"That must be the cottage," he told himself, and walking to it he
rapped on the door four times in succession and then four times again.

There was a stir within and then an old woman, bent with age and with a
wicked look in her sharp, yellowish eyes, came to answer his summons.

"Is this Mother Matterson's place?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm Mother Matterson," squeaked the old woman. "Who are you and
what do you want?"

"My name is Lew Flapp. I'm looking for a fellow called Si Silvers," he
added, for that was the name Dan Baxter had assumed for the time being.

"It's all right, old woman; tell him to come in," said a voice from
inside the cottage, and Lew Flapp entered the house. Immediately the
old woman closed the door after him and barred it.




CHAPTER XII

FLAPP AND BAXTER PLOT MISCHIEF


The cottage which Mother Matterson occupied was a much dilapidated one
of a story and a half, containing three rooms and a loft. Some of the
windows were broken out and the chimney was sadly in need of repair.

Many were the rumors afloat concerning this old woman. Some said she
was little short of being a witch, while others had it that she was in
league with tramps who had stolen things for miles around. But so far,
if guilty, she had escaped the penalty of the law.

"So you've come at last," went on the person in the cottage, as Lew
Flapp came in, and a moment later Dan Baxter came into view. He was
tall and lanky as of old, with a sour look on his face and several
scars which made him particularly repulsive. "I had almost given you
up."

"I've had my own troubles getting here," answered Flapp. "At first I
couldn't locate Hacknack and then I had the misfortune to fall in with
Sam Rover"

"Sam Rover! Is he on your track now?"

"I rather guess not," and the bully of Putnam Hall gave a short laugh.
"He has gone swimming for his health."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you," answered Lew Flapp, and in a rapid manner he related
all that had occurred since he had met Sam in the Oak Run barber shop.

"Well, all I can say is, that you are a lucky dog," came from Dan
Baxter, at the conclusion of the recital. "You can thank your stars
that you are not at this moment in the Oak Run lock-up."

"I shouldn't have run any risk at all if it hadn't been for you,"
growled Flapp.

"Oh, don't come any such game on me, Flapp. I can read you like a book.
You know you don't dare to go home--after that trip-up at White Corners.
Your old man would just about kill you--and you'd be locked up in the
bargain."

At these words Lew Flapp winced, for he knew that Dan Baxter spoke the
truth. He was afraid to go home, and had come to Hacknack simply
because he knew not where else to go and because Baxter had promised
him some money. The amount he had realized on the sale of the stolen
jewelry had been spent.

"See here, what's the use of talking that way?" he grumbled. "I didn't
come here to get a lecture."

"I'm not lecturing you," came hastily from Dan Baxter. "I'm merely
telling you things for your own good, Flapp. I want you to pull with
me. I know we'll get along swimmingly."

"You said you'd let me have some money."

"And I'll keep my word."

"I need at least fifty dollars."

"You'll need more than that, Flapp. You've got to stay away from home
until this matter blows over, or until your old man patches things up
with that Aaron Fairchild and the White Corners authorities. I've got a
plan, if you care to listen to it."

"Sure, I'll listen--if you'll only let me have that money."

"I'll let you have all you want--providing you'll agree to help me."

"Well, what is your plan? But first tell me, how about this woman?" And
Flapp nodded his head toward Mother Matterson.

"Don't you worry about her," grinned Dan Baxter. "I've got her fixed.
She won't squeal."

"Then go ahead."

"As I said before, the best thing you can do is to stay away from home
until this unpleasantness blows over. Write to your father and tell him
it is all a mistake, and that you are not guilty but that you can't
prove it. Ask him to square the thing with Aaron Fairchild and the
others, and tell him you are going on an ocean trip and won't be back
until you know you are safe. Then you come with me, and we'll have a
jolly good time, besides squaring up matters with the Rovers."

"Where are you going and how are you going to square matters with them?

"I've learned a thing or two since I came here. At first I was going to
try to fix them while they were at home, but now I've learned that they
are going away on a houseboat trip on the Ohio and the Mississippi. I
propose to follow them and give them more than they want the first
opportunity that presents itself."

"You are certain about this houseboat trip?"

"I am."

"And who is going?"

"The three Rover boys and some of their school chums."

"Humph! I'd like to get square with the whole crowd!" muttered Lew
Flapp. "I'd like to sink them in the middle of the Ohio River!"

"We'll square up, don't you worry," answered Dan Baxter. "I'm not
forgetting all they've done against me in the past. If I had the chance
I'd wring the neck of every one of them," he added, fiercely.

"I don't think it is safe to stay around here any longer," said Lew
Flapp, after a pause. "Somebody may spot us both."

"I'm not going to stay any longer. We can get out on the night train.
By the way, supposing Sam Rover doesn't get out of the river."

"What do you mean?" questioned Flapp, with a shiver, although he knew
well enough.

"Maybe Sam Rover was drowned."

"Oh, don't say that!"

"Bah! Don't be chicken-hearted, Flapp."

"I--I--didn't mean to--to--kill him."

"I know you didn't. Just the same that is a dangerous river. The
current is swift and it's full of rocks."

"You're making me feel very uncomfortable."

"Oh, don't worry. Those Rover boys are like cats--each has nine lives.
Sam Rover will be hot-footed after you before you know it."

"Have you got that money with you, Baxter?"

"To be sure I have. I never travel without a wad."

"Then let me have some."

"You won't need it, if we are to travel together."

"We may become separated," urged Lew Flapp. He did not altogether trust
his companion.

"Well, I reckon that's so, too. I'll let you have twenty-five dollars.
When that's gone you can come to me for more. But remember one thing:
you've got to help me to down the Rovers."

"I'll help you to do that. But--but--"

"But what?"

"We mustn't go too far."

"Oh, you leave that to me. You've heard how they treated my father,
haven't you?"

"They say Dick Rover was kind to him."

"Bah! That's a fairy story."

"But your father says the same--so I have been told."

"The old man is out of his head--on account of that fire. When he gets
clear-headed again he won't think Dick Rover--or any of the Rovers, for
the matter of that--is his friend."

There was another pause.

"Where do you propose to go to?"

"Philadelphia, on a little business first, and then to Pittsburg, and
to that place where they have their houseboat."

"And after that?"

"I'm going to be guided by circumstances. But you can rest assured of
one thing, Flapp--I'll make those Rover boys wish they had never
undertaken this trip."

Dan Baxter brought out a pocketbook well filled with bank bills and
counted out five five-dollar bills.

"My, but you're rich!" cried the bully of Putnam Hall.

"Oh, I've got a good bit more than that," was the bragging answer. "I
want you to know that once upon a time my father was as rich as the
Rovers, and he would be as rich now if it wasn't that they cheated him
out of his rights to a gold mine," went on Dan Baxter, bringing up
something which has already been fully explained in "The Rover Boys
Out West." The claim belonged to the Rovers, but the Baxters would
never admit this.

"Did they really cheat him?" questioned Lew Flapp, with interest.

"They certainly did."

"Then why didn't you go to law about it with them?"

"They stole all the evidence, so we couldn't do a thing in law. Do you
wonder that I am down on them?"

"No, I don't. If I were you, I'd try to get my rights back."

"I'm going to get them back some day," answered Dan Baxter. "And I am
going to square up with all the Rovers, too, mind that!"




CHAPTER XIII

CHIPS AND THE CIRCUS BILLS


It is now time that we return to Sam and find out how he fared after
being so unexpectedly hurled into the river by Lew Flapp.

The youngest Rover was taken so completely off his guard that he could,
for the moment, do nothing to save himself. Down he went and his yell
was cut short by the waters closing over his head.

He was dazed and bewildered and swallowed some of the water almost
before he was aware. But then his common-sense returned to him and he
struggled to rise to the surface.

As he neared the top, the current carried him against a sharp rock.
Instead of clutching this, he hit the rock with his head. The blow
almost stunned him, and down he went once more, around the rock and
along the river a distance of fully a hundred feet ere he again
appeared.

By this time he realized that he was having a battle for his life, and
he clutched out wildly for the first thing that came to hand, It was a
tree root and by its aid he pulled himself to the surface of the river
and gazed around him.

He was under the bank, at a point where the current had washed away a
large portion of the soil, exposing to view half of the roots of a tree
standing above. To get out of the stream at that spot was an
impossibility, and he let himself go once more, when he had regained
his breath and felt able to take care of himself.

In a few minutes more Sam reached a point where to climb up the bank
was easy, and he lost no time in leaving the river. Once on the bank he
squeezed the water out of his garments. He had lost his cap, but spent
no time in looking for the head covering.

"Oh, if only I had Lew Flapp here!" he muttered over and over again.
But the bully had, as we already know, made good his escape, and Sam
found it impossible to get on his track. Soaked to the skin he made his
way back through the cemetery.

"Hullo, so you have fallen into the river!" sang out a man who saw him
coming. It was Jack Sooker, the fellow mentioned by the cemetery
keeper's daughter.

"No, I was pushed in," answered Sam, who knew Sooker fairly well.

"How did it happen, Sam?"

"I was after a rascal I wanted to have locked up. But he shoved me into
the river and got away."

"You don't tell me! Where is he now?"

"I don't know."

"That's too bad. Do I know him?"

"No, he is a stranger around these parts."

"A young fellow?"

"Yes, about Dick's age."

"Can't say as I've seen him. What are you going to do about it?"

"I don't know yet. I've got to get some dry clothes first:"

Sam walked up to the cottage at the corner of the cemetery. Jennie, the
keeper's daughter, saw him coming and gave a cry at his wet garments.

"Can I dry myself here?" he asked, after he had explained the
situation.

"To be sure you can, Sam," she answered, and stirred up the fire in the
kitchen stove. "If you wish I'll lend you a suit of my brother Zack's
clothes--that is, if you are in a hurry."

"Thanks, I'll borrow the suit. I want to report this; and I'll send
the suit back to-morrow."

"You needn't hurry. Zack isn't home just now, so he doesn't need the
suit."

The clothes were found, and Sam slipped into a bedchamber of the
cottage and made the change. Then, after thanking Jennie once more for
her kindness, the youngest Rover set off for Oak Run as fast as he
could.

A train was just coming into the depot and the first person to hop off
was Fred Garrison.

"Hullo, I thought you'd meet me!" sang out Fred. "How are you?"

"Pretty well, considering," answered Sam, with a quiet smile. "But I've
had a whole lot of happenings since I drove down to the depot."

"What's the matter, horse run away?"

"No, I met Lew Flapp."

"Nonsense! Why, what is he doing around here?"

"I give it up, Fred. But he was here and we have had a lively time of
it," answered Sam, and told his story.

"Well, I'll be jiggered! What do you propose to do next?"

"I don't know what to do. I might get the village constable to hunt for
him, but I don't think it will do any good."

"Why don't you tell your folks first?"

"Yes, I reckon that will be best. Jump in the carriage and I'll drive
you over to our home."

Fred had but little to tell out of the ordinary. His folks had wanted
him to go to the seashore for the summer, but he had preferred to take
the houseboat trip with the Rovers.

"I am sure we shall have a dandy time," he said. "I was on a houseboat
trip once, down in Florida, and it was simply great."

"What do you think about the Lanings and the Stanhopes going with us?"

"That will be nice. We certainly ought to have a bang-up time,"
answered Fred, enthusiastically.

Sam had driven over with the best horse the Rover stable afforded, a
magnificent bay, which Anderson Rover had purchased in Albany at a
special sale early in the spring. Sam had pleaded to take the steed and
his parent had finally consented.

"That's a fine bit of horseflesh you have," observed Fred, as they sped
along the level road leading to Valley Brook farm. "I like the manner
in which he steps out first-rate."

"Chips is a good horse," answered Sam. "There is only one fault he
has."

"And what is that?"

"He is easily frightened at a bit of paper or some other white object
in the road."

"That is bad."

The conversation now changed and the boys spoke of the good times
ahead. Farm after farm was passed, until they were almost in sight of
Valley Brook.

"What a beautiful stretch of country," observed Fred, as he gazed
around. "I don't wonder that your uncle settled here while your father
was in Africa."

"We used to hate the farm, Tom especially. We thought it was too dead
slow for anything. But now we love to come back to it, after being at
school or somewhere else."

They were just passing the farm next to that of the Rovers when a man
came driving up to them at a rapid gait. He was seated on a buckboard
and had behind him a box filled with showbills.

"Visit the circus day after to-morrow! Biggest show on earth for a
quarter!" he shouted, and flung a couple of bills at them.

"A circus!" began Fred, when, without warning, Chips made a wild leap
that nearly threw him and Sam into the road. Scared by the sight of the
showbills the horse made a plunge and then began to run away.

"Whoa, Chips, whoa!" sang out Sam.

"Don't--don't let him get away, Sam!" came from Fred, as he gripped the
side of the carriage.

"He shan't get away if I can help it," was the answer, from between
Sam's shut teeth. "Whoa, Chips, whoa!" he went on.

But Chips wouldn't whoa, and the sight of another white handbill in
the middle of the road caused him to shy to one side. Both boys were
unseated, and Sam would have gone to the ground had not Fred held him
fast.

"Whoa!" yelled Sam, and now he pulled in tighter than ever on the
reins. But on and on went the bay steed, straight through the lane
leading to the Rovers' barn.

"He'll smash us up!" gasped Fred.

"Hi! hi!" came from the barnyard and then Dick Rover came into view.
His quick eye took in the situation in an instant and he made a grand
dash to reach Chips' head. He was successful, and in spite of the
steed's efforts to throw him off, held on until at last the bay was
brought to a standstill, trembling in every limb and covered with foam.

"How did this happen, Samuel?" asked his uncle, as he too came forward.

"A fellow with circus bills scared him," answered Sam, and he added:
"I'd just like to catch that fellow and give him a piece of my mind!"

"And so would I," added Fred.

"Are either of you hurt?"

"No."

"Let us be thankful for that," said Mr. Rover; and then had the horse
taken to the stable by Jack Ness.




CHAPTER XIV

FUN AT THE SHOW


As soon as the family were assembled and Fred had been greeted all
around, Sam told of what had happened since he had started out to have
his hair cut.

"Well, you've had your share of happenings," declared Mrs. Rover. "It
is a wonder you are alive to tell of them."

"We ought to go after Lew Flapp," said Dick. "He ought to be arrested
by all means."

"Yes, but where are you going to look for him?"

"Perhaps he will take the late train to-night from Oak Run."

"That's an idea," came from Tom. "Let us watch the train."

This was decided upon, and he and Dick, accompanied by their father,
went to Oak Run that evening for that purpose. But Lew Flapp and Dan
Baxter took the train from a station three miles away, so the quest was
unsuccessful.

"I guess he didn't let the grass grow under his feet," said Sam, the
next morning. "No doubt he was badly scared."

"What could he have been doing in this neighborhood?" asked Dick.

"I give it up."

During the day Sam got his hair cut and also returned the clothing
loaned to him by the cemetery keeper's daughter. While in Oak Run he
met the fellow who was distributing circus bills.

"You want to be more careful when distributing bills," said he to the
man.

"What's the matter with you?" growled the circus agent.

"You scared my horse yesterday and made him run away."

"Oh, go tumble over yourself," growled the fellow, and turned away.

The manner of the man angered Sam, and likewise angered Tom, who
happened to be along.

"Some of those circus chaps think they own the earth," was Tom's
comment. "I've a good mind to go to his old circus and have some fun
with the outfit."

"Just the thing, Tom! Let us ask the others to go too. I haven't seen a
circus in a long time."

"Well, this won't be much to look at. But we may get some fun out of
it," added Tom, with a sly wink.

"Yes, there is sure to be fun when you are around," added his younger
brother, with a laugh.

When the circus was mentioned at home Dick said he would be glad to go
and so did Fred.

"It is Frozzler's Grand Aggregation of Attractions," said Tom, looking
over one of the showbills. "The Most Stupendous Exhibition on Earth.
Daring bareback riding, trained elephants and a peanut-eating contest,
likewise an egg-hunting raffle. All for a quarter, twenty-five cents."

"What is an egg-hunting raffle?" questioned Fred.

"He's fooling you, Fred," answered Sam. "You mustn't believe all Tom
says."

"Thus doth mine own flesh go back on me," came from Tom, with an
injured look. "Never mind, it is put and carried that we go and see
Frozzler's outfit, occupying reserved orchestra chairs, close to the
family circle and adjoining the second gallery west."

As soon as it was settled Tom and Sam laid their heads together to have
all the fun they could at the circus, "just to get square with that
agent," as Sam expressed it.

None of the older folks wanted to go, for which the boys were thankful.

"Say, I'd like to see dat show, Tom," said Aleck Pop, when he got the
chance. "Ain't seen no circuses since I was a little boy."

"Then you must go by all means, Aleck. But don't you get too close to
the monkey cage."

"Why not, Tom?"

"They might take you for a long-lost brother."

"Yah! yah! Dat's one on me!" Aleck showed his ivories in a broad grin.
"Maybe da will take yo' for a long-lost brudder, too--yo' is so full ob
monkey shines," and then Tom had to laugh at the sally.

At the proper time the four boys drove over to the circus grounds,
taking Aleck Pop with them. Aleck was arrayed in his best, and from his
broad expanse of shirt bosom sparkled an imitation diamond which looked
like a small electric light.

Tickets were procured for all by Dick, and the boys and the servant
pressed their way into the first of the tents, in company with one of
the largest crowds ever gathered in that vicinity.

Now, as it happened, Frozzler's Grand Aggregation of Attractions was
largely so only in name. Frozzler was himself the man who had given out
the showbills, his regular agent having refused to work because his
salary had remained unpaid for three weeks. The circus was fast going
to pieces.

"Here is where I am going to make a bunch of money," said Frozzler to
himself, as he saw the crowd coming in. "This day will put me on my
feet again." But he never saw the "bunch" of money in question, for
before the show was over a sheriff came along and levied on the
receipts, in behalf of several tradespeople and some performers.

The exhibition was held in two tents, one for the wild animals and the
other for the ring performance. The wild animals were in exactly eight
wagon cages and consisted of a sickly-looking lion, a half-starved
tiger, several raccoons, two foxes, a small bear, and about a dozen
monkeys. There were also two elephants, one so old he was blind and
could hardly stand.

"Well, this is a sell, if ever there was one," murmured Tom, after
looking into the various cages.

"I feel like going out to the butcher shop and buying something with
which to feed that tiger," answered Dick. "He looks as if he hadn't had
a square meal for a week."

"I'm going to give the monkeys some peanuts, that's the best I can do
for them," put in Sam.

"If the ring show isn't better than this we are stuck sure," was Fred's
comment.

"Hullo, there's that handbill man now," cried Tom, as Giles Frozzler
came into the tent. "Won't he laugh when he sees how Sam and Fred have
been stuck?"

Two of the circus employees were near by and from their talk Fred
learned that the showbill man was the proprietor of the circus.

"He certainly must be a one-horse fellow, or he wouldn't be throwing
out his own showbills," said Sam, on hearing this.

Frozzler wore a soft hat, and as he stood near the monkey cage Tom
threw some peanuts into the crown of the head covering.

Instantly the monkeys crowded forward. One seized a peanut and another,
to get the rest of the nuts, caught hold of the hat and pulled it into
the cage.

"Hi! give me my hat!" roared Giles Frozzler, and put his hand into the
cage to get the article in question.

The monkeys thought he had more peanuts and, being half starved, they
grabbed his hand and pulled it this way and that, while one gave the
man a severe nip.

"Oh! oh!" screamed the circus man. "Let go my hand, you pesky rascal!"

"Hullo, dat monkey am got a limb dat don't belong to no tree," sang out
Aleck.

"You shut your mouth!" growled Frozzler "Hi! give me my hat!" he went
on to the monkeys. But the animals paid no attention to him. They ate
up the peanuts as fast as they could and then one began an
investigation by pulling the band from the hat.

The head covering was a new one, purchased but two days before, and to
see it being destroyed made Giles Frozzler frantic.

"Give me that, you rascals!" he roared, and began to poke at the
monkeys with a sharp stick. But two of them caught the stick and,
watching their chance, jerked it away from him.

"Hurrah! score one for the monks!" sang out Tom, and this made the
crowd laugh.

"If you don't shut up I'll have you put out," came angrily from Giles
Frozzler.

"Why don't you buy hats for the pool' dear monkeys?" went on Tom. "Then
they wouldn't want yours."

"Oh, you keep quiet!"

"Those monkeys are about starved," said Sam. "Let us get up a
subscription for their benefit. I don't believe they have had a square
meal in a year."

"All of the animals look starved," said Dick, loudly.

"Dat am a fac'," added Aleck.

"This is a bum show," cried a burly farmer boy standing close by. "Why,
they have more animals nor this in a dime museum."

"Will you fellows shut up?" cried Giles Frozzler. "This show is all
right."

"Of course you'd say so--you're the feller wot put out them bills," said
the burly country boy.

"If you don't like the show you can get out."

"All right, Mr. Billman, give me back my quarter."

"Yes, give me my quarter and I'll go too," put in one of the
shopkeepers of Oak Run.

"And so will I go," added a woman.

"Me, too," came in a voice from the rear of the crowd.

"Oh, you people make me tired," grumbled Giles Frozzler, and then,
fearing that the people would really demand their money back he sneaked
off, leaving the monkeys to continue the destruction of his head
covering.




CHAPTER XV

ACTS NOT ON THE BILLS


It was now almost time for the ring performance to begin. Dick had
purchased so-called reserved seats for the crowd, paying an additional
ten cents for each seat, but when they reached the tent with the ring
they found that the reserved seats were merely a creation of fancy on
the part of the circus owner. Giles Frozzler had had imitation chair
bottoms painted on the long boards used for seats and each of these
buttons was numbered.

"This is a snide, sure," said Sam.

"Well, there is one thing about it, they can't crowd you," answered
Dick. And that was the one advantage the "reserved seats" afforded.
On the common seats the spectators were crowded just as closely as
possible, until the seats threatened to break down with the weight put
upon them.

There was a delay in opening the ring performance and for a very good
reason. In the dressing tent Giles Frozzler was having great difficulty
in persuading his leading lady rider and his clown to go on. Both
wanted their pay for the past two weeks.

"I shall not ride a step until I am paid," said the equestrienne, with
a determined toss of her head.

"And I don't do another flip-flap," put in the clown.

"Oh, come, don't talk like that," argued Giles Frozzler. "I'll pay you
to-morrow, sure."

"No."

"I'll pay you to-night--just as soon as the performance is over. Just
see what a crowd we have--the money is pouring in."

At this the lady bareback rider hesitated, and finally said she would
go on. But the clown would not budge.

"I may be a clown in the ring, but not in the dressing room," said he,
tartly. "I want my pay, or I don't go on."

"All right then, you can consider yourself discharged," cried Giles
Frozzler.

He had started in the circus business as a clown and thought he could
very well fill his employee's place for a day or two. In the meantime
he would send to the city for another clown whom he knew was out of a
situation.

At last the show began with what Frozzler termed on his handbills the
Grand Opening Parade, consisting of the two elephants, two ladies on
horseback, two circus hands on horseback, the little bear, who was
tame, and several educated dogs. In the meantime the band, consisting
of seven pieces, struck up a march which was more noise than harmony.

"Here's your grand circus," whispered Sam. "Beats the Greatest Show on
Earth to bits, doesn't it?"

"I'll wager a big tomato against a peck of clams that I can get up a
better show myself, and do it blindfolded, too," returned Tom.

The grand opening at an end, there was a bit of juggling by a juggler
who made several bad breaks in his act, and then came the lady bareback
rider. At the same time, Frozzler came out, dressed in a clown's suit
and painted up.

"Hullo, there's that chap again!" cried Dick. "He must be running half
the show himself."

"How are you to-morrow?" sang out the clown. And after doing a
flip-flap, he continued: "Mr. Ringmaster, what's the difference between
your knife and me?"

"I know!" shouted Tom. "His knife is a jack-knife, while you are a
jack-of-all-trades!"

At this sally there was a loud laugh.

"What is the difference between my knife and you?" queried the
ringmaster, as soon as he could make himself heard.

"That's it."

"I don't know."

"I told you!" shouted Tom.

"The difference between your knife and me," answered Frozzler, "is that
you can shut your knife up but you can't shut me up," and then he made
a face and did another tumble.

"His knife is sharper than you, too," cried Sam. A roar followed, which
made Frozzler so angry he shook his fist at the youngest Rover.

"Why is that boy like a fish?" cried Frozzler.

"Because he's too slippery for a clown to catch," put in Fred, loudly,
and this created such a laugh that Frozzler's answer was completely
lost on the crowd. Again he shook his fist at our friends, but they
merely laughed at him.

"I had a funny dream last night," went on the clown. "What do you think
I dreamed?"

"That you had paid all your bills," called out Dick.

This brought forth another laugh at Frozzler's expense, in which even
some of the circus hands joined.

"Say, those boys are sharp," said the clown who had been discharged. "I
shouldn't care to run up against them."

"Three of them are the Rover boys," answered a man sitting near.
"Nobody can get the best of them."

"I dreamed a whale came along and swallowed me," went on Frozzler.

"Hullo, I knew you were a Jonah!" sang out Tom. And once more the crowd
roared.

"In the whale I met my old schoolmate, Billy Black," continued the
clown.

"That was a black moment for poor Billy," was Sam's comment.

"Did you give Billy a whaling?" asked Tom.

"Did dat whale git a stummick ache from swallerin' yo'?" came loudly
from Aleck. "I t'ink any whale would, 'less his insides was
copper-lined."

Aleck said this so gravely that it brought forth a roar which did not
subside for a full minute. Poor Frozzler could do nothing, and to save
himself made half a dozen tumbles. Then he started to run from the
ring, but tripped over one of the ropes and pitched headlong on his
nose.

"Hullo, there a tumble extra!" sang out Tom. "Thank you; nothing like
giving us good measure!"

"I'd like to wax that boy good!" growled Giles Frozzler, as he shot
into the dressing tent. "Those youngsters spoiled my act completely."
And then he hurried to a pail of water to bathe his nose.

The next act was fairly good and put the crowd in good humor once more.
But that to follow was so bad that many began to hiss. Then came a race
which was as tame as it could possibly be, and many began to leave.

"This is the worst circus yet," said one man. "If anybody comes
to-night he'll be sold."

"I'm going to let all my friends know what a flat thing it is," said
another. "It isn't worth ten cents, much less a quarter."

The circus was to wind up with the riding of a trick mule,--the animal
being brought out by the clown.

As it happened the regular clown and the mule were friends, but the
mule hated Frozzler, for the circus owner had on more than one occasion
mistreated the animal.

"Be careful of that mule," said one of the hostlers, as he turned the
trick animal over to Giles Frozzler. "He's ugly this afternoon."

"Oh, I know how to manage him," growled Frozzler. "Come on here, you
imp!" and he hit the mule in the side.

Instantly the mule made a bolt for the ring with Frozzler running after
him.

"One hundred dollars to anybody who can ride Hanky-Panky!" sang out
Giles Frozzler. "He is as gentle as a kitten, and it is a great
pleasure to be able--"

The clown got no further, for just then the mule turned around and gave
him a kick which sent him sprawling. Then, like a flash Hanky-Panky
turned around, caught Frozzler by the waist and began to run around the
ring with him.

"Hi! let go!" screamed the thoroughly frightened circus owner. "Let go,
I say! Help! he will kill me! Help!"

"Hurrah! the mule has got the best of it!" sang out Tom. "He knows how
to run a circus even if that fellow don't."

"I'll bet on the mule," put in Dick. "He's a nose ahead in this race!"

"Save me!" yelled Frozzler. "Drat that beast! Stop him, somebody!"

There was intense excitement, and several employees rushed forward to
rescue Frozzler. But before this could be done, the mule left the ring
tent and dashed into the dressing room, where he allowed the circus
owner to drop into a barrel of water which was kept there in case of
fire. At this the crowd yelled itself hoarse; and this scene brought
the afternoon performance to an end.




CHAPTER XVI

ALECK BRINGS NEWS


"I reckon we got square," was Tom's comment, after the fun was over and
they were on their way to the farm. "My, but wasn't that circus owner
mad!"

"I don't think he'll have another such crowd to-night," said Fred, and
he was right. The evening performance was attended by less than a
hundred people, and a week later the show failed and was sold out
completely.

By the end of the week word was received from both the Stanhopes and
the Lanings that all would be glad to join the Rovers in their
houseboat vacation. They would take a train for Pittsburg direct on the
following Wednesday morning and would there await their friends.

"This suits me to a T!" cried Dick, after reading the communication
Dora had sent him. "If we don't have the best time ever then it will be
our own fault."

"Just what I say," answered Sam, who had received a long letter from
Grace.

There were many articles to pack and ship to Pittsburg. The boys also
made out a long list of the things to be purchased for the trip, and in
this their father and their aunt helped them.

Sunday passed quietly, all of the boys attending both church and Sunday
school. It was a hard matter for Tom to keep still on the Sabbath day,
but he did so, much to his aunt's comfort.

Aleck Pop was highly delighted to think that he was to be taken along,
especially as cook.

"I'se gwine to do ma level best fo' yo' an' fo' de ladies," said the
colored man. "Yo' is gwine to hab reg'lar Waldorf-Astoria feed."

"Don't feed us too good, Aleck, or we'll all die of dyspepsia," said
Sam.

"I'll take care of dat, Massah Sam. Don't yo' remember how I used to
cook when we was out in de wilderness ob Africa?"

"Indeed I do, Aleck. Yes, I know you'll take care of us," answered Sam.

On the day before the start the boys were surprised to see Hans Mueller
appear, with a big trunk and a dress-suit case. The German boy came
over from Oak Run in a grocery wagon, having been unable to find a cab.

"How you all vos?" said he, shaking hands. "I dink first I go py dot
Pittsburg und den I dinks me I got lost maybe--so I come here."

"That's right, Hans," said Dick. "But what made you bring such a big
trunk?"

"Shsh!" answered Hans, putting a finger to the side of his nose. "Dot
is a secrets alretty!"

"A secret?"

"Dot's him. You vos going to haf der ladies along, hey?"

"Yes, they are all going."

"I got me dree dress suits py mine drunk in."

"Three dress suits!" roared Dick. "Oh, Hans!"

"Ain't dot enough?" questioned the German cadet, dubiously.

"Three dress suits!" repeated Dick. "Oh, somebody hold me, or I'll have
a fit!" And he nearly doubled up with laughter.

"What's the funeral about?" came from Tom, who was standing near.

"Hans is to become a real ladies' man, Tom."

"I don't solve the riddle."

"He has got three dress suits in his trunk."

"Phew! He'll leave us in the shade entirely. Say, Hans, have you got
any patent leathers?"

"Yah, I got two pairs of batent-leather shoes."

"Hope you brought your pumps," put in Sam, who had come up.

"Bumps?" queried Hans, with a puzzled look. "Vy I pring me a bump? Does
der poat leak?"

"Well, that's the limit!" roared Dick.

"Sam means your dancing pumps?" said Fred. "You mustn't forget them,
you know--not if you want to be a really and truly society man."

"I got a pair of slippers for dot," answered Hans. "How many dress
suits you vos dake along, hey?"

"Oh, about seven," answered Tom, carelessly.

"You ton't tole me dot, Tom! Maybe I haf to puy some more, hey?"

"Well, I shouldn't--not just yet," answered Dick. "Wait till the new
fall styles come out. What you want for a starter is some everyday
clothes, a sweater or two, and a pair of rubber boots, in case we have
to walk ashore in the mud some time."

"Veil, I got dem too," answered Hans.

A letter had already been sent to Captain Starr, asking him to have the
houseboat brought up to Pittsburg. The captain was also told to have
the _Dora_ thoroughly cleaned and put in proper trim for he outing.

"We want the ladies to be satisfied with her appearance," said Dick.

"And especially since she is named the _Dora_," grinned Tom.

"Oh, you're only piqued because she isn't named the Nellie," retorted
his older brother, with a laugh.

"Never mind, Dick; some day you can use the houseboat on a honeymoon,"
answered Tom, and then ran off.

At last came the time for the boys to leave the farm. Jack Ness took
all the trunks and suit cases to the depot and then transported the
boys in the family carriage, with Aleck on the seat beside him.

"Good-bye to Valley Brook farm!" cried Tomb waving his hat.

"Take good care of yourselves, boys!" shouted Anderson Rover.

"Don't get drowned," put in the aunt. And then with final adieux they
were off. The drive to Oak Run was a quick one, and ten minutes later
the train came in and they went aboard.

The run to Pittsburg was to occupy several hours, so the boys made
themselves as comfortable as possible. They had dinner on the train
and ordered the best of everything to be had.

It had been arranged that all bound for the houseboat trip should meet
at the American House, and thither the boys made their way on reaching
the Smoky City, as Pittsburg is often called, on account of its
numerous manufactories.

"Here we are!" cried a voice, as soon as they entered, and Songbird
Powell hurried up to them. "I thought you'd get here about this time."

"Have you seen anything of the ladies?" queried Dick.

"Yes, they are all in the ladies' parlor. I told them I'd keep a
lookout for you."

They made their way to the parlor, where a great handshaking took
place. Mrs. Stanhope and Dora were there, and also Grace and Nellie
with Mrs. Laning. The latter was not used to traveling and was in quite
a flutter.

"The girls insisted upon my coming," said Mrs. Laning. "I didn't think
I could do it at first, but they wouldn't take no for an answer."

"And we are real glad to have you," answered Dick.

Aleck had been sent off to hunt up Captain Starr and the houseboat, and
in the meantime all of the party obtained rooms for the night and then
went to supper.

"This puts me in mind of the time we took dinner at Ithaca," said Dick
to Dora, on the way to the dining hall. "Do you remember?"

"Indeed I do," she answered, with a pretty blush. "But please do not
steer me into the smoking room again," she added, mischievously.

"Don't you think we are going to have a good time, Dora?"

"If I hadn't thought that I shouldn't have come," answered the miss.

It was a happy gathering, and Hans Mueller kept the young folks
convulsed by his odd speeches.

"And you ton't vos put no salt py mine coffee in dis dime, Tom," said
Hans, referring to a trick which had once been played on him.

"All right, Hansy," answered Tom. "And please don't you pour any coffee
down my back," he added, for he had not forgotten how he had been paid
back for that joke.

The supper lasted a long time, and after it was over all went to one of
the rooms upstairs, where they spent a couple of hours very agreeably.

"We can be thankful that it is such pleasant weather," said Mrs.
Stanhope. "An outing on a houseboat during a wet spell would not be so
nice."

"Oh, we'd try to make things pleasant," said Tom. "There is a piano on
board, and we could have music and singing--"

"A piano! Oh, Tom!" cried Nellie. "How nice! It must be a regular
little palace!"

"I haven't seen the boat yet. Uncle Randolph said there was a piano on
board."

"And I've got a guitar," came from Songbird Powell.

"With which he will sing to the moon on dark nights," came from Tom.

"I haf got some musics py mine drunk in too," said Hans.

"What have you got, Hansy?" asked Sam--"a tin whistle?"

"No, a music pox vot mine fadder brought from Chermany. He vos a fine
pox, too, I can told you."

"That's splendid, Hans," said Dora. "I love a good music box."

So the talk ran on until there was a knock at the door and Aleck
appeared. The look on his black face showed that he was excited.

"Say, Massah Dick, I would like to see yo' in private a minute," he
said.

"Certainly," replied Dick. "Excuse me," he added, to the others, and
went out into the hall with the colored man.

"I didn't want fo' to alarm de ladies," explained Aleck. "But I wanted
to tell you as soon as I could."

"Tell me what, Aleck?"

"Dat I dun seen dat rascal, Dan Baxter, less dan half an hour ago," was
the answer.




CHAPTER XVII

A QUEER CAPTAIN


"You saw Dan Baxter, here in Pittsburg?" ejaculated Dick.

"Dat's it."

"You are sure you were not mistaken, Aleck? I thought that rascal was
miles and miles away."

"Dat's jess wot I dun been thinkin' too. But it was Dan Baxter, suah. I
knows him too well to make any mistake about his ugly face."

"Where was he?"

"Dat's de alarmin' part ob it, Massah Dick. Yo' know yo' tole me to
find de houseboat."

"Yes."

"Well, I found de boat wid dat dar Cap'n Starr on board, an' we made
all dem 'rangements wot you spoke about. Den I started to leave de
boat. Dar was an eleckric light on de dock an' a man standing near it,
a-watchin' de houseboat. I almost run into him, an' den I discobered it
was dat good-fo'-nuffin Dan Baxter."

"He was watching the houseboat?"

"Dat's it."

"Did he recognize you, Aleck?"

"Not till I spoke to him. I said, `Wot yo' doin' heah, Dan Baxter?'
When he heard dat he 'most jumped a foot. Den he mutters sumthing wot
I couldn't make out an' runs away."

"Did you go after him?"

"Yes, but I couldn't cotch him nohow. Dar was big piles ob boxes an'
barrels on de dock and he got away befo' I know wot I was at. I hunted
an' hunted, but I couldn't git on his track."

"This is certainly unpleasant, to say the least," mused Dick, biting
his lip. "If he is watching us he is doing it for no good purpose."

"Dat's de way. I reasoned. But I didn't want de ladies to heah. Mrs.
Stanhope am a powerfully narvous woman."

"Yes, Aleck, you were wise in keeping them in ignorance. But I'll have
to tell Tom and Sam and the other fellows, and we'll have to keep our
eyes open."

"Is you' goin' to report dis to de police?"

"I may. I'll think it over first. Now, how about the houseboat? Has
Captain Starr done as directed?"

"Yes, sah."

"What kind of a man does he seem to he?"

"All right, Massah Dick, only--"

"Only what?" asked the eldest Rover, as he saw the colored servant
hesitate.

"Well, to tell de truf, he seems kind of funny to me."

"How funny?"

"Here," and Aleck tapped his forehead.

"Do you mean that he is crazy?"

"Not dat persackly, Massah Dick, but he said sum mighty funny t'ings
when we was talkin' acted like he was t'inkin' ob sumt'ing else."

"Humph! Well, if he isn't the sort of fellow we want we'll have to let
him go and get another captain."

Dick returned to the apartment he had left and told the others that
Aleck had made the necessary arrangements. Then he gave Tom and Sam a
wink which meant a good deal. Soon after this the party broke up, and
the boys retired to the connecting rooms they had engaged for the
night.

"So Aleck saw Dan Baxter!" cried Tom, when told of the news. "That must
mean the rascal is on our trail."

"Just what I am thinking, Tom," returned Dick.

"We ought to have the authorities arrest him," put in Sam.

"Perhaps, but we've got to locate him first. Now that he has been
discovered he will do his best to keep shady. Maybe he has already left
the city."

They talked the matter over for an hour, but could reach no
satisfactory conclusion.

"Better take matters as they come," said Powell. "He won't dare to
molest you openly."

"No, but he will molest us in secret, which will be worse," replied
Sam.

"None of the ladies or the girls must hear of this," said Tom. "It
would spoil their whole trip, even if Baxter didn't show himself
again."

"I ton't oben mine mouds apout noddings," declared Hans. "I vos so
quiet like an ellerfaunt in a church!"

Bright and early the boys were astir on the following morning, and
Dick, Tom, and Sam went off to interview Captain Starr before
breakfast. They found the captain a thick-set fellow, with a heavy
mustache and big, bushy whiskers. He had eyes of the dreamy sort, which
generally looked away when speaking to anybody.

"This is Captain Starr?" said Dick, addressing him.

"I'm your man."

"I am Dick Rover, and these are my brothers, Tom and Sam."

Dick put out his hand, but the captain merely nodded.

"Is everything ready for the trip, captain?" asked Tom.

"Yes, sir."

"You had the boat cleaned up?" said Sam.

"Yes, sir."

"We'll look her over," said Dick.

"Yes, sir."

They walked over the houseboat from end to end. The craft was certainly
a beauty and as clean as a whistle. There was a living room, a dining
room, a kitchen, and eight sleeping rooms--four of the latter
downstairs and four upstairs. Each sleeping room contained two berths.
There was also a bunk room below, for the help, and a small room for
the captain. In the living room, was the piano and also a bookcase
containing half a hundred choice novels.

"This is certainly great," said Tom.

"Better than I thought it would be," answered Sam. "It's a perfect
palace."

"And see how the brasswork shines," went on Tom. "The captain certainly
had things cleaned up.

"But he is a queer stick, if ever there was one." came from Dick, in a
whisper. "I must say, I don't half like him."

"He acts as if he was asleep," was Tom's comment.

"Or else as if he had something on his mind."

"Anyway, he comes highly recommended," said Sam.

When they came out on the deck they found Captain Starr sitting on a
bench smoking a corncob pipe.

"She is in fine shape and I congratulate you, captain," said Dick,
pleasantly.

"Thank you," was the short answer.

"You will be ready to have us taken down the river as soon as we get
our things on board?"

"Yes, sir."

"Confound him," thought Dick. "Why doesn't he say something else? He is
a regular automaton."

"By the way, captain," put in Tom, "have you noticed a stranger
watching the _Dora_ the last night or two?"

At this question Captain Starr leaped to his feet, allowing his corncob
pipe to fall to the ground.

"What made you ask that question?" he demanded.

"We have an enemy, named Dan Baxter. We suspect he is following us and
is spying on us."

"Yes, I have seen a young fellow around half a dozen times. In fact, I
caught him on the houseboat once."

"You did!" cried Dick. "What was he doing?"

"Going through the stuff in the living room."

"What did you do to him?"

"I yelled at him, demanding to know what he wanted. As soon as he heard
me he ran ashore and disappeared."

"Did you try to find him?"

"No, because I didn't want to leave the houseboat alone."

"Did you see him last night--while our colored man was here?"

"I saw somebody, but it was too dark to make out exactly who it was."




CHAPTER XVIII

ON BOARD THE HOUSEBOAT


After questioning Captain Starr as closely as possible all three of the
Rover boys came to the conclusion that it must have been Dan Baxter who
had visited the _Dora_ on the sly.

"I don't like this at all," said Sam. "He is going to make trouble for
us--no two ways about that."

"The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to get away without delay,"
said Tom. "He won't find it so easy to follow us then."

"I'm going to throw him off the scent," said Dick.

"How?"

"By pretending to go to one place, while we can really go to another."

"That's a scheme."

A small tug had been chartered to tow the houseboat, and the captain of
this was ordered to be ready for moving at eleven o'clock.

"We shall go to Camdale first," said Dick, naming a place about forty
miles away.

"All right, sir--wherever you say," said the tug commander.

Returning to the hotel, the boys found the others finishing breakfast
and sat down to their own. They said the _Dora_ was in perfect trim and
that the trip down the Ohio was to begin without delay.

"Well, I am sure I am ready," said Nellie. "I am just dying to see the
houseboat."

Aleck hurried around to buy the necessary stores, which were taken to
the _Dora_ in a wagon, Then two carriages brought down the ladies and the
boys and a truck brought along the baggage.

"What a beautiful boat!" cried Dora after going on board. "And how tidy
everything is!"

"Then you are not ashamed to have her called the _Dora?_" said Dick,
well satisfied.

"Ashamed? Oh, Dick, I am delighted!"

"This boat is a gem," was Songbird Powell's comment. "Say, folks on the
Ohio will take us, to be millionaires."

"Dis ship is besser dan a ferrypoat," was Hans' comment.

"A ferryboat!" shrieked Grace. "Oh, Hans!"

"I mean von of dem double-decker ferrypoats vot runs from New York to
Chersey City--dem kind vot has got blate-glass vinders und
looking-glasses der sthairs on," explained the German cadet. "Da vos
peauties, too."

"If we don't enjoy this trip it will be our fault," said Fred.

The lines were cast off, the steam tug puffed, and in a moment more the
houseboat had left the dock and the voyage down the Ohio was begun.

"I'll not be sorry to leave Pittsburg behind," said Nellie. "There is
so much smoke."

"Well, they have to have smoke--in such a hive of industry," answered
Dick.

By noon Pittsburg and Allegheny were left behind and once more the sky
was clear and blue above them. The sun shone brightly and there was
just enough breeze to keep the air cool and delicious. All sat on the
forward deck, under a wide-spread awning, watching the scenery as they
floated onward.

After a consultation it was decided that the first stop should be made
at a small village on the river called Pleasant Hills. Mrs. Laning had
a friend there whom she had not seen for years, and she said she would
be pleased to make a call.

"All right," said Dick, "Pleasant Hills it is." And he called to the
tug captain and gave the necessary directions.

"That will throw Dan Baxter off the track a little," whispered Sam.

Aleck Pop was highly pleased with the cooking arrangements. There was a
first-class gasolene stove, and the kitchen was fitted with all sorts
of appliances for rendering cooking easy.

"I'se gwine to do my best fo' you," said the colored man, and dinner,
which was served at one o'clock, proved to be little short of a genuine
feast, with oxtail soup, breast of lamb, mashed potatoes, green peas,
lettuce, coffee, pudding and cheese.