ng soon following that
day on which Uncle Jabez and Ruth had undergone their involuntary
ducking in the Lumano.

"Aren't you ready, Ruthie?" cried Helen from the back seat of the car.

"Do hurry up, Ruth--the horses don't want to stand," laughed Tom, who
was slim and black haired and black eyed, like his twin. Indeed, the two
were so much alike that, dressed in each other's clothing, it is
doubtful if they could have been suspected in such disguise.

"But my bag isn't packed yet," cried Ruth. "I didn't know you'd be here
so soon."

"Take your toothbrush and powder puff--that's all you girls really
need," declared the irrepressible Tom.

"I like that! And on a two days' trip into the hills," said his sister,
beating him soundly with an energetic fist.

"Give him one or two good ones for me, Helen," said Ruth, and ran in to
finish her preparations for the journey she was to take with her
friends.

"Pshaw!" grumbled the impatient Tom, "going to Uncle Ike's isn't like
going to a fancy hotel. And we'll stop over to-night with Fred Larkin's
folks--the girls there would lend you and Ruth all you need."

"Hold on!" exclaimed his sister. "Just what have you in _your_ bag? I
know it's heavy. You have all you want----"

"Sure. Pair of socks, two collars, fishing tackle, some books I borrowed
of Fred last year, my bicycle wrench--you never know when you are going
to need it,--a string of wampum I promised to take to Nealy
Larkin--she's a Campfire girl, you know--and an Indian tomahawk for
Fred----"

"But, clothes! clothes!" gasped Helen. "Where are your shirts?"

"Oh, I'll borrow a shirt, if I need one," declared Master Tom, grinning.
"Uncle Ike's Benjy is about my size, you know. What's the use of carting
around so much stuff?"

"I notice you have your bag full of trash," sniffed Helen. "It can
plainly be seen that Mrs. Murchiston was called away so suddenly that
she could not oversee our packing."

"Come on, Ruth!" shouted Tom again, turning toward the farmhouse.

"Now, don't get her in a flurry," admonished Helen. "She hasn't had but
two hours' notice to get ready for this two days' trip. It's a wonder
Uncle Jabez would let her go with us at all."

"Oh, Uncle Jabe isn't such a bad old fellow after all," said Tom.

"He's been just as cross and cranky as he can be, ever since he lost his
boat in the river the other evening--you know that. And they say he
would have been drowned, too, if it hadn't been for Ruthi