The newspapers that morning gave considerable space to the assault of the previous night.  They told of the cowardly attack, and the assistance the two country boys had given, mentioning their names, and where they were from.  The injured man was unknown, and though careful search was made, there was nothing found upon his person to identify him.  He had no money, and it was believed that his pockets had been gone through by his assailants.  He was taken to the hospital where he was lying unconscious, and in a serious condition.

Mr. Dexter bought copies of both morning papers, which was a great extravagance for him.  He was quite proud of the part his son had taken in the affair, and the notoriety which had come to his family.  Rod and Phil read every word on their trip up the river that afternoon.  It was the first time they had ever seen their names in print, and they felt very important.  This was increased when they saw people looking at them, and pointing them out as the boys who had figured in the affair of the night before.

Parson Dan’s eyes opened wide with astonishment when he opened his paper, which arrived just before dinner, and read to his wife the story of the assault in the city.

“Well done for the boys!” he exclaimed, as he laid the paper aside, and began his meal.  “I wish they had caught the rascals who did that deed.”

“The boys might have got badly hurt,” Mrs. Royal replied.  “I am very thankful that they escaped without any harm.  What terrible things take place in cities.  We live such quiet lives here that we little realise what is going on elsewhere.”

“I do hope that the police will get those fellows,” the parson mused.  “The paper says that there have been several hold-ups lately, and it is believed that they have been done by the same ones who made the assault last night.  I am anxious to see Rod to hear what he has to say.”

“Perhaps the boys will have to stay as witnesses, Daniel.”

“Sure enough!” and the clergyman put down his cup he was about to raise to his lips.  “I never thought of that.  And this is the night of the concert, too.  What will Captain Josh do without the boys?  I must go over and tell him the news.  It will certainly upset his plans, for he depended so much upon Rod.”

That same morning Anna Royanna, while at breakfast, read the description of herself and her singing in the Opera House.  This did not greatly interest her, for she was beginning to weigh such articles at their true value.  It was the custom now for papers to say pleasant things about her.  It was the same wherever she went.  She recalled the time, several years before, when the same newspapers had so begrudgingly given her a few lines concerning a certain performance of hers.  She had to plead with the editors then.  She was not famous, and how a sympathetic article would not only have encouraged but assisted her as well.  Now she was Anna Royanna, the noted singer, and a slight smile of contempt hovered about the corners of her mouth as she began to fold up the paper.