The Rover Boys on the Farm | Page 3

times we've had there--and the host of friends we've made."
"And the enemies," added Sam. "Don't forget them, or they may feel slighted."
"Dan Baxter was our worst enemy in that school, and he is going to reform, Sam."
"Perhaps. I won't feel sure of it until I really see it," answered the youngest Rover.
"By the way, I got a postal from Dan to-day," said Dick. "He is in Philadelphia, and working for a carpet manufacturer."
"Well, if he's gone to work, that's a good sign," said Tom.
On their arrival at the farm the boys had been met by their father, but now Anderson Rover had gone away on a business trip which was to last for several days. As usual, he left the lads in charge of his brother and the boys' aunt.
"Now just take it easy for awhile," was Mr. Rover's advice, on leaving. "Rest up all you can, and then, when you go back to the school, you'll feel as bright as a dollar."
"Silver or paper, dad?" asked Tom, mischievously.
"Now, Tom----"
"Oh, I know what you mean, dad, and I'll be as quiet as a mule with a sandbag tied to his tail," answered the fun-loving offspring.
The day after Anderson Rover's departure from the farm was quiet enough, but on the morning following the boys' uncle received a letter in the mail which seemed to trouble him not a little.
"I must attend to this matter without delay," said Randolph Rover to his wife.
"What is wrong, Randolph?"
"I don't think I can explain to you, Martha. It's about those traction company bonds I purchased a few months ago."
"Those you paid ten thousand dollars for?"
"Yes."
"What about them?"
"As I said before, I can't explain--it is rather a complicated affair."
"They are yours, aren't they, Randolph?"
"Oh, yes. But----"
"Aren't they worth what you gave for them?"
"I hope so."
"Can't you find out and make sure?"
"That is what I am going to do," replied Randolph Rover, and heaved a deep sigh. As my old readers know, he was a very retired individual, given to scientific research, especially in regard to farming, and knew little about business.
"If you've been swindled in any way, you must go after the men who sold you the bonds," said Mrs. Rover. "We cannot afford to lose so much money."
"I don't believe I've been swindled--at least, if I have, I think the party who sold me the bonds will make them good, Martha. I'll know all about it to-morrow," answered Randolph Rover, and there the conversation came to an end.
CHAPTER II
WHAT HAPPENED ON THE MOUNTAIN
It was on the day that Randolph Rover was to go to the town of Carwell, fifteen miles away, to see about the bonds, that the three Rover boys planned for a day's outing.
"Let us go to the top of Chase Mountain," suggested Sam. "I haven't been up there for three years."
"Second the suggestion," replied Tom. "We can take a lunch along and make a day of it," and so it was arranged.
Chase Mountain was about three miles away, on the other side of Humpback Falls, where Sam had once had such a stirring adventure, as told in detail in "The Rover Boys at School." It was a ragged eminence, and from the top a view could be had of the country for many miles around.
The day seemed to be a perfect one when the three youths started, and when they reached the top of the mountain they enjoyed the vast panorama spread before them. They likewise enjoyed the substantial lunch their Aunt Martha had provided, and ate until Tom was ready to "bust his buttons," as he expressed it.
"Let us try a new path down," said Sam, when it came time to go home, and he and Tom led the way, over a series of rocky ridges and cliffs anything but easy to traverse. In some places they had to drop ten and fifteen feet, and once Tom came down on his ankle in a manner that made him cry with pain.
"You look out for yourself," warned Dick. "If you sprain an ankle up here we'll have a job of it getting you home."
"No sprained ankle for mine, thank you," replied Tom. And he was more careful after that.
As Dick came after his brothers he saw something peculiar at one side of the path he was pursuing. It appeared to be a tin lunch box suspended from a tree limb by a bit of wire. The box was painted red and seemed to be new.
"That's strange," said the eldest Rover boy to himself. "Who would leave such a thing as that in that position? I'll have to investigate."
Without telling Sam and Tom what he was going to do, Dick left the path and plunged into the bushes which grew between himself and the tree from which the tin box was suspended. Among