“Well, he won’t make a success of his hotel if he treats everybody as he treated Phil,” said Dave.
“He doesn’t deserve any success,” growled the shipowner’s son.
When the students arrived in the vicinity of the old bridge they found a large crowd assembled, 157 including many acquaintances from Rockville Military Academy, and people from the town. Red flags had been placed around, and nobody was allowed to get very close to the old structure.
“There is where they have the dynamite stored,” said Phil, pointing to a shanty not far away. “See the sign?”
“That’s a good spot to steer clear of,” returned Dave, with a grin.
“Oh, I’m not afraid of the stuff,” answered the shipowner’s son.
In the crowd of men and boys the students became more or less separated. There was a great thrill when the word was passed that everything was in readiness for the blowing up of the old bridge.
“She’s going!” cried Roger to Dave.
Boom! came the dull, heavy roar, and the boys saw the stones of the old bridge flying upward in all directions. The ground shook all around them, and the water from the creek was splashed on high. A great cloud of smoke and dust filled the air. Then came silence, followed by a wild cheering from the younger element.
“Certainly a great sight,” was Dave’s comment.