Mr. George Somers was, fortunately, one of those men who, in spite of a few gray hairs and increasing girth, still remember what it is to be young. He therefore was in full sympathy with his son's plans, and encouraged them whenever he could. In the present instance, the idea of the club and its object pleased him, particularly as he knew that Bob's associates were of the right character. More than once, he had suggested that it would be just as well for him to have little to do with Nat Wingate, though Bob was left entirely2 to his own discretion3 in the matter.
The residence of Mr. Parsons Wingate was situated4 in the northern end of Kingswood. Nat, his nephew, being an orphan5, had dwelt with him for many years, and perhaps, just for that reason, the boy's character and actions should be viewed in a charitable light. Mr. Parsons Wingate was a man of perhaps fifty, tall and slender, with a smooth, suave6 manner and agreeable voice. Many of those who had dealings with him were given cause to regret it, for Mr. Wingate was sharp and not unduly7 particular as to his business methods. Some years before, he had interested Mr. Somers in a certain venture, and since that time the gentlemen, whenever they met, acknowledged each other's salutations in a cold and formal manner.
Nat Wingate and Bob Somers were classmates in the Kingswood High School, and generally divided the honors between them. For some unknown reason, the former seemed to harbor a most unreasonable9 animosity toward his rival, and frequently took pains to give vent8 to it by both words and actions. As is usually the case, he had his adherents10, who were glad to stir up trouble, and it was only due to Bob's good nature and coolness that many clashes were averted11. Altogether, Nat and his followers12 managed to make more trouble in the school and town than all the rest of the boys put together.
During the latter part of the school term just closed, Nat, for some reason, had been quite friendly, and Bob Somers was more than willing to forget their differences. But in view of Nat's past conduct and hasty temper, he thought it best that the latter should not be included among the members of the Rambler Club. Several nights after their first meeting, Bob Somers' father received a letter which interested him greatly. Some three hundred miles away, in a desolate13 region, far from any centre of population, lay a tract14 of land in the northern part of Michigan, which had come to him as an inheritance from a distant relative. Never having regarded the property as of special value, he had left all matters regarding it in the hands of an agent who resided in the city of Tocono, some fifty miles distant from the tract.
It was this man who had written him, and the contents of his letter had surprised Mr. Somers not a little.
"He writes," said the gentleman, "that he has received an offer which he considers very liberal."
"What is the land like, dad?" asked Bob.
"A rather desolate tract, partly wooded," answered his father. "When I went there, about a year ago, I found that the nearest town, a mere15 village, is miles away."
"Then why should any one wish to buy it?"
"That is just the question which is interesting me at present," said Mr. Somers, dryly. "Of course the timber may be of value."
"Did Mr. Jenkins state the name of the intending purchaser?" asked Mrs. Somers.
"No! He merely says that owing to the inaccessibility16 of the land, he might never again receive so good an offer."
"Well, George, I agree with him. Take my advice, and sell it."
But Mr. Somers shook his head.
"No!" he said, slowly. "If it is worth that much to some one else, it is worth the same amount and perhaps more, to me. I shall await further information. It is never well to act hastily in such matters."
But the incident had given Bob Somers an idea, and the more he considered it, the more alluring17 it seemed. He ventured to confide18 in Sam Randall, and the latter was so delighted that he turned a few somersaults in the roadway, much to the disapproval19 of Miss Maria Pringle, in front of whose house they had happened to pause.
That night Bob approached his father on the subject.
"What!" exclaimed Mr. Somers, in astonishment20. "You boys take a trip of three hundred miles? Why, the land is situated far from any railroad, you know."
"So much the better," pleaded Bob. "We can have a bully21 time, and there isn't a particle of doubt about our being able to take care of ourselves. Then, besides, the trip will have an object."
Mr. Somers thought for a moment, and the look on his face inspired Bob with hope.
"It might not be a bad idea," he said, reflectively. "With five of you together, it ought to be safe."
"Of course!" exclaimed Bob, enthusiastically.
"But you know that you may encounter wild animals, and perhaps other dangers."
"Who is Chubby?" asked his father, with a smile.
"Oh, he's the 'Poet Laureate,'" laughed Bob.
"Is he to immortalize your trip in poetry?" asked Mr. Somers.
"Good for Chubby," said Bob's father. "How would you propose to make this trip—by rail?"
"I'll talk to the fellows about it, and see what they say," replied Bob.
"Let me know at once, then."
"Thanks, dad. I will. We'll certainly have a dandy time."
Mr. Somers smiled at his son's enthusiasm, then continued: "If your mother consents, I will give the Rambler Club its first commission. When I was there they were talking of a new road near the property. I'd like to know whether it has been built, what other improvements there are in the neighborhood, and what lumber24 is being cut near by. In fact, you'll make careful notes, and tell me all you see."
"First-rate, dad," exclaimed Bob; "I'll hunt up the boys first thing to-morrow, and tell them."
Bob rushed off to talk to his mother.
He found that it would be a difficult task to gain her consent. Naturally, she feared that they might encounter unforeseen dangers, besides being too venturesome.
Bob, however, with the confidence of youth, was so sure nothing could happen to them, that he at length managed to gain her consent.
Bubbling over with enthusiasm, he then called a meeting of the club, and laid the plan before them.
"Just the thing!" exclaimed Sam Randall, who had dreamed about the matter all night. "A great idea, eh, Chubby?"
"If there isn't any hard work to do," said Dave, smiling. "Can't help it, boys. I want to loaf this summer."
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Dave," said Bob, with mock severity.
"I would be, if my system didn't need rest," laughed Brandon. "What's the matter with you, Dick Travers, and Tom Clifton? What are you so solemn about?"
"Thinking," replied Dick.
"What about?"
"Well, you see, fellows," proceeded Dick, frankly25, "a trip like that might take too long. I have to work a part of the vacation. My father isn't astonishingly rich, you know."
"That's my case, exactly," admitted little Tom Clifton.
"Never mind! We'll fix that up some way," said Bob, confidently. "Don't you worry."
Bob went to his father, explained the situation and asked his advice.
Mr. Somers thereupon consulted the two boys, told them that with all five members of the Rambler Club together, he would feel assured of their safety, and hinted, mysteriously, that the financial outlay26 might not be as heavy as they expected.
At any rate, Tom Clifton and Dick Travers managed to get their parents' consent, and it was, indeed, a happy day when the matter was finally arranged.
"I wish we could go on a flying machine," said Dave Brandon. "Just think of taking a nap on the deck of an aeroplane express; wouldn't that be grand?"
"If you didn't happen to fall off, Chubby," replied one of the others.
"Now the question is, how are we going to make this trip?" observed Sam Randall.
"By boat and train," said Bob.
"We can put ashore30 at night, pitch a tent, and live like regular nimrods," said Bob, gleefully. "Imagine sitting around a blazing camp-fire, and talking over our experiences."
"Yes—at long intervals," returned Sam Randall. "There's no doubt about our having a grand time. And won't Nat Wingate be sorry to miss all the fun?"
That evening, on his way home, Sam encountered Nat sitting on the steps of the post-office, and was immediately met with a volley of questions. Sam was too full of enthusiasm to conceal32 the plans of the Ramblers from the rejected applicant33, but he did not fail to note that a very curious look came over Nat's face when he learned of their destination.
"What!" he almost stammered34. "Are you going on a wild chase to such a place as that? Old Somers' land is no good, and I don't suppose you could find any hunting at all."
"Oh, yes, we shall," returned the other. "I guess you don't know where the land is."
"Maybe not," said Nat, slowly. "I heard it was pretty close to being off the map—that's all. Say, Sam, why don't you fellows let me in?"
Nat arose, flicked35 a few spots of dust from his coat, and continued, persuasively36: "If you will only stand up for me, Bob Somers may change front at once. It isn't a nice way to treat a friend, I'm sure."
It seemed rather strange to Sam Randall that a high-spirited boy like Nat, who until recently had professed37 such a dislike for Bob, should now be so willing to ask a favor of him.
"When are you fellows going to meet?" persisted Nat.
"The day after to-morrow."
"Well, Sam, fix it up for me, that's a good fellow," urged Nat, in his most pleasant manner. "I'll see that you don't lose anything by it."
"He's a queer fellow," thought Sam, as he resumed his way. "He can be very pleasant, too, when he wants anything."
As the days slipped by, the members of the Rambler Club made all preparations for their voyage, always being polite to Nat Wingate, who on several occasions suggested his wish to be a member, but never received any encouragement. Guns were cleaned and polished, and rods and tackle brought out from the place where they had been stored the autumn before. Then a list of the articles required for the trip was made. It included blankets, corned beef, potted tongue, bacon, sardines38, tea, coffee, flour, sugar, salt, pepper, canned goods and a varied39 assortment40 of tin plates, together with kitchen utensils41, court plaster and a few simple remedies which Mr. Somers thought it might be well to take.
The Ramblers were eager to start, and they agreed that on the following Tuesday the sail of the "Lively," as Dave had humorously christened his boat, should be hauled aloft, and their journey to the wilderness42 begun.
But Mr. Somers, at this time, requested a delay. "You have all summer before you," he said, smilingly; "and there is a little matter which I think should be arranged before Bob leaves."
The gentleman vouchsafed43 no information, and the boys were obliged to submit with the best grace possible. But they chafed44 under the restraint.
"Such magnificent weather, too," grumbled45 Dave. "Just think of the woods, and the birds flitting from branch to branch, while we are still cooped up in town."
The speaker, accompanied by Sam Randall, was on his way to the post-office to get the morning mail.
"There's Bob Somers now," exclaimed the latter; "perhaps by this time he knows when we can start."
But Bob could give his fellow member no information, Mr. Somers having scarcely referred to the matter since.
At this, the two boys looked very disconsolate46 indeed.
"Well, I suppose it can't be helped," sighed Sam, as he led the way into the post-office, a frame building situated at the junction47 of two roads.
As was usually the case at mail time, the three boys found the small interior crowded, and it was some time before they were able to reach the delivery window.
Several letters were handed to Bob Somers. He was about to mechanically put them in his pocket when the inscription48 on one attracted his attention. "Hello, what's this?" he said, aloud.
"Love letter?" inquired Dave, pleasantly.
His chums did as requested, and saw written in a clear, bold hand, "Robert Somers, Kingswood;—Personal."
"Something's up there," laughed Dave; "better see what it is."
Without hesitation50, Bob tore open the envelope, glanced at the letter and gave a whistle of astonishment.
"Goodness!" he exclaimed. "What can this mean?"
"Robert Somers, President Rambler Club:
"Dear Sir:—If you will take the trouble to walk through the woods to the river, you will find, at Lloyd's Clearing, something that may interest you. Do not delay."
The communication was unsigned.
The three boys looked at each other in astonishment.
"I'm afraid it is some trick," declared Sam, at length; "perhaps Nat Wingate is trying to lead us on a wild goose chase."
"Can't you make out whose handwriting it is?" queried Dave.
The trio scrutinized51 the missive carefully, but none of them could recall having seen such a style of penmanship before.
"Well, I certainly call this mysterious," exclaimed Bob. "We must find Tom and Dick and start right away."
"And make ourselves a laughing-stock?" objected Sam.
"Even if it is a trick, a walk through the woods on a fine day like this won't do us any harm," commented Dave Brandon. "Besides we can see if the 'Lively' is all snug52 and safe."
"I have it," broke in Sam, suddenly.
"If you're not careful, we might get it, too," laughed Dave.
Thoroughly55 mystified, the trio started off, stopping at the homes of their fellow members, to tell them the latest news.
Both lads were as curious as their friends, and all indulged in a great deal of wild speculation56, as they made their way in the direction of Lloyd's Clearing.
"I call this grand!" exclaimed Dave, drawing in a long breath of the pure air. "Just imagine what fun it will be, camping out."
There was a well defined path leading off from the main road across several fields, through a little copse of giant pines, and then down a gradual decline between two hills until it came out on the bank of a creek58.
Upon reaching it, the boys turned to the left, and were presently traversing an extensive tract of woods, through which the little watercourse wended its way.
Occasionally, rabbits darted59 across their track, and squirrels, disturbed by the strange visitation, climbed swiftly to their sheltered retreats. Everywhere the woodland occupants gave evidence of their presence, and the cheery song of birds enlivened the air.
At a little glen, Dave Brandon, who had quite a reputation as a naturalist60 among his classmates, pointed61 out a great bald eagle soaring in the sky.
But the other members of the Rambler Club, at this moment, had but one thought, and that was to reach Lloyd's Clearing as quickly as possible.
Soon a glimpse of the river was visible between the trees. Then the boys broke into a trot62. Across the open space they raced pell-mell, and, panting and excited, reached the river's brink63. There a sight met their eyes which caused them to utter many and varied exclamations64 of surprise.
Moored65 to a rude little wharf66, resplendent in the sunlight, lay the finest motor boat they had ever seen.
Then their astonished gaze rested on the stern, upon which was painted in large Roman script this magic word, "Rambler."
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收听单词发音
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1
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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suave
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| adj.温和的；柔和的；文雅的 | |
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unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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9
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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adherents
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| n.支持者，拥护者( adherent的名词复数 )；党羽；徒子徒孙 | |
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averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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13
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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inaccessibility
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| n. 难接近, 难达到, 难达成 | |
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alluring
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| adj.吸引人的，迷人的 | |
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confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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20
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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22
chubby
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| adj.丰满的，圆胖的 | |
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scribbles
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| n.潦草的书写( scribble的名词复数 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下v.潦草的书写( scribble的第三人称单数 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下 | |
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24
lumber
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| n.木材，木料；v.以破旧东西堆满；伐木；笨重移动 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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outlay
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| n.费用，经费，支出；v.花费 | |
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sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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endorsed
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| vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品 | |
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30
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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siesta
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| n.午睡 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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33
applicant
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| n.申请人，求职者，请求者 | |
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34
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
flicked
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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persuasively
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| adv.口才好地；令人信服地 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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sardines
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| n. 沙丁鱼 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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40
assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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41
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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42
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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43
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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44
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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45
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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46
disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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47
junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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48
inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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49
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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50
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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51
scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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53
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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54
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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56
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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57
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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58
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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59
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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naturalist
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| n.博物学家(尤指直接观察动植物者) | |
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61
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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62
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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63
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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64
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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65
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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66
wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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