“We saw them again down near our boathouse,” said Ruth over the telephone. “They acted as if they wanted to talk to us, but we did not give them any chance to do it.”
“If they dare to say a word to any of you, just let us know and we’ll take care of them,” declared the oldest Rover boy.
On the third day came a long letter to Jack and an equally lengthy communication for Fred. The letters were from their fathers, and in them Dick and Sam Rover gave the particulars of how they had volunteered for service in France and how Dick had been commissioned a captain and Sam a lieutenant. They mentioned the fact that they were soon to leave New York City, along with a number of other volunteers, to go to Camp Huxwell, a beautiful site selected by the government and located on the Atlantic coast.
“Why, say, that isn’t very far from here!” exclaimed Jack. “I’ve often heard them talk about that place.”
Jack’s father also mentioned the fact that Colonel Colby had obtained a commission as a captain and that a great many others of his old school chums from Putnam Hall, and likewise two of his comrades from Brill College, were going. He added that if Jack wanted to come home to see him off, he could do so.
“And that’s just what my dad says, too,” said Fred, after both boys had finished reading the letters. “Of course we’ll go!”
“Ten horses couldn’t hold me back,” answered Jack.
“Well, if you fellows go, we’re going, too,” declared Randy, when the matter was talked over.
“Bet your life!” added Andy slangily. “I want to know what dad has got to say about all this.”
Jack and Fred communicated at once with their sisters, and learned that they, too, had received letters from home and were going to depart for New York City at the earliest possible moment. It was then arranged that the young folks should all leave together on the following morning.