It was thought best to have an interview with Mr. Newcomb at once, and the entire party marched down the village to a point almost opposite the store, and waited there while Jimmy went in to ask the important question.
He remained inside so long that every boy’s face commenced to grow sad, for each moment he was there seemed to tell that he was not succeeding in the project.
“I guess his father won’t let him have it, an’ he’s stayin’ there to coax,” said Bill, sadly; but he had hardly spoken when Jimmy appeared. He could not wait until he crossed the street before he imparted the joyful news, but waved his hat even while he stood on the threshold of the door, and shouted, at the highest squeak of his voice:
“It’s all right, boys; we can have her as long as we want, if we’re careful not to get her stove up.”
In the twinkling of an eye every one of those boys had started at full speed toward Dunham’s wharf, that they might look at the craft which was to carry them on their journey. They had all seen the boat at least a hundred times before, but now that she was theirs for a while she seemed like a new one.
Since the boat was ready, and the tent nearly complete for pitching, Bill Thompson proposed that each one should spend that day getting ready for the trip. The time set for the start was seven o’clock on the following morning, and every one was expected to be on hand promptly at that hour. Tim, Bobby, and Bill promised to make the tent pegs and stakes, and it was decided that, if any important question should come up meanwhile, they should meet behind Bobby Tucker’s barn that night to discuss it.
With this agreement the conference broke up, and during the remainder of that day, when any of the townspeople saw a boy running at full speed, or staggering under a load of bed-clothing, they knew he was one of the party who were going out camping for a week.
It would not be surprising if the mothers of those boys lost their temper several times during the following ten hours, so numerous were their wants, and such vague ideas did they have as to the amount of provisions necessary for a week’s stay in the woods. But, greatly to the delight of both the boys and their parents, the day came to a close, as all days will, and a very happy party met in the rear of Mr. Tucker’s barn.
Each one had secured the articles promised, while some had been able to do even more. Bobby had found a flag, rather the worse for wear, to be sure, but still showing enough of the Stars and Stripes to allow one to see what it had been, and this was looked upon as the crowning triumph of all.