As soon as it was settled that they were really to go, Harry rushed over to Fred’s house. Fred had already received permission to go, and now all they had to settle on was the time for their departure and what was to be taken along. Christmas had fallen on Thursday, and it was decided to leave home on the following Monday morning, weather permitting. As to the stores to be taken along, that was to be left largely to the judgment of Joel Runnell and to Mr. Westmore, who also knew a good bit about hunting and life in camp. CHAPTER VI ORGANIZING THE CLUB “Boys, we’ve got to organize a club,” said Joe, as they were talking the matter over, and getting one thing and another ready for the trip. “Just the thing!” shouted Fred. “Let us organize by all means.” “What shall we call ourselves?” queried Harry. “The Outdoor Trio.” “Or the Forest Wanderers,” came from Joe. “Bosh!” interrupted Fred. “We’re going out with guns. You’ve got to put a gun in the name.” “How will Young Gunners do?” “Gun Boys of Lakeport.” “Young Hunters of the Lake.” “Bull’s-eye Boys.” “Yes, but if we can’t make any bull’s-eyes, what then?” There was a general hubbub and then a momentary silence. “I’ve got it,” said Joe. “Let us call ourselves The Gun Club. That’s a neat name.” “Hurrah for the Lakeport Gun Club!” shouted Fred. “Three cheers and a tiger! Sis-boom-ah! Who stole the cheese?” There was a general laugh, in the midst of which Laura Westmore came up. “Gracious sake! what a noise you’re making! What is it all about?” “We’ve just organized the Gun Club of Lakeport,” answered Harry. “Indeed. And who is president, who is vice president, who is secretary, and who is treasurer?” At this the three lads looked glum for a moment. Then Joe made a profound bow to his sister. “Madam, we scarcely need so many officers,” he said, sweetly. “We’ll elect a leader and a treasurer, and that will be sufficient. You can be the secretary—to write up our minutes after we get home and tell you what happened.” “I move we make Joe leader,” said Fred. “Second the commotion,” responded Harry, gravely. “’Tis put and carried instanter. Mr. Joseph Westmore is elected to the high and dignified office of president, etc., of the Gun Club of Lakeport. The president will kindly deliver his speech of acceptance at the schoolhouse during next summer’s vacation. He can treat with doughnuts——” “Just as soon as his sister consents to bake them for him,” finished Fred. At this Laura burst out laughing. “I’ll treat to doughnuts on one condition,” she said. “Condition granted,” cried Fred. “What is it?” “That you make me an honorary member of the club.” “Put and carried, madam, put and carried before you mentioned it. That makes you the secretary sure.” And Laura accepted the position, and the boys got their doughnuts ere the meeting broke up.