The Rover Boys on the River; Or, The Search for the Missing Houseboat

occupied a tent alone, his two tent-mates being on guar

flat on his back, with his

m, or you'll wake hi

eping victim of the joke. The burnt cork was in excellent condition and

er stage py a nigger minstrel com

igger than he does a whi

oat for him," said Fred Garrison,

, leaving the tent in total darkness. The

te Tubbs!" he cal

tah?" drawled the arist

m or to Mr. Strong at once," went on the

questioned Tubbs, sitt

Hurry up, for it'

e," murmured William Philander

light, but it had been removed

s in the dark. In his hurry he did not notice that his coat was in

p, and in that direction William Philander hurried until sudd

"What are you doing in

s, thinking the guard wanted to know why

Putnam wa

es

ge. How did

In wh

his c

le, are y

Ribble. "Well, I must

be crazy. I am Willi

and then a light dawned on him. "Who t

who just w

Behind Tubbs he now saw half a dozen cadets ho

lost time, and soon arrived at the flap

s he got no reply, he called again. By this time the ca

want?" he a

me, sir," st

nt fo

s,

o doing," answered Captain P

ro

act

this camp," answere

ong here?" questioned the now a

you send for me? Somebody said yo

r heard of you, so far as I can

ou are mixed up," roar

g to this camp, w

ave no negroes here, to

do you mean by calling

m Phil

ou one? I can't

answered Tubbs, getting more and more excited. "I

name?" queried Captain Putnam, beginn

name well e

perhaps I don't.

William Phil

Is it po

y tent and said you

was necessary to black u

William Philander.

black,

in this glass," and the captain held out

self in the glass

ned. "How ridiculous! How did this

aptain Putnam?" came

Strong

as a negro and call upon me," answered the master of the acade

It's all a horrid joke somebody has played on me

Tub

, and if I can fin

from a distance made

at me!" he went on

investigate in the mo

Philander went off

est he could in some cold water. "I'll have them in court for it." But he neve

some of the cadets had picked up a number of burrs of fair size. A liberal quantity of th

had borrowed and prepared to retire once more. He threw back the covers and dr

shriek of pain and ast

stuck full of pi

bbs leaped up and began to da

" asked one of his tent-mates, ente

ubbs. "Everything is the matter, d

up as a negro minstrel and were

illiam Philander began to moan once more over the burrs. It was a good quarter of an hour before he had his cot

night with the boys in a hurry," remarked

came from Dick. "We don't want to spo

l be as mum as a clam cli

of the Rovers were sound asleep. The three brothers had begged for permission to tent together and this had been allowed

o exert an influence over him. At one time Link Smith had trained with Lew Flapp and his evil associates, but fortunately for the feebl

e heard a peculiar whistle close at hand. He list

t presently did so. Then from out of the gloom stalked a tall young fellow, dressed

estioned Link S

ou know

cried the wea

d, Link. Somebody

do you

t the camp," an