The Outdoor Chums on the Gulf | Page 3

bees getting your duffle in readiness between now and the time the
train goes, eight A.M. sharp."
"That governor of yours is certainly the finest ever. How did it come
that he fell in with the idea so quickly? Did you have to beg hard?"
asked Will.
"That's the strangest part of it, as I'll tell you presently. He fairly
jumped at the idea when I told him about Cedar Keys. But we must
spend the whole evening settling just what we are to take along with
us," ventured Frank.
"What did you say about grub?" queried Bluff, whose appetite never
failed him.
"Archie wants us to accept all he has laid in, and encloses the list. I
need add only a few little things that I happen to know one or the other
of us fancies especially, and we are fixed for two weeks. You see there
were two of them, and they expected to be afloat two months, so he laid
in a large quantity of bacon, coffee, tea, sugar, and all substantials,
much more than we can ever use; and I know Archie well enough to
make sure they came from the best grocery in New York."
"Oh! the darling, won't we remember him in our prayers, boys, and

hope he gets good and strong over at that cure in Europe? There will be
never a meal but that our thanks will ascend for this good deed of
Cousin Archie. He belongs to all of us; this club adopts him as its one
honorary member; and I hereby propose three cheers for the
biggest-hearted chap going. Hip, hip, hurray!"
Doubtless Frank's father and mother exchanged smiles when this hearty
cheer came to their ears from Frank's den; but Mr. Langdon, even
though a staid banker now, never forgot that he had once been a boy
himself; and they understood the enthusiasm that must inevitably
sweep over the three chums of Frank when they heard the glorious
news.
So the boys proceeded to go into executive session, and jot down lists
of such things as they would be apt to need on the outing.
"I understand that Archie had some heavy fishing tackle in his supplies,
which we can count on to carry us through. Take your heavy rods only,
and your guns, with proper ammunition," suggested Frank.
"And I'll lay in a stock of films and such things, for I expect to get lots
of fine pictures among those wonderful Southern scenes. I've always
wanted to see that Spanish moss trailing from the swamp trees like it is
in all Southern views. I'm the happiest chap in Centerville tonight,
Frank!" exclaimed Will.
"But see here," interrupted Bluff, "how about that matter connected
with your good dad, Frank--why was he so pleased at the idea of you
going to Cedar Keys?"
"Yes, tell us about that," burst out Jerry.
"It's a big mystery, fellows. Father smiled and nodded his head when I
read him Archie's letter. 'What a remarkable coincidence. I was just
thinking of going to that city myself, or sending a trusted messenger,
and now you can do it all for me,' he said."
The boys exchanged looks.

"Don't it just beat all?" remarked Jerry, weakly.
"Why, we're having the luckiest streak of our lives, that's what. But see
here, Frank, didn't he tell you more?" remarked Bluff, who always
wanted to know, being the son of a lawyer.
"He gave me this little packet, done up in a stout manila envelope, and
told me not to open it until I came in sight of Cedar Keys. Inside would
be found full instructions as to what errand he wanted me to carry out."
"Better and better! We sail under sealed orders, fellows. That should
add a little zest to the voyage. I know I'll be consumed with curiosity
every minute of the time wanting to know what under the sun it can be
that your good dad has waiting for you to do," said Will, seriously.
"Well," remarked Frank, "you see me put the packet away, not to be
opened until the proper time; and now we'd better go on with our lists."
CHAPTER II
CAUGHT IN A FIRE TRAP
It was late that night ere the three visitors thought of going home. There
was so much to talk over that it seemed as though they could never
break away.
"Listen!" exclaimed Will, finally, as they were about to depart.
"That's the fire-bell, as sure as you live!" cried Bluff.
"Tell me about that, will you!" cried Jerry. "A cold night to get burned
out!"
Frank snatched up his coat and cap.
"I'm going with you, fellows, as far as the corner, anyway, and see if it
is a real fire, or a fake," he remarked.
Accordingly the