Ralph Henry Barbour

“ Chub added. “There ought to be more variety; it’s too—too somber as it is.” The others laughed; all save Harry. She had advanced across the rock until she had only to take a step to reach the deck of the house-boat. The setter didn’t move an inch, but he kept his eyes on her very intently.
“How do you do, Mr. Red Setter?” inquired Harry affably. The red setter flapped his tail once or twice, feebly but good-naturedly. “Will you kindly tell us where your master is?” For reply the dog arose, stretched himself luxuriously, and walked dignifiedly to the edge of the deck. ”

“ Harry went into raptures over the place, and the boys agreed that it was “just about all right.” On the other side of the kitchen, or the “galley,” as their host termed it, was a small engine-room with a twenty horse-power gasolene engine. That interested Dick, and he had to know all about it before he would consent to go on. The man explained smilingly, obligingly.
“It’s a fairish engine, I guess,” he said, “but I’m free to confess that I don’t understand it and never shall. Engines and machinery are beyond me. I start it going and if it wants to it keeps on. If it doesn’t want to it stops. ”

“ They made their adieus, their host accompanying them to land and shaking them each by the hand with a pressure that made them gasp. Jack, too, followed, wagging his tail in friendly farewell, and Beastie stood at the doorway and blinked benevolently.
“You needn’t be afraid of Jack the next time,” said Mr. Cole. “He knows you now. Good-by, good-by. Come again. The bear’s den is always open, and if I’m not here make yourselves at home.” He waved one big brown hand in farewell as they passed around the point.
Harry
“Isn’t he jolly?” ”

“ Whereupon Snip paid no more attention to the cat, but proceeded to make friends with the red setter.
“I don’t use this room much,” said their host as they sat down at his invitation, “so I fancy it doesn’t look very well. I’m a poor housekeeper. Well, boys, what do you think of the bear’s den?”
“It’s just swell!” answered Chub earnestly. “I shouldn’t think you’d want to sell it, sir.”
“No,” murmured Roy and Dick.
“Had it four years,” said the painter, “and been all around in it. Besides, it’s too big for comfort. Two rooms are all I need. So I’ll sell when I get a chance. ”

“ Any law against trespassing?”
“It’s Fox Island,” answered Roy, “and it belongs to Doctor Emery, Miss Harriet Emery’s father.” He nodded toward Harry. “He is principal of Ferry Hill School which is just across there on the hill. I don’t believe he would mind your staying here as long as you—as long as your engine likes.”
“Do you boys go to school there?”
“Yes, that is, Chub and I have just graduated and Dick has another year of it. We three are camping out here, and Harry comes over every day. It’s pretty good fun.”
“Yes, but it would be more fun in a boat like this,” said Dick. ”

“ They found themselves in a little room about ten feet square. The sunlight streamed through the two windows on the island side and cast a golden glow over the apartment. It was furnished with a table, which still held the remains of a meal, two chairs, a large easel holding a clean canvas, a high stand bearing a huge paint-box, brushes, knives, and tubes, and a green bench. There was a cupboard built against the wall in one corner, a pile of canvases under the table and a few pictures between the windows.
“This is the workroom,” explained the host. “Not lavishly furnished, you see.” ”