are four boys I know of,
constituting the Rod, Gun and Camera Club, who have been busy planning
an outing for next summer, back of the lumber camps at the head of the
lake. Talk to me about opportunities, what's to hinder us going into the
woods right now, and making use of our rods, guns, and that elegant new
camera your mother gave you on your birthday last week?" demanded the boy
called Jerry.

"What's all this about, you two conspirators?" demanded one of two other
boys, swinging alongside just then, as though sure of a hearty welcome,
and a voice at the council fire.

"Glad you came, Frank and Bluff, for I want your opinion. Jerry has
just sprung an astonishing idea on me, and I'm so dazed I hardly know
what to say. Are you ready for the question? All in favor of spending
the two weeks' additional vacation out in camp back of the lumbermen's
diggings say ay!"

The two newcomers looked at each other as if trying to grasp the
immensity of the proposition; then they pulled off their hats, and giving
a shout threw them into the air while both roared the affirmative word:

"Ay!"

Jerry looked at Will, with a broad smile of delight on his face.

"Three against one--the motion is carried!" he declared, triumphantly.

"Oh! come, I wasn't opposed to it in the start, only you stunned me by
such a sudden and glorious idea. We'll meet with some opposition at home,
I expect; but where there's a will there's a way; and I move we make it
unanimous!" Will Milton hastened to remark.

"Bravo! consider it carried; and just to think what a chance it will be
for me to try out my new outfit!" exclaimed the fourth boy, he who had
been called by the queer name of "Bluff" by one of his comrades;
possibly because, being the only son of a prominent lawyer, Dick Masters
may have been addicted to the habit of putting up a bold face even when
his heart was weak.

Jerry looked at him rather superciliously at this remark, and threw up
his hands in a manner to indicate discouragement.

"I'm genuinely sorry for the feathered and furry game of the woods when
the Great Hunter breaks loose with that terrible pump-gun. Mighty little
chance for anything to get away after _that_ is leveled, and the Gatling
opens fire," he remarked scornfully.

"Huh! it's all very well for you to talk that way, Jerry, because you
happen to be a fine shot, and can bag your game the first clip; but
what's a fellow going to do when he finds it difficult to hit