have to become self-reliant, Mrs. Caslette, and the time to start
is when they are young." After that the widow said no more, and
so it was settled, so far as Giant was concerned. Then the three
boys talked the matter over with Whopper's folks, and at last
they gave in also, and then the boys danced a regular war-dance
in Whopper's back yard, which made even Mrs. Dawson laugh.

"Well, boys will be boys," she said. "But I do hope they don't
run into a bear or shoot themselves."

"They are all good shots and know how to handle their guns," answered
Mr. Dawson. "They ought to be able to get along. Mr. Dodge told
me privately he was going to have old Jed Sanborn keep an eye
on them, and Sanborn is one of the most reliable hunters and guides
in this district."

As soon as it was settled, the boys began to get their stores
ready. It was decided to go down the river as far as Lake Cameron
in a rowboat belonging to the Dodges, and from there "tote" their
outfit to wherever they decided to camp. If one spot did not
suit after stopping there they would move on to some other point.

The outfit was no light one, when it was all gotten together.
For clothing, each youth had an extra set of underwear and some
socks. Each carried a pair of shoes and wore boots, and also
had a coat that would do for both rain and warmth.

Their stores consisted principally of flour, beans, bacon, coffee,
sugar, salt, pepper, condensed milk, and a few vegetables, some
fresh and others canned. For cooking purposes they had a "nest"