"Bully boy," said Mr. Kimball, patting him on the shoulder. "Biggest surprise out. Thought, from the way you moved yesterday, that—oh, well, what's the use of saying it?"
"And I called him a 'side-tracked freight car,'" mused Dick, with a smile.
"When Chub gets waked up, he's like a streak o' lightning," declared Bob. "Now, I'm satisfied. We've had a good game, and, what's more, won it. Let's skip off on our hunting trip next week——Say, but wasn't 'Little Bill' wild, though," and Bob smiled at the recollection.
"An' don't you think he's goin' ter forgit what that elephant done, neither," growled a voice.
Unobserved, Dugan had approached. But he stopped at a respectful distance, and pointed his finger threateningly toward Dave Brandon.
"You'll wish yer hadn't, fat feller!" he cried. "Remember what I says," and he stalked slowly off the field.
"He's wearing his number one sour expression," laughed Dick. "Most as bad as the mountaineer we saw at the hotel."
"Bill's a pretty mean fellow at times," put in Jim Havens, "but I wouldn't pay any attention to him. Let's fix it up about that trip to the mountains."
The boys, accordingly, made their way to the porch of the Rickham House, Mr. Kimball and Phil Levins accompanying them.
Before supper time, all arrangements had been made. It was decided that Bob, Dave Brandon and Dick Travers would take the first jaunt, and on their return Sam and Tom could go off on theirs.