d different ways. All had brought along bathing
suits and took a dip every day. They also fished, and tramped through
the woods at certain points along the stream. One night they went
ashore in a field and camped out, with a big roaring fire to keep them
company.

"This is the way it was when the cadets went into camp," said Dick. "I
can tell you, we had lots of sport."

"It must have been very nice, Dick," answered Dora. "Sometimes I wish I
was a boy and could go to Putnam Hall."

"Not much! I'd rather have you a girl!" declared Dick, and in the dark
he gave her hand a tight squeeze.

During those days Dick noticed that Captain Starr acted more peculiar
than ever. At times he would talk pleasantly enough, but generally he
was so close-mouthed that one could scarcely get a word out of him.

"I believe he is just a wee bit off in his upper story," said the
oldest Rover. "But I don't imagine it is enough to count."

"If he had any ambition in him he wouldn't be satisfied to run a
houseboat," said Tom. "It's about the laziest job I know of."

The Monday after this talk found the _Dora_ down the Ohio as far as
Louisville. To avoid the falls in the stream, the houseboat had been
taken through the canal, and during the middle of the afternoon was
taken down the stream a distance of perhaps eighteen miles, to
Skemport,--so named after Samuel Skem, a dealer in Kentucky
thoroughbreds.

Fred Garrison had a friend who came from Skemport and wanted to visit
him. The others were willing, and Fred went off with Tom and Sam as
soon as the boat was tied up. When they came back, late in the evening,
the others were told that the friend had invited all hands to visit a
large stock farm in that vicinity the next afternoon to look at the
horses there.

"That will be nice!" cried Dora. "I love a good horse."

Two large carriages were hired for the purpose, and Aleck was allowed
to drive one, a man from the local livery stable driving the other.

"How soon will you be back?" sang out Captain Starr after them.

"Can't say exactly," replied Dick.

The distance to the stock farm was three miles, but it was quickly
covered, and once there the Rovers and their friends were made to feel
perfectly at home.

"I'd like to go horseback riding on one of those horses," said Dora,
after inspecting a number of truly beautiful steeds.

"You shall," said the owner of the stock farm; and a little later Dora,
Nellie, Dick, and Tom were in t