were to take a steamer up Cayuga Lake to Cedarville, the nearest
village to the academy.

"Makes me feel as I did the first time we went to the Hall," he
declared. "Don't you remember that trip, and the fun we had with Peleg
Snuggers, the wagon man?" and then he burst out singing:

"Putnam Hall's the place for me!
Tra-la-lee! Tra-la-lee!
Putnam Hall's the place for me!
The best old school I know!"

"You'll have the conductor putting you off, the next thing you know,"
remarked Sam.

"Putting me off? Never!" cried Tom. "He knows that academy boys own
privileges that other passengers do not possess. He can't cork me up. I
defy him!"

"Wonder if we'll meet any of the other fellows," mused Dick.

He had hardly spoken when the train stopped at a junction, and two
other lads got aboard and came down the aisle. One was tall and handsome,
and the other stout and with a round, chubby face beaming with good humor.

"Larry Colby!" cried Dick, leaping up and grasping the tall boy's hand.
"I'm awfully glad to meet you. Returning to the Hall, of course?"

"Yes," was the answer from the Rover boys' old chum. "Isn't it odd that
I should be thinking of you just as we meet?" and he shook hands.