Part 18 (1/2)

A large firecracker set off directly under the baby carriage flew in all directions As it went off poor Plunger gave a shriek of terror and then tried so hard to free hie was overturned and he found hirass Then the boys, not wishi+ng to see the man hurt, rushed forward and released hiyrand finale,” cried Fred ”Where did you get the firecracker, Andy?”

”It was out of a bunch I bought for the Fourth of July,” was the reply

After this celebrationswiftly toward the close of the ter that time the Rover boys heard from their mothers in New York that their fathers were expected hoirls at Clearwater Hall, and learned that Mary and Martha had received the sao holad than I'll be,” he returned quickly

It was now early Su a part of their off ti to war Colonel Colby had proet two motor-boats for the use of the cadets, but as yet these had not been purchased But rowboats were numerous

”I'll have the motor-boats here by Fall, however,” said Colonel Colby, in speaking of this ”And then you can have a lot of fun with them”

There was oneup for the term, and the Rovers and their chuirls in an outing on the lake

”Mary and soo over to Bluebell Island,” said Fred ”They say there are soht maybe they would have a chance to take soht, we'll take theo,” answered Jack; and so it was arranged

Bluebell Island was located a distance down the lake, not far fro folks had previously had an outing, as related in the volume entitled, ”The Rover Boys at Colby Hall”

At that ti raft had placed all of the young people in great peril, froer Brown and Nappy Martell had refused to rescue them

It had been decided that the boys should row from Colby Hall down the lake to the dock at Clearwater Hall and there take the girls on board

They had three boats, one containing Jack and Fred, another the twins, and a third Gif and Spouter

”It's certainly one grand day for this outing,” reood oarsress in the direction of the girls' school

”I had the day rin: ”It never rains when I go out unless the water happens to be co down”

The cadets had informed Martha and the others when they would arrive, and when they reached the dock they found six girls waiting for them, each with a carefully-tied-up sobx under her arood to eat!” exclaiht of the boxes

”Got any mustard pie?” added Randy ”Excuse ot straw pie for you, Mr Smarty,” called out Alice Strobell

Jack noticed that Martha and Mary looked rather thoughtful when they got into the rowboat ?” he asked anxiously

”Not much, Jack,” answered his sister ”I'll tell you just as soon as we get to the island and we have a chance”

”Didn't you boys bring anything?” questioned Mary of the other Rovers

”Sure we did! But that's a surprise,” answered Fred They had brought fruit and candy

”We brought two yeast cakes and a fried-onion sandwich,” broke in Andy gaily, and at this all the girls giggled