Then came a swarm of reporters from Boston, which was not far from Cresville. They kept the telegraph wires fairly sizzling with dispatches, telling of the terrible wreck.
A big crowd remained at the scene long after the damaged cars and engine had been hauled away, and the line put in shape for use, which was late in the afternoon. The three boys, who, to tell the truth, were nervous and upset from the unaccustomed sights, left shortly after the old man had been taken away.
“Well,” remarked Bob, as they strolled back toward his house, “it would be hard to beat that for excitement.”
“What were we doing just before it happened?” asked Ned. “It seems like a week ago when we ran out to join the crowd.”
“We were talking about going to the shore with our motor boat,” Jerry put in.
“Oh, yes. Well, let’s see if we can’t work that scheme. Suppose you two come over to my house this afternoon,” spoke Ned.
His chums said they would, and then the three separated, their minds filled with a strange combination; the pleasures that might be in store for them mingling with the sad memories of the wreck.
Jerry spoke of the boys’ plan to his mother at dinner. She took a little time to think it over, and then announced she would try to get a large cottage if possible.
“Ned and Bob can come and stay with you,” she said, “that is if their folks will let them. I want to see you all have a good time, and I believe the motor boat will be just the thing at the shore. Only you must be very careful. When I think of some of the things you and your friends went through with, Jerry, it frightens me.”