Dave Porter and His Rivals

orter!" whispered Link Merwell to his croni

" faltered Nat, as Dave leaped to

s," suggested Nick Jasniff. "Rem

away," returned the money

see the thing out

t go, Nat-they won't dare to fi

uring cars, and looking back the boys and girls saw a

sn't Jed Sull

e?" quest

ts. I suppose he is going around,

to tell us about this ro

anded Jed Sully, after alighting. And he

" said Dave, for he had

er looked first at Dave and his chums and then at those s

d Roger, and pointe

e roadmaster's voi

this road," explained Dave. "He put up a barrier some distance

do it," added Ben. "I had an idea the new pap

th sides it couldn't close off this road, which is a publi

uth addressed, and he co

ve you orders to cl

ed Nat. "What business is it

t allow you or anybody else to close off this road, or any other, without special permission. You had no right to p

her bought th

ave 'em no right to close the road. You take that stuff out of the way, and at once,

" screamed the money-lender

ke in Nick Jasniff, and made a

oadmaster, so sternly that Jasniff allowed the club to drop to his side. He turn

eplied t

lock you all up, and these fellows can testify against

to talk to 'em!" cried

xpect to meet the roa

d not listen to them. He knew Aaron Poole, and had no love for the man who had on mo

aking out a big silver watch. "If it ain't cleared by tha

stick!" cried J

" added

t want to be locke

a right to the road," s

ken. Oh, come on and help me!" pleaded Nat, and se

rony do all the work, and they were a bit afraid of Jed Sully, so present

th me and clear the other spot," said the roadmaster

e Falls," answered Nat. "Nobody

fence to keep 'em out," wa

do you?" asked Dave, in a whisper. "We are

nage them, I reckon. If they give me any trouble I'll put 'em in

ried Jessie. "I don't want

and as soon as the road was entirely cl

at other stuff," remarked Phil to Nat Poole

ll, and Jasniff shook his fist at the departing cars. Nat Poo

" remarked Sam, when the scene of the encounter had been left behi

have had a fight

e to that!" cried Jessie, an

cing car and Pete Barnaby?" q

trouble for us!" said Dave. "We had bet

distance, as I did before,"

ng to Lookout Point. Just before the spot was reached they took to another

to ourselves," said Dave. "A

. "I really believe I could choke down a c

way from Phil, or he won't leave enough behind to feed a canary," and t

the road allowed, and then placed the

ther boys. "That other crowd may sneak up and try to

swered Roger; and the

earby spring, the girls spread a tablecloth over some flat rocks and set around the dishes and the things to eat. There

hing on a sandwich and a stalk of celery. "I shouldn't

who was eating a sandwich from one han

ot of the steaming beverage. "I've got to strain it throu

d Jessie. "There is a

p, or two cups for a nickel! Good for the complexion and warranted to cure the

his ear. "I like coffee, but I don't drink it that wa

eshoe nail for spilling

on!" answered the sh

hear that!" m

to answer to t

a lawyer likes to dr

the girls,

er. And then the joker had to dodge an olive and a pickle t

course a good many of the things that were said were silly, but everybody was in good humor and out for a good t

ed about, first to the edge of the Lookout, to view the scenery, and then to the woods and the bro

Hall," said Dave, as he and Jessie stood where the brook tumb

rry to have you go," said Jessi

n, won't you, Jessie?" h

, Dave," and now she cast down her

magine how much I treasure

ot of your letters,

t me to write

es

-" continued Dave, but just then