“What a nice clean boat,” said Mabel Mallison, the niece of the proprietor of the hotel.
“And a nice clean boatman, too,” whispered one of her friends. “I couldn't bear that man we had day before yesterday, with his dirty hands and the tobacco juice around his mouth.”
The ladies to go out were four in number, and two sat in the bow and two in the stern. It made quite a heavy load, but as they were not out for speed our hero did not mind it.
“We wish to go up to Fern Rock,” said Mabel Mallison. “They tell me there are some beautiful ferns to be gathered there.”
“There are,” answered Joe. “I saw them last week.”
“And I wish to get some nice birch bark if I can,” said another of the ladies.
“I can get you plenty of it.”
Joe rowed along in his best style, and while doing so the ladies of the party asked him numerous questions concerning the lake and vicinity. When Fern Rock was reached, all went ashore, and our hero pointed out the ferns he had seen, and dug up such as the others wished to take along. An hour was spent over the ferns, and in getting some birch bark, and then they started on the return for the hotel.
“I'd like to row,” cried one of the ladies, a rather plump personage.
“Oh, Jennie, I don't think you can!” cried another.