On and on hurried the boys. The road was a somewhat lonely one, with
several patches of woods to be passed. Several times they halted,
endeavoring to ascertain if they were being pursued. But all remained
silent. The snow was now coming down more thickly than ever.

"What a lot of adventures we have had in these woods," observed Tom,
during one of the halts. "Don't you remember the tramp who stole the
watch, and the rows with Josiah Crabtree and with Arnold Baxter and
Dan?"

"Indeed I do," said Sam. "Mrs. Stanhope and Dora must be glad to be rid
of old Crabtree and Arnold Baxter."

"It's a pity Dan Baxter wasn't locked up with his father," said Dick.
"Don't you remember how he used to bother Dora and the Laning girls?"

"Do you think he'd bother them now?" asked Sam. "If he bothers Grace
Laning he had better look out for me."

"That's right, Sam, stand up for your own particular girl----" began
Tom.

"I didn't say she was my girl," cried Sam, and he was glad that the
darkness hid his red-growing face. "I'm no more sweet on her than you
are on her sister Nellie."

"It's Dick who must lead off, with Dora Stanhope----" went on Tom.

"Oh, stow it, and come on!" burst in Dick. "If you keep on talking
you'll surely be caught. Grinder may be coming after us in a carriage."

"If we had our bicycles we could get there in no time," said Sam.

"Yes, and we might break our necks in the dark," added Dick. "Come, we
haven't more than a mile further to go."

On the three trudged, through the snow, which was coming down faster
each instant. Once they thought they heard carriage wheels behind them,
but soon the sounds faded away in the distance.

At last they came in sight of the Stanhope cottage. A bright light was
streaming from the sitting-room windows, and looking in they saw Dora
sitting at the table reading a book, and Mrs. Stanhope resting
comfortably in an easy-chair in front of the bright-burning fire.

Dora herself came to the door in answer to their ring. "Why, mamma, it's
the Rovers!" she cried, as she shook hands, "I never expected to see
you to-night, in such a snowstorm. How kind of Captain Putnam to let you
come."

"The captain had nothing to do with it," answered Dick, as he gave her
hand an extra squeeze, which he somehow thought she returned. "We came
because we were having a lot of trouble, and didn't know what else to
do."

"More trouble!" came from Mrs. Stanhope, as she also greeted them. "I
was hoping all our troubles were a thing of the past."

"This isn't any trouble for you," answered Dick. "Excepting that it
brings trouble through your giving us shelter for the night."

"If that's the case, then let it bring trouble," put in Dora promptly.
"But what is it all about."

"I'll tell you presently, Dora. But in the meantime can you give Sam
some supper? He hasn't had a mouthful since dinner time."

"You poor boy!" came from Mrs. Stanhope. "To be sure he shall have his
supper. I'll tell Mary to prepare it at once," and she bustled from the
room to give the servant the necessary directions, and returned at once.

Sitting down in front of the fire the three boys told their tale, Mrs.
Stanhope and Dora listening with keen attention. When Dick got to the
point where Jasper Grinder had wanted to thrash him Dora gave a scream.

"Oh, Dick, the idea! Why, he really must be crazy!"

"I believe his passion got the best of him," said the eldest Rover.

"I'm glad Tom took the cane away," went on Dora.

"It is really too bad," observed Mrs. Stanhope, when their story was
finished. "I quite agree with you that Captain Putnam will not uphold
Mr. Grinder in his inhuman course. Of course you must stay here
to-night, and as long after that as you please."

It was not long before supper was ready for Sam, and when he entered the
dining room Mrs. Stanhope went along, to see that he got all he desired.

"I am awfully glad you came," said Dora, in a low voice, when she was
alone with Dick and Tom. "I have something important to tell you,
something I didn't wish to mention in front of mamma, for it will only
worry her without doing any good."

"And what is it?" asked Tom and Dick, in a breath.

"I was down to Cedarville yesterday to do some shopping, and I am almost
certain that I saw Dan Baxter hanging around the hotel there."

"Dan Baxter!" ejaculated Dick.

"Hush, Dick! not so loud. Yes, Dan Baxter. He was on the hotel stoop,
but the minute he saw me he went inside."

"Perhaps you are mistaken," said Tom. "I hardly think he'd dare to show
himself here."

"At first I was uncertain about it. But when I came back that way I
looked again, and I caught him peeping out at me from one of the
bar-room windows. As soon as he saw me look he dodged out of sight."

"If Dan Baxter is in this neighborhood, he is here for no good," was
Dick's blunt comment. "Evidently he has not forgiven us for helping to
put his father back in jail."

"Dan Baxter is not of a forgiving nature, Dick. You must be careful, or
he will make trouble for all three of you."

"We can take care of ourselves, Dora. If only he doesn't annoy you and
your mother."

"I don't think he'll do that--now Mr. Crabtree is out of it," answered
Dora, and then, as Mrs. Stanhope re-entered the room, the subject was
dropped.




CHAPTER VII.

SOMETHING OF A SURPRISE.


Despite the stirring events which had just passed the Rovers managed to
pass a pleasant evening at the Stanhope cottage. This was in a large
measure due to Dora, who did all she could to entertain them and make
them forget their troubles. All played games, and Dora played the piano
and sang for them, while Dick and Tom also took a hand at the singing.
Sam could not sing, and declared that he was certainly getting a cold,
whether from being in the storeroom or not.

At ten o'clock the boys retired, to a large bed chamber containing a
double bed and a good-sized cot. They were soon undressed, and after
saying their prayers dropped asleep and slept soundly until seven in the
morning.

When they arose a surprise awaited them. On the ground outside the snow
lay to the depth of a foot or more, and it was still showing as heavily
as ever.

"Hullo! we are snowed in!" exclaimed Sam, as he gazed out on the
whitened landscape.

"Sure enough," returned Dick, and added:

"This looks as if Captain Putnam might not come back to-day,"

"If that's the case, I vote we stay here," put in Tom. "I'm sure Mrs.
Stanhope will keep us."

It was found that Sam's cold had attacked him in earnest. He was very
hoarse, and complained of a severe pain in the chest.

"You'll have to do something for that cold," said Dick. "Better stay in
bed this morning, and let Mrs. Stanhope put a plaster on your chest."

Going below, he told the lady of the cottage of his brother's condition.
A mustard draught was at once prepared and placed upon Sam, and he was
also given some pine tar cough mixture. These things relieved him
somewhat, but Mrs. Stanhope insisted upon it that he remain in bed, and
brought him his breakfast with her own hands.

"Of course you must stay here, especially since Sam is sick," said Dora,
while they were eating a breakfast of buckwheat cakes, honey, chops, and
coffee. "He may not get worse, but if he does, one of you will have to
take the horse and go for the doctor."

"Yes, we'll have to watch Sam," answered Dick. "But don't put yourselves
to too much trouble on our account."

"As if we could take too much trouble for you!" exclaimed Dora, and
blushed sweetly. It was not likely that she would ever forget all the
Rovers had done for her and her mother.

Tom was anxious to learn about the Lanings, and was told that they were
all at home and doing finely.

"Nellie and Grace are going on a visit to an aunt at Timber Run after
the holidays," said Dora. "They wanted me to go along, but I didn't care
to leave mamma, and we didn't wish to lock up the house for fear some
tramps might break in and rob us."

After breakfast Sam said he felt like sitting up, but toward noon his
chest began to hurt him again, and Mrs. Stanhope said it would be best
that somebody go for a doctor. Dick and Tom both volunteered, but it was
finally decided that Dick should go alone, on horseback.

A steed was soon saddled, and off Dick rode, wrapped in his overcoat and
with an old fur cap pulled well down over his ears. It had now stopped
snowing, so the weather was not quite as unpleasant as it had been.

Dick was bound for the house of Dr. Fremley, a physician he knew well,
and thither he made his way as speedily as the horse could plow through
the drifts which presented themselves. At times, when the wind arose, it
was nipping cold, and the youth was glad to get in where it was warm
when the physician's office in Cedarville was reached.

"Certainly, I will come and see your brother," said Dr. Fremley. "I'll
be ready to go in about half an hour."

"Will you go on horseback?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll wait in town and go back with you," said Dick. "I wish to
make a purchase or two."

It was agreed that the youth should meet the physician at half-past
twelve, and leaving his horse in the latter's stable, Dick walked down
the main street of Cedarville.

He had his Christmas money with him, and entering a drug store he bought
a cup of hot chocolate, that warmed him considerably. After this he
selected a bottle of cologne and a box of chocolates as a Christmas gift
for Dora.

Opposite to the drug store was a stationery and book store, and here
Dick procured a fancy floral calendar for Mrs. Stanhope and an
interesting girl's book for Dora.

From the store Dick could obtain a side view of the Cedarville Hotel,
which stood on a corner up the street, and having paid for his purchases
the youth stood near the door and watched the hotel, wondering at the
same time if he would see anything of Dan Baxter.

Presently a number of men came from the bar-room of the hotel and moved
in various directions. With one of these was the youth for whom Dick was
looking.

Dan Baxter and his companion moved in the direction of the lake shore,
and Dick lost no time in following the pair.

The man with Baxter was a stranger to Dick, but he showed by his manner
that he was a rough individual, and when he talked he did a great deal
of swearing, which, however, will not appear in his conversation in
these pages.

Having reached the road running along the lake front, Baxter and his
companion, whose name was Lemuel Husty, passed northward past a
straggling row of cottages and then on the road leading to the village
of Neckport.

"I wish I had time--I'd follow them," said Dick to himself, and turned
back, much disappointed over the fact that he had not had a chance to
speak to Dan Baxter.

As Dick turned in the direction of the doctor's office once more he was
hailed by a lad of the village, named Harry Sharp.

"Hullo, Dick Rover!"

"How are you Harry? How do you like the snow?"

"All right enough, only it will spoil some of the skating."

"So I've been thinking," answered Dick, as the two came closer.

"Say, Dick, who do you suppose I met a while ago," went on Harry Sharp.

"I don't know--Dan Baxter?"

"That's the chap. How did you guess it?"

"I saw him myself."

"I thought he didn't dare to show himself?"

"Well, he ought to be arrested, Harry. But perhaps having his father in
prison, and losing most of his money, is punishment enough for him."

"I met him in the post office. He was posting several letters."

"Did you see the handwriting on the letters?"

"No. As soon as he saw me he slid out of sight."

"I guess he doesn't fancy being recognized. By the way, have you seen
Captain Putnam?"

"Saw him about an hour ago. I think he was going to the Hall."

"Good enough! I was waiting for him to get back."

A few words more followed, and the two boys separated, and Dick hurried
to the doctor's office. Dr. Fremley was ready to leave, and soon the
pair were on the way to the Stanhope cottage.

Not wishing to give the Hall a bad name Dick deemed it advisable to say
nothing about the fact that Sam had been locked in an ice-cold room
without his overcoat or hat, and merely stated that his brother had
exposed himself.

"He has a very heavy cold," said the doctor, after an examination. "If
let run, it would have become serious, beyond a doubt; but I feel
confident I can check it," and he left some medicine and some plasters.

As soon as the doctor was gone Dick announced his intention of returning
to Putnam Academy. "The captain has got back, and I want to lay the
whole case before him, and do it, too while Sam is still sick."

"Shall I go along?" asked Tom.

"No, I'll go alone. They may need you here on Sam's account."

Dick was soon on the way, riding another horse, for the Stanhopes now
kept two. He had had a fine dinner, and felt in the best of spirits,
despite the disagreeable task before him. He did not doubt for a moment
but that Captain Putnam would side with him and condemn the actions of
Jasper Grinder.

He was still out of sight of the Hall when he saw Peleg Snuggers riding
toward him in the captain's cutter.

"Is that you, Master Rover!" sang out the man of all work. "Where are
your brothers?"

"Safe, Snuggers. Has the captain got back?"

"Yes--got in a couple of hours ago."

"Has he said anything about our going away?"

"Said anything? Just guess he has. Why, the whole school is so upset
nobody knows what he is doing. Do you know what happened after you and
your brothers ran away?"

"Of course I don't. What did happen?"

"Mr. Grinder had a terrible row with more than a dozen of the boys, who
sided with what you had done. He got awfully mad at them, and was going
to cane the lot, when all of a sudden he fell down in a fit, just like
he was going to die, and we had to work over him most an hour before we
could bring him around."




CHAPTER VIII.

JASPER GRINDER IS DISMISSED.


Dick was greatly surprised over the news which Peleg Snuggers conveyed
to him. He knew that Jasper Grinder was an intensely passionate man when
aroused, as on the occasion of the attempted caning, but he had not
imagined that the man would fall into a fit while in such a condition.

"Did he come out of the fit all right?" he questioned soberly.

"When he came around he was as weak as a rag, and I and one of the big
boys had to help him up to his room. He stayed there the rest of the
evening, and the other teachers had to take charge."

"What do they say about the matter?"

"As soon as the captain got back all of 'em got in the private office
and held a long talk. Then the captain had a talk with Mr. Grinder, and
after that the captain sent me off to look for you. He said you must be
at the Lanings, or at Mrs. Stanhope's, or else somewhere in Cedarville."

"We are stopping with Mrs. Stanhope. Sam is sick with a heavy cold."

"It's not to be wondered at. Master Tubbs has a cold, too, and the
captain had Mrs. Green give him some medicine for it."

"Has he punished Tubbs?"

"No. He's awfully upset, and I don't think he'll do anything right
away," concluded the general utility man.

The cutter was turned around, and Dick and Snuggers hurried toward the
Hall. Their coming was noticed by a score of boys who were snowballing
each other oh the parade ground, and a shout went up.

"Dick Rover is coming back! Snuggers has brought Dick Rover back!"

"Take care of the horse, Snuggers," said Dick. "Do the right thing, and
I won't forget to pay you at Christmas-time."

"All right Master Rover; thank you," answered the man of all work.

Dick was at once surrounded, but before he could answer any questions he
saw Captain Putnam appear at one of the windows and at once went inside
to greet him.

"Well, Rover, what does all this mean?" demanded the head of the school,
but there was not much sternness in his tone.

"It means Captain Putnam, that Sam, Tom, and I couldn't stand the
treatment we received from Mr. Grinder. For a little set-to which Sam
and Tubbs had in the gymnasium Mr. Grinder put Sam in the ice-cold
storeroom, and was going to keep him there all night, with nothing but
stale bread to eat and cold water to drink. If Sam had remained in the
storeroom he would have died from the effects of it. As it is, he is now
in bed at Mrs. Stanhope's, and we had to call in Dr. Fremley to attend
him."

"Is he very ill, Rover? Tell me the exact truth."

"I have never told you anything else, Captain Putnam. No, I don't think
he is very ill, but he's got a bad cold. He is very hoarse, and he
complained of such a pain in the chest that Mrs. Stanhope put on some
plasters, and when the doctor came he left some more."

"Humph!" Captain Putnam began to walk up and down his private office.
"What did you tell Dr. Fremley?"

"Nothing but that Sam had exposed himself. I didn't want to give the
school a black name. But one thing is certain, we can't remain here if
Mr. Grinder is going to stay. I shall write to my father and tell him
the full particulars."

"It will not be necessary to do so, Richard." The captain caught Dick by
the shoulder. "I have investigated this affair, and while I find that
Sam was to blame, and Tom and you, too, yet I am convinced that Mr.
Grinder exceeded his authority here. He had no business to put Sam in
the storeroom and Master Tubbs in the stone cell in this freezing
weather. More than that, something happened after you left that shows
plainly Mr. Grinder is not the proper person to be a teacher here, and
from to-day I intend to dispense with his services."

Dick knew what the captain referred to, the falling of the teacher into
his passionate fit on the floor, but he said nothing on that point, for
in a way he felt sorry for one who could control himself so little.

"I am glad we won't have to put up with him, sir, any longer. In one
way, he is worse than Mr. Crabtree was."

"Let us drop the whole subject, Richard. I have not been satisfied with
Mr. Grinder for some time past, and had in view a teacher to take his
place before this happened. The new teacher will come after the
holidays, and I feel certain all the students will like him fully as
much as they like Mr. Strong."

"We won't ask for anybody better than Mr. Strong--or yourself," answered
Dick, with a smile.

A talk lasting quarter of an hour followed, and it was decided that Dick
should return to the Stanhope cottage, to tell Tom and Sam what turn
affairs had taken. Then Tom was to come to the Hall, leaving Dick to
look after Sam.

It was nightfall before Dick got back to the cottage. Of course his
brothers and the others listened to his story with interest. Both Sam
and Tom felt greatly relieved.

"If Grinder keeps on he'll kill himself in one of his fits," said Sam.
"I hope he leaves before I go back to school."

"If I was you, I wouldn't go back until he does leave," said Tom. "I'm
sure Mrs. Stanhope will let you stay here; won't you?"

"To be sure, Tom," answered the lady of the cottage. "But now Captain
Putnam has made up his mind, you may be sure Mr. Grinder will not remain
at the Hall many days."

"Perhaps he'll go to-night," said Dora. "The captain surely wont wish him
at the Hall over Sunday."

Tom remained with his brothers until evening; then started for the Hall
on foot, not caring to bother with a horse. The road was now well
broken, so he had no trouble in making the journey.

When he arrived at the Academy he found the boys assembled in the
classroom, in charge of one of the under-teachers.

"You cannot see Captain Putnam at present," said the teacher. "You will
have to remain here with the other pupils until he is at leisure."

"Something must be wrong," murmured Tom, as he slipped in a seat next to
George Granbury.

"I think the captain is getting rid of old Grinder," was the whispered
reply. "He's afraid we'd go out and give him three groans when he left."

"I see. Well, it's best to let him go quietly. Good riddance to him."

"That's what all the boys say, although some are sorry he had the fit."

"So am I sorry; but he brought it on himself."

Presently there was loud knocking in the front of the building and the
slamming of a door. Then a trunk was dumped into the captain's cutter,
and the horse started off, carrying Peleg Snuggers and Jasper Grinder
behind him.

When the captain came into the classroom he was pale, and pulled
nervously on his mustache Evidently his task of getting rid of the
passionate teacher had not been a light one. He said but little, and
shortly after the boys were dismissed and sent to bed.

Sunday continued bright and clear, but it was so bitter cold that but
few of the students went to church and Sunday school. Tom was anxious to
hear how Sam was getting along, and in the afternoon Captain Putnam
himself drove him to the Stanhope cottage in the cutter.

It was found that the youngest Rover was feeling much better, although
his hoarseness had not left him. He said he was sure he could go back to
school the next day.

"We had a visit from Jasper Grinder," said Dick. "He insisted on
stopping here in spite of all Snuggers could do to stop him."

"And what did he say?" asked the captain anxiously.

"Oh, he was in a terrible rage, and threatened to sue my father because,
as he put it, we had driven him from earning a good living. I could
hardly get him out of the house, and when he left he picked up a big
chunk of ice and snow and hurled it through the sitting-room window at
Sam. I believe the man isn't quite right in his head."

"It certainly looks like it," was the captain's grave response.

"Did Snuggers leave him in Cedarville?"

"Yes. But Snuggers didn't know where he went after that, excepting that
he called at the post office for some letters."

"I hope I never have anything to do with him again," said Sam, with a
shiver.

"I do not believe he will bother you in the future," returned the
captain. "When he comes to his sober senses he will realize fully how
foolishly he has acted."

As Sam was so much better and needed no care that Mrs. Stanhope and Dora
were not willing to give him, Tom returned to the Hall with Dick and
Captain Putnam, after supper at the widow's cottage. The sleigh ride to
the school was delightful, for the road was now in excellent shape,
while overhead the stars shone down like so many glittering diamonds.




CHAPTER IX.

A RACE ON THE ICE, AND WHAT FOLLOWED.


After the events just narrated several days passed quietly enough at
Putnam Hall. In the meantime the weather continued clear, and the boys
took it upon themselves to clear off a part of the lake for skating.
Then, one night came a strong wind, and the next morning they found a
space of cleared ice nearly half a mile long.

"Now for some fine skating!" exclaimed Tom, as he rushed back to the
Hall after an inspection of the lake's smooth surface. "We can have all
the racing we wish."

"It's a pity Sam can't go out yet," returned Dick. Sam was back to the
school, but his cold had not entirely left him.

"Never mind; here are several new magazines he can read," returned Tom,
who had been to town with Snuggers on an errand and had purchased them
at the stationery store.

"I would just as soon read now," said Sam. "The magazines look mighty
interesting."

Just then Fred Garrison came in, accompanied by George Granbury. They
had been down to Cedarville to purchase some skates and a new pair of
shoes for George.

"Hullo, what do you think we saw in Cedarville!" cried Fred, as soon as
he caught sight of the Rovers.

"Lots of snow," suggested Tom dryly.

"Yes--and more."

"A mighty dull town," suggested Sam.

"We saw Dan Baxter."

"What was he doing?"

"He was walking down the street. And who do you suppose was with him?
Mr. Grinder!"

"Grinder!" came simultaneously from Tom and Dick.

"Yes, Grinder. And they seemed to be on good terms with each other," put
in George.

"I could hardly believe my eyes at first," went on Fred. "But there they
were, as plain as day."

"It's very odd," mused Dick. "What should bring them together?"

Nobody could answer that question.

"I don't believe they are up to any good," said Tom.

"I hope Grinder doesn't join hands with Baxter in plotting against us,"
came from Dick.

The matter was talked over for some time, but no satisfactory conclusion
could be reached, and presently the boys separated, some to go skating
and others to attend to their studies for the morrow.

Down at the lake the scene was an animated one. Boys were flying in
every direction, and mingled with them were a dozen or more girls and a
few grown persons. George Strong, the head teacher, was there, enjoying
himself fully as much as the pupils who loved him.

"I'll race you, Mr. Strong!" sang out one of the older boys, Tom
Mardell.

"Done, Master Mardell," was the teacher's answer. "To yonder rock and
return." And in a moment more the pair were off.

"Hurrah! A race between Mr. Strong and Tom Mardell!" came in a shout
from a number of the students, and soon there was a general "lining up"
to see how it would terminate.

"Go in, Tom!" shouted Tom Rover. "Don't let him beat you!"

"Mr. Strong is behind!" came presently. "Tom is going to win out, sure!"

On and on went the skaters, until the rock was gained. Then Tom Mardell
turned so suddenly that he ran full tilt into the teacher with whom he
was racing. Both spun around and came down on the ice with a crash.

"Oh!" gasped Mardell. "I didn't mean to do that!"

"I--I know you didn't!" panted Mr. Strong. "You have finished the race
in fine shape, I must declare!" And then he arose slowly to his feet and
Mardell followed. But nobody was seriously hurt, and in a moment more
both skated off hand in hand.

Dick was looking for Dora Stanhope, and presently she appeared, in a
pretty fur coat and a jaunty fur cap. He put on her skates for her, and
they skated off, with many a side wink from some of the boys.

"Dick's head over heels," said one lad, to Tom.

"Well, I guess you'd be, too, Urner, if you could get such a nice girl
to notice you," returned Tom dryly. And then he added: "You must
remember we are all old friends."

"Oh, I know that; and I was only joking."

A grand race, open to all comers, had been arranged by the students of
the Hall and of Pornell Academy, a rival institute of learning, which
has already figured in other volumes of this series. The Pornell boys
were out in force, and they were sure that one of their number would win
the silver napkin ring, which was the first prize, and another the story
book, which constituted the second prize.

Of this race a gentleman from Cedarville, named Mr. Richards, was to be
the starter and judge. The course was a short mile, down the lake and
back again. The Pornell boys to enter were named Gray, Wardham, Gussy,
and De Long. The contestants from Putnam Hall were Tom Rover, Fred
Garrison, Tubbs, and a lad named Hollbrook.

"Are you ready?" asked Mr. Richards, after lining the boys up and
telling them of the conditions of the race.

There was a dead silence.

"Go!" shouted the starter.

Away went the eight skaters, side by side each striking out bravely.
Fred was in the lead, with two Pornell boys a close second, while Tom
Rover was fourth.

"Go in, Tom, you must win!" sang out Dick excitedly.

"Hurrah for Tubby!" came from several others. "He's crawling up!"

"Go in, Gray!" came in a shout from some Pornell sympathizers. Gray was
one of the pair striving for second place. Now he shot ahead, and in a
second more was close upon Fred Garrison's heels.

The pace was truly terrific from the very start, and long before the
turn was gained De Long and Hollbrook dropped out, satisfied that they
could not win.

Gray, the leader of the Pornell contingent, was a tall, lanky, and
powerful fellow, and every stroke he took told well in his favor. The
turning point was hardly rounded when he began to crawl up to Fred, and
then he gradually passed him.

"Hurrah! Gray is ahead!" shouted his friends.

"Here is where Pornell wins the race!" added one enthusiastic
sympathizer.

Fred's pace had been too sharp from the very start, and now he slowly
but surely dropped back to second place, and then to third.

But then Tom Rover began to crawl up. He had held himself slightly in
reserve. Now he "let himself out." Whiz! whiz! went the polished pair of
steels under him, and soon Wardham, the fellow who had held second
place, was passed, dropping behind Fred, thus taking fourth place. Then
Tom came up on Gray's heels.

"Hurrah for Tom Rover!"

"Go it, Tom, don't let him beat you!"

"Go it Gray, Tom Rover is at your heels!"

Gray did not dare to look back, but at the latter cry he did his best to
increase his speed. So did Tom, and while the finishing line was still a
hundred yards distant he came up side by side with Gray.

"It's a tie!"

"No, Gray is a little ahead yet!"

"Go in, Gray, don't let him beat you!"

"Tom Rover to the front! Go it, Tom, for the glory of old Putnam Hall!"

A wild yelling broke out on every side. On and on went the two boys,
with Fred Garrison not two yards behind them. That the finish would be a
close one there was no question. The line was but a hundred feet away;
now but seventy-five; now but fifty. Still the leaders kept side by
side, neither gaining an inch. Surely it would be a tie. The yelling
increased until the noise was deafening.

And then of a sudden Tom Rover shot ahead. How it was done nobody knew,
and Tom himself couldn't explain it when asked afterward. But ahead he
went, like an arrow shot from a bow, and crossed the line six feet in
advance of Gray.

"Hurrah! Tom Rover has won!"

"Told you Tom would do it!"

"Three cheers for Putnam Hall!"

"And Fred Garrison came in only one yard behind Gray, too, and Tubby is
a pretty good fourth."

"This is Putnam Hall day, thank you!"

The cheering increased, and Tom was immediately surrounded by a host of
admirers.

Gray felt very sore, and wanted to leave the pond at once, but before he
could do so Tom skated up to him and held out his hand.

"You came pretty close to beating me," he said. "I can't really say how
I got ahead at the finish."

"I--I guess my skate slipped, or something," stammered Gray, and shook
hands. Tom's candor took away the keen edge of the defeat.

The Putnam Hall boys were wild with delight, and insisted upon carrying
Tom on their shoulders around the pond. A great crowd followed, and
nobody noticed how this made the ice bend and crack.

"Be careful there!" shouted Mr. Strong warningly. "There are too many of
you in a bunch!" But ere he had finished the sentence there came another
loud cracking, and in a twinkle a section of the ice went down, plunging
fully a dozen lads into the icy water below.




CHAPTER X.

THE END OF THE TERM.


"The ice has gone down!"

"Some of the boys will be drowned!"

"Get some boards and a rope, quick!"

These and a score of other cries rang out. In the meantime those near to
the hole skated with all speed to one place of safety or another.

Some of the imperiled boys who had not gone down very deeply managed to
scramble out with wet feet or wet lower limbs only, but when the crowd
had drawn back it was seen that three boys were floundering in the
chilling water over their heads. These boys were George Granbury and
Frank Harrington, who had been supporting Tom on their shoulders, and
Tom himself, who had been dropped into the opening head first by the
frightened lads.

Realizing that something must be done at once, Mr. Strong ran to the
boathouse, which was close at hand, and soon reappeared, carrying a long
plank. He was followed by a boy with a rope, and several boys brought
more planks and more ropes.

[Illustration: THE MISHAP ON THE ICE.
_Rover Boys in the Mountains_.]

When the first plank was pushed out Tom lost no time in grasping hold
of it. He crawled to a safe place on hands and knees, but was so nearly
paralyzed he could not stand up.

"I'll carry him up to the Hall," said Peleg Snuggers, who had chanced
upon the scene, and without ceremony he picked Tom up in his strong arms
and made off for the school building on a run.

After Tom came Frank Harrington, who caught hold of one end of a rope
tossed toward the hole. As soon as he shouted he had the rope secure, a
dozen boys pulled upon it, and Frank was literally dragged from his icy
bath. Once on shore he was started on a run for the Hall, some boys
rushing ahead to obtain dry clothing for both him and the others.

Poor George Granbury was now the only one left in danger, and matters
appeared to be going hard with him. He clutched at one of the planks
thrust toward him, but his hold slipped and down he went out of sight.

"He'll be drowned! He's too cold to save himself!" was the cry of
several who were watching him.

"Be careful, boys!" came warningly from Mr. Strong. "Be careful, or
somebody else will get in!"

"Mr. Strong, if you will hold the plank, I'll crawl out and get hold of
Granbury," came from Dick, in a determined voice.

"Rover, can you do it?"

"I feel certain I can. Hold tight, please."

Dick leaped upon the plank and threw himself flat. Then he crawled out
as fast as he could, until he was on the end over the open water.
Holding to the plank with one hand he reached out to grasp George's
shoulder with the other.

"Sa--save me!" gasped the drowning boy.

"Give me your hand, George," called Dick.

Granbury tried to do so, but the effort was a failure, for the cold had
so numbed him he could scarcely move. Reaching as far as he could, Dick
caught a portion of his coat and drew the helpless boy toward him.

The ice cracked ominously, but did not break. Mr. Strong warned the
others still further back.

Slowly but surely Dick raised George to a level of the plank. Then with
an extra effort he hauled the half-drowned boy up.

"Now haul in on the plank," he called, and Mr. Strong and two boys did
so immediately. In a moment more danger from drowning was a thing of the
past for George Granbury.

A cheer went up because of Dick's heroic action, but this was instantly
hushed as George was seen to stagger back and fall as if dead.
Instantly Mr. Strong picked the boy up in his arms and ran toward the
Hall.

"Oh, Dick, how noble of you!" It was Dora Stanhope who spoke, as she
came up and placed a trembling little hand on his arm. "And how glad I
am that you didn't get in while doing it." And her eyes filled with
tears.

"I--I'm glad too, Dora," he said brokenly. And then added: "Excuse me,
but I guess I'd better go up and see how Tom is making out."

"To be sure, and let me know if it's all right," she replied.

Once inside the Hall Dick learned that Tom had been put into a warm bed.
He was apparently none the worse for his mishap, and likely to be as
full of life and fun as ever on the morrow.

Poor Granbury, however, was not so well off. It took some time to
restore him to consciousness, and while Captain Putnam and Mr. Strong
put him to bed, with hot-water bags to warm him up, Peleg Snuggers was
sent off post-haste for a doctor. As a result of the adventure Granbury
had to remain in bed for the best part of a week.

"I shan't forget you for what you did," he said to Dick, when able to
sit up. "You saved my life." And many agreed that what George Granbury
said was true. As for Dora Stanhope, she looked upon the elder Rover as
more of a hero than ever.

After the mishap at the races on the ice the time flew by swiftly until
the Christmas holidays. Before going home for Christmas Dick called upon
the Stanhopes and gave them the gifts he had purchased, over which they
were much pleased. For Dick Dora had worked a pretty scarf, of which he
was justly proud. Mrs. Stanhope had books for all the boys, something
which was always to their liking. The Rovers did not forget the Lanings,
nor were they forgotten by these old friends.

"And now for home. Hurrah!" shouted Sam, on the way to Cedarville. "I
must say I'm just a bit anxious to see the old place once more."

"Yes, and see father, and Uncle Randolph and Aunt Martha," put in Dick.

"Don't forget Alexander Pop," put in Tom, referring to the colored man
who had once been a waiter at the Hall, and who was now in the Rover
employ.

"And Jack Ness and the rest," put in Sam. "I guess we'll be glad enough
to see everybody."

When the boys arrived at Ithaca they found there had been a freight
smash-up on the railroad, and that they would have to wait for five or
six hours for a train to take them home. This would bring them to Oak
Run, their railroad station, at three o'clock in the morning.

"I move we stay in Ithaca over night," said Tom. "If we got to Oak Run
at three in the morning, what would we do? There would be no one there
to meet us, and it's a beastly hour for rousing anybody out."

So they decided to put up at a hotel in Ithaca, and went around to a new
place called the Students' Rest. The hotel was fairly well filled, but
they secured a large apartment with two double beds.

"There's a nice concert on this evening by a college glee club," said
Sam. "I move we get tickets and go."

"Second the motion," said Tom promptly.

"The motion is put and carried," put in Dick just as promptly. "I trust,
though, the concert don't make us weep."

"They won't know we're there, so perhaps they won't try it on too hard,"
said Sam, and there the students' slang came to an end for the time
being.

The concert was quite to their taste, and they were surprised, when it
was over, to learn that it was after eleven o'clock.

"I hadn't any idea it was so late," exclaimed Dick. "We'd better be
getting back to the hotel, or we won't get our money's worth out of that
room."

"That's right," laughed Tom. "Although, to tell the truth, I'm not very
sleepy."

Several blocks were covered when Sam, who was looking across the
street, uttered a cry of astonishment.

"Look!" he exclaimed.

"At what?" asked both Tom and Dick.

"Over in front of that clothing store. There is Dan Baxter, and Jasper
Grinder is with him!"

"Sam is right," came from Dick. "They must have struck up some sort of a
friendship, or they wouldn't be here together."

"Let's go over and see what Baxter has to say for himself," said Tom
boldly.

"All right," returned Dick. "But we want to keep out of a row; remember
that."

They crossed the street and walked straight up to Baxter and Jasper
Grinder, who were holding an animated conversation in the doorway of a
clothing establishment which was closed for the night.

As they came up, Sam caught the words, "There is money there, sure,"
coming from Baxter. He paid no attention to the words at the time, but
remembered them long afterward, and with good reason.

"Hullo, Baxter!" said Dick, halting in front of the bully.

Dan Baxter gave a start, as if detected in some wrong act. Then, as the
light from an electric lamp shone upon Dick's face, he glared sourly at
the oldest Rover.

"Where did you come from?" he asked, and then, seeing the other Rovers,
added: "Been following me, I suppose?"

"No, we haven't been following you," said Dick. "We just came from, the
college boys' concert in the hall down the street."

Jasper Grinder looked as sour as did Dan Baxter. Then he shook his
finger in Dick's face.

"I haven't forgotten you, Richard Rover," he said bitterly. "And I am
not likely to forget you."

"As you please, Mr. Grinder," was the cool rejoinder.

"And I shan't forget you, Jasper Grinder," put in Sam. "You were the
means of my going to bed with a heavy cold."

"Bah! it was all put on," exclaimed Jasper Grinder. "Had I had my way, I
would have kept you in the storeroom all night, and flogged you beside."

"Captain Putnam did a good thing when he dismissed you," put in Tom.
"It's a pity he ever took on such a cold-hearted and miserly fellow."

"You Rovers think you are on top," said Dan Baxter savagely. "But you
won't stay on top long, I'll give you my word on that."

"What are you going to do about it?" asked Dick, not without
considerable curiosity.

"Never mind; you'll learn when the proper time comes."

"Is your dad going to try to break jail again?" asked Sam.

"It's none of your business what he does--or what I do, either."

"We'll make it our business if you try any of your games on us again,"
said Dick. "We've stood enough from you and your kind, and we don't
intend to stand any more."

"Are you going back to school after the holidays?" asked Dan Baxter,
after a pause.

"That's our business," answered Tom.

"All right; you needn't answer the question if you don't want to."

"What do you want to know for?" asked Sam.

"Oh! nothing in particular. I suppose it's a good place for you to go
to. You are all Captain Putnam's pets, and he won't make you do a thing
you don't like, or make you study either, if your father shells out to
him."

"We study a great deal more than you ever studied, Baxter," said Dick.

"Let them go," cried Jasper Grinder, in deep irritation. "I want nothing
to do with them," and he turned his back on the Rovers.

"We're willing to go," said Dick. "But, Baxter, I warn you against
doing anything in the future. You'll only put your foot into it."

So speaking, Dick walked away, and Tom and Sam followed him. Baxter
shook his fist at them, and Jasper Grinder did the same.

"They're a bad team," said Tom, as they walked to the hotel. "If they
try, perhaps they can give us lots of trouble."




CHAPTER XI.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.


"Hurrah! Here we are again! How natural Oak Run looks!" exclaimed Tom on
the following day, as the long train came to a halt at their station and
they piled out on to the narrow platform.

"There is old Nat Ricks, the station master," said Sam. "Remember how
you nearly scared him to death once by putting a big fire-cracker in the
waste paper he was burning and then telling him a yarn about dynamite
being around?"

"Well, I just guess I do," answered Tom, with a grin. "Hullo, Mr.
Ricks!" he called out. "How are you this fine and frosty morning?"

"Putty well, Tom," grumbled the old station master. "Been troubled a lot
lately with rheumatism."

"That's too bad, Mr. Ricks. Caught it hoisting trunks into the cars, I
suppose."

"Don't know how I caught it."

"Or maybe lifting milk cans."

"I don't lift no milk cans no more. Job Todder has that work around
here."

"I see. Well, you must have caught it somehow, or else it caught you.
Ever tried the old Indian remedy for it?"

"Indian remedy, what's that?"

"Gracious, Mr. Ricks! never heard of the old reliable Indian remedy? I'm
astonished at you," went on Tom, in mock candor.

"I've heard tell of Indian vegetable pills--but they aint no good for
rheumatism," was the slow answer.

"Where is the pain mostly?"

"Down this left leg."

"Then the Indian remedy will just cure you, sure pop, Mr. Ricks."

"Well, what might it be?"

"It might be cover-liver oil, but it isn't. You get a quart bottle--a
red quart bottle, for a white one won't do,--and fill it with cold
spring water, tapped when the moon is full."

"Is that all?"

"Oh, no, no! Then you take the spring water and boil it over a charcoal
fire, same as the Modoc Indians used to do. You remember all about that,
don't you?"

"I--I--'pears to me I ought to," stammered the old station master.

"Well, after the water is boiled," went on Tom, with a side wink at Dick
and Sam, who were already on a broad grin, "you strain it through a
piece of red cheesecloth--not white, remember--and add one teaspoonful
of sugar, one of salt, one of ginger, one of mustard, one of hog's lard,
one of mercury, one of arrowroot, one of kerosene oil, one of lemon
juice, one of extract of vanilla, one of mushamusha----"

"Hold on Rover, I can't remember all that. I'll have to put it down,"
interrupted Nat Ricks.

"No, you don't put it down until everything is in and well mixed. Then
you put it down, half a pint at a time, four times a day. It's a sure
cure, and inside of a week after taking seventeen quarts and rubbing the
empty bottles on your left shoulder blade you'll feel like dancing a jig
of joy; really, you will."

"Oh, you go along!" growled the old station master, in sudden wrath.
"You're joking me. Go oh, or I'll throw something at you!"

"No bouquets, please, Mr. Ricks. Then you won't try the cure? All right,
but don't blame me if your rheumatism gets worse. And as I can't do
anything for you, will you kindly inform me if you've seen anything of
Jack Ness around here, with our turnout?"

"If you want your hired man you go find him yourself," growled the
station master, and hobbled into his office.

"Oh, Tom, but that was rich," laughed Sam softly. "When you said extract
of vanilla and mushamusha I thought I'd explode. And he was listening
so earnestly, too!"

"Here's Jack Ness!" cried Dick, as they turned to the rear of the
station. "Hullo, Jack! Here we are again!"

"Master Dick!" exclaimed the hired man, with a grin. "An' Tom an' Sam!
Glad to see you boys back, indeed I am. Here, give me them bags. I'll
put 'em in the back of the sleigh."

"How is the sleighing?" asked Sam.

"Sleighing is quite fair yet, Master Tom. In you go. All the folks is
dying to see you."

They were soon stowed away in the big family sleigh, and Jack Ness
touched up the team, and away they went, through Oak Run and across the
bridge spanning the Swift River--that stream where Sam had once had such
a thrilling adventure. The countryside was covered with snow and with
pools of ice.

It did not take them long to come in sight of Valley Brook. While still
at a distance they saw faithful Alexander Pop come out on the broad
piazza and wave his hand at them.

"There's Aleck!" cried Tom. "He's been on the watch!"

"There is father!" came from Sam, a moment later; "and aunt Martha and
Uncle Randolph!"

Soon they turned into the lane, and Jack Ness brought the sleigh up to
the piazza block in fine style. Tom was the first out and ran to greet
his father, and then his uncle and his aunt, and the others followed.

"I am glad to see you back, boys," said Mr. Anderson Rover. "You all
look first-rate."

"We're feeling first-rate," came from Dick.

"Are you sure, Sam, that you are quite over your cold?" asked Aunt
Martha anxiously.

"Quite sure, aunty dear," he answered, and kissed her very warmly, not
once, but several times.

"Here, don't eat Aunt Martha up!" cried Tom. "Leave some for me."

"You dear Tom!" murmured the lady of the house, as she kissed him and
then embraced Dick. "Full of fun as ever, I suppose."

"Oh, no, aunty! I never do anything wrong now," answered Tom solemnly.
"I really haven't time, you know."

"I'm afraid, Tom, I can't trust you." And Mrs. Randolph Rover shook her
head sadly, but smiled nevertheless. She loved the jolly lad with all
her heart.

There was a warm greeting from Randolph Rover also, and then the boys
turned indoors, to greet faithful Alexander Pop and the others who
worked about the place.

"Yo' is a sight fo' soah eyes, 'deed yo' is, boys," said the colored
man. "I can't tell yo' how much I'se missed yo'!" And his face shone
like a piece of polished ebony.

"It's more like home than ever, to get where you are, Aleck," said Dick.
"You've been through so much with us you are certainly part of the
outfit." And at this Aleck laughed and looked more pleased than ever.

It was the day before Christmas, but in honor of their arrival there was
an extra-fine dinner awaiting them. Mrs. Rover had wanted to keep her
turkey meat for Christmas, so her husband, Anderson Rover, and Aleck had
gone into the woods back of the farm and brought down some rabbits and
a number of birds, so there was potpie and other good things galore, not
forgetting some pumpkin pies and home-made doughnuts, which Aunt Martha
prepared with her own hands and of which the boys had always been
exceedingly fond.

"I'll tell you what," remarked Tom, as he was stowing away his second
generous piece of pie, "the feed at the Hall is all right, but when it
comes to a real, downright spread, like this, the palm goes to Aunt
Martha." And Dick and Sam agreed with him.

There was, of course, much to tell about on both sides, and after dinner
the family gathered in the big sitting room, in front of a cheerful,
blazing fire. Mr. Anderson Rover listened with keen interest to what
his sons had to say about Jasper Grinder and Dan Baxter.

"I sincerely trust they do not plot against us," he said. "I am getting
old, and I want no more trouble."

"I don't believe Dan has the backbone his father has," answered Dick.
"And I believe Mr. Grinder is good deal of a coward."

"If only young Baxter would turn over a new leaf!" sighed Mrs. Martha
Rover. "I declare I'll not feel safe, on your account, until that young
man is taken care of."

The evening was passed in talking, singing, and playing games, and it
was not until late that all retired.

The Christmas to follow was not one to be easily forgotten. There were
presents for everybody, from Mr. Rover down to Sarah, the hired girl,
and everybody was greatly pleased.

At the Christmas dinner Alexander Pop insisted upon waiting on the
table, just as he had so often done at Putnam Hall. He had on his full
dress suit, and his face wore one perpetual smile. The boys had all
remembered Aleck handsomely, and he had not forgotten them.

In the afternoon the boys went skating, and on the pond met several of
the boys of the neighborhood, and all had a glorious time until dark.
Then they piled home, once more as hungry as wolves, to a hot supper,
and an evening of nut-cracking around the fire.

"Tell you what," said Sam on going to bed that night, "I almost wish
Christmas came once a week instead of once a year!"




CHAPTER XII.

THE BRASS-LINED MONEY CASKET.


It was on the day following Christmas that Dick brought out the
brass-lined money casket which he had picked up in the cave on Needle
Point Island, in Lake Huron, as related in a previous volume of this
series.

As old readers know, this cave was stumbled upon by accident. It had
once been the hiding place of a band of smugglers who plied their
unlawful calling between the United States and Canada, and the cave was
found filled with numerous articles of more or less value. The Rovers
had gone back for these things, but had found some money gone, also a
curiously shaped dagger and a map, which had been in the cave on a rude
table. They were pretty well satisfied in their minds that Dan Baxter
had taken these things, but had never been able to prove it.