“Say, that bacon smells prime!” declared Will, smacking his lips.

“Hope you didn’t forget about that mess of hominy I spoke about last night, Toby.  Hominy’s my great stand-by for breakfast.  All right, I see it on the fire.  Give me just five minutes.  If it wasn’t for that gun—­”

“Talk about your Ambrosia, that Java sure has it knocked clean out,” broke in Jerry.  “Me for a quick-dressing act and then grub!”

Uncle Toby grinned, for he knew what appetites boys are apt to develop when in the woods, and, of course, he had made allowances.

They were soon gathered around the table and busy.

“What’s the programme for to-day?” asked Frank, when the edge of their appetites had been taken away.

“First thing of all I want some snapshots of the camp in the morning sun.  You can see that’s the best time to get a good view.  Now, just sit still, fellows, and let me do my little trick,” said Will.

They assumed grotesque positions, but the photographer refused to stand for that.

“What d’ye think I want, a collection of freaks broken loose from the lunatic asylum?  Here, you, Will, be dishing out some more bacon on to your plate; Frank, take up the coffee-pot and be helping Bluff.  Uncle Toby, just look pleasant.”

“Pretend you found my gun, and I was giving you half a dollar, Uncle Toby,” remarked Bluff, quickly.

“Always thinking of that cheap, clap-trap affair,” growled Jerry.  “Goodness knows if we’ll hear anything else from him all the time we’re in camp.  I declare I’ve half a notion—­”

“To do what?” asked Frank, looking at him suspiciously.

Jerry only smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

“Now, hold your positions, fellows.  Frank, lean a little forward, so your face stands out better; there, that’s right.  Toby, raise your head and point up as if you saw a bird in that tree.  That’s good, all right; it’s over.  Thank you!”

Will kept his position for a little while, and every few minutes seemed to find a chance to snap off another view.  He evidently believed in getting a variety of the main subject of their outing—­the home camp.

“I move we try and find old Jesse Wilcox this morning,” suggested Frank.

“That suits me, if we don’t have to go too far,” agreed Jerry.

“How’s the shin, by the way, this morning?  Haven’t noticed you limp much?”

“Feels pretty fair.  Next time I chase out of camp I’m going to make sure to clear that old box, all right.  How about the rest—­do you say go?” asked Jerry.

“Count me in,” called Will.

“Yes, you will want to get some views of the old trapper and his cabin, with the door covered with muskrat skins,” remarked Frank.

“Coming along, Bluff?” asked Jerry, watching the other covertly.

“I guess not to-day.  I’m going to hunt around again to see if I could have unconsciously grabbed up that gun as I bolted, and then dropped it in the brush.  Such a thing might happen, you know, fellows,” returned the other.