o suffer at his hands."

"I've got my eyes open already," was Dave's reply. "Let me tell you
something, Nat." And then he related the particulars of the affair at
Lake Sargola, and told about the burning of the garage.

"And to think Job Haskers is with him!" cried Nat. "Say, they'll make a
team, won't they!"

"Yes, for I'm thinking that Haskers is about as bad as Merwell,"
answered Dave.

After that came a pause, neither youth knowing exactly what to say. Then
Nat cleared his throat.

"I--I'd like you to do me a favor," he stammered.

"All right, Nat. What is it?" returned our hero, promptly.

"If you get the chance will you tell Ben Basswood and the other fellows
how I'm going to be--er--different after this? And will you tell your
sister and Jessie, too? I don't want them to--to--think I'm wanting to
do anything more that's mean. I want to be--be, well, friendly--if
they'll let me," and Nat's face grew very red as he made the admission.

"I'll tell them all--the first chance I get," promised Dave. "And I am
sure they will be pleased. Why, Nat, I know you can turn over a new
leaf, if you want to. Look at Gus Plum, how mean he used to be, and what
a bully! And look at him now. He's a first-rate fellow. You can do it if
Plum can, can't you?"

"I'm going to try, anyway."

"And I'll help you all I can--and there's my hand on it," answered Dave,
and then the two lads shook hands.

A talk lasting all the way to Crumville followed. As they rolled into
the station Nat left rather hastily, going to the rear of the car, while
Dave went forward. The money-lender's son knew Dave expected to meet
his sister and friends and he did not, just then, wish to face the
party.

"There's Dave!" cried Jessie Wadsworth, as she caught sight of him
through a car window.

"Hello, everybody!" cried the youth, as he swung himself from the car
steps. He gave Jessie's hand a tight squeeze and then kissed his sister.
"How are you?"

"Oh, fine!" came from both girls.

"Hello, Davy!" cried a merry voice, and Dunston Porter, the lad's uncle,
came striding forward from an automobile near by. "How did you leave
Senator Morr and his family, and are you ready for that trip through
Yellowstone Park?"

"I left the senator and his family well," was the answer. "And I am
ready for the trip--that is--part of the trip," Dave added, hastily.

"Part of the trip?" cried Jessie. "Why, what do you mean?"

"I'll tell you later. Oh, I've got lot