, forks and spoons.

Each boy wanted to take along his shotgun, and in addition they
took a rifle belonging to Mr. Dodge and a pistol loaned to them
by Dr. Reed. Each youth also carried a serviceable pocket-knife
and a waterproof match-safe.

"I think we've got about all we need now," said Snap, after looking
at the collection. "Now all we want is those rubber blankets
and the flannel ones, and then we shall be about ready to start."

"Will the rowboat hold the load?" questioned Whopper. "It seems
to me there is about two thousand times too much stuff."

"The boat has got to hold it," came from Giant. "But what I am
thinking of is, what a job we'll have carrying the load after we
leave the boat."

"Well, if it's too heavy we can make two trips instead of one,"
said Shep, and so it was agreed.

CHAPTER III

DOWN THE RIVER

When Snap awoke on Sunday morning, he was very much discouraged,
for the sky was overcast, and by church-time it was raining steadily.

"This will make it beastly for a start," he grumbled, while on
his way to church in the family carriage.

"Never mind," answered his father. "You can start Tuesday as
well as Monday."

"I'd rather start on time," answered the impatient boy. His mind
was so taken up by the proposed outing he could scarcely bring
himself to listen to the sermon; and what was true of Snap was
also largely true of the others.

By nightfall the rain cleared away, and when Snap went to bed
the moon was shining brightly. The boy could hardly go to sleep,
and when he slumbered, dreamed of being in camp, with wolves and
bears and deer on all sides of him. Then he dreamed that it began
to hail, louder and louder, and he awoke to hear some pebbles
being thrown against the window-pane. He sprang up, rushed to
the window and saw Giant standing in the yard, fully ready for
a start.

"Hullo, you! How long are you going to snooze?" demanded the
small youth. "I've been ready for an hour. Don't you know that
this is the all-important day?"

"I do!" cried Snap. "What time is it?"

"Half-past six. I wanted to start by six."

"We're to start at eight o'clock," answered Snap, and hurried
into his clothing with all possible speed.

By seven o'clock all of the boys had had a good breakfast and
then they bid their folks good-by and hurried down to the river.
It was a glorious morning, as clear as crystal after the rain,
and with just the faintest breeze blowing.