tion of the roadway leading into Haven Point was being repaired
and was closed off; so, in order to get down into the town, they had to
make something of a detour in the direction of Colby Hall.

"Oh, Jack, hadn't we better ask him to take us to the Hall first?"
whispered Fred to his cousin. "Maybe Colonel Colby can fix this up for
us."

"I might ask him," returned Jack, in a low tone.

"I ain't a-goin' to Colby Hall," snarled Elias Lacy, after the question
had been put to him. "I'm a-goin' to take you to the lock-up."

The journey towards the town was continued, and presently those in the
wagon came within sight of a rural free delivery turnout.

"Hello there, Pete! Got any letters for us?" sang out the farm hand.

"One fur Mr. Lacy," replied the post carrier, and, driving closer, he
handed it over.

"I ain't got no time to read letters now," announced Elias Lacy, as he
thrust the communication into his pocket. "I've got other business to
'tend to."

"Givin' a couple of the Colby cadets a ride, eh?" ventured the carrier.

"I'm a-takin' 'em to the lock-up, Pete. They went an' shot two o' my
cows."

"You don't say, 'Lias!" cried the carrier in amazement. "Out huntin' I
s'pose, and mistook 'em for deer or bears," and he chuckled over his
little joke.

"No; they done it a-purpose," growled the farmer. "They held a grudge
agin me, an' they thought they was a-goin' to git square. But I'll show
'em, an' don't you forgit it!"

"We didn't shoot his cows!" came simultaneously from Jack and Fred.

"Bad business! But I've got to be on my way," commented the carrier.
"That road bein' closed puts me away off my regular route;" and off he
drove.

Three quarters of the distance to Haven Point had been covered when
those in the wagon heard a shout, and a moment later Captain Dale came
galloping up on horseback.

"Where in the world have you two cadets been?" he cried. "We have been
looking all over for you."

"We got lost in the woods and had to camp out all night," explained
Jack, and then added: "Did the others get back?"

"Oh, yes. And they fully expected that you would follow them." And
then, seeing a peculiar look on the boys' faces, the military
instructor of Colby Hall continued: "Nothing wrong, I hope?"

"Yes, there is--a whole lot wrong!" cried Elias Lacy, before the cadets
could answer. "They sneaked up to my farm an' shot two o' my cows."

"Impossible!" exclaimed the military man.

"No, it ain't! It