, such as hooks, sinkers, extra lines
and many other things without which a fisherman's outfit would not be
complete.

Taking his quota of bait in an empty can that had contained some Boston
baked beans which the three lads had eaten cold for lunch, Toby started
gaily forth, whistling as he went.

"You said the river must lie directly west of here, Jack," he called
back ere plunging into the woods; "so I'm heading that way now. I expect
to take notice of everything that looks at all queer, as I go along, and
make as broad a trail as I can, so I'll have no trouble about coming
back the same way I go. Steve, wish me luck, because I know you just
love fried black bass."

Thereupon Steve waved both hands after him as if in blessing.

"Hope you get a fairly good mess, Toby," he shouted, "not more than we
can manage at one sitting, because I hate a fish hog who wastes twice as
much as he can make use of. But if they do bite like sixty, say, I'll be
sorry I didn't make up my mind to limp along with you, no matter how
much this heel hurts."

So Toby vanished. They could hear his merry whistle gradually growing
more distant as he trudged along, keeping his face set toward the west,
and doubtless making sure of this by frequent glances at the friendly
compass.

"Let me take a look at that heel of yours, Steve," said Jack, when they
were thus left in charge of the camp. "Luckily I thought to fetch some
magic healing salve along, and I'm sure it'll help you a lot. We'll fix
that shoe, too, so it can't do any more damage. I've had a bruised heel
myself, and I know how painful it always is."

Steve was only too willing to have Jack's assistance; and between them
the little operation was carried out. The limping camper declared his
heel felt ever so much better, and he believed he would have no further
trouble from that source, given a rest until the next morning.

Then Jack got out his new camera, and fussed around for half an hour or
so, examining its working before loading it with a roll of film. He
appeared greatly pleased with its excellent workmanship, and felt that
if he only did his part the results must be exceedingly satisfactory.

"I may be gone an hour, Steve," he told the campkeeper, as he prepared
to make a start; "or, for that matter, don't be surprised if I'm away
double that length of time. A whole lot depends on what I run across
interesting enough to make me take considerable pains to get a good
picture o