"The cabin is in an awful mess," declared Dora, and she told the
truth. Daylight was streaming through a hole in one corner and the
rain was entering in a stream.

"Let us get a tarpaulin and cover that hole," said Dick. "I'll do
it," he added. "I can't get any wetter than I am," and he gave a
short laugh.

"And I'll help," said Tom, who had recovered rapidly from his
involuntary bath.

"We shall need a carpenter to make repairs," said Captain Starr, who
had been working to shove off the fallen tree. "This smash-up is a
pretty bad one."

The boys remained outside, and all went to work to remove the tree
trunk and to cover the hole with a heavy tarpaulin. It was a task
lasting the best part of an hour, and when it had come to an end,
the rain was slackening up.

"We shall certainly have to lay up somewhere for repairs," said Fred.
"We can't continue the journey in this condition."

"Let us hire a carpenter at the next town we stop at," suggested Sam,
and to this they agreed.

The mess in the cabin was left for Aleck to clean up, and then the
ladies and the girls straightened things out as best they could. As
soon as the storm cleared away, the journey down the Mississippi was
continued.

"I can't help but think of what might have happened if that stroke
of lightning had hit the houseboat," said Songbird. "It makes me shiver."

"We certainly had a narrow escape," answered Dora. "I never wish to
get quite so close to another stroke."

On the following day, they stopped at a place which I shall call
Ramontown. From one of the dock owners, they learned where they could
find a master carpenter, and they called upon this individual and
had him look at the damage done.

"I can fix up the craft as good as she ever was," said he. "But it
will take at least a week, and it will take several days more to give
her two good coats of paint."

The matter was talked over, and they decided to remain tied up and
have the houseboat put in first-class condition once more. Then Mrs.
Stanhope sent a long letter to her friends at Braxbury, stating she
would call with some others, and mentioned the houseboat trip.

Just twenty-four hours later, a middle-aged man came down to the
houseboat and shook hands warmly. His name was Carson Denton and he
was the husband of Mrs. Stanhope's friend.

"I am more than glad to see you," he said. "I just got your letter
to Clara, and as she wanted me to open any letter that might be at
the Braxbury post-office for her, I read it. We do not live in Braxbury
any longer, but further west, at a place called Silver Creek, where
I have a good-sized plantation."

"Is that so? When did you move, Mr. Denton?"

"Only a few weeks ago, which accounts for you not having known of
the change. I had a good chance to trade my place in town for a
plantation, or ranch, as my son Bob calls it, and I took it. We have
a fine place, and Clara will be much pleased, I am sure, to have you
and your friends pay us a visit."

"Oh, mamma, let us go!" cried Dora. "I don't wish to stay on the
houseboat while the repairs are being made."

The matter was talked over for an hour, and the boys and girls took
Mr. Denton over the houseboat, from end to end.

"I've heard of you Rover boys," said he to Dick, Tom and Sam. "Mrs.
Stanhope has written to us about you, and how you once saved her from
a fellow named Josiah Crabtree. If you and your chums wish to visit
our place, I'd like you to do so. I've got a son Bob who, I know,
would like to meet you."

"Well, I wouldn't mind taking a trip inland," answered Dick.

"Can't we go on horseback?" put in Sam eagerly.

"We might do that."

"Certainly, you could make the trip in that way," said Mr. Denton.
"But it would take some time, for the roads are not of the best down
here. We usually take a train as far as Docker Crossing, and then
ride the rest of the distance, twelve miles, in a carriage or on
horseback."

"I'll tell you what's let do," suggested Tom. "The girls and the
ladies can go with Mr. Denton on the train, and all us boys can hire
horses and make the trip that way. We can leave Captain Starr and
Aleck in charge of the houseboat until we get back. We need not hurry
ourselves, for our time is our own."

When talked over, this plan met with universal approval, and it was
decided to put it into execution without delay. Mr. Denton wished
them to make an extended stay at his plantation, and the boys decided
to take their own time in getting there.

"It will be just the outing on horseback that I have been looking
for," said Sam. "I hope we have nothing but clear weather."

"We ought to have, after such a storm," said Fred. "See how clear
the sky is to-day."

"That trip to the plantation on horseback will take about five days,"
said Dick. "That will make quite an outing."

"Puts me in mind of our trip out West," said Tom. "What are we going
to do when night comes on? Go to some ranch, or make our own camp?"

"Oh, let us go into our own camp!" cried Songbird. "It will be such fun!"

"That's the talk," chimed in Sam.

"We can camp out on the way if the weather proves good," decided
Dick. "But if it rains good and hard, I reckon all of you will be
glad enough to get under cover."

"Pooh! who's afraid of a little rain," put in Fred. "Why, that will
make us grow!"

So the talk ran on, and finally all arrangements were completed for
the trip inland. Aleck Pop was sorry he could not accompany the boys,
but Dick thought it best that he remain behind.

"You know how Captain Starr is, Aleck--a bit queer at times. The
_Dora_ is a valuable craft, and I shall feel safer if I know you are
helping to keep watch over her."

"All right, Massa Dick. I will do my best to see dat no harm comes
to de houseboat. But I'd like to be wid you boys, no use er talkin'."

"Perhaps you can go along next time," said Dick, and with this the
colored man had to be content.

It did not take the ladies and the girls long to get ready for the
trip, and they left on the following morning, the boys going to the
railroad station to see them off. There was a hearty handshake all
around. Then the train came in and the party was off with a waving
of handkerchiefs.

"And now to get ready for our own start," came from Tom.

Through the carpenter who had taken the contract to repair the
houseboat, they were introduced to a man who owned a number of horses,
and for a proper consideration this individual let them have the use
of the steeds they wanted. They were all good animals and used to
the saddle, and the man guaranteed that the lads would not have any
trouble whatever with them.

"But I want to tell you beforehand that the road is none of the best,"
said the horse owner. "It is pretty fair for the first fifteen miles
or so, but then it is bad for thirty miles after that. You want to
beware of sink holes."

"We've been on some pretty bad roads before this," answered Sam. "I
guess we'll know enough to take care of ourselves."

"Well, I didn't think there would be any harm in telling you."

"Oh, that's all right."

The Rover boys were so used to traveling and to camping out that they
knew exactly what to take along. The other lads were also well
informed, because of the military encampments in which they had
participated. They carried only what was necessary, so that their
steeds might not be too heavily burdened.

"Looks like yo' was ready fo' a reg'lar outin'," remarked Aleck when
they were ready for a start. "I dun hopes yo' all come back safe and
sound."

"Why, of course we'll come back safe and sound!" exclaimed Sam. "What
put that into your noddle, Aleck?"

"I dunno, Massa Sam. But dis am a queer country, ain't it?"

"Not in the least. We expect to have a fine outing, and nothing else."

"And we'll be back here inside of two weeks," added Dick. "That is,
unless we make up our minds to stay at Mr. Denton's place for a while."

"All right, sah."

"And when we get back, I shall expect to see the houseboat in
first-class order," continued Dick to Captain Starr.

"I shall do my best," answered the captain.

A moment later, all of the boys mounted their horses and the journey
inland was begun. Little did they dream of the strange adventures
and perils which lay ahead of them.



CHAPTER VII

A DAY ON THE ROAD

"Vot kind of a horse you vos call dis, annahow?"

The question came from Hans, after about four miles of the journey
had been covered. So far, his steed had acted well enough, but now,
without warning, the animal began to balk and paw the turf.

"Something is wrong, that is certain," replied Dick. "Perhaps you
haven't got a tight enough rein, Hans."

"Dot reins vos so tight as nefer vos. I dink dis horse got somedings
der madder mit him."

As the German boy finished, he gave the horse a slap on the neck with
his hands. In a twinkling, up came the steed's hind heels, and poor
Hans slid out of the saddle and down to the neck.

"Voah, dere!" he bawled. "Voah, I said! Vot you vants to do, annahow,
drow me your head ofer? Sthop, und do it kvick!"

But the horse did not stop. Instead, he began to back, and then of
a sudden he leaped high up in the air, to come down on all fours with
a thump that nearly jounced poor Hans to pieces.

"Hello, Hans has got a bucking bronco!" cried Tom. "Hans, what will
you take for him?"

"I gif him avay!" bawled the poor German youth. "Oh!"

For the steed had made another leap, and now Hans went over his neck
in a jiffy, to land in a heap of dust on the side of the road. Then
the horse took to his heels and disappeared up the trail like a flash.

"Are you hurt?" questioned Dick, leaping to the ground and running
to the German youth's assistance.

"Vere is dot horse?" sang out Hans as he scrambled up and wiped the
dust from his mouth and eyes. He was not injured, but was greatly
excited.

"The horse has run away."

"Vell, I nefer! Go after him, somepotty!"

"I'll go after him!" cried Tom.

"So will I," added Fred, and away they sped, with Sam and Songbird
after them.

"Be careful!" called Dick. "That horse may prove to be a pretty
high-strung beast."

"I think I can manage him," cried Tom. "But we have got to locate
him first."

Those in pursuit of the horse had to travel the best part of a mile
before they came in sight of the animal, quietly grazing by the roadside.

"Looks as meek as a lamb," observed Fred. "Whoa, there!" he called out.

At the call, the horse pricked up his ears and looked at them curiously.
Then he took half a dozen steps forward.

"He is going to run away again!" came in a warning from Songbird.

"Not to-day!" sang out Tom, and riding forward, he leaned over and
caught the dangling reins. Then, watching his chance, he leaped into
the other saddle.

Scarcely had he done this, than the runaway steed began to prance,
and kicked up his heels as before. But Tom was on guard, and try his
best, the horse could not dislodge the boy.

"Beware, Tom!" cried Sam. "Don't let him throw you, or he may step
on you!"

"I don't intend to let him throw me!" was the panting answer.

Finding he could not throw Tom, the horse adopted new tactics. He
gave a sudden bound forward and was off with the speed of the wind.

"He is running away with Tom!"

On and on went the steed, and Tom did his best to pull him in, but
without result. Then the fun-loving youth smiled grimly and shut his
teeth hard.

"All right, Old Fireworks, if you want to run, I'll give you all you
want of it," he murmured.

On and on they flew, until a bend in the road shut off the others
from view. A mile was covered, and the horse showed signs of slackening
his speed.

"No, you don't," said Tom. "You wanted to run, now keep it up for a
while," and he slapped the animal vigorously.

Away went the horse, and another quarter of a mile was passed. Then
the horse slackened up once more.

"Another run, please," said Tom, and slapped him as before. The horse
went on, but at a reduced speed, and came to a halt before another
quarter mile was passed.

"Had about enough, eh?" questioned Tom. "Well, you can run a little
more, just for good measure."

By the time the next run came to an end, the horse was covered with
foam and tired out, for the road was very rough. Tom now turned him
back and made him journey along at a fairly good rate of speed.

"Well, I declare, here comes Tom back!" cried Fred on catching sight
of the fun-loving Rover. "Are you hurt?"

"Not a bit."

"And the horse?" asked Sam.

"As meek as a lamb--shouldn't wish for a better animal. He wanted a
little run, that's all, and I gave it to him."

Soon Dick came up, with Hans riding behind him. The German boy looked
at the captured horse with awe.

"Did he bite you?" he questioned.

"No."

"Didn't he hurt you at all?"

"Nary a hurt, Hansy."

"Vonderful!"

"Do you want him back?"

"Not for a dousand tollars, Tom. Of I got to ride him, I valk,"
continued Hans decidedly.

"Then, supposing you try my horse. He is gentle enough."

"Ton't you been afraid of dot beast?"

"No."

"All right, den, I dook your horse. But of you got killed, it ton't
vos mine funeral," added Hans warningly.

The animal Tom had been riding was close by, and soon the German
youth was in the saddle and the journey was resumed. They could not
go fast, however, for Tom's horse was all but exhausted.

"I think he has learned his lesson," said Tom to his brothers. And
so it proved, for after that single "kick-up," the horse gave them
no further trouble.

About four o'clock that afternoon, they rode into a place called
Harpertown, which was something of a horse-trading center. Some of
the horse dealers thought they had come in to do some trading, but
lost interest when the boys told them that they were simply on a
journey to the Denton plantation.

"We may as well stop here for a while," said Sam. "Perhaps we can
get a good supper at the hotel."

"Thought we were going to camp out," remarked Fred. "Build our own
camp fire, and all that?"

"We can try that to-morrow, when we are among the hills," said Dick,
and by a vote it was decided to stay in Harpertown for supper.

They put up their horses at the livery stable attached to the hotel,
and then went to the lavatory to wash up. On coming out and going to
the general room of the hostelry, Dick ran into a man who looked
familiar to him.

"Why, how do you do, Mr. Monday?" he cried, and put out his hand.

The man looked startled at being addressed so unexpectedly. Then he
recognized Dick, and smiled faintly.

"How do you do, Dick Rover?" he said. "I didn't expect to run across
you down here."

"Are you at work here, Mr. Monday?"

"Hush! Please do not mention my name," said James Monday hastily. He
was a detective who had once done some work for Dick's father, after
which he had given up his private practice to take a position with
the United States Government.

"All right, just as you please." Dick lowered his voice. "I suppose
you are on a case down here?"

James Monday nodded.

"Can I help you in any way?"

"I think not, Rover. Where are you bound?"

"To a plantation about a hundred miles from here," and the eldest
Rover gave a few particulars.

"Well, I wish you luck," said the government detective. "Now, do me
a favor, will you?" he asked earnestly. "Don't act as if you know
me, and don't tell anybody who I am."

"I'll comply willingly."

"If your brothers recognize me, ask them to do the same."

"I will."

"I am looking up some rascals and I don't want them to get on to the
fact that I am a detective."

"I understand."

At that moment a heavy-set individual with a shock of bushy hair came
slouching in. At once James Monday took his departure, the newcomer
gazing after him curiously.

Dick waited a moment, and then rejoined Sam and Tom.

"Dick, we just caught sight of a man we know," said Sam. "Can you
guess whom?"

"Mr. Day-of-the-week," put in Tom.

Dick put up his hand warningly.

"Don't mention that to a soul," he whispered. "I was just talking to
him. He is here on special business, and he wants nobody to know him."

"Then we'll be as mum as a mouse in a cheese," answered Sam.

"Correct," joined in Tom. "But what's his game?"

"I don't know," answered Dick. But he was destined to find out ere
he was many days older.



CHAPTER VIII

FUN AT THE HOTEL

The long ride had made all of the boys hungry, and when they procured
supper at the hotel they cleaned up nearly everything that was set
before them.

"Nothing the matter with your appetites," observed a sour-looking
individual who sat next to Tom at the table.

"Nothing at all, sir," answered the fun-loving youth. "What made you
think there was?"

"Eh?"

"What made you think there was something wrong with our internal
machinery, whereby we might be wanting in a proper regard for victuals?"

The man stared at Tom, and while a few at the table snickered, the
man himself looked more sour than ever.

"See here, don't you poke fun at me!" he cried.

"Never dreamed of it, my dear sir," said Tom, unruffled. "By the way,
how's your heart?"

"Why--er--my heart's all right."

"Glad to hear it. Yesterday I heard of a donkey who had his heart on
the wrong side of his body. Odd case, wasn't it?"

"See here, you young imp, do you mean to call me a--er--a donkey?"
and the man grew red in the face.

"A donkey? Why, no, sir! What put such a notion in your head?"

"You said--"

"So I did. Go on."

"You said--"

"So you said before."

"You said--"

"You said that before. You said, I said, and I said, so I did. It's
perfectly clear, as the strainer said to the tea."

By this time, all sitting at the table were on a broad grin. As a
matter of fact, the sour-looking man was not liked in that locality,
and the boarders were glad to see somebody "take him down."

"I won't put up with your foolishness!" stormed the man. "I am not
a donkey, and I want you to know it."

"Well, I am glad you mentioned it," said Tom calmly. "Now, there
won't be the least occasion for a mistake."

"Don't insult me!"

"No, sir; I am not looking for work."

"Eh?"

"I said I wasn't looking for work."

"What do you mean by that?"

"That, sir, is a mystery puzzle, and there is a reward of one herring
bone for the correct solution. Answers must be sent in on one side
of the paper only, and have a certificate added that the sender has
not got cold feet."

At this quaint humor, some at the table laughed outright. The
sour-looking individual looked thoroughly enraged.

"I--I'll settle with you another time, young man!" he roared, and
dashed from the room.

"Tom, you made it rather warm for him," remarked Dick.

"Well, he had no right to find fault with our appetites," grumbled
Tom. "We are paying for our meals, and I am going to eat what I please."

"And I don't blame you, young man," said a gentleman sitting opposite.
"Sladen is very disagreeable to us all and makes himself especially
obnoxious to newcomers. He imagines the hotel is here for his especial
benefit."

"Well, he wants to treat me fairly, or I'll give him as good as he
sends, and better."

During the evening Sladen made himself particularly disagreeable to
the Rovers and their chums. This set Tom to thinking, and he asked
one of the hotel men what business the man was in and where he usually
kept himself.

"He is a traveling salesman," was the answer. "He sells horse and
cattle medicine."

"Oh, I see," said Tom, and set his brain to work to play some joke
on the sour-looking vender of stock remedies.

Tom's chance came sooner than expected. A batch of colored folks had
drifted into the place under the impression that a certain planter
was going to give them work at big wages. They were a worthless lot,
the scum of other plantations, and nobody wanted them.

Sitting down, Tom penned the following note and got it to one of the
negroes in a roundabout fashion:

"The man who wants you and all of the others is Sandy Sladen. He does
not dare to say so here at the hotel, but all of you had better go
up to him on the sly and tell him you are ready to work, and ask for
a dollar in advance--that's the sign that it is all right. Do not
let him put you off, as he may want to test you. This is the chance
of your life."

The communication was signed with a scrawl that might mean anything.
The negro read it and passed it to his friends. All were mystified,
but they decided that they must do as the letter said, and without
loss of time.

Sladen was sitting in the reading-room of the hotel smoking a cheap
cigar, when he was told a negro wished to see him.

"Very well, send him in," he said in his loud, consequential tone.

The burly negro came in almost on tiptoes and, putting his mouth
close to Sladen's ear, whispered:

"I'se ready to go to work, sah. Hadn't yo' bettah gib me a dollah, sah?"

"What's that?" demanded the traveling man.

The negro repeated his words in a slightly louder tone.

"I don't want you to work for me!" cried the sour-looking individual.
"Get out!"

"Dat's all right, sah. I can do it, sah."

"I don't want you."

"Yes, yo' do, sah. Won't you han' ober dat dollah, sah? It will come
in mighty useful, sah."

"Say, you're crazy!" cried the traveling man.

By this time two other colored men were coming in. Both approached
as secretly as had the first.

"I'se ready to go to work fo' you, sah," said each, and added: "Kin
I hab dat dollah?"

"Look here, what does this mean?" roared the irate man. "Get away
from here, before I boot you out!"

But the negroes did not go, and in a few minutes more three others
entered. Soon the reading-room was full of them, all talking in an
excited manner.

"We'se ready to work fo' you!" they cried.

"Give me a chance fust?" bawled one big, coal-black fellow.

"No, de fust job comes to me!" put in the man who had received the
letter.

"Dat job is mine!" called out a third. "Ain't dat so?" and he caught
Sladen by the arm.

This was a signal for the others, and soon they completely surrounded
the traveling man, who tried in vain to ward them off.

"Give us dat dollah!" called out several.

"We want work, an' yo' has got to gib it to us."

"Yo' can't bring us to dis town fo' nuffin!"

They pushed and hustled the traveling man all around the room, while
the rest of the guests looked on in amazement. Tom and his friends
stood by the door and enjoyed the scene immensely.

"He is surely getting all that is coming to him," observed Fred.

"Say, he vos so mad like a bumbles bee," came from Hans.

"If you don't go away, I'll call an officer!" came frantically from
the traveling man. "I don't want to hire anybody."

"Yes, yo' do!" was the chorus. "Give us dat dollah!"

By this time the owner of the hotel had heard of the excitement, and
he came bustling in.

"See here," he said to Sladen, "you can't use this hotel for an
employment office. If you want to hire help, you have got to do it
on the outside."

"I don't want help!" stormed the traveling man.

"These men say you sent for them."

"Maybe he wants them to try some of his horse remedies," suggested
a man who did not like Sladen. "If so, I advise them not to take the
job." And a general laugh arose at the sally.

"You have got to get out of here," said the hotel man, speaking to
the negroes. "And you must go, too," he added to the traveling man.

"Me?"

"Yes, you. You have made trouble enough around here. After this, when
you come to town, you can go to some other hotel."

"This is an outrage!"

"We want a job, or some money!" bawled two of the colored men. And
they rushed at Sladen and began to shake him violently. He pushed
them away and started for the door. They went after him, and in the
hallway he got into a free fight and almost had his coat torn from
his back.

"I'll get even with somebody for this!" he almost foamed. "If I find
out who played this joke on me--"

"Go on, and do your talking outside," interrupted the hotel proprietor,
and then the disgruntled traveling man had to leave, with the angry
mob of colored men following him. He was so pestered by the latter
that he had to take a train out of town the very next morning.

"That was piling it on pretty thick, Tom," said Dick, after the
excitement was over.

"He deserved it, Dick. I made some inquiries around the hotel, and
not a single person liked him. He was the torment of all the hired
help, and was keeping them in hot water continually."

"Well, if he finds you out, he'll make it warm for you."

"I intend to keep mum," answered the fun-loving Rover, and he did
keep mum. It may be added here that he never met Sladen again.



CHAPTER IX

HANS AS A POET

Dick was down in the stable attached to the hotel on the following
morning, when a man came in and approached him. He was the same
individual who had drawn near when the eldest Rover was talking to
the government detective.

"Getting ready to leave, stranger?" he said in a pleasant tone.

"Yes, we are going to start right after breakfast."

"Bound for the Denton plantation, so I hear?"

"Yes. Do you know Mr. Denton?"

"I met him once or twice--when he was in business in Braxbury. A nice
man, so I understand."

"Yes, he is a very nice man."

"It might be that you are related to him?"

"No."

"That's a nice hoss you've been riding."

"I find him so," answered Dick shortly. He did not fancy the appearance
of the man who was speaking to him.

"Looks something like a horse was here yesterday and the day before,"
continued the man, following Dick up. "I reckon you remember him?"

Dick did remember, for the horse had been ridden by James Monday.

"By the way, who was your friend?" added the man with assumed
carelessness, but eying Dick closely.

"I can't tell you anything about him," was the sharp answer. "Have
you a horse here?" continued Dick, to change the subject.

"Certainly. Then you didn't know the man?"

"Oh, I met him once or twice, years ago--when he was in business up
in New York." And without waiting to be questioned further, Dick
walked out of the stable. The man eyed him as closely as he had the
government detective the day previous.

"He isn't much more than a boy, but I'd like to know if he is out
here only for pleasure or on business," said the man to himself. "We
can't be too careful in our work," and he smiled grimly.

"That fellow wants to know too much," said the eldest Rover in talking
it over with his brother Sam. "I must say I don't like his looks at all."

"Nor I, Dick. I'll wager he has some game up his sleeve."

"Perhaps he is the fellow Mr. Monday is watching?"

"That is possible, too. He was certainly very inquisitive."

After a good breakfast, the Rovers and their friends prepared to
resume their journey. From the landlord of the hotel they obtained
information regarding the roads and trails to follow.

"They ain't none of the best," said the hotel man. "But they are the
best we possess, so you'll have to put up with them," and he laughed
at his little joke.

They were soon on the way. A good night's rest had put all in the
best of humor, and they joked and sang as they rode along.

"Songbird, this ride ought to be full of inspirations for you,"
remarked Fred.

"I'll wager he is chockful of poetry at this minute," put in Dick.

"Then, for gracious' sake, turn on the spigot before you explode,
Songbird," cried Tom. "Don't pen up your brilliant ideas when they
want to flow."

"An idea just popped into my head," said the so-styled poet. "Now
you have asked me, you have got to stand for it." And in a deep voice
he commenced:

  "The road is dusty, the road is long,
  But we can cheer our way with song,
  And as we ride with gladsome hearts--"

"Each one can wish he had some tarts," finished Tom, and continued:

  "Or pies, or cakes, or ice-cream rare--
  Good things that make a fellow stare!"

"Don't mention ice-cream!" cried Fred. "Oh, but wouldn't it be fine
on such a hot day as this?"

"No ice-cream in this poetry," came from Songbird. "Listen!" and he
went on:

  "The road doth wind by forests deep,
  Where soft the welcome shadows creep.
  Down the valley, up the hill,
  And then beside the rippling rill.
  The welcome flowers line the way,
  Throughout the livelong summer day,
  The birds are flitting to and fro--"

"They love to flit and flit, you know," came from the irrepressible
Tom, and he added:

  "The bullfrog hops around the marsh,
  His welcome note is rather harsh.
  The lone mosquito shows his bill,
  And, boring deep, secures his fill."

"Hold on, there!" came from Dick. "I draw the line on mosquitoes in
poetry. They can do their own singing."

"And stinging," added Fred gayly.

"Mape I vos make some boultry vonce, ain't it?" said Hans calmly.

"That's it, Hans," cried Sam. "Go ahead, by all means." And the German
youth started:

  "Der sky vos green, der grass vos plue--
  I sit town to an oyster stew;
  Der pirds vos singing all der night--
  You vill get choked of your collar is tight!
  Oh, see der rooster scratching hay--
  Ven der pand begins to blay!
  At night der sun goes town to ped--
  Und cofers mid clouds his old red head!
  At night der moon she vinks at me--"

"--for making such bad poetree!" finished Tom, and added with a groan:
"Hans, did you really make that all up by yourself?"

"Sure I did," was the proud answer.

"You must have had to eat an awful lot of mince pie to do it," put
in Sam.

"Vot has mince bie to do mit boultry?"

"It's got a lot to do with such poetry as that," murmured Songbird
in disgust.

"Oh, I know vots der madder. You vos jealous of me, hey?"

"Sure he is jealous, Hans," said Dick. "Songbird couldn't make up
such poetry in a hundred years."

"It runs in der family," went on the German boy calmly. "Mine granfadder
he vonce wrote a song. Da sung him py a funeral."

"Did it kill anybody?" asked Fred.

"Not much! It vos a brize song. He got a dollar for doing it."

"It must run in the family, like wooden legs among the soldiers,"
said Tom, and there the fun for the time being came to an end.

The road now ran up a hill, and then they came to a thick patch of
timber. Before they left the timber, they rested for their mid-day
lunch, camping out, as suited them.

"This is something like," remarked Fred. "I think it first-rate."

"It is very nice to be outdoors when it doesn't rain," answered Dick.

"How nice it would be if we had the girls along," said Sam.

"Oh, ho! Sam is pining for Grace!" cried Tom teasingly.

"Pooh! you needn't to blow," returned the youngest Rover, blushing.
"Last night you called out for Nellie in your sleep. You must have
been dreaming of her."

"I'll dream you!" burst out Tom, getting as red as Sam had been, and
he made a move as if to throw a cup of coffee at his brother.

"Children! children!" said Dick sweetly. "I am--er--amazed."

"He's sorry because you forgot to mention Dora," said the irrepressible
Tom. "Now, Dora is just the cutest--"

"Avast, Tom, or you will get it," said Dick. "We haven't got the
girls with us, so let us drop the subject."

It was very pleasant in the timber, and they did not leave until
thoroughly rested. Near at hand was a small but pure stream, and here
they washed up and watered their horses.

While the others were at the stream, Tom wandered off in the direction
of the road. Now they saw him coming back full of excitement.

"Whom do you suppose I saw on the road?" he said.

"Give it up," returned Fred.

"Dan Baxter."

"Baxter!" came in a chorus.

"Yes. He was with that fellow who was at the hotel, the chap with
the bushy hair," added Tom to Dick. "The man who asked so many
questions."

"Were they on horseback?" asked Sam.

"Yes. When Baxter saw me, he looked frightened. I called to him to
stop, but he wouldn't do it."

"Where were the pair going?" asked Dick with interest.

"In the same direction we are going."

"Perhaps we can catch up with them," went on Dick. "Anyway, it is
worth trying."

A minute later all were in the saddle and on the trail once more.



CHAPTER X

A TWENTY-DOLLAR BILL

"It's odd that Dan Baxter should be out here," observed Sam as they
journeyed along. "Can he be following us?"

"It is possible," returned Dick. "You know he would do almost anything
to harm us."

"He has got to keep his distance," said Fred. "I shan't put up with
any more of his games."

When they came to a turn of the road, they saw Dan Baxter and the
bushy-haired man a long distance ahead. The former bully of Putnam
Hall was on the lookout for them and at once urged his steed onward
at an increased rate of speed.

"He means to get away if he possibly can," cried Songbird. "If we
want to catch him, we have got to do our utmost."

On and on they rode, until another turn hid Baxter and his companion
from view again.

The bully was frightened, for he did not know what would happen to
him if he was caught by the Rovers and their friends in such a lonely
spot as this.

The man who was with him, a fellow named Sack Todd, noticed his
anxiety, and smiled grimly to himself.

"You're mighty anxious to git away from them fellows," he remarked.

"Well, if I am, what of it?" returned Dan Baxter sharply. So many
things had gone wrong lately that he was thoroughly out of humor.

"Oh, I allow you have a perfect right to give 'em the go-by if you
want to," answered Sack Todd. "I wouldn't mind helpin' you a bit--maybe.
Tell me about 'em, will you?"

"They are fellows I hate, and I've always hated them!" cried the
bully fiercely. "We used to go to the same boarding academy, and they
did their best to get me into trouble. Then I tried to get square,
and that put me in hot water and I had to leave. After that, we had
more trouble. They tried to prove I was a criminal."

"I see. Go on."

"It's a long story. I hate 'em, and I'd do almost anything to get
square with them."

"Good for you!" cried Sack Todd. "I like a fellow who wants to stand
up for himself. But just now you are running away."

"I can't stand up against such a crowd alone. But some day it will
be different."

"Let us turn down a side road," said Sack Todd. "That will throw 'em
off the scent."

He was a good judge of character, and fancied he could read Baxter's
story fairly well. The young man had come down in the world, and he
was bitter against everybody and everything.

They passed down a side path and then on to a trail that was all but
hidden by the grass and bushes.

"It's a short cut to Cottonton," said the man. "We can reach there
in no time by this trail. Very few, though, know of the route."

As they rode along the half-hidden trail, he questioned Dan Baxter
more closely than ever, and as a result learned as much as he cared
to know. He realized that the former bully was hard up and ready to
do almost anything to make some money. What he had possessed, he had
spent in gambling and other forms of fast living.

"Perhaps I can put you in the way of making some money," said Sack
Todd slowly. "That is, if you are not over particular as to what it
is," he added, looking at Baxter sharply.

"I'm not looking for hard work, thank you," was the ready answer. "I
am not used to that sort of thing, and couldn't stand it."

"This sort of work would be easy enough. But it would require
judgment--and a little nerve at first."

"Well, I think I have fairly good judgment, and, as for nerve--why,
try me, that's all."

"Then there is another point to the business. You'd have to drive
some pretty sharp bargains."

"I can do that."

"Sometimes the goods are not exactly as represented--"

"I guess I understand, and that wouldn't stop me," and Dan Baxter
grinned. "But I'd want pretty good pay."

"I think I can make that suitable--after we know each other better,"
said Sack Todd.

He continued to draw Baxter out, and hinted at a scheme to make big
money. At last, the former bully of Putnam Hall could stand it no longer.

"See here," he cried. "If you mean business, spit out what is in your
mind. You can trust me with anything. I am not of the milk-and-water
sort. I am out for money, first, last and all the time."

"Then you are a fellow after my own heart," answered the man. "I
reckon we can come to terms. But not just yet."

"Well, I've got to have something pretty quick. I am next to dead-broke."

"Perhaps I can help you out a bit."

"I wish you would."

"Here is twenty dollars. I reckon that will prove that I am taking
an interest in you." And the bright, crisp bill was handed over.

"Money talks!" cried Dan Baxter. He gazed at the bank note in genuine
pleasure. "I am much obliged."

"Here is where I must leave you," went on Sack Todd as they reached
a crossing in the trails. "Keep right on, and you'll soon come in
sight of Cottonton. Meet me there to-night at the Planters' Rest."

"I will."

"You had better keep out of sight--if those Rovers are on your trail."

"Trust me to lay low," said Baxter with a short laugh.

In another moment the former bully of Putnam Hall found himself alone.
Sack Todd had galloped off at a high rate of speed.

"He is certainly an odd sort," mused Baxter. "But I guess he means
to do right by me, or he wouldn't lend me a twenty so readily. He
must be used to handling big money, by the roll of bills he carried.
I wish I possessed such a roll. There must have been several hundred
dollars in it, at least."

He felt to make sure that the bill was safe in his pocket, and then
continued on his journey. Several times he looked back, but he could
see nothing of the Rover boys or their friends.

Dan Baxter felt particularly downcast and desperate. Since the capture
of Lew Flapp, he had been without a companion in whom to confide,
and the peculiar loneliness among utter strangers was beginning to
tell on him. This was one reason why he had told Sack Todd so much
of his story.

Coming to the end of the timber and brush-wood, he saw, lying before
him in something of a valley, the town of Cottonton, consisting of
several well laid out streets and an outlying district of pretty
homes. At a distance was the regular road, but so far his enemies
were not in sight.

The ride had made Baxter hungry and, reaching the town, he lost no
time in hunting up a modest restaurant on a side street, where, he
hoped, the Rovers would not find him.

"What can you give me for dinner?" he asked. "I want something good."

A number of dishes were named over, and he selected roast beef,
potatoes, beans, coffee and pie. He was quickly served, and pitched
in with a will.

"Riding makes a fellow feel hungry," he explained to the proprietor
of the eating house, who hovered near.

"Yes, sah, so it does. Going to stay in town, sah?"

"I don't know yet. I'm just looking around."

"Yes, sah, certainly. If you stay, I'll be pleased to furnish meals
regularly, sah."

"I'll remember that."

Having disposed of the meal and also an extra cup of coffee, Dan
Baxter called for a cigar and lit it. Then he hauled out the
twenty-dollar bill. As he did so, he gave a slight start. He had
handled a good deal of money in his time, and the bank bill looked
just a bit peculiar to him.

"What if it isn't good?" he asked himself.

"Forty-five cents, please," said the restaurant keeper. His usual
price for such a meal was thirty cents, but he thought Baxter could
stand the raise.

"Sorry I haven't a smaller bill," answered the bully coolly. "I ought
to have asked the bank cashier to give me smaller bills."

"I reckon I can change it, sah," said the restaurant man, thinking
only of the extra fifteen cents he was to receive.

"Take out half a dollar and have a cigar on me," continued Baxter
magnanimously.

"Yes, sah; thank you, sah!" said the man.

He fumbled around, and in a minute counted out nineteen dollars and
a half in change. Pocketing the amount, the bully walked out, mounted
his horse once more and rode away.

"Nice chap, to pay forty-five cents and then treat me to a cigar,"
thought the restaurant keeper. "Wish I had that sort coming in every
day."

He lit the cigar and smoked it with a relish, particularly so as it
had not cost him anything. He put the twenty-dollar bill away, to
use when he should go to a neighboring city to buy some household
goods, two days later.

When he went to buy his things, they came to twenty-six dollars, and
he passed over the new twenty-dollar bill, and also an old one received
some weeks before.

"I'll have to get change at the bank," said the store keeper, and
left his place to do so. In a few minutes he came back in a hurry.

"See here," he cried. "They tell me one of these bills is a counterfeit."

"A counterfeit!" gasped the restaurant man.

"So the bank cashier says."

"Which bill?"

"The new one."

"You don't mean it! Why, I took that bill in only a couple of days ago."

"Then you got stuck, Mr. Golden."

"Is he sure it's a counterfeit?"

"Dead certain of it. He says it's rather a clever imitation, and that
a number of them are afloat around these parts. Where did you get it?"

"A stranger gave it to me," groaned the restaurant keeper. "I thought
he was mighty smooth. He treated me to a cigar! I wish I had him here!"

"You had better watch out for him."

"Sure I will. But I suppose he'll know enough to keep out of my way,"
added the man who had been victimized.



CHAPTER XI

A MIDNIGHT SCARE

The Rovers reached Cottonton without catching sight of Dan Baxter
again, nor did they locate him while stopping at the town.

"He knows enough to keep out of our way," remarked Dick. "Even now
he may be watching every move we make."

They did not remain in Cottonton long, and that night found them once
more on a trail leading to another patch of timber. All were in
excellent spirits, and Hans enlivened the time by singing a song in
his broken English in a manner which convulsed them all.

"Hans would make his fortune on the variety stage," remarked Fred.
"His manner is too funny for anything."

"Vot you said apout a stage?" demanded the German youth. "I ton't
vos ride on no stage ven I got a goot horse alretty."

"Fred wants you to go on the stage," said Sam,

"He thinks you might play Shakespeare," said Tom.

"Vot kind of a play is dot Shakespeares?"

"It's a farce in 'steen acts and twice as many scenes," said Dick.
"You might play the double-tongued mute."

"I like not such a blay. I like dot blay vere da vos all killed off
kvick."

"Good gracious! Hans wants to go in for tragedy!" ejaculated Tom.
"Who would think he was so bloodthirsty. If you keep on like that,
Hansy, dear, I'll be afraid you'll murder us in our sleep."

"I like dem murders. Da vos alvays make dem goose skins mine back town."

At this there was a general roar.

"'Goose skins' is good," came from Fred.

"Vot you laffin' at, hey?" demanded Hans.

"Nothing."

"Dere don't been noddings to laugh at by a murder, not so?"

"That's true, Hansy," said Sam.

"Maybe of you vos killed, you vould sit ub and laugh at him, hey?"

"I shouldn't laugh," said Tom. "I'd keep quiet about it."

"Yah, I know you, Tom Rofer. I bet you sixteen cents I vos a better
actor mans as you been," continued Hans, warming up.

"I don't doubt it, Hansy. Some day we'll put you on the stage."

"Of I got on der stage, I make me a hundred dollars a veek, I pet
you my head!"

"Maybe you'd make two hundred, Hans," suggested Songbird.

"You all peen jealous of vot I can do. But some day I vos show you,
you see!" cried the German youth, and rode on ahead, somewhat out of
sorts.

They had resolved to camp out that night in true hunter fashion, and
approaching a spot that looked inviting, they came to a halt. The
place was some distance from the road and ideal in many respects,
being on high ground and with a spring of pure water flowing into a
tiny brook but fifty feet away.

As they had no tent, they proceeded to make a shelter of boughs, and
covered the flooring with the same material. In the meantime, a
campfire was lit, and two of the number set about preparing the supper
which had been brought along.

"This is all very well, when one has his stuff with him," observed
Fred. "But if we had to go out and shoot game or catch fish, it would
be a different story."

"Pooh, as if we haven't done that!" cried Tom. "I shouldn't like
anything better than to go out into the woods for a month."

By the time the shelter was in readiness for the night, the supper
was cooked, and all sat around the campfire to partake of the meal.
A certain part of it had been slightly burnt, but to this nobody paid
attention, although it would have been noticed if this had occurred
at home or at a hotel. But camping out makes such a difference,
doesn't it, boys?

"Supposing some wild animals came along to eat us up?" said Sam when
they were finishing their meal.

"Are there any wild animals around here?" questioned Songbird.

"I am sure I don't know. There may be bobcats in the timber."

"Vot is a popcat?" asked Hans.

"It's a kind of a wildcat--very strong and very fierce."

"Of dot peen der case, I ton't vonts to meet Mr. Popcat."

"I don't think any of us want to meet such a beast," said Tom. "Is
anybody to stay on guard to-night?"

"Don't ask me--I'm too dead tired," said Dick promptly.

"Nor me!" came from the others.

"Let us go to sleep and venture it," said Sam. "I don't think a thing
will come near us."

So it was decided, and as soon as the campfire began to die down,
one after another of the boys retired. Songbird was the last to lie
down, and soon he was slumbering as peacefully as the rest.

Sam had been sleeping perhaps three hours, when he woke up with a
slight start. He sat up and tried to pierce the darkness around him.

"Did anybody call?" he questioned after a pause.

Nobody answered, and he listened attentively. The horses had been
tethered in the bushes close to the shelter, and now he heard several
of the animals move around uneasily.

"Something must be disturbing them," he told himself. "I'll have to
get up and see what it is."

At first, he thought he would arouse some of the others, but all
appeared to be sleeping so soundly he hated to do so.

"They won't thank me for waking them up, unless it is worth while,"
was what he told himself.

He arose and felt his way over the others who lay between himself
and the opening of the shelter. Outside, there was no moon, but the
stars were shining brightly, and he could make out objects that were
not too far off.

As he moved toward the horses, he heard a rustling in the bushes. He
strained his eyes and made out a dark form stealing along close to
the ground.

"A wild beast!" he muttered. "I wish I had a gun."

He turned back to the shelter and aroused Dick, and then Tom. This
awoke all of the others.

"What's the matter?" questioned Dick, as he got out a pistol.

"Some sort of a wild animal is prowling around this place."

"Py chiminy! Vos it von of dem catpobs?" ejaculated Hans, turning pale.

"I don't know what it is."

"Where is it now?" came from Fred.

"I don't know that, either. It was slinking around yonder bushes a
minute ago."

"Let us stir up the fire," put in Songbird. "All wild animals hate
a big blaze." And he set the example, and Hans helped to heap up the
brushwood.

"I ton't vont to become acquainted mit dem catpobs nohow," said the
German youth. "He can go avay so kvick like he come."

After the fire was brightened, there came a painful pause. Each boy
was on his guard, with eyes straining from their sockets.

"I see something!" cried Fred suddenly.

"Where?" asked the others in a breath.

"There--but it's gone now."

Again they waited, and soon came a rustling on the other side of the
camp, followed by the cracking of a bone which had been thrown away
during the evening repast.

"There he is!"

"Shoot him!"

"No, don't shoot!" burst out Tom. "I know what it is."

"What?"

"Nothing but a dog."

"Nonsense."

"I say it is." Tom began to whistle. "Come here, old boy," he went
on. "Good dog, come here."

At this, the animal stopped crunching the bone and came forward slowly
and suspiciously. It was indeed a large, black dog, with curly hair
and lean sides.

"Hullo!" cried Sam. "Come here, that's a good dog. Say, fellows, he
looks half starved."

"Are you sure it ain't no catpob?" queried Hans anxiously.

"Yes, Hans," answered Songbird. "He is nothing but a dog, and rather
friendly at that."

The dog came closer, wagging his tail slowly and suspiciously. Dick
put out his hand and patted him, and then he waved his tail in a
vigorous fashion.

"He is willing enough to be friends," said the eldest Rover. "I
shouldn't be surprised if he is homeless."

"In that case, we might adopt him," said Tom, who loved a nice dog.

"Let us try him on something to eat," put in Songbird. "There is no
meat left on that bone."

Some things had been saved for breakfast, and a portion was set before
the newcomer. He devoured it greedily and wagged his tail furiously.

"He feels at home now," said Dick, and he was right. The dog leaped
up, first on one and then another, and licked their hands.

"What's your name?" asked Tom, and the dog wagged his tail and gave
a low, joyful bark.

"Better call him Wags," suggested Sam. "He seems to be death on
keeping that tail going."

"Wags it is," announced Tom. "How do you like it, Wags, old boy?"
And the dog barked again and leaped up and down several times in joy.

"Vell, he vos goot enough," was Hans' comment. "Bud I ton't see vy
he couldn't introduce himselluf by der daydime alretty. I vos going
to ped again," and he rubbed his eyes sleepily.

"So am I going to bed," said Fred. "Tom, are you going to stay awake
to watch the dog?"

"No, he is going to sleep with me," answered the fun-loving youth.
"Come on, Wags, get your nightcap and come to bed."

He made a certain move of his hand and the canine suddenly sat upon
his haunches and cocked his head to one side.

"Hullo, he's a trick dog!" exclaimed Dick. "Shake hands," and the
dog did so. Then, as Sam snapped his fingers, the animal began to
walk around the camp on his hind legs.

"I'll wager he knows a lot of tricks," said Tom. "And, if so, he must
be valuable."

"Then whoever owns him will want him back," was Songbird's comment.

"Well, I guess he can travel with us until somebody claims him," said
Tom; and so it was decided.



CHAPTER XII