Part 4 (1/2)
Then the young cadets introduced themselves and the man and the boy did the same The man said his name was John Franklin
”This isaround here--that is, not exactly You see, I used to own a farm which wasfarh it wasn't very productive
So and made a sort of three-cornered deal, the particulars of which I need not give you, but as a consequence almost before I knew it I was done out of my farm and had next to noto see so those rascals, but the friends had moved away, and nobody knehere to, so I was alot work up in the woods, cutting ti other odd jobs, and we had steady employment until this rainy season set in”
”So you came all the way from Texas, did you?” said Randy to Phil Franklin, with a sot sick of it down there after dad was done out of his farm by those oil sharpers,” answered Phil Franklin
”Did they find oil on your farm?” questioned Fred
”No That is, they hadn't up to the time we left You know it takes a lot of time and money to sink an oil well But they did us out of our faret onback to Texas and have it out with those rascals,” announced John Franklin ”They claial, but I don't look at it that way However, boys, that affair has nothing to do with you As I said before, I wish I could reward you, but all I can do is to give you my very best thanks”
”And you can bet I'm thankful, too!” added Phil Franklin earnestly
”Isn't it rather strange that you should be up here in such a storot tired of staying indoors on account of the rain,” answered Jack; ”so when it seehta chance to take a hike just for the fun of it”
”And noe're glad we did take a hike,” put in Randy
”We were trying to cross the stream by the aid of a rope,” explained John Franklin ”The rope broke, and Phil ept down the streaet drowned Then we got s and the tree, and you know the rest”
”You say you belong up the river?” questioned Andy
”Yes We've been stopping at Bossard's ca back there now, or he'll be wondering what has beco And you felloant soht catch cold”
”Yes, we'll hike back to the school as fast as possible,” answered Jack
He held out his hand ”Good-bye to you, and good luck”
”You won't mind if I come down to see you some time, will you?”
questioned the man ”I want your teachers to kno brave you have been”
”Come down, by all means,” answered Jack ”But don't pile on the bravery stuff, please We did only what any healthy young felloould do”
”I don't know about that I guess I know real heroes when I see 'erin
”I'd like to see you fellows drill It reat,” put in his son Phil
”Come down any time and ask for us,” answered Fred He was rather taken by Phil Franklin's open manner
A feords more passed, and then the Franklins hurried up the river in the direction of the lumber camp from which they had come Then the Rovers turned in the direction of Colby Hall
”I'lad ent to the rescue,” remarked Andy, when on the way ”They seem a pretty decent sort”
”All the way from Texas,” mused his twin ”That's certainly some distance”