-faced towhead, with a grin wider than the Choptank River. "Heck,
Steve, I don't have to ask gran'pop that. Everybody knows where
Calvert's Favor is located."

"Not everybody," Steve returned. "I don't. How about letting us in on
the secret, Jimmy?"

"It's no secret. Everybody around here knows it's located across the
river from you. It's at the head of Swamp Creek."

CHAPTER VII

Sighting Data

Steve's living room was an excellent place to work. In fact, it was a
shade too comfortable. Rick and Scotty spent a half hour arguing over
who would do what in putting their data down on paper, and both knew
perfectly well that they were just stalling.

Finally Rick said, "Let's admit it. We're both stuffed with crab, a
little sleepy, and too comfortable in these armchairs."

Scotty waved a hand languidly. "All right. I concede the point."

Steve Ames chuckled. "Suppose you move to less comfortable chairs. Those
dining-room chairs should keep you upright. Get to work and I will too."

The boys hauled themselves to their feet reluctantly. Rick walked to the
door and looked out through the screen. He could see the creek
glistening, and, out beyond the dock where the houseboat and runabout
were tied up, he saw ripples spreading where a fish had jumped. The air
was still, and he could hear cicadas in the trees and shrubs.

"This is the land of pleasant living," he observed. "I'm surprised
anyone on the Eastern Shore ever gets a lick of work done."

"You certainly don't," Scotty retorted. "Come on over here and stop
admiring the scenery."

Steve had produced large sheets of white paper, a ruler, and pencils.
Rick sat down. "I'll act as recorder."

"Volunteering for the hardest job?" Scotty inquired. "The air must be
affecting you."

"Nope." Rick shook his head. "I have just enough energy left to be
realistic. I can't read your writing. Suppose I put down the headings.
Location, date of sighting, time of sighting, direction of sighting,
number of persons who saw object. What else?"

"Description," Scotty suggested. "Maybe that ought to be in two parts.
One for shape and one for color."

Rick nodded. "Good idea. I'll rule lines as we go." He drew lines for
the columns, printed his headings, and put in the first several
horizontal lines. "Ready," he announced.

"We'll start with the first one. Location: five miles south of Wye Mills
on Route 50."

Rick printed: "5M S Wye Mls Rte 50."

"Date of sighting,