'But you'll not repine, although your heartstrings break, will you?'
said Polly, sympathisingly; 'especially in the presence of several
witnesses who have seen you handle a gun.'

'How glad I am that I'm too near-sighted to shoot,' said Geoffrey,
taking off the eye-glasses that made him look so wise and dignified.
'I shall lounge under the trees, read Macaulay, and order the meals.'

'I shall need an assistant about the camp,' said Aunt Truth,
smilingly; 'but I hardly think he'll have much time to lounge; when
everything else fails, there's always Dicky, you know.'

Geoffrey looked discouraged.

'And, furthermore, I declare by the nose of the great Tam o' Shanter
that I will cut down every tree in the vicinity ere you shall lounge
under it,' said Jack.

'Softly, my boy. Hill's blue-gum forest is not so very far away.
You'll have your hands full,' laughed Dr. Paul.

Here Margery and Bell joined the group after a quick walk up and down
the deck.

'Papa,' said Bell, excitedly, 'we certainly are nearing the place.
Do you see that bend in the shore, and don't you remember that the
landing isn't far below?'

'Bell's bump of locality is immense. There are nineteen bends in the