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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> </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> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </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> (<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’ 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 “THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL,” “THE ROVER BOYS</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>ON TREASURE ISLE,” “THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL,”</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:4em;'>“THE PUTNAM HALL CADETS SERIES,” ETC.</p> +<p style=' margin-bottom:2em; font-style:italic;'>ILLUSTRATED</p> +<p> </p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>NEW YORK</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em;'>GROSSET & 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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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 & 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, “The Second Rover +Boys Series for Young Americans.”</p> +<p>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.</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 +“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.</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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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’s Secret</span> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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’s Secret</span> </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> </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> </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> </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> </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—Conclusion</span> </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>“Line up, fellows! No crowding ahead in this +contest.”</p> +<p>“Here, Jack, give me some elbow room if you +want me to do any real snowball throwing!” cried +Fred Rover.</p> +<p>“All the elbow room you want,” returned his +cousin gayly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“A sock doughnut is one with a big hole in it,” +answered Andy, with a grin. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2' name='page_2'></a>2</span></p> +<p>“Then my socks must be all of the doughnut +variety,” put in one of the cadets dolefully. +“They are always full of holes.”</p> +<p>“Never mind the socks now!” cried Randy +Rover. “Let’s see who can put the first snowball +over the barn.”</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>“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.”</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>“Say, look out that you don’t break a window,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3' name='page_3'></a>3</span> +warned Gif Garrison. “If you do, you’ll +have an account to settle with Captain Dale.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Hurrah! Dan draws first blood!” shouted +Jack.</p> +<p>“Huh! Dan didn’t throw over the barn, he +just slid over it,” 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>“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.</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>“Phew! some hot work, I’ll say,” panted Will +Hendry, usually called Fatty because he was the +stoutest boy in the school.</p> +<p>“This exercise will do you good, Fatty,” returned +Fred. “You need to reduce.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4' name='page_4'></a>4</span></p> +<p>“If Fatty keeps on he’ll be eating Colby Hall +poor,” announced Spouter Powell.</p> +<p>“Huh! I don’t eat any more than any of you,” +grumbled Fatty. “Fact is, I hold myself down.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Hello there, Bob Nixon!” cried Jack. “What’s +wrong?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Did we hit you?” questioned Phil Franklin.</p> +<p>“You sure did—on the back and on my hand,” +answered Nixon.</p> +<p>“We didn’t know anybody was around on that +side of the barn,” announced Andy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5' name='page_5'></a>5</span></p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Great salt mackerel!” ejaculated Fred. “I forgot +those hotbed frames were there.”</p> +<p>“Why, the glass is out of ’em, anyway, isn’t +it?” questioned Gif.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Well, what next?” questioned Fred Rover, +when he and his three cousins and Gif, Phil and +Spouter found themselves left alone.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“What is it?” questioned Jack quickly.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Gee, that’s the talk!” cried his twin merrily. +“I’d like to place a couple in Codfish’s room.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I know one person I’d like to treat to some +big snowballs!” broke out Fred. “That’s Professor +Duke.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7' name='page_7'></a>7</span></p> +<p>“Oh, say! I’d like to square up with him myself,” +burst out Andy. “Gee! he certainly did +have it in for us yesterday.”</p> +<p>“Professor Duke is certainly a sour one—much +worse than Asa Lemm ever dared to be,” came +from Gif.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“We don’t want to get in bad with the colonel,” +remarked Fred seriously.</p> +<p>“Oh, I think we can fix it so that nobody will +know who did it,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“We’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’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.”</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>“What is the matter with that omelet, Rover?” +he demanded, in his high-pitched, nervous tone +of voice.</p> +<p>“Nothing the matter with it, sir,” answered +Andy. “Only I somehow forgot and salted it too +much.”</p> +<p>“Really!” returned Snopper Duke sarcastically. +“Is that the way you waste food?”</p> +<p>“No, sir. It was only a mistake,” answered +Andy meekly.</p> +<p>“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. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span></p> +<p>“Oh, isn’t he a perfect little lamb!” murmured +Randy. “So awfully tender-hearted!”</p> +<p>“Somebody ought to wring his neck,” grumbled +his twin.</p> +<p>“Just the same, Andy, you’d better be careful +how you handle the salt-shaker after this,” 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>“All clear upstairs,” he announced. “Not a soul +in sight.”</p> +<p>“One of us ought to stay on guard up there to +give warning in case it’s necessary,” announced +Spouter.</p> +<p>“Well, suppose you go up,” returned Jack. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span></p> +<p>“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.</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>“How about it? Everything clear?” questioned +Randy, as he came into the corridor where Spouter +was on guard.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then let’s get those snowballs inside and distribute +’em.”</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>“I’ve saved the biggest of the snowballs,” whispered +Randy. “That’s the one we must place in +Professor Duke’s room.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“Somebody coming!” he announced in a whisper. +“And unless I’m mistaken, it’s Professor +Duke!”</p> +<p>“Gosh! I hope he doesn’t catch us,” returned +Gif Garrison. “Maybe we had better run for it.”</p> +<p>“Here he comes right for the stairs!” 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>“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.</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>“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!</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>“Gee, we’ve done it now!”</p> +<p>“The snowball knocked Professor Duke over!”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Gosh! it struck him, all right,” whispered Gif +Garrison.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Skip for it!” put in his twin brother quickly. +“We mustn’t be caught at this.”</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>“Skip inside and pretend to be reading or +studying,” said the oldest of the Rover boys.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</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 “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.</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’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>“We’ll have to send those kids to some strict +boarding school—some military academy,” said +Dick Rover.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</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’s cousin, and the +whole crowd of young people soon became friends. +Later on Mary and Martha Rover became pupils +at the girls’ 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 “The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island.”</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’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 +“The Rover Boys Under Canvas.”</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 “The Rover Boys on a Hunt.”</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 “The +Rover Boys in the Land of Luck.”</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’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>“It’s a terrible blow for those three families,” +said Dick Rover, when this occurred. “It will +make Mr. Werner quite a poor man.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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.</p> +<p>“Do you know I can scarcely believe it’s true,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span> +Phil Franklin had said to the Rover boys. “Why, +my father will have more money than he ever +dreamed of.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“For a new cadet he’s certainly pretty forward,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span> +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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“I certainly didn’t think that snowball would +go down the stairs so easily,” remarked Andy, +when he and the other Rovers were alone.</p> +<p>“Keep quiet,” warned Jack, who had remained +at the partly-opened door. “I want to +hear what takes place.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“What is that? You do not know anything +about the big snowball that just came hurtling +down these stairs?” stormed Professor Duke.</p> +<p>“No, sir. I just reached the top of the stairs,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span> +answered Brassy Bangs. “I came out of my room +not ten seconds ago.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Somebody just rolled a big snowball down the +stairs. It struck me and nearly knocked me flat,” +returned the irate teacher.</p> +<p>“Yes, and it rolled all the way into the private +office,” added Professor Grawson.</p> +<p>“I don’t know anything about any snowballs,” +said Codfish. “I noticed the floor was all wet and +I wondered what it meant.”</p> +<p>“I saw some fellows rushing around the corner,” +came from Brassy Bangs.</p> +<p>“Who were they?” demanded Snopper Duke.</p> +<p>“I don’t know.”</p> +<p>“Which way did they go?”</p> +<p>“That way,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Here are several other tracks. I think we had +better follow them,” 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>“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.</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>“Here is another trail,” announced Professor +Duke, and in a moment more had thrown open +the door leading to Stowell’s bedroom.</p> +<p>“Here! what does this mean?” 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>“Stowell, you must have had something to do +with this,” cried Snopper Duke savagely.</p> +<p>“No, sir. Not at all, sir,” answered the sneak +in a trembling voice. “I don’t know a thing +about it.”</p> +<p>“Where did you come from just now?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“The back stairs, eh?” put in Professor Grawson. +“What were you doing on the back stairs +this time in the evening?”</p> +<p>“I—I was down in the kitchen.” And now +Codfish grew pale.</p> +<p>“And what called you to the kitchen?”</p> +<p>“I—I was hungry, and so I asked one of the +servants for something to eat.” And now Codfish +was fairly whining.</p> +<p>“Humph! didn’t you have any supper?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“What do you know?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span></p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What were they doing?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Did you recognize any of the cadets?”</p> +<p>At this direct question, Codfish hesitated and +showed that he felt far from comfortable.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“You tell me who they were and I’ll see to it +that they do not harm you,” put in Professor +Duke quickly.</p> +<p>“I only saw two of the fellows real plainly,” +answered Stowell. “They were standing in the +light from one of the windows.”</p> +<p>“And who were they? Tell me! I want no +nonsense now,” and Snopper Duke caught the +sneak firmly by the shoulder.</p> +<p>“Ouch! Please don’t hurt me!” cried Codfish, +in added alarm.</p> +<p>“Then answer me!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You didn’t know the others?” put in Professor +Grawson.</p> +<p>“No, sir. I didn’t see them well enough. +They were all in the shadows.”</p> +<p>“I’ll investigate this,” cried Professor Duke. +“Stowell, you come with me.”</p> +<p>“Oh, please don’t make me come!” cried the +sneak. “They’ll almost kill me if they find I gave +them away!”</p> +<p>“They sha’n’t touch you.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“They went into Codfish’s room—they are following +the trail of the water on the floor,” announced +Jack. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span></p> +<p>“Some of the other fellows are coming out and +coming upstairs,” announced Fred. “Let us go +out too and see what happens.”</p> +<p>“Maybe they’ll accuse Codfish of this,” 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>“So this is your work, is it?” demanded Snopper +Duke, glaring angrily at Jack and Fred in +turn.</p> +<p>“To what do you refer, Professor?” asked +Jack, as calmly as he could.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Who says so?” questioned Fred. At the same +time he gave Codfish a look that made the sneak +want to hide himself.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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?” questioned Randy +innocently.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I don’t believe it,” stormed Snopper Duke.</p> +<p>“I’m telling you the truth, sir.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps Rover didn’t mean to send the snowball +downstairs,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Excuse me, Professor Duke,” said Gif. “But +I had as much to do with bringing those snowballs +upstairs as anybody.”</p> +<p>“And so did I,” added Spouter.</p> +<p>“And I was in on the deal, too,” came from +Phil Franklin, as he too stepped forward.</p> +<p>“What? All of you?” demanded Snopper +Duke, eyeing them coldly.</p> +<p>“I can assure you we meant no great harm,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span> +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.</p> +<p>“Were any others implicated in this despicable +piece of business?” demanded Professor Duke, +looking around at the assembled cadets. “Answer +me at once!”</p> +<p>There was no reply to this, the cadets simply +looking at each other questioningly.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“They’ll kill me for this—I know they will!” +<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>“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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“I’ll take the rugs and dry ’em in the laundry,” +said Hicks. “I think they’ll be all right by morning.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“I guess we’re in for it,” said Jack to his cousins +and his chums.</p> +<p>“What do you suppose they’ll do with us?” +questioned Phil. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span></p> +<p>“I’m sure I don’t know.”</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>“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.</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>“Gee! I wonder if he’s going to take us to the +guardroom?” whispered the youngest of the +Rovers.</p> +<p>“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!”</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>“Hello! I wonder where he’s going to take us +now?” questioned Fred in wonder.</p> +<p>“This is certainly a new wrinkle,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“How long shall we have to stay here?” questioned +Jack.</p> +<p>“That will depend on what Colonel Colby has +to say about it,” was the sharp answer.</p> +<p>“Do you expect us to stay here all night?” demanded +Randy.</p> +<p>“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 +<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>“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.</p> +<p>“He’s gone, all right enough,” remarked Phil +Franklin.</p> +<p>“Well, what do you know about this, anyhow!” +cried Gif.</p> +<p>“I think he’s treating us like a lot of children,” +declared Andy angrily.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe he has any right to keep us out +of our regular rooms,” came from his brother.</p> +<p>“Well, anyway, he took the right,” answered +Jack grimly. “And what is more, he seems to +have the best of us.”</p> +<p>“He won’t have if we break down that door.”</p> +<p>“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 +<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——”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“This is a new experience for me,” remarked +Phil, with a smile. “I never thought I was going +to be put in jail.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Well, we’ve got a place to sleep, anyhow,” announced +Jack. “Although three of us will have +to sleep in one of the beds.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Yes. But I think Professor Grawson will +have something to say too,” said Jack. “And he +has always been a very fair-minded man.”</p> +<p>“I don’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,” declared Spouter. “He’s +every bit as bad as Asa Lemm was.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>There was a pause, and presently Andy began +to chuckle.</p> +<p>“Say, he certainly did look funny when that +big snowball hit him in the stomach and nearly +knocked him over,” he cried.</p> +<p>“How could you see that when you were on +your back?” questioned Fred.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span></p> +<p>“I don’t see that there is anything else to do,” +answered Jack.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“That’s another one against Codfish,” declared +Randy. “I’m sure he’s guilty.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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,” burst out +Phil suddenly.</p> +<p>“That’s true,” answered Jack. “He was in +charge all the time the colonel was in the regular +army.”</p> +<p>“Then why didn’t Professor Duke put this up +to the captain?”</p> +<p>“Because Captain Dale is away on a little vacation,” +announced Gif. “He won’t be back until +some time next week.”</p> +<p>“And where did Colonel Colby go?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“The radiator is growing stone cold,” declared +Gif, who had his hands on it.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I guess about the only thing we can do is to +go to bed,” announced Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Oh, well, you can’t have fun without paying +the piper once in a while,” was Jack’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>“I don’t care. Let it snow in if it wants to,” +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>“Gee, talk about Greenland’s icy mountains!” +exclaimed Gif, on arising a little after seven +o’clock. “Some coldness, if you ask me!”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Did you leave it turned on?” questioned +Randy quickly.</p> +<p>“I certainly did.”</p> +<p>“Then old Duke must intend to freeze us out!” +exclaimed Fred. “What do you know about +that!”</p> +<p>“I know it’s a mean piece of business,” answered +Andy. “Gee! why, we might all catch our +death of cold.”</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’clock, and +they wondered if they would get any breakfast.</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span></p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And I left an apple on my bureau,” declared +Phil.</p> +<p>“And I had two doughnuts stored away to take +to bed with me,” 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>“My! but I wish I was downstairs right now,” +declared Randy. “I wouldn’t do a thing to that +breakfast table!”</p> +<p>“Maybe they’ll bring our breakfast to us,” suggested +Jack.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Perhaps they won’t give us any breakfast at +all,” said Phil Franklin presently.</p> +<p>“If they don’t there’ll be war,” declared Andy. +“I won’t stand for being starved.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Yes, but Professor Grawson turned this affair +over to Duke,” was Fred’s comment.</p> +<p>“That was because old Duke was the only one +to really suffer through what we did,” 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>“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.</p> +<p>“We did, sir,” 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>“Professor Duke, I’d like to ask something. Do +you know we have no heat in here?” questioned +Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Can we go downstairs now and get it?” asked +Andy quickly.</p> +<p>“No. You are to have it up here. I have had +it brought up for you,” 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>“Has Colonel Colby come back yet?” questioned +Spouter.</p> +<p>“You will know quickly enough when he +comes,” was the teacher’s reply. And then he +motioned the waiters out of the room.</p> +<p>“Professor, do you think——” began Bob +Nixon. But the teacher caught the Hall chauffeur +by the arm and pushed him out into the +hallway.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“What do you suppose he brought Hicks and +Nixon up here for?” questioned Randy, when +they were left alone.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.” +<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>“What do you know about this!”</p> +<p>“Isn’t this the limit!”</p> +<p>“Black coffee and bread without butter!”</p> +<p>“And mush with nothing but a little molasses +on it!”</p> +<p>“And no sugar in the coffee, either!”</p> +<p>“Talk about your prison fare!” groaned Andy. +“I think this takes the cake!”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“I’m quite sure Colonel Colby wouldn’t treat +us like this,” declared Gif.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Listen!” cried Randy suddenly.</p> +<p>All did so, and heard a faint knocking on the +door.</p> +<p>“Who is that?” questioned Jack, moving to the +portal.</p> +<p>“Is that you, Jack?” came in Fatty Hendry’s +voice. The stout youth was whispering through +the keyhole.</p> +<p>“Yes, Fatty. What brought you up here?”</p> +<p>“I got wind that you fellows were being fed +scanty rations,” answered Fatty. “How about +it?”</p> +<p>“It’s true, all right enough.”</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;'> +“OUR FRIENDS ARE ON THE JOB!” CRIED FRED, DELIGHTEDLY.<br /> +<i>Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch</i> (<i>Page</i> 51)<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>“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.</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>“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.</p> +<p>“Got it all right, did you?” demanded Dan, as +he hauled in the fishing pole.</p> +<p>“We sure did, Dan; and much obliged to you.”</p> +<p>“Has Colonel Colby come back yet?” questioned +Jack, looking over his cousin’s shoulder.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Some collection, all right enough,” declared +Spouter, as they surveyed it. “I guess they +grabbed up anything they could lay their hands +on.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Never mind. The sugar and condensed milk +may come in handy later,” 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>“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.”</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>“Hurrah! we’re going to have some heat, anyhow,” +cried Randy, about eleven o’clock. “Hear +the radiator cracking?”</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>“I’ll bet a cooky that some of the others made +old Duke turn the heat on,” declared Gif.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span></p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Regular miser’s lunch,” was Andy’s comment, +as he surveyed it.</p> +<p>“Exactly!” answered Fred. And then he +added dryly: “What are we going to use that +sugar and condensed milk on?”</p> +<p>“Oh, the condensed milk will go fine on the +bread,” put in Spouter. “I used to like condensed +milk sandwiches.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span></p> +<p>“And you can eat the lump sugar for dessert +if you want to,” 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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“They’re certainly looking out for us,” 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>“I’ve caught you, have I?” they heard Snopper +Duke exclaim. “What business have you up here, +anyway?”</p> +<p>“I wasn’t doing any harm, Professor,” came +in the voice of Dan Soppinger.</p> +<p>“What is that you have behind your back? +Give it to me this instant,” went on the teacher.</p> +<p>“Gee! that’s Dan Soppinger, and he’s got himself +into trouble!” exclaimed Jack, in alarm.</p> +<p>“I really didn’t mean to do any harm,” the imprisoned +cadets heard Dan answer.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +and go downstairs at once. I’ll attend to your +case later.”</p> +<p>“Gee! poor Dan is certainly in hot water,” +whispered Jack.</p> +<p>“Old Duke must have been spying on him,” +said Randy.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.</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>“Now I reckon we are worse off than we were +before,” remarked Jack, as the assembled cadets +looked at each other in consternation.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“How do you make that out?” demanded Gif.</p> +<p>“Because we are officers, and are supposed to +be models for the rest of the cadets.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span></p> +<p>“Huh! I forgot that,” said Gif. “That’s too +bad.”</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>“No use of taking chances,” said Jack. “Duke +may come in here and search the closet for rations +when he gets the dirty dishes.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Another visitor,” 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>“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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well, what about sending that big snowball +down the stairs on top of Professor Duke?”</p> +<p>“That was an accident, sir, and I was responsible +for it,” broke in Andy.</p> +<p>“An accident? Professor Duke is quite certain +it was done by design.”</p> +<p>“He is mistaken, sir,” 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>“Well, what about the snowballs that were +placed in the rooms of Stowell, Besser, Lunn +and in the bathroom?”</p> +<p>“We only meant it for a little fun, Colonel,” +pleaded Fred. “Of course, I realize now that +maybe we went a little too far.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And we really didn’t know that we couldn’t +bring any snow into the school,” put in Phil rather +lamely.</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span></p> +<p>“Oh, Colonel Colby, will you really do that?” +questioned Fred eagerly.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“The radiator turned off?” questioned the +owner of the school. “It is hot enough now,” he +added, as he placed his hand upon it.</p> +<p>“But it wasn’t before,” answered Gif, and gave +the particulars. As he did this Colonel Colby’s +face became a study.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Well, I did catch a little cold,” 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>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span></p> +<p>“Well, he certainly isn’t as nice as most of the +other teachers,” declared Randy flatly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well, of course, if there’s some reason——” began +Jack.</p> +<p>“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 +<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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“I wonder what Colonel Colby meant when he +said Duke had reasons for being irritable?” remarked +Randy.</p> +<p>“I don’t know, I’m sure,” answered Jack +thoughtfully.</p> +<p>“Maybe he’s suffering from some sickness,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +suggested Fred. “Perhaps he ought to have an +operation and hates to have it done.”</p> +<p>“Maybe he’s worried about money matters,” +came from Randy.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“It wasn’t a great deal,” said Jack. “And +first of all I want to know what was done to Dan +and the others.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I offered to pay for it,” put in Ned Lowe, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span> +“and so did Dan. But the colonel said that +wasn’t the point. That he wanted the discipline +of the Hall maintained.”</p> +<p>“Did he say anything about Professor Duke?” +questioned Fred.</p> +<p>“Not a word.”</p> +<p>“Well, he told us something,” continued the +youngest Rover, and then related what had been +said on the subject.</p> +<p>“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!’”</p> +<p>“And what do you suppose it was that bothered +him, Walt?” questioned Jack curiously.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well, that sure is a mystery,” 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>“Colonel Colby said he would let the matter +pass, and I guess he’s going to keep his word,” +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>“Codfish is just about scared stiff,” remarked +Randy. “He knows he got himself in wrong.”</p> +<p>“What a poor fish he is,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Why don’t you tell me now?” he replied. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span></p> +<p>“Oh, this isn’t something to tell over a public +telephone,” 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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“What’s this you’ve got to tell me, Martha?” +questioned the young captain in a whisper.</p> +<p>“It’s about a fellow at your school—a chap +named Lester Bangs,” replied the girl.</p> +<p>“Oh, you mean the fellow we call Brassy +Bangs! What about him?”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“What kind of a party is it, Martha?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then Ruth hasn’t said anything to you about +it?”</p> +<p>“Not a word. But I’m sure she received this +Lester Bangs’ invitation.”</p> +<p>“And you think she may accept it?”</p> +<p>“I hope not, Jack. Because I don’t like Bangs. +He wears such showy clothing and jewelry.”</p> +<p>“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. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span></p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“They’re the same thing, only he gets them a +little later,” answered Jack.</p> +<p>“I like the comic pictures better than anything,” +declared Andy. “I hate those serious +ones. They’re generally so awfully mushy.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span></p> +<p>“I don’t care! It was just as true to life as +it could be,” answered Alice sturdily.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span></p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Not a great deal. But, of course, I have to be +more or less careful. But I’m doing finely, so +the teachers say.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Jack! why don’t you run?”</p> +<p>“Do you want me to run, Ruth?”</p> +<p>“Why, of course! if there’s any chance of getting +it, and I don’t see why there shouldn’t be,” +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>“Don’t you think you could win the election if +you tried?” Ruth continued, after looking at him +questioningly for a moment.</p> +<p>“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 +<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’t like to have me as a +captain and Fred as a lieutenant mixed up in that +snowball affair.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Would you be proud, Ruth, if I should win +the position?” he asked in a low tone.</p> +<p>“Why, of course—we all would,” returned the +girl, her face flushing slightly. “I always like to +see my friends make something of themselves.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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,” whispered Jack, on parting from his +sister.</p> +<p>“I will,” she answered.</p> +<p>On starting back for the Hall Jack paired off +with Fred and purposely lagged behind.</p> +<p>“Did you hear anything about a party in which +Brassy Bangs was interested?” he asked of his +cousin.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“She didn’t say where?”</p> +<p>“She didn’t know.”</p> +<p>“Did she say who was going?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And what about the girls, Fred?”</p> +<p>“They asked Jennie Mason and Ida Brierley +to go and a number of the other girls from Clearwater.”</p> +<p>“Did they ask May?”</p> +<p>“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?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span></p> +<p>“Not a word. But Martha did. She, too, +thought Ruth had an invitation, but she didn’t +mention May.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Let’s go around to the livery stable and see if +we can find out something about the party.”</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>“Hello, Waxy,” cried Jack cordially, for he +had met the young fellow many times before. +“How are you these days?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span></p> +<p>“Fine as a spider’s web,” answered Waxy, with +a grin.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Where is the party to be held?” questioned +Fred.</p> +<p>“I don’t know exactly. They’re to go about +twelve miles out of town, so I was told.”</p> +<p>“Some young fellows from town helping to +get it up, I believe?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Rather a lively bunch, are they?” questioned +Jack.</p> +<p>“About as lively as this town affords.”</p> +<p>“It’s a wonder some of our fellows are going +with them,” was Fred’s comment.</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span> +time, but everything will be perfectly all right.”</p> +<p>“Maybe,” answered Jack, and then, after a few +more words with the assistant, the two cadets hurried +off after their chums.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Maybe we ought to warn them, Jack.”</p> +<p>“If we did that somebody might say we were +sore because we weren’t invited, Fred.”</p> +<p>“I know it. But it’s a shame, just the same.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“I guess I might as well call Martha up on the +’phone,” he told Fred, Sunday evening.</p> +<p>“All right,” was his cousin’s reply. “And don’t +forget to mention May.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Did you hear anything further about Ruth or +anything about May?” questioned Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t think they ought to go to any +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span> +such party,” answered Jack, and then told what +he and Fred had learned at the livery stable.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“They got permission to go to town. I suppose +they went to make further arrangements +about that big sleighing party,” 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>“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.</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>“You want a few words, eh?” he said coldly. +“Well, what is it?”</p> +<p>“You know well enough what brought me +here!” cried Brassy. “I’ve a good mind to wipe +up the floor with you!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I’ll stay as long as I please,” blustered the +showy youth. “It’s a fine piece of business you’ve +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span> +been in—trying to belittle me and my chums in +the eyes of the girls at Clearwater Hall.”</p> +<p>“If you came here to talk about the young ladies +from Clearwater the sooner you get out the better,” +answered Jack, his face flushing.</p> +<p>“Thought you were pulling off a fine stunt, +didn’t you, when you talked to Ruth Stevenson +about me?” sneered Brassy.</p> +<p>“I haven’t said a word to Miss Stevenson about +you.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You’re entirely mistaken, Bangs. And the +sooner you get out of here the better it will please +me.”</p> +<p>“Do you dare deny that you hauled us over +the coals with those girls at Clearwater Hall?”</p> +<p>“I decline to discuss the matter any further with +you,” answered the young captain.</p> +<p>“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 +<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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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’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.</p> +<p>“Now you get out of here!” 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>“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.</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’s arm, and in return received a crack in +the chin which sent his head backward and all but +unbalanced him.</p> +<p>“Gee! it’s a regular fight,” burst out Andy. “I +didn’t know Brassy was here.”</p> +<p>“Neither did I,” said Fred. “Why didn’t you +call us, Jack?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Say, you fellows will have Colonel Colby here +in another minute,” warned Fred.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>Fred closed the door again, and he and the +others gathered around Jack, who was panting +from his unexpected exertions.</p> +<p>“Gosh, but he looked mad!” was Randy’s comment. +“What was it all about?”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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—and perhaps +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +some of his relatives and friends—was responsible +for what had occurred. The party had been +called off.</p> +<p>“I’m glad it’s called off,” said Jack.</p> +<p>“So am I,” returned Fred. “But, believe me, +Jack, Brassy will have it in for you after this.”</p> +<p>“Possibly.”</p> +<p>“You didn’t hear anything about what girls +intended to go, did you?” put in Randy.</p> +<p>“I heard Jennie Mason, Ida Brierley, and Nettie +Goss mentioned. That’s all,” 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>“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.</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>“I really think you ought to try for the majorship,” +said Gif to Jack. “You certainly have +done well as a captain.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Yes, but you fellows are not the whole school,” +declared Jack, with a smile.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span></p> +<p>“What’s that?” questioned Dan Soppinger, who +was present.</p> +<p>“I just heard through Teddy Brown that +Brassy Bangs wants to run for major. That he +even told one of the professors about it.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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 +<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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, I remember that,” put in Ned Lowe. +“That was the time Lew Barrow scored twenty.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I’ll do it!” announced Brassy promptly, for +the idea was one that appealed to him. “I’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’ll show ’em up for a couple +of dubs when it comes to handling firearms.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Of course you can have a contest of that sort +if you desire, Bangs,” 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>“We ought not to dirty our hands with a fellow +like Bangs,” declared the young captain to +Fred.</p> +<p>“Oh, we can’t afford to refuse, Jack!” cried +his cousin. “If we did the fellows in the Hall +would think we were afraid.”</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>“It doesn’t give us much time to practice,” +grumbled Fred.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Do you think we can shoot as well as Brassy?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Say, you fellows have just got to snow Brassy +under!” cried Randy. “Don’t leave him a leg to +stand on.”</p> +<p>“That’s easy enough to say, Randy,” answered +Jack. “But it isn’t so easy to do.”</p> +<p>“I know it, and I was only fooling. However, +do your best and make some kind of showing +against that loud-mouthed fellow.”</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>“That fellow looked like Brassy Bangs,” declared +Fred, as the distant figure leaped over a +hedge and disappeared.</p> +<p>“It certainly did look like Brassy,” answered +his cousin. “But what in the world could he be +doing out so early in the morning?”</p> +<p>“Maybe he was practicing a little on his own +account.”</p> +<p>“He didn’t have any gun with him.”</p> +<p>“That’s right. But he might have a pistol.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span></p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I know it, Jack. Maybe he’s been out all +night for a good time with some of those fellows +from town.”</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>“Well, we may not win, but we’ll make some +kind of a showing,” 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>“Now then, Lest, show ’em what you can do!” +cried Paul Halliday.</p> +<p>“The Rovers won’t have a look-in!” broke out +Billy Sands. “It will be a regular walk-away for +Lest.”</p> +<p>“Don’t be so sure of that,” answered Gif.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“A three!”</p> +<p>“That’s good enough for a starter!”</p> +<p>With a self-satisfied look on his face, Brassy +Bangs strode forward, took quick aim, and fired.</p> +<p>“A bull’s-eye!” shouted Billy Sands in delight.</p> +<p>“I told you he could do it!” added Paul Halliday.</p> +<p>When Jack came to the front he managed to +make a 4.</p> +<p>“That’s the stuff!” cried Randy. “You’re only +one point behind!”</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>“Seven to nine in favor of Bangs!”</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’s-eye.</p> +<p>“A total of ten each for the Rovers!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span></p> +<p>“And fourteen for Bangs!”</p> +<p>“I told you Lest could hold ’em down!” shouted +Billy Sands.</p> +<p>“Just wait till they shoot with the rifles. He’ll +walk away from ’em!” 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>“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.</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>“A four!”</p> +<p>“That’s the stuff, Fred!”</p> +<p>“Now, Brassy, let us see what you can do!”</p> +<p>As confident as ever, Brassy Bangs came to the +front, took the rifle handed to him, and shot +rather hastily.</p> +<p>“A three!”</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>“Hurrah! Fred Rover and Brassy Bangs are +tied with eighteen points each.”</p> +<p>“And Jack Rover has fifteen points.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“Hurrah! Fred Rover wins the match with +twenty-three points!”</p> +<p>“Yes, and Jack Rover and Brassy Bangs are +tied for second place with twenty each!”</p> +<p>“Hurrah for Fred Rover!”</p> +<p>“Pretty good shooting, I’ll say!”</p> +<p>“It was all to the merry, Fred!” exclaimed +Jack, as he caught his cousin’s hand. “You did +fine!”</p> +<p>“The best ever!” burst out Andy.</p> +<p>“Say, Jack, why don’t you and Brassy shoot +off the tie?” questioned Spouter.</p> +<p>“I’m willing,” was the ready reply of the young +captain.</p> +<p>“I’ll shoot off the tie with pistols,” put in Brassy +quickly.</p> +<p>“No, let it be with rifles,” broke in Randy.</p> +<p>“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 +<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’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.</p> +<p>“Hurrah! Nine to seven in favor of Captain +Rover!”</p> +<p>“Some shooting, Jack!”</p> +<p>“If you had shot as good as that in the first +contest you might have beaten Fred.”</p> +<p>“I’m quite content, even if I didn’t beat Fred,” +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>“I’m mighty glad you two fellows beat him,” +announced Gif. “Maybe it will take a little of +the conceit out of him.”</p> +<p>“Well, Gif, you’ve got to admit he’s a wonderful +shot with the pistol,” answered Jack.</p> +<p>“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.</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—a long affair of the old-fashioned +western variety.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh, let’s drop Brassy,” said Jack. “I am really +getting tired of hearing of him.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Well, I sha’n’t complain if Glasby gets the position,” +declared Jack. “But I’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.”</p> +<p>“I never liked Harkness myself,” put in +Spouter. “He isn’t a bit better in many respects +than Gabe Werner.”</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>“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.</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>“I saw that fellow around the school about a +week ago,” declared Randy. “He didn’t look +like a very nice sort, either.”</p> +<p>“He certainly has a fierce-looking mustache,” +was Andy’s comment. “And it’s as red as his +hair.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You wouldn’t be so mean, Haddon!” pleaded +Brassy, and now the Rovers could see that he +was more or less scared.</p> +<p>“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.”</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’S SECRET</h3> +</div> + +<p>“Say, this is rather interesting,” remarked +Randy in a low tone to his brother.</p> +<p>“That fellow is certainly threatening Brassy,” +returned Andy. “I wonder what it can be all +about.”</p> +<p>“He wants Brassy to do something.”</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>“Let’s see if we can find out what it’s all about,” +said Randy.</p> +<p>“I’m willing,” answered his twin. “Maybe that +fellow will grow abusive and hurt Brassy.”</p> +<p>“Well, a good licking wouldn’t hurt him,” answered +his brother, with a grin.</p> +<p>“Oh, that’s all right. But we don’t want to see +him half killed even if we don’t like him.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span></p> +<p>“You trust Brassy to take care of himself,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Please don’t say another word about it!” +pleaded Brassy.</p> +<p>“I won’t if you’ll do as I told you to.”</p> +<p>“But I’ve let you have a hundred and ten dollars +already! It’s every cent I can spare!”</p> +<p>“Well, I’ve got to have more.”</p> +<p>“I’ll bet you’ve been gambling it away, Haddon.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Do you know what I think!” exclaimed +Brassy, after a pause. “I think those tramp cowboys +were guilty.”</p> +<p>“You can’t put that off on no cowboys!” exclaimed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span> +Bud Haddon. “I know all about it, and +so do Jillson and Dusenbury.”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“Oh, don’t say anything to my uncle! Please +don’t!”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Now what do you make of this?” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Yes, and from what Brassy said, he evidently +has already paid the man one hundred and ten +dollars.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t put it past him to do something that +wasn’t right,” came from Fred.</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span></p> +<p>“That Bud Haddon looks like a bad one,” announced +Randy. “I wouldn’t trust him with a +nickel.”</p> +<p>“It certainly is a mystery,” came from Fred. +“Just the same as it’s a mystery about Professor +Duke.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Colonel Colby must know it’s all right. +Otherwise he wouldn’t let him go away so much,” +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>“Come on, Gif!” he cried gayly. “I’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.”</p> +<p>“What’s the news?” demanded the other, as +they hurried on side by side.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Glorious news, boys! Glorious news!” sang +out Spouter, as he beamed at them.</p> +<p>“What is it?” they demanded in chorus.</p> +<p>“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——”</p> +<p>“Jumping crabs and hopping mud turtles!” exclaimed +Andy. “Spouter has got ’em again!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span></p> +<p>“What is this, Spouter?” demanded Randy. “A +moving picture, or just a plain everyday nightmare?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Say, Spouter, come down to earth, will you?” +cried Jack, grabbing his chum by the shoulder. +“What’s the matter with you?”</p> +<p>“Maybe he swallowed a few yeast cakes by +mistake,” remarked Andy.</p> +<p>“It’s the best news ever, fellows!” went on +Spouter. “I got it this morning.”</p> +<p>“All right! Let’s have it,” came quickly from +Fred.</p> +<p>“I’ve been waiting for this news for several +weeks.”</p> +<p>“News from where?” came from the others.</p> +<p>“News from home.”</p> +<p>“From your dad?” questioned Randy.</p> +<p>“Exactly.”</p> +<p>“What has he done now—bought you an automobile?” +questioned Gif.</p> +<p>“Better than that!”</p> +<p>“For goodness’ sake, spill out what you’ve got +to say!” returned Fred, in exasperation. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span></p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Gee, that sounds interesting, Spouter!” cried +Randy.</p> +<p>“Where do we go and when?” questioned his +twin.</p> +<p>“You’re to go just as soon as school shuts down +and you can get ready.”</p> +<p>“And where to?” questioned Jack curiously.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“But how can we go if we don’t know where +we’re going?” asked Fred.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What! do you mean you’re not going to tell +us where we’re going?” demanded Jack, in astonishment.</p> +<p>“Exactly, Jack. That’s going to be my little +secret until this school shuts up,” 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>“Let’s pound it out of him!”</p> +<p>“That’s the talk! We’ll make him tell!”</p> +<p>“Pull him down and sit on him!”</p> +<p>“Pull off his shoes and tickle his feet! He’s +got to tell!”</p> +<p>“Poke him in the ribs!”</p> +<p>“He got a letter this morning. I’ll bet the +news is in that!” shouted Gif. “It’s in his pocket +now!”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“It’s simple enough,” remarked Jack. “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’t want to tell us yet what +sort it’s to be.”</p> +<p>“He spoke about mountains and rivers and +horseback riding,” said Randy. “That looks like +some sort of outdoor affair,” and his eyes glistened.</p> +<p>“Come on out, Spouter, and let us love you a +little,” called Fred through the keyhole.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Going to take us away in a submarine, +Spouter?” demanded Andy.</p> +<p>“No, he’s going to take us in an airship to the +south pole,” declared his twin.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Company attention! Shoulder arms! Forward +march!”</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>“I see they expect a hundred and twenty-five +votes,” remarked Randy. “That means sixty-three +will be necessary to a choice.”</p> +<p>“Well, I’m sure Jack will get at least forty on +the first vote,” returned his brother.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>As at other elections, it was decided by Colonel +Colby that each officer should be voted for separately.</p> +<p>“We’ll try for a new major first,” 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>“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.”</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'>“Total number of votes cast </td><td align='right'>125 </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Necessary to a choice</td><td align='right'>63 </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Louis Glasby has</td><td align='right'>51 </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Jack Rover has</td><td align='right'>50 </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Darrell Harkness has</td><td align='right'>24”</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>“What do you know about that!” exclaimed +Fred. “Jack and Glasby are within one vote of +each other!”</p> +<p>“I’ll say that’s getting pretty close,” answered +Randy.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Glasby is stronger than I thought he was,” +remarked Gif to Jack. “We’ll have to do some +tall work to overcome his vote.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Maybe we can get him to withdraw,” suggested +Andy, with a grin.</p> +<p>“Withdraw, not!” broke out Fred. “He’s not +that sort.”</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>“Say, see here, Rover! I’d like a word with +you,” whispered Halliday somewhat excitedly.</p> +<p>“All right, shoot!” answered the young captain.</p> +<p>“This is a little private matter,” went on Halliday. +“You can bring your cousins along if you +want to,” 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>“We want to know if you’re willing to make +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span> +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.”</p> +<p>“I can’t do that,” answered Jack quickly. “If +I get to be major I’m going to back Fred here +for the captaincy.”</p> +<p>“Oh, but, Jack, I could drop out of that!” put +in his cousin quickly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then you won’t consider my offer?” demanded +Halliday sourly.</p> +<p>“Certainly not!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Jack, that move might have given you the +majorship,” said Fred.</p> +<p>“If I’ve got to get it that way, Fred, I don’t +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span> +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.”</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>“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.</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>“Gee, Jack! if some of those fellows do change +their votes I hope they come to you,” murmured +Gif. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span></p> +<p>“Well, I must confess I’m hoping that myself,” +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>“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”</p> +<p>“Hurrah! Jack wins!” cried Fred enthusiastically, +and was the first person to grab his cousin +by the hand and shake it warmly.</p> +<p>“That’s great, Jack!” exclaimed Gif, slapping +him on the shoulder. “Let me congratulate you!”</p> +<p>“It’s just the result I was looking for!” 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>“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, +<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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Evidently the Harkness combination went to +pieces,” remarked Randy. “He polled only nine +votes.”</p> +<p>“And that was nine too many,” 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>“I don’t know what you fellows are going to +do, but I know I’m going to vote for Louis +Glasby,” announced Jack.</p> +<p>“I think a whole lot of fellows will do that,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span> +answered Fred. “He’ll probably get every one +of his original fifty-one votes.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But we’ve got to have a new captain for Company +C now that Jack has stepped out,” 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>“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.</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>“It certainly was our day, Fred,” said Jack, as +he and his cousin shook hands.</p> +<p>“Right you are, Major Rover,” and Fred saluted +in the most precise military fashion.</p> +<p>“Bonfires to-night, boys!” sang out Andy. +“And we’ll have some big doings, believe me!”</p> +<p>“Right you are!” 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>“Say, Jack, you’re going to make a stunning +looking major,” remarked Fred, as he watched his +cousin dressing.</p> +<p>“How about yourself as captain?” was the +reply.</p> +<p>“Just wait till Ruth Stevenson sees Jack in his +new uniform!” cried Randy.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span> +Jack strutted around grandly in the privacy of the +Rovers’ sitting room.</p> +<p>“I’ll be good, oh, Most Noble One,” 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>“I’m just dying to see them on parade with +Jack at the head,” confided Martha to the others.</p> +<p>“Yes, and Fred in command of Company C,” +added Mary. “Just to think of it! And he so +much younger than the others!”</p> +<p>“I hope I’m on hand to see their first parade,” +said Ruth, her eyes beaming with pleasure.</p> +<p>“I thought you were going to write Jack a letter +about that party,” said Martha in a low tone.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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,” 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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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. +<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>“It’s going to be some night, believe me!” sang +out Andy merrily. “We’ll tear the woodpile +down, as the old saying is.”</p> +<p>“We want to be a little bit careful or else we’ll +have Snopper Duke or some other professor calling +us down.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Going away again, eh?” questioned Gif, in +surprise. “He certainly is getting to be a regular +Man of Mystery.”</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>“They make me tired,” was Brassy’s comment. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span> +“You’d think that being major of the school battalion +was next to being president.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then Jack Rover and Fred Rover will have +to give up playing baseball,” put in Brassy quickly.</p> +<p>“More than likely. Although, of course, they’ll +hate to lose such good players as they are,” put +in another cadet who was present.</p> +<p>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.</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’ costume with big slapsticks +which they used vigorously on everybody +who came within their reach.</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<table summary='poetry' style=' margin-left:4em;'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Who are we?</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Can’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!”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>“That’s the stuff!” cried Jack. “Let’s have it +again!” And then the refrain boomed out louder +than ever.</p> +<p>“Come on! Let’s march around the school,” +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>“Look out that you don’t set something on +fire,” warned Jack.</p> +<p>“Something is on fire already!” burst out +Andy suddenly.</p> +<p>“You don’t say!” queried Spouter.</p> +<p>“Where is the fire?” demanded half a dozen +others, looking around anxiously.</p> +<p>“Right down there,” declared the fun-loving +Rover, and pointed to the bonfires along the river.</p> +<p>“Wow! Let’s duck him for that!” 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>“Give us a song, won’t you?” 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>“I will if Lowe will play the mandolin or the +banjo,” answered Crews.</p> +<p>“That’s the stuff, Ned!” called Fred. “Go on +and get your mandolin.”</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>“Here’s a chance to get square with Codfish!” +cried Fred, as the sneak of the school showed himself +in the crowd.</p> +<p>“Oh, we might as well let Codfish drop,” 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>“We’re going to initiate you in the Ancient +Order of Cornmeal,” declared Andy.</p> +<p>“I don’t want to be initiated,” answered Codfish. +“You let me alone!”</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> (<i>Page</i> 131)<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>“Oh, but this is a first-class Order, Codfish,” +returned Randy. “If your reputation is bad it +will render you almost spotless.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Are you ready to be initiated?” questioned +Randy solemnly, as he stood over Codfish with a +small paper bag in one hand.</p> +<p>“You let me——” began Codfish.</p> +<p>“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!”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“My, Codfish, you’d make a regular muffin +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span> +now,” declared Andy, as the whitened youth +struggled to his feet.</p> +<p>“Give us a song, Codfish.”</p> +<p>“Make it a regular corncake hoedown,” put in +Randy.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Drop that, Codfish!” exclaimed Randy, and +backed away so suddenly that he tripped over some +brushwood and came down flat on his back.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Drop that, you imp!” exclaimed Ned Lowe. +“Do you want to put out somebody’s eyes?”</p> +<p>“I don’t care! You’ve got to let me alone!” +screamed Codfish.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“I—I didn’t mean to say anything about those +snowballs,” whined Stowell. “They made me do +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<table summary='poetry' style=' margin-left:4em;'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“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!”</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’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>“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 +<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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“And I still have some examples in algebra to +work out,” answered Dan. “So I think I’ll go at +them before I retire.”</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>“Let me in,” came in the voice of Dan Soppinger. +“I’ve got news.”</p> +<p>Jack opened the door and Dan came in, followed +by Fatty.</p> +<p>“Say, what do you know about this!” exclaimed +Dan. “Colby Hall has been robbed!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span></p> +<p>“Robbed!” ejaculated Jack. “What do you +mean? What did they take?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And I lost two old stickpins and two rings +that I haven’t been wearing,” put in Dan.</p> +<p>“When did you find this out?” questioned the +newly-elected major.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“What was your stuff worth, Dan?” questioned +Fred.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Hark! What’s that commotion?” 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>“My room has been robbed!”</p> +<p>“My watch is gone and a whole lot of other +jewelry!”</p> +<p>“I lost three dollars!”</p> +<p>“Huh, that isn’t anything! I lost fourteen +dollars and a half!”</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>“Say, what do you know about this!” exclaimed +Fred.</p> +<p>“Is anything belonging to us gone?” questioned +Jack suddenly.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“My stickpin is gone and also one of my rings,” +groaned Randy.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“My watch and chain and stickpin are gone, +and likewise all my badges!” cried Fred. “Oh, +this is the worst ever!”</p> +<p>“Well, I’m out a ring and three stickpins,” announced +Jack, “including that brand new pin I +got last year.”</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—and +sometimes both—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>“This is certainly a terrible state of affairs,” +remarked the colonel to Captain Dale. “Have +you any idea who can be guilty?”</p> +<p>“No, Colonel. I have always thought that +every one connected with this school was honest.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Finally Colonel Colby told all the cadets to go +below for breakfast, dispensing with the early +morning drill.</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span></p> +<p>“Shall we notify the Haven Point authorities?” +questioned Professor Brice.</p> +<p>“Not at present. I wish to make my own investigation +first,” 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>“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.”</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>“This is about the worst thing that ever struck +Colby Hall,” announced Jack.</p> +<p>“Who do you suppose did it?” questioned +Randy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span></p> +<p>“Don’t ask me, Randy. I’d hate to suspect any +of the fellows.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t think any of the fellows did it!” +burst out Fred.</p> +<p>“Well, what about the hired help?” questioned +Andy.</p> +<p>“I don’t know any of them that I’d suspect,” +said Jack promptly. “Every one looks like a +pretty good sort.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“They say the handkerchief that was picked up +is not marked in any way,” said Gif.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“How about the help?”</p> +<p>“Their stuff is all marked, too. One of the +teachers told me so,” put in Dan Soppinger.</p> +<p>“Say, Ned! you came upstairs for your mandolin,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span> +cried Jack suddenly. “Did you see anybody +up here?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“A robber would be sure to keep out of Ned’s +sight,” put in Fred.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Can’t you think who it was?” questioned Andy +quickly.</p> +<p>“No, I can’t.”</p> +<p>“If it was a stranger you would have remembered, +wouldn’t you?” asked Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“And what time was this?” questioned Colonel +Colby.</p> +<p>“Some time between half-past nine and ten +o’clock.”</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>“Perhaps you saw the person just at the time +he was making his escape,” was Colonel Colby’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span> +comment. “We will look for footprints below +the fire-escape.”</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>“We will question the hired help and see what +they have to say,” 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>“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.”</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>“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,” said Captain Dale to the head of the +school.</p> +<p>“It’s just possible that it may have been an inside +job and an outside job combined,” ventured +Professor Grawson.</p> +<p>“What do you mean by that?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“That is possible, Professor. But is there any +one in the place that you suspect?”</p> +<p>At this Professor Grawson shook his head.</p> +<p>“No, sir. So far as I can imagine they are all +thoroughly honest.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Some of the hired help may object to that,” +came from Professor Watson.</p> +<p>“If they did it would throw suspicion on them,” +answered Colonel Colby quickly. “I think the idea +had better be carried out.”</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>“They’re certainly welcome to search our +rooms,” declared Major Jack promptly.</p> +<p>“And mine, too,” added a score of others.</p> +<p>“I’m sure I haven’t anything to conceal,” put +in Lieutenant Harkness.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span> +disturbin’ them trinkets I have from me dead +mother.”</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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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’t unearthed,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.” +<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>“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.</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>“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.”</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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Great Scott! does that mean we can’t stick up +for our rights?” demanded the youngest Rover +indignantly.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span></p> +<p>“It’s too bad, Professor Duke,” answered the +master of the Hall seriously. “May I ask what +the articles were worth?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Hurrah! That’s the stuff!” 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’ 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>“Falstein always hangs out his flags for us,” +said this cadet. “And he’ll do it this time, I’m +sure.”</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“I guess Jack Rover wants to show off before +those girls,” grumbled Paul Halliday.</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t go if I could get out of it,” growled +Brassy.</p> +<p>“Oh, don’t squeal,” returned his crony quickly. +“If you do they’ll only laugh at us and make us +go anyway.”</p> +<p>“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. +<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>“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.</p> +<p>“Very nice, indeed, Major Rover,” answered +the military man.</p> +<p>“I wonder if we can’t come to a halt here and +go through the manual of arms?” went on the +newly-elected major.</p> +<p>“Certainly, if you wish to do so.”</p> +<p>“Battalion halt!” 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>“Very good! Very good, indeed!” 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’ 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>“Oh, don’t they look grand!” cried Mary.</p> +<p>“Superb!” added Martha ecstatically.</p> +<p>“I do believe Jack has a brand new uniform,” +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>“I’m sure that’s as good as our fathers did at +Putnam Hall,” 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’ 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>“Gee, this is the best ever!” declared Andy, +smacking his lips.</p> +<p>“Yes. And what a surprise!” returned Randy.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Nothing doing!” declared Fred. “We’ll feed +’em toasted marshmallows and angel cake,” 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>“I hope, Jack, you haven’t had any more trouble +with Lester Bangs,” the girl said anxiously.</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span> +that you didn’t accept his invitation,” and he gave +her a warm glance.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Suppose we let the whole matter drop, Ruth, +and forget Brassy Bangs and his crowd.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You mean the robbery, I suppose?”</p> +<p>“Yes. Have they discovered anything?”</p> +<p>“Not a thing. It certainly is a mystery.”</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>“I’ll be glad when we start back,” grumbled +Brassy to his crony.</p> +<p>“Come on, let’s take a walk outside,” answered +Halliday, and thereupon the pair left the school +grounds.</p> +<p>“What about baseball this spring, Jack?” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well, you can’t blame him for that.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“How is Ruth making out?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Gee! it makes my hands tingle to think about +baseball,” sighed Fred, when talking the matter +over with Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Of course! And I’d rather be captain of Company +C.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’ surprise, were Brassy Bangs +and Paul Halliday.</p> +<p>“They both claim to know a whole lot about +the game,” explained Gif. “So I’m bound to give +them a try-out.”</p> +<p>“Why, I thought Brassy Bangs came from a +ranch in the West?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“I guess he finds more money in the doing of +those things than he does in the herding of cows,” +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—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>“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.”</p> +<p>“You pitch a pretty swift ball, I admit,” returned +Gif. “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’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.</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>“Do you suppose Tommy Flanders will pitch?” +questioned Randy.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Hurrah! That’s the way to do it!” yelled one +of the Longley students. “Now make it three +straight!”</p> +<p>“Gee! that was Nevins, one of our best batters,” +whispered Randy to his cousin Mary. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span></p> +<p>“Never mind that, Colby Hall!” shouted Jack. +“You’ve got to encourage ’em a little bit!” 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>“Hurrah! Four to one in favor of Longley!” +shouted one of the students from that academy.</p> +<p>“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!”</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>“Oh, Jack, it looks as if Colby Hall might be +beaten!” said Ruth anxiously.</p> +<p>“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. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +That run wasn’t deserved at all.” 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>“Scoop it in, Halliday!”</p> +<p>“It’s a dead easy fly!”</p> +<p>“They won’t get any runs this inning!”</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>“He’s muffed it! He’s muffed it!” yelled several +of the Longley Academy contingent gleefully. +“Run, boys, run!”</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>“Hurrah for Longley!”</p> +<p>“That’s the way to do it! That makes the score +eight to four!”</p> +<p>“My, what a muff that was! That center fielder +is a regular butter-fingers!”</p> +<p>“Soak it to ’em good and plenty, Longley! +Only two men out!”</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>“Anybody might muff a ball,” declared Jack. +“It’s too bad, but probably it couldn’t be helped.”</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>“Go for it, Halliday! Get it!” 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>“Run, Newcomb, run!”</p> +<p>“There goes the ball for the grandstand! +Hurry up, Markle, and make it a homer!”</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>“Zip! Boom! Two more runs for Longley!”</p> +<p>“That’s the way to do it, boys! Let’s snow ’em +under!”</p> +<p>“Take Halliday out!” was the angry cry of fully +a dozen cadets. “Take him out! He has no business +on the team!”</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>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span></p> +<p>“Well, your two errors have been very costly,” +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>“Now, Brassy, here’s your chance!”</p> +<p>“Knock it over the back lots!”</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>“Take your time!” called out Gif.</p> +<p>The next was an incurve, but Brassy swung at +it and missed again.</p> +<p>“Strike two!”</p> +<p>“Hit it, Brassy! Hit it!”</p> +<p>“Knock the cover off!”</p> +<p>“Take your time! Wait until you get just what +you want!”</p> +<p>And thereupon Brassy Bangs did wait—until +he had three strikes called upon him and was declared +out.</p> +<p>“That ends the game!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span></p> +<p>“And the score is ten to five in favor of Longley +Academy!”</p> +<p>“Hurrah! That’s the time we showed Colby +Hall what we can do!”</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>“Our defeat was largely due to Halliday and +Bangs,” declared Spouter. “Between them they +let in at least five runs.”</p> +<p>“That’s exactly the truth,” answered Dan Soppinger. +“If I were Gif I’d read the riot act to +those two players.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But both of them made several other errors,” +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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span></p> +<p>“Well, we can’t win every year,” declared +Randy. “And we’re half a game to the good anyway, +and that’s something.”</p> +<p>“It’s certainly better than being half a game +behind,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>Later on he took up the various claims and +paid each one of them in cash.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well, I hope it is brought to light some day, +Professor,” answered the master of the Hall. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +“And if it is then you can pay me back for it,” +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>“He’s certainly got something on his mind,” +was Fred’s comment. “I must say I’d like to +know what it can be.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Just think! Only ten days more!” exclaimed +Andy, throwing a grammar across his room at +Randy. “Doesn’t it make you feel fine?”</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span> +make him tell us what he’s got in mind about our +vacation this summer?”</p> +<p>“Let’s do it! Come on! We’ll get Fred and +Jack and Gif and go and pound it out of him.”</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’ sitting room.</p> +<p>“Now, Spouter, you’ve got to tell us!” declared +Randy. “No more secrets!”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Come on now, Spouter! Give it to us +straight,” demanded Fred.</p> +<p>“No more sawing and fiddling,” put in Andy. +“We want straight goods. Where are we going +this summer?”</p> +<p>“You’re going with me,” answered Spouter, +with a grin.</p> +<p>“So you’ve told us about three thousand times. +But where are we going?”</p> +<p>“You’re going home first.”</p> +<p>“Pound him, fellows, pound him! Throw him +down and pound him good!” 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>“Hold on! Hold on! Let me up!” spluttered +Spouter. “Let me up, and I’ll tell you everything!”</p> +<p>“Honest?” demanded Andy. “If you fool us +this time we’ll drag you to the bathroom and +duck you.”</p> +<p>“Cross my heart!” panted Spouter. “Now let +me up!”</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>“You are going to spend your vacation at a new +place which was purchased by my dad only a few +months ago,” answered Spouter.</p> +<p>“And what place is that?” came in a chorus +from his chums.</p> +<p>“Big Horn Ranch.”</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>“What do you know about that!”</p> +<p>“Big Horn Ranch! That sounds interesting!”</p> +<p>“What sort of a place is it, Spouter?”</p> +<p>“I suppose you must have thousands of heads +of cattle?”</p> +<p>“How about horses, Spouter? We’ll have +enough mounts, sha’n’t we?”</p> +<p>“Any good hunting or fishing?”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Well, where is the ranch and how are we going +to get to it?” questioned Jack.</p> +<p>“And how big is it?” 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>“I can’t answer everything at once,” he said +finally. “So you’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—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.”</p> +<p>“How is it your dad bought a place like that?” +broke in Gif. “I didn’t know he was interested +in ranches.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And your father said we could all go out there +with you?” questioned Randy.</p> +<p>“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’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!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And what about the girls?” questioned Fred +quickly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But Ruth said she was going somewhere else,” +remarked Jack, and his face showed disappointment.</p> +<p>“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.” +<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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“It was certainly well worth waiting for, +Spouter,” came from Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well, I had a job of it, believe me, with you +fellows dinging at me all the time,” was Spouter’s +answer.</p> +<p>“When do you suppose we can start?” questioned +Fred.</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span></p> +<p>“I don’t know what could hold us back.”</p> +<p>“Is the ranch house big enough to accommodate +such a large crowd?” questioned Jack. +“There are a lot of us, remember.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“It would be nice if we could stick together,” +said Randy.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“I’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,” 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—96 per cent.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“If we all go together we had better charter a +private car,” remarked Jack.</p> +<p>“Say, that would be something worth while!” +put in Fred, with satisfaction. “Let’s put it up to +our folks!”</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>“What is the trouble, Professor?” he questioned +kindly, for he could see that Snopper Duke was +in deep distress.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Hello! there is that fellow Brassy had trouble +with in town,” exclaimed Randy.</p> +<p>“Just look at Brassy!” 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. +“Why, he’s as pale as a ghost!”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“I hope you get a chance to get out to Big +Horn Ranch,” said Jack to Ruth.</p> +<p>“So do I, Jack. But I haven’t received permission +to go yet. If I don’t get there you must write +to me.”</p> +<p>“I certainly will, Ruth. And you must write +also. But come out if you possibly can.”</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’s house.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh, please don’t speak of the war! I never +want to hear of it again!” put in Martha.</p> +<p>“And to think we’re all going out to Big Horn +Ranch!” burst out Fred. “Isn’t that just the +grandest ever?”</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>“Well, we’re off for Big Horn Ranch at last!”</p> +<p>“It certainly is a grand prospect, eh, Jack? We +ought to have barrels of fun on the ranch.”</p> +<p>“Yes, Randy, it certainly ought to make a +dandy vacation.”</p> +<p>“I’m fairly itching to get on horseback,” put +in Andy. “What dandy rides we shall have!”</p> +<p>“Maybe we’ll get a chance to break in a +broncho,” put in Fred, with a grin.</p> +<p>“Don’t you dare do such a thing, Fred Rover!” +burst out his sister Mary. “Most likely the bronco +would break your neck.”</p> +<p>“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.</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’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>“I hope we strike a lot of lively cowboys, Uncle +Sam,” broke out Andy.</p> +<p>“Perhaps you’ll find some of the cowboys too +lively,” 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>“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?”</p> +<p>“Do you know, I almost wish we were going +out there in an auto,” returned Fred. “That +would be a trip worth taking.”</p> +<p>“Especially if you had to put on all the extra +tires along the way, Fred,” added Andy, with a +grin.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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 +<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.”</p> +<p>“Exactly my sentiments,” came from Randy. +“Me for the mountains and plains and a life in +the open air!”</p> +<table summary='poetry' style=' margin-left:4em;'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Oh, for a life in the open air,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Under the skies so blue and fair!”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>sang out Andy gayly.</p> +<p>“Gee, Andy is bursting into poetry!” cried +Fred. “What’s going to happen next?”</p> +<p>“Maybe he ate something that didn’t agree with +him,” giggled Mary.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“I think I’ll hunt them up,” he said to his wife. +“For all we know they may have gotten into some +mischief.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Was Brassy with him?” questioned Jack +quickly.</p> +<p>“No. But two other men were with him, and +it’s a tough crowd, believe me.”</p> +<p>“Where are they?” questioned Fred.</p> +<p>“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’t be surprised if they have been +cowboys.”</p> +<p>“And that isn’t all!” added Andy. “They spoke +about going to Arrow Junction!”</p> +<p>“Arrow Junction!” repeated Fred. “Why, +that’s the town that Spouter said was nearest to +Big Horn Ranch!”</p> +<p>“What were they going to do at Arrow Junction?” +questioned Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Did you hear them mention Brassy?” asked +Fred.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“What are you thinking of, Jack? Ruth?”</p> +<p>“No, Fred. I was thinking of that fellow who +met Brassy Bangs in Haven Point.”</p> +<p>“You’re wondering, I suppose, why Brassy let +him have some money.”</p> +<p>“Partly that and partly something else, Fred. +But it’s so horrible I hate to think of it.”</p> +<p>“Why, what do you mean, Jack?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>As the young major uttered these words in a +low tone of voice, Fred stared at him in astonishment.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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, +<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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Let’s pump Andy and Randy all we can.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Do you think we ought to send him a telegram +or anything like that?” asked Andy.</p> +<p>“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?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span></p> +<p>“I think so—or at least in that vicinity. The +whole crowd is bound for some ranch out there.”</p> +<p>“Then if we learn anything of importance +against the fellow we can have the local authorities +make an investigation,” said Jack.</p> +<p>“Gosh! wouldn’t it be queer if that fellow really +had robbed Colby Hall and if Brassy was mixed +up in it?” remarked Randy.</p> +<p>“It would be terrible if Brassy was guilty,” answered +Jack. “It would just about ruin him forever.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well, we might try it,” was the young major’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>“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’.”</p> +<p>“Oh, there’ll be no trip-up this time,” answered +the man called Noxley.</p> +<p>“I’ve been wonderin’ how many horses there +would be that we could sell,” put in the third man +of the group.</p> +<p>“I heard we could get at least twenty, Jenks. +Of course, I can’t tell exactly until I’ve looked +over the ground.”</p> +<p>“Well, twenty head of horses and two hundred +head of cattle are not to be sneezed at,” answered +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +the man called Jenks. “A fine piece of business, +I’ll say,” and he laughed shrewdly.</p> +<p>“How long do you expect to stay at Arrow +Junction before you go out to Bimbel’s Ranch?” +questioned Noxley.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“One thing I want understood,” went on Jenks +crossly. “This time I get all that’s comin’ to me—no +holdin’ back!”</p> +<p>“And I want the same, remember that,” put in +Noxley sourly.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“Well, we don’t want to be takin’ too many +chances,” and Jenks shook his uncombed head +dubiously.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Here they are! We’ve been waiting for you +folks!” came the cry, and Spouter rushed up to +the Rovers, followed by Gif.</p> +<p>“Ho for the glorious West!” put in Gif. +“Aren’t you fellows anxious to get there?” he +questioned.</p> +<p>“Anxious doesn’t express it!” answered Andy. +“Why, all night long I was riding broncos and +lassoing wild cattle!” 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>“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!”</p> +<p>“He might have said that just to throw dust +in the eyes of the public,” answered Spouter. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span> +“To my mind it will certainly be a good thing +to keep our eyes open for this fellow Haddon.”</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>“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——”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“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.” +<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>“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.</p> +<p>“I think dad has a Chink at our ranch,” said +Spouter. “Anyway, he wrote he thought he’d hire +one.”</p> +<p>They had telegraphed ahead, so that there +might be some one to meet them when they arrived +at Four Rocks.</p> +<p>“It’s certainly an odd name for a railroad station,” +remarked Mrs. Rover to her husband.</p> +<p>“Four Rocks sounds substantial enough,” he +returned, with a smile.</p> +<p>“Is it much of a town?”</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span></p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.</p> +<p>“Who’s to ride on horseback?” questioned +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span> +Andy quickly, “We can’t all get into that +machine.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“No, Martha, you’d better ride with us now,” +put in Mrs. Rover hastily. “You can do your +horseback riding later on.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I was only fooling, Aunt Grace,” the girl +replied.</p> +<p>“I’m just crazy to see Big Horn Ranch, Uncle +John,” came from Mary.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<table summary='poetry' style=' margin-left:4em;'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“I’m glad you’re here.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>I hope you’ll stay.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>I’ll miss you much</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>When you’re away.”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span></div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Are any other people coming to the ranch?”</p> +<p>“Yes, one other person. And I think you’ll +be very much surprised to see him.”</p> +<p>“Who is that?”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Trust me,” called out the foreman promptly. +“We’ll be at the ranch almost as soon as you.”</p> +<p>“Well, don’t ride the horses to death,” 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>“The boys will certainly enjoy that horseback +riding,” said Mary.</p> +<p>“Glad of it,” 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;'>“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;'>‘To travel,’ said he, ‘is awfully punk</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>Unless you remember to take your trunk!’”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>“Oh, what a funny rhyme!” giggled Martha.</p> +<p>“I’ll have to write that down in my scrap +book,” returned her cousin, and at this remark +Spouter’s father looked real pleased.</p> +<p>“Hurrah for Big Horn Ranch!” shouted +Randy, waving his cap. “Come on if you’re +ready.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“If it’s tough climbing how is the automobile +going to get there?” questioned Jack quickly.</p> +<p>“Oh, they’ll go around by the river road. But +that is eight miles longer. We’ll take the hills.”</p> +<p>“Then maybe we can get there first after all!” +broke in Fred.</p> +<p>“Well, we can try, anyhow,” answered the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +foreman of the ranch. “Do all of you boys know +how to ride?”</p> +<p>“Sure we do!”</p> +<p>“Then forward it is!” 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>“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.</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>“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.</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;'> +“OFF TO THE EASTWARD YOU CAN SEE A BIT OF OUR RANGE.”<br /> +<i>Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch</i> (<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>“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.”</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>“This must be some dark trail at night,” remarked +Jack.</p> +<p>“Dark as a tunnel,” answered Joe Jackson. +“You have to carry a lantern or a flashlight when +you try to ride it after dark.”</p> +<p>“Ever get held up?” questioned Fred curiously.</p> +<p>“Nary a hold-up, lad,” answered the foreman, +with a grin. “We leave all that to the movie +men.”</p> +<p>“Did you ever have a moving picture company +out here?” asked Gif.</p> +<p>“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 +<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’t anything to brag about. They ought +to have brought along some leading lady who +liked horses and knew all about ’em.”</p> +<p>“Did they use any of your outfit?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“How many men on the place?” asked Randy.</p> +<p>“We have six at present. But the boss is thinking +of getting some more and increasing the +herd.”</p> +<p>“Did dad get his Chinese cook?” questioned +Spouter.</p> +<p>“Yes. He’s got a Chink named Hop Lung; a +pretty good sort of a chap, too.”</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>“They got here ahead of us,” announced Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“I can’t say that I’m tired,” answered Jack. +“But I suppose the girls are and maybe Aunt +Grace is, too.” +<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>“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.”</p> +<p>“I’m going to slip on a plain gingham right +now,” 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’s supervision.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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 +<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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh, dear, I think I’d like to make the acquaintance +of Mr. Hank,” said Martha mischievously.</p> +<p>“Perhaps if he saw you coming he’d run away,” +returned Mary.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Your foreman certainly seems to be a fine fellow,” +said Jack. “We got well acquainted with +him riding over.”</p> +<p>“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.” +<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>“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.”</p> +<p>“I think you boys had better stay in this house +with us,” said Mrs. Rover. “Then we can keep +an eye on you.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.</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>“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!”</p> +<p>“Yes, and how he lassoed those three running +horses all in a bunch,” added Fred. “That’s what +got me.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span></p> +<p>“He ought to be in a Wild West Show,” put in +Jack.</p> +<p>“I’ll have the boys give you an exhibition of +shooting this evening,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Fred. “Although we sometimes +do a little practicing when we’re at home. +Down in the long cellar of our house.”</p> +<p>“Well, it’s a good thing to know how to shoot, +lad. Sometimes it comes in mighty handy like,” +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’ 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>“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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“I wonder what Hop Lung will say when he +sees them,” remarked Fred.</p> +<p>“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 +<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>“Hop Lung! Hop Lung! Come out here a +minute!”</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>“You callee me?” he queried.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“See if you can find the big bread-board,” said +Randy. “I guess that will answer our purpose.”</p> +<p>“And here is the fishing line,” added his twin. +“We can run it from the ceiling over to the window +and then outside.”</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>“Now then, clear out before Hop Lung catches +us,” 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’s web.</p> +<p>“Hello, he’s gone now!” exclaimed Spouter, in +a tone of disappointment. “Do you see him anywhere, +Hop Lung?”</p> +<p>“Hop Lung see what?” demanded the puzzled +cook.</p> +<p>“Why, that great big blue and gold spider with +white feet!”</p> +<p>“Blue an’ gol’ spide?” queried Hop Lung. “See +black spide.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Noee see spide so long dat,” answered the Chinese +cook, shaking his head doubtfully. “Sploutel +maybe see catpillal.”</p> +<p>“No, it wasn’t a caterpillar. It was a spider. +Although I think it might have had wings.”</p> +<p>“Um, wings! Spide he all the samee buttelfly,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span> +announced Hop Lung. “No see him,” 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>“Hello! I thought you fellows were off fishing,” +he remarked.</p> +<p>“So we were,” answered Gif calmly.</p> +<p>“I got a nice little fish, Hop Lung. I laid him +in the kitchen for you,” remarked Andy.</p> +<p>“You git only one flish?” queried the cook in +surprise.</p> +<p>“Well, maybe you can catch more,” put in +Randy.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.</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>“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.</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>“Duck!” 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>“He’ll begin to think the cabinet is haunted,” +whispered Jack.</p> +<p>“Either that, or else he’ll think he’s bewitched,” +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’s length, as if afraid it +might bite him.</p> +<p>“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. +<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>“What is the matter, Hop Lung?” demanded +Mrs. Powell, as she sprang to her feet.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Gracious me! is the man crazy?” asked Mrs. +Rover, rising. “What does he mean by +‘flishee?’”</p> +<p>“Flishee! Flishee!” repeated Hop Lung. “No +flishee—all flishee!”</p> +<p>“I can’t imagine what he’s driving at,” remarked +Mrs. Powell. “Where is the trouble, Hop +Lung? In the kitchen?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span></p> +<p>“Les, Miz Plowell. Kitchen all flishee!”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Did the boys catch those fish?” asked Mrs. +Rover. “They said they were going fishing a +couple of hours ago.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Hop Lung, stop that!” commanded Mrs. +Powell sternly. “Those fish are too good to throw +away!”</p> +<p>“Bloys fool Hop Lung,” was the reply. “One +flishee—two flishee—four flishee—all whole lot +flishee,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Hop Lung flix bloys, play flishee tlick,” 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>“It was certainly a rich joke,” remarked Fred, +with a chuckle.</p> +<p>“I’ll bet Hop Lung will have it in for us for +that,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well, if he did, I rather think he’s going +back,” answered Jack. “Can you tell us anything +about him?”</p> +<p>“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?”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Do you know anybody by the name of John +Calder whose barn burned down?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Jarley Bangs!” exclaimed Fred. “Do you suppose +it could be Brassy Bangs’ father?”</p> +<p>“I don’t think so,” answered Gif. “I believe +Bangs’ folks live in Wyoming.”</p> +<p>“But this Bangs may be some relative of his,” +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>“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.”</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>“This outing is going to do Mary a world of +good,” confided Mrs. Rover to Mrs. Powell. “She +has always been so timid.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“We don’t want to get into any trouble with +those fellows,” put in Fred quickly.</p> +<p>“Oh, they can’t touch us!” exclaimed Andy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span> +“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’s outing along the +river. They were to take their lunch with them, +and did not expect to come back until evening.</p> +<p>“I wish we could go along,” sighed Martha.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Let’s do it!” answered her cousin quickly. +“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.”</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>“One flishee—two flishee—lot flishee,” he murmured +to himself. “Hop Lung fixee boys,” 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>“Whoop-la!” shouted Andy gaily. “Come on, +fellows! let’s put distance between ourselves and +the ranch.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“We’ll let Spouter set the pace,” 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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well, please don’t let ’em come at us in a +bunch!” cried Randy, with a grin. “One at a +time, please.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Hello! what’s the trouble?” exclaimed Jack, +bringing his own steed to a halt. “Are you hurt, +Gif?”</p> +<p>“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!”</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>“What’s up? What are you shooting at?” +cried Fred, galloping to the spot.</p> +<p>“A snake. He scared Gif’s horse and threw +Gif into the bushes.”</p> +<p>“Where is he?”</p> +<p>“I guess he got away, although I think we +wounded him,” answered Jack.</p> +<p>“It’s funny how that horse shied,” said Spouter. +“Maybe he stepped right on the snake.”</p> +<p>“That might be,” put in Fred. “Maybe the +snake was sunning himself and didn’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.”</p> +<p>“I think so,” answered Spouter. “Gosh! I’m +glad no one was bit. That snake looked to be of +pretty good size.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Yes, you picked out just the right place to +fall into,” answered Andy.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I think we had better all do that,” said Fred. +“Gee! I’d forgotten all about those pests.”</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>“Well, we didn’t exactly meet a wild animal,” +remarked Randy. “But we met something just as +bad.”</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>“The Bimbel ranch must be somewhere in this +vicinity,” declared Jack.</p> +<p>“Yes, and the Bangs place can’t be so very far +off,” 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>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“I suppose those cowboys would know at once +which was the main trail and which were only +side trails,” 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>“Here comes an auto, boys! What do you +know about that?”</p> +<p>“An auto!” several of them repeated. +“Where?”</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>“What a way to run an automobile!” ejaculated +Randy.</p> +<p>“Maybe the driver is getting out of the way of +holes,” answered Jack. And then he added +quickly: “There isn’t any driver!”</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>“It is empty!” ejaculated Andy. “It’s running +by itself!”</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>“What do you know about that!”</p> +<p>“Who ever heard of an automobile running +around by itself?”</p> +<p>“It’s gotten away from somebody,” came from +Jack. “Just look at it skating over the ground!”</p> +<p>“Come on! Let’s stop the blamed thing!” +shouted Andy, and started off on horseback after +the runaway car.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“By jinks! I think it’s coming back here!” +exclaimed Fred suddenly. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span></p> +<p>“It isn’t running as fast as it was,” declared +Spouter. “Maybe it’s going to stop.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Look out!”</p> +<p>“Get out of the way there or you’ll be run +down!”</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh, it wasn’t such a risk,” answered his cousin +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span> +modestly. “I think the auto was getting ready to +stop anyhow.”</p> +<p>“I wonder where the owner is?” questioned +Andy.</p> +<p>“Perhaps the auto struck a stone and threw him +out!” exclaimed Spouter suddenly. “He may be +lying along the trail somewhere stunned or dead.”</p> +<p>“I guess the best thing we can do is to see if +we can locate the owner,” declared Gif, after a +pause.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Do you think you can run this car?” questioned +Spouter.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span></p> +<p>“Sounds to me as if it needed oiling,” ventured +Spouter.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Hi there! Stop!” called out the man. “Stop, +I tell you! If you don’t stop I’ll have the law +on you!”</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>“What do you mean by running off with my +car?” he demanded, as he shook his fist at the +lads.</p> +<p>“Is this your car?” questioned Jack.</p> +<p>“You know well enough it’s my car!” blustered +the man. “And I demand to know what +you mean by running away with it!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span></p> +<p>“We didn’t run away with it,” answered +Spouter.</p> +<p>“Yes, you did!”</p> +<p>“We did not!” put in Jack. “We found it back +there on the plains running around all by itself.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Is Lester your nephew?” queried Spouter. +And as the man nodded shortly, he added: “Then +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span> +you must be Mr. Jarley Bangs?” and again the +man nodded.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Was any one with you?” questioned Spouter.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh, then Lester is staying with you, is he?” +queried Fred.</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span> +him to that school. If I was his father I’d make +him stay out here and go to work.”</p> +<p>“You don’t suppose Lester tried to start the +car, do you?” questioned Andy.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Does he know how to run the auto?” asked +Randy.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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 +<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’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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Where is your ranch located?” asked Fred.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And where is the Bimbel ranch?” questioned +Gif.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Why?” asked Spouter.</p> +<p>“He don’t like no strangers hanging around, +that’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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“I don’t think Lester will care to visit our +ranch,” answered Spouter coldly.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“A kind, considerate man, not!” exclaimed +Andy in disgust.</p> +<p>“How politely he thanked Jack for returning +his car,” added Spouter.</p> +<p>“And the beautiful invitation we got to visit +his place,” put in Randy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span></p> +<p>“I wonder if Brassy really started that car on +him?” questioned Fred.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps we had better not go too close,” advised +Fred. “Bimbel may be getting out a shotgun +for us.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span></p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And I second the commotion,” 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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Spouter, you’ll have to write an essay about +this when you get back to the Hall,” said Fred, +with a grin.</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +to it. And don’t forget it’s high time to eat,” +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>“We’ll be in the shade here, and yet just see +the view we’ll have,” cried Gif.</p> +<p>“Suits me,” 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>“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. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span></p> +<p>“Oh, I was only thinking about the trick we +played on the Chink,” chuckled Andy.</p> +<p>“And I was thinking of the same thing,” put +in his twin.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Now I guess it’s about time we passed around +some of the cake,” remarked Jack, presently.</p> +<p>“I think I’ll start on a doughnut,” 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>“Oh my! What’s the matter with that cake?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span></p> +<p>“Say, this doughnut tastes like fire!”</p> +<p>“Gee, my mouth is burning up!”</p> +<p>“Give me some of that water, quick! My +tongue is getting blistered!”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Gracious me! do you suppose Hop Lung put +the wrong stuff in the cake and in the doughnuts?” +demanded Spouter anxiously.</p> +<p>“Oh, this is awful!” groaned Gif. “I’m burning +up inside!” And he put both hands on his +stomach.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I wonder if that’s so?” questioned Andy +soberly.</p> +<p>“Sure, it’s so!” broke in Gif. “That Chink +wasn’t as slow as you thought, Andy.”</p> +<p>“Gosh, my mouth burns yet!” grumbled Randy, +taking a drink of cocoa. “That’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?”</p> +<p>“Tasted to me like a combination of cayenne +pepper, mustard, and a few things like that,” answered +Jack.</p> +<p>“Then the whole cake and all the doughnuts +must be no good.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well, anyway, let’s be thankful the sandwiches +are all right and so are the eggs,” remarked Fred.</p> +<p>“Maybe some of the sandwiches that are left +are doctored,” put in Andy suspiciously.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Hello! here’s another little bag at the bottom +of the big one,” he cried. “Let’s see what it +contains.”</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>“Gee! is that more of the doctored stuff?” questioned +Fred.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“We’d better dump all that other stuff away,” +said Fred. “No use of carrying it if it isn’t fit +to eat.”</p> +<p>“Maybe some of it is good,” returned Andy.</p> +<p>“Do you want to sample it and make sure?” +questioned Jack, with a grin.</p> +<p>“Not on your life! I wouldn’t want that burning +taste in my mouth again for a hundred dollars.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“What a lot of underground streams there +must be!” 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>“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.”</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’ 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“I wonder if that man Haddon has gotten +here yet,” said Jack. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span></p> +<p>“More than likely,” answered Fred. “If you’ll +remember, those men didn’t expect to stay in Arrow +Junction very long.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“I guess we’d all like to know that,” 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>“It doesn’t look much different from lots of +other ranches,” said Fred.</p> +<p>“Do you want to go any closer to it?” 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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Boys, what do you know about this! Do you +recognize that man?”</p> +<p>“It’s Hans Mueller!” ejaculated Fred.</p> +<p>“Uncle Hans!”</p> +<p>“Who would have thought he was coming to +the ranch?”</p> +<p>“Hans Mueller!” murmured Andy. “I’ll be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span> +glad to see him. He’s as full of fun as a stray +dog is of fleas!”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“Hello der, eferypody!” called out Hans Mueller +cordially, as he came down from the veranda +to greet them, his fat face beaming genially.</p> +<p>“How are you, Uncle Hans?” cried Jack, leaping +to the ground and shaking hands. “This is +certainly a surprise.”</p> +<p>“Yes, Songpird tol’ me you wouldn’t know I +vas coming,” was the answer. “How you been +alreatty?”</p> +<p>“Fine as silk,” answered Andy gayly. And +now all the boys clustered around to shake hands.</p> +<p>“You’re just the man we want here to help us +enjoy our vacation,” put in Fred.</p> +<p>“Dot’s nice, Fred. I tink I vas going to haf +a fine time alreatty. And I need him,” went on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span> +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.’”</p> +<p>“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.</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’S SECRET</h3> +</div> + +<p>The girls had already returned from the woods +and met Uncle Hans, as they called him.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“I import dem olives myself alreatty yet,” he +vouchsafed. “Nopody by Chicago has olives half +so goot.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“It was grand of you, Uncle Hans, to fight for +Uncle Sam,” declared Martha.</p> +<p>“And vhy, I like to know?” demanded Hans +Mueller. “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.”</p> +<p>“That’s the way to talk, Uncle Hans!” 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>“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.</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>“What’s the matter—is something wrong?” +questioned Jack of Spouter.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t you say something about other horses +being stolen before we got here?”</p> +<p>“Yes. But they didn’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.”</p> +<p>“Were the animals now missing the horses +we rode?” questioned Fred.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You mean Blackbird?” exclaimed Randy.</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>“Why, I think Blackbird is the finest horse on +the ranch,” declared Gif.</p> +<p>“He certainly is a splendid nag,” answered +Spouter. “And my dad thinks a great deal of +him.”</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>“I suppose those horses are worth some +money,” remarked Fred.</p> +<p>“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 +<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.”</p> +<p>“I certainly hope they get some trace of the +horses,” 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>“My goodness!” screamed Mary. “Ruth and +May! Glory hallelujah! How in the world did +you get here?”</p> +<p>“And you never let us know!” wailed Martha, +as she bounced up the steps to embrace her school +chums.</p> +<p>“We got started sooner than we expected,” answered +May.</p> +<p>“Did you come alone?” questioned Jack, as +he, too, came forward, his pleasure showing on +his face.</p> +<p>“No, we didn’t come alone,” answered Ruth. +“We came with Mr. and Mrs. Rover. They are +inside with the others.”</p> +<p>“My mother and dad!” burst out Andy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span> +“Where are they?” 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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Vot pickling machine you mean, Tom?” questioned +Hans, looking at him blankly.</p> +<p>“Why, that machine you’re going to invent +whereby you can grind up old oilcloth and automobile +tires and make dill pickles of them.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span></p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh! Then maybe it was a new sourkraut +stamper,” went on Tom innocently.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“It sure is a touch of old times,” 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;'>“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—”</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Counting up my toes,”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>broke in Tom, with a twinkle in his merry eyes.</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<table summary='poetry' style=' margin-left:4em;'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0.0em;'>“Where the sunset glows.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“And to think my Uncle John owns the place!” +put in May. “Isn’t it simply glorious?”</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’s +ranch in company with several other persons.</p> +<p>“They were a bum-looking bunch,” declared +Jackson. “I wouldn’t give one of ’em house room +on this ranch.”</p> +<p>“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.” +<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>“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.”</p> +<p>“What is it?” questioned Fred eagerly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Has Duke been taking care of his father?” +questioned Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Gee, that was certainly rough!” declared +Randy. “No wonder the professor was grouchy +at times.”</p> +<p>“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 +<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’t prosecuted.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well, that’s what I call hard lines!” declared +Jack emphatically. “The poor professor must +have been worried half to death.”</p> +<p>“Does Fatty say anything further about Duke’s +father?”</p> +<p>“Yes. Since the last operation the old gentleman +is feeling quite like himself again.”</p> +<p>“And what became of the brother who got into +trouble?” asked Spouter.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“It’s too bad,” he said, with a deep sigh. “I’m +mighty sorry now that I didn’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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Hello, something is wrong!” 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>“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!”</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>“Four more horses gone!” cried Songbird +Powell in consternation. “When did this happen, +Jackson?”</p> +<p>“Less than half an hour ago, over on the three-tree +range,” returned the foreman.</p> +<p>“And what makes you certain that they were +stolen this time?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Any clue to the thief or thieves?” asked Tom +Rover.</p> +<p>“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 +<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’t tell +one from the other.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Can we go along?” questioned Spouter +quickly.</p> +<p>“No, Son. We want to use the horses. And, +anyway, I think it would be better for you lads +to remain behind.”</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>“Gee! I’d like to go on a chase after those +horse thieves,” burst out Andy.</p> +<p>“You might get a pretty warm reception if +you did that,” remarked Fred. “Horse thieves +and cattle rustlers are usually a bad bunch.”</p> +<p>“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.” +<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>“And just to think! I caught two of the fish +myself!” exclaimed Ruth. “I never knew I was +going to be a fisherman.”</p> +<p>“You mustn’t say ‘fisherman;’ you must say +fisherlady,” put in Andy mischievously.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What are you going to do next, Dad?” questioned +Spouter.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Years ago they used to suffer from the cattle +rustlers in this neighborhood,” said Spouter. +“But horse stealing is something new.”</p> +<p>“I wonder if that fellow Bud Haddon had anything +to do with it?” questioned Fred.</p> +<p>“I was thinking of that,” broke in Randy. “I +think they ought to make an investigation.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“And what about Bud Haddon?” asked Jack. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span></p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And you didn’t see any trace of the animals?” +asked Spouter.</p> +<p>“Nothing at all. They said they hadn’t heard +of the theft nor of the loss of the horses over at +Cheltham’s ranch.”</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>“Hi there! Hi there! Ride out of the way!” +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’s cry and also the +beating of the hoofs on the prairie.</p> +<p>“My gracious!” gasped Fred. “Look what’s +coming!”</p> +<p>“We’ve got to get out of the way and be quick +about it,” 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>“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.</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>“Don’t go that way!” 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. “You’ll get +stuck and you’ll never get out.”</p> +<p>“I’d rather get stuck than be trampled under +foot by those beasts,” panted Fred.</p> +<p>“No, no, Fred! Turn this way! I’m sure we +can get up on the rocks somehow!” 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>“Come on this way!” he yelled to his cousin. +“I think we can get up on the rocks here!”</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>“Oh, Jack! do you think they’ll be run down?” +gasped Randy.</p> +<p>“I hope not.”</p> +<p>“They’re on a pair of good horses; they ought +to be able to outrun the cattle,” came from Gif.</p> +<p>“Don’t be so sure of that,” cried Spouter. “A +mad steer can go some, believe me.”</p> +<p>“Who ever thought they would start off like +that?” went on Randy.</p> +<p>“It was firing at those rattlesnakes did it,” declared +Jack. “Of course, I can’t blame the cowboys +for doing that.”</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>“Look out!” 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>“Do you think we’ll be all right here?” panted +Fred, when he could catch his breath sufficiently +to speak.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“I really think they’ll try to come up,” said +Fred.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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!”</p> +<p>“Listen!” ejaculated Andy, pulling back on the +rein. “What’s that funny noise?”</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>“It’s a wild animal of some kind!” cried Fred, +as the growl was repeated.</p> +<p>“Where did it come from?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know. But it was close at hand.”</p> +<p>Thoroughly scared, both boys looked on all +sides. Then, of a sudden, Fred let out another +exclamation.</p> +<p>“There it is! Right on the shelf of rocks yonder! +Oh, Andy, it’s a mountain lion!”</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>“Look out!” screamed Andy, “or the horses will +take us right back among those mad cattle.”</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>“Come on—give him a shot!” 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’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>“Back up! Back up, Fred!” 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’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>“Hi there! What are you shooting at?” came +a cry from below, and the two boys recognized +the voice of Joe Jackson.</p> +<p>“It’s a lion!” called back Andy.</p> +<p>“Then plug him! Plug him quick!” yelled +Jackson. “Plug him before he gets a chance to +get at you!”</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>“Are you hurt?” 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>“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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“A mountain lion! What do you know about +that!” exclaimed Jack, as he came riding up, followed +by the other boys.</p> +<p>“Did he hurt you at all?” questioned Spouter +quickly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“We had to fight him,” declared Andy. “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’t back out. If he had had the chance he’d +have leaped right on us.”</p> +<p>“Well, you’re the prize hunters of this crowd,” +declared Randy.</p> +<p>“You can’t put that down to hunting,” answered +his twin promptly. “That was simply a +case of necessity.”</p> +<p>“Anyway, you’ve got the lion, and that skin will +make some rug,” declared Spouter.</p> +<p>“I wonder if there are any other mountain lions +around?” remarked Gif. “I’d like to get a shot +at one of them myself.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“You really must be more careful in the future, +boys,” declared Mrs. Sam Rover. “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!”</p> +<p>“I didn’t know there was any danger of the cattle +stampeding,” put in Mrs. Tom Rover.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_280' name='page_280'></a>280</span> +chance. It’s only when they’re cornered or when +they’re needing food that they are really combative.”</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“More than likely he’s afraid of his welcome,” +said Jack. “He knows that none of us care for +him.”</p> +<p>“I’d like to know if he really started that auto,” +put in Fred.</p> +<p>“Gosh, what a sour fellow that Jarley Bangs +was!” 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>“I’d like to get a better view of Bimbel’s ranch +and also of Bangs’ place,” declared Jack. “And +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_281' name='page_281'></a>281</span> +maybe we’ll see something of Bud Haddon and +his crowd.”</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>“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!”</p> +<p>“Or mix-ups with runaway cattle,” 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>“Gee! I wonder if we’re going to have a +storm?” remarked Randy.</p> +<p>“Oh, maybe it’s nothing but a wind cloud,” +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>“Halt!” called out Jack, who was riding ahead +with Spouter.</p> +<p>“What’s the matter?” questioned Gif quickly.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Maybe it’s a dog,” put in Fred quickly.</p> +<p>“You don’t want to shoot somebody’s pet,” 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>“It’s a wolf! I’m sure of it!” 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>“Hurrah! We’ve got him!” yelled Randy, with +satisfaction. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span></p> +<p>“Be careful! Don’t go too close before we’re +sure,” warned Jack. “Better reload first.”</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>“It’s the side of a calf!” exclaimed Spouter. +“Isn’t this the limit? I’m glad we brought him +down!”</p> +<p>“He must have been raiding some cow yard,” +said Jack.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.</p> +<p>“And it’s going to be some storm, or I miss my +guess,” added Gif.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Come on—let’s try it!” 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>“Say, maybe we had better stay under the +trees,” suggested Andy.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.</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>“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.”</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>“It certainly is a larger cave than I supposed,” +said Jack, as he and Gif led the way, with the +others close behind.</p> +<p>“I think I see a light ahead, Jack,” was Gif’s +remark. “That must be another opening to the +cave.”</p> +<p>“Maybe the two caves that Jackson mentioned +are really one, and this passageway connects +them.”</p> +<p>“We’ll soon find out.”</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>“Look!” called Jack suddenly. And then he +added: “Keep quiet, all of you!”</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>“Why, that’s Brassy Bangs!” whispered Fred +excitedly.</p> +<p>“Yes. And the man is Bud Haddon,” returned +Andy.</p> +<p>“What do you bet Haddon isn’t after Brassy +for more money?” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Especially as we’re armed,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And I always said it was some cowboys or +tramps that did it!” stormed Brassy.</p> +<p>“Not much! You did it! I know it, and so +do Jillson and Dusenbury! We’ve got the goods +on you.”</p> +<p>“What were Jillson and Dusenbury and you doing +around the place?” questioned Brassy suddenly.</p> +<p>“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’t you +have a quarrel with old Calder?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I did. But I didn’t make any fire. +Maybe you had a quarrel with him yourself.”</p> +<p>“Hold on there, Bangs! None of that!” cried +Bud Haddon sternly.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“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?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_290' name='page_290'></a>290</span></p> +<p>“I haven’t said anything to anybody as yet,” +answered Brassy hastily.</p> +<p>“Well, you see that you don’t!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“That fellow Haddon is surely a first-class rascal,” +whispered Spouter to Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Yes, let us stop Brassy by all means,” 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>“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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“Where did you come from?” he demanded, +as soon as he could speak.</p> +<p>“We came from the other end of the cave, +Brassy,” answered Jack.</p> +<p>“How long have you been here?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_292' name='page_292'></a>292</span></p> +<p>“We’ve been here long enough to hear the talk +you had with that fellow named Haddon,” answered +Fred.</p> +<p>“You did!” Brassy turned pale. “It wasn’t +very nice to listen when you had no business to!”</p> +<p>“Never mind about that now, Brassy. What +we want to know is, did you or that fellow rob +Colby Hall?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“See here, Brassy, why don’t you tell us the +whole story?” put in Gif kindly.</p> +<p>“Why should I tell my story to you? All you +fellows are against me—you always were!”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Hounded is right! He’s done nothing but +hound me ever since he knew me,” whined the +accused one. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_293' name='page_293'></a>293</span></p> +<p>“You tell me one thing!” demanded Spouter, +striding up and catching Brassy by the shoulder. +“Did that rascal steal the horses from our ranch?”</p> +<p>“I think he did—in fact, I’m about certain he +did. That is, either he or the fellows he’s in league +with.”</p> +<p>“Who are those other fellows?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see why you want to get mixed up +with a crowd like that,” was Andy’s comment.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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 +<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.”</p> +<p>“And you say positively that you had nothing +to do with the fire?” questioned Fred.</p> +<p>“Not a thing!”</p> +<p>“Couldn’t you prove that you weren’t there +when the fire took place?” asked Andy.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Did Haddon hound you when you came to +Colby Hall?” questioned Gif.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But what about the robbery at the Hall?’” +questioned Fred.</p> +<p>“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’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.”</p> +<p>“And you mean to say he used your uniform +in stealing into the school?” asked Spouter.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you expose him at once?” demanded +Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And had he really robbed your room, too?” +demanded Fred.</p> +<p>“Yes. I lost my stuff just as I reported. Oh, +you can’t imagine how I felt!” went on Brassy +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_297' name='page_297'></a>297</span> +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!”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“I am!”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“Did Calder have any particularly good +horses?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I’ll wager a toothpick against a lemon that +gang stole the grays before the fire,” declared +Andy emphatically.</p> +<p>“The police ought to arrest those three men and +put ’em through what they call the third degree,” +remarked Gif.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Does your uncle know anything about what +Haddon and his crowd are up to?” questioned +Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“If he ever gets out of this I’ll bet he’ll be a +different fellow,” whispered Randy to Fred.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>While the boys were eating the storm stopped, +and less than an hour later the sun was shining as +before.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Don’t you want to go with us, Brassy?” asked +Jack.</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_300' name='page_300'></a>300</span></p> +<p>“How far is it to your uncle’s ranch?” asked +Fred.</p> +<p>“Not over a mile and a half.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“I wish you would go with me!” cried Brassy +eagerly. “I’m afraid my uncle will raise Cain +when I tell him the truth.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“That’s the talk,” 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’ ranch. They +would explain matters to Brassy’s uncle, and then +set out for Songbird Powell’s place.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“Gee, but I certainly am sorry for him!” whispered +Andy to his twin. “He isn’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.”</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’ 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>“Hello! where have you been?” he demanded +of his nephew. “Where did you pick up these +chaps?”</p> +<p>“I met ’em during the storm over at Twin +Caves,” answered Brassy.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Losing things! What do you mean, Uncle +Jarley?” questioned the nephew quickly.</p> +<p>“What do I mean?” stormed the ranch owner. +“Do you know what has happened since you went +away?”</p> +<p>“No.”</p> +<p>“Well, then, I’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!” exclaimed Jarley Bangs wrathfully. “Duster +and old Whitehead!”</p> +<p>“Stolen!” came from all of the boys simultaneously.</p> +<p>“Yes, stolen! Nobody saw ’em taken, but +they’re gone, and not a man on the ranch was near +’em!”</p> +<p>“I’ll wager that’s more of Bud Haddon’s +work,” declared Jack quickly.</p> +<p>“But he wasn’t here—he was over at the +caves,” returned Fred.</p> +<p>“Well, if he didn’t do it, then some members +of his gang did,” put in Randy.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“That’s the way to talk, Mr. Bangs!” cried +Spouter. “And we know just what gang to go +after.”</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—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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“But, Uncle Jarley, remember how I was tied +up in that Colby Hall affair!” Brassy had pleaded.</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_304' name='page_304'></a>304</span> +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.</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>“We can cut off over a mile,” said he. “And +I reckon the quicker we get a posse out the better.”</p> +<p>“Don’t you suppose we can round them up +around Bimbel’s ranch almost any time?” queried +Spouter.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps that’s where they disposed of their +stolen horses,” suggested Jack.</p> +<p>“More’n likely.”</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’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>“Look up the river, will you? There are those +men now! And see! they are leading a couple +of horses!”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Why, they’re heading almost straight for Big +Horn Ranch!” exclaimed Spouter excitedly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Can’t we head ’em off and capture ’em?” +questioned Fred.</p> +<p>“I think we can. Anyhow, we can try,” was +Jarley Bangs’ 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>“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.” +<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>“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.”</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>“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.</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’ 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>“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.</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>“It’s Bangs!” murmured the man named Dusenbury. +“I reckon the jig is up.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“You’ve got the drop on me, and I ain’t moving,” +answered Bud Haddon surlily.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.</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>“I’ll fix you for this!” hissed Haddon at Brassy +when he got the chance.</p> +<p>“You do your worst!” retorted the boy. “I’m +not afraid of you any more.”</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’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>“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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“I guess it was one of the early thefts that +took Haddon to Haven Point,” 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’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’s Blackbird and several other of the animals.</p> +<p>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.</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>“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.</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>“We’ve certainly had some strenuous times +here,” 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, “The Rover Boys at Big Bear Lake; +or, The Camps of the Rival Cadets.”</p> +<p>“Big Horn Ranch is a delightful place,” said +Ruth. “I never thought a spot where they raised +cattle could be so interesting.”</p> +<p>“Is your father going to stay out here and become +a regular ranchman, Spouter?” questioned +Fred.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“I’m with you,” 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>“All right! A horseback race it is!” cried Jack.</p> +<p>“An extra piece of cake to the boy who wins!” +shouted his sister Martha after him.</p> +<p>“Hurrah! Me for that piece of cake!” 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 & 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 & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></p> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </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. 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