“That would be a subterfuge,” Dick replied, shaking his head.  “Straight dealing is always the best rule in anything.”

However, Dr. Bentley settled the question of etiquette himself, by coming over to the boys’ camp shortly after eight o’clock.

“Mrs. Bentley sent me to see if you got through the night without being drowned,” smiled the physician.

“We look pretty healthy, don’t, we, sir?” smiled Dick.

“Speaking professionally, I would say that you do,” agreed Dr. Bentley.  “However, I believe you must have had a pretty dismal time in all that downpour.  Have you been in the woods this morning?  They are pretty wet, aren’t they?”

“The woods are damp, sir,” Prescott answered, “but not really wet.  The water has soaked fairly well into the ground since sun-up.”

“Are the woods dry enough for a little botanizing?” asked the doctor.  “Laura and Belle say they have a few plants in mind that they want to add to their collection of botanical specimens.  Are you two young men ready to escort them?”

“Certainly, sir,” Dick nodded.  “And the forenoon will be the best time, as we must go through our training work this afternoon.”

“Hang my luck!” muttered Darrin in sudden disgust.  “This is my day to do the cooking here.”

“One of the other fellows will take your turn,” suggested Prescott.

“I won’t ask anyone to do it,” sighed Darry.  “I’m man enough to shoulder my own share of the camp work.  Dick, you can look after both girls, can’t you?  And you’ll make my excuses satisfactorily to Miss Meade?”

“That’s right—–­just right, David,” spoke the physician.  “Do your own work like a man.  I’ll undertake to make your excuses so well that Belle will have a higher opinion of you if that were possible.  Dick, shall the girls look for you within the next few minutes?”

“I’ll be there soon, doctor.”

Five minutes later Dick presented himself at the other camp.  He went first to Mrs. Bentley and inquired as to her comfort during the storm.

“We know Dave can’t come, but where are the other boys?” inquired Clara Marshall.

“Over at the camp,” smiled Dick.

“Don’t they think that we need attention?” asked Susie Sharp.

“Tom is hauling firewood,” Dick explained.  “Greg is chopping it up.  Harry is hauling the water supply and Dan is doing the housework in the tent.”

“Laura and Belle have an escort for their trip into the forest, but it’s not a rosy outlook for the rest of us,” Clara pouted.

“Can’t we all go together?” proposed Dick.  “Surely, one guide ought to be enough for a party of eight girls.”

Susie decided to join the botanizing party.  The other girls made up their minds to take a walk under Dr. Bentley’s escort.  So Dick started away with the trio.

Belle and Laura carried the regulation oval cans for holding such plant specimens as they might collect.  Prescott promptly offered to carry both cans, but the two girls declared that they were not going to permit him to impose upon himself.