Now the boys were really to leave her, she was sorry to think of their going.

“They will not take more than a hundred pupils,” said Dick, referring to the circular again.  “I should say that was enough.  The pupils are divided into two companies, A and B, of about fifty soldiers each; and the soldiers elect their own officers, to serve during the school term.  Tom, perhaps you may turn out captain of Company B.”

“And you may be Major Dick Rover of the first battalion,” returned Tom.  “Say, but this suits me to death, Uncle Randolph.”

“I am glad to hear it, Thomas.  But I want you to promise me to attend to your studies.  Military matters are all well enough in their way, but I want you to have the benefits of a good education.”

“Oh, I fancy Captain Victor Putnam will attend to that,” put in Sam.

The circular was read from end to end, and it was after ten o’clock before the boys got done talking about it and went to bed.  Certainly the prospect was a bright one, and if poor Dick had only had his watch the three would have been in high feather.  Little did they dream, of all the startling adventures in store for them during their term at Putnam Hall.

It must not be supposed that Mr. Randolph Rover intended to allow the theft of Dick’s watch to pass without a strong effort being made to recover the article.  Early in the morning he drove to the Corners, and to Oak Run and another village called Bender’s, and at each place had a notice posted, mentioning the loss and offering a reward of fifty dollars for the recovery of the property and of one hundred dollars if the thief was captured in addition.  This offer, however, proved of no avail, and Dick had to leave for Putnam Hall wearing his old silver watch, which he had put aside upon the receipt of the gold timepiece.

It was a clear, sun-shiny morning when the boys started off.  They had paid a last visit to the various points of interest about the place and bid good-by to Sarah, who shook hands warmly, and said farewell to the hired men, both of whom hated them to leave, for they had made matters pleasant as well as lively.  Their three trunks were loaded in a farm wagon, and now Jack, one of the men-of-all-work, drove up with the two seated carriage to drive them over to Oak Run by way of the river bridge, half a mile up the stream.

“Good-by, Uncle Randolph!” cried one after another, as they shook hands.  “Good-by, Aunt Martha!” and each gave Mrs. Rover a hug and a kiss, something which brought the tears to the lady’s eyes.

“Good-by, boys, and take good care of yourselves,” said Randolph Rover.

“And if you can’t stand it at boarding school, write, and we will send for you to come back here,” added his wife; and then, with a crack of the whip, the carriage rolled off, and the farm was left behind.  It was to be many a day before the boys would see the place again.