The Go Ahead Boys in the Island Camp Part 1

The Go Ahead Boys in the Island Camp.

by Ross Kay.

PREFACE

Every one who loves outdoor life knows the charm and the pleasures of camping. To look back on the days pa.s.sed in a tent by the sh.o.r.e of some forest lake or stream is a source of never-ending enjoyment to those of us who have had that experience. In this book I have tried to describe the adventures of four boys who spent a vacation camping in the Adirondacks, and who indulged in water sports of various kinds while there. Many of the episodes are true or at least founded on the experiences of former boys who enjoyed them. If the boys who may read this tale will derive some of the pleasure in hearing about them that the real boys did in partic.i.p.ating in them I shall feel repaid.

--Ross Kay

THE GO AHEAD BOYS IN THE ISLAND CAMP

CHAPTER I-MAKING CAMP

"Here is the place to put the tent, String."

"I think this spot is better."

"Not at all. It's higher over here and consequently we won't be flooded by every rain that comes along and besides that, the flies won't be so apt to bother us."

"All right, just as you say."

The boy addressed as "String" had been named John Clemens by his parents. He was six feet three inches tall, however, and extremely thin so that the nickname applied to him seemed quite appropriate. At any rate his friends thought so and that was the name by which he usually was called.

Talking with him and arguing about the location of the tent was Fred b.u.t.ton, a boy as short as John was tall. He was so small that the nicknames of Stub, Pewee and Pygmy had all been applied to him, the last one sometimes shortened to Pyg much to Fred's disgust. He had found out long ago, however, that there was no use in showing his irritation at this for it only served to increase the frequency with which the name was applied to him.

These two boys, together with two of their friends, were pitching camp preparatory to spending a summer on one of the Adirondack lakes. Grant Jones was one of these boys and the other was George Washington Sanders.

Grant was the most serious-minded of the four and everything he did he did with all his heart. As a result he was a leader not only on the athletic field but in his studies as well. The other boys usually came to him for advice and looked up to him in many ways. The fact that he was of a serious nature, however, did not mean that he was not oftentimes just as full of fun as anybody.

George Washington Sanders having been named after the father of his country, had acquired the name of Pop. He was often in mischief and took especial delight in teasing his three friends. It was almost out of the question to be angry at him, however, for he never lost his temper for more than a moment himself and was always bubbling over with spirits and fun. He was the life of any crowd he was in.

While the argument between John and Fred was in progress Grant and George approached.

"What are you two arguing about?" demanded Grant.

"We're trying to decide where to put the tent," replied Fred. "What have you two been doing all this time?"

"Putting the canoes away," said Grant. "Where are you going to locate the tent, anyway?"

"Well," said Fred, "John wants it over in that hollow, but I say it ought to be up on this little plateau."

"I think you're right, Fred," said George. "We won't get so many flies up there."

"Just what I said," exclaimed Fred triumphantly. "What do you think about it, Grant?"

"I think your place is better," said Grant. "Besides everything else we'll have a good view of the lake from there."

"All right," said John, pretending to be very sad. "You all seem to be against me so I guess I'll have to give in."

"You see, String," exclaimed George with a sly twinkle in his eye, "we all know so very much more about this business than you do that you might just as well take our advice in everything."

"You talk too much, Pop," said John shortly, which remark drew a laugh of glee from George who had tried to irritate his friend and was delighted at having succeeded.

"I say we all stop talking and get to work on the tent," said Grant. "We can do all the fooling we want later."

"Great idea, Grant," exclaimed George, who was in excellent spirits at the prospect of all the good times ahead of them. "You're a wonder."

"You were right when you said Pop talked too much, String," laughed Grant. "We'll put him to work now, though."

In an incredibly short time the white tent was erected on the little bluff overlooking the lake. It was s.p.a.cious with plenty of room for the four young campers and all their equipment, which was speedily stored away inside.

"How about a few fish for dinner?" exclaimed George, when the tent was in place. "Personally I think they'd taste pretty good."

"Go ahead and catch some, then," urged John. "I'll help you eat them."

"Oh, I didn't worry about your not helping me out in that way," laughed George. "That's the least of my troubles. What bothers me is who is to clean the fish."

"The man who catches them always cleans them," said Fred.

"Oh, no, he doesn't," laughed George. "Not in this case, anyway."

"How about the cook doing it?" inquired John.

"As I am to do the cooking all summer I can't say I approve of that plan," laughed Grant. "That seems a little bit too much."

"Well, he hasn't caught any fish yet, anyway," said Fred. "Let him do that first and we'll argue about them afterwards."

"Where are you going to fish, Pop?" asked Grant.

"I thought I'd try it off those rocks down on the point there," said George. "That looks like a likely spot."

"While you're fishing I'll cut some balsam boughs and make four beds in the tent," said John.

"And I'll get a place ready to make a fire in," said Grant. "That'll take a little time."

"How about you, Fred?" demanded George. "It looks as if you were about the only loafer in the whole crowd."

"I'll help String cut balsam."

"Very good," said George haughtily. "You may go now."