iting, and I'm
sure you must be hungry."

"Hungry doesn't describe it," said Tom. "I could eat sole leather. Phew!
what an appetite riding in this mountain air does give a fellow!"

"Can you ever remember the time when you wasn't without an appetite,
Tom?" asked Nellie Laning, with a laugh.

"Never go so far into ancient history," he returned solemnly, and a
general laugh followed.

Soon their outfit was safely housed in the barn, and then they entered
the house, where the long supper table, filled with good things, awaited
them. All three of the girls insisted upon waiting on the boys, and it
proved as jolly a meal as they had ever eaten. They lingered for an hour
at the table, talking and cracking nuts, and during that time the Rover
boys became thoroughly acquainted with the Barrow family.

"Oh, I've heard lots about you!" said Addie Barrow. "Nellie has told me
great, long stories about Tom's bravery, and Grace has told me all about
Sam's doings, and both of them have told about you, Dick----"

"Now, do be still, Addie!" put in Nellie Laning. "I declare, I never
said a word!"

"Oh! A word! Why, you kept me awake one night for over an hour telling
about how Tom----"

"Let's have a song," broke in Sam. "I see an organ in the next room and
some music. You must play," he added, to Addie.

"She plays beautifully," put in Grace, thankful for the change of
subject. "Addie, give them that new song, 'I'm Sorry, Oh, So Sorry!'"

"All right," answered the young lady of the house, and sitting down at
the organ she ran her hands over the keys and started the song. She
could sing and play well, and all joined in the chorus. The music was
kept up for over an hour, and then the Rover boys retired, highly
pleased over their reception.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE START UP THE RIVER.

"If it wasn't for finding that treasure box I'd just as lief stay here
for a few days," remarked Tom, on getting up the following morning.

"Ditto myself," came from Sam. "We could have a boss good time, eh?"

"How about it if Nellie and Grace weren't here?" came from Dick, and
then dodged a shoe thrown at him by Tom and a pillow sent forth by Sam.
"No, boys, it won't do--we must leave for the hunt to-day. Why, there
may be a million in it."

"That's right, Dick; when you fly, fly high," said Tom. "That Frenchman
never had a million. If he had a couple of thousand he'd be lucky."

"And of course, a couple of thousand is of no importanc