stateroom, and next to this Laura and Jessie had a section, with Dave
and Roger opposite. Then came the other boys, and Mr. and Mrs. Basswood
and Dunston Porter. The Crumville contingent filled two cars, and there
were three more cars from neighboring towns. To the front were a baggage
and a dining-car and to the rear an observation car.

"All aboard!" was the cry.

"Good-by!"

"Don't forget to write!"

"Here, Tom, don't forget your valise!"

"Be sure to look for Brother Jack in Chicago!"

"Be sure to get some good pictures!"

"Don't forget some souvenirs!"

Then came more cries, and the waving of numerous handkerchiefs; and off
rolled the excursion train, on its long western trip, Dave waving his
cap to his father and Mr. Wadsworth, who had come down to the depot to
see the party off.

It took some little time to settle down on the train. They had left
Crumville at half-past ten and almost before the young folks knew it, it
was time for lunch. Quite naturally Dave escorted Jessie to the
dining-car, while Roger took Laura, and Mr. Dunston Porter looked after
Mrs. Wadsworth.

"I hope the good weather continues," said Jessie, as she sat down with
Dave. "It will add so much to the trip."

"Oh, I've ordered nothing but the best of weather," he replied, with a
smile.

"Tell me, Dave," she whispered, "did you hear anything more about that
Link Merwell?"

"Not a word, Jessie."

"You are sure it was he who was behind the summer-house that day?"

"Fairly sure. Of course, we might have been mistaken. But we know he was
in Crumville--Laura was sure of that--and it would be just like him to
sneak up to our place to see what he could do to annoy or injure us."

"Oh, if only they would leave you alone, Dave!" and the girl sighed
deeply.

"Don't you worry, Jessie; I can take care of myself."

The lunch was a delightful one, and with so little to do, the young
folks took their time over the repast. Then they drifted back to the
observation car, and the boys saw to it that the girls and the ladies
got good seats, where they might see all that they passed.

The afternoon found them rolling in the direction of Buffalo, which they
were to reach before it was time to retire for the night. Then the train
would pass through Cleveland while they slept, on its way to Chicago.

"I'll be glad to get a look at Chicago," said Ben Basswood, who had not
done much traveling.

"We are to take a tour in a rubber-neck wagon,"