Books: The Rover Boys at School
A >>
Arthur M. Winfield >> The Rover Boys at School
Pages:
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 | 6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11
As soon as Baxter had retreated, Dick and his brothers hurried to
a near-by brook, where the elder Rover took a wash, and tried by
other means to remove the traces of the contest from his person.
He had a slight swelling on the scratched chin, but that was all,
and inside of an hour felt quite like himself
once more.
With Baxter it was very different, and the Sunday following he
asked to be excused from attending church services in the Hall,
saying he had fallen on some rocks and hurt his face. On hearing
this, Captain Putnam came to see him.
"Sorry to hear this, Baxter," he said. "Do you think you need a
doctor?"
"No, sir; I'll be all right in a few days."
"Where did you fall?"
"Down by the brook, while we were playing tag."
"Indeed! Well, you want to be more careful in the future," was
Captain Putnam's advice, and then he left Baxter. If he suspected
anything he did not let on. To a certain extent he believed in
letting boys fight out their own battles.
I
The Rover boys had come to Putnam Hall in the fall, and now summer
sports were cast aside among the pupils, and football and hare and
hounds became the rage.
As we know, Sam was an excellent runner, and hare and hounds just
suited him.
"We must ask the captain to let us take a long trip next Saturday
afternoon," he said; and the boys went to the owner of Putnam Hall
in a body and obtained permission.
It was decided that Sam and Fred should be the hares, while Larry
Colby was to be leading hound. As Frank Harrington had a trumpet
he was made whipper-in. Captain Putnam supplied the boys with a
package of old copying books, and these were cut up into small
bits and stuffed into two pillow cases loaned by Mrs., Green.
The start was made on a clear but frosty afternoon. The hares
stood on the parade ground, with the hounds, to the number of
thirty, behind them. George Strong had consented to start them
off. The hares were to be given three minutes start of the little
scholars and five minutes start of the big boys.
"All ready?" asked the second assistant of Putnam Hall, as he took
out his watch.
"All ready," answered Sam and Fred.
"Then go!" And away went the two boys straight for the cornfield,
dropping bits of paper as they sped along. They leaped the fence
in the rear, crossed the brook, and then started along a path
leading through the woods beyond.
"We mustn't dream of letting them catch as," remarked Sam, as he
ran on, with Fred directly behind him. "I wonder where this path
leads to?"
"The top of the mountain, so Mr. Strong told me. He said there
was another path coming down to the westward."
On and on they went along the path until they came to a narrow
mountain road. Here they met a farmer carting a number of logs in
his wagon, and stopped him to ask a few questions.
"Yes, that road will take you right up to the top," he said. "But
you want to be careful and not make a wrong turn, or you may get
lost."
"I'm not afraid of being lost," said Fred with a light laugh; and
on they sped again, as rapidly as ever, for Fred was as good a
runner as Sam, and the pair worked very well together.
At the top of the first rise of ground they came to a spot that
was somewhat bare, and here they halted to look back.
"There are the small fellows!" cried Sam, pointing with his
finger. "And the big ones am not far behind."
"They are speeding along in good shape," was Fred's comment. "Come
on, before they spot us!" And they hurried up the next hill.
Here they encountered a number of rocks, and were brought to a
halt several times to determine which was the best path to pursue.
"By jinks! the farmer was right -- we are getting lost!" said Sam
presently.
"Where is the path?"
"I think it is to the right."
"And I think it is to the left."
At this both lads looked at each other, then burst out laughing.
"It can't be in both directions, Fred."
"That's true, and I am sure I am right."
"All right, we'll try it," and they did, but it was a good ten
minutes before the path came into view again, and meanwhile the
first of the hounds drew dangerously close.
But the game was by no means over, as we shall see.
CHAPTER XIII
WHAT THE GAME OF HARE AND HOUND LED T0
"What a glorious view!"
It was Sam who uttered the words. The top of the mountain had
been reached at last, and the boys were feasting their eyes on the
grand panorama spread on all sides.
"How beautiful the lake, looks!" said Fred.
"And how far one can see!"
"It's a pity we didn't bring a pair of glasses with us, Fred.
But, say, I'm hungry."
"So am I. Let us eat that lunch at once and then start on the
return."
Each had brought a sandwich along, and these were soon consumed
and washed down with a drink of cold water from a spring not far
away. Then on they went, over the top of the mountain, and along
a path which they thought would bring them around its western
base. It was now four o'clock, leaving them two hours in which to
get back to Putnam Hall.
About a third of the distance down the mountain side had been
covered, and Sam was slightly in advance, when suddenly he uttered
a cry of alarm.
"Look out, Fred!"
"What is it?"
"A snake!"
"Where?"
"Over yonder! And he is coming for us!"
Sam was right; it was a snake -- an angry looking reptile all of
six feet long, and as thick as Sam's wrist. It hissed savagely as
it advanced, first upon Sam and then upon Fred.
If there was one thing which could fill Fred Garrison full of
terror it was a snake, and the yell he gave would have outmatched
that of an Indian on the warpath.
"Save me!" he screamed. "Don't let him touch me!"
"Jump back!" cried Sam, and leaped himself. Then, seeing a tall
rock handy, he sprang upon it, and here Fred joined him.
Now, it happened that the snake had its home under the rock, and
the movement of the lads made it more angry than ever. With a
fierce hiss it came for the rock and disappeared underneath, out
of the range of their vision.
"It's gone under the rock!" panted Fred. He was so agitated he
could scarcely speak.
"I know it," returned Sam. "I wonder if it means to crawl up
here?"
"Oh, don't say that, Sam. I -- I -- can't we hit it with
something?"
"I haven't a thing but the bag of paper."
"Neither have I. Oh, what shall we do?"
"Perhaps, we had better stay here until the others come up."
"Do you think the snake will keep quiet that long?"
"I'm sure I don't know."
Very much disturbed, the two boys peered over the edge of the
rock. They were not versed in the different species of reptiles,
and knew not but that the one at hand might be poisonous.
"I see his tail!" cried Fred with a shiver.
"He is moving around as if getting ready to come out."
"I wonder if I can grab him by the tail?" mused Sam.
"Grab him? Oh Sam!"
"I've heard you can catch them by the tail, snap them, and make
their heads fly right off."
"Gracious, I wouldn't attempt it!"
While Fred was speaking the tail of the snake came up on the side
of the rock. Setting his teeth, Sam bent down and made a reach
for the slippery thing, and caught it tight.
With a hiss the snake raised its head, its diamond-like eyes
shining like twin stars.
"You'll be poisoned!" shrieked Fred, when whack I Sam gave the
body of the reptile a swing and brought the head down with great
force on the edge of the rock.
One blow was enough, for the head was mashed flat. Then Sam threw
the body into the bushes, there to quiver and twist for several
hours to come, although life was extinct.
Fred was as white as a sheet as he leaped to the ground. "I
couldn't have done that for a million dollars!" he declared.
"What a splendid nerve you have, Sam"
"My father told me how to catch a snake in that way," exclaimed
Sam. "But hurry, or the hounds will overtake us. I can hear them
coming."
"Your father must have been equally brave, then," answered Fred,
as they started off on, a run. "By the way, have you heard
anything of him yet?"
"Not a word, Fred."
"Don't it make you feel bad at times?"
"Does it, Fred! Why, some nights I can't go to sleep for thinking
of where he may be dead in the heart of Africa, or perhaps a
captive of some savage tribe."
"Have they ever hunted for him?"
"Several have gone out, but no traces are to be had. Dick, Tom,
and I are in to hunt for him, though, as soon as our Uncle
Randolph will permit it."
"That's an idea. But you may have to go right into the jungles
for him."
"I don't care if we have to go, to the top of the North Pole, if
only we find him," answered Sam with quiet determination.
Inside of half an hour the bottom of the mountain was gained, and
then they struck out along a road which presently took them within
sight of the Stanhope homestead.
"I wonder if we have time to call on Dora?" mused Fred. "It would
be a scheme to leave our paper trail right through their garden."
"Glorious!" burst from Sam, caught by the idea. "I am certain
Dora Stanhope will appreciate the sport."
It did not take them long to reach the garden around the
farmhouse,; and, running up the path, they ascended a side porch.
As they did so two forms appeared around the house. One was Mrs.
Stanhope, wearing a shawl over her shoulders and a bonnet on her
head, and the second was Josiah Crabtree!
"Old Crabtree!" murmured Sam, and then of a sudden he pulled Fred
out of sight behind some lattice-work inclosing one end of the
porch.
"We must hurry, my dear, or we may be too late," Josiah Crabtree
was saying; and now the boys noted that he was conducting the lady
toward a carriage standing by the horse block.
"I - I -- had we not better wait until next week, Josiah?"
questioned Mrs. Stanhope timidly. She was a pale, delicate woman
of forty, of a shrinking nature, easily led by others.
"No, my dear, there is no use in waiting."
"But Dora --?"
"You must not mind what your daughter says, my dear. When we are
married she will easily become reconciled to the change, mark my
words."
"Gracious, old Crabtree is going to marry her!" whispered Sam.
"Poor Dora!"
"She wants me to wait," continued the lad.
"And you ought to wait, mother," came in Dora's voice; and now she
too came into sight, but without a hat or wraps.
"Mr. Crabtree wishes very much to have the ceremony performed this
afternoon, Dora dear."
"If he wants to marry you, why can't he do it openly -- at home or
in our church?"
"He is averse to any display."
"It seems to me it is a very sneaking way to do," answered Dora
coldly. "When you and papa were married the wedding was well
attended, so I have been told."
"Your father and myself are different persons, Miss Dora,"
interrupted Josiah, Crabtree stiffly. "I prefer a quiet wedding,
and no time is better than the present. I shall at once resign my
position at Putnam Hall and come to live here."
Dora Stanhope's lip curled in scorn. She saw through Josiah
Crabtree's motives, even though her mother did not.
"If you wish to marry my mother, why do, you not make preparations
to support her?" she said.
"Dora!" cried Mrs. Stanhope pleadingly.
"I mean what I say, mother. He intends to marry you and then make
you support him, out of the proceeds of this farm."
"You are entirely mistaken," interrupted Josiah Crabtree.
"Perhaps you do not know that I am worth, in bank stocks and in
bonds, between twenty and thirty thousand dollars."
"I would like to see the stocks and bonds," said the girl.
"So would I," whispered Fred to Sam. "I'll wager he isn't worth a
thousand dollars all told although they say he is a good deal of a
miser."
"Dora, do not insult Mr. Crabtree. If you, wish to come along and
see the ceremony performed, put on your things..."
"I do not wish to go."
"Very well, then; you had best return to the house."
"It is a shame!" cried the girl, and burst into tears.
"We will be back by seven o'clock," said Josiah Crabtree, and led
the widow down the garden path to where the carriage was standing.
"I wish I could stop this wedding," whispered Sam to his chum.
"I am with you on that," returned Fred.
"Creation, here come the hounds! Just the thing!"
He looked at Sam, and his chum, instantly understood. Leaving the
porch at a bound, they ran across the garden.
"Hurrah! we have you!" yelled Larry Colby, as he rushed up,
followed by Tom, Dick, and a dozen of the other big cadets.
"Quick, this way!" cried Sam. "Do you see that carriage?"
"Of course we do," answered Torn.
"It contains Mrs. Stanhope and old Crabtree. They are going to
drive off and get married against Dora Stanhope's wishes."
"Phew!" came in a low whistle from the eldest of the Rover Boys.
"We ought to stop this affair," went on Fred.
"Old Crabby is going to get married!" came in a shout. "Come on,
let us go along!"
And pell-mell went the boys after the carriage, which had just
turned from the horse-block with the teacher and Mrs. Stanhope
inside, and a farmhand named Borgy on the front seat.
CHAPTER XIV
JOSIAH CRABTREE IN DIFFICULTY
Dora Stanhope had witnessed the approach of the boys, and now she
came out into the garden again and confronted them. She blushed
prettily upon seeing Dick and several others with whom she was
acquainted.
"I understand that Mr. Crabtree is about to be married," said Dick
in a low tone.
"Yes, he insists on marrying my mother this afternoon. He has
been at her about this for several months," answered Dora between
her sobs.
"Evidently you oppose the marriage."
"I -- I hate Mr. Crabtree!" came almost fiercely. "He is -- is
nothing like my poor dead papa was."
"I believe you, Dora," answered Dick. "I don't see what your
mother can find in him to like. We hate him at the academy."
"I know it -- and I imagine Captain Putnam is preparing to get rid
of him, for I heard he was corresponding with a teacher in Buffalo
-- one who has been head master in a military academy out in that
vicinity."
"Indeed! I hope we do get clear of him -- and I wish you could
get clear of him too."
"It doesn't seem as if I could," sighed Dora. "He has wound my
mother right around his finger, so to speak. But what are those
other boys going to do?" And she pointed to the balance of the
cadets, who were following closely upon the wheels of the
carriage, which had turned into the highway leading to Cedarville.
"I'll go after them and see," said Dick, and turned to leave.
Then he came to a halt and turned back. "Dora, I am awfully sorry
for you," he whispered. "If I can ever do anything for you, don't
hesitate to call on me."
"I'll remember that, Dick," she replied gratefully, but never
dreamed of how much she would one day require his aid.
When Dick joined the crowd he found it on all sides of the
carriage, shouting and hurrahing wildly. At first Josiah Crabtree
pretended to pay no attention, but presently he spoke to the
driver, and the turnout came to a halt.
"Students, what doe's this unseemly conduct mean?" he demanded
harshly.
"Why, Mr. Crabtree, is that you!" exclaimed Frank Harrington in
pretended surprise.
"Yes, Harrington. I say, what does it mean?"
"We are out playing hare and hounds, sir."
"But you are following this carriage."
"Oh, no, sir, we are following the paper scent, sir," answered
Larry Colby, and pointed to the pieces of paper, which Fred
Harrison was slyly dropping just in front of the horses.
"Then our carriage is on the trail," sighed Josiah Crabtree. "It
is very annoying."
"Oh, it doesn't bother us much, sir," answered Frank coolly.
"Bother you! It is myself and Mrs. Stanhope to whom I referred.
Make the hares take another course."
"Can't do that, sir, until we catch them."
"But why must you keep so close to this carriage?"
"I don't know, sir. Perhaps it is the carriage which is keeping
close to us."
Josiah Crabtree looked more angry than ever. He spoke to the
driver, with a view to increasing the speed of the team, but Borgy
had entered into the spirit of the fun at hand, and he was,
moreover, a great friend of Dora, and he shook his head.
"Couldn't do it sir," he said. "I wouldn't want to run the risk
of winding them."
"Do you mean to say they cannot outrun these boys?" demanded the
head assistant at Putnam Hall.
"Hardly, sir -- the lads is uncommonly good runners," answered
Borgy meekly.
"I will show you how to manage them!" ejaculated Josiah Crabtree,
and stepped over to the front seat.
I
"Oh, Josiah, be careful!" pleaded Mrs. Stanhope.
"I know how to drive horses, so don't worry," answered Crabtree,
and took up both reins and whip. Before Borgy could stop him he
had given one of the horses a smart cut on the flank.
The steed was a spirited one and not used to the whip, and
scarcely had the lash landed than he gave a wild leap into the
air, came down, and broke into a mad run, dragging his mate with
him. A second later the carriage struck a stone, bounced up, and
Borgy was pitched out, to land in the midst of some bushes growing
by the roadside.
The bolting of the team proved almost fatal to the boys in front,
who scattered just in time to let horses and carriage pass them
with lightning-like speed. Then the cadets gathered together and
stared blankly at one another.
"It's a runaway!"
"Serves old Crabby right, for hitting the horse!"
"Yes, but he and the lady may be killed!"
Such were some of the cries. As soon as they could recover, the
whole party made after the carnage, now disappearing around a
bend.
"They'll never get around the next time alive!" said Captain Harry
Blossom, who was running beside Tom. Soon Dick joined the pair.
In the meantime Josiah Crabtree was filled with terror over the
sudden turn of affairs. He dropped the whip and tugged first at
one rein and then the other.
"Whoa! whoa!" he cried in a hoarse whisper. "Whoa!"
But instead of slackening their speed, the team moved on faster
than ever, the carriage rocking violently from side to side.
"We will be killed!" moaned Mrs. Stanhope. "Oh, why did I not
take Dora's advice and have a regular wedding, as she proposed!"
"I will -- will stop them!" panted Crabtree. "Whoa, you brutes,
whoa!"
"Whoa, Peter; whoa, Jack!" added Mrs. Stanhope timidly.
For an instant the horses seemed to take notice of the lady's
voice, but only for an instant; then they went on as fast as ever,
around another bend, and down a rocky stretch, lined on either
side with trees and bushes.
Suddenly there came a crash, as a wheel came off the carriage.
Then came a second crash and Mrs. Stanhope was hurled forth among
some bushes. But the turnout continued on its way, Josiah
Crabtree clinging to the wreck, until at last he too was hurled
forth, to fly up among some tree branches and remain there for the
best part of ten minutes.
When the crowd of cadets reached Mrs. Stanhope they found the lady
unconscious and evidently suffering from a broken arm. Several of
them, including Dick, Tom, and Sam, did what they could for her,
while others ran off to find Josiah Crabtree and to summon a
doctor.
It was several minutes before the head assistant at Putnam Hall
could be helped out of the tree. He came down in fear and
trembling, so overcome he could scarcely stand.
"How -- how is Mrs. Stanhope?" was his, first question.
"We don't know," answered several of the cadets, and Josiah
Crabtree hobbled back to find out...
The shades of night had long fallen when Mrs. Stanhope was
conveyed to her home, and a doctor was brought from Cedarville and
the Lanings were informed of what had happened. The doctor said
that a rib as well as the left arm had been fractured, and that
the lady must be kept quiet for at least two months. At once Dora
set about doing what she could for her mother, and Nellie Laning
remained at the homestead to assist her. No one seemed to care
about Josiah Crabtree, and he was allowed to hobble back to Putnam
Hall on foot.
"It was the fault of those boys," he muttered to himself. "I'll
get even with them, see if I don't!"
But his chances of "getting even" while at the academy were
speedily nipped in the bud by Captain Putnam, who did not say
anything on Sunday, but interviewed the head assistant early on
the day following.
"It is perhaps needless for us to go into the details of what has
occurred, Mr. Crabtree," said the owner of the Hall. "Your
contract with me comes to an end next month. I will pay you in
full tomorrow and then I wish you to remove yourself and your
belongings from this place."
"You -- you discharge me!" cried the teacher in astonishment.
"I do. I have long been dissatisfied with your conduct toward my
pupils, and I am now satisfied that you are not worthy of the
position with which I entrusted you."
At this Josiah Crabtree's face fell, for he had hoped to keep his
place at Putnam Hall until his marriage to Mrs. Stanhope was
assured. Now there was no telling when that marriage would occur,
and in the meantime it was not likely he could get another
position.
"I think I ought to have more notice than this."
"You deserve no notice -- since you were about to marry on the
sly, so to speak, and, most likely, leave me when your contract
came to an end without allowing me time to make other
arrangements."
"I would have given you at least two weeks time."
"And I am giving you three weeks pay, which you do not deserve. I
do not think we need to prolong the discussion," and Captain
Putnam turned away.
The departure of Josiah Crabtree was hailed with satisfaction by
all of the pupils excepting Dan Baxter. Strange to say, a strong
friendship had sprung up between the bully and the hot-tempered
school teacher. Baxter was the only one who shook hands when
Crabtree left.
"I hope we meet again, Mr. Crabtree," he said. "I like you, even
if the others don't."
"And I like you, Baxter," answered Josiah Crabtree. "I shall
remember you."
And Josiah Crabtree did remember the bully in a manner which was
strange in the extreme.
CHAPTER XV
DAN BAXTER'S MONEY
After the departure of Josiah Crabtree from Putnam Hall, George
Strong became the leading assistant, and another teacher named
Garmore took second place.
Garmore was a Yale man, and soon became as favorably known as
Strong, so the pupils had nothing more to find fault with, so far
as their instructors went.
As has been noted before, there were several baseball teams among
the boys. As it grew too cold for baseball, these teams gave up
this sport, and a good number of the lads took up football.
In this sport, Sam, being a good runner, felt very much at home,
and soon he was at the head of one of the teams, playing center.
Tom was also on the team, playing quarterback.
Not far from Putnam Hall was another academy kept by a certain
gentleman named Pornell. The pupils at Pornell's were also great
football players, and one day they sent over a challenge that the
Putnams, as they were dubbed, should play them a match for the
championship of the township in which both seats of learning were
located.
The challenge was brought, by Peleg Snuggers, who had gone over to
Pornell's on an errand for Captain Putnam.
"It's for you," said Snuggers, handing the communication to Sam.
"The youthful captain of the eleven broke open the letter and read
it aloud:
"PORNELL ACADEMY, November 18, 189-
"To the Putnam Hall Football Team: We hereby challenge you to a
game of football for the championship of the township of
Cedarville, the game to be, played Thanksgiving afternoon next at
two o'clock, at our grounds or at your own, as you may elect. We
would prefer to play on our grounds, as we have a grandstand,
one-half of which will be reserved for your friends, if you
will come over.
"PORNELL FOOTBALL TEAM,
"Per Harry Ackerson, Capt. and Secy."
"They certainly mean business," said Tom, who was in the crowd,
listening to the reading of the challenge. "I go in for accepting
it."
"So do I," said Larry, who played halfback.
"And I," put in Fred, who was on the right end.
The members of the football team were all at hand, and it did not
take long to find out each was in favor of the game, and then the
matter was laid before Captain Putnam.
"Want to play football with Mr. Pornell's lads, eh?" smiled the
captain. "All right, I know of no healthier sport, rightly
conducted. You shall play them, and on their grounds if you wish.
But, mind you, no neglecting lessons for the sake of practicing
between now and Thanksgiving!"
The pupils promised to neglect nothing, and went off with a
hurrah.
Soon Peleg Snuggers was on his way to the rival academy with the
following answer to the challenge:
"PUTNAM HALL, November 19, 189-
"Pornell Football Team: We hereby accept your challenge to play a
game of football for the championship of the township on
Thanksgiving afternoon next at two o'clock. As you have a
grandstand we will play on your grounds. In return for the use of
half of your stand on this occasion the senior class of our
academy will put up a silver cup as a trophy, said trophy to go to
the club winning the game, and to belong to that club which shall
during matches to be arranged in the future win the cup three
times.
Pages:
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 | 6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11