n a twinkling the huge field was covered with spectators running in
all directions, and the victorious eleven was surrounded. Many were the
congratulations showered on all the players, and it may well be
believed that Jack and Fred came in for their full share.

"The finest game I ever saw," declared Colonel Colby, as he shook hands
with all his youthful players.

"Oh, Jack! It was simply grand--that run you made!" exclaimed Ruth,
when she saw him.

"Yes. And the way you played for that safety!" put in May to Fred.

Columbus Academy was much disheartened over its defeat, yet it cheered
the victors and was cheered in return; and then the great crowd
gradually dispersed.

"Bonfire to-night, boys! And a big one, too!" cried Andy, as he rushed
up to fairly embrace both his cousins. Then, to work off some of his
high spirits, the acrobatic youth turned several cartwheels and
handsprings.

"What a pity our folks weren't here to see this game," said Jack,
wistfully.

"Never mind, we'll write them all the particulars," announced Randy.
"And we'll send them copies of the local paper, too. That will have a
full account of it," and this was done as soon as possible.

After the game refreshments were served to the cadets and their
particular friends, and in this, of course, the Rovers and the girls
from Clearwater Hall joined. Then the boys took the girls back to their
school in an automobile.

"We are certainly having one dandy time at this school," remarked Fred,
on the way back to Colby Hall.

"Right you are!" answered Randy.

"If only we hadn't had that trouble with Slugger and Nappy," remarked
Jack.

"Oh, don't bother about those fellows!" cried Andy. "I don't believe
they'll ever trouble any of us again."

But in this he was mistaken. Brown and Martell did trouble them, and in
what manner will be related in the next volume of this series, to be
entitled: "The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island; or, The Old Lumberman's
Treasure Box."

In that volume we shall meet all the boys and their chums again, and
also learn the particulars of a queer mystery, and also of a great joke
played upon Professor Asa Lemm.

The cadets of Colby Hall were a happy crowd that night. A great bonfire
blazed along the bank of the river, and around this the boys cut up to
their hearts' content. Then they marched around and around the Hall,
singing loudly.

"It's certainly a dandy school, isn't it?" remarked Jack to his
cousins.

"The