suggestion was followed out.

Four goodly sized fish rewarded the combined efforts of the fishermen
that time, and then two scouts were detailed to clean them, while two
went to build a fire. Others were tolled off to attend to other work,
and in half an hour a savory meal was ready.

When all signs of cooking and eating were cleaned away, Mrs. Vernon took
the bunny again and said they had best go on.

"Outdoor cooking and eating always makes me feel fine. I can walk a
hundred miles now, and feel it no more than if it were a trifle," said
Julie, taking a deep breath.

"All the same, we haven't gone five miles yet, according to Verny's map,
and there is still that walk home, so don't brag too much, Julie,"
advised Betty, seriously.

"We haven't voted yet whether we want to go on to the village or to the
ravine," now said Ruth.

"I'd like to visit the old Indian canoe-maker, and have a chat with
him," said Joan.

"His time is money, so he will charge us for chatting," returned Julie,
grinning.

"I think Joan's idea of visiting the Indian a good one, girls; why not
go there instead of to either of the other places?"

The Captain's suggestion was agreed upon, and the scouts turned in at
the willow-arched walk that led to the Indian's hut. A wide brook ran
under the willows, and here they saw several canoes waiting to be used.
The pathway that ran alongside the brook was littered with rubbish of
all kinds,--the accumulation of years of slovenly housekeeping and lazy
carpenter work out of doors.

But it was evident that the Indian was neither slovenly nor lazy when it
pertained to making canoes. Every canoe there was a splendid example of
workmanship. When the scouts reached the door, the owner came out to see
them.

"Morn'," said he, bowing seriously to his visitors.

"Are you Mike, the Indian?" asked Mrs. Vernon, after acknowledging the
salutation.

"Me Mike--wan'da canoe?"

"No, we came to visit you. We are friends of Mr. Gilroy's," explained
the Captain.

"Huh! Mees'er Gilloy use Mike's canoes."

"So he told us. He says they are the finest anywhere," said Julie,
ingratiatingly.

"Bedder buy one," came from the Indian.

"Verny, we might _rent_ another one--we only have two in the lake, you
know, and we all prefer canoes to boats," whispered Joan.

"We can't afford any added expense," replied Mrs. Vernon.

But Mike understood the meaning of that whisper, so he wisely said:
"Come see fine canoes.