Jim sprang out of the car when he saw the result of his innocent action with the engine, but the agile woman was up before he could reach her side. She brushed the dust from her long coat and chuckled aloud: "I allus said that animal oughter be called Delilah 'cuz she was so sly, but my ole man says 'Samson' was close enough to that critter, and this animal hez such long hair that it suits with the name."
"You've just had him clipped, I see," ventured Mrs. Vernon.
"Not clipped, Captain—but shorn of his locks like Samson," laughed Julie.
"Maybe that's why he feels so tired," added Joan, quickly.
Every one but the farmer's wife laughed. She seemed very serious over the conversation, and nodded her head affirmatively.
"Well, we have to drive on, madam, but we're sorry to have frightened Samson," said Mrs. Vernon, in order to make an end to the scene.
"Say, couldn't you tell us where there is a nice picnic place near here?" called Jim, as the first car started.
"Yeh—a few miles furder on. You'll find a nice little brook in a grove of sugar-maples, with green grass on all sides."
Jim thanked the woman, and started his car. Mrs. Vernon was informed of the grove which was to be a stopping place for dinner, and all were eagerly on the lookout for the spot that would offer such an ideal resting place.
But it was the longest "few miles" any of the scouts had traveled, for the meter showed many, many miles before any grove was seen. There was no brook in it, but the grass was very green, and the maple grove, which crowded a knoll a short distance from the road, looked cool and inviting.