Part 15 (1/2)

”My gracious! News froasped Tom

”Is he really alive?” burst out Sae e from the sea,” repeated dick ”I wonder what he can e that was picked up by soested Sam ”Anyway, uncle wants us to coe is addressed to me”

”But of course he wanted all of us to come,” put in Tom ”Anyway, four horses couldn't hold me back!” he continued deter breath ”If we hurry up we can catch the noon boat at Cedarville for Ithaca”

”Yes, and the evening train for Oak Run,” finished To To tell the truth, that e had fired him as he had never been fired before He burst into the captain's office pell-mell, with Tom and Sam on his heels, to explain the situation Ten e to the brothers--they were hurrying into their ordinary clothing and packing, their satchels, while Peleg Snuggers was hitching up to take theood luck!” shouted Frank, as they claon, and on rattled off The Rover boys had turned their backs on dear old Putna while to come

CHAPTER XI

THE ROVERS REACH A CONCLUSION

For the three Rover boys the Golden Star could not h They fretted over every delay, and continually wondered if there was any likelihood of theirthe train which was to take them to Oak Run, the nearest railroad station to Valley Brook farm, their uncle's home

But the train was notthis tie he could scarcely eat a mouthful

”Uncle Randolph doesn't say ht have said o to bed, dick,” answered his brother ”I don't believe Uncle Randolph would telegraph unless the neas good”

They indulged in all sorts of speculation, as the train sped on its way to Oak Run When the latter place was reached it was dark, and they found Jack Ness, the hired e

”There, I knowed it,” grinned Jack ”Mr Rover calculated that only dick would come, but I said we'd have 'em all”

”And what is this news of e as was picked up off the coast of Africky,”

replied Ness ”Mr Rover didn't explain very clearly to ood deal excited, and so is the missus”

”And so are we,” remarked Sam ”Can it be that father is on his way home?”

”I calculate not, Master Sam Leas'wise, your uncle didn't say so,” concluded the hired man

Never had the horses ed Ness continually to drive faster Swift River was soon crossed--that strea adventure--and they bowled along past the Fox and other farms

”Here we are!” shouted dick at last

”There is Uncle Randolph out on the porch to greet us!”

”And there is Aunt Martha!” added Sam ”I do believe they look happy, don't you, Tom?”