Those students coming from a distance were being sent away at the expense of the proprietor of the school; and others, who belonged either in Centerville or Newtonport, were allowed to go home, subject to a call some two weeks later.

While the boys worked at replacing the fallen boxes, they kept up a running fire of observations regarding this new calamity that threatened their peace; for when Andy Lasher and the ugly crowd with which he trained took a notion to make themselves disagreeable they could do it “to the queen’s taste,” as Jerry said.

“Shall we give the outing up?” asked Frank, after he had heard some of the dire prophecies advanced by his comrades, especially Bluff Masters.

“Never!” exclaimed Jerry.

“Ditto!” cried Will, looking more determined than ever.

“Oh!  I’m just as anxious to go as any one, only it seemed right to look the old thing squarely in the face before we started to lay plans.  If the rest say go, you can count on me all right.  I’m the last to squeal if trouble comes, and you know that, fellows,” declared Bluff, glancing around defiantly.

It was a habit with Bluff to be always expecting something serious to happen; and in case his suspicions were verified, as might occasionally occur, he would crow over the others, and strut around as though he thought himself a prophet gifted with second-sight, and able to forecast coming events with ease.

On the other hand, should the prediction fail to come about there was always a good excuse handy to account for the failure.

“Well,” said Frank, as he winked at Jerry, “since we are all of one mind, I don’t know why we should waste any more time about it.  For one, I’m going straight to the bank and have a friendly chat with my dad.  I just feel dead certain he’ll be as tickled over the chance of an outing as I am.  He never forgets that he was a boy, you see.  So-long, fellows; see you later at Will’s house.”

There was a scattering then and there, Bluff heading in the direction of the building where his father had his offices, while the other two kept on in company, their homes being close together.

Will was the only one who really expected any show of opposition:  for his widowed mother simply idolized him, seeing every day new traits of character as well as little facial resemblances that made him appear more and more like the husband and father who was gone; but then the boy knew just how to overcome these scruples, and his arguments were always backed up by his twin sister, so that in the end he usually attained his wish.

His one great hobby lay in the line of photography, and such had been his remarkable success with a cheap outfit that his mother had surprised and delighted the boy on a recent birthday by giving him an expensive camera.

Of course, he was fairly wild to get away into the woods and secure many stunning pictures of the great outdoor folks, the birds and animals inhabiting the wilds.  Will cared little about shooting, and expected to do all his hunting with his camera.