ith its thatch of yellow
hair, defiantly.

"Well, a man is known by the company he keeps, and any true
sportsman--" began Jerry, ready to open the discussion on the spot.

"Rats!" exclaimed Will, as he got in readiness to mount his machine;
"stow all that hot air until the first chilly night. Perhaps you'll need
it before long. I say, Frank?"

"Well, what?"

"Has the wagon started along?" asked the other, eagerly.

"Yes, I saw it off before coming over here. Everything's aboard, and
unless old Uncle Toby has an accident on the road, he guarantees to get
up there shortly after noon," replied the leader, quietly.

"So, you got your hired man to do the driving; and I've half a suspicion
the team comes from your place, too. That's mighty nice of your father,
Frank. Suppose we could keep Toby with us one night to see us started?"

"Father said we could have him all we wanted. He can take the horses
over to the nearest farm, where we expect to get our supply of fresh
eggs, and then do a part of the cooking for us, as well as chop wood and
some other stunts that, say what you will, kind of pall on a fellow after
a little while."

"Better and better," remarked Jerry, who had been known on occasion to
flunk when it came to drudgery, and wanted to be fishing or roaming
pretty much all the day, and every day.

"Well, the reason I asked was this: I wouldn't wonder but what Andy
Lasher and his pals might plan to intercept our supplies, and do
something mean to break up our fun," continued Will, earnestly.

"Whew! I hadn't thought of that," remarked Jerry, looking alarmed.

"I had, and I made an arrangement with old Uncle Toby to take Erastus
along in the wagon up to the point where we are to meet him at noon. You
know Erastus is the porter and watchman at the bank, and known to be a
fighter. When they see him sitting there beside Toby those fellows will
have business somewhere else, you mark me. He can come home on the late
afternoon train, one of us taking him over to the little station on a
motor-cycle. How does that suit you all around?"

"Talk about your Napoleon for laying out plans; it couldn't be better
arranged. The supplies will be safe, then. Now, is there anything else to
remember?" demanded Jerry.

"Not from me," replied Bluff, stealing a side glance at the open window
where Nellie and Violet were standing, watching the starting of the
wonderful expedition that was expected to startle the timid woods folks