n from every conceivable
angle and he had learned to love so well. It was a scene like this that
he loved better than anything else in the world, and it was at such times
that he almost wished that he was one of God's wild things living a
care-free life, looking to Mother Earth and his own wits to care for all
his needs.

Willis came around the fire and stood by his side, silently taking in the
beauties of the picture. Mr. Allen turned, and placing his arm on the
boy's shoulder, said, "It's great, isn't it, boy? It takes a night like
this to make a man realize what the psalmist meant when he said, 'I will
lift up mine eyes unto the hills whence cometh my help.' Do you ever
think of it when you look at these old mountains?"

After supper was finished the group gathered about the fire, and the
business meeting, for which the trip had been planned, began. More cedar
sticks were piled upon the fire, while the fellows settled themselves
comfortably.

"The meeting will please come to order." Dennis had taken his place at
the head of the little company. "The secretary will please read the
minutes of the last meeting." Chuck jumped to his feet and made his
report.

"Any objections to these minutes? If not, they will stand approved as
read. Mr. Allen, will you explain to Thornton what 'O.F.F.' means and
give him the oath of membership?"

Mr. Allen stepped to the side of the fire.

"Fellows, it is with an ever-increasing satisfaction that I meet with
'O.F.F.,' and I think it would not be out of place to-night to say just
a few words that have been in my mind these last few days. I am proud to
be a member of such a club. I am proud to call every fellow gathered here
my brother. I am proud to have a voice in so clean and democratic a
government. I am proud to be able to find my social amusement and social
fellowship in such ways as this club employs--in hiking and tramping in
the woods and learning Nature's secrets. We will not always be together
in this most happy and congenial group. Fate will soon separate us. Some
will grow old; some will die before their time; some will perhaps be rich
in this world's goods; possibly some will experience poverty's sting. Yet
none of us, fellows, need ever want for real friendship; and, after all,
it's that which makes life glad and beautiful for us, or sad and unhappy
if we do not have it. I have often warned my memory never to lose the
picture of a single one of these simple meals, abo