Page:Fairview Boys at Camp.djvu/121

Rh "And you and I will get rich!" the old man cried, enthusiastically.

"I hope so," spoke Mr. Houghton. "You certainly have suffered very much to get your rights. But it is all over now."

The boys were quite puzzled by this talk, but it was soon to be explained. There was the jingle of sleigh bells from the direction of the lake, and soon was heard the approach of footsteps.

"It's Mr. Jessup!" cried Sammy. And so it proved. He had brought the doctor back with him in a cutter.

"I'm much obliged to you, Mr. Jessup," said the old hermit, "but I don't believe I need the doctor's services."

"However, as long as he's here, better let him look you over," suggested Mr. Houghton.

The medical man said, beyond a hard blow on the head, which had made him unconscious for a time, Mr. Addison was not hurt.

"I'd stand another blow on the head for the sake of my fine spring," said the hermit, and he laughed.

He really seemed quite a different man now. His face was kinder, and the boys were no longer afraid of him.

"I guess you'll have to explain," suggested Mr. Jessup. "What is it all about, and what do you mean by your boiling spring, Mr. Addison?"

"Come with me, and I'll show you," said the hermit.

With slow steps he led the way to a little glade, not far from his cabin. There the boys saw a strange sight. In spite of the fact that it was Winter, and that snow was on the ground, there was a spot of green grass and ferns to be seen, surrounding a boiling and bubbling spring of clear water. And from the water a little cloud of steam arose.

"There she is!" cried Mr. Addison. "There's my boiling spring, and the waters of it are the best thing in the world for