"So do I," said Neal with spirit.

"You're awfully lucky to be able to camp out during October," rattled on
Roy. "That's the month for moose-hunting, jacking, and all the most
exciting sort of fun. We have to go home in a day or two, for our
school has reopened, unless"--

"When Royal Sinclair gets a streak of talking, you might as well try to
bottle up the Mississippi as to stop him," said Dr. Phil, laughing. "I
can't hear what he's saying, but I know that his tongue is clicking like
a telegraph instrument. But I hope it has given its last message for
to-night. You really must turn in, boys. I let you have an extra social
hour, because to-morrow will be Sunday, a day of rest after the travels
and excitements of the week. Think of it, lads! A Sunday in the
woods--God's first cathedral! May it do us all good!"

The guide, Joe, built up the fire. Fresh birch logs blistered and
sputtered as creeping curls of bluish flame enwrapped them. Kindling
rapidly, they threw out fantastic lights, which danced like a regiment
of red elves around the old log walls of the cabin.

"If a fellow could only drop off to sleep every night in the year seeing
and smelling such a fire as that!" breathed Neal, as, accepting a share
of Royal's blankets, he stretched his tired limbs on the evergreen
mattress.

"Then life would be too jolly for anything," answered Roy.

CHAPTER IX.

A SUNDAY AMONG THE PINES.

"Men and boys learn a good many wholesome lessons in the forest, one of
which is that it pays better to take a day of rest in seven if they want
to make the most of themselves and their opportunities. Therefore, lads,
we'll do no tramping to-day. And we'll have a bit of a service by and by
over there under the pines."

So spoke Doctor Phil on the following morning, when the two sets of
campers, now one joyous, brotherly crowd, were sitting or lounging about
the pine-wood table, leisurely emptying tin mugs of tea or coffee, and
eating porridge and rolls of Joe's baking.

"You haven't told us yet, Cyrus," he went on, "what point you're bound
for. I know you're level-headed, and plan every forest trip beforehand,
to economize time."

"Yes, a fellow likes to do that; it adds to the pleasures of
anticipation," Garst answered. "But it's precious little use, after all,
when you're visiting a region which is as full of surprises as an egg is
full of meat. However, I have arranged to meet Herb Heal, the guide whom
I generally em