They had now reached the spot Charlie had selected for his picture; the young artist pointed it out to Miss Wyllys, who was in the other boat.
"This is the spot I have chosen," he said, "and I hope you will agree with me in liking the position; it commands some of the finest points on the lake: that is the Black mountain in the back-ground."
His friends admired his choice, acknowledging that the view was one of the most beautiful they had seen.
"It must be difficult to choose, where every view is charming," said Elinor. "How beautiful those little islands are; so much variety, and all so pleasing!"
"You will see hundreds of them, Miss Wyllys, when you have been over the lake," said Hubbard.
"There are just three hundred and sixty-five, marm," added one of the boatmen, the guide of the party; "one for every day in the-year."
"This must be May-day island," said Elinor, pointing to an islet quite near them. "This one, half wood, half meadow, which shows so many flowers."
"May-day island it shall be for the next six weeks," said
Charlie, smiling. "I have chosen it for another view."
"Well, good people!" exclaimed Robert Hazlehurst, from the other boat; "you may be feasting on the beauties of nature; but some of us have more substantial appetites! Miss Wyllys is a little fatigued, Mr. Stryker all impatient to get out his handsome fishing-rod, and your humble servant very hungry, indeed!"
As they had been loitering about for several hours, it was agreed that they should now land, and prepare to lunch.