n, it's just this, Colonel Colby,"
said the oldest Rover boy earnestly. "Personally I would much prefer to
have Brown and Martell stay away from Colby Hall. But if you think they
ought to be given another chance to make good here, why, I am sure I'm
not going to stand in their way. Just the same, if they do come here,
I'm going to watch them pretty closely so that they won't be able to
play any more of their dirty tricks."

"I shall not blame you for watching them, Rover. After what happened to
you and your Cousin Fred, it is no more than right that you should be on
your guard. Yet, I trust that you will give Brown and Martell a chance
to prove themselves, provided they really do want to turn over a new
leaf and make amends for what has happened."

"Oh, we'll give them plenty of chances to make good if it is in them;
won't we?" and Jack turned to his cousins.

"Sure!" came in a chorus.

"Then that is settled, and I am glad of it. Now you have my permission
to go on your hunting trip, and I trust you will bring down all the
small game you desire. But, as I said before, be very careful. So far, I
have allowed all of my pupils to go out hunting whenever they have so
desired, and without any accidents happening. I don't want to break that
record." And with these words the master of the Hall dismissed them.

This conversation took place on Thursday evening, and all day Friday the
boys were anxiously looking forward to the proposed outing and wondering
what the weather would prove to be. They obtained permission to take
two small rifles and two double-barreled shotguns belonging to the
institution, and these they cleaned and oiled so that they would be in
prime condition.

Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, and the four Rovers obtained
their breakfast as early as the rules of the school permitted. Then,
with game bags and guns slung over their shoulders, they set out on
their skates up the lake shore and then along the Rick Rack River, the
wind of the day previous having cleared large portions of the ice of
snow.

"Come on, let's have a race!" cried Andy gleefully. Had he not been on
his skates he would have attempted a handspring in the exuberance of his
spirits.

"No racing to-day!" warned Jack. "You save your breath, Andy. We expect
to skate and tramp a good many miles to-day before we get back to the
school."

"All right, just as you say," answered his cousin, and then he began
some horseplay with Fred,