Part 39 (1/2)
The three Rovers read those letters with deep interest. They told about what the girls had been doing, and related the particulars of the trouble at Hope Seminary. It was all Tad Sobber's work, they said, and added that Sobber had written that he would not only get the treasure, but also disgrace them all he possibly could.
”The rascal!”, muttered d.i.c.k when he read this. ”He ought to be put in prison!”
Dora's letter to d.i.c.k was an especially tender epistle, and he read it several times in secret. He was glad that the misunderstanding between them was being cleared away. He wished she might be near, so that he could go and see her.
”I'd take a run to Cedarville if it wasn't so far,” he told his brothers.
”I'd go along,” answered Tom, and Sam said the same.
”Perhaps we can run up there during the spring vacation,” went on d.i.c.k.
There was little more snow that winter, but the weather remained bitterly cold until well into February. The boys had considerable fun s...o...b..lling, and skating on the river. Racing on skates was a favorite amus.e.m.e.nt, and Sam and Tom won in a number of contests.
One day Tom was skating by himself. He was doing some fancy figures, and he did not notice the approach of Jerry Koswell, who was skating with a young lady from Ashton. Tom came around in a circle, and Jerry, who was looking at the young lady instead of where he was going, b.u.mped into Tom. Both of the students went down, Tom on top.
”Hi! What do you mean by this?” burst out Koswell in a rage.
”What do you mean?” retorted Tom, getting up.
”You knocked me down on purpose!” howled Jerry.
”It was as much your fault as mine.”
”It wasn't my fault at all. I've a good mind to punch your face!” And having gotten to his feet, Koswell doubled up his fists threateningly.
At this the young lady let out a scream.
”Oh, please don't fight!” she cried. And then she skated to a distance and disappeared in a crowd.
”You keep your distance, Koswell,” said Tom coldly. ”If you don't--”
He got no further, for just then Koswell let out with his right fist. The blow landed on Tom's shoulder and sent him spinning away a distance of several feet.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE SPRINGTIME OF LIFE
”A fight! a fight!” came from the crowd, and soon Tom and Koswell were surrounded by a number of students and some outsiders.
The blow from the bully angered Tom greatly, and skating forward he made a pa.s.s at Koswell. But the latter ducked, and then came back at Tom with a blow that sent the fun-loving Rover into several students standing by.
”Say, Rover, look out, or Jerry Koswell will eat you up!” said one of the seniors.
”Koswell is a good sc.r.a.pper,” came from another.
”I gave him one lesson and I can give him another,” answered Tom.
”There, take that!”