“Glorious, I tell you, glorious!” Spouter waved his hands eloquently. “Why remain cooped up here within the dingy walls of a school when the mighty plains, the boundless forests, the leaping streams, and the azure blue of the skies await you? Why snuff the tainted air of the musty classroom when the free ozone of the hills and mountains beckons to you? Why waste time over musty books when rifle and fishing rod can be had, when one can fling himself in the saddle and go dashing madly across the——”
“Jumping crabs and hopping mud turtles!” exclaimed Andy. “Spouter has got ’em again!”
“What is this, Spouter?” demanded Randy. “A moving picture, or just a plain everyday nightmare?”
“Ha, ha!” continued Spouter, prancing around. “Whoopee! Bang! Bang! Let her go, boys! Lasso him quick before he gets away!” and the talkative cadet made a movement as if throwing a lasso.
“Say, Spouter, come down to earth, will you?” cried Jack, grabbing his chum by the shoulder. “What’s the matter with you?”
“Maybe he swallowed a few yeast cakes by mistake,” remarked Andy.
“It’s the best news ever, fellows!” went on Spouter. “I got it this morning.”
“All right! Let’s have it,” came quickly from Fred.
“I’ve been waiting for this news for several weeks.”
“News from where?” came from the others.