“Can’t help it,” grinned Ted. “My stomach has been listening for that sound for some time past.”
“Mine has, too,” confessed Buck. “Let’s heave this last board up.”
With a concerted heave they sent the long board flying upward to the top of the pile and then, after washing at the nearby faucet, they set off for home and the noon meal. It was a noontime in late July and as they walked along they talked of summer plans.
“I hope we can get in some camping before long,” Ted said, as they turned down the shady street upon which they both lived. “We’ve made a little extra money this summer so far and we’re in fine shape for the football season this year. I think that it is time we knocked off our work and figured on a little camping trip.”
“I agree with you on that,” nodded Buck. “I’m just about ready for a good outdoor trip and a few weeks under canvas. There is nothing I like as well as the woods and a tent.”
“That, and a fire which glows a dull red,” cried Ted, his eyes shining.
“You bet! Well, here’s your gate, so the best of friends must part. See you after dinner.”
Ted Thorn went into the plain old house while Buckley Dalton continued on his way to a house a little way further along the street. These two boys had been loyal comrades since they had been old enough to play together. Ted was the son of the owner of the local lumber yard, a man of quiet personality and moderate means, who was wrapped up in the lives of his two children and his wife. Ted’s sister Dorothy was one year his junior and his companion of more than one good time in the events of the local school. The household was a happy one and in such an atmosphere Ted had grown up to be a clean-cut, manly fellow, now eighteen, and about to enter upon the last year at the local academy.
Buck was Ted’s age and was a worthy companion, a fun-loving fellow who was honest and generous to the core. In physical proportions he passed Ted, weighing a few pounds more and being gifted with a wider span of shoulders. Both of the boys had been working throughout the summer at Ted’s father’s lumber yard, to store up a little money to their accounts at the bank and to keep themselves in trim for the coming football season. On the Ridgefield Academy team Buck played fullback and Ted had been for the past two years the quarterback of the team. It was the intention of the boys to work at least a month or more and then to spend some time during the summer on a camping trip, to round off their summer training in that way. Now, with August near at hand, they were beginning to think more seriously of the trip into the woods.
Ted entered the house quickly and washed up, after which he reported to the dining room table. His father and mother were there, though his sister was visiting at another house. With all the evidence of a healthy appetite Ted attacked the food which his mother placed before him.