CHAPTER V

THE FIGHT IN THE GYMNASIUM

It was not until two days later that Andy Snow felt like himself again.

No bones had been broken, but the acrobatic youth had received a shaking up that was severe.

So far he had not been told of his loss, and when he asked for his belongings he was much depressed by the news.

"Couldn't find them anywhere?" he repeated, to Pepper. "Oh, are you sure you made a good search?"

"We certainly did, Andy," returned Pepper. "We went back the next day, early in the morning."

"And you didn't find a thing?"

"Only this b.u.t.ton and lead pencil, and this buckle."

"The pencil is mine, but not the b.u.t.ton and the buckle." Andy heaved a sigh. "Then I am out my watch and chain, the stickpin, and eight dollars! Was there ever such luck!"

"Andy, was anybody near you when you had the tumble?" asked Pepper.

"Near me? Why, yes, there was a man on the road just ahead of me! I had forgotten all about it until now."

"Who was he?"

"I don't know. A tall fellow, with a thin, leathery face."

"A farmer?"

"No, he looked more like a city man. He had on a regular sack suit and a derby hat."

"I was thinking that possibly somebody robbed you while you were unconscious."

"Perhaps that is so, Pep. I'd like to see that man."

"You never saw him before?"

"Not that I can remember."

"Would you know him if you saw him again?

"I don't know about that. I didn't have much time to look at him. I was busy trying to escape being hit by the tree branches."

"You must have been lying on the road five or ten minutes before we found you," pursued Pepper. "If that stranger was a rascal he would have had plenty of time to go through your pockets. I don't see how riding could make you lose all those things at once."

"If he robbed me, I'd like to get hold of him," cried Andy.

"More than likely, if he did rob you, he'll take good care to keep out of your reach."

"What of the horse? Did they catch him?"

"Not yet. Most likely he left the road after he got tired of running and wandered into the woods. He was a valuable animal and Captain Putnam is worried about him."

"Will he hold me for that loss?"

"I don't think so--you didn't run away with him--he ran away with you."

The report of the loss of Andy's valuables was thoroughly circulated around Putnam Hall and Cedarville, and a reward of ten dollars for the return of the things was posted.

The next day a farmer named John Lane, who lived not far from the school, appeared there, riding on the back of the runaway Jim. The horse looked much subdued and was covered with burrs.

"I was out in the woods with my son Bill, when we ran across the horse,"

explained John Lane. "I knew him right away as the animal that had belonged to Jerry Toller. I asked Jerry about it and he said he had sold the horse to you, so I brought him here."

"You are very kind, Mr. Lane," replied Captain Putnam. "I'd like to pay you for your trouble."

"Oh, that's all right, Captain Putnam," responded the farmer. "Glad to do you a good turn."

"Thank you very much. Any time I can do you a good turn, let me know."

"Well, you might buy some of my extra hay, and extra potatoes. I've got some prime hay, and the best potatoes ever grown in these parts, and I'll sell 'em at regular market prices."

"Then I'll take all I can use, Mr. Lane," answered the captain, and a little later a bargain was struck, not alone for the hay and potatoes, but also for some turnips, cabbages, and table celery.

"What that horse needs is exercise," said John Lane, on departing. "Give him a few miles every day and he'll be as mild as any of 'em. He's too full-blooded to remain standing in the stable."

"I'll see to it that he gets the exercise," answered Captain Putnam.

On the day that the horse was returned Jack, Pepper and Fred walked down to the boathouse, to look over the boats. As my old readers know, Jack owned a sloop called the _Alice_, while Fred possessed a similar craft named the _Ajax_. Besides these sloops, there were numerous boats belonging to the Hall.

"Well, our sloops look natural," said the young major.

"I was wishing this summer I could go out in the _Ajax_," answered Fred.

"What do you say if we take a little sail now?"

"In which boat, Fred?" asked Pepper. "We can't go out in both."

"Make it the _Alice_!" cried Jack.

"No, the _Ajax_!" came from Fred.

"I'll toss up for it," went on Pepper and produced a cent. "Head you win, tail you lose." And up into the air spun the coin.

"Head!" cried Fred.

"Head it is, and we go out in the _Ajax_."

"All right, but you'll have to go out in the _Alice_ next time," cried the young major.