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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/36409-0.txt b/36409-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c99977 --- /dev/null +++ b/36409-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5854 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Harry Watson's High School Days, by Frank V. Webster + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Harry Watson's High School Days + The Rivals of Rivertown + +Author: Frank V. Webster + +Release Date: June 14, 2011 [EBook #36409] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARRY WATSON'S HIGH SCHOOL DAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Illustration: WITH THE NEW STUDENT STILL BORNE ALOFT THEY RETRACED +THEIR STEPS. (Page 80)] + + + + + HARRY WATSON’S + HIGH SCHOOL DAYS + + Or + + The Rivals of Rivertown + + BY + + FRANK V. WEBSTER + + AUTHOR OF “ONLY A FARM BOY,” “AIRSHIP ANDY,” “THE + BOYS OF BELLWOOD SCHOOL,” ETC. + + ILLUSTRATED + + NEW YORK + CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + PUBLISHERS + + + + + BOOKS FOR BOYS + By FRANK V. WEBSTER + 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume. + + + ONLY A FARM BOY + TOM, THE TELEPHONE BOY + THE BOY FROM THE RANCH + THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER + BOB, THE CASTAWAY + THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE + THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS + THE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKES + THE TWO BOY GOLD MINERS + JACK, THE RUNAWAY + COMRADES OF THE SADDLE + THE BOYS OF BELLWOOD SCHOOL + THE HIGH SCHOOL RIVALS + BOB CHESTER’S GRIT + AIRSHIP ANDY + DARRY, THE LIFE SAVER + DICK, THE BANK BOY + BEN HARDY’S FLYING MACHINE + THE BOYS OF THE WIRELESS + HARRY WATSON’S HIGH SCHOOL DAYS + + + _Cupples & Leon Co., Publishers, New York_ + + Copyright, 1912, by + CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + + Harry Watson’s High School Days + + Printed in U. S. A. + + + + + CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + I. Harry Shows His Mettle 1 + II. Jed Brown Finds a Protector 8 + III. Socker’s Plot 17 + IV. Harry Shows His Grit 24 + V. The Race on Skates 29 + VI. The Girls’ Race 36 + VII. The Rivalry Between Harry and Elmer 41 + VIII. Paul’s Party 48 + IX. The False Charge 54 + X. Harry is Exonerated 59 + XI. “Old Grouch” 67 + XII. Pledged to the Pi Etas 74 + XIII. A Serious Charge 79 + XIV. The Boys Appoint a Committee 85 + XV. Mr. Larmore Issues an Ultimatum 90 + XVI. Stumbling Across a Clue 95 + XVII. The Trip to Lumberport 102 + XVIII. Harry Arranges for a Settlement 107 + XIX. Upholding the Honor of Rivertown 114 + XX. Harry Receives Bad News 127 + XXI. Elmer Baits His Rival 137 + XXII. Dark Days 144 + XXIII. A Mile a Minute Spin 151 + XXIV. Harry Pilots the Lightning 170 + XXV. “All’s Well that Ends Well” 189 + + + + +HARRY WATSON’S HIGH SCHOOL DAYS + + + + +CHAPTER I—HARRY SHOWS HIS METTLE + + +“Hey, fellows, we’ve a new student at Rivertown High!” + +“Who is he, Socker?” chorused a group of boys to whom their schoolmate +had come running with his tidings. + +“Don’t know. Nettie told me that she and Viola had met him as he was +coming out of Principal Larmore’s office.” + +“Yes, and you’d better watch out, Elmer. Nettie said Viola has been +talking about nothing else but that good-looking fellow since she saw +him!” bantered another of the group. + +The boy, light and rather handsome, but with a weak face, to whom this +last remark had been addressed was about to reply, when a warning was +sounded. + +“Keep quiet! Here he comes now!” declared Socker. + +Instantly all eyes were turned in the direction of the schoolhouse where +they saw a lad walking with a swinging stride. Apparently about fifteen +years of age, he was well built and rather tall. Dark hair, which curled +about his cap, and laughing eyes bespoke him as a jolly, handsome +fellow, and the ruddy glow brought to his cheeks by the crisp winter air +was evidence that he was possessed of health in abundance. + +“Why, I know who he is!” asserted another of the group. + +“Who?” + +“He must be Harry Watson, nephew of the Widow Watson. I remember Mrs. +Watson told mother the other day that her nephew, Harry, was coming to +Rivertown.” + +“Where’s he from?” + +“Can’t say.” + +“Well, let’s see if he’s any good!” exclaimed a big, hulking fellow, Pud +Snooks, who was the bully of the school. “Hey, you, Watson, come over +here!” he shouted. + +Rivertown High School, a two-story brick building containing some +fifteen class rooms and a large assembly room, was situated on a bluff +overlooking the Conoque River: and the road leading from it to the +village, in addition to being steep, made a sharp turn at the foot of +the hill. + +The spot was a favorite one with the scholars for coasting, and several +of the boys had been in the act of placing a double-runner bob in +position at the top of the hill, when they had been apprised of the fact +there was a new student in school. + +The boys of Rivertown High had a fondness for trying out new students, +and Pud’s suggestion met with ready approval. + +Accordingly, when the bully proposed putting Harry Watson to the test, +the other boys sat down on the double-runner, taking good care to leave +the steering seat vacant. + +“When I shove off, everybody stand up!” whispered Pud. Then he exclaimed +aloud: + +“Hey, Watson! Can you steer a sled?” + +Stopping as he heard his name, Harry looked toward the group of boys. + +“Sure thing, if you’d like to have me,” he answered. “My name is Harry +Watson.” + +“And mine’s Pud Snooks,” announced the bully. Then bowing in mock +seriousness, he continued: + +“That fancy blonde behind me is Elmer Craven. He is the richest and most +famous personage we have at Rivertown High. Twice a week he goes across +the river to Lumberport, and he believes that Viola Darrow is never +happy when——” + +“Oh, cut it out, Pud!” growled Elmer. + +With a grin, the bully went on with his introductions. + +“The next exhibit is Socker Gales, and the specimen with the ten-foot +reach is Longback, whom his family calls Sam Dalton. Now just take the +ropes and I’ll push off. We’re a precious load, as I hope I’ve made +clear to you, so don’t tip us over!” + +While Harry had been acknowledging these bantering introductions, he had +also been looking at the icy roadway. + +A glance at the sharp turn had told him it would require clever work to +make it, and so, when he took the steering ropes, instead of sitting +down on the sled, he gave them a quick jerk—to have one of them part +near the runner. + +“Good thing that didn’t happen on the hill!” he exclaimed, quickly +cutting off the broken end and making a new knot, after which he again +tested the rope and found it sound. + +Pud and his chums, however, though they pretended to, did not share this +opinion, and that there might not be more delay, as soon as Harry sat +down and placed his feet on the bracers, the bully started the sled. + +“We’re off!” he shouted, as he gave the double-runner a terrific shove. + +As though eager for the fun, the first sled shot over the crest of the +hill—and then all the boys put their feet down and let the sled pass +between their legs! + +Instantly Harry realized that he was alone on the double-runner. + +With no weight on the hind sled, he knew it would bump and slew as soon +as he got fairly started and especially when he struck the curve. But +Harry was game. + +“I’ll show these Rivertown High chaps that they can’t stump me by any of +their tricks,” he said to himself, and braced his feet more firmly, +leaning back to throw as much weight as possible on the hind sled. + +As the double-runner gained momentum, it fairly danced over the icy +roadway. + +Behind, Pud and his cronies were hurrying as fast as they could that +they might gain a spot whence they could see the spill they expected +when the sled struck the curve. + +But as Harry approached the turn, he leaned far out. + +“Oh, you Pud! You guessed wrong when you picked Watson for an easy +mark,” chuckled Longback. “That boy knows something about steering.” + +The next instant, however, the disappointment of the boys at learning +that they were not to have the fun of seeing Harry dumped, was forgotten +in their alarm at hearing shouts of warning and fright beyond the curve! + +Just as Harry’s sled dashed around the turn, he had caught sight of two +little children starting up the hill, dragging their sleds behind them. + +A group of high school girls, among them Viola Darrow and her chum, +Nettie Masterson, were descending the hill, and it was they who, when +they heard the rattlety-bang of the double-runner, and saw the toddlers +ahead, had cried out in terror. + +One side of the road was banked by the hill, while the other dropped +down toward the river; a fence with one rail some three feet from the +ground serving as a guard. + +What was below the embankment Harry did not know, but he remembered to +have seen some bushes as he had walked up the hill. + +In their effort to save the children, the girls had run out into the +roadway, practically blocking it. + +So great was Harry’s speed, however, that they realized it would be +impossible for them to seize the toddlers and get them to one side in +time to let the double-runner pass—and in such a manner were they spread +across the road that Harry had no chance to guide his sled past them. + +“Open out! Let him through!” shouted Longback and Socker; while Elmer +and Pud, terrified at the impending tragedy threatened by their trick, +simply stared at the scene in silence, their faces white, their mouths +agape. + +But in the instant that had followed his discovery of the little girls +starting up the roadway, Harry had made up his mind what to do—and +acted. + +With a sudden pull, he jerked the sled from its course, headed it +between two of the posts which supported the guard-rail—and the +double-runner leaped over the embankment at a spot less than six feet +from where the group of girls and the two children stood, panic-stricken +and crying. + + + + +CHAPTER II—JED BROWN FINDS A PROTECTOR + + +Several of the other boys who were members of Rivertown High, among them +Paul Martin and Jerry Post, had reached the turn just in time to see the +sled as it took its mad leap over the embankment. + +For a moment, they, as well as the girls, gazed in silence at the spot +where the double-runner with its lone passenger had disappeared. Then, +as with one accord, they broke into lusty cheers at the aversion of the +tragedy which had seemed inevitable. + +But their joy was quickly checked. + +“Don’t cheer! You don’t know what has happened to that nervy chap!” +shouted Paul Martin. + +And as his words brought silence, he and Jerry rushed to the edge of the +embankment, while the others followed. + +Fortunately Harry had landed in a pile of underbrush, and as the +white-faced boys and girls lined the rail he was picking his way out, +none the worse for his experience save a few rents in his clothes. + +The sight of the boy, safe and sound, brought a reaction from the +terror, and wildly the scholars cheered, while Paul, Jerry and Longback +ducked under the guard-rail and slipped and slid down to meet the hero. + +“Hurt?” asked Jerry, anxiously. + +“Nowhere, except in my clothes,” returned Harry—and again prolonged +cheers greeted his ears. + +Many were the willing hands that were extended to help draw him up into +the road, and when they had succeeded, he became immediately the centre +of an excited, admiring group. + +“I think that was just perfectly splendid of him!” exclaimed Viola. +“Some of you boys introduce me to him, won’t you?” + +As she spoke, the girl, whose beauty and wealth made her the favorite of +the school, looked straight at Elmer—but he gave no sign that he noticed +her. + +Their leader having thus given the stamp of approval to Harry, the other +girls quickly pressed forward, all talking and chatting at once. + +But no one responded to Viola’s request and, flushing, she turned away +while the new student grew very red, as he looked from one to another of +the boys who had invited him to steer the double-runner. + +The situation was awkward in the extreme and Harry, diffident and +sensitive as he was, felt it keenly. Yet he was the one to relieve it. + +“Hey, you Snooks, you’d better go down and get your sled—or do you want +me to do that?” he called. + +“So it was one of Pud’s tricks?” exclaimed Nettie. “We might have known +it, Viola. Pud, I think you’re perfectly horrid!” and with all the +dignity of her fifteen years, the girl turned her back on the bully and, +putting her arm through Viola’s, led her away down the hill. But as they +went, both girls smiled at Harry. + +During the embarrassing scene, Longback had whispered to some of the +other boys who Harry was, and Jerry and Paul immediately took him in +tow. + +“If you don’t mind, we’ll walk home with you, Watson,” exclaimed Jerry. +And glad of the chance to escape the attention of the other members of +Rivertown High, Harry started off, accompanied by the two boys who were +later to become his chums. + +The story of Harry’s quick-wittedness and courage had proceeded him, +thanks to Viola and Nettie; and as he walked down the main street of the +town to the comfortable home of his aunt, many were the glances directed +toward him. + +“Rather a bad start, I’m afraid,” he said to his companions, with a +feeble attempt at a smile. + +“Bad? I should say it was a corking fine one!” returned Paul, sincerely. +“It isn’t many fellows who can become a hero and at the same time get +the best of Pud Snooks!” + +The mention of the bully caused Harry to grow serious. + +“I’m afraid it will make Snooks down on me,” he said. “He had no idea +that those little girls would be in the road.” + +Well did Jerry and Paul know that the outcome of the bully’s trick, +sensational as it had been, would, indeed, arouse his anger against the +boy who had turned the tables on him; and though they tried to disabuse +Harry’s mind of the idea, it was with relief that they reached the gate +of the Widow Watson’s house. + +Despite Harry’s cordial invitation, both boys declined to go in, and he +entered the house feeling strangely alone. + +His aunt’s greeting and loving words of praise after she had heard of +his experience, however, did much to restore his good spirits. + +“Who is Viola?” he asked, as they were seated at dinner. + +“She is the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Rivertown,” replied +the widow, a shade of sorrow passing over her face. “What makes you +ask?” + +“Because she said my steering over the embankment was perfectly fine!” + +Again the cloud passed over Mrs. Watson’s face and this time it did not +lift. + +“She’s a very sweet and lovely girl, Harry,” she replied. “But she isn’t +the sort you should choose for a companion.” + +At the words, the boy looked up quickly at his aunt and what he read in +her face made him flush. + +“I mean, she is very rich and I think—that is, I have heard—her family +intend her to marry Elmer Craven.” + +“He’s rich, too, isn’t he?” + +“Yes.” + +Deeply did it grieve the good woman to speak the words she had, but she +believed it would be best for her nephew to realize the social +difference that existed between Viola and himself, that he might be +spared the humiliation and embarrassment in the future. Though they +allowed their daughter to attend the Rivertown High School, the Darrows +were proud and arrogant people and always did all in their power to +prevent the girl from mingling with her schoolmates. + +But though Mrs. Watson strove to offset the sting of her statement, the +rest of the dinner was eaten in comparative silence, and Harry set out +for school with a heavy heart. + +Not far had he proceeded up the main street, however, before he caught +sight of a form he recognized as that of the bully who had been the +ringleader in the trick which had so nearly ended in a tragedy. + +“Hope he won’t come up and try to smooth things over,” said Harry to +himself. But the next moment, his anxiety on this score was allayed. + +Pud was busy making snowballs and storing them under his arm. + +“Wonder if he’s going to vent his disappointment on me,” mused Harry, +taking his hands from his pockets that he might be ready to return the +bombardment, should the bully open on him. + +Yet when he saw the bully’s victim, Harry’s anger at the fellow was +greater than ever. + +As the new student passed a cross street, he saw Pud jump behind a tree +and then, peering from one side, hurl one of the half dozen snowballs he +had under his arm. + +Turning to see at whom they were aimed, Harry was amazed to behold a +bent and aged man, hobbling along the sidewalk with the aid of a cane. + +The snowball knocked the cane from the man’s hand and as it fell, the +aged cripple tottered. + +With an exclamation of disgust, Harry rushed up behind the bully and, +seizing his arm, jerked it so that the remaining snowballs fell to the +sidewalk. + +The thought that anyone had seen his cowardly act in snowballing the +aged man shamed the bully, but only for the moment. + +“What do you mean by that?” he demanded, fiercely, whirling round to +face the interrupter of what he considered his sport. And as he beheld +the boy who had brought disgrace upon him in the morning, his face grew +white with anger. “Oh, it’s _you_, is it?” he went on. “Who do you think +you are, anyhow? Just because you couldn’t steer the sled and went over +the embankment is no reason why you should think you are so much!” + +“You know I could steer that sled, and only went between the posts to +keep from running into the girls,” returned Harry. “But that has nothing +to do with the present matter. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, to +throw snowballs at an old man!” + +“Oh, nobody cares about old Jed Brown!” + +“Well, you can’t snowball him when I’m round!” + +“Oh, is that so? Who’s going to stop me, I should like to know?” + +“I am.” + +[Illustration: HARRY RUSHED UP BEHIND THE BULLY AND SEIZED HIS ARM.] + +“You?” And, after standing for several seconds, during which he looked +Harry over from the top of his head to his feet, the bully burst into +laughter. “So _you_, whom I could pick up and carry on one finger, are +going to stop my doing anything I want to, eh? That _is_ a good one. +Why, kiddo, there is enough of me to make three of you and then some.” + +The tone in which Pud spoke sent the color flushing to Harry’s face. + +“Where I come from, it isn’t so much the size that counts as it is the +heart!” he retorted. “And a fellow who will snowball an aged man can’t +have very much real heart!” + +An instant the bully glowered at Harry, then made a rush toward him. + +“You’re getting altogether too fresh, young feller!” he hissed. “Because +of you, I’m getting into all sorts of trouble—and I’m not going to stand +it! If I want to snowball or do anything else to old Jed Brown, I’m +going to, understand?” And as though to give more force to his words, +Pud stooped down to pick up one of the missiles the new student had +knocked from his arm. + +Before he could reach it, however, Harry threw out his foot and crushed +the snowball, then with more quick movements demolished the others. + +Never had anyone so thwarted the Rivertown bully before and, for the +moment, the big hulk of a boy stood gazing at his discomfiter in +amazement. But only for a moment. + +With a snarl, he shook his fist under Harry’s nose. + +“You seem to be looking for trouble—and now you’re going to get it!” + +Though the bully was much larger than Harry, the latter did not cower +before him. + +So engrossed had the boys been in their quarrel that they had failed to +notice the approach of Principal Larmore. But he made his presence known +just as Pud drew back his arm to strike. + +“Snooks, go about your business!” he exclaimed. “I’m ashamed to think +you should seek to pick a quarrel with the very boy who prevented your +trick with the sled from having a very serious ending!” + +As Harry had said, the bully was a coward at heart, and growling to +himself, he slunk away. + + + + +CHAPTER III—SOCKER’S PLOT + + +With an amused smile, Mr. Larmore watched Pud as he slouched off up the +street. + +“Rather a strenuous introduction to Rivertown, you’re having, Watson,” +he exclaimed, pleasantly. “Do you mind telling me what Snooks was saying +to you?” + +“Yes, sir; I do. It was only a personal matter.” + +Fate, however, decreed that the principal should learn the cause of the +quarrel he had interrupted. + +First with surprise, then with thankfulness, Jed Brown had beheld +Harry’s intervention—for the aged man, veteran though he was, and +bearing the mark of his service for his country in a crippled leg, was +considered fair sport by many of the young people in the village, and he +was not accustomed to having anyone champion him. + +Consequently, when he had seen the school bully threaten Harry, he had +hobbled toward the pair as fast as he could, only to arrive just as Mr. +Larmore had asked concerning the cause of the trouble. + +“It was about me, Mr. Larmore, sir, the fuss was,” declared Jed. “Snooks +was throwing snowballs at me and this young man stopped him.” Then, +turning to Harry, he continued: “I’ll not forget your kindness, my boy. +My name is Jed Brown.” And he extended a trembling hand. + +“I’m Harry Watson,” smiled the boy, as he shook hands. + +“You ain’t any relation to Amos Watson, of Lawrenceburgh, are you?” +inquired the veteran, eagerly. + +“He’s my father.” + +“Well, well, well!” exclaimed Jed, excitedly, again shaking the boy’s +hand. “I’ve known Amos ever since he was knee high to a grasshopper, and +there ain’t a finer man in this state, Mr. Larmore. Harry, whenever your +skates need sharpening or you feel lonesome, just come around to see me; +I live in a little one-story house down at the end of this street. You +can’t miss it.” + +“Thank you, I—” then, chancing to glance down the street, the boy caught +a glimpse of Pud as he poked his head cautiously from behind a +tree-trunk, evidently with the purpose of finding out where the veteran +was, and he changed his words, saying, “I guess I’ll walk along with you +now. I have a knife that needs sharpening badly and I can leave it with +you.” + +The principal had also seen the bully’s action and he readily understood +that Harry had made his knife the excuse for walking home with the old +man, that he might protect him from any further attack by Snooks. Yet he +feared the bully might waylay the boy and, as the other two set out, +fell into step beside them, much to the embarrassment of both. + +Arrived at Jed’s house which, though small, was spick and span in +appearance, Harry gave him his knife, and after promising to call for it +the next afternoon, continued on his way to the school with Mr. Larmore. + +The detour which they had made to escort the veteran to his home caused +them to be a trifle late in reaching the schoolhouse, and Harry was very +glad that none of the scholars were outside to see him walking with the +principal, for he feared it might give them the impression that he was a +“teacher’s boy.” + +But when he entered his classroom, he was the centre of all eyes. + +“Grandstand play!” growled Elmer to Socket. “He’s got a swelled head, +already, because he steered the sled over the bank. Anybody with any +decency wouldn’t have waited until school was in session before he came +in.” + +“Never mind, we’ll take him down a bit!” returned Elmer Craven’s chum. +“Just wait till after school!” + +The eye of the instructor chancing to wander in their direction, the two +boys buried their heads in their books; and Elmer was forced to forego +asking his chum what scheme he was thinking out. + +But when school was over for the day, he quickly learned. + +“Play hockey, Watson?” asked Socker, joining a group of boys who had +gathered about Harry. + +“Yes.” + +“Then come on down to the river and we’ll have a game.” + +“It will depend upon whether my trunk has arrived or not. If it hasn’t +come since I was at aunt’s for dinner, I won’t be able to play because +my skates are in it.” + +“I have an extra pair at the house you can take,” interposed Paul. “The +rest of you fellows go down to the river; and Harry and I’ll join you as +soon as we can.” And falling into step beside the boy who was soon to +become his crony, Paul Martin started down the hill which had been the +scene of the memorable incident in the morning. + +To his delight, Harry found that his trunk had arrived, and it was but +the matter of a very few minutes for him to open it and take out his +skates. + +At the river, they found a merry crowd of boys and girls, and quickly +Harry and Paul sat down to put on their skates. + +“Now Sam, you go over and bring Mr. Watson back with you as soon as he’s +got his skates on,” commanded Viola, who, with Nettie, had been keeping +a lookout for the boy whom she had been unable to meet in the forenoon. + +None too willingly, the fellow started, but before he could reach Harry, +the boy was on his feet, and hockey stick in hand, was skimming over the +ice to where those who were to play were lined up, some quarter of a +mile up the river. + +“Isn’t that provoking!” pouted Viola, as she noted his action. “But I’m +going to meet Harry Watson—even if I have to introduce myself. Come on, +Nettie, let’s skate over and watch the game.” + +With the arrival of Harry and Paul, Socker exclaimed: + +“Watson, you’ll play on Jerry’s team. Let’s get the game started as soon +as we can. It’ll be dark before long.” + +Quickly the boys took their positions, and Socker and Elmer noticed with +delight that the boy who had incited their enmity was playing “rover.” + +After the puck was put in play, it was dribbled back and forth; then, as +Paul noticed Harry was keeping well out to one side, he shot the rubber +to him. + +Nursing it carefully, he dashed in, that he might have a less difficult +angle from which to try for goal. + +“Get him! Block him! Don’t let him score!” cried Socker to his +team-mates, and with a rush they skated down upon Harry with tremendous +momentum. + +For several moments, Jerry watched the strange play of his opponents—for +they had left their positions uncovered; then it dawned on him what +their purpose was and he charged down to Harry’s rescue, at the same +time shouting: + +“Shoot it across, Watson! Shoot it across!” + +With a deft twist of his wrist, Harry sent the rubber spinning over the +ice just in front of Socker and his players. + +But instead of checking themselves and going after it, they continued +straight at the new student. + +Surprised, but believing that their speed was such that they were unable +to turn quickly, Harry grinned at them, wheeled on his right skate with +a suddenness that would have done a professional proud, and sought to go +around them. + +Clever as was his move, however, it came too late. + +With terrific force, Socker, Elmer and another boy crashed into him—and +as they all went down, there was a resounding whack. + +“Pretty raw work, Craven!” snapped Jerry, as he caught the richest boy +in Rivertown High School by the collar and jerked him off the pile. + +“What do you mean?” + +Jerry, however, was too engrossed in the task of getting the others off +Harry to reply. + +But when he had succeeded, the new high school scholar lay on his back, +motionless. + + + + +CHAPTER IV—HARRY SHOWS HIS GRIT + + +Abashed at the sight of the boy lying white and still on the ice, the +other hockey players gazed at one another. + +“He’s shamming!” growled Elmer. + +“You know better than that!” retorted Jerry. + +“What do you mean?” + +“That you and Socker deliberately ran into Watson—and you know it as +well as I do!” + +“I saw Socker give him the knee!” interposed Paul. + +Intense was the feeling between the two teams, and instinctively the +boys who had been playing lined up with their respective captains. But +before the argument became more bitter, Harry opened his eyes, gazed +about him in a dazed manner, and then sat up. + +“Got a bit of a knock, didn’t I?” he smiled. “I say, did I score a +goal?” + +At the question, all the boys turned to look toward the net of Socker’s +team, having forgotten in their excitement to notice where the puck had +gone. + +“Jove, but you did!” cried Paul. “Good boy, Harry!” + +Instantly the other members of the team with which Harry was playing +took up the cry and Elmer and his companions skated away to hide their +chagrin. + +“Here comes Longback; we can put him in, and you can get out of the +game!” exclaimed Paul, helping Harry to his feet. + +“Not much—that is, if you are willing I should keep on playing,” +returned Harry. “I’m all right now; and I should like to show those +other fellows that I’m not a pillow!” + +“But can you stand the handling?” asked Jerry, anxiously. + +“Leave it to me—I’m no rag-doll,” retorted Harry. “If they are up to any +tricks, I know a thing or two!” + +The gameness of the new student appealed to all the members of the team +on which he was playing, and without further comment they lined up for +the next play. + +Surprised to see Harry still in the line-up, Socker skated over to Elmer +and held a brief consultation with him, but their whisperings were +interrupted by the puck being put into play. + +As luck would have it, the rubber was sent straight toward Elmer and, +with a clever stop, he dribbled it along toward Harry, evidently +thinking that he would be able to pass him easily because of his +seemingly dazed condition. + +But Harry realized his purpose and, with a burst of speed, he rushed in, +snatched the puck, steadied his stick—and then drove it spinning toward +the goal net, sending it past the tender. + +“Good boy!” shouted his team-mates. And the cheer was immediately taken +up by the boys and girls who had gathered to watch the game. + +Smarting more under the thought that the fellow they had sought to +humiliate had succeeded in turning the tables against them than in the +fact that their opponents had scored two goals, Socker called his men +about him. + +“Play for Watson!” he cried through clenched teeth. “That fellow’s got +to have his big head taken off him!” + +“Ready!” called the lad who was acting as umpire; and with set teeth, +Socker’s men took their positions. + +Straight and true for the goal Paul sent the puck, but Snooks checked it +just in time to prevent another score, and cleverly Elmer took the +rubber through the opposing players until only Harry stood between him +and the man at the net. + +Gritting his teeth, the new member of the Rivertown High School +determined to show that he was an offensive as well as a defensive +player. With a terrific rush, he bore down on Elmer Craven, and with a +sudden twist of his stick, tripped the fellow, grabbed the rubber, +dribbled it out of reach, then sent it spinning with a force that drove +it through the net! + +Loud were the shouts from the onlookers—but Elmer lay still and quiet. + +“You hit him in the head with your stick!” growled Socker, starting +toward Harry. + +“Nonsense! _I_ play a clean game! Leave it to me—I’ll bring him round in +a jiffy!” + +And while the others stood inactive, Harry scraped up some ice with his +skate and rubbed the shavings on Craven’s face. + +“Who’s doing that?” demanded the boy, sitting up. + +But his only answer was a general laugh. + +“Everybody ready, puck’s going to be put in play!” shouted the umpire, +and without delay, the boys took their positions. + +“You want to watch out, the whole team will be down on you this time!” +warned Jerry to Harry, but the lad only laughed. + +“I reckon I can give them as good as they send,” he replied. “It just +took me a few minutes to get onto their game. I——” + +But his words were interrupted by the play. + +While Snooks caught the rubber and started back with it, all the other +members of the team bore down on Harry. + +Not seeming to notice them, the boy hurried to the assistance of the +goal tender, his pursuers in full cry. Then, with a suddenness that +caused the scholars on the side lines to gasp, Harry turned, shoved his +stick between the skates of the fellow nearest him, and sent him +sprawling on the ice, causing the others to fall on top of him. + +Loud was the laughter that rose from the boys and girls who were not in +the game, while Jerry and Paul patted Harry on the back. + +But several of the instructors happened to be among the spectators and, +realizing that the game would soon be beyond the bounds of sport, they +intervened. + +“Vhy not ve all go and get kindling voods for a bonfire dis efening?” +shouted Prof. Schmidt, the genial German professor. + +“Yes! Yes! Get wood for a bonfire!” cried the boys and girls on the side +lines; and forgetful of the hockey game, they skated across the ice, +effectually putting an end to the contest. + + + + +CHAPTER V—THE RACE ON SKATES + + +In thorough good humor on account of their winning the hockey game, Paul +and Jerry called Harry, and together they started up the river to where +a big pile of brush lay on the bank. + +In full cry, a score or more of the other boys and girls, among whom +were Viola and Nettie, set after them, calling to them to wait. But the +three boys only checked their speed slightly. + +“Come on. A race for the brush-pile,” shouted Longback. “I’ll wager hot +soda for the bunch of us that I’ll be the first one to reach it.” + +“You’re on! You’re on!” shouted a dozen of the boys, among whom were +Harry and his recent team-mates. + +And as the challenge was accepted, the boys dashed away. + +No more than a few yards had he gone, than Elmer Craven shouted: + +“Oh, you Paul and Jerry! You’ve got the start of the rest of us. Come +back and line up.” + +“No. This is as fair for one of us as it is for another,” cried Pud, +whose inordinate love for soda caused him to exert himself to the +utmost, and during the checking of the speed as the result of Craven’s +suggestion, he had taken the lead. + +“Sure you think it’s fair now, Pud,” laughed Jerry, “so long as you’re +ahead.” + +“You’ll have to come back and line up as Elmer said or I won’t make good +my offer,” declared Longback. + +At this ultimatum all the boys who had started ahead checked themselves +and then returned to where the offerer of the prize had scratched a mark +on the ice. + +With great good nature, laughing and joking with one another, the boys +lined up, Harry and his two team-mates happening to be on the end where +Viola and Nettie were standing. + +“Who’s going to give the word to start?” demanded Snooks in a none too +pleasant tone, for he was disappointed at having had to give up the lead +which he had obtained over the others. + +“I will,” cried Viola. + +“That means Elmer’ll win,” declared Nettie. + +“Why not let Prof. Schmidt start it?” suggested some one. + +Readily the genial professor consented; and taking his position at the +opposite end of the line from where the two girls stood, he cried: + +“Eferybody get retty! You Schnooks, you get back onto the line. Don’t +try to shteal a yard.” + +Grumbling to himself, the boy obeyed. + +“Now, vonce again. Eferybody retty! Von, two, t’ree—_Go!_” + +Eagerly the boys dashed forward and for a few minutes they were all +bunched together. Then Elmer, Snooks, Longback and Harry dashed ahead of +the others, and for a few moments raced neck and neck. + +“Go it, Elmer!” “Go it Longback!” shouted their partisans, and as though +the good wishes of their friends gave them greater speed, the two boys +forged ahead. + +“Oh, why doesn’t somebody shout for Harry Watson!” exclaimed Viola, +stamping her foot. + +“Going back on Elmer so soon,” chided several of the girls who were with +her. She made them no reply, but instead, skating after the racers. + +“Come on, we girls will have a race, and the one who wins we’ll crown +queen of the ice at the bonfire to-night!” cried Nettie. + +“Fine! Dandy!” chorused a dozen or so of the girls, and one of them +added: + +“Let’s have a regular carnival, and we’ll make the boy who wins king.” + +“Will you start it, Prof. Schmidt?” asked Viola, and again the genial +old German complied, sending the girls off in short order. + +During the preliminaries Viola had kept her eyes on the boys ahead, and +it seemed to her as if Harry cut down the lead of Elmer and Longback. +Instantly the thought occurred to her that if no one would introduce her +to the new student, by winning the girl’s race, she would surely be able +to meet him at the mock coronation ceremony planned for the carnival. +And, gritting her teeth, she bent forward, skating with all the speed +she could summon. + +After the start of the girls, the interest of the spectators had again +turned to the boys and, that they might the better see the finish, +everyone skated in the direction of the brush-pile. + +When Snooks saw Harry taking the lead he grew furious. + +“I’ll get him! If I can’t win, _he_ certainly shan’t,” he growled to +himself, and his anger at the boy who had so humiliated him on two +occasions giving him increased strength, he quickly cut down Watson’s +lead, although in doing so, he swerved his course from the extreme +opposite end of the line of racers close over to that of the boy for +whom he had conceived such hatred. + +“What’s Pud up to?” exclaimed several of those who were following. But +not long was the bully’s purpose in doubt. Tiring from his burst of +speed when he was almost abreast of Harry, realizing that if he were to +carry out his mean scheme he must act immediately, he lunged viciously +towards the new student. + +“Watch out, Watson! Snooks is trying to foul you!” shouted Jerry. + +The warning was unnecessary, because Harry had heard the sharp strokes +of the skates close to him, and, although he did not check his speed by +looking around, he intuitively seemed to realize that the approach of +the skater boded him no good; and, just as the bully sought to throw him +off his balance, he turned his skate out and shot rapidly to one side, +putting himself a scant foot beyond Snook’s reach. + +“Pretty work! Good boy!” shouted the spectators, as they realized the +bully’s attempt and our hero’s escape. + +But his move had taken Harry several yards out of his course, and quick +were Elmer and Longback to improve the opportunity to wrest the lead +from him. Clenching his fists more tightly, Harry bent lower, and +exerted himself to the utmost to recover the lost ground. Less than one +hundred yards away was the brush-pile, and a stick held in front of the +racers would have touched each one, so even were they. + +“Oh, you Elmer! Get a move on! They’re going to have a carnival and +crown the winner king. The girls are racing to be queen, and Viola’s +leading!” shouting one of the scholars. + +Thus apprised for the first time of the additional plans which had been +made for the bonfire, the three boys bent themselves to still greater +efforts. + +To Elmer, the thought that Harry might win and thus share the honor of +participating in the mock ceremony with Viola was bitter indeed. + +“If there was no one else but Longback, I wouldn’t care,” he told +himself. “But I can’t let that scrub play king when Viola is queen.” + +Nearer and nearer to the finish the three boys sped, amid the yells and +cheers of advice and encouragement their partisans hurled at them. + +But though each of the trio was skating with might and main, not one of +them seemed able to gain on the others—and the brush-pile was a scant +fifty yards away. + +“Shake ’em, Elmer! Shake ’em, Watson!” cried the spectators, according +to their preference. + +But another ten yards were cut from the distance to go, and Elmer and +Harry were still abreast, having gained slightly on Longback. + +With a sudden burst of speed Elmer forged ahead, amid the cheers of his +supporters, but even as the air was rent by their shouts of “Elmer +wins!” their hopes were dashed. + +With no warning, the rich boy gave a sudden lurch towards Watson, +struggled desperately to recover himself, then fell to the ice, sliding +with terrific force toward Harry. + +At the sight, the boys and girls who were following cried out in +surprise and disappointment, while Jerry and Paul shouted warnings to +their new friend. + +“That’ll finish Watson as well as Elmer,” declared one student. + +But his prophecy was not to be fulfilled. + +When he heard the shouts of warning, Harry had turned his head to learn +their cause just in time to see Craven’s body come sliding toward him +over the ice with amazing speed. + +Realizing that, should it hit him, he, too, would be knocked down, and +the race go to the boy whom they had both outskated, Harry took a +desperate chance and jumped, clearing Elmer’s shoulder by a few inches. + + + + +CHAPTER VI—THE GIRLS’ RACE + + +Harry’s action was greeted with shouts of approval by all the scholars, +but just when it seemed that he was going to win without further mishap, +he fell and Longback flashed across the line a winner! + +In landing after his jump, Harry had leaned too far forward, with the +result that, though he strove desperately to keep his balance, his +centre of equilibrium was too far forward, and he pitched onto his face. + +Little time did the fellows have to discuss the eventful race, when +there sounded a cry: “Get out of the way! Give the girls a chance to +finish!” + +Quickly the crowd that had surrounded the fallen skaters, moved out of +the way, as the girls bore down upon the imaginary line that marked the +end of the race. Bent far down, her arms swinging like well regulated +pistons, Viola was in the lead, a good three yards separating her from +her nearest antagonist, Mildred Evans, while almost an equal distance +behind Mildred, the rest of the girls were bunched. + +His disappointment over his fall forgotten in the thought that Longback +had snatched victory from the boy to whom he had taken such a dislike, +Elmer cried: + +“Look out for that crack in the ice, Viola, or you’ll get tripped just +as I did.” + +Although the girl heard the warning, she gave no evidence, either by +thanks or by action, and could the richest boy of Rivertown High School +have known what was passing in her mind, he would have worn anything but +the pleased smile that enveloped his face. + +So long as Harry had been in the lead, Viola had exerted herself to the +utmost to leave the girls with whom she was racing as far behind as she +could. With a little gasp of dismay, she had seen Snooks’ desperate but +futile attempt to foul Harry, and when the boy had jumped over Elmer, +she had been one of those who had shouted their delight, and +corresponding was her disappointment when Harry himself fell, and +Longback won. + +“I’ll not be queen to Longback’s king!” exclaimed the proud girl, +indignantly, yet, aware as she was of the lead she had over the others +in the race, she was puzzled to know how she could manage to lose it +without her purpose being too evident. + +When she heard Elmer’s warning, however, she realized that there was a +crack in the ice which would throw her. Quickly she formed her plans, +and, with almost imperceptible slackening in her speed, she began to +search the ice for the crevice. + +For several seconds she was unable to discern it; then of a sudden her +glance fell upon a zigzag depression, and she changed her course, though +ever so slightly, that she might be the more sure to strike it. + +“Look out! Look out! Keep away from that edge of the bank!” shouted +Elmer and several of his companions. But as unheeding as before, the +girl kept on, appeared to stagger a moment as she struck the depression, +and then sank to the ice. + +First, in blank dismay, and then in anger, the rich boy who had seemed +to be the favored one among Viola’s friends stared at her, and finally, +with a mumbled exclamation, skated toward her. + +“You did that on purpose!” he snarled, as, stooping over, he took hold +of Viola’s arm to assist her to her feet. + +At the words, the blood flushed hotly to the girl’s cheeks and +indignantly she wrenched her arm from Elmer’s grasp. + +“How dare you say such a thing to me, Elmer Craven!” she exclaimed +angrily. “Even if I have sprained my ankle, I am quite capable of +getting up by myself,” and forthwith she proceeded so to do. + +In the excitement caused by Viola’s fall, coming as it did after the two +leaders in the boys’ race had been put out of the running by similar +accidents, those who had been watching the girls’ race were too absorbed +in their efforts to urge on their favorites, now that all had +practically an even chance of winning, for, in her endeavor not to meet +a similar mishap to Viola, Mildred had skated so far to one side that +she had lost the lead, so that none of them had seen the trick save +Nettie and Harry. + +Both of them, however, were too far away to hear what passed between the +boy and girl, but as Nettie saw her chum limp when she tried to skate +after picking herself up, she gave up the race and went to her +assistance. + +“What is it? Have you hurt yourself?” she asked, solicitously. + +“It’s my ankle. I’m afraid I’ve sprained it.” + +“Really?” + +“Don’t be a goose.” + +A moment the girl gazed at her chum and then the light of understanding +coming to her, she exclaimed, significantly: + +“Oh!” And the better to give the semblance of truth to the supposed +injury, she put her arm around Viola to support her, and led her to the +bank, where she sat down on a tree stump. + +In the meantime, the race had been won by Annabel Hutchins, who was +known among her classmates as the infant prodigy, because being +precociously bright, she had entered the freshman class when she was +only thirteen years old. + +For a moment after the tall, awkward girl skated across the line in the +lead of the others, there was a silence. And then, as the humor of the +situation dawned upon the others, for Longback, a member of the senior +class, had the proper contempt for the under classmen, the boys and +girls yelled and cheered frantically. + +“This will be some coronation!” cried Socker, with a grin. But some of +the girl’s, noting Annabel’s embarrassment, prevented any more such +remarks by surrounding her and skating her to the brush-pile. Then +quickly seizing some of the dried branches, they started down the river +with them toward the spot where the bonfire was to be built. + +The boys, however, especially the freshmen, found it too great an +opportunity to tease the haughty senior, and they made his life so +miserable with their comment that in a rage he skated away by himself. + + + + +CHAPTER VII—THE RIVALRY BETWEEN HARRY AND ELMER + + +Their victim, having thus put himself beyond their torment, the other +boys turned to the brush-pile, and each taking as many branches as he +could carry skated down the river. + +Viola and Nettie were still on the stump, and only Paul, Jerry and Harry +were left at the brush-pile. + +“You don’t suppose Miss Darrow hurt herself so badly she can’t skate +back, do you?” asked Harry of his companions. + +“Jove! I hadn’t thought of that,” returned Paul, and skating over to +where the two girls were, he asked concerning the extent of Viola’s +injuries. + +“She’s hurt her ankle,” explained Nettie. + +“My! that’s bad. Can you skate on it at all?” inquired Paul. + +“I can’t skate on it, but I may be able to step on it,” dissembled +Viola, and getting to her feet, started to walk, only to sink down with +a little cry of well-feigned pain. + +“Jerry and Harry, come over here! Viola’s hurt her ankle, and we’ve got +to get her back down the river some way,” called Paul to his chums. + +“Remember we haven’t met Mr. Watson!” exclaimed Nettie in a low voice, +as the two boys left the brush-pile and skated toward them. + +“Why, I’m glad you reminded me. I’d forgotten,” murmured Paul, and when +the new student joined them, he was quickly introduced. + +“We’ll have to go down the river and get a sled for you, Viola,” +announced Jerry. “You wait here with Nettie and Paul, and Harry and I’ll +go down.” + +But after their manœuvring to meet Harry the two girls did not propose +to lose his companionship so quickly, and Viola hurriedly exclaimed: + +“I think perhaps if you boys will help me, I shall be able to walk +down.” + +“But that will only make your ankle worse, Miss Darrow,” declared Harry. +“I have it. We’ll take a big pile of the brush and you and Miss +Masterson can sit on it and we will pull you down the river.” + +“The very thing!” cried the other boys, and without more ado, they +returned to the heap of dried branches, picked out several big ones, +which they placed on the ice, heaping smaller ones across them, until +they had made a rustic nest into which the girls climbed, while the +boys, with pieces of rope which they had found and with their skate +straps, bound the heavy limbs together and made a leash by which they +could pull the improvised sled. + +But not without difficulty did the strange method of transportation +advance. First some of the heavy limbs spread, letting the twigs and +girls down onto the ice and frequently were they spilled from their +nest, but all enjoyed it and with much laughter and merry chatter they +approached the spot where the others were stacking the brush which was +to be set on fire in the evening. + +“My eye! Look what’s coming!” shouted Misery Jones, as he espied Viola +and the others. + +At his cry the rest of the boys and girls followed the direction of his +gaze, and when they beheld the moving brush-heap with its two +passengers, they shouted and laughed as they skated up to meet them. + +“_Ach! die liebliche Schnee-fogeln!_” exclaimed Prof. Schmidt, laughing +as he caught sight of the two pretty girls on the brush-pile. “Too bad +it iss dat wir de coronation not now can have?” + +As he heard the words, Longback took a hasty glance over the crowd +assembled near the brush-pile, and not seeing Annabel, exclaimed: + +“That’s a good idea, Professor. It’s getting so dark that we can have +the bonfire now just as well as later.” + +“Oh, no you don’t!” cried Misery. “You can’t get out of the formal +ceremony by one got up on the spur of the moment. The real queen who won +the race, you know, might object and cause you domestic unhappiness. +Even kings are allowed only one queen.” + +The result of the boy’s protest was a lunge from Longback’s hockey +stick, from which he was able to dodge back in the very nick-of-time. + +But the haughty senior was not allowed to get away with his caddish +suggestion with only Misery’s reproof. + +“Now look here, Sam Dalton! No matter if Annabel Hutchins is a freshy +she won the race, and she’s going to be crowned queen when you’re +crowned king!” exclaimed several of the older girls, gathering about +Longback. “You wouldn’t have made any objection, you know, if it had +been Viola, or even Nettie, and they’re only freshmen, too; so if you +don’t want to regret it all the rest of the time you’re in Rivertown +High School, you’ll be just as nice to Annabel as you possibly can be. +The poor child went home crying because she thought we were all laughing +at her.” + +“If it’s going to make so much trouble, what’s the use of having the +mock ceremony at all?” exclaimed Elmer, seeking to come to the aid of +his chum. + +“That’s it! Be a spoil sport!” cried several of the boys and girls. + +“Then I’ll resign my honor in favor of any of you who desire it,” +growled Longback. + +“Let’s not have the bonfire at all,” exclaimed Viola, flashing a look of +contempt at the senior. “Instead let’s go on a hay ride to Cardell—I’m +sure I can have the horses.” + +“Good! We’ll take along Nettie’s and Socker’s mothers and then we can +have a dance at the Lake House!” exclaimed Paul. + +The suggestion met with instant approval. + +“Let’s have a great big sleigh-ride,” Socker exclaimed. “I guess father +will let me take our horses, too, and we can fix up with hay, and it +will be a great lark.” + +“You all can do as you please,” declared Viola, “but I want Jerry and +Paul and Nettie and Mildred and Sally and Elise and Dorothy and Mr. +Watson and Misery and Jack and Horace and Annabel to be members of my +party.” + +Readily the boys and girls accepted, and their hostess requested them to +gather at her house at eight o’clock. The omission of Elmer, Longback +and Socker from her guests caused looks of amazement to be exchanged +between the other boys and girls, while the three fellows themselves +blushed. + +“I’ll take the rest of our gang!” Socker exclaimed. “We’ll go up to +Cardell, anyhow, and have a dance, and Viola, if you want to bring your +little friends, we should be very pleased to see both you and them.” + +“Will everybody whom I’ve invited go?” asked the proud girl, ignoring +the remark. + +One after another they accepted until it came to Harry, and he said, +mindful of what his aunt had told him: + +“I thank you very much, Miss Darrow. I should like to go, but I’m afraid +it will be necessary for me to stay at home and study.” + +“Wow! Wow! Listen to that!” moaned Misery. “On top of saving the kids +and beating Pud’s hockey team, he’s a grind!” and skating over to the +new student, he felt of his shoulders, murmuring “It’s just as I +thought. I can feel his wings sprouting. My, won’t Rivertown get a +reputation when people know we’ve got an angel among the freshies.” + +“Well, if he stays in school until he’s a senior, there won’t be any +angel left about him,” laughed Jerry. “Come on, Harry, you can go just +as well as not. The only thing we have to-morrow, beside drawing and +rhetoric, is Latin, and Old Grouch Plummer always flunks everybody in +that, so it isn’t worthwhile to study the lesson. Besides, we want to +initiate you into the delights of the dancing floor at the Lake House, +it’s——” + +“Perhaps he doesn’t dance,” sneered Elmer. “I’ve always heard that a lot +of people down at Lawrenceburgh were opposed to dancing, and maybe +Watson’s family is among them.” + +This utterly uncalled-for slur made even the rich boy’s chums look at +him in amazement, but though Harry flushed hotly, the darkness concealed +his confusion, and he replied in a steady voice: + +“I’m very fond of dancing, but really, Miss Darrow, I must decline your +invitation.” And quickly wishing his friends among the boys and girls +“good-night,” he skated over to the bank, took off the ice-runners, and +went home. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII—PAUL’S PARTY + + +The real reason for Harry’s declination of the invitation to form one of +the merry party, was the fact that he knew there would be necessarily +some expense attached to the dance, and his circumstances were such that +he was obliged to watch his money carefully. Indeed, it had only been at +a distinct personal sacrifice that his father had been able to arrange +for the boy to go to Rivertown High School. Aware of this fact, he +realized that it would not be right for him to start out by associating +with those whose parents were in a position to give them liberal +allowances for spending money. + +For a few moments after Harry’s abrupt departure there was a silence +among the boys and girls who were planning the sleighing party and +dance. + +“There’s no use in allowing a new freshy to interfere with our fun,” +Socker exclaimed. + +“Who’s going and who isn’t? I want to know, so that I can get the horses +and the sled and the hay ready.” + +The others sided in with this view of the matter, and arrangements for +meeting were quickly made, after which the boys and girls separated, +going to their respective homes. + +“Don’t you think that was queer in Harry Watson to decline your +invitation, Viola?” asked Nettie, as they walked along. + +Before the girl could answer, however, a voice behind them exclaimed: + +“He hasn’t got money enough to go, or to do anything the rest of us can. +Father says he knows Watson’s father and that he’s poorer than a church +mouse.” + +Surprised to think their conversation had been overheard, the girls +turned quickly and beheld Pud Snooks. + +“Well, if that’s the real reason Mr. Watson declined to go with us, it’s +nothing to be ashamed of. I’m sure it’s better not to go than to sponge +on some of the boys who have money,” sniffed Viola. At this taunt, which +was particularly stinging for the reason that, although the bully’s +father had plenty of money, he gave his son very little to spend, with +the result that he was always taking part in the pastimes of his +schoolmates, and forcing his companions to pay his share, Snooks growled +to himself and slunk away. + +For several minutes the two girls walked along in silence. + +“Well, if it is true that Harry Watson won’t be able to go to our dances +and things, I’m going to be all the nicer to him at school and on the +ice, because I like him. Honestly, I do, Nettie,” said Viola. + +This frank avowal surprised her chum, but she discreetly kept the fact +to herself, and it was not long before the unpleasant incident on the +ice was forgotten. + +But it had made a deep impression upon Harry and, when he arrived at the +comfortable home of his aunt he was very serious, returning her greeting +almost curtly. + +Realizing that something was amiss with the boy, yet knowing well that +should she question him about it, she would but add to his reticence, +the aunt wisely held her peace, trusting that during the evening he +would let her know what the trouble was, of his own accord. + +The boy, however, came to the conclusion that the problem which +confronted him was one that he alone could work out; and, during supper, +he forestalled any possible inquiries on the part of his aunt by +relating to her the incidents of the hockey game, and then the races to +the brush-pile. + +No sooner was the meal finished, however, than he betook himself to his +room on the plea that he wished to unpack his trunk, and he was soon +busily engaged in so doing, at the same time revolving plans in his mind +by which he could either win the good will of the boys who had taken +such an evident dislike to him, or else manage in some way to get the +best of them so effectually that, for the future, they would not seek to +annoy him. + +“I thought you were going to grind out your Latin,” cried a voice, +presently. + +“Why, hello, Paul! I thought you were going on the sleigh-ride!” +returned Harry. + +“None of our crowd are going, because Mrs. Masterson wasn’t able to +chaperone us to-night. Instead we are going to have a candy-pull over at +my house, and I came over to get you. So put your duds on and come +along.” + +At first our hero thought of refusing, then he reconsidered his idea, +and accompanied the fellow who was later to be his most intimate chum to +his home, where he found all the boys and girls who were to have been +members of Viola’s sleighing party, even to Annabel; and pleasant, +indeed, was the evening which he passed. + +As they bade Paul’s mother and the boy good night and went out on the +piazza, Mildred suddenly cried: + +“Oh, look at that red spot in the sky!” + +Instantly the others turned in the direction towards which the girl was +gazing. + +“It’s a fire!” exclaimed Misery. “It’s a bad night for one, too, with +the wind blowing, and it’s so cold it will be hard to get any water.” + +“Where is it? Why doesn’t someone give the alarm?” exclaimed several of +the boys and girls. + +“It’s over toward the bluff leading up to the school.” + +“Perhaps it’s only a manifestation of the aurora borealis!” exclaimed +Annabel. + +“That sounds fine, Annabel, but I guess I know a fire when I see one,” +returned Misery. + +“But it’s just as likely to be the aurora as it is a fire,” protested +Mildred. + +“No, it isn’t either,” retorted Misery. “It’s a bad night, and fires +always come on bad nights.” + +The excited voices attracted the attention of Paul’s father, and as the +gentleman made his way to the front door, several of them turned to him. + +“Is that a fire, Mr. Martin?” they asked. + +Ere the old gentleman could reply, however, all doubt was put at rest by +the shout of “Fire!” followed almost immediately by the ringing of the +church bell. + +Mr. Martin’s house was situated on the main street, and as the members +of the volunteer fire company rushed by to get the hand engine, Paul’s +father called out: + +“Where is it, boys?” + +“It’s Jed Brown’s house,” came the answer. + + + + +CHAPTER IX—THE FALSE CHARGE + + +A fire in a small country village, always a dread catastrophe, is much +more serious in the winter, especially when any wind is stirring; and in +the realization of these facts, the street was soon alive with men and +women hurrying to the scene of the conflagration. + +When they learned, however, that it was the home of the crippled +veteran, many of them turned back. + +All Paul’s friends, together with his father, had started towards the +scene, as soon as they knew where the fire was; and as Mr. Martin met +several men whom he knew, returning, he asked: + +“Where are you going? Is the fire out, or what?” + +“Oh, it’s nothing but old Jed Brown’s shanty,” retorted one of them. + +“That doesn’t make any difference. You ought to be willing to help Jed +as quickly as anyone else. Besides, there’s quite a wind, and if we +don’t check the blaze, it may spread. Now turn around and come back with +me.” + +As Mr. Martin was a person of importance and influence in Rivertown, the +men whom he had stopped and ordered to go back quickly obeyed. + +When they arrived at the head of the street whence they could see the +veteran’s little house, they all realized that it would be impossible to +save it, for, though it had been a short fifteen minutes since the alarm +had been sounded, the house was a seething mass of flames. + +Frantically men were working with shovels, throwing the snow which they +scooped up onto the leaping tongues of fire, but without any result. + +Rising high into the air, the sparks were borne in all directions, and +when an unusually strong gust of wind swirled down the bluff, the +burning brands were carried from the doomed house. + +“Where are the boys with the hand engine?” demanded Mr. Martin, when no +sight or sound was there of the volunteer fire department. “Aren’t they +coming?” + +“They’re stuck. One of the runners on the front bob gave in,” informed a +man who had just joined the constantly-increasing fringe of men and +women whose figures stood out in prominent silhouette against the lurid +flames. + +“Then we must get busy and form bucket brigades to wet down the roofs of +those two houses right alongside!” exclaimed Mr. Martin, pointing to two +large white residences, one of which was about one hundred feet from the +burning house, and the other almost directly across the not over-wide +street. + +“Come on, men! If those houses catch, the fire will sweep right through +the town! A quarter of an hour’s work now will save them; but if we wait +very long it will be too late.” + +Aroused by the words of the town Nestor, the men and boys lost no time +in rushing to each of the residences; and while some of them went into +the kitchens and manned the pumps, others formed a line to pass the +pails, which were contributed by everybody; while others of the men who +had placed ladders against the eaves, mounted the roof, where they sat +astraddle of the ridgepole, dousing the embers which were falling on the +roofs with greater frequency. + +Suddenly, the rumor spread among those still watching the fire that the +crippled veteran was in his house. + +Hysterical women wrung their hands and begged the men to rush into the +flames and rescue the helpless man. Such an act, however, would have +been the height of folly, and none of them made the attempt, knowing +full well that were he inside he would have met his death long before. + +[Illustration: OTHERS FORMED A LINE TO PASS THE PAILS.] + +The rumor, however, was dispelled almost as quickly as it had started. + +“Ha! Old Jed ain’t in the house! I seen him sneaking off down the street +just as soon as the fire was going well,” exclaimed Pud. + +“How long was that before the alarm was given?” demanded several of the +men, who had heard the statement of the butcher’s son. + +“Oh, five or ten minutes, I should say. It seems funny to me that the +house should burn so quickly; and then I should have thought Jed would +have wanted to stay and watch it,” added Pud. + +Had the boy known, however, the purpose for which the old veteran had +gone down the street, he would have been less active in trying to sow +the seeds of suspicion among those who were in earshot of him. But in +his ignorance he continued to make statements that would cast suspicion +upon the old man. + +“When I first seen the fire, I thought I smelled kerosene.” + +“So did I,” chorused several others. + +This mention of the fact that they had noted the odor of the combustible +oil immediately started the tongues of the women gossips to wagging; and +gathering into little groups, they began to talk over with one another +the reasons the crippled veteran would have for burning up his home. + +The bully, however, had not finished his sensational statements. No +sooner had he seen that his sowing of the seed of suspicion had found +ready soil, than he added to his previous effect by saying: + +“After I seen Jed and smelled the kerosene, I went down around behind +the house and seen a fellow running. Seeing he was headed toward the +village I cut around back and followed him while he walked up Kenosha +street—and who do you think it was?” + +The highly excitable minds of the women and the village gossips had been +worked to concert pitch by the bully, and as he paused dramatically +after his story, they cried: + +“Who? Tell us, quick!” + +Looking round from one to another of the score of people who had +gathered about him, the bully exclaimed: + +“It was Harry Watson, the boy that’s come to live here!” + + + + +CHAPTER X—HARRY IS EXONERATED + + +Unfortunately for Harry, he and his boy and girl friends who had been at +the Martins’ house during the evening were all scattered between the two +houses where the bucket brigades were working, and no one was there to +speak a good word for him in contradiction of Snooks’ most despicable +charge, for his manner as he spoke gave no room to doubt that he +believed the new student had fired the building. + +The others quickly put this interpretation upon his statement, and with +the rapidity only to be found in villages, word spread about that Harry, +for some fancied spite, had burned up the home of the crippled veteran. + +And as the story was repeated, it lost nothing in the telling. + +“Why doesn’t someone go swear out a warrant for the boy’s arrest?” +demanded a particularly irascible old woman. + +“You can’t do it, Mirandy, unless you got some reason for making the +charge, and you didn’t see the boy,” returned one of the men. + +“But Pud Snooks seen him. He can swear out a warrant!” exclaimed the +spinster. “It ought to be done. There won’t be nobody safe in the +village with that boy liable to burn us all up at any time.” + +The words caused alarm among several of the women, who gathered about +the old gossip, and they began to demand that action be taken; but when +some of the men finally started to look for the bully who had spread the +wicked report, he was nowhere to be seen. + +The gossips, however, interpreted Snooks’ absence to their own ends. + +“Some of the men have probably taken him up to Squire Baxter’s,” said +Miranda, and others who had heard her words instantly gave the +irresponsible old spinster’s remark the stamp of authority, declaring +that Harry’s arrest was but the question of a few minutes. + +In the meanwhile, the fire having burnt itself out on Jed Brown’s house, +and the danger to the neighboring mansions being thereby over, the +members of the bucket brigade made their way once more to the scene of +the conflagration. + +With Mr. Martin on one side, and his son Paul on the other, Harry +approached the ruin. + +“There he comes! There he comes! Luther Martin has the little sneak! He +knows what to do with him!” snapped Miranda. + +And in whispers, low but none the less audible, the word quickly ran +around the circle of gossips that the village Nestor was holding the +youthful fire-bug until the proper authorities could take him into +custody. So curious were the glances cast at them by the rest of the +people, that Mr. Martin could not help but notice them, and, wondering +at their cause, he turned to the man nearest him, calling him by name, +and asked: + +“What is the matter, Zeke? Why is everybody whispering and looking at +me?” + +“’Tain’t you they’re looking at,” returned the man, in a voice as solemn +as though he were chief mourner at a funeral. + +“Then who is it?” + +“Harry Watson.” + +“What about him?” + +“You know as well as I do.” + +Too familiar with his neighbors not to know that something of unusual +seriousness was afoot, Mr. Martin laid his hand heavily upon Zeke’s +shoulder. + +“I want you to tell me what people are saying about Harry Watson, and +what all this mysterious whispering means?” declared the patriarchal man +in stern tones. + +Realizing that it would be folly to try to deceive the village Nestor, +Zeke looked uneasily about him, then cleared his throat, preparatory to +speaking. + +“Well, it’s this way, Luther,” he began in a whining voice. “They are +saying as how you’re holding Harry Watson until the constable can come +and arrest him.” + +Both Paul and the boy against whom the breath of suspicion had been +directed could not help but hear what passed between Mr. Martin and the +man with whom he was talking, and as the latter explained the action of +the rest of the spectators, Harry staggered back as though he had been +struck a blow in the face. + +“Arrest me!” he exclaimed. “What for?” + +“You know,” declared Zeke in a mournful voice. + +“Nonsense, Zeke. Nobody’s going to arrest Harry Watson any more than +they are me,” interrupted Mr. Martin. “And now if you’ll just get over +your desire to create a mystery and tell me what this is all about, I’ll +quickly settle it—and if you don’t, I’ll ask somebody who can tell me +the plain facts without any trimmings.” + +Fond as he was of beating about the bush and giving vague hints and +meaning glances, rather than a plain statement of facts, Zeke, however, +did not wish to be deprived of exploding the bomb. + +“Pud Snooks says he seen young Watson running away from the fire, and he +and a lot of us smelled kerosene just as the blaze started, and Mirandy +and the rest of us has been saying that there won’t be any house safe in +Rivertown until that boy is fast behind lock and key.” + +His son having told him during supper the trick the bully had tried to +play on Harry which had come so near to resulting in the death of the +little children; also about the new student’s preventing Pud from +snowballing the crippled veteran, and his attempt to foul the boy during +the race on the river, Mr. Martin readily realized the story was but the +emanation of the bully’s brain. + +Raising his voice so that it could be heard by all within a radius of +fifty feet, the village Nestor exclaimed: + +“That’s utter nonsense, Zeke. Harry Watson is a good boy. He comes from +an honorable family, and there’s no more reason for accusing him of +setting Jed Brown’s place afire than there is of accusing me!” Then the +patriarchal man paused a few moments to allow the murmurs of surprise to +subside before he added in a still louder voice than at first, for the +greater effect: + +“Besides, Harry Watson has been at my house all the evening, and came to +the fire together with my boy, Paul, several of his friends, and +myself.” + +“But Pud said he seen him!” declared several people, evidently unwilling +to accept Mr. Martin’s words. + +“Where is Pud?” demanded the village Nestor. “I——” + +“Yes, where is Pud Snooks? I want to talk to him!” exclaimed a shrill +voice, interrupting. + +Turning at the sound, the men and women beheld the bent and bowed form +of old Jed Brown. + +Instantly, there was a babel of talk and exclamations at this unexpected +turn in affairs. + +“What do you want to see him for?” demanded one of the men. + +“I want to see him to ask him what he was doing in my shed just before I +caught him coming out.” + +At the words, several of the men and women crowded about the crippled +veteran, plying him with questions; but with a wave of his hand, Mr. +Martin silenced them. + +“This is a very serious statement, Jed,” he exclaimed in a stern voice. +“I warn you that you must be careful what you say. Now tell me just what +happened, and how you discovered the fire.” + +As they heard the words, those of the men and women who were still at +the scene, formed a circle about the village patriarch and the crippled +veteran, necks craned forward, ears cocked, that they might not lose a +syllable of anything that was said. + +“I was just getting ready to go to bed when I heard a noise out in the +shed,” declared Jed. “For some time I’ve been missing tools, and so I +picked up a club I had by the kitchen stove, and started out to see what +the trouble was. + +“I s’pose I made some noise, for just as I had stepped out of the +kitchen door, somebody ran out from the shed and tried to pass me. + +“‘Who is it?’ I cried. But instead of answering me, the person swung at +me and caught me in the shoulder with a blow that would have knocked me +down had I not thrown my arms about him and hung on.” + +As he made this statement, the crippled veteran paused. For several +moments his auditors waited, thinking he would continue, but when he did +not several of them asked: + +“Did you see who it was?” “Could you get a look at his face?” + +“Yes.” + +“Who was it?” + +“Pud Snooks!” + +At the pronouncement of the bully’s name, cries of astonishment arose +from the circle of men and women. + +“Why didn’t you hold onto him?” demanded Mr. Martin. + +“Because he shook me off.” + +“Then what did you do?” + +“I started after him—and I hadn’t gone more than half way up the street +before I saw flames burst from the shed.” + +In silence all those in the circle heard these words. + +“Do you want to have the boy taken up for this, Jed?” finally asked Mr. +Martin. + +“No. I don’t want to bring trouble to anyone, but I’m not going to have +the house burnt over my head without getting some return. I want to find +Pud Snooks and ask him some questions, and then I want to have a talk +with his father.” + +“You’re a sensible man, Jed,” declared Mr. Martin. “Just come along with +me and we will go find Pud’s father. Come, Harry! Come, Paul.” + +Without more words Mr. Martin turned on his heel, and led the way up the +street, several of the more curious among the crowd tagging at his +heels. + + + + +CHAPTER XI—“OLD GROUCH” + + +“I don’t believe it was Pud who set fire to Mr. Brown’s house,” +exclaimed Harry, as they walked along. + +“Don’t you s’pose I know him when I see him? I have good reason to!” +retorted the crippled veteran. + +“What makes you think it wasn’t he, Harry?” asked Mr. Martin. + +“Because he was going on a sleigh ride with Socker Gales and some of the +other boys and girls,” returned Harry. + +“But evidently he didn’t go, for he was at the fire after it was burning +fiercely,” asserted the venerable man. Nobody knew the cause for the +bully’s remaining at home. + +Stung deeply by the words Nettie had uttered when he had come up behind +them when the two girls were walking home, Snooks had asked his father +for some money that he might join his friends in driving to the Lake +House at Cardell for the dance, only to be gruffly refused. + +Angry at his father, his friends and himself, the bully had eaten his +supper in sullen hastiness, and then left the house by the back way for +the purpose of watching his friends depart on the sleigh ride. The route +he took, however, led him past the house of the crippled veteran whom he +hated so deeply, and the sight of it suggested to him that he might work +off his ill-humor by playing some trick on old Jed. + +Entering the shed, he lighted a match and was looking about the shop, +when he had heard the crippled veteran opening the door of the kitchen, +and, thinking only that he must escape, the boy had thrown the match on +the floor and rushed to leave the shed. Instead of going out, the match +had fallen into a pile of shavings, quickly igniting them, and the +flames found ready food in the pieces of wood, oil-soaked leather and +other odds and ends with which the shop was littered, and in a few +moments had gained such headway that they were irresistible. + +Such was the story which Mr. Martin and the bully’s father extorted from +the boy after they had questioned him closely in the presence of the +crippled veteran for a half hour. + +Though the fire was purely an accident, it was so evident that Pud had +gone to his arch-enemy’s house bent on mischief, that the butcher and +Mr. Martin were at a loss how to proceed in the matter of meting out +punishment; and as they sat in silence, pondering over the confession, +it was Jed himself who solved the problem. + +“Well, I’m glad you didn’t come to the house with the intention of +burning it, Pud,” he exclaimed. “You and I know I hadn’t occasion for +being fond of you, but I’d hate to think there was any boy, or man +either for that matter, in Rivertown who was so down on me that he would +want to burn the roof over my head. + +“Now, I’ve carried a bit of insurance on the place and I’m not going to +live very much longer, so if——” + +“Jed, I ain’t liked you no better than my boy,” interrupted the butcher, +“but you’ve been so decent, and not asked me to punish Pud or send him +away where they’ll take care of him, that if it’s agreeable to you I’ll +give you two hundred and fifty dollars. Pud, go get my check book.” + +“No need to bother about that to-night, Snooks. You can give me the +money to-morrow,” declared Jed. And with this understanding Mr. Martin +and the crippled veteran took their departure. + +Once they were outside, the village patriarch seized the hand of the +crippled veteran and shook it heartily. + +“Jed, you certainly are a man!” he exclaimed, feelingly. “But where will +you go to live, now?” + +Ere the old man could answer, Harry and Paul, who had been waiting +outside the house, joined them just in time to hear Mr. Martin ask this +question. + +“If you’d care to, I should like to have you come around to our house!” +exclaimed Harry. “I know Aunt Mary would like it, and then as you’re an +old friend of dad’s he’d want me to ask you.” + +“That would be just the thing,” asserted Mr. Martin, “and I don’t doubt +but that you can make arrangements to live at her house with Mary as +long as you care to stay in Rivertown. I’ll go and explain things.” + +Surprised at first, after the incidents of the evening had been made +clear to her, Mrs. Watson readily agreed to board the veteran as long as +he cared to remain; and after bidding them all a cordial good-night, Mr. +Martin and Paul went to their home. + +Many were the glances that were cast at the bully and Harry when they +appeared at the high school the following day, but no one had the +temerity to speak to them about the incident of the fire, although there +were many whispered conversations held in which the sympathy was +entirely with the new student. + +As Paul had said, the only lesson of importance the freshman class were +called upon to attend was the Latin, of which the crusty old Prof. Isaac +Plummer, often called “Grouch” by the students, was instructor. + +As the boys and girls filed into the classroom, the professor, who was a +little squat man, with a scrubby beard, so thin that one of the girls +had said it was really an individual beard, glanced at them over the +tops of his spectacles. + +“There’s no use asking any of you, I suppose, whether you have your +lesson or not,” he snapped, in a high-pitched, jerky voice. “The fire +last night would have been a sufficient excuse, I suppose, even if it +wasn’t for the fact that you never do have your lesson anyway.” + +Then, his eyes resting on Harry, he exclaimed: + +“What are you doing in here?” + +“I came to recite, sir.” + +“Listen, the rest of you. Here’s a boy who has come to recite. Do you, +by any chance, happen to be a member of the Rivertown High School, or +have you just dropped in like manna sent from Heaven to show the rest of +these young idiots that it is possible for a child to know its Latin +lesson? What’s your name?” + +“Harry Watson,” stammered the boy, his face scarlet at the brusqueness +of the Latin instructor’s greeting. + +“Where do you come from?” + +“Lawrenceburgh, sir.” + +“Do you like Latin?” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“Then that explains it. I don’t wonder you left Lawrenceburgh. No man +who cared for Latin would ever live there, let alone learn it in any of +their schools. How far have you gone in Caesar?” + +“Through the first two books.” + +“Indeed! I didn’t suppose anyone ever got beyond the grammar in +Lawrenceburgh. Suppose you start in at the beginning of the second book, +which is our lesson to-day, and read as far as you can.” + +During this tirade many were the nudges in which the boys and girls +indulged themselves; and Elmer and Pud had reveled in it, gleefully, +believing that they were about to witness the discomfiture of the boy +for whom they had conceived such a dislike. + +But Harry was fond of Latin and was also well grounded in his +fundamentals. Opening his book at the part indicated, he began to +translate, and Prof. Plummer allowed him to finish two sections before +he began to ask him questions on construction. But though he tried his +best to confuse the boy, Harry did not get rattled, and acquitted +himself creditably. + +“Watson, I want you to come up here,” the instructor exclaimed, when he +had finished. “Let me shake hands with you. I’m glad to know there is +one scholar in Rivertown High School who has even the faintest +conception of the Latin fundamentals.” + +Blushing even more furiously than he had while he was being baited, +Harry stood in his place uncertain whether the professor meant what he +said or not, and hoping in his heart that he did not. + +“Ah, you hesitate, I see,” grinned Prof. Plummer, sardonically. “After +you know me better you will know I never mean what I say. Never to my +knowledge have I willingly had one of the pupils of Rivertown High +School approach any nearer than you are now. Kindly remember that.” + +And after calling upon one after another of the members of the class +only to have them answer “Not prepared,” old Grouch dismissed the class +in disgust. + + + + +CHAPTER XII—PLEDGED TO THE PI ETAS + + +Although the majority of the scholars in the Rivertown High School lived +in Rivertown, there were a goodly number who came from adjacent +villages, and for the benefit of these, as well as to give a greater +school life to those who lived at home, the trustees of the high school +had sanctioned the use of several halls as society rooms. + +Thus the girls had two for their exclusive use, the Gamma Gammas and the +Lambda Nus; and the boys three, the Kappa Phis, the senior society, the +Psi Mus, to which only juniors were eligible, and the Pi Etas, nicknamed +the Pie Eaters by the upper classmen, composed chiefly of sophomores, +although such of the freshmen as were not too crude were admitted to +membership. + +For several days after Harry’s encounter with the Latin professor, he +was discussed by the boys at the head of the Pi Etas, and, after +deciding that he was eligible, the members began to rush him, inviting +him around to the club room, to their homes, their skating and dancing +parties. + +Elmer and Socker, as well as Paul and Jerry, belonged to the Greek +letter society, and the proposal to take Harry into the folds of the Pi +Eta met with a vigorous opposition from the former pair. Sufficient were +there of the sophs, however, who believed that, with a little rubbing +off of the rough edges, Harry would be a desirable member of their +crowd, to out-vote them, and in due course a committee was selected to +pledge him. + +But when Harry was approached, he exhibited no great enthusiasm. +Fortunately, however, Paul and Jerry were members of the committee and, +after the full body had sounded him, they remained at his aunt’s house +with him. + +“What’s wrong? Don’t you like the crowd?” asked Jerry. + +“You bet I do! It isn’t that.” And then our hero paused, blushing, +finally continuing: + +“I might as well tell you fellows, because it will save a lot of +unpleasantness for me. I can’t afford to do the things the rest of you +fellows can.” + +At this frank announcement, Paul and Jerry looked at one another in +dismay, for neither of them knew exactly how to answer, and moreover, it +was confirmation of their belief that Harry’s refusal to go on the +sleigh ride was because of his lack of funds. + +As the pause that ensued after the statement became embarrassing, Jerry +took the bit in his teeth. + +“There’s practically no expense, Harry. No initiation fees, or anything +like that. All we have to do is to pay for the light and heat. The +school pays the rent, that is, they say they do, though none of the +rooms or halls of Rivertown societies have cost a penny, for they’re +given by people who own the property. My assessment, so far, this year +has been seventy-five cents. You know there are fifty Pi Etas and the +expenses for the rest of the year, with Spring coming before long, will +be still less, and we want you to be one of the bunch,—honestly, we do. +It means no end of fun next year, the Psi Mu surely for junior and the +Kappa Phi for senior year.” + +A lot of other things Jerry and Paul told our hero, and by the time they +had finished talking to him, he had fully come to the conclusion that he +would get the money to pay his dues in some manner, and he signified his +delight at the prospect of joining the society. + +“Good boy!” chorused his chums. “Just stay in your room to-night. As +your superiors in the Pi Eta we command you to.” + +And hitting the boy such powerful whacks on his back that is seemed to +him his teeth would fall out, Paul and Jerry left him. Descending the +stairs, they bade Mrs. Watson a significantly courteous “good night” and +hurried back to the society room to carry the tidings of Harry’s +acceptance to their waiting fellows. + +With an understanding of what the call of all the boys upon her nephew +meant that would have done credit to a father, Harry’s aunt went to her +desk, took out a sheet of paper, and wrote: + + “My Dear Boy: + + “I hope you find this of use, and it affords me more pleasure to be + able to give it to you than it can you to receive it. + + “Lovingly, Aunt Mary. + + “P. S.—If anything should ever happen that you should get into a + little scrape, I want you to feel that you can come to me. Tell me all + about it instead of going to an outsider. I shall be able to help + you.” + +And enclosing a five dollar bill, she put it into an envelope and biding +her time until Harry came downstairs, slipped up to his room and placed +it on his study table where he would be sure to find it. + +Wonder as to what his instructions to remain in the house meant filled +Harry with an alternating succession of vague misgiving and delight, and +appreciating his mood, his aunt humored him during supper, refraining +from pressing him with any awkward questions as to his unusual +nervousness. + +When he finished supper, Harry stayed around downstairs till he heard +the sound of voices out in the street in front of the house. As they +drew nearer and nearer, it became evident that they were chanting. + +“Mercy! What can that be? It sounds like a funeral dirge!” exclaimed +Mrs. Watson, simulating an ignorance of the familiar song by which the +Pi Etas announced their descent upon a prospective victim to their +initiation, though she had heard it numberless times before, when the +members of the society in years gone by had passed through the street in +quest of their victims. + +The blood mounting to his face, Harry listened a moment, then ran up to +his room, grabbed up his Caesar, dropped into a chair and vainly strove +to concentrate his mind upon the text before him. + +Once only in a life-time does the indescribable thrill grip the heart of +a boy who realizes that he has been found fit by the most critical jury +in the world, his fellow students, to become a member of one of their +secret societies—and in the ecstasy of his happiness Harry never noticed +that his book was upside down. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII—A SERIOUS CHARGE + + +As the measured tread of the steps of the students marching in military +time rang out on the porch, Harry could not restrain his feelings, and +jumped to his feet, pacing excitedly up and down his room. + +For moments that seemed eternal after the sound of the tramping came, he +listened for the peremptory knock. + +At last it came, and as it rang out, with significance the boy could +never forget, his heart almost stopped beating—then he was dully aware +that his aunt had gone to the door and opened it. He heard the sound of +excited voices, then it seemed as though there were a mighty crash +against the door of his room, in rushed several of the boys whom he +knew, seized him, tossed him to their shoulders and started down the +stairs, not a word having been spoken. But as he gained the outside +door, the boys assembled in the yard broke into a chant of triumph, and +with the new student still borne aloft, they retraced their steps down +the street, the rhythm of their song growing in its delirium until they +reached their society room. + +But once Harry was inside the sacred precincts, guarded by the four +plastered walls, he was no longer the good fellow sought by his +schoolmates, but the victim of initiation—and before he had performed +all the stunts which were put up to him, it was early in the morning. +And when he made his way to his aunt’s house, it was not the carefree +boy who had been borne forth on the shoulders of his friends, but a +youth, bedraggled, and with a more proper appreciation of his utter +insignificance in the scheme of life. + +Proud to think that her nephew had been picked out for one of the +members of the secret society, Mrs. Watson sat up, with the purpose of +welcoming him when he returned home. But as hour after hour went by +without his appearing, after the manner of a woman, she began to fear +that some harm had befallen him. Accordingly, when at last she heard his +halting footsteps on the porch, she threw open the door, and greeted him +fondly. + +But Harry was so used up that he failed to appreciate the tenderness of +the caress, and, realizing the fact, his aunt sent him to bed with the +injunction to sleep as late in the morning as he pleased. + +Sore, indeed, was Harry when he awoke the next morning, but as he noted +the glance cast at him by the other fellows passing on the way to +school, glances in which there was a certain amount of envy, he began to +forget the ache and pain, caused by the anything but gentle thumps he +had received during his initiation, and by the time he had reached the +schoolhouse, he was quite his natural self. + +But though the boy was in exuberant spirits, it did not take him long to +realize that a depression had fallen upon his society mates, and he lost +no time in trying to learn the cause. + +“What is it?” he asked Paul and Jerry, as they came toward him. + +“It’s fierce, that’s what it is,” returned Jerry. + +“But why don’t you tell me what it is?” + +“Because nobody knows _exactly_,” asserted Paul. + +“We’ll know, though, just as soon as chapel’s over,” announced Jerry, in +a voice so doleful, that the last vestige of Harry’s enthusiasm +vanished. + +Not far into the school grounds had Harry and his companions proceeded, +before the boy had found that the gloom shared by his society brothers +was reflected in all whom he met, and though he nodded to such of the +boys and girls as he knew, when there was any response at all, it was +merely perfunctory. + +“Sort of a dismal morning to hand out to a new Pi Eta, what?” exclaimed +Misery. + +But Harry had become too imbued with the spirit of disaster to make any +reply, and as he took his seat in the chapel, he was as anxious-eyed as +any of the others. + +The formal chapel service over, Mr. Larmore closed the Bible with +decided emphasis, and then, taking off his glasses and wiping them +nervously, he leaned over the little reading table and gazed at the +hushed students before him. + +“I’m sorry, very sorry, to tell you all that there were depredations +committed last night in the physical laboratory belonging to the school. + +“Several pieces of valuable experimental apparatus were destroyed. + +“I believe that you all have too much understanding to make it necessary +for me to dwell upon the heinousness of such acts. + +“The incident, bad as it is of itself, is particularly unfortunate in +view of the fact that there was, as I understand, an initiation in one +of the Greek letter societies last night!” + +The significance of the principal’s words were so unmistakable that, as +they were uttered, a gasp of shocked surprise ran through the benches of +the students. + +Not one among them was there who did not know that Harry had been the +boy who was initiated, and, as if drawn by an irresistible impulse, they +turned their gaze upon him. + +Again clearing his throat, Mr. Larmore started to speak, when a boy rose +from the seats occupied by the seniors. + +“My name is Thomas Dawson. You know me, Mr. Larmore. So do the other +people of Rivertown and the scholars of the high school. + +“I had the honor to be elected a member of the Pi Eta during my freshman +year, and, in the memory of what the society stands for in scholarship +and in manliness, in high ideals of school life, I resent most +emphatically the imputations in your remarks cast upon the initiation +into the Pi Eta society last night!” + +Never before had such a defiance to the principal of the school been +made, and as the boys and girls who pursued their studies within its +brick walls heard it, they were seized with an amazement even greater +than at the words of the principal. + +But the cup of their surprise was not yet filled. + +Pausing a moment after his statement, that the dramatic effect of his +utterance might be the greater, Dawson exclaimed: + +“In the name of the members of the Pi Eta society of Rivertown High +School, I demand to know the authority for your statement that it was +any of our members who caused the breaking of the apparatus?” + + + + +CHAPTER XIV—THE BOYS APPOINT A COMMITTEE + + +Never before in the annals of Rivertown High had such a scene been +witnessed in the chapel, and as the scholars realized that one of their +number was openly defying the man who, for years had guided the +destinies of those studying under him, they were dumfounded. + +Mr. Larmore, himself, evidently shared the general astonishment for, as +he heard Dawson’s demand, his eyes flashed, he opened his mouth as +though to speak, and then, evidently thinking better of it, closed it +again. + +The silence enveloping the chapel was so intense that the fall of a pin +would have sounded loud. + +Realizing that such a situation could not be tolerated, the principal at +last exclaimed: + +“Dawson, I am surprised that you should assume such an attitude in this +matter. + +“For obvious reasons, I cannot enter into an argument with you as to the +source of my information. I will say, however, that I consider my +authority reliable. + +“It grieves me more than I can express to think that any of my boys +should so far forget themselves in their sport as to do damage to the +school’s property. + +“I shall go to my office directly after I have dismissed chapel, and I +shall expect those boys who took part in the breaking of the apparatus +to come to me and confess. + +“Chapel is dismissed.” + +Instantly there was a hum of excited voices as the boys and girls filed +from the assembly room where the chapel exercises were held. + +Instead of going to their class rooms, however, the members of the Pi +Eta society filed out of the schoolhouse and gathered about their leader +who had challenged the principal. + +“Did any Pi Eta smash the apparatus?” asked Dawson. “If he did, for the +good of the society he must go to Larmore and take his medicine. I want +to be sure of my facts before I take any further action.” + +But not a boy spoke up. + +“I put you on your Pi Eta oath,” announced Dawson. + +But even this placing them on their most sacred honor had no additional +effect upon the society boys. + +Several of the members of the other Greek letter societies gathered +about the Pi Etas—for they realized that a crisis had arisen that +affected all the social organizations of the school—and they wanted to +plan how to meet it. + +When, therefore, they learned that none of the society members had been +implicated in the trouble, they cheered loudly. + +“The thing to do now, is to find out who told ‘Princy’”—which was the +nickname the boys applied to the principal of the school—“that it was +the work of the Pi Etas,” said Dawson. + +“It strikes me that the best thing to do is for some of us to go in and +have a talk with him,” declared Longback, when none of the boys offered +any suggestion as to who the bearer of the information might be. + +“Why not let the Pi Etas settle it themselves?” proposed another boy. + +“Because it concerns the rest of us just as much as it concerns them—as +a matter of fact I believe it concerns us more; because I’m sure that +not one of the Pi Etas had anything to do with it.” + +“Yes, and if any of us should go into Princy’s office, he and everybody +else in the school, would think we had come to confess,” declared Paul. + +This argument proved a clincher for the plan of sending a delegation to +call on Mr. Larmore in his office, and without delay the boys expressed +their preferences, the committee finally being composed of Dawson, +Longback, Jerry, Harry and Misery. + +The new member of the society objected to serving on the ground that it +wouldn’t look well for a boy who had just had the honor of coming into +the Pi Eta to take such a prominent part in its affairs so soon. + +“Well, you _must_ come with us,” returned Dawson, “and I’ll tell you +why. There’s no use in mincing matters. Princy and all the other profs +think that as part of your initiation, the rest of us either made you +break the apparatus, or that you did so in a spirit of bravado.” + +The case having been put to him thus plainly, Harry offered no further +objection to serving on the committee, and without more ado the boys who +had been chosen as delegates mounted the steps preparatory to going to +the office of the principal. + +“What is it? School for the rest of us?” called another boy, looking +about at his companions. + +“No, let’s cut?” cried three or four, while one of them continued: + +“It will show Princy and the other Profs that we don’t like the deal +he’s handing to us.” + +Readily all the members of the Greek letter societies in the school +agreed to the plan, and without even so much as going into the school +house for their books, they hied themselves to their respective society +rooms. + + + + +CHAPTER XV—MR. LARMORE ISSUES AN ULTIMATUM + + +The excitement among the rest of the scholars as to what the members of +the accused society would do was intense, especially among the Greek +letter girls, and little, indeed, was the attention they paid either to +their books or recitations, their eyes being upon the gathering of boys. + +In ignorance of what had been decided upon, when some of them beheld the +five who had been chosen to wait upon Mr. Larmore, they instantly +concluded that they must be the boys who had taken part in the smashing +of the instruments, and quickly they passed the word along to the other +students who were unable to look out of the window. + +As some of the boys who had advised against sending the delegation had +argued, when the knock sounded on the door of the principal’s office and +the order to enter had been given, Mr. Larmore believed that the five +students who filed in, had come to confess. + +Accordingly, assuming a stern but injured manner, he rose and bowed to +each of them. + +“There is no need for me to say that I am shocked when I see who of my +students took part in the mischief, but I am glad that you are men +enough to come to me and tell——” + +“Pardon me, Mr. Larmore, but you are mistaken,” interrupted Dawson. “We +have not come to confess anything.” + +“Eh? What?” exclaimed the principal, looking over his glasses at the +speaker. + +“I said that we have not come to confess,” repeated Dawson. + +“Then to what do I owe the honor of this call?” Mr. Larmore asked, +dropping back into his chair and assuming his most sarcastic tone and +manner. + +“In the first place, we want to tell you that no member of the Pi Eta +society had a hand in the doings in the physical laboratory; and in the +second, we wish to know who it was that charged us with the work.” + +As he heard the statement, the principal’s face grew even more stern, +and for several minutes he thrummed his desk without making any reply. + +He had not asked the boys to sit down, and as they stood in front of +him, they began to get nervous, shifting uneasily in an embarrassed sort +of way from one foot to another as though unable to bear his gaze—and +realizing how uncomfortable he was making the boys, Mr. Larmore kept +silent longer than he otherwise would have. + +Resenting such treatment, Dawson fidgeted with his collar, and then +exclaimed: + +“Will you——” + +“Just a moment, please,” interrupted the principal, raising his hand to +stop the boy. “I should like to know on what grounds you make your +assertion that none of the Pi Etas took part in the outrage.” + +“Because they have told me so, sir,” replied Dawson. + +“Of course! How stupid of me. I should have known that did the great Tom +Dawson ask who broke the apparatus, the guilty boy would have run right +up to him. I made a mistake in not asking you to——” + +During this ironical remark, the senior who had taken upon himself to +defend the members of the under class society, grew very red. + +“That’s not fair, Mr. Larmore!” he exclaimed, interrupting the +principal. + +“Very well. Why should you expect the boys to admit their guilt to you?” + +“Because I asked them under Pi Eta oath.” + +This reply was sufficiently illuminative to cause the principal to cast +a keen glance at the spokesman. + +“Do you really mean to tell me any member of that society would confess +their guilt to you if you put them on their oath?” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“And may I ask what you would have done had any of them made such a +confession?” + +“Sent them to you, sir.” + +Again did the principal look over the top of his glasses, and he +realized as he never had before, what a power the Greek letter societies +could be in the discipline of the school. + +“But if no members of your club committed the outrage, who did?” asked +Mr. Larmore finally, evidently voicing the thought that was in his mind. + +“That, sir, we cannot tell you at the moment—but we will be able to +later.” + +“How, pray?” + +“Because we shall make it a point to find out, sir. And as a first step +toward that end we should be obliged if you would tell us who gave you +the information.” + +“I will do that—presently. First, however, I should like to ask you what +punishment you think should be meted out to the boys who are guilty?” + +“I fancy they won’t be ready for punishment for some time after we find +out who they are,” exclaimed Longback. + +Smiling at this answer to his question, Mr. Larmore exclaimed: + +“I am obliged to you boys for coming to see me. I’m sorry to say, +however, that I cannot accept your statements as to the innocence of the +members of the Pi Eta society in regard to smashing the apparatus in the +physical laboratory. + +“My authority—who is no other than Tony, the janitor,—is, I believe, +altogether too reliable. + +“For that reason, I have decided that until I can learn who the +perpetrators of the act are, to punish them individually, I shall assess +the Pi Eta society the amount of the damages, which comes to seventy +dollars, and until payment is made, I shall insist that the society’s +room be closed. + +“I shall be obliged if you will act as collector for me, Dawson. You can +also announce my decision to all the society members, though I shall do +it in school just before the noon recess. + +“And now, young gentlemen, I bid you good morning.” + + + + +CHAPTER XVI—STUMBLING ACROSS A CLUE + + +Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this +ultimatum from Mr. Larmore. + +After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least +be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they +could scarcely believe their ears. + +But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on +their heels and strode from the office. + +Once out in the hallway they gave vent to their indignation. + +“My word! Princy must have had something awful mean for breakfast to +have accumulated such a grouch!” exclaimed Misery. + +“But we can’t blame him so much,” returned Longback. “What sticks in my +craw is that old Tony Farelli, who was janitor at Rivertown High when +most of our fathers and mothers were students, should have laid the +trouble to the Pi Etas.” + +“He must have some good reason for thinking it was some of us,” returned +Dawson, “because Tony has always been square.” + +“Seventy dollars is going some,” declared Jerry. “It looks to me as if +the Pi Eta chapter room will be closed for some time to come.” + +“Shall you pay it? I suppose you’ll assess the members equally?” asked +Harry. + +“Pay it! Well, I should say not!” retorted Dawson, angrily. “Princy can +nail up the door of the chapter room first!” + +“Now, don’t go to making any threats, Tom,” interposed Longback. “The +thing to do is to have a meeting of the Kappa Phis and Psi Mus to decide +what shall be done.” + +“How about us?” demanded Jerry. “Being the victims, it seems to me we +should have a little say in the matter.” + +“There you go again,” retorted Dawson. “You freshmen never can seem to +understand that it is part of your training to do as your betters tell +you. Inasmuch as just about all the Kappa Phis are old Pi Eta men, you +can be very sure that nothing will be decided upon that will lower the +dignity of any Pie Eater.” + +While they were talking, the boys were standing upon the porch of the +school building. + +In the meantime, the principal had started on his rounds of the various +rooms, immediately upon the departure of the student committee, and it +was only a short time before he had learned that all the Greek letter +men had cut their classes. + +Angered at such action, Mr. Larmore was stalking back to his office, +when he chanced to espy the committee members through the glass in the +door. + +Hastening his steps, he pushed open the inner door, yanked the knob of +the outside one so that the door came open with a jerk, and faced the +boys. + +“Why aren’t the Greek letter students at their classes, and what are you +doing out here?” he demanded. + +“I can only speak for myself, sir,” returned Dawson. “I am out here +because I’m not going to school to-day.” + +Only the tone in which he spoke saved the boy’s speech from being +grossly disrespectful, but the principal had sufficient understanding of +scholars to know that it would not be well for him to press the matter +farther, and without another word, he closed the door and returned to +his office. + +“Wow, but Princy’s mad!” ejaculated Jerry. “Let’s get hold of the other +fellows and decide on our plan of action just as soon as we can.” + +This suggestion met with the approval of the other members of the +committee, and forthwith they hied themselves down the hill. + +As they reached the foot, they met a crowd of boys hurrying toward them. + +“Princy’s closed the Pi Eta room,” cried several of them, as they +gathered about the members of their committee. + +“We know it,” returned Dawson. “And what’s more it will stay closed +until the Pi Etas pay seventy dollars, which Mr. Larmore says is the +amount of the damage done in the physical laboratory—and that, I opine, +will be some time in the far distant future.” + +At first the other boys refused to believe this announcement, but they +were quickly assured of its authoritativeness, and when its full +significance dawned upon them they stared at one another blankly. + +“I can also tell you that Princy’s very sore because the Greek letter +men have cut their classes.” + +“My word, but the prospect looks cheerful, doesn’t it?” commented +Socker. “Where will the Pi Eta bunch meet, now?” + +“The graveyard seems the most appropriate place,” asserted Misery. + +“You’ll have to do without your chapter room,” laughed Dawson. “In the +meantime, the Kappa Phis and the Psi Mus are going to have a meeting to +decide what you shall do.” + +“That’s awfully sweet of you,” mocked one of the freshmen. “I do hope +you won’t decide on anything that it won’t be perfectly ladylike to do,” +and turning to his companions he exclaimed: “Come on, fellows, let’s go +down to the river and have a hockey game.” + +“You’ll do nothing of the sort,” countermanded Dawson, as a dozen or so +of the boys started off to get their skates. “It’s up to you boys to +find Tony, while the rest of us are holding our consultation.” + +“But what’s old Tony got to do with it?” chorused several of the group. + +“Everything, seeing that it is he who told Princy the Pi Etas were in +the laboratory,” returned Longback, dryly. + +“But there isn’t one of us Tony wouldn’t recognize—except, of course, +Watson.” + +“That’s it, exactly,” asserted Dawson. + +“Can Watson prove an alibi?” demanded a voice from the outside of the +crowd which had been constantly increasing, as the word had passed +around that the delegates had concluded their interview with the +principal of the Rivertown High School. + +“Who said that?” demanded Jerry, indignantly. + +No one, however, made any response. + +“I’ll wager the fellow who said that thing is the one who broke the +apparatus,” declared Paul. + +“Of course, I——” began Harry. + +“Keep quiet! Shut up! Don’t answer him! Forget it!” shouted several of +the boys, effectually drowning Harry’s words. + +“You mustn’t forget you’re a Pi Eta, and that a Pi Eta is never +doubted,” said Jerry. + +“Hear! Hear!” mocked several of the upper classmen. + +“Seriously, though, you mustn’t waste any more time,” interposed +Longback. “You noble spirited Pi Etas go find Tony, and we’ll have our +confab; then you may meet us in the hall in front of the Psi Mu chapter +room.” + +The freshmen, however, did not wait to hear the last of the taunt, and +breaking up into bands of two or three, they started out with the +purpose of locating the janitor. + +“Why not look for him at the school,” suggested Harry. + +“Because, this is his day to go to Lumberport,” returned Jerry. “He +always goes over there every Thursday to draw money for school +expenses.” + +“Maybe he hasn’t gone yet. Let’s go round to his house,” suggested Paul. + +Quickly, the boys who were natives of Rivertown set out to guide their +new chum to the house where the janitor lived; but when they arrived +they were disappointed to know that he had been gone some two hours. + +“Are you the young gentlemen he was expecting to bring him money?” asked +Mrs. Farelli. + +“Money for what?” asked Paul, surprised. + +“I don’t know, sir. He just said some young men were to bring him some +money and I thought it might be you, so I was going to tell you he said +to take it over to Lumberport and leave it at Rector’s cigar store for +him, as he won’t be back for a couple of days.” + +“Then he hasn’t gone on school business, to-day?” exclaimed Jerry, with +a rising inflection in his voice. + +“No, sir.” + + + + +CHAPTER XVII—THE TRIP TO LUMBERPORT + + +After thanking the janitor’s wife for her information, the boys left the +house. + +“Funny Tony should be going to stay away a couple of days,” remarked +Paul, as he walked along. + +Both his companions agreed with him, but as Harry had lived in Rivertown +so short a time, he was little acquainted with the habits of Farelli, +and so he could offer no intelligent comment. + +“It seems to me we ought to get over to Lumberport as quickly as we +can,” announced Jerry. “If we can locate Tony and pull the story out of +him before anyone else gets to him, it will be some feather in our +caps.” + +“It seems to me we ought to tell Dawson, and some of the other boys,” +declared Harry. “If there really is any crooked work they will be more +likely to make the janitor tell about it than we would, I should think, +considering the fact that they have been at the school four years.” + +To this suggestion, our hero’s chums agreed, and quickly they betook +themselves to the hall in which the room of the Psi Mus was located. + +“You’ve got a nerve to rap at our door. Didn’t we tell you to wait and +meet us in the hall?” demanded the boy who answered the summons. + +“That’s all right. We’ve found out something you people ought to know, +so you needn’t close the door in our faces,” retorted Jerry. + +The statement that they had important information to impart had been +heard by the leaders of the two societies who were holding the +consultation, and quickly they called to them to enter. + +“Well, what is it that’s so important?” demanded Dawson. + +“We went down to see if Tony was at home,” began Paul, when he was +interrupted by one of the others exclaiming: + +“Of course he wasn’t. This is his day to go to Lumberport on school +business for Princy.” + +“I know that,” retorted Paul, “but we thought perhaps he might not have +started yet. When we got there, Mrs. Farelli asked us if we’d come to +pay Tony some money, for if we had, he wanted us to leave it at +Rector’s, in Lumberport, because Tony won’t be home for a couple of +days.” + +“That’s just Tony’s way of trying to collect his debts quickly,” +commented one of the boys. + +“Then why shouldn’t he have told his wife to take it,” asked Harry. + +“And that’s what he would do,” interposed Dawson. “I say it won’t do any +harm for some of us to go over to Rector’s and see what’s up. In the +meantime, you three boys keep your mouths closed about what Mrs. Farelli +told you.” + +To their disappointment, none of the freshmen were invited to become +members of the party that went to Lumberport, but they trailed along, +nevertheless; and when they trooped into the tobacco store which the +janitor had appointed as a rendezvous, they were surprised to see Elmer +Craven and Pud Snooks talking with Tony. + +Their amazement, however, was nothing compared to that of the two +students of Rivertown High when they discovered the presence of their +schoolmates. + +“Didn’t know you boys would dare come into a cigar store,” growled +Elmer, scowling. + +“So that’s why you selected it for your meeting place with Tony?” +retorted Dawson, and then, ignoring the presence of the rich boy, the +leader of the Kappa Phis turned to the janitor. + +“Tony, I want you tell me which of the Pi Etas it was who broke the +stuff last night?” + +“It was this young man, here,” returned the Italian, nodding toward +Harry. + +“What do you mean?” demanded the accused boy, his face blanching. “I +wasn’t anywhere near the schoolhouse last night. Just as soon as the fun +was over at the chapter room, I went home—and to bed.” + +“I can vouch for the going home part of it,” declared Jerry. + +“And so can I,” added Paul. + +“And my aunt can vouch for my being in the house,” continued Harry. + +“You see, Tony, you must have made a mistake, don’t you?” pursued +Dawson. + +The charge that he had been wrong in the identification of the marauder +angered the Italian and he did not hesitate to let the fact be known. + +Dawson and Harry’s chums, however, refused to accept the janitor’s +statement, and began to ply him with a series of cross questions which +finally extracted the statement from him that there really was a +possibility he had made an error because he was fully thirty feet away +from the person he had seen in the building, and the only light he had +was a lantern. + +As these facts were brought out, the boys who formed the investigating +committee exchanged significant glances. + +But their surprise was to be still further increased. + +With an unexpectedness that made them gasp, Dawson exclaimed: + +“I want you to tell me, Tony, if it isn’t in connection with this +identification business that Pud and Elmer came over here to pay you +some money?” + +Too amazed to speak, the janitor and the boys with whom he had been +talking when the others entered the tobacco shop, glanced at one +another. + +And their action was accepted by the other boys as a tacit admission +that the amazing charge made by Dawson was true. + +“Well, why don’t you tell me?” repeated the leader of the Kappa Phis who +had been acting as spokesman. + +“Because it is a matter that does not concern you,” retorted the +janitor. + +“But you can’t deny it was about this laboratory business, now, Tony, +can you?” pursued his interrogator. + +“I haven’t been given any money by those boys,” protested the janitor. + +“But your wife said you were expecting some from them,” declared Dawson, +stretching the truth, that he might make his point more effective. + +“They haven’t given me a cent,” whined the Italian. “They backed out!” + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII—HARRY ARRANGES FOR A SETTLEMENT + + +Aware that they had been discovered in their underhand work, Pud and +Elmer worked their way toward the door while Dawson was quizzing the +janitor, and when they heard his statement that they had gone back on +their bargain, they made a bolt to get outside. But Jerry blocked them. + +“No, you’ll have to stay here until this matter is settled once and for +all,” he exclaimed, his face growing white and his hands clenching. + +Realizing that resistance was futile, the two boys slunk back from the +door and awaited the further action of Dawson and his companions. + +“Why not let them go?” suggested Harry. “Mr. Farelli’s words and their +actions have vindicated the Pi Etas, and it seems to me very poor policy +to bring any scandal to Rivertown High.” + +“But you forget that Princy has assessed a fine of seventy dollars on +the Pi Etas,” protested Dawson. “While I’m perfectly willing to let the +matter drop, I see no reason why the boys who are members should be +compelled to pay out money for something for which they were not +responsible in any way.” + +Although Harry’s suggestion had met with murmurs of approval from the +other boys when it had been made, the senior’s statement had brought +back to their minds the cost of such procedure, and they were equally +enthusiastic for the latter plan. + +The thought that he could get himself out of a situation which had +become decidedly embarrassing, since his schoolmates had discovered him +in conference with the janitor and the bully of Rivertown High made +Elmer come forward. + +“Suppose I agree to pay the seventy dollars and let the matter rest? Is +that agreeable to you fellows?” he asked. + +“We ought to know how the trick was planned,” declared Jerry. + +“Especially as it is Harry against whom the insinuation is the most +serious,” added Paul. + +“Oh, never mind about me,” exclaimed our hero. “The only thing to be +considered is what’s best for the Pi Etas and for Rivertown High.” + +This stand of the new student appealed to the rest of the boys, and at a +sign from Dawson, they withdrew to a corner of the cigar store for a +conference, leaving Harry, the janitor, Snooks and Elmer leaning against +the glass showcase. + +The entire proceeding had been distasteful to the janitor, who had +filled his position for so many years and, believing that it would be +best for him to propitiate the boy for whom the other students had taken +up the cudgels, he riveted his eyes upon the new member of the Pi Etas. + +“Do you know, I think I was wrong, sir, when I told Mr. Larmore that you +were the boy I had seen in the building.” + +“You most certainly were!” returned Harry. + +“Oh, well, in a time of excitement, any man is apt to be mistaken,” +interposed Elmer, lightly, “and so long as no harm has been done, if I +am willing to pay the expense, I don’t see why the matter should go any +farther.” + +At this statement, Harry looked at the rich boy. + +“So you don’t think it’s any harm to have such a charge made against you +when you are practically unknown to the school authorities, and to the +people of the town in which the school is located?” he asked. + +At the question, Elmer flushed and before he could think of a reply that +was adequate, Dawson and the boys with whom he had been talking, moved +over towards them. + +“We’ve decided that if Watson is willing to overlook the affront that +has been put upon him, for the good of the Pi Etas and Rivertown High, +we will allow you to pay the seventy dollars, Craven, and let the matter +drop.” + +“Very well, I will go to Mr. Larmore in the morning,” announced Elmer, +his relief at the solution of the difficulty evidenced by the look which +settled on his face. + +“No, that won’t do,” returned Dawson. “Mr. Larmore appointed me as +collector of the assessment, and if the matter is to be arranged as you +suggested, you must give the money to me. I will pay him. In that way, +no one but ourselves need know of the real facts.” + +“But I shall need time in which to raise the money,” protested Elmer. + +“How long?” asked the boy who had been acting as spokesman. + +“A month, I should say.” + +“And we’re to stand for the Pi Eta society room being closed for that +length of time just to accommodate you,” demanded Jerry, stepping toward +Elmer. + +As though fearing an assault from his schoolmate, the rich boy drew +back. + +“Well, I might be able to get the money in two weeks,” he announced. + +“That won’t do, either,” said Dawson. “Knowing you as I do, it is my +opinion that you have the money right in your pocket this minute.” + +“But think of the sum, seventy dollars,” protested Elmer. + +“Which is nothing to you, if the stories that come from Lumberport and +Springtown are true,” returned the senior, “and besides, I can tell from +the way Snooks is acting that he has some money in his pocket. + +“Now you two boys might just look the matter squarely in the face. You +have deeply wronged Harry Watson—for reasons best known to yourselves. +Watson is a member of the Pi Eta and a scholar in Rivertown High and is +willing to overlook your actions, provided you clear the society from +all odium. + +“I don’t mind telling you frankly that it was only because I insisted +upon it that the rest of the boys who came over with me consented to +such an arrangement. + +“But unless you pay the money at once and to me, I shall withdraw my +objections to the true state of affairs being told to Mr. Larmore—and +you all know what the result of such action would be.” + +The tones in which the senior spoke were bitter and, fully as much as +the words, they made Craven understand that he could not count upon the +sympathy or support of the other Greek letter men. + +And even Snooks, who had never been able to gratify his dearest ambition +of becoming a Pi Eta, felt their sting. + +“I’ve got fifteen dollars,” the bully announced. “If you have the rest +let’s pay it, Elmer.” + +This statement that the butcher’s son had any money in his pocket was a +distinct surprise not alone to Elmer but to the other boys, and deeming +that it would make the burden upon him just so much the lighter, Craven +put his hand in his pocket. + +“Very well. I have fifty dollars. With Pud’s fifteen that will make +sixty-five. If the rest of you will raise the remaining five dollars +among yourselves, I will pay it in the morning.” + +In his talk, Dawson had been more or less bluffing, for he had not +thought that even as rich as Elmer’s father was, he allowed him any such +amount of money; and when he had heard the boy announce that he had +fifty dollars in his pocket, he could scarcely restrain the exclamation +of surprise that rose to his lips. But he managed to dissemble his +feelings. + +“All right. You place your money on the showcase, Elmer, and you put +yours down, Pud.” + +Quickly, the two boys obeyed and, after verifying the count, Dawson +turned to the others. + +“It’s up to us to make up the other five dollars. Come on, shell out?” +he exclaimed. + +“I have fifty cents,” and producing the coin, he laid it down on the +showcase beside the other money. + +The rest of the boys, however, not being accustomed to carrying money +about with them, fidgeted nervously, then put their hands in their +pockets, and the sum total they produced did not amount to over fifty +cents more. + +Enjoying their embarrassment, Elmer’s face suddenly lighted. + +“You fellows have driven hard terms with me, and if you can’t make up +the other five dollars, then I withdraw my offer to stand the brunt of +the cost.” + +In dismay, Dawson and his friends looked at one another, but just as +they were on the point of admitting they could not carry out their +agreement, Harry took out an envelope from his pocket. + +“I have five dollars,” he announced. “And for the sake of the Pi Etas +and Rivertown, I should be glad to put it into the fund.” + + + + +CHAPTER XIX—UPHOLDING THE HONOR OF RIVERTOWN + + +Even Elmer and Snooks could not but appreciate the magnanimity of this +offer, aware as they were of the straightened circumstances of the new +student. + +“Good boy!” exclaimed the others. “We’ll make it up to you just as soon +as we get back to Rivertown.” + +Such strong dislike, however, had he conceived for Harry, that Elmer +could not bear the thought of being under obligations to him to the +slightest extent, and with an angry movement he thrust his hand in his +pocket, pulling out a five dollar bill. + +“Here! Take this,” he snarled at Dawson. “I was saving it out to get +home on, but it doesn’t amount to anything to me, and I suppose that +five dollars Watson has is his spending money for the year.” + +The wanton brutality of the remark brought an angry flush to Harry’s +face, and clenching his hands, he started toward the rich youth. But +with no desire to have any trouble in the town across the river, Dawson, +Paul and Jerry quickly placed themselves between the two boys, while the +senior took the extra money from Elmer and wrapped it with that which he +had, giving back to Harry the bill which our hero’s aunt had presented +to him. + +At first, the new member of the Pi Eta society was disposed to resent +the act. + +“Don’t be foolish,” exclaimed Dawson. “Craven and Snooks were the ones +who smashed the apparatus—I don’t know exactly how—but you never would +find them willing to pay a cent unless they were guilty; and it is +perfectly right that Craven should pay all the money he can rake or +scrape together.” + +At this stinging comment, Elmer opened his mouth as though he intended +making a retort; but second thought showed him the futility of so doing, +and buttoning up his coat, he nodded towards Snooks and left the store +with the bully. + +As soon as they were gone, the senior turned upon the janitor. + +“Tony, I never thought to find you in such a mess as this.” + +With tears in his eyes, the Italian spoke to the boys: + +“I didn’t want to, but my little girl, she is sick, and I need some +money; and so when Elmer and Pud come to me and tell me they would give +me fifty dollars if I will say Watson broke the stuff, I talked it over +with my woman, and she say take it.” + +This confession of the janitor’s, substantiating the idea which the boys +had formed of the incident, together with the thought that his +temptation had come from the fact that his child was ill, caused them to +forego any further cross-questioning of the janitor, and they took their +departure from the cigar store. + +The return to Rivertown was much in the nature of an ovation for Harry, +for not long was it after the committee appointed by the Greek letter +societies started out than word of their purpose spread among the +scholars. + +With the letting out of school for the noon recess, the girls who were +members of the Gamma Gammas and the Lambda Nus learned of the action of +the boys, and forthwith they decided to cut classes for the rest of the +day. + +Particularly caustic in their comments upon the action of the principal +were Viola and Nettie; but as the older girls counseled a waiting +policy, the two freshmen were prevented from doing anything that would +further complicate the unfortunate case. + +The action of the girls depleted the ranks of the school still further. +It was with difficulty the instructors could maintain any sort of +discipline during the afternoon, and when the last session was over for +the day, the boys and girls hastened down to the river, put on their +skates and started across to the town of Lumberport. + +Before they had reached the other side of the river, however, they met +Dawson and the other boys returning, and as they saw the happy +expression on their faces, their curiosity was aroused to a high pitch. + +But though they plied them with questions, they were unable to extract +any more satisfactory explanation from them than that the matter had +been settled. + +Loud were the protests at this terse announcement and the various +friends of the boys who had gone across the river had drawn them aside +and were striving their utmost to learn the real facts, when there was a +loud shout from up the river. + +Turning, the members of the Rivertown High beheld the red and white +banners which were the colors of the high school at Springtown, and +almost simultaneously with the recognition of the identity of the +approaching crowd, they heard the artillery like rattle of the school +cheer. + +“What’s the matter with Springtown? What’s up now?” exclaimed several of +the boys. + +“Give them the Rivertown cheer. All together now, everybody! Act as +though you were alive,” shouted Dawson, and swinging his arms in lieu of +a baton he led the cheer, whose volume rolled up the river, breaking +with defiance in the ears of the down-coming horde of skaters. + +“The quickest way to find out what’s doing is to go up to meet them,” +announced Jerry. + +And without more ado, he and a few of the other boys started off up the +river. + +Massed together as though they were defenders of a town repelling a +hostile attack, the other boys and girls assumed a compact mass, +watching the members of their own school as they sped toward the phalanx +of the neighboring town. + +No sooner had they noted the movement of the leaders among the members +of Rivertown High, than the Springtownians checked their advance, and +after a few moment’s hesitation, they sent part of their number to meet +the delegation from Rivertown. + +The parley between the two groups was short; then the Rivertown members +turned on their skates and started back to their schoolmates at top +speed. + +“Springtown’s come down for a race,” one of the boys announced. “Shall +we give it to them?” + +For years the schools in the neighboring towns were rivals in all +branches of athletics, and though the percentage of victories had been +with the scholars at the head of the river, there never was a time when +they could propose any game that the boys and girls of Rivertown were +not eager to take up the challenge. + +Accordingly when the member of the high school on the bluff asked if his +mates wished to accept the challenge of the Springtownians there was a +mighty shout of “Yes.” + +“But who’ll represent us?” exclaimed three or four of the seniors. + +“Craven isn’t in the bunch, Longback has a grouch, and Snooks is missing +too,” exclaimed Misery. “Why not call the boys’ race off, and let +Annabel represent Rivertown?” + +“Now don’t get funny,” admonished Dawson. “There are plenty of us here +who can uphold old Rivertown.” + +“Who?” demanded several voices. + +“Jerry and Paul—and Watson,” added another voice. + +“How about it. You fellows want to make a try?” + +“Who are we going up against?” + +“The very best men in Springtown.” + +“Do they race fair?” asked Harry. + +“Yes.” + +“Can’t you get anyone else to go against them in my place?” + +“It doesn’t seem so. You heard what Misery said.” + +This parley was interrupted by the arrival of the advance guard of the +scholars who had come down to challenge their rivals at Rivertown. + +“Are you going to let us win by default?” asked one of the boys from +Springtown. + +“Not so you’d notice it. When it comes to count the winners, Springtown +won’t have a look in!” returned Dawson. + +His words brought a cheer of encouragement from his schoolmates. + +“Then let’s get busy and start the races right away,” announced the +spokesman for the Springtownians. + +“All right. Bring the men out. We have only three. How long is the race +going to be?” + +In response to this question various were the exclamations of opinion; +some clamored for two miles, others asserting that one was enough. When +they could come to no definite conclusion, several of the leaders from +each of the schools got together to try to settle the distance. + +Their attempt, however, was as unsuccessful as had been those of the +scholars en masse; and finally Socker Gales exclaimed: + +“Let’s toss a coin!” + +The suggestion met with instant approval from both of the opposing +forces. + +Quickly Dawson drew a coin from his pocket, balancing it on his thumb +and forefinger. + +“I’ll toss. Springtown, you call!” he exclaimed. + +High in the air he spun the coin, and as it whirled over and over, the +leader of the Springtownians, shouted: “Tails!” + +With a sharp click the bit of money struck the ice, and then as though +driven by perverseness, it rolled some twenty feet, finally striking a +depression, into which it fell. + +The instant the coin had struck the ice and started on it’s runaway +career, the boys who had been watching the tossing, set after it; but +fleet as they were, it managed to elude them and had settled in the ice +crevice before they had overtaken it. + +“Which is it?” called the others, as two of the Rivertown boys reached +the spot. + +“Heads,” they replied. + +“That means you lose, Springtown!” chorused the rest of the Rivertown +scholars. + +But the challengers from up the river refused to accept the fall of the +coin as an omen. + +“Which distance are you going to take?” demanded the leader of the +visitors. + +“Wait until I talk with the boys who are going to race,” announced +Dawson. + +“We’ll make it two miles!” he finally exclaimed, after a brief +consultation. + +This announcement met with varied exclamations from the Rivertown +students. + +“Paul and Jerry never can stand that distance in the world,” shouted +several of their mates. + +“Never mind, that’s Watson’s pet race, and all we want to do is win it,” +declared Misery. “This isn’t a meet where we have to have points to +win.” + +But despite his confident announcement, there were many of the scholars +who scoffed at the thought that the boy who had so lately come to +Rivertown would be able to defeat the man who had twice won the race for +Springtown. + +Realizing what was in their minds, several of the seniors skated about +among the Rivertown students. + +“Don’t sulk!” they exclaimed. “Show some life! We chose the two miles, +and it’s up to you people to give some support to the boys who are going +to race! Don’t act as though you thought we were beaten already. Come on +now, rip out a cheer!” + +Under the lash of the words, the boys and girls of Rivertown let out +cheer after cheer, winding up the various school cries with the names of +the boys who were to represent it’s honor. + +Valiantly, Springtown came back, but not enough scholars had come down +the river to produce a volume as great as that of the home town, and +they finally abandoned their efforts to out-cheer their rivals. + +The preliminaries having been arranged while the battle of voices was +being fought out, the student leaders had drawn a line on the ice from +one of the old landmarks which had been used on the river for the races +between the two schools for generations, while three or four others +started up the ice to stand the stakes at the finish line, which was +also indicated by long established posts. + +As soon as the latter had taken their position, the contestants were +lined up. + +Having lost the choice of distance, according to the traditions of the +races between the two schools, the task of starting the race fell to +Springtown, and Dick Wenzel, the captain of the baseball team, was +proclaimed the man to give the word. + +Separating into groups which lined up, each about their representatives, +the scholars again gave vent to cheers, and when they finally subsided, +Wenzel warned the racers to be ready, then sent them away. + +During the time that they were waiting, Paul and Jerry had posted Harry +as well as they could on the tricks of their opponents; and the three +boys had come to the conclusion that inasmuch as the race was to be for +two miles, it would be best to let the visitors set the pace. + +The boys from the head of the river, however, quickly fell to the game +and slackened their speed. + +“Wake up! Put some ginger into it. This isn’t a walking match!” shouted +the boys and girls who were following the contestants, irrespective of +the schools to which they belonged. + +During the first few hundred yards, Harry had sized up his opponents +closely, noting from the short strokes they took, that while they could +maintain a high rate of speed for a short distance, they were more than +likely to exhaust themselves before they could go the two miles; and +when he heard the taunts of his schoolmates, he decided to take a chance +of being outskated by the rivals of Rivertown. + +All six of the boys were skating along leisurely, when of a sudden Harry +put on a burst of speed, shooting to the front; and before the others +had realized what had happened he had opened a space of fifty feet +between him and his competitors. + +“After him! After him! Don’t let him get too much of a lead on you,” +warned the Springtown students, dismayed to think anyone could make such +a gain on their representatives. + +The glee of the Rivertown scholars was in proportion to the anxiety of +their rivals. + +But though the representatives of Springtown responded to the demands of +their mates, Harry had a flying lead and, exert themselves as they +would, the boys from up the river could not gain on him. + +His arms and feet swinging in perfect rhythm, Harry sped over the smooth +ice, the shouts of his schoolmates ringing in his ears. + +“You’ve got a good lead, slow up!” shouted those of his mates who were +nearest to him, while others cautioned him to take it easy, in the fear +that he could not last the full distance. But the boy knew himself +better than they, and kept on at his top speed, unmindful of their +advice. + +Hard behind him came a Springtown skater, but could not cut down his +lead appreciably. + +Barely able to hold their own with the others, Paul and Jerry struggled +along, and as they saw that their chum had so great an advantage they +devoted their energies to coaching him. + +“You’ve got them all puffing, and there’s only a quarter more to go! +There isn’t one of them who can spurt! Just take care of yourself and +don’t fall!” they shouted from time to time. + +As the cries reached his ears, Harry raised his head, looked for the +finish line, and to his delight saw it even nearer than he supposed. + +The sight made him feel so happy that he determined to give a still +greater exhibition of his speed; and striking out as though he were +perfectly fresh, instead of having skated more than a mile and +three-quarters, he raced over the ice, opening farther and farther the +distance that separated him from his Springtown rivals. + +His spurt had been greeted with gasps of surprise from his schoolmates, +and many were the shouts hurled at him to be careful lest he exhaust +himself and get beaten out at the finish. When they saw he was skating +strong and steadily, however, the Rivertown boys and girls gave vent to +the wildest glee, and howled and cheered, breaking their schools yells +with rhythmic chants of: + +“Watson! Watson! Watson!” + +[Illustration: “WATSON! WATSON! WATSON!”] + + + + +CHAPTER XX—HARRY RECEIVES BAD NEWS + + +As Harry dashed across the line, victor, pandemonium broke loose among +the scholars; and when they overtook him he was given an ovation that +entirely drove from his mind the unpleasant incidents of the morning and +early afternoon. + +Foremost in congratulations was Viola, and after his friends had thanked +him for upholding the honor of Rivertown, and wresting the victory of +the annual race from their old time Springtown rivals, Harry and Viola +started down the river together. + +They had covered about half the distance, when Elmer and Pud put in +their appearance. Disagreeable, indeed, were the comments which the rich +boy made when he saw the one member of the Rivertown High School he most +detested skating with the girl he liked the best. + +In vain Viola pretended not to hear the remarks passed by the bully and +his companion, but they brought a flush of anger to her cheeks, and +noting it, Harry let go her hands. + +“If you’re tired, Miss Darrow, suppose we wait till the others come up. +Then you can skate away with your friends,” suggested Harry. + +A moment the girl looked at him: “I’m not in the least tired, Mr. +Watson!” she exclaimed; “and I don’t mind what those two boys are +saying, if you don’t.” + +“But I do,” returned Harry, “on your account. For that reason I think +it’s best that you join your friends.” + +“But you’re _my_ friend, aren’t you?” + +“I hope so, that is, I should like to be.” + +“Well, I certainly consider you so,” returned the girl, and again taking +hold of hands, they skated away, laughing and chatting merrily; and +continued to skate together till it was time for them to go to their +homes to supper. + +Light of heart to think he had been cleared of the charges of +depredations in the physical laboratory, and successful in defeating the +skaters from Springtown, Harry was in a happy frame of mind as he +mounted the steps of his aunt’s house, and went in to supper. But one +sight of his aunt’s face drove all his joy away. + +“What is it, Aunt Mary? Have you heard about the trouble at the school? +Don’t worry, because there’s nothing in it.” + +The thought that her nephew had been concerned in some difficulty of +which she was ignorant struck still further grievance to the woman. + +“No, I haven’t heard about it. What is it, tell me?” + +“Oh, it doesn’t amount to much. Merely that some apparatus was broken in +the physical laboratory and they thought that I did it.” + +So distressed was the woman that, unmindful of how the words would +sound, and the impression they would convey, she asked in a tone that +was harsher than she would have used if she had been entirely herself. + +“You didn’t do it, did you?” + +In surprise, Harry looked at her for several moments. + +“No, indeed,” he finally replied. + +“Thank goodness. We have trouble enough without that.” + +Never before had the boy seen his aunt so upset, and her asperity was +all the more striking because of her usual kindly humor. + +“What’s the trouble? Tell me, Aunt Mary, please?” he finally asked. + +“It’s bad news, Harry.” + +Instantly the boy became as solemn and serious as his aunt. His face +grew white and the lines about his mouth grew deep. + +“You mean you’ve had bad news from father?” + +“Yes.” + +“Poor dad! I guess I’d better give up school and go back to +Lawrenceburgh,” announced the boy. “If Elmer and Pud ever hear about it, +they’ll make my life unbearable; and besides, it isn’t right for me to +be such a drain on father.” + +“You won’t be a drain on him. You mustn’t look at it that way!” +exclaimed his aunt. “You know you are just as dear to me as though you +were my own son, and I want you to stay with me _now_.” + +“But somebody ought to go down to Lawrenceburgh. It can’t be true. +There’s something wrong somewhere.” + +“Somebody _is_ going down to Lawrenceburgh!” announced a shrill voice. + +And looking up, Mrs. Watson and her nephew beheld the kindly face of old +Jed Brown, whose usual happy smile had given way to an expression of +solemnity. + +“What do you mean?” asked Mrs. Watson. + +“That I’m going down to Lawrenceburgh for a few days. I’ve been wanting +to go for a long time. Just been looking for an excuse and now I’ve got +it. I’ve known Amos since he was a kid in knickerbockers, and I know +there isn’t a mean or crooked hair in his head. It’s all a mistake—and +and I’m going to set it right.” + +“Oh, Mr. Brown! If you only could!” exclaimed the widow, as the old +veteran ceased speaking. + +“And I can. Don’t worry,” he returned. “It may take some time, but I +shall find out who’s at the bottom of it, and even if Jed Brown is a +cripple and poor, he is honest, and he can fight just as in the days +when he followed the flag through the campaign in the Wilderness.” + +So deeply moved were the aunt and nephew, they dared not speak in the +fear that they would be unable to control their voices, and they +expressed their appreciation of the old veteran’s words by shaking his +hand cordially. + +Sad, indeed, was the little household during the rest of the day, and as +soon as Harry could find an excuse he went to his room and to bed, +where, after forming various plans for the undoing of his father’s +enemies, he finally dropped asleep. + +“Now you must try to forget that things are not as they always were,” +whispered his aunt in the boy’s ear as he started for school the next +morning. “Just appear your usual self, and do not let any of your +friends know that you are not happy.” + +“It isn’t my friends I’m afraid of; it’s the fellows who don’t like me,” +returned Harry. + +“All the more reason why you should keep a stiff upper lip,” declared +Mrs. Watson. And, promising to do his best, the boy set out for the +bluff on which the Rivertown High School was, situated. + +But it seemed as though Fate had conspired against Harry! + +As he entered the main hallway, Elmer stepped up, having evidently been +on the lookout for him. + +“See here, Watson, I saw you skating with Viola Darrow yesterday +afternoon!” he exclaimed. + +“Well, what of it?” + +“Just this much—don’t do it again!” + +“Why not, pray?” + +“Because I tell you not to, that’s all!” + +“Well, you’ve got to give me some better reason than that, Elmer +Craven,” flashed the sorely troubled boy. “If Miss Darrow is willing +that I should skate with her, I don’t see that it is your business or +anyone else’s, as far as that is concerned.” + +“You’ll find it is, though. I tell you, you’ve got to stop going with +her! You remember the laboratory business? Well, it will be just as easy +to put a stop to your going with Viola as it was to frame that up on +you. So just take my advice and leave her alone!” + +So vicious did the rich boy’s face become as he uttered his threat that +Harry could scarcely believe he was talking with a fellow member of +Rivertown High. For the moment, he thought of resenting the boy’s words +with his fists; but the sound of footsteps and the voice of the +principal, from behind, caused him to abandon the idea. + +“Well, are you going to take my advice?” demanded his enemy, sullenly. + +“I’m going to do just as I please, Elmer Craven. Neither you nor anyone +else can stop me!” retorted Harry. And turning on his heel, he stalked +away to his classroom. + +But though he had maintained a defiant manner, at heart he was sick. +Coming as it did on top of the news from his father, the thought that he +would now be obliged to guard himself against underhand attacks from his +rival, with whom he had held many angry words, made him deeply anxious, +and again the idea which had come to him on the previous night when his +aunt had made her announcement,—that he should leave school,—recurred to +him. + +A happy nod and smile from Viola, who chanced to be passing through the +hall on her way to one of her recitations, however, decided the day for +Harry. + +“I’ll not let Elmer Craven make me give up my friendship for Viola!” he +told himself. And with this resolve, he proceeded to his various duties. + +Having no recitations after the noon recess, Paul suggested that Jerry, +Harry and he should take a sail on his new iceboat _Lightning_, which +had just been delivered to him. + +Glad of any diversion that would take his mind from his troubles, Harry +readily accepted and the boys went to their several homes for dinner. + +Angry that he had failed to scare his rival, Elmer had brooded all the +morning over some means of making good his threat, and at last, unable +to think of any scheme that would be both adequate and feasible, he +dropped into the village butcher shop to consult his friend, Pud. + +To his amazement, he found the bully laughing and in high spirits, in +striking contrast to the surly gloom he had maintained since the +eventful day in Lumberport. + +“What’s making you feel so gay?” demanded Elmer. + +“The fact that I’ve got Harry Watson now just where I want him!” + +His eyes big with incredulity, the richest boy in Rivertown stared at +the bully. + +“What on earth do you mean?” he finally asked, when he found that Pud +made no move to explain his statement. + +“Just this!” returned the bully. And he tapped a newspaper which was +spread out over one of the chopping blocks. + +“But I don’t understand?” persisted Elmer. + +“Then listen to this!” and Pud read the following: + + “‘Amos Watson’s appeal was denied by the court and he will now be + compelled to serve five years in prison to which he was sentenced for + forgery.’” + +“Well?” exclaimed Elmer, still mystified. + +“What’s the matter with you? Have you suddenly lost your senses?” +stormed the bully. + +“But I don’t see what that has to do with that young cur.” + +“You don’t, eh? Well, it has just this to do with it—Amos Watson is +Harry’s father!” + +For several minutes the rich boy stood silent, as though endeavoring to +grasp the magnitude of the news which had come to him—and then, with a +sudden cry of delight, he struck Pud a resounding whack on the back. + +“That’s great—provided it’s true!” he exclaimed. + +“True? Of course it’s true. Isn’t it in the paper?” + +“Yes, but where did you get the paper?” demanded Elmer, picking it up +and looking at the name and date line. + +“Uncle Briscoe always sends it up from Lawrenceburgh to my mother. She +used to live down there, you know.” + +“No, I didn’t, but the paper seems straight enough, so I suppose it’s +all right.” + +“You bet it’s all right. And now come on, we’ll spread the news—and if +Harry Watson doesn’t wish before night he’d never been born, I’ll miss +my guess!” + +And together the two boys who hated Harry so bitterly set out to scatter +the news of his father’s misfortune broadcast. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI—ELMER BAITS HIS RIVAL + + +Good care did the two boys who were bent on the downfall of our hero +take to tell the story of Harry’s father being a forger only to those +who were not particularly friendly to the lad—with the result that it +found ready credence, and was soon being repeated with all manner of +exaggerations. + +“I don’t believe a word of it!” declared Viola, when the report reached +her. “Harry Watson is a splendid chap. I——” + +“But this isn’t Harry, it’s his father whose appeal from a prison +sentence has been refused,” laughed a girl who had told the malicious +tale. + +“It makes no difference, I don’t believe Harry’s father is a man who +would stoop to any such act!” retorted Viola, hotly. And, putting her +arm through Nettie’s, the richest girl in Rivertown High went off with +her chum—for the story had hurt her more than she cared to have her +schoolmates see. + +Though in high spirits at the amazement their announcement caused among +their schoolmates, Elmer and Pud were disappointed that the boy whose +father they were traducing did not put in an appearance. + +“Where do you suppose he is?” asked Socker, after they had discovered +Harry’s absence. + +“Probably afraid to show his head,” commented Misery. “I don’t think I’d +care to exhibit myself to my school-fellows under such conditions.” + +“But Jerry and Paul aren’t here, either,” asserted another boy. + +“The three of them are off together somewhere, I suppose,” suggested +Pud. + +“Or else they’re waiting until school begins, to sneak in,” commented +Elmer. + +But in ignorance of all the cruel things that were being said about him, +Harry was at the river with his chums, busily helping Paul rig up his +iceboat. + +Being new, there was no end of fussing and readjusting to be done before +the _Lightning_ was ready for her initial spin; and the three lads were +in the act of making a final test of her ropes, when a crowd of the boys +and girls rushed down to the river for their daily frolic on the ice +after school—and among them were Elmer and Pud. + +“Who’s iceboat is that?” demanded the bully, as he caught sight of the +rangy looking craft, some half mile up the river. + +“Must belong to some one from Lumberport or Cardell,” returned Elmer. +“It’s a new one, that’s easy to see. Let’s skate out and look her over. +If she’s any good, I’ll rig up the _Glider_ and we’ll have some races.” + +Readily the other boys agreed to the suggestion, and as soon as they had +adjusted their skates, they dashed out over the smooth, clear ice. + +Not far had they gone, however, before Pud let out a whoop of glee. + +“That’s Paul Martin; and he’s got Jerry and Watson with him!” he +shouted. “Come on, we’ll have some fun with the forger’s son!” + +The evident viciousness of the bully did not meet with the approval of +some of the fellows, however, and they were not slow to let Snooks know +it. But the thought that he had a lever with which to make his enemy +unhappy made him impervious to any comments of his schoolmates. + +Ere the boys had covered more than half the distance which separated +them from the iceboat they saw that unless something were done instantly +to delay the start, they would arrive too late, for Paul and his +companions were stretching themselves along the runners, preparatory to +getting under way. + +“Hey there! Wait a minute!” yelled Elmer, putting his hands to his lips +that he might make a funnel that would carry the sound farther. + +Surprised at the hail, the three boys rolled from the iceboat, looking +expectantly at the fellows hastening toward them. + +“What’s wanted?” shouted Paul, as the others came within easy speaking +distance. + +“I just wanted to tell you that the fellow you’re chumming with and +going to take on your boat is the son of a prison-bird!” exclaimed +Elmer. “I thought you ought to know it.” + +As he heard the brutal statement, Harry’s face grew deathly pale, and he +clutched one of the guide ropes with his hand as though to keep himself +from falling, while Paul and Jerry looked from his accuser to him, +bewildered. + +“Wha—what do you mean?” finally stammered Paul. “Who’s the son of a +prison-bird?” + +“Harry Watson!” chorused Elmer and Pud. + +“That’s not true!” cried Harry, in a quavering voice. + +“It is! My mother received a paper from Lawrenceburgh this morning, and +it says that Amos Watson is going to prison for five years for forgery!” +announced the bully, gloatingly. + +“And Amos Watson is your father, isn’t he?” demanded Elmer of Harry. + +“Yes. But there has been some dirty work somewhere. My father is as +innocent of the charge as you are, Elmer Craven!” + +“Evidently the judge didn’t think so—or he wouldn’t have refused his +appeal,” sneered the rich tormentor. “Before you get chummy with any +more fellows, I advise you to make sure who they are, Paul. And you +remember it was you who introduced this son of a prison-bird to Viola.” + +At the mention of the girl’s name, Harry seemed suddenly to galvanize +into action. + +“You leave Miss Darrow’s name out of this, Elmer Craven!” he cried, +hotly. + +“Oh, is that so? Well, I reckon it will take more than a forger’s son to +tell me what I shall do and what I shall not. Paul, you’ve either got to +apologize to Viola for introducing this chap to her—or——” + +“Or what?” demanded Harry, fairly leaping on his skates toward the boy +who had been baiting him until he had goaded him beyond endurance. + +Something there was in the tormented boy’s eyes that alarmed his rich +enemy, and the fellow gave ground, working himself toward the spot where +Pud Snooks was standing, as though seeking the protection of the bully. + +Harry, however, was too quick for him and, with a sudden turn cut off +Elmer’s attempt, forcing the boy to face him. + +“Or what?” he demanded a second time. + +Finding escape impossible, the rich fellow glared into the white, tense +face before him. + +“Or he’ll have to settle with me!” Elmer finished, but his voice was so +low that it carried none of its former bravado. + +“You’re wrong there, Craven. He’ll be obliged to settle with me if he +does apologize. I may not be as rich as you, nor my father as yours, but +we’re just as honest!” + +“That doesn’t seem to be what the judge thought!” repeated Elmer. “I——” + +But the limit of insult that Harry could endure had been reached. + +After the repetition of the remark about the opinion of the jurist who +had denied Mr. Watson’s appeal, the boy had drawn back his right arm—and +the next moment, his tormentor lay stretched on the ice! + +“Coward! Why don’t you take a fellow of your size!” cried Pud, skating +toward Harry. + +“Why don’t you?” demanded Paul and Jerry, throwing themselves between +the hulking bully who overtopped their chum by three or four inches. + +“What are you doing in this? Get out of my way!” snarled Snooks. + +But the two boys refused to budge and, realizing that he would not be a +match for the pair of them, the bully skated away, growling to himself. + +In the meantime, Elmer had gotten to his feet. + +“I’ll fix you for this, you see if I don’t!” he snarled with a look of +fierce hatred at the boy who had knocked him down. + +“I wouldn’t, if I were you, Elmer. You only got what you deserved!” +returned Paul. “Come on, Harry, if we’re going to have our sail on the +_Lightning_, we’ve got to hurry.” + +“Much obliged—but I don’t think I’ll go this afternoon,” exclaimed our +hero; and despite the protests of his chums, he skated to the shore and +then for home. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII—DARK DAYS + + +On his way to his aunt’s house, Harry met Jed Brown, hobbling along, a +valise in his hand. + +One look at the boy’s white face told the veteran that some new trouble +had come to him, and he solicitously inquired its cause. + +Harry, however, was not disposed to share his grief with anyone. + +“Going away?” he asked, warding off the question. + +“Yes, down to my sister’s at Lawrenceburgh. You know I told you and Mrs. +Watson the other night that I was going down—and this afternoon we were +talking it over and decided that if I was to do any good, I ought to +start without delay.” + +For a moment Harry was silent as he strove to master himself +sufficiently to speak about his father’s dilemma. + +“I—I hope you’ll be able to find out something, Jed,” he said, but his +voice quavered pitifully and as he heard it, a light of understanding +broke over the aged cripple. + +“Have the boys found out about the business?” he asked. + +“Yes.” + +“How?” + +“Pud Snooks saw the announcement of the court in a paper that is sent to +his mother from Lawrenceburgh.” + +At the mention of the source of the information, the veteran’s brow +clouded. + +“That Snooks had better watch out!” he snapped. “I—” then he evidently +thought better of his intention to say anything further concerning the +bully; and taking Harry’s hand, he exclaimed: “Just keep good courage in +your heart, boy. Things will come out all right. Go about your study and +play exactly as though nothing had happened. I’ll let you hear from me +in a few days. And now I must go or I shall miss my train.” + +And giving the boy’s hand another hearty shake, the crippled veteran +started again on his way to the railroad station. + +Not more than a few steps had he taken, however, then he felt a hand on +his valise, and turning quickly, in the fear that it might be some of +the boys who delighted to play tricks on him, he had a snarl on his +lips, when he saw that it was Harry. + +“I’ll go down to the station with you, Mr. Brown,” he announced. “Just +let me take your valise.” + +Glad of the assistance, for he had found his bag heavier than he +thought, the veteran held the conversation to cheerful topics, and not +again was the unfortunate matter, so close to the hearts of both, +mentioned. And waiting until the train departed, Harry took his way +home. + +But he was not as bereft of friends as he had thought. + +No sooner had he taken his departure from the river than the boys who +had gathered about the iceboat took up the discussion of the affair. + +“Well, even if Mr. Watson does go to jail, that doesn’t mean we should +throw Harry down!” announced Paul, resolutely. + +Quickly several of the other boys reiterated this opinion, but more of +them sided with Elmer and Pud. + +“You can associate with him if you want to—but I don’t think your father +will let you,” sneered the rich lad. + +“I know mine won’t,” declared the bully. But instead of his words making +the impression he had intended, they drew a burst of laughter from Paul +and Jerry. + +“What do you find so funny about that?” demanded Pud, angrily. + +“That your father should forbid your associating with anyone,” returned +Paul. + +“Say, do you think I ain’t as good as the Martins or the Posts or any +people in Rivertown?” + +“I’m not saying anything about that. It merely struck me that a fellow +who was only saved from serious trouble by the kindheartedness of an old +man whom he had tormented in every way possible ought not to make too +many comments about other people,” exclaimed Paul, coolly, but uttering +each word with deliberation. + +Instantly the boys realized that Paul had referred to the incident of +the fire which burned Jed Brown’s home, and they awaited the effect upon +the bully with eagerness. But it was not what they expected. + +For a moment, Pud looked into the eyes of the boy who had taken up the +cudgels for his absent chum; then lowered his own, growled something +that none of his auditors could understand, and skated away. + +“Now you go, too, Craven,” advised Jerry. “If I were you, I’d hire Pud +to go round with me—or else stop talking about Harry Watson.” + +“What do you mean?” demanded the rich student. + +“Didn’t I make myself plain enough? I said for you to stop talking about +Harry Watson.” + +“Huh, I’d like to see anyone stop me.” + +“Well, you will, if you don’t watch out.” + +At the words, Craven skated away from Jerry, evidently mindful of the +blow he had received from Harry; and with one accord, the excited crowd +of boys broke into small groups whose sole topic of conversation was the +news from Lawrenceburgh. + +Among the townsfolk as well as the scholars, the story spread, and in +due time Mr. Larmore and all the teachers heard of it. + +“I don’t belief it!” announced Prof. Schmidt, emphatically, when it was +told him at supper. And when he had finished the meal, the kindly old +German put on his fur coat and cap and went round to call on Mrs. +Watson. + +The coming of the professor was distinctly embarrassing to both the good +woman and her nephew. But he soon put them at their ease by announcing +that he hoped Harry would not let the matter keep him from school. + +“That’s just what we were talking about when you came, Professor,” +declared Mrs. Watson. + +A ring at the door-bell interrupted her and when Harry answered it and +admitted the principal of the Rivertown High School, she became even +more confused. + +Mr. Larmore, however, quickly made it evident that he had come for the +same purpose as had the genial old German; and after much talking, Mrs. +Watson finally agreed that her nephew should continue his studies. + +But it was a quiet and sober Harry who entered his classroom the next +morning. + +His friends strove to convey their sympathy and belief in him by cordial +nods. But their kindness was more than offset by the sneers and grunts +with which his enemies greeted him. So keenly did the boy feel them that +he made his laboratory work an excuse for not joining his companions +during the recesses. + +What hurt him most, however, was Viola’s attitude. Though she had smiled +at him when he had entered the classroom, when he had tried to speak to +her she had skilfully prevented it by moving away when she saw him +approaching. And deeply did her action cut Harry, so that he vowed to +himself he would not give her another opportunity to cause him pain. + +For some time things drifted along, and Harry continued to be the storm +center of the school world. Some of his fellows shunned him, and others +tried to establish themselves on even a more friendly footing with him +than at first. But Harry’s attitude was neutral, his only decided stand +being to refuse to appear in the Pi Eta society room, though his friends +endeavored in every way to persuade him. + +During that time old Jed Brown did not return to Rivertown, nor did our +hero hear from the old veteran. Harry’s aunt heard from Mr. Watson, but +the news was not encouraging. + +“They still consider your father guilty,” said the aunt to the youth. +“But we know he is innocent, and some day the world will know it, too.” + +“Perhaps,” said Harry, sadly. “But, oh, Aunt Mary, to have him in +prison! It is awful! I can’t bear to think of it!” + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII—A MILE A MINUTE SPIN + + +“Good morning, Mrs. Watson; is Harry at home?” + +Saturday had come, with clear skies, and a cold, crisp air that gave +promise of a fine day’s sport on the ice for Rivertown’s young people. +It was Paul Martin who had knocked at the door of the widow’s house, and +greeted her with his cheery smile when she admitted him. + +“Good morning, Paul!” replied the good woman, the look of distress on +her face giving way for a moment to one of pleasure at seeing this loyal +friend of her nephew. “Yes, he is in his den, busy with something. The +poor boy seldom goes out these days; and I’m afraid the constant +grieving will tell on his health.” + +“That is just why I’ve come around, ma’am, to try and influence Harry to +take a spin with me on my iceboat,” Paul continued, eagerly. “You see, +we were just going to have a run before, when Pud Snooks interrupted us +with that unpleasant bit of news; and Harry backed out. We lost all +interest in the sport soon afterward, and I’ve really had little heart +for it since.” + +“It was good of you to think of your friend in this way, Paul,” the +widow said, laying a hand on the lad’s shoulder, and looking +affectionately into his manly face. “And depend on it, Harry is worthy +of all your regard. I know something about boys, even though I was never +blessed with one myself; and if ever there lived a clean, brave and +loyal fellow, Harry is one. And Paul, he must go off with you to get +some fresh air. This staying in, and thinking of all his troubles, is +not the best thing for even his strong nature.” + +“Then please back me up,” said Paul, “in case he tries to beg off. I’m +going to insist; and I think I know how to reach Harry’s weak spot. I’ll +give him to understand that if he refuses, it’s going to spoil all my +Saturday morning sport. Harry will make sacrifices for a chum that he +would never think of doing for himself. And now I’ll push in on him, if +you don’t mind.” + +As he opened the door of Harry’s little den, where the boy did his +studying, and kept such traps as boys usually accumulate, he found the +object of his solicitude bending over a table, and deep in some book. + +“Hello! here, old book-worm, this is no morning to bury yourself here +indoors like a hermit!” cried Paul, as he burst in on his chum like a +breath of the crisp winter air. + +Harry looked up, and his face was immediately wreathed in a smile. The +very presence of such a fine, healthy fellow like Paul was enough in +itself to chase away the blues. He sprang to his feet, and grasped the +hand that was thrust out toward him, wringing it with boyish ardor. For +deep down in his heart he knew full well that Paul was almost as much +concerned over the trouble that had of late befallen him, as he could be +himself. + +“Glad to see you, Paul!” he exclaimed. “Yes, it does look like a great +day for a Saturday; and I guess lots of fellows will be glad. The ice +must be fine after that little thaw, and hard freeze. I haven’t been +down to the river you know, of late. I just seem to feel that I ought to +keep away from my friends, and save them from embarrassment.” + +If there was a trace of bitterness in Harry’s voice, Paul did not notice +it. He did catch the tremor though, that told of a sore heart; and +impulsively he again squeezed the hand of his chum. + +“That’s just what brought me here right now,” he observed, seriously. +“You must get out more, Harry. You know yourself that all this brooding +over your affairs isn’t going to do you a bit of good. Things are going +to come out all right yet; but it may take some time. Meanwhile it’s +foolish of you to shun your best friends, and keep indoors. I’ve come to +carry you off to the river with me, d’ye hear?” + +Harry sighed, and cast a look of sincere affection on this staunch +friend. They had been utter strangers only a few months back; and yet so +strong had the ties become that bound them together, that he fancied he +cared as much for Paul as he could have done for a brother. + +“Thank you, Paul,” he said, slowly. “I’d like to go first-rate; but I’ve +made up my mind to keep clear of all the high school young people until +this mystery is solved, and I can look them in the face without a blush. +Understand, I have the utmost faith in my father; and I _know_ he must +be innocent of the charge brought against him; but so far old Jed has +not sent any cheering word; and I must wait.” + +“But I say again, that’s no reason for you to keep on hurting your +health,” Paul insisted. “Even your Aunt Mary is getting anxious about +you; and Harry, she’s been so good to you, don’t you think it is a +little cruel to add to her burden in any way?” + +Harry sighed again, and looked undecided. + +“Yes, Aunt Mary is as good as gold,” he observed. “And I certainly +wouldn’t want to cause her any unnecessary pain; but Paul, somehow I +haven’t the heart to do the things I used to. I feel a terrible weight +in here,”—putting his hand on his chest as he spoke—“that hurts. In my +present condition I’d only be a drawback to any crowd of merry boys and +girls; and so I stay away.” + +Perhaps Paul could understand more than Harry gave him credit for. +Perhaps he guessed that it was partly the coolness of one particular +girl that helped give his chum this heavy feeling in the region of his +heart. For he knew how much Harry had come to care for Viola; and it was +difficult for him to understand just why she should take up again with +Elmer Craven, whom she had once cut dead. + +“All right,” he said cheerily; “for once, then, you’ve just got to put +that idea out of your head, and come along with me, Harry. Your aunt +says you must, and insists that I carry you off to get a few hours of +bracing air. And yet, if you’d rather stay here in your den to being in +my company, why——” + +“Oh! you know better than that, Paul!” cried the other lad eagerly, as +he looked into the face of his friend. “I’ve enjoyed many happy hours in +your company; and if it wasn’t for this unfortunate business——” + +“That’s enough, Harry,” and Paul in turn broke in on what the forlorn +boy was trying to say in a trembling voice; “you’ve just got to come +along now, or else all my plans for the morning will be broken up. I’d +arranged for the two of us, no others, mind, to take my new iceboat, +_Lightning_, and have a great spin far up the river. The ice couldn’t be +beat; and I’m determined that it’s just got to be _you_ with me, or no +one. That’s flat. Now, what do you say?” + +Harry smiled with pleasure. It was almost worth suffering all that he +had endured in these last few unhappy days, just to learn what a true +friend meant. + +“Well, you put it up to me in a way that knocks out all my argument,” he +said. + +“Then you’ll come with me?” demanded Paul, eagerly. + +“Sure I will, and mighty glad of the chance,” Harry replied, as he +started to look for his cap, and his warm sweater to go under his coat; +for he knew that a long ride on an iceboat, going a mile a minute more +than likely, meant chilled bodies, unless care was taken to supply warm +clothing. + +Once he had decided on his course, Harry seemed somewhat like his old +self. Mrs. Watson, as they passed through the outer room, smiled, and +nodded to Paul. + +“I’m glad to see you managed to coax him to go, Paul,” she remarked; and +both lads waved her good-bye as they left the door, walking briskly down +the street of Rivertown. + +Paul’s father had a boat-house on the bank of the river just outside the +town limits, where in Summer the boys often gathered in order to enjoy +the sports of the season. There was a new shed attached to this, in +which Paul kept the iceboat he had had built recently, but which had as +yet hardly been tried out. + +In a short time the two lads were busily engaged getting the frail craft +out of its quarters, and down on the ice. The mast had to be stepped +every time Paul wished to make use of the flier; since the shed was too +low to admit of its being stored as it stood. But this proved a job of +small moment. + +“I guess you know a heap about these kind of boats, Harry?” remarked the +owner of the _Lightning_, as he watched the deft manner in which his new +chum handled the various ropes connected with the up-to-date craft built +for ice use. + +At that Harry laughed, the first little burst of merriment that had +escaped his lips for days; and which made his friend feel that he had +done well to coax the grieving lad outdoors, where he could get the +invigorating influence of the ozone to be found in the crisp wintry air. + +“Oh! yes, I suppose I might say I have, without seeming to boast,” he +answered, as he bent down to make sure that everything was adjusted, and +the wire stay that held the mast in place as taut as the turnbuckle +could make it. “We used to have a boat down at Lawrenceburgh, and +somehow they got to making me the skipper; last winter we won every race +we entered for. But Paul, that boat wasn’t in the same class as this new +one you’ve got, I tell you that.” + +“Then you think the _Lightning_ is apt to go some?” inquired the owner, +eagerly. + +“Do I?” echoed Harry, quickly. “Unless I’m away off in my judgment, +she’s bound to beat everything along the river. I never saw such fine +lines; and best of all, I don’t think the builder has sacrificed +anything in the way of staunchness to speed. Mark my word, Paul, she’s +going to turn out a crackerjack!” + +“I’m mighty glad to hear that, Harry!” declared Paul, “for a good many +reasons. A fellow likes to have a clipper boat, you know, one that isn’t +going to take dust from any other chap’s racer. And then, it would just +give me heaps of fun if I could leave the old _Glider_ far back in the +lurch.” + +“That’s Elmer’s iceboat, isn’t it?” asked Harry. + +“Sure. He hasn’t had it out this winter, I understand, because for two +years now it’s just run away from everything there was; and Elmer said +he was tired of making circles around the rest of us. But three times +now he’s asked me when I expected to get my new boat running; and as +much as told me he was waiting to add it to the has-beens he’s beaten.” + +“Well, don’t you believe he’s going to have an easy job walking away +from this dandy thing on runners,” Harry observed. “I’m ready to say +that you’ve got the very last word in iceboats here in the _Lightning_. +And before another hour has passed you’ll feel that you made no mistake +when you gave her that name. Now, if you’re ready, let’s make a start.” + +Harry was anxious to be off. He had noticed that several boys and girls +were heading toward them, having skated up from below. And in his +present state of mind he would rather avoid meeting any of his school +companions if it could be arranged. + +“How about the wind?” asked Paul, as they started to take their places +on the thin but strong planks of the iceboat, which had been padded with +folded blankets, so as to make it more comfortable for those who had to +stretch out at full length while managing the running craft. + +“It seems to be everything we could want this morning,” Harry replied. +“In fact, I don’t think there ever was a day here on the Conoque River +better fitted for a try-out of a new iceboat than this same Saturday +morning. And I’m glad now that I came with you, Paul.” + +“Bully for you, Harry! That’s all I wanted to hear. And now, let’s cut +loose before all those fellows get in our way.” + +Longback, Socker Gales, and Misery Jones were among those coming full +tilt for the spot where they had discovered the new boat on the river’s +edge. + +They gave vent to various whoops and cries when they saw that Paul and +Harry were starting off without waiting for their arrival. + +“Hi! aint you goin’ to let us have a look-in at the new boat, before you +smash her with that Jonah aboard?” + +“Listen, Paul! Just you keep right on up the river, and my word for it +you’ll get yours before you come back!” + +“Wow! look at her go, would you? Say, fellers, she’s all to the mustard, +you c’n tell me what you please about the _Glider_. Paul knew what he +was doing when he gave the order for that dandy contraption. Gee! don’t +I wish I was on her right now!” + +These last words just barely reached the ears of the two who lay +flattened out on the delicate flooring of the ice yacht. Harry heard his +chum chuckling, as if somehow the last remark had given him a good +feeling. + +The skaters started after them, but were speedily left far behind, and +presently gave the chase up as useless. And now the whole river lay +before the two iceboat chums, with not a single person to interfere with +their sport; since it was as a rule farming country above Rivertown, on +both sides of the watercourse. + +Few rivers offered better fields for this sport than the Conoque. While +not of any great depth, it was as a rule quite wide; and in places +presented a magnificent spread of smooth, clear ice, over which the +sharp runners glided like magic, as the favoring breeze filled their +sail, and urged them on at tremendous speed. + +Then again, once in a while they would come to a neck where the going +was quite different, since the ice was rougher, and they had to look out +for airholes. In the Summer season, when the water was lower, these +places were called the “rips”; being in reality small rapids, where the +water rushed with noisy volume, and the fishing was considered prime. + +“Well, what d’ye think of that?” called out Paul, after they had been +booming along in this manner for a little while, passing a couple of the +narrow places, where considerable care had to be exercised to avoid +trouble. + +“Splendid! Never went like this before! You’ve got a wonder here, Paul, +and don’t you forget it,” answered Harry, whose face was now rosy with +the action of the keen wind and the cold air; while his eyes sparkled +much as they had been wont to do before this trouble came upon him, to +crush his young spirits so completely. + +“That pleases me a whole lot, Harry,” laughed the owner of the craft. +“And say, I’ve been watching the way you handle that tiller. Elmer +Craven boasts of being the best iceboat sailor on the river; but I’m +ready to put you up against him any old day. Why, you manage things so +that she seems to be next door to human. No matter what sort of wind +strikes us, you’ve got a way of setting her with it, that just suits +every time. If this boat’s a wonder, Harry, you’re the fellow that can +get every ounce of speed out of her.” + +“Here, that will do for you, Paul,” answered Harry; though naturally the +words of genuine praise made him feel happy, as he had been up against +so many hard knocks lately, at the hands of those who bore him so much +ill will. “I’d just like to try her against some other boat of the same +class. That’s the only way to get a pointer on her speed and cleverness, +you know.” + +“Perhaps we may, and this very morning,” remarked Paul, mysteriously, +but with a grin accompanying the words. + +“What makes you say that?” demanded his companion, who had to keep his +eyes on the alert pretty much all the time, since a flaw of wind might +swoop down on them at any second, and if he failed to be quick with the +rudder, in order to ease up on the sudden strain, an upset was likely to +follow. + +“Didn’t you hear what Misery Jones shouted after us?” Paul went on, +answering one question, Yankee fashion, by asking another. + +“Was it Misery who called out for you to listen; and then said something +about you ‘getting yours’ if you kept on up the river?” Harry continued. + +“Sure, that was Misery. He’s never so happy as when acting as a prophet, +and predicting all sorts of trouble ahead for other people. That’s why +the boys call him Misery; he sees all kinds of accidents looming up, +even if they hardly ever come along. But Harry, I don’t think the fellow +had any accident in store for us that time, when he said I would get +mine up here to-day.” + +“Then what did he have in mind?” asked Harry, his curiosity aroused. + +“I’ve been thinking it over,” Paul went on, “and decided that Misery +must know Elmer is out this morning with his _Glider_; and somewhere +up-river way. What he meant was that if we happened to run across his +hawser, I would find my new iceboat as badly left in the lurch as my old +one was last year.” + +“Perhaps,” laughed the one who handled the tiller so dexterously; “all +things are possible, you know, Paul; but I wouldn’t worry over that, if +I were you. Just let Elmer show up, and we’ll see what the _Lightning_ +was built for.” + +“There’s a bunch of fellows coming down the river,” said Paul, a minute +later. “They live some miles up at a village called Rushville. Several +of our high school scholars come down from there every day on the train, +you know. I was going to say that if we could shut off some of our +tremendous speed, and draw in closer to them, I might find out whether +Elmer really did go up-river.” + +“All right,” responded Harry, readily; “that’s easy enough done.” + +He manipulated the tiller, and watched the way the wind spilled out of +the big sail as he ran partly across the ice field, heading so as to +intercept the skaters. These boys, seeing that those on the fine new +iceboat wished to speak with them, only too gladly came to a standstill, +and watched the clever way in which Harry managed to bring his craft up +in the teeth of the wind close beside them. + +“Hello! Paul, that your new boat?” cried one of the up-river fellows, as +he advanced to get a closer look at the now still _Lightning_. “Well, I +must say she’s got lines to go some, and then not half try. Give you my +word I never saw such a trim and dandy iceboat; and I wish I had a +chance to take a spin on her with you.” + +“Perhaps you may, some of these fine days, Hank,” remarked Paul with a +grin; for he had always been friendly with the Rushville student at +school. “Just now we’re out on the warpath, looking for scalps, you see, +and want to be on the fly.” + +The three boys looked at each other as though hardly catching the true +meaning of what Paul said. But a moment later Hank laughed aloud as the +significance of the words appealed to him. + +“Ho! I get it all right now, Paul!” he exclaimed, nodding his head while +speaking. “You want to find something to whack your new boat up against, +eh? Well, what’s the matter with the _Glider_? Elmer didn’t do a thing +to you last winter, if I remember right; and the spirit of revenge must +be rankling in your heart. Is that it?” + +“Perhaps a little that way,” answered Paul, frankly. “You know he’s got +a nasty way of rubbing it in every time he does anything; that stings +worse than the defeat itself does. I’ve never heard the last of that +race, and how nicely he trimmed me. And to tell the honest truth, that +was why I went to all the trouble and expense of having this new craft +built to order. I want to turn the tables on him in the worst way.” + +“Couldn’t have a better day for it!” nodded Hank. + +“Oh! the weather is all to the good,” declared Paul, impatiently; “but +see here, you fellows have come down several miles—have you seen +anything of another iceboat between here and Rushville?” + +“Have we, fellows?” asked Hank, turning to his two companions and +winking. “Was that a real iceboat that went whipping past us just after +we started out; or might it have been just a shadow when a cloud passed +over the sun? Yes, I rather guess it did look like the sassy thing Elmer +used to cut circles with around all the other boats on the river last +two years.” + +“Which way were they going did you say?” asked Paul, giving his chum a +significant look, as if to say: “What did I tell you; didn’t I remark +that this was going to be a red letter day with me, since it would wipe +out the sting of that old defeat at the hands of Elmer Craven, which +I’ve never heard the last of?” + +“Oh! up-river like a streak of light,” replied Hank. “No use talking, +that _Glider_ can go to beat the Dutch; and Elmer knows how to sail her +too, the best ever; but I like the looks of this new craft, Paul, and +from the way Harry handles the tiller I opine now that you’re just bound +to give Elmer the time of his life when you challenge him to a race.” + +“That’s what we intend to do, Hank,” returned Paul. “Much obliged for +telling us about him. We can keep going now till we scrape his +acquaintance. He’s been begging me for some time to get out and let him +rub some of the rust from his runners. To-day suits me all right. And +Hank, mark my words, the thirteenth of the month, you notice, is going +to be a mighty unlucky day for Elmer Craven, if I don’t miss my guess. +It’s skidoo for him, as sure as you’re born. So-long, boys!” + +Harry threw the sail around and immediately the _Lightning_ shot away +with a sudden bound. They opened a big gap between themselves and the +three boys standing there on the ice; but Paul, looking back could see +Hank and his comrades waving their caps and sending out cheers that came +but faintly to the ears of those who were speeding so rapidly up the +river. + +As a rule the Conoque ran due north and south, though there were places +where abrupt turns were the exception. And as the breeze was almost due +west this allowed of almost unlimited possibilities in sailing, with a +craft so sensitive to the slightest breath of air as an iceboat on a +smooth, mirror-like surface. + +It took them but a short time to reach and pass the village of +Rushville, situated on the left bank of the Conoque River. Of course +quite a number of persons were enjoying the skating at this point; and +the moment the _Lightning_ came into view around the bend half a mile +below, loud shouts attested to the interest taken in her appearance. + +Again did Harry slow up, as Paul wished to ask questions of these boys. +The news received was to the effect that some time before Elmer and Pud +Snooks had passed up, and incidentally come near running over a little +child, as they purposely swung in as if to show just how close they +could come to anyone without hitting them. The Rushville boys were quite +indignant, and talking about it when the second iceboat hove in sight. + +“On again, Harry,” sang out Paul, after they had learned all they wanted +to know. “We’ll run across them somewhere above; and perhaps Elmer +Craven will be in for the surprise of his life. Somehow I just feel that +this is my day; and I want to make the most of it. Let her go, fellows; +and thank you for telling us.” + +Harry had for the time being quite forgotten all about his troubles; and +this was just what his chum desired most of all. Indeed, perhaps it was +more to accomplish this than anything else that he sought a meeting with +Elmer; though, of course, boy-like, he did want to even the old score, +and pay up his debt. + +“You’ve never been up this far before, I reckon?” he remarked, after +they had left Rushville several miles behind. + +“That’s a fact, Paul,” came the reply. “And I never dreamed that the +Conoque was such a dandy stream for this sort of thing. Why, in places +it’s fully a quarter of a mile from bank to bank. Yes, I’m glad I’ve +come with you, Paul.” + +“And perhaps you’ll be more than glad before the morning passes,” Paul +was saying to himself; for he knew just how matters stood between Harry +and Elmer; and that if they could manage to humiliate the proud, +boastful spirit of the rich man’s son, it must be more or less of a +satisfaction to Harry. + +Two minutes later and Paul gave vent to a cry. + +“Look yonder!” he exclaimed. “A mile ahead the Cranberry flows into the +Conoque; and unless my eyes deceive me there’s an iceboat coming +whooping down that smaller stream. Yep, that’s the _Glider_, as sure as +anything. I ought to know her build; and Harry, get ready now to show +them _a streak of greased lightning_!” + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV—HARRY PILOTS THE LIGHTNING + + +“So that’s Elmer’s boat, is it?” remarked Harry, as he managed to catch +a fleeting glimpse of the tall mast of a rapidly moving craft, that was +sweeping down the ice covered tributary of the Conoque, now partly +hidden behind a clump of trees, and again passing a fairly open spot. + +“Head in so as to be ready to follow after him, whichever way he turns,” +advised Paul, his voice betraying signs of excitement; for he had been +looking forward to this same meeting for many weeks, and anticipating +the pleasures of turning the tables on his boasting rival of long +standing. + +But Harry seemed as cool as though there were nothing at stake. He had +schooled himself to repress his feelings when a great emergency arose, +calling for calm judgment, as well as quick action. + +“I think I’ve got the course we want,” he remarked, quietly, as the +_Lightning_ bore well in toward the shore, just below the junction of +the two rivers. “I don’t dare pass too far in, because you see that high +bank, and the bunch of trees, interfere with the wind, and we’d get +blanketed. There they come, Paul!” + +Shooting out from the Cranberry like a thing of life, the rival iceboat +made a graceful sweep and continued up the river. + +“They did that on purpose!” cried Paul, as though a bit disgusted at the +turn affairs had taken. “Let him say what he will, I believe Elmer is +afraid of this boat. He came and examined her the day I rigged her up; +and although he pretended to laugh, I could just see that he was chewing +the rag. Yes, look at Pud waving his hand at us; and he’s shouting +something too.” + +“All right,” said Harry, without the least show of worry; “we’ve got our +work cut out for us, that’s all. You know something about the river +above; can we run any distance with the boats?” + +“Sure!” answered the other member of the crew; “it’s the most obliging +old river you ever heard tell of. Miles and miles it stretches away, +sometimes narrow, and again broad; but if this wind only holds out, we +can spin along like fun for more’n an hour. Hit her up, Harry, let’s see +just what the bully contraption carries up her sleeve. After ’em with a +hot stick now!” + +Really, Harry needed no urging. The spirit of sport had been fully +aroused in his breast. Forgotten for the time being, were all those grim +troubles that had of late been making life so miserable for the boy. He +only seemed to remember that once more his hand grasped the tiller of a +staunch ice flier; and that a derisive challenge had floated back from +the boat ahead. + +And possibly, the fact that the two fellows who manned the _Glider_ were +his most bitter and unscrupulous enemies, had more or less to do with +Harry’s determination to beat the rival boat. He would not have been +human had he felt otherwise; and while Harry possessed many fine +attributes, he was after all, only a boy at heart. + +The _Lightning_ had, of course, lost considerable of her headway when +the skipper ran in so close to the high bank; but she was gradually +veering further away now, with every second. + +On the other hand, the opposing boat had come out of the Cranberry under +a full sail; and shifting her course, was running up the Conoque with a +speed that opened quite a gap between the rival craft. + +Then in turn Harry and Paul saw that they were getting opposite the +mouth of the smaller stream, where the wind would be wholly +unobstructed. No sooner had this occurred than they jumped ahead as +though some unseen power had taken the boat in tow. + +“How about it now?” asked the skipper, wishing to have Paul report +progress; as he had about all he could do in taking care of the skimming +ice craft, watching how the wind acted on the sail, keeping a cautious +eye out for any obstruction in the way of a branch of a tree frozen in +the ice, or possibly an air hole which, if not avoided, might spell +disaster to the pursuing boat. + +“We are sure holding our own, Harry!” exclaimed Paul, delightedly. + +That was an experience new to him; for up to now the _Glider_ had mocked +all efforts to equal her extraordinary speed. But Harry knew that, as +yet, he had not put the new boat to her “best licks,” as he termed it. +She was capable of better things. + +This was just the time and opportunity for one who knew all about the +tricks which an iceboat is capable of developing, to coax her to show +her fine points; and that was what Harry was now starting to do. + +Perhaps the boats were about equal in merit. Possibly, had the crews +been reversed, Harry and Paul could have overtaken the _Lightning_, +given time with the older craft. In other words, it was a case of +superior knowledge and ability on the part of the skipper of the +_Lightning_, rather than the possession of a better boat; for the +_Glider_ was certainly what she had always been called, a “marvel.” + +“Wow! we’re gaining, I do believe, Harry!” announced Paul, a minute +later; and there was a touch of actual doubt in his voice, as though the +fact might be almost too good to be true. + +“Are we?” answered his chum, just as though it were nothing more than he +had been expecting right along. + +“Yes, as sure as anything we must be,” Paul went on excitedly. “I’m +trying to judge distances with my eye; and honest now, I believe we’re +not so far behind as when we first passed the mouth of the Cranberry! +Oh! it’s great! Keep her moving just as she is, Harry! Do you think you +can? That wasn’t only a spurt, I hope!” + +“She can do even better than that, Paul. Watch me now, for I’m on to a +new little dodge. Keep an eye for blow-holes, and branches frozen in the +ice. And Paul, shift your weight just a trifle this way. I believe the +balance will be more even.” + +Another short interval followed. Then Paul gave vent to his delight +again. + +“You did something then that just made her hump herself. Why, Harry, +we’re clawing up on the old _Glider_ hand over fist! Look at ’em moving +around, will you? They’re getting scared, that’s what! Elmer never yet +saw another boat creeping up after him when he was doing his level best +to fly. Bully! Bully! Oh, ain’t we just humming along, though!” + +It was no easy matter to speak while they were cutting through space at +such a tremendous pace and Paul would have done better to have saved his +breath; but he had waited and hoped for this great day so long, that he +just could not bottle up his delight. + +Not a sound could they hear around them save the whistle of the wind +through the ropes above, or the sharp humming music of the runners +spurning the smooth ice. Pud had long since ceased to shout derisive +cries back at the pursuers. His scorn and mocking gestures had changed +into nervous movements, as he tried to increase the speed of the +_Glider_ by altering his position from time to time. + +When another five minutes had passed, though it seemed an hour to the +impatient Paul, they had gained so much upon the other boat that the two +were now within easy speaking distance. Yet strange to say, those on the +_Glider_ maintained a dead silence, that was quite unusual to their +buoyant natures. It makes considerable difference whether one is on a +winning or a losing craft. + +Paul, however, could not keep still. This experience almost set him wild +with delight. And where could you find a boy who would decline to rub it +in a little, given the chance? + +“Hey! you there!” he hallooed, using his hands as a megaphone; “get out +of the way, and give us room. We’re going to pass you, and let you take +our dust! Sheer off to one side, and let us have the middle of the +river! We’ve earned the right of way. Lively now, Elmer! You’re a back +number after this, with your out-of-date boat! To the scrap heap for +yours!” + +Perhaps it was hardly kind of Paul to add to the humiliation which Elmer +must naturally be feeling, as he thus saw that the _Glider_ was plainly +playing “second fiddle” to the new iceboat; but it must be remembered +that for years now, the son of the richest man in Rivertown had lost no +opportunity to sneer at Paul, and humiliate him when he had the chance. + +Apparently the two who crouched there on the _Glider_ were at their +wits’ ends to discover some means for increasing their speed. They +seemed to be exchanging warm sentences, and Harry even thought he heard +Elmer’s rasping voice raised in anger, as though he might be trying to +lay the burden of the blame on the bully, whose extra weight might be +just the cause for the difference in speed of the two boats. + +Pud could also be heard answering back, and it sounded as though he were +telling his comrade that the fault lay in his lack of skill in managing +the _Glider_, rather than the handicap of weight. + +“Can we pass ’em, d’ye think?” gasped Paul, as they drew still closer to +the leading boat, on which a dead silence had now fallen. + +“Easy enough, unless Elmer chooses to play some trick on us,” replied +Harry. + +“Oh! would he dare do that, when we’re spinning along at this mad clip?” +demanded the owner of the new boat. + +“You know him better than I do, Paul,” replied Harry. “I don’t like the +look on his face. He keeps turning his head, then grinning in a nasty +way; after which he looks ahead, just as if he was sizing up some +desperate chance. I think he means to foul us up if he can; and anyhow +it’s going to be a hard thing to pass him up here, where nobody can see +any dirty play.” + +Paul seemed to consider. No doubt discretion urged him to call the race +off; but on the other hand he disliked very much to quit just when he +had his rival where he had wanted to see him so long. + +A fisherman never calls a trout his own until he has the prize in his +hands; even though he may humanely throw the speckled beauty back into +the water again. And in a race it does not really count, unless you +actually pass your adversary. + +So Paul, with boyish recklessness, determined to take the chances for +trouble, and pass the _Glider_, come what might. He knew Elmer to be +somewhat reckless; but found it hard to believe that the other would +risk having his own bones broken, just to smash the successful boat of +his rival. + +But Paul counted wrongly. Elmer, when he became enraged, was not the +same cool, calculating schemer that he had the name of being under +normal conditions. And, urged on by the sarcastic sneers of the ugly +Pud, as well as his own keen disappointment at seeing his pet iceboat +fairly beaten, he might even take chances which at another time would +have appalled him. + +“That’s too bad!” Paul heard Harry exclaim. + +“Oh, what’s happened?” Paul cried, in sudden alarm. “Are we going to +lose out, after all that magnificent gain? But Harry, see, we’re still +creeping up! Only twenty feet more, and we’ll be on even terms! What do +you mean?” + +“Look far ahead!” answered Harry. + +“I see that the river narrows again,” the other boy replied instantly. +“Is that what you mean?” + +“Yes. We’re going to have to try and pass, while in that narrow +stretch!” Harry sent across to his reclining chum; for their heads were +only a few feet apart. + +“But there’s plenty of room for both! I remember that cut well, Harry! I +had my canoe upset there once, shooting the rapids when the river was +low in Summer. Yes, it’s sure wide enough for even five boats abreast!” + +“If they’re piloted by honest fellows, who mean to deal squarely with +each other,” said Harry, significantly. + +Paul was conscious of the fact that his chum was putting the decision +squarely up to him. He felt a little uneasy. What if they should meet +with a serious accident in trying to pass the _Glider_ in such confined +quarters? Was it right for him to drag Harry into this peril? + +“What ought we do, Harry?” he demanded, quickly; for they were rushing +toward the place where the banks of the Conoque drew closer together, +and fast overtaking the rival boat. + +“Are you willing to take the risk?” came the immediate reply. + +“Yes; but how about you?” asked Paul. + +“I’m with you, Paul,” the pilot sent back, impetuously. “The chance is +too good to be lost. And perhaps I can find a way to outwit him, if he +tries any funny business. Be ready to do your part like lightning, if I +give the word.” + +“I’m on! Go it, for all you’re worth, Harry!” + +There was really no time for further words. They had now reached the +beginning of the narrows, and at the same time found themselves close up +with the tail end of the other iceboat. + +Paul, sending one nervous glance that way, could see Pud Snooks glaring +at them as though he could eat either of the two alive. There was an +expression on his heavy face that bordered on desperation; and Paul +became more than ever convinced that Elmer and his crony must have made +up their minds to attempt some crooked play, in the hope of balking the +efforts of the _Lightning’s_ crew to pass them. + +All this while Harry had been studying his chances. He had purposely +come up from behind, and had chosen the leeward side of the boat in +advance. This was done with a distinct purpose. If, as he expected, +Elmer altered the course of the _Glider_, and attempted to block their +way, Harry meant to suddenly shift his helm and shoot up on the windward +side. + +This movement he calculated to make so suddenly as to momentarily +confuse the opposing pilot. And when Elmer could collect his senses +enough to follow suit he would be just so many seconds too late; for by +that time possibly the _Lightning_ might be on even terms; and the big +sail would blanket the _Glider_, shutting off the wind that was so +essential to her forward progress. + +Then perhaps, before she could recover from this staggering blow, the +_Lightning_, which would not have lost her headway for even a second, +might be out of reach, and rapidly leaving her outwitted rival in the +lurch. + +At such a time as this it requires an active brain to hatch up a scheme +that carries with it a chance of success. Fortunately Harry was built +that way. He saw his opportunity, and grasped it without hesitation. + +Paul, as yet, had not the remotest idea just how his chum meant to work +the deal. He recognized the fact that those on the other boat would try +to get in the way, regardless of accidents, and block their passage. +Thus Elmer would always claim that he had never been passed by any other +iceboat, and if both craft were reduced to kindling wood by the +collision, little he cared in his present reckless frame of mind. + +But Paul had the utmost confidence in his comrade. He had seen Harry in +action before now, and recognized the fact that he was gifted with a +bright mind, capable of grasping the situation, and turning even a +little thing to advantage. + +And so he just lay there, holding on for dear life, ready to “take his +medicine,” as he termed it, should there be a spill; and also keeping +himself in readiness to do his little part should the skipper give a +quick order; for it was Paul’s duty to look after the sail, and handle +the sheet if they had to tack during their run, with the wind heading +them off. + +Now they were nosing up, so that the fore part of the _Lightning_ seemed +but a yard or two behind the rudder of the opposing craft, once called +the “Queen of the Conoque,” but apparently destined to yield up that +proud title to the later model owned by Paul Martin. + +“Ha!” + +It was Paul himself who gave utterance to this exclamation. Apparently +he had been holding his breath for half a minute past, in anticipation +of what was to come; and this signified that the startling event was +being put into play. + +Elmer had shifted his tiller just enough to change the course of his +boat, and veer slightly to leeward. Of course this necessitated a change +in the running of the pursuing craft, otherwise the _Lightning_ must +immediately strike the stern of the leader. + +Harry followed suit, and for a moment both boats continued on that +slant. But it could not last, of course. The shore was too close by; and +if they continued to veer to leeward both must go aground, to the utter +demoralization of the delicate craft. + +Paul could see that leering face of Pud almost within reach of his hand. +It seemed as though the bully might be asking what he was going to do +about it; and giving him to understand that he might as well cut his +halyards, and let his sail drop, because he and Elmer were grimly +determined that no iceboat should ever sail past the _Glider_, come what +might. + +So Paul set his teeth hard, expecting a spill of some sort when the bow +of his boat struck the stern of the other, while going at this amazing +speed. Perhaps his face was white, which fact could hardly be wondered +at under the circumstances. But there was no sign of fear there. Paul +proved game when the test came, just as Harry had known would be the +case. + +A foot—why the distance between the two boats must be measured by inches +now, so rapidly had it been cut down by the rush of the pursuing craft. + +Just as Paul gave a gasp, expecting to feel the shock of the collision, +and perhaps be tumbled headlong over the smooth ice, he felt Harry make +a sudden move. + +The skipper of the _Lightning_ had waited until the very last second, +and then swung the tiller around! + +Instantly obeying the rudder, the able boat changed her course. She no +longer headed to leeward, but swung in the other direction, aiming for +the windward bank of the river. + +“Oh! bully! bully! bully!” cried Paul, as the plan of his chum flashed +across his mind; and at the same time he occupied himself in tugging at +the sheet in order to shape the bellying sail to the new course of the +rapidly-driven boat. + +Apparently Elmer was taken quite by surprise by this movement on the +part of his rival. His mind was not quite equal to grasping the full +significance of it, and responding so rapidly that he might still have a +chance of bringing about a disastrous collision. + +When he swung around, Pud was also slow to do his duty with the rope +governing the sail. He had been altogether wrapped up in setting himself +for the anticipated shock of an upset; so that it took him several +seconds to grasp the new conditions. + +When they did succeed in changing their course, just before bringing up +on the lee shore, it seemed as though it might be too late, for the able +_Lightning_ had improved her opportunity in a glorious manner. + +Elmer was seized with a fit of blind fury. He realized that he had been +beaten at his own game, and by the boy whom he had always felt that +sense of unjust hatred ever since the day Harry Watson first came to the +Rivertown High School, and carried off the honors of that bob-sled dash +down the hill. + +The one thing he wanted to do now was to smash into the _Lightning_, +regardless of consequences. Elmer believed in the “rule or ruin” policy. +If his boat was no longer to be the fastest on the Conoque, he would at +least never allow another to carry off the honors. + +And so the reckless boy deliberately headed for the rival craft, his aim +being to come down upon the port quarter of the frail _Lightning_ with +such an impetus that the other boat must be utterly demolished. + +Paul saw what was impending. His quivering words of delight ceased to +flow; for again he feared that this implacable and unscrupulous foe was +in a position to carry out his quickly-conceived scheme of revenge. + +But Harry knew better. His quick and experienced eye judged distances +better than that of his chum. True, he edged in a bit closer toward the +nearby shore; but that may have been for a double purpose. It gave him a +trifle longer to make the pull; and at the same time rendered the +possibility of Elmer and Pud coming to grief a _certainty_. + +Five seconds is not a very long stretch of time; and yet there may be +times in the experiences of some people when it seems next door to an +eternity. And Paul was now feeling something that way. + +He saw the oncoming _Glider_ rushing down at them—he could mark the +strained faces of the two desperate fellows who sprawled there on the +thin planking that served as a deck to the runners—and he caught his +breath with a queer little click as he wondered whether after all Harry +was going to carry his clever game through to a successful end; or if +the new boat was destined to be smashed then and there on its first +glorious cruise. + +Then the crisis came. + +In changing his course so much, in order to strike the _Lightning_ +squarely in the port quarter, Elmer had failed to realize that he was +heading up in the teeth of the wind more than his rival. And in this way +he was handicapped so far as keeping up his pace was concerned. + +So the _Glider_ swept to the rear of the new boat, just comfortably +missing her. The victory had been won, since the _Lightning_ had thus +forged ahead, and passed her rival! + +Paul started to give a whoop of delight. Then he stopped, for there was +heard a sudden loud smash as the boat of the baffled plotters struck the +shore. + +“She’s done for! Gone to flinders, Harry! Oh, what a race, and they’ve +got just what they deserve. But I hope neither of them has been badly +hurt!” exclaimed Paul, who, even in the excitement of victory could +think of the defeated foe. + +“I feel the same way as you do about it, Paul,” replied the pilot at the +tiller of the now undisputed champion of the Conoque, as he headed +straight up the narrows toward the wide reach above; “but I don’t think +that cuts much figure in it, for I’m sure I saw Pud jump to his feet out +of the wreck; while Elmer was crawling out, and limping around as we +turned that bend just below.” + +“Well, if ever a sly schemer got caught in his own trap that fellow +was,” remarked Paul, his indignation now getting the better of his +sympathy. “And he sure deserves all he’s got. We’ll go on a way further, +and then turn back. Perhaps we’ll overtake our two friends, the enemy, +limping along the ice on the way home; and they may even accept a lift +back.” + +But after all, Paul’s good intentions were fated never to be put to the +test, for although they saw the wrecked _Glider_ piled up in a shattered +heap on the shore in the narrows, nothing of the two unlucky skippers +was discovered on the way down the river; and they concluded the boys +had made their way ashore, to hire some farmer to drive them all the way +back to Rivertown. + +When the story of the eventful race was told to the boys of Rivertown +most of them declared that Elmer and Pud had been paid in their own +coin; and few sympathized with them when they appeared on the streets +with sundry strips of court plaster decorating their faces, and with +decided limps. + +“At any rate,” said Paul, as he separated from his chum at the Watson +gate, “we _did_ have a great time of it; and I reckon it’s done you a +heap of good, Harry,” in which opinion the other certainly shared; and +declared that he was glad he had accepted the invitation to try the new +iceboat. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV—“ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL” + + +Keeping more and more to himself, Harry finally gave up the pleasure of +skating with his friends after school, preferring to go on long runs +alone. + +As he was gliding over the ice on one of these occasions, he saw a girl +and a boy skating well out toward the middle of the river, so far from +him that he could not recognize them. + +For two days before, there had been a decided thaw and the ice in the +middle of the river was not considered safe by the majority of the +skaters. Accordingly, when Harry beheld the two figures, he was amazed. + +“Must be from Lumberport or Cardell,” he told himself. “None of our +people would be foolish enough to go out there. Guess I’ll see who it +is.” + +And without delay, he started toward the couple. + +“Good gracious! It’s Viola and Craven!” he gasped, when he was near +enough to get a good look at them. For a moment, the boy was uncertain +what to do. The girl had been keeping more and more aloof from him, and +correspondingly more and more in the company of the rich student; and +well he knew that Elmer would resent his advice in some insulting +manner. + +To his relief, however, the couple seemed to be so engrossed in one +another that they did not see him, and after watching them for several +minutes he was on the point of turning away when he saw them both sink, +and then heard terrified screams for help. + +The cries also reached some of the other boys and girls farther down the +river, and they set out to the assistance of the struggling skaters. But +none of them had the speed of Harry. + +With a swiftness that was astounding, the boy rushed over the ice toward +the hole that was constantly growing larger. + +Badly frightened, both Viola and Elmer clutched frantically at the edges +of the ice, only to have them break away, sometimes in small chunks, +again in large pieces. + +“Let Viola hang onto the edge by herself. Go farther down, you Craven!” +shouted Harry as he dashed toward them. + +But instead of obeying, having found a piece that would hold, the rich +boy clung to it, allowing Viola to be carried past him. + +“Oh, if I were only in the water with him, I’d fix the coward!” cried +Harry. “I only wish the others were near enough to see what he did.” + +Thanks to his speed, our hero was so close to the hole that he was +obliged to exercise caution lest he, too, break through. + +“Here, give me a hand. That ice’ll hold you!” shouted Elmer, as his +rival approached. + +But Harry seemed not to hear him. + +“Hey, you fool, get me out of this; then we two can get Viola.” + +His pleading, however, was without avail. Straight along the edge of the +hole Harry skated until he was abreast of the girl of whom he was so +fond. + +“Just keep hold of that ice cake a few moments longer,” he called +encouragingly. “I’ll have you out in no time.” + +“But I’m too far from the edge. You never can reach me!” sobbed Viola. +And as she saw the firm ice so close to her, she made a frantic effort +to swim out, with the result that she lost her hold on the floating ice +cake. + +Harry had been hoping that the current would carry the girl in toward a +part of the river where it would not be so difficult for him to get to +her. But the instant he saw her hands slip from the cake, he sprang into +the water. + +Being a good swimmer, it required only a few strokes for him to reach +the side of the girl, but as he did so his troubles began. + +Handicapped by his clothes and his skates, when Viola seized him in the +despairing clutch of a drowning person, he was almost drawn under. + +“No, no, you mustn’t grab me around the throat, Viola!” he gasped. “Put +your hands on my shoulders. If you don’t, you’ll drown us both. I won’t +let you sink—and if you’ll only do as I tell you, I’ll have you safe and +sound in a jiffy.” + +Something there was in the tone in which the boy spoke that not only +soothed the frenzied girl, but gave her confidence, and though she did +not remove her hands from around Harry’s neck, she ceased her struggles, +permitting him, by means of the ice cakes, and treading water, to make +his way toward the firm ice. + +The other boys and girls who were hastening to the assistance of their +schoolmates had watched the rescue eagerly, and when they saw the boy +half roll, half lift the girl out onto the solid ice, they cheered +lustily. + +But in saving Viola, Harry had overtaxed his strength. Indeed, it had +only been by putting every ounce of his power into the effort that he +had been able to raise the girl from the water; and the instant he saw +her safe, he sank back. + +The realization that she was on sound ice, however, restored the girl to +her senses; and as she beheld the boy who had saved her from the icy +waters lose his hold, she spun about; and with a quick move, caught his +coat sleeve as his arm went up in the air. + +To the task of pulling Harry from the water, however, Viola was not +equal. + +“Hurry! Hurry! Help me!” she shouted to the leaders of the other +would-be rescue party. “I can’t hold him much longer!” + +“Hey, you, come and get me first! I’ve been in the water longer!” yelled +Elmer. + +But fortunately for Harry, it was Paul and Jerry who were in the van of +the skaters, and at Viola’s cries, they put on every ounce of speed they +had, relieving her of her hold just in the nick of time. + +Harry, however, was more used up than the others had believed, and it +was several minutes before he opened his eyes. + +“Is—is Viola safe?” he gasped. + +“Indeed, I am, Harry!” returned the girl, bending over him. And there +was a light in her eyes that thrilled the boy who had rescued her. + +When he tried to get up, Harry found he had no strength. + +“Somebody go get a sled,” commanded Longback. + +“And let him lie here cold and wet, while you’re going for it?” stormed +Viola. “Pick him up and carry him, some of you.” + +Instantly Paul, Jerry, Dawson and another boy seized Harry, and half +supporting, half carrying him, they got him to the shore, while Nettie +and the other girls helped Viola, leaving Elmer to the tender mercies of +Pud and Socker, who had finally arrived in time to drag him from the +water. + +But even they wasted few words on him, ashamed as they were to think +that he should have sought to save himself at the sacrifice of Viola. + +Straight to bed did Mrs. Watson put Harry when he was brought to the +house, giving him warming drinks; while his chums rubbed his benumbed +arms and legs. But he did not respond to their treatment as quickly as +he should, and in alarm, his aunt finally sent for a doctor. + +Grave, indeed, did the man of medicine look after he had completed his +examination of the boy. + +“If he’d been exposed for another half hour, I doubt if we could have +brought him around,” he announced. “As it is, it will be several days +before he will be up and about.” + +But the physician was mistaken—his days were weeks. + +His nervous system overtaxed because of his worry in regard to his +father, Harry’s physical condition had run down, and the chill he +received caused him to go off into pneumonia. + +Harry’s illness, however, served one good purpose—it caused a reaction +in the feelings of his schoolmates. When it became noised around that he +had endangered his life to rescue the girl who was skating with his +implacable enemy, the boys and girls of Rivertown High realized that he +was made of good material. And their change in feelings was shown by +calls they made to ask about his condition, and the delicacies they sent +in. But only Paul, Jerry and finally Viola were allowed to see him, +though they were forbidden to talk to him. + +Little, indeed, did he talk, and then only to ask if word had come from +Jed Brown. And as his aunt was forced, day after day, to declare that +she had heard nothing, the boy seemed to lose all interest in getting +well. + +But the crippled veteran, though silent, had not deserted the boy who +had rescued him from the bully. + +Arrived in Lawrenceburgh, he had vainly pleaded with several influential +men to arrange for a stay in the execution of sentence upon Harry’s +father. But one and all, they turned a deaf ear to his pleadings, and +Mr. Watson was forced to go to prison. + +But on the very day he entered upon his term of punishment, old Jed +stumbled upon a clue which was to prove his innocence. + +Chancing to drop into a tobacco store which was kept by one of his war +comrades, he was amazed to find still another member of his old company +dressed in handsome clothes and wearing a diamond ring. As the man had +always been a ne’er-do-well, the change in his circumstances puzzled +Jed, and when the fellow had taken his departure, he asked the +shop-keeper what had caused it. + +“That’s what I’d like to find out,” returned the tobacconist. “For the +last six months, Bill has been going around with his pockets full of +money. He’s living at the Ransom House, too.” + +This being one of the chief hotels in Lawrenceburgh, the fact still +further emphasized the turn in the veteran’s fortunes. + +“Ever give you any idea how he got the money?” asked Jed. + +“Says he done it by writing. Bill always was a good writer, you know. +Don’t you remember how he used to forge pass orders for some of the boys +when they wanted to leave camp?” + +The words sent an idea to Jed’s mind, and bidding the shop-keeper a +hasty good-bye, he hied himself to the Ransom House, where he made many +inquiries about the former soldier. At first he made little headway; but +just as he was giving up in despair, he saw another old comrade. + +“Say, what’s the matter with you Rivertown folks?” asked this man. “Have +you come down to see Bill Hawkins, too? Ned Snooks visits him about once +a month.” + +At the mention of the Rivertown butcher, the crippled veteran gasped. +Then he remembered that bad feeling had sprung up between the butcher +and Mr. Watson over a real estate deal in which the former maintained +that he had been swindled—and Jed immediately concluded that Ned Snooks +was at the bottom of the charges against Harry’s father. + +But it was one thing to believe this, and quite another to prove it—yet +with that perseverance which had distinguished him as a soldier in the +ranks, Jed set about obtaining evidence; and finally succeeded in +extracting a confession from Hawkins, that, acting for the butcher, he +had forged the name of Snooks to some checks, and managed to lay the +blame on Amos Watson. + +Elated, Jed again approached the influential men who had refused to +intercede for their fellow townsman, and after convincing them of the +truth of the confession, received their aid in obtaining Mr. Watson’s +release from prison, and subsequent exoneration from the charge of +forgery. + +Ignorant of the illness of Harry, the old veteran did not report on his +progress, and the first news the boy had of the change in his father’s +condition was when a telegram was brought to him. + +With trembling fingers he opened it, then uttered a faint cry of joy, as +he read: + + “Harry Watson, + Rivertown. + + Charges against me proven false. I want you to come to Lawrenceburgh + to spend Sunday with me. + + Father.” + +Better than any tonic or care was the news to Harry, and though he was +not able to go to his father, Mr. Watson came to him, bringing good old +Jed Brown with him, and happy, indeed, was the reunion. + +Despite his villainy, Mr. Watson refused to prosecute Ned Snooks; but +public opinion was so aroused against the butcher that he sold his +property, and moved away from Rivertown, while the man he had so wronged +decided to live in the town, and in due course opened a real estate +office. + +“But didn’t Pud know about this forgery from the first?” asked Harry, of +his parent, one day. + +“I think not, my son,” replied Mr. Watson. “Mr. Snooks was a man who +kept his affairs to himself. Had Pud known he would have taunted you +long before he did.” + +“It was grand of old Jed Brown to act as he did,” murmured our hero. “We +owe him a great deal.” + +“He is to live with me and your Aunt Mary after this,” said the father. +“He is going to help me in my real estate business. As he is getting +old, I shall let him take it as easy as he pleases.” And so it was +arranged. + +When Harry returned to Rivertown High he was given an ovation that made +him blush like a girl. The only person who remained in the background +was Elmer Craven. He had nothing to say; and when, during the following +Fall, the Craven family moved to Boston, Elmer was glad to go along, so +he would not have to return to a school where he was in such bad odor. + +Harry continued at Rivertown High School for the full term of four +years; and when he graduated he did so at the top of his class. Then he +went into the real estate business with his father, and both made money +rapidly. His friendship for Viola ripened into a much more tender +feeling; and it is reported that some day the pair will be married. But +though Harry was successful as a land dealer he never became tired of +talking about his high-school days. + +“We had some great times,” he said, one day, to Paul. + +“We sure did!” replied his chum. “In my opinion there is no better +school in all the world than Rivertown High!” + +“Right you are!” responded Harry. “And as matters have turned out I am +very glad that I came here.” + + + + +The Webster Series + +By FRANK V. WEBSTER + + +Mr. Webster’s style is very much like that of the boys’ favorite author, +the late lamented Horatio Alger, Jr., but his tales are thoroughly +up-to-date. + +Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. + +Stamped in various colors. + +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid. + +Only A Farm Boy, _or Dan Hardy’s Rise in Life_ +The Boy From The Ranch, _or Roy Bradner’s City Experiences_ +The Young Treasure Hunter, _or Fred Stanley’s Trip to Alaska_ +The Boy Pilot of the Lakes, _or Nat Morton’s Perils_ +Tom The Telephone Boy, _or The Mystery of a Message_ +Bob The Castaway, _or The Wreck of the Eagle_ +The Newsboy Partners, _or Who Was Dick Box?_ +Two Boy Gold Miners, _or Lost in the Mountains_ +The Young Firemen of Lakeville, _or Herbert Dare’s Pluck_ +The Boys of Bellwood School, _or Frank Jordan’s Triumph_ +Jack the Runaway, _or On the Road with a Circus_ +Bob Chester’s Grit, _or From Ranch to Riches_ +Airship Andy, _or The Luck of a Brave Boy_ +High School Rivals, _or Fred Markham’s Struggles_ +Darry The Life Saver, _or The Heroes of the Coast_ +Dick The Bank Boy, _or A Missing Fortune_ +Ben Hardy’s Flying Machine, _or Making a Record for Himself_ +Harry Watson’s High School Days, _or The Rivals of Rivertown_ +Comrades of the Saddle, _or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains_ +Tom Taylor at West Point, _or The Old Army Officer’s Secret_ +The Boy Scouts of Lennox, _or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain_ +The Boys of the Wireless, _or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep_ +Cowboy Dave, _or The Round-up at Rolling River_ +Jack of the Pony Express, _or The Young Rider of the Mountain Trail_ +The Boys of the Battleship, _or For the Honor of Uncle Sam_ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York + + + + +THE BOY RANCHERS SERIES + +By WILLARD F. BAKER + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors._ + +_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid._ + +_Stories of the great west, with cattle ranches as a setting, related in +such a style as to captivate the hearts of all boys._ + + +1. THE BOY RANCHERS _or Solving the Mystery at Diamond X_ + + Two eastern boys visit their cousin. They become involved in an exciting + mystery. + +2. THE BOY RANCHERS IN CAMP _or The Water Fight at Diamond X_ + + Returning for a summer visit to their western cousin’s ranch, the two + eastern lads learn, with delight, that they are to be allowed to become + boy ranchers in earnest. + +3. THE BOY RANCHERS ON THE TRAIL _or The Diamond X After Cattle +Rustlers_ + + Our boy heroes take the trail after Del Pinzo and his outlaws. + +4. THE BOY RANCHERS AMONG THE INDIANS _or Trailing the Yaquis_ + + Rosemary and Floyd visiting their cousins Bud, Nort and Dick, are + captured by the Yaqui Indians. The boy ranchers trail the savages into + the mountains and eventually effect the rescue. + +5. THE BOY RANCHERS AT SPUR CREEK _or Fighting the Sheep Herders_ + + Dangerous struggle against desperadoes for land rights brings out heroic + adventures. + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York + + + + +THE BOYS’ OUTING LIBRARY + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full color._ + +_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid._ + + +The Saddle Boys Series + +BY CAPT. JAMES CARSON + + The Saddle Boys of the Rockies + The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon + The Saddle Boys on the Plains + The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch + The Saddle Boys on Mexican Trails + +The Dave Dashaway Series + +BY ROY ROCKWOOD + + Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator + Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane + Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship + Dave Dashaway Around the World + Dave Dashaway: Air Champion + +The Speedwell Boys Series + +BY ROY ROCKWOOD + + The Speedwell Boys on Motorcycles + The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto + The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch + The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine + The Speedwell Boys and Their Ice Racer + +The Tom Fairfield Series + +BY ALLEN CHAPMAN + + Tom Fairfield’s School Days + Tom Fairfield at Sea + Tom Fairfield in Camp + Tom Fairfield’s Pluck and Luck + Tom Fairfield’s Hunting Trip + +The Fred Fenton Athletic Series + +BY ALLEN CHAPMAN + + Fred Fenton the Pitcher + Fred Fenton in the Line + Fred Fenton on the Crew + Fred Fenton on the Track + Fred Fenton: Marathon Runner + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York + + + + +THE COLLEGE SPORTS SERIES + +By LESTER CHADWICK + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors._ + +_Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid._ + +_Mr. Chadwick has played on the diamond and on the gridiron himself._ + + +1. THE RIVAL PITCHERS _A Story of College Baseball_ + + Tom Parsons, a “hayseed,” makes good on the scrub team of Randall + College. + +2. A QUARTERBACK’S PLUCK _A Story of College Football_ + + A football story, told in Mr. Chadwick’s best style, that is bound to + grip the reader from the start. + +3. BATTING TO WIN _A Story of College Baseball_ + + Tom Parsons and his friends Phil and Sid are the leading players on + Randall College team. There is a great game. + +4. THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN _A Story of College Football_ + + After having to reorganize their team at the last moment, Randall makes + a touchdown that won a big game. + +5. FOR THE HONOR OF RANDALL _A Story of College Athletics_ + + The winning of the hurdle race and long-distance run is extremely + exciting. + +6. THE EIGHT-OARED VICTORS _A Story of College Water Sports_ + + Tom, Phil and Sid prove as good at aquatic sports as they are on track, + gridiron and diamond. + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Harry Watson's High School Days, by +Frank V. 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Webster" name="DC.Creator"/> + <meta content="en" name="DC.Language"/> + <meta content="1912" name="DC.Created"/> + <meta name="generator" content="ppgen (1.13) generated Jun 11, 2011 10:14 PM" /> + <title>Harry Watson’s High School Days</title> + <style type="text/css"> + body {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;} + p {margin-top:1ex; margin-bottom:0; text-align:justify;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size:x-small; text-align:right; text-indent:0; + 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;} + .pncolor {color:silver;} + h1 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal;} + h2 {text-align:left; font-weight:normal;} + h1 {font-size:1.4em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;} + h2 {font-size:1.2em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;} + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none; border-top:thin dashed silver; clear:both;} + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + .center {margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:center;} + .larger {font-size:larger;} + .smaller {font-size:smaller;} + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + table.c {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + .caption {font-size: 80%;} + .sc {font-variant:small-caps} + div.center>:first-child {margin: .5em auto 0 auto;text-align:center;} + div.center p {margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;} + </style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Harry Watson's High School Days, by Frank V. Webster + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Harry Watson's High School Days + The Rivals of Rivertown + +Author: Frank V. Webster + +Release Date: June 14, 2011 [EBook #36409] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARRY WATSON'S HIGH SCHOOL DAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i001' id='i001'></a> +<img src='images/illus-cvr.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br /> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i002' id='i002'></a> +<img src="images/illus-001.jpg" alt="WITH THE NEW STUDENT STILL BORNE ALOFT THEY RETRACED THEIR STEPS. (Page 80)" title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>WITH THE NEW STUDENT STILL BORNE ALOFT<br/>THEY RETRACED THEIR STEPS. (Page 80)</span> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;'>HARRY WATSON’S</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;'>HIGH SCHOOL DAYS</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>Or</p> +<p> </p> +<p>The Rivals of Rivertown</p> +<p> </p> +<p>BY</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>FRANK V. WEBSTER</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>AUTHOR OF “ONLY A FARM BOY,” “AIRSHIP ANDY,” “THE</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>BOYS OF BELLWOOD SCHOOL,” ETC.</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>ILLUSTRATED</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>NEW YORK</span></p> +<p>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY</p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>PUBLISHERS</span></p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>BOOKS FOR BOYS</span></p> +<p>By FRANK V. WEBSTER</p> +<p>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume.</p> +<p> </p> +</div> +<div class='center'> +<p>ONLY A FARM BOY</p> +<p>TOM, THE TELEPHONE BOY</p> +<p>THE BOY FROM THE RANCH</p> +<p>THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER</p> +<p>BOB, THE CASTAWAY</p> +<p>THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE</p> +<p>THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS</p> +<p>THE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKES</p> +<p>THE TWO BOY GOLD MINERS</p> +<p>JACK, THE RUNAWAY</p> +<p>COMRADES OF THE SADDLE</p> +<p>THE BOYS OF BELLWOOD SCHOOL</p> +<p>THE HIGH SCHOOL RIVALS</p> +<p>BOB CHESTER’S GRIT</p> +<p>AIRSHIP ANDY</p> +<p>DARRY, THE LIFE SAVER</p> +<p>DICK, THE BANK BOY</p> +<p>BEN HARDY’S FLYING MACHINE</p> +<p>THE BOYS OF THE WIRELESS</p> +<p>HARRY WATSON’S HIGH SCHOOL DAYS</p> +<p> </p> +</div> +<div class='center'> +<p><em>Cupples & Leon Co., Publishers, New York</em></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>Copyright, 1912, by</span></p> +<p>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>Harry Watson’s High School Days</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>Printed in U. S. A.</span></p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>CONTENTS</span></p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary=''> +<tr><td style='font-size:smaller'>CHAPTER</td><td></td><td style='font-size:smaller'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>I.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Harry Shows His Mettle</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chI'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>II.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Jed Brown Finds a Protector</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chII'>8</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>III.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Socker’s Plot</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIII'>17</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Harry Shows His Grit</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIV'>24</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>V.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Race on Skates</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chV'>29</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Girls’ Race</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVI'>36</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Rivalry Between Harry and Elmer</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVII'>41</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Paul’s Party</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVIII'>48</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The False Charge</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIX'>54</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>X.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Harry is Exonerated</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chX'>59</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“Old Grouch”</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXI'>67</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Pledged to the Pi Etas</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXII'>74</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Serious Charge</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIII'>79</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Boys Appoint a Committee</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIV'>85</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Mr. Larmore Issues an Ultimatum</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXV'>90</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Stumbling Across a Clue</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVI'>95</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Trip to Lumberport</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVII'>102</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Harry Arranges for a Settlement</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVIII'>107</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Upholding the Honor of Rivertown</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIX'>114</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Harry Receives Bad News</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXX'>127</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Elmer Baits His Rival</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXI'>137</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Dark Days</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXII'>144</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Mile a Minute Spin</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXIII'>151</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXIV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Harry Pilots the Lightning</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXIV'>170</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“All’s Well that Ends Well”</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXV'>189</a></td></tr> +</table> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<h1><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1'></a>1</span>Harry Watson’s High School Days</h1> +<h2><a name='chI' id='chI'></a>CHAPTER I—HARRY SHOWS HIS METTLE</h2> +<p> +“Hey, fellows, we’ve a new student at Rivertown +High!” +</p> +<p> +“Who is he, Socker?” chorused a group of +boys to whom their schoolmate had come running +with his tidings. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t know. Nettie told me that she and +Viola had met him as he was coming out of Principal +Larmore’s office.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and you’d better watch out, Elmer. +Nettie said Viola has been talking about nothing +else but that good-looking fellow since she saw +him!” bantered another of the group. +</p> +<p> +The boy, light and rather handsome, but with +a weak face, to whom this last remark had been +addressed was about to reply, when a warning +was sounded. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2'></a>2</span> +</p> +<p> +“Keep quiet! Here he comes now!” declared +Socker. +</p> +<p> +Instantly all eyes were turned in the direction +of the schoolhouse where they saw a lad walking +with a swinging stride. Apparently about fifteen +years of age, he was well built and rather tall. +Dark hair, which curled about his cap, and laughing +eyes bespoke him as a jolly, handsome fellow, +and the ruddy glow brought to his cheeks by the +crisp winter air was evidence that he was possessed +of health in abundance. +</p> +<p> +“Why, I know who he is!” asserted another of +the group. +</p> +<p> +“Who?” +</p> +<p> +“He must be Harry Watson, nephew of the +Widow Watson. I remember Mrs. Watson told +mother the other day that her nephew, Harry, +was coming to Rivertown.” +</p> +<p> +“Where’s he from?” +</p> +<p> +“Can’t say.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, let’s see if he’s any good!” exclaimed +a big, hulking fellow, Pud Snooks, who was the +bully of the school. “Hey, you, Watson, come +over here!” he shouted. +</p> +<p> +Rivertown High School, a two-story brick building +containing some fifteen class rooms and a large +assembly room, was situated on a bluff overlooking +the Conoque River: and the road leading from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3'></a>3</span> +it to the village, in addition to being steep, made +a sharp turn at the foot of the hill. +</p> +<p> +The spot was a favorite one with the scholars +for coasting, and several of the boys had been in +the act of placing a double-runner bob in position +at the top of the hill, when they had been apprised +of the fact there was a new student in +school. +</p> +<p> +The boys of Rivertown High had a fondness +for trying out new students, and Pud’s suggestion +met with ready approval. +</p> +<p> +Accordingly, when the bully proposed putting +Harry Watson to the test, the other boys sat +down on the double-runner, taking good care to +leave the steering seat vacant. +</p> +<p> +“When I shove off, everybody stand up!” +whispered Pud. Then he exclaimed aloud: +</p> +<p> +“Hey, Watson! Can you steer a sled?” +</p> +<p> +Stopping as he heard his name, Harry looked +toward the group of boys. +</p> +<p> +“Sure thing, if you’d like to have me,” he answered. +“My name is Harry Watson.” +</p> +<p> +“And mine’s Pud Snooks,” announced the bully. +Then bowing in mock seriousness, he continued: +</p> +<p> +“That fancy blonde behind me is Elmer Craven. +He is the richest and most famous personage +we have at Rivertown High. Twice a week +he goes across the river to Lumberport, and he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4'></a>4</span> +believes that Viola Darrow is never happy +when——” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, cut it out, Pud!” growled Elmer. +</p> +<p> +With a grin, the bully went on with his introductions. +</p> +<p> +“The next exhibit is Socker Gales, and the +specimen with the ten-foot reach is Longback, +whom his family calls Sam Dalton. Now just +take the ropes and I’ll push off. We’re a precious +load, as I hope I’ve made clear to you, so don’t +tip us over!” +</p> +<p> +While Harry had been acknowledging these +bantering introductions, he had also been looking +at the icy roadway. +</p> +<p> +A glance at the sharp turn had told him it would +require clever work to make it, and so, when he +took the steering ropes, instead of sitting down +on the sled, he gave them a quick jerk—to have +one of them part near the runner. +</p> +<p> +“Good thing that didn’t happen on the hill!” +he exclaimed, quickly cutting off the broken end +and making a new knot, after which he again +tested the rope and found it sound. +</p> +<p> +Pud and his chums, however, though they pretended +to, did not share this opinion, and that +there might not be more delay, as soon as Harry +sat down and placed his feet on the bracers, the +bully started the sled. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5'></a>5</span> +</p> +<p> +“We’re off!” he shouted, as he gave the double-runner +a terrific shove. +</p> +<p> +As though eager for the fun, the first sled shot +over the crest of the hill—and then all the boys +put their feet down and let the sled pass between +their legs! +</p> +<p> +Instantly Harry realized that he was alone on +the double-runner. +</p> +<p> +With no weight on the hind sled, he knew it +would bump and slew as soon as he got fairly +started and especially when he struck the curve. +But Harry was game. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll show these Rivertown High chaps that +they can’t stump me by any of their tricks,” he +said to himself, and braced his feet more firmly, +leaning back to throw as much weight as possible +on the hind sled. +</p> +<p> +As the double-runner gained momentum, it fairly +danced over the icy roadway. +</p> +<p> +Behind, Pud and his cronies were hurrying as +fast as they could that they might gain a spot +whence they could see the spill they expected +when the sled struck the curve. +</p> +<p> +But as Harry approached the turn, he leaned +far out. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, you Pud! You guessed wrong when you +picked Watson for an easy mark,” chuckled Longback. +“That boy knows something about steering.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6'></a>6</span> +</p> +<p> +The next instant, however, the disappointment +of the boys at learning that they were not to have +the fun of seeing Harry dumped, was forgotten +in their alarm at hearing shouts of warning and +fright beyond the curve! +</p> +<p> +Just as Harry’s sled dashed around the turn, +he had caught sight of two little children starting +up the hill, dragging their sleds behind them. +</p> +<p> +A group of high school girls, among them +Viola Darrow and her chum, Nettie Masterson, +were descending the hill, and it was they who, +when they heard the rattlety-bang of the double-runner, +and saw the toddlers ahead, had cried +out in terror. +</p> +<p> +One side of the road was banked by the hill, +while the other dropped down toward the river; +a fence with one rail some three feet from the +ground serving as a guard. +</p> +<p> +What was below the embankment Harry did +not know, but he remembered to have seen some +bushes as he had walked up the hill. +</p> +<p> +In their effort to save the children, the girls +had run out into the roadway, practically blocking +it. +</p> +<p> +So great was Harry’s speed, however, that +they realized it would be impossible for them to +seize the toddlers and get them to one side in +time to let the double-runner pass—and in such a +manner were they spread across the road that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7'></a>7</span> +Harry had no chance to guide his sled past them. +</p> +<p> +“Open out! Let him through!” shouted Longback +and Socker; while Elmer and Pud, terrified +at the impending tragedy threatened by their trick, +simply stared at the scene in silence, their faces +white, their mouths agape. +</p> +<p> +But in the instant that had followed his discovery +of the little girls starting up the roadway, +Harry had made up his mind what to do—and +acted. +</p> +<p> +With a sudden pull, he jerked the sled from its +course, headed it between two of the posts which +supported the guard-rail—and the double-runner +leaped over the embankment at a spot less than +six feet from where the group of girls and the two +children stood, panic-stricken and crying. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8'></a>8</span><a name='chII' id='chII'></a>CHAPTER II—JED BROWN FINDS A PROTECTOR</h2> +<p> +Several of the other boys who were members +of Rivertown High, among them Paul Martin and +Jerry Post, had reached the turn just in time to +see the sled as it took its mad leap over the embankment. +</p> +<p> +For a moment, they, as well as the girls, gazed +in silence at the spot where the double-runner +with its lone passenger had disappeared. Then, +as with one accord, they broke into lusty cheers +at the aversion of the tragedy which had seemed +inevitable. +</p> +<p> +But their joy was quickly checked. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t cheer! You don’t know what has happened +to that nervy chap!” shouted Paul Martin. +</p> +<p> +And as his words brought silence, he and Jerry +rushed to the edge of the embankment, while the +others followed. +</p> +<p> +Fortunately Harry had landed in a pile of underbrush, +and as the white-faced boys and girls +lined the rail he was picking his way out, none the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9'></a>9</span> +worse for his experience save a few rents in his +clothes. +</p> +<p> +The sight of the boy, safe and sound, brought +a reaction from the terror, and wildly the scholars +cheered, while Paul, Jerry and Longback ducked +under the guard-rail and slipped and slid down to +meet the hero. +</p> +<p> +“Hurt?” asked Jerry, anxiously. +</p> +<p> +“Nowhere, except in my clothes,” returned +Harry—and again prolonged cheers greeted his +ears. +</p> +<p> +Many were the willing hands that were extended +to help draw him up into the road, and when they +had succeeded, he became immediately the centre +of an excited, admiring group. +</p> +<p> +“I think that was just perfectly splendid of +him!” exclaimed Viola. “Some of you boys introduce +me to him, won’t you?” +</p> +<p> +As she spoke, the girl, whose beauty and wealth +made her the favorite of the school, looked +straight at Elmer—but he gave no sign that he +noticed her. +</p> +<p> +Their leader having thus given the stamp of +approval to Harry, the other girls quickly pressed +forward, all talking and chatting at once. +</p> +<p> +But no one responded to Viola’s request and, +flushing, she turned away while the new student +grew very red, as he looked from one to another +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10'></a>10</span> +of the boys who had invited him to steer the +double-runner. +</p> +<p> +The situation was awkward in the extreme and +Harry, diffident and sensitive as he was, felt it +keenly. Yet he was the one to relieve it. +</p> +<p> +“Hey, you Snooks, you’d better go down and +get your sled—or do you want me to do that?” +he called. +</p> +<p> +“So it was one of Pud’s tricks?” exclaimed +Nettie. “We might have known it, Viola. Pud, +I think you’re perfectly horrid!” and with all +the dignity of her fifteen years, the girl turned her +back on the bully and, putting her arm through +Viola’s, led her away down the hill. But as they +went, both girls smiled at Harry. +</p> +<p> +During the embarrassing scene, Longback had +whispered to some of the other boys who Harry +was, and Jerry and Paul immediately took him in +tow. +</p> +<p> +“If you don’t mind, we’ll walk home with you, +Watson,” exclaimed Jerry. And glad of the +chance to escape the attention of the other members +of Rivertown High, Harry started off, accompanied +by the two boys who were later to become +his chums. +</p> +<p> +The story of Harry’s quick-wittedness and courage +had proceeded him, thanks to Viola and Nettie; +and as he walked down the main street of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11'></a>11</span> +town to the comfortable home of his aunt, many +were the glances directed toward him. +</p> +<p> +“Rather a bad start, I’m afraid,” he said to his +companions, with a feeble attempt at a smile. +</p> +<p> +“Bad? I should say it was a corking fine one!” +returned Paul, sincerely. “It isn’t many fellows +who can become a hero and at the same time get +the best of Pud Snooks!” +</p> +<p> +The mention of the bully caused Harry to grow +serious. +</p> +<p> +“I’m afraid it will make Snooks down on me,” +he said. “He had no idea that those little girls +would be in the road.” +</p> +<p> +Well did Jerry and Paul know that the outcome +of the bully’s trick, sensational as it had +been, would, indeed, arouse his anger against the +boy who had turned the tables on him; and +though they tried to disabuse Harry’s mind of the +idea, it was with relief that they reached the gate +of the Widow Watson’s house. +</p> +<p> +Despite Harry’s cordial invitation, both boys +declined to go in, and he entered the house feeling +strangely alone. +</p> +<p> +His aunt’s greeting and loving words of praise +after she had heard of his experience, however, +did much to restore his good spirits. +</p> +<p> +“Who is Viola?” he asked, as they were seated +at dinner. +</p> +<p> +“She is the daughter of one of the wealthiest +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12'></a>12</span> +men in Rivertown,” replied the widow, a shade +of sorrow passing over her face. “What makes +you ask?” +</p> +<p> +“Because she said my steering over the embankment +was perfectly fine!” +</p> +<p> +Again the cloud passed over Mrs. Watson’s +face and this time it did not lift. +</p> +<p> +“She’s a very sweet and lovely girl, Harry,” +she replied. “But she isn’t the sort you should +choose for a companion.” +</p> +<p> +At the words, the boy looked up quickly at his +aunt and what he read in her face made him flush. +</p> +<p> +“I mean, she is very rich and I think—that is, +I have heard—her family intend her to marry +Elmer Craven.” +</p> +<p> +“He’s rich, too, isn’t he?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> +<p> +Deeply did it grieve the good woman to speak +the words she had, but she believed it would be +best for her nephew to realize the social difference +that existed between Viola and himself, that he +might be spared the humiliation and embarrassment +in the future. Though they allowed their +daughter to attend the Rivertown High School, +the Darrows were proud and arrogant people and +always did all in their power to prevent the girl +from mingling with her schoolmates. +</p> +<p> +But though Mrs. Watson strove to offset the +sting of her statement, the rest of the dinner was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span> +eaten in comparative silence, and Harry set out +for school with a heavy heart. +</p> +<p> +Not far had he proceeded up the main street, +however, before he caught sight of a form he +recognized as that of the bully who had been the +ringleader in the trick which had so nearly ended +in a tragedy. +</p> +<p> +“Hope he won’t come up and try to smooth +things over,” said Harry to himself. But the +next moment, his anxiety on this score was allayed. +</p> +<p> +Pud was busy making snowballs and storing +them under his arm. +</p> +<p> +“Wonder if he’s going to vent his disappointment +on me,” mused Harry, taking his hands from +his pockets that he might be ready to return the +bombardment, should the bully open on him. +</p> +<p> +Yet when he saw the bully’s victim, Harry’s +anger at the fellow was greater than ever. +</p> +<p> +As the new student passed a cross street, he +saw Pud jump behind a tree and then, peering +from one side, hurl one of the half dozen snowballs +he had under his arm. +</p> +<p> +Turning to see at whom they were aimed, +Harry was amazed to behold a bent and aged +man, hobbling along the sidewalk with the aid of +a cane. +</p> +<p> +The snowball knocked the cane from the man’s +hand and as it fell, the aged cripple tottered. +</p> +<p> +With an exclamation of disgust, Harry rushed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14'></a>14</span> +up behind the bully and, seizing his arm, jerked +it so that the remaining snowballs fell to the sidewalk. +</p> +<p> +The thought that anyone had seen his cowardly +act in snowballing the aged man shamed the bully, +but only for the moment. +</p> +<p> +“What do you mean by that?” he demanded, +fiercely, whirling round to face the interrupter of +what he considered his sport. And as he beheld +the boy who had brought disgrace upon him in the +morning, his face grew white with anger. “Oh, +it’s <em>you</em>, is it?” he went on. “Who do you think +you are, anyhow? Just because you couldn’t steer +the sled and went over the embankment is no reason +why you should think you are so much!” +</p> +<p> +“You know I could steer that sled, and only +went between the posts to keep from running into +the girls,” returned Harry. “But that has nothing +to do with the present matter. You ought to +be ashamed of yourself, to throw snowballs at an +old man!” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, nobody cares about old Jed Brown!” +</p> +<p> +“Well, you can’t snowball him when I’m +round!” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, is that so? Who’s going to stop me, I +should like to know?” +</p> +<p> +“I am.” +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i003' id='i003'></a> +<img src="images/illus-002.jpg" alt="HARRY RUSHED UP BEHIND THE BULLY AND SEIZED HIS ARM." title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>HARRY RUSHED UP BEHIND THE BULLY AND SEIZED HIS ARM.</span> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span></div> +<p> +“You?” And, after standing for several +seconds, during which he looked Harry over from +the top of his head to his feet, the bully burst into +laughter. “So <em>you</em>, whom I could pick up and +carry on one finger, are going to stop my doing +anything I want to, eh? That <em>is</em> a good one. +Why, kiddo, there is enough of me to make three +of you and then some.” +</p> +<p> +The tone in which Pud spoke sent the color +flushing to Harry’s face. +</p> +<p> +“Where I come from, it isn’t so much the size +that counts as it is the heart!” he retorted. “And +a fellow who will snowball an aged man can’t +have very much real heart!” +</p> +<p> +An instant the bully glowered at Harry, then +made a rush toward him. +</p> +<p> +“You’re getting altogether too fresh, young +feller!” he hissed. “Because of you, I’m getting +into all sorts of trouble—and I’m not going to +stand it! If I want to snowball or do anything +else to old Jed Brown, I’m going to, understand?” +And as though to give more force to his words, +Pud stooped down to pick up one of the missiles +the new student had knocked from his arm. +</p> +<p> +Before he could reach it, however, Harry threw +out his foot and crushed the snowball, then with +more quick movements demolished the others. +</p> +<p> +Never had anyone so thwarted the Rivertown +bully before and, for the moment, the big hulk of +a boy stood gazing at his discomfiter in amazement. +But only for a moment. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16'></a>16</span> +</p> +<p> +With a snarl, he shook his fist under Harry’s +nose. +</p> +<p> +“You seem to be looking for trouble—and +now you’re going to get it!” +</p> +<p> +Though the bully was much larger than Harry, +the latter did not cower before him. +</p> +<p> +So engrossed had the boys been in their quarrel +that they had failed to notice the approach of +Principal Larmore. But he made his presence +known just as Pud drew back his arm to strike. +</p> +<p> +“Snooks, go about your business!” he exclaimed. +“I’m ashamed to think you should seek +to pick a quarrel with the very boy who prevented +your trick with the sled from having a very serious +ending!” +</p> +<p> +As Harry had said, the bully was a coward at +heart, and growling to himself, he slunk away. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span><a name='chIII' id='chIII'></a>CHAPTER III—SOCKER’S PLOT</h2> +<p> +With an amused smile, Mr. Larmore watched +Pud as he slouched off up the street. +</p> +<p> +“Rather a strenuous introduction to Rivertown, +you’re having, Watson,” he exclaimed, +pleasantly. “Do you mind telling me what Snooks +was saying to you?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir; I do. It was only a personal matter.” +</p> +<p> +Fate, however, decreed that the principal should +learn the cause of the quarrel he had interrupted. +</p> +<p> +First with surprise, then with thankfulness, Jed +Brown had beheld Harry’s intervention—for the +aged man, veteran though he was, and bearing the +mark of his service for his country in a crippled +leg, was considered fair sport by many of the +young people in the village, and he was not accustomed +to having anyone champion him. +</p> +<p> +Consequently, when he had seen the school bully +threaten Harry, he had hobbled toward the pair +as fast as he could, only to arrive just as Mr. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18'></a>18</span> +Larmore had asked concerning the cause of the +trouble. +</p> +<p> +“It was about me, Mr. Larmore, sir, the fuss +was,” declared Jed. “Snooks was throwing +snowballs at me and this young man stopped him.” +Then, turning to Harry, he continued: “I’ll not +forget your kindness, my boy. My name is Jed +Brown.” And he extended a trembling hand. +</p> +<p> +“I’m Harry Watson,” smiled the boy, as he +shook hands. +</p> +<p> +“You ain’t any relation to Amos Watson, of +Lawrenceburgh, are you?” inquired the veteran, +eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“He’s my father.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, well, well!” exclaimed Jed, excitedly, +again shaking the boy’s hand. “I’ve known Amos +ever since he was knee high to a grasshopper, and +there ain’t a finer man in this state, Mr. Larmore. +Harry, whenever your skates need sharpening +or you feel lonesome, just come around to see +me; I live in a little one-story house down at the +end of this street. You can’t miss it.” +</p> +<p> +“Thank you, I—” then, chancing to glance +down the street, the boy caught a glimpse of Pud +as he poked his head cautiously from behind a +tree-trunk, evidently with the purpose of finding +out where the veteran was, and he changed his +words, saying, “I guess I’ll walk along with you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span> +now. I have a knife that needs sharpening badly +and I can leave it with you.” +</p> +<p> +The principal had also seen the bully’s action +and he readily understood that Harry had made +his knife the excuse for walking home with the +old man, that he might protect him from any +further attack by Snooks. Yet he feared the bully +might waylay the boy and, as the other two set +out, fell into step beside them, much to the embarrassment +of both. +</p> +<p> +Arrived at Jed’s house which, though small, was +spick and span in appearance, Harry gave him his +knife, and after promising to call for it the next +afternoon, continued on his way to the school with +Mr. Larmore. +</p> +<p> +The detour which they had made to escort the +veteran to his home caused them to be a trifle +late in reaching the schoolhouse, and Harry was +very glad that none of the scholars were outside +to see him walking with the principal, for he +feared it might give them the impression that he +was a “teacher’s boy.” +</p> +<p> +But when he entered his classroom, he was the +centre of all eyes. +</p> +<p> +“Grandstand play!” growled Elmer to Socket. +“He’s got a swelled head, already, because he +steered the sled over the bank. Anybody with +any decency wouldn’t have waited until school +was in session before he came in.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20'></a>20</span> +</p> +<p> +“Never mind, we’ll take him down a bit!” +returned Elmer Craven’s chum. “Just wait till +after school!” +</p> +<p> +The eye of the instructor chancing to wander +in their direction, the two boys buried their heads +in their books; and Elmer was forced to forego +asking his chum what scheme he was thinking out. +</p> +<p> +But when school was over for the day, he +quickly learned. +</p> +<p> +“Play hockey, Watson?” asked Socker, joining +a group of boys who had gathered about +Harry. +</p> +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> +<p> +“Then come on down to the river and we’ll +have a game.” +</p> +<p> +“It will depend upon whether my trunk has +arrived or not. If it hasn’t come since I was at +aunt’s for dinner, I won’t be able to play because +my skates are in it.” +</p> +<p> +“I have an extra pair at the house you can +take,” interposed Paul. “The rest of you fellows +go down to the river; and Harry and I’ll join you +as soon as we can.” And falling into step beside +the boy who was soon to become his crony, Paul +Martin started down the hill which had been the +scene of the memorable incident in the morning. +</p> +<p> +To his delight, Harry found that his trunk had +arrived, and it was but the matter of a very few +minutes for him to open it and take out his skates. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span> +</p> +<p> +At the river, they found a merry crowd of boys +and girls, and quickly Harry and Paul sat down +to put on their skates. +</p> +<p> +“Now Sam, you go over and bring Mr. Watson +back with you as soon as he’s got his skates on,” +commanded Viola, who, with Nettie, had been +keeping a lookout for the boy whom she had been +unable to meet in the forenoon. +</p> +<p> +None too willingly, the fellow started, but before +he could reach Harry, the boy was on his feet, +and hockey stick in hand, was skimming over the +ice to where those who were to play were lined +up, some quarter of a mile up the river. +</p> +<p> +“Isn’t that provoking!” pouted Viola, as she +noted his action. “But I’m going to meet Harry +Watson—even if I have to introduce myself. +Come on, Nettie, let’s skate over and watch the +game.” +</p> +<p> +With the arrival of Harry and Paul, Socker +exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“Watson, you’ll play on Jerry’s team. Let’s +get the game started as soon as we can. It’ll be +dark before long.” +</p> +<p> +Quickly the boys took their positions, and Socker +and Elmer noticed with delight that the boy +who had incited their enmity was playing “rover.” +</p> +<p> +After the puck was put in play, it was dribbled +back and forth; then, as Paul noticed Harry was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span> +keeping well out to one side, he shot the rubber +to him. +</p> +<p> +Nursing it carefully, he dashed in, that he might +have a less difficult angle from which to try for +goal. +</p> +<p> +“Get him! Block him! Don’t let him score!” +cried Socker to his team-mates, and with a rush +they skated down upon Harry with tremendous +momentum. +</p> +<p> +For several moments, Jerry watched the strange +play of his opponents—for they had left their positions +uncovered; then it dawned on him what +their purpose was and he charged down to Harry’s +rescue, at the same time shouting: +</p> +<p> +“Shoot it across, Watson! Shoot it across!” +</p> +<p> +With a deft twist of his wrist, Harry sent the +rubber spinning over the ice just in front of Socker +and his players. +</p> +<p> +But instead of checking themselves and going +after it, they continued straight at the new student. +</p> +<p> +Surprised, but believing that their speed was +such that they were unable to turn quickly, Harry +grinned at them, wheeled on his right skate with +a suddenness that would have done a professional +proud, and sought to go around them. +</p> +<p> +Clever as was his move, however, it came too +late. +</p> +<p> +With terrific force, Socker, Elmer and another +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23'></a>23</span> +boy crashed into him—and as they all went down, +there was a resounding whack. +</p> +<p> +“Pretty raw work, Craven!” snapped Jerry, +as he caught the richest boy in Rivertown High +School by the collar and jerked him off the pile. +</p> +<p> +“What do you mean?” +</p> +<p> +Jerry, however, was too engrossed in the task +of getting the others off Harry to reply. +</p> +<p> +But when he had succeeded, the new high school +scholar lay on his back, motionless. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span><a name='chIV' id='chIV'></a>CHAPTER IV—HARRY SHOWS HIS GRIT</h2> +<p> +Abashed at the sight of the boy lying white +and still on the ice, the other hockey players gazed +at one another. +</p> +<p> +“He’s shamming!” growled Elmer. +</p> +<p> +“You know better than that!” retorted Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“What do you mean?” +</p> +<p> +“That you and Socker deliberately ran into +Watson—and you know it as well as I do!” +</p> +<p> +“I saw Socker give him the knee!” interposed +Paul. +</p> +<p> +Intense was the feeling between the two teams, +and instinctively the boys who had been playing +lined up with their respective captains. But before +the argument became more bitter, Harry +opened his eyes, gazed about him in a dazed +manner, and then sat up. +</p> +<p> +“Got a bit of a knock, didn’t I?” he smiled. +“I say, did I score a goal?” +</p> +<p> +At the question, all the boys turned to look toward +the net of Socker’s team, having forgotten in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span> +their excitement to notice where the puck had +gone. +</p> +<p> +“Jove, but you did!” cried Paul. “Good boy, +Harry!” +</p> +<p> +Instantly the other members of the team with +which Harry was playing took up the cry and +Elmer and his companions skated away to hide +their chagrin. +</p> +<p> +“Here comes Longback; we can put him in, +and you can get out of the game!” exclaimed +Paul, helping Harry to his feet. +</p> +<p> +“Not much—that is, if you are willing I should +keep on playing,” returned Harry. “I’m all +right now; and I should like to show those other +fellows that I’m not a pillow!” +</p> +<p> +“But can you stand the handling?” asked Jerry, +anxiously. +</p> +<p> +“Leave it to me—I’m no rag-doll,” retorted +Harry. “If they are up to any tricks, I know a +thing or two!” +</p> +<p> +The gameness of the new student appealed to +all the members of the team on which he was +playing, and without further comment they lined +up for the next play. +</p> +<p> +Surprised to see Harry still in the line-up, +Socker skated over to Elmer and held a brief +consultation with him, but their whisperings were +interrupted by the puck being put into play. +</p> +<p> +As luck would have it, the rubber was sent +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26'></a>26</span> +straight toward Elmer and, with a clever stop, +he dribbled it along toward Harry, evidently +thinking that he would be able to pass him easily +because of his seemingly dazed condition. +</p> +<p> +But Harry realized his purpose and, with a +burst of speed, he rushed in, snatched the puck, +steadied his stick—and then drove it spinning toward +the goal net, sending it past the tender. +</p> +<p> +“Good boy!” shouted his team-mates. And +the cheer was immediately taken up by the boys +and girls who had gathered to watch the game. +</p> +<p> +Smarting more under the thought that the fellow +they had sought to humiliate had succeeded +in turning the tables against them than in the fact +that their opponents had scored two goals, Socker +called his men about him. +</p> +<p> +“Play for Watson!” he cried through clenched +teeth. “That fellow’s got to have his big head +taken off him!” +</p> +<p> +“Ready!” called the lad who was acting as +umpire; and with set teeth, Socker’s men took +their positions. +</p> +<p> +Straight and true for the goal Paul sent the +puck, but Snooks checked it just in time to prevent +another score, and cleverly Elmer took the rubber +through the opposing players until only Harry +stood between him and the man at the net. +</p> +<p> +Gritting his teeth, the new member of the Rivertown +High School determined to show that he was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27'></a>27</span> +an offensive as well as a defensive player. With +a terrific rush, he bore down on Elmer Craven, +and with a sudden twist of his stick, tripped the +fellow, grabbed the rubber, dribbled it out of +reach, then sent it spinning with a force that drove +it through the net! +</p> +<p> +Loud were the shouts from the onlookers—but +Elmer lay still and quiet. +</p> +<p> +“You hit him in the head with your stick!” +growled Socker, starting toward Harry. +</p> +<p> +“Nonsense! <em>I</em> play a clean game! Leave it +to me—I’ll bring him round in a jiffy!” +</p> +<p> +And while the others stood inactive, Harry +scraped up some ice with his skate and rubbed +the shavings on Craven’s face. +</p> +<p> +“Who’s doing that?” demanded the boy, sitting +up. +</p> +<p> +But his only answer was a general laugh. +</p> +<p> +“Everybody ready, puck’s going to be put in +play!” shouted the umpire, and without delay, +the boys took their positions. +</p> +<p> +“You want to watch out, the whole team will +be down on you this time!” warned Jerry to +Harry, but the lad only laughed. +</p> +<p> +“I reckon I can give them as good as they +send,” he replied. “It just took me a few minutes +to get onto their game. I——” +</p> +<p> +But his words were interrupted by the play. +</p> +<p> +While Snooks caught the rubber and started +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28'></a>28</span> +back with it, all the other members of the team +bore down on Harry. +</p> +<p> +Not seeming to notice them, the boy hurried to +the assistance of the goal tender, his pursuers in +full cry. Then, with a suddenness that caused the +scholars on the side lines to gasp, Harry turned, +shoved his stick between the skates of the fellow +nearest him, and sent him sprawling on the ice, +causing the others to fall on top of him. +</p> +<p> +Loud was the laughter that rose from the boys +and girls who were not in the game, while Jerry +and Paul patted Harry on the back. +</p> +<p> +But several of the instructors happened to be +among the spectators and, realizing that the game +would soon be beyond the bounds of sport, they +intervened. +</p> +<p> +“Vhy not ve all go and get kindling voods +for a bonfire dis efening?” shouted Prof. Schmidt, +the genial German professor. +</p> +<p> +“Yes! Yes! Get wood for a bonfire!” cried +the boys and girls on the side lines; and forgetful +of the hockey game, they skated across the ice, +effectually putting an end to the contest. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29'></a>29</span><a name='chV' id='chV'></a>CHAPTER V—THE RACE ON SKATES</h2> +<p> +In thorough good humor on account of their +winning the hockey game, Paul and Jerry called +Harry, and together they started up the river to +where a big pile of brush lay on the bank. +</p> +<p> +In full cry, a score or more of the other boys +and girls, among whom were Viola and Nettie, +set after them, calling to them to wait. But the +three boys only checked their speed slightly. +</p> +<p> +“Come on. A race for the brush-pile,” shouted +Longback. “I’ll wager hot soda for the bunch +of us that I’ll be the first one to reach it.” +</p> +<p> +“You’re on! You’re on!” shouted a dozen of +the boys, among whom were Harry and his recent +team-mates. +</p> +<p> +And as the challenge was accepted, the boys +dashed away. +</p> +<p> +No more than a few yards had he gone, than +Elmer Craven shouted: +</p> +<p> +“Oh, you Paul and Jerry! You’ve got the start +of the rest of us. Come back and line up.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30'></a>30</span> +</p> +<p> +“No. This is as fair for one of us as it is for +another,” cried Pud, whose inordinate love for +soda caused him to exert himself to the utmost, +and during the checking of the speed as the result +of Craven’s suggestion, he had taken the lead. +</p> +<p> +“Sure you think it’s fair now, Pud,” laughed +Jerry, “so long as you’re ahead.” +</p> +<p> +“You’ll have to come back and line up as Elmer +said or I won’t make good my offer,” declared +Longback. +</p> +<p> +At this ultimatum all the boys who had started +ahead checked themselves and then returned to +where the offerer of the prize had scratched a +mark on the ice. +</p> +<p> +With great good nature, laughing and joking +with one another, the boys lined up, Harry and his +two team-mates happening to be on the end where +Viola and Nettie were standing. +</p> +<p> +“Who’s going to give the word to start?” demanded +Snooks in a none too pleasant tone, for +he was disappointed at having had to give up the +lead which he had obtained over the others. +</p> +<p> +“I will,” cried Viola. +</p> +<p> +“That means Elmer’ll win,” declared Nettie. +</p> +<p> +“Why not let Prof. Schmidt start it?” suggested +some one. +</p> +<p> +Readily the genial professor consented; and +taking his position at the opposite end of the +line from where the two girls stood, he cried: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span> +</p> +<p> +“Eferybody get retty! You Schnooks, you +get back onto the line. Don’t try to shteal a +yard.” +</p> +<p> +Grumbling to himself, the boy obeyed. +</p> +<p> +“Now, vonce again. Eferybody retty! Von, +two, t’ree—<em>Go!</em>” +</p> +<p> +Eagerly the boys dashed forward and for a +few minutes they were all bunched together. Then +Elmer, Snooks, Longback and Harry dashed +ahead of the others, and for a few moments raced +neck and neck. +</p> +<p> +“Go it, Elmer!” “Go it Longback!” shouted +their partisans, and as though the good wishes of +their friends gave them greater speed, the two +boys forged ahead. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, why doesn’t somebody shout for Harry +Watson!” exclaimed Viola, stamping her foot. +</p> +<p> +“Going back on Elmer so soon,” chided several +of the girls who were with her. She made them +no reply, but instead, skating after the racers. +</p> +<p> +“Come on, we girls will have a race, and the +one who wins we’ll crown queen of the ice at the +bonfire to-night!” cried Nettie. +</p> +<p> +“Fine! Dandy!” chorused a dozen or so of +the girls, and one of them added: +</p> +<p> +“Let’s have a regular carnival, and we’ll make +the boy who wins king.” +</p> +<p> +“Will you start it, Prof. Schmidt?” asked +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span> +Viola, and again the genial old German complied, +sending the girls off in short order. +</p> +<p> +During the preliminaries Viola had kept her +eyes on the boys ahead, and it seemed to her as +if Harry cut down the lead of Elmer and Longback. +Instantly the thought occurred to her that +if no one would introduce her to the new student, +by winning the girl’s race, she would surely be +able to meet him at the mock coronation ceremony +planned for the carnival. And, gritting her teeth, +she bent forward, skating with all the speed she +could summon. +</p> +<p> +After the start of the girls, the interest of the +spectators had again turned to the boys and, that +they might the better see the finish, everyone +skated in the direction of the brush-pile. +</p> +<p> +When Snooks saw Harry taking the lead he +grew furious. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll get him! If I can’t win, <em>he</em> certainly +shan’t,” he growled to himself, and his anger at +the boy who had so humiliated him on two occasions +giving him increased strength, he quickly cut +down Watson’s lead, although in doing so, he +swerved his course from the extreme opposite +end of the line of racers close over to that of +the boy for whom he had conceived such hatred. +</p> +<p> +“What’s Pud up to?” exclaimed several of +those who were following. But not long was the +bully’s purpose in doubt. Tiring from his burst +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span> +of speed when he was almost abreast of Harry, +realizing that if he were to carry out his mean +scheme he must act immediately, he lunged +viciously towards the new student. +</p> +<p> +“Watch out, Watson! Snooks is trying to +foul you!” shouted Jerry. +</p> +<p> +The warning was unnecessary, because Harry +had heard the sharp strokes of the skates close +to him, and, although he did not check his speed +by looking around, he intuitively seemed to realize +that the approach of the skater boded him no +good; and, just as the bully sought to throw him +off his balance, he turned his skate out and shot +rapidly to one side, putting himself a scant foot +beyond Snook’s reach. +</p> +<p> +“Pretty work! Good boy!” shouted the spectators, +as they realized the bully’s attempt and +our hero’s escape. +</p> +<p> +But his move had taken Harry several yards +out of his course, and quick were Elmer and +Longback to improve the opportunity to wrest +the lead from him. Clenching his fists more tightly, +Harry bent lower, and exerted himself to the +utmost to recover the lost ground. Less than one +hundred yards away was the brush-pile, and a +stick held in front of the racers would have +touched each one, so even were they. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, you Elmer! Get a move on! They’re +going to have a carnival and crown the winner +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span> +king. The girls are racing to be queen, and +Viola’s leading!” shouting one of the scholars. +</p> +<p> +Thus apprised for the first time of the additional +plans which had been made for the bonfire, +the three boys bent themselves to still greater +efforts. +</p> +<p> +To Elmer, the thought that Harry might win +and thus share the honor of participating in the +mock ceremony with Viola was bitter indeed. +</p> +<p> +“If there was no one else but Longback, I +wouldn’t care,” he told himself. “But I can’t +let that scrub play king when Viola is queen.” +</p> +<p> +Nearer and nearer to the finish the three boys +sped, amid the yells and cheers of advice and encouragement +their partisans hurled at them. +</p> +<p> +But though each of the trio was skating with +might and main, not one of them seemed able to +gain on the others—and the brush-pile was a +scant fifty yards away. +</p> +<p> +“Shake ’em, Elmer! Shake ’em, Watson!” +cried the spectators, according to their preference. +</p> +<p> +But another ten yards were cut from the distance +to go, and Elmer and Harry were still +abreast, having gained slightly on Longback. +</p> +<p> +With a sudden burst of speed Elmer forged +ahead, amid the cheers of his supporters, but +even as the air was rent by their shouts of “Elmer +wins!” their hopes were dashed. +</p> +<p> +With no warning, the rich boy gave a sudden +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span> +lurch towards Watson, struggled desperately to +recover himself, then fell to the ice, sliding with +terrific force toward Harry. +</p> +<p> +At the sight, the boys and girls who were following +cried out in surprise and disappointment, +while Jerry and Paul shouted warnings to their +new friend. +</p> +<p> +“That’ll finish Watson as well as Elmer,” declared +one student. +</p> +<p> +But his prophecy was not to be fulfilled. +</p> +<p> +When he heard the shouts of warning, Harry +had turned his head to learn their cause just in +time to see Craven’s body come sliding toward +him over the ice with amazing speed. +</p> +<p> +Realizing that, should it hit him, he, too, would +be knocked down, and the race go to the boy +whom they had both outskated, Harry took a +desperate chance and jumped, clearing Elmer’s +shoulder by a few inches. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span><a name='chVI' id='chVI'></a>CHAPTER VI—THE GIRLS’ RACE</h2> +<p> +Harry’s action was greeted with shouts of approval +by all the scholars, but just when it seemed +that he was going to win without further mishap, +he fell and Longback flashed across the line a +winner! +</p> +<p> +In landing after his jump, Harry had leaned +too far forward, with the result that, though he +strove desperately to keep his balance, his centre +of equilibrium was too far forward, and he pitched +onto his face. +</p> +<p> +Little time did the fellows have to discuss the +eventful race, when there sounded a cry: “Get +out of the way! Give the girls a chance to +finish!” +</p> +<p> +Quickly the crowd that had surrounded the +fallen skaters, moved out of the way, as the girls +bore down upon the imaginary line that marked +the end of the race. Bent far down, her arms +swinging like well regulated pistons, Viola was +in the lead, a good three yards separating her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37'></a>37</span> +from her nearest antagonist, Mildred Evans, +while almost an equal distance behind Mildred, +the rest of the girls were bunched. +</p> +<p> +His disappointment over his fall forgotten in +the thought that Longback had snatched victory +from the boy to whom he had taken such a +dislike, Elmer cried: +</p> +<p> +“Look out for that crack in the ice, Viola, or +you’ll get tripped just as I did.” +</p> +<p> +Although the girl heard the warning, she gave +no evidence, either by thanks or by action, and +could the richest boy of Rivertown High School +have known what was passing in her mind, he +would have worn anything but the pleased smile +that enveloped his face. +</p> +<p> +So long as Harry had been in the lead, Viola +had exerted herself to the utmost to leave the +girls with whom she was racing as far behind +as she could. With a little gasp of dismay, she +had seen Snooks’ desperate but futile attempt to +foul Harry, and when the boy had jumped over +Elmer, she had been one of those who had shouted +their delight, and corresponding was her disappointment +when Harry himself fell, and Longback +won. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll not be queen to Longback’s king!” exclaimed +the proud girl, indignantly, yet, aware +as she was of the lead she had over the others in +the race, she was puzzled to know how she could +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span> +manage to lose it without her purpose being too +evident. +</p> +<p> +When she heard Elmer’s warning, however, +she realized that there was a crack in the ice +which would throw her. Quickly she formed her +plans, and, with almost imperceptible slackening +in her speed, she began to search the ice for the +crevice. +</p> +<p> +For several seconds she was unable to discern +it; then of a sudden her glance fell upon a zigzag +depression, and she changed her course, though +ever so slightly, that she might be the more sure +to strike it. +</p> +<p> +“Look out! Look out! Keep away from +that edge of the bank!” shouted Elmer and several +of his companions. But as unheeding as +before, the girl kept on, appeared to stagger a +moment as she struck the depression, and then +sank to the ice. +</p> +<p> +First, in blank dismay, and then in anger, the +rich boy who had seemed to be the favored one +among Viola’s friends stared at her, and finally, +with a mumbled exclamation, skated toward her. +</p> +<p> +“You did that on purpose!” he snarled, as, +stooping over, he took hold of Viola’s arm to +assist her to her feet. +</p> +<p> +At the words, the blood flushed hotly to the +girl’s cheeks and indignantly she wrenched her +arm from Elmer’s grasp. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span> +</p> +<p> +“How dare you say such a thing to me, Elmer +Craven!” she exclaimed angrily. “Even if I +have sprained my ankle, I am quite capable of +getting up by myself,” and forthwith she proceeded +so to do. +</p> +<p> +In the excitement caused by Viola’s fall, coming +as it did after the two leaders in the boys’ +race had been put out of the running by similar +accidents, those who had been watching the girls’ +race were too absorbed in their efforts to urge on +their favorites, now that all had practically an +even chance of winning, for, in her endeavor not +to meet a similar mishap to Viola, Mildred had +skated so far to one side that she had lost the +lead, so that none of them had seen the trick +save Nettie and Harry. +</p> +<p> +Both of them, however, were too far away to +hear what passed between the boy and girl, but +as Nettie saw her chum limp when she tried to +skate after picking herself up, she gave up the +race and went to her assistance. +</p> +<p> +“What is it? Have you hurt yourself?” she +asked, solicitously. +</p> +<p> +“It’s my ankle. I’m afraid I’ve sprained it.” +</p> +<p> +“Really?” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t be a goose.” +</p> +<p> +A moment the girl gazed at her chum and then +the light of understanding coming to her, she +exclaimed, significantly: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40'></a>40</span> +</p> +<p> +“Oh!” And the better to give the semblance +of truth to the supposed injury, she put her arm +around Viola to support her, and led her to the +bank, where she sat down on a tree stump. +</p> +<p> +In the meantime, the race had been won by +Annabel Hutchins, who was known among her +classmates as the infant prodigy, because being +precociously bright, she had entered the freshman +class when she was only thirteen years old. +</p> +<p> +For a moment after the tall, awkward girl +skated across the line in the lead of the others, +there was a silence. And then, as the humor of +the situation dawned upon the others, for Longback, +a member of the senior class, had the +proper contempt for the under classmen, the boys +and girls yelled and cheered frantically. +</p> +<p> +“This will be some coronation!” cried Socker, +with a grin. But some of the girl’s, noting Annabel’s +embarrassment, prevented any more such remarks +by surrounding her and skating her to the +brush-pile. Then quickly seizing some of the +dried branches, they started down the river with +them toward the spot where the bonfire was to +be built. +</p> +<p> +The boys, however, especially the freshmen, +found it too great an opportunity to tease the +haughty senior, and they made his life so miserable +with their comment that in a rage he skated +away by himself. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span><a name='chVII' id='chVII'></a>CHAPTER VII—THE RIVALRY BETWEEN HARRY AND ELMER</h2> +<p> +Their victim, having thus put himself beyond +their torment, the other boys turned to the brush-pile, +and each taking as many branches as he +could carry skated down the river. +</p> +<p> +Viola and Nettie were still on the stump, and +only Paul, Jerry and Harry were left at the +brush-pile. +</p> +<p> +“You don’t suppose Miss Darrow hurt herself +so badly she can’t skate back, do you?” asked +Harry of his companions. +</p> +<p> +“Jove! I hadn’t thought of that,” returned +Paul, and skating over to where the two girls +were, he asked concerning the extent of Viola’s +injuries. +</p> +<p> +“She’s hurt her ankle,” explained Nettie. +</p> +<p> +“My! that’s bad. Can you skate on it at all?” +inquired Paul. +</p> +<p> +“I can’t skate on it, but I may be able to step +on it,” dissembled Viola, and getting to her feet, +started to walk, only to sink down with a little cry +of well-feigned pain. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span> +</p> +<p> +“Jerry and Harry, come over here! Viola’s +hurt her ankle, and we’ve got to get her back +down the river some way,” called Paul to his +chums. +</p> +<p> +“Remember we haven’t met Mr. Watson!” +exclaimed Nettie in a low voice, as the two boys +left the brush-pile and skated toward them. +</p> +<p> +“Why, I’m glad you reminded me. I’d forgotten,” +murmured Paul, and when the new student +joined them, he was quickly introduced. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll have to go down the river and get a +sled for you, Viola,” announced Jerry. “You +wait here with Nettie and Paul, and Harry and +I’ll go down.” +</p> +<p> +But after their manœuvring to meet Harry the +two girls did not propose to lose his companionship +so quickly, and Viola hurriedly exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“I think perhaps if you boys will help me, I +shall be able to walk down.” +</p> +<p> +“But that will only make your ankle worse, +Miss Darrow,” declared Harry. “I have it. +We’ll take a big pile of the brush and you and +Miss Masterson can sit on it and we will pull +you down the river.” +</p> +<p> +“The very thing!” cried the other boys, and +without more ado, they returned to the heap of +dried branches, picked out several big ones, which +they placed on the ice, heaping smaller ones +across them, until they had made a rustic nest +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span> +into which the girls climbed, while the boys, with +pieces of rope which they had found and with +their skate straps, bound the heavy limbs together +and made a leash by which they could pull the +improvised sled. +</p> +<p> +But not without difficulty did the strange method +of transportation advance. First some of the +heavy limbs spread, letting the twigs and girls +down onto the ice and frequently were they +spilled from their nest, but all enjoyed it and with +much laughter and merry chatter they approached +the spot where the others were stacking the brush +which was to be set on fire in the evening. +</p> +<p> +“My eye! Look what’s coming!” shouted +Misery Jones, as he espied Viola and the others. +</p> +<p> +At his cry the rest of the boys and girls followed +the direction of his gaze, and when they +beheld the moving brush-heap with its two passengers, +they shouted and laughed as they skated up +to meet them. +</p> +<p> +“<em>Ach! die liebliche Schnee-fogeln!</em>” exclaimed +Prof. Schmidt, laughing as he caught sight of the +two pretty girls on the brush-pile. “Too bad it +iss dat wir de coronation not now can have?” +</p> +<p> +As he heard the words, Longback took a hasty +glance over the crowd assembled near the brush-pile, +and not seeing Annabel, exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“That’s a good idea, Professor. It’s getting +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span> +so dark that we can have the bonfire now just +as well as later.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, no you don’t!” cried Misery. “You +can’t get out of the formal ceremony by one got +up on the spur of the moment. The real queen +who won the race, you know, might object and +cause you domestic unhappiness. Even kings are +allowed only one queen.” +</p> +<p> +The result of the boy’s protest was a lunge +from Longback’s hockey stick, from which he was +able to dodge back in the very nick-of-time. +</p> +<p> +But the haughty senior was not allowed to get +away with his caddish suggestion with only Misery’s +reproof. +</p> +<p> +“Now look here, Sam Dalton! No matter if +Annabel Hutchins is a freshy she won the race, +and she’s going to be crowned queen when you’re +crowned king!” exclaimed several of the older +girls, gathering about Longback. “You wouldn’t +have made any objection, you know, if it had +been Viola, or even Nettie, and they’re only freshmen, +too; so if you don’t want to regret it all +the rest of the time you’re in Rivertown High +School, you’ll be just as nice to Annabel as you +possibly can be. The poor child went home crying +because she thought we were all laughing at +her.” +</p> +<p> +“If it’s going to make so much trouble, what’s +the use of having the mock ceremony at all?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span> +exclaimed Elmer, seeking to come to the aid of +his chum. +</p> +<p> +“That’s it! Be a spoil sport!” cried several +of the boys and girls. +</p> +<p> +“Then I’ll resign my honor in favor of any +of you who desire it,” growled Longback. +</p> +<p> +“Let’s not have the bonfire at all,” exclaimed +Viola, flashing a look of contempt at the senior. +“Instead let’s go on a hay ride to Cardell—I’m +sure I can have the horses.” +</p> +<p> +“Good! We’ll take along Nettie’s and Socker’s +mothers and then we can have a dance at the +Lake House!” exclaimed Paul. +</p> +<p> +The suggestion met with instant approval. +</p> +<p> +“Let’s have a great big sleigh-ride,” Socker +exclaimed. “I guess father will let me take our +horses, too, and we can fix up with hay, and it will +be a great lark.” +</p> +<p> +“You all can do as you please,” declared Viola, +“but I want Jerry and Paul and Nettie and +Mildred and Sally and Elise and Dorothy and +Mr. Watson and Misery and Jack and Horace +and Annabel to be members of my party.” +</p> +<p> +Readily the boys and girls accepted, and their +hostess requested them to gather at her house at +eight o’clock. The omission of Elmer, Longback +and Socker from her guests caused looks of +amazement to be exchanged between the other +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46'></a>46</span> +boys and girls, while the three fellows themselves +blushed. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll take the rest of our gang!” Socker exclaimed. +“We’ll go up to Cardell, anyhow, and +have a dance, and Viola, if you want to bring +your little friends, we should be very pleased to +see both you and them.” +</p> +<p> +“Will everybody whom I’ve invited go?” +asked the proud girl, ignoring the remark. +</p> +<p> +One after another they accepted until it came +to Harry, and he said, mindful of what his aunt +had told him: +</p> +<p> +“I thank you very much, Miss Darrow. I +should like to go, but I’m afraid it will be necessary +for me to stay at home and study.” +</p> +<p> +“Wow! Wow! Listen to that!” moaned Misery. +“On top of saving the kids and beating +Pud’s hockey team, he’s a grind!” and skating +over to the new student, he felt of his shoulders, +murmuring “It’s just as I thought. I can feel +his wings sprouting. My, won’t Rivertown get +a reputation when people know we’ve got an +angel among the freshies.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, if he stays in school until he’s a senior, +there won’t be any angel left about him,” laughed +Jerry. “Come on, Harry, you can go just as +well as not. The only thing we have to-morrow, +beside drawing and rhetoric, is Latin, and Old +Grouch Plummer always flunks everybody in that, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span> +so it isn’t worthwhile to study the lesson. Besides, +we want to initiate you into the delights +of the dancing floor at the Lake House, it’s——” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps he doesn’t dance,” sneered Elmer. +“I’ve always heard that a lot of people down at +Lawrenceburgh were opposed to dancing, and +maybe Watson’s family is among them.” +</p> +<p> +This utterly uncalled-for slur made even the +rich boy’s chums look at him in amazement, but +though Harry flushed hotly, the darkness concealed +his confusion, and he replied in a steady +voice: +</p> +<p> +“I’m very fond of dancing, but really, Miss +Darrow, I must decline your invitation.” And +quickly wishing his friends among the boys and +girls “good-night,” he skated over to the bank, +took off the ice-runners, and went home. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span><a name='chVIII' id='chVIII'></a>CHAPTER VIII—PAUL’S PARTY</h2> +<p> +The real reason for Harry’s declination of the +invitation to form one of the merry party, was +the fact that he knew there would be necessarily +some expense attached to the dance, and his +circumstances were such that he was obliged to +watch his money carefully. Indeed, it had only +been at a distinct personal sacrifice that his father +had been able to arrange for the boy to go to +Rivertown High School. Aware of this fact, +he realized that it would not be right for him to +start out by associating with those whose parents +were in a position to give them liberal allowances +for spending money. +</p> +<p> +For a few moments after Harry’s abrupt departure +there was a silence among the boys and +girls who were planning the sleighing party and +dance. +</p> +<p> +“There’s no use in allowing a new freshy to +interfere with our fun,” Socker exclaimed. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span> +</p> +<p> +“Who’s going and who isn’t? I want to know, +so that I can get the horses and the sled and the +hay ready.” +</p> +<p> +The others sided in with this view of the matter, +and arrangements for meeting were quickly +made, after which the boys and girls separated, +going to their respective homes. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you think that was queer in Harry +Watson to decline your invitation, Viola?” asked +Nettie, as they walked along. +</p> +<p> +Before the girl could answer, however, a voice +behind them exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“He hasn’t got money enough to go, or to do +anything the rest of us can. Father says he +knows Watson’s father and that he’s poorer than +a church mouse.” +</p> +<p> +Surprised to think their conversation had been +overheard, the girls turned quickly and beheld +Pud Snooks. +</p> +<p> +“Well, if that’s the real reason Mr. Watson +declined to go with us, it’s nothing to be ashamed +of. I’m sure it’s better not to go than to sponge +on some of the boys who have money,” sniffed +Viola. At this taunt, which was particularly +stinging for the reason that, although the bully’s +father had plenty of money, he gave his son very +little to spend, with the result that he was always +taking part in the pastimes of his schoolmates, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50'></a>50</span> +and forcing his companions to pay his share, +Snooks growled to himself and slunk away. +</p> +<p> +For several minutes the two girls walked along +in silence. +</p> +<p> +“Well, if it is true that Harry Watson won’t +be able to go to our dances and things, I’m going +to be all the nicer to him at school and on the +ice, because I like him. Honestly, I do, Nettie,” +said Viola. +</p> +<p> +This frank avowal surprised her chum, but +she discreetly kept the fact to herself, and it was +not long before the unpleasant incident on the +ice was forgotten. +</p> +<p> +But it had made a deep impression upon Harry +and, when he arrived at the comfortable home of +his aunt he was very serious, returning her greeting +almost curtly. +</p> +<p> +Realizing that something was amiss with the +boy, yet knowing well that should she question +him about it, she would but add to his reticence, +the aunt wisely held her peace, trusting that +during the evening he would let her know what +the trouble was, of his own accord. +</p> +<p> +The boy, however, came to the conclusion that +the problem which confronted him was one that +he alone could work out; and, during supper, he +forestalled any possible inquiries on the part of +his aunt by relating to her the incidents of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span> +hockey game, and then the races to the brush-pile. +</p> +<p> +No sooner was the meal finished, however, +than he betook himself to his room on the plea +that he wished to unpack his trunk, and he was +soon busily engaged in so doing, at the same time +revolving plans in his mind by which he could +either win the good will of the boys who had +taken such an evident dislike to him, or else +manage in some way to get the best of them so +effectually that, for the future, they would not +seek to annoy him. +</p> +<p> +“I thought you were going to grind out your +Latin,” cried a voice, presently. +</p> +<p> +“Why, hello, Paul! I thought you were going +on the sleigh-ride!” returned Harry. +</p> +<p> +“None of our crowd are going, because Mrs. +Masterson wasn’t able to chaperone us to-night. +Instead we are going to have a candy-pull over +at my house, and I came over to get you. So +put your duds on and come along.” +</p> +<p> +At first our hero thought of refusing, then he +reconsidered his idea, and accompanied the fellow +who was later to be his most intimate chum to his +home, where he found all the boys and girls who +were to have been members of Viola’s sleighing +party, even to Annabel; and pleasant, indeed, was +the evening which he passed. +</p> +<p> +As they bade Paul’s mother and the boy good +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span> +night and went out on the piazza, Mildred suddenly +cried: +</p> +<p> +“Oh, look at that red spot in the sky!” +</p> +<p> +Instantly the others turned in the direction +towards which the girl was gazing. +</p> +<p> +“It’s a fire!” exclaimed Misery. “It’s a bad +night for one, too, with the wind blowing, and it’s +so cold it will be hard to get any water.” +</p> +<p> +“Where is it? Why doesn’t someone give the +alarm?” exclaimed several of the boys and +girls. +</p> +<p> +“It’s over toward the bluff leading up to the +school.” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps it’s only a manifestation of the aurora +borealis!” exclaimed Annabel. +</p> +<p> +“That sounds fine, Annabel, but I guess I know +a fire when I see one,” returned Misery. +</p> +<p> +“But it’s just as likely to be the aurora as it +is a fire,” protested Mildred. +</p> +<p> +“No, it isn’t either,” retorted Misery. “It’s +a bad night, and fires always come on bad nights.” +</p> +<p> +The excited voices attracted the attention of +Paul’s father, and as the gentleman made his way +to the front door, several of them turned to him. +</p> +<p> +“Is that a fire, Mr. Martin?” they asked. +</p> +<p> +Ere the old gentleman could reply, however, +all doubt was put at rest by the shout of “Fire!” +followed almost immediately by the ringing of the +church bell. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span> +</p> +<p> +Mr. Martin’s house was situated on the main +street, and as the members of the volunteer fire +company rushed by to get the hand engine, Paul’s +father called out: +</p> +<p> +“Where is it, boys?” +</p> +<p> +“It’s Jed Brown’s house,” came the answer. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span><a name='chIX' id='chIX'></a>CHAPTER IX—THE FALSE CHARGE</h2> +<p> +A fire in a small country village, always a +dread catastrophe, is much more serious in the +winter, especially when any wind is stirring; and +in the realization of these facts, the street was +soon alive with men and women hurrying to the +scene of the conflagration. +</p> +<p> +When they learned, however, that it was the +home of the crippled veteran, many of them +turned back. +</p> +<p> +All Paul’s friends, together with his father, +had started towards the scene, as soon as they +knew where the fire was; and as Mr. Martin +met several men whom he knew, returning, he +asked: +</p> +<p> +“Where are you going? Is the fire out, or +what?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, it’s nothing but old Jed Brown’s shanty,” +retorted one of them. +</p> +<p> +“That doesn’t make any difference. You +ought to be willing to help Jed as quickly as anyone +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span> +else. Besides, there’s quite a wind, and if we +don’t check the blaze, it may spread. Now turn +around and come back with me.” +</p> +<p> +As Mr. Martin was a person of importance +and influence in Rivertown, the men whom he +had stopped and ordered to go back quickly +obeyed. +</p> +<p> +When they arrived at the head of the street +whence they could see the veteran’s little house, +they all realized that it would be impossible to +save it, for, though it had been a short fifteen +minutes since the alarm had been sounded, the +house was a seething mass of flames. +</p> +<p> +Frantically men were working with shovels, +throwing the snow which they scooped up onto +the leaping tongues of fire, but without any result. +</p> +<p> +Rising high into the air, the sparks were borne +in all directions, and when an unusually strong +gust of wind swirled down the bluff, the burning +brands were carried from the doomed house. +</p> +<p> +“Where are the boys with the hand engine?” +demanded Mr. Martin, when no sight or sound +was there of the volunteer fire department. +“Aren’t they coming?” +</p> +<p> +“They’re stuck. One of the runners on the +front bob gave in,” informed a man who had +just joined the constantly-increasing fringe of men +and women whose figures stood out in prominent +silhouette against the lurid flames. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56'></a>56</span> +</p> +<p> +“Then we must get busy and form bucket +brigades to wet down the roofs of those two +houses right alongside!” exclaimed Mr. Martin, +pointing to two large white residences, one of +which was about one hundred feet from the burning +house, and the other almost directly across the +not over-wide street. +</p> +<p> +“Come on, men! If those houses catch, the +fire will sweep right through the town! A quarter +of an hour’s work now will save them; but +if we wait very long it will be too late.” +</p> +<p> +Aroused by the words of the town Nestor, the +men and boys lost no time in rushing to each of +the residences; and while some of them went into +the kitchens and manned the pumps, others +formed a line to pass the pails, which were contributed +by everybody; while others of the men +who had placed ladders against the eaves, mounted +the roof, where they sat astraddle of the ridgepole, +dousing the embers which were falling on +the roofs with greater frequency. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly, the rumor spread among those still +watching the fire that the crippled veteran was in +his house. +</p> +<p> +Hysterical women wrung their hands and +begged the men to rush into the flames and rescue +the helpless man. Such an act, however, would +have been the height of folly, and none of them +made the attempt, knowing full well that were he +inside he would have met his death long before. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i004' id='i004'></a> +<img src="images/illus-003.jpg" alt="OTHERS FORMED A LINE TO PASS THE PAILS." title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>OTHERS FORMED A LINE TO PASS THE PAILS.</span> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span></div> +<p> +The rumor, however, was dispelled almost as +quickly as it had started. +</p> +<p> +“Ha! Old Jed ain’t in the house! I seen him +sneaking off down the street just as soon as the +fire was going well,” exclaimed Pud. +</p> +<p> +“How long was that before the alarm was +given?” demanded several of the men, who had +heard the statement of the butcher’s son. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, five or ten minutes, I should say. It +seems funny to me that the house should burn +so quickly; and then I should have thought Jed +would have wanted to stay and watch it,” added +Pud. +</p> +<p> +Had the boy known, however, the purpose for +which the old veteran had gone down the street, he +would have been less active in trying to sow the +seeds of suspicion among those who were in earshot +of him. But in his ignorance he continued +to make statements that would cast suspicion upon +the old man. +</p> +<p> +“When I first seen the fire, I thought I smelled +kerosene.” +</p> +<p> +“So did I,” chorused several others. +</p> +<p> +This mention of the fact that they had noted +the odor of the combustible oil immediately started +the tongues of the women gossips to wagging; +and gathering into little groups, they began to talk +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span> +over with one another the reasons the crippled +veteran would have for burning up his home. +</p> +<p> +The bully, however, had not finished his sensational +statements. No sooner had he seen that +his sowing of the seed of suspicion had found +ready soil, than he added to his previous effect +by saying: +</p> +<p> +“After I seen Jed and smelled the kerosene, +I went down around behind the house and seen +a fellow running. Seeing he was headed toward +the village I cut around back and followed him +while he walked up Kenosha street—and who do +you think it was?” +</p> +<p> +The highly excitable minds of the women and +the village gossips had been worked to concert +pitch by the bully, and as he paused dramatically +after his story, they cried: +</p> +<p> +“Who? Tell us, quick!” +</p> +<p> +Looking round from one to another of the +score of people who had gathered about him, the +bully exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“It was Harry Watson, the boy that’s come to +live here!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span><a name='chX' id='chX'></a>CHAPTER X—HARRY IS EXONERATED</h2> +<p> +Unfortunately for Harry, he and his boy +and girl friends who had been at the Martins’ +house during the evening were all scattered between +the two houses where the bucket brigades +were working, and no one was there to speak a +good word for him in contradiction of Snooks’ +most despicable charge, for his manner as he +spoke gave no room to doubt that he believed +the new student had fired the building. +</p> +<p> +The others quickly put this interpretation upon +his statement, and with the rapidity only to be +found in villages, word spread about that Harry, +for some fancied spite, had burned up the home +of the crippled veteran. +</p> +<p> +And as the story was repeated, it lost nothing +in the telling. +</p> +<p> +“Why doesn’t someone go swear out a warrant +for the boy’s arrest?” demanded a particularly +irascible old woman. +</p> +<p> +“You can’t do it, Mirandy, unless you got +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60'></a>60</span> +some reason for making the charge, and you +didn’t see the boy,” returned one of the men. +</p> +<p> +“But Pud Snooks seen him. He can swear out +a warrant!” exclaimed the spinster. “It ought +to be done. There won’t be nobody safe in the +village with that boy liable to burn us all up at +any time.” +</p> +<p> +The words caused alarm among several of the +women, who gathered about the old gossip, and +they began to demand that action be taken; but +when some of the men finally started to look for +the bully who had spread the wicked report, he +was nowhere to be seen. +</p> +<p> +The gossips, however, interpreted Snooks’ absence +to their own ends. +</p> +<p> +“Some of the men have probably taken him +up to Squire Baxter’s,” said Miranda, and others +who had heard her words instantly gave the +irresponsible old spinster’s remark the stamp of +authority, declaring that Harry’s arrest was but +the question of a few minutes. +</p> +<p> +In the meanwhile, the fire having burnt itself +out on Jed Brown’s house, and the danger to the +neighboring mansions being thereby over, the +members of the bucket brigade made their way +once more to the scene of the conflagration. +</p> +<p> +With Mr. Martin on one side, and his son Paul +on the other, Harry approached the ruin. +</p> +<p> +“There he comes! There he comes! Luther +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span> +Martin has the little sneak! He knows what to +do with him!” snapped Miranda. +</p> +<p> +And in whispers, low but none the less audible, +the word quickly ran around the circle of gossips +that the village Nestor was holding the youthful +fire-bug until the proper authorities could take +him into custody. So curious were the glances +cast at them by the rest of the people, that Mr. +Martin could not help but notice them, and, wondering +at their cause, he turned to the man nearest +him, calling him by name, and asked: +</p> +<p> +“What is the matter, Zeke? Why is everybody +whispering and looking at me?” +</p> +<p> +“’Tain’t you they’re looking at,” returned the +man, in a voice as solemn as though he were chief +mourner at a funeral. +</p> +<p> +“Then who is it?” +</p> +<p> +“Harry Watson.” +</p> +<p> +“What about him?” +</p> +<p> +“You know as well as I do.” +</p> +<p> +Too familiar with his neighbors not to know +that something of unusual seriousness was afoot, +Mr. Martin laid his hand heavily upon Zeke’s +shoulder. +</p> +<p> +“I want you to tell me what people are saying +about Harry Watson, and what all this mysterious +whispering means?” declared the patriarchal +man in stern tones. +</p> +<p> +Realizing that it would be folly to try to deceive +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62'></a>62</span> +the village Nestor, Zeke looked uneasily +about him, then cleared his throat, preparatory +to speaking. +</p> +<p> +“Well, it’s this way, Luther,” he began in a +whining voice. “They are saying as how you’re +holding Harry Watson until the constable can +come and arrest him.” +</p> +<p> +Both Paul and the boy against whom the breath +of suspicion had been directed could not help +but hear what passed between Mr. Martin and +the man with whom he was talking, and as the +latter explained the action of the rest of the spectators, +Harry staggered back as though he had +been struck a blow in the face. +</p> +<p> +“Arrest me!” he exclaimed. “What for?” +</p> +<p> +“You know,” declared Zeke in a mournful +voice. +</p> +<p> +“Nonsense, Zeke. Nobody’s going to arrest +Harry Watson any more than they are me,” interrupted +Mr. Martin. “And now if you’ll just +get over your desire to create a mystery and tell +me what this is all about, I’ll quickly settle it—and +if you don’t, I’ll ask somebody who can tell +me the plain facts without any trimmings.” +</p> +<p> +Fond as he was of beating about the bush and +giving vague hints and meaning glances, rather +than a plain statement of facts, Zeke, however, +did not wish to be deprived of exploding the +bomb. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span> +</p> +<p> +“Pud Snooks says he seen young Watson running +away from the fire, and he and a lot of us +smelled kerosene just as the blaze started, and +Mirandy and the rest of us has been saying that +there won’t be any house safe in Rivertown until +that boy is fast behind lock and key.” +</p> +<p> +His son having told him during supper the +trick the bully had tried to play on Harry which +had come so near to resulting in the death of the +little children; also about the new student’s preventing +Pud from snowballing the crippled veteran, +and his attempt to foul the boy during the +race on the river, Mr. Martin readily realized +the story was but the emanation of the bully’s +brain. +</p> +<p> +Raising his voice so that it could be heard by +all within a radius of fifty feet, the village Nestor +exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“That’s utter nonsense, Zeke. Harry Watson +is a good boy. He comes from an honorable +family, and there’s no more reason for accusing +him of setting Jed Brown’s place afire than there +is of accusing me!” Then the patriarchal man +paused a few moments to allow the murmurs of +surprise to subside before he added in a still +louder voice than at first, for the greater effect: +</p> +<p> +“Besides, Harry Watson has been at my house +all the evening, and came to the fire together with +my boy, Paul, several of his friends, and myself.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64'></a>64</span> +</p> +<p> +“But Pud said he seen him!” declared several +people, evidently unwilling to accept Mr. Martin’s +words. +</p> +<p> +“Where is Pud?” demanded the village Nestor. +“I——” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, where is Pud Snooks? I want to talk +to him!” exclaimed a shrill voice, interrupting. +</p> +<p> +Turning at the sound, the men and women beheld +the bent and bowed form of old Jed Brown. +</p> +<p> +Instantly, there was a babel of talk and exclamations +at this unexpected turn in affairs. +</p> +<p> +“What do you want to see him for?” demanded +one of the men. +</p> +<p> +“I want to see him to ask him what he was +doing in my shed just before I caught him coming +out.” +</p> +<p> +At the words, several of the men and women +crowded about the crippled veteran, plying him +with questions; but with a wave of his hand, Mr. +Martin silenced them. +</p> +<p> +“This is a very serious statement, Jed,” he +exclaimed in a stern voice. “I warn you that you +must be careful what you say. Now tell me just +what happened, and how you discovered the fire.” +</p> +<p> +As they heard the words, those of the men +and women who were still at the scene, formed +a circle about the village patriarch and the crippled +veteran, necks craned forward, ears cocked, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65'></a>65</span> +that they might not lose a syllable of anything +that was said. +</p> +<p> +“I was just getting ready to go to bed when +I heard a noise out in the shed,” declared Jed. +“For some time I’ve been missing tools, and so +I picked up a club I had by the kitchen stove, +and started out to see what the trouble was. +</p> +<p> +“I s’pose I made some noise, for just as I +had stepped out of the kitchen door, somebody +ran out from the shed and tried to pass me. +</p> +<p> +“‘Who is it?’ I cried. But instead of answering +me, the person swung at me and caught +me in the shoulder with a blow that would have +knocked me down had I not thrown my arms +about him and hung on.” +</p> +<p> +As he made this statement, the crippled veteran +paused. For several moments his auditors waited, +thinking he would continue, but when he did +not several of them asked: +</p> +<p> +“Did you see who it was?” “Could you get +a look at his face?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> +<p> +“Who was it?” +</p> +<p> +“Pud Snooks!” +</p> +<p> +At the pronouncement of the bully’s name, cries +of astonishment arose from the circle of men and +women. +</p> +<p> +“Why didn’t you hold onto him?” demanded +Mr. Martin. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span> +</p> +<p> +“Because he shook me off.” +</p> +<p> +“Then what did you do?” +</p> +<p> +“I started after him—and I hadn’t gone more +than half way up the street before I saw flames +burst from the shed.” +</p> +<p> +In silence all those in the circle heard these +words. +</p> +<p> +“Do you want to have the boy taken up for +this, Jed?” finally asked Mr. Martin. +</p> +<p> +“No. I don’t want to bring trouble to anyone, +but I’m not going to have the house burnt over +my head without getting some return. I want +to find Pud Snooks and ask him some questions, +and then I want to have a talk with his father.” +</p> +<p> +“You’re a sensible man, Jed,” declared Mr. +Martin. “Just come along with me and we will +go find Pud’s father. Come, Harry! Come, +Paul.” +</p> +<p> +Without more words Mr. Martin turned on his +heel, and led the way up the street, several of the +more curious among the crowd tagging at his +heels. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span><a name='chXI' id='chXI'></a>CHAPTER XI—“OLD GROUCH”</h2> +<p> +“I don’t believe it was Pud who set fire to Mr. +Brown’s house,” exclaimed Harry, as they walked +along. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you s’pose I know him when I see +him? I have good reason to!” retorted the +crippled veteran. +</p> +<p> +“What makes you think it wasn’t he, Harry?” +asked Mr. Martin. +</p> +<p> +“Because he was going on a sleigh ride with +Socker Gales and some of the other boys and +girls,” returned Harry. +</p> +<p> +“But evidently he didn’t go, for he was at +the fire after it was burning fiercely,” asserted +the venerable man. Nobody knew the cause for +the bully’s remaining at home. +</p> +<p> +Stung deeply by the words Nettie had uttered +when he had come up behind them when the two +girls were walking home, Snooks had asked his +father for some money that he might join his +friends in driving to the Lake House at Cardell +for the dance, only to be gruffly refused. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span> +</p> +<p> +Angry at his father, his friends and himself, +the bully had eaten his supper in sullen hastiness, +and then left the house by the back way for the +purpose of watching his friends depart on the +sleigh ride. The route he took, however, led +him past the house of the crippled veteran whom +he hated so deeply, and the sight of it suggested +to him that he might work off his ill-humor by +playing some trick on old Jed. +</p> +<p> +Entering the shed, he lighted a match and was +looking about the shop, when he had heard the +crippled veteran opening the door of the kitchen, +and, thinking only that he must escape, the boy +had thrown the match on the floor and rushed +to leave the shed. Instead of going out, the +match had fallen into a pile of shavings, quickly +igniting them, and the flames found ready food +in the pieces of wood, oil-soaked leather and other +odds and ends with which the shop was littered, +and in a few moments had gained such headway +that they were irresistible. +</p> +<p> +Such was the story which Mr. Martin and the +bully’s father extorted from the boy after they +had questioned him closely in the presence of the +crippled veteran for a half hour. +</p> +<p> +Though the fire was purely an accident, it was +so evident that Pud had gone to his arch-enemy’s +house bent on mischief, that the butcher and Mr. +Martin were at a loss how to proceed in the matter +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span> +of meting out punishment; and as they sat in +silence, pondering over the confession, it was Jed +himself who solved the problem. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I’m glad you didn’t come to the house +with the intention of burning it, Pud,” he exclaimed. +“You and I know I hadn’t occasion +for being fond of you, but I’d hate to think there +was any boy, or man either for that matter, in +Rivertown who was so down on me that he would +want to burn the roof over my head. +</p> +<p> +“Now, I’ve carried a bit of insurance on the +place and I’m not going to live very much longer, +so if——” +</p> +<p> +“Jed, I ain’t liked you no better than my boy,” +interrupted the butcher, “but you’ve been so decent, +and not asked me to punish Pud or send him +away where they’ll take care of him, that if it’s +agreeable to you I’ll give you two hundred and +fifty dollars. Pud, go get my check book.” +</p> +<p> +“No need to bother about that to-night, +Snooks. You can give me the money to-morrow,” +declared Jed. And with this understanding Mr. +Martin and the crippled veteran took their departure. +</p> +<p> +Once they were outside, the village patriarch +seized the hand of the crippled veteran and shook +it heartily. +</p> +<p> +“Jed, you certainly are a man!” he exclaimed, +feelingly. “But where will you go to live, now?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span> +</p> +<p> +Ere the old man could answer, Harry and Paul, +who had been waiting outside the house, joined +them just in time to hear Mr. Martin ask this +question. +</p> +<p> +“If you’d care to, I should like to have you +come around to our house!” exclaimed Harry. +“I know Aunt Mary would like it, and then as +you’re an old friend of dad’s he’d want me to +ask you.” +</p> +<p> +“That would be just the thing,” asserted Mr. +Martin, “and I don’t doubt but that you can +make arrangements to live at her house with +Mary as long as you care to stay in Rivertown. +I’ll go and explain things.” +</p> +<p> +Surprised at first, after the incidents of the +evening had been made clear to her, Mrs. Watson +readily agreed to board the veteran as long as +he cared to remain; and after bidding them all +a cordial good-night, Mr. Martin and Paul went +to their home. +</p> +<p> +Many were the glances that were cast at the +bully and Harry when they appeared at the high +school the following day, but no one had the +temerity to speak to them about the incident of +the fire, although there were many whispered +conversations held in which the sympathy was +entirely with the new student. +</p> +<p> +As Paul had said, the only lesson of importance +the freshman class were called upon to attend +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span> +was the Latin, of which the crusty old Prof. Isaac +Plummer, often called “Grouch” by the students, +was instructor. +</p> +<p> +As the boys and girls filed into the classroom, +the professor, who was a little squat man, with a +scrubby beard, so thin that one of the girls had +said it was really an individual beard, glanced +at them over the tops of his spectacles. +</p> +<p> +“There’s no use asking any of you, I suppose, +whether you have your lesson or not,” he snapped, +in a high-pitched, jerky voice. “The fire last +night would have been a sufficient excuse, I suppose, +even if it wasn’t for the fact that you never +do have your lesson anyway.” +</p> +<p> +Then, his eyes resting on Harry, he exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“What are you doing in here?” +</p> +<p> +“I came to recite, sir.” +</p> +<p> +“Listen, the rest of you. Here’s a boy who +has come to recite. Do you, by any chance, happen +to be a member of the Rivertown High +School, or have you just dropped in like manna +sent from Heaven to show the rest of these young +idiots that it is possible for a child to know its +Latin lesson? What’s your name?” +</p> +<p> +“Harry Watson,” stammered the boy, his face +scarlet at the brusqueness of the Latin instructor’s +greeting. +</p> +<p> +“Where do you come from?” +</p> +<p> +“Lawrenceburgh, sir.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72'></a>72</span> +</p> +<p> +“Do you like Latin?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir.” +</p> +<p> +“Then that explains it. I don’t wonder you +left Lawrenceburgh. No man who cared for +Latin would ever live there, let alone learn it +in any of their schools. How far have you gone +in Caesar?” +</p> +<p> +“Through the first two books.” +</p> +<p> +“Indeed! I didn’t suppose anyone ever got +beyond the grammar in Lawrenceburgh. Suppose +you start in at the beginning of the second book, +which is our lesson to-day, and read as far as +you can.” +</p> +<p> +During this tirade many were the nudges in +which the boys and girls indulged themselves; and +Elmer and Pud had reveled in it, gleefully, believing +that they were about to witness the discomfiture +of the boy for whom they had conceived +such a dislike. +</p> +<p> +But Harry was fond of Latin and was also well +grounded in his fundamentals. Opening his book +at the part indicated, he began to translate, and +Prof. Plummer allowed him to finish two sections +before he began to ask him questions on +construction. But though he tried his best to +confuse the boy, Harry did not get rattled, and +acquitted himself creditably. +</p> +<p> +“Watson, I want you to come up here,” the +instructor exclaimed, when he had finished. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73'></a>73</span> +“Let me shake hands with you. I’m glad to know +there is one scholar in Rivertown High School +who has even the faintest conception of the Latin +fundamentals.” +</p> +<p> +Blushing even more furiously than he had +while he was being baited, Harry stood in his +place uncertain whether the professor meant what +he said or not, and hoping in his heart that he did +not. +</p> +<p> +“Ah, you hesitate, I see,” grinned Prof. Plummer, +sardonically. “After you know me better +you will know I never mean what I say. Never +to my knowledge have I willingly had one of +the pupils of Rivertown High School approach +any nearer than you are now. Kindly remember +that.” +</p> +<p> +And after calling upon one after another of the +members of the class only to have them answer +“Not prepared,” old Grouch dismissed the class +in disgust. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span><a name='chXII' id='chXII'></a>CHAPTER XII—PLEDGED TO THE PI ETAS</h2> +<p> +Although the majority of the scholars in the +Rivertown High School lived in Rivertown, there +were a goodly number who came from adjacent +villages, and for the benefit of these, as well as +to give a greater school life to those who lived +at home, the trustees of the high school had sanctioned +the use of several halls as society rooms. +</p> +<p> +Thus the girls had two for their exclusive use, +the Gamma Gammas and the Lambda Nus; and +the boys three, the Kappa Phis, the senior society, +the Psi Mus, to which only juniors were +eligible, and the Pi Etas, nicknamed the Pie +Eaters by the upper classmen, composed chiefly +of sophomores, although such of the freshmen +as were not too crude were admitted to membership. +</p> +<p> +For several days after Harry’s encounter with +the Latin professor, he was discussed by the +boys at the head of the Pi Etas, and, after deciding +that he was eligible, the members began to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span> +rush him, inviting him around to the club room, +to their homes, their skating and dancing parties. +</p> +<p> +Elmer and Socker, as well as Paul and Jerry, +belonged to the Greek letter society, and the proposal +to take Harry into the folds of the Pi +Eta met with a vigorous opposition from the +former pair. Sufficient were there of the sophs, +however, who believed that, with a little rubbing +off of the rough edges, Harry would be a desirable +member of their crowd, to out-vote them, and in +due course a committee was selected to pledge +him. +</p> +<p> +But when Harry was approached, he exhibited +no great enthusiasm. Fortunately, however, Paul +and Jerry were members of the committee and, +after the full body had sounded him, they remained +at his aunt’s house with him. +</p> +<p> +“What’s wrong? Don’t you like the crowd?” +asked Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“You bet I do! It isn’t that.” And then our +hero paused, blushing, finally continuing: +</p> +<p> +“I might as well tell you fellows, because it will +save a lot of unpleasantness for me. I can’t afford +to do the things the rest of you fellows can.” +</p> +<p> +At this frank announcement, Paul and Jerry +looked at one another in dismay, for neither of +them knew exactly how to answer, and moreover, +it was confirmation of their belief that Harry’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span> +refusal to go on the sleigh ride was because of +his lack of funds. +</p> +<p> +As the pause that ensued after the statement +became embarrassing, Jerry took the bit in his +teeth. +</p> +<p> +“There’s practically no expense, Harry. No +initiation fees, or anything like that. All we have +to do is to pay for the light and heat. The school +pays the rent, that is, they say they do, though +none of the rooms or halls of Rivertown societies +have cost a penny, for they’re given by people +who own the property. My assessment, so far, +this year has been seventy-five cents. You know +there are fifty Pi Etas and the expenses for the +rest of the year, with Spring coming before long, +will be still less, and we want you to be one of the +bunch,—honestly, we do. It means no end of fun +next year, the Psi Mu surely for junior and the +Kappa Phi for senior year.” +</p> +<p> +A lot of other things Jerry and Paul told our +hero, and by the time they had finished talking +to him, he had fully come to the conclusion that he +would get the money to pay his dues in some +manner, and he signified his delight at the prospect +of joining the society. +</p> +<p> +“Good boy!” chorused his chums. “Just stay +in your room to-night. As your superiors in the +Pi Eta we command you to.” +</p> +<p> +And hitting the boy such powerful whacks on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span> +his back that is seemed to him his teeth would fall +out, Paul and Jerry left him. Descending the +stairs, they bade Mrs. Watson a significantly courteous +“good night” and hurried back to the society +room to carry the tidings of Harry’s acceptance +to their waiting fellows. +</p> +<p> +With an understanding of what the call of all +the boys upon her nephew meant that would have +done credit to a father, Harry’s aunt went to her +desk, took out a sheet of paper, and wrote: +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +“My Dear Boy: +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +“I hope you find this of use, and it affords +me more pleasure to be able to give it to you than +it can you to receive it. +</p> +<p style='text-align:right; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-right:2em;;'>“Lovingly, Aunt Mary.</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +“P. S.—If anything should ever happen that +you should get into a little scrape, I want you to +feel that you can come to me. Tell me all about +it instead of going to an outsider. I shall be able +to help you.” +</p> +<p> +And enclosing a five dollar bill, she put it into +an envelope and biding her time until Harry came +downstairs, slipped up to his room and placed it +on his study table where he would be sure to find +it. +</p> +<p> +Wonder as to what his instructions to remain +in the house meant filled Harry with an alternating +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span> +succession of vague misgiving and delight, and +appreciating his mood, his aunt humored him during +supper, refraining from pressing him with any +awkward questions as to his unusual nervousness. +</p> +<p> +When he finished supper, Harry stayed around +downstairs till he heard the sound of voices out +in the street in front of the house. As they drew +nearer and nearer, it became evident that they +were chanting. +</p> +<p> +“Mercy! What can that be? It sounds like +a funeral dirge!” exclaimed Mrs. Watson, simulating +an ignorance of the familiar song by which +the Pi Etas announced their descent upon a +prospective victim to their initiation, though she +had heard it numberless times before, when the +members of the society in years gone by had +passed through the street in quest of their victims. +</p> +<p> +The blood mounting to his face, Harry listened +a moment, then ran up to his room, grabbed up +his Caesar, dropped into a chair and vainly strove +to concentrate his mind upon the text before him. +</p> +<p> +Once only in a life-time does the indescribable +thrill grip the heart of a boy who realizes that he +has been found fit by the most critical jury in the +world, his fellow students, to become a member +of one of their secret societies—and in the ecstasy +of his happiness Harry never noticed that his +book was upside down. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span><a name='chXIII' id='chXIII'></a>CHAPTER XIII—A SERIOUS CHARGE</h2> +<p> +As the measured tread of the steps of the +students marching in military time rang out on the +porch, Harry could not restrain his feelings, and +jumped to his feet, pacing excitedly up and down +his room. +</p> +<p> +For moments that seemed eternal after the +sound of the tramping came, he listened for the +peremptory knock. +</p> +<p> +At last it came, and as it rang out, with significance +the boy could never forget, his heart almost +stopped beating—then he was dully aware that +his aunt had gone to the door and opened it. He +heard the sound of excited voices, then it seemed +as though there were a mighty crash against the +door of his room, in rushed several of the boys +whom he knew, seized him, tossed him to their +shoulders and started down the stairs, not a word +having been spoken. But as he gained the outside +door, the boys assembled in the yard broke into a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80'></a>80</span> +chant of triumph, and with the new student still +borne aloft, they retraced their steps down the +street, the rhythm of their song growing in its +delirium until they reached their society room. +</p> +<p> +But once Harry was inside the sacred precincts, +guarded by the four plastered walls, he was no +longer the good fellow sought by his schoolmates, +but the victim of initiation—and before he had +performed all the stunts which were put up to him, +it was early in the morning. And when he made +his way to his aunt’s house, it was not the carefree +boy who had been borne forth on the +shoulders of his friends, but a youth, bedraggled, +and with a more proper appreciation of his utter +insignificance in the scheme of life. +</p> +<p> +Proud to think that her nephew had been picked +out for one of the members of the secret society, +Mrs. Watson sat up, with the purpose of welcoming +him when he returned home. But as hour +after hour went by without his appearing, after +the manner of a woman, she began to fear that +some harm had befallen him. Accordingly, when +at last she heard his halting footsteps on the +porch, she threw open the door, and greeted him +fondly. +</p> +<p> +But Harry was so used up that he failed to +appreciate the tenderness of the caress, and, realizing +the fact, his aunt sent him to bed with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span> +the injunction to sleep as late in the morning as he +pleased. +</p> +<p> +Sore, indeed, was Harry when he awoke the +next morning, but as he noted the glance cast at +him by the other fellows passing on the way to +school, glances in which there was a certain +amount of envy, he began to forget the ache and +pain, caused by the anything but gentle thumps he +had received during his initiation, and by the time +he had reached the schoolhouse, he was quite his +natural self. +</p> +<p> +But though the boy was in exuberant spirits, it +did not take him long to realize that a depression +had fallen upon his society mates, and he lost no +time in trying to learn the cause. +</p> +<p> +“What is it?” he asked Paul and Jerry, as +they came toward him. +</p> +<p> +“It’s fierce, that’s what it is,” returned Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“But why don’t you tell me what it is?” +</p> +<p> +“Because nobody knows <em>exactly</em>,” asserted +Paul. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll know, though, just as soon as chapel’s +over,” announced Jerry, in a voice so doleful, +that the last vestige of Harry’s enthusiasm vanished. +</p> +<p> +Not far into the school grounds had Harry +and his companions proceeded, before the boy +had found that the gloom shared by his society +brothers was reflected in all whom he met, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82'></a>82</span> +though he nodded to such of the boys and girls +as he knew, when there was any response at all, +it was merely perfunctory. +</p> +<p> +“Sort of a dismal morning to hand out to a +new Pi Eta, what?” exclaimed Misery. +</p> +<p> +But Harry had become too imbued with the +spirit of disaster to make any reply, and as he +took his seat in the chapel, he was as anxious-eyed +as any of the others. +</p> +<p> +The formal chapel service over, Mr. Larmore +closed the Bible with decided emphasis, and then, +taking off his glasses and wiping them nervously, +he leaned over the little reading table and gazed +at the hushed students before him. +</p> +<p> +“I’m sorry, very sorry, to tell you all that there +were depredations committed last night in the +physical laboratory belonging to the school. +</p> +<p> +“Several pieces of valuable experimental apparatus +were destroyed. +</p> +<p> +“I believe that you all have too much understanding +to make it necessary for me to dwell upon +the heinousness of such acts. +</p> +<p> +“The incident, bad as it is of itself, is particularly +unfortunate in view of the fact that +there was, as I understand, an initiation in one +of the Greek letter societies last night!” +</p> +<p> +The significance of the principal’s words were +so unmistakable that, as they were uttered, a gasp +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83'></a>83</span> +of shocked surprise ran through the benches of +the students. +</p> +<p> +Not one among them was there who did not +know that Harry had been the boy who was +initiated, and, as if drawn by an irresistible impulse, +they turned their gaze upon him. +</p> +<p> +Again clearing his throat, Mr. Larmore started +to speak, when a boy rose from the seats occupied +by the seniors. +</p> +<p> +“My name is Thomas Dawson. You know +me, Mr. Larmore. So do the other people of +Rivertown and the scholars of the high school. +</p> +<p> +“I had the honor to be elected a member of the +Pi Eta during my freshman year, and, in the +memory of what the society stands for in scholarship +and in manliness, in high ideals of school life, +I resent most emphatically the imputations in +your remarks cast upon the initiation into the Pi +Eta society last night!” +</p> +<p> +Never before had such a defiance to the principal +of the school been made, and as the boys +and girls who pursued their studies within its +brick walls heard it, they were seized with an +amazement even greater than at the words of the +principal. +</p> +<p> +But the cup of their surprise was not yet filled. +</p> +<p> +Pausing a moment after his statement, that the +dramatic effect of his utterance might be the +greater, Dawson exclaimed: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span> +</p> +<p> +“In the name of the members of the Pi Eta +society of Rivertown High School, I demand to +know the authority for your statement that it was +any of our members who caused the breaking of +the apparatus?” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85'></a>85</span><a name='chXIV' id='chXIV'></a>CHAPTER XIV—THE BOYS APPOINT A COMMITTEE</h2> +<p> +Never before in the annals of Rivertown +High had such a scene been witnessed in the +chapel, and as the scholars realized that one of +their number was openly defying the man who, +for years had guided the destinies of those studying +under him, they were dumfounded. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Larmore, himself, evidently shared the +general astonishment for, as he heard Dawson’s +demand, his eyes flashed, he opened his mouth +as though to speak, and then, evidently thinking +better of it, closed it again. +</p> +<p> +The silence enveloping the chapel was so intense +that the fall of a pin would have sounded +loud. +</p> +<p> +Realizing that such a situation could not be +tolerated, the principal at last exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“Dawson, I am surprised that you should +assume such an attitude in this matter. +</p> +<p> +“For obvious reasons, I cannot enter into an +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span> +argument with you as to the source of my information. +I will say, however, that I consider my +authority reliable. +</p> +<p> +“It grieves me more than I can express to +think that any of my boys should so far forget +themselves in their sport as to do damage to the +school’s property. +</p> +<p> +“I shall go to my office directly after I have +dismissed chapel, and I shall expect those boys +who took part in the breaking of the apparatus +to come to me and confess. +</p> +<p> +“Chapel is dismissed.” +</p> +<p> +Instantly there was a hum of excited voices as +the boys and girls filed from the assembly room +where the chapel exercises were held. +</p> +<p> +Instead of going to their class rooms, however, +the members of the Pi Eta society filed out +of the schoolhouse and gathered about their +leader who had challenged the principal. +</p> +<p> +“Did any Pi Eta smash the apparatus?” asked +Dawson. “If he did, for the good of the society +he must go to Larmore and take his medicine. I +want to be sure of my facts before I take any +further action.” +</p> +<p> +But not a boy spoke up. +</p> +<p> +“I put you on your Pi Eta oath,” announced +Dawson. +</p> +<p> +But even this placing them on their most sacred +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87'></a>87</span> +honor had no additional effect upon the society +boys. +</p> +<p> +Several of the members of the other Greek +letter societies gathered about the Pi Etas—for +they realized that a crisis had arisen that affected +all the social organizations of the school—and +they wanted to plan how to meet it. +</p> +<p> +When, therefore, they learned that none of the +society members had been implicated in the +trouble, they cheered loudly. +</p> +<p> +“The thing to do now, is to find out who told +‘Princy’”—which was the nickname the boys applied +to the principal of the school—“that it was +the work of the Pi Etas,” said Dawson. +</p> +<p> +“It strikes me that the best thing to do is for +some of us to go in and have a talk with him,” +declared Longback, when none of the boys offered +any suggestion as to who the bearer of the information +might be. +</p> +<p> +“Why not let the Pi Etas settle it themselves?” +proposed another boy. +</p> +<p> +“Because it concerns the rest of us just as much +as it concerns them—as a matter of fact I believe +it concerns us more; because I’m sure that not +one of the Pi Etas had anything to do with it.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and if any of us should go into Princy’s +office, he and everybody else in the school, would +think we had come to confess,” declared Paul. +</p> +<p> +This argument proved a clincher for the plan +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span> +of sending a delegation to call on Mr. Larmore +in his office, and without delay the boys expressed +their preferences, the committee finally being composed +of Dawson, Longback, Jerry, Harry and +Misery. +</p> +<p> +The new member of the society objected to +serving on the ground that it wouldn’t look well +for a boy who had just had the honor of coming +into the Pi Eta to take such a prominent part in +its affairs so soon. +</p> +<p> +“Well, you <em>must</em> come with us,” returned Dawson, +“and I’ll tell you why. There’s no use in +mincing matters. Princy and all the other profs +think that as part of your initiation, the rest of +us either made you break the apparatus, or that +you did so in a spirit of bravado.” +</p> +<p> +The case having been put to him thus plainly, +Harry offered no further objection to serving on +the committee, and without more ado the boys +who had been chosen as delegates mounted the +steps preparatory to going to the office of the +principal. +</p> +<p> +“What is it? School for the rest of us?” +called another boy, looking about at his companions. +</p> +<p> +“No, let’s cut?” cried three or four, while one +of them continued: +</p> +<p> +“It will show Princy and the other Profs that +we don’t like the deal he’s handing to us.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span> +</p> +<p> +Readily all the members of the Greek letter +societies in the school agreed to the plan, and +without even so much as going into the school +house for their books, they hied themselves to +their respective society rooms. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span><a name='chXV' id='chXV'></a>CHAPTER XV—MR. LARMORE ISSUES AN ULTIMATUM</h2> +<p> +The excitement among the rest of the scholars +as to what the members of the accused society +would do was intense, especially among the Greek +letter girls, and little, indeed, was the attention +they paid either to their books or recitations, +their eyes being upon the gathering of boys. +</p> +<p> +In ignorance of what had been decided upon, +when some of them beheld the five who had been +chosen to wait upon Mr. Larmore, they instantly +concluded that they must be the boys who had +taken part in the smashing of the instruments, and +quickly they passed the word along to the other +students who were unable to look out of the window. +</p> +<p> +As some of the boys who had advised against +sending the delegation had argued, when the +knock sounded on the door of the principal’s office +and the order to enter had been given, Mr. +Larmore believed that the five students who filed +in, had come to confess. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91'></a>91</span> +</p> +<p> +Accordingly, assuming a stern but injured manner, +he rose and bowed to each of them. +</p> +<p> +“There is no need for me to say that I am +shocked when I see who of my students took part +in the mischief, but I am glad that you are men +enough to come to me and tell——” +</p> +<p> +“Pardon me, Mr. Larmore, but you are mistaken,” +interrupted Dawson. “We have not +come to confess anything.” +</p> +<p> +“Eh? What?” exclaimed the principal, looking +over his glasses at the speaker. +</p> +<p> +“I said that we have not come to confess,” repeated +Dawson. +</p> +<p> +“Then to what do I owe the honor of this +call?” Mr. Larmore asked, dropping back into +his chair and assuming his most sarcastic tone and +manner. +</p> +<p> +“In the first place, we want to tell you that no +member of the Pi Eta society had a hand in the +doings in the physical laboratory; and in the +second, we wish to know who it was that charged +us with the work.” +</p> +<p> +As he heard the statement, the principal’s face +grew even more stern, and for several minutes he +thrummed his desk without making any reply. +</p> +<p> +He had not asked the boys to sit down, and +as they stood in front of him, they began to get +nervous, shifting uneasily in an embarrassed sort +of way from one foot to another as though unable to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span> +bear his gaze—and realizing how uncomfortable +he was making the boys, Mr. Larmore +kept silent longer than he otherwise would have. +</p> +<p> +Resenting such treatment, Dawson fidgeted with +his collar, and then exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“Will you——” +</p> +<p> +“Just a moment, please,” interrupted the principal, +raising his hand to stop the boy. “I should +like to know on what grounds you make your +assertion that none of the Pi Etas took part in +the outrage.” +</p> +<p> +“Because they have told me so, sir,” replied +Dawson. +</p> +<p> +“Of course! How stupid of me. I should +have known that did the great Tom Dawson ask +who broke the apparatus, the guilty boy would +have run right up to him. I made a mistake in +not asking you to——” +</p> +<p> +During this ironical remark, the senior who +had taken upon himself to defend the members of +the under class society, grew very red. +</p> +<p> +“That’s not fair, Mr. Larmore!” he exclaimed, +interrupting the principal. +</p> +<p> +“Very well. Why should you expect the boys +to admit their guilt to you?” +</p> +<p> +“Because I asked them under Pi Eta oath.” +</p> +<p> +This reply was sufficiently illuminative to cause +the principal to cast a keen glance at the spokesman. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span> +</p> +<p> +“Do you really mean to tell me any member +of that society would confess their guilt to you +if you put them on their oath?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir.” +</p> +<p> +“And may I ask what you would have done had +any of them made such a confession?” +</p> +<p> +“Sent them to you, sir.” +</p> +<p> +Again did the principal look over the top of his +glasses, and he realized as he never had before, +what a power the Greek letter societies could be in +the discipline of the school. +</p> +<p> +“But if no members of your club committed +the outrage, who did?” asked Mr. Larmore +finally, evidently voicing the thought that was in +his mind. +</p> +<p> +“That, sir, we cannot tell you at the moment—but +we will be able to later.” +</p> +<p> +“How, pray?” +</p> +<p> +“Because we shall make it a point to find out, +sir. And as a first step toward that end we should +be obliged if you would tell us who gave you the +information.” +</p> +<p> +“I will do that—presently. First, however, I +should like to ask you what punishment you think +should be meted out to the boys who are guilty?” +</p> +<p> +“I fancy they won’t be ready for punishment +for some time after we find out who they are,” +exclaimed Longback. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span> +</p> +<p> +Smiling at this answer to his question, Mr. +Larmore exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“I am obliged to you boys for coming to see +me. I’m sorry to say, however, that I cannot +accept your statements as to the innocence of the +members of the Pi Eta society in regard to smashing +the apparatus in the physical laboratory. +</p> +<p> +“My authority—who is no other than Tony, +the janitor,—is, I believe, altogether too reliable. +</p> +<p> +“For that reason, I have decided that until I +can learn who the perpetrators of the act are, to +punish them individually, I shall assess the Pi +Eta society the amount of the damages, which +comes to seventy dollars, and until payment is +made, I shall insist that the society’s room be +closed. +</p> +<p> +“I shall be obliged if you will act as collector +for me, Dawson. You can also announce my +decision to all the society members, though I shall +do it in school just before the noon recess. +</p> +<p> +“And now, young gentlemen, I bid you good +morning.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95'></a>95</span><a name='chXVI' id='chXVI'></a>CHAPTER XVI—STUMBLING ACROSS A CLUE</h2> +<p> +Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which +the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore. +</p> +<p> +After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed +that he would at least be fair with them, +and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they +could scarcely believe their ears. +</p> +<p> +But they managed to control their feelings and, +bowing curtly, turned on their heels and strode +from the office. +</p> +<p> +Once out in the hallway they gave vent to their +indignation. +</p> +<p> +“My word! Princy must have had something +awful mean for breakfast to have accumulated +such a grouch!” exclaimed Misery. +</p> +<p> +“But we can’t blame him so much,” returned +Longback. “What sticks in my craw is that old +Tony Farelli, who was janitor at Rivertown High +when most of our fathers and mothers were students, +should have laid the trouble to the Pi +Etas.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96'></a>96</span> +</p> +<p> +“He must have some good reason for thinking +it was some of us,” returned Dawson, “because +Tony has always been square.” +</p> +<p> +“Seventy dollars is going some,” declared +Jerry. “It looks to me as if the Pi Eta chapter +room will be closed for some time to come.” +</p> +<p> +“Shall you pay it? I suppose you’ll assess the +members equally?” asked Harry. +</p> +<p> +“Pay it! Well, I should say not!” retorted +Dawson, angrily. “Princy can nail up the door +of the chapter room first!” +</p> +<p> +“Now, don’t go to making any threats, Tom,” +interposed Longback. “The thing to do is to +have a meeting of the Kappa Phis and Psi Mus +to decide what shall be done.” +</p> +<p> +“How about us?” demanded Jerry. “Being +the victims, it seems to me we should have a little +say in the matter.” +</p> +<p> +“There you go again,” retorted Dawson. +“You freshmen never can seem to understand +that it is part of your training to do as your +betters tell you. Inasmuch as just about all the +Kappa Phis are old Pi Eta men, you can be very +sure that nothing will be decided upon that will +lower the dignity of any Pie Eater.” +</p> +<p> +While they were talking, the boys were standing +upon the porch of the school building. +</p> +<p> +In the meantime, the principal had started on +his rounds of the various rooms, immediately upon the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span> +departure of the student committee, and it +was only a short time before he had learned that +all the Greek letter men had cut their classes. +</p> +<p> +Angered at such action, Mr. Larmore was +stalking back to his office, when he chanced to espy +the committee members through the glass in the +door. +</p> +<p> +Hastening his steps, he pushed open the inner +door, yanked the knob of the outside one so that +the door came open with a jerk, and faced the +boys. +</p> +<p> +“Why aren’t the Greek letter students at their +classes, and what are you doing out here?” he +demanded. +</p> +<p> +“I can only speak for myself, sir,” returned +Dawson. “I am out here because I’m not going +to school to-day.” +</p> +<p> +Only the tone in which he spoke saved the boy’s +speech from being grossly disrespectful, but the +principal had sufficient understanding of scholars +to know that it would not be well for him to press +the matter farther, and without another word, he +closed the door and returned to his office. +</p> +<p> +“Wow, but Princy’s mad!” ejaculated Jerry. +“Let’s get hold of the other fellows and decide +on our plan of action just as soon as we can.” +</p> +<p> +This suggestion met with the approval of the +other members of the committee, and forthwith +they hied themselves down the hill. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span> +</p> +<p> +As they reached the foot, they met a crowd of +boys hurrying toward them. +</p> +<p> +“Princy’s closed the Pi Eta room,” cried several +of them, as they gathered about the members +of their committee. +</p> +<p> +“We know it,” returned Dawson. “And +what’s more it will stay closed until the Pi Etas +pay seventy dollars, which Mr. Larmore says is +the amount of the damage done in the physical +laboratory—and that, I opine, will be some time +in the far distant future.” +</p> +<p> +At first the other boys refused to believe this +announcement, but they were quickly assured of +its authoritativeness, and when its full significance +dawned upon them they stared at one another +blankly. +</p> +<p> +“I can also tell you that Princy’s very sore +because the Greek letter men have cut their +classes.” +</p> +<p> +“My word, but the prospect looks cheerful, +doesn’t it?” commented Socker. “Where will +the Pi Eta bunch meet, now?” +</p> +<p> +“The graveyard seems the most appropriate +place,” asserted Misery. +</p> +<p> +“You’ll have to do without your chapter +room,” laughed Dawson. “In the meantime, the +Kappa Phis and the Psi Mus are going to have +a meeting to decide what you shall do.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s awfully sweet of you,” mocked one of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99'></a>99</span> +the freshmen. “I do hope you won’t decide on +anything that it won’t be perfectly ladylike to +do,” and turning to his companions he exclaimed: +“Come on, fellows, let’s go down to the river and +have a hockey game.” +</p> +<p> +“You’ll do nothing of the sort,” countermanded +Dawson, as a dozen or so of the boys started off +to get their skates. “It’s up to you boys to find +Tony, while the rest of us are holding our consultation.” +</p> +<p> +“But what’s old Tony got to do with it?” +chorused several of the group. +</p> +<p> +“Everything, seeing that it is he who told +Princy the Pi Etas were in the laboratory,” returned +Longback, dryly. +</p> +<p> +“But there isn’t one of us Tony wouldn’t +recognize—except, of course, Watson.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s it, exactly,” asserted Dawson. +</p> +<p> +“Can Watson prove an alibi?” demanded a +voice from the outside of the crowd which had +been constantly increasing, as the word had passed +around that the delegates had concluded their +interview with the principal of the Rivertown +High School. +</p> +<p> +“Who said that?” demanded Jerry, indignantly. +</p> +<p> +No one, however, made any response. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll wager the fellow who said that thing is +the one who broke the apparatus,” declared Paul. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100'></a>100</span> +</p> +<p> +“Of course, I——” began Harry. +</p> +<p> +“Keep quiet! Shut up! Don’t answer him! +Forget it!” shouted several of the boys, effectually +drowning Harry’s words. +</p> +<p> +“You mustn’t forget you’re a Pi Eta, and that +a Pi Eta is never doubted,” said Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“Hear! Hear!” mocked several of the upper +classmen. +</p> +<p> +“Seriously, though, you mustn’t waste any more +time,” interposed Longback. “You noble spirited +Pi Etas go find Tony, and we’ll have our confab; +then you may meet us in the hall in front of the +Psi Mu chapter room.” +</p> +<p> +The freshmen, however, did not wait to hear +the last of the taunt, and breaking up into bands +of two or three, they started out with the purpose +of locating the janitor. +</p> +<p> +“Why not look for him at the school,” suggested +Harry. +</p> +<p> +“Because, this is his day to go to Lumberport,” +returned Jerry. “He always goes over there +every Thursday to draw money for school expenses.” +</p> +<p> +“Maybe he hasn’t gone yet. Let’s go round +to his house,” suggested Paul. +</p> +<p> +Quickly, the boys who were natives of Rivertown +set out to guide their new chum to the house +where the janitor lived; but when they arrived +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101'></a>101</span> +they were disappointed to know that he had been +gone some two hours. +</p> +<p> +“Are you the young gentlemen he was expecting +to bring him money?” asked Mrs. Farelli. +</p> +<p> +“Money for what?” asked Paul, surprised. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know, sir. He just said some young +men were to bring him some money and I thought +it might be you, so I was going to tell you he said +to take it over to Lumberport and leave it at +Rector’s cigar store for him, as he won’t be back +for a couple of days.” +</p> +<p> +“Then he hasn’t gone on school business, to-day?” +exclaimed Jerry, with a rising inflection +in his voice. +</p> +<p> +“No, sir.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span><a name='chXVII' id='chXVII'></a>CHAPTER XVII—THE TRIP TO LUMBERPORT</h2> +<p> +After thanking the janitor’s wife for her information, +the boys left the house. +</p> +<p> +“Funny Tony should be going to stay away a +couple of days,” remarked Paul, as he walked +along. +</p> +<p> +Both his companions agreed with him, but as +Harry had lived in Rivertown so short a time, he +was little acquainted with the habits of Farelli, +and so he could offer no intelligent comment. +</p> +<p> +“It seems to me we ought to get over to Lumberport +as quickly as we can,” announced Jerry. +“If we can locate Tony and pull the story out of +him before anyone else gets to him, it will be +some feather in our caps.” +</p> +<p> +“It seems to me we ought to tell Dawson, and +some of the other boys,” declared Harry. “If +there really is any crooked work they will be more +likely to make the janitor tell about it than we +would, I should think, considering the fact that +they have been at the school four years.” +</p> +<p> +To this suggestion, our hero’s chums agreed, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103'></a>103</span> +and quickly they betook themselves to the hall in +which the room of the Psi Mus was located. +</p> +<p> +“You’ve got a nerve to rap at our door. Didn’t +we tell you to wait and meet us in the hall?” demanded +the boy who answered the summons. +</p> +<p> +“That’s all right. We’ve found out something +you people ought to know, so you needn’t +close the door in our faces,” retorted Jerry. +</p> +<p> +The statement that they had important information +to impart had been heard by the leaders +of the two societies who were holding the consultation, +and quickly they called to them to enter. +</p> +<p> +“Well, what is it that’s so important?” demanded +Dawson. +</p> +<p> +“We went down to see if Tony was at home,” +began Paul, when he was interrupted by one of +the others exclaiming: +</p> +<p> +“Of course he wasn’t. This is his day to go +to Lumberport on school business for Princy.” +</p> +<p> +“I know that,” retorted Paul, “but we thought +perhaps he might not have started yet. When we +got there, Mrs. Farelli asked us if we’d come to +pay Tony some money, for if we had, he wanted +us to leave it at Rector’s, in Lumberport, because +Tony won’t be home for a couple of days.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s just Tony’s way of trying to collect +his debts quickly,” commented one of the boys. +</p> +<p> +“Then why shouldn’t he have told his wife to +take it,” asked Harry. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104'></a>104</span> +</p> +<p> +“And that’s what he would do,” interposed +Dawson. “I say it won’t do any harm for some +of us to go over to Rector’s and see what’s up. +In the meantime, you three boys keep your mouths +closed about what Mrs. Farelli told you.” +</p> +<p> +To their disappointment, none of the freshmen +were invited to become members of the party that +went to Lumberport, but they trailed along, nevertheless; +and when they trooped into the tobacco +store which the janitor had appointed as a rendezvous, +they were surprised to see Elmer Craven +and Pud Snooks talking with Tony. +</p> +<p> +Their amazement, however, was nothing compared +to that of the two students of Rivertown +High when they discovered the presence of their +schoolmates. +</p> +<p> +“Didn’t know you boys would dare come into +a cigar store,” growled Elmer, scowling. +</p> +<p> +“So that’s why you selected it for your meeting +place with Tony?” retorted Dawson, and +then, ignoring the presence of the rich boy, the +leader of the Kappa Phis turned to the janitor. +</p> +<p> +“Tony, I want you tell me which of the Pi +Etas it was who broke the stuff last night?” +</p> +<p> +“It was this young man, here,” returned the +Italian, nodding toward Harry. +</p> +<p> +“What do you mean?” demanded the accused +boy, his face blanching. “I wasn’t anywhere +near the schoolhouse last night. Just as soon as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span> +the fun was over at the chapter room, I went +home—and to bed.” +</p> +<p> +“I can vouch for the going home part of it,” +declared Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“And so can I,” added Paul. +</p> +<p> +“And my aunt can vouch for my being in the +house,” continued Harry. +</p> +<p> +“You see, Tony, you must have made a mistake, +don’t you?” pursued Dawson. +</p> +<p> +The charge that he had been wrong in the +identification of the marauder angered the Italian +and he did not hesitate to let the fact be known. +</p> +<p> +Dawson and Harry’s chums, however, refused +to accept the janitor’s statement, and began to +ply him with a series of cross questions which +finally extracted the statement from him that +there really was a possibility he had made an +error because he was fully thirty feet away from +the person he had seen in the building, and the +only light he had was a lantern. +</p> +<p> +As these facts were brought out, the boys who +formed the investigating committee exchanged +significant glances. +</p> +<p> +But their surprise was to be still further increased. +</p> +<p> +With an unexpectedness that made them gasp, +Dawson exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“I want you to tell me, Tony, if it isn’t in connection +with this identification business that Pud +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106'></a>106</span> +and Elmer came over here to pay you some +money?” +</p> +<p> +Too amazed to speak, the janitor and the boys +with whom he had been talking when the others +entered the tobacco shop, glanced at one another. +</p> +<p> +And their action was accepted by the other +boys as a tacit admission that the amazing charge +made by Dawson was true. +</p> +<p> +“Well, why don’t you tell me?” repeated the +leader of the Kappa Phis who had been acting as +spokesman. +</p> +<p> +“Because it is a matter that does not concern +you,” retorted the janitor. +</p> +<p> +“But you can’t deny it was about this laboratory +business, now, Tony, can you?” pursued his +interrogator. +</p> +<p> +“I haven’t been given any money by those +boys,” protested the janitor. +</p> +<p> +“But your wife said you were expecting some +from them,” declared Dawson, stretching the +truth, that he might make his point more effective. +</p> +<p> +“They haven’t given me a cent,” whined the +Italian. “They backed out!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span><a name='chXVIII' id='chXVIII'></a>CHAPTER XVIII—HARRY ARRANGES FOR A SETTLEMENT</h2> +<p> +Aware that they had been discovered in their +underhand work, Pud and Elmer worked their +way toward the door while Dawson was quizzing +the janitor, and when they heard his statement +that they had gone back on their bargain, they +made a bolt to get outside. But Jerry blocked +them. +</p> +<p> +“No, you’ll have to stay here until this matter +is settled once and for all,” he exclaimed, his +face growing white and his hands clenching. +</p> +<p> +Realizing that resistance was futile, the two +boys slunk back from the door and awaited the +further action of Dawson and his companions. +</p> +<p> +“Why not let them go?” suggested Harry. +“Mr. Farelli’s words and their actions have vindicated +the Pi Etas, and it seems to me very poor +policy to bring any scandal to Rivertown High.” +</p> +<p> +“But you forget that Princy has assessed a fine +of seventy dollars on the Pi Etas,” protested +Dawson. “While I’m perfectly willing to let the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span> +matter drop, I see no reason why the boys who +are members should be compelled to pay out +money for something for which they were not +responsible in any way.” +</p> +<p> +Although Harry’s suggestion had met with +murmurs of approval from the other boys when +it had been made, the senior’s statement had +brought back to their minds the cost of such procedure, +and they were equally enthusiastic for the +latter plan. +</p> +<p> +The thought that he could get himself out of a +situation which had become decidedly embarrassing, +since his schoolmates had discovered him in +conference with the janitor and the bully of Rivertown +High made Elmer come forward. +</p> +<p> +“Suppose I agree to pay the seventy dollars +and let the matter rest? Is that agreeable to you +fellows?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +“We ought to know how the trick was +planned,” declared Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“Especially as it is Harry against whom the +insinuation is the most serious,” added Paul. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, never mind about me,” exclaimed our +hero. “The only thing to be considered is what’s +best for the Pi Etas and for Rivertown High.” +</p> +<p> +This stand of the new student appealed to the +rest of the boys, and at a sign from Dawson, they +withdrew to a corner of the cigar store for a +conference, leaving Harry, the janitor, Snooks +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109'></a>109</span> +and Elmer leaning against the glass showcase. +</p> +<p> +The entire proceeding had been distasteful to +the janitor, who had filled his position for so +many years and, believing that it would be best +for him to propitiate the boy for whom the other +students had taken up the cudgels, he riveted his +eyes upon the new member of the Pi Etas. +</p> +<p> +“Do you know, I think I was wrong, sir, when +I told Mr. Larmore that you were the boy I had +seen in the building.” +</p> +<p> +“You most certainly were!” returned Harry. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, well, in a time of excitement, any man is +apt to be mistaken,” interposed Elmer, lightly, +“and so long as no harm has been done, if I am +willing to pay the expense, I don’t see why the +matter should go any farther.” +</p> +<p> +At this statement, Harry looked at the rich boy. +</p> +<p> +“So you don’t think it’s any harm to have such +a charge made against you when you are practically +unknown to the school authorities, and to the +people of the town in which the school is located?” +he asked. +</p> +<p> +At the question, Elmer flushed and before he +could think of a reply that was adequate, Dawson +and the boys with whom he had been talking, +moved over towards them. +</p> +<p> +“We’ve decided that if Watson is willing to +overlook the affront that has been put upon him, +for the good of the Pi Etas and Rivertown High, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110'></a>110</span> +we will allow you to pay the seventy dollars, +Craven, and let the matter drop.” +</p> +<p> +“Very well, I will go to Mr. Larmore in the +morning,” announced Elmer, his relief at the solution +of the difficulty evidenced by the look which +settled on his face. +</p> +<p> +“No, that won’t do,” returned Dawson. “Mr. +Larmore appointed me as collector of the assessment, +and if the matter is to be arranged as you +suggested, you must give the money to me. I will +pay him. In that way, no one but ourselves need +know of the real facts.” +</p> +<p> +“But I shall need time in which to raise the +money,” protested Elmer. +</p> +<p> +“How long?” asked the boy who had been +acting as spokesman. +</p> +<p> +“A month, I should say.” +</p> +<p> +“And we’re to stand for the Pi Eta society +room being closed for that length of time just to +accommodate you,” demanded Jerry, stepping +toward Elmer. +</p> +<p> +As though fearing an assault from his schoolmate, +the rich boy drew back. +</p> +<p> +“Well, I might be able to get the money in +two weeks,” he announced. +</p> +<p> +“That won’t do, either,” said Dawson. “Knowing +you as I do, it is my opinion that you have +the money right in your pocket this minute.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111'></a>111</span> +</p> +<p> +“But think of the sum, seventy dollars,” protested +Elmer. +</p> +<p> +“Which is nothing to you, if the stories that +come from Lumberport and Springtown are true,” +returned the senior, “and besides, I can tell from +the way Snooks is acting that he has some money +in his pocket. +</p> +<p> +“Now you two boys might just look the matter +squarely in the face. You have deeply wronged +Harry Watson—for reasons best known to yourselves. +Watson is a member of the Pi Eta and +a scholar in Rivertown High and is willing to +overlook your actions, provided you clear the society +from all odium. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t mind telling you frankly that it was +only because I insisted upon it that the rest of the +boys who came over with me consented to such an +arrangement. +</p> +<p> +“But unless you pay the money at once and to +me, I shall withdraw my objections to the true +state of affairs being told to Mr. Larmore—and +you all know what the result of such action would +be.” +</p> +<p> +The tones in which the senior spoke were bitter +and, fully as much as the words, they made Craven +understand that he could not count upon the +sympathy or support of the other Greek letter +men. +</p> +<p> +And even Snooks, who had never been able to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span> +gratify his dearest ambition of becoming a Pi Eta, +felt their sting. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got fifteen dollars,” the bully announced. +“If you have the rest let’s pay it, Elmer.” +</p> +<p> +This statement that the butcher’s son had any +money in his pocket was a distinct surprise not +alone to Elmer but to the other boys, and deeming +that it would make the burden upon him just so +much the lighter, Craven put his hand in his +pocket. +</p> +<p> +“Very well. I have fifty dollars. With Pud’s +fifteen that will make sixty-five. If the rest of +you will raise the remaining five dollars among +yourselves, I will pay it in the morning.” +</p> +<p> +In his talk, Dawson had been more or less bluffing, +for he had not thought that even as rich as +Elmer’s father was, he allowed him any such +amount of money; and when he had heard the boy +announce that he had fifty dollars in his pocket, +he could scarcely restrain the exclamation of surprise +that rose to his lips. But he managed to +dissemble his feelings. +</p> +<p> +“All right. You place your money on the +showcase, Elmer, and you put yours down, Pud.” +</p> +<p> +Quickly, the two boys obeyed and, after verifying +the count, Dawson turned to the others. +</p> +<p> +“It’s up to us to make up the other five dollars. +Come on, shell out?” he exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +“I have fifty cents,” and producing the coin, he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113'></a>113</span> +laid it down on the showcase beside the other +money. +</p> +<p> +The rest of the boys, however, not being accustomed +to carrying money about with them, fidgeted +nervously, then put their hands in their pockets, +and the sum total they produced did not +amount to over fifty cents more. +</p> +<p> +Enjoying their embarrassment, Elmer’s face +suddenly lighted. +</p> +<p> +“You fellows have driven hard terms with me, +and if you can’t make up the other five dollars, +then I withdraw my offer to stand the brunt of the +cost.” +</p> +<p> +In dismay, Dawson and his friends looked at +one another, but just as they were on the point of +admitting they could not carry out their agreement, +Harry took out an envelope from his pocket. +</p> +<p> +“I have five dollars,” he announced. “And +for the sake of the Pi Etas and Rivertown, I +should be glad to put it into the fund.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114'></a>114</span><a name='chXIX' id='chXIX'></a>CHAPTER XIX—UPHOLDING THE HONOR OF RIVERTOWN</h2> +<p> +Even Elmer and Snooks could not but appreciate +the magnanimity of this offer, aware as they +were of the straightened circumstances of the new +student. +</p> +<p> +“Good boy!” exclaimed the others. “We’ll +make it up to you just as soon as we get back to +Rivertown.” +</p> +<p> +Such strong dislike, however, had he conceived +for Harry, that Elmer could not bear the thought +of being under obligations to him to the slightest +extent, and with an angry movement he thrust his +hand in his pocket, pulling out a five dollar bill. +</p> +<p> +“Here! Take this,” he snarled at Dawson. +“I was saving it out to get home on, but it doesn’t +amount to anything to me, and I suppose that five +dollars Watson has is his spending money for the +year.” +</p> +<p> +The wanton brutality of the remark brought an +angry flush to Harry’s face, and clenching his +hands, he started toward the rich youth. But with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span> +no desire to have any trouble in the town across +the river, Dawson, Paul and Jerry quickly placed +themselves between the two boys, while the senior +took the extra money from Elmer and wrapped it +with that which he had, giving back to Harry the +bill which our hero’s aunt had presented to him. +</p> +<p> +At first, the new member of the Pi Eta society +was disposed to resent the act. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t be foolish,” exclaimed Dawson. “Craven +and Snooks were the ones who smashed the +apparatus—I don’t know exactly how—but you +never would find them willing to pay a cent unless +they were guilty; and it is perfectly right that Craven +should pay all the money he can rake or +scrape together.” +</p> +<p> +At this stinging comment, Elmer opened his +mouth as though he intended making a retort; +but second thought showed him the futility of so +doing, and buttoning up his coat, he nodded towards +Snooks and left the store with the bully. +</p> +<p> +As soon as they were gone, the senior turned +upon the janitor. +</p> +<p> +“Tony, I never thought to find you in such a +mess as this.” +</p> +<p> +With tears in his eyes, the Italian spoke to the +boys: +</p> +<p> +“I didn’t want to, but my little girl, she is sick, +and I need some money; and so when Elmer and +Pud come to me and tell me they would give me +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span> +fifty dollars if I will say Watson broke the stuff, +I talked it over with my woman, and she say take +it.” +</p> +<p> +This confession of the janitor’s, substantiating +the idea which the boys had formed of the incident, +together with the thought that his temptation +had come from the fact that his child was ill, +caused them to forego any further cross-questioning +of the janitor, and they took their departure +from the cigar store. +</p> +<p> +The return to Rivertown was much in the nature +of an ovation for Harry, for not long was it +after the committee appointed by the Greek letter +societies started out than word of their purpose +spread among the scholars. +</p> +<p> +With the letting out of school for the noon recess, +the girls who were members of the Gamma +Gammas and the Lambda Nus learned of the action +of the boys, and forthwith they decided to cut +classes for the rest of the day. +</p> +<p> +Particularly caustic in their comments upon the +action of the principal were Viola and Nettie; but +as the older girls counseled a waiting policy, the +two freshmen were prevented from doing anything +that would further complicate the unfortunate +case. +</p> +<p> +The action of the girls depleted the ranks of +the school still further. It was with difficulty the +instructors could maintain any sort of discipline +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span> +during the afternoon, and when the last session +was over for the day, the boys and girls hastened +down to the river, put on their skates and started +across to the town of Lumberport. +</p> +<p> +Before they had reached the other side of the +river, however, they met Dawson and the other +boys returning, and as they saw the happy expression +on their faces, their curiosity was +aroused to a high pitch. +</p> +<p> +But though they plied them with questions, they +were unable to extract any more satisfactory explanation +from them than that the matter had been +settled. +</p> +<p> +Loud were the protests at this terse announcement +and the various friends of the boys who had +gone across the river had drawn them aside and +were striving their utmost to learn the real facts, +when there was a loud shout from up the river. +</p> +<p> +Turning, the members of the Rivertown High +beheld the red and white banners which were the +colors of the high school at Springtown, and almost +simultaneously with the recognition of the +identity of the approaching crowd, they heard the +artillery like rattle of the school cheer. +</p> +<p> +“What’s the matter with Springtown? What’s +up now?” exclaimed several of the boys. +</p> +<p> +“Give them the Rivertown cheer. All together +now, everybody! Act as though you were alive,” +shouted Dawson, and swinging his arms in lieu of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118'></a>118</span> +a baton he led the cheer, whose volume rolled up +the river, breaking with defiance in the ears of +the down-coming horde of skaters. +</p> +<p> +“The quickest way to find out what’s doing is to +go up to meet them,” announced Jerry. +</p> +<p> +And without more ado, he and a few of the +other boys started off up the river. +</p> +<p> +Massed together as though they were defenders +of a town repelling a hostile attack, the other boys +and girls assumed a compact mass, watching the +members of their own school as they sped toward +the phalanx of the neighboring town. +</p> +<p> +No sooner had they noted the movement of the +leaders among the members of Rivertown High, +than the Springtownians checked their advance, +and after a few moment’s hesitation, they sent part +of their number to meet the delegation from Rivertown. +</p> +<p> +The parley between the two groups was short; +then the Rivertown members turned on their +skates and started back to their schoolmates at +top speed. +</p> +<p> +“Springtown’s come down for a race,” one of +the boys announced. “Shall we give it to them?” +</p> +<p> +For years the schools in the neighboring towns +were rivals in all branches of athletics, and though +the percentage of victories had been with the +scholars at the head of the river, there never was +a time when they could propose any game that the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119'></a>119</span> +boys and girls of Rivertown were not eager to +take up the challenge. +</p> +<p> +Accordingly when the member of the high +school on the bluff asked if his mates wished to +accept the challenge of the Springtownians there +was a mighty shout of “Yes.” +</p> +<p> +“But who’ll represent us?” exclaimed three or +four of the seniors. +</p> +<p> +“Craven isn’t in the bunch, Longback has a +grouch, and Snooks is missing too,” exclaimed +Misery. “Why not call the boys’ race off, and +let Annabel represent Rivertown?” +</p> +<p> +“Now don’t get funny,” admonished Dawson. +“There are plenty of us here who can uphold old +Rivertown.” +</p> +<p> +“Who?” demanded several voices. +</p> +<p> +“Jerry and Paul—and Watson,” added another +voice. +</p> +<p> +“How about it. You fellows want to make a +try?” +</p> +<p> +“Who are we going up against?” +</p> +<p> +“The very best men in Springtown.” +</p> +<p> +“Do they race fair?” asked Harry. +</p> +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> +<p> +“Can’t you get anyone else to go against them +in my place?” +</p> +<p> +“It doesn’t seem so. You heard what Misery +said.” +</p> +<p> +This parley was interrupted by the arrival of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span> +the advance guard of the scholars who had come +down to challenge their rivals at Rivertown. +</p> +<p> +“Are you going to let us win by default?” +asked one of the boys from Springtown. +</p> +<p> +“Not so you’d notice it. When it comes to +count the winners, Springtown won’t have a look +in!” returned Dawson. +</p> +<p> +His words brought a cheer of encouragement +from his schoolmates. +</p> +<p> +“Then let’s get busy and start the races right +away,” announced the spokesman for the Springtownians. +</p> +<p> +“All right. Bring the men out. We have only +three. How long is the race going to be?” +</p> +<p> +In response to this question various were the +exclamations of opinion; some clamored for two +miles, others asserting that one was enough. When +they could come to no definite conclusion, several +of the leaders from each of the schools got together +to try to settle the distance. +</p> +<p> +Their attempt, however, was as unsuccessful as +had been those of the scholars en masse; and finally +Socker Gales exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +“Let’s toss a coin!” +</p> +<p> +The suggestion met with instant approval from +both of the opposing forces. +</p> +<p> +Quickly Dawson drew a coin from his pocket, +balancing it on his thumb and forefinger. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span> +</p> +<p> +“I’ll toss. Springtown, you call!” he exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +High in the air he spun the coin, and as it +whirled over and over, the leader of the Springtownians, +shouted: “Tails!” +</p> +<p> +With a sharp click the bit of money struck the +ice, and then as though driven by perverseness, it +rolled some twenty feet, finally striking a depression, +into which it fell. +</p> +<p> +The instant the coin had struck the ice and +started on it’s runaway career, the boys who had +been watching the tossing, set after it; but fleet as +they were, it managed to elude them and had settled +in the ice crevice before they had overtaken +it. +</p> +<p> +“Which is it?” called the others, as two of the +Rivertown boys reached the spot. +</p> +<p> +“Heads,” they replied. +</p> +<p> +“That means you lose, Springtown!” chorused +the rest of the Rivertown scholars. +</p> +<p> +But the challengers from up the river refused +to accept the fall of the coin as an omen. +</p> +<p> +“Which distance are you going to take?” demanded +the leader of the visitors. +</p> +<p> +“Wait until I talk with the boys who are going +to race,” announced Dawson. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll make it two miles!” he finally exclaimed, +after a brief consultation. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122'></a>122</span> +</p> +<p> +This announcement met with varied exclamations +from the Rivertown students. +</p> +<p> +“Paul and Jerry never can stand that distance +in the world,” shouted several of their mates. +</p> +<p> +“Never mind, that’s Watson’s pet race, and all +we want to do is win it,” declared Misery. “This +isn’t a meet where we have to have points to win.” +</p> +<p> +But despite his confident announcement, there +were many of the scholars who scoffed at the +thought that the boy who had so lately come to +Rivertown would be able to defeat the man who +had twice won the race for Springtown. +</p> +<p> +Realizing what was in their minds, several of +the seniors skated about among the Rivertown students. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t sulk!” they exclaimed. “Show some +life! We chose the two miles, and it’s up to you +people to give some support to the boys who are +going to race! Don’t act as though you thought +we were beaten already. Come on now, rip out a +cheer!” +</p> +<p> +Under the lash of the words, the boys and girls +of Rivertown let out cheer after cheer, winding +up the various school cries with the names of the +boys who were to represent it’s honor. +</p> +<p> +Valiantly, Springtown came back, but not +enough scholars had come down the river to produce +a volume as great as that of the home town, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123'></a>123</span> +and they finally abandoned their efforts to out-cheer +their rivals. +</p> +<p> +The preliminaries having been arranged while +the battle of voices was being fought out, the +student leaders had drawn a line on the ice from +one of the old landmarks which had been used on +the river for the races between the two schools +for generations, while three or four others started +up the ice to stand the stakes at the finish line, +which was also indicated by long established posts. +</p> +<p> +As soon as the latter had taken their position, +the contestants were lined up. +</p> +<p> +Having lost the choice of distance, according +to the traditions of the races between the two +schools, the task of starting the race fell to +Springtown, and Dick Wenzel, the captain of the +baseball team, was proclaimed the man to give +the word. +</p> +<p> +Separating into groups which lined up, each +about their representatives, the scholars again +gave vent to cheers, and when they finally subsided, +Wenzel warned the racers to be ready, then +sent them away. +</p> +<p> +During the time that they were waiting, Paul +and Jerry had posted Harry as well as they could +on the tricks of their opponents; and the three +boys had come to the conclusion that inasmuch as +the race was to be for two miles, it would be best +to let the visitors set the pace. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span> +</p> +<p> +The boys from the head of the river, however, +quickly fell to the game and slackened their speed. +</p> +<p> +“Wake up! Put some ginger into it. This +isn’t a walking match!” shouted the boys and girls +who were following the contestants, irrespective of +the schools to which they belonged. +</p> +<p> +During the first few hundred yards, Harry had +sized up his opponents closely, noting from the +short strokes they took, that while they could +maintain a high rate of speed for a short distance, +they were more than likely to exhaust themselves +before they could go the two miles; and when he +heard the taunts of his schoolmates, he decided +to take a chance of being outskated by the rivals +of Rivertown. +</p> +<p> +All six of the boys were skating along leisurely, +when of a sudden Harry put on a burst of speed, +shooting to the front; and before the others had +realized what had happened he had opened a +space of fifty feet between him and his competitors. +</p> +<p> +“After him! After him! Don’t let him get +too much of a lead on you,” warned the Springtown +students, dismayed to think anyone could +make such a gain on their representatives. +</p> +<p> +The glee of the Rivertown scholars was in proportion +to the anxiety of their rivals. +</p> +<p> +But though the representatives of Springtown +responded to the demands of their mates, Harry +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125'></a>125</span> +had a flying lead and, exert themselves as they +would, the boys from up the river could not gain +on him. +</p> +<p> +His arms and feet swinging in perfect rhythm, +Harry sped over the smooth ice, the shouts of his +schoolmates ringing in his ears. +</p> +<p> +“You’ve got a good lead, slow up!” shouted +those of his mates who were nearest to him, while +others cautioned him to take it easy, in the fear +that he could not last the full distance. But the +boy knew himself better than they, and kept on at +his top speed, unmindful of their advice. +</p> +<p> +Hard behind him came a Springtown skater, but +could not cut down his lead appreciably. +</p> +<p> +Barely able to hold their own with the others, +Paul and Jerry struggled along, and as they saw +that their chum had so great an advantage they +devoted their energies to coaching him. +</p> +<p> +“You’ve got them all puffing, and there’s only +a quarter more to go! There isn’t one of them +who can spurt! Just take care of yourself and +don’t fall!” they shouted from time to time. +</p> +<p> +As the cries reached his ears, Harry raised his +head, looked for the finish line, and to his delight +saw it even nearer than he supposed. +</p> +<p> +The sight made him feel so happy that he determined +to give a still greater exhibition of his +speed; and striking out as though he were perfectly +fresh, instead of having skated more than a mile +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span> +and three-quarters, he raced over the ice, opening +farther and farther the distance that separated +him from his Springtown rivals. +</p> +<p> +His spurt had been greeted with gasps of surprise +from his schoolmates, and many were the +shouts hurled at him to be careful lest he exhaust +himself and get beaten out at the finish. When +they saw he was skating strong and steadily, however, +the Rivertown boys and girls gave vent to +the wildest glee, and howled and cheered, breaking +their schools yells with rhythmic chants of: +</p> +<p> +“Watson! Watson! Watson!” +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i005' id='i005'></a> +<img src="images/illus-004.jpg" alt="“WATSON! WATSON! WATSON!”" title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>“WATSON! WATSON! WATSON!”</span> +</div> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127'></a>127</span><a name='chXX' id='chXX'></a>CHAPTER XX—HARRY RECEIVES BAD NEWS</h2> +<p> +As Harry dashed across the line, victor, pandemonium +broke loose among the scholars; and +when they overtook him he was given an ovation +that entirely drove from his mind the unpleasant +incidents of the morning and early afternoon. +</p> +<p> +Foremost in congratulations was Viola, and +after his friends had thanked him for upholding +the honor of Rivertown, and wresting the victory +of the annual race from their old time Springtown +rivals, Harry and Viola started down the +river together. +</p> +<p> +They had covered about half the distance, when +Elmer and Pud put in their appearance. Disagreeable, +indeed, were the comments which the +rich boy made when he saw the one member of +the Rivertown High School he most detested +skating with the girl he liked the best. +</p> +<p> +In vain Viola pretended not to hear the remarks +passed by the bully and his companion, but +they brought a flush of anger to her cheeks, and +noting it, Harry let go her hands. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span> +</p> +<p> +“If you’re tired, Miss Darrow, suppose we +wait till the others come up. Then you can skate +away with your friends,” suggested Harry. +</p> +<p> +A moment the girl looked at him: “I’m not in +the least tired, Mr. Watson!” she exclaimed; +“and I don’t mind what those two boys are saying, +if you don’t.” +</p> +<p> +“But I do,” returned Harry, “on your account. +For that reason I think it’s best that you join +your friends.” +</p> +<p> +“But you’re <em>my</em> friend, aren’t you?” +</p> +<p> +“I hope so, that is, I should like to be.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I certainly consider you so,” returned +the girl, and again taking hold of hands, they +skated away, laughing and chatting merrily; and +continued to skate together till it was time for +them to go to their homes to supper. +</p> +<p> +Light of heart to think he had been cleared of +the charges of depredations in the physical laboratory, +and successful in defeating the skaters from +Springtown, Harry was in a happy frame of mind +as he mounted the steps of his aunt’s house, and +went in to supper. But one sight of his aunt’s +face drove all his joy away. +</p> +<p> +“What is it, Aunt Mary? Have you heard +about the trouble at the school? Don’t worry, +because there’s nothing in it.” +</p> +<p> +The thought that her nephew had been concerned +in some difficulty of which she was ignorant struck +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span> +still further grievance to the woman. +</p> +<p> +“No, I haven’t heard about it. What is it, +tell me?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, it doesn’t amount to much. Merely that +some apparatus was broken in the physical laboratory +and they thought that I did it.” +</p> +<p> +So distressed was the woman that, unmindful +of how the words would sound, and the impression +they would convey, she asked in a tone that was +harsher than she would have used if she had been +entirely herself. +</p> +<p> +“You didn’t do it, did you?” +</p> +<p> +In surprise, Harry looked at her for several +moments. +</p> +<p> +“No, indeed,” he finally replied. +</p> +<p> +“Thank goodness. We have trouble enough +without that.” +</p> +<p> +Never before had the boy seen his aunt so upset, +and her asperity was all the more striking because +of her usual kindly humor. +</p> +<p> +“What’s the trouble? Tell me, Aunt Mary, +please?” he finally asked. +</p> +<p> +“It’s bad news, Harry.” +</p> +<p> +Instantly the boy became as solemn and serious +as his aunt. His face grew white and the lines +about his mouth grew deep. +</p> +<p> +“You mean you’ve had bad news from +father?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span> +</p> +<p> +“Poor dad! I guess I’d better give up school +and go back to Lawrenceburgh,” announced the +boy. “If Elmer and Pud ever hear about it, +they’ll make my life unbearable; and besides, it +isn’t right for me to be such a drain on father.” +</p> +<p> +“You won’t be a drain on him. You mustn’t +look at it that way!” exclaimed his aunt. “You +know you are just as dear to me as though you +were my own son, and I want you to stay with +me <em>now</em>.” +</p> +<p> +“But somebody ought to go down to Lawrenceburgh. +It can’t be true. There’s something +wrong somewhere.” +</p> +<p> +“Somebody <em>is</em> going down to Lawrenceburgh!” +announced a shrill voice. +</p> +<p> +And looking up, Mrs. Watson and her nephew +beheld the kindly face of old Jed Brown, whose +usual happy smile had given way to an expression +of solemnity. +</p> +<p> +“What do you mean?” asked Mrs. Watson. +</p> +<p> +“That I’m going down to Lawrenceburgh for +a few days. I’ve been wanting to go for a long +time. Just been looking for an excuse and now +I’ve got it. I’ve known Amos since he was a kid +in knickerbockers, and I know there isn’t a mean +or crooked hair in his head. It’s all a mistake—and +and I’m going to set it right.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Mr. Brown! If you only could!” exclaimed the widow, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span> +as the old veteran ceased +speaking. +</p> +<p> +“And I can. Don’t worry,” he returned. “It +may take some time, but I shall find out who’s at +the bottom of it, and even if Jed Brown is a cripple +and poor, he is honest, and he can fight just +as in the days when he followed the flag through +the campaign in the Wilderness.” +</p> +<p> +So deeply moved were the aunt and nephew, +they dared not speak in the fear that they would +be unable to control their voices, and they expressed +their appreciation of the old veteran’s +words by shaking his hand cordially. +</p> +<p> +Sad, indeed, was the little household during the +rest of the day, and as soon as Harry could find an +excuse he went to his room and to bed, where, +after forming various plans for the undoing of +his father’s enemies, he finally dropped asleep. +</p> +<p> +“Now you must try to forget that things are +not as they always were,” whispered his aunt +in the boy’s ear as he started for school the next +morning. “Just appear your usual self, and do +not let any of your friends know that you are not +happy.” +</p> +<p> +“It isn’t my friends I’m afraid of; it’s the fellows +who don’t like me,” returned Harry. +</p> +<p> +“All the more reason why you should keep a +stiff upper lip,” declared Mrs. Watson. And, +promising to do his best, the boy set out for the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span> +bluff on which the Rivertown High School was, +situated. +</p> +<p> +But it seemed as though Fate had conspired +against Harry! +</p> +<p> +As he entered the main hallway, Elmer stepped +up, having evidently been on the lookout for him. +</p> +<p> +“See here, Watson, I saw you skating with +Viola Darrow yesterday afternoon!” he exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +“Well, what of it?” +</p> +<p> +“Just this much—don’t do it again!” +</p> +<p> +“Why not, pray?” +</p> +<p> +“Because I tell you not to, that’s all!” +</p> +<p> +“Well, you’ve got to give me some better reason +than that, Elmer Craven,” flashed the sorely +troubled boy. “If Miss Darrow is willing that I +should skate with her, I don’t see that it is your +business or anyone else’s, as far as that is concerned.” +</p> +<p> +“You’ll find it is, though. I tell you, you’ve got +to stop going with her! You remember the laboratory +business? Well, it will be just as easy to +put a stop to your going with Viola as it was to +frame that up on you. So just take my advice +and leave her alone!” +</p> +<p> +So vicious did the rich boy’s face become as he +uttered his threat that Harry could scarcely believe +he was talking with a fellow member of Rivertown +High. For the moment, he thought of resenting the boy’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span> +words with his fists; but the +sound of footsteps and the voice of the principal, +from behind, caused him to abandon the idea. +</p> +<p> +“Well, are you going to take my advice?” demanded +his enemy, sullenly. +</p> +<p> +“I’m going to do just as I please, Elmer Craven. +Neither you nor anyone else can stop me!” +retorted Harry. And turning on his heel, he +stalked away to his classroom. +</p> +<p> +But though he had maintained a defiant manner, +at heart he was sick. Coming as it did on +top of the news from his father, the thought that +he would now be obliged to guard himself against +underhand attacks from his rival, with whom he +had held many angry words, made him deeply +anxious, and again the idea which had come to him +on the previous night when his aunt had made +her announcement,—that he should leave school,—recurred +to him. +</p> +<p> +A happy nod and smile from Viola, who +chanced to be passing through the hall on her way +to one of her recitations, however, decided the day +for Harry. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll not let Elmer Craven make me give up +my friendship for Viola!” he told himself. And +with this resolve, he proceeded to his various duties. +</p> +<p> +Having no recitations after the noon recess, +Paul suggested that Jerry, Harry and he should +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134'></a>134</span> +take a sail on his new iceboat <em>Lightning</em>, which +had just been delivered to him. +</p> +<p> +Glad of any diversion that would take his +mind from his troubles, Harry readily accepted +and the boys went to their several homes for dinner. +</p> +<p> +Angry that he had failed to scare his rival, Elmer +had brooded all the morning over some means +of making good his threat, and at last, unable to +think of any scheme that would be both adequate +and feasible, he dropped into the village butcher +shop to consult his friend, Pud. +</p> +<p> +To his amazement, he found the bully laughing +and in high spirits, in striking contrast to the surly +gloom he had maintained since the eventful day +in Lumberport. +</p> +<p> +“What’s making you feel so gay?” demanded +Elmer. +</p> +<p> +“The fact that I’ve got Harry Watson now +just where I want him!” +</p> +<p> +His eyes big with incredulity, the richest boy +in Rivertown stared at the bully. +</p> +<p> +“What on earth do you mean?” he finally +asked, when he found that Pud made no move to +explain his statement. +</p> +<p> +“Just this!” returned the bully. And he tapped +a newspaper which was spread out over one of the +chopping blocks. +</p> +<p> +“But I don’t understand?” persisted Elmer. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135'></a>135</span> +</p> +<p> +“Then listen to this!” and Pud read the following: +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +“‘Amos Watson’s appeal was denied by the +court and he will now be compelled to serve five +years in prison to which he was sentenced for forgery.’” +</p> +<p> +“Well?” exclaimed Elmer, still mystified. +</p> +<p> +“What’s the matter with you? Have you suddenly +lost your senses?” stormed the bully. +</p> +<p> +“But I don’t see what that has to do with that +young cur.” +</p> +<p> +“You don’t, eh? Well, it has just this to do +with it—Amos Watson is Harry’s father!” +</p> +<p> +For several minutes the rich boy stood silent, +as though endeavoring to grasp the magnitude +of the news which had come to him—and then, +with a sudden cry of delight, he struck Pud a resounding +whack on the back. +</p> +<p> +“That’s great—provided it’s true!” he exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +“True? Of course it’s true. Isn’t it in the +paper?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, but where did you get the paper?” demanded +Elmer, picking it up and looking at the +name and date line. +</p> +<p> +“Uncle Briscoe always sends it up from Lawrenceburgh +to my mother. She used to live down +there, you know.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span> +</p> +<p> +“No, I didn’t, but the paper seems straight +enough, so I suppose it’s all right.” +</p> +<p> +“You bet it’s all right. And now come on, +we’ll spread the news—and if Harry Watson +doesn’t wish before night he’d never been born, +I’ll miss my guess!” +</p> +<p> +And together the two boys who hated Harry +so bitterly set out to scatter the news of his +father’s misfortune broadcast. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137'></a>137</span><a name='chXXI' id='chXXI'></a>CHAPTER XXI—ELMER BAITS HIS RIVAL</h2> +<p> +Good care did the two boys who were bent on +the downfall of our hero take to tell the story of +Harry’s father being a forger only to those who +were not particularly friendly to the lad—with +the result that it found ready credence, and was +soon being repeated with all manner of exaggerations. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t believe a word of it!” declared Viola, +when the report reached her. “Harry Watson is +a splendid chap. I——” +</p> +<p> +“But this isn’t Harry, it’s his father whose +appeal from a prison sentence has been refused,” +laughed a girl who had told the malicious tale. +</p> +<p> +“It makes no difference, I don’t believe Harry’s +father is a man who would stoop to any such act!” +retorted Viola, hotly. And, putting her arm +through Nettie’s, the richest girl in Rivertown +High went off with her chum—for the story had +hurt her more than she cared to have her schoolmates +see. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span> +</p> +<p> +Though in high spirits at the amazement their +announcement caused among their schoolmates, +Elmer and Pud were disappointed that the boy +whose father they were traducing did not put in +an appearance. +</p> +<p> +“Where do you suppose he is?” asked Socker, +after they had discovered Harry’s absence. +</p> +<p> +“Probably afraid to show his head,” commented +Misery. “I don’t think I’d care to exhibit +myself to my school-fellows under such conditions.” +</p> +<p> +“But Jerry and Paul aren’t here, either,” asserted +another boy. +</p> +<p> +“The three of them are off together somewhere, +I suppose,” suggested Pud. +</p> +<p> +“Or else they’re waiting until school begins, +to sneak in,” commented Elmer. +</p> +<p> +But in ignorance of all the cruel things that +were being said about him, Harry was at the +river with his chums, busily helping Paul rig up +his iceboat. +</p> +<p> +Being new, there was no end of fussing and +readjusting to be done before the <em>Lightning</em> was +ready for her initial spin; and the three lads were +in the act of making a final test of her ropes, when +a crowd of the boys and girls rushed down to the +river for their daily frolic on the ice after school—and +among them were Elmer and Pud. +</p> +<p> +“Who’s iceboat is that?” demanded the bully, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span> +as he caught sight of the rangy looking craft, +some half mile up the river. +</p> +<p> +“Must belong to some one from Lumberport +or Cardell,” returned Elmer. “It’s a new one, +that’s easy to see. Let’s skate out and look her +over. If she’s any good, I’ll rig up the <em>Glider</em> +and we’ll have some races.” +</p> +<p> +Readily the other boys agreed to the suggestion, +and as soon as they had adjusted their skates, +they dashed out over the smooth, clear ice. +</p> +<p> +Not far had they gone, however, before Pud let +out a whoop of glee. +</p> +<p> +“That’s Paul Martin; and he’s got Jerry and +Watson with him!” he shouted. “Come on, we’ll +have some fun with the forger’s son!” +</p> +<p> +The evident viciousness of the bully did not +meet with the approval of some of the fellows, +however, and they were not slow to let Snooks +know it. But the thought that he had a lever with +which to make his enemy unhappy made him impervious +to any comments of his schoolmates. +</p> +<p> +Ere the boys had covered more than half the +distance which separated them from the iceboat +they saw that unless something were done instantly +to delay the start, they would arrive too +late, for Paul and his companions were stretching +themselves along the runners, preparatory to getting +under way. +</p> +<p> +“Hey there! Wait a minute!” yelled Elmer, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140'></a>140</span> +putting his hands to his lips that he might make a +funnel that would carry the sound farther. +</p> +<p> +Surprised at the hail, the three boys rolled from +the iceboat, looking expectantly at the fellows +hastening toward them. +</p> +<p> +“What’s wanted?” shouted Paul, as the others +came within easy speaking distance. +</p> +<p> +“I just wanted to tell you that the fellow you’re +chumming with and going to take on your boat +is the son of a prison-bird!” exclaimed Elmer. +“I thought you ought to know it.” +</p> +<p> +As he heard the brutal statement, Harry’s face +grew deathly pale, and he clutched one of the +guide ropes with his hand as though to keep himself +from falling, while Paul and Jerry looked +from his accuser to him, bewildered. +</p> +<p> +“Wha—what do you mean?” finally stammered +Paul. “Who’s the son of a prison-bird?” +</p> +<p> +“Harry Watson!” chorused Elmer and Pud. +</p> +<p> +“That’s not true!” cried Harry, in a quavering +voice. +</p> +<p> +“It is! My mother received a paper from +Lawrenceburgh this morning, and it says that +Amos Watson is going to prison for five years +for forgery!” announced the bully, gloatingly. +</p> +<p> +“And Amos Watson is your father, isn’t he?” +demanded Elmer of Harry. +</p> +<p> +“Yes. But there has been some dirty work +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span> +somewhere. My father is as innocent of the +charge as you are, Elmer Craven!” +</p> +<p> +“Evidently the judge didn’t think so—or he +wouldn’t have refused his appeal,” sneered the +rich tormentor. “Before you get chummy with +any more fellows, I advise you to make sure who +they are, Paul. And you remember it was you +who introduced this son of a prison-bird to Viola.” +</p> +<p> +At the mention of the girl’s name, Harry +seemed suddenly to galvanize into action. +</p> +<p> +“You leave Miss Darrow’s name out of this, +Elmer Craven!” he cried, hotly. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, is that so? Well, I reckon it will take +more than a forger’s son to tell me what I shall +do and what I shall not. Paul, you’ve either +got to apologize to Viola for introducing this +chap to her—or——” +</p> +<p> +“Or what?” demanded Harry, fairly leaping +on his skates toward the boy who had been baiting +him until he had goaded him beyond endurance. +</p> +<p> +Something there was in the tormented boy’s +eyes that alarmed his rich enemy, and the fellow +gave ground, working himself toward the spot +where Pud Snooks was standing, as though seeking +the protection of the bully. +</p> +<p> +Harry, however, was too quick for him and, +with a sudden turn cut off Elmer’s attempt, forcing +the boy to face him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span> +</p> +<p> +“Or what?” he demanded a second time. +</p> +<p> +Finding escape impossible, the rich fellow +glared into the white, tense face before him. +</p> +<p> +“Or he’ll have to settle with me!” Elmer finished, +but his voice was so low that it carried none +of its former bravado. +</p> +<p> +“You’re wrong there, Craven. He’ll be obliged +to settle with me if he does apologize. I may not +be as rich as you, nor my father as yours, but +we’re just as honest!” +</p> +<p> +“That doesn’t seem to be what the judge +thought!” repeated Elmer. “I——” +</p> +<p> +But the limit of insult that Harry could endure +had been reached. +</p> +<p> +After the repetition of the remark about the +opinion of the jurist who had denied Mr. Watson’s +appeal, the boy had drawn back his right +arm—and the next moment, his tormentor lay +stretched on the ice! +</p> +<p> +“Coward! Why don’t you take a fellow of +your size!” cried Pud, skating toward Harry. +</p> +<p> +“Why don’t you?” demanded Paul and Jerry, +throwing themselves between the hulking bully +who overtopped their chum by three or four +inches. +</p> +<p> +“What are you doing in this? Get out of my +way!” snarled Snooks. +</p> +<p> +But the two boys refused to budge and, realizing +that he would not be a match for the pair of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span> +them, the bully skated away, growling to himself. +</p> +<p> +In the meantime, Elmer had gotten to his feet. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll fix you for this, you see if I don’t!” he +snarled with a look of fierce hatred at the boy +who had knocked him down. +</p> +<p> +“I wouldn’t, if I were you, Elmer. You only +got what you deserved!” returned Paul. “Come +on, Harry, if we’re going to have our sail on the +<em>Lightning</em>, we’ve got to hurry.” +</p> +<p> +“Much obliged—but I don’t think I’ll go this +afternoon,” exclaimed our hero; and despite the +protests of his chums, he skated to the shore and +then for home. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span><a name='chXXII' id='chXXII'></a>CHAPTER XXII—DARK DAYS</h2> +<p> +On his way to his aunt’s house, Harry met +Jed Brown, hobbling along, a valise in his hand. +</p> +<p> +One look at the boy’s white face told the veteran +that some new trouble had come to him, and +he solicitously inquired its cause. +</p> +<p> +Harry, however, was not disposed to share his +grief with anyone. +</p> +<p> +“Going away?” he asked, warding off the question. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, down to my sister’s at Lawrenceburgh. +You know I told you and Mrs. Watson the other +night that I was going down—and this afternoon +we were talking it over and decided that if I was +to do any good, I ought to start without delay.” +</p> +<p> +For a moment Harry was silent as he strove to +master himself sufficiently to speak about his +father’s dilemma. +</p> +<p> +“I—I hope you’ll be able to find out something, +Jed,” he said, but his voice quavered pitifully and +as he heard it, a light of understanding broke +over the aged cripple. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span> +</p> +<p> +“Have the boys found out about the business?” +he asked. +</p> +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> +<p> +“How?” +</p> +<p> +“Pud Snooks saw the announcement of the +court in a paper that is sent to his mother from +Lawrenceburgh.” +</p> +<p> +At the mention of the source of the information, +the veteran’s brow clouded. +</p> +<p> +“That Snooks had better watch out!” he +snapped. “I—” then he evidently thought better +of his intention to say anything further concerning +the bully; and taking Harry’s hand, he exclaimed: +“Just keep good courage in your heart, boy. +Things will come out all right. Go about your +study and play exactly as though nothing had happened. +I’ll let you hear from me in a few days. +And now I must go or I shall miss my train.” +</p> +<p> +And giving the boy’s hand another hearty shake, +the crippled veteran started again on his way to +the railroad station. +</p> +<p> +Not more than a few steps had he taken, however, +then he felt a hand on his valise, and turning +quickly, in the fear that it might be some of +the boys who delighted to play tricks on him, he +had a snarl on his lips, when he saw that it was +Harry. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll go down to the station with you, Mr. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span> +Brown,” he announced. “Just let me take your +valise.” +</p> +<p> +Glad of the assistance, for he had found his +bag heavier than he thought, the veteran held the +conversation to cheerful topics, and not again was +the unfortunate matter, so close to the hearts of +both, mentioned. And waiting until the train +departed, Harry took his way home. +</p> +<p> +But he was not as bereft of friends as he had +thought. +</p> +<p> +No sooner had he taken his departure from the +river than the boys who had gathered about the +iceboat took up the discussion of the affair. +</p> +<p> +“Well, even if Mr. Watson does go to jail, +that doesn’t mean we should throw Harry down!” +announced Paul, resolutely. +</p> +<p> +Quickly several of the other boys reiterated this +opinion, but more of them sided with Elmer and +Pud. +</p> +<p> +“You can associate with him if you want to—but +I don’t think your father will let you,” sneered +the rich lad. +</p> +<p> +“I know mine won’t,” declared the bully. But +instead of his words making the impression he +had intended, they drew a burst of laughter from +Paul and Jerry. +</p> +<p> +“What do you find so funny about that?” demanded +Pud, angrily. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span> +</p> +<p> +“That your father should forbid your associating +with anyone,” returned Paul. +</p> +<p> +“Say, do you think I ain’t as good as the Martins +or the Posts or any people in Rivertown?” +</p> +<p> +“I’m not saying anything about that. It merely +struck me that a fellow who was only saved from +serious trouble by the kindheartedness of an old +man whom he had tormented in every way possible +ought not to make too many comments about +other people,” exclaimed Paul, coolly, but uttering +each word with deliberation. +</p> +<p> +Instantly the boys realized that Paul had referred +to the incident of the fire which burned Jed +Brown’s home, and they awaited the effect upon +the bully with eagerness. But it was not what +they expected. +</p> +<p> +For a moment, Pud looked into the eyes of the +boy who had taken up the cudgels for his absent +chum; then lowered his own, growled something +that none of his auditors could understand, and +skated away. +</p> +<p> +“Now you go, too, Craven,” advised Jerry. +“If I were you, I’d hire Pud to go round with me—or +else stop talking about Harry Watson.” +</p> +<p> +“What do you mean?” demanded the rich +student. +</p> +<p> +“Didn’t I make myself plain enough? I said +for you to stop talking about Harry Watson.” +</p> +<p> +“Huh, I’d like to see anyone stop me.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span> +</p> +<p> +“Well, you will, if you don’t watch out.” +</p> +<p> +At the words, Craven skated away from Jerry, +evidently mindful of the blow he had received +from Harry; and with one accord, the excited +crowd of boys broke into small groups whose sole +topic of conversation was the news from Lawrenceburgh. +</p> +<p> +Among the townsfolk as well as the scholars, +the story spread, and in due time Mr. Larmore +and all the teachers heard of it. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t belief it!” announced Prof. Schmidt, +emphatically, when it was told him at supper. +And when he had finished the meal, the kindly old +German put on his fur coat and cap and went +round to call on Mrs. Watson. +</p> +<p> +The coming of the professor was distinctly embarrassing +to both the good woman and her +nephew. But he soon put them at their ease by +announcing that he hoped Harry would not let the +matter keep him from school. +</p> +<p> +“That’s just what we were talking about when +you came, Professor,” declared Mrs. Watson. +</p> +<p> +A ring at the door-bell interrupted her and +when Harry answered it and admitted the principal +of the Rivertown High School, she became +even more confused. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Larmore, however, quickly made it evident +that he had come for the same purpose as +had the genial old German; and after much talking, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149'></a>149</span> +Mrs. Watson finally agreed that her nephew +should continue his studies. +</p> +<p> +But it was a quiet and sober Harry who entered +his classroom the next morning. +</p> +<p> +His friends strove to convey their sympathy +and belief in him by cordial nods. But their kindness +was more than offset by the sneers and grunts +with which his enemies greeted him. So keenly +did the boy feel them that he made his laboratory +work an excuse for not joining his companions +during the recesses. +</p> +<p> +What hurt him most, however, was Viola’s attitude. +Though she had smiled at him when he had +entered the classroom, when he had tried to speak +to her she had skilfully prevented it by moving +away when she saw him approaching. And deeply +did her action cut Harry, so that he vowed to himself +he would not give her another opportunity to +cause him pain. +</p> +<p> +For some time things drifted along, and Harry +continued to be the storm center of the school +world. Some of his fellows shunned him, and +others tried to establish themselves on even a +more friendly footing with him than at first. But +Harry’s attitude was neutral, his only decided +stand being to refuse to appear in the Pi Eta +society room, though his friends endeavored in +every way to persuade him. +</p> +<p> +During that time old Jed Brown did not return +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150'></a>150</span> +to Rivertown, nor did our hero hear from the old +veteran. Harry’s aunt heard from Mr. Watson, +but the news was not encouraging. +</p> +<p> +“They still consider your father guilty,” said +the aunt to the youth. “But we know he is innocent, +and some day the world will know it, too.” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps,” said Harry, sadly. “But, oh, Aunt +Mary, to have him in prison! It is awful! I can’t +bear to think of it!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151'></a>151</span><a name='chXXIII' id='chXXIII'></a>CHAPTER XXIII—A MILE A MINUTE SPIN</h2> +<p> +“Good morning, Mrs. Watson; is Harry at +home?” +</p> +<p> +Saturday had come, with clear skies, and a cold, +crisp air that gave promise of a fine day’s sport +on the ice for Rivertown’s young people. It was +Paul Martin who had knocked at the door of the +widow’s house, and greeted her with his cheery +smile when she admitted him. +</p> +<p> +“Good morning, Paul!” replied the good +woman, the look of distress on her face giving +way for a moment to one of pleasure at seeing +this loyal friend of her nephew. “Yes, he is in +his den, busy with something. The poor boy seldom +goes out these days; and I’m afraid the constant +grieving will tell on his health.” +</p> +<p> +“That is just why I’ve come around, ma’am, +to try and influence Harry to take a spin with me +on my iceboat,” Paul continued, eagerly. “You +see, we were just going to have a run before, +when Pud Snooks interrupted us with that unpleasant +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span> +bit of news; and Harry backed out. +We lost all interest in the sport soon afterward, +and I’ve really had little heart for it since.” +</p> +<p> +“It was good of you to think of your friend +in this way, Paul,” the widow said, laying a hand +on the lad’s shoulder, and looking affectionately +into his manly face. “And depend on it, Harry +is worthy of all your regard. I know something +about boys, even though I was never blessed with +one myself; and if ever there lived a clean, brave +and loyal fellow, Harry is one. And Paul, he +must go off with you to get some fresh air. This +staying in, and thinking of all his troubles, is +not the best thing for even his strong nature.” +</p> +<p> +“Then please back me up,” said Paul, “in +case he tries to beg off. I’m going to insist; and +I think I know how to reach Harry’s weak spot. +I’ll give him to understand that if he refuses, it’s +going to spoil all my Saturday morning sport. +Harry will make sacrifices for a chum that he +would never think of doing for himself. And now +I’ll push in on him, if you don’t mind.” +</p> +<p> +As he opened the door of Harry’s little den, +where the boy did his studying, and kept such +traps as boys usually accumulate, he found the +object of his solicitude bending over a table, and +deep in some book. +</p> +<p> +“Hello! here, old book-worm, this is no morning +to bury yourself here indoors like a hermit!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span> +cried Paul, as he burst in on his chum like a +breath of the crisp winter air. +</p> +<p> +Harry looked up, and his face was immediately +wreathed in a smile. The very presence of such +a fine, healthy fellow like Paul was enough in itself +to chase away the blues. He sprang to his +feet, and grasped the hand that was thrust out +toward him, wringing it with boyish ardor. For +deep down in his heart he knew full well that Paul +was almost as much concerned over the trouble +that had of late befallen him, as he could be himself. +</p> +<p> +“Glad to see you, Paul!” he exclaimed. “Yes, +it does look like a great day for a Saturday; and +I guess lots of fellows will be glad. The ice +must be fine after that little thaw, and hard +freeze. I haven’t been down to the river you +know, of late. I just seem to feel that I ought +to keep away from my friends, and save them +from embarrassment.” +</p> +<p> +If there was a trace of bitterness in Harry’s +voice, Paul did not notice it. He did catch the +tremor though, that told of a sore heart; and +impulsively he again squeezed the hand of his +chum. +</p> +<p> +“That’s just what brought me here right now,” +he observed, seriously. “You must get out more, +Harry. You know yourself that all this brooding +over your affairs isn’t going to do you a bit of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154'></a>154</span> +good. Things are going to come out all right yet; +but it may take some time. Meanwhile it’s foolish +of you to shun your best friends, and keep +indoors. I’ve come to carry you off to the river +with me, d’ye hear?” +</p> +<p> +Harry sighed, and cast a look of sincere affection +on this staunch friend. They had been utter +strangers only a few months back; and yet so +strong had the ties become that bound them together, +that he fancied he cared as much for +Paul as he could have done for a brother. +</p> +<p> +“Thank you, Paul,” he said, slowly. “I’d +like to go first-rate; but I’ve made up my mind +to keep clear of all the high school young people +until this mystery is solved, and I can look them +in the face without a blush. Understand, I have +the utmost faith in my father; and I <em>know</em> he must +be innocent of the charge brought against him; +but so far old Jed has not sent any cheering word; +and I must wait.” +</p> +<p> +“But I say again, that’s no reason for you to +keep on hurting your health,” Paul insisted. +“Even your Aunt Mary is getting anxious about +you; and Harry, she’s been so good to you, don’t +you think it is a little cruel to add to her burden +in any way?” +</p> +<p> +Harry sighed again, and looked undecided. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, Aunt Mary is as good as gold,” he observed. +“And I certainly wouldn’t want to cause +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span> +her any unnecessary pain; but Paul, somehow I +haven’t the heart to do the things I used to. I +feel a terrible weight in here,”—putting his hand +on his chest as he spoke—“that hurts. In my present +condition I’d only be a drawback to any crowd +of merry boys and girls; and so I stay away.” +</p> +<p> +Perhaps Paul could understand more than +Harry gave him credit for. Perhaps he guessed +that it was partly the coolness of one particular +girl that helped give his chum this heavy feeling +in the region of his heart. For he knew how +much Harry had come to care for Viola; and it +was difficult for him to understand just why she +should take up again with Elmer Craven, whom +she had once cut dead. +</p> +<p> +“All right,” he said cheerily; “for once, then, +you’ve just got to put that idea out of your head, +and come along with me, Harry. Your aunt +says you must, and insists that I carry you off to +get a few hours of bracing air. And yet, if you’d +rather stay here in your den to being in my company, +why——” +</p> +<p> +“Oh! you know better than that, Paul!” cried +the other lad eagerly, as he looked into the face +of his friend. “I’ve enjoyed many happy hours +in your company; and if it wasn’t for this unfortunate +business——” +</p> +<p> +“That’s enough, Harry,” and Paul in turn +broke in on what the forlorn boy was trying to say +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span> +in a trembling voice; “you’ve just got to come +along now, or else all my plans for the morning +will be broken up. I’d arranged for the two of +us, no others, mind, to take my new iceboat, +<em>Lightning</em>, and have a great spin far up the river. +The ice couldn’t be beat; and I’m determined that +it’s just got to be <em>you</em> with me, or no one. That’s +flat. Now, what do you say?” +</p> +<p> +Harry smiled with pleasure. It was almost +worth suffering all that he had endured in these +last few unhappy days, just to learn what a true +friend meant. +</p> +<p> +“Well, you put it up to me in a way that +knocks out all my argument,” he said. +</p> +<p> +“Then you’ll come with me?” demanded Paul, +eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“Sure I will, and mighty glad of the chance,” +Harry replied, as he started to look for his cap, +and his warm sweater to go under his coat; for +he knew that a long ride on an iceboat, going a +mile a minute more than likely, meant chilled +bodies, unless care was taken to supply warm +clothing. +</p> +<p> +Once he had decided on his course, Harry +seemed somewhat like his old self. Mrs. Watson, +as they passed through the outer room, smiled, +and nodded to Paul. +</p> +<p> +“I’m glad to see you managed to coax him to +go, Paul,” she remarked; and both lads waved +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157'></a>157</span> +her good-bye as they left the door, walking briskly +down the street of Rivertown. +</p> +<p> +Paul’s father had a boat-house on the bank of +the river just outside the town limits, where in +Summer the boys often gathered in order to enjoy +the sports of the season. There was a new shed +attached to this, in which Paul kept the iceboat +he had had built recently, but which had as yet +hardly been tried out. +</p> +<p> +In a short time the two lads were busily engaged +getting the frail craft out of its quarters, +and down on the ice. The mast had to be stepped +every time Paul wished to make use of the flier; +since the shed was too low to admit of its being +stored as it stood. But this proved a job of small +moment. +</p> +<p> +“I guess you know a heap about these kind of +boats, Harry?” remarked the owner of the +<em>Lightning</em>, as he watched the deft manner in which +his new chum handled the various ropes connected +with the up-to-date craft built for ice use. +</p> +<p> +At that Harry laughed, the first little burst of +merriment that had escaped his lips for days; and +which made his friend feel that he had done well +to coax the grieving lad outdoors, where he could +get the invigorating influence of the ozone to be +found in the crisp wintry air. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! yes, I suppose I might say I have, without +seeming to boast,” he answered, as he bent +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span> +down to make sure that everything was adjusted, +and the wire stay that held the mast in place as +taut as the turnbuckle could make it. “We used +to have a boat down at Lawrenceburgh, and somehow +they got to making me the skipper; last winter +we won every race we entered for. But Paul, +that boat wasn’t in the same class as this new one +you’ve got, I tell you that.” +</p> +<p> +“Then you think the <em>Lightning</em> is apt to go +some?” inquired the owner, eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“Do I?” echoed Harry, quickly. “Unless +I’m away off in my judgment, she’s bound to beat +everything along the river. I never saw such +fine lines; and best of all, I don’t think the builder +has sacrificed anything in the way of staunchness +to speed. Mark my word, Paul, she’s going to +turn out a crackerjack!” +</p> +<p> +“I’m mighty glad to hear that, Harry!” declared +Paul, “for a good many reasons. A fellow +likes to have a clipper boat, you know, one +that isn’t going to take dust from any other chap’s +racer. And then, it would just give me heaps of +fun if I could leave the old <em>Glider</em> far back in +the lurch.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s Elmer’s iceboat, isn’t it?” asked +Harry. +</p> +<p> +“Sure. He hasn’t had it out this winter, I understand, +because for two years now it’s just run +away from everything there was; and Elmer said +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159'></a>159</span> +he was tired of making circles around the rest of +us. But three times now he’s asked me when I +expected to get my new boat running; and as much +as told me he was waiting to add it to the has-beens +he’s beaten.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, don’t you believe he’s going to have an +easy job walking away from this dandy thing on +runners,” Harry observed. “I’m ready to say +that you’ve got the very last word in iceboats +here in the <em>Lightning</em>. And before another hour +has passed you’ll feel that you made no mistake +when you gave her that name. Now, if you’re +ready, let’s make a start.” +</p> +<p> +Harry was anxious to be off. He had noticed +that several boys and girls were heading toward +them, having skated up from below. And in his +present state of mind he would rather avoid +meeting any of his school companions if it could +be arranged. +</p> +<p> +“How about the wind?” asked Paul, as they +started to take their places on the thin but strong +planks of the iceboat, which had been padded +with folded blankets, so as to make it more comfortable +for those who had to stretch out at full +length while managing the running craft. +</p> +<p> +“It seems to be everything we could want this +morning,” Harry replied. “In fact, I don’t think +there ever was a day here on the Conoque River +better fitted for a try-out of a new iceboat than +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span> +this same Saturday morning. And I’m glad now +that I came with you, Paul.” +</p> +<p> +“Bully for you, Harry! That’s all I wanted +to hear. And now, let’s cut loose before all those +fellows get in our way.” +</p> +<p> +Longback, Socker Gales, and Misery Jones +were among those coming full tilt for the spot +where they had discovered the new boat on the +river’s edge. +</p> +<p> +They gave vent to various whoops and cries +when they saw that Paul and Harry were starting +off without waiting for their arrival. +</p> +<p> +“Hi! aint you goin’ to let us have a look-in at +the new boat, before you smash her with that +Jonah aboard?” +</p> +<p> +“Listen, Paul! Just you keep right on up the +river, and my word for it you’ll get yours before +you come back!” +</p> +<p> +“Wow! look at her go, would you? Say, fellers, +she’s all to the mustard, you c’n tell me what +you please about the <em>Glider</em>. Paul knew what he +was doing when he gave the order for that dandy +contraption. Gee! don’t I wish I was on her +right now!” +</p> +<p> +These last words just barely reached the ears +of the two who lay flattened out on the delicate +flooring of the ice yacht. Harry heard his chum +chuckling, as if somehow the last remark had +given him a good feeling. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span> +</p> +<p> +The skaters started after them, but were speedily +left far behind, and presently gave the chase up +as useless. And now the whole river lay before +the two iceboat chums, with not a single person +to interfere with their sport; since it was as a +rule farming country above Rivertown, on both +sides of the watercourse. +</p> +<p> +Few rivers offered better fields for this sport +than the Conoque. While not of any great depth, +it was as a rule quite wide; and in places presented +a magnificent spread of smooth, clear ice, over +which the sharp runners glided like magic, as the +favoring breeze filled their sail, and urged them +on at tremendous speed. +</p> +<p> +Then again, once in a while they would come +to a neck where the going was quite different, +since the ice was rougher, and they had to look +out for airholes. In the Summer season, when the +water was lower, these places were called the +“rips”; being in reality small rapids, where the +water rushed with noisy volume, and the fishing +was considered prime. +</p> +<p> +“Well, what d’ye think of that?” called out +Paul, after they had been booming along in this +manner for a little while, passing a couple of the +narrow places, where considerable care had to +be exercised to avoid trouble. +</p> +<p> +“Splendid! Never went like this before! +You’ve got a wonder here, Paul, and don’t you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span> +forget it,” answered Harry, whose face was now +rosy with the action of the keen wind and the +cold air; while his eyes sparkled much as they +had been wont to do before this trouble came +upon him, to crush his young spirits so completely. +</p> +<p> +“That pleases me a whole lot, Harry,” laughed +the owner of the craft. “And say, I’ve been +watching the way you handle that tiller. Elmer +Craven boasts of being the best iceboat sailor on +the river; but I’m ready to put you up against +him any old day. Why, you manage things so +that she seems to be next door to human. No +matter what sort of wind strikes us, you’ve got a +way of setting her with it, that just suits every +time. If this boat’s a wonder, Harry, you’re the +fellow that can get every ounce of speed out of +her.” +</p> +<p> +“Here, that will do for you, Paul,” answered +Harry; though naturally the words of genuine +praise made him feel happy, as he had been up +against so many hard knocks lately, at the hands +of those who bore him so much ill will. “I’d just +like to try her against some other boat of the same +class. That’s the only way to get a pointer on her +speed and cleverness, you know.” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps we may, and this very morning,” +remarked Paul, mysteriously, but with a grin accompanying +the words. +</p> +<p> +“What makes you say that?” demanded his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163'></a>163</span> +companion, who had to keep his eyes on the +alert pretty much all the time, since a flaw of wind +might swoop down on them at any second, and if +he failed to be quick with the rudder, in order to +ease up on the sudden strain, an upset was likely +to follow. +</p> +<p> +“Didn’t you hear what Misery Jones shouted +after us?” Paul went on, answering one question, +Yankee fashion, by asking another. +</p> +<p> +“Was it Misery who called out for you to listen; +and then said something about you ‘getting +yours’ if you kept on up the river?” Harry continued. +</p> +<p> +“Sure, that was Misery. He’s never so happy +as when acting as a prophet, and predicting all +sorts of trouble ahead for other people. That’s +why the boys call him Misery; he sees all kinds +of accidents looming up, even if they hardly ever +come along. But Harry, I don’t think the fellow +had any accident in store for us that time, when +he said I would get mine up here to-day.” +</p> +<p> +“Then what did he have in mind?” asked +Harry, his curiosity aroused. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve been thinking it over,” Paul went on, +“and decided that Misery must know Elmer is out +this morning with his <em>Glider</em>; and somewhere up-river +way. What he meant was that if we happened +to run across his hawser, I would find my +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164'></a>164</span> +new iceboat as badly left in the lurch as my old +one was last year.” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps,” laughed the one who handled the +tiller so dexterously; “all things are possible, you +know, Paul; but I wouldn’t worry over that, if I +were you. Just let Elmer show up, and we’ll see +what the <em>Lightning</em> was built for.” +</p> +<p> +“There’s a bunch of fellows coming down the +river,” said Paul, a minute later. “They live +some miles up at a village called Rushville. Several +of our high school scholars come down from +there every day on the train, you know. I was +going to say that if we could shut off some of +our tremendous speed, and draw in closer to them, +I might find out whether Elmer really did go up-river.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” responded Harry, readily; “that’s +easy enough done.” +</p> +<p> +He manipulated the tiller, and watched the +way the wind spilled out of the big sail as he ran +partly across the ice field, heading so as to intercept +the skaters. These boys, seeing that those +on the fine new iceboat wished to speak with them, +only too gladly came to a standstill, and watched +the clever way in which Harry managed to bring +his craft up in the teeth of the wind close beside +them. +</p> +<p> +“Hello! Paul, that your new boat?” cried one +of the up-river fellows, as he advanced to get a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span> +closer look at the now still <em>Lightning</em>. “Well, I +must say she’s got lines to go some, and then not +half try. Give you my word I never saw such a +trim and dandy iceboat; and I wish I had a chance +to take a spin on her with you.” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps you may, some of these fine days, +Hank,” remarked Paul with a grin; for he had +always been friendly with the Rushville student +at school. “Just now we’re out on the warpath, +looking for scalps, you see, and want to be on the +fly.” +</p> +<p> +The three boys looked at each other as though +hardly catching the true meaning of what Paul +said. But a moment later Hank laughed aloud +as the significance of the words appealed to him. +</p> +<p> +“Ho! I get it all right now, Paul!” he exclaimed, +nodding his head while speaking. “You +want to find something to whack your new boat +up against, eh? Well, what’s the matter with the +<em>Glider</em>? Elmer didn’t do a thing to you last winter, +if I remember right; and the spirit of revenge +must be rankling in your heart. Is that it?” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps a little that way,” answered Paul, +frankly. “You know he’s got a nasty way of rubbing +it in every time he does anything; that stings +worse than the defeat itself does. I’ve never +heard the last of that race, and how nicely he +trimmed me. And to tell the honest truth, that +was why I went to all the trouble and expense +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166'></a>166</span> +of having this new craft built to order. I want +to turn the tables on him in the worst way.” +</p> +<p> +“Couldn’t have a better day for it!” nodded +Hank. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! the weather is all to the good,” declared +Paul, impatiently; “but see here, you fellows +have come down several miles—have you seen +anything of another iceboat between here and +Rushville?” +</p> +<p> +“Have we, fellows?” asked Hank, turning to +his two companions and winking. “Was that a +real iceboat that went whipping past us just after +we started out; or might it have been just a shadow +when a cloud passed over the sun? Yes, I +rather guess it did look like the sassy thing Elmer +used to cut circles with around all the other boats +on the river last two years.” +</p> +<p> +“Which way were they going did you say?” +asked Paul, giving his chum a significant look, as +if to say: “What did I tell you; didn’t I remark +that this was going to be a red letter day with me, +since it would wipe out the sting of that old defeat +at the hands of Elmer Craven, which I’ve never +heard the last of?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh! up-river like a streak of light,” replied +Hank. “No use talking, that <em>Glider</em> can go to +beat the Dutch; and Elmer knows how to sail her +too, the best ever; but I like the looks of this new +craft, Paul, and from the way Harry handles the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167'></a>167</span> +tiller I opine now that you’re just bound to give +Elmer the time of his life when you challenge him +to a race.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s what we intend to do, Hank,” returned +Paul. “Much obliged for telling us about him. +We can keep going now till we scrape his acquaintance. +He’s been begging me for some time +to get out and let him rub some of the rust from +his runners. To-day suits me all right. And +Hank, mark my words, the thirteenth of the +month, you notice, is going to be a mighty unlucky +day for Elmer Craven, if I don’t miss my guess. +It’s skidoo for him, as sure as you’re born. So-long, +boys!” +</p> +<p> +Harry threw the sail around and immediately +the <em>Lightning</em> shot away with a sudden bound. +They opened a big gap between themselves and +the three boys standing there on the ice; but Paul, +looking back could see Hank and his comrades +waving their caps and sending out cheers that +came but faintly to the ears of those who were +speeding so rapidly up the river. +</p> +<p> +As a rule the Conoque ran due north and +south, though there were places where abrupt +turns were the exception. And as the breeze was +almost due west this allowed of almost unlimited +possibilities in sailing, with a craft so sensitive to +the slightest breath of air as an iceboat on a +smooth, mirror-like surface. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span> +</p> +<p> +It took them but a short time to reach and pass +the village of Rushville, situated on the left bank +of the Conoque River. Of course quite a number +of persons were enjoying the skating at this point; +and the moment the <em>Lightning</em> came into view +around the bend half a mile below, loud shouts attested +to the interest taken in her appearance. +</p> +<p> +Again did Harry slow up, as Paul wished to +ask questions of these boys. The news received +was to the effect that some time before Elmer +and Pud Snooks had passed up, and incidentally +come near running over a little child, as they +purposely swung in as if to show just how close +they could come to anyone without hitting them. +The Rushville boys were quite indignant, and +talking about it when the second iceboat hove in +sight. +</p> +<p> +“On again, Harry,” sang out Paul, after they +had learned all they wanted to know. “We’ll +run across them somewhere above; and perhaps +Elmer Craven will be in for the surprise of his +life. Somehow I just feel that this is my day; and +I want to make the most of it. Let her go, fellows; +and thank you for telling us.” +</p> +<p> +Harry had for the time being quite forgotten +all about his troubles; and this was just what his +chum desired most of all. Indeed, perhaps it was +more to accomplish this than anything else that +he sought a meeting with Elmer; though, of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169'></a>169</span> +course, boy-like, he did want to even the old score, +and pay up his debt. +</p> +<p> +“You’ve never been up this far before, I +reckon?” he remarked, after they had left Rushville +several miles behind. +</p> +<p> +“That’s a fact, Paul,” came the reply. “And +I never dreamed that the Conoque was such a +dandy stream for this sort of thing. Why, in +places it’s fully a quarter of a mile from bank to +bank. Yes, I’m glad I’ve come with you, Paul.” +</p> +<p> +“And perhaps you’ll be more than glad before +the morning passes,” Paul was saying to himself; +for he knew just how matters stood between +Harry and Elmer; and that if they could manage +to humiliate the proud, boastful spirit of the rich +man’s son, it must be more or less of a satisfaction +to Harry. +</p> +<p> +Two minutes later and Paul gave vent to a cry. +</p> +<p> +“Look yonder!” he exclaimed. “A mile ahead +the Cranberry flows into the Conoque; and unless +my eyes deceive me there’s an iceboat coming +whooping down that smaller stream. Yep, +that’s the <em>Glider</em>, as sure as anything. I ought +to know her build; and Harry, get ready now to +show them <em>a streak of greased lightning</em>!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span><a name='chXXIV' id='chXXIV'></a>CHAPTER XXIV—HARRY PILOTS THE LIGHTNING</h2> +<p> +“So that’s Elmer’s boat, is it?” remarked +Harry, as he managed to catch a fleeting glimpse +of the tall mast of a rapidly moving craft, that +was sweeping down the ice covered tributary of +the Conoque, now partly hidden behind a clump +of trees, and again passing a fairly open spot. +</p> +<p> +“Head in so as to be ready to follow after him, +whichever way he turns,” advised Paul, his voice +betraying signs of excitement; for he had been +looking forward to this same meeting for many +weeks, and anticipating the pleasures of turning +the tables on his boasting rival of long standing. +</p> +<p> +But Harry seemed as cool as though there were +nothing at stake. He had schooled himself to repress +his feelings when a great emergency arose, +calling for calm judgment, as well as quick action. +</p> +<p> +“I think I’ve got the course we want,” he remarked, +quietly, as the <em>Lightning</em> bore well in +toward the shore, just below the junction of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171'></a>171</span> +two rivers. “I don’t dare pass too far in, because +you see that high bank, and the bunch of +trees, interfere with the wind, and we’d get blanketed. +There they come, Paul!” +</p> +<p> +Shooting out from the Cranberry like a thing +of life, the rival iceboat made a graceful sweep +and continued up the river. +</p> +<p> +“They did that on purpose!” cried Paul, as +though a bit disgusted at the turn affairs had +taken. “Let him say what he will, I believe Elmer +is afraid of this boat. He came and examined +her the day I rigged her up; and although he pretended +to laugh, I could just see that he was +chewing the rag. Yes, look at Pud waving his +hand at us; and he’s shouting something too.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” said Harry, without the least show +of worry; “we’ve got our work cut out for us, that’s +all. You know something about the river above; +can we run any distance with the boats?” +</p> +<p> +“Sure!” answered the other member of the +crew; “it’s the most obliging old river you ever +heard tell of. Miles and miles it stretches away, +sometimes narrow, and again broad; but if this +wind only holds out, we can spin along like fun +for more’n an hour. Hit her up, Harry, let’s see +just what the bully contraption carries up her +sleeve. After ’em with a hot stick now!” +</p> +<p> +Really, Harry needed no urging. The spirit of +sport had been fully aroused in his breast. Forgotten +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span> +for the time being, were all those grim +troubles that had of late been making life so miserable +for the boy. He only seemed to remember +that once more his hand grasped the tiller of a +staunch ice flier; and that a derisive challenge had +floated back from the boat ahead. +</p> +<p> +And possibly, the fact that the two fellows +who manned the <em>Glider</em> were his most bitter and +unscrupulous enemies, had more or less to do with +Harry’s determination to beat the rival boat. He +would not have been human had he felt otherwise; +and while Harry possessed many fine attributes, +he was after all, only a boy at heart. +</p> +<p> +The <em>Lightning</em> had, of course, lost considerable +of her headway when the skipper ran in so +close to the high bank; but she was gradually +veering further away now, with every second. +</p> +<p> +On the other hand, the opposing boat had come +out of the Cranberry under a full sail; and shifting +her course, was running up the Conoque with +a speed that opened quite a gap between the rival +craft. +</p> +<p> +Then in turn Harry and Paul saw that they +were getting opposite the mouth of the smaller +stream, where the wind would be wholly unobstructed. +No sooner had this occurred than they +jumped ahead as though some unseen power had +taken the boat in tow. +</p> +<p> +“How about it now?” asked the skipper, wishing to have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span> +Paul report progress; as he had about +all he could do in taking care of the skimming ice +craft, watching how the wind acted on the sail, +keeping a cautious eye out for any obstruction in +the way of a branch of a tree frozen in the ice, +or possibly an air hole which, if not avoided, +might spell disaster to the pursuing boat. +</p> +<p> +“We are sure holding our own, Harry!” exclaimed +Paul, delightedly. +</p> +<p> +That was an experience new to him; for up to +now the <em>Glider</em> had mocked all efforts to equal +her extraordinary speed. But Harry knew that, +as yet, he had not put the new boat to her “best +licks,” as he termed it. She was capable of better +things. +</p> +<p> +This was just the time and opportunity for one +who knew all about the tricks which an iceboat is +capable of developing, to coax her to show her +fine points; and that was what Harry was now +starting to do. +</p> +<p> +Perhaps the boats were about equal in merit. +Possibly, had the crews been reversed, Harry and +Paul could have overtaken the <em>Lightning</em>, given +time with the older craft. In other words, it was +a case of superior knowledge and ability on the +part of the skipper of the <em>Lightning</em>, rather than +the possession of a better boat; for the <em>Glider</em> +was certainly what she had always been called, a +“marvel.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span> +</p> +<p> +“Wow! we’re gaining, I do believe, Harry!” +announced Paul, a minute later; and there was a +touch of actual doubt in his voice, as though the +fact might be almost too good to be true. +</p> +<p> +“Are we?” answered his chum, just as though +it were nothing more than he had been expecting +right along. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, as sure as anything we must be,” Paul +went on excitedly. “I’m trying to judge distances +with my eye; and honest now, I believe +we’re not so far behind as when we first passed +the mouth of the Cranberry! Oh! it’s great! +Keep her moving just as she is, Harry! Do you +think you can? That wasn’t only a spurt, I +hope!” +</p> +<p> +“She can do even better than that, Paul. Watch +me now, for I’m on to a new little dodge. Keep +an eye for blow-holes, and branches frozen in +the ice. And Paul, shift your weight just a trifle +this way. I believe the balance will be more +even.” +</p> +<p> +Another short interval followed. Then Paul +gave vent to his delight again. +</p> +<p> +“You did something then that just made her +hump herself. Why, Harry, we’re clawing up on +the old <em>Glider</em> hand over fist! Look at ’em moving +around, will you? They’re getting scared, +that’s what! Elmer never yet saw another boat +creeping up after him when he was doing his level +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span> +best to fly. Bully! Bully! Oh, ain’t we just +humming along, though!” +</p> +<p> +It was no easy matter to speak while they were +cutting through space at such a tremendous pace +and Paul would have done better to have saved +his breath; but he had waited and hoped for this +great day so long, that he just could not bottle up +his delight. +</p> +<p> +Not a sound could they hear around them save +the whistle of the wind through the ropes above, +or the sharp humming music of the runners spurning +the smooth ice. Pud had long since ceased to +shout derisive cries back at the pursuers. His +scorn and mocking gestures had changed into +nervous movements, as he tried to increase the +speed of the <em>Glider</em> by altering his position from +time to time. +</p> +<p> +When another five minutes had passed, though +it seemed an hour to the impatient Paul, they had +gained so much upon the other boat that the two +were now within easy speaking distance. Yet +strange to say, those on the <em>Glider</em> maintained a +dead silence, that was quite unusual to their buoyant +natures. It makes considerable difference +whether one is on a winning or a losing craft. +</p> +<p> +Paul, however, could not keep still. This experience +almost set him wild with delight. And +where could you find a boy who would decline to +rub it in a little, given the chance? +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176'></a>176</span> +</p> +<p> +“Hey! you there!” he hallooed, using his hands +as a megaphone; “get out of the way, and give +us room. We’re going to pass you, and let you +take our dust! Sheer off to one side, and let us +have the middle of the river! We’ve earned the +right of way. Lively now, Elmer! You’re a +back number after this, with your out-of-date boat! +To the scrap heap for yours!” +</p> +<p> +Perhaps it was hardly kind of Paul to add to +the humiliation which Elmer must naturally be +feeling, as he thus saw that the <em>Glider</em> was plainly +playing “second fiddle” to the new iceboat; but it +must be remembered that for years now, the son +of the richest man in Rivertown had lost no opportunity +to sneer at Paul, and humiliate him when +he had the chance. +</p> +<p> +Apparently the two who crouched there on the +<em>Glider</em> were at their wits’ ends to discover some +means for increasing their speed. They seemed to +be exchanging warm sentences, and Harry even +thought he heard Elmer’s rasping voice raised in +anger, as though he might be trying to lay the +burden of the blame on the bully, whose extra +weight might be just the cause for the difference +in speed of the two boats. +</p> +<p> +Pud could also be heard answering back, and it +sounded as though he were telling his comrade +that the fault lay in his lack of skill in managing +the <em>Glider</em>, rather than the handicap of weight. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span> +</p> +<p> +“Can we pass ’em, d’ye think?” gasped Paul, +as they drew still closer to the leading boat, on +which a dead silence had now fallen. +</p> +<p> +“Easy enough, unless Elmer chooses to play +some trick on us,” replied Harry. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! would he dare do that, when we’re spinning +along at this mad clip?” demanded the owner +of the new boat. +</p> +<p> +“You know him better than I do, Paul,” replied +Harry. “I don’t like the look on his face. +He keeps turning his head, then grinning in a +nasty way; after which he looks ahead, just as if +he was sizing up some desperate chance. I think +he means to foul us up if he can; and anyhow it’s +going to be a hard thing to pass him up here, +where nobody can see any dirty play.” +</p> +<p> +Paul seemed to consider. No doubt discretion +urged him to call the race off; but on the other +hand he disliked very much to quit just when he +had his rival where he had wanted to see him so +long. +</p> +<p> +A fisherman never calls a trout his own until +he has the prize in his hands; even though he may +humanely throw the speckled beauty back into the +water again. And in a race it does not really +count, unless you actually pass your adversary. +</p> +<p> +So Paul, with boyish recklessness, determined to +take the chances for trouble, and pass the <em>Glider</em>, +come what might. He knew Elmer to be somewhat reckless; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178'></a>178</span> +but found it hard to believe that +the other would risk having his own bones broken, +just to smash the successful boat of his rival. +</p> +<p> +But Paul counted wrongly. Elmer, when he +became enraged, was not the same cool, calculating +schemer that he had the name of being under +normal conditions. And, urged on by the sarcastic +sneers of the ugly Pud, as well as his own keen +disappointment at seeing his pet iceboat fairly +beaten, he might even take chances which at another +time would have appalled him. +</p> +<p> +“That’s too bad!” Paul heard Harry exclaim. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, what’s happened?” Paul cried, in sudden +alarm. “Are we going to lose out, after all that +magnificent gain? But Harry, see, we’re still +creeping up! Only twenty feet more, and we’ll be +on even terms! What do you mean?” +</p> +<p> +“Look far ahead!” answered Harry. +</p> +<p> +“I see that the river narrows again,” the other +boy replied instantly. “Is that what you mean?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes. We’re going to have to try and pass, +while in that narrow stretch!” Harry sent across +to his reclining chum; for their heads were only a +few feet apart. +</p> +<p> +“But there’s plenty of room for both! I remember +that cut well, Harry! I had my canoe +upset there once, shooting the rapids when the +river was low in Summer. Yes, it’s sure wide +enough for even five boats abreast!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179'></a>179</span> +</p> +<p> +“If they’re piloted by honest fellows, who mean +to deal squarely with each other,” said Harry, +significantly. +</p> +<p> +Paul was conscious of the fact that his chum +was putting the decision squarely up to him. He +felt a little uneasy. What if they should meet +with a serious accident in trying to pass the +<em>Glider</em> in such confined quarters? Was it right +for him to drag Harry into this peril? +</p> +<p> +“What ought we do, Harry?” he demanded, +quickly; for they were rushing toward the place +where the banks of the Conoque drew closer together, +and fast overtaking the rival boat. +</p> +<p> +“Are you willing to take the risk?” came the +immediate reply. +</p> +<p> +“Yes; but how about you?” asked Paul. +</p> +<p> +“I’m with you, Paul,” the pilot sent back, impetuously. +“The chance is too good to be lost. +And perhaps I can find a way to outwit him, if +he tries any funny business. Be ready to do your +part like lightning, if I give the word.” +</p> +<p> +“I’m on! Go it, for all you’re worth, Harry!” +</p> +<p> +There was really no time for further words. +They had now reached the beginning of the narrows, +and at the same time found themselves close +up with the tail end of the other iceboat. +</p> +<p> +Paul, sending one nervous glance that way, +could see Pud Snooks glaring at them as though +he could eat either of the two alive. There was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span> +an expression on his heavy face that bordered on +desperation; and Paul became more than ever +convinced that Elmer and his crony must have +made up their minds to attempt some crooked +play, in the hope of balking the efforts of the +<em>Lightning’s</em> crew to pass them. +</p> +<p> +All this while Harry had been studying his +chances. He had purposely come up from behind, +and had chosen the leeward side of the +boat in advance. This was done with a distinct +purpose. If, as he expected, Elmer altered the +course of the <em>Glider</em>, and attempted to block +their way, Harry meant to suddenly shift his +helm and shoot up on the windward side. +</p> +<p> +This movement he calculated to make so suddenly +as to momentarily confuse the opposing pilot. +And when Elmer could collect his senses enough +to follow suit he would be just so many seconds +too late; for by that time possibly the <em>Lightning</em> +might be on even terms; and the big sail would +blanket the <em>Glider</em>, shutting off the wind that was +so essential to her forward progress. +</p> +<p> +Then perhaps, before she could recover from +this staggering blow, the <em>Lightning</em>, which would +not have lost her headway for even a second, +might be out of reach, and rapidly leaving her outwitted +rival in the lurch. +</p> +<p> +At such a time as this it requires an active +brain to hatch up a scheme that carries with it a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181'></a>181</span> +chance of success. Fortunately Harry was built +that way. He saw his opportunity, and grasped +it without hesitation. +</p> +<p> +Paul, as yet, had not the remotest idea just how +his chum meant to work the deal. He recognized +the fact that those on the other boat would try +to get in the way, regardless of accidents, and +block their passage. Thus Elmer would always +claim that he had never been passed by any other +iceboat, and if both craft were reduced to kindling +wood by the collision, little he cared in his present +reckless frame of mind. +</p> +<p> +But Paul had the utmost confidence in his comrade. +He had seen Harry in action before now, +and recognized the fact that he was gifted with a +bright mind, capable of grasping the situation, +and turning even a little thing to advantage. +</p> +<p> +And so he just lay there, holding on for dear +life, ready to “take his medicine,” as he termed +it, should there be a spill; and also keeping himself +in readiness to do his little part should the +skipper give a quick order; for it was Paul’s duty +to look after the sail, and handle the sheet if they +had to tack during their run, with the wind heading +them off. +</p> +<p> +Now they were nosing up, so that the fore part +of the <em>Lightning</em> seemed but a yard or two behind +the rudder of the opposing craft, once called the +“Queen of the Conoque,” but apparently destined to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span> +yield up that proud title to the later +model owned by Paul Martin. +</p> +<p> +“Ha!” +</p> +<p> +It was Paul himself who gave utterance to this +exclamation. Apparently he had been holding his +breath for half a minute past, in anticipation of +what was to come; and this signified that the +startling event was being put into play. +</p> +<p> +Elmer had shifted his tiller just enough to +change the course of his boat, and veer slightly to +leeward. Of course this necessitated a change in +the running of the pursuing craft, otherwise the +<em>Lightning</em> must immediately strike the stern of the +leader. +</p> +<p> +Harry followed suit, and for a moment both +boats continued on that slant. But it could not +last, of course. The shore was too close by; and +if they continued to veer to leeward both must +go aground, to the utter demoralization of the +delicate craft. +</p> +<p> +Paul could see that leering face of Pud almost +within reach of his hand. It seemed as though +the bully might be asking what he was going to +do about it; and giving him to understand that he +might as well cut his halyards, and let his sail +drop, because he and Elmer were grimly determined +that no iceboat should ever sail past the +<em>Glider</em>, come what might. +</p> +<p> +So Paul set his teeth hard, expecting a spill of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span> +some sort when the bow of his boat struck the +stern of the other, while going at this amazing +speed. Perhaps his face was white, which fact +could hardly be wondered at under the circumstances. +But there was no sign of fear there. +Paul proved game when the test came, just as +Harry had known would be the case. +</p> +<p> +A foot—why the distance between the two +boats must be measured by inches now, so rapidly +had it been cut down by the rush of the pursuing +craft. +</p> +<p> +Just as Paul gave a gasp, expecting to feel the +shock of the collision, and perhaps be tumbled +headlong over the smooth ice, he felt Harry make +a sudden move. +</p> +<p> +The skipper of the <em>Lightning</em> had waited until +the very last second, and then swung the tiller +around! +</p> +<p> +Instantly obeying the rudder, the able boat +changed her course. She no longer headed to +leeward, but swung in the other direction, aiming +for the windward bank of the river. +</p> +<p> +“Oh! bully! bully! bully!” cried Paul, as the +plan of his chum flashed across his mind; and at +the same time he occupied himself in tugging at +the sheet in order to shape the bellying sail to the +new course of the rapidly-driven boat. +</p> +<p> +Apparently Elmer was taken quite by surprise +by this movement on the part of his rival. His +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184'></a>184</span> +mind was not quite equal to grasping the full significance +of it, and responding so rapidly that he +might still have a chance of bringing about a disastrous +collision. +</p> +<p> +When he swung around, Pud was also slow to +do his duty with the rope governing the sail. He +had been altogether wrapped up in setting himself +for the anticipated shock of an upset; so that +it took him several seconds to grasp the new conditions. +</p> +<p> +When they did succeed in changing their course, +just before bringing up on the lee shore, it +seemed as though it might be too late, for the able +<em>Lightning</em> had improved her opportunity in a +glorious manner. +</p> +<p> +Elmer was seized with a fit of blind fury. He +realized that he had been beaten at his own game, +and by the boy whom he had always felt that +sense of unjust hatred ever since the day Harry +Watson first came to the Rivertown High School, +and carried off the honors of that bob-sled dash +down the hill. +</p> +<p> +The one thing he wanted to do now was to +smash into the <em>Lightning</em>, regardless of consequences. +Elmer believed in the “rule or ruin” +policy. If his boat was no longer to be the fastest +on the Conoque, he would at least never allow +another to carry off the honors. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span> +</p> +<p> +And so the reckless boy deliberately headed for +the rival craft, his aim being to come down upon +the port quarter of the frail <em>Lightning</em> with such +an impetus that the other boat must be utterly +demolished. +</p> +<p> +Paul saw what was impending. His quivering +words of delight ceased to flow; for again he +feared that this implacable and unscrupulous foe +was in a position to carry out his quickly-conceived +scheme of revenge. +</p> +<p> +But Harry knew better. His quick and experienced +eye judged distances better than that of +his chum. True, he edged in a bit closer toward +the nearby shore; but that may have been for a +double purpose. It gave him a trifle longer to +make the pull; and at the same time rendered the +possibility of Elmer and Pud coming to grief a +<em>certainty</em>. +</p> +<p> +Five seconds is not a very long stretch of time; +and yet there may be times in the experiences of +some people when it seems next door to an eternity. +And Paul was now feeling something that +way. +</p> +<p> +He saw the oncoming <em>Glider</em> rushing down at +them—he could mark the strained faces of the +two desperate fellows who sprawled there on the +thin planking that served as a deck to the runners—and +he caught his breath with a queer little +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span> +click as he wondered whether after all Harry was +going to carry his clever game through to a successful +end; or if the new boat was destined to be +smashed then and there on its first glorious cruise. +</p> +<p> +Then the crisis came. +</p> +<p> +In changing his course so much, in order to +strike the <em>Lightning</em> squarely in the port quarter, +Elmer had failed to realize that he was heading +up in the teeth of the wind more than his rival. +And in this way he was handicapped so far as +keeping up his pace was concerned. +</p> +<p> +So the <em>Glider</em> swept to the rear of the new boat, +just comfortably missing her. The victory had +been won, since the <em>Lightning</em> had thus forged +ahead, and passed her rival! +</p> +<p> +Paul started to give a whoop of delight. Then +he stopped, for there was heard a sudden loud +smash as the boat of the baffled plotters struck the +shore. +</p> +<p> +“She’s done for! Gone to flinders, Harry! +Oh, what a race, and they’ve got just what they +deserve. But I hope neither of them has been +badly hurt!” exclaimed Paul, who, even in the +excitement of victory could think of the defeated +foe. +</p> +<p> +“I feel the same way as you do about it, Paul,” +replied the pilot at the tiller of the now undisputed +champion of the Conoque, as he headed +straight up the narrows toward the wide reach +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span> +above; “but I don’t think that cuts much figure in +it, for I’m sure I saw Pud jump to his feet out of +the wreck; while Elmer was crawling out, and +limping around as we turned that bend just below.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, if ever a sly schemer got caught in his +own trap that fellow was,” remarked Paul, his +indignation now getting the better of his sympathy. +“And he sure deserves all he’s got. +We’ll go on a way further, and then turn back. +Perhaps we’ll overtake our two friends, the +enemy, limping along the ice on the way home; +and they may even accept a lift back.” +</p> +<p> +But after all, Paul’s good intentions were fated +never to be put to the test, for although they saw +the wrecked <em>Glider</em> piled up in a shattered heap +on the shore in the narrows, nothing of the two +unlucky skippers was discovered on the way down +the river; and they concluded the boys had made +their way ashore, to hire some farmer to drive +them all the way back to Rivertown. +</p> +<p> +When the story of the eventful race was told +to the boys of Rivertown most of them declared +that Elmer and Pud had been paid in their own +coin; and few sympathized with them when they +appeared on the streets with sundry strips of court +plaster decorating their faces, and with decided +limps. +</p> +<p> +“At any rate,” said Paul, as he separated from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188'></a>188</span> +his chum at the Watson gate, “we <em>did</em> have a +great time of it; and I reckon it’s done you a heap +of good, Harry,” in which opinion the other certainly +shared; and declared that he was glad he +had accepted the invitation to try the new iceboat. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span><a name='chXXV' id='chXXV'></a>CHAPTER XXV—“ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL”</h2> +<p> +Keeping more and more to himself, Harry +finally gave up the pleasure of skating with his +friends after school, preferring to go on long +runs alone. +</p> +<p> +As he was gliding over the ice on one of these +occasions, he saw a girl and a boy skating well +out toward the middle of the river, so far from +him that he could not recognize them. +</p> +<p> +For two days before, there had been a decided +thaw and the ice in the middle of the river was +not considered safe by the majority of the skaters. +Accordingly, when Harry beheld the two figures, +he was amazed. +</p> +<p> +“Must be from Lumberport or Cardell,” he +told himself. “None of our people would be foolish +enough to go out there. Guess I’ll see who +it is.” +</p> +<p> +And without delay, he started toward the +couple. +</p> +<p> +“Good gracious! It’s Viola and Craven!” he +gasped, when he was near enough to get a good +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190'></a>190</span> +look at them. For a moment, the boy was uncertain +what to do. The girl had been keeping more +and more aloof from him, and correspondingly +more and more in the company of the rich student; +and well he knew that Elmer would resent his advice +in some insulting manner. +</p> +<p> +To his relief, however, the couple seemed to be +so engrossed in one another that they did not see +him, and after watching them for several minutes +he was on the point of turning away when he saw +them both sink, and then heard terrified screams +for help. +</p> +<p> +The cries also reached some of the other boys +and girls farther down the river, and they set out +to the assistance of the struggling skaters. But +none of them had the speed of Harry. +</p> +<p> +With a swiftness that was astounding, the boy +rushed over the ice toward the hole that was +constantly growing larger. +</p> +<p> +Badly frightened, both Viola and Elmer +clutched frantically at the edges of the ice, only +to have them break away, sometimes in small +chunks, again in large pieces. +</p> +<p> +“Let Viola hang onto the edge by herself. Go +farther down, you Craven!” shouted Harry as he +dashed toward them. +</p> +<p> +But instead of obeying, having found a piece +that would hold, the rich boy clung to it, allowing +Viola to be carried past him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span> +</p> +<p> +“Oh, if I were only in the water with him, I’d +fix the coward!” cried Harry. “I only wish the +others were near enough to see what he did.” +</p> +<p> +Thanks to his speed, our hero was so close to +the hole that he was obliged to exercise caution +lest he, too, break through. +</p> +<p> +“Here, give me a hand. That ice’ll hold +you!” shouted Elmer, as his rival approached. +</p> +<p> +But Harry seemed not to hear him. +</p> +<p> +“Hey, you fool, get me out of this; then we +two can get Viola.” +</p> +<p> +His pleading, however, was without avail. +Straight along the edge of the hole Harry skated +until he was abreast of the girl of whom he was +so fond. +</p> +<p> +“Just keep hold of that ice cake a few moments +longer,” he called encouragingly. “I’ll have you +out in no time.” +</p> +<p> +“But I’m too far from the edge. You never +can reach me!” sobbed Viola. And as she saw +the firm ice so close to her, she made a frantic +effort to swim out, with the result that she lost +her hold on the floating ice cake. +</p> +<p> +Harry had been hoping that the current would +carry the girl in toward a part of the river where +it would not be so difficult for him to get to her. +But the instant he saw her hands slip from the +cake, he sprang into the water. +</p> +<p> +Being a good swimmer, it required only a few +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192'></a>192</span> +strokes for him to reach the side of the girl, but +as he did so his troubles began. +</p> +<p> +Handicapped by his clothes and his skates, +when Viola seized him in the despairing clutch of +a drowning person, he was almost drawn under. +</p> +<p> +“No, no, you mustn’t grab me around the +throat, Viola!” he gasped. “Put your hands on +my shoulders. If you don’t, you’ll drown us both. +I won’t let you sink—and if you’ll only do as I +tell you, I’ll have you safe and sound in a jiffy.” +</p> +<p> +Something there was in the tone in which the +boy spoke that not only soothed the frenzied girl, +but gave her confidence, and though she did not +remove her hands from around Harry’s neck, she +ceased her struggles, permitting him, by means +of the ice cakes, and treading water, to make his +way toward the firm ice. +</p> +<p> +The other boys and girls who were hastening +to the assistance of their schoolmates had watched +the rescue eagerly, and when they saw the boy +half roll, half lift the girl out onto the solid ice, +they cheered lustily. +</p> +<p> +But in saving Viola, Harry had overtaxed his +strength. Indeed, it had only been by putting +every ounce of his power into the effort that he +had been able to raise the girl from the water; +and the instant he saw her safe, he sank back. +</p> +<p> +The realization that she was on sound ice, however, +restored the girl to her senses; and as she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span> +beheld the boy who had saved her from the icy +waters lose his hold, she spun about; and with a +quick move, caught his coat sleeve as his arm +went up in the air. +</p> +<p> +To the task of pulling Harry from the water, +however, Viola was not equal. +</p> +<p> +“Hurry! Hurry! Help me!” she shouted to +the leaders of the other would-be rescue party. +“I can’t hold him much longer!” +</p> +<p> +“Hey, you, come and get me first! I’ve been +in the water longer!” yelled Elmer. +</p> +<p> +But fortunately for Harry, it was Paul and +Jerry who were in the van of the skaters, and at +Viola’s cries, they put on every ounce of speed +they had, relieving her of her hold just in the nick +of time. +</p> +<p> +Harry, however, was more used up than the +others had believed, and it was several minutes before +he opened his eyes. +</p> +<p> +“Is—is Viola safe?” he gasped. +</p> +<p> +“Indeed, I am, Harry!” returned the girl, +bending over him. And there was a light in her +eyes that thrilled the boy who had rescued her. +</p> +<p> +When he tried to get up, Harry found he had +no strength. +</p> +<p> +“Somebody go get a sled,” commanded Longback. +</p> +<p> +“And let him lie here cold and wet, while you’re +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span> +going for it?” stormed Viola. “Pick him up +and carry him, some of you.” +</p> +<p> +Instantly Paul, Jerry, Dawson and another boy +seized Harry, and half supporting, half carrying +him, they got him to the shore, while Nettie and +the other girls helped Viola, leaving Elmer to +the tender mercies of Pud and Socker, who had +finally arrived in time to drag him from the water. +</p> +<p> +But even they wasted few words on him, +ashamed as they were to think that he should have +sought to save himself at the sacrifice of Viola. +</p> +<p> +Straight to bed did Mrs. Watson put Harry +when he was brought to the house, giving him +warming drinks; while his chums rubbed his benumbed +arms and legs. But he did not respond +to their treatment as quickly as he should, and in +alarm, his aunt finally sent for a doctor. +</p> +<p> +Grave, indeed, did the man of medicine look +after he had completed his examination of the +boy. +</p> +<p> +“If he’d been exposed for another half hour, I +doubt if we could have brought him around,” he +announced. “As it is, it will be several days before +he will be up and about.” +</p> +<p> +But the physician was mistaken—his days were +weeks. +</p> +<p> +His nervous system overtaxed because of his +worry in regard to his father, Harry’s physical +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span> +condition had run down, and the chill he received +caused him to go off into pneumonia. +</p> +<p> +Harry’s illness, however, served one good purpose—it +caused a reaction in the feelings of his +schoolmates. When it became noised around +that he had endangered his life to rescue the girl +who was skating with his implacable enemy, the +boys and girls of Rivertown High realized that +he was made of good material. And their change +in feelings was shown by calls they made to ask +about his condition, and the delicacies they sent in. +But only Paul, Jerry and finally Viola were allowed +to see him, though they were forbidden to +talk to him. +</p> +<p> +Little, indeed, did he talk, and then only to ask +if word had come from Jed Brown. And as his +aunt was forced, day after day, to declare that she +had heard nothing, the boy seemed to lose all interest +in getting well. +</p> +<p> +But the crippled veteran, though silent, had +not deserted the boy who had rescued him from +the bully. +</p> +<p> +Arrived in Lawrenceburgh, he had vainly +pleaded with several influential men to arrange for +a stay in the execution of sentence upon Harry’s +father. But one and all, they turned a deaf ear +to his pleadings, and Mr. Watson was forced to +go to prison. +</p> +<p> +But on the very day he entered upon his term +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196'></a>196</span> +of punishment, old Jed stumbled upon a clue +which was to prove his innocence. +</p> +<p> +Chancing to drop into a tobacco store which +was kept by one of his war comrades, he was +amazed to find still another member of his old +company dressed in handsome clothes and wearing +a diamond ring. As the man had always been a +ne’er-do-well, the change in his circumstances +puzzled Jed, and when the fellow had taken his +departure, he asked the shop-keeper what had +caused it. +</p> +<p> +“That’s what I’d like to find out,” returned +the tobacconist. “For the last six months, Bill +has been going around with his pockets full of +money. He’s living at the Ransom House, too.” +</p> +<p> +This being one of the chief hotels in Lawrenceburgh, +the fact still further emphasized the turn +in the veteran’s fortunes. +</p> +<p> +“Ever give you any idea how he got the +money?” asked Jed. +</p> +<p> +“Says he done it by writing. Bill always was +a good writer, you know. Don’t you remember +how he used to forge pass orders for some of the +boys when they wanted to leave camp?” +</p> +<p> +The words sent an idea to Jed’s mind, and bidding +the shop-keeper a hasty good-bye, he hied +himself to the Ransom House, where he made +many inquiries about the former soldier. At first +he made little headway; but just as he was giving up +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197'></a>197</span> +in despair, he saw another old comrade. +</p> +<p> +“Say, what’s the matter with you Rivertown +folks?” asked this man. “Have you come down +to see Bill Hawkins, too? Ned Snooks visits him +about once a month.” +</p> +<p> +At the mention of the Rivertown butcher, the +crippled veteran gasped. Then he remembered +that bad feeling had sprung up between the +butcher and Mr. Watson over a real estate deal +in which the former maintained that he had been +swindled—and Jed immediately concluded that +Ned Snooks was at the bottom of the charges +against Harry’s father. +</p> +<p> +But it was one thing to believe this, and quite +another to prove it—yet with that perseverance +which had distinguished him as a soldier in the +ranks, Jed set about obtaining evidence; and finally +succeeded in extracting a confession from +Hawkins, that, acting for the butcher, he had +forged the name of Snooks to some checks, and +managed to lay the blame on Amos Watson. +</p> +<p> +Elated, Jed again approached the influential +men who had refused to intercede for their fellow +townsman, and after convincing them of the +truth of the confession, received their aid in obtaining +Mr. Watson’s release from prison, and +subsequent exoneration from the charge of forgery. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span> +</p> +<p> +Ignorant of the illness of Harry, the old veteran +did not report on his progress, and the first +news the boy had of the change in his father’s condition +was when a telegram was brought to him. +</p> +<p> +With trembling fingers he opened it, then uttered +a faint cry of joy, as he read: +</p> +<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>“Harry Watson,</p> +<p style='text-align:left; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;;'>Rivertown.</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +Charges against me proven false. I want you +to come to Lawrenceburgh to spend Sunday with +me. +</p> +<p style='text-align:right; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-right:2em;;'><span class='sc'>Father.</span>”</p> +<p> +Better than any tonic or care was the news to +Harry, and though he was not able to go to his +father, Mr. Watson came to him, bringing good +old Jed Brown with him, and happy, indeed, was +the reunion. +</p> +<p> +Despite his villainy, Mr. Watson refused to +prosecute Ned Snooks; but public opinion was so +aroused against the butcher that he sold his property, +and moved away from Rivertown, while the +man he had so wronged decided to live in the +town, and in due course opened a real estate office. +</p> +<p> +“But didn’t Pud know about this forgery from +the first?” asked Harry, of his parent, one day. +</p> +<p> +“I think not, my son,” replied Mr. Watson. +“Mr. Snooks was a man who kept his affairs to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span> +himself. Had Pud known he would have taunted +you long before he did.” +</p> +<p> +“It was grand of old Jed Brown to act as he +did,” murmured our hero. “We owe him a great +deal.” +</p> +<p> +“He is to live with me and your Aunt Mary +after this,” said the father. “He is going to help +me in my real estate business. As he is getting +old, I shall let him take it as easy as he pleases.” +And so it was arranged. +</p> +<p> +When Harry returned to Rivertown High he +was given an ovation that made him blush like a +girl. The only person who remained in the background +was Elmer Craven. He had nothing to +say; and when, during the following Fall, the +Craven family moved to Boston, Elmer was glad +to go along, so he would not have to return to a +school where he was in such bad odor. +</p> +<p> +Harry continued at Rivertown High School for +the full term of four years; and when he graduated +he did so at the top of his class. Then he +went into the real estate business with his father, +and both made money rapidly. His friendship +for Viola ripened into a much more tender feeling; +and it is reported that some day the pair will be +married. But though Harry was successful as a +land dealer he never became tired of talking about +his high-school days. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200'></a>200</span> +</p> +<p> +“We had some great times,” he said, one day, +to Paul. +</p> +<p> +“We sure did!” replied his chum. “In my +opinion there is no better school in all the world +than Rivertown High!” +</p> +<p> +“Right you are!” responded Harry. “And as +matters have turned out I am very glad that I +came here.” +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>The Webster Series</span> +</p> +<p> +By FRANK V. WEBSTER +</p> +<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i006' id='i006'></a> +<img src='images/illus-ad1.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br /> +</div> +<p> +Mr. Webster’s style is very much like +that of the boys’ favorite author, the late +lamented Horatio Alger, Jr., but his tales +are thoroughly up-to-date. +</p> +<p> +Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. +</p> +<p> +Stamped in various colors. +</p> +<p> +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid. +</p> +<p> +<b>Only A Farm Boy</b>, <em>or Dan Hardy’s Rise in Life</em><br /> +<b>The Boy From The Ranch</b>, <em>or Roy Bradner’s City Experiences</em><br /> +<b>The Young Treasure Hunter</b>, <em>or Fred Stanley’s Trip to Alaska</em><br /> +<b>The Boy Pilot of the Lakes</b>, <em>or Nat Morton’s Perils</em><br /> +<b>Tom The Telephone Boy</b>, <em>or The Mystery of a Message</em><br /> +<b>Bob The Castaway</b>, <em>or The Wreck of the Eagle</em><br /> +<b>The Newsboy Partners</b>, <em>or Who Was Dick Box?</em><br /> +<b>Two Boy Gold Miners</b>, <em>or Lost in the Mountains</em><br /> +<b>The Young Firemen of Lakeville</b>, <em>or Herbert Dare’s Pluck</em><br /> +<b>The Boys of Bellwood School</b>, <em>or Frank Jordan’s Triumph</em><br /> +<b>Jack the Runaway</b>, <em>or On the Road with a Circus</em><br /> +<b>Bob Chester’s Grit</b>, <em>or From Ranch to Riches</em><br /> +<b>Airship Andy</b>, <em>or The Luck of a Brave Boy</em><br /> +<b>High School Rivals</b>, <em>or Fred Markham’s Struggles</em><br /> +<b>Darry The Life Saver</b>, <em>or The Heroes of the Coast</em><br /> +<b>Dick The Bank Boy</b>, <em>or A Missing Fortune</em><br /> +<b>Ben Hardy’s Flying Machine</b>, <em>or Making a Record for Himself</em><br /> +<b>Harry Watson’s High School Days</b>, <em>or The Rivals of Rivertown</em><br /> +<b>Comrades of the Saddle</b>, <em>or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains</em><br /> +<b>Tom Taylor at West Point</b>, <em>or The Old Army Officer’s Secret</em><br /> +<b>The Boy Scouts of Lennox</b>, <em>or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain</em><br /> +<b>The Boys of the Wireless</b>, <em>or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep</em><br /> +<b>Cowboy Dave</b>, <em>or The Round-up at Rolling River</em><br /> +<b>Jack of the Pony Express</b>, <em>or The Young Rider of the Mountain Trail</em><br /> +<b>The Boys of the Battleship</b>, <em>or For the Honor of Uncle Sam</em><br /> +</p> +<p> +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE BOY RANCHERS SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +By WILLARD F. BAKER +</p> +<p> +<em>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors.</em> +</p> +<p> +<em>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid.</em> +</p> +<p> +<em>Stories of the great west, with cattle ranches as +a setting, related in such a style as to captivate +the hearts of all boys.</em> +</p> +<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i007' id='i007'></a> +<img src='images/illus-ad2.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br /> +</div> +<p> +1. THE BOY RANCHERS +<em>or Solving the Mystery at Diamond X</em> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Two eastern boys visit their cousin. They +become involved in an exciting mystery. +</p> +<p> +2. THE BOY RANCHERS IN CAMP +<em>or The Water Fight at Diamond X</em> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Returning for a summer visit to their western cousin’s ranch, +the two eastern lads learn, with delight, that they are to be allowed +to become boy ranchers in earnest. +</p> +<p> +3. THE BOY RANCHERS ON THE TRAIL +<em>or The Diamond X After Cattle Rustlers</em> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Our boy heroes take the trail after Del Pinzo and his outlaws. +</p> +<p> +4. THE BOY RANCHERS AMONG THE INDIANS +<em>or Trailing the Yaquis</em> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Rosemary and Floyd visiting their cousins Bud, Nort and Dick, +are captured by the Yaqui Indians. The boy ranchers trail the +savages into the mountains and eventually effect the rescue. +</p> +<p> +5. THE BOY RANCHERS AT SPUR CREEK +<em>or Fighting the Sheep Herders</em> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Dangerous struggle against desperadoes for land rights brings out +heroic adventures. +</p> +<p> +<em>Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue.</em> +</p> +<p> +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE BOYS’ OUTING LIBRARY</span> +</p> +<p> +<em>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full color.</em> +</p> +<p> +<em>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid.</em> +</p> +<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i008' id='i008'></a> +<img src='images/illus-ad3.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br /> +</div> +<p> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>The Saddle Boys Series</span> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:smaller;'>BY CAPT. JAMES CARSON</span> +</p> +<p> + The Saddle Boys of the Rockies<br /> + The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon<br /> + The Saddle Boys on the Plains<br /> + The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch<br /> + The Saddle Boys on Mexican Trails<br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>The Dave Dashaway Series</span> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:smaller;'>BY ROY ROCKWOOD</span> +</p> +<p> + Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator<br /> + Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane<br /> + Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship<br /> + Dave Dashaway Around the World<br /> + Dave Dashaway: Air Champion<br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>The Speedwell Boys Series</span> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:smaller;'>BY ROY ROCKWOOD</span> +</p> +<p> + The Speedwell Boys on Motorcycles<br /> + The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto<br /> + The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch<br /> + The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine<br /> + The Speedwell Boys and Their Ice Racer<br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>The Tom Fairfield Series</span> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:smaller;'>BY ALLEN CHAPMAN</span> +</p> +<p> + Tom Fairfield’s School Days<br /> + Tom Fairfield at Sea<br /> + Tom Fairfield in Camp<br /> + Tom Fairfield’s Pluck and Luck<br /> + Tom Fairfield’s Hunting Trip<br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-weight:bold;'>The Fred Fenton Athletic Series</span> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:smaller;'>BY ALLEN CHAPMAN</span> +</p> +<p> + Fred Fenton the Pitcher<br /> + Fred Fenton in the Line<br /> + Fred Fenton on the Crew<br /> + Fred Fenton on the Track<br /> + Fred Fenton: Marathon Runner<br /> +</p> +<p> +<em>Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue.</em> +</p> +<p> +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE COLLEGE SPORTS SERIES</span> +</p> +<p> +<span class='sc'>By LESTER CHADWICK</span> +</p> +<p> +<em>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors.</em> +</p> +<p> +<em>Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid.</em> +</p> +<p> +<em>Mr. Chadwick has played on the diamond and on the gridiron himself.</em> +</p> +<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i009' id='i009'></a> +<img src='images/illus-ad4.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br /> +</div> +<p> +1. THE RIVAL PITCHERS +<em>A Story of College Baseball</em> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Tom Parsons, a “hayseed,” makes good on +the scrub team of Randall College. +</p> +<p> +2. A QUARTERBACK’S PLUCK +<em>A Story of College Football</em> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +A football story, told in Mr. Chadwick’s best style, that is bound +to grip the reader from the start. +</p> +<p> +3. BATTING TO WIN +<em>A Story of College Baseball</em> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Tom Parsons and his friends Phil and Sid are the leading players +on Randall College team. There is a great game. +</p> +<p> +4. THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN +<em>A Story of College Football</em> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +After having to reorganize their team at the last moment, Randall +makes a touchdown that won a big game. +</p> +<p> +5. FOR THE HONOR OF RANDALL +<em>A Story of College Athletics</em> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +The winning of the hurdle race and long-distance run is extremely +exciting. +</p> +<p> +6. THE EIGHT-OARED VICTORS +<em>A Story of College Water Sports</em> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Tom, Phil and Sid prove as good at aquatic sports as they are +on track, gridiron and diamond. +</p> +<p> +<em>Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue.</em> +</p> +<p> +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York +</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Harry Watson's High School Days, by +Frank V. 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Webster + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Harry Watson's High School Days + The Rivals of Rivertown + +Author: Frank V. Webster + +Release Date: June 14, 2011 [EBook #36409] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARRY WATSON'S HIGH SCHOOL DAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Illustration: WITH THE NEW STUDENT STILL BORNE ALOFT THEY RETRACED +THEIR STEPS. (Page 80)] + + + + + HARRY WATSON'S + HIGH SCHOOL DAYS + + Or + + The Rivals of Rivertown + + BY + + FRANK V. WEBSTER + + AUTHOR OF "ONLY A FARM BOY," "AIRSHIP ANDY," "THE + BOYS OF BELLWOOD SCHOOL," ETC. + + ILLUSTRATED + + NEW YORK + CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + PUBLISHERS + + + + + BOOKS FOR BOYS + By FRANK V. WEBSTER + 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume. + + + ONLY A FARM BOY + TOM, THE TELEPHONE BOY + THE BOY FROM THE RANCH + THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER + BOB, THE CASTAWAY + THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE + THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS + THE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKES + THE TWO BOY GOLD MINERS + JACK, THE RUNAWAY + COMRADES OF THE SADDLE + THE BOYS OF BELLWOOD SCHOOL + THE HIGH SCHOOL RIVALS + BOB CHESTER'S GRIT + AIRSHIP ANDY + DARRY, THE LIFE SAVER + DICK, THE BANK BOY + BEN HARDY'S FLYING MACHINE + THE BOYS OF THE WIRELESS + HARRY WATSON'S HIGH SCHOOL DAYS + + + _Cupples & Leon Co., Publishers, New York_ + + Copyright, 1912, by + CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + + Harry Watson's High School Days + + Printed in U. S. A. + + + + + CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + I. Harry Shows His Mettle 1 + II. Jed Brown Finds a Protector 8 + III. Socker's Plot 17 + IV. Harry Shows His Grit 24 + V. The Race on Skates 29 + VI. The Girls' Race 36 + VII. The Rivalry Between Harry and Elmer 41 + VIII. Paul's Party 48 + IX. The False Charge 54 + X. Harry is Exonerated 59 + XI. "Old Grouch" 67 + XII. Pledged to the Pi Etas 74 + XIII. A Serious Charge 79 + XIV. The Boys Appoint a Committee 85 + XV. Mr. Larmore Issues an Ultimatum 90 + XVI. Stumbling Across a Clue 95 + XVII. The Trip to Lumberport 102 + XVIII. Harry Arranges for a Settlement 107 + XIX. Upholding the Honor of Rivertown 114 + XX. Harry Receives Bad News 127 + XXI. Elmer Baits His Rival 137 + XXII. Dark Days 144 + XXIII. A Mile a Minute Spin 151 + XXIV. Harry Pilots the Lightning 170 + XXV. "All's Well that Ends Well" 189 + + + + +HARRY WATSON'S HIGH SCHOOL DAYS + + + + +CHAPTER I--HARRY SHOWS HIS METTLE + + +"Hey, fellows, we've a new student at Rivertown High!" + +"Who is he, Socker?" chorused a group of boys to whom their schoolmate +had come running with his tidings. + +"Don't know. Nettie told me that she and Viola had met him as he was +coming out of Principal Larmore's office." + +"Yes, and you'd better watch out, Elmer. Nettie said Viola has been +talking about nothing else but that good-looking fellow since she saw +him!" bantered another of the group. + +The boy, light and rather handsome, but with a weak face, to whom this +last remark had been addressed was about to reply, when a warning was +sounded. + +"Keep quiet! Here he comes now!" declared Socker. + +Instantly all eyes were turned in the direction of the schoolhouse where +they saw a lad walking with a swinging stride. Apparently about fifteen +years of age, he was well built and rather tall. Dark hair, which curled +about his cap, and laughing eyes bespoke him as a jolly, handsome +fellow, and the ruddy glow brought to his cheeks by the crisp winter air +was evidence that he was possessed of health in abundance. + +"Why, I know who he is!" asserted another of the group. + +"Who?" + +"He must be Harry Watson, nephew of the Widow Watson. I remember Mrs. +Watson told mother the other day that her nephew, Harry, was coming to +Rivertown." + +"Where's he from?" + +"Can't say." + +"Well, let's see if he's any good!" exclaimed a big, hulking fellow, Pud +Snooks, who was the bully of the school. "Hey, you, Watson, come over +here!" he shouted. + +Rivertown High School, a two-story brick building containing some +fifteen class rooms and a large assembly room, was situated on a bluff +overlooking the Conoque River: and the road leading from it to the +village, in addition to being steep, made a sharp turn at the foot of +the hill. + +The spot was a favorite one with the scholars for coasting, and several +of the boys had been in the act of placing a double-runner bob in +position at the top of the hill, when they had been apprised of the fact +there was a new student in school. + +The boys of Rivertown High had a fondness for trying out new students, +and Pud's suggestion met with ready approval. + +Accordingly, when the bully proposed putting Harry Watson to the test, +the other boys sat down on the double-runner, taking good care to leave +the steering seat vacant. + +"When I shove off, everybody stand up!" whispered Pud. Then he exclaimed +aloud: + +"Hey, Watson! Can you steer a sled?" + +Stopping as he heard his name, Harry looked toward the group of boys. + +"Sure thing, if you'd like to have me," he answered. "My name is Harry +Watson." + +"And mine's Pud Snooks," announced the bully. Then bowing in mock +seriousness, he continued: + +"That fancy blonde behind me is Elmer Craven. He is the richest and most +famous personage we have at Rivertown High. Twice a week he goes across +the river to Lumberport, and he believes that Viola Darrow is never +happy when----" + +"Oh, cut it out, Pud!" growled Elmer. + +With a grin, the bully went on with his introductions. + +"The next exhibit is Socker Gales, and the specimen with the ten-foot +reach is Longback, whom his family calls Sam Dalton. Now just take the +ropes and I'll push off. We're a precious load, as I hope I've made +clear to you, so don't tip us over!" + +While Harry had been acknowledging these bantering introductions, he had +also been looking at the icy roadway. + +A glance at the sharp turn had told him it would require clever work to +make it, and so, when he took the steering ropes, instead of sitting +down on the sled, he gave them a quick jerk--to have one of them part +near the runner. + +"Good thing that didn't happen on the hill!" he exclaimed, quickly +cutting off the broken end and making a new knot, after which he again +tested the rope and found it sound. + +Pud and his chums, however, though they pretended to, did not share this +opinion, and that there might not be more delay, as soon as Harry sat +down and placed his feet on the bracers, the bully started the sled. + +"We're off!" he shouted, as he gave the double-runner a terrific shove. + +As though eager for the fun, the first sled shot over the crest of the +hill--and then all the boys put their feet down and let the sled pass +between their legs! + +Instantly Harry realized that he was alone on the double-runner. + +With no weight on the hind sled, he knew it would bump and slew as soon +as he got fairly started and especially when he struck the curve. But +Harry was game. + +"I'll show these Rivertown High chaps that they can't stump me by any of +their tricks," he said to himself, and braced his feet more firmly, +leaning back to throw as much weight as possible on the hind sled. + +As the double-runner gained momentum, it fairly danced over the icy +roadway. + +Behind, Pud and his cronies were hurrying as fast as they could that +they might gain a spot whence they could see the spill they expected +when the sled struck the curve. + +But as Harry approached the turn, he leaned far out. + +"Oh, you Pud! You guessed wrong when you picked Watson for an easy +mark," chuckled Longback. "That boy knows something about steering." + +The next instant, however, the disappointment of the boys at learning +that they were not to have the fun of seeing Harry dumped, was forgotten +in their alarm at hearing shouts of warning and fright beyond the curve! + +Just as Harry's sled dashed around the turn, he had caught sight of two +little children starting up the hill, dragging their sleds behind them. + +A group of high school girls, among them Viola Darrow and her chum, +Nettie Masterson, were descending the hill, and it was they who, when +they heard the rattlety-bang of the double-runner, and saw the toddlers +ahead, had cried out in terror. + +One side of the road was banked by the hill, while the other dropped +down toward the river; a fence with one rail some three feet from the +ground serving as a guard. + +What was below the embankment Harry did not know, but he remembered to +have seen some bushes as he had walked up the hill. + +In their effort to save the children, the girls had run out into the +roadway, practically blocking it. + +So great was Harry's speed, however, that they realized it would be +impossible for them to seize the toddlers and get them to one side in +time to let the double-runner pass--and in such a manner were they spread +across the road that Harry had no chance to guide his sled past them. + +"Open out! Let him through!" shouted Longback and Socker; while Elmer +and Pud, terrified at the impending tragedy threatened by their trick, +simply stared at the scene in silence, their faces white, their mouths +agape. + +But in the instant that had followed his discovery of the little girls +starting up the roadway, Harry had made up his mind what to do--and +acted. + +With a sudden pull, he jerked the sled from its course, headed it +between two of the posts which supported the guard-rail--and the +double-runner leaped over the embankment at a spot less than six feet +from where the group of girls and the two children stood, panic-stricken +and crying. + + + + +CHAPTER II--JED BROWN FINDS A PROTECTOR + + +Several of the other boys who were members of Rivertown High, among them +Paul Martin and Jerry Post, had reached the turn just in time to see the +sled as it took its mad leap over the embankment. + +For a moment, they, as well as the girls, gazed in silence at the spot +where the double-runner with its lone passenger had disappeared. Then, +as with one accord, they broke into lusty cheers at the aversion of the +tragedy which had seemed inevitable. + +But their joy was quickly checked. + +"Don't cheer! You don't know what has happened to that nervy chap!" +shouted Paul Martin. + +And as his words brought silence, he and Jerry rushed to the edge of the +embankment, while the others followed. + +Fortunately Harry had landed in a pile of underbrush, and as the +white-faced boys and girls lined the rail he was picking his way out, +none the worse for his experience save a few rents in his clothes. + +The sight of the boy, safe and sound, brought a reaction from the +terror, and wildly the scholars cheered, while Paul, Jerry and Longback +ducked under the guard-rail and slipped and slid down to meet the hero. + +"Hurt?" asked Jerry, anxiously. + +"Nowhere, except in my clothes," returned Harry--and again prolonged +cheers greeted his ears. + +Many were the willing hands that were extended to help draw him up into +the road, and when they had succeeded, he became immediately the centre +of an excited, admiring group. + +"I think that was just perfectly splendid of him!" exclaimed Viola. +"Some of you boys introduce me to him, won't you?" + +As she spoke, the girl, whose beauty and wealth made her the favorite of +the school, looked straight at Elmer--but he gave no sign that he noticed +her. + +Their leader having thus given the stamp of approval to Harry, the other +girls quickly pressed forward, all talking and chatting at once. + +But no one responded to Viola's request and, flushing, she turned away +while the new student grew very red, as he looked from one to another of +the boys who had invited him to steer the double-runner. + +The situation was awkward in the extreme and Harry, diffident and +sensitive as he was, felt it keenly. Yet he was the one to relieve it. + +"Hey, you Snooks, you'd better go down and get your sled--or do you want +me to do that?" he called. + +"So it was one of Pud's tricks?" exclaimed Nettie. "We might have known +it, Viola. Pud, I think you're perfectly horrid!" and with all the +dignity of her fifteen years, the girl turned her back on the bully and, +putting her arm through Viola's, led her away down the hill. But as they +went, both girls smiled at Harry. + +During the embarrassing scene, Longback had whispered to some of the +other boys who Harry was, and Jerry and Paul immediately took him in +tow. + +"If you don't mind, we'll walk home with you, Watson," exclaimed Jerry. +And glad of the chance to escape the attention of the other members of +Rivertown High, Harry started off, accompanied by the two boys who were +later to become his chums. + +The story of Harry's quick-wittedness and courage had proceeded him, +thanks to Viola and Nettie; and as he walked down the main street of the +town to the comfortable home of his aunt, many were the glances directed +toward him. + +"Rather a bad start, I'm afraid," he said to his companions, with a +feeble attempt at a smile. + +"Bad? I should say it was a corking fine one!" returned Paul, sincerely. +"It isn't many fellows who can become a hero and at the same time get +the best of Pud Snooks!" + +The mention of the bully caused Harry to grow serious. + +"I'm afraid it will make Snooks down on me," he said. "He had no idea +that those little girls would be in the road." + +Well did Jerry and Paul know that the outcome of the bully's trick, +sensational as it had been, would, indeed, arouse his anger against the +boy who had turned the tables on him; and though they tried to disabuse +Harry's mind of the idea, it was with relief that they reached the gate +of the Widow Watson's house. + +Despite Harry's cordial invitation, both boys declined to go in, and he +entered the house feeling strangely alone. + +His aunt's greeting and loving words of praise after she had heard of +his experience, however, did much to restore his good spirits. + +"Who is Viola?" he asked, as they were seated at dinner. + +"She is the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Rivertown," replied +the widow, a shade of sorrow passing over her face. "What makes you +ask?" + +"Because she said my steering over the embankment was perfectly fine!" + +Again the cloud passed over Mrs. Watson's face and this time it did not +lift. + +"She's a very sweet and lovely girl, Harry," she replied. "But she isn't +the sort you should choose for a companion." + +At the words, the boy looked up quickly at his aunt and what he read in +her face made him flush. + +"I mean, she is very rich and I think--that is, I have heard--her family +intend her to marry Elmer Craven." + +"He's rich, too, isn't he?" + +"Yes." + +Deeply did it grieve the good woman to speak the words she had, but she +believed it would be best for her nephew to realize the social +difference that existed between Viola and himself, that he might be +spared the humiliation and embarrassment in the future. Though they +allowed their daughter to attend the Rivertown High School, the Darrows +were proud and arrogant people and always did all in their power to +prevent the girl from mingling with her schoolmates. + +But though Mrs. Watson strove to offset the sting of her statement, the +rest of the dinner was eaten in comparative silence, and Harry set out +for school with a heavy heart. + +Not far had he proceeded up the main street, however, before he caught +sight of a form he recognized as that of the bully who had been the +ringleader in the trick which had so nearly ended in a tragedy. + +"Hope he won't come up and try to smooth things over," said Harry to +himself. But the next moment, his anxiety on this score was allayed. + +Pud was busy making snowballs and storing them under his arm. + +"Wonder if he's going to vent his disappointment on me," mused Harry, +taking his hands from his pockets that he might be ready to return the +bombardment, should the bully open on him. + +Yet when he saw the bully's victim, Harry's anger at the fellow was +greater than ever. + +As the new student passed a cross street, he saw Pud jump behind a tree +and then, peering from one side, hurl one of the half dozen snowballs he +had under his arm. + +Turning to see at whom they were aimed, Harry was amazed to behold a +bent and aged man, hobbling along the sidewalk with the aid of a cane. + +The snowball knocked the cane from the man's hand and as it fell, the +aged cripple tottered. + +With an exclamation of disgust, Harry rushed up behind the bully and, +seizing his arm, jerked it so that the remaining snowballs fell to the +sidewalk. + +The thought that anyone had seen his cowardly act in snowballing the +aged man shamed the bully, but only for the moment. + +"What do you mean by that?" he demanded, fiercely, whirling round to +face the interrupter of what he considered his sport. And as he beheld +the boy who had brought disgrace upon him in the morning, his face grew +white with anger. "Oh, it's _you_, is it?" he went on. "Who do you think +you are, anyhow? Just because you couldn't steer the sled and went over +the embankment is no reason why you should think you are so much!" + +"You know I could steer that sled, and only went between the posts to +keep from running into the girls," returned Harry. "But that has nothing +to do with the present matter. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, to +throw snowballs at an old man!" + +"Oh, nobody cares about old Jed Brown!" + +"Well, you can't snowball him when I'm round!" + +"Oh, is that so? Who's going to stop me, I should like to know?" + +"I am." + +[Illustration: HARRY RUSHED UP BEHIND THE BULLY AND SEIZED HIS ARM.] + +"You?" And, after standing for several seconds, during which he looked +Harry over from the top of his head to his feet, the bully burst into +laughter. "So _you_, whom I could pick up and carry on one finger, are +going to stop my doing anything I want to, eh? That _is_ a good one. +Why, kiddo, there is enough of me to make three of you and then some." + +The tone in which Pud spoke sent the color flushing to Harry's face. + +"Where I come from, it isn't so much the size that counts as it is the +heart!" he retorted. "And a fellow who will snowball an aged man can't +have very much real heart!" + +An instant the bully glowered at Harry, then made a rush toward him. + +"You're getting altogether too fresh, young feller!" he hissed. "Because +of you, I'm getting into all sorts of trouble--and I'm not going to stand +it! If I want to snowball or do anything else to old Jed Brown, I'm +going to, understand?" And as though to give more force to his words, +Pud stooped down to pick up one of the missiles the new student had +knocked from his arm. + +Before he could reach it, however, Harry threw out his foot and crushed +the snowball, then with more quick movements demolished the others. + +Never had anyone so thwarted the Rivertown bully before and, for the +moment, the big hulk of a boy stood gazing at his discomfiter in +amazement. But only for a moment. + +With a snarl, he shook his fist under Harry's nose. + +"You seem to be looking for trouble--and now you're going to get it!" + +Though the bully was much larger than Harry, the latter did not cower +before him. + +So engrossed had the boys been in their quarrel that they had failed to +notice the approach of Principal Larmore. But he made his presence known +just as Pud drew back his arm to strike. + +"Snooks, go about your business!" he exclaimed. "I'm ashamed to think +you should seek to pick a quarrel with the very boy who prevented your +trick with the sled from having a very serious ending!" + +As Harry had said, the bully was a coward at heart, and growling to +himself, he slunk away. + + + + +CHAPTER III--SOCKER'S PLOT + + +With an amused smile, Mr. Larmore watched Pud as he slouched off up the +street. + +"Rather a strenuous introduction to Rivertown, you're having, Watson," +he exclaimed, pleasantly. "Do you mind telling me what Snooks was saying +to you?" + +"Yes, sir; I do. It was only a personal matter." + +Fate, however, decreed that the principal should learn the cause of the +quarrel he had interrupted. + +First with surprise, then with thankfulness, Jed Brown had beheld +Harry's intervention--for the aged man, veteran though he was, and +bearing the mark of his service for his country in a crippled leg, was +considered fair sport by many of the young people in the village, and he +was not accustomed to having anyone champion him. + +Consequently, when he had seen the school bully threaten Harry, he had +hobbled toward the pair as fast as he could, only to arrive just as Mr. +Larmore had asked concerning the cause of the trouble. + +"It was about me, Mr. Larmore, sir, the fuss was," declared Jed. "Snooks +was throwing snowballs at me and this young man stopped him." Then, +turning to Harry, he continued: "I'll not forget your kindness, my boy. +My name is Jed Brown." And he extended a trembling hand. + +"I'm Harry Watson," smiled the boy, as he shook hands. + +"You ain't any relation to Amos Watson, of Lawrenceburgh, are you?" +inquired the veteran, eagerly. + +"He's my father." + +"Well, well, well!" exclaimed Jed, excitedly, again shaking the boy's +hand. "I've known Amos ever since he was knee high to a grasshopper, and +there ain't a finer man in this state, Mr. Larmore. Harry, whenever your +skates need sharpening or you feel lonesome, just come around to see me; +I live in a little one-story house down at the end of this street. You +can't miss it." + +"Thank you, I--" then, chancing to glance down the street, the boy caught +a glimpse of Pud as he poked his head cautiously from behind a +tree-trunk, evidently with the purpose of finding out where the veteran +was, and he changed his words, saying, "I guess I'll walk along with you +now. I have a knife that needs sharpening badly and I can leave it with +you." + +The principal had also seen the bully's action and he readily understood +that Harry had made his knife the excuse for walking home with the old +man, that he might protect him from any further attack by Snooks. Yet he +feared the bully might waylay the boy and, as the other two set out, +fell into step beside them, much to the embarrassment of both. + +Arrived at Jed's house which, though small, was spick and span in +appearance, Harry gave him his knife, and after promising to call for it +the next afternoon, continued on his way to the school with Mr. Larmore. + +The detour which they had made to escort the veteran to his home caused +them to be a trifle late in reaching the schoolhouse, and Harry was very +glad that none of the scholars were outside to see him walking with the +principal, for he feared it might give them the impression that he was a +"teacher's boy." + +But when he entered his classroom, he was the centre of all eyes. + +"Grandstand play!" growled Elmer to Socket. "He's got a swelled head, +already, because he steered the sled over the bank. Anybody with any +decency wouldn't have waited until school was in session before he came +in." + +"Never mind, we'll take him down a bit!" returned Elmer Craven's chum. +"Just wait till after school!" + +The eye of the instructor chancing to wander in their direction, the two +boys buried their heads in their books; and Elmer was forced to forego +asking his chum what scheme he was thinking out. + +But when school was over for the day, he quickly learned. + +"Play hockey, Watson?" asked Socker, joining a group of boys who had +gathered about Harry. + +"Yes." + +"Then come on down to the river and we'll have a game." + +"It will depend upon whether my trunk has arrived or not. If it hasn't +come since I was at aunt's for dinner, I won't be able to play because +my skates are in it." + +"I have an extra pair at the house you can take," interposed Paul. "The +rest of you fellows go down to the river; and Harry and I'll join you as +soon as we can." And falling into step beside the boy who was soon to +become his crony, Paul Martin started down the hill which had been the +scene of the memorable incident in the morning. + +To his delight, Harry found that his trunk had arrived, and it was but +the matter of a very few minutes for him to open it and take out his +skates. + +At the river, they found a merry crowd of boys and girls, and quickly +Harry and Paul sat down to put on their skates. + +"Now Sam, you go over and bring Mr. Watson back with you as soon as he's +got his skates on," commanded Viola, who, with Nettie, had been keeping +a lookout for the boy whom she had been unable to meet in the forenoon. + +None too willingly, the fellow started, but before he could reach Harry, +the boy was on his feet, and hockey stick in hand, was skimming over the +ice to where those who were to play were lined up, some quarter of a +mile up the river. + +"Isn't that provoking!" pouted Viola, as she noted his action. "But I'm +going to meet Harry Watson--even if I have to introduce myself. Come on, +Nettie, let's skate over and watch the game." + +With the arrival of Harry and Paul, Socker exclaimed: + +"Watson, you'll play on Jerry's team. Let's get the game started as soon +as we can. It'll be dark before long." + +Quickly the boys took their positions, and Socker and Elmer noticed with +delight that the boy who had incited their enmity was playing "rover." + +After the puck was put in play, it was dribbled back and forth; then, as +Paul noticed Harry was keeping well out to one side, he shot the rubber +to him. + +Nursing it carefully, he dashed in, that he might have a less difficult +angle from which to try for goal. + +"Get him! Block him! Don't let him score!" cried Socker to his +team-mates, and with a rush they skated down upon Harry with tremendous +momentum. + +For several moments, Jerry watched the strange play of his opponents--for +they had left their positions uncovered; then it dawned on him what +their purpose was and he charged down to Harry's rescue, at the same +time shouting: + +"Shoot it across, Watson! Shoot it across!" + +With a deft twist of his wrist, Harry sent the rubber spinning over the +ice just in front of Socker and his players. + +But instead of checking themselves and going after it, they continued +straight at the new student. + +Surprised, but believing that their speed was such that they were unable +to turn quickly, Harry grinned at them, wheeled on his right skate with +a suddenness that would have done a professional proud, and sought to go +around them. + +Clever as was his move, however, it came too late. + +With terrific force, Socker, Elmer and another boy crashed into him--and +as they all went down, there was a resounding whack. + +"Pretty raw work, Craven!" snapped Jerry, as he caught the richest boy +in Rivertown High School by the collar and jerked him off the pile. + +"What do you mean?" + +Jerry, however, was too engrossed in the task of getting the others off +Harry to reply. + +But when he had succeeded, the new high school scholar lay on his back, +motionless. + + + + +CHAPTER IV--HARRY SHOWS HIS GRIT + + +Abashed at the sight of the boy lying white and still on the ice, the +other hockey players gazed at one another. + +"He's shamming!" growled Elmer. + +"You know better than that!" retorted Jerry. + +"What do you mean?" + +"That you and Socker deliberately ran into Watson--and you know it as +well as I do!" + +"I saw Socker give him the knee!" interposed Paul. + +Intense was the feeling between the two teams, and instinctively the +boys who had been playing lined up with their respective captains. But +before the argument became more bitter, Harry opened his eyes, gazed +about him in a dazed manner, and then sat up. + +"Got a bit of a knock, didn't I?" he smiled. "I say, did I score a +goal?" + +At the question, all the boys turned to look toward the net of Socker's +team, having forgotten in their excitement to notice where the puck had +gone. + +"Jove, but you did!" cried Paul. "Good boy, Harry!" + +Instantly the other members of the team with which Harry was playing +took up the cry and Elmer and his companions skated away to hide their +chagrin. + +"Here comes Longback; we can put him in, and you can get out of the +game!" exclaimed Paul, helping Harry to his feet. + +"Not much--that is, if you are willing I should keep on playing," +returned Harry. "I'm all right now; and I should like to show those +other fellows that I'm not a pillow!" + +"But can you stand the handling?" asked Jerry, anxiously. + +"Leave it to me--I'm no rag-doll," retorted Harry. "If they are up to any +tricks, I know a thing or two!" + +The gameness of the new student appealed to all the members of the team +on which he was playing, and without further comment they lined up for +the next play. + +Surprised to see Harry still in the line-up, Socker skated over to Elmer +and held a brief consultation with him, but their whisperings were +interrupted by the puck being put into play. + +As luck would have it, the rubber was sent straight toward Elmer and, +with a clever stop, he dribbled it along toward Harry, evidently +thinking that he would be able to pass him easily because of his +seemingly dazed condition. + +But Harry realized his purpose and, with a burst of speed, he rushed in, +snatched the puck, steadied his stick--and then drove it spinning toward +the goal net, sending it past the tender. + +"Good boy!" shouted his team-mates. And the cheer was immediately taken +up by the boys and girls who had gathered to watch the game. + +Smarting more under the thought that the fellow they had sought to +humiliate had succeeded in turning the tables against them than in the +fact that their opponents had scored two goals, Socker called his men +about him. + +"Play for Watson!" he cried through clenched teeth. "That fellow's got +to have his big head taken off him!" + +"Ready!" called the lad who was acting as umpire; and with set teeth, +Socker's men took their positions. + +Straight and true for the goal Paul sent the puck, but Snooks checked it +just in time to prevent another score, and cleverly Elmer took the +rubber through the opposing players until only Harry stood between him +and the man at the net. + +Gritting his teeth, the new member of the Rivertown High School +determined to show that he was an offensive as well as a defensive +player. With a terrific rush, he bore down on Elmer Craven, and with a +sudden twist of his stick, tripped the fellow, grabbed the rubber, +dribbled it out of reach, then sent it spinning with a force that drove +it through the net! + +Loud were the shouts from the onlookers--but Elmer lay still and quiet. + +"You hit him in the head with your stick!" growled Socker, starting +toward Harry. + +"Nonsense! _I_ play a clean game! Leave it to me--I'll bring him round in +a jiffy!" + +And while the others stood inactive, Harry scraped up some ice with his +skate and rubbed the shavings on Craven's face. + +"Who's doing that?" demanded the boy, sitting up. + +But his only answer was a general laugh. + +"Everybody ready, puck's going to be put in play!" shouted the umpire, +and without delay, the boys took their positions. + +"You want to watch out, the whole team will be down on you this time!" +warned Jerry to Harry, but the lad only laughed. + +"I reckon I can give them as good as they send," he replied. "It just +took me a few minutes to get onto their game. I----" + +But his words were interrupted by the play. + +While Snooks caught the rubber and started back with it, all the other +members of the team bore down on Harry. + +Not seeming to notice them, the boy hurried to the assistance of the +goal tender, his pursuers in full cry. Then, with a suddenness that +caused the scholars on the side lines to gasp, Harry turned, shoved his +stick between the skates of the fellow nearest him, and sent him +sprawling on the ice, causing the others to fall on top of him. + +Loud was the laughter that rose from the boys and girls who were not in +the game, while Jerry and Paul patted Harry on the back. + +But several of the instructors happened to be among the spectators and, +realizing that the game would soon be beyond the bounds of sport, they +intervened. + +"Vhy not ve all go and get kindling voods for a bonfire dis efening?" +shouted Prof. Schmidt, the genial German professor. + +"Yes! Yes! Get wood for a bonfire!" cried the boys and girls on the side +lines; and forgetful of the hockey game, they skated across the ice, +effectually putting an end to the contest. + + + + +CHAPTER V--THE RACE ON SKATES + + +In thorough good humor on account of their winning the hockey game, Paul +and Jerry called Harry, and together they started up the river to where +a big pile of brush lay on the bank. + +In full cry, a score or more of the other boys and girls, among whom +were Viola and Nettie, set after them, calling to them to wait. But the +three boys only checked their speed slightly. + +"Come on. A race for the brush-pile," shouted Longback. "I'll wager hot +soda for the bunch of us that I'll be the first one to reach it." + +"You're on! You're on!" shouted a dozen of the boys, among whom were +Harry and his recent team-mates. + +And as the challenge was accepted, the boys dashed away. + +No more than a few yards had he gone, than Elmer Craven shouted: + +"Oh, you Paul and Jerry! You've got the start of the rest of us. Come +back and line up." + +"No. This is as fair for one of us as it is for another," cried Pud, +whose inordinate love for soda caused him to exert himself to the +utmost, and during the checking of the speed as the result of Craven's +suggestion, he had taken the lead. + +"Sure you think it's fair now, Pud," laughed Jerry, "so long as you're +ahead." + +"You'll have to come back and line up as Elmer said or I won't make good +my offer," declared Longback. + +At this ultimatum all the boys who had started ahead checked themselves +and then returned to where the offerer of the prize had scratched a mark +on the ice. + +With great good nature, laughing and joking with one another, the boys +lined up, Harry and his two team-mates happening to be on the end where +Viola and Nettie were standing. + +"Who's going to give the word to start?" demanded Snooks in a none too +pleasant tone, for he was disappointed at having had to give up the lead +which he had obtained over the others. + +"I will," cried Viola. + +"That means Elmer'll win," declared Nettie. + +"Why not let Prof. Schmidt start it?" suggested some one. + +Readily the genial professor consented; and taking his position at the +opposite end of the line from where the two girls stood, he cried: + +"Eferybody get retty! You Schnooks, you get back onto the line. Don't +try to shteal a yard." + +Grumbling to himself, the boy obeyed. + +"Now, vonce again. Eferybody retty! Von, two, t'ree--_Go!_" + +Eagerly the boys dashed forward and for a few minutes they were all +bunched together. Then Elmer, Snooks, Longback and Harry dashed ahead of +the others, and for a few moments raced neck and neck. + +"Go it, Elmer!" "Go it Longback!" shouted their partisans, and as though +the good wishes of their friends gave them greater speed, the two boys +forged ahead. + +"Oh, why doesn't somebody shout for Harry Watson!" exclaimed Viola, +stamping her foot. + +"Going back on Elmer so soon," chided several of the girls who were with +her. She made them no reply, but instead, skating after the racers. + +"Come on, we girls will have a race, and the one who wins we'll crown +queen of the ice at the bonfire to-night!" cried Nettie. + +"Fine! Dandy!" chorused a dozen or so of the girls, and one of them +added: + +"Let's have a regular carnival, and we'll make the boy who wins king." + +"Will you start it, Prof. Schmidt?" asked Viola, and again the genial +old German complied, sending the girls off in short order. + +During the preliminaries Viola had kept her eyes on the boys ahead, and +it seemed to her as if Harry cut down the lead of Elmer and Longback. +Instantly the thought occurred to her that if no one would introduce her +to the new student, by winning the girl's race, she would surely be able +to meet him at the mock coronation ceremony planned for the carnival. +And, gritting her teeth, she bent forward, skating with all the speed +she could summon. + +After the start of the girls, the interest of the spectators had again +turned to the boys and, that they might the better see the finish, +everyone skated in the direction of the brush-pile. + +When Snooks saw Harry taking the lead he grew furious. + +"I'll get him! If I can't win, _he_ certainly shan't," he growled to +himself, and his anger at the boy who had so humiliated him on two +occasions giving him increased strength, he quickly cut down Watson's +lead, although in doing so, he swerved his course from the extreme +opposite end of the line of racers close over to that of the boy for +whom he had conceived such hatred. + +"What's Pud up to?" exclaimed several of those who were following. But +not long was the bully's purpose in doubt. Tiring from his burst of +speed when he was almost abreast of Harry, realizing that if he were to +carry out his mean scheme he must act immediately, he lunged viciously +towards the new student. + +"Watch out, Watson! Snooks is trying to foul you!" shouted Jerry. + +The warning was unnecessary, because Harry had heard the sharp strokes +of the skates close to him, and, although he did not check his speed by +looking around, he intuitively seemed to realize that the approach of +the skater boded him no good; and, just as the bully sought to throw him +off his balance, he turned his skate out and shot rapidly to one side, +putting himself a scant foot beyond Snook's reach. + +"Pretty work! Good boy!" shouted the spectators, as they realized the +bully's attempt and our hero's escape. + +But his move had taken Harry several yards out of his course, and quick +were Elmer and Longback to improve the opportunity to wrest the lead +from him. Clenching his fists more tightly, Harry bent lower, and +exerted himself to the utmost to recover the lost ground. Less than one +hundred yards away was the brush-pile, and a stick held in front of the +racers would have touched each one, so even were they. + +"Oh, you Elmer! Get a move on! They're going to have a carnival and +crown the winner king. The girls are racing to be queen, and Viola's +leading!" shouting one of the scholars. + +Thus apprised for the first time of the additional plans which had been +made for the bonfire, the three boys bent themselves to still greater +efforts. + +To Elmer, the thought that Harry might win and thus share the honor of +participating in the mock ceremony with Viola was bitter indeed. + +"If there was no one else but Longback, I wouldn't care," he told +himself. "But I can't let that scrub play king when Viola is queen." + +Nearer and nearer to the finish the three boys sped, amid the yells and +cheers of advice and encouragement their partisans hurled at them. + +But though each of the trio was skating with might and main, not one of +them seemed able to gain on the others--and the brush-pile was a scant +fifty yards away. + +"Shake 'em, Elmer! Shake 'em, Watson!" cried the spectators, according +to their preference. + +But another ten yards were cut from the distance to go, and Elmer and +Harry were still abreast, having gained slightly on Longback. + +With a sudden burst of speed Elmer forged ahead, amid the cheers of his +supporters, but even as the air was rent by their shouts of "Elmer +wins!" their hopes were dashed. + +With no warning, the rich boy gave a sudden lurch towards Watson, +struggled desperately to recover himself, then fell to the ice, sliding +with terrific force toward Harry. + +At the sight, the boys and girls who were following cried out in +surprise and disappointment, while Jerry and Paul shouted warnings to +their new friend. + +"That'll finish Watson as well as Elmer," declared one student. + +But his prophecy was not to be fulfilled. + +When he heard the shouts of warning, Harry had turned his head to learn +their cause just in time to see Craven's body come sliding toward him +over the ice with amazing speed. + +Realizing that, should it hit him, he, too, would be knocked down, and +the race go to the boy whom they had both outskated, Harry took a +desperate chance and jumped, clearing Elmer's shoulder by a few inches. + + + + +CHAPTER VI--THE GIRLS' RACE + + +Harry's action was greeted with shouts of approval by all the scholars, +but just when it seemed that he was going to win without further mishap, +he fell and Longback flashed across the line a winner! + +In landing after his jump, Harry had leaned too far forward, with the +result that, though he strove desperately to keep his balance, his +centre of equilibrium was too far forward, and he pitched onto his face. + +Little time did the fellows have to discuss the eventful race, when +there sounded a cry: "Get out of the way! Give the girls a chance to +finish!" + +Quickly the crowd that had surrounded the fallen skaters, moved out of +the way, as the girls bore down upon the imaginary line that marked the +end of the race. Bent far down, her arms swinging like well regulated +pistons, Viola was in the lead, a good three yards separating her from +her nearest antagonist, Mildred Evans, while almost an equal distance +behind Mildred, the rest of the girls were bunched. + +His disappointment over his fall forgotten in the thought that Longback +had snatched victory from the boy to whom he had taken such a dislike, +Elmer cried: + +"Look out for that crack in the ice, Viola, or you'll get tripped just +as I did." + +Although the girl heard the warning, she gave no evidence, either by +thanks or by action, and could the richest boy of Rivertown High School +have known what was passing in her mind, he would have worn anything but +the pleased smile that enveloped his face. + +So long as Harry had been in the lead, Viola had exerted herself to the +utmost to leave the girls with whom she was racing as far behind as she +could. With a little gasp of dismay, she had seen Snooks' desperate but +futile attempt to foul Harry, and when the boy had jumped over Elmer, +she had been one of those who had shouted their delight, and +corresponding was her disappointment when Harry himself fell, and +Longback won. + +"I'll not be queen to Longback's king!" exclaimed the proud girl, +indignantly, yet, aware as she was of the lead she had over the others +in the race, she was puzzled to know how she could manage to lose it +without her purpose being too evident. + +When she heard Elmer's warning, however, she realized that there was a +crack in the ice which would throw her. Quickly she formed her plans, +and, with almost imperceptible slackening in her speed, she began to +search the ice for the crevice. + +For several seconds she was unable to discern it; then of a sudden her +glance fell upon a zigzag depression, and she changed her course, though +ever so slightly, that she might be the more sure to strike it. + +"Look out! Look out! Keep away from that edge of the bank!" shouted +Elmer and several of his companions. But as unheeding as before, the +girl kept on, appeared to stagger a moment as she struck the depression, +and then sank to the ice. + +First, in blank dismay, and then in anger, the rich boy who had seemed +to be the favored one among Viola's friends stared at her, and finally, +with a mumbled exclamation, skated toward her. + +"You did that on purpose!" he snarled, as, stooping over, he took hold +of Viola's arm to assist her to her feet. + +At the words, the blood flushed hotly to the girl's cheeks and +indignantly she wrenched her arm from Elmer's grasp. + +"How dare you say such a thing to me, Elmer Craven!" she exclaimed +angrily. "Even if I have sprained my ankle, I am quite capable of +getting up by myself," and forthwith she proceeded so to do. + +In the excitement caused by Viola's fall, coming as it did after the two +leaders in the boys' race had been put out of the running by similar +accidents, those who had been watching the girls' race were too absorbed +in their efforts to urge on their favorites, now that all had +practically an even chance of winning, for, in her endeavor not to meet +a similar mishap to Viola, Mildred had skated so far to one side that +she had lost the lead, so that none of them had seen the trick save +Nettie and Harry. + +Both of them, however, were too far away to hear what passed between the +boy and girl, but as Nettie saw her chum limp when she tried to skate +after picking herself up, she gave up the race and went to her +assistance. + +"What is it? Have you hurt yourself?" she asked, solicitously. + +"It's my ankle. I'm afraid I've sprained it." + +"Really?" + +"Don't be a goose." + +A moment the girl gazed at her chum and then the light of understanding +coming to her, she exclaimed, significantly: + +"Oh!" And the better to give the semblance of truth to the supposed +injury, she put her arm around Viola to support her, and led her to the +bank, where she sat down on a tree stump. + +In the meantime, the race had been won by Annabel Hutchins, who was +known among her classmates as the infant prodigy, because being +precociously bright, she had entered the freshman class when she was +only thirteen years old. + +For a moment after the tall, awkward girl skated across the line in the +lead of the others, there was a silence. And then, as the humor of the +situation dawned upon the others, for Longback, a member of the senior +class, had the proper contempt for the under classmen, the boys and +girls yelled and cheered frantically. + +"This will be some coronation!" cried Socker, with a grin. But some of +the girl's, noting Annabel's embarrassment, prevented any more such +remarks by surrounding her and skating her to the brush-pile. Then +quickly seizing some of the dried branches, they started down the river +with them toward the spot where the bonfire was to be built. + +The boys, however, especially the freshmen, found it too great an +opportunity to tease the haughty senior, and they made his life so +miserable with their comment that in a rage he skated away by himself. + + + + +CHAPTER VII--THE RIVALRY BETWEEN HARRY AND ELMER + + +Their victim, having thus put himself beyond their torment, the other +boys turned to the brush-pile, and each taking as many branches as he +could carry skated down the river. + +Viola and Nettie were still on the stump, and only Paul, Jerry and Harry +were left at the brush-pile. + +"You don't suppose Miss Darrow hurt herself so badly she can't skate +back, do you?" asked Harry of his companions. + +"Jove! I hadn't thought of that," returned Paul, and skating over to +where the two girls were, he asked concerning the extent of Viola's +injuries. + +"She's hurt her ankle," explained Nettie. + +"My! that's bad. Can you skate on it at all?" inquired Paul. + +"I can't skate on it, but I may be able to step on it," dissembled +Viola, and getting to her feet, started to walk, only to sink down with +a little cry of well-feigned pain. + +"Jerry and Harry, come over here! Viola's hurt her ankle, and we've got +to get her back down the river some way," called Paul to his chums. + +"Remember we haven't met Mr. Watson!" exclaimed Nettie in a low voice, +as the two boys left the brush-pile and skated toward them. + +"Why, I'm glad you reminded me. I'd forgotten," murmured Paul, and when +the new student joined them, he was quickly introduced. + +"We'll have to go down the river and get a sled for you, Viola," +announced Jerry. "You wait here with Nettie and Paul, and Harry and I'll +go down." + +But after their maneuvering to meet Harry the two girls did not propose +to lose his companionship so quickly, and Viola hurriedly exclaimed: + +"I think perhaps if you boys will help me, I shall be able to walk +down." + +"But that will only make your ankle worse, Miss Darrow," declared Harry. +"I have it. We'll take a big pile of the brush and you and Miss +Masterson can sit on it and we will pull you down the river." + +"The very thing!" cried the other boys, and without more ado, they +returned to the heap of dried branches, picked out several big ones, +which they placed on the ice, heaping smaller ones across them, until +they had made a rustic nest into which the girls climbed, while the +boys, with pieces of rope which they had found and with their skate +straps, bound the heavy limbs together and made a leash by which they +could pull the improvised sled. + +But not without difficulty did the strange method of transportation +advance. First some of the heavy limbs spread, letting the twigs and +girls down onto the ice and frequently were they spilled from their +nest, but all enjoyed it and with much laughter and merry chatter they +approached the spot where the others were stacking the brush which was +to be set on fire in the evening. + +"My eye! Look what's coming!" shouted Misery Jones, as he espied Viola +and the others. + +At his cry the rest of the boys and girls followed the direction of his +gaze, and when they beheld the moving brush-heap with its two +passengers, they shouted and laughed as they skated up to meet them. + +"_Ach! die liebliche Schnee-fogeln!_" exclaimed Prof. Schmidt, laughing +as he caught sight of the two pretty girls on the brush-pile. "Too bad +it iss dat wir de coronation not now can have?" + +As he heard the words, Longback took a hasty glance over the crowd +assembled near the brush-pile, and not seeing Annabel, exclaimed: + +"That's a good idea, Professor. It's getting so dark that we can have +the bonfire now just as well as later." + +"Oh, no you don't!" cried Misery. "You can't get out of the formal +ceremony by one got up on the spur of the moment. The real queen who won +the race, you know, might object and cause you domestic unhappiness. +Even kings are allowed only one queen." + +The result of the boy's protest was a lunge from Longback's hockey +stick, from which he was able to dodge back in the very nick-of-time. + +But the haughty senior was not allowed to get away with his caddish +suggestion with only Misery's reproof. + +"Now look here, Sam Dalton! No matter if Annabel Hutchins is a freshy +she won the race, and she's going to be crowned queen when you're +crowned king!" exclaimed several of the older girls, gathering about +Longback. "You wouldn't have made any objection, you know, if it had +been Viola, or even Nettie, and they're only freshmen, too; so if you +don't want to regret it all the rest of the time you're in Rivertown +High School, you'll be just as nice to Annabel as you possibly can be. +The poor child went home crying because she thought we were all laughing +at her." + +"If it's going to make so much trouble, what's the use of having the +mock ceremony at all?" exclaimed Elmer, seeking to come to the aid of +his chum. + +"That's it! Be a spoil sport!" cried several of the boys and girls. + +"Then I'll resign my honor in favor of any of you who desire it," +growled Longback. + +"Let's not have the bonfire at all," exclaimed Viola, flashing a look of +contempt at the senior. "Instead let's go on a hay ride to Cardell--I'm +sure I can have the horses." + +"Good! We'll take along Nettie's and Socker's mothers and then we can +have a dance at the Lake House!" exclaimed Paul. + +The suggestion met with instant approval. + +"Let's have a great big sleigh-ride," Socker exclaimed. "I guess father +will let me take our horses, too, and we can fix up with hay, and it +will be a great lark." + +"You all can do as you please," declared Viola, "but I want Jerry and +Paul and Nettie and Mildred and Sally and Elise and Dorothy and Mr. +Watson and Misery and Jack and Horace and Annabel to be members of my +party." + +Readily the boys and girls accepted, and their hostess requested them to +gather at her house at eight o'clock. The omission of Elmer, Longback +and Socker from her guests caused looks of amazement to be exchanged +between the other boys and girls, while the three fellows themselves +blushed. + +"I'll take the rest of our gang!" Socker exclaimed. "We'll go up to +Cardell, anyhow, and have a dance, and Viola, if you want to bring your +little friends, we should be very pleased to see both you and them." + +"Will everybody whom I've invited go?" asked the proud girl, ignoring +the remark. + +One after another they accepted until it came to Harry, and he said, +mindful of what his aunt had told him: + +"I thank you very much, Miss Darrow. I should like to go, but I'm afraid +it will be necessary for me to stay at home and study." + +"Wow! Wow! Listen to that!" moaned Misery. "On top of saving the kids +and beating Pud's hockey team, he's a grind!" and skating over to the +new student, he felt of his shoulders, murmuring "It's just as I +thought. I can feel his wings sprouting. My, won't Rivertown get a +reputation when people know we've got an angel among the freshies." + +"Well, if he stays in school until he's a senior, there won't be any +angel left about him," laughed Jerry. "Come on, Harry, you can go just +as well as not. The only thing we have to-morrow, beside drawing and +rhetoric, is Latin, and Old Grouch Plummer always flunks everybody in +that, so it isn't worthwhile to study the lesson. Besides, we want to +initiate you into the delights of the dancing floor at the Lake House, +it's----" + +"Perhaps he doesn't dance," sneered Elmer. "I've always heard that a lot +of people down at Lawrenceburgh were opposed to dancing, and maybe +Watson's family is among them." + +This utterly uncalled-for slur made even the rich boy's chums look at +him in amazement, but though Harry flushed hotly, the darkness concealed +his confusion, and he replied in a steady voice: + +"I'm very fond of dancing, but really, Miss Darrow, I must decline your +invitation." And quickly wishing his friends among the boys and girls +"good-night," he skated over to the bank, took off the ice-runners, and +went home. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII--PAUL'S PARTY + + +The real reason for Harry's declination of the invitation to form one of +the merry party, was the fact that he knew there would be necessarily +some expense attached to the dance, and his circumstances were such that +he was obliged to watch his money carefully. Indeed, it had only been at +a distinct personal sacrifice that his father had been able to arrange +for the boy to go to Rivertown High School. Aware of this fact, he +realized that it would not be right for him to start out by associating +with those whose parents were in a position to give them liberal +allowances for spending money. + +For a few moments after Harry's abrupt departure there was a silence +among the boys and girls who were planning the sleighing party and +dance. + +"There's no use in allowing a new freshy to interfere with our fun," +Socker exclaimed. + +"Who's going and who isn't? I want to know, so that I can get the horses +and the sled and the hay ready." + +The others sided in with this view of the matter, and arrangements for +meeting were quickly made, after which the boys and girls separated, +going to their respective homes. + +"Don't you think that was queer in Harry Watson to decline your +invitation, Viola?" asked Nettie, as they walked along. + +Before the girl could answer, however, a voice behind them exclaimed: + +"He hasn't got money enough to go, or to do anything the rest of us can. +Father says he knows Watson's father and that he's poorer than a church +mouse." + +Surprised to think their conversation had been overheard, the girls +turned quickly and beheld Pud Snooks. + +"Well, if that's the real reason Mr. Watson declined to go with us, it's +nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sure it's better not to go than to sponge +on some of the boys who have money," sniffed Viola. At this taunt, which +was particularly stinging for the reason that, although the bully's +father had plenty of money, he gave his son very little to spend, with +the result that he was always taking part in the pastimes of his +schoolmates, and forcing his companions to pay his share, Snooks growled +to himself and slunk away. + +For several minutes the two girls walked along in silence. + +"Well, if it is true that Harry Watson won't be able to go to our dances +and things, I'm going to be all the nicer to him at school and on the +ice, because I like him. Honestly, I do, Nettie," said Viola. + +This frank avowal surprised her chum, but she discreetly kept the fact +to herself, and it was not long before the unpleasant incident on the +ice was forgotten. + +But it had made a deep impression upon Harry and, when he arrived at the +comfortable home of his aunt he was very serious, returning her greeting +almost curtly. + +Realizing that something was amiss with the boy, yet knowing well that +should she question him about it, she would but add to his reticence, +the aunt wisely held her peace, trusting that during the evening he +would let her know what the trouble was, of his own accord. + +The boy, however, came to the conclusion that the problem which +confronted him was one that he alone could work out; and, during supper, +he forestalled any possible inquiries on the part of his aunt by +relating to her the incidents of the hockey game, and then the races to +the brush-pile. + +No sooner was the meal finished, however, than he betook himself to his +room on the plea that he wished to unpack his trunk, and he was soon +busily engaged in so doing, at the same time revolving plans in his mind +by which he could either win the good will of the boys who had taken +such an evident dislike to him, or else manage in some way to get the +best of them so effectually that, for the future, they would not seek to +annoy him. + +"I thought you were going to grind out your Latin," cried a voice, +presently. + +"Why, hello, Paul! I thought you were going on the sleigh-ride!" +returned Harry. + +"None of our crowd are going, because Mrs. Masterson wasn't able to +chaperone us to-night. Instead we are going to have a candy-pull over at +my house, and I came over to get you. So put your duds on and come +along." + +At first our hero thought of refusing, then he reconsidered his idea, +and accompanied the fellow who was later to be his most intimate chum to +his home, where he found all the boys and girls who were to have been +members of Viola's sleighing party, even to Annabel; and pleasant, +indeed, was the evening which he passed. + +As they bade Paul's mother and the boy good night and went out on the +piazza, Mildred suddenly cried: + +"Oh, look at that red spot in the sky!" + +Instantly the others turned in the direction towards which the girl was +gazing. + +"It's a fire!" exclaimed Misery. "It's a bad night for one, too, with +the wind blowing, and it's so cold it will be hard to get any water." + +"Where is it? Why doesn't someone give the alarm?" exclaimed several of +the boys and girls. + +"It's over toward the bluff leading up to the school." + +"Perhaps it's only a manifestation of the aurora borealis!" exclaimed +Annabel. + +"That sounds fine, Annabel, but I guess I know a fire when I see one," +returned Misery. + +"But it's just as likely to be the aurora as it is a fire," protested +Mildred. + +"No, it isn't either," retorted Misery. "It's a bad night, and fires +always come on bad nights." + +The excited voices attracted the attention of Paul's father, and as the +gentleman made his way to the front door, several of them turned to him. + +"Is that a fire, Mr. Martin?" they asked. + +Ere the old gentleman could reply, however, all doubt was put at rest by +the shout of "Fire!" followed almost immediately by the ringing of the +church bell. + +Mr. Martin's house was situated on the main street, and as the members +of the volunteer fire company rushed by to get the hand engine, Paul's +father called out: + +"Where is it, boys?" + +"It's Jed Brown's house," came the answer. + + + + +CHAPTER IX--THE FALSE CHARGE + + +A fire in a small country village, always a dread catastrophe, is much +more serious in the winter, especially when any wind is stirring; and in +the realization of these facts, the street was soon alive with men and +women hurrying to the scene of the conflagration. + +When they learned, however, that it was the home of the crippled +veteran, many of them turned back. + +All Paul's friends, together with his father, had started towards the +scene, as soon as they knew where the fire was; and as Mr. Martin met +several men whom he knew, returning, he asked: + +"Where are you going? Is the fire out, or what?" + +"Oh, it's nothing but old Jed Brown's shanty," retorted one of them. + +"That doesn't make any difference. You ought to be willing to help Jed +as quickly as anyone else. Besides, there's quite a wind, and if we +don't check the blaze, it may spread. Now turn around and come back with +me." + +As Mr. Martin was a person of importance and influence in Rivertown, the +men whom he had stopped and ordered to go back quickly obeyed. + +When they arrived at the head of the street whence they could see the +veteran's little house, they all realized that it would be impossible to +save it, for, though it had been a short fifteen minutes since the alarm +had been sounded, the house was a seething mass of flames. + +Frantically men were working with shovels, throwing the snow which they +scooped up onto the leaping tongues of fire, but without any result. + +Rising high into the air, the sparks were borne in all directions, and +when an unusually strong gust of wind swirled down the bluff, the +burning brands were carried from the doomed house. + +"Where are the boys with the hand engine?" demanded Mr. Martin, when no +sight or sound was there of the volunteer fire department. "Aren't they +coming?" + +"They're stuck. One of the runners on the front bob gave in," informed a +man who had just joined the constantly-increasing fringe of men and +women whose figures stood out in prominent silhouette against the lurid +flames. + +"Then we must get busy and form bucket brigades to wet down the roofs of +those two houses right alongside!" exclaimed Mr. Martin, pointing to two +large white residences, one of which was about one hundred feet from the +burning house, and the other almost directly across the not over-wide +street. + +"Come on, men! If those houses catch, the fire will sweep right through +the town! A quarter of an hour's work now will save them; but if we wait +very long it will be too late." + +Aroused by the words of the town Nestor, the men and boys lost no time +in rushing to each of the residences; and while some of them went into +the kitchens and manned the pumps, others formed a line to pass the +pails, which were contributed by everybody; while others of the men who +had placed ladders against the eaves, mounted the roof, where they sat +astraddle of the ridgepole, dousing the embers which were falling on the +roofs with greater frequency. + +Suddenly, the rumor spread among those still watching the fire that the +crippled veteran was in his house. + +Hysterical women wrung their hands and begged the men to rush into the +flames and rescue the helpless man. Such an act, however, would have +been the height of folly, and none of them made the attempt, knowing +full well that were he inside he would have met his death long before. + +[Illustration: OTHERS FORMED A LINE TO PASS THE PAILS.] + +The rumor, however, was dispelled almost as quickly as it had started. + +"Ha! Old Jed ain't in the house! I seen him sneaking off down the street +just as soon as the fire was going well," exclaimed Pud. + +"How long was that before the alarm was given?" demanded several of the +men, who had heard the statement of the butcher's son. + +"Oh, five or ten minutes, I should say. It seems funny to me that the +house should burn so quickly; and then I should have thought Jed would +have wanted to stay and watch it," added Pud. + +Had the boy known, however, the purpose for which the old veteran had +gone down the street, he would have been less active in trying to sow +the seeds of suspicion among those who were in earshot of him. But in +his ignorance he continued to make statements that would cast suspicion +upon the old man. + +"When I first seen the fire, I thought I smelled kerosene." + +"So did I," chorused several others. + +This mention of the fact that they had noted the odor of the combustible +oil immediately started the tongues of the women gossips to wagging; and +gathering into little groups, they began to talk over with one another +the reasons the crippled veteran would have for burning up his home. + +The bully, however, had not finished his sensational statements. No +sooner had he seen that his sowing of the seed of suspicion had found +ready soil, than he added to his previous effect by saying: + +"After I seen Jed and smelled the kerosene, I went down around behind +the house and seen a fellow running. Seeing he was headed toward the +village I cut around back and followed him while he walked up Kenosha +street--and who do you think it was?" + +The highly excitable minds of the women and the village gossips had been +worked to concert pitch by the bully, and as he paused dramatically +after his story, they cried: + +"Who? Tell us, quick!" + +Looking round from one to another of the score of people who had +gathered about him, the bully exclaimed: + +"It was Harry Watson, the boy that's come to live here!" + + + + +CHAPTER X--HARRY IS EXONERATED + + +Unfortunately for Harry, he and his boy and girl friends who had been at +the Martins' house during the evening were all scattered between the two +houses where the bucket brigades were working, and no one was there to +speak a good word for him in contradiction of Snooks' most despicable +charge, for his manner as he spoke gave no room to doubt that he +believed the new student had fired the building. + +The others quickly put this interpretation upon his statement, and with +the rapidity only to be found in villages, word spread about that Harry, +for some fancied spite, had burned up the home of the crippled veteran. + +And as the story was repeated, it lost nothing in the telling. + +"Why doesn't someone go swear out a warrant for the boy's arrest?" +demanded a particularly irascible old woman. + +"You can't do it, Mirandy, unless you got some reason for making the +charge, and you didn't see the boy," returned one of the men. + +"But Pud Snooks seen him. He can swear out a warrant!" exclaimed the +spinster. "It ought to be done. There won't be nobody safe in the +village with that boy liable to burn us all up at any time." + +The words caused alarm among several of the women, who gathered about +the old gossip, and they began to demand that action be taken; but when +some of the men finally started to look for the bully who had spread the +wicked report, he was nowhere to be seen. + +The gossips, however, interpreted Snooks' absence to their own ends. + +"Some of the men have probably taken him up to Squire Baxter's," said +Miranda, and others who had heard her words instantly gave the +irresponsible old spinster's remark the stamp of authority, declaring +that Harry's arrest was but the question of a few minutes. + +In the meanwhile, the fire having burnt itself out on Jed Brown's house, +and the danger to the neighboring mansions being thereby over, the +members of the bucket brigade made their way once more to the scene of +the conflagration. + +With Mr. Martin on one side, and his son Paul on the other, Harry +approached the ruin. + +"There he comes! There he comes! Luther Martin has the little sneak! He +knows what to do with him!" snapped Miranda. + +And in whispers, low but none the less audible, the word quickly ran +around the circle of gossips that the village Nestor was holding the +youthful fire-bug until the proper authorities could take him into +custody. So curious were the glances cast at them by the rest of the +people, that Mr. Martin could not help but notice them, and, wondering +at their cause, he turned to the man nearest him, calling him by name, +and asked: + +"What is the matter, Zeke? Why is everybody whispering and looking at +me?" + +"'Tain't you they're looking at," returned the man, in a voice as solemn +as though he were chief mourner at a funeral. + +"Then who is it?" + +"Harry Watson." + +"What about him?" + +"You know as well as I do." + +Too familiar with his neighbors not to know that something of unusual +seriousness was afoot, Mr. Martin laid his hand heavily upon Zeke's +shoulder. + +"I want you to tell me what people are saying about Harry Watson, and +what all this mysterious whispering means?" declared the patriarchal man +in stern tones. + +Realizing that it would be folly to try to deceive the village Nestor, +Zeke looked uneasily about him, then cleared his throat, preparatory to +speaking. + +"Well, it's this way, Luther," he began in a whining voice. "They are +saying as how you're holding Harry Watson until the constable can come +and arrest him." + +Both Paul and the boy against whom the breath of suspicion had been +directed could not help but hear what passed between Mr. Martin and the +man with whom he was talking, and as the latter explained the action of +the rest of the spectators, Harry staggered back as though he had been +struck a blow in the face. + +"Arrest me!" he exclaimed. "What for?" + +"You know," declared Zeke in a mournful voice. + +"Nonsense, Zeke. Nobody's going to arrest Harry Watson any more than +they are me," interrupted Mr. Martin. "And now if you'll just get over +your desire to create a mystery and tell me what this is all about, I'll +quickly settle it--and if you don't, I'll ask somebody who can tell me +the plain facts without any trimmings." + +Fond as he was of beating about the bush and giving vague hints and +meaning glances, rather than a plain statement of facts, Zeke, however, +did not wish to be deprived of exploding the bomb. + +"Pud Snooks says he seen young Watson running away from the fire, and he +and a lot of us smelled kerosene just as the blaze started, and Mirandy +and the rest of us has been saying that there won't be any house safe in +Rivertown until that boy is fast behind lock and key." + +His son having told him during supper the trick the bully had tried to +play on Harry which had come so near to resulting in the death of the +little children; also about the new student's preventing Pud from +snowballing the crippled veteran, and his attempt to foul the boy during +the race on the river, Mr. Martin readily realized the story was but the +emanation of the bully's brain. + +Raising his voice so that it could be heard by all within a radius of +fifty feet, the village Nestor exclaimed: + +"That's utter nonsense, Zeke. Harry Watson is a good boy. He comes from +an honorable family, and there's no more reason for accusing him of +setting Jed Brown's place afire than there is of accusing me!" Then the +patriarchal man paused a few moments to allow the murmurs of surprise to +subside before he added in a still louder voice than at first, for the +greater effect: + +"Besides, Harry Watson has been at my house all the evening, and came to +the fire together with my boy, Paul, several of his friends, and +myself." + +"But Pud said he seen him!" declared several people, evidently unwilling +to accept Mr. Martin's words. + +"Where is Pud?" demanded the village Nestor. "I----" + +"Yes, where is Pud Snooks? I want to talk to him!" exclaimed a shrill +voice, interrupting. + +Turning at the sound, the men and women beheld the bent and bowed form +of old Jed Brown. + +Instantly, there was a babel of talk and exclamations at this unexpected +turn in affairs. + +"What do you want to see him for?" demanded one of the men. + +"I want to see him to ask him what he was doing in my shed just before I +caught him coming out." + +At the words, several of the men and women crowded about the crippled +veteran, plying him with questions; but with a wave of his hand, Mr. +Martin silenced them. + +"This is a very serious statement, Jed," he exclaimed in a stern voice. +"I warn you that you must be careful what you say. Now tell me just what +happened, and how you discovered the fire." + +As they heard the words, those of the men and women who were still at +the scene, formed a circle about the village patriarch and the crippled +veteran, necks craned forward, ears cocked, that they might not lose a +syllable of anything that was said. + +"I was just getting ready to go to bed when I heard a noise out in the +shed," declared Jed. "For some time I've been missing tools, and so I +picked up a club I had by the kitchen stove, and started out to see what +the trouble was. + +"I s'pose I made some noise, for just as I had stepped out of the +kitchen door, somebody ran out from the shed and tried to pass me. + +"'Who is it?' I cried. But instead of answering me, the person swung at +me and caught me in the shoulder with a blow that would have knocked me +down had I not thrown my arms about him and hung on." + +As he made this statement, the crippled veteran paused. For several +moments his auditors waited, thinking he would continue, but when he did +not several of them asked: + +"Did you see who it was?" "Could you get a look at his face?" + +"Yes." + +"Who was it?" + +"Pud Snooks!" + +At the pronouncement of the bully's name, cries of astonishment arose +from the circle of men and women. + +"Why didn't you hold onto him?" demanded Mr. Martin. + +"Because he shook me off." + +"Then what did you do?" + +"I started after him--and I hadn't gone more than half way up the street +before I saw flames burst from the shed." + +In silence all those in the circle heard these words. + +"Do you want to have the boy taken up for this, Jed?" finally asked Mr. +Martin. + +"No. I don't want to bring trouble to anyone, but I'm not going to have +the house burnt over my head without getting some return. I want to find +Pud Snooks and ask him some questions, and then I want to have a talk +with his father." + +"You're a sensible man, Jed," declared Mr. Martin. "Just come along with +me and we will go find Pud's father. Come, Harry! Come, Paul." + +Without more words Mr. Martin turned on his heel, and led the way up the +street, several of the more curious among the crowd tagging at his +heels. + + + + +CHAPTER XI--"OLD GROUCH" + + +"I don't believe it was Pud who set fire to Mr. Brown's house," +exclaimed Harry, as they walked along. + +"Don't you s'pose I know him when I see him? I have good reason to!" +retorted the crippled veteran. + +"What makes you think it wasn't he, Harry?" asked Mr. Martin. + +"Because he was going on a sleigh ride with Socker Gales and some of the +other boys and girls," returned Harry. + +"But evidently he didn't go, for he was at the fire after it was burning +fiercely," asserted the venerable man. Nobody knew the cause for the +bully's remaining at home. + +Stung deeply by the words Nettie had uttered when he had come up behind +them when the two girls were walking home, Snooks had asked his father +for some money that he might join his friends in driving to the Lake +House at Cardell for the dance, only to be gruffly refused. + +Angry at his father, his friends and himself, the bully had eaten his +supper in sullen hastiness, and then left the house by the back way for +the purpose of watching his friends depart on the sleigh ride. The route +he took, however, led him past the house of the crippled veteran whom he +hated so deeply, and the sight of it suggested to him that he might work +off his ill-humor by playing some trick on old Jed. + +Entering the shed, he lighted a match and was looking about the shop, +when he had heard the crippled veteran opening the door of the kitchen, +and, thinking only that he must escape, the boy had thrown the match on +the floor and rushed to leave the shed. Instead of going out, the match +had fallen into a pile of shavings, quickly igniting them, and the +flames found ready food in the pieces of wood, oil-soaked leather and +other odds and ends with which the shop was littered, and in a few +moments had gained such headway that they were irresistible. + +Such was the story which Mr. Martin and the bully's father extorted from +the boy after they had questioned him closely in the presence of the +crippled veteran for a half hour. + +Though the fire was purely an accident, it was so evident that Pud had +gone to his arch-enemy's house bent on mischief, that the butcher and +Mr. Martin were at a loss how to proceed in the matter of meting out +punishment; and as they sat in silence, pondering over the confession, +it was Jed himself who solved the problem. + +"Well, I'm glad you didn't come to the house with the intention of +burning it, Pud," he exclaimed. "You and I know I hadn't occasion for +being fond of you, but I'd hate to think there was any boy, or man +either for that matter, in Rivertown who was so down on me that he would +want to burn the roof over my head. + +"Now, I've carried a bit of insurance on the place and I'm not going to +live very much longer, so if----" + +"Jed, I ain't liked you no better than my boy," interrupted the butcher, +"but you've been so decent, and not asked me to punish Pud or send him +away where they'll take care of him, that if it's agreeable to you I'll +give you two hundred and fifty dollars. Pud, go get my check book." + +"No need to bother about that to-night, Snooks. You can give me the +money to-morrow," declared Jed. And with this understanding Mr. Martin +and the crippled veteran took their departure. + +Once they were outside, the village patriarch seized the hand of the +crippled veteran and shook it heartily. + +"Jed, you certainly are a man!" he exclaimed, feelingly. "But where will +you go to live, now?" + +Ere the old man could answer, Harry and Paul, who had been waiting +outside the house, joined them just in time to hear Mr. Martin ask this +question. + +"If you'd care to, I should like to have you come around to our house!" +exclaimed Harry. "I know Aunt Mary would like it, and then as you're an +old friend of dad's he'd want me to ask you." + +"That would be just the thing," asserted Mr. Martin, "and I don't doubt +but that you can make arrangements to live at her house with Mary as +long as you care to stay in Rivertown. I'll go and explain things." + +Surprised at first, after the incidents of the evening had been made +clear to her, Mrs. Watson readily agreed to board the veteran as long as +he cared to remain; and after bidding them all a cordial good-night, Mr. +Martin and Paul went to their home. + +Many were the glances that were cast at the bully and Harry when they +appeared at the high school the following day, but no one had the +temerity to speak to them about the incident of the fire, although there +were many whispered conversations held in which the sympathy was +entirely with the new student. + +As Paul had said, the only lesson of importance the freshman class were +called upon to attend was the Latin, of which the crusty old Prof. Isaac +Plummer, often called "Grouch" by the students, was instructor. + +As the boys and girls filed into the classroom, the professor, who was a +little squat man, with a scrubby beard, so thin that one of the girls +had said it was really an individual beard, glanced at them over the +tops of his spectacles. + +"There's no use asking any of you, I suppose, whether you have your +lesson or not," he snapped, in a high-pitched, jerky voice. "The fire +last night would have been a sufficient excuse, I suppose, even if it +wasn't for the fact that you never do have your lesson anyway." + +Then, his eyes resting on Harry, he exclaimed: + +"What are you doing in here?" + +"I came to recite, sir." + +"Listen, the rest of you. Here's a boy who has come to recite. Do you, +by any chance, happen to be a member of the Rivertown High School, or +have you just dropped in like manna sent from Heaven to show the rest of +these young idiots that it is possible for a child to know its Latin +lesson? What's your name?" + +"Harry Watson," stammered the boy, his face scarlet at the brusqueness +of the Latin instructor's greeting. + +"Where do you come from?" + +"Lawrenceburgh, sir." + +"Do you like Latin?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Then that explains it. I don't wonder you left Lawrenceburgh. No man +who cared for Latin would ever live there, let alone learn it in any of +their schools. How far have you gone in Caesar?" + +"Through the first two books." + +"Indeed! I didn't suppose anyone ever got beyond the grammar in +Lawrenceburgh. Suppose you start in at the beginning of the second book, +which is our lesson to-day, and read as far as you can." + +During this tirade many were the nudges in which the boys and girls +indulged themselves; and Elmer and Pud had reveled in it, gleefully, +believing that they were about to witness the discomfiture of the boy +for whom they had conceived such a dislike. + +But Harry was fond of Latin and was also well grounded in his +fundamentals. Opening his book at the part indicated, he began to +translate, and Prof. Plummer allowed him to finish two sections before +he began to ask him questions on construction. But though he tried his +best to confuse the boy, Harry did not get rattled, and acquitted +himself creditably. + +"Watson, I want you to come up here," the instructor exclaimed, when he +had finished. "Let me shake hands with you. I'm glad to know there is +one scholar in Rivertown High School who has even the faintest +conception of the Latin fundamentals." + +Blushing even more furiously than he had while he was being baited, +Harry stood in his place uncertain whether the professor meant what he +said or not, and hoping in his heart that he did not. + +"Ah, you hesitate, I see," grinned Prof. Plummer, sardonically. "After +you know me better you will know I never mean what I say. Never to my +knowledge have I willingly had one of the pupils of Rivertown High +School approach any nearer than you are now. Kindly remember that." + +And after calling upon one after another of the members of the class +only to have them answer "Not prepared," old Grouch dismissed the class +in disgust. + + + + +CHAPTER XII--PLEDGED TO THE PI ETAS + + +Although the majority of the scholars in the Rivertown High School lived +in Rivertown, there were a goodly number who came from adjacent +villages, and for the benefit of these, as well as to give a greater +school life to those who lived at home, the trustees of the high school +had sanctioned the use of several halls as society rooms. + +Thus the girls had two for their exclusive use, the Gamma Gammas and the +Lambda Nus; and the boys three, the Kappa Phis, the senior society, the +Psi Mus, to which only juniors were eligible, and the Pi Etas, nicknamed +the Pie Eaters by the upper classmen, composed chiefly of sophomores, +although such of the freshmen as were not too crude were admitted to +membership. + +For several days after Harry's encounter with the Latin professor, he +was discussed by the boys at the head of the Pi Etas, and, after +deciding that he was eligible, the members began to rush him, inviting +him around to the club room, to their homes, their skating and dancing +parties. + +Elmer and Socker, as well as Paul and Jerry, belonged to the Greek +letter society, and the proposal to take Harry into the folds of the Pi +Eta met with a vigorous opposition from the former pair. Sufficient were +there of the sophs, however, who believed that, with a little rubbing +off of the rough edges, Harry would be a desirable member of their +crowd, to out-vote them, and in due course a committee was selected to +pledge him. + +But when Harry was approached, he exhibited no great enthusiasm. +Fortunately, however, Paul and Jerry were members of the committee and, +after the full body had sounded him, they remained at his aunt's house +with him. + +"What's wrong? Don't you like the crowd?" asked Jerry. + +"You bet I do! It isn't that." And then our hero paused, blushing, +finally continuing: + +"I might as well tell you fellows, because it will save a lot of +unpleasantness for me. I can't afford to do the things the rest of you +fellows can." + +At this frank announcement, Paul and Jerry looked at one another in +dismay, for neither of them knew exactly how to answer, and moreover, it +was confirmation of their belief that Harry's refusal to go on the +sleigh ride was because of his lack of funds. + +As the pause that ensued after the statement became embarrassing, Jerry +took the bit in his teeth. + +"There's practically no expense, Harry. No initiation fees, or anything +like that. All we have to do is to pay for the light and heat. The +school pays the rent, that is, they say they do, though none of the +rooms or halls of Rivertown societies have cost a penny, for they're +given by people who own the property. My assessment, so far, this year +has been seventy-five cents. You know there are fifty Pi Etas and the +expenses for the rest of the year, with Spring coming before long, will +be still less, and we want you to be one of the bunch,--honestly, we do. +It means no end of fun next year, the Psi Mu surely for junior and the +Kappa Phi for senior year." + +A lot of other things Jerry and Paul told our hero, and by the time they +had finished talking to him, he had fully come to the conclusion that he +would get the money to pay his dues in some manner, and he signified his +delight at the prospect of joining the society. + +"Good boy!" chorused his chums. "Just stay in your room to-night. As +your superiors in the Pi Eta we command you to." + +And hitting the boy such powerful whacks on his back that is seemed to +him his teeth would fall out, Paul and Jerry left him. Descending the +stairs, they bade Mrs. Watson a significantly courteous "good night" and +hurried back to the society room to carry the tidings of Harry's +acceptance to their waiting fellows. + +With an understanding of what the call of all the boys upon her nephew +meant that would have done credit to a father, Harry's aunt went to her +desk, took out a sheet of paper, and wrote: + + "My Dear Boy: + + "I hope you find this of use, and it affords me more pleasure to be + able to give it to you than it can you to receive it. + + "Lovingly, Aunt Mary. + + "P. S.--If anything should ever happen that you should get into a + little scrape, I want you to feel that you can come to me. Tell me all + about it instead of going to an outsider. I shall be able to help + you." + +And enclosing a five dollar bill, she put it into an envelope and biding +her time until Harry came downstairs, slipped up to his room and placed +it on his study table where he would be sure to find it. + +Wonder as to what his instructions to remain in the house meant filled +Harry with an alternating succession of vague misgiving and delight, and +appreciating his mood, his aunt humored him during supper, refraining +from pressing him with any awkward questions as to his unusual +nervousness. + +When he finished supper, Harry stayed around downstairs till he heard +the sound of voices out in the street in front of the house. As they +drew nearer and nearer, it became evident that they were chanting. + +"Mercy! What can that be? It sounds like a funeral dirge!" exclaimed +Mrs. Watson, simulating an ignorance of the familiar song by which the +Pi Etas announced their descent upon a prospective victim to their +initiation, though she had heard it numberless times before, when the +members of the society in years gone by had passed through the street in +quest of their victims. + +The blood mounting to his face, Harry listened a moment, then ran up to +his room, grabbed up his Caesar, dropped into a chair and vainly strove +to concentrate his mind upon the text before him. + +Once only in a life-time does the indescribable thrill grip the heart of +a boy who realizes that he has been found fit by the most critical jury +in the world, his fellow students, to become a member of one of their +secret societies--and in the ecstasy of his happiness Harry never noticed +that his book was upside down. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII--A SERIOUS CHARGE + + +As the measured tread of the steps of the students marching in military +time rang out on the porch, Harry could not restrain his feelings, and +jumped to his feet, pacing excitedly up and down his room. + +For moments that seemed eternal after the sound of the tramping came, he +listened for the peremptory knock. + +At last it came, and as it rang out, with significance the boy could +never forget, his heart almost stopped beating--then he was dully aware +that his aunt had gone to the door and opened it. He heard the sound of +excited voices, then it seemed as though there were a mighty crash +against the door of his room, in rushed several of the boys whom he +knew, seized him, tossed him to their shoulders and started down the +stairs, not a word having been spoken. But as he gained the outside +door, the boys assembled in the yard broke into a chant of triumph, and +with the new student still borne aloft, they retraced their steps down +the street, the rhythm of their song growing in its delirium until they +reached their society room. + +But once Harry was inside the sacred precincts, guarded by the four +plastered walls, he was no longer the good fellow sought by his +schoolmates, but the victim of initiation--and before he had performed +all the stunts which were put up to him, it was early in the morning. +And when he made his way to his aunt's house, it was not the carefree +boy who had been borne forth on the shoulders of his friends, but a +youth, bedraggled, and with a more proper appreciation of his utter +insignificance in the scheme of life. + +Proud to think that her nephew had been picked out for one of the +members of the secret society, Mrs. Watson sat up, with the purpose of +welcoming him when he returned home. But as hour after hour went by +without his appearing, after the manner of a woman, she began to fear +that some harm had befallen him. Accordingly, when at last she heard his +halting footsteps on the porch, she threw open the door, and greeted him +fondly. + +But Harry was so used up that he failed to appreciate the tenderness of +the caress, and, realizing the fact, his aunt sent him to bed with the +injunction to sleep as late in the morning as he pleased. + +Sore, indeed, was Harry when he awoke the next morning, but as he noted +the glance cast at him by the other fellows passing on the way to +school, glances in which there was a certain amount of envy, he began to +forget the ache and pain, caused by the anything but gentle thumps he +had received during his initiation, and by the time he had reached the +schoolhouse, he was quite his natural self. + +But though the boy was in exuberant spirits, it did not take him long to +realize that a depression had fallen upon his society mates, and he lost +no time in trying to learn the cause. + +"What is it?" he asked Paul and Jerry, as they came toward him. + +"It's fierce, that's what it is," returned Jerry. + +"But why don't you tell me what it is?" + +"Because nobody knows _exactly_," asserted Paul. + +"We'll know, though, just as soon as chapel's over," announced Jerry, in +a voice so doleful, that the last vestige of Harry's enthusiasm +vanished. + +Not far into the school grounds had Harry and his companions proceeded, +before the boy had found that the gloom shared by his society brothers +was reflected in all whom he met, and though he nodded to such of the +boys and girls as he knew, when there was any response at all, it was +merely perfunctory. + +"Sort of a dismal morning to hand out to a new Pi Eta, what?" exclaimed +Misery. + +But Harry had become too imbued with the spirit of disaster to make any +reply, and as he took his seat in the chapel, he was as anxious-eyed as +any of the others. + +The formal chapel service over, Mr. Larmore closed the Bible with +decided emphasis, and then, taking off his glasses and wiping them +nervously, he leaned over the little reading table and gazed at the +hushed students before him. + +"I'm sorry, very sorry, to tell you all that there were depredations +committed last night in the physical laboratory belonging to the school. + +"Several pieces of valuable experimental apparatus were destroyed. + +"I believe that you all have too much understanding to make it necessary +for me to dwell upon the heinousness of such acts. + +"The incident, bad as it is of itself, is particularly unfortunate in +view of the fact that there was, as I understand, an initiation in one +of the Greek letter societies last night!" + +The significance of the principal's words were so unmistakable that, as +they were uttered, a gasp of shocked surprise ran through the benches of +the students. + +Not one among them was there who did not know that Harry had been the +boy who was initiated, and, as if drawn by an irresistible impulse, they +turned their gaze upon him. + +Again clearing his throat, Mr. Larmore started to speak, when a boy rose +from the seats occupied by the seniors. + +"My name is Thomas Dawson. You know me, Mr. Larmore. So do the other +people of Rivertown and the scholars of the high school. + +"I had the honor to be elected a member of the Pi Eta during my freshman +year, and, in the memory of what the society stands for in scholarship +and in manliness, in high ideals of school life, I resent most +emphatically the imputations in your remarks cast upon the initiation +into the Pi Eta society last night!" + +Never before had such a defiance to the principal of the school been +made, and as the boys and girls who pursued their studies within its +brick walls heard it, they were seized with an amazement even greater +than at the words of the principal. + +But the cup of their surprise was not yet filled. + +Pausing a moment after his statement, that the dramatic effect of his +utterance might be the greater, Dawson exclaimed: + +"In the name of the members of the Pi Eta society of Rivertown High +School, I demand to know the authority for your statement that it was +any of our members who caused the breaking of the apparatus?" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV--THE BOYS APPOINT A COMMITTEE + + +Never before in the annals of Rivertown High had such a scene been +witnessed in the chapel, and as the scholars realized that one of their +number was openly defying the man who, for years had guided the +destinies of those studying under him, they were dumfounded. + +Mr. Larmore, himself, evidently shared the general astonishment for, as +he heard Dawson's demand, his eyes flashed, he opened his mouth as +though to speak, and then, evidently thinking better of it, closed it +again. + +The silence enveloping the chapel was so intense that the fall of a pin +would have sounded loud. + +Realizing that such a situation could not be tolerated, the principal at +last exclaimed: + +"Dawson, I am surprised that you should assume such an attitude in this +matter. + +"For obvious reasons, I cannot enter into an argument with you as to the +source of my information. I will say, however, that I consider my +authority reliable. + +"It grieves me more than I can express to think that any of my boys +should so far forget themselves in their sport as to do damage to the +school's property. + +"I shall go to my office directly after I have dismissed chapel, and I +shall expect those boys who took part in the breaking of the apparatus +to come to me and confess. + +"Chapel is dismissed." + +Instantly there was a hum of excited voices as the boys and girls filed +from the assembly room where the chapel exercises were held. + +Instead of going to their class rooms, however, the members of the Pi +Eta society filed out of the schoolhouse and gathered about their leader +who had challenged the principal. + +"Did any Pi Eta smash the apparatus?" asked Dawson. "If he did, for the +good of the society he must go to Larmore and take his medicine. I want +to be sure of my facts before I take any further action." + +But not a boy spoke up. + +"I put you on your Pi Eta oath," announced Dawson. + +But even this placing them on their most sacred honor had no additional +effect upon the society boys. + +Several of the members of the other Greek letter societies gathered +about the Pi Etas--for they realized that a crisis had arisen that +affected all the social organizations of the school--and they wanted to +plan how to meet it. + +When, therefore, they learned that none of the society members had been +implicated in the trouble, they cheered loudly. + +"The thing to do now, is to find out who told 'Princy'"--which was the +nickname the boys applied to the principal of the school--"that it was +the work of the Pi Etas," said Dawson. + +"It strikes me that the best thing to do is for some of us to go in and +have a talk with him," declared Longback, when none of the boys offered +any suggestion as to who the bearer of the information might be. + +"Why not let the Pi Etas settle it themselves?" proposed another boy. + +"Because it concerns the rest of us just as much as it concerns them--as +a matter of fact I believe it concerns us more; because I'm sure that +not one of the Pi Etas had anything to do with it." + +"Yes, and if any of us should go into Princy's office, he and everybody +else in the school, would think we had come to confess," declared Paul. + +This argument proved a clincher for the plan of sending a delegation to +call on Mr. Larmore in his office, and without delay the boys expressed +their preferences, the committee finally being composed of Dawson, +Longback, Jerry, Harry and Misery. + +The new member of the society objected to serving on the ground that it +wouldn't look well for a boy who had just had the honor of coming into +the Pi Eta to take such a prominent part in its affairs so soon. + +"Well, you _must_ come with us," returned Dawson, "and I'll tell you +why. There's no use in mincing matters. Princy and all the other profs +think that as part of your initiation, the rest of us either made you +break the apparatus, or that you did so in a spirit of bravado." + +The case having been put to him thus plainly, Harry offered no further +objection to serving on the committee, and without more ado the boys who +had been chosen as delegates mounted the steps preparatory to going to +the office of the principal. + +"What is it? School for the rest of us?" called another boy, looking +about at his companions. + +"No, let's cut?" cried three or four, while one of them continued: + +"It will show Princy and the other Profs that we don't like the deal +he's handing to us." + +Readily all the members of the Greek letter societies in the school +agreed to the plan, and without even so much as going into the school +house for their books, they hied themselves to their respective society +rooms. + + + + +CHAPTER XV--MR. LARMORE ISSUES AN ULTIMATUM + + +The excitement among the rest of the scholars as to what the members of +the accused society would do was intense, especially among the Greek +letter girls, and little, indeed, was the attention they paid either to +their books or recitations, their eyes being upon the gathering of boys. + +In ignorance of what had been decided upon, when some of them beheld the +five who had been chosen to wait upon Mr. Larmore, they instantly +concluded that they must be the boys who had taken part in the smashing +of the instruments, and quickly they passed the word along to the other +students who were unable to look out of the window. + +As some of the boys who had advised against sending the delegation had +argued, when the knock sounded on the door of the principal's office and +the order to enter had been given, Mr. Larmore believed that the five +students who filed in, had come to confess. + +Accordingly, assuming a stern but injured manner, he rose and bowed to +each of them. + +"There is no need for me to say that I am shocked when I see who of my +students took part in the mischief, but I am glad that you are men +enough to come to me and tell----" + +"Pardon me, Mr. Larmore, but you are mistaken," interrupted Dawson. "We +have not come to confess anything." + +"Eh? What?" exclaimed the principal, looking over his glasses at the +speaker. + +"I said that we have not come to confess," repeated Dawson. + +"Then to what do I owe the honor of this call?" Mr. Larmore asked, +dropping back into his chair and assuming his most sarcastic tone and +manner. + +"In the first place, we want to tell you that no member of the Pi Eta +society had a hand in the doings in the physical laboratory; and in the +second, we wish to know who it was that charged us with the work." + +As he heard the statement, the principal's face grew even more stern, +and for several minutes he thrummed his desk without making any reply. + +He had not asked the boys to sit down, and as they stood in front of +him, they began to get nervous, shifting uneasily in an embarrassed sort +of way from one foot to another as though unable to bear his gaze--and +realizing how uncomfortable he was making the boys, Mr. Larmore kept +silent longer than he otherwise would have. + +Resenting such treatment, Dawson fidgeted with his collar, and then +exclaimed: + +"Will you----" + +"Just a moment, please," interrupted the principal, raising his hand to +stop the boy. "I should like to know on what grounds you make your +assertion that none of the Pi Etas took part in the outrage." + +"Because they have told me so, sir," replied Dawson. + +"Of course! How stupid of me. I should have known that did the great Tom +Dawson ask who broke the apparatus, the guilty boy would have run right +up to him. I made a mistake in not asking you to----" + +During this ironical remark, the senior who had taken upon himself to +defend the members of the under class society, grew very red. + +"That's not fair, Mr. Larmore!" he exclaimed, interrupting the +principal. + +"Very well. Why should you expect the boys to admit their guilt to you?" + +"Because I asked them under Pi Eta oath." + +This reply was sufficiently illuminative to cause the principal to cast +a keen glance at the spokesman. + +"Do you really mean to tell me any member of that society would confess +their guilt to you if you put them on their oath?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"And may I ask what you would have done had any of them made such a +confession?" + +"Sent them to you, sir." + +Again did the principal look over the top of his glasses, and he +realized as he never had before, what a power the Greek letter societies +could be in the discipline of the school. + +"But if no members of your club committed the outrage, who did?" asked +Mr. Larmore finally, evidently voicing the thought that was in his mind. + +"That, sir, we cannot tell you at the moment--but we will be able to +later." + +"How, pray?" + +"Because we shall make it a point to find out, sir. And as a first step +toward that end we should be obliged if you would tell us who gave you +the information." + +"I will do that--presently. First, however, I should like to ask you what +punishment you think should be meted out to the boys who are guilty?" + +"I fancy they won't be ready for punishment for some time after we find +out who they are," exclaimed Longback. + +Smiling at this answer to his question, Mr. Larmore exclaimed: + +"I am obliged to you boys for coming to see me. I'm sorry to say, +however, that I cannot accept your statements as to the innocence of the +members of the Pi Eta society in regard to smashing the apparatus in the +physical laboratory. + +"My authority--who is no other than Tony, the janitor,--is, I believe, +altogether too reliable. + +"For that reason, I have decided that until I can learn who the +perpetrators of the act are, to punish them individually, I shall assess +the Pi Eta society the amount of the damages, which comes to seventy +dollars, and until payment is made, I shall insist that the society's +room be closed. + +"I shall be obliged if you will act as collector for me, Dawson. You can +also announce my decision to all the society members, though I shall do +it in school just before the noon recess. + +"And now, young gentlemen, I bid you good morning." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI--STUMBLING ACROSS A CLUE + + +Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this +ultimatum from Mr. Larmore. + +After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least +be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they +could scarcely believe their ears. + +But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on +their heels and strode from the office. + +Once out in the hallway they gave vent to their indignation. + +"My word! Princy must have had something awful mean for breakfast to +have accumulated such a grouch!" exclaimed Misery. + +"But we can't blame him so much," returned Longback. "What sticks in my +craw is that old Tony Farelli, who was janitor at Rivertown High when +most of our fathers and mothers were students, should have laid the +trouble to the Pi Etas." + +"He must have some good reason for thinking it was some of us," returned +Dawson, "because Tony has always been square." + +"Seventy dollars is going some," declared Jerry. "It looks to me as if +the Pi Eta chapter room will be closed for some time to come." + +"Shall you pay it? I suppose you'll assess the members equally?" asked +Harry. + +"Pay it! Well, I should say not!" retorted Dawson, angrily. "Princy can +nail up the door of the chapter room first!" + +"Now, don't go to making any threats, Tom," interposed Longback. "The +thing to do is to have a meeting of the Kappa Phis and Psi Mus to decide +what shall be done." + +"How about us?" demanded Jerry. "Being the victims, it seems to me we +should have a little say in the matter." + +"There you go again," retorted Dawson. "You freshmen never can seem to +understand that it is part of your training to do as your betters tell +you. Inasmuch as just about all the Kappa Phis are old Pi Eta men, you +can be very sure that nothing will be decided upon that will lower the +dignity of any Pie Eater." + +While they were talking, the boys were standing upon the porch of the +school building. + +In the meantime, the principal had started on his rounds of the various +rooms, immediately upon the departure of the student committee, and it +was only a short time before he had learned that all the Greek letter +men had cut their classes. + +Angered at such action, Mr. Larmore was stalking back to his office, +when he chanced to espy the committee members through the glass in the +door. + +Hastening his steps, he pushed open the inner door, yanked the knob of +the outside one so that the door came open with a jerk, and faced the +boys. + +"Why aren't the Greek letter students at their classes, and what are you +doing out here?" he demanded. + +"I can only speak for myself, sir," returned Dawson. "I am out here +because I'm not going to school to-day." + +Only the tone in which he spoke saved the boy's speech from being +grossly disrespectful, but the principal had sufficient understanding of +scholars to know that it would not be well for him to press the matter +farther, and without another word, he closed the door and returned to +his office. + +"Wow, but Princy's mad!" ejaculated Jerry. "Let's get hold of the other +fellows and decide on our plan of action just as soon as we can." + +This suggestion met with the approval of the other members of the +committee, and forthwith they hied themselves down the hill. + +As they reached the foot, they met a crowd of boys hurrying toward them. + +"Princy's closed the Pi Eta room," cried several of them, as they +gathered about the members of their committee. + +"We know it," returned Dawson. "And what's more it will stay closed +until the Pi Etas pay seventy dollars, which Mr. Larmore says is the +amount of the damage done in the physical laboratory--and that, I opine, +will be some time in the far distant future." + +At first the other boys refused to believe this announcement, but they +were quickly assured of its authoritativeness, and when its full +significance dawned upon them they stared at one another blankly. + +"I can also tell you that Princy's very sore because the Greek letter +men have cut their classes." + +"My word, but the prospect looks cheerful, doesn't it?" commented +Socker. "Where will the Pi Eta bunch meet, now?" + +"The graveyard seems the most appropriate place," asserted Misery. + +"You'll have to do without your chapter room," laughed Dawson. "In the +meantime, the Kappa Phis and the Psi Mus are going to have a meeting to +decide what you shall do." + +"That's awfully sweet of you," mocked one of the freshmen. "I do hope +you won't decide on anything that it won't be perfectly ladylike to do," +and turning to his companions he exclaimed: "Come on, fellows, let's go +down to the river and have a hockey game." + +"You'll do nothing of the sort," countermanded Dawson, as a dozen or so +of the boys started off to get their skates. "It's up to you boys to +find Tony, while the rest of us are holding our consultation." + +"But what's old Tony got to do with it?" chorused several of the group. + +"Everything, seeing that it is he who told Princy the Pi Etas were in +the laboratory," returned Longback, dryly. + +"But there isn't one of us Tony wouldn't recognize--except, of course, +Watson." + +"That's it, exactly," asserted Dawson. + +"Can Watson prove an alibi?" demanded a voice from the outside of the +crowd which had been constantly increasing, as the word had passed +around that the delegates had concluded their interview with the +principal of the Rivertown High School. + +"Who said that?" demanded Jerry, indignantly. + +No one, however, made any response. + +"I'll wager the fellow who said that thing is the one who broke the +apparatus," declared Paul. + +"Of course, I----" began Harry. + +"Keep quiet! Shut up! Don't answer him! Forget it!" shouted several of +the boys, effectually drowning Harry's words. + +"You mustn't forget you're a Pi Eta, and that a Pi Eta is never +doubted," said Jerry. + +"Hear! Hear!" mocked several of the upper classmen. + +"Seriously, though, you mustn't waste any more time," interposed +Longback. "You noble spirited Pi Etas go find Tony, and we'll have our +confab; then you may meet us in the hall in front of the Psi Mu chapter +room." + +The freshmen, however, did not wait to hear the last of the taunt, and +breaking up into bands of two or three, they started out with the +purpose of locating the janitor. + +"Why not look for him at the school," suggested Harry. + +"Because, this is his day to go to Lumberport," returned Jerry. "He +always goes over there every Thursday to draw money for school +expenses." + +"Maybe he hasn't gone yet. Let's go round to his house," suggested Paul. + +Quickly, the boys who were natives of Rivertown set out to guide their +new chum to the house where the janitor lived; but when they arrived +they were disappointed to know that he had been gone some two hours. + +"Are you the young gentlemen he was expecting to bring him money?" asked +Mrs. Farelli. + +"Money for what?" asked Paul, surprised. + +"I don't know, sir. He just said some young men were to bring him some +money and I thought it might be you, so I was going to tell you he said +to take it over to Lumberport and leave it at Rector's cigar store for +him, as he won't be back for a couple of days." + +"Then he hasn't gone on school business, to-day?" exclaimed Jerry, with +a rising inflection in his voice. + +"No, sir." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII--THE TRIP TO LUMBERPORT + + +After thanking the janitor's wife for her information, the boys left the +house. + +"Funny Tony should be going to stay away a couple of days," remarked +Paul, as he walked along. + +Both his companions agreed with him, but as Harry had lived in Rivertown +so short a time, he was little acquainted with the habits of Farelli, +and so he could offer no intelligent comment. + +"It seems to me we ought to get over to Lumberport as quickly as we +can," announced Jerry. "If we can locate Tony and pull the story out of +him before anyone else gets to him, it will be some feather in our +caps." + +"It seems to me we ought to tell Dawson, and some of the other boys," +declared Harry. "If there really is any crooked work they will be more +likely to make the janitor tell about it than we would, I should think, +considering the fact that they have been at the school four years." + +To this suggestion, our hero's chums agreed, and quickly they betook +themselves to the hall in which the room of the Psi Mus was located. + +"You've got a nerve to rap at our door. Didn't we tell you to wait and +meet us in the hall?" demanded the boy who answered the summons. + +"That's all right. We've found out something you people ought to know, +so you needn't close the door in our faces," retorted Jerry. + +The statement that they had important information to impart had been +heard by the leaders of the two societies who were holding the +consultation, and quickly they called to them to enter. + +"Well, what is it that's so important?" demanded Dawson. + +"We went down to see if Tony was at home," began Paul, when he was +interrupted by one of the others exclaiming: + +"Of course he wasn't. This is his day to go to Lumberport on school +business for Princy." + +"I know that," retorted Paul, "but we thought perhaps he might not have +started yet. When we got there, Mrs. Farelli asked us if we'd come to +pay Tony some money, for if we had, he wanted us to leave it at +Rector's, in Lumberport, because Tony won't be home for a couple of +days." + +"That's just Tony's way of trying to collect his debts quickly," +commented one of the boys. + +"Then why shouldn't he have told his wife to take it," asked Harry. + +"And that's what he would do," interposed Dawson. "I say it won't do any +harm for some of us to go over to Rector's and see what's up. In the +meantime, you three boys keep your mouths closed about what Mrs. Farelli +told you." + +To their disappointment, none of the freshmen were invited to become +members of the party that went to Lumberport, but they trailed along, +nevertheless; and when they trooped into the tobacco store which the +janitor had appointed as a rendezvous, they were surprised to see Elmer +Craven and Pud Snooks talking with Tony. + +Their amazement, however, was nothing compared to that of the two +students of Rivertown High when they discovered the presence of their +schoolmates. + +"Didn't know you boys would dare come into a cigar store," growled +Elmer, scowling. + +"So that's why you selected it for your meeting place with Tony?" +retorted Dawson, and then, ignoring the presence of the rich boy, the +leader of the Kappa Phis turned to the janitor. + +"Tony, I want you tell me which of the Pi Etas it was who broke the +stuff last night?" + +"It was this young man, here," returned the Italian, nodding toward +Harry. + +"What do you mean?" demanded the accused boy, his face blanching. "I +wasn't anywhere near the schoolhouse last night. Just as soon as the fun +was over at the chapter room, I went home--and to bed." + +"I can vouch for the going home part of it," declared Jerry. + +"And so can I," added Paul. + +"And my aunt can vouch for my being in the house," continued Harry. + +"You see, Tony, you must have made a mistake, don't you?" pursued +Dawson. + +The charge that he had been wrong in the identification of the marauder +angered the Italian and he did not hesitate to let the fact be known. + +Dawson and Harry's chums, however, refused to accept the janitor's +statement, and began to ply him with a series of cross questions which +finally extracted the statement from him that there really was a +possibility he had made an error because he was fully thirty feet away +from the person he had seen in the building, and the only light he had +was a lantern. + +As these facts were brought out, the boys who formed the investigating +committee exchanged significant glances. + +But their surprise was to be still further increased. + +With an unexpectedness that made them gasp, Dawson exclaimed: + +"I want you to tell me, Tony, if it isn't in connection with this +identification business that Pud and Elmer came over here to pay you +some money?" + +Too amazed to speak, the janitor and the boys with whom he had been +talking when the others entered the tobacco shop, glanced at one +another. + +And their action was accepted by the other boys as a tacit admission +that the amazing charge made by Dawson was true. + +"Well, why don't you tell me?" repeated the leader of the Kappa Phis who +had been acting as spokesman. + +"Because it is a matter that does not concern you," retorted the +janitor. + +"But you can't deny it was about this laboratory business, now, Tony, +can you?" pursued his interrogator. + +"I haven't been given any money by those boys," protested the janitor. + +"But your wife said you were expecting some from them," declared Dawson, +stretching the truth, that he might make his point more effective. + +"They haven't given me a cent," whined the Italian. "They backed out!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII--HARRY ARRANGES FOR A SETTLEMENT + + +Aware that they had been discovered in their underhand work, Pud and +Elmer worked their way toward the door while Dawson was quizzing the +janitor, and when they heard his statement that they had gone back on +their bargain, they made a bolt to get outside. But Jerry blocked them. + +"No, you'll have to stay here until this matter is settled once and for +all," he exclaimed, his face growing white and his hands clenching. + +Realizing that resistance was futile, the two boys slunk back from the +door and awaited the further action of Dawson and his companions. + +"Why not let them go?" suggested Harry. "Mr. Farelli's words and their +actions have vindicated the Pi Etas, and it seems to me very poor policy +to bring any scandal to Rivertown High." + +"But you forget that Princy has assessed a fine of seventy dollars on +the Pi Etas," protested Dawson. "While I'm perfectly willing to let the +matter drop, I see no reason why the boys who are members should be +compelled to pay out money for something for which they were not +responsible in any way." + +Although Harry's suggestion had met with murmurs of approval from the +other boys when it had been made, the senior's statement had brought +back to their minds the cost of such procedure, and they were equally +enthusiastic for the latter plan. + +The thought that he could get himself out of a situation which had +become decidedly embarrassing, since his schoolmates had discovered him +in conference with the janitor and the bully of Rivertown High made +Elmer come forward. + +"Suppose I agree to pay the seventy dollars and let the matter rest? Is +that agreeable to you fellows?" he asked. + +"We ought to know how the trick was planned," declared Jerry. + +"Especially as it is Harry against whom the insinuation is the most +serious," added Paul. + +"Oh, never mind about me," exclaimed our hero. "The only thing to be +considered is what's best for the Pi Etas and for Rivertown High." + +This stand of the new student appealed to the rest of the boys, and at a +sign from Dawson, they withdrew to a corner of the cigar store for a +conference, leaving Harry, the janitor, Snooks and Elmer leaning against +the glass showcase. + +The entire proceeding had been distasteful to the janitor, who had +filled his position for so many years and, believing that it would be +best for him to propitiate the boy for whom the other students had taken +up the cudgels, he riveted his eyes upon the new member of the Pi Etas. + +"Do you know, I think I was wrong, sir, when I told Mr. Larmore that you +were the boy I had seen in the building." + +"You most certainly were!" returned Harry. + +"Oh, well, in a time of excitement, any man is apt to be mistaken," +interposed Elmer, lightly, "and so long as no harm has been done, if I +am willing to pay the expense, I don't see why the matter should go any +farther." + +At this statement, Harry looked at the rich boy. + +"So you don't think it's any harm to have such a charge made against you +when you are practically unknown to the school authorities, and to the +people of the town in which the school is located?" he asked. + +At the question, Elmer flushed and before he could think of a reply that +was adequate, Dawson and the boys with whom he had been talking, moved +over towards them. + +"We've decided that if Watson is willing to overlook the affront that +has been put upon him, for the good of the Pi Etas and Rivertown High, +we will allow you to pay the seventy dollars, Craven, and let the matter +drop." + +"Very well, I will go to Mr. Larmore in the morning," announced Elmer, +his relief at the solution of the difficulty evidenced by the look which +settled on his face. + +"No, that won't do," returned Dawson. "Mr. Larmore appointed me as +collector of the assessment, and if the matter is to be arranged as you +suggested, you must give the money to me. I will pay him. In that way, +no one but ourselves need know of the real facts." + +"But I shall need time in which to raise the money," protested Elmer. + +"How long?" asked the boy who had been acting as spokesman. + +"A month, I should say." + +"And we're to stand for the Pi Eta society room being closed for that +length of time just to accommodate you," demanded Jerry, stepping toward +Elmer. + +As though fearing an assault from his schoolmate, the rich boy drew +back. + +"Well, I might be able to get the money in two weeks," he announced. + +"That won't do, either," said Dawson. "Knowing you as I do, it is my +opinion that you have the money right in your pocket this minute." + +"But think of the sum, seventy dollars," protested Elmer. + +"Which is nothing to you, if the stories that come from Lumberport and +Springtown are true," returned the senior, "and besides, I can tell from +the way Snooks is acting that he has some money in his pocket. + +"Now you two boys might just look the matter squarely in the face. You +have deeply wronged Harry Watson--for reasons best known to yourselves. +Watson is a member of the Pi Eta and a scholar in Rivertown High and is +willing to overlook your actions, provided you clear the society from +all odium. + +"I don't mind telling you frankly that it was only because I insisted +upon it that the rest of the boys who came over with me consented to +such an arrangement. + +"But unless you pay the money at once and to me, I shall withdraw my +objections to the true state of affairs being told to Mr. Larmore--and +you all know what the result of such action would be." + +The tones in which the senior spoke were bitter and, fully as much as +the words, they made Craven understand that he could not count upon the +sympathy or support of the other Greek letter men. + +And even Snooks, who had never been able to gratify his dearest ambition +of becoming a Pi Eta, felt their sting. + +"I've got fifteen dollars," the bully announced. "If you have the rest +let's pay it, Elmer." + +This statement that the butcher's son had any money in his pocket was a +distinct surprise not alone to Elmer but to the other boys, and deeming +that it would make the burden upon him just so much the lighter, Craven +put his hand in his pocket. + +"Very well. I have fifty dollars. With Pud's fifteen that will make +sixty-five. If the rest of you will raise the remaining five dollars +among yourselves, I will pay it in the morning." + +In his talk, Dawson had been more or less bluffing, for he had not +thought that even as rich as Elmer's father was, he allowed him any such +amount of money; and when he had heard the boy announce that he had +fifty dollars in his pocket, he could scarcely restrain the exclamation +of surprise that rose to his lips. But he managed to dissemble his +feelings. + +"All right. You place your money on the showcase, Elmer, and you put +yours down, Pud." + +Quickly, the two boys obeyed and, after verifying the count, Dawson +turned to the others. + +"It's up to us to make up the other five dollars. Come on, shell out?" +he exclaimed. + +"I have fifty cents," and producing the coin, he laid it down on the +showcase beside the other money. + +The rest of the boys, however, not being accustomed to carrying money +about with them, fidgeted nervously, then put their hands in their +pockets, and the sum total they produced did not amount to over fifty +cents more. + +Enjoying their embarrassment, Elmer's face suddenly lighted. + +"You fellows have driven hard terms with me, and if you can't make up +the other five dollars, then I withdraw my offer to stand the brunt of +the cost." + +In dismay, Dawson and his friends looked at one another, but just as +they were on the point of admitting they could not carry out their +agreement, Harry took out an envelope from his pocket. + +"I have five dollars," he announced. "And for the sake of the Pi Etas +and Rivertown, I should be glad to put it into the fund." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX--UPHOLDING THE HONOR OF RIVERTOWN + + +Even Elmer and Snooks could not but appreciate the magnanimity of this +offer, aware as they were of the straightened circumstances of the new +student. + +"Good boy!" exclaimed the others. "We'll make it up to you just as soon +as we get back to Rivertown." + +Such strong dislike, however, had he conceived for Harry, that Elmer +could not bear the thought of being under obligations to him to the +slightest extent, and with an angry movement he thrust his hand in his +pocket, pulling out a five dollar bill. + +"Here! Take this," he snarled at Dawson. "I was saving it out to get +home on, but it doesn't amount to anything to me, and I suppose that +five dollars Watson has is his spending money for the year." + +The wanton brutality of the remark brought an angry flush to Harry's +face, and clenching his hands, he started toward the rich youth. But +with no desire to have any trouble in the town across the river, Dawson, +Paul and Jerry quickly placed themselves between the two boys, while the +senior took the extra money from Elmer and wrapped it with that which he +had, giving back to Harry the bill which our hero's aunt had presented +to him. + +At first, the new member of the Pi Eta society was disposed to resent +the act. + +"Don't be foolish," exclaimed Dawson. "Craven and Snooks were the ones +who smashed the apparatus--I don't know exactly how--but you never would +find them willing to pay a cent unless they were guilty; and it is +perfectly right that Craven should pay all the money he can rake or +scrape together." + +At this stinging comment, Elmer opened his mouth as though he intended +making a retort; but second thought showed him the futility of so doing, +and buttoning up his coat, he nodded towards Snooks and left the store +with the bully. + +As soon as they were gone, the senior turned upon the janitor. + +"Tony, I never thought to find you in such a mess as this." + +With tears in his eyes, the Italian spoke to the boys: + +"I didn't want to, but my little girl, she is sick, and I need some +money; and so when Elmer and Pud come to me and tell me they would give +me fifty dollars if I will say Watson broke the stuff, I talked it over +with my woman, and she say take it." + +This confession of the janitor's, substantiating the idea which the boys +had formed of the incident, together with the thought that his +temptation had come from the fact that his child was ill, caused them to +forego any further cross-questioning of the janitor, and they took their +departure from the cigar store. + +The return to Rivertown was much in the nature of an ovation for Harry, +for not long was it after the committee appointed by the Greek letter +societies started out than word of their purpose spread among the +scholars. + +With the letting out of school for the noon recess, the girls who were +members of the Gamma Gammas and the Lambda Nus learned of the action of +the boys, and forthwith they decided to cut classes for the rest of the +day. + +Particularly caustic in their comments upon the action of the principal +were Viola and Nettie; but as the older girls counseled a waiting +policy, the two freshmen were prevented from doing anything that would +further complicate the unfortunate case. + +The action of the girls depleted the ranks of the school still further. +It was with difficulty the instructors could maintain any sort of +discipline during the afternoon, and when the last session was over for +the day, the boys and girls hastened down to the river, put on their +skates and started across to the town of Lumberport. + +Before they had reached the other side of the river, however, they met +Dawson and the other boys returning, and as they saw the happy +expression on their faces, their curiosity was aroused to a high pitch. + +But though they plied them with questions, they were unable to extract +any more satisfactory explanation from them than that the matter had +been settled. + +Loud were the protests at this terse announcement and the various +friends of the boys who had gone across the river had drawn them aside +and were striving their utmost to learn the real facts, when there was a +loud shout from up the river. + +Turning, the members of the Rivertown High beheld the red and white +banners which were the colors of the high school at Springtown, and +almost simultaneously with the recognition of the identity of the +approaching crowd, they heard the artillery like rattle of the school +cheer. + +"What's the matter with Springtown? What's up now?" exclaimed several of +the boys. + +"Give them the Rivertown cheer. All together now, everybody! Act as +though you were alive," shouted Dawson, and swinging his arms in lieu of +a baton he led the cheer, whose volume rolled up the river, breaking +with defiance in the ears of the down-coming horde of skaters. + +"The quickest way to find out what's doing is to go up to meet them," +announced Jerry. + +And without more ado, he and a few of the other boys started off up the +river. + +Massed together as though they were defenders of a town repelling a +hostile attack, the other boys and girls assumed a compact mass, +watching the members of their own school as they sped toward the phalanx +of the neighboring town. + +No sooner had they noted the movement of the leaders among the members +of Rivertown High, than the Springtownians checked their advance, and +after a few moment's hesitation, they sent part of their number to meet +the delegation from Rivertown. + +The parley between the two groups was short; then the Rivertown members +turned on their skates and started back to their schoolmates at top +speed. + +"Springtown's come down for a race," one of the boys announced. "Shall +we give it to them?" + +For years the schools in the neighboring towns were rivals in all +branches of athletics, and though the percentage of victories had been +with the scholars at the head of the river, there never was a time when +they could propose any game that the boys and girls of Rivertown were +not eager to take up the challenge. + +Accordingly when the member of the high school on the bluff asked if his +mates wished to accept the challenge of the Springtownians there was a +mighty shout of "Yes." + +"But who'll represent us?" exclaimed three or four of the seniors. + +"Craven isn't in the bunch, Longback has a grouch, and Snooks is missing +too," exclaimed Misery. "Why not call the boys' race off, and let +Annabel represent Rivertown?" + +"Now don't get funny," admonished Dawson. "There are plenty of us here +who can uphold old Rivertown." + +"Who?" demanded several voices. + +"Jerry and Paul--and Watson," added another voice. + +"How about it. You fellows want to make a try?" + +"Who are we going up against?" + +"The very best men in Springtown." + +"Do they race fair?" asked Harry. + +"Yes." + +"Can't you get anyone else to go against them in my place?" + +"It doesn't seem so. You heard what Misery said." + +This parley was interrupted by the arrival of the advance guard of the +scholars who had come down to challenge their rivals at Rivertown. + +"Are you going to let us win by default?" asked one of the boys from +Springtown. + +"Not so you'd notice it. When it comes to count the winners, Springtown +won't have a look in!" returned Dawson. + +His words brought a cheer of encouragement from his schoolmates. + +"Then let's get busy and start the races right away," announced the +spokesman for the Springtownians. + +"All right. Bring the men out. We have only three. How long is the race +going to be?" + +In response to this question various were the exclamations of opinion; +some clamored for two miles, others asserting that one was enough. When +they could come to no definite conclusion, several of the leaders from +each of the schools got together to try to settle the distance. + +Their attempt, however, was as unsuccessful as had been those of the +scholars en masse; and finally Socker Gales exclaimed: + +"Let's toss a coin!" + +The suggestion met with instant approval from both of the opposing +forces. + +Quickly Dawson drew a coin from his pocket, balancing it on his thumb +and forefinger. + +"I'll toss. Springtown, you call!" he exclaimed. + +High in the air he spun the coin, and as it whirled over and over, the +leader of the Springtownians, shouted: "Tails!" + +With a sharp click the bit of money struck the ice, and then as though +driven by perverseness, it rolled some twenty feet, finally striking a +depression, into which it fell. + +The instant the coin had struck the ice and started on it's runaway +career, the boys who had been watching the tossing, set after it; but +fleet as they were, it managed to elude them and had settled in the ice +crevice before they had overtaken it. + +"Which is it?" called the others, as two of the Rivertown boys reached +the spot. + +"Heads," they replied. + +"That means you lose, Springtown!" chorused the rest of the Rivertown +scholars. + +But the challengers from up the river refused to accept the fall of the +coin as an omen. + +"Which distance are you going to take?" demanded the leader of the +visitors. + +"Wait until I talk with the boys who are going to race," announced +Dawson. + +"We'll make it two miles!" he finally exclaimed, after a brief +consultation. + +This announcement met with varied exclamations from the Rivertown +students. + +"Paul and Jerry never can stand that distance in the world," shouted +several of their mates. + +"Never mind, that's Watson's pet race, and all we want to do is win it," +declared Misery. "This isn't a meet where we have to have points to +win." + +But despite his confident announcement, there were many of the scholars +who scoffed at the thought that the boy who had so lately come to +Rivertown would be able to defeat the man who had twice won the race for +Springtown. + +Realizing what was in their minds, several of the seniors skated about +among the Rivertown students. + +"Don't sulk!" they exclaimed. "Show some life! We chose the two miles, +and it's up to you people to give some support to the boys who are going +to race! Don't act as though you thought we were beaten already. Come on +now, rip out a cheer!" + +Under the lash of the words, the boys and girls of Rivertown let out +cheer after cheer, winding up the various school cries with the names of +the boys who were to represent it's honor. + +Valiantly, Springtown came back, but not enough scholars had come down +the river to produce a volume as great as that of the home town, and +they finally abandoned their efforts to out-cheer their rivals. + +The preliminaries having been arranged while the battle of voices was +being fought out, the student leaders had drawn a line on the ice from +one of the old landmarks which had been used on the river for the races +between the two schools for generations, while three or four others +started up the ice to stand the stakes at the finish line, which was +also indicated by long established posts. + +As soon as the latter had taken their position, the contestants were +lined up. + +Having lost the choice of distance, according to the traditions of the +races between the two schools, the task of starting the race fell to +Springtown, and Dick Wenzel, the captain of the baseball team, was +proclaimed the man to give the word. + +Separating into groups which lined up, each about their representatives, +the scholars again gave vent to cheers, and when they finally subsided, +Wenzel warned the racers to be ready, then sent them away. + +During the time that they were waiting, Paul and Jerry had posted Harry +as well as they could on the tricks of their opponents; and the three +boys had come to the conclusion that inasmuch as the race was to be for +two miles, it would be best to let the visitors set the pace. + +The boys from the head of the river, however, quickly fell to the game +and slackened their speed. + +"Wake up! Put some ginger into it. This isn't a walking match!" shouted +the boys and girls who were following the contestants, irrespective of +the schools to which they belonged. + +During the first few hundred yards, Harry had sized up his opponents +closely, noting from the short strokes they took, that while they could +maintain a high rate of speed for a short distance, they were more than +likely to exhaust themselves before they could go the two miles; and +when he heard the taunts of his schoolmates, he decided to take a chance +of being outskated by the rivals of Rivertown. + +All six of the boys were skating along leisurely, when of a sudden Harry +put on a burst of speed, shooting to the front; and before the others +had realized what had happened he had opened a space of fifty feet +between him and his competitors. + +"After him! After him! Don't let him get too much of a lead on you," +warned the Springtown students, dismayed to think anyone could make such +a gain on their representatives. + +The glee of the Rivertown scholars was in proportion to the anxiety of +their rivals. + +But though the representatives of Springtown responded to the demands of +their mates, Harry had a flying lead and, exert themselves as they +would, the boys from up the river could not gain on him. + +His arms and feet swinging in perfect rhythm, Harry sped over the smooth +ice, the shouts of his schoolmates ringing in his ears. + +"You've got a good lead, slow up!" shouted those of his mates who were +nearest to him, while others cautioned him to take it easy, in the fear +that he could not last the full distance. But the boy knew himself +better than they, and kept on at his top speed, unmindful of their +advice. + +Hard behind him came a Springtown skater, but could not cut down his +lead appreciably. + +Barely able to hold their own with the others, Paul and Jerry struggled +along, and as they saw that their chum had so great an advantage they +devoted their energies to coaching him. + +"You've got them all puffing, and there's only a quarter more to go! +There isn't one of them who can spurt! Just take care of yourself and +don't fall!" they shouted from time to time. + +As the cries reached his ears, Harry raised his head, looked for the +finish line, and to his delight saw it even nearer than he supposed. + +The sight made him feel so happy that he determined to give a still +greater exhibition of his speed; and striking out as though he were +perfectly fresh, instead of having skated more than a mile and +three-quarters, he raced over the ice, opening farther and farther the +distance that separated him from his Springtown rivals. + +His spurt had been greeted with gasps of surprise from his schoolmates, +and many were the shouts hurled at him to be careful lest he exhaust +himself and get beaten out at the finish. When they saw he was skating +strong and steadily, however, the Rivertown boys and girls gave vent to +the wildest glee, and howled and cheered, breaking their schools yells +with rhythmic chants of: + +"Watson! Watson! Watson!" + +[Illustration: "WATSON! WATSON! WATSON!"] + + + + +CHAPTER XX--HARRY RECEIVES BAD NEWS + + +As Harry dashed across the line, victor, pandemonium broke loose among +the scholars; and when they overtook him he was given an ovation that +entirely drove from his mind the unpleasant incidents of the morning and +early afternoon. + +Foremost in congratulations was Viola, and after his friends had thanked +him for upholding the honor of Rivertown, and wresting the victory of +the annual race from their old time Springtown rivals, Harry and Viola +started down the river together. + +They had covered about half the distance, when Elmer and Pud put in +their appearance. Disagreeable, indeed, were the comments which the rich +boy made when he saw the one member of the Rivertown High School he most +detested skating with the girl he liked the best. + +In vain Viola pretended not to hear the remarks passed by the bully and +his companion, but they brought a flush of anger to her cheeks, and +noting it, Harry let go her hands. + +"If you're tired, Miss Darrow, suppose we wait till the others come up. +Then you can skate away with your friends," suggested Harry. + +A moment the girl looked at him: "I'm not in the least tired, Mr. +Watson!" she exclaimed; "and I don't mind what those two boys are +saying, if you don't." + +"But I do," returned Harry, "on your account. For that reason I think +it's best that you join your friends." + +"But you're _my_ friend, aren't you?" + +"I hope so, that is, I should like to be." + +"Well, I certainly consider you so," returned the girl, and again taking +hold of hands, they skated away, laughing and chatting merrily; and +continued to skate together till it was time for them to go to their +homes to supper. + +Light of heart to think he had been cleared of the charges of +depredations in the physical laboratory, and successful in defeating the +skaters from Springtown, Harry was in a happy frame of mind as he +mounted the steps of his aunt's house, and went in to supper. But one +sight of his aunt's face drove all his joy away. + +"What is it, Aunt Mary? Have you heard about the trouble at the school? +Don't worry, because there's nothing in it." + +The thought that her nephew had been concerned in some difficulty of +which she was ignorant struck still further grievance to the woman. + +"No, I haven't heard about it. What is it, tell me?" + +"Oh, it doesn't amount to much. Merely that some apparatus was broken in +the physical laboratory and they thought that I did it." + +So distressed was the woman that, unmindful of how the words would +sound, and the impression they would convey, she asked in a tone that +was harsher than she would have used if she had been entirely herself. + +"You didn't do it, did you?" + +In surprise, Harry looked at her for several moments. + +"No, indeed," he finally replied. + +"Thank goodness. We have trouble enough without that." + +Never before had the boy seen his aunt so upset, and her asperity was +all the more striking because of her usual kindly humor. + +"What's the trouble? Tell me, Aunt Mary, please?" he finally asked. + +"It's bad news, Harry." + +Instantly the boy became as solemn and serious as his aunt. His face +grew white and the lines about his mouth grew deep. + +"You mean you've had bad news from father?" + +"Yes." + +"Poor dad! I guess I'd better give up school and go back to +Lawrenceburgh," announced the boy. "If Elmer and Pud ever hear about it, +they'll make my life unbearable; and besides, it isn't right for me to +be such a drain on father." + +"You won't be a drain on him. You mustn't look at it that way!" +exclaimed his aunt. "You know you are just as dear to me as though you +were my own son, and I want you to stay with me _now_." + +"But somebody ought to go down to Lawrenceburgh. It can't be true. +There's something wrong somewhere." + +"Somebody _is_ going down to Lawrenceburgh!" announced a shrill voice. + +And looking up, Mrs. Watson and her nephew beheld the kindly face of old +Jed Brown, whose usual happy smile had given way to an expression of +solemnity. + +"What do you mean?" asked Mrs. Watson. + +"That I'm going down to Lawrenceburgh for a few days. I've been wanting +to go for a long time. Just been looking for an excuse and now I've got +it. I've known Amos since he was a kid in knickerbockers, and I know +there isn't a mean or crooked hair in his head. It's all a mistake--and +and I'm going to set it right." + +"Oh, Mr. Brown! If you only could!" exclaimed the widow, as the old +veteran ceased speaking. + +"And I can. Don't worry," he returned. "It may take some time, but I +shall find out who's at the bottom of it, and even if Jed Brown is a +cripple and poor, he is honest, and he can fight just as in the days +when he followed the flag through the campaign in the Wilderness." + +So deeply moved were the aunt and nephew, they dared not speak in the +fear that they would be unable to control their voices, and they +expressed their appreciation of the old veteran's words by shaking his +hand cordially. + +Sad, indeed, was the little household during the rest of the day, and as +soon as Harry could find an excuse he went to his room and to bed, +where, after forming various plans for the undoing of his father's +enemies, he finally dropped asleep. + +"Now you must try to forget that things are not as they always were," +whispered his aunt in the boy's ear as he started for school the next +morning. "Just appear your usual self, and do not let any of your +friends know that you are not happy." + +"It isn't my friends I'm afraid of; it's the fellows who don't like me," +returned Harry. + +"All the more reason why you should keep a stiff upper lip," declared +Mrs. Watson. And, promising to do his best, the boy set out for the +bluff on which the Rivertown High School was, situated. + +But it seemed as though Fate had conspired against Harry! + +As he entered the main hallway, Elmer stepped up, having evidently been +on the lookout for him. + +"See here, Watson, I saw you skating with Viola Darrow yesterday +afternoon!" he exclaimed. + +"Well, what of it?" + +"Just this much--don't do it again!" + +"Why not, pray?" + +"Because I tell you not to, that's all!" + +"Well, you've got to give me some better reason than that, Elmer +Craven," flashed the sorely troubled boy. "If Miss Darrow is willing +that I should skate with her, I don't see that it is your business or +anyone else's, as far as that is concerned." + +"You'll find it is, though. I tell you, you've got to stop going with +her! You remember the laboratory business? Well, it will be just as easy +to put a stop to your going with Viola as it was to frame that up on +you. So just take my advice and leave her alone!" + +So vicious did the rich boy's face become as he uttered his threat that +Harry could scarcely believe he was talking with a fellow member of +Rivertown High. For the moment, he thought of resenting the boy's words +with his fists; but the sound of footsteps and the voice of the +principal, from behind, caused him to abandon the idea. + +"Well, are you going to take my advice?" demanded his enemy, sullenly. + +"I'm going to do just as I please, Elmer Craven. Neither you nor anyone +else can stop me!" retorted Harry. And turning on his heel, he stalked +away to his classroom. + +But though he had maintained a defiant manner, at heart he was sick. +Coming as it did on top of the news from his father, the thought that he +would now be obliged to guard himself against underhand attacks from his +rival, with whom he had held many angry words, made him deeply anxious, +and again the idea which had come to him on the previous night when his +aunt had made her announcement,--that he should leave school,--recurred to +him. + +A happy nod and smile from Viola, who chanced to be passing through the +hall on her way to one of her recitations, however, decided the day for +Harry. + +"I'll not let Elmer Craven make me give up my friendship for Viola!" he +told himself. And with this resolve, he proceeded to his various duties. + +Having no recitations after the noon recess, Paul suggested that Jerry, +Harry and he should take a sail on his new iceboat _Lightning_, which +had just been delivered to him. + +Glad of any diversion that would take his mind from his troubles, Harry +readily accepted and the boys went to their several homes for dinner. + +Angry that he had failed to scare his rival, Elmer had brooded all the +morning over some means of making good his threat, and at last, unable +to think of any scheme that would be both adequate and feasible, he +dropped into the village butcher shop to consult his friend, Pud. + +To his amazement, he found the bully laughing and in high spirits, in +striking contrast to the surly gloom he had maintained since the +eventful day in Lumberport. + +"What's making you feel so gay?" demanded Elmer. + +"The fact that I've got Harry Watson now just where I want him!" + +His eyes big with incredulity, the richest boy in Rivertown stared at +the bully. + +"What on earth do you mean?" he finally asked, when he found that Pud +made no move to explain his statement. + +"Just this!" returned the bully. And he tapped a newspaper which was +spread out over one of the chopping blocks. + +"But I don't understand?" persisted Elmer. + +"Then listen to this!" and Pud read the following: + + "'Amos Watson's appeal was denied by the court and he will now be + compelled to serve five years in prison to which he was sentenced for + forgery.'" + +"Well?" exclaimed Elmer, still mystified. + +"What's the matter with you? Have you suddenly lost your senses?" +stormed the bully. + +"But I don't see what that has to do with that young cur." + +"You don't, eh? Well, it has just this to do with it--Amos Watson is +Harry's father!" + +For several minutes the rich boy stood silent, as though endeavoring to +grasp the magnitude of the news which had come to him--and then, with a +sudden cry of delight, he struck Pud a resounding whack on the back. + +"That's great--provided it's true!" he exclaimed. + +"True? Of course it's true. Isn't it in the paper?" + +"Yes, but where did you get the paper?" demanded Elmer, picking it up +and looking at the name and date line. + +"Uncle Briscoe always sends it up from Lawrenceburgh to my mother. She +used to live down there, you know." + +"No, I didn't, but the paper seems straight enough, so I suppose it's +all right." + +"You bet it's all right. And now come on, we'll spread the news--and if +Harry Watson doesn't wish before night he'd never been born, I'll miss +my guess!" + +And together the two boys who hated Harry so bitterly set out to scatter +the news of his father's misfortune broadcast. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI--ELMER BAITS HIS RIVAL + + +Good care did the two boys who were bent on the downfall of our hero +take to tell the story of Harry's father being a forger only to those +who were not particularly friendly to the lad--with the result that it +found ready credence, and was soon being repeated with all manner of +exaggerations. + +"I don't believe a word of it!" declared Viola, when the report reached +her. "Harry Watson is a splendid chap. I----" + +"But this isn't Harry, it's his father whose appeal from a prison +sentence has been refused," laughed a girl who had told the malicious +tale. + +"It makes no difference, I don't believe Harry's father is a man who +would stoop to any such act!" retorted Viola, hotly. And, putting her +arm through Nettie's, the richest girl in Rivertown High went off with +her chum--for the story had hurt her more than she cared to have her +schoolmates see. + +Though in high spirits at the amazement their announcement caused among +their schoolmates, Elmer and Pud were disappointed that the boy whose +father they were traducing did not put in an appearance. + +"Where do you suppose he is?" asked Socker, after they had discovered +Harry's absence. + +"Probably afraid to show his head," commented Misery. "I don't think I'd +care to exhibit myself to my school-fellows under such conditions." + +"But Jerry and Paul aren't here, either," asserted another boy. + +"The three of them are off together somewhere, I suppose," suggested +Pud. + +"Or else they're waiting until school begins, to sneak in," commented +Elmer. + +But in ignorance of all the cruel things that were being said about him, +Harry was at the river with his chums, busily helping Paul rig up his +iceboat. + +Being new, there was no end of fussing and readjusting to be done before +the _Lightning_ was ready for her initial spin; and the three lads were +in the act of making a final test of her ropes, when a crowd of the boys +and girls rushed down to the river for their daily frolic on the ice +after school--and among them were Elmer and Pud. + +"Who's iceboat is that?" demanded the bully, as he caught sight of the +rangy looking craft, some half mile up the river. + +"Must belong to some one from Lumberport or Cardell," returned Elmer. +"It's a new one, that's easy to see. Let's skate out and look her over. +If she's any good, I'll rig up the _Glider_ and we'll have some races." + +Readily the other boys agreed to the suggestion, and as soon as they had +adjusted their skates, they dashed out over the smooth, clear ice. + +Not far had they gone, however, before Pud let out a whoop of glee. + +"That's Paul Martin; and he's got Jerry and Watson with him!" he +shouted. "Come on, we'll have some fun with the forger's son!" + +The evident viciousness of the bully did not meet with the approval of +some of the fellows, however, and they were not slow to let Snooks know +it. But the thought that he had a lever with which to make his enemy +unhappy made him impervious to any comments of his schoolmates. + +Ere the boys had covered more than half the distance which separated +them from the iceboat they saw that unless something were done instantly +to delay the start, they would arrive too late, for Paul and his +companions were stretching themselves along the runners, preparatory to +getting under way. + +"Hey there! Wait a minute!" yelled Elmer, putting his hands to his lips +that he might make a funnel that would carry the sound farther. + +Surprised at the hail, the three boys rolled from the iceboat, looking +expectantly at the fellows hastening toward them. + +"What's wanted?" shouted Paul, as the others came within easy speaking +distance. + +"I just wanted to tell you that the fellow you're chumming with and +going to take on your boat is the son of a prison-bird!" exclaimed +Elmer. "I thought you ought to know it." + +As he heard the brutal statement, Harry's face grew deathly pale, and he +clutched one of the guide ropes with his hand as though to keep himself +from falling, while Paul and Jerry looked from his accuser to him, +bewildered. + +"Wha--what do you mean?" finally stammered Paul. "Who's the son of a +prison-bird?" + +"Harry Watson!" chorused Elmer and Pud. + +"That's not true!" cried Harry, in a quavering voice. + +"It is! My mother received a paper from Lawrenceburgh this morning, and +it says that Amos Watson is going to prison for five years for forgery!" +announced the bully, gloatingly. + +"And Amos Watson is your father, isn't he?" demanded Elmer of Harry. + +"Yes. But there has been some dirty work somewhere. My father is as +innocent of the charge as you are, Elmer Craven!" + +"Evidently the judge didn't think so--or he wouldn't have refused his +appeal," sneered the rich tormentor. "Before you get chummy with any +more fellows, I advise you to make sure who they are, Paul. And you +remember it was you who introduced this son of a prison-bird to Viola." + +At the mention of the girl's name, Harry seemed suddenly to galvanize +into action. + +"You leave Miss Darrow's name out of this, Elmer Craven!" he cried, +hotly. + +"Oh, is that so? Well, I reckon it will take more than a forger's son to +tell me what I shall do and what I shall not. Paul, you've either got to +apologize to Viola for introducing this chap to her--or----" + +"Or what?" demanded Harry, fairly leaping on his skates toward the boy +who had been baiting him until he had goaded him beyond endurance. + +Something there was in the tormented boy's eyes that alarmed his rich +enemy, and the fellow gave ground, working himself toward the spot where +Pud Snooks was standing, as though seeking the protection of the bully. + +Harry, however, was too quick for him and, with a sudden turn cut off +Elmer's attempt, forcing the boy to face him. + +"Or what?" he demanded a second time. + +Finding escape impossible, the rich fellow glared into the white, tense +face before him. + +"Or he'll have to settle with me!" Elmer finished, but his voice was so +low that it carried none of its former bravado. + +"You're wrong there, Craven. He'll be obliged to settle with me if he +does apologize. I may not be as rich as you, nor my father as yours, but +we're just as honest!" + +"That doesn't seem to be what the judge thought!" repeated Elmer. "I----" + +But the limit of insult that Harry could endure had been reached. + +After the repetition of the remark about the opinion of the jurist who +had denied Mr. Watson's appeal, the boy had drawn back his right arm--and +the next moment, his tormentor lay stretched on the ice! + +"Coward! Why don't you take a fellow of your size!" cried Pud, skating +toward Harry. + +"Why don't you?" demanded Paul and Jerry, throwing themselves between +the hulking bully who overtopped their chum by three or four inches. + +"What are you doing in this? Get out of my way!" snarled Snooks. + +But the two boys refused to budge and, realizing that he would not be a +match for the pair of them, the bully skated away, growling to himself. + +In the meantime, Elmer had gotten to his feet. + +"I'll fix you for this, you see if I don't!" he snarled with a look of +fierce hatred at the boy who had knocked him down. + +"I wouldn't, if I were you, Elmer. You only got what you deserved!" +returned Paul. "Come on, Harry, if we're going to have our sail on the +_Lightning_, we've got to hurry." + +"Much obliged--but I don't think I'll go this afternoon," exclaimed our +hero; and despite the protests of his chums, he skated to the shore and +then for home. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII--DARK DAYS + + +On his way to his aunt's house, Harry met Jed Brown, hobbling along, a +valise in his hand. + +One look at the boy's white face told the veteran that some new trouble +had come to him, and he solicitously inquired its cause. + +Harry, however, was not disposed to share his grief with anyone. + +"Going away?" he asked, warding off the question. + +"Yes, down to my sister's at Lawrenceburgh. You know I told you and Mrs. +Watson the other night that I was going down--and this afternoon we were +talking it over and decided that if I was to do any good, I ought to +start without delay." + +For a moment Harry was silent as he strove to master himself +sufficiently to speak about his father's dilemma. + +"I--I hope you'll be able to find out something, Jed," he said, but his +voice quavered pitifully and as he heard it, a light of understanding +broke over the aged cripple. + +"Have the boys found out about the business?" he asked. + +"Yes." + +"How?" + +"Pud Snooks saw the announcement of the court in a paper that is sent to +his mother from Lawrenceburgh." + +At the mention of the source of the information, the veteran's brow +clouded. + +"That Snooks had better watch out!" he snapped. "I--" then he evidently +thought better of his intention to say anything further concerning the +bully; and taking Harry's hand, he exclaimed: "Just keep good courage in +your heart, boy. Things will come out all right. Go about your study and +play exactly as though nothing had happened. I'll let you hear from me +in a few days. And now I must go or I shall miss my train." + +And giving the boy's hand another hearty shake, the crippled veteran +started again on his way to the railroad station. + +Not more than a few steps had he taken, however, then he felt a hand on +his valise, and turning quickly, in the fear that it might be some of +the boys who delighted to play tricks on him, he had a snarl on his +lips, when he saw that it was Harry. + +"I'll go down to the station with you, Mr. Brown," he announced. "Just +let me take your valise." + +Glad of the assistance, for he had found his bag heavier than he +thought, the veteran held the conversation to cheerful topics, and not +again was the unfortunate matter, so close to the hearts of both, +mentioned. And waiting until the train departed, Harry took his way +home. + +But he was not as bereft of friends as he had thought. + +No sooner had he taken his departure from the river than the boys who +had gathered about the iceboat took up the discussion of the affair. + +"Well, even if Mr. Watson does go to jail, that doesn't mean we should +throw Harry down!" announced Paul, resolutely. + +Quickly several of the other boys reiterated this opinion, but more of +them sided with Elmer and Pud. + +"You can associate with him if you want to--but I don't think your father +will let you," sneered the rich lad. + +"I know mine won't," declared the bully. But instead of his words making +the impression he had intended, they drew a burst of laughter from Paul +and Jerry. + +"What do you find so funny about that?" demanded Pud, angrily. + +"That your father should forbid your associating with anyone," returned +Paul. + +"Say, do you think I ain't as good as the Martins or the Posts or any +people in Rivertown?" + +"I'm not saying anything about that. It merely struck me that a fellow +who was only saved from serious trouble by the kindheartedness of an old +man whom he had tormented in every way possible ought not to make too +many comments about other people," exclaimed Paul, coolly, but uttering +each word with deliberation. + +Instantly the boys realized that Paul had referred to the incident of +the fire which burned Jed Brown's home, and they awaited the effect upon +the bully with eagerness. But it was not what they expected. + +For a moment, Pud looked into the eyes of the boy who had taken up the +cudgels for his absent chum; then lowered his own, growled something +that none of his auditors could understand, and skated away. + +"Now you go, too, Craven," advised Jerry. "If I were you, I'd hire Pud +to go round with me--or else stop talking about Harry Watson." + +"What do you mean?" demanded the rich student. + +"Didn't I make myself plain enough? I said for you to stop talking about +Harry Watson." + +"Huh, I'd like to see anyone stop me." + +"Well, you will, if you don't watch out." + +At the words, Craven skated away from Jerry, evidently mindful of the +blow he had received from Harry; and with one accord, the excited crowd +of boys broke into small groups whose sole topic of conversation was the +news from Lawrenceburgh. + +Among the townsfolk as well as the scholars, the story spread, and in +due time Mr. Larmore and all the teachers heard of it. + +"I don't belief it!" announced Prof. Schmidt, emphatically, when it was +told him at supper. And when he had finished the meal, the kindly old +German put on his fur coat and cap and went round to call on Mrs. +Watson. + +The coming of the professor was distinctly embarrassing to both the good +woman and her nephew. But he soon put them at their ease by announcing +that he hoped Harry would not let the matter keep him from school. + +"That's just what we were talking about when you came, Professor," +declared Mrs. Watson. + +A ring at the door-bell interrupted her and when Harry answered it and +admitted the principal of the Rivertown High School, she became even +more confused. + +Mr. Larmore, however, quickly made it evident that he had come for the +same purpose as had the genial old German; and after much talking, Mrs. +Watson finally agreed that her nephew should continue his studies. + +But it was a quiet and sober Harry who entered his classroom the next +morning. + +His friends strove to convey their sympathy and belief in him by cordial +nods. But their kindness was more than offset by the sneers and grunts +with which his enemies greeted him. So keenly did the boy feel them that +he made his laboratory work an excuse for not joining his companions +during the recesses. + +What hurt him most, however, was Viola's attitude. Though she had smiled +at him when he had entered the classroom, when he had tried to speak to +her she had skilfully prevented it by moving away when she saw him +approaching. And deeply did her action cut Harry, so that he vowed to +himself he would not give her another opportunity to cause him pain. + +For some time things drifted along, and Harry continued to be the storm +center of the school world. Some of his fellows shunned him, and others +tried to establish themselves on even a more friendly footing with him +than at first. But Harry's attitude was neutral, his only decided stand +being to refuse to appear in the Pi Eta society room, though his friends +endeavored in every way to persuade him. + +During that time old Jed Brown did not return to Rivertown, nor did our +hero hear from the old veteran. Harry's aunt heard from Mr. Watson, but +the news was not encouraging. + +"They still consider your father guilty," said the aunt to the youth. +"But we know he is innocent, and some day the world will know it, too." + +"Perhaps," said Harry, sadly. "But, oh, Aunt Mary, to have him in +prison! It is awful! I can't bear to think of it!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII--A MILE A MINUTE SPIN + + +"Good morning, Mrs. Watson; is Harry at home?" + +Saturday had come, with clear skies, and a cold, crisp air that gave +promise of a fine day's sport on the ice for Rivertown's young people. +It was Paul Martin who had knocked at the door of the widow's house, and +greeted her with his cheery smile when she admitted him. + +"Good morning, Paul!" replied the good woman, the look of distress on +her face giving way for a moment to one of pleasure at seeing this loyal +friend of her nephew. "Yes, he is in his den, busy with something. The +poor boy seldom goes out these days; and I'm afraid the constant +grieving will tell on his health." + +"That is just why I've come around, ma'am, to try and influence Harry to +take a spin with me on my iceboat," Paul continued, eagerly. "You see, +we were just going to have a run before, when Pud Snooks interrupted us +with that unpleasant bit of news; and Harry backed out. We lost all +interest in the sport soon afterward, and I've really had little heart +for it since." + +"It was good of you to think of your friend in this way, Paul," the +widow said, laying a hand on the lad's shoulder, and looking +affectionately into his manly face. "And depend on it, Harry is worthy +of all your regard. I know something about boys, even though I was never +blessed with one myself; and if ever there lived a clean, brave and +loyal fellow, Harry is one. And Paul, he must go off with you to get +some fresh air. This staying in, and thinking of all his troubles, is +not the best thing for even his strong nature." + +"Then please back me up," said Paul, "in case he tries to beg off. I'm +going to insist; and I think I know how to reach Harry's weak spot. I'll +give him to understand that if he refuses, it's going to spoil all my +Saturday morning sport. Harry will make sacrifices for a chum that he +would never think of doing for himself. And now I'll push in on him, if +you don't mind." + +As he opened the door of Harry's little den, where the boy did his +studying, and kept such traps as boys usually accumulate, he found the +object of his solicitude bending over a table, and deep in some book. + +"Hello! here, old book-worm, this is no morning to bury yourself here +indoors like a hermit!" cried Paul, as he burst in on his chum like a +breath of the crisp winter air. + +Harry looked up, and his face was immediately wreathed in a smile. The +very presence of such a fine, healthy fellow like Paul was enough in +itself to chase away the blues. He sprang to his feet, and grasped the +hand that was thrust out toward him, wringing it with boyish ardor. For +deep down in his heart he knew full well that Paul was almost as much +concerned over the trouble that had of late befallen him, as he could be +himself. + +"Glad to see you, Paul!" he exclaimed. "Yes, it does look like a great +day for a Saturday; and I guess lots of fellows will be glad. The ice +must be fine after that little thaw, and hard freeze. I haven't been +down to the river you know, of late. I just seem to feel that I ought to +keep away from my friends, and save them from embarrassment." + +If there was a trace of bitterness in Harry's voice, Paul did not notice +it. He did catch the tremor though, that told of a sore heart; and +impulsively he again squeezed the hand of his chum. + +"That's just what brought me here right now," he observed, seriously. +"You must get out more, Harry. You know yourself that all this brooding +over your affairs isn't going to do you a bit of good. Things are going +to come out all right yet; but it may take some time. Meanwhile it's +foolish of you to shun your best friends, and keep indoors. I've come to +carry you off to the river with me, d'ye hear?" + +Harry sighed, and cast a look of sincere affection on this staunch +friend. They had been utter strangers only a few months back; and yet so +strong had the ties become that bound them together, that he fancied he +cared as much for Paul as he could have done for a brother. + +"Thank you, Paul," he said, slowly. "I'd like to go first-rate; but I've +made up my mind to keep clear of all the high school young people until +this mystery is solved, and I can look them in the face without a blush. +Understand, I have the utmost faith in my father; and I _know_ he must +be innocent of the charge brought against him; but so far old Jed has +not sent any cheering word; and I must wait." + +"But I say again, that's no reason for you to keep on hurting your +health," Paul insisted. "Even your Aunt Mary is getting anxious about +you; and Harry, she's been so good to you, don't you think it is a +little cruel to add to her burden in any way?" + +Harry sighed again, and looked undecided. + +"Yes, Aunt Mary is as good as gold," he observed. "And I certainly +wouldn't want to cause her any unnecessary pain; but Paul, somehow I +haven't the heart to do the things I used to. I feel a terrible weight +in here,"--putting his hand on his chest as he spoke--"that hurts. In my +present condition I'd only be a drawback to any crowd of merry boys and +girls; and so I stay away." + +Perhaps Paul could understand more than Harry gave him credit for. +Perhaps he guessed that it was partly the coolness of one particular +girl that helped give his chum this heavy feeling in the region of his +heart. For he knew how much Harry had come to care for Viola; and it was +difficult for him to understand just why she should take up again with +Elmer Craven, whom she had once cut dead. + +"All right," he said cheerily; "for once, then, you've just got to put +that idea out of your head, and come along with me, Harry. Your aunt +says you must, and insists that I carry you off to get a few hours of +bracing air. And yet, if you'd rather stay here in your den to being in +my company, why----" + +"Oh! you know better than that, Paul!" cried the other lad eagerly, as +he looked into the face of his friend. "I've enjoyed many happy hours in +your company; and if it wasn't for this unfortunate business----" + +"That's enough, Harry," and Paul in turn broke in on what the forlorn +boy was trying to say in a trembling voice; "you've just got to come +along now, or else all my plans for the morning will be broken up. I'd +arranged for the two of us, no others, mind, to take my new iceboat, +_Lightning_, and have a great spin far up the river. The ice couldn't be +beat; and I'm determined that it's just got to be _you_ with me, or no +one. That's flat. Now, what do you say?" + +Harry smiled with pleasure. It was almost worth suffering all that he +had endured in these last few unhappy days, just to learn what a true +friend meant. + +"Well, you put it up to me in a way that knocks out all my argument," he +said. + +"Then you'll come with me?" demanded Paul, eagerly. + +"Sure I will, and mighty glad of the chance," Harry replied, as he +started to look for his cap, and his warm sweater to go under his coat; +for he knew that a long ride on an iceboat, going a mile a minute more +than likely, meant chilled bodies, unless care was taken to supply warm +clothing. + +Once he had decided on his course, Harry seemed somewhat like his old +self. Mrs. Watson, as they passed through the outer room, smiled, and +nodded to Paul. + +"I'm glad to see you managed to coax him to go, Paul," she remarked; and +both lads waved her good-bye as they left the door, walking briskly down +the street of Rivertown. + +Paul's father had a boat-house on the bank of the river just outside the +town limits, where in Summer the boys often gathered in order to enjoy +the sports of the season. There was a new shed attached to this, in +which Paul kept the iceboat he had had built recently, but which had as +yet hardly been tried out. + +In a short time the two lads were busily engaged getting the frail craft +out of its quarters, and down on the ice. The mast had to be stepped +every time Paul wished to make use of the flier; since the shed was too +low to admit of its being stored as it stood. But this proved a job of +small moment. + +"I guess you know a heap about these kind of boats, Harry?" remarked the +owner of the _Lightning_, as he watched the deft manner in which his new +chum handled the various ropes connected with the up-to-date craft built +for ice use. + +At that Harry laughed, the first little burst of merriment that had +escaped his lips for days; and which made his friend feel that he had +done well to coax the grieving lad outdoors, where he could get the +invigorating influence of the ozone to be found in the crisp wintry air. + +"Oh! yes, I suppose I might say I have, without seeming to boast," he +answered, as he bent down to make sure that everything was adjusted, and +the wire stay that held the mast in place as taut as the turnbuckle +could make it. "We used to have a boat down at Lawrenceburgh, and +somehow they got to making me the skipper; last winter we won every race +we entered for. But Paul, that boat wasn't in the same class as this new +one you've got, I tell you that." + +"Then you think the _Lightning_ is apt to go some?" inquired the owner, +eagerly. + +"Do I?" echoed Harry, quickly. "Unless I'm away off in my judgment, +she's bound to beat everything along the river. I never saw such fine +lines; and best of all, I don't think the builder has sacrificed +anything in the way of staunchness to speed. Mark my word, Paul, she's +going to turn out a crackerjack!" + +"I'm mighty glad to hear that, Harry!" declared Paul, "for a good many +reasons. A fellow likes to have a clipper boat, you know, one that isn't +going to take dust from any other chap's racer. And then, it would just +give me heaps of fun if I could leave the old _Glider_ far back in the +lurch." + +"That's Elmer's iceboat, isn't it?" asked Harry. + +"Sure. He hasn't had it out this winter, I understand, because for two +years now it's just run away from everything there was; and Elmer said +he was tired of making circles around the rest of us. But three times +now he's asked me when I expected to get my new boat running; and as +much as told me he was waiting to add it to the has-beens he's beaten." + +"Well, don't you believe he's going to have an easy job walking away +from this dandy thing on runners," Harry observed. "I'm ready to say +that you've got the very last word in iceboats here in the _Lightning_. +And before another hour has passed you'll feel that you made no mistake +when you gave her that name. Now, if you're ready, let's make a start." + +Harry was anxious to be off. He had noticed that several boys and girls +were heading toward them, having skated up from below. And in his +present state of mind he would rather avoid meeting any of his school +companions if it could be arranged. + +"How about the wind?" asked Paul, as they started to take their places +on the thin but strong planks of the iceboat, which had been padded with +folded blankets, so as to make it more comfortable for those who had to +stretch out at full length while managing the running craft. + +"It seems to be everything we could want this morning," Harry replied. +"In fact, I don't think there ever was a day here on the Conoque River +better fitted for a try-out of a new iceboat than this same Saturday +morning. And I'm glad now that I came with you, Paul." + +"Bully for you, Harry! That's all I wanted to hear. And now, let's cut +loose before all those fellows get in our way." + +Longback, Socker Gales, and Misery Jones were among those coming full +tilt for the spot where they had discovered the new boat on the river's +edge. + +They gave vent to various whoops and cries when they saw that Paul and +Harry were starting off without waiting for their arrival. + +"Hi! aint you goin' to let us have a look-in at the new boat, before you +smash her with that Jonah aboard?" + +"Listen, Paul! Just you keep right on up the river, and my word for it +you'll get yours before you come back!" + +"Wow! look at her go, would you? Say, fellers, she's all to the mustard, +you c'n tell me what you please about the _Glider_. Paul knew what he +was doing when he gave the order for that dandy contraption. Gee! don't +I wish I was on her right now!" + +These last words just barely reached the ears of the two who lay +flattened out on the delicate flooring of the ice yacht. Harry heard his +chum chuckling, as if somehow the last remark had given him a good +feeling. + +The skaters started after them, but were speedily left far behind, and +presently gave the chase up as useless. And now the whole river lay +before the two iceboat chums, with not a single person to interfere with +their sport; since it was as a rule farming country above Rivertown, on +both sides of the watercourse. + +Few rivers offered better fields for this sport than the Conoque. While +not of any great depth, it was as a rule quite wide; and in places +presented a magnificent spread of smooth, clear ice, over which the +sharp runners glided like magic, as the favoring breeze filled their +sail, and urged them on at tremendous speed. + +Then again, once in a while they would come to a neck where the going +was quite different, since the ice was rougher, and they had to look out +for airholes. In the Summer season, when the water was lower, these +places were called the "rips"; being in reality small rapids, where the +water rushed with noisy volume, and the fishing was considered prime. + +"Well, what d'ye think of that?" called out Paul, after they had been +booming along in this manner for a little while, passing a couple of the +narrow places, where considerable care had to be exercised to avoid +trouble. + +"Splendid! Never went like this before! You've got a wonder here, Paul, +and don't you forget it," answered Harry, whose face was now rosy with +the action of the keen wind and the cold air; while his eyes sparkled +much as they had been wont to do before this trouble came upon him, to +crush his young spirits so completely. + +"That pleases me a whole lot, Harry," laughed the owner of the craft. +"And say, I've been watching the way you handle that tiller. Elmer +Craven boasts of being the best iceboat sailor on the river; but I'm +ready to put you up against him any old day. Why, you manage things so +that she seems to be next door to human. No matter what sort of wind +strikes us, you've got a way of setting her with it, that just suits +every time. If this boat's a wonder, Harry, you're the fellow that can +get every ounce of speed out of her." + +"Here, that will do for you, Paul," answered Harry; though naturally the +words of genuine praise made him feel happy, as he had been up against +so many hard knocks lately, at the hands of those who bore him so much +ill will. "I'd just like to try her against some other boat of the same +class. That's the only way to get a pointer on her speed and cleverness, +you know." + +"Perhaps we may, and this very morning," remarked Paul, mysteriously, +but with a grin accompanying the words. + +"What makes you say that?" demanded his companion, who had to keep his +eyes on the alert pretty much all the time, since a flaw of wind might +swoop down on them at any second, and if he failed to be quick with the +rudder, in order to ease up on the sudden strain, an upset was likely to +follow. + +"Didn't you hear what Misery Jones shouted after us?" Paul went on, +answering one question, Yankee fashion, by asking another. + +"Was it Misery who called out for you to listen; and then said something +about you 'getting yours' if you kept on up the river?" Harry continued. + +"Sure, that was Misery. He's never so happy as when acting as a prophet, +and predicting all sorts of trouble ahead for other people. That's why +the boys call him Misery; he sees all kinds of accidents looming up, +even if they hardly ever come along. But Harry, I don't think the fellow +had any accident in store for us that time, when he said I would get +mine up here to-day." + +"Then what did he have in mind?" asked Harry, his curiosity aroused. + +"I've been thinking it over," Paul went on, "and decided that Misery +must know Elmer is out this morning with his _Glider_; and somewhere +up-river way. What he meant was that if we happened to run across his +hawser, I would find my new iceboat as badly left in the lurch as my old +one was last year." + +"Perhaps," laughed the one who handled the tiller so dexterously; "all +things are possible, you know, Paul; but I wouldn't worry over that, if +I were you. Just let Elmer show up, and we'll see what the _Lightning_ +was built for." + +"There's a bunch of fellows coming down the river," said Paul, a minute +later. "They live some miles up at a village called Rushville. Several +of our high school scholars come down from there every day on the train, +you know. I was going to say that if we could shut off some of our +tremendous speed, and draw in closer to them, I might find out whether +Elmer really did go up-river." + +"All right," responded Harry, readily; "that's easy enough done." + +He manipulated the tiller, and watched the way the wind spilled out of +the big sail as he ran partly across the ice field, heading so as to +intercept the skaters. These boys, seeing that those on the fine new +iceboat wished to speak with them, only too gladly came to a standstill, +and watched the clever way in which Harry managed to bring his craft up +in the teeth of the wind close beside them. + +"Hello! Paul, that your new boat?" cried one of the up-river fellows, as +he advanced to get a closer look at the now still _Lightning_. "Well, I +must say she's got lines to go some, and then not half try. Give you my +word I never saw such a trim and dandy iceboat; and I wish I had a +chance to take a spin on her with you." + +"Perhaps you may, some of these fine days, Hank," remarked Paul with a +grin; for he had always been friendly with the Rushville student at +school. "Just now we're out on the warpath, looking for scalps, you see, +and want to be on the fly." + +The three boys looked at each other as though hardly catching the true +meaning of what Paul said. But a moment later Hank laughed aloud as the +significance of the words appealed to him. + +"Ho! I get it all right now, Paul!" he exclaimed, nodding his head while +speaking. "You want to find something to whack your new boat up against, +eh? Well, what's the matter with the _Glider_? Elmer didn't do a thing +to you last winter, if I remember right; and the spirit of revenge must +be rankling in your heart. Is that it?" + +"Perhaps a little that way," answered Paul, frankly. "You know he's got +a nasty way of rubbing it in every time he does anything; that stings +worse than the defeat itself does. I've never heard the last of that +race, and how nicely he trimmed me. And to tell the honest truth, that +was why I went to all the trouble and expense of having this new craft +built to order. I want to turn the tables on him in the worst way." + +"Couldn't have a better day for it!" nodded Hank. + +"Oh! the weather is all to the good," declared Paul, impatiently; "but +see here, you fellows have come down several miles--have you seen +anything of another iceboat between here and Rushville?" + +"Have we, fellows?" asked Hank, turning to his two companions and +winking. "Was that a real iceboat that went whipping past us just after +we started out; or might it have been just a shadow when a cloud passed +over the sun? Yes, I rather guess it did look like the sassy thing Elmer +used to cut circles with around all the other boats on the river last +two years." + +"Which way were they going did you say?" asked Paul, giving his chum a +significant look, as if to say: "What did I tell you; didn't I remark +that this was going to be a red letter day with me, since it would wipe +out the sting of that old defeat at the hands of Elmer Craven, which +I've never heard the last of?" + +"Oh! up-river like a streak of light," replied Hank. "No use talking, +that _Glider_ can go to beat the Dutch; and Elmer knows how to sail her +too, the best ever; but I like the looks of this new craft, Paul, and +from the way Harry handles the tiller I opine now that you're just bound +to give Elmer the time of his life when you challenge him to a race." + +"That's what we intend to do, Hank," returned Paul. "Much obliged for +telling us about him. We can keep going now till we scrape his +acquaintance. He's been begging me for some time to get out and let him +rub some of the rust from his runners. To-day suits me all right. And +Hank, mark my words, the thirteenth of the month, you notice, is going +to be a mighty unlucky day for Elmer Craven, if I don't miss my guess. +It's skidoo for him, as sure as you're born. So-long, boys!" + +Harry threw the sail around and immediately the _Lightning_ shot away +with a sudden bound. They opened a big gap between themselves and the +three boys standing there on the ice; but Paul, looking back could see +Hank and his comrades waving their caps and sending out cheers that came +but faintly to the ears of those who were speeding so rapidly up the +river. + +As a rule the Conoque ran due north and south, though there were places +where abrupt turns were the exception. And as the breeze was almost due +west this allowed of almost unlimited possibilities in sailing, with a +craft so sensitive to the slightest breath of air as an iceboat on a +smooth, mirror-like surface. + +It took them but a short time to reach and pass the village of +Rushville, situated on the left bank of the Conoque River. Of course +quite a number of persons were enjoying the skating at this point; and +the moment the _Lightning_ came into view around the bend half a mile +below, loud shouts attested to the interest taken in her appearance. + +Again did Harry slow up, as Paul wished to ask questions of these boys. +The news received was to the effect that some time before Elmer and Pud +Snooks had passed up, and incidentally come near running over a little +child, as they purposely swung in as if to show just how close they +could come to anyone without hitting them. The Rushville boys were quite +indignant, and talking about it when the second iceboat hove in sight. + +"On again, Harry," sang out Paul, after they had learned all they wanted +to know. "We'll run across them somewhere above; and perhaps Elmer +Craven will be in for the surprise of his life. Somehow I just feel that +this is my day; and I want to make the most of it. Let her go, fellows; +and thank you for telling us." + +Harry had for the time being quite forgotten all about his troubles; and +this was just what his chum desired most of all. Indeed, perhaps it was +more to accomplish this than anything else that he sought a meeting with +Elmer; though, of course, boy-like, he did want to even the old score, +and pay up his debt. + +"You've never been up this far before, I reckon?" he remarked, after +they had left Rushville several miles behind. + +"That's a fact, Paul," came the reply. "And I never dreamed that the +Conoque was such a dandy stream for this sort of thing. Why, in places +it's fully a quarter of a mile from bank to bank. Yes, I'm glad I've +come with you, Paul." + +"And perhaps you'll be more than glad before the morning passes," Paul +was saying to himself; for he knew just how matters stood between Harry +and Elmer; and that if they could manage to humiliate the proud, +boastful spirit of the rich man's son, it must be more or less of a +satisfaction to Harry. + +Two minutes later and Paul gave vent to a cry. + +"Look yonder!" he exclaimed. "A mile ahead the Cranberry flows into the +Conoque; and unless my eyes deceive me there's an iceboat coming +whooping down that smaller stream. Yep, that's the _Glider_, as sure as +anything. I ought to know her build; and Harry, get ready now to show +them _a streak of greased lightning_!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV--HARRY PILOTS THE LIGHTNING + + +"So that's Elmer's boat, is it?" remarked Harry, as he managed to catch +a fleeting glimpse of the tall mast of a rapidly moving craft, that was +sweeping down the ice covered tributary of the Conoque, now partly +hidden behind a clump of trees, and again passing a fairly open spot. + +"Head in so as to be ready to follow after him, whichever way he turns," +advised Paul, his voice betraying signs of excitement; for he had been +looking forward to this same meeting for many weeks, and anticipating +the pleasures of turning the tables on his boasting rival of long +standing. + +But Harry seemed as cool as though there were nothing at stake. He had +schooled himself to repress his feelings when a great emergency arose, +calling for calm judgment, as well as quick action. + +"I think I've got the course we want," he remarked, quietly, as the +_Lightning_ bore well in toward the shore, just below the junction of +the two rivers. "I don't dare pass too far in, because you see that high +bank, and the bunch of trees, interfere with the wind, and we'd get +blanketed. There they come, Paul!" + +Shooting out from the Cranberry like a thing of life, the rival iceboat +made a graceful sweep and continued up the river. + +"They did that on purpose!" cried Paul, as though a bit disgusted at the +turn affairs had taken. "Let him say what he will, I believe Elmer is +afraid of this boat. He came and examined her the day I rigged her up; +and although he pretended to laugh, I could just see that he was chewing +the rag. Yes, look at Pud waving his hand at us; and he's shouting +something too." + +"All right," said Harry, without the least show of worry; "we've got our +work cut out for us, that's all. You know something about the river +above; can we run any distance with the boats?" + +"Sure!" answered the other member of the crew; "it's the most obliging +old river you ever heard tell of. Miles and miles it stretches away, +sometimes narrow, and again broad; but if this wind only holds out, we +can spin along like fun for more'n an hour. Hit her up, Harry, let's see +just what the bully contraption carries up her sleeve. After 'em with a +hot stick now!" + +Really, Harry needed no urging. The spirit of sport had been fully +aroused in his breast. Forgotten for the time being, were all those grim +troubles that had of late been making life so miserable for the boy. He +only seemed to remember that once more his hand grasped the tiller of a +staunch ice flier; and that a derisive challenge had floated back from +the boat ahead. + +And possibly, the fact that the two fellows who manned the _Glider_ were +his most bitter and unscrupulous enemies, had more or less to do with +Harry's determination to beat the rival boat. He would not have been +human had he felt otherwise; and while Harry possessed many fine +attributes, he was after all, only a boy at heart. + +The _Lightning_ had, of course, lost considerable of her headway when +the skipper ran in so close to the high bank; but she was gradually +veering further away now, with every second. + +On the other hand, the opposing boat had come out of the Cranberry under +a full sail; and shifting her course, was running up the Conoque with a +speed that opened quite a gap between the rival craft. + +Then in turn Harry and Paul saw that they were getting opposite the +mouth of the smaller stream, where the wind would be wholly +unobstructed. No sooner had this occurred than they jumped ahead as +though some unseen power had taken the boat in tow. + +"How about it now?" asked the skipper, wishing to have Paul report +progress; as he had about all he could do in taking care of the skimming +ice craft, watching how the wind acted on the sail, keeping a cautious +eye out for any obstruction in the way of a branch of a tree frozen in +the ice, or possibly an air hole which, if not avoided, might spell +disaster to the pursuing boat. + +"We are sure holding our own, Harry!" exclaimed Paul, delightedly. + +That was an experience new to him; for up to now the _Glider_ had mocked +all efforts to equal her extraordinary speed. But Harry knew that, as +yet, he had not put the new boat to her "best licks," as he termed it. +She was capable of better things. + +This was just the time and opportunity for one who knew all about the +tricks which an iceboat is capable of developing, to coax her to show +her fine points; and that was what Harry was now starting to do. + +Perhaps the boats were about equal in merit. Possibly, had the crews +been reversed, Harry and Paul could have overtaken the _Lightning_, +given time with the older craft. In other words, it was a case of +superior knowledge and ability on the part of the skipper of the +_Lightning_, rather than the possession of a better boat; for the +_Glider_ was certainly what she had always been called, a "marvel." + +"Wow! we're gaining, I do believe, Harry!" announced Paul, a minute +later; and there was a touch of actual doubt in his voice, as though the +fact might be almost too good to be true. + +"Are we?" answered his chum, just as though it were nothing more than he +had been expecting right along. + +"Yes, as sure as anything we must be," Paul went on excitedly. "I'm +trying to judge distances with my eye; and honest now, I believe we're +not so far behind as when we first passed the mouth of the Cranberry! +Oh! it's great! Keep her moving just as she is, Harry! Do you think you +can? That wasn't only a spurt, I hope!" + +"She can do even better than that, Paul. Watch me now, for I'm on to a +new little dodge. Keep an eye for blow-holes, and branches frozen in the +ice. And Paul, shift your weight just a trifle this way. I believe the +balance will be more even." + +Another short interval followed. Then Paul gave vent to his delight +again. + +"You did something then that just made her hump herself. Why, Harry, +we're clawing up on the old _Glider_ hand over fist! Look at 'em moving +around, will you? They're getting scared, that's what! Elmer never yet +saw another boat creeping up after him when he was doing his level best +to fly. Bully! Bully! Oh, ain't we just humming along, though!" + +It was no easy matter to speak while they were cutting through space at +such a tremendous pace and Paul would have done better to have saved his +breath; but he had waited and hoped for this great day so long, that he +just could not bottle up his delight. + +Not a sound could they hear around them save the whistle of the wind +through the ropes above, or the sharp humming music of the runners +spurning the smooth ice. Pud had long since ceased to shout derisive +cries back at the pursuers. His scorn and mocking gestures had changed +into nervous movements, as he tried to increase the speed of the +_Glider_ by altering his position from time to time. + +When another five minutes had passed, though it seemed an hour to the +impatient Paul, they had gained so much upon the other boat that the two +were now within easy speaking distance. Yet strange to say, those on the +_Glider_ maintained a dead silence, that was quite unusual to their +buoyant natures. It makes considerable difference whether one is on a +winning or a losing craft. + +Paul, however, could not keep still. This experience almost set him wild +with delight. And where could you find a boy who would decline to rub it +in a little, given the chance? + +"Hey! you there!" he hallooed, using his hands as a megaphone; "get out +of the way, and give us room. We're going to pass you, and let you take +our dust! Sheer off to one side, and let us have the middle of the +river! We've earned the right of way. Lively now, Elmer! You're a back +number after this, with your out-of-date boat! To the scrap heap for +yours!" + +Perhaps it was hardly kind of Paul to add to the humiliation which Elmer +must naturally be feeling, as he thus saw that the _Glider_ was plainly +playing "second fiddle" to the new iceboat; but it must be remembered +that for years now, the son of the richest man in Rivertown had lost no +opportunity to sneer at Paul, and humiliate him when he had the chance. + +Apparently the two who crouched there on the _Glider_ were at their +wits' ends to discover some means for increasing their speed. They +seemed to be exchanging warm sentences, and Harry even thought he heard +Elmer's rasping voice raised in anger, as though he might be trying to +lay the burden of the blame on the bully, whose extra weight might be +just the cause for the difference in speed of the two boats. + +Pud could also be heard answering back, and it sounded as though he were +telling his comrade that the fault lay in his lack of skill in managing +the _Glider_, rather than the handicap of weight. + +"Can we pass 'em, d'ye think?" gasped Paul, as they drew still closer to +the leading boat, on which a dead silence had now fallen. + +"Easy enough, unless Elmer chooses to play some trick on us," replied +Harry. + +"Oh! would he dare do that, when we're spinning along at this mad clip?" +demanded the owner of the new boat. + +"You know him better than I do, Paul," replied Harry. "I don't like the +look on his face. He keeps turning his head, then grinning in a nasty +way; after which he looks ahead, just as if he was sizing up some +desperate chance. I think he means to foul us up if he can; and anyhow +it's going to be a hard thing to pass him up here, where nobody can see +any dirty play." + +Paul seemed to consider. No doubt discretion urged him to call the race +off; but on the other hand he disliked very much to quit just when he +had his rival where he had wanted to see him so long. + +A fisherman never calls a trout his own until he has the prize in his +hands; even though he may humanely throw the speckled beauty back into +the water again. And in a race it does not really count, unless you +actually pass your adversary. + +So Paul, with boyish recklessness, determined to take the chances for +trouble, and pass the _Glider_, come what might. He knew Elmer to be +somewhat reckless; but found it hard to believe that the other would +risk having his own bones broken, just to smash the successful boat of +his rival. + +But Paul counted wrongly. Elmer, when he became enraged, was not the +same cool, calculating schemer that he had the name of being under +normal conditions. And, urged on by the sarcastic sneers of the ugly +Pud, as well as his own keen disappointment at seeing his pet iceboat +fairly beaten, he might even take chances which at another time would +have appalled him. + +"That's too bad!" Paul heard Harry exclaim. + +"Oh, what's happened?" Paul cried, in sudden alarm. "Are we going to +lose out, after all that magnificent gain? But Harry, see, we're still +creeping up! Only twenty feet more, and we'll be on even terms! What do +you mean?" + +"Look far ahead!" answered Harry. + +"I see that the river narrows again," the other boy replied instantly. +"Is that what you mean?" + +"Yes. We're going to have to try and pass, while in that narrow +stretch!" Harry sent across to his reclining chum; for their heads were +only a few feet apart. + +"But there's plenty of room for both! I remember that cut well, Harry! I +had my canoe upset there once, shooting the rapids when the river was +low in Summer. Yes, it's sure wide enough for even five boats abreast!" + +"If they're piloted by honest fellows, who mean to deal squarely with +each other," said Harry, significantly. + +Paul was conscious of the fact that his chum was putting the decision +squarely up to him. He felt a little uneasy. What if they should meet +with a serious accident in trying to pass the _Glider_ in such confined +quarters? Was it right for him to drag Harry into this peril? + +"What ought we do, Harry?" he demanded, quickly; for they were rushing +toward the place where the banks of the Conoque drew closer together, +and fast overtaking the rival boat. + +"Are you willing to take the risk?" came the immediate reply. + +"Yes; but how about you?" asked Paul. + +"I'm with you, Paul," the pilot sent back, impetuously. "The chance is +too good to be lost. And perhaps I can find a way to outwit him, if he +tries any funny business. Be ready to do your part like lightning, if I +give the word." + +"I'm on! Go it, for all you're worth, Harry!" + +There was really no time for further words. They had now reached the +beginning of the narrows, and at the same time found themselves close up +with the tail end of the other iceboat. + +Paul, sending one nervous glance that way, could see Pud Snooks glaring +at them as though he could eat either of the two alive. There was an +expression on his heavy face that bordered on desperation; and Paul +became more than ever convinced that Elmer and his crony must have made +up their minds to attempt some crooked play, in the hope of balking the +efforts of the _Lightning's_ crew to pass them. + +All this while Harry had been studying his chances. He had purposely +come up from behind, and had chosen the leeward side of the boat in +advance. This was done with a distinct purpose. If, as he expected, +Elmer altered the course of the _Glider_, and attempted to block their +way, Harry meant to suddenly shift his helm and shoot up on the windward +side. + +This movement he calculated to make so suddenly as to momentarily +confuse the opposing pilot. And when Elmer could collect his senses +enough to follow suit he would be just so many seconds too late; for by +that time possibly the _Lightning_ might be on even terms; and the big +sail would blanket the _Glider_, shutting off the wind that was so +essential to her forward progress. + +Then perhaps, before she could recover from this staggering blow, the +_Lightning_, which would not have lost her headway for even a second, +might be out of reach, and rapidly leaving her outwitted rival in the +lurch. + +At such a time as this it requires an active brain to hatch up a scheme +that carries with it a chance of success. Fortunately Harry was built +that way. He saw his opportunity, and grasped it without hesitation. + +Paul, as yet, had not the remotest idea just how his chum meant to work +the deal. He recognized the fact that those on the other boat would try +to get in the way, regardless of accidents, and block their passage. +Thus Elmer would always claim that he had never been passed by any other +iceboat, and if both craft were reduced to kindling wood by the +collision, little he cared in his present reckless frame of mind. + +But Paul had the utmost confidence in his comrade. He had seen Harry in +action before now, and recognized the fact that he was gifted with a +bright mind, capable of grasping the situation, and turning even a +little thing to advantage. + +And so he just lay there, holding on for dear life, ready to "take his +medicine," as he termed it, should there be a spill; and also keeping +himself in readiness to do his little part should the skipper give a +quick order; for it was Paul's duty to look after the sail, and handle +the sheet if they had to tack during their run, with the wind heading +them off. + +Now they were nosing up, so that the fore part of the _Lightning_ seemed +but a yard or two behind the rudder of the opposing craft, once called +the "Queen of the Conoque," but apparently destined to yield up that +proud title to the later model owned by Paul Martin. + +"Ha!" + +It was Paul himself who gave utterance to this exclamation. Apparently +he had been holding his breath for half a minute past, in anticipation +of what was to come; and this signified that the startling event was +being put into play. + +Elmer had shifted his tiller just enough to change the course of his +boat, and veer slightly to leeward. Of course this necessitated a change +in the running of the pursuing craft, otherwise the _Lightning_ must +immediately strike the stern of the leader. + +Harry followed suit, and for a moment both boats continued on that +slant. But it could not last, of course. The shore was too close by; and +if they continued to veer to leeward both must go aground, to the utter +demoralization of the delicate craft. + +Paul could see that leering face of Pud almost within reach of his hand. +It seemed as though the bully might be asking what he was going to do +about it; and giving him to understand that he might as well cut his +halyards, and let his sail drop, because he and Elmer were grimly +determined that no iceboat should ever sail past the _Glider_, come what +might. + +So Paul set his teeth hard, expecting a spill of some sort when the bow +of his boat struck the stern of the other, while going at this amazing +speed. Perhaps his face was white, which fact could hardly be wondered +at under the circumstances. But there was no sign of fear there. Paul +proved game when the test came, just as Harry had known would be the +case. + +A foot--why the distance between the two boats must be measured by inches +now, so rapidly had it been cut down by the rush of the pursuing craft. + +Just as Paul gave a gasp, expecting to feel the shock of the collision, +and perhaps be tumbled headlong over the smooth ice, he felt Harry make +a sudden move. + +The skipper of the _Lightning_ had waited until the very last second, +and then swung the tiller around! + +Instantly obeying the rudder, the able boat changed her course. She no +longer headed to leeward, but swung in the other direction, aiming for +the windward bank of the river. + +"Oh! bully! bully! bully!" cried Paul, as the plan of his chum flashed +across his mind; and at the same time he occupied himself in tugging at +the sheet in order to shape the bellying sail to the new course of the +rapidly-driven boat. + +Apparently Elmer was taken quite by surprise by this movement on the +part of his rival. His mind was not quite equal to grasping the full +significance of it, and responding so rapidly that he might still have a +chance of bringing about a disastrous collision. + +When he swung around, Pud was also slow to do his duty with the rope +governing the sail. He had been altogether wrapped up in setting himself +for the anticipated shock of an upset; so that it took him several +seconds to grasp the new conditions. + +When they did succeed in changing their course, just before bringing up +on the lee shore, it seemed as though it might be too late, for the able +_Lightning_ had improved her opportunity in a glorious manner. + +Elmer was seized with a fit of blind fury. He realized that he had been +beaten at his own game, and by the boy whom he had always felt that +sense of unjust hatred ever since the day Harry Watson first came to the +Rivertown High School, and carried off the honors of that bob-sled dash +down the hill. + +The one thing he wanted to do now was to smash into the _Lightning_, +regardless of consequences. Elmer believed in the "rule or ruin" policy. +If his boat was no longer to be the fastest on the Conoque, he would at +least never allow another to carry off the honors. + +And so the reckless boy deliberately headed for the rival craft, his aim +being to come down upon the port quarter of the frail _Lightning_ with +such an impetus that the other boat must be utterly demolished. + +Paul saw what was impending. His quivering words of delight ceased to +flow; for again he feared that this implacable and unscrupulous foe was +in a position to carry out his quickly-conceived scheme of revenge. + +But Harry knew better. His quick and experienced eye judged distances +better than that of his chum. True, he edged in a bit closer toward the +nearby shore; but that may have been for a double purpose. It gave him a +trifle longer to make the pull; and at the same time rendered the +possibility of Elmer and Pud coming to grief a _certainty_. + +Five seconds is not a very long stretch of time; and yet there may be +times in the experiences of some people when it seems next door to an +eternity. And Paul was now feeling something that way. + +He saw the oncoming _Glider_ rushing down at them--he could mark the +strained faces of the two desperate fellows who sprawled there on the +thin planking that served as a deck to the runners--and he caught his +breath with a queer little click as he wondered whether after all Harry +was going to carry his clever game through to a successful end; or if +the new boat was destined to be smashed then and there on its first +glorious cruise. + +Then the crisis came. + +In changing his course so much, in order to strike the _Lightning_ +squarely in the port quarter, Elmer had failed to realize that he was +heading up in the teeth of the wind more than his rival. And in this way +he was handicapped so far as keeping up his pace was concerned. + +So the _Glider_ swept to the rear of the new boat, just comfortably +missing her. The victory had been won, since the _Lightning_ had thus +forged ahead, and passed her rival! + +Paul started to give a whoop of delight. Then he stopped, for there was +heard a sudden loud smash as the boat of the baffled plotters struck the +shore. + +"She's done for! Gone to flinders, Harry! Oh, what a race, and they've +got just what they deserve. But I hope neither of them has been badly +hurt!" exclaimed Paul, who, even in the excitement of victory could +think of the defeated foe. + +"I feel the same way as you do about it, Paul," replied the pilot at the +tiller of the now undisputed champion of the Conoque, as he headed +straight up the narrows toward the wide reach above; "but I don't think +that cuts much figure in it, for I'm sure I saw Pud jump to his feet out +of the wreck; while Elmer was crawling out, and limping around as we +turned that bend just below." + +"Well, if ever a sly schemer got caught in his own trap that fellow +was," remarked Paul, his indignation now getting the better of his +sympathy. "And he sure deserves all he's got. We'll go on a way further, +and then turn back. Perhaps we'll overtake our two friends, the enemy, +limping along the ice on the way home; and they may even accept a lift +back." + +But after all, Paul's good intentions were fated never to be put to the +test, for although they saw the wrecked _Glider_ piled up in a shattered +heap on the shore in the narrows, nothing of the two unlucky skippers +was discovered on the way down the river; and they concluded the boys +had made their way ashore, to hire some farmer to drive them all the way +back to Rivertown. + +When the story of the eventful race was told to the boys of Rivertown +most of them declared that Elmer and Pud had been paid in their own +coin; and few sympathized with them when they appeared on the streets +with sundry strips of court plaster decorating their faces, and with +decided limps. + +"At any rate," said Paul, as he separated from his chum at the Watson +gate, "we _did_ have a great time of it; and I reckon it's done you a +heap of good, Harry," in which opinion the other certainly shared; and +declared that he was glad he had accepted the invitation to try the new +iceboat. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV--"ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL" + + +Keeping more and more to himself, Harry finally gave up the pleasure of +skating with his friends after school, preferring to go on long runs +alone. + +As he was gliding over the ice on one of these occasions, he saw a girl +and a boy skating well out toward the middle of the river, so far from +him that he could not recognize them. + +For two days before, there had been a decided thaw and the ice in the +middle of the river was not considered safe by the majority of the +skaters. Accordingly, when Harry beheld the two figures, he was amazed. + +"Must be from Lumberport or Cardell," he told himself. "None of our +people would be foolish enough to go out there. Guess I'll see who it +is." + +And without delay, he started toward the couple. + +"Good gracious! It's Viola and Craven!" he gasped, when he was near +enough to get a good look at them. For a moment, the boy was uncertain +what to do. The girl had been keeping more and more aloof from him, and +correspondingly more and more in the company of the rich student; and +well he knew that Elmer would resent his advice in some insulting +manner. + +To his relief, however, the couple seemed to be so engrossed in one +another that they did not see him, and after watching them for several +minutes he was on the point of turning away when he saw them both sink, +and then heard terrified screams for help. + +The cries also reached some of the other boys and girls farther down the +river, and they set out to the assistance of the struggling skaters. But +none of them had the speed of Harry. + +With a swiftness that was astounding, the boy rushed over the ice toward +the hole that was constantly growing larger. + +Badly frightened, both Viola and Elmer clutched frantically at the edges +of the ice, only to have them break away, sometimes in small chunks, +again in large pieces. + +"Let Viola hang onto the edge by herself. Go farther down, you Craven!" +shouted Harry as he dashed toward them. + +But instead of obeying, having found a piece that would hold, the rich +boy clung to it, allowing Viola to be carried past him. + +"Oh, if I were only in the water with him, I'd fix the coward!" cried +Harry. "I only wish the others were near enough to see what he did." + +Thanks to his speed, our hero was so close to the hole that he was +obliged to exercise caution lest he, too, break through. + +"Here, give me a hand. That ice'll hold you!" shouted Elmer, as his +rival approached. + +But Harry seemed not to hear him. + +"Hey, you fool, get me out of this; then we two can get Viola." + +His pleading, however, was without avail. Straight along the edge of the +hole Harry skated until he was abreast of the girl of whom he was so +fond. + +"Just keep hold of that ice cake a few moments longer," he called +encouragingly. "I'll have you out in no time." + +"But I'm too far from the edge. You never can reach me!" sobbed Viola. +And as she saw the firm ice so close to her, she made a frantic effort +to swim out, with the result that she lost her hold on the floating ice +cake. + +Harry had been hoping that the current would carry the girl in toward a +part of the river where it would not be so difficult for him to get to +her. But the instant he saw her hands slip from the cake, he sprang into +the water. + +Being a good swimmer, it required only a few strokes for him to reach +the side of the girl, but as he did so his troubles began. + +Handicapped by his clothes and his skates, when Viola seized him in the +despairing clutch of a drowning person, he was almost drawn under. + +"No, no, you mustn't grab me around the throat, Viola!" he gasped. "Put +your hands on my shoulders. If you don't, you'll drown us both. I won't +let you sink--and if you'll only do as I tell you, I'll have you safe and +sound in a jiffy." + +Something there was in the tone in which the boy spoke that not only +soothed the frenzied girl, but gave her confidence, and though she did +not remove her hands from around Harry's neck, she ceased her struggles, +permitting him, by means of the ice cakes, and treading water, to make +his way toward the firm ice. + +The other boys and girls who were hastening to the assistance of their +schoolmates had watched the rescue eagerly, and when they saw the boy +half roll, half lift the girl out onto the solid ice, they cheered +lustily. + +But in saving Viola, Harry had overtaxed his strength. Indeed, it had +only been by putting every ounce of his power into the effort that he +had been able to raise the girl from the water; and the instant he saw +her safe, he sank back. + +The realization that she was on sound ice, however, restored the girl to +her senses; and as she beheld the boy who had saved her from the icy +waters lose his hold, she spun about; and with a quick move, caught his +coat sleeve as his arm went up in the air. + +To the task of pulling Harry from the water, however, Viola was not +equal. + +"Hurry! Hurry! Help me!" she shouted to the leaders of the other +would-be rescue party. "I can't hold him much longer!" + +"Hey, you, come and get me first! I've been in the water longer!" yelled +Elmer. + +But fortunately for Harry, it was Paul and Jerry who were in the van of +the skaters, and at Viola's cries, they put on every ounce of speed they +had, relieving her of her hold just in the nick of time. + +Harry, however, was more used up than the others had believed, and it +was several minutes before he opened his eyes. + +"Is--is Viola safe?" he gasped. + +"Indeed, I am, Harry!" returned the girl, bending over him. And there +was a light in her eyes that thrilled the boy who had rescued her. + +When he tried to get up, Harry found he had no strength. + +"Somebody go get a sled," commanded Longback. + +"And let him lie here cold and wet, while you're going for it?" stormed +Viola. "Pick him up and carry him, some of you." + +Instantly Paul, Jerry, Dawson and another boy seized Harry, and half +supporting, half carrying him, they got him to the shore, while Nettie +and the other girls helped Viola, leaving Elmer to the tender mercies of +Pud and Socker, who had finally arrived in time to drag him from the +water. + +But even they wasted few words on him, ashamed as they were to think +that he should have sought to save himself at the sacrifice of Viola. + +Straight to bed did Mrs. Watson put Harry when he was brought to the +house, giving him warming drinks; while his chums rubbed his benumbed +arms and legs. But he did not respond to their treatment as quickly as +he should, and in alarm, his aunt finally sent for a doctor. + +Grave, indeed, did the man of medicine look after he had completed his +examination of the boy. + +"If he'd been exposed for another half hour, I doubt if we could have +brought him around," he announced. "As it is, it will be several days +before he will be up and about." + +But the physician was mistaken--his days were weeks. + +His nervous system overtaxed because of his worry in regard to his +father, Harry's physical condition had run down, and the chill he +received caused him to go off into pneumonia. + +Harry's illness, however, served one good purpose--it caused a reaction +in the feelings of his schoolmates. When it became noised around that he +had endangered his life to rescue the girl who was skating with his +implacable enemy, the boys and girls of Rivertown High realized that he +was made of good material. And their change in feelings was shown by +calls they made to ask about his condition, and the delicacies they sent +in. But only Paul, Jerry and finally Viola were allowed to see him, +though they were forbidden to talk to him. + +Little, indeed, did he talk, and then only to ask if word had come from +Jed Brown. And as his aunt was forced, day after day, to declare that +she had heard nothing, the boy seemed to lose all interest in getting +well. + +But the crippled veteran, though silent, had not deserted the boy who +had rescued him from the bully. + +Arrived in Lawrenceburgh, he had vainly pleaded with several influential +men to arrange for a stay in the execution of sentence upon Harry's +father. But one and all, they turned a deaf ear to his pleadings, and +Mr. Watson was forced to go to prison. + +But on the very day he entered upon his term of punishment, old Jed +stumbled upon a clue which was to prove his innocence. + +Chancing to drop into a tobacco store which was kept by one of his war +comrades, he was amazed to find still another member of his old company +dressed in handsome clothes and wearing a diamond ring. As the man had +always been a ne'er-do-well, the change in his circumstances puzzled +Jed, and when the fellow had taken his departure, he asked the +shop-keeper what had caused it. + +"That's what I'd like to find out," returned the tobacconist. "For the +last six months, Bill has been going around with his pockets full of +money. He's living at the Ransom House, too." + +This being one of the chief hotels in Lawrenceburgh, the fact still +further emphasized the turn in the veteran's fortunes. + +"Ever give you any idea how he got the money?" asked Jed. + +"Says he done it by writing. Bill always was a good writer, you know. +Don't you remember how he used to forge pass orders for some of the boys +when they wanted to leave camp?" + +The words sent an idea to Jed's mind, and bidding the shop-keeper a +hasty good-bye, he hied himself to the Ransom House, where he made many +inquiries about the former soldier. At first he made little headway; but +just as he was giving up in despair, he saw another old comrade. + +"Say, what's the matter with you Rivertown folks?" asked this man. "Have +you come down to see Bill Hawkins, too? Ned Snooks visits him about once +a month." + +At the mention of the Rivertown butcher, the crippled veteran gasped. +Then he remembered that bad feeling had sprung up between the butcher +and Mr. Watson over a real estate deal in which the former maintained +that he had been swindled--and Jed immediately concluded that Ned Snooks +was at the bottom of the charges against Harry's father. + +But it was one thing to believe this, and quite another to prove it--yet +with that perseverance which had distinguished him as a soldier in the +ranks, Jed set about obtaining evidence; and finally succeeded in +extracting a confession from Hawkins, that, acting for the butcher, he +had forged the name of Snooks to some checks, and managed to lay the +blame on Amos Watson. + +Elated, Jed again approached the influential men who had refused to +intercede for their fellow townsman, and after convincing them of the +truth of the confession, received their aid in obtaining Mr. Watson's +release from prison, and subsequent exoneration from the charge of +forgery. + +Ignorant of the illness of Harry, the old veteran did not report on his +progress, and the first news the boy had of the change in his father's +condition was when a telegram was brought to him. + +With trembling fingers he opened it, then uttered a faint cry of joy, as +he read: + + "Harry Watson, + Rivertown. + + Charges against me proven false. I want you to come to Lawrenceburgh + to spend Sunday with me. + + Father." + +Better than any tonic or care was the news to Harry, and though he was +not able to go to his father, Mr. Watson came to him, bringing good old +Jed Brown with him, and happy, indeed, was the reunion. + +Despite his villainy, Mr. Watson refused to prosecute Ned Snooks; but +public opinion was so aroused against the butcher that he sold his +property, and moved away from Rivertown, while the man he had so wronged +decided to live in the town, and in due course opened a real estate +office. + +"But didn't Pud know about this forgery from the first?" asked Harry, of +his parent, one day. + +"I think not, my son," replied Mr. Watson. "Mr. Snooks was a man who +kept his affairs to himself. Had Pud known he would have taunted you +long before he did." + +"It was grand of old Jed Brown to act as he did," murmured our hero. "We +owe him a great deal." + +"He is to live with me and your Aunt Mary after this," said the father. +"He is going to help me in my real estate business. As he is getting +old, I shall let him take it as easy as he pleases." And so it was +arranged. + +When Harry returned to Rivertown High he was given an ovation that made +him blush like a girl. The only person who remained in the background +was Elmer Craven. He had nothing to say; and when, during the following +Fall, the Craven family moved to Boston, Elmer was glad to go along, so +he would not have to return to a school where he was in such bad odor. + +Harry continued at Rivertown High School for the full term of four +years; and when he graduated he did so at the top of his class. Then he +went into the real estate business with his father, and both made money +rapidly. His friendship for Viola ripened into a much more tender +feeling; and it is reported that some day the pair will be married. But +though Harry was successful as a land dealer he never became tired of +talking about his high-school days. + +"We had some great times," he said, one day, to Paul. + +"We sure did!" replied his chum. "In my opinion there is no better +school in all the world than Rivertown High!" + +"Right you are!" responded Harry. "And as matters have turned out I am +very glad that I came here." + + + + +The Webster Series + +By FRANK V. WEBSTER + + +Mr. Webster's style is very much like that of the boys' favorite author, +the late lamented Horatio Alger, Jr., but his tales are thoroughly +up-to-date. + +Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. + +Stamped in various colors. + +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid. + +Only A Farm Boy, _or Dan Hardy's Rise in Life_ +The Boy From The Ranch, _or Roy Bradner's City Experiences_ +The Young Treasure Hunter, _or Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska_ +The Boy Pilot of the Lakes, _or Nat Morton's Perils_ +Tom The Telephone Boy, _or The Mystery of a Message_ +Bob The Castaway, _or The Wreck of the Eagle_ +The Newsboy Partners, _or Who Was Dick Box?_ +Two Boy Gold Miners, _or Lost in the Mountains_ +The Young Firemen of Lakeville, _or Herbert Dare's Pluck_ +The Boys of Bellwood School, _or Frank Jordan's Triumph_ +Jack the Runaway, _or On the Road with a Circus_ +Bob Chester's Grit, _or From Ranch to Riches_ +Airship Andy, _or The Luck of a Brave Boy_ +High School Rivals, _or Fred Markham's Struggles_ +Darry The Life Saver, _or The Heroes of the Coast_ +Dick The Bank Boy, _or A Missing Fortune_ +Ben Hardy's Flying Machine, _or Making a Record for Himself_ +Harry Watson's High School Days, _or The Rivals of Rivertown_ +Comrades of the Saddle, _or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains_ +Tom Taylor at West Point, _or The Old Army Officer's Secret_ +The Boy Scouts of Lennox, _or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain_ +The Boys of the Wireless, _or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep_ +Cowboy Dave, _or The Round-up at Rolling River_ +Jack of the Pony Express, _or The Young Rider of the Mountain Trail_ +The Boys of the Battleship, _or For the Honor of Uncle Sam_ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York + + + + +THE BOY RANCHERS SERIES + +By WILLARD F. BAKER + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors._ + +_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid._ + +_Stories of the great west, with cattle ranches as a setting, related in +such a style as to captivate the hearts of all boys._ + + +1. THE BOY RANCHERS _or Solving the Mystery at Diamond X_ + + Two eastern boys visit their cousin. They become involved in an exciting + mystery. + +2. THE BOY RANCHERS IN CAMP _or The Water Fight at Diamond X_ + + Returning for a summer visit to their western cousin's ranch, the two + eastern lads learn, with delight, that they are to be allowed to become + boy ranchers in earnest. + +3. THE BOY RANCHERS ON THE TRAIL _or The Diamond X After Cattle +Rustlers_ + + Our boy heroes take the trail after Del Pinzo and his outlaws. + +4. THE BOY RANCHERS AMONG THE INDIANS _or Trailing the Yaquis_ + + Rosemary and Floyd visiting their cousins Bud, Nort and Dick, are + captured by the Yaqui Indians. The boy ranchers trail the savages into + the mountains and eventually effect the rescue. + +5. THE BOY RANCHERS AT SPUR CREEK _or Fighting the Sheep Herders_ + + Dangerous struggle against desperadoes for land rights brings out heroic + adventures. + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York + + + + +THE BOYS' OUTING LIBRARY + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full color._ + +_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid._ + + +The Saddle Boys Series + +BY CAPT. JAMES CARSON + + The Saddle Boys of the Rockies + The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon + The Saddle Boys on the Plains + The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch + The Saddle Boys on Mexican Trails + +The Dave Dashaway Series + +BY ROY ROCKWOOD + + Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator + Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane + Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship + Dave Dashaway Around the World + Dave Dashaway: Air Champion + +The Speedwell Boys Series + +BY ROY ROCKWOOD + + The Speedwell Boys on Motorcycles + The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto + The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch + The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine + The Speedwell Boys and Their Ice Racer + +The Tom Fairfield Series + +BY ALLEN CHAPMAN + + Tom Fairfield's School Days + Tom Fairfield at Sea + Tom Fairfield in Camp + Tom Fairfield's Pluck and Luck + Tom Fairfield's Hunting Trip + +The Fred Fenton Athletic Series + +BY ALLEN CHAPMAN + + Fred Fenton the Pitcher + Fred Fenton in the Line + Fred Fenton on the Crew + Fred Fenton on the Track + Fred Fenton: Marathon Runner + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York + + + + +THE COLLEGE SPORTS SERIES + +By LESTER CHADWICK + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors._ + +_Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid._ + +_Mr. Chadwick has played on the diamond and on the gridiron himself._ + + +1. THE RIVAL PITCHERS _A Story of College Baseball_ + + Tom Parsons, a "hayseed," makes good on the scrub team of Randall + College. + +2. A QUARTERBACK'S PLUCK _A Story of College Football_ + + A football story, told in Mr. Chadwick's best style, that is bound to + grip the reader from the start. + +3. BATTING TO WIN _A Story of College Baseball_ + + Tom Parsons and his friends Phil and Sid are the leading players on + Randall College team. There is a great game. + +4. THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN _A Story of College Football_ + + After having to reorganize their team at the last moment, Randall makes + a touchdown that won a big game. + +5. FOR THE HONOR OF RANDALL _A Story of College Athletics_ + + The winning of the hurdle race and long-distance run is extremely + exciting. + +6. THE EIGHT-OARED VICTORS _A Story of College Water Sports_ + + Tom, Phil and Sid prove as good at aquatic sports as they are on track, + gridiron and diamond. + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Harry Watson's High School Days, by +Frank V. 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