It was then that pandemonium seemed to break loose. From a couple of the bedrooms rushed Tom Rover followed quickly by Sam and Dick. The men were partly dressed, having removed only their coats and shoes.
“My boys! My boys!” cried Tom Rover, and there was almost a sob in his throat as he rushed to embrace the twins. Then Dick ran to Jack and Sam to Fred, and there was a genuine hugging match all around.
“Gee, but it’s good to be back!” was the way Andy expressed himself, and each of the other lads endorsed that sentiment.
“We were out looking for you until the storm came up,” said Dick Rover. “We were going out again as soon as it was daylight.”
“Where have you been and what did those rascals do to you?” questioned Sam Rover.
“It’s a long story, Dad,” answered Fred, and then he added quickly: “Here’s a man you’ll like to see, Uncle Tom. His name is Ocker, and he knows all about Peter Garrish.”
“Did he find you?” questioned Tom quickly.
“No. We found him—under a tree that was struck by lightning,” put in Jack quickly. “We’ll give you the particulars in a little while. Just now we want to know if you don’t want to get a crowd together to go after Davenport and his bunch. Those men ought to be rounded up and put back in prison.”
“Sure, we’ll round them up if it can be done,” announced Dick Rover.
All entered the house, and very soon the boys and the others were provided by the Corning sisters with a substantial breakfast. While eating, the lads told their story and then the men questioned Ocker.