Dick Rover

“ Dick's blood was up, and he did not release his hold or relinquish his efforts until the bully had been pushed along the road for a distance of fifty yards.
"Now you dare to come back!" said Dick, shaking his fist at the fellow. "If you come, I'll have you locked up."
"We'll see about it, Dick Rover," snarled Dan Baxter. He paused for an instant. "He laughs best who laughs last," he muttered, and strode off as fast as his long legs would carry him, in the direction of the lake.
When Dick returned to Dora he found that the girl had sunk down on the piazza steps nearly overcome. ”

“ In writing this tale I have had in mind two thoughts—one to give my young readers an out-and-out story of jolly summer adventure, along with a little touch of mystery, and the other to show them that it very often pays to return good for evil. Arnold Baxter had done much to bring trouble to the Rover family, but what Dick Rover did in return was Christian-like in the highest meaning of that term. Dick was not a "goody-goody" youth, but he was a thoroughly manly one, and his example is well worth following by any lad who wishes to make something of himself. ”

“ As they reached one of the streets they heard a cheerful whistle.
"That's Dick!" said Sam. "He won't whistle so happily when he learns the news."
"Hullo!" came from Dick Rover, as he caught sight of his brothers. "What brings you back so soon?"
"Thought you were going to stay on the house boat until we got there," added Fred Garrison, who, with Hans Mueller, accompanied the eldest Rover.
"There is no houseboat to stay on," answered Tom. ”

“ The shock sent the Searchlight backward, and when the youth came down he found himself sprawling on the Flyaway's deck, close beside Dan Baxter.
"Dick Rover!" gasped the former bully of Putnam Hall. "So it is your boat that has run into us?"
"Baxter, where is Dora Stanhope?" panted Dick, as soon as he could speak. He was afraid that one or both yachts were going down and that Dora might be drowned. Even in this extreme moment of peril his one thought was for his girl friend.
"Find out for yourself," burst out Baxter, and aimed a blow at Dick's head with his fist. ”

“ Over the cornfield sailed the Dartaway with Dick Rover the sole occupant. He was up about fifty feet in the air and presently he went still higher.
"He's making the turn!" cried Sam. "Just look at him coming around!"
"Here he comes back!" exclaimed Tom. "Hurrah! Who says Dick can't fly? Why, he's flying like a veteran!"
"Very good, so far," murmured Captain Colby. "If only he keeps his wits about him he'll be all right."
"Trust Dick to do that," answered Sam. "He knows what he is doing, every time."
The biplane had now reached a point close to where the three stood in the field. ”

“ The war at an end, the older Rovers returned to the United States. Through a soldier whose life he had saved Dick Rover became interested [17] in the oil fields of Texas and Oklahoma, and how he journeyed to the oil fields, taking the four Rover boys with him, is fully set forth in a volume entitled “The Rover Boys in the Land of Luck.” Dick Rover, aided by the boys, was highly successful in his quest for oil, but he made several bitter enemies, including Carson Davenport, who, with two of his pals, was sent to prison. ”

“ Their coming was noticed by a score of boys who were snowballing each other on the parade ground, and a shout went up.
"Dick Rover is coming back! Snuggers has brought Dick Rover back!"
"Take care of the horse, Snuggers," said Dick. "Do the right thing, and I won't forget to pay you at Christmas-time."
"All right, Master Rover; thank you," answered the man of all work.
Dick was at once surrounded, but before he could answer any questions he saw Captain Putnam, appear at one of the windows and at once went inside to greet him. ”

“ Nothing like that!” came from Dick Rover. “Davenport is too dangerous a fellow. He might get away with his scheme, and Jack would suffer. You can’t imagine how vindictive that rascal is. Why, when he appeared at the offices and made his demand for that money he acted like the most cold-blooded villain you can imagine. Sometimes I wonder if the loss of his money down there in the oil fields hasn’t turned his brain.”
[125]
“In that case we certainly had better look out,” answered Fred. “Why, for all we know, he might try to set fire to the houses or something of the sort.” ”

“ Captain Joaquin met with the surprise of his life, just there!
Deadwood Dick's hands came up to the level, the handcuffs swinging by one wrist, and in each hand a gun!
"I prefer to have you follow me, Red Rover!" Dick said grimly. "If you make a move or a sound you are a dead man in the same instant, I give you fair warning."
The outlaw turned as white as chalk.
"Curse you!" he hissed. "You have tricked me, after all!"
"Everything is fair in love and war," with a smile. "You are my prisoner." ”

“ On the berth rested one of the sailors from the Dogstar and on the floor rested the other, both evidently much the worse for liquor.
The door to the second stateroom was wide open and Dick caught sight of a form on the berth in there. It was Dan Baxter. The bully was not asleep but was tossing about, as if in either mental or physical distress. As Dick looked at him he suddenly started up, turned around, and stared.
"Dick Rover!" he screamed. "Are you alive, or is it a—a ghost?" ”

“ Then he caught sight of Dan and stared as if he had seen a ghost.
"Dan Baxter!" he said slowly. "Can it be possible?"
"Yes, it's me," replied the bully, with small regard for grammar. "Do you know that you are in my power, Dick Rover?"
"I—I—thought you were dead," and Dick closed his eyes again, for it was next to impossible for him to arouse himself.
"I'm a long way from being dead," laughed Dan harshly. "I reckon you'll die before I do."
Dick pulled himself together with a great effort.
"Then the landslide didn't catch you?" he questioned. ”

“ The majority of the students were old friends, although there was a fair sprinkling of new boys.
It was not until the end of the week that Dick Rover came into contact with Tad Sobber, a stocky youth, with a shock of black hair and eyes which were cold and penetrating. Sobber was with a chum named Nick Pell, and both eyed Dick in a calculating manner which was highly offensive.
"He's the fellow who does the hero act," whispered Sobber to Pell, in a manner meant to reach Dick's ears. "Wants to make a regular grandstand play all the time." ”

“ He thinks the world of his oldest son."
"Good for you, dad! You've got a long head on your shoulders. And when are you going to let Dick Rover know he is in our power?"
"Not until we have him on the Peacock, if I can prevent it. If he knew here, he might kick up a big row."
"Pooh! we could easily shut him up!" sniffed Dan.
Now Dick was in their custody he was impatient to browbeat the youth and taunt him with his helplessness. But Arnold Baxter would not listen to it, so the graceless son had to bide his time. ”

“ Then Dick ran to Jack and Sam to Fred, and there was a genuine hugging match all around.
“Gee, but it’s good to be back!” was the way [300] Andy expressed himself, and each of the other lads endorsed that sentiment.
“We were out looking for you until the storm came up,” said Dick Rover. “We were going out again as soon as it was daylight.”
“Where have you been and what did those rascals do to you?” questioned Sam Rover.
“It’s a long story, Dad,” answered Fred, and then he added quickly: “Here’s a man you’ll like to see, Uncle Tom. His name is Ocker, and he knows all about Peter Garrish.” ”

“ Rover boys went to Brill College and then entered business in Wall Street, New York City.
During their days at school the Rover brothers fell in love with three nice girls, Dora Stanhope and her cousins, Nellie and Grace Laning. The three young couples became married and settled down in connecting houses on Riverside Drive in New York City. As the result of his marriage Dick Rover became the father of a son, Jack, and a daughter named Martha; Sam Rover was blessed with a girl named Mary, and then a son, who was christened Fred. ”

“ And she clung to him in a way that spoke volumes.
“Of course I’ll come back all right, Martha,” said Dick Rover confidently. “And for all you know, your dad will come back a major or a colonel, or maybe a brigadier general.”
“Oh, I don’t care about that! All I want is for you to come back safe and sound!”
“Your father will be up in a little while,” announced Dick Rover to the twins. “He had a meeting to attend in reference to the next Liberty Loan. He’s a tremendously busy man these days.” ”

“ There was a howl instantly.
"And I can do it before you can get up to a level where you can get a shot at me," said Dick. "All you will find will be a little heap of ashes for your trouble."
"You do not dare!" howled the Red Rover. "You would not have the nerve to destroy such a fortune!" ”

“ Soon the young folks were aboard the two automobiles. In the meantime Dick Rover had turned the checks for the trunks over to an expressman and in a few minutes more the whole crowd was headed for Riverside Drive. Here a surprise awaited them. Not only was Mrs. Tom Rover on hand to greet them, but likewise their grandfather, Anderson Rover, and their old Aunt Martha and Uncle Randolph, who had come from Valley Brook Farm on a short visit to the city.
“My gracious, this is fine!” cried Fred. “A regular family reunion!” and then came more hugs and kisses all around. ”

“ Andy and Randy declared for a trip around the world or “some kind of an outing somewhere.”
“I think we might as well let the boys rest and think it over,” said Dick Rover to his brothers. “They have been to school steadily for years. It won’t hurt them to let them go their own way for a while.”
So it had come about that the boys, as well as the girls, were allowed to journey from New York City by automobile to the farm at Dexter’s Corners where old Uncle Randolph, Aunt Martha, and Grandfather Rover still resided. ”

“ CHAPTER XIX GETTING READY FOR THE TOUR
"And now for the grand tour!"
"That's the talk, Sam! We ought to have the best time ever," returned his brother Tom.
"Just to think of such an outing makes me feel five years younger," came from Dick Rover. "I like work as well as any one, but a fellow has got to break away once in a while."
"And to think we are going away out to Colorado Springs and Pike's Peak!" burst out Dora.
"And all the way in our automobiles!" added Nellie. "I hope we don't have any breakdowns." ”

“ Dick did so, and his heart gave a leap of fear. Below them the stony road was narrow, and on one side was a rocky gully and on the other some thick bushes. In the roadway was a farmer with a large farm wagon filled with lime. Should they hit the turnout below somebody would surely be hurt and perhaps killed.
CHAPTER XIV WHAT A ROMAN CANDLE DID It was a time for quick action, and it was a lucky thing that Dick Rover had been in perilous positions before and knew enough not to lose his presence of mind. ”

“ Two more days passed, and still Dick Rover did not return from Wichita Falls. The boys went out sightseeing and amused themselves as best they could, but this was not saying much. The most fun they had was in a shooting-gallery where they astonished the proprietor by the bull's-eyes they made.
"You young fellows are some shots," said he. "You must be used to guns."
"We are," answered Fred.
The four Rovers had gone into the target gallery directly after supper and while it was still light. Now, when they came out, Jack suggested that they return to the hotel. ”

“ By this time the girls had appeared on the scene, and the talk came to an end, Dick turning in to help get breakfast. Jack Lesher walked down to the beach, followed by Dan Baxter.
"You see, it is just as I told you," said Baxter. "They are going to ride right over us."
"They wouldn't ride over us if I had those other sailors here," growled the mate.
"Or if we were armed," went on the bully. "I tried to get hold of a pistol, but Dick Rover watches me like a cat watches a mouse."
"If we could get to the wreck we might arm ourselves," said Lesher.
"Here is a boat; let us row over." ”

“ As soon as he could Harold Bird set off for Mexico. A week later he sent Dick Rover a telegram stating that he had found his father and was taking him home. It may be added here that, cleared of the suspicion that had hung over his name, Mr. Bird speedily recovered from his insanity, and became the prosperous planter he had been in years gone by.
When Sack Todd, Gasper Pold, and Sid Jeffers were brought to trial Dan Baxter was a witness against each one. ”

“ But those three unworthies did not show themselves.
"They know we've got it in for them," declared Jack. "They'll keep in hiding until they think this affair has blown over."
On the third day Dick Rover felt quite like himself, and he hired an automobile to take him and the boys, as well as Nick Ogilvie, to the Lorimer Spell claim. Somewhat to his surprise, he found Carson Davenport on the land, along with Tate and Jackson and half a dozen other men. More oil-well machinery had been brought up and dumped in a spot near the brook. ”

“ Evidently he was fast becoming the Tom of old. His running away from Brill, and his trip to Alaska, were but a horrible, uncertain nightmare to him. He did not want to remember those days, and they were best forgotten.
"And how do you feel, Dad?" asked Dick, as soon as he could get the chance.
"Better than in many a day," returned Anderson Rover.
"And what is the news from New York?"
"Everything is going along well. We have those brokers just where we want them."
"Good! That is what I like to hear," and Dick's face showed his satisfaction. ”