"Hurrah, hurrah!" cried the boys in chorus.

By turns they rowed a short distance down the stream and back. There
was no danger of sinking this time. Then they gathered under the tree,
where Mrs. Gordon and Uncle Gerald had unpacked the basket and set
forth a tempting lunch upon a tablecloth on the grass. As hunger is
said to be the best sauce, so good-humor sweetens the simplest fare.
Our friends enjoyed their sandwiches and doughnuts, and milk rich with
cream, as much as if a banquet had been spread before them. There was
plenty of fun, too; and though the wit was not very brilliant, it was
innocent and kindly, and served its purpose; for the company were quite
ready to be pleased at any one's effort to be entertaining or amusing.

After an hour or more, Mrs. Gordon announced her intention of returning
to the house.

"And I must be off also; for I have to drive two or three miles up
country, about some business," added her brother.

"We shall all have to leave now," said Jack. "Father Martin is going
to drill the cadets for a short time in the early part of the
afternoon."

"What arrangements have you made for fastening your boat?" asked Uncle
Gerald. "To guard against its being tampered with by meddlesome
persons, as well as to prevent its drifting away, you ought to secure
it to a stake near the bank by means of a padlock."

"We forgot to get one," returned Jack. "No one will touch it here.
I'll tie it to a tree with this piece of rope, so that it won't go