"I hadn't thought of that." "Like 's not. Some folks don't. We've got another digger now, an' he knows." For a time conversation ceased, and the farmer drove briskly along the country road. When an hour had elapsed, Mott said, "I don't see that we're getting anywhere near Winthrop." "Winthrop? Is that where ye want t' go? Students there, maybe?" "Yes." "Well, we've been goin' straight away from Winthrop all the time. Ye didn't say nothin' 'bout it, an' I didn't feel called upon t' explain, for I supposed college students knew everything." "How far is it to Winthrop?" inquired Will blankly. "'Beout ten mile," responded the farmer, his eyes twinkling as he reined in his team. CHAPTER X A VISITOR The boys both hastily leaped to the ground and the old farmer quickly spoke to his team and started on, leaving his recent passengers in such a frame of mind that they even forgot to thank him for his courtesy and kindness. As the wagon drove off, Will fancied that he heard a sly chuckle from the driver but he had disappeared around the bend in the road before the young freshman recovered from his astonishment sufficiently to speak of it. "That old chap wasn't such a fool after all," said Mott glumly. "That's what he wasn't," responded Will beginning to laugh. "What are you laughing at?" demanded Mott sharply. "At ourselves." "I don't see the joke." "Might as well laugh as cry." "You'll sing another song before you're back in Winthrop to-night. Ten miles isn't any laughing matter after we've tramped as far as we have to-day." "But it'll help us for our track meet," suggested Will, laughing again. "Bother the track meet!" "It'll help our longevity then. I've always heard that walking was the best exercise." "The old fellow was foxy. He never said a word but just let us talk on. I'd give a dollar to hear his account of it when he gets home." "Cheap enough. But say, Mott, have we got to tramp all the way back to Winthrop?" "Looks that way." "Can't we get a car here somewhere?" "Hardly. We might try it at that farmhouse over yonder," replied Mott pointing toward a low house not far away as he spoke. "Come ahead! Let's try it anyway," suggested Will eagerly. The boys at once hastened to the place, and after a brief delay succeeded in summoning the young farmer who lived there. They made their wishes known, but in response the man said, "Can't do it anyhow. My wife's sick and I'm goin' for the doctor now." "Where is he?" demanded Will eagerly. "Over at the Junction." Will knew where the Junction was, a little hamlet about seven miles from Winthrop. How far it was distant from the place where he then was, however, he had no idea. It was easy to ascertain, and in response to his question the farmer explained that it was "about three mile." "You might take us there, then," said Will quickly. "I don't know just how the trains run for Winthrop, but it'll be three miles nearer anyway." "Yes, I'll be glad to take you there."