“There’s a big car arrived across the bay from us, where Leslie and Phil are waiting with the boat.”
“Seems to be something of a crowd along,” remarked Dan; “I can see the chauffeur all right, and Mr. Capes; but there’s another, too. Wonder now who he brought up here with him to-day?”
“They’re fixing some sort of canvas over the car, so as to leave it there for the night,” ventured Asa, straining his eyes in the effort to make things out.
“Now they’re beginning to get into the boat, after the boys have taken aboard some bundles that may be containers for the berries,” said Dick. “I can give a pretty good guess who that third person is, boys.”
“Mr. Nocker, Dick, don’t you think?” asked Peg. “Seems to me he looks kind of familiar, with his tall figure, and queer way of walking.”
“Just who it is,” replied Dick, without hesitation. “Mr. Nocker has taken the trouble to come all the way up here to spend a night with us boys, and see how we carry on when in camp.”
“Just to think of him, doing such a thing,” ventured Dan, “when only a short time ago he detested every type of boy, because they reminded him of his own son who gave him so much trouble, and finally ran away from home and died.”
“Yes,” interrupted Dick, softly. “But that was before Mr. Nocker met his little grandson, Billy, and felt a new sensation in his withered old heart. Nowadays he loves boys, and can’t do too much for them. Forget all about the past, fellows, and only remember that Mr. Nocker is now one of our best friends.”
CHAPTER XXVII
A NEVER-TO-BE-FORGOTTEN CAMPFIRE
When finally the boat arrived at the island landing, and the passengers came ashore, they were greeted with three rousing cheers by the score of lads. Mr. Holwell, Mr. Bartlett and the athletic director added their voices to the chorus, and then shook hands with the guests, who were soon made to feel at home.