Part 10 (1/2)

”As near as I could make out, Werner is going off into the woods on a hunt and wants Glutts to go with him,” returned Fred. ”I wonder where they are going?”

No one could answer that question, and presently the crowd began to talk of other things, and especially of the war play they had just witnessed.

”Gos.h.!.+ but a play like that brings the war pretty close to a fellow,”

said Randy, with a sigh.

”Makes a fellow think of how our dads are making out over there, doesn't it?” said Fred.

”When they showed those ambulance scenes with all the dead and dying lying around it gave me the cold s.h.i.+vers,” came from Andy. ”I tell you what--war is a terrible thing.”

”Yes, and you have got to see something like that to realize how really terrible it is,” put in Jack.

Several days later the term at Colby Hall came to an end. There was something of an entertainment, with prize speaking in which Spouter distinguished himself, and then came the final drill and parade around the campus. Following this the cadets indulged in several s...o...b..ll fights and in quite some horseplay, and then rushed off to their rooms to pack their suitcases and other baggage so as to be ready to depart for home in the early morning.

”Wow! but it feels good to know I haven't got to look at a grammar or an algebra for the next few weeks,” cried Randy, with satisfaction.

”Say! it makes me feel as happy as a clown in a circus,” declared Andy, and, in high spirits, he began a jig and ended by turning a flip-flap over one of the beds. Then he and his twin indulged in a pillow fight, in which Fred joined.

”Hi, you fellows! stop your rumpus,” cried Jack, who was trying to pack his suitcase. ”You keep on, and you'll have the ceiling of the floor below down.”

”Can't help it!” cried Andy gayly. ”We've got to break loose once in a while,” and he playfully landed a cake of soap in the open suitcase.

”I'll soap you!” cried the young captain, and, taking the article in question, he made a leap over the bed, caught his cousin by the neck, and allowed the cake of soap to slip down Andy's back.

”Great salt mackerel!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the fun-loving Rover, and, pulling his coat tight, he arched his back. ”Anybody notice the camel's hump?”

”It isn't a hump, Andy. It's only a wart on your backbone,” answered his twin.

”Well, hump or wart, it isn't going to stay there very long,” remarked the other, and immediately proceeded to stand on his hands, shaking his body in such a manner that presently the soap rattled out on the floor.

Then quietness was restored for the time being, and the Rovers continued their packing.

A conference was held with Gif, and it was decided that all of the crowd were to go home for Christmas. Several days later the Rovers were to meet Gif and Spouter at Portview, and then all would proceed to Cedar Lodge.

”And don't forget to bring your guns and all your other traps,” said Gif.

”You trust us for that!” responded Fred.

”We'll be there with everything that is necessary outside of the provisions. Those, of course, we can get at Portview or at Timminsport.”

”I hope we get a chance at a moose,” sighed Randy.

”Gee! Why don't you make it a lion or an elephant or a polar bear while you are at it?” cried his twin. ”Might as well wish for everything in the menagerie. It doesn't cost any more,” and at this there was a general smile.

”I know what I'd like to get,” said Jack. ”I was reading about one in the paper the other day. They must be beautiful creatures.”

”What's that?” questioned Gif.

”A silver fox.”

”Oh, say, Jack! that would be fine. But I imagine silver foxes are exceedingly rare.”