“Yes, I noticed that,” returned Jack. “They must be so stuck on those new gaudy uniforms they can’t bear to go out without them. Who was the fourth fellow?”
No one could answer that question, and after gazing at the motor-boat until it was almost lost in the distance the Rover boys resumed their rowing and presently reached the military academy dock. A crowd was there to meet them, for Gif and the other cadets had spread the news of what had happened out on the lake.
“Here come the real heroes!” cried Gif good-naturedly. “Here are the ones who did the real rescue act!”
“Cut it out, Gif!” returned Jack. “What we want is to get into some dry clothing and get something to eat.”
“Yes, and after that we’ve got something to tell you about Tommy Flanders and Sands and Halliday,” added Randy.
The four boys hastened to report to Captain Dale and then hurried up to the rooms they occupied. They had four rooms in a row on the second floor. Jack occupied a small one and Fred another, while a third was used by the twins. The fourth room was a general sitting room and a place for study. This had been a meeting place many times for the Rover boys and their chums.
It did not take Jack and the twins long to change their clothing nor Fred to brush up a bit. This done, all hurried down to the mess room, a corner of which had been kept open for them. They found both Colonel Colby and Captain Dale on hand, anxious to learn a few particulars concerning the accident on the lake.
“It was a fortunate thing that you were on hand to aid those in the flying machine,” remarked the master of the school, when he had heard their story. “I trust Mr. Stevenson is not seriously hurt.”
After the meal the Rovers retired to their rooms and were there joined by Gif and Spouter. To their chums they related what had occurred at the entrance to the river.