The boys laughed and said they were so used to sleeping in the open that it would never hurt them. “If you are bound to sleep outdoors you can use the back yard or you can spread your blankets on the living room floor,” said Howells. “One can take the couch there. You’ll have to toss for it, though.”
After much pressure the boys decided to do this, and accordingly goodnights were said. It was a custom of the boys to draw lots to settle all arguments, so hustling into the kitchen Garry raided the broom of three straws of unequal length and then brought them back for his chums to draw.
Dick was the lucky chap to get the couch. With a grin he spread his blankets and remarked to the others that he hoped the floor would not be too hard.
“What’s the diff?” inquired Phil. “There isn’t much difference between the ground and a floor and we aren’t in the woods so we can’t cut branches to make one of nature’s mattresses with. Stop your chatter. I’m off to sleep,” and indeed he was in a few moments.
To Garry however, sleep did not come so easily for he was thinking of the events of the evening, and wondering what he and his chums could do to checkmate the schemes of the unknown enemies that were causing all the trouble at the lumber camp. But Garry was a healthy growing boy, and not to be denied his sleep, so soon he consigned the cares of the day to oblivion and in a few moments was fast asleep.
Howells was up before the boys, and started the coffee, and in a few moments his wife was downstairs and busying herself about the breakfast. They let the boys sleep until it was almost ready, then awoke them. The boys protested against all the trouble they were causing their hosts, but their protests were only half hearted for the smell of the boiling coffee and the frying bacon were so tempting that it would have taken a team of horses to drive them away without eating.
Breakfast over, they took their leave, first inquiring about the way that lay ahead. They found that they would go nearly twenty-five miles before coming to another town, as the way ran through the last of the farming country before striking the edge of the big timber country.
“The camp is ten miles or so beyond the village that you will come to, and it will take you at least a day to get to the village, so you will not reach the camp until nearly noon of tomorrow. There’s a good chance that you will get a lift, however, for there is a circus there today, and you should find a great many people on the road. Don’t be bashful about hailing them and asking for a lift. It is a customary thing to do in this part of the country. I will see you in a couple of days, as I will go back on duty at the camp then,” said Howells.
“Just one thing if you don’t mind,” interposed Garry. “When you come to the camp, do not let on that you are already acquainted with us, because if we are to work together we can do a lot better if there is no inkling of our acquaintance.”
“That’s a good idea, and that way it’ll be,” agreed Howells.