go, you can count on me all right. I'm the last to squeal if
trouble comes, and you know that, fellows," declared Bluff, glancing
around defiantly.

It was a habit with Bluff to be always expecting something serious to
happen; and in case his suspicions were verified, as might occasionally
occur, he would crow over the others, and strut around as though he
thought himself a prophet gifted with second-sight, and able to forecast
coming events with ease.

On the other hand, should the prediction fail to come about there was
always a good excuse handy to account for the failure.

"Well," said Frank, as he winked at Jerry, "since we are all of one mind,
I don't know why we should waste any more time about it. For one, I'm
going straight to the bank and have a friendly chat with my dad. I just
feel dead certain he'll be as tickled over the chance of an outing as I
am. He never forgets that he was a boy, you see. So-long, fellows; see
you later at Will's house."

There was a scattering then and there, Bluff heading in the direction of
the building where his father had his offices, while the other two kept
on in company, their homes being close together.

Will was the only one who really expected any show of opposition: for his
widowed mother simply idolized him, seeing every day new traits of
character as well as little facial resemblances that made him appear more
and more like the husband and father who was gone; but then the boy knew
just how to overcome these scruples, and his arguments were always backed
up by his twin sister, so that in the end he usually attained his wish.

His one great hobby lay in the line of photography, and such had been his
remarkable success with a cheap outfit that his mother had surprised and
delighted the boy on a recent birthday by giving him an expensive camera.

Of course, he was fairly wild to get away into the woods and secure many
stunning pictures of the great outdoor folks, the birds and animals
inhabiting the wilds. Will cared little about shooting, and expected to
do all his hunting with his camera.

When about an hour later Frank called each of his chums up on the 'phone,
and eagerly demanded to know how things had turned out, he was delighted
to hear them say one after the other that everything was lovely, and full
permission to go had been duly granted.

After lunch they held a grand pow-wow at the home of Will, to which the
two girls were admitted; for it had been deem