king for a rope, but no such article presented itself to their view. There was a bit

e," remarked Songbird, wild

g," answered the younger Rover.

ll than for any other reason, and the three boys raced to where a number of saplings were growin

o do it!" he cried. "Come, catch ho

ral inches in diameter. It had but few branches, which was an advantage. They bent it down and pul

rd, try to break off that twisted root. There, that will do. Now, if

o the hole. Then it was lifted upright, so that the end mi

low there!"

ley. He and Spud had braced themselves on the sides

ful as we can," a

ded Tom. All the fun had died out of

hole. In doing this they had to stand close to the edge, and once they se

et her come," and then the sapling was lowered until the roots rested on the

the thing!" cried

d Songbird, peering down at those below. "Then, i

t with Spud at his heels. The many small branches of the sapling afforded good holds, and as

when within two feet of the top of the s

am. "I'll hold it. Tom and Songbir

ng him by his free arm. The loose end of the chain dangled close to Stanley and he grasped hold. Then came a short, hard

resenting anything but an enviable appearance. For sev

ed Spud, presently. "I'm mightily gl

Stanley. "If it hadn't been for the w

us," added Spud; "And say, it was so

in the sun a bit, or you

n mine," said Songbird, as he commen

me from Tom. He now looked relieved, bu

the top of the well," remarked Spud. "Why d

grew suddenly red. He trie

nd now," added Stanl

e answer. Just then Tom wished he was a thousand m

cap?" demanded Spud.

d to speak, but did not know what to

forward. "Do you mean to say, Tom Rover, tha

om feebly. "I-er-I th

ied Spud, sa

d Stanley. "If you call that a joke I don't, and I want you to know it!

shed betwe

n't!" he cried. "Tom made

s not going to play a joke on me that puts me in danger of my life! I'

Sam held

been. He isn't himself. Let it pass. He's as sor

voice was that of one who didn't care much, one way

ley. "I guess he ought to have a thrashing. Anyway, I am do

t Tom shut his mouth tightly and walked away, up the river path. He was

ome bac

want to. I'll take a walk alone," was the m

Spud, shaking his head slowly. "I would n

low tone, "You know he got an awful crack on the head, and, somehow, he's been

old well hole and were all wet and covered with mud!" growled Stanley. "Fun is

in a sanitarium," remarked Spud. "Why, if he isn't right in his mind there is no

e just as he used to be. But the excitement of that capture of those brokers and old Crabtree, and the

Stanley, as he looked at his wet and bedrabbled clothe

ahead, to the gym., and get you some changes and you can

tanley, his face br

Spud, who was not as angry as

ng back," answered Songbir

hurried on and his brother had kept up with him, trying to make hi

e said, stubbornly. "If they want to go back the

fair," insisted Sam. "

can't take a joke let 'em go," and Tom continued to stalk on until he came to a flat ro

hem and informed them of what the

st," said Sam, softly. "Tom doesn't feel

don't see any reason for Stanley and Spud to cut up about it." And t

ed Sam, in a low tone. "You can see Tom isn'

s the low reply; and then Songbird rejoined Stan

ger Rover was busy thinking and did not say a word. Presently the pair reached the end

r, Tom?" asked Sam, as

ick of studying, sick of those fellows, sick of everything and everybody! I wish I could go

om

othing but hard work and a pain in the head! Some times my head hurts to beat the band! I can't stand it, and I won't! They are all