Page:Rover Boys Down East.djvu/85

Rh "What are you going to do with those," questioned Sam, "learn to smoke?"

"No, I am going to treat some of my particular friends," answered Tom, and winked one eye, suggestively.

"Oh, let me in on the joke!" pleaded his younger brother.

"Here it is then," answered Tom, and brought from his pocket a small round wooden box. Taking off the cover he disclosed to view some pellets that were coated with what looked like silver.

"What are they?" questioned Sam.

"The fireworks catalogue called them Serpent's Eggs. You light one and the first thing you know it commences to swell up"

"Oh, yes, and then pushes out just like a great big worm, or snake!" finished Sam. "I had a box of 'em last year. And are you going"

"To put them in the cigars. They are harmless, but we can get some fun out of 'em," concluded Tom.

It was an easy matter to cut out a portion of the tobacco from the smoking end of each cigar, and this done Tom inserted three of the pellets in each. Then he placed the cigars carefully in his pocket.

On the way to Oak Run the three lads discussed