Page:Young Hunters of the Lake.djvu/23

Rh old orchard, backed up by a large strawberry patch.

"No apples ripe around here," said Snap, as he and his chum walked up the river bank, to a point opposite where they had left Giant and Whopper.

"Let us go over to the strawberry patch," suggested Shep. "We may find some strawberries worth eating."

As nobody was in sight, the proposition was readily accepted, and the boys picked their way carefully along, for they had no desire to hurt their bare feet. Reaching the patch, they began a hunt and soon discovered a corner where the berries were thick and sweet.

"Say, this is prime!" observed the doctor's son, smacking his lips. "This would suit Giant and Whopper to a T!"

"Wonder if we can carry any over to them, Shep?"

"I don't see why not. A little water won't hurt them. In fact they ought to be washed, they are that full of sand."

"Who owns this patch?"

"Old Tom Ashenbury."

"Well, we had better keep out of his sight, or