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"A fellow I met in Crumville a few days ago. He appeared to be straight enough." And then Nat told his story from beginning to end. He said that he had hung around the depot waiting for Tom Shocker to come, but that the fellow had failed to show himself. "It's as plain as day," said Phil. "If Nat's story is true, this Shocker went back and robbed Dave."
"I say, have you had enough or do you want another dose?" demanded Dave. "I'll fight this out some other time," answered Merwell, weakly. He realized that the eyes of the crowd were on him, and this made him furious. But he did not dare to risk another attack from the Crumville youth, fearing what fighters call "a knockout." "Then you have had enough, eh?" went on Dave. "Very well.
He said he would settle down in the city, and did so, and to-day he is a steady workman, and he and Charley have a good home. The father is giving the son a good education, hoping to make a first-class business man of him. "Well, all told, we had the outing of our lives," declared Roger, on the way to Crumville. "It couldn't have been better!" cried Dave.
Many of my old readers already know Dave Porter, but for the benefit of others a brief outline of his past history will not be out of place. When he was a wee boy he had been found one day wandering along the railroad tracks outside of the village of Crumville.
When Nat was placed aboard of the freight train by Dave and Phil he was in a great rage, yet powerless, for the time being, to help himself. The train moved so swiftly that he did not dare to jump off, and soon Crumville was left far behind. As soon as he had cooled off for a little, Nat found out that he was very tired.
"They certainly would," answered Roger. "And what of the girls at home?" asked Jessie. "I rather think they'd like to be in our place." "Crumville seems a long way off, doesn't it?" said Laura. Besides the fish, they had chicken sandwiches, cake, pie, and half a dozen other things to eat, and coffee, and water from a sparkling spring to drink.
The youth looked up, to see, standing beside him, Nat Poole, the son of the money-lender of Crumville a tall, awkward youth with a face that was inclined to scowl more than to smile. In the past Nat had played Dave many a mean trick, and had usually gotten the worst of it. Nat had been in the class with our hero, but had failed to pass for graduation, much to his chagrin.
"Oh, we had to stop to fix the bridge," answered Dave, and then handed around the letters, which instantly claimed attention, so no more questions were asked. Then the Crumville youth had supper, and by that time it was late enough to go to bed. "You've got a cut on your cheek, Dave," said Phil, when the three boys were undressing. "Did you scratch yourself?"
"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.
"Why, it's fit for a palace!" declared Jessie. "Beats the Crumville Hotel, doesn't it?" said Dave, dryly, and this caused the girls to giggle and the other boys to laugh. An automobile was engaged at the stand in the hotel, and immediately after lunch the whole party went sightseeing, visiting the lake front, Lincoln Park, and numerous other points of interest.
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