Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/126



was not long before the rowboat which our friends occupied reached the mouth of a creek flowing into the river, and up this smaller watercourse they pursued their way, under the oaks and weeping willows that lined the banks.

"What a beautiful bit of scenery!" was Dave's admiring comment. "Some artist ought to paint this!"

"It has been painted, and photographed, too," said Phil. "I took a time exposure of it one day last summer. It made a fine photo, I can tell you. The painting was done by an artist from Springfield, who was stopping with Dr. Clay."

Half an hour was spent up the creek and then they turned back into the river. As they did this Phil consulted the watch he carried.

"Half an hour yet," he said.

"Oh, we can get back in plenty of time," answered Roger. "Listen!"

He and Dave stopped rowing, and all of the boys listened. From a distance came a strange pup, pup, pup! Rh