time the boys built the fire, and the two woodsmen declared it a proper
one.
“Couldn’t have done that when you came in,” laughed Ben.
“We couldn’t do much of anything then,” replied Ed.
When they resumed their journey, the lads recalled many familiar spots
along the way. They went safely over the very place where they had
mired to the hubs before, and saw their own pile of rocks and the
poles with which they had freed the wagon. They forded the stream
which had come near capsizing the load. This time they had no trouble.
They bounced and bumped over the rough “corduroy” bridges which had so
excited their curiosity on the way to camp. Several times they flushed
grouse from close beside the road, and as the birds rose with a roar
of wings Ben looked at the lads and smiled, and George was reminded of
his first fright in the woods. They started a deer from the edge of a
swamp, and watched the nimble-footed creature go bounding along the
road ahead of them. Thus the interesting ride continued, until late in
the afternoon they drew up before the tiny log station.
The agent remembered them, and said they were lucky to reach there at
that time, as an express was due to stop in thirty minutes. Had they
missed it they would have been obliged to remain over until the next
day. The boys quickly checked their baggage, and then came outside to
await the arrival of the train.
“Ben, I’m sure we can never thank you half enough,” said Ed, with
feeling.
“Don’t try,” laughed Ben; “I’ve enjoyed it as much as you have. The
worst of it all is this breaking up of camp; a woodsman always hates
it.” And as he turned to look up the track the boys thought they saw
moisture in his kindly eyes. “Well, it hasn’t hurt you any,” he added,
quickly recovering himself.
“I should say not,” said George. “I feel as if I could wrestle with a
bear.”
“You almost did, once,” Ben chuckled.
“Here she comes. Stand back!” cried the agent, as the great whistling
engine made its appearance around a curve.
The boys shook hands with Ben and Westbrook and then stood on the
rear platform of the last car and waved their hats at the two
broad-shouldered men left behind when the train pulled out for home.
Two days later they were met at the great city terminal by their
fathers. Both Dr. Williams and Mr. Rand were surprised and delighted
at the improvement in the boys. They took critical note of the firm,
bronzed skin, the broadened shoulders and deepened chests, the direct,
keen glance of the eyes, and, above all, the erect, confident carriage
and free, swinging stride. The inspection ended in approval--Ben had
molded well the raw material placed in his hands, and the result was a
credit to him.
The experiment was a success; the theory was proven. The lads had
returned with interest on the investment. They had gained not only in
health and strength, but in much besides. They had a finer, clearer,
broader view of life and the living. They had learned peace and beauty
and quietness from God’s temple, the wilderness. They had gained
strength from the pine-scented air, courage from exposure to hardship
and peril, resourcefulness from dependence upon themselves, and a sound
knowledge of sound truths from honest old Ben.
“By Jove, Doctor, your plan has worked out wonderfully,” declared Mr.
Rand. “I wouldn’t have believed it possible. Why, look at George; he is
fit for the freshman crew.” And the proud father was delighted at the
prospect, for he, too, had worked from freshman to ’varsity oarsman in
his college days.
“Well, you think it has done them as much good as your tutoring trip
through Europe, do you?” laughed the Doctor.
“More!” declared Mr. Rand, enthusiastically. “In fact, I’m inclined to
agree to that Western proposition of yours for next summer, now that
I’ve seen the results of this trip.”
“What is that?” demanded the boys, aroused at the idea of a future trip
to the wilds.
“Never mind,” laughed Dr. Williams, winking slyly; “we’ll give you a
surprise when the time comes.”
[Illustration]
* * * * *
Transcriber’s note:
Illustrations have been moved to paragraph breaks near where they are
mentioned.
Punctuation has been made consistent.
Variations in spelling and hyphenation were retained as they appear in
the original publication, except that obvious typographical errors have
been corrected.
A change has been made as follows:
p. 306: Illustration caption added to agree with the Table of
Illustrations.