“And we hiked for your house as soon as we landed,” added Bert.
“Your folks said you were down here, and we managed to find the place without getting lost more than ten times,” broke in Jack with a laugh. “Now what’s going on? Tell us all about it.”
“I’m going to take the boat along,” explained Tom. “And say, talk about luck! We’re going to camp near a mysterious old mill, and there’s a wild man roaming through the woods up there, who may sneak in and scalp us any night.”
“Great!” cried Jack.
“All to the string beans!” exclaimed Bert. “How did you happen to stumble on such a combination as that?”
Tom told, and the two newcomers expressed their satisfaction in unmeasured terms.
“Let’s start right away!” exclaimed Jack.
“Oh, there’s lots to do yet,” spoke Tom. “If you fellows will get off your store-clothes, you can help crate this boat.”
“Sure we will!” came from Bert. “We left our grips at your house. We’ll go back and change into our old duds.”
“Good idea,” declared Tom. “Mother’s got your rooms all ready for you.”