to tell her personally how much he appreciated the
+letter she had sent.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope, Jack, you haven&#8217;t had any more trouble
+with Lester Bangs,&#8221; the girl said anxiously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, he&#8217;s growling around a little, but that&#8217;s
+all,&#8221; answered the young major. &#8220;I&#8217;m not paying
+any attention to him, Ruth. I&#8217;m mighty glad
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span>
+that you didn&#8217;t accept his invitation,&#8221; and he gave
+her a warm glance.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was awful for him to get up that report
+about another party,&#8221; answered the girl. &#8220;Of
+course I didn&#8217;t think it was true&mdash;that is, not
+what he said about you and your cousins.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Suppose we let the whole matter drop, Ruth,
+and forget Brassy Bangs and his crowd.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure I&#8217;m willing to do that, Jack.&#8221; And
+then the girl added quickly: &#8220;You&#8217;ve had some
+terrible doings over at the Hall, so I have been
+told.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You mean the robbery, I suppose?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. Have they discovered anything?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not a thing. It certainly is a mystery.&#8221;</p>
+<p>When the gathering of boys and girls broke up
+nearly every one was in the best of humor, the
+only exceptions being Brassy Bangs and Paul
+Halliday. These two unworthies had done their
+best to get on friendly terms with some of the
+girls, but had been snubbed in such a manner that
+it made them much crestfallen.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll be glad when we start back,&#8221; grumbled
+Brassy to his crony.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on, let&#8217;s take a walk outside,&#8221; answered
+Halliday, and thereupon the pair left the school
+grounds.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What about baseball this spring, Jack?&#8221; questioned
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span>
+his sister just before the cadets were ready
+to start.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll be out of that this year. There is a new
+ruling that officers must step aside and let the
+other cadets have a chance on the baseball nine
+and the football eleven, as well as have a chance
+in the rowing and other contests. Colonel Colby
+has an idea that not enough cadets have filled
+these various places in the past. He wants to
+give every fellow a chance if possible.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you can&#8217;t blame him for that.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not at all, Martha. I&#8217;m quite content to step
+aside so far as baseball is concerned, and so is
+Fred. We want to do our best as officers and also
+do our best with our studies. You know the folks
+at home are expecting us to make real records in
+the classrooms.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know that only too well, Jack. Mary and I
+are working day and night on our lessons here.
+We&#8217;re going to do our best to come out either at
+the head of our classes or very near to it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;How is Ruth making out?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;She&#8217;s doing very well. Of course, she had a
+hard struggle to catch up on account of the time
+lost because of her eyesight.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Following the parade to Clearwater Hall the
+cadets settled down to the usual routine of drills
+and studies. But soon there came a call for aspirants
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span>
+to the baseball team, and then talk of the
+coming matches with Columbus Academy, Hixley
+High, and Longley Academy filled the air.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! it makes my hands tingle to think about
+baseball,&#8221; sighed Fred, when talking the matter
+over with Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I feel the same way,&#8221; answered the young
+major. &#8220;But remember, Fred, we can&#8217;t have
+everything in this world, and I&#8217;d rather be major
+of the school battalion&mdash;at least, for one term.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course! And I&#8217;d rather be captain of Company
+C.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gif tells me there are going to be a number
+of important changes on the nine,&#8221; went on Jack.
+&#8220;A lot of new fellows are clamoring to get on.
+They&#8217;re going to have their try-outs in a day or
+two.&#8221;</p>
+<p>What Jack said was true, and the following
+Saturday afternoon a somewhat patched-up first
+team played a scrub team. On the scrub, somewhat
+to the Rovers&#8217; surprise, were Brassy Bangs
+and Paul Halliday.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They both claim to know a whole lot about
+the game,&#8221; explained Gif. &#8220;So I&#8217;m bound to give
+them a try-out.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, I thought Brassy Bangs came from a
+ranch in the West?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;So he does. But he told me they frequently
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span>
+played baseball on the ranch and that some of the
+cowboys were really good players. He said one
+of the fellows had once played on one of the Midwest
+Leagues.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! there&#8217;s no telling what an up-to-date
+cowboy will do these days,&#8221; remarked Andy.
+&#8220;Playing baseball, going into the movies and into
+vaudeville, and I don&#8217;t know what else!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess he finds more money in the doing of
+those things than he does in the herding of cows,&#8221;
+answered his twin.</p>
+<p>The game between the patched-up first nine and
+the scrub nine resulted in a tie, 7 to 7. Jack and
+his cousins watched the game and had to admit
+that Brassy Bangs and Paul Halliday did quite
+well&mdash;in fact, much better than had been expected.</p>
+<p>After that the practice was continued, Gif, as
+head of the athletic association, trying out one
+player after another. Then came the final selection
+of the regular club to represent Colby Hall,
+and Brassy Bangs was given the position of third
+baseman while Paul Halliday went to center field.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think I ought to be allowed to pitch,&#8221; grumbled
+Brassy. &#8220;I&#8217;m sure I can send &#8217;em in just as
+good as any of those other fellows.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You pitch a pretty swift ball, I admit,&#8221; returned
+Gif. &#8220;But your delivery is rather erratic.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span>
+You put them over the catcher&#8217;s head several
+times. If you did that when the bases were full,
+it would mean just so many runs coming in.&#8221;
+And after that Brassy said no more about pitching.</p>
+<p>The first game to be played was on the grounds
+of Longley Academy. The cadets journeyed to
+the place in carriages and automobiles and on
+bicycles, and were joined by quite a number of
+the girls from Clearwater Hall.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you suppose Tommy Flanders will pitch?&#8221;
+questioned Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No. They tell me that last game we had over
+here was too much for Flanders and he has given
+up the nine entirely. I think they&#8217;ll put in that
+new left-hander that they tried at the end of that
+game,&#8221; answered Jack. And in this surmise he
+was correct.</p>
+<p>When the first man came to the bat it was easy
+to be seen that both nines were on their mettle.
+It was a Colby Hall player who had the stick,
+and the left-handed twirler for Longley Academy
+struck him out in one-two-three order.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! That&#8217;s the way to do it!&#8221; yelled one
+of the Longley students. &#8220;Now make it three
+straight!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! that was Nevins, one of our best batters,&#8221;
+whispered Randy to his cousin Mary.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind that, Colby Hall!&#8221; shouted Jack.
+&#8220;You&#8217;ve got to encourage &#8217;em a little bit!&#8221; and
+at this there was a smile.</p>
+<p>The next man to the bat got a hit and on a
+wild pitch managed to reach third. But that was
+all that could be done, and Colby Hall retired
+without scoring.</p>
+<p>During their half of the inning Longley Academy
+managed to make two runs, and this was increased
+by two more at the end of the fourth
+inning. In the meantime the best Colby Hall
+could do was to get two hits and bring in one
+run.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! Four to one in favor of Longley!&#8221;
+shouted one of the students from that academy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ve got to tighten up, boys!&#8221; called out
+Fred to the members of his school team. &#8220;Tighten
+up and show &#8217;em what you can do!&#8221;</p>
+<p>The fifth inning passed without a run, and so
+did the sixth. Then in the seventh Colby Hall
+managed to pass the home plate twice while Longley
+Academy scored once. This made the score,
+Longley Academy 5, Colby Hall 3.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Jack, it looks as if Colby Hall might be
+beaten!&#8221; said Ruth anxiously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think they might have a better fellow than
+Brassy Bangs on third,&#8221; put in Fred. &#8220;He
+could have put out that last runner with ease.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span>
+That run wasn&#8217;t deserved at all.&#8221; And a number
+of others who heard this remark agreed with
+the young captain of Company C.</p>
+<p>In the eighth inning Colby Hall made one more
+run. Then Longley Academy came once more to
+the bat, and with two men on first and second and
+two out, the batsman knocked a high fly to center
+field.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Scoop it in, Halliday!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a dead easy fly!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;They won&#8217;t get any runs this inning!&#8221;</p>
+<p>So the shouts from the Colby Hall boys went
+on.</p>
+<p>In the meanwhile Paul Halliday stepped back
+a few paces and got directly under the descending
+sphere. Down it came, striking his finger tips and
+bouncing over his head.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s muffed it! He&#8217;s muffed it!&#8221; yelled several
+of the Longley Academy contingent gleefully.
+&#8220;Run, boys, run!&#8221;</p>
+<p>And how the runners did streak from base to
+base! And before the ball could be recovered by
+the bewildered Halliday the three runs had been
+scored.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XVI_SPOUTER_IS_CORNERED' id='XVI_SPOUTER_IS_CORNERED'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+<h3>SPOUTER IS CORNERED</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah for Longley!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the way to do it! That makes the score
+eight to four!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;My, what a muff that was! That center fielder
+is a regular butter-fingers!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Soak it to &#8217;em good and plenty, Longley!
+Only two men out!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Thus the hubbub on the part of the students of
+Longley Academy continued while the cadets of
+Colby Hall had little to say. There were one or
+two cries to take Halliday out of the field, but
+these were quickly hushed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Anybody might muff a ball,&#8221; declared Jack.
+&#8220;It&#8217;s too bad, but probably it couldn&#8217;t be helped.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The very next player to the bat knocked a liner
+between first and second and got to second on a
+fumble by the first baseman. Then the next
+player, after having two strikes called on him,
+sent a low one down to center field.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Go for it, Halliday! Get it!&#8221; yelled the cadets
+eagerly.</p>
+<p>Halliday ran for the ball, but was only able
+to get it on the first bounce. Then, as he saw the
+batsman rounding first for second, he threw the
+ball wildly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Run, Newcomb, run!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;There goes the ball for the grandstand!
+Hurry up, Markle, and make it a homer!&#8221;</p>
+<p>The ball had sailed over the head of the runner
+and landed at least ten feet away from the
+home plate. The catcher made a dive for it while
+the pitcher came to the plate to stop the runners.
+But it was too late, and before the sphere could
+be sent in both runs had been scored.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Zip! Boom! Two more runs for Longley!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the way to do it, boys! Let&#8217;s snow &#8217;em
+under!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Take Halliday out!&#8221; was the angry cry of fully
+a dozen cadets. &#8220;Take him out! He has no business
+on the team!&#8221;</p>
+<p>And thereupon amid shouts of derision Paul
+Halliday was compelled to quit the field and one
+of the substitutes went to take his place.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It wasn&#8217;t my fault! I stepped in a hole,&#8221;
+growled Halliday when he came to the bench. He
+made a show of limping badly. &#8220;I almost sprained
+my ankle.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, your two errors have been very costly,&#8221;
+answered Gif coldly.</p>
+<p>After that the pitcher for Colby Hall tightened
+up, and the next man up was put out on strikes
+and the side retired.</p>
+<p>With the score 10 to 4 against them, Colby
+Hall did what it could to redeem itself during the
+last inning. They made one run, followed by
+two outs and two hits which brought a man on
+first and another on third. Then Brassy Bangs
+came to the bat.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Brassy, here&#8217;s your chance!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Knock it over the back lots!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Brassy set his teeth and swung the bat with a
+do-or-dare expression. Then the first ball pitched
+came in an outcurve which he swung at in vain.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Take your time!&#8221; called out Gif.</p>
+<p>The next was an incurve, but Brassy swung at
+it and missed again.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Strike two!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hit it, Brassy! Hit it!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Knock the cover off!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Take your time! Wait until you get just what
+you want!&#8221;</p>
+<p>And thereupon Brassy Bangs did wait&mdash;until
+he had three strikes called upon him and was declared
+out.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That ends the game!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;And the score is ten to five in favor of Longley
+Academy!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! That&#8217;s the time we showed Colby
+Hall what we can do!&#8221;</p>
+<p>The Longley Academy boys went wild in their
+enthusiasm and danced around the field like so
+many Indians. And they had good cause to be
+elated, for they remembered only too well the
+drubbing they had gotten at the hands of Colby
+Hall the season before when Jack and Fred had
+made such records for themselves.</p>
+<p>The Colby Hall cadets could say nothing
+against the record made by the Longley nine.
+They had put up a stiff fight from the start and
+deserved their laurels.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Our defeat was largely due to Halliday and
+Bangs,&#8221; declared Spouter. &#8220;Between them they
+let in at least five runs.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s exactly the truth,&#8221; answered Dan Soppinger.
+&#8220;If I were Gif I&#8217;d read the riot act to
+those two players.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;d be too hard on them,&#8221;
+came from Jack. &#8220;Anybody might have muffed
+that ball down in center field, and any of us
+might have struck out as Brassy did.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But both of them made several other errors,&#8221;
+put in Walt Baxter.</p>
+<p>On the way back to Colby Hall the students
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span>
+were free in their comments on the game, and
+there were many uncomplimentary things said
+about Brassy and Halliday. Those two players
+tried to excuse themselves as best they could;
+but a baseball player who has not made good seldom
+gets any sympathy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll give you both another chance in the game
+with Hixley High,&#8221; said Gif at last, in talking the
+matter over with the two players. &#8220;But if you
+make a single error it will cost you your positions.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The game with Hixley High came off on the
+following Saturday and was won by the narrow
+score of 7 to 6. In the second inning Halliday
+made another wild throw from center to second,
+and Brassy Bangs made a bad fumble in the fourth
+inning, and as a consequence both were retired
+and substitutes put in their places.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was certainly a narrow squeak,&#8221; declared
+Fred, when the game was over and the boys were
+preparing to celebrate that evening. &#8220;I believe if
+Gif had kept Brassy and Halliday on the team
+we would have lost.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we may lose some other games even
+so,&#8221; said Jack. And he was right. Out of a
+total of seven games played with the other schools
+of that vicinity that season Colby Hall won but
+four.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we can&#8217;t win every year,&#8221; declared
+Randy. &#8220;And we&#8217;re half a game to the good anyway,
+and that&#8217;s something.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s certainly better than being half a game
+behind,&#8221; answered his twin.</p>
+<p>While these matters were going on Colonel
+Colby and Captain Dale had been doing everything
+possible with the aid of the local police,
+and also a private detective who had been called
+in, to solve the mystery concerning the robbery
+at the school. But all efforts seemed to be in
+vain. Not a trace of the person or persons who
+had committed the crime could be found. It was
+a great mystery.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think I&#8217;ll have to settle with all of the boys
+and with Professor Duke,&#8221; said Colonel Colby
+to his head assistant. &#8220;And there I suppose the
+matter will have to be dropped.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Later on he took up the various claims and
+paid each one of them in cash.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am very thankful to you for this, Colonel
+Colby,&#8221; declared Snopper Duke, when he received
+his money. &#8220;It will come in quite handy, I assure
+you. And yet I am much distressed over
+that watch which once belonged to my grandfather.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I hope it is brought to light some day,
+Professor,&#8221; answered the master of the Hall.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span>
+&#8220;And if it is then you can pay me back for it,&#8221;
+and he smiled faintly.</p>
+<p>In those days a number of the cadets noticed
+that Snopper Duke seemed to be much preoccupied.
+He paid hardly any attention to what his
+pupils were doing and was so absent-minded that
+often he answered the simplest questions in the
+most ridiculous manner.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s certainly got something on his mind,&#8221;
+was Fred&#8217;s comment. &#8220;I must say I&#8217;d like to
+know what it can be.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe we&#8217;ll never know,&#8221; answered Jack.
+&#8220;But because of what Colonel Colby said I&#8217;m certainly
+going to be careful how I treat him. He
+may have more of a load on his mind and heart
+than any of us imagine.&#8221;</p>
+<p>It now lacked but ten days to the end of the
+term, and the boys were busy finishing up with
+the examinations in the various classes and also
+in writing the final essays to be handed in. All
+had worked hard to make a showing.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just think! Only ten days more!&#8221; exclaimed
+Andy, throwing a grammar across his room at
+Randy. &#8220;Doesn&#8217;t it make you feel fine?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It sure does!&#8221; answered his twin, catching the
+book and sending it back so quickly that his
+brother was hit in the stomach. &#8220;And that puts
+me in mind, Andy. Why not get at Spouter and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span>
+make him tell us what he&#8217;s got in mind about our
+vacation this summer?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s do it! Come on! We&#8217;ll get Fred and
+Jack and Gif and go and pound it out of him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>All alive with their scheme, the twins burst in
+upon the other Rovers while they were busy writing
+their essays and broached the subject. The
+others agreed, and Fred ran off to get Gif. Then
+the whole crowd rounded up Spouter, and grabbing
+him by the arms fairly forced him along the
+corridor and into the Rover boys&#8217; sitting room.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Spouter, you&#8217;ve got to tell us!&#8221; declared
+Randy. &#8220;No more secrets!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, gee! Is that it?&#8221; was Spouter&#8217;s reply.
+&#8220;I thought you wanted to borrow a nickel from
+me, or something like that,&#8221; and he smiled feebly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on now, Spouter! Give it to us
+straight,&#8221; demanded Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No more sawing and fiddling,&#8221; put in Andy.
+&#8220;We want straight goods. Where are we going
+this summer?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re going with me,&#8221; answered Spouter,
+with a grin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;So you&#8217;ve told us about three thousand times.
+But where are we going?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re going home first.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pound him, fellows, pound him! Throw him
+down and pound him good!&#8221; and thereupon the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span>
+whole crowd pounced upon the luckless schemer.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hold on! Hold on! Let me up!&#8221; spluttered
+Spouter. &#8220;Let me up, and I&#8217;ll tell you everything!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Honest?&#8221; demanded Andy. &#8220;If you fool us
+this time we&#8217;ll drag you to the bathroom and
+duck you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Cross my heart!&#8221; panted Spouter. &#8220;Now let
+me up!&#8221;</p>
+<p>The others allowed him to arise and then forced
+him into an easy chair in the corner and all stood
+over him menacingly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are going to spend your vacation at a new
+place which was purchased by my dad only a few
+months ago,&#8221; answered Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And what place is that?&#8221; came in a chorus
+from his chums.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Big Horn Ranch.&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XVII_GOODBYE_TO_SCHOOL' id='XVII_GOODBYE_TO_SCHOOL'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+<h3>GOOD-BYE TO SCHOOL</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you know about that!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Big Horn Ranch! That sounds interesting!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What sort of a place is it, Spouter?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suppose you must have thousands of heads
+of cattle?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;How about horses, Spouter? We&#8217;ll have
+enough mounts, sha&#8217;n&#8217;t we?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Any good hunting or fishing?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Stop! Stop! What are you trying to do?&#8221;
+spluttered Spouter. &#8220;Trying to drown me in a
+flood of questions? Why don&#8217;t you ask one
+thing at a time?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, where is the ranch and how are we going
+to get to it?&#8221; questioned Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And how big is it?&#8221; put in Fred.</p>
+<p>And then came another flood of questions until
+poor Spouter placed his hands to his ears in dismay.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t answer everything at once,&#8221; he said
+finally. &#8220;So you&#8217;d better let me tell what I know
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span>
+in my own way. Big Horn Ranch is located out
+in Montana, and it comprises a thousand acres or
+more&mdash;how large I don&#8217;t exactly know. To get
+there you journey by rail to a little jumping-off
+place called Four Rocks, and then you have to
+ride or drive to the ranch, which is four or five
+miles away. The nearest town of any size is
+Arrow Junction, which is quite a distance off.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;How is it your dad bought a place like that?&#8221;
+broke in Gif. &#8220;I didn&#8217;t know he was interested
+in ranches.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, he has always liked outdoor life&mdash;you all
+know that. And this ranch came to him in rather
+an unexpected way. There were two brothers who
+were interested in a speculation in which my dad
+was interested, too. My dad advanced a lot of
+money to these brothers, and as they couldn&#8217;t pay
+up in cash they asked him if he wouldn&#8217;t take the
+ranch off their hands by allowing them an additional
+thirty thousand dollars. So he made a trip
+out there in company with another man who knew
+all about ranches and then he concluded to buy,
+and did so. So now we own Big Horn Ranch,
+and the family expects to spend a large part of
+each summer there.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And your father said we could all go out there
+with you?&#8221; questioned Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. He told me to invite you four Rovers
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span>
+and also Gif. And that isn&#8217;t all,&#8221; went on
+Spouter. &#8220;He&#8217;s invited all your folks out there,
+too. He&#8217;s going to make a great big house-party
+of it!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Our folks!&#8221; exclaimed Fred. &#8220;What do you
+mean? They can&#8217;t all go. Uncle Dick is just
+back from Texas, and somebody has got to look
+after the offices in New York.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It has been arranged that your father and
+mother are to go along first, Fred, and later on
+Randy and Andy&#8217;s father and mother are to come
+out. Then, when they go back to New York, it&#8217;s
+possible that Jack&#8217;s folks will come West before
+the season is over. Gif&#8217;s folks have not decided
+on what they can do, but will let us know in a
+week or two.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And what about the girls?&#8221; questioned Fred
+quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course, they are to go along, too. Martha
+will go with Mary and her folks, and May will,
+of course, be with my mother, and she is going
+to try to get Ruth to go with her.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But Ruth said she was going somewhere else,&#8221;
+remarked Jack, and his face showed disappointment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know that, Jack. But I think May can get
+the Stevensons to allow her to go. Anyway, all
+the girls are going to try.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span></p>
+<p>After that the Rovers and Gif asked many
+other questions concerning Big Horn Ranch and
+Spouter told them all he could.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course, I know only what dad has written
+and what was said about the ranch before we
+purchased it. I suppose I&#8217;ll learn a lot more as
+soon as I go home, and then I&#8217;ll let you know
+about it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! we ought to have the best time ever,&#8221;
+exclaimed Andy gleefully, as he caught Spouter
+by the shoulders and commenced to dance him
+around the room.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was certainly well worth waiting for,
+Spouter,&#8221; came from Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see how you managed to keep it a secret,&#8221;
+put in Randy. &#8220;I&#8217;d have been bustin&#8217; to
+tell it every minute.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I had a job of it, believe me, with you
+fellows dinging at me all the time,&#8221; was Spouter&#8217;s
+answer.</p>
+<p>&#8220;When do you suppose we can start?&#8221; questioned
+Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That, of course, will depend a good deal on
+you and your folks,&#8221; answered Spouter. &#8220;My
+folks are already out there, getting the ranch in
+readiness for visitors. I suppose you&#8217;ll want to
+go home over the Fourth of July, but maybe you&#8217;ll
+be able to start West right after that.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know what could hold us back.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is the ranch house big enough to accommodate
+such a large crowd?&#8221; questioned Jack.
+&#8220;There are a lot of us, remember.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think so. You see the ranch is really a combination
+of two ranches, the buildings of one
+ranch were located near the eastern boundary
+while the buildings of the other ranch were set
+equally close to the western boundary, and as a
+result the two sets of buildings are not very far
+apart. Father and mother didn&#8217;t know exactly
+what they were going to do. They said they
+would either divide the party between the two
+ranch houses or otherwise send all the hired help
+to one of the houses and keep our whole party at
+the other.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It would be nice if we could stick together,&#8221;
+said Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it won&#8217;t make much difference, because,
+as I understand it, it&#8217;s only a short walk from one
+set of buildings to the other.&#8221;</p>
+<p>After this revelation from Spouter it was difficult
+for the Rover boys and Gif to settle down
+once more to their essay writing and their examinations.
+However, all did their best, and when
+the school term came to an end each had made a
+creditable showing.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll be proud to take this card home and show
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span>
+it,&#8221; said Fred, as he examined the pasteboard
+which had been handed to him.</p>
+<p>Out of a possible 100 per cent. he had received
+94 per cent. Jack had passed with 92 per cent.,
+Randy with 89 per cent., and Andy with 88 per
+cent. This last figure was the one also reached
+by Gif. Spouter, who was naturally a very studious
+person, had passed with the highest mark of
+the class&mdash;96 per cent.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, eighty-eight per cent. isn&#8217;t as good as it
+might be, but it&#8217;s a good deal better than lots of
+the fellows made,&#8221; remarked Andy. &#8220;And it&#8217;s a
+long way from the failure mark&mdash;below seventy.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Of course the boys had already talked over the
+telephone to the girls, and then it leaked out that
+all of those at Clearwater Hall knew about Big
+Horn Ranch and that Ruth was almost certain
+that she could go with the Rover girls and May.</p>
+<p>&#8220;If we all go together we had better charter a
+private car,&#8221; remarked Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, that would be something worth while!&#8221;
+put in Fred, with satisfaction. &#8220;Let&#8217;s put it up to
+our folks!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Two days before the boys were to leave for
+home, Randy saw a messenger boy deliver a telegram
+to Snopper Duke. The professor read the
+brief communication and then Randy saw him
+stagger up against a chair in the hallway as if
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span>
+about to fall. He rushed forward and caught the
+professor by the arm.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is the trouble, Professor?&#8221; he questioned
+kindly, for he could see that Snopper Duke was
+in deep distress.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&mdash;I&mdash;&mdash; Don&#8217;t mind me, Rover,&#8221; stammered
+the teacher. &#8220;It&#8217;s a little bad news, that&#8217;s
+all. And coming on top of some other bad news
+I&#8217;ve received lately I can hardly stand it,&#8221; and
+with these words Snopper Duke turned and went
+slowly upstairs to his room. Half an hour later
+he was closeted with Colonel Colby and then drove
+away from the Hall; and that was the last the
+Colby Hall cadets saw of the strange teacher during
+that term.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s certainly got something on his mind,&#8221;
+said Randy, in telling the others of the incident.
+&#8220;And I must confess I&#8217;m growing really sorry
+for him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>On the next day came another surprise for the
+Rovers. All of them were out on the campus
+when they saw Brassy Bangs leap a side hedge
+and start toward the school. At the same time
+they saw a tall man wearing a slouch hat hurrying
+off in the opposite direction.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello! there is that fellow Brassy had trouble
+with in town,&#8221; exclaimed Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just look at Brassy!&#8221; whispered Fred, after
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span>
+the youth had passed them and gone into the Hall.
+&#8220;Why, he&#8217;s as pale as a ghost!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It certainly is a mystery about Brassy and
+that strange man,&#8221; was Jack&#8217;s comment. &#8220;Just
+as much of a mystery as about Professor Duke&#8217;s
+doings.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Soon the boys were busy packing up, getting
+ready to leave. Then came the usual jolly times
+just previous to saying good-bye to their fellow-cadets
+and the teachers. The students were to
+scatter in all directions and the majority of them
+expected to have a glorious time during the summer
+vacation. Phil Franklin was to go back to
+the oil fields, to visit his father.</p>
+<p>At the railroad station the Rovers met Mary
+and Martha and also some of the other girls, and
+here many good-byes were said.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope you get a chance to get out to Big
+Horn Ranch,&#8221; said Jack to Ruth.</p>
+<p>&#8220;So do I, Jack. But I haven&#8217;t received permission
+to go yet. If I don&#8217;t get there you must write
+to me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I certainly will, Ruth. And you must write
+also. But come out if you possibly can.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The home-coming of the Rovers was, as usual,
+made a gala event. The three mothers had come
+down to meet their children and there was a happy
+reunion at the Grand Central Terminal, and then
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span>
+the three families drove off in their automobiles
+to their homes on Riverside Drive. A little later
+the fathers of the young folks came in from
+downtown, and that night there was a grand dinner
+spread for all in Tom Rover&#8217;s house.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gosh, it&#8217;s good to be home once more,
+Mother!&#8221; cried Andy, and hugged his parent from
+one side while his twin hugged her from the other.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And it&#8217;s mighty good to think that we can all
+be together,&#8221; came from Jack. &#8220;It&#8217;s so different
+from what it was when the war was going on.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, please don&#8217;t speak of the war! I never
+want to hear of it again!&#8221; put in Martha.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And to think we&#8217;re all going out to Big Horn
+Ranch!&#8221; burst out Fred. &#8220;Isn&#8217;t that just the
+grandest ever?&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XVIII_ON_THE_WAY_WEST' id='XVIII_ON_THE_WAY_WEST'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+<h3>ON THE WAY WEST</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, we&#8217;re off for Big Horn Ranch at last!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It certainly is a grand prospect, eh, Jack? We
+ought to have barrels of fun on the ranch.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Randy, it certainly ought to make a
+dandy vacation.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m fairly itching to get on horseback,&#8221; put
+in Andy. &#8220;What dandy rides we shall have!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe we&#8217;ll get a chance to break in a
+broncho,&#8221; put in Fred, with a grin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you dare do such a thing, Fred Rover!&#8221;
+burst out his sister Mary. &#8220;Most likely the bronco
+would break your neck.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we won&#8217;t bust any broncos until we get
+to the ranch,&#8221; came with a smile from Fred&#8217;s
+father, who had followed the young people into
+the sleeping car at the Grand Central Terminal.</p>
+<p>It was the day of their departure for the West,
+and the young folks were quivering with suppressed
+excitement. Sam Rover and his wife
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span>
+headed the party, which consisted of the four
+boys and the two girls.</p>
+<p>Fourth of July had been spent rather quietly
+at home preparing for the trip. Of course, Andy
+and Randy had had some fun, especially with fireworks
+in the evening, but otherwise the young
+folks had been too preoccupied with their arrangements
+for getting away to pay special attention
+to the national holiday.</p>
+<p>It had been arranged that only the Rovers mentioned
+above should at first make the trip to the
+ranch, and Gif and Spouter were to meet them in
+Chicago, where they would change cars for Montana.
+Tom Rover and his wife were to come to
+the ranch two weeks later and bring with them
+May Powell and Ruth Stevenson. Later still it
+was barely possible that Dick Rover and his wife
+would come West.</p>
+<p>Jack&#8217;s idea of chartering a private car had
+fallen through because not all of the party to
+meet at Big Horn Ranch were to go at the same
+time. But those now gathered had seats at one
+end of the sleeper along with a private compartment
+for Mrs. Rover and the two girls, so they
+were all comfortable.</p>
+<p>The boys were in the best of spirits; and for
+a while Sam Rover had his hands full making
+Andy and Randy behave.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope we strike a lot of lively cowboys, Uncle
+Sam,&#8221; broke out Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps you&#8217;ll find some of the cowboys too
+lively,&#8221; was the answer.</p>
+<p>Jack and Fred, as well as their sisters, were
+disappointed that May and Ruth had not been able
+to accompany them, but they were glad to know
+that the others would follow later to the ranch.</p>
+<p>Soon New York was left behind and the train
+was speeding along the Hudson River on its way
+to Albany.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just think! By this time to-morrow we&#8217;ll be
+in Chicago,&#8221; remarked Martha. &#8220;Isn&#8217;t it wonderful
+how you can cover such a distance?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know, I almost wish we were going
+out there in an auto,&#8221; returned Fred. &#8220;That
+would be a trip worth taking.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Especially if you had to put on all the extra
+tires along the way, Fred,&#8221; added Andy, with a
+grin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, well, I guess I could do that, too, if I had
+to,&#8221; answered the youngest Rover boy quickly.
+&#8220;But the roads from here to Chicago are pretty
+good, they tell me, so I don&#8217;t think we&#8217;d have
+many punctures or blow-outs.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Such a trip would be dandy, only it might
+take more time than we&#8217;d care to spend on the
+way right now,&#8221; remarked Jack. &#8220;Personally I
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span>
+want to get out to Big Horn Ranch as soon as
+possible.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Exactly my sentiments,&#8221; came from Randy.
+&#8220;Me for the mountains and plains and a life in
+the open air!&#8221;</p>
+<table summary='poetry' style=' margin-left:4em;'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>&#8220;Oh, for a life in the open air,</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Under the skies so blue and fair!&#8221;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<p>sang out Andy gayly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, Andy is bursting into poetry!&#8221; cried
+Fred. &#8220;What&#8217;s going to happen next?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe he ate something that didn&#8217;t agree with
+him,&#8221; giggled Mary.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;d better bottle up that poetry stuff,
+Andy,&#8221; remarked Jack. &#8220;Remember we&#8217;re going
+out to a ranch owned by Songbird Powell, and he
+was nicknamed Songbird while at Putnam Hall
+because he was always bursting out into home-made
+poetry. Maybe we&#8217;ll get a surplus of it
+when we get out to the ranch.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Lunch was had in the dining car, and almost
+before the young folks realized it the train was
+rolling into Albany. Here an extra car was attached,
+and then they were off on the long journey
+through the Mohawk Valley to Buffalo,
+Cleveland, and the great city by the Lakes.</p>
+<p>After the train had passed Utica Andy and
+Randy, who found it hard to sit still, took a walk
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span>
+through the cars from end to end, thinking they
+might meet somebody they knew. They were
+gone so long that Sam Rover became a little worried
+over them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think I&#8217;ll hunt them up,&#8221; he said to his wife.
+&#8220;For all we know they may have gotten into some
+mischief.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;More than likely they&#8217;re into something,&#8221; answered
+Mrs. Grace Rover. &#8220;They&#8217;re exactly like
+their father Tom when it comes to stirring things
+up.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Sam Rover was just leaving his seat when Andy
+and Randy came back to the car. Their faces
+showed their excitement.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you think!&#8221; exclaimed Randy, as he
+dropped into a seat. &#8220;We met that same fellow
+who was threatening Brassy Bangs at Haven
+Point.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Was Brassy with him?&#8221; questioned Jack
+quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No. But two other men were with him, and
+it&#8217;s a tough crowd, believe me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where are they?&#8221; questioned Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Two cars behind. And from the way the
+three talked they must have gotten on at Albany.
+The fellow Brassy had something to do with is
+tough enough, but the other two men seem to be
+much worse. By their talk, they are cattle men,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span>
+and I shouldn&#8217;t be surprised if they have been
+cowboys.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And that isn&#8217;t all!&#8221; added Andy. &#8220;They spoke
+about going to Arrow Junction!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Arrow Junction!&#8221; repeated Fred. &#8220;Why,
+that&#8217;s the town that Spouter said was nearest to
+Big Horn Ranch!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What were they going to do at Arrow Junction?&#8221;
+questioned Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;ve got some sort of a deal on for handling
+horses and cattle. We couldn&#8217;t make out
+exactly what it was,&#8221; answered Randy. &#8220;But
+they certainly are a tough bunch. It looks to me
+as if they might have been drinking.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you hear them mention Brassy?&#8221; asked
+Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No. But that fellow who met Brassy at Haven
+Point, the chap called Bud Haddon, told the others
+he had struck a real snap in the East. And
+one of the others answered that he had noticed
+that Bud was rather flush.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s certainly a mystery what that fellow had
+to do with Brassy,&#8221; remarked Jack. And then
+of a sudden his face became a study.</p>
+<p>A sudden thought had occurred to him, and it
+was such a horrible one that he was inclined to
+force it from his mind. And yet it came bobbing
+up time and again until Fred, who was sitting
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span>
+beside his cousin, noticed that something was on
+his mind.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What are you thinking of, Jack? Ruth?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Fred. I was thinking of that fellow who
+met Brassy Bangs in Haven Point.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re wondering, I suppose, why Brassy let
+him have some money.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Partly that and partly something else, Fred.
+But it&#8217;s so horrible I hate to think of it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, what do you mean, Jack?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, if you must know, it just happened to
+cross my mind that that Bud Haddon was hanging
+around Haven Point and was seen around the
+school several times just when Colby Hall was
+robbed.&#8221;</p>
+<p>As the young major uttered these words in a
+low tone of voice, Fred stared at him in astonishment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;My gracious, Jack, that&#8217;s so!&#8221; he whispered.
+&#8220;Isn&#8217;t it queer we didn&#8217;t think of it before? From
+what Andy and Randy tell of how that fellow
+treated Brassy I wouldn&#8217;t put it past him to be
+a bad one. But if he had anything to do with
+the robbery at the school, do you think Brassy
+had, too?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know what to think, Fred. Brassy
+never struck me as that sort of a fellow. He&#8217;s
+loud-mouthed and he&#8217;s got a big opinion of himself,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span>
+and all that, but I never put him down as
+being crooked.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Neither did I. But you must remember one
+thing&mdash;that fellow was dinging at him for money.
+He said Brassy must get it or there would be
+trouble.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I&#8217;m remembering that, Fred. I must
+confess it looks pretty bad. But I don&#8217;t think
+we had better say anything until we know more
+about the men.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s pump Andy and Randy all we can.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Fred&#8217;s suggestion was followed out, and the
+four Rover boys talked the matter over among
+themselves. The twins were as much surprised
+as Fred had been when Jack mentioned what was
+in his mind.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, that Bud Haddon may be the guilty one!&#8221;
+burst out Randy. &#8220;Why didn&#8217;t we think of this
+before? Colonel Colby might have put a detective
+on his trail.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think we ought to send him a telegram
+or anything like that?&#8221; asked Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It wouldn&#8217;t do much good. What would be
+better, I think, is for us to watch the man and
+see if we can find out more about him. If he is
+going to Arrow Junction we may have a chance
+of learning more about him out there. Did he
+expect to stay at the Junction?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I think so&mdash;or at least in that vicinity. The
+whole crowd is bound for some ranch out there.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then if we learn anything of importance
+against the fellow we can have the local authorities
+make an investigation,&#8221; said Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gosh! wouldn&#8217;t it be queer if that fellow really
+had robbed Colby Hall and if Brassy was mixed
+up in it?&#8221; remarked Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It would be terrible if Brassy was guilty,&#8221; answered
+Jack. &#8220;It would just about ruin him forever.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on, Jack. Suppose you and I walk back
+and see if we can locate the fellows,&#8221; suggested
+Fred. &#8220;They don&#8217;t know us, so they won&#8217;t be
+suspicious.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we might try it,&#8221; was the young major&#8217;s
+reply.</p>
+<p>And thereupon he and his cousin walked
+through the cars to the place where the twins
+said Bud Haddon and his two companions were
+seated.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XIX_IN_THE_SADDLE' id='XIX_IN_THE_SADDLE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+<h3>IN THE SADDLE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The two boys located the three men without
+any trouble. They were seated near the end of
+the car where there was a water cooler, and here
+the two lads stopped to fumble for a minute or
+two over the paper drinking cups and then to take
+their time getting a drink.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, we ought to make a lot of money on
+that deal, Noxley,&#8221; they heard Bud Haddon say.
+&#8220;That is, provided we mind what we&#8217;re doin&#8217;.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, there&#8217;ll be no trip-up this time,&#8221; answered
+the man called Noxley.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been wonderin&#8217; how many horses there
+would be that we could sell,&#8221; put in the third man
+of the group.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I heard we could get at least twenty, Jenks.
+Of course, I can&#8217;t tell exactly until I&#8217;ve looked
+over the ground.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, twenty head of horses and two hundred
+head of cattle are not to be sneezed at,&#8221; answered
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span>
+the man called Jenks. &#8220;A fine piece of business,
+I&#8217;ll say,&#8221; and he laughed shrewdly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How long do you expect to stay at Arrow
+Junction before you go out to Bimbel&#8217;s Ranch?&#8221;
+questioned Noxley.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not more &#8217;n three or four days. I&#8217;m expectin&#8217;
+word from Bimbel as soon as I reach the Junction,
+and then I&#8217;ll know just what he wants us
+to do.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;One thing I want understood,&#8221; went on Jenks
+crossly. &#8220;This time I get all that&#8217;s comin&#8217; to me&mdash;no
+holdin&#8217; back!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I want the same, remember that,&#8221; put in
+Noxley sourly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll get your full share&mdash;no fear of that,&#8221;
+said Haddon reassuringly. &#8220;Only remember,
+you&#8217;ve got to do your full share of the work, too.
+No shirkin&#8217; at the last minute!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we don&#8217;t want to be takin&#8217; too many
+chances,&#8221; and Jenks shook his uncombed head
+dubiously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ve got to take chances in this game,
+Jenks. You can&#8217;t expect the hens to lay eggs
+right in your hands,&#8221; and Haddon chuckled at his
+little joke.</p>
+<p>After that the men talked about a good time
+they had had in Albany the evening before. They
+said nothing further of what they expected to do
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span>
+in the West nor did Haddon mention Haven
+Point or Brassy Bangs.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We might as well go back,&#8221; whispered Jack
+to Fred, after they had remained as long at the
+water cooler as they dared. The men had glanced
+at them carelessly, but had evidently given them
+scant attention.</p>
+<p>When the two lads returned to the others they
+held a consultation, and then laid the whole case
+before Fred&#8217;s father. Sam Rover listened with
+interest, and his face became a study.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is just possible that your guess may be correct
+and this fellow Haddon may be guilty of
+robbing Colby Hall. But it would be sheer foolishness
+to accuse the fellow unless you had sufficient
+evidence against him. This talk about
+horses and cattle may be a perfectly legitimate
+affair. However, when we get to the ranch we
+can look into the matter further and find out what
+sort of place this Bimbel&#8217;s ranch is and what the
+men really intend to do while there. That may
+give us a better line on this Bud Haddon and the
+others.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to watch that crowd as long as they
+travel with us,&#8221; said Jack, and the other lads
+said they would do the same.</p>
+<p>A night was spent on the train, all the boys
+sleeping soundly, and in the middle of the forenoon
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span>
+they rolled into the great station at Chicago.
+Here the lads kept their eyes wide open and saw
+Haddon and his two companions walk away,
+dresssuit-cases in hand. Nor did they reappear
+when the Rovers, an hour later, hurried for the
+train which was to take them further westward.
+Evidently the three men were going to take some
+other train to Montana.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here they are! We&#8217;ve been waiting for you
+folks!&#8221; came the cry, and Spouter rushed up to
+the Rovers, followed by Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ho for the glorious West!&#8221; put in Gif.
+&#8220;Aren&#8217;t you fellows anxious to get there?&#8221; he
+questioned.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Anxious doesn&#8217;t express it!&#8221; answered Andy.
+&#8220;Why, all night long I was riding broncos and
+lassoing wild cattle!&#8221; and he grinned.</p>
+<p>Sleeping-car accommodations had been reserved
+for all of the crowd, and they were soon making
+themselves at home. Then, as the train sped westward,
+the Rovers told their chums about Bud
+Haddon.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That certainly is interesting,&#8221; said Gif. &#8220;Just
+the same, I can&#8217;t think that Brassy Bangs is a
+thief. Why, if you&#8217;ll remember, he said he had
+been robbed himself!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He might have said that just to throw dust
+in the eyes of the public,&#8221; answered Spouter.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span>
+&#8220;To my mind it will certainly be a good thing
+to keep our eyes open for this fellow Haddon.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The trip to Montana took the best part of
+three days, and every one in the party enjoyed
+the journey thoroughly. They often went out
+to the observation end of the train, there to view
+the endless panorama of prairies and mountains,
+forests and streams, as they sped swiftly past.
+The magnificent view impressed Spouter as much
+as anybody.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s sublime&mdash;stupendously sublime,&#8221; he murmured
+over and over again. &#8220;The thoughts that
+well up in my bosom at such a sight as this are
+beyond the power of words to express. When I
+view these immense plains, these mountain tops
+fading away in the distance, these wild and weird
+torrents rushing over the rocks, and these trackless
+forests with often not a human abode in
+sight, I cannot but think&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That there is room here for every man, woman
+and child in the city of New York and then
+some,&#8221; finished Andy. &#8220;Gee, how can they stick
+in one or two miserable cubby-holes of rooms
+when we have all this land to draw on!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s what gets me,&#8221; put in Gif. &#8220;But they
+do it. And I&#8217;m told that a whole lot of &#8217;em would
+rather die huddled together than live out here
+where neighbors are miles apart.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span></p>
+<p>The through train took them only as far as
+Arrow Junction. Here they alighted and then
+boarded a little side line, running through the
+hills to a dozen small stations, including Four
+Rocks.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This isn&#8217;t so nice,&#8221; sighed Martha, when all
+had piled into one of the two little cars which
+comprised the train. Their baggage had been
+put in the other car, which was a combination
+baggage and smoking car. There were but a few
+other passengers in the car, including one fat
+woman with two small and exceedingly dirty children.
+There were also several cowboys, and a
+Chinaman who looked as if he might be a cook.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think dad has a Chink at our ranch,&#8221; said
+Spouter. &#8220;Anyway, he wrote he thought he&#8217;d hire
+one.&#8221;</p>
+<p>They had telegraphed ahead, so that there
+might be some one to meet them when they arrived
+at Four Rocks.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s certainly an odd name for a railroad station,&#8221;
+remarked Mrs. Rover to her husband.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Four Rocks sounds substantial enough,&#8221; he
+returned, with a smile.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is it much of a town?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not likely to be any town at all. Perhaps
+a little railroad station and possibly one store,
+which, of course, would also be the post-office.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span></p>
+<p>Sam Rover&#8217;s idea of Four Rocks proved to be
+correct. Situated near a ridge of rocks was a
+small railroad station with a telegraph office and
+baggage room attached, a water tower, and opposite
+to the station were two low buildings, one a
+general store and the other a place where there had
+once been a saloon and dance hall, but which was
+now closed up.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s my dad now!&#8221; cried Spouter excitedly,
+as he leaped off the train. And the next minute
+he was running towards an automobile in which
+sat his parent. &#8220;Where is ma?&#8221; he demanded.</p>
+<p>&#8220;She remained at the house to see that everything
+was in readiness when you got there,&#8221; answered
+Songbird Powell, as he shook hands with
+his son.</p>
+<p>Close to the automobile stood a number of
+horses, all saddled. On one sat a bronzed cowboy,
+who grinned broadly at the boys and tipped
+his hat rather awkwardly to Mrs. Rover and the
+girls.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is my foreman, Joe Jackson,&#8221; said Songbird
+Powell. &#8220;Joe, this is Mr. and Mrs. Rover,
+and these are the Rover boys and their sisters,
+and this is my son and another of his chums. I
+guess you&#8217;ll get better acquainted a little later on,&#8221;
+and he smiled broadly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who&#8217;s to ride on horseback?&#8221; questioned
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span>
+Andy quickly, &#8220;We can&#8217;t all get into that
+machine.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You boys can all ride with Joe,&#8221; answered
+Spouter&#8217;s father. &#8220;I thought you&#8217;d rather do
+that than anything else. The girls and the others
+can ride with me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;How do you know I don&#8217;t want to ride on
+horseback, Uncle John?&#8221; cried Martha gayly.
+She often called this intimate chum of her father
+&#8220;uncle.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Martha, you&#8217;d better ride with us now,&#8221;
+put in Mrs. Rover hastily. &#8220;You can do your
+horseback riding later on.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I was only fooling, Aunt Grace,&#8221; the girl
+replied.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m just crazy to see Big Horn Ranch, Uncle
+John,&#8221; came from Mary.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I hope you&#8217;ll like it,&#8221; returned Songbird
+Powell. &#8220;I want every one of you to have the
+best times ever while you&#8217;re here.&#8221; His eyes
+glistened. &#8220;We ought to have a regular old-fashioned
+reunion.&#8221; And then, unable to control
+himself, he broke out into a bit of his old-time
+doggerel.</p>
+<table summary='poetry' style=' margin-left:4em;'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad you&#8217;re here.</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>I hope you&#8217;ll stay.</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>I&#8217;ll miss you much</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>When you&#8217;re away.&#8221;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span></div>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah, Songbird, that certainly sounds natural!&#8221;
+cried Sam Rover, slapping his old chum
+on the shoulder. &#8220;You&#8217;ll have to give us more
+of that later on.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t spent much time on verses the last
+few years, Sam,&#8221; answered Songbird. &#8220;I&#8217;ve been
+too busy attending to business. But maybe I&#8217;ll
+get back to it while loafing around the ranch,&#8221;
+he added.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are any other people coming to the ranch?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, one other person. And I think you&#8217;ll
+be very much surprised to see him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who is that?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, you had better wait until he arrives,&#8221;
+returned Songbird Powell, and began to grin as
+though the thought of what was coming pleased
+him.</p>
+<p>The older persons and the girls waited until
+all the boys were safely in the saddle, and then
+Songbird Powell started the automobile.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m leaving them in your care, Joe,&#8221; he called
+back to his foreman, as he moved along.
+&#8220;Bring &#8217;em to the ranch in safety.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Trust me,&#8221; called out the foreman promptly.
+&#8220;We&#8217;ll be at the ranch almost as soon as you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, don&#8217;t ride the horses to death,&#8221; shouted
+back Songbird. And then in a few minutes more
+the automobile disappeared in the distance.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;The boys will certainly enjoy that horseback
+riding,&#8221; said Mary.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Glad of it,&#8221; answered Songbird Powell, and
+as the automobile rolled onward he murmured
+gaily:</p>
+<table summary='poetry' style=' margin-left:4em;'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>&#8220;An elephant sat on a bamboo tree</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>And he was as happy as he could be.</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>&#8216;To travel,&#8217; said he, &#8216;is awfully punk</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Unless you remember to take your trunk!&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, what a funny rhyme!&#8221; giggled Martha.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll have to write that down in my scrap
+book,&#8221; returned her cousin, and at this remark
+Spouter&#8217;s father looked real pleased.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah for Big Horn Ranch!&#8221; shouted
+Randy, waving his cap. &#8220;Come on if you&#8217;re
+ready.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t work your horses too hard at the start,&#8221;
+cautioned Joe Jackson. &#8220;It&#8217;s a good five miles
+to the ranch, and part of it is rather tough climbing.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;If it&#8217;s tough climbing how is the automobile
+going to get there?&#8221; questioned Jack quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, they&#8217;ll go around by the river road. But
+that is eight miles longer. We&#8217;ll take the hills.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then maybe we can get there first after all!&#8221;
+broke in Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we can try, anyhow,&#8221; answered the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span>
+foreman of the ranch. &#8220;Do all of you boys know
+how to ride?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sure we do!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then forward it is!&#8221; And away rode the
+foreman with Jack and Spouter on either side of
+him and the others following close behind.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XX_AT_BIG_HORN_RANCH' id='XX_AT_BIG_HORN_RANCH'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+<h3>AT BIG HORN RANCH</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The way lay along a flat stretch of prairie
+bordering the river, and then up into the hills.
+The brushwood in the immediate neighborhood
+was scanty, but in the distance they could see
+some scrub timber backed up by a stretch of
+forest. Far to the westward they could see the
+distant mountains over which the sun was now
+setting.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on, you fellows, come on! Don&#8217;t lag
+behind!&#8221; shouted Spouter, and set off at a brisk
+pace along the well-defined trail leading to the
+ranch.</p>
+<p>Joe Jackson, having seen that all of them could
+ride well, was quite willing to let them set their
+own pace.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Only look and see where you&#8217;re going!&#8221; he
+shouted. &#8220;And remember at the split in the trail
+to take the one on the right.&#8221; And then he allowed
+them to plunge on ahead, but kept his eyes
+on everything they were doing.</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span>
+<img src='images/illus-205.jpg' alt='' title='' style='width: 327px; height: 503px;' /><br />
+<p class='caption' style='margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;width: 327px;'>
+&#8220;OFF TO THE EASTWARD YOU CAN SEE A BIT OF OUR RANGE.&#8221;<br />
+<i>Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch</i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(<i>Page</i> 205)<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Two miles from the station the boys found
+they had quite a climb, and here they were forced
+to slow down. A little later they reached the top
+of the first hill.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There off to the eastward you can see a bit
+of our range,&#8221; said the ranch foreman, pointing
+with his finger. &#8220;And those cattle yonder are our
+cattle.&#8221;</p>
+<p>By the time they reached the foot of the first
+hill the sun was setting beyond the mountains in
+the west and the long shadows were creeping
+across the trail and over the forest beyond.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This must be some dark trail at night,&#8221; remarked
+Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dark as a tunnel,&#8221; answered Joe Jackson.
+&#8220;You have to carry a lantern or a flashlight when
+you try to ride it after dark.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ever get held up?&#8221; questioned Fred curiously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nary a hold-up, lad,&#8221; answered the foreman,
+with a grin. &#8220;We leave all that to the movie
+men.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you ever have a moving picture company
+out here?&#8221; asked Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, we had one crowd out here last year.
+They stayed around about six weeks taking some
+sort of a drama, as they called it. It was funny,&#8221;
+added the foreman, with a chuckle. &#8220;The leading
+lady was scared to death of horses, and yet she
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span>
+had to do a little riding. The man who was having
+the pictures taken wanted her to smile while
+she was cantering along. But that smile, believe
+me, wasn&#8217;t anything to brag about. They ought
+to have brought along some leading lady who
+liked horses and knew all about &#8217;em.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did they use any of your outfit?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, they used a few of our cowboys in a
+round-up. They wanted me to go into some of
+the pictures, but I told &#8217;em there was nothing
+doing&mdash;that I was here to manage the ranch and
+not make moving pictures.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;How many men on the place?&#8221; asked Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We have six at present. But the boss is thinking
+of getting some more and increasing the
+herd.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did dad get his Chinese cook?&#8221; questioned
+Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. He&#8217;s got a Chink named Hop Lung; a
+pretty good sort of a chap, too.&#8221;</p>
+<p>They crossed two more hills and then passed
+through a patch of tall timber. Here there was a
+rough wagon road, and the foreman explained
+that it was used for hauling firewood to the
+ranch house and the bunkhouse.</p>
+<p>It was growing dark when the party on horseback
+approached the ranch. Already lights were
+streaming from the windows and the automobile
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span>
+stood in front of the wide veranda which ran
+around two sides of the building.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They got here ahead of us,&#8221; announced Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I thought they would,&#8221; answered the foreman.
+&#8220;The river road is in pretty good shape
+just now, so I suppose the boss made fast time
+in driving over.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;The trail to the ranch was rougher than I expected,&#8221;
+put in Andy. &#8220;If you tried to run a
+horse over it he would most likely break a leg
+and maybe you would break your neck.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve known one of our boys to go over to the
+station inside of twenty minutes,&#8221; returned the
+foreman. &#8220;But he only did it to catch a train and
+on a bet. I&#8217;d rather take my time and save my
+horseflesh.&#8221;</p>
+<p>When they reached the ranch Mrs. Powell came
+out on the veranda to greet her son and his
+chums. She was a round-faced, motherly woman,
+and she immediately did all she could to make
+the young folks feel at home.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You must be thoroughly tired out from your
+long trip,&#8221; said she. &#8220;So we will have supper
+right away, and then if any of you want to go to
+bed you can do so.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t say that I&#8217;m tired,&#8221; answered Jack.
+&#8220;But I suppose the girls are and maybe Aunt
+Grace is, too.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span></p>
+<p>The travelers were shown to some rooms and
+then told where they could wash up if they so
+desired.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Supper will be ready in ten minutes,&#8221; announced
+Mrs. Powell. &#8220;So don&#8217;t take too much
+time in primping up,&#8221; she added, with a smile to
+the girls. &#8220;Remember, you are on a ranch now
+and you can dress exactly as you please.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to slip on a plain gingham right
+now,&#8221; declared Martha.</p>
+<p>Their hand baggage had been brought along
+on the running-board of the touring car, and a
+little later one of the cowboys came in with their
+trunks, which had been brought over from the station
+in a wagon. In the meanwhile the crowd sat
+down to a somewhat elaborate supper which Hop
+Lung had prepared under Mrs. Powell&#8217;s supervision.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s a very good cook,&#8221; the lady of the ranch
+confided to Mrs. Rover. &#8220;But he occasionally
+tries to turn out some very funny concoctions,
+so that I find it advisable to keep my eyes on
+him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;The cowboys are quite excited over the idea
+of having visitors here all summer,&#8221; said Songbird
+Powell during the course of the meal. &#8220;And
+two or three of them are especially excited over
+the fact that there are going to be so many girls
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span>
+and ladies. You see, the brothers who used to
+own these combined ranches weren&#8217;t married, and
+all they had around the houses were an Indian
+woman and a real old Dutch woman who was
+almost entirely deaf.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Joe Jackson told me that one of the cowboys,
+a fellow named Hank Minno, was very bashful
+and had almost been on the point of giving up
+his job when he heard so many skirts were coming
+here.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, dear, I think I&#8217;d like to make the acquaintance
+of Mr. Hank,&#8221; said Martha mischievously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps if he saw you coming he&#8217;d run away,&#8221;
+returned Mary.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I think he&#8217;ll get over his bashfulness, and
+so will some of the others,&#8221; answered Songbird
+Powell. &#8220;And let me tell you one thing&mdash;when
+I first got here I thought the men were a pretty
+rough crowd, but the more I get to know them,
+the more I&#8217;m satisfied they&#8217;re all right at heart.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Your foreman certainly seems to be a fine fellow,&#8221;
+said Jack. &#8220;We got well acquainted with
+him riding over.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He was well recommended by the former owners
+of the ranch, Jack. And so far I&#8217;ve had no
+occasion to find any fault with him. He seems
+thoroughly trustworthy.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span></p>
+<p>The Powells had given their visitors their choice
+of what to do concerning rooms. They could
+either crowd themselves a little and remain in the
+one ranch house, or otherwise the boys could take
+rooms in the other house, which was located about
+two hundred yards away.</p>
+<p>&#8220;If we went over to the other place we could
+have things all our own way,&#8221; whispered Andy
+to his brother and Fred. &#8220;We could come and go
+to suit ourselves.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think you boys had better stay in this house
+with us,&#8221; said Mrs. Rover. &#8220;Then we can keep
+an eye on you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But there is no sense in all of us being
+crowded,&#8221; returned Sam Rover. &#8220;And the boys
+are certainly old enough to take care of themselves.
+I think we had better let this matter rest
+until to-morrow, and then we can see how we can
+arrange it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;If the boys go over to the other ranch house
+I&#8217;ll have Joe Jackson stay there with them,&#8221; said
+Songbird. &#8220;He&#8217;ll know how to make them line
+up if anything goes wrong.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Several days later it was arranged for all the
+boys to take their belongings and settle down in
+the other ranch house so far as rooming was concerned.
+They were to have their meals in the
+main house. The foreman of the ranch went
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span>
+with them, taking a room in a corner where he
+could watch what was going on if it became necessary
+to do so. The boys took three connecting
+rooms, the twins occupying one, Jack and Fred
+another, and Spouter and Gif the third.</p>
+<p>On the second day at the ranch the boys began
+to feel quite at home. Accompanied by the men,
+they had visited many points of interest and had
+become acquainted with all the cowboys, and also
+with Hop Lung, the cook.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wellee nice boys,&#8221; remarked the cook, after
+they had been chatting with him and gone their
+way. &#8220;Wellee nice boys. Me cookee heap good
+dinner for &#8217;em.&#8221; And then he dived into his
+kitchen to start his preparations for the next
+meal.</p>
+<p>The boys found all the cowboys friendly. One
+of them could do some marvelous stunts with a
+lasso, and, urged by the foreman, gave an exhibition
+which interested the lads exceedingly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, that fellow is as good as anybody on the
+vaudeville stage,&#8221; remarked Fred. &#8220;I never
+dreamed so much could be done with a rope. Just
+see how he whirled it around his body and between
+his legs and over his head!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and how he lassoed those three running
+horses all in a bunch,&#8221; added Fred. &#8220;That&#8217;s what
+got me.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;He ought to be in a Wild West Show,&#8221; put in
+Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll have the boys give you an exhibition of
+shooting this evening,&#8221; said the foreman, and he
+was as good as his word.</p>
+<p>Some of the cowboys proved to be remarkable
+shots both with the rifle and the pistol. But here
+the boys, especially Fred and Jack, felt at home,
+and they, too, showed what they could do.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Rattlesnakes and tarantulas!&#8221; exclaimed one
+of the cowboys, Hank Minno, the fellow who was
+supposed to be so bashful. &#8220;You kids sure kin
+shoot some. I s&#8217;pose you learned it at that there
+military school you&#8217;ve been goin&#8217; to.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; answered Fred. &#8220;Although we sometimes
+do a little practicing when we&#8217;re at home.
+Down in the long cellar of our house.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, it&#8217;s a good thing to know how to shoot,
+lad. Sometimes it comes in mighty handy like,&#8221;
+answered Hank Minno.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXI_HOP_LUNG_AND_THE_FISH' id='XXI_HOP_LUNG_AND_THE_FISH'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+<h3>HOP LUNG AND THE FISH</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>By the end of the first week all of the boys
+felt thoroughly at home on Big Horn Ranch.
+They had visited many points of interest, including
+the cowboys&#8217; bunkhouse and also the big
+range to the eastward, and they had likewise
+tramped over a number of the hills and tried their
+hand at fishing in the river.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It certainly is one dandy place,&#8221; remarked Jack
+to the others one day when they were coming up
+to the house from the river, each with a fair-sized
+string of fish to his credit.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We certainly never had such fishing as this
+in the East,&#8221; answered Gif, as he looked at his
+string admiringly. &#8220;Just look at the size of &#8217;em,
+will you?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder what Hop Lung will say when he
+sees them,&#8221; remarked Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve got a scheme!&#8221; cried Andy. &#8220;Let&#8217;s have
+a little fun,&#8221; and thereupon he unfolded to the
+others what he had in mind to do. They readily
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span>
+agreed to his suggestion, and all came up to the
+ranch house by a roundabout way. Then Spouter
+called out loudly:</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hop Lung! Hop Lung! Come out here a
+minute!&#8221;</p>
+<p>A moment later the Chinese cook appeared, a
+long soup ladle in on one hand and a carving
+knife in the other.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You callee me?&#8221; he queried.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; answered Spouter. &#8220;I want you to
+come around to the front of the house and tell
+me what you know about this,&#8221; and he motioned
+to the cook to follow him around to the big
+veranda.</p>
+<p>No sooner had their chum and the cook disappeared
+than the others ran into the kitchen.
+Here at one side was a home-made kitchen cabinet,
+the top within a foot of the ceiling.</p>
+<p>&#8220;See if you can find the big bread-board,&#8221; said
+Randy. &#8220;I guess that will answer our purpose.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And here is the fishing line,&#8221; added his twin.
+&#8220;We can run it from the ceiling over to the window
+and then outside.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The line was run to the window as mentioned,
+then fastened to the ceiling back of the cabinet,
+and then to the back end of the board, which was
+placed flat on the top of the cabinet. On the board
+the boys placed the fish, laying them out in a row
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span>
+from front to back. One fish was placed on the
+pulled-out shelf of the lower part of the cabinet.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now then, clear out before Hop Lung catches
+us,&#8221; said Andy. And the lads lost no time in disappearing.</p>
+<p>In the meanwhile Spouter had taken the Chinese
+cook to the front of the ranch house and
+then to an out-of-the-way corner where there was
+a large spider&#8217;s web.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello, he&#8217;s gone now!&#8221; exclaimed Spouter, in
+a tone of disappointment. &#8220;Do you see him anywhere,
+Hop Lung?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hop Lung see what?&#8221; demanded the puzzled
+cook.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, that great big blue and gold spider with
+white feet!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Blue an&#8217; gol&#8217; spide?&#8221; queried Hop Lung. &#8220;See
+black spide.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, I don&#8217;t mean the black spider. I mean
+that great big blue and gold spider about that
+long,&#8221; and Spouter showed up his two forefingers
+six inches apart.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Noee see spide so long dat,&#8221; answered the Chinese
+cook, shaking his head doubtfully. &#8220;Sploutel
+maybe see catpillal.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, it wasn&#8217;t a caterpillar. It was a spider.
+Although I think it might have had wings.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Um, wings! Spide he all the samee buttelfly,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span>
+announced Hop Lung. &#8220;No see him,&#8221; and he got
+down on his hands and knees to peer up into the
+corner to make certain.</p>
+<p>Spouter continued to engage his attention until
+he heard the boys coming around the corner of
+the house. Then he turned to them as if in surprise.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello! I thought you fellows were off fishing,&#8221;
+he remarked.</p>
+<p>&#8220;So we were,&#8221; answered Gif calmly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I got a nice little fish, Hop Lung. I laid him
+in the kitchen for you,&#8221; remarked Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You git only one flish?&#8221; queried the cook in
+surprise.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, maybe you can catch more,&#8221; put in
+Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hop Lung no go flishee. Hop Lung cookee,&#8221;
+was the calm reply. And then the cook walked
+back to the rear of the ranch house.</p>
+<p>Watching their chance, the boys stole back, some
+to the window where was located the string which
+had been attached to the board on the top of the
+cabinet, and others to another window from which
+they might see what would take place. Hop Lung
+had gone inside and picked up the fish left on the
+cabinet shelf. He looked it over, wiped off the
+shelf carefully, and then took up the fish and
+disappeared into the pantry with it.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Now then, Andy!&#8221; whispered his twin. And
+thereupon Andy gave the string in his hand two
+or three little jerks. From the board on the top
+of the cabinet a fish fell down to the shelf below.</p>
+<p>It had hardly fallen in place when Hop Lung
+came from the pantry. He looked to see how matters
+were going on the stove, and then turned
+again to the cabinet.</p>
+<p>A queer look came over his face when he saw
+the fish lying in the same place that the first had
+occupied. He looked toward the door to find no
+one there.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Him funny,&#8221; he murmured in his Pidgin-English.
+&#8220;Him vellee funny.&#8221; Then he took up
+the second fish and walked into the pantry with it.</p>
+<p>No sooner had he done this than Andy, doing
+his best to control his laughter, jiggled the string
+again. This time, as luck would have it, two
+fish came down, to light side by side on the cabinet
+shelf.</p>
+<p>Again Hop Lung entered the kitchen and again
+he looked at what was cooking on the stove. He
+stirred the mass in one of the pots carefully, and
+then came back to his cabinet to get some seasoning.</p>
+<p>When he saw the two fish lying there his eyes
+nearly started out of his head. He jabbered
+something in his native tongue and then looked
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span>
+around wildly, first to one side of the kitchen and
+then the other. Then he looked toward the door
+leading to the dining room and then he came to
+the door leading to the yard.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Duck!&#8221; was all Andy said, and he and the others
+lost no time in getting out of sight.</p>
+<p>Hop Lung looked carefully around the yard
+and then came slowly back into the kitchen. He
+walked again to the stove to see that nothing was
+burning, and finally came back to the cabinet and
+picked up the two fish gingerly. Meanwhile, the
+boys tiptoed their way back to their original positions
+at the windows.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;ll begin to think the cabinet is haunted,&#8221;
+whispered Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Either that, or else he&#8217;ll think he&#8217;s bewitched,&#8221;
+answered Gif.</p>
+<p>And both were about right, for the poor Chinaman
+looked all around the cabinet and even behind
+and under it, and then he looked under the
+table and the chairs. Finally, still bewildered,
+he walked into the pantry with the fish, which he
+carried before him at arm&#8217;s length, as if afraid it
+might bite him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Better give him a shower now, Andy,&#8221; whispered
+his brother, and thereupon Andy gave the
+string a strong pull which sent all the remaining
+fish tumbling down on the cabinet and the floor.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span>
+The noise reached Hop Lung in the pantry, and
+he came forth on a run.</p>
+<p>When he saw the quantity of fish that had appeared
+so miraculously he was nearly dumbfounded.
+With eyes and mouth wide open and
+hands up-raised he uttered a sudden yell of fright
+and dove through the doorway leading to the dining
+room and the living room beyond.</p>
+<p>In the living room Mrs. Rover and Mrs. Powell
+were sitting doing some sewing. The sudden appearance
+of the Chinaman caused them to look
+up in astonishment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is the matter, Hop Lung?&#8221; demanded
+Mrs. Powell, as she sprang to her feet.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Flishee! Flishee!&#8221; screamed the cook.
+&#8220;Kitchen full flishee! Hop Lung no knowee
+where flishee come! One flishee&mdash;two flishee&mdash;two
+flishee more&mdash;whole blame kitchen flishee!&#8221;
+spluttered the cook, his eyes rolling from one side
+to the other.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gracious me! is the man crazy?&#8221; asked Mrs.
+Rover, rising. &#8220;What does he mean by
+&#8216;flishee?&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Flishee! Flishee!&#8221; repeated Hop Lung. &#8220;No
+flishee&mdash;all flishee!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t imagine what he&#8217;s driving at,&#8221; remarked
+Mrs. Powell. &#8220;Where is the trouble, Hop
+Lung? In the kitchen?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Les, Miz Plowell. Kitchen all flishee!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Without ado the lady of the ranch marched
+into the kitchen, followed by Mrs. Rover. All
+the ladies could see were the freshly-caught fish
+resting on the cabinet shelf and the floor.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see anything the matter here except
+that some of your fish are on the floor,&#8221; remarked
+Mrs. Powell calmly. &#8220;You had better pick them
+up and wash them off.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did the boys catch those fish?&#8221; asked Mrs.
+Rover. &#8220;They said they were going fishing a
+couple of hours ago.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Boys clatchee one flishee,&#8221; announced Hop
+Lung. Then a sudden idea entered his head, and
+he made a quick leap to the yard door. He was
+just in time to see the boys trying to retreat, all
+laughing merrily.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You foolee Hop Lung! You foolee Hop
+Lung!&#8221; he shrieked wildly, and of a sudden came
+back into the kitchen, scooped up several of the
+fish, and ran outside again. Wildly he threw one
+fish after another at the lads.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hop Lung, stop that!&#8221; commanded Mrs.
+Powell sternly. &#8220;Those fish are too good to throw
+away!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Bloys fool Hop Lung,&#8221; was the reply. &#8220;One
+flishee&mdash;two flishee&mdash;four flishee&mdash;all whole lot
+flishee,&#8221; he continued, trying his best to explain.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span>
+And then by pantomime he showed how he had
+found the first of the fish and placed them in the
+pantry.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s nothing more than some of their tricks,
+Hop Lung,&#8221; said Mrs. Powell. &#8220;They had no
+right to play such tricks, and I&#8217;ll call them to account
+for it. But you had better pick up the fish
+which you threw outside. They&#8217;re too good to be
+thrown away.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hop Lung flix bloys, play flishee tlick,&#8221; answered
+the Celestial. And then a little later he
+set about preparing supper.</p>
+<p>The boys did not think it wise to return to the
+house just then, and so wandered off to the stable
+where the ranch horses were kept.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was certainly a rich joke,&#8221; remarked Fred,
+with a chuckle.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll bet Hop Lung will have it in for us for
+that,&#8221; returned Randy.</p>
+<p>And Hop Lung did have it in for them, as they
+were to learn in the near future.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXII_A_HORSE_AND_A_SNAKE' id='XXII_A_HORSE_AND_A_SNAKE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+<h3>A HORSE AND A SNAKE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>During the days which followed at Big Horn
+Ranch the Rover boys and their chums asked Joe
+Jackson if he knew Bud Haddon and the other
+men who had been with him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I know Haddon,&#8221; answered the foreman
+of the ranch. &#8220;He used to work for Bimbel
+on a ranch on the other side of the river; but I
+think he left there several months ago.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, if he did, I rather think he&#8217;s going
+back,&#8221; answered Jack. &#8220;Can you tell us anything
+about him?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I imagine he&#8217;s as good as the average fellow
+around Bimbel&#8217;s place,&#8221; answered Joe Jackson.
+&#8220;You see, none of our crowd have much to
+do with that outfit. Bimbel is a hard fellow to
+get along with, and some of the men working for
+his outfit have rather shady characters.&#8221; The
+foreman looked at the boys curiously. &#8220;How do
+you happen to know the fellow?&#8221;</p>
+<p>The lads had come to like the foreman very
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span>
+much and felt that they could trust him
+thoroughly, so they told their story in detail, to
+which Jackson listened with interest.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Looks to me as if Haddon was trying to blackmail
+that kid Bangs,&#8221; was his comment. &#8220;That
+is unless there was something in the talk about
+that barn being burned with the horses. It&#8217;s just
+possible that fellow Bangs had something to do
+with it and Haddon was making him pay for
+keeping his mouth shut.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know anybody by the name of John
+Calder whose barn burned down?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No. That couldn&#8217;t have been anywhere around
+here or I certainly would have heard about it.
+But there&#8217;s one thing I do know,&#8221; added the foreman
+suddenly. &#8220;There&#8217;s a man named Jarley
+Bangs who owns a ranch on the other side of the
+river&mdash;a small place next to the one run by Bimbel.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Jarley Bangs!&#8221; exclaimed Fred. &#8220;Do you suppose
+it could be Brassy Bangs&#8217; father?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think so,&#8221; answered Gif. &#8220;I believe
+Bangs&#8217; folks live in Wyoming.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But this Bangs may be some relative of his,&#8221;
+put in Spouter.</p>
+<p>The matter was talked over a while longer, but
+the boys could learn little further from the foreman.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll tell you what I&#8217;ll do,&#8221; said Joe Jackson at
+last. &#8220;I&#8217;ll put it up to some of the cowboys.
+They may know more about Bimbel and his outfit
+and about Jarley Bangs than I do. Bangs has
+a reputation for being a very queer and miserly
+man, but that&#8217;s about all I can say of him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The boys, and even the girls, spent quite a little
+of their time in the saddle. Both Mary and
+Martha had learned to ride while at home, using
+the bridle path in Central Park, so they felt at
+home when galloping over the plains.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This outing is going to do Mary a world of
+good,&#8221; confided Mrs. Rover to Mrs. Powell. &#8220;She
+has always been so timid.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The river in which the boys went fishing and
+also bathing was a broad, shallow stream which
+could be forded in many places with ease. So
+far, however, the lads had remained on their side
+of the watercourse. But one day Jack proposed
+that they go off on horseback and do a little exploring
+on the other side.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We might ride past the Bimbel place, and also
+the one Jarley Bangs owns,&#8221; said he. &#8220;Who
+knows but what we may catch sight of Bud Haddon
+and his crowd.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t want to get into any trouble with
+those fellows,&#8221; put in Fred quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, they can&#8217;t touch us!&#8221; exclaimed Andy.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span>
+&#8220;They don&#8217;t even know us. And we&#8217;ve as much
+right to use the trails around here as anybody&mdash;the
+land isn&#8217;t fenced in.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but you know what Jackson said,&#8221; went
+on Fred. &#8220;He said the Bimbel outfit wasn&#8217;t a
+very nice one and that Bangs was very miserly
+and peculiar. That sounds as if both places were
+good ones to steer clear of.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, come on! Let&#8217;s go anyhow,&#8221; put in
+Spouter. &#8220;I&#8217;m anxious to know what sort of
+neighbors we have. They can&#8217;t find any fault
+with us for coming over when they find out that
+my father owns this ranch.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The boys talked this matter over several times,
+and the next day obtained permission to take the
+horses and go off for a day&#8217;s outing along the
+river. They were to take their lunch with them,
+and did not expect to come back until evening.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish we could go along,&#8221; sighed Martha.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll take you along next time, Martha,&#8221; answered
+her brother. &#8220;This time I&#8217;m afraid the
+ride will be a little too long for you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind, Martha and I will take a little
+ride of our own,&#8221; declared Mary. &#8220;We can go
+up to the edge of the woods and pick some wild
+flowers.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s do it!&#8221; answered her cousin quickly.
+&#8220;One of the cowboys tells me there are all sorts
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span>
+of wild flowers up there near one of the springs.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Hop Lung was told to prepare a lunch which
+the boys might take along with them, and set to
+work immediately. As he got the things ready
+the Celestial had a faraway look in his eyes and
+once or twice he stuck out his tongue suggestively.</p>
+<p>&#8220;One flishee&mdash;two flishee&mdash;lot flishee,&#8221; he murmured
+to himself. &#8220;Hop Lung fixee boys,&#8221; and
+he smiled in his own peculiar way.</p>
+<p>The day dawned bright and clear, and immediately
+after breakfast the boys leaped into the saddle
+and with good-natured shouts swung the
+sombreros they were wearing, and started off on
+their ride. Each had equipped himself with a
+pistol, although they expected to do no shooting,
+and several carried small saddlebags containing
+their food and drink, the latter placed in a couple
+of thermos bottles. They also carried feed for
+the horses.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Whoop-la!&#8221; shouted Andy gaily. &#8220;Come on,
+fellows! let&#8217;s put distance between ourselves and
+the ranch.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Better take it a little easy at the start, Andy,&#8221;
+remonstrated Gif. &#8220;Remember we expect to cover
+quite a few miles, and we don&#8217;t want to wear out
+the horses at the start.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll let Spouter set the pace,&#8221; announced
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span>
+Jack, for he had not forgotten that they were all
+guests of the lad mentioned.</p>
+<p>They had questioned the foreman regarding
+the lay of the land, and he had drawn up a rough
+map for them which Jack carried. Inside of half
+an hour they reached the fording place he had
+mentioned, and there crossed the stream, coming
+out on the side of a small hill.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if we&#8217;ll come across any wild animals,&#8221;
+remarked Fred, as they pushed along a
+well-defined trail leading to the top of the hill
+and through a small patch of scrub timber further
+westward.</p>
+<p>&#8220;From what Joe Jackson said, I don&#8217;t think
+there&#8217;s very much left in this immediate vicinity,&#8221;
+answered Spouter. &#8220;You see, the cowboys have
+scared most of the animals away. Of course,
+they occasionally come across a bobcat or a mountain
+lion, and then we might come across a wolf
+or a fox or some jackrabbits, or even a bear.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, please don&#8217;t let &#8217;em come at us in a
+bunch!&#8221; cried Randy, with a grin. &#8220;One at a
+time, please.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;ll be our luck not to see a thing worth shooting,&#8221;
+declared Fred. &#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t give five cents
+for our chances of bringing down anything.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Fred had scarcely spoken when the horse Gif
+was riding shied suddenly to one side, throwing
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span>
+Gif into some low bushes. Then the horse gave
+a snort and leaped ahead on the trail, not stopping
+until he had covered a hundred yards or more.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello! what&#8217;s the trouble?&#8221; exclaimed Jack,
+bringing his own steed to a halt. &#8220;Are you hurt,
+Gif?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No. I&#8217;m all right. But what startled that
+horse?&#8221; demanded the other lad, as he scrambled
+to his feet. Then he gave a sudden yell. &#8220;It&#8217;s a
+snake! Look out!&#8221;</p>
+<p>All looked in the direction pointed out by Gif,
+and there saw a black object wriggling away
+through the brushwood. As quickly as they could
+Jack and Spouter, who were close by, pulled out
+their pistols and fired at the snake. They saw the
+reptile rise up in the air, turning and twisting, and
+then disappear from sight between the rocks.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s up? What are you shooting at?&#8221;
+cried Fred, galloping to the spot.</p>
+<p>&#8220;A snake. He scared Gif&#8217;s horse and threw
+Gif into the bushes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where is he?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess he got away, although I think we
+wounded him,&#8221; answered Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s funny how that horse shied,&#8221; said Spouter.
+&#8220;Maybe he stepped right on the snake.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That might be,&#8221; put in Fred. &#8220;Maybe the
+snake was sunning himself and didn&#8217;t notice our
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span>
+approach until the horse stepped on him. Then he
+switched around, and that must have started the
+horse off. I wonder if we can catch him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think so,&#8221; answered Spouter. &#8220;Gosh! I&#8217;m
+glad no one was bit. That snake looked to be of
+pretty good size.&#8221;</p>
+<p>While Spouter and Jack hurried forward to
+capture the runaway horse, Gif was assisted to
+the back of the steed Randy rode.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad I didn&#8217;t go out on my head on the
+rocks,&#8221; remarked Gif, as the boys went forward.
+&#8220;I might have broken my neck.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, you picked out just the right place to
+fall into,&#8221; answered Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t pick it out. I went where I was sent,&#8221;
+returned the other lad calmly. &#8220;After this I&#8217;m
+going to keep my eyes peeled for more snakes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think we had better all do that,&#8221; said Fred.
+&#8220;Gee! I&#8217;d forgotten all about those pests.&#8221;</p>
+<p>When they reached the runaway horse they
+found him still somewhat skittish. But he was
+soon calmed down, and then Gif remounted him,
+and they set off along the trail as before.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we didn&#8217;t exactly meet a wild animal,&#8221;
+remarked Randy. &#8220;But we met something just as
+bad.&#8221;</p>
+<p> Presently the boys came to a spot where the
+river wound around the hill, and beyond this was
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span>
+a broad stretch of plains, apparently many miles
+in extent. Far to the southward they could see
+some tall timber.</p>
+<p>&#8220;The Bimbel ranch must be somewhere in this
+vicinity,&#8221; declared Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and the Bangs place can&#8217;t be so very far
+off,&#8221; returned Fred.</p>
+<p>But distances in the open air are deceiving, and
+the boys rode along over the plains for the best
+part of an hour before they reached a spot where
+the trail branched in several directions. Here
+they came to a halt, wondering which way to turn
+next.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s too bad they don&#8217;t put up a few signboards
+out here,&#8221; grumbled Randy. &#8220;How is a
+fellow going to know where he&#8217;s heading?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suppose the natives know these trails just
+like we know the main streets of New York
+City,&#8221; answered Jack. &#8220;And that being so, they
+don&#8217;t need any signboards.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Jack had consulted the rude map given to him
+by the ranch foreman, but this did not seem to
+have upon it the forks of the trail.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suppose those cowboys would know at once
+which was the main trail and which were only
+side trails,&#8221; said Gif.</p>
+<p>The boys were still uncertain which way to
+turn when Fred set up a cry of amazement.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Here comes an auto, boys! What do you
+know about that?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;An auto!&#8221; several of them repeated.
+&#8220;Where?&#8221;</p>
+<p>The youngest Rover pointed with his finger,
+and there, to the astonishment of every one in
+the party, they beheld a small touring car coming
+across the plains at a speed of twelve or fifteen
+miles an hour. It was running in a curiously
+haphazard fashion.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What a way to run an automobile!&#8221; ejaculated
+Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe the driver is getting out of the way of
+holes,&#8221; answered Jack. And then he added
+quickly: &#8220;There isn&#8217;t any driver!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Completely mystified, the boys stared at the oncoming
+automobile. For a moment it seemed
+heading directly for them, but suddenly swerved
+and started off across the plains in another direction.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is empty!&#8221; ejaculated Andy. &#8220;It&#8217;s running
+by itself!&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXIII_JARLEY_BANGS' id='XXIII_JARLEY_BANGS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+<h3>JARLEY BANGS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you know about that!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who ever heard of an automobile running
+around by itself?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s gotten away from somebody,&#8221; came from
+Jack. &#8220;Just look at it skating over the ground!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on! Let&#8217;s stop the blamed thing!&#8221;
+shouted Andy, and started off on horseback after
+the runaway car.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll have a sweet job catching that auto,&#8221;
+declared his twin. Nevertheless, he followed
+Andy, and, not knowing what else to do, the others
+did the same.</p>
+<p>The automobile was of a cheap variety, and
+clattered noisily on its way, with one cylinder occasionally
+missing fire. It had been running in
+a snakelike course, but now it seemed to be making
+something of a circle.</p>
+<p>&#8220;By jinks! I think it&#8217;s coming back here!&#8221;
+exclaimed Fred suddenly.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;It isn&#8217;t running as fast as it was,&#8221; declared
+Spouter. &#8220;Maybe it&#8217;s going to stop.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to see if I can&#8217;t get aboard!&#8221; cried
+Jack, with sudden determination, and headed his
+horse behind the touring car, which was still moving
+at a fair rate of speed.</p>
+<p>Once one of the front wheels went down in a
+hole, and then the car slued around and started
+off, heading almost for the boys.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Look out!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Get out of the way there or you&#8217;ll be run
+down!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Wild cries rent the air, and the young horsemen
+scattered in every direction. But Jack was
+watching his chance, and as the car slued around
+once more he managed to leap from his horse and
+clutch the side of the automobile. Then he leaped
+into the car and turned off the power, and in a
+few seconds he brought the automobile to a standstill.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is the queerest adventure I ever heard
+of,&#8221; declared Gif, when the brief excitement had
+come to an end. &#8220;Who ever heard of meeting a
+runaway auto like this?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess we can be thankful that we weren&#8217;t
+run down,&#8221; returned Fred. &#8220;You took a big
+chance, Jack, in jumping on board as you did.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it wasn&#8217;t such a risk,&#8221; answered his cousin
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span>
+modestly. &#8220;I think the auto was getting ready to
+stop anyhow.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder where the owner is?&#8221; questioned
+Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps the auto struck a stone and threw him
+out!&#8221; exclaimed Spouter suddenly. &#8220;He may be
+lying along the trail somewhere stunned or dead.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess the best thing we can do is to see if
+we can locate the owner,&#8221; declared Gif, after a
+pause.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on, Spouter. You get in the auto with
+me and we&#8217;ll run it back in the direction it came
+from,&#8221; said Jack. &#8220;The other fellows can follow
+and bring our horses.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think you can run this car?&#8221; questioned
+Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sure I can! It isn&#8217;t much different from the
+cars I&#8217;m used to even though it&#8217;s a cheap one,&#8221;
+was the reply.</p>
+<p>Spouter dismounted and was soon beside Jack.
+The power was again turned on and the car moved
+on with many a little jerk and jangling of metal-ware.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s next door to a bit of junk,&#8221; remarked
+Jack, as they moved forward along the trail at
+a rate of about fifteen miles an hour. &#8220;I think
+if a fellow tried to make real speed with it it
+would fall to pieces.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Sounds to me as if it needed oiling,&#8221; ventured
+Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, it needs oiling, and new springs, and a
+new engine, and a new chassis and a few other
+things, and then it would be quite a good car,&#8221;
+answered Jack, with a grin.</p>
+<p>The two lads in the car had covered less than
+a mile, and the others were coming up behind
+them, when they saw a man running toward
+them and waving his arms wildly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hi there! Stop!&#8221; called out the man. &#8220;Stop,
+I tell you! If you don&#8217;t stop I&#8217;ll have the law
+on you!&#8221;</p>
+<p>As soon as he saw the man Jack slowed up
+and came to a standstill by the side of the fellow.
+He was a tall, lean man of about fifty, with a
+strangely wrinkled and sallow face and long,
+drooping, reddish mustache. He had a pair of
+greenish-brown eyes that seemed to bore the boys
+through and through as he gazed rather savagely
+at them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you mean by running off with my
+car?&#8221; he demanded, as he shook his fist at the
+lads.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is this your car?&#8221; questioned Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You know well enough it&#8217;s my car!&#8221; blustered
+the man. &#8220;And I demand to know what
+you mean by running away with it!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;We didn&#8217;t run away with it,&#8221; answered
+Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, you did!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We did not!&#8221; put in Jack. &#8220;We found it back
+there on the plains running around all by itself.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What? You expect me to believe such a
+story as that?&#8221; exclaimed the tall man, glaring
+at them more ferociously than ever. &#8220;Running
+around by itself! How could it be doing that?
+You took it from where I left it, up by the trees
+yonder!&#8221; and he pointed to a quantity of tall timber
+some distance away.</p>
+<p>By this time the other boys were coming up,
+bringing with them the two unused horses. The
+man gazed at them in surprise and also noted the
+two steeds that were not being used.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe you&#8217;re telling the truth and maybe you
+ain&#8217;t,&#8221; went on the man sourly. &#8220;I&#8217;d like to git
+at the bottom of this.&#8221; Thereupon the boys related
+what had taken place and Spouter mentioned
+the fact that his father was the owner of
+Big Horn Ranch.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, then you&#8217;re Mr. Powell&#8217;s son, eh?&#8221; cried
+the man. &#8220;Are you the boy who went to Colby
+Hall with my nephew, Lester Bangs?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is Lester your nephew?&#8221; queried Spouter.
+And as the man nodded shortly, he added: &#8220;Then
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span>
+you must be Mr. Jarley Bangs?&#8221; and again the
+man nodded.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think you ought to thank our chum here,
+Jack Rover, for bringing your car back to you,
+Mr. Bangs,&#8221; remarked Gif. &#8220;If he hadn&#8217;t jumped
+from his horse into the car the machine might be
+racking itself to pieces out on the prairie now.
+It was doing all sorts of stunts when he jumped
+aboard and shut off the power.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t understand this nohow,&#8221; grumbled
+Jarley Bangs. &#8220;If what you say is true, how in
+thunder did that car git started? I left it by the
+edge of the woods while I went in to look over
+some timber that we thought of gitting out this
+fall. All at once I heard the engine go off with
+a bang, and when I ran out of the woods to see
+what was doing the car was gone.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Was any one with you?&#8221; questioned Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No. I came out alone. Lester wanted to
+come along, but I told him to stay at the ranch
+and do some work. He seems to think that all
+he&#8217;s out here for is to play.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, then Lester is staying with you, is he?&#8221;
+queried Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. His folks let him come up for a couple
+of months. Then he&#8217;s going back to his home in
+Wyoming, and after that he&#8217;s got to return to that
+military school. I think it&#8217;s a fool notion to send
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span>
+him to that school. If I was his father I&#8217;d make
+him stay out here and go to work.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t suppose Lester tried to start the
+car, do you?&#8221; questioned Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How could he if he was at the ranch? But
+wait a minute! He said something about going
+fishing in that brook that flows through the woods.
+Maybe he did come up that way, after all.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Does he know how to run the auto?&#8221; asked
+Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, he does. But I don&#8217;t let him run it very
+often because he&#8217;s so careless I&#8217;m afraid he&#8217;ll
+ruin the machine&mdash;he bangs her over the rocks
+something awful. I ain&#8217;t got no money to waste
+on a new car. This has got to do, even if it is
+kind of used up.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe Brassy&mdash;I mean Lester&mdash;came up and
+tried to start the car while the gears were in
+mesh,&#8221; suggested Jack; &#8220;and then when the car
+started to run away perhaps he got scared and
+ran away, too.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;If he did anything like that he&#8217;ll have an account
+to settle with me!&#8221; exclaimed Jarley Bangs,
+his eyes glowing with anger. &#8220;That boy is getting
+too fresh. I said he could come up here,
+thinking he&#8217;d do some work around the place
+and so earn the money that I promised him for
+his schooling. But evidently he thinks more of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span>
+having a good time than he does of working.
+He is forever fooling around the car and wanting
+to run it; so I wouldn&#8217;t put it past him to do
+what you suspect. As soon as I git home I&#8217;ll
+ketch him and make him tell me the truth,&#8221; continued
+Jarley Bangs, with a determined shake
+of his head.</p>
+<p>After that he questioned Spouter concerning
+the ranch Mr. Powell had purchased and spoke
+of the men who had previously owned the place.</p>
+<p>&#8220;These city fellows think they kin come out
+here and make a fortune on a ranch,&#8221; he growled.
+&#8220;But after they&#8217;ve owned a place a year or two
+they find it ain&#8217;t so easy. A man has got to hustle
+like all git-out to make a living.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where is your ranch located?&#8221; asked Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Our buildings are right behind that patch of
+timber,&#8221; was the reply. &#8220;It&#8217;s not so very much
+of a place, but it&#8217;s good enough for me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And where is the Bimbel ranch?&#8221; questioned
+Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s up to the northward, over the top of
+yonder hill. But you young fellows had better
+give Bimbel a wide berth,&#8221; went on Jarley Bangs,
+with a shake of his head.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why?&#8221; asked Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He don&#8217;t like no strangers hanging around,
+that&#8217;s why. If a stranger comes up to his door
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span>
+Bimbel always reaches for his gun. He had
+trouble years ago with some tramps, and he never
+got over it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>After that Jarley Bangs had but little more to
+say. The boys had left the touring car, and now
+the man jumped inside, saw to it that everything
+was in order, and then asked Spouter to crank
+up for him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ain&#8217;t no use to waste time here,&#8221; he remarked.
+&#8220;I&#8217;ve got to git back to what I was doing. I&#8217;ll
+tell Lester I saw you, and if he wants to he kin
+come over to Big Horn Ranch and visit&mdash;he
+ain&#8217;t of much account around my place. And I&#8217;ll
+git at the bottom of what happened to this auto,
+too, even if I have to lick it out of him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think Lester will care to visit our
+ranch,&#8221; answered Spouter coldly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I ain&#8217;t got nothing to say about that one
+way or the other. Now I&#8217;m off,&#8221; and with a short
+nod of his head Jarley Bangs threw in the gears
+of his machine and rattled away, slowly gathering
+speed as he proceeded.</p>
+<p>&#8220;A kind, considerate man, not!&#8221; exclaimed
+Andy in disgust.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How politely he thanked Jack for returning
+his car,&#8221; added Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And the beautiful invitation we got to visit
+his place,&#8221; put in Randy.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if Brassy really started that car on
+him?&#8221; questioned Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It might be,&#8221; answered Gif. And then he
+added: &#8220;Gee, I&#8217;m sorry for Brassy if he has to
+live with such an uncle as that! Wouldn&#8217;t you
+think he&#8217;d rather stay at home?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps it&#8217;s a case of money,&#8221; put in Randy.
+&#8220;Didn&#8217;t you hear what Mr. Bangs said about
+paying for tuition at Colby Hall? Brassy&#8217;s folks
+may be quite poor, and they may be depending
+on this uncle for financial aid.&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXIV_A_NEW_ARRIVAL' id='XXIV_A_NEW_ARRIVAL'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+<h3>A NEW ARRIVAL</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>After the disappearance of Jarley Bangs the
+Rover boys and their chums continued their trip
+on horseback.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s move over the hill in the direction of
+the Bimbel ranch,&#8221; suggested Spouter. &#8220;I&#8217;d like
+to get a bird&#8217;s-eye view of that outfit.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps we had better not go too close,&#8221; advised
+Fred. &#8220;Bimbel may be getting out a shotgun
+for us.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess it isn&#8217;t as bad as all that, Fred. Those
+things might have happened years ago when the
+country was more sparsely settled and when there
+were more bad men around. I don&#8217;t take much
+stock in what Bangs said. Probably he and Bimbel
+have quarreled. He struck me as being a man
+who could get into a dispute very easily.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I was only fooling,&#8221; answered Fred. &#8220;I
+wouldn&#8217;t be afraid to ride right up to his door.
+That is, in the daytime. Of course, if we did it
+at night he might become suspicious.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, do you fellows know that it&#8217;s five minutes
+to twelve?&#8221; questioned Andy, after consulting
+his watch. &#8220;I move that we keep our eyes
+open for some place where we can take it easy
+and have lunch.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I second the commotion,&#8221; returned his
+brother, joking in a way their father had made
+familiar to them.</p>
+<p>The boys rode on for half an hour longer, and
+then reached the top of the hill they were ascending.
+Here they could look a long distance in all
+directions.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Some view, I&#8217;ll say,&#8221; declared Jack, as he surveyed
+the panorama. &#8220;What a picture for an
+artist to paint!&#8221; and he pointed to the majestic
+mountains to the westward.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just look at the river&mdash;how it glistens and
+sparkles in the sunshine,&#8221; burst out Spouter.
+&#8220;See how it winds in and out like a silvery ribbon
+among the hills and brushwood and then comes
+out to cut the broad and fertile prairie in the far
+distance.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Spouter, you&#8217;ll have to write an essay about
+this when you get back to the Hall,&#8221; said Fred,
+with a grin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, don&#8217;t mention school at a time like this!&#8221;
+burst out Andy. &#8220;I want to forget all about
+studying until it&#8217;s absolutely necessary to go back
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span>
+to it. And don&#8217;t forget it&#8217;s high time to eat,&#8221;
+he added.</p>
+<p>They moved along slowly and presently selected
+a spot for their temporary camp. This was a short
+distance from the trail they had been following.
+It was at the edge of a patch of timber where
+they were sheltered from the rays of the sun
+which were now quite warm.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll be in the shade here, and yet just see
+the view we&#8217;ll have,&#8221; cried Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Suits me,&#8221; announced Spouter promptly; and
+the others agreed that the spot was a first-rate location.</p>
+<p>It did not take the six chums long to give the
+horses their feed and then to empty the saddlebags
+and prepare their mid-day meal. They had
+brought along chicken as well as roast-beef sandwiches,
+hard boiled eggs, pickles, and a large cake,
+and also a bag of doughnuts which Hop Lung
+had learned to make from Mrs. Powell and of
+which the Celestial was justly proud. They also
+had with them a thermos bottle of hot cocoa and
+another of coffee, all fixed ready to drink.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Hop Lung certainly spread himself for
+us,&#8221; said Jack, as he took up one of the fat chicken
+sandwiches and surveyed it with satisfaction.
+Then he turned to the twins. &#8220;What are you grinning
+about?&#8221; he questioned quickly.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I was only thinking about the trick we
+played on the Chink,&#8221; chuckled Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I was thinking of the same thing,&#8221; put
+in his twin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a wonder he didn&#8217;t try to get square with
+us for that,&#8221; came from Fred. &#8220;An American
+would be sure to try it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The long ride in the open air had made all of
+the boys hungry, and it was not long before they
+had disposed of a large part of the sandwiches,
+pickles and eggs, washing the meal down with
+cocoa and coffee and also with water from a regular
+water bottle Spouter carried.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now I guess it&#8217;s about time we passed around
+some of the cake,&#8221; remarked Jack, presently.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think I&#8217;ll start on a doughnut,&#8221; answered
+Gif.</p>
+<p>The cake was in a square tin and had been cut
+ready for use. In a few seconds all of the boys
+were munching away lustily.</p>
+<p>And then something happened! It was Fred
+who was the first to notice that the piece of cake
+he was devouring had a peculiar puckery taste.
+He rolled some of the cake around in his mouth,
+and then suddenly ejected it, and just as he did
+this Andy dropped the doughnut he was devouring.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh my! What&#8217;s the matter with that cake?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, this doughnut tastes like fire!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, my mouth is burning up!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Give me some of that water, quick! My
+tongue is getting blistered!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you suppose is in this cake, anyhow,
+and in the doughnuts?&#8221; demanded Jack, as
+he, too, made a wry face and stopped eating.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gracious me! do you suppose Hop Lung put
+the wrong stuff in the cake and in the doughnuts?&#8221;
+demanded Spouter anxiously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, this is awful!&#8221; groaned Gif. &#8220;I&#8217;m burning
+up inside!&#8221; And he put both hands on his
+stomach.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe we&#8217;re poisoned!&#8221; suggested Randy.
+He made a wild dive for the water bottle, and
+this was passed around from hand to hand, each
+lad drinking eagerly in an endeavor to wash the
+burning taste from his mouth and throat.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know what&#8217;s the matter,&#8221; said Jack, after
+the most of the excitement was over. &#8220;Hop Lung
+doctored the cake and the doughnuts to get square
+with us for the trick we played on him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if that&#8217;s so?&#8221; questioned Andy
+soberly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sure, it&#8217;s so!&#8221; broke in Gif. &#8220;That Chink
+wasn&#8217;t as slow as you thought, Andy.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gosh, my mouth burns yet!&#8221; grumbled Randy,
+taking a drink of cocoa. &#8220;That&#8217;s the worst dose
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span>
+I ever chewed. What do you suppose he put in
+the cake?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tasted to me like a combination of cayenne
+pepper, mustard, and a few things like that,&#8221; answered
+Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then the whole cake and all the doughnuts
+must be no good.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s too bad! And I had my heart set on a
+nice doughnut,&#8221; answered Spouter. &#8220;Just the
+same, I can&#8217;t blame Hop Lung.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, anyway, let&#8217;s be thankful the sandwiches
+are all right and so are the eggs,&#8221; remarked Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe some of the sandwiches that are left
+are doctored,&#8221; put in Andy suspiciously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, they look all right,&#8221; announced Gif, after
+an inspection. &#8220;And he couldn&#8217;t do much with
+the eggs while they were in their shells,&#8221; he
+added.</p>
+<p>While he was speaking, and while some of the
+boys were still taking drinks of various kinds to
+clear their mouths and throats of that awful
+burning taste, Spouter made an inspection of the
+paper bag containing the doughnuts.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello! here&#8217;s another little bag at the bottom
+of the big one,&#8221; he cried. &#8220;Let&#8217;s see what it
+contains.&#8221;</p>
+<p>He dumped out the doughnuts and drew forth
+the smaller bag. Opening this, the lads found it
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span>
+contained six pieces of golden yellow pound cake,
+neatly wrapped in tissue paper.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! is that more of the doctored stuff?&#8221; questioned
+Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe. But I don&#8217;t think so,&#8221; answered
+Spouter. &#8220;I think Hop Lung put this in for a
+peace offering, to be found after we had chewed
+on that other stuff.&#8221;</p>
+<p>And in that surmise Spouter proved correct.
+The pound cake was delicious, and, having sampled
+it with caution to find that it was all right,
+the boys ate it to the last crumb with great satisfaction.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;d better dump all that other stuff away,&#8221;
+said Fred. &#8220;No use of carrying it if it isn&#8217;t fit
+to eat.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe some of it is good,&#8221; returned Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you want to sample it and make sure?&#8221;
+questioned Jack, with a grin.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not on your life! I wouldn&#8217;t want that burning
+taste in my mouth again for a hundred dollars.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The boys threw the highly-seasoned cake and
+the doughnuts away, repacked what was left of
+the other food, and then continued on their ride.
+The trail led through the patch of timber and then
+over some rather rough rocks and through some
+brushwood. Among the rocks they found a spring
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span>
+where the water was clear and cold, and here
+they had a most refreshing drink and watered
+their horses.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s queer this spring is away up here on the
+top of the hill,&#8221; remarked Spouter. &#8220;That water
+must flow underground from the mountains yonder.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What a lot of underground streams there
+must be!&#8221; returned Fred.</p>
+<p>While moving along those in the lead had kept
+their eyes open for more snakes. But no reptiles
+appeared, for which they were thankful.</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I&#8217;m sorry we didn&#8217;t see some sort of
+wild animals,&#8221; said Randy, in speaking of this.
+&#8220;I thought sure we&#8217;d see a bear or a deer or
+something like that.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Even birds seemed to be scarce in that vicinity,
+and the only sound that broke the stillness as they
+advanced was their own voices and the clatter
+of the horses&#8217; hoofs on the rocks.</p>
+<p>The trail was a well-defined one, and they
+could see that it had been used only a short while
+before.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Half a dozen horsemen have been this way
+within the last few hours,&#8221; declared Gif. &#8220;Most
+likely they were on their way to Bimbel&#8217;s ranch.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if that man Haddon has gotten
+here yet,&#8221; said Jack.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;More than likely,&#8221; answered Fred. &#8220;If you&#8217;ll
+remember, those men didn&#8217;t expect to stay in Arrow
+Junction very long.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like to know more about that chap, and
+know exactly how he&#8217;s mixed up with Brassy
+Bangs,&#8221; went on the oldest of the Rover boys.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess we&#8217;d all like to know that,&#8221; put in
+Randy.</p>
+<p>Presently they came to a turn of the trail.
+Here they could see across a wide stretch of
+prairie to where there was a collection of low
+buildings, seven or eight in number. To the rear
+of the buildings was a corral for horses.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It doesn&#8217;t look much different from lots of
+other ranches,&#8221; said Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you want to go any closer to it?&#8221; questioned
+Gif.</p>
+<p>The boys talked the matter over, and while
+Andy and Randy were rather curious to get a
+more intimate view of the place, the others decided
+that they would not ride any closer on this
+trip.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s now nearly two o&#8217;clock,&#8221; said Spouter.
+&#8220;And if we want to go any distance up the river
+it will take us until sundown to get back home.&#8221;</p>
+<p>They turned back, and an hour or so later
+reached the point where they had parted from
+Jarley Bangs. Then they took a trail up the river
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span>
+and followed this until the sun, sinking over the
+western mountains, warned them that it was time
+for them to head for home.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, I&#8217;ve got an idea,&#8221; announced Andy, when
+they came in sight of the ranch house. &#8220;Don&#8217;t
+let on to anybody about that doctored cake. If
+Hop Lung or anybody else mentions it, just act
+as if nothing unusual had happened. Say the
+lunch was as good as any we ever had.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the idea!&#8221; returned his twin. &#8220;We&#8217;ll
+keep that Chink guessing.&#8221; And it may be added
+here that the boys kept their word, and Hop Lung
+never knew how his little joke had terminated,
+although he felt sure in his own mind that they
+had received the full benefit of the trick he had
+played.</p>
+<p>The six boys were still some distance from the
+house when they saw a man come out on the
+veranda and wave his hand to them. At first
+they thought it might be Sam Rover. But then,
+of a sudden, Jack let out a yell.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Boys, what do you know about this! Do you
+recognize that man?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s Hans Mueller!&#8221; ejaculated Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Uncle Hans!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who would have thought he was coming to
+the ranch?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hans Mueller!&#8221; murmured Andy. &#8220;I&#8217;ll be
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span>
+glad to see him. He&#8217;s as full of fun as a stray
+dog is of fleas!&#8221;</p>
+<p>Hans Mueller was a man who in his boyhood
+days had been a boon companion of the Rover
+boys&#8217; fathers. When he had gone to Putnam
+Hall with the Rovers he had spoken very broken
+English, and his improvement in speech had been
+slow and painful. But Hans had prospered in a
+business way, and was now the sole proprietor of
+a chain of delicatessen stores in Chicago. He
+was unmarried, and, having no family of his
+own, had insisted upon it that all of his young
+friends call him &#8220;uncle.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello der, eferypody!&#8221; called out Hans Mueller
+cordially, as he came down from the veranda
+to greet them, his fat face beaming genially.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How are you, Uncle Hans?&#8221; cried Jack, leaping
+to the ground and shaking hands. &#8220;This is
+certainly a surprise.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Songpird tol&#8217; me you wouldn&#8217;t know I
+vas coming,&#8221; was the answer. &#8220;How you been
+alreatty?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Fine as silk,&#8221; answered Andy gayly. And
+now all the boys clustered around to shake hands.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re just the man we want here to help us
+enjoy our vacation,&#8221; put in Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dot&#8217;s nice, Fred. I tink I vas going to haf
+a fine time alreatty. And I need him,&#8221; went on
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span>
+Hans Mueller. &#8220;Since I come from de war back
+from Europe, where I fights for Uncle Sam, I
+work like a steam horse in mine delicatessen
+stores. But so soon like Songpird says come out
+here and meet dem Rovers and you udder friends,
+I say to my clerks, &#8216;you got to run dem stores by
+yourselfes alreatty yet awhile. I go oud to Pig
+Horn Ranch and git some fresh air mine lungs
+in.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll get the fresh air all right enough,&#8221; announced
+Spouter. &#8220;And we&#8217;re mighty glad you&#8217;re
+here,&#8221; he added, and then led the way into the
+house.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXV_PROFESSOR_DUKE_S_SECRET' id='XXV_PROFESSOR_DUKE_S_SECRET'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2>
+<h3>PROFESSOR DUKE&#8217;S SECRET</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The girls had already returned from the woods
+and met Uncle Hans, as they called him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I got somet&#8217;ing by mine trunk in for you
+young ladies,&#8221; said Hans Mueller, with a broad
+smile. And later on when his trunk arrived he
+presented each of them with a bottle of the highest
+grade of olives. He also had some olives for
+Mrs. Powell, for use on the table.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I import dem olives myself alreatty yet,&#8221; he
+vouchsafed. &#8220;Nopody by Chicago has olives half
+so goot.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I knew you&#8217;d be surprised to see Uncle Hans
+here,&#8221; declared Songbird Powell. &#8220;And I knew
+an outing on the ranch would do him a world of
+good. He has been confining himself too closely
+to business since he got back from the war.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was grand of you, Uncle Hans, to fight for
+Uncle Sam,&#8221; declared Martha.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And vhy, I like to know?&#8221; demanded Hans
+Mueller. &#8220;Since I come by der United States
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span>
+over I been just such a goot American like anypody.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the way to talk, Uncle Hans!&#8221; cried
+Jack, and slapped him on the shoulder.</p>
+<p>The next day the young folks took great pleasure
+in showing Hans Mueller around the place.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He vas chust like a farm, only different,&#8221;
+remarked the delicatessen man. &#8220;Dot iss a nice
+lot of cows you got, Songpird. I dink dos cows
+vould make apout a million pounds of frankfurters,
+not?&#8221; and at this remark there was a general
+laugh.</p>
+<p>A few days later Jack noticed that Songbird
+Powell seemed to be worried over something.
+The owner of Big Horn Ranch held an earnest
+consultation with Joe Jackson, and then the foreman
+of the ranch rode off in hot haste, accompanied
+by two of his cowboys.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter&mdash;is something wrong?&#8221;
+questioned Jack of Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Four of our best horses are missing,&#8221; answered
+Spouter. &#8220;The men are not sure whether
+they strayed away or have been stolen. Jackson
+and the fellows with him are going to ride along
+the river and see if they can find out.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t you say something about other horses
+being stolen before we got here?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. But they didn&#8217;t belong to my father.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span>
+They belonged to the men who formerly owned
+this ranch. They left them here, but at their own
+risk.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Were the animals now missing the horses
+we rode?&#8221; questioned Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No. They were the mounts used by Jackson
+and his men. That is, three of the horses were.
+The other was that beautiful black my father occasionally
+rode.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You mean Blackbird?&#8221; exclaimed Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, I think Blackbird is the finest horse on
+the ranch,&#8221; declared Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He certainly is a splendid nag,&#8221; answered
+Spouter. &#8220;And my dad thinks a great deal of
+him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The horse in question was a three-year-old,
+shining black in color, with a peculiar diamond-shaped
+spot of white on his forehead and a similar
+spot on his chest. Because of these spots
+some of the cowboys often referred to him as
+Two-spot.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suppose those horses are worth some
+money,&#8221; remarked Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Indeed they are!&#8221; declared Spouter. &#8220;I heard
+my father say he wouldn&#8217;t take four hundred dollars
+for Blackbird. And the other animals must
+be worth at least a hundred and fifty dollars
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_257' name='page_257'></a>257</span>
+apiece. You know they always had pretty good
+horses on this ranch.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I certainly hope they get some trace of the
+horses,&#8221; said Jack.</p>
+<p>But this hope was not fulfilled. Jackson and
+those with him came back disappointed, saying
+that they had found no trace of the animals.</p>
+<p>About a week later came another surprise. The
+young folks, including the girls, had gone off to
+the woods for the best part of the day, and when
+they returned, much to their astonishment, they
+saw seated in rocking chairs on the veranda Ruth
+and May.</p>
+<p>&#8220;My goodness!&#8221; screamed Mary. &#8220;Ruth and
+May! Glory hallelujah! How in the world did
+you get here?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you never let us know!&#8221; wailed Martha,
+as she bounced up the steps to embrace her school
+chums.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We got started sooner than we expected,&#8221; answered
+May.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you come alone?&#8221; questioned Jack, as
+he, too, came forward, his pleasure showing on
+his face.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, we didn&#8217;t come alone,&#8221; answered Ruth.
+&#8220;We came with Mr. and Mrs. Rover. They are
+inside with the others.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;My mother and dad!&#8221; burst out Andy.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span>
+&#8220;Where are they?&#8221; And he raced into the house,
+followed by his twin.</p>
+<p>There followed a joyous reunion all around.
+Everybody was happy to see everybody else, and
+for a while it seemed as if all were trying to talk
+at once.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We had a splendid trip over,&#8221; declared Mrs.
+Nellie Rover. &#8220;Not a single hitch all along the
+way. Tom had everything mapped out to the
+last detail.&#8221; And she gave her husband an affectionate
+glance.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s what army discipline did for me,&#8221; answered
+Tom Rover. &#8220;I didn&#8217;t used to be so particular.
+But now I&#8217;ve got in the habit of walking
+a regular chalk mark.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I&#8217;ve walked me a chalk mark, too,&#8221; put
+in Hans Mueller. &#8220;I run mine delicatessen stores
+chust like they vas by army regulations alreatty.
+And it pays, belief me!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a regular touch of old times to see you
+around, Hans,&#8221; said Tom, grabbing his former
+school chum by both arms. &#8220;How is that new
+pickling machine getting along?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Vot pickling machine you mean, Tom?&#8221; questioned
+Hans, looking at him blankly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, that machine you&#8217;re going to invent
+whereby you can grind up old oilcloth and automobile
+tires and make dill pickles of them.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t vas got no machine like dot, Tom,&#8221;
+answered the delicatessen man in bewilderment.
+&#8220;I buy mine dill pickles by der barrel. Dem dill
+pickles grows, you can&#8217;t make &#8217;em by no
+machine.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh! Then maybe it was a new sourkraut
+stamper,&#8221; went on Tom innocently.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Tom, you vas joking chust like you alvays
+vas!&#8221; exclaimed Hans, a light breaking in
+on him. &#8220;Vell, I don&#8217;t care. You vas a pretty
+goot fellow anyhow,&#8221; and Hans smiled as broadly
+as ever.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It sure is a touch of old times,&#8221; declared Songbird
+Powell. And then, unable to restrain himself,
+he burst out:</p>
+<table summary='poetry' style=' margin-left:4em;'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>&#8220;From among the mountain tops</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Where the brooklet flows,</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>There I love to linger long&mdash;&#8221;</p>
+<br />
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>&#8220;Counting up my toes,&#8221;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<p>broke in Tom, with a twinkle in his merry eyes.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Counting up my toes!&#8221; snorted Songbird.
+&#8220;Nothing of the kind! You always did knock my
+poetry endways, Tom. That last line was to read
+like this:</p>
+<table summary='poetry' style=' margin-left:4em;'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>&#8220;Where the sunset glows.&#8221;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_260' name='page_260'></a>260</span></div>
+<p>The young folks had a grand time that evening
+singing and dancing, and did not retire until the
+older heads had hinted several times that they
+had better do so.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Jack, it&#8217;s a splendid place to come to!&#8221;
+said Ruth, when she was on the point of retiring.
+&#8220;I know I&#8217;m going to have the best times ever.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And to think my Uncle John owns the place!&#8221;
+put in May. &#8220;Isn&#8217;t it simply glorious?&#8221;</p>
+<p>After that the days seemed to speed along
+swiftly. The boys and girls made up various
+parties up and down the river, and on the hills
+and in the woods. Once they got up a grand
+family picnic, and everybody attended.</p>
+<p>During those days the boys often wondered
+whether Brassy Bangs would show himself. But
+Brassy kept out of sight, and for the time being
+they heard nothing further concerning him. But
+they did hear through Joe Jackson of Bud Haddon.
+That man had been met on the trail to Bimbel&#8217;s
+ranch in company with several other persons.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They were a bum-looking bunch,&#8221; declared
+Jackson. &#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t give one of &#8217;em house room
+on this ranch.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Haddon certainly didn&#8217;t make a very good
+impression on me,&#8221; declared Jack. &#8220;I&#8217;m frank
+to admit I think he&#8217;s a thoroughly bad egg.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_261' name='page_261'></a>261</span></p>
+<p>From time to time the boys had been sending
+letters to some of their other school chums, and
+a number of letters had come in return. One day
+Gif received a long communication from Fatty
+Hendry which he read in wonder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here&#8217;s something that will interest all of
+you,&#8221; he declared, after he had finished. &#8220;I guess
+it clears up the mystery surrounding Professor
+Duke.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is it?&#8221; questioned Fred eagerly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a letter from Fatty Hendry. He&#8217;s been
+staying at a place named Ellenvale, which, as you
+know, is about thirty miles north of Haven Point.
+He says that Snopper Duke came from that place,
+and has an aged father living there.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Has Duke been taking care of his father?&#8221;
+questioned Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. And his father has been very sick and
+has had to have several operations. It seems
+the operations cost a lot of money, and Duke
+wanted two of his younger brothers to help pay
+for them. But they wouldn&#8217;t contribute a cent.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, that was certainly rough!&#8221; declared
+Randy. &#8220;No wonder the professor was grouchy
+at times.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That isn&#8217;t all of it,&#8221; went on Gif. &#8220;Fatty got
+interested and made a little investigation, and he
+found out that there was another brother, a little
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_262' name='page_262'></a>262</span>
+older than the professor, who had gotten into
+difficulties with the firm he was working for.
+That firm was on the point of having him arrested,
+so Fatty heard, but at the last minute
+Professor Duke came forward and settled up for
+him, so he wasn&#8217;t prosecuted.</p>
+<p>&#8220;But Fatty adds in his letter that he heard this
+not only took every cent the professor had, but it
+also placed him in debt to Colonel Colby and some
+of his friends.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, that&#8217;s what I call hard lines!&#8221; declared
+Jack emphatically. &#8220;The poor professor must
+have been worried half to death.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Does Fatty say anything further about Duke&#8217;s
+father?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. Since the last operation the old gentleman
+is feeling quite like himself again.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And what became of the brother who got into
+trouble?&#8221; asked Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He disappeared, and Fatty says there is a report
+that he went to England, where the family
+originally came from. I suppose Professor Duke
+was glad to have him go.&#8221;</p>
+<p>After this Gif handed around the letter so that
+all might read it. After its perusal Andy was the
+first to speak.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s too bad,&#8221; he said, with a deep sigh. &#8220;I&#8217;m
+mighty sorry now that I didn&#8217;t treat the professor
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_263' name='page_263'></a>263</span>
+with more consideration. That poor man certainly
+had as much of a load as anybody to
+carry.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll have to make it up to him when we get
+back to Colby Hall,&#8221; declared Randy. &#8220;I&#8217;m going
+to show him just what I think of him,&#8221; he went
+on. &#8220;He certainly was a fine fellow to help his
+old father and to get his brother out of that hole.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The boys were still discussing this matter when
+they suddenly saw Joe Jackson dash up to the
+ranch house on his horse and dismount in great
+haste.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello, something is wrong!&#8221; declared Jack.</p>
+<p>Songbird Powell and Tom and Sam Rover had
+seen the approach of the foreman, and men and
+boys ran out to listen to what he might have to
+say.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Four more horses are gone!&#8221; declared Joe
+Jackson. &#8220;The best horses on the ranch! And,
+boss, I&#8217;m certain this time that they didn&#8217;t stray
+away. They were stolen!&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXVI_THE_CATTLE_STAMPEDE' id='XXVI_THE_CATTLE_STAMPEDE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_264' name='page_264'></a>264</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2>
+<h3>THE CATTLE STAMPEDE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Four more horses gone!&#8221; cried Songbird
+Powell in consternation. &#8220;When did this happen,
+Jackson?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Less than half an hour ago, over on the three-tree
+range,&#8221; returned the foreman.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And what makes you certain that they were
+stolen this time?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because the horses had been left all properly
+tethered. Billy Brown and his crowd had &#8217;em,
+and I know Billy is a very careful man. He&#8217;s
+positive they couldn&#8217;t have broken away.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is certainly getting to be a serious matter,&#8221;
+declared Sam Rover. &#8220;Songbird, if these
+last four horses were stolen, it&#8217;s more than probable
+that the first four went the same way.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Any clue to the thief or thieves?&#8221; asked Tom
+Rover.</p>
+<p>&#8220;The boys looked around and picked up a quirt
+that they say don&#8217;t belong to our outfit. But it&#8217;s
+a very ordinary quirt and might belong to almost
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_265' name='page_265'></a>265</span>
+anybody. Of course, they found a good many
+hoof marks, but they were so mixed up with the
+marks from the other horses they couldn&#8217;t tell
+one from the other.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll ride over to the place with you and investigate,&#8221;
+returned Songbird Powell after a moment&#8217;s
+thought. &#8220;Perhaps we can get on the trail
+of the thieves.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can we go along?&#8221; questioned Spouter
+quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Son. We want to use the horses. And,
+anyway, I think it would be better for you lads
+to remain behind.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Songbird and the foreman hurried down to the
+horse corral accompanied by Tom and Sam. And
+thus the boys and girls, as well as the ladies of
+the household, were left by themselves.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! I&#8217;d like to go on a chase after those
+horse thieves,&#8221; burst out Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You might get a pretty warm reception if
+you did that,&#8221; remarked Fred. &#8220;Horse thieves
+and cattle rustlers are usually a bad bunch.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It isn&#8217;t likely they&#8217;ll get on the trail of the
+horses very quickly,&#8221; put in Jack. &#8220;Those fellows
+have too much of a start. The most they
+can do is to advertise the loss as widely as possible
+and trust to it that some one will recognize
+the horses, especially Blackbird.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_266' name='page_266'></a>266</span></p>
+<p>The boys had spoken about going fishing, and
+Ruth and May had asked if they could go along.
+As a consequence the young folks spent the remainder
+of the afternoon along the river. They
+managed to catch a good mess of fish, of which
+they were justly proud.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And just to think! I caught two of the fish
+myself!&#8221; exclaimed Ruth. &#8220;I never knew I was
+going to be a fisherman.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You mustn&#8217;t say &#8216;fisherman;&#8217; you must say
+fisherlady,&#8221; put in Andy mischievously.</p>
+<p>The men did not return until ten o&#8217;clock that
+night. All were tired and hungry and glad to sit
+down to the meal which Mrs. Powell and the cook
+provided.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was a wild-goose chase,&#8221; answered Tom
+Rover in reply to a question from Andy. &#8220;We
+followed half a dozen clues, but they didn&#8217;t get
+us anywhere.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What are you going to do next, Dad?&#8221; questioned
+Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We sent word to Arrow Junction and several
+other places, and they&#8217;ll post notices giving a description
+of the stolen animals,&#8221; answered Songbird.
+&#8220;And I&#8217;ve offered a hundred dollars reward
+for any information leading to the recovery
+of the horses.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The next day one of the cowboys came in with
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_267' name='page_267'></a>267</span>
+more information. This was to the effect that a
+ranch in that neighborhood, owned by a man
+named Cheltham, had suffered the loss of three
+horses, one a mare of considerable value.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, this certainly is getting interesting,&#8221; said
+Jack, when the lads heard the older heads talking
+it over. &#8220;First thing we know, all the horses on
+the place will be gone.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Years ago they used to suffer from the cattle
+rustlers in this neighborhood,&#8221; said Spouter.
+&#8220;But horse stealing is something new.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if that fellow Bud Haddon had anything
+to do with it?&#8221; questioned Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was thinking of that,&#8221; broke in Randy. &#8220;I
+think they ought to make an investigation.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The boys spoke to the men about this, and there
+was a long discussion which ended when Songbird
+said he would ride over to the Bimbel ranch
+with his foreman and interview the men.</p>
+<p>The visit to the Bimbel ranch occurred the next
+day, and the boys waited impatiently for the return
+of the two men to learn what Bimbel and
+Bud Haddon might have to say.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Another wild-goose chase,&#8221; announced Songbird
+Powell, on the return that evening. &#8220;We
+saw Bimbel, and he seemed as much surprised
+as anybody to learn of the horses being taken.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And what about Bud Haddon?&#8221; asked Jack.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;We didn&#8217;t see Haddon. But Bimbel said he
+had been at the ranch house early in the morning
+and he was certain Haddon knew nothing about
+the loss. He said Haddon and the other men
+were out on a range to the westward, looking
+after the cattle. Of course, if Haddon was away
+out there he couldn&#8217;t have been here taking our
+horses.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you didn&#8217;t see any trace of the animals?&#8221;
+asked Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing at all. They said they hadn&#8217;t heard
+of the theft nor of the loss of the horses over at
+Cheltham&#8217;s ranch.&#8221;</p>
+<p>After that a week passed swiftly, during which
+time the young folks enjoyed themselves thoroughly,
+not only in tramping and riding around
+and in fishing, but also in other sports around
+the ranch home. With so much level ground
+available, a tennis court had been laid out, and
+also a croquet ground, and the boys and girls enjoyed
+these games immensely. The lads also
+pitched quoits, a sport which at times had been
+popular at Colby Hall.</p>
+<p>One day the boys accompanied Joe Jackson on
+a round-up of some cattle far down the river.
+This was a day full of excitement, for some of
+the cattle broke away and Andy and Fred happened
+to be separated from the rest of the crowd
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_269' name='page_269'></a>269</span>
+and got directly in line with the runaway steers.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hi there! Hi there! Ride out of the way!&#8221;
+yelled Joe Jackson at the top of his lungs.</p>
+<p>Andy and Fred were looking in the opposite
+direction and did not notice the cattle until the
+beasts were within a hundred yards of them.
+Then they heard the foreman&#8217;s cry and also the
+beating of the hoofs on the prairie.</p>
+<p>&#8220;My gracious!&#8221; gasped Fred. &#8220;Look what&#8217;s
+coming!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve got to get out of the way and be quick
+about it,&#8221; returned Andy, and struck his horse
+on the flank.</p>
+<p>The steeds the boys were riding needed no urging,
+for the sudden rush of the cattle filled them
+with alarm. Away they bounded across the grassy
+plain with the maddened cattle thundering after
+them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s ride to one side and let &#8217;em pass!&#8221; gasped
+Fred, who was badly shaken by this sudden turn
+of affairs. He had not dreamed that the herd of
+cattle would head for them in this fashion.</p>
+<p>But to get out of the way was not easy. To
+one side of the plains was a series of rough rocks,
+while to the other side there was a brook flowing
+into the river, and here the ground was soft and
+treacherous.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t go that way!&#8221; cried Andy, as he saw his
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_270' name='page_270'></a>270</span>
+cousin heading toward the brook. &#8220;You&#8217;ll get
+stuck and you&#8217;ll never get out.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d rather get stuck than be trampled under
+foot by those beasts,&#8221; panted Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, no, Fred! Turn this way! I&#8217;m sure we
+can get up on the rocks somehow!&#8221; declared
+Andy.</p>
+<p>The boys continued to advance with the thoroughly
+frightened cattle not far behind them.
+While being rounded up both cattle and cowboys
+had come upon a nest of small rattlesnakes.
+These had, of course, frightened the beasts, and
+they were still more frightened when the cowboys
+had begun to shoot at the reptiles. Then a
+few of the cattle had started the stampede, and
+the rest, terrorized by the pistol shots, had followed.</p>
+<p>As the two lads galloped on, they looked
+anxiously to the side where the rocks were located.
+Most of the places they passed were too
+steep to ascend. But presently Andy caught sight
+of a point where there was something of a trail
+leading upward.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on this way!&#8221; he yelled to his cousin.
+&#8220;I think we can get up on the rocks here!&#8221;</p>
+<p>In the meanwhile Joe Jackson and his men,
+followed by Jack and the others, were doing their
+best to get the cattle to turn back to the point
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_271' name='page_271'></a>271</span>
+from which they had started. The best herd riders
+were circling the edge of the rushing animals,
+shouting at the top of their lungs and firing their
+pistols. But so far this demonstration had had
+little effect.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Jack! do you think they&#8217;ll be run down?&#8221;
+gasped Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope not.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;re on a pair of good horses; they ought
+to be able to outrun the cattle,&#8221; came from Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t be so sure of that,&#8221; cried Spouter. &#8220;A
+mad steer can go some, believe me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who ever thought they would start off like
+that?&#8221; went on Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was firing at those rattlesnakes did it,&#8221; declared
+Jack. &#8220;Of course, I can&#8217;t blame the cowboys
+for doing that.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Andy and Fred found the rocks anything but
+easy to ascend. They went up a few feet, and
+then the horses began to slip and were in danger
+of rolling over, carrying their young riders with
+them.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Look out!&#8221; screamed Fred. He had to catch
+his horse around the neck to keep from being
+flung headlong.</p>
+<p>But the horses were as anxious to escape the
+maddened cattle as were the lads, and the steeds
+continued to scramble upward until they reached
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_272' name='page_272'></a>272</span>
+a ledge of rock where the footing was comparatively
+level.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think we&#8217;ll be all right here?&#8221; panted
+Fred, when he could catch his breath sufficiently
+to speak.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We shall be unless some of those steers take it
+into their heads to climb the rocks the same way
+we did,&#8221; answered Andy. He was suffering from
+a slight bruise on his left leg where he had brushed
+some of the roughest of the rocks.</p>
+<p>The horses were still alarmed, and continued to
+snort and stamp their feet, and the two lads for a
+few seconds had their hands full quieting the animals.
+They looked below them and saw the cattle
+coming on in a great mass. Some had already
+passed, but others were huddled close to the rocks
+as if on the point of making an ascent.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I really think they&#8217;ll try to come up,&#8221; said
+Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come ahead! We&#8217;ll see if we can&#8217;t get a little
+higher up,&#8221; answered Andy. &#8220;I don&#8217;t think the
+steers will follow us very far, even if they do
+come. We can shoot at them if we have to,&#8221; he
+added, for each of them carried a pistol.</p>
+<p>Beyond the ledge were more rough rocks, and
+here the two lads had to proceed with caution
+for fear one of their horses might slip and perhaps
+break a leg. As they advanced they looked
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_273' name='page_273'></a>273</span>
+back and saw that the cowboys were coming closer
+and were beginning to drive a part of the cattle
+to the rear.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, if only they can drive them back!&#8221; sighed
+Fred. &#8220;Just look at &#8217;em, Andy! There must be
+a hundred of the steers directly below us! And
+see how angry that big black fellow looks! He
+acts just as if he&#8217;d like to come up here and gore
+us!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Listen!&#8221; ejaculated Andy, pulling back on the
+rein. &#8220;What&#8217;s that funny noise?&#8221;</p>
+<p>Both listened, and, mingled with the murmurs
+of the cattle at the foot of the rocks, came to
+their ears a peculiar whine or growl that was entirely
+new to the lads.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a wild animal of some kind!&#8221; cried Fred,
+as the growl was repeated.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where did it come from?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know. But it was close at hand.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Thoroughly scared, both boys looked on all
+sides. Then, of a sudden, Fred let out another
+exclamation.</p>
+<p>&#8220;There it is! Right on the shelf of rocks yonder!
+Oh, Andy, it&#8217;s a mountain lion!&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXVII_THE_MOUNTAIN_LION' id='XXVII_THE_MOUNTAIN_LION'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_274' name='page_274'></a>274</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2>
+<h3>THE MOUNTAIN LION</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>It was a time of extreme peril, and both of the
+Rover boys realized it. The shelf of rock was
+not over twenty feet ahead of them, and on this
+rested the mountain lion, crouched as if for a
+spring.</p>
+<p>Fred had scarcely spoken when both horses
+began to snort and stamp their feet as if wanting
+to turn and run away.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Look out!&#8221; screamed Andy, &#8220;or the horses will
+take us right back among those mad cattle.&#8221;</p>
+<p>With the discovery of the mountain lion, that
+lay close to the rocky shelf with glaring eyes and
+tail that swept nervously from side to side, the
+boys had noted that the animal was as much
+penned in as they were themselves. Beyond the
+shelf was an overhanging cliff, so that further
+progress in that direction was cut off completely.
+Had this not been so, it is more than likely that
+the mountain lion would have turned and slunk
+away, for like all wild beasts they do not fight
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_275' name='page_275'></a>275</span>
+unless they think it is necessary to do so.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on&mdash;give him a shot!&#8221; exclaimed Fred,
+as soon as he could recover from his astonishment.</p>
+<p>His weapon was handy, and in a moment the
+pistol rang out sharply, and this shot was followed
+by one from his cousin.</p>
+<p>Had the two boys been on the ground their
+shots might have been more effective. But it was
+another task to aim from the back of a restive
+horse that was threatening every instant to bolt,
+and so both bullets merely grazed the mountain
+lion&#8217;s side.</p>
+<p>But these shots, mingled with those coming
+from the plain below, had one good effect. The
+cattle had been stopped in their mad flight and
+now they turned back in the direction in which
+the cowboys wanted them to go.</p>
+<p>As the pistols rang out the mountain lion gave
+a scream of commingled pain and rage. Then it
+crept forward several feet and made a movement
+as if on the point of leaping for Fred and his
+steed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Back up! Back up, Fred!&#8221; yelled Andy, and
+fired a second time, and his cousin did likewise.</p>
+<p>This time the aim of the boys was better, and
+the mountain lion was hit in one of the forelegs
+and in the flank. It made a sudden leap, but the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_276' name='page_276'></a>276</span>
+wound in the leg made it fall short, and it fell
+down between the rocks directly in front of where
+Fred&#8217;s horse was standing.</p>
+<p>As the mountain lion went down in the hollow
+the horse uttered another wild snort and an instant
+later leaped directly over the wild beast,
+coming down at the foot of the rocky ledge beyond.
+The steed Andy rode backed violently until
+some other rocks stopped its retreat.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hi there! What are you shooting at?&#8221; came
+a cry from below, and the two boys recognized
+the voice of Joe Jackson.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a lion!&#8221; called back Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then plug him! Plug him quick!&#8221; yelled
+Jackson. &#8220;Plug him before he gets a chance to
+get at you!&#8221;</p>
+<p>There was no need for this advice, for Andy
+was already taking aim. This time the bullet
+passed through the body of the lion and the beast
+leaped up, turning over and over convulsively.
+Then Fred managed to steady his mount for a
+moment, and he, too, fired, this time catching the
+mountain lion in the ear. Then the beast gave a
+final leap and tumbled down the rocks almost at
+the feet of the astonished ranch foreman.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are you hurt?&#8221; demanded Jackson anxiously,
+as he gave a glance at the lion to make certain that
+it was breathing its last.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_277' name='page_277'></a>277</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; came from both of the boys. But it
+must be confessed that their voices were trembling.
+They had all they could do to quiet their
+horses, the steeds showing a great inclination to
+leap over the rough rocks and run away.</p>
+<p>By the time that Fred and Andy managed to
+descend to the plain below them the stampede of
+the cattle, which had been only momentary, was
+coming to an end, only two steers having run
+away for parts unknown.</p>
+<p>&#8220;But they&#8217;ll come back, Boss,&#8221; said one of the
+cowboys to Jackson. &#8220;They always do. You
+can&#8217;t hire &#8217;em to herd by themselves. They&#8217;ll sure
+be back.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;A mountain lion! What do you know about
+that!&#8221; exclaimed Jack, as he came riding up, followed
+by the other boys.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did he hurt you at all?&#8221; questioned Spouter
+quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He didn&#8217;t get a chance,&#8221; answered Fred, just a
+bit proudly. &#8220;Andy and I let drive at him almost
+as soon as we saw him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;A pretty powerful beast, I&#8217;ll say,&#8221; remarked
+Gif, as he made an examination of the lion that
+was now dead. &#8220;I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;d like to face such
+a creature.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We had to fight him,&#8221; declared Andy. &#8220;He
+was right up on that rocky shelf yonder, and he
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_278' name='page_278'></a>278</span>
+couldn&#8217;t back out. If he had had the chance he&#8217;d
+have leaped right on us.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you&#8217;re the prize hunters of this crowd,&#8221;
+declared Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can&#8217;t put that down to hunting,&#8221; answered
+his twin promptly. &#8220;That was simply a
+case of necessity.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Anyway, you&#8217;ve got the lion, and that skin will
+make some rug,&#8221; declared Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if there are any other mountain lions
+around?&#8221; remarked Gif. &#8220;I&#8217;d like to get a shot
+at one of them myself.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;They often travel in pairs,&#8221; answered Joe
+Jackson. &#8220;But if you&#8217;re going after lions you
+had better arm yourselves with rifles. It was only
+good luck that brought this beast down with pistol
+bullets.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;The pistols were good enough at close quarters,&#8221;
+answered Andy. &#8220;Just the same, I&#8217;d rather
+shoot the next mountain lion from a distance,&#8221;
+he added dryly.</p>
+<p>Of course, when the boys rode up to the ranch
+home with the carcass of the dead lion there was
+a good deal of excitement among the older folks
+and the girls, and Fred and Andy had to tell
+their story in detail.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You really must be more careful in the future,
+boys,&#8221; declared Mrs. Sam Rover. &#8220;Why, you
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_279' name='page_279'></a>279</span>
+might have been trampled under foot by the cattle,
+as well as chewed up by this mountain lion!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t know there was any danger of the cattle
+stampeding,&#8221; put in Mrs. Tom Rover.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Jackson assures me that the stampede
+wasn&#8217;t of much consequence,&#8221; remarked Songbird
+Powell. &#8220;But, of course, the boys shouldn&#8217;t have
+gotten in front of the animals. But this question
+of facing a mountain lion is another story.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Py chimminy! you don&#8217;t vas cotch me facin&#8217;
+no mountain lions,&#8221; declared Hans Mueller emphatically.
+&#8220;I did me dot years ago, ven I go
+oud mit your faders. But I ton&#8217;t do him no more
+alreatty.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Fred, you must be more careful!&#8221; protested
+May to the youngest Rover, when she got
+the chance. &#8220;Suppose that lion had jumped right
+on top of you?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Believe me, May, I didn&#8217;t want to get so
+close,&#8221; he answered. &#8220;When we discovered the
+beast he wasn&#8217;t over twenty feet away.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And they told us there weren&#8217;t very many wild
+beasts around here!&#8221; came from Martha. &#8220;After
+this I guess we had better be careful how we
+roam through the woods and along the river.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, they&#8217;re not likely to harm you unless you
+corner them,&#8221; said Songbird Powell. &#8220;They&#8217;ll
+sneak away from you if you give them half a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_280' name='page_280'></a>280</span>
+chance. It&#8217;s only when they&#8217;re cornered or when
+they&#8217;re needing food that they are really combative.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The mountain lion was skinned and the pelt
+taken away by the ranch foreman to be cured, and
+then Fred and Andy took it easy for the rest of
+the day.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Isn&#8217;t it queer that Brassy Bangs has never
+showed himself around this place?&#8221; remarked
+Spouter that evening. &#8220;Wouldn&#8217;t you think he&#8217;d
+at least ride over to see what sort of an outfit we
+had here?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;More than likely he&#8217;s afraid of his welcome,&#8221;
+said Jack. &#8220;He knows that none of us care for
+him.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like to know if he really started that auto,&#8221;
+put in Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gosh, what a sour fellow that Jarley Bangs
+was!&#8221; exclaimed Andy.</p>
+<p>There had been an indication of a storm, but
+this had passed away, and one day found the
+Rover boys and their chums off on a trip along
+a trail which led across the river and to the mountains
+westward, a trail which they were informed
+by Jackson led between the ranches owned by
+Jarley Bangs and Bimbel.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like to get a better view of Bimbel&#8217;s ranch
+and also of Bangs&#8217; place,&#8221; declared Jack. &#8220;And
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_281' name='page_281'></a>281</span>
+maybe we&#8217;ll see something of Bud Haddon and
+his crowd.&#8221;</p>
+<p>All of the boys were now on good terms with
+Hop Lung, and he had prepared for them a substantial
+lunch and also something extra in case
+they should remain out after the supper hour.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now you lads take good care of yourselves,&#8221;
+admonished Tom Rover, when they were ready to
+depart on their day&#8217;s outing. &#8220;No more rattlesnakes
+or mountain lions!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Or mix-ups with runaway cattle,&#8221; put in Sam
+Rover.</p>
+<p>Spouter and Jack carried small rifles, and the
+others were armed with pistols. They, however,
+were not going out to hunt, but thought best to
+provide themselves with the firearms in case any
+game presented itself.</p>
+<p>It did not take the boys long to cross the river,
+and then they followed a trail which led up a
+long hill and through a somewhat dense forest.</p>
+<p>They had journeyed along the best part of two
+hours when they noticed the sun going under a
+cloud. This caused the trail under the trees to
+become dark.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee! I wonder if we&#8217;re going to have a
+storm?&#8221; remarked Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, maybe it&#8217;s nothing but a wind cloud,&#8221;
+answered Spouter.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_282' name='page_282'></a>282</span></p>
+<p>They continued to move along the trail, and
+presently reached a small opening where there was
+a spring.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Halt!&#8221; called out Jack, who was riding ahead
+with Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter?&#8221; questioned Gif quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Look there! Isn&#8217;t that a wolf?&#8221; asked Jack.
+He pointed with his rifle, which he had already
+unslung, and all the boys looked in the direction
+pointed out.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe it&#8217;s a dog,&#8221; put in Fred quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t want to shoot somebody&#8217;s pet,&#8221; admonished
+Gif.</p>
+<p>The animal had slunk away behind some brushwood,
+and now they saw it trying to retreat, pulling
+something through the dead leaves as it did so.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a wolf! I&#8217;m sure of it!&#8221; declared Jack,
+and, raising his rifle, he took quick aim and fired.</p>
+<p>As the echo of the firearm died away the lads
+heard a snarl and a yelp, and an instant later a
+gaunt wolf showed himself, his fangs gleaming
+dangerously as he came closer.</p>
+<p>Several shots rang out, for all of the boys had
+their weapons ready. The wolf was hit in three
+places, and gave a single leap into the air and
+then dropped lifeless.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! We&#8217;ve got him!&#8221; yelled Randy, with
+satisfaction.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Be careful! Don&#8217;t go too close before we&#8217;re
+sure,&#8221; warned Jack. &#8220;Better reload first.&#8221;</p>
+<p>But the wolf was past doing further harm, and
+having assured themselves of this the boys looked
+at what he had been carrying away.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s the side of a calf!&#8221; exclaimed Spouter.
+&#8220;Isn&#8217;t this the limit? I&#8217;m glad we brought him
+down!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He must have been raiding some cow yard,&#8221;
+said Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No ranch cow yard,&#8221; said Gif. &#8220;This half of
+a calf was skinned by some person. I&#8217;ll bet he
+stole it out of some ranch larder.&#8221; And later on
+it was learned that the calf meat had been stolen
+from Jarley Bangs&#8217; place the night before.</p>
+<p>The boys had become so interested in bringing
+down the wolf that they had paid no attention to
+what was taking place overhead. But now they
+noticed that the sky was more overcast than ever.
+The wind began to blow through the woods, and
+of a sudden there came a downpour as surprising
+as it was dismaying.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXVIII_IN_THE_CAVE' id='XXVIII_IN_THE_CAVE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_284' name='page_284'></a>284</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2>
+<h3>IN THE CAVE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re in for it now!&#8221; cried Jack, as he looked
+up at the sky and at the trees beginning to bend
+in the wind.</p>
+<p>&#8220;And it&#8217;s going to be some storm, or I miss my
+guess,&#8221; added Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if we can find any shelter around
+here?&#8221; put in Randy. &#8220;If we can&#8217;t we&#8217;ll be soaked
+to the skin in no time.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Jackson was telling me of a couple of caves
+toward the end of these woods,&#8221; said Spouter
+quickly. &#8220;I wonder if we could reach the nearest
+of them? It might help us to get out of the
+rain.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on&mdash;let&#8217;s try it!&#8221; put in Fred eagerly.</p>
+<p>Leaving the dead wolf where it had fallen, the
+boys pushed forward on the trail, which now led
+downward on the other side of the hill. Here
+they noticed the going was getting rougher, and
+presently they found themselves entering a defile
+among the rocks. Here the trees were more scattering
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_285' name='page_285'></a>285</span>
+and consequently they were exposed to the
+full fury of the elements. Ever and anon a flash
+of lightning would illumine the sky, followed by
+the crack and rumble of thunder.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, maybe we had better stay under the
+trees,&#8221; suggested Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Suppose the trees should be struck by lightning?&#8221;
+questioned Jack. &#8220;I think we had better
+go on, especially if we&#8217;re anywhere near those
+caves Jackson mentioned.&#8221;</p>
+<p>A turn in the defile brought them to something
+of an open place. Here on one side the rocks
+towered fully fifty feet above their heads and at
+one point there was an opening perhaps fifteen
+feet square and leading into the side of the hill.</p>
+<p>&#8220;This must be the first of the caves!&#8221; cried
+Spouter. &#8220;Come on in!&#8221; And without ceremony
+he led the way, and the others followed, glad to
+get out of the storm.</p>
+<p>They found the cave an irregular one, running
+in somewhat of a semicircle and with a flooring
+that was comparatively level. It was dry and
+fairly comfortable, and once beyond the fury of
+the storm the lads dismounted and proceeded to
+make themselves at home.</p>
+<p>The rain continued to come down and, with
+nothing better to do, the boys proceeded to make
+themselves as comfortable as possible. Near the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_286' name='page_286'></a>286</span>
+entrance to the cave they found some leaves and
+dead tree branches which were still dry, and these
+they dragged inside and then made themselves a
+campfire.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I reckon we&#8217;ll have to cut out going any
+further,&#8221; announced Spouter. &#8220;Even if the storm
+clears away, the trail will be very wet and slippery.&#8221;</p>
+<p>It still lacked an hour to noon, and with nothing
+else to do the boys tethered their horses and
+then proceeded to investigate their surroundings.
+From the campfire they obtained several torches,
+and with these in hand they moved along slowly
+around the bend of the cave and over a series of
+rocks which led upward.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It certainly is a larger cave than I supposed,&#8221;
+said Jack, as he and Gif led the way, with the
+others close behind.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think I see a light ahead, Jack,&#8221; was Gif&#8217;s
+remark. &#8220;That must be another opening to the
+cave.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe the two caves that Jackson mentioned
+are really one, and this passageway connects
+them.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll soon find out.&#8221;</p>
+<p>By this time all but one of the torches had burnt
+themselves out. But this the lads did not mind,
+for the light ahead was steadily increasing, showing
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_287' name='page_287'></a>287</span>
+that they could not be far from another opening.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Look!&#8221; called Jack suddenly. And then he
+added: &#8220;Keep quiet, all of you!&#8221;</p>
+<p>He pointed ahead and there, around a bend of
+the rocks, all saw two figures moving around on
+horseback. One was the figure of a tall man, and
+the other that of a well-grown youth.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, that&#8217;s Brassy Bangs!&#8221; whispered Fred
+excitedly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. And the man is Bud Haddon,&#8221; returned
+Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you bet Haddon isn&#8217;t after Brassy
+for more money?&#8221; put in Fred excitedly.</p>
+<p>While the youngest Rover was speaking, he and
+the others saw that the two figures on horseback
+had disappeared behind a mass of rocks.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going ahead and find out about this,&#8221; declared
+Jack. &#8220;Come on! So far as we can see
+there are only two of them, so the six of us have
+nothing to fear.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Especially as we&#8217;re armed,&#8221; added Fred, who
+carried his pistol with him.</p>
+<p>Throwing down the last of their torches, the
+six boys advanced with caution. They heard the
+horses beyond the rocks occasionally stamping a
+hoof and caught a faint murmur of voices. Then,
+led by Jack, they mounted the rocks noiselessly,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_288' name='page_288'></a>288</span>
+presently gaining a point where they could look
+directly down upon Brassy Bangs and his companion.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s all wrong, Bud Haddon, and you know
+it!&#8221; they heard Brassy declare. &#8220;And sooner or
+later the authorities will get after you for this.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;See here, Lester Bangs, you don&#8217;t have to
+preach to me!&#8221; growled Bud Haddon. &#8220;You&#8217;re
+just as deep in some things as I am in others.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;It isn&#8217;t true, and you know it!&#8221; whined Brassy.
+And now the lads who were listening could see
+that their fellow-cadet was very much upset. &#8220;I&#8217;m
+not guilty, and I never have been guilty of any
+wrongdoing!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You tell that to the police and see what they
+have to say about it,&#8221; sneered Haddon, &#8220;You
+know well enough that you set fire to John Calder&#8217;s
+barn and burnt up horses that was worth
+thousands of dollars.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I always said it was some cowboys or
+tramps that did it!&#8221; stormed Brassy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not much! You did it! I know it, and so
+do Jillson and Dusenbury! We&#8217;ve got the goods
+on you.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;What were Jillson and Dusenbury and you doing
+around the place?&#8221; questioned Brassy suddenly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind what we were doing around there.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_289' name='page_289'></a>289</span>
+We know you set the barn on fire. Didn&#8217;t you
+have a quarrel with old Calder?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I did. But I didn&#8217;t make any fire.
+Maybe you had a quarrel with him yourself.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hold on there, Bangs! None of that!&#8221; cried
+Bud Haddon sternly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you wouldn&#8217;t be too good to set the fire,&#8221;
+added Brassy, with sudden recklessness. &#8220;Not
+after the way you are acting out here, running
+away with those horses, and after the way you
+acted at Colby Hall, trying to rob every room in
+the place!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wait a minute now! Wait a minute!&#8221; returned
+the man sarcastically. &#8220;Who was it lent
+me his uniform and who was it that told me just
+what rooms to go into? Answer me those questions,
+will you?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;You wouldn&#8217;t have gotten hold of the uniform
+and you wouldn&#8217;t have gotten any information
+if you hadn&#8217;t threatened me in all sorts of
+ways,&#8221; answered Brassy, somewhat lamely. &#8220;I
+wish now that I&#8217;d never had anything to do with
+you!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you keep your tongue between your
+teeth, or else you&#8217;ll get yourself in the hottest kind
+of water!&#8221; burst out Bud Haddon. &#8220;Don&#8217;t you
+know that they can send you to prison for ten
+years for what you did?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_290' name='page_290'></a>290</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t said anything to anybody as yet,&#8221;
+answered Brassy hastily.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you see that you don&#8217;t!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I didn&#8217;t set Calder&#8217;s barn on fire&mdash;really
+I didn&#8217;t!&#8221; pleaded the boy. &#8220;I don&#8217;t see why you
+won&#8217;t believe me.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m willing to let that matter drop if only
+you&#8217;ll keep a civil tongue in your head and mind
+what you&#8217;re doing,&#8221; returned Bud Haddon. &#8220;And
+don&#8217;t forget&mdash;I want at least a hundred dollars
+more just as soon as you can lay your hands on
+it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see how I&#8217;m going to get it. I&#8217;m expecting
+some money from my uncle. But that
+has got to pay for my tuition at Colby Hall this
+fall.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you let the school wait for its money
+and you turn it over to me. They won&#8217;t want
+you there anyhow if they should find out what
+sort of a fellow you are,&#8221; went on Bud Haddon
+coarsely. &#8220;Now I&#8217;ve got to be getting back to
+Bimbel&#8217;s, rain or no rain,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;Just
+remember, you&#8217;ve got to fork over a hundred in
+cold cash before you start East again. If you
+don&#8217;t&mdash;well, look out, that&#8217;s all!&#8221; And with this
+threat the tall man rode out of the cave.</p>
+<p>The Rovers and their chums had listened to
+every word that had been spoken. They were
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_291' name='page_291'></a>291</span>
+both mystified and amazed by what had been said.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That fellow Haddon is surely a first-class rascal,&#8221;
+whispered Spouter to Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know what I think we had better do?&#8221;
+returned the young major. &#8220;Let&#8217;s stop Brassy
+and have a straight talk with him. I don&#8217;t think
+he&#8217;s quite as bad as we thought he might be.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, let us stop Brassy by all means,&#8221; came
+in a low tone from Fred.</p>
+<p>Brassy Bangs had ridden to the mouth of the
+cave and there sat astride of his horse, watching
+Bud Haddon as he galloped away though the rain.
+Then he turned back in anything but a cheerful
+humor. The other boys saw him dismount and
+sink down on a rock, covering his face with his
+hands.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on,&#8221; said Jack, and without more ado
+he scrambled down from the rocks and came
+around to where Brassy was sitting, and the others
+did the same.</p>
+<p>Brassy&#8217;s misery was so great that for several
+seconds he did not notice their approach. Then,
+he looked up startled and leaped to his feet.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where did you come from?&#8221; he demanded,
+as soon as he could speak.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We came from the other end of the cave,
+Brassy,&#8221; answered Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;How long have you been here?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_292' name='page_292'></a>292</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve been here long enough to hear the talk
+you had with that fellow named Haddon,&#8221; answered
+Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You did!&#8221; Brassy turned pale. &#8220;It wasn&#8217;t
+very nice to listen when you had no business to!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind about that now, Brassy. What
+we want to know is, did you or that fellow rob
+Colby Hall?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He did it! I didn&#8217;t have a thing to do with
+it&mdash;at least, willingly!&#8221; cried Brassy Bangs. &#8220;He
+forced me to do everything I did. He threatened
+me in all sorts of ways&mdash;said he would put me
+in prison and all that if I didn&#8217;t help him. Oh,
+he&#8217;s the worst man there ever was!&#8221; groaned the
+overwrought boy. And now the others could see
+that he was on the verge of collapse.</p>
+<p>&#8220;See here, Brassy, why don&#8217;t you tell us the
+whole story?&#8221; put in Gif kindly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why should I tell my story to you? All you
+fellows are against me&mdash;you always were!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re not against you, Brassy,&#8221; answered
+Jack. &#8220;If you can prove to us that you&#8217;re really
+being hounded by that man, we&#8217;ll do what we can
+to help you. Isn&#8217;t that so, fellows?&#8221; And at
+this question the others nodded.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hounded is right! He&#8217;s done nothing but
+hound me ever since he knew me,&#8221; whined the
+accused one.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_293' name='page_293'></a>293</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You tell me one thing!&#8221; demanded Spouter,
+striding up and catching Brassy by the shoulder.
+&#8220;Did that rascal steal the horses from our ranch?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think he did&mdash;in fact, I&#8217;m about certain he
+did. That is, either he or the fellows he&#8217;s in league
+with.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who are those other fellows?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Two fellows who just came out here from
+Chicago named Jillson and Dusenbury and two
+others from Bimbel&#8217;s ranch named Noxley and
+Jenks. The whole bunch were mixed up with
+Bimbel some years ago in a shady transaction,
+and they lit out for quite a while. But now
+they&#8217;re back again.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see why you want to get mixed up
+with a crowd like that,&#8221; was Andy&#8217;s comment.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t want to get mixed up with &#8217;em,&#8221; declared
+Brassy. &#8220;I haven&#8217;t had a thing to do with
+any of &#8217;em except Bud Haddon. Oh, I wish I&#8217;d
+never met that man!&#8221; And now Brassy seemed
+almost on the verge of tears.</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXIX_A_CONFESSION' id='XXIX_A_CONFESSION'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_294' name='page_294'></a>294</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2>
+<h3>A CONFESSION</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>After that it was an easy matter for the other
+boys to get Brassy to make a complete confession.</p>
+<p>&#8220;My first trouble came when I got a job with
+John Calder who has a farm on the outskirts of
+Omaha,&#8221; said Brassy. &#8220;I had had a quarrel at
+home, and also a quarrel with my uncle here, and
+had made up my mind to get a place and support
+myself. But I couldn&#8217;t get along with Calder,
+who was a very strict man, and one afternoon we
+had a lively quarrel, and I told him I&#8217;d leave, and
+I did so and went to Omaha. About a week after
+that Calder&#8217;s barn burned down and a number of
+horses were caught in the fire. That was just
+after I had fallen in with Bud Haddon and his
+two chums, Jillson and Dusenbury. Haddon pretended
+to be quite friendly. But all at once he
+accused me of setting the fire and said that Jillson
+and Dusenbury, who had left the day before,
+could prove it. I protested my innocence, but he
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_295' name='page_295'></a>295</span>
+insisted I was guilty and worked me up to such
+an extent that I gave him almost every dollar I
+had in my pocket to keep him quiet.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you say positively that you had nothing
+to do with the fire?&#8221; questioned Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not a thing!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Couldn&#8217;t you prove that you weren&#8217;t there
+when the fire took place?&#8221; asked Andy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I couldn&#8217;t, because I went to a vaudeville
+show that evening, and I was among strangers, so
+that I couldn&#8217;t account for my time.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did Haddon hound you when you came to
+Colby Hall?&#8221; questioned Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He certainly did&mdash;not once, but half a dozen
+times. And I gave him all the money I could
+scrape up. In fact, I even borrowed some money
+from Halliday and a couple of the other fellows.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But what about the robbery at the Hall?&#8217;&#8221;
+questioned Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Several times Haddon came to me and spoke
+in a mysterious manner about its being an easy
+matter to make a big haul. Then he hinted about
+the robbery; but I would have nothing to do with
+it. On the afternoon when we were getting ready
+to celebrate that night, he sent word that he
+wanted to see me at a certain barn not far from
+the school. When I got there he demanded that
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_296' name='page_296'></a>296</span>
+I help him go through the bedrooms while the
+fellows were having a good time on the campus
+and down by the river. I said I wouldn&#8217;t do it,
+and then all of a sudden he hit me on the head
+and knocked me down. Then he stripped me of
+my trousers and jacket and tied me fast in one
+of the disused horse stalls.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you mean to say he used your uniform
+in stealing into the school?&#8221; asked Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s it. I didn&#8217;t know it at the time, because
+he went to another part of the barn where I
+couldn&#8217;t see him. But later on, when he brought
+the uniform back, he told me all about it. He
+thought he had been wonderfully slick.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why didn&#8217;t you expose him at once?&#8221; demanded
+Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;He told me that if I exposed him he would tell
+the authorities that I had planned the whole
+scheme and that I had done most of the work myself.
+He said some one had seen him in the uniform
+scooting from one room to another, so that
+the report would circulate that some cadet was
+guilty. He got me so worked up that at last I
+promised to keep quiet.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;And had he really robbed your room, too?&#8221;
+demanded Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes. I lost my stuff just as I reported. Oh,
+you can&#8217;t imagine how I felt!&#8221; went on Brassy
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_297' name='page_297'></a>297</span>
+Bangs in a hopeless tone of voice. &#8220;Many a time
+I thought I&#8217;d go to Colonel Colby and confess
+everything. But then I thought they would bring
+that old charge of barn-burning up against me, as
+well as the charge of helping in the robbery, and
+I didn&#8217;t have nerve enough to say a word. Oh,
+I know I was a big fool! I should have faced it
+out!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wait a minute!&#8221; put in Jack suddenly. &#8220;Are
+you pretty sure Haddon, as well as Dusenbury and
+Jillson, are guilty of making off with the horses
+that are missing?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, isn&#8217;t it possible that those three
+went to this John Calder&#8217;s barn and stole some of
+the horses and then set fire to the place to cover
+the theft?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;By golly, I&#8217;ll bet that&#8217;s just what they did!&#8221;
+burst out Brassy Bangs. &#8220;I remember now that
+the reports in the newspapers said the fire had
+been so fierce that the carcasses of the horses had
+been burnt up completely. They only found some
+of the bones in the ruins. Oh, if they really did
+do that!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did Calder have any particularly good
+horses?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, he had a splendid team of matched grays
+that were worth considerable money. He thought
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_298' name='page_298'></a>298</span>
+more of the grays than he did of all his other
+horses put together.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll wager a toothpick against a lemon that
+gang stole the grays before the fire,&#8221; declared
+Andy emphatically.</p>
+<p>&#8220;The police ought to arrest those three men and
+put &#8217;em through what they call the third degree,&#8221;
+remarked Gif.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like to know one other thing,&#8221; went on
+Andy, and now his face showed a slight grin.
+&#8220;What do you know about your Uncle Jarley&#8217;s
+auto running away by itself?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, please don&#8217;t mention that tin junk
+wagon!&#8221; pleaded Brassy. &#8220;I started it, and the
+blamed thing ran over me, and I was lame for a
+week.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Does your uncle know anything about what
+Haddon and his crowd are up to?&#8221; questioned
+Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not exactly. Although he&#8217;s becoming suspicious
+of the whole gang around the Bimbel
+place. You know he&#8217;s never trusted Bimbel since
+the man got into difficulty with the authorities
+several years ago.&#8221;</p>
+<p>After that the seven boys talked the matter
+over for half an hour longer. And then the others
+insisted upon it that Brassy accompany them
+to the other entrance to the cave, and there all sat
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_299' name='page_299'></a>299</span>
+down to partake of the lunch brought from Big
+Horn Ranch.</p>
+<p>Brassy appeared much relieved by the confession
+he had made, and readily answered all the
+questions put to him. His assertive manner had
+left him entirely, and he appeared quite humble.</p>
+<p>&#8220;If he ever gets out of this I&#8217;ll bet he&#8217;ll be a
+different fellow,&#8221; whispered Randy to Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think so myself,&#8221; was the reply. &#8220;But how
+he is going to square himself with Colonel Colby
+remains to be seen. It was a serious piece of
+business to let Haddon steal all those things from
+the school and say nothing about it.&#8221;</p>
+<p>While the boys were eating the storm stopped,
+and less than an hour later the sun was shining as
+before.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think we might as well be on our way back
+to the ranch,&#8221; remarked Spouter. &#8220;The sooner
+we get there and let our fathers know how matters
+stand, the better.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you want to go with us, Brassy?&#8221; asked
+Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;If I did that I couldn&#8217;t get back to my uncle&#8217;s
+place to-night, and then he&#8217;d worry about me.
+Otherwise I would just as lief go to your place
+as not. Now that I&#8217;ve told you everything I&#8217;d
+like to see the whole matter cleaned up, and quick
+too.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_300' name='page_300'></a>300</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;How far is it to your uncle&#8217;s ranch?&#8221; asked
+Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not over a mile and a half.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then suppose we go there first, and then all of
+us can strike out for Big Horn Ranch. Maybe
+your uncle will want to take part in what is going
+on,&#8221; said Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish you would go with me!&#8221; cried Brassy
+eagerly. &#8220;I&#8217;m afraid my uncle will raise Cain
+when I tell him the truth.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;He won&#8217;t dare do much when we&#8217;re around,&#8221;
+answered Gif. &#8220;If he gets too ugly you can clear
+out and meet us on the way to our place.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the talk,&#8221; said Randy.</p>
+<p>Again there was a discussion, but in the end it
+was decided that the whole party should lose no
+time in getting to Jarley Bangs&#8217; ranch. They
+would explain matters to Brassy&#8217;s uncle, and then
+set out for Songbird Powell&#8217;s place.</p>
+<p>The campfire was speedily stamped out, and
+leaping into the saddle, the seven boys set out for
+the Bangs&#8217; place, Brassy leading the way, with
+Spouter beside him. It was a wet and dismal ride
+through the woods, and it is safe to say that
+Brassy felt every bit as dismal as his surroundings.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gee, but I certainly am sorry for him!&#8221; whispered
+Andy to his twin. &#8220;He isn&#8217;t a fellow that
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_301' name='page_301'></a>301</span>
+I would cotton to, but he certainly has got himself
+into a pickle.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Presently the woods were left behind and they
+came out on the open prairie. Here the sun shone
+brightly, and the trail was drying rapidly. They
+urged their steeds into a gallop, and in a short
+while came in sight of the Jarley Bangs&#8217; outfit.</p>
+<p>As they rode up they saw Jarley Bangs come
+from the ranch house and move swiftly toward
+one of the stables where the horses were kept. He
+was evidently in a hurry and much excited.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hello! where have you been?&#8221; he demanded
+of his nephew. &#8220;Where did you pick up these
+chaps?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I met &#8217;em during the storm over at Twin
+Caves,&#8221; answered Brassy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a wonder you wouldn&#8217;t stay around the
+house once in a while,&#8221; grumbled Jarley Bangs.
+&#8220;If you would, maybe I wouldn&#8217;t be losing
+things.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Losing things! What do you mean, Uncle
+Jarley?&#8221; questioned the nephew quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do I mean?&#8221; stormed the ranch owner.
+&#8220;Do you know what has happened since you went
+away?&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;No.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, I&#8217;ll tell you! Two of our best
+horses have been stolen! Right out of the stable,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_302' name='page_302'></a>302</span>
+too!&#8221; exclaimed Jarley Bangs wrathfully. &#8220;Duster
+and old Whitehead!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Stolen!&#8221; came from all of the boys simultaneously.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, stolen! Nobody saw &#8217;em taken, but
+they&#8217;re gone, and not a man on the ranch was near
+&#8217;em!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll wager that&#8217;s more of Bud Haddon&#8217;s
+work,&#8221; declared Jack quickly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;But he wasn&#8217;t here&mdash;he was over at the
+caves,&#8221; returned Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, if he didn&#8217;t do it, then some members
+of his gang did,&#8221; put in Randy.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to have the law on somebody for
+this!&#8221; stormed Jarley Bangs. &#8220;Too many horses
+in this neighborhood have been stolen. I&#8217;m going
+to visit some of the other ranchmen and notify
+the sheriff, and see if we can&#8217;t raise a posse to
+run down the rascals.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the way to talk, Mr. Bangs!&#8221; cried
+Spouter. &#8220;And we know just what gang to go
+after.&#8221;</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XXX_THE_CAPTURE_CONCLUSION' id='XXX_THE_CAPTURE_CONCLUSION'></a>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_303' name='page_303'></a>303</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2>
+<h3>THE CAPTURE&mdash;CONCLUSION</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Less than an hour later found the whole party,
+including Jarley Bangs, on the way to Big Horn
+Ranch.</p>
+<p>Brassy&#8217;s uncle had listened with keen interest
+to the story his nephew and the other lads had to
+relate. He had interrupted a number of times to
+ask questions, and at the finish of the recital had
+held up both hands in disgust.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re a bigger fool than I ever thought you
+were, Lester,&#8221; he had told his nephew. &#8220;Why in
+thunder didn&#8217;t you tell your folks and me all about
+this just as soon as it happened? We could have
+set a trap for those rascals and caught &#8217;em easy.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, Uncle Jarley, remember how I was tied
+up in that Colby Hall affair!&#8221; Brassy had pleaded.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe Colonel Colby would hold you
+responsible for that&mdash;not after he&#8217;d made a thorough
+investigation. But that ain&#8217;t here nor there.
+What we want to do now is to grab those fellows
+before they&#8217;ve a chance to make a get-away. I&#8217;d
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_304' name='page_304'></a>304</span>
+just like to ketch &#8217;em with Duster and Whitehead
+in their possession! I think I could find
+enough old-timers around here to hand all of &#8217;em a
+rope,&#8221; and Jarley Bangs&#8217; eyes had flashed with a
+fire that was anything but agreeable.</p>
+<p>The Rover boys and their chums had thought to
+take the regular trail leading back to Big Horn
+Ranch, but Jarley Bangs told them he knew of a
+shorter way.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We can cut off over a mile,&#8221; said he. &#8220;And
+I reckon the quicker we get a posse out the better.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you suppose we can round them up
+around Bimbel&#8217;s ranch almost any time?&#8221; queried
+Spouter.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe, and maybe not. We&#8217;d probably be
+able to get the others, but Haddon, Dusenbury
+and Jillson come and go. Sometimes they&#8217;re here,
+and sometimes in Omaha and Chicago.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps that&#8217;s where they disposed of their
+stolen horses,&#8221; suggested Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;More&#8217;n likely.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Jarley Bangs had armed himself with a double-barreled
+shotgun, and he rode in advance with
+Spouter at his side and the others close behind.</p>
+<p>The way lay across a stretch of prairie and
+then into the edge of the woods bordering the
+river. The party had just gained the water&#8217;s
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_305' name='page_305'></a>305</span>
+edge and were looking for a good fording place
+when Brassy suddenly uttered an exclamation.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Look up the river, will you? There are those
+men now! And see! they are leading a couple
+of horses!&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Get back out of sight, quick!&#8221; ordered Jarley
+Bangs. And in a few seconds all were behind the
+bushes which at that point lined the river.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, they&#8217;re heading almost straight for Big
+Horn Ranch!&#8221; exclaimed Spouter excitedly.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;re going to follow the old river trail,&#8221;
+announced Jarley Bangs. &#8220;More&#8217;n likely they&#8217;ll
+take to the lower trail when they reach the forks.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t we head &#8217;em off and capture &#8217;em?&#8221;
+questioned Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think we can. Anyhow, we can try,&#8221; was
+Jarley Bangs&#8217; answer.</p>
+<p>The old ranchman made a swift mental calculation
+and then directed the boys to follow him to
+a fording place a little further down the river.
+Once on the other side of the watercourse, he
+urged his steed forward at topmost speed in the
+direction of another patch of timber further southward.</p>
+<p>&#8220;They wouldn&#8217;t dare take the upper trail,&#8221; he
+told the lads. &#8220;For that would take &#8217;em too close
+to Big Horn. They&#8217;ll come this way, I&#8217;m almost
+certain.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_306' name='page_306'></a>306</span></p>
+<p>It was not easy riding on a trail which was
+used but seldom. Nevertheless, the lads hurried
+after the old ranchman as well as they could.
+They wound in and out over some rough rocks
+and up a small hill, and presently emerged upon
+a much better trail.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here is where they ought to pass,&#8221; announced
+Jarley Bangs. &#8220;Now then, we&#8217;ll put our horses
+in the thicket and then see what we can do toward
+pocketing &#8217;em when they come.&#8221;</p>
+<p>The old ranchman had seen strenuous times in
+his younger days, and he seemed to know exactly
+what to do. He divided the boys into two groups,
+placing them on either side of the winding and
+rocky road.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now if you have to shoot, shoot high so as
+not to hit anybody on the other side,&#8221; was his
+warning. &#8220;But maybe we can get &#8217;em without
+firing a shot,&#8221; he went on.</p>
+<p>Brassy was armed with a small rifle, and he insisted
+upon remaining in the roadway with his
+uncle. The other lads with their pistols and guns
+were placed in advantageous positions behind
+nearby rocks and trees.</p>
+<p>The arrangement was scarcely completed when
+they heard the tramp of horses&#8217; hoofs over the
+somewhat rocky trail, and in a minute more Bud
+Haddon came into view, followed by Jillson and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_307' name='page_307'></a>307</span>
+Dusenbury, all on horseback and each of the latter
+leading an extra steed.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Throw up your hands!&#8221; shouted Jarley Bangs,
+as the horsemen came closer, and he leveled his
+shotgun full at Haddon&#8217;s head, while Brassy covered
+Dusenbury with his rifle. The boys behind
+the rocks and trees covered all three men as well
+as they were able.</p>
+<p>The three rascals had not anticipated such a
+meeting, and, seeing the guns leveled at them, not
+only from the front but also from the sides, three
+pairs of hands went up almost as one.</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s Bangs!&#8221; murmured the man named Dusenbury.
+&#8220;I reckon the jig is up.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t dare to budge or I&#8217;ll blow somebody&#8217;s
+head off!&#8221; roared Jarley Bangs. And he looked
+as if he meant what he said.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ve got the drop on me, and I ain&#8217;t moving,&#8221;
+answered Bud Haddon surlily.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hi, Powell! Come out here, will you?&#8221; went
+on Brassy Bangs&#8217; uncle. And then, as Spouter
+came from the bushes with rifle in hand, he continued.
+&#8220;Go up there and take every one of their
+guns away from &#8217;em.&#8221;</p>
+<p>As soon as they had been disarmed the three
+rascals were told to dismount and stand in a line
+along the side of the road. Then, as the boys
+confronted them, Jarley Bangs went through their
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_308' name='page_308'></a>308</span>
+pockets once more to make sure that no weapon
+had been overlooked.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Fine piece of business, to run away with my
+horses!&#8221; exclaimed the old ranch owner, and he
+jerked his head in the direction of the two animals
+the men had been leading.</p>
+<p>With their hands tied in front of them, the
+men were made to remount, and then the entire
+party lost no time in heading for Big Horn Ranch.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll fix you for this!&#8221; hissed Haddon at Brassy
+when he got the chance.</p>
+<p>&#8220;You do your worst!&#8221; retorted the boy. &#8220;I&#8217;m
+not afraid of you any more.&#8221;</p>
+<p>Of course, there was great excitement at the
+ranch when the crowd came in with the three
+prisoners. The story of what had happened was
+quickly circulated, and Joe Jackson and a number
+of the cowboys were called in from the ranges.
+One of the cowboys was sent off to notify a deputy
+sheriff of what had occurred and of what the
+ranch owners expected to do, and two other cowboys
+were started off to notify the owners of other
+ranches in that vicinity.</p>
+<p>As a consequence early the next morning a
+posse consisting of twelve men headed for Bimbel&#8217;s
+ranch. Of course, the boys wanted to go
+along, but they were forced to remain behind,
+much to their chagrin.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_309' name='page_309'></a>309</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You might get shot,&#8221; said Songbird Powell.
+&#8220;And, besides that, you have had glory enough,
+helping to catch these three rascals,&#8221; and he smiled
+faintly.</p>
+<p>The affair at Bimbel&#8217;s was rather a strenuous
+one. Jenks and Noxley, as well as Bimbel, tried
+to escape, and Noxley was shot in the leg. The
+fellow thought he was going to die, and while
+waiting for the doctor to come and attend him
+he made a full confession concerning the stealing
+of many of the horses in that neighborhood.
+He said that Bud Haddon was at the head of the
+gang and that Haddon, with Jillson and Dusenbury,
+were in the habit of disposing of the animals
+either at Omaha or Chicago, although one or
+two steeds, including one belonging to the former
+owners of Big Horn Ranch had been sent further
+east.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess it was one of the early thefts that
+took Haddon to Haven Point,&#8221; declared Jack, and
+in that surmise he was correct.</p>
+<p>With this evidence against them, Haddon, Jillson
+and Dusenbury were submitted to a severe
+gruelling, each being examined separately. Finally
+Dusenbury broke down completely and admitted
+that he and the other two had fired John
+Calder&#8217;s barn after stealing his noted pair of gray
+horses. The horses had been shipped out of town,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_310' name='page_310'></a>310</span>
+and were later on recovered, as were also Mr.
+Powell&#8217;s Blackbird and several other of the animals.</p>
+<p>When Bud Haddon&#8217;s effects were examined
+many pawn tickets were discovered, and following
+up the clues thus afforded Colonel Colby managed
+to get back many of the articles stolen
+from the school. These included Professor
+Duke&#8217;s heirloom watch and a number of the things
+lost by our friends.</p>
+<p>At first it was thought that Brassy might be
+prosecuted, but when Bud Haddon was brought
+to trial for the thefts the State used the youth
+as a witness against the fellow, and consequently
+Brassy was allowed to go free. He, however, received
+a stern lecture from Colonel Colby and was
+then told that he had better not return to the
+Hall.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think I want to come back,&#8221; said
+Brassy. &#8220;A whole lot of the fellows would never
+forgive me for what I did.&#8221; And in this surmise
+he was probably correct. Brassy returned to his
+uncle&#8217;s ranch, and that was the last heard of him
+for a long time.</p>
+<p>With the mystery of the robbery at Colby Hall
+and of the missing horses cleared up, the Rover
+boys and all the other young folks at Big Horn
+Ranch turned their attention once more to having
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_311' name='page_311'></a>311</span>
+a good time. Sam Rover went back to New
+York to take charge of the offices in Wall Street,
+and that gave Dick Rover and his wife a chance
+to come out and pay the ranch a visit.</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve certainly had some strenuous times
+here,&#8221; remarked Jack one day.</p>
+<p>And he was right. But other strenuous times
+were still in store for the lads, and what some of
+these were will be related in the next volume, to
+be entitled, &#8220;The Rover Boys at Big Bear Lake;
+or, The Camps of the Rival Cadets.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Big Horn Ranch is a delightful place,&#8221; said
+Ruth. &#8220;I never thought a spot where they raised
+cattle could be so interesting.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is your father going to stay out here and become
+a regular ranchman, Spouter?&#8221; questioned
+Fred.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know about that,&#8221; answered the ranch
+owner&#8217;s son. &#8220;He&#8217;ll stay here for a while, anyway.
+He likes it better and better every day.&#8221;</p>
+<p>&#8220;I dink some day I got me a ranch mineself
+alreatty,&#8221; remarked Hans Mueller. &#8220;Den I could
+raise all mine own meats for mine delicatessen
+stores, not so?&#8221; and he smiled complacently.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on, boys, let&#8217;s get on horseback and have
+a race!&#8221; cried Andy, as he came up from finishing
+a game of lawn tennis with Mary.</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m with you,&#8221; answered Fred, who had been
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_312' name='page_312'></a>312</span>
+playing a game of croquet with May and some of
+the others.</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right! A horseback race it is!&#8221; cried Jack.</p>
+<p>&#8220;An extra piece of cake to the boy who wins!&#8221;
+shouted his sister Martha after him.</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! Me for that piece of cake!&#8221; came
+from every one of the boys assembled.</p>
+<p>And here, while they are running down to the
+corral pell-mell to get on their horses for a gallop
+across the prairie, we will leave them and say
+good-bye.</p>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>THE END</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>THE FAMOUS ROVER BOYS SERIES</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:0.5em;'>BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD</p>
+<p>(Edward Stratemeyer)</p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p>OVER THREE MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THIS SERIES</p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; font-weight:bold;'>Uniform Style of Binding. Colored Wrappers.</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; font-weight:bold;'>Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p>
+</div>
+
+<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG BEAR LAKE</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>THE ROVER BOYS SHIPWRECKED</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class='minor' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Grosset &amp; Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>By VICTOR APPLETON</p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; font-weight:bold;'>Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers.</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; font-weight:bold;'>Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p>
+</div>
+
+<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>
+<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class='minor' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Grosset &amp; Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 26539-h.txt or 26539-h.zip *******</p>
+<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br />
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/6/5/3/26539">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/5/3/26539</a></p>
+<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.</p>
+
+<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.</p>
+
+
+
+<pre>
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license)</a>.
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's
+eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII,
+compressed (zipped), HTML and others.
+
+Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over
+the old filename and etext number.  The replaced older file is renamed.
+VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving
+new filenames and etext numbers.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a>
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000,
+are filed in directories based on their release date.  If you want to
+download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular
+search system you may utilize the following addresses and just
+download by the etext year.
+
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/</a>
+
+    (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99,
+     98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90)
+
+EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are
+filed in a different way.  The year of a release date is no longer part
+of the directory path.  The path is based on the etext number (which is
+identical to the filename).  The path to the file is made up of single
+digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename.  For
+example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at:
+
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234
+
+or filename 24689 would be found at:
+http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689
+
+An alternative method of locating eBooks:
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a>
+
+*** END: FULL LICENSE ***
+</pre>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/26539-h/images/illus-051.jpg b/26539-h/images/illus-051.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf67e29
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-h/images/illus-051.jpg
diff --git a/26539-h/images/illus-131.jpg b/26539-h/images/illus-131.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc76b00
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-h/images/illus-131.jpg
diff --git a/26539-h/images/illus-205.jpg b/26539-h/images/illus-205.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08fa213
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-h/images/illus-205.jpg
diff --git a/26539-h/images/illus-fpc.jpg b/26539-h/images/illus-fpc.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4e94941
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-h/images/illus-fpc.jpg
diff --git a/26539-page-images/f0000-image1.jpg b/26539-page-images/f0000-image1.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7da7225
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/f0000-image1.jpg
diff --git a/26539-page-images/f0001.png b/26539-page-images/f0001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..183f610
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/f0001.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/f0003.png b/26539-page-images/f0003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/f0003.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/f0004.png b/26539-page-images/f0004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..68e604d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/f0004.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/f0005.png b/26539-page-images/f0005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fda46da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/f0005.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/f0006.png b/26539-page-images/f0006.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e564da2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/f0006.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0001.png b/26539-page-images/p0001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c8f8ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0001.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0002.png b/26539-page-images/p0002.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..344d974
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0002.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0003.png b/26539-page-images/p0003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..20e5c4b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0003.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0004.png b/26539-page-images/p0004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..13b356e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0004.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0005.png b/26539-page-images/p0005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09b9d1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0005.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0006.png b/26539-page-images/p0006.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c47a24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0006.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0007.png b/26539-page-images/p0007.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf12020
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0007.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0008.png b/26539-page-images/p0008.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3478909
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0008.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0009.png b/26539-page-images/p0009.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..913acae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0009.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0010.png b/26539-page-images/p0010.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e8cad9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0010.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0011.png b/26539-page-images/p0011.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..002b57f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0011.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0012.png b/26539-page-images/p0012.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a509eb2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0012.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0013.png b/26539-page-images/p0013.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5086761
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0013.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0014.png b/26539-page-images/p0014.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5bbb5cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0014.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0015.png b/26539-page-images/p0015.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d09c56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0015.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0016.png b/26539-page-images/p0016.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3317e72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0016.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0017.png b/26539-page-images/p0017.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ecdc9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0017.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0018.png b/26539-page-images/p0018.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a4193f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0018.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0019.png b/26539-page-images/p0019.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba09783
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0019.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0020.png b/26539-page-images/p0020.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fd6e22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0020.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0021.png b/26539-page-images/p0021.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df6301b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0021.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0022.png b/26539-page-images/p0022.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..17453e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0022.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0023.png b/26539-page-images/p0023.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..808db43
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0023.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0024.png b/26539-page-images/p0024.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..db7f32c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0024.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0025.png b/26539-page-images/p0025.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0685683
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0025.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0026.png b/26539-page-images/p0026.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e3acf5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0026.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0027.png b/26539-page-images/p0027.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8d1a36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0027.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0028.png b/26539-page-images/p0028.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69b8535
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0028.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0029.png b/26539-page-images/p0029.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..53425c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0029.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0030.png b/26539-page-images/p0030.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ffd4a98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0030.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0031.png b/26539-page-images/p0031.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..edc76a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0031.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0032.png b/26539-page-images/p0032.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e959b5b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0032.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0033.png b/26539-page-images/p0033.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9aa1174
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0033.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0034.png b/26539-page-images/p0034.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb5435e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0034.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0035.png b/26539-page-images/p0035.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ee3f24a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0035.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0036.png b/26539-page-images/p0036.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2bb0c37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0036.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0037.png b/26539-page-images/p0037.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a4df938
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0037.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0038.png b/26539-page-images/p0038.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e489ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0038.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0039.png b/26539-page-images/p0039.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b70135e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0039.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0040.png b/26539-page-images/p0040.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1e57d5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0040.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0041.png b/26539-page-images/p0041.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f935771
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0041.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0042.png b/26539-page-images/p0042.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e21dab1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0042.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0043.png b/26539-page-images/p0043.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11c3deb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0043.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0044.png b/26539-page-images/p0044.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb387ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0044.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0045.png b/26539-page-images/p0045.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5d2e6e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0045.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0046.png b/26539-page-images/p0046.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..585337e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0046.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0047.png b/26539-page-images/p0047.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bd86f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0047.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0048.png b/26539-page-images/p0048.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4e4a877
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0048.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0049.png b/26539-page-images/p0049.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4fe4a49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0049.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0050-insert1.jpg b/26539-page-images/p0050-insert1.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c564499
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0050-insert1.jpg
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0050.png b/26539-page-images/p0050.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b703814
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0050.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0051.png b/26539-page-images/p0051.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a16a719
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0051.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0052.png b/26539-page-images/p0052.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7571de7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0052.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0053.png b/26539-page-images/p0053.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..889589f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0053.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0054.png b/26539-page-images/p0054.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ba4bba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0054.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0055.png b/26539-page-images/p0055.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..792e182
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0055.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0056.png b/26539-page-images/p0056.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..17c4ea5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0056.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0057.png b/26539-page-images/p0057.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..149e321
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0057.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0058.png b/26539-page-images/p0058.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b47af6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0058.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0059.png b/26539-page-images/p0059.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa9b2f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0059.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0060.png b/26539-page-images/p0060.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5fb4b2e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0060.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0061.png b/26539-page-images/p0061.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1418166
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0061.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0062.png b/26539-page-images/p0062.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f74a6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0062.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0063.png b/26539-page-images/p0063.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f68b1d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0063.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0064.png b/26539-page-images/p0064.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..462f41b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0064.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0065.png b/26539-page-images/p0065.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..245ea96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0065.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0066.png b/26539-page-images/p0066.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c44b33a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0066.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0067.png b/26539-page-images/p0067.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..765cc22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0067.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0068.png b/26539-page-images/p0068.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..91e633b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0068.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0069.png b/26539-page-images/p0069.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..04be529
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0069.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0070.png b/26539-page-images/p0070.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..18b7e59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0070.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0071.png b/26539-page-images/p0071.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ee0943
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0071.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0072.png b/26539-page-images/p0072.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a62912
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0072.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0073.png b/26539-page-images/p0073.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd194ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0073.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0074.png b/26539-page-images/p0074.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..359d984
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0074.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0075.png b/26539-page-images/p0075.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9370d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0075.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0076.png b/26539-page-images/p0076.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab5b26b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0076.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0077.png b/26539-page-images/p0077.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d494124
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0077.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0078.png b/26539-page-images/p0078.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f9648a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0078.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0079.png b/26539-page-images/p0079.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2a1b17f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0079.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0080.png b/26539-page-images/p0080.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f57f7fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0080.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0081.png b/26539-page-images/p0081.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..82f1d74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0081.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0082.png b/26539-page-images/p0082.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..356ce63
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0082.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0083.png b/26539-page-images/p0083.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f05790b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0083.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0084.png b/26539-page-images/p0084.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2b87929
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0084.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0085.png b/26539-page-images/p0085.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e47bfa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0085.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0086.png b/26539-page-images/p0086.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d48d4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0086.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0087.png b/26539-page-images/p0087.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4aecc3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0087.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0088.png b/26539-page-images/p0088.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c38f88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0088.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0089.png b/26539-page-images/p0089.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b22c9db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0089.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0090.png b/26539-page-images/p0090.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aa9fdc2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0090.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0091.png b/26539-page-images/p0091.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8a9546
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0091.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0092.png b/26539-page-images/p0092.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70fce85
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0092.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0093.png b/26539-page-images/p0093.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..86288e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0093.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0094.png b/26539-page-images/p0094.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35b63be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0094.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0095.png b/26539-page-images/p0095.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e71e84c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0095.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0096.png b/26539-page-images/p0096.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..42a9bdb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0096.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0097.png b/26539-page-images/p0097.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..68c9368
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0097.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0098.png b/26539-page-images/p0098.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e0269f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0098.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0099.png b/26539-page-images/p0099.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..84baa34
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0099.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0100.png b/26539-page-images/p0100.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ae20ff3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0100.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0101.png b/26539-page-images/p0101.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..67d6276
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0101.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0102.png b/26539-page-images/p0102.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..26768ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0102.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0103.png b/26539-page-images/p0103.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f5e02cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0103.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0104.png b/26539-page-images/p0104.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..60ed226
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0104.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0105.png b/26539-page-images/p0105.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b203691
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0105.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0106.png b/26539-page-images/p0106.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4349397
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0106.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0107.png b/26539-page-images/p0107.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a603680
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0107.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0108.png b/26539-page-images/p0108.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..43cd8a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0108.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0109.png b/26539-page-images/p0109.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4e49e59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0109.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0110.png b/26539-page-images/p0110.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b64dddf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0110.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0111.png b/26539-page-images/p0111.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fd8e668
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0111.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0112.png b/26539-page-images/p0112.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..629f752
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0112.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0113.png b/26539-page-images/p0113.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..536f093
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0113.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0114.png b/26539-page-images/p0114.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1bf199
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0114.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0115.png b/26539-page-images/p0115.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6cd10d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0115.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0116.png b/26539-page-images/p0116.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..95c9834
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0116.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0117.png b/26539-page-images/p0117.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8538a02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0117.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0118.png b/26539-page-images/p0118.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a9f3dad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0118.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0119.png b/26539-page-images/p0119.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eba8ebf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0119.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0120.png b/26539-page-images/p0120.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a3f36a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0120.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0121.png b/26539-page-images/p0121.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fcf82a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0121.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0122.png b/26539-page-images/p0122.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b84fd9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0122.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0123.png b/26539-page-images/p0123.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27a99bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0123.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0124.png b/26539-page-images/p0124.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eebc62a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0124.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0125.png b/26539-page-images/p0125.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc34a97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0125.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0126.png b/26539-page-images/p0126.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..661ed8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0126.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0127.png b/26539-page-images/p0127.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..31fa064
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0127.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0128.png b/26539-page-images/p0128.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bbfd8ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0128.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0129.png b/26539-page-images/p0129.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4208ec0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0129.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0130-insert1.jpg b/26539-page-images/p0130-insert1.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f2528f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0130-insert1.jpg
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0130.png b/26539-page-images/p0130.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..89c1828
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0130.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0131.png b/26539-page-images/p0131.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9fb2839
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0131.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0132.png b/26539-page-images/p0132.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..067b7ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0132.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0133.png b/26539-page-images/p0133.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6d77ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0133.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0134.png b/26539-page-images/p0134.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c52361
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0134.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0135.png b/26539-page-images/p0135.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a06a8d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0135.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0136.png b/26539-page-images/p0136.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2208a99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0136.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0137.png b/26539-page-images/p0137.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..65ee1e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0137.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0138.png b/26539-page-images/p0138.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1827b74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0138.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0139.png b/26539-page-images/p0139.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb395ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0139.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0140.png b/26539-page-images/p0140.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6f1788
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0140.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0141.png b/26539-page-images/p0141.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e1dd2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0141.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0142.png b/26539-page-images/p0142.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7974556
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0142.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0143.png b/26539-page-images/p0143.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..78a22bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0143.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0144.png b/26539-page-images/p0144.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de9a32d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0144.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0145.png b/26539-page-images/p0145.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83ef5e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0145.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0146.png b/26539-page-images/p0146.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..76b9146
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0146.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0147.png b/26539-page-images/p0147.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f2d4ddf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0147.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0148.png b/26539-page-images/p0148.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9e9418a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0148.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0149.png b/26539-page-images/p0149.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f09aed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0149.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0150.png b/26539-page-images/p0150.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8387f06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0150.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0151.png b/26539-page-images/p0151.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea56f9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0151.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0152.png b/26539-page-images/p0152.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..90222f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0152.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0153.png b/26539-page-images/p0153.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09f1f4f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0153.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0154.png b/26539-page-images/p0154.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4cffa61
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0154.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0155.png b/26539-page-images/p0155.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2bee655
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0155.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0156.png b/26539-page-images/p0156.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7994968
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0156.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0157.png b/26539-page-images/p0157.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6cbb1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0157.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0158.png b/26539-page-images/p0158.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bed1c55
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0158.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0159.png b/26539-page-images/p0159.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8ad30d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0159.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0160.png b/26539-page-images/p0160.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba0537c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0160.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0161.png b/26539-page-images/p0161.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6226340
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0161.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0162.png b/26539-page-images/p0162.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f8a0fc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0162.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0163.png b/26539-page-images/p0163.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dbb316d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0163.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0164.png b/26539-page-images/p0164.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c55a08a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0164.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0165.png b/26539-page-images/p0165.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c84bf5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0165.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0166.png b/26539-page-images/p0166.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bb566b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0166.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0167.png b/26539-page-images/p0167.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..38dcf9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0167.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0168.png b/26539-page-images/p0168.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..daf8812
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0168.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0169.png b/26539-page-images/p0169.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd1b4de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0169.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0170.png b/26539-page-images/p0170.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e55e655
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0170.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0171.png b/26539-page-images/p0171.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e7595d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0171.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0172.png b/26539-page-images/p0172.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81a9ee1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0172.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0173.png b/26539-page-images/p0173.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..45c49e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0173.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0174.png b/26539-page-images/p0174.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..71bb593
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0174.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0175.png b/26539-page-images/p0175.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94131e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0175.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0176.png b/26539-page-images/p0176.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a9259c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0176.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0177.png b/26539-page-images/p0177.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..740d71e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0177.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0178.png b/26539-page-images/p0178.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a311b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0178.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0179.png b/26539-page-images/p0179.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ecfe3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0179.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0180.png b/26539-page-images/p0180.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8d5e01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0180.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0181.png b/26539-page-images/p0181.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7286eb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0181.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0182.png b/26539-page-images/p0182.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..faa5b24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0182.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0183.png b/26539-page-images/p0183.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..22aa397
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0183.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0184.png b/26539-page-images/p0184.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fa0ebe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0184.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0185.png b/26539-page-images/p0185.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f8e8ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0185.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0186.png b/26539-page-images/p0186.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d2e14a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0186.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0187.png b/26539-page-images/p0187.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..89fb1af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0187.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0188.png b/26539-page-images/p0188.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ddf7ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0188.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0189.png b/26539-page-images/p0189.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..84b291f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0189.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0190.png b/26539-page-images/p0190.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ad75bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0190.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0191.png b/26539-page-images/p0191.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..da24ec7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0191.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0192.png b/26539-page-images/p0192.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..871c464
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0192.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0193.png b/26539-page-images/p0193.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..720d36e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0193.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0194.png b/26539-page-images/p0194.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6fc5d03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0194.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0195.png b/26539-page-images/p0195.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..06dba6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0195.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0196.png b/26539-page-images/p0196.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ab0dbf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0196.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0197.png b/26539-page-images/p0197.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..16faf7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0197.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0198.png b/26539-page-images/p0198.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27b60a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0198.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0199.png b/26539-page-images/p0199.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..164c047
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0199.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0200.png b/26539-page-images/p0200.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3714172
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0200.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0201.png b/26539-page-images/p0201.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..213aa23
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0201.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0202.png b/26539-page-images/p0202.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69b6760
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0202.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0203.png b/26539-page-images/p0203.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94f0a96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0203.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0204-insert1.jpg b/26539-page-images/p0204-insert1.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e965e34
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0204-insert1.jpg
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0204.png b/26539-page-images/p0204.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3639fdb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0204.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0205.png b/26539-page-images/p0205.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ecc246
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0205.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0206.png b/26539-page-images/p0206.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a215ead
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0206.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0207.png b/26539-page-images/p0207.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d1c9b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0207.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0208.png b/26539-page-images/p0208.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8255b37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0208.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0209.png b/26539-page-images/p0209.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e80825
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0209.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0210.png b/26539-page-images/p0210.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fbb3621
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0210.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0211.png b/26539-page-images/p0211.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9863d8f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0211.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0212.png b/26539-page-images/p0212.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b35b86c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0212.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0213.png b/26539-page-images/p0213.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0343325
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0213.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0214.png b/26539-page-images/p0214.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..10f6234
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0214.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0215.png b/26539-page-images/p0215.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..79e76bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0215.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0216.png b/26539-page-images/p0216.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8f31641
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0216.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0217.png b/26539-page-images/p0217.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ee6dda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0217.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0218.png b/26539-page-images/p0218.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ac72d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0218.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0219.png b/26539-page-images/p0219.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..44e5c4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0219.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0220.png b/26539-page-images/p0220.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94fe8eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0220.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0221.png b/26539-page-images/p0221.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e12699
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0221.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0222.png b/26539-page-images/p0222.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e4c9eb2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0222.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0223.png b/26539-page-images/p0223.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4b4a1c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0223.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0224.png b/26539-page-images/p0224.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e1559a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0224.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0225.png b/26539-page-images/p0225.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d55212d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0225.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0226.png b/26539-page-images/p0226.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08492ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0226.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0227.png b/26539-page-images/p0227.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be9fccd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0227.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0228.png b/26539-page-images/p0228.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d7bca8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0228.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0229.png b/26539-page-images/p0229.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..efb409d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0229.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0230.png b/26539-page-images/p0230.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..106abd3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0230.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0231.png b/26539-page-images/p0231.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..acc03e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0231.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0232.png b/26539-page-images/p0232.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a9ce50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0232.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0233.png b/26539-page-images/p0233.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..28c9108
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0233.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0234.png b/26539-page-images/p0234.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bb1150
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0234.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0235.png b/26539-page-images/p0235.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ba7fb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0235.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0236.png b/26539-page-images/p0236.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..75c1dda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0236.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0237.png b/26539-page-images/p0237.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5521f08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0237.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0238.png b/26539-page-images/p0238.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c883f59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0238.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0239.png b/26539-page-images/p0239.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a0b686a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0239.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0240.png b/26539-page-images/p0240.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7731e4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0240.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0241.png b/26539-page-images/p0241.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..40e3efe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0241.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0242.png b/26539-page-images/p0242.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b251f89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0242.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0243.png b/26539-page-images/p0243.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..052f8ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0243.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0244.png b/26539-page-images/p0244.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0923709
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0244.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0245.png b/26539-page-images/p0245.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0019ea5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0245.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0246.png b/26539-page-images/p0246.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dad6291
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0246.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0247.png b/26539-page-images/p0247.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2127920
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0247.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0248.png b/26539-page-images/p0248.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a281c4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0248.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0249.png b/26539-page-images/p0249.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1852c54
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0249.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0250.png b/26539-page-images/p0250.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..474e7c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0250.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0251.png b/26539-page-images/p0251.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1dc4f93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0251.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0252.png b/26539-page-images/p0252.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab45ac4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0252.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0253.png b/26539-page-images/p0253.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e27520f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0253.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0254.png b/26539-page-images/p0254.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf6b68e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0254.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0255.png b/26539-page-images/p0255.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4330c5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0255.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0256.png b/26539-page-images/p0256.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87a4d84
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0256.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0257.png b/26539-page-images/p0257.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6567fe4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0257.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0258.png b/26539-page-images/p0258.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fa8821
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0258.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0259.png b/26539-page-images/p0259.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..156ba69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0259.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0260.png b/26539-page-images/p0260.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ff64cd0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0260.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0261.png b/26539-page-images/p0261.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2723e7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0261.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0262.png b/26539-page-images/p0262.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a93f0f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0262.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0263.png b/26539-page-images/p0263.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..419c374
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0263.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0264.png b/26539-page-images/p0264.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e686873
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0264.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0265.png b/26539-page-images/p0265.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cd6070c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0265.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0266.png b/26539-page-images/p0266.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f38d5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0266.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0267.png b/26539-page-images/p0267.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f2bdaec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0267.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0268.png b/26539-page-images/p0268.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4830bd3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0268.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0269.png b/26539-page-images/p0269.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e77d554
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0269.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0270.png b/26539-page-images/p0270.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a84f646
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0270.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0271.png b/26539-page-images/p0271.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8bc9cd9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0271.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0272.png b/26539-page-images/p0272.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e2fd2c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0272.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0273.png b/26539-page-images/p0273.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0cf58c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0273.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0274.png b/26539-page-images/p0274.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d7b129b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0274.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0275.png b/26539-page-images/p0275.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a2da18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0275.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0276.png b/26539-page-images/p0276.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a3177f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0276.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0277.png b/26539-page-images/p0277.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b560c17
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0277.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0278.png b/26539-page-images/p0278.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0bcce39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0278.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0279.png b/26539-page-images/p0279.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8f851f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0279.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0280.png b/26539-page-images/p0280.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be90e25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0280.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0281.png b/26539-page-images/p0281.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ccfe22a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0281.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0282.png b/26539-page-images/p0282.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..382d543
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0282.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0283.png b/26539-page-images/p0283.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f61b297
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0283.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0284.png b/26539-page-images/p0284.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5efbeba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0284.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0285.png b/26539-page-images/p0285.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bdecf6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0285.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0286.png b/26539-page-images/p0286.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df65211
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0286.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0287.png b/26539-page-images/p0287.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..666e616
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0287.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0288.png b/26539-page-images/p0288.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b013d2e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0288.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0289.png b/26539-page-images/p0289.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e26893
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0289.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0290.png b/26539-page-images/p0290.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..840b630
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0290.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0291.png b/26539-page-images/p0291.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d6e444
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0291.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0292.png b/26539-page-images/p0292.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b84cf22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0292.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0293.png b/26539-page-images/p0293.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8963f49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0293.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0294.png b/26539-page-images/p0294.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f66448
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0294.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0295.png b/26539-page-images/p0295.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09c75fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0295.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0296.png b/26539-page-images/p0296.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..26ee306
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0296.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0297.png b/26539-page-images/p0297.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..17170fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0297.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0298.png b/26539-page-images/p0298.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ed9839
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0298.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0299.png b/26539-page-images/p0299.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..093797b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0299.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0300.png b/26539-page-images/p0300.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd5a6ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0300.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0301.png b/26539-page-images/p0301.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..201037c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0301.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0302.png b/26539-page-images/p0302.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f9b071f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0302.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0303.png b/26539-page-images/p0303.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b54b824
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0303.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0304.png b/26539-page-images/p0304.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3dd368e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0304.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0305.png b/26539-page-images/p0305.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2811a85
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0305.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0306.png b/26539-page-images/p0306.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f8de31e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0306.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0307.png b/26539-page-images/p0307.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ca7bba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0307.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0308.png b/26539-page-images/p0308.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2fb1e14
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0308.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0309.png b/26539-page-images/p0309.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..18fabdc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0309.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0310.png b/26539-page-images/p0310.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5883b71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0310.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0311.png b/26539-page-images/p0311.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8038a4b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0311.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/p0312.png b/26539-page-images/p0312.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d9bd92
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/p0312.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/q0001.png b/26539-page-images/q0001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f31ecda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/q0001.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/r0001.png b/26539-page-images/r0001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..42e4e89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/r0001.png
diff --git a/26539-page-images/r0002.png b/26539-page-images/r0002.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a3a6a08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539-page-images/r0002.png
diff --git a/26539.txt b/26539.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec9f070
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,8846 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch, 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 at Big Horn Ranch
+       The Cowboys' Double Round-Up
+
+
+Author: Edward Stratemeyer
+
+
+
+Release Date: September 5, 2008  [eBook #26539]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Roger Frank and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 26539-h.htm or 26539-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/6/5/3/26539/26539-h/26539-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/6/5/3/26539/26539-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH
+
+or
+
+The Cowboys' Double Round-Up
+
+by
+
+ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
+(Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+Author of "The Rover Boys at School," "The Rover Boys
+on Treasure Isle," "The Rover Boys at Colby Hall,"
+"The Putnam Hall Cadets Series," etc.
+
+Illustrated
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: ANDY AND FRED FOUND THE ROCKS ANYTHING BUT EASY TO ASCEND.
+Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch (Page 271)]
+
+
+
+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 ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS
+THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT
+THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK
+THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH
+
+THE PUTNAM HALL SERIES
+
+THE CADETS OF PUTNAM HALL
+THE RIVALS OF PUTNAM HALL
+THE CHAMPIONS OF PUTNAM HALL
+THE REBELLION OF PUTNAM HALL
+CAMPING OUT DAYS AT PUTNAM HALL
+THE MYSTERY AT PUTNAM HALL
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+
+Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York
+
+Copyright, 1922, by
+EDWARD STRATEMEYER
+
+The Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch
+
+      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+My Dear Boys: This book is a complete story in itself, but forms the
+sixth volume in a line issued under the general title, "The Second Rover
+Boys Series for Young Americans."
+
+As noted in some volumes of the first series, this line was started years
+ago with the publication of "The Rover Boys at School," "On the Ocean,"
+and "In the Jungle," in which I introduced my readers to Dick, Tom and
+Sam Rover and their relatives and friends. The twenty volumes of the
+First Series related the doings of these three Rover boys while attending
+Putnam Hall Military Academy, Brill College, and while on numerous
+outings.
+
+Having finished their education, the three young men established
+themselves in business and became married. Dick Rover was blessed with a
+son and a daughter, as was also his brother Sam, while Tom became the
+proud father of a pair of the liveliest kind of twin boys.
+
+From their home in New York City the young Rovers were sent to a boarding
+school, as related in the first volume of the Second Series, entitled
+"The Rover Boys at Colby Hall." From that institution of learning the
+scene was shifted to "Snowshoe Island," where the lads spent a mid-winter
+outing. Then they rejoined their fellow-cadets and had some strenuous
+doings while "Under Canvas." After that, in a volume entitled "The Rover
+Boys on a Hunt," I related how they uncovered the mystery surrounding a
+strange house in the woods. And following this came a trip to Texas and
+Oklahoma, where, "In the Land of Luck," the boys aided Dick Rover in his
+efforts to locate some valuable oil wells.
+
+In the present volume the scene is shifted back to Colby Hall and then to
+a ranch in the West where some remarkable happenings await our young
+heroes.
+
+From reports received I am assured that the sale of this line of books
+has now passed the _three million_ mark! This is as astonishing as it is
+gratifying. I sincerely trust that the reading of the volumes will do all
+of the boys and girls good.
+
+                               Affectionately and sincerely yours,
+                                                   Edward Stratemeyer.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                                      PAGE
+     I.  Snow and Snowballs                     1
+    II.  Something about the Rover Boys        13
+   III.  What the Sneak Told                   23
+    IV.  Prisoners                             35
+     V.  By the Fishing-Pole Route             46
+    VI.  A Touch of Mystery                    58
+   VII.  Something about a Sleighride Party    70
+  VIII.  A Fight and a Challenge               82
+    IX.  The Shooting Contest                  93
+     X.  Spouter's Secret                     103
+    XI.  The Election of Officers             113
+   XII.  Bonfire Night                        123
+  XIII.  A Startling Discovery                133
+   XIV.  The Parade                           145
+    XV.  Baseball                             156
+   XVI.  Spouter Is Cornered                  166
+  XVII.  Good-Bye to School                   175
+ XVIII.  On the Way West                      184
+   XIX.  In the Saddle                        193
+    XX.  At Big Horn Ranch                    204
+   XXI.  Hop Lung and the Fish                213
+  XXII.  A Horse and a Snake                  222
+ XXIII.  Jarley Bangs                         232
+  XXIV.  A New Arrival                        242
+   XXV.  Professor Duke's Secret              254
+  XXVI.  The Cattle Stampede                  264
+ XXVII.  The Mountain Lion                    274
+XXVIII.  In the Cave                          284
+  XXIX.  A Confession                         294
+   XXX.  The Capture--Conclusion              303
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE ROVER BOYS AT
+BIG HORN RANCH
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+SNOW AND SNOWBALLS
+
+
+"Line up, fellows! No crowding ahead in this contest."
+
+"Here, Jack, give me some elbow room if you want me to do any real
+snowball throwing!" cried Fred Rover.
+
+"All the elbow room you want," returned his cousin gayly.
+
+"Remember the prize!" shouted Andy Rover to the cadets who were stringing
+themselves out in a ragged line. "The first fellow to throw a snowball
+over the top of the barn gets a sock doughnut."
+
+"For gracious sake! what do you call a sock doughnut?" demanded Phil
+Franklin, another cadet, as he paused in the act of rounding up a
+snowball he was making.
+
+"A sock doughnut is one with a big hole in it," answered Andy, with a
+grin.
+
+"Then my socks must be all of the doughnut variety," put in one of the
+cadets dolefully. "They are always full of holes."
+
+"Never mind the socks now!" cried Randy Rover. "Let's see who can put the
+first snowball over the barn."
+
+It was late in the afternoon of a day in January and a number of the
+cadets of Colby Hall had been amusing themselves in the snow which
+covered the ground to a depth of nearly a foot. They had started in to
+snowballing each other, but had then grown more serious and had built
+several snow forts and likewise two or three snowmen which later they had
+taken great sport in knocking apart. Then some one had suggested that
+they try their skill at seeing who could throw, the highest and farthest,
+and this had led to the present contest.
+
+"We'll mark off a line about a hundred feet from the main barn," Jack
+Rover had announced. "And then we'll see who can throw highest over the
+roof."
+
+The four Rovers were accompanied by half a dozen of their chums and six
+or eight others, and at the word from Jack the snowballs began to fly at
+a lively rate, a few landing on the roof of the big barn and the majority
+hitting the side.
+
+"Say, look out that you don't break a window," warned Gif Garrison. "If
+you do, you'll have an account to settle with Captain Dale."
+
+"Here she goes!" yelled Dan Soppinger, and let fly with so much strength
+that the snowball sailed up to the very ridgepole of the barn and
+disappeared on the other side.
+
+"Hurrah! Dan draws first blood!" shouted Jack.
+
+"Huh! Dan didn't throw over the barn, he just slid over it," snickered
+Randy.
+
+Jack was hard at work making a small and perfectly round ball. Now,
+taking careful aim, he let fly with all his might.
+
+"There she goes fair and square," he announced with pardonable pride, as
+the snowball cleared the top of the barn by several feet and disappeared
+beyond.
+
+The snowball had scarcely been thrown when two other balls thrown by Fred
+and another cadet went sailing over the barn. Then those in the contest
+seemed to acquire better skill, and soon nearly every one of them was
+topping the barn with the missiles.
+
+"Phew! some hot work, I'll say," panted Will Hendry, usually called Fatty
+because he was the stoutest boy in the school.
+
+"This exercise will do you good, Fatty," returned Fred. "You need to
+reduce."
+
+"If Fatty keeps on he'll be eating Colby Hall poor," announced Spouter
+Powell.
+
+"Huh! I don't eat any more than any of you," grumbled Fatty. "Fact is, I
+hold myself down."
+
+"Gee! listen to that, will you?" exclaimed Andy. "Fatty says he holds
+himself down! And this morning I saw him storing away three helpings of
+sausages and about 'steen dozen buckwheat cakes."
+
+"Nothing of the kind! I didn't have a bit more than you had," growled
+Hendry. He broke off suddenly. "Hello! what's up now?"
+
+"Hi! Hi! What's the meaning o' this?" cried a voice from around one end
+of the big barn, and a man, dressed in overalls and a heavy cap and
+carrying a broom, appeared.
+
+"Hello there, Bob Nixon!" cried Jack. "What's wrong?"
+
+"There'll be a whole lot wrong if you fellows keep on throwing those
+snowballs much farther," answered Bob Nixon, who was a chauffeur for the
+Hall and who did all sorts of odd jobs in the winter time.
+
+"Did we hit you?" questioned Phil Franklin.
+
+"You sure did--on the back and on my hand," answered Nixon.
+
+"We didn't know anybody was around on that side of the barn," announced
+Andy.
+
+"I don't suppose you did. But never mind me. What I want to know is, do
+you fellows intend to smash all the glass in those hotbed frames out
+yonder?"
+
+"Great salt mackerel!" ejaculated Fred. "I forgot those hotbed frames
+were there."
+
+"Why, the glass is out of 'em, anyway, isn't it?" questioned Gif.
+
+"It was out. But they've been setting some of 'em in again, getting ready
+for some early stuff. You've sent those snowballs up to within ten or
+fifteen feet of where the frames are located."
+
+"Gosh! it's a good thing you told us of this," burst out Fatty Hendry.
+"We might have had a nice lot of glassware to pay for."
+
+"Not you, Fatty," grinned Andy. "You never even hit the top of the barn.
+If you break any glass it will be in some of those basement windows."
+
+"Come on up to the other end of the barn," suggested Gif. "Then the
+snowballs will fly right out into the open field and do no harm."
+
+"Well, I don't care where you throw 'em as long as you don't get into
+mischief," answered Bob Nixon, and disappeared into the barn.
+
+After that the cadets continued to throw over the structure for some
+time. But then they gradually lost interest, and as the short winter day
+was coming rapidly to an end some hurried into the Hall to do a little
+extra school work before the bell should ring for supper.
+
+"Well, what next?" questioned Fred Rover, when he and his three cousins
+and Gif, Phil and Spouter found themselves left alone.
+
+"I've got a great scheme for to-night if you fellows will help,"
+announced Randy. He and his twin brother were always ready for a joke.
+
+"What is it?" questioned Jack quickly.
+
+"This snow is just soft enough for rolling some big balls, as we found
+out this afternoon," answered his cousin. "What's the matter with making
+a whole lot of big snowballs and placing 'em in some of the bedrooms
+to-night?"
+
+"Gee, that's the talk!" cried his twin merrily. "I'd like to place a
+couple in Codfish's room."
+
+"He certainly deserves 'em," added Fred. "He's getting to be just as big
+a sneak as he ever was. All of our kindness to him seems to have been
+useless."
+
+"And I thought he was going to turn over a new leaf," declared Jack. "I
+wonder if some of the other fellows haven't been teasing him and that has
+made him go back to his old tricks."
+
+"I know one person I'd like to treat to some big snowballs!" broke out
+Fred. "That's Professor Duke."
+
+"Oh, say! I'd like to square up with him myself," burst out Andy. "Gee!
+he certainly did have it in for us yesterday."
+
+"Professor Duke is certainly a sour one--much worse than Asa Lemm ever
+dared to be," came from Gif.
+
+"I was thinking of Duke when I mentioned it," said Randy. "You know he
+has his room in our building instead of with the other professors in
+Colonel Colby's residence."
+
+"We don't want to get in bad with the colonel," remarked Fred seriously.
+
+"Oh, I think we can fix it so that nobody will know who did it," returned
+his cousin.
+
+The matter was talked over for several minutes, and then, having agreed
+on their plan for more fun, the Rover boys and their chums set to work
+rolling a number of snowballs which were two feet or more in diameter.
+These they placed close to the school building at a point where there was
+a series of fire-escapes leading down from the upper halls of the
+institution.
+
+"We can let down the ladder just as soon as we're ready to turn the
+trick," announced Randy. "I don't believe anybody will notice it, for it
+will be dark and so cold that most everybody will be indoors."
+
+"We've got to be on our guard to make certain that Codfish or Duke or
+somebody else doesn't spot us," said Spouter Powell. "Of course it
+wouldn't hurt if some of the regular fellows found us out, because they'd
+keep it to themselves."
+
+It must be confessed that the Rover boys were rather preoccupied in mind
+during supper that evening. In fact, Andy grew so thoughtless that he
+salted some eggs he was eating three times, so that when he finally came
+to his senses the food had to be pushed aside. This happened just as
+Professor Snopper Duke was passing, and the new teacher eyed the young
+cadet suspiciously.
+
+"What is the matter with that omelet, Rover?" he demanded, in his
+high-pitched, nervous tone of voice.
+
+"Nothing the matter with it, sir," answered Andy. "Only I somehow forgot
+and salted it too much."
+
+"Really!" returned Snopper Duke sarcastically. "Is that the way you waste
+food?"
+
+"No, sir. It was only a mistake," answered Andy meekly.
+
+"You ought to be made to eat that omelet," continued the professor
+severely. "Don't let such a thing happen again." And then, with his eyes
+rolling around among the other cadets to see if anything else might be
+wrong, he passed slowly down among the tables of the mess hall.
+
+"Oh, isn't he a perfect little lamb!" murmured Randy. "So awfully
+tender-hearted!"
+
+"Somebody ought to wring his neck," grumbled his twin.
+
+"Just the same, Andy, you'd better be careful how you handle the
+salt-shaker after this," put in Jack.
+
+After the meal the Rovers and their chums mingled with the other cadets
+and informed two or three of what was in the wind, and as a consequence
+there was quite some excitement noticeable when a little later the crowd,
+with the exception of Randy, slipped out of the school building by a side
+door. Randy ran upstairs, to appear presently on the lower landing of the
+fire-escape. Here was suspended a heavy iron ladder in such a fashion
+that it could be easily shoved out so that one end would drop to the
+ground.
+
+Soon the crowd of cadets appeared in the snow below him, and then, with a
+warning to them to get out of the way, Randy let down the ladder and then
+came down himself.
+
+"All clear upstairs," he announced. "Not a soul in sight."
+
+"One of us ought to stay on guard up there to give warning in case it's
+necessary," announced Spouter.
+
+"Well, suppose you go up," returned Jack.
+
+"I'd just as soon help with the snowballs," returned Spouter. "But if you
+want me to go I'll do so." And a moment later he disappeared up the
+ladder and into the school building through a window which had been
+thrown open.
+
+The cadets on the ground found it no easy task to raise the big snowballs
+up the ladder. They tried it first with nothing but their hands, but soon
+found they could do much better by dumping a snowball into a big overcoat
+and then hauling it up by the sleeves and the tail of the garment. They
+worked as rapidly as possible, and soon had eight of the snowballs raised
+to the platform of the fire-escape.
+
+"How about it? Everything clear?" questioned Randy, as he came into the
+corridor where Spouter was on guard.
+
+"All clear so far," was the reply. "A few of the fellows are in their
+rooms, but no one that we are going to bother."
+
+"Then let's get those snowballs inside and distribute 'em."
+
+In a few minutes the snowballs were gotten inside the building, and then
+two were rolled and pushed over to the room occupied by Henry Stowell, a
+cadet commonly called Codfish on account of the broadness of his mouth.
+Luck was with them, for the door was unlocked, so that they had little
+trouble in rolling the snowballs inside, where they were placed one on
+either side of the single bed the cadet occupied.
+
+After this the cadets rolled several of the balls to various other rooms,
+one being placed in the tub of a bathroom.
+
+"I've saved the biggest of the snowballs," whispered Randy. "That's the
+one we must place in Professor Duke's room."
+
+The professor's room was around in another corridor, and to get to this
+the cadets had to roll the big snowball directly past the top of the
+broad stairs leading to the hall below. They had the snowball in a
+position right at the head of the stairs when Spouter, who was leaning
+over the upper railing on guard, gave a sudden hiss of warning.
+
+"Somebody coming!" he announced in a whisper. "And unless I'm mistaken,
+it's Professor Duke!"
+
+"Gosh! I hope he doesn't catch us," returned Gif Garrison. "Maybe we had
+better run for it."
+
+"Here he comes right for the stairs!" put in Jack, as he saw the familiar
+form pass a light in the lower hall.
+
+The cadets did not know just what to do, and while they paused to
+consider, Professor Duke started up the long, straight stairs. He was
+evidently in deep thought and did not look above him.
+
+"Run, fellows! Run!" whispered Andy excitedly, and then, as the others
+started away he attempted to follow. But the floor was wet from the
+melting snow, and down he came flat on his back, both feet hitting the
+big snowball squarely.
+
+The movement was sufficient to send the snowball directly to the edge of
+the top step. Here, as Andy scrambled to his feet, it hovered for a
+moment, then began to slide down the stairs, gathering speed from step to
+step.
+
+"Hi! Hi! What is this?" those above heard Snopper Duke ejaculate. And the
+next instant the teacher set up a yell of alarm as the big snowball hit
+him in the stomach and hurled him to one side. Then the snowball passed
+on down the stairs, slid across the lower hallway, and shot directly
+through the open door leading to Colonel Colby's private office!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROVER BOYS
+
+
+"Gee, we've done it now!"
+
+"The snowball knocked Professor Duke over!"
+
+"Hi! Stop that! What do you mean? Who did that?" came in smothered tones
+from Snopper Duke, who now sat on one of the lower steps of the stairs,
+holding both hands over the spot where the big snowball had struck him.
+
+"Gosh! it struck him, all right," whispered Gif Garrison.
+
+"Yes. And it went across the hallway into Colonel Colby's office!" gasped
+Andy, who had scrambled to his feet and given a glance downward.
+
+"Skip for it!" put in his twin brother quickly. "We mustn't be caught at
+this."
+
+The warning was not needed, for all of the cadets were already scrambling
+through the corridor and away from the stairs as rapidly as possible.
+They came to a halt in front of Room 18, that which Jack occupied.
+
+"Skip inside and pretend to be reading or studying," said the oldest of
+the Rover boys.
+
+"I think we had better go to our own rooms," said Gif to Phil and
+Spouter. "And remember, mum is the word," he added for the benefit of the
+others.
+
+"There'll be some fun sooner or later, believe me," remarked Fred. "Andy,
+why did you push that snowball downstairs on top of old Duke?"
+
+"I didn't do it on purpose. I slipped," was the answer. "But come before
+they start to investigate." And then he slipped into Jack's room,
+followed by his cousins.
+
+And here let me pause for a moment to tell something about the Rover boys
+and how it was that they came to be at Colby Hall. My old readers will
+not need this introduction, and, therefore, I shall not feel hurt if they
+skip my words on the subject.
+
+In the first volume of this line, entitled "The Rover Boys at School," I
+introduced three brothers, Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover, and told how they
+were sent to Putnam Hall Military Academy where they made a number of
+chums, including a cadet named Lawrence Colby.
+
+Passing through Putnam Hall successfully, the three brothers next
+attended Brill College, and then went into business in New York City,
+where they organized The Rover Company, with offices on Wall Street.
+
+During their school days the Rover brothers had fallen in with three very
+nice girls, Dora Stanhope and her cousins, Nellie and Grace Laning. The
+three young couples became married and settled down in connecting houses
+on Riverside Drive, New York City.
+
+About a year following their marriage Dick and his wife Dora became the
+parents of a son, who was named John, and this son was followed by a
+daughter Martha. The boy Jack, as he was usually called, was a sturdy
+youth with many of the independent qualities which had made his father so
+successful.
+
+Shortly after the birth of Jack, Tom Rover and his wife Nellie came
+forward with a great surprise in the form of a pair of lively twin boys,
+one of whom was named Anderson and the other Randolph. Andy and Randy, as
+they were invariably called, were exceedingly active lads, in that
+particular being a second edition of their fun-loving father, Tom.
+
+About the time Tom's twins came upon the scene, Sam Rover and his wife
+Grace became the parents of a little girl, called Mary. Then, a year
+later, the girl was followed by a boy who was christened Fred.
+
+Residing side by side, the younger generation of Rover boys, as well as
+their sisters, were brought up very much as one large family. At first
+they were sent to private schools in the Metropolis, but the boys, led by
+Andy and Randy, showed such an aptitude for fun and horseplay that their
+parents were compelled to hold a consultation.
+
+"We'll have to send those kids to some strict boarding school--some
+military academy," said Dick Rover.
+
+"I guess that's right," his brother Tom had answered. "Although how my
+wife is going to get along without having the twins around is more than I
+know."
+
+At that time Lawrence Colby, the Rovers' former Putnam Hall chum, was at
+the head of a military academy called Colby Hall. To this institution
+Jack, Fred, and the twins were sent. And what they did upon their arrival
+there is told in detail in the first volume of my second series, entitled
+"The Rover Boys at Colby Hall."
+
+The military school was located about half a mile from the town of Haven
+Point on Clearwater Lake. At the head of the lake was the Rick Rack
+River, running down from the hills and forests beyond. The school
+consisted of a large stone building facing the river, and close by was a
+smaller building occupied by Colonel Colby and his family and some of the
+professors, and at a short distance were a gymnasium, a boathouse, and
+likewise bathing pavilions.
+
+On arriving at Colby Hall the younger Rovers found several of their
+friends awaiting them, including Dick Powell, usually called Spouter
+because of his occasional desire to make long speeches, and Gifford
+Garrison. Spouter and Gif were the sons of Songbird Powell and Fred
+Garrison, men who in their boyhood days had been close chums of the older
+Rovers while at Putnam Hall. The Rovers made a number of other friends,
+and, likewise, a few enemies, many of whom will be heard of later.
+
+As mentioned, Colby Hall was located about half a mile beyond Haven
+Point, and on the opposite side of the town was Clearwater Hall, a
+boarding school for girls. During a panic in a motion picture house the
+Rover boys became acquainted with several girls from Clearwater Hall,
+including Ruth Stevenson, May Powell, Alice Strobell, and Annie Larkins.
+They discovered that May was Spouter Powell's cousin, and the whole crowd
+of young people soon became friends. Later on Mary and Martha Rover
+became pupils at the girls' school.
+
+Ruth Stevenson had an old uncle, Barney, and one day, while out hunting,
+the Rover boys did the old man a great service. For this he invited them
+to spend some winter holidays with him, which they did, as related in
+another volume, called "The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island."
+
+On this island the boys met two of their former enemies, Nappy Martell
+and Slugger Brown, as well as Asa Lemm, a discharged teacher of Colby
+Hall. The Rovers exposed a plot against old Uncle Barney and caused the
+hunter's enemies to leave Snowshoe Island in disgust.
+
+Some of the boys hoped they had seen the last of Nappy and Slugger, but
+Jack was doubtful; and how those two unworthies turned up again to cause
+more trouble is related in the book entitled "The Rover Boys Under
+Canvas."
+
+This was at the time of the annual encampment, and at an election of
+officers Jack was made captain of Company C and Fred made first
+lieutenant.
+
+While the Rover boys were at Colby Hall the great war in Europe opened.
+When the call for army volunteers came Dick Rover and his brother Sam
+lost no time in enlisting, and as soon as he could get away Tom Rover
+followed; and the three fathers of the boys went into the trenches in
+Europe to do their duty for Uncle Sam.
+
+During the following winter at Colby Hall Gif Garrison received a letter
+from an uncle, stating that he and his chums might use a bungalow up in
+the woods. Gif at once invited the Rover boys and Spouter to become his
+guests, and what a glorious time the lads had is related in a volume
+entitled "The Rover Boys on a Hunt."
+
+The return of the older Rovers from Europe at the conclusion of the great
+war in which they had served gallantly brought something of a surprise.
+Dick Rover had saved the life of a man from Texas, and in return had been
+given the deed to some property located between Texas and Oklahoma and
+said to be in a region containing oil. He decided to go to Texas and
+Oklahoma to investigate, and the four boys begged to go along. How they
+went to the oil fields and what stirring adventures they had there are
+related in detail in the volume preceding this, called "The Rover Boys in
+the Land of Luck."
+
+Here they fell in again with Nappy Martell, Slugger Brown, and another
+good-for-nothing lad named Gabe Werner, and also with a man named Carson
+Davenport, who did his best to do Dick Rover great harm. Davenport and
+some of his cohorts were finally placed under arrest. As a result of this
+Gabe Werner's father took hold of some wells that were being sunk by the
+Davenport crowd. But in the end he and the Martells and the Browns lost a
+great deal of their money, so that they were left almost penniless.
+
+"It's a terrible blow for those three families," said Dick Rover, when
+this occurred. "It will make Mr. Werner quite a poor man."
+
+"Well, I don't particularly wish them any hard luck," remarked Andy.
+"Just the same, I guess Nappy, Slugger, and Gabe got what was coming to
+them."
+
+Before going down to Texas and Oklahoma the Rover boys, while along the
+Rick Rack River during a violent storm, had succeeded in rescuing a man
+and his son who were caught between some rocks and a drifting tree in the
+middle of the swiftly flowing stream.
+
+The man, John Franklin, was exceedingly thankful for what had been done
+for him, and so was his son Philip. It developed later that the Franklins
+owned a tract of land in Texas. And when it was discovered that the tract
+inherited by Dick Rover from the soldier in France was practically
+worthless, Jack's father made an arrangement to work the Franklin place
+on shares. Two oil wells were bored, and both of these paid handsomely,
+making the Rovers richer than ever and also placing a substantial amount
+in the bank to John Franklin's account.
+
+"Do you know I can scarcely believe it's true," Phil Franklin had said to
+the Rover boys. "Why, my father will have more money than he ever dreamed
+of."
+
+"We're as glad as you are, Phil," Jack had answered. "Glad on your
+account as well as our own. Now maybe you can go to Colby Hall with us."
+
+"Say, that would be immense!" Phil had returned with pleasure. And that
+fall he had joined the crowd at the military academy and soon made for
+himself a host of friends.
+
+"Gee, I never thought going to school could be so nice," declared Phil
+Franklin to the Rover boys one day. "I always considered going to school
+a hardship. But this is bang-up in every way."
+
+"I guess you haven't made any enemies yet, Phil," remarked Fred. "Don't
+forget that Nappy Martell, Slugger Brown, and Gabe Werner all hailed from
+here."
+
+"I've met only one fellow that I don't like," returned Phil Franklin.
+"That's a fellow who came in the day I did, a big, tall, lanky chap named
+Lester Bangs."
+
+"Oh, you mean Brassy Bangs," broke in Randy. "I know that fellow only too
+well. I had quite a set-to with him one day in the gym."
+
+"For a new cadet he's certainly pretty forward," answered Jack. "I'm glad
+he isn't a member of my company. If he was I think I'd have to call him
+down more than once."
+
+"I guess Colby Hall is bound to have its bullies," Andy had remarked on
+hearing this. "No sooner do we get rid of one group than another appears.
+They seem to grow like weeds."
+
+During the fall there had been the usual football season at the military
+academy, and the boys had acquitted themselves quite creditably, winning
+seven games out of twelve. Then had come the brief Christmas holidays.
+And following this the lads had settled down once more into the grind,
+resolved to do their best at their lessons. But, of course, they were
+only boys, and they had to have their fun, and occasionally the fun went
+a little too far and brought forth rather disastrous results, as we have
+just seen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+WHAT THE SNEAK TOLD
+
+
+"I certainly didn't think that snowball would go down the stairs so
+easily," remarked Andy, when he and the other Rovers were alone.
+
+"Keep quiet," warned Jack, who had remained at the partly-opened door. "I
+want to hear what takes place."
+
+"This is outrageous, simply outrageous!" they heard in Snopper Duke's
+high-pitched voice. "How dared you roll such a snowball down these
+stairs? And how came you to get that snowball up there anyway?"
+
+"Excuse me, Professor, but I don't know what you're talking about,"
+answered another voice; and at this Jack gave a slight start, for he
+recognized the words as coming from Brassy Bangs.
+
+"What is that? You do not know anything about the big snowball that just
+came hurtling down these stairs?" stormed Professor Duke.
+
+"No, sir. I just reached the top of the stairs," answered Brassy Bangs.
+"I came out of my room not ten seconds ago."
+
+"What do you know about this, Stowell?" went on the professor, who had
+now come slowly to the top of the stairs, followed by Professor Grawson,
+who had come out of Colonel Colby's private office where he had been
+looking over some reports when the big snowball had landed with a thump
+against the desk at which he had been seated.
+
+"Me? What do you mean?" stammered the youth who was known to the cadets
+as Codfish and who had always been more or less of a sneak.
+
+"Somebody just rolled a big snowball down the stairs. It struck me and
+nearly knocked me flat," returned the irate teacher.
+
+"Yes, and it rolled all the way into the private office," added Professor
+Grawson.
+
+"I don't know anything about any snowballs," said Codfish. "I noticed the
+floor was all wet and I wondered what it meant."
+
+"I saw some fellows rushing around the corner," came from Brassy Bangs.
+
+"Who were they?" demanded Snopper Duke.
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Which way did they go?"
+
+"That way," and Brassy pointed out the direction.
+
+By this time the two professors had reached the top of the stairs and
+Grawson was looking at the water marks on the polished floor.
+
+"Here is where they brought that big snowball in," he remarked, pointing
+to the track that led to one of the windows. "They must have brought it
+up on the fire-escape."
+
+"Here are several other tracks. I think we had better follow them,"
+returned Snopper Duke quickly.
+
+The track leading to the bathroom was most in evidence, and the two
+professors quickly discovered the big snowball resting in the bathtub.
+
+"Evidently they put this here to have some more fun with," announced
+Professor Grawson grimly. "Well, it won't do much harm here. I'll turn on
+a little hot water and it will soon melt and run off," and he turned on
+the faucet as he spoke.
+
+From the bathroom the two professors, followed by Codfish and Brassy,
+followed the water trail into a room occupied by several students who
+were particularly uppish and whom the Rovers did not like, and here some
+more of the snowballs were found.
+
+"Here is another trail," announced Professor Duke, and in a moment more
+had thrown open the door leading to Stowell's bedroom.
+
+"Here! what does this mean?" stammered Codfish, as, after the light had
+been turned on, he and the others saw the two big snowballs resting on
+either side of the bed.
+
+"Stowell, you must have had something to do with this," cried Snopper
+Duke savagely.
+
+"No, sir. Not at all, sir," answered the sneak in a trembling voice. "I
+don't know a thing about it."
+
+"Where did you come from just now?"
+
+"I--I came up the back stairs. I was just coming through the corridor
+when I heard the noise and came to see what it meant."
+
+"The back stairs, eh?" put in Professor Grawson. "What were you doing on
+the back stairs this time in the evening?"
+
+"I--I was down in the kitchen." And now Codfish grew pale.
+
+"And what called you to the kitchen?"
+
+"I--I was hungry, and so I asked one of the servants for something to
+eat." And now Codfish was fairly whining.
+
+"Humph! didn't you have any supper?"
+
+"Yes, sir. But I wasn't feeling extra well just then and I didn't eat
+very much, and that made me hungry afterwards. And, oh, say! I guess I
+can tell you something about those snowballs," and Codfish's face lit up
+suddenly.
+
+"What do you know?"
+
+"When I was passing through the little entryway that leads into the
+kitchen I happened to glance out of the window and I saw four or five
+fellows down at the foot of the fire-escape."
+
+"What were they doing?"
+
+"When I looked at them they were just talking among themselves. I only
+looked for a moment because I was in a hurry to get to the kitchen and
+get back again."
+
+"Did you recognize any of the cadets?"
+
+At this direct question, Codfish hesitated and showed that he felt far
+from comfortable.
+
+"I don't like to tell on anybody," he whined. "If I do that they'll be
+sure to lick me later on--I know they will!"
+
+"You tell me who they were and I'll see to it that they do not harm you,"
+put in Professor Duke quickly.
+
+"I only saw two of the fellows real plainly," answered Stowell. "They
+were standing in the light from one of the windows."
+
+"And who were they? Tell me! I want no nonsense now," and Snopper Duke
+caught the sneak firmly by the shoulder.
+
+"Ouch! Please don't hurt me!" cried Codfish, in added alarm.
+
+"Then answer me!"
+
+"The two fellows I recognized were Captain Jack Rover and his cousin,
+Lieutenant Fred Rover."
+
+"You didn't know the others?" put in Professor Grawson.
+
+"No, sir. I didn't see them well enough. They were all in the shadows."
+
+"I'll investigate this," cried Professor Duke. "Stowell, you come with
+me."
+
+"Oh, please don't make me come!" cried the sneak. "They'll almost kill me
+if they find I gave them away!"
+
+"They sha'n't touch you."
+
+"Oh, I know what they'll do," moaned Codfish. He had not forgotten how
+the Rover boys had sided with him on more than one perilous occasion, and
+it scared him half to death to think what they might do when they
+discovered how meanly he was acting.
+
+But there was no help for it, and Codfish was marched along between the
+two professors, with Brassy and a number of other cadets, who had been
+attracted by the noise and the talk, following.
+
+Meanwhile the four Rover boys had listened to as much of the conversation
+as they could catch.
+
+"They went into Codfish's room--they are following the trail of the water
+on the floor," announced Jack.
+
+"Some of the other fellows are coming out and coming upstairs," announced
+Fred. "Let us go out too and see what happens."
+
+"Maybe they'll accuse Codfish of this," remarked Randy, with a grin.
+
+The four Rovers had just come out in the corridor and been joined by Gif,
+Phil, and Spouter when they found themselves suddenly confronted by
+Professor Duke, with Professor Grawson and poor Codfish directly behind
+him.
+
+"So this is your work, is it?" demanded Snopper Duke, glaring angrily at
+Jack and Fred in turn.
+
+"To what do you refer, Professor?" asked Jack, as calmly as he could.
+
+"You know well enough, Captain Rover. It is useless for you to deny it,"
+stormed the angry teacher. "You and your cousins here are responsible for
+bringing those big snowballs into the school."
+
+"Who says so?" questioned Fred. At the same time he gave Codfish a look
+that made the sneak want to hide himself.
+
+"Never mind who says so. We know it to be a fact," stormed Snopper Duke.
+"Will you kindly let me know what you mean by such outrageous conduct?"
+
+"Is it so very outrageous, Professor, to bring a few snowballs into the
+school?" questioned Randy innocently.
+
+"We've often brought snow into the school," put in Andy. "We used to use
+it for making a sort of home-made ice-cream--with milk and sugar and a
+little flavoring, you know."
+
+"Colonel Colby or Captain Dale never ordered us to leave the snow
+outdoors," added Fred, and at this there was a snicker from among a
+number of the cadets who were gathered.
+
+"I will not listen to such nonsense," stormed Snopper Duke. "You four
+brought those snowballs into this school, and some of you kicked that
+snowball down the stairs on top of me," he added, glaring at them.
+
+"I want to say right now, Professor Duke, that that big snowball went
+downstairs by accident," answered Andy, feeling that there was no help
+for it and that he must make a clean breast of the matter. "We were
+rolling it down the corridor when all at once I slipped in a puddle of
+water and both my feet struck the snowball and sent it on its way down
+the stairs. But we didn't mean to send it down; I can give you my word on
+that."
+
+"I don't believe it," stormed Snopper Duke.
+
+"I'm telling you the truth, sir."
+
+"Perhaps Rover didn't mean to send the snowball downstairs," put in
+Professor Grawson mildly. As a general thing he sided with the cadets and
+they had little difficulty in getting along with him.
+
+"Mr. Grawson, I was the one to suffer through this outrageous trick,"
+fumed Snopper Duke. "And you will kindly permit me to handle the affair.
+These four cadets are guilty and must be punished."
+
+"I agree it is more your affair than mine, Mr. Duke," returned the other
+teacher. "But don't you think it would be wise to let the matter rest
+until Colonel Colby comes back from the city?"
+
+"Not at all! Not at all! These young rascals must be taken in hand, and
+at once. Otherwise our authority in this institution will go to pieces."
+
+At this moment there was a movement among the students who had collected
+in the corridor, and Gif and Spouter stepped forward.
+
+"Excuse me, Professor Duke," said Gif. "But I had as much to do with
+bringing those snowballs upstairs as anybody."
+
+"And so did I," added Spouter.
+
+"And I was in on the deal, too," came from Phil Franklin, as he too
+stepped forward.
+
+"What? All of you?" demanded Snopper Duke, eyeing them coldly.
+
+"I can assure you we meant no great harm," continued Spouter. "We were
+only going to have a little fun among ourselves and with our
+fellow-cadets--that is, mostly," he added somewhat lamely, as he
+remembered what had been said about placing some of the snowballs in the
+teacher's room.
+
+"Were any others implicated in this despicable piece of business?"
+demanded Professor Duke, looking around at the assembled cadets. "Answer
+me at once!"
+
+There was no reply to this, the cadets simply looking at each other
+questioningly.
+
+"We're all here, sir," said Jack. "There were no others." And he and his
+cousins gave their chums a warm look to show they appreciated their
+coming forward to take a share of the blame.
+
+"Seven of you, eh?" was the teacher's sour comment. "A fine piece of
+business, truly." He thought for a moment. "Come with me, all of you, and
+we'll see what damage has been done down in the office."
+
+The assembled cadets made a passageway, and through this filed the Rovers
+and their chums with Professor Duke following close on their heels.
+Professor Grawson remained behind to talk to Stowell.
+
+"They'll kill me for this--I know they will!" whined Codfish. And now he
+was on the verge of tears.
+
+"I don't think the Rovers will touch you, Stowell--I don't think they're
+that class of boys," answered Professor Grawson. "Come. I'll go to your
+room with you and help you throw those snowballs out of the window." He
+had not forgotten that he had been a schoolboy himself once, and he had
+small sympathy for such a sneak as Henry Stowell.
+
+Down in Colonel Colby's private office it was found that the big snowball
+had done little damage outside of wetting a couple of the rugs. What was
+left of the snowball had been gathered up by Pud Hicks, the janitor's
+assistant, and now he was mopping up the floor.
+
+"I'll take the rugs and dry 'em in the laundry," said Hicks. "I think
+they'll be all right by morning."
+
+"You cadets remain here until I return," said Professor Duke, when Hicks
+was ready to depart. And then he went outside and in the hallway held a
+whispered conversation with the janitor's assistant.
+
+"I guess we're in for it," said Jack to his cousins and his chums.
+
+"What do you suppose they'll do with us?" questioned Phil.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know."
+
+In a few minutes Snopper Duke returned, and there was a grin of
+satisfaction in his eyes as he faced the cadets.
+
+"You will all follow me," he declared, "and I'll show you what can be
+done in this school to cadets who act as outrageously as you have acted.
+Come! March!" and he led the way out of the private office.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+PRISONERS
+
+
+In one of the wings of the school building there was located a room about
+twelve feet square with one window which was barred, and this, as my old
+readers know, was known officially as the school guardroom or prison.
+Jack and Fred had once been prisoners in this guardroom on a charge that
+was afterwards proved to be false.
+
+"Gee! I wonder if he's going to take us to the guardroom?" whispered the
+youngest of the Rovers.
+
+"I don't see how he can crowd seven of us into that small room," answered
+Randy. "Why, it's only got one cot in it!"
+
+Professor Duke led the way through the corridor and up the broad stairs.
+In the meanwhile Professor Grawson had ordered the other cadets to their
+rooms, so there was no one at hand to witness what was taking place.
+
+Arriving on the second floor, Snopper Duke led the way into another
+corridor and then up a somewhat narrow stairway leading to the third
+floor.
+
+"Hello! I wonder where he's going to take us now?" questioned Fred in
+wonder.
+
+"This is certainly a new wrinkle," declared Gif.
+
+The third floor was but dimly lit until the professor turned on more
+light. Then he turned into a little side corridor at the end of which was
+located a long, narrow room which, during the previous year, had been
+used by some of the hired help but which was now unoccupied.
+
+"You will remain in this room until I have a chance to communicate with
+Colonel Colby," said Professor Duke, as he marched the cadets in. "And
+remember! I want no cutting up here. I want you to remain perfectly
+quiet."
+
+"How long shall we have to stay here?" questioned Jack.
+
+"That will depend on what Colonel Colby has to say about it," was the
+sharp answer.
+
+"Do you expect us to stay here all night?" demanded Randy.
+
+"You will have to stay here unless Colonel Colby gets back from the city,
+and I think that hardly likely to-night," answered the teacher. "Now
+remember! No noise and no horseplay or I'll do something that you won't
+forget in a hurry," and with this admonition he walked out of the room,
+closing and locking the door after him.
+
+"Listen!" cried Fred, as all of the others started to talk at once. And
+going to the door, he listened intently, and so did the others, and they
+heard Snopper Duke pass through the little corridor and down the stairs.
+
+"He's gone, all right enough," remarked Phil Franklin.
+
+"Well, what do you know about this, anyhow!" cried Gif.
+
+"I think he's treating us like a lot of children," declared Andy
+angrily.
+
+"I don't believe he has any right to keep us out of our regular rooms,"
+came from his brother.
+
+"Well, anyway, he took the right," answered Jack grimly. "And what is
+more, he seems to have the best of us."
+
+"He won't have if we break down that door."
+
+"I don't think you'll have an easy job of it breaking down that door,"
+put in Spouter. "I happened to notice that there was not only a regular
+lock on it, but also a top bolt. You'd have to smash the whole door to
+get out. But it certainly is a despicable piece of business," Spouter
+continued. "And at the first opportunity we have we'll have to lay the
+whole case before Colonel Colby. I'm sure when he has verified our
+report, and gone into the various merits of the case, he will make a
+finding that will be in accordance with----"
+
+"Gee! Spouter can spout even if he is a prisoner," burst out Randy.
+"Better get up on a chair, Spouter, and make a regular speech about it,"
+he continued, grinning.
+
+"This is a new experience for me," remarked Phil, with a smile. "I never
+thought I was going to be put in jail."
+
+"You can hardly call it being put in jail, Phil," answered Jack. "In a
+military academy it is quite common for a cadet, when he has broken the
+rules and regulations, to be placed in the guardhouse, just the same as
+he is placed in the guardhouse in the regular army."
+
+"I thought maybe they'd make us do what they call police duty," said the
+boy from Texas. "One fellow told me that while he was in the training
+camp he overstepped the regulations and they made him peel potatoes until
+he was sick and tired of seeing them."
+
+"Well, they do that too," put in Fred. "You might have to do something
+like that if we were at the annual encampment. But while the school
+session is on all they do is to lock you up."
+
+The boys found that the long narrow room contained two double beds and
+two cots, as well as a couple of bureaus, several stools, and a table. At
+one end was a small bathroom and a clothing closet. There were three
+small windows in a row, all looking out on the snow-covered fields behind
+the school.
+
+"Well, we've got a place to sleep, anyhow," announced Jack. "Although
+three of us will have to sleep in one of the beds."
+
+"Not much in the way of covering," remarked Gif, who had been making an
+investigation. "Just one thin blanket on each bed. And that radiator is
+not letting out heat enough to warm a cat," he added, as he placed his
+hand on the one small radiator of which the long bedroom boasted.
+
+"Never mind, we can keep on our uniforms if we want to," declared Randy.
+"And who knows but what Colonel Colby may come back at any minute, and
+then I'm almost certain that he'll let us go back to our own rooms."
+
+"He will unless old Duke cooks up some dreadful story against us," came
+from his brother. "You can bet he'll make out as black a case against us
+as he can."
+
+"Yes. But I think Professor Grawson will have something to say too," said
+Jack. "And he has always been a very fair-minded man."
+
+"I don't see why Colonel Colby took on such a man as Snopper Duke,"
+declared Spouter. "He's every bit as bad as Asa Lemm was."
+
+"But you've got to hand it to him for being a very well educated man,"
+said Jack. "And he certainly knows how to teach when he's in the humor
+for it."
+
+"I don't think a man who is as harsh-minded as he is ought to be a
+teacher," was Gif's comment. "He can't get a cadet to do his best if he's
+forever nagging at him. Now, if I was a teacher, I'd do my best to gain
+my pupils' confidence."
+
+There was a pause, and presently Andy began to chuckle.
+
+"Say, he certainly did look funny when that big snowball hit him in the
+stomach and nearly knocked him over," he cried.
+
+"How could you see that when you were on your back?" questioned Fred.
+
+"Oh, I managed to flop over and look down the stairs just in time. He was
+some sight, believe me. It's a wonder he didn't go over backward to the
+floor below. I don't know what saved him. He must have grabbed the
+banisters just in time."
+
+"You can't really blame him for being mad. I think maybe I'd be mad
+myself," said Gif. "However, let's drop that. What are we going to do? Go
+to bed?"
+
+"I don't see that there is anything else to do," answered Jack.
+
+"I've got to do something to keep warm," declared Andy, and suddenly
+turned a somersault over one of the beds. Then he began to box with his
+brother, and the two spun around from one end of the room to the other.
+
+"Here! you stop that," warned Fred. "You know what Duke said. You keep on
+and he'll put us down in the cellar or some other worse place."
+
+After this the seven cadets became more quiet, and, sitting as close as
+possible to the little radiator which gave forth only a mite of warmth,
+they discussed the situation for half an hour longer.
+
+"That's another one against Codfish," declared Randy. "I'm sure he's
+guilty."
+
+"Well, he had some reason for saying what he did," said Jack. "He had to
+clear his own skirts after they found those two big snowballs in his
+room."
+
+"Just the same, Jack, you know well enough hardly any other fellow in the
+school would have squealed," cried Randy. "Codfish always was a sneak,
+and I guess he always will be, no matter what some of the other fellows
+do for him."
+
+"Say, look here! I thought you fellows told me that Captain Dale was in
+charge of this school whenever Colonel Colby was absent," burst out Phil
+suddenly.
+
+"That's true," answered Jack. "He was in charge all the time the colonel
+was in the regular army."
+
+"Then why didn't Professor Duke put this up to the captain?"
+
+"Because Captain Dale is away on a little vacation," announced Gif. "He
+won't be back until some time next week."
+
+"And where did Colonel Colby go?"
+
+"They said he had gone to the city," answered Fred. "But I don't know
+what they mean by that. They may mean Boston, or New York, or some
+smaller place."
+
+"The radiator is growing stone cold," declared Gif, who had his hands on
+it.
+
+"What'll you bet old Duke didn't turn the heat off?" broke in Andy
+quickly. "It would be just like him to do it."
+
+"I guess about the only thing we can do is to go to bed," announced
+Jack.
+
+"Well, you had better do it with your uniform on, then," said Spouter.
+"Because I'm not going to bed with the windows closed, and it's going to
+be beautifully cold by and by."
+
+All of the cadets had been accustomed to sleeping with the windows of
+their bedrooms open. But they had also been accustomed to plenty of bed
+clothing, and knew they would probably suffer with the scant quantity of
+quilts now provided.
+
+However, they had to make the best of it, and in the end did little else
+but take off their shoes and coats and then wrap themselves in the
+blankets as best they could. Of course, there was some horseplay in which
+even Phil Franklin indulged. But on the whole the cadets kept rather
+quiet, for they did not want to make matters worse than they were.
+
+"The last time Randy and I were home our dad laid down the law good and
+plenty," announced Andy. "So we've got to do something towards toeing the
+mark."
+
+"I'm afraid Brassy Bangs and a lot of the other fellows will have the
+laugh on us for this," remarked Fred, as he turned in.
+
+"Oh, well, you can't have fun without paying the piper once in a while,"
+was Jack's comment.
+
+It grew colder during the night, and on rising to cut off some of the air
+that was blowing over him, Fred noticed that it had begun to snow. The
+fine hard particles were drifting into the room, and he called the
+attention of some of the others to this.
+
+"I don't care. Let it snow in if it wants to," grumbled Randy sleepily.
+
+But some of the others demurred to this, and presently one of the windows
+was closed entirely and the others left open only a few inches.
+
+"Gee, talk about Greenland's icy mountains!" exclaimed Gif, on arising a
+little after seven o'clock. "Some coldness, if you ask me!"
+
+"You said it!" declared Jack, as he got up and walked across the floor to
+where the radiator was located. "Cold as ice!" he announced.
+
+"Did you leave it turned on?" questioned Randy quickly.
+
+"I certainly did."
+
+"Then old Duke must intend to freeze us out!" exclaimed Fred. "What do
+you know about that!"
+
+"I know it's a mean piece of business," answered Andy. "Gee! why, we
+might all catch our death of cold."
+
+Having washed themselves, the cadets lost no time in donning the clothing
+they had taken off on retiring. Then they continued to walk around the
+narrow room in order to keep their blood in circulation. It was now about
+eight o'clock, and they wondered if they would get any breakfast.
+
+"A hot cup of cocoa or coffee wouldn't go bad," remarked Spouter. "Not to
+say anything about ham and eggs, hot muffins, or a few other things on
+the side."
+
+"Yum, yum! don't mention them," groaned Andy. "I feel hollow clean down
+to my shoes. I didn't have any too much supper, and I was depending on
+having a few crackers I had in my closet."
+
+"And I left an apple on my bureau," declared Phil.
+
+"And I had two doughnuts stored away to take to bed with me," came from
+Fred.
+
+The boys heard the cadets below assembling for roll call and the short
+morning parade, and then heard them march into the mess room of the Hall
+for breakfast.
+
+"My! but I wish I was downstairs right now," declared Randy. "I wouldn't
+do a thing to that breakfast table!"
+
+"Maybe they'll bring our breakfast to us," suggested Jack.
+
+"If they do you can bet there won't be any too much of it--if old Duke
+has anything to do with it," returned Gif grimly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+BY THE FISHING-POLE ROUTE
+
+
+Another half hour went by, and the boys confined in the room on the third
+floor of the school building became more and more impatient.
+
+"Perhaps they won't give us any breakfast at all," said Phil Franklin
+presently.
+
+"If they don't there'll be war," declared Andy. "I won't stand for being
+starved."
+
+"None of us will stand for that," put in Gif grimly. "But I don't believe
+Duke will dare do it. You must remember he will have all the other
+teachers to contend with. They have the same rights here as he has."
+
+"Yes, but Professor Grawson turned this affair over to Duke," was Fred's
+comment.
+
+"That was because old Duke was the only one to really suffer through what
+we did," answered Jack.
+
+Another fifteen minutes passed, and then those in the room heard
+footsteps outside. The door was unlocked and Professor Duke appeared,
+followed by Pud Hicks and Bob Nixon and two of the mess-room waiters.
+
+"Well, did you behave yourselves during the night?" demanded the teacher,
+as he glanced sharply from one to another of the cadets, all of whom eyed
+him curiously.
+
+"We did, sir," answered Phil, who was nearest to the door.
+
+Leaving those who had accompanied him at the door so that none of the
+cadets present might escape, Snopper Duke strode into the room and looked
+around suspiciously, even going so far as to glance into the bathroom and
+the clothing closet. As was the custom during the school term, the cadets
+had put the beds and the cots in order, and also arranged the chairs and
+other furniture.
+
+"Professor Duke, I'd like to ask something. Do you know we have no heat
+in here?" questioned Jack.
+
+"Growing boys like you don't need too much heat--it makes them lazy,"
+responded the teacher tartly. "You will be warm enough after you have had
+your breakfast."
+
+"Can we go downstairs now and get it?" asked Andy quickly.
+
+"No. You are to have it up here. I have had it brought up for you," was
+the answer. And then Professor Duke motioned for the two waiters to come
+in.
+
+They carried two trays covered with napkins, and these they deposited on
+the table.
+
+"Has Colonel Colby come back yet?" questioned Spouter.
+
+"You will know quickly enough when he comes," was the teacher's reply.
+And then he motioned the waiters out of the room.
+
+"Professor, do you think----" began Bob Nixon. But the teacher caught the
+Hall chauffeur by the arm and pushed him out into the hallway.
+
+"Never mind now, Nixon," he broke in hastily. "We'll talk matters over
+downstairs." And thereupon he closed and locked the door once again, and
+the cadets heard him and all of the others go below.
+
+"What do you suppose he brought Hicks and Nixon up here for?" questioned
+Randy, when they were left alone.
+
+"I don't know, unless he thought we might try to break out, and if so he
+would have them along to stop us," answered Jack.
+
+"Maybe he thought the cold and waiting for breakfast would make us
+desperate," suggested Gif. "However, now they've gone, let's see what
+they have brought us to eat."
+
+Eagerly the seven cadets whipped away the napkins that covered the two
+trays. They gave one look, and then a cry of disappointment arose.
+
+"What do you know about this!"
+
+"Isn't this the limit!"
+
+"Black coffee and bread without butter!"
+
+"And mush with nothing but a little molasses on it!"
+
+"And no sugar in the coffee, either!"
+
+"Talk about your prison fare!" groaned Andy. "I think this takes the
+cake!"
+
+"You mention cake and I'll murder you!" burst out Fred. "Why don't you
+speak of ham and eggs, lamb chops, fried potatoes, coffee cake with
+raisins in it, and things like that while you're at it?"
+
+"Wow! Fred for the water faucet!" exclaimed Jack, and got his cousin by
+the arm and made as if to run him into the bathroom.
+
+"Hold up! I'll be good!" pleaded the youngest Rover. "But, say! doesn't
+looking at these two trays make you weary in the bones?"
+
+"Well, anyway, the coffee is hot," declared Spouter, as he tasted it.
+"And we might as well drink it before it gets cold. It will help to warm
+us up."
+
+Thereupon the seven cadets fell to eating, and soon every particle of the
+scanty breakfast furnished to them had disappeared. They grumbled,
+however, as they ate, and continued to grumble after the repast was
+finished.
+
+"I'm quite sure Colonel Colby wouldn't treat us like this," declared
+Gif.
+
+"He certainly did much better by Fred and me when we were placed in the
+guardroom," declared Jack. "We got as good a meal as we ever had served
+to us in the mess hall."
+
+"It's nothing short of a crime not to turn the heat on," said Fred, who
+was examining the radiator again. "Just as cold as ever."
+
+"Listen!" cried Randy suddenly.
+
+All did so, and heard a faint knocking on the door.
+
+"Who is that?" questioned Jack, moving to the portal.
+
+"Is that you, Jack?" came in Fatty Hendry's voice. The stout youth was
+whispering through the keyhole.
+
+"Yes, Fatty. What brought you up here?"
+
+"I got wind that you fellows were being fed scanty rations," answered
+Fatty. "How about it?"
+
+"It's true, all right enough."
+
+[Illustration: "OUR FRIENDS ARE ON THE JOB!" CRIED FRED, DELIGHTEDLY.
+Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch (Page 51)]
+
+"Well, Dan Soppinger, Walt Baxter and myself got our heads together and
+we managed to make up a bundle of food for you. Just watch the window on
+your right," continued the stout youth, and then tiptoed away.
+
+Wondering what their friends intended to do, the seven cadets crowded to
+the window in question and opened it wide. It was still snowing, and
+through the thickly-flying flakes they presently saw the end of a fishing
+pole on which was tied a bundle done up in a pillow case.
+
+"Hurrah! Our friends are on the job," cried Fred delightedly, as the
+bundle was slipped from the end of the fishing pole and hauled into the
+room. Then he looked out of the window and saw at a little distance the
+face of Dan Soppinger at another window.
+
+"Got it all right, did you?" demanded Dan, as he hauled in the fishing
+pole.
+
+"We sure did, Dan; and much obliged to you."
+
+"Has Colonel Colby come back yet?" questioned Jack, looking over his
+cousin's shoulder.
+
+"No. And there is no telling when he'll come back," answered Dan. "He
+sent word that his business might keep him away for several days." Then
+Dan spoke to some one behind him, and continued in a low voice, "I've got
+to go now, or they'll catch us. Good-bye."
+
+The imprisoned cadets closed the window again and then placed the bundle
+on the table and opened it. They found it contained a rather jumbled
+collection of buttered bread, cheese, the knuckle of a boiled ham, a
+small glass full of jelly, a square of pound cake, three bananas, a
+couple of oranges, several apples, a small bag of lump sugar, and a can
+of condensed milk.
+
+"Some collection, all right enough," declared Spouter, as they surveyed
+it. "I guess they grabbed up anything they could lay their hands on."
+
+"They must have heard we had black coffee without sugar," put in Fred.
+"Too bad we were in such a hurry. We might have feasted in great shape
+off of this collection."
+
+"Never mind. The sugar and condensed milk may come in handy later,"
+answered Jack.
+
+The boys divided some of the fruit, and then made themselves a few
+sandwiches, and with this topped off the scanty breakfast they had
+previously consumed. They placed the rest of the things on the top shelf
+of the closet and folded up the pillow case carefully.
+
+"We'll have to send that back the first chance we get," declared Fred.
+"Otherwise some cadet is going to catch it when his room is inspected."
+
+With nothing to do, the cadets found the time drag heavily. They looked
+around the room for some reading matter, but found nothing outside of
+some newspapers which had been placed on the shelves of the closet. These
+were old sheets, and contained nothing which they cared to peruse.
+
+"Hurrah! we're going to have some heat, anyhow," cried Randy, about
+eleven o'clock. "Hear the radiator cracking?"
+
+He was right, and soon the radiator became moderately warm. This did not,
+of course, warm the room very thoroughly, but it took the chill off and
+made it more comfortable than it had been.
+
+"I'll bet a cooky that some of the others made old Duke turn the heat
+on," declared Gif.
+
+"Either that or else some of our chums turned it on when he wasn't
+watching," answered Jack. Some time later they found out that Bob Nixon
+had turned on the heat unbeknown to Snopper Duke. It was also learned
+that Professor Grawson and Professor Brice knew nothing about the heat
+having been turned off.
+
+About half-past twelve Snopper Duke appeared again, this time with one of
+the under teachers and two of the waiters. The under teacher had his arms
+full of books.
+
+"I have had some of your text books brought up here," explained Professor
+Duke. "There is no sense in your wasting your time here doing nothing. I
+want you to study the same as if you were attending your classes. I have
+also had your dinner brought up."
+
+"Do you expect us to study in a cold room?" questioned Jack. He had
+thrown one of the small bed covers over the radiator and added a book or
+two so that the teacher might not notice that it was warm.
+
+"I'll not discuss that point with you, Rover," was Snopper Duke's sharp
+reply. "You can eat your dinner, and then go at your studies." And
+thereupon he directed the two waiters to deposit the fresh trays on the
+table and take the old ones away. Then the seven cadets were locked up as
+before.
+
+In comparison, the dinner was just as scanty as the breakfast had been.
+For each pupil there was a small boiled potato, almost cold, a few lima
+beans, a small slice of roast beef, and one slice of unbuttered bread.
+There were also several paper drinking cups, to indicate that the cadets
+might drink all the water they cared to draw from the faucet in the
+bathroom.
+
+"Regular miser's lunch," was Andy's comment, as he surveyed it.
+
+"Exactly!" answered Fred. And then he added dryly: "What are we going to
+use that sugar and condensed milk on?"
+
+"Oh, the condensed milk will go fine on the bread," put in Spouter. "I
+used to like condensed milk sandwiches."
+
+"And you can eat the lump sugar for dessert if you want to," put in
+Jack.
+
+All began to eat, and in the midst of the meal they heard another knock
+on the door. This time Ned Lowe was there, one of their chums who was a
+great singer and banjo player.
+
+"Be on the watch for the beautiful fishing pole," sang Ned in a low
+voice. "Hurry up. We can't stay up here very long."
+
+All leaped for the window, and a few minutes later the fishing rod came
+once more into view, this time with another bundle attached to it. They
+held the end of the pole while they detached the bundle and fastened upon
+it the empty pillow case. The new bundle was in a large paper flour bag.
+
+"Here is where we are going to have a regular feast!" cried Jack with
+satisfaction. "Just look! Almost half a boiled tongue, a quart jar of hot
+coffee, some boiled sweet potatoes, and half an apple pie. I declare I
+don't see how they managed to get hold of it."
+
+"They're certainly looking out for us," answered Spouter.
+
+With this addition to the food already on hand, the boys started in to
+have a real good dinner. They were enjoying it thoroughly and cracking
+all kinds of jokes when they suddenly heard a commotion in the corridor
+outside.
+
+"I've caught you, have I?" they heard Snopper Duke exclaim. "What
+business have you up here, anyway?"
+
+"I wasn't doing any harm, Professor," came in the voice of Dan
+Soppinger.
+
+"What is that you have behind your back? Give it to me this instant,"
+went on the teacher.
+
+"Gee! that's Dan Soppinger, and he's got himself into trouble!" exclaimed
+Jack, in alarm.
+
+"I really didn't mean to do any harm," the imprisoned cadets heard Dan
+answer.
+
+"What is that you are trying to hide? Give it to me!" There was a brief
+silence, and then those in the room heard the teacher continue: "A
+pumpkin pie and almost a pound of cheese! Where did you get those things,
+Soppinger? And what were you going to do with them? Come, answer me!"
+
+"If you want to know, I was going to try to get them to those fellows you
+locked up," answered Dan Soppinger, in desperation. "I heard you were
+just about starving them to death."
+
+"What's that? Starving them to death? Stuff and nonsense! They are
+getting all that they need, and it's not for you to interfere in my
+business," went on Snopper Duke, his high-pitched voice rising still
+higher in anger. "You should be down in your classroom. Give me those
+things and go downstairs at once. I'll attend to your case later."
+
+"Gee! poor Dan is certainly in hot water," whispered Jack.
+
+"Old Duke must have been spying on him," said Randy.
+
+"Maybe he'll come in here and see how matters are going!" cried Spouter
+excitedly. "It might not be a bad thing to get all that extra food out of
+sight."
+
+He had scarcely spoken when they heard Professor Duke at the door. An
+instant later the portal was thrown open and the teacher stepped in. His
+eyes swept the trays and the plates of food the cadets were holding.
+
+"Ha! So this is what is going on, eh?" he stormed. "Having food brought
+in on the sly, eh? Well, I'll see that that is stopped! You'll go without
+your supper for this!" And then, after a few more words, he stormed out
+of the room, banging the door behind him and locking it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A TOUCH OF MYSTERY
+
+
+"Now I reckon we are worse off than we were before," remarked Jack, as
+the assembled cadets looked at each other in consternation.
+
+"If he cuts off our supper the best thing we can do is to save this
+grub," declared Randy. "We'll have to go on short rations."
+
+"And when we feel real hungry we can turn to our school books for
+consolation," added his twin brother. "Gee! but doesn't this take the
+cake?" And picking up his algebra he threw it at Phil. The boy from Texas
+dodged, and the algebra hit the wall behind him.
+
+"Don't start a rough-house, Andy," remonstrated Jack quickly. "We're in
+deep enough as it is. Please don't forget that Fred and I are worse off
+than any of you."
+
+"How do you make that out?" demanded Gif.
+
+"Because we are officers, and are supposed to be models for the rest of
+the cadets."
+
+"Huh! I forgot that," said Gif. "That's too bad."
+
+It must be admitted that the cadets were far less cheerful while
+finishing their meal than they had been a few minutes before. They ate
+somewhat sparingly, and placed what was left of the food in an
+out-of-the-way corner under one of the cots.
+
+"No use of taking chances," said Jack. "Duke may come in here and search
+the closet for rations when he gets the dirty dishes."
+
+"Well, I suppose we might as well spend our time studying," came from
+Spouter presently. "We've got to learn our lessons, no matter if we are
+prisoners. Otherwise later on we'll be marked down for that, too."
+
+"Too bad that poor Dan had to be caught with that pumpkin pie and
+cheese," groaned Randy. He was particularly fond of the pies turned out
+by the Hall cooks.
+
+Making themselves as comfortable as they could around the radiator, the
+seven cadets began to study. Thus an hour passed, and then came more
+footsteps in the hall.
+
+"Another visitor," said Jack, looking up.
+
+When the door was thrown open they expected to see Snopper Duke or one of
+the other professors, and they were, therefore, much surprised when
+Colonel Colby stepped into the room. The master of the Hall was alone.
+
+"Attention!" called Jack sharply--for this had been arranged between the
+cadets earlier in the day--and thereupon all of the cadets leaped to
+their feet and saluted.
+
+This action came somewhat as a surprise to the master of the school, and
+just the faintest flicker of a smile passed over his features. Then he
+closed the door behind him and came forward.
+
+"I am very sorry to learn that all of you have been breaking the rules of
+this institution," said Colonel Colby, in an even tone of voice. "Captain
+Rover, I would like to have your version of the affair if you care to
+make a report."
+
+"I don't know that I can make much of a report, Colonel," answered the
+young captain, his face flushing. "We brought the snowballs into the
+school, and that is all there is to it."
+
+"Well, what about sending that big snowball down the stairs on top of
+Professor Duke?"
+
+"That was an accident, sir, and I was responsible for it," broke in
+Andy.
+
+"An accident? Professor Duke is quite certain it was done by design."
+
+"He is mistaken, sir," continued Andy, and then in a few words related
+exactly how the accident had occurred.
+
+"Well, what about the snowballs that were placed in the rooms of Stowell,
+Besser, Lunn and in the bathroom?"
+
+"We only meant it for a little fun, Colonel," pleaded Fred. "Of course, I
+realize now that maybe we went a little too far."
+
+"You certainly did go too far, Lieutenant Rover. And I am especially
+surprised to find you and Captain Rover mixed up in anything of this
+sort. I expect the officers of the cadets to set a good example."
+
+"I was thinking you might say that, Colonel Colby," put in Jack quickly.
+"And I should have thought of it before I went into the affair. But we
+were having such fun outside snowballing, and like that, that we got
+deeper into it before we gave it a second thought."
+
+"And we really didn't know that we couldn't bring any snow into the
+school," put in Phil rather lamely.
+
+"Such an explanation won't go here, Franklin. I expect my students to
+have more common sense than that. Of course, it may have been nothing but
+a boyish prank, and if you can give me your word that the snowball which
+went down the stairs and hit Professor Duke was not aimed at him
+deliberately, I shall feel inclined to let the matter pass."
+
+"Oh, Colonel Colby, will you really do that?" questioned Fred eagerly.
+
+"Please remember we've been punished already," put in Spouter. "Locked up
+like a lot of criminals, and the radiator turned off until we almost
+froze to death!"
+
+"The radiator turned off?" questioned the owner of the school. "It is hot
+enough now," he added, as he placed his hand upon it.
+
+"But it wasn't before," answered Gif, and gave the particulars. As he did
+this Colonel Colby's face became a study.
+
+"I will look into that," he said, and then walked over to one of the cots
+and also to one of the beds and inspected the thin coverings. "I trust
+none of you caught cold?"
+
+"Well, I did catch a little cold," answered Spouter, and began to cough,
+for what he said was true.
+
+After this Colonel Colby talked to the cadets for fully ten minutes,
+trying to show them that what they had done was not what he expected of
+them. He was kind almost to the point of being fatherly, and made several
+remarks which caused the boys to do considerable thinking.
+
+"I am afraid some of you lads do not like Professor Duke," said he. "I am
+afraid you consider him rather quick-tempered and irritable."
+
+"Well, he certainly isn't as nice as most of the other teachers,"
+declared Randy flatly.
+
+"He always seems to be waiting for a chance to get in on a fellow," broke
+out Fred. "In some ways he's even worse than Asa Lemm was."
+
+"But he's a splendid teacher, I will say that for him," declared Jack.
+"Only, the way he sometimes jumps on a fellow is terrible."
+
+"I shouldn't like to have you boys compare Professor Duke with that
+scalawag, Asa Lemm," declared Colonel Colby. "Lemm had a good
+education--if he hadn't had I should not have engaged him to teach
+here--but he was not the honest and upright man Snopper Duke is. I will
+admit that at times he is quick-tempered, but, believe me, boys, he has
+good reasons for it--or, at least, there is quite some excuse for his
+acting that way at times. I do not feel like discussing his personal
+affairs with you, but you will be doing a real act of kindness if at
+times you don't notice his actions when he seems rather sharp. I am quite
+sure he doesn't always mean it."
+
+"Well, of course, if there's some reason----" began Jack.
+
+"There is quite a reason, Captain Rover. But, as I said before, I do not
+care to discuss Professor Duke's personal affairs further. Only, if I
+were one of you boys, I should go very slow in judging him. And now to
+come back to this present affair: I have had a talk with Professor Duke
+and I will have another talk this evening, and, all told, I think you
+have been punished enough. So we will call the matter off and you can
+return to your classrooms."
+
+"Thank you very much, Colonel Colby," cried Jack, and, starting forward,
+he offered his hand, and the master of the school shook it warmly. Then
+all of the other cadets came forward to do likewise.
+
+"I hope you won't punish those other fellows for getting some extra food
+up to us," said Fred, as he and Andy brought out the hidden things and
+placed them on one of the trays. "They only tried to do us a good turn."
+
+"You may rest assured, Rover, that I shall treat them only as they
+deserve," answered Colonel Colby, and led the way downstairs. Here the
+cadets separated, each to pay a brief visit to his own room before going
+down to the classrooms on the lower floor.
+
+"I wonder what Colonel Colby meant when he said Duke had reasons for
+being irritable?" remarked Randy.
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure," answered Jack thoughtfully.
+
+"Maybe he's suffering from some sickness," suggested Fred. "Perhaps he
+ought to have an operation and hates to have it done."
+
+"Maybe he's worried about money matters," came from Randy.
+
+"It was certainly something worth while or Colonel Colby wouldn't have
+been so serious about it," said Fred. "Gee! I'm sorry if I misjudged him,
+if there is really something wrong."
+
+"I don't believe Colonel Colby would caution us if it wasn't so," said
+Jack. "And after this I'm going to give Duke as much consideration as I
+possibly can."
+
+The boys had been told to go to their classrooms, but this was hardly
+necessary, for they had just about presented themselves when the
+afternoon session of the school came to an end. Then they followed some
+of their friends down to the gymnasium, where they were at once
+surrounded and asked to give the particulars of what had happened to
+them.
+
+"It wasn't a great deal," said Jack. "And first of all I want to know
+what was done to Dan and the others."
+
+"Oh, Colonel Colby read us a little lecture, that's all," answered Walt
+Baxter, one of the cadets. "He told us we had no right to take any of the
+food without asking for it."
+
+"I offered to pay for it," put in Ned Lowe, "and so did Dan. But the
+colonel said that wasn't the point. That he wanted the discipline of the
+Hall maintained."
+
+"Did he say anything about Professor Duke?" questioned Fred.
+
+"Not a word."
+
+"Well, he told us something," continued the youngest Rover, and then
+related what had been said on the subject.
+
+"Say, that squares with something I once heard," cried Walt Baxter. "I
+met Professor Duke down at the barn one day where he was waiting to have
+Nixon drive him down to town. The professor was walking around, wringing
+his hands and muttering to himself. He looked all out of sorts, and he
+said something that sounded to me like 'I don't see how I can do it! I
+don't see how I can really attempt it!'"
+
+"And what do you suppose it was that bothered him, Walt?" questioned Jack
+curiously.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know. I watched him walk up and down and wring his
+hands. And then he took a notebook out of his pocket and began to study
+some of the figures in it. Then Nixon came along with the auto, and he
+jumped in and rode off."
+
+"Well, that sure is a mystery," declared Randy.
+
+This news concerning Snopper Duke gradually spread throughout the school,
+and many of the boys watched the teacher curiously. In the meantime
+Colonel Colby had a conference, not only with Duke, but also with
+Professor Grawson; and when the classes opened the next day Jack and the
+others found themselves treated just as if nothing out of the ordinary
+had occurred.
+
+"Colonel Colby said he would let the matter pass, and I guess he's going
+to keep his word," remarked Fred.
+
+There was only one boy who remained troubled, and that was Codfish. He
+avoided the Rovers and the others as much as possible, often running away
+at the sight of them.
+
+"Codfish is just about scared stiff," remarked Randy. "He knows he got
+himself in wrong."
+
+"What a poor fish he is," answered his twin.
+
+On Saturday afternoon a number of the boys obtained permission to visit
+the town and attend the moving picture performance if they so desired.
+Jack had telephoned to his sister, and Martha had answered that probably
+a number of girls from Clearwater Hall would be in town at the same
+time.
+
+"And I've got something to tell you, too, Jack," said Martha over the
+wire. "Something I'm sure you'll be interested in hearing."
+
+"Why don't you tell me now?" he replied.
+
+"Oh, this isn't something to tell over a public telephone," his sister
+answered.
+
+The snowstorm had come to an end, and it was clear and bright overhead
+when the four Rovers and some of the others tramped to Haven Point. Here,
+at the railroad station, they met Martha and Mary, and also Ruth
+Stevenson, May Powell, and several other girls from the academy.
+
+"How are your eyes feeling, Ruth?" questioned Jack anxiously, as he
+walked side by side with the girl on the way to the moving picture
+theater. As my old readers know, Ruth had once suffered dreadfully
+through getting some pepper into her eyes, and it had been feared that
+she might go blind.
+
+"Oh, my eyes are quite all right again, Jack," answered the girl.
+"Sometimes they feel the least bit scratchy. But I bathe them with a
+solution the doctor gave me and then they feel quite natural."
+
+"I'm mighty glad to hear that," Jack returned warmly. For of all the
+girls who were friends of his sister he liked Ruth the best.
+
+As luck would have it, there was a very good show on that afternoon, and
+as a consequence a crowd had assembled to obtain tickets of admission.
+Randy went ahead to get all the tickets needed, and while he did this
+Martha plucked her brother by the coat sleeve and drew him a little to
+one side.
+
+"What's this you've got to tell me, Martha?" questioned the young captain
+in a whisper.
+
+"It's about a fellow at your school--a chap named Lester Bangs," replied
+the girl.
+
+"Oh, you mean the fellow we call Brassy Bangs! What about him?"
+
+"He and one or two of his particular chums have been up to Clearwater
+Hall three times. They took some of the girls out in a sleigh they hired,
+and that Bangs did his level best to get Ruth to go along. And now he has
+invited her to attend some kind of a party next week," was Martha's
+reply, words which for some reason he could not explain even to himself
+cut Jack to the heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+SOMETHING ABOUT A SLEIGHRIDE PARTY
+
+
+"What kind of a party is it, Martha?"
+
+"I don't know, except that it's somewhere out of town and some of the
+girls and fellows are going to the place in sleighs. I wasn't asked to
+go, and I got the information in a roundabout way."
+
+"Then Ruth hasn't said anything to you about it?"
+
+"Not a word. But I'm sure she received this Lester Bangs' invitation."
+
+"And you think she may accept it?"
+
+"I hope not, Jack. Because I don't like Bangs. He wears such showy
+clothing and jewelry."
+
+"That's the reason we call him Brassy--he is brassy in looks and brassy
+in manner. He's just as much of a hot-air bag as Tommy Flanders," went on
+the young captain, referring to an arrogant youth who the summer before
+had pitched for Longley Academy and been knocked out of the box.
+
+"Isn't it queer, he put me in mind of Flanders?" whispered Martha. "I
+hope you don't have any trouble with him, Jack." And then, as some of the
+others came closer, the private conversation had to come to an end.
+
+While in the moving picture theater Jack sat with Ruth beside him. They
+occasionally spoke about the scenes presented to them and also about
+school matters in general, but not one word was said by either about the
+party Martha had mentioned.
+
+"Mr. Falstein certainly gets good pictures," remarked the girl, when the
+performance had come to an end and the crowd of young people was moving
+out of the theater. "They're just as good as one can see in the big
+cities."
+
+"They're the same thing, only he gets them a little later," answered
+Jack.
+
+"I like the comic pictures better than anything," declared Andy. "I hate
+those serious ones. They're generally so awfully mushy."
+
+"Why, Andy Rover, how you talk!" cried Alice Strobell. "I think that
+picture they showed today of Life in a Big City was perfectly grand."
+
+"Especially where the heroine sobbed herself to sleep over the sewing
+machine in her garret room," went on Andy, with a snicker. "Wasn't that
+just the tear-bringer?"
+
+"I don't care! It was just as true to life as it could be," answered
+Alice sturdily.
+
+"Well, maybe," was the airy return of the fun-loving Rover. "Come to
+think of it, I never did run a sewing machine in a garret room with the
+snow blowing through a busted window. I'd rather sit in the shade of the
+old apple tree reading a good book and getting on the outside of some
+ripe pears," he continued, and at this there was general laughter.
+
+As was their custom, the young folks drifted from the theater to a nearby
+candy and ice-cream establishment. Here they split up into various groups
+at some tables in the rear. Of course, the boys insisted on treating the
+girls, and there was quite a discussion over what each would have. Martha
+and Mary had paired off with Gif and Spouter, and Fred and the twins were
+with some of the other girls, and this left Ruth and Jack by themselves.
+
+Several times the young captain wanted to bring the conversation around
+to the question of the party that had been mentioned. But every time he
+checked himself.
+
+"What were you going to say?" questioned Ruth, when he caught himself
+once. "You act as if you had something on your mind of special
+importance, Jack."
+
+"Not at all! Not at all!" he returned hastily. "How are you getting along
+with your studies, Ruth? Do your eyes interfere much with them?"
+
+"Not a great deal. But, of course, I have to be more or less careful. But
+I'm doing finely, so the teachers say."
+
+"We're going to have an election of officers soon," continued the young
+captain. "Some of the fellows are urging me to run for major of the
+battalion. Ralph Mason is going to drop out, you know."
+
+"Oh, Jack! why don't you run?"
+
+"Do you want me to run, Ruth?"
+
+"Why, of course! if there's any chance of getting it, and I don't see why
+there shouldn't be," she returned quickly.
+
+Her manner was so intimate that once again he was on the point of
+mentioning the party. But then he shut his teeth hard and pretended to be
+interested in something taking place at the other tables.
+
+"Don't you think you could win the election if you tried?" Ruth
+continued, after looking at him questioningly for a moment.
+
+"Oh, I guess I'd have as good a chance as any one in command. Of course,
+there are a number of other officers who would have as good a chance as
+I'd have. But I'm not altogether sure that I want to be major. If I held
+that office Colonel Colby would expect me to toe the mark all the time
+just as an example to the others. Even as it was, he didn't like to have
+me as a captain and Fred as a lieutenant mixed up in that snowball
+affair."
+
+"Oh, but, Jack! think of the honor of being major of the battalion,"
+cried the girl. "I'm sure Martha and your folks will be very proud of
+you."
+
+"Would you be proud, Ruth, if I should win the position?" he asked in a
+low tone.
+
+"Why, of course--we all would," returned the girl, her face flushing
+slightly. "I always like to see my friends make something of
+themselves."
+
+Ruth's tone was cordial enough, and once again Jack was on the point of
+switching the talk to the party. But now some of the young folks had
+finished, and the little gathering began to break up and he and Ruth were
+surrounded by the others.
+
+"We've got to do some shopping," declared Mary, when they were out on the
+sidewalk. "So we can't remain with you boys any longer." And a few
+minutes later the crowd separated, the girls hurrying in one direction
+and the cadets in another.
+
+"You let me know if you hear any more about that party," whispered Jack,
+on parting from his sister.
+
+"I will," she answered.
+
+On starting back for the Hall Jack paired off with Fred and purposely
+lagged behind.
+
+"Did you hear anything about a party in which Brassy Bangs was
+interested?" he asked of his cousin.
+
+"Mary said that Brassy was getting up some sort of party, to come off
+either Thursday or Friday of this week. The crowd is going somewhere in
+two big sleighs."
+
+"She didn't say where?"
+
+"She didn't know."
+
+"Did she say who was going?"
+
+"As far as she knew the crowd of fellows consisted of Brassy and two or
+three of his chums at the Hall and some young fellows around town."
+
+"And what about the girls, Fred?"
+
+"They asked Jennie Mason and Ida Brierley to go and a number of the other
+girls from Clearwater."
+
+"Did they ask May?"
+
+"Mary wasn't sure. But she rather thinks that May and Ruth both got an
+invite, although in some kind of roundabout way. Did Ruth say anything to
+you about it?"
+
+"Not a word. But Martha did. She, too, thought Ruth had an invitation,
+but she didn't mention May."
+
+"I wonder if May and Ruth will go?" questioned the youngest Rover. He was
+almost as chummy with Spouter's cousin as Jack was with Ruth.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know, Fred. But I do know I'd hate to see either of
+them going out with such a fellow as Brassy."
+
+"It will be a shame to have any of those girls associate with him!" burst
+out Fred indignantly. "He's not in their class at all--he's altogether
+too loud and flashy."
+
+"He certainly sports a lot of cheap jewelry," was Jack's comment. "And
+that suit of clothes that he had on when he first came to the Hall was a
+scream."
+
+"Let's go around to the livery stable and see if we can find out
+something about the party."
+
+The place Fred had in mind was located on a side street less than a block
+away, and it did not take the two young officers long to reach it. They
+found the livery-stable keeper out, but one of his assistants came
+forward to see what they wanted.
+
+"Hello, Waxy," cried Jack cordially, for he had met the young fellow many
+times before. "How are you these days?"
+
+"Fine as a spider's web," answered Waxy, with a grin.
+
+"I understand you're going to use your two big sleighs for a party this
+week for some of our fellows?" went on the young captain.
+
+"Yes, both sleighs are hired for Thursday or Friday night," was the
+answer. "But you could get 'em for any other night you might want," went
+on Waxy, with an eye to business.
+
+"Where is the party to be held?" questioned Fred.
+
+"I don't know exactly. They're to go about twelve miles out of town, so I
+was told."
+
+"Some young fellows from town helping to get it up, I believe?"
+
+"Yes. Tom Drake, Bill Fenny, Joe McGuire, Ted Rosenblatt, and a bunch of
+others are interested. They'll have one high old time, you believe me,"
+went on the livery-stable keeper's assistant, with a grin.
+
+"Rather a lively bunch, are they?" questioned Jack.
+
+"About as lively as this town affords."
+
+"It's a wonder some of our fellows are going with them," was Fred's
+comment.
+
+"Oh, that'll be all right. There won't be anything out of the way," put
+in Waxy hastily, afraid that he had said too much. "They'll have a lively
+time, but everything will be perfectly all right."
+
+"Maybe," answered Jack, and then, after a few more words with the
+assistant, the two cadets hurried off after their chums.
+
+"If McGuire and Rosenblatt have anything to do with that party it will
+certainly be a lively one," said Fred, on the way to the school. "They're
+the liveliest fellows this town affords."
+
+"It won't be any kind of a party for our girl friends to attend,"
+remarked Jack. "I certainly hope May and Ruth don't go."
+
+"Maybe we ought to warn them, Jack."
+
+"If we did that somebody might say we were sore because we weren't
+invited, Fred."
+
+"I know it. But it's a shame, just the same."
+
+"We might let Martha and Mary know what we found out, and then they might
+put a flea in the ears of the other girls."
+
+It must be confessed that Jack was rather sober that night and all day
+Sunday. He could not get the coming party out of his mind, and he
+wondered constantly whether Ruth would really accept the invitation which
+had been extended to her. Along with a number of other cadets he attended
+church in town, but, owing to the fact that it had begun to snow again,
+none of the girls from Clearwater Hall were present at the services.
+
+"I guess I might as well call Martha up on the 'phone," he told Fred,
+Sunday evening.
+
+"All right," was his cousin's reply. "And don't forget to mention May."
+
+When the young captain had his sister on the wire he learned a number of
+things that surprised him not a little. It seemed that the matter of the
+coming sleighride party had been rather freely discussed at Clearwater
+Hall, and a number of the pupils there were divided on the question as to
+whether to participate in the affair or not. Jennie Mason, Ida Brierley,
+and four or five others were in favor of accepting, while others had
+either declined or were noncommittal.
+
+"Some of the girls have gotten almost into a fight over it," said Martha.
+"It's the liveliest thing that has happened in this school in a long
+while. I believe if the discussion keeps up none of the girls will be
+allowed to go, even though two married ladies from the town are to go
+along as chaperones."
+
+"Did you hear anything further about Ruth or anything about May?"
+questioned Jack.
+
+"Not a word. Of course, not having been invited myself, I didn't care to
+question either of them for fear they might think I was just a bit
+jealous, or something like that."
+
+"Well, I don't think they ought to go to any such party," answered Jack,
+and then told what he and Fred had learned at the livery stable.
+
+"I've heard of Joe McGuire and also heard of Ted Rosenblatt!" exclaimed
+Martha. "I certainly shouldn't want to be seen in their company. I'll
+have to mention this to some of the others." And here the conversation
+had to come to an end.
+
+On Monday morning Jack met Brassy Bangs in one of the corridors and
+noticed that the loud-spoken youth looked at him rather speculatively.
+Nothing, however, was said, and the young captain entered one of the
+classrooms and was soon deep in his studies. That evening, however,
+Brassy Bangs and two of his chums were missing from their usual places at
+one of the mess-hall tables.
+
+"They got permission to go to town. I suppose they went to make further
+arrangements about that big sleighing party," remarked Randy.
+
+To show that he meant to do his best as captain of Company C, Jack put in
+a full day on Tuesday drilling his command and in the classrooms. As a
+consequence that evening found him pretty well worn out from his duties.
+Yet he had some studying he felt he must do, and so announced he was
+going to sit up for a while after his cousins, who occupied rooms on both
+sides of him, had retired.
+
+The young captain was hard at work doing some examples in geometry when
+there came a sudden sharp rap on his door. Thinking that one of his
+school chums had come to have a word with him before retiring, he threw
+the door open and found himself confronted by Brassy Bangs.
+
+"I want to have a few words with you, Jack Rover!" cried the loud-mouthed
+cadet savagely. And then closing the door he advanced upon the young
+captain in anything but a friendly manner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A FIGHT AND A CHALLENGE
+
+
+Jack Rover could see that Brassy Bangs was laboring under great
+excitement. The youth who loved to dress in such a showy manner was red
+of face and his eyes glittered in a manner calculated to make any one
+quail before him.
+
+But the young captain of Company C was not going to quail, and he stood
+his ground and looked the other youth squarely in the face.
+
+"You want a few words, eh?" he said coldly. "Well, what is it?"
+
+"You know well enough what brought me here!" cried Brassy. "I've a good
+mind to wipe up the floor with you!"
+
+"I'm not fighting just now, Bangs. But don't forget that I can defend
+myself if it's necessary," answered the young captain quickly. And then
+he added: "Now say what you've got to say or get out."
+
+"I'll stay as long as I please," blustered the showy youth. "It's a fine
+piece of business you've been in--trying to belittle me and my chums in
+the eyes of the girls at Clearwater Hall."
+
+"If you came here to talk about the young ladies from Clearwater the
+sooner you get out the better," answered Jack, his face flushing.
+
+"Thought you were pulling off a fine stunt, didn't you, when you talked
+to Ruth Stevenson about me?" sneered Brassy.
+
+"I haven't said a word to Miss Stevenson about you."
+
+"I know better, Jack Rover. You went to her and some of the other girls
+and told them that my chums and I were no good, and that the sleighride
+party we and some other fellows were getting up was going to be the
+wildest thing that ever took place at Haven Point."
+
+"You're entirely mistaken, Bangs. And the sooner you get out of here the
+better it will please me."
+
+"Do you dare deny that you hauled us over the coals with those girls at
+Clearwater Hall?"
+
+"I decline to discuss the matter any further with you," answered the
+young captain.
+
+"See here, Rover! you can't ride any high horse like that with me,"
+blustered Brassy. "You and your cousins and some of the other fellows did
+your best to queer our whole sleighing party, and you've got to take the
+consequences!" And now Brassy Bangs doubled up his fists and tried to
+look more dangerous than ever.
+
+"See here, Bangs! if you don't stop your noise and get out of here I'll
+put you out," returned Jack, in a low but firm voice. "I don't want any
+fight with you, but I want you to understand that I can hold up my end
+every time."
+
+"Like pie you can! You put on a big front as a captain, but I know your
+sort well enough! You can't pull the wool over my eyes! You went to the
+girls' school and shot off your mouth, and you are going to take the
+consequences!" and without further ado Brassy Bangs stepped forward and
+aimed a heavy blow at Jack's face.
+
+Had the fist landed as intended, Jack might have been knocked flat. But
+the young captain had not been in athletic training for several years for
+nothing, and he dodged quickly. Brassy was carried forward, so that his
+arm shot over Jack's shoulder and his body came in contact with the young
+captain's arm. The next instant Jack had him by the back of the collar
+and was holding him at arm's length.
+
+"Now you get out of here!" he cried, and tried to drag Brassy toward the
+door.
+
+Of course the other youth squirmed, and in an instant there was a rough
+and tumble scuffle. Jack was pushed against the wall, and retaliated by
+forcing Brassy backward over a chair. Then the two spun around the room,
+upsetting a stand containing a number of books.
+
+"Hello! what's going on here?" came a voice from one of the side rooms,
+and Fred appeared. He had been in bed and was attired only in his
+pajamas.
+
+Jack and Brassy were so wrought up by this time that neither paid
+attention to the interruption. Nor did they take notice when another door
+opened and Andy and Randy came into view. Brassy managed to break away
+and land a blow on Jack's arm, and in return received a crack in the chin
+which sent his head backward and all but unbalanced him.
+
+"Gee! it's a regular fight," burst out Andy. "I didn't know Brassy was
+here."
+
+"Neither did I," said Fred. "Why didn't you call us, Jack?"
+
+"He didn't give me time," answered the young captain. "He accused me of
+getting him into trouble at Clearwater Hall, and then pitched into me."
+
+"I'll fix you!" yelled Brassy, who was now almost beside himself with
+rage. "I'll fix you!" and he made another lunge for Jack.
+
+But the blow he intended to deliver fell short, and before he could
+recover the young captain came at him with a crack in the ear, followed
+by another on the cheek, and these caused Brassy to stagger into a corner
+where he held fast to a chair.
+
+"Say, you fellows will have Colonel Colby here in another minute," warned
+Fred.
+
+"I don't care who comes!" bellowed Brassy recklessly. "But see here, I'm
+not going to fight four of you!" he went on sullenly, as he glared from
+one to another of the Rovers.
+
+"There won't be any more fight!" cried Jack, who had no desire to be
+brought up before the master of the school again. "Fred, open that door!"
+And then, as the youngest Rover did so, he added to his opponent: "Now
+get out of here before I throw you out."
+
+"You can't throw me out!" blustered Brassy. But then, as Jack advanced on
+him threateningly, he made a sudden spring for the door and ran out into
+the corridor. "I'm not going to fight four to one. But just wait--this
+isn't ended yet," he went on, and then disappeared.
+
+Fred closed the door again, and he and the others gathered around Jack,
+who was panting from his unexpected exertions.
+
+"Gosh, but he looked mad!" was Randy's comment. "What was it all about?"
+
+In as few words as possible the young captain explained the situation so
+far as he was able.
+
+"Brassy must have gone over to Clearwater Hall and there got the idea
+that you were queering that proposed party," was Fred's comment. "Well,
+I'm glad if the girls are wise to what is going on."
+
+"Better chew this over in the morning," admonished Andy. "The thing now
+is to get into bed and put out the lights. One of the professors may be
+up here any minute."
+
+This advice was considered good, and with lightning-like rapidity the
+room was placed in order and the others retired again, leaving Jack to
+undress and go to bed as quickly as possible. A little later one of the
+monitors came through the hall, but none of the Rovers was disturbed.
+
+It was not until two days later that the Rovers heard the particulars of
+what had occurred at Clearwater Hall. Then they learned that, unknown to
+any of the girls, one of the teachers had been delegated by Miss Garwood,
+the head of the academy, to make a quiet investigation concerning the
+proposed sleighing party. And when this teacher had found out who were on
+the committee of arrangements, Miss Garwood had forbidden any of the
+young ladies to participate. When this became known, Brassy Bangs had at
+once concluded that Jack--and perhaps some of his relatives and
+friends--was responsible for what had occurred. The party had been called
+off.
+
+"I'm glad it's called off," said Jack.
+
+"So am I," returned Fred. "But, believe me, Jack, Brassy will have it in
+for you after this."
+
+"Possibly."
+
+"You didn't hear anything about what girls intended to go, did you?" put
+in Randy.
+
+"I heard Jennie Mason, Ida Brierley, and Nettie Goss mentioned. That's
+all," answered Jack.
+
+He would have given a good deal to have known what was the real attitude
+of Ruth and May toward the party. But, as before, neither he nor Fred
+felt inclined to make any direct inquiries.
+
+"It almost looks as if Brassy had expected Ruth to go with him," murmured
+the young captain to himself, when he was alone that night. And it must
+be confessed that the thought made him feel quite gloomy.
+
+After this incident matters ran along smoothly for a week or more at the
+Hall. During that time the snow commenced to melt and almost before the
+cadets knew it, it had disappeared entirely.
+
+In the meanwhile there was constant talk of the election for officers
+that was to take place. Ralph Mason, the major of the school battalion,
+was about to leave, as was also one of the captains, so there would be
+first an election to fill these vacancies and then another election in
+case one or both vacancies were filled by those who were already acting
+as officers.
+
+"I really think you ought to try for the majorship," said Gif to Jack.
+"You certainly have done well as a captain."
+
+"It would be very nice, Gif," was Jack's reply. "But I feel sometimes as
+if I ought to give some of the other fellows a show."
+
+"But they may not want it," answered Andy. "Look at me, for instance. I
+don't want to be an officer, and neither does Randy. And Gif here would
+rather continue at the head of our athletics."
+
+"Yes, but you fellows are not the whole school," declared Jack, with a
+smile.
+
+"I know lots of fellows who want you to run," declared Spouter. "And you
+say the word and I'll go around and do a lot of electioneering for you."
+
+The matter was talked over a good many times, and fully twenty of the
+cadets came to Jack and told him they wanted him to run for the office of
+major. And finally he consented.
+
+"Hello, here's news!" burst out Fatty Hendry, one day, as he joined his
+chums. "It's the richest thing ever," and he grinned broadly.
+
+"What's that?" questioned Dan Soppinger, who was present.
+
+"I just heard through Teddy Brown that Brassy Bangs wants to run for
+major. That he even told one of the professors about it."
+
+"Why, he can't do that!" declared Fred quickly. "That is, not without
+special permission from Colonel Colby or Captain Dale. The major is
+always chosen from among the captains and lieutenants, or those who have
+been officers before. That is, if there is any one to pick. It's only
+Colonel Colby or Captain Dale who can declare the election open to any
+one. You can't put a fellow who has just learned to handle a gun to march
+at the head of the battalion."
+
+"Well, of course Brassy didn't know that, and he wouldn't believe it
+until Captain Dale explained it to him. And then he said he thought he
+ought to be able to hold the position because he was one of the best
+shots in the school."
+
+"Well, he certainly is a good shot," declared Fred. "I saw him shooting
+at a target one day and he certainly made some marvelous hits."
+
+"He comes from the West--from some place where everybody knows how to
+shoot," declared Walt Baxter. "I heard him telling some of the fellows
+about it one day. He said he had learned to ride and to shoot when he was
+only six or seven years old. And he can ride, all right enough, too. I
+saw him do it one day when I was on the road back of the Point."
+
+"Well, I think a few of us can do a little shooting," declared Andy.
+"Don't forget that out of a possible twenty-five points Fred once made
+nineteen and Jack eighteen."
+
+"Oh, yes, I remember that," put in Ned Lowe. "That was the time Lew
+Barrow scored twenty."
+
+"Yes, and the time I scored the whole of ten," chuckled Andy. "But I
+don't care," he added proudly. "I guess I brought down my share of small
+game when we went hunting."
+
+The talk concerning Brassy Bangs wanting to run for the office of major
+was true, and the cadet was much disgusted when he found that the
+regulations of the Hall forbade this.
+
+"I can beat any one of them at shooting," he grumbled to Paul Halliday,
+one of his particular cronies and the fellow who had aided in trying to
+get up the sleighing party.
+
+"Of course you can," was Halliday's quick reply. Then he went on: "Say,
+Lest, why don't you challenge Jack Rover and his cousin Fred to shoot
+against you? You can show 'em up in great shape. It would be better than
+fighting them."
+
+"I'll do it!" announced Brassy promptly, for the idea was one that
+appealed to him. "I'll shoot against them with either pistols or rifles,
+just as they may choose. I'll show 'em up for a couple of dubs when it
+comes to handling firearms."
+
+"That's the talk!" broke in Billy Sands, another of Bangs' chums. "You
+say the word and Paul and I will take the challenge to the Rovers right
+away."
+
+"All provided Colonel Colby or Captain Dale will permit the contest,"
+said Brassy sourly. "Maybe that's another one of the things their dirty
+rules won't allow."
+
+The matter was talked over for a while longer, and the three boys went
+off to interview Captain Dale. He listened to them with a smile, and then
+nodded.
+
+"Of course you can have a contest of that sort if you desire, Bangs," he
+said presently.
+
+Following this the challenge to Jack and Fred was promptly issued. It, of
+course, came as a surprise to the Rovers.
+
+"We ought not to dirty our hands with a fellow like Bangs," declared the
+young captain to Fred.
+
+"Oh, we can't afford to refuse, Jack!" cried his cousin. "If we did the
+fellows in the Hall would think we were afraid."
+
+And thereupon the challenge was accepted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE SHOOTING CONTEST
+
+
+It was decided that the shooting contest should take place the next day.
+
+"It doesn't give us much time to practice," grumbled Fred.
+
+"We might as well have it over with," answered Jack. "There is no use of
+allowing it to interfere with our lessons or with the coming election for
+officers."
+
+"Do you think we can shoot as well as Brassy?"
+
+"We can try, Fred. From all reports he's quite a wonderful shot. It seems
+he comes from a place where everybody is used to firearms."
+
+It had been decided to hold the contest on the regular range back of the
+school grounds. Fred and Jack had been in favor of rifles, but the boy
+from the West had voted in favor of pistols. As a consequence, Captain
+Dale had told them the contest would be divided into two parts of a
+possible fifteen points each, the first part to take place with pistols
+and the second with rifles.
+
+"Say, you fellows have just got to snow Brassy under!" cried Randy.
+"Don't leave him a leg to stand on."
+
+"That's easy enough to say, Randy," answered Jack. "But it isn't so easy
+to do."
+
+"I know it, and I was only fooling. However, do your best and make some
+kind of showing against that loud-mouthed fellow."
+
+Early on the morning of the contest Jack and Fred received permission to
+take rifles and pistols and do a little practicing with the firearms.
+They went out alone, not wishing to be disturbed by any one.
+
+As they were crossing the fields they saw a figure coming from a side
+road. The person approaching had the cape of his overcoat drawn up
+tightly around his throat and wore his cap pulled down well over his
+forehead.
+
+"That fellow looked like Brassy Bangs," declared Fred, as the distant
+figure leaped over a hedge and disappeared.
+
+"It certainly did look like Brassy," answered his cousin. "But what in
+the world could he be doing out so early in the morning?"
+
+"Maybe he was practicing a little on his own account."
+
+"He didn't have any gun with him."
+
+"That's right. But he might have a pistol."
+
+"He never struck me as a fellow who would get up so very early. He always
+appeared to be rather lazy. And besides that, he didn't come from the
+range. He came from the river road."
+
+"I know it, Jack. Maybe he's been out all night for a good time with some
+of those fellows from town."
+
+After this the two Rovers lost no time in hurrying to the rifle range,
+and there practised with their pistols and their rifles until it was time
+to return to the Hall for roll call and the drill before breakfast.
+
+"Well, we may not win, but we'll make some kind of a showing," remarked
+Fred.
+
+It was a clear day, the air just bracing enough to put the cadets of
+Colby Hall in good spirits. When the time came for the contest nearly all
+of them hurried to the range.
+
+"Now then, Lest, show 'em what you can do!" cried Paul Halliday.
+
+"The Rovers won't have a look-in!" broke out Billy Sands. "It will be a
+regular walk-away for Lest."
+
+"Don't be so sure of that," answered Gif.
+
+"Brassy may be all right enough with a pistol; but don't forget that Jack
+and Fred know how to handle a rifle," added Spouter.
+
+A coin was tossed up and it was thereby decided that the contest with
+pistols should take place first. Each contestant was to shoot three
+times, the rings on the target counting from 1 to 5. The three
+contestants were to shoot in rotation, Fred first, Brassy second, and
+Jack last.
+
+If Fred was a trifle nervous when he went to the front to shoot, he did
+his best to control it. Taking as careful aim as possible, he fired.
+
+"A three!"
+
+"That's good enough for a starter!"
+
+With a self-satisfied look on his face, Brassy Bangs strode forward, took
+quick aim, and fired.
+
+"A bull's-eye!" shouted Billy Sands in delight.
+
+"I told you he could do it!" added Paul Halliday.
+
+When Jack came to the front he managed to make a 4.
+
+"That's the stuff!" cried Randy. "You're only one point behind!"
+
+On the second round Fred managed to make a 4, while Jack scored a 3, thus
+tying the Rovers. Brassy scored a 4.
+
+"Seven to nine in favor of Bangs!"
+
+Then came the third round, and again Fred scored a 3 and Jack did
+likewise, while Brassy delighted his cronies by scoring another
+bull's-eye.
+
+"A total of ten each for the Rovers!"
+
+"And fourteen for Bangs!"
+
+"I told you Lest could hold 'em down!" shouted Billy Sands.
+
+"Just wait till they shoot with the rifles. He'll walk away from 'em!"
+added Paul Halliday.
+
+It must be admitted that the Rovers and their chums were somewhat
+disappointed that the score stood four points in favor of Brassy.
+
+"Now, Fred, do your best," whispered Andy to his cousin, as the latter
+went to the front after carefully examining the rifle handed to him by
+Captain Dale.
+
+The firearm was a light affair, but of approved pattern and supposed to
+be quite accurate for use at a distance of two hundred yards.
+
+Fred took longer to aim with the rifle than he had with the pistol, and
+there was a breathless silence until after the report rang out.
+
+"A four!"
+
+"That's the stuff, Fred!"
+
+"Now, Brassy, let us see what you can do!"
+
+As confident as ever, Brassy Bangs came to the front, took the rifle
+handed to him, and shot rather hastily.
+
+"A three!"
+
+Jack was up next, and to the dismay of many of his friends made only a
+2.
+
+Then came the second round with rifles, and in that Fred scored a 4,
+Bangs a 1, and Jack a 3.
+
+"Hurrah! Fred Rover and Brassy Bangs are tied with eighteen points
+each."
+
+"And Jack Rover has fifteen points."
+
+Then came the final round, and amid a breathless silence Fred shot and
+scored a bull's-eye. Then came Bangs, and made a 2. And Jack ended the
+contest with a bull's-eye.
+
+"Hurrah! Fred Rover wins the match with twenty-three points!"
+
+"Yes, and Jack Rover and Brassy Bangs are tied for second place with
+twenty each!"
+
+"Hurrah for Fred Rover!"
+
+"Pretty good shooting, I'll say!"
+
+"It was all to the merry, Fred!" exclaimed Jack, as he caught his
+cousin's hand. "You did fine!"
+
+"The best ever!" burst out Andy.
+
+"Say, Jack, why don't you and Brassy shoot off the tie?" questioned
+Spouter.
+
+"I'm willing," was the ready reply of the young captain.
+
+"I'll shoot off the tie with pistols," put in Brassy quickly.
+
+"No, let it be with rifles," broke in Randy.
+
+"I'll tell you what I think would be fair," announced Captain Dale. "Each
+of you take one shot with a rifle and one shot with a pistol." And after
+quite a little discussion it was so agreed.
+
+The pistols were used first, and there Brassy made a bull's-eye while
+Jack managed to register a 4. Then the rifles were used, and here Jack,
+shooting first, made a bull's-eye while Brassy got a 2.
+
+"Hurrah! Nine to seven in favor of Captain Rover!"
+
+"Some shooting, Jack!"
+
+"If you had shot as good as that in the first contest you might have
+beaten Fred."
+
+"I'm quite content, even if I didn't beat Fred," announced the young
+captain, with a smile.
+
+Brassy Bangs was quite gloomy over the outcome of the contest, and he and
+his cronies lost no time in quitting the range.
+
+"I'm mighty glad you two fellows beat him," announced Gif. "Maybe it will
+take a little of the conceit out of him."
+
+"Well, Gif, you've got to admit he's a wonderful shot with the pistol,"
+answered Jack.
+
+"Yes. And his rifle work isn't any worse than mine," answered Andy. "Now,
+I'll promise to make a lot of bull's-eyes for you if you'll let me use a
+good-sized shotgun or a blunderbuss," and at this there was a snicker.
+
+For the rest of that day Brassy Bangs had little to say. But the next
+morning he was as loud-mouthed as ever, declaring that he would have won
+the contest had he been allowed to use his own pistol--a long affair of
+the old-fashioned western variety.
+
+"Had he done that it might have given him one more point," declared
+Randy. "Of course that would have put him ahead of Jack in the first
+contest, but it wouldn't have helped him when it came to the rifle
+work."
+
+"Oh, let's drop Brassy," said Jack. "I am really getting tired of hearing
+of him."
+
+"I can't bear him," put in Phil Franklin. "Once or twice he has tried to
+become chummy with me, but I've always given him the cold shoulder."
+
+It was now drawing on toward the time for the election, and there was a
+great deal of wire-pulling among the various cadets as to who might run
+for the offices. Three names were in the field for the office of major:
+Jack, a Captain Glasby, and a Lieutenant Harkness.
+
+Glasby was a fellow who was very well liked, while Harkness was a
+lieutenant who at one time had been more or less of a crony of Nappy
+Martell, Gabe Werner, and others of the crowd that had been opposed to
+the Rover boys.
+
+"Well, I sha'n't complain if Glasby gets the position," declared Jack.
+"But I'd hate mightily to see Lieutenant Harkness at the head of the
+school battalion."
+
+"I never liked Harkness myself," put in Spouter. "He isn't a bit better
+in many respects than Gabe Werner."
+
+It was soon noised around the school that Brassy Bangs and his cronies
+were doing their best for Harkness, while another crowd, led by Bart
+White, were rooting in rather a lively fashion for Captain Glasby.
+
+"We've got to get busy for Jack," said Gif to Spouter. "Come on! Let's
+sound out all the fellows in the Hall we think we can influence." And
+thereupon he and Spouter and a number of others set to work to
+electioneer for Jack as hard as they could.
+
+Several days before the election Andy and Randy obtained permission to go
+to Haven Point on an errand. It was rather a disagreeable, misty day, and
+they were tramping along through the mud on the outskirts of the town
+when they saw Brassy Bangs and a stranger ahead of them. The stranger was
+a tall, thin individual, dressed in an old-fashioned suit of rusty black
+and with a big slouch hat pulled well down over his head. He was puffing
+away at a large black cigar, and seemed to be very much in earnest in
+what he was saying to Brassy.
+
+"I saw that fellow around the school about a week ago," declared Randy.
+"He didn't look like a very nice sort, either."
+
+"He certainly has a fierce-looking mustache," was Andy's comment. "And
+it's as red as his hair."
+
+"I tell you I can't do it, and that's all there is to it," the boys heard
+Brassy exclaim, in reply to something the stranger had said.
+
+"And I say you've got to do it," returned the man, and his tone was
+decidedly ugly. "You've got to do it--or otherwise you've got to take the
+consequences."
+
+"You wouldn't be so mean, Haddon!" pleaded Brassy, and now the Rovers
+could see that he was more or less scared.
+
+"Wouldn't I?" returned the strange man harshly. "You just try me and see!
+The best thing you can do is to agree to what I said. If you don't,
+well----" and here the tall man shrugged his shoulders--"you'll do as I
+said before--or you'll take the consequences."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+SPOUTER'S SECRET
+
+
+"Say, this is rather interesting," remarked Randy in a low tone to his
+brother.
+
+"That fellow is certainly threatening Brassy," returned Andy. "I wonder
+what it can be all about."
+
+"He wants Brassy to do something."
+
+The two Rovers kept on behind Bangs and the man called Haddon, and
+presently saw them turn down a side street where was located a small
+factory that had been in operation during the war but which was now
+closed. Both disappeared into a shed attached to the factory.
+
+"Let's see if we can find out what it's all about," said Randy.
+
+"I'm willing," answered his twin. "Maybe that fellow will grow abusive
+and hurt Brassy."
+
+"Well, a good licking wouldn't hurt him," answered his brother, with a
+grin.
+
+"Oh, that's all right. But we don't want to see him half killed even if
+we don't like him."
+
+"You trust Brassy to take care of himself," was the quick reply.
+
+The twins hurried to the shed and there found that the door had been left
+open and that the man and their fellow-cadet had gone into another part
+of the low building.
+
+"You know as well as I do that that barn and them hosses was worth at
+least twelve thousand dollars," the man was saying to Brassy. "That was a
+big loss for John Calder."
+
+"Please don't say another word about it!" pleaded Brassy.
+
+"I won't if you'll do as I told you to."
+
+"But I've let you have a hundred and ten dollars already! It's every cent
+I can spare!"
+
+"Well, I've got to have more."
+
+"I'll bet you've been gambling it away, Haddon."
+
+"It's none of your business what Bud Haddon does with his money!"
+exclaimed the stranger, with a toss of his head and blowing a ring of
+tobacco smoke toward the ceiling of the shed. "If you don't want me to
+start things you do as I told you to."
+
+"Do you know what I think!" exclaimed Brassy, after a pause. "I think
+those tramp cowboys were guilty."
+
+"You can't put that off on no cowboys!" exclaimed Bud Haddon. "I know all
+about it, and so do Jillson and Dusenbury."
+
+"They don't know anything--at least they don't know anything about me!"
+cried Brassy. But it was plainly to be seen that he was exceedingly
+nervous. "Somebody's been cooking up a story against me!"
+
+"Ain't nobody cookin' up nothin'," growled the man. "I know what I'm
+talkin' about. You'd better get busy if you know when you're well off. If
+you don't, and your uncle gets wind of this--well, good-night for you!"
+
+"Oh, don't say anything to my uncle! Please don't!"
+
+"Well, then you get busy. I've hung around here about as long as I intend
+to. I'm goin' back to Chicago in a few days."
+
+At this juncture the Rovers heard a noise outside, and several boys
+playing hide-and-seek appeared. Not wishing to be discovered by Brassy
+and his companion, Andy and Randy hurried out into the street and up to
+the corner. Here they waited for a while, and presently saw Brassy and
+Bud Haddon come forth. The man sauntered away in the direction of the
+town while Brassy sped off on the winding road leading to Colby Hall.
+
+"Now what do you make of this?" questioned Randy, as he and his brother
+continued on their errand.
+
+"It looks rather suspicious to me," answered Andy. "It looks as if Brassy
+had done something that wasn't right and this man was going to expose him
+unless Brassy paid over some hush money."
+
+"Yes, and from what Brassy said, he evidently has already paid the man
+one hundred and ten dollars."
+
+On the way back to Colby Hall after their errand was finished the twins
+discussed the matter, but could arrive at no satisfactory conclusion.
+That evening they told their cousins of what they had heard, and also
+mentioned the matter to Gif and Spouter.
+
+"It looks to me as if that Bud Haddon had a hold on Brassy," remarked
+Jack. "But whether Brassy is really guilty or not of some wrongdoing
+remains to be found out."
+
+"I wouldn't put it past him to do something that wasn't right," came from
+Fred.
+
+"That remains to be seen, Fred. Brassy might do some things that we
+wouldn't do; but at the same time I doubt if he's so very bad at heart.
+He's loud-mouthed and has a hasty temper, and he likes to show off, and
+all that sort of thing, but that doesn't say he's a criminal."
+
+"That Bud Haddon looks like a bad one," announced Randy. "I wouldn't
+trust him with a nickel."
+
+"It certainly is a mystery," came from Fred. "Just the same as it's a
+mystery about Professor Duke."
+
+"Gosh, don't mention Duke!" broke out Gif. "I had all I could do to keep
+from getting into a row with him this morning. He certainly is a tart one
+at times."
+
+"But he looks troubled," answered Jack. "Ever since Colonel Colby spoke
+about him I've been watching him carefully. And, believe me, that man has
+something on his mind that's far from pleasant."
+
+"He certainly comes and goes a good deal," said Spouter. "He was away
+several hours last night and the night before. And I understand he's
+going away to-morrow afternoon again."
+
+"Colonel Colby must know it's all right. Otherwise he wouldn't let him go
+away so much," declared Gif.
+
+On the following morning when the mail was distributed Spouter received a
+letter from his father that interested him greatly. He read the
+communication several times, and then, placing it in his pocket, ran off
+to where he had left Gif.
+
+"Come on, Gif!" he cried gayly. "I've got great news! Come ahead and help
+find the Rovers."
+
+"What's the news?" demanded the other, as they hurried on side by side.
+
+"Just wait and I'll tell you all about it--maybe." And then Spouter
+stopped short, struck by a sudden idea. He thought for a few seconds and
+then his face broke into a broad smile.
+
+The two boys found the Rovers up in Room 20, which the four cousins used
+as a sitting room. All were busy studying and looked up in surprise as
+Spouter dashed in with Gif at his heels.
+
+"Glorious news, boys! Glorious news!" sang out Spouter, as he beamed at
+them.
+
+"What is it?" they demanded in chorus.
+
+"Glorious, I tell you, glorious!" Spouter waved his hands eloquently.
+"Why remain cooped up here within the dingy walls of a school when the
+mighty plains, the boundless forests, the leaping streams, and the azure
+blue of the skies await you? Why snuff the tainted air of the musty
+classroom when the free ozone of the hills and mountains beckons to you?
+Why waste time over musty books when rifle and fishing rod can be had,
+when one can fling himself in the saddle and go dashing madly across
+the----"
+
+"Jumping crabs and hopping mud turtles!" exclaimed Andy. "Spouter has got
+'em again!"
+
+"What is this, Spouter?" demanded Randy. "A moving picture, or just a
+plain everyday nightmare?"
+
+"Ha, ha!" continued Spouter, prancing around. "Whoopee! Bang! Bang! Let
+her go, boys! Lasso him quick before he gets away!" and the talkative
+cadet made a movement as if throwing a lasso.
+
+"Say, Spouter, come down to earth, will you?" cried Jack, grabbing his
+chum by the shoulder. "What's the matter with you?"
+
+"Maybe he swallowed a few yeast cakes by mistake," remarked Andy.
+
+"It's the best news ever, fellows!" went on Spouter. "I got it this
+morning."
+
+"All right! Let's have it," came quickly from Fred.
+
+"I've been waiting for this news for several weeks."
+
+"News from where?" came from the others.
+
+"News from home."
+
+"From your dad?" questioned Randy.
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"What has he done now--bought you an automobile?" questioned Gif.
+
+"Better than that!"
+
+"For goodness' sake, spill out what you've got to say!" returned Fred, in
+exasperation.
+
+"When we went to Cedar Lodge on our grand hunt we were Gif's guests,"
+resumed Spouter. "This summer the tables are to be turned, and all of you
+are to be the guests of yours truly."
+
+"Gee, that sounds interesting, Spouter!" cried Randy.
+
+"Where do we go and when?" questioned his twin.
+
+"You're to go just as soon as school shuts down and you can get ready."
+
+"And where to?" questioned Jack curiously.
+
+"Ha! that's the deep, dark and delightful secret," returned Spouter.
+"You're all to be my guests, and I'll promise you the time of your lives.
+Oh, boys, but this is going to be something great!" And the cadet
+playfully pounded one and another on the shoulder with his fist.
+
+"But how can we go if we don't know where we're going?" asked Fred.
+
+"You'll know, Fred, before you're on the way," was the mysterious answer.
+"And, believe me, after you've found out you won't want to turn back."
+
+"What! do you mean you're not going to tell us where we're going?"
+demanded Jack, in astonishment.
+
+"Exactly, Jack. That's going to be my little secret until this school
+shuts up," and Spouter folded his arms calmly and grinned at all his
+chums.
+
+They looked at him in blank amazement. This was a proceeding that had
+never happened before. Suddenly Gif made a dash forward.
+
+"Let's pound it out of him!"
+
+"That's the talk! We'll make him tell!"
+
+"Pull him down and sit on him!"
+
+"Pull off his shoes and tickle his feet! He's got to tell!"
+
+"Poke him in the ribs!"
+
+"He got a letter this morning. I'll bet the news is in that!" shouted
+Gif. "It's in his pocket now!"
+
+All attempted to pounce upon Spouter, but he was too quick for them, and,
+dashing across the room, he shot into Fred's bedroom, banging the door
+after him. Then, as the others followed, he ran out into the corridor and
+then sped for his own room, where he locked the door behind him. Then he
+hid the letter in a place where he was sure none of his chums would find
+it.
+
+"Well, this takes the bakery!" announced Randy, after all of them had
+pounded on Spouter's door in vain. "What do you suppose it means?"
+
+"It's simple enough," remarked Jack. "Spouter is going to invite us on
+some sort of outing this summer, but he doesn't want to tell us yet what
+sort it's to be."
+
+"He spoke about mountains and rivers and horseback riding," said Randy.
+"That looks like some sort of outdoor affair," and his eyes glistened.
+
+"Come on out, Spouter, and let us love you a little," called Fred through
+the keyhole.
+
+"You go on down and I'll meet you downstairs," was the reply. "And
+remember, you're not to know another word about this until vacation
+comes."
+
+"Going to take us away in a submarine, Spouter?" demanded Andy.
+
+"No, he's going to take us in an airship to the south pole," declared his
+twin.
+
+"Never mind where I'm going to take you," answered Spouter. "You just
+keep calm until vacation time comes, and then you'll learn fast enough in
+what direction you're going to travel. And, believe me, we'll have some
+outing, or else I'll miss my guess."
+
+And with this statement the Rover boys and Gif had to be content.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE ELECTION FOR OFFICERS
+
+
+"Company attention! Shoulder arms! Forward march!"
+
+Boom! Boom! Boom, boom, boom!
+
+The drums rang out clearly on the morning air and the Colby Hall
+battalion swung into line on a march that carried it around the school
+buildings and then to the lake shore. Here Colonel Colby and Captain Dale
+inspected the three companies. Then the retiring major, Ralph Mason, was
+called on for a little speech which brought forth many cheers, and after
+this the command was dismissed.
+
+It was the day for the election, and there was to be no school session
+until the afternoon.
+
+At the last election there had been a total of 111 votes cast. But now
+there were one hundred and twenty-five cadets at the institution. There
+had been some talk of organizing a new command to be known as Company D,
+but so far this had not materialized.
+
+As was the custom, the election was held in the main hall of the school
+and was presided over by Captain Dale and Professor Brice.
+
+"I see they expect a hundred and twenty-five votes," remarked Randy.
+"That means sixty-three will be necessary to a choice."
+
+"Well, I'm sure Jack will get at least forty on the first vote," returned
+his brother.
+
+"I hope he gets the whole sixty-three," put in Dan Soppinger. Dan had
+once run for a captaincy, but had dropped out and turned most of his
+attention to athletics.
+
+As at other elections, it was decided by Colonel Colby that each officer
+should be voted for separately.
+
+"We'll try for a new major first," announced the head of the Hall.
+
+The ballot box was placed on the table, and after a short intermission
+during which there was some very active electioneering among the various
+groups assembled, a bell rang and the cadets were formed in one long line
+and told to march up and deposit their ballots in the box.
+
+It must be admitted that Jack was rather anxious, although he did his
+best to conceal it. He smiled at Captain Glasby, who smiled back. Then he
+smiled at Lieutenant Harkness, but that under-officer only favored him
+with a scowl.
+
+"Harkness will never win anything with that look on his face," was Gif's
+comment, as he noticed the scowl. "The fellows like an officer who can
+take things pleasantly."
+
+It did not take the cadets long to vote, and as soon as all of the
+ballots had been cast Captain Dale, assisted by Professor Brice, began to
+tabulate the vote. In less than ten minutes they had finished. Then a
+bell rang and Captain Dale came forward to read the result.
+
+"Total number of votes cast  . . . . . . . 125
+Necessary to a choice  . . . . . . . . . .  63
+Louis Glasby has . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
+Jack Rover has . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50
+Darrell Harkness has . . . . . . . . . . .  24"
+
+"What do you know about that!" exclaimed Fred. "Jack and Glasby are
+within one vote of each other!"
+
+"I'll say that's getting pretty close," answered Randy.
+
+"As no cadet has received the number of votes necessary to a choice, I
+will give the school a recess for fifteen minutes. Then we will vote
+again--for the same cadets or for new ones if you feel so inclined."
+
+After this brief announcement by Captain Dale came a hum of voices and
+there was some strenuous electioneering in all parts of the hall and also
+in the corridors and out on the campus.
+
+"Glasby is stronger than I thought he was," remarked Gif to Jack. "We'll
+have to do some tall work to overcome his vote."
+
+"I think we can get some of the Harkness fellows to come over to us," put
+in Spouter. "I don't believe he's as popular as he thinks."
+
+"Maybe we can get him to withdraw," suggested Andy, with a grin.
+
+"Withdraw, not!" broke out Fred. "He's not that sort."
+
+While the conversation was going on somebody touched Jack on the
+shoulder, and turning he found himself confronted by Paul Halliday.
+
+"Say, see here, Rover! I'd like a word with you," whispered Halliday
+somewhat excitedly.
+
+"All right, shoot!" answered the young captain.
+
+"This is a little private matter," went on Halliday. "You can bring your
+cousins along if you want to," he added.
+
+Wondering what Halliday had in his mind, Jack, along with Fred and Andy
+who happened to be close by, followed him to an out-of-the-way corner of
+a corridor.
+
+"We want to know if you're willing to make a deal with us," said Halliday
+in a low, nervous tone of voice. "You know Harkness got twenty-four
+votes. Well, he's willing to throw those votes to you if you are willing
+to back him for the new captain of Company C."
+
+"I can't do that," answered Jack quickly. "If I get to be major I'm going
+to back Fred here for the captaincy."
+
+"Oh, but, Jack, I could drop out of that!" put in his cousin quickly.
+
+"Not much, Fred! I said I was going to do it, and I'm going to stick to
+my word. Besides that, I might as well tell you, Halliday, that I don't
+believe Harkness is the best fellow for the position."
+
+"Then you won't consider my offer?" demanded Halliday sourly.
+
+"Certainly not!"
+
+"I don't believe you can control the Harkness votes," put in Andy. "I
+believe Jack will get a whole lot of them on the next ballot."
+
+"He won't get a one of them, and he'll lose some of his own!" answered
+Paul Halliday. "You just wait and see!" And then he walked away.
+
+"Jack, that move might have given you the majorship," said Fred.
+
+"If I've got to get it that way, Fred, I don't want it," was the prompt
+reply. "I wouldn't vote for Harkness under any circumstances. He's in
+hand and glove with Brassy Bangs, Halliday, Sands, and that whole bunch;
+and I don't believe he ought to be an officer."
+
+A few minutes later came a commotion near the main entrance of the Hall.
+A cadet named Gibson who was doing some electioneering for Glasby had
+knocked Paul Halliday down, and there was every prospect of a fight when
+the two cadets were separated by a number of friends.
+
+"He offered to sell the Harkness vote if our crowd would vote later on
+the way he wanted us to!" declared Gibson. "You would think he had half
+the vote of the Hall in his pocket," and he glared at Halliday, who
+thereupon lost no time in sneaking out of sight.
+
+The report that Halliday, Sands, and even Brassy Bangs were trying to
+sell the Harkness vote in exchange for some votes for a captaincy soon
+spread, and a number of the cadets who had voted for the lieutenant
+became disgusted and promptly said they were going to change. A lively
+discussion followed, in the midst of which the bell rang for the second
+ballot.
+
+"Gee, Jack! if some of those fellows do change their votes I hope they
+come to you," murmured Gif.
+
+"Well, I must confess I'm hoping that myself," answered the young
+captain, with a smile.
+
+Once more the boys lined up and deposited their ballots. Then came some
+anxious waiting, and finally Captain Dale announced the result:
+
+"Total number of votes cast.....125 Necessary to a choice............63
+Jack Rover has...................67 Louis Glasby has.................46
+Darrell Harkness has..............9 Peter Floyd has...................3"
+
+"Hurrah! Jack wins!" cried Fred enthusiastically, and was the first
+person to grab his cousin by the hand and shake it warmly.
+
+"That's great, Jack!" exclaimed Gif, slapping him on the shoulder. "Let
+me congratulate you!"
+
+"It's just the result I was looking for!" burst in Spouter, his face
+wreathed in smiles.
+
+Of course, Louis Glasby was much disappointed, but he took his defeat in
+good part and came up bravely to shake Jack by the hand.
+
+"It was a fair and square contest, Jack," he said. "And I congratulate
+you." And then turning to the other cadets he called out: "Three cheers
+for Major Rover!" They were given with a will; and then Colonel Colby,
+Captain Dale, and many of the older persons came forward to congratulate
+the newly-elected head of the school battalion.
+
+"Speech! Speech!" came the cry from the students. "A speech from the new
+major!" and almost before he was aware of it Jack was escorted to the
+platform.
+
+"I don't know what to say to you," he said, as he faced his
+fellow-students. "I thank you very heartily for your support and I will
+do my best to deserve it. I want to say that I am particularly pleased at
+the nice manner in which Louis Glasby has taken his defeat. He's a fine
+fellow and I hope I shall always have him for my friend." And following
+these words there was more cheering.
+
+"Evidently the Harkness combination went to pieces," remarked Randy. "He
+polled only nine votes."
+
+"And that was nine too many," murmured his brother.
+
+Following the election for major, Captain Dale announced that they would
+next vote for a new captain for Company A.
+
+"I don't know what you fellows are going to do, but I know I'm going to
+vote for Louis Glasby," announced Jack.
+
+"I think a whole lot of fellows will do that," answered Fred. "He'll
+probably get every one of his original fifty-one votes."
+
+Again there was an intermission of a quarter of an hour, and then the
+boys were lined up for the vote to fill the vacancy in Company A. On the
+first ballot Glasby got 60 votes while Fred poled 18 votes, the rest
+being scattering. Then on the second ballot Glasby was declared elected
+with 69 votes in his favor.
+
+"Three cheers for Captain Glasby of Company A!" called out Jack quickly,
+as he shook hands with his late rival, and the cheers were given with as
+much of a will as they had been for the newly-elected major.
+
+"Well, I got thirty-two votes on that last ballot," announced Fred. "That
+shows I've got some friends in this school. I don't want to be the
+captain of Company A. I'd rather remain a lieutenant of Company C."
+
+"But we've got to have a new captain for Company C now that Jack has
+stepped out," put in Phil Franklin.
+
+A quarter of an hour later the balloting began for a new captain for the
+company Jack had commanded. Here developed a spirited rivalry, and it was
+not until the fifth ballot that the final vote was taken. Then Fred won
+by 64 votes with the other votes scattered among eight contestants.
+
+"Three cheers for Captain Fred Rover!" shouted Phil Franklin
+enthusiastically, and threw his cap high in the air. He had electioneered
+as hard as anybody for the youngest Rover.
+
+Then Fred was called on for a little speech, and after that there was
+another election for lieutenants and a number of minor officers.
+
+"It certainly was our day, Fred," said Jack, as he and his cousin shook
+hands.
+
+"Right you are, Major Rover," and Fred saluted in the most precise
+military fashion.
+
+"Bonfires to-night, boys!" sang out Andy. "And we'll have some big
+doings, believe me!"
+
+"Right you are!" declared his twin.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+BONFIRE NIGHT
+
+
+It was the custom at Colby Hall for the officers of the battalion to take
+dinner with Colonel Colby on the day of an election. This was quite a
+formal affair and the cadets to participate made it a point to look their
+best.
+
+"Say, Jack, you're going to make a stunning looking major," remarked
+Fred, as he watched his cousin dressing.
+
+"How about yourself as captain?" was the reply.
+
+"Just wait till Ruth Stevenson sees Jack in his new uniform!" cried
+Randy.
+
+"Say, Jack, why not have a life-sized photo taken and give it to her to
+hang over her dressing table?" put in Andy, with a grin.
+
+"You beware, Andy," admonished his cousin, waving a finger severely at
+him. "Remember, as the commandant of the battalion, I can throw you into
+a dungeon cell if I feel so inclined," and Jack strutted around grandly
+in the privacy of the Rovers' sitting room.
+
+"I'll be good, oh, Most Noble One," answered the fun-loving Rover, bowing
+down until his head almost touched his feet.
+
+Jack and Fred had already sent word to Martha and Mary, and they, of
+course, had told Ruth and the others. It is needless to say that the
+Rover girls and their chums were almost as much pleased over the results
+of the election as the boys had been.
+
+"I'm just dying to see them on parade with Jack at the head," confided
+Martha to the others.
+
+"Yes, and Fred in command of Company C," added Mary. "Just to think of
+it! And he so much younger than the others!"
+
+"I hope I'm on hand to see their first parade," said Ruth, her eyes
+beaming with pleasure.
+
+"I thought you were going to write Jack a letter about that party," said
+Martha in a low tone.
+
+"I am. To-night. And I'll let him know that I've wanted to do it ever
+since the party was talked of," went on Ruth.
+
+The officers' dinner was a great success. Every one present made a little
+speech and Colonel Colby and Captain Dale made addresses to which the
+cadets listened with keen attention.
+
+"It is my desire to make this military academy one of the best in the
+country," declared the colonel earnestly. "And I cannot do that without
+the sincere cooperation of every cadet attending the institution. As many
+of you know"--and here he glanced at Jack and Fred--"when I was about
+your age I attended Putnam Hall Military Academy. I am sure the training
+I received there did me much good, and I am also sure that I made many
+friends who will stand by me as long as I live.
+
+"I want this institution to be one of good-fellowship all around, and I
+am relying upon all of you to do your best. At Putnam Hall in many
+respects we followed the honor system which I have put into operation
+here. That honor system did not fail there, and I do not look for it to
+fail here. I want you all to have a good time; but there is a limit, and
+every one of you knows what that limit is just as well as I do. In the
+late war the training which some of our soldiers had received at Putnam
+Hall stood them in good stead. And I want the training received here to
+be of equal benefit if any of my cadets should ever be called upon to
+fight for our country."
+
+"Three cheers for Colonel Colby!" came from Jack a minute later, and the
+boys assembled nearly split their throats trying to do justice to their
+feelings.
+
+While this dinner was going on the other cadets had their repast in the
+mess hall and then flew off in all directions to prepare for the real
+festivities of the evening. They had gotten together several piles of
+barrels and boxes, as well as brushwood from the forest behind the
+school, and these were soon heaped up along the river bank into great
+bonfires, the light of which could be seen a long distance.
+
+"It's going to be some night, believe me!" sang out Andy merrily. "We'll
+tear the woodpile down, as the old saying is."
+
+"We want to be a little bit careful or else we'll have Snopper Duke or
+some other professor calling us down."
+
+"Snopper Duke is going away. I heard him tell one of the other teachers
+that he had had a sudden call to go somewhere out of town," answered
+Randy.
+
+"Going away again, eh?" questioned Gif, in surprise. "He certainly is
+getting to be a regular Man of Mystery."
+
+The greater part of the cadets were wildly excited over the prospects of
+a good time that night. A few of them, however, including Lieutenant
+Harkness, Paul Halliday, and Brassy Bangs, looked far from pleased.
+
+"They make me tired," was Brassy's comment. "You'd think that being major
+of the school battalion was next to being president."
+
+"If I can't be anything better than a lieutenant I think I'll resign
+altogether," returned Harkness. "I'd rather go in for athletics."
+
+"You'll have a pretty good chance if you do," announced Paul Halliday. "I
+understand they're going to try to divorce the officers from
+participating in baseball and football as much as possible. A fellow can
+hold a commission and be on a team at the same time only when it seems
+absolutely necessary."
+
+"Then Jack Rover and Fred Rover will have to give up playing baseball,"
+put in Brassy quickly.
+
+"More than likely. Although, of course, they'll hate to lose such good
+players as they are," put in another cadet who was present.
+
+When the officers' dinner was at an end Jack and Fred lost no time in
+hurrying to their rooms, where they donned their old uniforms. It was
+what was termed a "holiday night" at the Hall, which meant that for the
+time being the cadets were all on an even footing and must treat each
+other as if such a thing as an officer was unknown.
+
+By the time Jack and Fred joined the crowd along the river bank the fun
+was at its height. Many of the cadets were running around indulging in
+all sorts of horseplay while others were dancing around the bonfires
+singing the songs they had learned in the school and while at the
+encampments. Several of the boys, including Andy, were in clowns' costume
+with big slapsticks which they used vigorously on everybody who came
+within their reach.
+
+"Hurrah, boys, let her flicker!" cried Fred, as he rushed forward.
+"Everybody join in!" he added, and then boomed out with this well-known
+Hall refrain:
+
+    "Who are we?
+    Can't you see?
+    Colby Hall!
+    Dum! Dum! Dum, dum, dum!
+    Here we come with fife and drum!
+    Colby! Colby! Colby Hall!"
+
+"That's the stuff!" cried Jack. "Let's have it again!" And then the
+refrain boomed out louder than ever.
+
+"Come on! Let's march around the school," came from Gif, and he caught up
+a firebrand as he spoke.
+
+A number of others were quick to follow his example, and in a minute more
+a torchlight procession was in progress, winding along over the campus,
+around the school, and through the edge of the woods beyond. Then the
+boys came back by way of the barns and sheds in the rear.
+
+"Look out that you don't set something on fire," warned Jack.
+
+"Something is on fire already!" burst out Andy suddenly.
+
+"You don't say!" queried Spouter.
+
+"Where is the fire?" demanded half a dozen others, looking around
+anxiously.
+
+"Right down there," declared the fun-loving Rover, and pointed to the
+bonfires along the river.
+
+"Wow! Let's duck him for that!" cried Phil Franklin.
+
+He made a dive for Andy and so did several others, but the agile Rover
+was too quick for them and danced out of their reach, having no desire to
+take an involuntary bath in the river, which at that time of the year was
+very cold.
+
+In the past the cadets had had considerable fun with Job Plunger, the
+school janitor, who was quite deaf and who was often called Shout because
+everybody had to shout at him to make him hear. But this time Plunger was
+wise and kept out of sight, as did also Pud Hicks, his assistant, and Bob
+Nixon, the chauffeur. The only person the boys could get hold of was Si
+Crews, the gymnastic instructor.
+
+"Give us a song, won't you?" asked several of the boys at once, for Si
+Crews was known to be quite a singer.
+
+"I will if Lowe will play the mandolin or the banjo," answered Crews.
+
+"That's the stuff, Ned!" called Fred. "Go on and get your mandolin."
+
+Ned Lowe, who was also a good singer, was willing, and at once ran off
+into the school to get the musical instrument mentioned. When he came out
+he tuned up hastily and then played while Si Crews sang one or two
+old-time songs. Then Ned gave the crowd one or two funny songs and a
+dozen or more of the cadets joined in the chorus.
+
+"Here's a chance to get square with Codfish!" cried Fred, as the sneak of
+the school showed himself in the crowd.
+
+"Oh, we might as well let Codfish drop," answered Jack.
+
+But before this could be done Andy and Randy caught hold of Stowell and
+pushed him forward through the circle of merry cadets around one of the
+fires.
+
+"We're going to initiate you in the Ancient Order of Cornmeal," declared
+Andy.
+
+"I don't want to be initiated," answered Codfish. "You let me alone!"
+
+[Illustration: THERE DESCENDED UPON CODFISH SEVERAL POUNDS OF
+FINELY-GROUND CORNMEAL.
+Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch (Page 131)]
+
+"Oh, but this is a first-class Order, Codfish," returned Randy. "If your
+reputation is bad it will render you almost spotless."
+
+"You let me go!" burst out Codfish in sudden fear, as Andy and Randy and
+several others came close to him. "I don't want any horseplay to-night.
+I'm tired out."
+
+"To be initiated in this Order you've got to lie down," continued Andy,
+and, motioning to his brother and some of the others, they suddenly
+caught poor Codfish and stretched him out on the grass in front of the
+fire.
+
+"Are you ready to be initiated?" questioned Randy solemnly, as he stood
+over Codfish with a small paper bag in one hand.
+
+"You let me----" began Codfish.
+
+"He says 'let me!'" burst out Randy quickly. "So go to it, Most Potent
+Sower of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Cornmeal! Go to it, I say!"
+
+And thereupon without further ado Randy overturned the paper bag he held
+in his hand and there descended upon Codfish several pounds of
+finely-ground meal which the lads had purchased in town a day or two
+before.
+
+"Hi! Hi! What's this? You let me go!" cried Codfish, and then began to
+splutter as the dry cornmeal got into his mouth and nose.
+
+"My, Codfish, you'd make a regular muffin now," declared Andy, as the
+whitened youth struggled to his feet.
+
+"Give us a song, Codfish."
+
+"Make it a regular corncake hoedown," put in Randy.
+
+"You let me go!" shrieked Codfish, and then in commingled rage and fear
+he suddenly caught up a long firebrand from the bonfire and whirled it
+around rapidly before him.
+
+"Get out of my way--all of you!" he screamed, and the next minute made a
+movement as if to dash the firebrand directly into Randy's face.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+
+
+"Drop that, Codfish!" exclaimed Randy, and backed away so suddenly that
+he tripped over some brushwood and came down flat on his back.
+
+"I'm not going to be tormented any more," stormed Codfish, and swung the
+firebrand around again, this time so the flames brushed Andy's shoulder
+and also Fred's arm.
+
+"Drop that, you imp!" exclaimed Ned Lowe. "Do you want to put out
+somebody's eyes?"
+
+"I don't care! You've got to let me alone!" screamed Codfish.
+
+"We won't let you alone until you learn how to behave yourself and act
+like the other fellows do," answered Andy. "You're the worst sneak this
+school ever had, and you know it!"
+
+"Yes, and see how you acted after all we did for you when we were at
+Cedar Lodge," added Randy, who had scrambled to his feet.
+
+"I--I didn't mean to say anything about those snowballs," whined Stowell.
+"They made me do it!" And thereupon, pitching the firebrand back on the
+bonfire, he pushed his way through the crowd of cadets and disappeared in
+the darkness in the direction of the school.
+
+"Gee, he certainly is a pill!" was Dan Soppinger's comment. "I think none
+of us would weep if Codfish left the school for good. How about it?"
+
+"Never mind--don't let it spoil the festivities," cried Andy gayly. "Come
+on! Everybody join in! A fine of one suspender button for the fellows who
+don't sing!" And thereupon he began a ditty he had composed during the
+war.
+
+    "Johnny get your musket!
+    You must get your musket!
+    Johnny get your musket!
+    You must get it now!"
+
+And this ditty the lads sang over and over again as they leaped and swung
+in a circle around the bonfires.
+
+But all gala occasions must come to an end, and by eleven o'clock the
+bonfires were nothing but heaps of smouldering ashes, and then one by one
+the cadets returned to the Hall and retired.
+
+"Well, Jack, it will seem kind of funny, won't it, to be at the head of
+the school battalion to-morrow morning?" questioned Gif, as he and the
+newly-elected major turned into the corridor leading to their rooms.
+
+"Yes, Gif. But it won't be so very strange either, because you know I had
+to command the battalion two or three times when the other officers were
+away."
+
+Their activities during the whole of the day had made the cadets sleepy,
+and nearly all turned in without much ado. Here and there there was an
+exception, and these included Fatty Hendry and Dan Soppinger.
+
+"I've got to get out some sort of a composition on City Improvements,"
+declared Fatty. "I don't know much about 'em, but if I don't get the
+paper in by nine o'clock to-morrow morning there's going to be trouble."
+
+"And I still have some examples in algebra to work out," answered Dan.
+"So I think I'll go at them before I retire."
+
+All of the Rovers slept soundly and did not awaken until they heard an
+unexpected knock on their door some time before the rising bell.
+
+"Let me in," came in the voice of Dan Soppinger. "I've got news."
+
+Jack opened the door and Dan came in, followed by Fatty.
+
+"Say, what do you know about this!" exclaimed Dan. "Colby Hall has been
+robbed!"
+
+"Robbed!" ejaculated Jack. "What do you mean? What did they take?"
+
+"What did they take!" burst out Fatty. "I guess they took about
+everything they could get their hands on that was easy to carry off. I
+lost my stickpin and my watch."
+
+"And I lost two old stickpins and two rings that I haven't been wearing,"
+put in Dan.
+
+"When did you find this out?" questioned the newly-elected major.
+
+"I made the discovery just when I was going to bed after doing some
+examples in algebra," answered Dan. "It was about half-past twelve, so I
+didn't want to wake anybody up--that is, none of the other fellows,
+although I did call on Fatty because I knew he was writing a composition.
+He looked around his room then and found he had been robbed, too. Then,
+as Professor Duke was away, we called on Professor Watson. He made an
+investigation and then said he would report to Colonel Colby the first
+thing this morning."
+
+The talk in Jack's room had brought Fred to the scene, and a few minutes
+later Randy and Andy came in, rubbing their eyes sleepily.
+
+"What was your stuff worth, Dan?" questioned Fred.
+
+"I think the rings were worth about fifteen dollars each, and the
+stickpins almost as much."
+
+"My stickpin was worth thirty-five dollars," groaned Fatty. "And the
+watch was a gold one given to me by my grandfather, and I wouldn't lose
+that for a good deal."
+
+"Hark! What's that commotion?" put in Jack suddenly.
+
+There was a murmur of excited voices in the corridor, and, throwing open
+the door, the Rovers and their friends came out to see what was up.
+
+"My room has been robbed!"
+
+"My watch is gone and a whole lot of other jewelry!"
+
+"I lost three dollars!"
+
+"Huh, that isn't anything! I lost fourteen dollars and a half!"
+
+So the talk ran on as an excited group of cadets, some fully attired and
+some still wearing their pajamas, crowded forward.
+
+"Say, what do you know about this!" exclaimed Fred.
+
+"Is anything belonging to us gone?" questioned Jack suddenly.
+
+"I'm going back to find out," came from Randy. "I was so sleepy last
+night that I just tumbled into bed and let it go at that."
+
+Without further ado the four Rovers ran back into the rooms they occupied
+and began a search of their chiffoniers and the other places where they
+kept their things of value.
+
+"My stickpin is gone and also one of my rings," groaned Randy.
+
+"I had a brand new five-dollar bill tucked away in one of my drawers,"
+said his brother. "I can't find it anywhere. And, yes, my wrist-watch is
+missing!"
+
+"My watch and chain and stickpin are gone, and likewise all my badges!"
+cried Fred. "Oh, this is the worst ever!"
+
+"Well, I'm out a ring and three stickpins," announced Jack, "including
+that brand new pin I got last year."
+
+As quickly as possible the four Rovers dressed and then joined the other
+cadets in the corridor. From all sides were heard excited exclamations as
+one pupil after another came forward to announce that either his jewelry
+or his money--and sometimes both--were gone.
+
+Colonel Colby and several of the professors had already been notified,
+and they quickly appeared on the scene and tried to interview the cadets.
+This, however, was a hard thing to undertake because nearly all the boys
+wanted to talk at once. There was so much excitement that for the time
+being the morning parade and breakfast were completely forgotten.
+
+"This is certainly a terrible state of affairs," remarked the colonel to
+Captain Dale. "Have you any idea who can be guilty?"
+
+"No, Colonel. I have always thought that every one connected with this
+school was honest."
+
+"It may be the work of some of the hired help," mused Colonel Colby. "But
+I hate to think that. Every one who is here came highly recommended."
+
+"We might make inquiry and see if any strangers were in the school last
+night during the celebration," suggested Captain Dale. "There was so much
+excitement that some one might have slipped in and out without our
+noticing."
+
+Finally Colonel Colby told all the cadets to go below for breakfast,
+dispensing with the early morning drill.
+
+"As soon as you have finished eating I wish each cadet to make a thorough
+search of his room and make out a written list of everything that is
+missing and sign the paper. Take careful note of everything when you are
+making your search, and if you find any clues to the perpetrator of this
+outrageous affair, let me know. The lists can be left at the office as
+soon as they are made out." And then, after a moment of thought, he
+added: "There will be no session of the school this morning."
+
+"Shall we notify the Haven Point authorities?" questioned Professor
+Brice.
+
+"Not at present. I wish to make my own investigation first," answered the
+head of the school.
+
+It did not take Jack and his cousins long to swallow their breakfast, and
+this finished, they hurried back to their rooms and began the search
+Colonel Colby had advised.
+
+"Well, I'm shy that gold fountain pen Aunt Martha gave me," announced
+Jack presently. "I'd forgotten about that because I didn't usually use
+it. I use the one mother gave me."
+
+Outside of this the Rovers could find nothing more missing nor did they
+locate anything in the way of a clue that might lead to the robber. They
+sat down and made out their brief lists, signed them, and then walked
+together down to the office.
+
+Here a crowd of cadets were coming and going. It was learned that
+twenty-two cadets in all had suffered losses which ranged from
+seventy-five cents to one hundred and twenty-five dollars. In all it was
+figured that the loss would amount to at least twelve hundred dollars.
+
+"This is about the worst thing that ever struck Colby Hall," announced
+Jack.
+
+"Who do you suppose did it?" questioned Randy.
+
+"Don't ask me, Randy. I'd hate to suspect any of the fellows."
+
+"Oh, I don't think any of the fellows did it!" burst out Fred.
+
+"Well, what about the hired help?" questioned Andy.
+
+"I don't know any of them that I'd suspect," said Jack promptly. "Every
+one looks like a pretty good sort."
+
+Only two cadets came forward with objects that might possibly be a clue
+to the robbery. One boy had picked up a handkerchief in his room that he
+said did not belong to him, and another boy had found the marks of muddy
+footprints over his window sill and on a fire-escape outside.
+
+"Say, that looks as if somebody had come up the fire-escape and got into
+the rooms that way," said Jack, when he heard of this.
+
+"They say the handkerchief that was picked up is not marked in any way,"
+said Gif.
+
+"Well, every handkerchief used by the cadets is marked," returned
+Spouter. "They've got to be that way or they'd get all mixed up in the
+laundry."
+
+"How about the help?"
+
+"Their stuff is all marked, too. One of the teachers told me so," put in
+Dan Soppinger.
+
+"Say, Ned! you came upstairs for your mandolin," cried Jack suddenly.
+"Did you see anybody up here?"
+
+"I don't remember that I did," answered Ned Lowe. "I was in such a hurry
+to get the instrument that I didn't pay much attention. And, besides
+that, it seemed pretty dark in here after coming away from that big
+bonfire."
+
+"A robber would be sure to keep out of Ned's sight," put in Fred.
+
+"I remember seeing some fellows in the lower hall--Major Mason, Bart
+White, and one or two others. But I can't seem to remember seeing anybody
+upstairs--and yet, somehow or other, it seems to me I did pass somebody
+just before I ran into my room," and now Ned looked perplexed.
+
+"Can't you think who it was?" questioned Andy quickly.
+
+"No, I can't."
+
+"If it was a stranger you would have remembered, wouldn't you?" asked
+Jack.
+
+"I think I would, Jack. I'd think right away what that person was doing
+upstairs." Ned scratched his head. "No, if I did meet somebody, I'm sure
+it must have been one of the cadets. But who it was, I can't think."
+
+A little later Colonel Colby continued his investigation by asking all
+those who had been inside the building during the celebration to come
+forward and tell anything they could that might be of advantage. It
+developed that not only Ned but also Ralph Mason, Bart White and two of
+the older cadets named Lawrence and Philips had been upstairs some time
+between eight and eleven o'clock. The most of these cadets said they had
+seen no one else upstairs in the building. But Bart White declared while
+at one end of a long corridor he had seen some one slip around a corner
+out of sight. He was not sure whether the person had been a cadet, one of
+the hired help, or an outsider.
+
+"It was either a man or a big boy," said Bart. "But he moved so quickly
+and it was so dark I didn't recognize him, even if I happened to know
+him."
+
+"And what time was this?" questioned Colonel Colby.
+
+"Some time between half-past nine and ten o'clock."
+
+Bart was asked to show the colonel where the disappearance of the
+stranger had taken place, and it was proved that this was at a point just
+around a corner from the room where the footprints leading to the
+fire-escape had been discovered.
+
+"Perhaps you saw the person just at the time he was making his escape,"
+was Colonel Colby's comment. "We will look for footprints below the
+fire-escape."
+
+This was done, but the cadets the night before had tramped around the
+school building so much that the footprints were hopelessly mixed. Then
+the boys were questioned as to whether or not they had seen any one
+dropping from the fire-escape to the ground, and all answered in the
+negative.
+
+"We will question the hired help and see what they have to say,"
+announced the master of the school.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE PARADE
+
+
+The inquiries made among the hired help of Colby Hall produced little
+results. Some of the servants were rather scared and declared to Colonel
+Colby that they were innocent of any wrong doing.
+
+"I am not accusing any one here," declared the master of the Hall. "I
+only want to find out, if possible, who was guilty of this outrageous
+proceeding."
+
+It was found that two men with wagon loads of supplies for the school had
+visited the place during the evening, but neither of these men had gone
+any further into the building than the storeroom, and both had departed
+as soon as their errands were finished. Outside of that, so far as the
+servants could remember, no outsiders had been on the premises.
+
+"And yet those footmarks on the window sill and the fire-escape look as
+if it had been done by an outsider," said Captain Dale to the head of the
+school.
+
+"It's just possible that it may have been an inside job and an outside
+job combined," ventured Professor Grawson.
+
+"What do you mean by that?"
+
+"Somebody in the institution may be in collusion with some outsider--some
+professional thief. The inside person may have given the outsider a tip
+as to when the coast was clear and may even have stood on guard while the
+rooms were being looted."
+
+"That is possible, Professor. But is there any one in the place that you
+suspect?"
+
+At this Professor Grawson shook his head.
+
+"No, sir. So far as I can imagine they are all thoroughly honest."
+
+"We might institute a general search of all the buildings," announced
+Captain Dale. "We can call all the cadets out on the campus and all the
+hired help into the mess room and request them to remain while the search
+is going on."
+
+"Some of the hired help may object to that," came from Professor Watson.
+
+"If they did it would throw suspicion on them," answered Colonel Colby
+quickly. "I think the idea had better be carried out."
+
+All the persons in the school were assembled as mentioned, and then
+Captain Dale explained to the cadets what had been proposed and Colonel
+Colby did the same to the hired help.
+
+"They're certainly welcome to search our rooms," declared Major Jack
+promptly.
+
+"And mine, too," added a score of others.
+
+"I'm sure I haven't anything to conceal," put in Lieutenant Harkness.
+
+"And I haven't anything to conceal either," came from Brassy Bangs. "They
+can search my room all they please." He had announced the loss of a
+stickpin and six dollars and a quarter in cash.
+
+Among the hired help there was more or less murmuring, one of the old
+cooks, an Irish woman who had been in the place since it had been opened,
+shaking her head dubiously.
+
+"Sure an' I didn't think yez would take me fer a thief, Colonel Colby,"
+said Bridget, gazing at the head of the school severely.
+
+"I'm not taking any one for a thief, Mrs. Mulligan," he answered. "But it
+would not be fair to search any of the rooms without searching all of
+them."
+
+"Sure an' that's true fer yez," announced the cook, nodding her head in
+assent. "An' if that's the way ye're after lookin' at it, go ahead and
+search me room all ye please. Only don't be disturbin' them trinkets I
+have from me dead mother."
+
+The search was made without delay, all of the teachers and the cadets who
+had lost their belongings taking part. It occupied the rest of the
+morning. Every room was gone over carefully, and when anything in the way
+of jewelry or other such articles as had been reported missing were
+discovered all those who had suffered were asked to look on and see if
+they could identify anything.
+
+"Gee! there's a fountain pen that belongs to me," cried one of the boys
+presently. And then he added in a crestfallen manner: "It's all right. I
+lent that to Bill Latimer a couple of weeks ago and forgot all about
+it."
+
+Outside of this incident the search came to an end with nothing out of
+the ordinary happening. Not an article that had been taken was discovered
+in any of the rooms occupied by the cadets or the hired help. Nor was
+anything discovered in any of the other rooms or closets of the
+institution.
+
+"It certainly is puzzling," declared Colonel Colby, after the search had
+been called off. "It looks to me as if a thief had gotten away with
+everything he took."
+
+"Either that or he has some hiding place which we as yet haven't
+unearthed," answered Captain Dale.
+
+After that the hired help were told they might go, and as soon as
+possible dinner was served to the cadets and the teachers. Then, when the
+pupils were told to go to their afternoon classes, Colonel Colby and
+Captain Dale held a conference in the office and notified the local
+police authorities.
+
+"I hate to do it," said Colonel Colby. "But there seems to be no help for
+it. It will certainly give our institution a black eye."
+
+"But I do not see how anyone can hold you responsible for this affair,"
+returned Captain Dale. "We are as watchful at this institution as they
+are anywhere."
+
+"Of course I shall not permit our cadets to lose anything by this," went
+on the master of the school quickly. "I shall ask each of them to value
+carefully what they have lost, and then, if the things are not recovered
+before the end of the term, I will make the loss good."
+
+"That would be very nice on your part, Colonel Colby. And I think it
+would be a good investment too," added Captain Dale. "It will prove to
+the parents of the cadets that you consider yourself responsible while
+they are under your care."
+
+When the local authorities came to the school they went over the ground
+carefully with Colonel Colby and some of the others and asked innumerable
+questions.
+
+"We have a number of strangers stopping in town, mostly traveling
+salesmen," announced the chief of police. "I'll look 'em up, and also
+look up any tramps or any other suspicious characters that may be hanging
+around." And that for the time being was all he could say. Soon he and
+his men departed.
+
+That evening Jack found a letter in his box which had been mailed early
+that morning at Haven Point. It was from Ruth. There was also a brief
+note to Fred which had been sent by May.
+
+In her communication to the newly-elected major Ruth congratulated him
+heartily on his success and said she hoped soon to see him in a parade at
+the head of the battalion. After that she wrote as follows about the
+sleighing party that had been called off:
+
+  "I received an invitation to that party from Lester Bangs and May
+  received an invitation from Paul Halliday. Jennie Mason, Ida
+  Brierley and several of the other girls had invitations and they
+  wanted us to go very much. But, of course, I did not want to go
+  with such a fellow as Bangs. Then he came to me and started a
+  report that all of you Rovers were going to another party with some
+  of the girls from the town, and that the party was to take place
+  the same night as our party. Of course, I did not want to say
+  anything about it, because I realized that you could do as you
+  pleased. But I told Bangs positively that I would not go with him
+  and May told the same thing to Halliday. Then both of them got
+  quite ugly and accused you and your cousin of trying to spoil his
+  outing. I told him you had had nothing to do with it, but he
+  declared that you had and that you had better look out or you would
+  get into hot water. So, Jack, please look out for him and tell Fred
+  to look out for Halliday and the others."
+
+There was more to the letter, and Jack read the communication with great
+interest. He felt greatly relieved to think that Ruth had not intended to
+accept Brassy's invitation, and later on he dropped her a note thanking
+her for her kind congratulations and telling her that the report of
+another party in which the Rovers and some girls from Haven Point were to
+participate had been faked up.
+
+The note received by Fred was on lines similar to the communication sent
+to Jack. He sent word to May clearing up the situation.
+
+"It was a mean thing for Bangs and Halliday to do," declared the
+newly-elected captain of Company C. "We ought to pitch into them."
+
+"We can't afford to do it, Fred, now that I'm a major and you're a
+captain," was Jack's reply. "Remember what Colonel Colby said: We must be
+models for the other cadets."
+
+"Great Scott! does that mean we can't stick up for our rights?" demanded
+the youngest Rover indignantly.
+
+"Not at all, Fred. If those fellows say anything, give it back to them.
+And if they start to fight, defend yourself just as well as you are
+able."
+
+As mentioned before, Snopper Duke had been absent from the Hall during
+the election for officers and the celebration which had followed. When he
+returned he looked much worried, and this worry was far from dispelled
+when he visited his room.
+
+"Colonel Colby, I, too, have been robbed!" he exclaimed, as he came
+rushing down to the office. "I've had a silver cardcase taken, and also a
+gold watch which has been in our family for several generations, a watch
+that belonged to my father and my grandfather."
+
+"It's too bad, Professor Duke," answered the master of the Hall
+seriously. "May I ask what the articles were worth?"
+
+"I don't suppose the cardcase was worth more than a few dollars, but the
+watch was of gold, and I presume it must have cost fifty or sixty
+dollars. It was an heirloom and I treasured it highly."
+
+"I am doing my best to find out something about the robbery," said
+Colonel Colby. "But so far all my efforts have been in vain. I intend, if
+the articles are not recovered by the time the school session comes to an
+end, to pay for everything that has been stolen." And that was all the
+master of the Hall could say.
+
+It must be admitted that both Jack and Fred felt quite proud when the
+first regular parade of the battalion took place that spring. The cousins
+had, of course, sent home word of the election and had received
+permission to purchase new uniforms. Both looked spick and span as they
+marched out at the head of their respective commands. It was a clear,
+warm day, and Colonel Colby announced that the cadets could parade
+through Haven Point to Clearwater Hall and return if they so desired.
+
+"Hurrah! That's the stuff!" cried Fred.
+
+And so it was arranged, and one of the teachers telephoned over to the
+girls' academy, to let those at that institution know what they might
+expect. Then one of the cadets telephoned to Felix Falstein, the owner of
+the Haven Point moving picture theater.
+
+"Falstein always hangs out his flags for us," said this cadet. "And he'll
+do it this time, I'm sure."
+
+Colby Hall now boasted of a drum and fife corps of twelve pieces, and
+they made merry music as the battalion marched away in the direction of
+Haven Point. All but three or four of the cadets were in the best of
+spirits.
+
+"I think marching over to Clearwater Hall is punk," declared Brassy
+Bangs, with a snarl. "Why can't they march some place worth while or just
+go around the town and let it go at that?"
+
+"I guess Jack Rover wants to show off before those girls," grumbled Paul
+Halliday.
+
+"I wouldn't go if I could get out of it," growled Brassy.
+
+"Oh, don't squeal," returned his crony quickly. "If you do they'll only
+laugh at us and make us go anyway."
+
+"Attention there, Bangs!" cried the captain of Company B, the command to
+which Brassy belonged. "No talking in the ranks!" And thereupon the
+cadets became silent.
+
+As had been anticipated, when the cadets reached Haven Point they found
+that Felix Falstein had outdone himself in the way of decorations. Not
+only were several flags displayed across the front of his theater, but he
+had strung two big flags across the street, and between them placed a
+banner which he had had painted some time before and which read:
+
+                              WELCOME TO
+                              COLBY HALL
+
+"That's very nice of him," remarked Jack, who was marching at the head of
+the procession with Captain Dale on horseback close beside him.
+
+"Very nice, indeed, Major Rover," answered the military man.
+
+"I wonder if we can't come to a halt here and go through the manual of
+arms?" went on the newly-elected major.
+
+"Certainly, if you wish to do so."
+
+"Battalion halt!" called out Jack, turning around and the three companies
+came to a stop.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+BASEBALL
+
+
+Soon the three companies of the Colby Hall battalion were in a long line
+in front of the moving picture theater. At once a crowd began to gather
+until several hundred people were assembled. Then the cadets were put
+through the manual of arms, after which followed some fancy evolutions in
+the street in front of the show house.
+
+"Very good! Very good, indeed!" shouted Felix Falstein, who was present.
+
+His face was beaming and he clapped his hands loudly, and, taking this
+hint, the crowd applauded with vigor. Then the march through Haven Point
+was resumed and soon the cadets came in sight of Clearwater Hall.
+
+They had good reason to feel proud of what those at the girls' school had
+done in their honor. The big flag was flying from the flagstaff on the
+campus and other flags were displayed from the front of the building. In
+addition to this the classes had been dismissed for the time being and
+nearly all the girls were out at the front of the school, many carrying
+small flags which they waved vigorously as the cadets approached.
+
+"Oh, don't they look grand!" cried Mary.
+
+"Superb!" added Martha ecstatically.
+
+"I do believe Jack has a brand new uniform," came from Ruth, and then she
+began to cheer and all the girls joined in.
+
+The cadets had been cautioned to preserve true military discipline, and
+they did their best not to smile and make eyes at their admirers. But it
+was hard work, and many a face broke into a grin impossible to control.
+
+Opposite the school the command came to a halt, and then Miss Garwood and
+a number of her teachers came forward to greet the cadets and those with
+them and invite them to the campus. Here another drill was given, the
+girls applauding louder than ever as each movement was executed with a
+precision that would have done credit to the cadets at West Point.
+
+"I'm sure that's as good as our fathers did at Putnam Hall," declared
+Mary to her cousin.
+
+Colonel Colby had come along with Captain Dale, and during the drilling
+had been in earnest conversation with Miss Garwood. Then came a surprise
+as the cadets were asked to march into the dining hall of the girls'
+school. Here they found generous plates of cake and ice-cream, as well as
+glasses of refreshing lemonade, awaiting them.
+
+"Gee, this is the best ever!" declared Andy, smacking his lips.
+
+"Yes. And what a surprise!" returned Randy.
+
+"Some day we'll have to return this compliment," came from Jack. "My,
+wouldn't it be a lark to have the girls in our mess hall and treat
+them?"
+
+"I suppose we'd have to give 'em regular soldiers fare," was Andy's dry
+comment. "Salt pork and baked beans and things like that," and he
+grinned.
+
+"Nothing doing!" declared Fred. "We'll feed 'em toasted marshmallows and
+angel cake," and at this sally there was a laugh.
+
+Following the refreshments the cadets were allowed fifteen minutes in
+which to walk around the school campus and mingle with the girl students.
+Jack, of course, at once sought out Ruth to tell her personally how much
+he appreciated the letter she had sent.
+
+"I hope, Jack, you haven't had any more trouble with Lester Bangs," the
+girl said anxiously.
+
+"Oh, he's growling around a little, but that's all," answered the young
+major. "I'm not paying any attention to him, Ruth. I'm mighty glad that
+you didn't accept his invitation," and he gave her a warm glance.
+
+"It was awful for him to get up that report about another party,"
+answered the girl. "Of course I didn't think it was true--that is, not
+what he said about you and your cousins."
+
+"Suppose we let the whole matter drop, Ruth, and forget Brassy Bangs and
+his crowd."
+
+"I'm sure I'm willing to do that, Jack." And then the girl added quickly:
+"You've had some terrible doings over at the Hall, so I have been told."
+
+"You mean the robbery, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes. Have they discovered anything?"
+
+"Not a thing. It certainly is a mystery."
+
+When the gathering of boys and girls broke up nearly every one was in the
+best of humor, the only exceptions being Brassy Bangs and Paul Halliday.
+These two unworthies had done their best to get on friendly terms with
+some of the girls, but had been snubbed in such a manner that it made
+them much crestfallen.
+
+"I'll be glad when we start back," grumbled Brassy to his crony.
+
+"Come on, let's take a walk outside," answered Halliday, and thereupon
+the pair left the school grounds.
+
+"What about baseball this spring, Jack?" questioned his sister just
+before the cadets were ready to start.
+
+"I'll be out of that this year. There is a new ruling that officers must
+step aside and let the other cadets have a chance on the baseball nine
+and the football eleven, as well as have a chance in the rowing and other
+contests. Colonel Colby has an idea that not enough cadets have filled
+these various places in the past. He wants to give every fellow a chance
+if possible."
+
+"Well, you can't blame him for that."
+
+"Not at all, Martha. I'm quite content to step aside so far as baseball
+is concerned, and so is Fred. We want to do our best as officers and also
+do our best with our studies. You know the folks at home are expecting us
+to make real records in the classrooms."
+
+"I know that only too well, Jack. Mary and I are working day and night on
+our lessons here. We're going to do our best to come out either at the
+head of our classes or very near to it."
+
+"How is Ruth making out?"
+
+"She's doing very well. Of course, she had a hard struggle to catch up on
+account of the time lost because of her eyesight."
+
+Following the parade to Clearwater Hall the cadets settled down to the
+usual routine of drills and studies. But soon there came a call for
+aspirants to the baseball team, and then talk of the coming matches with
+Columbus Academy, Hixley High, and Longley Academy filled the air.
+
+"Gee! it makes my hands tingle to think about baseball," sighed Fred,
+when talking the matter over with Jack.
+
+"I feel the same way," answered the young major. "But remember, Fred, we
+can't have everything in this world, and I'd rather be major of the
+school battalion--at least, for one term."
+
+"Of course! And I'd rather be captain of Company C."
+
+"Gif tells me there are going to be a number of important changes on the
+nine," went on Jack. "A lot of new fellows are clamoring to get on.
+They're going to have their try-outs in a day or two."
+
+What Jack said was true, and the following Saturday afternoon a somewhat
+patched-up first team played a scrub team. On the scrub, somewhat to the
+Rovers' surprise, were Brassy Bangs and Paul Halliday.
+
+"They both claim to know a whole lot about the game," explained Gif. "So
+I'm bound to give them a try-out."
+
+"Why, I thought Brassy Bangs came from a ranch in the West?"
+
+"So he does. But he told me they frequently played baseball on the ranch
+and that some of the cowboys were really good players. He said one of the
+fellows had once played on one of the Midwest Leagues."
+
+"Gee! there's no telling what an up-to-date cowboy will do these days,"
+remarked Andy. "Playing baseball, going into the movies and into
+vaudeville, and I don't know what else!"
+
+"I guess he finds more money in the doing of those things than he does in
+the herding of cows," answered his twin.
+
+The game between the patched-up first nine and the scrub nine resulted in
+a tie, 7 to 7. Jack and his cousins watched the game and had to admit
+that Brassy Bangs and Paul Halliday did quite well--in fact, much better
+than had been expected.
+
+After that the practice was continued, Gif, as head of the athletic
+association, trying out one player after another. Then came the final
+selection of the regular club to represent Colby Hall, and Brassy Bangs
+was given the position of third baseman while Paul Halliday went to
+center field.
+
+"I think I ought to be allowed to pitch," grumbled Brassy. "I'm sure I
+can send 'em in just as good as any of those other fellows."
+
+"You pitch a pretty swift ball, I admit," returned Gif. "But your
+delivery is rather erratic. You put them over the catcher's head several
+times. If you did that when the bases were full, it would mean just so
+many runs coming in." And after that Brassy said no more about pitching.
+
+The first game to be played was on the grounds of Longley Academy. The
+cadets journeyed to the place in carriages and automobiles and on
+bicycles, and were joined by quite a number of the girls from Clearwater
+Hall.
+
+"Do you suppose Tommy Flanders will pitch?" questioned Randy.
+
+"No. They tell me that last game we had over here was too much for
+Flanders and he has given up the nine entirely. I think they'll put in
+that new left-hander that they tried at the end of that game," answered
+Jack. And in this surmise he was correct.
+
+When the first man came to the bat it was easy to be seen that both nines
+were on their mettle. It was a Colby Hall player who had the stick, and
+the left-handed twirler for Longley Academy struck him out in
+one-two-three order.
+
+"Hurrah! That's the way to do it!" yelled one of the Longley students.
+"Now make it three straight!"
+
+"Gee! that was Nevins, one of our best batters," whispered Randy to his
+cousin Mary.
+
+"Never mind that, Colby Hall!" shouted Jack. "You've got to encourage 'em
+a little bit!" and at this there was a smile.
+
+The next man to the bat got a hit and on a wild pitch managed to reach
+third. But that was all that could be done, and Colby Hall retired
+without scoring.
+
+During their half of the inning Longley Academy managed to make two runs,
+and this was increased by two more at the end of the fourth inning. In
+the meantime the best Colby Hall could do was to get two hits and bring
+in one run.
+
+"Hurrah! Four to one in favor of Longley!" shouted one of the students
+from that academy.
+
+"You've got to tighten up, boys!" called out Fred to the members of his
+school team. "Tighten up and show 'em what you can do!"
+
+The fifth inning passed without a run, and so did the sixth. Then in the
+seventh Colby Hall managed to pass the home plate twice while Longley
+Academy scored once. This made the score, Longley Academy 5, Colby Hall
+3.
+
+"Oh, Jack, it looks as if Colby Hall might be beaten!" said Ruth
+anxiously.
+
+"I think they might have a better fellow than Brassy Bangs on third," put
+in Fred. "He could have put out that last runner with ease. That run
+wasn't deserved at all." And a number of others who heard this remark
+agreed with the young captain of Company C.
+
+In the eighth inning Colby Hall made one more run. Then Longley Academy
+came once more to the bat, and with two men on first and second and two
+out, the batsman knocked a high fly to center field.
+
+"Scoop it in, Halliday!"
+
+"It's a dead easy fly!"
+
+"They won't get any runs this inning!"
+
+So the shouts from the Colby Hall boys went on.
+
+In the meanwhile Paul Halliday stepped back a few paces and got directly
+under the descending sphere. Down it came, striking his finger tips and
+bouncing over his head.
+
+"He's muffed it! He's muffed it!" yelled several of the Longley Academy
+contingent gleefully. "Run, boys, run!"
+
+And how the runners did streak from base to base! And before the ball
+could be recovered by the bewildered Halliday the three runs had been
+scored.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+SPOUTER IS CORNERED
+
+
+"Hurrah for Longley!"
+
+"That's the way to do it! That makes the score eight to four!"
+
+"My, what a muff that was! That center fielder is a regular
+butter-fingers!"
+
+"Soak it to 'em good and plenty, Longley! Only two men out!"
+
+Thus the hubbub on the part of the students of Longley Academy continued
+while the cadets of Colby Hall had little to say. There were one or two
+cries to take Halliday out of the field, but these were quickly hushed.
+
+"Anybody might muff a ball," declared Jack. "It's too bad, but probably
+it couldn't be helped."
+
+The very next player to the bat knocked a liner between first and second
+and got to second on a fumble by the first baseman. Then the next player,
+after having two strikes called on him, sent a low one down to center
+field.
+
+"Go for it, Halliday! Get it!" yelled the cadets eagerly.
+
+Halliday ran for the ball, but was only able to get it on the first
+bounce. Then, as he saw the batsman rounding first for second, he threw
+the ball wildly.
+
+"Run, Newcomb, run!"
+
+"There goes the ball for the grandstand! Hurry up, Markle, and make it a
+homer!"
+
+The ball had sailed over the head of the runner and landed at least ten
+feet away from the home plate. The catcher made a dive for it while the
+pitcher came to the plate to stop the runners. But it was too late, and
+before the sphere could be sent in both runs had been scored.
+
+"Zip! Boom! Two more runs for Longley!"
+
+"That's the way to do it, boys! Let's snow 'em under!"
+
+"Take Halliday out!" was the angry cry of fully a dozen cadets. "Take him
+out! He has no business on the team!"
+
+And thereupon amid shouts of derision Paul Halliday was compelled to quit
+the field and one of the substitutes went to take his place.
+
+"It wasn't my fault! I stepped in a hole," growled Halliday when he came
+to the bench. He made a show of limping badly. "I almost sprained my
+ankle."
+
+"Well, your two errors have been very costly," answered Gif coldly.
+
+After that the pitcher for Colby Hall tightened up, and the next man up
+was put out on strikes and the side retired.
+
+With the score 10 to 4 against them, Colby Hall did what it could to
+redeem itself during the last inning. They made one run, followed by two
+outs and two hits which brought a man on first and another on third. Then
+Brassy Bangs came to the bat.
+
+"Now, Brassy, here's your chance!"
+
+"Knock it over the back lots!"
+
+Brassy set his teeth and swung the bat with a do-or-dare expression. Then
+the first ball pitched came in an outcurve which he swung at in vain.
+
+"Take your time!" called out Gif.
+
+The next was an incurve, but Brassy swung at it and missed again.
+
+"Strike two!"
+
+"Hit it, Brassy! Hit it!"
+
+"Knock the cover off!"
+
+"Take your time! Wait until you get just what you want!"
+
+And thereupon Brassy Bangs did wait--until he had three strikes called
+upon him and was declared out.
+
+"That ends the game!"
+
+"And the score is ten to five in favor of Longley Academy!"
+
+"Hurrah! That's the time we showed Colby Hall what we can do!"
+
+The Longley Academy boys went wild in their enthusiasm and danced around
+the field like so many Indians. And they had good cause to be elated, for
+they remembered only too well the drubbing they had gotten at the hands
+of Colby Hall the season before when Jack and Fred had made such records
+for themselves.
+
+The Colby Hall cadets could say nothing against the record made by the
+Longley nine. They had put up a stiff fight from the start and deserved
+their laurels.
+
+"Our defeat was largely due to Halliday and Bangs," declared Spouter.
+"Between them they let in at least five runs."
+
+"That's exactly the truth," answered Dan Soppinger. "If I were Gif I'd
+read the riot act to those two players."
+
+"Oh, I don't think I'd be too hard on them," came from Jack. "Anybody
+might have muffed that ball down in center field, and any of us might
+have struck out as Brassy did."
+
+"But both of them made several other errors," put in Walt Baxter.
+
+On the way back to Colby Hall the students were free in their comments on
+the game, and there were many uncomplimentary things said about Brassy
+and Halliday. Those two players tried to excuse themselves as best they
+could; but a baseball player who has not made good seldom gets any
+sympathy.
+
+"I'll give you both another chance in the game with Hixley High," said
+Gif at last, in talking the matter over with the two players. "But if you
+make a single error it will cost you your positions."
+
+The game with Hixley High came off on the following Saturday and was won
+by the narrow score of 7 to 6. In the second inning Halliday made another
+wild throw from center to second, and Brassy Bangs made a bad fumble in
+the fourth inning, and as a consequence both were retired and substitutes
+put in their places.
+
+"It was certainly a narrow squeak," declared Fred, when the game was over
+and the boys were preparing to celebrate that evening. "I believe if Gif
+had kept Brassy and Halliday on the team we would have lost."
+
+"Well, we may lose some other games even so," said Jack. And he was
+right. Out of a total of seven games played with the other schools of
+that vicinity that season Colby Hall won but four.
+
+"Well, we can't win every year," declared Randy. "And we're half a game
+to the good anyway, and that's something."
+
+"It's certainly better than being half a game behind," answered his
+twin.
+
+While these matters were going on Colonel Colby and Captain Dale had been
+doing everything possible with the aid of the local police, and also a
+private detective who had been called in, to solve the mystery concerning
+the robbery at the school. But all efforts seemed to be in vain. Not a
+trace of the person or persons who had committed the crime could be
+found. It was a great mystery.
+
+"I think I'll have to settle with all of the boys and with Professor
+Duke," said Colonel Colby to his head assistant. "And there I suppose the
+matter will have to be dropped."
+
+Later on he took up the various claims and paid each one of them in
+cash.
+
+"I am very thankful to you for this, Colonel Colby," declared Snopper
+Duke, when he received his money. "It will come in quite handy, I assure
+you. And yet I am much distressed over that watch which once belonged to
+my grandfather."
+
+"Well, I hope it is brought to light some day, Professor," answered the
+master of the Hall. "And if it is then you can pay me back for it," and
+he smiled faintly.
+
+In those days a number of the cadets noticed that Snopper Duke seemed to
+be much preoccupied. He paid hardly any attention to what his pupils were
+doing and was so absent-minded that often he answered the simplest
+questions in the most ridiculous manner.
+
+"He's certainly got something on his mind," was Fred's comment. "I must
+say I'd like to know what it can be."
+
+"Maybe we'll never know," answered Jack. "But because of what Colonel
+Colby said I'm certainly going to be careful how I treat him. He may have
+more of a load on his mind and heart than any of us imagine."
+
+It now lacked but ten days to the end of the term, and the boys were busy
+finishing up with the examinations in the various classes and also in
+writing the final essays to be handed in. All had worked hard to make a
+showing.
+
+"Just think! Only ten days more!" exclaimed Andy, throwing a grammar
+across his room at Randy. "Doesn't it make you feel fine?"
+
+"It sure does!" answered his twin, catching the book and sending it back
+so quickly that his brother was hit in the stomach. "And that puts me in
+mind, Andy. Why not get at Spouter and make him tell us what he's got in
+mind about our vacation this summer?"
+
+"Let's do it! Come on! We'll get Fred and Jack and Gif and go and pound
+it out of him."
+
+All alive with their scheme, the twins burst in upon the other Rovers
+while they were busy writing their essays and broached the subject. The
+others agreed, and Fred ran off to get Gif. Then the whole crowd rounded
+up Spouter, and grabbing him by the arms fairly forced him along the
+corridor and into the Rover boys' sitting room.
+
+"Now, Spouter, you've got to tell us!" declared Randy. "No more
+secrets!"
+
+"Oh, gee! Is that it?" was Spouter's reply. "I thought you wanted to
+borrow a nickel from me, or something like that," and he smiled feebly.
+
+"Come on now, Spouter! Give it to us straight," demanded Fred.
+
+"No more sawing and fiddling," put in Andy. "We want straight goods.
+Where are we going this summer?"
+
+"You're going with me," answered Spouter, with a grin.
+
+"So you've told us about three thousand times. But where are we going?"
+
+"You're going home first."
+
+"Pound him, fellows, pound him! Throw him down and pound him good!" and
+thereupon the whole crowd pounced upon the luckless schemer.
+
+"Hold on! Hold on! Let me up!" spluttered Spouter. "Let me up, and I'll
+tell you everything!"
+
+"Honest?" demanded Andy. "If you fool us this time we'll drag you to the
+bathroom and duck you."
+
+"Cross my heart!" panted Spouter. "Now let me up!"
+
+The others allowed him to arise and then forced him into an easy chair in
+the corner and all stood over him menacingly.
+
+"You are going to spend your vacation at a new place which was purchased
+by my dad only a few months ago," answered Spouter.
+
+"And what place is that?" came in a chorus from his chums.
+
+"Big Horn Ranch."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+GOOD-BYE TO SCHOOL
+
+
+"What do you know about that!"
+
+"Big Horn Ranch! That sounds interesting!"
+
+"What sort of a place is it, Spouter?"
+
+"I suppose you must have thousands of heads of cattle?"
+
+"How about horses, Spouter? We'll have enough mounts, sha'n't we?"
+
+"Any good hunting or fishing?"
+
+"Stop! Stop! What are you trying to do?" spluttered Spouter. "Trying to
+drown me in a flood of questions? Why don't you ask one thing at a
+time?"
+
+"Well, where is the ranch and how are we going to get to it?" questioned
+Jack.
+
+"And how big is it?" put in Fred.
+
+And then came another flood of questions until poor Spouter placed his
+hands to his ears in dismay.
+
+"I can't answer everything at once," he said finally. "So you'd better
+let me tell what I know in my own way. Big Horn Ranch is located out in
+Montana, and it comprises a thousand acres or more--how large I don't
+exactly know. To get there you journey by rail to a little jumping-off
+place called Four Rocks, and then you have to ride or drive to the ranch,
+which is four or five miles away. The nearest town of any size is Arrow
+Junction, which is quite a distance off."
+
+"How is it your dad bought a place like that?" broke in Gif. "I didn't
+know he was interested in ranches."
+
+"Oh, he has always liked outdoor life--you all know that. And this ranch
+came to him in rather an unexpected way. There were two brothers who were
+interested in a speculation in which my dad was interested, too. My dad
+advanced a lot of money to these brothers, and as they couldn't pay up in
+cash they asked him if he wouldn't take the ranch off their hands by
+allowing them an additional thirty thousand dollars. So he made a trip
+out there in company with another man who knew all about ranches and then
+he concluded to buy, and did so. So now we own Big Horn Ranch, and the
+family expects to spend a large part of each summer there."
+
+"And your father said we could all go out there with you?" questioned
+Randy.
+
+"Yes. He told me to invite you four Rovers and also Gif. And that isn't
+all," went on Spouter. "He's invited all your folks out there, too. He's
+going to make a great big house-party of it!"
+
+"Our folks!" exclaimed Fred. "What do you mean? They can't all go. Uncle
+Dick is just back from Texas, and somebody has got to look after the
+offices in New York."
+
+"It has been arranged that your father and mother are to go along first,
+Fred, and later on Randy and Andy's father and mother are to come out.
+Then, when they go back to New York, it's possible that Jack's folks will
+come West before the season is over. Gif's folks have not decided on what
+they can do, but will let us know in a week or two."
+
+"And what about the girls?" questioned Fred quickly.
+
+"Of course, they are to go along, too. Martha will go with Mary and her
+folks, and May will, of course, be with my mother, and she is going to
+try to get Ruth to go with her."
+
+"But Ruth said she was going somewhere else," remarked Jack, and his face
+showed disappointment.
+
+"I know that, Jack. But I think May can get the Stevensons to allow her
+to go. Anyway, all the girls are going to try."
+
+After that the Rovers and Gif asked many other questions concerning Big
+Horn Ranch and Spouter told them all he could.
+
+"Of course, I know only what dad has written and what was said about the
+ranch before we purchased it. I suppose I'll learn a lot more as soon as
+I go home, and then I'll let you know about it."
+
+"Gee! we ought to have the best time ever," exclaimed Andy gleefully, as
+he caught Spouter by the shoulders and commenced to dance him around the
+room.
+
+"It was certainly well worth waiting for, Spouter," came from Jack.
+
+"I don't see how you managed to keep it a secret," put in Randy. "I'd
+have been bustin' to tell it every minute."
+
+"Well, I had a job of it, believe me, with you fellows dinging at me all
+the time," was Spouter's answer.
+
+"When do you suppose we can start?" questioned Fred.
+
+"That, of course, will depend a good deal on you and your folks,"
+answered Spouter. "My folks are already out there, getting the ranch in
+readiness for visitors. I suppose you'll want to go home over the Fourth
+of July, but maybe you'll be able to start West right after that."
+
+"I don't know what could hold us back."
+
+"Is the ranch house big enough to accommodate such a large crowd?"
+questioned Jack. "There are a lot of us, remember."
+
+"I think so. You see the ranch is really a combination of two ranches,
+the buildings of one ranch were located near the eastern boundary while
+the buildings of the other ranch were set equally close to the western
+boundary, and as a result the two sets of buildings are not very far
+apart. Father and mother didn't know exactly what they were going to do.
+They said they would either divide the party between the two ranch houses
+or otherwise send all the hired help to one of the houses and keep our
+whole party at the other."
+
+"It would be nice if we could stick together," said Randy.
+
+"Oh, it won't make much difference, because, as I understand it, it's
+only a short walk from one set of buildings to the other."
+
+After this revelation from Spouter it was difficult for the Rover boys
+and Gif to settle down once more to their essay writing and their
+examinations. However, all did their best, and when the school term came
+to an end each had made a creditable showing.
+
+"I'll be proud to take this card home and show it," said Fred, as he
+examined the pasteboard which had been handed to him.
+
+Out of a possible 100 per cent. he had received 94 per cent. Jack had
+passed with 92 per cent., Randy with 89 per cent., and Andy with 88 per
+cent. This last figure was the one also reached by Gif. Spouter, who was
+naturally a very studious person, had passed with the highest mark of the
+class--96 per cent.
+
+"Well, eighty-eight per cent. isn't as good as it might be, but it's a
+good deal better than lots of the fellows made," remarked Andy. "And it's
+a long way from the failure mark--below seventy."
+
+Of course the boys had already talked over the telephone to the girls,
+and then it leaked out that all of those at Clearwater Hall knew about
+Big Horn Ranch and that Ruth was almost certain that she could go with
+the Rover girls and May.
+
+"If we all go together we had better charter a private car," remarked
+Jack.
+
+"Say, that would be something worth while!" put in Fred, with
+satisfaction. "Let's put it up to our folks!"
+
+Two days before the boys were to leave for home, Randy saw a messenger
+boy deliver a telegram to Snopper Duke. The professor read the brief
+communication and then Randy saw him stagger up against a chair in the
+hallway as if about to fall. He rushed forward and caught the professor
+by the arm.
+
+"What is the trouble, Professor?" he questioned kindly, for he could see
+that Snopper Duke was in deep distress.
+
+"I--I---- Don't mind me, Rover," stammered the teacher. "It's a little
+bad news, that's all. And coming on top of some other bad news I've
+received lately I can hardly stand it," and with these words Snopper Duke
+turned and went slowly upstairs to his room. Half an hour later he was
+closeted with Colonel Colby and then drove away from the Hall; and that
+was the last the Colby Hall cadets saw of the strange teacher during that
+term.
+
+"He's certainly got something on his mind," said Randy, in telling the
+others of the incident. "And I must confess I'm growing really sorry for
+him."
+
+On the next day came another surprise for the Rovers. All of them were
+out on the campus when they saw Brassy Bangs leap a side hedge and start
+toward the school. At the same time they saw a tall man wearing a slouch
+hat hurrying off in the opposite direction.
+
+"Hello! there is that fellow Brassy had trouble with in town," exclaimed
+Randy.
+
+"Just look at Brassy!" whispered Fred, after the youth had passed them
+and gone into the Hall. "Why, he's as pale as a ghost!"
+
+"It certainly is a mystery about Brassy and that strange man," was Jack's
+comment. "Just as much of a mystery as about Professor Duke's doings."
+
+Soon the boys were busy packing up, getting ready to leave. Then came the
+usual jolly times just previous to saying good-bye to their fellow-cadets
+and the teachers. The students were to scatter in all directions and the
+majority of them expected to have a glorious time during the summer
+vacation. Phil Franklin was to go back to the oil fields, to visit his
+father.
+
+At the railroad station the Rovers met Mary and Martha and also some of
+the other girls, and here many good-byes were said.
+
+"I hope you get a chance to get out to Big Horn Ranch," said Jack to
+Ruth.
+
+"So do I, Jack. But I haven't received permission to go yet. If I don't
+get there you must write to me."
+
+"I certainly will, Ruth. And you must write also. But come out if you
+possibly can."
+
+The home-coming of the Rovers was, as usual, made a gala event. The three
+mothers had come down to meet their children and there was a happy
+reunion at the Grand Central Terminal, and then the three families drove
+off in their automobiles to their homes on Riverside Drive. A little
+later the fathers of the young folks came in from downtown, and that
+night there was a grand dinner spread for all in Tom Rover's house.
+
+"Gosh, it's good to be home once more, Mother!" cried Andy, and hugged
+his parent from one side while his twin hugged her from the other.
+
+"And it's mighty good to think that we can all be together," came from
+Jack. "It's so different from what it was when the war was going on."
+
+"Oh, please don't speak of the war! I never want to hear of it again!"
+put in Martha.
+
+"And to think we're all going out to Big Horn Ranch!" burst out Fred.
+"Isn't that just the grandest ever?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+ON THE WAY WEST
+
+
+"Well, we're off for Big Horn Ranch at last!"
+
+"It certainly is a grand prospect, eh, Jack? We ought to have barrels of
+fun on the ranch."
+
+"Yes, Randy, it certainly ought to make a dandy vacation."
+
+"I'm fairly itching to get on horseback," put in Andy. "What dandy rides
+we shall have!"
+
+"Maybe we'll get a chance to break in a broncho," put in Fred, with a
+grin.
+
+"Don't you dare do such a thing, Fred Rover!" burst out his sister Mary.
+"Most likely the bronco would break your neck."
+
+"Well, we won't bust any broncos until we get to the ranch," came with a
+smile from Fred's father, who had followed the young people into the
+sleeping car at the Grand Central Terminal.
+
+It was the day of their departure for the West, and the young folks were
+quivering with suppressed excitement. Sam Rover and his wife headed the
+party, which consisted of the four boys and the two girls.
+
+Fourth of July had been spent rather quietly at home preparing for the
+trip. Of course, Andy and Randy had had some fun, especially with
+fireworks in the evening, but otherwise the young folks had been too
+preoccupied with their arrangements for getting away to pay special
+attention to the national holiday.
+
+It had been arranged that only the Rovers mentioned above should at first
+make the trip to the ranch, and Gif and Spouter were to meet them in
+Chicago, where they would change cars for Montana. Tom Rover and his wife
+were to come to the ranch two weeks later and bring with them May Powell
+and Ruth Stevenson. Later still it was barely possible that Dick Rover
+and his wife would come West.
+
+Jack's idea of chartering a private car had fallen through because not
+all of the party to meet at Big Horn Ranch were to go at the same time.
+But those now gathered had seats at one end of the sleeper along with a
+private compartment for Mrs. Rover and the two girls, so they were all
+comfortable.
+
+The boys were in the best of spirits; and for a while Sam Rover had his
+hands full making Andy and Randy behave.
+
+"I hope we strike a lot of lively cowboys, Uncle Sam," broke out Andy.
+
+"Perhaps you'll find some of the cowboys too lively," was the answer.
+
+Jack and Fred, as well as their sisters, were disappointed that May and
+Ruth had not been able to accompany them, but they were glad to know that
+the others would follow later to the ranch.
+
+Soon New York was left behind and the train was speeding along the Hudson
+River on its way to Albany.
+
+"Just think! By this time to-morrow we'll be in Chicago," remarked
+Martha. "Isn't it wonderful how you can cover such a distance?"
+
+"Do you know, I almost wish we were going out there in an auto," returned
+Fred. "That would be a trip worth taking."
+
+"Especially if you had to put on all the extra tires along the way,
+Fred," added Andy, with a grin.
+
+"Oh, well, I guess I could do that, too, if I had to," answered the
+youngest Rover boy quickly. "But the roads from here to Chicago are
+pretty good, they tell me, so I don't think we'd have many punctures or
+blow-outs."
+
+"Such a trip would be dandy, only it might take more time than we'd care
+to spend on the way right now," remarked Jack. "Personally I want to get
+out to Big Horn Ranch as soon as possible."
+
+"Exactly my sentiments," came from Randy. "Me for the mountains and
+plains and a life in the open air!"
+
+    "Oh, for a life in the open air,
+    Under the skies so blue and fair!"
+
+sang out Andy gayly.
+
+"Gee, Andy is bursting into poetry!" cried Fred. "What's going to happen
+next?"
+
+"Maybe he ate something that didn't agree with him," giggled Mary.
+
+"You'd better bottle up that poetry stuff, Andy," remarked Jack.
+"Remember we're going out to a ranch owned by Songbird Powell, and he was
+nicknamed Songbird while at Putnam Hall because he was always bursting
+out into home-made poetry. Maybe we'll get a surplus of it when we get
+out to the ranch."
+
+Lunch was had in the dining car, and almost before the young folks
+realized it the train was rolling into Albany. Here an extra car was
+attached, and then they were off on the long journey through the Mohawk
+Valley to Buffalo, Cleveland, and the great city by the Lakes.
+
+After the train had passed Utica Andy and Randy, who found it hard to sit
+still, took a walk through the cars from end to end, thinking they might
+meet somebody they knew. They were gone so long that Sam Rover became a
+little worried over them.
+
+"I think I'll hunt them up," he said to his wife. "For all we know they
+may have gotten into some mischief."
+
+"More than likely they're into something," answered Mrs. Grace Rover.
+"They're exactly like their father Tom when it comes to stirring things
+up."
+
+Sam Rover was just leaving his seat when Andy and Randy came back to the
+car. Their faces showed their excitement.
+
+"What do you think!" exclaimed Randy, as he dropped into a seat. "We met
+that same fellow who was threatening Brassy Bangs at Haven Point."
+
+"Was Brassy with him?" questioned Jack quickly.
+
+"No. But two other men were with him, and it's a tough crowd, believe
+me."
+
+"Where are they?" questioned Fred.
+
+"Two cars behind. And from the way the three talked they must have gotten
+on at Albany. The fellow Brassy had something to do with is tough enough,
+but the other two men seem to be much worse. By their talk, they are
+cattle men, and I shouldn't be surprised if they have been cowboys."
+
+"And that isn't all!" added Andy. "They spoke about going to Arrow
+Junction!"
+
+"Arrow Junction!" repeated Fred. "Why, that's the town that Spouter said
+was nearest to Big Horn Ranch!"
+
+"What were they going to do at Arrow Junction?" questioned Jack.
+
+"They've got some sort of a deal on for handling horses and cattle. We
+couldn't make out exactly what it was," answered Randy. "But they
+certainly are a tough bunch. It looks to me as if they might have been
+drinking."
+
+"Did you hear them mention Brassy?" asked Fred.
+
+"No. But that fellow who met Brassy at Haven Point, the chap called Bud
+Haddon, told the others he had struck a real snap in the East. And one of
+the others answered that he had noticed that Bud was rather flush."
+
+"It's certainly a mystery what that fellow had to do with Brassy,"
+remarked Jack. And then of a sudden his face became a study.
+
+A sudden thought had occurred to him, and it was such a horrible one that
+he was inclined to force it from his mind. And yet it came bobbing up
+time and again until Fred, who was sitting beside his cousin, noticed
+that something was on his mind.
+
+"What are you thinking of, Jack? Ruth?"
+
+"No, Fred. I was thinking of that fellow who met Brassy Bangs in Haven
+Point."
+
+"You're wondering, I suppose, why Brassy let him have some money."
+
+"Partly that and partly something else, Fred. But it's so horrible I hate
+to think of it."
+
+"Why, what do you mean, Jack?"
+
+"Well, if you must know, it just happened to cross my mind that that Bud
+Haddon was hanging around Haven Point and was seen around the school
+several times just when Colby Hall was robbed."
+
+As the young major uttered these words in a low tone of voice, Fred
+stared at him in astonishment.
+
+"My gracious, Jack, that's so!" he whispered. "Isn't it queer we didn't
+think of it before? From what Andy and Randy tell of how that fellow
+treated Brassy I wouldn't put it past him to be a bad one. But if he had
+anything to do with the robbery at the school, do you think Brassy had,
+too?"
+
+"I don't know what to think, Fred. Brassy never struck me as that sort of
+a fellow. He's loud-mouthed and he's got a big opinion of himself, and
+all that, but I never put him down as being crooked."
+
+"Neither did I. But you must remember one thing--that fellow was dinging
+at him for money. He said Brassy must get it or there would be trouble."
+
+"Yes, I'm remembering that, Fred. I must confess it looks pretty bad. But
+I don't think we had better say anything until we know more about the
+men."
+
+"Let's pump Andy and Randy all we can."
+
+Fred's suggestion was followed out, and the four Rover boys talked the
+matter over among themselves. The twins were as much surprised as Fred
+had been when Jack mentioned what was in his mind.
+
+"Gee, that Bud Haddon may be the guilty one!" burst out Randy. "Why
+didn't we think of this before? Colonel Colby might have put a detective
+on his trail."
+
+"Do you think we ought to send him a telegram or anything like that?"
+asked Andy.
+
+"It wouldn't do much good. What would be better, I think, is for us to
+watch the man and see if we can find out more about him. If he is going
+to Arrow Junction we may have a chance of learning more about him out
+there. Did he expect to stay at the Junction?"
+
+"I think so--or at least in that vicinity. The whole crowd is bound for
+some ranch out there."
+
+"Then if we learn anything of importance against the fellow we can have
+the local authorities make an investigation," said Jack.
+
+"Gosh! wouldn't it be queer if that fellow really had robbed Colby Hall
+and if Brassy was mixed up in it?" remarked Randy.
+
+"It would be terrible if Brassy was guilty," answered Jack. "It would
+just about ruin him forever."
+
+"Come on, Jack. Suppose you and I walk back and see if we can locate the
+fellows," suggested Fred. "They don't know us, so they won't be
+suspicious."
+
+"Well, we might try it," was the young major's reply.
+
+And thereupon he and his cousin walked through the cars to the place
+where the twins said Bud Haddon and his two companions were seated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+IN THE SADDLE
+
+
+The two boys located the three men without any trouble. They were seated
+near the end of the car where there was a water cooler, and here the two
+lads stopped to fumble for a minute or two over the paper drinking cups
+and then to take their time getting a drink.
+
+"Yes, we ought to make a lot of money on that deal, Noxley," they heard
+Bud Haddon say. "That is, provided we mind what we're doin'."
+
+"Oh, there'll be no trip-up this time," answered the man called Noxley.
+
+"I've been wonderin' how many horses there would be that we could sell,"
+put in the third man of the group.
+
+"I heard we could get at least twenty, Jenks. Of course, I can't tell
+exactly until I've looked over the ground."
+
+"Well, twenty head of horses and two hundred head of cattle are not to be
+sneezed at," answered the man called Jenks. "A fine piece of business,
+I'll say," and he laughed shrewdly.
+
+"How long do you expect to stay at Arrow Junction before you go out to
+Bimbel's Ranch?" questioned Noxley.
+
+"Not more 'n three or four days. I'm expectin' word from Bimbel as soon
+as I reach the Junction, and then I'll know just what he wants us to
+do."
+
+"One thing I want understood," went on Jenks crossly. "This time I get
+all that's comin' to me--no holdin' back!"
+
+"And I want the same, remember that," put in Noxley sourly.
+
+"You'll get your full share--no fear of that," said Haddon reassuringly.
+"Only remember, you've got to do your full share of the work, too. No
+shirkin' at the last minute!"
+
+"Well, we don't want to be takin' too many chances," and Jenks shook his
+uncombed head dubiously.
+
+"You've got to take chances in this game, Jenks. You can't expect the
+hens to lay eggs right in your hands," and Haddon chuckled at his little
+joke.
+
+After that the men talked about a good time they had had in Albany the
+evening before. They said nothing further of what they expected to do in
+the West nor did Haddon mention Haven Point or Brassy Bangs.
+
+"We might as well go back," whispered Jack to Fred, after they had
+remained as long at the water cooler as they dared. The men had glanced
+at them carelessly, but had evidently given them scant attention.
+
+When the two lads returned to the others they held a consultation, and
+then laid the whole case before Fred's father. Sam Rover listened with
+interest, and his face became a study.
+
+"It is just possible that your guess may be correct and this fellow
+Haddon may be guilty of robbing Colby Hall. But it would be sheer
+foolishness to accuse the fellow unless you had sufficient evidence
+against him. This talk about horses and cattle may be a perfectly
+legitimate affair. However, when we get to the ranch we can look into the
+matter further and find out what sort of place this Bimbel's ranch is and
+what the men really intend to do while there. That may give us a better
+line on this Bud Haddon and the others."
+
+"I'm going to watch that crowd as long as they travel with us," said
+Jack, and the other lads said they would do the same.
+
+A night was spent on the train, all the boys sleeping soundly, and in the
+middle of the forenoon they rolled into the great station at Chicago.
+Here the lads kept their eyes wide open and saw Haddon and his two
+companions walk away, dresssuit-cases in hand. Nor did they reappear when
+the Rovers, an hour later, hurried for the train which was to take them
+further westward. Evidently the three men were going to take some other
+train to Montana.
+
+"Here they are! We've been waiting for you folks!" came the cry, and
+Spouter rushed up to the Rovers, followed by Gif.
+
+"Ho for the glorious West!" put in Gif. "Aren't you fellows anxious to
+get there?" he questioned.
+
+"Anxious doesn't express it!" answered Andy. "Why, all night long I was
+riding broncos and lassoing wild cattle!" and he grinned.
+
+Sleeping-car accommodations had been reserved for all of the crowd, and
+they were soon making themselves at home. Then, as the train sped
+westward, the Rovers told their chums about Bud Haddon.
+
+"That certainly is interesting," said Gif. "Just the same, I can't think
+that Brassy Bangs is a thief. Why, if you'll remember, he said he had
+been robbed himself!"
+
+"He might have said that just to throw dust in the eyes of the public,"
+answered Spouter. "To my mind it will certainly be a good thing to keep
+our eyes open for this fellow Haddon."
+
+The trip to Montana took the best part of three days, and every one in
+the party enjoyed the journey thoroughly. They often went out to the
+observation end of the train, there to view the endless panorama of
+prairies and mountains, forests and streams, as they sped swiftly past.
+The magnificent view impressed Spouter as much as anybody.
+
+"It's sublime--stupendously sublime," he murmured over and over again.
+"The thoughts that well up in my bosom at such a sight as this are beyond
+the power of words to express. When I view these immense plains, these
+mountain tops fading away in the distance, these wild and weird torrents
+rushing over the rocks, and these trackless forests with often not a
+human abode in sight, I cannot but think----"
+
+"That there is room here for every man, woman and child in the city of
+New York and then some," finished Andy. "Gee, how can they stick in one
+or two miserable cubby-holes of rooms when we have all this land to draw
+on!"
+
+"That's what gets me," put in Gif. "But they do it. And I'm told that a
+whole lot of 'em would rather die huddled together than live out here
+where neighbors are miles apart."
+
+The through train took them only as far as Arrow Junction. Here they
+alighted and then boarded a little side line, running through the hills
+to a dozen small stations, including Four Rocks.
+
+"This isn't so nice," sighed Martha, when all had piled into one of the
+two little cars which comprised the train. Their baggage had been put in
+the other car, which was a combination baggage and smoking car. There
+were but a few other passengers in the car, including one fat woman with
+two small and exceedingly dirty children. There were also several
+cowboys, and a Chinaman who looked as if he might be a cook.
+
+"I think dad has a Chink at our ranch," said Spouter. "Anyway, he wrote
+he thought he'd hire one."
+
+They had telegraphed ahead, so that there might be some one to meet them
+when they arrived at Four Rocks.
+
+"It's certainly an odd name for a railroad station," remarked Mrs. Rover
+to her husband.
+
+"Four Rocks sounds substantial enough," he returned, with a smile.
+
+"Is it much of a town?"
+
+"Not likely to be any town at all. Perhaps a little railroad station and
+possibly one store, which, of course, would also be the post-office."
+
+Sam Rover's idea of Four Rocks proved to be correct. Situated near a
+ridge of rocks was a small railroad station with a telegraph office and
+baggage room attached, a water tower, and opposite to the station were
+two low buildings, one a general store and the other a place where there
+had once been a saloon and dance hall, but which was now closed up.
+
+"There's my dad now!" cried Spouter excitedly, as he leaped off the
+train. And the next minute he was running towards an automobile in which
+sat his parent. "Where is ma?" he demanded.
+
+"She remained at the house to see that everything was in readiness when
+you got there," answered Songbird Powell, as he shook hands with his
+son.
+
+Close to the automobile stood a number of horses, all saddled. On one sat
+a bronzed cowboy, who grinned broadly at the boys and tipped his hat
+rather awkwardly to Mrs. Rover and the girls.
+
+"This is my foreman, Joe Jackson," said Songbird Powell. "Joe, this is
+Mr. and Mrs. Rover, and these are the Rover boys and their sisters, and
+this is my son and another of his chums. I guess you'll get better
+acquainted a little later on," and he smiled broadly.
+
+"Who's to ride on horseback?" questioned Andy quickly, "We can't all get
+into that machine."
+
+"You boys can all ride with Joe," answered Spouter's father. "I thought
+you'd rather do that than anything else. The girls and the others can
+ride with me."
+
+"How do you know I don't want to ride on horseback, Uncle John?" cried
+Martha gayly. She often called this intimate chum of her father "uncle."
+
+"No, Martha, you'd better ride with us now," put in Mrs. Rover hastily.
+"You can do your horseback riding later on."
+
+"Oh, I was only fooling, Aunt Grace," the girl replied.
+
+"I'm just crazy to see Big Horn Ranch, Uncle John," came from Mary.
+
+"Well, I hope you'll like it," returned Songbird Powell. "I want every
+one of you to have the best times ever while you're here." His eyes
+glistened. "We ought to have a regular old-fashioned reunion." And then,
+unable to control himself, he broke out into a bit of his old-time
+doggerel.
+
+    "I'm glad you're here.
+    I hope you'll stay.
+    I'll miss you much
+    When you're away."
+
+"Hurrah, Songbird, that certainly sounds natural!" cried Sam Rover,
+slapping his old chum on the shoulder. "You'll have to give us more of
+that later on."
+
+"I haven't spent much time on verses the last few years, Sam," answered
+Songbird. "I've been too busy attending to business. But maybe I'll get
+back to it while loafing around the ranch," he added.
+
+"Are any other people coming to the ranch?"
+
+"Yes, one other person. And I think you'll be very much surprised to see
+him."
+
+"Who is that?"
+
+"Oh, you had better wait until he arrives," returned Songbird Powell, and
+began to grin as though the thought of what was coming pleased him.
+
+The older persons and the girls waited until all the boys were safely in
+the saddle, and then Songbird Powell started the automobile.
+
+"I'm leaving them in your care, Joe," he called back to his foreman, as
+he moved along. "Bring 'em to the ranch in safety."
+
+"Trust me," called out the foreman promptly. "We'll be at the ranch
+almost as soon as you."
+
+"Well, don't ride the horses to death," shouted back Songbird. And then
+in a few minutes more the automobile disappeared in the distance.
+
+"The boys will certainly enjoy that horseback riding," said Mary.
+
+"Glad of it," answered Songbird Powell, and as the automobile rolled
+onward he murmured gaily:
+
+    "An elephant sat on a bamboo tree
+    And he was as happy as he could be.
+    'To travel,' said he, 'is awfully punk
+    Unless you remember to take your trunk!'"
+
+"Oh, what a funny rhyme!" giggled Martha.
+
+"I'll have to write that down in my scrap book," returned her cousin, and
+at this remark Spouter's father looked real pleased.
+
+"Hurrah for Big Horn Ranch!" shouted Randy, waving his cap. "Come on if
+you're ready."
+
+"Don't work your horses too hard at the start," cautioned Joe Jackson.
+"It's a good five miles to the ranch, and part of it is rather tough
+climbing."
+
+"If it's tough climbing how is the automobile going to get there?"
+questioned Jack quickly.
+
+"Oh, they'll go around by the river road. But that is eight miles longer.
+We'll take the hills."
+
+"Then maybe we can get there first after all!" broke in Fred.
+
+"Well, we can try, anyhow," answered the foreman of the ranch. "Do all of
+you boys know how to ride?"
+
+"Sure we do!"
+
+"Then forward it is!" And away rode the foreman with Jack and Spouter on
+either side of him and the others following close behind.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+AT BIG HORN RANCH
+
+
+The way lay along a flat stretch of prairie bordering the river, and then
+up into the hills. The brushwood in the immediate neighborhood was
+scanty, but in the distance they could see some scrub timber backed up by
+a stretch of forest. Far to the westward they could see the distant
+mountains over which the sun was now setting.
+
+"Come on, you fellows, come on! Don't lag behind!" shouted Spouter, and
+set off at a brisk pace along the well-defined trail leading to the
+ranch.
+
+Joe Jackson, having seen that all of them could ride well, was quite
+willing to let them set their own pace.
+
+"Only look and see where you're going!" he shouted. "And remember at the
+split in the trail to take the one on the right." And then he allowed
+them to plunge on ahead, but kept his eyes on everything they were
+doing.
+
+[Illustration: "OFF TO THE EASTWARD YOU CAN SEE A BIT OF OUR RANGE."
+Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch (Page 205)]
+
+Two miles from the station the boys found they had quite a climb, and
+here they were forced to slow down. A little later they reached the top
+of the first hill.
+
+"There off to the eastward you can see a bit of our range," said the
+ranch foreman, pointing with his finger. "And those cattle yonder are our
+cattle."
+
+By the time they reached the foot of the first hill the sun was setting
+beyond the mountains in the west and the long shadows were creeping
+across the trail and over the forest beyond.
+
+"This must be some dark trail at night," remarked Jack.
+
+"Dark as a tunnel," answered Joe Jackson. "You have to carry a lantern or
+a flashlight when you try to ride it after dark."
+
+"Ever get held up?" questioned Fred curiously.
+
+"Nary a hold-up, lad," answered the foreman, with a grin. "We leave all
+that to the movie men."
+
+"Did you ever have a moving picture company out here?" asked Gif.
+
+"Yes, we had one crowd out here last year. They stayed around about six
+weeks taking some sort of a drama, as they called it. It was funny,"
+added the foreman, with a chuckle. "The leading lady was scared to death
+of horses, and yet she had to do a little riding. The man who was having
+the pictures taken wanted her to smile while she was cantering along. But
+that smile, believe me, wasn't anything to brag about. They ought to have
+brought along some leading lady who liked horses and knew all about
+'em."
+
+"Did they use any of your outfit?"
+
+"Oh, they used a few of our cowboys in a round-up. They wanted me to go
+into some of the pictures, but I told 'em there was nothing doing--that I
+was here to manage the ranch and not make moving pictures."
+
+"How many men on the place?" asked Randy.
+
+"We have six at present. But the boss is thinking of getting some more
+and increasing the herd."
+
+"Did dad get his Chinese cook?" questioned Spouter.
+
+"Yes. He's got a Chink named Hop Lung; a pretty good sort of a chap,
+too."
+
+They crossed two more hills and then passed through a patch of tall
+timber. Here there was a rough wagon road, and the foreman explained that
+it was used for hauling firewood to the ranch house and the bunkhouse.
+
+It was growing dark when the party on horseback approached the ranch.
+Already lights were streaming from the windows and the automobile stood
+in front of the wide veranda which ran around two sides of the building.
+
+"They got here ahead of us," announced Jack.
+
+"I thought they would," answered the foreman. "The river road is in
+pretty good shape just now, so I suppose the boss made fast time in
+driving over."
+
+"The trail to the ranch was rougher than I expected," put in Andy. "If
+you tried to run a horse over it he would most likely break a leg and
+maybe you would break your neck."
+
+"I've known one of our boys to go over to the station inside of twenty
+minutes," returned the foreman. "But he only did it to catch a train and
+on a bet. I'd rather take my time and save my horseflesh."
+
+When they reached the ranch Mrs. Powell came out on the veranda to greet
+her son and his chums. She was a round-faced, motherly woman, and she
+immediately did all she could to make the young folks feel at home.
+
+"You must be thoroughly tired out from your long trip," said she. "So we
+will have supper right away, and then if any of you want to go to bed you
+can do so."
+
+"I can't say that I'm tired," answered Jack. "But I suppose the girls are
+and maybe Aunt Grace is, too."
+
+The travelers were shown to some rooms and then told where they could
+wash up if they so desired.
+
+"Supper will be ready in ten minutes," announced Mrs. Powell. "So don't
+take too much time in primping up," she added, with a smile to the girls.
+"Remember, you are on a ranch now and you can dress exactly as you
+please."
+
+"I'm going to slip on a plain gingham right now," declared Martha.
+
+Their hand baggage had been brought along on the running-board of the
+touring car, and a little later one of the cowboys came in with their
+trunks, which had been brought over from the station in a wagon. In the
+meanwhile the crowd sat down to a somewhat elaborate supper which Hop
+Lung had prepared under Mrs. Powell's supervision.
+
+"He's a very good cook," the lady of the ranch confided to Mrs. Rover.
+"But he occasionally tries to turn out some very funny concoctions, so
+that I find it advisable to keep my eyes on him."
+
+"The cowboys are quite excited over the idea of having visitors here all
+summer," said Songbird Powell during the course of the meal. "And two or
+three of them are especially excited over the fact that there are going
+to be so many girls and ladies. You see, the brothers who used to own
+these combined ranches weren't married, and all they had around the
+houses were an Indian woman and a real old Dutch woman who was almost
+entirely deaf.
+
+"Joe Jackson told me that one of the cowboys, a fellow named Hank Minno,
+was very bashful and had almost been on the point of giving up his job
+when he heard so many skirts were coming here."
+
+"Oh, dear, I think I'd like to make the acquaintance of Mr. Hank," said
+Martha mischievously.
+
+"Perhaps if he saw you coming he'd run away," returned Mary.
+
+"Oh, I think he'll get over his bashfulness, and so will some of the
+others," answered Songbird Powell. "And let me tell you one thing--when I
+first got here I thought the men were a pretty rough crowd, but the more
+I get to know them, the more I'm satisfied they're all right at heart."
+
+"Your foreman certainly seems to be a fine fellow," said Jack. "We got
+well acquainted with him riding over."
+
+"He was well recommended by the former owners of the ranch, Jack. And so
+far I've had no occasion to find any fault with him. He seems thoroughly
+trustworthy."
+
+The Powells had given their visitors their choice of what to do
+concerning rooms. They could either crowd themselves a little and remain
+in the one ranch house, or otherwise the boys could take rooms in the
+other house, which was located about two hundred yards away.
+
+"If we went over to the other place we could have things all our own
+way," whispered Andy to his brother and Fred. "We could come and go to
+suit ourselves."
+
+"I think you boys had better stay in this house with us," said Mrs.
+Rover. "Then we can keep an eye on you."
+
+"But there is no sense in all of us being crowded," returned Sam Rover.
+"And the boys are certainly old enough to take care of themselves. I
+think we had better let this matter rest until to-morrow, and then we can
+see how we can arrange it."
+
+"If the boys go over to the other ranch house I'll have Joe Jackson stay
+there with them," said Songbird. "He'll know how to make them line up if
+anything goes wrong."
+
+Several days later it was arranged for all the boys to take their
+belongings and settle down in the other ranch house so far as rooming was
+concerned. They were to have their meals in the main house. The foreman
+of the ranch went with them, taking a room in a corner where he could
+watch what was going on if it became necessary to do so. The boys took
+three connecting rooms, the twins occupying one, Jack and Fred another,
+and Spouter and Gif the third.
+
+On the second day at the ranch the boys began to feel quite at home.
+Accompanied by the men, they had visited many points of interest and had
+become acquainted with all the cowboys, and also with Hop Lung, the
+cook.
+
+"Wellee nice boys," remarked the cook, after they had been chatting with
+him and gone their way. "Wellee nice boys. Me cookee heap good dinner for
+'em." And then he dived into his kitchen to start his preparations for
+the next meal.
+
+The boys found all the cowboys friendly. One of them could do some
+marvelous stunts with a lasso, and, urged by the foreman, gave an
+exhibition which interested the lads exceedingly.
+
+"Why, that fellow is as good as anybody on the vaudeville stage,"
+remarked Fred. "I never dreamed so much could be done with a rope. Just
+see how he whirled it around his body and between his legs and over his
+head!"
+
+"Yes, and how he lassoed those three running horses all in a bunch,"
+added Fred. "That's what got me."
+
+"He ought to be in a Wild West Show," put in Jack.
+
+"I'll have the boys give you an exhibition of shooting this evening,"
+said the foreman, and he was as good as his word.
+
+Some of the cowboys proved to be remarkable shots both with the rifle and
+the pistol. But here the boys, especially Fred and Jack, felt at home,
+and they, too, showed what they could do.
+
+"Rattlesnakes and tarantulas!" exclaimed one of the cowboys, Hank Minno,
+the fellow who was supposed to be so bashful. "You kids sure kin shoot
+some. I s'pose you learned it at that there military school you've been
+goin' to."
+
+"Yes," answered Fred. "Although we sometimes do a little practicing when
+we're at home. Down in the long cellar of our house."
+
+"Well, it's a good thing to know how to shoot, lad. Sometimes it comes in
+mighty handy like," answered Hank Minno.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+HOP LUNG AND THE FISH
+
+
+By the end of the first week all of the boys felt thoroughly at home on
+Big Horn Ranch. They had visited many points of interest, including the
+cowboys' bunkhouse and also the big range to the eastward, and they had
+likewise tramped over a number of the hills and tried their hand at
+fishing in the river.
+
+"It certainly is one dandy place," remarked Jack to the others one day
+when they were coming up to the house from the river, each with a
+fair-sized string of fish to his credit.
+
+"We certainly never had such fishing as this in the East," answered Gif,
+as he looked at his string admiringly. "Just look at the size of 'em,
+will you?"
+
+"I wonder what Hop Lung will say when he sees them," remarked Fred.
+
+"I've got a scheme!" cried Andy. "Let's have a little fun," and thereupon
+he unfolded to the others what he had in mind to do. They readily agreed
+to his suggestion, and all came up to the ranch house by a roundabout
+way. Then Spouter called out loudly:
+
+"Hop Lung! Hop Lung! Come out here a minute!"
+
+A moment later the Chinese cook appeared, a long soup ladle in on one
+hand and a carving knife in the other.
+
+"You callee me?" he queried.
+
+"Yes," answered Spouter. "I want you to come around to the front of the
+house and tell me what you know about this," and he motioned to the cook
+to follow him around to the big veranda.
+
+No sooner had their chum and the cook disappeared than the others ran
+into the kitchen. Here at one side was a home-made kitchen cabinet, the
+top within a foot of the ceiling.
+
+"See if you can find the big bread-board," said Randy. "I guess that will
+answer our purpose."
+
+"And here is the fishing line," added his twin. "We can run it from the
+ceiling over to the window and then outside."
+
+The line was run to the window as mentioned, then fastened to the ceiling
+back of the cabinet, and then to the back end of the board, which was
+placed flat on the top of the cabinet. On the board the boys placed the
+fish, laying them out in a row from front to back. One fish was placed on
+the pulled-out shelf of the lower part of the cabinet.
+
+"Now then, clear out before Hop Lung catches us," said Andy. And the lads
+lost no time in disappearing.
+
+In the meanwhile Spouter had taken the Chinese cook to the front of the
+ranch house and then to an out-of-the-way corner where there was a large
+spider's web.
+
+"Hello, he's gone now!" exclaimed Spouter, in a tone of disappointment.
+"Do you see him anywhere, Hop Lung?"
+
+"Hop Lung see what?" demanded the puzzled cook.
+
+"Why, that great big blue and gold spider with white feet!"
+
+"Blue an' gol' spide?" queried Hop Lung. "See black spide."
+
+"Oh, no, I don't mean the black spider. I mean that great big blue and
+gold spider about that long," and Spouter showed up his two forefingers
+six inches apart.
+
+"Noee see spide so long dat," answered the Chinese cook, shaking his head
+doubtfully. "Sploutel maybe see catpillal."
+
+"No, it wasn't a caterpillar. It was a spider. Although I think it might
+have had wings."
+
+"Um, wings! Spide he all the samee buttelfly," announced Hop Lung. "No
+see him," and he got down on his hands and knees to peer up into the
+corner to make certain.
+
+Spouter continued to engage his attention until he heard the boys coming
+around the corner of the house. Then he turned to them as if in
+surprise.
+
+"Hello! I thought you fellows were off fishing," he remarked.
+
+"So we were," answered Gif calmly.
+
+"I got a nice little fish, Hop Lung. I laid him in the kitchen for you,"
+remarked Andy.
+
+"You git only one flish?" queried the cook in surprise.
+
+"Well, maybe you can catch more," put in Randy.
+
+"Hop Lung no go flishee. Hop Lung cookee," was the calm reply. And then
+the cook walked back to the rear of the ranch house.
+
+Watching their chance, the boys stole back, some to the window where was
+located the string which had been attached to the board on the top of the
+cabinet, and others to another window from which they might see what
+would take place. Hop Lung had gone inside and picked up the fish left on
+the cabinet shelf. He looked it over, wiped off the shelf carefully, and
+then took up the fish and disappeared into the pantry with it.
+
+"Now then, Andy!" whispered his twin. And thereupon Andy gave the string
+in his hand two or three little jerks. From the board on the top of the
+cabinet a fish fell down to the shelf below.
+
+It had hardly fallen in place when Hop Lung came from the pantry. He
+looked to see how matters were going on the stove, and then turned again
+to the cabinet.
+
+A queer look came over his face when he saw the fish lying in the same
+place that the first had occupied. He looked toward the door to find no
+one there.
+
+"Him funny," he murmured in his Pidgin-English. "Him vellee funny." Then
+he took up the second fish and walked into the pantry with it.
+
+No sooner had he done this than Andy, doing his best to control his
+laughter, jiggled the string again. This time, as luck would have it, two
+fish came down, to light side by side on the cabinet shelf.
+
+Again Hop Lung entered the kitchen and again he looked at what was
+cooking on the stove. He stirred the mass in one of the pots carefully,
+and then came back to his cabinet to get some seasoning.
+
+When he saw the two fish lying there his eyes nearly started out of his
+head. He jabbered something in his native tongue and then looked around
+wildly, first to one side of the kitchen and then the other. Then he
+looked toward the door leading to the dining room and then he came to the
+door leading to the yard.
+
+"Duck!" was all Andy said, and he and the others lost no time in getting
+out of sight.
+
+Hop Lung looked carefully around the yard and then came slowly back into
+the kitchen. He walked again to the stove to see that nothing was
+burning, and finally came back to the cabinet and picked up the two fish
+gingerly. Meanwhile, the boys tiptoed their way back to their original
+positions at the windows.
+
+"He'll begin to think the cabinet is haunted," whispered Jack.
+
+"Either that, or else he'll think he's bewitched," answered Gif.
+
+And both were about right, for the poor Chinaman looked all around the
+cabinet and even behind and under it, and then he looked under the table
+and the chairs. Finally, still bewildered, he walked into the pantry with
+the fish, which he carried before him at arm's length, as if afraid it
+might bite him.
+
+"Better give him a shower now, Andy," whispered his brother, and
+thereupon Andy gave the string a strong pull which sent all the remaining
+fish tumbling down on the cabinet and the floor. The noise reached Hop
+Lung in the pantry, and he came forth on a run.
+
+When he saw the quantity of fish that had appeared so miraculously he was
+nearly dumbfounded. With eyes and mouth wide open and hands up-raised he
+uttered a sudden yell of fright and dove through the doorway leading to
+the dining room and the living room beyond.
+
+In the living room Mrs. Rover and Mrs. Powell were sitting doing some
+sewing. The sudden appearance of the Chinaman caused them to look up in
+astonishment.
+
+"What is the matter, Hop Lung?" demanded Mrs. Powell, as she sprang to
+her feet.
+
+"Flishee! Flishee!" screamed the cook. "Kitchen full flishee! Hop Lung no
+knowee where flishee come! One flishee--two flishee--two flishee
+more--whole blame kitchen flishee!" spluttered the cook, his eyes rolling
+from one side to the other.
+
+"Gracious me! is the man crazy?" asked Mrs. Rover, rising. "What does he
+mean by 'flishee?'"
+
+"Flishee! Flishee!" repeated Hop Lung. "No flishee--all flishee!"
+
+"I can't imagine what he's driving at," remarked Mrs. Powell. "Where is
+the trouble, Hop Lung? In the kitchen?"
+
+"Les, Miz Plowell. Kitchen all flishee!"
+
+Without ado the lady of the ranch marched into the kitchen, followed by
+Mrs. Rover. All the ladies could see were the freshly-caught fish resting
+on the cabinet shelf and the floor.
+
+"I don't see anything the matter here except that some of your fish are
+on the floor," remarked Mrs. Powell calmly. "You had better pick them up
+and wash them off."
+
+"Did the boys catch those fish?" asked Mrs. Rover. "They said they were
+going fishing a couple of hours ago."
+
+"Boys clatchee one flishee," announced Hop Lung. Then a sudden idea
+entered his head, and he made a quick leap to the yard door. He was just
+in time to see the boys trying to retreat, all laughing merrily.
+
+"You foolee Hop Lung! You foolee Hop Lung!" he shrieked wildly, and of a
+sudden came back into the kitchen, scooped up several of the fish, and
+ran outside again. Wildly he threw one fish after another at the lads.
+
+"Hop Lung, stop that!" commanded Mrs. Powell sternly. "Those fish are too
+good to throw away!"
+
+"Bloys fool Hop Lung," was the reply. "One flishee--two flishee--four
+flishee--all whole lot flishee," he continued, trying his best to
+explain. And then by pantomime he showed how he had found the first of
+the fish and placed them in the pantry.
+
+"It's nothing more than some of their tricks, Hop Lung," said Mrs.
+Powell. "They had no right to play such tricks, and I'll call them to
+account for it. But you had better pick up the fish which you threw
+outside. They're too good to be thrown away."
+
+"Hop Lung flix bloys, play flishee tlick," answered the Celestial. And
+then a little later he set about preparing supper.
+
+The boys did not think it wise to return to the house just then, and so
+wandered off to the stable where the ranch horses were kept.
+
+"It was certainly a rich joke," remarked Fred, with a chuckle.
+
+"I'll bet Hop Lung will have it in for us for that," returned Randy.
+
+And Hop Lung did have it in for them, as they were to learn in the near
+future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+A HORSE AND A SNAKE
+
+
+During the days which followed at Big Horn Ranch the Rover boys and their
+chums asked Joe Jackson if he knew Bud Haddon and the other men who had
+been with him.
+
+"Yes, I know Haddon," answered the foreman of the ranch. "He used to work
+for Bimbel on a ranch on the other side of the river; but I think he left
+there several months ago."
+
+"Well, if he did, I rather think he's going back," answered Jack. "Can
+you tell us anything about him?"
+
+"Oh, I imagine he's as good as the average fellow around Bimbel's place,"
+answered Joe Jackson. "You see, none of our crowd have much to do with
+that outfit. Bimbel is a hard fellow to get along with, and some of the
+men working for his outfit have rather shady characters." The foreman
+looked at the boys curiously. "How do you happen to know the fellow?"
+
+The lads had come to like the foreman very much and felt that they could
+trust him thoroughly, so they told their story in detail, to which
+Jackson listened with interest.
+
+"Looks to me as if Haddon was trying to blackmail that kid Bangs," was
+his comment. "That is unless there was something in the talk about that
+barn being burned with the horses. It's just possible that fellow Bangs
+had something to do with it and Haddon was making him pay for keeping his
+mouth shut."
+
+"Do you know anybody by the name of John Calder whose barn burned down?"
+
+"No. That couldn't have been anywhere around here or I certainly would
+have heard about it. But there's one thing I do know," added the foreman
+suddenly. "There's a man named Jarley Bangs who owns a ranch on the other
+side of the river--a small place next to the one run by Bimbel."
+
+"Jarley Bangs!" exclaimed Fred. "Do you suppose it could be Brassy Bangs'
+father?"
+
+"I don't think so," answered Gif. "I believe Bangs' folks live in
+Wyoming."
+
+"But this Bangs may be some relative of his," put in Spouter.
+
+The matter was talked over a while longer, but the boys could learn
+little further from the foreman.
+
+"I'll tell you what I'll do," said Joe Jackson at last. "I'll put it up
+to some of the cowboys. They may know more about Bimbel and his outfit
+and about Jarley Bangs than I do. Bangs has a reputation for being a very
+queer and miserly man, but that's about all I can say of him."
+
+The boys, and even the girls, spent quite a little of their time in the
+saddle. Both Mary and Martha had learned to ride while at home, using the
+bridle path in Central Park, so they felt at home when galloping over the
+plains.
+
+"This outing is going to do Mary a world of good," confided Mrs. Rover to
+Mrs. Powell. "She has always been so timid."
+
+The river in which the boys went fishing and also bathing was a broad,
+shallow stream which could be forded in many places with ease. So far,
+however, the lads had remained on their side of the watercourse. But one
+day Jack proposed that they go off on horseback and do a little exploring
+on the other side.
+
+"We might ride past the Bimbel place, and also the one Jarley Bangs
+owns," said he. "Who knows but what we may catch sight of Bud Haddon and
+his crowd."
+
+"We don't want to get into any trouble with those fellows," put in Fred
+quickly.
+
+"Oh, they can't touch us!" exclaimed Andy. "They don't even know us. And
+we've as much right to use the trails around here as anybody--the land
+isn't fenced in."
+
+"Yes, but you know what Jackson said," went on Fred. "He said the Bimbel
+outfit wasn't a very nice one and that Bangs was very miserly and
+peculiar. That sounds as if both places were good ones to steer clear
+of."
+
+"Oh, come on! Let's go anyhow," put in Spouter. "I'm anxious to know what
+sort of neighbors we have. They can't find any fault with us for coming
+over when they find out that my father owns this ranch."
+
+The boys talked this matter over several times, and the next day obtained
+permission to take the horses and go off for a day's outing along the
+river. They were to take their lunch with them, and did not expect to
+come back until evening.
+
+"I wish we could go along," sighed Martha.
+
+"We'll take you along next time, Martha," answered her brother. "This
+time I'm afraid the ride will be a little too long for you."
+
+"Never mind, Martha and I will take a little ride of our own," declared
+Mary. "We can go up to the edge of the woods and pick some wild
+flowers."
+
+"Let's do it!" answered her cousin quickly. "One of the cowboys tells me
+there are all sorts of wild flowers up there near one of the springs."
+
+Hop Lung was told to prepare a lunch which the boys might take along with
+them, and set to work immediately. As he got the things ready the
+Celestial had a faraway look in his eyes and once or twice he stuck out
+his tongue suggestively.
+
+"One flishee--two flishee--lot flishee," he murmured to himself. "Hop
+Lung fixee boys," and he smiled in his own peculiar way.
+
+The day dawned bright and clear, and immediately after breakfast the boys
+leaped into the saddle and with good-natured shouts swung the sombreros
+they were wearing, and started off on their ride. Each had equipped
+himself with a pistol, although they expected to do no shooting, and
+several carried small saddlebags containing their food and drink, the
+latter placed in a couple of thermos bottles. They also carried feed for
+the horses.
+
+"Whoop-la!" shouted Andy gaily. "Come on, fellows! let's put distance
+between ourselves and the ranch."
+
+"Better take it a little easy at the start, Andy," remonstrated Gif.
+"Remember we expect to cover quite a few miles, and we don't want to wear
+out the horses at the start."
+
+"We'll let Spouter set the pace," announced Jack, for he had not
+forgotten that they were all guests of the lad mentioned.
+
+They had questioned the foreman regarding the lay of the land, and he had
+drawn up a rough map for them which Jack carried. Inside of half an hour
+they reached the fording place he had mentioned, and there crossed the
+stream, coming out on the side of a small hill.
+
+"I wonder if we'll come across any wild animals," remarked Fred, as they
+pushed along a well-defined trail leading to the top of the hill and
+through a small patch of scrub timber further westward.
+
+"From what Joe Jackson said, I don't think there's very much left in this
+immediate vicinity," answered Spouter. "You see, the cowboys have scared
+most of the animals away. Of course, they occasionally come across a
+bobcat or a mountain lion, and then we might come across a wolf or a fox
+or some jackrabbits, or even a bear."
+
+"Well, please don't let 'em come at us in a bunch!" cried Randy, with a
+grin. "One at a time, please."
+
+"It'll be our luck not to see a thing worth shooting," declared Fred. "I
+wouldn't give five cents for our chances of bringing down anything."
+
+Fred had scarcely spoken when the horse Gif was riding shied suddenly to
+one side, throwing Gif into some low bushes. Then the horse gave a snort
+and leaped ahead on the trail, not stopping until he had covered a
+hundred yards or more.
+
+"Hello! what's the trouble?" exclaimed Jack, bringing his own steed to a
+halt. "Are you hurt, Gif?"
+
+"No. I'm all right. But what startled that horse?" demanded the other
+lad, as he scrambled to his feet. Then he gave a sudden yell. "It's a
+snake! Look out!"
+
+All looked in the direction pointed out by Gif, and there saw a black
+object wriggling away through the brushwood. As quickly as they could
+Jack and Spouter, who were close by, pulled out their pistols and fired
+at the snake. They saw the reptile rise up in the air, turning and
+twisting, and then disappear from sight between the rocks.
+
+"What's up? What are you shooting at?" cried Fred, galloping to the
+spot.
+
+"A snake. He scared Gif's horse and threw Gif into the bushes."
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"I guess he got away, although I think we wounded him," answered Jack.
+
+"It's funny how that horse shied," said Spouter. "Maybe he stepped right
+on the snake."
+
+"That might be," put in Fred. "Maybe the snake was sunning himself and
+didn't notice our approach until the horse stepped on him. Then he
+switched around, and that must have started the horse off. I wonder if we
+can catch him."
+
+"I think so," answered Spouter. "Gosh! I'm glad no one was bit. That
+snake looked to be of pretty good size."
+
+While Spouter and Jack hurried forward to capture the runaway horse, Gif
+was assisted to the back of the steed Randy rode.
+
+"I'm glad I didn't go out on my head on the rocks," remarked Gif, as the
+boys went forward. "I might have broken my neck."
+
+"Yes, you picked out just the right place to fall into," answered Andy.
+
+"I didn't pick it out. I went where I was sent," returned the other lad
+calmly. "After this I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for more snakes."
+
+"I think we had better all do that," said Fred. "Gee! I'd forgotten all
+about those pests."
+
+When they reached the runaway horse they found him still somewhat
+skittish. But he was soon calmed down, and then Gif remounted him, and
+they set off along the trail as before.
+
+"Well, we didn't exactly meet a wild animal," remarked Randy. "But we met
+something just as bad."
+
+Presently the boys came to a spot where the river wound around the hill,
+and beyond this was a broad stretch of plains, apparently many miles in
+extent. Far to the southward they could see some tall timber.
+
+"The Bimbel ranch must be somewhere in this vicinity," declared Jack.
+
+"Yes, and the Bangs place can't be so very far off," returned Fred.
+
+But distances in the open air are deceiving, and the boys rode along over
+the plains for the best part of an hour before they reached a spot where
+the trail branched in several directions. Here they came to a halt,
+wondering which way to turn next.
+
+"It's too bad they don't put up a few signboards out here," grumbled
+Randy. "How is a fellow going to know where he's heading?"
+
+"I suppose the natives know these trails just like we know the main
+streets of New York City," answered Jack. "And that being so, they don't
+need any signboards."
+
+Jack had consulted the rude map given to him by the ranch foreman, but
+this did not seem to have upon it the forks of the trail.
+
+"I suppose those cowboys would know at once which was the main trail and
+which were only side trails," said Gif.
+
+The boys were still uncertain which way to turn when Fred set up a cry of
+amazement.
+
+"Here comes an auto, boys! What do you know about that?"
+
+"An auto!" several of them repeated. "Where?"
+
+The youngest Rover pointed with his finger, and there, to the
+astonishment of every one in the party, they beheld a small touring car
+coming across the plains at a speed of twelve or fifteen miles an hour.
+It was running in a curiously haphazard fashion.
+
+"What a way to run an automobile!" ejaculated Randy.
+
+"Maybe the driver is getting out of the way of holes," answered Jack. And
+then he added quickly: "There isn't any driver!"
+
+Completely mystified, the boys stared at the oncoming automobile. For a
+moment it seemed heading directly for them, but suddenly swerved and
+started off across the plains in another direction.
+
+"It is empty!" ejaculated Andy. "It's running by itself!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+JARLEY BANGS
+
+
+"What do you know about that!"
+
+"Who ever heard of an automobile running around by itself?"
+
+"It's gotten away from somebody," came from Jack. "Just look at it
+skating over the ground!"
+
+"Come on! Let's stop the blamed thing!" shouted Andy, and started off on
+horseback after the runaway car.
+
+"You'll have a sweet job catching that auto," declared his twin.
+Nevertheless, he followed Andy, and, not knowing what else to do, the
+others did the same.
+
+The automobile was of a cheap variety, and clattered noisily on its way,
+with one cylinder occasionally missing fire. It had been running in a
+snakelike course, but now it seemed to be making something of a circle.
+
+"By jinks! I think it's coming back here!" exclaimed Fred suddenly.
+
+"It isn't running as fast as it was," declared Spouter. "Maybe it's going
+to stop."
+
+"I'm going to see if I can't get aboard!" cried Jack, with sudden
+determination, and headed his horse behind the touring car, which was
+still moving at a fair rate of speed.
+
+Once one of the front wheels went down in a hole, and then the car slued
+around and started off, heading almost for the boys.
+
+"Look out!"
+
+"Get out of the way there or you'll be run down!"
+
+Wild cries rent the air, and the young horsemen scattered in every
+direction. But Jack was watching his chance, and as the car slued around
+once more he managed to leap from his horse and clutch the side of the
+automobile. Then he leaped into the car and turned off the power, and in
+a few seconds he brought the automobile to a standstill.
+
+"This is the queerest adventure I ever heard of," declared Gif, when the
+brief excitement had come to an end. "Who ever heard of meeting a runaway
+auto like this?"
+
+"I guess we can be thankful that we weren't run down," returned Fred.
+"You took a big chance, Jack, in jumping on board as you did."
+
+"Oh, it wasn't such a risk," answered his cousin modestly. "I think the
+auto was getting ready to stop anyhow."
+
+"I wonder where the owner is?" questioned Andy.
+
+"Perhaps the auto struck a stone and threw him out!" exclaimed Spouter
+suddenly. "He may be lying along the trail somewhere stunned or dead."
+
+"I guess the best thing we can do is to see if we can locate the owner,"
+declared Gif, after a pause.
+
+"Come on, Spouter. You get in the auto with me and we'll run it back in
+the direction it came from," said Jack. "The other fellows can follow and
+bring our horses."
+
+"Do you think you can run this car?" questioned Spouter.
+
+"Sure I can! It isn't much different from the cars I'm used to even
+though it's a cheap one," was the reply.
+
+Spouter dismounted and was soon beside Jack. The power was again turned
+on and the car moved on with many a little jerk and jangling of
+metal-ware.
+
+"It's next door to a bit of junk," remarked Jack, as they moved forward
+along the trail at a rate of about fifteen miles an hour. "I think if a
+fellow tried to make real speed with it it would fall to pieces."
+
+"Sounds to me as if it needed oiling," ventured Spouter.
+
+"Yes, it needs oiling, and new springs, and a new engine, and a new
+chassis and a few other things, and then it would be quite a good car,"
+answered Jack, with a grin.
+
+The two lads in the car had covered less than a mile, and the others were
+coming up behind them, when they saw a man running toward them and waving
+his arms wildly.
+
+"Hi there! Stop!" called out the man. "Stop, I tell you! If you don't
+stop I'll have the law on you!"
+
+As soon as he saw the man Jack slowed up and came to a standstill by the
+side of the fellow. He was a tall, lean man of about fifty, with a
+strangely wrinkled and sallow face and long, drooping, reddish mustache.
+He had a pair of greenish-brown eyes that seemed to bore the boys through
+and through as he gazed rather savagely at them.
+
+"What do you mean by running off with my car?" he demanded, as he shook
+his fist at the lads.
+
+"Is this your car?" questioned Jack.
+
+"You know well enough it's my car!" blustered the man. "And I demand to
+know what you mean by running away with it!"
+
+"We didn't run away with it," answered Spouter.
+
+"Yes, you did!"
+
+"We did not!" put in Jack. "We found it back there on the plains running
+around all by itself."
+
+"What? You expect me to believe such a story as that?" exclaimed the tall
+man, glaring at them more ferociously than ever. "Running around by
+itself! How could it be doing that? You took it from where I left it, up
+by the trees yonder!" and he pointed to a quantity of tall timber some
+distance away.
+
+By this time the other boys were coming up, bringing with them the two
+unused horses. The man gazed at them in surprise and also noted the two
+steeds that were not being used.
+
+"Maybe you're telling the truth and maybe you ain't," went on the man
+sourly. "I'd like to git at the bottom of this." Thereupon the boys
+related what had taken place and Spouter mentioned the fact that his
+father was the owner of Big Horn Ranch.
+
+"Oh, then you're Mr. Powell's son, eh?" cried the man. "Are you the boy
+who went to Colby Hall with my nephew, Lester Bangs?"
+
+"Is Lester your nephew?" queried Spouter. And as the man nodded shortly,
+he added: "Then you must be Mr. Jarley Bangs?" and again the man nodded.
+
+"I think you ought to thank our chum here, Jack Rover, for bringing your
+car back to you, Mr. Bangs," remarked Gif. "If he hadn't jumped from his
+horse into the car the machine might be racking itself to pieces out on
+the prairie now. It was doing all sorts of stunts when he jumped aboard
+and shut off the power."
+
+"I can't understand this nohow," grumbled Jarley Bangs. "If what you say
+is true, how in thunder did that car git started? I left it by the edge
+of the woods while I went in to look over some timber that we thought of
+gitting out this fall. All at once I heard the engine go off with a bang,
+and when I ran out of the woods to see what was doing the car was gone."
+
+"Was any one with you?" questioned Spouter.
+
+"No. I came out alone. Lester wanted to come along, but I told him to
+stay at the ranch and do some work. He seems to think that all he's out
+here for is to play."
+
+"Oh, then Lester is staying with you, is he?" queried Fred.
+
+"Yes. His folks let him come up for a couple of months. Then he's going
+back to his home in Wyoming, and after that he's got to return to that
+military school. I think it's a fool notion to send him to that school.
+If I was his father I'd make him stay out here and go to work."
+
+"You don't suppose Lester tried to start the car, do you?" questioned
+Andy.
+
+"How could he if he was at the ranch? But wait a minute! He said
+something about going fishing in that brook that flows through the woods.
+Maybe he did come up that way, after all."
+
+"Does he know how to run the auto?" asked Randy.
+
+"Yes, he does. But I don't let him run it very often because he's so
+careless I'm afraid he'll ruin the machine--he bangs her over the rocks
+something awful. I ain't got no money to waste on a new car. This has got
+to do, even if it is kind of used up."
+
+"Maybe Brassy--I mean Lester--came up and tried to start the car while
+the gears were in mesh," suggested Jack; "and then when the car started
+to run away perhaps he got scared and ran away, too."
+
+"If he did anything like that he'll have an account to settle with me!"
+exclaimed Jarley Bangs, his eyes glowing with anger. "That boy is getting
+too fresh. I said he could come up here, thinking he'd do some work
+around the place and so earn the money that I promised him for his
+schooling. But evidently he thinks more of having a good time than he
+does of working. He is forever fooling around the car and wanting to run
+it; so I wouldn't put it past him to do what you suspect. As soon as I
+git home I'll ketch him and make him tell me the truth," continued Jarley
+Bangs, with a determined shake of his head.
+
+After that he questioned Spouter concerning the ranch Mr. Powell had
+purchased and spoke of the men who had previously owned the place.
+
+"These city fellows think they kin come out here and make a fortune on a
+ranch," he growled. "But after they've owned a place a year or two they
+find it ain't so easy. A man has got to hustle like all git-out to make a
+living."
+
+"Where is your ranch located?" asked Fred.
+
+"Our buildings are right behind that patch of timber," was the reply.
+"It's not so very much of a place, but it's good enough for me."
+
+"And where is the Bimbel ranch?" questioned Gif.
+
+"That's up to the northward, over the top of yonder hill. But you young
+fellows had better give Bimbel a wide berth," went on Jarley Bangs, with
+a shake of his head.
+
+"Why?" asked Spouter.
+
+"He don't like no strangers hanging around, that's why. If a stranger
+comes up to his door Bimbel always reaches for his gun. He had trouble
+years ago with some tramps, and he never got over it."
+
+After that Jarley Bangs had but little more to say. The boys had left the
+touring car, and now the man jumped inside, saw to it that everything was
+in order, and then asked Spouter to crank up for him.
+
+"Ain't no use to waste time here," he remarked. "I've got to git back to
+what I was doing. I'll tell Lester I saw you, and if he wants to he kin
+come over to Big Horn Ranch and visit--he ain't of much account around my
+place. And I'll git at the bottom of what happened to this auto, too,
+even if I have to lick it out of him."
+
+"I don't think Lester will care to visit our ranch," answered Spouter
+coldly.
+
+"Well, I ain't got nothing to say about that one way or the other. Now
+I'm off," and with a short nod of his head Jarley Bangs threw in the
+gears of his machine and rattled away, slowly gathering speed as he
+proceeded.
+
+"A kind, considerate man, not!" exclaimed Andy in disgust.
+
+"How politely he thanked Jack for returning his car," added Spouter.
+
+"And the beautiful invitation we got to visit his place," put in Randy.
+
+"I wonder if Brassy really started that car on him?" questioned Fred.
+
+"It might be," answered Gif. And then he added: "Gee, I'm sorry for
+Brassy if he has to live with such an uncle as that! Wouldn't you think
+he'd rather stay at home?"
+
+"Perhaps it's a case of money," put in Randy. "Didn't you hear what Mr.
+Bangs said about paying for tuition at Colby Hall? Brassy's folks may be
+quite poor, and they may be depending on this uncle for financial aid."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+A NEW ARRIVAL
+
+
+After the disappearance of Jarley Bangs the Rover boys and their chums
+continued their trip on horseback.
+
+"Let's move over the hill in the direction of the Bimbel ranch,"
+suggested Spouter. "I'd like to get a bird's-eye view of that outfit."
+
+"Perhaps we had better not go too close," advised Fred. "Bimbel may be
+getting out a shotgun for us."
+
+"I guess it isn't as bad as all that, Fred. Those things might have
+happened years ago when the country was more sparsely settled and when
+there were more bad men around. I don't take much stock in what Bangs
+said. Probably he and Bimbel have quarreled. He struck me as being a man
+who could get into a dispute very easily."
+
+"Oh, I was only fooling," answered Fred. "I wouldn't be afraid to ride
+right up to his door. That is, in the daytime. Of course, if we did it at
+night he might become suspicious."
+
+"Say, do you fellows know that it's five minutes to twelve?" questioned
+Andy, after consulting his watch. "I move that we keep our eyes open for
+some place where we can take it easy and have lunch."
+
+"And I second the commotion," returned his brother, joking in a way their
+father had made familiar to them.
+
+The boys rode on for half an hour longer, and then reached the top of the
+hill they were ascending. Here they could look a long distance in all
+directions.
+
+"Some view, I'll say," declared Jack, as he surveyed the panorama. "What
+a picture for an artist to paint!" and he pointed to the majestic
+mountains to the westward.
+
+"Just look at the river--how it glistens and sparkles in the sunshine,"
+burst out Spouter. "See how it winds in and out like a silvery ribbon
+among the hills and brushwood and then comes out to cut the broad and
+fertile prairie in the far distance."
+
+"Spouter, you'll have to write an essay about this when you get back to
+the Hall," said Fred, with a grin.
+
+"Gee, don't mention school at a time like this!" burst out Andy. "I want
+to forget all about studying until it's absolutely necessary to go back
+to it. And don't forget it's high time to eat," he added.
+
+They moved along slowly and presently selected a spot for their temporary
+camp. This was a short distance from the trail they had been following.
+It was at the edge of a patch of timber where they were sheltered from
+the rays of the sun which were now quite warm.
+
+"We'll be in the shade here, and yet just see the view we'll have," cried
+Gif.
+
+"Suits me," announced Spouter promptly; and the others agreed that the
+spot was a first-rate location.
+
+It did not take the six chums long to give the horses their feed and then
+to empty the saddlebags and prepare their mid-day meal. They had brought
+along chicken as well as roast-beef sandwiches, hard boiled eggs,
+pickles, and a large cake, and also a bag of doughnuts which Hop Lung had
+learned to make from Mrs. Powell and of which the Celestial was justly
+proud. They also had with them a thermos bottle of hot cocoa and another
+of coffee, all fixed ready to drink.
+
+"Well, Hop Lung certainly spread himself for us," said Jack, as he took
+up one of the fat chicken sandwiches and surveyed it with satisfaction.
+Then he turned to the twins. "What are you grinning about?" he questioned
+quickly.
+
+"Oh, I was only thinking about the trick we played on the Chink,"
+chuckled Andy.
+
+"And I was thinking of the same thing," put in his twin.
+
+"It's a wonder he didn't try to get square with us for that," came from
+Fred. "An American would be sure to try it."
+
+The long ride in the open air had made all of the boys hungry, and it was
+not long before they had disposed of a large part of the sandwiches,
+pickles and eggs, washing the meal down with cocoa and coffee and also
+with water from a regular water bottle Spouter carried.
+
+"Now I guess it's about time we passed around some of the cake," remarked
+Jack, presently.
+
+"I think I'll start on a doughnut," answered Gif.
+
+The cake was in a square tin and had been cut ready for use. In a few
+seconds all of the boys were munching away lustily.
+
+And then something happened! It was Fred who was the first to notice that
+the piece of cake he was devouring had a peculiar puckery taste. He
+rolled some of the cake around in his mouth, and then suddenly ejected
+it, and just as he did this Andy dropped the doughnut he was devouring.
+
+"Oh my! What's the matter with that cake?"
+
+"Say, this doughnut tastes like fire!"
+
+"Gee, my mouth is burning up!"
+
+"Give me some of that water, quick! My tongue is getting blistered!"
+
+"What do you suppose is in this cake, anyhow, and in the doughnuts?"
+demanded Jack, as he, too, made a wry face and stopped eating.
+
+"Gracious me! do you suppose Hop Lung put the wrong stuff in the cake and
+in the doughnuts?" demanded Spouter anxiously.
+
+"Oh, this is awful!" groaned Gif. "I'm burning up inside!" And he put
+both hands on his stomach.
+
+"Maybe we're poisoned!" suggested Randy. He made a wild dive for the
+water bottle, and this was passed around from hand to hand, each lad
+drinking eagerly in an endeavor to wash the burning taste from his mouth
+and throat.
+
+"I know what's the matter," said Jack, after the most of the excitement
+was over. "Hop Lung doctored the cake and the doughnuts to get square
+with us for the trick we played on him."
+
+"I wonder if that's so?" questioned Andy soberly.
+
+"Sure, it's so!" broke in Gif. "That Chink wasn't as slow as you thought,
+Andy."
+
+"Gosh, my mouth burns yet!" grumbled Randy, taking a drink of cocoa.
+"That's the worst dose I ever chewed. What do you suppose he put in the
+cake?"
+
+"Tasted to me like a combination of cayenne pepper, mustard, and a few
+things like that," answered Jack.
+
+"Then the whole cake and all the doughnuts must be no good."
+
+"That's too bad! And I had my heart set on a nice doughnut," answered
+Spouter. "Just the same, I can't blame Hop Lung."
+
+"Well, anyway, let's be thankful the sandwiches are all right and so are
+the eggs," remarked Fred.
+
+"Maybe some of the sandwiches that are left are doctored," put in Andy
+suspiciously.
+
+"No, they look all right," announced Gif, after an inspection. "And he
+couldn't do much with the eggs while they were in their shells," he
+added.
+
+While he was speaking, and while some of the boys were still taking
+drinks of various kinds to clear their mouths and throats of that awful
+burning taste, Spouter made an inspection of the paper bag containing the
+doughnuts.
+
+"Hello! here's another little bag at the bottom of the big one," he
+cried. "Let's see what it contains."
+
+He dumped out the doughnuts and drew forth the smaller bag. Opening this,
+the lads found it contained six pieces of golden yellow pound cake,
+neatly wrapped in tissue paper.
+
+"Gee! is that more of the doctored stuff?" questioned Fred.
+
+"Maybe. But I don't think so," answered Spouter. "I think Hop Lung put
+this in for a peace offering, to be found after we had chewed on that
+other stuff."
+
+And in that surmise Spouter proved correct. The pound cake was delicious,
+and, having sampled it with caution to find that it was all right, the
+boys ate it to the last crumb with great satisfaction.
+
+"We'd better dump all that other stuff away," said Fred. "No use of
+carrying it if it isn't fit to eat."
+
+"Maybe some of it is good," returned Andy.
+
+"Do you want to sample it and make sure?" questioned Jack, with a grin.
+
+"Not on your life! I wouldn't want that burning taste in my mouth again
+for a hundred dollars."
+
+The boys threw the highly-seasoned cake and the doughnuts away, repacked
+what was left of the other food, and then continued on their ride. The
+trail led through the patch of timber and then over some rather rough
+rocks and through some brushwood. Among the rocks they found a spring
+where the water was clear and cold, and here they had a most refreshing
+drink and watered their horses.
+
+"It's queer this spring is away up here on the top of the hill," remarked
+Spouter. "That water must flow underground from the mountains yonder."
+
+"What a lot of underground streams there must be!" returned Fred.
+
+While moving along those in the lead had kept their eyes open for more
+snakes. But no reptiles appeared, for which they were thankful.
+
+"But I'm sorry we didn't see some sort of wild animals," said Randy, in
+speaking of this. "I thought sure we'd see a bear or a deer or something
+like that."
+
+Even birds seemed to be scarce in that vicinity, and the only sound that
+broke the stillness as they advanced was their own voices and the clatter
+of the horses' hoofs on the rocks.
+
+The trail was a well-defined one, and they could see that it had been
+used only a short while before.
+
+"Half a dozen horsemen have been this way within the last few hours,"
+declared Gif. "Most likely they were on their way to Bimbel's ranch."
+
+"I wonder if that man Haddon has gotten here yet," said Jack.
+
+"More than likely," answered Fred. "If you'll remember, those men didn't
+expect to stay in Arrow Junction very long."
+
+"I'd like to know more about that chap, and know exactly how he's mixed
+up with Brassy Bangs," went on the oldest of the Rover boys.
+
+"I guess we'd all like to know that," put in Randy.
+
+Presently they came to a turn of the trail. Here they could see across a
+wide stretch of prairie to where there was a collection of low buildings,
+seven or eight in number. To the rear of the buildings was a corral for
+horses.
+
+"It doesn't look much different from lots of other ranches," said Fred.
+
+"Do you want to go any closer to it?" questioned Gif.
+
+The boys talked the matter over, and while Andy and Randy were rather
+curious to get a more intimate view of the place, the others decided that
+they would not ride any closer on this trip.
+
+"It's now nearly two o'clock," said Spouter. "And if we want to go any
+distance up the river it will take us until sundown to get back home."
+
+They turned back, and an hour or so later reached the point where they
+had parted from Jarley Bangs. Then they took a trail up the river and
+followed this until the sun, sinking over the western mountains, warned
+them that it was time for them to head for home.
+
+"Say, I've got an idea," announced Andy, when they came in sight of the
+ranch house. "Don't let on to anybody about that doctored cake. If Hop
+Lung or anybody else mentions it, just act as if nothing unusual had
+happened. Say the lunch was as good as any we ever had."
+
+"That's the idea!" returned his twin. "We'll keep that Chink guessing."
+And it may be added here that the boys kept their word, and Hop Lung
+never knew how his little joke had terminated, although he felt sure in
+his own mind that they had received the full benefit of the trick he had
+played.
+
+The six boys were still some distance from the house when they saw a man
+come out on the veranda and wave his hand to them. At first they thought
+it might be Sam Rover. But then, of a sudden, Jack let out a yell.
+
+"Boys, what do you know about this! Do you recognize that man?"
+
+"It's Hans Mueller!" ejaculated Fred.
+
+"Uncle Hans!"
+
+"Who would have thought he was coming to the ranch?"
+
+"Hans Mueller!" murmured Andy. "I'll be glad to see him. He's as full of
+fun as a stray dog is of fleas!"
+
+Hans Mueller was a man who in his boyhood days had been a boon companion
+of the Rover boys' fathers. When he had gone to Putnam Hall with the
+Rovers he had spoken very broken English, and his improvement in speech
+had been slow and painful. But Hans had prospered in a business way, and
+was now the sole proprietor of a chain of delicatessen stores in Chicago.
+He was unmarried, and, having no family of his own, had insisted upon it
+that all of his young friends call him "uncle."
+
+"Hello der, eferypody!" called out Hans Mueller cordially, as he came
+down from the veranda to greet them, his fat face beaming genially.
+
+"How are you, Uncle Hans?" cried Jack, leaping to the ground and shaking
+hands. "This is certainly a surprise."
+
+"Yes, Songpird tol' me you wouldn't know I vas coming," was the answer.
+"How you been alreatty?"
+
+"Fine as silk," answered Andy gayly. And now all the boys clustered
+around to shake hands.
+
+"You're just the man we want here to help us enjoy our vacation," put in
+Fred.
+
+"Dot's nice, Fred. I tink I vas going to haf a fine time alreatty. And I
+need him," went on Hans Mueller. "Since I come from de war back from
+Europe, where I fights for Uncle Sam, I work like a steam horse in mine
+delicatessen stores. But so soon like Songpird says come out here and
+meet dem Rovers and you udder friends, I say to my clerks, 'you got to
+run dem stores by yourselfes alreatty yet awhile. I go oud to Pig Horn
+Ranch and git some fresh air mine lungs in.'"
+
+"You'll get the fresh air all right enough," announced Spouter. "And
+we're mighty glad you're here," he added, and then led the way into the
+house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+PROFESSOR DUKE'S SECRET
+
+
+The girls had already returned from the woods and met Uncle Hans, as they
+called him.
+
+"I got somet'ing by mine trunk in for you young ladies," said Hans
+Mueller, with a broad smile. And later on when his trunk arrived he
+presented each of them with a bottle of the highest grade of olives. He
+also had some olives for Mrs. Powell, for use on the table.
+
+"I import dem olives myself alreatty yet," he vouchsafed. "Nopody by
+Chicago has olives half so goot."
+
+"I knew you'd be surprised to see Uncle Hans here," declared Songbird
+Powell. "And I knew an outing on the ranch would do him a world of good.
+He has been confining himself too closely to business since he got back
+from the war."
+
+"It was grand of you, Uncle Hans, to fight for Uncle Sam," declared
+Martha.
+
+"And vhy, I like to know?" demanded Hans Mueller. "Since I come by der
+United States over I been just such a goot American like anypody."
+
+"That's the way to talk, Uncle Hans!" cried Jack, and slapped him on the
+shoulder.
+
+The next day the young folks took great pleasure in showing Hans Mueller
+around the place.
+
+"He vas chust like a farm, only different," remarked the delicatessen
+man. "Dot iss a nice lot of cows you got, Songpird. I dink dos cows vould
+make apout a million pounds of frankfurters, not?" and at this remark
+there was a general laugh.
+
+A few days later Jack noticed that Songbird Powell seemed to be worried
+over something. The owner of Big Horn Ranch held an earnest consultation
+with Joe Jackson, and then the foreman of the ranch rode off in hot
+haste, accompanied by two of his cowboys.
+
+"What's the matter--is something wrong?" questioned Jack of Spouter.
+
+"Four of our best horses are missing," answered Spouter. "The men are not
+sure whether they strayed away or have been stolen. Jackson and the
+fellows with him are going to ride along the river and see if they can
+find out."
+
+"Didn't you say something about other horses being stolen before we got
+here?"
+
+"Yes. But they didn't belong to my father. They belonged to the men who
+formerly owned this ranch. They left them here, but at their own risk."
+
+"Were the animals now missing the horses we rode?" questioned Fred.
+
+"No. They were the mounts used by Jackson and his men. That is, three of
+the horses were. The other was that beautiful black my father
+occasionally rode."
+
+"You mean Blackbird?" exclaimed Randy.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Why, I think Blackbird is the finest horse on the ranch," declared Gif.
+
+"He certainly is a splendid nag," answered Spouter. "And my dad thinks a
+great deal of him."
+
+The horse in question was a three-year-old, shining black in color, with
+a peculiar diamond-shaped spot of white on his forehead and a similar
+spot on his chest. Because of these spots some of the cowboys often
+referred to him as Two-spot.
+
+"I suppose those horses are worth some money," remarked Fred.
+
+"Indeed they are!" declared Spouter. "I heard my father say he wouldn't
+take four hundred dollars for Blackbird. And the other animals must be
+worth at least a hundred and fifty dollars apiece. You know they always
+had pretty good horses on this ranch."
+
+"I certainly hope they get some trace of the horses," said Jack.
+
+But this hope was not fulfilled. Jackson and those with him came back
+disappointed, saying that they had found no trace of the animals.
+
+About a week later came another surprise. The young folks, including the
+girls, had gone off to the woods for the best part of the day, and when
+they returned, much to their astonishment, they saw seated in rocking
+chairs on the veranda Ruth and May.
+
+"My goodness!" screamed Mary. "Ruth and May! Glory hallelujah! How in the
+world did you get here?"
+
+"And you never let us know!" wailed Martha, as she bounced up the steps
+to embrace her school chums.
+
+"We got started sooner than we expected," answered May.
+
+"Did you come alone?" questioned Jack, as he, too, came forward, his
+pleasure showing on his face.
+
+"No, we didn't come alone," answered Ruth. "We came with Mr. and Mrs.
+Rover. They are inside with the others."
+
+"My mother and dad!" burst out Andy. "Where are they?" And he raced into
+the house, followed by his twin.
+
+There followed a joyous reunion all around. Everybody was happy to see
+everybody else, and for a while it seemed as if all were trying to talk
+at once.
+
+"We had a splendid trip over," declared Mrs. Nellie Rover. "Not a single
+hitch all along the way. Tom had everything mapped out to the last
+detail." And she gave her husband an affectionate glance.
+
+"That's what army discipline did for me," answered Tom Rover. "I didn't
+used to be so particular. But now I've got in the habit of walking a
+regular chalk mark."
+
+"Yes, I've walked me a chalk mark, too," put in Hans Mueller. "I run mine
+delicatessen stores chust like they vas by army regulations alreatty. And
+it pays, belief me!"
+
+"It's a regular touch of old times to see you around, Hans," said Tom,
+grabbing his former school chum by both arms. "How is that new pickling
+machine getting along?"
+
+"Vot pickling machine you mean, Tom?" questioned Hans, looking at him
+blankly.
+
+"Why, that machine you're going to invent whereby you can grind up old
+oilcloth and automobile tires and make dill pickles of them."
+
+"I don't vas got no machine like dot, Tom," answered the delicatessen man
+in bewilderment. "I buy mine dill pickles by der barrel. Dem dill pickles
+grows, you can't make 'em by no machine."
+
+"Oh! Then maybe it was a new sourkraut stamper," went on Tom innocently.
+
+"Oh, Tom, you vas joking chust like you alvays vas!" exclaimed Hans, a
+light breaking in on him. "Vell, I don't care. You vas a pretty goot
+fellow anyhow," and Hans smiled as broadly as ever.
+
+"It sure is a touch of old times," declared Songbird Powell. And then,
+unable to restrain himself, he burst out:
+
+    "From among the mountain tops
+    Where the brooklet flows,
+    There I love to linger long--"
+
+    "Counting up my toes,"
+
+broke in Tom, with a twinkle in his merry eyes.
+
+"Counting up my toes!" snorted Songbird. "Nothing of the kind! You always
+did knock my poetry endways, Tom. That last line was to read like this:
+
+    "Where the sunset glows."
+
+The young folks had a grand time that evening singing and dancing, and
+did not retire until the older heads had hinted several times that they
+had better do so.
+
+"Oh, Jack, it's a splendid place to come to!" said Ruth, when she was on
+the point of retiring. "I know I'm going to have the best times ever."
+
+"And to think my Uncle John owns the place!" put in May. "Isn't it simply
+glorious?"
+
+After that the days seemed to speed along swiftly. The boys and girls
+made up various parties up and down the river, and on the hills and in
+the woods. Once they got up a grand family picnic, and everybody
+attended.
+
+During those days the boys often wondered whether Brassy Bangs would show
+himself. But Brassy kept out of sight, and for the time being they heard
+nothing further concerning him. But they did hear through Joe Jackson of
+Bud Haddon. That man had been met on the trail to Bimbel's ranch in
+company with several other persons.
+
+"They were a bum-looking bunch," declared Jackson. "I wouldn't give one
+of 'em house room on this ranch."
+
+"Haddon certainly didn't make a very good impression on me," declared
+Jack. "I'm frank to admit I think he's a thoroughly bad egg."
+
+From time to time the boys had been sending letters to some of their
+other school chums, and a number of letters had come in return. One day
+Gif received a long communication from Fatty Hendry which he read in
+wonder.
+
+"Here's something that will interest all of you," he declared, after he
+had finished. "I guess it clears up the mystery surrounding Professor
+Duke."
+
+"What is it?" questioned Fred eagerly.
+
+"It's a letter from Fatty Hendry. He's been staying at a place named
+Ellenvale, which, as you know, is about thirty miles north of Haven
+Point. He says that Snopper Duke came from that place, and has an aged
+father living there."
+
+"Has Duke been taking care of his father?" questioned Jack.
+
+"Yes. And his father has been very sick and has had to have several
+operations. It seems the operations cost a lot of money, and Duke wanted
+two of his younger brothers to help pay for them. But they wouldn't
+contribute a cent."
+
+"Gee, that was certainly rough!" declared Randy. "No wonder the professor
+was grouchy at times."
+
+"That isn't all of it," went on Gif. "Fatty got interested and made a
+little investigation, and he found out that there was another brother, a
+little older than the professor, who had gotten into difficulties with
+the firm he was working for. That firm was on the point of having him
+arrested, so Fatty heard, but at the last minute Professor Duke came
+forward and settled up for him, so he wasn't prosecuted.
+
+"But Fatty adds in his letter that he heard this not only took every cent
+the professor had, but it also placed him in debt to Colonel Colby and
+some of his friends."
+
+"Well, that's what I call hard lines!" declared Jack emphatically. "The
+poor professor must have been worried half to death."
+
+"Does Fatty say anything further about Duke's father?"
+
+"Yes. Since the last operation the old gentleman is feeling quite like
+himself again."
+
+"And what became of the brother who got into trouble?" asked Spouter.
+
+"He disappeared, and Fatty says there is a report that he went to
+England, where the family originally came from. I suppose Professor Duke
+was glad to have him go."
+
+After this Gif handed around the letter so that all might read it. After
+its perusal Andy was the first to speak.
+
+"It's too bad," he said, with a deep sigh. "I'm mighty sorry now that I
+didn't treat the professor with more consideration. That poor man
+certainly had as much of a load as anybody to carry."
+
+"We'll have to make it up to him when we get back to Colby Hall,"
+declared Randy. "I'm going to show him just what I think of him," he went
+on. "He certainly was a fine fellow to help his old father and to get his
+brother out of that hole."
+
+The boys were still discussing this matter when they suddenly saw Joe
+Jackson dash up to the ranch house on his horse and dismount in great
+haste.
+
+"Hello, something is wrong!" declared Jack.
+
+Songbird Powell and Tom and Sam Rover had seen the approach of the
+foreman, and men and boys ran out to listen to what he might have to
+say.
+
+"Four more horses are gone!" declared Joe Jackson. "The best horses on
+the ranch! And, boss, I'm certain this time that they didn't stray away.
+They were stolen!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE CATTLE STAMPEDE
+
+
+"Four more horses gone!" cried Songbird Powell in consternation. "When
+did this happen, Jackson?"
+
+"Less than half an hour ago, over on the three-tree range," returned the
+foreman.
+
+"And what makes you certain that they were stolen this time?"
+
+"Because the horses had been left all properly tethered. Billy Brown and
+his crowd had 'em, and I know Billy is a very careful man. He's positive
+they couldn't have broken away."
+
+"This is certainly getting to be a serious matter," declared Sam Rover.
+"Songbird, if these last four horses were stolen, it's more than probable
+that the first four went the same way."
+
+"Any clue to the thief or thieves?" asked Tom Rover.
+
+"The boys looked around and picked up a quirt that they say don't belong
+to our outfit. But it's a very ordinary quirt and might belong to almost
+anybody. Of course, they found a good many hoof marks, but they were so
+mixed up with the marks from the other horses they couldn't tell one from
+the other."
+
+"I'll ride over to the place with you and investigate," returned Songbird
+Powell after a moment's thought. "Perhaps we can get on the trail of the
+thieves."
+
+"Can we go along?" questioned Spouter quickly.
+
+"No, Son. We want to use the horses. And, anyway, I think it would be
+better for you lads to remain behind."
+
+Songbird and the foreman hurried down to the horse corral accompanied by
+Tom and Sam. And thus the boys and girls, as well as the ladies of the
+household, were left by themselves.
+
+"Gee! I'd like to go on a chase after those horse thieves," burst out
+Andy.
+
+"You might get a pretty warm reception if you did that," remarked Fred.
+"Horse thieves and cattle rustlers are usually a bad bunch."
+
+"It isn't likely they'll get on the trail of the horses very quickly,"
+put in Jack. "Those fellows have too much of a start. The most they can
+do is to advertise the loss as widely as possible and trust to it that
+some one will recognize the horses, especially Blackbird."
+
+The boys had spoken about going fishing, and Ruth and May had asked if
+they could go along. As a consequence the young folks spent the remainder
+of the afternoon along the river. They managed to catch a good mess of
+fish, of which they were justly proud.
+
+"And just to think! I caught two of the fish myself!" exclaimed Ruth. "I
+never knew I was going to be a fisherman."
+
+"You mustn't say 'fisherman;' you must say fisherlady," put in Andy
+mischievously.
+
+The men did not return until ten o'clock that night. All were tired and
+hungry and glad to sit down to the meal which Mrs. Powell and the cook
+provided.
+
+"It was a wild-goose chase," answered Tom Rover in reply to a question
+from Andy. "We followed half a dozen clues, but they didn't get us
+anywhere."
+
+"What are you going to do next, Dad?" questioned Spouter.
+
+"We sent word to Arrow Junction and several other places, and they'll
+post notices giving a description of the stolen animals," answered
+Songbird. "And I've offered a hundred dollars reward for any information
+leading to the recovery of the horses."
+
+The next day one of the cowboys came in with more information. This was
+to the effect that a ranch in that neighborhood, owned by a man named
+Cheltham, had suffered the loss of three horses, one a mare of
+considerable value.
+
+"Say, this certainly is getting interesting," said Jack, when the lads
+heard the older heads talking it over. "First thing we know, all the
+horses on the place will be gone."
+
+"Years ago they used to suffer from the cattle rustlers in this
+neighborhood," said Spouter. "But horse stealing is something new."
+
+"I wonder if that fellow Bud Haddon had anything to do with it?"
+questioned Fred.
+
+"I was thinking of that," broke in Randy. "I think they ought to make an
+investigation."
+
+The boys spoke to the men about this, and there was a long discussion
+which ended when Songbird said he would ride over to the Bimbel ranch
+with his foreman and interview the men.
+
+The visit to the Bimbel ranch occurred the next day, and the boys waited
+impatiently for the return of the two men to learn what Bimbel and Bud
+Haddon might have to say.
+
+"Another wild-goose chase," announced Songbird Powell, on the return that
+evening. "We saw Bimbel, and he seemed as much surprised as anybody to
+learn of the horses being taken."
+
+"And what about Bud Haddon?" asked Jack.
+
+"We didn't see Haddon. But Bimbel said he had been at the ranch house
+early in the morning and he was certain Haddon knew nothing about the
+loss. He said Haddon and the other men were out on a range to the
+westward, looking after the cattle. Of course, if Haddon was away out
+there he couldn't have been here taking our horses."
+
+"And you didn't see any trace of the animals?" asked Spouter.
+
+"Nothing at all. They said they hadn't heard of the theft nor of the loss
+of the horses over at Cheltham's ranch."
+
+After that a week passed swiftly, during which time the young folks
+enjoyed themselves thoroughly, not only in tramping and riding around and
+in fishing, but also in other sports around the ranch home. With so much
+level ground available, a tennis court had been laid out, and also a
+croquet ground, and the boys and girls enjoyed these games immensely. The
+lads also pitched quoits, a sport which at times had been popular at
+Colby Hall.
+
+One day the boys accompanied Joe Jackson on a round-up of some cattle far
+down the river. This was a day full of excitement, for some of the cattle
+broke away and Andy and Fred happened to be separated from the rest of
+the crowd and got directly in line with the runaway steers.
+
+"Hi there! Hi there! Ride out of the way!" yelled Joe Jackson at the top
+of his lungs.
+
+Andy and Fred were looking in the opposite direction and did not notice
+the cattle until the beasts were within a hundred yards of them. Then
+they heard the foreman's cry and also the beating of the hoofs on the
+prairie.
+
+"My gracious!" gasped Fred. "Look what's coming!"
+
+"We've got to get out of the way and be quick about it," returned Andy,
+and struck his horse on the flank.
+
+The steeds the boys were riding needed no urging, for the sudden rush of
+the cattle filled them with alarm. Away they bounded across the grassy
+plain with the maddened cattle thundering after them.
+
+"Let's ride to one side and let 'em pass!" gasped Fred, who was badly
+shaken by this sudden turn of affairs. He had not dreamed that the herd
+of cattle would head for them in this fashion.
+
+But to get out of the way was not easy. To one side of the plains was a
+series of rough rocks, while to the other side there was a brook flowing
+into the river, and here the ground was soft and treacherous.
+
+"Don't go that way!" cried Andy, as he saw his cousin heading toward the
+brook. "You'll get stuck and you'll never get out."
+
+"I'd rather get stuck than be trampled under foot by those beasts,"
+panted Fred.
+
+"No, no, Fred! Turn this way! I'm sure we can get up on the rocks
+somehow!" declared Andy.
+
+The boys continued to advance with the thoroughly frightened cattle not
+far behind them. While being rounded up both cattle and cowboys had come
+upon a nest of small rattlesnakes. These had, of course, frightened the
+beasts, and they were still more frightened when the cowboys had begun to
+shoot at the reptiles. Then a few of the cattle had started the stampede,
+and the rest, terrorized by the pistol shots, had followed.
+
+As the two lads galloped on, they looked anxiously to the side where the
+rocks were located. Most of the places they passed were too steep to
+ascend. But presently Andy caught sight of a point where there was
+something of a trail leading upward.
+
+"Come on this way!" he yelled to his cousin. "I think we can get up on
+the rocks here!"
+
+In the meanwhile Joe Jackson and his men, followed by Jack and the
+others, were doing their best to get the cattle to turn back to the point
+from which they had started. The best herd riders were circling the edge
+of the rushing animals, shouting at the top of their lungs and firing
+their pistols. But so far this demonstration had had little effect.
+
+"Oh, Jack! do you think they'll be run down?" gasped Randy.
+
+"I hope not."
+
+"They're on a pair of good horses; they ought to be able to outrun the
+cattle," came from Gif.
+
+"Don't be so sure of that," cried Spouter. "A mad steer can go some,
+believe me."
+
+"Who ever thought they would start off like that?" went on Randy.
+
+"It was firing at those rattlesnakes did it," declared Jack. "Of course,
+I can't blame the cowboys for doing that."
+
+Andy and Fred found the rocks anything but easy to ascend. They went up a
+few feet, and then the horses began to slip and were in danger of rolling
+over, carrying their young riders with them.
+
+"Look out!" screamed Fred. He had to catch his horse around the neck to
+keep from being flung headlong.
+
+But the horses were as anxious to escape the maddened cattle as were the
+lads, and the steeds continued to scramble upward until they reached a
+ledge of rock where the footing was comparatively level.
+
+"Do you think we'll be all right here?" panted Fred, when he could catch
+his breath sufficiently to speak.
+
+"We shall be unless some of those steers take it into their heads to
+climb the rocks the same way we did," answered Andy. He was suffering
+from a slight bruise on his left leg where he had brushed some of the
+roughest of the rocks.
+
+The horses were still alarmed, and continued to snort and stamp their
+feet, and the two lads for a few seconds had their hands full quieting
+the animals. They looked below them and saw the cattle coming on in a
+great mass. Some had already passed, but others were huddled close to the
+rocks as if on the point of making an ascent.
+
+"I really think they'll try to come up," said Fred.
+
+"Come ahead! We'll see if we can't get a little higher up," answered
+Andy. "I don't think the steers will follow us very far, even if they do
+come. We can shoot at them if we have to," he added, for each of them
+carried a pistol.
+
+Beyond the ledge were more rough rocks, and here the two lads had to
+proceed with caution for fear one of their horses might slip and perhaps
+break a leg. As they advanced they looked back and saw that the cowboys
+were coming closer and were beginning to drive a part of the cattle to
+the rear.
+
+"Oh, if only they can drive them back!" sighed Fred. "Just look at 'em,
+Andy! There must be a hundred of the steers directly below us! And see
+how angry that big black fellow looks! He acts just as if he'd like to
+come up here and gore us!"
+
+"Listen!" ejaculated Andy, pulling back on the rein. "What's that funny
+noise?"
+
+Both listened, and, mingled with the murmurs of the cattle at the foot of
+the rocks, came to their ears a peculiar whine or growl that was entirely
+new to the lads.
+
+"It's a wild animal of some kind!" cried Fred, as the growl was
+repeated.
+
+"Where did it come from?"
+
+"I don't know. But it was close at hand."
+
+Thoroughly scared, both boys looked on all sides. Then, of a sudden, Fred
+let out another exclamation.
+
+"There it is! Right on the shelf of rocks yonder! Oh, Andy, it's a
+mountain lion!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+THE MOUNTAIN LION
+
+
+It was a time of extreme peril, and both of the Rover boys realized it.
+The shelf of rock was not over twenty feet ahead of them, and on this
+rested the mountain lion, crouched as if for a spring.
+
+Fred had scarcely spoken when both horses began to snort and stamp their
+feet as if wanting to turn and run away.
+
+"Look out!" screamed Andy, "or the horses will take us right back among
+those mad cattle."
+
+With the discovery of the mountain lion, that lay close to the rocky
+shelf with glaring eyes and tail that swept nervously from side to side,
+the boys had noted that the animal was as much penned in as they were
+themselves. Beyond the shelf was an overhanging cliff, so that further
+progress in that direction was cut off completely. Had this not been so,
+it is more than likely that the mountain lion would have turned and slunk
+away, for like all wild beasts they do not fight unless they think it is
+necessary to do so.
+
+"Come on--give him a shot!" exclaimed Fred, as soon as he could recover
+from his astonishment.
+
+His weapon was handy, and in a moment the pistol rang out sharply, and
+this shot was followed by one from his cousin.
+
+Had the two boys been on the ground their shots might have been more
+effective. But it was another task to aim from the back of a restive
+horse that was threatening every instant to bolt, and so both bullets
+merely grazed the mountain lion's side.
+
+But these shots, mingled with those coming from the plain below, had one
+good effect. The cattle had been stopped in their mad flight and now they
+turned back in the direction in which the cowboys wanted them to go.
+
+As the pistols rang out the mountain lion gave a scream of commingled
+pain and rage. Then it crept forward several feet and made a movement as
+if on the point of leaping for Fred and his steed.
+
+"Back up! Back up, Fred!" yelled Andy, and fired a second time, and his
+cousin did likewise.
+
+This time the aim of the boys was better, and the mountain lion was hit
+in one of the forelegs and in the flank. It made a sudden leap, but the
+wound in the leg made it fall short, and it fell down between the rocks
+directly in front of where Fred's horse was standing.
+
+As the mountain lion went down in the hollow the horse uttered another
+wild snort and an instant later leaped directly over the wild beast,
+coming down at the foot of the rocky ledge beyond. The steed Andy rode
+backed violently until some other rocks stopped its retreat.
+
+"Hi there! What are you shooting at?" came a cry from below, and the two
+boys recognized the voice of Joe Jackson.
+
+"It's a lion!" called back Andy.
+
+"Then plug him! Plug him quick!" yelled Jackson. "Plug him before he gets
+a chance to get at you!"
+
+There was no need for this advice, for Andy was already taking aim. This
+time the bullet passed through the body of the lion and the beast leaped
+up, turning over and over convulsively. Then Fred managed to steady his
+mount for a moment, and he, too, fired, this time catching the mountain
+lion in the ear. Then the beast gave a final leap and tumbled down the
+rocks almost at the feet of the astonished ranch foreman.
+
+"Are you hurt?" demanded Jackson anxiously, as he gave a glance at the
+lion to make certain that it was breathing its last.
+
+"No," came from both of the boys. But it must be confessed that their
+voices were trembling. They had all they could do to quiet their horses,
+the steeds showing a great inclination to leap over the rough rocks and
+run away.
+
+By the time that Fred and Andy managed to descend to the plain below them
+the stampede of the cattle, which had been only momentary, was coming to
+an end, only two steers having run away for parts unknown.
+
+"But they'll come back, Boss," said one of the cowboys to Jackson. "They
+always do. You can't hire 'em to herd by themselves. They'll sure be
+back."
+
+"A mountain lion! What do you know about that!" exclaimed Jack, as he
+came riding up, followed by the other boys.
+
+"Did he hurt you at all?" questioned Spouter quickly.
+
+"He didn't get a chance," answered Fred, just a bit proudly. "Andy and I
+let drive at him almost as soon as we saw him."
+
+"A pretty powerful beast, I'll say," remarked Gif, as he made an
+examination of the lion that was now dead. "I don't think I'd like to
+face such a creature."
+
+"We had to fight him," declared Andy. "He was right up on that rocky
+shelf yonder, and he couldn't back out. If he had had the chance he'd
+have leaped right on us."
+
+"Well, you're the prize hunters of this crowd," declared Randy.
+
+"You can't put that down to hunting," answered his twin promptly. "That
+was simply a case of necessity."
+
+"Anyway, you've got the lion, and that skin will make some rug," declared
+Spouter.
+
+"I wonder if there are any other mountain lions around?" remarked Gif.
+"I'd like to get a shot at one of them myself."
+
+"They often travel in pairs," answered Joe Jackson. "But if you're going
+after lions you had better arm yourselves with rifles. It was only good
+luck that brought this beast down with pistol bullets."
+
+"The pistols were good enough at close quarters," answered Andy. "Just
+the same, I'd rather shoot the next mountain lion from a distance," he
+added dryly.
+
+Of course, when the boys rode up to the ranch home with the carcass of
+the dead lion there was a good deal of excitement among the older folks
+and the girls, and Fred and Andy had to tell their story in detail.
+
+"You really must be more careful in the future, boys," declared Mrs. Sam
+Rover. "Why, you might have been trampled under foot by the cattle, as
+well as chewed up by this mountain lion!"
+
+"I didn't know there was any danger of the cattle stampeding," put in
+Mrs. Tom Rover.
+
+"Oh, Jackson assures me that the stampede wasn't of much consequence,"
+remarked Songbird Powell. "But, of course, the boys shouldn't have gotten
+in front of the animals. But this question of facing a mountain lion is
+another story."
+
+"Py chimminy! you don't vas cotch me facin' no mountain lions," declared
+Hans Mueller emphatically. "I did me dot years ago, ven I go oud mit your
+faders. But I ton't do him no more alreatty."
+
+"Oh, Fred, you must be more careful!" protested May to the youngest
+Rover, when she got the chance. "Suppose that lion had jumped right on
+top of you?"
+
+"Believe me, May, I didn't want to get so close," he answered. "When we
+discovered the beast he wasn't over twenty feet away."
+
+"And they told us there weren't very many wild beasts around here!" came
+from Martha. "After this I guess we had better be careful how we roam
+through the woods and along the river."
+
+"Oh, they're not likely to harm you unless you corner them," said
+Songbird Powell. "They'll sneak away from you if you give them half a
+chance. It's only when they're cornered or when they're needing food that
+they are really combative."
+
+The mountain lion was skinned and the pelt taken away by the ranch
+foreman to be cured, and then Fred and Andy took it easy for the rest of
+the day.
+
+"Isn't it queer that Brassy Bangs has never showed himself around this
+place?" remarked Spouter that evening. "Wouldn't you think he'd at least
+ride over to see what sort of an outfit we had here?"
+
+"More than likely he's afraid of his welcome," said Jack. "He knows that
+none of us care for him."
+
+"I'd like to know if he really started that auto," put in Fred.
+
+"Gosh, what a sour fellow that Jarley Bangs was!" exclaimed Andy.
+
+There had been an indication of a storm, but this had passed away, and
+one day found the Rover boys and their chums off on a trip along a trail
+which led across the river and to the mountains westward, a trail which
+they were informed by Jackson led between the ranches owned by Jarley
+Bangs and Bimbel.
+
+"I'd like to get a better view of Bimbel's ranch and also of Bangs'
+place," declared Jack. "And maybe we'll see something of Bud Haddon and
+his crowd."
+
+All of the boys were now on good terms with Hop Lung, and he had prepared
+for them a substantial lunch and also something extra in case they should
+remain out after the supper hour.
+
+"Now you lads take good care of yourselves," admonished Tom Rover, when
+they were ready to depart on their day's outing. "No more rattlesnakes or
+mountain lions!"
+
+"Or mix-ups with runaway cattle," put in Sam Rover.
+
+Spouter and Jack carried small rifles, and the others were armed with
+pistols. They, however, were not going out to hunt, but thought best to
+provide themselves with the firearms in case any game presented itself.
+
+It did not take the boys long to cross the river, and then they followed
+a trail which led up a long hill and through a somewhat dense forest.
+
+They had journeyed along the best part of two hours when they noticed the
+sun going under a cloud. This caused the trail under the trees to become
+dark.
+
+"Gee! I wonder if we're going to have a storm?" remarked Randy.
+
+"Oh, maybe it's nothing but a wind cloud," answered Spouter.
+
+They continued to move along the trail, and presently reached a small
+opening where there was a spring.
+
+"Halt!" called out Jack, who was riding ahead with Spouter.
+
+"What's the matter?" questioned Gif quickly.
+
+"Look there! Isn't that a wolf?" asked Jack. He pointed with his rifle,
+which he had already unslung, and all the boys looked in the direction
+pointed out.
+
+"Maybe it's a dog," put in Fred quickly.
+
+"You don't want to shoot somebody's pet," admonished Gif.
+
+The animal had slunk away behind some brushwood, and now they saw it
+trying to retreat, pulling something through the dead leaves as it did
+so.
+
+"It's a wolf! I'm sure of it!" declared Jack, and, raising his rifle, he
+took quick aim and fired.
+
+As the echo of the firearm died away the lads heard a snarl and a yelp,
+and an instant later a gaunt wolf showed himself, his fangs gleaming
+dangerously as he came closer.
+
+Several shots rang out, for all of the boys had their weapons ready. The
+wolf was hit in three places, and gave a single leap into the air and
+then dropped lifeless.
+
+"Hurrah! We've got him!" yelled Randy, with satisfaction.
+
+"Be careful! Don't go too close before we're sure," warned Jack. "Better
+reload first."
+
+But the wolf was past doing further harm, and having assured themselves
+of this the boys looked at what he had been carrying away.
+
+"It's the side of a calf!" exclaimed Spouter. "Isn't this the limit? I'm
+glad we brought him down!"
+
+"He must have been raiding some cow yard," said Jack.
+
+"No ranch cow yard," said Gif. "This half of a calf was skinned by some
+person. I'll bet he stole it out of some ranch larder." And later on it
+was learned that the calf meat had been stolen from Jarley Bangs' place
+the night before.
+
+The boys had become so interested in bringing down the wolf that they had
+paid no attention to what was taking place overhead. But now they noticed
+that the sky was more overcast than ever. The wind began to blow through
+the woods, and of a sudden there came a downpour as surprising as it was
+dismaying.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+IN THE CAVE
+
+
+"We're in for it now!" cried Jack, as he looked up at the sky and at the
+trees beginning to bend in the wind.
+
+"And it's going to be some storm, or I miss my guess," added Gif.
+
+"I wonder if we can find any shelter around here?" put in Randy. "If we
+can't we'll be soaked to the skin in no time."
+
+"Jackson was telling me of a couple of caves toward the end of these
+woods," said Spouter quickly. "I wonder if we could reach the nearest of
+them? It might help us to get out of the rain."
+
+"Come on--let's try it!" put in Fred eagerly.
+
+Leaving the dead wolf where it had fallen, the boys pushed forward on the
+trail, which now led downward on the other side of the hill. Here they
+noticed the going was getting rougher, and presently they found
+themselves entering a defile among the rocks. Here the trees were more
+scattering and consequently they were exposed to the full fury of the
+elements. Ever and anon a flash of lightning would illumine the sky,
+followed by the crack and rumble of thunder.
+
+"Say, maybe we had better stay under the trees," suggested Andy.
+
+"Suppose the trees should be struck by lightning?" questioned Jack. "I
+think we had better go on, especially if we're anywhere near those caves
+Jackson mentioned."
+
+A turn in the defile brought them to something of an open place. Here on
+one side the rocks towered fully fifty feet above their heads and at one
+point there was an opening perhaps fifteen feet square and leading into
+the side of the hill.
+
+"This must be the first of the caves!" cried Spouter. "Come on in!" And
+without ceremony he led the way, and the others followed, glad to get out
+of the storm.
+
+They found the cave an irregular one, running in somewhat of a semicircle
+and with a flooring that was comparatively level. It was dry and fairly
+comfortable, and once beyond the fury of the storm the lads dismounted
+and proceeded to make themselves at home.
+
+The rain continued to come down and, with nothing better to do, the boys
+proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as possible. Near the
+entrance to the cave they found some leaves and dead tree branches which
+were still dry, and these they dragged inside and then made themselves a
+campfire.
+
+"I reckon we'll have to cut out going any further," announced Spouter.
+"Even if the storm clears away, the trail will be very wet and
+slippery."
+
+It still lacked an hour to noon, and with nothing else to do the boys
+tethered their horses and then proceeded to investigate their
+surroundings. From the campfire they obtained several torches, and with
+these in hand they moved along slowly around the bend of the cave and
+over a series of rocks which led upward.
+
+"It certainly is a larger cave than I supposed," said Jack, as he and Gif
+led the way, with the others close behind.
+
+"I think I see a light ahead, Jack," was Gif's remark. "That must be
+another opening to the cave."
+
+"Maybe the two caves that Jackson mentioned are really one, and this
+passageway connects them."
+
+"We'll soon find out."
+
+By this time all but one of the torches had burnt themselves out. But
+this the lads did not mind, for the light ahead was steadily increasing,
+showing that they could not be far from another opening.
+
+"Look!" called Jack suddenly. And then he added: "Keep quiet, all of
+you!"
+
+He pointed ahead and there, around a bend of the rocks, all saw two
+figures moving around on horseback. One was the figure of a tall man, and
+the other that of a well-grown youth.
+
+"Why, that's Brassy Bangs!" whispered Fred excitedly.
+
+"Yes. And the man is Bud Haddon," returned Andy.
+
+"What do you bet Haddon isn't after Brassy for more money?" put in Fred
+excitedly.
+
+While the youngest Rover was speaking, he and the others saw that the two
+figures on horseback had disappeared behind a mass of rocks.
+
+"I'm going ahead and find out about this," declared Jack. "Come on! So
+far as we can see there are only two of them, so the six of us have
+nothing to fear."
+
+"Especially as we're armed," added Fred, who carried his pistol with
+him.
+
+Throwing down the last of their torches, the six boys advanced with
+caution. They heard the horses beyond the rocks occasionally stamping a
+hoof and caught a faint murmur of voices. Then, led by Jack, they mounted
+the rocks noiselessly, presently gaining a point where they could look
+directly down upon Brassy Bangs and his companion.
+
+"It's all wrong, Bud Haddon, and you know it!" they heard Brassy declare.
+"And sooner or later the authorities will get after you for this."
+
+"See here, Lester Bangs, you don't have to preach to me!" growled Bud
+Haddon. "You're just as deep in some things as I am in others."
+
+"It isn't true, and you know it!" whined Brassy. And now the lads who
+were listening could see that their fellow-cadet was very much upset.
+"I'm not guilty, and I never have been guilty of any wrongdoing!"
+
+"You tell that to the police and see what they have to say about it,"
+sneered Haddon, "You know well enough that you set fire to John Calder's
+barn and burnt up horses that was worth thousands of dollars."
+
+"And I always said it was some cowboys or tramps that did it!" stormed
+Brassy.
+
+"Not much! You did it! I know it, and so do Jillson and Dusenbury! We've
+got the goods on you."
+
+"What were Jillson and Dusenbury and you doing around the place?"
+questioned Brassy suddenly.
+
+"Never mind what we were doing around there. We know you set the barn on
+fire. Didn't you have a quarrel with old Calder?"
+
+"Yes, I did. But I didn't make any fire. Maybe you had a quarrel with him
+yourself."
+
+"Hold on there, Bangs! None of that!" cried Bud Haddon sternly.
+
+"Well, you wouldn't be too good to set the fire," added Brassy, with
+sudden recklessness. "Not after the way you are acting out here, running
+away with those horses, and after the way you acted at Colby Hall, trying
+to rob every room in the place!"
+
+"Wait a minute now! Wait a minute!" returned the man sarcastically. "Who
+was it lent me his uniform and who was it that told me just what rooms to
+go into? Answer me those questions, will you?"
+
+"You wouldn't have gotten hold of the uniform and you wouldn't have
+gotten any information if you hadn't threatened me in all sorts of ways,"
+answered Brassy, somewhat lamely. "I wish now that I'd never had anything
+to do with you!"
+
+"Well, you keep your tongue between your teeth, or else you'll get
+yourself in the hottest kind of water!" burst out Bud Haddon. "Don't you
+know that they can send you to prison for ten years for what you did?"
+
+"I haven't said anything to anybody as yet," answered Brassy hastily.
+
+"Well, you see that you don't!"
+
+"But I didn't set Calder's barn on fire--really I didn't!" pleaded the
+boy. "I don't see why you won't believe me."
+
+"I'm willing to let that matter drop if only you'll keep a civil tongue
+in your head and mind what you're doing," returned Bud Haddon. "And don't
+forget--I want at least a hundred dollars more just as soon as you can
+lay your hands on it."
+
+"I don't see how I'm going to get it. I'm expecting some money from my
+uncle. But that has got to pay for my tuition at Colby Hall this fall."
+
+"Well, you let the school wait for its money and you turn it over to me.
+They won't want you there anyhow if they should find out what sort of a
+fellow you are," went on Bud Haddon coarsely. "Now I've got to be getting
+back to Bimbel's, rain or no rain," he continued. "Just remember, you've
+got to fork over a hundred in cold cash before you start East again. If
+you don't--well, look out, that's all!" And with this threat the tall man
+rode out of the cave.
+
+The Rovers and their chums had listened to every word that had been
+spoken. They were both mystified and amazed by what had been said.
+
+"That fellow Haddon is surely a first-class rascal," whispered Spouter to
+Jack.
+
+"Do you know what I think we had better do?" returned the young major.
+"Let's stop Brassy and have a straight talk with him. I don't think he's
+quite as bad as we thought he might be."
+
+"Yes, let us stop Brassy by all means," came in a low tone from Fred.
+
+Brassy Bangs had ridden to the mouth of the cave and there sat astride of
+his horse, watching Bud Haddon as he galloped away though the rain. Then
+he turned back in anything but a cheerful humor. The other boys saw him
+dismount and sink down on a rock, covering his face with his hands.
+
+"Come on," said Jack, and without more ado he scrambled down from the
+rocks and came around to where Brassy was sitting, and the others did the
+same.
+
+Brassy's misery was so great that for several seconds he did not notice
+their approach. Then, he looked up startled and leaped to his feet.
+
+"Where did you come from?" he demanded, as soon as he could speak.
+
+"We came from the other end of the cave, Brassy," answered Jack.
+
+"How long have you been here?"
+
+"We've been here long enough to hear the talk you had with that fellow
+named Haddon," answered Fred.
+
+"You did!" Brassy turned pale. "It wasn't very nice to listen when you
+had no business to!"
+
+"Never mind about that now, Brassy. What we want to know is, did you or
+that fellow rob Colby Hall?"
+
+"He did it! I didn't have a thing to do with it--at least, willingly!"
+cried Brassy Bangs. "He forced me to do everything I did. He threatened
+me in all sorts of ways--said he would put me in prison and all that if I
+didn't help him. Oh, he's the worst man there ever was!" groaned the
+overwrought boy. And now the others could see that he was on the verge of
+collapse.
+
+"See here, Brassy, why don't you tell us the whole story?" put in Gif
+kindly.
+
+"Why should I tell my story to you? All you fellows are against me--you
+always were!"
+
+"We're not against you, Brassy," answered Jack. "If you can prove to us
+that you're really being hounded by that man, we'll do what we can to
+help you. Isn't that so, fellows?" And at this question the others
+nodded.
+
+"Hounded is right! He's done nothing but hound me ever since he knew me,"
+whined the accused one.
+
+"You tell me one thing!" demanded Spouter, striding up and catching
+Brassy by the shoulder. "Did that rascal steal the horses from our
+ranch?"
+
+"I think he did--in fact, I'm about certain he did. That is, either he or
+the fellows he's in league with."
+
+"Who are those other fellows?"
+
+"Two fellows who just came out here from Chicago named Jillson and
+Dusenbury and two others from Bimbel's ranch named Noxley and Jenks. The
+whole bunch were mixed up with Bimbel some years ago in a shady
+transaction, and they lit out for quite a while. But now they're back
+again."
+
+"I don't see why you want to get mixed up with a crowd like that," was
+Andy's comment.
+
+"I didn't want to get mixed up with 'em," declared Brassy. "I haven't had
+a thing to do with any of 'em except Bud Haddon. Oh, I wish I'd never met
+that man!" And now Brassy seemed almost on the verge of tears.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+A CONFESSION
+
+
+After that it was an easy matter for the other boys to get Brassy to make
+a complete confession.
+
+"My first trouble came when I got a job with John Calder who has a farm
+on the outskirts of Omaha," said Brassy. "I had had a quarrel at home,
+and also a quarrel with my uncle here, and had made up my mind to get a
+place and support myself. But I couldn't get along with Calder, who was a
+very strict man, and one afternoon we had a lively quarrel, and I told
+him I'd leave, and I did so and went to Omaha. About a week after that
+Calder's barn burned down and a number of horses were caught in the fire.
+That was just after I had fallen in with Bud Haddon and his two chums,
+Jillson and Dusenbury. Haddon pretended to be quite friendly. But all at
+once he accused me of setting the fire and said that Jillson and
+Dusenbury, who had left the day before, could prove it. I protested my
+innocence, but he insisted I was guilty and worked me up to such an
+extent that I gave him almost every dollar I had in my pocket to keep him
+quiet."
+
+"And you say positively that you had nothing to do with the fire?"
+questioned Fred.
+
+"Not a thing!"
+
+"Couldn't you prove that you weren't there when the fire took place?"
+asked Andy.
+
+"No, I couldn't, because I went to a vaudeville show that evening, and I
+was among strangers, so that I couldn't account for my time."
+
+"Did Haddon hound you when you came to Colby Hall?" questioned Gif.
+
+"He certainly did--not once, but half a dozen times. And I gave him all
+the money I could scrape up. In fact, I even borrowed some money from
+Halliday and a couple of the other fellows."
+
+"But what about the robbery at the Hall?'" questioned Fred.
+
+"Several times Haddon came to me and spoke in a mysterious manner about
+its being an easy matter to make a big haul. Then he hinted about the
+robbery; but I would have nothing to do with it. On the afternoon when we
+were getting ready to celebrate that night, he sent word that he wanted
+to see me at a certain barn not far from the school. When I got there he
+demanded that I help him go through the bedrooms while the fellows were
+having a good time on the campus and down by the river. I said I wouldn't
+do it, and then all of a sudden he hit me on the head and knocked me
+down. Then he stripped me of my trousers and jacket and tied me fast in
+one of the disused horse stalls."
+
+"And you mean to say he used your uniform in stealing into the school?"
+asked Spouter.
+
+"That's it. I didn't know it at the time, because he went to another part
+of the barn where I couldn't see him. But later on, when he brought the
+uniform back, he told me all about it. He thought he had been wonderfully
+slick."
+
+"Why didn't you expose him at once?" demanded Jack.
+
+"He told me that if I exposed him he would tell the authorities that I
+had planned the whole scheme and that I had done most of the work myself.
+He said some one had seen him in the uniform scooting from one room to
+another, so that the report would circulate that some cadet was guilty.
+He got me so worked up that at last I promised to keep quiet."
+
+"And had he really robbed your room, too?" demanded Fred.
+
+"Yes. I lost my stuff just as I reported. Oh, you can't imagine how I
+felt!" went on Brassy Bangs in a hopeless tone of voice. "Many a time I
+thought I'd go to Colonel Colby and confess everything. But then I
+thought they would bring that old charge of barn-burning up against me,
+as well as the charge of helping in the robbery, and I didn't have nerve
+enough to say a word. Oh, I know I was a big fool! I should have faced it
+out!"
+
+"Wait a minute!" put in Jack suddenly. "Are you pretty sure Haddon, as
+well as Dusenbury and Jillson, are guilty of making off with the horses
+that are missing?"
+
+"I am!"
+
+"Well, then, isn't it possible that those three went to this John
+Calder's barn and stole some of the horses and then set fire to the place
+to cover the theft?"
+
+"By golly, I'll bet that's just what they did!" burst out Brassy Bangs.
+"I remember now that the reports in the newspapers said the fire had been
+so fierce that the carcasses of the horses had been burnt up completely.
+They only found some of the bones in the ruins. Oh, if they really did do
+that!"
+
+"Did Calder have any particularly good horses?"
+
+"Yes, he had a splendid team of matched grays that were worth
+considerable money. He thought more of the grays than he did of all his
+other horses put together."
+
+"I'll wager a toothpick against a lemon that gang stole the grays before
+the fire," declared Andy emphatically.
+
+"The police ought to arrest those three men and put 'em through what they
+call the third degree," remarked Gif.
+
+"I'd like to know one other thing," went on Andy, and now his face showed
+a slight grin. "What do you know about your Uncle Jarley's auto running
+away by itself?"
+
+"Oh, please don't mention that tin junk wagon!" pleaded Brassy. "I
+started it, and the blamed thing ran over me, and I was lame for a
+week."
+
+"Does your uncle know anything about what Haddon and his crowd are up
+to?" questioned Jack.
+
+"Not exactly. Although he's becoming suspicious of the whole gang around
+the Bimbel place. You know he's never trusted Bimbel since the man got
+into difficulty with the authorities several years ago."
+
+After that the seven boys talked the matter over for half an hour longer.
+And then the others insisted upon it that Brassy accompany them to the
+other entrance to the cave, and there all sat down to partake of the
+lunch brought from Big Horn Ranch.
+
+Brassy appeared much relieved by the confession he had made, and readily
+answered all the questions put to him. His assertive manner had left him
+entirely, and he appeared quite humble.
+
+"If he ever gets out of this I'll bet he'll be a different fellow,"
+whispered Randy to Fred.
+
+"I think so myself," was the reply. "But how he is going to square
+himself with Colonel Colby remains to be seen. It was a serious piece of
+business to let Haddon steal all those things from the school and say
+nothing about it."
+
+While the boys were eating the storm stopped, and less than an hour later
+the sun was shining as before.
+
+"I think we might as well be on our way back to the ranch," remarked
+Spouter. "The sooner we get there and let our fathers know how matters
+stand, the better."
+
+"Don't you want to go with us, Brassy?" asked Jack.
+
+"If I did that I couldn't get back to my uncle's place to-night, and then
+he'd worry about me. Otherwise I would just as lief go to your place as
+not. Now that I've told you everything I'd like to see the whole matter
+cleaned up, and quick too."
+
+"How far is it to your uncle's ranch?" asked Fred.
+
+"Not over a mile and a half."
+
+"Then suppose we go there first, and then all of us can strike out for
+Big Horn Ranch. Maybe your uncle will want to take part in what is going
+on," said Jack.
+
+"I wish you would go with me!" cried Brassy eagerly. "I'm afraid my uncle
+will raise Cain when I tell him the truth."
+
+"He won't dare do much when we're around," answered Gif. "If he gets too
+ugly you can clear out and meet us on the way to our place."
+
+"That's the talk," said Randy.
+
+Again there was a discussion, but in the end it was decided that the
+whole party should lose no time in getting to Jarley Bangs' ranch. They
+would explain matters to Brassy's uncle, and then set out for Songbird
+Powell's place.
+
+The campfire was speedily stamped out, and leaping into the saddle, the
+seven boys set out for the Bangs' place, Brassy leading the way, with
+Spouter beside him. It was a wet and dismal ride through the woods, and
+it is safe to say that Brassy felt every bit as dismal as his
+surroundings.
+
+"Gee, but I certainly am sorry for him!" whispered Andy to his twin. "He
+isn't a fellow that I would cotton to, but he certainly has got himself
+into a pickle."
+
+Presently the woods were left behind and they came out on the open
+prairie. Here the sun shone brightly, and the trail was drying rapidly.
+They urged their steeds into a gallop, and in a short while came in sight
+of the Jarley Bangs' outfit.
+
+As they rode up they saw Jarley Bangs come from the ranch house and move
+swiftly toward one of the stables where the horses were kept. He was
+evidently in a hurry and much excited.
+
+"Hello! where have you been?" he demanded of his nephew. "Where did you
+pick up these chaps?"
+
+"I met 'em during the storm over at Twin Caves," answered Brassy.
+
+"It's a wonder you wouldn't stay around the house once in a while,"
+grumbled Jarley Bangs. "If you would, maybe I wouldn't be losing
+things."
+
+"Losing things! What do you mean, Uncle Jarley?" questioned the nephew
+quickly.
+
+"What do I mean?" stormed the ranch owner. "Do you know what has happened
+since you went away?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Well, then, I'll tell you! Two of our best horses have been stolen!
+Right out of the stable, too!" exclaimed Jarley Bangs wrathfully. "Duster
+and old Whitehead!"
+
+"Stolen!" came from all of the boys simultaneously.
+
+"Yes, stolen! Nobody saw 'em taken, but they're gone, and not a man on
+the ranch was near 'em!"
+
+"I'll wager that's more of Bud Haddon's work," declared Jack quickly.
+
+"But he wasn't here--he was over at the caves," returned Fred.
+
+"Well, if he didn't do it, then some members of his gang did," put in
+Randy.
+
+"I'm going to have the law on somebody for this!" stormed Jarley Bangs.
+"Too many horses in this neighborhood have been stolen. I'm going to
+visit some of the other ranchmen and notify the sheriff, and see if we
+can't raise a posse to run down the rascals."
+
+"That's the way to talk, Mr. Bangs!" cried Spouter. "And we know just
+what gang to go after."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+THE CAPTURE--CONCLUSION
+
+
+Less than an hour later found the whole party, including Jarley Bangs, on
+the way to Big Horn Ranch.
+
+Brassy's uncle had listened with keen interest to the story his nephew
+and the other lads had to relate. He had interrupted a number of times to
+ask questions, and at the finish of the recital had held up both hands in
+disgust.
+
+"You're a bigger fool than I ever thought you were, Lester," he had told
+his nephew. "Why in thunder didn't you tell your folks and me all about
+this just as soon as it happened? We could have set a trap for those
+rascals and caught 'em easy."
+
+"But, Uncle Jarley, remember how I was tied up in that Colby Hall
+affair!" Brassy had pleaded.
+
+"I don't believe Colonel Colby would hold you responsible for that--not
+after he'd made a thorough investigation. But that ain't here nor there.
+What we want to do now is to grab those fellows before they've a chance
+to make a get-away. I'd just like to ketch 'em with Duster and Whitehead
+in their possession! I think I could find enough old-timers around here
+to hand all of 'em a rope," and Jarley Bangs' eyes had flashed with a
+fire that was anything but agreeable.
+
+The Rover boys and their chums had thought to take the regular trail
+leading back to Big Horn Ranch, but Jarley Bangs told them he knew of a
+shorter way.
+
+"We can cut off over a mile," said he. "And I reckon the quicker we get a
+posse out the better."
+
+"Don't you suppose we can round them up around Bimbel's ranch almost any
+time?" queried Spouter.
+
+"Maybe, and maybe not. We'd probably be able to get the others, but
+Haddon, Dusenbury and Jillson come and go. Sometimes they're here, and
+sometimes in Omaha and Chicago."
+
+"Perhaps that's where they disposed of their stolen horses," suggested
+Jack.
+
+"More'n likely."
+
+Jarley Bangs had armed himself with a double-barreled shotgun, and he
+rode in advance with Spouter at his side and the others close behind.
+
+The way lay across a stretch of prairie and then into the edge of the
+woods bordering the river. The party had just gained the water's edge and
+were looking for a good fording place when Brassy suddenly uttered an
+exclamation.
+
+"Look up the river, will you? There are those men now! And see! they are
+leading a couple of horses!"
+
+"Get back out of sight, quick!" ordered Jarley Bangs. And in a few
+seconds all were behind the bushes which at that point lined the river.
+
+"Why, they're heading almost straight for Big Horn Ranch!" exclaimed
+Spouter excitedly.
+
+"They're going to follow the old river trail," announced Jarley Bangs.
+"More'n likely they'll take to the lower trail when they reach the
+forks."
+
+"Can't we head 'em off and capture 'em?" questioned Fred.
+
+"I think we can. Anyhow, we can try," was Jarley Bangs' answer.
+
+The old ranchman made a swift mental calculation and then directed the
+boys to follow him to a fording place a little further down the river.
+Once on the other side of the watercourse, he urged his steed forward at
+topmost speed in the direction of another patch of timber further
+southward.
+
+"They wouldn't dare take the upper trail," he told the lads. "For that
+would take 'em too close to Big Horn. They'll come this way, I'm almost
+certain."
+
+It was not easy riding on a trail which was used but seldom.
+Nevertheless, the lads hurried after the old ranchman as well as they
+could. They wound in and out over some rough rocks and up a small hill,
+and presently emerged upon a much better trail.
+
+"Here is where they ought to pass," announced Jarley Bangs. "Now then,
+we'll put our horses in the thicket and then see what we can do toward
+pocketing 'em when they come."
+
+The old ranchman had seen strenuous times in his younger days, and he
+seemed to know exactly what to do. He divided the boys into two groups,
+placing them on either side of the winding and rocky road.
+
+"Now if you have to shoot, shoot high so as not to hit anybody on the
+other side," was his warning. "But maybe we can get 'em without firing a
+shot," he went on.
+
+Brassy was armed with a small rifle, and he insisted upon remaining in
+the roadway with his uncle. The other lads with their pistols and guns
+were placed in advantageous positions behind nearby rocks and trees.
+
+The arrangement was scarcely completed when they heard the tramp of
+horses' hoofs over the somewhat rocky trail, and in a minute more Bud
+Haddon came into view, followed by Jillson and Dusenbury, all on
+horseback and each of the latter leading an extra steed.
+
+"Throw up your hands!" shouted Jarley Bangs, as the horsemen came closer,
+and he leveled his shotgun full at Haddon's head, while Brassy covered
+Dusenbury with his rifle. The boys behind the rocks and trees covered all
+three men as well as they were able.
+
+The three rascals had not anticipated such a meeting, and, seeing the
+guns leveled at them, not only from the front but also from the sides,
+three pairs of hands went up almost as one.
+
+"It's Bangs!" murmured the man named Dusenbury. "I reckon the jig is
+up."
+
+"Don't dare to budge or I'll blow somebody's head off!" roared Jarley
+Bangs. And he looked as if he meant what he said.
+
+"You've got the drop on me, and I ain't moving," answered Bud Haddon
+surlily.
+
+"Hi, Powell! Come out here, will you?" went on Brassy Bangs' uncle. And
+then, as Spouter came from the bushes with rifle in hand, he continued.
+"Go up there and take every one of their guns away from 'em."
+
+As soon as they had been disarmed the three rascals were told to dismount
+and stand in a line along the side of the road. Then, as the boys
+confronted them, Jarley Bangs went through their pockets once more to
+make sure that no weapon had been overlooked.
+
+"Fine piece of business, to run away with my horses!" exclaimed the old
+ranch owner, and he jerked his head in the direction of the two animals
+the men had been leading.
+
+With their hands tied in front of them, the men were made to remount, and
+then the entire party lost no time in heading for Big Horn Ranch.
+
+"I'll fix you for this!" hissed Haddon at Brassy when he got the chance.
+
+"You do your worst!" retorted the boy. "I'm not afraid of you any more."
+
+Of course, there was great excitement at the ranch when the crowd came in
+with the three prisoners. The story of what had happened was quickly
+circulated, and Joe Jackson and a number of the cowboys were called in
+from the ranges. One of the cowboys was sent off to notify a deputy
+sheriff of what had occurred and of what the ranch owners expected to do,
+and two other cowboys were started off to notify the owners of other
+ranches in that vicinity.
+
+As a consequence early the next morning a posse consisting of twelve men
+headed for Bimbel's ranch. Of course, the boys wanted to go along, but
+they were forced to remain behind, much to their chagrin.
+
+"You might get shot," said Songbird Powell. "And, besides that, you have
+had glory enough, helping to catch these three rascals," and he smiled
+faintly.
+
+The affair at Bimbel's was rather a strenuous one. Jenks and Noxley, as
+well as Bimbel, tried to escape, and Noxley was shot in the leg. The
+fellow thought he was going to die, and while waiting for the doctor to
+come and attend him he made a full confession concerning the stealing of
+many of the horses in that neighborhood. He said that Bud Haddon was at
+the head of the gang and that Haddon, with Jillson and Dusenbury, were in
+the habit of disposing of the animals either at Omaha or Chicago,
+although one or two steeds, including one belonging to the former owners
+of Big Horn Ranch had been sent further east.
+
+"I guess it was one of the early thefts that took Haddon to Haven Point,"
+declared Jack, and in that surmise he was correct.
+
+With this evidence against them, Haddon, Jillson and Dusenbury were
+submitted to a severe gruelling, each being examined separately. Finally
+Dusenbury broke down completely and admitted that he and the other two
+had fired John Calder's barn after stealing his noted pair of gray
+horses. The horses had been shipped out of town, and were later on
+recovered, as were also Mr. Powell's Blackbird and several other of the
+animals.
+
+When Bud Haddon's effects were examined many pawn tickets were
+discovered, and following up the clues thus afforded Colonel Colby
+managed to get back many of the articles stolen from the school. These
+included Professor Duke's heirloom watch and a number of the things lost
+by our friends.
+
+At first it was thought that Brassy might be prosecuted, but when Bud
+Haddon was brought to trial for the thefts the State used the youth as a
+witness against the fellow, and consequently Brassy was allowed to go
+free. He, however, received a stern lecture from Colonel Colby and was
+then told that he had better not return to the Hall.
+
+"I don't think I want to come back," said Brassy. "A whole lot of the
+fellows would never forgive me for what I did." And in this surmise he
+was probably correct. Brassy returned to his uncle's ranch, and that was
+the last heard of him for a long time.
+
+With the mystery of the robbery at Colby Hall and of the missing horses
+cleared up, the Rover boys and all the other young folks at Big Horn
+Ranch turned their attention once more to having a good time. Sam Rover
+went back to New York to take charge of the offices in Wall Street, and
+that gave Dick Rover and his wife a chance to come out and pay the ranch
+a visit.
+
+"We've certainly had some strenuous times here," remarked Jack one day.
+
+And he was right. But other strenuous times were still in store for the
+lads, and what some of these were will be related in the next volume, to
+be entitled, "The Rover Boys at Big Bear Lake; or, The Camps of the Rival
+Cadets."
+
+"Big Horn Ranch is a delightful place," said Ruth. "I never thought a
+spot where they raised cattle could be so interesting."
+
+"Is your father going to stay out here and become a regular ranchman,
+Spouter?" questioned Fred.
+
+"I don't know about that," answered the ranch owner's son. "He'll stay
+here for a while, anyway. He likes it better and better every day."
+
+"I dink some day I got me a ranch mineself alreatty," remarked Hans
+Mueller. "Den I could raise all mine own meats for mine delicatessen
+stores, not so?" and he smiled complacently.
+
+"Come on, boys, let's get on horseback and have a race!" cried Andy, as
+he came up from finishing a game of lawn tennis with Mary.
+
+"I'm with you," answered Fred, who had been playing a game of croquet
+with May and some of the others.
+
+"All right! A horseback race it is!" cried Jack.
+
+"An extra piece of cake to the boy who wins!" shouted his sister Martha
+after him.
+
+"Hurrah! Me for that piece of cake!" came from every one of the boys
+assembled.
+
+And here, while they are running down to the corral pell-mell to get on
+their horses for a gallop across the prairie, we will leave them and say
+good-bye.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+THE FAMOUS ROVER BOYS SERIES
+BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
+(Edward Stratemeyer)
+
+OVER THREE MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THIS SERIES
+
+Uniform Style of Binding. Colored Wrappers.
+Every Volume Complete in Itself.
+
+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 ON LAND AND SEA
+THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP
+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 ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL
+THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND
+THE ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS
+THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT
+THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK
+THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH
+THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG BEAR LAKE
+THE ROVER BOYS SHIPWRECKED
+
+Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York
+
+      *      *      *      *      *
+
+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 AND AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT
+TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER
+
+Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 26539.txt or 26539.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/6/5/3/26539
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://www.gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+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
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/26539.zip b/26539.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..23ed1b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26539.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09757ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #26539 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26539)