In a moment the lovely white swans were sailing swiftly toward him. They bowed their long, graceful necks in many a pretty "Thank you" for the generous breakfast.
At last the procession tramped out through a low gate under a large watch tower on the old city wall. Soon they were climbing up through the beautiful woods on the mountain side.
Alpine roses
They found many interesting plants and flowers to study, and they were glad of the sweet chocolate and rolls in their knapsacks.
But the real fun came when they reached the restaurant high on the mountain. One of the boys kept Joe out of sight while the others helped arrange a table for the birthday dinner.
It was a large, round table, and it stood out of doors on a high terrace, where they could look far down upon the little city of Lucerne, and upon the beautiful lake surrounded by the great mountains.
The boys took from their knapsacks a number of small packages, which they had kept a secret from Joe.
"Let's arrange all of our presents around Joe's plate," said Jack. "And let's put a bunch of alpine roses in the center of the table."
In a few moments a procession of carved wooden bears and queer little dwarf men were marching around Joe's plate, while on the plate were piled the other presents.