“We want to spring this on the general public as a surprise,” he explained.  “If we don’t keep it quiet some other folks may try to get ahead of us.  To my mind our section of the Windy Mountains is an ideal one for city sportsmen, being wild and yet not too wild, and having some charming spots for camping.”

“And hunting and fishing ought to be good,” added Whopper.  “I’ve heard Jed Sanborn say so.”  Jed Sanborn was an old hunter who knew every foot of territory for miles around the river and its lakes.

“I suppose we can take along the same general outfit we had before,” remarked Whopper.

“I will get you a new and larger tent,” answered the doctor, “and a few other things I think you ought to have.”  Can you go to Rallings to-morrow?”

“Rallings?” asked several.

“Yes.  I will pay your way.  I want you to go to visit Mr. Jally, the photographer.  He is the one to give you a few lessons in photography.”

The boys could all go, and it was decided to visit Railings early in the morning.  The physician said he would give his son a letter of instructions for the photographer.

“It would be a good thing if you could stay overnight,” said Dr. Reed.  “Then you could have two days instructions instead of one.  You could stay at my sister’s house.”

“That would be jolly!” cried Shep.  He loved his aunt and knew she would make him and his chums welcome.

“I guess I can stay—–­anyway, I’ll find out,” answered Snap; and Giant and Whopper said the same.

Little did any of the boys dream of what strange happenings that visit to Railings was to bring forth.

CHAPTER III

A LESSON IN PHOTOGRAPHY

By consulting a time-table the boys found that a train for Railings left at ten minutes after eight in the morning.  The distance to the city was thirty-three miles and the run on the country railroad took the best part of an hour and a quarter.

Snap, Whopper and Giant were on hand ten minutes before train time.  They found the doctor’s son ahead of them, and he had tickets for all.

“Well, how did you make out at home?” was the question asked by several, and then it was learned that all had had an easy time of it persuading their parents to let them go on the proposed outing to the Windy Mountains.

“My folks told me to beware of ghosts,” said Snap with a grin.

“We needn’t beware if the ghost turns out to be like that other,” answered Giant.

“My folks told me to keep out of trouble especially with Ham Spink’s crowd,” said Whopper.

“Say, fellows, I reckon you have forgotten something,” said Shep.

“Forgotten something?” queried Whopper.

“Exactly.”

“What?”

“There’s a circus at Rallings—–­to-day and tomorrow.”

“Why, so there is!” exclaimed Giant.  “How queer we didn’t remember it before!  Casso’s United Railroad Shows.  Do you suppose it is worth going to see?”