The truck rumbled off in a cloud of dust and gasoline smoke, the boys gave a shrill cheer, and the journey to Black Riders’ Camp had begun.
The ride was a long one in the truck but the boys did not mind it. In the back of the truck the boys talked and sang and Buck joined them in their conversation, answering a number of questions concerning camping life in general.
Outside the last town on their route they met the supply truck waiting and in company they proceeded down the bumpy wood road until the autos could go no farther. They were in the shelter of the trees and a stone’s throw from the camp of the Black Riders.
“All out and grab some equipment!” shouted Buck, and they descended from the truck in a torrent, making shrill demands for their packs from those who were still in the truck. These were supplied and then Ted and Buck ordered them to unload the supply truck. This was soon done and the boys began to descend the slope to the camping spot.
The driver of the supply truck took the big truck back to the city, leaving the smaller vehicle alone there in the woods. Ted then made his way to the camping grounds and heard with pleasure the cries of delight as the boys looked over the spot.
“It surely is a dandy,” Buck told him. “Well, I suppose we had better step to it and get the tents up.”
To this work they fell with a will and before long four big brown tents had been pegged down tightly. They were on a slight slope facing the creek, with the springs off to one side and back of them. By the time the canvas shelters were up it was growing dusk and Buck and a squad made haste to gather a big load of wood for night. Others, under Ted’s leadership, built a fine, substantial fireplace. By the time that this was done the darkness had settled over them like a blanket, and the new fires tossed a yellow and flickering light to the sky.
“This will be our first night out here,” Ted reflected, as he looked around him. “Wonder what it will be like?”
CHAPTER VI
A PROWLER IN THE NIGHT
An event for which the boys had long been waiting now came, after some confusion, to pass. Several requests had been made for something to eat but Ted turned a deaf ear to it until the camp had been put in shape. The noon meal had been a sandwich affair and now the hungry stomachs were demanding something solid. Ted gave orders for the meal.