“Suppose we take our lunch along,” said John. “We can be gone as long as we want then and can go ashore and eat wherever we happen to be.”
“Good idea, String,” cried George heartily. “I do believe you’re getting smarter every day.”
“What do you think of my scheme?” demanded John, completely ignoring his friend’s sarcasm.
“It’s all right,” said Grant. “I’m in favor of doing it.”
“We can take a couple of rods with us, can’t we?” said Fred. “We might get a few fish for dinner.”
“That’s right,” agreed Grant. “We can anchor and fish from the boat if we want.”
“Let’s get started,” exclaimed John.
A small catboat was a part of the equipment the boys had in order to help them enjoy their summer more thoroughly. It now lay at anchor in a little cove a short distance from the place where the tent was located. It was a natural harbor and afforded excellent shelter for the boats from the squalls and not infrequent storms that were apt to spring up during this season of the year. The lake was between two and three miles in length so that a comparatively heavy sea could be stirred up by the winds.
The island on which the four boys had pitched their tent was the only one in the lake and it was very nearly in the center. It was owned by a friend of John’s father who had obtained permission for his son and his three friends to camp on it that summer. The sailboat and two canoes were included with the island, so that there was no question but that these four boys were very fortunate indeed to be able to enjoy it all.
For months they had been looking forward to this summer and they had planned innumerable excursions and expeditions as part of their camping experiences. Now that the time was really at hand they meant to enjoy every minute of it to the utmost.