n turned out to be the case. Josh had plenty of interesting
stories to tell. Mazie in particular was keenly interested in his
accounts of how the black bear outwitted the honey bees that had made
their hive in an old hollow tree; so that he usually secured a sweet
treat as long as he could reach in with his paw, and tear the heavily
laden combs out.

All too soon did the days pass, until finally it was decided that they
must be starting back over the old trail.

Every one would be sorry indeed to say farewell to Birch Bark Lodge. The
Merriwells made Phil promise to send them a set of all his pictures, and
in particular the one that showed the dear old cabin.

"It stands for our new life," said the gentleman, as he sat there one
arm around his wife, and the other about Mazie; "and every time we look
at it our vows will be renewed. Besides, all the happy things that have
happened here must rush over our memories. Yes, it will be our standard
cure for the blues."

Although the lame man was getting around pretty well, Phil knew he would
never be able to stand such a long and arduous journey as the one they
had ahead of them. Accordingly they made over the stretcher, with the
help of Josh, and meant to carry it along. Of course once they managed
to reach the village, where there would be a road leading out of the
wilderness, and possibly some sort of vehicle to hire, things would be
much easier.

"One thing sure," said Phil, as they got ready to clear out one bright
morning, "I've had glorious good luck in taking all the pictures I did.
Why, I've beaten my highest expectations three times over. The
collection will fill a new album; and right in front I'll have stamped
in letters of gold: 'Memories of Birch Bark Lodge.'"

"Yes, we'll never forget what a grand good time we've all had up here,"
affirmed Lub, who seemed to feel the breaking away even more than any of
his chums; "and often when I'm snuggled down between common every-day
sheets at home I'll dream of my fine bunk, and the way my blanket kept
me warm."

"And what came down the chimney one night," added X-Ray Tyson; "not to
mention what _tried_ to come down the next day. Oh! we'll all enjoy
remembering things. And I don't believe we could ever have such a
magnificent time together again."

"Don't be too sure of that," Phil told him. "I can see some other
outings ahead that may even turn out to be jollier than this one,
though it seems hard to think it now.