undred years."

"It runs in der family," went on the German boy calmly. "Mine granfadder
he vonce wrote a song. Da sung him py a funeral."

"Did it kill anybody?" asked Fred.

"Not much! It vos a brize song. He got a dollar for doing it."

"It must run in the family, like wooden legs among the soldiers,"
said Tom, and there the fun for the time being came to an end.

The road now ran up a hill, and then they came to a thick patch of
timber. Before they left the timber, they rested for their mid-day
lunch, camping out, as suited them.

"This is something like," remarked Fred. "I think it first-rate."

"It is very nice to be outdoors when it doesn't rain," answered Dick.

"How nice it would be if we had the girls along," said Sam.

"Oh, ho! Sam is pining for Grace!" cried Tom teasingly.

"Pooh! you needn't to blow," returned the youngest Rover, blushing.
"Last night you called out for Nellie in your sleep. You must have
been dreaming of her."

"I'll dream you!" burst out Tom, getting as red as Sam had been, and
he made a move as if to throw a cup of coffee at his brother.

"Children! children!" said Dick sweetly. "I am--er--amazed."

"He's sorry because you forgot to mention Dora," said the irrepressible
Tom. "Now, Dora is just the cutest--"

"Avast, Tom, or you will get it," said Dick. "We haven't got the
girls with us, so let us drop the subject."

It was very pleasant in the timber, and they did not leave until
thoroughly rested. Near at hand was a small but pure stream, and here
they washed up and watered their horses.

While the others were at the stream, Tom wandered off in the direction
of the road. Now they saw him coming back full of excitement.

"Whom do you suppose I saw on the road?" he said.

"Give it up," returned Fred.

"Dan Baxter."

"Baxter!" came in a chorus.

"Yes. He was with that fellow who was at the hotel, the chap with
the bushy hair," added Tom to Dick. "The man who asked so many
questions."

"Were they on horseback?" asked Sam.

"Yes. When Baxter saw me, he looked frightened. I called to him to
stop, but he wouldn't do it."

"Where were the pair going?" asked Dick with interest.

"In the same direction we are going."

"Perhaps we can catch up with them," went on Dick. "Anyway, it is
worth trying."

A minute later all were in the saddle and on the trail once more.

CHAPTER X

A TWENTY-DOLLAR BILL

"It's odd that Dan Baxter should be out here," observed Sa