Edward Stratemeyer

“ The tramp through the deep snow was not easy, yet the three chums enjoyed it, for it made them feel good to be out in the clear, cold atmosphere, every breath of which was invigorating. They went on silently, so as not to disturb any game that might be near.
"Here are rabbit tracks!" said Dave, in a low tone, after the top of the first hill was gained, and he pointed to the prints, running around the trees and bushes. "Shooting ought certainly to be good in this neighborhood." ”

“ I gave him a piece of my mind once, and so did Phil, and Dave did more—gave him a sound thrashing."
"Oh, Dave, did you really!" Laura's face showed her distress. "Why, I—I thought he was nice enough. Maybe it was only a boyish quarrel," she added, hopefully. "I know boys do fight sometimes with hardly a reason for it."
"Dave had a good reason for hitting Merwell," said Phil. "The best reason in the world." He looked at Jessie and Mrs. Wadsworth and the others. "I'll not spoil this gathering by saying what it was. But it was something very mean, and Merwell deserved the drubbing he got." ”

“ A hasty examination was made of the hasp and staple of the door, and they were found intact. A wooden peg had served to keep the hasp in place.
"It looks to me as if somebody had let them out," said Dave, after an examination.
"But who would do that, Dave?" questioned Phil.
"Somebody not a member of the Gee Eyes—some enemy of the club."
"But why should the Soden boys run away?" asked Shadow. "They were willing to be initiated."
"Perhaps they got cold feet—mentally as well as physically," ventured Henshaw. "They may have got to talking things over in the dark and got scared." ”

“ He somehow blamed Phil Lawrence, but Phil had nothing to do with it."
"Yes, Phil wrote to me about that last row," answered Dave. "But to come back to yourself, Gus." His face grew sober. "You've certainly had a hard time of it, and, somehow, I don't think you alone are to blame for all that has happened. I have no appetite for liquor, but I think I can understand something of what it means. But let me tell you one thing." Dave's voice grew intensely earnest. "It's all nonsense to say you are not going to reform—that you can't do it. You can reform if you'll only use your whole will power." ”

“ It was a time of great peril and all the students in the carryall realized it. With a portion of the harness broken, the driver could do little or nothing to control the team. They had the bits in their teeth and plunged down the hill and over the rocks in a manner that sent the turnout swinging first to one side and then the other.
"We'll go over!"
"We'll be smashed to pieces!"
"We'd better jump, if we want to save our lives!"
These and many other cries rang out. Dave and Ben were on the front seat with Horsehair, but all the others were inside, being thrown around like beans in a bag. ”

“ Then Phil brought out such keys as he possessed, but all proved unavailable.
"That is one idea knocked in the head," said Dave, and heaved a sigh.
"I am going to tackle the bread and milk," said Phil. "It is better than nothing."
"It won't make us suffer from indigestion either," answered Dave, with a short laugh.
Sitting on some of the old schoolbooks the two youths ate the scanty meal Job Haskers had provided. To help pass the time they made the meal last as long as possible, eating every crumb of the bread and draining the milk to the last drop. ”

“ Dave and his chums skated some distance after the boats and then halted, to await their return.
"Hurrah, the Snowbird is crawling up on the Whistler!" cried Buster Beggs.
"They are neck and neck!" said Luke Watson.
"Yes, but the Venus is coming up, too," answered Phil. "Gracious, but I'll wager those Rockville fellows would like to win!"
"The Venus must be a new boat," said Ben Basswood. "I never saw her before."
"She is new—some of the Military Academy fellows purchased her last week," answered another boy.
The crowd moved on, Dave stopping to fix one of his skates, which had become loose. ”

“ Plum's voice was as hopeless as before.
"No 'buts' about it, Gus. I want you to make a man of yourself. You can do it if you'll only try. Won't you try?—for your own sake—for my sake—for the honor of Oak Hall? Say yes, and then thrust liquor out of your mind forever—don't even let yourself think of it. Get interested in your studies, in skating, boating, gymnastics, baseball,—anything. Before you know it, you'll have a death grip on that habit and it will have to die."
"Do you really believe that, Dave?" ”

“ I guess she thinks a lot of you, too."
"Now, Phil——" began Dave; but just then some other boys appeared and the rather delicate subject had to be dropped.
Dave had procured a theatrical book on how to make up for all sorts of characters, and he and Plum studied this and got their costumes ready. Both were truly comical outfits, and each lad had to laugh at the other when they put them on.
"We must keep them a secret," said Dave. "It will spoil half the fun to let the others know how we are going to be dressed. We don't want a soul to know until we step on the stage." ”

“ Then the man went away and wept."
"That's all right!" cried Sam Day, and everybody laughed. Then he added: "What can disturb a fellow more than a howling dog at night?"
"I know," answered Dave, quietly.
"What?"
"Two dogs," and then Dave ducked to avoid a book that Sam threw at him.
"Speaking of dogs reminds me of something," said Buster Beggs. "You all remember Mike Marcy, the miserly old farmer whose mule we returned some time ago."
"I am not likely to forget him," answered Dave, who had had more than one encounter with the fellow, as my old readers are aware. ”

“ Job Haskers was naturally an irascible man, and for the past few days he had been in a particularly bad humor.
"Excuse me, Mr. Haskers," said Dave, respectfully. "I didn't know you were in the cutter."
"You did it on purpose—don't deny it, Porter!" fumed the teacher. "It is outrageous, infamous, that a pupil of Oak Hall should act so!"
"Really, Mr. Haskers, it was a mistake," spoke up Phil. "We thought it was Horsehair—I mean Lemond, who was driving."
"Bah! Do I look like Lemond? And, anyway, what right would you have to snowball the driver for this school? It is scandalous! ”

“ Then, while the noise was still going on, Dave came up to the bat, swung the ashen stick at the first ball delivered, and sent the sphere down to deep center.
"Hurrah! A home run!"
"That's the way to do it! We'll win out yet!"
Dave had, of course, brought in Shadow, and this gave Oak Hall eight runs. Seeing the runs piling up the Rockville pitcher became rattled, and gave two men their base on balls. Then came another two bagger, and the men on first and second trotted home.
"Ten to eleven! One more run, fellows, and you'll tie 'em!"
"Change the pitcher! He's no good!" ”

“ This was the bitterest pill of all for Link Merwell to swallow. To think he might have been disqualified but that Dave Porter had been given the chance to continue hammering him! He [Pg 177] wanted to argue, but no one except Nat Poole would listen to him, and so he strode out of the gymnasium in disgust, accompanied by his crony.
"It makes me sick," he muttered. "Everybody stands up for Porter, no matter what he does!"
"Well, you see he has a way of worming in with everybody," answered Nat Poole. ”

“ A fine snow was falling when the school session was over, but none of the pupils minded this. Dave took his skates and went to the river, and Plum followed. Soon the pair were skating by themselves. When they had turned a bend, Plum led the way to a secluded spot, under the wide-spreading branches of an oak, and with a deep sigh threw himself down on a rock. ”

“ The girls and boys had come to a halt directly in front of a new candy and ice-cream establishment, and it was but natural that Phil should suggest to Dave that they go in and get some candy. The girls demurred at first at being treated, but then consented, and all went into the store. Dave purchased some assorted chocolates and Phil some fancy fig pastes, the girls saying they liked both.
"As it's a new store, the candies ought to be fresh," remarked Dave.
"Well, I like them best that way," answered Vera, as she helped herself to a chocolate. ”

“ He isn't himself at all—so you mustn't mind what he says."
"He's a fool!" came bluntly from Ben.
"I made a mistake to go out with him. He's always that way when he's got anything to drink."
Dave's face was a study. When Merwell had called him "a poorhouse rat" he had gone white and his teeth had closed with a snap, but now, when he heard how the misguided youth was the victim of his own appetite, the lines softened into pity and nothing else.
"It's too bad," he said. "Why can't fellows leave drink alone?" ”

“ As during previous terms, Dave had much trouble with Job Haskers. A brilliant teacher, Haskers was as arbitrary and dictatorial as could be imagined, and he occasionally said things which were so sarcastic they cut to the quick. Very few of the boys liked him, and some positively hated him.
"I always feel like fighting when I run up against old Haskers," was the way Roger expressed himself. ”

“ Hardly had the word left the bully's lips when Dave leaped forward and sent in a crashing blow on Merwell's chin. The bully tried to dodge but failed, and went over on his back in some brushwood. For several moments he lay there dazed.
"See here, I'll fix you!" he roared, as he struggled up. "If you want to fight—— Oh!"
For again Dave had struck out, and this time the blow landed over the bully's left eye, and once more he went down in the bushes.
"Oh, Dave——" began Plum, but received a shove back. ”

“ They stepped into the kitchen, and just then the match went out, leaving them again in the dark.
"I know the way now, so there is no need to make another light," said Roger.
"Wait,—better have a light," answered Dave. "You don't want to stumble over anything and make a noise."
He found a candle and lit it, and then the chums crept silently from the kitchen, through the pantry and dining room to the side hall. They wanted to stop for something to eat from the pantry, but did not wish to keep their friends waiting out in the cold. ”

“ The only lad at Oak Hall who did not seem to enjoy Dave's reappearance was Nat Poole. The dudish youth from Crumville, whose father had, in times past, caused old Caspar Potts so much trouble, kept himself aloof, and when he met Dave in a hallway he turned his head the other way and pretended not to notice.
"Nat Poole certainly feels sore," said Dave to Ben Basswood, his old friend from home, when Ben came to meet him, having been kept in a classroom by Job Haskers.
"Yes, he is sore on everybody," answered Ben. "Well, he is having a hard time of it, seems to me. ”

“ Soon the motor boat came close to them and they saw that Poole and Merwell were on board. The pair were smoking, as usual, but placed their cigarettes on the seats, out of sight.
"Where are you going?" demanded Nat Poole, abruptly.
"Rowing," answered Phil, dryly.
"Humph! Don't you wish you had this motor boat?"
"Not particularly."
"A motor boat beats a rowboat all hollow," went on the dudish student.
"Not for rowing," vouchsafed Dave. ”

“ The doctor handed him a glass of water a boy had brought and Nat tried it. The liquid tasted natural, much to his surprise, and the drink made him feel quite like himself once more.
"I—I guess I am all right now," he said after an awkward pause. "I—er—am sorry I woke you up."
"After this be careful of how much you eat," said the doctor, stiffly. "If a boy stuffs himself on mince pie and salad he is bound to suffer for it." Then he directed all the students to go to bed at once, and retired to his own apartment.
If ever a lad was puzzled that lad was Nat Poole. ”

“ Luke had been working like a Trojan to get all the talent of the school into line for what he said was going to be "the best show Oak Hall ever put up, and don't you forget it."
"I'm willing to help you out, Luke, but what do you want me to do?" returned Dave. "I am no actor."
"I know what he can do," said Buster. "He and Link Merwell can give a boxing match." ”

“ She was stately in her movements and her voice charmed Dave the moment he heard it.
"Just to think, you are really and truly my brother!" she exclaimed. "Isn't it wonderful!"
"It's wonderful for me to find a sister—and a father," answered Dave. "Sometimes I am afraid I'll wake up and find it all a dream."
"When I got papa's telegram I thought it was a dream. One of the cowboys on the ranch brought it over from the railroad station. At first I thought there must be some mistake, but Mr. Endicott said there couldn't be, and so I arranged to come east at once. ”

“ Then the rowboat floated away from the larger craft.
If Link Merwell had been angry before, he was now in a perfect rage. Scrambling to his feet, he shook his fist at the others.
"Just wait!" he roared. "I'll fix you all for this, and you particularly, Dave Porter, you poorhouse rat! I'll make you wish you had never been born!"
"Come away!" cried Nat Poole, badly frightened. "Don't listen to him."
Raising his oar, he hit the bully a blow on the shoulder.
[Pg 275]
"He acts as if he was crazy," was Phil's comment. ”

“ Hardly had the words been spoken when, to the consternation of the Gee Eyes, a shotgun was discharged, the load whistling through the trees over the lads' heads.
"Hi! hi! stop that!" yelled Buster Beggs. "We are not ghosts! We are——"
Bang! spoke up the shotgun a second time, and the load went clipping through the bushes on the left.
"Hand me your shotgun, Billy," said one of the [Pg 130] voices. "I don't know if I hit 'em or not, but this'll fetch 'em!"
"Run!" cried Dave. "Run for your lives! That old farmer is so scared he doesn't know what he is doing!" ”

“ So the talk ran on, as the boys in the gymnasium gathered around the would-be contestants. They felt that, no matter who won, they were going to see something worth while. Many secretly hoped that the boxing match would degenerate into a regular fight, for they knew that Dave and Merwell were bitter enemies, and the majority wanted to see the big bully soundly whipped. ”

“ If anything should happen I'd never forgive myself. I'll tell you what I wish you'd do."
"What?"
"Run and call Mr. Dale. He knows something about these cases. He once told me he had a brother who walked in his sleep and did all sorts of strange things."
"All right, I'll call him," answered the shipowner's son, and disappeared down the scuttle ladder.
Going back to the chimney, Dave now saw that Shadow had reached the end of the ridgepole and was kneeling down upon it. Holding out the tape measure he proceeded to make several imaginary measurements, all the while muttering to himself. ”