Tom.

"Mr. Flockley, for one," and Minnie bit her lip, for she had not
forgotten how that dudish collegian had once insulted her,--the time the
Rover boys had come to her rescue, as related in detail in "The Rover
Boys at College."

"Did he come to the house?" asked Sam.

"Oh, no, he merely walked through the orchard. But I guess he saw some
of the packages."

"He didn't speak to you, did he?" asked Dick, bluntly.

"I didn't give him the chance. When I saw him, I walked into the house,
and he didn't dare to follow me."

It was almost supper time, and the boys had arranged to remain at the
Sanderson homestead, instead of going to the rather poor hotel at
Ashton. They had a merry time with the others over the repast, and then,
even though it was late, they went down to the barn to inspect the boxes
and bundles comprising the _Dartaway_.

"Everything seems to be all right," said Dick. "We ought to be able to
put her together in a day, if we all work hard enough."

"We'll get up at six in the morning," said Sam.

So it was arranged, and Mr. Sanderson said he would call them. But this
was unnecessary, for all were up and downstairs before the appointed
hour, and before breakfast was served they had the boxes and bundles
open and the various portions of the biplane ready for assembling.

"Can't I help?" asked the farmer, who was much interested in what was
going on.

"You can help us lift the engine," said Dick. "That is rather heavy."

The boys and the farmer worked until five o'clock in the afternoon over
the biplane, knocking off a half hour for dinner. For that meal they had
same fried chicken and fresh vegetables, and an apple pie made by Minnie
which Tom declared was "a dream."

"We'll come and board with you," said Dick, to the girl. "This sort of
food goes away ahead of the college stuff; eh, boys?"

"Indeed it does!" cried Tom.

"Can't be beaten," put in Sam. And these compliments pleased the
farmer's daughter very much.

Gasoline was at hand and also oil, and soon the youths had the engine of
the biplane in working order. But it was not started until the
_Dartaway_ had been rolled off to the middle of a big field.

"I don't want to scare your horses and cattle," explained Dick, to the
farmer. "When the engine starts they'll think Fourth of July has
arrived."

Soon all was in readiness, and with a final inspection of the biplane,
Dick took his seat in the machine and called to his brothers to