When it was ready for use, Dan, Brad and Sam Hatfield anchored the raft in deep water.
“I’m all tuckered out,” Dan announced, pulling himself up on the platform to rest. “You know, camping is mighty hard work!”
“It is until your camp is set up right,” Sam Hatfield agreed. “After that, it’s easy. If the Scouts decide to buy this property, we’ll have cabins and an improved beach. The brush will need to be cleared away. But it will make a first class camp.”
“I hope the Scouts decide to buy,” Dan said, rolling over so that the sun would warm his back.
“The site seems ideal to me. It’s close to Webster City. The beach area is unusually good, and the island has a natural spring. Plenty of woodland for nature trails too.”
“You think the Scouts will buy it?” Brad asked. Seated on the edge of the raft, his dangling feet beat a steady tattoo in the water.
“That remains to be seen,” Mr. Hatfield replied. “There are several factors to be considered.”
He did not amplify the statement, for just then Midge’s father called from shore to warn that lunch would be ready in twenty minutes.
With a shout of pleasure, the Cubs scrambled for the beach. Dan and Brad dived from the raft, racing each other in.
“No fooling, you get faster every day,” Brad praised his companion. “If you don’t take Ross for a cleaning in our next swimming meet, I’ll miss my guess.”