“Why can’t I?” Townsend asked.
“Because you can’t on account of the woods.”
“Let’s see the woods,” said Townsend.
“We’re coming to them, we’re coming to them,” said Pee-wee. “I’ll show you.”
There had been many uproarious arrivals at Temple Camp but never such a one as that. And Scout Harris nearly fell out of the car, he shouted so. For Townsend paid not the slightest heed to the woods when he reached it.
The way to reach Temple Camp is to go along the road till you reach an old bench covered with carved initials. Here is where they wait for the bus and the mail wagon. Right near that rustic bench is a beaten path (Jeb’s Trail, they call it) which goes down through the sparse woods to the lakeside where the camp is. No four-wheeled vehicle had ever dreamed of going down there. Wheelbarrows had made the trip, but never a wagon, much less an auto. These went on a few hundred feet and were parked at the Archer farm.
“Don’t turn in there, don’t turn in there!” shouted Pee-wee. “It’s all woods.”
“I thought we were going to camp,” said Townsend.
“You’ll bump into trees and everything,” warned Pee-wee, amazed at the direction Townsend was taking, “and the last part is steep and you’ll run right into the lake, that’s what you’ll do—Townsend.”
“Giddap, Liz,” said Townsend. “I’m not going to bust up the party.”