Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/54

42 of which they saw the faint rays of a lantern. Just as they did this they heard a voice cry out in wonder.

"What be you fellers a-doin' in my cow-shed?"

"Oh, we just came in to rest out of the storm," was the answer, in a voice that sounded strangely familiar to Dave. "We are not going to hurt your shed any, or the cattle either."

"It's Mallory, of Rockville!" whispered Dave to his fellow students, naming the cadet who was the star hockey player of the military academy team.

"And Bazen and Holt are with him," added Phil, gazing through a partly-open doorway, and naming two other Rockville cadets.

"Hello, who's out there?" cried the owner of the cow-shed, and, lantern in hand, he turned to survey the newcomers.

"Why, it's Mr. Opper!" cried Sam. "Don't you remember me? I called last summer, to see some of your young lady boarders."

"Oh, yes, I remember you," replied Homer Opper. "You hired my dappled mare for a ride."

"That's it, Mr. Opper. Say, that mare could go."

"Go? Ain't no hossflesh in these parts kin beat her," cried the farmer proudly. "She won the prize at the last county fair, she did! But