After chapel the Rovers were assigned to their various classes and given their text-books.  It was announced that no regular classes would be called until the following Monday morning.

“That gives us plenty of time to study our first lessons,” said Sam.

“Yes, and gives us time to get acquainted with the college layout and the rest of the students,” added Tom.  “Do you know, I think I am going to like it bang-up here.”

“Just what I was thinking,” returned Dick.  “It isn’t quite so boyish as Putnam Hall was—­some of the seniors are young men—­but that doesn’t matter.  We are growing older ourselves.”

“Gracious, I’m not old!” cried Tom.  “Why, I feel like a two-year-old colt!” And to prove his words he did several steps of a jig.

Only about half of the students had as yet arrived, the others being expected that day, Friday, and Saturday.  The college coach was to bring in some of the boys about eleven o’clock, and the Rovers wondered if Songbird Powell would be among them.

“You’ll like Songbird,” said Dick to Stanley Browne.  “He’s a great chap for manufacturing what he calls poetry, but he isn’t one of the dreamy kind—­he’s as bright and chipper as you find ’em.”

The boys walked down to the gymnasium, and there Sam and Tom took a few turns on the bars and tried the wooden horses.  While they did this Dick talked to a number of the freshmen with whom he had become acquainted.

“We are to have a necktie rush Monday,” said one boy.  “Every fellow is to wear the college colors.  Meet on the campus an hour before supper time.”

“I’ll be there,” said Dick.  He knew what was meant by a necktie rush.  All the freshmen would don neckties showing the college colors, and the sophomores, and perhaps the juniors, would do their best to get the neckties away from them.  If more than half the boys lost their ties before the supper bell rang the freshmen would be debarred from wearing the colors for that term.

Shortly before eleven o’clock a shout was heard on the road, and a number of the students made a rush in that direction.  The college coach swung into sight in a cloud of dust.  It was fairly overflowing with boys and young men, all yelling and singing and waving their hats and caps.  At the sight those on the campus set up a cheer.

“This is something like!” cried Tom enthusiastically.  He wanted to see things “warm up,” as he expressed it.

The coach was followed by three carriages, and all deposited their loads at the main building steps and on the campus.  There were more cheers and many handshakes.

“There he is!” cried Sam, and rushing forward, he caught John Powell by the hand, shook it, and relieved the newcomer of his suit case.

“Hello, Sam!” cried Songbird, and grinned from ear to ear.  “Hello, Dick!  Hello, Tom!  Say, did I surprise you?” And now he shook hands with the others.