Part 20 (2/2)

”Maybe he catches b.u.t.terflies with it,” suggested Frank.

”That was a jolly he was giving us, about being a naturalist,” said Bart. ”He's up to some game, but I don't see that it concerns us.”

”What's next on the program?” asked Ned. ”Pack up and move along?”

”Rest awhile; good for the digestion,” remarked Bart. ”I want to see which way the tramp goes.”

The boys, lying on sh.o.r.e, in the shade, saw their recent guest paddle slowly down stream. They watched him until he disappeared around a bend.

”Well, that's another link in the queer puzzle for us to solve,” spoke Ned. ”By the way, Frank, did you ever make any inquiries of Judge Benton about whether there was any prospect of a new trolley line going through?”

”Yes, and he said he didn't know of any. I told him about the men, but he said they might be surveyors dividing the land up into building lots.

Mr. Bender is anxious to improve his property, he said.”

They broke camp and reached Woodport about five o'clock, got the salt and one or two other things they happened to think might come in handy, and resumed their journey up the river. Woodport was a small place and they soon pa.s.sed it, coming to a long stretch of water that flowed between densely wooded banks on either side.

”Good place to camp,” spoke Ned. ”No one to bother us. There's no fun camping close to a town.”

”Not unless you run out of salt or something like that,” replied Bart.

”Oh, well, one should get accustomed to doing without salt, or other things he can't have,” Ned rejoined. ”I believe I could get used to anything.”

”Good way to feel,” spoke Fenn. ”I wish I could.”

”It takes strength of character,” Ned added.

”Don't get preachy,” put in Frank.

”Say, instead of moralizing, you fellows had better be looking for a place to camp,” said Fenn, who, with Frank, was rowing. ”I'm getting tired.”

”That looks like a good place over there,” came from Bart, indicating a spot where the trees did not seem to be so thick. ”Little beach, too, for the boat to ground on so it won't pound on the rocks if a wind comes up.”

The craft was put over to it, and a closer inspection showed the place to be well fitted for the purpose. The rowboat was tied to an overhanging tree and the tent was soon set up. Then a place was made for the stove and some supplies set out. A big tree stump served for a table and in a little while Fenn had a good fire built.

”What's the menu?” he asked Bart.

”Open a can of chicken and we'll fry it brown,” was the answer. ”That, with bread and b.u.t.ter and coffee, will make a meal.”

Supper was soon on the ”stump” and four very hungry boys gathered around it.

”Where's the milk for the coffee?” asked Ned.

”I forgot it. It's in the boat,” replied Fenn. ”I'll get it.”

He hurried down to where the craft was tied, and a moment later his companions heard him utter an exclamation.

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