ance to trade my place in town for a
plantation, or ranch, as my son Bob calls it, and I took it. We have
a fine place, and Clara will be much pleased, I am sure, to have you
and your friends pay us a visit."

"Oh, mamma, let us go!" cried Dora. "I don't wish to stay on the
houseboat while the repairs are being made."

The matter was talked over for an hour, and the boys and girls took
Mr. Denton over the houseboat, from end to end.

"I've heard of you Rover boys," said he to Dick, Tom and Sam. "Mrs.
Stanhope has written to us about you, and how you once saved her from
a fellow named Josiah Crabtree. If you and your chums wish to visit
our place, I'd like you to do so. I've got a son Bob who, I know,
would like to meet you."

"Well, I wouldn't mind taking a trip inland," answered Dick.

"Can't we go on horseback?" put in Sam eagerly.

"We might do that."

"Certainly, you could make the trip in that way," said Mr. Denton.
"But it would take some time, for the roads are not of the best down
here. We usually take a train as far as Docker Crossing, and then
ride the rest of the distance, twelve miles, in a carriage or on
horseback."

"I'll tell you what's let do," suggested Tom. "The girls and the
ladies can go with Mr. Denton on the train, and all us boys can hire
horses and make the trip that way. We can leave Captain Starr and
Aleck in charge of the houseboat until we get back. We need not hurry
ourselves, for our time is our own."

When talked over, this plan met with universal approval, and it was
decided to put it into execution without delay. Mr. Denton wished
them to make an extended stay at his plantation, and the boys decided
to take their own time in getting there.

"It will be just the outing on horseback that I have been looking
for," said Sam. "I hope we have nothing but clear weather."

"We ought to have, after such a storm," said Fred. "See how clear
the sky is to-day."

"That trip to the plantation on horseback will take about five days,"
said Dick. "That will make quite an outing."

"Puts me in mind of our trip out West," said Tom. "What are we going
to do when night comes on? Go to some ranch, or make our own camp?"

"Oh, let us go into our own camp!" cried Songbird. "It will be such fun!"

"That's the talk," chimed in Sam.

"We can camp out on the way if the weather proves good," decided
Dick. "But if it rains good and hard, I reckon all of you will be
glad enough to get under cover.