Could anyone ask more?
There was the nicest little beach just in front, where the canoes could be landed. And as the three lads jumped ashore, they felt satisfied that the conditions could not possibly be improved on.
As they expected to stay in this camp for several days, it was only natural that they should go to some little extra care in doing things.
For instance, after the tent had been raised, Teddy and Dolph took hatchet and knife, and dug a little sluice in a crescent shape around the side that was up the slope. This was calculated to turn any water aside that might, during a storm, have a tendency to creep under the tent, and wet the piece of canvas they always used as a “floor.”
Then Amos, too, used extra care in building his stone fire place. They had a sort of gridiron arrangement along with them, which, composed of cross sections or bars, could be opened very much after the manner of the drawing arrangement used in some schools for copying designs.
When open it was very nearly two feet square, and yet it could be squeezed into the smallest compass imaginable when not in use.
Amos built his fire place to fit this “spider” as he called it. Once the arrangement was completed they could set the coffee pot and skillet on this frame without the slightest danger of an upset, such as so often disturbs the harmony of a camp.
Besides, once the fire got down to red embers, the bars of this grate were useful to hold pieces of toasting bread—when there was any in store.
And so, after all these things had been looked after, and the sun shone very red across the lake, Dolph was called upon to exhibit his skill as a cook.
When, just as twilight came stealing through the pine woods, supper was announced, Teddy was seen to sniff the heavily charged air in a manner so full of eager appreciation that the cook felt constrained to call out: