Part 7 (1/2)
”Have you any idea where they went?” asked the s.h.i.+powner's son.
”No, they skated away behind an island and that's the last we saw of them,” answered Mallory.
”Yes, and I reckon it's the last we'll hear of our things,” returned Buster, mournfully. ”But come on, let us see about getting back,” he continued. ”It's 'most time for supper now.”
”Mr. Opper, can you take us back to Oak Hall?” asked Dave. ”We'll pay you for your trouble.”
The farmer looked at the students and rubbed his chin reflectively. Then he gazed out at the storm and the snow-covered ground.
”Might hook up my big sleigh and do it,” he said. ”But it would be quite a job.”
”What would it be worth?” asked Ben.
”Oh, I dunno-three or four dollars, at least. It's a tough night to be out in-an' I'd have to drive back, or put up at the town all night.”
”Supposing we gave you fifty cents apiece,” suggested Roger.
”And we'll go along-as far as Rockville, at the same price-if you'll have us,” added Mallory, quickly.
”Why, yes, Mallory, and welcome,” answered Dave cordially. ”That is, if the turnout will hold us all.”
”Sure it will,” answered Homer Opper. ”An' if ye all go an' pay fifty cents each,”-he counted them mentally as he spoke-”I'll hook up my four hosses an' git ye there in jig time.”
”Then it's a go,” answered Dave, after his chums and the Rockville cadets had nodded their approval.
”And do hurry,” called out Buster, as the farmer moved away to prepare for the journey. ”We don't want to miss our suppers.”
”Ye ain't goin' to miss nuthin',” called the farmer.
Inside of fifteen minutes he came around to the cow-shed with a big, low sleigh, to which were attached four fine-looking horses. The sleigh contained two lanterns and a quant.i.ty of wraps and robes.
”Don't want ye to catch cold, when we're a-drivin' fast,” chuckled Homer Opper. ”Now pile right in, an' we'll be movin'.”
The boys needed no second invitation, and soon all were aboard-Dave and Roger on the front seat with the driver and the others behind, including the Rockville cadets. Then came a crack of the whip, and away through the swirling snow moved the big sleigh, bound for the two schools.
CHAPTER VI-GOOD-BY TO OAK HALL
”Where in the world have you boys been? Why didn't you come back in time for supper? Don't you know it is against the rules to stay away like this?”
Thus it was that Job Haskers, the second a.s.sistant teacher of Oak Hall, greeted Dave and his chums as they came in, after leaving the big sleigh and settling with Homer Opper.
”We are sorry that we couldn't get here before, Mr. Haskers,” answered Dave. ”But something unusual happened and we were delayed.”
”I'll not accept any excuses!” snapped the teacher, who had not forgotten how the boys had hurried away without listening to his call from the window. ”I think I'll send you to bed supperless. It is no more than you deserve.”
”Supperless!” gasped Buster, in dismay. ”Oh, Mr. Haskers, we don't deserve such treatment, really we don't!”
”We have been robbed-that is what delayed us,” declared Phil. ”I guess we had better report to Doctor Clay, or Mr. Dale,” he went on, significantly.