"I have been making diligent inquiries about the shades in socks, my dearest Thomas, but the storekeepers seem to be a little undecided. Some think that Rambler Red will prevail while others favor Nile Green and a new shade called Baby's Breath. Personally I favor Baby's Breath and have purchased one dozen of that shade. If I get any more definite news about shades I will wire you, because I know what a dreadful thing it is not to have the shade that is really and truly fashionable."
"I have been making diligent inquiries about the shades in socks, my dearest Thomas, but the storekeepers seem to be a little undecided. Some think that Rambler Red will prevail while others favor Nile Green and a new shade called Baby's Breath. Personally I favor Baby's Breath and have purchased one dozen of that shade. If I get any more definite news about shades I will wire you, because I know what a dreadful thing it is not to have the shade that is really and truly fashionable."
"Three cheers for William Philander and his Baby's Breath socks!" cried Sam. "He's the true and only artist!"
"Baby's Breath!" murmured Tom. "Now wouldn't that get your scalp-lock?" And then there was a merry laugh all around.
There was likewise a letter from Max Spangler, and another from Stanley Browne, stating they were already on their way to Brill. Then, justbefore the boys were ready to leave home, came a letter from Songbird Powell.
"I'll bet it's in verse," said Dick. "Songbird couldn't write prose to save his life."
"We'll soon see," said Sam, who held the communication, and he tore it open. "You win," he added, and then read the following, after the date line:
"My dearest boysI'm filled with joysTo think that weTogether shall beIn a week or more!Oh, the fun in store!And also the work—Which we can't shirk—And the pleasant meetings,And pleasant greetings,——"
"My dearest boysI'm filled with joysTo think that weTogether shall beIn a week or more!Oh, the fun in store!And also the work—Which we can't shirk—And the pleasant meetings,And pleasant greetings,——"
"My dearest boysI'm filled with joysTo think that weTogether shall beIn a week or more!Oh, the fun in store!And also the work—Which we can't shirk—And the pleasant meetings,And pleasant greetings,——"
"He was thinking of Minnie Sanderson when he wrote that," interrupted Tom.
"Sure thing," returned Dick; for all of the Rovers knew that the would-be poet was deeply smitten with the farmer's daughter. He had written several poems about her, and had also given her several presents.
"Well, there are twelve pages of the doggerel," said Sam, glancing over the sheets. "Here, you can read over my shoulders," and this was done, amid much merriment. Songbird had but littlenews and promised to be at college when they arrived.
"Oh, I hope theDartawaycarries us there in good shape," murmured Tom. "It will be an arrival worth remembering!"
Before he left home Dick had a long talk with his father and his Uncle Randolph. When he rejoined his brothers he was unusually sober.
"What is it, dad's business affairs?" queried Sam.
"Yes, Sam."
"Are they in bad shape?" questioned Tom, quickly. "What's gone wrong?"
"It's something about those mining shares that dad and Uncle Randolph invested in," answered Dick. "I'll give you the particulars later. They don't want Aunt Martha to know about it, for it will only make her worry without doing any good. I'm afraid dad and Uncle Randolph are in it bad," went on Dick, soberly.
"Can't something be done?" asked Tom.
"Not just now. Dad is going to Chicago about it next week again."
"Does he and uncle stand to lose much?" questioned Sam.
"Yes, a good deal—more in fact than they can afford."
"Phew! That's too bad!" murmured theyoungest Rover, and Tom shook his head soberly, and forgot all about the parting jokes he had intended to play on Aleck Pop and Jack Ness.
At last came the time for the three Rover boys to leave home. The biplane had been shipped to Ashton by express and their trunks and suit cases had been forwarded on their railroad tickets. They were going a day ahead of time, and Mr. Sanderson had agreed to meet them and take them to his home.
"Good bye, my boys," said the fond father, on parting. "Take good care of yourselves."
"We will," they answered as they shook hands.
"Learn all you can," put in Randolph Rover.
"Take care and don't get into trouble," admonished Mrs. Rover, and then she kissed them tenderly.
"Don't forget to let me know how matters go in Chicago, dad," whispered Dick, to his parent.
"I'll remember, my son."
"And if I can aid you in any way, let me do it,—even if I have to leave Brill," went on Dick.
"There is nothing to do at present, Dick. I must wait for that report."
Soon the boys were in the touring car, with Jack Ness to bring the automobile back from the railroad station, he now being able to run the machine. Dick was at the wheel. Tom hadcranked up, and off they sped, with a merry shout and with those left behind waving their hands.
"Let her go, Dick!" sang out Tom.
"Good bye!" yelled Sam.
"Good bye!" came back faintly from the homestead.
Then a turn of the road shut out the house from view. Once again the Rover boys were off for college. Little did they dream of the strange adventures in store for them.
"Glad to see you, boys! You're looking prime!"
It was the greeting of Mr. Sanderson, as the Rovers stepped from the train at Ashton. The farmer was waiting at the platform with a two-seated carriage to take them to his farm.
"How are you, Mr. Sanderson!" came from the three, and then all continued in a chorus: "Did the biplane get here?"
"Something got here—two boxes an' several big bundles," answered the farmer. "I had everything carted over to my place."
"Two boxes and four bundles," said Dick.
"Right you are. One of 'em putty heavy, too."
"That was the engine, Mr. Sanderson," vouchsafed Sam.
"Is that so! Well, times are sure changin', an' bymeby the hosses won't be in it no more. So you calkerlate to fly over to the college."
"We do, if we can get the machine into shape,"answered Tom. "It may be that something got broke on the way and will have to be mended," he added, anxiously.
"Well, we didn't break anything, Tom, take my word on that. If anything's broke the railroad company done it."
The boys were soon seated in the carriage and Mr. Sanderson took up the reins. As my old readers know, the farmer was proud of his horses and he had good reason to be, for they started off in fine style, and presently were passing everything on that long and somewhat dusty road.
"How is Miss Minnie?" asked Tom, on the way.
"Fust rate, Tom. She went drivin' yesterday with that young feller from Brill that sprouts poetry."
"Oh, then Songbird has really arrived!" cried Tom.
"He has." Mr. Sanderson looked serious for a moment. "Say, is he any good—or is he all—well, all poetry?"
"Songbird is one of the best and smartest boys in the college, Mr. Sanderson," said Dick, bound to put in a good word for their chum. "He likes to make up verses, but that isn't all he can do. Some day he'll be a good business man."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that," answered thefarmer; and the three Rover boys knew he was thinking of his only daughter Minnie, and of the attention Songbird Powell was paying to her.
It was not long before they came in sight of the Sanderson homestead, pleasantly located in a grove of trees. Minnie Sanderson was on the lookout for them—a round-faced, jolly young lady—and she waved her hand as the carriage came to a halt.
"Why didn't you come in that wonderful airship!" she sang out gaily. "I'm dying to see you fly!"
"Because you have the machine here!" answered Sam.
"Oh, we've only got some bundles, and they don't look a bit like a flying machine," went on the girl. "But, say," she added, her cheeks dimpling. "What a time I had yesterday, keeping your secret! Mr. Powell took me out riding,"—she blushed a trifle—"and when we came back he wanted to know what the bundles contained. I told him it was some kind of machinery. He saw the canvas and said he guessed pa was going to put up a windmill!"
"Thanks for keeping it dark!" cried Dick. "We want to surprise everybody at Brill."
"You'll have to be careful of what you do then," went on the girl. "Some of the young menhave been around, and I—well, I don't like it."
"Who was around?" asked Tom.
"Mr. Flockley, for one," and Minnie bit her lip, for she had not forgotten how that dudish collegian had once insulted her,—the time the Rover boys had come to her rescue, as related in detail in "The Rover Boys at College."
"Did he come to the house?" asked Sam.
"Oh, no, he merely walked through the orchard. But I guess he saw some of the packages."
"He didn't speak to you, did he?" asked Dick, bluntly.
"I didn't give him the chance. When I saw him, I walked into the house, and he didn't dare to follow me."
It was almost supper time, and the boys had arranged to remain at the Sanderson homestead, instead of going to the rather poor hotel at Ashton. They had a merry time with the others over the repast, and then, even though it was late, they went down to the barn to inspect the boxes and bundles comprising theDartaway.
"Everything seems to be all right," said Dick. "We ought to be able to put her together in a day, if we all work hard enough."
"We'll get up at six in the morning," said Sam.
So it was arranged, and Mr. Sanderson said he would call them. But this was unnecessary, forall were up and downstairs before the appointed hour, and before breakfast was served they had the boxes and bundles open and the various portions of the biplane ready for assembling.
"Can't I help?" asked the farmer, who was much interested in what was going on.
"You can help us lift the engine," said Dick. "That is rather heavy."
The boys and the farmer worked until five o'clock in the afternoon over the biplane, knocking off a half hour for dinner. For that meal they had same fried chicken and fresh vegetables, and an apple pie made by Minnie which Tom declared was "a dream."
"We'll come and board with you," said Dick, to the girl. "This sort of food goes away ahead of the college stuff; eh, boys?"
"Indeed it does!" cried Tom.
"Can't be beaten," put in Sam. And these compliments pleased the farmer's daughter very much.
Gasoline was at hand and also oil, and soon the youths had the engine of the biplane in working order. But it was not started until theDartawayhad been rolled off to the middle of a big field.
"I don't want to scare your horses and cattle," explained Dick, to the farmer. "When the engine starts they'll think Fourth of July has arrived."
Soon all was in readiness, and with a final inspection of the biplane, Dick took his seat in the machine and called to his brothers to work the propellers. Bang! bang! bang! went the cylinders, and around went the big blades, faster and faster, until only a blur could be seen. Then over the field shot theDartawayand up in the air.
"Oh, my, just to look at that!" gasped Minnie. "Just like a big bird!"
"Well, I'll be switched!" cried Mr. Sanderson. "An airship, sure as you are born! I didn't think I'd live to see one! My! my! just to see that thing a-sailin' through the air!"
Dick made the circuit of the field and then cut a figure eight. The machine seemed to work perfectly, and when he came down he was well satisfied.
"All aboard for Brill College!" he cried. "Through passage only! No stopovers allowed!"
"Shall we sail over now, or wait until to-morrow?" asked Sam.
"Oh, come on now!" cried Tom, impatiently. "Lots of fellows will be on the campus at this hour, and we can do some circling around before we land."
"I'm willing," said Dick. "Who is to do the steering?"
"You do it—you're the oldest," said Sam.
"That's right," added Tom.
"I don't want all the glory," insisted Dick.
"You are not going to have," went on the fun-loving Rover. "See what I've got for Sam and myself." And he brought out a mysterious package he had brought from home. It contained two silken American flags and two tin horns.
"We'll do the patriotic while you run the machine," said Sam.
"And I've got something else—but never mind what it is," went on Tom.
"No fireworks, Tom—they are too dangerous in a flying machine," warned Dick, who knew his brother's love for things that made a noise.
"Nothing dangerous this time, Dick, I'll give you my word."
TheDartawaywas given another inspection and then staked to the ground with a strong rope, fastened by a slip knot. Then the engine was started up and the three lads clambered on board.
"Good bye!" they cried to the Sandersons.
"Good bye and good luck!" answered the farmer.
"Let us know how you arrive," added his daughter.
Then the knot in the rope was allowed to slide, and with a rush and a whizz the biplane sped over the smooth ground and then soared into the air. By the time Sam had hauled in the dangling rope,the flying machine had left the Sanderson farm far behind.
"Oh, this is simply glorious!" cried Tom. He had his flag in one hand and his horn in the other, and Sam was similarly equipped.
"Of course you know the way, Dick," said the youngest Rover.
"Oh, yes, it's easy. I'll simply follow the road. But I am going up a bit," added Dick. "I don't want to scare any horses, or we may have some damage suits to settle."
"The horses will have to get used to flying machines, just as they had to get used to autos," was Sam's comment.
On and on flew theDartaway, Dick managing the biplane as skillfully as if he was a seasoned aviator. Over the farms and barns and houses they sailed, creating much astonishment. The inhabitants came rushing forth, some with milk pails, and women with dish cloths and towels in their hands. One boy in his excitement shied a dipper at them, the object falling short of its mark by several hundred yards.
"We are waking folks up," remarked Tom, as he tooted his horn and waved his flag, and Sam followed suit. Then the fun-loving Rover placed his horn under his arm and began to fumble at something in his pocket.
"I see Brill!" cried Sam, presently. "There is the main building!" And he pointed with his hand.
"I see it," answered Dick. "Now for a few circles and a figure eight before we come down. I hope they'll give us room to land."
In a few seconds more the various buildings belonging to the institution of learning were in full view. Dick started up the engine with renewed speed, thereby making more noise, and Tom and Sam added to the din by blowing the horns with all their might. The two boys also waved the flags.
The racket had the desired effect. From one building and another ran the students and the members of the faculty, and also the hired help, and all gazed up into the sky to learn what the noise meant.
"It's an airship!"
"There are three people on board!"
"Say, doesn't she sail along beautifully!"
"Wonder if they are sailing across the state."
"Maybe they are in the ocean-to-ocean race."
"They look like three boys! See, two of them are waving flags! Now what do you think of that!"
"I'm going to get my spyglass," said one of the under teachers, and ran to do so. In the meantime theDartawaycame closer and circled slowly over the main college building and the broad campus.
"THREE CHEERS FOR THE ROVER BOYS!" CALLED OUT ONE OF THE SENIORS.
"Look! look!" cried several of the students. "What are they up to?"
From the bottom of the craft had suddenly burst a cluster of red, white and blue tissue-paper streamers. These floated under and behind theDartaway, producing a beautiful effect. Then suddenly came floating down through the air a quantity of many-colored confetti—tiny bits of pretty paper that settled everywhere.
"The Rover boys!" cried the teacher who had brought out his spyglass. "They are the three Rover boys!"
"The Rover boys!" cried Songbird Powell, who stood near. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Hurrah!" shouted Stanley Browne. "Now, isn't that just like them? Always up to something new and original."
"Three cheers for the Rover boys!" called out one of the seniors. And the cheers were given with a will, while theDartawaycontinued for some time to float over the college grounds and then came settling down like some big white bird, in the very center of the campus.
Before the biplane had come to a complete standstill the students on the campus made a rush and surrounded the three Rover boys.
"The grandest arrival I ever heard of!" cried SongbirdPowell, as he caught one after another by the hand. "I shall have to write some verses about this."
"However did you manage it?" queried Stanley Browne. "I didn't know you could run an aeroplane."
"It's out of sight alretty!" came from Max Spangler. "But we could see it, yes!" he added hastily.
"Oh, we thought we'd give the fellows a little surprise," answered Dick modestly. "We purchased the biplane some time ago. It's easy to run after you get the knack of it."
"But carrying three!" went on Stanley. "I've heard of 'em carrying two but not more than that."
"It's quite a load," said Tom. "We've got to have a more powerful engine if we want to carry that many right along."
"And the streamers and confetti!" cried Songbird. "I'll bet those were Tom's idea!"
"You're right," answered Dick.
"And he thought of the flags and horns, too," put in Sam, bound to place the credit where it was due.
"I had to do something to let off steam," said Tom lightly. "Dick wouldn't allow me to fire a bomb, or a cannon, or anything like that," he continued dryly.
During this talk many of the students and instructors commenced to inspect the biplane, and soon the Rover boys were kept busy answering questions.
"Well, young gentlemen, allow me to congratulate you on your successful flight to this place!" said a pleasant voice, and turning the youths found themselves confronted by Doctor John Wallington, the head of the college. He smiled broadly as he shook hands. "This surely marks an epoch in the history of Brill," he went on. "First arrival of students by airship," and he turned to Professor Blackie, who was with him.
"You are right, sir," returned that instructor. "We'll have to make a note of it." And this wasdone; and anybody going to Brill can see the record in the "history book" of that famous institution.
"Look who's here!" suddenly cried a cheery voice, and Will Jackson, usually called "Spud," because of his liking for potatoes, pushed his way to the Rover boys' side. "I was upstairs dressing when you arrived, but I saw it all from the window. Say, that flight couldn't be beaten. You must have come about three miles a minute, eh? Puts me in mind of the time I was caught in a Kansas cyclone. The wind carried me off my feet, and landed me high up on the side of a big building, and there I had to stick until the wind went down! Fact, and if you don't believe it, some day I'll show you one of the bricks from that same building. I keep it to sharpen my penknife on."
"The same old Spud!" cried Dick, while the others laughed outright. "Telling a yarn before he even shakes hands. How are you?" And he gave Will's hand a squeeze that made the story-teller wince.
"We'll have to have some place in which to store the biplane," said Sam to Dr. Wallington. "Do you think we could put it in the boathouse for the present—or in the shed of the gymnasium?"
"You may use the gymnasium shed, if you can get the machine inside," replied the head of the college. "I presume we'll have to build regular hangars here,—if the students are going to own flying machines," he added, with a smile.
"Well, they are good advertisements, Doctor," put in Tom. "Nothing like being up-to-date, you know."
"Perhaps, Rover, perhaps. And it will be instructive to all here, to watch you and your brothers manipulate the biplane. But do not let the use of the machine interfere with your studies."
"Oh, we'll use it like we would our bicycles, or a motor boat, or an auto," said Sam. "We came back to make a record for ourselves."
"I am glad to hear it, Samuel, very glad indeed." And then the good doctor hurried away to attend to his official duties.
Some of the late arrivals wanted the Rover boys to give another exhibition flight, and for their benefit Tom took a little sail by himself, and then Sam went up for five minutes. Then the biplane was rolled over to the big shed attached to the gymnasium,—a place usually used for housing carriages and automobiles during athletic contests. Here one end was cleaned out and theDartawaywas rolled in, and the engine was covered with a tarpaulin brought from the boathouse.
During the time that all this was being done, one student of Brill had kept to himself, even though greatly interested in what was going on. This was Dudd Flockley, the dudish youth who had once been the crony of Jerry Koswell and Bart Larkspur. There was a sneer on his handsome face.
"Great work, eh, Dudd?" said Bob Grimes, one of the students, in passing.
"I don't know what you mean," returned Flockley, coolly.
"Oh, yes you do, Dudd," retorted the other. "But I suppose it's sour grapes for you," he added pointedly, for he was a friend to the Rovers and knew something about the troubles of the past.
"Bah!" came from Dudd Flockley, and he turned and hurried away. "Now those Rover boys have come back I suppose they'll try to lord it over everybody, just as they did before. How I hate them! I wish I could do something to get them in a hole!" He had forgotten completely the kindness the Rover boys had shown him, and how they had gone to the head of the college and pleaded for him, so that he had been allowed to remain at Brill. Perhaps Flockley was not as wicked at heart as his former college cronies, Larkspur and Koswell, but he was equally ungrateful.
Soon the Rover boys and their chums were up in the dormitory where they had their rooms. As before, Tom and Sam were together, in Number 25, with Dick and Songbird in Number 26, and Stanley and the others not far off.
"Home again!" sang out Tom, as he dropped in an easy chair. "My, but this looks natural!" he added, glancing around.
"I want to tell you something," said Stanley, who had followed the three brothers and Songbird into one of the rooms. "Maybe we'd better shut the door," he added, significantly.
"Yes, he's got news," added Songbird. "Say, it beats the nation how some fellows hold a grudge," he went on.
"What's the trouble now?" demanded Dick, quickly.
"Day before yesterday I was over to Ashton," answered Stanley, after the door to the room had been closed and locked. "I went by the upper road and I had to pass that new roadhouse, the place called the Red Horseshoe. Well, who was sitting on the piazza but Jerry Koswell and Bart Larkspur. They had been having a gay time, I guess, and both were talking loudly. When they saw me they called to me to stop, and then they asked me if you fellows had come back to Brill."
"What did you tell them?" asked Tom.
"I told them no, but that you were expected in a few days. Then both of them began to brag, and said they had it in for all three of you Rovers."
"Did they say what they intended to do?" questioned Tom.
"Not exactly, but Koswell intimated that if you didn't look out you might be blown up."
"Blown up!" exclaimed Dick, and he thought instantly of what Tad Sobber and Josiah Crabtree had said to Dora and Nellie.
"That's what he said. I wanted to find out what he meant, but Larkspur stopped him from talking and told him to shut up. But, Dick, I feel sure they mean something, and all of you fellows better be on your guard," added Stanley earnestly.
"This is surely getting interesting," said Tom. "First Sobber and old Crabtree promise to blow us up and now Koswell and Larkspur propose the same thing."
"They must be in league with each other!" cried Sam.
"It looks that way—especially after what happened on Casco Bay," returned Dick. And then he told Songbird and Stanley of the recent happenings near the Rovers' home, and elsewhere.
"Well, my advice is, keep your eyes wide open all the time," said Songbird. "Those fellows aredesperate—their actions show it—and they'll play you foul if they get half a chance."
"And to that advice let me add something more," said Stanley. "Don't trust Dudd Flockley. He pretended to reform for a while, but behind it all I think he is as bad as ever. If you gave him any information he may carry it straight to those others."
"Thank you, Stanley, I'll remember that," said Dick.
"So will I," added Tom, and Sam nodded in approval.
"Well, to let you in behind the scenes," went on Dick, to Stanley and Songbird, "I am not so much worried about ourselves as I am about Mrs. Stanhope and Dora and the Lanings. Sobber and old Crabtree want that fortune from Treasure Isle the worst way and they'll do anything to get hold of it. Koswell and Larkspur are probably short of funds, and, as they like to live high, they'll help Sobber and Crabtree all they can,—for a rake-off of the proceeds."
"I reckon you are right," said Songbird. "But what do all of them mean by blowing you sky high."
"That remains to be seen," said Sam.
"Or rather felt," added Tom, who had to havehis little joke. "Maybe they'll plant some dynamite under the college and blow us up!"
"Hardly that, Tom," returned his older brother. "But they may try some kind of a dirty trick along those lines."
"Don't worry, boys, don't worry!" cried Songbird soothingly. "Let the troubles of the future take care of themselves",and then he murmured softly:
"Though the skies be dark and drearyAnd hope be almost dead,And hearts are all so weary——""Each one can go to bed!"
"Though the skies be dark and drearyAnd hope be almost dead,And hearts are all so weary——""Each one can go to bed!"
"Though the skies be dark and drearyAnd hope be almost dead,And hearts are all so weary——""Each one can go to bed!"
finished Tom. "A fine bit of poetry truly, Songbird, old sport."
"Who said anything about going to bed?" snorted the would-be poet. "I had a finer line than that, Tom. It was—er—it was—a—er—a—— Oh, dear, you've quite driven it out of my head!"
"Never mind, it will come back day after yesterday, or before and sooner," went on the fun-loving Rover blandly. "Now let us put away our things and get ready for supper. I'm as hungry as a wolf in a famine."
"That's right," chimed in Sam. "Aeroplaning can give one a wonderful appetite."
"It's the air," said Stanley.
That evening, after a good meal, the Rover boys had to tell of their various experiences with the biplane. Not a student of Brill had ever gone up in a flying machine although several had gone up in balloons at county fairs and elsewhere. The Rovers had to promise to take up half a dozen of their chums. So far during the fall, talk of football had filled the air, but now all became flying and flying machines. Several of the richer students promised themselves machines in the near future.
"That's the talk!" cried Tom, enthusiastically. "Then we can have some races!"
"Maybe we can even get up an intercollegiate aeroplaning contest," remarked Sam.
"I'm afraid it's a little too early for that yet," answered Dick. "But such contests may come one of these days."
The Rover boys were tired out from their day of labor and excitement and ten o'clock found them in their rooms ready to go to bed. Tom and Sam had started to take off their shoes when there came a faint tap on the door and Bob Grimes appeared.
"Hello, Bob!" cried Tom. "What can I do for you?"
"Hush! not so loud!" whispered the other student, with a glance over his shoulder down thecorridor. "Listen, both of you," he went on hurriedly. "Don't ask me any questions, but if you don't want your biplane ruined be sure and guard it closely!" And having spoken thus, Bob Grimes hurried down the corridor and out of sight.
The two Rover brothers looked at each other in amazement, and for a moment neither spoke.
"What do you suppose he meant?" asked Sam, presently.
"He meant just what he said," returned Tom. "I'm going to tell Dick," and he summoned his big brother without delay.
"I think I can piece this together," said Dick. "I saw Bob Grimes talking to Dudd Flockley this afternoon, and again after supper. Most likely Bob got on the trail of something Dudd thinks of doing. He doesn't want to appear as a tattle-tale and at the same time he doesn't want to see our machine ruined. So that's why he warned you in such a queer fashion."
"You must be right," answered Tom. "What shall we do?"
"Nothing, Tom."
"Yes, but we don't want the machine ruined, or even tampered with!" exclaimed Sam.
"I don't think anybody will touch it," went on the eldest Rover boy. "After you came up here I got to thinking that maybe Flockley, or Koswell, or Larkspur, or somebody else, might try to injure theDartaway, and so I went to see Filbury, the janitor, about it. His son Abner is helping him around the dormitories, and I hired Abner for fifty cents a night to sleep in the shed and guard the biplane. Abner has got a shotgun, and he isn't afraid of anybody; so I reckon theDartawaywill be perfectly safe."
"Good for you, Dick!" cried Tom. "Say, I hope if anybody does try to injure the machine Abner gives him a dose of shot!"
"I told him not to shoot anybody unless it was necessary," answered Dick. "But he may shoot into the air, just to scare the intruder and raise an alarm."
The next day was such a busy one for the Rover boys that they had no time to do more than look at the biplane and see that it was safe. Abner Filbury reported that he had slept in a hammock slung beside the machine and that nothing had happened to arouse him. Nobody but the Rovers knew that he was on guard. The boyswanted to tell Bob Grimes, but that individual kept out of the way.
After having settled down in their rooms and to their studies, the three Rover boys made several flights in the biplane, including one to the Sanderson farm, where they discovered Songbird calling on Minnie. Both were seated in a hammock between the house and the barn, and both leaped up in confusion when the biplane, manipulated by Tom, sailed directly over their heads. When the Rovers came down in the big field, Minnie ran to greet them, and, later, she treated them to apple pie and some milk. Then they set sail once more, leaving their college chum to finish his interrupted visit.
After this flight the boys ordered a new engine for theDartaway, one which would make sailing safer, especially in a stiff wind. The makers said they would send the new engine immediately, and a machinist to install it, and they agreed to take the old engine back at cost price, since it was practically new.
It must not be supposed that the Rover boys neglected their studies. As my old readers know, whatever they tackled they went at with all their might, and this applied to their work as well as their play.
"Dad sent us here to get an education," saidDick. "And while I am here I am going to study all I can. There is no telling how long I'll be able to remain here anyway."
"Thinking of dad's western affairs?" asked Sam.
"Yes; I may have to take hold and help him and Uncle Randolph out. Both of them are not as young as they used to be, you know."
"That's true, Dick. I noticed dad's hair getting pretty gray, and uncle's is almost white."
The boys had written home and also to the Stanhopes and the Lanings, and soon came letters in return. One, from Mr. Anderson Rover, was of special importance.
"I have news out of the ordinary," wrote the parent. "That man Crabtree and Tad Sobber have come back to the old mill. I got the word from Peter Marley. He says they act very suspiciously, and that a boy who works for him overheard Crabtree and Sobber talking about us. I have sent for a detective to come out from the city and watch them for a while. If anything newdevelopsI will let you know."
"I have news out of the ordinary," wrote the parent. "That man Crabtree and Tad Sobber have come back to the old mill. I got the word from Peter Marley. He says they act very suspiciously, and that a boy who works for him overheard Crabtree and Sobber talking about us. I have sent for a detective to come out from the city and watch them for a while. If anything newdevelopsI will let you know."
"Now what in the world can old Crabtree and Sobber be up to?" asked Sam, after all had read the communication.
"Up to some trick, I'll bet a new hat," declared Tom. "I am glad dad sent for the detective. I hope he catches them red-handed at something, and locks them up."
"They certainly ought to be locked up," was Dick's comment.
The boys studied hard that evening and by ten o'clock all were tired out and ready to go to bed. But, just as they were on the point of retiring, there came a knock on the door of the room occupied by Tom and Sam, and Stanley appeared.
"You are wanted in Room 14!" said the student, in a loud whisper. "Come right along."
"What's up?" asked both boys.
"Feast—ice-cream and cake. Max and Spud were down to the town and they brought the stuff along. Come on, before it's too late and the ice-cream melts."
"Me for the ice-cream!" cried Tom, and did a handspring over his bed. "Are the others invited?"
"Sure—a round dozen," answered Stanley.
Room 14 was at the end of the corridor and occupied by two students named Lane and Parley, whole-souled fellows who were always ready for a good time. The room was so located that it had much more privacy than the other apartments.
Soon the boys had gathered,—as jolly a crowd as could be found at Brill. Max and Spud had spread themselves, it being the German-American lad's birthday.
"Say, this is certainly fine!" cried Sam, as he surveyed several big cakes, two hands of bananas, some grapes, and several bricks of ice-cream of various flavors.
"How are you going to serve the ice-cream?" asked Dick.
"Oh, we're all prepared!" cried Spud, and exhibited a "nest" of paper saucers and another of paper plates, and then a handful of tin spoons. "I thought these would answer better than the real thing, for when we have finished we won't have to wash anything—we can throw the whole mess away."
"Say, that's Spud," cried the student named Lane. "Once he had to wash dishes at a picnic we went to and you ought to see the face he cut."
"Come, git busy alretty!" cried Max, as he flourished a knife and commenced to cut one of the cakes. "Spud, chop the ice-cream up right avay!"
"All right, me for the chopping!" cried Spud cheerfully, and soon the cream was being passed around to the assembled students, and the cake and fruit followed.
"Fine!" cried Tom, as he smacked his lips over the feast. "Max, you have my full permission to have a birthday once a week."
"Yes, and when you miss a week let Spud take your place," added Sam.
"One thing I can't understand, Spud," said Dick, with great seriousness, and everybody present stopped eating to hear what the eldest Rover might have to say.
"What can't you understand?" asked Spud innocently.
"How you could get up a feast like this and forget to supply such an important thing."
"What important thing?" demanded Spud, and he suddenly looked a trifle worried.
"Potatoes," returned Dick.
For an instant there was silence, and then, as the other boys remembered Will's love of potatoes—a love that had given him the nickname of "Spud," there was a wild burst of laughter.
"Say, Spud, that's one on you!"
"Too bad we didn't bring a few praties along, son!"
"We might have fried a few over the light, eh?"
"Don't you worry, dis feast ain't done yet alretty!" cried Max. "Here is something more!"And going to his bureau he brought out a square box wrapped in white paper. "Spud, he gifes me a big cake,—now I gif him somethings, yes!" And he handed the box over.
"What's this, another joke?" demanded the other student suspiciously.
"Do you think I play a joke?" asked Max, with a hurt look.
"All right then," said Spud, and proceeded to undo the string around the box. Then he took off the paper and opened the box.
What a shout went up! For the box was filled with potatoes—plain white and sweet! There were about a quart of them, mixed.
"Oh, what a sell!" murmured Spud. "I knew you'd do something like this!" he added, grinning sheepishly.
"Better pass 'em around," suggested Tom.
"All right, have one raw!" returned Spud.
"Hi! ton't gif dem avay so kvick!" cried Max, getting excited and talking more brokenly than usual. "Besser examine dem first."
"Examine 'em?" murmured Spud. "Oh, I see!" he added, and took up one of the potatoes. "Why, it isn't a potato at all!" he exclaimed as the article came apart. "It's only a shell, and it's filled with candy!"
"Chocolate drops!" murmured Sam. "Yum! yum!"
"There are salted almonds in this one," went on Spud, opening an imitation of a sweet potato. "And here are stuffed dates, and this had raisins in it—and here are soft gum drops! Say, Max, this is certainly great! How did you happen to think of it?" And Spud looked tremendously pleased.
"Oh, I know you lof potatoes," answered the German-American youth, innocently.
The candy was placed on one of the wooden plates, and the almonds and raisins on another, and then the good things were passed around.
"I'll keep these as souvenirs of the occasion," said Spud, indicating the imitation potatoes.
"How about it, Songbird, can't you rise to the occasion?" asked Dick, who had noticed that the student-poet had been unusually quiet while eating his cake and ice-cream.
"I have—er—just composed a little poem in honor of Max's birthday," answered Songbird. "If you'd like me to recite——"
"Sure thing!"
"Turn on the poetry spigot, Songbird, and let her flow!"
"This is not yet finished. But,—but——"
"Give us what you have," said Spud, and clearing his throat several times, Songbird began.
"Once more a year has rolled around—As years have rolled before—Once more we greet our loving friend—A true friend to the core!We hope that in the future heWill win success and fame,And go down in our historyA noble——"
"Once more a year has rolled around—As years have rolled before—Once more we greet our loving friend—A true friend to the core!We hope that in the future heWill win success and fame,And go down in our historyA noble——"
"Once more a year has rolled around—As years have rolled before—Once more we greet our loving friend—A true friend to the core!We hope that in the future heWill win success and fame,And go down in our historyA noble——"
Bang! came the report of a gun, and the shot was so unexpected that Songbird forgot what he was going to say, and all those at the feast sprang to their feet. Bang! came a second report.
"What does that mean?" cried Stanley. "Who is firing a gun this time of night?"
"I think I know what it means!" exclaimed Dick, leaping for the door. "Come on, if you want to save theDartaway!" he went on, to his brothers.