big
seven-passenger touring car _en route_ for Braxton Woods, as the strip
of timberland was called.

"This is the life!" chortled Jimmy, as the miles rolled away behind.
"Fresh air, bright sun, the song of birds, and--doughnuts!" and he
produced a bulging paper bag full of his favorite dainty.

"How do you get that way?" asked Joe severely, although he eyed the bag
hungrily. "The 'song of doughnuts!' You're the only Doughnut that I ever
heard of that could sing, and you're no great shakes at it."

"Oh, you know what I meant!" exclaimed Jimmy. "At least, you're thicker
than usual if you don't."

"Do you hear that, Joe?" laughed Bob. "The boy's telling you that you're
thick. Are you going to stand for that?"

"He knows it's true. And, anyway, he doesn't dare talk back for fear I
won't give him one of these delicious little morsels," said Jimmy
placidly. "How about it, Joe?"

"That's taking mean advantage of a poor fellow who's practically dying
of starvation," said Joe. "Give me a doughnut, and I won't talk
back--until after I've eaten it, anyway."

"That's all right then," said his plump friend. "After you've eaten one,
you'll feel so grateful to me that you'll regret all the low-down things
you've ever said about me."

"Oh, you're the finest pal any fellow ever had," declared Joe. "How many
doughnuts have you left, Jimmy?"

"Something tells me that you don't mean all you say," said Jimmy
suspiciously. "Just the same, I'll take a chance and give you another
one. They won't last long at the rate they're going; I can tell that
without half trying."

"Well, a short life but a merry one," said Bob. "Come across with
another, Jimmy, will you?"

"You know I love you too much to refuse you anything, Bob," said Jimmy.
"Just the same, I'm going to hold out another for myself, and then you
big panhandlers can finish them up. I've just had four, but I suppose
those will have to last me for the present."

"Say, that's tough--only four!" exclaimed Herb, in mock sympathy. "What
will you ever do until lunch time, I wonder?"

"I'm wondering the same thing myself; but I'm used to suffering whenever
I'm with you fellows, so I suppose I'll have to grin and bear it
somehow."

"I don't see why you didn't bring some more, while you were about it,"
complained Bob. "You might have known that wouldn't be half enough."

"It will be a long time before I buy any more for you Indians, you can
bet your last dollar on that," said