"There you are, suh!"
The mill could be seen through the trees, and all of the boys felt the greatest eagerness to hurry along and reach this spot.
It happened that none of this bunch had ever set eyes on Munsey's mill, or the pond just above it. There were plenty of places nearer Hickory Ridge for fishing purposes. And besides, the dear familiar old "swimming hole" was more convenient than this place, nearly seven miles away.
"I see Elmer and Lil Artha," observed Larry.
"Yes, and there's another fellow just beyond. I reckon it must be Ty Collins," said Chatz.
Elmer waited for them to come up. He and his companions were standing on the edge of the dam which had long ago been built in order to hold up the water and form the big lonely looking pond beyond.
"Ugh, what a spooky looking place this is!" exclaimed Larry, as soon as they drew up where they could look out on the big pond, its surface in places partly covered with lily plants, and the long trailing branches of weeping willows dipping down to the water.
"It sure is, suh!" remarked Chatz, plainly interested, and not a little excited.
"Here we are, Elmer," called out Matty; "and I guess the second bunch will be along soon. I see Ty and Toby, but where's Nat Scott?"
Elmer gave him a serious look.