Without waiting to get a hat or an extra coat, Dick dashed through the long corridor and down the broad stairs of the dormitory and Tom came at his heels.
"What's the matter?" cried Spud, grabbing Sam, just as the youngest Rover boy was about to follow his brothers.
"I'll tell you when we get back," answered Sam. "Don't stop me now, please, I may be wanted."
"Want any help?" put in Songbird, who for the moment had forgotten what he was about to recite.
"I don't know—but I guess not."
"We'll go along anyhow," came from Max, and took after Sam, while several others did the same.
In the meantime Dick and Tom had gained the lower hallway of the dormitory. The door wasfastened, but the key was in the lock and they soon had the portal open and they leaped outside. Then both started in the direction of the gymnasium shed.
"See anybody?" cried Tom.
"No, it's too dark," answered Dick. "But that must have been Abner Filbury's gun."
The two reports from the shotgun had aroused many in various buildings around the campus, and windows were being raised and heads thrust out.
"What's the trouble?"
"Who fired those shots?"
"Is it a joke?"
"There go two of the Rovers!"
"Are they up to some trick?"
"More than likely. You can't keep Tom Rover quiet."
So the comments ran on, while Dick and Tom sped in the direction of the shed. As they came closer they received a sudden challenge from the big doorway.
"Hi! don't you dare to come back here, or I'll shoot you!" The words were uttered by Abner Filbury, who stood there, shotgun in hand and lantern by his side.
"Don't shoot!" ordered Dick. "It is I, Dick Rover! What's the trouble?"
"Oh, so it's you, Mr. Rover!" returned thejanitor's son, with a sigh of relief. "I was afraid them pesky rascals was a-coming back."
"What rascals?"
"The fellers as got at the airship while I was asleep. But I guess they didn't get no chance to hurt anything," went on Abner, hastily.
"Who were they?" asked Tom.
"I don't know. They had rags tied over their faces, so I couldn't see 'em."
"How many of them were there?" questioned Dick.
"Two."
"Are you sure they didn't harm anything?" went on the eldest Rover boy, as he entered the shed.
"No, I ain't sure, for when I woke up they was in the shed, right under my hammock. I got scared and I blazed away at the roof, and then they got scared, I can tell you! They jumped and let out a yell, and ran for the door, and I got down and went to the door and fired the other barrel into the air, as a warning. Then they disappeared in the darkness."
"I guess it was——" began Tom, when Dick caught hold of his arm and silenced him.
"We'll take a look at the machine," said the big brother, and they went into the shed. Here they were soon joined by Sam and the others;and soon a close inspection of the biplane was in progress.
"I don't see any damage," said Dick, presently.
"Most likely they didn't have time to do any," replied Tom.
"I'm glad of it," added Sam, with a sigh of relief.
"Who would be so mean?" questioned Stanley.
"I've got my suspicions, but I won't say anything yet," answered Dick.
A proctor and several instructors had come down to the shed, and the situation had to be explained to them. All thought it mean that anybody should try to damage the flying machine.
"Perhaps it was merely a boyish trick," said Professor Blackie. "Let us hope so."
"Maybe," answered Dick. "Just the same, I am glad that I placed Filbury on guard." And then he told the young man to keep a closer watch than before, and this Abner promised to do. Then the boys went back to the dormitory, finished the feast, and went to bed.
A few days later came word that Dora and the Laning girls had arrived at Hope Seminary, and the Rovers, of course, made immediate preparations to visit them.
"We'll give 'em a surprise," said Tom, with agrin. "We'll visit 'em in theDartaway." And this the other brothers readily agreed to do.
A message was sent to the three girls, requesting them to meet the boys at a certain hour on the campus of the seminary. Then the Rovers got theDartawayin readiness for the trip, polishing up the engine and working parts until they shone like silver.
"If only it doesn't rain, or blow too hard," said Sam, when all was in readiness.
"Oh, we'll go anyway," cried Tom.
The boys had purchased regular aviation suits, which looked very neat and professional-like. The new engine was in place, and they had given it a good try-out and had found that it worked as well as the other and gave much more power.
"I think we could carry half a dozen folks now," said Sam, after a trial with some bags of sand. "She takes up the extra weight without an effort."
"Perhaps, but there is no use of straining the biplane, or the engine either," returned Dick.
The morning of the all-important day came and the boys found the wind blowing steadily from the west.
"Rather breezy for a flight," was Dick's comment.
"Do you think it will rain?" queried Sam, anxiously.
"Not with the wind from that quarter, Sam. But we may get more breeze than we want."
"Oh, we won't mind the wind a bit," declared Tom, who never wanted anything to interfere with his pleasure.
The boys had their regular classes to attend during the morning, and also one recitation after lunch. But by half-past two all were free, and after donning their aviation suits, they hurried to the shed and rolled out theDartaway.
"Pretty breezy and no mistake," remarked Dick, as he gazed anxiously at the sky. "I don't know about this."
"Oh, don't say we can't go, Dick!" pleaded Sam.
"Maybe the breeze isn't so strong high up," came from Tom, hopefully.
"It may be stronger, Tom. We don't want to go up and get wrecked."
"Oh, theDartawaywon't get wrecked—not with that powerful engine."
Dick hesitated. He did not like that strong breeze in the least. Yet he was just as anxious as his brothers to visit the seminary and meet the girls, and let them see the biplane. And there was something even more important on his mind.
"Oh, come ahead, and take a chance!" cried Tom. "We'll get through somehow!"
"Just what I say," declared Sam.
"Who is to run the machine?" asked the big brother.
"I'll run her, if you want me to," answered Tom, promptly.
"Oh, I was only thinking of the honor, Tom. I'm not afraid to try it."
"Oh, you go ahead and do it," put in Sam, who knew that his big brother's heart was set on showing Dora what he could do with the flying machine.
"We'll go up and try it," answered Dick, at last. "If she works all right, I'll head her for the seminary; otherwise I'll bring her down again;" and so it was arranged.
A number of the students had come out to see the flight and they gave a cheer as the big biplane rushed over the campus and then arose like a bird in the air. As the machine went up, Tom looked to one side and saw Dudd Flockley standing on the campus, in company with a student named Andy Yates. Both were sneering at the Rovers and their friends.
"The pair that tried to damage the machine," muttered Tom to himself. He knew that since Larkspur and Koswell had left Brill, Flockleyand Yates had become quite friendly, and he also knew that Yates was a spendthrift and had a reputation far from good.
Up and up went the biplane, guided by the steady hand and keen eye of Dick. The wind rushed over the canvas planes and sang merrily through the wire stays. The engine banged away steadily, and the propellers left only a blur in the air as they kept whizzing around and around.
"How is it, Dick?" asked Sam, after a full minute had passed, and they were turning in a big circle.
"Can't tell yet—pretty gusty and full of holes," was the answer, and Dick gritted his teeth tightly and took a firmer hold of the steering wheel. Then theDartawaycame around with a rush.
"Wow!" cried Tom, clutching at his seat. "Say, this is some slant!"
"Hold tight!" yelled Dick.
The warning came none too soon, for a gust of wind hit the biplane and all but made it "turn turtle," as the saying goes. But Dick was on the watch, and he sent the tips down, and soon the machine righted itself. Then they rushed away, over the woods beyond the college buildings.
"Going?" queried Sam.
"Are you game?" asked Dick, grimly.
"Sure!"
"What about it, Tom? Don't go if you don't think it is best."
"We'll try it. Dick. But if you spill us out—well, please choose a soft spot, that's all!" went on Tom, who had to have his joke, even in such a time of peril.
To take that trip, with such a wind blowing, was not a wise move, and all three of the Rovers knew it. But they wanted so much to see the girls, and show them the biplane, that they were willing to take the risk.
On and on sailed theDartaway, now in the teeth of the breeze and then with the wind on the quarter. All of the youths clung fast constantly, for their was great danger of being pitched into space. They had straps for fastening themselves, but hated to use these, fearing that they might get in some position where a quick jump might mean safety. If they were strapped in, and the biplane fell, they might be crushed to death under the heavy engine.
Most of the trip was made in the face of the wind, which, every instant, seemed to grow stronger. TheDartawayacted like a thing of life, swooping and careening from one side to the other. Dick had to manipulate the wheel andthe levers constantly, to keep anything like an even "keel."
"Can you keep to the course?" questioned Tom, after about half the distance to the seminary had been covered.
"I don't know—it depends on the wind," Dick replied. "I may go around to the westward—it seems to be better sailing that way."
In the end they had to make a wide detour, and Dick was wondering how he was going to turn in the direction of Hope Seminary, when the wind suddenly died down. This was his chance, and on the instant he headed directly for the seminary.
"There it is!" cried Sam, presently. "I see the buildings!"
"There is the campus!" added Tom, a minute later. "And there are the girls, waving banners at us!"
"I see them!" answered Dick, and then he shut off the engine, and silently and with the grace of a big, white swan, theDartawayvolplaned to the earth.
"Oh, Dick, how lovely!"
"Weren't you afraid, Sam?"
"What a big flying machine, Tom!"
Such were the exclamations from Dora, Grace and Nellie, as all rushed forward to where the boys were alighting from theDartaway. Soon they were shaking hands all around, and soon other girl students were coming up, to learn what the arrival of the flying machine meant.
"Well, we certainly had a great trip," said Dick.
"The wind was pretty strong," put in Sam.
"Strongest wind you ever saw!" declared Tom, stoutly. "Turned us over about 'steen times and rolled us into a regular ball."
"Oh, Tom, what an idea!" exclaimed Nellie, and began to laugh. "But weren't you afraid?" she went on anxiously.
"What, me? Never! But Sam was so afraidhe shook off his shoes, and one of 'em dropped right on a cow, and——"
"Tom Rover!" burst out Grace. "What a story-teller you are!"
"Well, Grace, if you don't believe it, go and ask that cow," went on the fun-loving Rover, soberly. "It's lucky Sam has elastics on the shoes—to pull 'em back by. If he hadn't had——" Tom did not finish but shook his head mournfully.
"I am so glad you got here safely, Dick," said Dora, in a low voice. "But oh, do you think it is quite safe?" she went on, anxiously. "I—I don't want you to get hurt!"
"I guess it is safe enough, Dora," he replied, not wishing to alarm her. "It's like an auto—you've got to get used to it."
"I don't think I'd ever get used to a flying machine."
"Maybe you would. Some day I'll take you up and you can see how you like it." But Dora shook her head at this.
The boys had hoped to have a quiet time with the three girls, but this was not to be just then. The students of the seminary gathered around, and the lads were kept busy explaining about the biplane, and how the engine and the steering gear worked. Then, to show that they could run theDartawayas well as Dick, Tom took the machine up and Sam followed him, each making several circles around the campus.
"Any girls want to go up?" questioned Tom. "Now don't please all speak at once." There was a general giggle, but nobody accepted the invitation. Then the Rovers turned to those they had come to visit, and, taking the hint, the other girl students sauntered away.
"Wouldn't you like some refreshments?" asked Dora. "We might get some hot coffee and some cake."
"No, we'll have to get back before dark," answered Dick. "So we'll just stay and talk awhile. Any special news from home?"
"No. Mamma is going away for her health, and Mrs. Laning is going with her."
"I hope they go where old Crabtree and Sobber can't find them."
"That is what they are going to try to do, Dick. Oh, dear, I wish those people would never come near us again!"
"They are up near our home now," answered the eldest Rover boy, and told about the old mill.
"Whatever are they up to now, do you think, Dick?"
"I can't imagine. We are all awaiting developments."
"Your folks ought to be on guard."
"They are on guard—and dad has hired a detective to keep his eye on Crabtree and Sobber."
"What about your father, Dick? You wrote that he was worried over some business matter."
"He is, and Uncle Randolph is worried, too, Dora. It's some business you wouldn't understand—something about some western investment. You see dad and uncle are getting old and they can't watch things as they used to—and Uncle Randolph is all wrapped up in scientific farming, just as he always was. I sometimes think it's time I took hold of business matters and helped them."
"Then you'd have to leave Brill, wouldn't you?"
"Yes; but I'd not mind that—I have a pretty good education even now, and I could study in my spare moments. I could take a short course, instead of one of the long ones. And then, Dora, that would help out another way," went on Dick in a lower voice, and looking over his shoulder to make sure that the others were not listening. But the others had walked off to the rear of the big biplane.
"Another way? How?" And Dora looked at him wonderingly.
"Oh, you know well enough."
"No, I don't," she replied; but two bright spotsbegan to show in her pretty cheeks, making her prettier than ever.
"Well, I made up my mind that as soon as I left college I was going to get married," Dick went on, looking her full in the eyes.
"Oh, Dick!" And now she cast her eyes on the ground.
"Sure. Don't you think it's a good idea?" he went on, and he caught her hand and held it.
"Oh, I—I——" She blushed more than ever and could not go on.
"I know we are not so very old, Dora, but, on the other hand, we are not so very young either, and I think your mother would approve, and I am sure my father wouldn't object. I know he thinks you are just the finest girl in the whole world,—he said so."
"Well, mamma likes you, too, Dick,—she's told me that many times."
"Then I'm sure she won't object. And, besides, when I'm her son-in-law I'll be able to do a good deal more than I can now—about helping her with her financial affairs, and all that, you know."
"Yes, I know that, too."
"And so I think we ought to get married. But, of course, if you object, Dora——"
"Did I object?" And she smiled just a little—a smile that set his heart bounding.
"Then you'll consent?" he asked eagerly. "Will you? Say yes, won't you?" And now he had hold of both of her hands and was looking her full in the eyes. "I want you so much, Dora,—I've wanted you ever since I first met you—on that little steamboat, on the way to Putnam Hall."
"Oh, Dick, what an idea! Why, you hardly knew me then!"
"Never mind, I knew you well enough."
"What a long time ago that was," murmured the girl. She was still gazing fully into his eyes.
"Yes, it was a long time ago, and yet, somehow, it seems an awfully short time, too. But, Dora, you haven't said yes yet. Won't you please say yes?" he pleaded, in a lower voice, as Tom and the others started to rejoin them.
"Yes," she murmured, her face becoming a rosy red. "Yes. Any time you say, Dick, if mamma is willing."
"You dear, dear girl!" he cried softly. "Oh, I just wish I had you all to myself for a moment!" And he gave her a look that spoke volumes.
"Well, we've got to get back, that is all there is to it," came from Sam loudly. He could not help but notice how confidential Dick and Dora were becoming.
"I'd like to stay, but we've got to make the trip before it gets too dark," added Tom.
"Just as you say," answered Dick, although he did not, just then, see how he was going to tear himself away.
But the boys did not leave for a good quarter of an hour, and during that time, Dick and Dora somehow managed to walk to the end of the campus, where there were big clumps of rose bushes and lilac shrubbery. Once in the shadow of these Dick pulled something from a pocket and held it out to Dora.
"If we are going to be regularly engaged, you must have this," he said.
"Oh, Dick, a diamond ring!" she cried, as the glint of the jewel caught her eyes.
"Hold out your hand, dear," he said, and when she held it out he placed the ring on her finger. Then he took her in his arms.
"Mine, Dora, mine, always and forever mine!"
"Always, and forever, Dick!" she answered. And then they kissed each other.
When they rejoined the others each felt as if walking on air.
"But the ring—they'll be sure to see it, Dick!" whispered Dora.
"If they don't I shall be disappointed," he answered.
It was Grace who espied the glittering circlet first and she uttered a slight shriek. Then she pointed it out to her sister.
"A diamond ring—an engagement ring!" she cried.
"Oh, how lovely!" exclaimed Nellie.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the future Mrs. Dick Rover!" said Dick, just a bit awkwardly, while Dora blushed the color of a peony.
"Oh, Dora!" cried Grace and Nellie, in chorus, and then each kissed her.
"I thought I smelt a mouse," murmured Sam.
"Hail to the bride!" cried Tom. "Say, Dick, isn't it proper to salute your future sister-in-law?" he went on, with a broad grin.
"I don't know—better ask her," replied Dick, good-naturedly, and then Tom kissed Dora, and Sam did the same thing. After that Tom declared he ought to kiss the "bride-to-be's cousins," and started in, and Sam followed.
"Here, you kids break away!" cried Dick finally. "I thought you said we had to get back before dark."
"'Kids' indeed!" snorted Tom. "My, how old we've gotten since we're engaged!" And then he grinned more than ever. "But never mind," he went on to Nellie, in a whisper. "Just you wait and see the diamond ring I get you one of thesedays." And this remark made Nellie blush as deeply as had Dora. Sam said something, too, to Grace about a ring, at which she laughed merrily and slapped his face. But when the boys were in the biplane and ready to sail away, and he held up a finger with a ring on it and looked at her questioningly—and longingly—she gave a quick little nod of her curly head.
"OH, DICK, A DIAMOND RING!" SHE CRIED
"All ready?" asked Dick, at last.
"All ready!" replied his brothers.
"Then start her up!" cried the oldest Rover boy, and the others gave a turn to the propellers. Bang! bang! bang! went the engine, and Sam and Tom rushed to their seats.
"Come again soon!" cried the girls.
"Just as soon as we can!" was the answer.
"Be careful!" pleaded Dora. "Please, please be careful!"
"We'll look out—don't worry," answered Dick. He had to shout, to make himself heard above the noise of the motor. Then came the usual whizz and rush, and a few seconds later the Rover boys were once more in the air and bound for Brill.
Dick would have been pleased could he have allowed his mind to linger on the conversation he had had with Dora, but he soon found this out of the question. The wind had come up again, and was now blowing as strongly as ever, and hehad all he could do to manage theDartaway. Soon the big biplane commenced to pitch and toss like a small boat on the bosom of an angry ocean.
"Say, this is getting something fierce!" was Sam's comment, after a particularly thrilling dip. "I thought we were going right down that time."
"You hold tight!" yelled Dick. "Don't let go for an instant."
"I'm as tight as glue," was the reply.
"Hadn't you better go up a bit, Dick?" came from Tom.
"Just what I thought of doing," was the answer.
The rudders were shifted, and swiftly the biplane mounted through space. It was now growing dark, and presently the panorama that had been below them, vanished from view.
"Huh! This won't do!" cried Dick. "I can't see how to steer."
"Steer by the wind for awhile," suggested Sam.
A minute later came a fierce gust of wind, followed by a second and then a third. Around spun the biplane and then tilted up as if about to go over. Then came an unexpected ripping and tearing sound.
"It's the left plane—it's torn loose!" yelled Sam. "Let her down, Dick, before it is too late! If you don't, we'll drop to our death!"
All of the Rover boys realized their extreme peril, yet for the moment they were powerless to do anything to help themselves. Dick put out his hand to stop the engine of the biplane, then concluded that it might be more advantageous to keep the propellers moving.
Around and around spun the flying machine, tossed like a chip on an angry ocean. All grew dark about the three boys and each gave himself up for lost. It was useless to attempt to steer, so Dick held the craft as she was, so far as the wheel was concerned.
Then came a sudden, sickening drop and a tilting to one side. Sam let out a wild yell, but what he said was drowned out in the roaring of the wind and the noise of the engine. Then, of a sudden, theDartawaydove forward and the gust of air was left behind. They came into a "hole," as it is termed by aviators, and again they sank.But now Dick was gaining control once more and he tilted the front rudder and up they went for a hundred feet, but in something of a circle, because of the broken plane.
"Can't you land?" gasped Tom. "We can't—can't—stand—this!"
"I'll do what I can," replied Dick, between his set teeth. He knew that their very lives depended on how he handled the biplane.
Slowly and with great caution Dick allowed theDartawayto get closer to the earth. Each of the boys strained his eyes, to catch sight of what might be below. Then came another gust, and this was followed by a strange rattling on the biplane. Small, white objects were bouncing in all directions.
"It's hail!" cried Sam. "We've struck a hail squall!"
He was right, and the hail continued to come down all around them, driven by a sweeping wind that carried theDartawayhither and thither. But it was one of those sudden squalls that do not last long, and soon they were sailing in the clear air again, and now within view of the ground below.
"There is a fine field—to the right," cried Tom.
Dick nodded and, not without an effort, brought the biplane around. Then he shut off the motor,and they slid to earth quicker than they had anticipated. TheDartawaystruck the ground and bounced up and down several times on its rubber-tired wheels and then came to a standstill in the midst of some brushwood. Poor Sam was thrown out heels over head into the bushes.
"Are you hurt?" sang out Dick, anxiously. It was so dark he could not see what had become of his youngest brother.
"I—I guess not!" came back from Sam, and he started to scramble out of the bushes. "Say, that was some sail, wasn't it?" he continued.
"No more like that for me!" returned Tom, panting like a race horse. "Are you O. K., Dick?"
"Yes, although that bumping shook me up. But come, fasten theDartawaydown before the wind comes up again and blows it to kingdom come!"
This warning was necessary for the wind was still fitful and there was no telling how strong it might become. All sprang forward to do what they could to save the biplane from destruction.
"If there was a barn handy we might use that," said Sam.
They looked around, but the only building nearby was a small cottage, evidently one used by a farmer's hired hands.
"Run her around between the bushes," directed Dick. "They will protect her a little, for the bushes are quite high."
They found a spot between the undergrowth and into it forced the biplane, until the air craft was completely surrounded. The bushes broke the force of the wind and the lads had little difficulty in tying the machine fast with the ropes they always carried. It was hailing again, although not so heavily as before. The wind was gradually going down, but the sky was as dark and threatening as ever.
"I think it will turn into rain before very long," said Dick, after a look around. "Too bad it couldn't have held off half an hour longer. Then we'd have been safe at Brill."
"I'm thankful we got down safely, Dick," said Sam.
"Oh, so am I!"
"It was a narrow escape," was Tom's comment. "Great hambones! Who would have thought we'd run into such weather as this!"
"Oh, hailstorms like this are not uncommon, even in midsummer," answered Dick. "Don't you remember the one that came and cut down our corn some years ago?"
"Yes, and broke all the glass in the hothouse,"added Sam. "Say, is the machine hurt much?" he went on.
"We'll have to make an examination."
They looked the biplane over as best they could in the semi-darkness. One of the bamboo poles had been split and two of the canvas stretches were slit from end to end.
"Not as bad as it might be," said Dick. "We can easily mend the canvas. But I guess we had better get a new pole in place of that one. I'd not care to trust it, even if it were wired."
"Perhaps we can wire it good enough to get back to Brill with," returned Tom. "We can't stay here."
"I've had enough sailing for to-day!" cried Sam. "Let us walk back, or get a carriage, and leave the biplane here until some fine day when there is no wind."
"Yes, we can't use her any more to-day," said Dick. "Let us cover the engine and walk to that cottage and find out just where we are, and how we can get to Brill."
Having arranged everything as well as the means at hand permitted, the three Rover boys left the vicinity of the brushwood and walked over to where the small cottage was located. The ground was covered with hailstones and Tomcould not resist the temptation to gather up a handful and pelt his brothers.
"Stop it!" cried Sam, and then, as Tom would not stop, he rushed in with some of the hailstones in his hand and allowed them to slide down inside of Tom's collar.
"Wow!" roared the fun-loving Rover. "Let up, Sam! That feels as if I'd hit the North Pole!"
"Then you let up," answered Sam, firmly; and after that Tom let the hailstones alone.
As they neared the cottage they saw that a lantern was lit and set on a table in the centre of the living room. Around the table sat three persons, two young fellows and an older man, evidently a farmer. The three were smoking and playing cards, and on the table lay some bank-bills.
"Why, look at this!" cried Dick, in astonishment. Then he added quickly: "Get out of sight, don't show yourselves!" And he caught each of his brothers by the arm and led the pair to the rear of the building.
"What's up, Dick?" asked Sam. "Who were they?"
"Didn't you recognize those young fellows?"
"I did!" cried Tom, in a low voice. "They were Jerry Koswell and Bart Larkspur!"
"Koswell and Larkspur!" exclaimed Sam. "Are you sure?"
"Tom is right," replied Dick.
"Who was the third fellow?"
"I don't know. He looked like a farmer to me."
"Did you see the money on the table?" broke out Tom. "They must have been gambling!"
"It looked that way to me, Tom."
"If they were, all I've got to say, that third fellow better look out for Koswell and Larkspur," continued Tom. "They are sharpers at cards, so Dudd Flockley once told me. He said they got him to put up his money a number of times and each time they won. He was inclined to think they didn't play fairly."
"Well, knowing them as we do, I'd say they wouldn't be above cheating," said Sam. "But what in the world can they be doing in this out-of-the-way place?"
"That remains to be found out," replied his big brother. "Maybe they were on the road and ran here for shelter from the hailstorm."
"I'm not afraid of them, Dick," said Tom.
"Neither am I, Tom, you know that."
"Then what's the use of keeping out of sight? I'd rather go in there and give them a thrashing, like the one we gave them on that island."
"Don't forget we have theDartawayhere and they might take pleasure in ruining the craft or running off with her. Besides, I'd like to watch them a bit and find out a little about their plans. Remember, they want to play us some dirty trick."
"There they go!" burst out Sam, at that instant, and motioned to the front of the cottage. All looked in the direction he pointed out, to see Koswell and Larkspur hurrying down a lane that led to a road running between the trees.
"You come back here! That wasn't fair!" shouted the farm hand who had been playing cards with them. "Come back!" And he rushed to the front door of the cottage and waved his arm wildly.
"It was fair!" shouted back Jerry Koswell.
"Sure it was fair!" added Bart Larkspur. "We'd come back, only we are in a hurry."
"You cheated me!" stormed the farm hand and shook his fist at the pair. But they paid no further attention, and soon the darkness and a bend of the road hid them from view.
The Rover boys waited a few seconds and then knocked on the back door of the cottage. The farm hand, a fellow named Dan Murdock, stamped over to the door and threw it open.
"What do you want?" he asked surlily. The loss of his money had made him ill-tempered.
"Why, hello, Murdock!" cried Sam. "I didn't know you lived here."
"Oh, so it's you, Rover," answered the farm hand. He remembered that he had once given Sam a ride and had been well paid for it. "Caught in the hailstorm?" he went on, a bit more pleasantly.
"Yes. These are my brothers," added Sam. "We were out and we got lost. Can you tell us the best road to the college?"
"Of course. Walk through the woods back there. Then take the road to the left and at the cross roads turn to the right. You'll see the signs, so you can't go wrong."
"And how far is it?"
"About two miles. You can take the road yonder, too, but that's about a mile longer."
"Do you live here?" asked Dick, curiously.
"I sleep here—me and two other hands. We get our meals up to Mr. Dawson's house—the man we work for."
"Oh, then this is the Dawson farm?" Dick remembered that Mr. Dawson supplied butter and eggs to the college.
"Yes, sir."
"I'm glad to know that, for we need some help.We were out in our flying machine and had to come down over there. We'll want somebody to look after the machine until we can fix it up and take it away. Of course we'll pay for what's done," he added.
"Oh, I heard tell of that flying machine!" exclaimed the farm hand. "You sailed over this farm a couple of hours ago."
He was much interested and wanted to know all about the trip, and about the machine. He said Mr. Dawson was away, but that theDartawaycould be wheeled up into one of the big barns and left there until repaired. Then he agreed to get out a two-seated carriage and drive the boys over to Brill. Inside of half an hour the biplane was safely housed, and the whole party was on the way to the college.
Dick had warned Sam and Tom to remain silent concerning Koswell and Larkspur, and it was not until they were almost to Brill that he mentioned the fact that they had seen the pair running away from the cottage.
"Seen 'em, did you?" cried Dan Murdock. "Say, them fellers are swindlers, they are! They came in to git out of the hail and then they started to play cards, just to while away the time, so they said. They asked me to play, and as I couldn't work just then, I consented, and thenthey got me to put up some money,—just to make it interestin', they said. They let me win a little at first, and then they got me to put up more and more, and then they cheated me and wiped me out!"
"And how much did they get from you?" asked Dick.
"Theygot nearly all my savings—eighty dollars!" answered Dan Murdock, grimly.
"Got eighty dollars from you!" murmured Dick. "That's too bad!"
"It would be bad enough if I lost it fairly," answered the farm hand. "But I am sure they swindled me."
"Well, you ought not to gamble," put in Sam, who had listened to the talk with interest.
"I suppose that's true," mumbled Dan Murdock. "But they said I might win a pile. Oh, I was a big fool—I know it now, even if I didn't know it then. I wish I had stopped 'em from leaving."
"Why didn't you?"
"They went so sudden like—after they had my money. One of 'em took out his watch and said they'd miss the train, and away they started before you could say Jack Robinson! But there ain't no train this time o' day."
"It was a trick to get away," said Tom.
"Sure—I know that, now! Oh, if only I had my hands on 'em. Say, they don't belong at Brill, do they?" went on the farm hand eagerly.
"No, although they used to go there," answered Dick.
"Then you saw 'em?"
"Yes, we saw them running away."
"What are their names?" and when Dick had mentioned them Dan Murdock shook his head slowly.
"I've heard of 'em before," he said. "They used to hang around at the tavern. I was a big fool, no two ways about it! I guess they'll keep out of my sight after this."
"More than likely," answered Dick.
When the boys arrived at the college they found an anxious crowd looking for them and the biplane. Songbird and Stanley and several others rushed to the carriage to greet them.
"Were you wrecked?"
"Did you get a bad tumble?"
"Where did you come down?"
So the questions ran on and the boys had to answer as best they could. Everybody seemed to be glad to learn that they had escaped from the fury of the sudden hailstorm—that is, everybody but Dudd Flockley and his new crony, Andy Yates.
"Just like the Rovers' luck," muttered Flockley, sourly. "They'd escape where everybody else would be smashed up."
"Oh, they'll get a smash, if you give 'em time enough," answered Andy Yates, heartlessly. He was a student who courted attention and it galled him to see the Rovers the center of attraction.
As soon as Dick, Tom and Sam could get time to do so, they sent a message to Hope Seminary, informing the girls that they had gotten back to Brill in safety. This relieved much anxiety, for with the sudden coming of the wind and hail the girls had feared that the youths might be killed.
After such a strenuous adventure, the Rover boys were content to take it easy for some time. They sent to the city for a man to come and repair theDartawayand then settled down to their studies. Then, after the biplane had been repaired, they went after the machine and brought it back to Brill, and it was placed in the gymnasium shed, with Abner Filbury to guard it, as before.
"Don't you want to go up, Songbird?" asked Tom, one afternoon, after college hours.
"I—er—I don't think so," answered the student-poet, gravely.
"Rather make up verses about flying than fly, eh?"
"I—er—I think so, Tom."
"What have you made up about airships, anything really fine, Songbird?"
"Well, I've written a few little verses, Tom. Would you like to hear them?"
"Sure!" cried the fun-loving Rover, and then Songbird commenced to recite:
"I spread my wings on the balmy air,And float and float I know not where.I rise, I fall, I fall, I rise,For I am monarch of the skies!"
"I spread my wings on the balmy air,And float and float I know not where.I rise, I fall, I fall, I rise,For I am monarch of the skies!"
"I spread my wings on the balmy air,And float and float I know not where.I rise, I fall, I fall, I rise,For I am monarch of the skies!"
"Bang up, Songbird! Couldn't be better!" cried Tom. "Give us another dip, like the small boy said of the ice-cream." And the would-be poet continued:
"I rush along when skies are blue,And when it hails I sail right through!I feel——"
"I rush along when skies are blue,And when it hails I sail right through!I feel——"
"I rush along when skies are blue,And when it hails I sail right through!I feel——"
"Hold on, Songbird! You've got to change that line. We didn't sail right through when it hailed—we came down just as quickly as we could."
"Oh, that's only a figure of speech," answered the would-be poet loftily, and then he continued:
"I feel I can sail anywhere,For I am monarch of the air!"
"I feel I can sail anywhere,For I am monarch of the air!"
"I feel I can sail anywhere,For I am monarch of the air!"
"Good for you!" put in Sam, who was present. "For A, No. 1, first-grade poetry apply to Songbird every time."
"There are sixteen verses in all," went on the poet, eagerly. "The next one begins——"
"Sorry, there goes the supper bell!" interrupted Tom. "Come on, we've got to eat, even if we miss the finest poem in the universe."
"I—er—I didn't hear any bell," answered Songbird.
"You didn't?" cried Tom, innocently. "Well! well! Come on in and see anyway!" And he dragged the would-be poet along and forced him into a crowd of students. "Guess I was mistaken," he said soberly. "Too bad!" And off he, ran, and Sam ran after him.
"Well, it wasn't half bad," said the youngest Rover.
"That's true, Sam," returned Tom, and then he added with a sudden broad grin: "But how about an egg that was only half bad—would you want to eat it? Some day Songbird may write real poetry—but not yet."
It was now ideal football weather and the football elevens, the regular and the scrub, were out daily for practice. Dick and Tom had been asked to play but both had declined, for they wished to pay attention to their studies, and the biplane tookup all their spare time. Sam played a little on the scrub, but soon gave it up.
During those days Dick was more serious than usual, and neither Tom nor Sam bothered their elder brother. They knew he was thinking of his engagement to Dora, and also worrying over the business affairs of their father and their Uncle Randolph.
One day Tom and Sam took a short trip in the biplane and persuaded Stanley to go with them, and the next day they took out Spud. But nobody else of their chums cared to go.
"A new arrival to-morrow!" cried Sam, one evening. "Just from a trip to Paris, too."
"Is it William Philander Tubbs?" queried Tom, looking up from the theme he was writing.
"You've struck it, Tom. Since you wrote to him about the socks he has been over to Paris. But he gets back to the grind to-morrow—comes in on the four-thirty train."
"Say, let us get up a reception in William's honor!" cried the fun-loving Rover; and as soon as the theme was finished he began to arrange his plans.
The next afternoon the Rovers and a crowd of their chums took one of the college carryalls and drove over to Ashton station to witness the sport. Tom had been to town early in the morning and had arranged matters with eight colored waiters from the hotel, and also with a local liveryman.
As the train came in the boys and a number of others were on the watch for Tubbs. As soon as they saw the dudish student alight, dress-suit case in hand, the Rovers rushed up to him.
"How are you, Sir William!" cried Dick, taking the dude's hand gravely.
"Let me congratulate you, Lord Tubbs!" cried Sam, bowing low.
"Your Highness will find his carriage this way," put in Tom, taking the dress-suit case and flinging it to one of the colored men.
"Why—er—weally, don't you know, what does—er—this mean?" stammered poor William Philander, gazing around in astonishment.
And well might he be astonished, for there, before him, in a wide-open double row, stood the eight colored men, all dressed in black, with broad red sashes over their breasts and cockades of red paper in their hats. On the platform between the colored men was a bright red stair carpet, and this carpet led directly to where a carriage was in waiting. The carriage had four white horses, all decorated in red ribbons, and on the seat sat a driver, also decorated in red.
"Such an honor to have your Lordship condescend to come to Brill," went on Tom, with a low bow.
"What did the Queen say when she decorated you?" asked Dick.
"It was a grand thing for the King to honor you so highly," put in Sam.
"I certainly envy you," came from Songbird, who was in the secret.
"Hope there is a good salary attached to the office," was Stanley's comment.
"I've heard it vas fife thousand pounds by the year!" vouchsafed Max.
"How the girls will fall in love with you when they hear of this," sighed Spud.
"This way, your Excellency!" cried Tom, and led poor, bewildered Tubbs to the carriage.
"Thomas, my dear fellow, what—er—what does it mean?" gasped the dudish student, his eyes opening wider and wider.
"Oh, you can't fool us, Tubblets," whispered the fun-loving Rover. "You were going to keep it a secret, but we read all about it in the London paper one of the fellows sent over."
"Read about—ah—what, please?"
"Why, how the king and queen knighted you, and all that, Philliam Whilander."
"William Philander, please, Thomas. But—er—this is a mistake——"
"No, no, Tubby, my boy, no mistake at all, I assure you. This is in your honor solely. The college faculty did it—they couldn't do less, to one so decorated, or knighted,—which is it, please? It's the grandest thing that ever happened to Brill."
"But don't you know, I—er—I haven't been—er—knighted, or anything else. I wasn't in England, I went to Paris, and——"
"Now, now, my dear boy, don't try that game," said Tom, reproachfully. "We all know perfectly well that you were knighted and that you are now Sir Tubbs, P. X. C., and all that. We salute you!" And then Tom took off his hat. "Three cheers for Sir Tubbs!" he called loudly.
The cheers were given with a will, and a tiger added. Poor Tubbs was almost stricken dumb, and commenced to mop the perspiration from his forehead.
"Don't crowd so close!" cried Tom, warningly. "His Lordship must have air! He isn't used to so much excitement! Stand back! Now then, into the carriage, if you please!" And into the turnout went poor Tubbs, and the next instant his hat was snatched from his head and a tall, white beaver was placed in its stead. Then several medals of tin and brass were pinned to his coat, and the crowd set up a riotous cheering.
"Hurrah for Sir Tubbs!"
"My, what an honor for Brill!"
"Nothing like having a real nobleman for a student!"
"Away we go! Pile in, boys!" cried Tom, and then there was a crack of a whip, and off the strange turnout started, with poor Tubbs on the seat looking more bewildered than ever, and followed by the great carryall with the yelling and singing students who had come to greet him.