"Give me a chance," said Wyn. "Voted!" Frankie declared. "When Wyn sets out to do a thing we might as well give her her head. She's like Davy Crockett; and I hope all our folks will come down without being shot, like the historic 'coon." And this present declaration of their captain, which had so aroused the Go-Ahead Club, was the result of Wyn Mallory's exertions. She had first obtained the interest and cooperation of Percy's Aunt Evelyn, who was a widowed lady fond of outdoor life herself. Mrs. Havel was to act as chaperone. With this addition to their forces, the girls stood a much better chance to win over their parents to their plan. And finally Wyn had gained the permission of the most obdurate parent. The cruise of the Go-Ahead Club in their canoes to Lake Honotonka, and their camping for the summer at some available spot along the lake shore, was decided upon. "And are the Busters going?" asked Frank. "That's the next important matter." "Oh, we can get along without those boys, I guess," scoffed Bessie. "Yes, I know. We don't need 'em. And they are a great nuisance sometimes," admitted Frank, laughing. "But just the same, we'll have lots more fun with them around--especially Dave Shepard--eh, Wynnie?" "I don't see that you need _me_ to witness the truth of your statement, Frank," returned Wyn, flushing very prettily, for the girls sometimes teased her about Dave, who was her next-door neighbor. "Of course we want the boys, even if Bess is a man-hater." "I guess they'll go," Frank said. "They liked it so much last year. And the professor is interested in the geological specimens to be found up that way." "Goodness!" exclaimed Mina. "Is Professor Skillings going with them again? He is so odd." "He's very absent-minded," said Bessie. Frank began to laugh again. "Say!" she began, "did you hear about what happened to him last week? Father met him coming down Lane Street--you know, it's narrow and the sidewalk in places is scarcely wide enough for two people to pass comfortably. "There was poor Professor Skillings hobbling along with one foot continually in the gutter, his eyes fixed on a book he was reading as he walked. Father said to him: "'Good morning, Professor! How are you feeling to-day?' "'Why--why--why!' exclaimed the professor--you know his funny way of speaking. 'Why--why--why--I was very well when I started out, I thought. But I don't know what's come over me. Do you know, I've developed a pronounced limp since leaving the house!'" "Well, the boys like him," Wyn said, when the girls' laughter had subsided. "I thought I saw Dave Shepard and that 'Tubby' Blaisdell around here when I hurried down from school to light the fire," remarked Grace. At that moment a strange, scraping sound was heard right above the girls' heads. Bess and Mina jumped up. "What's that?" cried Grace. "It's something on the roof," declared Wyn.