The Hilltop Boys

t school was admired and flattered by the boys of his own set and looked up

st in all the athletic sports indulged in by the boys, ranked well with both pr

ckson, who resented having a mere berry picker enrolled among the studen

o the new boy, extended his hand cordially and said in his

You did me a great service a short time ago and I am not likely to forget either that or

cordiality as it was offered. "I remember you now but what I did was not

Harry was as cordial as Dick himself

f it had not been for your coolness I would have gone all to bits in a moment. I

as quickly as I did and acted just as you should have acted so that as much credit

e boys then at the Academy and apparently on good terms with all of them, Dick Per

ain or boat and some in private conveyances, the greater part of t

ork but many other states were represented, the Academy having a national reputa

er to drill the boys, a corps of competent instructors in many branches, s

they pleased that evening and after supper, which was had in the great dining hall,

as they were entering a bit of woods in the rear of the Acade

wberries, raspberries and currants and then peaches an

ulars," broke in Harry. "They are not

e south and go as far as the western part of the state and into Pennsylvania before the season is over. Many of

there isn't. Be careful about this place, Jack. There is a ravine which is very steep a

chooling but even a casual observer would have noticed that neither Harry nor Arthur w

Academy building, a few especially favored ones having rooms to themselves eit

ssociated with Harry Dickson and a number of boys whom he had seen ve

hich he could keep his clothes, there being a small portable iron washstand in front of

so that there was plenty of room for every one and yet the boys were near enough to converse with eac

caught a few words of their conversation which was carried on in low ton

a welcome to the A

rush and be sure and get the water j

y young fellow whom Jack had noticed at the supper table, who seemed to be al

sort and got ready for it," thought Jack, but as far as any of the bo

of the boys who addressed him, and then, just before he got into bed, quietl

been observed, his motions being quick and with no appear

s on matters of little importance, Jack saying little, however, but calculating how long it would take the nea

e doctor's room as soon as the clock struck, so that i

e, and so whatever noise the boys might make would

roke sounded the lights went out and in

sat up in bed, turned and reached for

ng the bed on three sides and then there was a

what's

eft tacks on

iz! sto

r and the boys who had meant to give him a li

the water jug tumbled over upon him or at any rate th

quietly, and then a flash of light from

" excla

ther, he who had been drenche

airs, boys?" asked Jack, with provo

beds taking tacks out of their feet while anothe

attempt was made to rush in upon Jack who

ne might have heard the noise a

as steps were heard in the hall

t had happened within for the footsteps passed the do

rs when all was quiet again, "and we'd better let

rmitory for the rest of the night and in the morning when the bell sounded

to co