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Rh Later the cannon was fired off with more care. It certainly made a loud noise, and a farmer, driving past, said he had heard it away down at Oak Run.

"A feller down there told me he guessed the quarry men were blastin'," he said. "But I said 'twas a cannon. She kin go some, can't she!" And he shook his head grimly as he drove on.

The boys and girls spent the morning in firing off the cannon and in shooting off some fire crackers. Mrs. Rover served an elaborate din ner, and had the dining room trimmed in red, white and blue flowers in honor of the national birthday.

"Do you remember how we spent last Fourth," said Tom, when the meal was about over.

"Indeed I do!" cried Nellie. "Don't you're member that big imitation cannon cracker you set off on the dining room table of the yacht and how it covered all of us with confetti."

"Yes, and how Hans Mueller slid under the table in fright!" added Dick; and then all laughed heartily over an affair that I have already described in detail in "The Rover Boys on Treasure Isle."

"Dear old Hans!" murmured Tom. "I'd like first rate to see him this summer."