"That's what I thought," tittered Joan, "but the rest of the girls prefer something more solid than dreams."
During the luncheon the Captain said: "Wouldn't it be splendid if each one of us kept a diary of what happens during this summer's camp? Then we can rewrite the facts when we go home and make a good story of it. Perhaps a real publisher will buy it from us and thus give us a fund for next year's outing—if we have one."
"Oh, that is great!" exclaimed several voices with girlish enthusiasm.
"Well then, when we camp to-night, we'll jot down the episodes of the day's trip—not forgetting to dwell at length on 'Samson,' and Julie's side-plays," remarked the Captain, smilingly.
"Has any one thought of a stopping place for the night?" asked Jim.
"Not definitely, Jim; but I hope to cross the river at Poughkeepsie and drive along the west shore as far as possible. Then we can pitch camp at any good place we find," replied the Captain.
They had not gone much farther before Ruth called: "It looks as if the rear tire on Verny's car was flat!"
The Captain slowed up, and every one tried to see the tire. "That's what it is, all right, Captain!" ejaculated Jim, impatiently.
"Dear me! That means another delay!" sighed several girls.
The car had to be jacked up and Jim went to work to mend the puncture in the tube, then pumped and pumped until the tire was properly inflated once more.