“That suits me,” said the acrobatic youth, and Jack and Pepper said they were also satisfied. Later on each got the amount mentioned.
“Have you located those crazy men yet?” asked Jack.
“In a way, yes. They took a boat to Ithaca, and then a train for the north. Perhaps they have left the neighborhood for good.” But in this statement George Strong was mistaken, as later events proved.
The balloon adventure made Andy, Jack, and Pepper the heroes of the Hall for the time being.
“We’ll never have another adventure as thrilling as that,” said Pepper, but he was mistaken; they did have an adventure equally thrilling, and what it was I shall relate in another volume of this series, to be called “The Putnam Hall Champions; or, Bound to Win Out.” In that volume we shall meet all our friends once more, and likewise some of their enemies, and learn the particulars of a victory which led to a most unlooked-for discovery.
Summer was now at hand, and one bright Saturday the boys had a regular field-day, with a big spread afterwards. Jack, Andy, Pepper, and the others did very well, winning several prizes. Harry Blossom made a neat speech, and then all sat down to a meal which made Stuffer Singleton’s eyes fairly glisten.
“This day is the limit!” cried Andy, while the eating was going on. “I was never so happy in my life before.”
“I don’t think any schoolboys could be happier than we are,” said Jack. “Especially with old Crabtree gone.”
“Drop Crabtree,” sang out Dale. “He will come back all too soon, don’t fear!”
“Here comes Captain Putnam!” announced Pepper. “Let us give him a cheer.”
All agreed, and the cheer went echoing across the lake and the hills far and wide, and with that cheer let us take our departure.
THE END