iling.

"What is that?" asked Percival.

"The friendship of a lot of good fellows, and of one or two who are a good
deal more than mere good fellows, real friends, in fact."

"Well, that is worth a good deal, of course, but it seems to me that one
always has plenty of friends if he has money."

"If he keeps them when he has no money, then they are friends, indeed,"
said Jack, "and I think that I can count upon mine in any case."

"Then you are lucky, Jack."

For all that they had enjoyed themselves while afloat, the Hilltop boys
were glad to be back at the Academy again among the old familiar scenes,
and the work of the school went on with renewed vigor, Jack, in
particular, giving his entire attention to it so as to be as high as
possible in his classes at the end of the term.

The greater part of the boys at the Academy, as well as the doctor and all
of the professors, were his friends, and the fact that some of the boys
were not, and did all they could to injure him did not worry him, for he
thought little or nothing of it.

At the end of the term he was at the head of his class, and was so close
upon Percival that the latter said with a good-natured grin:

"You'll be up with me next term, Jack, whether I look out for myself or
not."

"Well, we generally have pretty good times together, Dick," Jack replied,
"so I don't think you will be sorry."

"Not a bit of it," said Dick.

Those who have been interested in following the fortunes of the Hilltop
boys may be glad to continue their acquaintance with Jack Sheldon and his
friends and enemies in the next volume, "The Hilltop Boys on the River,"
which, in addition to giving an account of many aquatic sports, contains
also a number of thrilling incidents, which serve to bring out the
characters of the boys to good advantage.

It was at the end of the term, and many of the boys were preparing to go
home when Percival said to Jack:

"The doctor is going to let us have a summer camp for a few weeks. We are
to live on the river, and have all the fun we want with the addition of
some study, just to keep our hands in. What do you say, Jack? Will you
stay over if I do?"

"I may stay in any event, Dick. I want to get on as fast as I can, and
this will give me a chance."

"Then if you stay, so will I," heartily, "and between you and me you will
find a lot more who will do it if they know you are to be here."

"The more the merrier," said Jack.

THE END