"I thought maybe you boys might have had one or two that you'd sell cheap," said the young dealer in old iron, and there was a twinkle in his eyes. "They're all too lazy to fight, except me," observed Bricktop, "and I'm too good." "Stow that!" commanded Fred, making a pass at his chum, who jumped back out of reach. "Aren't you quite a way from home?" asked Dick, as he went up and shook hands with Henry Darby. "Yes, I am. But you see I'm driving around the country, collecting old iron. This is my dull season, and I took my oldest rig, and started off day before yesterday. I'm taking it easy--have to you know, on account of my horse's health. His delicate constitution makes it necessary. There doesn't seem to be much old iron about, and I've got this far, without picking up a full load." "Why don't you give some to your horse. Iron is good for the constitution," said Dick. "I thought of it, but you see all the iron I have is in long pieces and sticks out all sorts of ways. If my horse swallowed any of it he'd have more fine points than he's got now. So I guess I'll keep him on grain." "But you haven't told me why you're away off here in the woods," went on Dick. "Is there any iron about here?" "No, not that I know of. I came to find you." "To find me?" "Yes. I have a telegram for you. I happened to stop in the village back there, and while I was making some inquiries in the post-office, which is also the telegraph station, a message came for you. The operator had no one he could send with it, and, as I happened to know where you were camping, I said I'd take it. He gave me a quarter for bringing it out, and so I've made some profit to-day." "A telegram!" cried Dick. "Why didn't you say so at first? Give it here," and he held out his hand. "I didn't want to scare you," said Henry. "I was breaking the news gently." He handed over the yellow envelope. Dick tore it open, and, as he read the short message, he gave a start. "No bad news I hope," remarked Walter. "No, I guess not," replied Dick slowly. "But I've got to leave for home at once." "Leave for home!" cried his chums. "Yes. This is from dad. It says: 'Dear Dick. Come home as soon as you get this. Important.'" CHAPTER II A CHANGE IN PLANS Following Dick's reading of the telegram there was silence among the campers. They all imagined something had happened to Mr. Hamilton, Dick's father, and they hesitated to give voice to their thoughts. "Well, I'd offer to take you home in my chariot," said Henry Darby, with a suggestion of a smile, "only I know you'd be two days on the road. Though it might be a good thing," he added "for your father would hear us coming long before he could see us, with the way this old iron rattles. I wish some one would invent noiseless scrap iron." "Do you--do you s'pose your father is--is hurt?" asked Walter, finally putting into words what all the others thought.