Having taken all the bait they needed with a few hauls, the boys were given the privilege of going out in one of the boats to try the fishing. Certain localities were selected that appealed to their instinct as places where the wary bass would be apt to stay during these hot summer days.
When later on the fishermen returned it was discovered that they had met with great success. Quite enough prizes had been taken to provide a fish course for the entire party.
“Some of them are whoppers in the bargain,” remarked Peg Fosdick, proudly, for he had been a member of the angling party. “Why, that big fellow must weigh all of three pounds! And how he did jump and pull! I thought he’d break my rod or line several times. I never before took such a dandy bass.”
“This island is well named then, it seems,” observed Dick, with something of satisfaction in his voice as he looked at the splendid strings of fish. Dick himself dearly loved to spend an hour with hook and line, and feel the thrill that always raced through his system when a gamy fish had been secured, fighting frantically for freedom.
“Who’s going to meet Mr. Holwell this afternoon, sir?” asked Fred Bonnicastle, as they sat around the new table that noon with one of the camp heads at either end and eagerly devoured the lunch that Sunny Jim, assisted by a couple of the boys, had prepared for them.
Harry Bartlett had been a boy himself only a few years back, and he could easily understand what unasked question lay back of that remark.
“You may go, for one, Fred,” he told the other. “Take Asa along with you. He seems to have taken a fancy to rowing, and has entered in that class for a prize. The exercise will do him good in the bargain. I have other duties I want the rest of you to attend to, there is so much to be done before Camp Russabaga assumes the complete aspect we all want it to wear when Mr. Holwell arrives this evening.”
Asa shot the leader a look of sincere gratitude, though he did not say anything. As a rule Asa was not a talkative boy, and some of them noticed that of late he had seemed to be brooding more than usual.
During the earlier part of the afternoon many things were accomplished, for under the direction of the physical instructor the boys worked like beavers.
“About time you were starting across to the landing, Fred and Asa,” announced Mr. Bartlett, finally, as he consulted his watch.