“I suppose now, Jack,” he presently remarked, shrewdly, “this unknown lady friend of yours doesn’t want it known that any one is backing us in our trip?”
“That is understood,” he was informed speedily enough. “Of course our folks must know where the money comes from, but the story ends there. It is a dead secret, though later on when I’m at liberty to open my heart and tell you just what it all means, you’ll both agree with me that if the kind lady is to get what she is aiming for, no one outside ought to know a thing about her being interested in our trip.”
Of course this sort of talk aroused the curiosity of the two boys to fever pitch, but they did not attempt to “pump” Jack, knowing how useless it would be; and at the same time realizing how unfair such a proceeding would be toward their benefactress.
So they spent an hour and more in discussing the various means for making their vacation in the woods a memorable one, long to be talked of as the greatest event of the year. Long lists of needed supplies were made up, and corrected, so that by the time Steve and Toby thought it time to start homeward, they had managed to fairly map out their programme.
8“Fortunately we can hire that splendid big khaki-colored waterproof tent belonging to Whitlatch the photographer,” Jack said as the others were leaving, “and all other necessities we’ll pick up at our various homes. Goodnight, fellows, and mum is the word, remember.”
“Jack Winters’ Baseball Team.”
9CHAPTER II
JACK AND HIS MATES IN CAMP
It was rather late in the afternoon, some days later, when a light covered wagon drawn by a stout though rather lazy horse, could have been seen moving along the valley road among the famous Pontico Hills. Three boys dressed for rough service in the woods sat upon the seat, with Jack doing the driving just then, though both Toby and Steve had taken turns at this work during the long day they had been on the road.