"No," said Mr. Button. "We arrived here about twenty minutes ago and didn't find a soul around anywhere. So we just made ourselves at home and decided we'd have a little luncheon."
"I saw one of you duck behind the tent," said George. "Then when we didn't see you again it sort of worried us. Imagine how we felt when we saw these two rough looking men sitting under the tree here."
"Where had you boys been?" asked Mr. Sanders.
"We went out to shoot a blue heron," said Grant. "Ask George about it; he'll be glad to tell you all the details," and he nudged John who was standing next to him.
"I was the goat all right," laughed George, and he proceeded to recount the story of how he and Fred had tried to put up a game on Grant but had had the tables turned on them.
The tale caused much merriment on the part of Mr. Button and Mr.
Sanders. Curiously enough these two men happened to be the fathers of the boys who had been the victims of their own joke.
"It served them right, Grant," laughed Mr. Button. "I hate these practical jokers and am always glad to see them fooled. I notice it usually happens that way too."
The party had moved up to a spot directly in front of the tent now and all were seated in a circle on the ground. The day was waning and the sun was beginning to sink low in the western sky. A gray haze hung over the surrounding hills and forests. A strong wind blew off the lake.
"You know that breeze is cold," exclaimed Mr. Button with a slight shiver, and he drew his coat closer about him.
"Why shouldn't it be?" demanded Mr. Sanders. "It's almost fall now and the summer is practically over."
"I know it is," exclaimed George. "I hate to think of it too."
"You've had a good time up here, have you?" inquired Mr. Button.
"Wonderful," replied all the young campers with one accord.
"You certainly look so," laughed Mr. Sanders. "You're as tanned as a lot of Indians and you look just about as wiry."
"It's been great fun," said John. "We've been out in the air all summer and on the water so much we ought to be healthy."
"We'll have to come back here again next summer," exclaimed George.
"What do you say to that, Dad?"
"Personally I should think you'd rather go to some other place next time. I like different experiences myself."
"So do I," agreed Grant. "There are so many wonderful places and things in the world that it's worth trying to visit and see all of them you can, I think."
"That suits me," exclaimed George. "What do you say, Dad? We'll go to some other place next time."
"As far as I'm concerned you may," said Mr. Sanders. "Go ahead."
THE END