to teach him how to photograph flowers and birds and nature.  I’m glad I can do something that’s worth while, or I’d feel unhappy in that bunch.  Sleepy has a wireless outfit and knows all about electricity.  Shorty Wier works in the Strang Garage.  He is a shark in school and a fiend at basket ball.  He doesn’t say much, but he is a dandy.  Chuck is interested in debates, and will represent the school in the interscholastic contest next fall.  He can talk about anything, and has ‘pep,’ I tell you.  And Mr. Allen is a nature student.  Gee! won’t we have a circus talking bugs and flowers and birds.  Fat draws and does lettering.  O yes, and Ham—­I mustn’t leave out Ham—­he is the Billikin of the crowd.  When you feel down in the mouth or blue, just look at Ham and it makes you laugh.  He likes everybody except the girls, and everybody likes him.  He knows more funny stories than all the rest put together.  Ham’s the one that always gets the fire ready to light and passes the ‘eats,’ he’s—­”

“Well, son, I think you are fortunate in being able to find such companions, and in having such a place as the Association to spend your leisure time.  I think it is a great thing.  I hope you will make the most of the opportunity.  I have about decided we had better stay here through the winter, for I am very sure Aunt Lucy can not last until spring.  I feel so sorry for Uncle.”

* * * * *

Friday came at last, and was one of those grand June evenings when everything seemed to be bursting with the love of life.  The new green leaves danced in the breeze, as if saying, “See, I’m back again!” Here and there a fragrant fruit tree gave forth its odor from snowy blossoms, and innumerable spring insects flocked to the arc lights at the corners.

It was a happy, healthy crowd of boys that boarded the street car for Manitou.  High-boots, sweaters, slouch hats, cameras, and a plentiful supply of good food.  From the hip-pockets of the trousers tallow candles showed, and one fellow carried a good supply of mason’s cord, wound upon a paddle.  Then there was the coffee-pot, which was really an honorary member of the club, and numerous packages done up in paper.

The fellows loved Williams just at twilight, for it was then that the fantastic shapes and high pinnacles of white limestone made their best impression.  The long, irregular shadows that were thrown across the canyon by the setting sun, the cool pine-scented breeze that carried every sound down the narrow crevice, the echoing of every laugh and halloo added much to the enjoyment and comradeship of the little group.  Who could be unhappy or unfriendly on such a night and in such a place?

The road led on and up, winding back and forth zigzag fashion on the south wall, until it reached that wonderful cavern of fairyland, the Grand Caverns.  Thousands of tourists annually come to see its wonders, but to the boys there were other caves more magic in their spell, for they had not yet become “civilized,” as the fellows said, by being lighted with electricity and “engraved” by human hands.