afraid there wouldn't be room for so big a
crowd, unless you slept in my boat, which I've not had in the water
this summer so far."

Stammering Nat tried to answer, but knowing the uselessness of such a
thing, instead he darted into the shop, took one look at the open canoe
occupying slings at the further end, and then came hurrying out. He
pounced on Andy, wrung his hand violently, and managed to gasp the one
word:

"B-b-b-bully!"

Then he waved his hand toward Frank, and shot after the two boys who
were heading for the road, anxious to return with their belongings.

Within half an hour they made their reappearance, each laden down with
a bulky bundle, under which poor little Elephant seemed almost buried,
though he trudged manfully along, and asked no favors from his taller
companions.

Evening was now near. Andy had made several trips to his home beyond
the border of the big field, each time returning with a load; though he
and Frank had for a long time kept their cooking kit and their blankets
in the shop, so that they would be handy when wanted.

He had also told his father and Colonel Josiah about their intention to
sleep in the workshop. Neither of the gentlemen thought anything
strange of the proposition, for the Bird boys were well able to look
out after themselves. They had proved this so often in the past, that
by now Frank's father, as well as the parent of Andy, offered no
objection to their projects, however bold they might appear at times.

"I had your dad on the 'phone, Frank," Andy remarked, the last time he
came back. "He'd just gotten in from his round of afternoon visits;
for there's a heap of sickness about Bloomsbury just now, I hear. And
of course he said that he wouldn't worry because you stayed away for a
few nights. I tell you, old chum, we've just got the finest governors
ever. It's a lucky thing to have an obliging dad!"

"And be able to wind him around your finger, as I hear you do yours,
ever since he came back from South America," laughed Frank.

By the time darkness began to gather the boys were deep in the
delightful task of cooking a genuine camp supper. The stove was of
generous size, so that several could work around it at the same time.
Andy took charge, nor would he let Frank have any hand in the
proceedings, calling upon Elephant, Larry and Nat when he needed
assistance.

Of course the ham was tender, the coffee nectar fit for the gods, the
Boston baked beans